JPH0915807A - Photosensitive material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To properly set the liquid pressure of water washing solution to normally perform a cascade. CONSTITUTION: The levels of water washing solutions stored in water washing tanks 20, 22, 24, 26 are set to be lowered stepwise toward the carrying directional upstream side (arrowed direction A) of a paper 14, and this state where the level is lowered stepwise is held within a prescribed allowable time. Thus, the water washing solution can be prevented from being leaked in the direction (arrowed direction B) opposite to the direction for supplying new water washing solution in cascade processing to normally perform a cascade.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light-sensitive material processing apparatus, and more particularly, it has a plurality of processing tanks for storing a washing processing solution and is provided on a partition wall for partitioning adjacent processing tanks. The present invention relates to a light-sensitive material processing apparatus that conveys a light-sensitive material by passing it through a washing processing liquid stored in a passage and the plurality of processing tanks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional light-sensitive material processing apparatus, a light-sensitive material such as a film or paper on which an image is printed and exposed is sequentially conveyed through a color developing solution, a bleach-fixing solution, and a washing processing solution. , Processing of developing, fixing, and washing the photosensitive material. In particular, in the case of washing with water, it is common to provide a plurality of processing tanks in which the washing solution is stored in order to prevent the color developing solution or the bleach-fixing solution from remaining on the paper.

In this case, the liquid level of the washing processing liquid stored in each of the plurality of processing tanks is set in advance so as to gradually decrease from the downstream side to the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material. The washing treatment is performed by a so-called cascade, in which a new washing treatment liquid is supplied only to the treatment tank on the downstream side.

Further, in the conventional photosensitive material processing apparatus as described above, the photosensitive material is once drawn out from the washing processing solution in one processing tank and then conveyed into the washing processing solution in the adjacent processing tank.

However, since the processing of the photosensitive material is substantially stopped when the photosensitive material is drawn out from the washing processing solution, it is desired to shorten the time for drawing the photosensitive material out of the washing processing solution as much as possible. It had been.

For this reason, a passage for the photosensitive material is provided in the partition wall between the processing tank on the upstream side and the processing tank on the downstream side, and the photosensitive material is conveyed without being drawn out of the liquid, so that the photosensitive material can be rapidly processed. Technology (so-called underwater crossover method)
Have been proposed.

[0007]

However, when the photosensitive material is conveyed without being pulled out of the liquid as described above, the processing bath in which the rinsing processing liquid is adjacent from the gap between the conveyed photosensitive material and the passage or the like. Even if the treatment is stopped, some washing treatment liquid may leak to the adjacent treatment tank through the passage even when the treatment is stopped. In particular, if the washing treatment liquid leaks from the upstream treatment tank to the downstream treatment tank, the washing treatment liquid in the downstream treatment tank may be contaminated. There is a fear that you will not be missed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the hydraulic pressure of the washing treatment liquid is set to an appropriate value,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive material processing device which can normally perform cascade.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 has a plurality of treatment tanks storing a washing treatment liquid, and a partition wall for partitioning between adjacent treatment tanks. A photosensitive material processing apparatus that conveys a photosensitive material by passing through a washing treatment liquid stored in a passage provided in a plurality of processing tanks and an upstream side in a conveying direction of the photosensitive material between adjacent processing tanks. It is characterized in that the liquid pressure of the portion of the processing tank located at the position where the photosensitive material passes is made smaller than the liquid pressure of the portion of the processing tank located at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material where the photosensitive material passes.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, the difference H in the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid stored in the adjacent treatment tanks is

[0011]

(Equation 2)

Q: Amount of leakage of the washing treatment liquid that leaks from the processing bath on the downstream side in the transport direction to the processing bath on the upstream side in the transport direction per unit time D: Set so as to satisfy the opening area of each processing bath This allows the photosensitive material in the processing tank located downstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material to pass through the hydraulic pressure of the portion of the processing tank located upstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material between the adjacent processing tanks. It is characterized in that it is made smaller than the hydraulic pressure of the portion to be operated.

