JPH03174155A - Processing device for photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain the same size at the time of exposing and after drying even when the outdoor air is at and under a low temp. and low humidity in a winter season or the like and to allow the drying at a high speed by providing an auxiliary drying section freely attachably and detachably on the downstream side of a drying section. CONSTITUTION:The auxiliary drying section 25 having a drying chamber 35 is freely attachably and detachably disposed on the downstream side of the drying section 24. Transporting rollers 43 which are respectively uniformly arranged are disposed in the drying chamber 35 to guide an inserted film 14 and to deliver the film to a tray 49 provided in the upper part. The auxiliary drying section 25 is mounted when the outdoor air is at and under the low temp. and low humidity in the winter season or the like so that the photosensitive material 14 processed by a processing section 17 is dried again by the auxiliary drying section 25 even when the photosensitive material is discharged in an undried state from the drying section 24. The photosensitive material is restored to the same size as the size at the time of exposing and the high- speed drying processing is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material such as a photographic film with a processing liquid and drying the same.

[Prior Art] In a photosensitive material processing apparatus that processes and dries photosensitive materials such as photographic film with a processing liquid, when the photosensitive material processing apparatus is turned on, the heater and fan in the drying section are activated. The photosensitive material treated with the processing liquid is dried while being transported at a predetermined speed by a transport means such as transport rollers.

In this case, the outside air taken in from the outside air intake is heated by the heater according to the temperature and humidity of the outside air, and becomes warm air.
The warm air is sent to the drying section by a fan, lowering the relative humidity of the drying section, and increasing the temperature of the photographic film to be dried by this hot air, thereby evaporating the moisture attached to and contained in the photosensitive material. (Japanese Patent Application No. 1989-89514).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned photosensitive material processing apparatus, the conveyance speed of the photosensitive material is fixed, so in winter when the temperature is extremely low and humidity is low, drying during the lapse rate drying period may be delayed. It takes a long time, and drying in the drying section is insufficient.
The photosensitive material becomes in a so-called undried state, containing a large amount of water.

If the temperature of the hot air in the drying section is increased in order to improve this problem, the photosensitive material will become too dry, resulting in a so-called over-dried state. For this reason, the dimensions of the photosensitive material change, and even if the photosensitive material after drying is left exposed to changes in temperature and humidity in the working environment during exposure, there will be a difference between the dimensions of the photosensitive material after drying and the dimensions of the photosensitive material at the time of exposure. There is a problem that various adverse effects occur. This disadvantage will be explained regarding photographic film for printing.

As shown in FIG. 14, a photographic film 81 for printing as a light-sensitive material generally includes a film base 83 made of polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as PET base), an emulsion layer 86 coated on one side of this PET base 83, and A backing layer 88 made of gelatin and dye is coated on the other side.

It is known that the dimensions of this photographic film 81 (hereinafter referred to as film) change due to heat and moisture, similar to general substances. However, if the film dimension at the time of exposure to the film 81 (point P in Figure 15) and the film dimension after drying (point A in Figure 15) are the same, then the intermediate value (at the time of development shown as point W in Figure 15) is the same. There is no problem even if the dimensions change, but as shown by the imaginary line in Figure 14, when the film 81 contains a lot of moisture during development, etc., each layer tends to stretch.However, the amount of stretching is smaller than that of the PET base 83, the emulsion layer 86 containing gelatin, and the backing layer 88 differ in that the emulsion layer 86 and the backing layer 88 elongate more, while the PET base 88 elongates less.Therefore, what is actually observed is that the PET base 83 elongates. In other words, the emulsion layer 86 and the backing layer 88 are held in a contracted state.

When the next drying process is performed in this state, each layer tends to shrink (the state shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 14). In this case as well, the amount of contraction is different, as in the case of elongation, and therefore what is actually observed is the contracted state of the PET base 83. In this state, the emulsion layer 86,
Backing layer 88 will be held in a stretched state.

