JPH11133576A - Photosensitive material processing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a photosensitive material processing device preventing image irregularity, image defect and carrying jam from occurring. SOLUTION: In this photosensitive material processing device 10, film F being silver halide photosensitive material image-exposed is coated with water by a water coating part 42. The film F is held by squeeze rollers 50 with 0.5 to 8 kg nipping pressure, and the excess water on the surface of the film F is removed. As a result, the surface of the film F is always uniformly coated with the water by a very small quantity. The film F uniformly coated with the water and a processing sheet 60 are superposed by a sticking roller 82. The film F and the sheet 60 superposed are heated under the existence of the water by heating plates 68A to 68E, and an image in accordance with image- exposure is formed on the film F.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for producing a silver halide photographic material using a silver halide photographic material which has been exposed imagewise and a processing sheet which is superposed on the silver halide photographic material and heated. The present invention relates to a heat development type photosensitive material processing apparatus and a photosensitive material processing method for forming an image thereon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the process of forming printing plates for newspapers, magazines, etc., a high-contrast silver halide photosensitive material called a lith film has been used. However, there is a problem that a relatively large amount of liquid is required. Therefore, as an image forming method which does not have such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-179458,
JP-A-220686 and JP-A-8-339065 propose a method of forming a silver image that can be used in a process of forming a printing plate on a photosensitive material or a processing sheet using a heat-developed silver salt diffusion transfer method. .

In this method, a silver halide light-sensitive material having at least one silver halide emulsion layer and a processing sheet having at least a layer containing physical development nuclei are used to convert the silver halide light-sensitive material into an image. After the exposure, a small amount of water is applied to the silver halide light-sensitive material or the processing sheet, the two are superimposed, thermally developed, and then peeled off to form a silver image having a negative-positive relationship with both. can get. In the case of this method, there is an advantage that a hard silver image can be formed by a process that can be called almost dry without requiring a large amount of liquid. On the other hand, in the case of an image forming apparatus using this method, since a liquid containing a chemical such as a processing liquid is not used,
Liquid storage and replenishment management and equipment cleaning are not bothersome.
Excellent maintainability of equipment.

[0004] However, in the case of the above-mentioned method, there is a problem that if water cannot be uniformly applied to the silver halide light-sensitive material or the processing sheet, unevenness occurs in the formed image. So, to solve this problem,
In the image forming apparatus using the above method, the purpose is to squeeze excess water on the surface of the silver halide photosensitive material or the processing sheet in order to uniformly apply water to the silver halide photosensitive material or the processing sheet. Usually, a pair of rollers (squeeze rollers) are provided.

In the image forming apparatus, when the pressure for sandwiching the silver halide light-sensitive material or the processing sheet of the squeeze roller is excessively low, the silver halide light-sensitive material and the silver halide light-sensitive material are applied after the application of the water. The surplus of the applied water is squeezed out at the time of bonding with the processing sheet. When the excess water is squeezed out at the bonding front end of the silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet, image unevenness such as a solvent flowing from the bonding front end to the rear end occurs. Would. On the other hand, when the excess water is squeezed out at the rear end of the bonding between the silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet, the water contaminates the squeeze roller and the image processing material to be subsequently processed. I will.

In the image forming apparatus, when the pressure of the squeeze roller for sandwiching the silver halide light-sensitive material or the processing sheet is excessively high, wrinkles are generated in the silver halide light-sensitive material or the processing sheet, and overlapping occurs. Traces of the wrinkles remain at the time of alignment, and image unevenness occurs. Also, traces of the wrinkles may cause jamming in the peeling step between the silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet, and in the worst case, may damage mechanical parts in the separation / peeling step. Further, the squeeze roller may be deformed and uneven squeeze may occur.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and achieve the following objects. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus and a photosensitive material processing method that do not cause image unevenness, image defects, and conveyance jams.

[0008]

Means for solving the above problems are as follows. <1> an application means for applying an aqueous medium to at least one of an imagewise exposed silver halide light-sensitive material and a processing sheet containing an agent for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material; An aqueous medium removing means for sandwiching the silver halide light-sensitive material coated with the silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet, and removing an excess of the aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet; Superimposing means for superimposing sheets, and heat developing means for heating the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet in the presence of the aqueous medium to form an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material Wherein the pressure for sandwiching the aqueous medium removing means is 0.5 to 8 kg. <2> The above-described <1>, wherein the aqueous medium removing means is a pair of rollers.
> The photosensitive material processing apparatus described in <1>. <3> an application step of applying an aqueous medium to at least one of the imagewise exposed silver halide light-sensitive material and a processing sheet containing an agent for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material; An aqueous medium removing step of interposing the processed silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet, and removing excess aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet; and the silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet. And a heat development step of heating the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet in the presence of the aqueous medium to form an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material. A method for processing a photosensitive material, wherein at least the pressure for sandwiching in the aqueous medium removing step is 0.5 to 8 kg.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus described in the above item <1>, a processing sheet containing a silver halide photosensitive material imagewise exposed by a coating means and a chemical for forming an image on the silver halide photosensitive material. Is applied with an aqueous medium. The aqueous medium removing means sandwiches the silver halide photosensitive material coated with the aqueous medium and the processing sheet, and removes the silver halide photosensitive material and excess aqueous medium on the surface of the processing sheet. At this time, since the sandwiching pressure is 0.5 to 8 kg, the surplus aqueous medium is reliably removed, and there is no uneven application of the aqueous medium. The silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet are superposed by the superposing means. By the heat developing means, the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet are heated in the presence of the aqueous medium, and an image corresponding to the imagewise exposure is formed on the silver halide light-sensitive material. Is done.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus described in the above <2>, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus described in the above <1>, the aqueous medium removing means is a pair of rollers. The silver halide light-sensitive material coated with the aqueous medium and the processing sheet are sandwiched, and the silver halide light-sensitive material and excess aqueous medium on the surface of the processing sheet are removed.

