JPH1138581A - Silver halide photosensitive material processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the carrying performance of a photosensitive material excellent and to reduce the oxidation, the evaporation and the deterioration of processing liquid even in the case of color processing requiring long processing path length by carrying the photosensitive material by pressing it to a linear motor member driven by a high frequency using an elastic surface wave. SOLUTION: A carrying device 30 is constituted of the linear motor members 32 arranged along the bottom surfaces of respective tanks and driven by the high frequency using the elastic surface wave and pressure imparting members 40 for pressing a film F being the photosensitive material which should be processed to the motor members 32. Since the elastic wave is generated toward the exit side from the entrance side of the tank by the motor members 32 when the high frequency is impressed on the motor members 32, the film F is carried to the exit side from the entrance side in the tank by the elastic wave on a condition that it is pressed to the motor members 32 by a roller. Thus, the photosensitive material is precisely carried by simple constitution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a silver halide photosensitive material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material after exposure (hereinafter, simply referred to as a light-sensitive material) is subjected to processing according to its type. For example, for a color light-sensitive material, development, bleaching, fixing (or bleach-fixing), washing, and stabilization are sequentially performed.

In such processing, a photosensitive material processing apparatus such as an automatic developing machine is usually used, and a developing solution, a bleaching solution, and a fixing solution are stored in each of a plurality of processing tanks provided in the apparatus. (Or bleach-fix), by sequentially immersing the photosensitive material in washing water and a stabilizing solution.

[0004] For the purpose of preventing oxidation and evaporation of the processing liquid, a processing tank (processing machine) having a small interface between the processing liquid and air has been considered. This corresponds to a small aperture ratio (degree) (K = S / V) with respect to the interface area (S) and the processing solution volume (V).

From these viewpoints, JP-A-53-57835 has been proposed.
Nos., 61-153645 and 61-250648
No. 62-92954, No. 62-273534,
No. 63-182651, No. 63-182652, No. 63-182653, No. 63-178830,
JP-A-64-82033, JP-A-1-166040
Nos. 1-266541, 1-266542, 1-302252, 1-310351, 1-3
No. 10352, No. 1-319038, No. 1-3190
There are 40 applications.

[0006] However, even if only the above conditions are satisfied, fresh replenisher is not replenished in the deserted process, so that photographic properties still deteriorate. In this case, it is preferable that the opening ratio (K) is small and the tank liquid amount (V) is small.

From these viewpoints, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-13113
No. 8, No. 63-216050, No. 63-148944
Nos. 63-148945 and 63-235940
Nos. 61-77851, 64-44938, 64-26855, JP-A-1-140148, 1
-114848, 1-12-1253, 1-15
No. 4155, No. 1-163743, No. 1-16604
There are 0 applications.

[0008] A slit type processing tank may be used as a processing tank in which the areas of the photosensitive material inlet and outlet of the processing tank are small and the liquid volume (V) is small. In this processing tank, there is little deterioration of the liquid even in the dry processing, and no deterioration in photographic properties is observed.

However, the transport system tends to be complicated. If the transport system is simplified, pre-processing and post-processing (because splices, death splices and the like are required) become complicated, and it has been difficult to apply the method to a minilab or the like. On the other hand, the short reader system is used in minilabs and the like in ordinary processing machines. In this case, the hole of the short leader is used for transportation,
This method is easy to use except for the labor of joining. However, there is a know-how in joining, and there is a drawback that a short leader is attached with joining tape, so that daily management is difficult.
In addition, the short reader is expensive and needs to be cleaned each time. Moreover, the device is complicated and difficult to incorporate into a slit type automatic machine.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a light-sensitive material having good transportability even in color processing having a long processing path (long processing time) and a halogenation method which causes little oxidative evaporation deterioration of a processing solution. Provided is a silver photosensitive material processing apparatus.

[0011]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (4). (1) A high-frequency driven linear motor member using a surface acoustic wave and a pressurizing member that presses the photosensitive material against the linear motor member. A silver halide light-sensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the processing is performed by a transporting means having the same. (2) The apparatus for processing a silver halide photosensitive material according to the above (1), comprising an entrance and an exit for the photosensitive material that can be sealed. (3) The silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the above (1) or (2), wherein a partition transport mechanism for transporting the photosensitive material while separating between the processing vessels is provided between the processing vessels.

In this specification, the term "treatment tank" includes a simple chamber that does not form a so-called tank.
That is, what is called a normal processing chamber is also included.

