JPH0843338A - Observation method of wash water for developing photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide compatibility between quality holding and improvement of maintainability by precisely detecting the mixture degree of processing liquid on the previous step into the water in a final vessel, and replenishing or replacing the water by a proper amount or at a proper period. CONSTITUTION:A reference conductivity C is calculated by means of a specified calculation formula from the conductivity CP of processing liquid in a bleaching fixing vessel 20 and the conductivity CW of flesh water in a tank 34, and it is compared with the conductivity C1 of wash water in a right top vessel 22C, thereby, the contamination degree of the wash water in the right top vessel 22C is judged, therefore, the degree can be judged precisely and speedily. In addition, the reference conductivity C is so updated every specified time, by predicting that the conductivity CP of the processing liquid in the bleaching and fixing vessel 20 is changed by steam, etc., therefore, the contamination degree can be always judged based on proper conductivity C.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive material for monitoring the degree to which the processing liquid of the preceding stage is mixed with the washing water stored in the final tank of the processing liquid tank for processing the photosensitive material due to the processing of the photosensitive material. The present invention relates to a method of monitoring washing water for development processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A light-sensitive material is dipped in a processing solution such as a color developing solution and a bleach-fixing solution, and finally washed with rinsing water to reach a drying section. Has become.

Generally, there are a plurality of processing tanks for storing washing water, and the processing solutions up to the preceding stage are gradually removed. Therefore, the final washing tank has a relatively high degree of contamination (particularly the degree of mixing of the bleach-fixing solution). Few. However, as the processing amount increases, the bleach-fixing solution may be mixed in the final washing tank.

It is conceivable that, in addition to taking out the processing liquid from the light-sensitive material, water droplets containing a chemical adhering to the ceiling surface due to evaporation may drop on the washing tank.

Further, for example, in a so-called multi-chamber washing tank in which one processing tank is divided into upper and lower parts, and the upper tank is divided into left and right parts, a contamination time is caused by a leak from a photosensitive material passage opening between partition walls. Is the cause of speeding up. Further, blades, rollers and the like are provided between the partition walls to normally partition the tanks from each other, but a major leak may occur due to mechanical trouble.

Although it has been conventionally thought that fresh water should be replenished when the degree of contamination exceeds a predetermined value, a detailed means for detecting the degree of contamination and a control means thereafter are described. Instead, it is usually dealt with by regular replenishment or replacement of flush water by experience.

However, in such an empirical procedure, it is unclear whether or not proper replenishment has been made, and in order to maintain the quality, the number of replenishment or exchanges is increased as much as possible, resulting in wasteful work. It will increase and the amount of waste will increase. On the other hand, trying to minimize replenishment or replacement will affect quality.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can accurately detect the degree of mixing of the treatment liquid of the preceding stage into the washing water of the final tank, and by supplementing or exchanging at an appropriate amount and at an appropriate time, An object of the present invention is to obtain a method of monitoring washing water for developing processing of a light-sensitive material, which can maintain quality and improve maintainability.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least a bleaching solution or a fixing solution is added to the washing water stored in the washing tank of the processing solution tank for processing the photosensitive material due to the processing of the photosensitive material. A method for monitoring washing water for photosensitive material development processing, which monitors the degree of mixing of a processing solution containing one of the above, wherein the conductivity of the processing solution currently stored and replenishing water to be replenished in the washing tank. Using a predetermined arithmetic expression from the conductivity,
The reference conductivity of the washing tank is calculated and stored at least every predetermined time, and the conductivity of the washing water in the washing tank is measured at each predetermined time, and the measured conductivity and the reference conductivity are measured. It is characterized by monitoring the mixing degree of the treatment liquid in the washing water in the washing tank.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the processing solution containing at least one of the bleaching solution and the fixing solution in the washing water stored in the washing tank of the processing solution tank for processing the photosensitive material is caused by the processing of the photosensitive material. Is a method for monitoring washing water for developing a photosensitive material to monitor the degree of contamination, wherein the conductivity obtained when the diluted water obtained by previously diluting the processing solution at a predetermined ratio is stored in the washing tank and measured Stored as a rate, then discarding this dilution water and newly storing wash water to start the treatment, and measuring the conductivity of the wash water in the wash tank at predetermined intervals during the treatment, By comparing the measured conductivity with the reference conductivity, the mixing degree of the treatment liquid in the washing water in the washing tank is recognized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the processing solution containing at least one of the bleaching solution and the fixing solution in the washing water stored in the washing tank of the processing solution tank for processing the photosensitive material is caused by the processing of the photosensitive material. Is a method of monitoring the washing water for the light-sensitive material development processing for monitoring the degree of mixing, after storing the mother liquor of the bleaching solution or the fixing solution or the processing solution prepared with the bleach-fixing solution, and the conductivity of this mother solution. The conductivity of the wash water stored in the wash tank is measured, and a predetermined calculation formula is used from the measurement result, and the reference conductivity of the wash tank is calculated and stored, at each predetermined time. The conductivity of the wash water in the final bath is measured, and the measured conductivity is compared with the reference conductivity to recognize the mixing degree of the treatment liquid in the wash water in the wash bath. I am trying.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the method for monitoring washing water for developing a photosensitive material according to any one of the first to third aspects, which is based on the measured conductivity of the washing water. Then, the timing of reaching the reference conductivity is predicted from the degree of change.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring washing water for light-sensitive material development processing according to the fourth aspect, wherein:
From the conductivity obtained from multiple measurements per unit time,
And / or the change amount of the conductivity per unit area of the processed photosensitive material is calculated and compared with each reference value.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the conductivity C _P of the processing solution (bleaching solution or fixing solution or bleach-fixing solution) while the predetermined processing solution is already stored in each processing tank And the conductivity C _W of the replenishment water to be replenished in the washing tank.

