JP2731935B2 - Processing method of photosensitive material - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for processing a photosensitive material for performing a wet process such as wet development, bleaching and fixing on the photosensitive material.

<Prior Art> The wet processing of a photosensitive material is performed by immersing the photosensitive material in a processing solution (developer, bleach / fix solution, washing water, etc.) supplied to a processing tank for a predetermined time.

Conventionally, when a photosensitive material is continuously processed in such a processing tank, the processing liquid evaporates because the liquid level of the processing liquid is open, or the liquid temperature drops or oxidizes due to contact with air. Deterioration and deterioration occur.

If the processing liquid evaporates, the concentration of the processing liquid in the vicinity of the liquid surface and the bottom of the processing tank may differ, which may hinder uniform development. Must be replenished.

Furthermore, the evaporated processing liquid adheres to various parts of the processing apparatus,
In particular, there is a drawback that the photosensitive material adheres to a transport roller, dries and becomes sticky, causing stains.

Further, it is clear that if the processing liquid is altered or deteriorated, it adversely affects the development characteristics.

Also, for example, the developer may be 20 to 50 in order to perform proper development.
Although it is necessary to maintain the temperature at about ° C., if the heat dissipation from the liquid surface is remarkable, a large amount of heat is required to maintain the above-mentioned appropriate temperature.

In order to prevent the evaporation of the processing liquid, a lid may be provided near the surface of the processing liquid in the processing tank to cover the liquid surface.

However, if the liquid surface is completely covered with the lid, the lid must be removed every time the photosensitive material is transported into the processing liquid, and this operation becomes complicated. It is also conceivable to provide an opening through which the photosensitive material passes through a part of the lid, but in this case, the processing tank is always open regardless of whether the photosensitive material is transported or not. Although it is less than the state without the cover at all, evaporation, temperature reduction, deterioration and deterioration of the processing liquid also occur.

By the way, there are various types of photosensitive material processing apparatuses for performing such wet processing. Among them, in the case of an automatic developing machine for business use, since a large amount of photosensitive material is processed, the processing solution is replenished accordingly. Since the amount of the treatment liquid is large and the exchange of the treatment liquid in the treatment tank is performed in a short cycle, the above-described problems such as the deterioration of the treatment liquid with time are relatively small.

On the other hand, the wet type color copying apparatus for general users, which is being developed in recent years, is different from that for business use in that its usage mode is so-called low-utilization processing or low utilization (low utilizat).
ion) process.

This quiet processing and low usage processing are described in “FUJIFILM Processing Manual CR-56 Processing 163AL004B Total 87, 12-KW0
5-2 '' and `` KodakR-3 / R-3000 Chemicals CAT123 / 57
As described in a document such as "53'85", this is a process in which the frequency of operation and the operation time are small, such as an operation rate of 0.1 round or less per day or 10% or less.

However, such an apparatus is configured such that a small amount of processing solution is replenished every time processing is performed (for example, 23 cc of developing solution is replenished per A4 size photosensitive material). It takes a long time to exchange the entire amount of the processing solution therein with the replenisher which is a new solution, so that the above-mentioned adverse effects due to the deterioration of the processing solution with time and the like become remarkable.

It is also possible to periodically exchange the processing liquid in the processing tank regardless of the processing amount in consideration of the deterioration of the processing liquid with time, but in this case, complicated replacement of the processing liquid is required. And the like must be performed on the user side, which is not suitable as a processing apparatus for general users, and also has the disadvantage of increasing the consumption of processing liquid.

Further, it is possible to add an extra replenisher for the deterioration of the processing solution. However, if the replenisher is too much or too little, the photographic performance is abnormal, so that a fine adjustment is required. However, such adjustment is difficult for a general user, and moreover, the amount of use of the replenisher increases, and the frequency of replacement of the replenisher increases.

<Problem to be Solved by the Invention> An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for processing light-sensitive materials, which can prevent the processing solution from evaporating, lowering the temperature, deteriorating and deteriorating the processing solution.

<Means for Solving the Problems> Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.

That is, the present invention provides a processing tank for immersing a photosensitive material in a processing solution for processing, and a fixed lid that defines an entrance of the photosensitive material into the processing solution and an exit to the processing solution. A movable lid that opens and closes the carry-in and carry-out ports by relative movement with respect to the fixed lid; and a driving unit that moves the movable lid, wherein the processing tank is configured to handle the processing liquid filled in the processing tank. When the volume is V and the open area of the liquid surface of the processing solution is S, the aperture S / V at the time of processing the photosensitive material is 1 × 10 ^-4 to 1 × 10 ^-1 cm ^-1 , Is 70% of the aperture S / V during the above processing
When processing the photosensitive material using the following photosensitive material processing apparatus, the processing is performed while replenishing the replenisher, and the total amount of the replenisher replenished per week is one time of the substantial volume of the processing tank. A light-sensitive material processing method characterized by performing light emission processing in the following cases.

Further, the present invention provides a processing tank for immersing a photosensitive material in a processing solution for processing, and a fixed lid defining an entrance of the photosensitive material into the processing solution and an exit to the processing solution. A movable lid that opens and closes the carry-in and carry-out ports by relative movement with respect to the fixed lid; and a driving unit that moves the movable lid, wherein the processing tank is configured to handle the processing liquid filled in the processing tank. When the volume is V and the open area of the liquid surface of the processing solution is S, the aperture S / V at the time of processing the photosensitive material is 1 × 10 ^-4 to 1 × 10 ^-1 cm ^-1 , Is 70% of the aperture S / V during the above processing
When processing a photosensitive material using a photosensitive material processing apparatus provided with an adhesion preventing means between the movable lid and the fixed lid for preventing the two lids from adhering, a replenisher is replenished. A light-sensitive material processing method wherein the total amount of replenisher replenished per week is less than one time the actual volume of the processing tank.

It is preferable that the drive means operates so that the carry-in and carry-out ports are opened when the photosensitive material is carried, and the carry-in and carry-out ports are closed when the photosensitive material is not carried.

Further, it is preferable that the adhesion preventing means is a convex portion provided on a portion facing the movable lid and / or the fixed lid.

Alternatively, it is preferable that the close-contact preventing means is a roller supported on a portion facing the movable lid and / or the fixed lid.

<Specific Configuration> Hereinafter, a light-sensitive material processing apparatus that performs light emission processing of the present invention will be described.
Preferred examples shown in the attached drawings will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus for performing a developing process or a bleaching / fixing process of a photosensitive material.

Needless to say, the application of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this.

The processing tank 10 is filled with a processing liquid 12 such as a developer or a bleaching / fixing liquid to a predetermined level, and about half of the rack 14 is immersed in the processing liquid 12.

A liquid level shutter 1 including a fixed lid, a movable lid, and a driving unit, which will be described later, is installed near a liquid level of the processing liquid 12 by being attached to a rack 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rack 14 includes a pair of side plates 16 and 18.
The side plates 16 and 18 are supported in parallel with each other by stays (not shown) arranged at four corners between the side plates 16 and 18.

