JP2000275812A - Solid processing agent replenishing apparatus for photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid processing agent replenishing device for photosensitive materials constituted in such a manner that the solid processing agents in a hopper to be replenished are uniformly stored from below without solidifying their storage state and that the delivery of the fixed amount of the solid processing agent to a replenishing tank is smoothly, stably and exactly executed without being affected by moisture and being deteriorated in the performance of the processing agents and further without the splashing of the processing agents and the contamination of the outside by the solid processing agents. SOLUTION: This solid processing agent replenishing device for the photosensitive materials has a loading means for loading packages housing the solid processing agents for the photosensitive materials, a feeding means for feeding the solid processing agents which are the contents of these packages into the hopper 21 and a delivery means for delivering the prescribed amount of the solid processing agents from the hopper 21 and replenishing the replenishing tank 5 with these solid processing agents. The solid processing agent replenishing device for the photosensitive materials described above is characterized in that the inside walls of the hopper 21 are perpendicularly constituted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for replenishing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a replenishing apparatus). When the solid processing agent is charged into a hopper for storing the solid processing agent attached thereto, and is further sent to a replenishment tank, the solid processing agent in powder or granular form is smoothly measured and sent out and does not scatter outside the apparatus. A replenishing device for a solid processing agent for photosensitive materials.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A processing agent for a photosensitive material such as a developer, a bleaching agent, a fixing bleaching agent, a fixing agent and a stabilizer for developing a silver halide photographic material is conventionally supplied to a user as a concentrated liquid. Diluted with water or used as a replenisher for an automatic processor. The concentrated replenisher is not only bulky and heavy, but also has a problem that it tends to deteriorate with time. Therefore, it has been proposed to solidify the treating agent.

Powders, granules and tablets are known as solid processing agents for light-sensitive materials (hereinafter sometimes referred to as solid processing agents). Tablets can be said to be the most preferable in that the operator who adjusts the replenisher solution has few problems of directly touching the solid processing agent or scattering and inhaling the powder of the solid processing agent. The problem of powder scattering cannot be ignored at all because the body is formed.

[0004]

The processing agent for a photosensitive material is a solid, and even if it is a powder, a granule or a tablet, an operator directly touches the solid processing agent. Instead, when the solid processing agent is charged, the solid processing agent, especially its powder, scatters from the input port to the outside of the input port, adheres to the wall inside the hopper, creates a cavity inside, and creates a cavity inside the refill tank. In some cases, accurate and smooth delivery of the solid processing agent, especially the powder processing agent, is hindered. Furthermore, the water vapor in the replenishment tank may advance into the hopper, dampen the solid processing agent in the hopper, and deteriorate the performance. The present invention eliminates such problems, and provides a stable, high-reliability solid processing agent replenishment for photosensitive materials that is smooth, accurate, has no scattering of the powder processing agent to the outside, and does not deteriorate the performance. It is an object to provide a device.

[0005]

This object is achieved by any of the following technical means (1) to (8).

(1) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package to a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper A replenishing device for supplying a replenishing tank to the replenishing tank, wherein the hopper has a vertical inner wall.

(2) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package to a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper. A replenishing device for supplying a replenishing tank to the replenishing tank, wherein the hopper is made of polypropylene.

(3) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package to a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper. A solid-state processing agent replenishing device for photosensitive material, comprising: an agitator configured to rotate a shaft having a crank type shaving rod in the hopper, as a shaking means. An apparatus for replenishing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material.

(4) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper. A replenishing device for replenishing a replenishing tank with a replenishing agent, wherein a blocking breaking arm is swingably hung in the hopper. For replenishing solid processing agents.

(5) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper. A solid processing agent replenishing apparatus for a photosensitive material, comprising: a feeding means for feeding an agent to the replenishing tank.
A solid processing agent replenishing device for photosensitive material, which is provided with a mold packing.

(6) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper. A replenishing unit for supplying a replenishing tank to the replenishing tank, the replenishing device for a photosensitive material comprising:
And a second shutter for shutting off the vapor in the replenishment tank is provided also in the introduction path to the replenishment tank below.

