JP2000039694A - Photographic processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic processing device which is capable of decreasing processing liquid to be supplied to a tank and is capable of adequately circulating the processing liquid in the tank. SOLUTION: A transporting unit mounted in the tank of the photographic processing device consists of a rack plate 2 which has a roller pair 6 for roller transportation of photosensitive materials and nozzle guides 3, 4 which are freely attachably and detachably mounted on both flanks of this rack plate 2 so as to hold the roller pair 6. A transporting route for the photosensitive materials is formed between the rack plate 3 and the nozzle guides 3, 4. The photographic processing device is so constituted that the processing liquid supplied to this transporting route may be discharged to the outside of the transporting unit 1 via the nozzle guides 3, 4. Discharge ports 22 for discharging the processing liquid of the transporting route to the outside of the transporting unit are formed in the thin parts of the nozzle guides 3, 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus, and more particularly, to the circulation of a processing liquid in a processing liquid tank of a photographic processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the development process of a photosensitive material, a dye is formed in a color forming step while reducing free silver forming a latent image in a photosensitive portion, and a color is formed in a bleaching step. The latent image silver in the portion is oxidized again to a silver salt, the silver salt is converted to a water-soluble complex in the fixing step, and the color component in the unexposed portion is inactivated in the stabilization step. It is a general method to obtain a stable image after passing through.

In a photographic processing apparatus, a tank for a color developing solution, a tank for a bleaching solution, a tank for a fixing solution, and a tank for a stabilizing solution are arranged in a line in the apparatus. By mounting the transport unit and moving the photosensitive material within the transport unit and between the transport units, the photosensitive material can be transferred to the tank for the coloring solution, the tank for the bleaching solution, the tank for the fixing solution, and the solution for the stabilizing solution. The developing process is performed automatically by sequentially immersing in a tank.

In such a photographic processing apparatus, a color developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution (hereinafter, referred to as a stabilizing solution) supplied to the tank are required in terms of cost or waste liquid treatment.
Since the amount of the processing liquid is suppressed to a small amount, the processing liquid in the tank is forcibly circulated in order to enhance the activity between the processing liquid and the photosensitive material and eliminate uneven development.

Therefore, in order to forcibly circulate the processing liquid, two discharge ports provided at both ends of the bottom of the tank 59 for supplying the processing liquid into the transport unit 60 as shown in FIG.
61, 61 and a sub tank provided on the upper side of the tank 59
The suction port 63 of 62 is connected by a piping system 65 to which a pump 64 is connected, and a main path 66, 66 for feeding the processing liquid in the vertical direction in the transport unit 60, and a predetermined interval from the main path 66, 66. A device is known which is branched and has paths 67,... For feeding the processing liquid in the lateral direction, and further, a slit facing the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material is formed from the paths 67,. According to the device, the discharge ports 61, 61 are discharged by the discharge of the pump 64.
, And the processing solution is blown out to the emulsion surface of the light-sensitive material through main paths 66, 66, paths 67,.
This processing liquid is sucked from the suction port 63 through the sub tank 62 and is circulated by receiving the discharge of the pump 64 again.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, a rack plate 70 having a pair of main rollers 68 and side rollers 69 for transporting the photosensitive material P, and a nozzle guide disposed at a predetermined distance from the rack plate 70 The transport unit 60 is formed by the nozzle 71 and the path 67 is formed in the nozzle guide 71, and a slit 73 facing the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material P is formed in the path 67. The liquid is blown out onto the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material P.

In addition, the photosensitive material P
A discharge hole 74 communicating the transfer surface of the photosensitive material P with the outside is formed, and a part of the processing liquid blown to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material P is discharged between the transfer unit 60 and the tank 59 through the discharge hole 74. As a result, the processing liquid is circulated outside the transfer unit 60 as well.

Further, in order to forcibly circulate the processing solution,
In addition, the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-68788 shown in FIG. 9 is known.
A piping system in which a pump 80 is connected to a discharge port 77 provided at the center of the bottom surface of the 75 and for introducing a processing liquid into the transport unit 76 and a suction port 79 of a sub tank 78 provided on the upper side of the tank 75. 81, and a plurality of slits 82,... Facing the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material in the transport unit 76 are formed.
By the discharge of 80, the processing liquid is discharged from the discharge port 77 to the slits 82,….
Through the sub-tank 78 to suck the emulsion from the emulsion surface of the light-sensitive material.
The processing liquid is circulated again by being discharged to the pump 80.