Here, it is assumed that the rate at which the treatment liquid is mixed in the washing bath, in other words, the treatment is affected when the dilution ratio of the treatment liquid exceeds a predetermined ratio m, and the conductivity C of the washing bath at this time.
Is used as a reference.

That is, the storage amount (volume) of the washing tank is

[0017]

[Equation 1]

Can be expressed as When this equation (1) is arranged,

[0019]

[Equation 2]

[0020] Here, since C _P >> C _w ,
Approximating C _P −C _W ≈C _P and further rearranging equation (2),

[0021]

(Equation 3)

It can be It should be noted that an additive for preventing bacteria and algae from being generated in the water in the tank may be added to the wash water, which changes the conductivity, so the variation f (m) due to this additive should be considered. There is a need to. This f (m) has a property that the conductivity generally changes with respect to the dilution rate, and the relationship is obtained by an experiment (see Table 2 in the section of Examples).

Applying this to the above equation (3),

[0024]

[Equation 4]

It is expressed as The conductivity C obtained by the above equation (4) is calculated as a reference conductivity at least every predetermined time and updated and stored. This is because the degree of influence when mixed in the washing tank may change due to a change in the concentration of the treatment liquid.

The reference conductivity C was obtained by calculation, but in addition to this, the conductivity of the actual washing tank is measured every predetermined time. By comparing this measurement result with the reference conductivity C obtained by the above calculation, it is possible to accurately monitor the degree of contamination mainly due to the mixing of the treatment liquid into the washing tank.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the treatment liquid is mixed in advance, and the dilution water having a predetermined ratio is stored in the washing tank to measure the conductivity. The measured conductivity is stored as a reference conductivity, the dilution water in the washing tank is discarded, fresh water is stored, and the treatment is started.

By measuring the conductivity of the wash water in the wash tank at predetermined intervals and comparing it with the stored reference conductivity, it is possible to accurately determine the degree of contamination mainly due to the mixing of the treatment liquid into the wash tank. Can be recognized.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the conductivity of the mother liquor is measured after the mother liquor of the bleaching solution or the fixing solution or the processing solution prepared by bleach-fixing solution is stored. Further, the conductivity of the wash water stored in the wash tank is measured. Based on these measurement results, the reference conductivity is calculated based on the equation (4) and stored. The point different from claim 1 is that the reference conductivity is updated every time the treatment liquid is replaced (all treatment liquids are discarded and a new treatment liquid is stored) in order to obtain the conductivity of the mother liquor, that is, the treatment liquid in an unused state. It suffices to store it, and the control becomes easy.

In the following control, the conductivity of the washing water in the washing tank is measured every predetermined time in the same manner as in claims 1 and 2.
By comparing the measured conductivity with the reference conductivity, it is possible to accurately recognize the degree of contamination mainly due to the mixing of the treatment liquid into the washing tank.

