JP2002055425A - Processing device for sensitive material and oxidation promoting method for processing liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a processing device which well promotes the oxidation of a processing liquid in a processing tank where the bleach processing of color photographic paper is carried out to a small size. SOLUTION: A discharge port 26 which is formed in a position higher than the liquid level L of the processing liquid is formed in an upper position of a processing tank B where the bleach fixing of the color photographic paper is carried out. A guide member 25 which assumes an inclined posture is formed in the position continuous with this discharge port 26 and the processing liquid discharged from the discharge port 26 is run down to the liquid level L along a downflow route F at the top surface of the guide member 25, by which the processing liquid is positively brought into contact with air and the oxidation thereof is promoted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a photosensitive material and a method for accelerating the oxidation of a processing solution. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a photosensitive material provided with a processing tank for performing bleaching processing of a photosensitive material. To promote technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a technique for accelerating the oxidation of a processing solution in a photosensitive material processing apparatus having a processing tank for performing bleaching processing of a photosensitive material as described above, JP-A-9-5971 and JP-A-10-207032. There is a technology disclosed in the gazette, and the former of this technology forms a path for sending a processing liquid from an aeration tank to a processing tank via a sub-tank, and supplies air to the aeration tank. The treatment liquid in the aeration tank is brought into contact with air to promote oxidation.
In the latter technique, the latter forms a path for sending the processing liquid from the oxidation-reduction tank to the processing tank, and the processing liquid is brought into contact with air by blowing the processing liquid in a shower form in the oxidation-reduction tank. Promote oxidation.

[0003]

Considering the prior art cited in the publication numbers, it is necessary to avoid an increase in the size of any of the techniques because an oxidation tank is required separately from the treatment tank. However, since a path for supplying the processing liquid from the tank to the processing tank is required, the structure becomes complicated, and there is a need for room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a small-sized processing apparatus capable of satisfactorily promoting the oxidation of a processing solution in a processing tank for performing a bleaching process of a photosensitive material, and to oxidize the processing solution rationally. The point is to construct the method rationally.

[0005]

The features, operations and effects of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] A processing apparatus for a photosensitive material provided with a processing tank for performing bleaching processing of a photosensitive material, comprising an oxidation accelerating means for increasing an area where a processing solution and air come into contact in the processing tank for performing bleaching processing. It is in the point.

According to the above-mentioned features, the oxidation promoting means expands the area where the processing liquid comes into contact with air in the processing tank. The amount of possible processing liquid can be increased. As a result, there is no need to separately provide an aeration tank outside the aeration air pump or the processing tank, or even if a tank is provided outside, a small-sized one is sufficient.

The features, operations and effects of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] In the apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to claim 1, the oxidation promoting means discharges a processing liquid from a position higher than a liquid level of the processing tank, and a supply mechanism for transmitting the processing liquid to the discharge port. In that it comprises:

According to the above feature, the processing liquid sent to the discharge port by the supply mechanism is sent out from the discharge port at a position higher than the liquid level to the liquid level in the processing tank. It comes into contact with air and oxidizes until it reaches the liquid level from the outlet. As a result, the processing liquid can be efficiently oxidized even in a relatively narrow space above the liquid level in the processing tank.

The features, functions and effects of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] The processing apparatus for a photosensitive material according to claim 2, further comprising a pump for circulating a processing liquid in the processing tank, and forming a system for supplying a processing liquid sent by the pump to the discharge port. The point is that the mechanism is configured.

According to the above feature, the pump for circulating the processing liquid can also be used as the supply mechanism for sending the processing liquid to the discharge port, so that it is not necessary to specially provide a pump for sending the processing liquid to the discharge port. . As a result, the oxidation of the developing solution can be promoted with a simple structure.

The features, functions and effects of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] In the apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to claim 1, the oxidation accelerating means is disposed at a position where a part of the oxidation accelerating means is submerged below the liquid surface of the processing tank, and the processing liquid adheres to the outer surface by rotating. A rotating member that lifts the liquid above the liquid level,
And a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating member.

According to the above feature, the drive mechanism rotates the rotating member, so that the developing solution adhering to the outer surface of the rotating member is lifted to a position higher than the surface of the processing solution and comes into contact with air. The surface of the processing liquid is oxidized, and the liquid surface of the processing liquid is increased by the rotation of the rotating member, thereby increasing the liquid level of the processing tank. As a result, the processing liquid can be efficiently oxidized even in a relatively narrow space above the liquid level in the processing tank.

The features, operations and effects of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 4, the rotating member has a plurality of recesses formed in an outer peripheral portion thereof, and is rotatably supported around an axis parallel to a liquid surface of the processing tank. It is in the point.

