Photography – Fluid-treating apparatus – Dark cabinet
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-16
2001-10-02
Rutledge, D. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Fluid-treating apparatus
Dark cabinet
C396S612000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296402
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a film supply apparatus and more particularly to a film supply apparatus which implements an automatic film supply process with a simpler configuration.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Conventionally, a film supply apparatus according to a first prior art structure is configured so as to transfer and process films, one by one. In processing a plurality of films according to the first prior art structure, an operator needs to repeatedly insert film into the film supply apparatus. After the completion of the processing of this film, the operator inserts the next film into the film carrier repeating the process.
A second prior art structure discloses a film supply apparatus which sequentially processes a huge amount of film, such as the device disclosed in Japanese patent application publication no. 4-254845.
The prior art structures described above have disadvantages that are described below.
In the first prior art structure, during processing of the first film, the operator needs to perform various operations, such as confirmation of scanner determined images, packing of a processed film into a bag, etc., therefore the operator can not stand waiting for completion of the first film and then set the next film or do other necessary operations immediately after the processing is completed. Also, during the processing of the first film, even if it is desired to start processing a next film, it is not possible until the current film processing is completed. According to the first prior art structure, there is also a disadvantage that it takes some time before setting a next or subsequent film so that it can start to become processed. During this time it is difficult to avoid stopping a photo processing apparatus and thus the photo processing apparatus does not perform to its capacity.
Also according to the second prior art structure, such a film supply apparatus for large volume processing has disadvantages that in that it is complicated in its structure, it is large in size and it is expensive. It occupies too large a space to make it practical for ordinary DPE shops (for developing, printing and enlarging of photographs). Further the second prior art structure has a problem in that the films can be rubbed against each other and can become damaged. Further there is a problem that setting a next film is impossible when all films to be processed were completed due to its overlaying setting. There are also other possible problems with this structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention seeks to solve the above problems and disadvantages of the prior art. It is an object of the invention to provide a film supply apparatus with a relatively simple configuration that holds a subsequent film during processing of the first film and the processing of the subsequent film is automatically started after the first film has been processed.
According to the present invention to achieve the above object, a film supply apparatus is provided comprising a film holding supply mechanism. The film holding supply mechanism includes a film nip section that nips a first film at a film waiting position, a film moving device for moving the first film from the film waiting position to a film supply position and a driving mechanism for nipping and transferring the first film between the driving mechanism and the film moving device. The film moving device is configured for returning to the film waiting position after a predetermined portion of the first film has been transferred, and wherein after the film moving device has returned to the film waiting position, another film can be nipped using the film nip section at the film waiting position so as to be in a waiting condition. Herein, the driving mechanism may be a roller section configured to be driven by an electric motor.
In the film supply apparatus according to the present invention, the film moving device is configured to rotate between the film waiting position and the film supply position and the film is in a waiting condition using the film nip section when the film moving means is in the film waiting position. According to the present invention, the film supply apparatus can be provided wherein a subsequent film is held in the waiting condition while the first film is being processed and wherein after processing of the first film has been completed, the processing of the subsequent film is automatically commenced.
Further the film supply apparatus according to the present invention preferably comprises a film holding means or device for operating with the film nip section and holding the film at the film waiting position and a film supply roller section. The film supply roller section is configured so that the film holding means is inclined at an angle so that the film is apt to move from the film holding means to the film supply roller section.
According to this preferred embodiment, the film supply apparatus can be provided wherein the film at the film waiting position can be readily held and wherein the film can be readily moved from the film waiting position to the film supply position.
Further, the film supply apparatus according to the present invention preferably comprises a film mask provided downstream of the film holding supply mechanism and it is configured so that the film mask comprises a transfer roller section. The transfer roller section nips and transfers the film supplied from the film holding supply mechanism and the film moving means can return to the film waiting position after the transfer roller section has nipped the film.
Further, according to the present invention to accomplish the above object, a film supply apparatus is provided comprising a film holding supply mechanism including a film holding section holding a film at a film waiting position, a moving mechanism for moving the film from the film waiting position to a film supply position and a driving mechanism for transferring the film at the film supply position. The moving mechanism returns to the film waiting position after a predetermined portion of the film has been transferred and wherein after the moving mechanism has returned to the film waiting position, another film can be nipped using the film holding section at the film waiting position so as to be in a waiting condition.
Further in the film supply apparatus according to the present invention, preferably the film holding section is comprised of a switching guide section and a open-close guide section located under the film. The open-close guide section is configured to operate in an opening direction in case the switching guide section moves downward and to operate in a closing direction in case the switching guide section moves upward. At the film waiting position, the film is nipped using the switching guide section and the open-close guide section. In moving the film to the film supply position, the switching guide section functions as the moving means by moving from the upper to the lower sides of the film. After a predetermined portion of the film has been transferred using the switching guide section and the driving means, the switching guide section and the open-close guide section can return to the film waiting position.
Further the film supply apparatus according to the present invention, preferably comprises a hook section which operates with the film holding section to hold the film at the film waiting position. The hook section is driven to rotate so as to release a holding condition of the hook section with respect to the film when moving the film from the film waiting position to the film supply position.
Further in the film supply apparatus according to the present invention, the film holding section and the hook section are preferably linked with each other. According to this preferred embodiment, the film can be smoothly moved from the film waiting position to the film supply position by the linked operation of the film holding section and the hook section.
Still further, the film supply
Kitahara Masaki
Yamamoto Takuya
Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
Rutledge D.
Smith Patent Office
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