JPH05107715A - Automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic sensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an automatic developing machine which is made compact, where anti-pollution and manpower saving are executed and which is protected from the splash of processing solution and moisture as safely as possible. CONSTITUTION:In a replenishing device 8 for a solid processing agent for replenishing 24 for keeping the performance of the processing solution in the automatic developing machine for consecutively processing a photosensitive material constant, a floating cover 50 is provided on the liquid level of a processing agent replenishing tank(sub tank) 20 and a turning supporting shaft 51 is provided near the liquid level in the center part of the surface of the floating cover. The solid processing agent 24 is thrown in to abut on the surface of a floating cover 53, which is one in the case of putting the supporting shaft 51 between the covers 52 and 53, and the surface of the other floating cover 52 are raised from the liquid level then the solid processing agent 24 sinks with the surface of one cover 53 and sinks in the auxiliary tank 20 to be solved. The automatic developing machine is thus constituted. Or it is constituted so that a floating ball is arranged to float on the liquid level of the sub tank 20 instead of the floating cover and the solid processing agent 24 is thrown in to abut on the floating ball.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic processor for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter also referred to as a light-sensitive material). More specifically, it relates to an improvement of a processing agent supply mechanism of an automatic developing machine, and more particularly to an automatic developing machine which can be made compact and improved in workability and can obtain more stable photographic performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive material is exposed, developed, desilvered, washed,
It is processed by a process such as stabilization. Black and white developer, color developer for development, bleaching solution, bleach-fixing solution for desilvering,
Tap water or ion-exchanged water is used for fixing solution and washing, and stabilizing solution is used for stabilizing treatment. Each processing solution is usually 30
The temperature is adjusted to -40 ° C, and the light-sensitive material is dipped in these processing solutions and processed.

Such processing is usually carried out by an automatic developing machine (hereinafter also referred to as an automatic developing machine) or the like to sequentially convey a photosensitive material between processing tanks containing the above processing liquid.

In such a case, in order to keep the activity of the treatment liquid in the treatment tank constant, a method of replenishing each treatment liquid with a replenisher is adopted.

Specifically, the processing operation is performed while supplying the replenishing liquid from the replenishing tank into the processing tank at appropriate times.

In this case, it is usual that the replenisher solution stored in the replenishment tank is prepared in another place and is replenished in the replenishment tank as needed. The following manual methods are used.

That is, the replenishing treatment agent is supplied in the form of powder or liquid, and when used, in the case of powder, it is prepared by dissolving it in a certain amount of water, and also in the case of liquid, it is concentrated. Therefore, it is diluted with water to a certain amount before use.

The replenishment tank may be installed beside the automatic developing machine, and it is necessary to secure a considerable space. In addition, even in a minilab, which has been increasing rapidly in recent years, a replenishment tank is built in the machine itself, but in this case also, it is necessary to secure a space for the replenishment tank.

The replenishing processing agent is composed of various components (hereinafter referred to as "part agents" or "part agents") so as to exhibit good performance in photographic processing. When these parts agents are placed in contact with each other. For a long time, it reacts and deteriorates, and the function as a photographic processing agent is impaired. In particular, since many treatment agents easily react with each other due to redox reaction, they are generally divided into 1 or 2 or more parts agents into a kit, and these are dissolved in a certain amount of water when used. Are used for.

The kitted parts agent is, for example,
Each is placed in an inner container such as a bottle or a bag, and these are put together in an exterior (for example, a corrugated box) and sold as a unit.

The replenishing treatment agent in which the above-mentioned parts agent is made into a kit is used after dissolving, diluting, mixing and finishing to a predetermined amount, but the replenishing treatment agent has the following drawbacks. That is, each parts agent is individually put in a container such as a bottle, and depending on the replenishing treatment agent, the parts agent is several, and the number of containers becomes considerably large when it becomes one unit. ,
Not only did it require a lot of space, but there was also a problem with the disposal of empty containers. Also, if there are several types of parts agents that make up the replenishment treatment agent, each parts agent is individually placed in a container and scattered, so it takes time and effort to find each parts agent, The efficiency was remarkably reduced.

[0012]

Therefore, in carrying out the development processing of the light-sensitive material by using the automatic developing machine, the present invention aims to meet the recent trend toward downsizing of the automatic developing machine. The aim is to configure the automatic machine with only the essential parts of.

