JP2007171652A - Development processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a development processor capable of shortening the processing time of stabilization processing by linearly conveying a photosensitive material and discharging a downstream-side photosensitive material even if the linear conveyance path is clogged upstream. <P>SOLUTION: An out-tank processing rack 50 which horizontally conveys photographic paper while supplying stabilization processing liquid is arranged above one stabilization processing tank, and a transmission system is constituted which transmits driving power to an introduction roller 52 and a front conveying roller 53 introducing the photographic paper in the out-tank processing rack 50 from a system conveying the photographic paper in a previous processing tank and also transmits driving power to a rear conveying roller 55 and a discharge roller 56 sending the photosensitive paper out of the out-tank processing rack 50 from a system conveying the photographic paper in a following processing tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a development processing apparatus that transports an exposed photosensitive material to a color development processing unit, a bleach-fixing processing unit, and a stabilization processing unit in this order, and more specifically, processing in the stabilization processing unit. It relates to technology for shortening time.

  As described above, there is an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 as an apparatus similar to the development processing apparatus that shortens the processing time in the stable processing section. In other words, this Patent Document 1 includes a developing tank, a fixing tank, a water washing or stabilizing tank (each corresponding to a color developing processing section, a bleach-fixing processing section, and a stabilizing processing section of the present invention). In the tank, the film (photosensitive material) is transported in a dipped state, and in the water-washing or stabilization tank, the film is transported through the liquid transport section formed linearly above the liquid storage tank. .

  In Patent Document 1, paragraph numbers [0052] to [0069] of (Patent Document 1): As described in (Embodiment 3-1) to (Embodiment 3-16), a film is attached to the liquid transport unit. A nozzle for spraying the cleaning liquid on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the film is disposed in a space sandwiched between the pair of rollers, and the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank located below the pair of nozzles. A pump is provided. When transporting the film that has been processed in the fixing tank to the out-of-liquid transport unit from such a structure, the cleaning liquid from each nozzle is sprayed on both surfaces of the film to realize active cleaning. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-15810

  Considering a development processing device that performs color photographic paper development processing, the conventional processing device has a structure in which the stabilization processing section conveys the photographic paper in a dipped state in order to perform reliable stabilization processing (cleaning processing). A plurality of treatment tanks were provided. Further, although there has been a demand for shortening the development processing of color photographic paper, in the case of performing printing after development of a silver salt film, it has not been regarded as important to perform rapid processing. However, with the widespread use of digital cameras, there is a demand for further shortening of the time from exposure of image data photographed with a digital camera to completion of development processing.

  In the case of providing a plurality of processing tanks for stable processing, there is a difficult aspect in shortening the processing time, and the photographic paper is not immersed in the stable processing liquid as described in Patent Document 1. It is also considered to shorten the time for the stable treatment by carrying out the treatment while conveying it linearly outside the tank.

  Further, in order to convey the photographic paper linearly outside the liquid, a mechanism for conveying the photographic paper, such as a pair of rollers, as described in Patent Document 1, is required, and a system for transmitting power to this mechanism is required. I need to think about it. However, there is room for improvement because a dedicated actuator is provided to drive the roller or the like, a dedicated transmission system is formed, the structure becomes complicated, and the cost increases.

  In particular, assuming a structure in which pressure rollers for linearly conveying photographic paper outside the liquid are arranged on the introduction side and discharge side of the unit, these pressure rollers are driven by power from the same drive source. In this case, for example, when the photographic paper is clogged at the pressure roller portion on the introduction side, the pressure roller on the discharge side also stops, and the photographic paper downstream from the clogged portion is also conveyed. It led to inconvenience that was not done.

  It is an object of the present invention to reduce the processing time of the stable processing by linearly conveying the photosensitive material, and development that can discharge the downstream photosensitive material even if clogging occurs on the upstream side of this conveying path. It is in the point which comprises a processing apparatus rationally.

