JPH07219198A - Solid processing agent container and solid processing agent replenishing device for processing silver halide photographic sensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a solid processing agent replenishing device for a photosensitive material processing device which features good moistureproofing of solid processing agents, remedy to prevent generating and splashing of powder, compactness and good workability and provides a stable photographic performance. CONSTITUTION:This solid processing agent container 33 for processing silver halide photographic sensitive material has a container body 331 which houses the solid processing agent J and has an aperture 331F of permit discharging of this agent and a supply body 333 which has an inlet aperture part 333A connected to the aperture 331F of the container body 331 and an outlet aperture 333B to make adding of the solid processing agent J and replenishing thereof to the processing device possible and is integrated with the container body 331. This solid processing agent replenishing device 34 for processing the silver halide photographic sensitive materials has a container holding member 341 having a loading section 341 which holds the solid processing agent container 33 attachably and detachably in the silver halide photographic sensitive material processing device and a replenishing aperture 341A which communicates with the outlet aperture 33B of the solid processing agent container 33 and makes replenishment of the solid processing agent J to the processing device possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid processing agent container and a solid processing agent replenishing device for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials. More specifically, regarding the improvement of the solid processing agent replenishing mechanism of the automatic developing machine, it is advantageous for downsizing the automatic developing machine, and the melting work is eliminated, and the workability is greatly improved.
Further, the present invention relates to a container and a solid processing agent replenishing device which are excellent in moistureproof effect, prevent deterioration of the solid processing agent, and can obtain stable photographic performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter also referred to as a light-sensitive material) is processed after exposure by steps such as development, desilvering, washing and stabilization. This processing is usually carried out by an automatic processor, in which case a replenisher replenishing system is generally used, and the activity of the processing solution in the processing tank is controlled to be constant.

In the case of the replenishing solution replenishing system, the purpose is to dilute the eluate from the light-sensitive material, replenish the evaporation amount, and replenish the consumption component, and as a result of replenishing the liquid, a large amount of overflow liquid is usually discharged.

In order to process the light-sensitive material commercially, in order to reduce the cost and human labor, reduce the pollution load, downsize the processing apparatus, and improve the commercial value, the processing solution should be as small as possible. It is required to obtain stable and excellent processing performance.

As a method for responding to this demand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-11
Japanese Patent Publication No. 9454 discloses a method in which almost all processing agent components are converted into a solid processing agent and directly charged into a processing tank.

However, in this method, the solid processing agent absorbs moisture during continuous operation over a long period of time, and a blocking phenomenon occurs in the storage container, so that it cannot be added to the processing tank of the automatic processor. I knew it was. Furthermore, when setting these solid processing agents in an automatic processor,
The solid processing agent may come into contact with an operator, and some of the photographic processing agent compositions in use fall under the category of poisonous substances. Therefore, these problems can be solved. Is desired.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, improve the moisture-proof property of the solid processing agent, and replace the photographic processing agent with one touch without touching the hand. Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid processing agent container for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material and a solid processing agent replenishing device, which have good workability and can obtain stable photographic performance and replenishing operation.

[0008]

Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, a solid processing agent container for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention is installed in a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus, and a solid processing agent in which an appropriate amount of the solid processing agent stored in a storage container is added to the processing apparatus. In the agent container, a container main body having an opening for accommodating the solid processing agent and allowing the solid processing agent to be discharged, an inlet opening connected to the opening of the container main body, and the treatment by adding the solid processing agent At least a supply main body having an outlet opening for allowing the device to be replenished and being integral with the container main body.

The solid processing agent replenishing device for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention is installed in a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus and contains a solid processing agent to be added in an appropriate amount to the processing apparatus. A loading portion for removably holding the agent container in the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus, and a replenishing opening portion which communicates with an outlet opening of the solid processing agent container and enables replenishment of the solid processing agent to the processing apparatus. It has a container holding member having.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a solid processing agent replenishing device for processing a photosensitive material according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An example of an automatic developing machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as an automatic processor) to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a front view of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus (printer processor) in which an automatic processing machine A and a photographic printing machine B are integrally formed, and FIG. Machine A
FIG.

