JPS63103247A - Processing liquid replenishing mechanism of automatic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continue to supply a processing liquid to each processing tank even if a second replenishing tank is empty, by freely attachably and detachably connecting the second replenishing tank to a first replenishing tank connected to each processing tank for development processing. CONSTITUTION:A developer is stored in a tank 28 constituting a developing part, and the first replenishing tank 34 constituting a processing liquid replenishing mechanism 32 and the tank 28 are connected through a supply pipe 36. The developer is stored in the first replenishing tank 34, and detecting rods 40a-40c which are immersed in the developer to prescribed depths and detect the liquid level are arranged in this tank 34. The second replenishing tank 42 is inclined and set freely attachably and detachably to the first replenishing tank 34 and is connected to the first replenishing tank 34 through a hole part 43a provided in a projecting part 43. If the development work is continued after the second replenishing tank 42 is empty, the second replenishing tank 42 is replaced because the reduction of the liquid level in the first replenishing tank 34 is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a processing liquid replenishment mechanism for an automatic developing device, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a processing liquid replenishment mechanism for an automatic developing device, and more particularly, it sequentially transfers a photographic light-sensitive material after image recording is completed to processing tanks for developing, fixing, and washing. Photosensitivity (A
In an automatic developing device that automatically develops a material, 11;1
The present invention relates to a processing liquid replenishment mechanism of an automatic developing apparatus that makes it possible to carry out an efficient developing process by sufficiently supplying a predetermined processing liquid to each processing tank.

For example, a radiation image recording and reproducing system that obtains a radiation i3 superimage of a subject using a storage phosphor (stimulable phosphor) has been developed in recent years, and is becoming widespread, particularly in the medical field. Here, the storage fluorophore refers to radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays,
When irradiated with radiation (rays, gamma rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a portion of this radiation energy is accumulated, and later by irradiation with excitation light such as visible light, stimulated luminescence is generated according to the accumulated energy. A fluorescent substance.

The above-mentioned radiation image recording and reproducing system utilizes this stimulable phosphor, in which radiation image information of a human body, etc. is once recorded on a sheet having a layer made of the stimulable phosphor, and then the stimulable phosphor is The sheet is scanned with excitation light such as a laser beam to generate stimulated luminescence light, and the resulting stimulated luminescence light is read photoelectrically to obtain an image or signal, and based on this image signal, recording of photographic light-sensitive materials, etc. The image is output as a visible image on a material, CRT, etc.

Here, when the radiation image information once stored in the stimulable phosphor sheet is permanently recorded on the recording material as described above, an image recording device, for example, an image output laser printer device is suitably employed. ing. In other words, this device stores film, which is a recording material, through a magazine, etc.
After taking out this film one by one using a sheet-fed mechanism such as a suction cup, the film is configured to be irradiated with laser light to record a predetermined image based on the image signal obtained from the stimulable phosphor sheet. has been done.

The film on which the new image has been recorded is then conveyed into the automatic developing device. Here, the film is first transported into a developing tank that stores a developing solution and developed, then passed through a fixing tank that stores a fixer solution, and then transported into a water tank that stores cleaning water. Alternatively, the film is developed by spraying washing water directly onto the film.

Next, this film is squeezed out of the water adhering to the film by a roller or the like constituting the squeeze section, and then transported to a drying section where it is dried by blowing hot air at a predetermined temperature (approximately 55°C). The information will be stored in a location where it will be used for medical diagnosis, etc. as necessary.

Incidentally, as described above, such an automatic developing device is provided with a processing tank for storing processing liquids such as a developer and a fixer for developing the film, and the processing liquid in the tank is A replenishment means is provided for replenishing the amount when the amount decreases. In this case, generally, a method in which a plurality of drugs dissolved in water is appropriately added to a replenishment tank connected to the treatment tank, or a chemical mixer that performs the dissolution operation is combined in place of the replenishment tank. is used. However, dissolution work is complicated in replenishment tanks, and chemical mixers are large and space-efficient, so one-component replenishment involves concentrating the chemicals in one part and using a commercially available tank as a replenishment tank and setting it in an automatic developing device. A method is being considered.

However, in the single-liquid replenishment method, a relatively small-capacity replenishment tank is used in order to simplify the handling of tank replacement and reduce the burden on workers. It is configured to be directly connected to a processing tank.

