JP2006098842A - Film developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a device more small-sized and to restrain the cost needed for the development processing while maintaining the quality of development processing. <P>SOLUTION: The film developing device comprises a developing reel 41 which has spiral guide grooves 412 from a film insertion slot 411 at an outer peripheral edge to the center; a developing tank 42 which houses a portion of the developing reel 41 in an upright state; a developing reel drive part which drives the developing reel 41 to rotate; a reel position detection means for detecting the rotational position of the developing reel 42; a liquid supply part which fills the developing tank with the processing liquid to a depth such that inside tip parts of the guide grooves 412a are dipped in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel 41; a guide drive roller 333, etc., which is arranged at a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel 41 and inserts the film 2 into the developing reel 41; a discharge guide 51 which engages with a rear end part of the film inserted into the developing reel 41 to draw the film out of the developing reel 41; and a control part 100 which controls the developing reel drive part 43 to rotate and stop the developing reel 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a film developing apparatus that performs development by bringing a long film into contact with a processing liquid.

  Photographic films are generally developed by immersing them sequentially in a plurality of types of development processing solutions and reacting the photosensitive agent in the emulsion surface provided on one side with the development processing solution. . Conventionally, as a film developing apparatus that automatically executes the development processing of such a photographic film, a plurality of processing tanks for storing the developing processing solution are provided for each developing processing solution, and the film is formed by a transport unit constituted by a transport roller or the like. There are known ones that are continuously conveyed without being stopped and developed by being immersed in a developing solution in each processing tank.

  However, in such an apparatus, a plurality of processing tanks are provided for each development processing liquid, and a transport roller is also provided in each processing tank. Therefore, the processing tank is enlarged and the development stored in the processing tank is performed. Since a processing solution can process a large number of films in a single filling, if the time from developing one film to developing the next film is long, the developing solution will deteriorate during that time. There was a problem. In particular, in recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, the number of films to be processed per day has been reduced, and the developing solution stored in the processing tank has to be managed for several days. Thus, it becomes difficult to maintain the properties of the developing solution in an appropriate range.

On the other hand, in order to eliminate the need for management of the development processing solution, there has been proposed an apparatus that eliminates the need for property management of the development processing solution by making the development processing solution disposable for each film (Patent Document 1). reference). This apparatus has a processing tank having a sword sheath shape. By supplying, circulating, discharging, etc., a developing solution to this processing tank, the amount of the developing solution used is reduced. The processing liquid can be made disposable for each film.
JP-A-9-292688

  However, even in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a mechanism for inserting a long film into a treatment tank having a sword sheath shape (the retracting means in Patent Document 1) is required. It is an obstacle to miniaturization. Moreover, the sheath-like treatment tank is inserted into the sheath-like treatment tank so that a predetermined gap is provided between the front and back surfaces of the film and the inner wall surface of the treatment tank by developing the film in a straight line. There is a problem that the thickness increases in the thickness direction. This problem not only hinders the downsizing of the entire apparatus, but also increases the amount of the developing processing solution filled in the processing tank, thereby increasing the cost required for the developing process.

  In particular, a film wound on a cartridge spool or the like has a curl (longitudinal warp), and if the gap between the front and back surfaces of the film and the inner wall surface of the processing tank is small, the film will be in the processing tank. Since there is a risk of developing quality defects such as uneven development on contact with the wall surface, it is necessary to design the dimensions of the processing tank (particularly the dimension in the height direction of the film) so as not to cause this contact. There exists a problem that a processing tank becomes large.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can further reduce the size of the apparatus while maintaining the quality of the development process. Moreover, the amount of the development processing solution used for the development process is as much as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide a film developing apparatus that can suppress the cost required for development processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a film developing apparatus according to the present invention is a film developing apparatus that performs development by bringing a long film and a processing solution into contact with each other. On each opposing surface of the plate-shaped side plate, a spiral guide portion that guides the width direction end of the film from the film insertion opening formed at one place on the outer peripheral edge toward the center corresponds to at least the film length. A formed developing reel; a developing tank that accommodates at least a part of the developing reel with the side plate substantially upright; a developing reel driving unit that drives the developing reel to rotate about a reel central axis; and the developing reel Reel position detecting means for detecting the rotation position of the developer, and the processing liquid in the developing tank at a depth at which the inner end of the guide portion is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel. A processing liquid supply means for filling, an insertion means disposed at a predetermined distance from an outer peripheral edge of the developing reel, and for inserting a film into the developing reel through the film insertion port, and inserted into the developing reel. The film insertion port is inserted before the film is inserted on the basis of the detection result of the reel position detecting means, and the discharging means that engages the rear end of the film and pulls the film from the developing reel. Rotate to a predetermined insertion position facing the means and stop, rotate at least one rotation during the developing process, and after the developing process ends, rotate the film insertion port to a predetermined delivery position facing the discharge means and stop Accordingly, the apparatus further comprises reel drive control means for controlling the developing reel drive means.

  According to this invention, the spiral shape that guides the widthwise end of the film from one place to the center of the outer peripheral edge on each opposing surface of the substantially disc-shaped side plates that are arranged side by side by a substantially film width. The guide reel is provided with a developing reel having a length equal to or longer than the film length. Therefore, the film is spirally wound around the developing reel with both end portions in the width direction being supported by the guide portion. Turned housed. By forming the spiral pitch, that is, the distance between the guide portions adjacent to the inside and outside in the radial direction of the side plate, as short as possible so as not to interfere with the development processing, the film is accommodated in the development reel with high density. Thus, the developing reel can be formed as small as possible. In addition, the developing tank is configured to accommodate at least a part of the developing reel, and a developing reel driving unit that rotationally drives the developing reel during the developing process is provided, and the guide portion of the developing reel is rotated during one rotation of the developing reel. Since the processing liquid supply means for filling the developing tank with the processing liquid is provided at a depth at which the inner end is immersed in the processing liquid, all the portions where the guide portion is formed during one rotation of the developing reel are provided. When the film is immersed in the processing liquid and the film is wound and accommodated on the developing reel, the film can be sequentially immersed in the developing processing liquid filled in the developing tank over the entire length thereof. For this reason, it is possible to make the developing tank as small as possible, and by rotating the developing reel, proper development processing (with good quality) can be performed over the entire length of the film with the minimum required developing processing solution. Done.

  By the way, when the film is once accommodated in the developing reel and the developing process is executed as described above, it is desired that the film is reliably and smoothly pulled out and discharged after the developing process. Accordingly, in the present invention, an insertion means that is disposed at a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel and that inserts a film into the developing reel through the film insertion opening, and a film that is inserted into the developing reel. A discharge means for engaging the rear end of the film and pulling out the film from the developing reel, and the film insertion port is inserted into the insertion means before the film is inserted based on the detection result of the reel position detecting means. In order to stop at a predetermined insertion position that is opposed to the film, the rotation is stopped at least once during the development process, and the film insertion port is rotated to a predetermined delivery position that faces the discharge means after the development process is completed. Reel drive control means for controlling the developing reel drive means is further provided.

  That is, when the film is completely accommodated in the developing reel over its entire length, it is difficult to remove the film when the film is discharged from the developing reel. However, in the present invention, as described above, since the insertion means is disposed at a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel, the film insertion port is at a predetermined insertion position facing the insertion means. In addition, when a film is inserted into the developing reel through the film insertion opening and the trailing edge of the film passes through the inserting means, no conveying force is applied to the film, so that the conveyance of the film into the developing reel is stopped. Accordingly, the film can be accommodated in the developing reel with the rear end portion of the film protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel, specifically, a predetermined distance or substantially a predetermined distance from the film insertion opening. When the film insertion port of the developing reel is rotated to a predetermined delivery position using the protruding portion from the sheet as a discharge allowance, the film is reliably engaged with the discharge means. Then, by discharging the film from the end of the engaged film by the discharging means, the film can be discharged smoothly and reliably.

  In the present invention, it is not excluded to provide a plurality of developing tanks by providing a developing tank for each processing solution, but the developing tank is a single tank, and processing solutions are sequentially supplied to and discharged from this tank. By doing so, the device itself becomes more compact.

  Here, the guide portion is not particularly limited in specific configuration as long as the movement in the thickness direction of the film can be restricted. However, in order to guide the guide into the developing reel more reliably and smoothly, the guide portion Preferably has a guide surface disposed opposite to the front and back surfaces of the film, and a width guide surface that restricts movement of the film in the width direction over a part or the entire length of the guide portion (Claim 2). .

  Further, the rotation direction of the developing reel that is driven to rotate by the reel driving means that is driven and controlled by the reel driving control means may be rotated forward or backward with reference to the spiral direction of the guide portion. Preferably, the reel drive control means controls the development reel drive means to rotate the development reel in a direction opposite to the spiral direction from the inner end of the guide portion to the outside at least during the development process. (Claim 3).

  According to this structure, the trailing edge of the film is not caught by peripheral devices including the discharge means and the developing tank, and the developing reel is in the spiral direction even when the trailing edge of the film contacts the peripheral device. Since the film rotates in the opposite direction, the film is received, whereby the developing reel can be rotated without hindrance, and the film is reliably developed.

  The predetermined distance between the insertion means and the film insertion port is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a half, a quarter, or the like based on the outer peripheral length of the developing reel. The predetermined distance is preferably set shorter than the length of the non-image forming area provided at the rear end of the film.

  That is, the film usually has a non-image forming area where no image is formed at the rear end in the longitudinal direction for reasons such as the camera structure, and the predetermined distance is longer than the length of the non-image forming area. By setting the length to be short, the discharge allowance can be configured using a non-image forming area, and the film is reliably and smoothly discharged from the developing reel within a range that does not hinder development processing.

  The discharge means is not particularly limited in its specific configuration, but the discharge means includes a drawing roller that comes into contact with the rear end of the film and pulls out the film. When the mouth is at the predetermined delivery position, it is preferable that the distance from the film insertion opening is set shorter than the distance from the insertion means to the film insertion opening (Claim 5).

  According to this structure, the developing reel is rotated after the developing process so that the rear end portion of the film protruding from the developing reel comes into contact with the drawing roller accurately, and the film is discharged by drawing the film by the drawing roller. More improved.

  On the other hand, another film developing apparatus according to the present invention is a film developing apparatus that performs development by bringing a long film and a processing solution into contact with each other. A spiral guide portion that guides the width direction end portion of the film is formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the side plate toward the center from the film insertion opening formed at one place on the outer peripheral edge, corresponding to at least the film length. A developing reel; developing reel driving means for driving the developing reel to rotate about a central axis of the reel; reel position detecting means for detecting a rotational position of the developing reel; a film accommodated in the developing reel; and a processing liquid. A treatment liquid contact means for contact; a treatment liquid supply means for supplying a treatment liquid to the treatment liquid contact means; and a treatment liquid after contact with the film is discharged from the treatment liquid contact means. And a film inserted into the developing reel, a liquid discharging means, an inserting means that is disposed at a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel, and that inserts a film into the developing reel through the film insertion port. A discharge means for engaging the rear end of the film and pulling out the film from the developing reel, and the film insertion port is inserted into the insertion means before the film is inserted based on the detection result of the reel position detecting means. In order to stop at a predetermined insertion position that is opposed to the film, the rotation is stopped at least once during the development process, and the film insertion port is rotated to a predetermined delivery position that faces the discharge means after the development process is completed. And a reel drive control means for controlling the developing reel drive means (claim 6).