(7) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper. A solid processing agent replenishing device for a photosensitive material, comprising: a feeding means for feeding an agent and replenishing the replenishing tank, wherein the solid processing agent extends from an inlet of the solid processing agent toward the inside of the hopper at an upper portion of the hopper. A replenishing device for a solid processing agent for a light-sensitive material, comprising an inner lid having an introduction path for the photosensitive material.

(8) Loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing from the hopper. A photosensitive material solid processing agent replenishing device having a sending means for sending out an agent to replenish the replenishing tank, wherein an agitator shaft provided as a rocking means in the hopper and a screw shaft as the solid processing agent sending means are provided. O provided as a bearing between the inner wall of the hopper
A solid processing agent replenishing device for a photosensitive material, which is rotatably supported via a ring.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 shows a package that can be used in the present invention.

The barrier bag 1 is made of polyethylene (3
0 μm) / aluminum foil (7 μm) / polyethylene (12 μm) / polyethylene terephthalate (12 μm)
m) is formed of a laminated film in which flexible sheets are laminated. JISZ0208 of the laminated film
Is 1 g / m ² · 24 h or less, and has a sufficient moisture-proof property. The flexible packaging material constituting the barrier bag may be any flexible material that can be easily folded inside the package together with the outer flap described later after opening the barrier bag and taking out the solid processing agent therein. .

The flexible packaging material of the package used in the present invention is preferably a laminated film. As a flexible sheet used for each layer of the laminated film, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDP) which is a polymer film used as a general packaging material is used.
E), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), medium density polyethylene, unstretched polypropylene (CPP), stretched polypropylene (OPP), stretched nylon (ONy),
Polyester (PET), cellophane, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), expanded vinylon (OV), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVOH), vinylidene chloride (PV
DC) can be used.

As the flexible sheet, a laminated film produced by coextrusion with a different kind of film, a laminated film produced by changing the stretching angle, and the like can be used.

It is of course possible to combine the density and molecular weight distribution of the film used to obtain the required physical properties of the packaging material. It is preferable that the innermost layer of the laminated film be a heat-sealing layer so that it can be sealed by heat sealing. Examples of the heat fusible film include low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDP).
E) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) produced using a metallocene catalyst, linear low density polyethylene (LL)
DPE), and a film obtained by mixing these films with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film.

Aluminum (A) is added to polyester (PET).
A film having an inorganic vapor deposition layer of (I ₂ O ₃ ) or silica (SIO _X ) may be used. JP-A-6-95302, JP-A-60-151045, JP-A-60-189438,
No. 61-54934, No. 63-30842, No. 63
No. 247703, 63-272668, 63-
No. 283936, No. 63-193144, No. 63-1
Nos. 83839 and 64-16641, JP-A-1-93
348, JP-A-64-77532, JP-A-1-25
No. 1031, No. 2-186338, No. 1-27063
No. 1, No. 2-35048, No. 2-278256,
1-152336, 2-21645, 2
And materials having at least one aluminum foil and an aluminum vapor-deposited layer, as described in US Pat.

The laminated film of the package used in the present invention is preferably a material having a water vapor permeability of 5 g / m ² · 24 h or less and an oxygen permeability of 10 cc / m ² · 24 h or less. The water vapor transmission rate is determined according to JISZ0208 according to a standard method.
It is measured by the following. Oxygen permeability is JISZ17
07. As a material satisfying such oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability, for example, a material having a thickness of 3
There are AL foil (aluminum foil) of ２０20 μm, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and Ny (nylon) on which an inorganic substance such as alumina or silica is deposited, and among them, alumina-deposited PET is preferable.

In the barrier bag formed of the laminated film, a solid processing agent is included, and heat seals 7 and 7 'are provided.
Sealed. The heat sealing method can be performed by a generally well-known method.

A portion below the heat seal 7 is a cut mark 8, and this portion serves as an opening. Printing may be performed as a guide for the cut edge, or a tear strip or the like may be provided so that the seal can be easily opened. However, it is better to avoid anything that impairs the sealing performance.

The outer casing 2 is made of coated cardboard having a basis weight of 400 to 500 g / m ² , and is made of a square tubular sleeve 3.
And flaps 4 and 4 ′ extending from two sides of the square at the upper end of the sleeve 3 to below the cut mark 8. Other materials that can be used as the exterior material include plastic sheets (molded sleeves).

