JPH11265049A - Processing liquid applying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speedily carry out liquid processing by the processing liquid applying device by using a small amount of liquid. SOLUTION: The processing liquid applying device has cascades 52 installed in array along a conveyance path for image recording materials carried from upstream to downstream and each cascade 52 applies liquid pooled in its processing liquid chamber 54 to one surface of an image recording material by a liquid roller 58; and a squeeze roller 60 provided on its downstream side squeezes off the liquid sticking on the image recording material and carries it out and a liquid feed means installed between cascades 52 moves the liquid from the downstream processing liquid chamber 54 to the upstream liquid chamber 54 to perform the liquid processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing liquid coating apparatus suitable for use in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image recording material such as a photosensitive material, for applying a processing liquid to the image recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when copying a color film original or a color print original on an image recording material, for example, a photosensitive material such as a silver halide photographic photosensitive material, each of exposure, development, bleach-fixing, washing and drying is performed. The processing is performed on the photosensitive material in order.

In the development, bleach-fixing, and washing, the photosensitive material is sequentially immersed in a developing solution, a bleaching solution, and washing water, which are processing solutions stored in a developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a washing tank, respectively. The solution, the bleaching solution, and the washing water were each applied.

Conventionally, there is a so-called pickling method as one means for performing a water-washing process on a photosensitive material as described above. This is a process in which a plurality of washing tanks are arranged side by side, and the photosensitive material is sequentially immersed in the water of each washing tank while being transported along a series of transport paths, pulled out from there, carried to the next washing tank, and immersed again in the water. The water washing process is performed by repeating a plurality of times.

As another means, there is a so-called multi-chamber system. This is a so-called submerged liquid in which the interior of the washing tank is divided into a plurality of rooms by a plurality of partitions, and the photosensitive material is passed between a pair of parallel rollers at a portion of the partition partitioning each room soaked in washing water. The washing process is performed by attaching a crossover and sequentially transferring the photosensitive material to each room through the submerged crossover of each partition while immersing the photosensitive material in the water of each room of the washing tank.

[0006]

According to the above-mentioned immersion method, the photosensitive material is washed only while it is immersed in each washing tank. It will not be washed while passing through the aisle. However, since the transfer operation for moving between the washing tanks is indispensable, it takes a long time for the washing process by the time required for the movement between the washing tanks. The movement time between the washing tanks is added, and the processing time becomes longer.

Further, according to the multi-chamber system, the processing time can be reduced since the photosensitive material is always immersed in water. However, when the photosensitive material is sent from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path passing through the submerged crossover, the dirty washing liquid in the upstream room cannot be prevented from leaking from the submerged crossover to the downstream room. Therefore, the pollutant concentration of the washing liquid on the downstream side becomes high, and it may be difficult to sufficiently wash the liquid. To prevent this, a large amount of washing liquid must be used, and a large amount of waste liquid after use must be treated.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned facts, and provides a processing liquid coating apparatus which can perform liquid processing quickly and can perform liquid processing using a relatively small amount of processing liquid. Aim.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing liquid applying apparatus for applying a processing liquid to an image recording material conveyed from upstream to downstream of a conveying path;
A cascade disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the transport path of the processing liquid application unit and having a squeezing unit for squeezing the liquid attached to the image recording material, a plurality of cascades arranged in a row along the transport path, Liquid transfer means disposed between each cascade adjacent from the most downstream side to the most upstream side of each cascade arranged in a row on the transport path, and for moving the processing liquid from the downstream side to the upstream side; It is characterized by doing.

[0010] With the above arrangement, the processing liquid is applied to the image recording material being conveyed from the upstream to the downstream by the cascade of the processing liquid applying means, and the adhering liquid is squeezed out by the squeezing means. And then send the image recording material to the next downstream cascade. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the processing liquid after the upstream processing from being mixed with the processing liquid in the downstream cascade,
The purity of the processing solution in the downstream cascade can be kept high. In addition, as the processing proceeds to the most downstream cascade, it is only necessary to process the processed image recording material with the processing liquid of each cascade upstream, so that the deterioration of the processing liquid of the upstream cascade is further reduced. Can be done.

