JPS6381345A - Automatic developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continuously and efficiently develop a large quantity of photographic sensitized material without interrupting operation of the device by providing a light shielding member between the inside of the device including each processing tank and a replenishing tank and keeping the inside of the device light-tight. CONSTITUTION:The light shielding member 16 is extended downward in a perpendicular direction from the upper part of an automatic developing device 10 and then tilted once on the way to the inside of the automatic developing device 10, and further extended downward. Thereby, a first chamber 18 and a second chamber 20 light-tight to each other are formed in the automatic developing device 10 through the light shielding 16, when a cover 14 is opened, the second chamber 20 is exposed to outside. On the other hand, the first chamber 18 is not influenced by the opening and closing action of the cover 14, and closed light-tight from the outside in a normal state. Thus, developing operation can be executed efficiently without stopping the operation of the automatic developing device at the time of replenishing the processing solution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic developing device, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic developing device, in which the photographic material is sequentially transferred after image recording is completed to processing tanks for development, fixing, and washing. In an automatic developing device that automatically develops the photographic material, a predetermined processing solution is supplied to each of the processing tanks without stopping the operation of the device even during the processing step of the photographic light-sensitive material, so that an efficient developing step can be carried out. The present invention relates to an automatic developing device that makes it possible to perform the following tasks.

Recently, a radiographic image recording and reproducing system that obtains a radiographic image of a subject using a storage phosphor (exhaustive phosphor) has been developed, and this system is widely used in the medical field. Here, a storage phosphor is a material that, when irradiated with radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), stores some of this radiation energy and later emits visible light, etc. A phosphor that generates stimulated luminescence according to the energy accumulated by irradiation with excitation light.

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

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. It has reached the point where That is, this device stores film, which is a recording material, through a magazine or the like, takes out the film one by one using a sheet-fed mechanism such as a suction cup, and then converts it into image signals obtained from a stimulable phosphor sheet. The film is configured to be irradiated with a laser beam modulated based on the above-mentioned information to record a predetermined image by exposure.

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 washing 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.

By the way, as mentioned above, in such an automatic developing device, each processing liquid such as a developer and a fixer for developing the film is stored in respective processing tanks, and the processing liquids in the tanks are stored in respective processing tanks. A replenishment tank is provided to replenish the fluid when it becomes exhausted or depleted. Generally, when a commercially available tank filled with each processing solution is directly used as the replenishment tank, it is relatively easy to handle the tank replacement work and reduce the burden on the operator. A replenishment tank with a small capacity is often used, and this replenishment tank is often configured to be connected to a processing tank using a chicken feeder method. Of course,
It has been pointed out that with such a configuration, there is the inconvenience of having to replace the replenishment tank relatively frequently. Since the tank must be replaced, especially when developing a large amount of film, the developing operation is interrupted several times, resulting in the inconvenience that an efficient developing process cannot be achieved. 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. This method cannot meet the demand for continuous film 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 includes connecting a replenishment tank exposed to the outside to each processing tank in which a photographic material is immersed and passed through to be developed. A light-shielding member is provided between the inside of the apparatus including the replenishment tank and the replenishment tank to keep the inside of the apparatus light-tight. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic developing device that can continuously and efficiently develop a large amount of photographic material without interrupting its operation.

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 water washing. The apparatus includes a first chamber for accommodating each of the processing tanks and performing the developing process of the photographic light-sensitive material, and a processing liquid replenishment tank for supplying processing liquid to the developing and/or fixing processing tanks, respectively. A light-shielding wall is provided to define a second chamber for storage and to keep the first chamber light-tight when the second chamber is opened to the outside and the processing liquid is supplied to the replenishment tank. It is characterized by

Next, preferred embodiments of the automatic developing device 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 according to the present invention. An image recording device 12 is installed in parallel with the automatic developing device IO, and after a predetermined image is recorded on the unexposed film loaded in the image recording device 12 by irradiation with a laser beam, the unexposed film is transferred to the image recording device 12 via a conveyance system. It is configured to be sent out into the automatic developing device 10. In this case, a conventionally known image recording device 12 can be used, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The automatic developing device 10 consists of a housing, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a lid 14 that can be opened and closed is provided on the back side of the automatic developing device 10. As shown in FIGS.

