JPH075666A - Container for photographic processing composition - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the efficiency of a discarding treatment by realizing lessening of space and accelerating of biodegradation at the time of discarding. CONSTITUTION:This container 10 for a photographic processing compsn. made of biode gradable plastic is reduced in size and volume when the container receives external force in the state of removing a cap 30. The container 10 is provided with the rigidity based on the bellows shape by bellows parts 16 at the time of use, the sufficient rigidity is thus assured even if the container is formed to a correspondingly smaller thickness. The container 10 is biode gradated by microorganisms in soil, etc., when the container 10 is reduced in volume and is left standing after burying the container in the soil after the use. The container 10 necessitates the occupying space in the soil, etc., smaller by the reduced volume and the biodecomposition time is shortened by the reduced thickness-component.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container for a photographic processing composition, and more particularly to a container for a photographic processing composition suitable as a container for a processing solution used for developing a photosensitive material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, high-density polyethylene (HD) has been used as a processing liquid container for a photosensitive material processing device such as an automatic developing device.
PE, polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other single layer materials, or nylon / polyethylene (NY / PE) multilayer materials such as blow molding or injection blow molding, which have rigidity Things are being used.

In recent years, waste pollution has become a big problem. Therefore, it is necessary to dispose of used containers so as not to adversely affect the environment.

For this reason, JP-A-4-249247 proposes a container made of biodegradable plastic.

When a container made of biodegradable plastic is buried in the soil or submerged in water, it is biodegraded by microorganisms in the soil or water and disposed of.

[0006]

By the way, when discarding a biodegradable plastic container, it is necessary to leave it in soil, water or the like for a considerable period of time.

Like a container made of high-density polyethylene,
Due to this rigidity, the container made of biodegradable plastic also keeps its original shape after use, and is buried in the soil or sunk in water in a bulky state.

Therefore, in order to improve the efficiency of the disposal process, it is expected that the space of the container in soil, water, etc. will be saved and the biodegradation time will be shortened.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a container for a photographic processing composition, which realizes space saving at the time of disposal, promotion of biodegradation, and efficiency of disposal. To provide.

[0010]

A container for a photographic processing composition according to claim 1 is a container for a photographic processing composition in which a mouth is closed by a lid member, and a biodegradable plastic is used as a container material. And a bellows portion for reducing the container volume.

[0011]

The container for a photographic processing composition according to claim 1 is contracted to reduce the volume of the container when the lid member is removed and an external force is applied thereto (volume is reduced).

[0012] During use, the bellows portion provides rigidity based on the bellows shape, and even if the container thickness is made thin accordingly, sufficient rigidity can be secured.

After use, the container for photographic processing composition is reduced in volume, buried in soil, submerged in water, etc. Is biodegraded by.

Since the volume of the container for the photographic processing composition is reduced, the space occupied by the container for the photographic processing composition in soil, water, etc. is small, and the wall thickness is small. Since it can be formed, the time required for biodegradation (biodegradation time) is shortened accordingly.

As a result, it is possible to save space and promote biodegradation when disposing of the container for the photographic processing composition.
Efficient disposal is achieved.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

A container 10 for a photographic processing composition of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a flexible container body 12 and a hard mouth portion 14 projecting from the container body 12 in the axial direction. 12 and the mouth portion 14 are integrally molded by blow molding.

The material of the container 10 for the photographic processing composition is made of biodegradable plastic. Known biodegradable plastics can be used. For example, there are polomers of hydroxybutyrate (HB) and hydroxyvalerate (HV) produced by hydrogen bacteria, such as bionole (trade name of Showa High Polymer), biopol (trade name of ICI Japan), and praxel (of Daicel). Product name),
Resomer (trade name of DuPont) etc. is possible. Biodegradable plastics can be buried in soil, in water, by burying them in water, immersing them in water, or burying them in compost.
It can be biodegraded by microorganisms in compost to carbon dioxide and water.

Further, the container 10 for the photographic processing composition is
It has a shape that is substantially bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis when viewed from any direction.

