JPH0728222A - Photosensitive material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the washing load. CONSTITUTION:A valve 108 for discharging water is opened by a controller 100 when an automatic water discharge switch 112 is turned on, and washing water in a washing tank 28 is discharged into a waste liq. tank 106. The valve 108 is then closed and a water supply valve 102 is opened, and the washing replenishing tank 96 is supplied into the washing tank 28 to a reference level. A motor 88 is then driven to rotate each pair of rollers of a conveyor rack 42. A cycle consisting of the discharge of washing water, water supply to the washing tank 28 and rotation of the pair of rollers is conducted twice, and the precipitate, deposit, etc., in the washing tank 28 are removed. Finally, the valve 108 is opened to discharge the washing water from the tank 28, and washing is finished.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus, and more particularly to a photosensitive material processing apparatus having a processing tank for storing a cleaning liquid for cleaning the photosensitive material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic developing machine, which is a type of a photosensitive material processing apparatus, is provided with a plurality of processing tanks such as a developing tank, a fixing tank, and a washing tank. Etc. are stored. A transport rack provided with transport rollers and guides is arranged in each processing tank.
The photosensitive material sent into the automatic developing machine is sequentially conveyed into each processing tank by a transfer rack, and after being immersed in each processing solution to be processed, the photosensitive material is dried in a drying section arranged on the downstream side of the processing tank. .

By the way, in the rinse tank or the rinse tank arranged between the treatment tanks, long-term storage of the rinse water causes water stains, water algae, etc., to be deposited as a precipitate on the bottom or the like, or washed water. There is a case in which it adheres as an adhering substance to each part of the transport rack disposed in, for example, the surface of the transport roller, which adversely affects the washing performance. Further, it may float near the surface of the wash water and generate an offensive odor, or the drainage pipe may be blocked during drainage to deteriorate the drainage function. In addition, it also causes the filter placed in the circulation line provided with a liquid feed pump that guides the wash water in the wash tank to the outside of the wash tank and then returns it to the wash tank. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically perform a work of discharging the washing water from the washing tank and washing the transport rack in the washing tank after the operation of the automatic developing machine is completed for one day.

[0004]

However, in the above work, the drain valve of the washing tank is directly operated to discharge the washing water from the washing tank, and then clean water is supplied and stored in the washing tank. By repeating the work of driving the transport roller or rotating it manually, it is a work to wash away the deposits and deposits in the water washing tank, which is completed by closing the drain valve firmly and filling it with clean water after washing. It was a complicated task.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and an object thereof is to obtain a photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of reducing the burden of cleaning work.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a processing tank for storing a cleaning liquid for cleaning the photosensitive material, and a photosensitive tank disposed in the processing tank. A transport roller that transports the material in the cleaning liquid, a driving unit that drives the transport roller, a supply unit that supplies the cleaning liquid into the processing bath, and a discharge and stop of the cleaning liquid stored in the processing bath. Discharge means for performing, instruction means for instructing cleaning of the inside of the processing tank, and control means for operating the discharge means, the supply means, and the drive means in a predetermined order according to the instruction of the instruction means. It is configured to include.

[0007]

In the present invention, the instruction means for instructing the cleaning of the inside of the processing tank is provided, and the discharging means, the supplying means, and the driving means are operated in a predetermined order according to the instruction of the instructing means. The liquid stored in the inside is discharged by the discharging means, or the discharging is stopped, and the cleaning liquid is supplied and stored in the processing tank by the supplying means, and the driving means is operated to rotate the conveying roller a predetermined number of times. For example, the cleaning of the inside of the processing tank and the transportation roller is performed by the control of the control means. By the above operation, the deposits deposited on the bottom or the like in the treatment tank and the deposits or the like attached to the respective portions in the treatment tank are washed and removed. Therefore, if the instruction means (for example, turning on the automatic cleaning button) is instructed to wash the photosensitive material processing apparatus at regular intervals, for example, after one day of operation, the cleaning solution will be discharged and the inside of the processing tank will be discharged. Is automatically washed and the scales and algae that have settled in and adhered to the treatment tank are removed, so that the burden of the washing work is reduced and the washing work can be performed reliably.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an automatic developing device 10 as a photosensitive material processing device according to this embodiment. The automatic developing apparatus 10 is one in which a film 12, which is an example of a light-sensitive material, is sequentially dipped in a developing solution, a fixing solution, and rinsing water, processed, and then dried.

