Patent Description:
Various mobile printers or digital cameras including a printer for recording images captured by a digital camera or a smartphone on a recording medium such as an instant film have been on sale.

In a case where the instant film is transported as the recording medium, a transport roller pair transports the instant film in a state of pinching both side edge portions of the instant film such that a developer pod containing developer and an exposure surface are not crushed. A capstan roller constituting the transport roller pair is provided with a pair of roller members at both ends of a rotational shaft, and these roller members are slidably in contact with both the side edge portions of the instant film (see <CIT>).

On the other hand, <CIT> describes a digital camera including a printer provided with a media pack that can be attached to and detached from a main body of an apparatus. Images can be recorded on recording media of different sizes by exchanging media packs. A transport roller or the like is incorporated in the media pack, and the recording medium can be discharged to the outside of the media pack by rotating the transport roller.

There are instant films having various sizes as the recording medium, and in particular, a square type instant film and a card type instant film are in great demand. Thus, the present applicant has examined a printer or a digital camera including a printer capable of using two types of instant films having a large demand such as a square type and a card type and having different sizes.

However, in the printer or the digital camera including a printer of the related art described in <CIT>, in a case where two types of instant films having different sizes are used, even though the roller members are arranged so as to correspond to a dimension of one instant film in a width direction, the roller members are arranged so as not to correspond to a dimension of the other instant film in a width direction. Accordingly, although one instant film can be transported, it may be difficult to transport the other instant film, or the roller member may crush the developer pod or the like.

On the other hand, although the digital camera including a printer described in <CIT> can record images on a plurality of types of recording media, in a case where the size of the recording medium is to be changed, the media pack incorporating the transport roller or the like needs to be replaced. Thus, it takes a time and an effort for a replacement work, and the cost is increased by the amount of parts such as the transport roller incorporated in the media pack. Such a media pack is not a popular product, but a dedicated part for a specific type of printer or digital camera including a printer. In a case where the media pack is forgotten or lost, images cannot be recorded.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transport device for an instant film, a printer, and a digital camera including a printer capable of using two types of instant films at low cost without taking an effort of a replacement work.

In order to solve the above problems, a transport device for an instant film according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transport roller pair. A capstan roller includes a rotational shaft, a pair of spike roller members that are provided at both ends of the rotational shaft and have a plurality of convex portions on a circumferential surface, the pair of spike roller members being arranged at intervals from each other so as to correspond to a dimension of a first instant film in a width direction, and a sub roller member that is provided at the rotational shaft, and is positioned between the pair of spike roller members, the sub roller member being disposed at an interval with respect to one of the pair of spike roller members so as to correspond to a dimension of a second instant film in a width direction, the pair of spike roller members and the pinch roller transport the first instant film in a state of pinching both side edge portions of the first instant film, and one of the pair of spike roller members and the pinch roller transport the second instant film in a state where one of the pair of spike roller members and the pinch roller pinch one of side edge portions of the second instant film and the sub roller member is slidably in contact with the other of the side edge portions of the second instant film. The transport roller pair includes the capstan roller, and the pinch roller facing the capstan roller, and transports any one of the first instant film or the second instant film having a smaller dimension in the width direction than the first instant film in a transport direction orthogonal to the width direction by rotation of the capstan roller and the pinch roller.

It is preferable that the transport device for an instant film further includes a first positioning unit that aligns the first instant film so as to correspond to a position at which both the side edge portions of the first instant film are slidably in contact with the pair of spike roller members in a case where the transport roller pair transports the first instant film, and a second positioning unit that aligns the second instant film so as to correspond to a position at which one of the side edge portions of the second instant film is slidably in contact with one of the pair of spike roller members and a position at which the other of the side edge portions of the second instant film is slidably in contact with the sub roller in a case where the transport roller pair transports the second instant film.

It is preferable that the sub roller member is formed in a smooth curved surface shape in which a cross section cut along a plane including an axial direction and a diametrical direction is convex outward.

It is preferable that in a case where an average value of a maximum outer diameter including a distal end of the convex portion of the spike roller member and a minimum outer diameter not including the convex portion is an effective outer diameter of the spike roller member, an outer diameter of the sub roller member is smaller than the effective outer diameter and is larger than the outer diameter of the rotational shaft.

It is preferable that a dimension of the sub roller member in a width direction is smaller than a dimension of the spike roller member in a width direction.

A printer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the transport device for an instant film, a spreading roller pair that spreads developer between a photosensitive sheet and a cover sheet by being disposed on a downstream side of the transport roller pair in the transport direction, and crushing a developer pod with the instant film interposed therebetween, and an exposure head that is provided on an upstream side of the spreading roller pair in the transport direction and irradiates an exposure surface of the instant film transported by the transport roller pair with line-shaped print light parallel to the width direction of the exposure surface. The instant film has a mask sheet, a photosensitive sheet pasted onto the mask sheet, a cover sheet pasted onto the photosensitive sheet and having a front surface side as an exposure surface, and a developer pod provided at a distal end portion in a transport direction orthogonal to a width direction of the exposure surface and containing developer.

