JP2003287857A - Solid processing agent replenishing equipment and photosensitive material processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily quickly execute recovery work when inadequate solid processing agent transportation occurs in solid processing agent replenishing equipment and to realize maintenance easiness and driving stability by eliminating the need for readjustment in recovery. <P>SOLUTION: A solid processing agent J is discharged from the discharge opening section of a container 30. In solid processing agent supply releasing the solid processing agent from the outlet sections of housing members 51, 53, the inner periphery surfaces of the housing members 51, 53 are held in a non-contact state on the outer periphery surface of a drum 52. The inner periphery surfaces of the housing members 51, 53 are held in a contact state on the outer periphery surface of the drum 52 by means of a moisture-proof member 56 except for the solid processing agent supply. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid processing agent replenishing device, and more particularly to an automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials (hereinafter referred to as an automatic processor). More specifically, it relates to an improvement of a processing agent replenishing mechanism of an automatic developing machine, and relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus which eliminates the work of dissolving a photosensitive processing agent, greatly improves workability, and obtains stable photographic performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter, referred to as a light-sensitive material) is processed by exposure, development, desilvering, washing, stabilization and the like. This treatment is usually carried out in an automatic processing machine, in which case a replenisher replenishment system is generally used, and the activity of the treatment liquid in the treatment tank is controlled to be constant.

In the case of the replenisher replenishing system, the purpose is to dilute the eluate from the light-sensitive material, replenish the amount of evaporation, and replenish the consumption component. As a result of replenishing the liquid, a large amount of overflow liquid is usually discharged.

To carry out the processing of light-sensitive materials commercially,
In order to reduce the cost and manual labor, reduce the pollution load, downsize the processing equipment, and improve the commercial value, it is required to obtain stable and excellent processing performance with the processing liquid in the smallest amount possible.

As a method for responding to this demand, WO92 /
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 200313 discloses a method in which almost all processing agent components are converted into a solid processing agent and directly charged into a processing tank.

[0006] However, this method has a serious drawback in preventing the moisture of the solid processing agent. Furthermore, if the powder generated from the solid processing agent is left for a long period of time, the powder generated from the processing tank absorbs moisture and sticks to the constituent members of the solid processing agent replenishing device, resulting in poor transport of the solid processing agent and solid A malfunction of the processing agent replenishing device may occur. Especially in high temperature and high humidity environment,
The occurrence of these defects is remarkable. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop technology to solve these problems.

In the processing of light-sensitive materials, quality control of processing agents is extremely required. Since the treatment is usually performed at around 40 ° C., the inside of the treatment apparatus has a very high humidity. In such an environment, if the storage method is not carefully considered, the solid processing agent becomes a suitable hygroscopic agent, which deteriorates before being replenished in the processing tank, or a stable supply due to moisture absorption. Failures such as being unable to do so will occur. For this reason,
Moisture proofing of the solid processing agent in the processing tank for the photosensitive material is a very important point.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, to prevent moisture of the solid processing agent, to prevent conveyance failure of the solid processing agent due to generation of powder, and to provide a solid processing agent replenishing device. An object of the present invention is to provide a solid processing agent replenishing device that prevents malfunctions, is compact and has good operability, and a photosensitive material processing device that achieves stable photographic performance.

[0009]

The above object can be achieved by the present invention described below.

(1) A container for accommodating a plurality of tablet-type solid processing agents and having a discharge opening for discharging the tablet-type solid processing agent; , Positioning the discharge opening downward,
The tablet-type solid processing agent housed in the storage container,
Storage container loading means capable of sliding down to the discharge opening side, an inlet for receiving the tablet solid processing agent discharged from the discharge opening of the storage container, and an outlet for discharging the tablet solid processing agent And a processing member transporting member that is rotatably disposed on the inner periphery of the housing member and that has a receiving part that receives the tablet-type solid processing agent from the inlet part and transports it to the outlet part. And have,
When the tablet-type solid processing agent is discharged from the discharge opening of the storage container and discharged from the outlet of the housing member, the inner peripheral surface of the housing member and the processing agent are supplied. A solid processing agent replenishing device, which is held in non-contact with the outer peripheral surface of a conveying member.

(2) A storage container for storing a plurality of tablet-type solid processing agents is removably attached to the storage container loading means,
In the solid processing agent replenishing device for receiving the tablet-type solid processing agent discharged from the discharge opening of the storage container to the processing agent transporting member supported inside the housing member, and discharging the solid processing agent, A lower housing that rotatably supports the treatment agent transporting member and is connected to drive means,
It comprises an upper housing that allows the tablet-type solid processing agent discharge opening of the storage container and the processing agent transporting member to come into contact with and separate from each other, and the upper housing is detachably fixed to the lower housing by manual operation. A solid processing agent replenishing device characterized by:

(3) A storage container for storing a plurality of tablet-type solid processing agents is removably attached to the storage container loading means,
In the solid processing agent replenishing device, the tablet type solid processing agent discharged from the discharge opening of the storage container is received by a processing agent transporting member supported inside the housing member, and then discharged. The driving means for rotating the member is
A drive pulley connected to a drive source, an endless belt that winds the drive pulley and a driven pulley, and a tighter roller that stretches the endless belt. The tighter roller is biased by a spring. A solid processing agent replenishing device, which is swingably supported and in which the endless belt is stretched by a predetermined tension.