The automatic developing device 10 includes a developing section 18 having a developing tank 16 in a machine frame 14 and a fixing section 2 having a fixing tank 20.
2. A rinse section 26 having the rinse tank 24, a water washing section 30 having a water washing tank 28, and a drying section 68 are provided.
The developing tank 16 stores a developing solution, the fixing tank 20 stores a fixing solution, and the rinse tank 24 and the washing tank 28 store washing water.

As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid level sensor 82 for detecting the liquid level of the rinsing water is provided in the rinsing tank 28. The liquid level sensor 82 includes a pair of electrodes at a height position corresponding to the reference level of the wash water in the wash tank 28.
When the liquid level of the wash water is equal to or higher than the reference level, the wash water comes into contact with the pair of electrodes and is turned on. Although illustration is omitted, a liquid level sensor having the same configuration is also provided in the developing tank 16 and the fixing tank 20.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of roller pairs 32, 3 are provided in the developing tank 16, the fixing tank 20, and the washing tank 28.
Conveying racks 38, 40 and 42 respectively having Nos. 4 and 36 (roller pairs 32 and 36 in the case of the washing tank 28) are soaked in a developing solution, a fixing solution and washing water, respectively. The film 12 is formed by these roller pairs in each processing tank.
A substantially U-shaped transport path for sandwiching and transporting is formed.
In addition, in the vicinity of these roller pairs 32, 34, 36,
A guide for guiding the film 12 in a predetermined direction is provided as needed.

Each roller pair of the transport racks 38, 40, 42 is connected to the gear of the drive shaft of one motor 84 via a transmission mechanism (not shown) composed of a combination of gears. The driving force is transmitted and rotated. As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 84 includes a driver 90.
Is connected to the control device 100 via
The drive is controlled by 00.

The film 12 is inserted into the automatic processor 10 through the insertion port 48 shown in FIG. In the vicinity of the insertion port 48, a film sensor 8 for detecting the passage of the film 12 and detecting the width dimension of the passing film 12 is detected.
0 is provided. As an example, the film sensor 80 can be configured by arranging a plurality of pairs of a light emitting element and a light receiving element that face each other across the passage of the film 12 along the width direction of the film 12. In this case,
In order to prevent the film 12 from being exposed to light, a light emitting element that emits light outside the film sensitivity range (for example, infrared range) may be used as a light emitting element, and a light receiving element having sensitivity to light having the wavelength may be used as a light receiving element.

By arranging a plurality of driven rollers that rotate with the passage of the film 12 along the width direction of the film 12 in the vicinity of the insertion port 48, it is possible to detect whether or not each driven roller has rotated. The passage of the film 12 and the width dimension of the film 12 may be detected.

A roller pair 50 is provided in the transport rack 38 of the developing tank 16 so as to correspond to the insertion port 48, and the film 12 inserted from the insertion port 48 is nipped and transported. The film 12 sandwiched by the roller pair 50 is guided by a guide plate (not shown) (integrally formed with the transport rack 38), and the transport direction is changed by approximately 90 ° to be changed downward.
It is nipped by the roller pair 32. In addition, the transport rack 38
At the outlet side of the, part of the lower roller is processing liquid (developing liquid)
The roller pair 52 in the state of being dipped in is disposed. The roller pair 52 has a role of guiding the film 12 obliquely upward and delivering the film 12 to the fixing tank 20 side.

On the other hand, the transport rack 40 of the fixing tank 20
A part of the lower roller is processing liquid (fixing liquid) on the inlet side of
A pair of rollers 54 in a state of being immersed in is disposed so as to receive the film 12 from the developing tank 16 side. The received film 12 is nipped by the pair of rollers 54 and the conveying direction is changed downward, and then is conveyed in the fixing tank 20 by the pair of rollers 32, 34 and 36 in a substantially U-shape. On the outlet side of the transport rack 40, a roller pair 56 in which a part of the lower roller is immersed in the processing liquid (fixing liquid) is arranged. The roller pair 56 also has a function of conveying the film 12 obliquely upward and transferring the film 12 to the rinse section 26.