Between these side plates 16, 18, four pairs of transport rollers 20, 22, 24, 26 immersed in the processing liquid 12 are stretched.

In addition, between the side plates 16 and 18, a pair of transport rollers 20, 22, 24,
Conveying roller pairs 28 and 29 are laid over the photosensitive material entrance side and exit side above 26, respectively. These transport roller pairs
Guides 41 and 43 are installed on the upper portions of 28 and 29.

In the vicinity of the upper liquid surface of one of the rollers 20A of the pair of transport rollers 20, a fixed lid piece 32 is fixed between the measuring plates 16 and 18 by being laid therebetween. In the vicinity of the upper liquid surface of the other roller 20B and the roller 26B, a fixed cover piece 34 is attached adjacent to the fixed cover piece 32 to the side plates 16, 18.
It is hung between and fixed.

A carry-in entrance 35 for a photosensitive material (mainly sheet-like) 200 is defined between the fixed lid pieces 32 and 34. Also, near the liquid surface above the roller 26A, adjacent to the fixed lid piece 34, the fixed lid piece 36 is
It is stretched between 6 and 18 and fixed.

An outlet 37 for the photosensitive material 200 is provided between the fixed lid pieces 36 and 34.
Is defined. The fixed lid pieces 32, 34 and 36 constitute the fixed lid 3.

The material of each fixed cover piece has a predetermined rigidity, durability and chemical resistance to the processing liquid 12 (there is no occurrence of expansion, deformation, distortion, cracking, strength reduction, etc. due to the processing liquid). It is good to be eluted from to the processing solution, and those that do not impair photographic properties, for example, acrylic, vinyl chloride, polyamide, polyacetal, polycarbonate,
Various resins such as polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene ether, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyacrylate, polyamide imide, polyether imide, and various rubbers such as synthetic rubber and natural rubber; Examples thereof include ceramics such as alumina, metals such as stainless steel, titanium, and Hastelloy, and combinations of these materials as appropriate.

Guides 40 and 42 are provided between the roller 20A and the roller 22A and between the roller 26A and the roller 24A, respectively, and these guides 40 and 42 and the rollers 20B, 22B and 24
A conveying path of the photosensitive material 200 is formed between the guide 44 disposed in a portion surrounded by B and 26B.

Further, a guide 45 for reversing the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 200 is provided in a portion surrounded by the rollers 22A, 22B, 24A, 24B and the bottom of the processing tank 10.

Therefore, the photosensitive material 200 is nipped and guided by the transport roller pair 28, is transported through the transport port 35 into the processing liquid 12 in the processing tank 10, and is transported by the transport roller pair 20 to be nipped and transported.
After being guided and lowered by 44 and passing through the conveying roller pair 22,
The guide 45 is inverted. After passing through the transport roller pair 24, the inverted photosensitive material 200 rises while being guided by the guides 42 and 44, is transported out of the processing liquid 12 from the transport outlet 37, and is sent out to the next step by the transport roller pair 29. It has become so.

A movable lid 7 is provided above the fixed lid 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the movable lid 7 has slide grooves 16A, 18A (third ends) formed on a pair of side plates 16, 18 at both ends.
(See the figure), and can be moved in the width direction of the side plates 16 and 18 along the groove.

An opening 71 having substantially the same shape as the carry-in port 35 is provided at a widthwise intermediate portion of the movable lid 7. The material of the movable lid 7 is
It is the same as the fixed lid piece.

Above the movable lid 7, a shaft 50 extends between a pair of side plates 16 and 18, and is rotatably supported. As shown in FIG. 3, one end of the shaft 50 penetrates the side plate 18 and the tip thereof is further connected to the processing tank 10.
It protrudes outward. A sprocket 51 is attached to the tip of the shaft 50, and a chain belt 53 is wound around the sprocket 51 between the sprocket 51 and the sprocket 52. The sprocket 52 is attached to a drive shaft of a motor 55 via a gear box 54. Thus, the driving force of the motor 55 is transmitted to the shaft 50 via the chain belt 53.

In addition, a gear 94 is attached to the shaft 50 between the side wall of the processing tank 10 and the side plate 18. This gear 94 is attached to the side plate 18
The gear 96 is also engaged with a gear 98 which is also supported on the side plate 18. Gear 98
Meshes with a gear 100 attached to the tip of the rotation shaft of the transport rollers 20B and 26B, respectively.

Therefore, the driving force transmitted to the shaft 50 is
The power is transmitted to the conveying rollers 20B and 26B via the gears 6, 98 and the gear 100.

The gear 94 also meshes with a gear 102 attached to the tip of the rotation shaft of the transport roller 28, so that the pair of transport rollers 28 is rotated by the transmitted driving force to transport the photosensitive material 200. .

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of fixing flanges 56 are fixed to the shaft 50. This fixing flange 56
Is located between the side plates 16 and 18 of the shaft 50, and the end face of the enlarged diameter portion is arranged to face the side plates 16 and 18, respectively.

A friction material 60 is attached to the enlarged diameter portion of the fixed flange 56, and movable flanges 58 are respectively arranged via the friction material 60.

Further, a compressed coil spring 62 is disposed between the movable flange 58 and the side plates 16 and 18.
The coil spring 62 moves the movable flange 58 to the friction material 60.
Is pressed to the fixed flange via the.

A pin 64 whose tip extends toward the side plates 16 and 18 is provided at the enlarged diameter portion of the movable flange 58. This pin 64
It is inserted between a pair of protrusions 76 provided on the movable lid 7 located between the shaft 50 and the movable lid 7. Thus, when the movable flange 58 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the rotation is transmitted to the movable lid 7 via the pin 64 and the projection 76, and the movable lid 7 moves rightward in FIG.

When the movable lid 7 moves a predetermined distance, the movable lid 7 comes into contact with a stopper portion 32A provided on the fixed lid piece 32 and stops, and the carry-in port 35 and the carry-out port 37 of the photosensitive material 200 are opened as shown in FIG.

When the movable flange 58 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 from this state, the rotational force is transmitted to the movable lid 7 via the pin 64 and the projection 76, and the movable lid 7 moves leftward in FIG. Then, the stopper 36A provided on the movable lid piece 36 comes into contact with the stopper 36A and stops, and the entrance 35 and the exit 37 of the photosensitive material 200 are closed as shown in FIG.

The transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the shaft 50 to the movable lid 7 is not limited to the above-described configuration using the friction material 60, but may be any known one such as a known clutch mechanism or a continuous pushing mechanism using bladed rotors. Good.

Next, the opening degree of the photosensitive material during processing and during non-processing will be described.

In the illustrated configuration example, when the photosensitive material 200 is processed, the carry-in port 35 and the carry-out port 37 are in an open state. Therefore, the portion where the liquid level of the processing liquid 12 is open to the air and is in contact with the atmosphere is the carry-in port.
This is the liquid level in 35 and the carry-out port 37. Also, fixed lid piece 32,
When there is a gap between 34 and 36 and the inner wall of the processing tank 10, the liquid surface of this portion is the portion that is open to the atmosphere.

