JP3197670B2 - Cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, and more particularly, to a processor for developing a film or photographic paper.
The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning an external roller disposed outside a liquid in various photosensitive material processing tanks such as a developing processing tank, a fixing processing tank, and a washing processing tank in a processor unit of a printer processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer processor or the like used in a so-called minilab or the like, a photographic paper as a photosensitive material is pinched and conveyed by using a plurality of pairs of rollers. These rollers are used for developing, fixing,
They are disposed inside and outside the processing liquid in various photosensitive material processing tanks such as a washing processing tank. For this reason, when the printer processor or the like is not operated for a long period of time, the processing liquid precipitates particularly on the rollers disposed outside the liquid (hereinafter referred to as “outside liquid roller” as appropriate), and stains are generated. There was a problem of adverse effects. The same stain caused by the deposition of the processing liquid also occurred on a guide plate for guiding the photosensitive material outside the liquid instead of a roller. In consideration of such a point, a cleaning device that cleans the outer roller or the guide plate with water at least after use has been incorporated in the related art, thereby suppressing the generation of dirt on the outer roller when not operating for a long time. Was to be done.

[0003] However, when the extra-liquid roller and the like are washed with water, it is preferable in terms of the washing effect if the amount of water used is large, but there is a problem that the treatment liquid is diluted more than necessary. That is, since the treatment liquid is generally concentrated by evaporation, there is no problem when adding an amount corresponding to the amount of evaporation. However, when an amount exceeding this amount is added, the treatment liquid becomes thin and sufficient. There is a problem that processing capacity cannot be obtained. Further, in a printer processor or the like used in a minilab or the like, the capacity of the water tank is limited due to the installation space.

For this reason, in a conventional cleaning apparatus, a limited amount of water, specifically, about 20 cc of water is supplied to each outer roller to perform cleaning.

[0005]

However, when the limited amount of water is simply supplied to the extra-water roller as described above, a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be obtained, and when the operation is stopped for a long period of time. In this case, there is often a problem that the extra-liquid roller is stained.

Further, in a printer processor or the like, processing tanks of various photosensitive materials such as a developing processing tank, a fixing processing tank, and a washing processing tank are generally arranged side by side and sequentially, and these processings can be efficiently performed. In order to perform the operation, the arrangement of the extra-liquid roller is determined in consideration of this point. That is, the extra-liquid rollers are arranged at a pair at the entrance of each processing tank and at the exit substantially orthogonal to the conveying path of the photosensitive material, and the pair of entrance-side rollers and the pair of exit-side rollers are viewed from the side. Are arranged so that the line segments connecting the centers of the rollers constituting each roller pair are inclined at substantially the same angle with respect to the vertical axis and are line-symmetric. In addition, the rotation direction of each roller is usually determined for the function of transporting the photosensitive material. For this reason, the location of the processing liquid adhering to the roller pair differs between the inlet roller pair and the outlet roller pair, and in the above-described conventional cleaning apparatus, even if one roller pair provides a sufficient cleaning effect, There was also a disadvantage that the cleaning effect could not be sufficiently obtained with the other roller pair.

When the printer processor or the like is not operated for a long period of time, a large amount of dirt on the outer liquid roller and the like is generated particularly from the fixing processing tank to the washing processing tank. This is considered to be due to oxidation of the fixing agent adhering to the extra-liquid roller or the like from the fixing treatment tank to the washing treatment tank, thereby causing contamination by sulfide. In a conventional cleaning device, it has been difficult to prevent the generation of dirt due to the sulfide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to provide a cleaning method capable of effectively suppressing the generation of dirt on the liquid outer roller even when the liquid roller is left for a long time. It is to provide a device.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The light-sensitive material is a liquid disposed to face the outside of the processing tank for processing a light-sensitive material A cleaning device of the roller pair for pinching transport, and water supply means for supplying water to said rollers, said processing
Means for calculating the amount of water to be added to the bath, driving means for rotating each roller, and means for calculating the amount of water
Water added to the treatment tank based on the calculation result
And control means for controlling the water supply means at the timing of water addition to intermittently supply water to the roller pair and controlling the drive means to rotate each roller.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device for a pair of rollers disposed opposite to each other outside of a liquid in a processing tank for processing a photosensitive material and nipping and transporting the photosensitive material. And a driving means for rotating each roller, and controlling the water supply means so as to intermittently supply water to the pair of rollers and to alternately repeat forward and reverse rotation of each roller. Control means for controlling the driving means,
Having.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the roller pair includes an upper roller disposed at a position where the height of the processing liquid in the processing tank from the liquid surface is different. A water retention guide which is constituted by a lower roller and is provided above the upper roller near the upper roller and between the upper roller and the cleaning water using the surface tension thereof is provided.

