JP2006184610A - Film developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a size of a device while maintaining the quality of development processing and to suppress an amount of a processing solution used in development processing. <P>SOLUTION: The film developing device 1 is equipped with a developing reel 41 which is formed with spiral film guide grooves 412a for guiding the transverse direction end of a film by as much as approximately the film length from one point on the outer peripheral edge toward a center on each opposed surface of approximately disk-shaped side plates 412 installed adjacently to each other separately by approximately the film width, a developing tank 42 which contains at least a portion of the developing reel 41, a developing reel driving section which rotates the developing reel 41 around a reel central axis 413, a processing solution supply section which fills the developing tank 42 with the processing solution, a solution discharge section which discharges the solution, and a reel drying section 44 which removes the moisture sticking to the film guide grooves 412a of the respective side plates 412 of 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 processing solutions and reacting the photosensitive agent in the emulsion surface provided on one side of the film with the 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 processing liquids are provided for each processing liquid, and the film is stopped at a transport unit constituted by a transport roller or the like. There is a known one that is continuously conveyed without being developed and is developed by being immersed in a processing solution in each processing tank.

  However, in such an apparatus, a plurality of processing tanks are provided for each processing liquid, and a transport roller is also provided in each processing tank. Therefore, the processing tank is enlarged and the processing liquid stored in the processing tank is stored. Since many films can be processed with one filling, if a long time is required for developing the next film after developing one film, the processing solution deteriorates during that time. there were. In particular, in recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, the number of films to be processed per day has decreased, and the processing liquid stored in the processing tank has to be managed for several days, which is complicated. It becomes difficult to maintain the properties of the treatment liquid within an appropriate range.

On the other hand, in order to eliminate the need for management of the processing liquid, there has been proposed an apparatus that makes it unnecessary to manage the properties of the processing liquid by making the processing liquid disposable for each film (see Patent Document 1). This apparatus has a treatment tank having a sword sheath shape. By supplying, circulating, and discharging the treatment liquid to the treatment tank, the amount of the treatment liquid to be used is reduced. Each film can be made disposable.
JP-A-9-292688

  However, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 also requires a mechanism for inserting a long film into a treatment tank having a sword sheath shape (the retracting means described in Patent Document 1), and the entire apparatus. It has become an obstacle to downsizing. Moreover, in order to insert the film into a 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, the sheath-like treatment tank is made of the film. There was a problem of increasing in the thickness direction. This problem not only hinders downsizing of the entire apparatus, but also increases the amount of processing liquid filled in the processing tank, thereby increasing the cost required for development processing.

  In particular, a film wound on a cartridge spool or the like has a curl (longitudinal warpage), 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 that quality defects such as uneven development may occur due to contact with the wall surface, it is necessary to design the dimensions of the processing tank (especially the dimension in the thickness direction of the film) so that this contact does not occur. There is a problem that the tank is further enlarged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a film developing apparatus that reduces the size of the apparatus while maintaining the quality of the developing process and suppresses the amount of processing liquid used for the developing process. It is an object.

  The film developing device according to claim 1 is a film developing device that performs development by bringing a long film into contact with a processing solution, and is a substantially disc-shaped side plate that is arranged in parallel by being spaced apart by a substantially film width. A developing reel in which a spiral guide portion for guiding an end portion in the width direction of the film is formed on each facing surface from one place toward the center of the outer peripheral edge corresponding to at least the film length; Film insertion means for inserting the film from the outer peripheral edge along the guide portion, a developing tank for accommodating at least a part of the developing reel with the side plate substantially upright, and the developing reel at the center of the reel. The developing tank is filled with the processing liquid to such a depth that the inner end of the guide portion is immersed in the processing liquid while the developing reel is rotated once. The processing liquid supply means, the processing liquid discharge means for discharging the processing liquid from the developing tank, and the water adhering to the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel after the processing liquid is discharged from the developing tank are removed. And a reel drying means.

  According to the above-described configuration, the development reel is provided in the width direction end of the film from one place of the outer peripheral edge toward the center on each opposing surface of the substantially disc-shaped side plate that is arranged in parallel by being spaced apart by substantially the film width. Since the spiral guide portion that guides the portion is formed corresponding to at least the film length, substantially the entire length of the film can be inserted from one place on the outer peripheral edge toward the center along the spiral guide portion. Then, at least a part of the developing reel is accommodated in the developing tank with the side plate substantially upright.

  The developing reel is driven to rotate around the central axis of the reel by developing reel driving means. The processing liquid is filled in the developing tank by the processing liquid supply means so that the inner end of the guide portion is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel, and the processing liquid is discharged after the processing. By means, it is discharged from the developing tank. In the developing reel, after the processing liquid is discharged from the developing tank, moisture attached to the guide portions of the side plates is removed by the reel drying means.