Therefore, the total area of the open portions of such liquid level, i.e. the open area and S _1, when the volume of the processing tank has been treated liquid 12 filled in the 10 and is V, in the present invention, the opening degree during processing S ₁ / V
(= K ₁ ) is set to 1 × 10 ^-4 to 1 × 10 ^-1 cm ^-1 .

The degree of opening K ₁ be less than 1 × 10 ^-4 cm ^-1 is substantially difficult in design face, hand, when K ₁ exceeds 1 × 10 ^-1 cm ^-1, the processing solution during processing This is because the evaporation and deterioration of the processing liquid increase, and even in the case where the processing is frequently performed, poor photographic performance may be caused by the evaporation or deterioration of the processing liquid in some cases.

When the photosensitive material 200 is not processed (when processing is stopped), the loading port 3
5 and exit 37 are in the closed state.
The air of the external system circulates and does not come into contact with the liquid level of 5, 37 parts. Therefore, the opening area S ₂ a liquid surface area of the portion of the gap where the aforementioned at untreated.

Further, when the movable cover 7 does not completely shield the entrance 35 and the exit 37, when the shielding is partial, or when the volume of the closed space is relatively large even if the shielding is airtight (for example, V / 100 to V / 10), or when other members such as a cover that covers the upper part of the processing tank 10 in a gas-tight or air-permeable manner are installed, with a value corrected by the correction value according to the degree to open the area S _2.

In such a case, S ₂ / V = K ₂ may be calculated as follows.

First, in an actual processing tank, for example, the degree of deterioration of a specific component in a processing solution at room temperature is measured. At this time, particularly in the developing solution, as a specific component, among the preservatives, hydroxylamine sulfate, amines such as diethylhydroxylamine, and sodium sulfite, etc., are chemically analyzed, and the degree of decrease is determined as the degree of deterioration. I do.

On the other hand, in advance, S / V
And the degree of deterioration are determined for each lapse of time (days).

Then, it may be obtained with K ₂ by comparing the actual degree of degradation and the relationship obtained in advance.

However, since the carry-in and carry-out ports are usually shielded without communication with the external system or without contact with air as described above, K ₂ may be used as it is as a geometrically determined value.

The same applies to processing liquids other than the developing liquid.

The opening degree S ₂ / V at the time of non-processing obtained in this way =
(K ₂ ) is not more than 70% of the K ₁ , preferably 0.1 to 30%,
More preferably, it is 0.5 to 10%.

When the degree of opening K ₂ exceeds 70% of the K _1, evaporation of the processing solution in the non-treated, it increases the deterioration, because the effects of the present invention will not give accomplished sufficiently.

When the photosensitive material processing apparatus has a shutter having a different structure from the liquid level shutter 1 or has a structure without such a shutter, the aperture degree K ₁ during the processing is determined according to the structure. and opening degree K ₂ is appropriate when untreated, are determined, even in this case, the opening degree K ₁ and K ₂
Is the same value as above.

In the configuration example of the photosensitive material processing apparatus shown in each figure, an adhesion preventing means for preventing the lids from being in close contact with each other is provided between the movable lid 7 and the fixed lid 3 of the liquid level shutter 1. Less than,
An example of the configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, a protrusion 72 is formed at a predetermined position on a portion of the movable lid 7 facing the fixed lid 3 as an adhesion preventing means. By providing such a convex portion 72, the movable lid 7 comes into contact with the fixed lid 3 via the convex portion, that is, the convex portion 72 serves as a spacer between the two lids. Even when the processing liquid 12 enters between the lids, the two lids are in close contact with each other and the sliding resistance does not increase.
Is smoothly carried out.

It is preferable that the formation position of the convex portion 72 is at least near both ends of the movable lid 72 and the opening 71 as shown in the figure.

The shape of the convex portion 72 is preferably a strip shape extending in the width direction of the movable lid 7 (moving direction of the movable lid) or in a direction perpendicular to the width direction (the configuration example in FIG. 4). The present invention is not limited to this, and a spot-shaped convex portion may be used. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion may be any of a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, and the like, and it is particularly preferable that the convex portion has a shape suitable for sliding between the movable lid 7 and the fixed lid 3.

The protrusion 72 may be formed integrally with the movable lid 7 using the same material, or may be formed by fixing another member. When a separate member is fixed, the convex portion 72 may be made of an elastomer such as various rubbers or soft resins to have a sealing effect.

Such a convex portion is not limited to being formed on the movable lid 7 side, but may be formed on the fixed lid 3 side or on both the movable lid 7 side and the fixed lid 3 side. That is, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 5, the convex portion 38 is formed at a predetermined position on the portion of the fixed lid pieces 32 and 34 facing the movable lid 7.

As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the positions at which the protrusions 38 are formed be at least both ends of the fixed lid piece 34 and both ends of the fixed lid piece 32.

The function, shape, material, and the like of the protrusion 38 are the same as those of the protrusion 72.

The convex portions 72, 38 fixedly provided on the movable lid 7 and / or the fixed lid 3 as means for preventing the lids 3, 7 from adhering to each other are preferable in that sufficient effects can be obtained with a simple structure. Then, it is not limited to this. That is, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, the roller 39 is supported at a predetermined position on the portion of the fixed lid pieces 32 and 34 facing the movable lid 7.

By providing such a roller 39, the sliding resistance between the movable lid 7 and the fixed lid 3 can be further reduced.

The material of the roller 39 is made of various rubbers, elastomers such as soft resin, phenol resin, polyvinyl alcohol,
It is preferably polyethylene, polyurethane, or metals such as stainless steel, titanium, and Hastelloy.

Such rollers may be provided on the movable lid 7 side or on both the movable lid 7 side and the fixed lid 3 side.

The liquid level shutter 1 having the structure shown in FIGS.
In each case, if necessary, the sliding surface of the movable lid 7 or the fixed lid 3, the tips of the projections 72 and 38, the surface of the roller 39, and the like, for example, Teflon, silicone, or other surfactants, lubricants, etc. It is also possible to carry out a treatment such as coating of the like, and in this case, both the lids 7 and 3 can be slid more smoothly, which is preferable.

In the above, a configuration example in which the protrusions 72 and 38 or the roller 39 is provided as a means for preventing adhesion between the movable lid and the fixed lid has been representatively described. However, the means for preventing adhesion in the present invention is not limited to these. For example, no projection is provided between the fixed lid and the movable lid, and both lids are arranged so as to be in surface contact, and the sliding surface (one or both of the movable lid and the fixed lid) is coated with the same coating or the like as described above. Simple adhesion preventing means such as performing a treatment may be used.

In the present invention, it is needless to say that such an adhesion preventing means may not be provided.

The light-sensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention as described above is used for so-called light emission processing (low-use processing).

Here, the idle processing refers to a processing mode in which the processing of the photosensitive material is not frequently performed, and the degree thereof is as follows, for example.

