JPH0679147B2 - Photosensitive material processing liquid replenishing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing solution replenishing device for replenishing a photosensitive material processing solution from a replenishing tank to a processing tank.

[Prior art]

In a photosensitive material processing machine, for example, an automatic developing machine for automatically developing, fixing, washing and drying an unprocessed film, processing solutions such as a developing solution and a fixing solution are replenished in a processing tank.

In this type of apparatus, for example, a developing replenishing solution or a fixing replenishing solution is replenished from a replenishing tank to a processing tank. This replenishment is performed by a replenishing device equipped with a pump.

By the way, the developing solutions are plural kinds of liquids, for example, A solution and B solution.
A solution prepared by mixing and stirring the solution, the solution C and water is used. Conventionally, the solution is prepared in an external tank different from the automatic developing machine.

However, when the developer is prepared in the external tank, it must be filled by sending the developer from the external tank to the processing tank and the replenishment tank before using the automatic processor. There was a problem that the operation was troublesome. Further, a pump is required to transfer the developer from the external tank to the processing tank and the replenishment tank, which inevitably results in high cost.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention prepares a processing solution for a photosensitive material in a replenishing tank in a relatively narrow space, and after adjusting the solution, sends the processing solution to the processing tank through the same piping system to provide a small space. It is an object to obtain a photosensitive material processing solution replenishing device capable of enabling piping.

[Means for solving problems]

The photosensitive material processing liquid replenishing device according to the present invention is a photosensitive material processing liquid replenishing device that replenishes a photosensitive material processing liquid prepared in a replenishing tank to the processing tank, and the processing liquid in the replenishing tank is discharged to the outside of the replenishing tank. Pumping means, a replenishing conduit for replenishing the photosensitive material processing liquid discharged by the pumping means into the processing tank while controlling a replenishing amount, and a photosensitive material processing liquid discharged by the pumping means. To the replenishing tank, and a selection conduit capable of selecting functions of a supply conduit for supplying the photosensitive material processing liquid into the processing tank, and a photosensitive material processing liquid discharged from the pump means selectively. And switching means for switching the flow path of the photosensitive material processing liquid so as to guide it to either the replenishment pipeline or the selection pipeline.

According to the present invention, the flow path of the replenisher in the pipe can be selectively guided by the switching means. That is, on the other hand,
The photosensitive material processing liquid discharged by the pump means is guided to a replenishing conduit for replenishing the inside of the processing tank. The replenishing conduit is a conduit for supplying the replenishing liquid in order to compensate for the deterioration of the processing liquid due to the processing of the photosensitive material in the processing tank, and a relatively small amount of replenishing is required.

The other guides the photosensitive material processing liquid discharged by the pump means to the selection conduit. The selection pipeline has a predetermined 2
Replenisher can be sent to one position. One is a circulation line for returning to the replenishment tank again, and by performing this circulation, the treatment liquid in the replenishment tank is agitated and the concentration can be kept uniform. The other one is a supply line to the replenishing tank. Here, unlike the replenishment pipeline, the supply pipeline is a pipeline used when a large amount of the processing solution is supplied in a relatively short time such as when the processing tank is first filled with the processing solution.

As described above, the pipe of the present invention has three functions, and selectively uses the single pump means to selectively supply the photosensitive material processing liquid discharged from the replenishing tank to a desired pipeline (replenishing pipeline, circulation pipeline,
It can be guided to the supply line). Further, since a part of the pipeline is common and the pump means is single, it is possible to perform piping in a narrow space.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows an automatic processor 10 to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.
It is shown. In this automatic processor 10, the exposed film is guided and fed into the insertion table 12.

The film fed from the insertion table 12 is sequentially developed through a developing tank 14, a fixing tank 16, and a washing tank 18 which are processing tanks. The developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16, and the washing tank 18 are respectively filled with the developing solution 20A, the fixing solution 22, and the washing water 24, and the developing rack 26 for fixing the film to each of the solutions 20A, 22 and 24, and fixing. Rack
28, water rack 30 is immersed. As a result, the film is sequentially conveyed in the respective liquids 20A, 22 and 24, and developed, fixed and washed with water. After washing with water, the film is dried 32
To the film storage section 34 after being sent to the drying section 32 and dried in the drying section 32.
To be taken out.