  According to this invention, since it is spirally wound and accommodated on the developing reel, the film can be accommodated in the developing reel at a high density as in the above-described invention, thereby forming the developing reel as small as possible. obtain. In addition, since the processing liquid contact means for bringing the film contained in the developing reel into contact with the processing liquid is provided, the film and the processing liquid are uniformly contacted so that the film is evenly and reliably over substantially the entire length. Development processing is performed. Further, since the processing liquid supply means for supplying the processing liquid to the processing liquid contact means and the processing liquid discharge means for discharging the processing liquid after completion of the development processing from the processing liquid contact means are provided. Management of the properties of the liquid is no longer necessary. For example, use an appropriate amount of processing liquid for each film to avoid the situation where a single film is developed for a long period of time and the processing liquid deteriorates and must be discarded. As a result, the consumption of the processing solution is suppressed as a whole, and the cost required for the development processing is reduced.

  By the way, when the film is once accommodated in the developing reel and the developing process is executed as described above, it is desired that the film is reliably and smoothly pulled out and discharged after the developing process. Accordingly, in the present invention, an insertion means that is disposed at a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel and that inserts a film into the developing reel through the film insertion opening, and a film that is inserted into the developing reel. A discharge means for engaging the rear end of the film and pulling out the film from the developing reel, and the film insertion port is inserted into the insertion means before the film is inserted based on the detection result of the reel position detecting means. In order to stop at a predetermined insertion position that is opposed to the film, the rotation is stopped at least once during the development process, and the film insertion port is rotated to a predetermined delivery position that faces the discharge means after the development process is completed. Reel drive control means for controlling the developing reel drive means is further provided.

  The effect of these insertion means is the same as that of the above-described invention in that the film portion protruding from the developing reel is used as the discharge allowance, whereby the film is discharged from the end of the engaged film by the discharge means. This makes it possible to smoothly and reliably discharge the film.

  In the present invention, the provision of a developing tank for each processing solution does not exclude the provision of a plurality of developing tanks as a whole.

  In this case, the developing reel and the processing solution contact means may be configured as separate members. For example, the developing reel has a closed film accommodating space for accommodating the film held by the guide portion. The film storage space may be used as a closed space at the time of development processing, and the processing liquid may be used as the processing liquid contact means by supplying the processing liquid to the closed space by the processing liquid supply means. 7).

  If comprised in this way, a processing liquid will be supplied in the inside of a developing reel, and a developing process will be performed in the film accommodation space (internal space) of the said developing reel.

  According to the film developing apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the size of the developing reel and the developing tank, and thus the entire apparatus, and to suppress the developing cost without deteriorating the quality of the developing process. There are advantages. Moreover, after completion of the development processing, the film can be reliably and smoothly pulled out from the developing reel and discharged by engaging the rear end of the film protruding from the developing reel accommodated in a wound shape with the discharging means, For example, subsequent processing such as drying of the film can be performed smoothly.

  According to the film developing apparatus of the second aspect, by properly guiding the film not only in the thickness direction but also in the width direction, the film can be guided more reliably and smoothly into the developing reel.

  According to the film developing apparatus of the third aspect, the film rear end protruding from the developing reel is not caught by the peripheral device including the discharge means and the developing tank, and the film rear end is connected to the peripheral device. Even in the case of contact, the film is received by the peripheral device, the developing reel can be rotated without trouble, and the film can be reliably and appropriately developed. In addition, uneven development can be effectively prevented, and the film can be developed more appropriately.

  According to the film developing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure the discharge allowance by effectively using the area of the film on which no image is structurally formed, and to ensure the smooth and smooth film in a range that does not hinder the development processing. Can be discharged from the developing reel.

  According to the film developing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the rear end portion of the film protruding from the developing reel is brought into contact with the drawing roller accurately, and the film discharge performance can be improved by pulling out the film by the drawing roller. it can.

  According to the film developing apparatus of the sixth and seventh aspects, it is possible to reduce the size of the developing reel, and thus the entire apparatus, and it is not necessary to manage the properties of the processing liquid without deteriorating the quality of the developing process. Thus, there is an advantage that the development cost can be suppressed. In addition, after the development processing is completed, the rear end portion of the film protruding from the developing reel accommodated in a winding shape is used as a discharge margin, and this rear end portion is engaged with the discharge means so that the film is developed reliably and smoothly. The film can be pulled out from the reel and discharged, and subsequent processing such as film drying processing can be performed smoothly.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 4 are schematic views showing an embodiment of a film developing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is an overall perspective view showing the entire apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a liquid supply section described later, and FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the liquid supply section and a liquid discharge section described later. Here, a film developing apparatus for developing a photographic 35 mm film 2 (see FIG. 1) having perforations at both ends, a so-called 135 film will be described, but other long lengths such as an APS (Advanced Photo System) film are also described. The present invention can also be applied to the development of a film.

  Here, the rear end of the film 2 in the longitudinal direction is engaged with the spool 3a, wound around the spool 3a, and accommodated in the cartridge 3 (see FIG. 1). The film 2 has an emulsion surface 2a on which an image is formed on the inner surface side in this wound state and an emulsion containing a photosensitive material is applied. The central portion in the width direction of the emulsion surface 2a functions as an image forming region. Further, even on the emulsion surface 2a, the rear end portion in the longitudinal direction of the film 2 is provided with a non-image forming area where an image is not formed over a predetermined length (for example, 58 mm) due to the structure of the camera.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the film developing apparatus 1 that develops the film 2 includes a cartridge support unit 20 that supports the cartridge 3 in which the film 2 is accommodated, and a film 2 that is drawn out from the cartridge 3 and transported. 1 transport unit 30, developing unit 40 for developing the film 2, second transport unit 50 for drawing and transporting the developed film 2 from the developing unit 40, and drying unit 60 for drying the developed film 2 The liquid supply unit 70 supplies the processing liquid and the cleaning liquid to the developing unit 40, and the liquid discharge unit 90 discharges the processing liquid and the cleaning liquid from the developing unit 40. Each of these parts 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 is disposed in the housing 10 in which the inside functions as a dark room by blocking the entry of light from the outside. Each part 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 such as the cartridge support part 20 is disposed on the front side in the housing 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Here, the film is directed from the left side to the right side of the film developing apparatus 1. Each part 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 is arrange | positioned so that 2 may be conveyed. And the liquid supply part 70, the liquid discharge part 90, etc. are arrange | positioned by the back side of these each part 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 (refer FIG. 1).

  As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge support portion 20 is disposed on the left side of the upper portion of the housing 10. The cartridge support portion 20 supports the spool 3a of the cartridge 3 in a rotatable state. Here, the film 2 is pulled out from the cartridge 3 over its entire length, and is then locked to the spool 3a. 2 includes a cutter 21 for cutting the rear end of the two.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the cutter 21 is on the downstream side (right side in FIG. 1) of the cartridge 3 supported by the cartridge support unit 20, and includes a first conveyance roller pair 31 described later of the first conveyance unit 30. It is a so-called push-cut type that is arranged on the upstream side and consists of two upper and lower blades. When the trailing edge of the film 2 is detected by a film trailing edge sensor 324, which will be described later, for example, the cutter 21 has a lower blade that enters, for example, the lower blade of the upper and lower blades of the film conveying path into the conveying path. It is something that pushes through.

  The 1st conveyance part 30 is arrange | positioned in the downstream of the cartridge support part 20, and conveys the film 2 to the image development part 40 along a film conveyance path. Specifically, the first transport unit 30 is provided in the vicinity of the first transport roller pair 31 and the second transport roller pair 32 disposed along the film transport path, and the developing unit 40 in the downstream thereof. An insertion guide 33 for introducing the film 2 conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 31 and 32 into the developing unit 40 is provided. Here, the number of pairs of conveying rollers disposed in the first conveying unit 30 is two pairs here, but is not limited to two pairs. The length of the conveying path and the length of the film 2 to be conveyed are as follows. Further, it is determined in consideration of the route shape of the conveyance path.

  The first transport unit 30 is bent substantially at right angles in the direction opposite to the curl of the film 2 (the warp applied in the longitudinal direction when the film 2 is wound around the spool 3a) in the middle of the film transport path. It has a formed site. Here, the film transport path from the cartridge support unit 20 to the developing unit 40 extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the cartridge support unit 20 and changes its direction vertically downward along the drive roller 321 of the second transport roller pair 32 for development. It is formed so as to communicate with the portion 40. Drive rollers 322 and 323 pressed against the driving roller 321 are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the direction changing portion of the film transport path, and the film 2 is sandwiched between these transport roller pairs 32 and transported. Yes. Thus, the driving roller 321 is disposed on the non-emulsion surface side opposite to the curl direction of the film, and the film 2 is transported along the outer peripheral surface of the driving roller 321, thereby ensuring the transport force of the film 2. At the same time, the curl of the film 2 is reduced.

  Further, any one of these driven rollers 312, 322, and 323, for example, the driven roller 322 disposed in the middle portion, has a film rear end sensor 324 that detects the film rear end by detecting the rotation and stoppage thereof. Is provided. This film rear end sensor 324 is composed of a pulse encoder or the like, and it is considered that the film 2 is all pulled out from the cartridge 3 when the driven roller 322 is not rotated even though the driving rollers 311 and 321 are rotating. Thus, the detection result is output to the cutter 21 (or the control unit 100). Then, the rear end portion of the film 2 is cut by the cutter 21.

  In addition, when employ | adopting the said film rear end sensor 324, not only the form provided in the driven roller 322 but the form provided in the other driven rollers 312 and 323 may be sufficient.

  The insertion guide 33 guides the leading end of the film 2 so as to smoothly transfer the film 2 from the first transport unit 30 to the developing unit 40, and is a downstream end of the first transport unit 30. Arranged upstream of the developing unit 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the insertion guide 33 is configured to be swingable in the direction (thickness direction of the film 2) perpendicular to the transport direction with the upstream end as a center. An insertion position (position shown in FIG. 8 (a)) that is suitable for inserting the film 2 in the position 41 and a direction away from the insertion position with respect to the development reel 41, and during development processing A developing position that does not interfere with the developing unit 40 (position shown in FIG. 8B), and a position that is further away from the developing position from the developing position with respect to the developing reel 41. The position can be changed to a discharge position suitable for discharging the film 2 (the position shown in FIG. 8C).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the insertion guide 33 includes an insertion guide main body 33a configured to be swingable in a direction (thickness direction of the film 2) perpendicular to the conveyance direction around the upstream end portion; A guide swing mechanism 33b for swinging the insertion guide body 33a, and the position of the insertion guide body 33a is changed between the three positions (insertion position, development position, discharge position) driven by the guide swing mechanism 33b. It is configured to do. Here, the insertion guide 33 is mechanically coupled to and interlocked with a later-described discharge guide 51 of the second transport unit 50. Therefore, the guide swing mechanism 33 b of the insertion guide 33 also serves as the common guide swing mechanism 55 as the guide swing mechanism 51 b of the discharge guide 51. The common guide swing mechanism 55 (33b, 51b) will be described later.

