Patent Description:
Various mobile printer devices or cameras with printer that record images on recording media such as instant films are on the market. In general, a configuration including a loading room and a discharge mechanism has been known as a printer device or a camera with a printer that uses an instant film as a recording medium (for example, <CIT> or <CIT>). An instant film pack that accommodates a plurality of instant films in a case is loaded into the loading room. A discharge port for sending out the instant film is formed in the case of the instant film pack. The discharge mechanism has a claw member that enters an inside of the case of the instant film pack and sends out the instant film from the discharge port.

In the above-mentioned printer device or camera with a printer, in a case where the claw member sends out the instant film from the discharge port, for example, in a case where a rotation speed of a transport roller is low and a rotation load is large, a distal end side of the instant film may be caught. In a case where the distal end side of the instant film is caught, a base end of the instant film receives a compressive force by the claw member. Since the instant film has a thin sheet shape, a thickness dimension is considerably smaller than a length dimension from the distal end to the base end. Accordingly, in a case where the distal end side of the instant film is caught and the compressive force is applied to the base end side, the instant film may buckle.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer device and a camera with a printer capable of preventing a recording medium from buckling in a case where the recording medium is sent out.

In order to solve the above problems, a printer device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a loading room, a slit, a claw member, and a loading room side rib. The loading room side rib is formed at a position and with a protruding amount where the loading room side rib is capable of being inserted into a recording medium pack loaded into the loading room. The loading room into which the recording medium pack is loaded, the recording medium pack including at least sheet-shaped recording media and a case in which the recording media are accommodated in a stacking manner and a discharge port for sending out the recording medium is formed. The slit is formed in the loading room, and is formed by cutting out a part of a loading room inner surface facing the recording medium. The claw member enters an inside of the case through the slit, and sends out the recording medium from the discharge port. The loading room side rib is provided to protrude from the loading room inner surface along the slit.

It is preferable that the loading room side rib is disposed such that a position of a distal end facing the recording medium is a position capable of supporting the recording medium in the case in cooperation with a film pack side rib provided in the case, and it is preferable that the loading room side rib is disposed at a position where the claw member passes between the loading room side rib and the film pack side rib.

It is preferable that the case has a cut-off portion through which the claw member passes in a case where claw member sends out the recording medium, the film pack side rib is disposed along the cut-off portion, and the loading room side rib is disposed at a position where the loading room side rib enters an inside of the cut-off portion in a case where the recording medium pack is loaded into the loading room.

It is preferable that, in the loading room side rib, a surface on a distal end side facing the recording medium is a planar shape, and it is preferable that the loading room side rib has a square columnar shape disposed in parallel with the film pack side rib in a case where the recording medium pack is loaded into the loading room.

It is preferable that the recording medium is a monosheet type instant film. It is preferable that the loading room has an exposure aperture that exposes the recording medium in the case to subject light and the loading room side rib is disposed along one side of the exposure aperture.

A camera with a printer according to another aspect of the present invention includes the printer device and an imaging unit that includes an imaging optical system, and captures a subject image to output image data to the printer device.

A camera with a printer according to still another aspect of the present invention includes the printer device and an imaging optical system that exposes the instant film in the case to a subject image through the exposure aperture.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from buckling in a case where the recording medium is sent out.

In <FIG>, a camera <NUM> with a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a camera body <NUM>, an imaging unit <NUM>, and a printer unit <NUM>. An imaging window <NUM> and two release switches 16A and 16B are provided on a front surface of the camera body <NUM>. The imaging window <NUM> is disposed in a center on the front surface of the camera body <NUM>. The imaging window <NUM> exposes an imaging optical system <NUM> (see <FIG>) constituting the imaging unit <NUM>.

The camera body <NUM> has a substantially square shape viewed from the front surface. The camera <NUM> with a printer uses an instant film <NUM> (see <FIG>) as a sheet-shaped recording medium. The instant film <NUM> is a wide-type instant film having a dimension in a width direction longer than a dimension in a transport direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the imaging optical system <NUM> and a solid-state imaging element <NUM> are provided in the imaging unit <NUM>. For example, the solid-state imaging element <NUM> is a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and includes a light-receiving surface constituted by a plurality of pixels (not shown) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix shape. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element, photoelectrically converts a subject image formed on the light-receiving surface by the imaging optical system <NUM>, and generates an imaging signal.