As described above, when the emulsion layer 86 and the backing layer 88 are stretched by drying, the elasticity that the emulsion layer 86 and the backing layer 88 originally had is lost, and they become stable in this state, and are affected by the environment during exposure. Even if the temperature and humidity are the same, the dimensions do not return to those at the time of exposure, and an error occurs compared to the film dimensions at the time of exposure (the amount of dimensionalization G in FIG. 15).

In order to avoid this error, the photographic film must be dried at a low drying temperature. However, if the photographic film discharged from the drying section is allowed to dry naturally, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to dry and cannot be dried at high speed.

The present invention was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned fact, and even when the outside air is low temperature and low humidity such as in winter, the dimensions of the photosensitive material after drying can be restored to the same dimensions as the dimensions at the time of exposure. If photosensitive materials are dried at optimal temperature and humidity, they will not lose their elasticity, allowing them to expand and contract in response to the surrounding environment (humidity).
It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus which can make the same size even if the size after exposure and after drying is different if it is left at the same temperature and humidity, and can dry at high speed.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention as described in claim (1) includes a processing section for processing a photosensitive material with a processing liquid, a drying section for drying the photosensitive material processed by the processing section, and a drying section for drying the photosensitive material processed by the processing section. The apparatus is characterized in that it includes an auxiliary drying section which is detachably disposed on the downstream side and which dries the photosensitive material that has passed through the drying section.

In the present invention according to claim (2), there is provided a processing section for processing a photosensitive material with a processing liquid, a drying section for drying the photosensitive material processed by the processing section, and a drying section disposed downstream of the drying section. an auxiliary drying section for drying the photosensitive material that has passed through the drying section; and a conveyance path switching means that switches the conveyance path so that the photosensitive material is discharged directly from the drying section or through the auxiliary drying section. It is characterized by

[Function] In the present invention as set forth in claim (1) having the above configuration, when the outside air is low temperature and low humidity in winter, etc., an auxiliary drying section is installed on the downstream side of the drying section, so that the drying section can reduce the amount of water treated by the processing section. Even if the photosensitive material is discharged from the drying section in an undried state,
The undried photographic material is dried again by the auxiliary drying section. Therefore, the dimensions can be restored to the same dimensions as those at the time of exposure, and the drying process can be performed at a higher speed than in the case where an undried photosensitive material discharged from a conventional drying section is naturally dried.

Further, in the present invention as described in claim (2), when the outside air is low temperature and low humidity such as in winter, the conveyance path is changed so that the conveyance path switching means causes the photosensitive material to be discharged from the drying section through the auxiliary drying section. Therefore, the undried photosensitive material discharged from the drying section is dried again by the auxiliary drying section.Therefore, it can be restored to the same dimensions as at the time of exposure, and it can be discharged from the conventional drying section. Compared to the case where an undried photographic material is naturally dried, it is possible to dry it at a higher speed.

On the other hand, if the outside air is not low temperature and low humidity, the conveyance path switching means switches the conveyance path so that the photosensitive material is directly discharged from the drying section. Therefore, the photosensitive material is not brought into an over-dry state by the auxiliary drying section. Therefore, the dimensions can be restored to the same dimensions as those at the time of exposure.

Note that the drying of the photosensitive material in the auxiliary drying section may be carried out by blowing warm air heated from the outside onto the photosensitive material, or may be carried out by blowing the outside air onto the photosensitive material without heating it.

[Embodiments 1st Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, a film 14 as a photosensitive material transported into the interior of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 from the entrance 12 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is guided by a guide roller 16 into a developing tank constituting a processing section 17. 18, a fixing tank 20, a washing tank 22, and then a drying section 24. A rack 28 constituted by a plurality of guide rollers 26 is housed in the developing tank 18, the fixing tank 20, and the washing tank 22.
The film 14 is immersed by this rack 28 from various liquid levels to the bottom, turned over, and guided to the liquid level again.