[0012] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the above-described cleaning device, the water supply unit may be a roller.
Include water containing sulfite ions as liquid to be supplied to the pair
It is characterized by.

[0013] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
Wherein the water supply means is configured to include one of a pump using a bellows, a centrifugal pump, or a combination of any of these pumps and an electromagnetic valve. Features.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the water supply means is controlled by the control means, and water is intermittently supplied to the roller pair. The control means drives the roller so as to rotate each roller simultaneously with the water supply. Is controlled, so that each roller is rotated each time water is supplied. For this reason, the dirty water after washing the roller is washed away, and the washing is repeated with clean water, so that the roller can be efficiently used with a small amount of water compared to a case where water is simply supplied to the roller pair at once. Can be washed.
The amount of water added to the treatment tank is calculated by the amount of water calculation means.
Is calculated. If water is supplied to the roller pair with this amount of water,
A constant amount of water can be secured according to the evaporation. example
For example, the water content calculating means may be a liquid concentration sensor, a level sensor.
Water using sensors such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, etc.
May be calculated. That is, the sensor
It may be detected whether or not it is time to add water. this
Detection should determine whether water should be added,
A small amount can be detected. And the roller is calculated by the calculated amount of water.
Washed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the water supply means is controlled by the control means so that water is intermittently supplied to the pair of rollers, and the respective rollers are controlled so as to alternately rotate forward and reverse. The driving means is controlled by the means, so that each roller alternates between forward rotation and reverse rotation alternately while the water is supplied, and in a state where each roller rotates only in one predetermined direction as well as when the roller is stopped. The roller can be more efficiently cleaned as compared with the case where water is supplied from the water supply unit. In other words, when each roller alternates between normal rotation and reverse rotation, water is always drawn between the rollers constituting each pair of rollers in either case of normal rotation or reverse rotation, and therefore, regardless of the mounting position. First, each roller is cleaned well. In this case, the roller may rotate forward or backward each time water is supplied.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the supplied water is held at a portion between the upper roller and the lower roller constituting the roller pair. Therefore, the ratio of the supplied water to cleaning can be increased, and more efficient cleaning can be performed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the sulfite ion-containing water is supplied to each roller pair from the liquid supply means, the fixing agent adhered to the outer liquid roller provided from the fixing processing tank to the washing processing tank. (The main component is ammonium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate). This suppresses the sulfurization of the fixing agent adhered to each roller, and makes it difficult for stains due to sulfide to occur even when the fixing agent is left for a long time. In this case, the supply of the sulfite ion-containing water to the roller pair may be intermittent or continuous.

[0018]

1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described based on.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the overall configuration of a printer processor 10 in which a cleaning device according to the present invention is incorporated.

The printer processor 10 includes a printer unit 12, a processor unit 14, a drying unit 82, and a cutter unit 84.

At the left end of the printer section 12 in FIG. 5, there is provided a work table 18 projecting from the casing 16 and positioned substantially horizontally. This work table 1
A negative carrier 22 on which a negative film 20 is set is mounted on the upper surface of the negative film 8. A light source unit 24 having a light source 26 is provided below the work table 18. On the optical path of printing light emitted upward from the light source 26, a filter unit 28 composed of three filters of C, M, and Y, and a diffusion tube 30 are provided. Each filter constituting the filter unit 28 is controlled by a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a "microcomputer") 102 (see FIG. 4) as a control means, and is made to appear and disappear in the optical path of the printing light.

