JPH10186613A - Developing device and developing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple developing device and a developing method by which uneven treatment due to inhomogeneous compsn. of a treating liquid can be prevented. SOLUTION: The cross section of the treating tank 300 is designed in such a manner that the size along the width direction of a film is longer that the film width and that the dimension Ls in the thickness direction of a film is 0.2 to 1.0mm. Therefore, the average flow speed of the treating liquid on the emulsion face of a film ranges 150 to 1200cm/s and the treating liquid in the treating tank 300 flows only in one direction and hardly mixed, which prevents such a problem that the compsn. of the treating liquid becomes inhomogeneous and causes linear treatment defects (trailing).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a film developing apparatus and a developing method, and more particularly to a film developing apparatus and a developing method suitable for a small processing amount.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, 135-size negative films generally used are prepared by removing a negative film from a spool shaft or cutting the film in the vicinity of the spool shaft, and carrying out development processing while transporting a plurality of processing tanks with transport rollers or the like. It is supposed to do.

Further, a developed negative film is cut at a predetermined number of frames and returned to a customer as a piece negative.

[0004] In recent years, APS (abbreviation of "Advanced Photo System") as a new system for returning a developed negative film in a cartridge without returning the negative film without cutting the negative film in this way. The system is simply referred to as “APS”).

[0005] In the APS, a negative film is taken out of a cartridge received from a customer and developed, and the developed negative film is stored in an original cartridge and returned to the customer.

In this APS, when the same developing processing method as that of the related art is used, a negative film accommodated in a cartridge is removed from a spool shaft without disassembling the cartridge, and a developed negative film is mounted on a spool shaft of the cartridge. A mounting device is required, and the development processing system becomes complicated.

As a development processing system for solving this problem, a simple development processing apparatus as described in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-108272 has been proposed. This development processing device can perform development processing without separating the film from the film storage container, so there is no need to remove the film from the spool shaft or to attach the film to the spool shaft. However, stable processing performance can be obtained.

[0008]

By the way, when the film was developed by the above-mentioned developing apparatus,
No streak-like processing unevenness was observed on the surface of the film referred to as tailing as described in the specification of US Pat. The reason for this is that the processing liquid in the processing tank advances only in one direction, so that the processing liquid is hardly mixed in the processing tank, and the processing liquid deteriorates sequentially along the processing liquid circulation direction (progressing direction). May not be uniform.
In other words, the tailing becomes more pronounced as the flow rate of the processing liquid is lower, and the tailing can be suppressed when the flow rate is higher.

As a method of solving this problem, it is conceivable to provide a blade or a jet device or the like for stirring the processing liquid in the processing tank. There is a possibility that the processing liquid leaks from the film insertion port of the processing tank or the like due to the force caused by the above, which is not desirable.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simple development processing apparatus and a development processing method for preventing processing unevenness due to a non-uniform composition of a processing solution.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a small-capacity, single-vessel, sheath-shaped processing tank having processing liquid inlets and outlets through which processing liquid enters and exits provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. A processing liquid supply unit connected to the processing liquid inlet / outlet and supplying a processing liquid into the processing tank, and a cross-sectional shape in the processing tank is
The width direction of the film is longer than the film width, and the dimension in the film thickness direction is 0.2 to 1.0 mm.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the inside of the processing tank is adjusted so that the width direction of the film is longer than the film width.
Since the dimension in the thickness direction of the film is set to 0.2 to 1.0 mm, the processing liquid in the processing tank advances in only one direction and becomes difficult to be mixed, and the composition of the processing liquid becomes non-uniform. Pulling) can be prevented.

[0013] The small-volume single processing tank used in the present invention is a portion corresponding to a film processing tank portion, and the small volume means that the volume of the processing tank portion is sufficiently small, preferably. It is about 3 to 300 ml, more preferably about 5 to 100 ml. Here, the volume of the processing tank portion means a liquid volume only in the tank where the film is processed, and does not include a liquid amount of a piping system for transporting and circulating the liquid.

A single processing tank means that there is only one processing tank when processing a film.
The processing solution is a processing method in which the processing liquid is supplied to the processing tank at any time and exchanged. In the sense of increasing the processing capacity per unit time, the present invention may be designed to prepare a plurality of such single processing tanks and simultaneously process a plurality of films.

Here, as a specific example of the small-volume, single-vessel, sheath-like processing tank (processing tank) used in the present invention, the sheath described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 8-108272 shown in FIGS. Shaped processing tanks and the like.

Although the development processing apparatus of the present invention can be used for processing various photosensitive materials, it is particularly preferable to use it for processing photographic photosensitive materials. Specifically, it is a process for a color negative film, a color reversal film, and a black and white film.

Various processing liquids are used in the development processing apparatus of the present invention. The color developing tank solution and the color developing replenisher used for developing the color negative film are alkaline aqueous solutions containing an aromatic primary amine color developing agent as a main component. Aminophenol compounds are also useful as the color developing agent, but p-phenylenediamine compounds are preferably used.
-4-amino-N, N diethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino
-N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfonamidoethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-β-
Methoxyethylaniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-N-methyl-N- (3-hydroxypropyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-
Methyl-N-ethyl-N- (3-hydroxypropyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- (2-hydroxypropyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-ethyl-N-ethyl- N- (3
-Hydroxypropyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-
N-propyl-N- (3-hydroxypropyl) aniline, 4-
Amino-3-propyl-N-methyl-N- (3-hydroxypropyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-N-methyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methyl- N-ethyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-
Methyl-N-propyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-ethyl-N-ethyl-N- (3-hydroxy-2
-Methylpropyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-N, N
-Bis (4-hydroxybutyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-
Methyl-N, N-bis (5-hydroxypentyl) aniline,
4-amino-3-methyl-N- (5-hydroxypentyl) -N- (4-
Hydroxybutyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methoxy-N
-Ethyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) aniline, 4-amino-
3-ethoxy-N, N-bis (5-hydroxypentyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-propyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) aniline, and their sulfates, hydrochlorides or p-toluenesulfonates And the like. Among these, in particular, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxyethylaniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N- (3-
Hydroxypropyl) aniline, 4-amino-3-methyl-N
-Ethyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) aniline and their hydrochlorides, p-toluenesulfonates or sulfates are preferred. These compounds can be used in combination of two or more depending on the purpose.

The amount of the aromatic primary amine developing agent used is preferably from 0.0002 mol to 0.2 mol, more preferably from 0.001 mol to 1 mol, per liter of the color developer.
0.1 mol.

The color developing solution (color developing solution) includes a pH buffer such as an alkali metal carbonate, borate or phosphate 5-sulfosalicylate, a chloride salt, a bromide salt and an iodide salt. It generally contains a development inhibitor or an antifoggant such as a benzimidazole, a benzothiazole or a mercapto compound. If necessary, besides hydroxylamine and diethylhydroxylamine, the compound represented by the general formula (I) of JP-A-3-144446 can be used.
Various preservatives such as hydroxylamines, sulfites, hydrazines such as N, N-biscarboxymethylhydrazine, phenylsemicarbazides, triethanolamine, and catecholsulfonic acids, and organics such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol represented by Solvents, development accelerators such as benzyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, quaternary ammonium salts, amines, dye-forming couplers, competitive couplers, auxiliary developing agents such as 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone, viscosity-imparting agents, aminopolycarboxylic acids acid,
Aminopolyphosphonic acid, alkylphosphonic acid, various chelating agents represented by phosphonocarboxylic acid, for example, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, 1- Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, nitrilo-N, N, N-trimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N, N-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) and the like And various compounding materials typified by salts thereof.