The developing replenisher 20 is automatically replenished into the developing tank 14 from the replenishing tank 36 which is a replenishing tank according to the film length or film area detected by a sensor (not shown). This replenishment is performed by the replenishing device 38.

As shown in FIG. 1, the replenishing device 38 comprises a replenishing pipe 42 forming a replenishing liquid passage, a discharge pump 54, and an orifice 64. The replenishing tank 36 is automatically removed from the replenishing tank 36 by a microcomputer in the control box 58. Replenishment of the prepared replenisher to the developing tank 14 is controlled. That is, a sensor (not shown) provided at the rear end of the insertion table 12 accumulates and stores the film length, and when the film length reaches a certain length, the discharge pump 54 is intermittently driven to replenish the film.

A replenishing pipe 42 for replenishing the replenishing liquid according to the film processing amount from the replenishing tank 36, and a feeding pipe 44 for stirring the replenishing liquid in the replenishing tank 36 or for sending a large amount of the replenishing liquid to the developing tank 14. Each is bendable and deformable. The replenishment pipe 42 and the feeding pipe 44 are connected to an auxiliary pipe 48 via a T-shaped joint 46, and are connected to the lower portion of the replenishment tank 36 via the auxiliary pipe 48. The end portion of the replenishment pipe 42 opposite to the connection end with the joint 46 is disposed above the developing tank 14, and a substantially U-shaped hook 50 provided at this end portion.
Is locked to the upper edge of the developing tank 14 so that the end of the replenishment pipe 42 opens toward the inside of the developing tank 14.

On the other hand, when the developer replenisher is prepared, the end opposite to the connection end with the joint 46 of the feeding pipe 44 is arranged above the replenishment tank 36, and is provided at this end. Almost U-shaped hook
By hooking 52 on the upper edge of the refill tank 36, the end of the feed pipe 44 is opened toward the refill tank 36. The feeding pipe 44 is expandable and contractable, and a large amount of replenisher solution can be sent from the replenishment tank 36 to the developing tank 14. By hooking the hook 52 to the upper edge of the developing tank 14, the end of the feeding pipe 44 opposite to the connecting end of the joint 46 is positioned above the developing tank 14 and directed toward the inside of the developing tank 14. It is designed to open.

The developing replenisher 20 in the replenishing tank 36 is sent to the replenishing pipe 42 and the feeding pipe 44, respectively. This feeding is performed by the discharge pump 54. Discharge pump 54
Is provided between the auxiliary pipe 48 and the replenishment tank 36, and is driven by a motor 56 integrally provided with the discharge pump 54. The motor 56 is the “O” of the development replenisher adjusting solution transfer switch 60 provided in the control box 58.
N "and a command from the processing liquid replenishment control device (not shown) are controlled to rotate. This development replenisher solution transfer solution switch 60
Can be turned on only when a power switch (not shown) for operating the automatic processor 10 is in the "OFF" state. When the developer replenisher solution transfer solution switch 60 is turned "ON" with the power switch ON, the alarm buzzer sounds a warning. The other switch 62 of the control box 58 is a fixing replenisher adjusting liquid feeding switch, and has the same function as the developing replenishing liquid adjusting liquid feeding switch 60 with respect to the fixing replenisher. That is, the discharge pump 54 is operated by the operation of the developing replenisher adjusting liquid feeding switch 60.

The developing replenisher adjusting liquid feeding switch 60 and the fixing replenishing liquid adjusting liquid feeding switch 62 are respectively the liquid adjusting (A), neutral (B), and
It is possible to switch to three stages of liquid transfer (C). Development replenisher solution transfer solution switch at solution preparation (A) and solution supply (C) positions
60 becomes "ON". Keep it neutral except when preparing or sending solutions. The flow rate of the developer replenishing solution 20 sent from the replenishing tank 36 to the replenishing tube 42 by the discharge pump 54 when the feeding cock 66, which will be described later, provided in the liquid feeding tube 44 is closed is restricted by the orifice 64. ing. The orifice 64 is provided in the middle of the refill tube 42.

