JPH11258757A - Replenishing device for reprenisher for photographic processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simultaneously execute to prepare a replenisher by diluting and dissolving it and replenish an automatic developing machine with the replenisher by a compact device by providing plural tanks arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction and an opening/closing valve coupling the tanks. SOLUTION: First and second tanks 1 and 2 are coupled through an opening/ closing valve 3. When the quantity of a replenisher is reduced, a liquid level sensor 6 detects a previously set lower limit water level, the valve 3 is closed by receiving a signal from the sensor 6, and the 1st and the 2nd tanks 1 and 2 are perfectly isolated. After receiving a signal showing that the valve 3 is closed, the mouth of a container containing the condensed replenisher is inserted in an insertion port 9 to inject the condensed replenisher in the 2nd tank 2. Then, an electromagnetic valve 13 is opened and dilution water is supplied to the 2nd tank 2. The supply quantity of the dilution water is monitored by a flow meter 14. When it becomes the specified quantity, the valve 13 is closed. Then, the valve 3 is opened after the new replenisher is prepared.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a replenishing apparatus for diluting and dissolving a concentrated solution or powder of a processing solution for photographic light-sensitive materials, and replenishing the diluted solution or powder to an automatic developing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a replenishing apparatus capable of simultaneously performing replenishment of a replenisher by dilution and dissolution and replenishment to an automatic developing machine with a compact apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A silver halide photographic material, after forming an image by exposure, is subjected to development and fixing to obtain an image. This processing is usually performed by an automatic developing machine. Generally, the processing solution stored in the processing tank of the automatic processor is
Replenishment is performed in accordance with the processing amount of the photosensitive material in order to keep the liquid volume constant and to keep the pH and composition concentration constant.

This processing solution (developing solution, fixing solution, stabilizing solution, etc.)
The replenisher is usually supplied as a concentrated liquid or solid, and is diluted or dissolved to an appropriate concentration and replenished from a replenisher to an automatic processor. As another replenishing method, there is a method of replenishing the replenishing concentrate and water at a fixed ratio to an automatic processor. The present invention is used in the former replenishment method.

For example, in the case of a replenishing device for a solid processing agent, JP-A-8-44030, JP-A-7-295182, JP-A-7-271000, and JP-A-4-2134.
54, pp. 4-352153 and pp. 5-127343, there is a replenishing device which also dissolves the solid processing agent. Further, as a replenisher for the concentrated solution, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-8746,
1. Some are described in 8-220722.

[0005] These replenishing apparatuses are used for preparing a replenisher such as dissolution or dilution in one tank, storing the replenisher thus prepared, and replenishing the replenisher to an automatic developing machine. Therefore, when the timing of replenishment to the automatic developing machine and the timing of preparation of the replenisher overlap, a problem occurs in that the normal replenisher is not supplied to the automatic developing machine. That is, when the replenishment is required during the dissolution or dilution of the new replenisher, there is a problem that the replenisher is replenished in a more concentrated or dilute state than the regular replenisher.

In order to solve this problem, there is a replenishing apparatus having a tank for preparing a replenisher and a tank for storing and replenishing the replenisher separately. This replenishing device usually has two vertical
There is a system in which two tanks are arranged, a replenisher is prepared in an upper tank, and stored and replenished in a lower tank. The amount of replenisher prepared at a time by dissolving the solid processing agent or diluting the concentrated solution is about 5 to 10 liters. Is necessary, and the apparatus is enlarged. Therefore, there is a problem that the replenishing device cannot be stored in an empty space of the automatic developing machine, for example, in a lower part of the main body of the automatic developing machine.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned method of separately replenishing the concentrated replenisher and water to an automatic developing machine (for example, described in JP-A-63-91661, etc.), the concentrated replenisher and water are separately supplied. In addition, it is necessary to prepare many stock tanks, and there is a problem that the apparatus becomes large like the replenishing apparatus.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a replenishing apparatus which can simultaneously prepare a replenisher by dilution and dissolution and replenish the replenisher to an automatic processor with a compact apparatus. .

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a replenisher for a replenisher for photographic processing, comprising at least two tanks arranged in parallel in a horizontal direction, and an opening and closing means for connecting the two tanks. This is achieved by a replenisher mixing and replenishing apparatus having a valve and a detecting means for detecting a replenishing liquid amount in the tank, wherein the on-off valve is operated by a signal from the detecting means. Was.

[0010] The refilling device of the present invention has at least two tanks in parallel in the horizontal direction. The two tanks are connected by an on-off valve, and except when the replenishing liquid is prepared, the on-off valve is open, and the two tanks integrally store the replenishing liquid. I have. When the replenisher stored in the two tanks is replenished to the automatic processor and reduced to a predetermined amount, the on-off valve is closed, the two tanks are completely isolated, and one of the tanks ( In the first tank), a new replenisher is dissolved or diluted in the other tank (second tank) while replenishment is performed with the replenisher remaining in the tank.

After completing the preparation of a new replenisher in the second tank, the on-off valve is opened and the first tank and the second tank are integrated,
The replenisher is stored and replenished to the automatic processor. in this way,
By controlling the separation and integration of the two tanks by the storage amount of the replenisher, a new replenisher can be prepared while keeping the composition concentration of the replenisher replenished to the automatic developing machine constant.

Further, by using the above method of the present invention, the capacity of the first tank can be reduced,
The refilling device can be made compact.

Further, in the replenishing apparatus of the present invention, a washing water jet nozzle for washing the inside of a container containing a concentrated or solid replenishing agent is provided above the second tank, and the nozzle is jetted from the nozzle. Wash water was collected in the second tank.
Thereby, the replenisher in the container is completely poured into the second tank, so that the labor for cleaning the container is omitted, and the danger of the replenisher adhering to the hands, clothes, etc. of the operator is eliminated.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 to 3 are sectional views of one embodiment of the refilling device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view. The first tank (1) and the second tank (2) are connected by an on-off valve (3). Here, the on-off valve (3) is a solenoid valve. The upper parts of the first tank (1) and the second tank (2) are not completely closed systems, and at least partially open. Thereby, the replenishing liquid level (4) of the first tank (1) and the second tank (2) keeps the same water level when the on-off valve (3) is open.

A refill port (5) is provided at the lower end of the first tank (1).
A replenisher is supplied from the replenishing port (5) to the automatic developing machine via a pump (not shown). In the replenishment of the replenisher to the automatic developing machine, a predetermined amount of the replenisher is usually replenished by operating the pump in accordance with the instruction of the automatic processor, in units of the area of the processed photosensitive material.

The second tank (2) has a liquid level sensor (6) for detecting the amount of replenisher in the lower part, and a concentrated replenisher from a container (8) containing the replenisher in the upper part. (9), a propeller (10) for stirring and a dilution water supply port (11) for supplying water for diluting the concentrated replenisher. A washing water jet nozzle (12) for washing the container (8) is arranged inside the insertion port (9). The liquid level sensor (6) and the on-off valve (3)
Are connected by a circuit (not shown). The liquid level sensor (6) detects that the amount of the replenisher has decreased and the liquid level has dropped to a predetermined position, and a signal is transmitted to the on-off valve (3) to close the on-off valve.

Next, the operation of the replenishing device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first tank (1) and the second tank (2) are integrated to store a large amount of replenisher by opening the on-off valve (3). During this time, the automatic developing machine is constantly replenished with a replenisher in accordance with the processing situation. FIG.
Means that the replenisher volume is reduced, the liquid level sensor (6) detects a preset lower limit water level, and receives the signal to open / close the valve (3)
Is closed, indicating that the first tank (1) and the second tank (2) are completely isolated.

The means and the program are incorporated so that a signal is visually or audibly notified to the operator that the on-off valve (3) has been closed. After receiving the signal, the operator starts creating a new replenisher. As shown in FIG. 3, the container (8) containing the concentrated replenisher
And the concentrated replenisher is injected into the second tank (2). At this time, the timer switch (1
6) is activated, and the solenoid valve (13) is programmed to open after a predetermined time (for example, a time when the concentrated replenisher in the container is completely filled). The solenoid valve (13) is opened, and the dilution water is supplied to the second tank (2). The supply amount of the dilution water is monitored by a flow meter (14), and when a predetermined amount is reached, the solenoid valve (13) is closed, then the solenoid valve (15) is changed from closed to open, and the washing water jet nozzle (12) is used for washing. Water spouts to clean the interior of the container (8). This washing water is used as a part of the dilution water.

The stirring propeller (10) operates at the same time that the solenoid valve (13) for supplying dilution water is opened,
A predetermined time after the solenoid valve (13) is closed, for example, 1
It is programmed to stop after ~ 2 minutes and at the same time open the on-off valve (3).

As shown in FIG. 3, after a new replenisher is prepared with the on-off valve (3) closed, the on-off valve (3) is opened, and as shown in FIG. The tank (1) and the second tank (2) collectively store a replenisher and replenish the replenisher with an automatic developing machine.

While a new replenisher is being prepared in the second tank (2), replenishment to the automatic developing machine is being carried out, while the necessary replenisher is left in the first tank (1). Need to be kept.
Therefore, in consideration of the time required for preparing the replenisher, the position of the liquid level sensor and the size of the first reservoir (1) are set so that the replenisher necessary for the replenisher is secured in the first tank (1). Need to be designed.

The second tank (2) also has a function of a mixing tank for preparing a new replenisher at the same time as the storage tank.
It is necessary to have enough capacity to accommodate the volume to be created at one time.
However, the first tank (1) is for storing integrally with the second tank (2), and its capacity is not more than 1/2 of that of the second tank (2). , Or even 1/4 or less. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the conventional replenishing device.

The replenishing apparatus of the present invention is used for a replenishing solution such as a developing solution, a fixing solution or a stabilizing solution which is a photographic processing solution. In addition, although a solid replenisher or a concentrated replenisher is used in the present invention, a concentrated replenisher is preferably used.

The above-described embodiment of the refilling device according to the present invention is a case having two tanks.
Another tank may be provided as appropriate in addition to the tank and the second tank. For example, a third tank may be provided beside the second tank. Photographic processing agents are composed of many chemicals, some of which are not desirable to mix together in concentrated form. Further, the replenisher may be composed of two types, liquid and powder. In such a case, a third tank may be provided so that the two containers can be separately supplied to the replenishing device.

[0025]

According to the present invention, with a compact device,
A replenisher capable of simultaneously preparing a replenisher by dilution and dissolution and replenishment to an automatic developing machine is realized. In addition, by disposing a cleaning water jet nozzle that cleans the inside of the container containing the replenishing agent, the replenishing agent in the container can be completely injected into the replenishing device, eliminating the trouble of cleaning the container and removing the container. At times, the replenisher can be prevented from adhering to workers' hands, clothes, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a replenishing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another state of the above.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another state of the above.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 first tank 2 second tank 3 on-off valve

Claims (3)

[Claims] An apparatus for replenishing a replenisher for photographic processing, comprising:
At least two tanks arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, an on-off valve connecting the two tanks, and a detecting means for detecting an amount of replenisher in the tanks, and a signal from the detecting means, A replenisher for replenisher, characterized in that an on-off valve is operated. 2. A cleaning water jet nozzle for washing the inside of a container for supplying a concentrated or solid replenishing agent to the refilling device, wherein the cleaning water jetting nozzle is jetted from the washing water jetting nozzle. The replenisher according to claim 1, wherein water is collected in any one of the at least two tanks. 3. The replenishing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first tank and a second tank arranged in parallel in a horizontal direction, wherein a replenisher is developed below the first tank. A replenishing port for replenishing the machine, and an inlet for inserting an inlet of a container containing a concentrated or solid replenisher in an upper portion of the second tank; A replenishing solution replenishing device, wherein a cleaning water jet nozzle for cleaning the inside of the container is provided inside the refill.