JP2867074B2 - Water saving equipment for photosensitive material processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water-saving device for washing water used in a washing tank in an automatic developing machine for immersion processing of a photosensitive material.

[Prior Art] Generally, an automatic developing machine for immersion processing of a photosensitive material is provided with a developing tank, a fixing tank and a washing tank in the order of processing the photosensitive material having been subjected to a predetermined image exposure, and each of the developing tanks is disposed along a predetermined transport path. The developer is conveyed into each processing solution contained in the tank, and is subjected to a developing process, a fixing process, and a rinsing process. Conventionally, the rinsing process performed in the rinsing tank may be any of a rinsing method in which a large amount of rinsing water is used to sufficiently remove the fixing solution and the reaction product attached to the photosensitive material, or a rinsing method using a pool water. The water-washing process is carried out by such a method so that the image quality of the processed photosensitive material is always kept good.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, the water washing method for washing out the photosensitive material requires a large amount of water. In addition, in the pool washing method, which avoids the use of a large amount of water, the concentration of the washing water becomes high depending on the film processing amount and exceeds the pollution standard value, and it cannot be disposed of in the sewerage system. Economic effect cannot be obtained.

 In any case, it is economically unfavorable.

In addition, in the water-saving method that regenerates washing water by adding an additive to the accumulated water washing method, the automatic developing machine must be stopped, and an oxidizing agent must be added and stirred in order to regenerate the used washing water. Further, there is a disadvantage that the washing effect of the washing water varies before and after the introduction of the oxidizing agent, so that a stable and reliable washing process is not always performed. The present invention solves such a problem and is extremely economical. In addition, the contamination does not automatically deviate from the allowable range, and the washing water can be continuously and efficiently regenerated so that a stable and reliable washing process can be performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a water saving device for a material processing device.

[Means for solving the problem]

The object of the present invention is to provide a water-saving device in which washing water used in a washing tank of a photosensitive material processing apparatus is returned to a water tank arranged near the washing tank, and an oxidizing agent is added to reuse the washing water. And / or providing at least one sedimentation tank for transferring and washing used washing water from the washing tank by the first transfer means, wherein impurities contained in the washed water transferred to the washing tank are settled. This is achieved by a water saving device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the supernatant water is sent to the water storage tank by a second transfer means.

〔Example〕

One embodiment of the present invention will be described first with reference to FIG. 1 which is a side view showing a configuration of a washing water saving apparatus provided in a photosensitive material processing apparatus recently filed by the present applicant. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a flush water saving device of the present invention in which a sedimentation tank is provided in addition to a water storage tank.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

As described above, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus for immersing the photosensitive material, for example, a developing tank, a fixing tank, and a washing tank are provided in the order of processing the photosensitive material on which predetermined image exposure has been performed. Are transported into the respective processing liquids contained in the respective tanks according to the transport path, and are subjected to a developing process, a fixing process, and a rinsing process. According to the present invention, a water-saving device for rinsing water required for rinsing treatment in order to eliminate the above-mentioned problems is configured as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a water saving device 10 provided near the washing tank 2 in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 is provided with a water storage tank 12 for regenerating used washing water and supplying it to the washing tank 2. Have been. The washing tank 2 contains washing water 2a,
Regenerated rinsing water 12a is stored in 12. A water supply means for taking in water from the outside by a water supply pipe 15 and a water supply valve 15a connected to the right wall surface of the water tank 12, and an additive 17 is injected into the water tank 12 to be used for washing the used water. An additive injection means 16a for regenerating water;
A stirring pump 18a as stirring means for stirring washing water to which an additive is added, which passes through a filtration filter 12b provided on the bottom surface of the inside of the washing tank 2, and the washing water 12a regenerated in the washing tank 2; Circulating means for supplying water and circulating the washing water 2a of the washing tank 2 into the water tank 12, and detecting the water surface position of the washing water 12a in the water tank 12 with level sensors 14, 14a, Control means are provided for mutually controlling the means.

