JP2000194113A - Replenishing device for processing agent for processing photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely replenish a specified amount of granular processing agent into a tank of a photosensitive material processing device. SOLUTION: An auxiliary tank 40, which is communicated with the color developing tank and whose top is closed with a top surface 54, is provided on the flank of the color developing tank. A screw feeder 88 is provided on the top surface 54 via a rotating movable device 298 to replenish a replenishing agent 93. Normally the screw feeder 88 is rotated in the position where a discharging pipe 102 is not opposed to the opening 56 in the top surface 54 to prevent water vapor generated from a color developer from entering the screw feeder 88. Thus, trouble such as the solidification of the granular reprenishing agent 93 stored in the screw feeder 88 due to water vapor is prevented. When the reprenishing agent 93 is charged into the auxiliary tank 40, the screw feeder 88 is rotated to make the discharging pipe 102 opposed to the opening 56 and the screw feeder 88 is operated to make the replenishing agent 93 dropped from the discharging pipe 102 into the auxiliary tank 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in a light-sensitive material processing apparatus for processing a light-sensitive material using a processing solution, and for replenishing a processing agent for processing a light-sensitive material used for replenishing a deteriorated or reduced processing solution. More particularly, the present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing agent replenishing device for replenishing a solid photosensitive material processing agent.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photosensitive materials such as photographic films are generally subjected to color development processing by being sequentially transported through a plurality of processing tanks containing processing solutions such as a color developing solution and a bleach-fixing solution.

Since these processing liquids are deteriorated due to processing of the photosensitive material, carry-in of the processing liquid on the upstream side, etc., a replenishing solution is replenished in the photosensitive material processing apparatus based on the processing amount of the photosensitive material. It is a system like this.

[0004] By the way, photographic processing chemicals supplied as a solution may cause a problem in which dissolved chemicals are crystallized due to fluctuations in temperature.

For this reason, with a solution type replenisher, the volume and weight of the solution cannot be reduced by increasing the concentration.

Further, in the case of a solution type replenisher, if the replenisher is spilled when replenishing the replenisher, there is a problem that the apparatus and the floor may be soiled, and post-processing is troublesome.

In order to solve such a problem, a method has been proposed in which a photographic processing chemical is tableted, and the tableted photographic processing chemical is supplied to an apparatus.
186720).

However, when a photographic processing chemical is made into a tablet, there is a problem that the tablet is too large and the solubility is poor, and that it takes a long time to dissolve the tablet, resulting in a large fluctuation in density.

[0009]

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-18 / 1994
No. 6720 also discloses a replenishing device for replenishing powdery photographic processing chemicals.

If the photographic processing chemical is a powder, the solubility is improved and the problem of density fluctuation is eliminated.

[0011] In a replenishing apparatus for replenishing powdered chemicals using a screw feeder, a hole for dropping chemicals into the tank is formed on a top surface covering the processing tank, and directly above the hole. The outlet of the screw feeder is arranged.

[0012] However, the vapor of the processing liquid (the processing liquid is heated by the heater, and thus generates the vapor) from the upper opening (the inlet of the processing agent) of the tank, passes through the spiral groove of the screw, and the powdered chemical is discharged. May enter the package storing the powder chemicals, and the powdered chemicals may absorb moisture, adhere to the inner wall or solidify (agglomerate) and do not drop.

Further, when water generated by condensation of steam adheres to the vicinity of the discharge port, the powder may solidify here.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material, which can replenish a solid processing agent reliably and in a prescribed amount.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive material processing apparatus for storing a processing solution for processing a photosensitive material and having a tank provided with a processing agent inlet on a top surface covering an upper portion. Used in the apparatus, a solid replenisher, a processing agent replenishment device for photosensitive material processing to replenish the processing solution in the tank through the processing agent input port, a storage unit for storing the replenisher, Discharging the replenisher stored in the storage unit from a discharge unit,
Conveying means for supplying a prescribed amount of the replenisher discharged from the discharge section to the processing agent input port, and a part or all of the conveying means so as to change a relative position between the discharge section and the processing agent input port And moving means for moving.

Next, the operation of the replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the first aspect will be described.

Except when the replenishing agent is introduced into the processing solution in the tank, a part or all of the conveying means is moved by the moving means, and the discharge part of the conveying means is arranged at a position not corresponding to the processing agent inlet. deep.

