JPH0478851A - Photosensitive material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the discharging of moisture and ammonia component from the processing device by condensing the steam in gas to be discharged and supplying the condensed liquid to a processor section. CONSTITUTION:The moisture of the respective processing liquids in a developing tank 52, a fixing tank 54, washing tanks 56, 58, and a water storage tank evaporates as time lapses. The ammonia component evaporates from a fixer 62 as well. Then, steam and ammonia vapor are incorporated into the air stagnating in the processor section 16. The air in a drying section 18 also contains the steam evaporated from the surface of a photosensitive material 24. This air is sent into an air chamber 17 and is discharged via a discharge port 142 by discharge fans 128, 130 and is cooled by a condenser 136. The moisture and ammonia component are condensed like drops on a cooling surface 138 and are stored in a water feed tank 144. The stored moisture and ammonia component are supplied by a pump, etc., to the tank 54, the tanks 56, 58.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus.

[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention] The processor section of a photosensitive material processing apparatus has a plurality of processing tanks, and each processing tank stores processing liquids such as a developer, a fixer, and washing water. . The processor section processes the photosensitive material by passing it through the plurality of processing tanks and immersing it in each processing solution. The photosensitive material processed in the processor section is conveyed to the drying section. In the drying section, air is heated to generate hot air, which is supplied to the photosensitive material to dry it. Most of the air used for the drying process is heated again and reused for the drying process, and a portion is exhausted to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus by an exhaust fan or the like. Further, moisture contained in each processing liquid in the processor section also evaporates over time. The evaporated steam is also discharged to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus together with the air used for the drying process.

The air exhausted to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus is heated to a high temperature in order to be supplied to the photosensitive material as hot air.
The large jar contains moisture that evaporated from the photosensitive material and from the processing solution, and the humidity is high. As a result, workers who come into contact with the discharged humid air may feel hot, or
The exhausted air could increase indoor humidity.

Further, the fixing solution contains ammonia, and as the water evaporates, this ammonia component also evaporates from the fixing solution and is discharged to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus, resulting in an ammonia odor in the room.

In addition, due to the evaporation of water etc. from each processing solution, the liquid level of the processing solution in the processing tank changes, and the concentration of the developer, fixer, etc. changes, making it impossible to perform proper processing. Sometimes. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish each processing tank with water or the like in accordance with the amount of water or the like that evaporates, resulting in a corresponding running cost.

Furthermore, among the rollers disposed in the processor section, a pair of rollers that are always exposed to the air has a film of developer or fixer attached to the outer periphery due to the photosensitive material. Because of the high humidity in the processor section, the components contained in the developer or fixer are not completely dried and accumulate in the form of tar, which may cause transportation failures and the like.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus that does not discharge moisture or ammonia.

[Means to solve the problem]

The invention described in claim (1) is a photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising a processor section that processes a photosensitive material by immersing it in a processing liquid, and a drying section that dries the photosensitive material processed in the processor section. a condenser that is provided near an exhaust port that exhausts at least one of the gas remaining in the drying section and the processor section and condenses vapor in the exhausted gas; and a condenser that condenses the liquid condensed by the condenser into the processor section A supply means for supplying to.

The invention as claimed in claim (2) is a photosensitive material processing apparatus that processes a photosensitive material by immersing it in a processing liquid stored in a processing tank, the apparatus being disposed above the processing tank and condensing vapor evaporated from the processing liquid. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a condenser for returning the water to the processing tank.

Further, it is preferable that the condenser is equipped with an electronic cooling element, and condensation is performed by cooling with the electronic cooling element.

[Effect]

In the invention of claim (1), the condenser is provided near the exhaust port for exhausting at least one of the gases remaining in the drying section and the processor section. The gas exhausted from the exhaust port contains vapors evaporated from the photosensitive material during the drying process and vapors evaporated from the processing liquid over time. These vapors are condensed by a condenser and collected separately from the exhaust gases. Therefore, the humidity of the gas discharged from the exhaust port is low, so that the worker does not feel hot when touching the discharged gas, and the humidity in the room does not increase. Further, when a condenser is attached to an exhaust port for discharging air stagnant in the processor section, for example, ammonia or the like evaporated from the fixer is also condensed and collected by the condenser. Therefore, it does not cause discomfort to the operator. In addition, the liquid collected by the condenser is supplied to the processor unit by the supply means and can be reused to replenish evaporated water, reducing the amount of tap water used and running costs. be able to.