In FIG. 1, in the lower left part of the photographic printing machine B, printing paper p which is an unexposed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is provided.
A magazine M containing a in a roll is set. The printing paper pa pulled out from the magazine is the feed roller R1.
Then, the sheet is cut into a predetermined size through the cutter portion C to form a sheet of photographic printing paper pa. This sheet of photographic paper pa is
The original image O is exposed by the light source and the lens L in the exposure section E by being conveyed by the belt conveying means Be. The exposed sheet photographic printing paper pa is further conveyed by a plurality of pairs of feed rollers R2, R3, R4 and introduced into the automatic developing machine A. In the automatic developing machine A, the sheet-shaped printing paper pa is
Color developing tank 1A and bleach-fixing tank 1 are processing tanks.
B, in the stabilizing tanks 1C, 1D, 1E (substantially three processing tanks 1) are sequentially conveyed by the roller conveying means (reference symbol None), and color development processing, bleach-fixing processing, and stabilization processing are performed respectively. Done. The sheet-shaped photographic printing paper pa that has been subjected to each of the above processes is dried in the drying unit 6 and discharged to the outside of the machine.

The alternate long and short dash line in the figure indicates the transport path of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material. Further, 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 A in a strip shape. 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. Further, it goes without saying that the automatic developing machine A according to the present invention may be configured integrally with the photo printing machine B or may be the automatic developing machine A alone. Further, the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processed by the automatic processor A according to the present invention is not limited to the exposed printing paper pa,
It goes without saying that a negative film that has been exposed may be used. Further, as an explanation of the present invention, description will be made on an automatic processor A having a processing tank 1 of substantially three tanks including a color developing tank 1A, a bleach-fixing tank 1B, and stabilizing tanks 1C, 1D and 1E.
The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied even to an automatic developing machine having a substantially four-tank structure having a color developing tank, a bleaching tank, a fixing tank, and a stabilizing tank. The above color developing tank 1
Each of the processing tanks A, bleach-fixing tank 1B and stabilizing tank 1E is provided with dissolution tanks 2A, 2B and 2E and solid processing agent supply devices 3A, 3B and 3E for providing solid processing agents. A water tank 4 supplies replenishing water to the color developing tank 1A and the stabilizing tank 1E.

FIG. 2 shows an automatic processor A and a sorter S according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an entire automatic developing machine A in which the above are integrally combined. In the figure, the lid 303 of the automatic developing machine A is opened upward, and the storage containers 33A, 33B, 33E storing the solid processing agent are inserted into the mounting portion (not shown) and set in place.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the processing agent input section and the processing agent supply means of the color developing tank 1A, which is a processing tank in the I-I section of the automatic processor A of FIG. In addition, the bleach-fixing tank 1B,
Since the stabilizing tank 1E has the same structure as the color developing tank 1A, the color developing tank 1A, the bleach-fixing tank 1B, and the stabilizing tank 1E are all referred to when the processing tank 1 is described below. 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, a case where tablets are used as the solid processing agent will be described.

The processing tank 1 for processing the photosensitive material is a solid processing agent charging section 20 for supplying a solid processing agent (tablet) J integrally provided outside the partition wall forming the processing tank 1 and a circulating tank 2. Have. A communication window 21A between the processing tank 1 and the circulation tank 2
It is partitioned by a partition wall 21 in which the processing liquid is circulated. Since the solid processing agent injection section 20 provided above the circulation tank 2 is provided with the enclosure 25 for receiving the solid processing agent J, the solid processing agent J does not move to the processing tank 1 in a solid state. It should be noted that the enclosure 25 has a mesh shape or a filter shape through which the processing liquid can pass but the solid processing agent J cannot pass until the solid solution J is completely dissolved.

The cylindrical filter 22 is provided below the circulation tank 2 so as to be replaceable, and has a function of removing insoluble matters such as paper waste in the processing liquid. Inside this filter 22,
Circulation pipe 23A provided through the lower wall of the circulation tank 2
Through the suction side of the circulation pump 24 (circulation means).

