U.S. patent application number 11/406399 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for image forming system and a method for loading sheet films.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.. Invention is credited to Katsunori Goi, Katsushi Kameda, Takashi Konishi, Mitsuru Nagasaki, Makoto Sumi, Nobuaki Tsuji.
Application Number | 20060237894 11/406399 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37186032 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nagasaki; Mitsuru ; et
al. |
October 26, 2006 |
Image forming system and a method for loading sheet films
Abstract
An image forming system includes: (1) an image forming apparatus
and (2) a film package having a plurality of photosensitive sheet
films and a light shielding bag that packs the plurality of
photosensitive sheet films. Herein, the light shielding bag
includes a bag section, a cut section to be cut at a first end
portion of the bag section, and a holding section opposite the
first end portion; after the cut section is cut, the film package
is loaded on the loading section and mounted on the main body of
the apparatus, the holding section is pulled from outside to take
out the bag from the apparatus, and the photosensitive sheet films
remain loaded on the loading section; and a length of the holding
section outside the main body of the apparatus is smaller than or
equal to 70 mm.
Inventors: |
Nagasaki; Mitsuru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Goi; Katsunori; (Shiroyama-cho, JP) ;
Tsuji; Nobuaki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kameda; Katsushi;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Sumi; Makoto; (Tokorozawa-shi,
JP) ; Konishi; Takashi; (Sagamihara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Assignee: |
KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL &
GRAPHIC, INC.
|
Family ID: |
37186032 |
Appl. No.: |
11/406399 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/10.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 3/54 20130101; B65H
2701/1719 20130101; B65H 2405/311 20130101; B65H 1/04 20130101;
B65B 5/067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/010.01 |
International
Class: |
B65H 5/00 20060101
B65H005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 22, 2005 |
JP |
JP2005-124840 |
May 20, 2005 |
JP |
JP2005-148078 |
Aug 25, 2005 |
JP |
JP2005-244427 |
Claims
1. An image forming system, comprising: (1) an image forming
apparatus including: an image forming section that forms an image
on a photosensitive sheet film; a loading section to load a
plurality of photo sensitive sheet films; and a main body of the
apparatus that accommodates the image forming section and the
loading section and maintains inside of the main body light
shielded; and (2) a film package including: a plurality of
photosensitive sheet films; and a light shielding bag that packs
the plurality of photosensitive sheet films, wherein, the light
shielding bag includes a bag section, a cut section to be cut at a
first end portion of the bag section, and a holding section
provided at a second end portion of the bag section opposite the
first end portion; after the cut section is cut, the film package
is loaded on the loading section and mounted on the main body of
the apparatus, the holding section is pulled from outside so that
the bag is taken out of the main body of the apparatus, and the
plurality of photosensitive sheet films remain loaded on the
loading section; and a length of the holding section that is
outside the main body of the apparatus and pulled is smaller than
or equal to 70 mm.
2. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein a buffer member is
provided at a bottom of the main body of the apparatus, the buffer
member having a high friction coefficient and being capable of
damping vibration transmission.
3. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the loading section
is movable between a sheet film loading position and a film
feed-out position in the apparatus.
4. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the system is a
desktop type.
5. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the holding section
has a flat shape having no portion through which to hook a
finger.
6. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the film package is
held such that a force to pull out the light shielding bag does not
exceed 147 N.
7. The image forming system of claim 1, comprising a guide to guide
the light shielding bag to be pulled out such that the pulling
direction of the light shielding bag is upward than horizontal.
8. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein a weight of the
main body of the apparatus is in a range from 60 to 70 kg.
9. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein a sheet film is
exposed with an exposing device, while being developed by a
developing device at a front end side of the exposing device.
10. A sheet film loading method of loading a plurality of
photosensitive sheet films by loading a film package comprising a
light shielding bag that stores the plurality of light shielding
films to a loading section of an image forming apparatus, cutting a
cut section provided at an end portion of the light shielding bag,
thereafter setting a length of a holding section that is disposed
at another end portion and for pulling out the light shielding bag
from outside to smaller than or equal to 70 mm.
Description
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications
No. 2005-124840 filed on Apr. 22, 2005, No. 2005-148078 filed on
May 20, 2005 and No. 2005-244427 filed on Aug. 25, 2005, in
Japanese Patent Office, the entire content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system and
a method for loading sheet films and pulling out a light-shielding
bag from the main body of an image forming system with maintaining
a light shielding condition after loading the film package of sheet
films into the main body of the image forming system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A desktop type printer placed on a desktop, the height of
the desktop from floor being 600-700 mm, has been widely used. When
loading recording paper sheets into the printer, it is possible to
simply pull out an empty tray from the printer, load new recording
paper sheets and put back the tray into the main body of the
printer. The reason why it is simple to load new recording paper
sheets onto the tray in a conventional printer is that it is not
necessary to maintain the recording paper sheets in a light
shielding condition.
[0004] Meanwhile, when loading photosensitive sheet films onto the
tray in a medical imager or a medical image forming apparatus, it
is necessary to keep the sheet films in a light shielding
condition. Particularly, when loading a film package designed so
that the film package can be loaded in a lighted room, the light
shielding bag is automatically or manually removed from the upper
surface of the film sheets under the light shielding condition. In
the case of manual operation, in general, the light shielding bag
is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. At the time when
the light shielding bag is removed, it is necessary to cut the end
portion opposite to the end portion to be pulled out to maintain
the light shielding condition and decrease the pull-out-torque of
the light shielding bag. It is also necessary to provide a
structure of the image forming system for responding to the case
when the end portion opposite to the end portion to be pulled out
is left uncut due to forgetting to cut.
[0005] In a conventional standalone type image forming apparatus,
it is not possible to pull out the light shielding bag from the
main body of the image forming apparatus even pulling out the end
portion of the light shielding bag to be pulled out, when the end
portion was not cut. Since the weight of the image forming
apparatus is heavy, the image forming apparatus cannot be moved.
Consequently, it is easily noticeable for users that abnormality
has occurred such that the end portion of the shielding bag has not
been cut. However in the case of a relatively small sized desktop
type image forming apparatus which has been disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application Open to Public Inspection No. 2002-162692, there
is a possibility that the image forming apparatus moves in the
direction which the light shielding bag is pulled and falls from
the desktop or the desk tips over when continuing to pull out the
light shielding bag without cutting the end portion of the light
shielding bag.
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image
forming system and a method for loading sheet films in the image
forming system capable of preventing the main body from moving on
the desktop and falling from the desktop beforehand even when
pulling out the light shielding bag from the main body of the image
forming system without cutting one end of the light shielding bag
after a film package has been loaded into the main body of the
image forming system and to solve problems of the prior art as
described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an
image forming system that includes
[0008] (1) an image forming apparatus including: an image forming
section that forms an image on a photosensitive sheet film; a
loading section to load a plurality of photo sensitive sheet films;
and a main body of the apparatus that accommodates the image
forming section and the loading section and maintains inside of the
main body light shielded; and
[0009] (2) a film package including: a plurality of photosensitive
sheet films; and a light shielding bag that packs the plurality of
photosensitive sheet films,
[0010] wherein, the light shielding bag includes a bag section, a
cut section to be cut at a first end portion of the bag section,
and a holding section provided at a second end portion of the bag
section opposite the first end portion; after the cut section is
cut, the film package is loaded on the loading section and mounted
on the main body of the apparatus, the holding section is pulled
from outside so that the bag is taken out of the main body of the
apparatus, and the plurality of photosensitive sheet films remain
loaded on the loading section; and a length of the holding section
that is outside the main body of the apparatus and pulled is
smaller than or equal to 70 mm.
[0011] In a second aspect of the invention, for the image forming
system in the first aspect, a buffer member is provided at a bottom
of the main body of the apparatus, the buffer member having a high
friction coefficient and being capable of damping vibration
transmission.
[0012] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a
sheet film loading method of loading a plurality of photosensitive
sheet films by loading a film package including a light shielding
bag that stores the plurality of light shielding films onto a
loading section of an image forming apparatus, cutting a cut
section provided at an end portion of the light shielding bag,
thereafter setting a length of a holding section that is disposed
at another end portion and for pulling out the light shielding bag
from outside to smaller than or equal to 70 mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of an image forming
apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view showing a film loading
section in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a film package
capable of being loaded onto a film loading section shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, wherein a part of the film package is cut for the
perspective view;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view for showing the
cross sectional structure of a light shielding bag of the film
package shown in FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a main part showing a rack
and pinion structure associated with a light shielding roller 75
pressing the second end `b` of the light shielding bag of the film
package P, the second end `b` being folded onto the film package P
that is loaded on the film loading section shown in FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0018] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view for describing a mode for
pinching both ends of the light shielding bag of the present
embodiment and FIG. 6(b) is also a perspective view for describing
another mode for holding the both ends of the light shielding bag
in the present embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view for showing the main body of
the apparatus sitting on a desk in the present embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view for showing a
schematic diagram of a positioning member for determining the
position of the bundle of films in the film package shown in FIG.
3;
[0021] FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c) illustrate a side view of the schematic
diagram for describing manufacturing processes of the film package
shown in FIG. 3;
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of an example of a
package-bag (a barrier-bag) in a prior art;
[0023] FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) illustrate schematic diagrams of the
side view of the main body of the apparatus for describing two
cases of the reference planes of the length of the portion of the
light shielding bag, the portion being outside the main body of the
apparatus;
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the sketch of a main
part of the image forming apparatus in a state where buffer members
are arranged at the bottom of the apparatus in the present
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates a partial side view for partially
showing a lock device based on a lock 45a and a lock 71a of the
film loading section 45 shown in FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic diagram of the perspective
view of a package using a tray in a prior art;
[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic diagram of the perspective
view of a package using a tray in accordance with the present
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 16 illustrates an explored schematic diagram of a tray
in accordance with the present embodiment shown in FIG. 15;
[0029] FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) illustrate schematic diagrams of cross
sectional views along A-A' in FIG. 16;
[0030] FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) illustrate magnified schematic
diagrams of the cross sectional views of buffer members having a
plate shape shown in FIG. 16;
[0031] FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) illustrate plan views of the buffer
members having a plate shape shown in FIG. 18;
[0032] FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic diagram of the perspective
view of an example showing that the buffer members having a plate
shape as shown in FIG. 16 are provided on the first bottom of the
tray; and
[0033] FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) illustrate schematic diagrams of flat
plate member having another shape.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] The present invention includes following items.
[Item 1]
[0035] An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus,
the apparatus having a loading section capable of loading a film
package that includes a light shielding bag into which a plurality
of sheet films is stored so that the sheet films are shielded from
lights, the loading section being arranged at a lower portion of a
main body of the image forming apparatus to move, relative to the
main body of the apparatus, between a position where the film
package is loaded and a position from which a sheet film is fed
out, wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of being used
on a desktop and is arranged such that the light shielding bag can
be taken out from the main body while maintaining the plurality of
the sheet films in a light shielding condition after having loaded
the film package, and a length of the portion of the light
shielding bag, the portion being outside the main body is not
longer than 70 mm when the loading section having been moved to the
position from which a film is fed out after loading the film
package.
[0036] According to this image forming system, when a user has
loaded a film package into the image forming system without cutting
the end portion of the light shielding bag, since the length, of
the light shielding bag, which is outside the main body of the
image forming apparatus is not longer than 70 mm, it is difficult
for the user to firmly hold the end portion of the light shielding
bag even though the user tries to hold the end portion of the light
shielding bag with both hands and forcefully pull the bag.
Accordingly, it becomes impossible to apply a force large enough to
pull out the shielding bag from the main body of the image forming
apparatus. As a result, the user can notice the abnormality that
the end portion of the light shielding bag has not been cut, and
thus the main body of the image forming system is prevented from
moving on and falling from a desktop or tipping over together with
the desk (hereinafter, also referred to merely as "tipping over")
when the light shielding bag is pulled out from the main body.
[Item 2]
[0037] The light shielding bag of the Item 1 is arranged to have a
structure such that a user pulls out the light shielding bag from
the main body after cutting a 1st end portion of the shielding bag
opposite to a 2nd end portion on the side where the light shielding
bag is pulled. Even if the 1st end portion of the shielding bag is
cut, the light shielding condition for the films can be
maintained.
[Item 3]
[0038] It is preferable that the light shielding bag has a flat
shape without a part, in the 2nd end portion of the bag at which
the light shielding bag is pulled, to hook a finger through. Based
on this configuration, it becomes more difficult for a user to hold
the end portion of the light shielding bag and becomes surely
impossible for the user to forcibly pull out the light shielding
bag.
[Item 4]
[0039] It is preferable that the film package is held such that the
force for pulling out the light shielding bag is not larger than
147 N (Newton).
[Item 5]
[0040] The image forming system further includes a guide for
guiding the light shielding bag so that a direction to which the
light shielding bag is pull out from the main body is upward
comparing with a horizontal direction. According to this Item 5,
when the end portion of the light shielding bag has not been cut,
even though the light shielding bag can be pulled out, the force is
applied toward upward. Accordingly, the risk that the main body of
the image forming apparatus falls from the desktop toward an
operator becomes lower.
[Item 6]
[0041] There is provided a sheet film loading method of loading
sheet films on an image forming apparatus that includes a loading
section capable of loading a film package that includes a light
shielding bag into which a plurality of sheet films is stored so
that the sheet films are shielded from lights, the loading section
being arranged at a lower portion of a main body of the image
forming apparatus to move, relative to the main body of the
apparatus, between a position where the film package is loaded and
a position from which a sheet film is fed out, wherein the image
forming apparatus is capable of being used on a desktop and is
arranged such that the light shielding bag can be taken out from
the main body while maintaining the plurality of the sheet films in
a light shielding condition after having loaded the film package,
and the film package is loaded such that the length of the portion
of the light shielding bag, the portion being outside the main
body, is not larger than 70 mm when the loading section has been
moved to the position from which a sheet film is fed out after
loading the film package.