  Accordingly, development is performed on the film inserted in the developing reel, and thus the developing device can be downsized. Further, the depth of the processing liquid in the developing tank is such that the inner end of the guide portion is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel. Along with the rotation of the developing reel, it is immersed in the processing solution over the entire length and developed appropriately (with good quality).

  Furthermore, after the development processing is completed and the processing liquid is discharged from the development tank, moisture (remaining processing liquid, etc.) adhering to the guide portion of each side plate of the development reel is surely removed, so that it adheres to the guide portion. It is prevented that the water | moisture content which became the obstacle at the time of inserting a film into a image development reel. That is, when the film is inserted into the developing reel along the guide portion from one place on the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel by the film insertion means, the sliding resistance between the guide portion and the film is caused by moisture adhering to the guide portion. It becomes large and it is prevented that insertion becomes difficult.

  The film developing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reel drying unit has a blow head having a discharge port for discharging gas to a guide portion of each side plate of the development reel, and the discharge port of the blow head is provided on the development reel. It is characterized by comprising a blowing head moving means for moving between a drying position that is a position facing the guide portion of each side plate and a retreat position that deviates from the facing position.

  According to said structure, gas is discharged with respect to the guide part of each side plate of a developing reel from the discharge port of a ventilation head, and the discharge port of a ventilation head opposes each side plate of a development reel by a ventilation head moving means. It is moved between a drying position that is a position and a retracted position that deviates from the facing position.

  Therefore, since the guide portion is dried in a non-contact manner (the moisture is removed) by the gas discharged from the discharge port of the blower head, damage to the guide portion is effectively suppressed. In addition, since the blower head can be moved to a retracted position that is an appropriate position that does not face the guide portion, a member constituting another means (for example, the film inserting means) by moving to the retracted position when not in use The mechanical interference with is prevented.

  The film developing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the blowing head moving unit is configured such that the drying position is set between two side plates of the developing reel, and the blowing head includes a first discharge port, a second discharge port, And the first discharge port is formed to face the guide portion of one side plate of the developing reel at the drying position, and the second discharge port is formed at the other position of the developing reel at the drying position. It is characterized by being formed so as to face the guide portion of the side plate.

  According to said structure, a ventilation head is moved to the drying position which is a position between the two side plates of a developing reel by a ventilation head moving means. The blower head has a first discharge port and a second discharge port. When the blower head is moved to the drying position, the first discharge port of the blower head is a guide for one side plate of the developing reel. The second discharge port of the blower head faces the guide portion of the other side plate of the developing reel.

  Therefore, when the blower head is moved to the drying position, the first discharge port and the second discharge port formed in the blower head face the guide portions formed in the side plates of the development reel, respectively. Water adhering to the guide portion of each side plate is removed by the gas discharged from the discharge port and the second discharge port. Therefore, by moving one blower head having two discharge ports to the drying position, moisture adhering to the guide portion of each side plate can be removed, so that the removal of moisture is simple and efficient. Done.

  The film developing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first discharge port and the second discharge port are formed in a slit shape in a direction substantially orthogonal to a spiral direction of the guide portion of the side plate at the drying position. It is characterized by.

  According to the above configuration, the first discharge port and the second discharge port of the blower head are substantially perpendicular to the spiral direction of the guide portion of each side plate in the drying position, which is the position between the two side plates of the development reel. Therefore, the moisture adhering to the guide portion of each side plate is effectively removed by the gas discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port. In addition, since the first discharge port and the second discharge port are formed in a slit shape, even if the gas discharge amount is small, the wind speed of the gas to be discharged is increased, and moisture is removed more efficiently. .

  The film developing device according to claim 5 is characterized in that the reel drying means includes hot air supply means for heating the gas to warm air of a predetermined temperature and supplying the air to the blower head.

  According to said structure, since a gas is heated by the warm air supply means to the warm air of predetermined temperature, and is supplied to a ventilation head, the removal of a water | moisture content is performed still more efficiently.

  The film developing apparatus according to claim 6 is characterized in that the hot air supply means supplies a predetermined amount of hot air to the blower head.

  According to said structure, since the warm air of a predetermined air volume is supplied with respect to a ventilation head by a warm air supply means, the removal of a water | moisture content is performed still more efficiently.

  The film developing device according to claim 7, wherein the reel drying unit is a position where the drying head that sweeps the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel, and the position at which the drying head is pressed against each side plate of the developing reel. Drying head moving means for moving between the pressure contact position and the retracted position deviating from the pressure contact position is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel is wiped by the drying head, and the drying head moving unit is in contact with the pressing position that is the position where the drying head is pressed against each side plate of the developing reel. It is moved between the retracted position and the retracted position.

