JPH07333808A - Automatic developing machine for photosensitive material, replenishing liquid supplying device and multiple-cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic developing machine for photosensitive materials and replenishing supplying device of which replenishing operation is easily performed even by an amateur, and a container which is easily reduced in volume after use. CONSTITUTION:This automatic developing machine has a replenishing mechanism 54 by which a liquid 70 contg. a photographic processing compsn. is supplied into a replenishing liquid stock tank 56 when a part of a hard mouth part is connected to a replenishing liquid stock tank 56 at the time of installing a photographic processing cartridge 66 formed by housing the liquid 70 in a container having the hard mouth part projecting from a container body having resilience and a bellows part in a part of the container body. An instruction to exchange the processing agent cartridge 66 at a prescribed timing is given when it is detected that the processing agent cartridge 66 has been emptied, by a second sensor 86 after liquid level detection by a first sensor 84.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replenisher supplying device for a light-sensitive material processing apparatus, and more particularly to a light-sensitive material processing apparatus for supplying a replenisher to a processing tank of a light-sensitive material processing apparatus such as a film processor or a printer processor. Replenisher supply device. Further, the present invention relates to a container which is expandable and contractible and whose volume can be easily reduced (required space can be reduced) after use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a photosensitive material such as a film or printing paper is exposed and then developed, the photosensitive material is passed through a series of processing tanks each containing a processing solution. Is being developed.

The processing solution in each of these processing tanks adheres to the photosensitive material and is discharged as the developing operation progresses, or the performance is deteriorated due to oxidation by air and fatigue due to processing of the photosensitive material. It is necessary to supply a replenisher having the same composition or a composition activated from the processing solution to each processing tank.

Generally, this replenisher solution is separately prepared by adding water to a concentrated solution, the prepared replenisher solution is stored in a replenisher solution stock tank, and is supplied from the replenisher solution stock tank to a processing tank by using a pump or the like. The configuration is used. However, the work of preliminarily preparing the replenisher and storing it in the replenisher stock tank is complicated, and sometimes the replenisher was prepared by mistakenly adjusting the liquid preparation method.Therefore, use a cartridge in which the prepared replenisher is stored, A cartridge-type supply device has been proposed in which a used cartridge is replaced with a cartridge in which a replenisher is stored, and the replenisher is supplied from this cartridge to a processing tank by a pump or the like (see JP-A-64-55562).

However, in this cartridge type supply device, when a used cartridge is removed, a new cartridge is installed and a suction pipe is inserted into the cartridge, the replenisher liquid remaining in the suction pipe is prevented from being scattered on the floor. Therefore, there is a problem that a special structure is required for the above-mentioned structure or the pump suction structure causes a suction failure due to the pump.

Further, in the case of a supply device having a structure in which careless liquid leakage does not occur when the cartridge is replaced, it is complicated to take out the replenishing liquid from the cartridge, or a special operation is required. (Actual exploitation 53-108
335).

Further, in the above-mentioned prior art, in order to replace the used cartridge with the cartridge in which the replenishing liquid is stored, it is detected whether or not the cartridge in use is empty and an alarm is sounded. However, if the cartridge in use becomes empty during work, an alarm sounds during work, and it is necessary to replace the cartridge immediately, and the work is interrupted to replace the cartridge. there were.

On the other hand, as a treating agent, concentrated treating liquids A, B and C were conventionally supplied to a thick polyethylene bottle, and these were dissolved in the order of A, B and C in a mixing tank to prepare a replenishing liquid. This method has a problem in that a large amount of waste polyethylene bottles are produced and it is difficult to treat as industrial waste, and further, it is troublesome to mix them in a mixing tank.

As a means for solving this, a container body that can be compressed is provided, and a high-concentration processing liquid is hermetically stored while the container body is contracted during storage and transportation. The applicant of the present application has previously proposed a treatment liquid storage container in which a treatment liquid having a predetermined concentration can be obtained by elongating the treatment liquid to a predetermined position and adding a diluting liquid to a predetermined position. -45555). In addition, the applicants of the present application, for the main purpose of reducing the volume after use (to reduce the required space), a lid member to which a hard mouth portion projecting upward from a flexible container body engages with this. A liquid container that is opened and closed by means of which the container body and the mouth part are integrally formed and which has a bellows part at least in a part of the height direction of the container body has been previously proposed ( Japanese Patent Application No. 5-30664).

With such a container, it is possible to achieve volume reduction after use, but specialized knowledge is required when refilling.
Recently, however, the number of specialists has decreased due to the large mobilization of employment, and it has become necessary to devise a method whereby even amateurs who work part-time can process photos.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even when the replenishing liquid in the replenishing liquid storage portion runs short during operation, the replenishing liquid storage portion is automatically replenished without replacing the cartridge. Provided is an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive material, which can continue the work without replacing the cartridge by supplying the liquid, and can be easily exchanged by an amateur, and a replenisher supplying device for the automatic developing machine. The purpose is to do. A further object of the present invention is to provide a container which can be easily reduced in volume after use and whose treatment management is simple even for an amateur.

[0012]

The invention of claim 1 is one of the solutions to the above-mentioned large change in employment, and has flexibility in an automatic processor for silver halide photosensitive materials having a replenishing mechanism. In a container having a hard mouth portion protruding from the container body and a bellows portion on at least a part of the container body,
When a photographic processing agent cartridge storing a solution containing a photographic processing composition is installed in a replenishing section of an automatic developing machine, a part of the hard mouth is connected to a replenishing solution stock tank to replenish the replenishing solution. An automatic processor having a replenishing mechanism for supplying a liquid to a stock tank.

By doing so, even an amateur working part-time can immediately manage the development processing of photographs.
At the same time, the amount of waste plastic is reduced. The term "cartridge" as used herein refers to a single processing agent cartridge in which a liquid containing a photographic processing composition is stored in a container. A processing agent cartridge in which two or more processing agent cartridges are integrally formed is referred to as a multiple cartridge in the following description.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a first sensor for detecting the liquid level in the replenishing liquid stock tank, a second sensor for notifying that the processing agent cartridge has been emptied, and a first sensor having a predetermined value or less An inflow means for replenishing the replenisher from the treatment cartridge to the replenisher stock tank when the liquid level is detected, and the second sensor empties the treatment cartridge after the second sensor detects the liquid level. In the replenisher supply device for an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive material, which has a replenishment mechanism including a replacement display means for instructing to replace the processing agent cartridge at a predetermined timing when it is detected that is there.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an automatic processor for silver halide photosensitive materials, a container having a hard mouth portion protruding from a flexible container body and a bellows portion on at least a part of the container body, When a photographic processing agent cartridge storing a liquid containing a photographic processing composition is installed in a replenishing section of an automatic processor, a liquid is stored in the processing tank by connecting a part of the hard mouth to the processing tank. Is an automatic developing machine characterized by having a replenishing mechanism for supplying.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the processing agent cartridge has a mechanism for connecting to either the replenisher stock tank or the processing tank, and a part of the hard mouth of the processing agent cartridge is meltable or 4. The automatic developing machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic developing machine has a pierceable portion, and the cartridge and the automatic developing machine are connected by a piercing means when the cartridge is installed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a liquid containing a photographic processing composition is stored in a container having a hard mouth portion protruding from a flexible container body and a bellows portion on at least a part of the container body. It is a multiple cartridge in which at least two or more treating agent cartridges are integrally formed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the processing liquid for the same purpose is divided into two or more processing agent cartridges, and / or the processing liquid for other purposes has one or more processing agent cartridges. And is a multi-unit cartridge in which these treatment agent cartridges are integrally formed.

With this configuration, even an layman can prevent the treatment agent from being mistakenly put in (misplacement), and even a layman can replace the liquid with one touch. The inventions of claims 1 to 6 enable automatic liquid preparation without interruption of work and reduction of waste plastic pollution. This has made it possible for anyone to easily prepare the liquid.