Thus, the vapor of the processing liquid does not directly enter the discharge section of the conveying means, and the replenisher stored in the storage section is prevented from being wet by the vapor of the processing liquid.

When the replenishing agent is introduced into the processing solution in the tank, a part or all of the conveying means is moved by the moving means, and the discharge part of the conveying means is arranged at a position corresponding to the processing agent inlet, The conveying means is driven to convey the replenisher in the storage section and discharge the specified amount from the discharge section.

The replenisher discharged from the discharge part is introduced into the processing agent inlet, and the processing solution in the tank is replenished with the replenisher.

The solid replenisher is preferably in the form of granules, but may be in any other form such as a powder or a pellet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the first aspect, the moving means rotates the transport means.

Next, the operation of the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention will be described.

In the processing material replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention, the moving means rotates the conveying means and arranges the discharge portion of the conveying means at a position corresponding to the processing agent inlet and at a position not corresponding thereto.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the first aspect, the moving means linearly moves the conveying means in a predetermined direction.

Next, the operation of the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the third aspect will be described.

In the replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the third aspect, the moving means linearly moves the conveying means and arranges the discharge portion of the conveying means at a position corresponding to the processing agent inlet and a position not corresponding thereto. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the first aspect, the moving means rotates the discharge section.

Next, the operation of the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention will be described.

In the apparatus for replenishing a processing agent for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention, the moving means rotates the discharge part of the conveying means so that the discharge part of the conveying means is located at a position corresponding to the processing agent inlet and at a position not corresponding thereto. Deploy.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the discharge section and the processing material inlet can be opened and closed. And a driving means for driving the shutter.

Next, the operation of the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention will be described.

In the replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention, the shutter is driven by the driving means to close the discharge section and the processing material inlet, so that the vapor of the processing liquid is supplied from the processing material inlet to the outside. The replenisher stored in the storage unit can be reliably maintained in a dry state since the discharge unit is prevented from being discharged to the storage unit and the discharge unit of the transport unit is also closed.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of a processing material replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a photosensitive material processing apparatus 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 400.

The photographic printing unit 412 constituting the printer unit of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 400 has a structure in which a paper magazine 414 containing paper P can be loaded.

On the upper left side in FIG. 2 of the paper magazine 414, a driving roller 416 around which the tip of the paper P is wound is supported rotatably, and a motor (not shown) in the photo printing unit 412 is driven. The driving roller 416 receives the force and rotates.

Further, a pair of nip rollers 418 is disposed at a position facing the driving roller 416 via the paper P.

Therefore, the driving roller 416 sandwiches the paper P between the nip roller 418 and the paper P and sends the paper P into the photo printing unit 412.

On the other hand, a cutter 422 including a pair of upper and lower blades and moving the blades by a motor 420 is installed in the photo printing unit 412.
The cutter 422 will immediately cut the paper P coming out of 14.

In FIG. 2, on the downstream side of the paper P in the transport direction on the right side with respect to the cutter 422, a support table 446 having an upper surface formed in a horizontal direction (left and right directions in FIG. 2).
Is arranged.

Between the support base 446 and the cutter 422, a winding roller 45 around which an endless belt 444 is wound.
2 are arranged in the horizontal direction (in FIG. 2, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface).

On the upper side of the winding roller 452,
A nip roller 454 that sandwiches the endless belt 444 between the winding roller 452 and the winding roller 452 is disposed.

A guide roller 456 around which the endless belt 444 is wound is located downstream of the support table 446 in the paper P transport direction.

At a position adjacent to the guide roller 456, a pressing roller 458 whose lower surface is substantially the same height as the upper surface of the winding roller 452 is disposed, and the pressing roller 458 is connected to the outer periphery of the endless belt 444. Is pressed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the endless belt 444 in this portion is formed in an S shape.

Further, the endless belt 444 is wound around the tension roller 462 below the guide roller 456 to form an inverted triangular movement locus.

The guide roller 456 is driven and rotated by the driving force of a motor (not shown), and the endless belt 44 is rotated.
4 is rotated clockwise in FIG.

On the other hand, the endless belt 444 has a large number of small holes (not shown) formed over the entire area thereof, and an upper surface of a support base 446 on which a part of the endless belt 444 is placed is provided. A number of holes (not shown) are formed corresponding to the small holes of the endless belt 444.