In the method for processing a light-sensitive material according to the item <3>, a processing sheet containing a silver halide light-sensitive material imagewise exposed by a coating step and a chemical for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material. Is applied with an aqueous medium. In the aqueous medium removing step, the silver halide photosensitive material coated with the aqueous medium and the processing sheet are sandwiched, and the silver halide photosensitive material and excess aqueous medium on the surface of the processing sheet are removed. At this time, since the sandwiching pressure is 0.5 to 8 kg, the surplus aqueous medium is reliably removed, and there is no uneven application of the aqueous medium. The silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet are superposed by the superposing means. By the heat developing means, the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet are heated in the presence of the aqueous medium, and an image corresponding to the imagewise exposure is formed on the silver halide light-sensitive material. Is done.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The photosensitive material processing method and photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail. The photosensitive material processing method of the present invention includes at least a coating step, an aqueous medium removing step, an overlapping step, and a heat development step, and further includes other steps as necessary. The photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention includes at least a coating unit, an aqueous medium removing unit, an overlapping unit, and a thermal developing unit, and further includes other units as necessary. The photosensitive material processing method of the present invention can be suitably implemented using the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. Specifically, the coating step is performed by the coating unit, the aqueous medium removing step is performed by the aqueous medium removing unit, the overlapping step is performed by the overlapping unit, and the thermal developing step is performed by the thermal developing unit.
Each is feasible. Hereinafter, each of these steps and each means will be described in detail.

<Coating Step and Coating Means> In the coating step, at least one of an imagewise exposed silver halide light-sensitive material and a processing sheet containing an agent for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material is coated with an aqueous solution. Apply the medium.

The coating step can be performed using a known coating apparatus or the like as long as the above-mentioned operation can be performed, but can be particularly preferably performed by the coating means in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. . As long as the coating means has a function of coating an aqueous medium on at least one of a silver halide light-sensitive material exposed imagewise and a processing sheet containing an agent for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material,
There is no particular limitation, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The application of the aqueous medium to the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet by the coating means may be performed by a known coating method such as dip coating, coating using a coater, or coating using a spray. Can be performed according to Among these, the dip coating is preferable in that the operation is simple, and the coating using the spray is preferable in that a trace amount of the aqueous medium can be applied.

The coating means has a function of performing these coatings. For example, when performing the dip coating, the coating unit includes the coating tank that stores the aqueous medium, and in the case of coating using the spray, the coating unit sprays the aqueous medium in the coating tank. Equipped with a spray that can be done. In the present invention, the coating means is designed so that the dip coating can be performed in that the continuous and large amount of the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet can be easily processed. Is preferred.

Such a coating means includes, for example, a tank containing the aqueous medium, an arc-shaped guide for guiding the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet into the tank, and a transport roller for transporting the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet. And a pair having a pair of pull-up rollers vertically pulling up from the inside of the coating tank.

The tank is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of accommodating the aqueous medium, and its size, shape, structure, material and the like can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. .

The number of the tanks is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Usually, the number is two or more, and preferably two. In this case, one of them
One as an application tank for containing the aqueous medium to be applied to the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet, and the other as an application tank for containing the aqueous medium to be replenished in the application tank. Preferably, it is a refill tank. In this case, for example, the application tank and the replenishment tank are connected by piping so that the aqueous medium can flow through a tube or the like, and the aqueous medium in the replenishment tank is connected to the application tank by a pump or the like. And the aqueous medium in the application tank is preferably drawn out. At this time, the aqueous medium extracted from the application tank may be discarded as it is, or may be supplied into the replenishment tank. In the latter case, the aqueous medium circulates between the application tank and the replenishment tank.

The application tank is formed, for example, in the shape of a dish or the like with an open top, and has a volume of about 0.5 to 2 liters. The replenishment tank is, for example, a container with a lid or the like. And the volume is 5 to
It is about 20 liters. Further, in the coating tank,
Usually, a heater and a temperature controller for keeping the temperature of the aqueous medium contained in the coating tank constant are exemplified.

In the application means of the above example, the pump supplies the aqueous medium in the replenishment tank at a constant flow rate into the application tank. The coating tank is
Since the aqueous medium is designed to be able to store only a certain amount of the aqueous medium, the amount of the aqueous medium in the application tank exceeding the predetermined amount flows out of the application tank at a constant flow rate.
The discharged aqueous medium is circulated through the tube into the replenishment tank.

As a mode in which only a certain amount of the aqueous medium can be accommodated, a notch is provided in a part of the peripheral side surface of the coating tank so that the amount of the aqueous medium that cannot be physically accommodated is provided. Out of the application tank, or a liquid level sensor is provided in the application tank, and when the aqueous medium in the application tank touches the liquid level sensor, the aqueous medium is extracted from the application tank. Aspect to be
And the like.

The guide, the transporting roller and the pulling-up roller are not particularly limited, and their shapes, structures, sizes, materials and the like can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. In the coating means for performing the dip coating, the direction in which the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet is pulled up from the tank is preferably a vertical direction. In this case, the surplus aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet can be efficiently removed by gravity. In the present invention, the lifting roller removes the excess silver halide photosensitive material and / or excess aqueous medium on the surface of the processing sheet that has been pulled up from the tank, and performs uniform application of the aqueous medium. It is particularly preferable to have a function as a squeeze roller that enables the squeeze roller. in this case,
This lifting roller functions as the aqueous medium removing unit.

[0024] In the coating means, the guide guide may include at least one of an imagewise exposed silver halide light-sensitive material and a processing sheet containing an agent for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material in the tank. And immersed in the aqueous medium contained in the tank. As a result of the immersion, the aqueous medium is applied to the surface of the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the surface of the processing sheet.