Therefore, the water-saving device 10 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 is constituted by the circulating means for connecting the water storage tank 12 and the washing tank 2 configured as described above. The water supply means is provided in the water supply pipe 15 when the water surface position of the rinsing water 12a is detected by one of the upper level sensor 14a and the lower level sensor 14 provided in the upper part of the water storage tank 12. The water supply valve 15a opens and closes and the water tank 1
Clean water is supplied from the outside so that the water surface position in 2 is within a predetermined range of water level.

The additive injecting means 16a is provided adjacent to the right wall surface of the water storage tank 12. The additive 17 is, for example, an oxidizing agent of hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) which does not affect the physical properties of the photosensitive material. An injection pump as an additive injection means provided on a wall surface of the water tank 12 and an injection pipe 16 for flowing the oxidizing agent 17
An appropriate amount of the oxidizing agent is injected and added into the water storage tank 12 in the direction shown by the arrow by the flow sensor 16b and the flow sensor 16b.

The injection and addition of the oxidizing agent decomposes hypo contained in the treated washing water 2a of the washing tank 2 which is recirculated into the water tank 12, and regenerates the photosensitive material as washing water which can be washed again. It is for doing.

The circulation means indicates the washing water 12a regenerated in the water storage tank 12 with an arrow via the water supply pump 5a provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 5 connected to the bottom surface of the water storage tank 12. Water is supplied from above the washing tank 2 in the direction. The water supply valve 5b is a circulation amount adjustment valve. The level sensor 4 is a sensor for detecting the level range of the washing water 2a in the washing tank 2. When the water level of the washing water 2a is lower than a predetermined amount, and when the returning of the washing water 2a is poor and the water level is too high. It detects and alerts by an alarm.

The overflow port 3a of the washing tank 2 and the bottom of the water tank 12 are connected by the reflux pipe 6 and arranged below the water pipe 5 so that the bottom of the washing tank 2 Since the water level in 12 is set low, the rinsing water 2a discharged from the overflow port 3a is efficiently circulated into the water storage tank 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow by utilizing the head. Thus, each of the washing water 2
a and 12a are circulated.

Then, the water storage tank 12 into which the oxidizing agent 17 is injected and added.
The washing water 12a passes through the filtration filter 12b by a stirring pump 18a as a stirring means provided in the middle of a stirring pipe 18 that connects a bottom surface portion and a right wall surface of the water storage tank 12 from outside. The water is returned into the water storage tank 12 through the stirring pipe 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow, so that the water is sufficiently stirred.

On the other hand, an upper level sensor 14a that detects an upper limit position of the water surface of the rinsing water 12a and a lower level sensor 14 that detects a lower limit position of the water surface are provided at an upper portion in the water tank 12. Is always maintained between the upper level sensor 14a and the lower level sensor 14. For example, when the water level is detected to decrease and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 15 reaches the position of the upper level sensor 14a, the water supply valve 15a is closed and the water supply is stopped. When the water level of the washing water 12a is lowered to the position of the lower level sensor 14, the water supply valve 15a is opened to start water supply and the upper level sensor 1 is started.
Water is supplied until the water level reaches 4a. Then, if the water that is excessively supplied into the water storage tank 12 is discharged from the overflow port 13 a of the overflow pipe 13 provided in the water tank 12 to the outside of the water tank 12. In this way, a predetermined water surface position of the rinsing water 12a in the water storage tank 12 is automatically maintained. Then, the washing tank 2 using a pool water method.
In order to continuously wash the photosensitive material with water, the washing water 2a of the water tank 12 is not discharged without discharging the washing water 2a of the washing tank 2.
And discharge fresh water from outside. This operation stops the water supply pump 5a of the water supply pipe 5 connecting the water storage tank 12 and the washing tank 2, and stops the water storage tank.
The drain valve 20a of the drain pipe 20 connected to the bottom of the drain 12 is opened to discharge an appropriate amount of the washing water 12a in the direction indicated by the arrow. After the proper amount of the rinsing water 12a has been discharged, the drain valve 20a is closed and the water supply valve 15a is opened to supply fresh water from the outside into the water tank 12, and the water level determined by the upper level sensor 14a is detected. After closing the water supply valve 15a, the water supply pump 5a is operated to supply the washing water 12a of the water storage tank 12 to the washing tank 2. The contamination of the washing water 2a in the washing tank 2 is reduced by mixing the thus-regenerated washing water 12a. By repeating this, the washing of the photosensitive material can be continuously performed.