If the photosensitive material is a negative film (about 1.1 m in length), the processing amount per day is 10 or less on average. If the photosensitive material is a copying photosensitive material (A4 size), the processing amount per day is 10 on average. When the photosensitive material is color paper, the processing amount per day is 2 m ² or less on average. As another standard of the non-contamination processing, the exchange rate of the processing liquid in the processing tank can be mentioned.

That is, in the processing apparatus, a small amount of replenisher (new solution) is replenished to the processing tank every time the photosensitive material is processed in order to obtain good processing properties, and the processing solution is periodically replaced. , The processing liquid that has been fatigued (deteriorated) is replaced with a new liquid. The total amount of the new liquid to be replaced due to these causes is the actual volume of the processing tank per week (processing liquid volume V). In the case of less than one time (less than one round), it can be said that the process is a quiet process.

And in the present invention, one round or less per two weeks, further one round or less per month, and one round per two months.
It is possible to effectively cope with an exchange rate of less than a round.

In this case, the replenishment amount during operation may be in a normal range. The details of the desertion process are described in the above-mentioned document.

Such a deserted process is a processing device for general users (for example, a wet color copying device) or a relatively small processing device (for example, a wet color copying device) rather than a processing device used for business use (for example, a large lab). For example, minilabs).

The reason why the light-sensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is suitable for light emission processing is as follows.

As described above, for example, in the case of a wet type color copying apparatus, a small amount of the processing solution is replenished to the processing tank every time the exposed photosensitive material is processed. Since the amount is small, the exchange rate of the processing liquid is low, and it takes a long time for the entire amount of the processing liquid in the processing tank to be exchanged for a new liquid.

For example, in a processing tank having a substantial capacity of 10, 23
In a processor that replenishes ml of processing solution (new solution), if five photosensitive materials are processed a day, the entire amount of processing solution (mother liquor) in the processing tank is exchanged for new solution. Takes more than 12 weeks.

However, under such a condition that the exchange rate of the treatment liquid is low, the above-mentioned deterioration of the treatment liquid with time (particularly, oxidation),
Evaporation and the like become predominant, and it becomes impossible to maintain the processing liquid in the processing tank in good properties by replenishing the new liquid slowly. In particular, even though it is a deserted process, the temperature of the processing solution is always an appropriate temperature (for example, 35 to 38 ° C. in a developing solution) due to a request to perform the process immediately when copying and to shorten the copying time. , Which tends to promote the deterioration and evaporation of the processing liquid.

Therefore, if priority is given to the processing characteristics of the photosensitive material, replenishment with water is sufficient for evaporation, but for deterioration, the processing solution in the processing tank is periodically replaced (deterioration) regardless of the processing amount of the photosensitive material. Draining of liquid and filling of new liquid).

However, such replacement is complicated and must be performed by the user. Further, the consumption amount of the processing liquid increases and the cost increases.

Therefore, if the deterioration of the processing liquid and evaporation of the processing liquid as in the present invention can be suppressed, even if the exchange rate of the processing liquid is low, the processing liquid in the processing tank can be maintained in good properties. There is no need to perform regular replenishment with cumbersome work, or the frequency can be reduced.

In addition, the installation of the above-mentioned adhesion preventing means is effective for deserting treatment. That is, in the off-duty processing in which the frequency of the processing is low, the movable lid and the fixed lid are more likely to come into close contact with each other because the movable lid moves less frequently.

For example, the processing liquid that has entered between the movable lid and the fixed lid may be dried, and a precipitate may be generated between the two lids, which may increase the sliding resistance of the movable lid.

Therefore, when the adhesion preventing means is provided, the carry-in port 35 and the carry-out port 37 due to the movement of the movable lid can be used even in the idle processing.
Can be smoothly opened and closed.

In the present invention, the light-sensitive material processing apparatus capable of coping with light processing is not limited to a light processing only or a light processing mainly, but light processing and other processing forms (for example, continuous processing, medium, Large-scale processing), designs and specifications that take into account non-congestion processing, and those that do not exclude (prohibit) especially non-conduction processing in use manuals.

Specific examples of the photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of coping with such idle processing include a wet type copier, an automatic developing machine, a printer processor, a video printer processor, a photo print making coin machine, and a color paper processing machine for plate inspection. Various photosensitive material processing apparatuses can be used.

The type of photosensitive material applied to the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited, for example, a color negative film, a color reversal film, a color photographic paper, a color positive film, a color reversal photographic paper, a photographic photosensitive material for plate making, Various photosensitive materials such as an X-ray photographic photosensitive material, a black-and-white negative film, a black-and-white photographic paper, a photosensitive material for micros, and the like.

<Operation> Next, the operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described.

When the photosensitive material 200 is not transported into the processing tank 10 (during non-processing), as shown in FIG.
It is in contact with the 36 stopper portion 36A. In this state,
The entrance 35 and exit 37 of the photosensitive material 200 are shielded by the movable lid 7. Therefore, since the processing liquid 12 is covered by the fixed lid 3 (the fixed lid pieces 32, 34, and 38) and the movable lid 7, evaporation, temperature reduction, deterioration, and deterioration of the processing liquid are prevented.

When the photosensitive material 200 is conveyed into the processing tank 10 (at the time of processing), the photosensitive material 200 is guided by the guide 41, is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 28, and is sent into the processing tank 10.

When the motor 55 shown in FIG. 3 is rotated, the sprocket
The shaft 50 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 via the chain belts 51 and 52, and the transport roller 28 rotates via the gears 94 and 102.
Is transported. At this time, the rotational force of the shaft 50 is transmitted to the movable flange 58 via the fixed flange 56 and the friction material 60, and the pin 64 presses the protrusion 76 provided on the movable lid 7 by the rotation of the movable flange 58. Then, the movable lid 7 moves rightward in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear end of the movable lid 7 is separated from the carry-out port 37, and the opening 71 of the movable cover 7 overlaps with the carry-in port 35, so that the carry-in port 35 and the carry-out port 37 are open. Thus, the photosensitive material 200 can pass through.

When the movable lid 7 comes into contact with the stopper portion 32A of the fixed lid piece 32, the movable flange 58 and the friction material 60 slide, and the shaft
The torque of 50 is no longer transmitted.

Further, the rotational force of the shaft 50 is controlled by the gears 94, 96, 98 and 10
The rotation is transmitted to the transport rollers 20B and 26B via the “0” and rotates them. As a result, the photosensitive material 200 passes through the carry-in port 35, is immersed in the processing liquid 12, is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 20, and descends in the processing tank 10. The photosensitive material 200 that has descended in the processing tank 10 is nipped by the guide rollers 45 after being nipped by the pair of transport rollers 22, and is nipped by the pair of transport rollers 24 to rise in the processing tank 10.

The photosensitive material 200 that has risen in the processing tank 10 is transported by the transport roller pair 24.
The processing liquid 12 is conveyed to the outside of the processing liquid 12 from the carry-out port 37, is nipped by a pair of conveying rollers 29, is guided by the guide 43, and is sent out to the next step.

Through such a route, the processing of the photosensitive material 200 in the processing tank 10 is performed.

