JPS584146A - Developer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a developing device as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

Conventionally known film developing devices cannot be used to develop overexposed or underexposed films. This is because overexposure or underexposure can only be corrected by manually shortening or extending development time for individual films.

Conventional film developing equipment is also unsuitable for use when it is desired to prolong the final cleaning step to improve film performance. The above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional apparatus are due to the fact that a film transport device is used to transport the film through the developer tanks arranged one after the other. Therefore, it may be necessary to vary the processing time of the film in the front tank, such as the first developer tank, the last wash/removal tank, or any tan color developer tank.

Therefore, conventional automatic film developing devices are suitable only for developing films in a uniform manner, and are only suitable for developing films that require special developing conditions or processing conditions and time. Please understand that you cannot use it. Currently, underexposed and overexposed films, as well as other films that require special processing, are processed in accordance with the requirements described above, using processors that do not contain film that must be processed in the normal manner. The machine is adjusted, and then a predetermined special development is performed. Finally, after this special development is completed, the developer is readjusted to the original development schedule.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks associated with conventional development devices.

Another object of the present invention is to mix films that require special development and/or washing and/or processing times, such as overexposed or underexposed films, with films that require normal processing conditions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device for use in developing a film, which is configured to be able to simultaneously develop the film.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a developing device suitable for automatically developing overexposed film, underexposed film, and normally exposed film at the same time. If necessary, the film can also be developed to suit special requirements.

For the features of the developing device according to the present invention, please refer to the feature set in the first claim.

The features obtained by the present invention will be better understood with the following explanation. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention.

Now, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fully automatic color e-slide film developing apparatus includes the following developing tanks arranged in succession with each other, namely, a first developing tank 1; From a rinse tank 2, a replacement rinse tank 3, a color developing tank 4, a sharpening tank 5, a bleach tank 6, a fixing tank 7, a rinse tank 8, a first wash tank 9 and a drying space 10. It is configured. The length of each tank in the series of tanks is set to an integral multiple of the length of the shortest tank.

The lengths of tanks 2, 3, 5, and 9 are the same,
It is also the shortest in the tank. The lengths of tanks 7 and 8 are twice the lengths of tanks 2, 3, 5, and 9, and the lengths of tanks 1, 4, and 6 are (from left to right in the elevation view of Figure 1). ) is three times the length of tanks 2, 3, 5, and 9. The apparatus further comprises a suspension frame 12 mounted on the rims on both sides of the tank, the film suspended from the hanger 11 being supported by said suspension frame 12. The water device is further provided with transport means 13, 14 and 15 for transporting the hangers into position on the suspension frame 12, on each carried developer tank and drying space, and (
a control unit 16 with clock means 17 (illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6);
is arranged to control the transport means and the entire process by said clock means.

Suspension frame 12 with each independent tank switch 18 aligned with tanks 1 through 9
It is attached to the top and is arranged to cooperate with the hanger 11 to operate the hanger. In addition, this device (
5, 6 and 8), the display unit 19 is connected to a tank switch 18 and is housed within the tank. The hanger is now displayed. The clock unit 17 is adjustable so that the residence time of the hanger in each of the tanks 1 to 9 can be adjusted. That is, transport means 13 and 14 simultaneously transport all hangers carried by the suspension frame 12 together with the film.
and 15 are time-coordinated and adjustable.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developer tank consists of an elongated tank unit defined by a side wall 36 and a bottom wall 37 and divided into individual developer tanks by a partition 38. Saletail. The suspension frame 12 consists of the side rims of the tank unit, in which a number of notches 33 are recessed for holding the hangers 11. The number of notches 33 is set for each tank in proportion to the length of the tank.

For example, if the first developer tank 1 has a length of 3 units,
Three notches are provided over the length of the device occupied by the rinsing tank 2, while only one notch is provided for the rinse tank 2, which is only one unit long.

The film transport means 13, 14 and 15 extend in the longitudinal direction of the tank over the entire length of the tank and include two parallel film transport means arranged on the sides of the tank at t<-outside of the suspension frame 12. It is equipped with a transfer rail 15. The transfer rail 15 is carried by a carrier arm 39 fixed to a lift slide 35, said lift slide 35 being able to slide both upward and downward along two vertically extending fixed guide columns 34. installed. The transfer slide 35 is actuated by a pressurized medium in order to move the lift-slide 35 up and down together with the carrier arm 39 and the transfer rail 35. For example, a power means such as a lift cylinder 14 is provided.