The rinsing unit 26 includes a pair of rollers 58 provided on the transport rack 40 of the fixing tank 20. The roller pair 58 is attached to a portion of the transfer rack 40, which is located on the downstream side of the transport rack 40 and extends toward the washing section 30.
Is provided in this extended portion, that is, in the gap between the fixing portion 20 and the water washing portion 30, and the fixing tank 20 that forms this gap is formed.
An upper end of the side wall 20A of the water washing tank 28 and the side wall 28A of the washing tank 28 are integrally formed by a top plate 60. Vertical wall portions 62 that are parallel to each other are provided upright at the front and rear ends of the top plate 60 in the transport direction,
The recessed portion formed by the vertical wall portion 62 and the top plate 60 serves as the rinse tank 24. Water as a rinsing liquid is stored in the rinsing tank 24, and the rinsing liquid is scooped up by the lower roller of the roller pair 58 to wash the film surface and squeeze the fixing liquid adhering to the surface of the film 12. This is the configuration.

The film 12 that has passed through the rinse section 26 is
It is sandwiched by a pair of rollers 64 provided on the inlet side of the transfer rack 42 of the washing tank 28, the conveying direction is changed downward, and thereafter, it is conveyed in a substantially U shape by the roller pairs 32 and 36, and the roller pair on the outlet side. The conveyance direction is converted to the horizontal direction by 66. Here, the transport rack 42 of the washing tank 28
Is extended toward the downstream drying section 68, and a roller pair 70 is arranged in this extension. The film 12 is squeezed by being sandwiched by the pair of rollers 70, and sent out to the drying section 68 in a horizontal state.

As described above, the film 12 has the insertion port 48.
Inserted from the transport racks 38, 40, 42 of the respective processing tanks
And conveyed while being sequentially dipped in a developing solution, a fixing solution, and washing water, and each processing of developing, fixing, and washing is performed.
In addition, the film surface is washed with the rinse liquid while being transferred from the fixing bath 20 to the washing bath 28.

The drying section 68 includes a plurality of opposed roller pairs 72.
Are arranged at equal intervals. A guide plate 74 integrally formed with the chamber 76 is disposed in the gap between the pair of opposed rollers 72, and the film 12 is reliably guided by the guide plate 74 to the pair of opposed rollers 72 on the downstream side. It Inside the chamber 76, dry air generated by heating an air flow generated by a fan (not shown) by a heater (not shown) is supplied. Further, a slit hole 76A is provided on the guide plate 74 mounting surface of the chamber 76 along the film width direction. Therefore, the drying air is blown toward the film 12 through the slit holes 76A, whereby the film 12 is sandwiched between the pair of opposed rollers 72 and dried while being conveyed toward the discharge port 78.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is equipped with a wash water replenishing tank 96. This wash water replenishment tank 9
In 6, a washing water serving as a replenishing liquid to be supplied to the washing tank 28 is stored. One end of a conduit 98 is connected to the bottom of the rinse water replenishing tank 96, and the other end of the conduit 98 extends to above the rinse tank 28. A valve 102 is arranged in the middle of the pipe 98, and when the valve 102 is opened, the wash water stored in the wash water replenishing tank 96 is supplied into the wash tank 28 via the pipe 98. . The valve 102 is connected to the control device 100 and is controlled to be opened and closed by the control device 100. Although not shown, the automatic processor 10
Also includes a development replenisher tank for storing the developer replenisher to be supplied to the developing tank 16 and a fixing replenisher tank for storing the fixing replenisher to be supplied to the fixing tank 20. The replenisher thus prepared is supplied to the corresponding processing tank.

In the vicinity of the bottom of the side wall of the washing tank 28,
One end of the pipeline 116 is open. A circulation pump 118 and a filter case 120 are provided at an intermediate portion of the pipe line 116.
Is provided, and the other end is opened in the vicinity of the liquid surface on the side wall of the washing tank 28. The circulation pump 118 is connected to the control device 100 via a driver 92, and the control device 100
The washing water sucked from the bottom of the washing tank 28 is passed through the inside of the filter case 120 and returned to the inside of the washing tank 28 by the operation signal from the washing tank 28.
The washing water in 8 is circulated. Note that FIG. 2 shows a pipeline system for replenishing, circulating and draining the flush water to the flush tank 28, and does not limit the actual connection position of each pipeline.

