DE2431850C3 - Method and device for the treatment of photographic material with a treatment liquid - Google Patents

Description

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the pins (53) in a helical shape Track are arranged, and that the bar (55) has a C-shaped cross section and recesses which serve to receive end parts (51) of the pins.

11. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by an additional transport device opposite the cylinder is spaced, and against which the tape is pressed by the solution will.

12. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims with a plurality of Treatment stations through which the photographic material is transported in succession is characterized in that each of the tanks arranged at a treatment station contains a single hollow cylinder (210).

! 3. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the hollow cylinder (20) in an im lie in a substantial horizontal plane and are arranged in a non-parallel relationship in such a way that that they compensate for the twist caused by the helical photographic Material is embossed (e.g. Fig. 3 and 11).

14. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that that the guide members are designed as a rail (40) with a T-shaped cross section are.

15. Device according to claims 2 to 14, characterized in that an electrical heating element is arranged within the hollow cylinder (20) is

Ib. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that that the deflection pins have a tapered head to facilitate the threading of the To ease the film between the pins, but each head has a larger diameter than has a film perforation (Figs. 6 and 7).

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that that a plate is attached to the tapered ends of the pins (52).

18. Apparatus according to claim 9 and / or 10, characterized in that the bar (55) through its Inherent elasticity is clamped.

19. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that that the photographic material is transported by a plurality of transport rollers (54) which are arranged on the circumference and at a distance from the hollow cylinder (20).

20. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that between parallel Cylinders (20) an inclined crossover roller (67) is provided.

21. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the angle between the cylinders (20) is substantially equal to the film pitch angle

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing photographic Material with a treatment liquid.

Common photographic film processing apparatus employs a plurality of tanks (see U.S. Pat 86 326), each of which has a different film treatment fluid such as a developer solution, a stop solution, a fixing solution and a washing solution. According to the mentioned US-PS 31 86 326 in each tank above and below immersed in the treatment liquid liquid storage be provided. The film strip to be processed becomes sinusoidal over these bearings guided, with one or more loops formed in each tank, and with the majority of the film is not supported. Although there is an increased movement of the treatment liquid in the area of the liquid bearings, the movement of the treatment liquid between the liquid bearings is lower, see above that overall there is a non-uniform movement of the treatment liquid over the entire film surface results. It should be noted in this connection that it is also already known to treat the treatment liquid in the immediate vicinity of a

to deliver the film.

It is also already known for the continuous drying of photographic material (US-PS 34 81 046) to provide a hollow cylinder, the photographic material on a helical Web is guided around the hollow cylinder, the wall of which has exit openings / i for the cylinder interior Has supplied drying air. The drying air forms an air cushion at the same time to support the material guided around the hollow cylinder.

The present invention has set itself the task of a method for the treatment of Specify photographic material with a treatment liquid, which is a smooth movement of the treatment liquid over the entire surface of the photographic material, with better Treatment results are achieved.

To solve this problem it is provided according to the invention that in a known manner the photographic Material is guided on a helical path around a hollow cylinder, the Wall has outlet openings for the treatment liquid supplied to the cylinder interior.

The device provided for carrying out the above-mentioned method according to the invention characterizes by the fact that lateral guide members have a helical shape guided in multiple turns Form a path for the photographic material.

Further preferred embodiments of de ^r invention are apparent from the remaining dependent claims.

The invention enables the uniform supply of fresh treatment liquid to the whole Surface of the film material, wherein in the case of one according to an embodiment of the invention provided porous hollow cylinder a more uniform Exit of the treatment liquid from the hollow cylinder for all points of the around the circumference of the Hollow cylinder running around photographic material is achieved. Since using the Slits in the hollow cylinder allow the treatment liquid to emerge more vigorously to the areas directly above the Pores are to be preferred in this respect. According to A preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet openings are at least within the helical path of the photographic material is provided so that a cushion of liquid or a liquid store between the photographic material and the outer surface of the hollow cylinder at least on the helical path around the circumference of the hollow cylinder.

The measures according to the invention not only result in a high, uniform movement of the treatment liquid achieved with all zones of the photographic material essentially the same Degree of movement, but only a small amount of force is required to operate the photographic To transport material through a corresponding treatment device. According to The treatment device designed according to the invention is also very simple in structure and operates reliably and also with a high degree of efficiency.