  Accordingly, since the guide portions of the side plates of the developing reel are wiped by the drying head, moisture is effectively removed. In addition, since the drying head can be moved to a retracted position that is an appropriate position that is not pressed against the guide portion, a member constituting another means (for example, the film inserting means) by moving to the retracted position when not in use The mechanical interference with is prevented.

  The film developing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the drying head includes a brush in which a plurality of elastic hairs are implanted on a side pressed against a guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel. It is a feature.

  According to the above configuration, the drying head is provided with the brush in which a plurality of elastic hairs are implanted on the side pressed against the guide portion of each side plate of the development reel. The body enters the guide portion, and moisture is efficiently removed.

  The film developing apparatus according to claim 9 is characterized in that the hair-like body is hydrophobic.

  According to the above configuration, since the hair-like body implanted in the brush of the drying head is hydrophobic, moisture is prevented from being adsorbed by the hair-like body, and the guide portion is prevented by the hair-like body. Moisture that has been wiped away from the hair quickly leaves the hair. Therefore, even when the development process is repeatedly performed on a plurality of films, moisture is efficiently removed.

  The film developing apparatus according to claim 10 is characterized in that the hair-like body is made of resin.

  According to said structure, since the hair-like body implanted by the brush of the drying head is resin, a drying head is implement | achieved cheaply and easily, and damage to a guide part etc. is prevented.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the development is performed while being inserted in the development reel, the development device can be downsized. Further, the depth of the processing liquid in the developing tank is such that the inner end of the guide portion is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel. Along with the rotation of the developing reel, the entire length can be immersed in the processing solution and can be developed appropriately (with good quality).

  Furthermore, after the development process is completed and the processing liquid is discharged from the development tank, the moisture adhering to the guide portion of each side plate of the development reel is removed, so the moisture adhering to the guide portion inserts a film into the development reel. It can be prevented that it becomes an obstacle when doing.

  According to invention of Claim 2, since a guide part is dried non-contacted by the gas discharged from the discharge port of a ventilation head (a water | moisture content is removed), it is effective to damage a guide part. Can be suppressed. In addition, since the blower head can be moved to a retracted position that is an appropriate position that does not face the guide portion, a member constituting another means (for example, the film inserting means) by moving to the retracted position when not in use Can prevent mechanical interference.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the water adhering to the guide portion of each side plate can be removed by moving one blower head having two discharge ports to the drying position, it is easy to remove the water. With a simple configuration, it can be performed efficiently.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first discharge port and the second discharge port of the blower head are in the spiral direction of the guide portion of each side plate in the drying position, which is the position between the two side plates of the development reel. Since it is formed in a substantially orthogonal direction, it is possible to effectively remove moisture adhering to the guide portion of each side plate by the gas discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port. In addition, since the first discharge port and the second discharge port are formed in a slit shape, the wind speed of the gas to be discharged can be increased and moisture can be effectively removed even if the gas discharge amount is small.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the warm air supply means supplies warm air of a predetermined temperature or higher to the blower head, so that moisture can be removed more efficiently.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the warm air supply means supplies the warm air of a predetermined pressure or more and a predetermined air volume or more to the blower head, moisture can be removed more effectively.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel is wiped by the drying head, it is possible to more efficiently remove moisture. In addition, since the drying head can be moved to a retracted position that is an appropriate position that is not pressed against the guide portion, a member constituting another means (for example, the film inserting means) by moving to the retracted position when not in use Can prevent mechanical interference.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the drying head is provided with a brush in which a plurality of elastic hairs are implanted on the side pressed against the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel. For this reason, the ciliary body enters the guide portion, and moisture can be removed more efficiently.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the hair-like body implanted in the brush of the drying head is hydrophobic, even when a plurality of films are repeatedly subjected to development processing, Water can be removed efficiently.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, since the hair-like body implanted in the brush of the drying head is made of resin, the drying head can be realized inexpensively and easily, and damage to the guide portion and the like can be achieved. Can be prevented.

  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.

  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 (corresponding to a film insertion means), a developing unit 40 for developing the film 2, a second transport unit 50 for drawing and transporting the developed film 2 from the developing unit 40, and a developed film 2, a drying unit 60 for drying 2, a liquid supply unit 70 for supplying a processing liquid and a cleaning liquid to the developing unit 40 (corresponding to a processing liquid supply unit), and a liquid discharge for discharging the processing liquid and the cleaning liquid from the developing unit 40 Part 90 (corresponding to the processing liquid discharge means).

  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. A cutter 21 for cutting the rear end portion is included.

  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 rear end of the film 2 is detected by a film rear end sensor 324 described later, for example, the lower blade of the upper and lower blades of the film transport path pushes the film 2 by entering the transport path. is there.

