JP2005031198A - Photosensitive material processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress leakage of a processing solution between processing tanks due to jamming of a photosensitive material. <P>SOLUTION: This photosensitive material processing unit is fabricated by arranging first and second sensors 33, 34 for sensing passage of a photosensitive material 15 at the photosensitive material 15 outlets of a processing section 11 and a drying section 12. This unit includes a buffer section 35 for temporarily holding the photosensitive material 15 carried out of the processing section 11 when jamming of the photosensitive material 15 occurs in the drying section 11, and a switching guide 36 for switching a conveyance path 14 between the buffer section 35 and the drying section 12. When a system controller 40 receives occurrence of jamming in the drying section 12, it stops carrying of the photosensitive material 15 from an exposure section 10 in the processing section 11 and driving of the drying section 12, and drives the switching guide 36 to switch the conveyance path 14 to the buffer section 35. The photosensitive material 15 is therefore prevented from stopping in the processing section 11 and leakage of a processing solution between processing tanks can be suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photosensitive material developing apparatus incorporated in an automatic developing machine such as a printer processor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An automatic processor such as a printer processor used in a photographic development facility includes an exposure unit for exposing and recording an image on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper, a development processing unit for developing the exposed photosensitive material, and a development process. A photosensitive material development processing apparatus including a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material later is incorporated. The development processing section is provided with a plurality of processing tanks containing processing solutions for color development, bleach-fixing, water washing and stabilization, and the development processing is performed by sequentially passing the photosensitive material through each processing solution. .
[0003]
Conventional processing tanks have adopted a so-called crossover structure in which photosensitive material is once transported over the air when the photosensitive material is transported from the previous tank to the next tank. Recently, however, the photosensitive material transport length has been shortened. In order to shorten the development processing time, a submerged squeeze part using a sealing member such as a blade is provided in the partition wall of each processing tank, and the photosensitive material is conveyed in the liquid through the submerged squeeze part. Has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-67393 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-130617 [Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-234488
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the printer processor performs printing while continuously transporting the photosensitive material, for example, when jamming of the photosensitive material occurs in the drying unit, the subsequent photosensitive material is clogged in the development processing unit. Further, if the processing is continued after the occurrence of jamming, the jamming is promoted by the photosensitive material successively carried in from the exposure unit, and the situation is further deteriorated.
[0006]
Here, in the development processing section, in order to maintain the processing capacity of the processing tank, it is necessary to prevent leakage of the processing liquid between the tanks. However, jamming occurs and the seal member of the above-described squeeze section is exposed to light. If the material remains clogged, the processing liquid before and after the sealing member may be mixed to reduce the processing capacity. In particular, when the bleach-fixing solution flows into the developing tank, the characteristics of the developing solution change and the developing performance deteriorates, or the development becomes uneven, causing a fatal damage to the product. In addition, the liquid must be replaced.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a photosensitive material development processing apparatus capable of suppressing the leakage of processing liquid between processing tanks due to jamming of photosensitive material and maintaining the processing capacity of the processing tank. The purpose is to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a photosensitive material developing processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material on which an image is exposed and recorded, wherein the photosensitive material is provided in a partition wall between a plurality of processing tanks in which processing solutions are stored. A development processing section that has a submerged squeeze section that allows passage of the processing liquid and prevents the processing liquid from passing therethrough, and performs the development processing by sequentially passing the photosensitive material through the plurality of processing tanks; and a photosensitive material after the development processing A drying unit that dries the photosensitive material, a detection unit that is disposed at least at the exit of the photosensitive material of the development processing unit and the drying unit, detects whether or not the photosensitive material has passed, and jamming of the photosensitive material occurs from the detection result of the detection unit And a control means for individually controlling the drive of the development processing unit and the drying unit so as to suppress the leakage of the processing liquid between the processing tanks based on the specified result. Special To.