A digital camera including a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the printer, and an imaging unit that includes an imaging optical system, captures a subject image, and outputs image data to the printer.

According to the present invention, two types of instant films can be used at low cost without taking an effort of a replacement work.

In <FIG>, a digital camera <NUM> including 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 camera body <NUM> has a substantially square shape viewed from a front surface. The digital camera <NUM> including a printer selectively uses any one of two types of instant films <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The instant film <NUM> is a square type instant film, and the instant film <NUM> is a card type instant film. As will be described later, the instant film <NUM> has a dimension in a width direction X smaller than a dimension of the instant film <NUM>, and has the same dimension in a transport direction.

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>.

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

As shown in <FIG>, any one of an instant film pack <NUM> that accommodates the instant film <NUM> or an instant film pack <NUM> that accommodates the instant film <NUM> is loaded into the film pack room <NUM>. The user selects one of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> that accommodate the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> that the user wants to use and loads the selected film pack into the film pack room <NUM>. A pair of film holding portions 22a are provided on an inner surface of the loading cover <NUM>. A detection switch <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) is provided in the film pack room <NUM>.

A rear display unit <NUM> and an operation unit <NUM> are provided on an outer surface of the loading cover <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 items corresponding to one frame output from the solid-state imaging element <NUM> are 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 items are 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 items, and then the image data items are compressed. Examples of the image processing include matrix operation, demosaicing, γ correction, luminance conversion, color difference conversion, and resizing. The image data items 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 operation unit <NUM> is pressed, the image is played and displayed on the rear display unit <NUM> based on the image data items 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 operation unit <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 cover <NUM> that covers an opening formed in a rear surface side of the case member <NUM>.

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

A discharge port 31c is formed on 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>, the cover <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 digital camera <NUM> with a printer are inserted when the digital camera <NUM> including a printer is loaded.

The pair of unit support protrusions 32b are provided at both side edge portions of the cover <NUM> so as to be vertically long, and each has an arc shape of which a center portion protrudes toward the exposure opening 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 opening 31a. Accordingly, a gap between the film cover <NUM> and the exposure opening 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 cover <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 pair of film holding portions 22a when the loading cover <NUM> is closed, and is curved so as to be convex toward the cover <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 are used for attaching the film press plate <NUM> to the cover <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 portion <NUM> of the sheet 27b is attached to a lower end portion <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 pushes up the instant film <NUM> in a substantially planar manner when the sheet 27a is elastically bent by the pair 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>.

L-shaped protrusions 24c are provided on both side surfaces 24a and 24b of the instant film pack <NUM>. The protrusions 24c are protrusions provided to prevent the instant film pack <NUM> from being reversely loaded.

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 mono-sheet 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 reception 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 developer <NUM> therein. The developer pod <NUM> is pasted onto an end portion of the photosensitive sheet <NUM> close to the discharge port 31c, and is wrapped by an end portion of the mask sheet <NUM>. In the width direction X of the instant film <NUM>, both ends of the developer pod <NUM> are spaced apart from both ends of the instant film <NUM> by a predetermined interval.

As shown in <FIG>, a dimension W12 of the developer pod <NUM> in the width direction X is equal to a dimension W11 of the exposure surface 28a in the width direction X. A case where the dimensions in the width direction X are equal to each other includes a case where the dimensions in the width direction are substantially equal to each other. Of the instant film <NUM>, in the width direction X of the exposure surface 28a, portions outside both ends of the exposure surface 28a and the developer pod <NUM> are side edge portions 28b and 28c. As shown in <FIG>, the trap portion <NUM> is pasted onto an end portion of the photosensitive sheet <NUM> opposite to the discharge port 31c, and is similarly wrapped by the end portion of the mask sheet <NUM>. In the case of the example shown in <FIG>, for example, the dimension W11 of the exposure surface 28a in the width direction X is <NUM>, the dimension H11 in a transport direction Y orthogonal to the width direction X is also <NUM>, and dimensions D11 of the side edge portions 28b and 28c in the width direction X are <NUM>. In this case, a dimension W13 of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X is <NUM>.

As will be described in detail later, the photosensitive layer of the instant film <NUM> is irradiated with a 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 reception 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 film pack 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>) to be described later.

As shown in <FIG>, although the instant film pack <NUM> has the same basic configuration as the instant film pack <NUM>, since the types of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> to be accommodated are different, sizes thereof and locations at which the reversal loading prevention and the positioning are performed are different. Hereinafter, parts having the same functions as the parts of the instant film pack <NUM> are given by the same references and the description thereof will be omitted.

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 described above, the case <NUM>, the film press plate <NUM>, and the film cover <NUM> in the instant film pack <NUM> have sizes that match the instant film <NUM>.