  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. The conveyance roller pairs 31 and 32 disposed in the first conveyance unit 30 are rotationally driven by a common drive source 300. Here, the number of pairs of conveyance rollers disposed in the first conveyance unit 30 is two pairs here, but is not limited to two pairs. The length of the conveyance path and the length of the film 2 to be conveyed are not limited to two pairs. In addition, 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 completely 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, and 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 The developing position (position shown in FIG. 8 (b)) that does not interfere with the developing section 40 and the direction of further separation from the developing position with respect to the developing reel 41 are swung. The position can be changed to a discharge position suitable for discharging from the developing reel 41 (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 The film 2 is inserted into a developing reel 41 (to be described later) with the roller 333 and the roller 334 sandwiched between the film 2.

  The dimension in the width direction of the film discharge port 335 serving as the downstream end of the film transport path is set to be smaller than the film insertion port 411 of the developing reel 41. The engagement pin 336 is disposed at the downstream end portion 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 sliding movement of 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). By arranging the guide roller 333 and the roller 334 in this way, the film 2 can be accommodated in 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. 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 configured to allow a part of the developing reel 41 to be immersed in the supplied processing liquid, and a developing reel driving unit 43 (developing) that rotates the developing reel 41 about the reel central axis 413. Corresponding to the reel driving means), and the developing reel 41 is rotated around the reel central axis by the developing reel driving portion 43, whereby the film 2 accommodated in the developing reel 41 is developed over the entire length of the developing tank. The film is developed by being immersed in a processing solution filled in 42.

  Further, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the developing unit 40 removes water adhering to the film guide groove 412a of each side plate 412 of the developing reel 41 after the processing liquid is discharged from the developing tank 42. And a reel drying unit 44 (corresponding to a part of the reel drying means).

  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 developing 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 ports 411 are formed on the inner surfaces facing each other. 412 and a reel center shaft 413 for rotating the side plate 412 while maintaining the interval between the side plates 412 by passing through the inner diameter port 412b of the side plate 412. The width direction of the film 2 is provided in each film guide groove 412a. The film 2 is held by engaging the end portions.

  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 is formed so that a predetermined pitch, that is, a distance between the film guide grooves 412a adjacent to each other in the radial direction of the spiral is a predetermined distance, and this predetermined pitch is held in the film guide groove 412a. The size of the film 2 is designed so as to introduce an amount of processing liquid necessary for the developing process between the winding positions adjacent to each other in the radial direction of the film 2 (here, 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 film guide groove 412a is formed in a length (here, about 1600 mm) that substantially corresponds to the entire length of the film 2 having a long length, and is configured to be able to support the substantially entire length of the film 2. The 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 development reel drive unit 43 is configured as a drive motor such as a stepping motor that is directly connected to a reel center shaft 413 that is pivotally supported at an appropriate position of the housing 10. The development reel 41 is arranged around the reel center shaft 413 in the center of the film guide groove 412 a. It is forward / reverse rotationally driven 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 part of the reel drying means) described later.

  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 so as to be opposed to the 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 in the width direction of the bottom wall portion 421. A flange portion 423 that includes a side wall portion 422 and extends outward is formed at the upper end opening. A liquid supply port 424 for introducing the 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 rotational position of the developing reel 41 is positioned with the tip of the film guide groove 412a (the inner end that is the starting point on the center side of the spiral) in the lowest position, the position is higher than the tip of the film guide groove 412a. The upper end opening edge of the developing tank 42 is set to be positioned at the same position. 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 to and interlocked with the insertion guide 33 of the first transport unit 30, and the guide swing mechanism 51b 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 body 51a is provided with a swing center shaft 511a at the downstream end thereof, and a first swing member 511 that forms one surface side (upper surface side in the drawing) of the film transport path, and a first swing member 511, The second swinging member 512 that is disposed to face the first swinging member 511 and forms a film transport path together with the first swinging member 511, and is pivotally supported by the first swinging member 511 and the second swinging member 512, respectively. And a guide drive roller pair 513 that is rotationally driven.

  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. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide drive roller pair 513 is a distance from the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel 41 when the discharge guide 51 is at the discharge position (a distance indicated by L2 in FIG. 6; for example, L2 = 20 mm). 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. The urging portion 553 and a slide rod 554 that is pivotally supported by the swing rod 552 and slides in the front-rear direction of the transport direction. The drive cam 56 rotates the swing cam 551 so that the insertion guide main body 33a and the discharge guide are provided. The main 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 contacts 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 rotary 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 rotating 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, And a connecting pin 552e that is provided at the upper end portion of the sliding rod main body 552a and is 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 helical spring) locked to the connecting rod 552d, and the rotating 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 conveying direction and whose downstream end is pivotally supported by the swing rod 552, and are slightly above the middle in the conveying direction of each slide rod main body 554a. And a guide protrusion 554b formed so as to protrude.