Since the exterior material is coated cardboard or the like, it has the ability to maintain its shape as compared to the barrier bag, and is easy to load into the replenishing device. Further, when the package is taken out of the replenishing device after the solid processing agent has been charged, since the shape can be maintained to some extent by the sleeve 3, unnecessary pressure and torsion are applied to the flexible barrier bag and the flexible barrier bag remains inside. The problem of scattering the solid processing agent can also be reduced. The flaps 4 and 4 ′ are provided with protrusions 5 or 5 ′, and when folded into the inside of the sleeve 3, they engage with the holes 6 provided in the sleeve 3 to provide a locking mechanism that can be fixed. ing. Flaps 4 and 4 '
Is affixed to the barrier bag 1 with glue or the like, and the cut mark 8
After flaps 4 and 4 'are folded inward after the solid processing agent inside is opened and the solid processing agent inside is taken out, the whole opening of the barrier bag 1 is pushed into the inside of the package, and the locking mechanism is used. Since the flap 4 or 4 'does not return to the original position, there is no fear that the solid processing agent remaining inside the barrier bag is ejected to the outside and the powder is scattered.

Below the sleeve 3, there is provided an erroneous loading prevention notch 9 which differs depending on the type of the solid processing agent, and can be engaged with an engaging member provided in a corresponding replenishing device. . With the notch 9 for preventing misloading,
It is possible to prevent a problem that the wrong type of package is loaded in the replenishing device and hinders the developing process.

In order to fix and load the package in the replenishing device, it is preferable that a hole 10 for holding the package is provided so as to engage with an engaging member provided on the replenishing device side.

The label 11 is for the operator to recognize the type of the processing agent so as not to make a mistake, and it is preferable to indicate the type of the solid processing agent by design printing or the like which is easy to see. Instead of the label 11, printing may be performed directly on the sleeve 3.

The fall-preventing function 12 is formed by making a cut in the lower corner of the sleeve 3 and folding it into the inside of the sleeve 3 so as to protrude into a protruding shape. 4 and 4 ′ serve to support the sleeve 3 from falling into the sleeve 3.
The drop prevention function 12 functions as long as it is provided in at least two places at opposite angles, but may naturally be at four corners. Further, the fall prevention function may be provided by another method.

FIG. 2 is a development view of the exterior 2 shown in FIG.

FIGS. 3 to 8 show a series of steps in which the package shown in FIG. 1 is loaded into a replenishing device, a solid processing agent is dropped from the opened package into a hopper, and an empty package is taken out from the replenishing device. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the operation of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state before the package used in the present invention is loaded into the replenishing device. In FIG. 3, an upper portion of a hopper 21 for charging the solid processing agent is provided with an inner lid 2 serving as an opening for receiving the solid processing agent.
2 has a solid processing agent inlet 22A. Hopper 2
Numeral 1 is attached to an automatic developing machine (not shown). The solid processing agent stored in the hopper 21 is appropriately fed to a replenishing tank of the automatic developing machine to be replenished and dissolved in replenishing water. Is prepared.
At the upper end of the hopper 21, a case 2
The fourth case half 24a is rotatably mounted. By being rotatable, when the package is loaded into the package setting case 24, the solid processing agent is supplied to the hopper 21.
The operator can carry out the loading operation at a lower position than when the player is dropped. Usually, since the hopper 21 of the solid processing agent is mounted at a high position in the automatic developing machine, it is excellent that the replenishing device is mounted in a rotary manner in consideration of the simplicity of the operation by the operator.

The case half 24a is connected to the case half 24b by a joint 27. After the package is inserted into one of the case halves 24a and 24b, the other case half is covered and united to form a package. The case 24 is configured. Holding members 25a and 25b for holding the package are provided inside the case halves 24a and 24b. As the holding means, an engaging member that engages with the holding hole 10 of FIG. 1 may be provided inside the case 24 of the package loading means.

The case halves 24a and 24b are provided with clamps 26a and 26b for sandwiching the ends of the barrier bag on the heat seal 7 side (opening side) of the package from both sides.