[Item 7]
[0042] In the sheet film loading method of Item 6, a user pulls out
the light shielding bag from the main body after cutting a 1st end
portion of the shielding bag opposite to a 2nd end portion on the
side at which the light shielding bag is pulled.
[Item 8]
[0043] In the sheet film loading method of Item 6 or 7, the light
shielding bag preferably has a flat shape without a part, in the
2nd end portion of the bag at which the light shielding bag is
pulled, to hook a finger through.
[Item 9]
[0044] In the sheet film loading method of Item 6, 7 or 8, the film
package is preferably held such that the force for pulling out the
light shielding bag is not larger than 147 N.
[Item 10]
[0045] An image forming apparatus includes a film loading section
capable of loading a film package and moving between a loading
position, of the film package, to which the loading section is
pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus and a
film feed-out position in the main body of the image forming
apparatus, the film package including a tray having a bottom plate
and a side flap, a plurality of sheet films placed on the tray and
a light shielding bag holding the tray and the plurality of sheet
films in a light shielding condition; a pickup device for taking
out a sheet film after the light shielding bag of the film package
loaded on the film loading section is removed from the main body of
the image forming apparatus; an exposing device for forming a
latent image on a substantially full surface of the sheet film by
scanning operation of a light scanning device while conveying the
film sheet having been taken out; a developing device for
developing the latent image formed on the sheet film; and a housing
section for holding the film loading section, the pickup device,
the light scanning device, the exposing device and the developing
device, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be a
desktop style; the plurality of the film sheets is arranged such
that a user can remove the light shielding bag from the main body
of the image forming apparatus after the film loading section
having the film package loaded thereon has reached the feed-out
position; and a buffer member that has a high friction coefficient
and is capable of damping vibration transmission is provided at the
bottom of the housing section.
[0046] According to the image forming apparatus described above,
since the buffer member having a high friction coefficient capable
of decreasing vibration transmission is provided at the bottom of
the housing of the image forming apparatus, it becomes possible to
damp the vibration transmission from the outside into the main body
of the image forming apparatus on a desktop and at the same time,
it becomes possible to prevent the main body of the image forming
apparatus from moving on the desktop and falling from the desktop
or tipping over, since the moving force required for moving the
apparatus becomes large due to the high friction coefficient even
when pulling out the end portion of the light shielding bag to
remove the light shielding bag.
[Item 11]
[0047] In the image forming apparatus of the Item 10, it is
preferable that the developing device develops the front end side
of the sheet film while the sheet film is exposed by an exposing
device in the image forming apparatus. According to this way, it is
possible to minimize the size of the apparatus.
[Item 12]
[0048] With respect to the image forming apparatus of Item 10 or
11, the weight of the main body of the apparatus is preferably 60
to 70 kg.
[Item 13]
[0049] In the image forming apparatus of any one of Items 10 to 12,
the image forming apparatus can be arranged such that a user is
able to manually hold the portion of the light shielding bag which
is outside the main body of the image forming apparatus and pull it
out from the main body when having moved a film loading device to
the feed-out position. It is preferable that the configuration is
arranged such that the light shielding bag is removed after a 1st
end portion is cut, the 1st end portion being opposite to a 2nd end
portion of the light shielding bag to be pulled out from the main
body. In this case, the main body of the image forming apparatus
does not come to the situation where the main body of the image
forming apparatus moves and falls from the desktop, or tips over by
arranging the configuration such that the lock mechanism of the
film loading device is released when the pulling force applied when
the light shielding bag is pulled out without cutting the 1st end
portion of the light shielding bag, has reached the predetermined
value. It is also possible to prevent the main body of the image
forming apparatus from moving on and falling from the desktop or
tipping over by arranging the length of the 2nd end portion, of the
light shielding bag, which is outside the main body of the image
forming apparatus not to be larger than 70 mm to control the
pulling force caused when a user holds the 2nd end portion of the
light shielding bag under a certain level.
[Item 14]
[0050] In the image forming apparatus of any one of Items 10 to 13,
it is preferable that the buffer member has a characteristic
capable of damping the transmission of low frequency vibration
particularly not higher than 25 Hz.
[Item 15]
[0051] In the image forming apparatus of any one of Items 10 to 14,
it is preferable the configuration is arranged such that the light
shielding bag is removed after the 1st end portion has been
cut.
[0052] A preferable embodiment of the present invention will be
described below by referring to drawings below. FIG. 1 illustrates
a schematic diagram of the side view of an important portion of an
embodiment of the present invention being a thermal development
type image forming apparatus.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of thermal development
type image forming apparatus 40 has a light scanning exposure 55
for emitting laser beams L onto a surface EC to form a latent image
while sub-scanning and conveying the film F that has the surface EC
(emulsion coating side) with thermal developing material coated on
such a as PET and has a surface BC (back coating side) opposed to
the surface EC. Then the image forming apparatus 40 heats the film
F from surface BC side to develop and visualize a latent image and
conveys and ejects the film to the upper portion of the apparatus
through a conveyance path having a curvature. The image forming
apparatus 40 has a relatively small housing 40a and is configured
as a desktop model capable of being placed on a desk.
[0054] The image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a film
loading section 45 for storing a plurality of films which has not
been used, the loading section being provided adjacent to the
bottom of the housing 40a, a pickup roller 46 for picking up a film
F on the top of the film loading section 45 and conveying the film
F, a conveyance roller pair 47 for conveying the film F from the
conveyance roller 47, a curved guide 48 being structured into a
curved shape so as to guide, turn and convey the film F from the
conveyance roller pair 47, conveyer roller pairs 49a and 49b for
sub-scanning and conveying the film F from the curved guide 48, a
light scan exposure 55 for forming a latent image on the EC surface
by scanning laser beams L and exposing based on a image data onto
the film F between the conveyance roller pairs 49a and 49b.
[0055] The image forming apparatus 40 further includes a
temperature raising section 50 for heating the film F, on which a
latent image has been formed, from the surface BC side until the
temperature reaches a predetermined thermal developing temperature,
a temperature retaining section 53 for heating the film F whose
temperature has been raised and keeping the temperature at the
predetermined thermal developing temperature, a cooling section 54
for cooling the film F which has been heated from the surface BC
side, a densitometer 56 for measuring the optical density of the
film F, which is provided at the output side of the cooling section
54, a conveyance roller pair 57 for outputting the film F for the
densitometer 56 and a film stacker 58 provided on the top surface
of the housing 40a so that the film F outputted from the conveyance
roller pair 57 can be placed.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, provided are the film loading section
45, a plate 59, the conveyance roller pairs 49a and 49b, the
temperature raising section 50 and the temperature retaining
section 53 (upper stream side) in the order toward the upper
direction, in the image forming apparatus 40. Since the film
loading section 45 is provided at the lowest portion and the plate
59 is provided between the film loading section and the temperature
raising section 50 and the temperature retaining section 53,
heating effect does not affect on the film loading section 45.
[0057] Since the conveyance path from the conveyer roller pairs 49a
and 49b for sub-scanning and conveying the film F to the
temperature raising section 50 is arranged to be comparatively
short, the temperature raising section 50 and the temperature
retaining section 53 thermally develops the front end of the film F
while the light scanning exposure 55 exposes the film F.
[0058] The temperature raising section 50 and the temperature
retaining section 53 configure a heater for raising temperature of
the film F to the thermal developing temperature and keeping the
temperature at the thermal developing temperature. The temperature
raising section 50 includes the first heating zone 51 for heating
the film F at the upper stream and the second heating zone 52 for
heating the film F at the lower stream.
[0059] The first heating zone 51 includes a heating guide 51b which
is made of metal material such as aluminum shaped in flat and fixed
on the housing, a heater 51c which is made of silicon rubber shaped
in flat closely contacted on the heating guide 51b and a plurality
of opposed rollers 51a capable of pressing the film onto a fixed
guide surface 51d of the heating guide 51b and being arranged such
that the space between the roller surface and the fixed guide
surface 51d is kept narrower than the thickness of the film, the
opposed rollers 51a being made of silicon rubber having a higher
heat insulation characteristic on the surface of the rollers than
that of metal.
[0060] The first heating zone 52 includes a heating guide 52b which
is made of metal material such as aluminum shaped in flat and fixed
on the housing, a heater 52c which is made of silicon rubber shaped
in flat closely contacted on the heating guide 52b and a plurality
of opposed rollers 52a capable of pressing the film onto a fixed
guide surface 52d of the heating guide 52b and being arranged such
that the space between the roller surface and the fixed guide
surface 52d is kept narrower than the thickness of the film, the
opposed rollers 52a being made of silicon rubber having a higher
heat insulation characteristics on the surface of the rollers than
that of metal.
[0061] The temperature retaining section 53 includes a heating
guide 53b which is made of metal material such as aluminum shaped
in flat and fixed on the housing, heater 53c which is made of
silicon rubber shaped in flat closely contacted on the heating
guide 53b and a guide 53a which is made of heat insulating material
arranged opposed to a fixed guide surface 53d structured on the
surface of the heating guide 53b with a predetermined space `d`.
The temperature retaining section 53 is structured such that the
temperature raising section 50 side flatly continues to the second
heating zone 52, and structured in curved surface with a
predetermined curvature form the middle portion of the temperature
raising section 53 toward the upper direction.
[0062] In the heating zone 51 of the temperature raising section
50, each opposed roller 51a which is rotatably driven presses the
BC surface of the film F conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 49a
and 49b from the upper stream of the temperature raising section 50
is arranged to be closely contacted and heated onto the fixed guide
surface 51d and conveyed.
[0063] In the second heating zone 52, each opposed roller 52a which
is rotatably driven presses the film F that has been conveyed from
the first heating zone 51 so that the film F is conveyed while the
surface BC is in close contact with the fixed guide surface 51d and
heated.
[0064] A recessed portion having an upward opening structured in a
V-shape may be provided between the second heating zone 52 of the
temperature raising section 50 and the temperature keeper 52. In
such a manner, a foreign object from the temperature raising
section 50 drops into the recessed portion, and accordingly the
foreign object from the temperature raising section 50 is prevented
from being carried into the temperature retaining section 53.
[0065] In the temperature retaining section 53, the film F conveyed
from the second heating zone 52 passes through a gap space `dd` by
the conveyance force of the opposed roller 52a of the second
heating zone 52 while the film F is heated by the heat from the
heating guide 53b (or the heat of the film F is insulated) in the
gap space `dd` between the fixed guide surface 53d of the heating
guide 53b and the guide 53a. The film F is conveyed as gradually
changing the conveyance direction from horizontal direction to the
vertical direction and moved to the cooling section 54.
[0066] In the cooling section 54, the opposed rollers 54a are
arranged to convey the film F to the film stacker 58 while changing
the conveyance direction from the vertical direction to the oblique
direction and while the film F conveyed from the temperature
retaining section 53 in the substantially vertical direction is
cooled by being pressed against a cooling guide surface 54c of the
cooling plate 54b made of metal material. It becomes possible to
improve the cooling effect by changing the cooling plate 54 to a
heat sink structure having a fin. It is also possible to structure
the cooling plate 54b a part of which is changed to a heat
sink.
[0067] The densitometer 56 measures the optical density of cooled
film F outputted from the cooling section 54 and the conveyance
roller pair 57 conveys the film F to the film stacker 58. The film
stacker 58 can temporally hold a plurality of films F.
[0068] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 40 shown
in FIG. 1, a film F is conveyed while the BC surface of the film F
faces to the fixed guide surfaces 51d, 52d and 53d being under
heated condition and the EC surface having thermal developing
material thereon is open. In the cooling section 54, the film F is
conveyed while the BC surface of the film F is cooled by contacting
onto the cooling guide surface 54c and the EC surface having
thermal developing material thereon is open.
[0069] The opposed rollers 51a and 52a convey the film F so that
the passing time through the temperature raising section 50 and the
temperature retaining section 53 is not more than 10 seconds.
Accordingly the heating time of the temperature raising section 50
and the temperature retaining section 53 is not more than 10
seconds.
[0070] Next, the film loading section 45 shown in FIG. 1 will be
described referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates the side view
showing the film loading section shown in FIG. 1.
[0071] As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the light scanning
exposure 55 is structures such that Laser beams L modulated by the
image data inputted from outside are emitted from a semiconductor
laser 55a. The laser beams L pass through a collimator lens and a
cylindrical lens 55b and enters a polygon mirror 55c. The laser
beams L are reflected in a main scanning direction and diffracted.
The laser beams L pass through an f.theta. lens 55d and are
reflected by a mirror 55e. The laser beams L are emitted out of an
exposure housing 55f. Emitted laser beams L conduct main scanning
onto the film F in the vertical direction to the page in FIG. 1.
The laser beams L form a latent image on substantially the entire
EC surface of the film F conveyed in the sub scanning direction
between the conveyance roller pair 49a and 49b by exposing film F
based on the image data. Respective parts 55a-55e in the light
scanning exposure 55 described above are fixed onto the exposure
housing 55f.
[0072] The film loading section 45, the pickup roller 46,
conveyance roller pair 47, the curved surface guide 48, conveyance
roller pairs 49a and 49b, the exposure housing 55f of the light
scanning exposure 55, the temperature raising section 50 and the
temperature retaining section 53 are related to the image forming
operation from the latent image formation to the development of the
image and are supported by the housing 40a directly or through the
other member.
