Photographic paper accommodating apparatus

A photographic paper accommodating apparatus is disposed on the downstream side of a printing section for transporting an exposed continuous photographic paper to a subsequent step. A pair of first clamping and transporting rollers are disposed on the downstream side of the printing section so as to clamp and transport the photographic paper and form a first loop of photographic paper between the printing section and the rollers. A pair of second clamping and transporting rollers are disposed on the downstream side of the first clamping and transporting rollers so as to clamp and transport the photographic paper and form a second loop of photographic paper between the first and second clamping and transporting rollers. The apparatus is further provided with a flap which is movable between a first position at which the flap guides the photographic paper toward the first clamping and transporting rollers, and a second position at which the flap guides the photographic paper toward the second clamping and transporting rollers. Accordingly, it is possible to resume the exposure operation at the printing section even when it has been suspended immediately prior thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a photographic paper accommodating 
apparatus for advancing forward a continuous photographic paper having 
been subjected to printing to a subsequent step in which the paper is 
processed by, for example, a developing machine. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
One type of photographic printer is arranged such that a developing machine 
is dispposed on the downstream side of a printing section where the image 
of a negative film is printed on a photographic paper by light exposure, 
so as to continuously develop the exposed photographic paper. This type of 
photographic printer needs a photographic paper accommodating apparatus 
between the printing section and the developing machine for the purpose of 
absorbing a difference between the photographic paper feed rate at the 
printing section and that at the developing machine. 
In one type of conventional photographic paper accommodating apparatus, the 
portion of the continuous photographic paper delivered thereto at a 
relatively high feed rate from the printing section is temporarily 
accommodated in the form of a loop, thereby allowing absorption of the 
feed rate difference between the printing section and the developing 
machine where the photographic paper is processed at relatively low speed. 
In this type of accommodting apparatus, when the exposure operation at the 
printing section is to be temporarily suspended, the intermediate portion 
of the continuous photographic paper is cut by means of a cutter disposed 
between the accommodating apparatus and the developing machine, thereby 
allowing the portion of the photographic paper in the developing machine 
to move freely. In this way, it is possible when resuming the exposure 
operation at the printing section to immediately start the operation, and 
the portion of the photographic paper already accommodated in the form of 
a loop can be successively advanced to the developing machine. The 
accommodating apparatus has another cutter disposed between the apparatus 
and the printing section, so that when the printing operation is to be 
finished, the intermediate portion of the photographic paper is cut by 
this cutter, thereby allowing all of the exposed portion of the 
photographic paper to be developed without wastefully developing any 
portion of the photographic paper which need not be developed. 
Accordingly, this type of conventional photographic paper accommodating 
apparatus needs two cutters respectively disposed between the apparatus 
and the developing machine and between the apparatus and the printing 
section, which means that the maintenance of the apparatus is complicated. 
Further, when the photographic paper is cut by the cutter disposed between 
the printing section and the accommodating apparatus for the purpose of 
finishing the exposure operation at the printing section, it is not 
possible to immediately resume the operation when required for any rason, 
since the photographic paper cannot be advanced to the accommodating 
apparatus until all the portion of the paper accommodated in the looping 
area of the apparatus has been fed to the developing machine. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the above-described circumstances, it is a primary object of the 
present invention to provide a photographic paper accommodating apparatus 
which has a reduced number of required cutters and enables the exposure 
operation at the printing section to be resumed even when it has been 
suspended immediately prior thereto. 
To this end, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is 
provided a photographic paper accommodating apparatus which is disposed on 
the downstream side of a printing section for transporting an exposed 
continuous photographic paper to a subsequent step, which comprises: first 
clamping and transporting roller means disposed on the downstream side of 
the printing section so as to clamp and transport the photographic paper 
and form a first loop of the photographic paper between the printing 
section and the roller means; second clamping and transporting roller 
means disposed on the downstream side of the first clamping and 
transporting roller means so as to clamp and transport the photographic 
paper and form a second loop of the photographic paper between the first 
and second clamping and transporting roller means; and a guide member 
movable between a first position at which the guide member guides the 
photographic paper toward the first clamping and transporting roller 
means, and a second position at which the guide member guides the 
photographic paper toward the second clamping and transporting roller 
means. 
By virtue of the above arrangement of the present invention, when the 
exposure operation at the printing section is to be temporarily suspended, 
the intermediate portion of the photographic paper is cut by a cutter 
disposed between the printing section and the accommodating apparatus, 
thereby allowing the developing operation to be continued. When the 
exposure operation is to be resumed, the guide member is moved from the 
second position so as to open the second looping area and allow the loop 
of the photographic paper in the first looping area to move to the second 
looping area. The guide member is then moved to the first position so that 
the leading end portion of the photographic paper which has been cut and 
newly advanced forward is guided to the first clamping and transporting 
roller means. Then, the guide member is further moved from the first 
position so as to open the first looping area, thereby allowing the 
photographic paper to form a loop in the first looping area. 
Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide another cutter between the 
accommodating apparatus and the developing machine. In addition, a 
plurality of loops of the photographic paper are formed by enabling the 
conventionally disposed guide member to move between the first and second 
positions, thereby allowing the exposure operation at the printing section 
to be resumed even when it has been suspended immediately prior thereto. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-described 
photographic paper accommodating apparatus further comprises limit means 
for limiting the lateral movement of the photographic paper. 
The limit means is provided in opposing relation to either the first or 
second loop of the photographic paper so as to limit the lateral movement 
of the photographic paper. Thus, the looped portion of the photographic 
paper is prevented from meandering, so that stable feed of the paper is 
ensured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a photographic paper accommodating apparatus 10 in 
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 
10 is disposed between a printing section 12 and a developing section 14 
so as to guide a continuous photographic paper 16 exposed in the printing 
section 12 to the developing section 14. 
The photographic paper accommodating apparatus 10 has a machine frame 18 
which is formed integrally with the machine frame of the printing section 
12. A delivery roller 20 is rotatably supported by the frame 18 on the 
side thereof which is closer to the printing section 12, that is, on the 
downstream side of the section 12. The delivery roller 20 is rotated by 
the driving force derived from a motor (not shown) so as to feed a 
continuous photographic paper 16 to the accommodating apparatus 10, the 
paper 16 being clamped between the roller 20 and a pressure roller 22 
abutting against the outer periphery of the roller 20. 