  The insertion guide body 33a will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the insertion guide main body 33a and a discharge guide main body 51a to be described later. The case where the guides 33 and 51 are in the insertion position is indicated by a solid line, and the case where the guides 33 and 51 are in the discharge position is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Is shown.

  The insertion guide main body 33a is provided with a first swinging member 331 that is provided with a swinging center shaft 331a at the upstream end and forms one surface side of the film transport path, and is opposed to the first swinging member 331, and is arranged first. A second swing member 332 that forms a film transport path together with the swing member 331, a guide drive roller 333 that is pivotally supported by the first swing member 331, and a second swing member 332 that is in pressure contact with the guide drive roller 333. And a guide driven roller 334 that is pivotally supported by the shaft and an engagement pin 336 that is engaged with the common guide swing mechanism 55.

  The swing center shaft 331a is disposed on the upper portion of the first swing member 331 in parallel with the width direction perpendicular to the film transport direction, and both ends are pivotally supported at appropriate positions of the housing 10, whereby the insertion guide 33 is supported. Is supported by the housing 10 in a swingable manner. The relative positions of the first swing member 331 and the second swing member 332 are fixed in a state in which the opposing surfaces are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. A guide driving roller 333 and guide driven rollers 334 on both sides in the width direction are arranged in a state in which a part of the peripheral surface protrudes into the film conveyance path formed by the first and second swinging members 331 and 332, and these These rollers 333 and rollers 334 (these rollers and rollers correspond to the inserting means in the claims of the present application) are used to insert the film 2 into the developing reel 41 described later with the film 2 interposed therebetween.

  The dimension in the width direction of the film discharge port 335 serving as the downstream end of the film transport path formed by the insertion guide 33 is set smaller than the film insertion port 411 of the developing reel 41. On the other hand, the engagement pin 336 is disposed at the downstream end of the first swing member 331 in parallel with the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and is engaged with a slide rod 554 of a common guide swing mechanism 55 described later. The insertion guide main body 33a is swung according to the slide movement of the slide rod 554 (see FIG. 7).

  Further, the guide driving roller 333 and the guide driven roller 334 are in the vicinity of the downstream ends of the swinging members 331 and 332, and a predetermined distance (L1 in FIG. 6) from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel 41 described later in the film transport direction. The distance shown is, for example, L1 = 25 mm). Here, the predetermined distance is designed to be shorter than the length (58 mm in the above example) of the non-image forming area provided at the rear end of the film 2. By arranging the guide driving roller 333 and the guide driven roller 334 in this way, the film 2 is placed on the developing reel 41 with the rear end portion of the film 2 protruding from the film insertion port 411 of the developing reel 41 by a predetermined distance L1. Therefore, the film 2 can be easily taken out from the developing reel 41 after the development processing is completed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developing unit 40 is disposed on the downstream side of the first conveying unit 30, specifically the insertion guide 33, and reacts the photosensitive agent in the film emulsion surface with a plurality of processing solutions. Thus, the film 2 is developed. In particular, the developing unit 40 accommodates the film 2 conveyed from the first conveying unit 30 in a spirally rolled state over its entire length, and sequentially processes the processing liquid in a state in which the conveyance of the film 2 is stopped. It replaces and the film 2 is comprised so that it may develop for every one.

  That is, as clearly shown in FIG. 5, the developing unit 40 sequentially replaces the developing reel 41 that accommodates the film 2 conveyed from the first conveying unit 30 in a spiral shape with a predetermined pitch, and a plurality of processing liquids. A developing tank 42 (corresponding to a developing tank or processing solution contact means) configured to be able to immerse a part of the developing reel 41 in the supplied processing solution, and the developing reel 41 at the center of the reel A developing reel driving unit 43 (corresponding to a developing reel driving unit) that rotates around a shaft 413, and the developing reel 41 is rotated around the central axis of the developing reel 41 by the developing reel driving unit 43. The accommodated film 2 is immersed in a processing solution filled in the developing tank 42 over its entire length and developed.

  Here, a color developing solution (hereinafter referred to as “CD solution”) for developing the film 2 to form a color image in the developing tank 42, silver such as a silver image is changed to a silver salt such as silver halide. Bleach solution (hereinafter referred to as “BL solution”), fixing solution (hereinafter referred to as “FIX solution”), color for dissolving and removing AgX remaining on the film emulsion surface and stabilizing the light By sequentially supplying and discharging a stabilizing solution (hereinafter referred to as “STB solution”) for stabilizing the image, the film 2 is immersed in each processing solution over its entire length and developed.

  The development reel 41 spirally winds the film 2 inserted and inserted through the film insertion port 411 provided at one place on the outer peripheral edge, and locks the non-image forming regions at both ends in the width direction of the film 2. It is accommodated and held in a state, and is formed in a substantially circular shape in side view.

  This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The development reels 41 are arranged side by side with a substantially width dimension of the film 2, and side plates on which spiral film guide grooves 412 a (corresponding to guide portions) communicating with the film insertion openings 411 are formed on the inner surfaces facing each other. 412 and a reel center shaft 413 for rotating the side plate 412 while keeping the distance between the side plates 412 by being fitted to the inner diameter opening 412b of the side plate 412. Each film guide groove 412a has a film The film 2 is held by the end portions in the width direction being locked.

  The film insertion opening 411 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the side plate 412 is formed so as to open in a substantially tangential direction of the side plate 412, and its opening edge is widened to be larger than the width of the guide groove 412a. Easy to insert.

  The film guide groove 412a of the side plate 412 has an opposing guide surface disposed opposite to the front and back surfaces of the film 2 and a width guide surface that restricts movement of the film 2 in the width direction over the entire length of the guide groove 412a. The guide grooves 412a are formed to have a predetermined pitch, that is, a distance between the film guide grooves 412a adjacent in the radial direction of the spiral is a predetermined distance, and the predetermined pitch is held in the film guide grooves 412a. The film 2 is designed to have a size capable of introducing an amount of processing liquid necessary for development processing between winding positions adjacent to each other in the radial direction of the film 2 (in this case, the pitch is set to 1 mm). Further, the number of windings of the film guide groove 412a is set as appropriate, and is formed to be wound, for example, 3 to 10 times (here, 5 times). Further, the guide groove 412a may be longer in length than the total length of the film 2 having a long dimension, but here, the guide groove 412a is formed to have a length (about 1600 mm) substantially equal to the total length of the film 2. The film 2 is configured to be able to support substantially the entire length. In the side plate 412, liquid passage holes 412 c for introducing the processing liquid from the outer surface side of the side plate 412 are formed through the side plate 412 at appropriate intervals between the film guide grooves 412 a adjacent in the radial direction. Yes.

  The developing reel driving unit 43 is configured as a driving motor such as a stepping motor that is directly connected to a reel central shaft 413 that is pivotally supported at an appropriate position of the housing 10. The developing reel 41 is arranged around the reel central shaft 413 at the center of the film guide groove 412 a. It is driven to rotate forward and backward with respect to the spiral direction from the inner end to the outer side. The developing reel drive unit 43 is set to rotate the developing reel 41 at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 25 times / minute) during the developing process. When transferring the film 2 from the insertion guide 33 to the developing reel 41 and transferring the developed film 2 from the developing reel 41 to the discharge guide 51, the developing reel driving unit 43 is placed at a predetermined position. The developing reel 41 is fixed.

  That is, when the film 2 is transferred from the insertion guide 33 to the development reel 41, the development reel drive unit 43 is driven, and the film insertion port 411 of the development reel 41 and the film discharge port 335 at the downstream end of the insertion guide 33 The development reel 41 is stopped at the position where the two face each other. When developing the film 2 accommodated in the developing reel 41, the developing reel 41 is rotated in the same direction as the spiral direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2) with a predetermined rotational speed (for example, , 25 times / minute). After the development processing is completed, the development reel 41 is rotated in the opposite direction to that during development, and the film insertion port 411 is substantially opposed to a film introduction port 515 (described later) of the discharge guide 51, for example, the film insertion port 411 of the development reel 41 The developing reel 41 is rotated until the film introduction port 515 is positioned in the tangential direction at one place on the formed outer peripheral edge, or to a degree that is a little too far. Various controls of the developing reel drive unit 43 are performed by a control unit 100 (corresponding to a reel drive control unit), which will be described later, based on a detection result of a rotational position detection unit (corresponding to a reel position detection unit) (not shown) described later. Done.

  A rotation position detection means such as a rotary encoder or a photosensor for detecting the rotation reference position of the developing reel drive unit 43 is provided at an appropriate position of the reel center shaft 413 or the rotation axis of the drive motor. The stop position in each state with respect to the developing reel is controlled by the control unit 100. The structure for transmitting the driving force from the developing reel driving unit 43 to the reel central shaft 413 is not limited to the case where the output shaft of the driving motor as the developing reel driving unit 43 is directly connected to the reel central shaft 413 as described above. It may be indirectly connected by a gear train or the like.

  The development tank 42 is disposed below the development reel 41 in a state of being fixed to the housing 10, and stores the processing liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 70 in order to develop the film 2 accommodated in the development reel 41. Is to do. The developing tank 42 is formed to face a bottom wall portion 421 having a predetermined width that is curved in an arc shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the developing reel 41, and both ends of the bottom wall portion 421 in the width direction. And a flange portion 423 extending outward is formed at the upper end opening. A liquid supply port 424 for introducing a processing liquid from the liquid supply unit 70 is formed in one side wall portion 422 of the opposing side wall portions 422 so as to penetrate the side wall portion 422. The liquid supply port 424 is formed at a position higher than the liquid level of the processing liquid supplied into the developing tank 42.

  On the other hand, the bottom wall portion 421 is provided with liquid discharge ports 425a and 425b for discharging processing liquid and the like stored in the developing tank 42 at the lowest position. One of the liquid discharge ports 425a and 425b is for making the discharge path of the CD liquid different from other processing liquids. Thus, the silver contained in CD liquid can be easily collect | recovered and reused by varying discharge path | route about CD liquid.

  The depth of the developing tank 42 is set according to the relative positional relationship with the developing reel 41 and its shape. Here, when the developing reel 41 is rotationally positioned in a state where the tip (inner end of the spiral) of the film guide groove 412a is at the lowest position, the developing tank 42 is positioned higher than the tip of the film guide groove 412a. The upper opening edge is set to be positioned. Therefore, it is possible to fill the developing tank 42 with a developing solution that immerses the tip of the film guide groove 412a. Further, the developing tank 42 is provided with a heat retaining means such as a heater (not shown) so as to keep the supplied processing liquid at a predetermined temperature.

  The relative positional relationship between the developing reel 41 and the developing tank 42 will be described. The developing reel 41 and the developing tank 42 have a circular arc shape of the position of the reel central shaft 413 of the developing reel 41 and the bottom wall portion 421 of the developing tank 42. It is arranged in a state where the curvature center position substantially coincides.