On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a strong demand for environmental protection and resource saving mainly in Europe and the United States, and a plastic container for a replenishing processing agent has become a particular problem in relation to photography.
That is, although the plastic container for photography is cheap and convenient for storage and transportation and has excellent chemical resistance, the emptied container is landfilled or discarded as industrial waste or incinerated. The plastic container has almost no biodegradability, and when it is accumulated and incinerated, a large amount of carbon dioxide gas is generated, which causes a problem such as global warming and acid rain. In addition, as a user's problem, it is pointed out that a large number of plastic containers are piled up in a narrow work space and the space is further narrowed.

Further, in order to stabilize the finish quality of the light-sensitive material processed by the automatic developing machine, it is desired to stabilize the processing liquid performance. In order to keep the processing solution performance stable, the most important items from the recent trend of low replenishment are management of the replenishment rate and prevention of concentration of the processing solution by evaporation.

Regarding the management of the replenishment rate, it is necessary to regularly check the amount of replenishment, but in the recent mini-lab, the manufacturer who sells each developing machine takes charge of the regular check once a month. The actual situation is that it is being carried out during the rounds. Therefore, even if the replenishment rate is wrong, it will be left until the patrol check. In addition, in order to prevent the concentration of the processing liquid by evaporation, in the minilab, the user added hot water to the amount of the liquid level that had evaporated and decreased when the temperature of the automatic processing machine was stopped from the day before when the temperature control of the automatic processing machine was completed. Evaporation correction is performed, but if evaporation correction is properly practiced every day, if it is forgotten or the person changes from time to time, the rules cannot be observed, which causes fluctuations in the concentration of the treatment liquid.

On the other hand, the solid processing agent must not have been altered before being added to the processing agent supply tank. In particular, the processing agent in the form of tablets must be loaded into a cartridge, that is, a tablet replenishing tray, and charged and supplied to the replenishing tank together with a replenishment command. However, since this cartridge is placed near the developing machine, processing at the time of loading Never get wet with the splash of liquid.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is, firstly, to eliminate the replenisher stock tank of the automatic developing machine to achieve compactness, and secondly, to use a plastic bottle substantially without using a plastic bottle. In providing pollution system, thirdly,
Providing an evaporation correction method for preventing the concentration of the processing liquid.
In addition, labor can be saved by freeing the manual replenishment liquid preparation work and the evaporation correction work process.
In addition, the solid processing agent to be added is to be kept in a state where high quality is always maintained.

[0018]

This object is achieved by any one of the following technical means a, b, c, d and e.

(A) In an automatic processor having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of a processing solution of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the liquid surface of the processing agent replenishing tank A floating lid is provided on the floating lid, and a rotation spindle is provided in the vicinity of the liquid surface in the central portion of the floating lid surface, and the contact force of the solid processing agent on the floating lid surface when the processing agent is charged is across the spindle. It is characterized in that the floating lid on the contact surface is sunk so that the floating lid on the side opposite to the spindle is lifted above the liquid surface, and the solid processing agent is introduced into the processing agent replenishing tank and dissolved. Automatic processor for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials.

(B) In an automatic processor having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of a processing solution of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the liquid surface of the processing agent replenishing tank An automatic developing machine for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, characterized in that floating balls are arranged on the floating balls so that a solid processing agent for replenishment from the replenishing device is charged and brought into contact therewith.

(C) In an automatic developing machine having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of the processing solution of the automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, it is arranged in the processing agent replenishing tank. A floating lid is provided on the liquid surface of the provided filter tank, that is, a filtering device, and a spindle is provided near the central liquid surface of the floating lid surface, and the contact force of the solid processing agent to the floating lid surface when the processing agent is charged. Insert the floating lid on the contact surface so that the floating lid on the opposite side of the spindle rises above the liquid surface by inserting the solid processing agent into the processing agent supply tank An automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials, characterized in that

(D) In an automatic processor having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of a processing solution of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, it is arranged in the processing agent replenishing tank. A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material characterized in that floating balls are arranged on a liquid surface of an installed filter tank, that is, a filtering device, and a solid processing agent for replenishment from the replenishing device is put on and abutted on the floating balls. Automatic developing machine.

(E) The above-mentioned technical means a, b, c, or d is characterized in that the treating agent replenishing tank is also used as a circulation filter tank and a solid treating agent dissolving tank. Automatic processor for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials.

[0024]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described more specifically according to the first example, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of the automatic developing machine according to the present invention, and simply shows a control mechanism of a color negative film processing apparatus.