Similar to the instant film pack <NUM>, the discharge port 31c is formed on a top surface of a case member <NUM>. A light shielding seal 31d is pasted onto the case member so as to close the discharge port 31c from the outside. 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.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the L-shaped protrusions 24c present in the instant film pack <NUM> are not provided on both side surfaces 25a and 25b of the instant film pack <NUM>. Instead, a reversal loading prevention protrusion 25d is provided on a bottom surface 25c of the instant film pack <NUM>. The protrusion 25d is disposed at a position near one side surface 25a of the instant film pack <NUM> with respect to a center line CLX (see <FIG>) of the instant film pack <NUM> in the width direction X.

The protrusion 25d is integrally formed with the case <NUM> of the instant film pack <NUM>. The protrusion 25d is formed in a cuboid shape protruding from the bottom surface 25c of the instant film pack <NUM>.

A pair of ribs 25f and <NUM> are provided on a front surface 25e of the instant film pack <NUM>. The ribs 25f and <NUM> are positioned on both sides of the exposure opening 31a, and protrude forward in parallel with the transport direction Y of the instant film pack <NUM> and along the side surfaces 25a and 25b of the instant film pack <NUM>. Since one rib 25f is adjacent to the cut-off portion 31b into which the claw member <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) is inserted, a lower end portion is cut off so as not to interfere with the claw member <NUM>. Accordingly, the dimension in the transport direction Y is formed shorter than the dimension of the other rib <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the instant film <NUM> is a mono-sheet type film similar to the instant film <NUM> except for the difference in size. Similar to the instant film <NUM>, the instant film <NUM> includes a mask sheet <NUM>, a photosensitive sheet <NUM>, a cover sheet <NUM>, a developer pod <NUM>, a trap portion <NUM>, and the like. Hereinafter, parts having the same functions as the parts of the instant film <NUM> are given by the same references and the description thereof will be omitted.

Of the instant film <NUM>, in the width direction X of the instant film <NUM>, portions outside both ends of an exposure surface 29a and the developer pod <NUM> are side edge portions 29b and 29c. In the instant film <NUM>, a dimension W22 of the developer pod <NUM> in the width direction X is equal to a dimension W21 of the exposure surface 29a in the width direction X. A case where the dimensions in the width direction X are equal to each other includes a case where the dimensions in the width direction are substantially equal to each other. In the case of the example shown in <FIG>, for example, the dimension W21 of the exposure surface 29a in the width direction X is <NUM>, a dimension H21 in the transport direction Y orthogonal to the width direction X is <NUM>, and dimensions D21 of the side edge portions 29b and 29c in the width direction X are <NUM>. In this case, a dimension W23 of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X is <NUM>. That is, all the dimensions of the portions of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction are smaller than the dimensions of the portions of the instant film <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the printer unit <NUM> includes the exposure head <NUM>, a roller drive mechanism <NUM>, a transport roller pair <NUM>, the spreading roller pair <NUM>, a spreading control member <NUM>, the film pack room <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), the claw member <NUM>, a claw member drive mechanism (not shown), and an ejection guide <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the film pack room <NUM> is formed in a box shape in which the rear surface side of the camera body <NUM> is opened. Positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a for aligning the instant film pack <NUM> in the width direction X are provided in the film pack room <NUM>. The positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a correspond to a first positioning unit in the claims.

The positioning protrusions 61a to 61c are provided on a right side surface 23a of the film pack room <NUM>, and the positioning protrusions 62a is provided on a left side surface 23b of the film pack room <NUM>. The positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a are formed in a wedge shape in which a thickness gradually increases along a loading direction Z of the instant film pack <NUM>, that is, a front-rear direction of the camera body <NUM>.

L-shaped cut-off portions 63a are formed on both side surfaces 23a and 23b of the film pack room <NUM>. The L-shaped cut-off portions 63a prevent the instant film pack <NUM> from being reversely loaded by being fitted with the L-shaped protrusions 24c provided on both the side surfaces 24a and 24b of the instant film pack <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a dimension of the instant film pack <NUM> in the width direction X is formed to be larger than a dimension of the instant film pack <NUM> in the width direction. Thus, positioning in the width direction X can be performed by bringing both the side surfaces 24a and 24b of the instant film pack <NUM> into contact with the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a. In <FIG> and <FIG>, in order to prevent the drawings from becoming complicated, the stacked instant films <NUM> and <NUM> are not shown.

Since the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a are formed in the wedge shape, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is pushed into the film pack room <NUM> in the loading direction, both the side surfaces 24a and 24b of the instant film pack <NUM> securely touch the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a. Since the instant film pack <NUM> is aligned by another positioning unit to be described later, the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a are not used.