Furthermore, even if the processing liquid having a high purity in the downstream cascade is supplied to the upstream cascade, the purity of the processing liquid used in the upstream cascade is lower, so that there is no problem in the liquid processing and the processing efficiency is improved. The processing liquid can be reused, the amount of the processing liquid used as a whole can be reduced, and the liquid processing can be performed with a relatively small amount of the processing liquid. In addition, since the image recording material can be directly transferred between adjacent cascades,
By setting the transfer path to be the shortest distance in a straight line, it is possible to shorten the time for the transfer and the liquid processing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing liquid applying apparatus for applying a processing liquid to an image recording material conveyed from upstream to downstream of a conveying path, wherein the processing liquid applying apparatus is arranged along the conveying path. A plurality of processing liquid rollers for applying the processing liquid stored in each processing liquid chamber to one surface of the image recording material carried in from the upstream side, and provided on the downstream side of the processing liquid roller. A cascade in which the liquid adhering to the image recording material is squeezed by the squeezing roller and then the image recording material is carried out, and a cascade processing liquid chamber disposed between an adjacent cascade and a downstream cascade processing liquid chamber. And a liquid feeding means for moving the processing liquid toward the substrate.

With the above-described structure, in addition to the functions and effects of the processing liquid application device according to the first aspect, the processing liquid is averagely applied to one surface of the image recording material by the processing liquid rollers of each cascade. Quick and reliable application. Moreover, the operation of squeezing out the liquid adhering to the image recording material and sending it out to the downstream side of the conveyance path can be performed continuously and in a short time by the squeezing roller arranged adjacent to the downstream side of the processing liquid roller.

[0014]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overall configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a processing liquid application apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed unit 12 is disposed in a lower right portion of the inside of the apparatus main body 10 as viewed in the drawing, and a transport path 14 originating from the paper feed unit 12 is provided. Are provided in series at the upper discharge port 16 while bending the inside of the apparatus main body 10. An exposure unit 18 for exposing an image to a photosensitive material as an image recording material sent from the paper supply unit 12 is arranged inside the apparatus main body 10 in order from the paper supply unit 12 in the transport path 14. Subsequently, a developing section 20 and a bleach-fix section 22 are arranged in series, a washing section 24 as a processing liquid application device is arranged, a drying section 26 is arranged, and then an image is formed. A discharge port 16 for discharging the formed image recording material is provided. Each of these devices is configured to be automatically operated by a control unit (not shown).

A tank 28 for developing solution, a tank 30 for bleach-fixing solution, a tank 32 for washing water, and a waste liquid tank 34 are arranged inside the apparatus main body 10.

In the sheet feeding section 12 of the image recording apparatus, a photosensitive material as an image recording material formed in a belt shape is wound and stored in a roll shape, and pulled out from the outer peripheral end of the roll. The photosensitive material is fed out onto the transport path 14.

The transport path 14 is provided with feed rollers 36 at various locations. Then, the photosensitive material is fed between the pair of rotating rollers of each feed roller 36 so as to feed the photosensitive material from the upstream of the paper supply unit 12 side to the downstream of the discharge port 16 side in the transport path 14. ing.

The photosensitive material sent out of the paper supply section 12 to the upstream side of the transport path 14 is fed on the transport path 14 to a sheet 38 of a predetermined size by a cutter 38 arranged near the paper supply section 12. And sent to the exposure unit 18.

The exposure unit 18 processes a color image signal input by a scanner or the like (not shown) to form a latent image by exposing a photosensitive material at a predetermined position on the transport path 14 by a laser light source of a semiconductor laser unit. . Note that a digital exposure unit can be used as the exposure unit 18. This exposure unit is, for example, a device that directly modulates the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element to expose the photosensitive material,
(Laser diode) and SH used with it
G (wavelength conversion element), LED (light emitting diode), etc., or LCD (liquid crystal display), DMD (digital mirror device), etc., which modulates constant light emitted from a light source and exposes the photosensitive material. May be configured. Further, in the present embodiment, the digital exposure unit is configured, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured as an analog exposure unit.
The photosensitive material on which the latent image has been formed in this way is sent to the developing unit 20 by the transport path 14.

The developing section 20 has a processing liquid applying means, a conveying means, and a heating temperature adjusting means. In the present embodiment, the processing liquid applying means employs a so-called felt system in which a processing solution for processing a photosensitive material is applied by sliding a felt coating member 40 impregnated with a processing solution as a solid phase on the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material. It is configured.

The felt type processing liquid applying means is provided with a processing liquid supply means (not shown) from a developing liquid tank 28 to a felt coating member 40 formed of a blade type felt material which is an elastic body having water absorption. A certain amount of the developing solution is fed, and the amount of the developing solution fed by the developing solution supply amount control means (not shown) is controlled so as to be an appropriate amount.

In the present embodiment, the transport means of the developing section 20 is of an adhesive transport type (gel belt) so that the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material can be transported without reducing and without contacting the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material. System).

The conveying means of this adhesive conveying system is constituted by winding an adhesive belt 46 around two drive rollers 42 and 44 in an endless track shape, and has an adhesive property of the adhesive belt 46. The photosensitive material is transported in a substantially horizontal direction in a state in which the photosensitive material is adhered to the outer peripheral mounting surface so as not to slip.

Further, in this embodiment, the heating temperature adjusting means of the developing section 20 is a heat panel for heating and adjusting the photosensitive material and the processing solution on the photosensitive material without contacting the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material. It is configured as a heating temperature control means of the system.

The heating temperature control means of the heat panel system includes:
A heat panel 48 is arranged adjacent to the adhesive belt 46 at the portion corresponding to the photosensitive material transport where the adhesive belt 46 is disposed in the transporting means so as to be in sliding contact with the photosensitive belt. By controlling, the adhesive belt 46 is heated, and the photosensitive material adhered thereon is held so as to be heated to a certain temperature.

In the developing unit 20 thus configured, the felt coating member 40 slides on the photosensitive material emulsion surface of the photosensitive material conveyed by the adhesive belt 46 on the upstream side of the conveying means. The treatment liquid impregnated in the felt coating member 40 is applied. The photosensitive material to which the processing liquid has been applied in this manner is heated by the heat panel 48 and is maintained at a predetermined temperature while being conveyed by the adhesive belt 46, and undergoes a chemical reaction to complete the development processing, and the next bleaching is performed. The paper is sent to the fixing unit 22.

The bleach-fixing unit 22 includes a processing liquid applying unit,
It has a conveying means and a heating temperature adjusting means. In this embodiment, the bleach-fixing section 22 is configured similarly to the developing section 20 described above. That is, the processing liquid application unit is configured to supply the felt coating member 50 from the bleach-fixing solution tank 30 with the processing liquid controlled to an appropriate amount by the supply amount control unit by the processing liquid supply unit. Further, the transfer means is configured by an adhesive transfer method, and the heating temperature adjusting means is configured by a heat panel method.

In the bleach-fixing section 22 thus constructed, two drive rollers 42, 44 are provided upstream of the conveying means.
The felt application member 50 is slid on the photosensitive material emulsion surface of the photosensitive material conveyed by the adhesive belt 46 wound around the belt, and at this time, the treatment liquid impregnated in the felt application member 50 is applied. The photosensitive material coated with the processing solution in this manner is
A chemical reaction is carried out while being conveyed by the adhesive belt 46 while being heated and maintained at a predetermined temperature by the heat panel 48, and the bleach-fixing process is completed.

The developing unit 20 and the bleach-fixing unit 2
The configuration 2 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may take various other configurations. For example, the solid phase in these treatment liquid applying means is formed of an open-cell foamed sponge, closed-cell foamed sponge, isotropic, or anisotropic sponge other than a felt material as long as it is an elastic body having a liquid absorbing property. May be. Further, the shape of the solid phase may be not only a blade type but also a roller type.

When the processing operation of the processing liquid applying means is interrupted for a certain period of time or longer, the felt coating member 40 (50) which is an elastic body having a liquid absorbing property as its solid phase.
For this reason, it is desirable to provide an elastic sealing means for preventing the processing liquid from evaporating. The elastic body sealing means covers an elastic body portion such as the felt coating member 40 (50) so as to shield it from the outside air, and prevents the processing liquid from evaporating from the elastic body. It is preferable that the processing liquid is filled and held between the elastic body sealing means that covers the elastic body portion and the elastic body because the elastic body is always in a usable state wet with the processing liquid. .

Further, the conveying means may adopt a suction conveyance system in which air in a suction portion provided on the conveyance belt is sucked by a fan, and the photosensitive material is conveyed while being sucked onto the belt by the suction cup. Further, the conveying means may be configured to blow air from above the surface of the photosensitive material placed on the conveying belt, and to convey the photosensitive material onto the conveying belt while being pressed against the wind by the wind. . However, in the case of the adhesive transport method as in the present embodiment, the adhesive can be transported evenly on the adhesive belt 46 in a state of being adhered, and the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material can be transported without being evaporated by blowing. Can be.