[0009]

However, as described above, the processing liquid in the tank is required to be kept to a minimum necessary amount in terms of cost or waste liquid treatment. In both devices, the formation of the discharge holes 74,... And the slits 82,... Increases the space volume, that is, the volume of the processing liquid circulation path, and accordingly requires a large amount of processing liquid. Therefore, there is a problem that the above request cannot be met.

This is because the discharge holes 74,... And the slits 82,. That is, it is better to form them in a thicker part than to form them in a thinner part.
This is because the volume becomes large.

[0011] Further, in view of the mode of circulation of the processing liquid, in both of the above apparatuses, the flow of the processing liquid between the discharge port and the suction port is rectified due to the location of the discharge port. Therefore, it is difficult to improve the circulation performance of the processing solution, and there is a possibility that uneven development of the photosensitive material may occur.

Further, in the above two devices, the discharge holes 7
, And slits 82,... Are arranged so as to face the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material, so that the liquid escape holes 74,.
The opening edge of 82,... Came into contact with the emulsion surface, possibly damaging the emulsion surface.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and can reduce the amount of processing liquid to be supplied to a tank, and can achieve suitable circulation of the processing liquid in the tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic processing apparatus capable of performing such processing.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a transport unit 1 mounted in a tank 40 has a rack having a roller pair 6 for transporting a photosensitive material by rollers. A plate 2 and nozzle guides 3 and 4 detachably attached to both side surfaces of the rack plate 2 so as to sandwich the roller pair 6;
A transport path Q for the photosensitive material is formed between the rack plate 2 and the nozzle guides 3, 4, and the processing liquid supplied to the transport path Q is transported through the nozzle guides 3, 4 to the transport unit. 1, the discharge port 22 for discharging the processing liquid in the transport path Q to the outside of the transport unit 1 is provided with the nozzle guides 3 and 4.
Characterized in that it is formed in a thin portion.

When the processing liquid is supplied to the photosensitive material transport path Q formed between the rack plate 2 and the nozzle guides 3 and 4, the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material is exposed to the processing liquid, However, in order to prevent uneven development of the photosensitive material, it is necessary to quickly discharge the processing liquid deposited in the developing process from the transport path Q to the outside of the transport unit 1. An outlet 22 is provided. In the photographic processing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the discharge port 22 is formed in the thin portion of the nozzle guides 3 and 4, and the formation of the discharge port 22 increases the volume of the processing liquid circulation path. It is suppressed.

Further, the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention employs a configuration in which the thin portion is a concave portion 20 formed in the nozzle guides 3 and 4 so as to accommodate the roller pair 6. can do.

In the photographic processing apparatus according to the second aspect having the above structure, the concave portions 20 are formed in the nozzle guides 3 and 4,
This portion becomes a thin portion. When the nozzle guides 3 and 4 are mounted on the rack plate 2, the roller pair 6 is accommodated in the concave portion 20, and a predetermined gap is formed between the concave portion 20 and the roller pair 6, and the processing liquid also enters the gap. It will be. Therefore, by forming the discharge port 22 in this concave portion 20,
The processing liquid is discharged to the outside of the transport unit 1 through the discharge port 22.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the roller pair 6 for transporting the photosensitive material to the tank 40 in which the discharge port 41 and the suction port 44 are connected via the pump 43 is provided. The processing liquid discharged from the discharge port 41 by the pump 43 is sent into the transfer unit 1, and the processing liquid discharged from the transfer unit 1 is sucked through the suction port 44. In a photographic processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material while circulating a processing solution,
The treatment liquid of the discharge port 41 is supplied to the transport unit 1 by the roller pair 6.
A feeding path 23 for feeding from one end side X to the other end side Y direction,
Discharge paths 16 and 32 for discharging the processing liquid on the other end Y of the roller pair 6 to the outside of the transport unit 1 are provided.

In the photographic processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid supplied into the transport unit 1 through the supply path 23 is moved in one direction from the one end X of the roller pair 6 to the other end Y. And the processing liquid is discharged from the other end Y of the roller pair 6 at the downstream side of the flow of the processing liquid to the outside of the transport unit 1 through the discharge paths 16 and 32. The circulation of the processing liquid is carried out.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the transport unit 1 transports the processing liquid between the one end X and the other end Y of the roller pair 6. A configuration in which a discharge path 22 for discharging to the outside of the unit 1 is provided can be adopted.