[0020]

The processing agent cartridge according to claims 1 and 2 stores a replenishing solution containing a photographic processing composition, and the replenishing solution stock tank stores the replenishing solution to be supplied to the processing tank and the cartridge. It has a mounting part for mounting. This cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the replenisher stock tank. According to the invention of claim 1, the replenishing mechanism is provided for replenishing the replenishing liquid stock tank with the liquid in the treating agent cartridge by mounting the treating agent cartridge on the mounting portion. . According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first sensor for detecting the liquid level of the replenishing liquid in the replenishing liquid stock tank is provided, and the inflow means is provided when the liquid level below the predetermined value is detected by the first sensor. The replenisher is flowed into the replenisher stock tank from the cartridge mounted on the mounting part.
Then, after the second sensor detects that the inside of the processing agent cartridge has become empty, an instruction to replace the processing agent cartridge is given at a predetermined timing. Therefore, even an amateur can easily replace the cartridge without interrupting the process.

The cartridge according to claim 3 stores the replenisher. The processing tank has a mounting portion for storing a processing liquid and mounting a cartridge. This cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the processing tank, and the amount of replenisher liquid designated by the photosensitive material processing signal is replenished from the mounted cartridge to the processing tank.

The cartridge according to claim 4 is provided with a meltable or pierceable portion, and when the liquid level below a predetermined value is detected by the sensor, the cartridge mounted in the mounting portion can be pierced. The replenisher is flown from the cartridge into the replenisher stock tank by piercing or melting the reusable portion. Alternatively, the processing cartridge is contracted so that the designated replenisher amount flows into the processing tank in response to the processing signal of the photosensitive material. This contraction method may be a pressure press method or a method of sucking in with a pump.

When the cartridges according to claims 5 and 6 have the multiple cartridge structure shown in FIG. 12, the automatic development of the liquid part and the liquid type is surely performed only by installing one multiple cartridge in one automatic developing machine. Can be installed on the machine. At this time, the automatic developing machine on the receiver side and the cartridge of the present invention have a structure such that they cannot be reversely set, or the installation mistake can be prevented only by providing a mark.

Further, if the replenishing liquid stock tank is provided with a floating means for floating on the liquid surface of the replenishing liquid to reduce the contact area between the replenishing liquid and air, deterioration due to oxidation of the replenishing liquid is minimized. be able to.

Specific examples of the floating means include floating balls and floating plates, and the opening ratio (opening area cm ² / liquid volume cm ³ ) in the replenisher tank is 0.05 or less, preferably 0. The most preferable embodiment is 02 or less.

As the material of the cartridge used in the present invention, any material such as paper, plastic and metal can be used. Particularly, a plastic material having an oxygen transmission coefficient of 50 ml / (m ² · atm · day) or less is used. preferable.

[0027] In addition, the oxygen permeability coefficient is "O ₂ permeation of plastic Container, Modern packing" _{(O 2 permeation of plastic container,} Mo
dernPacking; NJCalyan, 1968) December issue 143-
It can be measured by the method described on page 145.

Specific preferred plastic materials include vinylidene chloride (PVDC) and nylon (N
Y), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (P
P), polyester (PES), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVAL), polyacrylonitrile (PAN),
Examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

In the present invention, PVDC, NY, PE, EVA, EVAL and PE are used for the purpose of reducing oxygen permeability.
The use of T is preferred.

These materials may be used alone and shaped before use, or a method of forming a film and laminating a plurality of kinds (so-called composite film) may be used. Further, as the shape of the container, various types such as bottle type, cubic type, pillow type and the like can be used, but the present invention is a cubic type which is flexible and easy to handle and can be reduced in volume after use and Structures similar to are particularly preferred.

When used as a composite film, the structures shown below are particularly preferable, but not limited thereto.

PE / EVAL / PE PE / aluminum foil / PE NY / PE / NY NY / PE / EVAL PE / NY / PE / EVAL / PE PE / NY / PE / PE / PE / NY / PE ・ PE / SiO ₂ film / PE ・ PE / PVDC / PE ・ PE / NY / aluminum foil / PE ・ PE / PP / aluminum foil / PE ・ NY / PE / PVDC / NY ・ NY / EVAL / PE / EVAL / NY ・ NY / PE / EVAL / NY ・ NY / PE / PVDC / NY / EVAL / PE ・ PP / EVAL / PE ・ PP / EVAL / PP ・ NY / EVAL / PE ・ NY / Aluminum foil / PE ・ Paper / Aluminum foil / PE ・ Paper / PE / Aluminum foil / PE ・ PE / PVDC / NY / PE ・ NY / PE / Aluminum foil / PE ・ PET EVAL / PE · PET / aluminum foil / PE · PET / aluminum foil / PET / PE above thickness of the composite film is about 5 to 1500 microns, preferably about 10 to 1000 microns.

The content of the finished container is 100 ml to 20 liter, preferably 500 ml to.
It is about 10 liters.

The container (cartridge) may have a cardboard box or a plastic outer box, or may be formed integrally with the outer box.

Various treatment liquids can be stored in the cartridge of the present invention. For example, a color developing solution, a black and white developing solution, a bleaching solution, an adjusting solution, a reversing solution, a fixing solution, a bleach-fixing solution, a stabilizing solution and the like can be mentioned, but especially for a cartridge having a low oxygen permeability coefficient, a color developing solution, a black and white developing solution. It is preferred to use solutions, fixers and bleach-fixers.

The present invention can be applied to various processing liquids. The color developing solution is preferably an alkaline aqueous solution containing an aromatic primary amine type color developing agent as a main component. As the color developing agent, aminophenol compounds are also useful, but p-phenylenediamine compounds are preferably used, and typical examples thereof include 3-methyl-4-amino-N, N-diethylaniline and 4- Amino-N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylaniline,
3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfonamidoethylaniline,
3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methoxyethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-δ-hydroxybutylaniline and their sulfates, hydrochlorides or p- Toluene sulfonate may be mentioned. Two or more kinds of these compounds may be used in combination depending on the purpose.

The color developing solution is an alkali metal carbonate,
It is common to include a pH buffering agent such as borate or phosphate, a bromide salt, an iodide salt, a development inhibitor such as a benzimidazole, a benzothiazole or a mercapto compound, or an antifoggant. is there. In addition, if necessary, various preservatives such as hydroxylamine, N, N-di (sulfoethyl) hydroxylamine, diethylhydroxylamine, sulfite, hydrazines, phenylsemicarbazides, triethanolamine, and catecholdisphonic acid, ethylene. Glycol, organic solvents such as diethylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, quaternary ammonium salts, development accelerators such as amines, dye-forming couplers, competitive couplers, fogging agents such as sodium boron hydride, 1-
Auxiliary developing agents such as phenyl-3-pyrazolidone, tackifiers, aminopolycarboxylic acids, aminopolyphosphonic acids, alkylphosphonic acids, various chelating agents represented by phosphonocarboxylic acids, for example, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, Nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, nitrilo-N, N, N-trimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, Representative examples include N ′, N′-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) and salts thereof.

The pH of these color developers is generally 9-12. The replenishment amount of these developers depends on the color photographic light-sensitive material to be processed, but is generally 1 liter or less per 1 square meter of the light-sensitive material, and is reduced to 300 ml or less by reducing the bromide ion concentration in the replenisher. You can also do it. Preferably from 30 ml
150 ml / m ² . When the replenishment amount is reduced, it is preferable to prevent the liquid evaporation and air oxidation by reducing the contact area of the treatment tank with the air. Further, the amount of replenishment can be reduced by using means for suppressing the accumulation of bromide ions in the developing solution.