[0009]
In addition, when the jamming occurs in the drying unit, a buffer unit that temporarily stores the photosensitive material carried out from the development processing unit, and a conveyance path of the photosensitive material between the buffer unit and the drying unit Switching means for switching between, and the control means, when it is determined that jamming has occurred in the drying unit, stops the loading of the photosensitive material to the development processing unit and the driving of the drying unit, the switching It is preferable to switch the transport path to the buffer unit by driving the means.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1, a printer processor 2 to which the present invention is applied includes an exposure unit 10, a development processing unit 11, a drying unit 12, and a sorter unit 13. The exposure unit 10 cuts the photosensitive material 15 (see FIG. 2) conveyed along the conveyance path 14 indicated by a two-dot chain line for each frame with a cutter (not shown), and the cut sheet-shaped photosensitive material 15 is cut. An image based on the image data is exposed and recorded on the exposure surface.
[0011]
The development processing unit 11 is provided with a developing tank 16, a bleach-fixing tank 17, and first to fourth washing tanks 18 to 21 in order from the upstream side of the transport path 14. In these processing tanks, a predetermined amount of developer, bleach-fixing solution, and washing solution are stored, and a partition wall 22 provided in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid surface and partition walls 23 to 26 provided in the horizontal direction. It is divided by.
[0012]
Transport racks 27 and 28 are detachably loaded in the developing tank 16, the bleach-fixing tank 17, and the first to fourth washing tanks 18 to 21. The transport racks 27 and 28 are provided with a plurality of transport roller pairs 29 for transporting the photosensitive material 15 in the bath. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the 4th washing tank 21 is replenished with the washing | cleaning liquid from a replenishment tank via a pump. The replenished washing liquid overflows from the upper side to the lower side (from the fourth washing tank 21 to the first washing tank 18), and the first washing tank 18 is provided with an overflow pipe.
[0013]
The partition walls 22 to 26 are each provided with a submerged squeeze portion 30 that allows the photosensitive material 15 to pass therethrough and prevents the processing solution from passing therethrough. As shown in FIG. 2, the submerged squeeze portion 30 includes a pair of elastic blades 31 as a seal member. The elastic blade 31 is made of a chemical-resistant elastomer such as thermosetting polyurethane or silicon rubber, or a metal such as stainless steel, titanium, hastelloy, or Inconel.
[0014]
As indicated by the dotted line in the figure, in a normal state, the tip portions of the pair of elastic blades 31 are in elastic contact with each other. Thereby, the submerged squeeze part 30 is sealed by the elastic blade 31, and the processing liquids in the processing tanks 16 to 21 partitioned by the partition walls 22 to 26 do not circulate with each other. When the photosensitive material 15 passes, the tip of the elastic blade 31 is pushed by the tip of the photosensitive material 15. As a result, the photosensitive material 15 can pass through the submerged squeeze portion 30 and the processing blade is prevented from passing by the elastic blade 31.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, a heater, a duct, a blower fan, and the like (not shown) are incorporated in the drying unit 12, and the photosensitive material 15 after development transported by a plurality of transport roller pairs 32 is dried. The sorter unit 13 sorts and accumulates the dried photosensitive material 15 for each print order.
[0016]
First and second sensors 33 and 34 for detecting whether or not the photosensitive material 15 has passed are disposed at the exit of the photosensitive material 15 in the development processing unit 11 and the drying unit 12. The detection results of the first and second sensors 33 and 34 are transmitted to the system controller 40 (see FIG. 3).
[0017]
Above the fourth rinsing tank 21, when the photosensitive material 15 is jammed in the drying unit 12, a buffer unit 35 that temporarily stores the photosensitive material 15 carried out from the development processing unit 11, and this buffer unit A switching guide 36 for switching the transport path 14 between the dryer 35 and the drying unit 12 is provided. The switching guide 36 is driven by a solenoid (not shown) via the system controller 40 and is movable between a normal position indicated by a solid line and a retracted position indicated by a broken line.
