JP2006267438A - Multichamber water washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a temperature rising time of washing liquid in washing chambers which do not have individual temperature control sections. <P>SOLUTION: A main tank 42 of a washing tank of a photosensitive material processing device is partitioned into two by a partition plate 40. Two racks 41 with built-in washing chambers are set in the two washing chambers partitioned with the partitioning plate 40. Each washing chamber internal rack 41 with built-in washing chambers comprises box-shaped cells 50 and 51 and conveying racks 25 and 26 fitted to those cells 50 and 51 and six washing chambers 42a to 42f are formed in the water tank with the partitioning plate 40 and washing racks 41 with built-in washing chambers. Side wall parts 52 of the cells 50 and 51 are made of raw materials with high heat conductivity in uneven shapes. The temperature rise time of the washing liquid in the washing chambers which do not have individual temperature control sections can be shortened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is used in a photosensitive material processing apparatus such as a printer processor, and includes a main tub in which rinsing liquid is stored, and a rinsing chamber built-in rack that is set in the main tub and has multiple rinsing chambers. The present invention relates to a room water washing treatment apparatus.

  A photosensitive material processing apparatus such as a printer processor used in a photographic development facility includes an exposure unit that exposes and records an image on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper (color paper), and a development processing unit that performs a development process on the exposed photosensitive material. And a drying section for drying the photosensitive material after the development processing. The development processing section is provided with a plurality of processing tanks such as a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a washing tank storing various processing solutions such as a color developer, a bleach-fixing solution, and a washing solution. Each process of development, bleach-fixing, and water washing is performed by sequentially passing through the processing solution.

  As a washing tank used in this photosensitive material processing apparatus, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, by a partition (partition member) provided with a submerged squeeze portion such as a blade (seal member), It is usual to use a multi-room flush tank partitioned into a plurality of liquid-tight (for example, 6) flush rooms. In this multi-room flush tank, by adopting a cascade structure that replenishes the washing liquid from the most downstream washing room and flows down to the upstream washing room, the impurities contained in the washing liquid as it becomes the downstream washing room The concentration of (iron, silver sulfide, etc.) can be reduced. As a result, the washing process can be performed efficiently, and the replenishment amount of the washing liquid can be reduced.

  Further, in such a multi-room flush tank, conventionally, from the temperature sensor, pump, heater, flush washing circulation pipe, etc., in order to keep the temperature of the washing liquid in each washing compartment partitioned liquid-tight within a certain range. A temperature control unit is provided in each washing room, and the temperature of each washing liquid is adjusted while circulating the washing liquid in each washing room, but the number of components such as pipes, pumps, heaters, etc. has increased. Therefore, there are problems that the manufacturing cost of the device is increased and the device is enlarged.

In order to deal with such problems, a main tank (main tank) in which the washing liquid is stored, and a washing room built-in rack having a plurality of liquid-tight washing rooms set in the main tank and partitioned by a partition wall, A multi-chamber flush tank composed of: In this multi-room washing tank, a temperature control unit is provided only in the main tank, and the temperature of the washing liquid in each processing chamber is determined by heat transfer (heat transfer) from the washing liquid in the main tank via the partition wall. Adjusted. Thereby, since it becomes unnecessary to provide a temperature control part for every washing room, the number of parts of an apparatus can be reduced. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced and the space can be saved.
JP 2003-084412 A (Pages 6-8, FIG. 1) JP 2003-084413 A (pages 4-6, FIG. 1)

  By the way, since the temperature rise performance of each washing room where the individual temperature control unit as described above is not provided is lower than that of the main tank provided with the temperature control unit, the temperature of the washing solution in the washing room is set to be lower. There is a problem that the temperature raising time required for raising the temperature becomes long. In particular, when the washing water at a temperature lower than the prescribed processing temperature is replenished to each washing room or when the equipment is restarted after maintenance, the temperature of the washing liquid in each washing room immediately becomes the prescribed treatment temperature. Since the temperature does not rise, there is a possibility that it takes time before the water washing process can be started.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-room water rinsing apparatus capable of shortening the temperature rise time of the rinsing liquid in each rinsing room that does not have an individual temperature control unit. And

  The multi-chamber liquid processing apparatus of the present invention includes a main tank in which the rinsing liquid is stored, a partition wall that is set in the rinsing liquid in the main tank, and forms a plurality of liquid-tight rinsing chambers. A squeeze part that allows the passage of the material and prevents the flow of the rinsing solution, and a transport unit that transports the photosensitive material, and a rack equipped with a rinsing chamber that sequentially passes the photosensitive material through the plurality of rinsing chambers; Liquid temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the washing liquid in the main tank, and heat formed on the partition wall for transferring heat between the washing liquid in the main tank and the washing liquid in the washing chamber. And a transmission unit.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said heat transfer part is formed with the raw material whose heat conductivity is higher than the said partition. Furthermore, it is preferable that the said heat transfer part has an unevenness | corrugation for enlarging a contact area with the said washing | cleaning liquid.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said heat transfer part has the opening provided in the said partition, and the heat transfer board attached so that this opening may be plugged up. Furthermore, it is preferable that the heat transfer part has a fin provided on the partition wall.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said heat transfer part is provided in the said process chamber, and has a heat transfer piping through which the said washing | cleaning liquid of the said main tank distribute | circulates. Furthermore, the material having higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall is preferably a metal or a synthetic resin, and preferably has chemical resistance.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the synthetic resin film which has the said chemical resistance is formed in the surface of the said heat transfer part which consists of the said metal. Furthermore, the thickness of the synthetic resin film is preferably 1.0 mm or less.