An electromagnetic valve 65 is provided at an intermediate portion of the replenishment pipe 42 closer to the developing tank 14 than the orifice 64 so that the line can be opened and closed. The solenoid valve 65 is designed to open the conduit only when the power switch is turned on and the film is being processed.

On the other hand, a feeding cock 66 is provided at an intermediate portion of the feeding pipe 44 so as to open and close the conduit. The operation of the transfer cock 66 is performed manually.

Therefore, in the replenishing device 38, when the transfer cock 66 is in the "closed" state and the power switch is operated to turn it on, the solenoid valve 65 becomes "open", the film is processed, and the processing liquid replenishment control device command is issued. As a result, the discharge pump 54 is intermittently operated so that the developer replenishing solution 20 in the replenishing tank 36 is discharged from the replenishing pipe 42 into the developing tank 14. Also, when the feed cock 66 is opened and the developer replenisher feed switch 60 is operated to “ON” to the feed side or the feed side, the solenoid valve 65 closes and the discharge pump 54 operates. Then, the developing replenisher 20 in the replenishing tank 36 is discharged from the feeding pipe 44 into the developing tank 14 or the replenishing tank 36.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When preparing developing replenisher 20 and after developing replenisher 20
The case where the developing tank 14 is filled with a developing replenisher as a developing solution will be described.

When preparing the developer replenisher 20, the power switch must be
The solenoid valve 65 is "closed" because the process is stopped when it is OFF. The hook 52 is hooked on the upper edge of the replenishment tank 36, and with the feeding cock 66 "open", about half the predetermined amount of water (for example, about 10) is added to the replenishment tank 36.
When the developing replenisher adjusting solution switch 60 is operated to the adjusting (A) side, the discharge pump 54 drives the water in the replenishing tank 36 to the adjusting tube 44 by driving the motor 56, and the replenishing tank 36 is again supplied.
Discharge from above. Further, A liquid, B liquid, and C liquid are added from above the replenishment tank 36, and while these liquids are circulated and agitated by the action of the discharge pump 54, water is further added to a predetermined amount (for example, 19). .

In other words, when the developer replenisher adjusting solution transfer switch 60 is operated to "ON" to the solution adjusting side, the discharge pump 54 operates. At this time, the solenoid valve 65 is in the “closed” state. Discharge pump 54
Is activated, the developer replenishing solution 20 consisting of A solution, B solution, C solution and water in the replenishing tank 36 is discharged from the feeding pipe 44 and fed again into the replenishing tank 36, whereby the A solution,
Liquid B, liquid C and water are circulated in the order of replenishment tank 36, discharge pump 54, auxiliary pipe 48, feeding pipe 44, end portion of feeding pipe 44, and replenishment tank 36 to be mixed and stirred. At this time, the solenoid valve 65 is closed.
Since it is in the state, A liquid and B liquid in the refill tank 36
The liquid, the C liquid, and the water are not discharged from the replenishment pipe 42 to the developing tank 14, and are reliably mixed and stirred in the replenishment tank 36.

Next, when replenishing the developer replenisher 20 after the preparation to the developing tank 14, a part of the developer replenisher 20 in the replenishing tank 36 may be sent to the developing tank 14. Developer replenisher 20
When sending the solution to the developer tank 14, first insert the hook 52
The feeding pipe 44 may be hooked on the upper edge of the developing tank 14 so as to open in the developing tank 14, and then the developing replenisher feeding liquid feeding switch 60 may be operated to the liquid feeding side.

Operate the developer replenisher adjustment feed switch 60 to turn it on to the feed side.
Then, the discharge pump 54 is activated, whereby the developer replenishing solution 20 in the replenishing tank 36 passes through the feeding pipe 44 and the developing tank 14
Is discharged inside. At this time, since the power switch is OFF and the process is stopped, the electromagnetic valve 65 is in the “closed” state without operating, and therefore the replenishment solution 20 is not picked up from the replenishment tube 42 and is developed from the transfer tube 44. It is discharged into the tank 14.

Next, an additive solution is added to the developing replenisher solution 20 sent into the developing tank 14 to form a developing solution mother solution (developing solution 20A). Alternatively, the developer replenisher 20 may be used as it is as the developer mother liquor (developer 2A).