The aqueous medium may be water or an aqueous solution, but water is preferred in terms of handling, cost and the like. Examples of the water include tap water, distilled water, ion-exchanged water, pure water, and the like. Of these, tap water is preferred in terms of cost and the like. Examples of the aqueous solution include a mixed solution of the water and a low-boiling solvent. Examples of the low boiling point solvent include methanol, DMF, acetone, and diisobutyl ketone.

The aqueous medium further contains various additives such as an image formation accelerator, an antifoggant, a development terminator, a hydrophilic heat solvent, a preservative, and a fungicide, if necessary. You may. Further, the aqueous solution may contain an electrolyte component contained in the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the photosensitive layer of the processing sheet. As an embodiment in which such an aqueous solution is used as the aqueous medium, as described above, an embodiment in which the aqueous medium containing the electrolyte component is circulated in the application tank and the replenishment tank, etc.

<Aqueous Medium Removal Step and Aqueous Medium Removal Means> In the aqueous medium removal step, the silver halide light-sensitive material coated with the aqueous medium and / or the processing sheet is sandwiched between the silver halide light-sensitive material and the silver halide light-sensitive material. And / or removing excess aqueous medium on the surface of the treated sheet.

The aqueous medium removing step can be carried out using a known apparatus or the like as long as the above-mentioned operation can be carried out, and is particularly preferably carried out by the aqueous medium removing means in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. be able to. The aqueous medium removing means has a function of sandwiching the silver halide light-sensitive material coated with the aqueous medium and / or the processing sheet and removing excess aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet. Is not particularly limited as long as it has, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

The aqueous medium removing means includes, for example, a pair of rollers which are in contact with each other and have a nip portion and are interlocked with each other, scraping off with a blade, sucking with a sponge or the like. In the present invention, such a pair of rollers can be preferably used as a squeeze roller. Among the squeeze rollers, in the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use the pull-up roller as a squeeze roller.

In the case where the squeeze roller is used as the aqueous medium removing means, the silver halide photosensitive material coated with the aqueous medium and / or the processing sheet is sandwiched by a nip portion of the squeeze roller, and Excess aqueous medium on the surface of the silver photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet is removed. That is, before passing through the nip portion, the surplus aqueous medium is present on the surface of the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet, but after passing through the nip portion, Has no excess aqueous medium, and the aqueous medium is applied in a small amount and uniformly. When the lifting roller is used as a squeeze roller, the aqueous medium squeezed by the nip portion falls by gravity and is stored in the lower tank.

The pressure at which the aqueous medium removing means is sandwiched is preferably 0.5 to 8 kg, more preferably 3 to 7 kg, and particularly preferably 5 to 6 kg. If the sandwiching pressure is less than 0.5 kg, image unevenness such as a solvent flowing as an image defect occurs, and problems such as contamination of the superimposing means, influence on the next image, and deterioration in maintenance property are caused. On the other hand, if it exceeds 8 kg, on the other hand, wrinkles will occur as an image defect, causing a decrease in transport performance such as poor peeling between the silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet, occurrence of jamming, and an overlapping roller May cause problems such as deformation with time. On the other hand, when the sandwiching pressure is within the numerical range, the problem does not occur, and the excess aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet is surely removed. This is advantageous in that a small amount of the aqueous medium can be uniformly applied to the surface.

When the aqueous medium removing means is a pair of rollers such as the squeeze roller, the pressure for sandwiching the aqueous medium removing means corresponds to a so-called nip pressure. A spring or the like capable of applying a uniform pressing force to the contact portion side from left to right is provided on both sides of the roller shaft,
The desired value can be set by appropriately changing the spring strength (spring constant) of the spring or by utilizing the principle of lever using an arm or the like. The pressure sandwiched by the aqueous medium removing means may be, for example, a pressure distribution measurement system (manufactured by NITTA Corporation, HANDY).
It can be measured using a known method / apparatus such as SCAN S-H-1).

In the aqueous medium removing means, the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet are sandwiched,
As a material of a portion that comes into contact with them, an elastic material that is durable with respect to the aqueous medium is preferably exemplified. Examples of such an elastic material include natural rubber (NR) and synthetic rubber. Examples of the synthetic rubber include silicone rubber, synthetic isoprene rubber (IR), styrene rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), butadiene rubber (BR), chloroprene rubber (CR), butyl rubber (IIR), and acrylic rubber ( AR), urethane rubber (UR), fluoro rubber (FR), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polyisobutylene (PIB), alpha-in rubber (AL), polyester rubber (ESR), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), chlorinated butyl rubber ( CI
R), nitrile isoprene (NIR) and the like.
In the present invention, among these materials, silicone rubber is preferred in terms of processability, durability and the like.

In the aqueous medium removing means, the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet are sandwiched,
There is no particular limitation on the rubber hardness of the rubber as a material of the portion that comes into contact with them, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably 20 to 80 degrees, more preferably 30 to 60 degrees. If the rubber hardness is less than 20 degrees, it is easy to deform and cannot maintain a predetermined shape, and if it exceeds 80 degrees, it is difficult to process. In the aqueous medium removing means, the rubber hardness of a portion sandwiching the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the processing sheet and coming into contact therewith may be the same or different on both sides. . In the former case, it is easy to vertically pull up the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet.

The thickness of the rubber portion in the aqueous medium removing means is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. In general, if the thickness is too small, the influence of the core becomes too strong. When it is too thick, it tends to be easily deformed.

The material of the portion other than the rubber portion in the aqueous medium removing means, for example, when the aqueous medium removing means is a pair of rollers such as the squeeze roller, the material of the core metal is thermally deformed. It is difficult, there is no particular limitation on the durability, it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose,
For example, anodized aluminum having a surface coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, hollow stainless steel, or the like can be used.