Further, the inside of the support base 446 is formed in a hollow shape, and a pair of communication ducts 466 (only one is shown in the figure) formed corresponding to both ends in the width direction of the endless belt 444 are supported by the support base 446. It is connected to the table 446.

These communication ducts 466 are connected to the support base 44.
6, bypasses the portion of the endless belt 444 that passes below the lower end of the endless belt 6, reaches the end of the endless belt 444, and is connected to a fan box 470 provided with a suction fan 468.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
An easel device 464 is provided on the upper end of the endless belt 444 that moves on the upper side. When an edged image is printed and printed on the paper P, a movable piece (not shown) in the easel device 464 surrounds the paper P. Is to be covered.

The easel unit 46 is provided outside the casing 400A constituting the outer frame of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 400.
4, a diffusion box 428 for diffusing light is provided.
Is disposed on the right side thereof, and a CC filter 424 composed of three sets of filters C, M, and Y that can be moved so that the amount of filters inserted into the optical path can be changed.

Therefore, the light beam emitted from the light source 426 located adjacent to the CC filter 424 passes through the CC filter 424, and is then bent while being diffused by the diffusion box 428 and sent immediately below.

Then, the negative film N on the negative carrier 430 placed on the upper surface of the casing 400A
Through this light.

Further, a support plate 434 is mounted on a guide rail 432 installed in the photo printing unit 412 in a horizontal direction (FIG. 2).
The prism 436 and the zoom lens 438 are attached to the support plate 434 so as to be movable on the optical axis S of the light beam.

Accordingly, the light beam that has passed through the negative film N and has become an exposure light beam passes through the prism 436, and further passes through the zoom lens 438 whose magnification can be changed, and the paper positioned under the easel device 464. An image of the negative film N is formed on P.

A density measuring device 440 for measuring the density of the negative film N, which is composed of, for example, a color filter and an optical sensor such as a CCD, is disposed in the photographic printing unit 412. The bent light beam is sent to the density measuring device 440.

The density measuring device 440 is connected to a controller (not shown), and based on data measured by the density measuring device 440 and data input by a key operator, an exposure correction value during printing exposure is calculated. Is set.

Further, in the optical path between the zoom lens 438 and the easel device 464, there is provided a black shutter 441 for printing and exposing the light transmitted through the negative film N whose color and intensity have been adjusted by the CC filter 424 for a predetermined time. Is provided.

Since the photographic printing unit 412 has the above-described structure, the paper P sent from the paper magazine 414 is cut into a desired length by the cutter 422, and then placed on the endless belt 444 to expose the paper P. Optical axis S of the ray
The sheet is conveyed to the image printing position, which is the upper position.

Then, the exposure light from the light source 426 reaches the paper P via the prism 436 and the zoom lens 438 and the like, and the black shutter 441 is opened for a predetermined time so that the image recorded on the negative film N is transferred to the paper P. The image is exposed on the upper portion, and the portion where this image is printed becomes the image portion.

At this time, the air in the support base 446 escapes from the loop of the endless belt 444 to both ends in the width direction through the communication duct 466 and is sucked by the suction fan 468 and blown out. The inside becomes negative pressure.

This negative pressure is transmitted to the paper P on the endless belt 444 through the hole of the support base 446 and the small hole of the endless belt 444, and the paper P is sucked into the endless belt 444 as shown by the arrow A. Is done.

For this reason, the paper P is simply transferred to the endless belt 44.
4, the paper P is reliably sucked toward the endless belt 444, so that the paper P is reliably conveyed by the endless belt 444 and is arranged horizontally on the image printing position.

Further, the paper P on which the image printing exposure has been completed is sandwiched between the guide roller 456 and the pressing roller 458, the transport direction is changed from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction, and the paper P is sent out in the vertical direction. .

Thereafter, as indicated by a path K representing a transport path of the paper P, the paper P is transported through a transport path 460 composed of a plurality of pairs of rollers for color development, bleach-fixing, washing and drying. Processor unit 47 that performs each process
Conveyed to 2.

The transport path 460 is provided with a sensor 16A for detecting the paper P.
The processing area can be calculated based on the time when the leading end and the trailing end of the paper P are detected by the sensor 16A, the conveying speed of the paper P, and the width of the paper P known in advance.

Thus, the printing exposure processing for one frame of the image of the negative film N is completed.

