JP4210928B2 - Development device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention comprises a developing unit for developing a loaded photosensitive material, and a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material developed in the developing unit. The developing unit includes a plurality of processing tanks and the processing unit. The present invention relates to a developing device provided with a replenishing container for storing processing liquid to be supplied to a processing tank and a replenishing water tank for storing water to be supplied to the processing tank.

  In a conventional film developing apparatus that develops a photographic film as a photosensitive material, development processing such as developing solution, bleaching solution, fixing solution, and stabilizing solution is sequentially performed on the developing unit such as developing, bleaching, and fixing. Seven processing tanks filled with liquids are provided, and these seven processing tanks are arranged in the order in which the film 1 is transported. The first is a processing tank for a developer and the second is a processing tank for a bleaching solution. Then, the following two are fixing solution processing tanks, and the following three are stabilizing solution processing tanks. Furthermore, the processing liquid is supplied by a replenishing container for replenishing each processing tank to each processing tank in a different place from these processing tanks, a water tank for supplying water to each processing tank, and a pump for discharging from the processing tank. Is also provided (for example, Patent Document 1).

  As a specific structure of the replenishment tank, a replenishment tank connected to the treatment tank through a pipeline with a pump is installed at a lower level of the treatment tank, and a pipe extending upward from the replenishment tank is installed. There is also known a configuration in which a water supply tube is hooked and supported at the top end of a treatment tank and water poured into the water supply port is stored in a replenishing tank (for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-30845 (paragraph number 0012-0013, FIG. 1-2) JP-A-9-43807 (paragraph number 0009-0011, FIG. 1-2)

  As described above, in the conventional developing device, in addition to the processing tank group that stores various developing processing liquids in the developing unit, a replenishing water tank that stores water for replenishing water and, in some cases, a waste liquid tank are also arranged. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the manufacturing cost of many tanks and to save space by efficiently arranging many tanks.

  Further, in the conventional developing device, the processing tank is disposed adjacent to the developing unit, and the water replenishing tank is disposed in an empty space in the developing device. In general, the processing solution used for development processing must be strictly maintained at a constant temperature exceeding 30 ° C. When replenishing deficient moisture due to evaporation or the like, the temperature of the water in the replenishing tank is low (under normal conditions, in the summer season) However, if the water temperature is 30 degrees or less), the processing tank supplied with such water will be heated rapidly by a heater or the like, but if the water temperature is too low in winter or the like, it will be heated by the heater. This causes a problem that the development process must be temporarily stopped until the process is completed. On the other hand, in summer and the like, there is also a problem that uniform heat management of the processing tank becomes difficult because the heat from the drying section warms the processing liquid in the adjacent processing tank more than necessary.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem by a developing device having a structure capable of realizing cost reduction and space saving of various tanks provided in the developing unit, and heat management in a processing tank and a water replenishing tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device having a structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the developing unit includes a developing unit for developing the input photosensitive material and a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material developed in the developing unit, and the developing unit includes a plurality of processes. In a developing device provided with a tank, a replenishing container for storing processing liquid to be supplied to the processing tank, and a replenishing tank for storing water to be supplied to the processing tank, in the present invention, the plurality of processing tanks, The plurality of treatment tanks and the water replenishing tank are integrally formed in one tank unit so that the water replenishing tanks are arranged in a line and the water replenishing tank is positioned on the end side, The tank unit is installed so that the tank and the drying unit are adjacent to each other, and the water replenishment tank is positioned between the drying unit and the processing tank .

  With this configuration, a plurality of processing tanks indispensable for the development processing of the photosensitive material and a water replenishing tank are integrally formed as one tank unit, so that the water replenishing tank is separately manufactured and installed as in the past. Compared to this, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the space can be saved due to the tank accumulation effect.

Further, in this configuration, since the water replenishing tank is disposed adjacent to the drying unit having a heat generation source such as a dryer and the plurality of treatment tanks, the water stored in the water replenishing tank is heated from the drying unit. Will be warmed by. In general, the processing solution used for development processing must be strictly maintained at a constant temperature exceeding 30 ° C. When replenishing deficient moisture due to evaporation or the like, the temperature of the water in the replenishing tank is low (under normal conditions, in the summer However, if the water temperature is 30 degrees or less), the processing tank to which such water is supplied is heated rapidly by a heater or the like, but if the water temperature is too low, heating by the heater is completed. Until the development process is temporarily stopped. Such a problem can be solved by warming the water in the water replenishment tank by the heat from the drying section as described above. Furthermore, this configuration of interposing a water replenishment tank between the drying unit and the processing tank is caused by heating the processing liquid in the adjacent processing tank more than necessary by heat from the drying unit in a conventional developing device in summer. This problem can also be solved by a secondary effect that the water replenishment tank solves the problem by blocking heat transfer from the drying section to the treatment tank.