(4) Solid processing agent replenishing means for accommodating a plurality of tablet type solid processing agents and discharging the tablet type solid processing agent from the discharge opening, and the discharge opening of the solid processing agent replenishing means. A housing member having an inlet portion for receiving the discharged tablet-type solid processing agent and an outlet portion for discharging the tablet-type solid processing agent, and the tablet-type solid member rotatably arranged on the inner circumference of the housing member. A solid processing agent replenishing device is configured from a processing agent transporting member that forms a receiving section that receives a processing agent from the inlet section and transports it to the outlet section,
The respective materials forming the inner peripheral surface of the solid processing agent replenishing means, the inner peripheral surface of the housing member, and the outer peripheral surface of the processing agent transporting member have a wetting tension defined by JIS K6768.
A solid processing agent replenishing device characterized by having a mN / m or less.

(5) A processing tank containing a processing solution for processing the exposed light-sensitive material, and a tablet type solid processing agent, which is installed above the processing tank and stored in a storage container, is dropped. And a solid processing agent replenishing device for replenishing the processing tank with the solid processing agent.
A photosensitive material processing apparatus having the solid processing agent replenishing apparatus according to any one of (4).

The solid processing agent in the present invention means a tablet-type solid processing agent having a circular cross section obtained by compression molding powder or granules into a given shape.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a solid processing agent replenishing apparatus of the present invention, particularly a photosensitive material processing apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An example of the automatic developing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 (a) is an overall front view of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus (printer processor) in which an automatic processor AP and a photographic printing machine B are integrally configured.

In FIG. 1 (a), in the lower left part of the photographic printing machine B, a magazine 5 containing a roll of photographic paper (color paper) which is an unexposed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material.
Is set. Photographic paper p drawn from magazine 5
Is cut into a predetermined size via the conveyance roller 6A and the cutter 7, and becomes a sheet of photographic printing paper p. The sheet-shaped printing paper p is conveyed by the belt conveying means 8,
In the exposure unit 9, the light source 9A and the lens 9B expose the original image. The exposed printing paper p is further transported by the transport roller 6B, the transport roller group 6C, and the transport belt 6D, and is introduced into the automatic developing machine AP.

In the automatic processor AP, the photographic printing paper p is a processing tank 1 including a color developing tank 1A, a bleach-fixing tank 1B, and stabilizing tanks 1C and 1C.
D, 1E (substantially three-tank processing tank 1) are sequentially conveyed by roller conveying means (reference symbol None), and color development processing, bleach-fixing processing, and stabilization processing are performed respectively. 1F is a replenishing water tank for supplying replenishing water to the color developing tank 1A and the stabilizing tank 1E. The photographic printing paper p that has been subjected to each of the above processes is dried in the drying unit 4 and discharged to the outside of the machine.

Further, in the embodiment, the photographic printing paper p is introduced into the automatic developing machine AP in a cut state.
It may be guided in the automatic developing machine AP in a band shape.

It goes without saying that the automatic developing machine AP according to the present invention may be constructed integrally with the photoprinting machine B or may be a single automatic developing machine AP. Further, as an explanation of the present invention, a color developing tank 1A, a bleach-fixing tank 1B, a stabilizing tank 1C, 1
The processing is performed on the automatic processor AP having the processing tank 1 having substantially three tanks including D and 1E, but not limited to this, a color developing tank, a bleaching tank, and a fixing tank for processing an exposed negative film. The present invention can be applied even to an automatic developing machine having substantially four tanks having a stabilizing tank or more processing tanks.

FIG. 1B is a plan view of the automatic processor AP. Color developing tank 1A, bleach-fixing tank 1B, stabilizing tank 1E
Each of the processing tanks of No. 2 has a melting tank 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2
E, and solid processing agent replenishing device 3 for supplying solid processing agent
A, 3B and 3E are provided.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an entire printer processor in which the automatic developing machine AP, the photo printing machine B and the sorter S according to the present invention are integrally formed. In the figure, the opening / closing lid 104 of the automatic processor AP is opened upward, and the respective storage containers 30A, 30B, 30E storing the tablet-type solid processing agent are inserted into the solid processing agent replenishing devices 3A, 3B, 3E, respectively, and fixed. Then, the tablet-type solid processing agent in each storage container 30A, 30B, 30E is charged into each corresponding dissolution tank 2A, 2B, 2E.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the automatic processor AP for the photographic paper developing process. In the automatic processor AP, the photographic printing paper p is processed by the processing solutions CD, BF, SR1, SR2 and SR3 in the color developing tank 1A, the bleach-fixing tank 1B, and the stabilizing tanks 1C, 1D and 1E, and then the drying section 4 is provided. To be dried. As for the liquid level, the stabilizing tanks 1C, 1D and 1E are sequentially higher than the bleach-fixing tank 1B. Therefore, the structure is such that the overflow liquid from the stabilizing tank 1E flows into the stabilizing tanks 1D, 1C, 1B by gravity (counter current method). 1G
Is a processing amount information detecting means, 1H is a solid processing agent supply control means, and 1J is a replenishment water supply control means.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the automatic processor AP of FIG. 1 taken along the line II. Color developing tank 1A, bleach-fixing tank 1B, stabilizing tank 1E
Have almost the same structure. The melting tanks 2A to 2E also have substantially the same structure. The solid processing agent replenishing devices 3A, 3B and 3E also have substantially the same structure. Hereinafter, the processing tank 1, the dissolution tank 2, and the solid processing agent replenishing device 3 will be referred to and described.

The processing tank 1 is a partition wall 2 forming the processing tank 1.
1 has a melting tank 2 integrally provided outside thereof. Processing tank 1
The dissolution tank 2 and the dissolution tank 2 are partitioned by a partition wall 21 having a communication window 21A formed therein, so that the processing liquid can flow therethrough.