An optical system 34 is mounted on the arm 32 located above the work table 18. The optical system 34 includes a lens 3 disposed on the optical path of the printing light.
6, including a shutter 38 and a reflection mirror 40.

Therefore, the printing light from the light source 26 passes through the negative film 20 set on the negative carrier 22 via the filter section 28 and the diffusion tube 30. The printing light transmitted through the negative film 20 is transmitted through a lens 36 and a shutter 38.
, Is reflected by the reflection mirror 40, and its path is changed by approximately 90 degrees to form an image of the negative film on the photographic paper 44 as a photosensitive material set in the exposure chamber 42. .

The optical system 34 has a sensor for measuring the density of the negative film 20, such as a CCD sensor or the like. The density measuring device 46 is connected to the microcomputer 102 (see FIG. 4), and based on the photometric data measured by the density measuring device 46 and the correction data keyed by a worker using a keyboard (not shown). An exposure amount is calculated.

The light source section 24, the optical system 34, and the exposure chamber 42 constitute the printer section 12.

A magazine mounting section 48 is provided at the upper right corner of the exposure chamber 42. The magazine mounting section 48 is configured to mount a paper magazine 52 in which the long printing paper 44 is wound around a reel 50 and stored.

A pair of transport rollers 54 is disposed near the magazine mounting section 48, and the photographic paper 44 is nipped by the pair of transport rollers 54 and transported into the exposure chamber 42. .

A wrapping roller 56 is provided at a position on the left side of the transport roller 54 in FIG. 5, and the photographic paper 4 transported into the exposure chamber 42 by the transport roller 54 is provided.
4 is wound around a winding roller 56, turned 90 degrees in front of the arm 32, and hangs down. A first stock section 58 is provided between the roller 54 and the wrapping roller 56 for guiding and stocking the photographic paper 44 in a substantially U-shape.

An exposure stage 60 is provided downstream of the wrapping roller 56 in the guide direction of the photographic paper 44. The exposure stage 60 has a variable mask (not shown) which is opened and closed by a microcomputer 102 (see FIG. 4). Is provided. For this reason, the length and width of the variable mask are changed according to the print size and the type of print (for example, the presence or absence of a white frame around the image).

A roller 62A is disposed below the exposure stage 60 in the exposure chamber 42, a roller 62B is disposed to the right of the roller 62A, and a roller 62C is disposed to the upper right of the roller 62B. . The photographic paper 44 on which the image of the negative film 20 is printed in the exposure chamber 42 by the rollers 62A, 62B, and 62C.
Is transported to the developing section 43 of the processor section 14 adjacent to the exposure chamber 42.

A cutter 65 is provided downstream of the roller 62A. The cutter 65 has a role of cutting the rear end of the photographic paper 44 after a series of continuous printing processes (for example, for each order).
The photographic paper 44 remaining in the paper magazine 2 can be rewound to the paper magazine 52 again.

A second stock section 67 is provided between the rollers 62A and 62B to guide and print the baked photographic paper 44 in a substantially U-shape. The second stock unit 67 absorbs a difference in processing speed between the printer unit 12 that stocks the printing paper 44 and performs the printing process and the processor unit 14 that performs each of the development, bleach-fixing, and washing processes.

The processor section 12 is provided with a developing section 43, a bleach-fixing section 47, and a washing section 49 in this order from the side adjacent to the exposure chamber 42.

