Colour photocopying machine for obtaining reproductions also from diapositives.

Abstract: A stereopticon lanter (2) is fitted to one per se known colour photocopying machine (1) operating by utilizing a photochemical process, so as the diapositive is pro­ jected onto the same reproduction screen (15) thereof, thus obtaining a double possibility of reproduction. The colour photocopying machine (1) to which said stereo­ pticon lantern (2) can be fitted comprises a horizontal shooting plane (11) constituted by a thoroughly transpa­ rent glass plate onto which the image to be reproduced is put, which image is illuminated below by adequate lamps (12) and the so illuminated image is horizontally reflected by a mirror (13) disposed at a 45° angle incli­ ned beneath said shooting plane and is projected, through a relative optical control unit (14), onto a vertical screen (15) constituted by a photosensitive paper sheet (16), obtained from a band wound about a respective rol­ ler (17). After the exposure, the so exposed sheet (16) passes thro­ ugh a developing side (SV) and a subsequent drying side (SE) of conventional kind, disposed in the lower part of the same machine and leaves it by collecting in an ade­ quate container (R). The stereopticon lantern (2) is placed laterally to the shooting plane (11) of the photocopying machine (1) and is connected to an adequate rigid frame (T1), removably fitted to the framework (1C) thereof, so that its projec­ tion axis (AV2) results to be parallel to the axis (AV1) of said shooting plane (11) and secant orthogonally the horizontal projection axis (AO1). Besides, a movable mirror (31) inclined at a 45° angle, is disposed along the horizontal projection axis (AO1) of the photocopying machine (1), after the optical con­ trol unit (29) of the stereopticon lantern (2) as well as the optical control unit (14) of the fotocopying ma­ chine (1), which movable mirror (31) is able to diverge the image produced by the stereopticon lantern (2) onto the same screen (15) of the photocopying machine (1). Such movable mirror (31) may be controlled for being po­ sitioned out of the projection light beam of the photo­ copying machine, so as to allow the same to operate in a conventional manner. Finally, per se known operating, controlling and regula­ ting means are provided for obtaining a regular operation of the so constituted assembly.

Description: The present invention relates to a colour photocopying machine arranged to enable the machine to reproduce slides. From EP-A-0262001, which is a document falling within the terms of Article 54(3) EPC, is known a colour photocopying machine of the photochemical type, comprising a central unit and a removable module for the exposure of the original documents to be reproduced, which can be replaced by a removable module for the exposure of slides to be reproduced. The central unit of the machine comprises a rotating circular plate into which three colour filters are mounted, a photosensitive paper sheet housed in a cartridge and entrained by rolls, which covers a vertical screen and after exposure passes into a developing section and a drying section both located in the lower portion of said central unit and leaves it after processing. In turn, the removable modules of the machine comprise both an optical unit for projecting the illuminated images to be reproduced onto the photosensitive paper sheet covering the vertical screen, through the circular plate carrying the colour filters, and namely the module for the exposure of documents is provided with an upper glass plate onto which the document to be reproduced is put, and which is covered by a cover, and with a set of lamps for illuminating the document and a mirror for reflecting the image of the document to be reproduced through the optical unit, while the module for exposure of slides is provided with a slide projector associated with a rotating slides magazine, and having an optical unit for projecting the illuminated image of the slide to be reproduced. The present invention concerns a a colour photocopying machine of the photochemical reproduction type, capable of reproducing slides in a different manner than the colour photocopying machine disclosed by EP-A-0262001. This machine is obtained with the features described in the claims of the present patent application. In order to understand better the features of the invention and the advantages attainable therefrom, the whole will be hereinfter described, in a preferred embodiment thereof and by way of a not limiting example only, with reference to the attached drawing, which shows a schematic partially cut side view of a colour photocopying machine in which the device referred to is fitted. Therefore, referring now to such drawing, it is to be firstly noted the already known colour photocopying machine 1, operating with a photochemical process, which comprises in its upper portion 1A the reproduction section,, which is described in detail later on, and in its lower portion 1B the developing section SV and the drying section SE, both of conventional kind. Obviously, the machine comprises an adequate frame 10 onto which proper panels are fitted, which panels form a housing 1D preventing any light from passing therethrough. A horizontal original plane 11 is disposed onto the upper surface 1S of the photocopying machine and is constituted by a completely transparent glass plate, onto which the paper sheet, the card or the like carrying the colour image to be reproduced is put. Besides, a suitable cover 11a is disposed over such original plane 11 and is positionable thereon for covering such sheet in order to ensure an excellent positioning thereof during the reproduction operation. Adequate lamps 12, provided with relevant