  The slide rod main body 554a has an engagement hole 554c through which an engagement pin 336 of the insertion guide 33 is engaged at an upstream end portion thereof. The guide protrusion 554b has an inclined guide surface 554d that is inclined upward in the transport direction. When the rotating roller 514 of the discharge guide 51 contacts the guide surface 554d, the slide rod 554 slides back and forth in the transport direction. The rotary 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. The film 2 is accommodated in a spirally inserted state at a predetermined pitch, 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. Note that 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 includes a tank unit 71 including a plurality of replenishing tanks 712 to 716 filled with various processing liquids, a tank holding unit 72 that holds the replenishing tanks 712 to 716 of the tank unit 71 for each tank, A sub tank unit 73 that temporarily stores various processing liquids discharged from the replenishing tanks 712 to 716 of the tank unit 71, and a liquid supply hose 74 that supplies various processing liquids stored in the sub tank unit 73 to the developing 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 78 that is provided in the middle of the liquid supply hose 74 and warms the processing liquid to be supplied. 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.

  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 appropriate 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 its 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 discharges the processing liquid and the cleaning liquid supplied to the developing tank 42 to the outside through the waste liquid hose 91 and has the same structure as the first flow path opening / closing mechanism 75 here. . 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.

  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.

  Here, the reel drying unit 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the reel drying unit 44, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the operation of a blower head 441 described later. As shown in FIG. 11, the reel drying unit 44 includes a blower head 441 that discharges gas from the discharge ports 441 a and 441 b to the film guide grooves 412 a of the side plates 412 of the developing reel 41, and a discharge port 441 a of the blower head 441. 12 is a position where the side plate 412 of the developing reel 41 is opposed to the film guide groove 412a (the position shown in FIG. 12 (b)) and a position where the film is retracted from the position opposed to the film guide groove 412a (FIG. 12 (a). ) Position)) and a warm air supply mechanism 443 for supplying warm air to the air head 441 (partially omitted: warm air supply) Corresponding to the means).

  The blower head 441 includes a first discharge port 441a that blows air in one direction (upper side in FIG. 11A, the rear side in FIG. 11B), and the other direction (lower side in FIG. 11A, front of FIG. 11B). A second discharge port 441b for blowing air to the side) and an opening 441c through which hot air from the hot air supply mechanism 443 is supplied. When the blower head 441 is in the drying position (see FIG. 12B), the first discharge port 441a is the side plate 412 on one side of the developing reel 41 (the upper side in FIG. 11A and the rear side in FIG. 11B). The second discharge port 441b is opposed to the film guide groove 412a of the other side plate (the lower side of FIG. 11A and the front side of FIG. 11B) of the developing reel 41. It is formed to do.

  Further, the first discharge port 441a and the second discharge port 441b are arranged in the spiral direction of the film guide groove 412a of each side plate 412 of the developing reel 41 when the blower head 441 is in the drying position (see FIG. 12B). It is formed in a slit shape in a substantially orthogonal direction. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B, when the air blowing head 441 is in the dry position, the film guide groove 412a at the position facing the first discharge port 441a and the second discharge port 441b. Whereas the spiral direction is the vertical direction, the first discharge port 441a and the second discharge port 441b are formed such that the longitudinal direction of the slit shape is in the left-right direction.

  The blower head moving mechanism 442 is engaged with a motor 442a that moves the blower head 441 between a drying position and a retracted position, and one end of the blower head 441 (the right end in FIG. 11). A drive shaft 442b for transmission and an angle sensor 442c for detecting the rotational position of the motor 442a are provided.

  The motor 442a is driven in accordance with a drive command signal from the control unit 100. Specifically, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the developing tank 42 by the liquid discharging section 90 (as will be described later with reference to FIG. 19), the control section 100 completes the cleaning of the developing tank 42 and discharges the non-CD waste liquid hose. A drive command signal is output to the motor 442a to move the blower head 441 from the retracted position to the dry position when a predetermined time TC2 has elapsed from the time when the 912 is opened. Then, the controller 100 completes the drying of the film guide groove 412a (when a predetermined time TC3 when the supply of warm air to the blower head 441 is started, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 19). In order to move the blower head 441 from the dry position to the retracted position, a drive command signal is output to the motor 442a.

  The angle sensor 442c is composed of a rotary encoder or the like, and detects the rotation speed (rotation angle) of the drive shaft of the motor 442a. Based on the detection signal from the angle sensor 442c, the control unit 100 outputs a drive command signal for moving the blower head 441 between the drying position and the retracted position to the motor 442a.

