JPH01116552A - Compact automatic developing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the title machine being suitable for processing one sheet-several sheets of disk films per once by rotating a sheet-like photographic material while immersing it in a container, executing a processing, releasing the fixation to the container after the processing and discharging its container to the outside of a device. CONSTITUTION:The title machine is constituted so that a processing container 150 which is replaced at every one or two or more processings is positioned and fixed in a heating state, a sheet-like photographic material 20 which is supported so as to be rotatable is rotated, while immersing it into the container and the processing is executed, and by releasing the fixation to the container 150 after the processing, its container is discharged to the outside of a device. In such a way, the processing liquid is moved and provided automatically in the processing position by an automatic carrying system by only preparing it in a state that it is contained in the container in a holding position, eliminated from the processing position when the processing is completed, and also, since the carrying system is interlocked organically with a temperature adjusting means of the processing liquid, this machine is effective in case of continuously processing many sheets.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a small automatic developing machine used for developing and processing sheet-like photographic materials such as so-called disk films and dental X-ray films. .

[Prior art] Dental X-ray film is generally developed by a manual operation called hand development, but disc film (
For example, photosensitive materials such as those marketed by Kodak (in which disc-shaped photosensitive materials are housed in a cartridge with a light-shielding structure) are collected at centralized processing facilities called laboratories through DPE distributors, etc. It is then processed using a large automatic processor.

In the case of roll-shaped films, in addition to the above-mentioned laboratory processing, short-time processing using a relatively small automatic developing machine called a so-called mini-lab is popular.

However, in the case of disc films, there are no minilabs in Japan to process them, and they are still processed using specialized large automatic processors in centralized processing facilities (labs) that are scattered across the country.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present inventors have solved the delay in processing services for disc films caused by the uneven distribution of processing facilities that perform photographic processing such as developing disc films, and In order to speed up processing services such as in one hour or on the same day, we have proposed a system in which an ultra-compact automatic developing machine is placed in a relatively narrow shop front such as a DPE agency to provide processing services such as processing. , which is formed as a ring. That is, the main object of the present invention is to clarify an automatic developing machine suitable for processing - from one disc film to several disc films per run. The present invention discloses an automatic developing machine for disk film having a photographic processing liquid (container) supply mechanism and a temperature control mechanism for the photographic processing liquid, which are effective when processing a large number of sheets. Further, the purpose is to clarify an automatic processor capable of processing sheet-like photographic materials other than disc films in the same manner, and other objects and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is to fix the position of a processing container, which is replaced every one or two or more processings, in a heated state.

A compact device configured to perform processing by rotating a rotatably supported sheet-like photographic material while immersing it in the container, and after processing, releasing the fixation to the container and ejecting the container from the apparatus. This is achieved by an automatic developing machine, and the details thereof will be explained below with reference to the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic developing machine for disk films, and the structure and functions thereof will be explained in sequence.

In the following description, the disk film to be processed is a commercially available product shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, and is constructed as follows.

In the figure, 10 is a cartridge, and a light-shielding structure is formed by combining an exposure window side plate 11 and a label side plate 12 to protect the disc film 20 from light. ．． Central opening 14.
A window 15 for opening and closing the light shielding plate, a pin insertion hole 16 for opening and closing the light shielding plate, and an opening 17 for destroying the cartridge are provided.

Inside the exposure window, a light shielding plate 18 is connected to a disk film 20.
By inserting a pin from the pin insertion hole 16 and pressing it while rotating using the protrusion of the light-shielding plate 18 exposed at the window 15 for opening and closing the light-shielding plate, the light-shielding plate 18 can be inserted into the exposure window 13. The disc film 20 will be exposed.

A hub 21 of the disc film is exposed in the central opening 14. A member for pressing the frame portion of the disc film 20 at the exposure position is exposed on the back side of the label side plate 12.

Unlike conventional automatic developing machines for disc films, in which the disc film 20 is taken out from the cartridge 10 by an opener and set in the automatic developing machine, in the automatic developing machine of the present invention, the cartridge 10 is removed from the cartridge 10 by an opener.
It is set when it is stored at 0.

In order to set the cartridge 10 in the device, there are adopted methods such as using an applicator 100 as shown in the figure and a method in which the cartridge 10 is directly set in the device.

When the setting of the cartridge 10 is completed as described above, the disk film is removed from the cartridge by the cartridge opener.