Elastic members 64a to 64c (see <FIG> and <FIG>) for aligning the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> in the transport direction Y are provided on a bottom surface 23c of the film pack room <NUM>. The elastic members 64a to 64c are cuboid members made of sponge or rubber, and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the width direction X. In a case where both the side surfaces 24a and 24b of the instant film pack <NUM> touch the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a and the L-shaped protrusions 24c are fitted into the L-shaped cut-off portions 63a, the bottom surface 24d of the instant film pack <NUM> simultaneously touches the elastic members 64a to 64c. The elastic members 64a to 64c that touch the bottom surface 24d of the instant film pack <NUM> are in a compressed state. Accordingly, an elastic force in a case where the elastic members 64a to 64c try to return from the compressed state to the state before compression acts, and a top surface 24e of the instant film pack <NUM> is pressed against a top surface 23d of the film pack room <NUM>. The top surface 23d of the film pack room <NUM> has an opening portion connected to the transport roller pair <NUM>.

On the other hand, the positioning grooves 65a and 65b for aligning the instant film pack <NUM> in the width direction X are provided in the film pack room <NUM>. The positioning grooves 65a and 65b correspond to a second positioning unit in the claims.

The positioning grooves 65a and 65b are formed on a front surface 23e of the film pack room <NUM> (a surface facing the exposure openings 31a of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM>). The positioning groove 65a is disposed at a position near the right side surface 23a of the film pack room <NUM>. The positioning groove 65b is disposed at a position spaced apart from the positioning groove 65a at a predetermined interval. A width and an interval between the positioning grooves 65a and 65b match a width and an interval between the ribs 25f and <NUM> of the instant film pack <NUM>.

The film pack room <NUM> includes a cut-off portion 23f (see <FIG>). The cut-off portion 23f is formed at a position facing the cut-off portions 31b of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM>, and is continuous with the bottom surface of the film pack room <NUM>. The claw member <NUM> enters the inside of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> through the cut-off portion 23f, and the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> are discharged one by one outwards from the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM>.

The cut-off portion 23f is disposed at a position of the film pack room <NUM> closer to the right side surface 23a than the center. Thus, the cut-off portions 31b of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> loaded into the film pack room <NUM> are also formed at positions close to the one side surfaces 24a and 25a of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the instant film pack <NUM> is formed to have a smaller dimension in the width direction X than the instant film pack <NUM>. Thus, the positioning in the width direction X can be performed by fitting the ribs 25f and <NUM> into the positioning grooves 65a and 65b (second positioning unit) positioned inside the film pack room <NUM> with respect to the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a (first positioning unit).

A reversal loading prevention cut-off portion <NUM> is formed on the bottom surface 23c of the film pack room <NUM>. The reversal loading prevention cut-off portion <NUM> prevents the instant film pack <NUM> from being reversely loaded by being fitted into the cuboid-shaped protrusion 25d provided on the bottom surface 25c of the instant film pack <NUM>.

In a case where the ribs 25f and <NUM> of the instant film pack <NUM> and the positioning grooves 65a and 65b are fitted and the protrusion 25d and the reversal loading prevention cut-off portion <NUM> are fitted, the bottom surface 25c of the instant film pack <NUM> simultaneously touches the elastic members 64a and 64b. Since the instant film pack <NUM> has a smaller dimension in the width direction than the instant film pack <NUM>, the bottom surface 25c does not touch the elastic member 64c. Accordingly, the elastic force acts from the elastic members 64a and 64b, and a top surface <NUM> of the instant film pack <NUM> is pressed against the top surface 23d of the film pack room <NUM>.

As described above, the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned with respect to the film pack room <NUM> in the width direction X and the transport direction Y, and the positioning in the loading direction Z is performed by closing the loading cover <NUM>. Specifically, the pair of film holding portions 22a provided at the loading cover <NUM> align the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> in the loading direction Z.

That is, in a case where one of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> is loaded into the film pack room <NUM> and the loading cover <NUM> is positioned in the closed position, the pair of film holding portions 22a pass through the openings 32a, are inserted into the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM>, and press the film press plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> in the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> are pressed in a stacking direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the film holding portion 22a includes a pair of press members <NUM>, a holding frame <NUM>, and springs <NUM>. The holding frame <NUM> holds the press members <NUM>, and is fixed to an inner wall surface side of the loading cover <NUM>.

The pair of press members <NUM> face each other such that positions of distal end portions 67a and rotational shafts 67b are opposite to each other, and are held by the holding frame <NUM>. For example, the holding frame <NUM> is fixed to the loading cover <NUM> through screwing. The springs <NUM> are torsion coil springs, and are attached between the press members <NUM> and the holding frame <NUM>. The springs <NUM> urge the press members <NUM> such that the distal end portions 67a move rotationally upward in the drawing. Accordingly, the distal end portions 67a press the film press plate <NUM>.

As described above, since the instant film pack <NUM> has a smaller dimension in the width direction than the instant film pack <NUM> and one positioning groove 65a is disposed at a position near the right side surface 23a of the film pack room <NUM>, the instant film pack <NUM> is aligned with the film pack room <NUM> so as to be shifted to the right side surface 23a.