According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the control of claim 2, for example, the rate of change between the measured conductivity of the rinsing water and the conductivity before one time is calculated, and several times in the past. By comparing the average rate of change (about 10 times) and determining whether or not a rapid change has occurred, the time when the reference conductivity is reached is predicted. Thereby, for example, it is possible to judge the abrupt mixing of the processing liquid due to the leak between the processing tanks before the conductivity actually exceeds the reference conductivity, and the subsequent treatment is performed before the quality of the photosensitive material processing is impaired. Can be done quickly.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the conductivity is measured a plurality of times, and the amount of change in conductivity per unit time and / or the amount of change in conductivity per unit area of the processed photosensitive material is calculated. This calculated value is compared with each reference value.

More specifically, the change in conductivity per unit time in the past several times and / or the change in conductivity per unit area of the processed photosensitive material is compared with each change rate in the past several times, or each change rate. Is compared with a preset value, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the rinsing water.

By separately calculating the amount of change in conductivity per unit time and the amount of change in conductivity per unit area of processed photosensitive material, it is possible to more accurately predict the time when the allowable reference conductivity is exceeded.

[0035]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to this embodiment.

The photosensitive material 10 is exposed to light in a pre-process (not shown) and reaches the development processing section 12 shown in FIG.

The development processing section 12 includes a plurality of processing solution tanks (see FIG. 1).
The color developing tank 14 and the bleach-fixing tank 20 are provided in this order from the left. A rack (not shown) to which rollers and guide plates are attached is arranged in each of these tanks. By being guided by the rollers and guide plates of this rack,
As shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive material 10 is immersed in each tank in a substantially U-shaped transport path. Development processing and the like are performed.

Adjacent to the bleach-fixing tank 20, a multi-chamber washing section 2
2 are provided. The multi-chamber water washing section 22 is divided into three tanks by partitioning the upper and lower parts of the processing tank by partition plates 24 and the upper tank by a partition wall 26. Rinse water is stored in each tank, and racks (not shown) are respectively arranged. The partition plate 24 has a first
A communication port 28 is provided that connects the water washing tank 22A and the second water washing tank 22B, and the second water washing tank 22B and the third water washing tank 22C.
A check valve 30 is attached. As a result, the photosensitive material 10 transferred from the bleach-fixing tank 20 is dipped in the order of the first washing tank 22A, the second washing tank 22B, and the third washing tank 22C shown in FIG.

That is, the processing liquid adhering to the photosensitive material 10 by passing through the three tanks of the first water washing tank 22A, the second water washing tank 22B and the third water washing tank 22C (in particular, the processing in the bleach-fixing tank 20). Liquid) can be washed away.

As shown in FIG. 1, a purifying device 32 is interposed between the second washing tank 22B and the third washing tank 22C, and the washing water in the second washing tank 22B mainly contains iron. The removed permeable membrane can be passed and sent to the third washing tank 22. In addition, this purifying device 32 has a degree of contamination of a third washing tank 22C described later (third washing tank 22).
The on / off control is performed according to the conductivity of the washing water of C). Further, in the off state, the return valve 32A is opened, and the suctioned washing water is again supplied to the second washing tank 2
It is configured to be returned to 2B.

Further, in the third washing tank 22C, a tip of a pipe 36 extending from a tank 34 storing a washing replenisher (fresh water) is provided. A pump 38 is interposed in the middle of the pipe 36 so that the washing replenisher in the tank 34 can be supplied to the third washing tank 22C. Although each processing tank has a structure for replenishing such a replenisher, only the tank 34 of the third washing tank 22C is shown in FIG. 1, and the other drawings are omitted.

Deionized water or general tap water is used as the wash water, but the conductivity of the tap water differs depending on the region as shown in Table 1 below.

[0043]

[Table 1]

Thus, it can be seen that the conductivity of tap water varies depending on the type (particularly, impurities (Ca and Mg) contained in tap water). There is no big difference in conductivity of tap water in the above area, but, for example, if the processing solution in the bleach-fixing tank 20 is mixed as the photosensitive material 10 is processed,
The conductivity of the wash water changes greatly.

Here, conductivity sensors 40, 41, 42 and 44 are attached to the bleach-fixing tank 20, the second water washing tank 22B, the third water washing tank 22C and the tank 34 on the downstream side, respectively. The rate can be measured. Further, a conductivity sensor 46 is also provided in the middle of the discharge side pipe of the purification device 32.