  The film 2 that has been developed in the developing unit 40 having the above-described configuration is transported from the developing unit 40 to the drying unit 60 through the second transport unit 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second transport unit 50 is disposed on the downstream side of the developing unit 40, more specifically on the side of the developing unit 40, and extends along a film transport path extending in a substantially horizontal direction. 2 is conveyed to the drying unit 60. Specifically, the second transport unit 50 includes a discharge guide 51 disposed in the upstream portion thereof, and a squeeze roller pair 52 provided in the vicinity of the drying unit 60 on the downstream side of the discharge guide 51.

  The discharge guide 51 guides the leading end of the film 2 in order to smoothly transfer the film 2 from the developing unit 40 to the second transport unit 50 through a film introduction port 515 described later. As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge guide 51 includes an insertion position (position shown in FIG. 8A) that is suitable for inserting the film 2 from the insertion guide 33 into the development reel 41, and the developing section 40. A development position suitable for development in the position (position shown in FIG. 8B), and a discharge position suitable for discharging the developed film 2 from the development reel 41 (position shown in FIG. 8C). The position can be changed. As shown in FIG. 6, the discharge guide 51 has an opening height of the film introduction port 515 (film conveyance) as the position shifts from the insertion position to the discharge position through the developing position. The height direction orthogonal to the direction) is expanded, and is slid in a direction close to the developing reel 41.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge guide 51 includes a discharge guide main body 51 a configured to be swingable in the thickness direction of the film 2 with the downstream end as a center and perpendicular to the transport direction, and the discharge guide. A guide swing mechanism 51b for swinging the main body 51a, and driving the guide swing mechanism 51b to change the position of the discharge guide main body 51a between the three positions (insertion position, development position, discharge position). It is configured (see FIG. 8). As described above, the discharge guide 51 is mechanically coupled and interlocked with the insertion guide 33 of the first transport unit 30, and the guide swing mechanism 51 b is a common guide swing mechanism 55. The guide swing mechanism 33b of the insertion guide 33 is also used.

  The discharge guide body 51a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The discharge guide main body 51a has a first swing member 511 (corresponding to an upstream guide) that is provided with a swing center shaft 511a at its downstream end and forms one surface side (upper surface side in the drawing) of the film transport path. A second rocking member 512 disposed opposite to the first rocking member 511 and forming a film transport path with the first rocking member 511, and the first rocking member 511 and the second rocking member 512 (downstream). A pair of guide drive rollers 513 (corresponding to a drawing roller) that are pivotally supported and rotated by a common drive means.

  The first swing member 511 extends in a substantially horizontal direction along the film conveyance path, and is pivotally supported at an appropriate position of the housing 10 while being biased downward by a swing center shaft 511a provided at the downstream end thereof. Has been. On the other hand, a rotary roller 514 that abuts a guide protrusion 554b of a slide rod 554 described later of the common guide swing mechanism 55 is provided at the downstream end of the first swing member 511. The first swing member 511 swings by being guided by 554b.

  The second swing member 512 extends in a substantially horizontal direction along the first swing member 511, is swingable by a swing center axis (not shown) provided at the downstream end thereof, and is along the transport direction. And slidably supported at a proper position of the housing 10. The second swing member 512 includes a bottom wall portion 5121 that receives the development processing surface side of the film 2 and a side wall portion 5122 that extends in the direction of the first swing member 511 from both widthwise ends of the bottom wall portion 5121. And the side wall portion 5122 is formed in a taper shape that spreads outward as it goes to the first swing member 511, whereby the rear end portion of the film 2 accommodated in the developing reel 41 is tapered side wall portion 5122. And the film 2 is reliably pulled out from the developing reel 41 while correcting the posture of the film 2. Further, the second swing member 512 is provided with an inverted U-shaped engagement portion 512a at an end further downstream from the swing center axis. The engaging portion 512a is engaged with a connecting pin 552e provided at the tip of a swinging rod 552, which will be described later, of the common guide swinging mechanism 55, and the developing reel 41 is moved along with the swinging of the swinging rod 552. It is supposed to slide in the direction of approaching and separating.

  In the guide drive roller pair 513, the upper drive roller is pivotally supported by the first swing member 511, while the lower drive roller is pivotally supported at an appropriate position of the housing 10 to swing the first swing member 511. It is supposed to come and go with it. When the discharge guide 51 is at the discharge position, both rollers of the guide drive roller pair 513 are separated to transfer the film 2 from the developing reel 41. After this transfer, the discharge guide 51 moves to the insertion position, Both rollers of the guide drive roller pair 513 are pressure-bonded, whereby the film 2 is sandwiched and conveyed. The guide drive roller pair 513 (corresponding to the drawing roller) is a distance from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel 41 (a distance indicated by L2 in FIG. 6) when the discharge guide 51 is at the discharge position as shown in FIG. : L2 = 20 mm, for example, is set shorter than the distance L1 from the guide roller 333 and the guide roller 334 to the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel 41 (L1> L2).

  Next, the common guide swing mechanism 55 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing the common guide swinging mechanism 55. The solid line indicates the case where the guides 33 and 51 are in the discharge position, and the double dotted line indicates the case where the guides 33 and 51 are in the insertion position.

  The common guide rocking mechanism 55 includes a rocking cam 551, a rocking rod 552 that rocks back and forth along the conveying direction by the rocking cam 551, and a biasing member that biases the rocking rod 552 forward in the conveying direction. And a slide rod 554 that is pivotally supported by the swing rod 552 and slides in the front-rear direction of the conveying direction, and the swing cam 551 is driven to rotate by the drive portion 56, whereby the insertion guide main body 33a and The discharge guide body 51a is swung.

  Specifically, the swing cam 551 has a cam body 551a formed in a fan shape when viewed from the side, and a cam rotation center shaft 551b of the cam body 551a. The cam body 551a has cam noses 5511 to 5513 in which the length from the cam rotation center shaft 551b to the outer peripheral edge has three steps of long and short. In the present embodiment, these cam noses 5511 to 5513 are connected by a smooth curve. Thus, it is formed in a generally fan shape in side view. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, these cam noses 5511 to 5513 come into contact with a later-described rotating roller 552c of the swing rod 552, so that the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are in the insertion position, the development position, and the discharge position. The position can be changed to three positions. That is, when the cam nose 5511 having the shortest length from the cam rotation center shaft 551b to the outer peripheral edge contacts the rotation roller 552c of the swing rod 552, the insertion guide body 33a and the discharge guide body 51a are in the insertion position ( When the intermediate cam nose 5512 is in contact with the rotary roller 552c, the insertion guide body 33a and the discharge guide body 51a are in the developing position (see FIG. 8B). When the cam nose 5513 having the longest length comes into contact with the rotating roller 552c, the insertion guide main body 33a and the discharge guide main body 51a are in the discharge position (see FIG. 8C).

  The swing rod 552 is a pair of swing rod main bodies 552a which are elongated in the vertical direction and are connected to each other at a predetermined interval through a lower end portion of the pair of swing rod main bodies 552a. 552b, a rotary roller 552c pivotally supported above the pivot center shaft 552b in the pivot rod main body 552a, a connecting rod 552d on which the biasing portion 53 is locked and the slide rod 554 is pivotally supported, A connecting pin 552e provided at the upper end of the swing rod main body 552a and engaged with the engaging portion 512a of the discharge guide 51. The swing rod 552 is biased toward the swing cam 551 by a biasing portion 553 (here, a spiral spring) locked to the connecting rod 552d, so that the rotary roller 552c is rotated around the swing cam 551. The surface is in pressure contact. Accordingly, when the swing cam 551 rotates, the rotary roller 552c rolls on the peripheral surface of the cam body 551a, and thereby the swing rod 552 swings in the proximity direction or the separation direction with respect to the developing unit 40. .

  The slide rod 554 has a pair of widthwise slide rod main bodies 554a that are elongated along the conveyance direction and whose downstream end is pivotally supported by the swing rod 552, and a slightly upstream side in the conveyance direction of each slide rod main body 554a. And a guide protrusion 554b that protrudes upward.

  The slide rod main body 554a has an engagement hole 554c through which an engagement pin 336 of the insertion guide 33 is engaged. The guide protrusion 554b has an inclined guide surface 554d that is inclined upward in the transport direction. The rotating roller 514 of the discharge guide 51 abuts on the guide surface 554d, and the slide rod 554 slides back and forth in the transport direction. Then, the rotating roller 514 of the discharge guide 51 rolls along the inclined guide surface 554d, and thereby the first swing member 511 of the discharge guide 51 swings up and down.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the squeeze roller pair 52 is provided at the downstream end of the second transport unit 50 and removes various processing solutions remaining on the emulsion surface and non-emulsion surface of the film 2. To do. The squeeze roller pair 52 also functions as a transport roller that pushes and transports the film 2 to the drying unit 60, and each roller is driven to rotate by a common driving means, for example.

  Next, the drying unit 60 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drying unit 60 is disposed on the downstream side of the second conveyance unit 50, specifically, on the downstream side of the squeeze roller pair 52, and the developed film 2 is spirally formed at a predetermined pitch. The film 2 is accommodated in a wound state, and the film 2 is dried in this accommodated state. Specifically, the drying unit 60 is disposed on the drying reel 61 that accommodates the film 2 that has been conveyed from the second conveyance unit 50 by spirally winding the film 2 at a predetermined pitch, and on the back side of the drying reel 61. And a blower fan 62 with a heater. The film 2 is dried by blowing warm air between the films 2 held by the drying reel 61.

  Here, the temperature control method of the drying unit 60 will be briefly described. The drying unit 60 is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the ambient temperature in the drying reel 61, and the operation of the blower fan 62 with heater is controlled using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. . For example, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is 60 ° C. or less, the heater and the blower fan 62 are continuously turned on, and when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is more than 60 ° C. and less than 80 ° C., When the heater and the blower fan 62 are intermittently turned “ON” (for example, “ON” and “OFF” are switched every second) and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is 80 ° C. or higher, The heater and the blower fan 62 are turned off. By performing such control, the atmospheric temperature in the drying reel 61 is controlled within a range of approximately 60 to 80 ° C., so that the film 2 can be suitably dried. The temperature control of the ambient temperature in the drying reel 61 described above is performed by the control unit 100 described later.

  The film 2 dried by the drying unit 60 is taken out together with the drying reel 61 through a take-out port that is opened by opening the lid 12 provided on the housing 10.

  3 and 4, a liquid supply unit 70 that supplies the processing liquid and the like to the developing tank 42 and a liquid discharge unit 90 that discharges the processing liquid and the like stored in the developing tank 42 to the outside will be described. To do. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the liquid supply unit, and FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the liquid supply unit and the liquid discharge unit.

  The liquid supply unit 70 (corresponding to the processing liquid supply means) includes a tank unit 71 including a plurality of replenishing tanks 712 to 716 filled with various processing liquids and the like, and the replenishing tanks 712 to 716 of the tank unit 71 are arranged for each tank. The tank holding unit 72 held in the tank, the sub tank unit 73 for temporarily storing various processing liquids discharged from the replenishing tanks 712 to 716 of the tank unit 71, and the various processing liquids stored in the sub tank unit 73. A liquid supply hose 74 supplied to the tank 42, a first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75 that opens and closes a supply flow path by the liquid supply hose 74, and a liquid heating heater that is provided in the middle of the liquid supply hose 74 and warms the supplied processing liquid 78. Further, the liquid supply unit 70 is provided with a sub-tank elevating mechanism 80 for elevating the sub-tank unit 73.