Also, between the developer tank 18 and the fixing tank 20, and between the fixing tank 20
A guide roller 30 is disposed between the washing tank 22 and the washing tank 22, and the film 14 is guided to the adjacent tank in sequence, and a plurality of roller pairs 32 are also arranged between the washing tank 22 and the drying section 24. The film 14 is guided to the drying section 24. Note that these roller pairs 32 are attached to the film 14.
It also has the effect of squeezing some of the water adhering to the water.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drying section 24 is provided with a drying chamber 34, which is communicated with the processing section 17 through a transport port 40 for the film 14. Further, each of the drying chambers 34 is provided with conveying rollers 42 arranged evenly, and guides the film 14 inserted into the drying chamber 34 approximately linearly from the upper part to the lower part. After being reversed by a guide 44, a drive roller 46 sends it out to a discharge port 48.

A drive shaft of a motor 50 is connected to the drive roller 46 via a belt 52, so that the drive force of the motor 50 is transmitted to the drive roller 46 and rotated.

It should be noted that each roller disposed within the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is connected to a driving means (not shown) so that rotational driving force is transmitted to the rollers and the rollers are rotated.

An air intake duct 51 is communicated with the drying chamber 34 . Further, an exhaust duct 54 is attached to the drying chamber 34 and communicates with the outside.

A fan 56 is disposed in the middle of the intake duct 51, and a heater 58 is disposed on the downstream side thereof. This heater 58 is disposed within a duct 64 that communicates the intake duct 51 and the drying chamber 34. The outside air introduced into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 from the air intake duct 51 by the fan 56 is heated by the heater 58 and then becomes warm air.
It is designed to be supplied to a drying chamber 34.

Humid air is supplied from the exhaust duct 54 to the drying chamber 34 and is discharged after drying the film 14 and the transport roller 42.

A drying air temperature detection sensor 61 is disposed within the drying chamber 34 to detect the temperature of the drying air supplied into the drying chamber 34.

Furthermore, an outside air temperature detection sensor 70 for detecting the temperature of outside air and an outside air humidity detection sensor 72 for detecting the humidity of the outside air are disposed on the outer surface of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10.

Further, a plurality of film detectors 74 are arranged near the entrance 12 and are arranged along the width direction of the film 14 . This is used to detect the amount of film 14 inserted into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 and to calculate the area of the photosensitive material to be processed.

That is, in this embodiment, the film 14 is inserted into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 at regular intervals, and the temperature of the drying air is changed according to the area of the Z film 14 inserted into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 per unit time. Processing is performed at regular intervals so that the dried film 14 is in a standard dry state. However, for example, when the film 14 is processed at intervals shorter than the above-mentioned fixed interval or when a large amount of film 14 is processed, the film 14 is detected by the film detector 74 and the temperature inside the drying chamber is adjusted to a level that is suitable for drying. Incidental control will be performed to maintain the above-mentioned preconditions, such as providing an interval until the temperature is reached.

Dry air temperature detection sensor 61, outside air temperature detection sensor 70,
The outside air humidity detection sensor 72 and the film detector 74 are connected to a control device 76 . As a result, signals from the dry air temperature detection sensor 61, the outside air temperature detection sensor 70, the outside air humidity detection sensor 72, and the film detector 74 are transmitted to the control device 7.
6. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 76 includes a CPU 78, a RAM 80, and a ROM 9.
0, an input port 92, and an output port 94, an A/D converter 98, an analog gate 91, and a driver 93.

Dry air temperature detection sensor 61, outside air temperature detection sensor 70,
The outside air humidity detection sensor 72 is connected to the input side of the analog gate 91 and connected to the manual boat 92 of the microcomputer 96 via the A/D converter 98. The film detector 74 is also connected to the human powered boat 92 via an A/D converter 98.

The motor 50, fan 56, and heater 58 are connected to an output port 94 via a driver 93, and are controlled by a microcomputer 96.

Therefore, the temperature of the drying air supplied to the drying chamber 34 is controlled by the microcomputer 96.

As shown in FIG. 1, an auxiliary drying section 25 including a drying chamber 35 is detachably arranged downstream of the drying section 24 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10. In this auxiliary drying section 25, a mounting state detection switch 23 that is turned on when the drying section 25 is mounted on the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is disposed on a surface in contact with the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10.

