JPH0764246A - Processing agent cartridge for silver halide photographic sensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To lessen the moisture absorption of processing agents and to improve the preservable property with lapse of time even if the cartridge is set for a long time in a processing agent supplying device by providing the cartridge with a desiccating agent part in contact air permeably with the inside of the cartridge. CONSTITUTION:This cartridge is provided with the desiccating agent chamber 15f in contact with the delivery side of the respective tablet housing chambers via air permeable walls on the delivery side. This desiccating agent chamber 15f is formed in the state of housing the desiccating agent therein by inserting an air permeable wall member 154 from a delivery side end in the state of pulling up the delivery side door of the processing agent cartridge by engaging both right and left ends with air permeable wall grooves 153a disposed on the inside surfaces of the right and left side walls of a delivery side frame 153 until the member comes into contact with the deep side, then putting the desiccating agent between the ceiling wall of the delivery side frame 153 and the air permeable wall member 154, and thereafter, by airtightly dropping the front wall member into a front wall insertion part 153b consisting of the insertion port and guide grooves disposed on the ceiling wall and the inside surfaces of the right and left side walls from above the delivery side frame 153. Then, the air of high moisture in a processing agent preparing section is absorbed of its moisture by the desiccating agent of the desiccating agent chamber 15f even if this air intrudes into the tablet housing chambers of the processing agent cartridge.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention contains a solid processing agent used in an automatic developing machine for silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials such as exposed film and printing paper (hereinafter also referred to simply as "developing machine") in a sealed state. Regarding the cartridge that was made.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A processing agent cartridge as described above is set in a processing agent supply device such as a developing tank or a fixing tank of an automatic developing machine with a solid processing agent delivery side open, and is solidified according to a processing amount of a photosensitive material. It supplies the processing agent to the developer tank, etc., and if it is left in the processing agent supply device for a long time, the fixed processing agent delivery side is open, so the processing agent absorbs moisture and is easily deformed. There is a problem to say. Further, it has been found that there is a problem that the material is apt to be deteriorated particularly when it is stored with time under such a condition.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the treatment agent can absorb moisture even if it is left for a long time in a state of being set in the treatment agent supply device. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing agent cartridge for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, which is less and has improved storability with time.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, characterized in that a cartridge containing a solid processing agent in a hermetically sealed state has a desiccant part in contact with the inside of the cartridge so as to be able to ventilate. It is in a treatment agent cartridge and achieves the above-mentioned object by this configuration.

[0005]

That is, since the treatment agent cartridge of the present invention has the desiccant portion which is in contact with the inside of the cartridge containing the solid treatment agent so as to be able to be ventilated, the treatment agent cartridge is set in the treatment agent supply device to be inserted into the cartridge from the treatment agent supply device side. Even if high-humidity air in the upper part in contact with a processing solution such as a developing solution may enter, the desiccant in the desiccant part absorbs moisture and prevents the solid processing agent from absorbing. Further, by disposing the desiccant part in the cartridge, not only the moisture-proof effect but also the storability of the solid processing agent with time is improved.

The solid processing agents in the present invention include processing agents such as granules, powders and tablets. However, the present invention is particularly preferably used when the solid processing agent is a tablet and the processing agent can be stably supplied by a simple processing agent supply device.

Further, as a result of various investigations by the present inventors, in particular, by providing the desiccant portion in the cartridge on the side for delivering the solid processing agent, the moisture-proof effect and the effect of improving storability over time can be obtained. It was found to be remarkably good.

[0008]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an essential part showing an example of an automatic processing machine in which the processing agent cartridge of the present invention is used. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the automatic processing machine showing a processing tank having a processing agent supply part. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the treatment agent cartridge of the present invention, and a longitudinal sectional view in the depth direction of the tablet storage chamber excluding the delivery side door, and FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a front view from the delivery side of the treatment agent cartridge excluding the delivery side door, FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the treatment agent supply device, and FIG. 8 is treatment agent supply. 3 is a perspective view of a supply rotor of the device. FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a conventionally known exposed film supply device or a photosensitive material supply device such as an automatic printing machine,
2 is a main part of the automatic developing machine, which includes a color developing tank 3, a bleach-fixing tank 4,
It is provided with stabilizing tanks 5, 6, 7 and a drying section 8 and a discharging section 9.
The photosensitive material supplying device 1 and the automatic developing machine main part 2 are connected to the photosensitive material supplying device 1 from the photosensitive material supplying device 1 to each tank 3 to 3 7
Then, it is sent to the discharge section 9 as a developing film or a print through the drying section 8 and discharged from the discharge section 9 to the outside of the machine.