[0013]

In the processing apparatus for a silver halide light-sensitive material of the present invention, as described above, a slit-shaped processing tank is employed. Therefore, even in the case of light processing, deterioration of the processing solution is prevented as much as possible. The most problematic material transfer when adopting a state-of-the-art processing tank is transported by means of an ultrasonic linear motor, so splicing (joining), desplice, etc., which are required by conventional transport means, are not required. This eliminates the need for pre-processing and post-processing workability, and enables a simple transport system and reliable transport without using a complicated transport system.

Further, in the slit-shaped processing tank of the present invention, a replenishing solution replenishing mechanism is provided in each processing tank to recover deterioration of the processing liquid and prevent deterioration of photographic properties. Further, since the inlet and outlet of the slit-shaped treatment tank can be sealed, even in the case of ultra-light treatment where only one or two treatments are performed a day, evaporation of the processing liquid can be performed. -Deterioration has been minimized and photographic properties have been improved.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the present invention will be described in detail.

The processing apparatus for processing a silver halide light-sensitive material of the present invention can process a color negative (color development-washing-bleaching-washing-).
Fixing-washing-drying, or color development-washing-bleach-fixing-washing-drying, processing of color reversal film (first development-washing-color developing-washing-bleach-fixing-washing-
It is particularly effective when used for drying or first development-washing-color development-washing-water-bleaching washing-fixing-washing-drying.

Referring to FIG. 1 and subsequent drawings, a specific configuration of a silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus suitable for processing a color reversal film will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an apparatus for processing a silver halide photosensitive material according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is of a type in which a slit-like processing tank is arranged horizontally.

The silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a so-called slit-like first developing processing tank 12, a first rinsing processing tank 14, a color developing processing tank 16, and a long processing path. A bleach-fix tank 18, a second rinsing processing tank 20, a third rinsing processing tank 22, and a stabilizing tank 24 are provided. In the illustrated example, bleaching and fixing are performed in the same processing tank, but they may be performed separately in separate processing tanks.

Of the above-mentioned tanks, the first processing tank 12 for development,
The processing tank 16 for color development and the bleach-fixing tank 18 and the processing tank 22 for third rinsing and the stabilizing tank 24 are horizontally arranged at an interval in the vertical direction, respectively.
The fourth and second rinsing processing tanks 20 extend in the vertical direction in a curved state, and respectively include a first developing processing tank 12 and a color developing processing tank 16, a bleach-fixing tank 18 and a third rinsing processing tank 22.
And are connected.

The horizontally disposed processing tanks, namely, the first developing processing tank 12, the color developing processing tank 16, the bleach-fixing tank 18, the third rinsing processing tank 22, and the stabilizing tank 24, A transport device 30 which is a feature of the present invention is arranged.

The transport device 30 includes a high-frequency driven linear motor member 32 using surface acoustic waves and a film F, which is a photosensitive material to be processed with respect to the linear motor member, disposed along the bottom surface of each tank. And a pressurizing member 40 for pressing.

Here, a surface acoustic wave is a piezoelectric material (electric polarization occurs when stress is applied) Pyroelectric material (electric polarization occurs due to temperature change) Ferroelectric material (spontaneous polarization is reversed by an external electric field) Magnetostrictive material (external A traveling wave created by two-dimensionally generating a property (volume elasticity, shape elasticity) of causing a strain in the second substance through the material itself or the material through the material (change in shape of the whole crystal by a magnetic field).

As the piezoelectric material (pyroelectric material), PV
Polymer materials such as DF (polyvinylidene fluoride), Ba
TiO ₃ , PbTiO ₃ , PbNb ₂ O ₆ , Pb (Z
(r.Ti) O-based porcelain materials and the like.

Further, as a material that generates strain due to electricity, magnetism, or the like, a ferroelectric material or a magnetostrictive material can be used.

The ferroelectric materials include: (1) a boracite-type compound M ₃ B ₇ O ₁₃ X (M ·
X iron group transition metals), composite perovskite oxide containing lead ions (e.g., such as PbCo _0.5 W _0.5 O _3), magnetite (Fe ₃ 0 _4), yttrium iron garnet (Y ₃
Fe ₅ O ₁₂ ) (2) Ferroelectric polymer causing phase transition (eg, vinylidene fluoride, etc.) (3) Ferroelectric liquid crystal and the like.