The transfer rails 15 are connected to each other, and from the tank 1 to 9-! A drive device, for example a transfer cylinder 13, is provided which is operated by means of a pressurized medium to displace the transfer rails 15 in the longitudinal direction of the tanks. The transfer rail 15 is mounted for longitudinal movement while being supported by a slide rail 40 which is fixed relative to the lift slide 35.

Here, the procedure for transferring the film into the developing tank and the procedure for transferring the film between the developing tanks will be explained as follows.

When the developing process is started, the film 45 is carried by hand from the chamber 41, for example, through the nozzle 42, and placed into the peripheral wall 31 of the developing device, and placed in front of the first developing tank 1. It is suspended over the end 43 of the suspension frame 12 which is positioned protrudingly. Thereafter, the development process is started by starting the control unit 16. Next, the transfer cylinder gate; moves the transfer rail 15 forward to the position indicated by the dotted line 46 indicated by the arrow. Step a). The lift cylinder 14 then lowers the transfer rail 15 via the lift slide 35 to the suspension frame 12 forming the side rims of the tanks 1 to 9.
Position the transfer rail 15 on the side of the. (Stage 1b
l) u J The transfer cylinder 13 then moves the transfer rail 15 in the direction towards the front end 43 of the support frame 12, so that the transfer rail 15 moves towards the front end 43 of the support frame 1.
2. After being transferred under the outwardly projecting film hanger 11 (step c) 1), the lift cylinder 14 lifts the transport rail 15 and the film hanger 11 together with the film (step d). Finally, the transfer rail 15 is moved one step toward the film tank, and the film is lowered onto the support of the John frame 12. (Step b) By repeating the above-mentioned steps, the film hanger 11 can be transferred in stages together with the film 45, first to the first developing tank, then to the rinsing tank 2, etc. can transport the film through the entire development process. New films are successively introduced and rested on the ends 43 of the suspension frame 12. As the process progresses, the films are brought into the process and passed through the process in the manner described above. As is common practice in this field of technology, several bunkers 11 carrying multiple films can be fed into the process at the same time, e.g., three films on each film hanger. . In this case, each of the hanger frames! - If one hanger is hung on a wall, and the number of hanger frames is 22, the total number of films hung will be 66. During the development stage, the film is placed in the drying space 10 along the extension 49 of the hanger frame 12.
carried inside. However, after the drying process is finished,
The film is removed through doors 47 and 48.

Thus, the control unit 16 controls the transfer means 13 to 15 so that the transfer means are operated at regular time intervals (i.e. so that a stepwise movement of the film hanger 11 is carried out).
It is configured to control up to The difference in development time in various tanks is taken into account when setting the length of the tank, so the residence time in each tank is proportional to the length of the tank, which is designed as an integer multiple. Become. The amount of movement from the transfer means 13 to 15, ie the amount of movement of the film 45 at each stage of movement, is equal to an integral multiple of the length of the tank.

Film development is carried out in tanks 1 to 9 using liquid previously filled in tanks 1 to 9. For the first developer tank 1 and color developer tank 4, the liquid is agitated by, for example, blowing an inert gas such as nitrogen into said tanks, and for the remaining tanks, other gases such as air The liquid may be stirred by introducing the liquid into the tank. Temperature conditioning of the tank within required temperature limits, such as within +0.2° C., is accomplished by the use of commonly used thermostats and heaters in conjunction with mixing pumps. Drying in the drying space 10 can be carried out, for example, by conventional blowing of air.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the tank switch 18 is mounted on the suspension frame 12 in alignment with the first developer tank 1, and the tank switch 18 is attached to the film hanger. The film hanger 11 is arranged to cooperate with the film hanger 11 while being controlled by the film hanger 11. Therefore, film hanger 1
1 lowers and sits on the hanger frame 12,
Hanger frame 12 will actuate said switch 18. The switch 18 is connected to a display unit so that the film banker 11 in alignment with the switch 18 can be indicated by, for example, a pilot lamp, a digital display element or other suitable display means.