The circulation system is composed of circulation pipes 23A and 23B forming a liquid circulation passage and a circulation pump 24. The other end of the circulation pipe 23B communicating with the discharge side of the circulation pump 24 penetrates the lower wall of the processing tank 1 and communicates with the processing tank 1. With such a configuration, the circulation pump
When 24 operates, the processing liquid is sucked from the circulation tank 2 and discharged to the processing tank 1, the processing liquid mixes with the processing liquid in the processing tank 1, and the circulation into the constant temperature tank 2 is repeated. The flow rate of the circulation flow is preferably 0.1 (rotation = circulation amount / tank volume) or more with respect to the tank volume per minute, and more preferably 0.5 to 2.0 rotations. Further, the circulation direction of the processing liquid is not limited to the direction shown in FIG. 3, and may be the opposite direction.

The waste liquid pipe 11 is used for overflowing the processing liquid in the processing tank 1. The waste liquid pipe 11 keeps the liquid surface level constant, and the components brought into the photosensitive material from other processing tanks and the photosensitive material. The component leaching from the material is stored,
Helps prevent the increase.

The rod-shaped heater 26 is arranged so as to penetrate the upper wall of the circulation tank 2 and be immersed in the treatment liquid in the circulation tank 2. The heater 26 heats the processing liquid in the circulation tank 2 and the processing tank 1, in other words, keeps the processing liquid in the processing tank 1 within a temperature range (for example, 20 to 55 ° C.) suitable for processing. It is a temperature adjusting means. Reference numeral 28 denotes a replenishing water supplier, which supplies replenishing water W sent from the water tank 4 by the pump 27 to above the processing liquid surface of the circulation tank 2. Reference numeral 29 is a guide member that receives the solid processing agent J dropped from the solid processing agent replenishing device 30 and guides it to the solid processing agent input unit 20.

The processing amount information detecting means 31 is provided at the entrance of the automatic processor A and is used for detecting the processing amount of the photosensitive material to be processed. The processing amount information detecting means 31 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 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 31 may be any one capable of detecting the width and the conveyance time of the photosensitive material such as an infrared sensor, a micro switch, an ultrasonic sensor. Further, in the case of a device capable of indirectly detecting the processed area of a photosensitive material, for example, in the case of a printer processor as shown in FIG. It may be detected. Furthermore, the detection timing is before the treatment in this example, but may be after the treatment or during the immersion in the treatment liquid (in such a case,
This can be done by appropriately changing the position where the processing amount information detecting means 31 is provided to a position that can be detected after processing or a position that can be detected during processing). Furthermore, as the information to be detected, the processing area of the photosensitive material has been described in the above description, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing amount of the photosensitive material to be processed, processed, or being processed is not limited to this. It may be a proportional value, and may be the concentration of the treatment liquid contained in the treatment tank or a change in the concentration. Further, the processing amount information detecting means 31
Need not be provided for each processing tank 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, but it is preferable to provide one for each automatic processing machine A. Reference numeral 32 is a processing amount supply control means for receiving the signal from the processing amount information detecting means 31 and controlling the processing amount supply of the processing agent.

The solid processing agent replenishing apparatus 30 according to the present invention is set above each processing tank of the photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing the exposed photosensitive material, and the storage containers 33A, 33B, 33E (hereinafter referred to as "containers").
33), a solid processing agent supply means 34, and a driving means, and they are sealed by an upper cover 301. The upper cover 301 is swingably connected to a main body 101 that houses the processing bath 1 and the constant temperature bath 2 by a support shaft 302 at the back of the main body, and the upper cover 301 is lifted in the direction of the chain line A in the figure. By greatly opening the front surface and the upper surface on the operator side, the solid processing agent replenishing device 30 can be inspected and the filter 22 can be replaced.

A lid 303 is swingably connected to a part of the upper surface of the upper cover 301, and the lid 303 is opened in the direction of the alternate long and short dash line B in FIG. Exchange.

