JPH02129634A - Processing method and processing machine for photographic sensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow processing with a min, volume of processing liquids and to prevent the generation of a jam trouble and pressure fog by subjecting the emulsion surface of a photographic sensitive material to a photographic processing while stirring the supplied processing liquid by means of plural juxtaposed processing rollers so as to attain a uniform thin layer. CONSTITUTION:The photographic sensitive material 4 is intermittently transported in t he state of facing the emulsion surface upward and the frame thereof is set on a horizontal processing surface 6 of a processing pedestal 5 at the time of subjecting the photographic sensitive material 4 to the development processing. The developing soln. is then press-fed to a processing soln. supply pipe 17 and the processing rollers 12 are rotated simultaneously therewith. As a result, the developing soln. is uniformly supplied from matrix-shaped nozzle ports 15 onto the processing rollers 12 under rotation and are held in spiral grooves 13 thereof. The developing soln, included in the grooves 13 is supplied to the emulsion surface of the photographic sensitive material 4 by the rotation of the rollers 12 and the developing soln, on the emulsion surface is stirred in the uniform this layer state by the spiral grooves 13. The photographic sensitive material 4 is thereby well subjected to the color development processing.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to the processing of silver halogenide photographic materials such as color films and color papers (including those with reflective supports and those with transparent supports). The present invention relates to a processing method and processing machine for photographic materials used for.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a processing method and processing machine for this type of photographic light-sensitive material, there are, for example, the following immersion processing method and processing machine according to MSI and a second conventional example.

The processing machine according to the first conventional example includes a plurality of processing tanks each having a capacity of several liters, a heater that heats the processing liquid stored in the processing tank, and a conveyance path. The apparatus is equipped with a feed roller and a guide roller for sequentially conveying and immersing the photographic material into each processing tank.

In the processing machine according to the second conventional example, the main body of the processing machine is divided into upper and lower halves, and the upper and lower halves have a wave-shaped cross section on their opposing surfaces, and the opposing surfaces of the upper half and the lower A slit-like conveyance path having a corrugated cross-section is formed by the opposing surfaces of the halves, and a slit-like processing liquid reservoir is formed in each valley of the wave-like cross-section of the slit-like conveyance path. Furthermore, a feed roller is provided at the terminal end of the slit-shaped conveyance path.

In both of the processing methods using the processing machines according to the first and second conventional examples, a processing solution such as a developer is stored in each processing tank or each slit-shaped processing solution reservoir, and these processing The photographic material is transported while being immersed in the solution, and is sequentially processed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the configuration of the processing machine according to the first conventional example described above, since a plurality of processing tanks each having a capacity of about a liter are provided, the amount of processing liquid increases. This makes management of the processing liquid difficult, and the processing machine becomes large and heavy, leading to high costs.

The configuration of the processing machine according to the second conventional example described above is improved in terms of smaller size and weight, lower cost, and reduction in the amount of processing liquid compared to the processing machine according to the first conventional example. However, there are limitations due to the structure, and in particular, there is a risk that the photographic material may get caught in the slit-shaped processing liquid reservoir, causing a so-called jam, and pressure build-up may also occur. Furthermore, crystals may even be generated on the inner wall of the slit-shaped processing liquid reservoir due to evaporation of processing liquid components.

Therefore, the present invention has been made with attention to the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to enable processing with the minimum amount of processing liquid, and to make the processing machine smaller and lighter. To provide a processing method and a processing machine for photographic light-sensitive materials, which can eliminate processing unevenness, suppress the occurrence of jam troubles and pressure build-up during processing, and furthermore prevent the formation of crystals due to evaporation of processing liquid components.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A method for processing a photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention that achieves the above-mentioned object comprises supplying a processing liquid to the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material, and arranging a plurality of processing liquids on the supplied emulsion surface in parallel. The photographic process is carried out while stirring in a uniform thin layer using a processing roller.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method for processing photographic light-sensitive materials, the processing roller has a spiral groove or a discontinuous inclined groove carved in the outer peripheral wall, and is provided with a roller portion having a small roller diameter. Features.

