JP2003337398A - Automatic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent photosensitive material from being stained by processing solution adhering to a pair of liquid outside carrying rollers when consecutively processing the photosensitive material. <P>SOLUTION: When detecting the insertion of the photosensitive material (step 330), a processor confirms whether or not the photosensitive material is larger in width dimension than the previous photosensitive material (steps 332 and 334). When it is larger in the width dimension than the previous photosensitive material, a pair of carrying rollers in a rinsing tank on a most downstream side is washed before the photosensitive material reaches a pair of carrying rollers in the rinsing tank (steps 336 to 340). Thus, a situation that the processing solution adhering to a pair of carrying rollers stains the photosensitive material to deteriorate finish quality is prevented even in the case of consecutively processing the photosensitive material. <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 an automatic developing apparatus for carrying out image development processing by immersing an imagewise exposed light-sensitive material in a processing solution stored in a processing tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing plate for printing a large amount of printed matter is prepared by exposing a printing plate according to a printing image. Also,
Prior to imagewise exposure of the printing plate, the plate is inspected for errors such as characters. Further, when performing color printing, it is necessary to perform plate inspection including whether there is an error in color.

A proof (color proof) formed by exposing a photosensitive material for plate inspection according to an image for printing is used for such plate inspection.

In recent years, due to the widespread use of DTP, a printing plate may be exposed by using image data for printing to form a printing plate. When producing a color proof prior to producing such a printing plate, an image exposure device that exposes a photosensitive material for plate inspection according to image data is output device (setter).
As the output device, there is used a color proof making device in which an automatic developing device (hereinafter, referred to as “processor”) for developing a photosensitive material is connected to the output device.

The processor is designed so that the photosensitive material fed from the output device is nipped and conveyed by a pair of rollers, and is immersed in a developing solution, a bleach-fixing solution and a rinsing solution or rinsing water in order for development processing.

By the way, for a processor which processes a photosensitive material while sequentially immersing it in a processing solution stored in each of a plurality of processing tanks, the photosensitive material is drawn from the processing tank on the upstream side and guided to the processing tank on the downstream side. A crossover section is provided for feeding.

In this crossover section, a pair of conveying rollers for nipping the photosensitive material from the processing tank on the upstream side to the processing tank on the downstream side or the drying section is provided outside the liquid, and when nipping and conveying the photosensitive material, Squeeze processing is performed to squeeze out the processing liquid adhering to the front and back surfaces of the photosensitive material.

On the other hand, the processing liquid carried out from the processing tank on the upstream side adheres to the outer surface of the liquid carrying roller pair for performing such squeeze processing. The processing liquid adhering to the peripheral surface of such a roller is transferred (attached) to the surface of the photosensitive material to be newly processed as stains, or the water in the processing liquid is evaporated and the processing liquid component is transferred to the surface of the roller. It may be deposited to cause scratches or the like on the surface of the light-sensitive material to impair the finish of the light-sensitive material.

In order to prevent such deterioration of the finished quality of the photosensitive material, a spray pipe is arranged so as to face a roller arranged outside the liquid, and the photosensitive material is not processed at the start and end of the operation of the apparatus. When the state has passed for a certain period of time or more, the peripheral surface of the roller is cleaned by the water supplied from the spray pipe to the peripheral surface of the roller.

[0010]

However, the setter sometimes outputs the photosensitive materials having different width dimensions so as to be continuous, and at this time, the photosensitive material is disposed outside the liquid when the previous photosensitive material is processed. The processing liquid adhering to the roller may stain the photosensitive material to be processed next.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to propose an automatic developing apparatus which reliably prevents the photosensitive material from being contaminated by a roller arranged outside the liquid.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a processing solution stored in a processing tank, which is carried by a processing rack disposed in the processing tank, into which the photosensitive material is inserted. An automatic developing device for dipping and processing, and processing while squeezing out the processing liquid from the photosensitive material drawn out from the processing liquid by a pair of liquid transportation rollers arranged outside the liquid, and carrying out the processing. Cleaning means for cleaning the peripheral surface of the liquid conveying roller pair by supplying water to the peripheral surface of the roller pair, sensitive material detecting means for detecting the width dimension of the photosensitive material to be inserted, and sensitive material detecting means. Determining means for determining whether or not the width dimension of the photosensitive material detected by means of is larger than the width dimension of the photosensitive material processed last time, and the determining means is larger than the width dimension of the previous photosensitive material. Judge And a processing cleaning control means for operating the cleaning means so that the cleaning of the pair of liquid conveyance rollers is completed before the tip of the inserted photosensitive material reaches the pair of liquid conveyance rollers. Characterize.

According to the present invention, when the width of the photosensitive material to be processed this time becomes larger than the width of the photosensitive material processed last time, the photosensitive material is removed from the liquid before it reaches the liquid conveyance roller pair. Clean the pair of transport rollers.

The processing liquid is squeezed out from the photosensitive material, and the processing liquid tends to remain on the pair of external liquid conveyance rollers at positions facing both ends in the width direction of the photosensitive material. When this processing liquid adheres to the photosensitive material to be processed next, it stains the photosensitive material.

From here, when the width dimension of the photosensitive material becomes large, by cleaning the liquid conveying roller pair, the processing liquid adhering to the liquid conveying roller pair impairs the finish of the photosensitive material. It is possible to prevent it.

In the present invention as described above, when the processing tank includes a rinse tank at the most downstream in the transport direction of the photosensitive material, the rinse tank for washing away the processing liquid stored in the processing tank upstream from the surface of the photosensitive material is included. In addition, it is only necessary to wash the outside liquid conveyance roller pair provided outside the liquid in the rinse tank.

That is, if there is the next processing tank on the downstream side,
Since the processing liquid adhering to the liquid conveying roller pair is dropped by the processing liquid in the next processing tank, at least the outer liquid conveying roller pair provided in the most downstream rinse tank is cleaned to remove the photosensitive material. It is possible to prevent deterioration of finish quality.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cleaning means controls the cleaning means when the non-processing time of the photosensitive material reaches a time when the peripheral surface of the submerged transport roller becomes dry. Is supplied to supply a predetermined amount of water to the liquid conveyance roller pair.

According to the present invention, water is supplied to the liquid conveyance roller pair at a timing when the liquid conveyance roller pair is dried, so that the liquid conveyance roller pair is prevented from being dried.

When the unprocessed state of the light-sensitive material becomes long, the pair of submerged conveying rollers become dry. When the pair of outside liquid conveying rollers are dried, the processing liquid adhering to the pair of outside liquid conveying rollers is concentrated and stains the photosensitive material.

From this point, by supplying cleaning water so as to prevent the liquid conveying roller pair from drying, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the photosensitive material to be newly processed.

In the present invention as described above, the processing and cleaning control means supplies a predetermined amount of water to each of the processing tanks to the outside liquid conveyance roller pair provided in the processing tanks set in advance. Is preferred.

That is, when the water used for cleaning the liquid conveyance roller pair is collected in each processing tank, the processing performance of the processing liquid may change, for example, the developing liquid.

