JP2634287B2 - Replenisher replenisher for photosensitive material processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus for replenishing a plurality of replenisher stocks to a processing solution in a processing tank.

[Related Art] For example, in a photosensitive material processing apparatus such as an automatic developing machine for processing a photosensitive material such as an X-ray film, a processing solution (a developing solution, a fixing solution, etc.) in each processing tank such as a developing tank and a fixing tank. In the case of (2), as the amount of processing of the photosensitive material increases, so-called processing deterioration in which the activity deteriorates and so-called deterioration with time or so-called deterioration with time due to oxidation by oxygen in the air occurs. Therefore, the replenisher is replenished into the processing tank by the replenisher.

In the replenisher replenishment method for supplying the replenisher into the processing tank, a plurality of replenisher stock solutions and water are mixed in advance and stored in the replenisher tank as a replenisher, and the replenisher is disposed in the middle of the piping route. There is a method in which a bellows pump is used to feed the pressure into the processing tank. In addition, a plurality of replenisher stock solutions and water are supplied directly to the treatment tank and mixed with the treatment solution in the treatment tank, or a replenishment necessary amount is provided immediately before the plurality of replenisher stock solutions and water are supplied to the treatment tank. There is a method of mixing only and supplying the mixture into the processing tank. The latter method has the advantage of replenishing the processing tank with a replenisher that does not deteriorate over time, as compared with the former method.

In this latter method, there is a method of loading the replenisher stock tank into a saucer with the discharge port facing downward, that is, a so-called chicken hopper type.When the replenisher stock in the tray decreases, the atmospheric pressure and the replenishment in the replenisher stock tank are reduced. When the balance with the weight of the stock solution is lost, the stock solution is automatically supplied from the stock tank to the tray, and the level of the stock solution in the tray is always constant.

On the other hand, the replenisher stock tanks containing these replenisher stocks are formed in an integrated continuous cartridge.
This integrated cartridge is loaded into the replenisher replenisher. In loading the cartridge, the discharge port is set downward into the tray. At this time, a projection erected from the bottom wall in the chicken hopper type tray breaks through the lid covering the mouth of the cartridge, and the replenisher stock solution stored in the cartridge flows out into the tray, and the replenisher stock solution enters the tray. Is supplied.

In the above-mentioned conventional replenisher replenishing apparatus, if a plurality of replenisher stocks contained in the replenisher stock tank are supplied to the respective processing tanks in equal amounts, the respective replenisher stock tanks are simultaneously emptied. The discharge rate of a pump such as a bellows pump provided for each replenisher stock tank is adjusted, but the supply rate of the replenisher stock solution may slightly differ due to reasons such as a decrease in the performance of the bellows pump. The replenisher tank may not be empty. For example, when the replenishing stock tanks for the replenishing stock solutions A, B, and C of the developing replenisher are integrated, the A stock in one replenishing stock tank of the cartridge is used up, and the B and C stocks are replenished. If the cartridge is removed from the pan to replace the cartridge with a new one while remaining inside the cartridge, the B and C agents will flow from the replenisher stock tank during replacement because the discharge port remains open downward. It was difficult to replace the cartridge. In addition, forcible replacement may stain the periphery of the apparatus.

For this reason, the present applicant has proposed a replenisher replenishing method which solves the above problem (see Japanese Patent Application No. 1-173800). In this replenisher replenishing method, when there is no replenisher in at least one replenisher tank, the replenisher in another replenisher tank is discharged. Therefore, it is possible to replace the cartridge in a state where there is no replenisher in all replenisher tanks.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the replenisher replenishing apparatus to which the above replenisher replenishing method is applied, since the cartridge is housed in the body of the replenisher replenisher, the user of the replenisher replenisher is required. It was difficult to visually confirm the liquid amount in each replenisher stock tank of the cartridge. For this reason, it was not possible to easily know the time of replenishment of the replenisher stock solution, that is, the time of replacement of the cartridge. Therefore, the time may elapse between the time when the user replaces the cartridge and the time when the user replaces the cartridge after the replenisher solution in the replenisher solution tank runs out, and the replenisher may not be able to be replenished to the processing tank of the replenisher replenisher. . In order to solve this, for example, when the capacity of a container such as a stock tank for temporarily storing the replenishing current solution in the receiving pan when supplying the receiving pan or the replenishing stock solution is increased to increase the storage amount of the replenishing stock solution in the receiving pan Was disadvantageous in terms of space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a user can easily know when to replace a cartridge.

