JPH02129635A - Processing method and processing machine for photographic sensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow processing with a min. volume of processing liquids and to prevent the generation of a jam trouble and pressure fog by transporting a photographic sensitive material in a floating state by the processing liquid supplied into a slit-shaped spiral processing tank to supply the processing liquid to the emulsion surface thereof, thereby photographically processing the above- mentioned material. CONSTITUTION:The photographic sensitive material F is let off from a photosensitive material supply reel section 9 by feed rollers 7 and is transported into the slit-shaped spiral processing tank 2. The developing soln. in a developing soln. tank 13a is supplied by a supply pump 15 into 1st and 2nd flow regions 17a, 17b from 1st and 2nd processing liquid supply ports 10a, 10b simultaneously therewith. As a result, the photographic sensitive material material F is transported while the material is held in the floating state so as to travel along a photosensitive material transporting route 6 by the developing soln. flowing in the 1st and 2nd flow regions 17a, 17b. The photographic sensitive material f alternately receives the supply of the developing soln. on its emulsion surface in this way and is well subjected to the color development processing.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is used for processing silver halide photographic materials such as color films and color vapors (including those with reflective supports and those with transparent supports). The present invention relates to a processing method and a processing machine for photographic materials.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a processing method and processing machine for this type of photographic light-sensitive material, there are, for example, immersion processing method and processing machine according to the following first and second conventional examples.

A conventional processing machine for Ml has a plurality of processing tanks each having a capacity of several liters.

It includes a heater that heats the processing liquid stored in the processing tank, and a feed roller and a guide roller that are provided on the transport path and sequentially transport and immerse the photographic material in each processing tank.

In the processing machine according to the second conventional example, the main body of the processing machine is divided into upper and lower halves, and the upper and lower halves have a wave-shaped cross section on their opposing surfaces, and the opposing surfaces of the upper half and the lower A slit-like conveyance path having a corrugated cross-section is formed by the opposing surfaces of the halves, and a slit-like processing liquid reservoir is formed in each valley of the wave-like cross-section of the slit-like conveyance path. Furthermore, a feed roller is provided at the terminal end of the slit-shaped conveyance path.

In both of the processing methods using the processing machines according to the first and second conventional examples, a processing solution such as a developer is stored in each processing tank or each slit-shaped processing solution reservoir, and these processing The photographic material is transported while being immersed in the solution, and is sequentially processed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the configuration of the processing machine according to the first conventional example described above, a plurality of processing tanks each having a capacity of approximately the same amount as the waste water are provided, so the amount of processing liquid is limited. The problem is that this increases the size, making it difficult to manage the processing liquid, and that the processing machine becomes large and heavy, resulting in high costs.

The configuration of the processing machine according to the second conventional example described above improves the size and weight of the processing machine, the reduction in cost, and the reduction in the amount of processing liquid compared to the processing machine according to the first conventional example. However, there are limitations due to the structure, and in particular, there is a risk that the photographic material may get caught in the slit-shaped processing liquid reservoir, causing a so-called jam, and pressure build-up may also occur. Furthermore, crystals may even be generated on the inner wall of the slit-shaped processing liquid reservoir due to evaporation of processing liquid components.

Therefore, the present invention was made with attention to the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to enable processing with a small amount of processing liquid, and to reduce the size and weight of the processing machine. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and a processing machine for processing photographic materials, which eliminates the need for cleaning, suppresses the occurrence of jam trouble and pressure build-up during processing, and prevents the formation of crystals due to evaporation of processing liquid components.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The method for processing a photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention that achieves the above-mentioned object includes first and second flow streams defined by sandwiching a photographic light-sensitive material in a slit-forming processing tank. supply the processing liquid to the first
The present invention is characterized in that the photographic light-sensitive material is conveyed while being held in a floating state by the processing liquid flowing in the second flow region, and the processing liquid is supplied to the emulsion surface for photographic processing.

The photographic material processing machine of the present invention which achieves the above object supplies a processing liquid to first and second flow zones defined by sandwiching a photographic material in a slurry-shaped vortex processing tank, and The apparatus is equipped with one or more processing apparatuses configured to transport the photographic light-sensitive material 1 while holding it in a floating state with the processing liquid flowing in the second flow region, and to supply the processing liquid to the emulsion surface for photographic processing. It is characterized by

Also according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

■The processing device includes a slit molding processing tank, and a processing liquid supplying means for supplying processing liquid to first and second flow areas defined by sandwiching a photographic light-sensitive material in the slit molding processing tank. (1) A photosensitive material transporting means for transporting the photographic material while holding it in a floating state by the processing liquid flowing through the first and ff12 flow zones in the slit forming glass processing tank; (1) the photosensitive material; The conveyance means is characterized in that it is equipped with a leader section or a feed roller for conveying the photosensitive material into the slit molding treatment tank.