When the color negative film is carried in from the photosensitive material insertion portion 13 and passes through the photosensitive material area detection sensor 7 and a certain amount of area is detected, the solid processing agent replenishing device 8 for replenishment and the replenishing water replenishing device 10 for replenishing water are provided. Also, the solenoid valve 12 is activated by receiving a signal from the control unit 11, and the replenishment treatment agent and the replenishment water for liquid preparation are replenished to the respective treatment tanks 1, 2, 3, 5 in the required amounts.

When the temperature of the automatic processing machine is adjusted for several hours, the processing liquid 17 in each of the processing tanks 1 to 5 evaporates, and when the temperature reaches a certain level or below, the liquid level detection sensor 9 operates and the control unit In response to the signal of 11, the replenishment water replenishing device 10 and the electromagnetic valve 12 are operated, and the replenishment water for evaporation correction is replenished until the upper limit detection mechanism of the liquid level detection sensor 9 operates. In addition, it is preferable that the warm water for washing 14, which is the replenishing water supplied by the replenishing water reinforcing pipe 15, is temperature-controlled for both the replenishing water for liquid preparation and the replenishing water for evaporation correction. In addition, each processing tank 1 to 5, 1 is a color developing tank, 2 is a bleaching tank,
3 is a fixing tank, 4 and 4 are washing tanks, and 5 is a stabilizing tank.
Further, 6 is a drying section.

2 and 3 are schematic explanatory views showing an example of the solid replenishing agent replenishing device 8 when the replenishing agent solidified into a tablet is used.

When the controller 11 operates in response to the signal from the photosensitive material area detection sensor 7 and the solid replenishing agent supplying stepping motor 45 is operated, it is directly connected to the driving wheel 41 of the replenishing solid agent supplying conveyor 43. Driven wheel 42
At the same time, the conveyor 43 is advanced step by step by a predetermined number of times the pitch length P of the thickness of the processing agent, and the cartridge 25
Solid processing agent 24 is sent from the beginning of the cartridge
Replenishment solid processing agent 24 stored in 25
A predetermined number of replenishers are replenished inside the filtration device 21 in the treatment agent replenishment tank (hereinafter referred to as a sub tank) 20 which is a replenishment treatment agent dissolution section of 3.5.

Here, the supply conveyor 43 has a uniform pitch P.
The timing belt is provided with a claw 46 for each. The replenished solid processing agent 24 for replenishment gradually dissolves, and the circulating pump 18
Is supplied to the main processing tanks 16 of the respective processing tanks 1, 2, 3, and 5. If all or most of the circulating flow of the processing liquid 17 circulating between the main processing tank 16 and the sub tank 20 is directly passed through the filtering device 21 in the sub tank 20 by the circulation pump 18, solid replenishment processing The solubility of the agent 24 is further increased. In the figure, 19 is a temperature control heater, 26 is a pressing spring for pressing and holding the replenishment processing agent 24 in the cartridge 25, and 27 is a main processing tank 16 and a sub tank 20 constituted by each processing tank 1, 2, 3, 5 Is a communication pipe, 28 is a processing rack, and 29 is an overflow port.

A floating lid 50 is provided near the upper liquid surface of the filtering device 21 of the sub tank 20, and the floating lid 50 is provided around the support shaft 51 fixedly provided in the sub tank 20 near the liquid surface at the center of the floating lid 50. The floating lid 50 is rotatable.

Supply conveyor driven by supply signal
The solid processing agent 24 for replenishment in the cartridge 25, which is supplied one by one into the sub-tank 20 by 43, is the one surface of the floating lid 50.
53 Drops and contacts. Due to the drop contact force, the floating lid 50, as shown in FIG. 3, raises the other surface 52 of the floating lid 50 submerged in the processing liquid together with the solid processing agent 24 to the outside of the liquid surface. Flows into the sub-tank 20 near the filtration device 21 and is melted.
Returns to the original liquid surface position as shown in FIG. Further, when the floating lid 50 floats above the processing liquid surface of the sub tank 20, the processing liquid surface of the sub tank 20 is almost sealed.

Therefore, with such a structure, the solid replenishing treatment agent 24 in the cartridge 25 is normally sealed right above the main treatment tanks 16 and the sub-tanks 20, and the treatment liquid is Hardly affected by evaporation. When the supply of the solid processing agent 24 into the sub-tank 20 falls, the solid processing agent 24 once contacts the floating lid 50 that functions as a cushion, so that the solid processing agent 24 for replenishment can be replenished without causing splashing.