The cylindrical filter 22 is replaceably provided inside the dissolution tank 2 and has a function of removing an insoluble matter in the processing liquid, and an undissolved tablet-type solid processing agent (hereinafter, referred to as a solid processing agent).
Intrusion into the circulation pump 24 of J) (referred to as a solid processing agent) and the processing tank 1 is restricted. The inside of the filter 22 communicates with the suction side of the circulation pump 24 (circulation means) via a circulation pipe 23A that penetrates the lower wall of the dissolution tank 2.

The circulation system is composed of circulation pipes 23A and 23B forming a liquid circulation passage, a circulation pump 24 and the like. Circulation pipe 23 communicating with the discharge side of the circulation pump 24
The other end of B penetrates the outer wall of the processing tank 1 and communicates with the processing tank 1. With such a configuration, when the circulation pump 24 operates, the processing liquid is sucked from the dissolution tank 2 and discharged into the processing tank 1, and the processing liquid mixes with the processing liquid in the processing tank 1.
It enters the dissolution tank 2 again and repeats circulation.

A waste liquid pipe 11 and a waste liquid tank 12 for storing an overflow liquid are connected to the processing tank 1.

The heater 25 is arranged so as to penetrate the upper wall of the dissolution tank 2 and be immersed in the processing liquid in the dissolution tank 2. The heater 25 is for heating the processing liquid in the dissolution tank 2 and the processing tank 1, and is a temperature adjusting means for holding the processing liquid in the processing tank 1 within a temperature range (for example, 20 to 55 ° C.) suitable for processing. Is.

The replenishment water supply means for supplying the replenishment water W to the dissolution tank 2 includes a replenishment water tank 1F, a pump 13, a water pipe 14,
The replenishing water supply control means 1J replenishes an appropriate amount of replenishing water W in a timely manner.

The solid processing agent replenishing device 3 comprises a storage container 30 for storing the solid processing agent J, a storage container loading means 40, a supply means 50, and a driving means 60. Automatic machine AP
The upper cover 102 is swingably connected to a main body 101 that houses the processing tank 1 and the dissolution tank 2 by a support shaft 103 at the back of the main body, and the upper cover 102 is lifted in the direction of the one-dot chain line a in FIG. By largely opening the front surface and the upper surface on the operator side, the solid processing agent replenishing device 3 can be inspected and the filter 22 can be replaced.

Further, an opening / closing lid 104 is swingably coupled to a part of the upper surface of the upper cover 102 so that the opening / closing lid 1
04 is opened in the direction of the alternate long and short dash line b in the figure, and the storage container 30 is loaded or replaced to replenish the solid processing agent J.

FIG. 5 shows a storage container 3 for storing the solid processing agent J.
0, and FIG. 5A is a plan view including a partially cutaway sectional view,
5B is a side view of the storage container 30, and FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view thereof. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the storage container 30.

The storage container 30 stores a plurality of solid processing agents J and has a hollow quadrangular prism-shaped container body 31 having a discharge opening for discharging, and a rail portion 31R of the container body 31 to slide vertically. It has a slide lid 32 movable to the inside and a cap member 33 for closing the other opening of the container body 31.

Inside the container body 31, three sets of partition walls 3 are provided.
1S is integrally fixed, and the inside of the container body 31 is 4
It is divided into three compartments 31A, 31B, 31C and 31D. Each of the compartments 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D is circumscribed by each outer circumference of the solid processing agent J, and a plurality (for example, 10 pieces) of the solid processing agent J can be housed in a column. That is, ten solid processing agents J1A to J10 are provided in the first compartment 31A.
A has the same number of solid processing agents J1B in the second compartment 31B,
Similarly, J1C and J1D are stored in the same manner. In this way, since the solid processing agents J are housed so that the circumference of the circular cross section of each solid processing agent J is circumscribed, the contact surface between the solid processing agents J becomes as small as possible, and the solid processing agent J absorbs moisture by any chance. Even if it does, the sticking between the solid processing agents J can be minimized.

A projecting strip 31E is projected from the bottom of each compartment of the container body 31 to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the solid processing agent J at a point to facilitate movement of the solid processing agent J.
The powder that has fallen off the solid processing agent J is dropped from the top of the protrusion 31E. The powder dropped from the solid processing agent J is
Since it collects in the groove portion below 1E, even if powder adheres in this groove portion, there is no problem because the solid processing agent J moves on the protrusion 31E.

Rail portions 31R are formed on both outer side surfaces of the container body 31 in the vicinity of the discharge opening. The rail portions 31R are fitted in the groove portions 32A formed on both side surfaces of the slide lid 32 so that they can slide. There is. Further, the protrusions 32B projecting from both ends of the lower portion of the slide lid 32 engage with an opening / closing restriction groove portion 46 described later to automatically close the slide lid 32. Open / close restriction groove 4
6 also has a function of preventing the slide lid 32 from falling off the rail portion 31R.

Guide pins 3 are provided on both sides of the container body 31.
4 protrudes and is inserted into and removed from the guide groove 41D of the storage container loading means 40 described later. Back surface 33A of the cap member 33
The plurality of identification protrusions 33B are formed integrally with each other to prevent erroneous loading of other storage containers 30 that should not be loaded, such as containing different processing agents.

Inside the back surface 33A of the cap member 33, a buffer effect is provided for the purpose of protecting the contained solid processing agent J from being broken against the swing and impact during transportation or storage of the storage container 30. A certain cushion piece 33C is formed.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the solid processing agent replenishing device 3 comprising the storage container 30, the storage container loading means 40, and the supply means 50. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the solid processing agent replenishing device 3.

A fixed frame body 41 of the storage container loading means 40, a lower housing member (housing member) 51 of the supply means 50,
The driving means 60 is fixed to the upper part of the main body 101.