[0073] The film package capable of being loaded onto the
film-loading section 45 shown in FIGS. 1-2 will be described below
by referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10. FIG. 3 illustrates a
perspective view of a film package (in a state where both ends `a`
and `b` in FIG. 9(c) are extended) capable of being loaded onto a
film loading section shown in FIGS. 1-2, a part of the film package
is cut for the perspective view. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross
sectional view for showing the cross sectional configuration of a
light shielding bag of the film package shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 8
illustrates a perspective view for showing the schematic diagram of
a positioning member for determining the position of the bundle of
the films in the film package shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 9(a) to (c)
illustrate a side view of the schematic diagram for describing the
manufacturing processes of the film package shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
10 illustrates a plan view of an example of a conventional
package-bag called a barrier-bag.
[0074] A film package P which can be loaded onto the film loading
section 45 includes a predetermined number of piece of sheet films
(for example, 125) having a predetermined size (for example, the
size of the sheet film being 14 inch.times.17 inch) placed on a
positioning member D to be a positioning device and a light
shielding bag (which is also called a barrier bag B) into which the
positioning member D and a bundle of sheet films F placed on the
positioning member D are inserted, as shown in FIG. 3. A part of
the bundle of the films F, which is opposed to at least one of
flaps D1-D4 (raised portions) of the positioning member D shown in
FIG. 8 in the barrier bag B, is sealed by a seal s being straightly
and thermally sealed in order to optically shield the films F in
the barrier bag B.
[0075] It is possible to use the structure of the positioning
member D and the film package P disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Open to Public Inspection No. 2002-323736. Namely, as
shown in FIG. 8, the four sides of a bottom plate D0 shaped in a
rectangle are folded to form flaps D1-D4. The four corners C are
cut off.
[0076] The film package P is manufactured by the following
method.
[0077] The positioning member D having films F thereon shown in
FIG. 9(a) is inserted into a light shielding bag, one end `a` of
which has been sealed in advance and the other end is open as shown
in FIG. 9(b). As shown in FIG. 9(c), a seal s seals the other end
while the air inside of the light-shielding bag B is exhausted.
Then both ends `a` and `b` are folded inside onto the upper portion
of the positioning member D and packaging tape `e` is stuck to the
both ends.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 4, the light shielding bag B is formed by a
multi layered structure of a laminate film having plural layers
91a, 91b and 91c of LDPE (Low Density polyethylene) including a
light shielding material 92 such as carbon black, and aluminum
layer 93 being evaporated onto the multi layered structure of the
laminate film. The aluminum layer 93 side is going to be an
external surface of the light shielding bag and the LDPE layer 91c
side is going to be inside surface 95.
[0079] The film-loading section 45 shown in FIGS. 1-2 is configured
to move between a film loading position and a feed-out position in
the housing 40a. The film-loading section 45 is also configured in
a tray shape capable of being pulled in the horizontal direction H
from the feed-out position as shown in FIG. 2 so that the film
package P shown in FIG. 3 can be loaded thereon. Here, the feed-out
position of the film-loading section 45 is a position to which the
film-loading section 45 is pushed inward in the direction H' and
feeds out a film to the lower stream to form a latent image on the
film by the light scanning exposure 55.
[0080] The film package P is loaded at the film loading position to
which the film-loading section 45 has been pulled out in the
horizontal direction H from housing 40a so that one end portion `a`
of the light shielding bag B is pulled out through a pair of guide
rollers 70 arranged to be freely rotated and the other end portion
`b` is located in the film loading section 45.
[0081] When the film package P has been loaded as shown in FIG. 2,
the other end portion `b` which is pressed by a light-shielding
roller 75 is cut by a scissors or a cutter along with a cutting
line `d`. The film loading section 45 is pushed in the horizontal
direction H' after removing the rest of the light shielding bag B
including the seal `s` which has been cut off as shown in dotted
ling in FIG. 2.
[0082] When the film loading section 45 is pushed in the horizontal
direction H', the lock 45a which is configured by cutting off an
upper end of the back wall standing on the rear side of the film
loading section 45 thrusts a lock 71a which is configured by
cutting off a part of front end of a lock member 71. Consequently,
the lock member 71 which is forced in the swing direction `r`
(counterclockwise) by the forcing member such as a spring rotates
in the swing direction `r'` (clockwise) against the force in the
swing direction `r`. When the film-loading section 45 is further
pushed in and the lock 45a pass through the lock 71a of the lock
member 71, the lock member 71 is swung back in the swing direction
to the original position by the force of the forcing member and the
lock 45a latches lock 71a. As a result, the film-loading section 45
is locked. As described above, the film-loading section 45 is
pushed in the horizontal direction H' and set in a locked condition
on the bottom 40b of the housing 40a. When pulling out the
film-loading section 45 under the locked condition in a horizontal
direction H, the latch made between the lock 71a of the lock member
71 and the lock 45a can be released by swinging the lock member 71
into the swinging direction `r'` against the force in the swinging
direction `r` as shown in FIG. 2 by driving a solenoid 72 provided
on the internal wall of the housing 40a through a switch (not
shown).
[0083] Next, the operation in which the film is exposed to record
an image on a film F after loading the film package P onto the
film-loading section 45 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and removing the
light shielding bag will be described below.
[0084] The film package P is loaded on the film-loading section 45
at the film loading position to which the film-loading section 45
positioned as shown in FIG. 2 is pulled out in the horizontal
direction H. Then, one end `a` of the light shielding bag B is
pulled outward from the film-loading section 45 through between a
paired roller guides 70. After pressing the other end portion `b`
by the light shielding roller 75, the other end portion `b` is cut
by scissors or a cutter along with the cutting line `d`. After
removing the part which has been cut off, the film-loading section
45 is pushed back in the horizontal direction H' to be set on the
bottom 40b of the housing 40a.
[0085] By the setting described above, one end portion `a` (a
holding section at which a user can pull the light shielding bag by
pinching, holding, gripping, or the like) of the light shielding
bag B is left outside the housing 40a from a slit `g` formed
between the housing 40a and the film-loading section 45. A user
pulls out the light shielding bag B by holding one end `a`, having
a length of `n` from the housing 40a, of the light shielding bag B
as shown in FIG. 2 and pulling the one end portion `a` in
substantially horizontal direction H. Based on this operation, the
film F in the film-loading section 45 is exposed in the housing
40a.
[0086] As described above, the light shielding bag B can be removed
from the film package P loaded on the film-loading section 45. A
film F placed on the top of the film-loading section is conveyed
corresponding to the necessity by the pickup roller 46 and
conveyance roller pair 47. The light scanning exposure 55 scans and
exposes the film F to form a latent image on the surface EC of the
film F. Then the temperature raising section 50 and the temperature
retaining section 53 heat and develop the film F.
[0087] In order to anticipate the situation where a user forgets
cutting the other end portion `b` of the light shielding bag B
including the seal `s` among operations described above, the length
of the one end portion `a` of the light shielding bag B is set not
larger than 70 mm, preferably not larger than 50 mm. It is
preferable that the material and the shape of the guide rollers 70
and the space between guide rollers 70 are arranged so that the
pulling force when a user pulls out the one end portion `a` of the
light shielding bag B is not larger than 50 N (Newton).
[0088] Namely, when a user loads the film package P onto the
film-loading section 45 without cutting off the other end portion
of the light shielding bag B including the seal `s`, since the seal
`s` is left at the other end `b` of the light shielding bag B, the
seal `s` hits the positioning member D and the flap D1 of the
positioning member D and moves the light shielding bag B together
with the positioning member D and films F stored in the positioning
member D. When touching with guide rollers 70, the resistance
against the operation for pulling of the light shielding bag B
rapidly increases. Accordingly, the user can feel the difference in
load from normal pulling of the light shielding bag B (about 50 N).
Consequently, the user can recognize that the abnormal operation
(forgetting the barrier cut) occurs.
[0089] When the length of the one end portion `a` of the light
shielding bag B (a barrier bag) from the outer surface of the main
body of the apparatus is not larger than 70 mm (preferably, not
larger than 50 mm), since the user can not hold the end portion of
the shielding bag B against the increase in the resistance
described above even though the user tries to forcefully hold the
end portion with both hands, the both hands slip and it becomes
possible to avoid generating large force that makes the apparatus
fall from the desk or tip over together with the desk.
[0090] The length of the one end portion `a` of the light shielding
bag B shown in FIG. 9 is arranged such that the length from the
outer surface of the apparatus 40a is not larger than 70 mm when
the film package P is placed on the film-loading section 45. In
this case, taking account of the distance .alpha. (about 30 mm)
from the guide rollers 70 to the outer surface of the apparatus,
actual length is going to be 70 mm+.alpha..
[0091] In a relatively small size image forming apparatus of a
desktop style as shown in FIG. 1, since an automatic pulling-out
mechanism for automatic pulling-out processing is going to be a
factor for enlarging the size of the apparatus, the automatic
pulling-out mechanism is not preferable and the manual pulling-out
mechanism described above is preferable. In this case, according to
an embodiment of the present invention, it becomes possible to
simply and surely realize the countermeasure for the case
forgetting to cut the other end portion `b` of the light-shielding
bag B.
[0092] When the film loading section 45 is set in the housing 40a,
the one end portion `a` of the shielding bag B is left outside of
the housing 40a through the guide rollers 70 and the slit `g`. In
this case, since the height of the slit `g` from the bottom of the
housing 40a is higher than the middle point of the pair of guide
rollers 70, if a user has forgotten to cut the end portion of the
light shielding bag B, even though the user can pull out the light
shielding bag B, the force for pulling out the light shielding bag
B is applied obliquely upward as arrow direction `t` in a dotted
line in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 40 moves
upward and the possibility of falling down from the desktop or
tipping over together with the desk becomes small.
[0093] As described above, when pulling out the film-loading
section 45 in the horizontal direction H from the position shown in
FIG. 2 in the normal room environment, after loading the film
package P, a user peals the packaging tape `e` shown in FIG. 9(c),
extends one end portion `a` to be pulled out which has been folded
and passes between the guide rollers 70. Meanwhile, the user uses
the light shielding roller 75 extending along the width direction
of the film package P to hold the other end portion `b` to be cut
and straightly cut the other end portion `b` along the cut line `d`
inner than the seal `s`. The light shielding roller 75 shields the
inside of the film package P from light when the user cuts the
other end portion `b` of the light shielding bag B and it becomes
possible to surely keep light shielding.
[0094] The light shielding roller 75 described above may be
arranged such that the light shielding roller 75 automatically
works on the film package P when the film-loading section 45 is
pulled out. This roller mechanism, for example, as shown in FIG. 5,
includes a pinion 77 for freely and rotatably supporting the
film-loading section 45, a connecting member 76 for connecting the
film-loading section 45 and the pinion 76, a rack 78 for meshing
with the pinion 77 provided on the side of the film-loading section
45 and an extending member 79 connected to the rack 78 toward the
rear portion of the housing 40a. The light shielding roller 75
rotates in the rotation direction R or R' following the rotation of
the pinion 77. When the film-loading section 45 is pulled out and
located at the film loading position, the rack 78 and the pinion 77
are located in a position as shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, and
the light shielding roller 75 holds the other end portion `b` of
the light shielding bag B from upper portion. As a result, even
though the other end portion `b` including the seal `s` of the
light shielding bag B is cut, the inside of the light shielding bag
B is shielded from light.
[0095] When the user pushes the film-loading section 45 into the
housing 40a and the front end 79a of the extending member 79 of the
rack 78 reaches the internal wall 40c of the housing 40a as shown
in a doted line in FIG. 5, the rack 78 stops and the film-loading
section 45 moves to the feed-out position. The pinion 77 rotates
against the rack 78 while moving to the point shown in a doted line
in the FIG. 5. Based on this operation, since the light shielding
roller 75 rotates in the rotation direction R', the light shielding
roller 75 moves away from the other end portion `b` of the light
shielding bag.
[0096] With the rack and pinion mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5,
the light shielding roller 75 holds the other end portion `b` of
the light shielding bag B and surely shields light when the
film-loading section 45 is pulled out and stays in the film loading
poison. When the film-loading section 45 is pushed into the housing
40a and moved to the feed-out position, the shielding roller 75
moves away from the other end portion `b` and the light shielding
bag B can be removed without obstacle.
[0097] It is not preferable to provide a cutting or an opening to
be hooked by a finger at one end portion of the light shielding bag
B, which is located in the side where the user can hold. Based on
this manner, when the user forgets to cut the other end portion of
the light shielding bag B, it becomes more difficult for the user
to hold one end portion `a` of the light shielding bag B.
Accordingly, it becomes impossible to forcefully pull the light
shielding bag. For example, in this invention, it is not preferable
to provide cut holes formed at one end portion of a barrier bag 300
disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Open to Public Inspection
No. 2002-323736, but a flat structure having no cut holes is
preferable.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 2, the film loading section 45 is locked by
latching the locking member 71 on the housing 40a to the lock 45a
at the feed-out position in the image forming apparatus. It is
preferable that the proof weight of the lock 45a is designed about
two times of the pulling force of the light shielding bag when the
pulling force of the light shielding bag is about 50N. In such a
manner, when the light shielding bag is correctly cut, the light
shielding bag can be correctly removed and when forgetting to cut
the light shielding bag, the entire loading section moves (lock is
released) before the apparatus falls or tips over together with the
desk. Consequently, the user can notice the abnormality (forgetting
to cut the light shielding bag) and can load the film package again
without breaking the internal mechanism of the apparatus.
[0099] Next, the lock release mechanism of a lock device having a
loading section capable of moving before the apparatus tips over or
falls when the cut is not conducted will be described, referring to
FIG. 13 below. FIG. 13 illustrates a partial side view for
partially showing the lock device based on the lock 45a of the film
loading section 45 shown in FIG. 2 and the lock 71a.
[0100] The lock device structured by the lock 45a of the film
loading section 45 and lock 71a of the lock member 71 is designed
to release the lock when the pulling force increases due to that
the user has loaded the film package, forgetting to cut the other
end portion of the light shielding bag B including the seal
`s`.