[0018]
In FIG. 3 showing the electrical configuration of the printer processor 2, a system controller 40 controls the overall operation of the printer processor 2. The system controller 40 identifies the portion where the jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred from the detection results of the first and second sensors 33 and 34, and suppresses the leakage of the processing liquid between the processing tanks based on the identification result. As described above, the development processing unit 11 and the drying unit 12 are individually driven and controlled.
[0019]
The photosensitive material 15 carried into the development processing unit 11 is not detected by the second sensor 34 within a predetermined time obtained by adding a known development processing time and drying time in advance, and is detected by the first sensor 33 within the development processing time. If not, the system controller 40 specifies that jamming of the photosensitive material has occurred in the development processing unit 11, and urgently stops all the driving units.
[0020]
After the emergency stop, the system controller 40 notifies the operator that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred in the development processing unit 11 via an alarm lamp, a speaker, an LCD panel, or the like. Upon receiving this notification, the operator retreats the processing solution to a retreat tank (not shown), manually discharges the photosensitive material 15 that causes jamming, and performs jamming recovery processing.
[0021]
On the other hand, when the photosensitive material 15 carried into the development processing unit 11 is not detected by the second sensor 34 within a predetermined time and is detected by the first sensor 33 after the development processing time, the system controller 40 displays the drying unit 12. It is specified that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred.
[0022]
When it is determined that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred in the drying unit 12, the system controller 40 stops the carry-in of the photosensitive material 15 from the exposure unit 10 to the development processing unit 11 and the driving of the drying unit 12. The guide 36 is driven to the retracted position, the transport path 14 is switched from the drying unit 12 to the buffer unit 35, only the development processing unit 11 is driven, and the photosensitive material 15 carried out from the development processing unit 11 is discharged to the buffer unit 35. .
[0023]
After the photosensitive material 15 is discharged, the system controller 40 causes the drying unit 12 to jam the photosensitive material 15 via an alarm lamp, a speaker, an LCD panel, and the like, as in the case where jamming of the photosensitive material occurs in the development processing unit 11. The operator is notified that this has occurred. Upon receiving this notification, the operator manually discharges the photosensitive material 15 that causes jamming, and performs jamming recovery processing.
[0024]
After the jamming recovery processing, the system controller 40 returns the photosensitive material 15 discharged to the buffer unit 35 to the original conveyance path 14 again and conveys it to the drying unit 12. Alternatively, it is discarded as it is.
[0025]
Next, the effect | action by the said embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG. When printing is instructed, the exposure unit 10 cuts the photosensitive material 15 for each frame by the cutter, and an image based on the image data is recorded on the exposure surface of the photosensitive material 15 by exposure. The exposed photosensitive material 15 is conveyed to the development processing unit 11, and the developing tank 16, the bleach-fixing tank 17, and the first to fourth water washing tanks 18 to 21 are sequentially transferred by the conveying roller pair 29 and the submerged squeeze unit 30. It is conveyed in the liquid and subjected to development, bleach-fixing, and water washing treatment. The photosensitive material 15 after the development processing is dried by the drying unit 12, and is sorted and collected for each print order by the sorter unit 13.
[0026]
During the printing operation, the first and second sensors 33 and 34 detect whether or not the photosensitive material 15 passes through the exits of the development processing unit 11 and the drying unit 12. Then, from the detection results of the first and second sensors 33 and 34, the site where the jamming of the photosensitive material 15 occurs is specified by the system controller 40, and the leakage of the processing liquid between the processing tanks is suppressed based on the specifying result. Thus, the development processing unit 11 and the drying unit 12 are individually driven and controlled.
[0027]
The photosensitive material 15 carried into the development processing unit 11 is not detected by the second sensor 34 within a predetermined time obtained by adding a known development processing time and drying time in advance, and is detected by the first sensor 33 within the development processing time. If not, the system controller 40 determines that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred in the development processing unit 11, and all the driving units are urgently stopped.