In the illustrated cartridge opener, in the first step, the portion opposite to the exposure window 12 (shown with diagonal lines) is pressed from the A2 direction around the back surface of the openings 17 of the exposure window side plate 11. At the same time as pressing with pressure (including stopping by a stopper), the lower end of the label side plate 12 is pressed with a pressing force from the A1 direction through the openings 17, 17 of the exposure window side plate 11.

In this case, the points of action of the cartridge end breaking member 120 on the label side plate 12 are preferably the inner side of the openings 17 and 17 of the exposure window side plate 11 and the lower center portion 19 of the exposure window side plate 11, and the pressing forces in the A1 and A2 directions are opposite. Since this is equivalent to a pulling force in the direction, in an actual device, there is a case where the pushing rod or pin is moved linearly in the A1 and A2 directions, and a case where the member on which the hook is formed is moved in the A1 and A2 directions. There are cases in which a linear multiplication a (pulling operation) is performed in opposite directions, and there is also a case in which a combination of both is performed.

The pressure from the A2 direction may be simply static pressure from a stopper, but in order to efficiently destroy the cartridge, a cartridge end destruction member 121 is used.

The mechanism for applying pressing force in the A1 and A2 directions is as follows:
As shown in the figure, there are systems that convert the rotational force of a motor into linear reciprocating motion using a binion rack mechanism, a booster mechanism that uses a screw (worm gear), a system that uses solenoid movement, and a system that uses manual operation using the lever principle. , which can be obtained by various motion mechanisms, is selectively applied in response to the demand for miniaturization.

When the lower end of the cartridge is destroyed, the pressing members 122 and 123 push the side surface of the cartridge 10 to B1.
and 2 which forms the cartridge 10 by pressing in the B2 direction.
Flex a board. Note that one of the pressing members 122 and 123 may be configured to act as a stopper in a stationary state.

As a cartridge opener that can be used in the automatic developing machine of the present invention, in addition to those having the above-mentioned configuration, a type that destroys the cartridge 10 and causes the disc film 20 to fall downward is preferably used. , Furthermore, without being limited to these, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 61-21859, No. 61-21860, No. 6 filed by the applicant of the present application.
1-29130 and the like are applicable, and these include a cartridge opener in which the side joint portion of the cartridge is cut off by a cutter mechanism.

Disc film 10 released from cartridge 10
falls freely, is guided by the guide member 130, and stops at the position of the stopper 131 provided at the lower end thereof.

Note that if a reciprocating light shielding member 132 is prepared on the upper surface of the guide member 130 to shield the upper part of the guide member 130 from light after the disc film 10 falls, the applicator 100 can be taken out and the empty cartridge removed. 10 can be removed and the next cartridge 10 can be set. Such a configuration is useful when the illustrated automatic processor is designed to process two or more disk films.

Now, the disk film 20 that is stopped by the stopper 131 is then stopped by the spindle shaft 140. In the illustrated device, the spindle shaft 140 is held by a bearing 141 fixed to the substrate of the device. It moves in the direction of the arrow by handle operation or automatic operation, and holds the disc film 20 at its tip.

As a mechanism for holding the disk film 20 at the tip of the spindle shaft 140, the spindle shaft is formed hollow, a rod is arranged inside the spindle shaft, and a chuck prepared at the tip of the spindle shaft 140 is operated to move the lot in and out. ,
In addition to the mode of locking the hub of the disk film 20, as shown in the first figure, the disk film 20 is locked by sandwiching the hub area of the disk film 20 between a pair of clutch plates 142 and 143. In such an embodiment, one clutch plate 1
43 may be simply attached to the tip of a shaft that moves in the direction of the arrow in a freely rotatable state and not drive the shaft.

Although it is possible to hold about 4 to 5 disk films at the same time using the holding mechanism for the disk film 20 using the clutch plates 142 and 143 as described above, when trying to hold a larger number (within 10 sheets) In,
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a slit is formed over a length of several centimeters from the tip of the spindle shaft 140 held by the bearing member 141, and the locking actuating piece 144 is exposed from the slit. 145 operates the operating piece 144 to move in and out. The actuating piece 144 is pulled in by pulling out the rod 145, and the hub of the disk film 20 shown by the imaginary line is pushed to the stopper 147 by moving the pushing member 146 in the direction of the arrow, and then the actuating piece 144 is pushed out of the slit by pushing the rod 145. The disk film 20 is fixed by protruding. To remove the disc film 20 from the spindle shaft 140,
After the actuating piece 144 is retracted by pulling out the rod 145, the stopper 147 may be moved in the direction of the arrow.