reflectors 12a which illuminate the image to be reproduced in an uniform manner, are disposed within the machine, below said horizontal original plane 11 at the lateral sides thereof. Besides, a 45° inclined mirror 13 reflecting horizontally the whole original view is disposed along the vertical axis AV1 of such original plane 11, adequately spaced therefrom. In correspondence of the horizontal projection axis AO1 so resulting therefrom, it is situated a convenient optical unit 14, which focalizes the image onto an adequate photosensitive paper sheet 16 for positive colour reproduction prints, covering a vertical screen 15. Such photosensitive paper sheet 16 is obtained by a relative band wound onto a roller 17, from which it is progressively cut by a per se known cutter 18. Then, after that the projection of the image onto the sheet has been effected by means of an exposure suitably controlled by adequate electronic devices, the so exposed sheet is transferred to the developing section SV comprising a series of tanks containing the several chemical baths and water, through which tanks the sheet is being passed in a conventional manner. Afterwards, the sheet is transferred to the drying section SE included within an adequate envelope in which adequate ventilating and heating means, the latter provided for the drying air, are also disposed in an usual manner. Finally, the sheet passes through a specific opening provided at the outlet side of the photocopying machine for leaving thereof, and collects into a suitable container R. The roller 17 for supplying the photosensitive paper as well as the advancement path thereof within both the developing section SV and the drying section SE of the machine are indicated only schematically by a dashed line in the drawing. It is to point out specifically that both the mirror 13 and the optical unit 14 are provided with devices for regulating their reciprocal positioning and with respect to the image to be reproduced and to the reproduced image, thus allowing enlargements or reductions thereof to be obtained. Moreover, adequate coloured filters (not shown in the drawing) for the chromatic correction of the image, are provided in the optical unit, which filters are also driven by relative control devices thereof. The operation and the control of the several machine actuating devices, such those provided for regulating the positioning of the mirror 13 and the optical unit 14, with consequent adjustment of the reproduction ratio, those provided for regulating the image exposure times as well as the devices for controlling and regulating the chromatic correction filters and those provided for controlling the sequence of the different printing, developing, drying steps etc., are all of electronic kind. Hitherto, the present colour photocopying machine in the original embodiment thereof provided only for the usual reproduction of images carried by adequate supports such paper sheets, cards and the like has been synthetically described. Therefore, the device according to the present invention and the mounting thereof onto such machine are now described. Such device, which will be hereinafter described in detail, according to the preferred embodiment thereof to which reference is made, is substantially constituted by two parts: a fixed part formed by a support structure for a hinged mirror 31, which structure is connected to a frame T1 in turn connected to the frame 1C of the same machine, so as to predispose it for the mounting of the slide reproduction system, and a removable part constituted by a head 20 of a slide projector 2, which can be attached optionally to the main colour photocopying machine 1. Said fixed part is constituted by a plate 30 connected to a frame T1 which in turn is fitted to the upper portion of the main frame 1C of the photocopying machine 1, at the lateral side of said original plane 11. Such plate 30 is provided centrally with a hole for the introduction as described later, of the end of the head 20 of the slide projector 2 therein and is arranged in such a manner, that the vertical projection axis AV2 of said slide projector 2 be parallel to the vertical axis AV1 of the original plane 11 and secant orthogonally to the horizontal projection axis AO1. From such plate 30 vertically extend downwardly two additional plates 32, parallel to each other and with respect to said horizontal projection axis AO1, plates to which a support 31a for a hinged mirror 31 is pivoted about an axis 33 which is orthogonal to said horizontal projection axis AO1. Therefore, such hinged mirror can be rotated about the axis 33 and, as clearly it appears from the drawing, positioned in two positions, a first position indicated by a continuous line in which such hinged mirror 31 is arranged in correspondence of the projected beam of light originated by the optical unit 14 of the photocopying machine, at the intersection point of the horizontal projection axis AO1 of the machine with the vertical projection axis AV2 of said slide projector 2, as well as it can be adequately inclined at 45° angle with respect to such axis so as to reflect the image, produced as hereinafter described by said slide projector 2, onto the same screen 15 of the same photocopying machine 1, and a second position indicated by a dashed line in which such mirror 31 is disposed outside the beam of light originated by said optical unit 14, without intercepting thereof. In correspondence of such plate 30 the framed 1C of the photocopying machine 1 is provided with a frame C1, which is adequately shaped for mounting, as described later, the flange 28a of the head 20 of the slide projector 2 therein. Besides, the housing 1D in turn is obviously provided with a correspondent opening at the level