[0101] Namely, as shown in FIG. 13, the lock 45a standing on the
rear side of the film-loading section 45 has slant surfaces 45c and
45d, the front end (in the direction H) and rear end of which are
cut off. The lock 71a of the front end of lock member 71 includes a
latch surface 71b for latching with the slant 45c of the tray lock
45a when the lock member 71 comes to horizontal and a lock slant
surface 71c for latching with slant surface 45c when locking
starts.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 13, the film-loading section 45 is locked
by the lock member 71 capable of swinging in the swinging
directions `r` and `r'` centering on a rotational center 71e. When
the lock 71a of the lock member 71 latches with the slant surface
45a of the tray lock 45a and the user has forgotten to cut the
other end portion `b` of the light shielding bag B, the pulling
force of the light shielding bag in the direction H by the user
increases. Due to the component force for rotating the lock member
71 centering on the rotation center 71e caused by the large pulling
force, the rock member 71 rotates in the rotation direction `r'`
against the force given by an urging device such as a spring (not
shown) in the rotation direction `r`. Finally, the latch with the
lock 45a is released and the film-loading section 45 moves in the
direction H.
[0103] As described above, since when the user has forgotten to cut
the other end portion of the light shielding bag B, the lock can be
released as the user pulls out the light shielding bag before the
apparatus tips over or falls, the user can easily notice the
abnormality such as forgetfulness of the cut and reload the film
package without breaking the internal mechanism of the
apparatus.
EMBODIMENT
[0104] The present embodiment of the invention will be further
described by using drawings. The present invention is not limited
to the present embodiment.
[0105] In this embodiment, a tipping-over prevention mechanism of
an image forming apparatus in the operation for pulling a light
shielding bag when loading films into the same image forming
apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 has been studied. With regard to the
tipping-over prevention mechanism, since holding a barrier bag with
left and right hands to apply powerful force can be made difficult
by shortening the length of the light shielding bag which is
outside the apparatus, it becomes possible to prevent the apparatus
from falling and tipping over together with a desk on which the
apparatus is placed.
[0106] Firstly, the relationship between the length of the end
portion and pulling force has been studied. The length of the end
portion of the barrier bag extended from the apparatus is set to 50
mm, 70 mm (a part of the end portion is set to 100 mm). The both
end portions of the barrier bag are pinched by both hands as shown
in FIG. 6(a) and the portions near the center of the barrier bag
are also held as shown in FIG. 6(b), and the pulling force is
applied. When the both end portions of the barrier bag are pinched
as shown in FIG. 6(a), the pulling force is slowly applied or
rapidly applied. Several adult men conducted the tests and the
average pulling force is obtained. Table 1 shows the test results.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Unit: Newton Protruding length of light
shielding bag 50 mm 70 mm 100 mm Holding Mode: Pull slowly 147 235
.infin. Holding Mode: Pull rapidly 196 245 .infin. Pinching Mode:
Pull slowly 225 284 .infin.
[0107] Study by the inventors proved that the pick up modes of a
user for picking up the end portion can be divided into the
following three modes (1)-(3). Namely, (1) Pinching mode: pinching
the barrier bag by the finger cushions of a thumb and a forefinger
(and a middle finger). (2) Holding mode: holding the barrier bag by
pressing one side with the finger cushion of a thumb (an opposite
to a nail) and pressing the other side with the first joints of
several fingers of nail side. (3) Gripping mode: Press one side of
the barrier bag by the palm while pressing the other side by the
fingertips toward the palm following the several fingers.
[0108] The user can change the modes (1), (2) and (3) based on the
length of the barrier bag, and regarding generated force, the order
becomes gripping mode (3)>holding mode (2)>pinching mode
(1).
[0109] Namely, when the flap D4 of the positioning member D in the
film package P touches the guide roller 7o and the pulling
resistance increases, the longer the length (distance) from the end
of the barrier bag to the outer surface of the apparatus, the
easier the mode becomes the holding mode. As a result, the user
tends to apply stronger force and it results in the cause of fall
or tipping over of the apparatus.
[0110] It is preferable that the surface of the barrier bag is
arranged such that the surface of the barrier bag can generate a
force of about 50 N in the pinching mode when the other end portion
has been cut (normal operation) and the surface of the barrier bag
has the surface characteristic (the friction coefficient) of
starting to slides when the end portion has not been cut and load
increases.
[0111] Next, the relationship between the pulling force necessary
to pull a light shielding bag and the length of the end portion of
the light shielding bag has been studied. The load resistance (the
pulling force necessary to remove the light shielding bag) for
pulling the light shielding bag has been set to 49 N, 118 N and 196
N and the length of the length from the end portion of the light
shielding bag to the outer surface of the apparatus has been
changed from 50 mm to 100 mm to determine whether the light
shielding bag can be removed. The test results will be shown in
Table 2. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Load resistance of pulling out
(Newton) 50 mm 70 mm 100 mm 49 A A A 118 B A A 196 C B A A: Pulling
out easily B: Pulling out with difficulty C: Impossible to pull
out
[0112] According to the test results shown in FIG. 2, when the
length of the end portion is set to 100 mm, the barrier bag can be
removed even if the load resistance is large when removing the
barrier bag. This means that when the end portion of the barrier
bag has not been cut, there is a possibility that the barrier bag
can be forcefully pulled and generate the cause of fall or tipping
over.
[0113] Next, has been studied is the relationship between the
weight of the apparatus and the length from the end of the light
shielding bag to the center of gravity of the apparatus when the
light shielding bag has not been cut and pulling force has been
applied. As shown in FIG. 7, the influential factors to tipping
over of the apparatus and tipping over force of the apparatus that
causes the apparatus to tip over have been studied by placing the
apparatus on the desktop, the apparatus weight being 60 Kg and 70
Kg, and by changing the distance to the center of gravity at 300
mm, 350 mm and 400 mm in the horizontal direction at the height
from the bottom of the apparatus of 100 mm and the length of the
light shielding bag at 50 mm, 70 mm and 100 mm. The test result
will be shown in FIG. 3. Here, the tipping over force of the
apparatus means a threshold pulling force that makes the apparatus
tip over together with the desk on which the apparatus is placed.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Apparatus Center of tipping Devise gravity
over Length Length Length weight (kg) position (mm) force (N) 50 mm
70 mm 100 mm 70 300 258 A A C 60 300 220 A B C 70 350 300 A A A 60
350 258 A A C 70 400 343 A A A 60 400 294 A A A A: Impossible to
pull to the degree resulting in tipping over B: Possible to pull
but not reach tipping over C: Possible to pull to the degree
resulting in tipping over
[0114] According to the test results shown in Table 3, the tipping
over force of the apparatus that reaches tipping over of the
apparatus is the smallest when the apparatus weight is light (60
Kg) and the distance between the center of gravity (in horizontal
direction) and the front of the apparatus is the shortest (300 mm).
Even when the tipping over force of the apparatus is the smallest
(220 N), if the pulling force becomes more than 100 N (two times
comparing with the normal condition) due to the fact that the light
shielding bag has not been cut, the lock of the film-loading
section is released before the apparatus starts moving on the
desktop on which the apparatus is placed, resulting in prevention
of the apparatus from moving and tipping over. It proved that when
the length of the light shielding bag is set to 50 mm, a user
cannot pull the light shielding bag to the degree where the
apparatus tips over regardless the relationship between the
apparatus weight and the position of the center of gravity. It also
proved that when the length of the end portion of the light
shielding bag is set to 70 mm, and the tipping over force of the
apparatus is the smallest, the user can pulls the light shielding
bag, but the pulling force is not large enough to make the
apparatus tip over.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the housing
40a further includes buffer members 60 capable of damping vibration
transmission and having a high friction coefficient on the four
corners of the housing 40a. It is preferable that the buffer
members 60 are made of, for example, rubber having a characteristic
capable of damping the transmission of low frequency vibration
particularity of no higher than 25 Hz and the static friction
coefficient between the buffer members and a normal desk surface is
not smaller than 0.3.
[0116] According to the image forming apparatus in the present
embodiment, since the buffer members 60 having high friction
coefficient and having capability of damping vibration transmission
are provided on the bottom of the housing 40a, when using the image
forming apparatus on the desktop, it becomes possible to damp the
vibration transmission which is from outside to the inside of the
image forming apparatus. Further since the force required to move
the image forming apparatus becomes large due to the high friction
coefficient, it becomes possible to surely prevent the image
forming apparatus from moving, falling from the desktop and tipping
over.
[0117] It is preferable that the image forming apparatus described
above is arranged such that the developing device develops the
front end portion of a sheet film while the exposing device exposes
the sheet film. In such a manner, it becomes possible to minimize
the size of the image forming apparatus. It is also preferable that
the weight of the image forming apparatus is from 60 Kg to 70
Kg.
[0118] When the user has loaded a film package without cutting the
other end portion `b` of the light shielding bag B including a seal
`s` and tries to hold one end portion `a` of the light shielding
bag B, which extends from the housing 40a, and to pull the light
shielding bag B, since the light shielding bag cannot be pulled by
the normal pulling force, the pulling force becomes large. However,
since the length of the light shielding bag B which is outside the
image forming apparatus is set to not more than 70 mm, when the
loading section 45 moves to the feed-out position after the film
package has been loaded so that the pulling force of the user does
not become large, and further the buffer members 60 are provided on
the bottom of the housing 40a, the force required to move the image
forming apparatus becomes large due to the existence of the buffer
member 60 on the bottom of the housing. As a result, as shown in
FIG. 13, the lock of the film-loading section 45 (a film loading
device) is released before the image forming apparatus starts
moving. Even though a user having strong arm-power forcefully pulls
the portion of the light shielding bag, the force does not become
large enough to move the housing 40a on the desktop or make the
housing 40a fall from the desktop.
[0119] A test has been conducted. The weight of the image forming
apparatus is set to 60 Kg. The other end portion of the light
shielding bag is correctly cut. The force required to remove the
light shielding bag by pulling one end portion of the light
shielding bag is measured. The test rests are as following. When
the static friction coefficient between the buffer members 60 shown
in FIG. 12 and the surface of the desktop is set between 0.3-0.5,
the pulling force was 50N, and the image forming apparatus does not
move. Next, when the pulling force is applied under the same
condition without cutting the other end portion of the light
shielding bag, the pulling force exceeds 175 N-290 N and the image
forming apparatus moves on the surface of the desktop under the
condition that the desk is fixed to prevent tipping over.
[A Sheet Type Recording Material Tray and a Sheet Type Image
Recording Material Package Used in the Present Embodiment]
[0120] Next, a sheet type recording material trays and sheet type
image recording material packages with the following configurations
will be described as examples to be employed in the present
embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto.
Configuration S1
[0121] A tray for sheet type image recording material includes:
a first bottom plate shaped in a rectangle for loading sheet type
image recording material;
[0122] a side-wall for regulating the position of the image
recording material, the wall standing on a rim of the first bottom;
and
[0123] a second bottom plate provided on the first bottom
plate,
[0124] wherein the second bottom plate is arranged to have a
rectangular flat surface and a flat plate member having a side wall
provided on a rim of the flat surface facing toward a rear side of
the flat plate, the rectangular flat surface and the flat plate
member are placed on a buffer member shaped in a tray provided on a
surface of the first bottom plate so that a rear surface of the
flat surface faces to a front surface on the first bottom plate,
and the sheet type image recording member is loaded on the front
surface of the second bottom plate.
Configuration S2
[0125] The tray for the sheet type image recording of the
configuration S1, wherein the distance between an edge surface of
the side-wall and the front surface of the first bottom plate is
preferably not more than 3 mm.
Configuration S3
[0126] The tray for the sheet type image recording material of the
configurations S1-S2, the second bottom plate is preferably
provided at a place being positioned lower than an edge of the
side-wall for regulating the position of the image recording
material preferably by 5-25 mm.
Configuration S4
[0127] With regard to the tray for the sheet type image recording
material of the configurations S1-S3, resist pressure of the second
bottom plate is preferably 100-10,000 Pa.
Configuration S5
[0128] The tray for the sheet type image recording material of the
configurations S1-S4, a side-wall of the flat plate member is
preferably fixed to the side-wall for regulating the sheet type
image recording material.
Configuration S6
[0129] The tray for the sheet type image recording material of the
configurations S1-S5, wherein the buffer member shaped in the tray
further includes a circular top, a slant side-wall leaning toward
outside of the circular top along a circumference of the circular
top and a flange uniformly formed together with an edge of a
circumference of the slant side-wall, and the buffer member is
placed on a front surface of the first bottom plate.
Configuration S7
[0130] The tray for the sheet type image recording material of the
configurations s1-s6, wherein the buffer member is placed
preferably at least at four corners of the first bottom plate.
Configuration S8
[0131] The tray for the sheet type image recording material of the
configurations s1-s7, the image recording material is preferably a
paper sheet having a basis weight of preferably 100-1000 g/m.sup.2,
thickness of 0.4-1.0 mm and water content of 0.1-5 weight %.
Configuration s9
[0132] The tray for the sheet type image recording material of the
configurations S8, the paper sheet includes preferably not less
than 50% of recycle paper.
Configuration S10
[0133] The tray for the sheet type image recording material of the
configurations s1-s9, the sheet type image recording material is
preferably made of a thermally developed silver material.
[0134] In the each configuration of the embodiment described above,
used is a configuration of an image recording material package for
a sheet type.
Configuration S11
[0135] A method for loading a sheet type image recording material
onto a tray includes the steps of placing the sheet type image
recording material onto the tray for the sheet type image recording
material and packing the sheet type image recording material into a
light and moisture shielding bag having a water-vapor transmission
ration is no more than 1.0 g/m.sup.224 h (40.degree. C.90% RH).
