JPH11212235A - Photosensitive material developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable also discharging all the old processing liquid in a circulation pipe in the case of discharging old processing liquid in a processing tank to the outside through a discharging pipe. SOLUTION: The developing device is provided with processing tanks 31 to 36 for packing processing liquid, the circulation pipe 71 arranged outside the processing tanks 31 to 36 and connected between the upper part and base of the each processing tank 31 to 36 so that the processing liquid may circulate, and the discharging pipe 75 for discharging the processing liquid in the processing tanks 31 to 36 to the outside. And, a branch path 74 constituted of a branch pipe is installed at the downmost part of the circulation pipe 71, and the base end part 751 of the discharging pipe 75 is connected to the lower position of the branch path 74.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for developing a photographic light-sensitive material such as a photographic film or photographic paper by developing the photographic light-sensitive material by passing it through a processing solution filled in a processing tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing apparatus for a photographic light-sensitive material of this kind has been provided with a plurality of processing tanks in which a plurality of types of processing liquids are individually filled. Are sequentially immersed in the processing liquid in each processing tank to be developed.

In this photographic light-sensitive material development processing apparatus, the processing liquid whose processing ability has been reduced by developing the photographic light-sensitive material moves to the upper part of the processing tank, so that it is necessary to circulate the processing liquid in the processing tank. is there. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the bottom surface 103 of the sub tank 102 disposed adjacent to the upper portion of the processing tank 101 and the processing tank 1
01, a circulation pipe 105 is arranged between the bottom pipe 104 and the bottom pipe 104,
Circulation pump 10 provided in the middle of this circulation pipe 105
6, the processing liquid in the sub tank 102 is transferred to the processing tank 10
1 to the bottom surface 104 side. Thereby, the processing liquid in the processing tank 101 is circulated, and the photographic photosensitive material immersed in the processing liquid can be uniformly developed.

Further, it is necessary to periodically change the processing liquid in each processing tank 101. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
7, the open / close valve 108 provided in the middle of the discharge pipe 107 is opened to discharge the old processing liquid in the processing tank 101, and then the open / close valve 108 is closed to supply a new processing liquid to the processing tank 101. Is filled from above. As a result, the processing liquid in the processing tank 101 is exchanged, and the photographic photosensitive material immersed in the processing liquid can be developed in a good state.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional photographic light-sensitive material developing apparatus, even if all the old processing liquid in each processing tank 101 is discharged by the discharge pipe 107, the processing in the circulation pipe 105 is stopped. Tank 10
The processing liquid in the portion located below 1 (the hatched portion in FIG. 6) remains without being discharged. For this reason, after replacing the old processing liquid in the processing tank 101 with the new processing liquid, the old processing liquid accumulated in the circulation pipe 105 is mixed in, and the new processing liquid that has been exchanged is contaminated.

If the old processing liquid in the circulation pipe is not discharged, sediment such as a slime which has crystallized components of the processing liquid easily accumulates in the portion where the old processing liquid is accumulated, and the sediment is deposited. In such a case, a precipitate is mixed in the exchanged processing solution, thereby contaminating the new processing solution.

Therefore, the present invention provides an apparatus for developing a photographic light-sensitive material wherein the old processing solution in the circulation pipe is simultaneously discharged when the old processing solution in the processing tank is discharged through the discharge pipe. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a developing apparatus for developing a photographic material according to the present invention comprises a processing tank filled with a processing solution, and an external processing tank. A circulation pipe communicating between the top and bottom surfaces of the processing tank and circulating the processing liquid; and a discharge pipe for discharging the processing liquid in the processing tank to the outside. A branch road is provided in the lower part,
The discharge pipe is connected to the branch at a lower position including a horizontal position.

According to this configuration, when the old processing liquid in the processing tank is discharged through the discharge pipe, all the processing liquid in the circulation pipe is also discharged. For this reason, even when the old processing liquid in the processing tank is replaced with a new processing liquid, the old processing liquid accumulated in the circulation pipe does not mix with the conventional processing liquid as in the related art. Also, since the old processing liquid does not accumulate in the circulation pipe,
Precipitation deposits will also be suppressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing apparatus for a photographic photosensitive material according to the first aspect, the circulation pipe is provided on a bottom surface of the processing tank via a bent portion formed in the lowermost portion. It is characterized by being communicated.