[0028]
After the emergency stop, the system controller 40 notifies the operator that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred in the development processing unit 11 via an alarm lamp, a speaker, an LCD panel, or the like. Upon receipt of this notification, the processing solution is retracted to the retracting tank, the photosensitive material 15 causing jamming is manually discharged, and jamming recovery processing is performed.
[0029]
On the other hand, when the photosensitive material 15 carried into the development processing unit 11 is not detected by the second sensor 34 within a predetermined time and is detected by the first sensor 33 after the development processing time, the system controller 40 causes the drying unit 15 to 12, it is determined that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred.
[0030]
When it is determined that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred in the drying unit 12, the system controller 40 stops the carrying of the photosensitive material 15 from the exposure unit 10 to the development processing unit 11 and the driving of the drying unit 12. Then, the switching guide 36 is driven to the retracted position, the transport path 14 is switched from the drying unit 12 to the buffer unit 35, only the development processing unit 11 is driven, and the photosensitive material 15 carried out from the development processing unit 11 is transferred to the buffer unit 35. To be discharged.
[0031]
After the photosensitive material 15 is discharged, as in the case where jamming of the photosensitive material 15 occurs in the development processing unit 11, the system controller 40 causes the drying unit 12 to transfer the photosensitive material 15 via an alarm lamp, a speaker, an LCD panel, or the like. The operator is notified that jamming has occurred. Upon receiving this notification, the photosensitive material 15 causing jamming is manually ejected, and jamming recovery processing is performed.
[0032]
After the jamming recovery processing, the photosensitive material 15 discharged to the buffer unit 35 is returned to the original conveyance path 14 by the system controller 40 and conveyed to the drying unit 12. Or it is discarded as it is. These series of processes are repeated until the printing operation is completed.
[0033]
With the above configuration, when jamming occurs in the drying unit 12, the photosensitive material 15 does not stop in the development processing unit 11, so that leakage of processing solution from the submerged squeeze unit 30 is minimized. Can be suppressed.
[0034]
As a method for measuring the conveyance time of the photosensitive material 15, for example, counting may be performed from the time when exposure recording is performed in the exposure unit 10, or a sensor is disposed at the exit of the photosensitive material 15 in the exposure unit 10, You may count from the time of detecting passage of photosensitive material 15 with a sensor.
[0035]
As a condition for specifying a portion where jamming has occurred, the photosensitive material 15 carried into the development processing unit 11 is not detected by the second sensor 34 within a predetermined time, and the first sensor 33 is also detected after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the photosensitive material 15 is continuously detected in step S3, it is determined that the jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred in the development processing unit 11, the photosensitive material 15 is continuously detected by the second sensor 34 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the development processing time is reached. When detected by the first sensor 33 later, it may be specified that jamming of the photosensitive material 15 has occurred in the drying unit 12, and the present invention is not particularly limited to the above embodiment.
[0036]
Although the solenoid is used as the driving means of the switching guide 36, a switching guide that is driven when a load of a certain level or more is applied is used, and the conveyance path 14 can be switched using the elasticity of the photosensitive material 15. Good. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the switching guide in a turn conveyance portion where the elasticity of the photosensitive material 15 is sufficiently applied, not in a place where the photosensitive material 15 is conveyed linearly.
[0037]
Further, when it is determined that jamming has occurred in the drying unit 12, the driving of the drying unit 12 is stopped by the system controller 40. However, a torque limiter or the like is provided in a part of the driving system of the drying unit 12 to jam. The driving of the conveying roller pair 32 may be stopped by the conveying load due to the above. Also in this case, the photosensitive material 15 carried out from the development processing unit 11 is discharged to the buffer unit 35 as in the above embodiment.