  The hot air supply mechanism 443 includes a hot air generator 443a (not shown) that generates hot air, and a bellows 443b that supplies the hot air from the hot air generator 443a to the opening 441c of the blower head 441. The hot air generator 443a includes a heater, a fan, and the like, and has a predetermined temperature (for example, 40 ° C.) or more (here, 50 ° C.) and a predetermined amount of air (for example, 10 cc / sec) or more (here, 20 cc / sec). ). Note that the start and stop instruction signals of the hot air generation unit 443a are output from the control unit 100.

  13 and 14 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 1 is controlled by a CPU executing a program stored in advance in a ROM (or RAM).

  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 in the lower limit position, and the insertion guide 33 is set at an insertion position that is suitable for inserting the film 2 (the discharge guide 51 and the blower head 441 are in the retracted position). The developing reel 41, the blower fan 62, and the hot air generator 443a 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. At the same time (step S103), a development preparation process to be described later with reference to FIG. 15 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. If 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 film guide groove 412a ( The development reel 41 starts to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 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 FIGS. 16 and 17 is started (step S121). Next, when the development process is completed, a cleaning preparation process described later with reference to FIG. 18 is started (step S122), and the rotation of the development reel 41 is stopped as shown in FIG. 14 (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 film 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 locked to 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 film guide groove 412 a 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, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 19, 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. 15 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.

  16 and 17 are detailed flowcharts showing an example of the development processing 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 starting the processing of the detailed flowcharts shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, 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. 17, 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: the 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 TR4 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. 18 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. 19 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 S507).

  Then, timing is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and whether or not a predetermined time TC2 (for example, 10 seconds: time required for the washing liquid to flow out from the developing tank 42) has elapsed has elapsed. A determination is made (step S509). 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 blowing head moving mechanism 442 inserts the blowing head 441 between the two side plates 412 of the developing reel 41 (drying position). (Step S511).

  Next, generation of hot air by the hot air supply mechanism 443 is started and supplied to the blower head 441 (step S513). Then, time measurement is started by a timer or the like provided in the control unit 100, and a predetermined time TC3 (for example, 30 seconds: time required for drying the film guide groove 412a of the side plate 412 of the developing reel 41) elapses. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S515). If it is determined that the predetermined time TC3 has not elapsed (NO in step S515), the process enters a standby state. If it is determined that the predetermined time TC3 has elapsed (YES in step S515), the generation of hot air by the hot air supply mechanism 443 is stopped (step S517). Then, the blower head 441 is moved to the retracted position by the blower head moving mechanism 442 (step S519). Next, the rotation of the developing reel 41 is stopped (step S521), and the process is terminated.

  In this way, since the film 2 is developed while being inserted in the developing reel 41, the film developing apparatus 1 can be downsized. Further, since the processing liquid is filled in the developing tank 42 at a depth at which the inner end of the film guide groove 412a of the developing reel 41 is immersed in the processing liquid during one rotation of the developing reel 41, the film 2 has a full length. As the developing reel 41 rotates, it is immersed in the processing liquid and developed appropriately (with good quality).

  Further, the amount of the processing liquid filled in the developing tank 42 is an amount corresponding to the depth at which the inner end of the film guide groove 412a is immersed in the processing liquid while the developing reel 41 rotates once. Development processing with a small amount of processing solution becomes possible.

  Further, after the development process is completed and the processing liquid (here, the cleaning liquid) is discharged from the developing tank 42, the moisture (here, the cleaning liquid) that remains and adheres to the film guide grooves 412a of the side plates 412 of the development reel 41. Therefore, the moisture is prevented from becoming an obstacle when the film 2 is inserted into the developing reel 41. That is, when the film 2 is inserted into the inside along the film guide groove 412a from the film insertion port 411 of the developing reel 41 by the first transport unit 30, the film guide groove 412a and the film guide groove 412a The sliding resistance between the film 2 and the film 2 is prevented from being difficult to insert.

  In addition, the cleaning liquid is removed by the gas discharged from the discharge ports 441a and 441b of the blower head 441, and the film guide groove 412a is dried in a non-contact manner, so that the damage to the film guide groove 412a is effectively suppressed. The Further, since the blowing head 441 can be moved to the retracted position, which is an appropriate position away from the position facing the film guide groove 412a, by the blowing head moving mechanism 442, by moving to the retracted position when not in use, other equipment ( For example, mechanical interference with members (particularly, the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51) that constitute the first conveyance unit 30 and the second conveyance unit 50 and the like is prevented.

  Further, by moving one blowing head 441 having two discharge ports 441a and 441b to the drying position, moisture (cleaning liquid) adhering to the film guide groove 412a of each side plate 412 can be removed. Water is efficiently removed.