According to this configuration, the processing liquid in the processing tank is circulated between the upper and lower surfaces of the processing tank via the bent portion formed at the lowermost portion of the circulation pipe.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the photographic light-sensitive material developing apparatus according to the second aspect, the upstream side of the bent portion is horizontally oriented, and the downstream side is vertically oriented, and the branching is performed. The road is provided at the bent portion.

According to this structure, when the processing liquid in the processing tank circulates through the circulation pipe, part of the processing liquid also flows into the vicinity of the branch in the discharge pipe, and turbulence flows in the discharge pipe. As a result, sediment accumulation in the discharge pipe is suppressed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the apparatus for developing a photographic light-sensitive material according to the third aspect, wherein the discharge pipe is connected such that a base end thereof is directed laterally from the branch path. It is characterized by:

According to this configuration, when the processing liquid in the processing tank circulates through the circulation pipe, a part of the processing liquid flowing from the upstream side of the bent portion also flows directly into the base end of the discharge pipe. . For this reason, a turbulent flow occurs in the discharge pipe, and the accumulation of sediment in the discharge pipe is suppressed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device for a photographic photosensitive material according to the fourth aspect, the discharge pipe is connected such that a base end thereof is directed downward from the branch path. It is characterized by.

According to this configuration, when the processing liquid in the processing tank circulates through the circulation pipe, the processing liquid flowing from the upstream side of the bent portion hits the bent portion, and a part of the processing liquid flows through the base of the discharge pipe. Also flows into the edge. For this reason, a turbulent flow occurs in the discharge pipe, and the accumulation of sediment in the discharge pipe is suppressed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for developing a photographic light-sensitive material according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the discharge pipe has an on-off valve, and the on-off valve is connected to the branch path. It is characterized by being arranged adjacently.

According to this structure, the length of the discharge pipe between the branch path and the on-off valve is shortened, and the accumulation of sediment in the discharge pipe is suppressed.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a photographic light-sensitive material developing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a photographic light-sensitive material developing apparatus 10
Includes an exposure unit 20 located at an upper part, a development processing part 30 located at a lower part, and a drying processing part 40 located at a front part.

The exposing section 20 moves a photographic photosensitive material P, which is a long photographic paper, wound around a roller R and stored therein, and a photographic photosensitive material P pulled out from the magazine 21 to a downstream side. A transport roller 22 for transporting, a cutter 23 for cutting the photographic material P to a predetermined length, a suction unit 24 for suction-holding the photographic material P, and a suction unit 2
A film image projection unit 25 that exposes and prints a film image on the photographic photosensitive material P sucked and held by 4 and a transport roller 26 that transports the exposed photographic photosensitive material P to the downstream development processing unit 30 Have.

The developing section 30 includes a developing tank 31 filled with a developing solution, a bleach-fixing tank 32 filled with a bleach-fixing solution, a first stabilizing tank 33 filled with a stabilizing solution, The second stabilization tank 34, the third stabilization tank 35, and the fourth stabilization tank 36 are connected to each other. In addition, each processing tank 31
A transport roller unit 37 composed of a plurality of transport rollers 371 is disposed in each of the rollers 36 to 36. The exposed photographic photosensitive material P is sequentially transported by the transport roller unit 37 in a developing solution, a bleach-fix solution and a stabilizing solution. After passing through, it is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side. The detailed configuration of the developing unit 30 will be described later.

The drying section 40 includes a heater (not shown) provided in the drying chamber 41, a fan (not shown) for feeding the heat of the heater into the drying chamber 41, transport rollers 42 and 43, and the like. The developed photosensitive material P is transported by the transport roller 4
The photographic photosensitive material P, which has been conveyed from the development processing unit 30 side by 2 and 43, and has been dried, is discharged to the outside.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a main part of the development processing section 30. FIG. 2A is a plan view thereof, and FIG.
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in a line. In these drawings, each of the processing tanks 31 to 36 is configured to have an upper surface opening shape, and one side (lower side in the figure) of the upper part of each of the processing tanks 31 to 36 is provided with a developing sub tank 61 filled with a developing solution.
A bleach-fix processing sub-tank 62 filled with the bleach-fix solution,
A first stabilizing sub-tank 63, a second stabilizing sub-tank 64, a third stabilizing sub-tank 65, and a fourth stabilizing sub-tank 66 filled with a stabilizing liquid are provided side by side.