By repeating this, the papers P subjected to the printing exposure processing are sequentially conveyed to the processor unit 472 one by one.

A color developing solution is stored in the color developing tank 474 in the processor section 472, and the paper P is immersed in the color developing solution to perform the color developing process.

The color-developed paper P is conveyed to a bleach-fixing tank 476 adjacent to the color developing tank 474. A bleach-fixing solution is stored in the bleach-fixing tank 476, and the paper P is immersed in the bleach-fixing solution to perform the bleaching process and the bleach-fixing process.

The paper P that has been subjected to the bleach-fixing process is provided with a plurality of first washing tanks 478A, second washing tanks 478B, third washing tanks 478C, and fourth washing tanks adjacent to the bleach-fixing tank 476 and respectively storing washing water. The paper P is conveyed to a washing section 478 including a tank 478D, and the paper P is immersed in washing water in the washing tank to perform a washing process.

The paper P having been subjected to the water-washing treatment is washed with a water-washing section 478.
Is transported to the drying unit 480 located above the printer.

The drying unit 480 exposes the paper P to hot air that is blown upward from a chamber (not shown) disposed below the paper P transport path.
Allow to dry.

A transport path 484 including a plurality of pairs of rollers is provided downstream of the drying unit 480 in the transport direction of the paper P.
The paper P discharged from 80 is discharged to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 400 while being sandwiched by the plurality of pairs of rollers, and is stacked on the product stock unit 486.

As shown in FIG. 4, an auxiliary tank 40 is provided on the color developing tank 474 in the direction of arrow F.

An opening 44 is formed in the partition 42 between the color developing tank 474 and the auxiliary tank 40 so that the color developing solution can flow between the color developing tank 474 and the auxiliary tank 40. I have.

One end of a pipe 46 is connected to the bottom of the auxiliary tank 40, and the other end of the pipe 46 is connected to the suction side of a circulation pump 48.

One end of a pipe 52 having a heater 50 for heating the color developing solution at an intermediate portion is connected to the discharge side of the circulation pump 48. The other end of the pipe 52 is connected to a nozzle 36 (not shown in FIG. 4) provided at the bottom of the color developing tank 474.

Therefore, the color developing solution is supplied to the circulation pump 4
8, the auxiliary tank 40, the pipe 46, the circulation pump 4
8, circulates again to the auxiliary tank 40 via the pipe 52, the nozzle 36, and the color developing tank 474, is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 50, and the composition is made uniform.

The upper part of the auxiliary tank 40 is closed by a top surface 54.

As shown in FIG. 1, the top surface 54 is formed with an opening 56 for charging a granular replenisher 93 to be replenished from a screw feeder 88 described later into the tank. As shown in FIG. 4, one end of a pipe 58 for replenishing the replenishing water is connected.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pump 60 and a water tank 62 are connected to the other end of the pipe 58.
The water in the water tank 62 is replenished to the auxiliary tank 40 by the operation of 0. (Screw feeder) As shown in FIG.
The processing agent replenishing device 11 for processing a photosensitive material of the present embodiment
Is provided.

The screw feeder 88 has a round pipe-shaped screw outer part 90 which is arranged horizontally.
A speed reducer 92 and a motor 94 are attached in the direction of the arrow R of the screw exterior part 90.

A screw 96 which is coaxially helical is arranged inside the screw exterior part 90.

The screw 96 has one end connected to an output shaft (not shown) of the speed reducer 92, and the other end supported by a bearing 98 attached to the screw outer portion 96.

The screw outer portion 90 is connected to a box 100 for storing a granular replenisher 93 at the upper part on the side of the speed reducer 92, and the lower part on the side opposite to the speed reducer 92 has a discharge extending downward. The pipe 102 is integrally connected.

The lower end of the discharge pipe 102 is a discharge port of the screw feeder 88 from which the replenisher 93 flows out.
It can be located directly above the opening 56 provided in the top surface 54 of the auxiliary tank 40.

The upper opening of the cell 100 is covered with a lid 103 that can be opened and closed. The lid 103 can be closed to close the inside. A packing may be provided inside the opening of the box 100 and / or inside the lid 103 to improve the degree of sealing.

The auxiliary tank 40 has a screw feeder 88
A rotation moving device 298 is provided for rotating in a horizontal plane.