Therefore, in an apparatus that consumes a relatively large amount of chemical solution, such as the automatic developing apparatus, the trouble of having to frequently replace the replenishment tank can be considered as a drawback. Furthermore, this work is often performed by X-ray technicians at hospitals, and if the work is required frequently, the imaging work will be interrupted each time, causing problems.

Furthermore, since the replenishment tank must be replaced with a new replenishment tank after all the processing liquid in the replenishment tank has been drained, the amount of processing liquid remaining in the replenishment tank may vary. The disadvantage of this method is that it cannot meet the demand for continuous photographing and development in a short period of time, resulting in extremely poor workability.

The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, and a first replenishment tank is connected to each processing tank in which a photographic light-sensitive material is infiltrated and passed through for development processing. By detachably connecting a second replenishment tank, the processing liquid can be continued to be supplied to each processing tank via the first replenishment tank even when the second replenishment tank becomes empty. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing liquid replenishment mechanism for an automatic developing device, which can continuously develop a large amount of photographic material and easily achieve efficient developing work. purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an automatic developing device that automatically develops the photographic material by sequentially transferring the photographic material after image recording is completed to processing tanks for development, fixing, and cleaning processing. A processing liquid replenishment tank is connected to the processing liquid replenishment tank for supplying processing liquid to each of the developing or fixing processing tanks, and a processing liquid replenishment tank is detachably connected to the processing liquid replenishment tank. It is characterized by

Next, preferred embodiments of the processing liquid replenishment mechanism of the automatic developing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates an automatic developing device incorporating a processing liquid replenishment mechanism according to the present invention.

In this case, the automatic developing device IO has an image recording device + 12
are arranged in parallel, and the unexposed film loaded in the image recording bag RI 12 is configured so that a predetermined image is recorded by irradiation with a laser beam, and then sent into the automatic developing device 10 via a conveyance system. has been done.

The automatic developing device 10 is provided with a film I11 member 14 that communicates with a film outlet (not shown) of the image recording device 12, and a film detecting section 16 is provided adjacent to the film outlet 14. The film detection section 1
6 includes an insertion roller 18, a detection roller 20, and a microswitch 22, and when the conveyed film A is inserted between the detection roller 20 and the insertion roller I8, the detection roller 20 rotates in the vertically upward direction. It is configured to be displaced. The microswitch 22 detects that one film A is inserted between the detection roller 20 and the insertion roller 18.

A first rack 24 is provided close to the detection section 16 . The first rack 24 includes a curved guide plate, and guides the film A passing through the detection section 16 in the direction of travel.
This is to send the image to the developing section 26 with a deviation of 0''.

A developing solution is stored in a tank 28 constituting the developing section 26, and a developing rack 30 consisting of a plurality of rollers and a guide plate is provided within this tank 28. Furthermore, the tank 28 is provided with a processing liquid replenishment mechanism 32 of this embodiment.
is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, a lid 33 that can be opened and closed is provided on the back side of the automatic developing device 10, and the automatic developing device IO is light-tight with each other via a light shielding member 35 disposed inside the automatic developing device IO. A first chamber 37a and a second chamber 37b are defined. Then, the processing liquid replenishment mechanism 32 is placed in the second chamber 37b.
Attach. The first replenishment tank 34 and tank 28 constituting the processing liquid replenishment mechanism 32 contain processing liquid, that is,
The pipe line 36 is connected via a developer supply pipe line 36.
A pump 38 is installed on the way. A developer is stored in the first replenishment tank 34, and detection rods 40a to 40c are arranged to detect the level of the processing solution so as to be immersed in the developer to a predetermined depth. . In this case, the detection rods 40a and 40b detect that the remaining amount of developer in the first replenishment tank 34 is small, and the detection rods 40a and 40c connect the developer to the first replenishment tank 34. It is configured to detect that the second replenishment tank 42 is empty. Therefore, it is preferable that the tip of the detection rod 40c is selected to be approximately at the same height as the replenishment fluid outlet of the second replenishment tank 42. Note that the detection rods 40a to 40C are connected to a measuring device (not shown), and their signals are transmitted to, for example, an automatic developing bag 'l 1
It can also be displayed outside of 0.

The second replenishment tank 42 is detachably attached to the first replenishment tank 34 in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal direction.