The support shafts 42 protruding near the right ends of the side plate portions 41A of the fixed frame body 41 in the figure are fitted into holes near the lower ends of the arm portions 43A fixed to both sides of the container holding member 43 holding the storage container 30. I am fit. The container holding member 43 is the support shaft 4.
It can be swung about 2. Also, both side plate portions 41A
A fixing pin passes through the arm portion 43A and the arm portion 43A, and a tension spring 44 is stretched. The container holding member 43 is biased by a spring and swings in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the bottom portion of the container holding member 43 comes into contact with a stopper portion 41B protruding to the upper right portion of the fixed frame body 41 in the drawing. Then, the container holding member 43 stops and maintains the state (first position) before loading the storage container 30.

Around the left end of both side plate portions 41A of the fixed frame body 41, there is a rising portion 41C, in which an arcuate guide groove 41D centering on the support shaft 42 is formed. When the storage container 30 is loaded on the container holding member 43 of the storage container loading means 40, the container holding member 43 is swung about the support shaft 42, and the left end portion of the container holding member 43 is pushed down in the direction c in the figure, The guide pin 34 of the storage container 30 advances in the guide groove 41D while being pressed by the leaf spring 45 of the storage container loading means 40 described later. The lowermost part of the guide groove 41D is formed in an L-shaped groove portion 41E bent in an L shape, and when the guide pin 34 is biased by the leaf spring 45 and enters the L-shaped groove portion 41E, the front surface of the outlet portion of the container body 31. Is the supply means 50
Is in close contact with the inlet portion 51A (second position).

The rear surface 33 of the cap member 33 of the storage container 30 when the storage container 30 is loaded into the container holding member 43.
On the surface of the container holding member 43 that is in contact with A, an identification conveyance unit that fits with the identification protrusion 33B provided on the back surface 33A of the cap member 33 is provided. Therefore, when the wrong storage container 30 is loaded, the storage container 30 is moved from the position (first position) of the container holding member 43 before the storage container 30 is loaded to the container holding member 43 at the time of replenishing the processing agent. It is impossible to move to the position (2nd position). In other words, the storage container 30 is configured to move from the first position to the second position only when the identification protrusion 33B matches the identification receiving portion.

The supply means 50 is composed of a lower housing 51, a solid processing agent transporting member (hereinafter referred to as a drum) 52, and an upper housing (housing member) 53.

The drum 52 is rotatably arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 51, and the solid processing agent J in the storage container 30.
Has a plurality of pockets 52A for receiving a certain amount of the above from the inlet 51A and moving it to the outlet 51B. The drum 52 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions by a driving means 60 described later.

A frame-shaped elastic packing 55 is embedded in the end face of the inlet portion 51A of the upper housing 53 at the periphery of the opening. The discharge opening of the storage container 30 is the upper housing 53.
When it is brought into close contact with the inlet portion 51A of the, the outside air is shut off to enhance the moisture-proof effect.

FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the opening / closing operation of the slide lid 32 of the storage container 30. Storage container loading means 4
An opening / closing restriction groove 46 for restricting the opening / closing of the slide lid 32 is bored in the fixed frame body 41 of 0. When the storage container 30 mounted on the storage container loading means 40 is pushed down from the initial position (the position shown by the broken line in the drawing) in the direction c in the drawing, and reaches the intermediate position, the guide pin 34 of the slide lid 32 comes to the vertical portion of the opening / closing restriction groove 46. Move along. When the storage container 30 is swung further downward, the slide lid 32 opens and closes in the opening / closing restriction groove portion 4.
The abutting portion of the storage container 30 comes into contact with the bent portion 6 and does not move downward, and the opening portion of the storage container 30 is gradually opened. When the descent of the storage container 30 reaches a predetermined position and is stopped, the opening is fully opened. The guide pin 34 comes into contact with the bottom of the opening / closing restriction groove 46 and is pressed against the leaf spring 45, so that the storage container 30 stops at a predetermined position. In the state where the opening of the storage container 30 is fully opened, the front-end solid processing agent J in the storage container 30 is fed into the supply means 50. The solid line in the drawing shows this fully opened state.

Next, when the solid processing agent J in the storage container 30 is sequentially consumed and disappears, the remaining amount detection signal is generated,
The exchange operation of the storage container 30 is performed. That is, the handle 47 swingably supported by the container holding member 43 is gripped and swung counterclockwise in the drawing. The lower end portion of the handle 47 is pressed against a projection 48A at one end of a sliding member 48 slidably elbowed to the fixed frame body 41 and moved rightward in the drawing. at the same time,
The protrusion 48B at the other end of the sliding member 48 presses the leaf spring 45 via the guide pin 34 to move the guide pin 34 to the vertical portion of the opening / closing restriction groove 46.

A tension spring 44 stretched between the fixed frame 41 and the container holding member 43 supports the container holding member 43 as a support shaft 43.
It is rocked around B in the clockwise direction shown in the figure.

By swinging the container holding member 43 in the clockwise direction, the left end portion of the storage container 30 rises. In this ascending process, the opening / closing restriction groove portion 46 holds the slide lid 32,
Since only the main body portion of the storage container 30 including the main body 31 and the cap member 33 is raised, the opening of the main body 31 is closed by the slide lid 32. Further, in the process of raising the storage container 30, the opening is returned to the initial state which is the top dead center with the closed state of the opening. Therefore, the powder of the solid processing agent J in the storage container 30 is prevented from scattering. Further, due to maintenance or the like, the solid processing agent J is taken out with the opening closed when the storage container 30 is removed while the solid processing agent J remains, so that the solid processing agent J is not dropped.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drum 52 and the rotating means incorporated in the supplying means 50. 12 (a)-
(D) is a sectional view of the drum 52.

Springs 57 are provided at two locations on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 52.
The moisture-proof member 56 urged to is attached.