Furthermore, these conductivity sensors 40, 4
Bleach-fixing tank 20, No. 3 attached to 1, 42, 44, 46
Temperature sensors 48, 49, 50, 52, and 54 are attached to the washing tank 22C, the tank 34, and the discharge side pipes of the purification device 32, respectively.

Conductivity sensors 40, 41, 42, 44, 4
6 and the temperature sensors 48, 49, 50, 52 and 54 are respectively connected to the input ends of the multiplexer 56,
Either one is selected and the detection signal is the A / D converter 58.
Is input to the CPU 60 via.

A memory 62 is connected to the CPU 60,
The detected value or the operation result is stored or loaded and C
It can be processed in the PU 60.

A display unit 64 and an alarm device (buzzer) 66 are connected to the CPU 60, and the third washing tank 2
When the conductivity of 2C exceeds a predetermined value, the fact is displayed on the display unit 64 and the alarm device 66 is activated.

When the conductivity of the washing water in the bleach-fixing tank 20 and the tank 34 is taken in at a predetermined time, the CPU 60 calculates the reference conductivity C according to the above-mentioned formula (4) and the formula again defined below, and stores it. It is supposed to be done.
That is, the reference conductivity C is updated and stored at every predetermined time.

[0051]

(Equation 5)

On the other hand, in the CPU 60, the third washing tank 22C
Is detected at the same or different interval as during the predetermined period, and is compared with the reference conductivity C stored at each detection time. As a result of this comparison, when the detected conductivity Ct is larger than the reference conductivity C,
The display unit 64 and the alarm device 66 are activated.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 100, the conductivity C _P of the processing liquid stored in the bleach-fixing tank 20 is detected,
Next, at step 102, the temperature of this processing liquid is detected. In the next step 104, the temperature of the detected C _P is corrected, and then in step 106 this C _P is stored in the memory 62.

In the next step 108, the conductivity C _W of the washing replenisher (fresh water) in the tank 34 is detected, and then in step 110 the temperature of the washing replenisher is detected. In the next step 112, the temperature of the detected C _W is corrected, and then in step 114 the C _W is stored in the memory 62.

In the next step 116, the memory 62
Based on C _P and C _W stored in the above equation, the reference conductivity C is calculated using the above-mentioned equation (4).

By the way, in this embodiment, the conductivity C _W of the washing replenisher (fresh water) is 0.2 mS / cm, which is the standard value of tap water in Japan (see Table 1), and the bleaching solution or fixing solution is used. Alternatively, the conductivity C _P of the bleach-fix solution is 120 mS / cm (standard value)
And the allowable magnification m in the third washing tank 22C is 500
Set to double. Further, the chemical correction term f (m) is determined by the dilution rate m, and based on the following Table 2, f (m) = 0.621 mS / cm 2 in this example.

From the above, when the reference conductivity C is calculated using the equation (4),

[0058]

(Equation 6)

It becomes

[0060]

[Table 2]

Next, at step 118, the purifying device 32
Is being operated, and if a positive determination is made, the routine proceeds to step 120, where correction processing is executed. This correction process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 and will be described later.

In the next step 122, the corrected reference conductivity C is stored in the memory 62. Also, step 118
If the determination is negative in step 1, there is no need for correction, so step 120 is skipped and step 122 is entered.

At the next step 124, the variable I is incremented and the routine proceeds to step 126.

In step 126, the conductivity C _t of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C is detected, and then in step 128.
In detecting the temperature of washing water in the third the washing tank, the temperature compensation of C _t the operation proceeds to Step 130.

In the next step 132, the memory 62
If the reference conductivity C stored in the _table is compared with the detected (corrected) C _t, and it is determined that C> C _t , the third washing tank 2
It is determined that the degree of contamination of the 2C rinsing water does not affect the processing, the process proceeds to step 134, and it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If an affirmative determination is made here, the routine proceeds to step 136, where it is determined whether or not the variable I has become the predetermined value X, and if a negative determination is made, the routine proceeds to step 124. When the determination is affirmative, the variable I is reset (0) in step 138, and then the process proceeds to step 100 to update the reference conductivity.