A guide plate 23 and a cutter 24 are provided between the delivery roller 
20 and the accommodating apparatus 10, whereby the intermediate portion of 
the photographic paper 16 can be cut as desired. 
A bracket 26 is secured to the machine frame 18, and guide plates 28 and 29 
are mounted on the bracket 26 so as to be positioned on the downstream 
side of the cutter 28. The guide plates 28 and 29 serve to guide the 
photographic paper 16 to the area between first clamping and transporting 
rollers 30 and 32. The roller 30 has a support shaft 34 integrally secured 
thereto. As shown in FIG. 2, the support shaft 34 has both end portions 
thereof rotatably supported by bearing plates 38 and 40 through bearings 
36, respectively. The bearing plates 38 and 40 are suspended from the 
bracket 26. 
A gear 42 is secured to the distal end portion of the support shaft 34 
which projects from the bearing plate 38. The gear 42 is meshed with a 
gear 44 which is secured to the output shaft 48 of a motor 46 mounted on 
the machine frame 18. Thus, it is possible to transmit the rotational 
force from the motor 46 to the first clamping and transporting roller 30 
so as to rotate it. 
The first clamping and transporting roller 32 pressed against the roller 30 
is rotatably supported by a bearing plate 50. The bearing plate 50 is 
guided by a bracket 52 secured to the bracket 26 in such a manner that the 
plate 50 is movable in the direction in which the roller 32 comes in and 
out of contact with the roller 30. The bearing plate 50 is engaged with 
the lower end portion of a lifting plate 54 which has a rectangular window 
56 formed in its upper end portion, as shown in FIG. 2. An eccentric cam 
58 is received in the window 56. The cam 58 has an eccentric shaft 60 
which is defined by the output shaft of a motor 62 supported by the 
bracket 26. 
Accordingly, as the motor 62 rotates, the lifting plate 54 moves 
vertically, thus enabling the roller 32 to come in and out of contact with 
the roller 30. 
As shown in FIG. 2, rotary plates 66 and 68 are rotatably supported on the 
support shaft 34 of the first clamping and transporting roller 30 through 
respective bearings 64, the plates 66 and 68 being respectively disposed 
between the roller 30 and the bearing plate 38 and between the roller 30 
and the bearing plate 40. Side edges at one end of a flap 70 which defines 
a guide member are respectively secured to the rotary plates 66 and 68. 
The rotary plate 66 is formed on its outer periphery with a gear 72 which 
is meshed with a gear 74. The shaft 76 of the gear 74 is rotatably 
supported by the machine frame 18 through a bearing 78. A gear 80 is 
secured to the distal end portion of the shaft 76 which projects from the 
frame 18, and is meshed with a gear 82. The gear 82 is secured to the 
output shaft 85 of a motor 84 which is mounted on the frame 18. 
Accordingly, the flap 70 can be pivoted by the driving force derived from 
the motor 84. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the gear 74 has a recess 86 formed in a portion 
thereof, and a limit pin 88 projecting from the frame 18 extends into the 
recess 86 so as to limit the rotational angle of the flap 70. The 
rotational angle of the flap 70 ranges, as shown in FIG. 1, between a 
first position at which the flap 70 is stretched between the guide plate 
28 and the first clamping and transporting roller 30 and a second position 
at which the flap 70 is stretched between the roller 30 and a second 
clamping and transporting roller 90. The rotational position of the flap 
70 is controlled by detecting the rotational angle of a rotary plate 92 
secured to the shaft 76 by means of a sensor 94, as shown in FIG. 2. 
When the flap 70 lies between the second position and the vertically 
downward position, it is possible for a first loop 16A of the photogrpahic 
paper 16 to be formed between the guide plate 28 and the first clamping 
and transporting roller 30 as shown in FIG. 3(B); and when the flap 70 
lies between the first position and the vertically downward position, it 
is possible for a second loop 16B to be formed between the first and 
second clamping and transporting rollers 30 and 90 as shown in FIG. 3(C). 
Guide blocks 95A and 95B which define limit means shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 
are disposed below the area between the first and second clamping and 
transporting rollers 30 and 90 in such a manner that the guide blocks 95A 
and 95B are in opposing relation to the second loop 16B formed as shown in 
FIG. 3(C). 
These guide blockes 95A and 95B are supported by the machine frame 18 in 
such a manner that they oppose the lateral edges, respectively, of the 
second loop 16B. The respective upper end portions of the guide blocks 95A 
and 95B are tapered so that the distance between the opposing surfaces 
thereof is gradually increased toward the upper side thereof, thus 
providing tapered portions 95C. The lower halves of the guide blocks 95A 
and 95B respectively define parallel portions 95D which extend parallel to 
each other at a spacing slightly larger than the width of the photographic 
paper 16. 
Accordingly, the lower end portion of the second loop 16B is prevented from 
meandering to a substantial extent in the lateral direction thereof by 
virtue of the tapered portions 95C, so that the longitudinal axis of the 
second loop 16B is kept straight at all times. If there were no guide 
blocks 95A and 95B for limiting the lateral movement of the photographic 
paper 16, the second loop 16B which is defined by a portion of the 
photographic paper 16 delivered from the first clamping and transporting 
rollers 30 and 32 would meander to a substantial extent. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the second clamping and transporting roller 90 is 
rotatably supported by the machine frame 18 through a bracket 96, and a 
second clamping and transporting roller 98 is disposed so as to abut 
against the roller 90. Accordingly, when the flap 70 reaches the second 
position as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, the second clamping and 
transporting rollers 90 and 98 clamp the leading end portion of the 
photographic paper 16 guided by the flap 70 and advance it to the 
developing section 14 through a slit 100. For this purpose, the rotational 
force derived from a motor 102 is transmitted to the roller 90. 
Guide plates 104 and 106 are respectively disposed at the first and second 
positions of the flap 70 in such a manner as to extend above and along the 
passing photographic paper 16, whereby the paper 16 is smoothly guided to 
the first clamping and transporting rollers 30 and 32 and to the second 
clamping and transporting rollers 90 and 98. 
The following is a description of the operation of this embodiment. 
Prior to the start of an exposure operation at the printing section 12, the 
flap 70 is disposed at the first position as shown by the solid line in 
FIGS. 1 and 3(A). 
