JPH06295046A - Replenishing device for photosensitive material processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily supply a tableted photographic processing agent into a processing tank by repeatedly swelling an opened package to drop the agent into the tank by gravity. CONSTITUTION:A delivery roller 31 for a package 16 is rotated at a slightly lower peripheral speed than an inlet roller R1, its press roller 31A is hexagonally shaped, the traveling speed of the package 16 is controlled when the central part of the package 16 opened by a rotary cutter 102 is pressed on the side edge of the press roller 31A, the package 16 is swollen in a regulating member 103 and becomes unswollen when the side face of the press roller 31A is confronted with the delivery roller 31, the process is repeated during the conveyance, and the tablet 13 is easily dropped.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replenishing device for a light-sensitive material processing apparatus capable of automatically replenishing a solid photographic processing agent for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic processor for processing a silver halide photographic material, a photographic light-sensitive material is processed by developing, fixing and washing with water. Here, a developing solution is used for development and a fixing solution is used for fixing. These processing solutions are usually
The temperature is adjusted to 30 ° C to 40 ° C, and the photographic light-sensitive material is dipped in these processing solutions for processing. Since these treatment liquids deteriorate with treatment and aging, they are used by exchanging / replenishing or supplementing with a fresh one by a replenishment system or a patch system.

Conventionally, these photographic processing agents are supplied in a concentrated liquid form, and users often use them by diluting them. The mainstream of these treatment liquids is a packaging form using a plastic bottle as a container.

The liquid state of the photographic processing agent poses a problem in terms of transportation, and during transportation, precipitation occurs in the concentrated solution, making redissolution difficult.

Also, the used plastic bottle has a problem in disposal. In addition, the other types, such as the concentrated powder type, had a very bad environment for the user during the melting work. If the photographic processing agent is a kitted parts agent, it will be provided in a container such as a bottle or bag, but when the user puts the processing agent in the processing tank, each part agent will be blended without mistake, It was dissolved in advance and added to the treatment liquid, which required skill and manpower.

[0006]

In recent years, as a photographic processing agent that does not require skill or manpower and is error-free,
Solid processing agents have come to be considered.

This solid processing agent is enclosed in a moisture-proof package made of a plastic sheet or the like in a required number in a continuous package, and the solid processing agent is packaged through a processing agent replenishing device attached to the automatic processing machine. A method is used in which the processing agent is transported and opened, and the enclosed processing agent is dropped and replenished in the processing tank of the automatic processing machine.

However, since the above-mentioned package is in close contact even when it is opened, it is feared that the processing agent cannot drop due to its own weight due to its frictional resistance and miss the opportunity of replenishment.

The present invention solves this problem and improves as a result.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replenishing device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, which can surely drop a processing agent from an opened package to replenish it in a processing tank.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above object is to provide a light-sensitive material in which a continuous wrapping body containing a solid photographic processing agent is continuously opened and the solid photographic processing agent is automatically replenished in a processing tank. In the replenishing device for a processing device, the replenishing device for a photosensitive material processing device is characterized in that the package is conveyed by a roller conveying means having a flat surface on the peripheral surface after opening.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of an automatic developing machine (hereinafter referred to simply as an automatic processor) to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a printer processor in which an automatic developing machine A and a photo printing machine B are integrally configured.

In FIG. 1, in the lower left portion of the photographic printing apparatus B, a magazine M'containing a roll of photographic paper which is an unexposed silver halide photographic photosensitive material is set. The photographic printing paper pulled out from the magazine is cut into a predetermined size via the feed roller R and the cutter section C to become a sheet-shaped printing paper. This sheet-shaped photographic paper is a belt conveying means B.
The image of the original image O is exposed by the lens L in the exposure unit E. The exposed sheet-shaped printing paper is further conveyed by a plurality of pairs of feed rollers R and introduced into the automatic developing machine A. In the automatic processing machine A, the sheet photographic paper is
The color developing tank 1A, the bleach-fixing tank 1B, and the stabilizing tanks 1C, 1D, and 1E (substantially three tanks), which are the processing tanks, are sequentially conveyed by roller conveying means (reference symbol None), and color development is carried out respectively. Processing, bleach-fixing processing, and stabilization processing are performed. The sheet-shaped photographic paper that has undergone each of the above-mentioned treatments is
It is dried at 35 and discharged outside the machine.

