JPH0213947A - Method and device for processing of photographic sensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow efficient processing of a film with a small volume of a processing without using spirals by superposing a water absorptive sheet on the emulsion surface of the film and spreading the processing liquid contained by the film and the water absorptive sheet to a thin and uniform layer state by a press-contacting means. CONSTITUTION:The water absorptive sheet 6A wound on a winding roll 9A is taken up by a take-up roll 9B and is superposed on a film F while the sheet passes between guide rollers 10A and 10B. The sheet is pressed to a heater 8 side by the press-contacting means 11 such as press-contacting roller and the processing liquid supplied from the water absorptive sheet 6A contg. the processing liquid to the film F is spread to the uniform and thin layer state. The processing liquid supplied from the water absorptive sheet 6B contg. the processing liquid to the film F is spread to the uniform and thin layer state similarly in the processing part 5B of the ensuing stage. The film is efficiently processed with the small volume of the processing liquid in this way without using the spirals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a film used for developing a roll or sheet photographic material (including direct positive color vapor, hereinafter simply referred to as film). More specifically, the present invention relates to a film processing method and processing apparatus suitable for improving the storage stability of a processing liquid and for developing with a small amount of processing liquid.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, various methods have been used to develop film, such as dipping, coating, spraying, and spraying.In general, a processing solution is stored in a processing tank. This is carried out by a dipping treatment method in which the film is immersed in this treatment liquid while being transported and sequentially treated.

Also, among the immersion treatment methods, the multi-tank method is common. An automatic developing machine using such an immersion processing method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
No. 60526, No. 56-5544, Utility Model Publication No. 57-90
As described in No. 438, the processing liquid is stored separately in a plurality of processing tanks, each having a capacity of about several tanks, even in small-sized ones, and the temperature of each tank is adjusted by heating means such as a heater.
The film is transported by a roller transport method, a belt transport method, or the like, and is configured to be guided to each processing tank. For example, in the case of a color developing tank, the processing liquid in the processing tank is drawn out little by little through a reflux pipe, recycled, and then returned to the processing tank. Furthermore, when the amount of the processing liquid decreases as the processing progresses, for example, when it is detected by a liquid level sensor or the like, or when the processing liquid becomes exhausted, replenishment of the replenishing liquid is performed.

However, the processing liquid components of the film stored in each processing tank are easily susceptible to air oxidation, and if they are not processed for a long period of time, the photographic performance after development will be adversely affected.

On the other hand, in recent years, with the spread of small automatic processors called minilabs, it has become possible to receive prints within an hour of applying. However, even in the case of minilab systems, automatic processors are still quite large. can be,
Considering the situation in our country where installation space is limited,
There is a long-awaited need for an automatic or semi-automatic developing machine that is smaller and lighter in weight. Furthermore, for home use, hobby use, etc., there is a need for the development of film processing methods and processing apparatuses that can be developed with a small amount of processing liquid.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In order to meet such demands and to maintain the stability of the processing liquid by using a small amount of processing liquid, it is possible to carry out processing by one household or by a small-scale contractor. Most photographic film is processed in so-called spiral developing tanks. To use such a tank, remove the film from the cassette, trim its leading edge, insert this leading edge into the helix, and then place the film in the helix, trimming the entire length of the film into the helix. The spiral is held in a spiral, and the spiral is placed in a light-tight container to which the processing solution can be added. All this work must be carried out in complete darkness (dark room) to avoid film fogging. Therefore, it is difficult to satisfactorily carry out proper attachment to the helix in the dark. As the film slipped out of the guide system, it often overlapped and bent, which caused uneven processing and even resulted in the loss of some frames. That is, it was not possible to check whether the film was properly wound into a spiral.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a method that does not use a spiral.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a film processing method in which a film can be processed extremely efficiently using a small amount of processing liquid, and a processing apparatus suitable for carrying out the method.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The film processing method of the present invention that achieves the above object is as follows:
In a film processing method in which exposed film is developed by contacting it with a processing solution, a water-absorbing sheet containing a processing solution is layered on the emulsion side of the film, and the processing solution containing the film and the water-absorbing sheet is placed on top of the emulsion surface of the film. It has one or more processing steps in which the processing liquid is diffused onto the emulsion surface by the pressure bonding means, and (1) After the process of diffusing the processing liquid onto the emulsion surface by the pressure bonding means is completed, the water-absorbing sheet absorbs water from the processing liquid that has spread and adhered to the film. (2) A pressure bonding means or a roller pressure bonding means that assists the diffusion and penetration of the processing liquid into the emulsion surface.