When the aqueous medium removing means is a pair of rollers such as the squeeze roller, the roller diameter of the roller differs depending on the overall length of the roller, the strength of the cored bar, and the like, and cannot be unconditionally defined. But usually 15
It is about 60 mm. For example, if the total roller length is 60
When the diameter is set to about 0 to 800 mm, the roller diameter can be set to about 30 to 50 mm. Also,
The width of the roller is not particularly limited, and can be selected according to the width of the silver halide photosensitive material and / or the width of the processing sheet.

By the aqueous medium removing means, the silver halide light-sensitive material coated with the aqueous medium and / or the processing sheet is sandwiched, and the surplus aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet is sandwiched. Is removed. As a result, uniform application of the aqueous medium to the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and / or the processing sheet is achieved.

<Overlaying Step and Overlaying Means> In the overlapping step, the silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet are overlaid. The superposing step can be performed using a known apparatus or the like as long as the above-mentioned operation can be performed, but can be particularly suitably performed by the superposing means in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. The overlapping means is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include a pair of overlapping rollers and the like, and the squeeze roller used as the aqueous medium removing means is formed by overlapping the squeeze roller. It can also be used as a means.

When the superposing means is the superposing roller, the superposing roller may be formed only of the core metal, or may be formed of the core metal and the rubber layer. In this case, examples of the core metal include those described above. Examples of the rubber include those described above, and silicone rubber is preferred. The rubber hardness of the rubber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a hardness of 30 to 80 degrees is preferable. The roller diameter of the roller is, for example, about 30 to 80 mm.

When the superposing means is the superposing roller, the clamping pressure of the superimposed portion of the superimposed roller, that is, the so-called nip portion, is preferably 2 to 30 kg. If the holding pressure is less than 2 kg, the overlapping force is not sufficient, so that image defects such as bubble-like image unevenness and image displacement due to air entrainment may occur. Is too strong, wrinkles are generated as image defects, local irregularities are generated, and peeling failure is generated as transportability, which may cause jamming, breakage of rollers, and the like. On the other hand, when the clamping pressure is within the numerical range, it is advantageous in that such a problem does not occur. In the present invention, the superimposing roller may be referred to as a “lamination roller”.

<Heat Developing Step and Heat Developing Means> In the thermal developing step, the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet are heated in the presence of the aqueous medium to form the silver halide light-sensitive material. An image is formed thereon. The heat development step can be performed using a known heating device such as a heater as long as the above-described operation can be performed, and is particularly preferably performed by the heat development unit in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. Can be. The heat developing unit is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof include a heatable metal plate.

<Other Steps and Other Means> The other steps include a peeling step of separating the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet, and the halogen heat-developed by the heat developing step. A drying step of drying the silver halide photosensitive material. The other steps include a peeling unit for separating the superposed silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet, a drying unit for drying the silver halide photosensitive material thermally developed by the thermal developing unit, and the like. This can be performed particularly suitably by other means in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention. In the photosensitive material processing method of the present invention,
Each of the steps may be performed continuously by automatic control using a control device such as a computer, or in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, each unit may be automatically controlled using a control device such as a computer. It may be operated continuously.

The silver halide photosensitive material and the processing sheet will be described below. -Silver halide photosensitive material-The silver halide photosensitive material is not particularly limited,
There is no particular limitation as long as it is a known silver halide photosensitive material for thermal development, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, JP-A Nos. 8-179458 and 8-22068.
No. 6, No. 8-339065, No. 9-2238
What is described in No. 80 publication etc. is mentioned suitably. Among them, preferred are those containing a photosensitive silver halide emulsion having a silver chloride content of at least 70 mol%, a basic metal compound which is hardly soluble in water, and a hydrophilic binder on a support.

The silver halide grains contained in the light-sensitive silver halide emulsion are silver halides having a silver chloride content of 70 mol% or more, and include silver chloride, silver iodochloride, silver chloroiodobromide and iodochloride. Silver bromide and the like. The silver iodide content in the photosensitive silver halide emulsion is preferably 5 mol% or less,
1 mol% or less is more preferable. Particularly preferred is 0.5 mol% or less.

The photosensitive silver halide emulsion may be a surface latent image type or an internal latent image type. The internal latent image type photosensitive silver halide emulsion is used as a direct reversal emulsion in combination with a nucleating agent or an optical coupler. Also,
The photosensitive silver halide emulsion may have a multiple structure in which the inside and the surface of the emulsion grains have different halogen compositions. Further, photosensitive silver halide emulsions having different compositions may be joined by epitaxial joining. The photosensitive silver halide emulsion may have a structure in which a silver bromide localized layer is formed in a layered or non-layered manner inside and / or on the surface of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion, as described above. Can be used. The halogen composition in the silver bromide localized layer is such that the silver bromide content is at least 20 mol%.
And more preferably more than 30 mol%.

The basic metal compound which is hardly soluble in water is used as a base precursor. Preferred specific examples of the water-insoluble basic metal compound include zinc or aluminum oxides, hydroxides, and basic carbonates. Particularly preferred are zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide, and basic zinc carbonate. Is mentioned. The basic metal compound which is hardly soluble in water is used by dispersing fine particles in the hydrophilic binder as described in JP-A-59-174830. At this time, the average particle diameter of the fine particles is 0.00
It is about 1 to 5 μm, and preferably about 0.01 to 2 μm. The content of the silver halide light-sensitive material of the basic metal compound slightly soluble in water, is about ^{0.01~5g / m 2, 0.05~2g / m} 2 is preferred.

-Treatment Sheet- The treatment sheet is not particularly limited, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a known treatment sheet for thermal development, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. -179
No. 458, No. 8-220686, No. 8-33
Those described in JP-A Nos. 9065, 9-223880 and the like are preferably mentioned. Among these,
A compound capable of forming a complex with a metal ion constituting the basic metal compound (referred to as a “complex forming compound” or “complexing agent”), a physical development nucleus, and a silver halide solvent are provided on a support. Those containing are preferred.

The complex forming compounds are known as chelating agents in analytical chemistry and water softeners in photographic chemistry. For example, JP-A-62-129848, European Patent Publication 210,660A2, and US Pat. , 74
No. 0,445.