The solid-state imaging element <NUM> includes signal processing circuits (all not shown) such as a noise removal circuit, an auto gain controller, and an A/D conversion circuit. The noise removal circuit performs a noise removal process on the imaging signal. The auto gain controller amplifies a level of the imaging signal to an optimum value. The A/D conversion circuit converts the imaging signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to a built-in memory (not shown) from the solid-state imaging element <NUM>. An output signal of the solid-state imaging element <NUM> is image data (so-called RAW data) having one color signal for each pixel.

The solid-state imaging element <NUM> is driven by pressing at least one of the release switch 16A or 16B, and the subject image is captured. A film discharge port <NUM> is provided in a top surface of the camera body <NUM>. The instant film <NUM> on which an image has been printed is discharged from the film discharge port <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a loading lid <NUM> is attached to a rear surface side of the camera body <NUM> through a hinge portion 22e. The hinge portion 22e rotatably supports the loading lid <NUM> between an opened position (state shown in <FIG>) and a closed position (state shown in <FIG>). A locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism (all not shown) are provided between the camera body <NUM> and the loading lid <NUM>, and in a case where the locking mechanism holds the loading lid <NUM> in the closed position and operates the unlocking mechanism, the loading lid <NUM> moves rotationally from the closed position to the opened position.

As shown in <FIG>, an instant film pack <NUM> (recording medium pack) accommodating the instant film <NUM> is loaded into a loading room <NUM>. A plurality of film holding portions 22a to 22d are provided on an inner surface of the loading lid <NUM>.

A rear display unit <NUM> and an operating part <NUM> are provided on an outer surface of the loading lid <NUM>, that is, a rear surface of the camera body <NUM>. The rear display unit <NUM> is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. Image data corresponding one frame output from the solid-state imaging element <NUM> is sequentially input into the rear display unit <NUM>, and are displayed as a live preview image.

A photographer presses at least one of the release switch 16A or 16B, and thus, capturing is started. Image data is acquired from the solid-state imaging element <NUM> through the capturing. An image processing unit (not shown) performs known image processing on the image data, and then the image data is compressed. Examples of the image processing include matrix operation, demosaicing, γ correction, luminance conversion, color difference conversion, and resizing. The image data on which the image processing and the compression are performed are recorded in a built-in memory (not shown) such as a flash memory provided within the camera body <NUM>.

In a case where a menu switch 18a of the operating part <NUM> is pressed, the image is played and displayed on the rear display unit <NUM> based on the image data recorded in the built-in memory. In a case where an image desired to be printed is displayed on the rear display unit <NUM>, the photographer presses a print switch 18b of the operating part <NUM>, and thus, a printing process by the printer unit <NUM> is started.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the instant film pack <NUM> includes a case <NUM>, a film press plate <NUM>, a plurality of instant films <NUM>, and a film cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the case <NUM> accommodates the plurality of instant films <NUM> and one film cover <NUM> in a stacking manner. The case <NUM> is made of a material such as a thermoplastic resin or a paper resin acquired by mixing the thermoplastic resin with cellulose. The case <NUM> includes a box-shaped case member <NUM>, and a lid <NUM> that covers an opening formed in a rear surface side of the case member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, an exposure aperture 31a for exposing the instant film <NUM> is formed in the case member <NUM>. In the following description, a surface of the instant film pack <NUM> in which the exposure aperture 31a is formed is a "front surface", a surface opposite to the "front surface" is a "rear surface", a surface facing the film discharge port <NUM> of the camera body <NUM> is a "top surface", and a surface opposite to the "top surface" is a "bottom surface". The film cover <NUM> is overlapped before the instant film <NUM> positioned in a foremost layer initially set in the exposure aperture 31a within the case member <NUM>. Accordingly, the exposure aperture 31a is lighttightly blocked by the film cover <NUM>. A cut-off portion 31b into which a known claw member <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) formed at the camera is inserted is formed in a lower portion of the exposure aperture 31a. The cut-off portion 31b is a cut-off portion in a straight line through which the claw member <NUM> passes in a case where the instant film <NUM> or the film cover <NUM> is sent out. The cut-off portion 31b is connected from the lower portion of the exposure aperture 31a to a bottom surface of the case member <NUM>.

A discharge port 31c is formed in a top surface of the case member <NUM>. The discharge port 31c is formed in a slit shape. The instant films <NUM> or the film cover <NUM> are sent out one by one outwards from the instant film pack <NUM> by the claw member <NUM> inserted into the cut-off portion 31b of the case member <NUM> through the discharge port 31c.