The leading end portion of the photographic paper 16 that has been exposed 
in the printing section 12 is delivered by the action of the delivery 
rollers 20 and 22 to reach the guide plate 28. The leading end portion of 
the paper 16 is then projected from the guide plates 28 and fed to the 
area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 30 and 32 while 
moving through the area between the flap 70 and the guide plate 104. When 
a slight amount of the leading end portion of the photographic paper 16 
has been clamped between the first clamping and transporting rollers 30 
and 32, the rotation of the motor 46 is suspended, and the movement of the 
leading end portion of the paper 16 is thereby stopped. 
Then, the flap 70 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 so as to 
move to the second position, as shown in FIG. 3(B). At the same time, the 
operation of the motor 46 is resumed. Since the intermediate portion of 
the photographic paper 16 exposed at the printing section 12 is delivered 
therefrom at a relatively high feed rate, the first loop 16A is formed 
between the guide plate 28 and the first clamping and transporting roller 
30. 
At the same time, the leading end portion of the photographic paper 16 fed 
out from the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 30 
and 32 moves on the flap 70 so as to reach the area between the second 
clamping and transporting rollers 90 and 98 from which it is advanced by 
the rotation of the motor 102 to the developing section 14 where the paper 
16 is successively developed. 
When the leading end portion of the photographic paper 16 has been fed out 
from the area between the second clamping and transporting rollers 90 and 
98 by the rotation of the motor 102, the first clamping and transporting 
roller 32 is moved upwards by the rotation of the motor 62 so as to 
separate from the roller 30, so that the photographic paper 16 is advanced 
to the developing section 14 by the force of the motor 102 alone. 
When the exposure operation at the printing section 12 is to be temporarily 
suspended, the intermediate portion of the photographic paper 16 is cut by 
using the cutter 24. Even during the suspension of the exposure operation, 
the exposed photographic paper 16 is gradually delivered to the developing 
section 14 at a relatively low feed rate, thereby allowing the developing 
operation to proceed. 
To resume the exposure operation at the printing section 12 in a state 
wherein the trailing end portion of the exposed photographic paper 16 
remains in the form of the first loop 16A between the guide plate 28 and 
the first clamping and transporting roller 30, the flap 70 is moved from 
the second position to the vertically downward position by driving the 
motor 46, as shown in FIG. 3(C). Under this state, the first clamping and 
transporting roller 32 is brought into contact with the roller 30, and the 
roller 30 is rotated by driving the motor 46. In consequence, the 
photographic paper 16 in the form of the first loop 16A is moved so as to 
form the second loop 16B. 
In the area for forming the second loop 16B, the guide blocks 95A and 95B 
serve to limit the lateral movement of the second loop 16B. Since the 
second loop 16B is formed in such a manner that the rotation of the second 
clamping and transporting rollers 90 and 98 is suspended, whereas the 
first clamping and transporting rollers 30 and 32 are kept rotating, the 
second loop 16B, which is subjected to the advancing force alone, is apt 
to meander in the lateral direction thereof. However, it is prevented from 
meandering by virtue of the tapered portions 95C and the parallel portions 
95D, thus enabling the second loop 16B to be reliably transported. 
As the delivery of the photographic paper 16 by the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 30 and 32 further proceeds, the trailing end portion 
of the paper 16 is suspended down from the second clamping and 
transporting roller 90, as shown in FIG. 3(D). At this time, the flap 70 
is moved to the first position at which it prevents the formation of the 
first loop 16A, and the exposure operation at the printing section 12 is 
then resumed. 
Thus, the leading end portion of the newly exposed photographic paper 16 is 
advanced to the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 
30 and 32 while being guided by the flap 70. With the leading end portion 
of the paper 16 clamped between the rollers 30 and 32, the rotation of the 
roller 30 is suspended again, and the flap 70 is moved from the first 
position and stopped at, for example, the position at which it is 
suspended vertically downward. As the exposure operation at the printing 
section 12 proceeds, the exposed portion of the photographic paper 16 is 
successively accommodated in the apparatus 10 in the form of the first 
loop 16A. 
Thus, even when the trailing end portion of the cut photographic paper 16 
which has been exposed before the suspension of the exposure operation 
remains undeveloped in the apparatus 10, the leading end portion of the 
cut photographic paper 16 which is delivered after the resumption of the 
exposure operation can be accommodated in the first loop accommodating 
portion of the apparatus 10. 
On the other hand, the conventional photographic paper accommodating 
apparatus can form only one loop of photographic paper and therefore 
disadvantageously needs two cutters in the front of and at the rear of the 
apparatus, respectively. In addition, when the loop of photographic paper 
formed before the suspension of the exposure operation remains in the 
apparatus at the time of the resumption of the operation, it is not 
possible to resume the exposure operation. 
The first loop 16A, which is accommodated in the area between the pair of 
rollers 20, 22 and the first clamping and transporting rollers 30, 32, is 
formed while the first clamping and transporting rollers 30 and 32 are 
rotating. It is therefore more difficult for the first loop 16A to meander 
than the second loop 16B. However, guide blocks 95A and 95B similar to 
those for the second loop 16B may also be provided for the first loop 16A. 
In addition, the limit means employed in the present invention is not 
necessarily limitative to that which is defined by the above-described 
guide blocks 95A and 95B, and any type of limit means may be employed, 
provided that it is capable of preventing meandering of the photographic 
paper 16. 
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a photographic paper accommodating apparatus 210 in 
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The 
apparatus 210 is disposed between a printing section and a developing 
section 214 so as to guide a continuous photographic paper 216 exposed in 
the printing section 212 to the developing section 214. 
The photographic paper accommodating apparatus 210 has a machine frame 218 
which is formed integrally with the machine frame of the printing section 
212. A delivery roller 220 is rotatably supported by the frame 218 on the 
side thereof which is closer to the printing section 212, that is, on the 
downstream side of the section 212. The delivery roller 220 is rotated by 
the driving force derived from a motor (not shown) so as to feed a 
continuous photographic paper 216 to the accommodating apparatus 210, the 
paper 216 being clamped between the roller 220 and a pressure roller 222 
abutting against the outer periphery of the roller 220. 
A guide plate 223 and a cutter 224 are provided between the delivery roller 
220 and the accommodating apparatus 210, whereby the intermediate portion 
of the photographic paper 216 can be cut as desired. 