The physical development nucleus is for reducing soluble silver salt diffused from the silver halide photographic material to convert it into physically developed silver, which is fixed to the processing sheet. Examples of the physical development nuclei include heavy metals such as zinc, mercury, lead, cadmium, iron, chromium, nickel, tin, cobalt, copper, and ruthenium; noble metals such as palladium, platinum, silver, and gold; and sulfur and selenium. All of those known as physical development nuclei, such as colloidal particles of chalcogen compounds such as and tellurium, can be used. These physical development nuclei reduce the corresponding metal ion with a reducing agent such as ascorbic acid, sodium borohydride, hydroquinone, dextran or the like to form a metal colloid dispersion, or form a soluble sulfide, selenide or tellurium. Of the metal sulfide, metal selenide, or metal telluride by mixing the solution. These dispersions are preferably formed in a hydrophilic binder such as gelatin. The method for preparing colloidal silver particles is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,601. If necessary, a desalting method of removing an excessive salt known in the method of preparing a silver halide emulsion may be performed.

The size of the physical development nucleus is 2 to 200 n.
Those having a particle size of m are preferably used. The content of the physical development nuclei in the processing sheet is usually 10
^{-3 to} 100 mg / m ² , and 10 ^{−2 to} 10 mg / m ²
m ² is preferable. The physical development nuclei can be separately adjusted and added to the coating solution, but in a coating solution containing a hydrophilic binder, for example, silver nitrate and sodium sulfide, or gold chloride and a reducing agent are reacted. May be created.

As the silver halide solvent, known solvents can be used, for example, thiosulfates such as sodium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate, sulfites such as sodium sulfite and sodium hydrogen sulfite, potassium thiocyanate and ammonium thiocyanate. Thiocyanate, 1,8-di-3,6-dithiaoctane, 2,2'-thiodiethanol, 6,9-dioxa-3,12-dithiatetradecane described in JP-B-47-11386. Thioether compounds such as -1,14-diol, JP-A-53-82408, JP-A-55-77737 and JP-A-55-77737;
No. 2982, thiourea compounds described in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-325350, uracil and hydantoin, etc., compounds having a 5- or 6-membered imide ring, and JP-A-54-100717. Imidazoles, compounds described in JP-A-53-144319, Analytica Chemica Acta
mica Acta) 248, 604-614 (19
1991) and trimethyltriazolium thiolate as described in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 6-206331.
And compounds capable of fixing and stabilizing the silver halide described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-209,086.

The silver halide light-sensitive material applied to the light-sensitive material processing method and light-sensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is preferably a large plate such as an A1 plate or an A2 plate. Is preferably a newspaper fax or the like.

[0054]

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. If the thermal development is performed using the photosensitive material processing apparatus of this embodiment, the photosensitive material processing method of the present invention has been carried out. Has been described through the embodiment of the photosensitive material processing apparatus.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG.
Is formed in a box shape. On the right side (the side in the direction of arrow R) of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, an exposure apparatus 11 for performing imagewise exposure on the film F and discharging the film F is provided.

A slit-shaped insertion opening 14 for inserting an undeveloped film F is provided on the right side of the main body 12, and an outlet 16 for discharging the developed film F is provided on the upper portion. In addition, the discharge port 16
A tray 18 for receiving the film F discharged from the main body 12 to the outside is formed.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment comprises:
For example, it develops a film F (for example, B5 to A0 size) that forms a binary image used for printing newspapers, magazines, and the like. Film F is the silver halide photosensitive material described above, and a photosensitive silver halide emulsion having a silver chloride content of at least 70 mol% on a support, a hydrophilic binder,
Contains a basic metal compound that is hardly soluble in water.

A door (not shown) is provided on the left side of the main body 12 in the direction of the arrow L. The door can be opened and closed to expose the inside. On the right side inside the main body 12, there is provided an insertion buffer unit 24 which can temporarily make the film F inserted from the insertion opening 14 stand by.

In the insertion buffer section 24, the transport rollers 2
6. The branch guide 28 and the transport roller 30 are arranged in this order. The transport roller 26 is rotated by a motor 32,
The transport roller 30 is rotated by a motor 34.

The branch guide 28 includes a solenoid 36
1 is switched between a horizontal state shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a vertical state shown by an imaginary line. When the state is switched to the vertical state, the film F is transported between the transport roller 26 and the transport roller 30 as shown by the imaginary line. Can be relaxed. An insertion sensor 38 for detecting the film F is provided between the insertion port 14 and the transport roller 26.

The insertion buffer 24 can absorb a speed difference between the processing speed of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 (for example, 30 mm / sec) and the processing speed of the exposure apparatus 11 (for example, 100 mm / sec).

Downstream of the transport roller 30 in the transport direction of the film F, there are provided a photosensitive material loading section 40 and a water application section 42 as an application means for applying the tap water as the aqueous medium to the film F. ing. The photosensitive material loading section 40 is provided with a plurality of transport rollers 44 for transporting the film F transported from the insertion buffer section 24 to the water application section 42. In addition, a standby sensor 46 for detecting the film F is provided at an intermediate portion of the film transport path.
Is provided.

The water application section 42 includes an application tank 48 for storing the tap water as the aqueous medium, a replenishment tank (not shown) for storing the tap water, and the application tank 48 and the replenishment tank. And a pump (not shown) connected midway through the tube to supply tap water in the replenishment tank into the application tank 48. The water application unit 42 functions as the application unit. The application tank 48 is formed in a dish shape, and the application tank 48 is provided with an arc-shaped guide 51 for immersing the film F in water.

On the upper side of the coating tank 48, the film F is composed of rollers 50A and 50B arranged horizontally.
A squeeze roller 50 that removes excess water adhering to the sheet and conveys it upward is provided. The rotation center of the roller 50A and the rotation center of the roller 50B are on the same horizontal plane,
The squeeze roller 50 conveys the film F right above. The squeeze roller 50 functions as the aqueous medium removing unit.