The photographic emulsion layer after color development is usually bleached. The bleaching process may be performed simultaneously with the fixing process (bleach-fixing process), or may be performed individually. Further, in order to speed up the processing, a processing method of bleach-fixing processing after bleaching processing may be used. Further, treatment with two continuous bleach-fixing baths, fixing treatment before the bleach-fixing treatment, or bleaching treatment after the bleach-fixing treatment can be optionally carried out according to the purpose. Examples of bleaching agents include iron (III), cobalt (I
II), compounds of polyvalent metals such as chromium (VI) and copper (II), peracids, quinones, nitro compounds and the like are used. A typical bleaching agent is ferricyanide: dichromate: iron (I
II) or cobalt (III) complex salts such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, methyliminodiacetic acid, 1,
Use of aminopolycarboxylic acids such as 3-diaminopropane tetraacetic acid and glycol ether diamine tetraacetic acid, or complex salts such as citric acid, tartaric acid and malic acid: persulfates: bromates: permanganates: nitrobenzenes You can Of these, iron ethylenediamine tetraacetate
(III) Complex amino acids and other aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III)
Complex salts and persulfates are preferable from the viewpoint of rapid processing and prevention of environmental pollution. Further, the aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex salt is particularly useful in both the bleaching solution and the bleach-fixing solution. The pH of a bleaching solution or a bleach-fixing solution using these aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex salts is usually 4.5 to 8, but a lower pH can be used for speeding up the processing. .

If necessary, a bleaching accelerator can be used in the bleaching solution, the bleach-fixing solution and their pre-bath.
Specific examples of useful bleaching accelerators are described in the following specifications: US Pat. No. 3,893,858, West German Patent 1,290,812, JP-A-53-95630, Research. Disclosure No. 17129 (19
(July 1978) and the like, compounds having a mercapto group or a disulfide bond; thiazolidine derivatives described in JP-A No. 50-140129; US Pat.
The thiourea derivative described in Japanese Patent No. 561;
35, iodide salt; West German Patent 2,748,43
Polyoxyethylene compounds described in No. 0; JP-B-45
A polyamine compound described in -8836; bromide ion or the like can be used. Among them, a compound having a mercapto group or a disulfide group is preferable from the viewpoint of a large accelerating effect, and particularly described in US Pat. No. 3,893,858, West German Patent No. 1,290,812, and JP-A-53-95630. Compounds are preferred. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,
The compounds described in No. 834 are also preferable. These bleaching accelerators may be added to the light-sensitive material. These bleaching accelerators are particularly effective when bleach-fixing a color light-sensitive material for photography.

Examples of the fixing agent include thiosulfates, thiocyanates, thioether compounds, thioureas, and a large amount of iodide salts. The use of thiosulfates is common, especially ammonium thiosulfate. Is the most widely used. As a preservative for the bleach-fixing solution, sulfite, bisulfite, benzenesulfonic acid or carbonyl bisulfite adduct is preferable.

Further, after the desilvering treatment, washing and / or stabilizing steps are generally performed. The amount of rinsing water in the rinsing step depends on the characteristics of the light-sensitive material (for example, depending on the material used such as couplers), application, and further the rinsing water temperature, the number of rinsing tanks (the number of stages),
It can be set in a wide range depending on a replenishment method such as normal flow and various other conditions. Among these, the relationship between the number of washing tanks and the water volume in the multi-stage countercurrent system is shown in the Journal of the Society of Moti
on Picture and Television Engineers Volume 64, P2
48 to 253 (May 1955 issue).

According to the multi-stage countercurrent system described in the above document,
Although the amount of washing water can be greatly reduced, the increase in the residence time of water in the tank causes problems such as bacteria breeding and adhered floating substances produced to the photosensitive material. In the processing of the color light-sensitive material of the present invention, as a solution to such a problem, the method of reducing calcium ion and magnesium ion described in JP-A-62-288838 can be used very effectively. In addition, JP-A-57-
No. 8542, isothiazolone compounds, siabendazoles, chlorinated germicides such as chlorinated sodium isocyanurate, and other benzotriazoles. Sterilization of
The sterilizing agents described in "Sterilization and Antifungal Technology" and "Encyclopedia of Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents" edited by Japan Society for Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents can be used.

The pH of the washing water in the processing of the light-sensitive material of the present invention is 4-9, preferably 5-8. The washing water temperature and washing time can be variously set depending on the characteristics of the light-sensitive material, intended use, etc.
A range of 30 seconds to 5 minutes at 25 to 40 ° C is preferably selected. Further, the light-sensitive material of the present invention can be directly processed with a stabilizing solution instead of the above washing with water. In such stabilization treatment, all known methods described in JP-A-57-8543, JP-A-58-14834 and JP-A-60-220345 can be used.

Various chelating agents and antifungal agents can also be added to this stabilizing bath. The overflow solution that accompanies the washing with water and / or the supplement of the stabilizing solution can be reused in other steps such as the desilvering step.

[0046]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a film developing apparatus (film processor) 10 of a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. In this film developing apparatus 10, a negative film is pulled out from a cartridge 13 housed in a film supply unit 12, and a color developing tank 14, a bleaching tank 16 and a fixing tank 1 are provided.
8. A rinsing tank and a stabilizing tank are sequentially inserted to carry out a series of development processes and then dried in a drying section. The prepared treatment liquids are stored in the respective treatment tanks.

In each of these processing tanks, pre-prepared processing solutions such as a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution and a stabilizing solution are stored. In FIG. 1, 66 is a replenisher cartridge, and 56 is a replenisher stock tank. Reference numeral 108 is a water stock tank having a UV germicidal lamp 111 inside. 110 is a waste liquid stock tank, and 110 is a pump for sending the waste liquid. Reference numeral 107 represents a concentrated stabilizing solution cartridge. In addition,
A transport rack for appropriately transporting the negative film is provided in each of these processing tanks together with a drive device for driving them.

FIG. 2 shows a replenisher supply device 54 for supplying a replenisher to these film developing devices 10. The replenisher supplying device 54 is used for the film developing device 10.
However, in this embodiment, a replenisher supplying device for the color developing tank 14 will be described as an example.

The replenisher supply device 54 has a replenisher stock tank 56 mounted on the machine base 10A on the side surface of the film developing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. Note that FIG.
In the above, the reference numeral in parentheses added to the reference numeral of the replenisher stock tank indicates the reference numeral of the processing tank to which the replenisher is supplied from each replenisher stock tank. The replenishing liquid stock tank 56 is formed in a rectangular box shape having an open upper end, and the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 is provided with a bottomed box-shaped mounting portion 76 having an upper opening.
The downflow pipe 80 is arranged so that one end thereof penetrates the bottom of the mounting portion 76 and the other end is located near the bottom surface of the replenisher stock tank 56. Mounting part 7 for the downflow pipe 80
The heater 74 shown in FIG. 3 is arranged at the end on the sixth side. The heater 74 includes a ring-shaped heat generating portion 94 having a diameter substantially similar to the diameter of the downflow pipe 80, and the ring-shaped heat generating portion 94 has an electrode 94A to which a holding portion 96 made of an insulator is attached. Are formed. The electrode 94A is a control circuit 8 including a microcomputer and the like.
8 is connected.

A cartridge 66, in which the replenisher 70 is stored and which has a lid 72 made of polyethylene, is inserted from the opening of the mounting portion 76. In this cartridge 66, the lid 72 of the cartridge 66 is a heating portion 94 of the heater 74. It is mounted so as to be pressed against. A spacer 78 is interposed between the cartridge 66 and the mounting portion 76.

A first liquid level sensor 84 for detecting the liquid level of the replenishing liquid stored in the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 is attached to the inner wall on the bottom side of the replenishing liquid stock tank 56. A second liquid level sensor 86 similar to the first liquid level sensor 84 is attached to the inner wall of the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 on the mounting portion side. The first liquid level sensor 84 is used for the replenishing liquid stock tank 56.
The second liquid level sensor is mounted at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the amount of the replenishing liquid in the inside is insufficient, that is, the liquid level when the replenishing liquid needs to flow down into the replenishing liquid stock tank 56. Reference numeral 86 indicates the total amount of the replenishing liquid stored in the cartridge 66.
It is mounted at a position slightly lower than the liquid level when it is supplied to No. 6. These first liquid level sensor 84, second
The liquid level sensor 86 is connected to the control circuit 88. An alarm 90 for instructing replacement of the cartridge 66 is connected to the control circuit 88.

