JPH0279840A - Method and device for processing photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To uniformly supply processing solution by filling a processing part frame body having a lower opening opposed to a photosensitive material to be processed with plural balls, scattering the processing solution to the balls and rotating the balls on the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material so that the processing solution is supplied to the emulsion surface to perform photographic processing. CONSTITUTION:The processing part frame body 3 having the lower opening opposed to the traveling photosensitive material to be processed F is provided and is filled with the plural balls 4 to which the processing solution is scattered by a spray nozzle 8. By rotating the balls 4 on the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material F, the processing solution is supplied to the emulsion surface and the photographic processing is performed. Thus, the processing solution is scattered in disorder with the rotation of the balls 4 and it can be uniformly supplied to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material to be processed F, which is important in processing with small quantity of processing solution.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to silver halide photographic materials in the form of rolls or sheets (including both those having a reflective support and those having a transparent support). , simply referred to as photographic materials) and its apparatus, for more details,
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing photographic materials which can be developed with a small amount of processing solution and which produces a small amount of waste solution.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, there are various methods for developing photographic materials, such as dipping, spraying, and spraying, but in general, a processing solution is placed in each processing tank arranged horizontally. The photosensitive material is immersed in this processing liquid, and is conveyed through a plurality of guide rollers while being curved to be sequentially processed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such immersion processing, minilab systems are being developed in response to recent demands for smaller amounts of processing liquid, shorter processing times, and smaller installation spaces.

However, even in such an improved minilab system, problems remain in transportation of photographic materials, handling of waste liquid, etc. In other words, the small developing machine used in the minilab system has at least a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank (or a bleaching tank/fixing tank), and a washing tank or a stabilizing tank as an alternative to washing, and the processing liquid is stored in various places, and the processing amount is However, after a certain amount of use, fatigue reaches its limit and the processing liquid must be replaced. Therefore, the generation of waste liquid is unavoidable, and the treatment of this waste liquid becomes a problem. For this reason, small volume liquid processing is desired.

Furthermore, processing solutions (particularly color developing solutions) must be heated to an appropriate processing temperature for rapid processing, and the entire processing solution must be heated, so there is the problem that it takes time to warm up at the start of processing. be.

Furthermore, even though it is smaller, if the tanks are placed side by side, space for at least three tanks and the attached equipment is required.
Further miniaturization is desired. It is also possible to stack the tanks, but this poses a maintenance problem and is not practical.

In addition, in small-volume liquid processing, an important issue is how to uniformly supply the processing liquid to the emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material to be processed.
A solution to this problem is desired.

Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the amount of processing liquid and waste liquid,
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for processing a photographic material and an apparatus therefor, which hardly require warming up at the start of processing, can be made compact without maintenance, and can uniformly supply a processing solution.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A method for processing a photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention that achieves the above object includes providing a processing section frame body having a downward opening facing a traveling photosensitive material to be processed, and It is characterized in that the body is filled with a plurality of balls, a processing solution is sprayed onto the balls, and the balls are rotated on the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material to supply the processing solution to the emulsion surface for photographic processing. .

Further, the processing apparatus for photographic light-sensitive materials of the present invention which achieves the above object is provided with a processing section frame body having a downward opening facing the traveling photosensitive material to be processed, and a plurality of balls are filled in the processing section frame body. The apparatus is characterized in that it has a means for spraying a processing liquid onto the ball, and has a structure in which the ball in contact with the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the emulsion surface.

In the present invention, the term "ball" refers to a ball that can move along with the movement of the photographic light-sensitive material or upon application of an external force, and can spread the processing liquid uniformly over the surface of the photographic light-sensitive material F.

[Function] Since the present invention is a new photographic processing technology that uses a ball, it not only solves the problems of conventional immersion processing, but also solves problems in which processing liquid spreads randomly due to the rotation of the ball, which is important in processing small amounts of liquid. It is possible to uniformly supply the photographic material to be processed onto the emulsion surface. In addition, since the ball rotates and rubs against the emulsion surface, the penetration of the processing liquid into the gelatin layer is improved. Furthermore, since new liquid is constantly supplied to the emulsion surface due to the rotation of the ball, processing can be performed while sufficiently maintaining the activity of the processing liquid.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of a processing apparatus suitable for the processing method of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

Although the following explanation will be made regarding color paper, it will simply be referred to as a photographic material. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied not only to color but also to monochrome photographic materials.