The pair of film holding portions 22a are arranged at positions corresponding to the instant film pack <NUM>, and are formed to have a small dimension in the width direction X so as to correspond to the opening 32a of the instant film pack <NUM>. Thus, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the film pack room <NUM> (state shown in <FIG>), the film holding portions 22a enter the opening 32a so as to correspond to the positions, and the instant film <NUM> is pressed in the stacking direction via the film press plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the instant film pack <NUM> is pressed against the front surface 23e of the film pack room <NUM> and is aligned in the loading direction Z.

On the other hand, the instant film pack <NUM> has a larger dimension in the width direction than the instant film pack <NUM>, and the opening 32a of the instant film pack <NUM> is formed so as to have a larger dimension in the width direction X than the opening 32a of the instant film pack <NUM>. The dimensions of the opening 32a of the instant film pack <NUM> and the opening 32a of the instant film pack <NUM> in the transport direction Y are substantially equal to each other. In a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the film pack room <NUM> (state shown in <FIG>), the film holding portions 22a are arranged at the positions corresponding to the instant film pack <NUM>, that is, the positions shifted to one side with respect to the instant film pack <NUM>. However, since the opening 32a of the instant film pack <NUM> has a long dimension in the width direction X, the film holding portions 22a enter, and the instant film <NUM> is pressed in the stacking direction via the film press plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the instant film pack <NUM> is pressed against the front surface 23e of the film pack room <NUM> and is aligned in the loading direction Z.

The instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> are loaded as described above, and the image is recorded by the printer unit <NUM> on the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> ejected from the instant film packs <NUM> and <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 films <NUM> and <NUM>. The roller drive mechanism <NUM> includes, for example, a motor as a drive source and a transmission mechanism such as a gear train that transmits rotational drive. 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 path of the instant film <NUM>.

The capstan roller <NUM> is disposed on a side (a left side of the transport path in the diagram) facing the exposure surfaces 28a and 29a of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM>. The capstan roller <NUM> includes a pair of columnar spike roller members 71a and 71b, a sub roller member 71c, and a rotational shaft 71d that holds each spike roller member 71a and the sub roller member 71c.

A spike (not shown) including a plurality of small protrusions (convex portions) is formed on a circumferential surface of the spike roller member 71a. A holding force of the spike roller member 71a is further improved by the protrusions. The number and shape of protrusions may be appropriately designed. The protrusion includes a small convex and a small concave formed by filing the circumferential surface of the spike roller member 71a. The sub roller member 71c is formed in a smooth curved surface shape in which a cross section cut along a plane including an axial direction and a diametrical direction is convex outward.

As shown in <FIG>, in a case where an average value of a maximum outer diameter RM including a distal end of the convex portion of the spike roller member 71a or 71b and a minimum outer diameter RO not including the convex portion is an effective outer diameter R1 of the spike roller member 71a or 71b, it is preferable that an outer diameter R2 of the sub roller member 71c is smaller than the effective outer diameter R1 of the spike roller member 71a or 71b and is larger than the minimum outer diameter RO of the spike roller member 71a or 71b.

It is preferable that a dimension SL2 of the sub roller member 71c in the width direction X is smaller than a dimension SL1 of the spike roller member 71a or 71b in the width direction X. It is preferable that the dimension SL1 of the spike roller member 71a or 71b in the width direction X is <NUM> and the dimension SL2 of the sub roller member 71c in the width direction X is <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the pinch roller <NUM> is disposed on a side (a right side of the transport path in the diagram) facing the positive image observation surface <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the instant film <NUM>. The pinch roller <NUM> includes a roller member 72a and a rotational shaft 72b. Both end portions of the roller member 72a are supported so as to freely move by a support member (not shown) within a thickness range of the instant film <NUM>, and are pressed toward the capstan roller <NUM> by springs <NUM> as press mechanisms. Thus, the pinch roller <NUM> is elastically supported in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the instant film <NUM>.

The transport roller pair <NUM> transports the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> discharged out from the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> by the claw member <NUM> toward the spreading roller pair <NUM>. The configuration for transporting the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> by the transport roller pair <NUM> will be described later. An exposure position P (see <FIG>) at which the exposure head <NUM> exposes the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> to the print light is positioned between the discharge ports 31c of the instant film packs <NUM> and <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 exposure is performed by sequentially exposing line images on the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> by the exposure head <NUM> while moving the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> for each line. Accordingly, an image corresponding to a single screen is exposed on the photosensitive layer of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM>. The instant films <NUM> and <NUM> are subsequently transported toward the spreading roller pair <NUM> by the transport roller pair <NUM>.

Since the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> have different dimensions in the width direction X, the exposure of the line images by the exposure head <NUM> is also different. The exposure by the exposure head <NUM> is switched according to the signal of the detection switch <NUM> provided in the film pack room <NUM>, as will be described later.

