JPH02103043A - Device for processing photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate and stabilize the transportation of a photosensitive material and to improve the graininess of the photosensitive material by transporting and processing the photosensitive material while supplying processing liquids to processing spaces which are narrow in width. CONSTITUTION:The processing spaces 73 which are narrow in width are formed to plural processing tanks 7 such as developing tank, bleaching tank, fixing tank, washing tank, and stabilizing tank and the respective processing liquids are supplied from processing liquid supply sections to each of these tanks 7. A film F is transported along the spaces 73 by a belt transporting system 74 and is subjected to a development processing. An endless belt 747 is put on between a wheel 740 and a roller 745 of the transportation system 74 and an engaging hole of a leader adhered with the front end of the film F is preferably engaged with a projection 748 of the belt 747 and is passed in the spaces 73. The processing liquids are preferably so supplied as to be run in the same direction as the transporting direction of the film.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material such as a film in a narrow processing space.

<Prior art> A technique (hereinafter referred to as slit development) for developing a photosensitive material using a slit-type processing tank having a narrow processing space in the thickness direction of the photosensitive material is known (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1989-1999). −
No. 89052, JP-A-63-131138).

In this slit development, the area of the open part of the processing space, that is, the part that comes into contact with the atmosphere, is small, so there is no risk of evaporation or deterioration of the processing solution.
Since there is less oxidation) and the volume of the processing space is small, there is an advantage that the amount of running processing liquid may be small.

However, when such slit development is applied to an automatic film developing machine, the following problems arise.

Automatic processors generally have a developing tank, a bleaching tank, a fixing tank, and a washing tank, and develop the photographed film by sequentially passing it through the processing solution in these processing tanks. At both ends of the film F, a transparent leader tape Ll of the same shape and the same material as the film is attached (see Fig. 6), and the leader tape L is placed on the downstream side in the conveying direction as shown by arrow C in the figure. The film is pulled through the slit-shaped processing space 110 in each processing tank (see Fig. 7). After processing the film F, the connection between the film F and the leader tapes L1 and L2 is cut to remove the film. Take it out (see Figure 8). Note that the leader tape connected to the rear end of the film F is for dragging the film to be developed next.

However, such a film transport method requires a leader tape with a length longer than the length of the transport path in an automatic developing machine (approximately 4 to 10m), which is inconvenient to handle. Also,
If such a long leader tape is disposable, it will be consumed in large quantities, leading to increased costs.If it is to be reused, it must be washed every time it is used, or it must be cleaned with clean cloth, paper, etc. It is necessary to wipe the surface with
It takes time and effort.

Furthermore, until the next film is developed, the leader tape remains in the processing space as shown in FIG. 8, but if this period is long, for example 8 to 10 weeks or more, The leader tape adheres to the slit-shaped inner wall of the processing tank (
In close contact.

In this case, if the adhesive part of the leader tape extends for a considerable length, the adhesion force will make it impossible to index the leader tape when developing the next film, and if indexing is done forcibly, the leader tape may be cut. .

Furthermore, if the leader tape stagnates like this for a long time,
Since dirt is likely to form near the film inlet and exit of the processing tank, this may cause dirt or scratches on the film surface when the film is next developed.

Furthermore, when transporting the film, it is necessary to pull the leader tape with a large tension that overcomes the frictional force, so accidents such as cutting or jamming of the leader tape may occur during processing. , it takes a great deal of effort and time to return to a state where it can be processed again.

In addition, in slit development, the width of the processing space is narrow, so the flow of the processing solution, especially the direction of flow and the degree of agitation, are considered to have a large effect on the development characteristics. However, little consideration has been given to this, and there is much room for research and improvement.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks due to the use of a long leader tape in the conveyance of X material in slit development, while enjoying the advantages of slit development, It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus that can transport a photosensitive material easily and stably, and that can improve processability, particularly the graininess of the photosensitive material.

〈Means for solving problems〉 Such objects are achieved by the present invention as described below.

That is, the present invention includes at least one processing tank having a narrow processing space corresponding to the thickness of the photosensitive material, a processing liquid supply means, and a belt conveyance system, and the processing liquid supply means performs the processing. This photosensitive material processing apparatus is characterized in that the photosensitive material is processed by being transported along the processing space by the belt transport system while supplying a processing liquid to the space.

Further, the belt conveyance system includes an endless belt having a part of the track in the processing space and having protrusions formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, a rotating body that supports the endless belt, and a rotating body that drives the rotating body. The end of the photosensitive material is attached to a leading member having an engaging hole into which the protrusion is inserted, and the leading member is engaged with the endless belt that drives the photosensitive material. Preferably, it is a photosensitive material processing apparatus configured to transport.

Preferably, the processing is supplied by a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which the processing liquid flows through the processing space in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material.

Further, it is preferable that the protrusion formed on the endless belt engages with the engagement hole of the guide member and also functions as a means for stirring the processing liquid in the photosensitive material processing apparatus.