Among the above, as the preservative, unsubstituted hydroxylamine and substituted hydroxylamine are most preferred, and among them, diethylhydroxylamine, monomethylhydroxylamine or alkyl substituted with a water-soluble group such as sulfo group, carboxy group or hydroxyl group. Those having a group as a substituent are preferred. The most preferred example is
N, N-bis (2-sulfoethyl) hydroxylamine and its alkali metal salts.

As the chelating agent, a compound having biodegradability is preferable. An example of this is disclosed in JP-A-63-1.
No. 46998, No. 63-199295, No. 63-26
Nos. 7750 and 63-267751, JP-A-2-22
Nos. 9146 and 3-186841, German Patent No. 3,7
Chelating agents described in JP 39,610, EP 468,325 and the like can be mentioned.

The processing solution in the replenishing tank for the color developing solution is preferably shielded with a liquid agent such as a high-boiling organic solvent to reduce the contact area with air. Liquid paraffin is most preferred as the liquid shielding agent.

The processing temperature of the color developer is 20 to 55 ° C.
Preferably it is 30-55 degreeC. Processing time is 30 seconds to 4
Minutes, preferably 45 seconds to 3 minutes 20 seconds. Most preferably, it is in the range of 60 seconds to 120 seconds.

In this processing method, the photosensitive material is desilvered after color development. In the desilvering step, it is desirable that both photosensitive materials be processed with a common tank solution and a common replenisher. However, the replenishment amount can be set differently for each photosensitive material. Hereinafter, the desilvering step will be described in detail.

The desilvering step generally includes a bleaching step, a bleach-fixing step and a fixing step, and includes various steps. Specific steps are shown below, but are not limited thereto.

(Step 1) Bleaching and Fixing (Step 2) Bleaching and Bleaching and Fixing (Step 3) Bleaching and Bleaching and Fixing (Step 4) Fixing and Bleaching and Fixing (Step 5) Bleaching and Fixing If necessary, the solution may be divided into two or more baths, or may be replenished by a cascade method.

As the bleaching agent used in the processing solution having the bleaching ability, aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex, persulfate, bromate, hydrogen peroxide, erythrocyte, etc. are used. A polycarboxylic acid (III) complex can be most preferably used.

The ferric complex used in this treatment method is
It may be added and dissolved as a pre-complexed iron complex salt, or a complex-forming compound and a ferric salt (eg, ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, ferric bromide, iron nitrate (III ) And iron (III) ammonium sulfate) to form a complex salt in a solution having bleaching ability.

The complex-forming compound may be slightly in excess of the amount required for complex formation with ferric ions, and when it is added in excess, it is usually in the range of 0.01 to 10%. preferable.

The compound forming the ferric complex salt in the bleaching solution is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (E
DTA), 1,3-propanediaminetetraacetic acid (1,3-
PDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, methyliminodiacetic acid, N- (2-acetamido) iminodiacetic acid,
Nitrilotriacetic acid, N- (2-carboxyethyl) iminodiacetic acid, N- (2-carboxymethyl) iminodipropionic acid, β-alanine diacetate, α-methyl-nitrilotriacetic acid, 1,4-diaminobutanetetraacetic acid , Glycol ether diamine tetraacetic acid, N- (2-carboxyphenyl)
Iminodiacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N- (2-carboxyphenyl) -N, N ′, N′-triacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N′-disuccinic acid, 1,3-diaminopropane-N, N′-disuccinic acid, Ethylenediamine-N,
N′-Dimalonic acid, 1,3-diaminopropane-N,
Examples include N′-dimalonic acid, but are not particularly limited thereto.

The concentration of the ferric complex salt in the processing solution having a bleaching ability is suitably in the range of 0.005 to 1.0 mol / l, preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.50 mol / l. , More preferably 0.02 to 0.3
The range is 0 mol / liter.

The concentration of the ferric complex salt in the replenisher of the processing solution having bleaching ability is preferably 0.005 to 2
Mol / l, more preferably 0.01 to 1.0 mol / l.

Various compounds can be used as a bleaching accelerator in a bath having bleaching ability or a prebath thereof. For example, a compound having a mercapto group or a disulfide bond described in U.S. Pat. And JP-B-45-8506, JP-A-52-20832, and 53-3
No. 2735, U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,561, and the like, thiourea compounds and halides such as iodine and bromine ions are preferred because of their excellent bleaching ability.

In addition, baths having bleaching ability include bromide (eg, potassium bromide, sodium bromide, ammonium bromide), chloride (eg, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, ammonium chloride), or iodide (eg, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, ammonium chloride). For example,
Rehalogenating agents such as ammonium iodide). Borax, sodium metaborate, acetic acid,
At least one inorganic acid or organic acid having a pH buffering capacity such as sodium acetate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate, citric acid, sodium citrate, tartaric acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, etc. And their alkali metal or ammonium salts, or
Corrosion inhibitors such as ammonium nitrate and guanidine can be added.

The bath having the bleaching ability may contain other various types of fluorescent whitening agents, defoamers or surfactants, and organic solvents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and methanol.

The fixing agent component in the bleach-fix solution or the fix solution is
The use of thiosulfates is preferred. Examples of the thiosulfate include sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, and ammonium thiosulfate. Other known fixing agents, thiocyanates such as sodium thiocyanate and ammonium thiocyanate; ethylenebisthioglycolic acid,
Thioether compounds such as 3,6-dithia-1,8-octanediol, mesoionic compounds, and water-soluble silver halide dissolving agents such as thioureas can also be used. In the present invention, the use of thiosulfates, particularly ammonium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate and sodium thiosulfate is preferred. The total amount of the fixing agent per liter is preferably 0.3 to 3 mol, more preferably 0.5 to 2.0 mol.

It is desirable that the bleach-fixing solution and the fixing solution contain a sulfite (or a bisulfite or metabisulfite) as a preservative.
Liter, more preferably 0.05 to 0.3 mol / liter.

The bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution may be a sulfite (eg, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite) or a bisulfite (eg, ammonium bisulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite) as a preservative. In addition to containing a sulfite ion releasing compound such as metabisulfite (for example, potassium metabisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, ammonium metabisulfite),
Aldehydes (benzaldehyde, acetaldehyde, etc.), ketones (acetone, etc.), ascorbic acids, hydroxylamines, benzenesulfinic acids, alkylsulfinic acids, etc. can be added as necessary. Particularly, use of benzenesulfinic acid, p-methylbenzenesulfinic acid, p-aminobenzenesulfinic acid and the like is also preferable. The preferable addition amount is 0.005 mol to 0.1 mol.
It is about 3 mol / liter.

Further, a buffer, a fluorescent brightener, a chelating agent, an antifoaming agent, a fungicide, and the like may be added to the bleaching solution, the bleach-fixing solution and the fixing solution as required.

In the bleaching solution, the bleach-fixing solution and the fixing solution, the preferable pH range is from 4 to 8, and more preferably from 4.5 to 6.
5 is preferred.

The replenishing amount to the bleaching solution, bleach-fixing solution and fixing solution is 50 to 2000 ml per 1 m ² of the light-sensitive material. Further, washing water as a post-bath or overflow solution of a stabilizing bath may be replenished as necessary.

The processing temperature of the bleaching solution, bleach-fixing solution and fixing solution is from 20 to 50 ° C., preferably from 30 to 45 ° C.
The processing time of each step is 10 seconds to 3 minutes, preferably 20 seconds to
2 minutes.

It is particularly preferred that a processing solution having a bleaching ability is subjected to aeration during processing, since photographic performance is extremely stably maintained. Any means known in the art can be used for aeration, and air can be blown into a processing solution having bleaching ability, or air can be absorbed using an ejector.