Further, each of the drying chambers 35 is provided with conveying rollers 43 that are arranged evenly, and guide the film 14 inserted into the drying chamber 35 obliquely and linearly from the bottom to the top. The paper is sent out to a tray 49.

A drive shaft of a motor 45 is connected to the drive roller 47 via a belt 53, so that the drive force of the motor 45 is transmitted to the drive roller 47 and rotated.

An air intake duct 41 is connected to the drying chamber 35, and an exhaust duct 55 is attached to the drying chamber 35 and communicated with the outside.

A fan 57 is disposed in the middle of the intake duct 41, and a heater 59 is disposed on the downstream side thereof. This heater 59 is arranged in a duct 65 that communicates the air intake duct 41 and the drying chamber 35. Outside air is introduced into the auxiliary drying section 25 from the air intake duct 41 by the fan 57, heated by the heater 59, turned into warm air, and then supplied to the drying chamber 35.

Humid air is supplied from the exhaust duct 55 to the drying chamber 35 and is discharged after drying the film 14 and the conveying roller 43.

A drying air temperature detection sensor 63 is disposed within the drying chamber 35 to detect the temperature of the drying air supplied into the drying chamber 35.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting state detection switch 23 and the dry air temperature detection sensor 63 are connected to a control device 76 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10. As a result, a signal from the dry air temperature detection sensor 63 is input to the control device 76. The attachment state detection switch 23 is connected to an input port 92 of a microcomputer 96 via an A/D converter 98. In addition, the dry air temperature detection sensor 6
3 is connected to the input side of the analog gate 91.

The motor 45, fan 57, and heater 59 are connected to an output boat 94 via a driver 93, and are controlled by a microcomputer 96.

Therefore, the temperature of the drying air supplied to the drying chamber 35 is controlled by the microcomputer 96 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10.

Here, the temperature of the drying air in the drying chambers 34 and 35 will be explained.

The temperature of the drying air supplied into the drying chambers 34, 35 is determined by the temperature and humidity of the outside air. A characteristic diagram of the temperature and humidity inside this drying chamber 34 is shown in FIG.

This characteristic diagram shows the temperature inside the drying chamber 34 with respect to the outside air humidity for each outside air temperature, and is a drying temperature setting temperature curve for the film 14. Based on this temperature curve, the ROM 90 of the microcomputer 96 stores information about the drying chamber 34 for drying the film 14 as shown in FIG.
In other words, data indicating the relationship between the outside air humidity detected by the outside air humidity detection sensor 72 and the temperature inside the drying chamber 34 for a specific outside air temperature is stored.

In FIG. 5, curve A is the optimum drying temperature curve shown in FIG. 4, and by controlling the temperature in the drying chamber 34 based on this curve A and drying the film 14, The dimensions are the same as the dimensions at the time of exposure.

That is, at the time of exposure of the film 14, the moisture content of the film 14 is in equilibrium with the humidity of the outside air (moisture content in the outside air). If you control the temperature of
When the water contained in the film 14 is removed by the development, fixing, and water washing processes, the outside air humidity (the amount of water in the outside air) and the amount of water in the film 14 can be brought into equilibrium. This state is defined as the optimal dry state. Curve A is a characteristic diagram of this optimum drying state obtained from experimental results, etc.
By controlling the temperature inside the drying chamber 34 using this music mA, the film 14 can be brought into an optimal drying state.

A state dried at a temperature higher than this curve A is defined as an overdried state.

Next, curve B is a minimum drying curve indicating the minimum range in which the film 14 has a moisture content higher than the outside air humidity and does not adhere to each other when the films 14 are overlapped. That is, when the temperature inside the drying chamber 34 is below this curve B, the films 14 will adhere to each other when overlapped, but this state is defined as an undried state.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the temperature in the drying chamber 34 is controlled within a temperature range (defined as a semi-dry region) that is at least above the minimum drying curve B and below the optimum drying curve A.