Hereinafter, the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the following embodiments, an automatic developing machine for developing a color negative film will be described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view showing an example of the configuration when the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to an automatic developing machine for color negative film. As shown in the figure, automatic developing machine 1
A film supply section 2 that supplies developed film F, a processing section 3 that develops film F, a drying section 4 that dries processed film F, and a stacking section that accumulates dried film F. The film supply section 2, the processing section 3, and the drying section 4 are housed in a casing 100 that has a light-shielding property and can maintain tight light tightness. .

The film supply section 2 includes a base 21, a cartridge support 22 that can slide on the base in the left and right directions in FIG. 23, 23, a cutter 24 for cutting the film F, a spring 25 for biasing the cartridge support base 22 to the left in the figure, and a touch limit switch 26. Note that the upper part of the film supply section 2 is covered with a cover 27 that can be opened and closed.

The processing section 3 includes a plurality of vertically long processing tanks 7.8.9.1.
0.11 and 12 are arranged in parallel. Processing tank 7 is a developing tank, processing tank 8 is a bleaching tank, processing tank 9 is a fixing tank, processing tank 1
0 and 11 are washing tanks, and a processing tank 12 is a stabilization tank.

Note that the type and configuration of the processing tank are not limited to these.

Each processing tank 7 to 12 is provided with a belt conveyance drive system, the structure of which will be described in detail later.

The drying section 4 adjacent to the stabilizing tank 12 has a belt conveying system 40 located above it having the same configuration as described below, a fan 41 installed below, and a conveying path for the film F from the air outlet 42 of the fan 41. a duct 43 that extends up to the duct 43, a heater 44 installed near the air outlet 42 in the duct 43, and a separator 45 installed at the bottom of the belt conveyance system 40.
It is made up of.

Note that guide plates 46 and 47 are installed along the outer periphery of the endless belt 402. These guide plates 46
．． 47 has the function of guiding the leader 13 and film F and preventing the leader 13 from separating from the endless belt 402. In particular, the reversing guide plate 47 installed below the lower roller 401 is curved in an arc shape, and the leader 13 descending along this curved surface
is reversed so that it rises.

Note that each guide plate 46, 47 has a through hole formed therein to allow the hot air sent therethrough to promote drying.

Moreover, the separator 45 installed at the bottom of the reversing guide plate 47 has an inverted triangular shape, and divides the hot air sent into two parts and guides them to the descending side and the ascending side of the film, respectively.

A guide 48 and a guide roller 49 are installed on the film output side of the upper wheel 480 for guiding the dried film F to the stacking section 5.

The stacking section 5 adjacent to the drying section 4 has transport rollers 51, 51, at least one of which is driven and rotated, and a stopper 53 at the upper end.
and a hook 54 that is attached to protrude diagonally upward from the inside of the accumulation plate 52.
and a guide 55 that guides the leader 13 sent out from the conveyance roller to the accumulation plate 52.

The processing liquid supply section 6 at the bottom of the processing tanks 10 to 12 houses bolts 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 containing a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, washing water, and a stabilizing solution, respectively. .

Liquid feeding pipes (for example, flexible tubes) 610, 620, 630, 640 and 650 are connected to each of the bottles 61 to 65, respectively, and a pump (not shown) is installed in the middle of each of these liquid feeding pipes. As a result, the processing liquid in the bottle is supplied to the processing spaces of the corresponding processing tanks 7 to 12.

The following treatment liquids may be used.

Color developers generally consist of an alkaline aqueous solution containing a color developing agent.

The color developing agent is a primary aromatic amine developer, such as phenylene diamines (e.g. 4-amino-N, N-diethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N, N-diethylaniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl -N-β-hydroxyethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylaniline, 3-
Methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfonamidoethylaniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-
N-ethyl-N-β-methoxyethylaniline, etc.) can be used.

The color developing solution may also contain a pH buffer, a development inhibitor, an antifoggant, and the like.

In addition, if necessary, water softeners, preservatives, organic solvents, development accelerators, dye-forming couplers, competitive couplers, fogging agents, auxiliary developers, viscosity imparting agents, polycarboxylic acid chelating agents, antioxidants, alkalis, etc. It may also contain agents, solubilizers, surfactants, antifoaming agents, and the like.

As the black and white developer, developing agents such as dihydroxybenzenes (e.g. hydroquinone), 3-pyrazolidones (e.g. 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone), and aminophenols (e.g. N-methyl-p-aminophenol) may be used alone or in combination. Can be used in combination.

As a fixing solution, compounds that have a fixing effect on silver halide (fixing agents) include ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate (hypo), ammonium halide,
Examples include those containing thiourea, thioether, etc.

Examples of the bleaching solution include those containing iron salts of polycarboxylic acids, red blood salts, bromate compounds, cobalt hexazine, and the like as bleaching agents.