In the photographic processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid supplied to the transport unit 1 flows in one direction from one end X of the roller pair 6 to the other end Y. In addition to the flow path that is discharged from Y to the outside of the transport unit 1, the processing liquid flows from one end X to the other end Y of the roller pair 6.
While flowing in the direction, a path is formed that is discharged from the discharge path 22 to the outside of the transport unit 1.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, as set forth in claim 5, the discharge paths 16, 32 are provided with a roller pair 6
Can be adopted in the vicinity of the other end Y.

In the photographic processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid around the roller pair 6 flows in the Y direction along the other end along the roller pair 6, and is discharged through the discharge paths 16 and 32. It is discharged to the outside of the transport unit 1.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a processing liquid tank arranged in the apparatus includes a rack plate 2 for transporting a photosensitive material, and a rack plate 2 for transporting the photosensitive material.
Nozzle guide (IN) that can be freely attached to both sides of 2
A transport unit 1 having a main structure 3 and a nozzle guide (OUT) 4 is mounted.

The rack plate 2 has a main roller
, And two side rollers 8, 8 in contact with both sides of the main roller 7, a plurality of roller pairs 6 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction, and are opposed to the rack plate 2. Both ends of the roller pair 6 are pivotally supported by the divided body 2a thus formed.

A bevel gear 9 is inserted into one end X of the main roller 7, and is rotatably supported by one end of the rack plate 2 so as to be orthogonal to the main roller 7. An intermediate shaft 11 that meshes with a driving shaft 10 disposed on the upper part of the vehicle is provided with a bevel gear 12 that can mesh with the bevel gear 9.

Further, the side rollers 8, 8 are configured to rotate in cooperation with the main roller 7 by a gear train (not shown).

A roller pair is provided between the roller pairs 6,6.
An intermediate member 14 having a guide surface 15 substantially coinciding with a common tangent line of the main rollers 7,... Is provided in order to smoothly transport the photosensitive material between the rollers 6,6.

Therefore, by rotating the driving shaft 10, the intermediate shaft 11 rotates and the main rollers 7,... And the side rollers 8,... Rotate in synchronization with each other, as shown in FIG. Rack plate from the entrance 2b of plate 2
The photosensitive material that has entered inside passes through the space between the main roller 7 and the side roller 8 located on the side of the introduction portion 2b of the main roller 7 from the top to the bottom, and the lowermost roller pair 6 The direction is changed, the paper moves sequentially from below to above through the main roller 7 and the side roller 8 located on the discharge section 2c side of the main roller 7, and is discharged from the discharge section 2c.

The partition 2a of the rack plate 2 has discharge ports 16,... Serving as discharge paths, a part of which faces the end face of the side roller 8, and is located near the end face of the side roller 8. The inside and the outside of the rack plate 2 are communicated through the outlets 16,.

Further, communication holes 17,... Communicating with the deep holes 23 of the nozzle guide (IN) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4, which will be described later, are formed in the partition 2a.

The nozzle guides (IN) 3 and the nozzle guides (OUT) 4 are provided with the partition members 2a, 2a of the rack plate 2.
In order to avoid interference with the side rollers 8, the outer surfaces of the side rollers 8,. Is formed, and a flat portion of the inner surface other than the recess forms a guide surface 21 of the photosensitive material.

Further, the recess 20 has a nozzle guide (I
A plurality of discharge holes 22 are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the recess 20 as discharge holes 22 communicating with the outer surfaces of the N) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4.

Further, the nozzle guide (IN) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4 have an opening 23a on a side surface of the rack plate 2 facing the partition 2a, and are arranged in parallel with the recess 20. A deep hole 23 is formed as a feeding path. still,
The distal end of the deep hole 23 is located in the nozzle guide (IN) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4, and serves as a stop hole in which only the opening 23a opens.

The deep hole 23 is provided with a slit-shaped nozzle 24
Are formed continuously in the longitudinal direction, and the nozzle 24 has a tapered shape narrowed on the side of the deep hole 23 and expanded toward the guide surface 21 side.

Further, the deep hole 23 is formed in a tapered shape such that the sectional area becomes smaller from the opening 23a toward the tip end so as to gradually reduce the sectional area of the path.

The rack plate 2 having the above structure,
The nozzle guide (IN) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4 are assembled, that is, the partition members 2a, 2 are arranged from one side of the rack plate 2.
The nozzle guide (IN) 3 is inserted between the partition members 2a, 2a from the other side of the rack plate 2 while the nozzle guide (O)
4, the side roller 8 is accommodated in the recess 20 with a predetermined gap L as shown in FIG. 4, and the guide surface 15 of the rack plate 2 and the nozzle guide ( The IN) 3 and the guide surface 21 of the nozzle guide (OUT) 4 are opposed to each other with a predetermined interval (the photosensitive material transport path Q).

