JP2942975B2 - Automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic materials - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic processor (hereinafter, also referred to as an automatic developing machine) for processing a silver halide photographic material (hereinafter, also referred to as a "photosensitive material"). More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement in a processing agent replenishment mechanism of an automatic developing machine, and more particularly to an automatic developing machine capable of improving the compactness and workability of the automatic developing machine and obtaining more stable photographic performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive material is exposed, developed, desilvered, washed,
It is processed by steps such as stabilization. Black and white developer, color developer for development, bleaching solution, bleach-fixing solution for desilvering process,
Tap water or ion-exchanged water is used for fixing solution and washing, and stabilizing solution is used for stabilizing treatment. Each processing solution is usually 30
The temperature is adjusted to about 40 ° C., and the photographic material is immersed in these processing solutions for processing.

[0003] Such processing is usually carried out by using an automatic developing machine (hereinafter also referred to as an automatic developing machine) or the like to sequentially transport the photosensitive material between processing tanks containing the above-mentioned processing solutions.

In such a case, in order to keep the activity of the processing liquid in the processing tank constant, a method of replenishing each processing liquid with a replenisher is adopted.

More specifically, the processing operation is performed while a replenisher is supplied from the replenishing tank into the processing tank in a timely manner.

In this case, the replenisher stored in the replenishment tank itself is usually prepared in another place, and is usually replenished in the replenishment tank as needed. The following manual methods are used.

That is, the replenishing agent is supplied in powder or liquid form. When used, the replenishing agent is prepared by dissolving it in a certain amount of water in the case of powder, and is also concentrated in the case of liquid. It is used after being diluted to a certain amount with water.

[0008] The replenishment tank may be installed beside the automatic machine, and it is necessary to secure a considerable space. In addition, a replenishing tank is built in the main body of the automatic developing machine in the minilab, which has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In this case, it is necessary to secure a space for the replenishing tank.

[0009] The replenishment processing agent is composed of various components (hereinafter referred to as "parts or parts") so as to exhibit good performance in photographic processing. These parts are in contact with each other. Over a long period of time, it reacts and deteriorates, thereby impairing its function as a photographic processing agent. In particular, since many of the treating agents are liable to react with each other by a redox reaction, they are generally divided into one or more kinds of parts and are made into kits. These are dissolved in a certain amount of water at the time of use. For use.

[0010] The above-mentioned kit-made parts are, for example,
Each of them is put in an inner container such as a bottle or a bag, and these are put together in an exterior (for example, a cardboard box) and are sold as one unit.

The replenishing agent prepared by dissolving, diluting, and mixing the above-mentioned parts agent is used after finishing in a fixed amount. However, the replenishing agent has the following disadvantages. That is, each part agent is individually placed in a container such as a bottle. Depending on the replenishing agent, the number of parts agent is several, and the number of containers is considerably large when one unit is used, and the number of containers is considerably large during storage and transportation. ,
Not only did it take up a lot of space, but there were also problems with disposal of empty containers. If the replenishment agent consists of several types of parts, each part is separately scattered in a container, so it takes time and effort to find each part. The efficiency was significantly reduced.

[0012]

Accordingly, in the present invention, when developing a photographic material using an automatic processing machine, the development of the automatic processing apparatus should be performed as much as possible in order to conform to the recent trend of miniaturization of the automatic processing apparatus. The aim is to construct a self-contained machine only with the essential parts.

On the other hand, in recent years, environmental preservation and resource saving have been strongly desired mainly in Europe and the United States, and a plastic container of a replenisher has become a particular problem in photography.
That is, photographic plastic containers are low in cost, convenient for storage and transportation, and have excellent chemical resistance, but empty containers are buried or discarded as industrial waste, or incinerated, The plastic container has little biodegradability, is accumulated, and when incinerated, there is a problem that a large amount of carbon dioxide gas is generated, which contributes to global warming and acid rain. In addition, it has been pointed out that a large number of plastic containers are piled up in a narrow work space and the space is further narrowed as a problem for the user.

Further, in order to stabilize the finished quality of the photosensitive material processed by the automatic processing machine, it is desired to stabilize the processing solution performance. To keep the processing solution performance stable, the most important items from the recent trend of low replenishment are management of the replenishment rate and prevention of concentration of the processing solution by evaporation.

For the management of the replenishment rate, it is necessary to periodically check the replenishment amount. However, in recent mini-labs, the periodic check is performed by the manufacturer who sold each machine and once a month. The actual situation is that it is carried out at the time of patrol. Therefore, even if the replenishment rate is out of order, it is left until the patrol check. In addition, regarding minimization of the concentration of the processing solution due to evaporation, in the minilab, the user added hot water to the amount that evaporated and liquid level decreased when the automatic machine was stopped from the previous day when the temperature control of the automatic machine was completed every morning. Although the evaporation correction is performed, the evaporation correction may be properly performed every day in a regular manner. However, if the user forgets or the person is changed from time to time, the rule cannot be adhered to, which is a factor of causing a fluctuation in the processing solution concentration.