A light shielding seal 31d is pasted onto the case member <NUM> so as to close the discharge port 31c from the outside. The light shielding seal 31d is formed as a flexible sheet. The light shielding seal 31d is pasted onto only one edge of a long side of the discharge port 31c so as not to hinder the instant film <NUM> or the film cover <NUM> when the instant film or the film cover passes through the discharge port 31c.

As shown in <FIG>, a film pack side rib 31e is provided on a back side of a front surface of the case member <NUM>. The film pack side rib 31e is disposed along the cut-off portion 31b and protrudes from the back side of the front surface to the rear surface side of the case member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the film pack side rib 31e is formed into a straight line like the cut-off portion 31b. Specifically, the film pack side rib 31e is a square columnar rib disposed in parallel with the cut-off portion 31b. As described above, since the cut-off portion 31b is connected to the exposure aperture 31a, the film pack side rib 31e formed along the cut-off portion 31b is in contact with the exposure aperture 31a.

As shown in <FIG>, the lid <NUM> includes a pair of openings 32a, a pair of unit support protrusions 32b, a pair of caulking pins 32c, and a support piece 32d. The pair of openings 32a are formed so as to be vertically spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, and serve as an entrance into which the film holding portions 22a provided in the camera <NUM> with a printer are inserted when the camera <NUM> with a printer is loaded.

The pair of unit support protrusions 32b are provided at both side edge portions of the lid <NUM> so as to be vertically long, and each has an arc shape of which a center portion protrudes toward the exposure aperture 31a. The unit support protrusions 32b touch both side edge portions on a rear surface of the instant film <NUM> positioned in a last layer, and push up the instant film <NUM> by each having the arc shape of which the center portion protrudes toward the exposure aperture 31a. Accordingly, a gap between the film cover <NUM> and the exposure aperture 31a is prevented from being formed.

The pair of caulking pins 32c are used for attaching the film press plate <NUM>. The support piece 32d supports a center portion of the instant film <NUM> positioned in the last layer from behind, and prevents the instant film <NUM> from being curved in a direction in which the center portion is curved toward the lid <NUM>.

The film press plate <NUM> includes two elastic sheets 27a and 27b made of a synthetic resin. The sheet 27a is pressed by the plurality of film holding portions 22a when the loading lid <NUM> is closed, and is curved so as to protrude toward the lid <NUM>. An opening 27c and a pair of holes 27d are formed in the sheet 27a. The opening 27c is formed in a center portion of the sheet 27a so as to be vertically long, and the support piece 32d is inserted into this opening. The pair of caulking pins 32c are inserted into the pair of holes 27d, and the pair of holes is used for attaching the film press plate <NUM> to the lid <NUM>.

An opening 27e and a pair of holes 27f are formed in the sheet 27b. The opening 27e is formed in a center portion of the sheet 27a, and the support piece 32d is inserted into this opening. The pair of caulking pins 32c are inserted into the pair of holes 27f. A lower end part <NUM> of the sheet 27b is attached to a lower end part <NUM> of the sheet 27a. Accordingly, the sheet 27b prevents the sheet 27a from being slack, and prevents light leak from the pair of openings 32a. The sheet 27b pushes up the instant film <NUM> in a substantially planar manner when the sheet 27a is elastically bent by the plurality of film holding portions 22a. As a result, the film cover <NUM> positioned in the foremost layer or the instant film <NUM> is pressed to the back side of the front surface of the case member <NUM>.

Both side surfaces 24a and 24b of the instant film pack <NUM> touch positioning protrusions <NUM> of the loading room <NUM> to be described below. A reversal loading prevention protrusion 24d is provided on a bottom surface 24c (see <FIG> and <FIG>) of the instant film pack <NUM>. The protrusion 24d is disposed at a position close to one side surface 24a with respect to a center line in a width direction X of the instant film pack <NUM>. The protrusion 24d is integrally formed with the case member <NUM> of the instant film pack <NUM>. The protrusion 24d is formed in a cuboid shape protruding from the bottom surface 24c of the instant film pack <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the instant film <NUM> includes a mask sheet <NUM>, a photosensitive sheet <NUM>, a cover sheet <NUM>, a developer pod <NUM>, and a trap portion <NUM>, and is a so-called monosheet type film. The mask sheet <NUM> is formed as a sheet made of a thin synthetic resin, and includes a screen opening 33a. A photosensitive layer, a diffusion reflective layer, an image receiving layer, and the like are provided in the photosensitive sheet <NUM>. The cover sheet <NUM> includes an exposure surface 28a facing an exposure head <NUM> to be described below.

