US 5,493,368 A · Image forming apparatus that copies both two-dimensional images faced downward and three-dimensional objects faced upward

Abstract

An image forming apparatus for producing a copy image by scanning and exposing an image, including a three-dimensional object onto a photosensitive surface, of a photosensitive material. The apparatus includes an original placing table on which an original with a planar image recorded thereon is placed, with the planar image facing the original placing table; a first scanning exposure device for scanning and exposing the original placed on the original placing table; a three-dimensional object placing table for placing a three-dimensional object thereon; a second scanning exposure device for scanning the three-dimensional object from above; and an optical device for guiding the images scanned by the first scanning exposure device and the second scanning exposure device onto the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material. The first scanning exposure device exposes and scans a planar image, the second scanning exposure device exposes and scans a three-dimensional object, and the optical device guides light from different optical paths (optical paths from the first scanning exposure device and the second scanning exposure device) onto the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material. Accordingly, it is possible to copy both a two-dimensional image whose surface to be copied may be faced downward and a liquid-containing three-dimensional object (foods, beverages, and water tanks) whose surface to be copied must be faced upward.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An image forming apparatus for producing a copy image by scanning and exposing an image including a three-dimensional object thereof onto a photosensitive surface of a photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising:

a placing table on which an original with one of a planar image recorded thereon and a three-dimensional object is placed;
a scanning exposure device for scanning and exposing the original placed on said placing table and scanning and exposing the three-dimensional object from above;
and
an optical device for guiding the image scanned by said scanning exposure device onto the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material.

1 more element

An image forming apparatus for producing a copy image by scanning and exposing an image including a three-dimensional object onto a photosensitive surface of a photosensitive material, said apparatus comprising:

a placing table having a transparent plate-like first placing portion on which an original with a planar image recorded thereon is placed with the planar image facing said first placing portion, and a second placing portion for placing a three-dimensional object thereon;
a first scanning exposure device for scanning and exposing the original placed on said placing table;
a second scanning exposure device for scanning the three-dimensional object from above;
and
an optical device for guiding one or more images scanned by said first scanning exposure device and said second scanning exposure device onto the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image forming apparatus that copies both two-dimensional images faced downward and three-dimensional objects faced upward

Life of this patent

Image forming apparatus that copies both two-dimensional images faced downward and three-dimensional objects faced upward

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24