In addition, inside the filter case 120,
A filter 122 formed of a resin fiber such as polypropylene mixed with an antibacterial agent is arranged. The filter 122 has a function of filtering out floating substances such as photosensitive layer components floating in the wash water from the wash water when circulating the wash water in the wash tank 28. Further, since the filter 122 contains an antibacterial agent, the filter 1
The generation of scales and algae on the surface of 22 is suppressed, and when the components that are likely to generate scales floating in the wash water are removed, the scales of these components are prevented from generating scales on the filter 122. is doing.

Further, one end of the pipe line 104 is connected to the bottom of the water washing tank 28, and the other end of the pipe line 104 is extended to above the waste liquid tank 106. A valve 1 whose opening and closing is controlled by the control device 100 is provided at an intermediate portion of the pipeline 104.
No. 08 is provided, and when the valve 108 is opened, the washing water stored in the washing tank 28 is discharged from the washing tank 28 via the pipe 104 and guided into the waste liquid tank 106.

The washing tank 28 is made of, for example, a resin such as modified PPO (polyphenylene oxide), an antibacterial agent such as Amorden SK950 (trade name of Daiwa Chemical Co., Ltd.) and AIS.
An antibacterial agent such as (Catalyst Chemical Co., Ltd. trade name) is mixed at a weight ratio of 1 to 2% and molded. In addition, AI
S is SiO ₂・ Al ₂ O ₃・ MgO ・ Ag ・ Zn or SiO ₂・ Al ₂ O ₃・ M
It is an antibacterial agent that uses anion active oxygen such as gO · Ag · Cu and maintains stable antibacterial properties for a long period of time. Since water algae and the like are likely to be generated in the vicinity of the liquid surface of the wash water, it is effective to take measures against the inner surface of the wash tank 28 near the surface of the wash water.

Further, the piping material and the like constituting the pipe lines 98, 104 and 116 for replenishing, circulating and discharging the washing water to the washing tank 28 are formed by mixing an antibacterial agent into a resin such as vinyl chloride. I am using one. By molding the resin with the antibacterial agent mixed therein, it is possible to suppress the generation or multiplication of water stains or the like on the surface for a long period of time. Not only modified PPO and vinyl chloride,
An antibacterial agent is mixed with a resin that can form the washing tank 28, the pipe lines 98, 104, 116 and the like by a method according to the resin, and the antibacterial agent and the mixing ratio are not limited to the above, and the antibacterial agent is not limited to the above. It may be selected so that the effect of can be fully exerted.

The control device 100 includes a microcomputer and the like. The above-described film sensor 80, liquid level sensor 82, and the like are connected to the control device 100, and the detection results of each sensor are input. Further, the control device 1
Operation 00 is provided with a number of switches including a mode setting switch 110 for setting the drainage mode of the automatic processor 10 and an automatic drainage switch 112 for instructing automatic drainage of the washing water from the washing tank 28. The part 114 is connected. In addition, the above-mentioned drainage mode is for setting the drainage method of the flush water from the flush tank 28. When the flush water is automatically discharged, the automatic drainage mode is set as the drainage mode. When the worker operates a valve or the like to perform drainage as in the conventional case, the manual drainage mode is set.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The worker supplies the washing water into the washing tank 28 at the start of the operation of the automatic developing machine 10 for one day, stores the washing water to the reference level, and then starts the operation of the automatic developing machine 10. During operation of the automatic processor 10, the film 20 on which an image is recorded by exposure is
The automatic developing device 1 is inserted through the insertion port 48 of the automatic developing device 10.
Inserted inside 0. In the automatic developing device 10, the motor 8
4 is driven to rotate the rollers of each transport rack, and the inserted film 12 is drawn into the developing tank 16 by the roller pair 50 provided on the transport rack 38 of the developing section 18.