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, a replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of replenisher stock tanks integrally formed and a plurality of replenisher stocks replenished respectively. When the cartridge accommodated in the undiluted solution tank is loaded with the replenished undiluted solution supply port facing downward, the plug of the replenished undiluted solution supply opening is opened, and a plurality of replenished undiluted solutions in each replenishment undiluted solution are processed by the photosensitive material processing apparatus. A replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus for replenishing into a tank, wherein a plurality of containers to which respective replenisher solutions are supplied from the replenisher solution tank via the replenisher solution supply port; and Liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the replenisher stock solution, and at least one of the replenisher stock solution levels in the plurality of containers is below a predetermined value. When the liquid level detecting means detects that the liquid level of the replenished undiluted solution in all the containers has become equal to or less than the predetermined value, the other replenished undiluted solution is forcibly discharged from the replenished undiluted solution tank when is detected. Control means for activating instruction means for prompting replacement of a cartridge, and replenishing means for replenishing the processing tank with replenishing stock solutions in the plurality of containers, respectively, according to a processing amount of the photosensitive material by the photosensitive material processing apparatus. It is characterized by having.

Further, it is preferable that the control means activates a warning means for issuing a warning for replacing the cartridge when the predetermined amount of the photosensitive material has been further processed after the operation of the instruction means.

[Operation] In the present invention, since the cartridge is loaded with the replenishing stock solution supply port facing downward, while the replenishing stock solution remains in the replenishing stock solution tank of the cartridge, the replenishing means operates to replenish the stock solution from the container to the processing tank. Even when replenishment is performed, the level of the replenisher stock in the container does not decrease due to the supply of the replenisher from the replenisher tank, and when the replenisher tank becomes empty, the replenisher replenishes the replenisher with the replenisher. The liquid level of the replenishing stock solution in the inside decreases.

For this reason, in the present invention, when the liquid level detecting means detects that at least one of the liquid levels of the replenisher stock in the plurality of containers has fallen below a predetermined value, another replenisher is forcibly sent from the replenisher stock tank. After the liquid level detecting means detects that the liquid levels of the stock replenishers in all the containers have become equal to or less than the predetermined value, the instruction means for prompting the exchange of the cartridge is operated. Thus, when at least one of the plurality of replenisher stock tanks becomes empty, the replenisher is forcibly discharged from the other replenisher stock tanks, and after all the replenisher stock tanks become empty, the indicating means is activated. To replace the cartridge.
The user can easily know the appropriate time to replace the cartridge.

Further, since all the replenisher stock tanks are empty when the indicating means is operated as described above, the periphery of the apparatus is not stained with the replenisher stock when replacing the cartridge.

Further, if the warning means for warning the replacement of the cartridge when the predetermined amount of the photosensitive material is further processed after the operation of the instruction means is operated, the cartridge replacement time can be provided to the user. The notification can be made surely, and the user can surely know when to replace the cartridge. Further, by setting the predetermined processing amount to a processing amount corresponding to the determination as to whether or not the processing can be performed, the user can easily know a preferable replacement period of the cartridge.

Hereinafter, an automatic developing apparatus 10 to which a replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is attached will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic developing apparatus 10 has a processing unit 11 and a drying unit 20 provided in a machine frame 12. The processing unit 11 includes a developing tank 14, a fixing tank 16, and a washing tank 18 partitioned by a partition 13 along the transport direction of the film F.

In the vicinity of the insertion port 15 of the film F of the automatic developing device 10,
Insert rack 17 for drawing film F into automatic developing apparatus 10
Is arranged.

In the vicinity of the insertion slot 15, an insertion detection sensor 94 for detecting the film F to be inserted is provided. In addition, an insertion table for inserting the film F by hand, an auto feeder for automatically inserting the film F by a conveying means, or the like can be attached to the insertion opening 15 of the automatic developing machine 10.

The developing tank 14 contains a developing solution, and a transport rack 24 having a transport roller 22 for transporting the film F driven by a motor (not shown) is immersed in the developing solution. The fixing tank 16 contains a fixing solution, and has a transport rack 26 which is transported by a motor (not shown) and transports the film F.
28 is immersed in the fixer and disposed. Wash tank 18
A washing rack is accommodated therein, and a transport rack 32 having a transport roller 30 for transporting the film F driven by a motor (not shown) is provided soaked in the washing water.

A heat exchanger 19 is disposed below the developing tank 14 and below the fixing tank 16, respectively. The developing solution in the developing tank 14 and the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16 are sent to the heat exchanger 19, respectively. After the heat exchange is performed there, the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16
Sent back to As a result, the temperature of the developing solution in the developing tank 14 and the temperature of the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16 are maintained within a predetermined range.

Between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 and between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18, a crossover rack 34 is disposed above them. This crossover rack 34 is a film F
A transport roller 36 for transporting the film F from the upstream tank to the downstream tank in the transport direction, and a guide 38 for guiding the film F are provided.