The processing solutions such as the developer in the color developing tank 3, the bleach-fixing solution in the bleach-fixing tank 4 and the stabilizing solution in the stabilizing tanks 5 to 7 are treated with water such as ion-exchanged water, mineral water and tap water. Preparation of each processing solution prepared by dissolving the agent, such as the color developing tank 3 during the developing process, is carried out by exposing the above-mentioned water to the color developing tank 3 by a conventionally known replenishing water supply device (not shown). The material is replenished in an amount corresponding to the throughput of the material, and is carried out by the preparation device shown in FIG. 2 as described later.

2 is provided in the color developing tank 3, the bleach-fixing tank 4 and the stabilizing tank 7, and the stabilizing tanks 5 and 6 are provided.
As for the stabilizing solution of, the overflowing stabilizing solution of the stabilizing tank 7 enters the stabilizing tank 6 through the connecting pipe 76 shown by a dotted line in FIG.
The overflowing stabilizing solution in the stabilizing tank 6 enters the stabilizing tank 5 through the connecting pipe 65 also shown by the dotted line.
The stabilizing solution prepared in the stabilizing tank 7 is literally used.
Reference numerals 312, 412, and 712 in FIG. 1 are treatment agent supply units of the preparation apparatus.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a processing tank corresponding to the color developing tank 3, the bleach-fixing tank 4, or the stabilizing tank 7 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 11 denotes an overflow pipe, which is connected to an individual or common drainage tank (not shown) when the processing tank 10 is the color developing tank 3 or the bleach-fixing tank 4, but when the processing tank 10 is the stabilizing tank 7. Stabilization tank 6
And corresponds to the communication pipe 76 described above. Needless to say, the overflow pipe as described above is also provided in the stabilizing tank 5 which is the final tank for the circulation of the stabilizing solution.

Reference numeral 12 is a processing agent supply unit corresponding to the above-mentioned 312, 412, 712, and 13 is a processing liquid preparation unit. Processing agent supply unit 12
Is the main body 2 of the automatic developing machine which can be opened and rotated as indicated by the arrow A.
By opening the partial door 14 rotatably provided on the machine frame top plate as indicated by the arrow B, the processing agent cartridge 15 is attached and detached as indicated by the chain line.

The processing agent cartridge 15 is placed on a mounting table 16 which is swingably provided in the processing agent supply section 12, and the mounting table 16 can be rotated counterclockwise from the one-dot chain line position to the solid line position. As a result, the delivery side door 15a of the treatment agent cartridge 15 is opened, and the delivery end matches the receiving end of the treatment agent supply device 17. The set information of the processing agent cartridge 15 is transferred from the set detection means 18 to the processing agent supply control section.
Entered in 19.

On the other hand, processing amount information such as an area obtained from the width and length of the photosensitive material sent to the developing machine from the processing amount detecting means 20 provided at the photosensitive material receiving port of the developing machine main section 2 is provided. It is input to the processing agent supply control unit 19. The processing agent supply control unit 19 drives the supply motor 21 based on the above-mentioned set information and processing amount information to supply the processing agent supply device 17 with the supply rotor 17a.
To rotate. Each time the supply rotor 17a makes one rotation, one processing agent tablet J rolls into one processing agent receiving recess provided in the supply rotor 17a, and the tablet J is processed through the chute 22 from the processing agent receiving recess. It drops into the dissolving section 23 of the liquid preparing section 13.

The treating agent cartridge 15 shown in detail in FIG.
Has four chambers that are partitioned by the partition wall 15b of the tablet storage chamber that stores the tablets J that are arranged in a straight line in contact with the rolling outer periphery. 15c is a rail for making the tablet J easy to roll, 15
Reference numeral d denotes a processing agent supply device 17 for the delivery end of the processing agent cartridge 15.
The cam pin 15e for tightly adhering to the receiving end of the drying chamber is an insertion wall of the front wall of the desiccant chamber.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a supply rotor 17a for dropping the tablets J of the treatment agent cartridge 15 shown in FIG. 3 to the dissolving section 23. The supply rotor 17a is provided with a pulley which is rotated by a supply motor 21. Two tablets J are dropped for each rotation. PS1 to PS4 are supply rotors 17
It is a tablet sensor consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element for inputting to the processing agent supply control section 19 information as to whether or not the tablet J is contained in each of the four processing agent receiving depressions of a, and the processing agent is based on this information. The supply controller 19 controls the rotation of the supply rotor 17a.

In the example of FIG. 7, the treatment agent cartridge 15 is set in the treatment agent supply device 17 as described below. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to what is used in this treatment agent supply device.