The photographic light-sensitive material processing machine of the present invention which achieves the above object supplies a processing liquid to the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material, and forms a uniform thin layer of the processing liquid on the supplied emulsion surface by a plurality of processing rollers arranged in parallel. The present invention is characterized in that there are multiple processing apparatuses configured to carry out photographic processing while stirring the processing liquid depending on the type of processing liquid.

According to a preferred embodiment of the photographic material processing machine, (1) the processing device includes a processing pedestal having a horizontal processing surface, a photosensitive material conveying means for conveying the photographic material along the horizontal processing surface of the processing pedestal, and (1) comprising a processing liquid supply means for supplying a processing liquid to the processing surface of the photosensitive material; and a plurality of processing rollers that clamp the photographic photosensitive material between a processing pedestal and stir the processing liquid on the emulsion surface; The processing liquid supply means is equipped with a processing liquid supply nozzle that supplies the processing liquid to the photographic light-sensitive material that is being continuously conveyed at the entrance side of the photosensitive material transport path, or it supplies the processing liquid to the photographic light-sensitive material through a plurality of processing rollers arranged in parallel. Equipped with a processing liquid supply nozzle with supply nozzle openings formed in a matrix shape; (1) The processing roller has a threaded groove carved in the outer peripheral wall.

It is also characterized by having a roller portion with a small roller diameter.

[Function] When photographically processing a photographic light-sensitive material, firstly, the photographic light-sensitive material is conveyed, a processing liquid is supplied to the emulsion surface, and a processing roller is rotated.The processing liquid on the emulsion surface is stirred in a uniform thin layer state. The photosensitive material is then photographically processed.

In this way, crystallization due to evaporation of the processing liquid is prevented, and moreover, the amounts of processing liquid and waste liquid are significantly reduced, and there is no possibility of occurrence of jam trouble or pressure build-up due to slit processing. In addition, stirring and supplying the processing liquid eliminates processing unevenness and improves processing performance. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem can be eliminated.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a photographic material processing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This processing machine is a developing (generally color developing) device M1.
, a bleach-fixing device 2, and a water washing (or stable water washing) device 3 are arranged in sequence along the conveyance direction of the photographic light-sensitive material 4.

The developing device 1 has a processing pedestal 5. This processing pedestal 5
A horizontal processing surface 6 is formed, and a heater is embedded along this horizontal processing surface 6. Horizontal processing surface 6 of processing pedestal 5
A pair of feed rollers 9 for conveying the photosensitive material 4 are provided facing each other on the entrance side of the photosensitive material conveyance path 8 whose main path is above. A squeeze air blowing nozzle 10 for squeezing excess developer is arranged and extends obliquely to the photosensitive material transport path 8, and a squeeze liquid reservoir 11 is provided below this squeeze air blowing nozzle 10. ing.

Further, a processing roller 12 that clamps the photographic light-sensitive material 4 between the processing pedestal 5 and stirs the processing solution on the emulsion surface is mounted on the processing pedestal 5.
A plurality of them are arranged in parallel facing the horizontal processing surface 6 of. In this first embodiment, the processing roller 12 has a threaded groove 1 on the outer peripheral wall.
3 is engraved and the roller diameter is small (3~10m+oφ
(preferably) includes a roller portion 14, and preferably counterclockwise threaded grooves 13 and clockwise threaded grooves 13 are arranged alternately along the conveyance direction of the photographic photosensitive material 4. .

A processing liquid supply nozzle 16 in which nozzle ports 15 facing the processing roller 12 are formed in a matrix is provided above the processing roller 12, and a processing liquid supply pipe 17 is connected to the processing liquid supply nozzle 16.

During color development processing, a developer can be impregnated into the grooves 13 of the processing roller 12 and agitated and supplied to the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material 4, and a cleaning solution can be supplied to the processing roller 12 during washing. Incidentally, instead of the threaded groove 13, a discontinuous inclined groove may be provided, or a protrusion capable of stirring the liquid may be provided.