After drying at a temperature close to curve B in the above-mentioned semi-dry region, the water content will be slightly higher than that at the time of exposure, and the dimensions of the film 14 will be slightly elongated, but this elongation is caused by leaving it in the working environment. (about 2 minutes to 30 minutes), the water content of the film 14 becomes almost in equilibrium with the outside air humidity, and the dimensions become the same as those at the time of exposure.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the curve A1 and the curve B, an upper limit value and a lower limit value are set for the set temperature in the drying chamber 34 with respect to the outside air humidity, irrespective of the working environment humidity. This is because the upper limit is 70° C., and if the temperature inside the drying chamber 34 is increased above this temperature, there is a risk that the members used in the drying chamber, especially the resin products, will be thermally deformed.

Further, the lower limit value is set to the temperature of the outside air.

This is because drying the film 14 at a temperature below the lower limit value is essentially cooling it, and it is not possible to set the temperature inside the drying chamber 34 below the temperature of the outside air in the drying section of this embodiment. It is.

Further, an allowable range is provided between the optimum drying temperature shown by curve A and the curve α in FIG. 5, which is provided on the over-dry side. Between the curve α and the curve A, the film 14 is a little too dry, and the dimensions of the film 14 have shrunk;
This shrinkage is negligible. Note that this tolerance range is +7° C. in this example.

In addition, the range surrounded by the straight line of curve α shown in FIG. 5, curve B1, the upper limit of the drying room temperature of 70°C, and the lower limit of the outside air temperature is the standard drying condition, and within this range, the film 14 adheres to and contains moisture. This state is defined as the standard dry state.

When the film 14 is dried in a standard dry state, it becomes an optimal dry state after drying, and the dimensions after drying recover to the dimensions at the time of exposure.

In addition, when the auxiliary drying section 25 is installed in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10, the temperature of each drying air supplied to the drying chamber 34, 35 is determined as the optimum drying state as shown in FIG. and is controlled by data stored in the ROM 90.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The exposed film 14, which has been inserted into the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 through the entrance 12, is conveyed by guide rollers 16 and fed into the developing tank 18, where it is conveyed by the guide rollers 26 and developed. guide roller 3 after
0 into the fixing tank 20. The film 14 inserted into the fixing tank 20 is conveyed through the fixing tank 20 by guide rollers 2 and 6 in the fixing tank 20, fixed thereon, and then sent out. Film 14 fed out of fixing tank 20
After being inserted into the washing tank 22 by the guide roller 30 and washed with water, it is squeezed by the roller pair 32 and sent to the drying chamber 34 of the drying section 24 through the conveyance port 40.

The film 14 sent to the drying section 24 is conveyed downward in the drying chamber 34 and dried, is turned over by a guide 44, and then discharged to the discharge port 48.

The temperature control inside the drying chamber in this case will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 is turned on, the program starts. First, in step 100, the heater 58 and fan 56 are controlled on and off to preheat the inside of the drying chamber 34.

Next, in step 101, film detection is performed by the film detector 74, and in step 102, the film area is calculated.

Next, the process proceeds to step 104 where the outside air humidity detection sensor 72
The humidity of the outside air is detected, and then, in step 106, the temperature of the outside air is detected by the outside air temperature detection sensor 70, and the process moves to step 107.

Next, in step 107, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary drying section 25 is attached, and if it is not attached, the process moves to step 108.

In the next step 108, the temperature T in the drying chamber 34 is determined from the data shown in FIG. 5 read from the ROM 90 and the film area.

Next, in step 110, detected temperature data t2 from the drying air temperature detection sensor 67 is read, and in step 112, the required drying temperature T and t2 are compared.

If T≠t2, the process advances to the next step 114, where the heater 62 is controlled on and off according to the value of the required drying temperature T, and then the drying room temperature control routine ends. If T=ta, step 114 is skipped and this routine ends.

However, if the outside air is low temperature and low humidity such as in winter (room temperature 4
0% or less), set the dry blast air temperature in the drying chamber 34 to the fifth
Even as defined in the drawing, the film 14 discharged from the discharge port 48 is in an undried state.

In this case, the auxiliary drying section 25 is
The film 14 discharged from the discharge port 48 is conveyed within the drying chamber 35.

The temperature control in the drying chamber 35 in this case will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step 107, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary drying section 25 is attached, and if it is attached, that is, if the attachment state detection switch 23 is in the on state, the process moves to step 115.