In FIG. 1, l is a processing section (hereinafter referred to as "co processing section") for color development (an) provided opposite to the photographic light-sensitive material F running on the developing stage 2, and 3 is a processing section (hereinafter referred to as "co processing section") for color development (an). CD
This is a processing section frame that constitutes the processing section 1, and has an opening at the bottom. The material of the frame 3 is not particularly limited, but transparent resin is preferable, for example.

It is preferable that the pedestal 2 is configured to be able to move up and down toward the processing section frame 3 and to suppress the photographic light-sensitive material F into the processing section 1;
Further, it is preferable that a vibration mechanism is added to the pedestal 2 itself so as to vibrate the photographic material F.

Reference numeral 4 denotes balls filled in the frame 3.

The ball 4 is preferably made of a material that is resistant to corrosion by the processing liquid, such as glass, resin, metal, ceramic, and the like. Balls made of different materials may be mixed.

The shape is preferably spherical, but it does not have to be a perfect sphere.
Balls of different shapes and sizes may be mixed.

The ball 4 may be rotated by contacting the emulsion surface and conveying the emulsion. In that case, the weight is preferably light and the ball surface is preferably smooth. For this reason, the ball 4 is made of hollow resin. A rubber ball or the like is preferable.

In addition to the emulsion conveyance, the ball 4 may be rotated by an external force such as vibration of the developing pedestal 2 or vibration of the frame 3, or by inserting an air pipe 5 into the ball filling portion. The ball may be rotated by air.

The balls 4 may be arranged in multiple stages as shown in Fig. 1, but they may also be arranged in a single stage as shown in Fig. 2. In this case, it is also preferable to provide a net 6 over the balls. This has the effect of making the frame 3 smaller. The net is preferably coarse enough to prevent the ball from flying out.

7 is a supply pipe for CD liquid, and the CD liquid is uniformly sprayed onto the ball 4 from a spray nozzle 8. The arrangement of the spray nozzles 8 is not particularly limited, and may be arranged in a grid pattern, a staggered pattern, or the like.

9 is a heater provided on the pedestal 2 side, and 10 is a squeeze means. 11 is a conveyance roller.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a processing section for filtering and fixing (BF) (hereinafter referred to as B and F processing sections). The configuration of the BF processing section 12 is basically the same as the configuration of the CD processing section 1. That is, 13 is an OF processing section frame body, and 14 is a BF liquid supply pipe. Other parts having the same reference numerals as those of the CD processing unit have the same configuration, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

To process using the apparatus having the above configuration, 1 pedestal 2
is moved upward to convey the photographic material F while pressing it against the processing sections 1 and 12. The CD liquid is sprayed onto the ball 4 via the supply pipe 7 and the spray nozzle 8. The CD liquid passes between the balls and reaches the emulsion surface, and the rotation of the balls constantly stirs and moves the processing liquid on the emulsion surface. Therefore, not only is the processing solution uniformly supplied to the emulsion surface, but also
Fresh liquid can always be supplied onto the emulsion surface. During the CD processing, the processing liquid is heated by a heater 9. That is, since the photographic material F is heated by the heater 9, the processing liquid is indirectly heated. Note that it goes without saying that the treatment liquid may be directly heated. Alternatively, hot air may be blown from the air supply pipe 5.

In the above, when the emulsion surface is vibrated, the effect of stirring the processing liquid is further increased. The means for vibrating the emulsion surface is not particularly limited, but for example, there is a method of vibrating the pedestal 2.

The means for supplying the CD liquid is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that it is continuously supplied according to the consumption amount.
Reference may be made to, but not limited to, No. 1509.

When the photographic material F is processed while being transported, the transport speed of the photographic material F is preferably 0.3 to 20 cm/see.

The CD-processed photographic material F is squeezed by a squeeze roller 10. The squeeze liquid is sent to a waste liquid tank (not shown).

Next, the photographic material F is sent to the BP processing section 12.