The heating temperature adjusting means is a heat panel 48.
Instead of using a heat roller, or (far,
A near-infrared heater may be used, and a housing may be provided to cover each of the developing unit 20 and the bleach-fixing unit 22 in its entirety. good. The developing unit 20 and the bleach-fixing unit 22 may be configured in a conventional so-called pickling system.

The photosensitive material processed in the developing section 20 and the bleach-fixing section 22 subsequent to the developing section 20 is sent to the washing section 24 through the transport path 14.

As shown in the overall schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 and the schematic diagram of the main part in which the structure of the water washing unit 24 is shown in an exaggerated manner in FIG. Eight cascades 52 (52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, 52) arranged in rows from first to eighth
F, 52G, and 52H) are arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path 14, which is the transport path. Each cascade 52 (52A, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52
E, 52F, 52G, and 52H) include a processing liquid chamber 54 and a throttle chamber 56 disposed adjacent to and downstream of the processing liquid chamber 54.

One or more (two in this embodiment) one or more (two in this embodiment) processing solution chambers 54 correspond to a processing solution coating means which is a solid phase on one emulsion surface of the photosensitive material. A processing liquid roller 58 is supported. This treatment liquid roller 5
Numeral 8 is made of a material such as an elastic body having water absorbency, such as an open-cell foamed sponge, a closed-cell foamed sponge, an isotropic or anisotropic sponge, and stainless steel.
In each of the processing liquid chambers 54, the processing liquid roller 58 is disposed so as to face an upper open portion of the processing liquid chamber 54, and water as a processing liquid is filled in each processing liquid chamber 54. Is stored so that the water level at which it is immersed in the diameter direction is about half. Further, the processing liquid roller 58 is configured to be rotated forward or backward by a motor (not shown) and a rotational force transmission mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 3, the water washing section 24 is configured so that the vertical position is gradually increased in a stepwise manner from the first cascade 52A on the most upstream side to the eighth cascade 52H on the most downstream side. .

Further, between each cascade 52, a liquid sending means (not shown) is provided. The liquid feeding means is, for example, from the eighth cascade 52H at the highest position to the seventh cascade 52G at the next height, and further to the seventh cascade 5G.
It is composed of a weir and a water channel so as to send water without backflow, such as from 2G to the sixth cascade 52F. Further, the processing liquid chamber 54 of the eighth cascade 52H
To, by a liquid supply means that can control the flow rate not shown,
The water stored in the washing water tank 32 is configured to be supplied. At the same time, a drainage means (not shown) is connected to the processing liquid chamber 54 of the first cascade 52A, and is configured to discharge a predetermined amount of water stored in the processing liquid chamber 54 to the waste liquid tank 34. I have.

In the washing section 24 configured as described above,
Fresh water supplied from the washing water tank 32 to the eighth cascade 52H by the supply means is supplied to the eighth cascade 52H through the seventh cascade 52G, the sixth cascade 52F, the fifth cascade 52E, and the fourth cascade 52D by the liquid sending means. , To the first cascade 52A via the third cascade 52C and the second cascade 52B, from which the liquid is discharged to the waste liquid tank 34 by the liquid discharging means.

In this embodiment, an aperture roller 60 is mounted in the aperture chamber 56 of each cascade 52 as an aperture means. The squeezing roller 60 is configured such that a pair of rollers are arranged in parallel, and the outer circumferences thereof are rolled together. The squeezing roller 60 squeezes the liquid adhering to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material by rotating the roller with the photosensitive material sandwiched between the pair of rollers, and performs the feeding operation of the photosensitive material. In the washing unit 24 configured as described above, the developing unit 20 in the image forming apparatus,
After processing the photosensitive material with the bleach-fixing unit 22, the photosensitive material in a state where the residual liquid used in the processing adheres to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material is fed from the feed roller 36 of the transport path 14 to the first cascade 52A. It is. Then, the photosensitive material enters from the processing liquid chamber 54 side of the first cascade 52A, and the emulsion surface on one side of the photosensitive material is brought into rolling contact with the processing liquid roller 58, and the washing water attached to the processing liquid roller 58 Then, the water is wiped so that the concentration of the residual liquid on the emulsion surface is reduced by half and sent to the squeezing chamber 56, where the washing water adhered to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material is squeezed out by the squeezing roller 60, and the next second
It is sent to the cascade 52B. At this time, in the processing liquid chamber 54 of the first cascade 52A, since the residual liquid adhering to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material adheres to the processing liquid roller 58 and mixes into the washing water in the processing liquid chamber 54, the first cascade 52A 52
The concentration of the residual liquid in the cleaning water in the processing liquid chamber 54 of A becomes the highest. In addition, the cleaning water in the processing liquid chamber of the first cascade 52A is prevented from mixing into the cleaning water in the processing liquid chamber of the second cascade 52B by the liquid sending means, and adheres to the photosensitive material by the squeezing roller 60 and mixes. Is also prevented.