The drum 52 is provided with four pocket portions (reception portions) 52A, 52B, 52C and 52D, and each pocket portion has one solid processing agent (J1) shown in FIG.
A, J1B, J1C, J1D) can be accommodated.

Each pocket portion 52A, 52B, 52C, 5
Each phase of 2D is shifted, and when the drum 52 rotates half a turn, the pocket portion 52A is first moved from the discharge opening of the storage container 30.
The solid processing agent J1A is loaded in the
C is loaded with the solid processing agent J1C.

When the drum 52 is further rotated half a turn, the solid processing agent J1 is transferred from the discharge opening of the storage container 30 to the pocket 52B.
B is loaded, and then the solid processing agent J is placed in the pocket 52D.
1D is loaded.

The drum 52 is provided with four through holes 52E so that the optical paths of the translucent sensors PS1 and PS2, which are composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, pass through these through holes 52E. And the pockets are out of phase, the pockets 52A, 52B, 52C, 52
Whether or not the solid processing agent J is stored in D is detected.

Four pockets 52A, 52B, 52
The drum 52 having C and 52D has two moisture-proof members 56.
Is held by spring biasing. The outer peripheral surface of the moisture-proof member 56 has a smooth surface having a wet tension of 36 mN / m or less defined by Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K6768.

U-shaped parallel grooves 52F are formed on both end surfaces of the drum 52. Parallel groove portions 52F are formed on the left end surface and the right end surface of the drum 52.

On the other hand, on both side surfaces of the lower housing 51, rotary shafts 63A and 63B are fixedly provided so as to penetrate therethrough on the same axis. A rotary shaft 63A of a timing pulley 62, which is wound around a timing belt (endless belt) 61 and is driven to rotate, is fitted to one rotary shaft 63A so that it can be driven and rotated. A face plate 64A in the form of a flat plate having parallel side surfaces is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 63A. The other rotating shaft 6
A face plate 64B in the form of a flat plate having parallel side surfaces is also fixed to one end of 3B. A knob (handle) 70 for manual rotation is fixed to the other end of the rotary shaft 63B. The driving force from the driving source is applied from the face plate portion 64A to the drum 5
2 is transmitted to the face plate 64B.

One face plate 64A is fitted in the parallel groove portion 52F on one end face of the drum 52. The other face plate 64B is fitted in the parallel groove portion 52F on the other end face of the drum 52. The parallel groove portion 52F and the face plates 64A and 64B may not have the same shape on the left and right sides, but may have different shapes and dimensions, so that the reverse insertion of the drum 52 may be prevented and the drum 52 may be maintained in the normal fitting posture. . With the drum 52 removed, the drum 52, the lower housing 51, etc. are cleaned and inspected.

When the drum 52 is mounted on the drive shaft portion of the supply means 50, after removing the upper housing 53,
As shown in FIG. 11, while maintaining the parallel side surfaces of the face plates 64A and 64B parallel to each other, the drum 52 is grasped and lowered as shown by an arrow in the drawing, and the parallel groove portion 52F of the drum 52 is held.
Are slidably mounted on the parallel side surfaces of the face plates 64A and 64B, respectively, and are housed at predetermined positions in the lower housing 51. After that, if the upper housing 53 is attached, the solid processing agent replenishment can be started.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the lower housing 51 and the upper housing 53. A plate-shaped lever 58 is fixed to a rotary shaft 58A that is rotatably supported through the upper housing 53. Locking portions formed on both shaft ends of the rotating shaft 58A are provided with groove portions 51 formed on the lower housing 51.
The upper housing 53 and the lower housing 51 are held in a locked state by fitting into C and tilting the lever 58.
An elastic packing 55 is attached to the side of the upper housing 53 where the storage container 30 is attached.

FIG. 14 shows the drum 52 and the upper housing 53.
It is a side view which shows the engagement state of. In the initial installation state in which the drum 52 is attached to the lower housing 51 and the upper housing 53 is further fixed, the recess 53A formed in the upper housing 53 presses one of the protrusions 56A shown in FIG. 56 is moved against the bias of the spring 57 (see FIG. 12).

FIG. 15A is a sectional view of the upper housing 53, and FIG. 15B is a partially enlarged sectional view of the B portion of the upper housing 53.

An inclined surface 53B and a ridge 53C are provided on the solid processing agent contact surface on the lower surface of the inlet portion 53D of the solid processing agent J of the upper housing 53 (see FIG. 13). Due to the inclined surface 53B and the protrusion 53C, the inlet portion 53D of the upper housing 53
Even if crushed pieces or powder of the solid processing agent J is generated in the
Since the solid processing agent J drops from the top of 3C and is deposited on the inclined surface 53B which is retracted from the passage to the solid processing agent J, the solid processing agent J discharged from the storage container 30 is reliably prevented from being blocked by the pocket of the drum 52. Can be housed in the department.

An elastic packing 55 is adhered to the inlet portion 53D of the upper housing 53 so as to be in close contact with the periphery of the discharge opening of the container body 31 and to prevent moisture from the outside air (vapor by the processing liquid in the dissolution tank 2). It keeps the effect.

16 to 19 are sectional views showing a process of replenishing the solid processing agent J by the supplying means 50.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the initial state of the supply means 50 in which the storage container 30 is attached to the storage container loading means 40 and the solid processing agent J is conveyed.