A light shielding member 16 is provided inside the automatic developing device 10. That is, the light shielding member 16 extends vertically downward from the upper part of the automatic developing device 10, and then once tilts toward the inside of the automatic developing device 10, and then extends downward. (See Figure 3)
Therefore, the interior of the automatic developing device 10 is
A first chamber 18 and a second chamber 20 which are light-tight with each other are defined through the first chamber 18 and the second chamber 20 . In this case, when the lid body 14 is opened, the second chamber 2
0 is exposed to the outside, while the first chamber 18 is not affected by the opening/closing operation of the lid 14 (it is configured to be light-tightly closed from the outside in a normal state).

Therefore, the automatic developing device 10 is provided with a film inlet 22 for introducing the film sent out from the image recording device 12 into the first chamber 18, and a film detection section 23 is provided adjacent to the film inlet 22. will be provided. The film detection section 23 includes, for example, a pair of rollers and a microswitch, and detects that a sheet of film is inserted into the first chamber 18.

A first rack 24 is provided close to the detection section 23 . The first rack 24 includes a curved guide plate, and guides the film passing through the detection unit 23 in the direction of travel by 90 degrees.
＠The image is deviated and sent to the developing section 26.

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, a second tank 32 consisting of a roller and a guide plate is provided at the terminal end of the developing rack 30.
The exit side of the rack 32 constitutes a fixing section 34, and this fixing section 34 includes a fixing rack 3 having a plurality of rollers and a guide plate.
6, the fixing rack 36 is attached to the fixing liquid stored in the tank 38, and furthermore, a third rack 40 consisting of a roller and a guide plate is disposed at the terminal end of the fixing rack 36. . A washing rack 44 constituting a washing section 42 is disposed on the outlet side of the third rack 40, and the washing rack 44 is immersed in washing water stored in a tank 46, and its exit side is closed to a squeeze section 48. Let's face it. The squeeze section 48 is composed of a roller and a guide plate, and deflects the film conveyed vertically upward from the washing section 42 to a drying section disposed above each of the racks 24, 32 and 40. 50.

The drying section 50 includes a roller group 52a made of a plurality of rollers that contacts one side of the film, and a roller group 52a made of a plurality of rollers that contacts the other side of the film and is arranged alternately with the roller group 52a. A group 52b is provided. A plurality of air blowing pipes 54a are provided on the roller group 52a side facing each roller of the roller group 52b, and a plurality of air blowing pipes 54b facing each roller of the roller group 52a are provided on the roller group 52b side. has been set up.

In this case, the air blowing pipes 54a and 54b include a slit-shaped dry air blowing opening 56a that blows out hot air toward the film being conveyed between the roller groups 52a and 52b;
56b is formed.

A pair of rollers 58 is provided on the exit side of the drying section 50, and a film exit 60 is formed adjacent to the pair of rollers 58. Note that the film exit 60 is made to face a film storage section (not shown) of the image recording device 12.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Inside the chamber 20, a tank 66 for the developer replenishment tube 1 and a tank 68 for the fixer replenishment brush 1 are housed. The first replenishment
The tank 66 is connected to a first pump 72 via a conduit 70, and a conduit 74 is attached to the outlet side of the first pump 72, and this conduit 74 is housed in the first chamber 18. It is connected to the developer tank 28. On the other hand, the first replenishment tank 68 is connected to a second pump 78 via a conduit 76, and the second pump 78 is connected to the fixer tank 38 via a conduit 80. A third pump 84 is connected to the tank 46 constituting the water washing section 42 via a pipe 82, and the third pump 84 is connected to a tap water supply section (not shown) via the pipe 86. Ru.

Furthermore, each first refill tank 66.68 is provided with a horizontally oriented and inclined tank connection 88.90 via which a second refill tank 66.68 is provided. The tanks 92 and 94 are the first replenishment tank 66.
68 in a detachable manner.

