JPH0580464A - Processing method for photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a processing method for photosensitive material which prevents generation of a fur in a water washing tank of an automatic developing machine, and, at the same time, requires few maintenance of the device. CONSTITUTION:When a silver halide photographic sensitive material is processed by using the automatic developing machine 1, it is processed in a water washing tank 4 of the automatic developing machine 1 while irradiating a wash liquid in the water washing tank with far infrared rays 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of processing a silver halide light-sensitive material using an automatic processor, and more particularly to improvement of the washing step.

[0002]

When processing an exposed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter referred to as a light-sensitive material) with an automatic processor,
A plurality of processing tanks, in which processing solutions for development, fixing, and water washing are respectively placed, are arranged in parallel, and the photosensitive material is sequentially passed through and immersed in each processing solution for a predetermined time.

Here, during the above-mentioned processing steps, in the washing step, water stains are generated in the washing tank due to bacteria, mold, etc., and transferred to the light-sensitive material to be processed, resulting in deterioration of image quality, and in severe cases, in an automatic processor. It is well known in the art that even conveyance failure occurs.

In recent years, as a method for preventing the scale in the above-mentioned washing tank, the scale prevention method by ozone shown in JP-A-3-43734 and the scale prevention method by adding an oxidant are proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-63901. However, the former requires a considerable safety mechanism in order to obtain sufficient effect, and it becomes very expensive in cost, and the latter produces products such as silver sulfide due to the reaction of the oxidizing agent. There were cases that caused dirt.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method of processing a light-sensitive material which prevents generation of water stains in the washing tank and requires less maintenance of the apparatus.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present inventors have earnestly studied, and as a result, when processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material using an automatic developing machine, far infrared rays were added to a cleaning solution in a washing tank. It has been found that this can be achieved by treating while irradiating, or by irradiating the cleaning liquid to be supplied to the washing tank with far-infrared rays in advance and supplying it to the washing tank.

The present invention will be described in more detail below.

Far infrared rays referred to in the present invention have a wavelength of 1 to 2000 μm.
It means m, preferably 1 to 30 μm. Radiation sources that emit far infrared rays include SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , K ₂ O,
Fe ₂ O ₃ , CaO, TiO ₂ , MgO, Na ₂ O, NiO
Such as metal oxides and mixtures thereof, carbon, graphite and other materials (metal oxides, metal carbides, etc.) added thereto, metal carbides such as TaC, ZrC, SiC, BC, natural zeolites and the like Examples include those to which other materials are added.

As one irradiation method in the present invention, far-infrared ray irradiation may be performed anywhere in the washing tank as long as the film transport is not adversely affected, but the bottom portion of the washing tank is particularly preferable because water stains are easily generated and accumulated. The power supplied to the radiator is preferably 200 W to 2000 W, and the irradiation time is intermittently 1 hour or more, 200
When it is 0 W, irradiation for 3 minutes or more is preferable.

As another irradiation method, the radiation source may be installed in the pipe before feeding the cleaning liquid into the washing tank or in the cartridge part of the foreign matter removing filter, but the cleaning liquid is temporarily used to maintain the irradiation time to some extent. It is preferable to provide a tank for temporarily storing and to perform irradiation in the tank. The power supplied to the radiator is preferably 200 W to 2000 W, and the irradiation time is preferably 2 minutes or more for the cleaning liquid per liter when the power is 200 W and 5 seconds or more when the power is 2000 W.

Further, the present invention can further enhance its effect by being used in combination with another scale preventing mechanism. For example, the anti-plaque method using the above oxidant, the anti-plaque method using ozone, the anti-plaque method of introducing a sterilizing agent such as cyanuric acid and its derivatives, thiazoline and its derivatives into a washing tank, and a disinfection / antibacterial filter are used. The method for preventing scale, the method for preventing scale using ultraviolet irradiation, the method for preventing scale by heating the washing tank, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a method of irradiating a cleaning liquid with far infrared rays in a water washing tank of an automatic processor according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an automatic developing machine 1 includes a developing tank 2,
A fixing tank 3 and a washing tank 4 are provided, and water is supplied from a water source 5 to the washing tank 4 via a solenoid valve 6 and a foreign matter removing filter 7. The water in the washing tank 4 is drained through the overflow 9 and the solenoid valve 8. Far-infrared radiator 10 at the bottom of the washing tank 4
Is protected by the glass tube 11 and installed.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a system for supplying and treating a cleaning liquid, which has been irradiated with far infrared rays, to a water washing tank of an automatic processor according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the automatic developing machine 12 includes a developing tank 13,
It comprises a fixing tank 14 and a main part of a washing tank 15 having an overflow 16. Water from the water source 17 enters the water storage tank 20 via the electromagnetic valve 18 and the foreign matter removal filter 19. A far-infrared radiation source 22 protected by a glass tube 21 is installed in the water storage tank 20, and the far-infrared radiation source 22 is supplied to the washing tank 15 from the bottom through a pump 23 and a solenoid valve 24. The supply amount is adjusted by the water amount of the overflow 16 and the solenoid valve 25.