In such a state, the deep hole 23 is located near the side roller 8 and the nozzle 24 formed in the deep hole 23 faces the guide surface 15 of the rack plate 2. .

Further, in the above state, the discharge hole 22 formed in the recess 20 is close to the side roller 8 via the gap L between the recess 20 and the outer periphery of the side roller 8. , The deep hole 23 and the outside of the nozzle guide (IN) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4 are in communication with each other via the nozzle 24, the photosensitive material conveyance path Q, and the gap L.

As described above, the rack plate 2
In a state where the nozzle guide (IN) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4 are assembled, as shown in FIG. 26 and a second side frame 27 that is in surface contact with the first side frame 26 are assembled.

Further, the first side frame 26 is provided with the first side frame 26.
When mounting 26 to the rack plate 2, the communication holes 17 of the frame 2a
Via the nozzle guide (IN) 3 and the nozzle guide (OUT) 4
Connection holes 28,… as feed paths communicating with deep holes 23,…
Are formed.

On the other hand, the second side frame 27 is
When assembled to the first side frame 26, a vertical groove 29 is formed as a main path connecting to the connection holes 28,.
One end of 29 opens at the lower part of the second side frame 27, and the opening
29a.

On the other side of the rack plate 2,
A third side frame 31 that comes into surface contact with the partition 2a is assembled.

Further, the third side frame 31 is provided on the third side frame 31.
When attaching 31 to the rack plate 2, the outlet 1 of the frame 2a
A discharge groove 32,... Is formed as a discharge path continuous with 6,.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, by inserting the transport unit 1 having the above structure into the tank 40, the discharge port attached to the bottom surface of the tank 40 is inserted into the opening 29a of the vertical groove 29. 41 is inserted, and transport unit 1 is
It is mounted within 40.

The discharge port 41 corresponds to the position of an opening 29a formed at one lower end of the transfer unit 1.
It is attached to one end of the bottom of the tank 40, and the discharge port 41
Is connected via a pump 43 to a suction port 44 on the bottom surface of a sub-tank 40a swelling and attached to the other upper end of the tank 40.

Therefore, by starting the pump 43 and discharging the processing liquid from the discharge port 41, the processing liquid passes through the vertical groove 29, branches off from the vertical groove 29, and connects to the connection hole 28 and the communication hole. It is fed into the deep hole 23 through 17 and is blown out from the nozzle 24 toward the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material.

Then, the blown processing liquid is sent out in the axial direction through the inner surface of the recess 20, that is, the gap L between the side roller 8 and the recess 20. The fuel is discharged into the tank 40 through the sub tank 40a.

A part of the processing liquid passing through the gap L is discharged into the tank 40 through the discharge holes 22, and reaches the sub tank 40a through the space between the transport unit 1 and the tank 40.

Thereafter, the processing liquid in the sub tank 40a is sucked by the pump 43 through the suction port 44, and the processing liquid is circulated.

In the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the processing liquid in the tank is circulated in the above-described manner. The processing liquid is discharged to the outside of the transport unit 1 through the discharge port 16 and the discharge groove 32 from the other end Y of the side roller 8 which is the downstream side of the flow of the processing liquid. There is an advantage that the circulation of the processing liquid can be rectified in the unit 1.

In addition, concave portions formed in the nozzle guides 3 and 4
By forming the discharge port 22 in the concave portion 20, the increase in the volume of the processing liquid circulation path due to the formation of the discharge port 22 can be suppressed, and the processing liquid to be supplied to the tank 40 is reduced. Has the advantage that it can be

Further, a deep hole 23 as a supply path for flowing the processing liquid in one direction from the one end X to the other end Y of the side roller 8 has a taper whose sectional area becomes smaller from the opening 23a toward the tip. Since it is formed in the shape, the pressure loss of the processing liquid at the front end portion can be suitably prevented, and there is an advantage that the discharge force of the processing liquid of the nozzle 24 at the front end portion can be maintained.

Since the nozzle 24 is formed in a tapered shape that has been expanded earlier, the flow rate of the processing liquid discharged from the deep hole 23 to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material through the nozzle 24 can be increased. Has advantages.