Configuration S12
[0136] The sheet type image recording package of configuration S11,
the light shielding bag is sealed under a decreasing pressure
condition of 20-90 kPa.
Configuration S13
[0137] The sheet type image recording material package of
configurations of S11 and S12, the sheet type recording material is
a thermally developed silver material.
[0138] By utilizing the tray for the sheet type image recording
material and the sheet type image recording material made of
thermally processed silver material, it becomes possible to provide
a tray for a sheet type image recording material having a decreased
number of layer, which prevents vibration in the transportation
process and the occurrence of scratches associated with handling,
and a sheet type image recording package. As a result, it becomes
possible to use a small quantity of the image recording material
without waste and to use image recording material in an imaging
apparatus with peace of mind.
[0139] The tray for a sheet type image recording material and a
sheet type image recording material used in the each configuration
of the embodiment will be described by using FIGS. 14-21. However,
the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
[0140] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a package using a
conventional tray.
[0141] In FIG. 14, 1a denotes a package. Numeral 4 denotes a light
and moisture shielding bag for packaging a tray 2 onto which an
image recording material 3 is loaded. 100-150 peaces of image
recording material (paper sheets) are normally layered. 202-205
denote side walls for regulating the position of image recording
material, being provided along the edge of a rectangular bottom
plate 201 of the tray 2. The bottom plate 201 is manufactured
corresponding to the shape and size of the image recording material
3.
[0142] 401 and 402 denote the side seals of the light and moisture
shielding bag 4, and 403 denotes a center seal of the light and
moisture shielding bag 4. 404 denotes a hole through which the
light and moisture shielding bag 4 latched with a latch (not shown)
of the image forming apparatus is pulled after being loaded in the
image forming apparatus (not shown). The light and moisture
shielding bag 4 shown in FIGS. 14-15, are manufactured by a center
seal method, and the package 1a is designed to be loaded in an
outer box (not shown) and used by a user.
[0143] As shown in FIGS. 14-15, since there is much number of the
image recording material loaded in the tray as 100-150 sheets, in
case that the usage of the image recording material per day is low,
the image recording material are set in the state that they are
taken out from the light and moisture shielding bag 4 for several
months. In this case, when it is winter, when the humidity and
temperature are low, the characteristic change of the image
recording material is low. However, in the summer time when the
humidity and temperature are high, since there is a possibility
that the characteristic change of the image recording material
proceeds, the image recording material has to be wasted, which
results in high cost. In the present embodiment described above,
used are the image recording material package preventing the
vibration in the transportation process and scratches caused by the
handling without changing the style of the tray, the tray and the
sheet type image recording package in which decreasing the number
of sheets are placed.
[0144] FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic diagram of the package in
which the tray to be used in the present embodiment described above
is applied.
[0145] In FIG. 15, 1b denotes a package. Symbol 5 denotes a tray
for loading image forming material 3. The tray 5 includes a main
body 501 (refer to FIG. 16) and a flat plate member 6 forming a
second bottom plate 507 placed on the buffer member 7 shaped in a
tray type placed on a first bottom plate 502 of the main body 501
(refer to FIG. 16). The main body 501 includes a first bottom plate
formed in a rectangular shape and side-walls 502-506 for regulating
the sheet type image recording material provided on a rectangular
rim of the first bottom plate 502.
[0146] The first bottom plate 502 is designed so that the size of
the first bottom plate 502 and the size of the image recording
material is the same size. The height of the side walls 503-506 for
regulating the image recording material is designed to have the
same height of the side walls 202-0205 shown in FIG. 14. The size
of the first bottom plate 502 is also designed to have the same
size of the bottom plate 201 of the tray 2.
[0147] Flat plate member 6 includes a flat surface 601 and side
walls 604a-604d provided on the circumference of the flat surface
601 which forms the second bottom plate 507, toward the rear side
of the flat surface 601. The plat plate member 6 is fixed on the
tray 5 by fixing the side walls 604a-604d (refer to FIG. 16) onto
the side wall 503-506 for regulating the image recording material.
Symbol 507 denotes a second bottom plate of the tray 5 formed by
the flat surface 601 of the flat plate member 6. With regard to the
flat plate 6, it will be described by using FIG. 16 and FIGS.
19-21. Other codes are the same meaning as shown in FIG. 15.
[0148] When manufacturing the package 1b shown in FIG. 15, it is
preferable to store the image recording material 3 in the state
that the image recording material 3 is placed on the tray shown in
FIG. 16 and seal it while exhausting air, keeping the air pressure
at 20-90 kPa and taking account of the prevention of scratches
caused by the movement of the image recording material on the tray
in the transportation, the adherence of layered image recording
material, the peeling of the photo-sensitive layer caused by the
abrasion between the side wall of the tray and the image recording
material and the conveyance performance when loaded in the image
forming apparatus.
[0149] It is preferable that the water-vapor transmission ration of
the light and moisture shielding bag of the embodiment described
above is not more than 1.0 g/m.sup.224 h (40.degree. C.90% RH),
more preferably not less than 0-0.5 g/m.sup.224 h (40.degree. C.90%
RH) by taking account of the maintenance of the characteristic of
the image recording material in the storage. Here, the water-vapor
transmission ration is measured based on the measurement described
in JIS (Japanese Industry Standard) K7129-1992.
[0150] FIG. 16 illustrates an exploded schematic diagram of the
tray in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 15.
[0151] In FIG. 16, numeral 7 denotes the buffer member placed in
the space formed by the rear surfaces of the first bottom plate 502
and the second bottom plate 507. The tray 5 includes a main body
501, a flat plate member 6 and the buffer member 7 having a tray
shape. 508a-508d denotes corners of the first bottom plate 502. It
is preferable that the corners 508a-508d are shaped in round or cut
off to prevent the corners 508a-508d from making holes when
inserting the tray into the light and moisture shielding bag.
Numeral 509 denotes a hole provided on the first bottom plate 502
for detecting the sheet type image forming material. It is
preferable that the position of the hole 509 is the same position
of the hole arranged on the upper surface (flat surface) 601, which
is going to be a second bottom plate when the tray 5 is formed, of
the plate member 6.
[0152] 602a (602b) denotes a hole provided on the flat surface 601
of the flat palate member 6 for detecting the sheet type image
forming material. Hole 602a (602b) is a device for having an image
forming apparatus (not shown) notices that the storage device (not
shown) of the sheet type image forming material of the image
forming apparatus becomes empty. The position where the hole 602a
(602b) is provided is the same position of the sensor for detecting
that the sheet type image forming material becomes zero and the
same position of the sucking board (not shown) for supplying the
sheet type image forming material to the image forming apparatus.
When the sheet type image forming material loaded on the second
bottom plate 507 becomes zero, since the sucking pressure does not
become low because the sucking board sucks the hole 602a (602b) for
supplying the sheet type image forming material to the image
forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus can notice that the
image forming material becomes zero. It is also possible to have a
sensor for detecting that the sheet type image forming material of
the image forming apparatus becomes zero.
[0153] It is preferable that the number of holes of detectors is
the same number of sensor for detecting that the sheet type of
image forming material of the image forming apparatus becomes zero
and the same number of the sucking board (not shown) for supplying
the sheet type image forming material to the image forming
apparatus. It is also preferable that the size of the hole is
larger than the size of sucking board.
[0154] It is possible to produce the flat plate member 6 from a
material having a flat surface being the same size as the first
bottom plate 502 and an area for forming side walls by standing up
the side walls from the rear side of the material. 604a-604d denote
a formed side walls, 601 denotes a flat surface (when assembled it
becomes the second bottom plate) of the flat plate member 6 and 603
denotes a rear surface. 605a-605d denotes corners and which are
shaped in round or cut off so that the corners 605a-605d do not
extend from corners 508a-508d of the first bottom plate 502. The
heights of the side walls 604a-604d are arranged to be the same. In
FIG. 16, the flat plate member 6 is integrally formed with the flat
surface 601a and side walls 604a-604d. However, it is also possible
to produce the side walls 604a-604d first, then the flat surface
601 can be separately fixed on the side walls 604a-604d.
[0155] The flat plate member 6 is placed on the buffer member 7
having a tray shape placed on the first bottom plate 502 so that
the flat surface 601 is facing upward. In this case, the side walls
604a-604d are firmly fixed to the walls 506-506 for regulating
sheet type image forming material through bonding agent. By fixing
the side walls 604a-604d through this way, the front surface 601 of
the flat plate member 6 forms the second bottom plate 502.
[0156] With regard to the buffer member 7 having a tray shape,
there are two types. One is a tray style buffer member 7a having a
top shaped in a disk style, and the other is a tray style buffer
member 7b having a top shaped in a ring structure. The tray style
buffer member 7a includes a disk shaped top 7a1, slant side wall
7a2 which is integrally slant toward outside from the circumference
and a flange 7a3 integrally provided at the circumference edge of
the slant side wall 7a2.
[0157] The tray style buffer member 7b includes a ring style top
7b1, a slant side wall 7b2 integrally provided in slant toward the
outside of the circumference and a flange 7b3 integrally provided
at the circumference edge of the tray style buffering wall 7b2. The
number of the tray style buffer member 7a or 7b provide on the
first bottom plate 502 can be changed based on the required
pressure resistance of the tray. The method for placing the tray
style buffer member 7a or 7b onto the first bottom plate 502 will
be described below by using FIG. 16.
[0158] The main body 501 of the tray 5 shown in FIG. 16, flat plate
member 6 and tray style buffer member 7 are made of paper. When
selecting the paper to be used, it is preferable that following
factors such as countermeasure for environment, strength in
transportation, workability for formation, stability of style,
inferences to image forming material, manufacturing cost and
productivity are to be taken account. It is preferable that the
basis weight is 100-1000 g/m.sup.2, thickness is 0.4-1.0 mm,
moisture content is 0.1-6 weight % and the paper to be used
includes recycle paper not less than 50 weight %. The measurement
of the basis weight is measured based on Japanese Industry Standard
P8118 (1998). The test result of the thickness is measured by a
micro-gage (Mitsutoyo-Kiko Co., Ltd) after drying a paperboard at
40.degree. C. for two hours. The test result of the moisture
content is obtained by the measurement based on JIS (Japanese
Patent Standard) P8127.
[0159] With regard to the most preferable paper material,
recommended are an intermediate recycle paper layer made of recycle
pulp by taking account of strength, hardness for becoming paper
powder, formidability and countermeasure for environment, and a
paperboard which is made of the intermediate recycle paper having a
most outer side layer of fine paper including the coat layer of
clay or kaolin thereon in both side of the intermediate recycle
paper.
[0160] The pressure resistance of the second bottom plate 507 of
tray 5 is preferably 100-10,000 Pa by taking account of that the
image recording material on an production line is layered, the
strength when accumulating in the layer after packing the image
recording material into light and moisture shielding bag and the
strength when transporting the packages. The pressure resistance is
a measured value obtained by measuring the weight which the flat
plate member can bear when loading the image recording material or
substitution for the image recording material having an area of
90-100% of the area of the second bottom plate of the tray onto the
flat plate member.
[0161] The breaking strength is preferably 1.2-4.5 kPa, further
preferably 1.8-3.5 kPa and the most preferably 2.5-3.0 kPa by
taking account of the self-reliance capability of the walls for
regulating image recording material of the main body of the tray,
stability of the flat plate member, operability of inserting the
tray into the light and moisture shielding bag and protection
capability of the light and moisture shielding bag. The breaking
strength is measured based on the JIS (Japanese Industry Standard)
P8115.
[0162] It is possible to produce the tray shown in FIG. 16 by
applying following steps. 1) cutting the sheet of paper board
according to the expansion plan of the main body of the tray. With
regard to the way to cut the sheet of paper board according to the
expansion plan of the main body of the tray, it is preferable to
punch the sheet of paper board by a Thomson blade type punching
blade at a time. 2) After punching, creasing at a portion where the
side wall for regulating the sheet type image recording material is
formed by a normal temperature creasing method. 3) Assembling the
main body of the tray by standing the side wall for regulating the
sheet type image recording material along the crease. 4) Cutting
the sheet of paper board according to the expansion plan of the
flat plate member as shown in FIG. 16. With regard to the way cut
the sheet of paper board according to the expansion plan of the
flat plate member, it is preferable to punch the sheet of paper
board by a Thomson blade type punching blade at a time. 5) After
punching, creasing at a portion where the side wall is formed by a
normal temperature creasing method. 6) Assembling the flat plate
member by standing the each side wall on the circumference of the
rear surface of the flat plate member along the crease. 7) Placing
the tray type buffer member at lease four corners of the first
bottom plate of the assembled main body of the tray so that the
disk type buffer member is placed inside the first bottom plate. At
that time, it is preferable that a part of the flange of the disk
type buffer member is adhesively fixed onto the first bottom plate.
8) Placing the flat plate member which has been produced onto the
disk type buffer member placed on the main body of the tray so that
the upper surface faces upward, and then fixing the side wall of
the flat plate member and the side wall for regulating the image
recording material by adhesive agent. It is possible to manufacture
the tray shown in FIG. 16 through the steps of 1)-8) described
above.
[0163] FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view along
the line A-A' of FIG. 16. FIG. 17(a) illustrates a schematic cross
sectional and magnified view along the line A-A' of FIG. 16. FIG.
17(b) illustrates a schematic cross sectional and magnified view
pointed by S in FIG. 17(a).
[0164] In FIG. 17, H denotes the height from the front edge of the
side wall 503 for regulating the sheet type image recording
material to the second bottom plate 507 (the front surface 601 of
the flat plate member 6). The height H is set preferably 5-25 mm by
taking account of the number of sheet of image recording material
loaded on the second bottom plate 507, the frequency of changes of
the tray and the consuming term of the image recording material
left on the tray.