  The multi-room water-washing treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a main tub in which rinsing liquid is stored, a rinsing chamber built-in rack having a plurality of liquid-tight water-washing chambers set in the main tub and partitioned by a partition, and the partition And a heat transfer section that transfers heat between the washing liquid in the main tub and the washing liquid in the washing chamber, so that the temperature raising performance of the plurality of washing chambers is improved. Can do. As a result, it is possible to shorten the temperature raising time when raising the temperature of the washing liquid in the plurality of washing chambers by heat transfer from the washing liquid in the main tank. This shortens the waiting time until the washing process can be resumed when the washing room is replenished with washing liquid having a temperature lower than the prescribed treatment temperature or when the apparatus is restarted after maintenance. be able to.

  Moreover, since the said heat transfer part has an unevenness | corrugation, the area which this heat transfer part contacts the said washing | cleaning liquid in the said main tank and the said washing | cleaning chamber can be enlarged. Thereby, the temperature increase performance of each washing room can be improved, and the temperature increase time can be further shortened.

  Further, since the heat transfer section has an opening provided in the partition and a heat transfer plate attached so as to close the opening, the heat transfer performance through the heat transfer plate increases the temperature rising performance of each washing chamber. It is possible to further increase the temperature raising time.

  Moreover, since the said heat transfer part has a fin, this heat transfer part can enlarge the area which contacts the said washing | cleaning liquid in the said main tank and the said washing chamber. Thereby, the temperature increase performance of each washing room can be improved, and the temperature increase time can be further shortened.

  Moreover, since the heat transfer pipe through which the washing liquid in the main tank flows is provided in the washing room, the temperature raising performance of each washing room is further improved, and the temperature raising time of the washing liquid is further shortened. Can do.

  In addition, since a synthetic resin film having chemical resistance is formed on the surface of the heat transfer portion made of metal, it is possible to prevent corrosion of the partition walls caused by fungi (bacteria) in the washing water. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 embodying the present invention is provided with a supply unit 11 for supplying exposed color paper (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) 9 as a photosensitive material on one side surface. It has been. On the right side of the supply unit 11, a color developing tank 12 in which a color developer is stored, a bleach-fixing tank 13 in which a bleach-fixing liquid is stored, a water-washing tank 14 in which a water-washing liquid is stored, and paper 9 that is dried by hot air drying. The part 15 is provided in order. Further, on the side surface of the drying unit 15, a discharge port 16 that discharges the paper 9 after drying and a product stock unit 17 that receives the discharged paper 9 are provided. In this embodiment, the paper 9 is cut into sheets for each image and sent to the color developing tank 12. Further, instead of the supply unit 11, a printing exposure unit that prints and exposes an image on a sheet-like photosensitive material may be provided. In addition, instead of the sheet-like paper, a belt-like paper may be supplied. In this case, the paper is separated by a cutter (not shown) at the boundary of each image and discharged from the discharge port 16 to the stock unit 17.

  Crossover racks 20, 21, and 22 are provided above the tanks 12, 13, and 14, and transport racks 23, 24, 25, and 26 are provided in the tanks 12 to 14, respectively. The crossover racks 20 to 22 include a transport roller pair 27 for transporting the paper 9 and a transport roller pair 28 that also serves as a squeeze portion that removes the processing liquid attached to the surface of the paper 9. The crossover racks 20 to 22 supply the paper 9 into the respective tanks 12 to 14, and send the paper 9 discharged from the respective tanks 12 to 14 to the next tanks 13 and 14 and the drying unit 15. Note that the squeeze portion may be provided separately from the conveying roller pair 28.

  The transport racks 23 to 26 transport the paper 9 in the liquid in the tanks 12 to 14. And these conveyance racks 23-26 hold | maintain the some conveyance roller pair 35,36,37 which clamps and conveys the paper 9, respectively. The conveyance roller pairs 27, 28, and 35 to 37 of the crossover racks 20 to 22 and the conveyance racks 23 to 26 are rotationally driven by a feed motor (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flush tank 14 includes one flush tank body 39 and a partition plate 40, and two flush chamber built-in racks 41. The washing tank main body 39 is configured in a box shape, and includes a main tank 42 as a main tank, circulation sub-tanks 43 and 44 as sub-tanks, a sub-tank 45 for washing liquid replenishment, and a sub-tank 46 for washing liquid overflow. . The circulation sub tanks 43 and 44 are provided on one side of the main tank 42, and the washing liquid replenishment sub tank 45 and the overflow sub tank 46 are provided on the other side of the main tank 42. The circulation sub tanks 43 and 44 communicate with the main tank 42 through vertical communication grooves 43a and 44a. Washing liquid 47 (see FIG. 3) is stored in each of these tanks 42-46. The washing solution 47 is prepared by mixing a sterilizing tablet with deionized water, but a rinse solution may also be used.