Of these, potassium ferricyanide, sodium iron(III) ethylenediaminetetraacetate and ammonium iron(III) ethylenediaminetetraacetate are particularly useful.

Furthermore, a bleaching/fixing solution containing both the bleaching agent and the fixing agent described above may be used.

In addition to the fixing agent, the fixing solution (bleach/fixing solution) can usually contain fixing aids such as preservatives such as sodium sulfite, acid agents, buffers, and hardening agents.

In addition, the bleaching solution (bleaching/fixing solution) includes U.S. Patent No. 3,0
No. 42,520, No. 3,241゜966, Special Publication No. 4
In addition to the bleaching accelerators described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-8506 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 45-8636, and the thiol compounds described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 53-65732, various additives can also be added.

As the washing water, water (distilled water, ion-exchanged water, etc.) or this water can contain additives as necessary.

These additives include, for example, chelating agents such as inorganic phosphoric acid, aminopolycarboxylic acid, and organic phosphoric acid, fungicides that prevent the growth of various bacteria and algae, fungicides, magnesium salts,
Examples include hardening agents such as aluminum salts, surfactants for preventing drying load and unevenness, and the like. Or L, E
.

West, “Water Quality C
r1teria”Photo, Sci, and Eng,,
vol, 9 No. 6 P344-359 (1965)
Compounds described in et al. can also be used.

As the stabilizing liquid, a processing liquid that stabilizes the dye image is used. For example, a solution having a buffering capacity of pH 3 to 6, a solution containing an aldehyde (for example, formalin), etc. can be used. Optical brighteners, chelating agents, bactericidal agents, fungicides, hardeners, surfactants, and the like can be used in the stabilizing liquid as necessary.

Next, the structure of the processing tank will be explained in detail by taking the developing tank 7 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 as an example.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the developer tank 7, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the developing tank 7.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line -m, and Figure 4 is IV-IV in Figure 2.
It is a sectional view at 1 m. As shown in these figures,
The developer tank 7 includes an outermost constant temperature bath 70, a developer tank body 71 installed in the constant temperature bath 70, an inner tank wall material 72 installed in the developer tank body 71, and a belt conveyance system 74. It consists of

The constant temperature bath 70 is filled with hot water 700 for heating the developer. The temperature of this hot water 700 is usually 3
It is about 0 to 50℃, and the temperature of the target developer (30℃
-38°C) or slightly higher.

In addition, in order to keep the temperature of the hot water in the constant temperature bath 70 constant,
Hot water circulation takes place. That is, a hot water supply lower 01 and a drainage lower 02 are formed at the bottom of the constant temperature bath 70.
Hot water heated by a heater (not shown) is supplied to the lower 0
1 into the constant temperature bath 70, and approximately the same amount of hot water as the supplied amount is discharged from the outlet.

The thermostatic chamber 70 may be made of a material with heat insulating properties such as hard vinyl chloride or polysulfone, or the inner and/or outer walls of the thermostatic chamber may be made of a heat insulating material such as asbestos, felt, aluminum foil, glass wool, etc. Bonding is preferred.

A developing tank main body 71 is fixedly or detachably attached to the inside of the side wall 703, 703 of the constant temperature bath 70 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

The developing tank main body 71 has a bottom portion curved in an arc shape.
The lowermost end 710 of the thermostatic chamber 70 is
This allows hot water to flow between the left and right sides of the developer tank body 71 in FIG. 3.

Note that a partition wall can be provided between the lowermost end 710 of the developer tank body and the bottom of the constant temperature bath 70 to create a temperature difference between the hot water on the left side and the right side of the developer tank body 71 in FIG. for example,
By setting the hot water on the left side (first half of development) in FIG.
It is possible to improve the development characteristics, especially the sensitivity to some extent.

The developer tank main body 71 is preferably made of a material that has excellent thermal conductivity and has chemical resistance to the developer, such as stainless steel, copper, or a copper-based alloy.
Examples include metals such as Hastelloy and titanium.

An inner tank wall material 72 is inserted into the center of the developing tank body 71 . As a result, a narrow so-called slit-shaped processing space 73 is formed between the inner wall surface of the developer tank main body 71 and the inner surface of the inner tank wall material 72.

The width T of this processing space is related to the thickness of the film F.
Usually, it is preferably about 2 to 30 times the thickness of the film F.

For example, in the case of a normal negative film having a width of 35 mm and a thickness of 0.2 mm, T is preferably about 0.5 to 6 mm. Although it is preferable to keep T constant throughout the processing space 73, T can also be gradually increased or decreased toward the downstream side in the film transport direction in order to adjust the processing speed or the like.

Incidentally, arcuate grooves 720 and 721 are formed in the upper and lower parts of the inner tank wall material 72, respectively, for installing wheels and rollers for supporting the belt, which will be described later.