Therefore, a recess 34a is formed on the upper surface of the first replenishment tank 34 for tilting the second replenishment tank 42. On the other hand, the second replenishment tank 42 is provided with a handle 42a for easy handling, and has a protrusion 43 formed on the opposite side thereof, and a hole 43 formed in the protrusion 43.
The second replenishment tank 42 and the first replenishment tank 3 are connected via a.
4 are configured to communicate with each other. Note that the first replenishment tank 34 is configured to have a volume equal to or greater than the volume of the second replenishment tank 42. In this case, if the second replenishment tank 42 is relatively small, handling such as replacement work is easy, and the second replenishment tank 42
Alternatively, it is also possible to directly use a commercially available tank filled with a developer.

On the other hand, a second rack 44 consisting of a roller and a guide plate is provided at the terminal end of the developing rack 30, and the exit side of the second rack 44 constitutes a fixing section 46.
6 is a fixing rack 48 having a plurality of rollers and a guide plate.
including. The fixing rack 48 is attached to the fixing liquid stored in the tank 50;
A processing liquid replenishment mechanism (not shown) is provided in the tank 50 for supplying a processing liquid, that is, a fixing liquid, to the tank 50 similarly to the tank 28 described above.

Furthermore, a third rack 52 consisting of a roller and a guide plate is disposed at the end of the fixing rank 48. Said third
A washing rack 56 constituting a washing section 54 is disposed on the outlet side of the rack 52, and the washing tank 56 is immersed in washing water stored in a tank 58 so that its exit side faces the squeeze section 60. .

The squeeze section 60 is composed of a roller and a guide plate, and deflects the film A, which is conveyed in two directions "vertically" from the washing section 54, to the drying section disposed above each of the racks 24, 44 and 52. 62.

The drying section 62 includes a roller group 64a consisting of a plurality of rollers that contact one side of the film A, and a plurality of rollers that contact the other side of the film and are arranged alternately with the roller group 64a. A roller group 64b is provided. A plurality of air blowing pipes 66a facing each roller of the roller group 64b are provided on the roller group 64a side, and a plurality of air blowing pipes 66b facing each roller of the roller group 64a are provided on the roller group 64b side. It is set up. In this case, the air blowing pipes 66a and 66b include
Slit-shaped drying air blowing openings 53a and 68b are formed to blow hot air toward the film A being conveyed between the roller groups 54a and 64b.

A pair of rollers 70 is provided on the exit side of the drying section 62, and close to the pair of rollers 70 forms the film delivery lower 2. Note that the film transport lower 2 is placed facing a film storage section (not shown) of the image recording device 12.

The automatic developing apparatus incorporating the processing liquid replenishment mechanism of this embodiment is basically constructed as described above, and its functions and effects will be explained next.

Therefore, in the image recording device 12, the film A after image recording is transferred to the automatic developing device f via a transport system (not shown).
The film passes through a film entrance 14 formed in 10 and reaches a detection section 16 .

When the film A passes, the detection unit 16 turns on the microswitch 22 and determines that the film A has been carried into the automatic developing bag WIO. The film A that has been exposed to the detection section 16 is transported vertically downward through the first rack 24 under the driving action of a developing section control section (not shown), and is then held between the developing racks 30 and placed in the tank 28. immersed in the developer solution inside. moreover,
The film A is conveyed within the tank 28 toward the second rack 44 with its direction of travel being deviated by 180'. The film A that has reached the second rack 44 is transferred to the fixing rack 48 with its traveling direction deviated by 180 degrees via a guide plate and rollers provided therein, and is stored in a tank 50 in the fixing section 46. Two people are placed in the fixer. Then, the film A is conveyed vertically upward in the same manner as the developing section 26, further conveyed vertically downward via the third rack 52, and then transferred via the washing rank 56 to the washing section 5.
The water is washed in the tank 58 of No. 4. After cleaning, the film A is conveyed to a squeeze section 60 to squeeze out moisture adhering to it, and then introduced into a drying section 62.

In this case, the film A has roller groups 64a and 64 on both sides.
4b, and on the way, the drying air blowing openings 68a of the plurality of air blowing pipes 66a, 66b,
All moisture adhering to both surfaces of the film A is evaporated by the hot air (55° C.) blown out from the film 68b. Therefore,
When the film A is finally transported from the film transport lower 2 to a film storage section (not shown) via the roller pair 70, the film A has completed the developing process and has been suitably dried.