  The partition plate 40 is set in the vertical direction at the center of the main tank 42 and partitions the main tank 42 into two. A flush chamber built-in rack 41 is set in the two flush chambers partitioned by the partition plate 40. The water washing room built-in rack 41 has two sets of cells 50 and 51 corresponding to the partition walls of the present invention, and transport racks 25 and 26 attached to the cells 50 and 51, and each has three water washing rooms in the vertical direction. It is divided into. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the main tank 42 of the rinsing tank main body 39 is partitioned into six rinsing chambers by the partition plate 40 and the two rinsing chamber built-in racks 41. Hereinafter, these washing chambers are referred to as first to sixth washing chambers 42a to 42f in the order in which the paper 9 passes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each of the cells 50 and 51 includes a side wall portion 52 and a bottom wall portion 53 that are integrally formed, and is configured in a rectangular box shape having an open top. Further, a seal member 54 is provided at the connecting portion between the cells 50 and 51. Then, the washing chambers 42b and 42e in the cell 51 are held liquid-tight by the seal member 54. The seal member 54 is preferably made of silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, ethylene / propylene rubber, olefin elastomer, hydrogenated styrene elastomer, or the like.

  The bottom wall 53 of each of the cells 50 and 51 is provided with a submerged squeeze portion 55 that allows the paper 9 to pass therethrough and prevents the washing liquid 47 from flowing, and the same liquid is also provided below the partition plate 40. A middle squeeze portion 55 is provided. The submerged squeeze portion 55 includes an elastic blade 56 as a seal member. The elastic blade 56 is made of an elastomer having chemical resistance such as thermosetting polyurethane or silicon rubber, or a metal such as stainless steel, titanium, hastelloy, or Inconel. The elastic blade 56 is attached to the cells 50, 51 or the partition plate 40 so as to be inclined with respect to the squeeze passage 57, and the tip is elastically in contact with the wall surface of the squeeze passage 57. By this contact, the squeeze passage 57 is closed in a liquid-tight manner, and the flow of the washing liquid 47 is prevented. Further, when the paper 9 passes, the elastic blade 56 is elastically deformed, and the paper 9 passes between the side walls of the squeeze passage 57. Note that two elastic blades 56 may be used instead of one, and in this case, the tips are elastically brought into contact with each other to allow the paper 9 to pass and to prevent the washing liquid 47 from flowing. .

  Further, a check valve 58 is provided between each of the water washing chambers 42a to 42f, and each of the check valves 58 allows the water washing liquid 47 to flow in a direction from the sixth water washing chamber 42f to the first water washing chamber 42a. In the opposite direction from the first flush chamber 42a to the sixth flush chamber 42f, the flow of the flush liquid 47 is stopped.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the horizontal width of the upper cell 50 is made larger than the horizontal width of the lower cell 51, so that one side surface of the cells 50 and 51 is the same vertical plane in the vertical direction. When assembled flush with each other, the other side is in a state of protruding sideways. The side portion bottom surface protruding laterally is hereinafter referred to as a stepped portion 53a. A connecting nozzle 59 (see FIG. 4) that protrudes downward is formed on the stepped portion 53a. Moreover, the receiving tank 39a is formed in the flush tank main body 39 in the position which faces the step 53a. A through hole 60 is formed in the receiving step portion 39a at a position corresponding to the connection nozzle 59 of the washing chamber built-in rack 41 set in the washing tub main body 39. When the connection nozzle 59 is fitted into the through hole 60, the first washing tank 42a and the overflow sub tank 46 are communicated with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the overflow sub tank 46 is provided so as to cover the stepped portion 50a, and the washing liquid 47 stored in the tank overflows from the discharge port 46a. A waste liquid tank 61 is connected to the discharge port 46a via a pipe (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the washing liquid replenishment subtank 45 is configured in the same manner as the overflow subtank 46. The washing water replenishment sub tank 45 communicates with the sixth washing chamber 42f through two nozzles, a replenishing nozzle 65 and a circulation nozzle 66, so that the washing tank 47 can be circulated in addition to the washing liquid 47. The washing liquid replenishment subtank 45 is provided with a replenisher temperature control circulation system 67. The temperature control circulation system 67 includes a pump 68, a heater 69, a pipe 70 that communicates these, and a temperature sensor 73. Note that a filter may be disposed between the circulation nozzle 66 and the pump 68 as necessary.