Then, after the operation is completed, the drainage valves 20a and 7a are automatically opened by stopping the automatic developing machine, and the washing water 12a and 2a are completely drained from the drainage pipes 7 and 20 provided in the tanks 2 and 12, respectively. . The state of drainage is detected by a float sensor 14b provided on the bottom surface of the water storage tank 12.

In this way, the regenerated washing water 12a is efficiently and automatically supplied into the washing tank 2 by the washing method in which the storage tank is connected, so that stable washing of the photosensitive material is continuously performed. In addition, the capacity of the water storage tank 12 is preferably set to 1 to 1/10 of the total washing water amount in order to disperse the oxidizing agent in a short time and perform a uniform oxidation reaction.

Each of the means is provided with a CPU (not shown) provided in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 and each of the sensors 4, 14, 14a,
The operation timing and the drive sequence are mutually controlled by 14b, 14c, 14d, 16b and the like.

In the present invention, the water saving apparatus 10 described with reference to FIG. 1 is used by the present applicant in order to more efficiently regenerate the used washing water and to continuously operate the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 for a longer time. In addition to the water saving device 10 of FIG.
As shown in the figure, a rinsing water saving device 11 in which a sedimentation tank was provided along with the water storage tank 12 was configured as follows.

That is, in the above-described water-saving device 10 in which an oxidizing agent is added to the washing water 2a refluxed to the water storage tank 12 and reused, when used repeatedly for a long time, the hypo contained in the washing water 2a, 12a is reduced. Since the decomposed metallic silver gradually accumulates and adheres to the photosensitive material to be processed, the washing water 2a, 12a must be discarded according to the stain. Since the frequency of disposal is almost every day, handling is very troublesome, and the operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 is inevitably stopped during drainage and water supply. The present invention is configured as follows in order to enable the processing apparatus 1 to operate continuously for a long time and to achieve a further water saving effect.

As shown in FIG. 2, a first sedimentation tank 21 and a second sedimentation tank 24 having the same capacity are integrally provided adjacent to the right side of the water storage tank 12, respectively.

A first transfer pipe 19 for discharging the washing water 12a downward is provided on the bottom of the water storage tank 12 in parallel with the discharge pipe 20, and provided on a bottom of the first settling tank 21. The first transfer pipe 23 and the first transfer pipe 26 provided on the bottom of the second sedimentation tank 24 are joined together and connected.

Further, a first transfer pipe 8 is provided which branches off from the middle of the drainage pipe 7 provided on the bottom portion of the washing tank 2 and is connected to the side of the pipe 19.

An electromagnetic valve 19a is provided above the pipe 19 with a connection portion with the pipe 8 therebetween, and below the pipe 19, the washing water 12a is discharged from the water storage tank 12 and the pipes 23, 26 A first transfer pump for transferring the washing water 2a, 12a to the first settling tank 21 and the second settling tank 24 via
19b are provided respectively.

The pipes 8, 23, 26 are also provided with solenoid valves 8a, 23a, 26a, and the rinsing water 2a, 12a discharged by the first transfer pump 19b is opened via the pipe 19 and the pipe 23. The transfer to the first settling tank 21 is performed via the solenoid valve 23a. At this time, the solenoid valve 26a on the second settling tank 24 side is kept closed.

Similarly, in the transfer of the second settling tank 24, the solenoid valve 23a is closed and opened by the first transfer pump 19b through the pipe 19 and the pipe 26.
Transferred via a. Thus, the first transfer means 30 for alternately transferring the used washing water 2a, 12a to the first and second settling tanks 21, 24 is constituted.