The aeration may be performed directly in the processing tank. However, since the developing processing apparatus of the present invention has a small tank capacity, it is preferable to perform the aeration in the stock tank.

When blowing air, it is preferable to discharge air into the liquid through an air diffuser having fine pores. Such a diffuser is widely used for an aeration tank in activated sludge treatment. Regarding aeration, Z-121 issued by Eastman Kodak Company,
USING PROCESS C-41 3rd Edition (1982
Year), and the items described on pages BL-1 and BL-2 can be used. In the processing using the processing solution having the bleaching ability of the present invention, it is preferable that stirring is strengthened, and the processing is carried out as described in JP-A-3-33847, page 8, upper right column, line 6 to lower left. The contents described in the column and the second line can be used as they are.

In the developing apparatus of the present invention, when aeration is performed, it is preferable to use a circulation system, a stock tank, or the like.

The photosensitive material generally undergoes a washing and / or stabilizing step after desilvering. In the washing and / or stabilizing step, it is necessary to adjust the concentration of the residual thiosulfuric acid of the processed photographic material to 30 to 1500 micromol / m ² .

Specifically, it is desirable to adjust the concentration of the thiosulfate in the final bath to about 0.001 to 0.04 mol / liter. That is, the above-mentioned concentration may be added to the final bath, or when a thiosulfate is used as a fixing component, the amount of replenishment in the subsequent washing and stabilization steps is reduced, and the final bath has the above-mentioned concentration. It is also a desirable embodiment to prepare such a solution.

The specific amount of replenishment varies depending on the concentration of thiosulfate in the fixing step, the number of baths in the washing step and the stabilization step, etc.
Generally, the amount is about 100 to 1000 ml, preferably about 130 to 700 ml, per m ^{2 of} the photosensitive material.

The amount of water to be washed in the washing step is as follows:
The relationship between the number of washing tanks and the amount of water in the multi-stage
urnal of the Society of Motion Picture and Televis
ionEngineers Vol. 64, pp. 248-253 (May 1955)
Can be obtained by the method described in (1). According to the multi-stage countercurrent method described in the above-mentioned document, the amount of washing water can be greatly reduced.However, due to an increase in the residence time of water in the tank, bacteria are propagated, and the generated suspended matter adheres to the photosensitive material. Problem arises.

As a solution to such a problem in the processing of a color light-sensitive material, the method of reducing calcium ions and magnesium ions described in JP-A-62-288838 can be used very effectively. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 8,542, isothiazolone compounds, thiabendazoles, chlorine-based disinfectants such as chlorinated sodium isocyanurate, and other benzotriazoles, etc. "Sterilization, Sterilization, and Antifungal Technology of Microorganisms" edited by the Sanitary Technology Association (1982), Industrial Technology Society, "Encyclopedia of Antifungal Agents" (ed. 1986)
Can be used.

The pH of the final bath in the processing of the photosensitive material is as follows:
It can be set to any value, preferably 3.5-8,
More preferably, it is 4-7. The pH is preferably set so as to reflect the film pH of the processed photosensitive material,
Various buffers may be used for that purpose. Specific examples include acetic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, and phthalic acid.

The temperature and time of washing water can be variously set in accordance with the characteristics of the photosensitive material, the use, and the like.
For 20 seconds to 5 minutes, preferably at 25 to 40 ° C. for 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Further, the light-sensitive material of the present invention can be processed directly with a stabilizing solution instead of the above-mentioned washing. In such a stabilization treatment, JP-A-57-8543 and
All known methods described in JP-A-14834 and JP-A-60-220345 can be used.

The stabilizing solution contains a compound for stabilizing the dye image, for example, benzaldehydes such as formalin and m-hydroxybenzaldehyde, formaldehyde bisulfite adduct, hexamethylenetetramine and its derivatives, hexahydrotriazine and its derivatives, N-methylol compounds such as dimethylol urea and N-methylol pyrazole, organic acids and pH buffers are included. The preferable addition amount of these compounds is from 0.001 to 0.02 mol per liter of the stabilizing solution. However, the lower the concentration of free formaldehyde in the stabilizing solution, the less the formaldehyde gas is scattered. From these viewpoints, examples of the dye image stabilizer include N-methylolazoles described in JP-A-4-270344, such as m-hydroxybenzaldehyde, hexamethylenetetramine and N-methylolpyrazole, and N, N'-bis (1 4,3,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) piperazine and the like.
Azolylmethylamines described in 13753 are preferred. In particular, azoles such as 1,2,4-triazole and 1,4-bis (1,2,4) described in JP-A-4-359249 (corresponding to EP-A-519190A2).
A combination of azolylmethylamine and its derivative such as (-triazol-1-ylmethyl) piperazine is preferable because of high image stability and low formaldehyde vapor pressure. Further, if necessary, ammonium compounds such as ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfite, metal compounds such as Bi and Al, a fluorescent brightener, a hardener, and US Pat.
No. 86,583, or a preservative which can be contained in the above-mentioned fixing solution or bleach-fixing solution, for example, a sulfinic acid compound described in JP-A 1-231051 is also preferable. .

The washing water and / or the stabilizing solution may contain various surfactants in order to prevent water droplet unevenness when the photosensitive material after processing is dried. Among them, a nonionic surfactant is preferably used, and an alkylphenol ethylene oxide adduct is particularly preferable. Octyl, nonyl, dodecyl, and dinonylphenol are particularly preferred as the alkylphenol, and the number of moles of ethylene oxide added is particularly preferably 8 to 14. It is also preferable to use a silicon surfactant having a high defoaming effect.

It is preferable that the washing water and / or the stabilizing solution contain various chelating agents. Preferred chelating agents include aminopolycarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, N, N, N '.
-Trimethylene phosphonic acid, diethylene triamine-
Organic phosphonic acids such as N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid or EP 345,172A
The hydrolyzate of the maleic anhydride polymer described in No. 1 can be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing solution inlet / outlet through which a processing solution enters and exits at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and has a cross-sectional shape from an emulsion surface when a film is inserted to an inner wall surface facing the emulsion surface. Is longer than the dimension from the opposite surface opposite to the emulsion surface to the inner wall surface facing the opposite surface, and has a small capacity and a single sheath-shaped processing tank, and is connected to the processing liquid inlet / outlet for processing. A developing solution having a processing solution supplying means for supplying a processing solution into a tank, and a developing method for developing the film in the processing tank, wherein the flow rate of the processing solution on the emulsion surface side is controlled by It is characterized in that the flow rate is higher than that of the processing solution on the side opposite to the emulsion surface.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow rate of the processing solution on the film emulsion side is higher than the flow rate of the processing solution on the side opposite to the film emulsion side. For example, the flow rate of the processing liquid on the emulsion surface side is set by bringing the surface opposite to the emulsion surface of the film into contact with the inner wall surface of the processing tank and leaving the emulsion surface and the inner wall surface of the processing tank apart. Is preferable because the flow rate is higher than the flow rate of the processing solution on the film surface opposite to the emulsion surface, and the processability is improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developing method according to the second aspect, the average flow rate of the processing solution on the emulsion side of the film is set to 150 to 1200 cm / s.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the processing solution on the emulsion side of the film has an average flow velocity of 150 to 1200 cm / s.
Range.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing apparatus of the first aspect, unevenness is formed on an inner wall surface of the processing tank facing the film.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the flow of the processing liquid is disturbed by the unevenness formed on the inner wall surface of the processing tank, tailing is prevented. Here, the unevenness may be made to protrude in a substantially semicircular shape, or may be cut away.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing liquid may be circulated back and forth with respect to the processing tank, and the processing liquid may be stopped during the forward and backward movements of the processing liquid. In this case, by actively suspending the flow of the processing liquid, the processing liquid moves only by the inertial force and is appropriately diffused and exchanged. Therefore, the processing liquid is preferably exchanged without staying in a part thereof, and the composition of the processing liquid becomes uniform, which is preferable in that line-like processing unevenness does not occur in the film.