The invention is described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawing; in the drawing shows

F i g. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment the treatment device according to the invention,

F i g. 2 shows a side view of the treatment device according to FIG. 1,

F i g. 3 is an enlarged plan view of part of the treatment device of FIG. 1,

F i g. Fig. 4 is a partial view of a porous hollow cylinder supporting a film on a treatment liquid pad wearing,

F i g. 5 shows a partial section in> substantially along the Line 5-5 of FIG. 3,

F i g. 6 shows a partial plan view of a further embodiment;

F i g. 7 shows a section essentially along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6,

F i g. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing a hollow cylinder with deflection pins,

F i g. 9 is an enlarged, partially sectioned view of one of the FIGS. 8 deflection pins shown,

10 shows a schematic plan view of a treatment device, the hollow cylinders with different lengths for the different treatment stations having,

F i g. 11 is a partially sectioned side view a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the hollow cylinder is arranged at an angle and completely are immersed in the solution,

F i g. 12 is a side view similar to FIG. 11, where the hollow cylinders are arranged parallel to one another and an angularly offset crossover roller is used,

13 is an enlarged view of the crossover roller according to FIG. 12,

F i g. 14 a partially sectioned view of a treatment hollow cylinder module; which is suitable for use in a treatment device constructed from modules.

The in the F i g. 1 to 3 shown hollow cylinder treatment device according to the invention is on a Support frame 10 formed by a multiplicity of angle irons and girders is arranged. The treatment device for photographic material has a plurality of processing stations, such as one or more developing stations 12, a washing station 14, a fixing station 16 and another Washing station 18, any other combination of such stations also being provided can and wherein further - if desired - bleaching and stabilizing stations can be present. At each of these stations there are stationary hollow cylinders (tubes) 20 for the photographic material! intended. A leader is here with one coming from a film supply, such as a spool 24 Tape or film 22 is connected and is attached along a helical path around the hollow cylinder 20 threaded around the successive treatment stations and also around reversing rollers 26 through a dryer 28, finally to datin by transport rollers 36 around lifting rollers 32 around on a Take up reel 34 to arrive. After the film leader has been threaded in, they are transported through one Not shown drive motor driven Trans portroüen 36 the film through the treatment device device and the dryer through onto the receiving coil 34.

In Fig. 4 is a formed according to the invention! stationary treatment cylinder 20 shown, the cylinder would be hollow and porous and au a suitable material by a suitable ver

drive, such as casting or sintering, is made. The porous hollow cylinders have a suitable porosity, and the treatment liquid is pressed in the radial direction through the hollow cylinder by pressure means, for example a pump. The treatment liquid forms a cushion or bearing on the circumference of the hollow cylinder to support a film that is helically wound around the hollow cylinder. In the case of the FIG. 5, the outer circumference of the hollow cylinder 20 is provided with a helical groove 38 and a deflection rail 40 having a substantially T-shaped cross section is fastened in the groove by suitable means. Although the film normally adopts a helical trajectory after threading, the deflector rail 40 ensures that the film follows such trajectory and does not leave the trajectory. The deflector rail 40 is used to deflect the film in those situations where the top surface and the edge surfaces of the film engage the rail. If the installation in a treatment device corresponds to the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, any resistance element (electrical heating element) not shown may be fastened within the hollow cylinder, with lead wires extending through one or both of the end caps 42 (FIG. 2) which at the ends of the hollow cylinder 20 are provided in order to achieve a heating of the treatment liquid in this way. If desired, an external heat exchanger of known type can also be used to heat the treatment liquid. Sealing means (not shown) are provided between the end cap 42 and the hollow cylinder 20 in order to prevent the treatment liquid from escaping; Means such as a tank 44 with treatment liquid, tubes 46 and a motor-driven pump "P" are also provided to force the treatment liquid under pressure through one or both end caps 42 of each hollow cylinder 20 into the interior of the cylinder. The solution in the hollow cylinder 20 is pressed essentially radially outward through the hollow cylinder, as can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 recognizes, wherein a cushion or a treatment liquid storage 30 is formed in a helical channel 48 which fertilizes between the helical deflection or guide rail 40 is formed. When a film is threaded through the channel 48 , the treatment fluid reservoir 30 engages the inner or emulsion surface of the film 22 to carry the film out of engagement with the hollow cylinder 20. In one application example, a treatment liquid reservoir 30 was formed using a treatment liquid flow of 35 liters per minute through a 45.7 cm long tube with a 7.62 cm diameter and a tension on the film of substantially 20 grams About 0.0153 cm thick. As the treatment liquid is continuously forced through the porous hollow cylinder 20, the treatment liquid instantaneously engaged with the emulsion surface of the film is constantly passed the outer edges of the film, along the back of the film and thence into a drain tank 50 (Fig. 2). pressed, which is supported beneath the hollow cylinder 20 to the frame 10. such continuous treatment fluid keitsströmung engaged with and along manages the emulsion surface of a high uniform loading treatment liquid movement, regardless of whether the film is transported quickly or slowly, further comprising a A treatment fluid cushion is created which substantially encircles the film turns to normally hold the film out of engagement with the deflector rail 40 . The partially used treatment liquid of each of the tanks 50 is normally brought by gravity through suitable pipes to the inlet of the pump P to be re-circulated through the hollow cylinder 20, being refreshed by any suitable refreshing system to make up for the lost treatment liquid to replace and to keep the treatment liquid active and substantially fresh. If desired, batch processing may be used, wherein the treatment liquid is pumped through a continuous system for each station so long, until the treatment liquid strength dropped to a predetermined level. When this occurs, the exhausted treatment liquid is drained and new treatment liquid is added to the tank 44 . It is of course also possible to provide a continuous, single use system, with fresh or active solution from a suitable source continuously pumped through each hollow cylinder 20, and with the partially used treatment liquid being drained directly from each tank.