From here, by setting the amount of water supplied to the pair of liquid conveying rollers for each processing tank, it is possible to prevent stains from adhering to the photosensitive material without deteriorating the processing performance of the processing liquid and Can be finished in high quality.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a color proof creating apparatus 10 applied to this embodiment.
In the color proof making apparatus 10, a processor 14, which is an automatic developing device, is connected to a setter 12, which is an output device that performs image exposure on a photosensitive material and outputs the image. Also, the discharge side of the processor 14 (the side opposite to the setter 12)
A stocker 16 is provided in the.

The setter 12 has a machine frame 1 that shields the interior from light.
A magazine 20 is loaded in the magazine 8. In this magazine 20, a long photosensitive material 22 is rolled up and accommodated. Further, the setter 12 is provided with a recording unit 24 that forms an image on the photosensitive material 22. The recording unit 24 includes a rotary drum 26 and a recording head unit 28.

In the setter 12, when the photosensitive material 22 is pulled out from the magazine 20, it is cut into a predetermined length by a cutter (not shown) and sent to the recording section 24. As a result, the photosensitive material 22 is sent to the recording unit 24 in the form of a sheet.

In the recording section 24, the photosensitive material 22 is wound around a predetermined position on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 26 with the surface on the photosensitive layer side facing outward. In the recording unit 24, the photosensitive material 22 is suction-held on the rotary drum 26 by suction means (not shown) provided on the rotary drum 26.

In the recording section 24, when the photosensitive material 22 is wound around a predetermined position of the rotary drum 26 and suction-held, the rotary drum 26 is rotated at a high speed at a predetermined speed, and in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary drum 26, image data is recorded. The photosensitive material 22 is scanned and exposed by irradiating the photosensitive material 22 with a light beam modulated according to
2 is subjected to image exposure according to image data. In the setter 12, a color image is formed on the photosensitive material 22 by scanning and exposing the photosensitive material 22 based on the image data separated into R, G, and B colors.

When the image exposure of the light-sensitive material 22 is completed, the setter 12 removes the light-sensitive material 22 from the rotary drum 26 and directs it to the processor 14 side of the machine frame 18 with the surface of the light-sensitive layer facing downward. It is sent out from the formed discharge port 30.

The setter 12 can perform image exposure on the photosensitive materials 22 having different widths within a predetermined range, and the center position of the photosensitive material 22 in the width direction is the rotary drum 2.
The photosensitive material 2 is placed at a fixed position along the axial direction of 6
2 is positioned on the rotary drum 26 and image exposure is performed. As a result, the photosensitive material 22 is inserted into the processor 14 by so-called centering.

In the setter 12, as an example, the photosensitive material 22A having a width dimension of 506 mm (width dimension X ₁ , see FIG. 6), 660 mm (width dimension X ₂ , see FIG. 6) photosensitive material 22B and 820 mm (width dimension) X ₃ (see FIG. 6) is subjected to image exposure on the photosensitive material 22C (hereinafter collectively referred to as photosensitive material 22). As a result, A1 (660 mm × 940 mm), A2 (506 mm)
mm x 660 mm), A3 (506 mm x 350 mm)
And B1 (820 mm x 1100 mm), B2 (820
(mm × 660 mm), it is possible to form an image in each size.

The processor 14 carries out a predetermined process while transporting with the surface of the photosensitive layer facing downward. That is, in the processor 14, the photosensitive material 22 fed from the setter 12 is conveyed and processed as it is with the surface of the photosensitive material side facing downward, and the surface of the photosensitive material 22 on the photosensitive material side is inverted. The space for providing the switchback portion and the like is omitted, and the time for performing the reversal process of the photosensitive material 22 is shortened, so that the color proof can be quickly produced.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processor 14 includes:
A processing liquid processing unit 34 and a drying unit 36 are provided in the machine frame 32. Further, in the machine frame 32, an insertion portion 38 is formed on the setter 12 side of the treatment liquid treatment portion 34. In addition,
Between the processing liquid processing unit 34, the drying unit 36 and the insertion unit 38,
It is partitioned by a partition wall (not shown).

In the processor 14, a slit-shaped insertion opening 40 is formed in the machine frame 32 so as to face the discharge opening 30 (see FIG. 1) of the setter 12, and the photosensitive material 22 sent out from the setter 12 is It is inserted into the insertion opening 40. In addition, the processor 14 includes a processing liquid processing unit 34 and an insertion unit 3.
8 is formed with a slit-shaped insertion port 42, and the insertion port 4
0 and the insertion port 38, the conveyance roller pair 4
4, 46 are provided.

The processor 14 operates the driving means (not shown) in response to the carry-out signal from the setter 12 to rotationally drive the pair of conveying rollers 44 and 46 at a predetermined speed.

As a result, when the photosensitive material 22 sent out from the setter 12 is inserted from the insertion opening 40 and reaches the conveying roller pair 44, it is nipped by the conveying roller pair 44 and drawn out from the setter 12 to the insertion opening 42. It is nipped and conveyed toward the processing liquid processing unit 34, and then is nipped and conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 46 and is sent to the processing liquid processing unit 34 from the insertion port 42.
Further, a sensitive material detection sensor (a sensitive material detection sensor 260 shown in FIG. 4) is provided in the vicinity of the downstream of the transport roller pair 44, and whether or not the photosensitive material 22 is sandwiched between the transport roller pair 44 by the sensitive material detection sensor 260. The size of the photosensitive material 22 can be detected. A guide 48 is arranged in the insertion port 40 of the insertion portion 38, and the pair of conveyance rollers 44,
A guide 50 is arranged between the portions 46 so that the photosensitive material 22 can be reliably guided and conveyed from the insertion port 40 to the processing liquid processing section 34.

A processing tank 52 is provided in the processing liquid processing section 34. In the processing tank 52, as a processing tank, a developing tank 54 that stores a developing solution, a bleach-fixing tank 56 that stores a bleach-fixing solution, and a rinse solution that stores a rinsing liquid or rinsing water are sequentially arranged in the transport direction of the photosensitive material 22. Tank 58, 6
0 and 62 are formed.

The developing tank 54 is provided with a processing rack 64, and the bleach-fixing tank 56 is provided with a processing rack 66. Processing racks 68A, 68B, and 68C are provided in the rinse tanks 58 to 62, respectively.

As a result, the photosensitive material 22 sent from the inserting section 38 to the processing liquid processing section 34 is guided in the developing tank 54, the bleach-fixing tank 56, and the rinse tanks 58 to 62 in a substantially U-shape. It is conveyed, immersed in a developing solution, a bleach-fixing solution and a rinse solution in that order, and then subjected to a developing treatment, a bleach-fixing treatment and a rinse treatment.

After the rinsing process is completed, the most downstream rinse tank 6
The photosensitive material 22 sent from the processing liquid processing unit 34
It is sent to the drying unit 36 from a slit-shaped insertion port 70 formed between the drying unit 36 and the drying unit 36.

In the drying section 36, the roller 7 is provided on the insertion port 70 side.
2 is provided, and a roller 76 is provided on the discharge port 74 side. Further, in the drying unit 36, a roller 78 is provided above the roller 72, and a roller 80 is provided above between the rollers 72 and 76.
An endless mesh belt 82 is wound between 4, 80 and 78.

When the mesh belt 82 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the driving means (not shown), the roller 7 is rotated.
Between 2 and 76, the photosensitive material 22 is moved from the insertion port 70 side, which is the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 22, to the discharge port 74 side at a speed substantially equal to or slightly higher than the conveying speed of the photosensitive material 22 in the processing liquid processing section 34. .