FIG. 4 shows various shapes of the tablet type solid processing agent J. FIG. 4 (A) is a cross-sectional view of a flat solid processing agent J having a circular cross section (a rounded chamfer (r) is formed at a corner, and FIG. 4 (E) is the solid processing agent J. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a drum-shaped solid processing agent J having a circular cross-section with flat upper and lower surfaces and a convex circular surface R on the circumferential surface. C) is a cross-sectional view of a go-stone solid processing agent J having a circular cross section and upper and lower surfaces having a spherical shape.
FIG. 4D shows a donut-shaped solid processing agent J having a hollow hole.
FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a storage container (cartridge) 33 for storing the tablet type solid processing agent J, FIG. 5 (A) is a plan view including a partially cutaway sectional view, and FIG. 5 (B) is the storage container. 33 is a side view, FIG. 6 (A) is a partial side sectional view of the storage container 33, and FIG. 6 (B) is an AA sectional view. 7 shows the container body 33
The perspective view of 1 is shown.

The storage container 33 has a hollow rectangular column-shaped container body 331 for storing a plurality of tablet-type solid processing agents J and the other of the container body 331 facing the opening 331F for discharging the solid processing agent J. A cap member 332 for closing the opening and an inlet opening 333 fixed to the opening 331F side of the container body 331.
A supply main body 333 having A and an outlet opening 333B, a rotary conveying member (rotor) 334 rotatably supported in the supply main body 333, and an inlet opening 333A of the supply main body 333 can be moisture-proof. It is composed of a sealing means 335.

Three partition walls 331S are integrally fixed to the inside of the container body 331, and the inside of the container body 331 is divided into four compartments 331A, 331B, 331C and 331D. The outer circumferences of the substantially cylindrical solid processing agent J are circumscribed in the respective compartments, and about 10 of each can be accommodated in a column. That is, ten solid processing agents J1A to J10A are stored in the first compartment 331A and second solid compartments 331
B has the same number of solid processing agents J1B as J1
C and J1D are stored respectively.

A projecting strip 331E projects from the bottom of each compartment of the container body 331 to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the solid processing agent J at a point to facilitate the movement of the solid processing agent J, and at the same time, to perform the solid processing. The powder dropped from the agent J is dropped from the top of the protrusion 331E. Since the powder that has fallen off the solid processing agent J is collected in the groove below the protrusion 331E, even if the powder adheres in this groove, the solid processing agent J moves on the protrusion 331E without any problem.

Inside the supply body 333, an inlet opening 333A for fixing the opening 331F side of the container body 331 and communicating with the opening 331F, and an outlet opening 333B for discharging the solid processing agent J are opened. ing. Further, a rotary conveyance member (rotor) 334 is slidably supported on a cylindrical inner wall portion inside the supply main body 333. In the supply main body 333, after the rotary conveyance member 334 is mounted on the cylindrical inner wall portion, the supply main body 333 is closed by the lid member 335 to be in a sealed state. That is, the rotary shaft portions 334E at both ends of the rotary transport member 334 are rotatably supported by the bearing portion of the supply main body 334 and the bearing portion of the lid member 335. Elastic rings 336 are attached to these bearings to seal the gaps between the bearings and prevent outside air from entering. One rotation shaft portion 334E of the rotary conveyance member 334
A gear G2 is fixed to the gear G2 so that the gear G2 can be brought into contact with and separated from a gear train of a driving means described later.

FIG. 8E is a perspective view of the rotary transport member (rotor) 334 built in the supply main body 333. Figure 8
(A), (B), (C), and (D) are cross-sectional views of each stage constituting the rotor 334. In the rotor 334, four stages of rotor parts are integrated on a coaxial core. The rotor part of each of these stages has one receiving part (pocket part) 345A, 3
34B, 334C, and 334D are perforated so that one solid processing agent J can be received in each receiving portion. Since the respective receiving portions 334A, 334B, 334C, 334D are shifted in phase by 90 °, the solid processing agent J sequentially charged from each opening 331F of the container body 331 when the rotor 334 makes one rotation.
Are loaded in the respective receiving portions 334A, 334B, 334C, 334D and discharged one by one from the outlet opening 333B.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view showing the storage container 33 taken out from the storage container holding means 34.

A gear G2 is fixed to one end of the rotary shaft portion 334E of the rotor 334, and a storage container holding means 34 described later is provided.
It is meshed with an intermediate gear G1 connected to a gear G0 on the drive shaft of the DC motor M of the drive source provided in the above.