The connecting half 23b is connected to the case half 24b.
Is preferably provided so as to be engaged with and fixed to the connection concave member 23a on the automatic developing machine side.

The case half 24a has a fastener 2
8 is provided so that the end of the barrier bag on the heat seal 7 'side of the package can be hooked and fixed.

FIG. 4 shows a case 2 of the package loading means.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state where loading has been completed in the inside of the apparatus. The side surface and the bottom of the package are supported by the holding member 25 in the package setting case 24. The end of the barrier bag on the heat seal 7 side (opening side) of the package is sandwiched by clamps 26 from both sides. Barrier bag heat seal 7
Both ends of the (opening side) side and the heat seal 7 ′ side are loaded so as to protrude outside from the clamp 26 side and the joint 27 side of the package setting case 24. When the package is completely loaded, the end of the barrier bag on the heat seal 7 side (opening side) protruding from the clamp 26 side is cut along a cut mark (not shown) below the heat seal 7 and opened. I do. Even if the package is opened, the end of the barrier bag is sandwiched by the clamps 26, so there is no risk of the solid processing agent spilling out.

FIG. 5 shows the state in which the package is opened in FIG. 4 and the case 24 of the package loading means is rotated by 180 ° from the state where the opening is clamped, and is fixed on the hopper 21 to open the package. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where a portion is opened and a solid processing agent is being dropped. Case 24 for package set
Is rotated by 180 °, the opening portion of the package just fits the solid processing agent inlet (opening) 22A of the inner lid 22 of the hopper 21. Due to the 180 ° rotation, the connecting convex member 23b engages with the connecting concave member 23a of the automatic developing machine, and the case 24 of the package loading means and the automatic developing machine are fixed. When the case 24 of the package loading means is landed on the upper portion of the hopper 21, a cam (not shown) connected to the clamp 26 and provided outside the case 24 of the package loading means is pushed by the upper portion of the hopper 21, and the clamp 26 Is released. When the clamp 26 is released, the opening portion of the package is released, and the solid processing agent is dropped by its own weight into the solid processing agent inlet (opening) 22A provided in the inner lid 22 of the hopper 21. The release of the clamp 26 by the cam is an opening means in the solid processing agent introducing means. The opening means is not limited to the cam type, but may be a mechanism which can be manually or automatically released after the refilling device is placed on the hopper. When the solid processing agent is dropped into the hopper, it is preferable that a gap between the replenishing device and the hopper be as small as possible to prevent the powder from scattering. In addition, the barrier bag and the package setting case 24 are provided so that it is easy to confirm that the solid processing agent has been completely dropped and the package has been emptied.
It is preferable to have transparency so that the inside can be distinguished.

As means for preventing scattering even if there is a slight gap, as shown in FIG. 10, the package setting case 24 of the package loading means and the solid state of the inner lid 22 of the hopper 21 which comes into contact therewith. A V-shaped packing 32 is provided at the processing agent input port 22A, and the hopper 21 during the solid processing agent input is provided.
By measuring the cutoff between the inside and the outside, and similarly, by providing the long inner lid 22 of the introduction path 22B following the inlet 22A as shown in FIG. 10, the floating to the outside due to the soaring of the powder can be suppressed. I made it. This is an example of the fifth and seventh embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the opening portion of the package is closed after the solid processing agent has been dropped into the hopper 21 by the solid processing agent charging means. The operator manually pulls the end of the barrier bag on the heat seal 7 ′ side (the side opposite to the opening portion) of the package, and hooks the fastener 28.

The barrier bag is adhered to the flap 4 with glue or the like, and is not attached to the portion of the sleeve 3. Will be pulled inside. The flap 4 is folded into the inside of the sleeve 3. A projection (not shown) provided on the flap 4 and a hole (not shown) provided on the sleeve 3 engage with each other,
The flap 4 is locked with the flap 4 folded inside the sleeve 3. The closing means is not limited to the method of pulling the barrier bag, but may be anything such as folding from the flap 4 side.

FIG. 7 shows the package setting case 24 rotated by 180 ° in a state where the opening portion of the package of FIG. 6 is closed (the flap 4 is folded and locked) and detached from the automatic developing machine. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the state.