Further, the inner tank wall material 72 may have either a solid structure or a hollow structure, and may be made of a material having heat insulating properties such as vinyl chloride, polysulfone, polyethylene, foamed polyethylene, or foamed polyurethane, or may be made of asbestos, felt, glass, etc. It is preferable to bond a heat insulating material such as wool or aluminum foil.

The processing space 73 is filled with the developer described above, and fresh developer (hereinafter referred to as replenisher) is supplied when the film F is developed. This replenisher is preferably supplied from the entrance side of the film F of the processing space 73. That is, a liquid supply port 611, which is connected to the piping 610 connected to the aforementioned replenisher bottle 61, is installed on the film F inlet side in the upper part of the processing space 73, while a liquid drain port 612, which discharges the developer by overflow, is provided. is installed on the film F exit side in the upper part of the processing space 73, and the replenisher supplied from the liquid supply port 611 flows in the same direction as the transport direction of the film F in the U-shaped processing space 73 (parallel flow), and replenishes. Almost the same amount of degraded developer is discharged from the drain port 612.

In this way, the parallel flow of the developer has the advantage of improving the sensitivity of the film.

The amount of replenisher supplied varies depending on conditions such as the type and size of the photosensitive material to be developed, the volume of the processing space, and the composition of the developer. It is best to set the area to about 45m1 per area.

The belt conveyance system 74 mainly includes an upper wheel 740,
Lower roller 745, wheel 740 and roller 745
The belt 747 is hung between the wheels 740 and 747, and is comprised of a rotating endless belt 747 and a means for driving and rotating the wheels 740.

At the top of the left and right side walls 711 and 711 of the developer tank body 71,
Brackets 742 and 742 are attached to the brackets 742 and 742, respectively, and the rotating shaft 741 of the wheel 70 is attached to the brackets 742 and 742, respectively.
is supported via bearings. A sprocket wheel 743 is attached to one end of the rotating shaft 741, and a chain 743 is attached between the sprocket wheel (driven side) 743 and the driving side sprocket wheel (not shown).
44 is turned, and a rotating shaft 741 is rotated via both sprocket wheels and a chain by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor. On the other hand, there are shaft insertion holes 712.712 in the lower parts of the left and right side walls 711.711.
are formed, and by inserting both ends of a rotating shaft 746 of the roller 745 into the holes 712, 712, the roller 745 is rotatably supported (see FIG. 4). In addition,
At the lower part of the roller 745, a processing space 73 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the roller 745 and the arcuate inner wall surface of the developer tank body 71.
or is formed.

The endless belt 747 has wheels 740 and rollers 7.
The hook is rotated in a tensioned state between approximately the center of the wheel 740, and rotates in a predetermined orbit by the drive rotation of the wheel 740. Part (most) of the orbit of this endless belt 747
is within the processing space 73.

A plurality of protrusions 748 are formed on the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the endless belt 747 at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the belt. These protrusions 748 are connected to the reader 1 described below.
This is inserted into the engagement hole 130 of No. 3.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the film F to be developed is
The two films F are stored in the cartridge 28 while being wound around a spool 29, and the tips of the two films F pulled out from each cartridge 28 and 28 are attached to the rear end of the leader 13, which is a leading member, with adhesive tape. , a fixing device 131 such as a clip
It is fixed by. This leader 13 is preferably made of a flexible sheet material that is slightly more rigid than the film F, and has engagement holes 130 formed at approximately the center thereof at the same intervals as the protrusions 748 along the longitudinal direction of the leader. . The leader 13 is conveyed with the protrusion 748 inserted into the engagement hole 130 as the endless belt 747 is driven.

Note that the protrusion 748 is inserted into the engagement hole 130 while the leader 13 is being transported.
A guide 75 is fixed at a predetermined position on the inner wall surface of the developer tank main body 71 as a means for preventing the developer tank main body 71 from coming off. This guide 75 has a protrusion 748 at the center in the width direction.
A recess 750 through which the reader can pass, and shoulders 751 and 75 on both sides of the recess that press the leader 13 toward the endless belt 747.
1 (see FIG. 2). Note that this guide 75 can also prevent the endless belt 747 from meandering while running.

The constituent material of the endless belt 747 is developer Q.
Preferred examples include rubbers such as silicone rubber and neoprene rubber, resins such as polyester, nylon, and polyether, and combinations thereof (particularly laminates). Furthermore, a reinforcing material such as a thin metal wire or reinforcing fiber (eg, Gebler carbon fiber) may be embedded in the endless belt (this improves the durability of the belt).

Further, as the constituent material of the leader 13, for example, a material similar to the film F such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide or a conventional leader tape, or other resin materials can be mentioned.

In addition, as a means to prevent the endless belt 747 from slipping or shifting in the rotation axis direction with respect to the wheels 740 and rollers 745, the back surface (inner surface) of the endless belt 747 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the wheels 740 and rollers 745 are It is also possible to form minute irregularities, fitting grooves, protrusions, etc. for anti-slip purposes.