By the way, as the developing work for the film A is carried out in this manner, the various processing liquids stored in the tanks 28, 50 and 58 decrease, and therefore it is necessary to replenish the processing liquids.

In this case, in this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. The developer solution in the tank 28 may be supplied to the tank 28 through the pipe line 36.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a predetermined amount of developer is stored in the first replenishment tank 34 that constitutes the processing solution replenishment mechanism 32, and this first replenishment tank 34 is filled with the developer. A second replenishment tank 42 is connected thereto.

Therefore, when the developer in the first replenishment tank 34 decreases, the second replenishment tank 4 is added to the first replenishment tank 34.
The developing solution in 2 is sequentially supplied through the hole 43a by the amount of the shortage. Furthermore, even when the second replenishment tank 42 is empty, there remains more developer in the first replenishment tank 34 than in the second replenishment tank 42. Therefore, once the second replenishment tank 42 is installed, development work can be performed continuously for a period more than twice as long as in the conventional case where the first replenishment tank 34 is not installed. I can do it. In particular, when developing a large number of films A, it becomes possible to develop the film A continuously in a short time without replacing the second replenishment tank 42.

By the way, when the developing operation is continued after the second replenishment tank 42 is empty, the developer in the first replenishment tank 34 is supplied to the tank 28 and the first replenishment tank 3
The liquid level in the detection rod 40c reaches a position below the lower end of the detection rod 40c. At that time, since the current supply between the detection rods 40a and 40c is cut off, for example, the automatic developing device 1
The signal is displayed on the outside of 0, and this causes the new second replenishment tank 42 to be replaced with the used second replenishment tank 42.
You can exchange it with . Then, after the signal is displayed,
If the developing operation is continued without replacing the second replenishment tank 42, a signal will be displayed via the detection rods 40a and 40b when the amount of developer in the first replenishment tank 34 becomes small. Ru. Therefore, it is also possible to replenish the developer into the first replenishment tank 34 at this point.

It is easily understood that the processing liquid replenishment mechanism (not shown) of the fixing section 46 is operated in the same manner as the processing liquid replenishment mechanism 32 of the developing section 26 described above.As described above, according to the present invention, photographic exposure A first processing liquid replenishment tank is connected to each processing tank in which the photographic material is developed through immersion, and a second processing liquid replenishment tank is connected to the first processing liquid replenishment tank. It is configured to be detachable. For this reason, compared to conventional systems that use a single processing solution replenishment tank, the frequency of tank replacement is reduced, and a large amount of photographic material can be developed continuously, making the development process even easier. This makes it possible to do this efficiently.

Moreover, a relatively small tank can be used as the removable second processing liquid replenishment tank, and there is an advantage that handling such as replacing the tank is extremely easy.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
It goes without saying that various improvements and changes in design are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as the ability to directly connect the processing tank and the replenishment tank without using a pump.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an automatic developing apparatus incorporating a processing liquid replenishment mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the processing liquid replenishment mechanism according to the present invention. 10... Automatic developing bag W 24... Rack 26.
...Development section 28...Tank 30...Development rack 32...Processing liquid replenishment mechanism 34...Replenishment tank 36...Pipeline 3B...Pump
403-40c...Detection rod 42...Replenishment tank 44...Rack 46...Fixing section
50...Tank 52...Rack 54...
・Washing section 58...Tank 60...Squeeze section 62...Drying section

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In an automatic developing device that automatically develops the photographic light-sensitive material by sequentially transferring the photographic light-sensitive material after image recording is completed to each processing tank for development, fixing, and cleaning processing, An automatic developing apparatus characterized in that processing liquid replenishment tanks are connected to each other for supplying processing liquids, and the processing liquid replenishment tank is detachably connected to the processing liquid replenishment receiving tanks. Processing liquid replenishment mechanism. (2) A processing liquid replenishment mechanism for an automatic developing apparatus, wherein the processing liquid replenishment receiving tank has a capacity at least equal to or greater than that of the processing liquid replenishment tank. (3) In the mechanism set forth in claim 1 or 2, the automatic developing device comprises a processing liquid replenishment receiving tank and a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of processing liquid in the tank. Processing liquid replenishment mechanism. (4) In the mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the automatic developing device is configured such that the processing solution in the processing solution replenishment receiving tank is supplied to the processing tank via a pump. Processing liquid replenishment mechanism of the device.