A bracket 226 is secured to the machine frame 218, and guide plates 228 and 
229 are mounted on the bracket 226 so as to be positioned on the 
downstream side of the cutter 228 The guide plates 228 and 229 serve to 
guide the photographic paper 216 to the area between first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232. The roller 230 has a pair of flanges 
231, which define lateral movement limit means and a support shaft 234 
integrally secured thereto. As shown in FIG. 5, the support shaft 234 has 
both end portions thereof rotatably supported by bearing plates 238 and 
240 through bearings 236, respectively. The bearing plates 238 and 240 are 
suspended from the bracket 226. 
A gear 242 is secured to the distal end portion of the support shaft 234 
which projects from the bearing plate 238. The gear 242 is meshed with a 
gear 244 which is secured to the output shaft 248 of a motor 246 mounted 
on the machine frame 218. Thus, it is possible to transmit the rotational 
force from the motor 246 to the first clamping and transporting roller 230 
so as to rotate it. 
The first clamping and transporting roller 232 pressed against the roller 
230 is rotatably supported by a bearing plate 250. The bearing plate 250 
is guided by a bracket 252 secured to the bracket 226 in such a manner 
that the plate 250 is movable in the direction in which the roller 232 
comes in and out of contact with the roller 230. The bearing plate 250 is 
engaged with the lower end portion of a lifting plate 254 which has a 
rectangular window 256 formed in its upper end portion, as shown in FIG. 
5. An eccentric cam 258 is received in the window 256. The cam 258 has an 
eccentric shaft 260 which is defined by the output shaft of a motor 262 
supported by the bracket 226. 
Accordingly, as the motor 262 rotates, the lifting plate 54 moves 
vertically, thus enabling the roller 232 to come in and out of contact 
with the roller 230. 
As shown in FIG. 5, rotary plates 266 and 268 are rotatably supported on 
the support shaft 234 of the first clamping and transporting roller 230 
through respective bearings 264, the plates 266 and 268 being respectively 
disposed between the roller 230 and the bearing plate 238 and between the 
roller 230 and the bearing plate 240. Side edges at one end of a flap 270 
which defines a guide member are respectively secured to the rotary plates 
266 and 268. 
The rotary plate 266 is formed on its outer periphery with a gear 272 which 
is meshed with a gear 274. The shaft 276 of the gear 274 is rotatably 
supported by the machine frame 218 through a bearing 278. A gear 280 is 
secured to the distal end portion of the shaft 276 which projects from the 
frame 218, and is meshed with a gear 282. The gear 282 is secured to the 
output shaft 285 of a motor 284 which is mounted on the frame 218. 
Accordingly, the flap 270 can be pivoted by the driving force derived from 
the motor 284. 
As shown in FIG. 5, the gear 274 has a recess 286 formed in a portion 
thereof, and a limit pin 288 projecting from the frame 218 extends into 
the recess 286 so as to limit the rotational angle of the flap 270. The 
rotational angle of the flap 270 ranges, as shown in FIG. 4, between a 
first position at which the flap 270 is stretched between the guide plate 
228 and the first clamping and transporting roller 230 and a second 
position at which the flap 270 is stretched between the roller 230 and a 
second clamping and transporting roller 290. The rotational position of 
the flap 270 is controlled by detecting the rotational angle of a rotary 
plate 292 secured to the shaft 276 by means of a sensor 294, as shown in 
FIG. 5. When the flap 270 is at the second position, a notched portion at 
the distal end of the flap 270 is engaged with an auxiliary roller 291 
which is rotatably supported by the machine frame 218. 
When the flap 270 lies between the second position and the vertically 
downward position, it is possible for a first loop 216A of the 
photographic paper 216 to be formed between the delivery roller 220 and 
the first clamping and transporting roller 230 as shown in FIG. 8(B); when 
the flap 270 lies between the first position and the vertically downward 
position, it is possible for a second loop 216B to be formed between the 
first and second clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 290 as shown in 
FIG. 8(C). 
As shown in FIG. 4, the second clamping and transporting roller 290 is 
rotatably supported by the machine frame 218 through a bracket 296, and a 
second clamping and transporting roller 298 is disposed so as to abut 
against the roller 290. Accordingly, when the flap 270 reaches the second 
position as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 4, the second clamping and 
transporting rollers 290 and 298 clamp the leading end portion of the 
photographic paper 216 guided by the flap 270 and advance it to the 
developing section 214 through a slit 300. For this purpose, the 
rotational force derived from a motor 302 is transmitted to the roller 
290. 
A guide plate 306 is disposed at the second position of the flap 270 in 
such a manner as to extend above and along the passing photographic paper 
216, whereby the paper 216 is smoothly guided to the second clamping and 
transporting rollers 290 and 298. 
A bracket 310 is rigidly secured to the machine frame 218 in such a manner 
as to be disposed between the printing section 212 and the first clamping 
and transporting roller 230, and an auxiliary flap 312 is secured to the 
bracket 310. As shown in FIG. 6, the bracket 310 is formed from a 
thin-walled steel material which has a relatively large opening 314 
provided in the center thereof, together with screw receiving bores 316 
provided around the opening 314. Thus, the bracket 310 can be rigidly 
secured to the machine frame 218 using the screw receiving bores 316. 
A pair of L shaped projecting pieces 318 are provided on a portion of the 
bracket 310 on the side thereof which is closer to the printing section 
212. A pair of guide projections 320 respectively project from both the 
lateral edges of the auxiliary flap 312, these guide projections 320 
defining limit means for limiting the lateral movement of the photographic 
paper 216. The guide projections 320 are disposed in such a manner that 
one end of each guide projection 320 opposes the corresponding L-shaped 
projecting piece 318. A bore 290 having a circular cross-section is formed 
in said end of each guide projection 320, and a pivot pin 324 extends 
through the bores 290. Thus, the auxiliary flap 312 is supported through 
the pin 324 in such a manner that the flap 312 is pivotal in the area 
between the printing section 212 and the first clamping and transporting 
roller 230. 
One end portion of the auxiliary flap 312 which faces the first clamping 
and transporting roller 230 is curved such as to have a semi-circular 
cross-section, thereby providing a guide portion 328. Projecting pieces 
330 project from both edges of a portion of the flap 312 which is close to 
the guide portion 328, the pieces 330 extending in the direction opposite 
to that in which the guide projections 320 project, so that the projecting 
pieces 330 can be contacted by the flap 270. More specifically, when the 
flap 270 is moved to the first position at which the distal end of the 
flap 270 is close to the guide plate 228, the flap 270 comes in contact 
with the projecting pieces 330, thus causing the auxiliary flap 312 to be 
pushed up to reach the solid line position shown in FIG. 4. In this 
position, the auxiliary flap 312 cooperates with the flap 270 to define a 
guide passage for guiding the photographic paper 216 from the printing 
section 212 to the first clamping and transporting roller 230. The height 
of this guide passage is determined by the amount by which the projecting 
pieces 330 project from the auxiliary flap 312. 