The bleach-fixing device 2 and the washing device 3 have the same configuration as the developing device 1 except for the heater, and the processing liquid supply nozzle 18 supplies the bleach-fixing solution from the nozzle opening 15 in the bleach-fixing device 2 and the water in the washing device 13. Or a stabilizing liquid can be supplied.

Next, a processing method of the processing machine having the above configuration will be explained.

When developing the photographic light-sensitive material 4, first, the photographic light-sensitive material 4 is intermittently conveyed with the emulsion side facing upward, and its frames are set on the horizontal processing surface 6 of the processing pedestal 5. The developing solution is fed under pressure, and at the same time, the processing roller 12 is rotated. The rotational speed of the processing roller 12 and the amount of developer supplied are set in consideration of the thickness of the developer on the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material 4. The thickness of the developer is not particularly limited, but the frame size is 8.2 cm x 1.
Using a service size photographic material 4 of 2 cm and frame area of 100 cm, one color developing agent source concentration is 10 to 20 g/
When a developer of 1 is used, it is preferably 500 p-s or less.

More preferably, it is 300 gm or less.

As a result, the developer is uniformly supplied to the rotating processing roller 12 from the matrix-shaped nozzle openings 15.

The liquid is retained in the threaded groove 13. The developer contained in the groove 13 is supplied to the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material 4 by the rotation of the processing roller 12, and the developer on the emulsion surface is stirred in a uniform thin layer by the clockwise or counterclockwise spiral groove 13. As a result, the photographic material 4 is subjected to color development processing.

When the frames of the photographic light-sensitive material 4 that have been subjected to the color development process are conveyed to the bleach-fixing device 2, the bleach-fixing process is carried out in the bleach-fixing device 2 through the same processing steps as in the developing device 1. Also, this bleach-fixed photosensitive material $44
When the piece is conveyed to the water washing device 3, the water washing device 13-r!
In this case, the ring is washed with water through the same processing steps as in device 1.

In this way, the photographic light-sensitive material 4 can be photographically processed with the minimum amount of processing liquid, and processing unevenness can be eliminated by stirring and supplying the developer, and high-quality photographic processing can be performed over the entire emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material $44. In addition, the photographic material 4 during processing
It is possible to eliminate the occurrence of jam troubles and pressure build-up, and to prevent the precipitation of crystals due to oxidation of the processing liquid.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a processing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment @2 has substantially the same structure as the first embodiment, but is characterized in that the photographic material 4 can be continuously conveyed and subjected to photographic processing.

Specifically, a processing liquid supply nozzle 20 extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the photographic photosensitive material 4 is disposed on the entrance side of the photosensitive material transport path 8 of the developing device l.
0 has a slit-shaped nozzle opening 21, so that the developer is uniformly supplied across the width of the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material 4 that is being continuously conveyed. The bleach-fixing device 2 and the water washing device 3 also have the same configuration as the developing device 1, and the processing liquid supply nozzle 20 in the bleach-fixing device 2 supplies the bleach-fixing solution.
Water or a stabilizing liquid is supplied to the water washing device 3.

The processing method of this second embodiment is different from the first embodiment. During the color development process, before the photographic light-sensitive material 4 is continuously conveyed to the processing roller 12, the emulsion surface is Since the developing solution is supplied, the processing solution is stirred in a more uniform Q layer state over the entire emulsion surface compared to the first embodiment in which the photographic light-sensitive material 4 is conveyed intermittently, resulting in high quality color development. Processing takes place. During the bleach-fixing treatment and water washing treatment, high-quality bleach-fixing treatment and water washing treatment are performed through the same processing steps as the color development treatment.

When a processing liquid such as a developer is not used for a long time after photographic processing is completed, air is blown from an injection nozzle (not shown) that reciprocates above the parallel processing rollers 12 along the photosensitive material transport path 8. A processing liquid such as a developer contained in the grooves 13 of the processing roller 12 is removed and air spray cleaning is performed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
For example, in the first and second embodiments, a case was explained in which a processing roller is provided with a threaded groove, but the invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of processing rollers each having a sponge-like impregnated member wrapped around the outer peripheral wall are used. They may be arranged in parallel, or a scraper may be arranged as a processing liquid squeezing means in place of the squeeze air blowing nozzle. Furthermore, if the feed roller is used as a squeeze roller, the squeeze air blowing nozzle can be made unnecessary.