As a result, the cam (not shown) provided outside the case 24 of the package loading means and connected to the clamp 26 is returned by a spring (not shown), and the clamp 26 is closed again. At this time, since the opening of the barrier bag is retracted into the sleeve 3, the opening is not again caught by the clamp 26. Further, since the opening of the barrier bag is closed by the locking mechanism between the flap 4 and the sleeve 3 of the package, there is no fear that the solid processing agent may be scattered even in the event that the solid processing agent remains inside.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where the empty package is taken out from the state of FIG. Case half 2
4b is separated from the case half 24a by removing the lid,
The end of the barrier bag on the side of the heat seal 7 ′ that has been hooked on the fastener 28 is removed, and the package is taken out. Fastener 28
Even when the package is removed from the package, the lock mechanism keeps the opening of the package closed and fixed, and since the package is taken out with the opening of the package facing upward, the solid processing agent remains in the package. Even if it was, it scattered and stained around,
There is no danger of sticking to the operator's body.

FIG. 9 shows a mechanism in the solid processing agent feeding means used in the replenishing device of the present invention for opening the opening of the package when the solid processing agent is dropped to make it easier to drop the solid processing agent. FIG. In FIG. 5, an opening claw 29 is provided inside the front side surface of the package setting case 24 of the package loading means so as to be able to perform a vertical movement from the outside. The up and down movement of the opening claw 29 cuts a groove on the side surface of the package setting case 24 as a package loading means, and puts out the handle of the opening claw 29 to the outside.
The operation may be performed manually by an operator. Since the opening claw 29 has a shape tapered downward,
When the opening claw 29 is moved downward, it can be easily inserted into the side surface of the flap 4 which is attached to the barrier bag and has a roof-like closing habit. Since the protrusion 5 for the above-described lock mechanism (mechanism for folding the flap inward and fixing it) projects outward, the opening claw 29 is caught on the protrusion 5 and the flap 4 is pushed open. Will be. Since the amount of the solid processing agent remaining in the package can be further reduced, the problem of powder scattering is reduced. The opening claw in FIG. 9 is an example of a unit for enlarging an opening in the solid processing agent charging unit.

Such a package is loaded and set in a package setting case 24 as a package loading means, and is mounted on a hopper 21 of a photosensitive material solid processing agent replenishing apparatus of the present invention attached to an automatic developing machine. After being placed in close contact with the input port 22A of the inner lid 22 provided in the above, it is opened. That is, as shown in each drawing of FIG. 9, when the opening claw 29 is pushed down, the front end of the package is greatly opened, and the solid processing agent contained therein as shown in the side views of FIGS. 10 and 11. , And is transferred into the hopper 21 through the introduction path 22B of the cylindrical body. The wall surface of the inner wall 31 in the hopper 21 around the introduction path 22B is vertical, and the powder of the solid processing agent is particularly difficult to adhere. As a result, the solid processing agent in the hopper hardly adheres to the wall surface, and thus hardly remains, falls down, and is sequentially sent out to the replenishing tank 51 by the smooth operation of the sending means 37. This is an example of the first embodiment.

Further, it was found that there was a great difference in the adhesion of the powder depending on the material of the wall surface 31, and it was found that the powder of the solid processing agent became very hard to adhere when the material was polypropylene. As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, the solid processing agent in the hopper 21 is hardly attached to the wall surface of the inner wall 31 and therefore hard to be left behind, falls down, and sequentially operates the sending means 37 smoothly. Is sent out to the replenishment tank 51. This is an example of the second embodiment.

If the first and second embodiments are combined, the effect is further stabilized. In addition, the powder of the solid processing agent may cause blocking in the hopper to form a camakura-shaped cavity. In order to make this less likely to occur, a hanger 34A is provided in the hopper 21, and a blocking breaking arm 34 is swingably suspended via the fulcrum 4B. The transferred solid processing agent collides with the arm 34, and the state where the solid processing agent tends to harden as a dumpling is released, and the solid processing agent is stored in the hopper 21.
This is an example of the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the crank-shaped rod 35B is rotated by a rotating shaft so that the blocking is positively broken and the powder of the solid processing agent in the hopper is maintained at a uniform level. Shaking means 3 planted in 35A
5 can be provided as an agitator. This is an example of the third embodiment.