The development processing section 43 includes a first development processing tank 51 and a second development processing tank 53. Also,
The bleach-fix processing section 47 includes a fixing processing tank 55, and the rinsing processing section 49 includes a first rinsing processing tank 57 and a second rinsing processing tank 59. Although not shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of pairs of transport rollers are actually arranged along the transport path of the printing paper 44 in each processing tank.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a total of five roller pairs 63A, 63B, 63C, 6
3D and 63E are disposed at substantially symmetric positions, and the developer 61
Outside the liquid, an inlet roller pair 64 and an outlet roller pair 66 are arranged. First developing tank 51, fixing processing tank 5
5, the first rinsing tank 57 and the second rinsing tank 59 have the same configuration.

The inlet-side roller pair 64 is opposed to each other in a state where a straight line connecting the respective axis centers is inclined at a predetermined angle α (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to the vertical axis, and is disposed in an abutting state with each other. A first roller 64A as a roller and a second roller 64B as a lower roller are provided. Similarly, the outlet-side roller pair 66 is arranged such that a straight line connecting the respective axis centers is opposed to each other in a state where the straight line is inclined at a predetermined angle α (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to the vertical axis, and is disposed in an abutting state with each other. A third roller 66A as a roller and a fourth roller 66B as a lower roller are provided. However, the entrance-side roller pair 64 and the exit-side roller pair 66 are arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner.

Immediately above the inlet roller pair 64 and outlet roller pair 66 of each processing tank, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, one nozzle 68 for supplying water to each roller pair is provided. It is provided corresponding to each. These roller pairs 6
First and third rollers 64A, 66A constituting the first and second rollers 66, 66
Above is provided a water retention guide 69 via a predetermined gap. As shown in FIG. 3, the water retention guide 69 is hung on a support member 71 attached inside a processing tank (in FIG. 3, the second developing processing tank 53).

Therefore, when water is supplied to the pair of rollers 64 and 66 and the first and third rollers 64A and 66A rotate, the supplied water is reduced by the surface tension of the first and third rollers 64A and 66A. The roller is held between the rollers 64A and 66A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 68 is disposed in parallel with the inlet roller pair 64 or the outlet roller pair 66, and has a plurality of small holes 68A at its lower end surface at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. (See FIG. 3). One end of the nozzle 68 is connected to a water supply pipe 76 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the water supply pipe 76 is connected to a water tank 80 via a pump 78. Here, as the pump 78, a pump using a bellows or a centrifugal pump is suitable for intermittently supplying a small amount of water to the nozzle 68. When one of these pumps is combined with an electromagnetic valve, a small amount of water is controlled. Therefore, it is more preferable.

In this embodiment, the nozzle 68, the water supply pipe 76, the pump 78, and the water tank 80 are used to supply water to the water supply means 10.
0 is configured. The water supply by the water supply means 100 is controlled by turning on and off the pump 78 by the microcomputer 102.

The second roller 64B and the fourth roller 66B
Is a driving roller, and the first roller 64A and the third roller 6
6A is a driven roller. At one end of the shaft of the second roller 64B, there is provided a worm wheel 70B which forms a worm gear together with the worm 70A. Also, the fourth
A worm wheel 72B that constitutes another worm gear together with the worm 72A is provided at one end of the shaft of the roller 66B.

The worms 70A and 72A are fixed at a predetermined interval to a drive shaft 75 connected to an output shaft of a motor 74, and the second roller 6 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 74.
4B and the fourth roller 66B rotate in a predetermined direction, and following the rotation of the second roller 64B and the fourth roller 66B, the first roller 64A and the third roller 66A move in the opposite directions. It is configured to rotate.

Here, the first to fourth rollers 64A, 64B, 66A, 66B constituting the roller pair 64, 66
A rubber roller having a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 200 mm is used. The motor 74 has a forward rotation
A reversible motor is used.

In this embodiment, the driving means 110 is constituted by the motor 74 and the worm gear. The control of the driving means 110 is performed by controlling the motor 74 by the microcomputer 102.

The motor 74 is connected to the microcomputer 102 together with the pump 78, as shown in FIG.
The motor 74 and the pump 78 are connected to the microcomputer 102.
Is controlled by the In FIG. 4, reference numeral 61 indicates a sensor unit for calculating the amount of water added. A liquid concentration sensor or a level sensor can be used for the sensor unit. Further, a sensor group including a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like may be used.