In addition, the film processing apparatus (developing machine) of the present invention that achieves the above object has (1) a means for transporting the exposed film, and a processing section for bringing the film into contact with a processing solution and developing it. Or, in a film processing apparatus comprising two or more, the processing section has a means for overlaying a water-absorbing sheet containing a processing liquid on the emulsion surface of the film, and a means for dispersing the processing liquid contained in the water-absorbing sheet onto the emulsion surface. ■ Having suitable crimping means;
It is characterized by having a structure in which a water-absorbing sheet absorbs the processing liquid that has spread and adhered to the film in the latter half of the processing section.

[Example 2] Next, an example of a processing apparatus (developing machine) to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of a processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a frame body, and a processing section according to the present invention is disposed within this frame body 1, which has a light-shielding structure inside.

The drive conveyance system 3 for the film F wound around the original winding roll 2 includes drive or idle rollers r 3A, 3B, 3c installed at the exit of the processing section or in the middle of the conveyance path.
and a drive roller 3D.

The film can be taken into the transport system 3 as it is, or with a leader of a certain length attached to the leading edge of the film as necessary, to the transport system roller 3D at the exit of the processing section. configured. It goes without saying that 3A to 3C can also be used as drive rollers.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the film is guided as it is or its leader is guided to the roller 3D and the driving conveyance roller 3D is driven, the film is transferred to the idle roller (or driving roller) 3A.
, 3B, 3C and guide members 4A, 4B, 4C14D and transported to each processing section 5A, 5B.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processing section includes a development processing section (CD
) 5A and a bleach-fix processing section (BF) 5B, but if necessary, a washing section (ST) may be provided next to the BF, or other processing methods may be used. That is, for example, a developing section (KCD) containing a fogging agent -ST fixed fixing section (Fix), KCD-Stop-BF, KCD-BF-3T
, Aruiha CD-BF-Fix-8r, CD-p5 Shirabe (
BLix) -BF-3T, CD-BF-BF-3T
etc. The processing time in each processing section may be adjusted by adjusting the pressure contact distance of the water absorbent sheets 6A, 6B containing the processing liquid described later with respect to the film F.

Note that the transport rollers 3A to 3D may be configured to engage only on both sides of the film.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each treatment liquid in the treatment parts 5A, 5B is supplied from a water absorbent sheet containing the treatment liquid at the inlet of the treatment parts 5A, 5B. That is, water-absorbent sheets containing the processing liquid in an amount necessary for the processing are compressed by the pressure bonding means 11 and 14 and supplied to the film F, respectively. The processing solution, at least the development processing solution, and preferably each processing solution, is preferably adjusted to an appropriate temperature for processing. For example, in the color developing section 5A, the heater 8 is installed on the backing layer side of the film.

In one embodiment of the processing section 5A of the present invention, the original winding roll 9A
The water-absorbing sheet (containing the processing liquid)-6A that is wound around the winding roll 9B is wound around the roller and guide roller IO.
While passing between A and 108, the film F is overlapped with the film F, and is pressed to the heater 8 side by a pressure bonding means 11 such as a pressure roller, and the film F is removed from the water absorbent sheet 6A containing the processing liquid.
The processing liquid CD supplied to the substrate is diffused into a uniform thin layer.

Similarly, in the processing section 5B of the next step, the original winding roll 1
The water-absorbing sheet 6B containing the processing liquid wrapped around the sheet 2A is
It is wound up by the take-up roll 12B, but the pressure roller 1
It is superimposed on the film F while passing between 4A and 14D,
By the pressure bonding means 14, the water-absorbing sheet containing the processing liquid is
The processing liquid BF supplied from 6B to the film F is spread into a uniform thin layer.

In addition, water absorbent sheets 6A and 6B containing film F and processing liquid
The conveying speeds may be different or the same. Also film F
And/or the treated sheets 6A, 6B may be continuously conveyed or may be conveyed intermittently.

In addition, the processing in each processing section 5A, 5B is performed by overlapping the water absorbent sheets 6A, 6B containing the processing liquid (CD or BP).
etc.) - 6A, 6B
This is done until the chicks are hatched.

In the present invention, it is preferable to transfer the film in a rectangular shape or a U-shape so that smooth conveyance can be achieved. In response to such a request, a structure is provided between the processing sections 5A and 5B so that the adjacent processing sections 5A and 5B can be continuously transported.
Conveyance rollers 3A to 3D are arranged, and a guide member 4A
A conveyance path is formed by ~4D.