In the invention as claimed in claim (2), since the condenser is disposed above the processing tank, steam that evaporates from the processing liquid over time is condensed and collected. The moisture collected by the condenser is returned into the treatment tank. Therefore, the humidity of the exhausted gas is reduced, and ammonia and the like are removed from the exhausted gas, so that the operator does not feel uncomfortable. Also,
Since the collected water is returned to the treatment tank, the amount of tap water, etc. used can be reduced, and running costs can be reduced. In addition, the condenser lowers the humidity inside the processor section and dries the developer or fixer that has adhered to the outer periphery of the roller that is placed near the processing tank and is exposed to the air. The components do not accumulate on the outer periphery of the roller in a cool manner, and conveyance failures and the like do not occur due to the developer components or fixer components deposited in the form of tar.

Furthermore, by performing condensation by cooling the electronic cooling element, a refrigerant circulation path or the like is not required compared to the case where condensation is performed using a refrigerant, so that the structure can be simplified.

〔Example〕

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 has a paper feed section 1 at the end of the apparatus.
It is equipped with 2. The paper feed section 12 has a pair of magazines 2 located above and below.
0.22 can be loaded, and photosensitive materials 24 and 26 are stored in rolls inside these, and are taken out from the tip to the paper feed section 12. - For example, the photosensitive material 24 is a photosensitive material most suitable for copying color photographic originals, and the photosensitive material 26 is a photosensitive material most suitable for copying color printed originals.

An exposure section 14 is arranged next to the paper feed section 12. Photosensitive material 24 or 26 pulled out from magazine 20.22
The conveyance direction is reversed within the paper feed B12, and the exposure section 14
This corresponds to the exposure window 28 of .

A transparent document table 30 is provided above the exposure section 14 , and a color document 32 placed on the document table 30 is pressed onto the document table 30 by a document presser 34 . The image of the color original 32 illuminated by the light source 38 of the light source unit 36 and reflected by the plurality of mirrors 40 passes through the optical means 42, and is exposed to the photosensitive material 24 (26) corresponding to the exposure window 28 by opening the shutter 44. ) is exposed to light. Note that when the shutter 44 is in the closed state, the image of the color original 32 is reflected by the shutter 44 and is manually applied to the image sensor 45 to determine the exposure correction conditions.

A processor section 16 is arranged below the exposure section 14. A guide member 48 is rotatably supported near the photosensitive material layer 46 of the processor section 16 . Guide member 48
is in the position shown by the solid line in FIG.
You will be guided inside 6. Further, when the guide member 48 is in the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, the photosensitive material 24 is conveyed downward.

Inside the processor section 16, a developing tank 52, a fixing tank 54, and a washing tank 56, 58 are arranged in order from the photosensitive material population 46 side. 62, rinsing water 64 is stored in each of the rinsing tanks 56 and 58. The photosensitive material 24 conveyed into the processor section 16 is guided to a processing rank (not shown) and sequentially sent to various units, where it is sequentially developed, fixed, and washed with water. Although moisture and the like evaporate from the processing liquid in each tank over time, supplementary water such as tap water is replenished from a water supply system (not shown) to maintain the liquid level at a constant level.

An air chamber 17 and a drying section 18 are located downstream of the processor section 16.
are arranged sequentially. The air chamber 17 contains air used for drying in a drying section 18 (described later) and the processor section 16.
The air stagnant inside is pumped in. The air chamber 17 is equipped with an exhaust fan 128. As shown in FIG. 2, an exhaust fan 130 is provided on the downstream side of the exhaust fan 128 in the air sending direction (towards the back of the paper in FIG. 1), and air is disposed between the exhaust fan 128 and the exhaust fan 130. A passage 132 for passage is defined by partition walls 134. A condenser 136 made of a Peltier element is disposed in the middle of the passage 132.