The alternate long and short dash line in the figure indicates the transport path of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material. In the embodiment, the light-sensitive material is introduced into the automatic developing machine A in a cut state, but it may be introduced into the automatic developing machine in the form of a strip. In that case, if an accumulator for temporarily retaining the photosensitive material is provided between the automatic developing machine A and the photoprinting machine B, the processing efficiency is improved. Needless to say, the automatic developing machine according to the present invention may be configured integrally with the photoprinting machine B or may be a single automatic developing machine. The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processed by the automatic developing machine according to the present invention is not limited to the exposed photographic paper, and it goes without saying that it may be an exposed negative film or the like. Further, the description of the present invention will be made on a developing machine of substantially three tanks including a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a stabilizing tank, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the color developing tank, the bleaching tank, and the fixing tank can be used. The present invention can be applied to an automatic developing machine having substantially four tanks including a tank and a stabilizing tank.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the color developing tank 1A which is a processing tank in the I-I cross section of the automatic developing machine A of FIG. The bleach-fixing tank 1B and the stabilizing tanks 1C, 1D, and 1E have the same configuration as the color developing tank 1A. Therefore, when the processing tank 1 is described below, the color developing tank 1A, the bleach-fixing tank 1B, and the stable tank are stable. All of the tanks 1C, 1D and 1E will be referred to. It should be noted that, in the figure, a transporting means for transporting the photosensitive material and the like are omitted for easy understanding of the configuration. Further, in this example, the case where the tablet 13 is used as the solid processing agent will be described.

The processing section 2 for processing the photosensitive material is a solid processing agent input section 11 for supplying a solid processing agent (tablet) integrally provided on the outside of the partition wall forming the processing section 2 and a constant temperature bath 3.
Have. The processing section 2 and the constant temperature bath 3 are partitioned by a partition wall 12 having a communication window formed therein so that the processing liquid can flow. Since the enclosure 10 for receiving the solid processing agent is provided in the charging section 11 provided above the constant temperature bath 3, the solid processing agent does not move to the processing section 2 in a solid state. It should be noted that the enclosure 10 has a mesh-like or filter-like shape that allows the treatment liquid to pass therethrough, but does not allow the solid treatment agent to pass until it is completely dissolved.

The cylindrical filter 14 is provided below the constant temperature bath 3 so as to be replaceable, and has a function of removing insoluble matter such as paper waste in the treatment liquid. Inside this filter 14,
It is connected to the suction side of a circulation pump 5 (circulation means) via a circulation pipe 4 which penetrates the lower wall of the constant temperature bath 3.

The processing amount information detecting means 8 is provided at the entrance of the developing machine and is used for detecting the processing amount of the photosensitive material to be processed. The processing amount information detecting means 8 has a plurality of detecting members arranged in the left-right direction and functions as an element for detecting the width of the photosensitive material and for counting the detected time. Since the conveying speed of the photosensitive material is mechanically preset, the processing area of the photosensitive material can be calculated from the width information and the time information. The processing amount information detecting means 8 may be any one capable of detecting the width and the conveying time of the photosensitive material such as an infrared sensor, a micro switch, an ultrasonic sensor and the like. Further, 9 is a control means for receiving the signal from the processing amount information detecting means 8 and controlling the processing amount supply of the processing agent.

FIG. 3 shows a solid photographic processing agent charging device 100, which is a replenishing device for the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, which is installed above the processing tank 2.

The loading device 100 includes a pair of upper and lower inlet rollers R1, a feed roller 31 and a feed roller 31 which are rotated clockwise by driving a motor M shown in FIG. A pressure-bonding roller 31A that pressure-contacts is built in, and a pair of pressure-bonding rollers R2 that pressure-contact the inlet roller R1 is provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing door 160 on the front surface of the main body 150.

The above-mentioned inlet roller R1 and delivery roller 31
Between the gear G and the gear G driven by the motor M.
1. A pair of rotary cutters 102 and a regulating member 103 are arranged on the upper and lower sides which are rotated clockwise through 1 and G2, and a pair of guide members 104 and 105 are provided on the back surface of the feed roller 31 and the rotary cutter 102, respectively. Has been.

The main body 150 is further provided with storage sections 150A and 1A which are partitioned into portions facing the inlet roller R1 and the respective guide members.
50B is provided, and a container 15 containing a long package 16 for enclosing the tablet 13 of the solid photographic processing agent in the container 150A.
Is installed by inserting from the top, the other storage part
A collection container 200, which holds the packaging 16 that has been opened and is a waste material, is also attached to the 150B by being inserted from above.

As shown in FIG. 4, the charging device 100 includes a storage body 15 and a recovery container 200, which are stored in the storage portions 150A and 15A, respectively.
After being mounted on 0B and further closing the opening / closing door 160, the packaging body 16 pulled out from the storage body 15 is manually rotated to be sandwiched between the inlet roller R1 and the pressure-bonding roller R2 by the rotation operation of the knob 101, and the standby state is established. It is said that.

The dropping operation of the tablets 13 by the dosing device 100 will be described below with reference to FIG.