The invention according to claim 3 is the same as the invention according to claim 1, wherein each processing tank has a closed structure, and a pressure difference is provided in an air layer in each processing tank.
The hydraulic pressure of the portion of the processing tank located upstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material between the adjacent processing tanks is equal to that of the portion of the processing tank located downstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material where the photosensitive material passes. It is characterized in that it is smaller than the liquid pressure.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an inert fluid is provided on the liquid surface of the washing treatment liquid stored in each treatment tank. It is characterized by being arranged.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the hydraulic pressure of the portion of the processing tank located upstream of the photosensitive material in the conveying direction between the adjacent processing tanks is set to the downstream side of the photosensitive material in the conveying direction. Since the hydraulic pressure is smaller than that of the passage of the photosensitive material in the processing tank, the washing processing liquid may leak from the processing tank on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material to the processing tank on the upstream side in the conveying direction. It is possible to prevent the washing treatment liquid from leaking in the direction. That is, it is possible to prevent the washing treatment liquid from leaking in a direction opposite to the direction in which a new washing treatment liquid is supplied in the cascade, and the cascade can be performed normally.

The photosensitive material in the processing tank located downstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material passes the hydraulic pressure of the portion of the processing tank located upstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material between the adjacent processing tanks. In order to make it smaller than the liquid pressure of the portion to be treated, as in the invention according to claim 2, a difference H determined by the following formula (1) is provided to the liquid surface level of the washing treatment liquid stored in the adjacent treatment tanks. Good. In this case, the liquid level in the processing tank located upstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material between the adjacent processing tanks may be lower than the liquid level in the processing tank located downstream.

[0017]

(Equation 3)

Q: Amount of leakage of the washing treatment liquid which leaks from the processing bath on the downstream side in the transport direction to the processing bath on the upstream side in the transport direction per unit time D: Opening area of each processing bath Here, the adjacent treatments When a difference H is set in the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid between the tanks, the liquid level in the processing tank on the downstream side in the conveying direction is lowered by (H / 2) until the liquid levels become equal to each other, and The liquid level in the processing tank on the upstream side in the direction increases by (H / 2). That is, the leak amount of the washing treatment liquid that leaks from the treatment tank on the downstream side to the treatment tank on the upstream side until the liquid level becomes equal is (H / 2) × D.

The leakage amount ((H / 2) × D) of the washing treatment liquid which leaks from the treatment tank on the downstream side to the treatment tank on the upstream side until the liquid level becomes equal is conveyed through the passage per unit time. In the case where a value H divided by the leakage amount Q of the washing treatment liquid leaking from the treatment bath on the downstream side in the conveying direction to the treatment bath on the upstream side in the conveying direction is provided in the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid between the adjacent treatment tanks. It is the time until the liquid level becomes equal.

Therefore, the expression (1) indicates that the time until the liquid surface level of the washing treatment liquid stored in the adjacent treatment tank becomes equal to is longer than the allowable time. That is,
Satisfying the equation (1) means that the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid stored in the adjacent treatment tanks does not become equal within the allowable time.

Therefore, within the allowable time, the liquid surface level of the washing processing liquid gradually decreases toward the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material, that is, between the adjacent processing tanks, the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material. It is possible to maintain a state in which the hydraulic pressure in the portion of the processing tank located on the side where the photosensitive material passes is made smaller than the hydraulic pressure of the portion where the photosensitive material passes in the processing tank located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material. .
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing treatment liquid from leaking in the direction opposite to the direction in which a new washing treatment liquid is supplied in the cascade, and the cascade can be performed normally.

The permissible time can be set according to the treatment time of one day so that the washing treatment liquid is maintained at a quality of a predetermined level or higher within the treatment time of one day. When the daily processing time is 8 hours, the allowable time may be set to about 6 hours. However, it is desirable to set this allowable time according to the amount of the washing treatment liquid stored in each treatment tank. That is, when the amount of the stored washing treatment liquid is large, even if a small amount of the washing treatment liquid leaks from the upstream side, the quality of the entire stored washing treatment liquid is unlikely to suddenly deteriorate. , When the amount of the stored washing treatment liquid is small, if a small amount of the washing treatment liquid leaks from the upstream side, the quality of the entire stored washing treatment liquid may be rapidly deteriorated. It is better to set the allowable time closer to the processing time of a day as the amount of the washing treatment liquid is smaller.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, each processing tank has a closed structure, and a pressure difference is provided in the air layer in each processing tank, so that the photosensitive material is conveyed between adjacent processing tanks in the conveying direction. The hydraulic pressure of the portion of the processing tank located upstream that the photosensitive material passes through may be lower than the hydraulic pressure of the portion of the processing tank located downstream in the transport direction of the photosensitive material that the photosensitive material passes through.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the liquid level of the washing processing solution in each processing tank is made uniform, and the pressure of the air layer in the processing tank located upstream of the photosensitive material conveyance direction between adjacent processing tanks is controlled. , May be smaller than the pressure of the air layer in the processing tank located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material,
Further, by providing a difference in the liquid surface level of the washing processing liquid and providing a pressure difference in the air layer in each processing tank, the photosensitive material in the processing tank located upstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material between adjacent processing tanks can be prevented. The hydraulic pressure of the passing portion may be made smaller than the hydraulic pressure of the passing portion of the photosensitive material in the processing tank located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material.