Inside the main body 12, a processing sheet unwinding section 52 as a storage section is provided on the left side, and above the processing sheet unwinding section 52, a processing sheet winding section 5 as a collection section.
4 are provided.

A supply shaft 58 rotated by a motor 56 is detachably provided in the processing sheet unwinding section 52. A long processing sheet 60 is wound around the supply shaft 58 in a roll shape. .

On the other hand, a winding shaft 64 rotated by a motor 62 is detachably provided in the processing sheet winding section 54, and the processing sheet 60 sent from the supply shaft 58 is wound around the winding shaft 64. To take. The supply shaft 58
The take-up shaft 64 can be removed from the main body 12 by opening a door (not shown) provided on the left side surface of the main body 12.

At substantially the center of the main body 12, a thermal developing section 66 as thermal developing means is provided. In the thermal developing section 66,
A plurality of hot plates 68A to 68E are arranged in an arc shape.
The thermal developing section 66 functions as the thermal developing means. Each of the heating plates 68A to 68E includes a planar heater (not shown) and a temperature sensor, which are heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater.

Below the lowermost hot plate 68A, a roller 70 is disposed on the right side of the transport path of the film F indicated by a dashed line. On the side of the hot plate 68E of the heat developing section 66, a hot plate 106 is further arranged along the transport path of the film F, and on the right side of the hot plate 106, below the transport path of the film F. A roller 72 is provided. The hot plate 106 is used for heating and drying the film F.

Roller 70, hot plates 68A-68E, hot plate 1
A belt 74 that comes into contact with the back surface of the film F is wound around the roller 06 and the roller 72. The belt 74 is further wound around rollers 76 and 78. Roller 7
0, 72, 76 and 78 are connected to each other by a timing belt (or a chain or the like) (not shown),
Rotated by zero.

Below the roller 70, a bonding roller 82 composed of a roller 82A and a roller 82B is disposed. The laminating roller 82 functions as the superposing unit. The roller 82B is configured to be rotated by a motor 84, and the roller 82A is urged toward the roller 82B by a spring (not shown).

The processing sheet 60 is provided below the supply shaft 52A.
A roller 86 is provided around which the supply shaft 52 is wound.
After the processing sheet 60 sent out from A is wound around the roller 86, it is conveyed along the hot plates 68A to 68E via the bonding roller 82 described above.

At positions facing the hot plates 68A to 68E,
An urging device 88 is provided. The urging device 88 includes rollers 90A, B, and C, and a belt 92 wound around these rollers 90A, B, and C to urge the processing sheet 60 toward the outer peripheral surfaces of the hot plates 68A to 68E. ing. The rollers 90A, 90B, 90C are connected to each other by a timing belt (or a chain or the like) (not shown).
Rotated by

A processing sheet drying section 96 is provided above the urging device 88. The processing sheet drying unit 96 includes hot plates 98A and 98B for heating the processing sheet 60, a fan 100 for blowing the processing sheet 60, and a holding roller 102 for bringing the processing sheet 60 into contact with or close to the heating plates 98A and 98B. I have.

A film drying unit 104 is provided downstream of the thermal developing unit 66 in the transport direction of the film F.
The film drying unit 104 includes a hot plate 1 for heating the film F.
06 and a fan 108 for blowing air to the film F.

A roller 1 for nipping and feeding the film F between the film 74 and a belt 74 wound around the roller 72 is located downstream of the film drying section 104 in the transport direction of the film F.
10 are arranged.

The film F conveyed by the belt 74 wound around the roller 72 and the roller 110 is substantially U
It is configured to be discharged from the outlet 16 to the outside of the main body 12 by the conveying roller 114 and the conveying roller 116 via the character-shaped conveyance guide 112. The transport guide 11
2. The transport roller 114 and the transport roller 116 function as a discharging unit.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the first embodiment, the center of rotation of the roller 82A of the laminating roller 82 is
The center of rotation of the roller 82B are on the same horizontal plane, the contact P ₁ between the roller 82A and the roller 82B is directly above the contact point P ₂ between the roller 50A and the roller 50B of the squeeze roller 50. Thereby, the film F coated with water becomes
The paper is conveyed directly above by the squeeze roller 50.

Since the center of rotation of the roller 82A of the laminating roller 82 and the center of rotation of the roller 82B are on the same horizontal plane, the film F is further conveyed and the rear end of the film F in the conveying direction is separated from the squeeze roller 50. However, the latter half of the film F in the transport direction is transported by the laminating roller 82 while maintaining the vertical state by its own weight. Therefore, the film F coated with water is superimposed on the processing sheet 60 at a constant angle from the front end to the rear end.

The processing sheet 60 used in the light-sensitive material processing apparatus of the first embodiment has a complex forming compound for a metal ion constituting a basic metal compound on a support.
It has a layer containing a physical development nucleus, a silver halide solvent and the like. Further, the motor, solenoid, sensor, etc. are all connected to the control device.

Next, the operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. In the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, when the exposed film F discharged from the exposure apparatus 11 is inserted into the insertion port 14, the film F is detected by the insertion sensor 38, and the film F is detected at a speed corresponding to the insertion speed of the film F. The transport roller 26 is rotated, and the film F is transported inside.

Since the processing speed of the film F in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 (after the transport roller 30) is lower than the insertion speed of the film F, the leading end of the film F is
The branch guide 28 is switched to the vertical state shown by the imaginary line, and the rear side in the transport direction of the film F hangs down, for example, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.

Film F transported by transport roller 30
Is transported to the water application section 42 by the transport roller 44 of the photosensitive material loading section 40. The film F is immersed in the water stored in the application tank 48, and then the excess water is removed by a squeeze roller 50 and transported right above.