[Operation / Effect] According to the above feature, since a plurality of recesses are formed in the rotating member, the surface area is larger than that of the rotating member having a smooth circumference, so that high-speed rotation can be achieved. Even if it is not performed, the processing solution can be efficiently oxidized, and since the axis of the rotating member is set parallel to the liquid surface of the processing tank, the rotating member is elongated in the axial direction. In this case, the processing liquid can be oxidized by effectively using the outer surface of the rotating member. As a result, even when the rotating member is rotated at a low speed, the treatment liquid can be oxidized well.

The features, functions and effects of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention are as follows. (Features) In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, a roller for feeding the photosensitive material to the processing tank is disposed at an upper position of the processing tank, and power from the roller is applied to the rotating member. The drive mechanism is constituted by a transmission member for transmission.

According to the above feature, since the rotating force of the roller transmits the transmitting member to the rotating member to rotate the rotating member, it is necessary to specially provide an actuator such as an electric motor for rotating the rotating member. There is no. As a result, the oxidation of the developing solution can be promoted with a simple structure.

The features, functions and effects of the method for promoting oxidation of a processing solution according to claim 7 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] The processing solution in the processing tank that performs bleaching
The point is that the liquid is sent to a position higher than the liquid level in the processing tank, and is sent toward the liquid level in the processing tank while contacting air inside the processing tank.

According to the above feature, the processing liquid in the processing tank is sent to a position higher than the liquid level in the processing tank, and then sent while touching air inside the processing tank. It is possible to increase the amount of the processing liquid oxidizable by oxygen in the air in a time. In other words, by sending the processing liquid from a position higher than the liquid level in the processing tank toward the liquid level, the area where the processing liquid comes into contact with air is positively enlarged to promote oxidation. As a result, there is no need to separately provide a tank outside the processing tank, or even if a tank is provided outside, a small-sized tank is sufficient.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, an exposing unit for cutting a silver halide color photographic paper 1 as a photosensitive material sent from a photographic paper magazine M into a print size and exposing it at an exposure position. EX, a developing unit DE for developing the exposed photographic paper 1, and a drying unit DR for drying and sending the photographic paper 1 developed by the developing unit DE Is configured as a photo print device.

The exposing section EX has a transport mechanism 2 for transporting the photographic paper 1 from the photographic paper magazine M to the exposure position. In order to perform the exposure of the image information, a projection exposure type having an exposure mechanism having a light source 3, a film carrier 4, and an optical lens 5 is provided. Note that this exposure mechanism is not limited to the projection exposure type, but a fluorescent beam type for exposing digitally converted image information to the photographic paper 1,
A liquid crystal shutter method, a DMD method, a laser beam scanning method, or an exposure head such as a FOCRT may be used.

The development processing section DE includes one development processing tank 7, one bleach-fixing tank 8, and four stabilization tanks 9 for performing the development processing of the exposed photographic paper. (Hereinafter, collectively referred to as a processing tank B). Each of the processing tanks B has basically the same configuration. For example, in the case of the bleaching / fixing tank 8, as shown in FIG. And a small-capacity sub-tank 12 opened upward.
A circulation system is provided which sucks the processing liquid of No. 2 into the pipe via the filter 13 and sends it from the circulation pump 15 to the main tank 11 via the pipe. Although not shown in the drawing,
In the development processing unit DE, the sub-tank 12 includes a heater for controlling the temperature of the processing liquid, a level sensor for controlling the liquid level of the processing liquid, and a level sensor for controlling the liquid level of the processing liquid. A replenishing system for replenishing the processing liquid is provided.

The transport mechanism C for feeding the photographic printing paper 1 to the respective processing tanks B is also basically basically the same. That is, the transport mechanism C is configured as a transport roller unit that can be pulled out upward from the main tank 11, and FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the transport roller unit includes a pair of vertical frames 18 in a vertically long position, and a connecting frame 19 connecting the pair of vertical frames, and is rotatably supported around an axis in a horizontal position. Transport rollers 2
0, and a pressure roller 21 disposed on both sides of the transport roller 20 in a pressure-bonded state. A path is formed in one of the vertical frames 18 for distributing the processing liquid supplied from the circulation pump 15 to each part of the processing tank. That is, the vertical frame 18 has a side wall 18A.
Is formed into a box shape having a rectangular cross section by being closed with a supply port 22 through which the processing liquid is supplied to the bottom surface thereof.
Are formed on the roller-side wall surface of the vertical frame 18 so as to form a plurality of branch ports 23 in two rows along the vertical direction. The branch ports 23 are effective for development processing in the transport roller unit and averaged. It is in communication with a site that can supply the processing liquid.