  The tank unit 71 includes a CD replenishment tank 712 filled with CD liquid, a BL replenishment tank 713 filled with BL liquid, a FIX replenishment tank 714 filled with FIX liquid, and STB liquid filled. An STB replenishment tank 715 and a cleaning liquid replenishment tank 716 filled with a cleaning liquid for cleaning the flow path from the sub tank section 73 to the development tank 42 after the development processing are provided. Here, water is used as the cleaning liquid. However, for example, a cleaning liquid in which a detergent is mixed in water may be used.

  The replenishing tanks 712 to 715 filled with the processing liquid are formed in a volume that can be filled with various processing liquids of an amount necessary for a plurality of (for example, 10 times) development processing. A liquid discharge port for supplying to 73 is provided. The cleaning liquid replenishment tank 716 is also formed in a volume that can be filled with an amount of cleaning liquid required for a plurality of (for example, 10) cleaning processes, and a liquid discharge port for supplying the cleaning liquid to the sub tank unit 73 is provided. . These replenishing tanks 712 to 716 are formed in a shape that discharges all of the processing liquid and the like filled in a posture with the liquid discharge port at the lowest position. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid discharge port is provided with a check valve 79 urged to close the liquid discharge port, and the check valve 79 is a valve opening pin 732 b described later of the sub tank portion 73. The liquid discharge port is opened and the processing liquid or the like is supplied to the sub-tank portion 73 by being pushed into the replenishing tanks 712 to 716 by being pressed by ˜736b.

  Each of these replenishing tanks 712 to 716 is held by the tank holding unit 72 in a posture in which the liquid discharge port is at the lowest position. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the tank holding portion 72 is formed using the housing 10 and holds the replenishing tanks 712 to 716 with the replenishing tanks 712 to 716 exposed on the upper surface of the housing 10. ing. Further, the tank holding unit 72 holds the replenishment tank 716 filled with the cleaning liquid rather than the height of holding the replenishing tanks 712 to 715 filled with various processing liquids (CD liquid, BL liquid, FIX liquid, STB liquid). In order to increase the height to be formed, a step in the height direction is provided.

  The sub-tank portion 73 is provided below the tank portion 71 in the housing 10 and collectively measures various processing liquids and cleaning liquids from the respective replenishing tanks 712 to 716 by an amount necessary for one processing (development processing or cleaning processing). These various liquids are temporarily stored, and the stored various processing liquids and the like are sequentially supplied to the developing tank 42 in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75.

  Here, the sub-tank part 73 is moved up and down to replenish appropriate amounts of processing liquid and cleaning liquid from the tank part 71, and the replenished various processing liquids and cleaning liquids are caused to flow down by gravity (here, referred to as natural fall for convenience). It is configured to be supplied to the developing tank 42. Specifically, the sub tank unit 73 includes a sub tank main body 731 and various sub tanks 732 to 736 that are supported by the sub tank main body 731 and provided for the respective replenishing tanks 712 to 716.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sub tank main body 731 has two upper and lower guide pins 731 a at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the guide pins 731 a are elongated in the height direction of the guide rail 13 provided in the housing 10. By being inserted into the formed long hole, it is supported so that it can be moved up and down. Of these guide pins 731a, the lower guide pins 731a each rotatably support a rotating roller 84, and the rotating rollers 84 roll along the outer peripheral surface of the lifting cam 83 of the sub tank lifting mechanism 80. By doing so, the sub tank main body 731 is moved up and down.

  The sub tank raising / lowering mechanism 80 is attached to the housing 10, and includes a drive unit 81 configured by a stepping motor, a cam rotation shaft 82 directly connected to an output shaft of the drive unit 81, and the cam rotation shaft 82. And a pair of elevating cams 83 whose outer peripheral surfaces come into contact with the rotating rollers 84 of the sub-tank body 731. The elevating cam 83 has a cam nose whose distance from the cam rotating shaft 82 is divided into at least two stages, and is formed by connecting these cam noses by a gentle curve.

  Of the sub tanks 732 to 736, the cleaning sub tank 736 is supported at a position higher than the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 in which various processing liquids are stored. By thus supporting the cleaning sub tank 736 at a high position, the cleaning liquid can be supplied from the cleaning liquid sub tank 736 toward the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 by natural fall.

  The cleaning liquid sub-tank 736 is provided with a valve opening pin 736b on its bottom surface for pressing the check valve 79 of the cleaning liquid replenishing tank 716 from below to open the check valve 79. When the check valve 79 is opened by the valve opening pin 736b, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge port of the replenishing tank 716 to the cleaning liquid sub tank 736, and the level of the cleaning liquid reaches the discharge port of the replenishing tank 716. The discharge of the cleaning liquid from the replenishing tank 716 is stopped. That is, when the liquid level reaches the discharge port of the replenishing tank 716, the supply of air from the discharge port is cut off, and the negative pressure acts on the replenishing tank 716 to measure the cleaning liquid. The height of the valve opening pin 736a is set in consideration of the amount of cleaning liquid to be replenished in the sub tank 736.

  The cleaning liquid sub-tank 736 is connected to a cleaning liquid supply hose 77 for supplying the cleaning liquid to the processing liquid sub-tanks 732 to 735 through a discharge port provided on the bottom surface in accordance with the number of the developing processing liquids. As the cleaning liquid supply hose 77, a flexible hose (for example, a vinyl chloride hose) is used, which is crushed by applying an external force from the side surface to close the internal flow path. In the middle of the cleaning liquid supply hose 77, a second flow path opening / closing mechanism 76 for opening and closing the cleaning liquid flow path by the cleaning liquid supply hose 77 is provided. The cleaning liquid that naturally falls from the sub tank 736 toward the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 is circulated and stopped.

  Here, the second flow path opening / closing mechanism 76 applies a pressure to the cleaning liquid supply hose 77 from its side surface by using a cam mechanism to crush the cleaning liquid supply hose 77 to close the flow path and remove the pressure. Thus, a mechanism for opening the flow path by elastic restoration of the cleaning liquid supply hose 77 is employed. The hose crushing cam 763 of this cam mechanism is rotated to crush all (four) cleaning liquid supply hoses 77 corresponding to the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 together with the pressing plate, and to supply all cleaning liquids. It is configured to be switchable to a posture separating from the hose 77, thereby opening and closing the flow path by the cleaning liquid supply hose 77.

  On the downstream side of the second flow path opening / closing mechanism 76, the cleaning liquid supply hose 77 is connected to the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735, respectively. After the development processing of one film 2 is completed, when the flow path by the cleaning liquid supply hose 77 is opened by the second flow path opening / closing mechanism 76, the cleaning liquid is supplied to each processing liquid sub-tank through the cleaning liquid supply hose 77. The sub-tanks 732 to 735 are supplied to 732 to 735, washed, introduced into the developing tank 42 in the same manner as each processing liquid described later, and discharged from the developing tank 42 to the outside.

  Each of the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 is provided with inlets 732a to 735a for introducing the cleaning liquid at the upper part of the side wall, and the cleaning liquid supply hose 77 is connected to the inlets 732a to 735a. Further, each of the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 has valve opening pins 732b to 735b that open the check valve 79 by pressing the check valves 79 of the replenishing tanks 712 to 715 for the processing liquid from below on the bottom surfaces thereof. Is provided. When the check valve 79 is opened by these valve opening pins 732b to 735b, the respective processing liquids are discharged from the discharge ports of the replenishing tanks 712 to 715 to the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735, and the liquid levels of the respective processing liquids. At the time when the discharge ports of the replenishing tanks 712 to 715 reach the discharge ports, the discharge of the processing liquids from the replenishing tanks 712 to 715 is stopped. Accordingly, the heights of the valve opening pins 732b to 735b are set in consideration of the amount of the processing liquid to be replenished to the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735. Here, when the developing tank 42 is filled with the processing liquid, the liquid volume is set such that the inner end of the guide groove 412a is immersed in the processing liquid while the developing reel 41 rotates once.

  In addition, the bottom surfaces of the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 are connected to a liquid supply hose 74 for each processing liquid through a liquid discharge port.

  The liquid supply hose 74 is a flexible hose (for example, a vinyl chloride hose), and is crushed by applying an external force from the side surface to close the internal flow path. The liquid supply hoses 74 for the respective processing liquids are joined at the downstream portion thereof to form one combined liquid supply hose 74a, and a liquid heating heater for heating the respective processing liquids to the outer peripheral portion of the combined liquid supply hose 74a. 78 is provided. The combined liquid supply hose 74 a is connected to the liquid supply port 424 of the developing tank 42, whereby the processing liquid heated to a predetermined temperature is introduced into the developing tank 42.

  A first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75 that opens and closes the liquid flow path of each hose 74 is provided on the upstream side of the junction of the liquid supply hose 74. The first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75 switches between a fully closed state in which the flow paths by all the liquid supply hoses 74 are closed and an individual open state in which the flow paths by the respective liquid supply hoses 74 are individually opened. The processing liquids that naturally fall from the processing liquid sub tanks 732 to 735 toward the developing tank 42 are circulated and stopped.

  Here, the first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75 uses a cam mechanism to apply pressure to the liquid supply hose 74 from its side surface to crush the hose 74 and close the flow path, and remove the pressure. Therefore, a mechanism for opening the flow path by elastic recovery of the liquid supply hose 74 is adopted. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75 includes a roller pressing cam 751 that is provided according to each liquid supply hose 74 and is driven to rotate, and the roller pressing cam 751. The crushing roller 752 that rolls the outer peripheral surface of the cam 751 to crush the liquid supply hose 74 according to the rotation angle of the cam 751, the cam center shaft 753 that is the rotation center of all the cams 751, and the output shaft is the cam. A drive unit 754 composed of a stepping motor or the like directly connected to the central shaft 753, a pressing plate 755 that is disposed opposite to the crushing roller 752 with the liquid supply hose 74 interposed therebetween, and is crushed with the hose 74 interposed between the roller 752 It has.

  The roller pressing cam 751 is formed as a substantially disk body, and a part of the outer peripheral surface is recessed radially inward to form a roller retracting portion 751a. The roller retracting portion 751a is formed in different phases depending on each roller pressing cam 751. Accordingly, the crushing rollers 752 corresponding to the respective cams 751 are sequentially accommodated in the corresponding roller retracting portions 751a while the cam central shaft 753 makes one rotation, whereby the flow path by the liquid supply hose 74 is sequentially opened. At the same time, all the crushing rollers 752 are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cam 751 removed from the roller retracting portion 751a, thereby closing the flow paths by all (four) liquid supply hoses 74. Become.

  When the roller pressing cam 751 rotates, the crushing roller 752 swings in and out of the roller retracting portion 751a, and thereby swings in a direction in which it contacts and separates from the liquid supply hose 74, thereby crushing the liquid supply hose 74. Thus, the position can be switched between a position where the flow path is closed and a position where the liquid supply hose 74 is released to release the flow path.