That is, in the developing device according to the present invention, a plurality of processing tanks and the replenishing tank are integrally formed in one tank unit, and the replenishing tank is provided between the plurality of processing tanks and the drying unit. by providing the feature of being simultaneously disposed, with a structure to solve the thermal management problem in the structure can be realized cost reduction and space saving of the various tank provided in the developing unit, and the processing tank and rehydration tanks so that the structure of both the developing device structure is realized.

  Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a waste liquid tank for storing waste liquid from the processing tank is integrally formed in the tank unit. In this configuration, not only the treatment tank and the replenishment tank, but also the waste liquid tank is formed as one tank unit, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the waste liquid tank is separately manufactured and installed as in the prior art. Space saving due to the accumulation effect of the tank can be obtained.

  Since the plurality of processing tanks are arranged in a line for continuous processing of the photosensitive material, the waste liquid tanks in the integrally formed tank unit are arranged along the side walls of the plurality of processing tanks arranged in a line. Preferably they are arranged. Thereby, a plurality of processing tanks, replenishment tanks, and waste liquid tanks can be compactly combined into one tank unit.

  Furthermore, by disposing the waste liquid tank along the side walls of the plurality of processing tanks arranged in a row, it becomes possible to discharge the processing liquid from the processing liquid tank to the waste liquid tank by an overflow method. In addition, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of environmental problems that a partition wall is provided in the waste liquid tank so that different processing solutions such as a developer and a bleaching solution are separated and stored even if they flow in due to overflow.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments using the drawings.

An embodiment of a developing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a film developing apparatus as an example of the developing apparatus, and FIG. 2 shows an internal cross section thereof. In this film developing apparatus, components necessary for developing a photographic film (hereinafter simply referred to as a film) are housed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 having a longer depth and height than a short width.

  A swingable insertion portion cover 12 that allows access to the display panel 11 and the film insertion portion 1 is provided at an upper corner portion in front of the developing device. Further, an arch-shaped duct is provided at the upper part of the apparatus, and this duct functions as a film storage unit 4 for temporarily storing the film developed and discharged.

  As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the film insertion unit 1 for loading the film F with the leader sheet L connected to the tip, and the film F fed out from the film insertion unit 1 are housed in the housing 10 of the film developing device. A film developing unit 2 for developing, a film drying unit 3 housing a dryer 30 for drying the developed film F, and a film F from the film inserting unit 1 to the film developing unit 2 or the film drying unit 3 And a control unit 6 including a control unit 6a and a power supply unit 6b of the film developing device, and the film F dried and discharged by the film drying unit 3 is a film storage unit. 4 is temporarily stored and taken out in a timely manner.

  Before the film insertion unit 1 is loaded, as shown in FIG. 3, the leading end portion of the film F drawn from the film storage case is joined to the leader sheet L using the splice tape ST. The main body of the film F passes from the film insertion unit 1 through the film development unit 2 and the film drying unit 3 in a form leading to the leader sheet L. The leader sheet L as the leading role is provided with through-holes La at equal pitches in a line along the conveyance direction, and the conveyance mechanism 5 is for conveyance to rotate and engage the through-hole La to send out the leader sheet L. Sprockets and film transport rollers are provided everywhere. That is, the through hole La of the leader sheet L functions as a sprocket hole for the transport sprocket. As apparent from FIG. 3, the sprocket hole row is eccentrically positioned on one side with respect to the center line in the conveying direction (longitudinal direction) of the leader sheet L.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the film insertion portion 1 includes a guide 1a for guiding the leader sheet L at the time of insertion, an introduction conveyance roller unit 5a, and a rear end of the film F that has been pulled out from the film storage case. Is provided with a film cutter 1b that cuts as necessary, and a free-rotating check sprocket 1c that rotates and engages the sprocket hole La of the inserted leader sheet L. The tooth tip of the check sprocket 1c is configured to engage with the sprocket hole La of the leader sheet L inserted in the correct front and back posture, and the insertion of the leader sheet L in the wrong front and back posture is prevented. .

