JPH02176655A - Automatic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To uniformize processing quality by heating a film which enters processing liquid prior to processing and varying the preheating temperature according to the development density of the film for prompting the processing by using an ultrasonic wave. CONSTITUTION:A feed roller 26 at the entrance side of a processing tank 20 is a heat roller and the film 12 is heated up to proper temperature when pressed and sent by this roller 26. A vibrator generates the ultrasonic wave of constant frequency with constant energy and this ultrasonic wave strokes the film 12 slantingly to heat the film 12 selectively by using its polymer material as a sound absorber without heating the processing liquid entirely. A density detecting means 62 detects the density of the film 12 after development processing to prompt the processing by raising the preheating temperature when the develop ment density after the processing is low or suppress the processing by lowering the preheating temperature when the development density is high. Consequently, the quantity of the processing is stabilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention provides continuous development, fixing, and
The present invention relates to an automatic developing device that performs development processing by sending the product to each step of washing with water.

(Technical Background of the Invention) Conventionally, roller conveyance systems, loop conveyance systems, and horizontal conveyance systems are known as methods for continuously developing films. The roller transport method uses a large number of rollers to transport the processing liquid vertically within the deep processing liquid tank, but the problem is that the processing liquid tank is deep (which increases the size of the device).The loop transport method is arranged above and below the processing liquid tank. This method transports the film by passing it between rollers, but this method has the same problems as the roller transport method.Furthermore, the horizontal transport method develops the film by spraying processing liquid onto the film that is transported horizontally. However, in order to perform high-speed processing, the distance of contact between the processing liquid and the film, that is, the horizontal path, becomes longer.
There was a problem that the device became larger.

On the other hand, the use of a developer causes fatigue and deterioration. Furthermore, the temperature of the developer may also vary depending on the conditions of use. For this reason, even if processing conditions such as processing time are held constant,
The problem arises that the finished developed density changes due to fatigue and deterioration of the developer, temperature changes, etc., resulting in uneven processing quality.

(Purpose of the Invention) The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and is suitable for high-speed processing and miniaturization, and is capable of maintaining a constant development processing density even when the developer becomes fatigued or deteriorated, and even when there is a temperature change. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic developing device capable of maintaining stable processing quality.

(Structure of the Invention) According to the present invention, the object is to provide an automatic developing apparatus that sequentially sends photographed film to each process of developing, fixing, and washing with water, and processes it continuously. an ultrasonic generating means for irradiating ultrasonic waves from below toward the film being transported therein, a concentration detecting means for detecting the developed density of the film, and a preparatory unit for heating the film entering the developer solution prior to development processing. This is achieved by an automatic developing apparatus characterized in that it is equipped with a heating means and changes the preheating temperature of the film in accordance with the developed density.

That is, the present invention is based on the premise of increasing the processing speed using ultrasonic waves, and in order to prevent fatigue and deterioration of the developer, the developed density after processing is monitored, and the preheating temperature is changed in accordance with this developed density. It is intended to do so. Here, the preheating means can be configured such that the film feeding roller is a heat roller, and the film is heated by this roller.

(Example) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a developing process, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a processing liquid pack, Fig. 2A is a perspective view of its external appearance, Figs. 2B and 20. are diagrams showing the internal state before and after use, and Figure 3 is III in Figure 1.
-III line sectional view.

In FIG. 1, 20 is a developing tank, and this processing tank 2
0 includes a film guide section 22 having an arc-shaped bottom when viewed from the side, and an excitation section 24 that opens obliquely to intersect the film guide section 22 in the film running direction (rightward direction). At the left end of the film guide section 22, there is a pair of feed rollers 26 for transporting the film 12 into the processing tank 2o at a constant speed.
However, a pair of feed rollers 28 are provided at the right end to feed the film 12 at the same speed. The feed roller 26 on the carry-in side is constituted by a heat roller having a built-in electric heater 26A, and the roller 26 itself can be heated to a predetermined temperature.

A liquid level regulating lid 30 is made of, for example, neoprene rubber or polyurethane rubber and has an arcuate cross section, and is attached to the lid plate 34 via a heat insulating material 32. There is a distance of 3 to 4 m between this liquid level regulating lid 3o and the bottom of the film guide 20.
A gap of about m is formed, and the film 12 is guided by a guide groove 31 (FIG. 3) so as to run through this gap. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a groove 31 into which the left and right edges of the film 12 are inserted is formed in the processing tank 2o, and the film 12 is guided and transferred by the groove 31. Here, the film 12 is managed so that its emulsion side 12A is in good condition.

