JPH04372947A - Photosensitive material processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively prevent the evaporation and deterioration of a processing bath and smoothly open or close an opening via the movement of a moving plate. CONSTITUTION:A photosensitive material processing device 1 has a processing tank 2 containing a processing bath Q, and the level of the processing bath Q is covered by a cover body 6 with the carry-in port 66 and carry-out port 67 of a photosensitive material S. A moving plate 7 with an opening 71 is installed below the cover body 6, when the moving plate 7 is moved in the lateral direction in the figure, the carry-in port 66 and carry-out port 67 are opened or closed. A driving means 8 moving the moving plate 7 has a rack gear 81 fixed on the lower face of the moving plate 7 and a pinion gear 82 engaged with it, the moving plate 7 is moved to the right side in the figure when the pinion gear 82 is rotated clockwise, and the moving plate 7 is moved to the left side in the figure when the pinion gear 82 is rotated counterclockwise.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for wet-processing exposed silver halide photographic materials.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION After exposure, a silver halide photographic material (hereinafter simply referred to as a "photosensitive material" or "sensitive material") is subjected to processing depending on its type. For example, color photosensitive materials are processed by sequentially transporting and immersing them in a color developing solution, bleaching solution, fixing solution (bleach-fix solution), and washing water stored in a processing tank. Ru.

Conventionally, in photosensitive material processing equipment that performs such processing, the top of the processing tank was open, which caused significant evaporation and heat dissipation of the processing liquid stored in the processing tank, and furthermore, there was a problem with the interaction with the air. There has been a problem in that the processing solution (particularly the developer) changes and deteriorates due to contact, leading to a decrease in photographic properties and an increase in the amount of processing solution replenishment.

In order to solve this problem, a lid (fixed lid) having an opening (carrying inlet and unloading port) through which the photosensitive material passes is installed so as to cover the surface of the processing liquid. Disclosed is a photosensitive material processing apparatus configured to reduce the opening area of the surface, further provide a movable lid on the top of the lid body, and to move the movable lid to cover the opening of the lid body when the photosensitive material is not being processed. (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 01-82033, 02-34851, 02-19945)
3, Utility Model Application Publication No. 02-1751, etc.).

However, the photosensitive material processing apparatuses of these inventions have the following drawbacks.

First, since the movable lid is installed on the top of the lid, a space is created in the opening between the processing liquid level and the lid due to the thickness of the lid. Air comes into contact with the processing liquid and alters and deteriorates the processing liquid.

Second, the seal between the lid and the movable lid is incomplete, and in particular, a minute gap is created between the lid and the movable lid, with the movable lid blocking the opening of the lid. Sometimes, air flows into the opening of the lid through the gap, and the processing liquid evaporates.

Thirdly, the processing liquid vapor that has evaporated into the space within the opening enters between the lid body and the movable lid, particularly into the sliding surface,
Precipitation of processing liquid components may occur, increasing sliding resistance, and in some cases, blocking may occur, preventing the movable lid from moving.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] An object of the present invention is to provide a processing method for photosensitive materials that can smoothly open and close an opening by moving a movable lid, and that is highly effective in preventing evaporation, alteration, and deterioration of processing liquid. The goal is to provide equipment.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] Such objects are achieved by the present invention as described in (1) and (2) below.

(1) A processing tank, a processing liquid placed in the processing tank, a conveying means for transporting the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material and immersing it in the processing liquid, and a method for controlling the liquid level of the processing liquid. It has a lid that is installed to cover and has an opening through which the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material passes, a movable plate that opens and closes the opening by relative movement with the lid, and a drive means that moves the movable plate. 1. A photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the movable plate is installed at a lower part of the lid and is submerged below the surface of the processing liquid.

(2) The drive means according to (1) above operates to open the opening when processing the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material and close the opening when not processing. photosensitive material processing equipment.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing a configuration example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II--II in FIG.

As shown in these figures, the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 has a box-shaped processing tank 2 having a predetermined volume, and a rack 3 is loaded in the processing tank 2.

The rack 3 includes a pair of side plates 31 and 32 that are installed parallel to each other, and these side plates 31 and 32
Between them are four pairs of transport rollers 41 immersed in the processing liquid Q.
is hung rotatably. Furthermore, at the top of the rack, a pair of transport rollers 42 for carrying in and carrying out the photosensitive material S are rotatably spanned between the side plates 31 and 32.

These conveyance rollers 41 and 42 are driven and rotated by a drive system (not shown) comprising a drive source such as a motor and a drive force transmission mechanism using shafts, gears, and the like.

Between each conveyance roller 41 and conveyance roller 42
Guides 51 and 52, which guide the photosensitive material S to the next conveyance roller, are stretched between the side plates 31 and 32, respectively, at the upper part of the guides 51 and 52. Further, at the bottom of the processing tank 2, a reversing guide 53 is provided between the side plates 31 and 32, which changes direction so as to raise the photosensitive material S that has descended within the processing tank 2.