[0055]

As described above, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the discharge port for discharging the processing liquid in the transport path to the outside of the transport unit is formed in the thin portion of the nozzle guide. An increase in the volume of the processing liquid circulation path due to the formation can be suppressed, and therefore, the processing liquid to be supplied to the tank is reduced as compared with the case where the outlet is formed in the thick part as in the conventional case. can do.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the discharge port is formed in the recess formed in the nozzle guide to accommodate the roller pair, and the photosensitive material in the transport path is formed. Since there is no contact with the opening edge of the outlet, it is possible to suitably prevent the photosensitive material from being damaged.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the processing liquid fed into the transport unit by the feeding path is moved in one direction from one end of the roller pair to the other end. The processing liquid is discharged from the other end of the roller pair, which is the downstream side of the flow of the processing liquid, to the outside of the transport unit through the discharge path. Rectification can be achieved, so that the circulation performance of the processing liquid can be improved, and the occurrence of uneven development of the photosensitive material can be suitably prevented.

Further, the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a discharge path for discharging the processing liquid to the outside of the transport unit, so that the photographic processing apparatus is processed upstream for developing the photosensitive material. Before a part of the processing solution reaches the downstream side, the processing solution can be discharged to the outside of the transport unit. Therefore, the activities of the processing solution and the photosensitive material on the downstream side can be suitably maintained. Can be prevented from occurring.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the discharge path is provided near the other end of the roller pair, so that the processing liquid is circulated around the roller pair. Can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a transport unit of a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B are rack plates of the transport unit according to the embodiment, wherein FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view, and FIG.
-A line sectional drawing.

FIG. 3 is a nozzle guide of the transport unit according to the embodiment, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional side view and (B) is a front view.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view in a state where the transport unit of the embodiment is assembled.

FIG. 5 is an essential part front view including a partial cross section of a state where the transport unit of the embodiment is assembled.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a main part including a partial cross section in a state where the transport unit of the embodiment is mounted in a tank.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a transport unit of a conventional photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of a main part of a transport unit of a conventional photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of a transport unit of a conventional photographic processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... transport unit, 2 ... rack plate, 3 ... nozzle guide (IN), 4 ... nozzle guide (OUT), 6 ... roller pair, 7
… Main roller, 8… Side roller, 15… Guide surface, 16
... liquid outlet (discharge path), 20 ... recess, 21 ... guide surface, 22
... discharge hole (discharge path), 23 ... deep hole (feed path), 24 ... slit (blowing means), 29 ... vertical groove (main path), 32 ... discharge groove (discharge path), 40 ... tank, 42 ... Pipe line, 43… pump

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transfer unit mounted in a tank (40).
(1) is a rack plate (2) having a roller pair (6) for transporting the photosensitive material with a roller, and is detachably attached to both side surfaces of the rack plate (2) so as to sandwich the roller pair (6). A nozzle guide (3, 4) to be attached, a photosensitive material conveying path (Q) is formed between the rack plate (2) and the nozzle guide (3, 4),
The processing liquid supplied to the transfer path (Q) is transferred to the nozzle guide (3,
In the photographic processing apparatus configured to be able to be discharged to the outside of the transport unit (1) through (4), the discharge port (22) for discharging the processing liquid in the transport path (Q) to the outside of the transport unit (1) is provided. ,
A photographic processing apparatus characterized by being formed in a thin portion of a nozzle guide (3, 4). 2. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said thin portion is a recess formed in a nozzle guide for accommodating a roller pair. 3. A pump (43) comprising a discharge port (41) and a suction port (44).
A transport unit (1) equipped with a roller pair (6) for transporting photosensitive material is attached to a tank (40) connected through the, and discharged from a discharge port (41) by a pump (43). The processing liquid is sent into the transport unit (1), and the transport unit (1)
In the photographic processing apparatus which draws in the processing liquid discharged from the suction port (44) and develops the photosensitive material while circulating the processing liquid, the discharge unit (41)
Feed path (23) for feeding the processing liquid from one end (X) to the other end (Y) of the roller pair (6), and the other end of the roller pair (6).
A photographic processing apparatus provided with a discharge path (16, 32) for discharging the processing liquid of (Y) to the outside of the transport unit (1). 4. The transport unit (1), wherein a processing liquid is discharged outside the transport unit (1) between one end (X) and the other end (Y) of the roller pair (6). The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a discharge path (22) for performing the discharge. 5. The discharge path (16, 32) includes a roller pair (6).
5. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photographic processing apparatus is provided near the other end (Y) of the photographic processing apparatus.