JPS62227152A - Processor for sheet-shaped recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To process a sheet-shaped recording medium under a bright room in a state that said medium is contained in a cartridge, by providing a means for supplying a treating liquid into a case, and a means for allowing the treating liquid in the cartridge to flow or stirring said liquid. CONSTITUTION:A photographed sheet-shaped photographic film is inserted into a case 30 with its exposure window downward, in a state that said film remains contained in a cartridge. In such a case, in case of a performing state that the exposure window of the cartridge 10 is opened at least at the time of CD processing, the inside of the case 30 is brought to light shielding by a light shielding means 40 or a cap 41. Subsequently, an engaging part 51 is engaged to a hub 21 of the sheet-shaped photographic film 20, and whether the cartridge 10 is set to a correct position or not is confirmed. After it is confirmed, a photograph treating liquid for a color development processing is supplied into the case 30 by the quantity by which a little upper part of the exposure window 12 of the cartridge 10 is immersed, the exposure window is opened by opening a light shielding plate 17 of the exposure window 12 part, and thereafter, by operating a rotary means 50, the sheet-shaped photographic film 20 is rotated in the cartridge 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a processing apparatus for sheet-like recording media such as sheet-like photographic film and *medical X-ray film. The present invention also relates to a sheet-like recording medium processing apparatus that processes the sheet-like recording medium while it is housed in a cartridge.

[Background of the invention]

The background of the invention below will be explained in the case where the sheet-like recording medium is a photographic film, but the specific structure of the sheet-like photographic film or cartridge is limited to commercially available products described below according to one drawing. This does not exclude those with improved parts based on requests for mounting on a camera, developing, printing, usage, storage, etc.

Further, the sheet-like recording medium processed according to the present invention is
The film is not limited to such a sheet-like photographic film, but is one in which a reactive agent that reacts with one or more of light, electromagnetic waves, radiation, electron beams, etc. is prepared on the substrate, and such a sheet The sheet-shaped recording medium is stored in a cartridge (meaning a shielding structure that houses the sheet-shaped recording medium and prevents the sheet-shaped recording medium from being exposed to light, electromagnetic waves, Φ radiation, electron beams, etc.) It includes those that are.

Conventionally, there are so-called disc films, such as those marketed by Kodak, which are provided as a film unit housed in a cartridge and placed in a special camera to take pictures. They are collected through a distributor at a centralized photo processing facility called a laboratory, and at the laboratory, they are first removed from the cartridge using a cartridge opener, and then loaded into an automatic developing machine where they are automatically developed while rotating at high speed. The printing process is being performed by the printer.

Figures 1 to 7 show an example of a sheet-like photographic film. Figure 2 is a plan view of the cartridge viewed from the exposure window side, Figure 6 is a bottom view viewed from the label side, and Figure 9 is a plane view of the stored disc film 20 viewed from the emulsion side. It is a diagram.

The cartridge IO stores the sheet-shaped photographic film 20 in a light-shielded state to protect it from light, and the exposure window side plate 11 includes an exposure window 12, a central opening 13, a window 14 for opening and closing the light-shielding plate, and a light-shielding plate. Bottle insertion hole for opening/closing operation 15. Openings 16 for destroying the cartridge are provided.

Inside the exposure window 12, a light-shielding plate 17 is arranged concentrically with the sheet-like photographic film 20, and while a pin is inserted through the light-shielding plate opening/closing operation pin insertion hole 15 and pressed, the light-shielding plate opening/closing operation window 14 portion is inserted. By rotating the light-shielding plate 17 using the protrusion exposed at the exposure window 12, the sheet-shaped photographic film 20 is exposed at the exposure window 12.

A hub 21 of a sheet of photographic film 20 is exposed in the central opening 13.