In the next step 115, the temperature T' in the drying chamber 34, 35 is determined from the data stored in the ROM 90 when the auxiliary drying section 25 is installed in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10.

Next, in step 116, the dry air temperature detection sensor 61.63
The detected temperature data t2 and t3 are read in, and in step 118, the required drying temperature T' and t2t3 are compared. If T'≠t2 or T'≠t3, the process proceeds to step 114, where the heaters 58 and 59 are controlled on and off according to the value of the required drying temperature T', and then the drying room temperature control routine ends.

If T'=t2=t3, step 114 is skipped and this routine ends.

As a result, the film 14 is dried in the drying chamber 34 and the drying chamber 35 to reach an optimal dry state. Therefore, the size can be restored to the same size as that at the time of exposure, and the drying process can be performed at a higher speed than when drying the undried photosensitive material discharged from the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 naturally.

Note that the drive rollers 46 and 47 do not have the structure of this embodiment in which driving force is transmitted and rotated via the belts 52 and 53 wound around the drive shaft of the motor 50 and 45, but have the same structure as the conveyance roller 42. The structure may be such that it is connected to a drive means (not shown) and rotates by transmitting rotational driving force.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a claw 82 as part of the conveyance path switching means is arranged between the drive roller 46 of the drying section 24 and the discharge port 48. This pawl 82 is connected to a solenoid 84 as another part of the conveyance path switching means, and when the solenoid 84 is turned on, the pawl 82 is pushed down and the film 14 is transferred to the drying chamber of the auxiliary drying section 25. 35. On the other hand, when the solenoid 84 is turned off, the claw 82 is raised upward and the film 14 is transferred to the discharge tray 1 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus IO.
It is designed to guide you in one direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the solenoid 82 is connected to a driver 93.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in step 120 following step 104, the outside air humidity is, for example, 4.
If the dryness is less than 0%, in step-22, turn on the solenoid 84, tilt the claw 82 downward,
The film 14 is guided to the drying chamber 35 of the auxiliary drying section 25. Also, if the outside humidity exceeds 40%, step 1
At step 24, the solenoid 84 is turned off, the claw 82 is raised, and the film 14 is transferred to the discharge tray 1 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10.
Guide in one direction.

Therefore, the dimensions can be restored to the same dimensions as those at the time of exposure without removing or attaching the auxiliary drying section 24, and compared to the case where the undried photosensitive material discharged from the conventional drying section is naturally dried. Capable of high-speed drying processing.

Note that the drive rollers 46, 47 do not have the structure of this embodiment in which the drive force is transmitted and rotate through the belts 52, 53 wrapped around the drive shaft of the motor 50, 45, but are connected to a drive means (not shown). It may also be a structure in which the rotational driving force is transmitted and rotated.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Note that the same parts as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 42 are arranged in the drying chamber 34 of the drying section 24 along the horizontal direction. A plurality of pairs of guides 77 are arranged between these pairs of transport rollers 124 and approach toward the transport path of the film 14.

The plurality of transport roller pairs 42 are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) and transport the film 14. A plurality of warm air blowing lowers 1 are formed on the upper and lower walls of the drying chamber 34. This warm air blowing lower 1 is connected to the drying chamber 3.
A duct 75 surrounding the drying chamber 4 is in communication with the drying chamber 34. The duct 75 is connected to an intake duct 51 and communicates with the outside via the intake duct 51.

As shown in FIG. 9, a fan 56 is disposed in the middle of the intake duct 51, and a heater 58 is disposed downstream thereof. The outside air introduced into the photosensitive material processing apparatus from the air intake duct 51 by the fan 56 is heated by the heater 58 to become hot air, and the hot air is blown from the lower 1 onto the film 14 via the duct 75. Thereby, the film 14 passing through the drying chamber 34 is dried. Further, an exhaust duct (not shown) is attached to the drying chamber 34 and communicates with the outside. From this exhaust duct, moist air is supplied to the drying chamber 34 and is discharged after drying the film 14 and the transport roller 42.