  After the leader sheet L as a leading role is inserted into the film insertion portion 1, the film F storage case is held by the film receiving portion 1d, the swing cover 12 is closed, and the light shielding state of the film insertion portion 1 is created. .

  The leader sheet L that has passed through the check sprocket 1c is conveyed while being sandwiched by the introduction conveying roller unit 5a, and is fed into the film developing unit 2. As schematically shown in FIG. 2, a tank unit 20 is disposed in the upper area of the film developing unit 2, and a replenishing container set including four replenishing containers for each processing liquid is disposed in the lower area. 40 is disposed, and a pump set 50 configured by arranging various pumps side by side is disposed between the tank unit 20 and the refill container set 40. As described above, the film insertion unit 1 and the control unit 6 are arranged vertically in the front area in the housing 10, and the film drying unit 3 is arranged on the back side of the film developing unit 2. The width is shortened, resulting in a smaller installation area of the film developing device, contributing to space saving.

  The tank unit 20 includes two resin molding members that are assembled to each other, a tank body 20A and a tank cover body 20B. The tank unit 20 before assembly is shown in FIG. 4, and the tank unit 20 after assembly is shown in FIG. It is shown.

  As apparent from FIGS. 2 and 6, the tank main body 20A has a processing tank 21 with seven subtanks 22 in which a plurality of types of processing liquids are separately stored in order to sequentially perform development processing such as development, bleaching, and fixing. Then, a water replenishing tank 23 for storing processing liquid dilution water disposed at the end of the processing tank 21 (on the side close to the film drying unit 3), and a waste liquid tank 24 disposed along the processing tank 21 and the water replenishing tank 23 are created. It is.

  In this embodiment, each processing tank 21 has a color development (CD) processing tank 21a, a bleaching (BL) processing tank 21b, two fixing (FIX) processing tanks 21c, and three processing tanks 21c. Although it is divided into the processing tank 21d for stability (STB), since it can be considered that it is a substantially the same structure, the word of the processing tank 21 is used as those generic names except the case where it distinguishes especially. Further, the number of processing tanks containing the same processing solution for development varies depending on the development specifications, and various types can be adopted.

  The sub-tank 22 is formed as a part of the processing tank 21, and the replenishing processing liquid is once put in this sub-tank and then communicates with each other so as to flow into the film passage area of the processing tank 21. The waste liquid tank 24 is formed adjacent to the side wall of the processing liquid tank 21, and is divided into four by the partition wall 24a for each processing liquid contained in the processing liquid tank 21, thereby facilitating waste liquid processing. ing. In the case where a plurality of processing tanks are prepared for the same processing liquid, the fixing processing tank 21c and the stabilization processing tank 21d are cascade-connected, and the final processing tank 21 is here. To the waste liquid tank 24.

  The tank cover body 20 </ b> B includes a plate-like region that covers the upper surface of the sub-tank 22 and a frame-like region that positions and supports the rack unit 7 that is inserted into the processing tank 21. As is clear from FIG. 4, the tank body 20A has a container-like form with the upper surface completely open, and the tank cover body 20B has a form in which a rectangular frame is connected to the plate, and both can be manufactured as molded products. it can.

  As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, the processing tank 21 and the sub-tank 22 communicate with each other at the top, and the bottoms thereof communicate with each other through a circulation path 51a. A circulation pump 51 is provided in the circulation path 51a. The circulation pump 51 operates to send the processing liquid in the sub tank 22 into the processing tank 21 from the circulation path 51a. As a result, the processing liquid that has flowed from the processing tank 21 to the sub tank 22 flows again from the bottom of the sub tank 22 through the circulation path 51a to the bottom of the processing tank 21, and circulates for the processing tank 21 as shown by the arrows in FIG. A flow occurs. A filter 25 is incorporated in the sub tank 22, and the filtered processing liquid that has passed through the filter 25 flows into the pipe 25 a from the slit of the pipe 25 a that passes through the filter 25 and reaches the circulation path 51 a. The sub tank 22 includes a heater 26 for heating the processing liquid, a temperature sensor 27 for detecting the temperature of the processing liquid, and the like, and the operation of the heater 26 is controlled based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor 27. The processing liquid overflowed from the processing tank 21 due to the replenishment of the processing liquid is collected in the waste liquid tank 24 as a waste liquid.