  At the time of the water washing process, fresh water washing liquid 47 is replenished to the sixth water washing chamber 42f through the replenishing tank 71 and the replenishing sub tank 45, and this is supplied to the sixth to first water washing chambers via the check valve 58 shown in FIG. It flows sequentially to 42f-42a. Then, the washing solution 47 that has passed through the first washing chamber 42 a and overflowed from the discharge port 46 a of the overflow sub-tank 46 is discharged to the waste solution tank 61. Thus, in the present embodiment, a cascade structure using the check valve 58 in the washing tank 14 is employed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a transport rack 25 is attached in the cells 50 and 51. In each transport rack 25, two pairs of transport rollers 37 are held side by side in the vertical direction in the figure. The transport racks 26 are attached to the lower surfaces of the cells 51 forming the second flush chamber 42b and the cells 51 forming the fifth flush chamber 42e, respectively. Each transport rack 26 holds three transport roller pairs 37 so as to change the transport path P by 90 ° from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction (or vice versa). And in this embodiment, since each cell 50 and 51 and the conveyance racks 25 and 26 are attached so that it may become line symmetrical about the partition plate 40, the conveyance path | route P of the paper 9 is in the washing tank main body 39. It is configured in a substantially U shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each pair of transport rollers 37 is driven by a drive shaft 80 and a drive transmission unit 81 to rotate. The drive shaft 80 penetrates the cells 50 and 51 in the vertical direction. And the through-hole 82 (refer FIG. 6) in which this drive shaft 80 is inserted is formed in the bottom wall part 53 of the cells 50 and 51. As shown in FIG. In addition, an annular shaft seal member 83 (see FIG. 6) that seals between the through hole 82 and the drive shaft 80 is attached to the lower end of the through hole 82. Although not shown, stirring fins are attached to both ends of each conveyance roller pair 37. The agitation fins rotate with the rotation of the conveying roller pair 37, whereby the rinsing liquid 47 in each of the rinsing chambers 42a to 42f is efficiently agitated.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the drive transmission unit 81 includes a worm 85 provided on the drive shaft 80, a worm wheel 86 meshing with the worm 85, an intermediate gear 87 provided coaxially with the worm wheel 86, and the intermediate gear 87. It is comprised from the drive gear 88 which meshes | engages. The drive gear 88 is fixed to one roller shaft end 89 a of the transport roller pair 37.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the interlocking gears 90 are respectively fixed to the other roller shaft end portion 89b, and when these are meshed and rotated, the conveying roller pair 37 rotates oppositely. Further, an intermediate gear 91 is engaged with the interlocking gear 90 of the roller shaft end portion 89 b, and this intermediate gear 91 is engaged with the interlocking gear 90 of the other transport roller pair 37. Accordingly, the rotation of the drive shaft 80 is transmitted to the upper transport roller pair 37 via the drive transmission portion 81, the transport roller pair 37, the interlocking gear 90, and the intermediate gear 91, and these rotate together. In addition, the other conveyance rack 26 is also comprised similarly to the conveyance rack 25, The duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol for the same structural member. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport rack 26 holds three pairs of transport rollers 37, and two transport gear pairs 37 are driven together using two intermediate gears 92 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, by rotating the drive shaft 80, all the conveyance roller pairs 37 are rotated in the direction in which the paper 9 is conveyed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first to third flushing chambers 42 a to 42 c are provided with a first flushing liquid temperature control circulation system 95 a (see FIG. 4), and the fourth to sixth flushing chambers 42 d to 42 f. Is provided with a second water-washing liquid temperature control circulation system 95b (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 4, the first water-washing liquid temperature adjusting circulation system 95a includes a filter 97a, a pump 98a, a heater 99a, and a pipe 100a connecting them. The first circulation sub tank 43 communicates with the main tank 42 via a communication groove 43a (see FIG. 2).

  The pump 97a is connected to the discharge port 101a with the filter 97a provided in the washing tank main body 39 below the first to third washing chambers 42a to 42c, and the washing solution 47 sucked from the discharge port 101a is supplied to the heater 99a. To the circulation sub tank 43. In the sub tank 43, a temperature sensor 103a and a liquid level sensor 104a are provided. The outputs of these sensors 103a and 104a are sent to a controller (not shown). In addition to comprehensively controlling the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, the controller controls the heater 99a so that the washing liquid 47 is within a predetermined temperature range. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller replenishes a replenishment sub-tank 45 as a sub-flush tank from a replenishment tank 71 with a fixed amount of fresh water washing liquid 47 according to the processing amount. The liquid level sensor 104a also detects the ion concentration in addition to the liquid level detection, and sends it to the controller. The controller issues an alarm when the liquid level or ion concentration falls outside a certain range.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second water washing liquid temperature adjusting circulation system 95b is similar to the first water washing liquid temperature adjusting circulation system 95a, such as a filter 97b, a pump 98b, a heater 99b, a pipe 100b, a discharge port 101b, and a temperature sensor 103b. The liquid level sensor 104b circulates the washing liquid 47 in the same manner.

  In the present embodiment, since the third flush chamber 42c and the fourth flush chamber 42d are opened in the main tank 42, the third and fourth flush chambers 42c, 42d are provided by the flush water temperature control circulation systems 95a, 95b. The liquid temperature of the water washing liquid 47 is maintained within a predetermined range. In addition, the other first, second, fifth, and sixth flushing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f are not directly adjusted by the flushing liquid temperature control circulation systems 95a and 95b, but will be described in detail later. Since heat is transmitted through the cells 50 and 51, the water temperature is similarly maintained within a certain range.

  Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the air washing | cleaning room built-in rack 41 of this embodiment is provided with the air bleeding and drain mechanism. This air venting and drain mechanism is used when the washing chamber built-in rack 41 is inserted into or removed from the main tank 42. The air venting and draining mechanism includes an operation rod and a valve. The operation rod is provided so as to penetrate each of the washing chambers 42a to 42c and 42d to 42f. The valve is provided on the bottom wall 53 of each cell 50, 51 and is opened and closed by operating the operation rod.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drying unit 15 includes a heater, a duct 106, a blower fan, and the like (not shown), and dries the paper 9 conveyed by a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 107. The dried paper 9 is discharged and collected from the discharge port 16 to the product stock unit 17. Note that a well-known sorter unit may be provided in place of the product stock unit 17, and in this case, the dried paper is collected separately for each print order.