The projecting pieces 330 further serve to limit the lateral movement of 
the passing photographic paper 216 in cooperation with projecting pieces 
271 which respectively project from both lateral edges of the flap 270. 
When the flap 270 is moved from the first position and suspended vertically 
downward, the auxiliary flap 312 is allowed to pivot about the pin 324 
gravitationally until it reaches the imaginary line position shown in FIG. 
4. 
In this position, a stopper piece 332 which is formed at that end of the 
auxiliary flap 312 which is opposite to the guide portion 328 abuts 
against a stopper piece 336 which is rigidly secured to the L-shaped 
projecting pieces 318 of the bracket 310 by screws 334, thus preventing 
the auxiliary flap 312 from rotating furthermore. When the auxiliary flap 
312 reaches the maximumly lowered position, the guide portion 328 covers 
the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 232. 
More specifically, the auxiliary flap 312 is disposed in such a manner as 
to lie across the photographic paper transport passage defined between the 
pair of guide paltes 228, 229 and the first clamping and transporting 
rollers 230, 232, so that, when the trailing end of a portion of the 
photographic paper 216 which defines the first loop comes out of the area 
between the guide paltes 228 and 229, this trailing end portion is 
prevented by virtue of the auxiliary flap 312 from accidentally entering 
the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 232 
due to the rigidity of the photographic paper 216. 
Sensor means 340 and 342 are disposed on the upstream side of the first 
clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 232 in order to detect whether 
or not the trailing end portion of the photographic paper 216 being moved 
from the printing section 212 has reached the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230, 232. In addition, sensor means 344 and 346 are 
disposed on the downstream side of the first clamping and transporting 
rollers 230 and 232 in order to detect whether or not the leading end 
portion of the photographic paper 216 has been delivered from the first 
clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 232. These sensor means are 
defined by a combination of a light-emitting diode and a photodiode, and 
in order to allow the light from the light-emitting diode to pass through 
the flap 270 and the auxiliary flap 312, through-hole 348 and 350 are 
respectively provided in the flaps 270 and 312. 
The following is a description of the operation of this embodiment. 
Prior to the start of an exposure operation at the printing section 212, 
the flap 270 is disposed at the first position as shown by the solid line 
in FIG. 4. In this position, the flap 270 pushes up the auxiliary flap 312 
through the projecting pieces 330 and cooperates with the auxiliary flap 
312 to define a space for passing the photographic paper 216. 
The leading end portion of the photographic paper 216 that has been exposed 
in the printing section 212 is delivered by the action of the delivery 
rollers 220 and 222 to reach the guide plate 228. The leading end portion 
of the paper 216 is advanced to the area between the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 while moving through the area between the 
flap 270 and the auxiliary flap 312. During this feed of the photographic 
paper 216, the lateral movement thereof is limited by the projecting 
pieces 271 formed on the flap 270 and the guide projections 320 formed on 
the auxiliary flap 312, and the flanges 231 formed on the first clamping 
and transporting roller 230 also serve to limit the lateral movement of 
the paper 216. Therefore, the leading end portion of the paper 216 is 
accurately fed to the area between the first clamping and transporting 
rollers 230 and 232 without any fear of the longitudinal axis of the paper 
216 oscillating. 
When the sensor means 344 and 346 detect the leading end of the 
photographic paper 216, the rotation of the motor 246 is suspended, and 
the movement of the leading end portion of the paper 16 is thereby 
stopped. 
Then, the flap 270 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4 so as to 
move to the second position, as shown in FIG. 8(B), and the auxiliary flap 
312 is brought into the imaginary line position shown in FIG. 4 to cover 
the inlet portion of the first clamping and transporting roller 230. At 
the same time, the operation of the motor 246 is resumed. Since the 
intermediate portion of the photographic paper 216 exposed at the printing 
section 212 is delivered therefrom at a relatively high feed rate, the 
first loop 216A is formed between the guide plate 228 and the first 
clamping and transporting roller 230. 
At the same time, the leading end portion of the photographic paper 216 fed 
out from the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 230 
and 232 moves on the flap 270 so as to reach the area between the second 
clamping and transporting rollers 290 and 298 from which it is advanced by 
the rotation of the motor 302 to the developing section 214 where the 
paper 216 is successively developed. 
When the leading end portion of the photographic paper 216 has been fed out 
from the area between the second clamping and transporting rollers 290 and 
298 by the rotation of the motor 302, the first clamping and transporting 
roller 232 is moved upwards by the rotation of the motor 262 so as to 
separate from the roller 230, so that the photographic paper 216 is 
advanced to the developing section 214 by the force of the motor 302 
alone. 
When the photographic paper 216 which is passed over the first clamping and 
transporting roller 230 is not subjected to the clamping force applied 
thereto from the first clamping and transporting roller 232. The paper 216 
is apt to meander during the advancement. However, meandering of the paper 
216 is prevented by virtue of the flanges 231 and the guide portion 328 of 
the auxiliary flap 312 which is disposed within the area between the 
flanges 231. 
When the exposure operation at the printing section 212 is to be 
temporarily suspended, the intermediate portion of the photographic paper 
216 is cut by using the cutter 224. Even during the suspension of the 
exposure operation, the exposed photographic paper 216 is gradually 
delivered to the developing section 214 at a relatively low feed rate, 
thereby allowing the developing operation to proceed. 
When the trailing end portion of the thus cut photographic paper 216 is 
released from the guide plate 228, the trailing end portion of the paper 
216 may spring back into the area between the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 due to the rigidity of the paper 216. 
However, since in this embodiment the auxiliary flap 312 which has already 
been lowered by its own weight covers the front side of the first clamping 
and transporting rollers 230 and 232, there is no fear of the trailing end 
portion of the cut photographic paper 216 entering the area between the 
first clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 232. 
