JP2002311551A - Processing solution replenishing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing solution replenishing system capable of replacing a replenishing container with the degree of freedom in time by suppressing free contact with air as much as possible and eliminating the necessary of timewise continuation of a point of time that the container is emptied to a point of time when the container is substituted. SOLUTION: An airtight stock container 40 capable of temporarily storing a processing solution supplied from a replenishing container 50 is arranged on a replenishing passage 60. The inside of the container 40 is divided into a liquid space 40a storing the processing solution and an air space 40b, and a suction pump 91 and an air supply pump 92 are positioned as pressure rise/ drop means 90 for applying pressure drop lower than atmospheric pressure and pressure rise exceeding the atmospheric pressure to the air space 40b in order to transfer the processing solution from the container 50 to the container 40 and transfer the processing solution from the container 40 to a processing tank 31.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing solution replenishing system for replenishing a processing bath for developing a photosensitive material with a processing solution, the system containing a processing solution and sending out the stored processing solution. And a refill container whose volume only decreases.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a processing liquid replenishing system as described above, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-2955, a replenishing container is constituted by a bag-like container made of a flexible sheet material, and a processing tank is formed by a replenishing pump. The volume of this bag-shaped container is reduced by the amount of the processing solution sent out through the replenishment flow channel, and the catheter portion provided at the tip of the replenishment flow channel is pierced into the bag-shaped container, thereby forming the bag-shaped container and the replenishment flow channel. Are connected in a state sealed from the outside air. When the processing liquid is sent from the bag-shaped container to the processing tank by the replenishment pump, the processing liquid is sucked out of the bag-shaped container in an airtight state and sent into the processing tank due to the depression of the bag-shaped container. For this reason, contact with air that causes deterioration of the processing liquid is avoided. Further, since the empty bag-shaped container has a small volume, the collection and transport operation is also facilitated.

[0003]

However, in the processing solution replenishment system described above, while the replenishment of the processing solution from the bag-shaped container to the processing tank is performed several times, the running out of the bag-shaped container is detected. The operator is notified of the out-of-liquid detection, and the operator can replace the bag-like container with a new bag-like container and pierce the catheter section again to perform the next replenishment for the first time. It is necessary to have time continuity with the time of replacement. Otherwise, the replenishment container must be replaced with a new one while the processing solution remains, or the replenishment container remains empty, that is, even if a replenishment request occurs, replenishment cannot be performed unless the replenishment container is replaced. Therefore, the developing process is continued. The former is economically and environmentally unfavorable, and the latter must be avoided as far as possible in terms of development quality. As a result, the operator always needs to be aware of the notification of the liquid shortage. In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to minimize the need for free contact with air as much as possible, and to make it necessary to have a temporal continuity between the time when the replenishing container becomes empty and the time when the replenishing container is replaced. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing solution replenishment system capable of exchanging a replenishing container with a degree of freedom by eliminating the processing solution.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a processing tank for developing a photosensitive material is stored with a processing liquid to be replenished, and the volume of the processing liquid is reduced by the amount of the stored processing liquid sent out. In the processing solution replenishment system according to the present invention, which includes a container and a replenishing flow path that connects the replenishing container and the processing tank, the processing liquid from the replenishing container is temporarily stored in the replenishing flow path. A possible airtight storage container is provided, and the inside of the storage container is divided into a liquid space in which the processing liquid is stored and a gas space formed above the liquid space, and the replenishment flow path is A first flow path connecting the storage container and the processing tank, and a second flow path connecting the storage container and the replenishing container, wherein the first flow path opens into the liquid space and the second flow path The path goes to the gas space To transfer the processing liquid from the replenishing container to the storage container and to transfer the processing liquid from the storage container to the processing tank, the pressure drop below the atmospheric pressure and the atmospheric pressure with respect to the gas space. Pressure raising / lowering means for raising the pressure is provided.

[0005] In this configuration, the processing liquid stored in the replenishing container is reduced from the replenishing container by reducing the pressure of the gas space in the storage container to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, that is, a negative pressure by the pressure raising / lowering means. Is sucked into the storage container, and when all of the processing liquid stored in the refill container moves to the storage container, the empty refill container can be replaced with a new refill container at any time. The processing liquid is sent from the storage container to the processing tank by raising the pressure of the gas space of the storage container to above atmospheric pressure by the pressure raising / lowering means, whereby the processing liquid is pushed out of the liquid space of the storage container and replenished to the processing tank in an appropriate amount. Is done.

Accordingly, the replacement of the replenishing container is performed during a relatively long time interval from the time when all of the processing liquid contained in the replenishing container is transferred to the storage container to the time when the liquid space in the storage container becomes empty. It should be done at. Since there is no need to make the time at which the replenishing container becomes empty and the time at which the replenishing container is replaced at the same time as in the conventional system, the operator can replace the replenishing container with a time flexibility. In addition, since air does not always flow through the gas space of the storage container, free contact between the processing liquid temporarily stored in the storage container and the air is suppressed.