  Next, the side wall part 52 of the cells 50 and 51 which implemented this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. As described above, the temperature of the third and fourth flushing chambers 42c and 42d opened in the main tank 42 is directly adjusted by the flushing liquid temperature control circulation systems 95a and 95b. The temperature of the first, second, fifth, and sixth flushing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f is indirectly adjusted by heat transfer from the flushing liquid 47 in the main tank 42. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the washing liquid 47 in the main tank 42 is shortened so that the temperature rise time during which the temperature of the washing liquid 47 in each of the washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, 42f rises to a specified processing temperature can be shortened. The side walls 52 of the cells 50 and 51 partitioning the washing liquid 47 in each of the washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f are formed from a material having high thermal conductivity. Thereby, the whole side wall part 52 becomes a heat transfer part of this invention. Note that the washing liquid 47 in the sixth washing chamber 42f is circulated through the circulation nozzle 65, the pump 68, the heater 68, the pipe 70, etc., so that the temperature can be directly adjusted. In the embodiment, the side wall portion 52 that forms the sixth flushing chamber 42f is also formed of a material having high thermal conductivity, so that the temperature raising time of the flushing liquid 47 in the sixth flushing chamber 42f is further shortened.

  The material having high thermal conductivity for forming the side wall portion 52 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material having chemical resistance to the washing solution 47 and the developing solution or the bleach-fixing treatment solution adhering to the paper 9. Resin materials such as vinyl chloride (PCV), modified polyphenylene oxide (PPO), modified polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PBT), ABS, fluorine resin, SUS316 (stainless steel), TB35C (titanium), Hastelloy Various metal materials such as (nickel alloy) and Inconel may be used. In the present embodiment, for example, the side wall portion 52 is formed of modified polyphenylene oxide. The thickness of the side wall 52 is not particularly limited, and a thickness that can achieve both the strength of the cells 50 and 51 and the shortening of the heating time may be obtained in advance through experiments or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the bottom wall portion 53 of the cells 50 and 51 is similarly used in order to further increase the temperature raising performance of the first, second, fifth, and sixth flushing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f. Formed with modified polyphenylene oxide.

  Further, when the side wall 52 is formed from a material having high thermal conductivity such as modified polyphenylene oxide, the side wall 52 is formed in the main tank 42 and the first, second, fifth, and sixth flushing chambers 42a, 42b, and 42e. , 42f can be increased in heat transfer amount to the washing liquid 47 in each of the washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, 42f. Therefore, in this embodiment, the side walls 52 of the cells 50 and 51 are formed so as to have unevenness that is continuous in the vertical direction. Thereby, since the surface areas of the cells 50 and 51 are increased, the temperature raising performance of each of the water washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f can be further improved, and the temperature raising time can be shortened.

  At this time, if the distance between the convex portion 52a of the concavo-convex side wall portion 52, the inner wall surface of the main tank 42 (the washing tank main body 39), and the partition plate 40 is short, the circulation of the washing liquid 47 above the main tank 42 is caused. It gets worse. As a result, the temperature of the washing liquid 47 in the upper part of the main tank 42 becomes lower than the temperature in the lower part, and in particular, the temperature raising performance of the first and sixth washing rooms 42a and 42f in the cell 50 may be lowered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of draining grooves 110 (see FIG. 2) extending in the vertical direction are formed in the convex portion 52a so that the washing liquid 47 above the main tank 42 is circulated efficiently. To do. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, you may form the through-hole for draining instead of forming the groove | channel 110 in the convex part 52a. Further, instead of forming the water draining groove 110 and the through hole, the convex portion 52a is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction so that the side wall portion 52 has irregularities that are continuous in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. May be.

  Thus, in this embodiment, while forming the side wall part 52 (as well as the bottom wall part 53) which comprise the cells 50 and 51 with a material with high heat conductivity, this side wall part 52 is formed in uneven | corrugated shape, and the Since the surface area is increased, the temperature of the washing liquid 47 in each of the washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, 42f in the cells 50, 51 is indirectly adjusted by heat transfer from the washing liquid 47 in the main tank 42. In this case, the temperature raising time can be shortened.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, when the exposed paper 9 is supplied from the paper supply unit 11 to the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, the paper 9 passes through the color developing tank 12 through the crossover rack 20 and the transport rack 23. Then, color development processing is performed. Similarly, the paper 9 passes through the bleach-fixing tank 13 and the bleach-fixing process is performed. The bleach-fixed paper 9 is conveyed to the washing tank 14 via the crossover racks 21 and 22. At the same time, the drive shaft 80 is rotationally driven, and all the conveyance roller pairs 37 held in the respective conveyance racks 25 and 26 in the water washing chamber built-in rack 41 are driven and transmitted (see FIGS. 6 and 7). It is rotationally driven through 89. Thereby, the paper 9 conveyed to the rinsing tank 14 is sequentially conveyed through the rinsing chambers 42 a to 42 f of the rinsing tank main body 39 and subjected to a rinsing process.

  In the water washing process, as shown in FIG. 5, the fresh water washing liquid 47 from the replenishing tank 71 is replenished to the replenishment sub tank 45 according to the processing amount of the paper 9. The replenished rinsing liquid 47 is circulated through a replenishing liquid temperature adjusting circulation system 67 through a replenishing sub tank 45, a replenishing nozzle 65, a sixth water washing chamber 42f, a circulating nozzle 66, a pump 68, a heater 69, and a pipe 70. Is done. The washing liquid 47 in the sixth washing chamber 42f is sent in the order of the fifth to first washing chambers 42e to 42a via the check valves 58 (see FIG. 3) in a cascade flow. As shown in FIG. 4, the first flush chamber 42a communicates with the overflow sub-tank 46 through the connection nozzle 59, so that the excess flush liquid 47 is discharged from the discharge port 46a according to the amount of the supplemental flush liquid. The overflowed washing liquid 47 is sent to the waste liquid tank 61.