Note that, without providing the push-in part or the member 146, the skirt part of the guide member 130 shown in FIG. disc film 2
0 may be taken into the spindle shaft 140.

The spindle shaft 140 is rotated by a motor or by a manually operated drive system 148.

Incidentally, in relation to the raising and lowering operation of the processing tank which will be described later, in the case where the processing tank does not move up and down, a lifting mechanism for the spindle shaft 140 is provided.

In order to raise and lower the spindle shaft 140, a bearing member 141 is used.
is attached to a shaft (not shown) that moves up and down in the vertical direction, and the spindle shaft 140 (disk film 20) is raised and lowered by manually or automatically operating this shaft up and down.

Instead of the above configuration, the bearing member 141 may be attached to the tip of an arm that rotates by handle operation or automatic operation, or instead of a simple arm, rotational motion by a link mechanism or motor is converted into vertical reciprocating motion. Various mechanisms are available. In a structure using a simple arm, the disk film does not move up and down vertically, but rather moves in a slight arc, but in a structure using a link mechanism or the like, there is an advantage that the disk film can be moved up and down in the vertical direction.

Reference numeral 150 denotes a container for storing photographic processing liquid, and is preferably used as a processing liquid supply container in the supply system, a processing tank in the photographic processing system, and a waste liquid container in the waste liquid treatment system.

In the first embodiment, the photographic processing solution is stored in the supply container 158 in a liquid state that does not require any measures other than temperature adjustment, or in the form of a concentrated solution, powder, or jelly. In a second manner, the liquid is stored in the supply container 150 in the state shown in FIG.

In the case of the first embodiment, the container 150 guided to the processing section of the photographic processing system by manual operation, an applicator, a belt, a roller, or other conveying means 151 is immediately used as a processing tank for dipping the disc film. , second
In the case of the above embodiment, the photographic processing solution in the container 150 is diluted or dissolved with a diluting solution or a dissolving solution (for example, warm water) by a dissolving solution supplying means indicated by the reference numeral 152 and used.

Note that other aspects regarding the supply of photographic processing liquid and temperature control will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

In the illustrated automatic developing machine, since the disk film 20 is processed while being rotated, the disk film 20
It is sufficient to use a treatment tank of a size necessary for immersing, for example, in a half-moon shape, without immersing the entire body in the treatment liquid.

Therefore, each processing tank (color development tank, developer tank CD, bleach-fix tank BF)
The depth and width of the stabilizing tank ST, drying tank or drying section DR) are such that at least up to the hub portion of the disk film can be inserted vertically, and the amount of each processing solution required for processing can be stored. The width is related to the number of disc films to be processed.

Note that the container 150 may not be provided with the drying tank DR, or the stabilizing tank ST may be divided into two.

Further, the spindle shaft 140 may be configured to simply hold the disk film 20 and lower and raise it, without making any lateral movement to select a processing tank. In this case, the disk film 20 is lowered - Processing tanks CD, BF, ST,
DR is sequentially transferred and processed. As shown in the figure, a container 150
If a means is provided that can not only move horizontally, but also move vertically using the elevator 153,
The spindle shaft 140 only needs to have a mechanism for holding and rotating the disk film 20 at a stationary position.

The amount of processing liquid stored in the container 150 as a processing tank is
It is related to the number of disc films processed at the same time, 1
For example, if you are processing a number of disc films,
Color development, developer CD 10mfL, bleach-fixer BF 10
■ Stabilizing liquid ST 10+jL (It is preferable to perform the stabilization process in two steps, in which case the amount of liquid is 1
0 mJl), which is preferably an amount that will not overflow the processing liquid from the upper end of the processing tank 11 when the disk film 20 is immersed.

In the above explanation, an embodiment has been described in which the container 150 is divided into a plurality of processing tanks, but the container 150 is not an aggregate of processing 41 ICD, BF, ST, and DR, but is divided into each processing tank (processing liquid). Those that are independent, preferably those that are combined into a mass upon use.

It may be.