[0038]
Further, a mechanism for retracting the drying unit 12 from the development processing unit 11 is provided, and when it is determined that jamming has occurred in the drying unit 12, all the driving units are temporarily stopped, and then the drying unit 12 is developed. The photosensitive material 15 may be discharged from the exit of the development processing unit 11 by retracting from the processing unit 11 and driving only the development processing unit 11.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, the type in which the photosensitive material 15 is cut for each frame by the exposure unit 10 is illustrated, but this type is also used for a type in which a strip-shaped photosensitive material is continuously conveyed to each unit and cut for each frame after drying. The invention can be applied.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, the developing tank is divided into one chamber, the bleach-fixing tank is divided into one chamber, and the washing tank is divided into four chambers. However, the number of divisions is not particularly limited. Further, the development processing unit 11 in which the processing tanks are arranged in the vertical direction has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also effective for a case where the processing tanks are arranged side by side. Furthermore, instead of providing the submerged squeeze portion in the partition walls between all the processing tanks, for example, a crossover structure may be applied to the developing tank and the bleach-fixing tank, and the squeezing section may be provided only in the washing tank.
[0041]
In the above-described embodiment, the printer processor 2 in which the exposure unit 10 and the development processing unit 11 are integrated has been described as an example. However, the exposure unit is a separate unit, and the processor into which the exposed photosensitive material is loaded. The present invention may be applied.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the photosensitive material development processing apparatus of the present invention, the submerged squeeze portion that allows passage of the photosensitive material and prevents passage of the processing liquid in the partition between the plurality of processing tanks in which the processing liquid is stored. A development processing unit that sequentially passes the photosensitive material through a plurality of processing tanks to perform development processing, a drying unit that dries the photosensitive material after development processing, and at least the development processing unit and an outlet of the photosensitive material of the drying unit The detection means for detecting the presence or absence of passage of the photosensitive material and the portion where the jamming of the photosensitive material has occurred are identified from the detection result of the detection means, and the leakage of the processing liquid between the processing tanks is determined based on the identification result. In order to suppress this, it is equipped with a control unit that individually controls the drive of the development processing unit and drying unit, so that leakage of processing liquid between processing tanks due to jamming of photosensitive material is suppressed, and the processing capacity of the processing tank is maintained. Can .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer processor.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view around a squeeze part in liquid.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer processor.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer processor.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Printer processor 10 Exposure unit 11 Development processing unit 12 Drying unit 14 Transport path 15 Photosensitive material 16 Developing tank 17 Bleaching and fixing tanks 18 to 21 Washing tanks 22 to 26 Partitions 29 and 32 Transport roller pair 30 Submerged squeeze section 31 Elastic blade 33 , 34 First and second sensors 35 Buffer 36 Switching guide 40 System controller

Claims (2)

In a photosensitive material development processing apparatus that performs development processing on a photosensitive material on which an image is recorded by exposure,
A partition wall between a plurality of processing baths in which processing solutions are stored has a submerged squeeze portion that allows the photosensitive material to pass therethrough and prevents the processing solution from passing therethrough, and sequentially passes the photosensitive materials through the plurality of processing baths. A development processing unit for performing the development processing,
A drying section for drying the photosensitive material after development processing;
A detection means disposed at least at the exit of the photosensitive material of the development processing unit and the drying unit and detecting whether or not the photosensitive material has passed;
The development processing unit and the drying unit are configured to identify a portion where jamming of the photosensitive material has occurred from the detection result of the detection unit, and suppress leakage of the processing liquid between the processing tanks based on the identification result. And a control means for individually controlling the driving of the photosensitive material developing processing apparatus. When the jamming occurs in the drying unit, a buffer unit that temporarily stores the photosensitive material carried out from the development processing unit, and a conveyance path of the photosensitive material are switched between the buffer unit and the drying unit. Switching means and
When it is determined that jamming has occurred in the drying unit, the control unit stops carrying in of the photosensitive material into the development processing unit and driving of the drying unit, and drives the switching unit to set the transport path. 2. The photosensitive material development processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material development processing apparatus is switched to a buffer unit.

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