Further, the drying section 36 includes a roller 7 on the insertion side.
A roller 84 that faces the roller 2 and a roller 86 that faces the discharge-side roller 76 are provided. As a result, the photosensitive material 22 sent from the processing liquid processing section 34 to the drying section 36
Is nipped by the rollers 72 and 84 and drawn into the drying unit 36, and is also sent out between the rollers 76 and 86 along the lower surface of the mesh belt 82.
When the rollers 76 and 86 sandwich the photosensitive material 22, the photosensitive material 22 is ejected from the discharge port 74 to the outside of the machine (machine frame 32).
Outside).

A tension roller 88 is provided above the roller 76, and the mesh belt 82 is wound around the tension roller 88 between the rollers 78 and 80, so that the mesh belt 82 is predetermined. The tension is applied.

On the other hand, rollers 72 and 76 are provided in the drying section 36.
A chamber 90 is provided so as to face the mesh belt 82 between. Dry air generated by a dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to the chamber 90.

Further, in the chamber 90, a plurality of ejection ports 92 are formed on the surface facing the mesh belt 82. Each of the ejection ports 92 has a longitudinal direction that is a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the mesh belt 82.
It is formed in a slit shape along the width direction of 2, and the dry air supplied to the chamber 90 is ejected from the ejection port 92 toward the mesh belt 82.

A restraining roller 94 is provided between the rollers 72 and 76, and the restraining roller 94 and the tension roller 88 bend the mesh belt 82 due to the dry air jetted from the jet port 92. To prevent it from happening.

The photosensitive material 22 delivered from the rollers 72 and 74 is pressed against the mesh belt 82 by the dry air jetted from the jet port 92, and the mesh belt 82 is driven to rotate, so that The inside of the drying unit 36 is integrally moved toward the discharge port 74.

At this time, the photosensitive material 22 is heated and dried by the dry air, and the moisture evaporated by the heating and drying is removed from the vicinity of the surface of the photosensitive material 22 to accelerate the drying.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Includes a processing solution circulating mechanism for circulating the processing solution in each processing tank, and a replenishing mechanism for replenishing the processing solution with a replenishing solution in each processing tank at a preset timing according to the processing amount of the photosensitive material 22 over time. Is provided.

In the processing liquid processing unit 34 of the processor 14,
Circulation pumps 100, 102, 10 forming a circulation mechanism
4, 106, and 108 are provided.

A pipe 11 is provided on the discharge side of the circulation pump 100.
0A is connected to one end, and the other end of the pipe 110A is open to the bottom of the developing tank 54. In addition, the circulation pump 1
00 is connected to the suction side of the pipe 110B, and the other end of the pipe 110B is opened to the side wall of the developing tank 54. By operating the circulation pump 100, the developing inside the developing tank 54 is performed. The liquid is sucked from the side wall and discharged from the bottom, and the developer in the developing tank 54 is circulated and stirred.

A pipe 11 is provided on the discharge side of the circulation pump 102.
One end of 2A is connected, the other end of this pipe 112A opens at the bottom of the bleach-fixing tank 56, and a pipe 112B is provided on the suction side.
Of the pipe 112B is open to the side wall of the bleach-fixing tank 56. In addition, the circulation pump 104
To the discharge side of each of the pipes 114A and 11A.
One end of 6A and 118A are connected to each other, and pipes 114 for each
The other ends of A, 116A, 118A are rinse tanks 58, 60,
Pipes 114B, 116B, 118B are provided on the suction sides of the circulation pumps 104 to 108, respectively.
One end of each of the pipes 114B, 116B,
The other end of 118B is opened to the side wall of each of the rinse tanks 58, 60, 62.

As a result, in the processing liquid processing section 34, when the circulation pumps 102 to 108 are operated, the bleaching / fixing liquid in the bleaching / fixing bath 56 and the rinse liquids in the rinsing baths 58 to 62 are circulated and stirred.

On the other hand, the filter 120 is installed in the pipe 110A.
Further, the heaters 122 and 124 and the temperature sensor 126 forming the temperature adjusting means are provided, and in the processing liquid processing unit 34,
When the developer in the developer tank 54 is circulated / stirred, the filter 120 allows the suspended matter in the developer to be filtered, and the heaters 122 and 124 and the temperature sensor 126 allow the developer to properly adjust the photosensitive material 22. The temperature can be adjusted to a temperature set in advance so that it can be processed.

Further, in the pipe 112A for the bleach-fixing solution,
A filter 128, heaters 130 and 132, and a temperature sensor 134 are provided. In the processing liquid processing unit 34, the filter 128 allows the suspended matter in the bleach-fixing solution to be filtered, and the heaters 130 and 132 and the temperature sensor 13 are provided.
4 enables the bleach-fixing solution to be adjusted to a preset temperature at which the photosensitive material 22 is properly processed.

Further, in the pipe 114A for the rinse liquid,
A filter 136, a heater 138 and a temperature sensor 140 are provided, and a pipe 142A is provided with a filter 142, a heater 144 and a temperature sensor 146, and a pipe 118A.
Includes a filter 148, a heater 150, and a temperature sensor 1.
52 is provided. Thereby, the rinse tanks 58 to 6
The rinse liquid in 2 is such that suspended matters can be filtered by filters 136, 142, 148, and the heater 1
38 and temperature sensor 140, heater 144 and temperature sensor 1
46, the heater 150, and the temperature sensor 152,
The temperature can be adjusted to a preset temperature.

On the other hand, the processor 14 has a replenishing tank 154 for storing a developing replenishing stock solution, replenishing tanks 156 and 158 for storing a bleach-fixing replenishing solution, and a developing replenishing stock solution, and water used as a bleach-fixing replenishing solution diluting and rinsing solution. A water supply tank 160 for storing is provided. Further, in the treatment liquid treatment section 34, replenishment pumps 162, 164, 166 and water supply pumps 168, 170, 172, 174, 17 are provided.
6, 178 are provided.

A pipe 18 is provided on the discharge side of the replenishment pump 162.
0A is connected to one end, and the other end of the pipe 180A is opened to the upper part of the developing tank 54 via the replenishment nozzle 182.
One end of the pipe 180B is connected to the suction side.
The other end of 80B opens into the replenishment tank 154.

As a result, in the processing liquid processing unit 34, when the replenishment pump 162 is operated, the developing replenishment stock solution in the replenishment tank 154 is replenished to the developing tank 54 as a replenishment liquid.

A pipe 18 is provided on the discharge side of the replenishment pump 164.
4A is connected to one end, and the other end of the pipe 184A is opened to the upper part of the bleach-fixing tank 56 via a replenishment nozzle 186,
One end of a pipe 184B is connected to the suction side, and the other end of the pipe 184B is open inside the replenishment tank 156.
Further, one end of a pipe 188A is connected to the discharge side of the replenishment pump 166, the other end of the pipe 188A is opened to the upper portion of the bleach-fixing tank 56 via the replenishment nozzle 190, and a pipe 188B is connected to the suction side. One end is connected and this pipe 188
The other end of B opens into the replenishment tank 158.

As a result, when the replenishment pumps 164 and 166 are operated in the treatment liquid treatment section 34, the replenishment tank 15
Each of the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solutions in Nos. 6 and 158 is replenished to the bleach-fixing tank 56 as replenishing solutions from the replenishing nozzles 186 and 190.