  As described above, it is necessary to supply different processing solutions, that is, different replenishers, to the color development processing tank 21a, the bleaching processing tank 21b, the fixing processing tank 21c, and the stabilization processing tank 21d as the processing tank 21, respectively. Therefore, four replenishing containers 40 for adjusting and replenishing different processing liquids are provided. The replenishment container 40 and the sub tank 22 of the processing tank 21 are connected by a replenishment flow path 52a, and a replenishment pump 52 for sending replenishment liquid from the replenishment container 40 to the sub tank 22 is interposed in the replenishment flow path 52a. The replenishment pump 52 is configured as a bellows pump, and a predetermined amount of replenisher is sent from the replenishment container 40 to the liquid level of the sub-tank 22 due to a volume difference accompanying one expansion / contraction of the bellows.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the replenishment tank 23 integrally formed with the tank unit 20 together with the processing tank 21 and each sub tank 22 are connected by a replenishment flow path 53 a, and the replenishment flow path 53 a A supplementary water pump 53 for sending dilution water from the supplementary water tank 23 to the sub tank 22 is provided. In order to supply water to all seven treatment tanks 21, seven water supply ports are provided in the bottom wall of the water supply tank 24, and the water supply ports 53 a leading to the respective sub tanks 22 are connected to the water supply ports. Yes.

  As schematically shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the tank unit 20 transports the film F led by the leader sheet L up and down (meandering) in the region of each processing tank 21. In order to do this, the rack unit 7 is mounted. The rack unit 7 includes a lower rack 7A that is submerged in the processing liquid, and an upper rack 7B that is disposed above the lower rack and guides the transfer of the film F from the processing tank 21 to the processing tank 21. The lower rack 7A is provided with a plurality of pairs of rollers for guiding and conveying the film F, a driving roller for performing reverse conveyance of the film F at the lowermost portion, and a driving sprocket for conveying the leader sheet L. Is well known, so the explanation here is omitted. For the structure of the transport mechanism 5 for transporting the leader sheet L and the film F provided in the lower rack 7A, refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 7-72602 and 2003-5335.

  The lower rack unit 7A is divided for each processing tank 21, and a film (including a leader sheet) transport mechanism 5 is provided in each lower rack unit 7A, whereby a film transport line is determined. The plurality of lower rack units 7A must be mounted on the tank unit 20 with accurate positioning. For this purpose, a rack positioning portion 8 for positioning and supporting the lower rack unit 7A is formed on the inner surface of the frame wall 201 forming the frame-like region of the tank cover body 20B. Although the rack positioning portion 8 is simply shown in the drawing, in fact, the well-engagement engagement surface such as fitting and surface alignment is used as a tank cover body 20B and the lower rack. It is created by providing it in the unit 7A. That is, all the engagement meshing surfaces on the tank unit 20 side for positioning the lower rack unit 7A are formed on the tank cover body 20B, so that the positioning adjustment work is simplified.

  A recess 203 opened upward is formed between the bottom wall 202 of the tank cover body 20B provided at a position covering at least partially the waste liquid tank 24 and the outer frame wall 201, and provided in the lower rack 7A. A drive shaft unit 7b is disposed that transmits rotational power to the transport mechanism 5 via a worm gear. Further, the bottom wall 204 that forms a plate-like region that covers the upper surface of the sub tank 22 of the tank cover body 20B has a mounting hole for mounting the filter 25, the heater 26, and the temperature sensor 27 as sub tank equipment arranged in the sub tank 22. A water replenishment connection port is provided.

  Further, in this embodiment, although only schematically shown in FIG. 9, the positioning of the insertion portion side rack 1A for feeding the film F from the film insertion portion 1 to the film developing portion 2 is not limited to the tank cover. Positioning of the drying unit side rack 3A for feeding the film F from the film developing unit 2 to the film drying unit 2 is performed by the insertion unit side rack positioning unit 80 provided in the body 20B. This is performed by the section side rack positioning section 81. The rack positioning unit 8 for the rack unit 7 arranged in the tank unit 20 and the insertion unit side rack positioning unit 80 and the drying unit side rack positioning unit 81 are all used as positioning bases. By accurately manufacturing the engagement meshing surface constituting 81, that is, by allowing the tank cover body 20B to function as a positioning base for the rack unit 7, the insertion portion side rack 1A, and the drying portion side rack 3A, the rack unit 7 In addition, all of the insertion unit side rack 1A and the drying unit side rack 3A can be accurately positioned with respect to each other.