The developer pod <NUM> is formed in a substantially bag shape, and contains a developer <NUM> therein. The developer pod <NUM> is pasted onto an end part of the photosensitive sheet <NUM> close to the discharge port 31c, and is wrapped by an end part of the mask sheet <NUM>. The trap portion <NUM> is pasted onto an end part of the photosensitive sheet <NUM> opposite to the discharge port 31c, and is similarly wrapped by the end part of the mask sheet <NUM>.

The photosensitive layer of the instant film <NUM> is irradiated with print light at the time of printing, and thus, the photosensitive layer is exposed. The developer pod <NUM> is torn at the time of development, and the developer <NUM> flows and is spread into a gap <NUM> between the photosensitive sheet <NUM> and the cover sheet <NUM>. An image acquired through the exposure of the photosensitive layer is reversed by the diffusion reflective layer, and is transferred to the image receiving layer. By doing this, a positive image appears on a positive image observation surface <NUM> of the photosensitive sheet <NUM> exposed through the screen opening 33a.

The film cover <NUM> is formed as a sheet thinner than the instant film <NUM>, and has light shielding properties and flexibility. The film cover <NUM> is a molded item made of a synthetic resin, and is made, for example, of polystyrene containing carbon black. That is, the film cover <NUM> has rigidity higher than the instant film <NUM>. In a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM> and is used, the film cover <NUM> is discharged to the film discharge port <NUM> by a spreading roller pair <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) to be described later.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the printer unit <NUM> includes the exposure head <NUM>, a film support member <NUM>, a roller drive mechanism <NUM>, a transport roller pair <NUM>, the spreading roller pair <NUM>, a spreading control member <NUM>, a device housing <NUM> (see <FIG>), the claw member <NUM>, a claw member drive mechanism <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>.

In <FIG>, although the device housing <NUM> and the like are omitted in order to avoid complication, in reality, the printer unit <NUM> is constituted by attaching the exposure head <NUM>, the film support member <NUM>, the roller drive mechanism <NUM>, the transport roller pair <NUM>, the spreading roller pair <NUM>, the spreading control member <NUM>, the claw member <NUM>, the claw member drive mechanism <NUM>, and the like to the device housing <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a transport direction in which the transport roller pair <NUM> transports the instant film <NUM> is a Y direction, a width direction of the instant film <NUM> orthogonal to the Y direction is an X direction, and a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction is a Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the device housing <NUM> is formed in a box shape in which the rear surface side of the camera body <NUM> is opened, and the loading room <NUM> is integrally provided. In addition to the loading room <NUM>, the device housing <NUM> has a frame portion that supports the exposure head <NUM>, the roller drive mechanism <NUM>, the transport roller pair <NUM>, the spreading roller pair <NUM>, the claw member <NUM>, and the like, but these components are omitted in <FIG>. The device housing <NUM> is made of a resin material.

As described above, the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>. An image is recorded on the instant film <NUM> discharged from the instant film pack <NUM> by the printer unit <NUM>. A shape of the loading room <NUM> and the like will be described later.

The transport roller pair <NUM> and the spreading roller pair <NUM> are pivotally supported by a bearing portion (not shown) provided in the device housing <NUM>. The transport roller pair <NUM> and the spreading roller pair <NUM> are driven to be rotated by the roller drive mechanism <NUM>, and transport the film cover <NUM> and the instant film <NUM>. The roller drive mechanism <NUM> includes, for example, a motor as a drive source and a drive transmission gear train that transmits rotational drive force.

The transport roller pair <NUM> includes a capstan roller <NUM> and a pinch roller <NUM>. The capstan roller <NUM> and the pinch roller <NUM> are arranged at positions at which these rollers pinch a transport passage of the instant film <NUM> (see <FIG>). The capstan roller <NUM> includes a pair of columnar spike roller members 61a, a drive gear 61b, and a rotary shaft 61c that holds each spike roller member 61a and the drive gear 61b.

The pinch roller <NUM> includes a roller member 62a, a drive gear 62b, and a rotary shaft 62c. The drive gears 61b and 62b are provided at both end parts of the rotary shafts 61c and 62c and mesh with each other. A motor is connected to one end of the rotary shaft 61c via a drive transmission gear train. Thus, in a case where the motor rotates, the capstan roller <NUM> and the pinch roller <NUM> rotate in synchronization with each other. The instant film <NUM> discharged from the instant film pack <NUM> is transported toward the spreading roller pair <NUM> by the transport roller pair <NUM>.