The photographic film sheet 20 that has been photographed is sent to the laboratory through a distributor, and at the laboratory, the cartridge 10 is first destroyed in a dark room using a special cartridge opener, and the sheet photographic film 20 is taken out. To destroy the cartridge IO, insert a bottle through the openings 16 for cartridge destruction provided in the exposure window side plate 11 of the cartridge 10, push out the label side plate 17, and remove the exposure window side plate 11 and the label side plate 18.
This is done by breaking the joint with the

The sheet of photographic film taken out of the cartridge is subjected to color development in a darkroom (an environment or device that processes sheet recording media has a structure that blocks light, electromagnetic radiation, electron beams, etc.). , W4 white, fixing (or bleach-fixing), washing with water (or stabilization), and are guided to large processing tanks arranged in series in the order of each development process.

Regarding the photographic (processing) technology using the above-mentioned sheet-like photographic film, many conventional roll film technologies have been reused, but the following are known as unique to disc film.

Regarding sheet photographic film or film units.

U.S. Patent No. 4,212,673; U.S. Patent No. 4,264,169, Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-113525, Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-101940.

JP-A-55-101942; U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,453 for photographic processing of O-sheet photographic film.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,469, U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,106, JP-A-53-110,829; Regarding photographic cartridge openers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,116 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,564.

Regarding 0 in general.

Kodak's full disclosure of the disc film system (Shashin Kogyo, April 1982 issue, pp. 26-41) Looking at the current consumption of the above-mentioned sheet-form photographic film in Japan, we find that amateur photography film, mainly 35mm roll film, is only 2. 3%, and therefore, the amount of processing processed at camera stores is extremely small, no more than a few sheets per day, making in-store processing unprofitable. Although it has the advantage of being able to process a large number of sheets of photographic film at once, the processing tank is unnecessarily large and is equipped with a replenisher tank, a processing liquid replenisher, a waste liquid tank, and pipes for washing water, making it a large device. Not only that, they are complicated to operate and require a certain level of specialized knowledge, including darkroom operation in case of trouble, which prevents them from being installed in camera stores and providing in-store processing services. In the end, a centralized processing method by a laboratory is forced.

The response of these photo processing equipment manufacturers to the so-called mini-lab trend of 35 m 5 t roll film, which enables in-store service with waterless washing, no piping, table size, and short processing time (within 1 hour), is to produce sheet-like photographic film or This offsets the advantages that disk cameras have over 3511 roll film or cameras, such as ease of operation, ease of handling, compactness, and ease of organizing photographic film, leading to the spread of sheet photographic film. As a result, the above-mentioned vicious cycle is generated.

Shorten the time from DPE ordering to delivery.

First, to measure the spread of sheet photographic film.

Familiar places other than the lab, e.g. camera stores, traditional DP
It is desired to make it possible to carry out photographic processing at an E-distributor, film retail store, etc., and furthermore, to enable in-house processing.

A processing machine that satisfies this requirement can be used at most once or twice.
It is sufficient if it is possible to process sheets of photographic film, and the size of the processing machine should be as small as possible, such as a desktop type, and the photographic processing should be carried out using a small amount of developing processing solution, including washing water. It is desirable that the operation be as simple as possible.

Furthermore, in photographic processing, the photographic performance tends to vary depending on the developing processing conditions such as the temperature for 1 hour, etc., and considerable skill is required, but there is a limit to the availability of skilled personnel, and each task is complicated. It is desirable to automate at least the important parts of photographic processing to achieve uniform and high-quality development with simple operations that do not require skill.

Furthermore, in conventional automatic processing machines, the photographic processing solution is discharged from the processing tank by overflowing by newly supplying replenisher, but the photographic processing solution is expected to be scattered at various locations. In consideration of the delivery of photographic processing liquid, the treatment of photographic processing waste liquid (overflow liquid), etc., it is desirable to be able to carry out photographic processing with a small amount of developing processing liquid including washing water.

In the above, the case where the sheet-like recording medium is a commercially available sheet-like photographic film for photography has been explained, but even when the sheet-like recording medium is something other than a sheet-like photographic film, for example, the rapid As can be easily understood in light of the fact that the equipment has become more widespread,
There are significant benefits brought about by ease of operation, etc.