As one of preferred embodiments of the above-mentioned pressure raising / lowering means, in the present invention, it is proposed that the pressure raising / lowering means comprises a suction pump for sucking gas from the gas space and an air supply pump for supplying gas to the gas space. Have been. In this configuration, the processing liquid stored in the replenishing container is sucked into the storage container from the replenishing container by reducing the pressure in the gas space of the storage container to a negative pressure using the suction pump.
Conversely, the pressure of the gas space of the storage container is increased by the air supply pump, and the processing liquid is pushed out of the liquid space, whereby the processing liquid is replenished from the storage container to the processing tank in an appropriate amount in a timely manner. At that time, in a case where the pushing out of the processing liquid using the air supply pump has a problem with accuracy or efficiency, it is proposed to provide a replenishing pump in the first flow path connecting the storage container and the processing tank. In this case, although the capacity of the gas supply pump is sufficient to raise the pressure state of the gas space in the storage container to a level at which the processing liquid can be smoothly transferred by the replenishing pump, the gas space by the gas supply pump is sufficient. The replenishment pump, which benefits from the increased pressure, can be operated at a light load, which also favors a stable and appropriate delivery of processing liquid by the replenishment pump.

As another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which one pump has both functions instead of having two pumps, a suction pump and an air supply pump, as described above. . That is, the pressure raising / lowering means is constituted by an air pump device capable of switching between a suction mode for sucking gas from the gas space and an air supply mode for supplying gas to the gas space. Such a configuration includes, for example, a directional switching valve that selectively connects each of the connection flow path connected to the gas space and the connection flow path opened to the atmosphere to the suction port or the air supply port of the air pump. It can be realized by the air pump device.

According to another preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned pressure raising / lowering means, in the present invention, the volume of the gas space is increased.
It has also been proposed to be configured as a contracting volume expansion / contraction mechanism. That is, the gas space is brought into a negative pressure state by expanding the volume of the gas space, and as a result, the processing liquid is sucked out of the replenishing container into the storage container. Conversely, by reducing the volume of the gas space, the gas space is pressurized. As a result, the processing liquid is pushed out from the liquid space, and the processing liquid is replenished from the storage container to the processing tank.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the volume expansion / contraction mechanism is configured as a cylinder / piston mechanism having the liquid space and the gas space as inner chambers. That is, the container portion of the storage container becomes a cylinder of the cylinder / piston mechanism, and the ceiling portion of the storage container becomes a piston of the cylinder / piston mechanism. By raising the ceiling portion as a piston, the volume of the gas space is expanded, and by pushing the ceiling portion as a piston, the volume of the gas space is reduced.

Further, in the present invention, the processing liquid is allowed to flow into the storage container so that the air in the gas space does not flow toward the replenishing container through the second flow path when the gas space is pressurized. For example, it is proposed to provide a check valve in the second flow path as a means for shutting off the flow of air to the second flow path.

Even when the pressure raising / lowering means is configured as a volume expansion mechanism, the above-described effects can be obtained by providing a replenishing pump in the first flow path connecting the storage container and the processing tank. Other features and advantages according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an operation station 10 for acquiring image information, processing the acquired image information and processing an operation input by an operator, and a silver halide photographic paper (hereinafter referred to as photographic paper) 2. 1 shows the appearance of a photo processor including a print station 20 for performing an exposure process and a development process. This photo processor is called a digital minilab, and the operation station 10 is placed on an operation desk.
It comprises a scanner 11 for converting a frame image of the photographic film 1 into a digital signal, a display 12 for displaying various information, a keyboard 13 for inputting various information, a mouse 14, and a computer 6 placed under the operation desk. ing. The computer 6 processes image data scanned by the scanner 2 and prints data from the print station 2.
The controller plays a role as a controller of the processor, such as control and management of various printing processes at 0.

The printing station 20 has two photographic paper magazines 22 mounted on an upper part of a housing 21 thereof.
The rolled photographic paper 2 stored in the housing 21 is supplied to the inside of the housing 21, cut into a print size, and then conveyed to the exposure unit 20A for exposure. The exposed photographic paper 2 is sent to the development processing unit 20B. After performing a development process, the drying unit 20C
After the drying process is performed, the sheet is sent to the upper surface of the housing 21 and sent to the sorter 24 from the horizontal feed conveyor 23 to be sorted and accumulated in order units.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure unit 20A includes a cutter 25 for cutting the printing paper 2 from the printing paper magazine 22 into a print size, and a number of pressure rollers for transporting the cut printing paper 2. Is provided, and an exposure head 27 that exposes the photographic paper 2 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 26 based on image information is disposed in the middle of the conveyance mechanism 26. The exposure head 27 is used for the photographic paper 2 transported at the set transport speed.
R (red), G (green), B (blue) along the width direction (main scanning direction) of the printing paper 2 at a timing synchronized with the transport speed.
Is configured to perform linear exposure with light rays of the three primary colors,
As the exposure head 27, a laser beam system, a fluorescent beam system, a liquid crystal shutter system, a DMD system, or a FOCR system
The most suitable method from the T method or the like is adopted according to the exposure specification.