The rotation moving device 298 has a rotation base 300 attached to the lower surface of the speed reducer 92. A hole 302 is formed in the center of the rotating base 300, and a shaft 304 attached to the top surface 54 is inserted into the hole 302. Thereby, the screw feeder 8
8 is rotatable on the top surface 54.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
00 is provided with a sector gear 306.

Further, the control device 17 (FIG. 1)
And not shown in FIG. Motor 3 controlled by
08 is attached. Rotary shaft 31 of motor 308
At 0, a gear 312 that meshes with the sector gear 306 is attached. Therefore, the screw feeder 88 can be rotated by operating the motor 308.

In the box 100 of the screw feeder 88 of the color developing tank 474, a replenisher 93 for color development which has been made into granules is put.

Examples of the color developing replenisher 93 which has been made into granules include, for example, 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl- [β- (methanesulfonamido) ethyl] aniline sulfate, polyethylene glycol, N -Sodium lauroylalanine, disulfoethylhydroxylamine disodium salt, Tinopearl SFP (manufactured by Ciba Geigy),
Sodium sulfite, potassium bromide, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, sodium p-toluenesulfonate, potassium hydroxide, mannitol, potassium carbonate, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ferric ammonium monohydrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, maleic acid, pine flow (Matsuya Chemical ), N-lauroyl sarcosine sodium and the like, but other components may be used.

[0097] The term "granules" as used herein refers to
It is preferably a spherical shape having a diameter of 1 to 10 mm, and more preferably a diameter of 2 to 5 mm. If the diameter of the granules exceeds 10 mm, dissolution takes time, which is not preferable. Also, if the diameter of the granules is smaller than 1 mm,
Poor transportability.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The diameter D is preferably 2 to 10 times the diameter of the granules, and the pitch P of the screw 96 is preferably within the range of 2 to 5 times the diameter of the granules in order to obtain good transportability. Screw 96
If the diameter D and the pitch P are out of the above ranges, the transportability of the granules may be reduced, and the granules may not be transported smoothly.

The granules do not necessarily have to be spherical as long as they have good solubility, but if they have a complicated shape, the transportability is reduced.

Here, when the inner diameter of the discharge pipe 102 is a and the inner diameter of the opening 56 of the top surface 54 is b, it is preferable that the inner diameter b> the inner diameter a.

When the inner diameter b ≦ the inner diameter a, the discharge pipe 10
There is a possibility that a part of the replenishing agent 93 that has fallen from the container 2 and has fallen due to spilling on the top surface 54 does not fall into the tank.

When the distance between the discharge pipe 102 and the top surface 54 is T, it is preferable that T ≒ 0 to 50 mm.

When the interval T between the discharge pipe 102 and the top surface 54 exceeds 50 mm, a part of the replenisher 93 dropped from the discharge pipe 102 spills on the top surface 54 and the like, and a part of the replenisher 93 enters the tank. There is a risk of not falling. Accordingly, the interval between the discharge pipe 102 and the top surface 54 is set to substantially zero,
It is preferable to slide the lower end of the discharge pipe 102 on the upper surface of the top surface 54. (Bleach-fixing tank) The bleach-fixing tank 476 is the color developing tank 4
The only difference from 74 is that the type of the processing liquid is different, and the other configuration is the same as that of the color developing tank 474, so the description of the configuration of the bleach-fixing tank 476 is omitted.

In addition, the bleach-fixing replenisher 93 for granulation is put in the box 100 of the screw feeder 88 of the auxiliary tank 40 connected to the bleach-fix tank 476.

As the bleach-fixing replenisher 93 in the form of granules, for example, ammonium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite, potassium bromide, p-toluenesulfinic acid, N-
Lauroyl sarcosine sodium and the like are included, but components other than these may be used. (Washing tank) As shown in FIG. 2, an auxiliary tank 40 and a screw feeder 88 (both not shown in FIG. 2) are connected to the fourth washing tank 478D in the same manner as the color developing tank 474 and the bleach-fixing tank 476. Have been.

[0106] In the box 100 of the screw feeder 88 of the auxiliary tank 40 connected to the fourth washing tank 478D, a granular replenisher 93 for washing is put.

Examples of the granulated water replenisher 93 (stabilizer) include sodium carbonate monohydrate, 1-
Disodium hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate, Tinopal SFP, sodium sulfite, zinc sulfate 7
Water salt, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, ammonium sulfate, o-phenylphenol, pine flow, N
-Lauroyl sarcosine sodium, etc., but other components may be used.