of such frame C1, which opening permits either such head 20 or a suitable closing cover which is used when said head 20 is not utilized, to be fitted thereto in order to prevent undesired light from passing therethrough and so forming always a continuous upper plane of the machine. The hinged mirror 31 is operated in the two positions described as above, by means of adequate driving means such as for instance an appropriate electric geared motor, cooperating with adequate operation control means etc. all of per se known kind, which means aren't indicated in the drawing for simplicity reasons, and for the same reason also the coloured correction filter unit of per se known kind isn't indicated, which unit in turn is fitted preferably to said plate 30 and is operated by means of per se known driving, selection and control means. Now, let's describe synthetically the respective removable part of the device referred to, after the fixed part thereof. As clearly pointed out from the drawing, such removable part is substantially constituted simply by a head 20 of a slide projector 2, which is suitably shaped for permitting the same to be attached to such fixed part and therefore to the main photocpying machine. Such head 20 is constituted by a substantially parallepiped housing 21, into which the different projection elements, all per se known, are disposed, namely a suitable lamp 22 with relevant reflector 22a is disposed in the upper part of such housing 21, in a manner that the luminous beam thereof is turned toward a suitable plane-convex lens 23, situated adequately spaced near the lower part of the same housing, with its convex part turned toward said lamp 22, whose function as known is that to generate a light beam able to illuminate evenly the slide 24 placed at the lower side of such plane-convex lens 23, near its plane part. As it is known, such slide 24 is constituted by a thin film sheet onto which the colour image to be projected is reproduced as positive print, and which is usually mounted onto a suitable frame 25, which can be attached to an adequate loading slide 26. The plane-convex lens 23 is connected to the upper par of a first diaphragm 27 disposed in the lower part of the head 20, in whose lower part a guide is also provided, in which said loading slide 26 can slide in such a manner that the same can be shifted manually outwardly, for permitting the slide holder frame 25 to be loaded thereto, and thereafter brought back to the projection position illustrated by the drawing. A second additional diaphragm 28, projected from the perimeter of the body of the housing 21 with a flange 28a, is provided below said first diaphragm 27 and is shaped with an inner sleeve 28b, permitting a coupling 28c onto which the optical unit 29 is attached, to be connected thereto. Such sleeve 28b is additionally provided with an outer diameter which is complementary to the hole provided centrally to the plate 30 of said fixed part, so that such head 20 of said removable parts is thoroughly guided and positioned when it is attached to such fixed part. The flange 28a is so shaped as that a suitable "light trap" can be formed therefrom, and is provided with adequate positioning connecting means permitting said head 20 to be attached thereto and removed optionally therefrom, in a certain, simple and rapid way. For simplicity reasons, such connecting means aren't illustrated by the drawing, since they can be formed by various systems utilizing various per se known devices. Besides, said head 20 is provided, according to the preferred embodiment thereof to which reference is made, with a control push button 4 disposed in its upper part for controlling the positioning of such hinged mirror 31, as well as with adequate connecting elements for obtaining the required electrical supply of such push button 4 and lamp 22 to the photopying machine 1. Always considering this embodiment, the optical unit 29 is interchangeable for permitting reproductions from slides of the usually utilized sizes to be obtained. However, it is well understood that also a suitably controlled optical system can be provided for obtaining any modification of the sizes of the reproduction. Evidently, the photocopying machine modified in the manner as described allows a double use thereof, which is as much as ever profitable. Synthetically, the operation of the machine is the following. When reproductions from slides aren't needed, the head 20 can be removed from the photocopying machine and in such case the hinged mirror 31 positions itself automatically out of the conventional projection light beam. In addition, the opening provided on the upper plane of the photocopying machine is closed by an adequate cover (not shown), which, besides preventing any light from passing therethrough, makes such upper plane continuous in a very useful manner. On the contrary, by removing such cover from the photocopying machine 1 and mounting to the latter said removable part which as described, is constituted by the head 20 of the slide projector 2, the photocopying machine is qualified for operating in conventional manner, by performing colour reproductions from colour images carried by paper sheets, cards or other suitable supports, as well as colour reproductions from slides. In this second case, the photocopying machine 1 can be utilized as described later. The movable mirror 31 is controlled by the push button 4 to be positioned in the one of the two above mentioned positions. If the hinged mirror 31 is disposed in the position indicated by a dashed line in the drawing, namely out of the conventional projection light beam, the photocopying machine 1 is qualified for operating in a conventional manner and thus colour photocopies from images disposed