On the other hand, the solid processing agent must not have already been altered before being introduced into the processing agent supply tank. In particular, the processing agent in the form of tablets must be loaded into a cartridge, that is, a tablet supply tray, and supplied and supplied to the replenishing tank together with a replenishment instruction. Never get wet with splashing liquid.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to firstly reduce the size of the automatic developing machine by eliminating the replenisher stock tank, and secondly, to reduce the use of plastic bottles without substantial use of plastic bottles. Third, to provide an evaporation correction method for preventing concentration of the processing solution,
In order to save labor by making the replenishment liquid preparation work and evaporation correction work steps manually free,
In addition, the solid processing agent to be added is to be kept in a state where high performance quality is always maintained without being exposed to moisture or moisture.

[0018]

This object is achieved by one of the following technical means a, b and c.

(A) In an automatic developing machine having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for maintaining a constant processing solution performance of an automatic developing device for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the replenishing device replenishes the solid processing agent. The loaded supply tray is arranged, and upon receiving the replenishment signal of the solid processing agent, the solid processing agent at the leading end thereof is placed on a shooter provided at an inclination angle α with respect to the processing liquid surface, from the tray one by one by a predetermined amount. Predetermined feed pushing according to the number,
An automatic developing machine for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein a replenishing solid processing agent is supplied to a liquid surface of a replenishing tank.

(B) The automatic processor for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material as described in (a) above, wherein the inclination angle α is 30 to 80 °.

(C) An automatic developing machine for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the liquid level of the replenishing solid processing agent is a liquid level in a filtration filter of a filtering device provided in the processing agent replenishing tank. .

[0022]

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a self-developing machine according to the present invention, in which a control mechanism of a processing apparatus for a color negative film is simply shown.

When a color negative film is carried in from the photosensitive material insertion section 13 and passes through the photosensitive material area detecting sensor 7, and when a certain amount of area is detected, a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device 8 and a replenishing water replenishing device 10 are provided. The solenoid valve 12 operates in response to a signal from the control unit 11, and replenishing agents and replenishing water for liquid preparation are supplied to the processing tanks 1, 2, 3, and 5, respectively, in required amounts.

When the temperature of the automatic processing machine is controlled for several hours, the processing liquid 17 in each of the processing tanks 1 to 5 evaporates. In response to the signal of 11, the replenishment water replenishing device 10 and the solenoid valve 12 are operated, and the replenishment water for evaporation correction is replenished until the upper limit detection mechanism of the liquid level detection sensor 9 operates. In addition, it is preferable that the temperature of the washing hot water 14, which is the replenishing water supplied by the replenishing water reinforcing pipe 15, is adjusted for both the replenishing water for the liquid preparation and the replenishing water for the evaporation correction. In addition, each of the processing tanks 1 to 5 includes 1 for a color developing tank, 2 for a bleaching tank,
3 denotes a fixing tank, 4 and 4 denote washing tanks, and 5 denotes a stabilizing tank.
6 is a drying section.

FIG. 2 shows a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device 8 in the case of using a tablet-like solidified replenishing agent.
Is shown as a schematic explanatory diagram.

In response to the signal from the photosensitive material area detection sensor 7, the control section 11 operates to operate the replenishing solid processing agent supply stepping motor 95. The drive pinion 96 meshing with the rack 94A is moved by one step, that is, the plunger 94 having the rack 94A by the pitch length P of the thickness of the processing agent.
And the uppermost solid processing agent 24A in the supply tray main body 91 of the replenishing solid processing agent 24 waits at the loading and dropping position, and the replenishing solid processing agent 24 stored in the supply tray 91 is removed. The preparation for loading one into the filtering device 21 in the processing agent replenishing tank (hereinafter referred to as a sub-tank) 20, which is a replenishing processing agent dissolving section for each of the processing layers 1, 2, 3, and 5, is completed. Filtration device 21
A net shelf 21A is provided in the middle of the processing agent 24, and the treating agent 24 dissolves while being placed thereon. Further, the tablet charging position is not limited to the inside of the filtering device 21 and may be anywhere within the sub tank 20.