The processor 14 applied to the present embodiment forms the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solution by mixing the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solution separated into two solutions at a predetermined ratio. Not limited to this, one bleach-fix replenishing stock solution may be used.

A pipe 19 is provided on the discharge side of the water supply pump 168.
2A is connected to one end, the other end of the pipe 192A is opened to the upper part of the developing tank 54, and one end of the pipe 192B is connected to the discharge side of the water supply pump 170.
The other end of the is opened to the upper part of the bleach-fixing tank 56.

Also, one end of each of the pipes 192C, 192D and 192E is connected to the discharge side of each of the water supply pumps 172 to 176, and the other ends of the pipes 192C, 192D and 192E are located above the rinse tanks 58, 60 and 62, respectively. One end of the pipe 194 is connected to the discharge side of the water supply pump 178, and the other end of the pipe 194 is opened to the upper portion of the rinse tank 62 via the refill nozzle 196.

Further, in the water supply tank 160, the pipe 1
One end of the pipe 98 is opened, and the pipe 198 is branched at the intermediate portion and connected to the suction side of the water supply pumps 168 to 178.

As a result, in the processing liquid processing section 34, the water supply pump 168 operates to supply the developing tank 54 with water for diluting the developer replenishing stock solution from the water supply tank 160, and the water supply pump 170 operates. Water for diluting the bleach-fixing replenishing stock solution is supplied to the bleach-fixing tank 56.
Supplied from 0. Further, in the treatment liquid processing unit 34, the water supply tank 160 is operated by the operation of the water supply pump 178.
The water inside is replenished to the rinse tank 62 as a rinse liquid.

Between the rinse tanks 58, 60 and 62, water serving as a rinse liquid is replenished from the rinse tank 62 to the rinse tanks 60 and 58 by a cascade method. Further, in the processing tank 52, overflow pipes 54A, 56A, 58 are provided in a developing tank 54, a bleach-fixing tank 56 and a rinse tank 58.
A is provided, and the excess developing solution, bleach-fixing solution and rinse solution due to the replenishment of the replenishing solution are discharged from the overflow pipes 54A, 56A and 58A, respectively.

Further, the water supply pumps 172, 174, 176
Each of the water rinse tanks 158
To 60, each of which will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
The controller 250 is provided with a controller 252 including a microcomputer (not shown).

The controller 252 includes a circulation pump 100, a replenishment pump 162, a water supply pump 168, a heater 122, and 1 provided for the developing tank 54.
24, the temperature sensor 126 is connected.

Further, the developing tank 54 is provided with a liquid level sensor 258 for detecting the lower limit level of the liquid level of the developing solution, and the liquid level sensor 258 is connected to the controller 252.

Further, the processor 14 is provided with a cooling fan 264 for cooling the heater 122, which is opposed to the heater 122 for heating the developer, and the cooling fan 264 is connected to the controller 252.

The controller 252 is the circulation pump 100.
While operating the temperature sensor 126, the temperature of the developing solution is detected by the temperature sensor 126, and the heater 12 is detected based on the detected temperature.
2, 124 and the cooling fan 264 are operated to control the temperature of the developer. At this time, the controller 252 heats the developing solution by controlling the on / off of the heaters 122 and 124, and at the same time, when the heater 122 is turned off, the cooling fan 230 is operated to cool the heater 122 and cool the heater 122. The temperature rise of the developing solution due to the residual heat is suppressed to enable highly accurate temperature control.

Further, the controller 252 operates the replenishment pump 162 and the water supply pump 168 at preset timings such as the elapsed time and the processing amount of the photosensitive material 22 reaching a predetermined amount, thereby developing a predetermined amount. By replenishing the replenishing stock solution and water for diluting the developing replenishing stock solution at a predetermined ratio as a replenisher solution, the processing performance of the developer solution stored in the developing tank 54 is kept constant.

The controller 252 includes a circulation pump 102 provided for the bleach-fixing tank 56,
Replenishment pumps 164 and 166, water supply pump 170, heaters 130 and 132, temperature sensor 134, liquid level sensor, cooling fan (not shown), and circulation pumps 104 to 108 and water supply pumps provided for the rinse tanks 58 to 62. 1
72 to 178, heaters 138, 144 and 150, and temperature sensors 140, 146 and 152 are connected and controlled by the controller 252. In addition, the processor 14
A liquid level sensor is provided in each of the bleach-fixing tank 56 and the rinse tanks 58 to 62, and heaters 130, 138, 144, 1
Although a cooling fan facing each of 50 is provided and these are controlled by the controller 252, detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted in the present embodiment.

Further, the controller 252 includes a drying unit 3
6, a drying fan, a heater, a temperature sensor, etc., which are not shown, are connected, and a sensitive material detection sensor 26 for detecting the photosensitive material 22 inserted into the insertion opening 40 is provided.
0 and a drive motor 262 serving as a drive source for conveying the photosensitive material 22 are connected.

An operation panel 254 is connected to the controller 252. The operation panel 254 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface side of the machine casing 32, and various settings can be made by turning on / off the power of the processor 14 by operating a key (not shown).
The display means (not shown) provided in the processor 1
It is possible to confirm the operation state of 4 and various setting states.

The controller 252 has an operation panel 254.
When a power switch (not shown) provided in
The inside of the drying section 36 is heated to a temperature at which the photosensitive material 22 can be appropriately heated, and each of the processing liquids in the developing tank 54, the bleach-fixing tank 56 and the rinse tanks 58 to 62 is heated to process the processing liquid. The temperature of each is adjusted to a preset temperature.

Further, the setter control section 256 provided in the setter 12 is connected to the controller 252, and when the start-up processing of the processor 14 is completed and the proper processing of the photosensitive material 22 becomes possible, the setter is set. Control unit 2
A ready signal is output to 56. This allows the setter 1
In step 2, image transfer is started on the photosensitive material 22 or a conveying process for discharging the photosensitive material 22 after image exposure is started.

The setter controller 256 controls the controller 25 when the photosensitive material 22 subjected to image exposure is sent out.
2, the controller 252 receives the carry-out signal and drives the drive motor 262 to receive and carry the photosensitive material 22. ing.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the processing rack 6
4 and 66, guides and rollers that form a conveyance path for the photosensitive material 22 are disposed between the pair of side plates 200, and the processing racks 68A to 68C are disposed between the pair of side plates 202 (only one of which is shown). Guides and rollers that form a conveyance path for the photosensitive material 22 are arranged.

Here, the processing rack provided in the processor 14 is a processing rack 64 mainly used in the developing tank 54.
Will be described as an example.

In the processing rack 64, the reversing rollers 204 are arranged at the lower ends of the pair of side plates 200.
Three rollers 206 are arranged below and on the side of 04.

Each of the reversing roller 204 and the roller 206 is suspended and pivotally supported between a pair of rack side plates 200. A guide member 208 is provided between each of the rollers 206.

Further, the processing rack 64 includes a reversing roller 2
The reversing roller 20 with the photosensitive material 22 sandwiched above 04.
The roller pair 210 that conveys between the roller 4 and the roller 206.
A pair of rollers 212A and 212B for sandwiching the A and 210B and the photosensitive material 22 sent out between the reversing roller 204 and the roller 206 and guiding the photosensitive material 22 upward are provided, and each roller is axially supported by the side plate 200. .