The developing section 20B is provided with a processing tank unit 30 provided with a plurality of processing tanks 31 which separately store a developing solution corresponding to a developing process. These processing tanks 31 include one processing tank 31a for performing color development processing, one processing tank 31b for performing bleach-fixing processing, and four processing tanks 31c for performing stabilization processing (or chemical rinsing processing). In the case where it is not necessary to particularly distinguish and describe, it is simply referred to as the processing tank 31 in common. A transport unit 28 having a number of pressure rollers for transporting the photographic paper 2 to the processing tank 31 is provided. The drying unit 20C is provided with a transport mechanism 29 having a blower (not shown) for sending hot air and a number of pressure rollers for transporting the printing paper 2.

The above configuration is basically the same as the conventional photo processor, and the photo processor of the present invention is characterized by the processing solution replenishment system 4 for replenishing the processing tank 31 of the print station 20 with the processing solution. It has become something.

As shown in FIG. 3, each processing tank 31 of the processing tank unit 30 is provided with a sub-tank 32 on the side, and the processing tank 31 and the sub-tank 32 communicate with each other at an upper position so that the processing liquid can flow. In addition, a circulation line 33 is provided between the bottom of the processing tank 31 and the bottom of the sub-tank 32. With this configuration, the processing liquid flows through the sub-tank 32, the processing tank 31, and the circulation line 33. It is circulating. For this reason, a circulation pump 34 and a filter 35 are provided in the circulation pipeline 33.

Further, a discharge pipe 37a for discharging the processing liquid in the processing tank 31 through a discharge pump 36 is provided in the processing tank 31.
And an outlet pipe 37b for discharging the processing solution overflowing from the processing tank 31. A flow sensor 37c is interposed in the discharge pipe 37, and a waste liquid tank 38 is provided at the discharge end of the discharge pipe 37 to collect the discharged processing liquid. or,
The processing tank 31 is provided with a liquid level sensor 39 for detecting the liquid level of the processing liquid in order to manage the liquid level of the processing liquid.

Regarding the replenishment of the processing solution into the processing tank 31, each time the area of the developed photographic paper 2 reaches a predetermined value, the processing solution replenishing system is added to the sub-tank 32 of each processing tank 31. A basic replenishment control is established so that the concentrated processing solution from 4 and only a predetermined amount of water from the water replenishment system 5 are replenished.

As shown in FIG. 1, the processing liquid replenishment system 4 opens the door 21a inside the door 21a provided on the side of the housing 21 of the print station 20 so as to be openable and closable. The slider 4 is arranged on the slider table 4a so that the entire slider 4 can be pulled out to the side.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a first embodiment of a processing liquid replenishment system 4 according to the present invention. The processing solution replenishment system 4 includes a polymer compound package 50 as a replenishing container that stores the processing solution for each processing solution and reduces the volume by the amount of the stored processing solution sent out. Replenishing channel 60 connecting the tank 50 and the processing tank 31 (more precisely, the sub-tank 32), a replenishing pump 61 interposed in the replenishing channel 60, and a replenishing channel 60 between the package 50 and the replenishing pump 61. A refill line composed of a storage container 40 interposed in is provided. Each storage container 40 can temporarily store the entire amount of the processing liquid stored in the corresponding package 50. Since each replenishment line has substantially the same configuration, description will be made here assuming that one replenishment line represents all the replenishment lines for the sake of simplicity.

The storage container 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a side wall 41, a bottom 42, and a ceiling 43. Ceiling 43
An inlet 44 for the processing liquid from the package 50, an outlet 45 for sending the processing liquid from the storage container 40 to the bottom 42, and an outlet 46 for discharging the processing liquid to the deepest portion of the bottom 42. Are formed.

The replenishment flow channel 60 is connected to the outlet 4 of the storage container 40.
5A and the first flow path 60A for connecting the processing tank 31 and the second flow path 60 for airtightly connecting the package 50 and the storage container 40.
B. At the tip of the second flow path 60B, a catheter portion 64 is provided for airtight connection with the package 50 by piercing the package 50. First
A strainer 62 is provided in a region where the flow path 60A is connected to the storage container 40.

Since the entire amount of the processing liquid contained in the package 50 is temporarily transferred to the storage container 40 inside the storage container 40, the liquid space 40a filled with the processing liquid and the gas formed above the liquid space 40a are formed. It can be divided into spaces 40b. Normally, the first flow channel 60A of the replenishment flow channel 60 is connected to the bottom portion 42 of the storage container 40, and therefore always communicates with the liquid space 40a. Since it is connected to the ceiling 43 of the storage container 40, it is always in communication with the gas space 40b.