Coil springs 337 are hooked on both shaft ends of the rotary shaft portion 334E, and a pin is planted in the supply main body 333.
It is stretched between 333C. As a result, the outer periphery of the rotor 334, which is integral with the rotating shaft portion 334E, is urged to the right in the figure and pressed against the cylindrical inner wall sliding surface of the supply main body 333. Even if there is a rotation gap between each of the bearing portions of the cover member 333 and the cover member 335, no gap is generated on the sliding surface of the inner wall, and the entry of outside air is prevented.

A spring-biased lock claw member 338 is swingably supported on a part of the lid member 335, and a tip claw portion of the lock claw member 338 is a tooth portion of the gear G2. Is approaching lightly. As a result, the rotation of the rotor 334 integrated with the gear G2 is lightly restricted, and the coil spring 3
The rotor 334 does not rotate carelessly with the urging force of 37.

The fixed frame body 341 of the holding means (storage container holding member) 34 has a replenishment opening 341A formed near the center thereof, through which four solid processing agents J can be dropped. The supply opening 341
The cavity above A is a loading section 341B into which the supply body 333 of the storage container 33 is removably loaded. The supply opening 341
A shutter member 342 having an elastic pad 343, which will be described later, is swingable on the lower surface side of A to open and close the supply opening 341A.

There is a tightening screw 344 on the upper part of the fixed frame 341, and the storage container 33 is fixed to the holding means 34 by loading the storage container 33 into the holding means 34 and then tightening it. It can be replenished. Reference numeral 345 is a moisture-proof elastic ring stretched around the inside of the loading portion 341B near the entrance.

Next, the drive mechanism for the rotor 334 and the shutter member 342 will be described with reference to the sectional view of FIG. 10 showing the loaded state of the storage container 33 and FIG. The drive rotation of the motor M causes the gear G2 to rotate via the intermediate gear G1.
Since the number of teeth of the gear G0 and the gear G2 is set to 1: 4, one rotation of the drive shaft of the motor M causes the rotor 334 to rotate 1/4 rotation to drop one solid processing agent J. In addition to the gear connection, an intermittent drive system such as a cam or a pin lever is also possible. On the other hand, in the eccentric pin 346 of the intermediate gear G1,
A shutter member 342 swingable about a support shaft 347 is engaged with one end of the shutter member 342 so that the shutter member 342 swings about the support shaft 347. The supply opening 341A can be opened and closed. An elastic pad 343 is attached to the upper surface of the shutter member 342, and the shutter member 342 is urged by the urging force of a spring 348, so that the elastic pad 3
The 43 makes pressure contact with and seals the supply opening 341A to prevent outside air from entering from below.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the storage container 33 is loaded and fixed in the holding means 34, and the shutter member 342 is shown.
The elastic pad 343 shields the supply opening 341A to enhance the moisture-proof effect. Shutter member shown by broken line in FIG.
Reference numeral 342 indicates an open state.

FIG. 11 is a front sectional view showing another embodiment of the means for fixing and locking the storage container 33 to the holding means 34. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Further, the points different from the above embodiment will be described. A locking lever 352 swingably supported by a support shaft 351 of two fixed holding portions 350 provided on the fixed frame 341.
Is biased by a spring 353. 354 is a locking lever 352
Is a stopper that regulates the swing of the. On the other hand, the supply body 333 of the storage container 33 is formed with an inclined surface portion 333D that engages with the tip end portion of the locking lever 352. Holding means 3 for storing container 33
When the container 33 is pushed into the loading section 341B and mounted, the storage container 33 is locked by the locking lever 352 with one touch against the biasing force of the spring. When removing the storage container 33,
By holding 352 and pressing it in the direction of the arrow, the locking lever 3
The tip end of 52 is disengaged from the inclined surface portion 333D for locking and the storage container 33 can be taken out upward.