Accordingly, the film F sent from the insertion opening 15 into the automatic developing device 10 is inserted into the developing tank 14 from the insertion rack 17 and is conveyed in the developing solution by the conveying roller 22 to be developed. The developed film F is sent from the crossover rack 34 into the fixing tank 16, and is conveyed in the fixing solution by the conveying rollers 26 to be subjected to the fixing process. The film F that has been subjected to the fixing process is transferred from the crossover rack 34 to the washing tank 18.
And is conveyed through the washing water by the conveying rollers 30 to be washed. Thus, the film F is processed.

One end of a drain pipe (not shown) is attached to the bottom of each of the developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16, and the washing tank 18, and a drain valve 21 is connected to the other end of the drain pipe. ing.
Therefore, by opening these drain valves 21 as necessary, the developer contained in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 are removed.
The fixing solution contained therein and the washing water contained in the washing tank 18 can be discharged.

In addition, a squeeze rack is provided between the washing tank 18 and the drying section 20.
Forty are arranged. This squeeze rack 40
It has a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 42 for squeezing the film F sent from 18 to which the washing water is attached to the drying unit 20 while squeezing, and a guide 43 for guiding the film F.

The drying unit 20 includes a transport roller 44 that transports the film F,
A drying fan 45 for feeding the drying air, a chamber 46 having a built-in heater for heating the drying air, and a spray pipe 47 for jetting the heated drying air to the film F and the transport roller 44 are provided. I have. Further, a drying turn section 48 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 44 in the transport path of the film F, and the film F is transported obliquely upward by the drying turn section 48.

The automatic developing device 10 includes a film receiving box 49 for storing the film F sent from the drying turn section 48.
It is provided in a state protruding from the outer wall of the ten.

Accordingly, the film F squeezed by the squeeze rack 40 is dried by being blown by the drying air blown out from the spray pipe 47 while being conveyed to the conveying roller 44 heated by the drying air. Thereafter, the film F is transported while being turned in the drying pattern section 48, sent to the film receiving box 49, and stored therein.

Next, the replenisher replenisher 25 for the photosensitive material processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The replenisher replenisher for photosensitive material processing apparatus 25 supplies a replenisher for development into the developing tank 14 and a replenisher for fixing into the fixing tank 16. In this embodiment, the developing replenisher to be supplied into the developing tank 14 is formed by mixing three kinds of the replenishing original liquid and water, and the fixing replenishing liquid to be supplied into the fixing tank 16 is one kind of the replenishing original liquid. And water are mixed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developer replenishing stock solution is previously filled in a cartridge 100 and sealed. The interior of the cartridge 100 is divided into three rooms by partition walls. Each of the chambers is a replenisher stock tank for storing a replenisher stock, and the first chamber 102 is filled with a development replenisher stock A,
The chamber 104 is filled with a stock solution B for development replenishment, and the third chamber 106 is filled with a stock solution C for development replenishment. Cartridge 10
At 0, inlets 108, 110 and 112 are provided corresponding to the first chamber 102, the second chamber 104 and the third chamber 106. These inlets 108, 110 and 112 are cylindrical and extend in the same direction and have the same height. Inlet 108, 110 and
Each opening end of the 112 is covered with a packing 114, and the packing 114 is pressed by a cap 116 screwed to each of the inlets 108, 110 and 112 to close each opening of the inlets 108, 110 and 112. doing.

Note that a handle 118 for handling the cartridge 100 is provided on the side of the injection port 108, 110 and 112 of the cartridge 100 and on the opposite side.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the fixing replenishing stock solution is previously filled and sealed in a cartridge 120 as a replenishing stock solution tank. The cartridge 120 is provided with a cylindrical inlet 122. A packing 124 is placed over the opening end of the injection port 122, and the packing 124 is pressed by a cap 126 screwed to the injection port 122, and
The opening is closed.

This cartridge 120 is also provided with a handle 128 for handling the cartridge 120 on the inlet 122 side and on the opposite side.

The replenisher replenisher 25 for the photosensitive material processing apparatus accommodates these cartridges 100 and 120, and
There is provided a liquid supply section 130 for supplying the stock solution for developing replenishment and the stock solution for fixing solution in 100 and 120 to a stock tank 50 described later.

The liquid supply unit 130 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The liquid supply section 130 is provided on the width direction side of the film F to be conveyed, that is, on the side of the machine frame 12 of the automatic developing apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, it is on the near side of FIG.
The liquid supply unit 130 includes an outer plate 132 that constitutes a part of a side outer wall of the automatic developing device 10, and a cartridge receiver 134 fixed to the inner surface of the automatic developing device 10 of the outer plate 132. I have. The cartridge receiver 134 has a box shape with an open top, and is sized to accommodate the cartridges 100 and 120.