In summary, the above requirements are for a compact and simple device that can process one or a few sheet-like recording media, does not require even a conventional processing tank, and is easy to operate. This problem can be solved by providing a processing apparatus for sheet-like recording media that is not dissatisfied with processing performance.

In view of the above, the inventors of the present application have proposed a photographic processing method and apparatus capable of developing a sheet-like recording medium while it is stored in a cartridge, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-297847 and Japanese Patent Application No. 61-21857. ~No. 21863, special request 1986
1-23333 and the same patent application No. 23334, the present invention was created as a link to the above, and the present invention discloses a sheet-like recording medium processing apparatus that satisfies the above requirements. In particular, another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for processing sheet photographic film that can be easily installed in a narrow space such as a camera store, a DPE distributor, or a film retail store. can,
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to clarify a developing processing apparatus for sheet-shaped photographic film that can perform processing with good photographic performance with simple operations. The purpose of this invention is to clarify a processing device for sheet-shaped photographic film that can be processed.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention, which achieves the above object, provides a processing device for sheet-like recording media, which includes a case having a space for storing at least one cartridge containing a sheet-like recording medium; It is characterized by having means for supplying a processing liquid into the case and means for flowing or stirring the processing liquid in the cartridge, and processing a sheet-like recording medium while it is housed in the cartridge. do.

[Example] Next, details of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 show an example in which the present invention is applied to an apparatus for developing a commercially available sheet-like photographic film, which is one of the sheet-like recording media, and 30 shows a sheet-like photographic film. Cartridge 1 with 20 stored in it
The case has space for storing at least one 0.

As shown in the figure, the upper part is open, and the cartridge 10 is inserted through the open part. It is preferable that the cartridge 10 be inserted into the case 30 so that the exposure window is located at the bottom.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a means for shielding the upper part of the case 30 housing the cartridge 10 from light, and is applied in the case of an embodiment in which the exposure window of the cartridge 10 is opened during processing. It has a structure in which a large number of hairs or fibers are flocked to the upper part of the inner wall, and when the cartridge 10 is inserted, it comes into close contact with the wall surface of the cartridge 10 and blocks the inner lower part of the case 30 from light.

Instead of the flocked light shielding means, a light shielding structure using a sponge or the like or a cap 41 that seals the upper opening of the case 30 may be used as shown by the imaginary line.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a sheet-shaped photographic film rotating means as an example of processing liquid flowing or stirring means, which engages with the hub 21 of the sheet-shaped photographic film 2 through the central opening 13 of the cartridge IO housed in the case 30. Retaining part 5
1, the sheet-shaped photographic film 20 is rotated within the cartridge 10 by manual or electric operation.

A cartridge lO is provided inside the case 30 so that when the cartridge 10 is inserted into the case 30, the engaging portion 51 of the sheet-like photographic film rotating means 50 accurately and easily engages with the hub 21 of the sheet-like photographic film 20. Preferably, a positioning means is provided.

60 is means for supplying photographic processing liquid into the case 30, and 61 is a processing liquid outlet.

The photographic processing liquid supply means 50 is injected or dripped from the upper opening of the case 30 or through a processing liquid supply port provided on the side wall of the case 30, and is preferably applied to the inner lower part of the case 30, preferably the exposure window. The processing solution is stored up to a slightly upper position, and the developer is supplied to the sheet of photographic film in the cartridge through an open (not opened) exposure window using the immersion method, or the position shown by the phantom line in Fig. 2 (
position corresponding to the exposure window of the stored cartridge 10)
In addition, it is also possible to employ means for supplying the processing liquid to the emulsion surface of the sheet-like photographic film 20, such as application means using a processing liquid roller, sponge, etc., means for spraying the processing liquid, etc., and other supply methods. be.

