A photographic film automatic developing apparatus

Abstract: To maximally narrow a spacing between centers of development lines for the respective films in a photographic film automatic developing apparatus of the leader-less type which can develop a plurality of kinds of films having different widths such as a 135 size film and an APS film, a photographic film automatic developing apparatus is proposed. A first development line L1 for drawing a 135 size film from a film cartridge 1 or the like and developing it, and a second development line L2 for drawing an APS film from a special magazine 2 and developing it are arranged in parallel to each other, and the film cartridge 1 and the special magazine 2 are mounted on a common container holding table 10 which is movable along a direction normal to the extension of the development lines L1, L2.

Description: The present invention relates to a photographic film automatic developing apparatus which can develop both a 135 size film and an APS (advanced photo system) film and particularly to a developing apparatus of so-called leader-less type. In recent years, with the spread of APS cameras, APS films are developed as well as 135 size films not only at special photo laboratories, but also at photo finishing services. For example, in a conventional photographic film automatic developing apparatus provided with a leader which is used at photo laboratories and the like, the leading end of a film is fixed to a leader having a larger width than the film by an adhesive tape or other means, and the film following the leader is developed while the leader is transported along a specified film transport path provided in a development process. Accordingly, any film having a narrower width than the leader can be developed. For example, a 135 size film and an APS film can be simultaneously developed by being arranged side by side. On the other hand, at the photo finishing services, operators are often unaccustomed to handling and developing films. Thus, an easy handling of the apparatus is, first of all, required. Therefore, in a photographic film automatic developing apparatus installed at a photo finishing service or the like, a process of fixing the leading end of a film to the leader is omitted. For example, in the case of a 135 size film, the apparatus is constructed such that a film cartridge (metal case already containing a film when being shipped from a film manufacturer) is directly mounted; the film is automatically drawn from the film cartridge; and the film is fed to a development process after having its rear end cut (this apparatus is referred to as a leader-less type apparatus). In the leader-less type apparatus, for example, opposite sides 3b of a film 3 are guided along guide grooves 35 and the film 3 (3A, 3B) is transported along a specified film transport path by transport rollers 36 as shown in FIG. 6. In the APS, a film cartridge (resin case already containing a film when being shipped from a film manufacturer) is used not only to prevent an undeveloped film from being exposed to light, but also to store the film after the development. In other words, the film is contained in the film cartridge again after the development and, accordingly, the film cartridge cannot be disposed of. Therefore, in a dark room or the like, the APS film is once transferred to a special magazine, which is then mounted in the photographic film automatic developing apparatus. Since the APS film has a narrower width than the 135 size film, the opposite sides thereof cannot be guided by the guide grooves 35, i.e. cannot be transported along the film transport path during the development process in a development line for the 135 size film. Thus, if an attempt is made to develop the 135 size films and the APS films in the photographic film developing apparatus of the leader-less type, special development lines for the respective types of films are required. On the other hand, in the case of the 135 size film 3A, an end 1 a of a spool shaft projects from a film cartridge 1 as shown in FIG. 9, and a maximum width D1 of the film cartridge 1 is considerably larger than an actual width W1 of the film 3A (the maximum width of the cartridge is about 48 mm as compared to the film width of 35 mm). In the case of the APS film 3B, a special magazine 2 can be designed in a desired size in conformity with the photographic film automatic developing apparatus. For example, in the case of mass production by resin molding, a maximum width D2 of the special magazine 2 has to be larger than a width W2 (24 mm) of the film 3B since the respective portions need to have specified values of thickness. Here, if the development lines for the 135 size film and the APS film are arranged side by side, a spacing S1 between center lines L1 and L2 of the respective development lines is given by following equation (1) assuming that G1 denotes a thickness of a wall between the respective development lines: S1 = (D1 + D2)/2 + G1 Specifically, the spacing S1 between the center lines L1 and L2 cannot be reduced below a specified value by being restricted by the maximum widths D1, D2 of the film cartridge 1 and the special magazine 2. This problem not only increases a dead space in the widthwise direction of the developing apparatus, but also causes a problem of increased capacities of the respective treatment tanks in the development process as well as a problem of increased waste fluid. The present invention was developed to solve the problems residing in the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a photographic film automatic developing apparatus which can develop a plurality of kinds of films having different widths such as a 135 size film and an APS film and in which a spacing between center lines of development lines for the respective films can be maximally narrowed. Examples of conventional photographic film automatic developing apparatuses are disclosed in: US-A-4 416 529, EP-A-0 626 619, FR-A-2 678 747, US-A-5 523 817 and EP-A- 0 628 852. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention is directed to a photographic film automatic developing apparatus as defined in claim 1. With this construction, a necessary spacing between the center lines of the first and second development lines can be minimized although the first and second film containers cannot simultaneously be mounted. As a result, the width (in a direction normal to a direction of transport of the film) of the developing apparatus can be made smaller as compared to a case where the first and second film containers are simply arranged side by side. Accordingly, a dead space in the widthwise direction of the developing apparatus can be reduced and the capacities of the respective treatment tanks and an increase in the amount of waste fluid during the development process can be minimized. In the above construction, the container holding table may comprise a click-stop mechanism so as to stop in a first position where the center line of the first kind of film contained in the first film container is in alignment with the center line of the first development line and in a second position where the center line of the second kind of film contained in the second container is in alignment with the center line of the second development line. Such a construction makes it easier to position the container holding table and enables a smooth film development even if films to be developed include both the first and second kinds of films. In the above respective constructions, the first and second development lines may preferably comprise film transport paths comprising guide grooves for guiding the opposite sides of the first and second kinds of films and film transport rollers for coming into contact with image recording areas of the first and second kinds of films to transport them in specified directions, respectively. Such a construction enables the film to be securely transported to the development process without using a leader. In the above construction, the first development line may preferably comprise two film detection sensors for detecting the presence of the opposite sides of the first kind of film. With such a construction, even if the second kind of film having a narrower width is mistakenly mounted in the first development line for the first kind of film, an erroneous mounting of the film can be detected since the two film detection sensors cannot simultaneously detect the side edges of the film. In the above respective constructions, maximum dimensions of the first and second film containers at least in the moving direction of the container holding table are preferably substantially equal. Such a construction enables the first and second film containers to be stably held by the container holding table. In the above respective constructions, the container holding table may preferably comprise a fixing member for fixing at least either one of the first and second film containers. With such a construction, a movement of the film container due to the elasticity of the film can be restrained even if ends of the films drawn from the respective film containers are curled. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a section showing the schematic construction of one embodiment of a photographic film automatic developing apparatus according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the construction of a film draw-out assembly in the apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where a 135 size film is loaded in the film draw-out assembly, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where an APS film is loaded in the film draw-out assembly, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a right wall of a container holding table of the film draw-out assembly, FIG. 6 is a view showing the configuration of a left wall of the container holding table, FIG. 7 is a view showing the construction of a film transport path in a developing assembly, FIG. 8 is a view showing the general construction of a film transport path in a photographic film automatic developing apparatus of the leader-less type, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a spacing between center lines of the respective development lines in the case that a film cartridge for the 135 size film and a special magazine for the APS film are arranged side by side. One embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 is a section showing the schematic construction of a photographic film automatic developing apparatus of the leader-less type according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the construction of a film draw-out assembly in the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state where a 135 size film is loaded in the film draw-out assembly. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where an APS film is loaded in the film draw-out assembly. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a right wall of a container holding table of the film draw-out assembly. FIG. 6 is a view showing the configuration of a left wall of the container holding table. FIG. 7 is a view showing the construction of a film transport path in a developing assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, a development line of the developing apparatus according to this embodiment is comprised of a film draw-out assembly 100 for drawing films 3A, 3B from a film cartridge 1 and a special magazine 2, a developing assembly 200 for developing the drawn films 3A, 3B, a drying assembly 300 for drying the developed films, a film end processing assembly 400 for flattening ends of the film 3A or 3B to be developed, and a controller 500 for controlling the film draw-out assembly 100, the developing assembly 200, the drying assembly 300, etc. A plurality of development lines (e.g. 2 lines) are provided in a direction normal to the plane of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the film draw-out assembly 100 is provided with an outer cover 101 which serves also as the exterior of the developing apparatus, an inner cover 102 which functions as a holder for holding the film cartridge 1 or the special magazine 2, film transport rollers 103, driven rollers 104, a cover locking mechanism 105 for locking the outer cover 101, a cutter 106, film detection sensors 107, etc. The film transport rollers 103 and the driven rollers 104 draw the films 3A and 3B from the film cartridge 1 and the special magazine 2 while nipping the leading ends of the films 3A, 3B drawn out from the film cartridge 1 and the special magazine 2, and convey the films 3A, 3B to the developing assembly 200. The cutter 106 cuts the rear end of, e.g. the 135 size film to separate the film 3A from the film cartridge 1. The film detection sensors 107 detect the passage of the leading and rear ends of the films 3A and 3B. The cutter 106 is not provided in the development line L2 for the APS film 3B. The film transport rollers 103 are rotated in a specified direction by a motor or other means to transport the films 3A and 3B to the developing assembly 200 along guide grooves 35. The driven rollers 104 are held inside the inner cover 102 and press the films 3A and 3B against the film transport rollers 103 with the inner cover 102 closed. The developing assembly 200 is provided with a developing treatment tank 201 filled with developer, a bleaching treatment tank 202 filled with bleach liquid, fixing treatment tanks 203, 204 filled with fixer and stabilizing treatment tanks 205, 206, 207 filled with stabilizer. Inside and above the respective treatment tanks 201 to 207, there is provided a film transport path 210 formed by guide walls 35, transport rollers 36, etc. as shown in FIG. 7. The drying assembly 300 is provided with a drying chamber 301 for drying the developed film, a blower 302 for blowing hot air into the drying chamber 301, a transport path 303 for transporting the films 3A, 3B, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in this embodiment, a first development line (center line L1) on the right side is the one for the 135 size film 3A (an example of a first kind of films) (hereinafter, "development line L1") and a second development line (center line L2) is the one for the APS film 3B (an example of a second kind of films) (hereinafter, "development line L2"). A guide rail 20 is so provided as to extend in a direction normal to the extension of the first and second development lines L1, L2. A container holding table 10 for holding the film cartridge 1 (an example of a first film container) or the special magazine 2 (an example of a second film container) is slidable on the guide rail 20 in a direction indicated by an arrow H in FIG. 2. For example, the table 10 is caused to stop in such a position by a click-stop mechanism 11 (see FIG. 7) formed by, e.g. a spring and a ball that the center line thereof is located on the center line of the development line L1 or L2. Further, the film detection sensors 107 are provided in the respective guide grooves 35 of the first and second development lines L1, L2 and in vicinity of the film transport rollers 103. The APS film 3B having a narrower width may be mistakenly insertable into the development line L1 for the 135 size film. Accordingly, the film detection sensors 107 are provided in two positions in the development line L1 for the 135 size film in order to prevent an erroneous insertion. Specifically, since the two film detection sensors 107 are simultaneously turned on only if the 135 size film 3A is properly inserted as shown in FIG. 3, a case where no film is inserted and a case where the APS film 3B is inserted can be discriminated. Therefore, the controller 500 drives the film transport roller 103 of the development line L1 for the 135 size film only when the two film detection sensors 107 are simultaneously on. Further, an aperture 106a for permitting the cutter 106 to project is provided in the development line L1 in order to cut the film 3A near its rear end. The first and second development lines L1, L2 are adjacent to each other via a guide wall 21 (having a thickness G2). Widths of film insertion openings of the first and second development lines L1, L2 are set at values (substantially equal to W1, W2) which are widths W1, W2 of the respective films plus a slight margin, respectively. Accordingly, a spacing S2 between the centers of the first and second development lines L1, L2 is given by following equation (2): S2 = (W1 + W2)/2 + G2 As described above, since W1<D1, W2<D2 and G1= G2, S2<S1 is given by the comparison of equations (1), (2). In other words, the position of the container holding table 10 is moved depending upon whether the 135 size film 3A is to be developed or the APS film 3B is to be developed. Therefore, as compared to the prior art, the spacing S2 between the center lines of the first and second development lines L1, L2 can be made narrower, or substantially minimized. There are special magazines 2 for the aforementioned 135 size film and for the 126 size film in addition to the one for the APS film. Since the width of the 126 size film is 35 mm, i.e. the same as the 135 size film, the 126 size film can be developed by the development line L1 for the 135 size film. Thus, various film containers can be stably held by the same container holding table 10 by setting the maximum dimensions of the respective portions of the special magazines 2 for the respective films substantially equal to that of the film cartridge 1 for the 135 size film. As shown in FIG. 2, a right wall 12 of the container holding table 10 is formed with a groove 12a for holding the special magazine for, e.g. the 126 size film by the engagement. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a left wall 13 of the container holding table 10 is provided with an arm 14 biased by a spring 15. The arm 14 comes into contact with a part of the film cartridge 1 to restrain a movement of the film cartridge 1. The operation of this embodiment is described. As shown in FIG. 3, in the case that the 135 size film 3A is to be developed, a narrow leading end portion of the film 3A is cut in advance by the film end processing assembly 400 to make the width of the film 3A uniform. Further, the container holding table 10 is positioned and stopped by the click-stop mechanism 11 such that the center thereof is located on the center line of the first development line L1 for the 135 size film. Next, with the outer and inner covers 101, 102 open, the film cartridge 1 is mounted in the container holding table 10 such that an emulsion surface of the film 3A faces the outside. At this time, it is assumed that the leading end of the film 3A is drawn by a specified length so as to reach the film transport roller 103. If the leading end of the film 3A is strongly curled (particularly, reverse curl in which the emulsion surface faces the outside), the film cartridge 1 tries to rotate due to the elasticity of the film 3A. However, since a part of the film cartridge 1 is restrained from moving by the aforementioned arm 14, the film cartridge 1 does not rotate and, conversely, the leading end of the film 3A is biased in such a direction as to straighten the curl. If the inner cover 102 is closed in this state, the leading end of the film 3A is tightly held between the film transport roller 103 and the driven roller 104. Further, if the outer cover 101 is closed, it is locked by the cover locking mechanism 105, thereby preventing the inside of the outer cover 101, i.e. the film draw-out assembly 100 from being exposed to light. As a result, the film 3A can be drawn from the film cartridge 1. When an unillustrated cover sensor detects that the outer cover 101 has been closed, the controller 500 drives the film transport roller 103 to draw the film 3A from the film cartridge 1 and causes it to enter the film transport path 210 formed by the guide grooves 35, the transport rollers 36, etc. If the special magazine 2 for the APS film is mistakenly mounted on the container holding table 10, the leading end of the APS film 3B passes through the detection area(s) of neither one or only one of the two film detection sensors 107. Accordingly, the controller 500 can discriminate whether the 135 size film 3A has correctly been mounted by comparing outputs of the two film detection sensors 107. Unless the 135 size film 3A is correctly mounted, the controller 500 stops the drive of the film transport roller 103 and gives an alarm. Since the rear end of the 135 size film 3A is fixed to the spool of the film cartridge 1, the film 3A is held pulled after the film 3a is almost entirely drawn from the film cartridge 1. This state is electrically or mechanically detected and the cutter 106 is actuated to cut the film 3a near its rear end. After the passage of the rear end of the film 3A through the detection areas of the film detection sensors 107, output signals from the film detection sensors 107 change and, as a result, the controller 500 judges that the entire film 3A has been transported to the developing assembly 200. Since the transport rollers 36 and 37 are provided at regular intervals along the film transport path 210 of the developing assembly 200, the film 3A drawn from the film cartridge 1 and transported to the developing assembly 200 is developed while being transported through the respective treatment tanks 201 to 207 along the film transport path 210. The developed film 3A is transported to the drying assembly 300 and discharged from the apparatus after being dried. In the case that the APS film 3B is to be developed, heat-pressing is applied in advance to the end portion of the film 3B drawn from the special magazine 2 by the film end processing assembly 400 to flatten it. Further, the container holding table 10 is positioned and stopped by the click-stop mechanism 11 such that the center thereof is located on the center line of the second development line L2 for the APS film. Subsequently, with the outer and inner covers 101, 102 open, the special magazine 2 is mounted on the container holding table 10 such that the emulsion surface of the film 3B faces the outside. At this time, it is assumed that the leading end of the film 3B is drawn by a specified length so as to reach the film transport roller 103. If the inner cover 102 is closed in this state, the leading end of the film 3B is tightly held between the film transport roller 103 and the driven roller 104 as in the case of the 135 size film. Further, if the outer cover 101 is closed, it is locked by the cover locking mechanism 105, thereby preventing the inside of the outer cover 101, i.e. the film draw-out assembly 100 from being exposed to light. Simultaneously, a lid of the special magazine 2 is opened, enabling the film 3B to be drawn from the special magazine 2. When the unillustrated cover sensor detects that the outer cover 101 has been closed, the controller 500 drives the film transport roller 103 to draw the film 3B from the special magazine 2 and causes it to enter the film transport path 210 formed by the guide grooves 35, the transport rollers 36, etc. If the film cartridge 1 of the 135 size film 3A is mistakenly mounted on the container holding table 10, the leading end of the film 3A cannot be inserted into the guide grooves 35 since the width of the 135 size film is larger than that of the APS film 3B. Therefore, an operator