Further, as a preferred embodiment, a film insertion port which allows the film to enter and exit only in one longitudinal direction may be formed in the sheath-shaped treatment tank. Furthermore, the film may be sent out from the film container with one end in the longitudinal direction locked to the spool shaft, and development processing may be performed in this state. After the development processing, the film may be rewound into the film storage container. Here, the film storage container is, for example, a film storage container (cartridge) for APS or a separate film storage container for winding a 135-size negative film stored in a cartridge (intermediate with an intermediate spool shaft). And magazines).

[0065]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Cartridge and Film) First, the outline of the cartridge 14 and the film FI used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) to 1 (C) and FIG. 2, the cartridge 1
4 is provided with a casing 20 which is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by overlapping the covers 18A and 18B. The casing 20 is provided with a projecting portion 22 projecting in a tangential direction. At the tip of the projecting portion 22, an insertion opening 28 is formed as a slit-like entrance / exit along the axial direction of the casing 20. This insertion opening 28 is normally closed by a door 30, so that the inside of the casing 20 is in a light-shielding state. The spool shaft 16 in the casing 20 is rotatably supported by side walls 24 and 26 closing both ends of the casing 20 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C and 2, a door shaft 32 is hung on the protruding portion 22 between the side walls 24 and 26 so as to be rotatably supported. . The door shaft 32 rotates integrally with the door 30, and the door 30 rotates together with the door shaft 32 to open and close the insertion port 28. The front end exposed from the side walls 24 and 26 of the door shaft 32 has a door shaft 32
A key hole 34 for engaging a means for rotating the door (a door driver 158 described later) is formed.

The casing 20 is divided into covers 18A and 18B along a line connecting the support positions of the side walls 24 and 26 for the door shaft 32, the support position of the spool shaft 16, and the end opposite to the protrusion 22. I have.

As shown in FIG. 1C, a notch hole 36 is formed at one end of the side wall 26 of the casing 20 opposite to the protruding portion 22 by notches formed in the covers 18A and 18B. Formed on the cover 18B,
A display plate 38 that covers the notch hole 36 extends.
The display plate 38 is connected at the axial center side of the casing 20 with a narrow joint portion 38A, and at the outer peripheral side with a wide joint portion 38B.
Are joined by

When the film FI which has been subjected to the development processing is accommodated in the cartridge 14, the display panel 38 is cut off at the joint portion 38A side, and the display panel 38 is pushed into the notch hole 36 to be bent. . Thus, it is possible to determine from the outside of the casing 20 whether the film FI in the cartridge 14 has been developed or has not been developed.

In addition, display holes 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D are formed in the side wall 26 at equal intervals around the spool shaft 16 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "display holes 40").
Say). These display holes 40 are used to display the state of the film FI stored in the cartridge 14. For example, a circular display hole 40A
Represents an unexposed, semicircular display hole 40B partially exposed, and an X-shaped display hole 40C exposed and undeveloped, a rectangular display hole 40B.
D indicates that development has been completed. In this way, it is possible to determine which exposure state or processing state the film FI stored in the cartridge 14 is in.

On the other hand, FIGS. 3A and 3B show the spool shaft 16 disposed in the casing 20. FIG. The spool shaft 16 has a winding portion 42 for winding the film FI at an intermediate portion in the axial direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3A), and flange portions 4 on both sides of the winding portion 42.
4 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the flange 44
, A flexible flange 72 formed of a thin resin that can be elastically deformed is attached.

The casing 2 is attached to the spool shaft 16.
A small-diameter ring 48 is attached to the end of the side wall 26 on the side of the side wall 26. As also shown in FIG. 1 (C) and FIG. 3 (B),
The ring 48 is integrally provided with a white plate 50 protruding radially outward with a predetermined width. As shown in FIG. 1C, the white plate 50 overlaps with any of the display holes 40 depending on the rotational position around the spool shaft 16, and exposes a white portion in the overlapped display hole 40. The exposed state of the white plate 50 clearly indicates the processing state of the film FI in the cartridge 14 described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, a gear portion 48A is formed on the ring 48. When the door 30 is closed, a spool lock 76 attached to the cover 18B engages with the gear portion 48A. It does not rotate. On the other hand, when the door 30 is opened, the spool lock 76 separates from the gear portion 48A, and the spool shaft 16
Is designed to rotate smoothly.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), the winding portion 42 of the spool shaft 16 has a cutout 52 along the axial direction. Is divided by the notch 52 into a wide winding portion main body 42B and a narrow width engaging portion 42A. Further, the engaging portion 42
A is formed with a pressing portion 54 which is divided at an intermediate portion in the axial direction, and whose leading end protrudes in a direction to narrow the opening width of the cutout portion 52 toward the winding portion main body 42B.

On the other hand, the holding section 5 is attached to the winding section main body 42B.
On the outer side along the axial direction of No. 4, a pair of protrusions 56 projecting in a direction to reduce the opening width of the notch 52 is formed. The projection 56 overlaps with the holding portion 54 when viewed along the axial direction of the spool shaft.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, a label 78 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the casing 20. As shown in FIG. 1B, the label 78 includes a bar code 80 including various information such as a cartridge ID (identification number) for identifying the cartridge 14, a film type, and the number of shots (number of frames). Are printed in two steps on the cover 18B side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the film FI has an end FT on the trailer side at the center in the width direction.
Slot 5 for hooking a claw (not shown) of an attach plate used when locking the
8 are drilled.

An engaging hole 60 is formed on both sides of the elongated hole 58 in the width direction. The engagement hole 60 is provided in the film F
When the end FT of the trailer I on the trailer side is inserted into the cutout 52 of the spool shaft 16, the protrusions 56 are inserted as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. . At this time, the engagement holes 60 of the film FI are formed.
During this time, the pressing portion 54 comes into contact with the spool portion 16 so that the trailing end FT of the film FI is engaged with the spool shaft 16 to prevent the protrusion 56 from coming off.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the tip 56A of the projection 56 projects in the direction opposite to the direction in which the film FI is pulled out (the direction of arrow R) to prevent the film FI from coming off. It has been subjected.

The film FI has an end FT on the trailer side.
Are wound around the spool shaft 16 and housed in the cartridge 14 in a state of being engaged with the spool shaft 16 as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the cartridge 14 has a key hole 62 formed in the end face of the spool shaft 16 exposed from the side walls 24 and 26. When they are combined, the rotational force can be transmitted to the spool shaft 16.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
In I, perforations 66 that clearly indicate the position of the image frame 64 are formed at one end in the width direction at predetermined intervals, and this perforation 66 is used for positioning the image frame 64 when performing image exposure and printing work. Is being used.

Further, on the end FT side from the final image frame 64, an around perforation 68 is formed on the side opposite to the perforation 66, and no image is recorded on the trailer side from this position. ,
Or, it clearly states that no image is recorded.

Further, a detached perforation 70 is formed in the film FI at a position separated by a predetermined interval T from an end FT on the trailer side, and if this detached perforation 70 is detected, the film FI on the trailer side is detected. The position of the end FT can be accurately determined. In addition, the end F on the trailer side of the film FI
Both ends in the width direction of the T are cutout portions 52 of the spool shaft 16.
Inclined to facilitate insertion into

Further, the film FI is provided with a transparent magnetic recording layer, and a region not covering the image frame 64 at both ends in the width direction of the film FI is used as a magnetic track.