As described above, in this embodiment, the developer replenisher 20 is supplied with the replenishment tank 36.
Since the liquid is adjusted inside, an external tank conventionally provided for liquid adjustment can be omitted, so that the cost is reduced. Further, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to send the developer replenisher prepared in the external tank to the replenisher tank 36, and the work is simplified.

Next, when the power switch is turned on and the development process is started,
The film guided into the insertion table 12 and fed into the automatic developing machine 10 is sequentially conveyed in the developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16, and the washing tank 18 by the developing rack 26, the fixing rack 28, and the water rack 30. , The film is developer 20A,
The fixing solution 22 and the washing water 24 are sequentially passed through to be developed, fixed and washed.

The film after the washing process is sent to the drying unit 32, where it is dried.
After being dried at 32, it is taken out to the film accommodating portion 34.

Here, since the developing solution 20A in the developing tank 14 is deteriorated by the processing of the film, the developing replenishing solution 20 in the replenishing tank 36 is automatically fed into the developing tank 14 according to the processing area or the processing length of the film. Discharge pump 54 operates to refill. When the power switch is ON (while the film is being processed), the developer replenisher solution transfer solution switch 60 or the fixer replenisher solution solution transfer switch 62 in the control box 58 is turned ON to the solution supply side or solution preparation side. The alarm buzzer sounds a warning. At this time, the developer replenisher 20 in the replenishment tank 36 is not discharged from the feed pipe 44 into the replenishment tank 36 because the feed cock 66 is in the “closed” state, and the development replenisher 20 passes through the replenishment pipe 42. Is reliably fed into the developing tank 14. The replenishment amount of the development replenisher 20 is determined by the operation time of the discharge pump 54, and the orifice 64 is narrowed down to adjust the delivery amount of the development replenisher 20 per unit operation time of the discharge pump 54.

As described above, in this embodiment, the developer replenisher 20 is supplied with the replenishment tank 36.
The developer replenisher 20 is prepared by using the discharge pump 54 for replenishing the inside of the developer tank 14 from the inside, and after the preparation, the developing tank 14 is prepared.
Since the liquid is sent to the inside, the stirring device, which is conventionally provided for the liquid preparation, and the pump, which is provided for the liquid supply after the liquid preparation, can be omitted and the cost can be reduced.

A separate liquid feed pipe is connected between the feed cock 66 and the hook 52 of the feed pipe 44, and the tip of the liquid feed pipe is arranged so as to be opened in the developing tank 14 by a hook or the like and the pipe is provided in the middle portion. If a cock for opening and closing the passage is provided, it is sufficient to operate the cock instead of operating the hook 52 when the liquid is fed into the developing tank 14, and the work becomes easier.

Although the developing replenisher 20 has been described above, the same operation can be performed with other replenishers such as the fixing replenisher.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the photosensitive material processing liquid replenishing apparatus according to the present invention, the photosensitive material processing liquid is prepared in the replenishing tank in a relatively narrow space, and after the preparation, it is sent to the processing tank through the same piping system. This has an excellent effect of enabling piping in a small space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an apparatus system diagram showing an embodiment of a photosensitive material processing solution replenishing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of an automatic developing machine to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. 14 ... Development tank (processing tank), 20 ... Development replenisher, 36 ... Replenishment tank, (replenishment tank), 42 ... Replenishment pipe (replenishment pipe), 44 ... Sending pipe (selection pipe) , 52 …… Hook, 54 …… Discharge pump (pump means), 65 …… Solenoid valve (switching means), 66 …… Feeding cock (switching means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A photosensitive material processing solution replenishing device for replenishing a processing solution of a photosensitive material prepared in a replenishing tank, with pump means for discharging the processing solution in the replenishing tank to the outside of the replenishing tank. A replenishing pipe for replenishing the processing solution for the photosensitive material discharged by the pump means into the processing tank while controlling the replenishing amount, and a circulation for returning the processing solution for the photosensitive material discharged by the pump means to the replenishing tank. A selection line for selecting the functions of a supply line and a supply line for supplying the photosensitive material processing liquid into the processing tank; and the replenishment conduit for selectively supplying the photosensitive material processing liquid discharged from the pump means. A photosensitive material processing liquid replenishing device having a switching means for switching the flow path of the photosensitive material processing liquid so as to be guided to one of the selection conduits.