After the photosensitive material 200 has been sent to the next process, the motor 55
Is temporarily stopped, and the rotation of each transport roller is stopped. Then, the motor 55 is rotated in the reverse direction, the shaft 50 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1, and the movable lid 7 is moved leftward in the figure until it comes into contact with the stopper portion 36A.
7 is closed.

In the present invention, the processing tank 10 may be used alone as a developing tank, a bleaching / fixing tank or a washing tank.
A plurality of processing tanks having the same configuration as 10 are arranged in parallel, and these are used as, for example, a developing tank, a bleaching / fixing tank, and a washing tank. → A photosensitive material processing apparatus that performs a water washing process can also be used. The above-described wet type color copying apparatus has such a configuration.

In the above configuration example, the motor 55 is rotated in the reverse direction to move the movable lid 7 leftward in FIG.
Although the 37 is closed, the movable cover 7 may be biased by a spring or the like (not shown) to move the movable cover 7 to the left in FIG. 1, and the carry-in port 35 and the carry-out port 37 may be closed.

In this case, for example, it is necessary to arrange a one-way clutch or the like between the shaft 50 and the sprocket 51 so as to prevent the rotation from being transmitted to the motor when the shaft 50 is reversely rotated by a spring or the like.

In the above configuration example, the transport of the photosensitive material 200 and the opening and closing of the liquid level shutter 1 (movement of the movable lid 7) are performed synchronously by using the same drive source (motor 55). It may be operated synchronously using a drive system. For example, a first drive system for transporting the photosensitive material 200 and a second drive system (for example, a fluid pressure cylinder, a step motor, etc.) for opening and closing the liquid level shutter 1 are provided, and the photosensitive device is provided with detection means such as a sensor. Detects material transport or non-transport,
By appropriately operating the second drive system based on this, it is also possible to perform a control to open and close the liquid level shutter corresponding to the conveyance of the photosensitive material.

The present invention is not limited to the one in which the transport of the photosensitive material and the opening and closing of the liquid level shutter are performed synchronously as in the above-described configuration example.

As described above, the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention has been described based on the configuration examples shown in the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these.

<Example 1> A photosensitive material a (positive type color photosensitive material (APC)) shown below was produced.

Preparation of photosensitive material a A paper support (thickness 10) laminated on both sides with polyethylene
0μ) on the front side, the following first to 14th layers, and on the back side, the 15th layer.
A color light-sensitive material was prepared by applying the 16th layer from the layers. Titanium oxide (4g / m
² ) as a white pigment and a trace (0.003 g / m ² ) of ultramarine blue as a bluing dye (the chromaticity of the support surface is L *,
88.0, -0.20 and -0.75 for the a * and b * systems).

(Composition of photosensitive layer) The components and coating amounts (g / m ² units) are shown below. For silver halide, the coating amount is shown in terms of silver. The emulsion used for each layer was prepared according to the method for producing emulsion EM1 described below. However, the emulsion of the 14th layer was a Lippmann emulsion which was not chemically sensitized on the surface.