In FIG. 12, the holding means 34 is provided with a retractable clamp screw member 361, and the storage container 33 is held by the holding means 34.
, The clamp screw member 361 is erected and inserted into the notch groove portion of the flange portion 333F of the storage container 33, and the nut 3 is inserted.
It is screwed by 62. When removing the storage container 33, the storage container 33 is taken out by loosening the nut 362 and tilting the clamp screw member 361 to separate it from the flange portion 333F.

11 and 12 are views showing a replenishing state in which the storage container 33 is held substantially vertically. The loading portion 341B of the storage container holding means 34 faces substantially upward, and in this state the storage container 33 can be easily inserted and loaded from above. In this state, the rotor 334 may be rotated to replenish the solid processing agent J. However, if it is left as it is, there is a drawback that the total height of the solid processing agent supply device is high and the entire device becomes large.

Therefore, the accommodating container holding member 341 is structured to be swingable, and after accommodating the accommodating container 33, the holding member 341 is tilted and brought into contact with the stopper 349 to be tilted and supported. This is effective in saving space (see Fig. 13).

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which a plurality of sets of storage containers 33 in which a container main body 331 and a supply main body 333 according to the present invention are integrally formed are arranged in a row to form a unit.

The solid processing agent replenishing device 30 described above is the automatic processor A.
However, there is a demand for arranging the solid processing agent replenishing device 30 also for the conventional automatic developing machine A outlined above. Figure
The solid processing agent replenishing device 30 shown in FIG. 14 is capable of meeting the above-mentioned demands, and is a unit of a plurality of storage containers 33A, 33B, 33E arranged in a row and arranged outside the machine A. A timely / appropriate amount of the solid processing agent is discharged from each replenishment opening from each of the storage containers 33A, 33B, 33E, conveyed by guide means (not shown), and replenished in the corresponding processing tank or circulation tank. This storage container is a wall type, and each container body contains about 10 solid processing agents in a row, so the installation area is minimal and it can be installed compactly near the automatic processing machine A. There are some advantages.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining the inclined charging and conveying process of the solid processing agent J by the supply means 34. Rotor 334
By the drive rotation of the rotors 334A to 334
The process in which the solid processing agent J charged in 34D is sequentially conveyed by rotation and discharged and dropped from the supply opening 341A is schematically illustrated.

In the above description, four solid processing agents J
Since they are sequentially dropped one by one, a guide member (chute) 29 through which one solid processing agent J can pass is provided below the solid processing agent replenishing device 30 so that even a narrow space above the circulation tank 2 can be easily provided. Can be dropped, and replacement work for taking out the filter 22 upward is easy.

FIG. 16 shows a storage container (cartridge) 330 for storing the tablet type solid processing agent J, FIG. 16 (A) is a front sectional view, FIG. 16 (B) is a side sectional view of the storage container 330, Figure 1
FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of the storage container 330.

The storage container 330 includes a first container body (upper body) 3301 for storing a plurality of tablet-type solid processing agents J,
It has a two-part structure below the upper body 3301 and a second container body (lower body) 3302 that accommodates and rotatably supports the rotary conveying member 3304, and is integrally configured vertically by screws or the like. . After mounting the rotary conveying member 3304, the lower body 3302 is closed by the lid member 3303 to be in a hermetically sealed moisture-proof state. That is, the rotary shaft portions at both ends of the rotary conveyance member 3304.
The 3304E is rotatably supported by the lower main body 3302, the bearing portion, and the bearing portion of the lid member 3303. Note that the lid member 3303
An O-ring 3305 is attached to the bearing part of the device to prevent outside air from entering.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the inside of the outer wall of the upper main body 331, which has a rounded top, is partitioned by a U-shaped partition wall, and a central compartment 3301A and its left side are provided. It is composed of three branch chambers, namely, a branch chamber 3301B and a right branch chamber 3301C, and the lower part of each branch chamber is open, forming outlet openings 3301AO, 3301BO, 3301CO, respectively. In the upper main body 3301 shown in the figure, there are two in the central compartment 3301A, four in the left compartment 3301B, and four in the right compartment 3301C.
A solid processing agent J is stored. In this way, as shown in FIG. 16 (B), the storage chambers in which the ten solid processing agents J are arranged in a plane are arranged in parallel in the thickness direction of the solid processing agents J through the partition walls in four stages, and in each stage. It is possible to store 10 solid treatment agents J each, 40 in total.

