JPH027042A - Processing vessel and device for processing photosensitive material provided with the vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the air oxidation of processing solns. and to facilitate maintenance by sealing the processing solns. in the bodies of containers and forming a transfer path with the bodies. CONSTITUTION:A developing vessel 4, a fixing vessel 5 and a washing vessel 6 of cartridge type are arranged between a photosensitive material carrying-in part 2 and a photosensitive material carrying-out part 3. Valve mechanisms 7c for passing a photosensitive material are fitted to carrying-in parts 7a and carrying-out parts 7b. The mechanisms 7c are usually sealed so as to prevent the air oxidation of processing solns. When the photosensitive material is carried out, the mechanisms 7c squeeze the material to reduce the amts. of the processing solns. brought out. Transfer rollers 9-14 are placed opposite to the parts 7a, 7b. By assembling a device for processing a photosensitive material as mentioned above, the air oxidation of processing solns. is prevented and a special transfer mechanism is made unnecessary. Since the processing vessels are cartridge type and are detachable, maintenance is facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a processing tank for photosensitive materials and a photosensitive material processing apparatus equipped with the processing tank.

[Prior Art] Some photosensitive material processing apparatuses are equipped with a plurality of processing tanks, for example, and each processing tank is fixedly attached to the main body of the apparatus, and furthermore, the photosensitive material is processed by a transport mechanism provided inside the processing tank. It is designed to be transported, immersed in a processing solution, and automatically developed.

The processing tank of this photosensitive material processing equipment has many parts that are in contact with the air and is equipped with a transport mechanism, so the processing liquid adhering to the walls of the processing tank and the transport mechanism, etc., oxidizes and becomes dirty, causing cleaning to stop operation. The equipment is stopped and sprayed with water, or the photosensitive material processing equipment is disassembled and cleaned with water.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, when cleaning the processing tank or the conveyance mechanism for conveying photosensitive materials, it is necessary to stop the operation and spray with water, or disassemble the photosensitive material processing equipment and clean it. This requires a lot of work and is difficult to maintain.

Furthermore, it is not possible to clean the photosensitive material processing equipment during operation, and when a large amount of photosensitive material is processed continuously, the dirt becomes severe.

This invention was made in view of the above points, and the first purpose is to provide a treatment tank that allows the treatment tank itself to be replaced, and the second purpose is to replace a used treatment tank with a new one. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus that is replaceable and easy to maintain.

[0! Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the treatment tank of the present invention has the following features:
The present invention is characterized in that a processing liquid is sealed in the container body, and a transport path is formed by the container main body to transport and process the photosensitive material.

Further, the processing tank of the present invention can be provided with a valve mechanism in the container body to allow the loading of the photosensitive material.

Furthermore, the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the processing tank described above is detachably provided.

[Function] In the processing tank of the present invention, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus, processing is performed using the processing liquid contained in the container body, and the photosensitive material is transported and processed in the transport path formed by the container body of the processing tank. , processed without any special transport mechanism.

In addition, in the processing tank of the present invention, a valve mechanism provided in the container body allows the loading of the photosensitive material, and this valve mechanism is normally sealed to prevent air oxidation of the processing solution and transport the photosensitive material. When cleaning, squeeze to prevent processing solution from being taken out.

Furthermore, the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is detachably equipped with the processing tank, and can be replaced with a new processing tank after processing a predetermined amount.

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

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body for blocking external light.A photosensitive material loading section 2 is provided on one side of the apparatus main body 1, and a photosensitive material unloading section 3 is provided on the other side. Between the photosensitive material loading section 2 and the photosensitive material loading section 3, a developer tank 4,
A fixing tank 5 and a washing tank 6 are provided, and these developing tank 4, fixing tank 5, and washing tank 6 are formed of a cartridge-type processing tank.The cartridge-shaped processing tank 7 is made of polyester, for example, to improve corrosion resistance. It is formed of an organic material sheet such as a sheet, a vinyl chloride resin sheet, a nylon sheet, etc., and a valve mechanism 70 for passing the photosensitive material is formed in the carry-in part 7a and the carry-out part b. This valve mechanism 7C is normally sealed, and has the function of preventing air oxidation of the processing liquid and squeezing the processing liquid when carrying out the photosensitive material, thereby suppressing the removal of the processing liquid.