[0165] Symbol I denotes the distance between the edge surface 604c1
of the side wall 604c of the flat plate member 6 and the front
surface 502a1 of the first bottom plate 502. The distance I is
preferably set not larger than 3 mm, more preferably 0.1-3 mm by
taking account of the maintenance of the function of the disk type
buffer member and the maintenance of the pressure resistance of the
second bottom plate.
[0166] As shown in FIG. 17, the flat plate member 6 is placed on
the top of the disk type buffer member 7a (7b) so that the position
of the hole for detecting the sheet type image forming material
602a (602b) and the hole for detecting the sheet type image forming
material 509aa (509b) is in agreement, the flat surface 601 faces
upward and the top of the disk type buffer member 7a (7b) contacts
the rear surface 603. The second bottom plate 507 is formed so that
the inside of the side wall 503 for regulating the position of the
sheet type image recording material is adhered to the side wall
604c (604d) by the adhesive agent, and the distance between the
edge surface of the side wall and the front surface of the first
bottom plate is kept in not larger than 3 mm. The disk type buffer
member 7b has to be placed on the hole 509 a (509b) provided on the
first bottom plate 502 for detecting the sheet type image forming
material to allow an image forming apparatus (not shown) to notice
that a storing container for storing the sheet type image forming
material of the image forming apparatus becomes empty. Other
symbols are the same as the symbols in FIG. 16.
[0167] FIG. 18 illustrates a magnified schematic diagram of the
disk type buffer member shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 18(a) illustrate
magnified schematic diagrams of the cross sectional view along the
line B-B' of FIG. 16. FIG. 18(b) illustrate magnified schematic
diagrams of the cross sectional view along the line C-C' of FIG.
16.
[0168] The disk type top of the disk type buffer member 7a includes
a flat portion 7a11 adjacent to the circumference, a first slant
portion 7a12 connecting to the flat portion 7a11 and a second slat
portion 7a13 connecting to the first slant portion 7a12 and
reaching to a center 7a14. The angle made by the first slant
portion 7a12 and the flat portion 7a11 is preferably set at
15-34.degree.. The angle made by the second slant 7a13 and the flat
portion 7a11 is preferably set at 2-8.degree. by taking account the
strength of the disk type buffer member. A connecting portion 7a15
from the flat portion 7a11 to a slant side wall 7a2 has preferably
R1-R5. The angle made by the slant side wall 7a2 provided around
the circumference of the disc type top 7a1 and the flat portion
7a11 is set preferably at 10-30.degree.. It is preferable that deep
drawing is applied to the circumference of the slant side wall 7a2
in order to improve the strength of the circumference of the slant
side wall 7a2.
[0169] A ring 7a3 includes a slat 7a32 provided around the slant
side wall-7a2 through a connecting potion 7a31 having R 1-R3. The
angle made by the slant 7a32 and flat portion 7a11 preferably
2-8.degree. by taking account of bending strength. A circumference
vicinity portion 7a33 of the slant 7a32 is bent with R 0.5-R
2.0.
[0170] A ring type top 7b1 of the disk type buffer member 7b
includes the flat portion 7b11, the slant 7b12 which is connecting
the first flat portion 7b11 and the second flat portion 7b13 which
connects to the slant 7b12, and the ring portion 71b does not have
a center portion. The angle made by the slant 7b12 and the first
flat portion 7b11 is set at 2-8.degree. by taking account of the
strength of the disk type buffer member. The shapes of the slant
side wall 7b2 provided around the ring type top 71b and the flange
7b3 provided the circumference of the side wall 7b2 are the same
shape as the disk type buffer member shown in FIG. 18(a).
[0171] The disk type buffer member shown in FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b)
can be produced by the method disclosed on pages 803-809 in the
Tech Times version of The newest paper producing handbook. The
other disk type buffer member shown in FIG. 18(b) can be produced
by the same method as the disk type buffer member shown in FIG.
18(a) by using blanks which has been punched in a ring shape. It is
also possible to punch the center portion of the disk top 71a after
manufacturing the disk type buffer member shown in FIG. 18(a).
[0172] FIG. 19 illustrates a plan view of the disk type buffer
member shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 19(a) illustrates a plan view of the
disk type buffer member shown in FIG. 18 (a). FIG. 19(b)
illustrates a plan view of the disk type buffer member shown in
FIG. 18 (b).
[0173] In the case of the disk type buffer member shown in FIG.
19(a), U denotes a diameter of the flange 7a3 of the disk type
buffer member, which includes the slant 7a32 and the circumference
vicinity portion 7a33, and V denotes the diameter of the disk type
top 7a1. W denotes the width of the flat portion 7a11 provided
around the disk type top 7a1. X denotes the width of the slant 7a32
of the flange 7a3.
[0174] The ratio between the diameter V of the disk top 7a1 and the
diameter U of the flange 7a3 of the disk type buffer member, which
includes the slant 7a32 and the circumference vicinity portion
7a33, is preferably 1 to 0.5-1 to 0.9 by taking account of the
strength of the disk type buffer member. The width of the flat
portion 7a11 is preferably set at 3-15% against the diameter of the
disk type top 7a1. The width X of the slant 7a32 is preferably set
at 10-30% against the diameter U of the flange 7a3 by taking
account of the flexural rigidity (the difficulty of the
buckling).
[0175] In the case of the disk type buffer member shown in FIG.
19(b), Y denotes the internal diameter of the ring top 7b1. The
internal diameter Y is preferably the same diameter as the hole
509a (509b) (refer to FIG. 16) provided on the first bottom plate
502 (refer to FIG. 16) for detecting the sheet type image forming
material. Other sizes are the same as the disk type buffer member
7a shown in FIG. 19(a).
[0176] FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an
example of the disk type buffer member placed on the first bottom
plate of the tray.
[0177] With regard to the disk type buffer member 7b shown in FIG.
20, the center of the hole 509a (509b) provided on the first bottom
plate 502 for detecting the sheet type image forming material has
to be in agreement with the center of the ring top 71b of the disk
type buffer member. The disk type buffer member 7a is preferably
placed in the same distance to each other according to the size of
the first bottom plate 502 of the tray 5. The positions on the
first bottom plate where the disk type buffer members are place are
at least four corners of the first bottom plate 502. The number of
the tray to be placed depends on the size of the disk type buffer
member. The number of the tray to be placed can be changed
corresponding to the necessary pressure resistance. With regard to
the preferable placement of the tray, the percentage of disk type
in the area of the first bottom plate 502 is preferably 30-60% by
taking account of the pressure resistance of the second bottom
plate. The size of the disk type buffer member is necessary to be
selected according to the number of the disk type buffer member to
be placed. For example, when the area of the first bottom plate is
35.4 cm.times.43.0 cm and the diameter of the flange U is 8.2 cm,
the displacement is preferably as shown in FIG. 20.
[0178] FIG. 21 illustrates a block diagram of the flat plate member
having the other type. FIG. 21(a) illustrates a schematic diagram
of the flat plate member having the other type. FIG. 21(b)
illustrates a schematic cross sectional view along the line D-D' in
FIG. 21 (a).
[0179] In FIGS. 21 (a) and 21(b), Ga denotes a flat plate member.
606a-606d denotes bending portions to be bent so that the bended
portions 606a-606d are parallel to the rear surface to the flat
surface 601. The flat plate member 6a is arranged to be able to fix
the each bending portions 606a-606d on the bottom plate 502, when
placing the flat plate 6a onto the bottom plate 502 (refer to FIG.
16) of the main body 501 (refer to the FIG. 16) of the tray 5. At
the same time, the outside of the each side walls 604a-604d may be
fixed onto the inside of the side walls for regulating the position
of the sheet type image recording material of the main body 501 of
the tray 5 (refer to FIG. 16). Other symbols used here are the same
meaning as the FIG. 16.
[0180] The flat plate member shown in FIG. 21 will be produced by
the following steps. It is possible to produce the tray shown in
FIG. 16 by applying following steps. 1) cutting the sheet of paper
board according to the expansion plan of the flat plate member.
With regard to the way to cut the sheet of paper board according to
the expansion plan of the main body of the tray, it is preferable
to punch the sheet of paper board by a Thomson blade type punching
blade at a time. 2) After punching, crease at a portion where the
each side wall and each bending portion are formed by a normal
temperature creasing method. 3) Standing the side wall from the
circumference of the rear surface of the plat plate member along
the crease. 4) Forming a bending portion by folding the side wall
along the crease. It is possible to assemble the flat plate member
having a bending portion shown in FIGS. 21 (a) and 21(b) through
the steps described 1)-4). When manufacturing the tray shown in
FIG. 16 by using the flat plate member show in FIG. 21(a), it is
possible to fix the side walls of the flat plate member onto the
side walls of the main body for regulating the sheet type image
recording material by applying the adhesive agent on the bending
portion in the state that the first bottom plate of the main body
is arrange to oppose the rear surface of the flat plate member.
[0181] The number of sheets of the image recording material to be
loaded on the tray which uses the disk type buffer member shown in
FIGS. 15-21 is preferably from 10 to 90 sheets, further preferably
from 25 to 70 sheet by taking account of the usage of the sheet per
day and the characteristic change of the image recording material
when left.
[0182] It becomes possible to decrease the image recording material
to be loaded on the tray and the days placed in the state where the
image forming material is taken out from the light and moisture
shielding bag 4 in the photographic apparatus, even though the
usage of the image forming material is small by using the tray
using the disk type buffer member shown in FIG. 15-21. As a result,
even in a summer time when the humidity and temperature are high,
the disposal of the image forming material can be reduced, which
results in comfortable use and low cost operation.
[0183] Following is the list of preferable adhesive agent when
fixing the flat plate member to the side wall for regulating the
sheet type image recording material position of the main body of
the tray, fixing the disk type buffer member to the first bottom
plate and fixing the side wall of the flat plate member to the side
walls of the other flat palate member. For example, Daicel Finechem
Ltd: Sebian 3502, Sebian A, MY 7951, Sebian A 22046, Sebian A 4786.
NICHEI-KAKO Co,. Ltd: LIFE BOND AV-840M, LIFE BOND AP-6710. Konishi
Co,. Ltd: LIFE BOND SP95, BOND CN140, CN1, CN165, MP 435, MP 1311,
MP 973, MH 510. Yasuhara Chemical Co,. Ltd: Hirodain 7521. Nitta
Gelatin Inc: Nittaito HC-126. NIHON UNIPOLYMER Co,. Ltd: UH370.
SUMITOMO 3M Ltd: 1BF560. Among these examples, following are
preferable adhesive agents. Konishi Co,. Ltd: MP 435, MP 1311, MP
973, MH 510. Yasuhara Chemical Co,. Ltd: Hirodain 7521. Nitta
Gelatin Inc: Nittaito HC-126.
[0184] The main raw material of the paper board is preferably pulps
of wood by taking account of the recycle after usage. With regard
to the wood pulp, the wood pulp described on pages 109-268 of "Pulp
and Paper" from MARUZEN Co Ltd and on pages 180-187 of "Paper
manufacturing engineering" from Kougakutosho Ltd may be
appropriate. For example, needle-leave conifer pulp, broad-leaved
tree pulp, mixed natural pulp of needle-leave trees and
broad-leaved trees are used. Depending on the process, any one of
mechanical pulp, chemical pulp, chemiground pulp, chemimechanical
pulp or sulfite pulp may be used. It is also possible to use the
pulp disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Open to Public No.
H2-48372, H2-53999, H2-96741, H2-96742, H2-99689, H2-99693 or
H2-180583.
[0185] In these pulps, chemical pulps having little impurities
(sulfate pulp and sulfite pulp) are preferably used and the pulp to
which bleaching process has been applied to improve the whiteness
degree is also useful. It is appropriately add higher fatty acid,
sizing agent such as alkylketene dimmer, calcium carbonate, talc,
white pigment such as titanium oxide, starch, polyacrylamide,
durability of paper promoter such as polyvinyl alcohol, fluorescent
whitening agent, water hold-back agent such as polyethylene glycol,
dispersing agent, softening agent such as fourth class
ammonium.
[0186] After beating pulps to be used in the paper board, the sum
of the weight percentage of 24 mesh residue and the weight
percentage of 42 mesh residue defined in JIS (Japanese Industry
Standard)-P-8207 is preferably 30-70%. Meanwhile, the weigh of 4
mesh residue is preferably not more than 20 weight %.
[0187] Highly flatness can be achieved by applying a calendar
process in the process of papermaking or after papermaking. The
density of paper board is preferably 0.7-1.2 g/m.sup.2 when
measured under the condition defined by JIS (Japanese Industry
Standard)-P-8118. Further, the paper board stiffness is preferably
20-200 g when measured under the condition defined by JIS (Japanese
Industry Standard)-P-8143. The pH of the paper board is preferably
5-9 when measured by the hot water extraction method defined by JIS
(Japanese Industry Standard)-P-8113.
[0188] With regard to the paper board used in the present
embodiment, white paper board is preferable. Manila board and white
ball are listed as the white paper board. The paper board to be
used for the tray of the present embodiment described above is
preferably into a paper board having a waterproof coat layer
thereon disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Open to Public
Inspection No. 2004-70759.
[0189] The light and moisture shielding bag used in the embodiments
described above includes a thermofusion layer as a lowest layer and
made of a multi-layered having a light shielding function and
moisture shielding function. As a material for the bag, single
material will be acceptable. However, in order to improve
functions, the multi-layered material which includes various
different materials for improving functionality is preferable.
Known are a method for pushing out various thermoplastic resins at
a time (inflation method), and a method for gluing various
materials by adhesive agent to produce multi-layered material (dray
lamination) as methods for layering each material. When higher
functionality is required, the multi-layered material by the dray
lamination method in these methods is preferable.