According to the invention of claim 4, an inert fluid is arranged on the liquid surface of the washing treatment liquid stored in each treatment tank. Liquid paraffin, liquid oil, or the like can be used as the inert liquid. As a result, the evaporation amount of the washing processing liquid in each processing tank can be reduced, and the influence of the evaporation of the washing processing liquid on the liquid pressure of the portion where the photosensitive material passes in each processing tank can be reduced.

In particular, in a photosensitive material processing apparatus having three or more processing tanks storing the washing processing liquid, the photosensitive material to be conveyed is the washing processing liquid of the processing tank other than the processing tanks on the most upstream side and the most downstream side. Since it is not in contact with the liquid surface, the fluid disposed on the liquid surface of the processing tank other than the processing tanks on the most upstream side and the most downstream side has a peculiar effect that it is not necessary to consider the influence on the photosensitive material.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a processing section 12 in a paper processor 10 as a photosensitive material processing apparatus. In the processing section 12, the developing tank 1 is sequentially arranged from the upstream side (the arrow A direction side) in the transport direction of the paper 14 as the photosensitive material.
6, the fixing tank 18, the first water washing tank 20, the second water washing tank 22, the third water washing tank 24, and the fourth water washing tank 26 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. A predetermined amount of the developer is stored in the developing tank 16 and a predetermined amount of the fixer is stored in the fixing tank 18. Also, the first washing tank 2
0, the second washing tank 22, the third washing tank 24, and the fourth washing tank 2
In 6, a washing treatment liquid is stored.

Inside the developing tank 16 and the fixing tank 18, there is provided a conveying device 28 composed of a plurality of rollers for conveying the paper 14 in a substantially U-shape inside the tank. Above the developing tank 16, a nipping roller 30 that conveys the paper 14 into the developing tank 16 and the developed paper 14 are fixed in the fixing tank 18.
A nipping roller 32 that conveys to the side is provided. Also,
Above the fixing tank 18, a nipping roller 34 that conveys the paper 14 conveyed from the developing tank 16 side into the fixing tank 18 and a nipping roller 36 that conveys the paper 14 subjected to the fixing treatment to the first washing tank 20 side. It is provided.

Further, a nipping roller 38 is provided above the first water washing tank 20 to convey the fixed paper 14 into the first water washing tank 20. A partition wall 40 between the first water washing tank 20 and the second water washing tank 22, a partition wall 42 between the second water washing tank 22 and the third water washing tank 24, a third water washing tank 24 and a fourth water washing tank 26. Slit-shaped passages 46 that allow the passage of the paper 14 are provided in the partition wall 44 between them.

A blade 48 is attached to each passage 46. The blade 48 is composed of a lower blade made of an elastic body (rubber, synthetic resin, etc.) and an upper blade made of an elastic body. The lower blade and the upper blade incline toward the conveyance direction of the paper 14 and each tip thereof. Is in contact with the paper 14.

Further, the first washing tank 20, the second washing tank 22,
Inside the third washing tank 24 and the fourth washing tank 26, a nipping roller 50 for conveying the paper 14 in the tank to the arrow B direction side.
Is provided. In addition, above the fourth washing tank 26,
A nipping roller 52 that conveys the washed paper 14 to a drying processing unit (not shown) is provided.

Above the fourth washing tank 26, the replenishment tank 9
2 is arranged at an end of a pipe 94 for supplying the fresh washing treatment liquid stored in No. 2 to the fourth washing tank 26, and the washing treatment liquid in the replenishment tank 92 is fed to the fourth washing tank 26 in the middle of the pipe 94. A pump 96 is provided which is driven to supply.
A pump drive device 98 is connected to the pump 96,
When a drive signal is input from the pump control device 98 at a predetermined timing, the pump 96 operates and the refill tank 9
The second water washing treatment liquid is supplied to the fourth water washing tank 26 through the pipe 94.