However, in the latter half of each of the processing sections 5A and 5B, there is no pressure bonding means 11, 14, and the water absorbent sheet also serves as a squeezing means. For example, the pressure roller 11 can reciprocate only part way, such as up to the end of the heating means 8, and the tip thereof is in contact with the water-absorbing sheet or film F. treatment liquid CD,
The BF is again absorbed by the water-absorbing sheets 6A and 6B, and is wound up as it is on the take-up rolls 9B and 12B. In the illustrated processing section 5B, the processing liquid BP is absorbed from the film F by the water-absorbing sheet 6B while the film F is in contact with the guide 4D. The pressure bonding means is not limited to the configuration using a large number of rollers 14A to 14D as shown in the figure.
For example, if only the pressure roller 14A is provided, the pressure roller 14
It is possible to adopt a configuration in which A is reciprocated along the guide member 4C to a position 14D in the drawing.

In the figure, 20 is a fog exposure means used when the film is a direct positive color film and the processing liquid CD in the processing section 5A does not contain a fogging agent.
1 indicates an imagewise exposure means.

Water absorbent sheets 6A, 6 containing the treatment liquid used in the present invention
The material of B is not limited, but it is preferable to use something like so-called blotting paper (cloth), and the pressure bonding means 11.14
may be configured to reciprocate along the water-absorbent sheets 6A, 6B containing the processing liquid, but not to the ends overlapping with the film F.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, a film can be processed extremely efficiently with a small amount of processing liquid without using a spiral,
Moreover, it is possible to provide a film processing method that allows easy waste liquid processing, and a processing apparatus suitable for carrying out the method. In particular, by adding an imagewise exposure means, even development processing within the photographic camera becomes possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of a processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, each symbol indicates the following. 1: Frame body 2: Original roll 3: Drive conveyance system 3A, 3B, 3C13D = conveyance rollers 4A, 4B, 4C14D Guide members 5A, 5B = processing section 6A, 6B: Water absorbent sheet containing processing liquid 8: Heater 9A12A : Original rolls 9B, 12B, 2nd take-up rolls 10A, 10B, guide rollers 11, 14 + pressure bonding means 14A to 14D: pressure bonding roller 20: Kafuri exposure means 21: imagewise exposure means F: Film patent applicant Konica Co., Ltd. ceremony company representative
Person Patent Attorney Nobuaki Sakaguchi: Frame 2: Original roll 3: Drive conveyance system 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D: *Feed rollers 4A, 4B
, 4C14D = Guide members 5A, 5B = Processing sections 6A, 6B: Water absorbent sheet 8 containing processing liquid: Heaters 9A, 12A: Original rolls 9B, 12B = Take-up rolls 10A, 10B = Guide rollers 11, 14: Pressure bonding Means 14A to 14D: Pressure roller 20: Fragment exposure means 21: Imagewise exposure means F: Film FIG.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method for processing a photographic material in which an exposed photographic material is developed by bringing it into contact with a processing solution, in which a water-absorbing sheet containing a processing solution is placed on the emulsion surface of the photographic material. Overlapping,
A method for processing a photographic light-sensitive material, comprising one or more processing steps of diffusing a processing liquid contained in the photographic light-sensitive material and the water-absorbing sheet onto the emulsion surface using a pressure bonding means. 2. The method for processing a photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 1, wherein after the process of diffusing the processing liquid onto the emulsion surface by means of a pressure bonding means, the processing liquid diffused and adhered to the photographic light-sensitive material is absorbed by a water-absorbing sheet. 3. The method for processing a photographic material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing means is a roller pressing means for assisting the diffusion and penetration of the processing liquid into the emulsion surface. 4. In a photographic material processing apparatus comprising one or more processing sections which have a means for transporting the exposed photographic material and develop the photographic material by bringing it into contact with a processing solution, the processing section However, there is provided a processing apparatus for photographic light-sensitive materials, which has means for overlaying a water-absorbing sheet containing a processing liquid on the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material, and a pressure-bonding means capable of diffusing the processing liquid contained in the water-absorbing sheet onto the emulsion surface. . 5. The apparatus for processing a photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 4, wherein the processing liquid diffused and adhered to the photographic light-sensitive material is absorbed by a water-absorbing sheet in the latter half of the processing section.