A vibrator 10 having a diameter of 25 mm is attached to the bottom of the vibrating section 24, and the perpendicular line of the vibrator 10, that is, the central axis X, which is the direction of maximum directivity, intersects the film 12 obliquely with respect to the film running direction. The film 12 is centered on this central axis
The distance is preferably set to be within the near-field sound field of the vibrator 10, for example, within a range of 10 to 50 mm. Here, the near-field sound field refers to a range closer to the vibrator 10 than the farthest position from the vibrator 1o among the positions where the sound pressure transmitted through the processing liquid is periodically maximum. By conveying the film 12 obliquely with respect to the central axis X within this range, the film 12 is not affected by uneven sound pressure and can be processed uniformly.

The processing liquid is supplied to the processing tank 20 so that the liquid level is always constant. That is, the processing liquid is sent from the processing liquid tank 36 to the constant liquid level tank 40 by the pump 38.
The liquid level is maintained at a constant level within 0, and from there, the metering pump 42 sends the processing liquid into the film guide section 22 upstream of the vibrating section 24. The processing liquid passes over the partition wall of the loading chamber 44 of the downstream end side of the film guide section 22, that is, the lower feed roller 28, flows into the loading chamber 44, and enters the processing liquid pack 46 from there.

This processing liquid pack 46 is made of waterproof paper in a box shape, and the processing liquid tank 36 made of a flexible plastic container is housed on one side of the new processing liquid pack 46 before use, and the other side is housed in a new processing liquid pack 46. A water-absorbing polymer 48 is housed on the side (second
Figure B). A processing liquid tank 36 is provided on the upper surface of the processing liquid pack 46.
and a treatment liquid outlet 46 communicating with the water-absorbing polymer 48, respectively.
a and a waste liquid cap 46b are opened, and after these are sealed with a thin film material, the upper surfaces thereof can be opened and closed with adhesive seal lids 46c and 46d. This processing liquid pack 46 is placed on a vertically movable tray 49 with these seal lids 46C and 146d open (FIG. 1), and is pushed upward by this tray 49 and loaded.

At this time, the processing liquid inflow pipe 38a of the pump 38 and the processing liquid discharge vibrator 44a leading to the loading chamber 44 break the thin film blocking the processing liquid outlet 48a and the waste liquid port 48b, and open the processing liquid tank 36 and the water-absorbing polymer 48, respectively. It communicates with.

Therefore, when the processing liquid in the tank 36 decreases, the tank volume 36
Instead of decreasing, the water-absorbing polymer 46 gels and expands as shown at 48A in FIG. 2C. When the processing liquid in the tank 36 runs out and the pack 46 is replaced, the tray 49 is lowered and the vibrator 38a is inserted from the bag 46.
, 44a should be removed. Since the waste liquid is gelatinized, there is no risk of the liquid spilling, but the seal lids 46c, 46
It will be more reliable if the processing liquid outlet 46a and the waste liquid outlet 46b are closed at d. As a result, handling of the processing liquid becomes very easy.

The height of the partition wall of the loading chamber 44 that accommodates the feed roller 28 determines the height of the processing liquid level in the processing tank 20, for example, based on the arcuate bottom of the film guide section 22. It is desirable to set it to about 7 mm. Note that 50 is a valve for discharging the processing liquid in the vibrating section 24 to the tank 46.

Therefore, a fixed amount of processing liquid is pumped into the processing tank 2 by the metering pump 42.
0, and the liquid level is kept constant by the partition wall of the loading chamber 44. The film 12 is fed at a constant speed by rollers 26 and 28, and is passed through the film guide section 22 of the processing tank 20.
Inside, it moves downward in a convex arc. Since the feed roller 26 on the entrance side of the processing tank 20 is a heat roller, the film 12 is heated to an appropriate temperature when it is fed between the rollers 26. The transducer 10 generates ultrasonic waves at a constant frequency (for example, 1.7 MH) and -constant energy, and this ultrasonic wave impinges on the film 10 obliquely. Therefore, the film 10 can move within the ultrasound irradiation area including the central axis X over a distance greater than the periodic interval of the strength of the ultrasound, and is not affected by the periodic strength of the ultrasound.

Ultrasonic waves do not heat the entire processing solution, and the film 1
It has the effect of selectively heating polymeric substances such as 0 as a sound absorbing material. As shown in FIG. 3, since the amount of processing liquid on the upper surface of the film 12 is significantly smaller than the amount of liquid below the film 12, the processing liquid on the upper surface of the film 12 is quickly heated. Film 1 is placed on the side of this heated processing solution.
Since the second emulsion side 12A is located, the processing of the film 12 is very rapid. Further, since the film 12 is preheated by the feed roller 26, the processing speed in the processing liquid increases, and the processing by ultrasonic irradiation is accelerated.