A Peltier element is an element that utilizes the Peltier effect, in which heat is absorbed or generated at the contact when a current is passed between the contacts of different metals, and is operated by a DC power source (not shown). The condenser 136 is arranged so that the cooling surface 138 of the Peltier element is on the exhaust fan 128 side, and a conduit 140 forming part of the supply means is provided at the lower end of the cooling surface 138.
One end 140A of is open. The other end of the pipe line 140 communicates with a water tank 144 . For this reason, the exhaust fan 12
The air sent out from the air chamber 17 to the passage by
The air is struck against the cooling surface 138 of the condenser 136, and moisture and the like contained in the air are condensed in droplets on the cooling surface 138. The dry air from which moisture has been removed is sent to the exhaust fan 130.
The pressure is exhausted to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 through the exhaust port 142. On the other hand, liquid such as moisture condensed in droplets on the cooling surface 138 moves downward on the cooling surface 138 due to its own weight, is guided to the water tank 144 through the pipe 140, and is stored in the water tank 144.

As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a conduit 146 constituting a part of the supply means is open to the water supply tank 144. Conduit 14
The other end of 6 is branched into three parts, each of which opens above the fixing tank 54 and the washing tank 56,58. A pump, etc. (not shown) is installed in the middle of the pipe line 146, and the water tank 14
The liquid stored in the tank 4 is transferred to the fixing tank 5 by a pump or the like.
4. Supplied to washing tank 56.58.

The drying section 18 includes a fan and a heater (not shown), and blows hot air generated by heating air onto the photosensitive material to dry it. Most of the air used for the drying process in the drying section 18 is heated again and reused for the drying process, and a part is sent to the air chamber 17 and depressurized. Drying section 1
A tray 19 is attached to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 on the downstream side in the photosensitive material transport direction of 8, and the processed photosensitive material 24 is discharged onto the tray 19.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be explained.

The photosensitive material 24 pulled out from the magazine 20 or 22 is aligned with the exposure window 28 of the exposure section 14, and the color original 3
2 images are exposed. The exposed photosensitive material 24 is conveyed to the processor section, immersed in a developer 60 in a developing tank 52 for development processing, and immersed in a fixing solution 62 in a fixing tank 54 for fixing processing. In addition, in the washing tanks 56, 58 and the water storage tank 90, they are immersed in washing water 64 and subjected to washing processing.

The photosensitive material 24, which has been processed in the processor section and has moisture etc. attached to its surface, is transported through the air chamber 17 to the drying section 18, where it is dried by being blown with hot air. The dried photosensitive material 24 is discharged onto a tray 19.

On the other hand, the water contained in each of the processing liquids in the developing tank 52, fixing tank 54, washing tank 56, 58, and water storage tank 90 evaporates over time. Furthermore, the fixing liquid 62 also contains ammonia, which also evaporates together with the water. Therefore, the air remaining in the processor section 16 contains water vapor and ammonia vapor. Furthermore, the air used in the drying process in the drying section 18 also contains water vapor evaporated from the surface of the photosensitive material 24. These airs are sent to the air chamber 17 and are sent to the air outlet 142 by exhaust fans 128, 130.
is discharged through. The air that is exhausted is exhausted by the exhaust fan 12.
8 and the exhaust fan 130
The moisture and ammonia components are condensed in droplets on the cooling surface 138. The condensed water and ammonia components move downward on the cooling surface 138 due to their own weight and are stored in the water supply tank 144 through the conduit 140.

The stored moisture and ammonia are transferred to the fixing tank 54 and washing tanks 56 and 58 via the pipe 146 by the pump or the like mentioned above.
supplied to Therefore, the amount of replenishment of the water supply system that replenishes the multi-tank with replenishment water can be reduced, and the running cost of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, since the inside of the drying section 18 is kept at low humidity by the condenser 136, the drying time of the photosensitive material can be shortened.

Furthermore, since the humidity inside the drying section 18 becomes low and the humidity of the air once used for the drying process also becomes low, it is necessary to increase the proportion of the air used for the drying process and then circulated and reused. I can do it. Since the air to be reused has already been heated, the amount of heat required to generate hot air can be reduced, and the amount of energy consumed by heaters and the like can be reduced.

In the first embodiment, the liquid stored in the water supply tank 144 is supplied to the fixing tank 54 and the washing tanks 56 and 58 as replenishment water. Therefore, the ammonia collected in the condenser 136 is also supplied to the fixing tank 54 and washing tanks 56 and 58, but since the fixing liquid 62 originally contains ammonia, it does not affect the fixing process. I won't give anything. Furthermore, since ammonia is alkaline, the alkalinity of the washing water 64 in each tank is increased by supplying ammonia to the washing tanks 56 and 58 that perform the washing process. This expands the gelatin attached to the surface of the photosensitive material 24, making it easier to wash it off.