That is, the detection of C _t and the comparison with C are X
The reference conductivity C is updated every time the operation is performed. This treatment liquid bleach-fixing tank 20 has its density varies due to evaporation or the like, is because the conductivity considering that may change, thereby, reference is always based on the appropriate C _W The conductivity C can be set.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 132 that C ≦ C _t, it is determined that the degree of contamination of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C affects the processing, and the process proceeds to step 140 and the display unit 64 and the alarm device 66 are operated to notify the operator of the abnormality, and the process ends.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the bleach-fixing tank 2
Based on the conductivity C _P of the treatment liquid in 0 and the conductivity C _W of the fresh water in the tank 34, the reference conductivity C is calculated by a predetermined arithmetic expression ((4)
(See the formula), and by comparing with the conductivity C _t of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C, the degree of contamination of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C is determined, so that the determination can be made accurately and quickly. can do. The reference conductivity C is the conductivity C _{P due} to evaporation of the processing liquid in the bleach-fixing tank 20.
Since the change is predicted and the value is updated every predetermined time (I = X), the contamination degree can always be determined based on the appropriate reference conductivity C.

The correction processing routine in step 120 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step 500, the conductivity C _{RO of the} cleaning liquid is
Is measured, and the process proceeds to step 502 to measure the temperature of the cleaning liquid. In step 504, the conductivity C _RO is corrected based on the measured temperature, and the process proceeds to step 506 to store the conductivity C _RO in memory.

In the next step 508, the second washing tank 22
The conductivity C ₂ of B is measured and then in step 510 a second
The liquid temperature of the washing tank 22B is measured. In step 512, the conductivity C ₂ is corrected based on the measured liquid temperature,
The memory is stored in step 514.

[0072] In the next step 516, the conductivity C _RO of the memory the cleaning liquid, the conductivity of the second washing tank 22B C ₂
The correction value a is calculated from the above, and the reference conductivity C obtained by the equation (4) is corrected in step 518 (C ← C−a), and the process returns to the main routine. (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description of the components will be omitted.

The feature of the second embodiment is that the degree of contamination is judged by one conductivity sensor 44 provided in the third washing tank 22C (if the purifying device 32 is provided, the discharge thereof). (The conductivity sensor 46 provided on the side is also required). Therefore, the conductivity sensors 40 and 42 and the temperature sensors 48 and 50 provided in the bleach-fixing tank 20 and the tank 34 shown in FIG. 1 can be omitted. The rest of the configuration is the same as in FIG.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 200, it is instructed to store the diluted water obtained by diluting the stock solution of the bleach-fixing solution 500 times in the third washing tank.

Upon completion of this storage, step 202
Then, the conductivity C _t of the dilution water in the third washing tank 22C is detected, and then in step 204, the temperature in the third washing tank 22C is detected.

In the next step 206, the temperature of C _t is corrected, and in step 208 the temperature-corrected C _t is substituted into the reference conductivity C.

In the next step 210, it is judged whether or not the purifying device 32 is in operation. If the judgment is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 212, where the correction processing is executed, and step 214
Then, the corrected reference conductivity C is stored in the memory 62. The correction process is similar to the correction process described with reference to FIG. If the determination in step 210 is negative, there is no need for correction, so step 212 is skipped and step 214 is entered.

In the next step 216, the third washing tank 22
It is instructed to discard the diluted water stored in C, and in step 218, it is instructed to store fresh water in the third washing tank.

At step 220, it is judged whether or not the fresh water storage is completed, and if an affirmative judgment is made, step 2
In step 22, the display unit 64 is operated to notify that the processing is possible.

At the next step 224, it is judged whether or not the processing is started, and if an affirmative judgment is made, step 22 is executed.
The conductivity of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C shifts to 6 C _t
To detect. Then, in step 228, the third washing tank 22C
The internal temperature is detected, and the temperature of C _t is corrected in step 230.

In the next step 232, the memory 62
If the reference conductivity C stored in the _table is compared with the detected (corrected) C _t, and it is determined that C> C _t , the third washing tank 2
It is determined that the degree of contamination of the 2C wash water has no effect on the processing, and the process proceeds to step 234 to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 224. On the other hand, in step 232, C ≦ C
If it is determined to be _t, it is determined that the degree of contamination of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C has an influence on the treatment, and the step 2
In step 36, the display unit 64 and the alarm device 66 are activated to notify the operator of the abnormality, and the process ends.