In FIG. 1, 60 is a preheating temperature control device, and 62 is a concentration detection means. The density detection means 62 detects the density of the developed film 12, and includes a light emitting element 62A and a light receiving element 6 arranged to sandwich the film 12 at the exit of the developing tank, that is, behind the feed roller 28.
2B. A signal indicating the concentration detected by the concentration detecting means 62 is input to the management device 60, and a preheating temperature suitable for making this concentration the optimum concentration is determined. The management device 60 causes the heater circuit 64 to control the temperature of the heater 26A to a predetermined temperature. That is, when the developed density after processing is low, the preheating temperature is increased to accelerate the processing, and on the other hand, when the developed density is high, the preheating temperature is lowered to suppress the processing. In this way, the developed density after processing is managed to be constant.

In this embodiment, since the liquid level regulating lid 30 is located close to the upper surface of the film 12, the liquid level regulating lid 30 keeps the film 10 and the processing liquid on its upper surface warm and enables uniform processing. further accelerate processing. Here is the liquid level regulation lid 3
If the lid 30 is made of a polymer material such as the polyurethane rubber or neoprene rubber, the lid 30 itself can be heated due to its sound absorption effect. Therefore, the heating of the film 10 is further accelerated, and the processing is accelerated. Note that neoprene rubber has excellent heat resistance and is particularly preferred. At this time, if the upper surface of the liquid level regulating lid 30 is held on the lid plate 34 via the heat insulating material 32 as in this embodiment, the heat retention effect of the liquid level regulating lid 30 will be even better and the processing will be further promoted. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform good processing without unevenness in a short time.

In this embodiment, since the central axis X of the vibrator 10 intersects with the running direction of the film 12, the ultrasonic waves promote the movement of the processing liquid in the film running direction, and there is always almost no new processing in the processing tank. Processing can continue using liquids.

Although one vibrator 10 is used in this embodiment, a plurality of vibrators 10 may be used in the present invention. 4th A, 4B
The figures are a perspective view of an embodiment using two circular vibrators 10, and a sectional view of this embodiment viewed from the film transport direction. In this embodiment, each vibrator 10.10 was arranged so that the central axes X and x of the vibrator 10.10 were centered near the film 12.

Figures 5A and 5B are a perspective view of an embodiment using three rectangular vibrators 210, and a sectional view of this embodiment viewed from the film transport direction. Here, the ultrasonic wave emission direction (center axis X) of each vibrator 210 converges toward the vicinity of the film 12. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the surface of the processing liquid is raised by ultrasonic vibration. The liquid level processing lid 130, 230 suppresses this protuberance, prevents unstable flow of the processing liquid, and stabilizes the flow. Note that 132.232 is a heat insulating material.

In these embodiments, a liquid level regulating lid 3 is provided above the film 12.
Although 0 is provided, it goes without saying that the present invention also includes those that do not have this.

In this embodiment, the liquid level in the processing tank 20 is kept constant at the height of the partition wall of the loading chamber 44, but the liquid level may also be controlled using other liquid level sensors and drain pulp. good. Note that the processing liquid oxidizes and deteriorates over a long period of time, so when the processing liquid deteriorates, the valve 50 is opened while the pumps 38 and 42 are operated, and the processing liquid in the processing liquid tank 36 is sent to the water-absorbing polymer 48. It may be gelled and disposed of.

FIG. 6 is an overall view of an embodiment of an automatic developing apparatus using the developing processing apparatus shown in FIG. In this figure, A, B, and C indicate developing, fixing, and water washing equipment, respectively; the developing process A uses the one shown in Figure 1, and the other processes B and C use almost the same processing equipment as shown in Figure 1. As processing liquids, fixing liquid,
Use of cleaning liquid, heater 26A and concentration detection means 62
The difference is that it does not have The density detection means 62 is preferably provided at the exit of the developing device A, but may be provided at the exits of other devices B and C.