In this case, when supplying concentrated developer and fixer to the first replenishment tanks 66 and 68, the pump 72
．． Preferably, pumps 72a, 78a are provided for supplying water for diluting the respective treatment liquids fed from the first replenishment tanks 66, 68 via 78.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 95 indicates a temperature adjustment means including a heater, etc., and the processing liquids in the developer tank 28 and fixer tank 38 are supplied to the temperature adjustment means 95 through pipes 93a to 93a. 93d to adjust the temperature of the processing liquid.

Incidentally, a developer is stored in the first tank 66 for replenishment, and as shown in FIG. 3, detection rods 96a to 96c are arranged so as to be immersed in the developer to a predetermined depth. be done. In this case, the detection rods 96a and 96b detect that the amount of developer remaining in the first tank 66 for replenishment is small, and the detection rods 96a and 96c
Accordingly, it is configured to detect that the second replenishment tank 92 connected to the first replenishment tank 66 is empty. Therefore, the tip of the detection rod 96c is connected to the second replenishment
It is preferable to select the height to be approximately the same as the replenisher outlet of the tank 92. Note that the detection rods 96a to 96c are connected to a measuring device (not shown), and the signals thereof can be displayed, for example, on the outside of the automatic developing bag [10]. on the other hand,
A detection iron (not shown) is similarly provided in the first replenishment tank 68.

The automatic developing device of this embodiment is basically constructed as described above, and its operation and effects will be explained next.

After the image recording is completed in the image recording device 12, the film passes through a film inlet 22 formed in the automatic developing device 10 via a transport system (not shown) and reaches the detection section 23.

When the film passes through the detection section 23, it is detected that the film has been carried into the first chamber 18 of the automatic developing device 10. The film that has passed through the detection section 23 is then transferred to the first rack 2 under the driving action of a control section (not shown).
4 in a vertically downward direction, and then held between developing racks 30 and immersed in the developer in tank 28 . Furthermore, the film is conveyed to the second rack 32 within the tank 28 with its traveling direction being deviated by 180 degrees. The film that has reached the second rack 32 is transferred to the fixing rack 36 with its traveling direction deviated by 180 @ via a guide plate and a slot provided therein, and is stored in a tank 38 in the fixing section 34. into the fixing solution. Then, the film is transported vertically upward in the same manner as the developing section 26, further transported vertically downward via the third rack 40, and then washed with water in the tank 46 of the washing section 42 via the washing rack 44. be done. After washing with water, the film is conveyed to the squeeze section 48 to squeeze out the moisture adhering to it, and then introduced into the drying section 50.

In this case, both sides of the film are attached to the roller groups 52a, 52.
b, and on the way, the drying air blowing openings 56a, 5 of the plurality of air blowing pipes 54a, 54b are transferred.
All moisture adhering to both sides of the film is evaporated by hot air (approximately 55° C.) blown from 6b. Therefore,
When the film is finally transported from the film exit 60 to the film storage section (not shown) via the roller pair 58, the developing process has been completed and the film has been completely dried. There is.

By the way, if the film development work is carried out in this manner, the various processing solutions stored in the tanks 28, 38 and 46 will become exhausted or decrease, so it will be necessary to replenish the processing solutions. comes out.

In this case, in this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. The developer in 66 may be supplied to the tank 28 via pipes 70 and 74.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the first replenishment tanks 66 .
By supplying a predetermined processing solution for 6 days, the film development process can be carried out extremely efficiently. That is, the second
As shown in the figure, when the lid 14 is opened, the second chamber 20, which houses the first replenishment tank 66, 68, is exposed to the outside.

At this time, since the first chamber 18 is kept light-tight through the bending light shielding member 16, there is no problem with the film developing process being carried out within the first chamber 18.

Therefore, if the operator grasps the handle 92a of the second refilling tank 92 and takes it out in the direction of the arrow, the second refilling tank 92
The tank 92 is detached from the tank connection part 88 and taken out to the outside.Next, if a new replenishment second tank 92 filled with developer is inserted in the opposite direction to the arrow, this new The second replenishment tank 92 is connected to the first replenishment tank 66, and the developer is supplied to the first replenishment tank 66.