The spreading roller pair <NUM> includes spreading rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, and is disposed on a downstream side of the transport roller pair <NUM> in the transport direction. The spreading roller <NUM> is disposed on a side of the instant film <NUM> facing the exposure surface 28a. The spreading roller <NUM> is disposed on a side of the instant film <NUM> facing the image observation surface <NUM>. A motor is connected to one end of the spreading roller <NUM> or <NUM> via a drive transmission gear train. Thus, in a case where a DC motor rotates, the spreading rollers <NUM> and <NUM> rotate in synchronization with each other.

The spreading roller pair <NUM> transports the instant film <NUM> transported by the transport roller pair <NUM> toward the film discharge port <NUM> while sandwiching the instant film over the entire width. The instant film is sandwiched by the spreading roller pair <NUM>, and thus, the developer pod <NUM> of the instant film <NUM> is crushed. Accordingly, the developer is spread (unfolded) into the gap <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The spreading control member <NUM> (see <FIG>) is provided between the transport roller pair <NUM> and the spreading roller pair <NUM>. The spreading control member <NUM> touches the positive image observation surface <NUM> of the instant film <NUM> that has been transported, and controls the distribution of the developer being spread by rubbing the positive image observation surface <NUM> of the instant film <NUM>. The spreading control member <NUM> is fixed to the device housing <NUM> via a support member (not shown).

The transport roller pair <NUM> transports the instant film <NUM> sent out from the instant film pack <NUM> by the claw member <NUM> toward the film discharge port <NUM>. An exposure position P (see <FIG>) at which the exposure head <NUM> exposes the instant film <NUM> to the print light is positioned between the discharge ports 31c of the instant film pack <NUM> and the transport roller pair <NUM>. The exposure using the exposure head <NUM> is performed for a period during which the instant film is transported by the transport roller pair <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> controls the exposure of the exposure head <NUM> based on the image data. The exposure by the exposure head <NUM> is performed by sequentially exposing line images on the instant film <NUM> while moving the instant film <NUM> for each line. Accordingly, an image corresponding to a single screen is exposed on the photosensitive layer of the instant film <NUM>. The instant film <NUM> is subsequently transported toward the spreading roller pair <NUM> by the transport roller pair <NUM>.

In a case where the loading lid <NUM> is in the opened position, the loading room <NUM> is opened (the state shown in <FIG>), and in a case where the loading lid <NUM> is in the closed position, the loading lid <NUM> covers the opened rear surface of the loading room <NUM> (the state shown in <NUM>). The instant film pack <NUM> is positioned in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the loading room <NUM>, and is further positioned in the Z direction by positioning the loading lid <NUM> in the closed position. Specifically, the plurality of film holding portions 22a to 22d provided at the loading lid <NUM> are positioned in the Z direction with respect to the instant film pack <NUM>.

That is, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM> and the loading lid <NUM> is positioned in the closed position, the plurality of film holding portions 22a to 22d are inserted into the instant film pack <NUM> through the opening 32a, and press the film press plate <NUM> (see <FIG>). Accordingly, the instant films <NUM> in the instant film pack <NUM> are pressed in a stacking direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the loading room <NUM> has side surfaces 23a and 23b, a top surface 23c, a bottom surface 23d, a front surface 23e (loading room inner surface), a slit 23f, and a loading room side rib <NUM>. The front surface 23e of the loading room <NUM> faces the instant film <NUM> accommodated in the instant film pack <NUM> in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>. The slit 23f is formed by cutting out a part of the front surface 23e. The claw member <NUM> described above enters the inside of the case <NUM> through the slit 23f, and the instant films <NUM> are sent out of the instant film pack <NUM> one by one.

The claw member <NUM> has a hook whose distal end portion 57a is bent in a C shape (see <FIG>), and the distal end portion 57a engages with and presses against the base end portion of the instant film <NUM>. The claw member <NUM> is driven straight and rotationally by the claw member drive mechanism <NUM>. The claw member drive mechanism <NUM> has a known configuration including a motor and a drive transmission gear train.

As shown in <FIG>, the loading room side rib <NUM> is provided so as to protrude from the front surface 23e along the slit 23f. As shown in <FIG>, the loading room side rib <NUM> is formed at a position and with a protruding amount where the loading room side rib can be inserted into the instant film pack <NUM> loaded into the loading room <NUM>. <FIG> shows only the case member <NUM> of the instant film pack <NUM> loaded into the loading room <NUM> in order to prevent complication.