When the stabilization process (including water washing) is completed, the disk film 20 is drained by the centrifugal force caused by rotation, and
It is dried by hot air from the hot air drying means 154.

In addition, in order to prevent the stabilizing liquid from scattering during the draining rotation during drying, the disk film 2 is
It is preferable that the upper part of the disc film 20 be covered, and the covering structure may be one in which a lid-like member is moved in and out above the disk film 20, or the above-mentioned guide member 130 and its light shielding member are used as upper surface covering during drying. do. In the latter case,
It is preferable to configure the structure so that warm air is blown inside the light shielding member and/or the guide member, since these members themselves can also be dried.

The dried disk film 20 is attached to the spindle shaft 1.
It is automatically removed from 40 and discharged out of the device through a guide path. Of course, manual removal from the spindle shaft 140 is not excluded.

Now, when the processing in the photographic processing system is completed, the container 150 as a processing tank is processed by a conveying means 151 that performs a linear motion such as a conveyor belt or rollers, or a conveying means such as a turntable that performs a circular motion. will be transferred to the system.

In the waste liquid treatment system, for example, the photographic processing waste liquid remaining in a container 150 (a processing liquid supply container and a processing tank at the same time) as a waste liquid container is solidified, and the container is further sealed.

In addition, in the case where a container 150 as a new processing tank is supplied to the processing section to process the next disk film, the waste liquid treatment system is placed at a position where the waste liquid from the previous treatment is stored. Container 150 is immediately removed from the photographic/processing system processing section.

Solidification of the waste liquid is performed by, for example, a solidifying agent input means 160. Various solidifying agents can be used, such as water-soluble polymers shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-293799, solidifying agents or desiccants shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-259003, and cement. Among them, plant-based or animal-based solidifying agents that solidify the waste liquid into an agar-like or jelly-like form are particularly preferred, and highly liquid-absorbing resins in the form of granules or powder, cements, and gypsum are particularly preferred. A fibrous substance may be added at the same time as these solidifying agents.

After the solidifying agent is added, preferably, using the sealing material used to seal the processing liquid container 150 in the processing liquid supply system, the sealing material 17 prepared in advance is used as shown in the figure.
The upper surface of the photographic processing waste liquid is sealed by the sealing means 171 using 0 and/or by dropping a liquid sealing material such as wax, which becomes solid at room temperature, onto the waste liquid.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a mechanism related to the main part of the present invention, and the processing liquid can be used as is or in powder form. The water is stored in a container 150 in a form such as liquid or jelly, and the container 150 is placed in a recessed portion of a hot water bath tank 154 placed on a conveying means 151 at a standby position as shown by the imaginary line.

When the processing liquid is in the form of powder, concentrated liquid, jelly, etc., hot water is poured into the container 150 in the standby position by the solution supply means 152, and at the same time, the hot water is poured into the hot water bath tank 154. , hot water supplied from a hot water tank (see Figure 1) is circulated and preheated. In addition, in order to prevent the container 150 from falling off (due to buoyancy) from the hot water bath tank 154 during a hot water bath, the container 150 is attached to the hot water bath tank 1.
The securing means, preferably secured to container 150
It may be a roller that presses down from the upper surface of the flange.

The conveyance means 151 is configured, for example, as shown in the figure, by a belt running on a guide rail, but instead of the belt,
It also includes those caused by continuous rotation of rollers, gears, etc.

Further, in such a mode, the container 150 may be conveyed by running two belts that sandwich the flange of the container 150 from above and below.

Moreover, as will be described later, in the case where the container 150 is lifted above the conveyance path by an elevator, the conveyance belt is not continuous over the entire conveyance path, but is divided into several parts that run independently. Preferably, the container 15G is raised and lowered together with the conveyor belt, or in a state where it is released from the conveyor belt.

The container 150 transported to the processing position is pushed up by the elevator 153 toward the disk film 20 that is engaged with the spindle 140 and is waiting, together with the hot water bath tank 154, to immerse the disk film 20 in the processing liquid. When the color development process in the 0 color development tank CD is completed (preferably controlled by a timer), the elevator 15
3, the container 150 (hot water bath tank 154) is returned to its original position, the bleach-fix tank BF is guided to the processing position by the running of the belt of the conveying means 151, and the elevator 153 is operated again to return the container 15o (hot water bath tank 154) to its original position. ) to immerse the disc film 2o in the bleach-fix solution.