  On the other hand, the liquid discharge unit 90 (corresponding to the processing liquid discharge means) discharges the processing liquid and the cleaning liquid supplied to the developing tank 42 to the outside through the waste liquid hose 91. Here, the first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75 is used. It has the same structure. That is, the liquid discharge unit 90 includes a pair of waste liquid hoses 91 connected to the liquid discharge ports 425a and 425b of the developing tank 42, and a waste liquid flow path that opens and closes a flow path formed by the waste liquid hose 91. An opening / closing mechanism 92 is provided, and the waste liquid flow path opening / closing mechanism 92 selects and opens one of the flow paths by the pair of waste liquid hoses 91 to discharge the processing liquid or cleaning liquid in the developing tank 42.

  One waste liquid hose 91 may be provided, but here, two waste liquid hoses 91 are provided in order to make the waste liquid path of a specific processing liquid (for example, CD liquid) different from other processing liquids. That is, a waste liquid hose 911 for discharging the CD liquid and a waste liquid hose 912 for discharging other processing liquid and cleaning liquid are provided. Thus, by making the waste liquid hose 911 for discharging the CD liquid different from the waste liquid hose 912 for discharging other processing liquid and cleaning liquid, the silver contained in the CD liquid can be reused as described above.

  The waste liquid flow path opening / closing mechanism 92 includes a fully closed state in which the flow paths by the two waste liquid hoses 91 are simultaneously closed, an individual open state in which the flow paths by the two waste liquid hoses 91 are separately opened, and two waste liquid hoses. By switching between the fully open state in which the flow path 91 is opened at the same time, each processing solution and the like that naturally falls from the developing tank 42 is circulated and stopped. Here, the waste liquid flow path opening / closing mechanism 92 applies a pressure to the waste liquid hose 91 from its side surface by using a cam mechanism, thereby crushing the waste liquid hose 91 to close the flow path and removing the pressure. A mechanism for opening the flow path by elastic recovery of the waste liquid hose 91 is employed.

  11 and 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the film developing apparatus. The following operations are performed by the control unit 100 that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like and includes a personal computer or the like. Specifically, the operation of the entire film developing apparatus is controlled by a CPU executing a program stored in advance in a ROM (or RAM). The control unit 100 corresponds to the reel drive control means and the guide drive control means described in the claims of this application.

  However, the positions of the movable members and the positions of the various tanks in FIGS. 1 to 5 are initially set to the following states. The cutter 21 is at the lower limit position, and the insertion guide 33 is set at an insertion position that is a position suitable for inserting the film 2 (the discharge guide 51 is at the retracted position). The developing reel 41 and the blower fan 62 are in a stopped state, and the liquid heating heater 78 is in an OFF state. Further, the water supply hose 77, the liquid supply hose 74, and the waste liquid hose 91 are all closed, and the developing tank 42 is empty. The sub tank main body 731 is at the lower limit position, and the sub tank main body 731 is in an empty state. Further, the film 2 stored in the cartridge 3 is set on the cartridge support portion 20 by opening the lid 11 of the housing 10, and the leading end of the film 2 is pulled out from the cartridge 3 and sandwiched between the first conveying roller pair 31. It shall be.

  First, it is determined whether or not a push button switch (not shown) disposed at an appropriate position of the housing 10 is turned on (step S101). If it is determined that it has not been turned on (NO in step S101), the process is set to a standby state. When it is determined that it is turned on (YES in step S101), driving of the driving rollers 311 and 321 and the guide driving roller 333 is started, and the film 2 is pulled out from the cartridge 3 and transported to the developing reel 41 is started. (Step S103), and development preparation processing described later with reference to FIG. 13 is started (Step S102). Then, it is determined whether or not the rear end of the film 2 has been detected by the film rear end sensor 324 (the film 2 has been pulled out from the cartridge 3 to the rear end) (step S105). Specifically, the film trailing edge sensor 324 detects whether or not the rotation of the driven roller 322 is stopped although the driving roller 321 of the second transport roller pair 32 is rotating, and the driven roller 322 When the rotation is stopped, the trailing edge of the film is detected.

  If it is determined that the rear end of the film 2 has not been detected (NO in step S105), the conveyance process is continued. If it is determined that the rear end of the film 2 is detected (YES in step S105), the driving rollers 311 and 321 and the guide driving roller 333 are stopped, and the conveyance of the film 2 to the developing reel 41 is stopped. (Step S107). Then, the lower blade of the cutter 21 is raised, and the rear end portion of the film 2 is cut (step S109). Next, driving of the driving rollers 311 and 321 and the guide driving roller 333 is started again, and conveyance of the film 2 to the developing reel 41 is resumed (step S111).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the rear end of the film 2 cut by the cutter 21 has reached the position of the insertion guide 33 (step S113). Whether the rear end of the film 2 has reached the position of the insertion guide 33 is determined by, for example, arranging a detection switch or the like having an action rod that can be freely moved in and out of the film conveyance path. Can be used. If it is determined that the rear end of the film 2 has not reached the position of the insertion guide 33 (NO in step S113), the conveyance process is continued. When it is determined that the rear end of the film 2 has reached the position of the insertion guide 33 (YES in step S113), time measurement is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time set in advance. It is determined whether T1 (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed (step S115). If it is determined that the predetermined time T1 has not elapsed (NO in step S115), the process is set to a standby state. When it is determined that the predetermined time T1 has elapsed (YES in step S115), the driving of the drive rollers 311 and 321 of the first transport unit 30 is stopped, and the direction opposite to the spiral direction of the guide groove 412a (see FIG. The rotation of the developing reel 41 is started counterclockwise at 2 (step S117).

  The insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are moved from the initial insertion position as shown in FIG. 8A to the development position as shown in FIG. 8B at substantially the same time as the development reel 41 is rotated. It is moved to (position where the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are retracted) (step S119). Specifically, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cam 56 for rotation is driven to rotate by the drive unit 56, and the cam nose 5512 having an intermediate length is moved from the state in which the shortest cam nose 5511 is in contact with the rotary roller 552c. The state is brought into contact with the rotating roller 552c. Along with this, the swing bar 552 swings toward the rear in the film transport direction centering on the lower end thereof, whereby the slide bar 554 also slides in the same direction. As the swinging rod 552 swings, the second swinging member 512 of the discharge guide 51 also slides toward the developing reel 41 via the connecting rod 552d. As the slide rod 554 slides, the first and second swing members 331 and 332 of the insertion guide 33 swing in a direction away from the developing reel 41 via the engagement pin 336, and the discharge guide. 51 of the first swing member 511 swings in a direction away from the developing reel 41 as the rotary roller 514 is guided by the inclined guide surface 554d of the guide protrusion 554b of the slide rod 554. As a result, the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are moved from the insertion position to the development position.

  Next, when the processes of step S119 and step S102 are completed, a development process described later with reference to FIG. 14 is started (step S121). Next, when the development process is completed, a cleaning preparation process described later with reference to FIG. 16 is started (step S122), and the rotation of the development reel 41 is stopped as shown in FIG. 12 (step S123). Then, the discharge guide 51 is moved to the discharge position as shown in FIG. 8C (step S125). 7 and 8, the longest cam nose 5513 from the state in which the swing cam 551 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 56 and the intermediate cam nose 5512 is in contact with the rotary roller 552c. Shifts to a state of abutting on the rotating roller 552c. Along with this, the swing bar 552 further swings toward the rear in the film transport direction centering on the lower end thereof, whereby the slide bar 554 also slides in the same direction. As the swinging rod 552 swings, the second swinging member 512 of the discharge guide 51 further advances toward the developing reel 41 via the connecting rod 552d. As the slide rod 554 slides, the first and second swinging members 331 and 332 of the insertion guide 33 swing further away from the developing reel 41 via the engagement pin 336 and discharged. The first swing member 511 of the guide 51 swings in a direction further away from the developing reel 41 as the rotary roller 514 is guided by the inclined guide surface 554d of the guide protrusion 554b of the slide rod 554. As a result, the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are moved from the development position to the discharge position.

  Subsequently, the developing reel 41 is rotated in the opposite direction to that during the developing process, that is, in the spiral direction of the guide groove 412a (clockwise in FIG. 2) (step S127). During the rotation of the developing reel 41, the rear end of the film protruding from the film insertion port 411 of the developing reel 41 (hereinafter, the rear end of the film 2 becomes the leading end in the transport direction. Is engaged with the second swing member 512 of the discharge guide 51. Then, it is determined whether or not the leading end of the film 2 is on the discharge guide 51 (on the second swinging member 512) (the cueing of the film 2 has been completed on the discharge guide 51) (step S129). ). The determination as to whether or not the front end of the film 2 is placed on the discharge guide 51 is made by, for example, using an optical sensor (for example, a transmissive photo interrupter) that detects the presence or absence of the film 2 at an appropriate position of the discharge guide 51. This can be done using the signal from this sensor. If it is determined that the leading edge of the film 2 is not on the discharge guide 51 (NO in step S129), the rotation of the developing reel 41 is continued. If it is determined that the leading edge of the film 2 is on the discharge guide 51 (YES in step S129), the rotation of the developing reel 41 is stopped (step S131). In a state where the rotation of the developing reel 41 is stopped, as shown in FIG. 9, the film insertion port 411 is substantially opposed to the film introduction port 515 of the discharge guide 51 (more specifically, the film insertion port 411 is opposed to the opposite side). A position slightly closer to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing reel 41 than the position). Further, in the stopped state of the developing reel 41 in step S131, braking by drag torque is applied by the developing reel drive unit 43 instead of brake braking. That is, in step S135, when the guide drive roller pair 513 and the squeeze roller pair 52 are rotationally driven, the developing reel 41 is rotated while being pulled and braked by the film 2.

  Then, the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are moved from the discharge position shown in FIG. 8C to the insertion position shown in FIG. 8A, whereby the first swing member 511 of the discharge guide 51 is pressure-bonded ( The leading end of the film 2 is clamped by the guide drive roller pair 513 (step S133). Here, when the first swinging member 511 is pressure-bonded, the guide drive roller pair 513 is also brought into pressure contact with the film 2 so that the end in the width direction of the film 2 is placed on the developing reel 41 as shown in FIG. The film 2 is discharged from the developing reel 41 while being peeled off from the guide groove 412a and conveyed toward the next squeeze roller pair 52.

  Next, the guide drive roller pair 513 and the squeeze roller pair 52 are driven to rotate, and the conveyance of the film 2 from the developing reel 41 to the drying reel 61 is started (step S135).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the leading end of the film 2 has reached the drying reel 61 (step S137). The determination as to whether or not the front end of the film 2 has reached the drying reel 61 is made, for example, by arranging an optical sensor (for example, a transmissive photo interrupter) that detects the presence or absence of the film 2 at an appropriate position on the drying reel 61. And it can carry out using the signal from this sensor. If it is determined that the leading edge of the film 2 has not reached the drying reel 61 (NO in step S137), the conveyance process is continued. If it is determined that the leading edge of the film 2 has reached the drying reel 61 (YES in step S137), the drying heater and fan are turned on (step S139). Then, it is determined whether or not the rear end of the film 2 has reached the drying reel 61 (step S141). Whether or not the rear end of the film 2 has reached the drying reel 61 is determined by, for example, arranging an optical sensor (for example, a transmissive photo interrupter) that detects the presence or absence of the film 2 at an appropriate position on the drying reel 61. And using the signal from this sensor. Or you may carry out by detecting passage of the rear end of a film with the above-mentioned sensor which detects a front end. If it is determined that the rear end of the film 2 has not reached the drying reel 61 (NO in step S141), the conveyance process is continued. When it is determined that the rear end of the film 2 has reached the drying reel 61 (YES in step S141) and the processing in step S122 is completed, the driving of the guide drive roller pair 513 and the squeeze roller pair 52 is stopped. Then, the conveyance of the film 2 from the developing reel 41 to the drying reel 61 is stopped (step S143).