Therefore, the splashing prevents the cartridge 25 and the solid processing agent 24 in the cartridge 25 from getting wet.

In response to the signal from the photosensitive material area detection sensor 7, the control unit 11 operates to supply the solid processing agent for replenishing stepping motor 45 and the feeding conveyor driven by the stepping motor 45.
43 operates to replenish the solid replenishing agent 24 for replenishment, and at the same time, the replenishing water replenishing device 10 and the solenoid valve 12 operate to replenish replenishing water for liquid preparation. The replenishment amount of the replenishment water for preparation is the solid treatment agent
The problem can be solved by inputting the operation time of the solenoid valve 12 and the supplementary water replenishing device 10 to the control unit 11 in advance in an amount more than necessary to dissolve 24.

In addition, the processing tanks 1 to
When the processing liquid 17 of 5 causes a decrease in liquid level due to evaporation,
The liquid level detection sensor 9 detects the lowered liquid level, transmits a signal to the control unit 11, operates the solenoid valve 12 and the replenishment water replenishment device 10, and replenishes the replenishment water for evaporation correction to the normal liquid level. To do. When the liquid reaches the regular liquid level, the liquid level detection sensor 9 detects the regular liquid level, transmits a signal to the control unit 11, and stops the operation of the solenoid valve 12 and the replenishment water replenishing device 10.

Next, the second embodiment will be briefly described.

As shown in the schematic explanatory view of FIG. 4, floating balls 61 are floated on the liquid surface of the sub tank 20 instead of the floating lid 50, and the arrangement is shown in the top view of FIG. The float ball 61 is a plastic hollow spherical ball having a diameter of 10 to 20 mm. If the waterline is a spherical equatorial surface, the surface area of the liquid exposed to air is about 9.3%, and it can be said that the sag of the treatment liquid due to oxidation is drastically reduced. Also, such floats act as ups and downs cushions.

That is, the solid processing agent for replenishment 24 is charged,
When some of these floating balls come into contact with each other, the floating balls 61 and the surrounding floating balls 61 sink and dissolve in the processing liquid together with the solid processing agent 24 without splashing.

The cartridge provided in the vicinity of the processing liquid tank (main processing tank) 16 and the sub tank 20 in this way
The solid replenishing treatment agent 24 in 25 is protected from being squeezed and getting wet,
It is possible to make the cartridge stand by while maintaining high processing performance.

Further, since the depletion of the processing liquid M in the sub tank 20 due to vapor deposition or oxidation is drastically reduced, the replenishment interval can be extended and the consumption of the processing agent can be suppressed to a small amount.

By the way, in the first and second embodiments, the floating lid 50 and the floating ball 61 are arranged on the surface of the processing liquid of the sub-tank 20 having the filtering device 21 having the filtering filter 39 to prevent the splashing when the solid processing agent is charged. The third and fourth embodiments described below form a filter tank, that is, a filtration device 21 constituted by a cylindrical filtration filter 39.
The filter tank, that is, the filter device 21 occupies a large portion of the sub-tank 20, and the filter tank (filter device)
The solid replenishing treatment agent 24 for replenishment is directly added to 21.

That is, in the third embodiment, as shown in the schematic explanatory views of FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation state of the floating lid 50 is shown.
50 is disposed on the processing liquid surface of the filter tank.
Since the operation of the floating lid 50 is the same as that of the first embodiment, further explanation is omitted.

Here, the filtering device 21 is shown to be almost used as a dissolution tank for the supplied solid processing agent for supplementation in FIGS. 6 and 7, but the filtering device 21 is used. By extending the bottom of the filtration filter 39 forming the cylindrical portion around 21 until it joins the bottom of the sub-tank 20 as shown by the chain double-dashed line so that the suction port of the circulation system comes to the center of the bottom of the filter 39. Thus, both the effect of dissolving the treating agent and the effect of filtering the liquid dirt due to the circulation between the sub tank 20 and the main tank 16 can be obtained.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in the schematic explanatory view of FIG. 8, floating balls 50 are floated on the surface of the treatment liquid in the filter tank 21A. The function of this floating ball is exactly the same as that of the second embodiment, and a further explanation is omitted.

The upper part of the processing liquid surface other than the filter tank (filtering device) 21 of the sub tank 20 is in a state of being shielded from the outside.