Further, in the replenishment liquid stock tank 56, a floating lid 82 is housed so as to float on the liquid surface of the replenishment liquid stored in the replenishment liquid stock tank. The floating lid 82 almost eliminates the contact area of the replenisher with the air in the replenisher stock tank 56, so that the deterioration of the replenisher by the air can be almost eliminated. One end of a supply pipe 92 equipped with a pump penetrates the bottom surface of the replenisher stock tank 56, and the other end of the supply pipe 92 penetrates the color developing tank 1.
4 is provided on the opening side of the replenishment tank 14A. Further, a circulation pipe 94 equipped with a pump is provided so as to penetrate the bottom surface of the replenishing tank 14A and the bottom surface of the color developing tank 14 to communicate with each other. These pumps have a control circuit 8
8 is connected. The color developing tank 14 is included in the replenishing tank 14A.
Heater 14B for keeping the temperature of the processing liquid in the heater 14B constant
Is provided.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 while explaining the control routine of the control circuit 88. In the initial state, the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 is filled with the replenishing liquid in a substantially full state, and the mounting portion 76 is mounted with the cartridge 66 in which the replenishing liquid 70 is stored. By mounting the cartridge 66 on the mounting portion 76, the lid 72 of the cartridge 66 is pressed against the ring-shaped heat generating portion 94 of the heater 74 with a predetermined pressing force. The replenishing amount of the replenishing liquid to be supplied into the color developing tank 14 is determined according to the processing area of the printing paper or the negative film, and the replenishing liquid of the amount corresponding to the processing area is supplied from the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 at a predetermined timing. It is supplied into the color developing tank 14 through the pipe 92 and the replenishing tank 14A.

When the amount of the replenishing liquid in the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 decreases and becomes insufficient, the liquid level of the replenishing liquid is detected by the first liquid level sensor 84, and in step 100, the first liquid level sensor. When it is determined by 84 that the liquid level of the replenisher is detected, it is the time to flow the replenisher into the replenisher stock tank 56, so the heater 74 is energized in step 102. As a result, the heat generating portion 94 of the heater 74 becomes hot, the lid 72 of the cartridge 66 is melted, and a hole is formed in a ring shape. As a result, the replenishing liquid 70 in the cartridge 66 flows down into the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 through the downflow pipe 80.

At this time, the replenisher that has flowed down from the cartridge 66 collides with the bottom surface of the replenisher stock tank 56, while the floating lid 82 floats on the surface of the replenisher in the replenisher stock tank 56. The liquid does not scatter from the surface of the replenisher in the replenisher stock tank 56 due to the flow of the liquid, which prevents the droplet from adhering to and depositing on the inner wall of the replenisher stock tank 56. In addition,
When the liquid level of the replenisher is not detected by the first liquid level sensor 84 in step 100, that is, when the liquid level is above the first liquid level sensor 84, the process proceeds to step 104.

When the entire amount of the replenishing liquid in the cartridge 66 flows down into the replenishing liquid stock tank 56, the liquid level in the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 rises, so that the liquid level of the replenishing liquid is increased by the second liquid level sensor 86. To be detected.
When it is determined in step 104 that the second liquid level sensor 86 has detected the liquid level, the inside of the cartridge 66 is empty, and therefore the flag F is set in step 105 to set the second liquid level sensor. It is stored that the liquid level is detected by 86, that is, the inside of the cartridge 66 is empty.
At the next step 106, it is determined whether or not the timing for sounding the alarm is appropriate, and at the alarm sounding timing, at step 107, it is determined whether or not the flag F is set so that the cartridge 66 is empty. Judge whether or not there is a cartridge 6
If the inside of 6 is empty, an alarm is sounded in step 108, an instruction to replace the empty cartridge 66 with the cartridge 66 filled with the replenisher is issued, and the flag F is reset. The alarm timing is a time that does not hinder the work being continued, for example, when the work of the day is completed, when the power of the processing device is turned on to start the work and the warm-up state is set. It is appropriate to stop during work.

In the above, it is determined whether or not the cartridge 66 is empty by using the second sensor.
Only the first sensor is used without using the second sensor, and a predetermined time is passed from the time when the liquid level is detected by the first liquid level sensor (when the total amount of the replenishing liquid in the cartridge flows down to the stock tank). By setting another flag after a lapse of a corresponding time), it is memorized that the inside of the cartridge has become empty, and it is judged whether the flag is set or not by checking whether the flag is set or not. It may be determined whether or not the cartridge is empty, and if the cartridge is empty, an alarm may sound.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG. 4, portions corresponding to those in FIG. In this embodiment, the replenisher supply device 54 of the first embodiment is modified as shown in FIG. 4, and a sharpened portion 110 having a cutting edge is formed at the tip of the attachment portion 76 side of the downflow pipe 80. ing. A valve 98 is provided in the middle of the downflow pipe 80. An O-ring 112 for sealing is provided in a through hole through which the downflow pipe 80 of the mounting portion 76 penetrates. Downflow pipe 80
A passage sensor 114 for detecting passage of the replenisher is attached to the inner wall of the downstream side of the valve 98. Valve 98,
The passage sensor 114 is connected to the control circuit 88. Further, on the liquid surface of the replenishing liquid in the replenishing liquid stock tank 56, a large number of floats 116 float in contact with each other. This float 116 has the same function as the float lid 82 of the first embodiment, and the float lid of the first embodiment may be used instead of the float 116.

In this embodiment, the cartridge 66 is mounted on the mounting portion 76 with the valve 98 closed. At this time, the sharp tip 110 of the downflow pipe 80 pierces the lid 72 of the cartridge 66 and penetrates it. As a result, the replenisher 70 in the cartridge 66 flows down from the sharpened portion 110 of the downflow pipe 80 that penetrates the lid 72 to the upstream side portion of the valve 98. In this state, when the liquid level of the replenishing liquid in the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 is detected by the first liquid level sensor 84, the valve 98 is opened by the signal from the control circuit, as described in the first embodiment. Similarly, the cartridge 66
The replenisher 70 therein flows down through the downflow pipe 80 and is supplied into the replenisher stock tank 56. At this time, the replenishing liquid flowing down in the downflow pipe 80 is detected by the passage sensor 114. When the passage sensor 114 does not detect the flow of the replenishing liquid even though the valve 98 is opened,
Since the entire amount of the replenishing liquid in the cartridge 66 has flowed down into the replenishing liquid stock tank 56, the alarm is sounded to replace the empty cartridge in the same manner as in steps 104 to 108 of FIG.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the heater 7 of the first embodiment is used.
In place of 4, the replenishing liquid for the cartridge 66 is made to flow down to the replenishing liquid stock tank 56 by providing a perforating mechanism for perforating the lid of the cartridge 66, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the perforating mechanism for perforating the lid of the cartridge will be described.

The parallel link mechanism 120 is formed so that one end thereof penetrates the side wall of the downflow pipe 80 and one end projects into the downflow pipe 80.
Is provided. Inside the falling pipe 80 of the parallel link mechanism 120, a cylindrical perforating blade 124 having a blade formed by sharpening the tip of the cartridge 66 is attached. Further, a moving portion of an actuator 122 having an electromagnetic solenoid is attached near the end of the parallel link mechanism 120 opposite to the punching blade 124. According to the present embodiment, when the actuator 122 is driven, the parallel link mechanism 120 moves the punching blade 124 toward the lid 72 of the cartridge 66, and this movement causes a hole to be bored in the lid 72. The cartridge 6 is moved in the same manner as in the first embodiment by moving the punching blade 124 at the same timing as when the heater is energized in the first embodiment to form a hole in the lid 72.
The replenisher in 6 flows down into the replenisher stock tank 56.

<< First Container >> The first container 210 shown in FIG.
Is a flexible container body 212 and the container body 2
The container main body 212 and the mouth portion 214 are integrally formed by blow molding. The first container 210 has a shape that is substantially symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis when viewed from any direction.