Further, as described above, the package loaded in the package setting case 24 is
It is set in close contact with the input port 22A of the inner lid 22 provided on the hopper 21 of the solid processing agent replenishing device for photosensitive material of the present invention attached to the automatic developing machine.
Is provided with a V-shaped packing 32 so that powder does not scatter outside the apparatus. The V-shaped packing 32 has a V-shaped cross section, and
When a suitable heavy object (here, the case 24 for setting the package body) is mounted on the peripheral surface of A and a proper weight is placed thereon, moderately perfect adhesion can be stably obtained. As a result, scattering of the solid processing agent during transfer is completely prevented. This is an example of the fifth embodiment.

Eliminating the scattering of powder to the outside is very desirable in terms of the working environment, and also eliminates the risk of contamination due to minute mixing of different types of solid processing agents between the processing tanks. That's what it means.

The hopper 21 shown in FIG.
As shown in the side view of the connecting portion to the connecting portion, a funnel-shaped guide 48 is provided at the connecting portion between them, a first shutter 46 is provided at an upper portion of the gadget 48, and a second shutter is provided at a lower portion. 52 are provided. The operation of the first shutter 46 is performed by turning on / off the energization of the rotary solenoid 41 so that the solenoid 41 and the pulley 42 directly connected thereto are transmitted to the pulley 43 connected to the shutter rotation shaft 45 by the timing bell and 44. Is done. Although not shown, the operation of the second shutter 52 is performed in substantially the same configuration.

Since the shutters are opened and closed via the packings 47 and 53 provided at the outlet, the airtightness is good and the ability to shut off the vapor from the replenishment tank is very good.

Experimentally, the total weight was measured in an atmosphere of 35 ° C. and 80% with 1 kg of the solid processing agent charged in the hopper 21. The result is that the weight gain is 0.
It was about 3%, far below 1% of the target value. Thereafter, a sending test by the sending means 37 was started, and sending was repeated several tens of times, and continued until the remaining amount in the hopper became 50 g or less. During that time, the hunting (error) of each feed amount was ± 10%, and the feed was normal. When the solid processing agent contains moisture, the delivery becomes unstable, but the results of this test confirmed that the solid processing agent was normal.

This eliminates the possibility that the water vapor in the replenishing tank enters the hopper 21 to wet the powder in the hopper 21 and deteriorate the quality of the solid processing agent. This is an example of the sixth embodiment.

In this manner, the solid processing agent in the hopper 21 that has been blocked by the shutters 46 and 52 is replenished by passing the guides 48 and the shooter 54 by operating the screw 37 by opening the two shutters by the replenishment signal. The replenisher is fed into the tank 51 and is replenished with the replenishing water supplied by the water pipe 56 to form a replenisher. The replenisher is sequentially supplied to the processing tank (for example, the developing tank 61) via the filter 51A and its outlet 55.

Further, as shown in the side view of FIG. 10, the solid processing agent is transferred from the charging port 22A into the hopper 21 through the cylindrical introduction path 22B.
With the introduction port 22A and the introduction path 22B of the cylindrical body, the solid processing agent is not scattered to the outside, and both are integrated into the inner lid 22.
By unclamping the hopper 21 with the hopper 21 (not shown) and removing the hopper 21, the hopper 21 is largely opened, so that the inside of the hopper 21 is easily cleaned and the management of the automatic developing machine on a daily basis is made more efficient. This is an example of the seventh embodiment.

The upper cover 2 is located close to the inner cover 22 and on the upper side.
2U, which is provided above the inner lid 22 with the support section 22C
Is turned around 90 degrees to be openable. Upper lid 22
When U is closed, the inlet 22A is closed via the V-shaped packing 32, and while the solid processing agent is shaken or sent out from the hopper, splashing to the outside due to upward blowing is prevented. Completely shut off. Also,
There is no danger of moisture from the outside.

Further, as schematically shown in the side view of FIG. 11, the rotating shafts 35A and 37A of the agitator as the shaking means 35 and the screw as the sending means 37 for sending out the solid processing agent, and the inner wall of the hopper 21 An O-ring 36 is provided as a bearing between the O-ring 31. As a result, the powder of the solid processing agent scatters from the bearing portion of the hopper 21 to the outside, and the hopper 2
1 is prevented from entering. This is an example of the eighth embodiment.