The loading room side rib <NUM> is disposed at a position where the loading room side rib enters the inside of the cut-off portion 31b of the instant film pack <NUM> in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>. Accordingly, the loading room side rib <NUM> is disposed at a position where the instant film <NUM> in the case <NUM> can be supported in cooperation with the film pack side rib 31e (see <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the loading room side rib <NUM> is disposed at a position where the claw member <NUM> passes between the loading room side rib and the film pack side rib 31e. The claw member <NUM> passes between the loading room side rib <NUM> and the film pack side rib 31e, and sends the instant films <NUM> out of the instant film pack <NUM> one by one.

in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>, the loading room side rib <NUM> has a planar surface on a distal end side facing the instant film <NUM>, and has a square columnar shape disposed in parallel with the film pack side rib 31e.

The positioning protrusions <NUM> are provided in the loading room <NUM>. The positioning protrusions <NUM> and the side surfaces 24a and 24b of the instant film pack <NUM> touch each other, and thus, the instant film pack <NUM> can be positioned in the X direction.

Elastic members 23i are provided on the bottom surface 23d of the loading room <NUM>. An elastic force in a case where the elastic members 23i try to return from a compressed state to an uncompressed state acts, and a top surface 24e of the instant film pack <NUM> is pressed against the top surface 23c of the loading room <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to position the instant film pack <NUM> in the Y direction. The top surface 23c of the loading room <NUM> has an opening portion connected to the transport roller pair <NUM>.

A reversal loading prevention cut-off portion 23j is formed on the bottom surface 23d of the loading room <NUM>. The reversal loading prevention cut-off portion 23j prevents the instant film pack <NUM> from being loaded in an opposite direction by being fitted into the protrusion 24d of the instant film pack <NUM> (the state shown in <FIG>).

The instant film pack <NUM> is positioned in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the loading room <NUM>, and is further positioned in the Z direction by positioning the loading lid <NUM> in the closed position. Specifically, the instant film pack <NUM> is positioned in the Z direction by causing the film holding portions 22a to 22d provided on the loading lid <NUM> to enter the inside of the instant film pack <NUM> through the opening 32a and pressing the film press plate <NUM> against the instant film pack.

As described above, in the camera <NUM> with a printer, the loading room side rib <NUM> protruding along the slit 23f and formed at a position and with a protruding amount where the loading room side rib can be inserted into the instant film pack <NUM> is provided in the loading room <NUM>. Accordingly, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>, the loading room side rib <NUM> supports the instant film <NUM>.

For example, in a case where a rotation load is large immediately after the start of rotation of the transport roller pair <NUM>, or in a case where the operation of the claw member <NUM> and the operation of the transport roller pair <NUM> are not synchronized, the distal end side of the instant film <NUM> may be caught. In a case where the distal end side of the instant film <NUM> is caught, the base end of the instant film receives a compressive force by the claw member <NUM>. In a case where there is no loading room side rib <NUM> like a printer device of the related art, since there is no part that supports an edge part of a position where the claw member passes, the instant film that receives the compressive force may buckle and wrinkle.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the loading room side rib <NUM> is provided in the loading room <NUM>. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>, the loading room side rib <NUM> supports the instant film <NUM>. In <FIG>, the film cover <NUM> is already sent out from the discharge port 31c and is discharged from the film discharge port <NUM>. In <FIG>, although the instant film <NUM> is not shown in order to prevent complication, in reality, the plurality of instant films <NUM> are stacked between the exposure aperture 31a and the film press plate <NUM>. In <FIG>, although the claw member drive mechanism <NUM> positioned at an edge part of the claw member <NUM> is not shown, in reality, the claw member drive mechanism <NUM> including a gear train or the like is provided in front of the loading room <NUM> is incorporated.

Since the loading room side rib <NUM> protrudes along the slit 23f, the claw member <NUM> passes a position nearest to the loading room side rib <NUM>. That is, in the instant film <NUM>, since the nearest position through which the claw member <NUM> passes is supported by the loading room side rib <NUM>, buckling is unlikely to occur even though the compressive force is received from the claw member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>, the instant film <NUM> is supported by the loading room side rib <NUM>, and thus, the instant film is easy to be bent into a straight line in the Y direction and into a U-shaped curved surface protruding in the Z direction. Since the instant film <NUM> is pressed in the Z direction by the film holding portions 22a to 22d as described above, the instant film is bent so as to protrude toward the exposure aperture 31a. Since the rigidity in the Y direction and the Z direction is increased by being bent in this manner, it is possible to prevent the instant film <NUM> from buckling even though the instant film receives the compressive force by the claw member <NUM>, that is, the compressive force along the Y direction.