Here, a magnetic track 80 for a developer is provided on the side where the perforations 66 are formed. A magnetic track 82 for a camera is provided on the side opposite to the side where the perforations 66 are formed.

Further, the perforation 66 of the image frame 64 on the side of the end FT and the end FR of the image frame 64 on the side of the end FR than the perforation 66 of the image frame 64 on the side of the end FR.
On each side, a magnetic track 88 for recording a film ID for identifying the film FI is provided.
Further, a bar code 90 is provided on the opposite side of the magnetic tracks 88. The barcode 90 includes a film ID for identifying the film FI, is formed as a latent image in advance at the stage of manufacturing the film FI, and is visualized by developing. Note that the barcode 90 of the film FI corresponds to the barcode 80 of the cartridge 14 described above.

Further, a bar code 92 is recorded on the film FI at the same position as the magnetic track 82.
This bar code 92 is a frame number of the image frame 64,
It represents a manufacturer, a film type, and the like, and is formed in advance as a latent image at the stage of manufacturing the film FI, and is visualized by developing. (Development Processing Apparatus) As shown in FIG. 5, the development processing apparatus 100 for performing the development processing of the film FI described above includes a box-shaped casing 102 for shielding the inside from light. An opening / closing lid 110 and a display device 11 are provided above the casing 102.
2. An operation panel 114 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a station 104 for loading the cartridge 14 is provided inside the casing 102.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the station 104 has a concave portion 116 into which the cartridge 14 is loaded.
A rotation lever 118 is provided for holding the cartridge 14 inserted in the recess 116. The rotation lever 118 is rotated by a motor 120.

The station 14 has a cartridge 14
Barcode scanner 12 that reads a barcode 80
1 is provided. This barcode scanner 121
The information of the barcode 80 read by is transmitted to the control device 122 which constitutes a part of the processing liquid supply means described later.

The station 104 has the cartridge 1
Notch 12 to allow access to film FI from 4
4 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the station 104 has a door 30 (not shown in FIG. 7) of the cartridge 14.
Driver 126 for opening and closing the door and a spool driver 128 for rotating the spool shaft 16 (not shown in FIG. 7).
Is provided.

The door driver 126 and the spool driver 128 are rotated by a motor 132 and a motor 134, respectively, and a key (projection) engaging with a key hole is formed on a side surface of the shaft. The motor 132 and the motor 134 are mounted on a slide plate 138 movably supported along a pair of guide rails 136 mounted on the station 104. The slide plate 138 slides along the axial direction of the spool shaft 16.

The slide plate 138 includes the station 10
4 movable iron core 140 of solenoid 140 attached to
A is connected, and normally, as shown in FIG. 7, the door driver 126 and the spool driver 128 are retracted to a position away from the recess 116 by a predetermined dimension.

When the solenoid 140 is energized,
The tip of the door driver 126 and the spool driver 128 protrudes from the opening 142 formed at the bottom of the concave portion 116 so that the movable core 140A protrudes, and the door driver 126 is inserted into the key hole 34 of the door shaft 32 and the spool driver 128
Engages with the key hole 62 of the spool shaft 16.

The solenoid 1 of the station 104
The motor 40, the motor 120, the motor 132, and the motor 134 are controlled by the control device 122.

As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of guide rollers 250 as transport means for transporting the film FI into the processing tank 300 is disposed below the station 104, that is, between the cartridge 14 and a processing tank 300 described later. Have been. These guide rollers 250 are connected to a movable iron core 252 of a solenoid (not shown), slide in the left and right directions via the movable iron core 252 when the solenoid is turned on or off, and are retracted when the film FI is wound or pulled out. .

Under the guide roller 250, a pair of dryers 254 for drying the developed film FI is provided.
Are arranged opposite to the surface of the film FI, and hot air is blown when the film FI is rewound into the cartridge 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, below the dryer 254, a processing tank 300 having a sword sheath shape made of a synthetic resin or the like is disposed substantially along the vertical direction. In addition,
The volume of the processing tank 300 of the present embodiment is 50 milliliter.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction inside the processing tank 300 is rectangular (rectangular). Although not shown, a film F is provided on an inner wall surface of the processing tank 300 at an appropriate position between the upper end and the lower end of the processing tank 300.
Locking portions are formed to guide both ends in the width direction of I during insertion and to lock after insertion.

Here, the thickness dimension T1 of the film FI is
Normally, the thickness is 0.12 mm (the thickness of the film support is 0.1 mm and the thickness of the emulsion layer is 0.02 mm). The width dimension T2 of the film FI is 24 mm.

On the other hand, the interval L1 on both sides in the width direction of the processing tank 300 (the portion facing the both ends in the width direction of the film FI) is
Longer than the width T2 of the film FI, 25 to 2
6 mm. In addition, the interval L2 between the widthwise central portion of the inner wall surface of the processing tank 300 (the portion facing the image frame 64 of the film FI) is 1 mm.

At the interval L2, the dimension L3 from the film emulsion surface FE to the inner wall surface facing the film emulsion surface FE, and the distance L3 from the surface opposite to the emulsion surface FE to the inner wall surface facing the opposite surface. The dimension L4 is equal. That is, the film FI in the processing tank 300 is spaced L
2, in the middle.

In this embodiment, the processing liquid has a cross-sectional shape in the processing tank 300 in which the width direction of the film is longer than the film width and the dimension in the film thickness direction is 1.0 mm.
The following test examples (3.0 mm, 1.0 mm,
0.5 mm).
The flow rate of the processing solution in the inside is increased.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the higher the flow rate of the processing liquid, the more the occurrence of tailing can be suppressed, so that the processing liquid in the processing tank 300 advances in only one direction and is hardly mixed, so that the processing liquid is not easily mixed. The occurrence of linear processing unevenness (tailing) due to the non-uniform composition can be prevented.

[0109] As shown in FIG.
The inner wall surface opposed to each other has a narrow interval between both sides in the width direction (portions facing both ends in the width direction of the film FI) and a central portion in the width direction (opposed to the image frame 64 of the film FI). May be curved so as to increase the interval between the portions. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 10, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, a groove 315 may be provided on both sides in the width direction, and the film F may be guided by the groove 315. In this case, when the film FI is inserted from the opening, both end portions in the width direction of the film FI are guided by both side portions in the width direction inside the processing tank 300, and the center portion in the width direction of the film FI, that is, the image frame 64 and the processing tank 3
00 is prevented from contacting the inner wall surface.

The dimension (thickness) of the film FI in the processing tank 300 in the direction along the thickness direction is preferably 20 to 200 times the thickness of the film FI. If it is less than 20 times, the amount of the processing solution may be insufficient.
00 becomes large. On the other hand, it is preferable that the thickness of the film FI be 2 to 5 times the thickness of the film FI at portions corresponding to both ends in the width direction. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 10, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, as another embodiment (corresponding to Test Example 2 described later), the treatment tank 3
A plurality of irregularities 301 may be provided on the inner wall surface of the 00. These irregularities 301 have a substantially semicircular shape, and
0 are equally spaced in the longitudinal direction (the flow direction of the processing liquid) and in the lateral direction (the width direction). In addition, the unevenness 301
Has a height T3 of 1 mm, a width T4 of 2 mm, and irregularities 30
1 (distance from the axis of the unevenness 301 to the axis) T
5 is 5 mm.

The number of irregularities 301 per unit area is 4 /
In cm ² , the interval L2 is the distance from the top to the top of the unevenness 301 at the center in the width direction of the inner wall surface. In addition, it is preferable that the unevenness 301 is formed on both surfaces of the inner wall surface opposite to both surfaces of the film FI.