[0060]

According to the replenishing device for solid processing agents for light-sensitive materials of the present invention, the accumulation state of the solid processing agents in the hopper is uniformly stored from below without solidifying, and is not affected by moisture. The processing agent is not deteriorated in performance and the processing agent is not scattered.Therefore, there is no contamination by the external solid processing agent, and the fixed amount of the solid processing agent is smoothly and stably sent to the replenishing tank. Now you can do it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a package of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a developed view of the exterior of the package of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state before the package of the present invention is loaded into a replenishing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state where the package has been completely loaded into a package setting case of the refilling device.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where a solid processing agent is being dropped from a package loaded in the replenishing device of the present invention to a hopper.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the opening portion of the package has been closed after the solid processing agent has been dropped in the refilling device loaded with the package of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the replenishing device is detached from the automatic developing machine in a state where an opening portion of the package of the present invention is closed.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where an empty package is taken out from the replenishing device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a mechanism for expanding the opening of the package when the solid processing agent is dropped in the replenishing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial side view showing a joint between a hopper and a replenishing tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a hopper that stores a solid processing agent used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Barrier bag 2 Exterior 3 Sleeve 4 Flap 5 Projection 6 Hole 7 Heat seal 8 Cut mark 9 Notch for preventing incorrect loading 10 Holding hole 11 Label 12 Fall prevention function 21 Hopper 22 Inner lid 22A Inlet (opening) 22B Introducing path 23 Connecting member 24 Package setting case 25 Holding member 26 Clamp 27 Joint 28 Fastener 29 Opening claw 31 Inner wall 32 V-shaped packing 34 Blocking breaking arm 35 Shaking means 36 O-ring 37 Sending means 46 First shutter 47, 53 Packing 48 Guide 51 Refill tank 52 Second shutter 56 Water pipe 61 Developing tank

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // G03G 15/08 112 G03G 15/08 112 113 113 113

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. A replenishing device for replenishing the replenishing tank with the replenishing tank, wherein the inner wall of the hopper is configured to be vertical. 2. A charging means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. A replenishing device for replenishing the replenishment tank with a replenishing tank, wherein the material of the hopper is made of polypropylene. 3. A loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. A replenishing device for replenishing the replenishment tank with a photosensitive material, wherein an agitator configured to rotate a shaft having a crank type rocking rod in the hopper is provided as the rocking means. An apparatus for replenishing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material. 4. A loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. A replenishing device for replenishing the replenishment tank with the replenishing tank, wherein the blocking breaking arm is swingably hung in the hopper. Solid processing agent replenishing device. 5. A loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. For supplying a solid processing agent to the replenishing tank for feeding the solid processing agent, wherein a V-shaped packing is mounted on an inlet of the solid processing agent of the hopper. Solid processing agent replenishing device. 6. A loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package into a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. A replenishing device for replenishing the replenishment tank with a first shutter provided at the outlet of the solid processing agent of the hopper and introducing the replenishment tank below. A replenishing device for a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, wherein a second shutter for blocking the vapor of the replenishing tank is provided also on the road. 7. A loading means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package to a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. And a feeding means for feeding the solid processing agent to the replenishment tank, the solid processing agent replenishing device for a photosensitive material, wherein the solid processing agent extends from an input port of the solid processing agent toward the inside of the hopper at an upper portion of the hopper. An apparatus for replenishing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, comprising an inner lid having an introduction path. 8. A charging means for loading a package containing a solid processing agent for a photosensitive material, a charging means for charging the solid processing agent contained in the package to a hopper, and a predetermined amount of the solid processing agent from the hopper. A photosensitive material solid processing agent replenishing device having a sending means for sending out and replenishing the replenishing tank, wherein an agitator shaft provided as a rocking means in the hopper and a screw shaft as the solid processing agent sending means, A solid processing agent replenishing apparatus for photosensitive material, wherein the apparatus is rotatably supported via an O-ring provided as a bearing between the hopper and an inner wall of the hopper.