This allows the developing device to indicate and display the film hanger (i.e., film) seated on the suspension frame 12 disposed during the process, so that the process operator can While controlling the process using 16 and/or clock units, the film hangers (
In other words, it is possible to manage films. Therefore, for example, if it is necessary to develop an overexposed film using a shorter development time than normal in order to correct the overexposure, the process operator must first develop the overexposed film using the main developing device. the first developer tank 1 and/or color developer tank 4.
The film is developed in the tank 1 within such a short time that no other film remains in the tank. This allows the initial development time to be shortened to compensate for incorrect exposure without significantly impacting film sitting in other tanks at the same time. Similarly, when using the present invention, improper exposure may extend the initial development time for a particular film, while at the same time increasing the initial development time for other films in image tank 1 and/or color developer tank 4. This can be corrected by taking care to ensure that there are no errors. Therefore, the development of film in other tanks is not significantly adversely affected due to the extended initial development time as described above. In addition, if necessary or according to customer requirements, after first checking on the display unit that there are no other films in the first developer tank 1 and/or color developer tank 4, Prolonging the final wash in wash tank 17 can improve the performance of the particular film being developed. Therefore, it can be said that the tank switch according to the present invention provides the basis for industrially simultaneously developing a large number of films that require conventional development conditions.

Additionally, the switch arrangement of the present invention provides the operator with accurate and detailed information about the film being processed, and facilitates the general organization and blockramming of the processing process. can do.

3 and 4 show one of three tank switches 18 mounted in alignment with the first developer tank 1. FIGS.

The mounting state of the switch 18 can be better understood by referring to FIG. 3, which shows a plan view from above with the sealed protective cover 20 partially cut away to facilitate understanding of the configuration. can. .

Switch 18 is located on the outside of suspension frame 112 in close proximity thereto in alignment with notch 33 in film bunker 111.

Switch 18 is a magnetic switch, so-called a reed tube. 2 and 4 show a magnet 19' controlling the operation of switch 18 mounted in place on the end of film hanger 11 corresponding to the position of switch 18. That is, the switch 18 is actuated by this magnet 19'. For example, a plastic sealing cover 20 is provided to protect the switch 18 from exposure to developer chemicals.
is housed inside.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing the functionality of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

The control unit 16 is arranged to electrically thermostatically control the tanks 1 to 9. That is,
The control device 16 is configured to control thermostats 51 to 59 attached to the tanks 1 to 9 and a thermostat 60 provided in the drying space 10, and these thermostats are set to operate at a predetermined temperature. value is given. Furthermore, the control unit 16
controls the operation of the transport means 13, 14 and 15 under the control of a clock unit 17. Similarly, the control unit 16 controls the mixing state in tanks 1 and 4 by blowing nitrogen gas into tanks 1 and 4, and also blows air into tanks 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8. This controls the mixing within these tanks.

Furthermore, the control unit 16 controls the rinsing in the tanks 2, 3, 8 and 9. Furthermore, the control unit) 16
j;! The state of elucidation is controlled in the tank 5, the heating state of the air is controlled, and the blowing of hot air into the drying space 10 is controlled. Regarding process monitoring, the accompanying drawings merely illustrate the operation of the display unit 19 based on the operation of the tank switch 18. The thermostatic operations of the process, i.e., displacement, movement, rinsing, and drying of the film, are performed in a conventional manner.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating how tank switch 18 is used to monitor the process and how the information provided by tank switch 18 is communicated to display unit 19 and control unit 16.

FIG. 7 shows the tank circuitry that links tank switch 18 to tanks 1 through 9. This figure also shows a starting switch 61 mounted at the beginning end of the suspension frame 12 and an alarm signal switch 62 located in connection with the final rinse.