The container body 12 has a bellows portion 16 formed continuously from the boundary portion with the mouth portion 14 in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) continuously with the boundary portion with the mouth portion 14. Has been done. The bellows portion 16 is provided below the first, second, and third abacus ball-shaped portions 18, 20 and 22 and the third abacus ball-shaped portion 22 which are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. And a stepped cylindrical portion 24 arranged at a distance. Here, the abacus ball-shaped portion is a conical portion in which two upper and lower heads that are opposite to each other have a common center axis (here, the vertical axis) and a maximum diameter portion that protrudes a maximum amount in the direction orthogonal to the axis. Means a shaped portion having an outer shape composed of This word will be used in the same meaning below.

The first to third abacus ball-shaped portions 18, 2
The axial dimension (vertical dimension in FIG. 3) of the upper portion (the side closer to the mouth portion 14) of the maximum diameter portions of 0 and 22 is the axial dimension of the lower portion (the side closer to the base portion 32). The first to third abacus ball-shaped portions 18, which are made larger,
R part 1 on the lower side of the maximum diameter part of each of 20 and 22
8B, 20B, 22B are formed, and as a result, the first abacus ball-shaped portion 18 is formed continuously with the mouth portion 14, and the axial dimension above the maximum diameter portion of the first abacus ball-shaped portion 18 is It is getting bigger. Further, an R portion 18A having a relatively large radius of curvature is formed above the maximum diameter portion of the first abacus ball-shaped portion 18, and the surface area of the R portion 18A portion is large.
Therefore, a label or the like for indicating the kind of contents, the usage method of the internal photographic processing composition, the precautions for handling the container, or the like is attached or marked on the R part 18A. It is convenient because the displayed contents can be confirmed from the top and side.

Between the first abacus ball shape part 18 and the second abacus ball shape part 20, between the second abacus ball shape part 20 and the third abacus ball shape part 22, and the third abacus. The ball-shaped portion 22 and the stepped cylindrical portion 24 are directly connected. Since the diameters of the connecting portions are smaller than those of the first abacus ball-shaped portion 18, the second abacus ball-shaped portion 20, the third abacus ball-shaped portion 22, and the stepped cylindrical portion 24, blow molding is performed. The first abacus ball-shaped portion 18 and the second abacus ball-shaped portion 2
0, the third abacus ball-shaped portion 22, and the stepped cylindrical portion 24 are formed to be thicker.

Below the stepped cylindrical portion 24, a substantially cylindrical base portion 32 is provided. A concave portion 32C is formed on the bottom surface of the base portion 32, which improves the stability of the photographic processing composition container 10 when it is erected.

The mouth portion 14 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a flange portion 34 having a hexagonal cross section is provided at an intermediate portion in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1). This mouth 14
Is formed integrally with the container body 12 by blow molding. At this time, the opening 14 is formed on the container body 1.
Since the diameter is smaller than 2, it can be formed so as to be thicker than the container body 12, and thus the mouth portion 14 is formed to be hard to some extent. Where mouth 1
4, the average thickness of the flange portion 34 and the mouth portion including these portions is preferably 0.5 to 4 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 3 mm, and particularly preferably 1.2 mm to 2.5 m.
and the average wall thickness of the container body 12 is
Preferably 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, more preferably 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm, particularly preferably 0.3 mm to
It is formed to have a thickness of 0.5 mm, and the difference between the two is preferably 0.2 mm, more preferably about 0.5 mm. Further, the ratio of the average wall thickness of the mouth portion to the average wall thickness of the main body portion is preferably about 2.0 to 10.0. By doing so, the total weight can be reduced without impairing usability (which will be described later).

A male screw portion 14A is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the mouth portion 14, and a cap 30 as a hard lid member having a female screw portion screwed on the male screw portion 14A is formed on the inner wall thereof. The upper opening of the mouth portion 14 is screwed and opened and closed.

The cap 30 is formed of polypropylene or high density polyethylene (HDPE), for example. Here, as the high-density polyethylene, for example, one having a density larger than 0.940 g / cc, preferably 0.
More than 940 g / cc and 0.98 g / cc or less, more preferably 0.945 g / cc to 0.97 g / cc can be used.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. According to the container 10 for a photographic processing composition of the present example, the container 10 for a photographic processing composition has the cap 30 removed,
When an external force is applied, the volume is reduced and the volume of the container is reduced (volume is reduced).

During use, the bellows portion 16 provides rigidity based on the bellows shape, and even if the container is thinned by that amount, sufficient rigidity can be secured.

The container is preferably volume-reducing, but at the same time preferably self-supporting, where self-supporting means, for example, that the photographic processing composition in the container is naturally present even after the cap is removed. It will not be leaked.

After the use, the cap 30 is removed to reduce the volume, and the volume-reduced container 10 for the photographic processing composition is buried in the soil, and then left in the water to leave the photographic processing composition. The container 10 is biodegraded by microorganisms such as soil and water.

Since the volume of the container 10 for the photographic processing composition is reduced, the space occupied by the container 10 for the photographic processing composition in soil, water, etc. is small, and the wall thickness is large. Since it can be formed thin, the time required for biodegradation (biodegradation time) is shortened accordingly.

As a result, space is saved and biodegradation is promoted when the container 10 for the photographic processing composition is discarded, and the efficiency of the disposal process is achieved.

To confirm this, the following test was conducted. First, the material of the present example, which is a bionore and has a bellows portion 16, and the comparative example 1 which is a material of bionole but does not have a bellows portion, and further, the material has no bellows portion and is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). And the reference example 2 in which the material is high density polyethylene (HDPE) without the bellows portion were prepared.

The containers of this example, Comparative example 1 and Reference examples 1 and 2 were all hollow molded with a capacity of 250 ml, and the average thickness of the container of this example was 0.5 mm.
The average wall thickness of the containers of Comparative Example 1 and Reference Examples 1 and 2 is 1 mm, respectively.

Then, each container was buried in the soil under about 30 cm, and the time course of biodegradation was visually evaluated.

As the results are shown in Table 1, in the case of this example, the biodegradation time was extremely shortened.

[0037]

[Table 1] The biodegradable plastic container is not inferior in storage stability and drop strength to conventional containers. Further, the sensitometric performance of the film developed with the developing solution and the fixing solution stored in the container of this example, and the residual silver amount were comparable to those of the film developed with the processing solution stored in the conventional container. It can be used as a processing agent container for photographic light-sensitive materials.

On the other hand, since the mouth portion 14 is relatively hard and the flange portion 34 is formed in a hexagonal shape, it is possible to smoothly fill the photographic processing composition such as the developing solution and the fixing solution in the factory. it can. Further, since the mouth portion 14 is relatively hard and the flange portion 34 is easy to hold, the body portion 12 (this portion is flexible) is not twisted when the cap 30 is removed. Therefore, it is unlikely that the photographic processing composition in the photographic processing composition container 10, for example, a liquid such as a processing liquid erroneously overflows from the mouth portion 14 or the like.
Since the container 10 for the photographic processing composition is characterized by having flexibility, liquid overflow during filling or during use is more likely to occur on one side than the conventional container having rigidity, and in order to prevent this. The photographic processing composition filling rate is 95 when the container 10 is pulled in the axial direction and the bellows portion 16 is extended to the maximum extent.
% Or less, preferably 95% to 85%.

When the bellows portion 16 is extended,
Since the bellows portion 16 has irregularities, it is easy to hold in the hand, and when the user pours the photographic processing composition, for example, the treatment liquid, the bellows portion 16 automatically expands and contracts to quickly release the treatment liquid. Since air entrapment is reduced, handling at the time of this liquid injection is easy and the liquid injection work can be performed smoothly.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion between the abacus ball-shaped portions is made thicker than the other portions of the bellows portion 16,
Since they are provided at predetermined intervals, the self-supporting property of the photographic processing composition container 10 is sufficiently ensured. Further, since the bellows portion 16 is formed on the container body 12, the cap 30 is removed and the photographic processing composition in the interior is discharged from the mouth portion 14 to adjust the amount of the discharged photographic processing composition. By pressing the mouth portion 14 downward (toward the base portion 32) and contracting the bellows portion 16, the head space (the space in the upper portion of the container where the photographic processing composition is absent) can be adjusted. In this way, since the head space can be adjusted, it is possible to prevent the oxidation of the photoprocessing composition by keeping the photoprocessing composition inside to be almost full.

Further, depending on the amount of the photographic processing composition to be discharged, when the mouth portion 14 is pressed downward and the bellows portion 16 is gradually contracted, the shape finally becomes as shown in FIG. When the last photographic processing composition left inside is discharged, the photographic processing composition accumulation portion does not occur, which is an advantage that the photographic processing composition hardly remains.

As shown in FIG. 2, by tightly screwing the cap 30 in the reduced volume state,
The volume-reduced state is maintained. Therefore, the collection efficiency of the discarded container is improved after use.