Each of these processing sub-tanks 61 to 66
Constitutes a part of each of the processing tanks 31 to 36, and is configured to have an upper surface opening like the processing tanks 31 to 36. Further, the first, second, third, and fourth stabilization sub-tanks 63, 64, 65, and 66 are provided with liquid passages 67, 68, and 6 at the upper edge between adjacent stabilization sub-tanks.
9 are formed, and the processing liquid can be circulated through the respective liquid passages 67, 68, 69. A lid is provided at each opening of each of the processing tanks 31 to 36 and each of the processing sub-tanks 61 to 66, but is not shown.

The developing tank 31 and the developing sub-tank 61 are circulated through a through-hole 312 formed in the bottom surface 311 of the developing tank 31 and a through-hole 612 in the bottom surface 611 of the developing sub-tank 61. Pipe 71
Are connected by The development processing sub-tank 61
A filter 72 is provided inside the developing sub-tank 6.
The processing liquid in 1 is taken into the circulation pipe 71 via the filter 72. The circulation pipe 71
A circulation pump 73 is provided in the middle of the process. As a result, the processing liquid in the development processing sub-tank 61 is supplied to the development processing tank 31 through the circulation pipe 71 by the circulation pump 73.
The processing liquid is supplied to the bottom surface side of the inside, and the processing liquid circulates between the development processing tank 31 and the development processing sub-tank 61 via the circulation pipe 71.

The circulation pipe 71 communicates with a side portion 711 located below the development processing sub-tank 61 and on the side of the development processing tank 31 via a first bent portion 712. A horizontal portion 713 positioned below the bottom surface of the developing tank 31, and a second
A vertical portion 715 is provided continuously with a bent portion 714 and is located below the bottom surface 311 of the developing tank 31. This horizontal portion 713 forms the lowest part of the circulation pipe 71. In the middle of the horizontal portion 713, a branch path 74 composed of a branch pipe is provided.
The base end portion 751 of the discharge pipe 75 is connected to the lower position of. An on-off valve 76 is provided on the discharge port side of the discharge pipe 75.
Are arranged.

The other processing tanks 32 to 36 and the other processing sub-tanks 62 to 66 have the same configuration. When the horizontal portion 713 of the circulation pipe 71 is formed to be inclined in the vertical direction, or when a part of the horizontal portion 713 is curved in the vertical direction, it is natural that the lowermost portion is horizontal. The portion 713 is located at the lowest position, and the branch path 74 is provided in this portion.

A development processing sub-tank 61, a bleach-fix processing sub-tank 62, and a fourth stabilization processing sub-tank 66
Is provided with a liquid level sensor for detecting the level of each processing liquid, and is provided with a liquid replenishing unit for replenishing each processing liquid, but is not shown. Further, since the water in the processing liquid evaporates and the liquid concentration becomes high, the development processing sub-tank 6
1. The bleach-fix processing sub-tank 62 and the fourth stabilization processing sub-tank 66 are provided with a water replenishing unit for replenishing water in order to maintain the concentration of each processing solution constant, but are not shown.

Further, a waste liquid tank is arranged adjacent to the developing processing tank 31, the bleach-fixing processing tank 32, and the first stabilizing processing tank 33, but this is also not shown. The waste liquid tank is configured such that waste liquid that overflows due to replenishment of the processing liquid from the liquid replenishing unit is discharged.

In the photographic light-sensitive material developing apparatus 10 constructed as described above, the processing sub-tanks 61 and 6 are operated during operation.
In steps 2 and 66, the processing liquid and water are replenished from the liquid replenishing section and the water replenishing section as needed, while
The circulating pumps 73 through 66 operate continuously, and the processing liquid in each of the processing sub-tanks 61 to 66 taken in through the filter 72 is sent to the bottom side of each of the processing tanks 31 to 36 through the circulating pipe 71. Thereby, the processing liquid in each of the processing tanks 31 to 36 is circulated. In this state, the photographic photosensitive material that has been printed in the exposure unit 20 passes through the processing tanks 31 to 36 in order, whereby the developing process is performed in a uniform state without any bias. The photographic light-sensitive material after the development processing is dried in the drying processing unit 40 and discharged to the outside.