Further, the first washing tank 20 is provided with an overflow pipe 68 for discharging a predetermined amount or more of the washing treatment liquid, and the overflowing washing treatment liquid is stored in the storage tank 69 via the overflow pipe 68. Be stored.

Paper processor 1 having the above configuration
At 0, before the start of processing, the liquid level difference ΔH of the liquid level of the rinsing solution in the adjacent rinsing tank is set to be gradually decreased toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the photosensitive material. The liquid level difference ΔH to be set will be described below.

In the present embodiment, when the liquid level difference ΔH is set, the liquid level difference ΔI caused by the inflow / outflow of the washing treatment liquid accompanying the paper conveyance and the liquid level difference ΔJ caused by the evaporation of the washing treatment liquid are determined. Considering these as fluctuation factors, these liquid level fluctuation factors are considered as follows.

First, regarding the liquid level difference ΔI due to the inflow / outflow of the washing treatment liquid during the paper conveyance, the water washing treatment by the paper conveyance between the first water washing tank 20 and the second water washing tank 22 by the time t Liquid level difference due to inflow and outflow of liquid I ₁₂
An example of (t) will be described with reference to FIG.

In the first washing tank 20, the amount of liquid C ₀ flowing from the fixing tank 18 (see FIG. 1) and the amount of liquid C flowing out to the second washing tank 22 as the paper 14 is conveyed within a predetermined time t ₀ .
Only the difference V ₁ of the ₁ there is a change in the liquid volume.

C ₀ -C ₁ = V _1- (2) Therefore, the difference I ₁ (t ₀ ) in the liquid level change due to the movement of the washing treatment liquid in the first washing tank 20 is the difference V ₁ from the opening of the treatment tank. The value is divided by the area D.

I ₁ (t ₀ ) = V ₁ / D = (C ₀ −C ₁ ) / D −−− (3) Similarly, the liquid level change I due to the movement of the washing treatment liquid in the second washing tank 22 ₂ (t ₀ ) is the difference V between the liquid amount C ₁ flowing from the first washing tank 20 and the liquid amount C ₂ flowing out to the third washing tank 24.
_It is a value obtained by dividing ₂ by the opening area D.

I ₂ (t ₀ ) = V ₂ / D = (C ₁ -C ₂ ) / D --- (4) Therefore, the liquid level difference I between the first water washing tank 20 and the second water washing tank 22
₁₂ (t ₀ ) is expressed by the following equation (5).

I ₁₂ (t ₀ ) = I ₁ (t ₀ ) −I ₂ (t ₀ ) = (C ₀ −2C ₁ + C ₂ ) / D −− (5) The second washing tank 22 and the third Liquid level difference from the washing tank 24 I ₂₃
(t ₀ ), and the liquid level difference I ₃₄ (t ₀ ) between the third water washing tank 24 and the fourth water washing tank 26 can be obtained in the same manner as above.

Next, the liquid level difference ΔJ due to evaporation of the washing treatment liquid
The liquid level difference J ₁₂ (t) due to evaporation between the first water washing tank 20 and the second water washing tank 22 will be described as an example with reference to FIG.

Assuming that the amount of the washing treatment liquid that evaporates in a unit time in the first washing tank 20 is E ₁ , the liquid surface change amount j ₁ in a unit time is the evaporation amount E ₁ in the opening area D. It will be the divided value.

J₁= E₁/ D --- (6) Similarly, the liquid level change within the unit time in the second washing tank 20.
Amount j_TwoIs the evaporation amount E _TwoDivided by the opening area D
You.

J ₂ = E ₂ / D --- (7) The liquid level difference J ₁₂ (t) due to evaporation between the first and second water-washing tanks 20 and 22 is equal to the above-mentioned liquid level change amount j ₁ and the liquid level. Since it is the difference from the surface change amount j ₂ , the following formula is derived.

J ₁₂ (t) = j ₁ −j ₂ = (E ₁ −E ₂ ) / D −−− (8) Therefore, the liquid level difference due to evaporation until the predetermined time t ₀ is:

[0048]

(Equation 4)

Is as follows. The liquid level difference J ₂₃ (t) due to evaporation between the second water washing tank 22 and the third water washing tank 24 and the liquid level difference J ₃₄ (t) due to evaporation between the third water washing tank 24 and the fourth water washing tank 26.
Can be obtained in the same manner as above.