A feature of the present invention is that the exposed photosensitive material is transported in this order to the color development processing unit, the bleach-fixing processing unit, and the stabilization processing unit, and the development processing apparatus performs the development processing.
An immersion processing unit provided with a U-turn path for the stabilization processing unit to immerse the photosensitive material in the solution from the surface of the stabilization processing solution stored in the processing tank and then lift it onto the liquid surface; And a processing unit outside the tank having a horizontal path for transporting the photosensitive material to a processing space to which a stable processing solution is supplied,
This outside tank processing unit includes a pressure-type introduction roller for introducing the photosensitive material into the horizontal path, and a pressure-type discharge roller for discharging the photosensitive material from the horizontal path,
The introduction roller is driven by power from a front conveyance mechanism that conveys the photosensitive material on the upstream side of the horizontal path, and the discharge roller is a rear conveyance mechanism that conveys the photosensitive material on the downstream side of the horizontal path. It is in the point driven by the power from.

  With this configuration, the stable processing unit uses the processing in a state in which the photosensitive material is immersed in the U-turn path of the immersion processing unit and the processing in the non-immersion state in the horizontal path of the processing unit outside the tank, There is no shortage of processing. The out-of-tank processing unit introduces the photosensitive material into the horizontal path with the introduction roller, and supplies a stable processing solution in the processing space, so that the active processing is performed, and thereafter, it is sent out by the discharge roller. Further, since the introduction roller of the outside processing unit is driven by the power from the front conveyance mechanism and the discharge roller is driven by the power from the rear conveyance mechanism, for example, the front conveyance mechanism or the part of the introduction roller Even when the photosensitive material is clogged, the discharge roller continues to be driven, and the photosensitive material already fed into the processing space can be discharged by the discharge roller. As a result, it is possible to reduce the processing time of the stable processing by linearly transporting the photosensitive material, and a development processing apparatus that can discharge the downstream photosensitive material even when clogging occurs upstream of this transport path. Reasonably structured.

  The present invention is configured such that power is transmitted from the immersion treatment unit to the introduction roller by using the immersion treatment unit disposed upstream of the horizontal route as the front transport mechanism, By using the immersion treatment unit arranged on the downstream side as the rear transport mechanism, power may be transmitted from the immersion treatment unit to the discharge roller.

  With this configuration, the power from the immersion processing unit arranged at the upstream position of the horizontal path can be transmitted to the introduction roller and driven, and the power from the immersion processing unit arranged at the downstream position of the horizontal path can be driven. It can be driven by being transmitted to the discharge roller, and no special drive source is required.

  According to the present invention, the out-of-tank processing unit engages an input gear interlocked with the introduction roller with a gear of the front transport mechanism, and engages an input gear interlocked with the discharge roller with the gear of the rear transport mechanism. Also good.

  With this configuration, a relatively simple transmission structure is adopted in which the input gear interlocked with the introduction roller is engaged with the gear of the front transport mechanism, and the input gear interlocked with the discharge roller is engaged with the gear of the rear transport mechanism. Thus, the introduction roller and the discharge roller can be driven.

  In the present invention, the stabilization processing unit stores the stabilization processing liquid in the plurality of processing tanks, and the out-of-tank processing unit is disposed above any one of the stabilizing processing tanks. The stable treatment liquid in the treatment tank located immediately below may be supplied to the treatment space by a pump, and the stable treatment liquid supplied to the treatment space may be collected in the treatment tank located directly below.

  With this configuration, processing can be performed by supplying the stable processing liquid in the processing tank closest to the processing unit outside the tank, and processing after the processing can be performed directly using the free flow. Can be collected in a tank.

  According to the present invention, the out-of-tank processing unit contacts the photosensitive surface side of the photosensitive material conveyed to the processing space and promotes cleaning, and the supply for supplying the stable processing liquid to the site of the cleaning material A road may be provided.

  With this configuration, the photosensitive material sent into the processing space is contacted with a cleaning material to remove the stable processing solution that has performed the processing function on the photosensitive surface, and supply a new stable processing solution. Promote treatment better.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operating block A that converts a frame image of a developed photographic film F into a digital signal, processes the converted digital image data, and performs basic control of the entire system. A photographic printing apparatus called a digital minilab is provided that includes a print block B that is subjected to exposure processing and development processing on a silver salt type photographic paper P as a photosensitive material, and sent out after drying processing. Has been.

[Operate Block]
The operating block A is necessary for the image processing and printing of the film scanner 2 that captures the frame image of the photographic film F as a digital signal by photoelectric conversion to the console 1 and captures it as image data. An image processing apparatus 4 composed of a general-purpose computer that performs various processes is arranged. On the upper surface of the console 1, a keyboard 5 for inputting information to the image processing device 4 and a mouse 6 functioning as a pointing device are provided.