Inside the lower body 3302, the solid processing agent J
A discharge opening portion 3302A for discharging is opened. Also,
A rotary transfer member (rotor) 3304 that receives the solid processing agent J falling from each of the compartments 3301A, 3301B, and 3301C and can be driven and rotated is supported by a rotary shaft portion 3304E.

The supply device main body 340 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. The fixed frame body 3401 of the supply device main body 340 is provided with a replenishment opening 3401A in the vicinity of the center through which four solid processing agents J can be dropped. Around the upper surface side of the supply opening 3401A,
The lower main body 3302 of the storage container 330 is detachably loaded. A shutter member 3402 having an elastic pad 3403 is swingable on the lower surface side of the supply opening 3401A to open and close the supply opening 3401A.

Two fastening screws 34 are provided on the upper part of the fixed frame body 3401.
04 is swingable, and after loading the storage container 330 into the supply device main body 340, the flange portion 3301F of the upper main body 3301
The storage container 330 is fixed to the supply device main body 340 by fitting it in the notch groove and tightening the nut 3405, and the solid processing agent J can be replenished.

Next, the rotor 3304 and the shutter member 3402
The drive mechanism of the above will be described with reference to FIG. The rotation of the motor M drives the gear G2 through the intermediate gear G1.
Is rotated. Since the number of teeth of the gear G0 and the gear G2 is set to 1: 4, one rotation of the drive shaft of the motor M causes the rotor 3304 to rotate 1/4, and one solid processing agent J is dropped. In addition to the gear connection, an intermittent drive system such as a cam or a pin lever is also possible. On the other hand, one end of a crank 3407 is fitted to the eccentric pin 3406 of the intermediate gear G1 and can swing. The other end of the crank 3407 has a support shaft 3408.
Is engaged with one end of a shutter member 3402 swingable around the
3402 swings around the support shaft 3408, and the supply opening 3401A
Can be opened and closed. An elastic pad 3403 is attached to the upper surface of the shutter member 3402, and the shutter member 3402 is biased by the biasing force of the spring 3409, and the elastic pad 3403 presses and seals the supply opening 3401A from below. The outside air is prevented from entering.

In order to easily and surely attach the container 330 and the feeder main body 340, the intermediate gear G1 is provided with a positioning mark G1A, and the gear G2 connected to the intermediate gear G1 is provided with a positioning mark G2A. It is advisable to visually confirm G1A and G2A and mount the storage container 33. Also, the intermediate gear G
1 and the gear G2 are sharpened by the dislocation so that the tooth tips of the gears do not hurt when touched by hand, and both gears G when the storage container 33 is mounted.
Makes meshing of 1 and G2 easy.

In the solid processing agent and the solid processing agent replenishing device for processing the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention, the tablet type solid processing agent J is particularly preferable as the solid processing agent, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead, it can be applied to replenishing solid processing agents in the form of granules, powder, or pills. Hereinafter, a granular solid processing agent container and a replenishing device will be described as typical examples.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a solid processing agent container 33 and a replenishing device 34 for replenishing the granular solid processing agent K. In addition,
Regarding the reference numerals used in this figure, the portions having the same functions as those in FIGS. 11 and 12 are given the same reference numerals as those in the above-mentioned embodiment. Further, the points different from the above embodiment will be described.

Container body of solid processing agent container (storage container) 33
The solid processing agent container 33 including the container main body 331 in which the granular solid processing agent K is stored, the supply main body 333, and the rotary transport member 334 is loaded in the solid frame 341 of the container holding means 34. In other words, it is clamped and fixed by the clamp means 362. As the clamp means 362, a known mechanism such as screw fixing, cam fixing, or clamp fixing can be appropriately used.
Reference numeral 363 denotes an elastic packing which, when the container 33 is loaded, is brought into close contact with the fixed frame body 341 to enhance the moisture-proof effect.