To resume the exposure operation at the printing section 212 in a state 
wherein the trailing end portion of the exposed photographic paper 216 
remains in the form of th first loop 216A between the guide plate 228 and 
the first clamping and transporting roller 230, the flap 270 is moved from 
the second position to the vertically downward position by driving the 
motor 246, as shown in FIG. 8(C). Under this state, the first clamping and 
transporting roller 232 is brought into contact with the roller 230, and 
the roller 230 is rotated by driving the motor 246. In consequence, the 
photographic paper 216 in the form of the first loop 216A is moved so as 
to form the second loop 216B. 
As the delivery of the photographic paper 216 by the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 further proceeds, the trailing end 
portion of the paper 216 is suspended down from the second clamping and 
transporting roller 290, as shown in FIG. 8(D). At this time, the flap 270 
is moved to the first position at which it prevents the formation of the 
first loop 216A, and the exposure operation at the printing section 212 is 
then resumed. 
This pivotal movement of the flap 270 is effected in response to a command 
for moving the flap 270 to the first position, the command being issued 
when the trailing end of the photographic paper 216 has passed through the 
area between the sensor means 344 and 346. However, there are cases where 
the trailing end portion of the photographic paper 216 remains in contact 
with the first clamping and transporting roller 230 due to the frictional 
force occurring between the same and the roller 230. In such cases, the 
sensor means 344 and 346 cannot detect the passage of the trailing end of 
the photographic paper 216; therefore, the flap 270 cannot be moved to the 
first position. However, since this embodiment has another pair of sensor 
means 340 and 342, if the flap 270 is turned to the first position when a 
predetermined period of time has elapsed after the trailing end of the 
photographic paper 216 has passed through the area between the sensor 
means 340 and 342, it is possible to reliably move the flap 270 to the 
first position even when the trailing end portion of the paper 216 is 
forced to remain on the first clamping and transporting roller 230 by the 
frictional force. 
The provision of the sensor means 340 and 342 also serves to cope with a 
power failure. More specifically, the sensor means 340 and 342 enable the 
detection of the posiion of the photographic paper 216 after a power 
failure has been settled and the power supply has consequently been 
resumed. 
Thus, the leading end portion of the newly exposed photographic paper 16 is 
advanced to the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 
230 and 232 while being guided by the flap 270. When the leading end 
portion of the paper 216 reaches the area between the sensor means 344 and 
346, the rotation of the roller 230 is suspended again, and the flap 270 
is moved from the first position and stopped at, for example, the position 
at which it is suspended vertically downward. As the exposure operation at 
the printing section 212 proceeds, the exposed portion of the photographic 
poaper 216 is successively accommodated in the apparatus 210 in the form 
of the first loop 216A. 
Thus, even when the trailing end portion of the cut photographic paper 216 
which has been exposed before the suspension of the exposure operation 
remains undeveloped in the apparatus 210, the leading end portion of the 
cut photographic paper 216 which is delivered after the resumption of the 
exposure operation can be accommodated in the first loop accommodating 
portion of the apparatus 210. 
Although in this embodiment the auxiliary flap 312 is pivotally supported 
at a position near the guide plate 228, the flap 312 may be disposed near 
the first clamping and transporting roller 230. 
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below in 
detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. 
FIG. 9 shows a portion of the third embodiment which corresponds to a 
portion of the second embodiment which is located between the first and 
second clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 290. In place of the 
guide plate 306 in the second embodiment, a bracket 352 is rigidly secured 
to a portion of the machine frame 218 which is located between the first 
and second clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 290. An auxiliary 
flap 354, which is shown in FIG. 10, is secured to this bracket 352 (see 
FIG. 11). 
The bracket 352, which is similar to the bracket 310, is formed from a 
thin-walled steel material. The bracket 352 is provided with an opening 
356 in the center thereof and rigidly secured to the machine frame 218 
through screw receiving bores 358. 
Projecting pieces 360 respectively project from both lateral edges of the 
opening 356 for pivotally supporting projecting pieces 362 which project 
from both lateral edges, respectively, of the auxiliary flap 354. For this 
purpose, the projecting pieces 360 and 362 are provided with throughholes 
366 and 368, respectively. 
A stopper 370 projects from the intermediate portion of the auxiliary flap 
354. The stopper 370 is adapted to abut against a stopper 372 which is 
rigidly secured to the bracket 352, thus limiting the angle of rotation of 
the auxiliary flap 354. A weight member 374 is rigidly secured to the 
inner side of a semi circular guide portion 355 which is provided on the 
side of the auxiliary flap 354 opposite to the stopper 370, so that the 
auxiliary flap 354 is biased in such a manner as to pivot clockwise as 
viewed in FIG. 9. The auxiliary flap 354 further has projecting pieces 376 
respectively projecting from both lateral edges thereof in the direction 
counter to that in which the projecting peices 362 project so that the 
projecting pieces 376 abut against the flap 270. Thus, the projecting 
pieces 376 oppose both lateral edges, respectively, of the passing 
photographic paper 216 so to serve to prevent meandering of the paper 216. 
When the flap 270 is not at the second position, the auxiliary flap 354 is 
lowered by means of the weight member 374 to cover the inlet area of the 
second clamping and transporting roller 290 in a manner similar to that in 
the case of the auxiliary flap 312. However, when the flap 270 is moved to 
the second position, the flap 270 comes in contact with the projecting 
pieces 376 and pushes up the auxiliary flap 354, thereby opening the inlet 
area of the second clamping and transporting roller 290 and, at the same 
time, defining a photographic paper passing space between the first and 
second clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 290, the space having a 
height corresponding to the height of the projecting pieces 376. It should 
be noted that the arrangement of the other portions of this embodiment is 
similar to that of the second embodiment. 
In order to maintain the auxiliary flap 354 in the state wherein it covers 
the inlet area of the second clamping and transporting roller 290, a 
magnet may be provided between the stoppers 370 and 372 to produce a 
predetermined magnetic attraction force. The same is the case with the 
auxiliary flap 312. 
The operation and advantages of this embodiment are similar to those of the 
second embodiment. In this embodiment, the auxiliary flap 354 is 
additionally provided so as to cover the inlet area of the second clamping 
and transporting roller 290 in the same manner as the auxiliary flap 312. 
It is therefore possible to prevent the trailing end of the photographic 
paper 216 from being accidentally clamped between the second clamping and 
transporting rollers 290 and 298, together with the intermediate portion 
of the paper 216. 