As described above, the solid processing agent 24A, which is waiting at the uppermost portion, receives the guide plate 20C provided obliquely above the sub-tank 20 by the forward movement of the plunger 99 which reciprocates horizontally on the piston slide 92. Then, the inside of the shooter 20E formed by the ceiling cover 20D slides obliquely downward and falls on the liquid surface of the filtering device 21 of the sub tank 20. The plunger 99 is a pinion with a rack 99A partially connected to the stepper motor 97
When the stepping motor 97 is started by a command signal, a reciprocating operation is performed. When the solid processing agent 24A has been charged into the sub tank 20 in the forward movement, the stepping motor 97 rotates in the reverse direction, and the plunger 99 returns to the original position and waits until the next command signal comes. In some cases, the command signal instructs the supply of a plurality of solid processing agents, in which case the above operation is repeated a predetermined number of times. Replenished solid processing agent for replenishment 24
Is gradually dissolved, and each of the processing tanks 1, 2, 2,
The main processing tanks 16 are supplied to the main processing tanks 3 and 5. Incidentally, if the circulation pump 18 is configured so that all or most of the circulating flow of the processing liquid 17 circulating between the main processing tank 16 and the sub-tank 20 directly passes through the filtration device 21 in the sub-tank 20,
The solubility of the replenishing solid processing agent 24 is further enhanced.
In the figure, 19 is a temperature control heater, 27 is each processing tank 1,2,2,
A communication pipe for connecting the main processing tank 16 and the sub-tank 20, which are constituted by the parts 3 and 5, a processing rack 28 and an overflow port 29.

Here, the supply tray main body 91 of the solid processing agent replenishing device 8 is surrounded by four vertical walls and has a plunger from below.
94 is designed to reciprocate up and down. As described above, the solid processing agent 24 is protected in the supply tray in an almost sealed state, and the solid processing agent 24A at the uppermost portion is also substantially moved into the sub tank 20 through the oblique shooter 20E as described above. Since the processing solutions are extruded in a sealed state, they are not contaminated by the effects of rebound and evaporation of the processing solutions.

Further, the forward speed of the plunger 99 is set to an appropriate value, and the direction of feeding the solid processing agent is the direction shown in FIG. 2 with an inclined plane having an angle close to the inclination angle α of the shooter 20E. Since the speed is adjusted by friction with the shooter 20E and the shot is put in quietly, the splash is extremely reduced. The inclination angle α depends on the charging speed and the shape of the processing agent supply tank.
A range of 30-80 ° is suitable. But 40-70 °
Is more stable and preferable.

Further, it is more preferable to arrange a floating lid and a floating ball filed by the present applicant almost simultaneously on the liquid surface of the solid processing agent charging liquid so as to function as a cushion to suppress the splash extremely.

In response to the signal from the photosensitive material area detecting sensor 7, the control section 11 operates, and the stepping motors 95 and 97 for replenishing the solid processing agent for replenishment and the pinion driven thereby.
The plunger 94 having the rack 94A and the plunger 99 having the rack 99A which operate linearly thereby actuate to replenish the solid processing agent 24 for replenishment, and at the same time the replenishing water replenishing device 10 and the solenoid valve 12 operate. Then, replenishing water for liquid preparation is supplied. The replenishing amount of the replenishing water for the preparation may be at least the amount necessary to dissolve the replenishing solid processing agent 24, and the operating time of the solenoid valve 12 and the replenishing water replenishing device 10 is input to the control unit 11 in advance. Can be solved.

Further, the processing tank 1 is controlled while the temperature of the automatic processing machine is being controlled or stopped.
When the liquid levels of the processing liquids 17 to 5 are lowered due to evaporation, the liquid level detecting sensor 9 detects the lowered liquid level, transmits a signal to the control unit 11, and sends the signal to the electromagnetic valve 12 and the replenishing water replenishing device 10. And replenish the evaporation correction replenishment water to the normal liquid level. When the liquid level reaches the regular liquid level, the liquid level detection sensor 9 detects the regular liquid level, transmits a signal to the control unit 11, and sends the signal to the solenoid valve.
The operation of the replenishing water supply device 12 and 12 is stopped.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4 which is a plan view of FIG. 3 and a sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG.

A cylindrical supply tray 130 containing a tablet-type solid processing agent 24 is provided. The processing agent 24 is stacked in a flat shape, and falls down in the tray 130 by its own weight when the shutter is opened, and is supplied and conveyed. It is possible.

A rotary shutter disk 144 and a lower portion in contact with a rotary shutter disk 144 concentrically around a support shaft 141 provided at a predetermined distance from the center of the cylindrical tray 130 so as to form the bottom of the cylindrical tray 130. A fixed disk 142 is disposed on each disk, and windows 145 and 143 are separately provided on each disk on the same concentric circle as the cylindrical tray 130.

The window 145 of the rotary shutter disk 144 has an inner diameter equal to or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical tray 130 and the outer diameter of the tablet-type solid processing agent.