  As is clear from FIG. 9, the film developing unit 2 and the film drying unit 3 are arranged adjacent to each other, and in particular, a drying chamber 31 and a tank in which a dryer 30 for sending hot air for drying the film F is arranged. The replenishment tank 23 of the unit 20 is adjacent. The drying chamber 31 is at a high temperature during the operation of the film developing apparatus by the dryer 30, and considerable heat is transmitted from the drying chamber 31 to the replenishing tank 23. Since the drying chamber 31 and the processing tank 21 are completely bounded by the replenishing tank 23, the heat from the drying chamber 31 is not directly transferred to the processing tank 21 but is absorbed by the water in the replenishing tank 23. It will be. That is, the heat in the drying chamber 31 is used to substantially warm the water in the refill water tank 23 and is hardly transmitted to the treatment liquid tank 21. That is, the arrangement of the replenishing tank of the present invention is such that the refilling tank 23 filled with water shields the heat transfer from the drying chamber 31 to the treatment liquid tank 21 so that the heat of the drying chamber 31 is adjacent, particularly in summer. While avoiding the problem that the processing liquid in the processing liquid tank 21 is abnormally high, the water temperature in the replenishing tank 23 becomes abnormally low particularly in winter, and the processing liquid in the processing tank 21 is replenished when water is supplied to the processing tank 21. It is possible to avoid the problem of temporary low temperatures that are not specified.

  As described above, the plurality of processing tanks are integrally formed as one tank unit 20 without integrally forming the plurality of processing tanks 21 and the replenishing tank 23 in one tank unit 20. Even if the replenishing tank 23 is disposed as a single tank between the tank unit 20 and the drying unit 3, it is possible to realize cost reduction and space saving of various tanks provided in the developing unit and the processing tank 21. In addition, heat management in the supplementary water tank 23 can also solve the problem.

  In the above-described embodiment, the film developing device is taken up as the developing device, but the present invention can of course be applied to an apparatus for developing photosensitive materials other than photographic film, such as photographic paper.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the film developing apparatus by this invention Cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the specific configuration of the film developing apparatus The perspective view of the film insertion part in which the leader sheet connected with the front-end | tip part of a film is inserted Exploded perspective view of tank unit Perspective view of assembled tank unit Plan view of tank unit showing water replenishment flow path from replenishment tank to treatment tank Explanatory drawing explaining piping between a processing tank, a replenishment container, and a processing tank and a water replenishment tank Schematic cross-sectional view showing alignment of rack unit relative to tank unit Schematic cross-sectional view showing alignment of insertion unit side rack and drying unit side rack with respect to tank unit

Explanation of symbols

1: Film insertion part (insertion part)
1A: Insertion section side rack 2: Film developing section (developing section)
3: Film drying section (drying section)
3A: Drying unit side rack 4: Film storage unit 5: Transport mechanism 6: Control unit 7: Rack unit 7A: Lower rack 7B: Upper rack 10: Housing 20: Tank unit 20A: Tank body 20B: Tank cover body 21: Processing Tank 22: Sub tank 23: Replenishment tank 24: Waste liquid tank 30: Dryer 31: Drying chamber 40: Refill container set 50: Pump set

Claims (4)

A developing unit for developing the input photosensitive material and a drying unit for drying the photosensitive material developed in the developing unit are provided. The developing unit supplies a plurality of processing tanks and the processing tank. In a developing device provided with a replenishing container for storing processing liquid and a replenishing water tank for storing water to be supplied to the processing tank,
The plurality of treatment tanks and the replenishment tank are integrated into one tank unit so that the plurality of treatment tanks and the replenishment tank are arranged in a line and the replenishment tank is located on the end side. Formed into
The developing device , wherein the water replenishment tank and the drying unit are adjacent to each other, and the tank unit is installed such that the water replenishment tank is positioned between the drying unit and the processing tank . The developing device according to claim 1, the waste liquid tank to store the waste from the treatment tank to the tank unit is characterized in that it is formed integrally. The developing device according to claim 2 , wherein the waste liquid tanks are arranged along the side walls of the processing tanks arranged in a line. Wherein with the waste liquid tank is configured to receive the overflow from the processing liquid tank, so as to be stored are different processing liquid is divided, according to claim 2, characterized in that the partitioning walls are provided Development device.

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