The guide member 2 is provided between the roller pair 210A and 210B and between the roller pair 212A and 212B.
14A and 214B are provided as a pair, and the reversing roller 2
A guide member 216 and a guide member 218 facing the guide member 216 are provided on the upper side of 04.

As a result, in the processing rack 64, the photosensitive material 22 conveyed downward by the roller pair 210A, 210B is sandwiched between the reversing roller 204 and the roller 206 and inverted, and is directed upward by the roller pair 212A, 212B. It is nipped and conveyed.

Processing racks 68A, 68B, 68C
Is provided with a roller pair 220 below the rack side plate 202, and a guide member 222 is provided between the roller pair 210A and the roller pair 220 and between the roller pair 220 and the roller pair 212B, so that the photosensitive material 22 is substantially U-shaped. A transport path for guiding and transporting the same is formed.

On the other hand, the processing rack 64 includes a roller pair 21.
0A, 212B above the guide members 224, 226,
228 is provided.

A slit-shaped insertion hole 230 through which the photosensitive material 22 fed toward the roller pair 210A passes is formed between the guide member 224 and the guide member 226 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 22. In addition, the guide members 226 and 228 are formed with insertion openings 232 through which the photosensitive material 22 sent from the roller pair 212B passes.

The guide members 224 to 228 also serve as liquid level covers, and cover the liquid level of the developer when the processing rack 64 is placed in the developer tank 54, and the area where the developer comes into contact with air. To prevent the evaporation of water in the developing solution and the deterioration of the components in the developing solution due to contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air.

Further, in the processing rack 64 provided in the developing tank 54, the insertion roller pair 2 is provided above the guide member 224.
34, and an insertion guide 236 is provided above the insertion roller pair 234.

As a result, the photosensitive material 22 fed from the insertion port 42 (see FIG. 2) by the pair of conveying rollers 46.
Is guided to the insertion roller pair 234, nipped and conveyed by the insertion roller pair 234, and fed into the developing solution from the insertion port 230.

Further, the processing rack 64 has an insertion port 232.
A pair of transport rollers 238 is provided above the printer, and a crossover guide 240 is provided between the processing rack 64 of the developing tank 54 and the processing rack 66 of the bleach-fixing tank 56.
The conveying roller pair 238 and the crossover guide 240
The photosensitive material 22 from the developing tank 54 to the bleach-fixing tank 6
A crossover portion 242 for guiding and transporting to 6 is formed.

The pair of transport rollers 238 nip the photosensitive material 22 delivered from the insertion port 232 of the processing rack 64, and deliver it to the bleach-fixing tank 56. The crossover guide 240 guides the photosensitive material 22 toward the insertion port 230 formed in the processing rack 66 of the bleach-fixing tank 56. As a result, the photosensitive material 22 is fed into the bleach-fixing solution in the bleach-fixing tank 56. At this time, the pair of transport rollers 238 squeeze out the developing solution adhering to the front and back surfaces of the photosensitive material 22 sent out from the developing solution.

On the other hand, the processing rack 64 is provided with a spray pipe 272 above the conveying roller pair 238 forming the crossover portion 242.

As shown in FIG. 6, a spray pipe 272.
Are arranged such that their axes are parallel to the axes of the pair of transport rollers 238. In addition, as shown in FIG.
A shaft 2 that connects the pair of side plates 200 is provided above the shaft 2.
74 is provided, and the spray pipe 272 is supported by the shaft 274 (support structure is not shown).

As shown in FIG. 6, this spray pipe 2
One end of 72 is closed, and the other end is connected to a pipe 192A for supplying water to the developing tank 54. The processing rack 6
The pipes 192B, 192C, 192 are installed in the spray pipes 272 provided on the 6, 68A, 68B, 68C.
D and 192E are connected (see FIG. 3). As a result, the water supply pump 168 operates to supply water from the water supply tank 160 to the spray pipe 272.

In the processor 14, the photosensitive material 22 is inserted through the center, and the spray pipe 272 has a small hole 276 as a discharge port at a position facing the intermediate portion in the width direction of the photosensitive material 22. Are formed. Further, the spray pipe 272 has a processor 14
Small holes 278, 280, 282 are formed as discharge ports in accordance with the passage positions of both ends in the width direction of each of the photosensitive materials 22A, 22B, 22C processed in step 1.

As a result, the water supplied to the spray pipe 272 is discharged from the small holes 276 to 282 toward the peripheral surface of the roller 238. In addition, the small hole 278,
280 and 282 are formed so as to face slightly inward from both ends in the width direction of the photosensitive materials 22A, 22B, and 22C, and the water discharged from the small holes 276 to 282 is directed in the axial direction of the roller 238. I try to spread it outward.

The pair of conveying rollers 238 are used for the spray pipe 2
Since the water is being ejected from 72, the peripheral surface of the upper roller is washed with this water by being rotationally driven. The water that has cleaned the peripheral surface of the transport roller pair 238 is collected in the developing tank 54, so that
It can be used as dilution water for diluting the developing replenishment stock solution.

The processor 14 configured as described above
In the color proof making apparatus 10 provided with, the setter 12 first exposes the photosensitive material 22 forming the color proof according to the image data. At this time, in the setter 12, the photosensitive material 22 having a width dimension according to the image data is pulled out from the magazine 20, cut into a length according to the image data, and sent to the recording unit 24. That is, the photosensitive material 22 having a size corresponding to the image data is sent to the recording unit 24.

In the recording section 24, after the photosensitive material 22 is wound around the rotary drum 26 and adsorbed and held, the rotary drum 2
While rotating 6 at a high speed, a light (for example, laser light) beam modulated in accordance with image data is irradiated in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary drum 26 to scan and expose the photosensitive material 22 adsorbed and held on the rotary drum 26. To do. As a result, an image corresponding to the image data is exposed on the photosensitive material 22. For exposure of the photosensitive material 22, any conventionally known structure can be applied.

In the setter 12, when the exposure of the photosensitive material 22 is completed, the photosensitive material 22 is conveyed toward the discharge port 30 while being removed from the rotary drum 26, and the discharge port 3 is discharged.
Send from 0. At the same time, in the setter 12, the carry-out signal of the photosensitive material 22 is output from the setter controller 256 to the controller 252 of the processor 14.

The processor 14 is connected to the setter 12, and the photosensitive material 22 sent out from the discharge port 30 is sent to the insertion port 40 of the processor 14 facing the discharge port 30. In the processor 14, the drive motor 262 is operated by the carry-out signal from the setter 12, and the transport roller pair 44, 46 and the like are rotationally driven.

Thus, the insertion port 40 of the processor 14
When the photosensitive material 22 inserted from is fed into the space between the pair of transport rollers 44 arranged so as to face the insertion opening 40,
The conveying roller pair 44 holds the photosensitive material 22 and pulls it from the setter 12 into the processor 14.

The processor 14 is constituted by the conveying roller pair 44.
The photosensitive material 22 drawn into the inside is first sent to the processing liquid processing section 34 and conveyed while being immersed in the developing solution, the bleach-fixing solution and the rinsing solution in that order, and then subjected to the developing processing, the bleach-fixing processing and the rinsing processing. Processing is performed.