From the above description, the first washing tank 20 and the second washing tank 20
Actual liquid level difference H with the washing tank 22₁₂The above mentioned paper
Liquid level difference Δ due to inflow and outflow of washing treatment liquid during transportation
I₁₂, Liquid level difference due to evaporation of washing treatment liquid J₁₂(T), and
Liquid level difference ΔH set before the start of processing ₁₂Depending on the following (1
It is expressed as in equation (0).

[0051]

(Equation 5)

When the liquid level difference between the first water washing tank 20 and the second water washing tank 22 is the liquid level difference H ₁₂ , the liquid level in the second water washing tank 22 becomes () until the liquid level becomes equal. H
_12/2) decreases, the liquid level in the first washing tank 20 rises only (H _12/2). That is, the leakage amount of the washing process liquid leaking from the second washing tank 22 until the liquid surface level becomes equal to the first washing tank 20 becomes _{((H 12/2) ×} D).

In addition, from the second washing tank 22 to the first washing tank 20
Amount Q of the washing treatment liquid to the₁₂Is a function as shown in FIG.
When represented by Q (t), the predetermined time t₀Leak up to
Quantity Q ₁₂Becomes the following expression (11).

[0054]

(Equation 6)

In this embodiment, the liquid level of the rinsing liquid in the adjacent rinsing tank is gradually lowered toward the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material so that the liquid is maintained within the allowable time. The surface difference ΔH is set before the start of processing.

That is, taking the leakage of the washing treatment liquid between the first washing tank 20 and the second washing tank 22 as an example, the leakage amount at the allowable time T

[0057]

(Equation 7)

[0058] is, the leakage of water washing liquid leaking from the second washing tank 22 until the liquid surface level becomes equal to the first washing tank _{20 ((H 12/2)} × D), may not meet. Therefore, the liquid level difference ΔH ₁₂ is set between the first washing tank 20 and the second washing tank 22 so as to satisfy the following expression (12) derived from the expressions (10) and (11).

[0059]

(Equation 8)

The permissible time T is set to such a time that the quality of the washing treatment liquid can be maintained at a constant level, for example, 6 hours, within the treatment time of one day (for example, 8 hours).

Similarly, the second washing tank 22 and the third washing tank 24
And the liquid level difference ΔH _23, the third washing tank 24 and the fourth washing tank 26.
Set the liquid level difference ΔH ₃₄ with and.

As is clear from the above description, the above (1
By setting the liquid level difference ΔH ₁₂ , the liquid level difference ΔH _23, and the liquid level difference ΔH ₃₄ based on the equation (2) before the processing of the paper processor 10 is started, the permissible time, for example, within 6 hours, of the adjacent washing tank The liquid level of the washing solution does not become equal, and the state where the liquid level of the washing solution gradually decreases toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the photosensitive material is maintained.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the washing treatment liquid from leaking from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper 14 within the allowable time, that is, the washing treatment liquid leaks in the direction opposite to the direction in which a new washing treatment liquid is supplied in cascade. Day processing time (eg 8
Within a time period), the quality of the washing treatment liquid can be maintained at a constant level. Therefore, the cascade can be performed normally, and the washing process liquid can be normally performed by maintaining the washing process liquid in a good state.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a paper processor provided with four treatment tanks for storing a washing treatment liquid, but three or less treatment tanks or five or more treatment tanks are used. The present invention can also be applied to a paper processor provided with a processing tank. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a film processor or a printer processor having a plurality of processing tanks that store a washing processing liquid.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the liquid level difference J (t) due to the evaporation of the washing treatment liquid is taken into consideration is shown. However, as shown in FIG. By floating the fluid 80 which is inactive, that is, does not affect the paper 14, it is possible to reduce the amount of evaporation of the washing treatment liquid so that the liquid level difference due to evaporation is not considered.
Liquid paraffin, liquid oil, or the like can be used as the inert fluid 80. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, in the first washing tank 20 and the fourth washing tank 26,
By disposing the guide tubes 74 and 76 on the liquid surface portion where the paper 14 is conveyed into or out of the washing treatment liquid, the fluid 80 is prevented from adhering to the surface of the paper 14. It is preferable not to disturb the washing effect of the paper. Further, in the so-called underwater crossover type rinsing treatment as in the above embodiment, the paper has two liquids, that is, the liquid surface of the first water rinsing tank 20 on the most upstream side and the liquid surface of the fourth water rinsing tank 26 on the most downstream side. Pass only the plane. Therefore, since the liquid level of the processing tanks other than the processing tanks on the most upstream side and the most downstream side does not come into contact with the paper to be conveyed, the liquid level of the processing tanks other than the processing tanks on the most upstream side and the most downstream side is arranged The flowing fluid does not need to consider the influence on the paper.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first to fourth washings are carried out.
Each of the baths is covered and sealed with a top lid 82, and the top lid 82 is
Air leakage can be prevented at the part where the super 14 passes.
The guide portion 84 is provided, and the air pressure P in the first to fourth washing tanks is set.
₁, P_Two, P_Three, P_FourTo P ₁<P_Two<P_Three<P_FourTona
So that the washing treatment liquid can
Avoid backflow from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of 4
However, the state of the washing treatment liquid may be kept good. This place
In case of the above, the liquid level of the adjacent washing tank should be as described above.
There is no need to set the liquid level difference. In addition, any one process
The air pressure of the tank is set to atmospheric pressure, and the processing tank upstream of the processing tank is
The air pressure may be negative and the air pressure in the downstream processing tank may be positive.
For example, do not seal the processing tank whose air pressure is atmospheric pressure.
Can be achieved.