Therefore, the ammonia content has a rather favorable influence on the water washing treatment. After the water washing process is completed, the ammonia attached to the photosensitive material 24 is evaporated by being dried at high temperature with hot air in the drying section 18, so the ammonia does not affect the finish of the photosensitive material 24. .

Note that in the first embodiment, the drying section 18 and the processor section 1
Although an example is shown in which the condenser 136 is installed near the exhaust port 142 for discharging both the air stagnant in the drying section 18, the present invention is not limited to this. In a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which air and air stagnant in the processor section 16 are discharged from separate exhaust ports, a condenser 136 may be attached to each exhaust port.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a flexible member 50 is attached near the photosensitive material layer 46 in the processor section 16 so as to close the photosensitive material layer 46. As shown in FIG.

When the photosensitive material 24 is conveyed to the photosensitive material layer 46 and comes into contact with the flexible member 50, the flexible member 50 is moved as shown in FIG.
is bent, allowing the photosensitive material 24 to enter into the processor section 16. While the photosensitive material 24 passes through the photosensitive material inlet 46, the flexible member 50 is held in the bent state shown in FIG. 3 to reduce the opening area of the photosensitive material inlet 46.

Developing tank 52, fixing tank 54, and washing tank 5 of the processor section 16
Inside 6.58, racks 66, 68, 70, and 72 for transporting photosensitive materials are provided, immersed in respective processing liquids 60, 62, and 64. Each rack 66, 68, 70, 72 is provided with a large number of rollers 66A, 68A, 70A, 72A, respectively, to draw the photosensitive material 24 into the tank and immerse it in the liquid in the tank, and to move the photosensitive material 24 downstream from the tank. Side tank (left side in Figure 3)
It is designed to be sent to Therefore, processor section 1
The photosensitive material 24 conveyed into the photosensitive material 6 is sequentially fed into multiple tanks, where it is sequentially developed, fixed, and washed with water.

In addition, there is a circulation nonobu 7 in multi-tank 52, 54, 56, 58.
Pump 82.84. connected to 4.76.78.80.
86.88 are provided. Pump 82.84.86
．． 88 circulates and stirs the liquid in the tank through circulation pipes 74, 76, 78, and 80, respectively, so that the photosensitive material 24 can be efficiently developed, fixed, and washed with water.

Furthermore, a water storage tank 90 with a small capacity is provided adjacent to the washing tank 58 on the downstream side of the washing tank 58 . The tank is filled with rinsing water 64. Above the water storage tank 90, one end of a water supply pipe 94 communicating with a water supply source 92 is connected to a drain port 9.
6, and is replenished by pumping up supplementary water from a water supply source 92 by a pump 98 provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 94. The water storage tank 90 is filled with a higher water level than the washing tank 58, and at the same time washing water flows in from the water supply source 92, the washing water 64 is overflowing and flows out into the washing tank 58. In addition, the washing tank 58 is the washing tank 56
The tank is filled with water at a higher water level than the tank 90, and at the same time flush water flows in from the water tank 90, the flush water 64 overflows and flows out into the flush tank 56. A drain hole 100 is provided in the upper part of the washing tank 56 so that washing water 64 flows in from the washing tank 58 and at the same time, the washing water 64 flows out through the drain hole 100.

The water tank 90 is also used for washing the photosensitive material 24. That is, a rank 108 is provided in the water storage tank 90 and immersed in the flushing water 64 . The rack 108 is provided with a large number of rollers 108A, and the washing tank 58
The photosensitive material 24 sent out from the water storage tank 90 is drawn into the water storage tank 90, immersed in the washing water 64 in the water storage tank 90, and sent out from the water storage tank 90 downstream (to the left in FIG. 3).

Further, above each of the developer tank 52, the fixing tank 54, the washing tanks 56 and 58, and the water storage tank 90, there are condensers 110, 112, and 11.
4.116.118 are arranged. Below, developer tank 5
The condenser 110 provided above 2 will be explained as an example.

As shown in FIG. 4, the condenser 110 is constructed by connecting a pair of Peltier elements 120 and 122, which are electronic cooling elements. This Peltier element 120.122 is operated by a DC power source (not shown).
122 cooling surfaces 120A and 122A face each other, and a heat radiation surface 120B.