[Operation] During photographic processing of a photographic light-sensitive material, the photographic light-sensitive material is conveyed into a slit-forming processing tank and a processing liquid is supplied to the first and second flow zones defined by sandwiching the photographic light-sensitive material. The photographic light-sensitive material is conveyed while being held in a floating state by the processing liquid flowing through the first and second flow zones, and the emulsion surface thereof is alternately supplied with the processing liquid and subjected to photographic processing.

In this way, crystallization due to evaporation of the processing liquid is prevented, processing unevenness is eliminated due to the liquid stirring action of the processing liquid flow, and the amount of processing liquid and waste liquid is significantly reduced, and the floating conveyance of the photographic light-sensitive material is improved. There is no risk of jam trouble or pressure build-up. Further, by discharging the remaining processing liquid under negative pressure, cleaning becomes unnecessary, the number of parts to be cleaned is almost eliminated, and costs can be reduced. Therefore, the first problem mentioned above can be eliminated.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a photographic material processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This processor is capable of carrying out color development, bleaching, fixing, and washing of photographic material F in one processor.

Specifically, the processing apparatus 1 has a slit molding processing tank 2. This slit molding processing tank 2 has first and second processing tank walls 3a and 3b facing each other with a narrow interval.
The processing tank vortex part 4 is formed into a slit-like cross-section and a spiral shape, and a processing tank straight part 5 extends tangentially to the processing tank vortex part 4. A photosensitive material transport path 6 is formed in the slit molding processing tank 2, and a pair of holes are provided at the tip of the processing tank straight section 5 so that the photographic material F is transported along this photosensitive material transport path 6. A feed roller 7 is provided facing each other, and a photosensitive material supply reel portion 9 having a spool shaft 8 is provided in front of the feed roller rough.

First and second processing tank walls 3a in the processing tank straight section 5
, 3b are provided with first and second processing liquid supply ports 10a.
, 10b are formed at equal pitches in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the photographic light-sensitive material F, and the first and second processing liquid supply ports 1
First and second flow areas 17 starting from 0a and 10b
The photographic light-sensitive material F being conveyed is held in a floating state by the processing liquid flowing through a and 17b.

In addition, a processing liquid circulation supply path 21 is provided which circulates and supplies a developing solution during color development processing, a bleaching solution during bleaching processing, a fixing solution during fixing processing, and water or a stabilizing solution during water washing processing by switching the processing solution supply path. It is set up. This processing liquid circulation supply path 21 has a suckion pipe in which a two-way valve 11 is arranged, starting from each tank 1:la%1:lb, 13c, 1cod for developing solution, bleaching solution, fixing solution, and washing solution. 4, supply pump 15.3-way valve 22, main supply pipe 16,
Branch supply pipe 16a, first and second processing liquid supply ports 10
a, 10b, the first and second flow areas 17aj7b in the slit molding processing tank 2, the processing liquid discharge port 18, the main discharge pipe 19, and the branch discharge pipe 20 in which the two-way valve 13 is arranged.
Each tank 1: la, 13b, 13 of the original developer etc.
It consists of a route terminating at c and 13d. Said three-way valve 2
2 is equipped with a processing liquid discharge boat and an air suction boat, and when switching the processing liquid supply, the processing liquid from the pre-treatment process remaining in a part of the processing liquid circulation path 21 is discharged to the waste liquid tank 24 by negative pressure by the discharge pump 23. It is something that can be done.

The feed roller 7 also serves as a squeeze roller, and a squeeze liquid reservoir 25 is formed below the feed roller rough, so that the squeeze liquid can be discharged into a waste liquid tank 26 when the photographic photosensitive material 14F is rolled up and stored. There is.

Next, a processing method of the processing machine having the above configuration will be explained.

During color development processing of photographic light-sensitive material F,
is fed out from the photosensitive material supply reel section 9 by a feed roller ruff and conveyed into the slit forming processing tank 2. At the same time, the developer in the developer tank 13a is supplied by the supply pump 15 to the first and second flow areas 17a, 17b from the first and second processing solution supply ports 10a, 10b. The transport speed of the photographic light-sensitive material F and the amount of developer supplied are determined in consideration of the thickness of the developer on the emulsion surface. The thickness of the developer is not particularly limited, and the frame size is 8.2c.
+ox 12cm.