At the bottom of the cartridge receiver 134, perforations 135 are provided corresponding to the inlets 108, 110, 112 and 122 of the cartridges 100 and 120 to be accommodated (see FIG. 6; these perforations 135). Have substantially the same shape, therefore, the perforated portion 135 corresponding to the first chamber 102 of the cartridge 100 filled with the undiluted solution A for development will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 6, an inverted-hat-shaped liquid receiving tray 136 is arranged in the perforated portion 135. The liquid tray 136 is
It is fixed by screws 140 to a mounting bracket 138 fixed to the side wall of the cartridge receiver 134 via the flange portion 136A. At the center of the bottom 136B of the liquid receiving tray 136, a projection 142 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6A, the projecting portion 142 is formed by combining four plate members 142A so as to be substantially cross-shaped in plan view. The plate 142A has a divergent shape from the upper portion to the lower end portion, and the upper end surface is formed in an arc shape so as to be continuous with the side end surface. Note that the projection 142 may be formed by processing a single member to have the same shape as described above, or the projection 142 may be fixed to the bottom 136B or may be placed thereon.

In addition, beside the protrusion 142 of the bottom 136B of the liquid receiving tray 136,
A connection pipe 136D whose inner peripheral portion is a flow path 136C and extends downward through the bottom wall of the cartridge receiver 134 is provided.
One end of a flexible pipe 144 is externally fitted to the connection pipe 136D, and the other end is connected to a stock tank 50 described later. Therefore, the cartridge 100 inserted into the cartridge receiver 134 is filled with the injection port 10 corresponding to the first chamber 102.
The packing replenisher A is pushed up into the cartridge 100 by the packing 114 or the projection 142 of FIG.
And a stock tank 50 described later through a pipe 144. In the present embodiment, the packing 114 is pushed into the injection port 108 through the projection 142, but the present invention can also be applied to a type in which the packing 114 is penetrated by the drilling blade.

In addition, the liquid receiving tray 136 can be
The stock replenisher solution A may flow out, but the cartridge receiver 134 is provided at a position substantially at the same level as the stock tank 50 so that the replenisher solution A in the liquid receiving tray 136 stops at a predetermined water surface position.

As described above, since the perforated portions 135 are provided corresponding to the injection ports 108, 110, 112, and 122 of the cartridges 100 and 120, the development of the cartridges 100 and 120 inserted into the cartridge receiver 134 is performed. The stock solutions A, B, and C and the stock solution for fixing are respectively stored in stock tanks 50 described later.
Supplied to

The liquid supply unit 130 configured as described above is swingably supported at the lower end of the outer plate 132. That is, as shown in FIG.
Are provided to protrude downward. As shown in FIG. 8, each of these legs 148 is made of a plate material bent in a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and its opposing walls extend upward from the lower end to portions opposing each other. U-shaped groove 148A
Are formed.

On the other hand, the image of the main body of the automatic developing device 10 has a bottom plate 10A.
And a receiving portion 150 that accommodates the lower portion of the leg portion 148 is attached. As shown in FIG. 8, the receiving portion 150
It has a substantially U-shaped cross section opened upward, and a through-hole 150A is formed in the opposing wall at a position facing each other.
Therefore, the shaft member 152 is inserted into the through hole 150A,
By inserting an E-ring 154 near the outside of these through-holes 150A when inserted through A, and by installing the liquid supply unit 130 so that the shaft member 152 enters the U-shaped groove 148A of the leg 148. The liquid supply unit 130 is in a swingable state. It should be noted that a long bolt may be inserted into the through hole 150A, a nut may be screwed into a tip of the long bolt, and the liquid supply unit 130 may be provided so that the long bolt enters the U-shaped groove 148A of the leg 148. Good.

The automatic developing device 10 engages with a locking projection (not shown) provided inside the outer plate 132 of the liquid supply unit 130 above the liquid supply unit 130 when the liquid supply unit 130 is in a closed state. Is provided in this state. The locking member 158 is released from engagement with the locking projection by being rotated by a predetermined angle. In addition, the cartridge receiver 1 of the liquid supply unit 130
34 and the inside of the automatic developing apparatus 10 are connected by a gas tamper (not shown). The gas damper is configured to smoothly swing from the closed state of the liquid supply unit 130, that is, the stored state of the cartridges 100, 120, to the open state, that is, the state in which the cartridges 100, 120 can be taken in and out,
The swing of the liquid supply unit 130 is limited to a predetermined angle.

In this embodiment, when the liquid supply unit 130 is swung by 15 ° from the closed state, the swing is stopped by the gas damper (see FIG. 7).

In addition, below the liquid supply unit 130 of the automatic developing device 10,
As shown in the figure, a cover 156 that covers the leg 148 and the receiving part 150 and improves the appearance quality of the automatic developing apparatus 10 is attached.