  Each of the water washing chambers 42 a to 42 f is kept liquid-tight by the submerged squeeze portion 55 and the shaft seal member 83. As a result, the concentration of impurities (iron, silver sulfide, etc.) contained in the washing liquid is reduced as the downstream washing chambers 42b to 42f become, so that the washing process can be performed efficiently. The replenishment amount of 47 can also be reduced.

  At this time, since the third water washing chamber 42c and the fourth water washing chamber 42d are opened in the main tank 42, the water temperature is maintained in a predetermined range by the water washing liquid temperature adjusting circulation systems 95a and 95b. Further, the other first and second flushing chambers 42a and 42b, and the fifth and sixth flushing chambers 42e and 42f, as in the third and fourth flushing chambers 42c and 42d, are each flushed liquid temperature control circulation system 95a. 95b is not directly adjusted in temperature, and the water temperature is similarly maintained within a certain range by transmitting the heat of the washing liquid 47 in the main tank 42 through the cells 50 and 51.

  In the present embodiment, the side walls 52 of the cells 50 and 51 are made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as modified polyphenylene oxide, so that the water washing chambers 42a and 42b in the cells 50 and 51 that are indirectly temperature-controlled. , 42e, 42f can be improved, and the temperature raising time can be shortened. As a result, when the washing solution 47 having a temperature lower than the prescribed processing temperature is replenished or when the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is restarted after maintenance, the waiting time until the washing process is restarted is reduced. Can do. Moreover, since the side wall part 52 is made uneven in this embodiment, the surface area of the side wall part 52 can be increased. As a result, the temperature raising performance of each of the water washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, 42f can be further improved, and the temperature raising time can be shortened.

  The paper 9 is sequentially transported through the water-washing chambers 42 a to 42 f adjusted in temperature in this way, and then sent to the drying unit 15 by the transport roller pair 28 of the crossover rack 22. The paper 9 conveyed to the drying unit 15 is dried with hot air and then discharged to the product stock unit 17.

  In the present embodiment, the side walls 52 of the cells 50 and 51 are formed in a concavo-convex shape in order to further increase the temperature rise performance of the water washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f, but the present invention is limited to this. Not what will be done. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the side wall 114 may be uneven by forming a plurality of fins 115 on the side wall 114. Here, FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the washing tank 14 of FIG. 3, and shows the cells 116 and 117 of the second embodiment in which a plurality of fins 115 are formed. In FIG. 8, the same members as those in the first embodiment described in FIGS. 2 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The side wall 114 and the fin 115 can be formed of any material as long as the side wall 84 has chemical resistance and high thermal conductivity. In the second embodiment, for example, both are modified. Integrated resin molding from polyphenylene oxide or the like. In the second embodiment, the fin 115 is formed so that the side wall 114 has irregularities that are continuous in the vertical direction. Therefore, as in the first embodiment described above, if the distance between the tip of the fin 115 and the inner wall surface (rinsing tank body 39) and the partition plate 40 of the main tank 42 is short, the washing liquid 47 on the upper part of the main tank 42 is used. The circulation of will worsen. Therefore, a notch (or a through hole) 118 for draining water is formed at the tip of each fin 115. Further, instead of forming the notches 118, the fins may be formed so that the side wall portions 114 have irregularities that are continuous in the horizontal direction.

  In the second embodiment, the synthetic resin fin 115 made of modified polyphenylene oxide or the like is used. However, the present invention is not limited to the synthetic resin, and has chemical resistance such as SUS316. Fins 119 (see FIG. 9) formed of a metal material can also be used. In this case, for example, as shown in the third embodiment of FIG. 9, when the synthetic resin side wall 114 is formed, the side wall 114 and the fin 119 may be integrated by insert molding or the like. In this case as well, it is preferable to form a notch 118 at the tip of the fin 119 in the same manner.

  In this way, in the second and third embodiments, the synthetic resin fin 115 (see FIG. 8) is integrally molded with the side wall 114 by resin molding, or the side wall 114 and the fin 119 are integrated by insert molding. Thus, the side wall portion 114 can be made uneven to increase the surface area. As a result, the temperature raising performance of each of the water washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f can be further improved and the temperature raising time can be shortened in the same manner as when the side wall portion 52 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) is formed in an uneven shape. it can.

  Further, in the second and third embodiments described above, the sidewalls 114 are formed in an uneven shape by forming the fins 115 and 119 on the sidewalls 114, but the present invention is not limited to this, Although not shown, for example, a plurality of needle-like protrusions may be formed on both sides of the side wall portion 114 instead of the fins.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the side wall 52 (side wall 114) is formed from a synthetic resin having high thermal conductivity such as modified polyphenylene oxide, but the present invention is limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the side wall 120 is held by a heat transfer plate (heat transfer plate) 121 made of a metal material having chemical resistance and high thermal conductivity, and the heat transfer plate 121. The holding frame 122 made of synthetic resin and the seal member 124 that seals the heat transfer plate 121 between the holding frame 122 may be used. Here, FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cells 126 and 127 of the fourth embodiment including the heat transfer plate 121 and the like. The holding frame 122 is formed by forming an opening 122a in a synthetic resin side wall, and the heat transfer plate 121 is fixed so as to close the opening 122a. The method for fixing the heat transfer plate 121 to the holding frame 122 is not particularly limited, and for example, an adhesive or adhesive sheet having chemical resistance may be used as the seal member 124.