In the case where the sheet-shaped photographic film 20 does not rotate within the cartridge 10, the processing liquid may be supplied as a jet into the cartridge through an exposure window using a pump or the like, or by supplying air into the cartridge.
It is preferable to flow or stir the processing liquid within the cartridge.

In addition, the photographic processing solution to be prepared is stored in a cassette containing processing solution for processing one to several sheets of photographic film, as shown in the specification or drawings of the earlier application filed by the applicant. In some cases, the processing liquid is supplied from the processing liquid tank into the case 30 through a guide pipe, in others the case 30 itself is used as a processing liquid cassette, and in some cases the lower end of the case 30 is opened.

Any method may be adopted, such as a method in which a cassette containing an amount of processing liquid necessary to process at least one sheet of photographic film is installed.

In an embodiment in which the exposure window of the cartridge 10 is opened at least during CD processing, if the supply port for the photographic processing liquid is located below the position of the light shielding means 40 of the case 30, the supply port or It is preferable to have a light-shielding structure to prevent light from entering through the discharge port. In this case, the light-shielding structure may include a maze or spiral flow path at the supply or discharge port, fibers, open-cell sponge, etc. It is possible to adopt various configurations, such as one in which the valve is placed in place, and one in which a valve is provided.

A heating means is disposed on all or part of the side wall or bottom of the case 30 to heat the preheated or unpreheated processing liquid to a preferred processing temperature.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention, where 30 is a case, and as mentioned above, the light shielding means 40 having a flocked structure is provided in the open part of the upper part. There is.

31 is the engaging portion 5 of the sheet-like photographic film rotating means 50
1, and a window 33 for opening and closing the light shielding plate 17 of the cartridge 10 is a pin hole corresponding to the opening/closing pin hole 15.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a frame for preparing a sheet-like photographic film rotating means 50 and a means for opening and closing the light-shielding plate 17 in the exposure window 12, and its front side and back side are drawn at the same time in one drawing. . On the surface of the frame 52, there is a holding part 51 for rotating a sheet-like photographic film. Case 3
0 through the pin hole 33 of the cartridge IO.
A pin 53 is inserted into the opening/closing window 14 of the cartridge 10 through the opening 32, and a pin 54 is inserted into the window 14 of the cartridge 10 to rotate the light shielding plate 17. is available.

On the back side of the frame 52, a shaft of a rotating means 50 for rotating the sheet-like photographic film via the retaining portion 51 and a rotating means 55 for opening and closing the light shielding plate 17 are provided.

Further, the frame body 52 is provided with a guide rail 56 for horizontal movement in the direction of the case 30, and is positioned on a bearing member (not shown).

The guide rail 56 may be attached to the case 30, or the case 30 and the frame 52 may be connected by a hinge mechanism, or the frame 52 may be attached to the side plate of the case 30. In such an embodiment, the protruding parts such as the engaging part 51 and the pins 53 and 54 may be arranged so that they do not become an obstacle when inserting the cartridge 10 into the case 30. \Frame 5
It is preferable to configure it so that it can be drawn into the second side.

A protrusion 57 made of a soft material such as sponge is provided on the periphery of the back surface of the frame 52, and when the front side of the frame 52 is pressed against the wall of the case 30, the exposure window of the cartridge 10 is opened. Also, light is prevented from reaching the sheet of photographic film 20.

Instead of or in addition to the structure of the protruding strips 57 made of a soft material, for example, a concave strip may be formed on the case 30 side, a stripe on the frame body 52 side, or a concave and convex strip opposite to this. Light may be shielded by a structure in which the part is inserted into the grooved part.

The supplied photographic processing liquid and the supplied photographic processing liquid are preferably heated to a predetermined temperature, and the heating is performed at the stage of preparation for dispensing and/or in the case 30 itself or separately. It is more preferable to carry out the heating after the supply by means of a heating means prepared in the above.

The developing process of sheet-like photographic film performed by the above-described apparatus will be described.