On the other hand, in the first fixer replenishment tank 68, the empty second replenishment tank 94 is similarly taken out via the handle 94a, and a new replenishment second tank 94 that stores a predetermined amount of fixer is added. The tank 92 may be connected to the first replenishment tank 68, and a new second replenishment tank 92 may be connected to the first replenishment tank 68.
．． The developer and fixer in 94 are stored in the first tank 66 for replenishment.
．． After being supplied to tank 68, tanks 28 and 38 are refilled via pumps 72,78.

Moreover, in this case, it becomes possible to automatically detect the remaining amount of each processing liquid in the first replenishment tank 66.68 and the second replenishment tank 92.94. That is, for example, if the second replenishment tank 92 is emptied and the developing operation is continued w1 more times, the developer in the first replenishment tank 66 is supplied to the tank 28, and the amount in the first replenishment tank 66 is increased. The liquid level reaches a position below the lower end of the detection rod 96c. At this time, since the current flow between the detection rods 96a and 96c is cut off, for example, if that signal is displayed outside the automatic developing device 10, the second tank 92 for replenishment is replaced with the second tank 92 for replenishing the used one. On the other hand, if the developing operation is continued without replacing the second tank 92 for replenishment after the signal is displayed, the developer in the first tank 66 for replenishment may be small. When the amount is reached, the signal is displayed via sensing rods 96a and 96b. Therefore, it is also possible to replenish the developer into the first replenishment tank 66 at this point.

It will be easily understood that the first fixer replenishment tank 68 and the second replenishment tank 94 are operated in the same manner as the developer replenishment tanks 66 and 92 described above.

As described above, according to the present invention, at least two chambers are defined through a light-shielding wall in an automatic developing device, and each processing tank is housed in the chamber on the negative side to perform a film developing process.
On the other hand, the chamber on the other side accommodates a replenishment tank for supplying processing liquid to each processing tank, and is configured to be exposed to the outside. Therefore, when supplying a predetermined processing solution to the replenishment tank, the side chamber where the development process is performed is always kept light-tight, and therefore each processing solution can be refilled without interrupting the development process. It becomes possible to do this. In the end, unlike conventional methods, there is no need to stop the operation of the automatic developing device itself when replenishing the processing solution, and moreover, each processing solution can be refilled as needed, making the development work easier. This makes it possible to perform the process even more efficiently. In particular, the advantage is that a large amount of photographic material can be developed continuously in a short period of time.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
Of course, various improvements and changes in design are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic longitudinal sectional view of an automatic developing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially omitted perspective view of the automatic developing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a configuration of the automatic developing device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view schematically showing a replenishment tank. 10... Automatic developing device 12... Image recording device 1
4... Lid body 16... Light shielding member 18.2
0... Chamber 24... Rack 26... Developing section 28... Tank 32... Rack
34... Fixing section 38... Tank 40
...Rack 42...Washing section 46...Tank 48...Squeeze section 50...Drying section 66
．． 68...Tank 72.78.84...Pump 92.94...Tank 96a-96c...
Detection Rondo FIG, 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an automatic developing device that automatically develops the photographic material by sequentially transferring the photographic light-sensitive material after image recording is completed to processing tanks for development, fixing, and water washing processing, each of the above-mentioned processing is carried out in the device. The first chamber accommodates a tank and performs the developing process of photographic light-sensitive materials, and the second chamber accommodates a processing solution replenishment tank for supplying processing solution to the developing and/or fixing processing tanks, respectively. An automatic developing apparatus characterized in that the second chamber is opened to the outside and a light-shielding wall is provided to keep the first chamber light-tight when the second chamber is opened to the outside and the processing liquid is supplied to the replenishment tank. . (2) In the apparatus according to claim 1, the second tank for replenishing the processing liquid can be detachably attached to the first tank for replenishing the processing liquid, which is housed in the second chamber and connected to each processing tank. An automatic developing device connected to (3) In the apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, a processing liquid replenishment tank housed in the second chamber is provided with a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of processing liquid in the tank. Automatic developing device.