[0019] The conveyance rollers 41 and 42, the guide 51,
52, the reversing guide 53, and the drive system of each conveying roller constitute a means for conveying the photosensitive material S.

Further, above the top conveyance roller 41, three block-shaped lid pieces 61, 62 and 63 are stretched between the side plates 31 and 32. These lid pieces 61,
62 and 63 constitute the lid body 6.

An opening through which the photosensitive material S passes is formed between adjacent lid pieces. That is, the lid pieces 61, 62
A loading port 66 for the photosensitive material S is formed between the lid pieces 62,
An outlet 67 for carrying out the photosensitive material S is formed between the openings 63 and 63 .

Further, stoppers 64 and 65 are formed on the lower surfaces of the lid pieces 61 and 63 to protrude, respectively, for regulating the movement range of the movable plate 7, which will be described later.

The thickness of the lid 6 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably about 2 to 10 mm, and in particular, 5 to 10 mm in consideration of ease of liquid level management and the role of a film guide. It is preferable to set it as approximately.

[0024] The constituent material of each lid piece 61, 62, 63 may be any material having predetermined rigidity, durability, and chemical resistance to processing liquids, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyacetal, polycarbonate, acrylic, etc. resin, ABS resin, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene ether, high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyacrylate, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, etc. Examples include various resins, various rubbers such as synthetic rubber and natural rubber, ceramics such as alumina, and metals such as stainless steel, titanium, and Hastelloy.

Note that each of the lid pieces 61, 62, and 63 is not limited to a solid member as shown in the figure, but may be a hollow member.

A predetermined processing liquid Q is placed in the processing tank 2 . The type of processing solution Q is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, a bleach-fixing solution, a washing water, a stabilizing solution, an adjustment solution, a reversal solution, a stop solution, etc. However, it is easy to deteriorate due to oxidation. A developing solution is particularly preferred in that the effects of the present invention are effectively exhibited.

The processing liquid Q is supplied to the carrying-in port 66 and the carrying-out port 67 of the lid body 6 with the rack 3 loaded in the processing tank 2.
It is placed so that the liquid level exists inside. That is, the lid body 6 is installed so as to cover the surface of the processing liquid Q.

In the processing tank 2, for example, when processing the photosensitive material S, a new processing solution Q is replenished from a solution supply pipe (not shown), and almost the same amount of tired/deteriorated processing solution as the replenishment amount is added to the processing tank 2. Q is discharged by overflow from the drain port of the drain pipe 9 installed between the side plate 32 and the side wall of the processing tank 2 . Therefore, the level of the processing liquid Q is regulated by the installation height of the drain port of the drain pipe 9.

Note that a lid similar to the lid 6 described above may be provided to cover the liquid level of the processing liquid Q between the side plates 31 and 32 and the side wall of the processing tank 2.

A movable plate 7 that is movable with respect to the lid 6 is installed on the lower surface of the lid 6 so as to be in contact with the lower surface of the lid 6. As shown in FIG. 2, this movable plate 7 has slide grooves 33 formed at both ends thereof in the side plates 31 and 32, respectively.
, 34, and is movable along the slide grooves 33, 34 in the width direction of the side plates 31, 32 (horizontal direction in FIG. 1).

A photosensitive material S is placed at a predetermined portion of the movable plate 7.
An opening 71 having substantially the same shape as the loading port 66 is provided for the passage of. The material of the movable plate 7 is the same as that of the lid piece 61.
, 62, and 63 can be used.

When the base end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the movable plate 7 is in contact with the stopper 64 (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the opening 71 of the movable plate 7 is connected to the entrance 66 of the lid 6. At the same time, the tip end 73 of the movable plate 7 retreats from the position of the outlet 67, so that the photosensitive material S can pass through the inlet 66 and the outlet 67.

When the tip of the movable plate 7 (left end in FIG. 1) is in contact with the stopper 65, the proximal end 72 of the movable plate 7
overlaps with the loading port 66, and the tip 73 of the movable plate 7
overlaps with the carry-out port 67, so the carry-in port 66 and the carry-in port 67 are blocked by the movable plate 7.

If necessary, the sliding surface (contact surface) 74 of the lid 6 and/or the movable plate 7 may be coated with a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), for example.
It is also possible to perform treatment such as coating with silicone or other surfactants, lubricants, etc. In this case, the sliding resistance between the lid body 6 and the movable plate 7 is reduced, and the entrance 66 and the transport This is preferable because the outlet 67 can be opened and closed more smoothly.