In the developing tank 16, the film 12 is transported by the roller pair 32, 34, 36 of the transport rack 38 in a substantially U-shape and immersed in a developing solution to perform a developing process. The film 12 that has been processed by the developing unit 18 is sent to the fixing tank 20. In the fixing tank 20, the film 12 is transferred in a substantially U shape by the roller pair 32, 34, 36 of the transfer rack 40, and is immersed in the fixing solution to perform the fixing process. The film 12 that has been processed in the fixing tank 20 has a rinse portion 2
Pass 6. When passing through the rinse section 26, the fixing solution adhering to the film 12 is squeezed by being sandwiched by the roller pair 58, and the film surface is washed by the rinse solution drawn up by the lower roller, so that the washing section 30 Leading to.

In the washing tank 28 of the washing section 30, the film 12 is conveyed while being immersed in the washing water by the conveying rollers 32 and 36 of the conveying rack 42 to wash the film 12 with water and remove the fixing solution component from the surface of the film. Remove. At this time, in the rinsing tank 28, the circulating water is circulated while the suspended matter such as the photosensitive layer components washed off from the film 12 by the circulation pump 118 and floating in the rinsing water is filtered by the filter 122. The film 12 that has been washed with water is sandwiched by the pair of rollers 70 before reaching the drying unit 68 from the washing unit 30 and squeezed, and then conveyed in the horizontal direction, and this horizontal state is maintained and sent to the drying unit 68.

The film 12 sent to the drying section 68
Are nipped by a pair of opposed rollers 72, guided by a guide plate 74, and conveyed substantially horizontally. At this time, the front and back surfaces of the film 12 are dried by the drying air blown from the slit holes 76A provided in the chamber 76. The film 12 that has passed through the drying section 68 is discharged to the outside of the automatic processor 10 through the discharge port 78 and is stocked in a receiving box (not shown). While the automatic processor 10 is in operation, the above processing is repeated.

By the way, since the washing water is kept stored in the washing tank 28, water stains are generated and the washing tank 28 is washed.
As a deposit on the bottom portion or the like, or as a deposit on the side wall of the washing tank 28, the surface of the transport rack 42, the surface of each roller, or the like. Further, during the treatment of the film 12, the washing water in the washing tank 28 is agitated, so that water stains may float in the washing water and adhere to the surface of the film 12.

Here, since the washing tank 28 is formed by mixing an antibacterial agent, it is possible to suppress the generation of water stains and the like on the inner surface of the washing tank 28. Further, the scales and the like floating in the wash water adhere to the filter 122 together with the components of the photosensitive layer when the wash water is circulated by the operation of the circulation pump 118. The scales and the like attached to the filter 122 may grow on the surface of the filter 122 and flow into the washing tank 28 from the filter 122. However, in this embodiment, since the filter 122 is made of the resin fiber mixed with the antibacterial agent, it is possible to suppress the growth of scale or the like on the filter 122.

As described above, even if the generation of water algae or scales in the wash water stored in the wash tank 28 is suppressed, if the water is stored for a long time, water algae or scales may be generated to some extent. The slightly generated water algae, scales and the like appear as a precipitate on the bottom of the washing tank 28, or form a deposit on the side wall of the washing tank 28 and the surface of the transport rack 42.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 3, an automatic drainage process of the washing water from the washing tank 28 will be described.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the control device 100 at predetermined time intervals. In step 200, it is determined whether the automatic drainage mode is set. If the determination in step 200 is affirmative, whether or not the automatic processor 10 is processing the film 12 in step 202 based on the elapsed time since the film sensor 80 last detected the film 12, That is, whether the automatic processor 10 is currently in operation (the last inserted film 1
2 has been discharged from the drying unit 68). When the determination in step 202 is negative, it is determined in step 204 whether the automatic drain switch 112 is turned on.

The automatic drain switch 112 is turned on when the washing water is automatically discharged from the washing tank 28 after one day of operation is completed. When the automatic drain switch 112 is turned on, the determination in step 204 is affirmative, and the automatic drain processing is performed in step 206 and subsequent steps. In addition, when the automatic drainage mode is not set, when the automatic developing machine 10 is operating, and when the automatic drainage switch 112 is not turned on, the processing is terminated without performing the automatic drainage processing. In this way, even if the automatic drain switch 112 is turned on, the washing water is not discharged when the automatic developing machine 10 is in operation, so that the washing water is erroneously processed while the film 12 is being processed by mistake. There is no inconvenience such as discharge.