As the magnetostrictive material, a NiCo alloy,
NiCoCr alloy, FeAl alloy, NiCoCu-ferrite, (Tb _0.26 Dy _0.74 ) Fe alloy, amorphous giant magnetostrictive material (FeTb, FeSm, FeB, Fe
SiB-based).

In the case of the above-mentioned type in which the material itself is distorted, the type in which the material is wrapped in a material such as elastic rubber is also included. May be via a stretchable rubber plate or the like or an elastic blade.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the processing layers are arranged horizontally as in the illustrated example, a plan view is shown in FIG. 2A and a vertical cross section is shown in FIG. As shown, it is desirable to use a weight-type free roller 42. This is because a pressure can be applied to the film F in the direction of the linear motor member 32 by its own weight without using any special means. In a state where the film F is pressed against the linear motor member 32 by the rollers 42,
When a high frequency is applied to the linear motor member 32, an elastic wave is generated in the linear motor member 32 from the inlet side to the outlet side of the tank, and the elastic wave is transported in the tank from the inlet side to the outlet side. Is done.

In the case of the transfer device 30 using the linear motor member 32, processing (splice, death splice, etc.) is not necessary for the film in advance as in the case of the conventional short leader type or the like. It can be transported in the state described above, which is efficient.

In the above example, a weight-type free roller is used as the pressurizing member 40. However, when a slit-like processing tank is vertically arranged, a type in which the roller or the like is biased by a spring is used. It can be of the form

In the transport device of the present invention, the transport speed of the film F is preferably 5 to 100 cm / min, particularly preferably about 10 to 80 cm / min.

In the apparatus for processing a silver halide light-sensitive material of the present invention, a flexible blade partitioning section 50 is provided between the inlet and outlet of the light-sensitive material of the apparatus and between the tanks to block the flow of the processing solution. Preferably. That is, in the processing apparatus of the present invention, it is desirable that each processing tank is sealed except when the film F passes. At this time, the effect obtained by using the transfer device using the linear motor member 32 is particularly exhibited. That is, in the case of the transfer device using the linear motor member 32, only the lead wire for applying the high frequency to the linear motor member 32 passes only inside and outside the tank, and other components and members are completely inside and outside the tank. Since they can be configured independently, complete sealing inside the tank can be maintained without providing a sealing means having a complicated structure, and the effect of preventing evaporation and deterioration of the processing liquid is greatly improved.

The flexible blade partitioning section 50 has a function of wiping a processing liquid adhered to the surface of the film F when passing through the film F and a function of blocking the flow of the processing liquid. In particular, the flexible blade partitions 50a and 50b provided at the entrance and exit of the apparatus also have a function of sealing the entire processing path of the processing apparatus, thereby preventing the processing liquid from evaporating and deteriorating. ing.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible blade partitioning portion 50 preferably has a curved convex sliding portion 52 integrally provided on the bottom surface of the processing tank, and a ceiling of the processing tank. And a flexible blade member 54 attached to the sliding portion and pressed against the sliding portion 52 with a predetermined force. The sliding portion 52 may be made of any material as long as it is made of a material such as a high molecular weight polyethylene which has good sliding properties and does not damage the film F.

On the other hand, the flexible blade member 54 is
6 and a thin blade body 58 whose thickness gradually decreases from the base 56 toward the tip. The tip of the blade body 58 is in close contact with the curved convex sliding part 52 at the tip, and on both sides thereof. Shut off liquid flow. The blade member 54 is fixed to a ceiling wall or the like of the tank by a screw 60 or the like at the base. The fixing of the blade member 54 may be performed by a method such as adhesion, fusion, fitting, embedding, or integral molding, in addition to screwing. Also,
The blade main body 58 is not limited to a type in which the thickness gradually decreases, but may have a constant thickness.

Examples of the constituent material of the blade member include natural rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber,
Various rubbers such as butyl rubber, fluorine rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, urethane rubber, polysulfide rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, silicone resin, soft polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene (Especially medium or low density PE), polypropylene, fluororesin, ionomer resin, thermolan,
Soft resins such as elastomers such as sunplane, mylastomer, Hytrel and the like can be mentioned.

Among these, materials having excellent durability are preferable, and in this regard, urethane rubber, fluororesin, natural rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polypropylene, and the above various elastomers are preferable.

The rubber hardness of the blade member (JIS K63)
01) is about 30 to 80 degrees, particularly 40 to 60 degrees.
It is preferable to set it to about degree.

Each processing tank of the present invention is preferably provided with a replenishing port 70 for replenishing the processing liquid carried away by the film F. A bellows-shaped decompression-type processing solution replenishing container 80 is provided at the replenishing port 70. The replenishing container 80 is depressurized by the amount of the processing solution carried away by the film F in the processing tank. It is compressed and refills the replenisher into the tank.

In order to partition processing tanks arranged on the same plane, a roller-type partitioning and conveying mechanism 90 as shown in FIG. 1 is also effective. The roller-type partitioning and conveying mechanism 90 normally uses the lower roller as the driving roller 9
2. The lower roller is configured as a free roller 94.
It is preferable that at least the surfaces of these rollers use an elastic material used as the material of the blade, and achieve both the function of transporting the film F and the tightness between the tanks.

The color developer used in the present invention contains:
Contains known aromatic primary amine color developing agents.
Preferred examples are p-phenylenediamine derivatives, typical examples of which are 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -3-methylaniline and 4-amino-
N-ethyl-N- (3-hydroxypropyl) -3-methylaniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) -3-methylaniline, 4-amino-
N-ethyl-N- (β-methanesulfonamidoethyl)
-3-Methylaniline, 4-amino-N- (3-carbamoylpropyl-NN-propyl) -3-methylaniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -3-methoxy Aniline and the like can be mentioned.

Further, these p-phenylenediamine derivatives and salts such as sulfate, hydrochloride, sulfite, naphthalenedisulfonic acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid may be used. The amount of the aromatic primary amine developing agent used is the developer 1
The amount is preferably from 0.0002 mol to 0.2 mol, more preferably from 0.001 to 0.1 mol, per liter.

In the color developer, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, sodium bisulfite,
Sulfites such as potassium bisulfite, sodium metasulfite, and potassium metasulfite, and carbonyl sulfite adducts can be added as necessary.

As compounds for directly preserving the aromatic primary amine color developing agents, various hydroxylamines (for example, JP-A-63-5341 and JP-A-63-1) can be used.
The compounds described in No. 06655, among which compounds having a sulfo group or a carboxy group, are preferred. ), JP-A-63
Hydroxamic acids described in JP-A-43138, 63-14
Hydrazines and hydrazides described in No. 6041, 63
Phenols described in JP-A-44657 and JP-A-63-58443; α-hydroxyketones and α-aminoketones described in JP-A-63-44656;
It is also preferable to add various sugars described in No. 36244.
Further, in combination with the above compound, JP-A-63-4235
Nos. 63-24254, 63-21647, 63-146040, 63-27841, 63
Monoamines described in No. 25654, etc .;
No. 845, No. 63-14640, No. 63-43139
Nos. 63-21647, 63-26655 and 63-44655, polyamines described in 63-53551, nitroxy radicals described in 63-53551, 63-43140 and 63 −53
Alcohols described in No. 549, oximes described in No. 63-56654, and oximes described in No. 63-239647.
It is also preferred to use secondary amines.

Other preservatives include JP-A-57-441.
No. 48 and 57-53749, various metals, salicylic acids described in JP-A-59-180588,
Alkanolamines described in JP-A-54-3582,
Polyethylene imines described in JP-A-56-94349 and aromatic polyhydroxy compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,544 may be contained as necessary. Particularly, addition of an aromatic polyhydroxy compound is preferred.

The amount of these preservatives added depends on the amount of the color developer 1
0.005 to 0.2 mol, preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mol per liter.
01 to 0.05 mol.

The color developer used in the present invention has a pH of 9.
Although it can be used in the range of 0 to 12.0, it is preferably 9.5 to 11.5. The color developing solution may further contain a compound of a known developing solution component.

In order to maintain the above pH, it is preferable to use various buffers. Specific examples of the buffer include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium borate, potassium borate, Sodium tetraborate (borax),
Potassium tetraborate, sodium o-hydroxybenzoate (sodium salicylate), potassium o-hydroxybenzoate, sodium 5-sulfo-2-hydroxybenzoate (sodium 5-sulfosalicylate), 5-sulfo-
Potassium 2-hydroxybenzoate (potassium 5-sulfosalicylate) and the like can be mentioned. However, the invention is not limited to these compounds. The amount of the buffer added to the color developing solution is preferably 0.1 mol / liter or more, particularly 0.1 to 0.4.
It is particularly preferred that it is mol / liter.

In addition, it is preferable to add a compound of the formula (2) as a chelating agent to the color developing solution as an inhibitor for preventing precipitation of calcium and magnesium, or for improving the stability of the color developing solution as described above. . In this case, various chelating agents can be used as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

As such a chelating agent, an organic acid compound is preferable, and examples thereof include aminopolycarboxylic acids, organic phosphonic acids, and phosphonocarboxylic acids. Specific examples include nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N, N, N-
Trimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N,
N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, transcyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,2-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, glycol ether diaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediamine orthohydroxyphenylacetic acid, 2-phosphonobutane-1, 2,4-
Tricarboxylic acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-
Examples thereof include diphosphonic acid and N, N'-bis (2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylenediamine-N, N'-diacetic acid. These chelating agents may be used in combination of two or more as necessary.

These chelating agents may be added in an amount sufficient to block metal ions in the color developing solution.
For example, it is 0.001 mol to 0.05 mol, preferably 0.003 to 0.02 mol per liter.

An optional development accelerator can be added to the color developer if necessary. As development accelerators, JP-B-37-16088, JP-B-37-5987 and JP-B-38
No.-7826, No.44-12380, No.45-901
9, thioether compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,247, and JP-A-52-49829;
P-phenylenediamine compounds described in JP-A No. 0-15554, JP-A-50-137726, JP-B-44-30.
No. 074, JP-A-56-156826 and JP-A-52-43.
And quaternary ammonium salts described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,494,903, 3,128,182 and 4,230.
No. 796, No. 3253919, Japanese Patent Publication No. 411-1143
No. 1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,482,546 and 2,596,926
Amine compounds described in JP-B Nos. 3,583,346, JP-B-37-16088, JP-B-42-25201, U.S. Patent No. 3,128,183, JP-B-41-11431,
Polyalkylene oxides described in JP-A-42-23883 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,501, and imidazoles such as 2-methylimidazole and imidazole can be mentioned.

As an auxiliary developing agent, JP-A-56-64
No. 339, No. 57-144547 and No. 58-1154
Addition of 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones described in No. 38 is also preferable for rapid development.

An optional antifoggant can be added to the color developing solution used in the present invention, if necessary. As antifoggants, sodium chloride, potassium bromide,
Alkali metal halides such as potassium iodide and organic antifoggants can be used. Examples of the organic antifoggant include benzotriazole, 6-nitrobenzimidazole, 5-nitroisoindazole, 5-methylbenzotriazole, 5-nitrobenzotriazole,
Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as 5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-thiazolyl-benzimidazole, 2-thiazolylmethyl-benzimidazole, indazole, hydroxyazaindolizine and adenine can be mentioned as typical examples.

The color developer used in the present invention may contain a fluorescent whitening agent. As fluorescent whitening agents,
4'-Diamino-2,2'-disulfostilbene compounds are preferred. The addition amount is from 0 to 5 g / l, preferably from 0.1 g to 4 g / l. Further, various surfactants such as alkylsulfonic acid, arylsulfonic acid, aliphatic carboxylic acid, and aromatic carboxylic acid may be added as necessary.

The processing temperature of the color developing solution in the present invention is 20 to 55 ° C., preferably 30 to 55 ° C. The processing time is 20 seconds to 5 minutes, preferably 3 seconds for the photographic material.
0 second to 3 minutes and 20 seconds. The time is more preferably 1 minute to 2 minutes 30 seconds, and in the case of a printing material, it is 10 seconds to 1 minute 20 seconds, preferably 10 seconds to 60 seconds, and more preferably 10 seconds to 40 seconds.

The processing solution having bleaching ability used in the present invention (the bleaching solution or bleach-fixing solution) is
Contains bleach. Examples of such a bleaching agent include Fe (III), Co (III) and Mn (I
II) Chelating bleach, or persulfate (eg, peroxodisulfate), hydrogen peroxide, bromate, and the like.

Compounds forming the above chelating bleach include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylenediamine-N- (β-oxyethyl) -N, N ', N'-triacetic acid, 1,2-diaminopropane Tetraacetic acid, 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, dihydroxyethylglycine, ethyletherdiaminetetraacetic acid, glycoletherdiaminetetraacetic acid,
Ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid, phenylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,3-diaminopropanol-N, N,
N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, 1,3
-Propylenediamine-N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid and their sodium and ammonium salts.

In the processing solution having the bleaching ability, it is preferable to add a bleaching agent such as chloride, bromide or iodide as a rehalogenating agent for accelerating the oxidation of silver. Further, an organic ligand which forms a sparingly soluble silver salt may be added instead of the halide. The halide is added as an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt, or a salt such as guanidine or amine. Specific examples include sodium bromide, ammonium bromide, potassium chloride, and guanidine hydrochloride, with ammonium bromide being preferred. The amount of the rehalogenating agent in the bleaching solution is suitably 2 mol / l or less, preferably 0.01 to 2.0 mol / l, and more preferably 0.1 to 1.7 mol / l.

The bleach-fixing solution contains a bleaching agent,
It contains a fixing agent (to be described later), and may also contain the above-mentioned rehalogenating agent, if necessary. When the rehalogenating agent is used in the bleach-fix solution, the amount is 0.001 to 2.
0 mol / l, preferably 0.001 to 1.0 mol / l.

The above-mentioned bleaching solution or bleach-fixing solution requires a bleaching accelerator, a corrosion inhibitor for preventing the corrosion of the processing bath, a buffer for maintaining the pH of the solution, a fluorescent brightening agent, an antifoaming agent and the like. Will be added accordingly.

As the bleaching accelerator, for example, US Pat.
89858, German Patent No. 1290812, U.S. Pat. No. 1,138,842, JP-A-53-95630,
Research Disclosure No. 17129 (197
Compounds having a mercapto group or disulfide group described in 8), thiazolidine derivatives described in JP-A-50-140129, thiourea derivatives described in US Pat. No. 3,706,561, and polyethylene oxides described in German Patent No. 2,748,430. And polyamine compounds described in JP-B-45-8836, and imidazole compounds described in JP-A-49-40493.
Among them, the mercapto compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,138,842 are preferred.

As the corrosion inhibitor, it is preferable to use a nitrate, such as ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate. The addition amount is 0.01 to 2.0 mol /
Liter, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 mol / liter.

The pH of the bleaching solution or bleach-fixing solution of the present invention is from 2.0 to 8.0, preferably from 3.0 to 7.5. When bleaching or bleach-fixing is performed immediately after color development on photographic materials, use a liquid to reduce bleach fog.
It is good to use the pH at 7.0 or less, preferably at 6.4 or less. Particularly in the case of a bleaching solution, it is preferably from 3.0 to 5.0.
When the pH is 2.0 or lower, the metal chelate compound in the present invention becomes unstable, and therefore, the pH is preferably 2.0 to 6.4.
For color print materials, the pH range is preferably 3-7.

For this purpose, any pH buffering agent can be used as long as it is not easily oxidized by the bleaching agent and has a buffering action in the above pH range. For example, acetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid,
Organic acids such as malic acid, chloroacetic acid, levulinic acid, ureidopropionic acid, pyridine, dimethylpyrazole,
Organic bases such as -methyl-o-oxazoline and aminoacetonitrile. These buffers may be used in combination of two or more. In the present invention, pKa is 2.0
Organic acids of from 5.5 to 5.5 are preferable, and acetic acid, glycolic acid or a combination of acetic acid and glycolic acid is particularly preferable. The amount of these buffers used is suitably not more than 3.0 moles per liter of processing solution having bleaching ability, and is preferably from 0.5 to 1 mol.
2.0 moles.

In order to adjust the pH of the processing solution having the bleaching ability to the above range, the above-mentioned acid and an alkali agent (for example, ammonia water, KOH, NaOH, imidazole, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine) may be used in combination. . Among them, aqueous ammonia is preferable.

At the time of processing, it is preferred that the processing solution having bleaching ability is subjected to aeration to oxidize the iron (II) complex salt formed. This regenerates the bleach and keeps the photographic performance very stable.

The bleaching or bleach-fixing step is carried out at 30.degree.
Although it can be carried out in a temperature range of 0 ° C, it is preferably 35 ° C to 50 ° C.
° C. The time for the bleaching and / or bleach-fixing process is usually from 10 seconds to 7 minutes in a photographic light-sensitive material, but is preferably from 10 seconds to 3 minutes. In the case of a printing photosensitive material, 5 seconds to 70 seconds, preferably 5 seconds.
The time is from 60 to 60 seconds, more preferably from 10 to 45 seconds.