Further, on the ceiling 43 of the storage container 40,
A suction pump 91 and an air supply pump 92 as one embodiment of the pressure raising / lowering means 90 are provided. Suction pump 9
The first suction-side flow path 91a is in the gas space 40b of the storage container 40.
When the suction pump 91 is driven, the pressure state of the gas space 40b becomes a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, that is, a negative pressure state. On the contrary, since the air supply side flow path 92a of the air supply pump 92 is open to the gas space 40b of the storage container 40 and the suction side flow path 92b is open to the atmosphere, this air supply pump When the valve 92 is driven, the pressure state of the gas space 40b becomes a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure, that is, a pressurized state. In order to prevent the air in the gas space 40b from flowing into the package 50 via the inflow port 44 when the air supply pump 92 is driven, the inflow port 44 allows the processing liquid to flow into the storage container 40 but allows the processing liquid to flow toward the package 50. A check valve 93 for shutting off the flow of air is provided.

Such a suction pump 91 and the air supply pump 9
In the processing liquid replenishment system 4 employing the pressure raising / lowering means 90 for the gas space 40b composed of
When the processing liquid in the chamber becomes lower than a predetermined level, the package 50
The processing solution is allowed to flow in from. When the suction pump 91 is driven in a state where the catheter section 64 is inserted into the new package 50, the liquid space 40b becomes negative pressure, and the processing liquid in the package 50 is completely stored in the container 40 through the second flow path 60B of the replenishment flow path 60. Flows into.

In this embodiment, the supply of the processing liquid from the storage container 40 to the processing tank 31 is performed by the cooperation of the air supply pump 92 and the replenishment pump 61. Package 50
Since the gas space 40b is at a negative pressure at the stage when the processing liquid flows into the storage container 40 from above, the air supply pump 92 is driven to pressurize the gas space 40b to a pressure state higher than the atmospheric pressure. Simultaneously, when the replenishing pump 61 is driven, the processing space 31 can be replenished with the processing liquid from the liquid space 40a of the storage container 40 without receiving much load because the gas space 40b is at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. Refill pump 6
The transfer of the processing liquid by 1 causes a decrease in the pressure of the gas space 40b again, but this is compensated by driving the air supply pump 92. Here, the air supply pump 92 is controlled so that the pressure in the gas space 40b is maintained at a value slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure.
And the refill pump 61 are controlled synchronously.

As a modification of the above configuration, the air supply pump 92
Of the storage container 4 by pressurizing the gas space 40b by the
If the specifications of the air supply pump 92 are changed so that the processing liquid can be sent into the processing tank 31 from the zero liquid space 40a, the refill pump 61 can be omitted. that time,
It is convenient to provide an opening / closing valve in the first flow path 60A in order to secure a more accurate replenishment amount by starting replenishment of the processing liquid after the gas space 40b is raised to a predetermined pressure. Further, in order to improve the accuracy of the replenishment amount, the first flow path 60A
It is also preferable that a flow meter is provided in the apparatus and the flow rate of the air supply pump 92 is controlled while checking the flow rate with the flow meter.

The water replenishment system 5 includes a large water tank 5
a, a replenishing flow path 5c connecting the water supply tank 5a and the processing tank 31 (more precisely, the sub tank 32), and a refilling flow path 5c interposed and from the water supply tank 5a to the processing tank 31, And a replenishing pump 56 for feeding water to the sub-tank 32. Since the processing liquid replenished by the processing liquid replenishment system 4 is a concentrated type, the water replenishment system 5 is used to dilute the processing liquid with an appropriate concentration.
Is performed in synchronization with the replenishment of the processing solution.

In this processing solution replenishment system 4, four types of packages 5 each enclosing different concentrated processing solutions.
0 is used. That is, the first package 50a containing a processing solution for color development, the second package 50b containing a processing solution for stabilization, the third package 50c containing a processing solution for bleaching, and a processing solution for fixing are filled. Although the fourth package 50d is used, here, the package 50 is used as a generic term when these types are not particularly required to be distinguished.

As is clear from FIG. 4, the first to fourth packages 50a to 50d are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction and are housed in a cardboard box 51 to form a package unit. This package unit, that is, box 5
5 is placed in a resin tray 52 and, as shown in FIG. 5, is placed on a replenishing container plate 4b provided in the leading end side region of the slider table 4a in the pulling-out direction. An engagement projection 5 formed on the bottom of the tray 52 is provided on the lower surface of the box 51.
A hole 51a into which the hole 2a engages is formed so that insertion into the tray 52 in an incorrect posture can be prevented. On the upper surface of this box 42, a package portion 5 corresponding to a catheter portion 64 connected to a replenishment flow channel 60 for each processing solution is provided.
An opening 51b is formed to allow the passage of each catheter section 64 when the catheter section 64 is stabbed into the inside of the housing. The first to fourth packages 50a to 50d used here can also be constituted by a single package 50 in which each package is divided into sealed spaces by heat welding.

