JPH01272464A - Method for recording side mark of photographic film - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the momentary change of a side mark and to make the side mark distinguishable even after development, by a side mark recording method wherein, heating elements one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally arranged are abutted on the surface of a photographic film, electrically conducted under control, and heated, whereby a dot-form change is imparted to the film surface. CONSTITUTION:A controller 3 electrically conducts to heating elements 51a-51j of a thermal head 5 under control every time when a photographic film 1 is fed by a fixed length according to a signal from a rotating position detection means 4 to heat the heating elements, thereby controlling the recording of a dot-form side mark 6 inputted by a side mark set means 7. The side mark 6, which is characters or symbols formed by heating the film surface by the heating elements 51, has no density difference from thereabouts in undeveloped states or in developed states after an exposure to light or an X-ray irradiation ; however, under a reflected light is can be distinguished from an emulsion surface thereabouts at which a light is reflected in approximately a matte form. Additionally, in unexposed and developed states the part of the side mark 6 is shightly higher in density than thereabouts due to fogging.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for recording side marks on photographic film for indicating the manufacturer, date of manufacture, product type, etc. during the manufacturing process of photographic film.

[Conventional technology]

Since side marks on photographic film must be recorded on the film during transport, an apparatus with high-speed recording capability is required.

Conventionally, various methods have been developed and proposed as methods for recording side marks, and the following methods can be cited as typical ones.

(a) LED printer method; for example, JP-A-59
= As described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 106980 and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-119422, a point light source image of a light emitting device consisting of light emitting elements such as LEDs arranged in rows or in a matrix is printed onto a film by an optical system. Those that form latent images of characters, symbols, etc. by dot method by reducing and projecting, or
Light from the point light source of the light emitting device is guided directly onto the film through an optical fiber, and dot-type characters, symbols, etc. are optically exposed to form a latent image.

(b) Laser beam printer method: For example, JP-A-59
As described in Publication No.-96964, a laser light generator,
A laser beam printer consisting of a laser beam modulator, laser beam deflector, imaging optical system, etc. prints characters and characters on the film.
A latent image is formed by optically exposing symbols and the like.

(c) Laser marker one type: Using a carbon dioxide laser as a light source and a mask made of a thin plate with the shapes of characters and symbols punched out, powerful laser light is projected onto the film in the shape of characters and symbols. etc. to form a latent image by optically exposing it to light, and at the same time imparting a thermal change.

(d) Engraving method: A type drum with type embedded on the drum circumference is pressed against the film on a roller, and the characters are printed on the film.
This creates unevenness in the shape of symbols, etc., and also causes pressure fog.

(e) Inkjet printer method: An inkjet printer sprays fine ink particles onto a film under control to print characters, symbols, etc. on the film.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

It is preferable that the side marks are recognizable not only after development but also in an undeveloped state. Also, even if the side mark portion is accidentally exposed, it is preferable that the side mark can be identified after development. Furthermore, being able to change the side marks instantaneously during the manufacturing process is very important in improving productivity when changing one type of film size or the like.

In methods that form a latent image using light, such as (a) the LED printer method and (b) the laser beam printer method, it is possible to change the side mark instantaneously, but it is possible to change the side mark instantly, but it is possible to change the side mark in an undeveloped state as well as after half-exposure development. But sometimes it is impossible to identify.

In particular, with X-ray film, the entire surface of the film is normally irradiated with X-rays, so there is a problem in that it is impossible to identify side marks after development.

In the method (c) using one type of laser marker, it is almost possible to identify side marks even in an undeveloped state and after exposure and development due to thermal denaturation of the emulsion layer by laser light, but the laser marker device is extremely expensive. However, there are problems in that it is complicated to replace the mask and it is impossible to change the side marks instantly, and the emulsion layer melted by the laser beam scatters and adheres to the film surface, making the image unclear.

In the above-mentioned (d) method of marking, it is possible to distinguish to some extent due to the unevenness on the film even in the undeveloped state and after exposure and development, but if the pressure of the type on the film becomes uneven, clear side marks cannot be obtained. However, changing the side mark requires replacing the type drum and cannot be done instantly.