[0190] With regard to the method for producing multi-layered
material, it is possible to produce the multi-layered material by
using conventional methods such as methods disclosed on pages 48-51
of New expansion for functional packaging material, Tory Research
Center Co,. Ltd and 1990-1, 1990-4, 1990-11, 1991-11 and 1993-3 of
Convertech.
[0191] With regard to the layered configuration of the
multi-layered material, the multi-layered material is configured by
a surface layer for an appearance and printing surface as a top
surface, a middle layer having a moisture shielding and light
shielding functions and bottom layer having a thermal adhesive
function, and the middle layer can be multiply layered according to
the requirement. For example, two layers can be provided, one layer
for shielding moisture and the other for shielding lights. It is
also possible to allow the lower layer to have function for
shielding lights. With regard to the material to be used for the
surface layer, there is no limitation for the material, and it may
be the same material to be used for the middle layer. With regard
to material to be used for each layer of the multi-layer material,
used can be low density polyethylene (LDPE) being polymer film
material, high density polyethylene (HDPE), linea low density
polyethylene (LLDPE), middle density polyethylene, Casted
polypropylene (CPP), Oriented polypropylene (OPP), Oriented Nylon
(ONy), Nylon (Ny), PET, Cellophane, PVA, Oriented vinylon (OV),
EVOH and Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC). With regard to these
material described above, used are also the multi-layer material
made by a pushing out method together with different polymer film
material based on the necessity, and the multi-layer material
adhesively produced by changing the rolling angle. It is also
possible to combine the density and molecular weight distribution
of the polymer film material used to obtain the material for light
and moisture shielding bag for further necessity.
[0192] With regard to the polymer film material to be used for the
multi-layer material low layer, LDPE and LLDPE produced by using
metallocene catalyser can be listed. LDPE and LLDPE produced by
general manufacturing method may be mixed into these polymer film
material. The LDPE and LLDPE manufactured by using the metallocene
catalyser can be fully used if they are sold in a general market
place. For example, listed are YUMERITE (trade name) made by Ube
Industries Ltd, AFFINITY, Elite made by Dow Chemical Japan,
HarmlexLL made by Nippon polyolefin Co Ltd, kernel 57L made by
Japan Polychem Corporation, Evolue made by Mitsui Chemical Co Ltd,
Lamilon Super made by Sekisui west Japan Co Ltd, SE series made by
Tamapoly, Tohcello T.U.X-FCS and T.U.X-TCS made by Tohcello, TAIKO
FL made by FUTAMURA Chemical Industry, Metharoace made by
Mitsubishi Kagaku Kojin Pacs. WMX made in WADA Kagaku kogyo Co Ltd
and FV202 made by Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd.
[0193] It is preferable that lubricant is added to the lower layer
of multi-layer material to improve slipping characteristic of the
sheet type thermally developed photo-sensitive material and a tray
shaped protective member. With regard to the lubricant, listed cab
be metallic soap (such as zinc stearate and calcium stearate),
fatty acid amid and higher fatty acid, but not limited to these.
The quantity of these lubricants against the weight of the lower
layer, is preferably not less than 500 ppm, further preferably not
less than 5000 ppm from the point of slipping characteristic.
Meanwhile, from the cost point of view, it is preferably not more
than 20000 ppm, further preferably not more than 10000 ppm.
[0194] In order to obtain the light shielding characteristic which
is required for the light and moisture shielding bag in the
embodiment described above, it is attained by including light
shielding material disclosed in Japanese Patent Applications Open
to Public Inspection Nos. S63-85539, S64-82935, H1-209134,
H1-94341, H2-165140 and H2-221956. The light shielding layer may be
provided in any layer of the multi-layer configuration. However, it
is preferable that the light shielding layer is provided in the
thermal melting layer. It is also preferable that light shielding
layer is provided in the layer, the main ingredient of which is
polyethylene, however it is not limited to this. With regard to
light shielding material to be added in the light shielding layer,
the material including carbon black is preferable from the light
shielding characteristic and cost points of view. The carbon black
may be made any one of manufacturing methods such as a furnace
method, a channel method, an acetylene method and thermal method.
Typical examples of the carbon black are MA-600, #650B, #41, #3150,
#3250, #3750, #3950, MA-100 made by Mistubisi Chemical Corporation,
VULCAN, XC-72R, BLAC Peals 700, VULCAN-P, Kechen Black EC made by
Lion Akzo Co Ltd and Asahi-HS-500 made by Asahi Carbon Co Ltd. The
carbon-black which specifies the contents of sulfur disclosed in
Japanese Patent Applications Open to Public Inspection Nos.
H4-121733, H3-179342 and H5-88299 will be acceptable. The contents
of carbon black is preferably not less than 1.5 wt % from light
shielding point of view when the thickness of the light shielding
is not less than 50 .mu.m and not more than 7.5 wt % from
productivity and cost points of view.
[0195] In order to make water-vapor transmission degree of the
light and moisture shielding bag to be not more than 1.0
g/m.sup.224 Hour, 40.degree. C. 90% RH, the moisture shielding
material for the middle layer is disclosed in the following patent
applications. Japanese Patent Applications Open to Public
Inspection Nos. H8-254793, H8-171177, H8-122980, H6-250343,
H6-122469, H6-95302, H1-93348, H1-251031, H2-186338, H1-267031,
H2-235048, H2-278256, S60-151045, S60-189438, S61-54934, S63-30842,
S63-247033, S63-272668, S63-283936, S63-193144, S63-183839,
S64-16641, S64-77532, Japanese Utility model Applications Open to
Public Inspection Nos. H1-152336, H2-21645 and H2-44738.
[0196] The middle layer may include oxygen absorbing material for
protecting the contents from harmful gas, the oxygen absorbing
material being disclosed in Japanese Patent Application open to
Public Inspection No. H2-56547, resin in which formaldehyde
scavenger is mixed being disclosed in H8-41288, cyanogen-gas
scavenger disclosed in H4-9047, H3-236050 and H2-244136 and
molecular sieve zeolite particle disclosed in H9-152683.
[0197] With regard to the image recording material related to the
embodiments described above, the image recording material is not
limited to a special material. For, example, it may be an X-Ray
film needed for a wet developing process and a thermally developed
photosensitive material needed for thermal developing process. With
regard to the thermally developed photosensitive material related
to the embodiment described above, following material may be
listed. The thermally developed photosensitive film disclosed in
the Japanese Patent Applications Open to Public Inspection Nos.
2002-122959, 2002-107870, 2002-90938, 2002-82416, 2002-82412,
2002-72413, 2002-72407 and 2002-62620 or the same may be used. At
least a photosensitive layer is provided and an anti-halation layer
(AH layer) under the photosensitive layer (between a supporting
member and the photosensitive layer) and a protective layer on the
photosensitive material are painted. Further, a backing layer (a BC
layer) and the protective layer thereon are provided on the other
side where there is a photosensitive layer against the supporting
member. Silver halide, organic silver salt, reducing agent and
binder (polymer binder) are included in the photosensitive layer.
Dye having a high absorption efficiency for the photosensitive
wavelength, the dye being hard to be left are added in the binder
of the AH layer and BC layer to prevent the degradation caused by
irregular reflection and interference pattern at the boundary
surface of the configuration layer of the sheet type thermally
photosensitive developing material. The binder of the AH layer, the
BC layer and the protective layer may be a raw material being the
same or different material as the photosensitive layer. There is a
case that the AH layer is not provided when dye is used as the BC
layer.
[0198] The photosensitive silver halide used to the sheet type
thermally developed photosensitive material of the embodiment
described above can be produced by arbitrary and known method in
the photographic technologies such as a single jetting method or a
double jetting method, for example, ammonia method emulsion,
neutral method or acidity method. The particle size of the silver
halide is preferably small in order to obtain a fine image. Because
smaller sized particle improves the granularity and resolution of
the image. However, since sensitivity becomes low, crystal form to
be easily hipersentized is preferable by the spectral sensitization
and chemical sensitization.
[0199] It is preferable that transition metal, particularly
chemical compound of from fourth period to the sixth period
belonging to from 6-group to 10-group in the element periodic table
is doped in the photosensitive silver halide for imminence
disobedience, gradation adjustment, sensitivity, fog and shelf
life. In the concrete, ions such as Rh, Ru, Re, Ir, Os and Fe are
preferable.
[0200] It is preferable that the protective layer on the
photosensitivity layer and the BC layer includes mat agent which
may be either organic substance or in organic substance. For
example, with regard to the inorganic substance, silica and glass
powder may be used as the mat agent. With regard to organic
substance, organic mat agent such as polystyrene (PSt) or
Polymethylmethaclylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (pc) may be used.
The shape of mat agent may be either a fixed form or formlessness.
However, preferably the shape of mat agent is a fixed form, and a
spherical form is preferably used. It is preferable that the
particle diameter of the mat agent is 0.5 .mu.m-10 .mu.m, further
preferably 1.0 .mu.m-8.0 .mu.m. As the diameter of the mat agent
becomes smaller than the range, troubles such as stickiness and
adherences are tend to occur, and as the mat agent becomes larger
than the range, haziness increases and transparency decreases.
[0201] With regard to the supporting member, paper, synthetic
paper, nonwoven fabric, metallic foil, polyester such as
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), a plastic film such as polycarbonate (PC), and Polypropylene
(PP) may be used as the supporting member. It is also possible to
use complex sheet in which these substances are combined.
[0202] A tray for the sheet type image recording material and a
package for the sheet type image recording material in the
embodiments described above will be described by referring to
plural examples. However, the present invention is not limited to
these examples.
[0203] A tray has been manufactured based on the method described
below.
(Preparation of Paper Board)
[0204] Prepare the main body of a tray, a flat plate member and a
white paper board having the basis weight shown in Table 4 and
various thickness of white paper board having a leafed tree
bleached craft pulp as a raw material, the white paper board being
given Nos. from a to m. With regard to the white paper board, the
middle layer is made of 100% recycle paper, paper made of virgin
pulp is used in upper and lower layers and the surface of the white
paper board is coated by clay. The water content is 8.+-.1% based
on the measurement according to JIS (Japanese Industry Standard)
P8127. The measurement of the basis weight is based on JIS P8118
(1998). The thickness is measured by a micro gage made by Mitsutoyo
Co Ltd after drying the paper board in a chamber at 40.degree. C.
for 2 hours. The water content is measured based on JIS P8127.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Paper Basis board weight Thickness No.
(g/m.sup.2) (mm) a 90 0.5 b 100 0.5 c 400 0.5 d 700 0.5 e 900 0.5 f
1000 0.5 g 1100 0.5 h 600 0.3 i 600 0.4 j 600 0.6 k 600 0.8 l 600
1.0 m 600 1.1
[Preparation of the Main Body of the Tray]
[0205] Assemble the main body of the tray shown in FIG. 16(a) and
by using the paper boards a-m, which have been prepared, and name
them from 1-a to 1-m respectively. After punching the sheet of
paper board according to the expansion plan of the main body of the
tray, crease is performed at a portion where the side wall is
formed by a normal temperature creasing method. After creasing,
assemble the main body of the tray by folding the side wall along
the crease by using a thermal press testing machine (pressure is 1
Mpa). The size of the main body of the tray is arranged to load
Konica Minolta Medical Film SD-P (size: 35 cm.times.43 cm) made by
Konica Minolta MG Co Ltd.
[Preparation of Disk Type Buffer Member]
[0206] The tray type buffer members shown in FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b)
have been prepared by using prepared paper boards a-m. The height
of the disk type buffer member shown in FIG. 18(a) was arranged so
the position of the front surface of the second bottom plate is
lower than the side wall for regulating the sheet type image
recording material position by 14 mm. The diameter of the flange of
the disk type buffer member was arranged so that three disk type
buffer members in the length direction and four disk type buffer
members in the width direction can be placed in the area (the
length direction: 35 cm, the width direction: 43 cm) of the second
bottom plate. The diameter of the disk type top was 68% of the
diameter of the flange. The width of the flat portion of the disk
top was arranged to be 10.7% against the diameter of the disk top.
The width of the slant portion of the flange was arranged to be
5.3% of the diameter of the flange.
[0207] The internal diameter of the ring shaped top of the disk
type buffer member was arranged to have the same diameter of the
hole provided in the first bottom plate.
[Preparation of a Flat Plate Member]
[0208] The flat plate member shown in FIG. 16 has been prepared by
using prepared paper boards a-m. The height of the side wall is
arranged so that the second bottom plate formed by the upper
surface (flat surface) of the flat plate member is lower than the
edge of the side wall for regulating the sheet type image recording
material position by 14 mm. The flat plate is made by the same
method for assembling the main body of the tray.
[Adjustment of the Moisture of the Main Body of the Tray, the Disk
Type Buffer Member and the Flat Plate Member]
[0209] The adjustment of the moisture of the main body of the tray,
the disk type buffer member and the flat plate member is done under
the condition of temperature 23.degree. C. and relative humidity
20% RH. The water content of the disk type buffer member and the
flat plate member is adjusted 4-5%.
[Assembly of the Tray]
[0210] Fix the prepared disk type buffer member and the flat plate
onto the bottom of the prepared main bodies of the trays
1-a.about.1-m by hot melt adhesive agent (Konishi Co Ltd: MP973)
and named them respectively 1-A.about.1-M. As shown in FIG. 17, the
distance between the edge of the flat plate and the front surface
of the first bottom plate is set 2 mm. The number of the disk type
buffer member is 12 and the disk type buffer members are placed on
the first bottom plate as shown in FIG. 20. In this case, the
pressure resistance strength was 6500 Pa. The pressure resistance
strength is a measured value of weight which the flat plate can
bear when loading the sheet type thermally developed photosensitive
material having an area of 90-100% area of the second bottom plate
of the tray.