onto the original plane 11 thereof can be obtained. On the contrary, if said hinged mirror 31 is positioned as illustrated by a continuous line in the drawing, namely it is disposed within the conventional projection light beam, so as to reflect the image produced by the slide projector 2 onto the same screen 15 where during the conventional operation of the machine the image was projected, the operation of the conventional reproduction part is automatically shut out and the single part which effects reproductions from slides is qualified for operating. Obviously, adequate control and operating devices are provided for permitting such hinged mirror 31 and in case of other elements such as the optical unit 29, if provided for obtaining continuous regulations of the enlargement ratios of the image obtained from slides, to be accurately positioned, as well as for operating and controlling the chromatic correction coloured filters. Finally, it is to point out that the two parts devoted to the reproduction from slides, namely said fixed part constituted by said hinged mirror 31 together with the relative means for connecting it to the structure of the photocopying machine 1 and the control means thereof, as well as the removable part constituted by the head 20 of the slide projector 2, can be connected advantageously together to form a single unit which may be attached to or removed from the conventional photocopying machine, in the same manner in which the single removable part is attached to or removed from the machine described in the embodiment referred to. From what it has been described, it appears evident the considerable advantage attainable by utilizing the device referred to. In fact, according to the proposed solution, by utilizing a conventional colour photocopying machine only with slight modifications for prearranging it for mounting of such device thereto, it is possible to obtain, besides the conventional colour photoreproduction also the photoreproduction from slides, by providing also the possibility of regulating the enlargement ratio at will. It is well understood that different variants may be brought to the invention referred to, however without departing from the sphere of what it has been described and hereinafter claimed with reference to the attached drawing, and therefore from the protection field of the present industrial invention.

Claims: Colour photocopying machine (1) capable of reproducing either a paper document or a slide on a sheet (16) of photosensitive paper, said colour photocopying machine (1) being of the photochemical reproduction type and comprising a reproduction section, a developing section (SV) and a drying section (SE); a main frame (1C) acting as supporting structure for said sections; the reproduction section comprising a horizontal transparent glass plate (11) for supporting a paper document to be reproduced, lamps (12) for illuminating said paper document from below, a first mirror (13) located under said glass plate (11) and a first optical unit (14) for projecting an image of said paper document along a horizontal projection axis (AO1) onto a sheet (16) of photosensitive paper disposed on a vertical screen (15), which sheet (16) is transferred after exposure to said developing section (SV) and thereafter to said drying section (SE), from which the sheet (16) is released after processing; a slide projector (2) comprising a projection head (20) for projecting a slide (24) to be reproduced; a mounting plate (30) mechanically linked to an upper portion (1A) of said main frame (1C) and laterally disposed of said transparent glass plate (11) for supporting said slide projector (2), the slide projector being releasably fixed to the mounting plate (30) in such a way that an image of the slide (24) is projected along a vertical projection axis (AV2) intersecting the horizontal projection axis (AO1) at a location between the first optical unit (14) and the vertical screen (15); means for supplying electrical power to the slide projector (2) when attached to the mounting plate (30); a second mirror (31) pivotably arranged so as to be movable between a first position located out of the horizontal projection axis (AO1), for which the image of a document on the transparent glass plate (11) can be projected onto the sheet (16) of photosensitive paper, and a second position located at the intersection of the projection axes (AO1, AV2), for which an image of a slide (24) in the slide projector (2) can be projected on the sheet (16) of photosensitive paper; and control means (4) for switching said second mirror (31) between said first and said second position, thereby enabling the reproduction either of an image of a paper document located on the glass plate (11) or of an image of the slide (24) located in the slide projector head (20) onto the photosensitive paper. Colour photocopying machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second mirror (31) is fixed to said mounting plate (30) and in that said slide projector (2) comprises a flange (28a) and a sleeve (28b) by which it is fixed releasably to said mounting plate (30). Colour photocopying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said second mirror (31) is fixed at the slide projector (2) so as to form a single unit, which can be releasably fixed as a whole to the mounting plate (30). Colour photocopying machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mounting plate (30) and said flange (28a) are provided with means connecting arranged for a rapid coupling and uncoupling thereof.

Inventors: GIOSUE FRANCI, GIOSUE, FRANCI
Applicants: SAN MARCO IMAGING SRL, SAN MARCO IMAGING S.R.L.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G03B27
IPC codes: G03G15, G03B17, G03B27