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in place of the flanges 231 serving as lateral 
movement limiting means in the second embodiment, guide plates 241 are 
rigidly secured to the bearing plates 240 through screws 239, 
respectively. Each guide plate 241 has a projecting piece 241A which is 
slightly spaced apart from the corresponding outer end of the first 
clamping and transporting roller 230, and a slot 241B which receives the 
support shaft 234. Thus, the projecting pieces 241A project beyond the 
outer periphery of the first clamping and transporting roller 230 in the 
vicinity of the photographic paper inlet area of the roller 230 so as to 
guide the lateral edges of the photographic paper 216. 
The arrangement of the other portions of the third embodiment is 
substantially the same as that in the second embodiment. 
The following is a description of the operation of this embodiment. 
The leading end portion of the photographic paper 216 that has been exposed 
in the printing section 212 is delivered by the action of the delivery 
rollers 220 and 222 to reach the guide plate 228. The leading end portion 
of the paper 216 is advanced to the area between the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 while moving through the area between the 
flap 270 and the auxiliary flap 312. During this feed of the photographic 
paper 216, the lateral movement thereof is limited by the guide 
projections 320 formed on the auxiliary flap 312, and the projecting 
pieces 241A provided on both sides, respectively, of the first clamping 
and transporting roller 230 also serve to limit the lateral movement of 
the paper 216. Therefore, the leading end portion of the paper 216 is 
accurately fed to the area between the first clamping and transporting 
rollers 230 and 232 without any fear of the longitudinal axis of the paper 
216 oscillating. 
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 
This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the arrangement of a 
bracket 410 is rigidly secured to the machine frame and a flap is 
pivotally mounted to said bracket so as to extend between the printing 
section 212 and the first clamping and transporting roller 230 as shown in 
FIG. 14. The arrangement of the other portions of the fifth embodiment is 
substantially the same as that of the second embodiment, and description 
thereof is therefore omitted. 
Namely, the bracket 410 is, as shown in FIG. 15, formed from a thin-walled 
steel material. An opening 414 is provided in a portion of the bracket 410 
on the side thereof which is closer to the first clamping and transporting 
roller 230, and projecting pieces 416 project from both lateral edges, 
respectively, of the opening 414 on the side thereof which is closer to 
the printing section 212, the projecting pieces 416 being employed to 
secure the bracket 410 to the machine frame 218. 
In addition, projecting pieces 418 project from both lateral edges, 
respectively, of an end portion of the opening 414 which is closer to the 
first clamping and transporting roller 230, so that the projecting pieces 
418 pivotally support, through a pin 422, projecting pieces 420 which are 
respectively provided at both lateral edges of the auxiliary flap 412. For 
this purpose, the projecting pieces 418 and 420 are respectively provided 
with through-holes 424 and 426. 
The distal end portion of the auxiliary flap 412 is formed into a 
semi-circular guide portion 428 which protects the passing photographic 
paper 216. 
Projecting pieces 430 project from both lateral edges, respectively, of the 
central portion of the auxiliary flap 412 in the direction opposite to 
that in which the projecting pieces 420 extend. When the flap 270 is moved 
to the first position, the flap 270 comes in contact with the porojecting 
pieces 430 and pushes up the auxiliary flap 412 with the distal end 
thereof directed toward the printing section 212, so that the auxiliary 
flap 412 cooperates with the flap 270 to define a photographic paper 
passing space therebetween, as shown in FIG. 14. More specifically, the 
projecting pieces 430 abut against both lateral edge portions, 
respectively, of the flap 270 and define a gap between the auxiliary flap 
412 and the flap 270, the gap having a height corresponding to the height 
of the projecting pieces 430, thus providing a photographic paper passing 
space. In addition, this pair of projecting pieces 430 respectively oppose 
both lateral edge portions of the photographic paper 216 being advanced to 
the first clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 232 and serve to 
prevent meandering of the paper 216. 
When the flap 270 is turned from the first position to the vertically 
downward position, the auxiliary flap 412 is gravitationally pivoted about 
the pin 122 and suspended as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 14. In 
this suspended state, the auxiliary flap 412 covers the photographic paper 
inlet area of the first clamping and transporting roller 230. More 
specifically, this auxiliary flap 412 covers the photographic paper 
insertion area over about 1/4 of the outer periphery of the roller 230 
from the area of contact between the rollers 230 and 232, thereby 
eliminating the problem that the trailing end portion of the photographic 
paper 216 delivered from the printing section 212 may accidentally spring 
back into the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 230 
and 232 due to the rigidity of the paper 216 at the moment said trailing 
end portion separates from the guide plate 228. A U-shaped plate 434 is 
secured to the auxiliary flap 412 by screws 432 in order to prevent the 
trailing end portion of the paper 216 from contacting the guide portion 
428 or other portions. 
When the auxiliary flap 412 is disposed in such a manner as to cover the 
photographic paper inlet area of the first clamping and transporting 
rollers 230, the pair of projecting pieces 430 are disposed outside the 
axial ends, respectively, of the roller 230 so as to cover the inlet area 
of the roller 230 even more reliably. 
The auxiliary flap 412 further has a stopper 436 provided in the vicinity 
of the projecting pieces 420, the stopper 436 opposing stoppers 438 
respectively secured to the projecting pieces 418. These stoppers 436 and 
438 serve to limit the angle of rotation of the guide portion 428 in order 
to prevent the auxiliary flap 412 from contacting the first clamping and 
transporting roller 230. In addition, magnets 440 are rigidly secured to 
the stoppers 438, respectively, so as to attract the stopper 436, thereby 
maintaining the auxiliary flap 412 in the vertical position by means of a 
predetermined magnetic attraction force. The magnitude of the attraction 
force of the magnets 440 is so set that, when the flap 270 is turned 
clockwise as viewed in FIG. 14 from the vertical position to the first 
position, the auxiliary flap 412 is turned together with the flap 270 
without any hindrance. 
The following is a description of the operation of this embodiment. 
Prior to the start of an exposure operation at the printing section 212, 
the flap 270 is disposed at the first position as shown by the solid line 
in FIG. 14. In this position, the flap 270 pushes up the auxiliary flap 
412 through the projecting pieces 430 and cooperates with the auxiliary 
flap 412 to define a space for passing the photographic paper 216. 