On the other hand, in step 206, the value of the repeat counter N is set to "0". In step 208, the drain valve 108 is opened. As a result, the washing water stored in the washing tank 28 passes through the pipe 104 and the waste liquid tank 106.
The deposits are discharged into the interior, and along with this discharge, the precipitates that have settled on the bottom of the washing tank 28 are also discharged. In step 210, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. This predetermined time corresponds to the time required from the opening of the valve 108 to the discharge of all the washing water stored in the washing tank 28. Therefore, when the determination in step 210 is affirmative, it means that the washing water is completely discharged from the washing tank 28.

If the determination at step 210 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 212, where the valve 108 is closed and step 2
At 14, the water supply valve 102 is opened. As a result, the washing water stored in the washing water replenishing tank 96 is supplied into the washing tank 28 via the pipe 98. In step 216, it is determined whether or not the liquid level sensor 82 comes into contact with the wash water and is turned on, thereby determining whether or not the liquid level of the wash water supplied into the wash tank 28 has reached the reference level. To do.

If the determination in step 216 is affirmative, the valve 102 is closed in step 218, and the supply of washing water to the washing tank 28 is stopped. In step 220, the driving of the motor 84 is started, and the roller pairs 32, 36, 64, 66 of the transport rack 42 arranged in the washing tank 28 are rotated. In step 222, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the motor 84 is operated in step 224.
Is stopped and the rotation of each roller pair is stopped. In this way, by rotating each roller pair for a predetermined time,
The removal of deposits adhering to the surface of each roller pair is promoted.

In the next step 226, "1" is added to the value of the repeat counter N, and it is determined in step 228 whether the value of the counter N is "2" or more. If the determination in step 228 is negative, the process returns to step 208. As a result, the processes of steps 208 to 226 described above, that is, the process of discharging the wash water stored in the wash tank 28, storing new wash water, and rotating the roller pair are repeated. As a result, most of the deposits deposited on the bottom of the washing tank 28 and the deposits on the surfaces of the roller pairs of the transport rack 42 are removed.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 228 is affirmative, it is determined in step 230 whether the valve 108 is opened and in step 232 a predetermined time corresponding to the time required until all the washing water is discharged has elapsed. judge. If the determination in step 232 is affirmative, the valve 108 is closed and the process ends.

As described above, the automatic developing machine 10 is provided with a washing tank 28.
The automatic cleaning function of the
When 2 is turned on and the drain of the washing water in the washing tank 28 is instructed, the washing tank 28 is automatically drained after being drained, so that the washing work after the one-day operation of the automatic processor 10 is completed. The burden can be reduced, and a trouble caused by forgetting to close the drain valve 108 can be prevented. In this case, when the automatic developing machine 10 is started (power is turned on), the water supply valve 102 is automatically opened to supply the wash water to the wash tank 28, and the liquid level sensor 82 changes the level of the wash water. After confirming that the level has reached the reference level, it is preferable to control the automatic developing machine 10 so that it can be processed.

In the above, the rinsing water stored in the rinsing tank 28 is discharged to store new rinsing water, and the rinsing tank 28
The process of rotating the roller pair of the transport rack 42 disposed in the above is repeated twice, but the process is not limited to this, and may be performed once or three times or more. Further, although the washing water is discharged and the process is ended with the valve 108 closed, the process may be ended with the valve 108 opened. Also in this case, when the automatic processor 10 is started, the supply of washing water to the washing tank 28 is automatically started, and after the liquid level sensor 82 confirms that the level of the washing water has reached the reference level. It is preferable to control the automatic processor 10 so that it can be processed.

Further, after the washing tank 28 is cleaned, the treatment may be terminated in a state where the newly supplied washing water is stored in the washing tank 28. Also in this case,
It is preferable to control so that the process is terminated after the sensor confirms that the liquid level of the washing water has reached the reference level.

Further, in the above, when it is determined in step 204 that the automatic drain switch 112 is turned on, the flush water stored in the flush tank 28 is immediately discharged, but the invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the washing water may be discharged after the roller pair of the transport rack 42 is rotated for a predetermined time.