Further, the automatic developing device 10 has a removable portion (not shown) that covers a portion corresponding to the liquid supply portion 130 on the opposite side to the side where the above-described liquid supply portion 130 is disposed and a portion covered by the cover 156. Cover is attached. Inside the cover, the above-mentioned receiving portion 1 is attached to the bottom plate 10A of the automatic developing device 10.
The same not-shown receiving part as 50 is provided. Therefore,
The liquid supply unit 130 is configured such that the long bolt 152, the nut 154, and a gas spring (not shown) are removed, and the liquid supply unit 130 can be replaced from the above-described side of the automatic developing apparatus 10 to a later-described side.

A stock tank 50 is provided on the bottom plate 10A of the automatic developing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stock tank 50 is
The partition is divided into four tanks. The first tank 50A, the second tank 50B, the third tank 50C, and the fourth tank 50D in the stock tank 50 are respectively a first chamber 102, a second chamber 104, and a second chamber 104 of the cartridge 100.
It corresponds to the third room 106 and the cartridge 120. Accordingly, the first tank 50A stores the developing replenisher A filled in the first chamber 102, the second tank 50B stores the developing replenisher B filled in the second chamber 104, The tank 50C stores the stock solution C for development replenishment filled in the second chamber 104, and the fourth tank 50D stores the stock solution for replenishment fixing filled in the cartridge 120.

On the other hand, in the automatic developing apparatus 10, a tap water supply tank 54 is provided in the back of the squeeze rack 40 in FIG. 1 for supplying tap water and storing the tap water (see FIG. 2).

In the automatic developing apparatus 10, a first mixing tank 58 and a fixing tank 16 for preparing a developing replenisher to be supplied to the developing tank 14 are prepared.
Mixing tank 60 for preparing a fixing replenisher to be supplied to
Is arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first tank 50A, the second tank 50B, and the third tank 50C are connected to one ends of pipes 62A, 62B, and 62C, respectively, and the pipes 62A, 62B and The other end of 62C is 1st
To the mixing tank 58. Bellows pumps 64A, 64B and 64C are provided in the middle of these pipes 62A, 62B and 62C, respectively. The water supply tank 54 has a pipe 66
One end of A is connected to the other end, and the other end of the pipe 66A is connected to the first mixing tank 58. A bellows pump 68A is provided at an intermediate portion of the pipe 66A. Therefore, when the bellows pumps 64A, 64B, and 64C and the bellows pump 68A are operated, the developing replenisher A in the first tank 50A, the developing replenisher B in the second tank 50B, and the developing replenisher B in the third tank 50C. The development replenisher C and the tap water in the water supply tank 54 are connected to the pipes 62A, 62B, 62C and 66A, respectively.
To the first mixing tank 58. In the mixing tank 58, the replenishing stock solutions A, B and C are mixed and diluted with tap water to form a developing replenisher to be supplied to the developing tank.

One end of a pipe 62D is connected to the fourth tank 50D, and the other end of the pipe 62D is connected to the second mixing tank 60. A bellows pump 64D is disposed at an intermediate portion of the conduit 62D. One end of a pipe 66B is connected to the water supply tank 54, and the other end of the pipe 66B is connected to the second mixing tank 60. A bellows pump 68B is provided in an intermediate portion of the pipe 66B. Therefore, when the bellows pumps 64D and 68B are operated, the fixing replenisher stock solution and the water supply tank 5 in the fourth tank 50D.
The tap water of No. 4 is supplied to the second mixing tank 60 via the pipes 62D and 66B. In the mixing tank 60, the stock fixing replenisher is diluted with tap water to form a fixing replenisher to be supplied to the fixing tank 16.

Note that a pipeline 71 for circulating the developing solution is
Are connected to each other, and a circulation pump 72 is provided at an intermediate portion of the pipeline 71.

Here, one end of a pipe 70 is connected to the first mixing tank 58, and the other end is connected to the pipe 70 on the upstream side of the circulation pump 72. Accordingly, by the operation of the circulation pump 72, the developing replenisher formed in the first mixing tank 58 is supplied to the pipeline.
While being mixed with the developer circulating in the pipe 71 through the pipe 70, the developer is supplied into the developing tank 14 to replenish the developing replenisher.

Both ends of a conduit 75 for circulating the fixing solution are communicated with the fixing tank 16, and a circulation pump 76 is provided at an intermediate portion of the conduit 75. One end of a pipe 74 is connected to the second mixing tank 60, and the other end is connected to the pipe 75 on the upstream side of the circulation pump 76. Therefore, by the operation of the circulation pump 76, the fixing replenisher formed in the second mixing tank 60 is
While being mixed with the fixing solution circulating in the pipe 75 through the pipe 74, the fixing replenisher is supplied into the fixing tank 16 and replenished.