The container main body 212 is continuous from the boundary with the mouth 214, and extends from the boundary with the mouth 214 to the upper approximately three-quarter part in the height direction (vertical axis direction). The bellows portion 216 is continuously formed. This bellows part 21
6 is a first and a first arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction.
The second and third abacus ball-shaped portions 218, 220, 222,
It is configured to include a stepped cylindrical portion 224 disposed below the third abacus ball-shaped portion 222 at a predetermined interval. Here, the abacus ball-shaped portion is a shape having an outer shape that is formed by conical portions that have two upper and lower heads that are opposite to each other and that have a common central axis (here, the vertical axis) and a maximum diameter portion. Means a part. In the following, with the same meaning,
Use this word.

The first abacus ball-shaped portion 218 and the second abacus ball-shaped portion 220 are connected by the first cylindrical connecting portion 226, and the second abacus ball-shaped portion 220 and the third abacus ball-shaped portion are formed. It is connected to 222 by a second cylindrical connecting portion 228. Further, the third abacus ball-shaped portion 222 and the stepped cylindrical portion 224 are connected by the third cylindrical connecting portion 230. First, second, and third abacus ball-shaped portion 21
Circular first, second, and third annular recesses 218A, 220A, 222A having the vertical axis as the central axis are formed in the portions immediately above the maximum diameter portions of 8, 220, 222, respectively. These annular recesses 218A, 220A, 22
2A serves as a fold line when the bellows portion 216 is contracted, as described later.

The first, second, and third abacus ball-shaped portions 21
The height-direction dimensions of 8, 220 and 222 are smaller on the upper side of each maximum diameter portion than on the lower side. Also, the first, second, and third abacus ball-shaped portions 218, 220, 222
The angle formed by the slopes on the upper side (the side closer to the mouth 214) of each of the maximum diameter parts of the horizontal plane with the horizontal plane is the angle formed by the slopes of the lower side of the maximum diameter part (the side closer to the base portion 232) with the horizontal plane. The angle α shown in FIG. 7 is 30 °, and the angle β shown in FIG. 7 is 60 °. The angle γ formed by the slope connecting the outer peripheral surfaces of the stepped cylindrical portion 224 with the horizontal plane is substantially equal to the angle β formed by the lower slope of the maximum diameter portion of the third abacus ball-shaped portion 222 with the horizontal plane. ing. The maximum diameter of the second abacus ball-shaped portion 220 is larger than the maximum diameter of the first abacus ball-shaped portion 218, and the maximum diameter of the third abacus ball-shaped portion 222 is the second abacus ball-shaped portion 22.
The maximum diameter of the first abacus ball-shaped portion 218 and the third abacus ball-shaped portion 222 is the sum of the maximum diameters of the second abacus ball-shaped portion 220.
Is set to be twice the maximum diameter.
In the container body 212, the bellows portion 2 has such characteristics.
Since each of the 16 parts is configured, when the bellows part 216 is contracted to reduce the volume after the internal processing liquid is discharged, as will be described later, it is possible to fold it deeply to improve the folding efficiency.

Here, the diameter dimension of the first cylindrical connecting portion 226 is 85% or less, preferably 40 to 75%, and more preferably 50% of the diameter dimension of the maximum diameter portion of the first abacus ball-shaped portion 218. ˜75% so that the second cylindrical connecting portion 228 has a similar relationship to the second abacus ball-shaped portion 220, and the third cylindrical connecting portion 230
If the above-mentioned relationship is established with respect to the third abacus ball-shaped portion 222, the folding efficiency can be further improved, and the restoration to the original shape can be prevented.

A substantially cylindrical base portion 232 is provided below the stepped cylindrical portion 224, and the diameter of the boundary between the base portion 232 and the stepped cylindrical portion 224 is the third abacus ball. It is formed so as to be substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the shape portion 222. A small-diameter portion 232A is formed at a middle portion in the height direction of the base portion 232. Further, the small-diameter portion 232A has a pair of ribs 232B having a predetermined width on the front side and the back side of the paper in FIG. 7 (FIG. 7). In, only the rib on the front side of the drawing is shown) is formed along the height direction. As shown in FIG. 8, this rib 232B is formed by projecting this portion outward when the liquid container 210 is blow-molded. The ribs 232B serve to reinforce the base portion 232 and prevent crushing in the height direction. A concave portion 232C is formed on the bottom surface of the base portion 232, which improves the stability when the liquid container 210 is erected.

In the mouth portion 214, the upper end portion (mouth tip) 214A is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the lower end portion (mouth portion) 214B is formed in a hexagonal cross section, and the maximum diameter is the same as the upper end portion 214A. A male screw portion 214C is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the upper end portion 214A of the mouth portion 214, and a hard lid member (not shown) having a female screw portion that is screwed to the male screw portion 214C is formed on the inner wall of the male screw portion 214C. The upper opening of the portion 214 is adapted to be opened and closed. The mouth portion 214 is formed integrally with the container body 212 by blow molding. At this time, since the diameter of the mouth portion 214 is smaller than that of the container body 212, the mouth portion 214 is thicker than the container body 212. Therefore, the mouth portion 214 is formed to be rigid to some extent. Where the mouth 214
And the average wall thickness of the mouth part including these vicinity is preferably 0.5 mm to 4 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 3
mm, particularly preferably 1.2 mm to 2.5 mm, and the average thickness of the container body 212 is preferably 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, more preferably 0.2 mm.
~ 0.7 mm, particularly preferably 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm
And the difference between them is preferably 0.2 m
m, more preferably about 0.5 mm. Furthermore, the ratio of the average thickness of the mouth and the average thickness of the main body is
It is desirable to set it to about 2.0 to 10.0. By doing so, the total weight can be reduced without impairing usability.

The first container 210 can be easily provided with the required gas barrier property by changing the material and raw material to be used when the liquid to be filled needs the gas barrier property. For example, among photographic processing liquids, when it is formed for a liquid requiring a high O ₂ barrier property such as a developing liquid, low density polyethylene / polyvinyl alcohol / ethylene copolymer / low density polyethylene (LDPE / EVOH). / LDPE) 3 layer structure,
Low density polyethylene / nylon (LDPE / NY) 2
It is formed by a multi-layer structure mainly composed of low density polyethylene such as a layer structure and has a gas barrier property of 25 ml / m ² ·
day · atm (20 ° C. 65%) or less, preferably 0.5 to 10 ml / m ² · day · atm (20 ° C. 6
5%).

On the other hand, the first container 210 is made of low density polyethylene (LDP) when it is formed for a liquid which does not necessarily require an O ₂ barrier property such as a fixing liquid.
E) Simple substance or ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer resin (E
VA: In this case, those having a density exceeding 0.940 g / cc can be used). Here, as the low-density polyethylene, a density of 0.940 g / cc or less,
Preferably 0.90 g / cc to 0.940 g / cc, more preferably 0.905 g / cc to 0.925 g / cc
Can be used. Liquid container 2 in this case
The gas barrier property of 10 is 50 ml / m ² · day · a
tm (65% at 20 ° C), for example 100 to 5000 ml
/ M ² · day · atm (20 ° C. 65%).

According to the first container 210 constructed as described above, since the mouth portion 214 is relatively hard and the mouth portion 214B is formed in a hexagonal shape, the processing solution such as the developing solution and the fixing solution in the factory is stored. The filling work can be performed smoothly. Further, since the mouth portion 214 is relatively hard and the mouth portion 214B is easy to hold, the body portion 212 can be removed when the lid member is removed.
(This part is flexible.) Will not be twisted. Therefore, it is unlikely that the liquid such as the processing liquid in the first container 210 accidentally overflows from the mouth 214. In addition, since the first container 210 is characterized by having flexibility, liquid overflow during filling or use is more likely to occur on one side than the conventional rigid container, and the liquid filling rate is set to prevent this. It is desirable that the liquid container 210 is pulled to the axial direction and the bellows portion 216 is stretched to the maximum extent of 95% or less, preferably about 95 to 85%.