After mounting and fixing the solid processing agent container 33 on the container holding means 34, the granules stored in the receiving portion 334A of the rotor 334 are driven and rotated by the driving means in the direction of the arrow of the transport rotating member (rotor) 334. The mold solid processing agent K is conveyed, and the replenishment opening 341 at the bottom is opened when the shutter member 342 is opened.
It is dropped from A and replenished in the processing tank.

[0059]

As described above, the solid processing agent replenishing device of the present invention has an excellent moistureproof effect even when the storage container is not loaded, and is effective in improving the workability of the storage container replacement.
In particular, it has an excellent effect that a predetermined amount of the tablet type solid processing agent can be reliably fed to the processing tank to obtain stable photographic performance.

Further, the solid processing agent held in the storage container does not absorb moisture due to the processing solution vapor at the time of replenishment, the moisture-proof state is completely maintained, and it is effective for stabilizing the quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an automatic developing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the automatic developing machine.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view showing various shapes of a tablet-type solid processing agent.

5A and 5B are a plan view and a side view of a storage container that stores the solid processing agent.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view and a front sectional view of the storage container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view and a sectional view of a rotary conveyance member (rotor).

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view showing a state in which the storage container is removed from the holding means.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a loaded state of the storage container.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the locking means of the storage container.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the locking means of the storage container.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an inclinable storage container and a holding unit.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a storage container unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of slanting and feeding a solid processing agent by means of the solid processing agent supply means.

FIG. 16 is a front sectional view and a side sectional view showing another embodiment of the solid processing agent storage container.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the storage container and holding means.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a granular solid processing agent storage container and a replenishing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Treatment tank 2, 2C, 2D Circulation tank 2A, 2B, 2E Dissolution tank 3A, 3B, 3E Solid processing agent supply device 20 Solid processing agent input part 21 Partition wall 21A Communication window 22 Filter 23A, 23B Circulation pipe 24 Circulation pump 25 Enclosure 26 Heater 27 Pump 28 Replenishing water supplier 29 Guide member 30 Solid processing agent replenishing device 31 Processing amount information detecting means 32 Processing amount supply controlling means 33 Storage container (cartridge, solid processing agent) 331 Container body 331F Opening part 332 Cap member 333 Supplying body 333A Inlet opening part 333B Outlet opening part 333C Pin 334 Rotary conveying member (rotor) 335 Lid member 336 Elastic ring 337 Coil spring 338 Lock claw member 34 Container holding means 341 Fixed Frame (container holding member) 341A Supply opening 341B Loading portion 342 Shutter member 343 Elastic pad 344 Tightening screw 345 Elastic ring 346 Eccentric pin 347 Spindle 348 Spring 350 Fixed holding number 351 Spindle 352 Locking lever 352 Spring 361 Clamp screw member A Automatic developing machine (automatic developing machine) G0, G1, G2 Gear M Motor J Tablet type solid processing agent

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A solid processing agent container which is installed in a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus and in which an appropriate amount of the solid processing agent housed in a housing container is added to the processing apparatus. A container main body having an opening through which the agent can be discharged, an inlet opening connected to the opening of the container main body, and an outlet opening through which the solid processing agent can be added and replenished to the processing apparatus. A solid processing agent container for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, comprising at least a supply body which is integrated with the container body. 2. A rotary transport member that is rotatably supported inside the supply main body, receives the solid processing agent in the container main body, rotationally transports it in the supply main body, and discharges it from the outlet opening. A solid processing agent container for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 1. 3. The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a sealing means for urging the rotary conveyance member to close the inlet opening of the supply main body in a moisture-proof manner. Solid processing agent container. 4. The solid processing agent container for processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the solid processing agent is in the form of granules or tablets. 5. A solid processing agent container installed in a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus and containing a solid processing agent to be added to the processing apparatus in an appropriate amount is detachably held in the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus. A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, comprising: a container holding member having a loading section for supplying the solid processing agent to the processing apparatus, and a replenishing opening for communicating the solid processing agent to the processing apparatus. Solid processing agent replenishing device for processing. 6. A shutter member that hermetically closes the replenishing opening so as to be moisture-proof and opens only when replenishing the solid processing agent, and drive means for driving and rotating the rotary conveying member and opening and closing the shutter member. The solid processing agent replenishing device for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 5, which comprises: