JPH1124224A - Photographic developing device and replenishing method of water and treating liquid for photographic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replenish water and treating liquid to a treating tank while reducing changes in the concn. by providing a means to forcedly discharge the same amt. of treating liquid as the replenished amt. and a means to detect the liquid surface of the treating liquid present in the treating tank. SOLUTION: First, water is supplied from a water tank 33 by using a water feed pump 35 till the liquid surface is detected by a liquid surface sensor 36. Then a water feed pump 32 is operated for a specified time to replenish a specified amt. of developer from a developer tank 30. A discharge pump 39 is operated to discharge the same amt. of the developer as the replenished amt. from the developer tank 30 to a waste liquid tank 38. By replenishing the water and the developer by this method, even when the liquid surface sensor 36 or the water supply pump 32 have errors and water is replenished to a higher level than the standard liquid surface level, or even when the replenishment of water is completed to a lower level than the standard liquid surface level due to the errors of the liquid surface detecting means or the water replenishing means, accumulation of decrease in the concn. of the treating liquid can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a technique for supplying a processing solution and water to a processing tank of a photographic development processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photographic processing apparatus, for example, a processing tank for developing solution, a bleaching processing tank, a processing tank for fixing solution, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as a processing tank) for sequentially performing a developing process. And a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, a stabilizing solution, etc., for development processing (hereinafter collectively referred to as a processing solution).
Is stored. The photographic photosensitive material that has been subjected to the printing processing is developed by passing through each processing tank sequentially, and then dried by a drying device and discharged. The processing liquid is replenished so as to maintain a certain concentration, but it is necessary to supply the amount of evaporated water in order to compensate for a change in concentration due to the release of water due to evaporation.

[0003] Replenishment of a processing solution and supply of water to a processing tank according to the prior art have been performed by a configuration as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. A processing solution tank 20 for storing a processing solution, which accompanies the processing tank 11 through which the photosensitive material passes, and a replenishing pipe communicating between the processing solution tank 20 and the processing tank 11 for replenishing the processing solution to the processing tank. A water tank 23, a water supply pipe 24, and a water supply pump 25 for supplying water to the treatment tank 11 are provided. The treatment tank 11 further includes an overflow drain port 27.
a and a waste liquid tank 2 connected thereto via a drain pipe 27
8 and a liquid level sensor 26 for detecting the liquid level of the processing liquid.

[0004] A drainage port 27a for overflowing the processing liquid.
At the lower end level (overflow level), water replenishment or replenishment of the processing liquid is performed so that the processing liquid can maintain the reference concentration. Therefore, the concentration of the processing liquid in the processing tank at the overflow level is equal to the processing liquid tank 2
The ideal state is the same as the concentration of the processing liquid stored at 0. With this configuration, when the processing liquid in the processing tank 11 of the photographic development processing apparatus drops below the reference liquid level at which the liquid level sensor 26 detects the liquid level due to evaporation of water, first, the processing liquid reaches this reference liquid level. Refill water. That is, the water supply pump 25 is operated to supply water from the water tank 23 until the liquid level sensor 26 detects the liquid level. Thereafter, water is refilled from the reference liquid level to the overflow level at the lower end position of the drain port 27a.
This is achieved by operating the water supply pump 25 for a certain period of time, or by sending a set amount of water from the reference liquid level to the overflow level to the treatment tank 11 using a flow rate sensor or the like (not shown). Done. At this point, the loss of water due to evaporation has been compensated. Thereafter, the processing liquid is replenished from the processing liquid tank 20 by the pump 22, and the replenished liquid increased and discharged as waste liquid by overflow. At this point, ideally, the concentration of the processing liquid in the processing tank and the concentration of the processing liquid replenished from the processing liquid tank are the same, so that the processing liquid can be replenished without changing the concentration.

[0005]

When the processing solution is replenished by the above-described method, the following problems are likely to occur. That is, the reference liquid level is determined by the liquid level sensor. When the reference liquid level is detected at a lower position compared to a normal state due to an error of the liquid level sensor, the lower level is used. Since a set amount of water is supplied by the water supply pump 25, as a result, in a state where the level of the processing liquid does not reach the overflow level, that is, in a state where the concentration of the processing liquid in the processing tank is higher than the reference concentration, The replenishment of the processing solution, which is the next stage, is performed. As a result, the concentration of the processing solution is increased.

On the other hand, when the reference liquid level is detected at a position higher than usual due to an error of the liquid level sensor, a predetermined amount of water is supplied from this level, so that the level of the processing liquid becomes the overflow level. Water will continue to be replenished when it reaches. That is, the processing liquid is discharged from the processing tank before the stage of replenishing the processing liquid. Therefore, ideally, the concentration of the processing solution will be the reference concentration if water is refilled to the overflow level, but the concentration in the processing tank will be lower to further replenish water. Thus, the processing liquid is replenished. In this manner, when the evaporation starts from a state in which the concentration of the processing liquid is reduced, and the amount of water larger than the evaporation is replenished again due to a sensor error, the concentration of the processing liquid further decreases, such as a decrease in the processing liquid concentration. Will accumulate.

Here, the case where the increase or decrease in the concentration of the processing liquid is caused by the error of the liquid level sensor as described above has been described. However, even if the error of the liquid level sensor is ignored, the overflow level is higher than the reference liquid level. At the stage of replenishing the set amount of water, an error occurs due to a water supply pump or the like. If the set amount is not constant, the problem described above also occurs. Therefore, according to such a conventional method of water replenishment and replenishment of the processing solution, there is a problem that the concentration further changes due to the accumulation of the change in the concentration of the processing solution. In order to perform accurate control using a temperature sensor or the like for estimating the amount of evaporation of water, an extremely expensive and complicated device is required. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to use a relatively simple apparatus to replenish water and replenish a processing solution to a processing tank by using a processing solution error due to a liquid level sensor error or a water supply pump error. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic development processing apparatus capable of reducing the change in the density of an image.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a water replenishing means for supplying water to a processing tank, Processing liquid replenishing means for replenishing the processing tank, processing liquid discharging means for forcibly discharging the same amount of processing liquid from the processing tank as the amount replenished by the processing liquid replenishing means, and a processing liquid existing in the processing tank Liquid level detecting means for detecting the level.

In this apparatus, the supply of water and the replenishment of the processing solution are not performed based on the principle of overflow, but the same amount of the processing solution replenished by the processing solution replenishing means is forcibly discharged. When the method using the treatment liquid discharging means is employed, even if an error occurs in the liquid level detecting means or the water replenishing means for the following reason, it is possible to prevent the change in concentration from accumulating. That is, for example, it is assumed that a level at which the liquid level can be detected by the liquid level detecting means is set as a reference liquid level, a state where the level is lower than this level is detected, and the water replenishing means is set to refill. At this time, there is an error in the liquid level detection means and water replenishment means, a case where water replenishment is performed to a level higher than the reference liquid level, that is, when a larger amount of water than the amount of water lost due to evaporation is supplied, It is considered that rehydration is completed at a level lower than the reference liquid level. Since the concentration of treated water is set to be the reference concentration when rehydration is performed up to the reference liquid level,
In the former case, the concentration of the processing liquid in the processing tank temporarily decreases, but when water is replenished after a certain time,
Since the level of the liquid level is small due to the large amount of water replenished in the previous water replenishment, correction is made smaller than the amount of water that has actually evaporated, and the decrease in the concentration of the processing liquid is reduced and accumulation is prevented. is there.

Similarly, if water replenishment is completed at a level lower than the reference liquid level in the water replenishment stage due to errors in the liquid level detecting means and the water replenishment means, the concentration of the processing liquid temporarily increases. However, if water is refilled up to the reference liquid level after a certain period of time, more water will be replenished by the amount of water that was previously small, so that an increase in the concentration of the processing liquid can be prevented. According to the second aspect of the present invention, between two adjacent processing tanks, a processing solution exceeding a set height of a processing tank located on the downstream side in the direction in which the photographic light-sensitive material is conveyed flows upstream. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a plurality of processing tanks connected so as to flow into the processing tank located on the side, that is, a plurality of processing tanks connected in cascade. In this case, the plurality of processing tanks connected in cascade Water replenishing means for supplying water to at least one of a first processing tank located on the upstream side in the direction and a second processing tank located on the downstream side with respect to the first processing tank; Processing liquid replenishing means for replenishing at least one of the first and second processing tanks; and processing liquid discharging means for forcibly discharging the same amount of processing liquid from the first processing tank as the amount replenished by the processing liquid replenishing means. And detect the level of the processing solution Serial first and least second treatment tank also constitutes such and a liquid level detecting means provided on one.

[0011] With this configuration, even in two or more processing tanks connected in cascade, water replenishment and replenishment of the processing liquid can be performed without depending on discharge of the processing liquid to the outside of the processing tank due to overflow of the processing liquid. Thus, it is possible to prevent the problem of the scheme using overflow as expected. There are many embodiments in which the present invention is applied to two or more processing tanks connected in cascade in this manner, and the following configuration is specifically conceivable in the above configuration. For example, in the second aspect of the invention, as described in the third aspect, until the water replenishment means detects that the processing liquid in the first processing tank has reached a set level by the liquid level detection means. The second processing tank may be configured to replenish water, and the processing liquid replenishing means may replenish the processing liquid to the second processing tank. In such a configuration, the correction means and the processing liquid replenishing means only need to refill the second processing tank with water and replenish the processing liquid. For example, equipment for replenishing the first processing tank with water and replenishing the processing liquid. Since there is no need to provide a device, it is possible to obtain a device that is not wasted in terms of space and cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as set forth in the fourth aspect, the processing liquid replenishing means is provided with the second liquid.
The second method for replenishing the processing bath with the processing solution.
A replenishing line communicating with the processing tank and a pump, the liquid level detecting means being provided in the first processing tank, and the water replenishing means being provided with the first liquid before the replenishing of the processing liquid by the processing liquid replenishing means.
Water is supplied to the first processing tank until the processing liquid in the processing tank reaches the reference liquid level by the liquid level detecting means, and after the replenishment of the processing liquid by the processing liquid replenishing means, Alternatively, the second processing tank may be refilled until the processing liquid in the first processing tank reaches the reference liquid level. In this way, by making it possible to supply water to the first processing tank and the second processing tank, it becomes possible to further equalize the concentrations of the processing liquids in the first processing tank and the second processing tank.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the processing solution replenishing means is provided with the second processing solution.
The second method for replenishing the processing bath with the processing solution.
A replenishing line communicating with the processing tank and a pump, wherein the water replenishment means includes a water supply line communicating with each of the plurality of processing tanks connected in cascade, and before replenishment of the processing liquid by the processing liquid replenishing means. The same amount is applied to the plurality of cascade-connected processing tanks until the processing liquid in the processing tank provided with the liquid level detecting means reaches the reference liquid level by the liquid level detecting means. It is also possible to configure so as to refill water.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as set forth in the sixth aspect, the processing solution replenishing means is provided in the second aspect.
The second method for replenishing the processing bath with the processing solution.
A replenishing line and a pump for communicating with the processing tank, wherein the liquid level detecting means is provided in each of the first processing tank and the second processing tank, and the water replenishing means is for rehydrating the first processing tank. It has a first water supply line and a first water supply pump, a second water supply line and a second water supply pump for supplying water to the second processing tank, and is used for replenishing the processing liquid by the processing liquid replenishment means. Before, the processing liquid in the first processing tank is first discharged by the liquid level detecting means.
Until it is detected that the reference liquid level has been reached, the first
Water is refilled in the treatment tank, and the second treatment tank is refilled until the treatment liquid in the second treatment tank reaches a second reference liquid level which is lower than the level at which the treatment liquid flows into the first treatment tank. It is also possible. Even when a plurality of continuous processing tanks are not cascaded as described above, water replenishment and supply of the processing liquid can be performed without depending on discharging the processing liquid by overflow outside the processing tank,
By performing these with the following configuration, the above-described problem caused by overflow can be eliminated. For example, as in the invention according to claim 7, of a plurality of continuous processing tanks, a first processing tank located on the most upstream side in a direction in which the photographic photosensitive material is transported, and a second processing tank located on the most downstream side In a photographic development processing apparatus having a processing tank, a water replenishment unit that replenishes water to each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks, a liquid level detection unit that detects a liquid level of each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks, A processing solution replenishing means for replenishing the processing solution with a certain amount to the second processing tank; and a processing solution having the same amount as the processing solution replenished by the processing solution replenishing means. It is possible to provide a processing liquid discharging means for forcibly discharging the processing liquid from at least one of them. Further, in the invention according to claim 7, as described in claim 8, the water replenishing means performs each processing until the reference liquid level of the plurality of processing tanks is detected by the liquid level detecting means. Refill the tank with water,
Processing liquid moving means for moving the fixed amount of the processing liquid from a processing tank located on the downstream side in the direction of the two processing tanks adjacent to the plurality of continuous processing tanks to a processing tank located on the upstream side; The processing liquid replenishing means may be provided only in the second processing tank, and the processing liquid discharging means may be configured to forcibly discharge the fixed amount of the processing liquid only from the first processing tank. In the invention according to claim 7, as described in claim 9, the water replenishment means controls each of the treatment tanks until the reference liquid level of the plurality of treatment tanks is detected by the liquid level detection means. The processing liquid replenishing means and the processing liquid discharging means are provided in each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks, and the processing liquid replenishing means is provided with the predetermined amount for each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks. The processing liquid discharging means may be configured to discharge the predetermined amount of processing liquid from each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks. In this way, a certain amount of the processing liquid is supplied to the processing tank by the processing liquid replenishing means, and the same amount of the processing liquid is discharged by the processing liquid discharging means. A change in the concentration of the processing liquid caused by a change in the amount of the processing liquid to be performed can be reduced, and accumulation can be prevented. By preventing the accumulation of the change in the density, it is possible to provide a photographic processing apparatus in which the quality of film development and photographic printing is improved. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A photographic developing apparatus and a method for replenishing water and a processing solution for the photographic developing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be applied to any photographic development processing apparatus such as a film development machine or a printer processor that continuously processes paper development from photographic printing. In this specification, a film development machine will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 1, the film developing machine 100 has a film loading section 2 for loading a film 1 as an example of a photographic photosensitive material having a leader connected to the leading end, and a film loading section 2 for developing a film 1 fed from the film loading section 2. A film developing unit 3 for processing, and a film drying unit 4 for heating the film 1 after the developing process by a drying heater and drying it by warm air sent out by a drying fan.
And a discharge unit 5 for discharging the dried film 1 and a film receiving unit 6 for temporarily storing the discharged film 1. The film 1 loaded in the film loading unit 2 is transported while being sandwiched between the transport roller and the idler roller, and is sent to the film developing unit 3. An optical sensor 7 is provided near the entrance of the film developing unit 3. The length of the film which is carried into the film developing unit 3 and developed is obtained from the signal of the optical sensor 7 and the film transport speed.

In the film developing section 3, a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution,
A developing processing area 10 in which seven processing tanks each filled with a developing processing liquid such as a stabilizing liquid are formed, and transport roller units 9 having different lengths for transporting the film 1 in the developing processing area 10 are provided. Have been. 7 treatment tanks 11
17 are arranged in order of the transport direction of the film 1,
The second deepest tank is the developer processing tank 11,
The next is a bleaching solution processing tank 12, the next two are fixing solution processing tanks 13 and 14, and the three shallow tanks are stabilizing solution processing tanks 15 to 17. Each processing tank has a substantially similar structure even if the depth is different. In this specification, the upstream side and the downstream side are defined based on the transport direction of the film 1. For example, since the film 1 is transported from the side of the processing tank 11 for the developing solution to the side of the processing tank 17 for the stabilizing solution, the processing tank 11 for the developing solution is located on the upstream side with respect to the processing tank 17 for the stabilizing solution. Say there is.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the processing tank 11 for a developing solution will be described as an example of application of the present invention, but the present invention can be applied to other processing tanks. As shown in FIG. 3, a developing solution tank 30 for storing a developing solution as an example of a processing solution accompanying the developing solution processing tank 11, and a replenishing solution for the developing solution into the developing solution processing tank 11. Replenishing line 3 that connects between the developer tank 30 and the processing tank 11 for developer
1, a pump 32, and a water tank 33, a water supply line 34, and a water supply pump 35, which constitute water replenishment means for supplying water to the developer processing tank 11. The developing solution tank 30, the replenishing line 31, and the pump 32 constitute a processing solution replenishing unit. The developing solution processing tank 11 is further provided with a discharge pipe 37 and a discharge pump 39 which constitute processing liquid discharging means for forcibly discharging the processing liquid from the processing tank. The processing liquid is discharged to the waste liquid tank 3 by the discharge pump 39.
8 Further, a liquid level sensor 36 is provided as a liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the processing liquid.

The water replenishment and the replenishment of the processing solution in the developing solution processing tank 11 according to the present invention using the above-described structure reduce a change in the concentration of the processing solution due to an error in the liquid level sensor or an error in the water supply pump or the like. How to do so will be described. Liquid level sensor 3
The level at which the level 6 can detect the liquid level is defined as a reference liquid level.
That is, when the level of the processing liquid in the processing tank for developing liquid 11 is at this level, the concentration of the developing liquid as an example of the processing liquid is set so as to be the ideal reference concentration. Therefore, the concentration of the developer in the developer tank 30 is also the reference concentration.

Water replenishment and replenishment of the developer when the liquid level in the processing tank for developer 11 is lower than the reference liquid level due to loss of water due to evaporation is performed by the following steps. First, as a first step, water is supplied from the water tank 33 using the water supply pump 35 until the liquid level sensor 36 detects the liquid level. At this point, since the liquid level is ideally at the reference liquid level, the developer concentration returns to the reference concentration. Next, as a second step, the pump 32 is operated for a certain time, and a certain amount of the developing solution is replenished from the developing solution tank 30. In the third stage, the discharge pump 39 is operated, and the same amount of the developer replenished from the developer tank 30 in the second stage is discharged to the waste liquid tank 38. It is desirable that the first stage rehydration is performed periodically, such as once a day in this embodiment. In the second stage, a certain amount of the developing solution is replenished to the developing solution processing tank 11, and this amount is determined by the development processing conditions such as the amount of the film 1 to be developed.

When water replenishment and replenishment of the developing solution are performed in such a manner, there is an error in the liquid level sensor 36 and the pump 32, and even if the water replenishment is performed to a level higher than the reference liquid level, the water in the processing tank is maintained. Although the concentration of the treatment liquid temporarily decreases, when rehydration is performed after a certain period of time, since the level of the liquid level is small as much as in the previous rehydration, Will also make less corrections,
Accumulation of a decrease in the concentration of the processing solution is prevented. Similarly, if water replenishment is completed at a level lower than the reference liquid level in the water replenishment stage due to an error in the liquid level detection means or water replenishment means, the concentration of the treatment liquid temporarily increases, If water is refilled to the reference liquid level after a certain period of time, more water will be replenished by the amount of water that was previously low, so that an increase in the concentration of the processing liquid can be prevented from accumulating.

In the first embodiment, the second stage and the third stage following the first stage rehydration need not always be performed successively. For example, the first stage rehydration is performed periodically. The replenishment of the developer in the second and third stages may be performed at a higher rate than in the first stage independently of the first stage. Further, the order of the second step and the third step may be reversed so that the developer is discharged first, and then the developer is replenished from the developer tank 30. Three steps may be performed simultaneously. In this or another embodiment, instead of replenishing a certain amount of the developer from the developer tank 30 by operating the pump 35 for a certain time, a flow sensor (not shown) is connected to a replenishing line 31.
And a fixed amount of the developer may be measured by the flow sensor. In such a case, the flow sensor is considered as a part of the processing liquid replenishing means.

In any case, since the replenishment and rehydration of the processing liquid into the processing tank according to the present invention are performed without depending on the overflow, the discharge amount of the processing liquid changes due to errors in the liquid level detecting means and the water replenishing means. For this reason, the problem that the change in density is accumulated does not occur. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a so-called cascade-connected two or more processing tanks. As shown in FIG. 4, this cascade connection means that the processing liquid in the processing tank located downstream in the direction in which the film 1 is transported is set at the set height (the height of the wall 13a) between two adjacent processing tanks. This is a connection method having a structure in which when the pressure exceeds the above, the water flows into the processing tank located on the upstream side. In the film developing machine 100 used as an example in the present specification, the processing baths 13 and 14 for the fixing solution have such a structure, and description will be made by using these structures. The application of the present invention to a plurality of processing tanks connected in cascade according to another embodiment is performed, for example, in the processing tanks 15 to 15 for a stable liquid in which three tanks are connected.
It is possible to do this for 17 or more tanks.

In FIG. 4, the film 1 is transported in the direction indicated by the broken line A. Therefore, the fixing solution processing tank 13
The (first processing tank) is located upstream with respect to another fixing liquid processing tank 14 (second processing tank). First treatment tank 13
Is determined by the liquid level sensor 46. When the liquid level is gradually increased from below the liquid level sensor 46,
The level at which the liquid level sensor 46 senses the liquid level is defined as a reference liquid level. As is clear from FIG.
The reference liquid level of the first processing tank 13 and the second processing tank 14
At a position lower than the height of the wall 13a. The fixing solution stored in the fixing solution tank 40 is replenished to the second processing tank 14 by a pump 42 via a replenishing line 41. these,
The fixing solution tank 40, the replenishing line 41, and the pump 42 constitute a processing solution replenishing unit. Further, the water stored in the water tank 43 is supplied to the second treatment tank 14 via a water supply pipe 44 by a water supply pump 45. The water tank 43, the water supply pump 45, and the water supply line 44 constitute a water replenishing means. A discharge pump 49 is connected to the bottom of the first processing tank 13 via a discharge line 47. By operating the discharge pump 49, the processing liquid in the first processing tank 13 is transferred to the waste liquid tank 48. Can be discharged.

A method for replenishing the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14 and replenishing the processing liquid according to the present invention using the above-described structure will be described. As in the case of the first embodiment, the first processing tank 1
The reference liquid level of 3 is determined by the liquid level sensor 46,
When the liquid level is gradually increased from below the liquid level sensor 46, the level at which the liquid level sensor 46 detects the liquid level is set as a reference liquid level. When the liquid level of the processing liquid in the first processing tank 13 is at the reference liquid level, ideally, the concentration of the fixing liquid as an example of the processing liquid is a reference concentration that is an ideal concentration. And the fixer tank 40
The concentration of the developing solution therein is also the reference concentration. The reference liquid level of the second processing tank is set to the height of the wall 13a.

The first treatment tank 13
Water replenishment and replenishment of the fixer when the liquid level is lower than the reference liquid level is performed according to the following steps.
First, as a first stage, the water supply pump 45 is used to move the water tank 43 from the water tank 43 until the liquid level sensor 46 detects the liquid level.
Water is supplied to the processing tank 14. At this time, the second processing tank 14
Is also at a lower level than the wall 13a due to the loss of water due to evaporation, the water level of the second treatment tank 14 first rises to the level of the wall 13a by water replenishment by the water supply pump 45, and then the first It flows out to the processing tank 13. At this point, since the liquid level of the first processing tank 13 is ideally at the reference liquid level, the concentration of the developer returns to the reference concentration. Next, as a second stage, the pump 42 is operated for a fixed time, and a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished from the fixing solution tank 40 to the second processing tank 14. As the third stage, the discharge pump 4
9 is operated, and the same amount of fixing solution as the amount replenished by the pump 42 in the second stage is discharged from the first processing tank 13 to the waste liquid tank 48.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the second stage and the third stage following the first stage
The steps need not always be performed sequentially, for example,
The replenishment of the second and third stages of the fixer may be performed at a higher frequency than the first stage independently of the first stage, or the second stage and the third stage may be performed at regular intervals. The order of the third step may be reversed so that the processing liquid is discharged first, and thereafter, the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid tank 40 is replenished. Further, the second stage and the third stage may be advanced simultaneously. Instead of replenishing a fixed amount of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 40 by operating the pump 42 for a fixed time, a flow rate sensor (not shown) is provided in the replenishing line 41, and a fixed amount of the developing solution is measured by the flow rate sensor. Is also good. In such a case, the flow sensor is considered as a part of the processing liquid replenishing means. In the second stage, a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished to the second processing tank 14, and this amount is fixed to the film 1 to be developed.
Is determined by the state of development processing such as the amount of

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to two or more processing tanks cascaded in the same manner as in the above-described second embodiment, and in this embodiment, the fixing solution is applied in the same manner as in the second embodiment. Tank 50, refill line 51,
The pump 52 constitutes a processing liquid replenishing means, and a water supply pump 55 for supplying water to the water tank 53 and the first processing tank 13.
a, a water supply pump 55b for supplying water to the second treatment tank 14,
Further, the water supply pipe 5 is divided into two parts at a portion 54a in the figure.
4 constitutes the water replenishing means. A discharge pump 59 is connected to the bottom of the first processing tank 13 via a discharge pipe 57, and the first discharge tank 59 is activated by operating the discharge pump 59.
The processing liquid in the processing tank 13 can be discharged to the waste liquid tank 58. A liquid level sensor 56 is provided in the first processing tank 13 as liquid level detecting means.

Here, the difference from the second embodiment is that the water supply means supplies water to the first treatment tank 13 by a water supply pump 55a.
And a water supply pump 55b for supplying water to the second treatment tank 14. A method for replenishing the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14 and replenishing the processing liquid according to the present invention using the above configuration will be described. The reference liquid level is the same as in the second embodiment described above. Water replenishment and replenishment of the developer when the liquid level in the first processing tank 13 is lower than the reference liquid level due to the loss of water due to evaporation is performed by the following steps. First, as a first step, the liquid level sensor 5
Until 6 detects the liquid level, water is supplied from the water tank 53 to the first treatment tank 13 using the water supply pump 55a. Next, as a second stage, the pump 52 is operated for a fixed time, and a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished from the fixing solution tank 50 to the second processing tank 14. In the third stage, the discharge pump 59 is operated, and the same amount of the fixing solution as the amount replenished by the pump 52 in the second stage is discharged from the first processing tank 13 to the waste liquid tank 58. As a fourth step, the liquid level sensor 56
Water is supplied from the water tank 53 to the second treatment tank 14 using the water supply pump 55b until the liquid level is detected.

In the third embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the second stage and the third stage following the first stage of rehydration need not always be performed continuously. Periodic rehydration of the first stage is carried out.
The replenishment of the fixing solution in the step may be performed at a higher frequency than the first step independently of the first step, or the order of the second step and the third step may be reversed to discharge the processing liquid first. After that, replenishment of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 50 may be performed. Further, the second stage and the third stage may be advanced simultaneously. Instead of replenishing a fixed amount of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 50 by operating the pump 52 for a certain time, a flow sensor (not shown) is provided in the replenishing line 51, and a fixed amount of the developing solution is measured by the flow sensor. Is also good. In such a case, the flow sensor is considered as a part of the processing liquid replenishing means. Further, in the second stage, a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished to the second processing tank 14, and this amount is determined by the development processing conditions such as the amount of the film 1 to be developed.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the fixing solution tank 60, the replenishing line 61, and the pump 62 constitute a processing solution replenishing unit. A water tank 63, a water supply pump 65, and a region 64c of the water supply pump 65
A first water supply pipe 64a that branches into two and extends to the first processing tank 13 and a second water supply pipe 64b that extends to the second processing tank 14 constitute water replenishing means. A discharge pump 69 is connected to the bottom of the first processing tank 13 via a discharge line 67.
By operating the discharge pump 69, the processing liquid in the first processing tank 13 can be discharged to the waste liquid tank 68. A liquid level sensor 66 is provided in the first processing tank 13 as liquid level detecting means.

A method for replenishing the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14 with water and replenishing the processing liquid according to the present invention using the above-described structure will be described. Regarding the reference liquid level, the second
This is the same as the embodiment. Water replenishment and replenishment of the developer when the liquid level in the first processing tank 13 is lower than the reference liquid level due to the loss of water due to evaporation is performed by the following steps. First, as a first step, the water tank 63 is used by using the water supply pump 65 until the liquid level sensor 66 detects the liquid level.
The water supply line 64 is provided with a first water supply line 64a communicating with the first treatment tank 13 and a second water supply line communicating with the second treatment tank 14 after the water supply pump 65. 6
4b, the pipes are arranged so that water is evenly distributed to these processing tanks, and the same amount of water is supplied to the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14. Next, as a second stage, the pump 6
2 is operated for a fixed time, and a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished from the fixing solution tank 60 to the second processing tank 14. As the third stage,
The discharge pump 69 is operated, and the same amount of the fixing solution as the amount replenished by the pump 62 in the second stage is discharged from the first processing tank 13 to the waste liquid tank 68.

Also in the fourth embodiment, the first to third embodiments
As in the embodiment of the second embodiment, the second stage following the first stage
The steps and the third step need not always be performed successively. For example, the first-stage rehydration is performed periodically, and the second and third stages of the replenishment of the fixing solution are independent of the first stage. May be performed at a higher rate than in the first stage, or in the second and third stages.
The order of the steps may be reversed to discharge the processing liquid first, and then replenish the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid tank 60. Further, the second stage and the third stage may be advanced simultaneously. Instead of replenishing a fixed amount of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 60 by operating the pump 62 for a certain time,
A flow sensor (not shown) may be provided in the replenishing line 61, and a fixed amount of the developer may be measured by the flow sensor. In such a case, the flow sensor is considered as a part of the processing liquid replenishing means.

In the second stage, a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished to the second processing tank 14, and this amount is determined by the development processing conditions such as the amount of the film 1 to be developed.
Also in this embodiment, the number of the processing tanks may be two or more. In this case, the water supply line 64 is uniformly supplied to all the cascade-connected processing tanks beyond the water supply pump 65. It is desirable to be configured to do so. Also, the liquid level sensor is provided in the first processing tank,
This can be achieved in the second processing tank, or when there are two or more processing tanks, the same effect can be obtained regardless of which processing tank is provided.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention in which the present invention is applied to two or more processing tanks connected in cascade will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the fixing solution tank 70, the replenishing line 71, and the pump 72 constitute a processing solution replenishing unit.
A first part is divided into two parts at a portion 74a in the figure and communicates with a first processing tank 13 located on the upstream side in the film transport direction.
A water supply line section 74 having a water supply line 74b and a second water supply line 74c communicating with the second processing tank 14 on the downstream side, and a first water supply pump 75 for refilling the first processing tank 13
a and a second water supply pump 75 for supplying water to the second treatment tank 14
b constitutes water replenishment means. A discharge pump 79 is connected to the bottom of the first processing tank 13 via a discharge pipe 77. By operating the discharge pump 79, the first pump is operated.
The processing liquid in the processing tank 13 can be discharged to the waste liquid tank 78. As the liquid level detecting means, a first liquid level sensor 76a is provided in the first processing tank 13, and a second liquid level sensor 76b is provided in the second processing tank 14.

Here, the difference from the third embodiment is that the liquid level detecting means is provided in both the first processing tank 13 and the second processing tank 14. Therefore, the first processing tank 1
The reference liquid level in 3 is the same as that of the third embodiment, the first reference liquid level, and the reference liquid level in the second processing tank 14 is slightly higher than the level at which the processing liquid flows into the first processing tank. It is set below and is called the second reference liquid level.

A method for replenishing the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14 with water and replenishing the processing liquid according to the present invention using the above configuration will be described. Due to the loss of water due to evaporation, the first treatment tank 13
The replenishment of water and the replenishment of the developing solution when the liquid level is lower than the reference liquid level is performed according to the following steps.
First, as the first stage, water is supplied from the water tank 73 to the first treatment tank 13 using the first water supply pump 75a until the first liquid level sensor 76a detects the liquid level, and the second liquid level sensor 76b Until the liquid level of the processing liquid in the second processing tank 14 is detected to be at the second reference liquid level using the second water supply pump 75b.
Then, as a second step, the pump 72 is operated for a certain period of time to replenish a fixed amount of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 70 to the second processing tank 14. In the third stage, the discharge pump 79 is operated, and the same amount of the fixing solution as the amount replenished by the pump 72 in the second stage is discharged from the first processing tank 13 to the waste liquid tank 78.

In the fifth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, the second stage and the third stage following the first stage rehydration stage are performed.
The steps need not always be performed sequentially, for example,
The replenishment of the second and third stages of the fixer may be performed at a higher frequency than the first stage independently of the first stage, or the second stage and the third stage may be performed at regular intervals. The order of the third step may be reversed so that the processing liquid is discharged first, and thereafter, the fixing liquid from the fixing liquid tank 70 is replenished. Further, the second stage and the third stage may be advanced simultaneously. Instead of replenishing a fixed amount of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 70 by operating the pump 72 for a fixed time, a flow rate sensor (not shown) is provided in the replenishing line 71, and a fixed amount of the developing solution is measured by the flow rate sensor. Is also good. In such a case, the flow sensor is considered as a part of the processing liquid replenishing means. In the second stage, a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished to the second processing tank 14, and this amount is fixed to the film 1 to be developed.
Is determined by the state of development processing such as the amount of

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a sixth embodiment of the present invention in which the present invention is applied to two or more successive processing tanks will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the present invention is applied to a processing tank not connected in cascade. Similarly to the fifth embodiment, the fixing solution tank 80, the replenishing line 81, and the pump 82 constitute a processing solution replenishing unit for replenishing the second processing tank on the downstream side in the film transport direction with the fixing solution. , A first water supply pipe 84 which is bifurcated at a portion 84a in the drawing and communicates with the first processing tank 13 located on the upstream side in the film transport direction.
b and a second water supply line 84 c having a second water supply line 84 c communicating with the second processing tank 14, and further to a first water supply pump 85 a for refilling the first processing tank 13 and the second processing tank 14. The second water supply pump 85b that performs water refilling constitutes water replenishment means. A discharge pump 89 is connected to the bottom of the first processing tank 13 via a discharge pipe 87.
By operating 9, the processing liquid in the first processing tank 13 can be discharged to the waste liquid tank 88. As the liquid level detecting means, a first liquid level sensor 86a is provided in the first processing tank 13, and a second liquid level sensor 86b is provided in the second processing tank 14.

In the present embodiment, the first processing tank 13
The reference liquid level is the liquid level of the processing liquid at which the first liquid level sensor 86a can detect the liquid level.
The second reference liquid level is a liquid level of the processing liquid at which the second liquid level sensor 86b can detect the liquid level. here,
The difference from the fifth embodiment is that the wall 13b between the first processing tank 13 and the second processing tank 14 is high, and the processing liquid flows from the second processing tank 14 to the first processing tank 13 or in the opposite direction. The point is that the processing liquid does not cascade, and the processing liquid moving means having the pump 100 for moving the processing liquid from the second processing tank 14 to the first processing tank 13 is provided.

A method of replenishing the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14 with water and replenishing the processing liquid according to the present invention using the above configuration will be described. First, as a first stage, the first liquid level sensor 86
Until a detects the liquid level, water is supplied from the water tank 83 to the first processing tank 13 using the first water supply pump 85a, and the second liquid level sensor 86b detects the liquid level in the second processing tank 14. Water tank 8 using the second water supply pump 85b until
Water is supplied to the second processing tank 14 from 3 and then, as a second step, the pump 82 is operated for a certain time to replenish a fixed amount of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 80 to the second processing tank 14. As a third step, the discharge pump 89 is operated, and the same amount of the fixing liquid as that replenished by the pump 82 in the second step is discharged to the waste liquid tank 88. And as the fourth stage,
Until the first liquid level sensor 86a detects the liquid level, the processing liquid on the second processing tank 14 side is supplied to the first processing tank 13 by operating the pump 100 of the processing liquid moving means.

In the sixth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, the second to fourth stages following the first stage of rehydration need not always be performed continuously. For example, the first stage The replenishment of the fixer in the second stage to the fourth stage may be performed at a higher frequency than the first stage independently of the first stage, or the second stage to the fourth stage may be performed independently. It is also possible to change the order of the steps. Instead of replenishing a fixed amount of the fixing solution from the fixing solution tank 80 by operating the pump 82 for a fixed time, a flow rate sensor (not shown) is provided in the replenishing line 81, and a fixed amount of the developing solution is measured by the flow rate sensor. Is also good. In such a case, the flow sensor is considered as a part of the processing liquid replenishing means. Also, the second
In the stage, a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished to the second processing tank 14, and this amount is determined by the development processing conditions such as the amount of the film 1 to be developed.

Further, also in the present embodiment, the number of processing tanks is not limited to two, and one or a plurality of processing tanks are provided between the first processing tank 13 and the second processing tank 14. May be. In this case, in each processing tank, a liquid level sensor and a water supply pump are provided, respectively, and the processing liquid is further transferred from the processing tank located on the downstream side in the direction of the two adjacent processing tanks to the processing tank located on the upstream side. It is desirable to provide a processing liquid moving means for moving.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a seventh embodiment of the present invention in which the present invention is applied to two or more successive processing tanks will be described. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a processing tank that is not cascaded similarly to the sixth embodiment. The fixing solution tank 90, the replenishing conduit 91, and the pump 92 constitute a processing liquid replenishing means, and the replenishing conduit 91 is located on the first side located upstream in the film transport direction.
A first pump 92a for replenishing the processing tank 13 with the processing liquid and a second pump 92 for replenishing the processing liquid in the second processing tank 14 on the downstream side
b.

The water tank 93 and the first part 94a in the figure are bifurcated and communicate with the first processing tank 13.
A water supply pipe section 94 having a water supply pipe 94b and a second water supply pipe 94c communicating with the second processing tank 14, a first water supply pump 95a for supplying water to the first processing tank 13, and a second processing tank. The second water supply pump 95b that supplies water to the tank 14 constitutes a water supply means. A first discharging pump 99a is connected to the bottom of the first processing tank 13 as a processing liquid discharging means via a first discharging pipe 97a.
Is operated to discharge the processing liquid in the first processing tank 13 to the waste liquid tank 98. Similarly, the second discharging pump 99 is connected to the bottom of the second processing tank 14 through the second discharge pipe 97b.
b is connected, and the second processing pump 99b is operated to discharge the processing liquid in the second processing tank 14 to the waste liquid tank 98.

As the liquid level detecting means, the first processing tank 13
The liquid level sensor 96a is provided, and the second processing tank 14 is provided with a second liquid level sensor 96b. The first reference liquid level of the first processing tank 13 in the present embodiment is the level of the processing liquid at which the first liquid level sensor 96a can detect the liquid level, and the second reference liquid level of the second processing tank 14. The surface level is the second
This is the level of the processing liquid at which the liquid level sensor 96b can detect the liquid level. As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, in each processing tank, water replenishment means, processing liquid replenishment means, liquid level detection means,
Further, a processing liquid discharging means is provided.

A method of replenishing the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14 with water and replenishing the processing liquid according to the present invention using the above-described configuration will be described. First, as a first stage, the first liquid level sensor 96
Until a detects the liquid level, water is supplied from the water tank 93 to the first processing tank 13 using the first water supply pump 95a, and the second liquid level sensor 96b detects the liquid level of the second processing tank 14. The water tank 9 using the second water supply pump 95b until
Then, the first pump 92a and the second pump 92b are operated for a certain period of time as a second stage, and the fixing solution is supplied from the fixing solution tank 90 to the first processing tank 13 in the second stage.
Is replenished to the second processing tank 14 by a fixed amount. As a third stage, a first discharge pump 99a and a second discharge pump 99b
To operate the first pump 92a and the second pump 92a in the second stage.
The same amount of fixing solution as the amount replenished by the pump 92b is discharged from each processing tank to the waste liquid tank 98.

In the seventh embodiment, as in the other embodiments, the second stage and the third stage following the first stage rehydration stage are performed.
The steps need not always be performed sequentially, for example,
The replenishment of the second and third stages of the fixer may be performed at a higher frequency than the first stage independently of the first stage, or the second stage and the third stage may be performed at regular intervals. It is also possible to change the order of the third step. By operating the pump 92 for a certain period of time, a certain amount of the fixing solution
Instead of replenishing from 0, a flow sensor (not shown) may be provided in each of the first and second replenishment conduits, and a fixed amount of the developer may be measured by these flow sensors. In such a case, the flow sensor is considered as a part of the processing liquid replenishing means. In the second stage, a fixed amount of the fixing solution is replenished to the first and second processing tanks 13 and 14, and this amount is determined by the development processing conditions such as the amount of the film 1 to be developed.

