JPH0252343A - Processing liquid supplying method for automatic developing machine for photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold the liquid composition in a processing tank constant by mixing original processing liquid and a processing solvent to a specific ratio right before thy are supplied into the processing tank and thus preparing and supplying processing liquid into the processing tank. CONSTITUTION:A supplementary water (processing solvent) tank 40 and an original processing liquid tank 44 are provided on the bottom wall 12A of a machine frame 12. A level sensor 18 detects the liquid level in the developing tank 18. When the developing tank 18 contains a specific amount of liquid developer, neither a pump 48 nor a pump 54 is put in operation and nether supplementary water nor original processing liquid is supplied to the developing tank 18, but when the amount in liquid developer in the developing tank 18 is not the specific amount, the pumps 48 and 54 are operated for specific times. The specific times of those pumps 48 and 54 are different and correspond to the mixing ratio of the supplementary water and original processing liquid and thus a difference in supply amount is generated between the pumps 48 and 54 to set the mixing ratio to the specific ratio. Consequently, the liquid composition in the processing tank is held constant.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application] The present invention is used in an automatic photosensitive material developing machine that processes a photosensitive material with a processing solution in a processing tank. The present invention relates to a method for supplying a processing liquid to an automatic photosensitive material developing machine, in which the processing liquid is adjusted by mixing in a ratio and then supplied to the processing tank.

[Prior Art] In an automatic photosensitive material developing machine that automatically develops, fixes, washes, etc. a photosensitive material, it may be necessary to supply a large amount of processing liquid, such as a developing liquid or a fixing liquid. For example, there may be cases where the processing liquid is initially supplied to an empty processing tank before the start of processing, or cases where the processing liquid in the processing tank is reduced due to removal of liquid during processing. It also recovers so-called deterioration over time caused by the oxidation of developer components such as developing agents by oxygen in the air, and so-called processing deterioration caused by consumption of developer and fixer during the processing of photosensitive materials. In order to maintain the activity level at a predetermined level, a processing solution or a replenisher is supplied to the processing tank.

The supply (replenishment) of processing liquid to compensate for the deterioration of the processing liquid caused by such processing of the photosensitive material is calculated based on the supply ff1 (?ili full) based on the area of the photosensitive material. It looks like this. In this case, the processing liquid is prepared by mixing the processing stock solution and the processing solution (for example, water) in a predetermined ratio in a separate container such as a liquid preparation tank, and then is supplied to the processing tank using a pump or the like. On the other hand, the supply (replenishment) of the liquid to compensate for the above-mentioned deterioration over time is similar to the above.
A processing solution (replenisher) prepared by mixing the stock solution and a solvent (e.g., water) in advance in a solution preparation tank is added to the processing tank at predetermined intervals (e.g., before starting processing, every 6 hours, etc.) This is done by supplying

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, in any of the above liquid supply methods,
In order to mix the processing stock solution and processing solvent to prepare the processing solution or replenisher before supplying it to the processing tank, a solution preparation tank is required, and the solution preparation work is required. was there. In addition, without using such a liquid preparation tank,
Supplying the above-mentioned processing stock solution and processing solvent from respective storage containers using a liquid supply means such as a bellows pump,
When mixing immediately before supplying to the processing tank and then supplying this as a processing liquid, if the processing stock solution and processing solvent are not mixed at a predetermined ratio while being supplied, the final processing stock solution and processing solvent will be mixed. There was a problem in that the mixing ratio of the photosensitive materials changed and the composition of the liquid in the processing tank changed, resulting in the photosensitive material not being developed uniformly.

This problem occurs when supplying the processing stock solution and processing solvent into the processing tank when the liquid in the processing tank is empty or the liquid level in the processing tank is low, or when processing photosensitive materials.
This can occur when the activity of the processing solution decreases and the processing stock solution and processing solvent are supplied to the processing tank as the processing solution (replenisher).

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a photosensitive material that can be supplied to the processing tank while keeping the mixing ratio Y of the processing stock solution and processing solvent constant when supplying the processing stock solution and processing solvent into the processing tank. The purpose is to obtain a method for supplying processing liquid to an automatic material processor.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention, a processing stock solution and a processing solvent are introduced into a processing tank which is used in an automatic developing machine that processes a photosensitive material with a processing solution and stores the processing solution. A processing liquid supply method for a self-help developing machine, wherein the processing liquid is adjusted to a predetermined ratio by mixing the processing liquid immediately before supplying the processing liquid into the processing tank, and the processing liquid is supplied into the processing tank. The method is characterized in that predetermined amounts of each of the processing solvent and the processing solvent are supplied to the processing tank while maintaining the predetermined ratio.