Further, by using the difference in the air pressure of each washing tank as described above and the difference in the liquid surface level of the washing treatment liquid as in the above embodiment, the paper in each treatment tank is The hydraulic pressure of the portion through which the sheet passes may be decreased toward the upstream side in the paper transport direction.

Further, the influence of the replenishment of the washing treatment liquid to the fourth washing bath 26, which is carried out during the operation of the paper processor 10, on the liquid level difference of the treatment bath may be considered as follows. That is, when the amount of the liquid to be replenished is P, the liquid level of the fourth washing tank 26 is increased by (P / D) due to the replenished washing treatment liquid.

Therefore, the third washing tank 24 and the fourth washing tank 26
When setting the liquid level difference [Delta] H ₃₄ of the, to meet the replenisher amount P less in consideration of the equation (13), setting the liquid level difference [Delta] H ₃₄ before operation start of the paper processor 10 good.

[0069]

(Equation 9)

In the washing treatment by the so-called underwater crossover method as in the above embodiment, it is most desirable that the washing treatment liquids stored in the respective washing tanks have the same concentration.
It is desirable to maintain the concentration difference between the washing treatment liquids of the adjacent washing tanks within 20% of the concentration of one washing treatment liquid. However, if the concentration difference exceeds 20%, the difference in specific gravity and the diffusivity of the washing treatment liquid in the adjacent washing tanks becomes large, and the amount of leakage from one washing tank to the other washing tank increases, In setting the liquid level, it is desirable to consider the liquid level difference caused by the concentration difference of the above-mentioned washing treatment liquid.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a cascade pipe may be provided between the adjacent washing tanks. That is, between the fourth washing tank 26 and the third washing tank 24,
A cascade pipe 64 for circulating the fresh washing treatment liquid supplied to the fourth washing tank 26 to the third washing tank 24 is provided, and the middle portion of the cascade pipe 64 further includes the third washing tank 24 to the fourth washing tank 24. A backflow prevention valve 66 is provided to prevent backwashing of the washing treatment liquid into the tank 26. Similarly, between the third washing tank 24 and the second washing tank 22 and the second
Cascade pipes 60 and 56 are also provided between the water washing tank 22 and the first water washing tank 20, and check valves 62 and 58 are provided at intermediate portions of the cascade pipes 60 and 56, respectively. By configuring the processing unit 12 as described above, it is possible to efficiently perform the cascade while preventing the backflow of the washing processing liquid.

Further, in the processing section 12 shown in FIG. 6, the washing treatment liquid is forced to flow from the downstream side to the upstream side in the paper conveying direction by a pump through the cascade pipe so that the washing treatment liquid can be quickly exchanged. Is also good.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, blades are attached to the partition walls 40, 42, 44 of so-called underwater crossover to shut off the washing treatment liquid between the adjacent treatment tanks. Various underwater crossovers described below, namely, an underwater crossover for blocking by a pair of rollers and a pair of blades, an underwater crossover for blocking by a blade and a fixing member, and a blocking by one roller and two blades. It can also be applied to underwater crossovers.