According to the present embodiment, since the unevenness 301 is formed on the inner wall surface of the processing tank 300, the processing liquid is applied to the processing tank 300.
When the processing liquid is supplied to the inside, the flow of the processing liquid is disturbed, and tailing is prevented.

Since the other structure is the same as that of FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. The unevenness 301
The arrangement of is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,
For example, it may be random.

As shown in FIG. 8, one of the upper side surfaces of the processing tank 300 is provided with a pipe-shaped connecting portion 304 as a processing liquid inlet / outlet communicating with the inside of the tank. Similarly, a pipe-shaped connecting portion 306 is provided as a processing liquid inlet / outlet communicating with the inside of the tank.

Further, a pipe-shaped connecting portion 308 as a processing liquid inlet / outlet communicating with the inside of the tank is provided on one of the lower side surfaces of the processing tank 300, and a processing end communicating with the inside of the tank is provided at the lower end. A pipe-shaped connection portion 310 is provided as a liquid inlet / outlet.

As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end of the processing tank 300 is partially notched, and a sealing device 3 is provided at a position facing the film insertion port 312 formed in the notched portion.
14 are provided.

The sealing device 314 has a film insertion port 312.
And a block 316 that is in close contact with the block. Note that a thick packing 318 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to a portion of the block 316 that is in close contact with the film insertion port 312.

The block 316 is connected to the rack 320 and has a pinion 322 that meshes with the rack 320.
Is rotated by the motor 324, so that the packing 31
At 8, the opening of the processing tank 300 is closed, whereby the inside of the tank can be sealed.

As shown in FIG. 8, a color developing solution stock tank 400 storing a color developing solution, which constitutes a part of the processing solution supply means, a bleaching solution stock storing a bleaching solution is provided in the developing processing apparatus 100. A tank 402, a fixing solution stock tank 404 storing a fixing solution, a washing solution stock tank 406 storing a washing solution, and a stable solution stock tank 408 storing a stabilizing solution are provided. The capacity of each tank is 500 ml.

Here, the color developing solution is supplied to a solenoid valve 410 which constitutes a part of the processing liquid supply means, a forward / reverse rotatable pump 41.
The bleaching solution is supplied to the processing tank 300 via the second and connection portions 310 and the electromagnetic valves 414 and 410 constituting a part of the processing solution supply means.
The fixing solution is supplied to the processing tank 300 via the pump 412, the fixing liquid is supplied to the processing tank 300 via the electromagnetic valves 416, 414 and 410, the pump 412 and the connection part 310, and the washing liquid is supplied to the electromagnetic valve 41.
8, 416, 414, 410, the pump 412 and the connecting part 310 to the processing tank 300,
0, 418, 416, 414, 410, the pump 412, and the connection section 310, the liquid is sent to the processing tank 300.

The solenoid valve 420 is an on-off valve, and the solenoid valves 410, 414, 416 and 418 are three-way valves.

The color developer passed through the processing tank 300 is supplied to the color developer stock tank 40 via the electromagnetic valve 422.
0, the bleaching solution passed through the processing tank 300 is
The fixing solution passed through the processing tank 300 to the bleaching solution stock tank 402 via the 424 is subjected to electromagnetic valves 422, 424, and 42.
6 to the fixing solution stock tank 404 and the processing tank 30
The washing liquid that has passed through 0 is the solenoid valve 422, 424, 426,
The stable liquid that has passed through the processing tank 300 to the washing liquid stock tank 406 via 428 is supplied to the electromagnetic valves 422, 424, and 42.
6, 428, 430 via the stabilizing solution stock tank 40
Cycle to 8.

A waste liquid tank 423 is connected between the connection portion 306 and the electromagnetic valve 422 via an electromagnetic valve 421. The solenoid valve 430 is an on-off valve, and the solenoid valves 421, 422, 424, 426, and 428 are three-way valves.

When the processing is completed with one processing liquid, the pump 412 is reversed, the processing liquid in the processing tank 300 is returned to the original stock tank, and the processing tank 300 is emptied.
After that, the next processing liquid is sent into the processing tank 300.

Here, the flow rate of the processing liquid in the processing tank 300 is determined by changing the cross-sectional area of the inner wall surface when the film FI is inserted, that is, the cross-sectional area of the film FI, by the cross-sectional area of the inner wall surface (interval L1 × L
This is obtained by dividing the value obtained in 2) by the amount of liquid passing per unit time. And this average flow velocity is 300 cm
/ S, but generally 150 to 12000 cm /
s, preferably in the range of 400 to 1000 cm / s.

The connecting portion 304 and the connecting portion 308 are connected by a pipe 456, and the processing liquid in the processing tank 300 is reciprocated by a pump 458 provided in the middle of the pipe and capable of rotating forward and backward. Further, in the present embodiment, a processing liquid stop state (for example, 6 seconds) is set between the forward movement and the backward movement of the processing liquid. That is, according to the present embodiment, by setting the processing liquid stop state between the forward and backward movements of the processing liquid, the flow of the processing liquid is temporarily stopped and the processing liquid is not transported. Is moved only by inertial force, so that the processing liquid is appropriately diffused and exchanged.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the processing liquid is stopped without applying a driving force for a while when the liquid flow is reversed, a turbulent flow is generated at the upper end or lower end of the processing tank 300, The processing liquid can sneak into a portion where the processing liquid tends to stay, preventing the processing liquid from staying, and preventing the film FI from having a streak-like processing unevenness.

These color developing solution stock tanks 400,
Bleaching solution stock tank 402, fixing solution stock tank 4
04, the structures of the washing liquid stock tank 406 and the stable liquid stock tank 408 will be described. Since all these tanks have the same structure, the structure of the color developing solution stock tank 400 will be described in detail as a representative.

As shown in FIG. 9, a heater 46 for heating the color developing solution is provided in the color developing solution stock tank 400.
0, a temperature sensor 462 for measuring the temperature of the color developing solution, and a pipe 46 for communicating with the connecting portion 310 of the processing bath 300 and for sending the color developing solution to the processing bath 300 via the pump 412.
6 has been inserted.

[0132] The heater 460 and the temperature sensor 462 are connected to the control device 122, whereby the temperature of the processing liquid is controlled to a predetermined temperature.

A pipe 4 for collecting the color developing solution in the processing tank 300 is provided below the color developing solution stock tank 400.
68 are connected.

The color developing solution stock tank 400 is provided with a pipe 470 and a pump 472 for circulating the stored color developing solution to make the composition and temperature uniform.

The color developing solution stock tank 400 has a horizontal cross-sectional shape that is constant in the vertical direction. The stored color developing solution has a reduced contact area between the color developing solution and the outside air and a natural heat radiation to the outside air. There is a floating lid 474 for preventing the liquid temperature from dropping due to the above.

As a method for heating the treatment liquid, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, the circulation pipe 470 may be heated by a casting heater (not shown) to indirectly heat the treatment liquid. (Operation) Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the initial state of the apparatus, the guide roller 250
Are separated from each other, and the block 316 is
0 film insertion opening 312.

First, the opening / closing lid 110 is opened, the cartridge 14 containing the undeveloped film FI is loaded into the concave portion 116 of the station 104, and the opening / closing lid 110 is closed.

When the start button of the operation panel 114 is turned on, the rotation lever 118 rotates and the cartridge 14 is held.

Next, the chucking device 130 operates,
The door driver 126 is connected to the key hole 34 of the door shaft 32.
Then, the spool driver 128 is engaged with the key hole 62 of the spool shaft 16.

Next, the door driver 126
Then, the spool driver 128 is rotated by the motor 134, and the film FI is sent out from the insertion opening 28 of the cartridge 14.