Known fixing agents are used for the bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution. These are thiosulfates, thiocyanates, thioethers, amines, mercaptos, thiones, thioureas, iodides, mesoions, etc., such as ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, thiosulfate, and the like. Guanidine sulfate, potassium thiocyanate, dihydroxyethyl-thioether,
3,6-dithia-1,8-octanediol, imidazole and the like. Of these, thiosulfates, particularly ammonium thiosulfate, are preferred for quick fixing. Furthermore, by using two or more types of fixing agents in combination, it is possible to perform more rapid fixing. For example, in addition to ammonium thiosulfate, the ammonium thiocyanate,
It is also preferable to use imidazole, thiourea, thioether or the like in combination. In this case, it is preferable to add the second fixing agent in an amount of 0.01 to 100 mol% based on ammonium thiosulfate.

The amount of the fixing agent is the bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution 1
0.1 to 3.0 mol per liter, preferably 0.5 to
2.0 moles. Although the pH of the fixing solution depends on the type of the fixing agent, it is generally 3.0 to 9.0, and especially when using a thiosulfate, 6.5 to 8.0 is required to obtain stable fixing performance. preferable.

A preservative is added to the bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution,
The temporal stability of the liquid can also be increased. In the case of a bleach-fixing solution or a fixing solution containing a thiosulfate, a sulfite and / or a bisulfite adduct of hydroxylamine, hydrazine or aldehyde (for example, a bisulfite adduct of acetaldehyde, particularly preferably , JP
-298935, an aromatic aldehyde bisulfite adduct) is effective. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-14304
It is also preferable to use the sulfinic acid compound described in No. 8.

It is also preferable to add a buffer to the bleach-fixing solution or the fixing solution in order to keep the pH of the solution constant. For example, phosphate, or imidazole, 1-methyl-imidazole, 2-methyl-imidazole, 1-ethyl-
Imidazoles such as imidazole; triethanolamine; N-allylmorpholine; N-benzoylpiperazine;

Further, in the fixing solution, various chelating agents can be used. Examples of the chelating agent include 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid, nitrilotrimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and dichlorohexanediamine. Tetraacetic acid, 1,2-propanediaminetetraacetic acid and the like can be mentioned.

The fixing step can be performed in the range of 30 ° C. to 60 ° C., preferably 35 ° C. to 50 ° C. The time of the fixing process is 15 seconds to 2 minutes, preferably 25 seconds to 1 minute and 40 seconds for the photographic material, and 8 seconds to 80 seconds, preferably 10 seconds to 45 seconds.

The washing water and / or the stabilizing solution used in the washing step may contain various surfactants in order to prevent unevenness of water droplets during drying of the processed photosensitive material. These surfactants include polyethylene glycol type nonionic surfactants, polyhydric alcohol type nonionic surfactants, alkylbenzene sulfonate type anionic surfactants, and higher alcohol sulfate ester type anionic surfactants. Agents, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate type anionic surfactant, quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant, amine salt type cationic surfactant, amino acid type amphoteric surfactant, betaine type amphoteric surfactant The ionic surfactant is preferably used as a nonionic surfactant since it may form an insoluble substance by combining with various ions mixed with the treatment,
Particularly, an alkylphenol ethylene oxide adduct is preferable. As alkylphenols, especially octyl,
Nonyl, dodecyl and dinonylphenol are preferred, and the addition mole number of ethylene oxide is particularly preferably from 8 to 1
4 moles are preferred. It is also preferable to use a silicone surfactant having a high defoaming effect.

The washing water and / or the stabilizing solution may contain various antibacterial agents and fungicides in order to prevent generation of water residue and mold generated in the photosensitive material after processing. Examples of these antibacterial and antifungal agents are disclosed in JP-A-57-157244 and JP-A-58-10.
No. 5145, thiazolyl benzimidazole compounds, or isothiazolone compounds as disclosed in JP-A-54-27424 and JP-A-57-8542, and trichlorophenol. Chlorophenolic compounds, or bromophenolic compounds, or organotin or organozinc compounds, or thiocyanic acid or isothiocyanic acid compounds, or acid amide compounds, or diazine or triazine compounds, or thiourea compounds,
Benzotriazole alkyl guanidine compound or 4 such as benzalkonium chloride
Grades such as antibiotics such as quaternary ammonium salts or penicillin, etc., from the journal Antibacterial and Antifungus Agent (A. Antibac
t.Antifung.Agents) vol.No. 207-223
One or more general-purpose anti-blur agents described in (1983) may be used in combination. Further, various fungicides described in JP-A-48-83820 can also be used.