Note that this dried humid air is returned to the middle of the intake duct 51 through a duct (not shown), and fresh outside air, for example, 10 to 20% of the returned high-humidity air is transferred to the intake duct 5.
1, mixed, reheated through the fan 56 and heater 58, and sent to the drying chamber 34.

The film 14 dried in the drying chamber 34 is sent out to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 from a discharge port 48 by a drive roller 46 arranged outside the drying chamber 34 .

A drying air temperature detection sensor 61 is disposed within the drying chamber 34 to detect the temperature of the drying air supplied into the drying chamber 34.

As shown in FIG. 9, an auxiliary drying section 25 including a drying chamber 35 is detachably arranged downstream of the drying section 24 of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10. Drying chamber 3 of auxiliary drying section 25
Conveying rollers 43 are disposed within the conveyor roller 5 and are evenly arranged in the horizontal direction. The film 14 sent out from the discharge port 48 to the outside of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1O is held between a pair of rollers 47 and guided into the drying chamber 35, and is conveyed horizontally within the drying chamber 35. The film 14 is sent out to a film receiving box 49 attached to the side of the auxiliary drying section 25 by a pair of rollers 47 arranged on the exit side.

Air outlets 125 similar to those in the drying chamber 34 are formed in the upper and lower walls of the drying chamber 35, and the drying chamber 35 communicates with the duct 79. The duct 79 is connected to the intake duct 41 and communicates with the outside via the air duct 41. A fan 57 is disposed in the middle of the intake duct 41. The outside air introduced into the auxiliary drying section 25 from the intake duct 41 by the fan 57 is guided into the duct 79 as an air stream without being heated, and is blown from the air outlet 125 onto the film 14 being conveyed inside the drying chamber 35. It is now possible to Further, an exhaust duct (not shown) is attached to the drying chamber 35 and communicates with the outside. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the dry air temperature detection sensor 63 and the heater 59 that heats the outside air are omitted.

Note that each roller including a drive roller 46 and a pair of rollers 47 disposed in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 and the auxiliary drying section 25 is rotated by the driving force of a drive means (not shown) and conveys the film 14.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be explained.

The film 14 that has been subjected to various processes such as development, fixing, and washing in the processing section 17 is sent to the drying section 24 . The film 14 sent to the drying section 24 is conveyed horizontally within the drying chamber 34, dried, and discharged from the discharge port 48.

As in the first and second embodiments, the temperature and humidity of the outside air and the temperature inside the drying chamber 34 are measured by the outside air temperature detection sensor 70, the outside air humidity detection sensor 72, and the drying air temperature detection sensor 61 so that the film is in an optimal dry state. The temperature inside the drying chamber 34 is controlled so that the film 14 measured and discharged from the auxiliary drying section 25 is in a standard dry state. Further, in the drying chamber 34, drying is mainly performed at a constant rate drying stage.

The film 14 discharged from the discharge port 48 is in an undried state, but is sent to the auxiliary drying section 25, conveyed horizontally within the drying chamber 34, and dried to a standard dry state.
The film is sent out to a film receiving box 49.

After that, the moisture content of the film 14 sent to the film receiving box 49 becomes in equilibrium with the moisture content of the outside air.

As a result, the dimensions of the film 14 after drying are restored to the same dimensions as those at the time of exposure.

In the drying chamber 35, drying is mainly performed in the lapse rate drying stage,
The outside air is supplied as an air stream without being heated, and this air stream is blown onto the film 14. Therefore, the film 14 is not heated.

In this way, in the third embodiment, since the outside air is blown onto the film 14 as an air stream without being heated in the drying chamber 35, the drying at the lapse rate drying stage can be performed without heating the film 14. The dimensions of the film 14 afterward can be restored to the same dimensions as those at the time of exposure.

Furthermore, since the air stream is blown onto the film 14, it can be dried at a higher speed than when drying naturally.