Further, since the R portions 18B, 20B and 22B are formed, it is easy to reduce the volume and it is difficult to restore the original shape. In addition, this R portion 18B, 20
B and 22B are 5R or more, preferably 15R to 60R,
More preferably, it is desired to be 15R to 40R.

When the radius of curvature of the R portion is increased and the number of steps of the bellows portion 16 is reduced as a result, the overall shape approaches a cylindrical shape and a specific surface area (a cylindrical container having the same inner volume is used). Is preferable, and the amount of permeated oxygen is reduced.

The volume reduction of the container in this embodiment is preferably 1 to 20 kg / cm ² , more preferably 5 to 10 kg / cm, although the pressure required for volume reduction varies depending on the size of the container. ^In a container having a volume of 1 liter or more, the volume can be reduced at a pressure of preferably 3 to 20 kg / cm ² , more preferably 5 to 10 kg / cm ² (also in the following Examples. As well).

The volume-reduced state can be maintained by securely screwing the cap 30 into the volume-reduced state. Therefore, the collection efficiency of the container discarded after use can be improved.

The volume reduction rate, which is the ratio between the state before the bellows portion 16 shown in FIG. 1 is compressed and the state in which the bellows portion 16 shown in FIG. 2 is completely compressed, is 50% or less, preferably 4%.
It is desired to be 0% or less, more preferably 30% or less. Here, the volume reduction rate is a volume ratio calculated by utilizing the height change of the water surface when the container is capped and submerged in water. However, the ratio is preferably 10% or more in terms of manufacturing and design.

In the above embodiment, the case where the hexagonal flange portion 34 is projectingly formed in the middle portion of the mouth portion 14 in the axial direction has been described, but the flange portion 34 may have another shape, for example, a quadrangle or an octagon. Alternatively, it may be formed into a so-called oval shape or the like, that is, it may be formed into a shape having a flat surface in part. However, when the mouth portion between the flange portion 34 and the container body 12 is lengthened, this portion can be provided, and thus the flange portion 34 may be formed in a circular shape.

Further, the cap 30 can be made of biodegradable plastic, like the container.

At least a biodegradable plastic is used for the main body of the container.
_{2 If the} permeability cannot be sufficiently suppressed, it is recommended to use O between the production and filling and the use of the photographic processing composition.
_{2 In} order to suppress permeability, it is preferable to cover the container with a gas barrier sheet and separately collect the photographic processing composition from the container body after use.

Examples of the gas barrier sheet used here include a single film, a laminate, and
A composite film with vapor deposition and coating is possible.

The material of the film may be a metal thin film (Al, Sn, Zn, etc.), polyamide, vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride, saponified vinyl alcohol alcohol copolymer, etc. in the case of lamination, and in the case of vapor deposition / coating. Include vinylidene chloride, Al, Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO
_A silicon oxide such as ₂ is possible.

As the base material for the laminate or the like, polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, etc.), polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, cellophane, etc. can be used, and each material may be either a stretched film or an unstretched film. .

Specifically, various metal thin film processed flexible sheets, laminated films containing various metal layers such as aluminum foil and iron foil, vinylidene chloride resin film, vinylidene chloride coated various plastic films (eg biaxially stretched polyester resin film, Biaxially-stretched polyamide resin film, biaxially-stretched polypropylene resin film, biaxially-stretched polyethylene resin film, biaxially-stretched polystyrene resin film, etc., and plastic film such as uniaxial molecularly mixed film using the resin) and vinylidene chloride-coated cellophane, Vinylidene chloride coated paper, polyvinylidene chloride coated polyvinyl alcohol resin film, etc. 1
It can be composed of more than one layer.