  The heat transfer plate 121 is made of, for example, SUS316. The thickness of the heat transfer plate 121 is not particularly limited. As described above, a thickness that can achieve both the strength of the cells 126 and 127 and the shortening of the temperature raising time may be obtained in advance through experiments or the like. When the heat transfer plate 121 is made of a metal material such as SUS316, the heat transfer plate 121 may be corroded by fungi (bacteria) or the like that live in the washing liquid 47. Therefore, in this fourth embodiment, the synthetic resin coating 129 having chemical resistance and high thermal conductivity is coated (coated) on both surfaces of the heat transfer plate 121 to prevent corrosion caused by bacteria or the like. Yes. As the synthetic resin coating 129, for example, a coating made of a fluorine-based resin for fluorine coating or ceramic fluorine coating, modified polyphenylene oxide (PPO) or the like is used.

  At this time, since the thermal conductivity of the synthetic resin coating 129 is lower than the thermal conductivity of the heat transfer plate 121, if the synthetic resin coating 129 is thick, the first, second, fifth and sixth water washings are performed. There is a possibility that the temperature rise performance of the chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, 42f may be deteriorated. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the heat transfer plate 121 “condition 1” having a thickness of 1 mm (without the synthetic resin coating 129) formed of SUS316 and the heat transfer plate 121 of “condition 1” have a film thickness of 0. "Condition 2" with 5 mm synthetic resin coating 129, "Condition 3" with 1.0 mm synthetic resin coating 129, and 1.5 mm synthetic resin coating 129 The cells 126 (127) are formed by the heat conduction plates 129 having a total of four conditions, “condition 4”, and the temperature of the washing liquid 47 in each cell 126 is changed from a predetermined reference temperature (normal temperature) to a set temperature (normal temperature). The time to increase to the processing temperature was measured.

  As a result, the thicker the synthetic resin coating 129, the slower the rate of temperature increase. If the thickness of the synthetic resin coating 129 exceeds 1.0 mm, it takes longer than the predetermined arrival time. It was confirmed. For this reason, when the synthetic resin coating 129 is coated on the heat transfer plate 121, the thickness is set to 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or less. Although not shown, in the first to third embodiments described above, when the side wall portion is formed of a metal material, it is preferable to cover the surface with a synthetic resin coating 129 having a thickness of 1.0 mm or less. . Further, the lower limit of the thickness is not particularly limited, but if it becomes too thin, the coating 129 may be damaged or the durability thereof may be reduced, so that it is preferably 0.2 mm or more.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, most of the side wall portions 120 of the cells 126 and 127 are constituted by the heat transfer plate 121. Therefore, the washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f in the cells 126 and 127 are provided. The temperature raising performance can be improved, and the temperature raising time can be shortened. In the fourth embodiment, as described in the first to third embodiments, the heat transfer plate 121 is not uneven. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat transfer plate 121 is uneven. Thus, the temperature raising performance of each of the water washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, 42f may be further enhanced.

  Further, in the above-described fourth embodiment, the heat transfer plate 121 and the holding frame 122 are separately formed and the space between them is sealed by the seal member 124, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, as shown in the fifth embodiment of FIG. 12, the heat transfer plate 121 and the holding frame 122 may be integrally formed by insert molding or the like. Thereby, the sealing member 124 which seals between the heat transfer plate 121 and the holding frame 122 becomes unnecessary. Thereby, since the number of parts of the cells 126 and 127 can be reduced, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the temperature of the rinsing liquid 47 in each of the rinsing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, and 42f is adjusted by heat transfer from the rinsing liquid 47 outside the cell (in the main tank 42). However, in the sixth embodiment, the side walls 132 of the cells 130 and 131 are made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as modified polyphenylene oxide, and the cells 130 and 131 are circulated to the main tank 42 and are also formed. A liquid pipe 135 constituting a (water washing chamber) and a liquid-tight liquid flow path 134 is provided in each of the cells 130 and 131. Here, FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cells 130 and 131 in which the liquid pipes are formed, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG.

  The liquid pipe 135 is formed of a metal material having chemical resistance such as SUS316 and high thermal conductivity, and is integrated with the side wall 132 of the cells 130 and 131 by insert molding or joining. The diameter and thickness of the liquid pipe 135 are not particularly limited, and a diameter and thickness that can achieve both pipe strength and shortening of the temperature raising time may be obtained in advance through experiments or the like. Thereby, the heat of the rinsing liquid 47 flowing in the liquid pipe 135 can be transferred to the rinsing liquid 47 in each of the rinsing chambers 42a, 42b (42e and 42f are not shown).

  At this time, if the circulation of the washing liquid 47 in the liquid pipe 135 is poor, the temperature of the washing liquid 47 in the liquid pipe 135 becomes lower than the temperature of the washing liquid 47 in the main tank 42, and each cell 130, 131. There is a possibility that the temperature rise performance in the inside will deteriorate. For this reason, in the sixth embodiment, a pump 137 (see FIG. 14) is provided at the opening of the liquid pipe 135 that opens to the main tank 42, and the washing liquid 47 is constantly circulated between the main tank 42. Yes. Various circulation devices other than the pump 137 may be provided.

  A plurality of fins 138 made of SUS316 or the like are formed on the peripheral surface of the liquid pipe 135 by insert molding, bonding, or the like. Thereby, the peripheral surface of liquid piping 135 can be made uneven | corrugated, and the surrounding area can be enlarged. As a result, the temperature rise performance in each cell 130, 131 can be further enhanced.