  Each of the image processing apparatuses 4 acquires image data from a disk-type medium such as a CD, MO, or FD, or obtains image data from a semiconductor-type medium (not shown). The media drive 7 corresponding to the structure is provided. The image processing apparatus 4 includes an interface that realizes not only image processing such as color correction and contrast correction but also processing related to printing by operating the keyboard 5 and mouse 6 according to the display on the display 3. ing.

  The film scanner 2 mounts a film carrier 2A suitable for the size of the photographic film F on the upper surface of the light source unit and starts scanning, whereby the photographic film F is conveyed in the longitudinal direction, and the photographic film F is synchronized with this conveyance. The frame image of the film F is guided from the zoom lens to the upper photoelectric conversion unit, and the photoelectric conversion unit converts the image data into digital signals that are color-separated into three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). The captured image data is transferred to and stored in the image processing apparatus 4.

[Print Block]
The print block B includes an exposure unit Ex, a developing unit De (an example of the development processing apparatus of the present invention), and a drying unit Dr, which are housed in a dark box-structured housing 10 and after the drying process. The photographic paper P sent out from the upper discharge unit 11 is sent in the horizontal direction by the conveyor belt 12, and the photographic paper P is sorted and stacked on the tray 13 </ b> A of the sorter 13 in order units.

[Exposure part]
The exposure section Ex arranges two photographic paper magazines M, M at the bottom, draws the photographic paper P from one of the two photographic paper magazines M with the advance roller 20, and cuts it to the print size with the cutter 21. The photographic paper P supplied to the exposure conveyance unit 23 by the nipping conveyance unit 22 and exposed by the exposure head H by the conveyance by the exposure conveyance unit 23 is transferred from the rear conveyance unit 24 having a plurality of pressure rollers to a pair of chuckers. The sheet is sent to the sorting unit 25 having C, and is sent to the developing unit De from the relay transport unit 26 having a plurality of pressure rollers in a state of being sorted into two rows of sorting paths by the sorting unit 25. .

  The exposure head H reflects light beams from laser light sources of three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) by a polygon mirror that rotates around the vertical axis, and scans in the main scanning direction. The exposure conveyance unit 23 includes a plurality of conveyance rollers that can be switched between a pressure-bonding state in which the photographic paper P is pressure-bonded and a release state, and the plurality of conveyance rollers are in a pressure-bonded state. Smooth transfer is realized by switching to the released state.

  The drying unit Dr heats the photographic paper P delivered from the developing unit De to the discharge unit 11 with a plurality of pressure-type conveyance rollers 15 and the photographic paper P conveyed by the conveyance rollers 15 with a heater. And a blower 16 for supplying the dried air.

[Development part]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developing unit De has one color development processing tank 31 that stores a color development processing solution (CD) from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the photographic paper P. (An example of a color development processing unit), one bleach-fixing processing tank 32 (an example of a bleach-fixing processing unit) that stores a bleach-fixing processing solution (BF), and four stable processings that store a stable processing solution (STB) The development processing tank 30 formed with the tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D (an example of a stable processing unit) in this order is provided. The four stabilization processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D are collectively referred to as a stabilization processing tank 33.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a sub-tank 30S in which each processing solution circulates is provided at each side position of the color development processing tank 31, the bleach-fixing processing tank 32, and the four stable processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D. I have. Then, the processing liquid in the sub tank 30S other than the two stabilization processing tanks 33A, 33B on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P among the four stabilization processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D is circulated from the pump 35 in a tube shape. It is configured so as to be supplied to each processing tank via a path 36. Although the structure is not specifically shown in the drawing, the development processing tank 30 and the sub tank 30S communicate with each other so that the processing liquid can freely flow, and the liquid level L of each processing liquid is equal.

  The sub tank 30S is configured to perform management of the liquid level L of the processing liquid, supply of the processing liquid, and temperature management of the processing liquid. Moreover, about the four stabilization processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D, the liquid level of the stabilization processing tank 33D at the most downstream position in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P is the highest, and the liquid level is higher at the upstream stabilization processing tank. By the cascade connection in which L is set low, the stable processing liquid supplied to the sub tank 30S of the stabilization processing tank 33D at the most downstream position in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P is supplied to the sub tank on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P in each sub tank. The replenishment is performed in the form of sequential overflow.