[Assembly of Light and Moisture Shielding Bag]
[0211] The light and moisture shielding bag having center shield
style was assembled by, from upper side, a surface coat (2
.mu.m)/nylon-6 (15 .mu.m)/aluminum foil (7 .mu.m)/LDPE (12
.mu.m)/black LLDPE (50 .mu.m) being multi layer configuration
material. The water-vapor transmission ratio was 0.01 g/m.sup.2day
based on the measurement described in JIS (Japanese Industrial
Standard) K7129-1992.
[Assembly of Package]
[0212] Following steps has made testing samples 101-113. Stacking
52 sheets of the sheet type thermally developed photosensitive
material (Konica Minolta MG Co Ltd: KONICA MINOLTA Medial Film
SD-P) and storing them into the light and moisture shielding bag
under the condition of temperature: 23.degree. C., relative
humidity: 48%. Then, the light and moisture shielding bag was
sealed under the reduced pressure condition of 36 kPa by
Kashiwagi-method vacuum sealing machine while degassing.
[Evaluation]
[0213] The easiness of formation of the assembled main body of the
tray, the disk type buffer member and the flat plate member were
evaluated and the vibration test, vibrational acceleration 0.8 G,
amplitude 3 mm for 2 hours, was applied to the assembled main body
of the tray, the disk type buffer member and the flat plate member
after storing samples 101-113 in the condition of temperature of
23.degree. C. and 51% RH for seven days. After that, a thermal
developing process machine (DRYPRO made by Konica Minolta Co Ltd)
exposes a test pattern image, executes thermal developing process
at 123.degree. C. The evaluating whether there is a scratch on the
sheet type thermally developed photosensitive material and
evaluating the deformation of the tray. Table 5 shows the
evaluation results with rankings listed below.
[0214] A: When assembling, easily folded, no deformation, tolerance
is kept within .+-.0.5 mm.
[0215] B: When assembling, difficult to fold, tends to be deformed
but tolerance is kept within .+-.0.5 mm.
[0216] C: When assembling, difficult to fold, deformed and
tolerance cannot be kept within .+-.0.5 mm.
[0217] The evaluation of scratches on the sheet type thermally
photosensitive material.
[0218] A: No scratch is recognized on the thermally developed
photosensitive material.
[0219] B: Small scratch with a degree which makes little trouble is
recognized on the thermally developed photosensitive material.
[0220] C: Scratch with a degree which makes trouble is recognized
on the thermally developed photosensitive material.
[0221] The deformation of the second bottom plate.
[0222] A: Deformation is not recognized.
[0223] B: Deformation which makes little problem in an actual usage
is recognized.
[0224] C: Deformation which make problem in an actual usage is
recognized. TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Main Scratch of body thermally
Sam- Board of Degree of developing Deformation ple paper tray Tray
difficulty photosensitive of 2.sup.nd No. No. No. No. to form
material bottom 101 a 1-a 1-A B A B 102 b 1-b 1-B A A A 103 c 1-c
1-C A A A 104 d 1-d 1-D A A A 105 e 1-e 1-E A A A 106 f 1-f 1-F A A
A 107 g 1-g 1-G B A B 108 h 1-h 1-H A A B 109 i 1-i 1-I A A A 110 j
1-j 1-J A A A 111 k 1-k 1-K A A A 112 l 1-l 1-L A A A 113 m 1-m 1-M
A A B
[0225] The effectiveness of the tray for the sheet type image
recording material to be used for the embodiments described above
has been confirmed.
EXAMPLE B
[0226] Sample Nos. 201-208 have been assembled under the same
conditions when the sample No. 105 was assembled in the example A
other than the main body of the tray, the disk type buffer member
and the water content ratio of the flat plate member, which has
been changed as shown in Table 6. Meanwhile the water content
change was adjusted by placing it into a drying room at the
temperature 50.degree. C. so that each water content becomes as it
is shown. The water content was measured based on JIS P8127. Two
sets of example Nos. 201-208 were produced, the one set was used
for the evaluation and the other was kept in a cold and dark place
for a reference set.
[Evaluations]
[0227] Each package Nos. 201-208 were exposed by the same method of
the example A and were processed in the same method of the example
A after keeping them at 40.degree. C. for five days. Then
evaluating the characteristics such as the optical density in
non-exposed portion (fog density) and the maximum density.
Excellent test result has been obtained without any problem. At the
same time, each reference sample has been exposed and thermally
developed under the same conditions. The fluctuations from the
reference sample have been evaluated according to the rank shown
below. The evaluation results will be shown in Table 6.
[0228] The evaluation results of the optical density (fog density)
in the non-exposed portion.
[0229] A: The optical density is the same as the reference
samples.
[0230] B: The optical density is higher than the reference samples
by from 5% to less than 10%.
[0231] C: The optical density is higher than the reference sample
by not less than 10%.
[0232] The evaluation rank of the maximum optical density.
[0233] A: The maximum optical density is the same as the reference
sample.
[0234] B: The maximum optical density is lower than the reference
samples by from 5% to less than 10%.
[0235] C: The maximum optical density is lower than the reference
sample by not less than 10%. TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Percentage
Density of Sample of water photographic Highest No. content (%) fog
density 201 0.08 A A 202 0.1 A A 203 0.5 A A 204 1.0 A A 205 3.0 A
A 206 5.0 A A 207 6.0 B B 208 7.0 B B
[0236] The sample No. 201 shows the excellent test results that the
changes of the optical fog density and the maximum optical density
have not been recognized. However, since small deformation of the
second bottom plate has been recognized, the inventors of the
present invention noticed that attention should be paid on this
fact. The effectiveness the package for the sheet type image
recording material has been recognized.
EXAMPLE C
[0237] Sample Nos. 301-307 have been assembled under the same
conditions when the sample No. 110 was assembled in the example A
other than that the distance between the edge of the side walls for
regulating the sheet type image recording material position and the
second bottom plate formed by the upper surface (flat surface) of
the flat plate member has been changed as shown in Table 7.
[Evaluations]
[0238] The assembled samples 301-307 have been evaluated by
evaluating the process aptitude when assembling the package and the
aptitude in the image forming apparatus by taking the number of the
sheet type thermally developed photosensitive material as a
parameter. With regard to the process aptitude and the aptitude
inside the image forming apparatus, they have been evaluated
according to the evaluation rank below, and the easiness of
formation has been evaluated based on the evaluation rank of
example A. The evaluation results will be described in Table 7.
[Evaluation Ranks of Process Aptitude]
[0239] A: Packaging production is possible with work according to a
normal work manual.
[0240] B: Packaging production is possible with small attention
when loading sheet type thermally developed photosensitive
material.
[0241] C: Packing production becomes difficult because the loading
sheet type thermally developed photosensitive material becomes
difficult.
[Evaluation Rank for Aptitude in the Image Forming Apparatus]
[0242] A: No conveyance error of sheet type thermally developed
photosensitive material occurs and stable conveyance is
available.
[0243] B: No conveyance error of sheet type thermally developed
photosensitive material occurs even though the conveyance is a
little bit unstable. In an actual usage, the conveyance is
conducted without problems.
[0244] C: Conveyance error of sheet type thermally developed
photosensitive material occurs and actual usage is difficult.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Degree of Quantity Aptitude Sample Distance
difficulty which can be Aptitude in picture No. (mm) to mold
accumulated process recorder 301 4 A 15 B B 302 5 A 18 A A 303 10 A
36 A A 304 15 A 54 A A 305 20 A 72 A A 306 25 A 90 A A 307 26 B 93
A A
[0245] In the case of sample No. 301 having small number of sheet
to be loaded, frequent tray exchange will be expected. In the case
of sample No. 307, since the loading capability of the number of
sheets becomes large, the frequency of the number of time in which
the sheets are left as a residue in the image forming apparatus is
expected to become high.
EXAMPLE D
[0246] Sample Nos. 401-407 have been assembled under the same
conditions when the sample No. 110 was assembled in the example A
other than that the pressure resistance strength of the second
bottom plate of the tray has been changed as shown in Table 8. The
pressure resistance strength has been adjusted by appropriately
changing the size and the number of the disk type buffer member
which are placed on the first bottom plate. The pressure resistance
strength is a measured value when the second bottom plate starts
deformation as increasing the number of the sheet type thermally
developed photosensitive material on the tray.
[Evaluations]
[0247] The evaluation results of the assembled samples 401-407
evaluated by applying the same evaluation rank of the sample A
after applying the same test condition with sample A, executing
exposure and thermally developed, checking whether there is any
scratches on the sheet type thermally developed material, and
observing the deformation of the second bottom plate under the same
test condition with sample A. The valuation result is shown in
Table 8. TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Scratch of thermally pressure
developed Transformation Sample strength of photosensitive of
2.sup.nd bottom No. 2.sup.nd bottom (Pa) material plate 401 90 B B
402 100 A A 403 500 A A 404 1,000 A A 405 5,000 A A 406 8,000 A A
407 10,000 A A
[0248] The effectiveness of the sheet type image recording material
to be used in the embodiment described above has been
confirmed.
EXAMPLE E
[0249] As shown in FIG. 17, samples No. 501-507 have been assembled
under the same condition applied when assembling the sample No. 111
of the Example A except that the distance between the side wall
edge of the flat plate member and the front surface of the first
bottom plate was changed.
[Evaluation]
[0250] The evaluation results of the assembled samples 501-507
evaluated by applying the same evaluation rank of the sample A
after executing exposure and thermally developed, checking whether
there is any scratches on the sheet type thermally developed
material, and observing the deformation of the second bottom plate
under the same test condition with sample A. The evaluation result
is shown in Table 9. TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Scratch of Thermally
developed photosensitive Transformation Sample No. Distance (mm)
material of 2.sup.nd bottom 501 0.0 B B 502 0.1 A A 503 0.5 A A 504
1.0 A A 505 2.0 A A 506 3.0 A A 507 3.2 B B
[0251] The effectiveness of the sheet type image recording package
to be used in the present embodiment described above has been
confirmed.
EXAMPLE F
[0252] Samples No. 601-607 have been assembled under the same
condition when sample No. 110 of the example A was assembled except
that the ratio between the diameters of the flange of the disk type
buffer member to be used and the disk top was changed as shown in
Table 10.
[0253] The evaluation results of the assembled samples 601-607
evaluated by applying the same evaluation rank of the sample A
after executing exposure and thermally developed, checking whether
there is any scratches on the sheet type thermally developed
material, and observing the deformation of the second bottom plate
under the same test condition with sample A. The evaluation result
is shown in Table 10. TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Ratio of diameter of
Scratch of Thermally flange and developed Sample diameter of
photosensitive Transformation No. disk top material of 2.sup.nd
bottom 601 1:0.5 B B 602 1:0.6 A A 603 1:0.65 A A 604 1:0.68 A A
605 1:0.7 A A 606 1:0.8 A A 607 1:0.9 B B
[0254] The effectiveness of the sheet type image recording material
tray to be used in the present embodiment has been confirmed.
[0255] A preferable embodiment for redacting the present invention
into practice has been described above. According to the method for
loading sheet films and an image forming system of the image
forming apparatus of the present invention, when having loaded a
film package without cutting the end portion of the film package,
it is possible, in advance, to prevent the main body of the
apparatus from moving on and falling from a desk on which the
apparatus is placed and from tipping over when pulling out a light
shielding bag.
[0256] Further, it is possible to damp the transmission of
vibration from the outside to the inside of the apparatus when used
on the desktop by providing a buffer member having a high friction
coefficient capable of decreasing the vibration transmission, on
the bottom plate of the housing. Since large force is required to
move the apparatus due to the high friction coefficient, it is also
further surely prevent the main body of the apparatus on the
desktop from moving and falling even forcefully pulling the end
portion of the light shielding bag for removing the light shielding
bag.
[0257] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment
and various changes and modification may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention. For example, the length of the end
portion of the light shielding bag which is outside the outer
surface of the apparatus (the length of the light shielding bag
being outside the main body of the apparatus) means the length with
which a user can handle. The outer surface to be the reference may
be of course different from each other corresponding to the design
of appearance of the apparatus. For example, in the case that the
outer surface 101a of the apparatus main body 101 of an image
forming apparatus is flat without protrusion or recession as shown
in FIG. 11(a), the reference surface for the length outside the
apparatus is the outer surface 101a and the length outside the
apparatus is `n`. In a case where, as shown in FIG. 11(b), there
are a surface 102a extended from the outside surface of the main
body 102 of the image forming apparatus and a recessed surface 102b
being recessed on the rear surface side (the film storing tray is
located on the surface 102b) and there is a recessed portion 102c
in the lower portion of the apparatus, if a hand of a user can
enter the recessed portion 102s and handle the light shielding bag,
the reference surface of the length outside the apparatus is the
outer surface 102b and the length outside the apparatus will be A.
If the hand of the user cannot enter the recessed portion 102s and
cannot handle the light shielding bag, the reference surface of the
length outside the apparatus is the outer surface 102a and the
length outside the apparatus will be B. Further, for example, the
image forming apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured as a
medical laser imager capable of outputting a medical image on a
film by inputting medical image data.
[0258] It is apparent that the mechanism for maintaining the light
shielding in a light shielding bag when loading a film package in a
light room is not limited to the rack and pinion mechanism shown in
FIG. 5, and it may be of course other mechanisms.
[0259] In order to prevent an apparatus from tipping over when a
user has forgotten to cut the end portion `b` of a light shielding
bag B, it is not limited to providing a lock releasing mechanism,
as shown in FIG. 13. For example, it is also possible to shorten
the length `n` of the one end portion `a` of the light shielding
bag B extending from the apparatus housing 40a in FIG. 2 to about
70 mm so that a large pulling force is not applied because the user
cannot pull the one end portion `a` well enough by holding it.
* * * * *