The input device 100 is provided with identification means 21 for identifying the type of the solid photographic processing agent, and the identification mark 23 displayed on a part of the container 15 is detected to detect the set tablets 13. Confirmation and processing conditions are deciphered.

Further, the detection signal of the photosensitive material by the processing amount information detecting means 8 is inputted to the processing agent supply control means 9, and the detecting means 25 detects the detection mark 26 of the packaging body 16 to detect the presence of the packaging body 16. When it is confirmed, the driving of the motor M is started.

The entrance roller R is driven by the motor M.
1 and the delivery roller 31 start to rotate, the package 16 sandwiched between the inlet roller R1 and the pressure roller R2 is started to be conveyed leftward in the drawing.

The delivery roller 31 and its pressure bonding roller
31A is driven and rotated at a peripheral speed slightly lower than that of the inlet roller R1 and its pressure-bonding roller R2, and the pressure-bonding roller 31A is a regular hexagonal column roller whose side edge is slightly circumferential and has a side surface. When facing the delivery roller 31, a gap is formed between the delivery roller 31 and the peripheral surface of the delivery roller 31 so that the package 16 can easily pass therethrough.

The package 16 started to be conveyed by the rotation of the inlet roller R1 and the pressure roller R2 is the rotary cutter 102.
The upper and lower edges are cut and opened by the
16A is directed toward the delivery roller 31 by the guide of the regulating member 103, and its side edge portion 16B is directly conveyed to the guide member 105 by the guide of the tip of the rotary cutter 102.

The central portion 16A of the package 16 conveyed to the feed roller 31 has a lower conveyance speed due to the above-mentioned difference in peripheral speed at the timing when the pressure roller 31A presses its side edge against the peripheral surface of the feed roller 31A. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the inside of the regulating member 103 is inflated into a bag shape so that the tablet 13 can be easily dropped.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), when the pressure roller 31A has its side surface facing the peripheral surface of the feed roller 31, the clamping force with respect to the central portion 16A disappears, so that the bag-shaped bulge is temporarily removed. Solved, but the pressure roller
With the rotation of 31A, the side edge again comes into pressure contact with the feed-out roller 31, and the central portion 16A is inflated again into a bag shape as shown in FIG. 6 (c).

Since this operation is repeated a plurality of times during the transportation of the central portion 16A, the chances of dropping the tablets 13 are increased several times, and the dropping and replenishing operations with respect to the processing tank 2 are performed more accurately. .

If the feeding roller 31 and the pressure-bonding roller 31A are constructed so that the side edges of the pressure-bonding roller 31A are temporarily rotated in reverse at the timing when the side edge of the pressure-bonding roller 31A is pressure-bonded to the peripheral surface of the pressure-feeding roller 31, the above-mentioned entrance Roller R1 and pressure roller R2
It is not necessary to provide a peripheral speed difference between the and.

On the other hand, the package 16 detects the completion of one feeding operation by detecting the detection mark 26 displayed for each packaging by the detection means 25, and the signal is sent to the control means 9. The driving of the motor M described above is stopped, and the remaining amount display means 27 is also used.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process involved in the drive control of the motor M.

The central portion 16A of the package 16 which has finished dropping the tablets 13 into the input port 151 passes through the delivery roller 31 and then passes through the guide member 104 and the opening 201 through the opening 201.
On the other hand, the above-mentioned side edge portion 16B is collected as waste material from the opening 202 through the guide member 105 into the above-mentioned collection container 200, and is discarded at a proper time before being filled by the confirmation from the transparent window 200A.

[0036]

According to the present invention, the solid photographic processing agent to be replenished in the processing tank is automatically opened immediately before the replenishment, and further reliably dropped so that the processing agent can be replenished for a long period of time. There is provided a replenishing device for a photosensitive material processing device, which does not deteriorate in performance even when set and placed, and which can replenish a processing agent in a timely and reliable manner by an extremely simple preparation operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic processing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a processing tank.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a charging device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an operating state of the charging device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a charging device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a package during conveyance.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing motor drive control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Tablets 15 Container 16 Package 16A Central part 16B Side edge 31 Sending roller 31A Crimping roller 100 Inserting device 102 Rotary cutter 103 Restricting member 104, 105 Guide member 151 Input port 200 Recovery container R1 Inlet roller M Motor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A replenishing device for a light-sensitive material processing apparatus, wherein a continuous wrapping body containing a solid photographic processing agent is continuously opened to automatically replenish the solid photographic processing agent into a processing tank. A replenishing device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the package is conveyed by a roller conveying means having a flat surface on its peripheral surface after opening. 2. The roller transporting means is a prismatic roller member having a plurality of side surfaces.
Replenishing device for the photosensitive material processing device.