The silver halide light-sensitive material applicable to the present invention is preferably a black-and-white light-sensitive material, particularly preferably a black-and-white negative film, a black-and-white reversal film, an X-ray film, a copying film, a printing film, a gravure film, a black-and-white paper. , Computer typesetting paper and the like.

Further, with regard to the developing section, fixing section and drying section of the automatic developing machine to which the present invention is applied, any of various conventionally known systems can be used.

A combination of dihydroxybenzenes and 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones as a developing agent is preferably used in the black-and-white developing solution used. Of course, p
-Aminophenol-based developing agents may be included.

Examples of the dihydroxybenzene developing agent used include hydroquinone, chlorohydroquinone, bromohydroquinone, isopropylhydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, 2,3-dichlorohydroquinone,
There are 2,5-dichlorohydroquinone, 2,3-dipromhydroquinone, 2,5-dimethylhydroquinone and the like, but hydroquinone is particularly preferable.

As a developing agent for 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone or a derivative thereof, 1-phenyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-pyrazolidone and 1-phenyl-4-methyl-
There are 4-hydroxymethyl-3-pyrazolidone, 1-phenyl-4,4-dihydroxymethyl-3-pyrazolidone and the like.

As the P-aminophenol type developing agent, N-methyl-p-aminophenol, p-aminophenol, N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -p-aminophenol, N- (4-hydroxyphenyl) glycine, Two
-Methyl-p-aminophenol, p-benzylaminophenol and the like are available, but N-methyl-p-aminophenol is preferred.

The developing agent is usually 0.01 mol / liter to
It is preferably used in an amount of 1.2 mol / l.

The pH of the developer used is preferably in the range of 9 to 13. More preferably pH 10 to 12
The range is.

Alkaline agents used to set the pH include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate,
Includes pH adjusters such as potassium carbonate, sodium triphosphate, potassium triphosphate.

JP-A-61-28708 (borate),
Buffering agents such as JP-A-60-93439 (for example, saccharose, acetoxime, 6-sulfosalicylic acid), phosphates and carbonates may be used.

As additives used in addition to the above components, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, lithium sulfite,
Sulfites such as ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium metabisulfite and formaldehyde sodium bisulfite; development inhibitors such as sodium bromide, potassium bromide and potassium iodide: ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dimethylformamide, Methyl cellosolve, hexylene glycol,
Organic solvents such as ethanol and methanol: 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotetrazole, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole-5-mercapto compounds such as sodium salt of sulfonic acid, indazole compounds such as 5-nitroindazole, 5-methylbenztriazole Antifoggants such as benztriazole compounds may also be included, and if necessary, toning agents, surfactants, desensitizing agents, water softeners, amino compounds described in JP-A-56-106244, and the like. But it's okay.

A silver stain preventive agent, for example, JP-A-56 is used in the developer.
The compounds described in No. 24347 can also be used.

The developing solution used is described in JP-A-56-10.
Amino compounds such as the alkanolamines described in 6244 can be used.

In addition, L. F. A. Meson's "Photographic Processing Chemistry", Focal
You may use what is described in the press publication (1966) pages 226-229, US Patent 2,193,015, 2,592,364, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 48-64933 etc.

The fixer used is an aqueous solution containing thiosulfate and has a pH of 3.8 or higher, preferably 4.2 to 5.5.
Have.

Examples of the fixing agent include sodium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate, which have thiosulfate ion and ammonium ion as essential components, and ammonium thiosulfate is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of fixing speed. The amount of the fixing agent used can be appropriately changed and is generally about 0.1 to 6
Mol / liter.

The fixing solution may contain a water-soluble aluminum salt which acts as a hardening agent, and examples thereof include aluminum chloride, ammonium sulfate and potassium alum. Tartaric acid, citric acid or their conductors can be used alone or in combination of two or more in the fixing solution. 0.000 per liter of fixer for these compounds
Those containing 5 mol or more are effective, and particularly 0.01 mol / liter to 0.03 mol / liter are particularly effective.

Specific examples include tartaric acid, potassium tartrate, sodium tartrate, potassium sodium tartrate, citric acid, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, lithium citrate, ammonium citrate and the like.

Preservatives (eg, sulfites, bisulfites), pH buffers (eg, acetic acid, nitric acid), pH adjusters (eg, sulfuric acid), chelating agents having a water softening ability, and the like may be included in the fixing solution, if desired. The compounds described in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-213562 may be included.

[0035]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples.