The driving units such as the exposure unit, the conveying rollers, and the motor are all controlled by the control unit 17.

[0109] The portions of the box 100, the screw outer portion 90, the inner surface of the discharge pipe 102, and the replenishing agent 93 such as the screw 96 are in contact with each other so that the replenishing agent 93 does not easily adhere.
It is coated with a water-repellent member such as Teflon. (Operation) Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The paper P supplied from the paper magazine 414 and having the latent image formed by the exposure unit is subjected to color development processing by the color developing solution in the color developing tank 474, and bleach-fixed by the bleach-fixing solution in the bleach-fixing tank 476. Further, the first washing tank 478A, the second washing tank 478B, the third washing tank 478C, and the fourth washing tank 478D are used for washing.

[0111] The paper P, which has been washed, is dried in a drying section 48.
After being dried with hot air at 0, it is discharged to the product stock unit 486.

The circulating pumps 48 of all the tanks are always operating, and the processing liquid in the tanks is stirred and circulated.

When the paper P is processed, a color developing solution,
Since the bleach-fix solution and the washing water deteriorate, it is necessary to replenish the replenisher 93 necessary for each processing solution according to the processing amount.

The controller 17 calculates the processing area based on the time when the leading and trailing ends of the paper P are detected by the sensor 16A, the conveying speed of the paper P, and the width of the paper P which is known in advance. The replenishing agent 93 (for color development, bleach-fixing and washing) and the diluting water according to the amount of the replenishing agent 93 are replenished for each predetermined processing area so that the replenishing water is replenished for each predetermined processing area. The replenishing device 11 is controlled.

Here, a processing agent replenishing device 1 for processing a photosensitive material
Since the operation of No. 1 is the same, the replenisher 9 is typically added to the color developer.
The case where 3 is added will be described.

Usually, the position of the discharge pipe 102 is
As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the discharge pipe 102 and the opening 56 are arranged so as not to face the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 (in FIG. 5, the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 is visible. The discharge pipe 102 and the top surface 54 are almost in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 1.)

Therefore, the water vapor generated from the heated color developing solution is prevented from entering the inside of the screw feeder 88 through the discharge pipe 102.
It is possible to prevent troubles such as the solidification of the replenisher 93 in the water-dispersed material 00 by the steam generated from the color developing solution and the adhesion to the inner wall surface.

Here, the controller 17 replenishes the replenisher 93 in the following order.

First, the motor 308 is operated to rotate the screw feeder 88 counterclockwise in FIG.
As shown by the solid lines in FIGS.
And the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 are matched.

Next, the motor 94 of the screw feeder 88 is rotated to rotate the screw 96. When the screw 96 rotates, the granular replenisher 93 put in the box 100 is sequentially sent, and falls into the auxiliary tank 40 via the discharge pipe 102.

Since the amount of the replenisher 93 falling from the discharge pipe 102 is proportional to the rotation amount (rotation angle) of the screw 96, the control device 17 supplies a predetermined amount of replenishment corresponding to the processing amount of the paper P. The rotation amount of the motor 94 is controlled so that the agent 93 falls.

Further, the pump 6
0 operates, the water in the water tank 62 is replenished to the auxiliary tank 40 by an amount corresponding to the amount of the replenisher 93, and the concentration and temperature of the color developing solution in the tank are made constant by the operation of the circulation pump 48.

When the motor 94 rotates by a predetermined amount and a predetermined amount of the replenisher 93 falls, the controller 17
8 is operated to rotate the screw feeder 88 to the original position where the discharge pipe 102 does not face the opening 56 (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5).

Since the time for replenishing the replenisher 93 is short (about several seconds), troubles such as solidification of the replenisher 93 of the screw feeder 88 by water vapor generated from the color developing solution and adhesion to the inner wall surface are avoided. It does not occur. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is explained according to. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The screw feeder 88 of the present embodiment
Is mounted on the slide base 302.

The slide base 302 is supported by a guide 304 attached to the top surface 54 of the auxiliary tank 40 so as to be slidable in the directions of arrows L and R.

A rack 306 is mounted on the slide base 302.