The outer diameter of the drum 52 is smaller than the inner diameters of the upper housing 53 and the lower housing 51 and forms a gap. If the inner and outer diameters are made equal, the powder of the solid processing agent J enters into the fitting gap and is fixed, so that the drum 52 cannot rotate. Therefore, the above gap is provided. The gap g1 between the upper housing 53 and the drum 52 is, for example, about 3 mm. The gap g2 between the lower housing 53 and the drum 52 is, for example, about 2.5 mm.
In the initial state in which the storage container loading means 40 is mounted, the protrusion 56A of one of the moisture-proof members 56 of the two moisture-proof members 56 attached to the drum 52 via the spring 57 is the upper side. The moisture-proof member 56 is biased by the spring 57 and protrudes outwards by falling into the recess 53A of the housing 53. The protruding moisture-proof member 56 is pressed against the abutting surface of the upper housing 53 to stop, and the upper housing 53 and the drum 52 are kept in a sealed state.

The molding material of the lower housing 51 and the upper housing 53 is, for example, polyetherimide (PEI). The molding material of the drum 52 is, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

The materials forming the inner peripheral surfaces of the lower housing 51, the upper housing 53, and the outer peripheral surface of the drum 52 are
It is formed on a smooth surface of 36 mN / m or less with a wetting tension defined in Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K6768. On the smooth surface having a wetting tension of 36 mN / m or less, the powder in a hygroscopic state dropped from the solid processing agent J, crushed pieces, or the like are difficult to attach, and slides off by its own weight.

For example, when the lower housing 51, the upper housing 53, and the drum 52 are made of a material having a wet tension of 36 mN / m or less, when the material is left for 1 month in an environment of 10 ° C. and 20% RH, When the drive rotation of the drum 52 is restarted, the rotation torque of the drum 52 is 4 kg · cm or less, and the drive limit torque of the used motor is 6.7 k.
Below g · cm, the rotation failure of the drum 52 did not occur.

Further, the lower housing 51 and the upper housing 5
3. The material of the drum 52 is formed of a material having a wet tension of 36 mN / m or more, for example, 37 to 38 mN / m. Then, a year's worth of powder generated from the solid processing agent J in a normal use state is adhered to the solid processing agent passages of the lower housing 51, the upper housing 53, and the drum 52, and after sufficiently absorbing moisture, 10 ° C. When dried in an environment of 20% RH,
When the drive rotation of the drum 52 is restarted, the rotation torque of the drum 52 becomes 8 kg · cm or more in about 1 to 2 days, the drive limit torque of the existing motor becomes 6.7 kg · cm or more, and the rotation of the drum 52 becomes It became impossible.

FIG. 17A is a sectional view showing an initial state of the supply means 50 in which the storage container 30 is attached to the storage container loading means 40 and the solid processing agent J is conveyed.

The state where the drum 52 is normally rotated and one solid processing agent J1A at the tip of the row A in the storage container 30 is stored in the pocket portion 52A of the row A of the drum 52 is shown.

FIG. 17B is a sectional view showing a state in which the drum 52 is further rotated in the forward direction and the first solid processing agent J1A contained in the pocket portion 52A is dropped into the dissolving tank 2. In this state, the moisture-proof member 56 on the other side closes the opening of the upper housing 53 to prevent the vapor of the treatment liquid in the dissolution tank 2 from entering the container body 31 and maintains the moisture-proof effect. Continued rotation of the drum 52 causes 2
The solid processing agent J1B is dropped into the dissolution tank 2.

Even after the two solid processing agents J1A and J1B have been dropped, the drum 52 continues to rotate forward, and stops rotating after detecting a predetermined position by a sensor (not shown). FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a stopped state of the drum 52.

The drum 52 starts reverse rotation after it stops.
FIG. 19A is a sectional view showing a state in which the reverse rotation of the drum 52 is started.

After that, the reversely rotating drum 52 returns to the initial position and stops. FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the drum 52 has returned to the initial position and stopped. In this stopped state, the solid processing agent J does not exist in the drum 52, and a standby state is set, and one cycle operation is completed when two solid processing agents J are completely added.

In the next cycle, the pocket portion 52 of the C row is
Solid treatment agents J1C,
J1D is loaded and dropped. Thus, by rotating the drum 52 in the forward and reverse directions, two solid processing agents are sequentially dropped.

Next, the driving means 6 of the solid processing agent replenishing device 3
0 will be described. FIG. 20 is a side view showing the driving means 60 of the solid processing agent replenishing device 3.

The timing belt 61, which winds the timing pulley 62 fixed to the drive shaft of the motor M, rotates the timing pulley 64 fixed to the rotary shaft of the drum 52 via the timing pulley 63. Reference numeral 65 is a tight toner roller 65 which stretches the timing belt 61.

The timing pulley 63 and the tight toner roller 65 are rotatably supported by the swing substrate 66. The swing substrate 66 is swingably supported by a fixed substrate 67 fixed to the fixed frame body 41 of the storage container loading means 40.
That is, the swing substrate 66 can swing around the fixed shaft 67A of the fixed substrate 67 arranged coaxially with the timing pulley 62.

A spring 68 stretched between the fixed base plate 67 and the swing base plate 66 urges the swing base plate 66 in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG.
Put 1 into tension.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing an operating state in which the timing belt 61 is stretched. An operating lever (lever member) is provided on the shaft 67B planted on the fixed substrate 67.
A base of 69 is rotatably supported.

When the operation lever 69 is tilted,
The swinging substrate 66 is stretched by a spring 68 so that the tight toner roller 65 makes the timing belt 61 in a tensioned state, and the timing belt 61 is driven by the driving force of the motor M.
To be rotatable.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing a non-operating state in which the tensioning of the timing belt 61 is relaxed.

When a trouble occurs in the solid processing agent replenishing device 3, for example, the drum 52 does not stop at the normal position, the pockets 52A to 52D of the drum 52 are engaged with the solid processing agent J, and the solid processing agent J cannot be properly received, thus causing a poor rotation. Or if
When the solid processing agent J is clogged with debris or powder, or when it absorbs moisture and solidifies to cause a rotation failure, the timing pulley 62 and the timing belt 61 cause tooth jumps and become abnormal. For this reason, it is necessary to disconnect the power transmission from the drive source for the drum 52 for free restoration and rotation for restoration repair and adjustment.