In the present embodiment, the loading room side rib <NUM> is disposed at a position where the instant film <NUM> in the case <NUM> can be supported in cooperation with the film pack side rib 31e. Accordingly, in the instant film <NUM>, the nearest position through which the claw member <NUM> passes is reliably supported by the loading room side rib <NUM> and the film pack side rib 31e. Flatness is maintained by supporting the instant film <NUM> with two ribs. Accordingly, the buckling by the claw member <NUM> is less likely to occur.

In a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>, the loading room side rib <NUM> has a planar surface on the distal end side facing the instant film <NUM>, and has a square columnar shape disposed in parallel with the film pack side rib 31e. Accordingly, an area where the loading room side rib <NUM> and the instant film <NUM> come into contact with each other becomes wider. Accordingly, the instant film <NUM> can be supported more reliably, and the buckling by the claw member <NUM> is less likely to occur.

In the first embodiment, although the example applied to the digital camera with a printer is used, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applied to an analog camera with a printer as shown in <FIG>. The same parts and members as those of the camera <NUM> with a printer of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

A camera <NUM> with a printer includes a camera body <NUM>, an imaging optical system <NUM>, and a printer unit <NUM>. An imaging window <NUM> and release switches (not shown) are provided on a front surface of the camera body <NUM>. The imaging window <NUM> is disposed in a center on the front surface of the camera body <NUM>. The imaging window <NUM> exposes the imaging optical system <NUM>. A shutter device (not shown) is provided in the imaging optical system <NUM>, and the shutter device is opened and closed in response to a pressing operation of the release switch.

Similar to the camera <NUM> with a printer of the first embodiment, the camera <NUM> with a printer uses an instant film <NUM>. The printer unit <NUM> includes a loading room <NUM>. An instant film pack <NUM> (recording medium pack) accommodating the instant films <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>.

Similar to the loading room <NUM> included in the camera <NUM> with a printer of the first embodiment, the loading room <NUM> is formed in a box shape with a rear surface side opened, the loading room <NUM> is opened in a case where and the loading lid <NUM> is opened, and the loading lid <NUM> covers the opened rear surface of the loading room <NUM> in a case where the loading lid <NUM> is closed.

As shown in <FIG>, a slit 105b is provided on one side surface 105a (loading room inner surface) of the loading room <NUM>. Although not shown, in the camera <NUM> with a printer, the claw member drive mechanism <NUM> is incorporated not in front of the loading room <NUM> but on a side. The claw member <NUM> is provided integrally with a coupling member <NUM>. The coupling member <NUM> is connected to the claw member drive mechanism <NUM> through the slit 105b, and the driving of the claw member drive mechanism <NUM> is transmitted to the claw member <NUM>.

Since the camera <NUM> with a printer is an analog camera, an exposure aperture <NUM> is provided in the loading room <NUM>. The exposure aperture <NUM> is formed by cutting out a front surface 105c of the loading room <NUM> into a quadrangular shape. A dark box portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) is provided in front of the loading room <NUM>. The dark box portion <NUM> communicates with the exposure aperture <NUM>. The imaging optical system <NUM> is held in front of the dark box portion <NUM>. In a case where the shutter device is opened and closed, the imaging optical system <NUM> exposes the instant film <NUM> in the case <NUM> to the subject image through the exposure aperture <NUM>.

Similar to the camera with a printer of the first embodiment, the claw member <NUM> is provided at a position where the claw member enters the inside of the case <NUM> through the slit 105b, and the instant films <NUM> are sent out of the instant film pack <NUM> one by one.

Similarly to the loading room side rib <NUM> of the first embodiment, a loading room side rib 105d is provided so as to protrude from the front surface 105c along the slit 105b. The loading room side rib <NUM> is disposed along one side of the exposure aperture <NUM>. The loading room side rib 105d is disposed at a position inside the claw member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the loading room side rib 105d is formed at a position and with a protruding amount where the loading room side rib can be inserted into the instant film pack <NUM> loaded into the loading room <NUM>. <FIG> shows only the case member <NUM> of the instant film pack <NUM> loaded into the loading room <NUM> in order to prevent complication.

Similar to the camera <NUM> with a printer of the first embodiment, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>, the loading room side rib 105d is disposed at a position where the loading room side rib enters the inside of the cut-off portion 31b of the instant film pack <NUM>. Accordingly, the loading room side rib 105d is disposed at a position where the instant film <NUM> in the instant film pack <NUM> can be supported in cooperation with the film pack side rib 31e.