The photosensitive material 22 that has been rinsed is sent from the rinsing tank 62 to the drying section 36, and is conveyed inside the drying section 36 along the lower surface of the mesh belt 82. At this time, in the drying unit 36, the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to the chamber 90 and is ejected from the ejection port 92 toward the photosensitive material 22.

At this time, the controller 252 optimizes the photosensitive material 22 by measuring the ambient temperature and the ambient humidity with a temperature / humidity sensor (not shown) provided in the insertion portion 38 and setting or correcting the drying conditions. Drying is done in a stable state. For example, in the drying section 38, about 70 ° C
The hot air (dry air) (at least 65 ° C. or higher) is generated to perform the drying process of the photosensitive material 22, and the temperature process is corrected based on the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity, so that the drying process is performed more appropriately. Can be finished with high quality.

The photosensitive material 22 is conveyed inside the drying section 36 while being attached to the lower surface of the mesh belt 82, heated and dried by the dry air, discharged from the discharge port 74, and accumulated in the stocker 16. .

By the way, the controller 252 controls the developing tank 54, the bleach-fixing tank 56 and the rinse tank 6 at preset timings according to the elapsed time and the processing amount of the photosensitive material 22.
Add replenisher to each of the two. Controller 252
When the water supply pumps 168 and 170 are operated, the drive motor 262 is operated to wash the transport roller pair 238 of the processing racks 64 and 66 with water that dilutes the developing replenishment stock solution and the bleach-fixing replenishment stock solution. I am trying to do it. Note that a conventionally known configuration can be applied to the setting of the replenishing amount of the replenisher and the replenishing timing, and the description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

On the other hand, the controller 252 controls the processing rack 6 when the power switch of the processor 14 is turned on, when it is turned off, and at regular time intervals while the processor 14 is operating.
4, the conveyance roller pair 238 provided in each of the processing racks 68A to 68C and the processing racks 68A to 68C are washed with time to prevent the conveyance roller pair 238 from drying.

At this time, the controller 252 actuates the water supply pumps 168 to 176 so as to replenish the respective treatment tanks with an amount corresponding to the evaporation amount of the water in the treatment liquid in the respective treatment tanks, thereby performing the respective treatments. The processing solution in the tank is prevented from concentrating.

For example, the controller 252 measures the stop time from when the power switch is turned off until the power switch is turned on next, and when the power switch is turned on, the water evaporation amount is calculated based on this stop time. , The calculated water evaporation amount is replenished to each processing tank.

Further, the controller 252 has a fixed time interval (for example, 6 seconds) when the processor 14 is on.
Every hour), calculate the amount of water evaporation during that time, or
Alternatively, the water supply pump 1 may be used to replenish each treatment tank with water in an amount corresponding to the amount of water evaporation set according to the time.
When 68 to 176 are operated and the power switch of the processor 14 is turned off, the amount of water corresponding to the amount of water evaporation calculated based on the elapsed time from the previous water supply is replenished.

At this time, water is supplied (supplemented) through the spray pipe 272 to wash the conveying roller pair 238 arranged outside the liquid.

Further, in the controller 252, if the non-processing time of the photosensitive material 22 continues, the elapsed time from the end of the processing of the previous photosensitive material 22 is a predetermined time (for example, 30
min), the water feed pumps 170 to 176 are operated to remove the treatment rack 64, and the treatment racks 66 and 68 are removed.
By supplying the cleaning water to the pair of transport rollers 238 provided in each of A, 68B, and 68C, the surface of the pair of transport rollers 238 is prevented from being dried.

When the water supply is performed, the controller 252 subtracts the water supply amount from the water supply amount when the bleach-fixing tank 56 and the rinse tank 62 are replenished with the replenisher.

Incidentally, the conveying roller pair 238 applied to this embodiment can moisten the surface with about 20 ml of washing water, and the treatment racks 68A, 68B and 68C can be wetted by 4 times.
By supplying 0 ml of cleaning water, the conveying roller pair 23
No. 8 dryness prevention and simple roller cleaning are performed.

Further, to the conveying roller pair 238 of the processing rack 66 provided in the bleach-fixing tank 56, in order to prevent the bleach-fixing solution from being diluted, the minimum amount necessary to moisten the conveying roller pair 238 ( In this embodiment, 20 ml of cleaning water is supplied.

On the other hand, the controller 252 uses the sensitive material detection sensor 260 to check whether or not the photosensitive material 22 inserted from the insertion opening 40 has a width dimension of a predetermined value or more, and then insert the photosensitive material 22. Is a predetermined width or more, and the photosensitive material 22 processed last time is a predetermined size or less, the water supply pump 176 is operated to set a preset amount of washing water (in the present embodiment, , 60 ml)
Processing rack 68 provided in the rinsing tank 62 on the most downstream side.
The carrier roller pair 238 of C is supplied to wash the carrier roller pair 238.

At this time, the controller 252 causes the cleaning of the pair of conveying rollers 238 to be completed before the tip of the inserted photosensitive material 22 reaches the pair of conveying rollers 238 of the processing rack 68C.

In the present embodiment, as an example, when the photosensitive material 22C is processed and then the photosensitive material 22C is developed, the conveying roller pair 238 of the processing rack 68C is washed. ing.

That is, the controller 252 uses the sensitive material detection sensor 260 to detect whether or not the width dimension of the inserted photosensitive material 22 is the width dimension X ₃ .

The controller 252 detects the width of the photosensitive material 22 and the length of the photosensitive material 22 along the conveyance direction from the passage time of the photosensitive material 22, and the photosensitive material 22 is detected.
Even when the size is C, the processing rack 68C is used when the size is short (for example, 820 mm x 350 mm) other than the normal time.
The conveyance roller pair 238 of No. 2 is not washed, and an increase in the amount of waste liquid caused by unnecessarily supplying washing water to the rinse tank 62 is prevented, and when the photosensitive material 22 is continuously processed, The cleaning material 22 is prevented from being splashed with cleaning water during processing.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of conveying rollers 23 arranged outside the liquid in the processor 14 is used.
An outline of the washing of No. 8 will be described. In the processor 14, when the replenisher is replenished to the developing tank 54 and the bleach-fixing tank 56, the pair of transport rollers 23 of the processing racks 64 and 66 are used.
Although the cleaning of 8 is performed, the processing executed separately from the replenishment of the replenisher will be described.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the cleaning process with time of the transport roller pair 238. This flowchart is executed when the power switch of the processor 14 is checked in the first step 300 and the power switch is turned on.

Here, if the processor 14 is turned on and an affirmative decision is made in step 300, the routine proceeds to step 302, where the stop time of the processor 14 is read. The stop time is measured by resetting / starting a timer (not shown) when the power of the processor 14 is turned off.

In the next step 304, the processor 14
The standard amount (for example, the set amount per unit time) of the water evaporation amount from each processing tank such as the developing tank 54 which is set for the stop time is read, and the water evaporation amount is set based on this reference amount and the stop time. Is calculated and the amount of water (20 ml) required to moisten the peripheral surface of the transport roller pair 238 provided outside the liquid is added to the calculated amount of water evaporation to set the amount of water supply.

After that, in step 306, the water supply pumps 168 to 176 are operated so as to supply the set water supply amount, thereby supplying water to the respective treatment tanks while moistening the pair of transport rollers 238.