When a service size photographic photosensitive material 14F with a frame area of 100 cm' is used and a developer with a color developing agent concentration of 10 to 20 g is used, it is preferably 500 g ts or less, more preferably 300 g rs or less. .

As a result, the photographic material F is transported along the photosensitive material transport path 6 while being held in a floating state by the developer flowing in the first and second flow regions 17a and 17b. During this transportation, the photographic light-sensitive material F is alternately supplied with a developer onto its emulsion surface and subjected to color development processing.

When bleaching photographic material F that has been subjected to color development processing,
First, when the processing liquid volume boat is closed by the three-way valve 22 and the air suction boat is opened, and negative pressure is applied by the discharge pump 23, the developer remaining in the color development process remains in a part of the processing liquid circulation path 21. is sucked and discharged into the waste liquid tank 24.

Next, the tank in the processing liquid circulation path 21 is switched from the developer tank 13a to the bleaching liquid tank 13b by the two-way valve 11, and when the bleaching liquid in the tank 13b is supplied by the supply pump 15, the inside of the slit molding processing tank 2 is The photographic material F which has been subjected to the color development process is subjected to a bleaching process through the same steps as the color development process described above.

Then, the bleached photographic light-sensitive material F is fixed using a fixing solution during the fixing process and water or a stabilizing solution during the water washing process through the same steps as the above bleaching process, and then the water washing process is performed. conduct.

The photographic light-sensitive material F being washed with water is wound up and stored in the light-sensitive material supply reel section 9 via the spool shaft 8. At this time, the feed roller 7 functions as a squeeze roller, and the squeeze liquid is discharged to the waste liquid tank 26 via the squeeze liquid reservoir 25.

In this way, it is possible to process the photographic light-sensitive material F with the minimum amount of processing liquid, and the flow of the processing liquid acts as liquid stirring to eliminate uneven processing, allowing high-quality photographic processing to be carried out over the entire emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material F. I can do it.

In addition, by floating and transporting the photographic material F, it is possible to eliminate jam troubles and pressure build-up of the photographic material F during processing, and prevent crystal precipitation due to evaporation of the processing liquid. Furthermore, by discharging the remaining processing liquid under negative pressure, cleaning becomes unnecessary and the number of parts to be cleaned can be reduced to almost nothing.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
For example, in this embodiment, the case of a processing machine equipped with only one processing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a processing machine equipped with multiple processing devices depending on the type of processing liquid. The invention can also be applied. Furthermore, a leader section may be provided in place of the feed roller to convey the photosensitive material while pulling it. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a processing machine that enables waterless washing processing.

Photographic materials and processing times to which the present invention can be preferably applied will be explained below, but the present invention is not limited thereby.

The silver halide grains used in the silver halide emulsion layer of the photographic light-sensitive material processed according to the present invention include, for example, silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodobromide, and silver iodobromide. silver chloride at least 80 mol %, especially 9
Preferably, it is substantially silver chloride, containing 0 mol%,
The amount of bromide and iodide is preferably extremely small.

In particular, when the silver chloride content is 95 mol % or more, it is preferably used because the desired effect of the present invention can be achieved well and furthermore, it is quick. Particularly preferably silver chloride is 98 mol% or more. In a special case, it is also a preferred embodiment that the blue-sensitive layer contains silver halide containing 30 mol% of bromide, and the other two layers, for example, the green-sensitive layer and the red-sensitive layer, contain about 99 mol% of chloride. It is. The silver halide is preferably a core-shell grain having a double layer structure.

The silver chloride preferably used in the present invention is at least 8
The silver halide emulsion layer containing 0 mol %, especially 90 mol %, of silver halide grains contains a color coupler. These color couplers react with color developing agent solubilization products to form non-diffusible dyes. Color couplers are advantageously incorporated in non-diffusive form in or closely adjacent to the photosensitive layer.

Thus, the red-sensitive layer may contain, for example, a non-diffusive color coupler, generally a phenolic or alpha-naphthol coupler, which produces a cyan partial color image.

The green-sensitive layer may contain, for example, at least one non-diffusive color coupler that produces a magenta partial color image, typically a 5-pyrazolone color coupler and a pyrazolotriazole cuffler. The blue-sensitive layer may contain, for example, at least one non-diffusive color coupler that produces a negative partial color image, generally a color coupler that accommodates open-chain ketomethylene groups.

Color couplers can be, for example, 6-14- or 2-equivalent couplers.

In the present invention, 2-equivalent couplers are particularly preferred.

Suitable couplers are disclosed, for example, in the following publications:
Agfa research report (Mitteilunglnaus)
den Forschungslaboratory
der Agfa), Lehr x Lukusen/Munich (Leverkusen/Munchen),
Vol, m, p, 111 (1961)
"Color coupler" (F
arbkuppler); Kay Ventakataraman (K.