The photographic material and processing time to which the present invention can be preferably applied will be described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The silver halide grains used in the silver halide emulsion layer of the photographic light-sensitive material processed according to the present invention include, for example, silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodobromide, and silver iodobromide. silver chloride at least 80 mol %, especially 9
Preferably, it is substantially silver chloride, containing 0 mol%,
The amount of bromide and iodide is preferably extremely small.

Particularly, when the silver chloride content is 95 mol % or more, it is preferably used because the desired effect of the present invention can be achieved well and furthermore, it is rapid. Particularly preferred is silver chloride of 98 mol% or more. In special cases, it is also a preferred embodiment that the blue-sensitive layer is silver halide containing 30 mol% of bromide, and the other two layers, for example, the green-sensitive layer and the red-sensitive layer, contain about 99 mol% of chloride. It is. The silver halide is preferably a core-shell particle having a double layer structure.

The silver chloride preferably used in the present invention is at least 8
Silver halide emulsion layers containing 0 mol %, in particular 90 mol %, of silver halide grains contain color couplers. These color couplers are color developing agent oxidation products,
Reacts with to form a non-diffusible dye. Color couplers are advantageously incorporated in non-diffusive form in or closely adjacent to the photosensitive layer.

Thus, the red-sensitive layer may contain, for example, a non-diffusive color coupler, generally a phenolic or alpha-naphthol coupler, which produces a cyan partial color image.

The green-sensitive layer may contain, for example, at least one non-diffusive color coupler which produces a magenta partial color image, usually a 5-pyrazolone color coupler and a pyrazolotriazole coupler. The blue-sensitive layer can contain, for example, at least one non-diffusive color coupler which produces an image area color image, generally a color coupler having open-chain ketomethylene groups.

Color couplers can be, for example, 6-14- or 2-equivalent couplers.

In the present invention, two-equivalent couplers are particularly preferred.

Suitable couplers are disclosed, for example, in the following publications:
Agfa research report (Mitteilunglnaus)
den Forschungslaboratory
ender Agfa), Leverkusen/Munchen (Leverkusen/Munchen)
, Vol, m, Lllll (1961) "Color coupler" by W. Pe1z (
Farbkupler); Kay Ventakataraman (in.

The Working Chemistry of Synthetic Soybeans
CI+emirsry or Synthetic Dy
es), Vol. 4, :141-:187, Academic Press
, rThe Theory of the Photographic Process J
Photographic Process),
4th edition.

353 ~ Colo 2 pages; and Research Disclosure (1research Disclosure)
No. 1764, Section ■.

In the present invention, in particular, JP-A No. 63-105655
Magenta couplers represented by the general formula [Ml] as described in JP-A No. 63-10 [1655 specification, pages 2!l to 34] Description No. 1 to No. 77
can be mentioned. ), a cyan coupler represented by the general formula [C-I] or [C-II] also described on page 34 (specific examples of cyan couplers include (C') described on pages 137 to 42 of the same specification) -1) ~ (C'-82)
, (C″-1) to (C-:15)), high-speed yellow couplers described on page 20 of the same specification (specific examples of cyan couplers include (C″-1) to (C-:15)), It is preferable to use Y'-1) to (Y'3g) in combination in the photographic light-sensitive material processed according to the present invention from the viewpoint of the desired effects of the present invention.

In the present invention, when a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic mercapto compound is used in combination with the high silver chloride photographic light-sensitive material preferably used in the present invention, it not only exhibits the desired effects of the present invention well, but also In the present invention, it can be cited as a more preferred embodiment because it has the additional effect of minimizing the influence on photographic performance that occurs when a bleach-fixing solution is mixed in with a bleach-fixing solution.