Each of the processing tanks 7 contains a developer, a fixer, and a washing liquid, thereby forming a developing tank 4, a fixing tank 5, and a washing tank 6, each of which can be attached to and removed from the side of the apparatus main body 1. Once the specified amount has been processed, the tank is replaced with a new one.

The developing tank 4 and fixing tank 5 are maintained at a predetermined temperature by a heater 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, ribs 7d in the transport direction are formed on the inner surface of the main body of the processing tank 7 to reduce the resistance during transport of the photosensitive material and to increase the agitation ability of the processing liquid. I'm in the middle of the day. Furthermore, a protrusion 7e as shown in FIG. 3 may be formed on the inner surface of the container body of the processing tank 7.

In this way, a conveyance path for the photosensitive material is formed in the container body of the processing tank 7, and as described above, the processing tank 7 is used for transporting organic material sheets such as polyester sheets, vinyl chloride resin sheets, nylon sheets, etc. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, both ends of two organic material sheets 71 and 72 may be bent to form bent portions 71a and 7.
2a and a valve mechanism 73 is provided, and this organic material sheet 7
1.72 facing each other at a predetermined interval, and thermocompression-bonding organic material sheets 74 on both sides. The carrying-in section 7a and the carrying-out section 7b of the developing tank 4, fixing tank 5, and washing tank 6
Conveyance rollers 9., which constitute the conveyance mechanism 8, are located at the portion facing the conveyance mechanism 8. +0.11°12.13.14 are arranged.

By driving these transport rollers 9 to 14, the photosensitive material is sequentially transported to the developing tank 4, the fixing tank 5, and the washing tank 6. A belt member 15 containing a cleaning liquid is attached to one roller 10.
a, wrapped around 12a. This belt member] 5 is an endless belt made of cloth, paper, etc., and is supported and conveyed by guide rollers 16, and is conveyed by conveying rollers 10 and 12.
It is supposed to be washed. This belt member 15 allows the cleaning liquid 4!17 to pass therethrough, thereby constantly cleaning the dirty belt member 15.

This belt member 15 is conveyed by the drive of conveyance rollers 10.12, and can be conveyed simultaneously with the photosensitive material, so that the conveyance speed of the belt member 15 and the conveyance speed of the photosensitive material are the same, and The photosensitive material is prevented from being scratched when cleaning the rollers 10 and 12.

In addition, when the photosensitive material is not transported, the transport roller 1
The belt member 15 will pass between 0 and 12,
The rollers 10b and 12b of the conveyance rollers 10 and 12 can also be cleaned at the same time, and the conveyance rollers 10 and 12 can always be cleaned during operation, allowing efficient cleaning.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, processing is performed using the processing liquid formed inside the container body, and the photosensitive material is transported through the transport path formed in the container body of the processing tank. Therefore, the conveyance process is carried out without the need for a special conveyance mechanism.

In addition, in the processing tank of the present invention, a valve mechanism provided in the container body allows the loading of the photosensitive material, and this valve mechanism is normally sealed to prevent air oxidation of the processing solution and transport the photosensitive material. You can suppress the removal of the processing liquid by squeezing it when cleaning.

Furthermore, the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is detachably equipped with the processing tank described above, and after a predetermined amount of processing has been processed, it can be replaced with a new processing tank, which facilitates maintenance.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a processing tank, and Fig. 343 is a diagram showing a part of another processing tank. Figure J4 is a perspective view showing another processing tank. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the apparatus, 4 is a developing tank, 5 is a fixing tank, 6 is a washing tank, 7 is a processing tank, 8 is a transport mechanism, 9.10.11, 12
, 13 and 14 are conveyance rollers, 15 is a belt member, and 30 is a heater. Patent Applicant Konica Co., Ltd. Figure 1 Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A processing tank characterized in that a processing liquid is sealed in a container body, and a transport path is formed by the container main body to transport and process a photosensitive material. 2. A processing tank, characterized in that the container body according to claim 1 is provided with a valve mechanism that enables loading and unloading of the photosensitive material. 3. A photosensitive material processing apparatus detachably equipped with the processing tank according to claim 1 or 2.