Venkatara@an), “The Chemistry of Synthetic Dies”
rsry of Synthetic Dyes), Vo
l, 4.341-387, Academic Press (Ac
academic Press), ``The Theory of...
The Photographic Process J
ory of the Photographic P
rocess), 4th edition.

Pages 353-362; and Research Disclosure
No. 1764: l, Section ■.

In the present invention, in particular, JP-A-63-106655
General formula [M-1] as described in the specification, page 26
Magenta couplers shown in (Specific examples of these magenta couplers include No. 1 to No. 77 described on pages 29 to 34 of JP-A-63-106655), also described on page 34. The general formula [C
-I ] or [C-II] cyan coupler (
Specific examples of cyan couplers include those described in the same specification, 37-
(C'-1) to (C'-82), (C'' described on page 42)
-1) to (C''-36)), the high-speed yellow couplers described on page 20 of the same specification (as specific example cyan couplers, (
From the viewpoint of the desired effects of the present invention, it is preferable to use Y'-1) to (y'39) in combination in the photographic light-sensitive material processed according to the present invention.

In the present invention, when a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic mercapto compound is used in combination with the high silver chloride photographic light-sensitive material preferably used in the present invention, not only the desired effects of the present invention can be favorably achieved, but also In the present invention, this is cited as a more preferred embodiment because it has the additional effect of minimizing the influence on photographic performance that occurs when a bleaching solution is mixed in.

Specific examples of these nitrogen-containing heterocyclic mercapto compounds include (I'-1) to (I'-87) described in JP-A-6:1-106655, pages 42 to 45.

Silver chloride content preferably used in the present invention 80 mol%,
In particular, silver halide emulsions of greater than 90 mole percent can be prepared by conventional methods (eg, single or double flow with constant or accelerated feed of material).

Particularly preferred is the adjustment method using the double inflow method while adjusting 9Ag; Research Disclosure No. 176
4:1. See Sections E and II.

Silver halide emulsions can be chemically sensitized. Reducing agents can also be used as chemical sensitizers, with sulfur-containing compounds such as allylisothiocyanate allylthiourea or thiosulfate being particularly preferred;
687, and for example the Belky patent 547. : Polyamines such as diethylenetriamine or aminomethylsulfinic acid derivatives according to No. 123. Noble metals and precious metal compounds such as gold, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium or rhodium are also suitable sensitizers. This chemical sensitization method was developed by the Zeitschrift Ver Bissenschaftliche Fotografie (
Z, Wiss, Photo, ) 46.65-72 (
R. Koslovsky (1951)
vsky); Also, the above Research Disclosure No. 17643% Section ■
See also:

Silver halide emulsions are prepared by optically known methods, for example using common polymethine dyes such as dinitrodianines, basic or acidic carbocyanines, rhodacyanines, hemicyanines, styryl dyes, oxonols and the like.
Can be sensitized: F.M. Hammer (F, M.
, lamer) [The Cyanin Soybean and Related Combines J]
e Dyes and related Compoun
ds) (1964) Ullmann's Hemmy (formerly 1mann
Enzyklpadie der technisc
hen Chemie) 4th edition, volume 18, page 431 and the following, and the above Research Disclosure No.
1764:l, see section ■.

Conventional antifoggants and stabilizers can be used in the silver halide emulsions. Azaindenes are particularly suitable stabilizers, with tetra- and penta-azaindenes being preferred, especially those substituted with hydroxyl or amino groups.

Compounds of this type are described, for example, in the paper by Birr, Zeitschrift Ver Bissenschaftliche Fotografie (Z, Wiss, Photo) 47.
．． 1952, p. 2-58, and the above-mentioned Research Disclosure No. 17643, Section ■.

The components of the photographic light-sensitive material can be incorporated by conventionally known methods; for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,322,027, U.S. Pat. : No. 16 and times: l, 765, 8
See No. 97.

Components 1 of the photographic material, such as couplers and UV absorbers, can also be included in the form of charged latexes; see US Pat. It can also be fixed in photographic materials as a polymer; for example, US Pat. No. 2,044,992;
, 370,952 and 4,080.211.

Customary supports can be used as supports for the photographic materials processed according to the invention, such as, for example, supports of cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate, and supports of polyesters. When paper supports are used in the present invention, they can be coated, for example, with polyolefins, especially polyethylene or polypropylene; in this regard, the above-mentioned Research Disclosure No.
17643, Section V ■.