The drying section 82 is provided with a large roller 83 around which the photographic paper 44 is wound. The photographic paper wound around the roller 83 is exposed to high-temperature air and dried.

On the downstream side of the drying section 82, a cutter section 84 is provided. The cutter unit 84 is provided with a cut mark sensor 8 for detecting a cut mark provided on the printing paper 44.
6 and a cutter 88 for cutting the photographic paper 44.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 90 denotes a tray for stacking the photographic paper 44B which has been cut into a finished photographic print. .

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, a normal printing procedure performed by the printer processor 10 will be described.

Under the control of the microcomputer 102, the end of the printing paper 44 is drawn out of the paper magazine 52 into the exposure chamber 42 in advance, and predetermined positioning is performed. Negative carrier 22
Thereby, the printed image of the negative film 20 is arranged on the optical path of the printing light.

LATD (image average transmission density) of an image frame to be printed on the negative film 20 by the density measuring device 46
Is measured, and the measurement data and the data input by a key from the keyboard are input to the microcomputer 102. The microcomputer 102 determines an exposure correction value from these data, calculates an exposure amount (exposure time), and obtains an optimal exposure condition. The microcomputer 102 moves the C, M, and Y filters constituting the filter unit 28 according to the exposure conditions.

Next, in the microcomputer 102, the shutter 38
To release. Accordingly, the light beam emitted from the light source 26 passes through the filter unit 28 and the negative film 20 and reaches the exposure chamber 42, and the printing of the image on the negative film 20 on the photographic paper 44 positioned in the exposure chamber is started. After the predetermined exposure time has elapsed, the microcomputer 102 closes the shutter 38. Finally, a cut mark is formed on the photographic paper 44 by a puncher (not shown), and one frame of the image is transported. Thus, the printing process for one frame of the image on the negative film 20 is completed. By repeating this, photographic paper 4
The printed portions 4 are sequentially conveyed to the processor unit 14.

The photographic paper 44 thus printed and conveyed to the processor unit 14 is processed by the developing unit 43.
And immersed in a developing solution to perform a developing process. The developed photographic paper 44 is conveyed to the bleach-fixing unit 47, where the bleaching process and the fixing process are performed. The photographic paper 44 on which the fixing process has been performed is conveyed to the rinsing unit 49 and subjected to the rinsing process. The photographic paper 44 that has been subjected to the water-washing process is conveyed to the drying unit 82, and is subjected to the drying process.

The dried photographic paper 44 is supplied to the cutter unit 8.
The cut mark is detected by the mark sensor 86 of No. 4, cut by the cutter 88 for each image, dropped on the tray 90 and collected.

As described above, the printer processor 1
Upon completion of the printing process with 0, the photographic paper 44 remaining in the exposure chamber 42 is taken up by the paper magazine 52 again.

At this time, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6, the microcomputer 102 calculates the amount of water in step 200, determines in step 202 whether or not it is the timing of water addition, that is, the cleaning timing. In step 204, the motor 74 is controlled together with the pump 78 as shown in the timing chart of FIG. As the cleaning timing, it is preferable to end the processing of one day.

Here, the calculation of the amount of water in step 200 is performed, for example, in JP-A-3-248155 and JP-A-3-3155.
No. 249644, JP-A-3-249645, JP-A-3-249646, JP-A-4-9055, and various methods for calculating the amount of water as disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-346701. Applicable.

As a result, water is supplied from the nozzle 68 to the inlet-side roller pair 64 and the outlet-side roller pair 66 in several degrees (here, four times). The supply of water means a period from the start of supply of water to the stop of supply including the case of supplying water intermittently or in a divided manner as in the present embodiment), the first to fourth examples. The rotation direction of the rollers 64A, 64B, 66A, 66B alternates between normal rotation and reverse rotation.
66 is efficiently cleaned.