In addition, in the third embodiment, the film 14 is
The ninth drying method is to spray outside air without heating it.
As shown in the figure, an example is shown in which the film 14 is conveyed horizontally in the drying section 24, and the film 14 is conveyed horizontally in the auxiliary drying section 25. And as shown in FIG. 6, the film 14 is conveyed downward in the drying section 24 and is reversed by the guide 44, and the film 14 is conveyed diagonally from the bottom to the top in the auxiliary drying section 25 in a diagonal electric wire manner. It may also be applied to processing equipment.

Further, the present invention is not limited by the transport direction of the film 14 in the drying section 24 and the auxiliary drying section 25 and the positional relationship between the drying section 24 and the auxiliary drying section 25. for example,
As shown in FIG. 11, a photosensitive material processing device that once transports the film 14 downward in the drying section 24, wraps it around the roller 101 and transports it upward, and transports the film 14 horizontally in the auxiliary drying section 25. The present invention may also be applied to. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the film 14 is
is conveyed upward, the conveying direction of the film 14 is changed by a pair of rollers 103, and the film 14 is conveyed upward in an auxiliary drying section 25.
The present invention may be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus that conveys the photosensitive material 4 in a substantially horizontal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a drying section 24 is installed above the processing section 17, and the film 14 is conveyed in the horizontal direction within the drying section 24.
The conveying direction of the film 14 is changed by 180° and guided to the auxiliary drying section 25, where the film 14 is
The present invention can also be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus that transports photosensitive materials 4 in a horizontal direction. Further, the present invention is not limited to whether or not the film 14 is heated in the auxiliary drying section of the photosensitive material processing apparatus, and hot air may be blown onto the film 14 in the auxiliary drying section of each of the above-mentioned photosensitive material processing apparatuses. Alternatively, outside air may be blown onto the film 14 without heating it.

Furthermore, in the drying section 24 of the first to third embodiments, the film 14 was dried by blowing hot air.
An infrared heater or the like may be provided in the drying section 24 to perform drying at the constant rate drying stage using infrared radiant heat.

Further, in the second embodiment, the auxiliary drying section 25 (see FIG. 6) having a conveyance path switching means is detachable from the photosensitive material processing apparatus IO, but it may be fixed to the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10. good.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the drive roller 46
．． 47, the film 14 may be conveyed by connecting each roller disposed in the photosensitive material processing apparatus 10 to a drive means (not shown) and rotating each of the rollers. good.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the present invention, even when the outside air is low temperature and low humidity, such as in winter, the dimensions of the photosensitive material after drying can be restored to the same dimensions as the dimensions at the time of exposure. In other words, if a photosensitive material is dried at the optimum temperature and humidity, it will not lose its ability to expand and contract (elasticity) in response to the surrounding environment (humidity), and the dimensions after drying will be the same as those at the time of exposure. Moreover, the excellent effect of being able to dry at high speed can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the first embodiment of a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the first embodiment of the photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 4 is an optimum drying temperature characteristic diagram, and FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between outside air humidity and drying chamber temperature. ,
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus showing a second embodiment, FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a second embodiment of a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. A control flowchart of the second embodiment of the applied photosensitive material processing apparatus, FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the photosensitive material processing apparatus showing the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view near the drying section of the third embodiment. , FIGS. 11 to 13 are schematic configuration diagrams showing a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a photographic film, and FIG. 15 is a characteristic diagram showing dimensional changes of the photographic film. . DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Photosensitive material processing device, 14... Film, 17... Processing section, 24... Drying section, 25... Auxiliary drying section, 34. 35... Drying chamber, 82... Claw, 84... Solenoid.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A processing section that processes the photosensitive material with a processing liquid, a drying section that dries the photosensitive material processed by the processing section, and a drying section that is detachably disposed downstream of the drying section and dries the photosensitive material that has passed through the drying section. A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: an auxiliary drying section for drying; (2) A processing section that processes the photosensitive material with a processing liquid, a drying section that dries the photosensitive material processed by the processing section, and a drying section that is located downstream of the drying section to dry the photosensitive material that has passed through the drying section. A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: an auxiliary drying section for discharging the photosensitive material; and a conveyance path switching means for switching the conveyance path so that the photosensitive material is discharged directly from the drying section or through the auxiliary drying section.