As shown in the figure, a second transfer pipe 22 is provided in the first settling tank 21 such that one end is located near the bottom of the settling tank 21 and the other end is positioned above the water storage tank 12. In the middle of the pipe 22, a second transfer pump 22a is provided.

Similarly, the second settling tank 24 is also provided with a second transfer pipe 25 and a second transfer pump 25a.

Then, the first transfer means 3 is set in each of the settling tanks 21 and 24.
The supernatant water produced after being transferred by 0 and left for a predetermined time is alternately transferred into the water storage tank 12 via the pipes 22 and 25 by the respective second transfer pumps 22a and 25a. Has become.

Thus, the second transfer means 31 for transferring the supernatant water in the first and second precipitation tanks 21 and 24 into the water storage tank 12 is configured.

The operation of the first and second transfer means configured as described above will be described. The solenoid valve of the pipe 8 for connecting the used washing water 2a, 12a with accumulated dirt to the washing tank 2 will be described. 8a and the solenoid valve 19a of the pipe 19 connected to the water storage tank 12 are opened, and the first transfer pump 19b is operated to discharge in the direction of the arrow and the pipe 23 through which the solenoid valve 23a is opened. It is transferred from the direction of the arrow into the first settling tank 21 and stored therein, and is left for a predetermined time (about half a day).

When the rinsing water 2a, 12a reaches a predetermined drainage position in the tub 2, 12, each of the float sensors 4a, 14b provided in the rinsing tank 2 and the bottom of the cistern 12. Is detected, the first transfer pump 19b is stopped, and each of the solenoid valves 8 is stopped.
a and 19a are closed.

On the other hand, tap water is newly supplied from the outside to the water storage tank 12 from which the water for washing 12a has been discharged, and the water washing tank 2 is connected to the water washing tank 2 by the water supply circulation means described in the water saving device of FIG. And the operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 is continued.

The washing water 2a, 12a transferred to the first sedimentation apparatus 21 precipitates metallic silver and other dirt as time passes, and the supernatant water accumulates above. Therefore, the supernatant water is used as the next washing water. Prepared to be used as and waited.

The washing water 2a, 12a which is processing the photosensitive material by the time the supernatant water is formed in the first sedimentation tank 21 becomes dirty and the time for replacement is reached.
a, 12a are each pipe 8,
It is discharged from 19 and transferred to the second sedimentation tank 24 from the direction of the arrow through the pipe 26 in which the solenoid valve 26a is open.

Then, the first sedimentation tank 21 is placed in the empty water storage tank 12.
The supernatant water is introduced into the second transfer pump 22a and the pipe 22.
The water tank 12 is transferred from above by the second transfer means 31 indicated by the arrow.

The amount of the transferred supernatant water is determined by the amount of water to be disposed of in the first sedimentation tank 21 where the dirt is concentrated and the amount of the sediment concentrated.
Since the amount of water has been reduced due to evaporation in the tank, new water having an amount corresponding to the reduced amount is replenished, and the inside of the water tank 12 and the water tank 2 are filled with a predetermined amount of each of the water 2a, 12a. It is.

The water to be discarded containing the sedimentation substance remaining in the first sedimentation tank 21 is supplied to the pipe 23 provided with the open electromagnetic valve 23a connected to the first sedimentation tank 21.
The solenoid valve 27a provided on the pipe 27 is opened from the collection pipe 27 connected to the pipe 19 via the pipe 19 and discharged in the direction of the arrow, and collected in a predetermined collection tank (not shown). When the water to be discarded reaches a predetermined drainage position, a float sensor 21a provided on the bottom portion in the first settling tank 21 detects and closes the electromagnetic 23a.