The water tank 54 and the washing tank 18 are communicated with each other by a pipe (not shown), and the water tank 54 and the washing tank 18 are installed so that the water levels of the water tank 54 and the washing tank 18 are at the same level. Wash tank 18
The replenishment of the water into the opening 15 of the film F of the automatic processor 10
The operation is performed by opening and closing a solenoid valve 92 provided in the middle of a pipe 90 provided in the water supply tank 54 from the water tap in response to the detection of the film F by the insertion detection sensor 94 provided in the vicinity.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic developing apparatus 10 includes a cleaning pump 78 for cleaning the crossover rack 34 described above. The cleaning pump 78 cleans each crossover rack 34 by squirting tap water from a water supply tank 54 through a spray pipe (not shown) arranged on the upper end surface of the partition wall 13. The washing water for the crossover 34 is mixed with an antibacterial agent for preventing clogging of the washing water discharge port of the spray pipe (not shown) by algae. The cleaning of the crossover rack 34 is performed, for example, at the end of one day of operation of the automatic developing apparatus 10.

In addition, as shown in FIG.
Liquid level sensors 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D are provided on the upper portions of the side walls in 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D, respectively. These liquid level sensors 52 are connected to the control device 80 as shown in FIG.
, And detects the liquid level of the replenisher stock in each tank, and outputs the detection result to the control device 80. Control device 80 is CPU 80A, ROM 80B, RAM 80C, input port
An 80D and an output port 80E are connected to each other via a bus 80F. When the liquid level detected by the liquid level sensor 52 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the controller 80 determines that the stock solution for development replenishment in the cartridge 100 or the stock solution for fixing replenishment in the cartridge 120 has been consumed and emptied. Each tank 50A to 5
Each of the bellows pumps 64A, 64B, 64C and 64D disposed in the middle of the pipes 62A to 62D communicating with 0D is connected to the output port 80E of the control device 80, and its operation is performed by the control device 80. Is controlled.

The water tank 54 is provided with a liquid level sensor 56. The liquid level sensor 56 is also connected to the input port 80D of the control device 80 as shown in FIG.
Detects the level of tap water in the building and controls the detection result
Output to 80. When the liquid level detected by liquid level sensor 56 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, control device 80 determines that it is time to supply tap water. In addition, bellows pumps 68A and 68B disposed in the middle of pipes 66A and 66B each having one end communicating with the water supply tank 54 are connected to output ports of the control device 80, respectively.
Connected to the mixing tanks 58 and 6 by the control circuit 80.
The operation is controlled to supply a predetermined amount of tap water to zero.

In addition, as shown in FIG.
The insertion detection sensor 94 described above is connected to D. The controller 80 calculates the processing amount (processing area) of the film F based on the detection result of the insertion detection sensor 94, and
Activate 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D and 68A, 68B to replenish the developer and fixer with replenisher.

An exchange instruction lamp 82 and a liquid crystal display 84 are connected to the output port 80E of the control device 80. The exchange instruction lamp 82 has three types of display: lighting of green light, lighting of red light, and blinking of red light. The controller 80 turns on the green light when the replenisher is normally replenished, and informs the user of the cartridge 100
And light the red light when instructing the exchange of 120,
When the user is warned that the cartridges 100 and 120 need to be replaced, the replacement instruction lamp 82 flashes red light.
Control. Further, the controller 80 displays a message for the user on the liquid crystal display 84.

 Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The film F on which the image has been printed is inserted into the automatic developing machine 10 through the insertion opening 15, and the developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16, and the washing tank
After being processed by a developer, a fixer, and washing water, it is sent to a squeeze rack and squeezed. The squeezed film F is dried by the drying air heated in the drying unit 20 and the heated transport roller 44, and stored in the film receiving box 49 via the drying turn unit 48. As described above, the films F sequentially inserted into the automatic developing machine 10 are sequentially stored in the film receiving box 49 subjected to the development processing.

The processing gradually deteriorates the developer in the developing tank 14.
Therefore, a predetermined amount of the developing replenisher is replenished from the mixing tank 58 into the developing tank 14 periodically or in accordance with a predetermined film processing amount. This replenishment is performed while the developing replenisher in the mixing tank 58 is mixed with the developer in the developing tank 14 by the operation of the circulation pump 72. Accordingly, when the replenishing solution is replenished, the distribution of the components constituting the developing solution in the developing tank 14 does not become uneven, and the distribution of the components becomes uniform.

Further, the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16 gradually deteriorates due to the processing. Therefore, a predetermined amount of the fixing replenisher is replenished from the mixing tank 60 into the fixing tank 16 periodically or in accordance with a predetermined film processing amount. This replenishment is performed while the fixing replenisher in the mixing tank 60 is mixed with the fixing liquid in the fixing tank 16 by the operation of the circulation pump 76. Therefore, when replenishing the fixing replenisher,
There is no unevenness in the distribution of each component constituting the fixing solution in the fixing solution 16.