The protrusion 748 originally formed on the endless belt 747
This protrusion 748 is for conveying the leader 13, but when the endless belt circulates within the processing space 73, the protrusion 748 also has the role of stirring the developer Q in the processing space 73. By stirring the developer Q in this manner, the graininess of the developed film F is improved.

Further, in order to promote stirring of the developer Q, the leader 13 may be provided with protrusions, fins, etc. as stirring means.

In addition, at the tip of the leader 13 or other parts,
Provide cleaning methods such as brushes, brushes, woven cloth, non-woven cloth, etc.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the reader 13 passes through the processing space 73 and cleans the inner surfaces of the developing tank main body 71 and the inner tank wall material 72.

Above the developing tank 7, there is a crossover for introducing the leader 13 with film from the previous process into the processing space 73 and for sending the leader 13 leaving the processing space 73 to the bleaching tank 8 for the next process. Means 14 are installed.

This crossover means 14 includes a crossover roller 140 that is driven or automatically rotates, and a crossover roller 140 that is driven or automatically rotates.
The crossover roller 14 is installed along the outer periphery of the crossover roller 14.
and a guide piece 141 having an arc-shaped guide surface 142 with a diameter slightly larger than 0 (see FIG. 3).
The leader 13 exiting the processing space 73 rises, passes between the outer peripheral surface of the crossover roller 140 and the arc-shaped guide surface 142 of the guide piece, changes direction by 180 degrees, and is introduced into the processing space in the bleaching tank 8. However, if the crossover roller 140 is not a driving roller, the engagement hole 13 at the rearmost end of the leader 13 is inserted in order to continue running the leader 13.
Before the protrusion 748 of the endless belt is removed from the leader 13, the protrusion of the endless belt in the next tank needs to be engaged with the engagement hole 130 at the front end of the leader 13. subordinate
Therefore, in this case, the length of the leader 13 (more precisely, the distance between the engagement holes 130 at the front end and the rear end) is set to be a considerable length in consideration of the length of the conveyance path in the crossover means 14.

The structure of the developing tank 7 has been explained above, but the bleaching tank 8, fixing tank 9. Washing tank 10.11 and stabilization tank 12
It is assumed that the same configuration applies to .

However, the washing tank 10.11 and the stabilizing tank 12 are shallower in depth than the developing tank 7, the bleaching tank 8, and the fixing tank 9, that is, the length of the transport path is shorter. In addition, by changing the conveyance path length in each processing tank,
It is possible to adjust the processing time.

Further, each processing tank, particularly the washing tank 10.11, may be configured to perform washing at room temperature without installing a constant temperature tank 70 for adjusting the temperature of the processing liquid.

Furthermore, the temperature of the processing liquid may be controlled by a method of directly heating the processing tank main body 71 by installing a heater, or by a method of supplying a replenisher that has already been heated to an appropriate temperature, without using a constant temperature bath. .

In the present invention, it is not necessary that all of the processing tanks 7 to 12 have slit-shaped processing spaces, and any one of the processing tanks 7 to 12 may have a conventional shape. For example, since there is little need for the washing tank to be processed in a slit-shaped processing space, these may be of a conventional shape. However, the above-mentioned belt conveyance system is also used in these processing tanks. In addition, in the experimental examples described later, all processing tanks other than the developing tank are of conventional shapes.

Next, the operation of the automatic developing machine 1 will be explained.

First, the leading ends of the two films F are pulled out from the cartridge 28 and fixed to the rear end of the leader 13 as shown in FIG. Next, the cover 27 is opened, each cartridge 28 is set on the cartridge support stand 22, the reader 13 is placed on the lower conveyance roller 23, and the cover 27 is closed (see FIG. 1).

Next, when you press a predetermined start button, the transport roller 2
3.23 rotates and conveys the leader 13 and each film F in the direction of arrow A.

When the entire amount of film F is unwound from the spool 29 in the cartridge 28, the cartridge 28 and the cartridge support base 22 move on the base 21 toward the cutter 24 against the biasing force of the spring 25. Therefore, the biasing force of the spring 25 is
It is necessary to set it smaller than the film tension of the conveying rollers 23.23.

When the patrone support base 22 moves forward by a predetermined distance, its front surface presses the contact of the touch limit switch 26. As a result, a solenoid (not shown) is energized, and the cutter 24 is operated to cut the end of each film F.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, it is sent out from between the conveying rollers 23 and 23, passes between the guide piece 141 and the crossover roller 140, and is turned downward.
3 is an endless belt 7 in a driving state in the developer tank 7;
47. That is, the engagement hole 130 of the leader 13
The protrusion 748 of the endless belt 747 enters inside,
As the endless belt 747 is driven, the leader 13 descends within the processing space 73 and is immersed in the developer Q.

Further, the leader 13 that has reached the bottom of the developer tank body 71 is moved to the roller 74 while being engaged with the endless belt 747.
5 and ascends within the processing space 73.