In the present invention, the handle portion 69 of the operation lever 69 is used.
By gripping A and raising it and moving the tight toner roller 65, the tension of the timing belt 61 was relaxed, and the drum 52 was allowed to rotate freely.

When the grip portion 69A of the operating lever 69 is gripped and swung upward around the shaft body 67B, the cam surface portion 69C formed on the base portion of the operating lever 69 is planted on the swing base plate 66. The fixed shaft 66A thus pressed is pressed down.

The movement of the fixed shaft 66A causes the swing substrate 66 to move.
Is oscillated in the clockwise direction in the figure against the urging force of the spring 68 about the fixed shaft 67A fixed to the fixed substrate 67. By the swinging of the swinging substrate 66, the timing pulley 63 and the tighter roller 65 supported by the swinging substrate 66 move clockwise, and the tensioning of the timing belt 61 is loosened. When the tensioning of the timing belt 61 is loosened, the drum 52 and the timing pulley 64 are also allowed to freely rotate, and the above-mentioned repair and adjustment can be performed. That is, the timing belt 61 or the like is replaced, the drum 52 is rotated or removed by manually rotating the knob 70 (see FIGS. 9 and 11), the normal position of the solid processing agent J stagnation in the drum 52 is returned, and the inside of the supply means 50. The inspection and cleaning can be easily performed, and the supply of the solid processing agent can be promptly restarted.

The solid processing agent replenishing device 3 of the present invention is
It is not limited to the photosensitive material processing device.

[0095]

As described above, the solid processing agent supply device and the photosensitive material processing device of the present invention have the following effects.

(1) The inner peripheral surface of the housing member and the outer peripheral surface of the drum are kept in non-contact with each other except when the moisture is prevented. Sticking is prevented.

(2) Each material forming the inner peripheral surface of the housing member and the outer peripheral surface of the drum has a wet tension of 36 mN.
By setting it to be equal to or less than / m, it is possible to prevent the crushed pieces and powder of the solid processing agent from sticking to the outer peripheral surface of the drum.

(3) Since the inner peripheral surface of the housing member and the outer peripheral surface of the drum are kept in contact with each other by the moisture-proof member except when the solid processing agent is supplied, the moisture-proof property is improved, and in particular, the storage container. It is effective in preventing moisture in the solid treatment agent.

(4) The moisture-proof member arranged on the drum is
Since the solid processing agent is located at the solid processing agent receiving inlet of the housing member in the initial standby state, the solid processing agent is not received from the storage container into the drum, so that the housing member and the drum can be easily protected from moisture.

(5) Since the solid processing agent contact surface at the inlet of the housing member is provided with the inclined surface and the protruding strip, even if crushed pieces or powder of the solid processing agent is deposited at the inlet of the housing member. Further, the solid processing agent is easily slid off, and the solid processing agent is prevented from clogging without hindering the transportation of the solid processing agent.

(6) By fixing the upper housing to the lower housing detachably by lever operation,
The conventional screw fixing is no longer necessary, and work such as repairs and inspections can be performed easily and quickly.

(7) Since the tight toner roller is urged by a spring to be swingably supported and the endless belt is stretched with a predetermined tension, the endless belt is urged with a predetermined tension. When the housing member and the drum are fixed by the solid processing agent powder, the drive shaft is excessively added,
Damage to the device is prevented.

(8) By providing the drive releasing mechanism with the drive releasing operation lever, the endless belt for transmitting the drive from the drive source to the drum can be easily replaced.

(9) A knob for manually rotating the drum is rotatably supported on the side of the housing member opposite to the side where the driving means is arranged, and when the endless belt is released from the tension, the drum can be manually rotated. The solid processing agent caught between the housing member and the drum can be easily and quickly returned without disassembling and removing the constituent members. Further, since the above-mentioned restoration work can be performed from the upper part of the supply device, the work can be performed easily and surely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view configuration diagram of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus in which an automatic developing machine and a photographic printing machine are integrally configured, and a plan configuration diagram of the automatic developing machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an entire printer processor in which an automatic developing machine, a photo printing machine, and a sorter are integrally configured.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an automatic processing machine for photographic paper development processing.

FIG. 4 is an I-I cross-sectional view of the automatic developing machine.

FIG. 5 is a plan view including a partially cutaway sectional view of a storage container that stores a solid processing agent, and a side view of the storage container.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a storage container.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a storage container.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a solid processing agent replenishing device including a storage container, storage container loading means, and supply means.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a solid processing agent replenishing device.

FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the opening / closing operation of the slide lid of the storage container.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a drum and a rotating unit installed in the supply unit.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a drum.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a lower housing and an upper housing.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing an engaged state of the drum and the upper housing.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the upper housing and a partially enlarged sectional view of the upper housing.

FIG. 16 shows that the storage container is attached to the storage container loading means,
Sectional drawing which shows the initial state of the supply means which conveys a solid processing agent.

FIG. 17: The storage container is attached to the storage container loading means,
Sectional drawing which shows the initial state of the supply means which conveys a solid processing agent, and sectional drawing which shows the state in which the 1st solid processing agent contained in the pocket part is thrown into a dissolution tank by the further normal rotation of the drum. .

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a stopped state of the drum.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the drum starts reverse rotation, and a cross-sectional view showing a state where the drum has returned to an initial position and stopped.