Here, the amount of water supplied to the pair of rollers 64 and 66 at one time is such that when the mounting angle α is 45 degrees with a pair of rollers made of rubber rollers having a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 200 mm, the distance between the two rollers is Since the amount of the processing solution held in the step is about 0.5 to 0.7 cc,
If the degree is repeated four times, the dirt is calculated to be 1 / 256th. If 3 cc of water is supplied four times, a total of 12 cc of water will be supplied to the roller pair, and 24 cc of water will be supplied to each processing tank. cc / day).
%, So that this 24 cc of water is an acceptable amount in view of its evaporation amount and dilution tolerance.

In this embodiment, the motor 74 is rotated forward,
Since the reverse rotation is switched, the roller pair 66 at the time of the reverse rotation also has the outlet side roller pair 66 where the liquid pool is generated on the back side when viewed from the nozzle 68.
Water is drawn between the rollers 66A and 66B constituting the roller 6, and the processing liquid held in the liquid pool portion is washed away and efficiently cleaned. In addition, in the case of reverse rotation, dirty cleaning water flows down, and the next cleaning is performed efficiently. Through experiments, it has been confirmed that the amount of water retained on the roller surface in the case of reverse rotation is ２〜 to １ ／ of that in the case of normal rotation.

Further, in this embodiment, since the water retention guide 69 is provided, the first roller 64A and the second roller 64 which constitute the entrance side roller pair 64 and the exit side roller pair 66, respectively.
Supplied between the first roller 64A, the third roller 66A, which is the upper roller, and the water retention guide 69, in addition to between the third roller 66B, the third roller 66A, and the fourth roller 66B. Is held, so that more supplied water can be held as compared with the case where the water retention guide 69 is not provided, so that the ratio of water contributing to the washing is increased by that amount, and the roller pair can be more efficiently washed. Become.

The inventors cleaned the roller pair after the baking process using the cleaning device of the first embodiment, and after leaving the roller pair for a long period of time, confirmed that almost no contamination was observed on the roller pair. are doing. From experiments, it has been confirmed that the dirt does not adhere to the paper when the liquid adhered on the roller surface is diluted to 1/200 or less.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where each roller is switched between the forward and reverse rotations every time when the water is dividedly supplied to the roller pair is exemplified. However, the rollers may be rotated according to the water supply timing without necessarily switching the rotation direction of the rollers. Then 2
The cleaning efficiency is improved compared to the conventional cleaning method in which only 0 cc of water is supplied at a time. Further, even if the water retention guide is not necessarily provided, as described above, the dirt is sufficiently reduced to 1/200 or less in calculation, which is sufficient.

If the opening rate of each processing tank is adjusted or the amount of processing liquid evaporated is controlled by changing the air flow inside the printer processor 10, a constant amount of water can be secured according to the evaporation. Will be possible.

The drive of the pump 78 and the motor 74 may be controlled by a method as shown in the timing chart of FIG.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the above-described first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The second embodiment is characterized in that a water supply means 101 as shown in FIG. 9 is provided instead of the water supply means 100 in the first embodiment.

In the water supply means 101, each nozzle 68 is connected to a distributor 81 via a water supply pipe 76. Although each water supply pipe 76 is shown in FIG. 9 with a different length for the sake of drawing, actually, a pipe having the same inner diameter and length is used.

[0069] The other end side of the one end of which is connected to a divider 81 the conduit 87 is connected to one output terminal of the electric solenoid valve 85. The input end of the solenoid valve 85 is connected to the pump 78. This pump 78 is connected to a water tank 80 via a filter 79. The other output end of the solenoid valve 85 is connected to the water tank 80 via another pipe line 89. In the solenoid valve 85, valves provided at one and the other output terminals are selectively opened / closed by turning on / off a solenoid.

In this embodiment, the solenoid valve 85 is configured to be controlled by the microcomputer 102 together with the pump 78.