When a predetermined time elapses after the leading end of the film F is detected by the standby sensor 46, the belt 74, the belt 92
And the processing sheet 60 is transported at the same speed as the transport speed of the film F, and the water-applied film F and the processing sheet 6
0 are bonded by a bonding roller 82 and are conveyed to the thermal developing section 66.

In the heat developing section 66, an image is formed on the film F by heating the film F in a state of being superimposed on the processing sheet 60. Since water adheres to the film F and the belt 92 presses the processing sheet 60 against the film F, the film F and the processing sheet 60 are uniformly thermally developed in a state of being in close contact with each other.

When the film F and the processing sheet 60 are conveyed to the rear end of the heat developing section 66, the processing sheet 60 is peeled off from the film F by a roller 90C as a separating means, and after being dried in the processing sheet drying section 96, Winding shaft 64
It is wound up.

On the other hand, the film F peeled off from the processing sheet 60 is dried in the film drying section 104, and then transported by the transport guide 112, the transport roller 114 and the transport roller
The paper is discharged from the discharge port 16 onto the tray 18 through the tray 6.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, the nip pressure of the squeeze roller 50 is 0.5 to 8 k.
g, the film F to which the tap water is applied is held by the squeeze roller 50 at an appropriate pressure, and excess tap water is squeezed out from the surface thereof, so that the film F passes through the nip portion of the squeeze roller 50. No surplus tap water is present on the surface of the film F after the cleaning. As a result, a very small amount of the tap water is uniformly and efficiently applied to the film F. Therefore, a high-quality image can be efficiently formed without causing an image defect due to the excess tap water and a decrease in the transportability of the film F.

Further, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, since the film F and the processing sheet 60 are stuck together at a constant angle, development unevenness does not occur on the film F. The direction of the film F entering the laminating roller 82 is most preferably in the vertical direction, but there is no problem even if it is slightly inclined within ± 15 °. When the entering angle of the film F is inclined by more than 15 ° with respect to the vertical direction, the film F bends by its own weight when the rear end in the conveying direction of the film F is separated from the squeeze roller 50, and the film F and the processing sheet 60 Since the contact angle changes abruptly and the state of the contact portion changes, there is a possibility that a band-like processing unevenness occurs in the film F.

The position at which the film F enters the laminating roller 82 is determined from the contact point P ₁ of the laminating roller 82 to the roller 8.
2B side roller 82B at a radius × 1/2, i.e. up to P ₄ in FIG preferred. Before laminating with the laminating roller 82, it is preferable not to make contact with the processing sheet 60. Further, the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is configured so that tap water is applied to the film F.
0, or may be applied to both the film F and the processing sheet 60. When the film F is peeled off from the processing sheet 60, an unused portion of the processing sheet 60 has entered the thermal developing section 66. For heat development.

When the unused portion of the processing sheet 60 that has entered the heat development unit 66 is rewound and the unused portion is used for the heat development processing of the next film F, in order to avoid the influence of the heat of the heat development unit 66, It is preferable that the processing sheet 60 is separated from the hot plates 68A to 68E. The processing sheet 60 is heated
In the case of separating from the A to 68E, for example, the entire urging device 88 may be supported by a slide mechanism, and the urging device 88 may be driven by a driving device such as a motor in a direction away from the hot plates 68A to 68E. Further, when performing the continuous processing of the film F, it is efficient to perform the processing without rewinding the processing sheet 60.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the second embodiment. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive material processing device 20
0 main body 212 is formed in a box shape. Body 212
Is provided with an insertion port 214 on the right side, and a discharge port 216 on the left side. In addition, a tray 218 that receives the film F discharged from the discharge port 216 is disposed on the left side surface of the main body 212. A door (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the main body 212, and the inside can be exposed by opening and closing.

Inside the main body 212, a processing sheet unwinding section 52 is provided near the upper right corner, and a sheet winding section 54 is provided near the upper left corner. The supply shaft 58 and the take-up shaft 64 can be removed from the main body 212 by opening the door on the upper surface.

A heating drum 224 is provided in the heat developing section 66 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 200. Heating drum 2
Reference numeral 24 is rotatably supported by the main body 212, and is rotationally driven by a drive system (not shown). A heater is accommodated in the heating drum 224, and the heating drum 22
4 can be heated. A winding roller 226 is provided on the right side of the rotation center of the heating drum 224, and a winding roller 228 is provided on the left side of the rotation center of the heating drum 224.

The processing sheet 60 is conveyed from the supply shaft 58 to the wrapping roller 226,
After being wound around the outer peripheral surface of No. 6, it is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 224 (the upper outer peripheral surface in FIG. 2). Further, after the processing sheet 60 is wound around the winding roller 228, the processing sheet 60 is wound and stored in a roll shape on the winding shaft 64. The winding roller 228 corresponds to a separating unit of the present invention for separating the processing sheet 60 and the film F. Further, the heating drum 224 and the wrapping roller 226 function as the superposing means.

The thermal developing section 66 includes an urging device 230.
Is provided. The urging device 230 includes a plurality of rollers 232 rotated by a motor 231 and these rollers 232.
The processing sheet 60 is wound around the heating drum 224
And a belt 234 for urging the outer peripheral surface of the belt.

The film F conveyed from the squeeze roller 50 is inserted between the heating drum 224 and the processing sheet 60 wound around the winding roller 226 and bonded, and then wound around the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 224. The sheet is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 224 while being sandwiched between the processing sheet 60 conveyed and conveyed and the outer peripheral surface of the heating drum 224, and is heated and developed.

Note that the center of rotation of the heating drum 224 and the center of rotation of the winding roller 226 are on the same horizontal plane, and the contact point P ₃ between the heating drum 224 and the winding roller 226 is
Directly above the contact point P ₂ between the roller 50A and the roller 50B of the squeeze roller 50. As a result, the film F to which the water has been applied is conveyed directly above by the squeeze roller 50.