Further, in this transport roller unit C, FIG.
A transport path on the carry-in side is formed so that the photographic paper 1 is fed obliquely downward and to the right from the upper left, and is sent between the transport roller 20 at the upper end and the pressure roller 21 on the left. The photographic paper 1 guided downward from the transport roller 20
The transport direction is switched upward along the outer circumference of the transport roller 20 at the lower end, and after this switching, the right side of the transport roller 20 is fed upward, and the transport roller 20 at the upper end and the pressure roller 21 at the right side are pressed. The transport path on the unloading side is formed so as to be sent out obliquely upward and to the right in a state where it is performed.

The above description is basically the same as the conventional structure of the processing tank B. In the photographic printing apparatus of the present invention, the bleach-fix processing tank 8 is aerated within the processing tank B. The feature is that oxidation promoting means X for promoting the oxidation of the processing liquid by the method is provided.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, at the upper position of the transport roller unit, on the loading side (left side in FIG. 3) of the photographic paper 1, the printing paper 1 is immersed in the processing liquid level from a position higher than the liquid level L. Guide member 25 whose upper surface is inclined over the position
Is arranged over the pair of vertical frames 18, and is positioned parallel to the liquid surface L (the axis of the transport roller 20) at a position higher than the liquid surface L of the processing liquid on the upper surface of the guide member 25. Is formed in a wide width in a direction along the axis of the transport roller 20, so that the flow-down path having a wide width extends from the discharge port 26 to the liquid level L. F is formed.

The discharge port 26 communicates with the upper opening 27 formed in the wall of the vertical frame 18 on the side to which the processing liquid is supplied as described above (see FIG. 5). By setting the pressure of the processing liquid supplied to the nozzle to a value sufficient to pump the processing liquid to the height of the discharge port 26,
The processing liquid supplied from the supply port 22 of the vertical frame 18 to the inside of the vertical frame 18 can be sent out from the discharge port 26. In this embodiment, the discharge port 26,
The path for supplying the processing liquid to the discharge port 26 and the circulation pump 15 as a supply mechanism for circulating the processing liquid constitute the oxidation promoting means X.

When developing with this photographic printing apparatus, trivalent iron ions contained in the bleaching agent such as EDTA ferric chelate contained in the bleach-fixing solution are reduced by the processing of the photographic paper 1. However, according to the present invention, the flow-down path F for sending the processing liquid from the discharge port 26 to the liquid level L is formed with a wide width. Therefore, even when the photographic printing paper 1 is being processed, the processing liquid flows through the flow passage F having a wide width. At this time, a large amount of the processing liquid comes into contact with the air, and the oxygen in the air causes the divalent water in the processing liquid to flow. As a result of the oxidation of iron ions into trivalent iron ions by oxidation, the processing ability of the bleaching agent is restored. In particular, according to this configuration, the processing liquid sent from the discharge port 26 does not drop freely onto the liquid surface L, but flows into the liquid surface L along the flow-down path F. It is possible to avoid inconvenience of causing a problem of bubbling the liquid surface L, such as a device that allows the liquid to freely drop on the liquid surface L. In addition, the circulation pump 15
, The need for a special pump is eliminated.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as those in the first embodiment. ing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional shape is slightly shorter in the axial direction than the conveying roller 20 and has a cross-sectional shape just above the conveying roller 20 located at the uppermost part of the processing tank B. Is disposed at a position where a part of the rotating member 31 partially sinks below the liquid level L of the processing liquid. The rotating member 31 is formed in a water wheel shape by forming a plurality of groove-shaped concave portions 31A having an attitude along the axial direction with respect to the outer surface, and the both ends of the support shaft 32 are transport roller unit C , And a support shaft 3 located inside the transport roller unit C (on the side of the transport roller 20).
2 is provided with a pair of driven disks 33 that rotate integrally with the support shaft 32 and come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller 20. The oxidation member X is constituted by the rotating member 31 and a driven disk 33 as a transmission member for transmitting power from the transport roller 20 to the rotating member 31.

With this configuration, when the transport roller 20 rotates, the rotational force of the transport roller 20 is transmitted to the rotating member 31 via the driven disk 33.
The rotating member 31 is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 20, and during this rotation, when the processing liquid attached to the outer periphery of the rotating member 31 is lifted to a position higher than the liquid level L, and when the processing liquid is higher than the liquid level L The processing liquid is applied from the position L
When the processing liquid is brought down, the processing liquid is brought into contact with air, and as a result, a large amount of processing liquid is oxidized by oxygen in the air.