Various kinds of metal thin film processed flexible sheets include at least one or more metal foils or metal thin film processed flexible sheets, and vacuum deposition method, sputtering method,
By using an ion plating method, an electron beam evaporation method or the like, Al, Z or
A simple metal such as n, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Cu, an alloy, or another metal capable of forming a thin film is provided. For example,
The aluminum vacuum-deposited biaxially stretched thermoplastic resin film is excellent in cost and processing.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, parts having the same configurations as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

Container 40 for photographic processing composition of this example
Has a flexible container body 42 and a hard mouth portion 14 axially protruding from the container body 42. The container body 42 and the mouth portion 14 are integrally formed by blow molding. The difference is similar to the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the mouth portion 1 is provided over the entire container body 42 in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3).
A bellows portion 41 that is continuous up to the boundary with 4 is formed.
The bellows part 41 is composed of fourth to eighth abacus ball shape parts 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 having the same diameter in five steps, a fourth abacus ball shape part 44 and a fifth abacus ball shape part. A first cylindrical connecting portion 54 for connecting 46, a second cylindrical connecting portion 56 for connecting the fifth abacus ball-shaped portion 46 and a sixth abacus ball-shaped portion 48, and a sixth A third cylindrical connecting portion 58 connecting the abacus ball-shaped portion 48 and the seventh abacus ball-shaped portion 50.
And a seventh abacus ball-shaped portion 50 and an eighth abacus ball-shaped portion 52
And a fourth cylindrical connecting portion 60 for connecting to each other.

Fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 44, 4
6, 48, 50 and 52 are formed in a vertically symmetrical shape.

The first to fourth cylindrical connecting portions 54, 5
Since the diameter dimensions of 6, 58, 60 are the minimum diameter dimensions of the fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, they are the first to the first when the blow molding is performed. The cylindrical connecting portions 54, 56, 58, 60 of No. 4 are formed thicker than the fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, whereby the photographic processing composition is formed. The independence of the container 40 is secured.

Here, the first to fourth cylindrical connecting portions 5
The diameter dimension of 4,56,58,60 is 85% or less, preferably 40 to 75, with respect to the diameter dimension of the maximum diameter portion of the fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 44,46,48,50,52.
%, More preferably 50 to 75%. This is to improve the folding efficiency and effectively prevent the container body 42 from returning to its original shape when the bellows portion 41 is compressed and the volume of the container body 42 is reduced after the internal liquid is discharged.

A concave portion 52A is formed at the bottom of the eighth abacus bead-shaped portion 52, whereby the container 4 for the photographic processing composition is formed.
The stability is improved when 0 is set.

The container body 42 and the mouth portion 14 are integrally molded by blow molding using the same material as in the first embodiment.

In this photographic processing composition container 40, the fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 44, which constitute the bellows portion 41,
Since 46, 48, 50, and 52 have the same diameter as described above, the paper can be easily wound around the outer periphery of the bellows portion 41, and both ends of the wound paper can be glued or glued. By bonding with an adhesive or the like, the outer cylinder 62A as shown in FIG. 3 is formed.

The second embodiment constructed as described above also provides the same action and effect as the above-described first embodiment, and in addition, when the container body 42 does not have the self-sustaining property or is low, The tube 62A can ensure independence. In the case of the second embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the wall thickness of the container body 42 (in some cases, to the extent that the container body 42 itself loses its independence), and the volume can be easily reduced. Considering only the fact that it can be converted, it is preferable that the independence is low. Further, when the outer cylinder 62A is wound, it is easier to hold in the hand. Biodegradation is further promoted by the thinner wall thickness of the container body 42.

Here, when the container 40 for the photographic processing composition is formed in such a large size that the outer peripheral portion of the outer cylinder 62A is hard to be held by hand, a finger enters between the outer cylinder 62A and the container body. A hole of a certain degree may be opened in the outer cylinder 62A, and a finger may be inserted into this hole to grasp the periphery of the first and second cylindrical connecting portions 54, 56 and the like. Further, the outer cylinder 62A may be formed in a tubular shape in advance so as to have an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the photographic processing composition container 40. Further, the outer cylinder 62A has a bottomed tubular shape and is the outer cylinder 62A. The container 40 for the photographic processing composition may be prevented from falling out from the bottom when the container 40 is lifted through.

In the second embodiment, the case where the outer cylinder 62A is formed of paper has been illustrated, but a shrink film (heat shrinkable film) is used instead of the outer cylinder 62A.
A may be formed, and the outer cylinder 62A may be contracted by heating so that the outer cylinder 62A is brought into close contact with the outer periphery of the container body 42. Further, in the second embodiment, the case where the container body 42 has the bellows portion 41 in the entire axial direction from the boundary with the mouth portion 14 to the bottom portion is illustrated, but from the boundary with the mouth portion 14 to the bottom portion. A bellows portion may be provided in a part in the height direction, and the outer cylinder may be attached only to the outer circumference of the bellows portion.

Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the same reference numerals will be given to the same or equivalent components as in the second embodiment described above.

In this modified example, the bellows portion 41 formed over the entire axial direction of the container body 42 has fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 44, 46, 48, 5 having the same diameter in five steps.
It is similar to the second embodiment in that it is configured to include 0 and 52. However, in the upper and lower portions of the maximum diameter portions of each of the fourth to eighth abacus ball-shaped portions 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, the R portion 44 as shown in the drawing is provided.
A, 44B, 46A, 46B, 48A, 48B, 50
A, 50B, 52A and 52B are formed.

These R portions 44A to 52B are the bellows portion 4
It is formed in order to improve the folding efficiency when pressing 1 to reduce the volume of the container main body 42 and to make it difficult to restore the original shape by being firmly pressed. In order to achieve this object, these R portions 44A to 52B are 5R or more, preferably 15R to 60R, more preferably 15R.
It is desirable to set it to -40R.

The construction of the other parts, the overall construction or materials, the manufacturing method, etc. are the same as in the second embodiment.

In the case of this modification as well, in addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the second embodiment, the volume can be further reduced and the original shape can be obtained by the action of the R portions 44A to 52B. It's harder to come back.

In the first and second embodiments and the modified examples, the case where the cross section of the container body in the direction orthogonal to the axis is circular is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the container body The cross-sectional shape may be formed in an elliptical shape, for example. In this way, when the cross-sectional shape of the container body is elliptical,
It becomes possible to fill a larger volume of liquid as compared with a circular container having the same height dimension and the short radius of the ellipse being the same as the diameter thereof, and a considerably large volume (for example, 2 liter to 5 liters).
Even a (liter) container can be grabbed by hand. In the case of photographic processing agents, it is often the case that several types of containers are combined and stored in one box at the same time. The one with less dead space can be packed efficiently.

The cross-sectional shape of the container body orthogonal to the axis is square,
It may be hexagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal shape, and the container main body is made into a quadrangular shape such as a square shape, a rectangular shape, or the like so that the storage space can be effectively used when packing a plurality of boxes. In particular, when the container body has a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the axis, when it is packed in a large number of boxes, etc., it is more efficient by arranging it in a so-called honeycomb shape. Boxing is possible.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples, the case where the bellows portion of the container body has three or five steps of convex portions (abacus ball-shaped portion) has been exemplified, but the number of irregularities forming the bellows portion is It is desirable that the number is preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 4 to 6. When the number of irregularities is reduced, the overall shape approaches a cylindrical shape and the rate of increase in specific surface area (based on a cylindrical container with the same internal volume) can be reduced, and the oxygen transmission rate is reduced. In that respect, it is preferable, and is suitable for storing a developing solution.

In each of the above embodiments and modifications,
Regarding the container for the photographic processing composition, the case where it is used to fill the processing liquid used for the development processing of the light-sensitive material (this will be described later) is illustrated, but the container is used for other than the photographic processing composition. It is possible to use fluids such as various liquids,
It can be used for powders, granules, etc. For example, it can be used as a beverage container filled with various beverages.

Among them, the volume-reducing type container is suitable for a fluid, particularly a liquid composition which tends to be bulky.

In each of the above Examples and Modifications, the inner volume of the container for the photographic processing composition is not clearly indicated, but several liters (concretely, from a container having an inner volume of 50 ml) (specifically,
For example, it can be applied to a container of 2 to 5 liters.

As the photographic processing agent filled in the photographic processing composition container, known materials can be used. For example, a color developing solution, a black and white developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, a bleach-fixing solution, an adjusting solution, a stabilizing solution and the like can be mentioned.

The color developing solution is preferably an alkaline aqueous solution containing an aromatic primary amine type color developing agent as a main component. Although aminophenol compounds are also useful as the color developing agent, p-phenylenediamine compounds are preferably used, and typical examples thereof include 3-methyl-4-amino-N, N-diethylaniline and 3- Methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-
Examples include β-methanesulfonamidoethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methoxyethylaniline and their sulfates, hydrochlorides or p-toluenesulfonates. Two or more of these compounds can be used in combination depending on the purpose.