In the case of the FIG. 6-8, the hollow cylinder 20 is equipped with a plurality of axially spaced, radially extending deflecting projections, such as pins 52, which are fastened in the hollow cylinder 20 by suitable means. The pins 52 have a tapered head to facilitate threading of the film between the pins, with the heads being larger in diameter than the film perforations to prevent the film perforations from becoming entangled with the pins. During the threading of the device, the film 22 is wound helically onto the hollow cylinder 20 between the distanced deflection pins 52. If a continuous film is being processed and a leader is being used, there is only one row of pins 52 - as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 - required to properly deflect the film along a helical path. If desired, a hold-down plate 49 can be attached to the ver young ends of the pins 52 to deflect the FiIn downward, and to prevent undesired movement of a loop of film over one of the pins 52 zi. However, if individual lengths of film are processed, a plurality of rows of similar pins 53 are required, as shown in FIGS. 8 and is shown, with a helical strip 55 on the pins as a result of their inherent elasticity? is clamped. The ledge 55 may be formed with recesses to receive the heads 51 of the pins 53 and also has curved surfaces 5 to form an external deflector to s the film by point or line contact around hollow z; deflect around 20, whereby the friction is ni nimiert. The lower ends of the pins 53 are attached to a hollow cylinder 20, and the lower ends of the remaining pins can be attached to the hollow cylinder 20 or inserted into recesses 59 in which they are held by the elasticity of the bar 55.

If desired, air jet guides or an air wiping device 61 - as in FIG. 4 or a transfer roller or the like can be provided between the tanks 50 in order to direct the film 22 from one tank to the other and thereby prevent the transfer of treatment liquid from one tank 50 around the next tank. Normally the transfer of treatment liquid is so little that wiping devices are not required for this purpose alone.

In the case of short film lengths, a leader and a device for joining two lengths to one another can be used can be dispensed with, and the treatment device can work self-threading by entering the discrete length filmstrip directly into the space between the Rail and each hollow cylinder 20 is provided; see best in FIG. 5. The film is through a Transported plurality of arranged on shafts 56 transport rollers, with tires on the circumference of these rollers 58 are fastened at a distance from the hollow cylinder 20. If desired, you can replace the Rollers 54 of endless conveyor belts, not shown, are used, the belt over a pair of rollers is guided and a belt portion is in engagement with the photographic material 22. During the The treatment process forces the fluid bearing 30 into driving engagement with the outer surface of the film 22 with the belts or the tires 58. The shafts 56 are driven by a drive motor. In such a system, guides such as rails are crossover devices or the one shown in FIG. 4 air jet guides 61 shown are provided to attach the film from a hollow cylinder 20 one treatment station to the next hollow cylinder at the subsequent treatment station.

When a film is transported from a cylindrical hollow cylinder at right angles to its axis and then helically wound around the hollow cylinder, the film is given a twist so that not all parts of the film surface are in engagement with and parallel to the circumference of the hollow cylinder. Accordingly, if the hollow cylinders 20 are arranged such that their axes are perpendicular to a vertical plane passing through the ends of the hollow cylinders, the inner or emulsion surface of each helical film turn will not be parallel or at different distances radially from the hollow cylinder circumference of one edge of the film to the other. Such non-parallel arrangement of the film can be detrimental to treatment uniformity. This problem can be eliminated by tilting a crossover roller 67 (FIG. 13) between the parallel hollow cylinders in order to wrap the film with the other. to direct the desired angle to each hollow cylinder. This problem can also be eliminated by arranging the hollow cylinders 20 in the horizontal plane in a canted or non-parallel relationship in the treatment device, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 so as to compensate for the twist. The angle by which each of the tubes 20 is tilted or canted in the horizontal plane with respect to the above-mentioned vertical plane is substantially equal to the film pitch angle. As a result, the film emulsion surface is then essentially parallel to the circumference of the hollow cylinder, as can be seen in FIG. 3 recognizes.