When the processing liquid is exchanged, the discharge pipe 7
5 is opened and each of the processing tanks 31 to 36 is opened.
The old processing solution inside is discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe 75. At this time, all the processing liquid in the circulation pipe 71 is also discharged to the outside via the discharge pipe 75. When the discharge of each processing solution is completed, each processing tank 3
A new processing liquid is filled in 1 to 36. As a result,
Since the old processing solution does not remain in the circulation pipe 71 even when the operation is resumed, the replaced new processing solution is not contaminated with the old processing solution, and the developing process can be restarted in a good condition. Can be.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another example of the construction of the developing section 30 in the photographic material developing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. In this configuration example, the branch path 74 provided in the circulation pipe 71 is provided in the second bent portion 714, and the branch path 74 is provided.
The bottom end 751 of the discharge pipe 75 is connected to a lower position of the branch path 74 (that is, so as to face downward of the branch path 74). In this embodiment, the discharge pipe 75 is configured to be bent rightward in the figure on the way.

As described above, the branch path 74 is connected to the circulation pipe 71.
When the processing liquid passes through the circulation pipe 71, if the base end 751 of the discharge pipe 75 is connected downwardly from the branch path 74, the second bent part 714 is provided. A part of the processing liquid that has hit the flow path 714 flows into the discharge pipe 75, and turbulence occurs in the vicinity of the branch passage 74 in the base end portion 751, and the turbulence causes the processing liquid in the discharge pipe 75 to flow vortex-like or the like. As a result, the accumulation of sediment such as a spatula in the discharge pipe 75 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the discharge pipe 75 is clogged with the sediment and it is difficult to discharge the processing liquid.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another example of the configuration of the developing section 30 in the photographic material developing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. In this configuration example, as in the case of FIG. 3, the branch path 74 is provided at the second bent portion 714 of the circulation pipe 71, and the base end 751 of the discharge pipe 75 is connected to the horizontal position of the branch path 74. is there.

As described above, when the branch path 74 is provided at the second bent portion and the base end portion 751 of the discharge pipe 75 is connected to the branch path 74 in the lateral direction, the circulation pipe 7
When the processing liquid passes through the inside 1, a part of the processing liquid also flows into the discharge pipe 75, and a turbulent flow is generated in the vicinity of the branch passage 74 in the base end portion 751. As a result of a vortex-like flow in the processing liquid, the discharge pipe 75
The deposition of sediment in the inside is suppressed. Therefore, as in the case shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the inside of the discharge pipe 75 is clogged with the sediment and it becomes difficult to discharge the processing liquid.

FIG. 5 is a view showing still another example of the construction of the developing section 30 in the photographic material developing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. In this configuration example, the branch path 74 is provided at the first bent portion 712 of the circulation pipe 71 and the branch path 74 is provided.
Is connected to the base end 751 of the discharge pipe 75 at the horizontal position, and the on-off valve 76 of the discharge pipe 75 is provided adjacent to the branch path 74. The position where the branch path 74 is provided is not necessarily limited to the first bent portion 712, and may be the second bent portion 714 or the middle of the horizontal portion 713. In short, the on-off valve 76 may be provided adjacent to the branch path 74.

As described above, by providing the on-off valve 76 adjacent to the branch path 74, the distance of the discharge pipe 75 between the branch path 74 and the on-off valve 76 can be shortened. The accumulation of sediment is suppressed, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the discharge pipe 75 is clogged with sediment and it becomes difficult to discharge the processing liquid.

In each of the above embodiments, the branch path 74 is formed of a branch pipe. However, a through hole for connecting the discharge pipe 75 to the circulation pipe 71 without using the branch pipe is provided. Can also be configured.

In the above embodiment, the discharge pipe 75
Is configured to be fixed at the lower position including the horizontal position in the branch provided at the lowermost portion of the circulation pump, but when the discharge pipe 75 is formed of a flexible member and the processing liquid is discharged. Other than the above, it is also possible to position the lower part of the circulation pipe 71 below the lowermost part of the circulation pipe 71 when discharging the processing liquid while discharging the processing liquid.