Conventional hydrophilic film formers can be used as protective colloids or binders for layers of photographic materials,
They are, for example, proteins, especially gelatin, alginic acid or its derivatives such as esters, amides or salts, cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose and cellulose sulfate, starch or its derivatives or hydrophilic synthetic binders. Reference may also be made to the binders shown in IX.

The layer of photographic material provided on the support can be hardened using conventional methods such as epoxide, heterocyclic ethyleneimine or acryloyl type hardeners. Furthermore, the photographic constituent layers can be cured by a method according to US Pat. No. 2,218,009 to produce a color photographic material suitable for high temperature operation. The above layer can also be cured with diazine, triazine or 1,2-dihydroquinoline type hardeners or vinylsulfone type hardeners. Other suitable curing agents are disclosed in Patent Application Publication No. 2, 4.
No. 39,551, No. 2,225,230 and No. 2.3
No. 17,672 and Research Disclosure 1764:1, Section X, supra.

Furthermore, in the most preferred processing step in the present invention, the processing time of all processing steps (excluding the drying step), including the color development step, bleaching step, and water washing or stabilization step, is preferably within 90 seconds, particularly preferably 6 seconds. 75 seconds, more preferably 9 seconds to 60 seconds, and most preferably 15 seconds to 50 seconds.

In the present invention, the processing time for one color development step is preferably within 35 seconds, more preferably in the range of 3 seconds to 30 seconds, even more preferably in the range of 5 seconds to 25 seconds, and most preferably 7 seconds. It is in the range of seconds to 20 seconds.

Further, in the present invention, the treatment time of the bleaching step in the treatment steps is preferably 10 to 50%, but from the viewpoint of the desired effect of the present invention, a range of 20 to 40% is more preferably used. It will be done.

In the above, the time for the entire processing process refers to the time from when the photographic light-sensitive material comes in contact with the color developer until just before it starts the drying process. Bleaching processing time refers to the time from when the photographic material touches the bleaching solution to when the same location comes into contact with the bleaching solution. This refers to the period from when the photographic material is washed with water or comes into contact with the stabilizing solution until just before the same point begins the drying process, that is, the total of these times is the time for the entire processing process.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, a processing liquid is supplied to the first and second flow regions defined by sandwiching a photographic material in a slit molding processing tank, and The photographic light-sensitive material is conveyed while being held in a floating state by the processing liquid flowing through the flow area, and the processing liquid is supplied to the emulsion surface for photographic processing.
It enables processing with the minimum amount of processing liquid, reduces the size and weight of the processing machine, and prevents jam troubles and pressure build-up. Further, precipitation of crystals due to evaporation of the processing liquid can be prevented. Furthermore, there is an effect that processing unevenness can be eliminated and high quality photographic processing can be performed over the entire emulsion surface of the photographic light-sensitive material.

Furthermore, since the remaining processing liquid can be discharged under negative pressure, there is no need for cleaning, which reduces the number of parts to be cleaned and reduces costs.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a photographic material processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. l: processing device 2 slit-shaped vortex processing tank 6: photosensitive material transport path 7: feed roller 9: photosensitive material supply reel portions 10a, 10b: first and second processing liquid supply ports 21
: Processing liquid circulation path 22: 3-way valve

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Supplying a processing liquid to first and second flow zones defined by sandwiching a photographic light-sensitive material in a slit-shaped vortex-type processing tank; 1. A method for processing a photographic light-sensitive material, which comprises transporting the photographic light-sensitive material while being held in a floating state by a flowing processing liquid, and supplying the processing liquid to the emulsion surface of the material for photographic processing. 2. A processing liquid is supplied to first and second flow zones defined by sandwiching a photographic light-sensitive material in a slit-shaped vortex-type processing tank, and the processing liquid flowing through the first and second flow zones produces photographs. 1. A photographic light-sensitive material processing machine comprising one or more processing devices configured to convey a light-sensitive material while holding it in a floating state, supply a processing liquid to the emulsion surface of the material, and carry out photographic processing. 3. The processing device includes a slit-like vortex-type processing tank and a first slit-shaped vortex-type processing tank that is defined by sandwiching a photographic material therein.
and a processing liquid supply means for supplying a processing liquid to the second flow zone, and a processing liquid flowing through the first and second flow zones in the slit-like vortex type processing tank while holding the photographic light-sensitive material in a floating state. 3. The photographic material processing machine according to claim 2, further comprising a photosensitive material conveying means for conveying the photographic material. 4. The photosensitive material processing machine according to claim 3, wherein the photosensitive material conveying means includes a leader section or a feed roller for conveying the photographic photosensitive material into the slit-shaped vortex type processing tank.