According to the second embodiment, first, the third washing tank 2 is
2C, a predetermined magnification (for example, 500 times) of the bleach-fixing solution is stored, and the conductivity at this time is set as the reference conductivity C. Therefore, the conductivity sensor 44 is set to the third washing tank 22C.
It is only necessary to provide it on the side of the purifying device 32 (if there is the purifying device 32, it is also provided on the side of the discharge port thereof), and the device configuration becomes simple. (Third Embodiment) The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description of the components will be omitted.

The feature of the third embodiment is that the reference conductivity C is updated and stored in the first embodiment, whereas the conductivity C _P of the mother liquor of the bleach-fixing solution is obtained before processing, thereby simplifying the control. It was done. Therefore, the device configuration is the same as in FIG.

The operation of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 300, it is instructed to store the mother liquor in each processing liquid tank.

In the next step 302, the conductivity C _P of the processing liquid stored in the bleach-fixing tank 20 on the downstream side is detected, and then in step 304 the temperature of the processing liquid is detected. In the next step 306, the detected C _{P is} detected.
Temperature correction is performed, and this C _P is stored in the memory 62 at step 308.

In the next step 310, the conductivity C _W of the wash water (fresh water) in the tank 34 is detected, and then in step 312, the temperature of this fresh water is detected. In the next step 314, the temperature of the detected C _W is corrected, and then in step 316 the C _W is stored in the memory 62.

In the next step 318, the memory 62
Based on C _P and C _W stored in the above equation, the reference conductivity C is calculated using the above-mentioned equation (4).

Next, at step 320, the purifying device 32
Is operating, and if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 322, the correction process is executed, and step 3
24, and the corrected reference conductivity C is stored in the memory 62. The correction process is similar to the correction process described with reference to FIG. Step 32
If the determination is negative at 0, there is no need for correction, so step 322 is skipped and step 324 is entered.

At the next step 326, the display unit 64 is operated to notify that the processing is possible.

In the next step 328, it is judged whether or not the processing is started, and if a positive judgment is made, step 33
0 and the conductivity C _t of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C is changed.
To detect. Then, in step 332, the third washing tank 22C is used.
The internal temperature is detected, and the temperature of C _t is corrected in step 334.

In the next step 336, the memory 62
If the reference conductivity C stored in the _table is compared with the detected (corrected) C _t, and it is determined that C> C _t , the third washing tank 2
It is determined that the degree of contamination of the 2C rinsing water does not affect the processing, the process proceeds to step 338, and it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 328. On the other hand, in step 336, C ≦ C
If it is determined to be _t, it is determined that the degree of contamination of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C has an influence on the process, and the step 3
After shifting to 40, the display unit 64 and the alarm device 66 are operated to notify the operator of the abnormality, and the process ends.

According to the third embodiment, the conductivity C of the bleach-fix solution at the stage before processing, that is, at the time when the mother liquor is stored.
_Since the reference conductivity C is obtained based on _P (and the conductivity C _W of the fresh water in the tank 34), an appropriate reference conductivity C can be set. Further, since it is only necessary to detect C _t during processing, control becomes simple. (Fourth Embodiment) The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description of the components will be omitted.

The feature of the fourth embodiment is that, in addition to the control of the second embodiment, the conductivity C of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C is actually
_It is to predict when _t will reach the reference conductivity C.
Therefore, the device configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment.
It is one conductivity sensor 44 in 2C (if the purification device 32 is provided, the conductivity sensor 46 on the discharge port side is also required), and has a simple structure.

The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, but the control of the second embodiment (see FIG. 3).
The same processing step as the reference
A "is attached and the description is omitted.

C ≦ C in the comparison control in step 232A
_If it is determined to be _t , the process proceeds to step 400 to execute a red zone alarm process indicating an abnormality to the extent that the conductivity C _t of the wash water in the third wash tank 22C affects the process, and the process ends. To do.

If C> C _t is determined in step 232A, the process proceeds to step 402, the variable I is incremented, and then the conductivity of the washing water in the third washing tank 22C detected at step 404 at the present time. Substitute C _t into C _{t (I)} .

At the next step 406, the conductivity _{Ct (I-1)} of the previous washing water is read out, and the change amount mt from this time is calculated (mt ← Ct _(I) -Ct _{(I- 1)} ).