As is apparent from FIG. 5, the processing liquid replenishment system 4 includes a package 50 stored in a tray 52.
In order to pierce the catheter portion 64 with respect to
Open posture “open” and closed posture “closed” around the swing axis 71
In addition, an arm mechanism 70 which can be manually rocked is provided.
When the arm mechanism 70 swings to the open position “open”, the catheter section 64 moves away above the package 50, and allows the tray 52 and, as a result, the package 50 to be taken out. When the arm mechanism 70 swings to the closed posture “closed”,
The first to fourth packages 50a to 50d pierce the tips of the four catheter portions 64, and the airtight connection between the refill channel 60 and the package 50 is completed. Further, the arm mechanism is provided with an open / close sensor 72 for detecting the open posture “open” and the closed posture “closed”.

As is apparent from FIG. 6, which schematically shows a replenishing line for each processing solution, the processing solution for color development sealed in the first package 50a is driven by the suction pump 91 as described above. After being transferred from the catheter section 64 to the storage container 40 via the second flow path 60B, the first flow path 60A is operated by the cooperation of the air supply pump 92 and the replenishment pump 61.
Sub-tank 3 of processing tank 31a for performing color development processing through
Replenish to 2. Similarly, the processing liquid for stabilization is sent to the sub-tank 32 of the processing tank 31c for performing the stabilization processing, and the processing liquid for bleaching and the processing liquid for fixing the sub-tank of one processing tank 31b for performing the bleach-fixing processing. 32,
The mixture is mixed in the sub tank 32. Further, a flow path 5c is supplied from the water tank 5a by a replenishing pump 5b.
Through the process, water is replenished to the respective processing tanks 31a for performing color development processing, one processing tank 31b for performing bleach-fixing processing, and processing tank 31c for performing stable processing.

As shown in FIG. 5, a float type residual quantity sensor 47 for detecting that the residual quantity of the processing liquid has dropped to near the bottom is provided at the bottom 42 of the storage container 40 for each processing liquid. At the top of the storage container 40, a float type limit sensor 48 for detecting that the processing liquid has increased above a set amount is provided. The remaining amount sensor 47 is disposed so that its detection level is located above the outlet 45. The remaining amount sensor 47 and the limit sensor 48 have floats that move up and down along the liquid surface of the processing liquid by buoyancy.
The remaining amount sensor 47 detects that the float has dropped to near the lower limit, a reed switch sensitive to the magnetism of the magnet provided on the float, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element that determine the position of the float based on the reflected light from the float. And a non-contact type sensing device formed by combining the above. The limit sensor 48 is based on a state in which the remaining amount sensor 47 detects that the liquid level is at the lowest level, and is based on the liquid level when the entire amount of the processing liquid in the package 50 is transferred to the storage container 40. When the liquid level reaches a high level, the detection level is set so as to detect this state. Like the remaining amount sensor 47, the limit sensor 48 is also provided with a reed switch or the like which is sensitive to the magnetism of the magnet provided on the float. And a non-contact type sensing device that combines a light emitting element and a light receiving element so as to determine the position of the float based on the reflected light from the float. Further, a pressure sensor 49 for detecting the pressure of the gas space 40b of the storage container 40 is provided on the upper portion of the storage container 40.

As shown in FIG. 7, the controller 15 which also controls the processing liquid replenishment system 4 as one of many control functions stores a microprocessor, an input / output interface, and a program for executing control. And a RAM for storing work data. The controller 15 receives signals from four remaining amount sensors 47, four limit sensors 48, and four pressure sensors 49 for processing liquid. Input system for processing solution replenishment control, and four processing solution replenishment lines
Suction pump 91, air supply pump 92 and four
A drive control output system for one refill pump 61 and three refill pumps 5b for water is provided. Of course, the controller 15 also has a function of performing control for various processes performed by the operation station 10 and a function of performing control for various processes performed by the print station 20.

Typical operation processes performed in the processing liquid replenishment system 4 include transfer of the processing liquid from the package 50 to the storage container 40 and transfer of the processing liquid from the storage container 40 to the processing tank 31.
Replenishment of the processing solution. The two operation processes will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In order to transfer the processing liquid from the package 50 to the storage container 40, first, the tray 52 containing the package 50 is placed on the replenishing container plate 4b, and the catheter section 64
Must be inserted into the package 50.
Therefore, first, after the arm mechanism 70 is swung to the “open” position (# 11), the package 50, that is, the tray 52
Is placed at a predetermined position (# 12), and the arm mechanism 70 is again
Is confirmed to have been swung to the “closed” position (# 1
3). The swing of the arm mechanism 70 is confirmed by a signal from an open / close sensor 72 that detects the open / close of the arm mechanism 70. As the placement confirmation of the package 50, a method may be employed in which the package 50 is regarded as being exchanged through the swing of the arm mechanism 70 from the “open” position to the “closed” position, or the package may be moved to a predetermined position on the tray 52. A tray detection sensor for detecting the placement may be provided.