When the film FI is sent out from the cartridge 14, the guide roller 250 rotates and the film F
I is inserted into the processing tank 300 through the space between the guide rollers 250.

When the insertion of the film FI into the processing tank 300 is completed, the block 316 presses the film insertion opening 312 to seal the inside of the tank. According to the present embodiment, the block 316 presses the film insertion port 312 to seal the inside of the tank.
2 does not leak out of the processing liquid and the processing layer 300
Oxidation and evaporation of the processing solution in the inside can be suppressed.

Next, the development processing of the film FI with the processing liquid will be described. When the processing tank 300 is sealed, the pump 412, the solenoid valves 410, 414, 416, 418, 4
20, 422, 424, 426, 428, and 430 are operated in a predetermined order by the control device 122, and the color developing solution,
The processing tank 300 is filled in the order of the bleaching solution, the fixing solution, the washing solution, and the stabilizing solution, and the film FI is developed.

Here, when processing the film FI with one processing liquid, the pump 412 is operated to circulate the processing liquid in one direction between the stock tank and the processing tank 300, but the pump 412 is stopped as appropriate. By operating the pump 458, the processing liquid in the processing tank 300 is circulated in the reverse direction. Thereby, the long film FI can be stably processed in the longitudinal direction.

In the case of normal APS, which differs depending on the type of the light-sensitive material and the type of processing, the thickness T1 of the film FI is
0.14 mm during color development and 0.1
5 mm.

When the processing is completed with one processing liquid,
The processing liquid in the processing tank 300 and the pipe 456 is returned to the original stock tank by the pump 412 via the connection portion 306, and the processing tank 300 and the pipe 456 are once emptied. After that, the solenoid valve is switched, and the pump 412 operates to send the next processing liquid into the processing tank 300.

After the film FI is sequentially processed by the color developing solution, the bleaching solution, the fixing solution, the washing solution and the stabilizing solution, the block 316 of the sealing device 314 is separated from the film insertion port 312.

Next, when the spool driver 128 is rotated and the film FI is completely wound around the spool shaft 16 of the cartridge 14, the door 30 is closed, and the door driver 126 and the spool driver 128 are separated from the cartridge 14. Note that this film FI is
When the film FI is rewound, the dryer 254 shown in FIG. 6 blows hot air onto the surface of the film FI to dry the film FI.

Thereafter, the rotary lever 118 rotates and retracts from the concave portion 116, and the cartridge 14 containing the developed film FI can be taken out by opening the open / close lid 110.

In this embodiment, the film F
Although I is for APS, the film of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a 135-size film or the like can be similarly applied.

Hereinafter, Test Examples 1 to 4 will be described. [Test Example 1] Color negative film for shooting (1) nexiaH manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (2) nexiaA The above two photosensitive materials were subjected to 100 CMS at a color temperature of 4800K.
(See FIG. 15), and processed with the following processing steps and processing solution.

As the processing machine of the present invention, the processing machine shown in FIG. 5 was modified so that seven processing liquid tanks could be used. The cross-sectional shape in the sheath-like processing tank is rectangular,
The processing was performed by changing the dimension in the film width direction to 25 mm, and changing the dimension in the film thickness direction to treatment tanks having three different dimensions as shown in Table 1. Processing solution circulation is fixed in one direction,
The circulation rate was set at a pumping capacity of 4 liters / minute, and the average flow rate of the processing solution on the film emulsion surface is shown in Table 1.

As a comparative processor, an automatic developing machine FNCP-600II manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. was used and processed at the same processing step and processing solution at a transport speed of 10 m / min.

The processing steps and the composition of the processing solution are shown below. (Processing step) Step Processing time Processing temperature Color development 3 minutes 15 seconds 38 ° C. Bleaching 3 minutes 00 seconds 38 ° C. Rinse 30 seconds 24 ° C. Fixing 3 minutes 00 seconds 38 ° C. Rinse (1) 30 seconds 24 ° C. Rinse (2 30 seconds 24 ° C. Stable 30 seconds 38 ° C. Drying 4 minutes 20 seconds 55 ° C. Next, the composition of the processing solution is described. (Color developing solution) (Unit g) Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 1.0 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 2.0 Sodium sulfite 4.0 Potassium carbonate 30.0 Potassium bromide 1.4 Potassium iodide 1. 5 mg hydroxylamine sulfate 2.4 4- [N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) amino] -2-methylaniline sulfate 4.5 Add water and add 1.0 liter pH (potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid) 10.05 (Bleaching solution) (unit g) N- (2-carboxyphenyl) iminodiacetic acid ferric pentahydrate 25.0 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid ferric ammonium dihydrate 25.0 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid 2.0 malonic acid 7.0 succinic acid 60.0 glutaric acid 15.0 sodium bromide 40.0 sodium nitrate 30.0 Sodium hydroxide 30.0 Diethanolamine 20.0 Add water to 1.0 liter pH (adjusted with sodium hydroxide and nitric acid) 4.2 (Fixing solution) (unit g) 1,3-diaminopropane 4 Acetic acid 6.0 Ammonium sulfite 20.0 Ammonium thiosulfate aqueous solution (750 g / L) 270.0 mL Acetic acid (90%) 5.0 Add water 1.0 L pH (adjusted with ammonia water and acetic acid) 6.4 (Stabilizing solution) (Unit g) p-nonylphenoxypolyglycidol (glycidol average polymerization degree 10) 0.2 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 0.05 1,2,4-triazole 1.3 1,4-bis (1,2,2,3) 4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) piperazine 0.75 hydroxyacetic acid 0.02 hydroxyethylcellulose (da Cell Chemistry HEC SP-2000) 0.1 1,2-Benzoisothiazolin-3-one 0.05 Add water 1.0 liter pH 8.5 Exposure a and b of the treated sample shown in FIG. The density of the portion was measured using an X-Rite 310TR densitometer, and the density difference between the a-exposed portion and the b-exposed portion was evaluated as a tail. That is, if this density difference is small, it can be said that good photographic performance with suppressed tailing was obtained. The measurement opening used a blue filter with a diameter of 3 mm.

Table 1 shows the results obtained by the above method.

[0157]

[Table 1]

From the results shown in Table 1, it was found that tailing was suppressed according to the embodiment of the present invention. Test Example 2 In Test Example 2, the two photosensitive materials described in Test Example 1 were processed using the same processing apparatus, processing solution, and processing steps as in Test Example 1. The cross-sectional shape in the sheath-shaped treatment tank is rectangular, the dimension in the film width direction is 25 mm, and the dimension in the film thickness direction is 1 mm. However, the processing was performed by changing the processing tanks to two different shapes (flat surface and uneven surface) as shown in Table 2. The uneven surface of the inner wall surface of the processing tank had the shape shown in FIG. 13, and the dimension in the film thickness direction was 1 mm. The circulation rate of the treatment liquid was set to a pump capacity of 4 liters / minute, and the circulation conditions of the treatment liquid were the following two conditions.

(Circulation condition A): In all treatment steps, treatment was performed while circulating each treatment liquid with the liquid feeding direction fixed in one direction.

(Circulation condition B): In the color development step, the liquid was sent in the forward direction for 6 seconds, stopped for 4 seconds, then sent in the reverse direction for 6 seconds, and thereafter, the liquid sending and stopping were performed in the same manner as described above. Cycle repeatedly. After the bleaching step, processing was performed while circulating each processing solution while fixing in one direction.

After the treatment, each sample was evaluated for tailing in the same manner as in Test Example 1. Table 2 shows the results obtained by the above method.