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 (the left side of the transport path in the diagram) facing the exposure surfaces 28a and 29a of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM>. The spreading roller <NUM> is disposed on a side (the right side of the transport path in the diagram) facing the image observation surfaces of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM>. Both end portions of the spreading roller <NUM> are supported so as to freely move within the thickness range of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> by a support member (not shown), and are pressed toward the spreading roller <NUM> by springs <NUM> as press mechanisms. Thus, the spreading roller <NUM> is elastically supported in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the instant film <NUM>.

Although not shown, driving gears are attached to one-side shaft end portions of the spreading rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, and both the driving gears mesh each other. The motor is connected to one of the driving gears through an intermediate gear. Thus, in a case where the motor rotates, the spreading rollers <NUM> and <NUM> are rotated in synchronization with the motor.

The ejection guide <NUM> is disposed on the downstream side of the spreading roller pair <NUM> in the transport direction. The spreading roller pair <NUM> transports the instant film <NUM> transported by the transport roller pair <NUM> toward the ejection guide <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 instant film <NUM> discharged from the spreading roller pair <NUM> is transported toward the ejection guide <NUM>.

The spreading control member <NUM> 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 transported instant film <NUM>, and rubs the positive image observation surface <NUM> of the instant film <NUM>. Thus, the spreading control member <NUM> that controls a distribution of developer being spread extends in a direction parallel to the width direction of the instant film <NUM> being transported and orthogonal to the transport direction of the instant film <NUM>. The spreading control member <NUM> is formed integrally with a plate-shaped support member 56a, and is fixed to the camera body <NUM> through the support member 56a.

A distal end of the spreading control member <NUM> protrudes toward the instant film <NUM> from a sandwiching position at which the spreading roller pair <NUM> sandwiches the instant film <NUM> on a cross section which is orthogonal to the exposure surface 28a of the instant film <NUM> being transported and is in parallel with the transport direction. Accordingly, the spreading control member <NUM> can securely rub the positive image observation surface <NUM> of the instant film <NUM>.

In a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the film pack room <NUM>, the positioning in the width direction X, the transport direction Y, and the loading direction Z is performed by the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a, the elastic members 64a to 64c, and the pair of film holding portions 22a. That is, the instant film <NUM> built in the instant film pack <NUM> is aligned with respect to the transport roller pair incorporated in the camera body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the pair of spike roller members 71a and 71b are arranged at intervals from each other so as to correspond to the dimension of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X. More specifically, a first distance L1 which is an interval between inner edges 71e and 71f of the pair of spike roller members 71a and 71b is longer than the dimension W11 of the exposure surface 28a in the width direction X and is shorter than the dimension W13 of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X.

In a case where the transport roller pair <NUM> transports the instant film <NUM>, the instant film <NUM> is aligned at a position at which both the side edge portions 28b and 28c of the instant film <NUM> are slidably in contact with the pair of spike roller members 71a and 71b, respectively, especially by the positioning of the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a in the width direction X. Accordingly, the pair of spike roller members 71a and 71b can transport the instant film <NUM> toward the spreading roller pair <NUM> by securely holding both the side edge portions 28b and 28c of the instant film <NUM>. The inner edges 71e and 71f of the spike roller members 71a and 71b refer to edges arranged on sides of the rotational shaft 71d facing each other in the axial direction in a case where the sub roller member 71c is excluded. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM>, the transport roller pair <NUM>, the spreading roller pair <NUM>, and the like as viewed from the exposure surfaces 28a and 29a.

In a case where the transport roller pair <NUM> transports the instant film <NUM>, the sub roller member 71c is present between the spike roller members 71a and 71b at a position at which the developer pod <NUM> of the instant film <NUM> is pressed. However, as described above, since the sub roller member 71c is formed in a smooth curved surface shape that is convex outward, a pressing force is very small. Thus, the developer pod <NUM> is not crushed, and unevenness in the development does not occur only in the portion at which the sub roller member 71c touches the instant film <NUM>. Since the outer diameter R2 of the sub roller member 71c is formed to be smaller than the effective outer diameter R1 of the spike roller member 71a or 71b, it is possible to obtain a holding force in a case where the instant film <NUM> is transported while further reducing the pressing force on the instant film <NUM>.

On the other hand, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the film pack room <NUM>, the positioning in the width direction X, the transport direction Y, and the loading direction Z is performed by the positioning grooves 65a and 65b, the elastic members 64a and 64b, and the pair of film holding portions 22a. That is, the instant film <NUM> built in the instant film pack <NUM> is aligned with respect to the transport roller pair <NUM> incorporated in the camera body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the sub roller member 71c is disposed at an interval with respect to one spike roller member 71b so as to correspond to the dimension of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X. More specifically, a second distance L2 which is an interval between inner edges 71e and <NUM> of one spike roller member 71b and the sub roller member 71c is longer than the dimension W21 of the exposure surface 29a in the width direction X and is shorter than the dimension W23 of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X. Accordingly, since the spike roller member 71b securely holds one side edge portion 29b of the instant film <NUM> and the other side edge portion 29b and the sub roller member 71c are slidably in contact with each other, the instant film <NUM> can be transported toward the spreading roller pair <NUM>.