  Further, the first discharge port 441a and the second discharge port 441b of the blower head 441 are substantially in the spiral direction of the film guide groove 412a of each side plate 412 at the drying position between the two side plates 412 of the developing reel 41. Since they are formed in the orthogonal direction, the moisture (cleaning liquid) adhering to the film guide groove 412a of each side plate 412 is effectively removed by the gas discharged from the first discharge port 441a and the second discharge port 441b. Further, since the first discharge port 441a and the second discharge port 441b are formed in a slit shape, the wind speed of the gas to be discharged is increased even if the gas discharge amount is small, and moisture is effectively removed. .

  In addition, since the warm air supply mechanism 443 supplies warm air of a predetermined temperature (for example, 40 ° C.) or more and a predetermined air volume (for example, 10 cc / sec) or more to the air blowing head 441, moisture is further increased. Effectively removed.

  In addition, this invention can take the following aspects.

  (A) Although the case where the film 2 is a 135 mm film has been described in the present embodiment, the film 2 may be in a form of another standard film (for example, a so-called APS standard film). When the film 2 is an APS standard film, the cutter 21 for cutting the rear end and the film rear end detection sensor 324 are not necessary, and the apparatus is simplified.

  (B) In the present embodiment, the case where the treatment liquid is composed of four types of the CD liquid, the BL liquid, the FIX liquid, and the STB liquid has been described. However, one type may be used, and two types, three types, It may be in any form of five or more.

  (C) In the present embodiment, the case where the reel drying unit 44 removes moisture adhering to the film guide groove 412a by hot air has been described. However, other methods (for example, a mechanical method described with reference to FIG. The method of removing the moisture by the method of wiping the water or a plurality of methods may be used in combination.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the reel drying unit. The reel drying unit 45 is a pair of drying heads 451 that wipes the film guide grooves 412a of the side plates 412 of the developing reel 41, and a pressing position that is a position where the drying head 451 is pressed against the side plates 412 of the developing reel 41 (see FIG. A drying head moving mechanism 452 (corresponding to a drying head moving means) that moves between a position 20 (b) and a retracted position (position shown in FIG. 20A) that deviates from the pressure contact position.

  Each drying head 451 includes a brush in which a large number of elastic hairs 451a are implanted on the side of the side plate 412 of the developing reel 41 that is pressed against the film guide groove 412a. The hairs 451a are made of resin. (For example, polyester).

  The drying head moving mechanism 452 is screwed into a motor 452a that moves each drying head 451 between a pressure contact position and a retracted position and a screw hole 451b formed in each drying head 451. A drive shaft 452b that transmits to the head 451 and an angle sensor 452c that detects the rotational position of the motor 452a are provided. Each drying head 451 has a sliding hole 451c, and is slidably fitted to a sliding shaft 453 fixed to a frame or the like.

  The motor 452a is driven in accordance with a drive command signal from the control unit 100. Specifically, when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the developing tank 42 by the liquid discharging unit 90, the control unit 100 outputs a drive command signal to the motor 452a to move each drying head 451 from the retracted position to the pressure contact position. To do. Then, when the drying of the film guide groove 412a is completed, the control unit 100 outputs a drive command signal to the motor 452a to move the drying head 451 from the press contact position to the retracted position.

  The angle sensor 452c is composed of a rotary encoder or the like, and detects the rotation speed (rotation angle) of the drive shaft of the motor 452a. Based on the detection signal from the angle sensor 452c, the control unit 100 outputs a drive command signal for moving the drying head 451 between the drying position and the retracted position to the motor 452a.

  In this manner, the film guide grooves 412a of the side plates 412 of the developing reel 41 are wiped by the pair of drying heads 451, so that moisture is effectively removed. Further, since the drying head 451 can be moved to the retracted position, the members (particularly, the first transport unit 30 and the second transport unit 50) that move to the retracted position when not in use (particularly, the first transport unit 30 and the second transport unit 50). And mechanical interference with the insertion guide 33 and the discharge guide 51).

  Further, each drying head 451 is provided with a brush in which a plurality of elastic hairs 451a are implanted on the side of the side plate 412 of the developing reel 41 that is pressed against the film guide groove 412a. The hair-like body 451a enters the film guide groove 412a, and moisture is removed more effectively.

  Further, since the hairs 451a implanted in the brushes of the respective drying heads 451 are made of a non-water-absorbing (hydrophobic) material (here, resin), the hairs 451a form the film guide grooves. The moisture that has been wiped off from 412a is quickly removed from the hair-like body 451a, and the moisture is effectively removed even when the development processing is repeatedly performed on the plurality of films 2.