The configuration of the other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment configured as described above, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the water supply pipe 76 connecting each nozzle 68 and the distributor 81 can be obtained.
Can be uniformly supplied with water to each nozzle 68, and the opening and closing switching control of the solenoid valve 85 allows the nozzle 68
Fine adjustment of the amount of water supplied to the tank is facilitated.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are simplified or omitted.

In the third embodiment, the rinsing section includes the first rinsing tank 57, the second rinsing tank 59, and the third rinsing tank 92, and the water in the third rinsing tank 92 is removed. It is circulated by a pump 78 and supplied from a nozzle 68. Further, the water tank 80 is eliminated, and a replacement water tank 94 is provided instead. The water in the replenishing water tank 94 is supplied (replenished) into the third washing tank 92 by the replenishing pump 96.

The nozzles 68 are provided corresponding to the inlet-side roller pair 64 and the outlet-side roller pair 66 of the fixing bath 55, the first rinsing bath 57, and the second rinsing bath 59, respectively. In the development processing section, only the first development processing tank 51 is provided.

The structure of the other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment. In FIG. 10, illustration of the water retention guide is omitted to avoid complicating the drawings.

According to the third embodiment constructed as described above, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the water in the third rinsing tank 92 is circulated by the pump 78. Is supplied from the nozzle 68 to the inlet-side roller pair 64 and the outlet-side roller pair 66, so that the fresh water (corresponding to the supplied water) is supplied from the replenishing water tank 94 to the third stage of the final washing process. Since it is possible to refill the inside of the tank 92, the level of dirt in the third washing tank 92 can be reduced.

A reverse osmosis membrane is installed at the outlet of the third water rinsing tank 92, and water permeated through the reverse osmosis membrane is pumped by pump
8 may be sent to the nozzle 68.

In the first to third embodiments, the case in which water is supplied to the roller pair by the nozzle 68 has been exemplified. However, instead of this, the spray may be performed by spraying. Detergency is further improved.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are simplified or omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, a liquid tank 98 is provided in place of the water tank 80, and in this liquid tank 98, water 99 containing sulfite ions is stored. As the sulfite ion-containing water, water to which a sulfite such as potassium sulfite, sodium sulfite, or ammonium sulfite is added is used. Here, the water 1 of these sulfites
For potassium sulphite, the amount added per liter is 5
0-250 g / l, preferably 70-200
G / l, more preferably 90-150 g / l.

In this embodiment, the nozzle 68, the water supply pipe 76, the pump 78, and the liquid tank 98 are used to supply the liquid
Is configured.

As in the first embodiment, sulfite ion-containing water 99 is supplied from each nozzle 68 in 3 cc increments four times.

The structure of the other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment. According to the fourth embodiment constructed as described above, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, silver sulfide stain is generated by oxidation of ammonium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate which is a main component of the fixing agent. Since ammonium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate adhering to the pair of exit rollers 64 of the fixing treatment tank 55 and the pair of entrance rollers 64 of the first rinsing treatment tank 57 are easily treated with sulfurous acid, silver sulfide contamination is less likely to occur. There is an advantage. Also,
Washing with water to which sulfite has been added can additionally suppress sulfidation (oxidation) of sodium thiosulfate generated in the fixing solution because sulfite is additionally replenished in the fixing solution.

In the fourth embodiment, the roller pair 64,
While rotating each roller constituting 66, the sulfite ion-containing water 99 is supplied, and the treatment liquid held by the roller and the sulfite ion-containing water 99 are better mixed,
Of course, cleaning can be performed efficiently.

Also in the fourth embodiment, the sulfite ion-containing water can be supplied to the roller pair by using a spray, but in addition, a liquid pool in which a part of the lower roller pair is immersed is formed. It is also possible to supply water containing sulfite ions.

In the first to fourth embodiments, before supplying the water or the sulfite ion-containing water, the processing liquid adhering to the roller may be scraped off with compressed air or a blade beforehand. It is possible to wash with a smaller amount of liquid.