1st layer (antihalation layer) Black colloidal silver ... 0.10 gelatin ... 0.70 2nd layer (intermediate layer) gelatin ... 0.70 3rd layer (low-sensitivity red-sensitive layer) Red sensitizing dye (ExS-1, 2, 3) Spectrally sensitized silver bromide (average grain size 025μ, size distribution [coefficient of variation] 8%, octahedral)… 0.04 Chlorbromide spectrally sensitized with red sensitizing dye (ExS-1, 2, 3) Silver (5 mol% silver chloride, average particle size 0.40μ, size distribution 10%, octahedron) ... 0.08 Gelatin ... 1.00 Cyan coupler (ExC-1 / ExC-2 / ExC-3 = 1/1 / 0.2: weight ratio) ) ... 0.30 Anti-fading agent (Cpd-1 / Cpd-2 / Cpd-3 / Cpd-4 = 1/1/1: 1: weight ratio) ... 0.18 Stain inhibitor (Cpd-5) ... 0.003 Coupler dispersion medium ( Cpd-6) ... 0.03 Coupler solvent (Solv-1 / Solv-2 / Solv-3 = 1/1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.12 Fourth layer (highly sensitive red-sensitive layer) Red sensitizing dye (ExS-1) Bromination spectrally sensitized in 2, 3) (Average particle size 0.60μ, size distribution 15%, octahedron) 0.14 gelatin 1.00 cyan coupler (ExC-1 / ExC-2 / ExC-3 = 1/1 / 0.2: weight ratio) 0.30 anti-fading agent ( Cpd-1 / Cpd-2 / Cpd-3 / Cpd-4 = 1/1/1/1: weight ratio ... 0.18 Coupler dispersion medium (Cpd-6) ... 0.03 Coupler solvent (Solv-1 / Solv-2 / Solv-3 = 1/1/1: weight ratio) 0.12 Fifth layer (intermediate layer) Gelatin 1.00 Color mixing inhibitor (Cpd-7) 0.08 Color mixing inhibitor solvent (Solv-4 / Solv-5 = 1 / 1: 6 weight ratio) 0.16 polymer latex (Cpd-8) 0.10 6th layer (low-sensitivity green-sensitive layer) Silver bromide spectrally sensitized with green sensitizing dye (ExS-4) (average particle size 0.25μ) , Size distribution 8%, octahedron) ...
0.04 Silver chlorobromide (silver chloride 5 mol%, average grain size 0.40μ, size distribution) spectrally sensitized with green sensitizing dye (ExS-4)
10%, octahedron) ... 0.06 gelatin ... 0.80 Magenta coupler (ExM-1 / ExM-2 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.11 Anti-fading agent (Cpd-9 / Cpd-26 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.15 stain inhibitor (Cpd-10 / Cpd-11 / Cpd-12 / Cpd-13
= 10/7/7/1: weight ratio) 0.025 Coupler dispersion medium (Cpd-6) ... 0.05 Coupler solvent (Solv-4 / Solv-6 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.15 7th layer (high sensitivity green) Sensitive layer) Silver bromide spectrally sensitized with green sensitizing dye (ExS-4) (average grain size 0.65μ, size distribution 16%, octahedral) ... 0.10 Gelatin ... 0.80 Magenta coupler (ExM-1 / ExM- 2 / ExM-3 = 1/1/1: weight ratio ... 0.11 Anti-fading agent (Cpd-9 / Cpd-26 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.15 Stain inhibitor (Cpd-10 / Cpd-11 / Cpd-12 / Cpd-13
= 10/7/7/1: weight ratio) 0.025 Coupler dispersion medium (Cpd-6) ... 0.05 Coupler solvent (Solv-4 / Solv-6 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.15 8th layer (intermediate layer) Same as the fifth layer. The ninth layer (yellow filter layer) Yellow colloidal silver (average particle size 100 mm) ... 0.12 Gelatin ... 0.07 Color mixture inhibitor (Cpd-7) ... 0.03 Color mixture prevention solvent (Solv-4 / Solv-5 = 1) / 1: weight ratio) 0.10 Polymer latex (Cpd-8) 0.07 10th layer (intermediate layer) Same as 5th layer 11th layer (low-sensitivity blue-sensitive layer) Blue sensitizing dye (ExS-5, 6) Silver bromide spectrally sensitized with (average grain size 0.40μ, size distribution 8%, octahedron)
... 0.07 Silver chlorobromide (silver chloride 8mol%, average grain size 0.60μ, size distribution 11%, octahedron) spectrally sensitized with blue sensitizing dye (ExS-5, 6) 0.14 gelatin ... 0.80 yellow Coupler (ExY-1 / ExY-2 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.35 Anti-fading agent (Cpd-14) ... 0.10 Stain inhibitor (Cpd-5 / Cpd-15 = 1/5: weight ratio) ... 0.007 Coupler dispersion medium (Cpd-6) ... 0.05 Coupler solvent (Solv-2) ... 0.10 Layer 12 (high-sensitivity blue-sensitive layer) Silver bromide spectrally sensitized with a blue sensitizing dye (ExS-5, 6) ( Average particle size 0.85μ, size distribution 18%, octahedron) 0.15 gelatin 0.60 yellow coupler (ExY-1 / ExY-2 = 1/1: weight ratio) 0.30 anti-fading agent (Cpd-14) 0.10 stain Inhibitor (Cpd-5 / Cpd-15 = 1/5: weight ratio) 0.007 Coupler dispersion medium (Cpd-6) 0.05 Coupler solvent (Solv-2) 0.10 13th layer (ultraviolet absorbing layer) Gelatin 1.00 purple Line absorber (Cpd-2 / Cpd-4 / Cpd-16 = 1/1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.50 Color mixture inhibitor (Cpd-7 / Cpd-17 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.03 Dispersion medium (Cpd-6) ... 0.02 Ultraviolet absorbing solvent (Solv-2 / Solv-7 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.08 Irradiation prevention dye (Cpd-18 / Cpd-19 / Cpd-2)
0 / Cpd-21 / Cpd-27 = 10/10/13/15/20: weight ratio ... 0.05 14th layer (protective layer) Fine grain silver chlorobromide (silver chloride 97 mol%, average grain size 0.
1μ)… 0.03 Acrylic-modified copolymer of polyvinyl alcohol (molecular weight 50,000)… 0.01 Polymethyl methacrylate particles (average particle size 2.4
μ) and silicon oxide (average particle size 5μ) equivalent ... 0.05 gelatin ... 1.80 gelatin hardener (H-1 / H-2 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.18 15th layer (back layer) gelatin ... 2.50 UV absorber Cpd-2 / Cpd-4 / Cpd-16 = 1/1/1: weight ratio ... 0.50 Dye (Cpd-18 / Cpd-19 / Cpd-20 / Cpd-21 / Cpd-27 = 1 / 1/1/1/1: weight ratio… 0.06 16th layer (backside protective layer) Polymethyl methacrylate particles (average particle size 2.4
μ) and silicon oxide (average particle size 5μ) equivalents ... 0.05 gelatin ... 2.00 gelatin hardener (H-1 / H-2 = 1/1: weight ratio) ... 0.14 How to make emulsion EM-1 with potassium bromide An aqueous solution of silver nitrate was simultaneously added to the aqueous gelatin solution at 75 ° C. for 15 minutes with vigorous stirring to obtain octahedral silver bromide particles having an average particle size of 0.35 μm. At this time, 0.3 g of 3,4-dimethyl-1,3-thiazoline-
2-Thion was added. Add 6mg per mole of silver to this emulsion
Of sodium thiosulfate and 7 mg of chloroauric acid (tetrahydrate) were successively added, and heated at 75 ° C. for 80 minutes to perform a chemical sensitization treatment. Using the grains thus obtained as cores, the grains were further grown in the same precipitation environment as in the first time, and finally an octahedral monodispersed core / silver bromide emulsion having an average grain size of 0.7 μ was obtained. The coefficient of variation of the particle size was about 10%. To this emulsion were added 1.5 mg of sodium thiosulfate and 1.5 mg of chloroauric acid (tetrahydrate) per mole of silver, and heated at 60 ° C. for 60 minutes to perform chemical sensitization to obtain an internal latent image type silver halide. An emulsion was obtained.

In each photosensitive layer, ExZK-1 and ExZK-2 were used as nucleating agents at 10 ^-3 and 10 ^-2 % by weight, respectively, of silver halide, and Cpd-22 was used as a nucleating accelerator at 10 ^-2 % by weight. . Further, alkanol XC (Dupon) and sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate were used as emulsifying and dispersing aids in each layer, and succinate and Magefac F-120 (manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals) were used as coating aids. (Cpd-23, 24, 25) was used as a stabilizer in the layer containing silver halide and colloidal silver.

 The compounds used in the examples are shown below.

Solv-1 Di (2-ethylhexyl) sebacate Solv-2 Trinonyl phosphate Solv-3 Di (3-methylhexyl) phthalate Solv-4 Tricresyl phosphate Solv-5 Dibutyl phthalate Solv-6 Trioctyl phosphate Solv-7 Di ( 2-ethylhexyl) phthalate H-1 1,2-bis (vinylsulfonylacetamide)
Ethane H-2 4,6-Dichloro-2-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine Na salt ExZK-17 7- (3-ethoxythiocarbonylaminobenzamide) -9-methyl-10-prohagyl-1,2, 3,4
-Tetrahydroacridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate ExZK-2 2- [4- {3- [3- {3- [5-} 3-
[2-Chloro-5- (1-dodecyloxycarbonylethoxycarbonyl) phenylcarbamoyl] -4-hydroxy-1-naphthylthio {tetrazol-1-yl]
Phenyl {ureido] benzenesulfonamido} phenyl] -1-formylhydrazine After exposure of the above photosensitive material a (A4 size) for image formation, development having a developing section and a bleaching / fixing section as shown in FIG. Using a wet color copying machine (AP-5000, manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) equipped with a processing apparatus, the processing was performed in the following processing steps.

The replenishment method for the washing water was a so-called countercurrent replenishment method in which the washing solution was replenished into the washing tank and the overflow liquid in the washing tank was guided to the washing tank. The amount of carryover of the bleach-fixing solution used was the washing tank from the bleach-fixing tank by the photosensitive material is 35 ml / m ^2,
The ratio of the replenishment amount of washing water to the amount of bleach-fixer brought in is
It was 9.1 times.

The temperature of each processing solution was maintained at the temperature shown in the above table during the experiment (continuous temperature control).

 The composition of each processing solution was as follows.

Rinse water Both mother liquor and replenisher are mixed-bed type with tap water filled with H-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120B manufactured by Rohm and Haas) and OH-type anion exchange resin (Amberlite IR-400) Water was passed through the column to treat the calcium and magnesium ion concentrations to 3 mg / or less, followed by the addition of 20 mg / sodium dichloride isocyanate and 1.5 g / sodium sulfate. The pH of this solution was in the range of 6.5 to 7.5.