The sheet-shaped photographic film that has been photographed is inserted into the case 30 with the exposure window facing downward while being stored in the cartridge. At this time, at least in the case of an embodiment in which the exposure window of the cartridge 10 is opened during CD processing,
The interior of the case 30 is shielded from light by a light shielding means 40 or a cap 41.

Next, the engaging portion 51 of the means 50 for rotating the sheet-like photographic film is engaged with the hub 21 of the sheet-like photographic film 20, and it is confirmed whether the cartridge 10 is set in the correct position. After confirmation, a photographic processing solution for one-color development processing is preferably supplied into the case 30 in an amount that slightly above the exposure window 12 of the cartridge 10 is immersed;
Preferably, the exposure window is opened by opening the light-shielding plate 17 at the exposure window 12 portion, and then the one-rotation means 50 is operated to rotate the sheet-shaped photographic film 20 within the cartridge IO.

In this way, when the color development process for a certain period of time is completed, the operation of the one-rotation means 50 is stopped, the valve of the processing liquid discharge port 61 is opened to discharge the processing liquid, and the photographic processing liquid for the next step is supplied. Photographic processing is sequentially performed while rotating the sheet-like photographic film 10.

Note that the light shielding of the sheet-like photographic film may be removed once the bleaching or bleaching/fixing process is completed.

When the processing is completed, the cartridge is removed from the case 30, and the sheet-like photographic film is dried with natural or hot air with or without being removed from the cartridge, and all development processing is completed.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which a case 30 has a space for storing at least one cartridge 10 containing a sheet-like photographic film 20, After that, in the case of an embodiment in which the exposure window of the cartridge 10 is opened, the case 30 is shielded from light by the cap 41.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a rotating means for the sheet-like photographic film 20, which can move in the direction of the arrow, and the tip of a rotating shaft driven manually or by a motor engages with the hub of the sheet-like photographic film 20 in the cartridge IO set in the case 30. When the cartridge 10 is installed or removed, it is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow mark.

A holder 62 is provided on the surface side of the case 30, and its base is shielded from light while maintaining liquid permeability with a light-shielding structure such as an open-cell sponge. In addition,
A structure for light shielding is not required in embodiments in which the exposure window of the cartridge 1O is not opened during processing.

A cassette 63 containing processing liquid necessary for processing at least 20 sheets of photographic film is set in the holder 62. The cassette 63 may be prepared for each processing liquid, or the cassette 63 may be divided into small chambers and the processing liquids may be prepared as a set. This does not preclude other processing liquid supply methods.

It is preferable that the arrangement position of the holder 62 corresponds to the area where the exposure window is located when the cartridge IO is installed in the case 30. By configuring it in this way, the processing liquid can quickly pass through the exposure window to the cartridge 1.
The amount of processing liquid can be reduced compared to the embodiment in which the processing liquid is simply stored at the bottom of the case 30 and the processing liquid is supplied into the cartridge 10 through the exposure window using the immersion method. There are advantages.

In the case of an embodiment in which the exposure window of the cartridge 10 is opened, if the tip of a sponge or the like placed in the holder 62 is brought into contact with the emulsion surface of the sheet-like photographic film 20, the rotation of the sheet-like photographic film 20 can be controlled. Improvement in processing performance can be expected due to the sliding contact effect.

FIG. 4 shows a device that can accommodate two cartridges 10. A guide member is provided in the center of the case 30, and a storage section for the cartridges 10, a rotating means 50 for the sheet-like photographic film 20, etc. The structure is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In the case shown in FIG.
is prepared separately for each stored cartridge 10, but in particular in the case of an embodiment in which three or more cartridges 10 are stored, it is provided from one direction or both directions in a state that communicates with the central opening of the stored cartridge 10. In the case of such an embodiment in which a rotating shaft is inserted and a plurality of sheets of photographic film 20 may be rotated by one rotating shaft, in a commercially available sheet-like photographic film unit,
Since there is a small protrusion on the back side of the exposure window side plate 11 of the cartridge 10 that engages with the sheet-like photographic film 20, the rotation axis for rotating the sheet-like photographic film 20 is the cartridge 10.
It is preferable to communicate with the sheet-shaped photographic film 20 by pressing it from the exposure window side direction.