Note that when the reader 13 passes through the processing space 73,
Due to the action of the guide 75 installed in the developer tank body 71,
The leader 13 is prevented from coming off the endless belt 747. In particular, even at the bottom of the developer tank body 71, the leader 13 does not come off from the belt 747 due to the action of the guide 75, which curves in an arc concentric with the roller 745.

Following the conveyance (traveling) of the roller 13 in this manner, the two films F pass through the processing space 73, are immersed in the developer Q, and are developed.

In the processing space 73, there is a liquid supply port 61 on the film inlet side.
A developer (replenisher) is supplied from 1, and the deteriorated developer is discharged from the waste port 612 on the film exit side, so that the flow of the developer Q is in the same direction as the transport direction of the film F. As a result, the sensitivity of the developed film F is improved.

Further, since the developer Q in the processing space 73 is agitated by each protrusion 748 of the endless belt 747 that circulates in various parts of the processing space 73, the graininess of the developed film F is improved. This will be explained in detail in the experimental example below.

Note that such an effect occurs because the processing is performed in the slit-shaped processing space 73. That is, even if an endless belt with protrusions similar to the one in this embodiment were installed in a conventional box-shaped processing tank and conveyed using this belt, the volume of the processing space is large, so almost no stirring effect would be obtained.
In a slit-like processing space with a small volume, a small protrusion 74
A sufficient stirring effect can be obtained even by moving 8.

Note that at the bottom of the developer tank body 71, the film F passes along the outer peripheral surface of the rollers 745 on both sides of the belt.

Further, since the width T of the processing space 73 is narrow, the problem of curling of the film F hardly occurs.

Further, in the illustrated example, the surface of the film F (the side having the emulsion tank) is transported so as to be on the inner surface side of the developer tank main body 71, but conversely, the surface of the film F is transported so as to face the inner tank wall material 72 side. It may be transported so that

The leader 13 that has exited the processing space 73 in the developer tank 7 is reversed by the crossover means 14 and delivered to the bleach tank 8 adjacent to the developer tank 7 . That is, the leader 13 rising after leaving the processing space 75 passes between the guide piece 141 and the crossover roller 140, changes direction by 180 degrees, descends, engages with the endless belt in the bleaching tank 8, and moves downward. guided into the processing space. Following this crossover of the reader 13, the film F also moves to the bleaching tank 8.

Bleaching is carried out in the same manner as described above in the bleaching tank 8, and thereafter in the fixing tank 9 washing tank 10, 11 stabilizing tank 12,
Fixing, washing, and stabilization are performed in the same manner.

In this way, the reader 3 that has passed through the processing section 3 is sent to the drying section 4. In the drying section 4, the air sent out from the fan 41 is heated to, for example, about 60 to 80°C by the heater 44 to become hot air H, which rises in the duct 43 and is divided into two by the separator 45. ,Each,
The film is supplied to the descending conveyance path and the ascending conveyance path (see FIG. 1).

The leader 13 introduced into the drying section 4 via the crossover means 14 engages with the endless belt 402 as described above, and is lowered and reversed as the endless belt 402 circulates while being guided by the guide plates 46 and 47. ,Rise.
Following the conveyance of the leader 13, the film F also travels along the conveyance path and is dried by contact with the hot air H.

After that, the leader 13 moves the guide 48 and guide roller 49
and is sent to the collecting section 5. That is, in the stacking section 5, the leader 13 is held between the conveyor rollers 51 and 51 and sent out toward the stacking plate 52, advances along the lower surface of the inclined guide 55, and after coming into contact with the inner surface of the stacking plate 52. , heading upward.

During this time, the rear end of the leader 13 is still attached to the conveying roller 51.5.
Since the leader 13 has flexibility, it is pushed up while in contact with the stacking plate 52.

When the tip of the leader 13 reaches the hook 54, the leader 13
moves further upward while contacting the tip of the hook, and stops moving when contacting the stopper 53. At this point, the rear end of the leader 13 has come off the conveyance rollers 51, 51, so the push-up blade of the leader 13 has almost disappeared.

Therefore, when the film F is further sent out from the transport roller 51% 51, the leader 13 moves downward due to its own weight and restoring force. Therefore, the engaging hole 130 of the leader 13 engages with the hook 54, and one side of the leader 13 comes into close contact with the inner surface of the collecting plate 52.

On the other hand, the film F sent out from between the transport rollers 51 and 51 comes into contact with the guide 226, and is sent out below the stacking plate 52 while drawing an inverted S-shape.

When the end of the film F is sent out from between the transport rollers 51 and 51, due to the flexibility and weight of the film itself,
As shown in FIG. 1, the reader 13 and the film F are
The leader is suspended from the hook 54 (see Figure 1).The next leader is also suspended from the hook 2 in the same order as above.
32, and in this way, a large number of films F are aligned and stacked in the stacking section 5.