BF processed. Since this process is the same as the CD process except that BF liquid is used as the process liquid, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

It may have a water washing or water washing substitute stabilization (SR) treatment section after the BP treatment.

After all the treatments are completed, in order to remove the treatment liquid from each treatment section, it is preferable to supply cleaning water to the treatment sections in the same manner as for supplying each treatment liquid.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and includes the following aspects.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which each processing section is provided at a position facing the photographic light-sensitive material conveyed on a horizontal plane, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to the case where the photographic material F is conveyed on the photosensitive material 15. In this case, the processing liquid may be supplied into the processing section frame, but it may also be supplied to the outside of the processing section frame through the supply pipe 7A.

Further, in order to effectively spray the treatment liquid, the supply pressure may be set to a high pressure.

Furthermore, when the photographic material is a direct positive (color) photographic material and the CD liquid does not contain a fogging agent, a fog exposure means is provided in the CD processing section or before the CD processing section.

Photographic materials and processing times 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 chloride steel is 95 mol % or more, it is preferably used because the desired effects of the present invention are well achieved and the process is quick. Particularly preferably silver chloride is 38 mol % or more. In a special case, it is also a preferred embodiment that the blue photosensitive layer is silver halide containing 30 mol% bromide, and the other two layers, for example, the green photosensitive layer and the red photosensitive layer, contain about 99 mol% chloride. It is. The silver halide is preferably a Faschel grain and has a double layer structure.

The silver chloride preferably used in the present invention is at least 68%
Silver halide emulsion layers containing 0 mol %, in particular 90 mol %, of silver halide grains contain color couplers. These color couplers react with color developing agent oxidation products to form non-diffusible dyes. 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 may contain, for example, at least one non-diffusive color coupler that produces a negative partial color image, generally a color coupler having open-chain ketomethylene groups.

Color couplers can be, for example, 8-14- or 2-equivalent couplers.

In the present invention, 2-equivalent couplers are particularly preferred.

Suitable couplers are disclosed, for example, in the following publications:
Agfa research report (formerly ttailunglnausd)
en Forachungslaboratorien
dsr Agfa).

Leverkusen/Munich
n/Munchsn), Vol, 111. p, 1
11 (19111) Middle Double Belb (W, Pe1
"Color coupler" (Farbkupple) by
r); Kay Ventakataraman (K.

Venkataraman), “The Che+
w+rsry of Synthetic [17es]
, Vol, 4.341-3B? , Academic Press, “The Theory Contest of the Photographic Process J (Th
echobeor7 of th@Photogra
phic Process), 4th edition, 353
~382 pages; and Research e-Disclosure (Re
Search Disclosure) No. 17
843, Section ■.

In the present invention, in particular, JP-A-83-106855
General formula [M-1] as described in the specification, page 28
Magenta couplers shown in (Specific examples of these magenta couplers include No. 1-No. 77 described in JP-A-83-1081355, pages 29 to 34); The general formula [C
-I] or [C-II] (specific examples of cyan couplers include the same specification, 37-4
(C'-1) to (c'-82), (C''-
1) to (C″-38)), high-speed yellow couplers described on page 20 of the same specification (specific examples of cyan couplers include (Y
'-1) to (Y'-39)) are preferably used in combination with 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, not only the desired effects of the present invention can be favorably achieved, 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 areas that occurs when a bleach-fixing solution is mixed in with the bleach-fixing solution.

Specific examples of these nitrogen-containing heterocyclic mercapto compounds include (I'-1) to (I'-87) described in JP-A-83-10 [1855], pages 42-45.

Silver chloride content preferably used in the present invention 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 the pHg; Research Disclosure No. 178
43, Section E and ■See.

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;
, 887; and polyamines such as diethylenetriamine or amine methylsulfinic acid derivatives, such as diethylenetriamine according to Berrie Patent No. 547,323. Noble metals and precious metal compounds such as gold, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium or rhodium are also suitable sensitizers. This chemical sensitization method is
(Z, Wigs, Photoa,) 4fi, 85-7
2 (1951) by R. Koslovsky (R, Kas.
It is also described in the paper of io ma5ky): Also, the above Research Day/(') O-Sha No. 17843.
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.
It is important to increase sensitization: FM competition Hammer (F, M
, Hazener)ノ ``The Cyanin
e Dyes and relatedCoIIpou
nds) (1984) Ullmann's Hemi 4 (Ul1
mannsEnz7klpadie der tech
Nischen Chemie) 4th edition, Volume 18, 43
See page 1 and the following, and above-mentioned Research Disclosure No. 17843, 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 type can be found, for example, in the article by Birr,
Photo 4 (Z, tlIis3. Photo
o) 47.1952, p. 2-58, and Research Disclosure No. 17843, supra, Section IV.