In the first container 210, the self-supporting property of the container is sufficiently ensured by the shape of the container body 212 itself. Further, since the bellows portion 216 is formed on the container body 212, by removing the lid member and discharging the processing liquid inside from the mouth portion 214, the mouth portion 214 is discharged according to the amount of the discharged processing liquid. By pressing downward (toward the base portion 232) to shrink the bellows portion 216 to adjust the head space (the space in the upper portion of the container where there is no treatment liquid), and the treatment liquid inside is always almost full. Therefore, it is possible to prevent oxidation.

Further, when the processing liquid inside is discharged to a certain amount or more (substantially the entire amount), the opening 214 is further pressed downward, and the first container 210 is changed into the shape as shown in FIG. , Further volume reduction is possible. This first
The volume reduction of the container in the container 210 means that the pressure required for volume reduction varies depending on the size of the container, but is preferably 1 to 20 kg / cm ² , more preferably 5 to 10 kg / cm ² .
cm ² and the volume is 1 liter or more, preferably 3 to 20 kg / cm ² , and more preferably 5 to 10 kg / cm ² .
A material that can be reduced in volume at a pressure of about kg / cm ² .
(The same applies to the following second container and other containers.)

By tightly screwing the lid member in the state shown in FIG. 9, this volume-reduced state can be maintained. Therefore,
The recovery efficiency of the first container 210 discarded after use can be improved. Here, the bellows portion 21 shown in FIG.
6 before being compressed and the bellows portion 216 shown in FIG.
It is desirable that the volume reduction rate, which is the ratio with respect to the state of completely compressing, is 50% or less, preferably 40% or less, more preferably 30% or less. However, this ratio is preferably 10% or more in terms of manufacturing and design. Here, the volume reduction rate is a volume ratio calculated by utilizing the height change of the water surface when the liquid container 210 is capped and submerged in water.

<< Second Container >> The second container 2 shown in FIG.
40 is a flexible container body 242 and this container body 2
Like the first container 210, it has a hard mouth portion 214 protruding upward from 42, and the container body 242 and the mouth portion 214 are integrally formed by blow molding.

The container body 242 is formed with a bellows portion 241 which is continuous throughout the height direction (vertical axis direction) up to the boundary with the mouth portion 214. This bellows part 241
Connects the 4th to 8th abacus ball-shaped portions 244, 246, 248, 250, 252 having the same diameter in the upper and lower 5 steps, and the 4th abacus ball-shaped portion 244 and the 5th abacus ball-shaped portion 246. The first annular connecting portion 254, the second annular connecting portion 256 connecting the fifth abacus ball-shaped portion 246 and the sixth abacus ball-shaped portion 248, and the sixth abacus ball-shaped portion 248 and 7
Third annular connecting portion 2 for connecting with the abacus ball-shaped portion 250 of
58, and a fourth annular connecting portion 263 that connects the seventh abacus ball-shaped portion 250 and the eighth abacus ball-shaped portion 252.

Fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 244, 2
46, 248, 250 and 252 are formed in a vertically symmetrical shape. Here, the first to fourth annular connecting portions 2
The diameter dimensions of 54, 256, 258, 263 are the fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 244, 246, 248, 250,
It is desirable that the diameter of the maximum diameter portion of 252 is 85% or less, preferably 40 to 75%, and more preferably 50 to 75%. This is to improve the folding efficiency and effectively prevent the container body 242 from returning to its original shape when the bellows portion 241 is compressed and the volume of the container body 242 is reduced after the internal liquid is discharged.

A concave portion 252A is formed at the bottom of the eighth abacus ball-shaped portion 252 to improve the stability when the liquid container 240 is erected. In the second container 240, the fourth to eighth parts constituting the bellows part 241 are formed.
Abacus ball shape parts 244, 246, 248, 250, 25
Since 2 has the same diameter as described above, the paper 62 can be easily wound around the outer circumference of the bellows portion 41, and both ends of the wound paper 262 can be glued or glued. An outer cylinder (not shown) can be formed by bonding.

The present second container 2 configured as described above
Also by 40, the same action and effect as those of the first container 210 can be obtained, and when the container main body 242 has no or low self-supporting property, the outer cylinder can ensure the self-supporting property.
In FIG. 10, it is possible to further reduce the thickness of the container main body 242 (in some cases, to the extent that the container main body 242 itself loses its self-sustainability), and the container main body 242 has self-sustainability. It may be omitted, but it is preferable that it is not self-supporting because the volume can be easily reduced. Further, there is an advantage that the outer cylinder is easier to hold in a wound state.

Alternatively, a shrink film (heat-shrinkable film) may be used to form the outer cylinder, and the outer cylinder may be contracted from the cylindrical shape by heating and brought into close contact with the outer periphery of the container body 242.

In addition to the configurations shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the bellows type container shown in FIG. 7 of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-45555 may be used. In addition, the method of supplying the processing liquid from this cartridge may be such that the liquid is sent to the replenishing liquid stock tank or the processing tank by gravity fall as in the system of FIGS. You may send it. The pressurized liquid feeding may be performed by the forward pressure of the plate by a screw as shown in FIG. 4 of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-45555. In this way, when there are several kinds of liquids
As shown in FIG. 5 of Japanese Patent No. 45555, it is preferable that the liquid can be fed at one time.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a cap having a one-layer structure and a cap having a two-layer structure. The cap 401 of (A) has a single-layer structure in which the central portion is thin and the periphery is thick. The middle part is easily melted by a little heat and is easily broken by sharp teeth. The cap 402 of (B) is an example in which the above-mentioned effect is produced by the two-layer structure made of two different materials, and the central opening is closed by the lid 403. Both caps 401, 402 serve this purpose when used in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 6.

The cap indicated by 401 and the cap indicated by 402 are made of a plastic member such as polyethylene. The inner lid indicated by 403 is a synthetic rubber (for example, polybutadiene rubber (trade name: Buna 8
5, Buna 115, SKB), butadiene styrene rubber (trade name Buna S, Hycar OS), butadiene acrylonitrile rubber (trade name Buna N, Hycar OR, Chemigum), polyisobutylene rubber (trade name Oppanol, Vistanex), isobutylene isopropylene Rubber (Brand name Butyl), polyisopropylene rubber (Brand name Ameripol, Coral), silicone rubber (Brand name Silastic) etc., expanded polyalkylene (eg expanded polyethylene, expanded polypropylene,
Foamed polybutylene, etc.), thin-layer polymer sheet, etc.

The means for directly inserting the liquid in the cartridge into the replenishing liquid stock tank of the processor as shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 is not limited to the liquid dropping method. For example, the bellows portion can be pushed out by pressure and added to a replenisher stock tank or a processing tank. In this case, several treatment liquid cartridges may be used simultaneously as shown in FIG. Also in this case, the liquid dropping method as shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 and the pushing method as described above can be used.

Example 1 Automatic processor FP for color negative manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
The color developing section of 360B was modified as shown in FIGS.
On the other hand, install an automatic processor so that the following processing steps can be performed,
The following processing solutions were filled in the automatic processor. The color developing solution is packed in a double processing agent cartridge (Flexi Cube) of Part A and Part B, and this is simply set in the automatic developing machine. The photographic performance after processing is the specified sensitivity,
Gradation was obtained. The desilvering property was not a problem because almost no silver remained. Further, when the control routine shown in FIG. 5 was operated, the process stop trouble due to the replenishment liquid running out disappeared.