On the other hand, the washing water 2a, 12a to which the supernatant water has been sent to the washing tank 2 and the water storage tank 12 becomes dirty again with the processing of the photosensitive material, and when the time for replacement is reached, the washing water 2a, , 1
2a, the supernatant water produced in the second sedimentation tank 24 after being transferred into the empty first sedimentation tank 21 by the first transfer means 30 in the same procedure as described above, Settling tank 24
The water is transferred into the water storage tank 12 and the washing tank 2 by the second transfer pipe 25 and the second transfer pump 25a constituting the second transfer means 31 provided therein.

The contaminated water containing the sedimented substance in the second sedimentation tank 24 is also connected to the second sedimentation tank 24 by the same means as in the first sedimentation tank 21. valve
The second sedimentation tank 24 is recovered through the pipes 26 and 27 of 26a and 27a, and is prepared for the transfer of the used washing water 2a and 12a in the next cycle.

Thus, the first settling tank 21 and the second settling tank 24
The photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 is operated continuously for a long time by circulating and using the supernatant water alternately produced by the two tanks between the washing tank 2 and the water tank 12. It becomes possible.

Further, compared to the water saving device 10 with the water tank 12 alone, which periodically discards the entire amount of the washing water 2a, 12a, much less new water is replenished, so that the water saving effect is further improved. Here, the rinsing waters 2a and 12a usually have the same degree of cleanliness by the reflux means.

Depending on the size of the sedimentation tank and the amount of the photosensitive material to be processed, only one tank can be provided in parallel with the water storage tank 12 to obtain the water-saving effect. By providing the tank together with the water tank 12, not only the operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 can be continued for a longer time, but also the water saving effect is further improved.

The washing water 2a, 12a of the washing tank and the water storage tank 12, respectively, is passed through the pipe 8 of the solenoid valve 8a in which only the washing water 2a is opened according to the progress of the dirt. Even when transferring to one of the settling tanks 21 and 24 by one transfer pump 19b, no problem may occur.

Similarly, only the washing water 12a of the water storage tank 12 is supplied to the sedimentation tanks 21 and 2 by the pipe 19 and the first transfer pump 19.
4 may be transferred.

The operation of the first and second transfer means 30, 31 and the collection solenoid valve 27a is also controlled by the CPU (not shown) and the float sensors 4a, 14b, 21a, 24a and the like. And the drive sequence is controlled mutually.

〔The invention's effect〕

The water-saving apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to extremely efficiently perform the washing process of the photosensitive material, and automatically circulates and regenerates the washing water and supplies it to the washing tank. The processing can be performed, and the water saving effect is further improved as compared with the water saving apparatus having the configuration of FIG. 1 previously applied by the present applicant, and the photosensitive material processing apparatus can be operated for a long time. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a washing water saving apparatus provided in a photosensitive material processing apparatus previously filed by the present applicant. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a flush water saving device in which a settling tank is provided in a water storage tank of the water saving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photosensitive material processing apparatus 2 ... Rinse tank, 2a ... Rinse water of a rinse tank 5 ... Water supply pipe, 5a ... Water supply pump 6 ... Reflux pipe, 10, 11 ... Water saving device 12 ... Water tank , 12a… Rinse water in the water tank 4a, 14b, 21a, 24a… Float sensor 15… Water supply pipe, 16… Additive injection pipe 16a… Injection pump, 17… Additive (oxidant) 18… … Stirring pipe, 18a… Stirring pump 7,20… Drainage pipe 7a, 20a… Drainage valve 8,19,23,26 …… First transfer pipe 19b …… First transfer pump 8a, 19a, 23a, 26a , 27a ... electromagnetic valve 21 ... first settling tank, 22, 25 ... second transfer pipe 22a, 25a ... second transfer pump 27 ... recovery pipe, 30 ... first transfer means 31 ... 2 transfer means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water-saving device for recirculating washing water used in a washing tank of a photosensitive material processing apparatus to a water tank disposed near the washing tank, adding an oxidizing agent, and reusing the water. At least one sedimentation tank is provided for transferring and storing used washing water from the tank and / or the washing tank by the first transfer means, and removing impurities contained in the washed water transferred to the sedimentation tank. A water-saving device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the supernatant water is supplied to the water storage tank by a second transfer means.