  Then, a cleaning process to be described later with reference to FIG. 17 is started (step S149), and time measurement is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a preset predetermined time T2 (for example, 30 seconds: It is determined whether or not the time required for drying the film 2 has elapsed (step S145). If it is determined that the predetermined time T2 has not elapsed (NO in step S145), the drying process is continued. If it is determined that the predetermined time T2 has elapsed (YES in step S145), the drying heater and the fan are turned off (step S147), and the process is terminated. The film 2 that has been dried is taken out by the operator with the lid 12 opened while being wound around the drying reel 61.

  FIG. 13 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the development preparation process performed in step S102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In the development preparation process, the sub tank main body 731 is moved up and down to move from the CD replenishing tank 712, the BL replenishing tank 713, the FIX replenishing tank 714, the STB replenishing tank 715, and the cleaning liquid replenishing tank 716, respectively. CD sub-tank 732, BL sub-tank 733, FIX sub-tank 734, STB sub-tank 735 and cleaning liquid sub-tank 736 are set to a predetermined amount (for example, CD sub-tank 732, BL sub-tank 733, FIX sub-tank 734 and STB This is a process of replenishing 50 ml of liquid to the sub-tank 735 and 50 ml of liquid to the cleaning liquid sub-tank 736.

  First, the water supply hose 77 and the liquid supply hose 74 are all closed (step S201). Then, the sub tank main body 731 starts to be lifted using the sub tank lifting mechanism 80 (step S203). Then, it is determined whether or not the sub tank main body 731 has reached the upper limit position (step S205). When it is determined that the sub tank main body 731 has not reached the upper limit position (NO in step S205), the ascending process is continued. If it is determined that the sub tank main body 731 has reached the upper limit position (YES in step S205), the sub tank main body 731 starts to be lowered using the sub tank lifting mechanism 80 (step S207).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the sub tank main body 731 has reached the lower limit position (step S209). If it is determined that the sub tank main body 731 has not reached the lower limit position (NO in step S209), the descending process is continued. If it is determined that the sub tank main body 731 has reached the lower limit position (YES in step S209), the descent of the sub tank main body 731 is stopped (step S211). And all the waste liquid hoses 91 are made into a closed state (step S213), and a process is returned.

  14 and 15 are detailed flowcharts showing an example of the developing process performed in step S121 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The development process is a process in which the processing liquid is supplied to the developing tank 42 in the order of CD, BL, FIX, and STB, and the film 2 is immersed in each processing liquid to react each processing liquid with the emulsion of the film 2. Before the processing of the detailed flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 11 starts, the rotation of the developing reel 41 is started in step S117 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the CD supply hose 742 is opened (step S301). Then, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time TS1 (for example, 195 seconds: the flow of the CD liquid from the CD sub tank 732 to the developing tank 42 and the film 2) Whether or not the time required for the reaction between the emulsion and the CD solution has elapsed (step S303). If it is determined that the predetermined time TS1 has not elapsed (NO in step S303), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TS1 has elapsed (YES in step S303), the CD waste liquid hose 911 is opened (step S305), and the CD liquid is discharged from the developing tank. Then, the time measurement is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and whether or not a predetermined time TR1 (for example, 5 seconds: time required for the CD liquid to flow out from the developing tank 42) has elapsed has elapsed. Is determined (step S307). If it is determined that the predetermined time TR1 has not elapsed (NO in step S307), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TR1 has elapsed (YES in step S307), the waste liquid hose 91 (CD waste liquid hose 911 and non-CD waste liquid hose 912) is closed (step S309).

  Next, the BL supply hose 743 is opened (step S311). Then, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time TS2 (for example, 69 seconds: the flow of the BL processing liquid from the BL sub tank 733 to the developing tank 42, and the film It is determined whether or not the time required for the reaction between the emulsion No. 2 and the BL solution has elapsed (step S313). If it is determined that the predetermined time TS2 has not elapsed (NO in step S313), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TS2 has elapsed (YES in step S313), the non-CD waste liquid hose 912 is opened (step S315), and the BL liquid is discharged from the developing tank. Then, the time measurement is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and whether or not a predetermined time TR2 (for example, 5 seconds: time required for the BL liquid to flow out from the developing tank 42) has elapsed has elapsed. Is determined (step S317). If it is determined that predetermined time TR2 has not elapsed (NO in step S317), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TR2 has elapsed (YES in step S317), the waste liquid hose 91 (CD waste liquid hose 911 and non-CD waste liquid hose 912) is closed (step S319).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the FIX supply hose 744 is opened (step S321). Then, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time TS3 (for example, 138 seconds: the flow of the FIX liquid from the FIX sub-tank 734 to the developing tank 42, and the film 2 It is determined whether the time required for the reaction between the emulsion and the FIX solution has elapsed (step S323). If it is determined that the predetermined time TS3 has not elapsed (NO in step S323), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TS3 has elapsed (YES in step S323), the non-CD waste liquid hose 912 is opened (step S325), and the FIX liquid is discharged from the developing tank. Then, the time measurement is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and whether or not a predetermined time TR3 (for example, 5 seconds: time required for the FIX liquid to flow out of the developing tank 42) has elapsed has elapsed. Is determined (step S327). If it is determined that predetermined time TR3 has not elapsed (NO in step S327), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TR3 has elapsed (YES in step S327), the waste liquid hose 91 (CD waste liquid hose 911 and non-CD waste liquid hose 912) is closed (step S329).

  Next, the STB supply hose 745 is opened (step S331). Then, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time TS4 (for example, 142 seconds: flow of the STB liquid from the STB sub tank 735 to the developing tank 42, and the film 2) It is determined whether or not the time required for the reaction between the emulsion and the STB solution has elapsed (step S333). When it is determined that the predetermined time TS4 has not elapsed (NO in step S333), the process is set in a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TS4 has elapsed (YES in step S333), the non-CD waste liquid hose 912 is opened (step S335), and the STB liquid is discharged from the developing tank. Then, the time measurement is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and whether or not a predetermined time TR4 (for example, 5 seconds: time required for the STB liquid to flow out from the developing tank 42) has elapsed has elapsed. Is determined (step S337). If it is determined that predetermined time TR4 has not elapsed (NO in step S337), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TR3 has elapsed (YES in step S337), the waste liquid hose 91 (CD waste liquid hose 911 and non-CD waste liquid hose 912) is closed (step S339), and the process returns. Is done.

  FIG. 16 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the cleaning preparation process performed in step S122 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The cleaning preparation process is a process for preparing a cleaning process that is a process for cleaning the processing liquid adhering to the sub-tank body 731, the developing tank 42, the developing reel 41, and the like. First, all the liquid supply hoses 74 are closed (step S401). Then, the water supply hose 77 is opened (step S403), and the flow of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid sub tank 736 to the CD sub tank 732, the BL sub tank 733, the FIX sub tank 734, and the STB sub tank 735 is started. Next, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time TS5 (for example, 15 seconds: from the cleaning liquid sub tank 736 to the CD sub tank 732, the BL sub tank 733, and the FIX sub tank 734). Then, it is determined whether or not the time required for the cleaning liquid to flow into the STB sub tank 735 has elapsed (step S405). If it is determined that the predetermined time TS5 has not elapsed (NO in step S405), the process is set in a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TS5 has elapsed (YES in step S405), the water supply hose 77 is closed (step S407), and the process is returned.

  FIG. 17 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the cleaning process performed in step S149 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The cleaning process is a process for cleaning the processing liquid adhering to the sub tank main body 731, the developing tank 42, the developing reel 41, and the like. First, the clockwise rotation of the developing reel 41 is started (step S501). Then, the liquid supply hose 74 (CD supply hose 742, BL supply hose 743, FIX supply hose 744 and STB supply hose 745) is opened (step S503). Next, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time TC1 (for example, 30 seconds: CD sub tank 732, BL sub tank 733, FIX sub tank 734, and STB sub tank) is set. It is determined whether or not the flow of the cleaning liquid from 735 to the developing tank 42 and the time required for cleaning the developing tank 42 have elapsed (step S505). If it is determined that the predetermined time TC1 has not elapsed (NO in step S505), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TC1 has elapsed (YES in step S505), the non-CD waste liquid hose 912 is opened (step S509). Then, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and whether or not a predetermined time TC2 set in advance (for example, 10 seconds: time required for the washing liquid to flow out of the developing tank 42) has elapsed. A determination is made (step S507). If it is determined that the predetermined time TC2 has not elapsed (NO in step S509), the process is set in a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TC2 has elapsed (YES in step S509), the rotation of the developing reel 41 is stopped (step S511), and the process is terminated.

  According to the film developing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the developing reel 41 is accommodated and held in a state in which the film 2 is wound. Therefore, the spiral pitch of the guide groove 412a is formed as short as possible without causing any problem in the developing process. By doing so, the film can be accommodated in the interior at a high density, whereby the developing reel 41 can be formed as small as possible. In addition, instead of transporting the film 2 through the development tank filled with the development processing solution, the development processing filled in the development tank 42 is performed by rotating the development reel 41 in which the film 2 is spirally wound and accommodated. Since the film 2 is immersed in the liquid over its entire length to develop the film 2, the developing tank 42 can be formed as compact as possible, and the entire length of the film 2 can be obtained while the developing reel 41 rotates once. Can be appropriately developed over the entire length of the film 2 with the minimum required developing solution so as to immerse the film.

  That is, the film 2 is once wound spirally on the developing reel 41 and accommodated, and the developing reel 41 is rotated to immerse the film 2 in the developing solution filled in the developing tank 42 as described above. By being configured, the development reel 41 and the development tank 42 and thus the apparatus 1 can be further reduced in size, and the amount of the development processing liquid required for the development processing can be suppressed as much as possible while maintaining the quality of the development processing. The cost required for the development process is suppressed.

  In addition, since various processing liquids are sequentially supplied to the single developing tank 42 by the liquid supply unit 70 and the supplied processing liquid and the film 2 are brought into contact with each other, the liquid discharge unit 90 discharges the liquid for each processing. Therefore, it is not necessary to manage the properties of the processing liquid. For example, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the processing liquid as a whole by avoiding a situation where, after developing a single film, the processing liquid deteriorates and must be discarded for a long time. The cost required for development processing is further reduced.