[Function] In the present invention, the processing stock solution and the processing solvent (replenishment water) are mixed at a predetermined ratio immediately before being supplied into the processing tank, and then the processing solution is supplied into the processing tank. while maintaining a predetermined ratio.

According to this method, for example, when supplying a processing stock solution and a processing solvent (for example, replenishment water) into an empty processing tank, the processing stock solution and processing solvent are supplied while maintaining a predetermined mixing ratio.
Ultimately, there is no change in the liquid composition within the processing tank. Even when a large amount of processing liquid is supplied, it is supplied in a predetermined amount at a time while maintaining a predetermined mixing ratio, so that the final mixing ratio does not change. In addition, even when replenishing the process or replenishing over time, the processing solution (?iti) should always be kept at a constant mixing ratio.
The liquid composition in the processing tank can be kept constant.

Furthermore, in either case, there is no need for a mixing container in which the processing stock solution and processing solvent are mixed in advance, and there is no need for liquid delivery means such as a pump to send the processing solution to an empty processing tank. .

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an automatic developing machine 10 to which the present invention is applied. A developing tank 18, a fixing +ff 20, and a washing tank 22 are attached to the machine frame 12 via brackets (not shown). The photosensitive material F is sequentially immersed in these and then taken out, dried with hot air in the drying section 24, and then taken out to the photosensitive material stocker 16.

A rack in which a plurality of transport rollers 22A for transporting the photosensitive material f4F is assembled is installed in each of these processing tanks. These conveyance rollers are rotated by the driving force of a morph (not shown).

Further, an insertion sensor 80 is arranged at the entrance of the photosensitive material F to the developing section 18 to detect passage of the photosensitive material 84F. This insertion sensor 80 is connected to the control device 60
connected to.

As shown in FIG. 1, a water filling tank 110 and a processing stock solution tank 44 are installed at the bottom of the machine frame 12 at +512A, and a processing stock tank is connected to the replenishment water tank 40 and processing stock tank 44. 42, Refill water cartridge 4
6 and 4 are connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the cover 38 that shields the developing tank 18, fixing tank 20, and washing tank 22 from light is located in the area where the replenishment water tank 40 and processing stock tank 44 are placed. It is partitioned by a bent part 38A recessed inward,
Even if the opening/closing door 46 covering the area where the replenishment water tank and processing stock tank are installed is opened, the light-shielded state within the machine frame 12 housing the developer tank 18, fixing tank 20, and washing tank 22 is maintained. The structure is such that

One end of a water supply pipe 52 is inserted into the replenishment water tank 40, and a pump 54 is provided in the middle of this water supply pipe 52, and the other end is connected to a reservoir B56 arranged on the side of the developer tank 18. It's open.

Therefore, the replenishment water in the replenishment water tank 40 is supplied to the storage section 56 when the pump 54 is activated.

In addition, one end of a water supply pipe 50 is inserted into the processing stock solution tank 44 as well as the replenishment water tank 40, and a pump 48 is installed in the middle part.
is provided, and the other end opens to a storage section 56 arranged on the side of the developer tank 18 . Therefore, the processing stock solution in the processing stock solution tank 44 is supplied to the storage section 56 when the pump 48 is operated. That is, the replenishment water and the processing stock solution are supplied to the storage section 56 and mixed therein.

Pumps 48 and 54 are bellows pumps, and are connected to a control device 60.

This controls the operation of the pumps 48,54.

Further, the bottom of the storage section 56 and the bottom of the developer tank 18 are connected to a communication pipe 61.
It is communicated by.

As a result, when the developer solution in the developer tank 18 decreases due to processing of photosensitive materials, the mixed solution of replenishment water and processing stock solution is supplied to the storage section 56 and is transferred to the storage section 56 through the communication pipe 61.
From there, it is supplied to the developer tank 18.

Further, a level sensor 19 is arranged inside the developer tank 18, which detects the liquid level height of the developer tank 18 and indicates that development processing is possible if this height exceeds a predetermined height. Notify the operator using a display device (not shown). There are 35 level sensors 19 connected to the input ports of the control device 60.
The pump 48 is activated by a detection signal from the liquid level sensor 19, so that a predetermined liquid level can be maintained. Further, an overflow vibrator 21 is installed in the developer tank 8, so that the overflowing developer is discharged from the developer tank 18.

When the photosensitive material 1tF is inserted from the insertion table 14 and passes through the photosensitive material detector 80, the passage of the photosensitive material is detected and a signal is input to the input port of the control section 60. The control unit 60 includes an input port 4, an output port 6, and a ROM 68.
, RΔM70, and CPtJ62.