Further, as a specific configuration of the rotating shaft, 1, for example, a hollow pipe with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the central opening of the sheet-like photographic film 20 is used as the rotating shaft, and a rod is inserted into the rotating shaft to adjust the diameter of the pipe. A chuck consisting of a bulging member larger than A soft member such as rubber may be prepared in part and inserted into the central opening of the sheet-like photographic film 20 in a pressed state.

In the above embodiments, the present invention has been explained focusing on the processing of commercially available sheet-like photographic films, but the present invention is applicable not only to such commercially available sheet-like photographic films, but also to visible It is also applied to processing in which a sheet-shaped recording medium that requires shielding from electromagnetic waves other than light beams, radiation, electron beams, etc. is housed in a cassette-shaped shielding structure. If the recording medium has a shape or structure that does not allow it to rotate, it is preferable to use means for flowing the processing liquid in the shielding structure instead of rotating the recording medium. Also, instead of rotating the disk film, the processing liquid may be made to flow within the cartridge.

〔effect〕

According to the sheet-shaped recording medium 9 processing apparatus of the present invention, is it possible to perform large-scale processing like the conventional apparatus? It is possible to process sheet-shaped recording media, such as commercially available sheet-shaped photographic film, while it is stored in the cartridge in a bright room without having to place the cartridge, which solves the problem. It becomes possible to provide a processing device for sheet-like recording media.

Further, according to an embodiment in which the supplied photographic processing liquid is flowed or stirred within the cartridge, there are advantages in that the processing time is shortened, and the photographic processing performance such as graininess and sharpness is improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment. FIG. 2 is also an exploded perspective view. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing other embodiments; FIG. 5 is a plan view of a conventional cartridge; FIG. 6 is a rear view; and FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sheet of photographic film. , is. In the figure, each symbol indicates the following. 10-cartridge 11-exposure window side plate, 12-fi front light window 13-center opening, 14-window for opening/closing a light-shielding plate, 15-pin hole for opening/closing the light-shielding plate. 16-hole for cartridge destruction, 17.40-shading plate, 18.31-label side plate. 20-Sheet photographic film. 21-Hub. 30-case, 31. 32-opening 33-pin hole, 40-shading means, 41-cap, 50-sheet-like photographic film rotating means, 51-holding part, 52-frame, 53.54-bin, 55 - Rotating means. 56-guide rail;

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A case having a space for storing at least one cartridge containing a sheet-like recording medium, a means for supplying a processing liquid into the case, and a means for flowing or stirring the processing liquid in the cartridge, A sheet-like recording medium processing apparatus characterized in that the sheet-like recording medium is processed while it is housed in a cartridge. (2) The sheet-like recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for supplying the processing liquid includes a structure for storing the processing liquid inside the case. (3) Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the sheet-like recording medium to be processed is a sheet-like photographic film, and the processing liquid is supplied into the cartridge through an exposure window of the cartridge. A processing device for sheet-like recording media. (4) Claim 1, characterized in that the sheet-like recording medium to be processed is a sheet-like photographic film, and the exposure window of the cartridge is opened during processing.
2. The sheet-like recording medium processing apparatus according to items 2 and 3. (5) In the case where the sheet-like recording medium to be processed is a sheet-like photographic film and the exposure window of the cartridge is opened during processing, at least the area around the exposure window is shielded from light. 5. The sheet-like recording medium processing apparatus according to item 4. (6) The processing apparatus for a sheet-like recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the means for flowing or stirring the processing liquid in the cartridge is a means for rotating the sheet-like recording medium in the cartridge. .