With the tray 52 accommodating the package 50 placed at a predetermined position, the arm mechanism 70 is swung to the closed position "closed" to thereby rotate the four arms attached to the lower surface of the arm mechanism 70. The catheter section 64 is air-tightly connected to the corresponding package 50, and preparation for transferring the processing liquid from the package 50 to the storage container 40 is completed. In this state, when the remaining amount sensor 47 detects that the level of the liquid space 40a of the storage container 40 has fallen below the threshold, a request for transferring the processing liquid to the storage container 40 is generated. When a processing liquid transfer request occurs (# 14), the suction pump 91
Operates (# 15). By the operation of the suction pump 91,
Since the gas space 40b of the storage container 40 has a negative pressure, the processing liquid is stored in the storage container 4 through the second flow path 60B of the replenishment flow path 60.
Flow into 0. Accordingly, the package 50 is crushed by the action of the atmospheric pressure.

First, after the operation of the suction pump 91, the elapse of a first predetermined time is checked (# 16). The first predetermined time is a time sufficient for the level of the liquid space 40a to exceed the above-described threshold value due to the inflow of the processing liquid.
Is not detected that the level exceeds the threshold value, that is, if the remaining amount sensor 47 remains "OFF"(# 17), a trouble in negative pressure formation or a normal package 50 is loaded. If there is no error, error processing such as abnormality notification is performed (# 100).

When it is detected that the level of the liquid space 40a has exceeded the threshold value, the elapse of the second predetermined time is further checked (# 18). The second predetermined time is a time sufficient for the entire amount of the processing liquid stored in the package 50 to flow into the storage container 40. After the elapse of this time, the suction pump 91 is stopped (# 19). At this point, the processing liquid in the package 50 is thoroughly stored.
Thus, the package 50 has been completely crushed. The empty package 50 can be replaced with a new package 50 at any time from this point until the level of the processing liquid in the storage container 40 falls below the threshold value.

The replenishment of the processing solution into the processing tank 31 is started when a replenishment request is issued. This replenishment request is sent to the processing tank 3
This is generated in the controller 15 every time it is determined that the integrated area (print paper width X photographic paper transport length) of the photographic paper 2 processed in step 1 has reached the set value. When a replenishment request occurs (#
21), the air supply pump 92 is driven to pressurize the gas space 40b of the storage container 40 (# 22). Gas space 40
It is checked based on the signal from the pressure sensor 49 whether or not the pressure b reaches a predetermined pressure which is a pressure value exceeding the atmospheric pressure (# 23).
1 is also driven. As a step of replenishing the processing bath 31 with the processing liquid, an air supply pump 92 and a replenishment pump 61 for the processing liquid (in the case where the replenishment pump 61 is omitted, the air supply pump
Only) and the replenishing pump 5b for water is operated in accordance with this (# 24). A processing liquid supply pump 92, a replenishment pump 61 (only the supply pump 92 in the case where the replenishment pump 61 is omitted), and a water replenishment pump 5b deliver the processing liquid or water by a preset amount. (# 26), the air supply pump 92, the refill pump 61 (only the air supply pump 92 in the case where the refill pump 61 is omitted) and the water refill pump 5b are stopped (# 27).
If the pressure of the gas space 40b deviates from the predetermined pressure range during the replenishment of the processing solution (# 25), it is determined that a trouble in the pressure system or a pump abnormality has occurred, and error processing such as abnormality notification is performed. (# 100).

Further, in this case, the suction pump 91 is driven (# 28) to reduce the pressure in the gas space 40b in order to suppress the contact between the unnecessary air and the processing liquid by the free air flow into the storage container 40. With the pressure reduced to the predetermined negative pressure (# 2
9), the suction pump 91 is stopped. Of course, the step of reducing the pressure of the gas space 40b by the suction pump 91 can be omitted.

[Alternative Embodiment 1] The processing liquid replenishment system 4 according to the alternative embodiment 1 has been described with reference to FIG.
As compared with the first embodiment in which the pressure raising / lowering means is constituted by two pumps, a suction pump 91 and an air supply pump 92, the difference is that one pump has both functions. That is, the air pump device 19 capable of switching the pressure raising / lowering means between a suction mode for sucking gas from the gas space 40b and an air supply mode for supplying gas to the gas space 40b.
It is composed from 0. For this purpose, the air pump device 190 connects the air pump 191 and the connection flow path 191b open to the atmosphere and the connection flow path 191a connected to the gas space 40b to the suction port of the air pump 191 or A directional control valve 192 selectively connected to the air supply port is provided. Since the other components are substantially the same, the same drawing numbers will be given only and the description thereof will be omitted. In this alternative embodiment, the transfer of the processing liquid from the package 50 to the storage container 40 is performed by connecting the suction port of the air pump 191 to the connection flow path 191a connected to the gas space 40b, and by using the air pump 191.
After controlling the direction switching valve 192 to connect the air supply port of the air to the connection flow path 191b open to the atmosphere, the air pump 191 is driven to reduce the pressure of the gas space 40b to a negative pressure. . Conversely, when the processing liquid is sent from the storage container 40 to the processing tank 31, the suction port of the air pump 191 is connected to the connection flow path 191 b open to the atmosphere, and the air supply port of the air pump 191 is connected to the gas space 4.
After controlling the direction switching valve 192 to connect to the connection flow path 191a connected to the air pump 191
Is driven to pressurize the gas space 40b to a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure. The flow chart of FIG. 8 is substantially used for the transfer routine of the processing liquid from the package 50 to the storage container 40. At this time, the suction pump may be replaced with an air pump in the suction mode. Similarly, the flow chart of FIG. 9 is also applied to the processing liquid sending routine from the storage container 40 to the processing tank 31. At this time, the suction pump includes an air pump in a suction mode, and an air supply pump. Should be read as an air pump in the air supply mode. [Alternative Embodiment 2] FIG. 11 schematically shows a third embodiment of the processing liquid replenishing system 4 according to the present invention.
The processing liquid replenishment system 4 differs from the first embodiment or another embodiment 2 described above with reference to FIG. 3 in the structure of the storage container 40. The other components are substantially the same, and therefore, the same drawing numbers are only given and the description thereof is omitted.