Specific examples of these nitrogen-containing heterocyclic mercapto compounds include (I'-1) to (1'-87) described in JP-A-53-106555, pages 42 to 45.

Emulsified silver content preferably used in the present invention is 80 mol%,
In particular, silver halide emulsions of greater than 90 mole % may be prepared by conventional methods (eg, single or double flow with constant or accelerated feed of material).

Particularly preferred is the adjustment method using the double inflow method while adjusting PAg; Research Disclosure No. 1754
3. See Sections I and ■.

Silver halide emulsions can be chemically sensitized. Reducing agents can also be used as chemical sensitizers, with sulfur-containing compounds such as allyl isothiocyanate, allylthiourea or thiosulfate being particularly preferred;
8,687, and polyamines such as diethylenetriamine or aminomethylsulfinic acid derivatives, such as diethylenetriamine according to Berly Patent No. 547,12:1. Noble metals and precious metal compounds such as gold, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium or rhodium are also suitable sensitizers. This chemical sensitization method is used in the Zeitschrift Fair Bissenschaftliche Photography (Z, Wiss, Pl+oto,) 46.65~
72 (1951) R-FF Slovski (R,K
Research Disclosure No. 17643, described in the paper by Os 1ovsky)
See also section ■.

Silver halide emulsions are prepared by optically known methods 1 using common polymethine dyes such as neutrocyanines, basic or acidic carbocyanines, rhodacyanines, hemicyanines, styryl dyes, oxonols and the like.
Can be sensitized: F.M. Hammer (F, @
The Cyani Dice and Related Combines J (The Cyani
ne Dyes and relatedCompou
nds) (1954) Ullmann's Hemmy (formerly 1ma
Enzyklpadie der techni
schen Chesie) 4th edition, vol. 18, 43
See page 1 and the following, and Research Disclosure No. 17 [i4:] above, section ■.

Conventional antifoggants and stabilizers can be used in the silver halide emulsions. Azaindenes are particularly suitable stabilizers, with tetra- and penta-azaindenes being preferred, especially those substituted with hydroxyl or amino groups.

Compounds of this kind can be found, for example, in the paper by Birr, Zeitschrift Ver Bissenschaftliche Fotografie (2, Wiss, Photo) 47° 1952, p. 2-56, and the above-mentioned Research Disc. Roscher No. 17643, Section ■.

The components of the photographic light-sensitive material can be incorporated by conventionally known methods; for example, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,764,336 and I, 765,89
See No. 7.

Components of the photographic material, such as couplers and UV absorbers, can also be contained in the form of charged latex; see DE 2,541,274 and EP 14,921, the components are It can also be fixed in photographic materials as a polymer; for example, German Patent Application No. 2,044,992, US Pat. No. 3,370
, No. 952 and No. 4,080,211.

As supports for the photographic materials processed according to the invention, conventional supports can be used, for example supports of cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate and supports of polyesters. In the present invention paper supports can be used. When used, it can be coated with, for example, polyolefins, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene; in this regard, the above-mentioned Research Disclosure No.
See 17843, Sexy, 7VVI.

Conventional wood-philic film formers can be used as protective colloids or binders for the layers of photographic materials;
These are, for example, proteins, especially gelatin, alginic acid or its derivatives such as esters, amides or salts, cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose and cellulose sulfate, starch or its derivatives or hydrophilic synthetic binders; Reference may also be made to the binders shown in Section IX.

The layer of photographic material provided on the support can be hardened using conventional methods such as epoxide, heterocyclic ethyleneimine or acryloyl type hardeners. Furthermore, the photographic constituent layers can be cured by a method according to DE 2,218,009 to produce a color photographic material suitable for high temperature operation. The above layer can also be cured with a diazine, triazine or 1,2-dihydroquinoline type curing agent or a vinylsulfone type curing agent. Other suitable curing agents are German Patent Application No. 2.4
No. 39,551, No. 2,225,230 and No. 2 and 3
No. 17,672 and Research Disclosure 1764:1, Section X, supra.