122B is arranged on the outside. Cutouts 124 and 126 corresponding to the arrangement and outer diameter of the roller 66A are formed in the lower part of each Peltier element 120 and 122 in FIG. Therefore, the vapor evaporated from the developer tank 52 passes between the opposing cooling surfaces 120A and 122A of the Peltier elements 120 and 122 of the condenser 110. Condenser 1
When power is supplied to the cooling surface 120, the evaporated moisture flows to the cooling surface 120.
A, condensed in the form of drops on 122A, and dripped into the developer tank 52 due to the drop's own weight. In addition, other condensers 112.11
The same applies to 4.116.118.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be explained.

The exposed photosensitive material 24 is transported to the processor section 16, immersed in a developer 60 in a developer tank 52 for development, and immersed in a fixer 62 in a fixing tank 54 for fixing. In addition, in the washing tanks 56, 58 and the water storage tank 90, they are immersed in washing water 64 and subjected to washing processing.

The photosensitive material 24, which has been processed in the processor section and has moisture etc. attached to its surface, is transported through the air chamber 17 to the drying section 18, where it is dried by being blown with hot air. The dried photosensitive material 24 is discharged onto a tray 19.

On the other hand, the water contained in each of the processing liquids in the developing tank 52, fixing tank 54, washing tank 56, 58, and water storage tank 90 evaporates over time. The moisture-containing air is supplied to condensers 110, 112, 114, 116, 110, 112, 114, 116, 110, 112, 114, 116, 110, 110, 112, 114, 116, 110, 112, 112, 116, 30, 30, 4, 5, 5, 3,4 containing the above moisture.
118 and condenses dropwise onto the cooling surface of each condenser. The condensed droplets of water drip into each treatment tank due to their own weight. Furthermore, the fixing liquid 62 also contains ammonia, which also evaporates together with the water. Most of this ammonia is condensed on the cooling surface of the condenser 112 above the fixing tank 54 and drips into the fixing tank 54 . Therefore, the apparent amount of water, etc. that evaporates per unit time from various sources is reduced, and the amount of replenishment water from the water supply source 92 can be reduced.

Also, condenser 110.112.114.116.118
As a result, the humidity of the air inside the processor section 16 is lowered. As a result, the developing solution 60 or the fixing solution 62 is deposited in a film form on the outer periphery of the pair of rollers disposed in the processor section I6 and always exposed to the air by the photosensitive material 24. Since the humidity is low, the components contained in the developer 60 or the fixer 62 are completely dried without being deposited in the form of tar on the outer periphery of the roller pair. Therefore, inconveniences such as poor conveyance of the photosensitive material 24 do not occur.

In the above description, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 having a drying section 18 that blows hot air onto a photosensitive material 24 to dry it, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus having a drying section for drying using a heater or the like.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the invention described in claim (1), a condenser is provided near the exhaust port, and the liquid condensed by the condenser is supplied to the processor section, so that moisture and ammonia are not discharged. An excellent effect can be obtained in that a photosensitive material processing apparatus having the above structure can be obtained.

In the invention described in claim (2), the vapor evaporated from the processing liquid is condensed by the condenser disposed above the processing tank and returned to the processing tank, so that moisture and ammonia are not discharged. A photosensitive material processing device can be obtained,
This excellent effect can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the condenser installed in the air chamber, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the processor section, and a perspective view showing a condenser disposed in the processor section. 10... Photosensitive material processing device, 16... t processor section, 17... air chamber, 18... drying section, 92... water supply source, 110.112.114.116.118.134.1
36... Condenser, 120.122... Peltier element, 128.130... Exhaust fan, 140... Piping.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising a processor section that processes a photosensitive material by immersing it in a processing liquid, and a drying section that dries the photosensitive material processed in the processor section, wherein the drying section and the processor section a condenser provided near an exhaust port for exhausting at least one of the gases stagnant in the exhaust port and condensing vapor in the exhausted gas; and a supply means for supplying the liquid condensed by the condenser to the processor section. A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: (2) A photosensitive material processing device that processes a photosensitive material by immersing it in a processing solution stored in a processing tank, which is disposed above the processing tank and condenses vapor evaporated from the processing solution into the processing tank. A photosensitive material processing apparatus characterized by being equipped with a return condenser. (3) The condenser is equipped with an electronic cooling element, and the condensation is performed by cooling with the electronic cooling element.
The photosensitive material processing apparatus described in 1) or (2).