Example 1 As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic processor (GR-27 Konica Corp.)
Daisen film was processed with a far-infrared radiator mounted on the bottom of the washing tank (manufactured by Mfg. Co., Ltd.) (Daizen size 508 × 610 mm ² ).
The cleaning liquid under treatment was treated while performing far-infrared irradiation (radiation main wavelength 5 to 8 μm) at the bottom of the washing tank for 1 minute at an irradiation power of 1500 W and an irradiation time of 1 hour. The total amount of water supplied is 5.7 liters per sheet, and when one sheet is processed, the solenoid valve operates and the washing solution is supplied from the water source to the washing tank at a rate of 5 liters / minute, and the excess washing solution is drained from the overflow. It The above operation was automatically performed by using the film detection sensor in the developing / inserting section and using the solenoid valve and the timer.

Example 2 The same process as in Example 1 was carried out except that the far infrared irradiation was changed to 1000 W of power supplied to the radiation source and the irradiation time was changed to 3 minutes at intervals of 1 hour.

Comparative Example 1 Processing was carried out in an ordinary automatic developing machine (manufactured by GR-27 Konica Co., Ltd.) without the above far infrared ray irradiation mechanism. These methods intermittently produce large size films at 120 per day
The processing was continued for 2 months one by one.

In each of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 described above, the cleaning liquid in the water washing tank was automatically drained using the solenoid valve at the end of the treatment for one day.

As an evaluation, the dirty state of the washing tank rack is shown in Table 1.
Is also displayed. The above film was exposed to a bright room return film CRHE-A (manufactured by Konica Corporation) with a plate-making printer P-607 (manufactured by Dainippon Screen Co., Ltd.).
Develop with developing solution CDM-651K and fixing solution CFL851 (both manufactured by Konica Corporation) with a blackening rate of approximately 20% 28 ° C 30
Processing was performed in seconds.

[0041]

[Table 1] As can be seen from Table 1 above, it is clear that the treatment method of the present invention can prevent maintenance-free scale even after long-term continuous use.

Example 3 An automatic processor (GR-27
Daizen films were processed by Konica Corporation (Tazen size 508 × 610 mm ² ). The cleaning liquid during treatment was irradiated with far-infrared rays in a water storage tank (5 liters) under the conditions shown in Table 2 with an electric power supplied to the radiation source of 1500 W, a main radiation wavelength of 5 to 8 μm, and an irradiation time of 8 seconds per 1 liter of water. After that, it is supplied to the washing tank. The total amount of water supplied is 1.5 liters per sheet, and 3.3 liters of cleaning liquid is supplied to the washing tank every time five sheets are processed. The above operation was automatically performed by using the fixer replenishment signal and the solenoid valve and the timer.

Example 4 Far-infrared irradiation in Example 3 was performed by supplying power to a radiation source.
The treatment was carried out in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the irradiation time per 1000 liter of water was changed to 12 seconds.

Comparative Example 2 Processing was carried out in an ordinary automatic developing machine (manufactured by GR-27 Konica Co., Ltd.) without the above far infrared irradiation mechanism. These methods intermittently produce large size films at 120 per day
The processing was continued for 2 months one by one.

In each of Examples 3 and 4 and Comparative Example 2 described above, the cleaning liquid in the water washing tank is automatically drained using the solenoid valve at the end of the treatment for one day. As an evaluation, the dirty state of the water washing tank rack is also shown in Table 2. In addition, the above film was exposed to a bright room return film CRHE-A (manufactured by Konica Co., Ltd.) with a plate-making printer P-607 (manufactured by Dainippon Screen Co., Ltd.), using a blackening rate of about 20% Development was carried out with a developing solution CDM-651K and a fixing solution CFL851 (both manufactured by Konica Corp.) at 28 ° C. for 30 seconds.

[0046]

[Table 2] As can be seen from Table 2, it is apparent that the treatment method of the present invention can prevent maintenance-free scale stains even after long-term continuous use.

[0047]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent mold and bacteria from being generated in the washing tank of an automatic processor, to prevent stains due to scales, and at low cost, to prevent maintenance-free scales even during long-term continuous use. A method of processing a photosensitive material can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a method of performing processing while irradiating a cleaning liquid with far infrared rays in a water washing tank of an automatic developing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a method of supplying and treating a cleaning liquid, which has been previously irradiated with far infrared rays, to a water washing tank of an automatic developing machine in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,12 Automatic developing machine 2,13 Developing tank 3,14 Fixing tank 4,15 Washing tank 5,17 Water source 10,22 Far infrared radiator

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A method of processing a light-sensitive material, which comprises processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material using an automatic processor while irradiating the cleaning liquid with far infrared rays in a water washing tank. 2. A light-sensitive material characterized in that, when a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is processed using an automatic processor, a cleaning liquid supplied to a water-washing tank is previously irradiated with far infrared rays and then supplied into the water-washing tank. Processing method.