In the developing machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 above, the belt conveyance system 74 is independent for each processing tank, but in the present invention, as shown in FIG. The system may be configured to transport the processing tanks 7 to 10 or further the drying section 4.

That is, as shown in the figure, the automatic processor 1° includes a belt conveying roller 15 installed at the bottom of each processing tank 7 to 10 and inside the drying section 4, and a cross section installed at the boundary between the tops of each processing tank. An endless belt (protruding material) 18 is hooked between the over roller 16 and belt conveying rollers 17 installed near the film supply section 2 and stacking section 5, respectively, and this endless belt 18 is connected to the processing tank. By sequentially passing through the slit-shaped processing spaces 7 to 10 and the drying section 4 in the direction shown by arrow B in the figure, the film F engaged with the belt 18 and the film F connected thereto are conveyed in the same order. It is something to do.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention has been described above using automatic processors 1 and 1° for color negative films, but the present invention is not limited thereto. (APC), video printer processor, color paper processing machine for plate inspection, etc. It can be applied to a wide range of fields.

In addition to the color negative film mentioned above, the photosensitive materials to be processed include color reversal film, color photographic paper, color positive film, color reversal photographic paper, photographic material for plate making, X-ray photographic material, black-and-white negative film, and black-and-white photographic paper. , various photosensitive materials such as microphotosensitive materials.

Experimental Examples> Experimental examples using the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described below.

First, Fuji Color Negative Super HR100 film manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. was prepared as a photosensitive material, and the sample Fl
And so.

Next, a tungsten light source was used for this sample F1, and the color temperature was adjusted to 4800"K using a filter.
/100 seconds of sensitometric and RMS grain pattern exposure, development was performed according to the following processing steps.

Color development (38℃) 3 minutes 15 seconds Bleaching (3
8℃) 2 minutes 10 seconds fixation (38℃) 3
Minute 15 seconds Water washing (38°C) 1 minute 05 seconds x 2 Stable (38°C) 1 minute 05 seconds The composition of the treatment liquid used in each step was adjusted as follows.

Color developer (N 1) (replenisher)
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 1.0g (1.0g)1-
Hydroxyltylidene-1゜1-diphosphonic acid 2.0g (2.0g) Sodium sulfite 4.0g (5.0g) Potassium carbonate 30.0g (32.0g) Potassium bromide 1.4g (0.9g) Hydroxyl Amine sulfate 2.4g (3.5g) 4-
Add (N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylaniline sulfate to pH Bleach solution (N2) Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ferric ammonium salt Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dinatrilammonium chloride ammonium nitrate Add aqueous solution Bleach solution (N3) Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium 4.5g 1.01 10.0 (1)H (5.2g) (1.0ffi) 10.35) (Replenisher) 100.0g 10.0g 150 .0g 10.0g 1. %) Add sodium bisulfite water to pH Washing water Ion exchange water stabilizer (N4) Holimarin (40%) Polyoxyethyl-p-monononylphenyl nityl (average type degree 10) Add water to 10.0g ( 10.0g) 4.0g (4.0g) 175.0m1 (175.0mj) 4.6g 1.0g 6.6 (4.6g) (1.0j) (pH6.6) 2.0m1 4.0g (Replenisher) (2,0mj) (4,0g) 0.3g 1.01 (0,3g) (1,0j) The following automatic processor was used for the above processing.

(Comparative example) Developer tank: - Slit-shaped processing space shown in Figures 1 to 4 (width T = 3 mm) - No belt conveyance system - Liquid flow direction is parallel flow Bleaching tank, fixing tank, washing tank, stable Chemical tank: ・Conventional processing tank (modified color negative processor FNCP-600 manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) Conventional drying section (modified type color negative processor FNCP-600 manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) ・Drying temperature 70 ℃ Film transport method: - A long leader tape made of PET is connected to the tip of the film, and the leader tape allows the arch transport speed to be 10 m/min. Drying section: (Example of the present invention) Developing tank: - Figures 1 to 4 The slit-shaped processing space shown in the figure (
Width T = 3 mm) - Belt conveyance system installation as shown in Figures 1 to 4 Liquid flow direction is parallel flow Bleach tank, fixing tank, washing tank, stabilization tank: - Conventional processing tank (modified Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. color negative processor FNCP-600) ・Drying section with belt conveyance system shown in Figures 1 to 4: ・Drying section with the structure shown in Figure 1 ・Drying temperature 70°C Film conveyance method: ・Made of PET A film was connected to the rear end of the sheet material league, and an endless belt with protrusions in the belt conveyance system (neobrene rubber) was used to convey the league, and the conveyance speed was 1 Om/min. Samples developed according to the above-mentioned invention examples and comparative examples F
1, the following relative sensitivity and RMS granularity were investigated. The results are shown in Table 1 above.