The loading room side rib 105d is disposed at a position where the claw member <NUM> passes between the loading room side rib and the film pack side rib 31e. That is, the claw member <NUM> passes between the loading room side rib 105d and the film pack side rib 31e, and sends the instant films <NUM> out of the instant film pack <NUM> one by one. In a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the loading room <NUM>, the loading room side rib 105d has a planar surface on the distal end side facing the instant film <NUM> and has a square columnar shape disposed in parallel with the film pack side rib 31e.

As described above, in the camera <NUM> with a printer, a loading room side rib 105d protruding along the slit 105b and formed at a position and with a protruding amount where the loading room side rib can be inserted into the instant film pack <NUM> is provided in the loading room <NUM>. Accordingly, similarly to the camera <NUM> with a printer of the first embodiment, in a case where the instant film <NUM> is sent out, since the instant film <NUM> is supported by the loading room side rib 105d, buckling is unlikely to occur even though the compressive force is received from the claw member <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the example applied to the analog camera <NUM> with a printer is given, and the exposure aperture <NUM> is provided in the loading room <NUM>. Accordingly, in a case where the instant film <NUM> is sent out, there is no part that supports a portion facing the exposure aperture <NUM>. That is, although the portion of the instant film <NUM> facing the exposure aperture <NUM> is easy to receive a compressive force, in the present embodiment, since the loading room side rib 105d is provided to support the instant film <NUM>, buckling can be prevented.

In each of the above embodiments, although the loading room side ribs <NUM> and 105d are provided for the loading rooms <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of intermittent loading room side ribs <NUM> and 105d may be arranged in a row as long as the loading room side ribs have shapes and arrangement capable of supporting the instant film <NUM>. The shapes of the loading room side ribs <NUM> and 105d are not limited to the square columnar shape, and may be a triangular columnar column, a semicircular columnar shape, or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, although a monosheet type instant film is exemplified as the sheet-shaped recording medium, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any recording medium that can be accommodated in a stacking manner in a case may be used, for example, thermal paper, inkjet paper, or the like may be used. In a case where the recording medium is the thermal paper, the printer is a thermal printer, and in a case where the recording medium is the inkjet paper, the printer is an inkjet printer. In each of the above embodiments, although the example in which the present invention is applied to the camera with a printer is used, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may be applied to a single printer device.

In the above embodiment, a hardware structure of a processing unit that executes various kinds of processing such as the controller <NUM> includes various processors to be described below. The various processors include a central processing unit (CPU) which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, a graphical processing unit (GPU), a programmable logic device (PLD), which is a processor capable of changing a circuit configuration after manufacture, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed in order to execute various kinds of processing.

One processing unit may be constituted by one of these various processors, or may be constituted by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, a combination of a CPU and a GPU, or the like). The plurality of processing units may be constituted by one processor. As an example in which the plurality of processing units are constituted by one processor, firstly, one processor is constituted by a combination of one or more CPUs and software as represented by computers such as clients and servers, and this processor functions as the plurality of processing units. Secondly, a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including the plurality of processing units via one Integrated Circuit (IC) chip is used as represented by a system on chip (SoC). As described above, the various processing units are constituted by using one or more of the various processors as the hardware structure.

Claim 1:
A printer device comprising:
a loading room (<NUM>, <NUM>) into which a recording medium pack (<NUM>) is loaded, the recording medium pack (<NUM>) including at least sheet-shaped recording media (<NUM>) and a case (<NUM>) in which the recording media (<NUM>) are accommodated in a stacking manner and a discharge port for sending out the recording medium is formed;
a slit (23f, 105b) that is formed in the loading room (<NUM>, <NUM>), and is formed by cutting out a part of a loading room inner surface (23e, 105a) facing the recording medium (<NUM>);
a claw member (<NUM>) that enters an inside of the case (<NUM>) through the slit (23f, 105b), and sends out the recording medium (<NUM>) from the discharge port;
characterized in that the device further comprises:
a loading room side rib (<NUM>, 105d) that is provided to protrude from the loading room inner surface (23e, 105c) along the slit (23f, 105b),
wherein the loading room side rib (<NUM>, 105d) is formed at a position and with a protruding amount where the loading room side rib (<NUM>, 105d) is capable of being inserted into the recording medium pack (<NUM>) loaded into the loading room (<NUM>, <NUM>).