In such processing, the number of processed photosensitive materials and the opening degree K ₁ (= S ₁ / V) during processing in the developing tank and the opening degree K ₂ (= S ₂ / V) during non-processing are variously changed. The aging of the photographic properties was examined. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

Here, the opening degree of the bleach-fixing _{tank, K 11 = 0.04, K 22} =
0.004.

In Table 1, Comparative Example A (opening degree K ₁ = 0.04) is the one without the fixed lid and the movable lid, Comparative Example B is the one with only the fixed lid, and the present invention example is the fixed lid and the movable lid. are those provided both, adjustment of the opening degree K ₂ was carried out by the presence or absence of the seal of the gap portion.

Note that the photographic properties are based on the maximum density change ΔD
_It was evaluated by _max (GL). Here (increase in the absolute value of [Delta] D _max) [Delta] D _max may decrease indicates that degradation of the developing solution (oxidation) occurs.

The treatment liquid exchange rate of the treatment layer, that is, Is as follows.

As shown in Table 1 above, first, when viewed from the whole, the smaller the processing amount of the photosensitive material, the more easily the ΔD _max decreases.

Next, looking at the number of processed photosensitive materials, in the comparative examples, particularly in Comparative Example A having no lid, the decrease in ΔD _max is remarkable,
In the examples of the present invention, the decrease in ΔD _max was small, and good photographic properties were obtained.

Further, also in the present invention example, as K ₂ / K ₁ is smaller, ΔD _max
It can be seen that the decrease in the can be suppressed.

The drop in the maximum density can be detected with the naked eye only when ΔD
_max > 0.1. Therefore, when ΔD _max <0.1, there is substantially no difference, and when 0.1 ≦ ΔD _max <0.15, there is a very small difference,
If ΔD _max ≧ 0.15, there can be a difference.

Then, the opening degree K ₁₁ and untreated during opening degree K ₂₂ during processing in the bleach-fixing bath was variously changed to examine the time degradation of the bleach-fixing solution. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

Here, the opening degree of the developing tank was K ₁ = 0.01 and K ₂ = 0.001.

Further, in Table 2, Comparative Example A (opening degree K ₁₁ = 0.15) is one in which the fixed lid and the movable lid are not provided, Comparative Example B is one in which only the fixed lid is provided, and the present invention example is the one in which the fixed lid and the movable lid are provided. are those provided both, adjustment of the opening degree K ₂₂ was carried out by the presence or absence of the seal of the gap portion.

The deterioration of the bleaching / fixing solution was evaluated by the presence or absence of generation of a precipitate, and the stage was indicated by the following symbols.

: No precipitation △: Slight precipitation ×: Precipitation XX: Filter clogged due to precipitation As shown in Table 2 above, in the examples of the present invention, it can be seen that the occurrence of precipitation is suppressed, and thus the deterioration of the bleaching / fixing solution is small.

Example 2 Photosensitive material b (negative type color photographic paper) shown below
Was prepared.

Preparation of photosensitive material b On a paper support laminated on both sides with polyethylene,
A color printing paper having the following layer configuration was produced. The coating solution was prepared as follows.

(Preparation of First Layer Coating Solution) To 19.1 g of yellow coupler (ExY-1) and 4.4 g of color image stabilizer (Cpd-1), 27.2 cc of ethyl acetate and 7.7 cc (8.0 g) of high boiling solvent (Solv-1) were added. Dissolve and add this solution to 1
10% containing 8cc of 0% sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate
It was emulsified and dispersed in 185 cc of an aqueous solution of gelatin at 185%. This emulsified dispersion and lactic acid EM7 and EM8 were mixed and dissolved, and the gelatin concentration was adjusted so as to have the following composition to prepare a first layer coating solution. Coating solutions for the second to seventh layers were prepared in the same manner as the coating solution for the first layer. As the gelatin hardener for each layer, 1-
Oxy-3,5-dichloro-s-triazine sodium salt was used.

(Cpd-2) was used as a thickener. (Layer Configuration) The composition of each layer is shown below. The numbers represent the coating amount (g / m ² ). The silver halide emulsion represents a coated amount in terms of silver.

Support Polyethylene laminated paper [The first layer of polyethylene contains white pigment (TiO ₂ ) and blue dye. First layer (blue sensitive layer) Monodisperse silver chloride emulsion (EM7) spectrally sensitized with sensitizing dye (ExS-1) ... monodisperse chloride spectrally sensitized with 0.15 sensitizing dye (ExS-1) Emulsion (EM8) 0.15 Gelatin 1.86 Yellow coupler (ExY-1) 0.82 Color image stabilizer (Cpd-2) 0.19 Solvent (Solv-1) 0.35 Second layer (color mixture prevention layer) Gelatin 0.99 Color mixture prevention Agent (Cpd-3) ... 0.08 Third layer (green-sensitive layer) Monodisperse silver chloride emulsion (EM9) spectrally sensitized with sensitizing dye (ExS-2, 3) ... 0.12 Sensitizing dye (ExS-2, Monodisperse silver chloride emulsion spectrally sensitized in 3) (EM10) ... 0.24 Gelatin ... 1.24 Magenta coupler (ExM-1) ... 0.39 Color image stabilizer (Cpd-4) ... 0.25 Color image stabilizer (Cpd-5) ... 0.12 Solvent (Solv-2) ... 0.25 Fourth layer (ultraviolet absorbing layer) Gelatin ... 1.60 Ultraviolet absorber (Cpd-6 / Cpd-7 / Cpd-8 = 3/2/6: weight ratio) ... 0.70 Prevention of color mixing Agent (Cpd- ) ... 0.05 Solvent (Solv-3) ... 0.42 Fifth layer (red-sensitive layer) Monodisperse silver chloride emulsion (EM11) spectrally sensitized with sensitizing dye (ExS-4, 5) ... 0.07 Sensitizing dye (ExS Monodisperse silver chloride emulsion (EM12) spectrally sensitized by -4 and 5) ... 0.16 Gelatin ... 0.92 Cyan coupler (ExC-1) ... 1.46 Cyan coupler (ExC-2) ... 1.84 Color image stabilizer (Cpd-7) / Cpd-8 / Cpd-10 = 3/4/2: weight ratio ... 0.17 Dispersing polymer (Cpd-11) ... 0.14 Solvent (Solv-1) ... 0.20 Sixth layer (ultraviolet absorbing layer) Gelatin ... 0.54 Ultraviolet rays Absorbent (Cpd-6 / Cpd-8 / Cpd-10 = 1/5/3: weight ratio) ... 0.21 Solvent (Solv-4) ... 0.08 7th layer (protective layer) Gelatin ... 1.33 Acrylic modified polyvinyl alcohol Polymer (degree of modification: 17%) ... 0.17 Liquid paraffin ... 0.03 At this time, (Cpd-12, Cpd-13) was used as a dye for preventing irradiation.

Further, in each layer, alkanol XC (Dupont), sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate, succinate and Magefacx F-120 were used as emulsifying dispersants and coating aids.
(Manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.). (Cpd-14, 15) was used as a stabilizer for silver halide.

 The details of the emulsion used are as follows.