As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7, the processing agent cartridge 15 is placed on the mounting table 16 and the mounting table 16 together with the processing agent cartridge 15 is counterclockwise against the bias of a spring (not shown). Rotate to the solid line position. Meanwhile, the cam pin 15d of the processing agent cartridge 15 enters the cam groove 17b provided on the side plate of the processing agent supply device 17 and is guided by the cam groove 17b, and the cam pin 15d enters the bent end portion of the lower end of the cam groove 17b. The delivery end of the treatment agent cartridge 15 is brought into close contact with the receiving end of the treatment agent supply device 17, and the clockwise rotation of the mounting table 16 by the spring bias is locked to set or attach the treatment agent cartridge 15. It In order to stabilize the mounting state, the mounting table 16 is provided with an elastic member that pushes the processing agent cartridge 15 so that the cam pin 15d enters the bent end portion of the cam groove 17b.

Further, while the cam pin 15d is descending in the cam groove 17b, the protrusions protruding to the left and right of the left and right lower ends of the delivery side door 15a of the treatment agent cartridge 15 are treatment agent supply devices.
When the processing agent cartridge 15 is set to the position indicated by the solid line, the delivery side door 15a is locked as shown in FIG. It is held in the open state shown. In addition,
When the delivery side door 15a in FIG. 3 is lowered until the delivery end of the treatment agent cartridge 15 is airtightly closed, further lowering can be stopped by stop pins planted at the upper left and right ends.

The processing agent cartridge 15 mounted at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 is pressed against the pressing force of an elastic member (not shown) provided on the mounting base 16 so that the cam pin 15d comes out from the bent end of the cam groove 17b. Then, when it comes out, the mounting table 16 is rotated clockwise by the spring bias. As a result, the processing agent cartridge 15 also rotates, and as a result, the door regulation guide 17
The delivery side door 15a regulated by c and 17d closes the delivery end of the processing agent cartridge 15. Then, when the closing is completed, the delivery side door 15a is a door regulation guide.
It comes off from 17c and 17d and moves to the dotted line position together with the processing agent cartridge 15. At the dotted line position, the processing agent cartridge 15 is detached from the mounting table 16 and taken out from the processing agent supply unit 12 as shown in FIG. be able to.

The treatment agent cartridge 15 is a treatment agent supply device.
Since the tablet container is kept closed by the delivery side door 15a until it is set to 17, the tablet J, which is a highly hygroscopic treatment agent, hardly absorbs moisture. When the tablet J is set in the supply device 17 to supply the treatment liquid preparation unit 13, the delivery side door 15a is opened and the supply rotor 17a rotates to supply high-humidity air to the treatment liquid preparation unit 13. The rotor 17a enters into the tablet storage chamber from the delivery end side through the processing agent receiving recess. Therefore, the tablet in the tablet storage chamber, particularly on the delivery end side, absorbs moisture and is easily deformed or deteriorated.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the treatment agent cartridge 15 of the present invention is provided with a desiccant chamber 15f on the delivery side which is in contact with the delivery end of each tablet storage chamber via the ventilation wall. This will be described below with reference to illustrated examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The processing agent cartridge 15 of the illustrated example has a body 151 in which upper, lower, left and right outer walls and a partition wall 15b are integrally formed, and a mirror lid 15 which is airtightly fitted to the side of the body 151 directly cut.
2 and the partition wall 15b of the body 151 are fitted to the projecting end side and extend from the body 151, and the delivery side door 15a is provided at the extended end.
Is attached as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
The main part is composed of the combination with.

In the desiccant chamber 15f, the ventilation wall member 154 is left and right in the ventilation wall groove 153a provided on the inner surface of the left and right side walls of the delivery side frame 153 from the delivery end side with the delivery side door 15a of the treatment agent cartridge 15 being pulled up. Insert both ends so that they come into contact with each other until they reach the back, and then apply the desiccant to the ceiling wall of the sending side frame 153 and the ventilation wall member 1.
54, and then the front wall member 155 is airtightly dropped from above the delivery side frame 153 to the front wall insertion portion 153b including the insertion opening provided in the ceiling wall and the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls and the guide groove that follows it. As a result, it is formed with the desiccant contained therein.

By providing the desiccant chamber 15f as described above, when the treating agent cartridge 15 is set in the treating agent supply device 17 as described above, the delivery side door 15a is opened and the treating solution preparation section 13 is opened. Even when high-humidity air enters the tablet accommodation chamber of the treatment agent cartridge 15 from the delivery end side, the desiccant in the desiccant chamber 15f absorbs moisture and reduces the humidity of the tablet accommodation chamber. It is possible to prevent the tablet from absorbing moisture and deforming or degrading.