The storage container 40 has a cylindrical shape, and
1, a bottom 42 and a ceiling 43. A cylinder / piston mechanism 290 as one embodiment of the pressure raising / lowering means 90 is attached to the ceiling 43. The cylinder / piston mechanism 290 includes a piston 291 that moves up and down while being in close contact with the inner surface of the side wall 41 of the storage container 40.
And a piston rod 292 to which the piston 291 is connected, and a lifting drive unit 293 for driving the piston rod. The central region of the ceiling 43 is formed in a boss shape and has an opening 43a, and the lifting drive unit 293 is mounted in the opening 43a. That is, the cylinder / piston mechanism 290 has the inside of the storage container 40 as an inner chamber, and the piston 291 slides in the inner chamber. For this reason, a substantial volume portion as the storage container 40 for temporarily storing the processing liquid is a space portion closed by the side wall portion 41, the bottom portion 42, and the piston 291. Since this space portion changes its volume by sliding between the lower limit position and the upper limit position of the piston 291, the cylinder / piston mechanism 290 functions as a volume expansion / contraction mechanism of the storage container 40.

The processing liquid inlet 4 from the package 50 is located slightly below the lower limit position of the piston 291 on the side wall portion 42.
4, an outlet 45 for discharging the processing liquid from the storage container 40 is formed at the bottom 42, and a discharge port 46 for discharging the processing liquid is formed at the deepest portion of the bottom 42.

The substantial volume of the storage container 40 described above can be divided into a liquid space 40a filled with the processing liquid and a gas space 40b formed above the liquid space 40a. Since the first flow channel 60A of the replenishment flow channel 60 is connected to the outlet 45 located at the bottom portion 42 of the storage container 40, it always communicates with the liquid space 40a. In addition, since the inflow port 44 of the replenishment flow channel 60 connected to the second flow channel 60B is formed at a position higher than the processing liquid level when the tank is full, the second flow channel 60B is always in communication with the gas space 40b. You are doing.

In the storage container 40 configured as described above,
When the piston 291 rises from the lower limit area, the gas space 40
The pressure state b becomes a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, that is, a negative pressure state. Conversely, when the piston 291 descends from the upper limit region, the gas space 40b is pressurized to a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. In order to prevent the air in the gas space 40b from flowing into the package 50 via the inlet 44 at the time of pressurization, the inlet 44 allows the processing liquid to flow into the storage container 40 but does not allow air to flow toward the package 50. Check valve 93 for shutting off the flow of air. Also, the piston 291
A gas supply / exhaust port 43b is provided to allow air to flow to a space located on the opposite side of the gas space 40b.

In the processing solution replenishment system 4, the storage container 40
When the processing liquid in the inside falls below a predetermined level, it is necessary to flow the processing liquid from the package 50. New package 5
0 with the catheter portion 64 inserted into the piston 2
When the liquid space 40b is driven negatively, the liquid space 40b becomes negative pressure,
The package 50 through the second flow path 60B of the replenishment flow path 60
The processing liquid in the inside flows into the entire storage tank 40.

In this embodiment, the feeding of the processing liquid from the storage container 40 to the processing tank 31 is performed by the cooperation of the lowering drive of the piston 291 and the replenishment pump 61 and the liquid feeding drive. At the stage where the piston 291 is raised to the upper limit region in order to transfer the processing liquid from the package 50 to the storage container 40, the gas space 40b is at a negative pressure. To a pressure state higher than the atmospheric pressure. At the same time, when the replenishing pump 61 is driven, the gas space 40b is at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, so that the storage container 4 is not overloaded.
The processing liquid can be replenished to the processing tank 31 from the zero liquid space 40a. The transfer of the processing liquid by the replenishment pump 61 again causes the pressure of the gas space 40b to drop, but this is offset by further lowering the piston 291. Here, at the time of replenishment, the elevation drive unit 293 and the replenishment pump 61 are synchronously controlled such that the pressure in the gas space 40b maintains a value slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure.