The washing water and / or the stabilizing solution include:
Various chelating agents can be added as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Preferred compounds of the chelating agent include aminopolycarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid; 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid;
Organic phosphonic acids such as N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylene phosphonic acid, or EP 345172 A1
And a hydrolyzate of the maleic anhydride polymer described in the above.

Further, it is preferable that a preservative which can be contained in the above-mentioned fixing solution or bleach-fixing solution is contained in the washing water.

As the stabilizing solution used in the stabilizing step, a processing solution for stabilizing the dye image is used. For example, a liquid containing an organic acid, a buffer having a pH of 3 to 6, a aldehyde (for example, formalin or glutaraldehyde), a liquid containing hexahydrotriazine, hexamethylenetetramine, or an N-methylol compound can be used. If necessary, an ammonium compound such as ammonium chloride or ammonium sulfite, a metal compound such as Bi or Al, a fluorescent whitening agent, a hardening agent, and a stabilizing solution may be used as described in US Pat. No. 4,786,583.
And the like.

In the washing step and the stabilizing step, a multi-stage countercurrent system is preferable, and the number of stages is preferably two to four. When the present invention has multiple stages, it is preferable to use the first stage. The replenishment amount is 1 of the amount brought in from the previous bath per unit area.
~ 50 times, preferably 2-30 times, more preferably 2 ~
It is 15 times.

It is preferable that the overflow liquid in the washing step or the stabilization step is flowed into a bath having a fixing ability, which is a prebath, because the amount of waste liquid can be reduced.

[0084]

EXAMPLES The photosensitive material was exposed and developed under the following conditions.

Sensitive material: A sample 101 of Example 1 of JP-A-9-120129 was used for a 135-type film size (ISO 10
Exposure to the camera after the cutting process (according to 2007) Treatment agent: Mother liquor and replenisher of Example 1 described on page 66 of JP-A-9-120129 Processing machine: Processing machine of FIG. 1 (this embodiment) Was set to 10 mm / min.

Processing step: Time Temperature Replenishment amount Tank liquid amount Color development 3 minutes 15 seconds 38 ° C. 300 ml / m ² 800 ml Washing with water (W1) 1 minute 38 ° C. 50 ml / m ² 250 ml Bleaching 1 minute 30 seconds 38 ° C. 100 ml / m ² 400 ml fixing 1 minute 30 seconds 38 ° C 100 ml / m ² 400 ml water washing (W2) 1 minute 38 ° C 50 ml / m ² 250 ml water washing (W3) 3 minutes 15 seconds 38 ° C 300 ml / m ² 800 ml

(1) Color negative processed by this method,
(2) Fuji Film Large Lab Color Negative Automatic FNcp
The same photograph was printed on a color paper using the color negative processed by the 900 and the processed color negative processed by the (3) Fujifilm minilab color negative automatic processing machine FP262B (AL).

The size of the processing machine (large amount of used processing liquid) is in the order of (large) (2) >> (3) >> (1) (small)
The method of this embodiment (1) is a remarkably small processor. In addition, (1) has a remarkably small amount of liquid as compared with the other two types, so that disposal and replacement of the processing liquid is very easy. Also,
In the case of (1), sufficient performance was obtained even in ultra-low-discharge processing (single-line / day processing).

[0089]

According to the silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, the photosensitive material is transported in a slit-like processing tank by using a linear motor member utilizing a surface acoustic wave. The photosensitive material can be transported accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining the structure of a preferred example of a silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the structure of a preferred example of a transport device used in the silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of a preferred example of a partition member used in the silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus 12 first developing processing tank 14 first rinsing processing tank 16 color developing processing tank 18 bleach-fixing tank 20 second rinsing processing tank 22 third rinsing processing tank 30 transport device 32 Linear motor member 40 Pressurizing member 50 Flexible blade member 70 Refill port 80 Decompression-type processing liquid replenishing container 90 Roller-type partitioning and conveying mechanism

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A high-frequency driven linear motor member using a surface acoustic wave for transporting a photosensitive material in the slit-shaped processing tank, and a pressurizing member for pressing the photosensitive material against the linear motor member. A silver halide light-sensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the processing is performed by a conveying means having the following. 2. The silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an inlet and an outlet for the sealable photosensitive material. 3. A silver halide photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a partition transport mechanism for transporting the photosensitive material while partitioning between the processing vessels, between the processing vessels.