Therefore, in the second cascade 52B, the first cascade 52B
A photosensitive material in which the concentration of the residual liquid on the emulsion surface is reduced by half is fed by the cascade 52A, and the residual liquid whose concentration on the emulsion surface is reduced by half is wiped off by the processing liquid roller 58, whereby the concentration is reduced to approximately one fourth. Let it do. As a result, the concentration of the residual liquid in the cleaning water in the processing liquid chamber 54 of the second cascade 52B becomes the second highest as a whole. In this way, the processing liquid chambers 5 reach the third to eighth cascades 52C to 52H from the upstream side to the downstream side where the photosensitive material is fed.
The concentration of the residual liquid in the washing water in the area 4 gradually decreases, and near the eighth cascade 52H, the concentration of the residual liquid adhering to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material is sufficiently lower than the reference concentration which is considered to be unaffected. Then, the washing process of the photosensitive material is completed.

The water washing section 24 includes a processing liquid chamber 54,
In order to prevent the processing liquid from evaporating into the atmosphere from the processing liquid roller 58, the squeezing roller 60, and the like, an evaporation preventing means configured to cover these with a housing or the like is provided.

Further, the washing section 24 is provided with a washing means for automatically washing the water in the washing water tank 32 evenly over the respective squeezing rollers 60 through the pipe 62 when not in use. The waste water after washing falls into the squeezing chamber 56, and is drained to the waste liquid tank 34 by a drain pipe (not shown). Further, although not shown, a cleaning means for automatically cleaning each processing liquid roller 58 with cleaning water may be provided. A large amount of washing water is supplied to the eighth cascade 5 by the liquid supply means.
If it is fed to 2H, it is sent to the other seventh to first cascades by the liquid sending means, so that each processing liquid roller 58 is washed with the washing water, and these dirt can be removed. The water washing section 24 can use not only water as a processing liquid but also a stabilizing liquid and other processing liquids, and can be used for other purposes. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the processing liquid chamber and the squeezing chamber may be configured as one chamber 55, and a part of the squeezing roller 60 may be partially immersed in the processing liquid.

Further, as the processing liquid applying means, a structure in which the processing liquid is directly sprayed onto the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material by the fountain device 64 may be used instead of the processing liquid roller 58 as shown in FIG. In addition, as a squeezing means, instead of the squeezing roller 60 as shown in FIG. 6, a blade 66 for scraping off the adhering liquid is brought into sliding contact with the emulsion surface 70A of the photosensitive material 70, and the photosensitive material 70 is pressed against the blade 66. A roller 68 for feeding operation or a belt (not shown) of an endless track may be pressed against the side of the photosensitive material 70 opposite to the emulsion surface.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing section 2 as described above
The photosensitive material washed with water by 4 is sent to the drying unit 26 by the transport path 14.

The drying section 26 blows warm air from a warm air device 76 onto the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material which is conveyed on a belt conveying device 74 using a heat roller 72 and is heated for drying. The photosensitive material is configured to be dried.

The photosensitive material thus dried by the drying unit 26 is sent out from the outlet 16 onto the upper tray 10A of the apparatus main body 10 as a finished product and is stocked.

Next, the operation and use of the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described. First, an image document is input by a scanner or the like, image-processed, and the exposure unit 18 is prepared for operation.

Next, when a command for forming an image of a document on a photosensitive material is input to a control unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 10, the sheet feeding unit 12 is operated by the command of the control unit, and the belt-shaped photosensitive material is conveyed. 14 is sent out. Thus, the transport path 1
The photosensitive material that has been sent out over the predetermined length 4 is cut into a predetermined size by the cutter 38 and sent to the exposure unit 18.