FIG. 8 shows that the tank indicator 63 of the tank switch 18 is incorporated into the display unit 19 (for simplicity of illustration and for a clearer understanding of the drawing). (For the sake of clarity, we only illustrate the first tank switch.) This drawing further shows that the nitrogen gas in tanks 1 and 4 is used to open the solenoid valve and introduce 9-element gas from the pressure tank into said tanks only when the film is being developed in tanks 1 and 4. A control circuit 65 of the gas mixer is shown. Otherwise, the control circuit closes the valve that introduces nitrogen gas into the tank. The figure further shows a control circuit 66 for directing the film hanger carried on the suspension frame and providing signals to the control unit 16 to operate the transport means under control of the control unit and the clock unit. . Additionally, this figure shows a control circuit 67 for initiating the flush operation of tanks 4 and 8, i.e., for initiating the flush operation under control of the respective tank switches. A circuit 68 is shown operating under the control of a tank switch 18 mounted in conjunction with the stabilization tank.

FIG. 9 shows the circuitry of the control unit 6 and the clock unit provided with setting means.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view conceptually showing a developing device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device taken along the line ■--■ in FIG. FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tank switch attached to the developing device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the developing device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 6 is a block e-diagram illustrating a system for monitoring the operating process of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. The circuit diagram of the tank switch of the device is shown in Figure 8.
This is a circuit diagram of the tank switch/nice play fist unit, showing a state in which developing conditions are controlled by the tank switch. The 9th @ is the circuit diagram of the clock unit. 1... First developing tank, 2 Rinse tank 3...
Replacement rinse tank, 4, color developing tank, 5...
Clarifying tank, 6... Bleaching tank, 7. Fixing tank,
8...Rinsing tank, 9...Final washing tank, 10
Drying space, 11... Hanger, 12... Suspension foot, 13.14.15... Transfer means, 1
6--control unit, 17-clock means, 18-.
Tank switch, 19 display unit,
19)...McNet, 20 Airtight protective cover, 31
. . . Peripheral wall of developing device, 33. Notch, 34. Fixed guide column, 35. Lift slide, 36. Side wall, 37. Bottom frame, 38. Partition wall, 39.. Carrying arm, 40.・Slide rail, 41...room, 42...
hatch, 43...suspension, end of h-le,
45... Film, 51.52.53.54°55,
56.57. '58.59.60. ... Thermostat, 61... Start switch, 62... Alarm signal switch, 63... Tank indicator, 64.65.
66°67, 68.69. ...Control circuit, -----m 2W7S

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Developing tanks (from 1 to 9) and drying space (
10) (!:, film suspension frame (
121,! :, the suspension frame is adapted to carry a hanging film Kelvanker (11)
and transport means (from 13 to 15) for transporting the hanger in alignment with each of the developer tanks and drying spaces carried by the suspension frame.
and a control unit (16) comprising a clock unit (17);
is arranged to control the transport means using a clock unit. This is a developing device that mainly develops film, and independent tank switches (18) are mounted on the suspension frame (12) in alignment with the tanks (1 to 9), and the tanks (1 to 9) are aligned with each other. - The switch is arranged so as to cooperate with the hanger (11) under the control of the tank switch, and the developing device is connected to the tank switch so that the hanger inside the tank can be a display unit) (19) configured to provide instructions;
The residence time of the hanger can be controlled θ, the development is characterized in that the clock unit is adjustable, and the tank switch (18) consists of a magnetic switch and is aligned with each tank. When hanging the hanger, make sure that the magnet (19) is located close to the switch of each tank.
(19) is attached to each hanger (11). (3) The developing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic switch (18) is installed inside the hermetically sealed protective cover (20). Developing device. (4) First developer tank (1) and developer tank (4)
A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a river nitrogen gas mixer (21, 22), comprising a first developing tank (1) and a developing device. Developing device, characterized in that a tank switch (18) of the tank (4) is arranged to control a nitrogen gas mixer (21, 22) of said tank. (5) The first claim comprising drying means (23)
The developing device according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the drying space is provided with a cutoff switch (18), and the cutoff switch (18') is connected to a hanger in the drying space. A developing device characterized in that it is arranged to control a drying means (23) in cooperation with (11). (6) A final cleaning tank (9) comprising a tank switch (18) and a cleaning means (24) cooperating with the hanger (11) with said tank switch (18) aligned with said cleaning tank. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the developing device is arranged to Cleaning means (
24) A developing device characterized in that it is arranged to control.