can notice an error operation. Since the rear end of the APS film 38 is not fixed to a spool shaft of the special magazine, the film 3B is transported to the developing assembly 200 without being pulled even if the entire film 3B is drawn from the special magazine 2. After the passage of the rear end of the film 3B through the detection area of the film detection sensor 107, an output signal from the film detection sensor 107 changes and, as a result, the controller 500 judges that the entire film 3B has been transported to the developing assembly 200. Succeeding development and drying are the same as in the case of the 135 size film. Although the film cartridge 1 is used as a container for the 135 size film 3A in the foregoing embodiment, it is not limited to that. A special cartridge (not shown) used in the case that the film cartridge 1 is broken may also be used. Although the 135 size film, the 126 size film and the APS film are described and illustrated as kinds of films to be developed, it should be appreciated that the invention is applicable to commercially available film sizes or novel film sizes which may be developed in the future. As described above, the photographic film automatic developing apparatus according to claim 1 comprises the first development line for drawing the first kind of film (e.g. 135 size film, 126 size film, etc.) from the first film container (film cartridge or special magazine) and developing it, and the second development line for drawing the second kind of film (e.g. APS film (I X 240 size film), etc.) having a narrower width than the first kind of film from the second film container (special magazine) and developing it, and at least the first and second development lines are arranged in parallel to each other and the first and second film containers are mounted on the common container holding table which is movable along a direction normal to the extension of the first and second development lines. Accordingly, a necessary spacing between the center lines L1, L2 of the first and second development lines can be minimized. As a result, the width (in a direction normal to a direction of transport of the film) of the developing apparatus can be made smaller. Further, a dead space in the widthwise direction of the developing apparatus can be reduced and the capacities of the respective treatment tanks and an increase in the amount of waste fluid during the development process can be minimized. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Film Cartridge 2 Special Magazine 3 Film 10 Container Holding Table 11 Click-Stop Mechanism 12 Right Wall of the Container Holding Table 13 Left Wall of the Container Holding Table 14 Arm 20 Guide Rail 21 Guide Wall 35 Guide Groove 36 Transport Roller 37 Transport Roller 100 Film Draw-Out Assembly 101 Outer Cover 102 Inner Cover 103 Film Transport Roller 104 Driven Roller 105 Cover Locking Mechanism 106 Cutter 107 Film Detection Sensor 200 Developing Assembly 210 Film Transport Path 300 Drying Assembly 400 Film End Processing Assembly 500 Controller

Claims: A photographic film automatic developing apparatus, comprising: a first development line (L1) for drawing a first kind of film from a first film container (1) and developing it, and a second development line (L2) for drawing a second kind of film having a narrower width than the first kind of film from a second film container (2) and developing it, at least the first and second development lines (L1, L2) are arranged in parallel to each other, characterised in that : the apparatus further comprising a common container holding table (10) on which the first and second film containers (1, 2) are mounted, said table being movable along a direction oblique and preferably normal to the extension of the first and second developments lines for allowing the feeding of said first and second kind of film respectively in said first and second development line. A photographic film automatic developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container holding table (10) comprises a click-stop mechanism (11) so as to stop in a first position where the center line of the first kind of film contained in the first container (1) is in alignment with the center line of the first development line (L1) and in a second position where the center line of the second kind of film contained in the second container (2) is in alignment with the center line of the second development line (L2). A photographic film automatic developing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second development lines (L1, L2) comprise film transport paths (210) comprising guide grooves (35) for guiding the opposite sides (3b) of the first and second kinds of films and film transport rollers (36, 37) for coming into contact with image recording areas of the first and second kinds of films to transport them in specified directions, respectively. A photographic film automatic developing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first development line (L1) comprises two film detection sensors (107) for detecting the presence of the opposite sides (3b) of the first kind of film. A photographic film automatic developing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein maximum dimensions (D1, D2) of the first and second film containers (1, 2) at least in the moving direction of the container holding table are substantially equal. A photographic film automatic developing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container holding table (10) comprises a fixing member for fixing at least either one of the first and second film containers (1, 2).

Inventors: NEGORO HISASHI, NEGORO, HISASHI, NEGORO, HISASHI, NORITSU KOKI CO., LTD.
Applicants: NORITSU KOKI CO LTD, NORITSU KOKI CO., LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G03D3
IPC codes: G03D13, G03D3