The treatment steps and treatment liquid compositions are shown below. (Processing process) Process processing time Processing temperature Replenishment amount ^* Tank capacity Color development 3 minutes 5 seconds 37.8 ℃ 20 ml 11.5 liter Bleach 50 seconds 38.0 ℃ 5 ml 5 liter Fixing (1) 50 seconds 38.0 ℃ -5 liter Fixing (2 ) 50 seconds 38.0 ℃ 8 ml 5 liters Water wash 30 seconds 38.0 ℃ 17 ml 3 liters Stable (1) 20 seconds 38.0 ℃ -3 liters stable (2) 20 seconds 38.0 ℃ 15 milliliters 3 liters Dry 1 minute 30 seconds 60 ℃ * Replenishment amount per 35m width of photosensitive material 1.1m (24E
x. (Equivalent to 1)

The stabilizing solution and the fixing solution are of the countercurrent system from (2) to (1), and the overflow solution of the washing water is all in the fixing bath.
It was introduced in (2). The amount of the developing solution brought into the bleaching process, the amount of the bleaching solution brought into the fixing process, and the amount of the fixing solution brought into the water washing process were 2.5 ml and 2.0 ml, respectively, per 1.1 mm of 35 mm width of the light-sensitive material. They were milliliter and 2.0 milliliter. The crossover time is 6 seconds in all cases, and this time is included in the processing time of the previous step. Open area 100 cm ² in the color developing solution in the processing machine, 120 cm ² in the bleaching solution, the other processing solutions was about 100 cm ^2.

The composition of the processing liquid is shown below. (Color developer) Tank solution (g) Replenisher (g) Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 3.0 3.0 Catechol-3,5-disulfonic acid 0.3 0.3 Disodium sodium sulfite 3.9 5.3 Potassium carbonate 39.0 39.0 N, N-bis (2-sulfoethyl) 2.0 2.0 Hydroxylamine disodium potassium bromide 1.3 0.3 Potassium iodide 1.3 mg-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,0.05-3a, 7-tetrazaindene hydroxylamine sulfate 2.4 3.3 2-methyl-4 -[N-Ethyl-N-4.5 6.5 (β-hydroxyethyl) amino] aniline sulfate 1.0 liter 3.0 liter pH by adding water (adjusted with potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid) 10.05 10.18

(Bleaching Solution) Tank Solution (g) Replenishing Solution (g) 1,3-Diaminopropynetetraacetic Acid Secondary 113 170 Iron Ammonium Monohydrate Ammonium Bromide 70 105 Ammonium Nitrate 14 21 Succinic Acid 40 60 Maleic Acid 42.5 50 Water added 1.0 liter 1.0 liter pH (prepared with ammonia water) 4.6 4.0

(Fixing (1) Tank Liquid) A 5:95 (volume ratio) mixture of the above bleaching tank liquid and the following fixing tank liquid. (PH
6.8) (Fixing liquid (2)) Tank liquid (g) Replenishing liquid (g) Ammonium thiosulfate aqueous solution 240 ml 720 ml (750 g / l) Imidazole 7 21 Ammonium methanethiosulfinate 5 15 Ammonium methanesulfinate 10 30 Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic acid 13 39 Add water 1.0 liter 1.0 liter pH (prepared with aqueous ammonia and acetic acid) 7.4 7.45

(Washing water) Tap water was used as an H-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR-produced by Rohm and Haas).
120B) and an OH-type strongly basic anion exchange resin (Amberlite IR-400) are passed through a hot bed column to adjust the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions to 3 m.
g / l or less, followed by sodium diisocyanurate dichloride 20 mg / l and sodium sulfate 1
50 mg / l was added. The pH of this solution is 6.5.
It was in the range of ~ 7.5.

(Stabilizing Solution) Common to Tank Solution and Replenishing Solution (Unit: g) Sodium p-toluenesulfinate 0.03 Polyoxyethylene-p-monononylphenyl ether 0.2 (Average degree of polymerization 10) 1,2-Benzisothiazoline-3- on. Sodium 0.10 Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt 0.05 1,2,4-triazole 1.3 1,4-bis (1,2,4-triazole-1-0.75 ylmethyl) piperazine Water was added to 1.0 liter pH 8.5

In the running process, each replenisher is prepared by using a kit prepared in advance as described below and filled in a container (there is also a concentration kit) every time the replenisher runs out (alarm is generated). Each replenisher was placed in a stock tank.

(Color Developer) Part A Hydroxylamine Sulfate 17.0 g Addition of ion-exchanged water to 2.5 liters pH 4.1 Part B Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 14.0 g Catechol-3,5-disulfonate disodium 1.5 g Sodium sulfite 26.5 g Odor Potassium iodide 1.5g Potassium carbonate 195.0g N, N-bis (2-sulfoethyl) hydroxylamine 10.0g Disodium 2-Ethyl-4- [ethyl-N- (βhydroxyethyl) 32.5g Amino] aniline sulfate Both ion exchange Add water to 2.5 liter pH (adjust with potassium hydroxide) 10.55

Container (Flexi Cube processing agent cartridge) Color developing solution Bleaching solution / Fixing solution Stabilizing solution Part A Part B shape Almost square type Almost square type Almost square type Almost circular type Inner capacity 2.8 liters 2.8 liters 2.2 liters 280 ml filling Volume 2.5 liter 2.5 liter 2.0 liter 250 ml Container body material LDPE ^* LDPE / NY / LDPE LDPE ^* HDPE * Density 0.91g / cc

In addition, the material of the cap and the inner plug, the reduction rate of height due to the contraction of the bellows, the oxygen permeability, and the wall thickness are the same as those of the container described in the present description in both the substantially circular shape and the substantially square shape. 2100 cm ² The 300 cm ² in the case the surface area of the container substantially circular, in the case of a substantially rectangular type with 2.2 liters container, 2.8
It is 2500 cm ² in a liter container. After the completion of each running process, Fuji Color Negative Film HG400 (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) exposed to light through continuous wedges was processed to evaluate fixing property and photographic property. The evaluation method is shown below.

Fixability The amount of residual silver in the unexposed area of the processed sample was measured by fluorescent X-ray analysis. Replenisher Operation Comparison (Color Developer) As shown in FIG. 4, cartridges (Flexi Cube) Part A and Part B (2.5 liters each) were installed and run. At the beginning of installation, the liquids 70 and 70 are immediately introduced into the replenisher stock tank by the signal of the liquid level sensor 84 and automatically mixed. However, after 5 minutes from the installation, an empty signal was displayed and I was instructed to install the Flexi Cube again, so I took out the Flexi Cube and replaced it with a new cube. The old cubes could be compacted and disposed of as waste plastic with a simple rinse with little residual liquid. Even if there was an empty signal, when there was time, anyone could operate it simply by re-installing a new cartridge.

(Bleaching Solution) (Fixing Solution) The cartridge (Flexi Cube) was directly placed in the replenishing solution stock tank. (Stabilizer) Put one kit into 8 liters of tap water (10
(0-fold dilution) Stir in the replenisher stock tank. The stabilizing solution required agitation and was troublesome to prepare. Bleaching solution, fixing solution,
Since the stabilizing solution is a conventional replenisher stock tank, the automatic processor stopped working unless the replenisher was supplied immediately after the empty liquid was displayed. When I was busy, preparation was very troublesome. However, compared to this, the color developing solution had a spare cartridge, so it was sufficient to replace it at any time.

Example 2 In Example 1, the size of each replenisher was as follows. Part A of color developing solution CD is 1 liter Part 1 of color developing solution CD is 1 liter Bleaching solution BL is 0.5 liter Fixing solution FX is 0.8 liter This is used as a multi-processing agent cartridge as shown in FIG. .
The replenishment part of the automatic developing machine FP360B manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. was modified to match this. FIG. 12 shows an example of a multiple treatment agent cartridge. This cartridge is shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 or No. 17 of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-45555.
As shown in the figure, bellows type processing agent containers 501, 502,
Processing liquids 521, 522, 523, and 5 in 503 and 504
Cap 5 containing 24 and is meltable or pierceable
Cardboard 5 closed with 11, 512, 513, 514
The whole is covered with 00.