  The four stabilization processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D are arranged in the conveying direction of the photographic paper P from the upstream side to the first stabilization processing tank 33A, the second stabilization processing tank 33B, the third stabilization processing tank 33C, and the fourth stabilization tank. This is referred to as a processing tank 33D. A transport mechanism shown in FIG. 5 is provided to transport the photographic paper P to the color development processing tank 31, the bleach-fixing processing tank 32, and the stabilization processing tank 33.

[Transport mechanism]
The transport mechanism includes an introduction rack 41 provided with a plurality of pressure rollers 40 for receiving the photographic paper P from the relay transport unit 26 of the exposure unit Ex, and the photographic paper P from the introduction rack 41 to the color development processing tank 31. A submerged rack 43 that forms a U-turn path by a plurality of pressure rollers 42 so that the color developing solution (CD) is fed from the liquid surface into the liquid surface and pulled up on the liquid surface after being processed in a dipped state. And a crossover rack 45 having a plurality of pressure rollers 44 so as to send the photographic paper P from the submerged rack 43 to the submerged rack 43 of the bleach-fixing processing tank 32.

  The transport mechanism also moves the submerged rack 43 of the bleach-fixing processing tank 32 and the photographic paper P from the submerged rack 43 outside the processing tank above the first and second stable processing tanks 33A and 33B. An outside tank processing rack 50 (an example and details of an outside tank processing unit will be described later) is provided that performs a stabilization process by supplying a stabilizing process liquid (STB) while being fed horizontally.

  Further, the submerged rack 43 of the third stable processing tank 33C into which the photographic paper P from the outside processing rack 50 is sent, the crossover rack 45 to which the photographic paper P from the submerged rack 43 is sent, and the crossover rack. The submerged rack 43 that feeds the photographic paper P from 45 to the fourth stabilization processing tank 33D, and the squeezed stabilizing liquid (STB) that adheres to the photographic paper P from the submerged rack 43. And a squeeze rack 47 provided with a plurality of pressure rollers 46 so as to be sent to the drying section Dr.

  The submerged rack 43 of the bleach-fixing processing tank 32 and the submerged racks 43 of the third and fourth stabilization processing tanks 33C and 33D have the same structure and the same functions as the submerged rack 43 of the color developing processing tank 31. The photographic printing paper P is fed into the liquid from the liquid level of the processing liquid, processed in a dipped state, and then processed by transporting it up on the liquid level. Among the submerged racks 43, the submerged racks 43 of the third and fourth stable treatment tanks 33C and 33D correspond to the immersion treatment unit of the present invention.

  Further, a crossover rack 45 disposed at an intermediate position between the third stabilization processing tank 33C and the fourth stabilization processing tank 33D is a crossover rack disposed between the color development processing tank 31 and the bleach-fixing processing tank 32. 45 has the same structure and the same function.

  The outside processing rack 50 (an example of the outside processing unit) includes a case 51 arranged in a form spanning the bleach-fixing processing tank 32 and the third stable processing tank 33C. And a pressure-introducing introduction roller 52 for receiving the photographic paper P delivered from the submerged rack 43 of the bleach-fixing processing tank 32, and a front of the pressure-sensitive die for feeding the photographic paper P from the introduction roller 52 to the first processing space S1. A conveyance roller 53, a pressure-bonding intermediate roller 54 for feeding the photographic paper P sent out from the first processing space S1 to the next second processing space S2, and a post-conveying roller for feeding out the photographic paper P from the second processing space S2. 55 and a discharge roller 56 for feeding the photographic paper P from the transport roller 55 to the submerged rack 43 of the third stabilization processing tank 33C.

[Outside treatment rack]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the first processing space S1 and the second processing space S2, an upper block 57 and a lower block 58 are arranged at positions sandwiching a conveyance path (horizontal path) of the photographic paper P. The lower surface side of the upper block 57 and the upper surface side of the lower block 58 are provided with brushes BR (an example of a cleaning material) in contact with the photographic paper P. The lower block 58 is formed in a tray shape having a concave space for storing the brush BR so as to store the stable processing liquid (STB). The upper block 57 and the lower block 58 are provided with the stable processing liquid (STB). Supply paths 57A and 58A for supplying the brush BR are formed, and ports 57B and 58B for supplying a stable treatment liquid (STB) from the outside to the supply paths 57A and 58A are formed.