Further, in the above, the washing water is supplied to the washing tank 28 as the washing liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the washing liquid added with an ingredient effective for removing scale and the like may be supplied. You may A pump or the like may be used instead of the valves 102 and 108 of this embodiment.

As described above, if the washing water in the washing tank 28 is automatically discharged to wash the inside of the washing tank 28, it is possible to prevent the generation of scale or the like inside the washing tank 28. Therefore, the inside of the washing tank 28 is not contaminated by water stains or the like. In addition, the filter 1 containing an antibacterial agent
Since 22 is provided and the washing tank 28 is formed of a resin mixed with an antibacterial agent, it is possible to suppress dirt due to water stains in the washing tank 28, and the inside of the washing tank 28 is extremely easy to clean. Further, it is possible to obtain a further cleaning effect.

On the other hand, the washing water and the water which has been washed pass through the inner wall of the pipe 104 for discharging the washing water from the washing tank 28, and the water flows inside the pipe 104. This is only for the time, and water stains or the like will be generated in the rinsing water or the like that remains attached to the inner surface of the pipeline 104. In particular, since washing water and the like flow temporarily, water stains and the like are likely to occur.
If water stains or the like are generated and multiply inside the pipeline 104, the pipeline 104 may be blocked, and the flush tank 2
It may take a long time to discharge the wash water from inside 8, and it may become impossible to discharge the wash water.

Here, in the automatic developing device 10, since the pipes 98, 104 and 116 through which the washing water and the like pass are formed by mixing the antibacterial agent, the pipes 98 and 10 are used.
It is possible to prevent water stains and the like from being generated inside 4, 116, which enables smooth replenishment, circulation and discharge of washing water.

In this embodiment, the filter case 12
0 is provided with a filter 122 formed of resin fiber mixed with an antibacterial agent, but the inside of the filter case 120 is filled with an antibacterial agent pellet together with a general filter,
Activated carbon may be filled together with the pellets of the antibacterial agent. Further, the same filter case 120 is not filled with an antibacterial agent and a filter for removing suspended matters such as photosensitive layer components from the washing water, but an antibacterial agent is filled in or mixed with an antibacterial agent in the middle of the pipe line 116. The filter 122 thus formed may be separately provided to remove suspended matters from the washing water in multiple stages.

Further, in this embodiment, the members forming the washing tank 28 and the conduits 98, 104, 116 connected to the washing tank 28 are made of resin containing an antibacterial agent, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a paint in which an antibacterial agent is dissolved may be applied to the surface that comes into contact with washing water, or a so-called antibacterial tape containing an antibacterial agent may be attached. Further, an antibacterial agent may be mixed or applied to each member constituting the transport rack 42.

In the above description, the present invention is applied to the case where the washing water is discharged from the washing tank 28 which stores the washing water as the washing liquid. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to the case where the rinse liquid is discharged from the rinse tank that stores the liquid having the rinse function as the cleaning liquid.

[0053]

As described above, in the present invention, the instruction means for instructing the cleaning of the inside of the processing tank is provided, and the discharging means, the supplying means and the driving means are operated in a predetermined order according to the discharging of the instructing means. Then, the cleaning liquid stored in the processing tank is discharged or stopped, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the processing tank, and the conveying roller is rotated to automatically clean the processing tank and the conveying roller. Therefore, the excellent effect that the burden of the cleaning work can be reduced can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic developing machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around a control device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 automatic developing machine 28 washing tank (processing tank) 32, 36, 64, 66 roller pair (conveying roller) 84 motor (driving means) 96 washing water replenishing tank (supplying means) 100 controller 102 valve (supplying means) 108 valve (Discharging means) 112 Automatic drain switch (instructing means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A processing tank for storing a cleaning liquid for cleaning a photosensitive material, a conveying roller arranged in the processing tank for conveying the photosensitive material in the cleaning liquid, and a driving means for driving the conveying roller. Supply means for supplying a cleaning liquid into the processing tank, discharging means for discharging and stopping the cleaning liquid stored in the processing tank, instruction means for instructing cleaning of the processing tank, A photosensitive material processing apparatus including: a control unit that operates the discharge unit, the supply unit, and the drive unit in a predetermined order according to an instruction from the instruction unit.