Further, also in this embodiment, the number of processing tanks is not limited to two, and one or a plurality of processing tanks are disposed between the first processing tank 13 and the second processing tank 14. May be. In this case, it is desirable to provide a liquid level sensor and a water supply pump or a processing liquid replenishment pump in each processing tank. In this embodiment, the processing liquid is forcibly discharged from each processing tank by the processing liquid discharging means.
As in the embodiment, the supply of the processing liquid in the upstream processing tank may use the processing liquid discharged from the downstream processing tank. In the processing tanks of all of the above-described embodiments, the sub-tanks provided in the processing tanks are not shown for the sake of simplicity. In this embodiment, the processing tank is defined to include a sub-tank.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional processing tank.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a processing tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a processing tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a processing tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a processing tank according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a processing tank according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a processing tank according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a processing tank according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Film 11 Processing tank for developer 13 First processing tank (processing tank for fixing liquid) 14 Second processing tank (processing tank for fixing liquid) 32 Pump for water supply 36 Liquid level sensor 39 Pump for discharging

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A water replenishing means for supplying water to a processing tank, a processing liquid replenishing means for replenishing a processing liquid to the processing tank, and a processing liquid having the same amount as the amount replenished by the processing liquid replenishing means. A photographic processing apparatus comprising: a processing liquid discharging unit forcibly discharging the processing liquid from a tank; and a liquid level detecting unit for detecting a liquid level of the processing liquid in the processing tank. 2. Between two adjacent processing tanks, a processing liquid exceeding a set height of a processing tank located on the downstream side in the direction in which the photographic photosensitive material is transported flows into a processing tank located on the upstream side. In a photographic developing apparatus having a plurality of processing tanks cascaded as described above, of the plurality of processing tanks cascaded, a first processing tank and an upstream processing tank located on the upstream side in the direction are disposed. A water replenishing means for supplying water to at least one of the second processing tanks located downstream from the first and second processing tanks;
Processing solution replenishing means for replenishing at least one of the processing tanks,
A processing liquid discharging means for forcibly discharging the same amount of processing liquid as the amount replenished by the processing liquid replenishing means from the first processing tank; and a liquid level detecting means for detecting a liquid level of the processing liquid. A photographic processing apparatus provided in one of the second processing tanks. 3. The liquid level detecting means is provided in the first processing tank, and the water replenishing means detects that the processing liquid in the first processing tank has reached a reference liquid level by the liquid level detecting means. The photographic development processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second processing tank is replenished with water until the processing is performed, and the processing liquid replenishing means replenishes the second processing tank with the processing liquid. 4. The processing liquid replenishing means includes a replenishing line and a pump communicating with the second processing tank for replenishing the second processing tank with the processing liquid, and the liquid level detecting means is provided. The rehydration unit is provided in the first processing tank, and the water replenishment unit reaches a reference liquid level by the liquid level detection unit before the replenishment of the processing liquid by the processing liquid replenishment unit. Until this is detected, water is supplied to the first processing tank, and after the replenishment of the processing liquid by the processing liquid replenishing means,
3. The photographic development processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second processing tank is refilled until the processing liquid in the first processing tank reaches the reference liquid level. 5. The processing liquid replenishing means includes a replenishing line and a pump communicating with the second processing tank for replenishing the second processing tank with the processing liquid. A water supply line communicating with each of the plurality of connected processing tanks is provided, and before the processing liquid is replenished by the processing liquid replenishing means, the processing liquid in the processing tank provided with the liquid level detecting means is filled with the liquid. 3. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the same amount of water is replenished to the plurality of processing tanks connected in cascade until the level detecting means detects that the reference liquid level has been reached. 6. The processing liquid replenishing means includes a replenishing line and a pump communicating with the second processing tank for replenishing the processing liquid to the second processing tank, and the liquid level detecting means is provided. The first treatment tank and the second treatment tank are respectively provided, and the water replenishing means includes a first water supply pipe and a first water supply pump for supplying water to the first treatment tank; The apparatus has a second water supply line for replenishing water and a second water supply pump, and before the processing liquid is replenished by the processing liquid replenishing means, the processing liquid in the first processing tank is supplied by the liquid level detecting means. The first treatment tank is refilled until it is detected that the first reference liquid level has been reached, and the second reference liquid is below the level at which the treatment liquid in the second treatment tank flows into the first treatment tank. 3. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second processing tank is replenished with water until the surface level is reached. 7. A photographic development process having a first processing tank located on the most upstream side in a direction in which a photographic photosensitive material is transported and a second processing tank located on the most downstream side in a plurality of continuous processing tanks. A water replenishing means for replenishing water in each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks; a liquid level detecting means for detecting a liquid level in each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks;
A processing solution replenishing means for replenishing the processing bath with a fixed amount of the processing solution; and a processing solution having the same amount as the processing solution replenished by the processing solution replenishing means, in at least one of the first processing bath and the second processing bath. A photographic processing apparatus provided with a processing liquid discharging means for forcibly discharging the liquid from one of them. 8. The water replenishing means performs water replenishment for each of the processing tanks until a reference liquid level of the plurality of processing tanks is detected by the liquid level detecting means. Provided in only two processing tanks, the processing liquid discharging means forcibly discharging the fixed amount of the processing liquid only from the first processing tank, and in the direction of two adjacent processing tanks of the plurality of continuous processing tanks. 8. The photographic developing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a processing liquid moving means for moving the processing liquid from a processing tank located on the downstream side to a processing tank located on the upstream side. 9. The water replenishing means performs water replenishment for each of the processing tanks until the reference liquid level of the plurality of processing tanks is detected by the liquid level detecting means. A liquid discharging means is provided in each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks, and the processing liquid replenishing means replenishes the fixed amount of the processing liquid to each of the plurality of continuous processing tanks, and discharges the processing liquid. 8. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means discharges said fixed amount of processing liquid from each of said plurality of continuous processing tanks. 10. Replenishing water until it is detected that the processing liquid has reached a reference liquid level, refilling the processing tank with the processing liquid, and supplying the same amount of processing liquid as the replenished amount. A method for replenishing water and replenishing a processing solution in a photographic processing apparatus, comprising a step of forcibly discharging the processing solution from a processing tank.