At the position where the rotary shutter disk 144 rotates and the window 145 overlaps with the cylindrical tray 130 so as to be concentric, the lowermost solid processing agent 24 in the tray 130 is dropped into the window 145 and received. When the rotary shutter disk 144 further rotates and the window 143 of the fixed disk 142 and the window 145 concentrically overlap each other, the tablet type solid processing agent 24 that was in the window 145 of the rotary shutter disk 144 It is dropped on the window 143 and slides down a shooter 146 provided at an inclination angle α with respect to the processing liquid level of the sub-tank 20 placed thereunder.
It is supplied inside.

The inclination angle α is determined according to the frictional force between the shooter 146 and the solid processing agent and the length of the shatter 146, and is suitably 30 to 80 °. But 40-70 °
Is more stable and preferable.

After the lowermost tablet-type solid processing agent 24 has been replenished into the sub-tank 20 as described above, a cylindrical tray
The tablet-type solid processing agent 24 in 130 is kept dammed by the disk surface of the rotary shutter disk 144, and upon receiving the next supply signal, the rotary shutter disk 144 starts rotating and the window 145 displays the processing agent. Until only one 24 is received, it is held as it is received on the upper surface of the rotary shutter disk 144.

The diameter of the window 145 is larger than the diameter of the tablet type solid processing agent 24 and the inner diameter of the cylindrical supply tray 130, and the inner diameter of the window 143 of the fixed shutter disk 142 is further increased. The drop receiving supply of the treatment agent 24 is smooth.

Since the thickness of the rotary shutter disk 144 is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the thickness of the tablet-type solid processing agent, it is possible to surely supply one piece.

The thickness of the fixed disk is a tablet type solid processing agent.
It is larger than the thickness of 24.

In this embodiment, one supply is performed for each rotation of the rotary shutter disk 144. However, by providing two or more windows 145 at equal intervals on the rotary shutter disk 144, Even at the same rotation speed, it is possible to supply twice or three times.

As described above, the processing agent replenishing tank (sub-tank) 20 in the present invention only needs to have a tank for replenishing and dissolving a predetermined number of replenishing solid processing agents 24 and filtering the solution. Each circulation pump (magnet pump)
Since it is only necessary to circulate in the main tank 16 and the sub-tank 20 at 18, the space occupied can be made very small as compared with the space of the conventional replenisher tank.

[0046]

According to the present invention, the volume occupied by the automatic processing machine can be made much smaller than that of the conventional one, and a low-pollution system capable of completely eliminating the plastic bottle used in the past becomes possible. Even if concentration due to oxidation or reduction due to oxidation or removal of the processing solution occurs, water supply for recovery and replenishment of the solid processing agent for replenishment are automatically performed according to the state, so that This eliminates the need for manual work, making it possible to save labor.

Further, while the replenishing solid processing agent is prevented from being splashed by the rebound from the liquid surface when the replenishing solid processing agent is supplied while the replenishing solid processing agent is being supplied, the replenishing solid processing agent is put in the supply tray and is placed near each processing tank. This prevents the quality from being degraded due to the rebound of moisture and splashes even when the machine is on standby, and a safe and compact developing system can be developed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of an automatic machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of one embodiment showing a state of feeding and feeding a solid processing agent.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment showing a state in which a solid processing agent is fed and charged.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment showing a state in which a solid processing agent is fed and supplied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color developing tank 2 Bleaching tank 3 Fixing tank 4 Washing tank 5 Stabilizing tank 6 Drying section 7 Photosensitive material area detection sensor 8 Replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device 9 Liquid level detecting sensor 10 Replenishing water replenishing device 11 Control part 12 Solenoid valve 13 Photosensitive material insertion section 14 Rinse hot water 15 Refill water supply pipe 16 Main processing tank 17 Processing liquid 18 Circulation pump 19 Temperature control heater 20 Sub tank 20E Shooter 21 Filtration device 24 Refilling solid processing agent 24A Top solid processing agent 39 Filtration filter 91 Supply tray body 94,99 Plunger 94A, 99A Rack 95,97 Stepper motor 96,98 Pinion 141 Support shaft 142 Fixed disk 143,145 Window 144 Rotating shutter disk 146 Shooter

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic developing machine having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for maintaining a constant processing solution performance of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the replenishing device is charged with the solid processing agent. Receiving the supply signal of the solid processing agent, and arranging the leading portion of the solid processing agent at a predetermined angle one by one from the tray on a shooter provided at an inclination angle α with respect to the processing liquid surface. An automatic developing machine for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein a predetermined number of times of feeding are supplied to the liquid surface of a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing tank. 2. The automatic developing machine for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 1, wherein said inclination angle α is set to 30 to 80 °. 3. An automatic developing machine for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein the liquid level of the replenishing solid processing agent is a liquid level in a filtration filter of a filtering device provided in the processing agent replenishing tank.