Next, in the exposure section 18, the photosensitive material is exposed to a required original image on the emulsion surface and sent to the developing section 20. In the developing section 20, a developing solution is applied to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material, developed at a predetermined temperature, and sent to the bleach-fixing section 22. In the bleach-fixing section 22, the photosensitive material is coated with a bleach-fixing solution on the emulsion surface, and is subjected to a bleach-fixing process at a predetermined temperature, and then sent to a washing section 24.

Next, in the water washing section 24, the processing liquid is applied to the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material by the processing liquid rollers 58 in each cascade 52 to wipe off the residual liquid on the emulsion surface. The remaining liquid adhering to the surface is squeezed out. This operation is sequentially performed during the rapid operation of linearly transporting the photosensitive material from the first cascade 52A to the eighth cascade 52H. Send the photosensitive material to

In the drying unit 26, the photosensitive material wet with the washing water is dried and sent out from the outlet 16 onto the tray 10A as a finished product on which an image is formed, thereby completing a series of control operations of the image forming process.

In order to perform the above-described operations in a satisfactory manner, the photosensitive material is fed along the transport path 14 at a speed of 20 millimeters per second. At this time, the processing time and the transport distance in each operation process are as shown in FIG. 7, and it takes only 30 seconds to wash with water, so that the processing time can be greatly reduced.

When the image forming apparatus has not been used for a certain long period of time, or at a predetermined time such as at the start of daily use, the squeezing roller 6 of the washing section 24 is washed by the washing means.
0, and further, the processing liquid roller 58 is automatically cleaned. At the same time, if necessary, the developing unit 20 and the bleach-fixing unit 22
The felt coating members 40 and 50 are cleaned.

In addition, when the developing solution tank 28, the bleach-fixing solution tank 30, and the washing water tank 32 become empty, predetermined liquids are replenished as needed. When the waste liquid tank 34 becomes full, it is discarded as needed.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the processing liquid coating apparatus having the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used as the water washing section 24. However, this processing liquid coating apparatus is used for various purposes other than water cleaning. Of course, it can be used.
Further, the image forming apparatus may be provided with a plurality of routes for performing processing operations such as exposure, development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying.

[0057]

As described above, the processing liquid application apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent effect that liquid processing can be performed quickly and liquid processing can be performed using a small amount of processing liquid. Have.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus provided with a processing liquid application device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an image forming apparatus provided with a processing liquid application device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of a processing liquid application device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram showing another configuration example of a main part of the processing liquid application device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram illustrating another configuration example of a main part of the processing liquid application device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram showing another configuration example of a main part of the treatment liquid application device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a processing time in each operation process in the image forming apparatus including the processing liquid application device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
It is a table which shows a conveyance distance.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus main body 12 Paper supply part 14 Conveying path 18 Exposure part 20 Developing part 22 Bleaching fixing part 24 Rinse part 26 Drying part 28 Developing solution tank 30 Bleaching and fixing liquid tank 32 Water tank 34 Waste liquid tank 52 Cascade 54 Processing liquid Chamber 56 squeezing chamber 58 treatment liquid roller 60 squeezing roller 64 fountain device 66 blade 68 roller 70 photosensitive material

Claims (2)

[Claims] A processing liquid application unit for applying a processing liquid to an image recording material conveyed from upstream to downstream of a conveyance path; and a processing liquid application unit disposed adjacent to a downstream side of the conveyance path of the processing liquid application unit, Squeezing means for squeezing liquid adhering to the image recording material, a plurality of cascades arranged in a row along the transport path, and a most downstream side of each cascade arranged in a row on the transport path And a liquid feeding means disposed between the cascades adjacent to the most upstream side to move the processing liquid from the downstream side to the upstream side. 2. A processing liquid applying apparatus for applying a processing liquid to an image recording material conveyed from upstream to downstream of a conveying path, wherein a plurality of processing liquid applying apparatuses are arranged in a row along the conveying path, and each of the apparatuses is loaded from an upstream side A processing liquid roller for applying a processing liquid stored in each processing liquid chamber is provided on one surface of the processed image recording material, and a squeezing roller provided downstream of the processing liquid roller adheres to the image recording material. A cascade for discharging the image recording material after squeezing the liquid; and a cascade disposed between the adjacent cascades, from the processing liquid chamber of the cascade downstream to the processing liquid chamber of the cascade upstream. A processing liquid application device, comprising: a liquid sending means for moving a processing liquid.