In the second embodiment, the rotary member 31 is formed into a gear shape in cross section as shown in FIG. 8A, or is rotated in the axial direction as shown in FIG. It is also possible to form a cross-sectional shape into a complicated shape in which the concave portion 31A is formed in a slit shape, and the surface area of the rotating member 31 is increased and the area where the processing liquid comes into contact with air is increased regardless of the structure employed. It is expanding. Although not shown in the drawings, the material of the rotating member 31 may be made of a material having water absorption.

When the photographic printing apparatus according to the second embodiment performs the developing process, the trivalent phenol contained in the bleaching agent such as EDTA ferric chelate contained in the bleach-fixing solution by the processing of the photographic paper 1 is used. Although the oxidation ability is reduced by the reduction of iron ions to divalent iron ions, according to the present invention, the rotating member 31 moves the processing liquid over a relatively wide width to a position higher than the liquid level L. After being lifted, it is lowered to the liquid level L, so that the processing liquid thus lifted is converted into trivalent iron ions by oxidation of divalent iron ions in the processing liquid due to oxygen in the air. The recovery of the processing capacity is performed. In particular, according to this configuration, since the plurality of concave portions 31A are formed on the outer periphery of the rotating member 31, not only the amount of the processing liquid lifted with the rotating member when the rotating member 31 rotates, but also the processing liquid The surface area that comes into contact with air is also increased so that good oxidation can be performed, and further, there is no need to specially provide an electric motor for rotating the rotating member 31.

In particular, in the present invention, the first embodiment,
The second embodiment is combined with the second embodiment, that is, the processing liquid is caused to flow down from the discharge port 26 to the liquid level L of the processing tank B, and at the same time, the rotation member 31 lifts the processing liquid to oxidize the processing liquid. The accelerating means X can be configured. Further, in order to simply undulate the liquid level L of the processing liquid, for example, a vibration member vibrated by the driving force of an actuator is brought into contact with the liquid level L of the processing liquid. , Or by appropriately combining them. Further, the present invention can be applied to a processing tank B for performing bleaching processing of a color photographic film other than a silver halide photographic paper.

As described above, according to the present invention, the bleach-fix processing tank 8 is provided with a structure in which the processing liquid flows down from a high position to the liquid surface of the processing tank B, and the processing liquid is moved upward from the liquid level L. It is possible to employ an oxidizing means X for positively oxidizing the processing liquid by enlarging an area where the processing liquid and air come into contact with each other, such as a mechanism having a mechanism for lowering the processing liquid to the liquid level after lifting. By adopting an oxidation accelerating method in which the processing liquid comes into contact with air at a position higher than the liquid level L in the processing tank, the bleach-fixing solution is positively oxidized without increasing the size of the entire apparatus, and the processing capacity is increased. And the photosensitive material can be satisfactorily processed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a photographic printing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a circulation path of a processing liquid in a processing tank.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the processing tank.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a frame structure of a transport roller unit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation system of the processing liquid.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the processing tank.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a rotating member and a driven disk.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a different embodiment of the rotating member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 photosensitive material 15 supply mechanism / pump 20 roller 26 discharge port 31 rotating member 31A recess 33 transmission member B processing tank L liquid level X oxidation promoting means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for processing a photosensitive material, comprising a processing tank for performing a bleaching process on the photosensitive material, wherein the oxidizing device increases an area where a processing solution and air come into contact in the processing tank for performing the bleaching process. An apparatus for processing a photosensitive material, comprising an accelerating means. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said oxidation promoting means includes a discharge port for supplying a processing liquid from a position higher than a liquid level in said processing tank, and a supply mechanism for supplying the processing liquid to said discharge port. Item 2. An apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to Item 1. 3. The supply mechanism comprises a pump for circulating a processing liquid in the processing tank, and a system for supplying a processing liquid sent by the pump to the discharge port. An apparatus for processing the photosensitive material according to the above. 4. A rotation in which the oxidation accelerating means is arranged at a position where a part of the oxidation liquid is submerged below the liquid surface of the processing tank, and lifts the processing liquid attached to the outer surface to a position higher than the liquid surface by rotating. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a member and a driving mechanism for rotating the rotating member. 5. The photosensitive material according to claim 4, wherein the rotating member has a plurality of recesses formed in an outer peripheral portion thereof and is rotatably supported around an axis parallel to a liquid surface of the processing tank. Processing equipment. 6. A driving mechanism comprising a roller for feeding a photosensitive material to the processing tank at an upper position of the processing tank, and a transmission member for transmitting power from the roller to the rotating member. An apparatus for processing a photosensitive material according to claim 3. 7. A processing solution in a processing tank for performing bleaching processing of a photosensitive material is sent to a position higher than the liquid level in the processing tank, and is directed toward the liquid level in the processing tank while being exposed to air inside the processing tank. A method for accelerating the oxidation of the processing solution to be sent.