A motor 308 controlled by the controller 17 (not shown in FIG. 6) is attached to the top surface 54 of the auxiliary tank 40. A gear 312 meshing with the rack 306 is attached to a rotation shaft 310 of the motor 308. Therefore, by operating the motor 308, the screw feeder 88 can be slid in the directions of the arrows L and R.

Normally, the position of the discharge pipe 102 is as shown in FIG.
As shown by a two-dot chain line, the discharge pipe 102 and the opening 56 are arranged so as not to face the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 (in FIG. 6, the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 is visible in FIG. 6). It is described separately, and in fact, the discharge pipe 1
02 and the top surface 54 are almost in contact with each other. ).

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, water vapor generated from the heated color developing solution is discharged from the discharge pipe 1.
02 is prevented from entering the inside of the screw feeder 88 via the liquid supply device 02, and the granular replenisher 93 put in the box 100 is solidified by water vapor generated from the color developing solution or adheres to the inner wall surface. Can be prevented.

When replenishing the replenisher 93,
The motor 308 is operated to slide the screw feeder 88 in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 6 so that the discharge pipe 102 and the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 are aligned as shown by the solid line in FIG. The replenisher 93 is replenished in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

When the replenishment of the replenisher 93 is completed, the control device 17 rotates the motor 308 to
The screw feeder 88 is slid to the original position where the 2 does not face the opening 56 (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8). Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the screw feeder 88 of this embodiment, the discharge portion 320 is provided at the end of the screw outer portion 90 with the shaft 90 of the screw outer portion 90.
It is rotatably supported around A.

The discharge section 320 has a substantially fan shape when viewed from the axis 90A of the screw outer section 90, and communicates with the inside of the screw outer section 90 on the screw outer section 90 side.

Inside the discharge section 320, there is provided an internal space 322 for communicating the screw exterior section 90 side with the outside.

On the outer peripheral portion of the discharge portion 320, an arc-shaped outer peripheral wall 324 having the axis 90A of the screw exterior portion 90 as the center of curvature is formed on one side in the circumferential direction, and on the other side in the circumferential direction. , The outlet 326 is open.

A motor 328 controlled by the control device 17 is provided on the top surface 54 of the auxiliary tank 40 in the vicinity of the screw exterior part 90 via a metal fitting 330. A pulley 332 is attached to a rotating shaft 330 of the motor 328.

A belt groove 334 is formed in the discharge section 302, and a belt 336 is stretched between the belt groove 334 and the pulley 332.

Therefore, by operating the motor 328, the driving force of the motor 328 is transmitted to the discharge unit 302 via the belt 336, and the discharge unit 302 is rotated in the directions indicated by arrows CW and CW in FIG. be able to.

Normally, the position of the discharge section 302 is such that the discharge port 326 is located at the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 as shown by the solid line in FIG.
And the opening 56 is not
The second outer peripheral wall 324 is closed.

In the present embodiment, the water vapor generated from the warmed color developing solution is prevented from entering the inside of the screw feeder 88 by the outer peripheral wall 324 of the discharge section 302, and the granular Problems such as the solidification of the replenisher 93 by water vapor generated from the color developing solution and the attachment of the replenisher 93 to the inner wall surface can be prevented.

When the replenisher 93 is to be replenished,
The motor 328 is operated to move the discharge unit 302 to the arrow C in FIG.
By rotating in the W direction, the discharge port 326 of the discharge part 302 and the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 are made to coincide with each other, and the screw feeder 88 is operated to replenish the replenisher 93 as in the above-described embodiment.
Replenishment.

When the replenishment of the replenisher 93 is completed, the controller 17 operates the motor 328 to return to the original position where the discharge port 326 of the discharge section 302 does not face the opening 56 (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8). Is rotated as described above. [Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the replenishing device 11 for processing a photosensitive material according to the present embodiment includes a shutter device 64.

The shutter device 64 includes three auxiliary tanks 40.
The shutter 140 and the driving device 70 are formed so as to extend over the shutter 140. The shutter 140 is formed with three holes 66 facing the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40.

The shutter 140 is provided with a color developing tank 474.
Along the pair of guides 72 provided on the top surface 54 of the auxiliary tank 40 (not shown in FIG. 9), the arrow R direction and the arrow R
It is movably supported in the direction.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
0 denotes a motor 74 and a speed reducer 76 mounted on the top surface 54.
One end of a feed screw 78 is connected to a main shaft (not shown) of the speed reducer 76.