Since the size of the instant film <NUM> is smaller than the size of the instant film <NUM>, only one side edge portion is held and the other side edge portion is slidably in contact with the sub roller member, and thus, it is possible to obtain a sufficient torque. Accordingly, it is possible to transport the instant film. The inner edges 71e and <NUM> of the spike roller member 71b and the sub roller member 71c refer to edges arranged on sides of the rotational shaft 71d facing each other in the axial direction.

As described above, the instant film pack <NUM> is aligned with the film pack room <NUM> so as to be shifted to the right side surface 23a. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, in a case where the transport roller pair <NUM> transports the instant film <NUM>, the instant film <NUM> is aligned so as to correspond to the position at which one side edge portion 29b of the instant films <NUM> is slidably in contact with one spike roller member 71b and so as to correspond to the position at which the other side edge portion 29c of the instant film <NUM> is slidably in contact with the sub roller member 71c by the positioning of the positioning grooves 65a and 65b especially in the width direction X.

As described above, the dimensions D11 and D21 of both the side edge portions 28b and 28c of the instant film <NUM> and both the side edge portions 29b and 29c of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X have dimensional differences. In the examples shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a difference between D11 and D21 is <NUM>. That is, even though the instant film pack <NUM> and the instant film <NUM> are shifted to the right side surface 23a of the film pack room <NUM> as described above, the positions of one side edge portion 28b and one side edge portion 29b cannot be perfectly aligned. In a case where positions of lateral sides of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned, positions of lateral sides of the exposure surfaces 28a and 29a are not aligned.

Thus, in a case where the positioning is performed as described above, as shown in <FIG>, a position of one lateral side 29e of the instant film <NUM> is slightly shifted inward with respect to a position of one lateral side 28e of the instant film <NUM>. As described above, since the positioning groove 65a is formed inside the right side surface 23a of the film pack room <NUM>, the film pack room can be transported by shifting a position thereof in this manner. <FIG> shows position comparison in a case where the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned by the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a or the positioning grooves 65a and 65b as described above and are transported by the transport roller pair <NUM>. <FIG> is an explanatory diagram for comparison, and is different from an actual positional relationship between the instant films <NUM> and <NUM>, the exposure head <NUM>, and the like.

In the example shown in <FIG>, a difference G1 between the position of one lateral side 28e of the instant film <NUM> and the position of one lateral side 29e of the instant film <NUM> is <NUM>. However, a difference between the dimensions D11 and D21 of the side edge portions 29b and 29c in the width direction X is <NUM> as described above, and the position of the lateral side 29f of the exposure surface 29a is still positioned outside the position of the lateral side 28f of the exposure surface 28a by a difference G2, and the difference G2 is <NUM>. A shift between the positions of the exposure surfaces 28b and 29b will be described later.

As described above, since the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned by the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a or the positioning grooves 65a and 65b and the instant film pack <NUM> is aligned with the film pack room <NUM> so as to be shifted to the right side surface 23a, in a case where the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> are loaded into the film pack room <NUM>, both the cut-off portion 31b of the instant film pack <NUM> and the cut-off portion <NUM>1b of the instant film pack <NUM> are arranged at the same position. Thus, the claw member <NUM> enters the inside of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> through the cut-off portions 31b by the claw member drive mechanism, and presses the film cover <NUM> or the foremost instant films <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, the film cover <NUM> or the foremost instant films <NUM> and <NUM> can be discharged outwards from the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> through the discharge ports 31c.

For example, the exposure head <NUM> includes a light source, a liquid crystal shutter, and a lens. The exposure head <NUM> is disposed on the upstream side of the transport roller pair <NUM> in the transport direction of the instant film and at a position facing the transport path of the instant film. The exposure head <NUM> irradiates the exposure surfaces 28a and 29a with line-shaped print light parallel to the width direction X of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM>.

The exposure is started based on output signals from a detection sensor (not shown) that detects the passing of the distal end portions of the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> and a rotation speed detection sensor that detects a rotation speed of the capstan roller <NUM>. Initially, the passing of the distal end portions is detected by a distal-end-portion passing detection sensor. The detection of the rotation speed is started by the rotation speed detection sensor based on the detection signal. When the rotation speed reaches a predetermined value, the detection sensor detects that the exposure surface 28a of the instant film <NUM> is transported to a position facing the exposure head <NUM>. Accordingly, the exposure by the exposure head <NUM> is started.