The water or the sulfite ion-containing water may not be supplied uniformly to each roller pair, but may be supplied more to the roller pair in a portion where dirt is likely to occur, and to a smaller amount in the other portions. For example, in order to prevent sulfide contamination caused by the fixing agent, the supply amount of water or sulfite ion-containing water by adjusting the diameter of a small hole formed in the nozzle,
It is sufficient that the relationship of rollers of the fixing tank> rollers of the first washing tank> rollers of the second washing tank is satisfied.

Further, in a processing tank other than the water washing processing tank, dilution of the processing liquid can be prevented by discharging the washed liquid to the outside without entering the processing tank.

[0089] Also, when the guide plate is provided in place of Ekigai roller, or the divided supply of water in the nozzle or the like to the paper contacting surface of the guide plate, or the care-blowing sulfite ion-containing water By doing so, similarly efficient cleaning can be performed.

When the printer processor is not operated, if the nip of the roller pair is removed, the liquid pool between the rollers is eliminated, which is advantageous in that the contamination of the rollers due to the generation of silver sulfide can be prevented.

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Conventionally, since the rollers provided outside the liquid in each processing tank can be efficiently cleaned, even when left for a long time, the generation of dirt on the external liquid rollers can be effectively suppressed. There is no excellent effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a nozzle, an inlet roller pair, and an outlet roller pair of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an attached state of a water retention guide provided in a second developing tank of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating input / output devices related to cleaning of a roller connected to a microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer processor in which the cleaning device of FIG. 1 is incorporated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control algorithm of the microcomputer when a pair of rollers is washed.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of a drive control method of a pump and a motor by a microcomputer.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing another example of the drive control method of the pump and the motor by the microcomputer.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a water supply unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 44 Photographic paper (photosensitive material) 51 First developing tank 53 Second developing tank 55 Fixing tank 57 First rinsing tank 59 Second rinsing tank 64 Inlet-side roller pair 64A First roller (upper roller) 64B Second roller (lower roller) 66 Outlet roller pair 66A Third roller (upper roller) 66B Fourth roller (lower roller) 69 Water retention guide 92 Third rinsing tank 100 Water supply means 101 Water supply means 102 microcomputer (control means) 110 drive means 120 liquid supply means

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-37750 (JP, A) JP-A-1-217344 (JP, A) JP-A-56-70549 (JP, A) (58) Investigation Field (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03D 3/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cleaning device for a pair of rollers disposed opposite to each other outside of a liquid in a processing tank for processing a photosensitive material and nipping and transporting the photosensitive material, wherein a water supply means for supplying water to the pair of rollers. And the treatment tank
Means for calculating the amount of water to be added to the water, driving means for rotating each roller, and operation of the means for calculating the amount of water.
Timing of adding water to the treatment tank based on the calculation result
And a control means for controlling the water supply means at the timing of the water addition and intermittently supplying water to the roller pair and controlling the drive means to rotate each roller. 2. A cleaning device for a pair of rollers disposed opposite to each other outside a liquid in a processing tank for processing a photosensitive material and nipping and transporting the photosensitive material, wherein a water supply unit for supplying water to the pair of rollers. And a drive unit for rotating and driving each roller, and controlling the water supply unit to intermittently supply water to the roller pair and to control the drive unit such that each roller alternately repeats normal rotation and reverse rotation. And a control unit for performing the cleaning. 3. The roller pair is composed of an upper roller and a lower roller arranged at positions where the height of the processing liquid in the processing tank from the liquid surface is different, and the upper roller and the lower roller are disposed near the upper roller. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a water retention guide that retains water supplied between the upper roller and the upper roller using surface tension. 4. The water supply means supplies the water to the roller pair.
Containing sulfite ion-containing water as the
The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device performs the cleaning. 5. The water supply means is configured to include one of a pump using a bellows, a centrifugal pump, and a combination of any of these pumps and a solenoid valve. 4. The cleaning device according to any one of 1 to 3.