The replenisher stock is replenished to the mixing tanks 58 and 60 by the replenisher replenisher 25 for the photosensitive material processing apparatus. Hereinafter, replenishment of the replenisher stock solution by the replenisher replenisher 25 for the photosensitive material processing apparatus,
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The replenisher replenisher 25 for the photosensitive material processing apparatus monitors the amount of the developing replenisher in the mixing tank 58 and the amount of the fixing replenisher in the mixing tank 60, and executes the flow chart when the amount of each liquid decreases. Then, a predetermined amount of a replenisher stock solution set in advance is replenished.

When the cartridges 100 and 120 are inserted into the cartridge receiver of the liquid supply unit 130, and the respective injection ports 108, 110, 112 and 122 are respectively set in the perforated parts 135, the replenishing stock solution is supplied into the respective tanks of the stock tank 50. . The liquid level in each tank is detected by each liquid level sensor and output to the control device 80. At this time, the control device 80 causes the replacement instruction lamp 82 to emit green light, and causes the liquid crystal display 84 to display a message of “film shrinkage”.

Bellows pumps 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D in step 200
Activate As a result, the developing replenisher stock solutions A, B, and C are supplied from the tanks 50A, 50B, and 50C into the mixing tank 58, and the fixing replenisher stock solution is supplied from the tank 50D into the mixing tank 60.
When the amount of the replenisher in each of the tanks 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D decreases, the balance between the atmospheric pressure and the weight of the replenisher in each of the tanks is lost, and the replenisher in the cartridges 100 and 120 is replenished in each of the tanks. And the liquid level of the replenisher stock in each of the tanks 50A, 50B, 50C, 50 becomes constant again. This replenishment is repeatedly executed so that the stock solutions A, B, and C in the cartridge 100 are stored in the tank 5.
0A, 50B, and 50C are supplied, and the fixing replenisher stock in the cartridge 120 is supplied into the tank 50D.

In step 202, the liquid level sensors 52A, 52B, 52C, 52
It is determined whether or not any of the liquid levels detected by D has fallen below a predetermined value. If all the liquid levels are equal to or higher than the predetermined value, it is determined in step 204 whether or not the replenishment of the predetermined amount of the replenisher stock calculated in advance has been completed. If the predetermined amount of replenishment has not been completed, the determination in step 204 is denied, and until the predetermined amount of replenishment is completed, step 200
To 204 are repeated. When the replenishment of the predetermined amount of the replenisher is completed, the replenishment process is completed.

By the way, the bellows pump 64 operated at the time of refilling
A, 64B, 64C, and 64D may have different replenishing rates for sending the replenishing stock solution into the mixing tank 58 or the mixing tank 60 due to a decrease in performance over time or the like. Therefore, the first cartridge 100
The developer replenisher A in the chamber 102, the second chamber 104, and the third chamber 106,
Although the amounts of the replenisher stock solutions B and C and the amount of the replenisher stock solution in the cartridge 120 are set to be consumed simultaneously, the consumption amount of the replenisher stock solution may be different. Even though the one chamber 102 is empty, the stock solutions B and C and the stock solution for fixing may still remain in the cartridges 100 and 102. In this case, the liquid level detected by the liquid level sensor 52A becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the determination in step 202 is affirmed, and replenishment of the replenisher described below is performed.

In step 206, the bellows pump corresponding to the replenisher stock other than the replenisher for which the decrease in the liquid level is detected is operated. For example, when a decrease in the level of the development replenisher A is detected, the bellows pumps 52B, 52C, 52D corresponding to the development replenishers B and C and the fixing replenisher are operated. In step 208, all the liquid level sensors 52A, 52B, 52C, 52
It is determined whether the liquid level detected by D has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. If any of the liquid level is higher than a predetermined value, all the liquid level sensors 52A, 52B, 52
Steps 206 and 208 are repeated until the liquid level detected by C and 52D falls below a predetermined value. In this case, it is preferable that the replenisher is replenished so that the compositions of the developing replenisher in the mixing tank 58 and the fixing replenisher in the mixing tank 60 do not deviate from the allowable ranges. If the determination in step 208 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 210.

The state in which the liquid levels detected by all the liquid level sensors are equal to or lower than the predetermined value is caused by the cartridge 100, 1
No replenisher solution exists in 20. Therefore, in step 210, the replacement instruction lamp 82 is controlled so that the red lamp is turned on, and the user of the replenisher replenisher 25 for the photosensitive material processing apparatus is instructed to replace the cartridge 160. Thus, the user can easily know the replacement time of the cartridge 160. At this time, cartridge 10
Since the replenishing stock solutions A, B and C in 0 and the replenishing stock solution in the cartridge 120 have all been consumed, even if the user replaces the cartridges 100 and 120, the periphery of the apparatus is not stained by the replenishing stock solution, Maintenance becomes easy.