In the control section 60, the area of the photosensitive material F is calculated based on the signal input from the photosensitive material detector 80 to the input port 4. From this result, the amounts of replenishment water and processing stock solution required for replenishment are calculated, and the operating times of the pumps 48 and 54 are calculated. This operating time signal is transmitted to pump 48 and pump 5.
4, the respective pumps are operated for a predetermined period of time, and replenishment water and processing stock solution are supplied to the storage section 56.

This liquid supply will be explained using the timing charts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the flow chart shown in FIG. 5.

In step 100, the developer tank 18 is detected by the level sensor 18.
The amount of developer in the container is detected by measuring the liquid level. If the amount of developer in the developer tank 18 is a predetermined amount, the pump 4
8. The pump 54 is not operated and replenishment water and processing stock solution are not supplied to the developer tank 18.

If the amount of developer in the developer tank 8 is not a predetermined amount, the pumps 48 and 54 are operated for a predetermined time in steps 102 and 104. As shown in FIG. 3, this predetermined time is different for pump 48 and pump 54, and pump 48 has T2
, pump 54 is set at T1. This T3, T
, corresponds to the mixing ratio of the replenishment water and the processing stock solution, and the mixing ratio is set to a predetermined ratio by making a difference between the supply amounts of the pumps 48 and 54.

Further, the predetermined times T, , T, are set as operating times of the pumps 48 and 54 when supplying the amount of replenishment water and replenishment stock solution necessary to process one sheet of the photosensitive material F. There is. Therefore, these supplies are supplied little by little at a predetermined mixing ratio.

This supply is carried out by intermittently repeating the operation of the pump 48 and the pump 54 for a predetermined period of time as shown in FIG.
8-Replenishment water and treatment stock solution are supplied.

In step 106, it is determined whether the developer in the developer tank 18 has reached a predetermined amount. If the predetermined amount has not been reached, step] 02.104 is repeatedly executed to supply the replenishment water and the processing stock solution to the storage section 56, and a mixed solution of the replenishment water and the processing stock solution is supplied from the storage section 56 to the developing tank 18. Ru.

When the predetermined amount is reached, the operation of the pump 481 and the pump 5/l is stopped in step 'JO8. In this case, the pump 48,
If the pump 54 is operating for the predetermined time T+, T2,
The operation continues until the predetermined time "I" 3, T2 is completed.

Even if the operation of the pumps 48 and 54 is stopped during this supply and the pumps 48 and 51 are restarted, in this embodiment, the operation of the pumps 48 and 54 remains for the predetermined time T1.
．． Since this is done by repeating the operations 1' and 1', the mixing ratio of the replenishment water and the treatment stock solution does not change.

In this embodiment, the operation of the bellows pump is controlled based on time, but the operation of the bellows pump may also be controlled by detecting the flow rate.

Although the developer solution in the developer tank has been described above, it goes without saying that the same method can be used for replenishing other fixing solutions such as the fixer solution in the fixer tank.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention is used in a self-help developing machine that processes a photosensitive material with a processing solution, and the processing solution is adjusted to a predetermined ratio immediately before supplying the processing stock solution and processing solvent to the processing tank. A processing liquid supply method for an automatic developing machine in which a processing liquid is adjusted by mixing the processing liquid so that the processing liquid becomes Since the mixture is mixed a predetermined number of times and then supplied to the processing tank, an excellent effect can be obtained in that the mixing ratio does not change even when the processing solvent and the processing stock solution are supplied.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a self-help developing machine to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are A timing chart showing the operation of the pump, and FIG. 5 a flow chart showing the action. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Automatic developing machine, 18... Developer tank, 20... Fixing tank, 22... Washing tank, 40... Replenishment water tank, 44... Replenishment stock solution tank, 48.54... - Pump, 60... Control device, 80... Insertion sensor.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Used in an automatic processor for processing photosensitive materials with a processing solution, the processing stock solution and processing solvent are adjusted to a predetermined ratio immediately before being supplied into the processing tank containing the processing solution. A processing liquid supply method for a photosensitive material automatic processing machine in which a processing liquid is adjusted by mixing the processing liquid and the processing liquid is supplied into the processing tank, the processing liquid being mixed in predetermined amounts respectively with the processing stock solution and the processing solvent. A method for supplying a processing liquid to an automatic photosensitive material developing machine, characterized in that the processing liquid is supplied to the processing tank while maintaining a ratio of . (2) The method for supplying processing liquid to an automatic photosensitive material developing machine according to claim (1), wherein the predetermined ratio is a ratio per unit time. (3) The method for supplying processing liquid to an automatic photosensitive material developing machine according to claim (1), wherein the predetermined ratio is a ratio per unit area of the photosensitive material. (4) The method for supplying a processing solution to an automatic photosensitive material developing machine according to claim 1, wherein the processing stock solution is a replenisher and the processing solvent is water.