The color developer contains a pH buffer such as an alkali metal carbonate, borate or phosphate, a bromide salt, an iodide salt, a benzimidazole, a benzothiazole or a mercapto compound. It is common to include agents or antifoggants. In addition, if necessary, hydroxylamine, diethylhydroxylamine, sulfite hydrazines, phenylsemicarbazides, triethanolamine, catecholsulfonic acids, triethylenediamine (1,4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane) Various preservatives such as, organic solvents such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, quaternary ammonium salts, development accelerators such as amines, dye-forming couplers, competitive couplers, fogging agents such as sodium boron hydride, 1-phenyl- Three
-Auxiliary developing agents such as pyrazolidone, viscosity imparting agents, various chelating agents represented by aminopolycarboxylic acids, aminopolyphosphonic acids, alkylphosphonic acids, 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, N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-di (o-hydroxyphenyl) Acetic acid) and salts thereof can be used.

The black-and-white developing solution used for the reversal processing includes dihydroxybenzenes such as hydroquinone, 1
Known black-and-white developing agents such as 3-pyrazolidones such as -phenyl-3-pyrazolidone or aminophenols such as N-methyl-p-aminophenol can be used alone or in combination.

As the bleaching agent, compounds of polyvalent metals such as iron (III), peracids and the like are used. Typical bleaching agents are organic complex salts of iron (III), such as amino acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, methyliminodiacetic acid, 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid and glycol etherdiaminetetraacetic acid. Complex salts of polycarboxylic acids, persulfates and the like can be used. Further, the aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex salt is particularly useful in both the bleaching solution and the bleach-fixing solution.

Examples of the fixing agent include thiosulfates, thiocyanates, thioether compounds, thioureas and a large amount of iodide salts, and the use of thiosulfates is common, especially thiosulfates. Ammonium sulfate can be used most widely. As the preservative for the bleach-fixing solution, sulfite, bisulfite, sulfinic acid or carbonyl bisulfite adduct is preferable.

A typical example of a processing solution such as a color developing solution and a bleach-fixing solution is "Photo Industry Separate Volume, Latest Photo Prescription Handbook" by Akira Sasai (Photo Industry Publishing Co., Ltd., published on July 20, 1983).
It is described in.

Typical examples of the treating agent include the following. As a color developing solution for a color negative film, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution, JP-A-4-3 is known.
No. 59,249, particularly the color developing replenisher, the bleaching replenisher, the fixing replenisher, described in Example 1.
Stabilizer No. 18 can each be used. These may be stored in the container as they are, or may be stored after being concentrated. For example, the stabilizing solution No. 18 may be concentrated 100 times.

The color developing solution and bleach-fixing solution for color paper are those described in JP-A-4-195037, especially the color developing replenisher and bleach-fixing described in Examples, especially Example 2. Each replenisher can be used.

As the color developing solution, bleach-fixing solution and washing water for direct positive color light-sensitive material, the color developing replenishing solution described in JP-A-1-93,739 (Examples, particularly Example 2 is described. Color developing replenisher), JP-A-2-50,
No. 157, the color development replenisher (of the examples, especially the color development replenisher of Example 4, particularly CD-2).
0), the color developing replenisher described in JP-A-2-91,642 (of the examples, particularly the color developing replenisher of Example 1, especially No. 6), JP-A-3-13,941. The bleach-fixing solution described in the official gazette (of the example, especially the bleach-fixing solution of the example 1), the washing water described in JP-A-3-13,941, and especially the bleach-fixing solution described in the example 1. Each can be used. These treatment liquids may be stored in the container as they are, or may be concentrated and stored.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, but various modifications can be made. For example, in each of the above embodiments and modifications, the bellows portion is provided so as to expand and contract in the axial direction of the container, but may be provided so as to expand and contract in the direction orthogonal to the axis, and the expansion and contraction direction with respect to the container does not matter. Also, the shape of the bellows portion is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Space saving and biodegradation promotion are realized at the time of disposal, and the excellent effect of achieving efficient disposal processing is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a container for a photographic processing composition according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the container for photographic processing composition of FIG. 1 is reduced in volume.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a container for a photographic processing composition according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a container for a photographic processing composition according to a modification of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Container for Photographic Processing Composition 12 Container Body 14 Mouth 16 Bellows 30 Cap (lid member)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A container for a photographic processing composition in which a mouth is closed by a lid member, wherein a biodegradable plastic is used as a container material and a bellows part for reducing the container volume is provided. A container for a treatment composition.