Thereafter, similar operations are performed up to the stabilization process, preferably controlled by a timer.

Note that switching the immersion state of the disk film 20 to the next step of cypress wood may be performed by vertical and horizontal movement of the spindle shaft 140 without relying on the elevator 153.

In the system shown in FIG. 7, a conveying means 151 is provided on the upper part of a hot water bath tank 154 that does not move, and a container 150 is mounted on the frame.
154 and floats on the hot water in the hot water bath tank 154, it is intended to be moved from the standby position to the processing position. One end of the frame of the conveying means 151 engages with a guide rail, and the other end engages with a rotating shaft. Therefore, by forward rotation of the rotating shaft, the container 150 is moved from the standby position to the processing position.
The return movement is performed by reverse rotation.

In this case, hot water is circulated in the hot bath tank 154 from a hot water tank (not shown), or the temperature of the water is controlled by a method such as immersing a heater in the bath.

Note that the two frames for immersing the container 150 in the hot water bath tank 154 do not move synchronously at the same time as shown in Figure 1, but the movements are controlled separately by having separate rotating shafts to engage with. Good too.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, in an embodiment in which a plurality of containers 150 are immersed in a hot water bath tank 154, the present invention also includes an embodiment in which the containers 150 to be used are selected by horizontal movement of the spindle 140 without moving the containers 150. Included.

The aspect shown in FIG. 8 is the elevation a1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6.
The base of 53 is mounted on a conveying means 1 similar to that shown in FIG.
51, and the rotation of the operating shaft shown in FIG. A container 150 is placed in this hot water bath tank in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

In the above description of the embodiment, the temperature adjustment of the processing liquid was performed exclusively by a hot water bath. Mode of use.

Instead of a hot water bath, it is possible to adopt, for example, a mode that uses hot air used in the drying process, a mode that heats with electromagnetic waves such as microwaves, a mode that uses steam or an infrared lamp, and the like.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the photographic material to be processed is a disc film, and the case where this is directly processed by rotation has been mainly described, but other sheet-like photographic materials (dental X-ray film, etc.) may also be processed. If this is the case, it may be stored in a holder for rotation processing, etc., and then subjected to rotation processing.

[Effects of the Invention] According to "Unpublished", the processing liquid only needs to be prepared in a container at the standby position, and the processing liquid is automatically transferred to the processing position by an automatic conveyance system, and when processing is completed, it is removed from the processing position. Moreover, since the conveyance system is organically linked to the temperature adjustment means for the processing liquid, it is possible to achieve an additional purpose.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an automatic processor of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the spindle shaft, and Fig. 3 is a diagram of a cartridge in a commercially available disc film unit. 4 is a bottom view, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the disk film, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are perspective views showing other embodiments of the present invention. In the figure, each symbol indicates the following. 10: Cartridge, 11: Exposure window side plate, 1 12: Label side plate, 13: Exposure window, 14 2. Center opening. 15: Window for opening and closing the light shielding plate, 16: Bottle hole for opening and closing the light shielding plate, 17: Opening for destroying the cartridge. 18: Light shielding plate. 19: Lower center of label side plate, 20: Disk film 21: Hub, 100: Applicator 110: Device frame 111: Cartridge insertion slot 120: Cartridge end breaking member 121: Cartridge end breaking member 122: Pressing member 123: Pressing Member 130: Guide member 131: Stopper 132: Light shielding member 140: Spindle shaft 141: Bearing 142: Clutch plate 143: Clutch plate 144: Actuating piece 145: Rod 146: Hub pushing member 147: Stopper 148: Drive system 150: Container 151 : Transport means 152: Solution supply means 153: Elevator 154: Hot bath tank (tank) 160: Solidifying agent injection means 170: Sealing material 171: Sealing means

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A processing container, which is replaced every time one or more treatments are performed, is fixed in position in a heated state, and the rotatably supported sheet-shaped photographic material is immersed in the container and rotated to carry out processing. A small automatic developing machine configured to release the fixation to the container after processing and discharge the container out of the apparatus. (2) A small automatic developing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a hot water bath is used as means for heating the processing container. (3) The small automatic developing machine according to claim 1, wherein the container has a brim on at least two sides on the opening side, and the conveying means is a belt that clamps the brim.