The structural formula of the compound used is as follows.

Solv-1 Dibutyl phthalate Solv-2 Trioctyl phosphate Solv-3 Trinonyl phosphate Solv-4 Tricresyl phosphate After imagewise exposure of the above photosensitive material b (A4 size), development of a structure as shown in FIG. Developing machine equipped with a development processing unit with a section (FPRP-115 manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)
Was used in the following processing steps.

The replenishment method of the washing water was a so-called countercurrent replenishment method in which the washing tank was refilled, the overflow of the washing tank was introduced into the washing tank, and the overflow of the washing tank was introduced into the washing tank.

The temperature of each processing solution was kept at the temperature shown in the above table during the experiment (continuous temperature control).

 The composition of each processing solution is as follows.

Rinse water Ion-exchanged water (3 ppm or less each for calcium and magnesium) is used for both mother liquor and replenisher. PH 6 to 8.5 In such processing, the opening degree K ₁ (= S ₁ / V) and the non- Opening degree K ₂ during processing (= S ₂ / V)
Was changed variously, and the time-dependent change in photographic properties was examined. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

Here, the opening degree of the bleach-fixing _{tank, K 11 = 0.04, K 22} =
0.004.

In Table 3, Comparative Example A (opening degree K ₁ = 0.16) is the one without the fixed lid and the movable lid, Comparative Example B is the one with only the fixed lid, and the present invention example is the fixed lid and the movable lid are those provided both, adjustment of the opening degree K ₂ was carried out by the presence or absence of the seal of the gap portion.

The photographic properties were evaluated by the change in sensitivity Δ sensitivity (GL), and the numerical values in Table 3 are indicated by ΔlogE.

As shown in Table 3, in the examples of the present invention, the decrease in Δ sensitivity was small, and it can be seen that good photographic properties were obtained as in the results of the above examples.

[Example 3] Next, as a model experiment, processing tanks having variously changed opening areas (contact areas S of the processing liquid with air) by a shielding lid were prepared, and a processing liquid (V = 1) and allowed to stand for a predetermined time, and the relationship between the opening degree (S / V) and the deterioration of the liquid was examined. The results are shown in the graph of FIG.

Treatment liquid composition K ₂ CO ₃ 25 g Hydroxyamine sulfate (HAS) 3.5 g Sodium sulfite (SS) 2.0 g 1000 ml with water added The deterioration of the treatment liquid is based on the residual amount of HAS and SS in the treatment liquid. , Data for one week, two weeks and four weeks at room temperature.

As is clear from the graph of FIG. 7, it is understood that the smaller the opening degree (at the time of non-processing), the less the deterioration of the processing liquid.
In particular, when the opening degree is 10 ^-2 or less, almost no deterioration occurs up to 4 weeks even when the processing solution is not replenished.

In addition, the results of such a model experiment agree with the results of Examples 1 and 2 described above in that tendency.

In this case, in Examples 1 and 2, the degree of deterioration of the developer in the actual machine was compared with the degree of deterioration obtained by performing a model experiment using the developer actually used in the same manner as described above. It was confirmed that the geometrically determined K ₁ , K ₂ and the degree of degradation at that time were consistent with the results of the model experiment.

<Effects of the Invention> According to the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, the opening degree during processing and non-processing of the photosensitive material is set to a predetermined value, and especially when the movable cover is opened and closed, the carry-in and carry-out ports are not required except when necessary. The processing liquid can be closed to cover the liquid surface of the processing liquid, so that the processing liquid can be prevented from being evaporated, lowered in temperature, deteriorated and deteriorated.

Therefore, even if the exchange rate of the treatment liquid is low, the treatment liquid in the treatment tank can be maintained at a good property, and even in the case of a deserted treatment, the treatment liquid can be regularly replaced to maintain the property of the treatment liquid. Is reduced, and the consumption of the processing liquid is also reduced.

In addition, in the case where an adhesion preventing means for preventing both lids from being in close contact between the movable lid and the fixed lid is provided, the movement of the movable lid,
That is, the opening and closing of the liquid level shutter is performed smoothly for a long period of time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing a configuration example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a rack installed in the processing tank in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are partial cross-sectional side views each showing a configuration example of a liquid level shutter installed in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of opening and the degree of deterioration of the treatment liquid (residual amount of components) in Example 3 of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... liquid level shutter, 10 ... processing tank, 12 ... processing liquid, 14 ... rack, 16, 18 ... side plate, 16A, 18A ... slide groove, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29… Conveyance roller pair, 3… Fixed lid, 32, 34, 36… Fixed lid piece, 32A, 36A… Stopper part, 35… Transport entrance, 37… Transport, 38… Convex Parts, 39 ... Roller, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 ... Guide, 50 ... Shaft, 51, 52 ... Sprocket, 53 ... Chain belt, 54 ... Gear box, 55 ... Motor , 56: fixed flange, 58: movable flange, 60: friction material, 62: coil spring, 64: pin, 7: movable lid, 71: opening, 72: convex part, 76: Projections, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 ... gears, 200 ... photosensitive material

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A processing tank for immersing a photosensitive material in a processing solution for processing; a fixed lid defining an entrance of the photosensitive material into the processing solution and an exit of the processing material out of the processing solution; A movable lid that opens and closes the carry-in port and the carry-out port by relative movement with respect to the fixed lid; and a driving unit that moves the movable lid, wherein the processing tank has a volume of the processing liquid filled in the processing tank. Where V is the open area of the liquid surface of the processing solution, and S / V is 1 × 10 ^-4 to 1 × 10 ^-1 cm ^-1 when the photosensitive material is processed. The opening degree is 70% of the opening degree S / V at the time of the above processing
When processing the photosensitive material using the following photosensitive material processing apparatus, the processing is performed while replenishing the replenisher, and the total amount of the replenisher replenished per week is one time of the substantial volume of the processing tank. A light-sensitive material processing method comprising performing a light emission processing in the following cases. 2. A processing tank for immersing a photosensitive material in a processing solution for processing, a fixed lid defining an entrance of the photosensitive material into the processing solution and an exit of the processing material out of the processing solution; A movable lid that opens and closes the carry-in port and the carry-out port by relative movement with respect to the fixed lid; and a driving unit that moves the movable lid, wherein the processing tank has a volume of the processing liquid filled in the processing tank. Where V is the open area of the liquid surface of the processing solution, and S / V is 1 × 10 ^-4 to 1 × 10 ^-1 cm ^-1 when the photosensitive material is processed. The opening degree is 70% of the opening degree S / V at the time of the above processing
When processing a photosensitive material using a photosensitive material processing apparatus provided with an adhesion preventing means between the movable lid and the fixed lid for preventing the two lids from adhering, a replenisher is replenished. Wherein the total amount of the replenisher replenished per week is not more than one time the actual volume of the processing tank. 3. The photosensitive device according to claim 1, wherein the carrying-in port and the carry-out port are opened when the photosensitive material is conveyed, and the carry-in port and the carry-out port are closed when the photosensitive material is not carried. Material processing method.