The flow of the step of replenishing the processing liquid from the storage container 40 to the processing tank 31 using the cylinder / piston mechanism 290 is described in the previous embodiment using the suction pump 91, the air supply pump 92, and the replenishment pump 61. FIG. 9 showing the process of FIG. In this case, in FIG. 9, it is only necessary to replace the drive of the suction pump 91 with the upward drive of the piston 291 and the drive of the air supply pump 92 with the downward drive of the piston 291.

The intermediate position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the piston 291 is set as the home position, and a calibration process is performed at this position so that the gas space 40b becomes the atmospheric pressure. By this calibration process, the pressure in the gas space 40b is determined by the amount of elevation relative to the home position of the piston 291. For example, the catheter portion 64 comes out of the package 50 due to the swing of the arm 72 when the arm 72 is opened. Since the gas space 40b is at or near atmospheric pressure regardless of the position of the piston 291 by communicating with the atmosphere via the second flow path 60B and the catheter section 64, in such a case, the calibration process is performed. Good to do.

Also in this embodiment, the piston 291
Of the storage container 4 by pressurizing the gas space 40b by the
If the specifications of the cylinder / piston mechanism 290 are changed so that the processing liquid can be sent into the processing tank 31 from the zero liquid space 40a, the refill pump 61 can be omitted. At that time, in order to realize an accurate replenishment amount, it is necessary to precisely control the vertical movement of the piston 291. Therefore, it is convenient to adopt a screw feed system or an electric cylinder system for the vertical drive unit 293. It is also preferable to provide a flow meter in the first flow path 60A to control the flow rate. In the above description, the cylinder / piston mechanism 290 is used as a volume expansion mechanism for expanding / reducing the volume of the gas space 40b of the storage container 40.
It is also possible to configure the container itself with a bellows structure capable of changing the volume.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a photo processor employing a processing solution replenishment system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of a print station of the photo processor.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing liquid replenishment system.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a relationship between a box housing four packages and a tray further housing the box;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a processing liquid replenishment system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing all replenishment lines of the processing liquid replenishment system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a controlled element and a controller of the processing liquid replenishment system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transferring a processing liquid from a package to a storage container.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of replenishing a processing solution from a storage container to a processing tank.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the processing liquid replenishment system.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing still another embodiment of the processing liquid replenishment system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 4 processing liquid replenishment system 5 water replenishment system 31 processing tank 40 storage container 40a liquid space 40b gas space 48 pressure sensor 50 package (replenishment container) 60 replenishment flow channel 60A first flow channel 60B second flow channel 61 refill pump 64 catheter unit Reference Signs List 90 pressure raising / lowering means 91 suction pump 92 air supply pump 93 check valve 190 air pump device with direction switching valve (pressure raising / lowering means) 290 cylinder / piston mechanism (pressure raising / lowering means; volume expansion / contraction mechanism) 291 piston 292 piston rod 293 lifting / lowering drive unit

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Masami Nakamura 579-1, Umehara, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture Inside Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takuya Tsujida 579, Umehara Umehara, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture Inside Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H098 AA02 BA15 BA18 EA05

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A processing solution replenishing system for replenishing a processing tank for developing a photosensitive material with a processing solution, wherein the processing solution is stored and its volume is reduced by the amount of the stored processing solution sent out. A replenishing container, and a replenishing flow path connecting the replenishing container and the processing tank, wherein the replenishing flow path is provided with an airtight storage container capable of temporarily storing the processing liquid from the replenishing container. The interior of the storage container is divided into a liquid space in which the processing liquid is stored and a gas space formed above the liquid space, and the replenishment flow path connects the storage container and the processing tank. A first flow path and a second flow path connecting the storage container and the replenishing container, wherein the first flow path opens to the liquid space and the second flow path opens to the gas space, And a processing solution from the replenishing container. And a pressure raising / lowering means for lowering the pressure below the atmospheric pressure and increasing the pressure above the atmospheric pressure with respect to the gas space in order to transfer the processing liquid from the storage container to the processing tank while transferring the processing liquid from the storage container to the processing tank. A processing solution replenishment system. 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein said pressure raising / lowering means comprises a suction pump for sucking gas from said gas space and an air supply pump for supplying gas to said gas space. Liquid replenishment system. 3. The air pump device according to claim 1, wherein said pressure raising / lowering means comprises an air pump device capable of switching between a suction mode for sucking gas from said gas space and an air supply mode for supplying gas to said gas space. The processing solution replenishment system according to claim 1. 4. The processing liquid replenishment system according to claim 1, wherein said pressure raising / lowering means is configured as a volume expansion / contraction mechanism for expanding / reducing the volume of said gas space. 5. The processing liquid replenishment system according to claim 4, wherein said volume expansion / contraction mechanism is a cylinder / piston mechanism having said liquid space and said gas space as inner chambers. 6. The processing solution replenishment system according to claim 1, wherein a replenishment pump is provided in said first flow path. 7. A check valve according to claim 1, wherein said second flow path is provided with a check valve for preventing air from flowing from said storage container to said replenishing container. The processing solution replenishment system according to the above.