  Here, although illustration is omitted, since the liquid pipe 135 and the fin 138 are formed of a metal material such as SUS316, the liquid pipe 135 of the liquid pipe 135 can be prevented from being corroded by bacteria in the washing liquid 47 as described above. It is preferable that the outer peripheral surface, the inner peripheral surface, and the fin 138 are coated with a synthetic resin coating having chemical resistance and high thermal conductivity (see FIGS. 10 and 12). Further, the number of liquid pipes 135 formed in the cells 130 and 131 is not limited to one, and two or more liquid pipes may be formed. Further, in the sixth embodiment, the side wall 132 of the cells 130 and 131 is not formed in a concavo-convex shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, in the first to third embodiments described above. You may form in uneven | corrugated shape as demonstrated.

  Thus, by providing the liquid pipe 135 made of a material having chemical resistance and high thermal conductivity in each cell 130, 131, heat transfer from the washing liquid 47 of the main tank 42 through the side wall 132. In addition, the temperature of the washing liquid 47 in each of the cells 130 and 131 can be adjusted by heat transfer from the washing liquid 47 flowing in the liquid pipe 135. As a result, the temperature raising performance of each of the water washing chambers 42a, 42b, 42e, 42f can be improved and the temperature raising time can be shortened. Further, the sixth embodiment may be combined with the first to fifth embodiments described above to further shorten the temperature raising time.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, after the main tank 42 is divided into two parts using the partition plate 40, the water washing room built-in rack 41 is inserted into the divided main tank 42. The six flushing chambers 42a to 42f are formed by the above, but instead of this, although the illustration is omitted, the racks with built-in flushing chambers may be configured by using partition plates and cells of various shapes.

  Further, in the embodiment, the flush room has a configuration of 6 rooms of 3 rows and 2 rows, but the arrangement and quantity of the wash chambers are not limited to this, and m rows × n rows (m and n are 2). The integer above) may be used. Note that n is preferably an even number. In this case, the supply and discharge of the paper to the washing tub main body 39 can be performed on the same upper side, and the configuration is simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the color developing tank 12 is divided into one room, the bleach-fixing tank 13 is divided into one room, and the washing tank 14 is divided into six rooms, but the number of sections is not particularly limited. Further, the present invention is not limited to the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, but a main tank (main tank) in which various processing solutions are stored, and a processing chamber set in the main tank and having a multi-chamber processing chamber. The present invention can be applied to various liquid processing apparatuses including a built-in rack.

It is the schematic of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a rinsing tank main body, a rack with a built-in rinsing chamber, and a partition plate. It is sectional drawing which shows a water-washing tank. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VII-VII line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which expanded the cell of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention which integrated the side wall and fin of the cell in a water-washing tank by resin integral molding. It is sectional drawing which expanded the cell of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention which integrated the side wall of the cell in the water-washing tank, and metal fins by insert molding. It is sectional drawing to which the cell of the 4th Embodiment of this invention which used the metal heat conductive board for the side wall of the cell was expanded. It is the graph which compared the relationship between the thickness of the resin film coat | covered on the surface of the heat conductive board, and the temperature rise rate of the washing liquid in a cell. It is sectional drawing to which the cell of the 5th Embodiment of this invention which integrally molded the heat conductive board and its holding frame was expanded. It is sectional drawing to which the cell of the 6th Embodiment of this invention which formed the liquid piping with high heat conductivity in the cell was expanded. It is sectional drawing which follows the XIV-XIV line | wire in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Paper 10 Photosensitive material processing apparatus 14 Flush tank 39 Flush tank main body 40 Partition plate 41 Rack with built-in flush chamber 42 Main tank 42a-42f 1st-6th flush chamber 47 Flush solution 50,51 cell 52 Side wall part 95a 1st flush solution Temperature control circulation system 95b Second water washing liquid temperature control circulation system 115, 119 Fin 121 Heat transfer plate 129 Synthetic resin coating 134 Liquid flow path 135 Liquid piping

Claims (9)

A main tank in which the washing liquid is stored;
A partition that is set in the washing liquid in the main tank and forms a plurality of liquid-tight washing chambers, a squeeze portion that allows passage of the photosensitive material between the washing chambers and prevents the washing solution from flowing, and A washing chamber built-in rack that has conveying means for conveying the photosensitive material, and passes the photosensitive material sequentially through the plurality of washing chambers;
Liquid temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the washing liquid in the main tank;
A multi-room water rinsing apparatus, comprising: a heat transfer section formed on the partition wall and configured to transfer heat between the rinsing liquid in the main tank and the rinsing liquid in the rinsing chamber.   The multi-room washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer section is formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall.   The multi-room water-washing treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer unit has irregularities for increasing a contact area with the water-washing liquid.   The multi-room water-washing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat transfer section includes an opening provided in the partition wall and a heat transfer plate attached so as to close the opening.   The multi-room washing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat transfer section includes fins provided on the partition wall.   3. The multi-room water rinsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer unit includes a heat transfer pipe provided in the processing chamber and through which the rinsing liquid in the main tank flows. 4.   The multi-room water washing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the material having higher thermal conductivity than the partition wall is a metal or a synthetic resin and has chemical resistance.   The multi-room water-washing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a synthetic resin film having the chemical resistance is formed on a surface of the heat transfer portion made of the metal. The multi-room water-washing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the synthetic resin film is 1.0 mm or less.

Images