The other end of the feed screw 78 is rotatably supported by a bearing 82 attached to the tip of a support rod 80 connected to the speed reducer 76.

A nut 84 is screwed into the feed screw 78, and the nut 84 is
It is connected to.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

Normally, the shutter 140 is moved to the arrow L side so that the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40 is
The screw feeder 88 also moves to the arrow L side, and the lower end of the discharge pipe 102 is closed by the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40.
And the shutter 140 closes the opening of the discharge pipe 102.

Therefore, the water vapor generated from the heated processing liquid is not discharged from the opening 56. In addition, the entrance side of the screw feeder 88 is a lid 103,
Since the discharge pipe 102 on the outlet side is closed by the shutter 140, the dry state of the replenisher 93 inside can be reliably maintained.

In this embodiment, the replenisher 93 is replenished in the following order.

First, the screw feeder 88 is moved by the arrow R
The shutter 140 is moved in the direction of the arrow R by moving the discharge pipe 102 right above the opening 56 so that the hole 66 of the shutter 140 corresponds to the opening 56 of the auxiliary tank 40.

Next, in this state, the screw feeder 8
8 to activate the granular replenisher 9
3 is dropped into the auxiliary tank 40 through the discharge pipe 102 by a predetermined amount.

After dropping the replenisher 93, the shutter 1
40 is moved in the direction of arrow L to return to the original position,
And the screw feeder 88 is moved in the direction of arrow L to return to the original position.

The capacity of the color developer in the color developer tank 474 of this embodiment is 1 to 20 liters, and the bleach-fix tank 476 is used.
The bleach-fix solution has a capacity of 1 to 20 liters and a first washing tank 4
The capacity of the washing water of the second washing tank 478B, the third washing tank 478C, and the fourth washing tank 478D is 0.5 to 10 liters.

These numerical values are merely examples, and may be changed as appropriate according to various conditions such as the type of paper and the material of the processing liquid.

In addition, the photosensitive material processing apparatus 4 of the above embodiment
No. 00 has a vertically long processing tank, in which the paper P once exits the processing liquid and then moves to an adjacent processing tank (crossover type). It may be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus of a type (slit developing type) in which a processing solution is transferred to an adjacent processing tank without going outside through a passage opening (slit) with a blade provided. The shape, paper transport mode, and the like are not limited to these.

The present invention can be applied to an apparatus for processing other photosensitive materials such as a film.

[0161]

As described above, the processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing light-sensitive materials according to the present invention has an excellent effect that a solid processing agent can be reliably and replenished in a prescribed amount since it has the above-mentioned structure. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a processing material replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the processing agent replenishing device for photosensitive material processing of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a photosensitive material processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the processing material replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a processing agent replenishing device 7 for processing a photosensitive material shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line -7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a shutter device of a processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a processing agent replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 photosensitive material processing apparatus 11 processing material replenishing apparatus for photosensitive material processing 54 top surface 56 opening (processing agent input port) 70 driving device (shutter driving device) 88 screw feeder (transporting means) 100 square (reservoir) 140 shutter 298 rotation Moving device (moving means) 320 Discharge unit (discharge port) 474 Color developing tank 476 Bleaching and fixing tank 478A First washing tank 478B Second washing tank 478C Third washing tank 478D Fourth washing tank

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A processing solution for processing a photosensitive material is stored,
A photosensitive material used in a photosensitive material processing apparatus having a tank provided with a processing agent inlet on the top surface covering the upper part, and replenishing a solid replenisher to the processing liquid in the tank via the processing agent inlet. A processing agent replenishing device for processing, comprising: a storage unit for storing the replenishing agent; discharging the replenishing agent stored in the storage unit from a discharging unit; and discharging the replenishing agent discharged from the discharging unit to the processing agent. Transport means for supplying a prescribed amount to the input port, and moving means for moving a part or all of the transport means so as to change the relative position of the discharge section and the processing agent input port, Replenishing device for processing photosensitive materials. 2. The replenishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit rotates the conveying unit. 3. The replenishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means linearly moves said conveying means in a predetermined direction. 4. The replenishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit rotates the discharge unit. 5. The shutter according to claim 1, further comprising: a shutter capable of opening and closing the discharge unit and the processing material input port; and a driving unit configured to drive the shutter. 4. A replenishing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to item 1.