In this embodiment, a container 501 is filled with a color developing solution Part A, a container 502 is filled with a color developing solution Part B, a container 503 is filled with a bleaching solution, and a container 504 is filled with a fixing solution. This replenishing cartridge has the above volume ratio, and the periphery is fixed with a cardboard. Therefore, the strength can be maintained even in a flexible container. In FIG. 12, the lower end protrusion of the cap is a meltable or pierceable portion. This part is set as the replenishment part of the automatic processor.
After use, the surrounding cardboard is collected as paper, and the plastic is rinsed, then pressed and handed to a plastic recovery company.
The volume was significantly reduced and the weight was reduced as compared with the conventional polyethylene particles. Similarly, a stabilizing solution can be made into a cartridge, but since the used solution is thin, it increases the weight and is not preferable. In addition, with this processing agent cartridge, color negative 5
1 cartridge per 0 cartridge (3.3 liters, about 4k
It is a very easy method to use, as it can be replaced by a little (g).

Example 3 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. color paper automatic developing machine Rocky was modified to modify the configuration of FIG. 3 of JP-A-6-110172.
Also, when a printer processor as shown in FIG. 4 was filled with the following processing solutions and processed in the following steps, good photographs were obtained. Treatment process Temperature Time Replenishment amount * Color development 40 ° C 45 seconds 45ml Bleach fixing 40 ° C 45 seconds 35ml Rinse (1) 40 ° C 20 seconds ― Rinse (2) 40 ° C 20 seconds ― Rinse (3) 40 ° C 20 seconds ― Rinse (4) 40 ℃ 20 seconds 150ml * Replenishment amount per 1m ^{2 of} light-sensitive material

(Color developer) Tank solution Replenisher Cation-exchanged water 800 ml 800 ml Triethanolamine 14.5 g 14.5 g Potassium hydroxide 3.0 g 10.0 g Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 4.0 g 4.0 g 4,5-dihydroxy Benzene-1,3 0.5 g 0.5 g-sodium disulfonate potassium chloride 14.0 g-potassium bromide 0.04 g 0.01 g optical brightener 2.5 g 4.5 g sodium sulfite 0.1 g 0.2 g disodium -N, N-bis (sulfonate 8.5 g 11.1 g ethyl) hydroxylamine N-ethyl-N (β-methanesulfonamide 5.0 g 15.7 g ethyl) -3-methyl-4-amino-4-aminoaniline・ 3/2 Sulfuric acid ・ monohydrate Potassium carbonate 26.3g 26.3g Add water 10 0ml 1000ml pH (25 ℃ / in KOH or sulfuric acid) 10.15 12.45

(Bleaching Fixing Solution) Part A Water 250 ml Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ammonium ferric acid 0.23 mol m-carboxy-benzenesulfinic acid 0.18 mol Water was added to 500 ml pH (at 25 ° C./ammonium nitrate water) 6.0

Part B Water 100 ml Ammonium thiosulfate (75 g / l) 210 ml Ammonium sulfite 90 g Imidazole 0.2 mol Water was added to 500 ml pH (at 25 ° C./ammonium nitrate water) 6.0

Container (Flexi Cube Treatment Cartridge) Color Developer Bleaching Fixer Part A Part B Shape Approximate Square Shape Approximate Square Shape Approximate Square Shape Internal Volume 2.8 liters 1.2 liters 1.2 liters Filling amount 2.5 liters 1.1 liters 1.1 liters Container body Material LDPE / NY / LDPE LDPE LDPE

Laminated plastic was used as the color developing solution, and the stability of the solution was sufficient although it was a replenishing solution. After processing, plastic waste could be greatly reduced.

Example 4 Each replenisher in Example 3 was filled in the following size. Color developing solution P1 2.25 liters Color developing solution P1 2.25 liters Bleach-fixing solution P2 Part A 1.75 liters Bleach-fixing solution P2 Part B 1.75 liters

In FIG. 12, the two largest inks are color developing solutions P.
The bleaching solution BL for 1 was made to have the same size as the fixing solution FX, and the bleach-fixing solution P2 was filled with Part A and Part B. In this way, the process can be easily performed by changing the cartridge once for every 100 m ^{2 of} color paper.

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the replenishment mechanism is provided so that the liquid in the cartridge is supplied only by mounting the treatment agent cartridge on the replenishment section, even an amateur can easily perform the replenishment work. Further, according to the present invention, when the liquid level of the replenishing liquid in the replenishing liquid stock tank becomes lower than a predetermined value, the replenishing liquid is automatically flown into the replenishing liquid stock tank from the cartridge, and the cartridge is emptied. Since the cartridge replacement is instructed at a predetermined timing later, even if the replenisher in the replenisher stock tank runs short during the work, it is not necessary to immediately replace the cartridge as in the conventional case, and the work can be continued. Is improved, and even an amateur can easily perform the replacement work. According to the invention,
By storing replenishers of the same type or different types in a plurality of cartridges and constructing these treatment agent cartridges in multiples, it is only necessary to attach multiple cartridges to the mounting part of the automatic developing machine, and even an amateur can replenish the replenishers. You can definitely do the replacement work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a film developing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of the replenisher supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing details of the heater shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a replenishment liquid stock tank portion of a replenishment liquid supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine by the control circuit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a hole drilling mechanism of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway front view showing a first container which is a specific example of the container according to the present invention.

8 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

9 is a front view showing a state in which the container of FIG. 7 has been reduced in volume. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a second container which is another specific example of the container according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of the first container or the second container, where (A) has a single structure and (B) has a double structure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a multiple cartridge used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Container Main Body 14 Mouth 16 Bellows 10 First Container (Liquid Container) 40 Second Container (Liquid Container) 41 Bellows 54 Supply Device 56 Replenisher Stock Tank 66 Cartridge 70 Replenisher 72 Lid 74 Heater 80 Downflow Pipe 82 Float 84 First liquid level sensor 86 Second liquid level sensor 88 Control circuit 90 Alarm 500 Multiple cartridge 501 Container for color developer (CD) part A 502 For color developer (CD) part B Container 503 Container for bleaching solution (BL) 504 Container for fixing solution (FX)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An automatic processor for a silver halide light-sensitive material having a replenishing mechanism, wherein a container having a hard mouth protruding from a container body having flexibility and a bellows part in at least a part of the container body is photographed. When a photographic processing agent cartridge storing a solution containing a processing composition is installed in a replenishing section of an automatic processor, a part of the hard mouth is connected to a replenishing solution stock tank to replenish the replenishing solution stock. An automatic developing machine having a replenishing mechanism for supplying liquid to a tank. 2. A first sensor for detecting a liquid level in a replenisher stock tank, a second sensor for notifying that a processing agent cartridge is empty, and a liquid level below a predetermined value is detected by the first sensor. Flow means for replenishing the replenisher from the processing agent cartridge to the replenisher stock tank, and a second level after the liquid level is detected by the first sensor.
For a photosensitive material, having a replenishment mechanism including replacement display means for instructing replacement of the processing agent cartridge at a predetermined timing when the sensor detects that the processing agent cartridge is empty. Replenisher supply device for automatic processor. 3. A photographic processing composition in an automatic processor for silver halide light-sensitive materials, wherein a container having a hard mouth protruding from a container body having flexibility and a bellows part in at least a part of the container body. When a photographic processing agent cartridge storing a solution containing is stored in the replenishment section of an automatic developing machine, the solution is supplied to the processing tank by connecting a part of the hard mouth to the processing tank. An automatic developing machine having a mechanism. 4. A portion in which a treatment agent cartridge has a mechanism connected to either a replenisher stock tank or a treatment tank, and a part of a hard mouth portion of the treatment agent cartridge is meltable or pierceable. 4. The automatic developing machine according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising a piercing means for connecting the cartridge and the automatic developing machine when the cartridge is installed. 5. A container having a hard mouth portion protruding from a flexible container body and a bellows portion on at least a part of the container body, and at least two or more liquids containing a photographic processing composition are stored in the container. A multiple cartridge characterized in that the processing agent cartridge of 1 is integrally formed. 6. The processing solution according to claim 5, wherein the processing solution for the same purpose is divided into two or more processing agent cartridges, and /
Alternatively, a multiple cartridge wherein the processing liquid for other purposes comprises one or more processing agent cartridges, and these processing agent cartridges are integrally formed.