  In addition, since the hair-like body 451a implanted in the brush of each drying head 451 is made of resin, the drying head 451 can be realized at low cost and easily, and damage to the film guide groove 412a and the like can be prevented. . Moreover, since the structure is simple compared with the case where the water | moisture content adhering to the film guide groove | channel 412a is removed with warm air, it can manufacture at low cost.

  The case where the reel drying unit 45 shown in FIG. 20 presses the hair 451a of the drying head 451 from the outside of the developing reel 41 (the side opposite to the film guide groove 412a of each side plate 412) has been described. 412 film guide groove 412a side) may be pressed. In this case, it is necessary for the drying head moving mechanism 452 to have a configuration for retracting so as not to interfere with the film 2 when the film 2 is inserted into the developing reel 41. For example, the drying head moving mechanism 452 may have a configuration in which the drying head 451 is rotated about one end (for example, the sliding shaft 453 position) as a fulcrum.

  (D) In the present embodiment, the case where the development reel drive unit 43 rotates the development reel 41 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 25 times / minute) has been described. However, the rotation speed is at least two stages (for example, 25). (Times / minute and 100 times / minute). In this case, by rotating the developing reel 41 at a high speed, it is possible to remove water adhering to the film guide groove 412a by centrifugal force. In this case, the developing reel driving means also serves as the reel drying means.

  (E) In this embodiment, the case where the hot air generating unit 443a of the reel drying unit 44 generates hot air has been described. However, the hot air generating unit 443a has a humidity equal to or lower than a predetermined value (for example, 10% or lower). The form which generate | occur | produces the dehumidified dry air may be sufficient. In this case, moisture is further effectively removed.

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 a figure which shows schematic structure of a reel drying part. It is a perspective view which shows operation | movement of a ventilation head. 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. 14 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an example of development preparation processing performed in step S102 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. FIG. 14 is a first half of a detailed flowchart showing an example of development processing performed in step S121 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13; 14 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. It is a detailed flowchart which shows an example of the cleaning preparation process performed by 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. It is a figure which shows the other structure of a reel drying part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Film developing apparatus 10 Housing 30 1st conveyance part 40 Developing part 41 Developing reel 411 Film insertion slot 412 Side plate 412a Film guide groove (guide part)
42 Development tank 43 Development reel drive unit (development reel drive means)
44 Reel drying section (part of reel drying means)
441 Blower head 441a First outlet 441b Second outlet 442 Blower head moving mechanism (Blower head moving means)
442a Motor 442b Drive shaft 442c Angle sensor 443 Hot air supply mechanism (hot air supply means)
443a Hot air generating unit 50 Second transport unit 60 Drying unit 70 Liquid supply unit (processing liquid supply unit)
80 Sub-tank lifting mechanism 90 Liquid discharge part (Processing liquid discharge means)
100 control unit (part of reel drying means)

Claims (10)

In a film developing apparatus that performs development by bringing a long film into contact with a processing solution,
At least a spiral guide portion that guides the end in the width direction 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 with a substantially film width. A development reel formed corresponding to the film length;
Film insertion means for inserting the film into the inside along the guide portion from one place on the outer peripheral edge of the developing reel;
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;
A processing liquid supply means for filling the developing tank with the processing liquid to 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 discharging means for discharging the processing liquid from the developing tank;
A film developing apparatus, comprising: a reel drying unit that removes water adhering to the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel after the processing liquid is discharged from the developing tank. The reel drying means has a blow head having a discharge port for discharging gas to a guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel;
And a blowing head moving means for moving the discharge port of the blowing head between a drying position, which is a position facing the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel, and a retreat position that is deviated from the facing position. The film developing apparatus according to claim 1. In the blowing head moving means, the drying position is set between two side plates of the developing reel,
The blower head has a first discharge port and a second discharge port,
The first discharge port is formed to face a guide portion of one side plate of the developing reel at the drying position,
The film developing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second discharge port is formed to face a guide portion of the other side plate of the developing reel at the drying position.   The film according to claim 3, wherein the first discharge port and the second discharge port are formed in a slit shape in a direction substantially orthogonal to a spiral direction of the guide portion of the side plate at the drying position. Development device.   5. The film developing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reel drying unit includes a hot air supply unit that heats the gas to warm air having a predetermined temperature and supplies the gas to the blower head.   The film developing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the hot air supply unit supplies a predetermined amount of hot air to the blower head. The reel drying means includes a drying head for wiping the guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel;
The drying head moving means for moving the drying head between a press-contact position that is a position press-contacting each side plate of the developing reel and a retracted position that deviates from the press-contact position. Film developing device.   8. The film development according to claim 7, wherein the drying head includes a brush in which a plurality of elastic hairs are implanted on a side pressed against a guide portion of each side plate of the developing reel. apparatus.   The film developing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the hair is hydrophobic.   The film developing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the hair is made of resin.

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