  The first processing space S1 is disposed immediately above the first stable processing tank 33A, and the second processing space S2 is disposed directly above the second stable processing tank 33B. A stable treatment liquid (STB) stored in the sub tank 30S of the first stable treatment tank 33B with respect to the port 57B of the upper block 57 and the port 58B of the lower block 58 of the first treatment space S1 is supplied from the pump 35 to the supply pipe 37. Is supplied through. Further, a stable processing liquid (STB) stored in the sub tank 30S of the second stable processing tank 33B is supplied from the pump 35 to the port 57B of the upper block 57 and the port 58B of the lower block 58 of the second processing space S2. Supplied through the tube 37. Since the pump 35 has a structure for supplying the processing liquid to the bottom of the processing tank, the supply pipe 37 is connected to the bottom of the corresponding processing tank.

  In the embodiment, the brush BR is used as the cleaning material. However, sponges, nonwoven fabrics, and the like can be used instead. Further, although the pump 35 used for the circulation of the stable treatment liquid (STB) is used, a dedicated pump may be provided in the stabilization treatment tank.

  An upper blade 71 and a lower blade 72 for guiding the photographic paper P are provided at an intermediate position between the introduction roller 52 and the front conveyance roller 53, and similarly, at an intermediate position between the rear conveyance roller 55 and the discharge roller 56. Is provided with an upper blade 73 and a lower blade 74 for guiding the photographic paper P.

  Further, since the photosensitive surface (emulsion surface) of the photographic paper P is conveyed downward in the outside processing rack 50, the brush BR of the lower block 58 comes into contact with the photosensitive surface. The stabilization processing liquid (STB) supplied from the port 57B of the upper block 57 flows between the brushes BR of the upper block 57 and is supplied to the photographic paper P, and thereafter flows down to the stabilization processing tank 33 immediately below by its own weight. Collected. Further, the stable processing liquid (STB) supplied from the port 58B of the lower block 58 is stored in a concave portion formed in the lower block 58, and is guided to the photosensitive surface side of the photographic paper P by capillary action of the brush BR. After that, it is recovered in a form that flows down from the lower block 58 to the stabilization treatment tank 33 directly below the lower block 58 by its own weight.

[Drive system for transporting photographic paper]
In the developing unit De, the submerged rack 43, the introduction rack 41, the two crossover racks 45, the outside processing rack 50, and the squeeze rack 47 are detachably attached to each processing tank of the developing processing tank 30. When these are mounted on the developing tank 30, the corresponding gears are engaged so that the respective rollers can be driven.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, each development processing tank 30 is provided with a drive shaft 60 that is rotationally driven by the electric motor M <b> 60 in a posture parallel to the conveyance direction of the photographic printing paper P. The worm gear 60A is formed by setting the position to the side portion of each processing tank (the position where the submerged rack 43 is disposed).

  At the upper position of the submerged rack 43, a passive shaft 61 that transmits a driving force to a plurality of pressure rollers provided in the submerged rack 43 via a gear interlocking mechanism (not shown) or the like is provided. One end of the passive shaft 61 is provided with a wheel gear 61A that meshes with the worm gear 60A. Further, an intermediate gear 62 that rotates integrally with the passive shaft 61 and one or two idle gears 63 that mesh with the intermediate gear 62 are provided at the upper positions of the respective submerged racks 43. From such a structure, by mounting each submerged rack 43 in the corresponding processing tank, the wheel gear 61A of the submerged rack 43 is engaged with the worm gear 60A of the drive shaft 60, and each pressure roller of the submerged rack 43 is engaged. 42 can be driven, and the idle gear 63 can be rotated in conjunction with this drive.

  The introduction rack 41 is provided with an input gear 64 that meshes with the idle gear 63 of the submerged rack 43 of the developing tank 30, and a gear type that transmits the driving force transmitted to the input gear 64 to the pressure roller 40. An interlocking mechanism 65 is provided. The crossover rack 45 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photographic paper P is provided with an input gear 64 that meshes with the idle gear 63 of the submerged rack 43 of the color development processing tank 31, and the drive transmitted to the input gear 64 is provided. A gear-type interlocking mechanism 65 that transmits force to the pressure roller 44 is provided.

  From such a structure, by mounting the introduction rack 41 and the upstream crossover rack 45 at appropriate positions, the respective input gears 64 are engaged with the corresponding idle gears 63, and the pressure roller 40 of the introduction rack 41. Further, the pressure roller 44 of the cross over rack 45 is driven and rotated.