The exposure by the exposure head <NUM> is switched according to the signal of the detection switch <NUM> provided in the film pack room <NUM>. As shown in (A) of <FIG>, the detection switch <NUM> includes a press portion 78a, a spring, a contact (both not shown), a case 78b holding these components, and the like. The detection switch <NUM> is provided on the left side surface 23b of the film pack room <NUM>. The case 78b is fitted into an opening portion <NUM> formed in the left side surface 23b of the film pack room <NUM>, and does not protrude to the inside of the film pack room <NUM>.

As described above, since the instant film pack <NUM> is aligned with the film pack room <NUM> so as to be shifted to the right side surface 23a, the instant film pack does not touch the detection switch <NUM>. Since the instant film pack <NUM> touches the positioning protrusion 62a provided on the left side surface 23b, the instant film pack similarly touches the detection switch <NUM> provided on the left side surface 23b.

The press portion 78a has a fan shape. The press portion 78a is rotatably supported with respect to the case 78b via a rotational shaft 78c. The press portion 78a protrudes from the case 78b and enters the inside of the film pack room <NUM> by a spring incorporated in the case 78b.

As shown in (B) of <FIG>, in a case where the instant film pack <NUM> is loaded into the film pack room <NUM>, a side surface 24b of the instant film pack <NUM> presses the press portion 78a. The press portion 78a is pushed into the case 78b against the urging force of the spring, and presses an internal contact and the like. Accordingly, the detection switch <NUM> outputs an on signal. In a case where the press portion 78a is not pressed, the detection switch <NUM> outputs an off signal.

As described above, the dimension W21 of the exposure surface 29a of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X is smaller than the dimension W11 of the exposure surface 28a of the instant film <NUM> in the width direction X. On the other hand, the position of the lateral side 29f of the exposure surface 29a is positioned outside the position of the lateral side 28f of the exposure surface 28a by the difference G2 by the positioning of the positioning protrusions 61a to 61c and 62a or the positioning grooves 65a and 65b (see <FIG>). Even though the exposure surface 28a having a larger dimension in the width direction X is irradiated with the line-shaped print light to be applied to the exposure surfaces 28a and 29a, since one lateral side 29f of the exposure surface 29a is positioned outside the lateral side 28f of the exposure surface 28a, the exposure can be performed by the difference G2. Thus, in the exposure head <NUM> of the present embodiment, a maximum irradiation range W31 of the line-shaped print light is set to be larger than the dimension W11 of the exposure surface 28a in the width direction X. In a case where the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> illustrated above are used, it is preferable that the maximum irradiation range W31 of the line-shaped print light is set to be about <NUM> larger than the dimension W <NUM> of the exposure surface 28a in the width direction X.

As shown in <FIG>, the exposure head <NUM> emits line-shaped print light in a case where the on signal is output from the detection switch <NUM>, that is, case where the instant film <NUM> having a large dimension in the width direction X is conveyed. Irradiation is performed according to the dimension W11 in the width direction X of the exposure surface 28a. Accordingly, an image can be formed over the entire surface of the exposure surface 28a. On the other hand, case where the off signal is output from the detection switch <NUM>, that is, case where the instant film <NUM> having a small width direction is conveyed, the exposure head <NUM> emits line-shaped print light according to the dimension W21 in the width direction X of the exposure surface 29a. At this time, the position of the lateral side 29f of the exposure surface 29a is positioned outside the position of the lateral side 28f of the exposure surface 28a by the difference G2. However, since the maximum irradiation range W31 of the exposure head <NUM> with the print light is set to be large, an image can be formed over the entire surface of the exposure surface 29a.

As described above, in the digital camera <NUM> including a printer, two types of instant films <NUM> and <NUM> can be used at low cost by selectively loading any one of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM> into the film pack room <NUM> without taking an effort of part replacement. Although it is not necessary to replace parts such as a transport roller, the instant films <NUM> and <NUM> can be reliably transported to the outside of the instant film packs <NUM> and <NUM>, and an image can be recorded.

Claim 1:
A transport device for an instant film comprising:
a transport roller pair that includes a capstan roller and a pinch roller facing the capstan roller, and transports any one of a first instant film or a second instant film having a smaller dimension in a width direction than the first instant film in a transport direction orthogonal to the width direction by rotation of the capstan roller and the pinch roller,
wherein the capstan roller includes:
a rotational shaft;
a pair of spike roller members that are provided at both ends of the rotational shaft and have a plurality of convex portions on a circumferential surface, the pair of spike roller members being arranged at intervals from each other so as to correspond to the dimension of the first instant film in the width direction; and
a sub roller member that is provided at the rotational shaft, and is positioned between the pair of spike roller members, the sub roller member being disposed at an interval with respect to one of the pair of spike roller members so as to correspond to the dimension of the second instant film in the width direction,
the pair of spike roller members and the pinch roller transport the first instant film in a state of pinching both side edge portions of the first instant film, and
one of the pair of spike roller members and the pinch roller transport the second instant film in a state where one of the pair of spike roller members and the pinch roller pinch one of side edge portions of the second instant film and the sub roller member is slidably in contact with the other of the side edge portions of the second instant film.