Such a movable plate 7 is moved by a driving means 8. That is, rack gears 81, 81 are fixed to both ends of the lower surface of the movable plate 7, respectively, and each rack gear 81 has a pinion gear whose rotation axis is a shaft 83 spanned between the side plates 31, 32. 82
, 82 mesh. A bevel gear 84 is installed at one end of the shaft 83 (a portion protruding between the side plate 32 and the side wall of the processing tank 2).

A motor 85 as a drive source is attached above the liquid level of the side plate 32, and a bevel gear 87 is installed at the lower end of a shaft 86 as a drive shaft of the motor 85. This bevel gear 87 meshes with the bevel gear 84.

The motor 85 can be rotated forward or reverse by switching the electrodes or the like.

With the movable plate 7 in the state shown in FIG.
When driven and rotated in a predetermined direction, the rotational force is transmitted to both pinion gears 82 via shaft 86, bevel gear 87, bevel gear 84, and shaft 83, causing both pinion gears 82 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, both the rack gears 81 that mesh with the pinion gear 82 move to the left in FIG. Become.

In this state, when the motor 85 is driven and rotated in the opposite direction, both pinion gears 82 rotate clockwise in FIG. 1, and both rack gears 81 move rightward in FIG.
Accordingly, the movable plate 7 moves until it comes into contact with the stopper 64, and the carry-in port 66 and the carry-out port 67 are opened.

Note that a friction plate, a clutch, etc. is interposed in the middle of the shaft 83 or 86, and the movable plate 7 is connected to the stopper 6.
4 and 65, the rotational force may not be transmitted even if the motor 85 is driven.

It is preferable that the loading inlet 66 and the unloading outlet 67 be opened and closed in accordance with whether the photosensitive material S is being processed or not. For example, a control means (not shown) such as a microcomputer is provided, and by this control means,
When processing of the photosensitive material S starts, the motor 85 is driven and rotated in a predetermined direction for a predetermined period of time to open the entrance 66 and the exit 67.
When the processing of the photosensitive material S is completed, the motor 85 is rotated in the opposite direction for a predetermined period of time to close the entrance 66 and the exit 67.

In this case, to start processing the photosensitive material S, a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting passage of the photosensitive material S is provided on the photosensitive material loading side of the processing tank 2, and a photosensitive material passing signal from this sensor is provided. The detection can be based on the key operation for starting the process or the like.

Further, when the processing of the photosensitive material S is completed, the processing tank 2
A sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the passage of the photosensitive material S is provided on the photosensitive material unloading side of the apparatus, and detection is performed based on a photosensitive material passage signal from this sensor, or by a timer built in the control means. After a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the process detected as described above, the process can be considered to have ended.

Next, the operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 will be explained.

When the photosensitive material S is not being processed, the tip of the movable plate 7 is brought into contact with the stopper 65, and the carry-in port 66 and the carry-out port 67 are blocked by the movable plate 7. As a result, the processing liquid Q
Temperature drop, alteration, and deterioration due to transpiration and heat radiation are prevented.

In this case, since the movable plate 7 is installed on the lower surface side of the lid 6 and submerged in the processing liquid Q, the processing liquid layer formed by the processing liquid remaining in the carry-in port 66 and the carry-out port 67 is This prevents air from entering the processing liquid Q through the gap between the lid body 6 and the movable plate 7.
7 can be reliably shielded. In addition, loading entrance 6
6 and the processing liquid remaining in the discharge port 67 may evaporate, change in quality, or deteriorate, but this amount is extremely small compared to the amount of processing liquid in the processing tank 2 and has almost no effect.

When processing the photosensitive material S, the movable plate 7 is moved so that its base end comes into contact with the stopper 64, and the carry-in port 66 and the carry-out port 67 are opened.

In this state, the photosensitive material S is guided by the guide 52, nipped and transported by the transport rollers 42 rotating in a predetermined direction, passes through the entrance 66, and is immersed in the processing liquid Q. In the processing liquid Q, the photosensitive material S is conveyed along a U-shaped path by a conveyance roller 41 rotating in a predetermined direction and guides 51 and 52, and then passes through an outlet 67 and pulled up from the processing liquid Q. . The photosensitive material S that has passed through the outlet 67 is sent to the next process via the conveyance roller 42 and the guide 52.

When the rear end of the photosensitive material S passes through the outlet 67, the movable plate 7 is moved in the opposite direction to the above, and its tip abuts against the stopper 65, thereby blocking the inlet 66 and the outlet 67 again.

Since the sliding surface 74 between the lid 6 and the movable plate 7 is immersed in the processing liquid Q, precipitates of processing liquid components are formed on the sliding surface 74, reducing the sliding resistance of the movable plate 7. Therefore, the loading port 66 and the loading port 67 can be opened and closed smoothly.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing another example of the structure of the driving means for moving the movable plate 7. As shown in FIG. The drive means 10 shown in the figure moves the movable plate 7 in synchronization with the conveyance rollers 41 and 42.