Since the rotation center of the heating drum 224 and the rotation center of the winding roller 226 are on the same horizontal plane, even if the film F is further conveyed and the rear end of the film F in the conveyance direction is separated from the squeeze roller 50, The second half of the film F in the transport direction is transported between the heating drum 224 and the processing sheet 60 wound around the winding roller 226 while maintaining a vertical state by its own weight. Therefore, the film F coated with water is superimposed on the processing sheet 60 at a constant angle from the front end to the rear end.

On the other hand, on the left side of the heating drum 224, a peeling claw 236 is disposed below the winding roller 228. The peeling claw 236 is provided between the heating drum 224 and the processing sheet 6.
0 to the heating drum 224.
Can be peeled off.

The film drying section 104 is provided near the peeling nail 236. Film drying unit 104
Is provided with a plurality of fans 100 for blowing the film F and a transport roller 238 for carrying out the film. The film F separated from the heating drum 224 by the separating claw 236 is dried and sent out from the discharge port 216. It is a configuration that can be used. Note that the transport roller 238 functions as a discharging unit.

Next, the operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. In the photosensitive material processing apparatus 200,
The film F coated with water is guided between the heating drum 224 and the processing sheet 60 wound around the winding roller 226. While the film F is sandwiched between the processing sheet 60 wound around the winding roller 226 and the outer periphery of the heating drum 224, the outer periphery of the heating drum 224 is
In the direction opposite to the clockwise direction. Here, heat development is performed by heating the film F in a state of being superimposed on the processing sheet 60.

When the film F and the processing sheet 60 are transported to the left end of the heating drum 224, the processing sheet 60 is separated from the film F by being wound around a winding roller 228, and is sequentially wound on a winding shaft 64. Can be

On the other hand, the film F that has reached the winding roller 228 is separated from the heating drum 224 by the operation of the separation claw 236. The film F peeled from the heating drum 224 is supplied to the film drying unit 104 by a plurality of fans 100.
The drying air is blown out of the main body 212 to be dried, and is discharged from the outlet 216 to the tray 18 outside the main body 212.

Also in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 200, since the film F and the processing sheet 60 are stuck together at a constant angle, development unevenness does not occur on the film F. When the film F is peeled off from the processing sheet 60, an unused portion of the processing sheet 60 has entered the thermal developing section 66. For heat development.

When the unused portion of the processing sheet 60 that has entered the heat developing section 66 is rewound and the unused portion is used for the heat development processing of the next film F, in order to avoid the influence of the heat of the heat developing section 66, It is preferable that the processing sheet 60 is separated from the heating drum 224. When the processing sheet 60 is separated from the heating drum 224, for example, the urging device 23
The entire device 0 may be supported by a slide mechanism, and the urging device 230 may be driven in a direction away from the heating drum 224 by a driving device such as a motor. Further, when performing the continuous processing of the film F, it is efficient to perform the processing without rewinding the processing sheet 60.

[0108]

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned conventional problems can be solved, and a photosensitive material processing apparatus and a photosensitive material processing method which do not cause image unevenness, image defects, conveyance jams, etc. can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a first embodiment of a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

F film (silver halide photosensitive material) 10 photosensitive material processing apparatus 11 exposure apparatus 12 main body 14 insertion port 16 discharge port 18 tray 24 insertion buffer section 26 transport roller 28 branch guide 30 transport roller 32 motor 34 motor 36 solenoid 40 transport of photosensitive material Unit 42 water application unit 44 transport roller 46 standby sensor 48 application tank 50 squeeze roller 50A roller 50B roller 51 arc-shaped guide 52 processing sheet unwinding unit (accommodating unit) 54 sheet winding unit (collecting unit) 56 motor 58 supply Shaft 60 Processing sheet 62 Motor 64 Winding shaft 66 Thermal developing section (heating means) 68A Hot plate 68B Hot plate 68C Hot plate 68D Hot plate 68E Hot plate 70 Roller 72 Roller 74 Belt 76 Roller 78 Roller 80 Motor 80 Laminating roller ( Superposition means) 2A roller 82B roller 84 motor 86 roller 88 biasing device 90A roller 90B roller 90C roller (separating means) 92 belt 94 motor 96 processing sheet drying unit 98A hot plate 98B hot plate 100 fan 102 sandwiching roller 104 film drying unit 106 hot plate 108 fan 110 roller 112 conveyance guide 114 conveyor roller 116 conveyor roller P ₁ contacts P ₂ contact 200 photosensitive material processing apparatus 212 body 214 insertion opening 216 outlet 218 tray 224 heating drum (superimposing means) 226 Vol training roller (superimposing means) 228 Wrapping roller (separating means) 230 Urging device 231 Motor 232 Roller 234 Belt 236 Peeling claw 238 Transport roller (Ejecting means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] An applying means for applying an aqueous medium to at least one of an imagewise exposed silver halide light-sensitive material and a processing sheet containing an agent for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material; An aqueous medium removing means for sandwiching the silver halide light-sensitive material coated with the silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet, and removing an excess of the aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet; Superimposing means for superimposing sheets, and heat developing means for heating the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet in the presence of the aqueous medium to form an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material And at least
2. A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure of said aqueous medium removing means is 0.5 to 8 kg. 2. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous medium removing means is a pair of rollers. 3. An application step of applying an aqueous medium to at least one of an imagewise exposed silver halide light-sensitive material and a processing sheet containing an agent for forming an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material; An aqueous medium removing step of sandwiching the silver halide light-sensitive material coated with the silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet, and removing excess aqueous medium on the surface of the silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet; A superimposing step of superimposing a sheet and a heat developing step of heating the superposed silver halide light-sensitive material and the processing sheet in the presence of the aqueous medium to form an image on the silver halide light-sensitive material. Wherein the pressure for sandwiching in the aqueous medium removing step is 0.5 to 8 kg.