The components of the photographic light-sensitive material can be incorporated by conventionally known methods; for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,322,027
No. 2,533,514 once 3. [189,27
No. 1, No. 3,764,338 and No. 3,715,89
See No. 7.

Components of the photographic material, such as couplers and UV absorbers, can also be included in the form of charged latex; see US Pat. Can be fixed in photographic materials as polymers; for example, US Pat. 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 are used. Particularly suitable and these can be coated, for example, with polyolefins, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene; in this regard, the above-cited Research 9 Disclosure No. 17843. section vvr
reference.

Conventional hydrophilic 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 carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose sulfates, starch or its derivatives or hydrophilic synthetic binders; Reference may also be made to the binders shown in Section 1x.

The layer of photographic material provided on the support can be hardened by conventional methods, for example using epoxide, heterocyclic ethyleneimine or acryloyl type hardeners. Furthermore, the photographic constituent layers can be cured by a method according to US Pat. No. 2,218,009 to produce a color photographic material suitable for high temperature operation. The above layer can also be cured with diazine, triazine or 1,2-dihydroquinoline type hardeners or vinylsulfone type hardeners. Other suitable curing agents are oilfield patent application publications 2, 4.
No. 39,551, No. 2,225,230 and No. 2.3
No. 17,872 and the above-mentioned Research 0 Disclosure 17 [143, Section X].

Furthermore, the most preferred processing step in the present invention is that the processing time of all the processing steps (excluding the drying step), including the color development step, bleach-fixing step, and water washing or stabilization step, is preferably within 90 seconds, and particularly preferably. is in the range of 6 seconds to 75 seconds, more preferably in the range of 9 seconds to Bθ seconds, @
It is also preferably in the range of 15 seconds to 50 seconds.

In the present invention, the processing time of the R1 color development step is preferably within 35 seconds.1. More preferably 3 seconds to 30
It is in the range of seconds, more preferably in the range of 5 seconds to 25 seconds, and most preferably in the range of 7 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 time from when the photographic material touches the bleach-fixer to when the same area touches the bleach-fixer is too long, W: 4. The processing time is the time from when the photographic material touches the bleach-fixer to when the same area touches the bleach-fixer. Furthermore, 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, the total of these times is the time for the entire processing process.

[Effect of the invention] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of processing liquid and waste liquid,
It does not require warming up at the start of processing, is maintenance-free, can be made compact, and enables uniform supply of processing liquid, improving liquid penetration into the gelatin layer.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method and apparatus for processing a photographic material that can constantly supply a new solution to the emulsion surface.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the present invention as a device;
3 and 3 are schematic sectional views showing other embodiments of the processing section used in the present invention. 1: CD processing section 2: Developing pedestal 3: CD processing section frame 4; Ball 5: Air supply pipe 6: Net 7: CrJ liquid supply pipe 8: Spray nozzle 9: Heater lO squeeze means 11: Conveyance roller 12: BF Processing section +3: BF processing section frame 14: BF liquid supply pipe

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A processing section frame body having a downward opening is provided facing the traveling photosensitive material to be processed, a plurality of balls are filled in the processing section frame body, and a processing liquid is applied to the balls. 1. A method for processing a photographic light-sensitive material, characterized in that a ball is rotated on the emulsion surface of the light-sensitive material to supply a processing liquid to the emulsion surface for photographic processing. 2. A processing section frame body having a downward opening facing the traveling photosensitive material to be processed is provided, a plurality of balls are filled in the processing section frame body, and a means for spraying a processing liquid onto the balls is provided. A processing apparatus for a photographic light-sensitive material, characterized in that a ball in contact with the emulsion surface of the light-sensitive material rotates in accordance with the conveyance of the emulsion surface.