  Further, when the development process is performed by storing the film 2 in the development reel 41 and rotating the development reel 41 in the development process, the film 2 is smoothly and reliably discharged from the development reel 41 after the development process is completed ( In this apparatus 1, a guide driving roller 333 that is disposed at a predetermined distance L 1 from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel 41 and that pushes and inserts the film 2 into the developing reel 41 through the film insertion slot 411 and A guide driven roller 334, a discharge guide 51 that draws out the film 2 from the developing reel 41 by engaging the rear end of the film 2 inserted in the developing reel 41, and the developing reel 41 are inserted into the film insertion slot before the film is inserted. 411 is rotated to a predetermined insertion position facing the film discharge port 335 of the insertion guide 33 and stopped. The development reel drive unit 43 is controlled so that the film insertion port 411 is rotated to a predetermined delivery position facing the film introduction port 515 of the discharge guide 51 and stopped after the development processing is completed. And the control unit 100 is further provided, so that the film 2 can be accommodated in the developing reel 41 in a state of protruding from the film insertion port 411 by a predetermined distance L1 or a substantially predetermined distance L1. When the film insertion port 411 of the developing reel 41 is rotated to a predetermined delivery position using the protruding portion from the developing reel 41 as a discharge allowance, the film 2 is reliably engaged with the discharge guide 51. Then, by discharging the film from the engaged film end by the discharge guide 51, the film can be discharged smoothly and reliably.

  In addition, when the developing reel 41 rotates in the same direction as the spiral direction of the guide groove 412a, the rear end edge of the film 2 hits the second swinging member 512 of the discharge guide 51, and the rear end portion of the film 2 is surely secured. Thus, the film 2 can be discharged from the developing reel 41 reliably and smoothly. On the other hand, the control unit 100 controls the developing reel drive unit 43 to rotate the developing reel 41 in the opposite direction (reverse direction) to the spiral direction of the guide groove 412a during the developing process. Since the developing reel 41 rotates in the direction opposite to the spiral direction even when the rear end of the film 2 is in contact with the peripheral device without being caught by peripheral devices including the 51 and the developing tank 42, the film 2 As a result, the developing reel 41 is rotated without any trouble, and the film 2 can be reliably and appropriately developed.

  In addition, the specific structure of the film developing apparatus of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible. For example, it can be changed as follows.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the guide portion of the developing reel is configured as the guide groove 412a. However, the guide portion restricts at least the movement of the film 2 in the thickness direction and winds the film 2 in the developing reel 41. As long as it can be accommodated and held in a state, the specific configuration is not limited. For example, the guide groove 412a as the guide portion does not need to be bottomed over the entire length as in the present embodiment. For example, the bottom surface of the guide groove 412a is formed on the outer surface side of the side plate 412 at appropriate intervals. It may be formed through. In this case, since the developing solution can be introduced from the penetration portion, the penetration portion can also be used as a liquid passage hole. In this case, the liquid passage hole between the guide grooves 412a can be omitted. it can. In this case, a side wall for restricting film movement may be provided over a predetermined length from the film insertion port 411 in order to restrict movement of the film 2 in the width direction.

  However, if the guide portion is configured as a guide groove as in the above embodiment, movement in the thickness direction of the film 2 can be restricted over the entire length of the film 2, and movement in the width direction of the film 2 is also restricted. There is an advantage that the film 2 can be smoothly inserted into the developing reel 41.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the guide driving roller 333 and the guide driven roller 334 as insertion means are distanced from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel 41 by a distance corresponding to the length of the non-image forming area provided at the rear end portion of the film 2. However, this distance is particularly limited as long as the distance is such that the rear end portion of the film 2 can be engaged with the discharge guide 51 as the engaging portion. It is not a thing.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the case where the first conveyance unit 30 is turned 90 degrees in the conveyance roller pair 32 has been described, but an arbitrary angle of 180 degrees or less (for example, 60 degrees, 120 degrees). It may be a form in which only the direction is changed. The greater the angle at which the direction is changed, the greater the effect of decurling the film (decal effect).

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the film is dried while being inserted in the drying reel 61 has been described. However, the film may be dried in other states (for example, alternately curved in the longitudinal direction). Good.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are configured to swing by the common guide swing mechanism 55. However, a separate swing mechanism is provided for each of the guides 33 and 51. It is good. However, if both the guides 33 and 51 are swung using the cam and link mechanism by the common guide rocking mechanism 55 as in this embodiment, the apparatus can be simplified.

  Further, the specific configuration of the guide swing mechanism is not particularly limited. For example, even when the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51 are interlocked, they may be electrically interlocked. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, not only the cam and the link mechanism are used to swing, but each guide may be swinged using a solenoid or the like.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the developing tank 42 is used as the processing liquid contact means. However, the specific mode of the processing liquid contact means is not limited to this. For example, a processing liquid ejection means is provided and rotated. The film 2 may be developed by spraying the processing liquid toward the developing reel 41.

  Further, the developing reel 41 may be used as the processing liquid contact means. That is, the processing liquid contact means uses the side plate of the developing reel and connects the side plate and the peripheral edge of the side plate to form a substantially cylindrical shape that forms a film storage space for storing the film held by the guide portion. And a closing means for closing the film insertion port (for example, a sealing means constituted by an elastic member), and the film 2 is accommodated through the side plate and a film insertion port provided in a part of the peripheral wall part. Then, the film insertion port may be closed by the closing means, and the processing liquid may be supplied to the closed space by the liquid supply unit. In this case, it is not necessary to rotate the developing reel during the developing process, and after waiting for the elapse of a predetermined time, the processing liquid in the film storage space is discharged by the liquid discharging unit, and this is sequentially repeated for each processing liquid. In addition, the film may be pulled out by the discharge guide means by rotating the development reel after the development processing.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the liquid supply unit 70 supplies the processing liquid to the developing tank at a depth close to the minimum at which the inner end of the film guide groove 412a is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel 41. Although the case where the developing reel 41 is rotated once has been described, the liquid supply unit 70 supplies the processing liquid to the developing tank at a depth greater than the depth at which the inner end of the film guide groove 412a is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel 41. 42 may be filled. In this case, since the contact between the emulsion of the film 2 and the processing solution is more reliably performed, the development quality is further stabilized.

1 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of a film developing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a schematic front view of the same embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the liquid supply part of the embodiment. It is a schematic front view which shows the liquid supply part of the same embodiment, and a liquid discharge part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the insertion guide of the same embodiment, the image development part, the discharge guide, and a liquid discharge part. It is a schematic front view which shows the insertion guide and discharge guide of the embodiment. It is a schematic front view which shows the common guide rocking | fluctuation mechanism of the embodiment. It is a front view which shows an example of the positional relationship between the insertion guide and discharge guide of the same embodiment, and a developing reel. It is a schematic front view which shows the discharge aspect from the developing reel to the discharge guide in the embodiment. It is a schematic enlarged front view which shows the aspect which peels off a film from the image development reel in the same embodiment. It is the first half part of the flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a film developing device. It is the second half part of the flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a film developing apparatus. 12 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of a development preparation process performed in step S102 of the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is the first half of a detailed flowchart showing an example of development processing performed in step S121 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is the latter half of the detailed flowchart showing an example of the development processing performed in step S121 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of a cleaning preparation process performed in step S122 of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a detailed flowchart which shows an example of the washing | cleaning process performed by step S149 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Film developing apparatus 2 Film 33 Insertion guide 333 Guide drive roller (insertion means)
334 Guide driven roller (insertion means)
40 Development Unit 41 Development Reel 411 Film Insertion Port (one place on the outer periphery)
412 Side plate 412a Film guide groove (guide portion)
42 Development tank 43 Development reel drive 51 Discharge guide (discharge means)
51a Discharge guide body 513 Guide drive roller pair (drawer roller)
55 Common Guide Swing Mechanism 70 Liquid Supply Unit (Processing Liquid Supply Unit)
90 Liquid discharge part (Processing liquid discharge means)
100 control unit (reel drive control means)

Claims (7)

In a film developing apparatus that performs development by bringing a long film into contact with a processing solution,
Guide the width direction end of the film from the film insertion opening formed at one place on the outer peripheral edge to the opposing surfaces of the substantially disk-shaped side plates that are arranged side by side with a substantially film width. A developing reel in which a spiral guide portion is formed corresponding to at least the film length;
A developing tank for accommodating at least a part of the developing reel in a state in which the side plate is substantially upright;
Developing reel driving means for rotating the developing reel around a reel central axis;
Reel position detecting means for detecting the rotation position of the developing reel;
A processing liquid supply means for filling the developing tank with the processing liquid to such a depth that the inner end of the guide portion is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel;
An insertion means disposed at a predetermined distance from an outer peripheral edge of the developing reel and inserting a film into the developing reel through the film insertion port;
Discharging means for engaging the rear end of the film inserted in the developing reel and pulling out the film from the developing reel;
Before the film is inserted, the development reel is rotated by a predetermined insertion position where the film insertion opening faces the insertion means and stopped, and is rotated at least once during the development process. A film developing apparatus, comprising: a reel driving control unit that controls the developing reel driving unit so as to rotate and stop at a predetermined delivery position facing the discharging unit.   The guide portion has an opposing guide surface disposed opposite to the front and back surfaces of the film, and a width guide surface that restricts movement of the film in the width direction over a part or the entire length of the guide portion. The film developing apparatus according to claim 1.   The reel drive control means controls the development reel drive means to rotate the development reel in a direction opposite to the spiral direction from the inner end of the guide portion to the outside during the development process. The film developing device according to claim 1 or 2.   The predetermined distance between the insertion means and the film insertion port is set shorter than the length of the non-image forming area provided at the rear end of the film. The film developing apparatus according to claim 1.   The discharging means includes a drawing roller that comes into contact with a rear end portion of the film and pulls out the film, and the drawing roller is arranged so that when the film insertion port of the developing reel is at the predetermined delivery position, 5. The film developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance is set to be shorter than the distance from the insertion means to the film insertion port. In a film developing apparatus that performs development by bringing a long film into contact with a processing solution,
Guide the width direction end of the film from the film insertion opening formed at one place on the outer peripheral edge to the opposing surfaces of the substantially disk-shaped side plates that are arranged side by side with a substantially film width. A developing reel in which a spiral guide portion is formed corresponding to at least the film length;
Developing reel driving means for rotating the developing reel around a reel central axis;
Reel position detecting means for detecting the rotation position of the developing reel;
Processing liquid contact means for bringing the film contained in the developing reel into contact with the processing liquid;
Treatment liquid supply means for supplying a treatment liquid to the treatment liquid contact means;
A treatment liquid discharge means for discharging the treatment liquid after contact with the film from the treatment liquid contact means;
An insertion means disposed at a predetermined distance from an outer peripheral edge of the developing reel and inserting a film into the developing reel through the film insertion port;
Discharging means for engaging the rear end of the film inserted in the developing reel and pulling out the film from the developing reel;
Based on the detection result of the reel position detecting means, the developing reel is rotated and stopped at a predetermined insertion position where the film insertion opening faces the inserting means before inserting the film, and at least one rotation or more is performed during the developing process. And a reel driving control means for controlling the developing reel driving means to rotate and stop the film insertion port at a predetermined delivery position facing the discharging means after the development processing is completed. apparatus.   The processing liquid contact means includes a side plate of the developing reel, a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall portion that constitutes a film storage space for connecting a peripheral edge of the side plates and storing a film held by the guide portion, and the film A closing means for closing the insertion opening, and the film insertion opening is closed by the closing means during the development process, whereby the film storage space is closed, and the processing liquid is supplied to the closed space by the processing liquid supply means. 9. The film developing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the film developing apparatus is a thing.

Images