In the method (e) using an inkjet printer, by appropriately selecting the color of the ink, it is possible to obtain a side mark that can be identified not only after unexposed development but also in an undeveloped state and after exposure and development. Although it is possible to instantly change the inkjet printer, there are problems in that inkjet printers are expensive and it is difficult to select and manage inks that do not adversely affect the emulsion and the development and fixing processes.

The present invention solves these problems and enables instantaneous change of side marks, allowing identification even in an undeveloped state, after unexposed development, and after development where side mark portions are exposed to light and exposed to X-rays. To provide an inexpensive side mark recording method capable of obtaining possible side marks.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above purpose is to bring heating elements arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally into contact with the surface of a photographic film, apply electricity and heat under control, and create a dot-like change on the film surface. This is achieved by a method for recording side marks on photographic film, which is characterized by recording marks.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the method of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the film contact surface of the thermal head, and Fig. 3 is an example of a photographic film on which side marks are recorded. FIG. In FIG. 1, l is a strip-shaped photographic film that is conveyed in the direction of the arrow by a conveying means (not shown) and on which side marks 6 are recorded, and 2 is a platen roller that is in close contact with the photographic film 1 and rotates as the photographic film l is conveyed. , 3 is a control device equipped with a CPU, ROM, a dot-type thermal head drive circuit, etc., 4
5 is, for example, a rotary encoder, which is directly connected to the print roller 2, detects its rotational position, and inputs a position/signal to the control device 3; A plurality of heating elements 51 (51a-51j) each having a diameter of approximately 0.1-0.2n+n are arranged in a row in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and the edge portion of the photographic film l is placed on the print roller 2. A thermal head 7 provided so as to be rubbed is a side mark setting means such as a keyboard for inputting the type and order of characters and symbols of the side mark 6 to the control device 3.

The control device 3 energizes the heating elements 51a to 5N of the thermal head 5 to generate heat every time the photographic film 1 is advanced by a predetermined length according to the signal from the rotational position detection means 4, and controls the heating elements 51a to 5N of the thermal head 5 to generate heat according to the signal input from the side mark setting means 7. Control is performed to record dot-shaped side marks 6.

The side mark 6 recorded on the photographic film in this manner is shown in FIG. This side mark 6 is a dot-type character/symbol formed by heating the film surface with a heating element 51. The heated dot area becomes smooth, and there is no difference in density between the surrounding area and the side mark area in the undeveloped state or after development after exposure and X-ray irradiation, but when viewed with reflected light, the dot has a slightly matte reflection. can be distinguished from the surrounding emulsion surface. Further, after unexposed development, the side mark 6 portion has a slightly higher density than the surrounding area due to thermal fog, and together with the difference in surface reflection, a visible side mark 6 is obtained.

Figure 3 shows 10
An example of a side mark 6 displayed in a 1OX5 dot format obtained by arranging several heating elements in parallel is shown, but a thermal head 5 in which heating elements 51 are arranged two-dimensionally can be used to display complicated characters and symbols. can also be recorded. Recently, a dot-type thermal head with an increased number of dots and a faster printing speed has been developed, making it possible to record side marks 6 of even higher quality.

In addition, in implementing the present invention, in relation to the moving speed of the photographic film, the energization time to the thermal head portion,
Alternatively, by appropriately selecting the applied power, a highly distinguishable side mark can be obtained.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, as explained above, the side mark of the photographic film is brought into contact with the heating element on the surface of the photographic film,
Since the recording is performed by applying electricity and heating under control, there is no unevenness on the film surface, and no scattering of emulsion powder. Also, since no ink is used, there is no need to worry about emulsion resistance or processing resistance. In addition, it is possible to instantly switch and change the mark content, and it is possible to obtain a side mark that can be identified even in an undeveloped state, after unexposed development, and after development where the side mark part has been exposed and exposed to X-rays. . Furthermore, since this dot type thermal head and its attached device are cheaper than those of other types, it is possible to provide a paper storage side mark recording method.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the method of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the film contact surface of a thermal head, and Fig. 3 is an example of a photographic film on which side marks are recorded. FIG.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Heat generating elements arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally are placed in contact with the surface of a photographic film, and are energized and heated under control to create dot-like changes on the film surface to record side marks. Features a method for recording side marks on photographic film.