The leading end portion of the photographic paper 216 that has been exposed 
in the printing section 212 is delivered by the action of the delivery 
rollers 220 and 222 to reach the guide plate 228. The leading end portion 
of the paper 216 is advanced to the area between the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 while moving through the area between the 
flap 270 and the auxiliary flap 312. During this feed of the photographic 
paper 216, the lateral movement thereof is limited by the projecting 
pieces 271 formed on the flap 270 and the guide projections 320 formed on 
the auxiliary flap 412, and the flanges 231 (see FIG. 5) formed on the 
first clamping and transporting roller 230 also serve to limit the lateral 
movement of the paper 216. Therefore, the leading end portion of the paper 
216 is accurately fed to the area between the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 without any fear of the longitudinal axis 
of the paper 216 oscillating. 
When the sensor means 344 and 346 detect the leading end of the 
photographic paper 216, the rotation of the motor 246 (see FIG. 5) is 
suspended, and the movement of the leading end portion of the paper 216 is 
thereby stopped. 
Then, the flap 270 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 14 so as 
to move to the second position, as shown in FIG. 17(B), and the auxiliary 
flap 312 is brought into the imaginary line position shown in FIG. 14 to 
cover the inlet area of the first clamping and transporting roller 230. At 
the same time, the operation of the motor 246 is resumed. Since the 
intermediate portion of the photographic paper 216 exposed at the printing 
section 212 is delivered therefrom at a relatively high feed rate, the 
first loop 216A is formed between the guide plate 228 and the first 
clamping and transporting roller 230. 
At the same time, the leading end portion of the photographic paper 216 fed 
out from the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 230 
and 232 moves on the flap 270 so as to reach the area between the second 
clamping and transporting rollers 290 and 298 from which it is advanced by 
the rotation of the motor 302 to the developing section 214 where the 
paper 216 is successively developed. 
When the leading end portion of the photographic paper 216 has been fed out 
from the area between the second clamping and transporting rollers 290 and 
298 by the rotation of the motor 302, the first clamping and transporting 
roller 232 is moved upwards by the rotation of the motor 262 so as to 
separate from the roller 230, so that the photographic paper 216 is 
advanced to the developing section 214 by the force of the motor 302 
alone. 
When the photographic paper 216 which is passed over the first clamping and 
transporting roller 230 is not subjected to the clamping force applied 
thereto from the first clamping and transporting roller 232. The paper 216 
is apt to meander during the advancement. However, meandering of the paper 
216 is prevented by virtue of the flanges 231 and the guide portion 428 of 
the auxiliary flap 412 which is disposed within the area between the 
flanges 231. 
When the exposure operation at the printing section 212 is to be 
temporarily suspended, the intermediate portion of the photographic paper 
216 is cut by using the cutter 224. Even during the suspension of the 
exposure operation, the exposed photographic paper 216 is gradually 
delivered to the developing section 214 at a relatively low feed rate, 
thereby allowing the developing operation to proceed. 
When the trailing end portion of the thus cut photographic paper 216 is 
released from the guide plate 228, the trailing end portion of the paper 
216 may spring back into the area between the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 due to the rigidity of the paper 216. 
However, since in this embodiment the auxiliary flap 412 which has already 
been lowered by its own weight covers the front side of the first clamping 
and transporting rollers 230 and 232, there is no fear of the trailing end 
portion of the cut photographic paper 216 entering the area between the 
first clamping and transporting rollers 230 and 232. 
To resume the exposure operation at the printing section 212 in a state 
wherein the trailing end portion of the exposed photographic paper 216 
remains in the form of the first loop 216A between the guide plate 228 and 
the first clamping and transporting roller 230, the flap 270 is moved from 
the second position to the vertically downward position by driving the 
motor 246 (see FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 17(C). Under this state, the 
first clamping and transporting roller 232 is brought into contact with 
the roller 230, and the roller 230 is rotated by driving the motor 246. In 
consequence, the photographic paper 216 in the form of the first loop 216A 
is moved so as to form the second loop 216B. 
As the delivery of the photographic paper 216 by the first clamping and 
transporting rollers 230 and 232 further proceeds, the trailing end 
portion of the paper 216 is suspended down from the second clamping and 
transporting roller 290, as shown in FIG. 17(D). At this time, the flap 
270 is moved to the first position at which it prevents the formation of 
the first loop 216A, and the exposure operation at the printing section 
212 is then resumed. 
This pivotal movement of the flap 270 is effected in response to a command 
for moving the flap 270 to the first position, the command being issued 
when the trailing end of the photographic paper 216 has passed through the 
area between the sensor means 344 and 346. However, there are cases where 
the trailing end portion of the photographic paper 216 remains in contact 
with the first clamping and transporting roller 230 due to the frictional 
force occurring between the same and the roller 230. In such cases, the 
sensor means 344 and 346 cannot detect the passage of the trailing end of 
the photographic paper 216; therefore, the flap 270 cannot be moved to the 
first position. However, since this embodiment has another pair of sensor 
means 340 and 342, if the flap 270 is turned to the first position when a 
predetermined period of time has elapsed after the trailing end of the 
photographic paper 216 has passed through the area between the sensor 
means 340 and 342, it is possible to reliably move the flap 270 to the 
first position even when the trailing end portion of the paper 216 is 
forced to remain on the first clamping and transporting roller 230 by the 
frictional force. 
The provision of the sensor means 340 and 342 also serves to cope with a 
power failure. More specifically, the sensor means 340 and 342 enable the 
detection of the posiion of the photographic paper 216 after a power 
failure has been settled and the power supply has consequently been 
resumed. 
Thus, the leading end portion of the newly exposed photographic paper 16 is 
advanced to the area between the first clamping and transporting rollers 
230 and 232 while being guided by the flap 270. When the leading end 
portion of the paper 216 reaches the area between the sensor means 344 and 
346, the rotation of the roller 230 is suspended again, and the flap 270 
is moved from the first position and stopped at, for example, the position 
at which it is suspended vertically downward. As the exposure operation at 
the printing section 212 proceeds, the exposed portion of the photographic 
poaper 216 is successively accommodated in the apparatus 210 in the form 
of the first loop 216A. 
Thus, even when the trailing end portion of the cut photographic paper 216 
which has been exposed before the suspension of the exposure operation 
remains undeveloped in the apparatus 210, the leading end portion of the 
cut photographic paper 216 which is delivered after the resumption of the 
exposure operation can be accommodated in the first loop accommodating 
portion of the apparatus 210.