FIG. 20 is a side view showing driving means of the solid processing agent replenishing device.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing an operating state in which the timing belt is stretched.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing a non-operating state in which the tension of the timing belt is relaxed.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E Dissolution tank 3, 3A, 3B, 3E Solid processing agent replenishing device 30, 30A, 30B, 30E Storage container 31 Container body 32 Slide lid 40 Storage container loading means 41 Fixed frame body 43 Container holding member 50 Supply means 51 Lower housing (housing member) 52 Treatment agent transporting member (drum) 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D Pocket portion (receptor portion) 53 Upper housing (housing member) 55 Elastic packing 56 Moisture proof member 60 Driving means 61 Timing Belt (Endless Belt) 62, 63, 64 Timing Pulley 65 Titoner Roller 66 Oscillating Substrate 67 Fixed Substrate 68 Spring 69 Operating Lever (Lever Member) 70 Knob (Handle) AP Automatic Developing Machine (Automatic Machine) J Tablet Type solid processing agent (solid processing agent)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideo Ishii             Konica Stock Market, 1 Sakura-cho, Hino City, Tokyo             In-house F-term (reference) 2H098 BA15 BA19                 2H112 EA12 EA13 EA15 EA16

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A container for accommodating a plurality of tablet-type solid processing agents and having a discharge opening through which the tablet-type solid processing agent can be discharged; A storage container loading unit that allows the tablet-type solid processing agent stored in the storage container to slide down to the discharge opening side, with the discharge opening located below, and the discharge opening of the storage container. A housing member having an inlet portion for receiving the tablet-type solid processing agent discharged from the portion and an outlet portion for discharging the tablet-type solid processing agent; and a rotatably arranged inner periphery of the housing member, wherein the tablet And a processing agent conveying member having a receiving portion for receiving the solid processing agent in the form of an inlet and conveying it to the outlet, and discharging the tablet type solid processing agent from the discharge opening of the storage container. And then the house When the tablet-type solid processing agent discharged from the outlet of the plug member is supplied, the inner peripheral surface of the housing member and the outer peripheral surface of the processing agent transporting member are held in non-contact with each other. Agent replenishment device. 2. A moisture-proof member is movably supported at the inlet of the treatment agent transport member, and the inner peripheral surface of the housing member and the treatment agent transport member are provided except when the tablet-type solid treatment agent is being supplied. The solid processing agent replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface is held in contact with the moistureproof member. 3. The treatment container transporting member waits at an initial position where the moisture-proof member is arranged to shield the inlet portion of the housing member that receives the tablet-type solid treatment agent, and the treatment container moves to the treatment container. The solid processing agent replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the tablet type solid processing agent is prevented from being carried into the receiving portion of the agent carrying member. 4. A sloped surface and a ridge are provided on a tablet-type solid processing agent contact surface of the inlet portion of the housing member that receives the tablet-type solid processing agent.
The solid processing agent replenishing device according to item 1. 5. A storage container for storing a plurality of tablet type solid processing agents is detachably attached to a storage container loading means, and the tablet type solid processing agent discharged from a discharge opening portion of the storage container, In a solid processing agent replenishing device for receiving and discharging the processing agent transporting member supported inside the housing member, a lower housing for connecting the housing member to the driving means so as to rotatably support the processing agent transporting member. And an upper housing that allows the tablet-type solid processing agent discharge opening of the storage container and the processing agent transport member to come into contact with and separate from each other, and the upper housing can be attached to and detached from the lower housing by manual operation. A solid processing agent replenishing device, characterized in that 6. A container for accommodating a plurality of tablet-type solid processing agents is detachably attached to a container-loading means, and the tablet-type solid processing agent discharged from a discharge opening of the container is In the solid processing agent replenishing device for receiving and then discharging the processing agent transporting member supported inside the housing member, the drive means for rotating the processing agent transporting member includes a drive pulley connected to a drive source and the drive An endless belt that winds around a pulley and a driven pulley, and a tighter roller that stretches the endless belt. The tighter roller is urged by a spring to be swingably supported, and has a predetermined tension. A solid processing agent replenishing device, wherein the endless belt is stretched. 7. The solid processing according to claim 6, wherein the supporting member that swingably supports the tight toner roller enables the tensioning of the endless belt to be released by a manual operation of a lever member. Agent replenishment device. 8. The solid processing agent replenishing device according to claim 6, wherein the lever member is provided on the side of the housing member on which the drive means is disposed. 9. A handle for manually rotating the treatment agent transporting member is rotatably supported on the opposite side of the housing member from the side where the driving means is disposed, and the treatment agent transporting step is performed when the tension of the endless belt is released. The solid processing agent replenishing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the member is manually rotatable. 10. A plurality of tablet type solid processing agents are contained,
Solid processing agent replenishing means for discharging the tablet type solid processing agent from the discharge opening, an inlet section for receiving the tablet type solid processing agent discharged from the discharge opening of the solid processing agent replenishing means, and the tablet type A housing member having an outlet portion for discharging the solid processing agent, and a receiving portion rotatably arranged on the inner circumference of the housing member, for receiving the tablet-type solid processing agent from the inlet portion and transporting it to the outlet portion. Forming a solid processing agent replenishing device, and forming an inner peripheral surface of the solid processing agent replenishing means, an inner peripheral surface of the housing member, and an outer peripheral surface of the processing agent conveying member. The material has a wet tension of 36 m as defined in JIS K6768.
A solid processing agent replenishing device characterized by being N / m or less. 11. A processing tank for containing a processing solution for processing an exposed photosensitive material, and a tablet type solid processing agent, which is installed above the processing tank and contained in a container, is dropped in an appropriate amount. A photosensitive material processing apparatus having a solid processing agent replenishing device for replenishing the processing tank, wherein the storage container and the solid processing agent replenishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 are provided. Material processing equipment.