The treating agent replenishing tank (sub-tank) 20 in the present invention may be any tank having a space for replenishing and dissolving a predetermined number of solid replenishing treating agent 24 and dissolving and filtering it. Since only the (magnet pump) 18 has to circulate in the main tank 16 and the sub tank 20, the space occupied by the magnet pump can be made very small compared to the space of the conventional replenisher tank.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the volume occupied by the automatic developing machine can be made much smaller than that of the conventional one, and a pollution-reducing system which eliminates the need for the plastic bottle used in the past can be realized. By using a lid or floating ball, concentration of concentrated liquid and reduction of oxidation of treatment liquid are prevented as much as possible, and even if concentration due to evaporation, reduction of oxidation of treatment liquid or reduction due to carry out occurs, depending on the state. Since replenishment of water and replenishment of the solid treatment agent for replenishment are automatically performed for the recovery, the work by human power up to now is lost, and the work can be saved.

Further, while the supply of the solid replenishing agent for replenishment is prevented from splashing due to splashing from the liquid surface at the time of supplying the replenishing solid treatment agent, absorption of water due to evaporation is prevented as much as possible. Even when the solid processing agent is put in the cartridge and waiting near each processing tank, the quality will not be deteriorated due to splashing of moisture and splashes, and a compact development system can be safely developed. ..

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of an automatic developing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing a restored state of the floating lid when the solid processing agent is charged in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing an operating state of the floating lid after the solid processing agent is charged in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing a state where the solid processing agent in the second embodiment is put on the floating ball liquid surface.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view showing a state where floating balls of the second embodiment are floated side by side.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing a restored state of the floating lid of the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing an operating state of the floating lid according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view showing a mounted state of floating balls in the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Color developing tank 2 Bleaching tank 3 Fixing tank 4 Water washing tank 5 Stabilizing tank 6 Drying section 7 Sensitive material area detection sensor 8 Replenishment solid processing agent replenishing device 9 Liquid level detection sensor 10 Replenishment water replenishing device 11 Control section 12 Solenoid valve 13 Photosensitive material insertion part 14 Washing hot water 15 Replenishing water supply pipe 16 Main processing tank 17 Processing liquid 18 Circulating pump 19 Temperature control heater 20 Sub tank 21 Filtration device (filter tank) 24 Replenishment solid processing agent 25 Cartridge 26 Push spring 39 Filtration filter 41 Drive wheel 42 Driven wheel 43 Supply conveyor 45 Stepping motor for supplying processing agent 50 Floating lid 51 Spindle 52 Other side of floating lid 53 One side of floating lid 61 Floating ball

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An automatic processor having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of a processing solution of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the liquid level of the processing agent replenishing tank A floating lid is provided, and a rotation spindle is provided in the vicinity of the central liquid surface of the floating lid surface, and the contact force of the solid processing agent with respect to the floating lid surface when the processing agent is charged is a corresponding contact across the spindle. The halogen is characterized in that the floating lid on the surface is sunk so that the floating lid on the side opposite to the spindle is lifted above the liquid surface, and the solid processing agent is introduced into the processing agent replenishing tank and dissolved. Automatic processor for silver halide photographic materials. 2. An automatic processor having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of a processing solution of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, the liquid level of the processing agent replenishing tank An automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials, characterized in that floating balls are arranged and a solid processing agent for replenishment from the replenishing device is charged and abutted on the floating balls. 3. An automatic developing machine having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of a processing solution of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material disposed in the processing agent replenishing tank. A floating lid is provided on the liquid surface of the filter tank, that is, the filtering device, and a spindle is provided in the vicinity of the central liquid surface of the floating lid surface so that the contact force of the solid processing agent to the floating lid surface when the processing agent is charged is increased. The floating lid on the corresponding contact surface is sunk by sandwiching the spindle so that the floating lid on the opposite side of the spindle is lifted above the liquid surface, and the solid processing agent is poured into the processing agent replenishing tank and dissolved. An automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials, characterized by the above. 4. An automatic developing machine having a replenishing solid processing agent replenishing device for keeping the performance of a processing solution of an automatic developing machine for continuously processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material disposed in the processing agent replenishing tank. For a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, characterized in that floating balls are arranged on the liquid surface of a filter tank, that is, a filtering device, and a solid processing agent for replenishment from the replenishing device is placed on and abutted on the floating balls. Automatic developing machine. 5. The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the processing agent replenishing tank serves as both a circulation filter tank and a processing agent dissolving tank. Automatic developing machine.