At step 212, it is determined whether or not the user has replaced the cartridges 100 and 120. This cartridge replacement determination can be made, for example, by detecting whether or not the locking member 158 has been operated. If the determination in step 212 is affirmative, the process ends. If the determination in step 212 is negative, step 214 calculates the processing amount (processing area) of the film F after the replacement instruction lamp 82 or the red light is turned on based on the output signal of the insertion detection sensor 94. . At step 216, it is determined whether or not the processing amount calculated at step 214 is equal to or larger than a predetermined processing amount. The amount of processing that has been performed in advance can be set to an amount corresponding to, for example, 200 sheets of a film F having a size of 4 pieces. If the determination in step 216 is negative, the process returns to step 212, and steps 212 to 216 are repeated until the cartridge is replaced or the processing amount of the film F is equal to or greater than the set processing amount.

If the determination in step 216 is affirmative, in step 218, the replacement instruction lamp 82 flashes red. At step 218, the message of "cartridge replacement" is displayed on the liquid crystal display 84, and the user is warned of cartridge replacement, and the process is terminated.

Thus, in this embodiment, the liquid level sensors 52A, 52A
When at least one of the liquid levels detected by B, 52C, and 52D falls below a predetermined value, the replenisher stock solution is loaded into a cartridge so that the other liquid levels fall below a predetermined value.
Since the replacement instruction lamp 57 is turned on after discharging from the inside of 100 and 120, the user can easily know the replacement time of the cartridge.

In the present embodiment, the instruction means for instructing the replacement of the cartridges 100 and 120 is the replacement instruction lamp 82, but it is sufficient that the user can know the replacement time of the cartridges 100 and 120, for example, by operating a buzzer. You may.

Further, in this embodiment, the replenishing stock solution remaining in the replenishing stock solution tank is supplied into the mixing tank by a bellows pump, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and each tank 50A of the stock tank 50 is not limited to this. , 50B, 50C, and 50D, and a valve may be provided in the middle of the waste pipe, and the valve may be opened to discard the replenisher stock in each tank.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is attached to an automatic developing machine for X-ray films, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. It can be attached to a photosensitive material processing device such as a photographic film developing device or a photosensitive lithographic printing plate developing device.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when at least one of the liquid levels detected by the plurality of liquid level detecting means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, another replenishing stock solution is replaced with a replenishing stock solution. An excellent effect that the user can easily know when to replace the cartridge because the forcing means is activated after all the liquid levels have fallen below the predetermined value by forcibly discharging the liquid from the tank. Is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an essential part of an automatic developing apparatus to which a replenishing solution replenishing device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention is attached, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge containing a stock solution for developing and replenishing, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge containing a stock solution for fixing and replenishing, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a liquid supply unit, and FIG. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the protrusion, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the perforated part is rocked, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the rocking part of the liquid supply part, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present embodiment. 10 ... automatic developing machine, 14 ... developing tank, 16 ... fixing tank, 25 ... replenisher replenisher for photosensitive material processing equipment, 50 ... stock tank, 52 ... liquid level sensor, 54 ... bellows pump , 100 ... cartridge, 120 ... cartridge.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A replenishing undiluted solution is supplied when a cartridge in which a plurality of replenished undiluted tanks are integrally formed and a plurality of replenished undiluted solutions are accommodated in the respective replenished undiluted solution tanks is loaded with the replenished undiluted solution supply port facing downward. A replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus for opening a stopper and replenishing a plurality of replenisher stocks in respective replenisher stock tanks into a processing tank of the photosensitive material processor, respectively. A plurality of containers to which the undiluted solution is supplied via the replenished undiluted solution supply port; a liquid level detecting means for respectively detecting a liquid level of the replenished undiluted liquid in the plurality of containers; When it is detected that at least one of the liquid levels of the replenisher stock solution has fallen below a predetermined value, the other replenisher stock solution is forcibly discharged from the replenisher stock solution tank, After the liquid level detecting means detects that the liquid level of the stock solution has become equal to or less than the predetermined value, a control means for activating an instruction means for prompting replacement of the cartridge, and a processing amount of the photosensitive material by the photosensitive material processing apparatus. And a replenishing means for replenishing the replenishing stock solution in the plurality of containers to the processing tank, respectively. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means activates a warning means for issuing a warning for replacing the cartridge when a predetermined amount of photosensitive material has been processed after operating said support means. Item 1. A replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to item (1).