Since the entire length of film wound around and encircling the hollow cylinder 20 is carried on a treatment liquid storage 30 , and is essentially completely encircled by the treatment liquid, the friction between film 22 and hollow cylinder 20 has a low or negligible value. Accordingly , the transport of the film through the processing device can be achieved by applying tensile force values to the film at the exit end of the device by means of film-engaging pressure rollers which are, for example, only 20 ponds. As explained above, a plurality of conveyor belts or rollers 54 are preferably provided adjacent to each of the hollow cylinders 20 in order to convey the film through the device.

As in Fig. 10 shown, the treatment device can by the correct selection of the hollow cylinder lengths be constructed so that the film is essentially the exact level required for each machining operation Processing time is suspended. With known hollow cylinder diameter and film transport speed can easily adjust the number of turns of the film and the length of the hollow cylinder to receive the necessary processing time. For example, if hollow cylinder diameter and film speed are selected such that the film takes 30 seconds to complete a To go through the winding around the hollow cylinder.

so if the developing time required for a particular type of film is 7½ minutes, it becomes a developing sleeve used of sufficient length to accommodate 15 turns. If only one Treatment process required to last 30 seconds is, the hollow cylinder 20 is designed such that there is one for accommodating only one turn required length If required, the hollow cylinders can be made longer at each station but only the desired number of turns around the hollow cylinder for the special Treatment process is used.

If the oxidation of the treatment solution exposed to the atmosphere becomes problematic, the treatment hollow cylinders 20 can be immersed in the treatment solution as shown in FIGS. In Fig. 11, a treatment tank 60 has a partition wall 62. soft divides the tank into 2 chambers that hold different types of treatment solution. The film 22 is guided via a guide roller 64 onto the front end of a rigidly attached tilted or tilted hollow cylinder 20, the film running from the rear end of the hollow cylinder 20 via a crossover guide roller 66 onto the front end of a further tilted hollow cylinder 20. The roll 6 is supported on a horizontally arranged shaft. A similar system is shown in FIG. t2 shown where the hollow cylinders 20 are rigidly arranged parallel to one another by suitable means, and being canted

Crossover rollers 67 (FIG. 13) are provided to be adapted to the film pitch angle and to allow a smooth transition from one hollow cylinder to another. Although in FIGS. 11 and 1 ', only two chambers and hollow cylinders are shown

6s can of course be any number you want for a ge desired treatment process be provided.

It is also possible to use the Hohlzy according to the invention Linder treatment device in a module loading

609636 / 3C

to apply treatment system, the latter consisting of a desired number of treatment modules 70 of the type shown in FIG. The treatment module 70 has a lower housing 72 which, by suitable means, holds a hollow treatment cylinder 20 of the type described above, and the housing furthermore has a solution tank 74 and a pump 76 driven by a suitable motor M for the treatment liquid from the tank 74 to Bring hollow cylinder 20 through lines 78 in a circuit. A filter 80, which is used to filter the solution supplied through tube 78, is fastened inside the hollow cylinder 20. If desired, the filter 80 can be outside the hollow cylinder 20, for example in line 78 between the pump

10

76 and hollow cylinder 20, be attached. A suitable type of heater 82 is mounted adjacent or within the tank 74 to heat the treatment solution to a desired temperature. Further, a power supply is connected to the heater 82 and motor M. The module is provided with a cover 84, which is preferably equipped with passages 86 through which the film 22 is guided onto the hollow cylinder 20, namely through a

ίο not shown transfer guide role in the F i g. 11-13 or any other suitable type. Such transfer rollers are between interposed with each pair of modules 70 to move the film from one module to the next respectively.

In addition 6 sheets of drawings

Claims (9)

Patent claims: 1. A method of treating photographic material with a treatment liquid, thereby characterized in that in a known manner the photographic material on a helical path around a hollow cylinder (22) is led around, the wall of which has outlet openings for the cylinder interior having te treatment liquid 2. Apparatus for performing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that lateral Guide organs a helical path for the form photographic material. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the outlet openings are pores. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the pores or outlet openings are arranged in the hollow cylinder (20) at least in the helical path. 5. Device according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the deflecting members as a helical rail (40) are formed. 6. Device according to claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the deflecting members a Having a plurality of spaced apart projections (52) extending radially from the periphery of the The outer surface of the cylinder (20) extends from (Figs. 6 and 7). 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the projections in a line in extend substantially parallel to the cylinder axis and are arranged on the cylinder circumference. 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that that the deflector a plurality of spaced projections or pins (53) arranged in a helical path on the circumference of the cylinder (20) are (Figs. 8 and 9). 9. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the deflecting members have a plurality of have spaced apart pins (53) extending radially from the circumference of the cylinder, and wherein a helical strip (55) is arranged on the pins (FIGS. 8 and 8)