In the next step 408, this change amount mt
Is compared with the average value of the past n times (for example, 10 times), and if the change amount mt of this time is less than the average value, it is determined that there is no significant change in the contamination degree, and step 23
Move to 4A. If the current conversion amount mt is higher than the average value in step 408, the process proceeds to step 410 to execute a yellow zone alarm process that calls attention, and the process ends.

According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to quickly judge that a large amount of washing water has leaked due to damage (or failure) of the check valve 30 or the like provided between the washing tanks.

In this embodiment, the multi-room water washing section 22 is applied to the water washing section, but the water washing section is not limited to such a structure.
It can also be applied to a general water washing section where multiple tanks are lined up next to each other.

[0101]

Industrial Applicability As described above, the method for monitoring washing water for developing a photosensitive material according to the present invention is capable of accurately detecting the degree of mixing of the processing liquid of the preceding stage into the washing water in the final tank, and thus is suitable. By replenishing or exchanging at a proper time with the amount, it has an excellent effect that it is possible to maintain the quality and improve the maintainability at the same time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to a first embodiment (and related to the second to fourth embodiments).

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a control flowchart according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a purification device correction processing subroutine in the first to fourth embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Photosensitive Material 20 Bleach-Fixing Tank (Processing Solution Tank) 22C Third Washing Tank (Washing Tank) 40, 42, 44, 46 Conductivity Sensor 60 CPU 62 Memory

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A degree of mixing of a processing solution containing at least one of a bleaching solution and a fixing solution into the washing water stored in a washing tank of a processing solution tank for processing a photosensitive material due to the processing of the photosensitive material is monitored. A method of monitoring washing water for photosensitive material development processing, comprising: using a predetermined arithmetic expression from the conductivity of the processing liquid currently stored and the conductivity of replenishment water to be replenished in the washing tank, The reference conductivity of the washing tank is calculated and stored at least every predetermined time, and the conductivity of the washing water in the washing tank is measured at each predetermined time, and the measured conductivity and the reference conductivity are calculated. A method for monitoring washing water for photosensitive material development processing, characterized in that the degree of mixing of the processing solution in the washing water in the washing tank is monitored by comparing. 2. The degree of mixing of a processing solution containing at least one of a bleaching solution and a fixing solution into the washing water stored in the washing tank of the processing solution tank for processing the photosensitive material due to the processing of the photosensitive material is monitored. A method for monitoring rinsing water for light-sensitive material development processing, storing the conductivity as a reference conductivity when measured by storing diluted water prepared by previously diluting the processing liquid at a predetermined ratio in the rinsing tank, and thereafter, The diluted water is discarded, the washing water is newly stored, and the treatment is started. The conductivity of the washing water in the washing tank is measured at predetermined intervals during the treatment. A method for monitoring wash water for developing a photosensitive material, comprising recognizing a degree of mixing of the treatment solution in the wash water in a wash tank by comparing with a reference conductivity. 3. A degree of mixing of a processing solution containing at least one of a bleaching solution and a fixing solution into the washing water stored in the washing tank of the processing solution tank for processing the photosensitive material due to the processing of the photosensitive material. A method of monitoring washing water for light-sensitive material development processing, comprising storing a mother liquor of a bleaching solution or a fixing solution or a processing solution prepared by bleach-fixing solution, and then storing the mother liquor conductivity and the washing tank. The conductivity of the wash water is measured, and the predetermined conductivity is calculated from the measurement result, and the reference conductivity of the wash tank is calculated and stored, and the wash water in the final tank is washed every predetermined time. For measuring the conductivity of the photosensitive material, the degree of mixing of the treatment liquid in the washing water in the washing tank is recognized by measuring the conductivity of the washing water and comparing the measured conductivity with the reference conductivity. How to monitor flush water. 4. The method for monitoring rinsing water for photosensitive material development processing according to claim 1, wherein the change rate is based on the measured conductivity of the rinsing water. A method for monitoring washing water for developing processing of a photosensitive material, characterized by predicting the time when the reference conductivity is reached. 5. The method for monitoring washing water for photosensitive material development processing according to claim 4, wherein the conductivity obtained from a plurality of measurements is measured per unit time,
And / or a method for monitoring washing water for a light-sensitive material development processing apparatus, characterized in that the amount of change in conductivity per unit area of processed light-sensitive material is calculated and compared with respective reference values.