In the above-described embodiment, the developing device for a photographic photosensitive material is applied to the developing process of photographic paper as a photographic photosensitive material, but is applied to the developing process of a film as a photographic photosensitive material. Is possible.
Further, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus having both functions of a photographic paper developing process and a film developing process.

In the above-described embodiment, the developing device for a photographic material is provided with the exposure section 20 and the drying section 40. However, only the developing section 30 constitutes the developing apparatus for the photographic material. The exposure unit 20 and the drying processing unit 40 can be configured as separate devices independent of the development processing unit 30.

[0043]

As described above, according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the branch pipe is provided at the lowest part of the circulation pipe, and the discharge pipe is set at the lower position including the horizontal position in the branch pipe. Because of the connection, when the old processing liquid in the processing tank is discharged through the discharge pipe, all the old processing liquid in the circulation pipe can also be discharged. As a result, when the processing liquid in the processing tank is replaced, the new processing liquid is prevented from being contaminated with the old processing liquid remaining in the circulation pipe.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the processing liquid in the processing tank is replaced, the new processing liquid is prevented from being contaminated by the old processing liquid remaining in the circulation pipe, and discharged. Since the base end of the pipe is connected laterally from the branch path provided at the bent portion of the circulation pipe, the base of the discharge pipe is used when the processing liquid in the processing tank circulates through the circulation pipe. As a result, a part of the processing liquid flows into the vicinity of the branch passage in the end, and turbulence occurs in the discharge pipe. As a result, sediment accumulation in the discharge pipe can be suppressed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the processing liquid in the processing tank is replaced, the new processing liquid is prevented from being contaminated by the old processing liquid remaining in the circulation pipe, while the discharge is performed. Since the base end of the pipe is connected downwardly from the branch path provided at the bent portion of the circulation pipe, the base end of the discharge pipe when the processing liquid in the processing tank circulates through the circulation pipe. A part of the processing liquid that has hit the branch path also flows into the vicinity of the branch path in the section, and turbulence occurs in the discharge pipe. As a result, sediment accumulation in the discharge pipe can be suppressed.

According to the invention of claim 6, when the processing liquid in the processing tank is replaced, the new processing liquid is prevented from being contaminated by the old processing liquid remaining in the circulation pipe, while the discharge is performed. Since the open / close valve of the pipe is provided adjacent to the branch path, the length of the discharge pipe between the branch path and the open / close valve is shortened. As a result, accumulation of sediment in the discharge pipe can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a developing device for a photographic photosensitive material according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a development processing unit in the development apparatus of the photographic photosensitive material illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein FIG.
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the development processing unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the development processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the development processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the configuration of the development processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a configuration of a developing section in a conventional photographic photosensitive material developing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Development apparatus of photographic photosensitive material 20 Exposure part 30 Development part 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 Processing tank 40 Drying part 71 Circulation pipe 73 Circulation pump 74 Branch path 75 Discharge pipe 76 Open / close valve 713 Horizontal part 714 Second bent part (bent part) 715 Vertical part

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A processing tank in which a processing liquid is filled, and a circulating pipe disposed outside the processing tank and communicated between an upper part and a bottom surface of the processing tank to circulate the processing liquid. A discharge pipe for discharging the processing liquid in the processing tank to the outside, a branch path is provided at the lowest part of the circulation pipe, and the discharge pipe is disposed on the branch path at a lower position including a horizontal position. An apparatus for developing a photographic light-sensitive material, which is connected. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pipe communicates with a bottom surface of the processing tank through a bent portion formed at the lowermost portion. 3. The photographic light-sensitive device according to claim 2, wherein an upstream side of the bent portion is oriented horizontally and a downstream side is vertically oriented, and the branch path is provided in the bent portion. Material development equipment. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a base end of said discharge pipe is connected to said branch passage in a lateral direction. 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a base end of the discharge pipe is connected downward from the branch path. 6. The photosensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the discharge pipe has an on-off valve, and the on-off valve is disposed adjacent to the branch path. Development processing equipment.