  An input gear 64 that meshes with the idle gear 63 of the submerged rack 43 of the bleach-fixing processing tank 32 is provided at the front position of the out-of-tank processing rack 50. An input gear 64 that meshes with the idle gear 63 of the submerged rack 43 of the treatment tank 33C is provided.

  The driving force transmitted to the input gear 64 at the front position is transmitted to the introduction roller 52 and the front conveying roller 53 through a gear-type interlocking mechanism 65. The driving force transmitted to the input gear 64 at the rear position is transmitted to the rear conveying roller 55 and the discharge roller 56 via a gear-type interlocking mechanism 65. Further, the intermediate roller 54 of the outside processing rack 50 is transmitted from a gear interlocking mechanism 65 that drives the discharge roller 56 via a gear-type transmission mechanism 66. A transmission mechanism 66 that transmits the driving force from the introduction roller 52 to the intermediate roller 54 may be provided.

  Due to such a structure, by installing the outside processing rack 50 at an appropriate position, the input gear 64 at the front portion is engaged with the idle gear 63 of the bleach-fixing processing tank 32, so that the introduction roller 52 and the front conveyance are engaged. The roller 53 is driven to rotate, and the input gear 64 at the rear position is engaged with the idle gear 63 of the third stabilization processing tank 33C to drive the rear conveying roller 55, the discharge roller 56, and the intermediate roller 54. Rotate.

  The transport system (submerged rack 43) that operates by the driving force transmitted from the bleach-fixing processing tank 32 corresponds to the front transport mechanism of the present invention, and is operated by the driving force transmitted from the third stable processing tank 33C. The transport system (the submerged rack 43) corresponds to the rear transport mechanism of the present invention.

  In particular, the outside-treatment rack 50 of the present invention does not necessarily need to be positioned above the first and second stabilization tanks 33A and 33B, and may be positioned above the second and third stabilization tanks 33B and 33C. The third and fourth stabilization baths 33C and 33D may be positioned above. In this case, the conveyance mechanism located immediately before the outside processing rack 50 in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P becomes the front conveyance mechanism of the present invention, and the conveyance mechanism located immediately after the outside processing rack 50 is the rear conveyance mechanism of the present invention. It becomes.

  The crossover rack 45 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the photographic paper P is provided with an input gear 64 that meshes with the idle gear 63 of the submerged rack 43 of the third stabilization processing tank 33C. The squeeze rack 47 includes an input gear 64 that meshes with the idle gear 63 of the fourth stabilization tank 33D. In addition, a gear-type interlocking mechanism 65 that transmits the driving force transmitted to the input gear 64 of the crossover rack 45 to the pressure roller 44 is provided, and the driving force transmitted to the input gear 64 of the squeeze rack 47 is applied to the pressure roller 46. A gear-type interlocking mechanism 65 for transmission is provided.

  With such a structure, the downstream crossover rack 45 and the squeeze rack 47 are mounted at appropriate positions so that each input gear 64 is engaged with the corresponding idle gear 63 and the downstream crossover rack 45 is engaged. The pressure roller 44 of the squeeze rack 47 is driven and rotated.

  As can be understood from the drawings, the basic structure of the developing unit De of this photographic printing apparatus is not different from the conventional one, and any two processing tanks of the four stable processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D. Without the submerged rack 43 and the crossover rack 45 for feeding the photographic paper P to the above, the outside processing rack 50 is provided above the processing tank without the submerged rack 43 and the crossover rack 45, and the stable processing liquid. The processing time can be shortened by changing the degree of provision of the supply pipe 37 so that the stable processing liquid from the pump 35 for circulating (STB) is supplied to the processing spaces S1 and S2 of the outside processing rack 50. Therefore, it is possible to avoid changing the structure of the conventional print block B.

  As described above, the development processing apparatus of the photographic printing apparatus includes one color development processing tank 31 (an example of a color development processing unit) that stores a color development processing solution (CD), and bleaching, as in the case of conventional development processing apparatuses. One bleach-fixing processing tank 32 (an example of a bleach-fixing processing unit) that stores a fixing processing liquid (BF) and four stable processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D that store a stable processing liquid (STB) are provided. Is. However, the processing mode in which the photographic paper P is immersed in the first and second stable processing tanks 33A and 33B located upstream in the conveying direction of the photographic paper P among the four stable processing tanks 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D. Instead, the photographic paper P is linearly fed in the processing rack 50 outside the tank, and the brush BR is brought into contact with the photographic paper P, and a positive processing is performed by supplying a stable processing liquid (STB). The processing time can be shortened.