[0162]

[Table 2]

In each of the test examples, which are aspects of the present invention, the level of suppression of tailing can be reduced by processing the inner wall of the processing tank into an uneven surface and / or selecting a combined circulation condition of an anti-transfer solution and a temporary stop. It was found to be further improved. [Test Example 3] Color negative film for use in shooting (1) nexiaH (2) nexiaA (3) nexiaF (4) ADVANTIX4 manufactured by Eastman Kodak (Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)
00 (5) ADVANTix200 (6) ADVANTix100 (7) Konica Corporation JX400 (all are trade names) The above seven photosensitive materials were processed in the same exposure and processing apparatus as in Test Example 1 using the following processing. Processed and treated with processing solution.

After completion of the treatment, each sample was evaluated for tailing in the same manner as in Test Example 1. Even when the photosensitive material, the processing step, and the processing solution were changed, the same effects as in Test Example 1 were obtained.

The processing steps and the composition of the processing solution are shown below. (Processing step) Step Processing time Processing temperature Color development 3 minutes 5 seconds 38 ° C. Bleaching 50 seconds 38 ° C. Fixing (1) 50 seconds 38 ° C. Fixing (2) 50 seconds 38 ° C. Water washing 30 seconds 38 ° C. Stable (1) 20 Second 38 ° C. Stable (2) 20 seconds 38 ° C. Drying 1 minute 00 seconds 60 ° C. The composition of the processing solution is shown below. (Color developing solution) (Unit g) Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 2.0 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 2.0 Sodium sulfite 3.9 Potassium carbonate 37.5 Potassium bromide 1.4 Potassium iodide 3 mg disodium-N, N-bis (sulfonatoethyl) hydroxylamine 2.0 hydroxylamine sulfate 2.4 2-methyl-4- [N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) amino] aniline sulfate 4.5 Add water and add 1.0 liter pH (adjusted with potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid) 10.05 (Bleaching solution) (Unit: g) Ferric ammonium 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetate-water salt 118 Odor Ammonium fluoride 80 Ammonium nitrate 15 Succinic acid 40 Maleic acid 33 Add water and add 1.0 liter pH (with ammonium water 4.4) (Fixing solution) (unit: g) Ammonium sulfite 19 Ammonium thiosulfate aqueous solution (700 g / L) 280 mL Imidazole 7 Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 15 Ammonium methanesulfinate 10 Ammonium methanethiosulfonate 4 Add water and add 1.0 Liters pH (adjusted with ammonia water and acetic acid) 7.4 (Washing water) Tap water is replaced with H-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120B manufactured by Rohm and Haas)
And through a mixed-bed column filled with an OH-type strongly basic anion exchange resin (Amberlite IR-400) to treat the calcium and magnesium ion concentrations to 3 mg / L or less, followed by isocyanuric dichloride 20 mg / liter of sodium acid and 150 mg /
One liter was added. The pH of this solution was in the range of 6.5 to 7.5. (Stabilizing solution) (Unit g) Sodium p-toluenesulfinate 0.03 Polyoxyethylene-p-monononylphenyl ether (average degree of polymerization 10) 0.2 Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.05 1,2,4 -Triazole 1.3 1,4-bis (1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) piperazine 0.75 1,2-Benzoisothiazolin-3-one 0.10 Add water 1.0 liter pH 8 [Test Example 4] The same photosensitive material and exposure as in Test Example 1 were used to process the following processing steps and processing solutions. As the processing apparatus, a processing apparatus similar to that of Test Example 1 and modified so that three processing liquid tanks can be used was used.

After completion of the treatment, each sample was evaluated for tailing in the same manner as in Test Example 1. Even when the processing step and the processing solution were changed, the same effects as in Test Example 1 were obtained.

The processing steps and the composition of the processing solution are shown below. (Processing step) Step Processing time Processing temperature Color development 60 seconds 40 ° C Bleaching and fixing 60 seconds 40 ° C Rinsing 20 seconds 40 ° C Drying 40 seconds 70 ° C The composition of the processing solution is shown below. (Color developing solution) Mother liquor (g) Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 4.0 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 3.0 Sodium sulfite 4.0 Potassium carbonate 40.0 Potassium bromide 2.0 Potassium iodide 3 mg hydroxylamine sulfate 2.0 disodium-N, N-bis (sulfonatoethyl) hydroxylamine 13.2 2-methyl-4- [N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) amino] aniline sulfate 11.0 Water was added and 1.0 liter pH (adjusted with potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid) 10.05 (Bleaching and fixing solution) Mother liquor (g) Ferric ammonium ethylenediaminetetraacetate dihydrate 40.0 2- ｛ [1- (Carboxyethyl) -carboxymethylamino] ethyl} -ammonium ferric carboxymethylaminobenzoate Water salt 30.0 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 6.0 succinic acid 12.0 aqueous solution of ammonium thiosulfate (700 g / l) 270.0 ammonium sulfite 20.0 para-aminobenzenesulfinic acid 5.0 ammonium iodide 1.0 6.0 liters pH (adjusted with ammonia water and nitric acid) 6.0 (wash water) Same as Test Example 3

[0168]

As described above, since the development processing apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it has an excellent effect that processing unevenness due to a non-uniform composition of the processing liquid can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a left side view of a cartridge,
(B) is a front view of the cartridge, and (C) is a right side view of the cartridge.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge.

3A is a front view of a spool shaft, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the spool shaft shown in FIG. 3A, taken along line 3 (B) -3 (B).

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a film.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the developing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a film insertion mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a station.

FIG. 8 is a piping diagram of the developing device.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a stock tank.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a processing tank.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a processing tank according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a processing tank according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a processing tank according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a processed sample used for the test.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 development processing device 122 control device (replenishment solution supply means) 300 processing tank 301 unevenness 304 connection portion (processing solution port) 306 connection portion (processing solution port) 308 connection portion (processing solution port) 310 connection portion (processing solution port) 400 Color developing solution stock tank (replenisher supply means) 402 Bleaching solution stock tank (replenisher supply means) 404 Fixer stock tank (replenisher supply means) 406 Rinse solution stock tank (replenisher supply means) 408 Stabilizer solution stock tank (Replenisher supply means) 442 Pump (Replenisher supply means) 444 Pump (Replenisher supply means) 446 Pump (Replenisher supply means) 448 Pump (Replenisher supply means) 450 Pump (Replenisher supply means) FI film FE Emulsion surface

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A small-capacity, single-vessel processing tank provided with a processing liquid inlet / outlet at both ends in the longitudinal direction, for processing liquid to enter / exit a processing liquid, and a processing liquid connected to the processing liquid inlet / outlet into the processing tank. And a processing liquid supply unit for supplying the processing liquid, wherein the cross-sectional shape in the processing tank is such that the width direction of the film is longer than the film width, and the dimension in the film thickness direction is 0.2 to
A development processing apparatus characterized by being 1.0 mm. 2. A processing solution inlet / outlet through which a processing solution enters and exits is provided at both ends in a longitudinal direction, and a cross-sectional shape of a dimension from an emulsion surface when a film is inserted to an inner wall surface facing the emulsion surface is defined as the emulsion surface. A single, sheathed processing tank longer than the dimension from the opposite surface on the opposite side to the inner wall surface facing the opposite surface and having a small capacity, and a processing liquid supplied to the processing tank connected to the processing liquid inlet / outlet. A developing solution having a processing solution supply means for developing the film in the processing bath, wherein the flow rate of the processing solution on the emulsion surface side is set to a value on the side opposite to the emulsion surface. A developing method characterized by increasing the flow rate of the solution. 3. The developing method according to claim 2, wherein the average flow rate of the processing liquid on the emulsion side of the film is 150 to 1200 cm / s. 4. The development processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein irregularities are formed on an inner wall surface of the processing tank facing the film.