A pair of opposing protrusions 11 are formed on the lower surface of the movable plate 7. A shaft 12 is installed below this projection 11. The shaft 12 is spanned between the side plates 31 and 32, and is connected to the rotating shaft of the conveying roller 41 or 42 via a predetermined gear train (not shown) so as to rotate synchronously therewith. It's becoming.

A lever member 13 is provided on the outer periphery of the shaft 12.
is inserted without any gap, and the shaft 12 and the lever member 13 can rotate relative to each other. This lever member 13 has an arm 14 on one side of the shaft 12 and a cylinder portion 15 on the other side.

A pin 16 is provided upright at the tip of the arm 14, and this pin 16 is inserted between both protrusions 11.

In the lever member 13, the shaft 12
A part of the outer periphery is cut out to form a flat part 120, and the ball 17 is placed in this flat part 120. In addition, the ball 17 is placed in the flat part 12 in the cylinder part 15.
A spring 18 is inserted which presses it towards zero.

A cap 19 is provided at the rear end of the cylinder portion 15.
is attached, and one end of the spring 18 is locked to the inner surface of the cap 19.

When processing of the photosensitive material S is started with the movable plate 7 blocking the inlet 66 and the outlet 67, the conveyance rollers 41 and 42 rotate, and at the same time the shaft 1
2 also rotates clockwise in FIG. This rotational force is mainly
It is transmitted from the flat portion 120 to the lever member 13 via the ball 17, and rotates the lever member 13 in the same direction. With this rotation, the pin 16 at the tip of the arm 14 presses the protrusion 11 to the right in FIG.
The movable plate 7 moves in the same direction until it comes into contact with. This opens the carry-in port 66 and the carry-out port 67, allowing the photosensitive material S to pass through.

During the processing of the photosensitive material S, each conveying roller 41,
42 is rotating, the shaft 12 also continues to rotate, but after the base end of the movable plate 7 contacts the stopper 64,
Since the lever member 13 does not rotate any further, the shaft 1
2 continues to rotate relative to the lever member 13 while its flat portion 120 presses the ball 17 against the biasing force of the spring 18 and periodically compresses the spring 18.

When the processing of the photosensitive material S is completed, the rotation of each transport roller 41, 42 is temporarily stopped, and then each transport roller 41, 42 is rotated in the opposite direction. As a result, the shaft 12 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and the lever member 13 rotates in the same direction. With this rotation, the pin 16 at the tip of the arm 14 presses the protrusion 11 to the left in FIG. 3, and the movable plate 7 moves in the same direction until the tip of the movable plate 7 contacts the stopper 67. As a result, the carry-in port 66 and the carry-out port 67 are shielded by the base end 72 and tip end 71 of the movable plate 7, respectively.

In the drive means 10 having such a configuration, there is no need to separately provide a drive source for moving the movable plate 7, so that the structure can be simplified.

Although the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention has been described above with reference to the configuration example shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0062]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, since the movable plate is submerged below the surface of the processing liquid, there is no inflow of air, and the opening of the lid body can be reliably shielded. Therefore, it is highly effective in preventing evaporation, alteration, and deterioration of the processing liquid.

Furthermore, since the movable plate is submerged below the surface of the processing liquid, precipitation of processing liquid components does not occur between the lid and the movable plate, especially on the sliding surface. It is possible to prevent an increase in movement resistance of the lid and to smoothly open and close the opening over a long period of time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing a configuration example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing another configuration example of the driving means in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Photosensitive material processing equipment 2
Processing tank 3 Racks 31, 32 Side plates 33, 34 Slide grooves 41, 42 Conveyance rollers 51, 52 Guide 53 Reversing guide 6 Lid bodies 61, 62, 63 Lid pieces 64, 65 Stopper 66 Carrying inlet 67 Carrying out outlet 7 Movable lid 71 Opening 72 Base end portion 73 Tip portion 74 Sliding surface 8 Drive means 81 Rack gear 82 Pinion gear 83
Shaft 84 Bevel gear 85 Motor 86 Shaft 87 Bevel gear 9 Drain pipe 10 Drive means 11 Protrusion 12 Shaft 120 Flat part 13 Lever member 14 Arm 15 Cylinder part 16 Pin 17 Ball 18 Spring 19 Cap Q Processing liquid S Photosensitive material

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A processing tank, a processing liquid placed in the processing tank, a conveying means for transporting a silver halide photographic material and immersing it in the processing liquid, and covering the surface of the processing liquid. A photosensitive material, which is installed as shown in FIG. 1. A photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the movable plate is installed at a lower part of the lid and is submerged below the surface of the processing liquid. 2. The photosensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the driving means operates to open the opening when processing the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, and to close the opening when not processing the silver halide photographic material. Material processing equipment.