As an example of the underwater crossover which is blocked by the pair of rollers and the pair of blades, as shown in FIG. 7A, a pair of rollers 86 and a pair of rollers 1 arranged upstream of the pair of rollers 86 in the paper conveying direction are provided. Pair of blades 87, 88
7B and a mode in which, as shown in FIG. 7B, the roller pair 89 and the blades 90 and 91 arranged on both sides of the roller pair 89 in the depth direction of the processing tank are used. is there.

As an example of an underwater crossover in which one blade and a fixing member are used for blocking, as shown in FIG. 8A, a roller pair 92 and a roller pair 92 are arranged on the upstream side in the paper conveying direction. There is a mode of blocking by the blade 93 and the fixing member 94, and as an example of an underwater crossover in which blocking is performed by one roller and two blades, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, there is a mode in which the blades 96 and 97 are arranged on both sides in the depth direction of the processing tank to shut off.

[0076]

According to the invention described in claims 1 to 3, since the liquid pressure of the portion of the processing tank through which the photosensitive material passes is reduced toward the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material, the washing processing liquid is cascaded. Thus, it is possible to prevent leakage in the direction opposite to the direction in which the new washing treatment liquid is supplied, and it is possible to obtain the effect that the cascade can be performed normally.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since the inert fluid is arranged on the liquid surface of the washing treatment liquid in each treatment tank, the evaporation amount of the washing treatment liquid in each treatment tank is reduced,
It is possible to reduce the effect of evaporation of the washing processing liquid on the liquid pressure of the passage of the photosensitive material in each processing tank. Particularly, in a photosensitive material processing apparatus having three or more processing tanks storing the washing processing liquid, the conveyed photosensitive material is on the surface of the washing processing liquid in the processing tanks other than the processing tanks on the most upstream side and the most downstream side. Because it doesn't touch, the most upstream side,
A peculiar effect is obtained in that the fluid placed on the liquid surface of a processing tank other than the processing tank on the most downstream side does not need to consider the influence on the photosensitive material.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit of a paper processor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of setting a difference in liquid level between adjacent processing tanks.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a leakage amount which changes with time.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example in which an inert fluid is floated on the liquid surface of a washing treatment liquid.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram in the case where a difference in air pressure is provided between adjacent processing tanks.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram when a cascade pipe is provided between adjacent processing tanks.

7 (A) and 7 (B) are diagrams showing various types of underwater crossovers to which the present invention can be applied.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing various underwater crossover modes to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Paper Processor (Photosensitive Material Processing Device) 14 Paper (Photosensitive Material) 20 First Washing Tank (Treatment Tank) 22 Second Washing Tank (Treatment Tank) 24 Third Washing Tank (Treatment Tank) 26 Fourth Washing Tank (Treatment Tank) ) 40, 42, 44 Partition wall 46 Passage 80 Fluid

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A passage having a plurality of treatment tanks storing the washing treatment liquid, the partition wall partitioning adjacent treatment baths, and the washing treatment liquids stored in the plurality of treatment baths. A photosensitive material processing apparatus that conveys a photosensitive material by passing it through. The liquid pressure of a portion of the processing tank located upstream of the photosensitive material in the conveying direction between adjacent processing tanks, through which the photosensitive material passes, is transferred. A photosensitive material processing apparatus characterized in that the hydraulic pressure is made smaller than the hydraulic pressure of a portion through which the photosensitive material passes in a processing tank located downstream in the direction. 2. The difference H in the liquid level between the washing treatment liquids stored in adjacent treatment tanks is expressed by the following formula: Q: Leakage amount of rinsing treatment liquid that leaks from the processing tank on the downstream side in the transport direction to the processing tank on the upstream side in the transport direction per unit time D: By setting so as to satisfy the opening area of each processing tank, The liquid pressure of the portion of the processing tank located upstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material between the adjacent processing tanks is equal to that of the portion of the processing tank located downstream in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material where the photosensitive material passes. 2. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure is smaller than the liquid pressure. 3. A photosensitive material in a processing tank located upstream in a conveying direction of the photosensitive material between adjacent processing tanks by providing a pressure difference in an air layer in each processing tank by forming each processing tank in a sealed structure. The hydraulic pressure of the part where
2. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure is smaller than the hydraulic pressure of a portion of the processing tank located downstream in the transport direction of the photosensitive material, through which the photosensitive material passes. 4. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inert fluid is disposed on the liquid surface of the washing processing solution stored in each processing tank. .