In this figure, reference numeral 100 indicates a supply reel for photographed film that has not been processed, and reference numeral 102 indicates a take-up reel for winding the developed film. The undeveloped film 12 is guided to the developing device A while being sandwiched between a drive roller 104 and a contact roller 106. At this time, the leading edge and trailing edge of the film 12 are detected by the entrance sensor 108. Note that the rotation of the contact roller 104 is monitored by an encoder (not shown). The film 12 is transferred to the feed roller 26 of the processing device A.
It is preheated and developed by the apparatuses B and C.
After being fixed and washed with water, the image is taken up on a take-up reel 102. Note that the film 12 may also be preheated in the feed rollers 26 of devices B and C. At this time, an exit roller 110 rolls into contact with the film 12 coming out of the washing device C, and the rotation of this exit roller 110 is monitored by an encoder (not shown). In the vicinity of the exit roller 110, an exit sensor 112 is configured to monitor the leading and trailing ends of the film 12.

This device operates as follows. First, the photographed film 12 is set on the reel 100 and the power switch (not shown) is turned on, so that the pump 38.42 is activated to maintain the processing liquid at a specified liquid level, and the roller 26.2
8 starts rotating.

Film 12 is transferred from reel 100 to rollers 104, 106
As the film 12 is sandwiched and fed, the leading edge of the film 12 is detected by an inlet sensor 108, and based on the output of this sensor 108, the vibrators 10 of each of the processing apparatuses A, B, and C are turned on and start vibrating. After the film 12 has been processed by each of the processing devices A, B, and C, it is wound onto the take-up reel 102. At this time, when the exit sensor 112 detects the end of the film 12, the transducer 1
0 is turned off and vibration stops.

In this device, film jams in devices A, B, and C are detected as follows. That is, entrance sensor 1
If the exit sensor 112 does not detect the leading edge of the film within a certain period of time after the sensor 08 detects that the leading edge of the film 12 has entered, it is determined that the film has jammed. Furthermore, since the feed amount of the film 12 can be determined by an encoder that detects the rotation of the contact roller 106 and the exit roller 110, if the roller 110 stops while the sensors 108 and 112 are on (while the film is passing), it is determined that a jam has occurred. . Note that if the sensor 112 detects the end of the film within a predetermined period of time after the sensor 108 detects the end of the film, it may be determined that the film is normal, thereby confirming that the development has been performed normally.

In the above embodiment, when the leading edge of the film 12 reaches the density detection means, the developing process has already started for a part of the subsequent image, so the preheating temperature is low for images up to a certain distance from the leading edge. There are problems that cannot be managed. This problem can be solved by using the film shown in FIG. That is, film 12
Prior to the image portion 12B of A, an exposed area 12G with a constant amount of light is formed at a position a certain distance or more away.If this film 12A is used, the density of the constant exposed area 12C can be detected. It is possible to determine the preheating temperature for performing the optimum development process.Although the film 12A may be exposed in advance to this constant exposure area 12C, when developing the film 12A, it is possible to An exposure means may be provided for exposure.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention uses ultrasonic waves to accelerate processing at least in the development process, and a preheating means is provided to heat the film entering the processing solution prior to processing. However, this preheating temperature is changed depending on the developed density of the film. In this way, it is possible to shorten the process of processing the film by using ultrasonic waves to promote the processing, and it is therefore possible to downsize the processing tank. Furthermore, since the preheating temperature is changed according to the developer concentration, it is possible to always carry out appropriate processing even if the developer is fatigued or deteriorated, or even if there is a change in the temperature of the developer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a developing treatment tank which is an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the processing liquid bag, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of its external appearance, FIGS. 2B and 20 are diagrams showing its internal state before and after use, and FIG. 3 is the III in FIG. -I
It is a sectional view taken along line II. Figures 4A and 4B and Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams showing other examples of arrangement of vibrators, etc. 6 Figure 6 is an overall view of an automatic developing apparatus to which the processing apparatus of Figure 1 is applied; The figure shows another example of the film. 10.110.210... Vibrator, 12.12A... Film, 20... Processing tank, 26... Feed roller as preheating means, 26A...
... Heater, 60... Preheating temperature control device, 62... Density detection means, A... Developing device, B... Fixing device, C... Water washing device.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an automatic developing device that sequentially sends photographed film to the developing, fixing, and washing steps and processes it continuously, at least the developing step is carried out from below toward the film being transported through the developing solution. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic generating means for irradiating ultrasonic waves, a concentration detecting means for detecting the developed density of the film, and a preheating means for heating the film entering the developing solution prior to the developing process, and corresponds to the developed density. An automatic developing device characterized by changing the preheating temperature of the film. (2) The preheating means includes a feed roller consisting of a pair of heat rollers that feed the film into the processing liquid,
2. The automatic developing device according to claim 1, wherein the film is preheated by the feed roller.