<RMS graininess> Measure the density of the gray area with a density of 2.0 using a microdensitometer (sidelight opening 48 μφ), calculate the density change with respect to distance, and calculate the sum of the squares of the density difference with respect to the average density. It means the square root of the number divided by the degree of freedom (N-1) of the number of divisions.
R8M graininess 0 is expressed by the following formula.

Relative sensitivity> Do of characteristic curve. The reciprocal of the exposure amount (E) at a density point that is 0.05 higher than (minimum density) is called sensitivity, and the sensitivity of GL (
The relative sensitivity ratio when the green sensitivity) is set to 100 is called relative sensitivity.

This relative sensitivity is determined for the three colors R%G and B.

Table 1 Note: The percentage in parentheses is relative to the comparative example.As shown in Table 1 above, in the invention example, compared to the comparative example,
Almost no decrease in relative sensitivity and RMS granularity of 2
It has improved by about 0 to 40%.

<Effects of the Invention> According to the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, since the processing space is narrow, the amount of processing liquid used is small (and there is no evaporation of the processing liquid,
Deterioration (oxidation) is prevented.

In addition, since the film is not transported using a long leader tape as in the past, but is transported by a belt transport system, there are problems caused by the leader tape coming into close contact with the inner wall of the processing tank when the processing body is stopped. , cutting of the leader tape and jamming accidents do not occur, and processing can be performed easily and stably in a clean state.

Further, according to the present invention, processing efficiency can be improved.

That is, since the processing liquid is stirred by the driving of the belt in the processing space, especially by the protrusions of the endless belt, the graininess of the photosensitive material is improved. Furthermore, when the flow of the processing liquid in the processing space is a parallel flow, good sensitivity can be maintained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional front view showing an example of a configuration in which the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to an automatic processor. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the developer tank in the automatic developing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line m-m in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a sectional front view schematically showing another embodiment in which the configuration of the belt conveyance system of the automatic developing machine is different. 6 to 8 are cross-sectional front views schematically showing a film conveyance method in a conventional slit-type automatic developing machine. Explanation of symbols l, 1°...Automatic processor 2...Film supply section 21...Base 22...Patrone support stand 23...Conveyance roller 24...Cutter 25...Spring 26 ... Tarachirimitsu 27 ... Cover 28 ... Patrone 29 ... Spool 3 ... Processing section 4 ... Drying section 40 ... Belt conveyance system 400 ... Wheel 4'01 ... Roller 402... Endless belt 41... Fan 42... Air outlet switch 43... Duct 44... Heater 45... Separator 46.47... Guide plate 48... Guide 49... - Guide roller 5... Accumulating section 51... Conveyance roller 52... Accumulating plate 53... Stopper 54... Hook 55... Guide 6... Processing liquid supply section 61-65... Bottle 610.620.630,640.650...Piping 611...Liquid supply port 612...Drain port a...Developer tank 8...Bleach tank 9...Fixer tank 10.11. ... Washing tank 12 ... Stabilization tank 70 ... Constant temperature tank 700 ... Hot water 701 ... Supply port A 02 ... Discharge port A 03 ... Side wall 71 ... Developing tank main body 710. ... Lower end 711 ... Side wall 712 ... Hole 72 ... Inner tank wall material 720, 721 ... Groove 73 ... Processing space 74 ... Belt conveyance system 740 ... Wheel 741 ... Rotating shaft 742...Bracket 743...Subrocket wheel 744...Chain 745...Roller 746...Rotating shaft 747...Endless belt 748...Protrusion 75...Guide 750... Recessed portion 751... Shoulder portion 13... League 130... Engagement hole 131... Fixture 14... Crossover means 140... Crossover roller 141... Guide piece 15.17...・Belt conveyance roller 16...Crossover roller 100...Casing 110...Processing space F...Film Q...Developer solution, Li...Leader tape H...Warm air A, B , C... Conveyance direction FIG, 2 IvJ FIG, 4 FIG FIG, 5 FIG, 6 FIG, 7 FIG, 8

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) It has at least one processing tank having a narrow processing space corresponding to the thickness of the photosensitive material, a processing liquid supply means, and a belt conveyance system, and the processing liquid supply means carries out processing into the processing space. A photosensitive material processing apparatus characterized in that the photosensitive material is processed by being transported along the processing space by the belt transport system while supplying a liquid. (2) The belt conveyance system includes an endless belt with a part of the track located in the processing space and having protrusions formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, a rotating body that supports the endless belt, and a rotating body that supports the endless belt. and a driving means for driving and rotating, wherein an end of the photosensitive material is attached to a leading member having an engagement hole into which the protrusion is inserted, and the leading member is engaged with the endless belt that drives the photosensitive material. 2. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material processing apparatus is configured to convey a photosensitive material. (3) The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing supply is performed so that the processing liquid flows through the processing space in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material. (4) The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion formed on the endless belt not only engages with the engagement hole of the leading member but also functions as a means for stirring the processing liquid. .