On the other hand, when the water supply process at the start-up of the processor 14 is completed, the routine proceeds to step 308, where a timer (not shown) is reset / started, and the next step 3
At 10, it is confirmed whether or not the time measured by the timer has reached a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours).

If an affirmative decision is made in step 310, the routine proceeds to step 312, where the preset and stored water supply amount is read and the water supply amount is set. After that, in step 314, the water supply pumps 168 to 176 are operated to supply the set amount of water to each processing tank, and the process returns to step 308 to reset / start the timer.

That is, by supplying water to each treatment tank at preset time intervals, even if the processor 14 is continuously operated for a long period of time, the concentration of the treatment liquid in each treatment tank increases due to water evaporation. Prevent. At this time, by cleaning the conveying roller pair 238, stains on the peripheral surface of the conveying roller pair are removed, and the photosensitive material 22 is always maintained in an appropriately finished state.

On the other hand, in step 316, it is confirmed whether or not the power switch is turned off and an instruction to stop the operation of the processor 14 is issued.
If an affirmative decision is made in step 6, the process proceeds to step 318, the elapsed time from the previous water supply process is read, and the amount of water supplied to each treatment tank is set based on this elapsed time (step 32).
0). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 322, and the water supply pumps 168 to 176 are operated to supply the set amount of water to each treatment tank.

After that, a timer (not shown) is reset / started to measure the stop time of the processor 14, and the process ends (step 324).

As a result, the processor 14 can be stopped in a state in which the treatment liquid in each treatment tank has an appropriate concentration. Therefore, the treatment liquid in each treatment tank can be combined with the water supply when the processor 14 is operating. The photosensitive material 22 can be processed in a state where the density is appropriate. Further, the water supplied at this time is used to efficiently clean the outside liquid conveying roller pair 238.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows an outline of treatment cleaning. This flowchart is executed when the processor 14 starts operating, and in the first step 330, it is confirmed whether or not the sensitive material detection sensor 260 has detected the leading end of the photosensitive material 22.

Here, when the photosensitive material 22 is inserted from the setter 12 into the insertion opening 40 and the photosensitive material detecting sensor 260 detects the leading end of the photosensitive material 22, an affirmative decision is made in step 330, and the operation proceeds to step 332. , It is determined whether the inserted photosensitive material 22 is the photosensitive material 22C having the width dimension X ₃ .

In the controller 252, when the sensitive material detection sensor 260 detects the leading edge of the photosensitive material 22, a timer (not shown) is reset / started to measure the passage time, so that the photosensitive material 22 is conveyed in the conveying direction. The length (vertical dimension) is measured.

Further, the width dimension of the inserted photosensitive material 22 is determined by, for example, using the sensitive material detection sensor 260
2 and the position facing the center of the photosensitive material 22A, 22
Although B cannot be detected, any conventionally known method such as disposing the photosensitive material 22C at a position where it can be detected can be applied.

Here, when the inserted photosensitive material 22 is the photosensitive material 22C having the width dimension X ₃ , step 332 is performed.
Then, an affirmative decision is made in step S334, and the operation proceeds to step 334. In this step 334, the width dimension of the photosensitive material 22 processed last time is read, and it is judged whether or not the width dimension is the same as the previous photosensitive material 22.

That is, the controller 252 causes the photosensitive material detection sensor 260 to be inserted into the insertion opening 40.
When the leading edge of 2 is detected, it is determined whether the photosensitive material 22 is the photosensitive material 22A or the photosensitive material 22B having a narrow width dimension or the photosensitive material 22C having a wide width dimension, and the determination result is stored, and By comparing with the previous determination result of the photosensitive material 22, it is determined whether or not the photosensitive material 22 to be processed is switched from the photosensitive materials 22A and 22B to the photosensitive material 22C.

This gives the previously processed photosensitive material 22.
However, the width of the photosensitive material 22C is smaller than that of the photosensitive material 22C.
If it is A or the photosensitive material 22B, step 334
Then, a negative decision is made and the routine proceeds to step 336.

In this step 336, it is confirmed whether or not the sensitive material detecting sensor 260 has detected the passage of the rear end of the inserted photosensitive material 22C. As a result, the photosensitive material 22C
When the trailing edge of the trailing edge passes, an affirmative decision is made in this step 336 and the operation moves to step 338 to check whether or not the photosensitive material 22C has a predetermined length or more. That is, the photosensitive material 22
Is a short photosensitive material 22C other than the normal time.

As a result, the photosensitive material 22 having a length longer than the specified length is obtained.
If it is C, an affirmative decision is made in step 338, the routine moves to step 340, and the water feed pump 176 is operated so as to wash the transport roller pair 238 of the processing rack 68C provided in the most downstream rinse tank 62.

In the processor 14, the water supply pump 176 is operated 30 seconds before the leading edge of the photosensitive material 22C reaches the conveying roller pair 238 of the processing rack 68C, and the amount of 60 ml, which is sufficient for cleaning the conveying roller pair 236, is set. The cleaning water is supplied to the transport roller pair 238 so that the end of the photosensitive material 22C is finished before reaching the transport roller pair 238 of the processing rack 68C.

The operation timing of the water supply pump 276 is based on the elapsed time from when the photosensitive material detection sensor 260 detects the passage of the front end or the rear end of the photosensitive material 22C, and the front end of the photosensitive material 22C becomes the processing rack 68C. It is assumed that the cleaning of the transport roller pair 238 is completed before reaching the transport roller pair 238.

From this point, when the water supply pump 176 is operated based on the detection of the front end of the photosensitive material 22C, the conveying speed of the photosensitive material 22 in the processor 14 and the processing rack 6 are performed.
It can be easily set based on the length (pass length) of the conveying path to the conveying roller pair 238 of 8C.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive material 22C is used.
After the trailing edge of the photosensitive material 2 is detected, it is determined whether or not the cleaning roller pair 238 of the processing rack 68C is cleaned.
When the water supply pump 176 is operated at the timing of detecting the rear end of 2C, the time period for operating the water supply pump 176 after the photosensitive material detection sensor 260 detects the rear end of the photosensitive material 22 based on the vertical dimension of the photosensitive material 22. Is set.

As described above, in the processor 14, when the photosensitive material 22C having a large width dimension is processed next to the photosensitive materials 22A and 22B having a short width dimension, the photosensitive material 22 is processed.
It is arranged to prevent the photosensitive material 22C from being contaminated by the processing liquid remaining on the conveying roller pair 238 by processing A and 22B.

That is, on the pair of transport rollers 238 for squeezing the processing liquid from the photosensitive material 22, the processing liquid is likely to remain as dirt at positions facing both ends of the photosensitive material 22 in the width direction.
Therefore, even if the photosensitive materials 22A and 22B are processed after the photosensitive material 22C is processed, the photosensitive materials 22A and 22B are processed.
However, when the photosensitive material 22C is processed after processing the photosensitive material 22A or the photosensitive material 22B, the processing liquid adheres to the photosensitive material 22C and becomes a stain. It is easy to appear in.

Particularly, the dirt (processing liquid) attached to the pair of transport rollers 238 of the processing rack 68C disposed in the most downstream rinse tank 62 is dried next by the photosensitive material 22, The finish quality of the photosensitive material 22 is deteriorated.