Further, the most preferable processing step in the present invention is preferably within 90 seconds of the processing time of all processing steps (excluding the drying step) of the color development step, bleach-fixing step, and water washing or stabilization step, and particularly preferably 60 seconds or less. It is in the range of seconds to 75 seconds, more preferably in the range of 9 seconds to 50 seconds, and most preferably in the range of 15 seconds to 50 seconds.

In the present invention, the processing time of the color development step is preferably within 35 seconds, more preferably in the range of 3 seconds to 30 seconds, even more preferably in the range of 5 seconds to 25 seconds, and most preferably 7 seconds. It is in the range of seconds to 20 seconds.

Further, in the present invention, the processing time of the bleach-fixing step in the processing steps is preferably 10 to 50%, but from the viewpoint of the desired effect of the present invention, it is more preferably in the range of 20 to 40%. used.

In the above, the time for the entire processing process refers to the time from when the photographic light-sensitive material comes in contact with the color developer until just before it starts the drying process. The S white fixing processing time refers to the time from when the photographic light-sensitive material touches the bleach-fix solution until the same location touches the bleach-fix solution. Further, the stabilization processing time refers to the time from when the photographic light-sensitive material is washed with water or comes into contact with the stabilizing solution until just before the same part begins the drying process, that is, it is the total of these times or the time for the entire processing process.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, a processing liquid is supplied to the emulsion surface of a photographic light-sensitive material, and the processing liquid on the supplied emulsion surface is stirred in a uniform thin layer state by a plurality of processing rollers arranged in parallel. With the configuration for photographic processing, it is possible to process with the minimum amount of processing liquid layer, and the process is 8! By making the machine smaller and lighter, it is possible to prevent jam troubles and pressure build-up. Further, precipitation of crystals due to evaporation of the processing liquid can be prevented. Furthermore, the agitation and supply of the processing liquid eliminates processing unevenness and has the effect of allowing high quality photographic processing to be performed over the entire emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a photographic material processing machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a processing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention. l: Developing device Bleach-fixing device Water washing device Photographic photosensitive material processing pedestal Photosensitive material transport path Feeding roller Processing roller Groove Roller section Processing liquid supply nozzle #Fraud applicant

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A processing liquid is supplied to the emulsion surface of a photographic light-sensitive material, and the supplied processing liquid on the emulsion surface is photographically processed while being stirred in a uniform thin layer state by a plurality of processing rollers arranged in parallel. A method for processing a photographic material, characterized in that: 2. The method for processing a photographic material according to claim 1, wherein the processing roller has a spiral groove or a discontinuous inclined groove carved in its outer circumferential wall and is provided with a roller portion having a small roller diameter. . 3. A processing device configured to supply a processing liquid to the emulsion surface of a photographic light-sensitive material, and perform photographic processing while stirring the supplied processing liquid on the emulsion surface in a uniform thin layer state with a plurality of processing rollers arranged in parallel. A photographic material processing machine characterized by being equipped with a plurality of machines depending on the type of liquid. 4. The processing device includes a processing pedestal having a horizontal processing surface, a photosensitive material transporting means for transporting the photographic material along the horizontal processing surface of the processing pedestal, and a processing liquid supply unit for supplying processing liquid to the processing surface of the photographic material. 4. The photographic light-sensitive material processing machine according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of processing rollers for holding the photographic light-sensitive material between the processing pedestals and stirring the processing solution on the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material. 5. The processing liquid supply means is equipped with a processing liquid supply nozzle that supplies the processing liquid to the photographic material being continuously conveyed at the entrance side of the photosensitive material conveyance path, or the processing liquid is supplied to the photosensitive material through a plurality of processing rollers arranged in parallel. 5. The photographic material processing machine according to claim 4, further comprising a processing liquid supply nozzle in which a nozzle opening for supplying the material is formed in a matrix shape. 6. The photographic material processing machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the processing roller has a spiral groove carved in its outer peripheral wall and is provided with a roller portion having a small roller diameter.