  Further, in this out-of-vessel processing rack 50, the brush BR is brought into contact with the photosensitive surface of the photographic paper P in a form in which a stable processing liquid is continuously supplied, so that insufficient processing is not caused. In the fourth stable treatment tanks 33C and 33D, sufficient processing is realized by performing processing in a form in which the photographic paper P is immersed.

  In particular, the outside processing rack 50 is provided with an introduction roller 52, a front conveyance roller 53, an intermediate roller 54, a rear conveyance roller 55, and a discharge roller 56 so as to convey the photographic paper P by pressure. However, for example, when the photographic paper P is clogged in the conveying system of the bleach-fixing processing tank 32 and the rotation of the transmission system for transmitting the driving force to the bleach-fixing processing tank 32 is stopped, the introduction roller 52 and the pre-conveying are performed. Although the roller 53 is stopped, the intermediate roller 54, the rear conveying roller 55, and the discharge roller 56 are continuously driven by the driving force from the third stabilization processing tank 33, so that the printing inside the outside processing rack 50 is performed. The paper P can be reliably discharged.

Perspective view of photo printing device Print block vertical front view Sectional view showing the structure of the outside treatment rack Side view showing the positional relationship between the immersion treatment unit and the outside treatment unit A diagram schematically showing a drive system for conveying photographic paper in a development processing tank.

Explanation of symbols

31 Color development processing section (color development processing tank)
32 Bleaching and fixing section (bleaching and fixing tank)
33 Stabilizing section (stabilizing tank)
35 Pump 43 Immersion processing unit (liquid rack)
50 Outer processing unit (outer processing rack)
52 Introduction roller 56 Discharge roller 57A Supply path 58A Supply path 61 Gear (passive gear)
65 Input gear (input side input gear)
66 Input gear (discharge side input gear)
BR cleaning material (brush)
P Photosensitive material (photographic paper)
S1, S2 processing space

Claims (5)

A development processing apparatus that transports exposed photosensitive material to a color development processing unit, a bleach-fixing processing unit, and a stabilization processing unit in this order, and performs development processing,
An immersion processing unit provided with a U-turn path for the stabilization processing unit to immerse the photosensitive material in the solution from the surface of the stabilization processing solution stored in the processing tank and then lift it onto the liquid surface; And a processing unit outside the tank having a horizontal path for transporting the photosensitive material to a processing space to which a stable processing solution is supplied,
This outside tank processing unit includes a pressure-type introduction roller for introducing the photosensitive material into the horizontal path, and a pressure-type discharge roller for discharging the photosensitive material from the horizontal path,
The introduction roller is driven by power from a front conveyance mechanism that conveys the photosensitive material on the upstream side of the horizontal path, and the discharge roller is a rear conveyance mechanism that conveys the photosensitive material on the downstream side of the horizontal path. Development processing device driven by power from   By using the immersion processing unit disposed upstream of the horizontal path as the front transport mechanism, power is transmitted from the immersion processing unit to the introduction roller, and downstream of the horizontal path. The development processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power is transmitted from the immersion processing unit to the discharge roller by using the arranged immersion processing unit as the rear conveyance mechanism.   2. The outside processing unit has an input gear interlocked with the introduction roller engaged with a gear of the front transport mechanism, and an input gear interlocked with the discharge roller is engaged with a gear of the rear transport mechanism. Alternatively, the development processing apparatus according to 2.   The stabilization processing unit stores the stabilization processing liquid in a plurality of the processing tanks, and the processing unit outside the tank is disposed above any one of the stabilization processing tanks and is positioned directly below the processing unit outside the tank. The development according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a stable processing liquid in a processing tank is supplied to the processing space by a pump, and the stable processing liquid supplied to the processing space is collected in a processing tank located immediately below. Processing equipment. The out-of-tank processing unit includes a cleaning material that contacts the photosensitive surface side of the photosensitive material conveyed to the processing space and promotes cleaning, and a supply path that supplies the stable processing liquid to a portion of the cleaning material. The development processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images