On the other hand, in the processor 14, at the time of processing the photosensitive material 22C after processing the photosensitive materials 22A and 22B, at least the most downstream processing rack 68C.
By cleaning the pair of conveying rollers 238, it is possible to surely prevent the finish quality of the photosensitive material 22C from being deteriorated due to the dirt attached to the pair of conveying rollers 238 when the photosensitive material 22 is continuously processed. I have to.

In this embodiment, only the most downstream transport roller pair 238 is cleaned, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the transport roller pair 238 of the processing racks 68A and 68B may be cleaned. good.

On the other hand, if a negative decision is made at step 330, then the processing advances to step 342. In this step 342, it is confirmed whether or not the unprocessed state of the photosensitive material 22 has passed a predetermined time ts (for example, ts = 30 min) or more.

Here, when the unprocessed state of the photosensitive material 22 has passed the predetermined time ts or more and an affirmative determination is made in step 342, the process proceeds to step 344 and the water supply pump 170.
~ 176 is operated for a predetermined period of time to remove a preset amount of water from the treatment racks 66, 68A, 68.
It is supplied to each of the B and 68C transport roller pairs 238.

At this time, in the processor 14, the time ts
Is set to the time until the conveyance roller pair 238 becomes dry. Further, in the processor 14, the pair of transport rollers 2
It is set to supply the amount of water required to moisten the 38.

That is, the transport roller pair 238 provided in the processor 14 needs about 20 ml of water, and from this, the transport roller pair 238 provided in the processing rack 66 of the bleach-fixing tank 56 has 20 ml of water. The time for operating the water supply pump 170 is set so that water is supplied. In addition, the processing rack 68 of the rinse tanks 58, 60, 62.
To each of the pair of transport rollers 238 provided in A, 68B, and 68C, the water supply pump 17 is added so as to add water (20 ml) necessary for cleaning the pair of transport rollers 238 to this amount.
The operation time of 2 to 176 is set.

As a result, the processor 14 prevents the bleach-fixing solution in the bleach-fixing tank 56 from becoming so thin as to affect the processing performance of the light-sensitive material 22, and the processing in the rinse tanks 58 to 62 is prevented. Roller cleaning is also performed on the transport roller pair 238 provided on the racks 68A to 68C.

When water is supplied to the conveying roller pair 238 provided in the bleach-fixing tank 56 and the rinse tanks 58 to 62, in step 346, the amount of water supplied is changed to the bleaching constant tank 56 and the rinse tank 62.
Set to subtract from the water supply amount when replenishing the replenisher.

In the present embodiment, water is not supplied to the conveying roller pair 238 of the processing rack 64 provided in the developing tank 54 to prevent dryness, but the conveying roller pair 238 is used. When the developer supplied does not affect the processing performance, the water may be supplied also to the transport roller pair 238 of the processing rack 64.

As described above, in the processor 14, the amount of water capable of preventing the drying is supplied to the conveying roller pair 238 at the timing when the conveying roller pair 238 provided outside the liquid is dried. Even if the unprocessed state of the material 22 continues, the photosensitive material 22 can always be maintained in an optimally processed state.

The embodiment described above does not limit the structure of the present invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive material 22
Although the conveying roller pair is cleaned when A or the photosensitive material 22B is switched to the photosensitive material 22C, the conveying roller pair 238 is also cleaned when the photosensitive material 22A is switched to the photosensitive material 22B. May be performed.

That is, when the photosensitive material 22 having a small width dimension is switched to the photosensitive material 22 having a large width dimension, the conveying roller pair 238 may be performed.

The timing of carrying out the process cleaning of the pair of conveying rollers is not limited to that in this embodiment, and the timing at which the dirt of the pair of conveying rollers 238 can be prevented from adhering to the photosensitive material 22 and the pair of conveying rollers 238. Any timing can be set as long as it can prevent the dryness.

Furthermore, the processor 14 applied to this embodiment does not limit the configuration of the automatic developing device to which the present invention is applied. For example, in the present embodiment, the setter 12 is connected to the upstream side of the processor 14,
Color proof producing apparatus 10 in which a photosensitive material 22 for producing an inspection image sent from a printer is processed by a processor 14.
However, the automatic developing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this, and various conventionally known photosensitive materials (paper, film, silver salt having a metal plate or the like as a support, PS plate, dry type, etc.) can be used. It can be applied to an automatic developing device for processing.

[0170]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the width dimension of the photosensitive material to be processed becomes large, the outside conveying roller is conveyed before the leading edge of the photosensitive material reaches the outside conveying roller pair. By cleaning the pair, it is possible to reliably prevent the processing liquid adhering to the liquid conveyance roller pair from deteriorating the finish quality of the photosensitive material even when processing photosensitive materials of different sizes in succession. The excellent effect of being able to do is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a color proof creating apparatus applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processor applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a piping system of a processor.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control unit of a processor.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of each processing tank in which each processing rack is arranged.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a pair of conveyance rollers and a spray pipe provided in a crossover section.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of cleaning with time of a conveyance roller pair.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing cleaning of a pair of conveyance rollers.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Color Proofing Device 12 Setter (Output Device) 14 Processor (Automatic Developing Device) 22 (22A, 22B, 22C) Photosensitive Material 34 Processing Liquid Processing Section 54 Developing Tank (Processing Tank) 56 Bleaching Fixing Tank (Processing Tank) 58- 62 rinse tank (processing tank) 64, 66, 68A to 68C processing racks 168 to 176 water supply pump (cleaning means) 238 conveying roller pair (external liquid conveying roller pair) 242 crossover section 252 controller (processing washing control means, sensitive material) Detection means, determination means) 260 sensitive material detection sensor (sensitive material detection means, determination means) 272 spray pipe (cleaning means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A liquid which is placed outside the liquid while being conveyed by a processing rack arranged in the processing tank and immersed in the processing liquid stored in the processing tank for processing. An automatic developing device for processing while squeezing out and sending out a processing liquid from a photosensitive material drawn out of the processing liquid by a pair of external transportation rollers, which is transported by supplying water to the peripheral surface of the pair of external transportation rollers. Cleaning means for cleaning the peripheral surface of the roller pair, photosensitive material detecting means for detecting the width dimension of the photosensitive material to be inserted, and photosensitive material width dimension of the photosensitive material detected by the photosensitive material detecting means was previously processed The determining means for determining whether or not the width dimension of the photosensitive material is larger than the width dimension of the photosensitive material. liquid Automatic developing apparatus comprising a a treatment cleaning control means for actuating said cleaning means as washing Ekigai conveying roller pair is completed before reaching the conveying roller pair. 2. When the processing tank includes a rinse tank for washing away the processing liquid stored in the processing tank on the upstream side from the surface of the photosensitive material at the most downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material,
The automatic developing device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of outside liquid conveying rollers provided outside the liquid in the rinse tank is washed. 3. The processing and cleaning control means activates the cleaning means when a non-processing time of the photosensitive material reaches a time at which the peripheral surface of the liquid conveyance roller becomes dry, and a predetermined amount of water is supplied. 3. The automatic developing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the toner is supplied to a pair of liquid conveyance rollers. 4. The treatment cleaning control means supplies a set amount of water for each treatment tank to a pair of liquid conveyance rollers provided in a preset treatment tank. Item 3. The automatic developing device according to item 3.