Specific examples of the desiccant include silica gel, anhydrous calcium sulfate, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, anhydrous calcium chloride, anhydrous zinc chloride and anhydrous copper sulfate. Of these, silica gel and anhydrous calcium chloride are particularly preferable. Silica gel can be impregnated with cobalt (II), and the cobalt-impregnated silica gel is a deep blue color as long as it does not exceed the dry capacity, but if it absorbs moisture and exceeds the dry capacity, it changes to pink and changes the desiccant. It has the advantage of timing.

The treatment agent cartridge of the present invention may be one in which the main body other than the door is integrally formed by resin injection molding or the like, or if the desiccant storage chamber opens the cartridge door, it contains a breathable bag. The desiccant pack may be put in and taken out. In the example of FIG. 4, 15 g is an erroneous setting preventing projection for preventing the processing agent cartridge of the color developing agent from being set in the processing agent supply section of the bleach-fixing tank by mistake.

In the example of FIG. 2, the treatment liquid preparation section 13 and the treatment tank 10
Is connected so that the treatment liquid flows through the communication hole 10a in the boundary wall, the liquid surface of the treatment liquid preparation section 13 is kept at the same level as the liquid surface of the treatment tank 10 and is surrounded by a net or a filter. The dissolving part 23 is in the processing liquid. Reference numeral 24 is a heater for heating the treatment liquid so that the tablets J can be easily dissolved in the dissolution section 23. Further, the treatment liquid preparation section 13 is also provided with a filtration chamber 25 surrounded by a cylindrical filter, and the filtration chamber 25 and the bottom of the treatment tank 10 are connected by a communication pipe 27 equipped with a pump 26. pump
In 26, the treatment liquid in the filtration chamber 25 is sent to the treatment tank 10, so that the treatment liquid flows into the filtration chamber 25 from the outside, so that the treatment liquid flows from the treatment tank 10 into the treatment liquid preparation unit 13 through the communication hole 10a. Then, the processing liquid is circulated.

Not limited to the example of FIG. 2, the processing liquid may be circulated in the opposite direction, and the processing liquid preparation section may be the processing tank 10.
As a part of the above, a dissolution section may be provided in the processing tank 10.

[0031]

In the automatic processor in which a solid processing agent such as a tablet is supplied to the processing solution in the processing tank from the processing agent cartridge of the present invention, the processing agent cartridge is set in the automatic developing machine. Even if the development process is interrupted as it is, the solid processing agent contained in the processing agent cartridge is prevented from absorbing moisture and deformed, and the storage stability of the solid processing agent is improved. Is
When the supply of the processing agent is started, a remarkable effect that the supply of the solid processing agent, the dissolution of the supplied solid processing agent, and the like are performed without changing from the beginning is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing an example of an automatic developing machine in which a processing agent cartridge of the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an automatic processor showing a processing tank provided with a processing agent supply unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a treatment agent cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the depth direction of the tablet storage chamber, excluding the delivery side door, showing an example of the treatment agent cartridge of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the processing agent cartridge from the delivery side, excluding the delivery side door.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a processing agent supply device portion.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a supply rotor of the processing agent supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Photosensitive material supply device 2 Main part of developing machine 3 Color developing tank 4 Bleach fixing tank 5, 6, 7 Stabilizing tank 8 Drying section 9 Discharging section R Conveying path 10 Processing tank 12, 312, 412, 712 Processing agent supplying section 13 Treatment liquid preparation unit 14 Partial door 15 Treatment agent cartridge 15a Delivery side door 15b Partition wall 15c Rail 15d Cam pin 15e Insertion wall 15f Desiccant chamber 16 Mounting stand 17 Treatment agent supply device 17a Supply rotor 18 Set detection means 19 Treatment agent supply control unit 20 Throughput detection means 21 Supply motor J Tablet 22 Chute 23 Melting part PS1 to PS4 Tablet sensor 24 Heater 25 Filtration chamber 26 Pump 27 Communication pipe

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A processing agent cartridge for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, characterized in that a cartridge containing a solid processing agent in a hermetically sealed state has a desiccant part in contact with the inside of the cartridge so as to be able to ventilate. 2. The processing agent cartridge for a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant section is disposed on the solid processing agent delivery side. 3. The processing agent cartridge for silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the solid processing agent is a tablet. 4. The processing agent cartridge for silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of storage chambers for accommodating the tablets arranged in a line are provided in parallel. 5. The processing cartridge for silver halide photographic light-sensitive material according to claim 3, wherein the tablets are linearly arranged with their outer circumferences in contact with each other and arranged in a straight line.