JP3223765B2 - Photosensitive material processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a photographic material such as a film or photographic paper (hereinafter, simply referred to as a photographic processing apparatus). More specifically, a photograph provided in a developing section of the photographic processing apparatus and capable of properly maintaining the liquid level of a plurality of adjacent processing tanks containing processing solutions such as a developing solution and a fixing solution. It relates to a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 4, a developing apparatus includes an insertion section 1 for feeding a film P as a photographic photosensitive material, a developing section 2 for developing the film P, and drying the developed film P. The developing unit 2 includes a drying unit 3 and a stocker 4 for storing the dried film P.
Is connected to a replenishment tank, a water refill tank, a waste liquid tank, and the like.

The developing section 2 incorporates a processing tank 5 comprising a color developing tank for performing color development of the film P, a bleaching tank for performing bleaching, a fixing tank for fixing, and a stabilizing tank for stabilizing development. The processing tank 5 contains a processing solution of a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and a stabilizing solution. Further, a rack 8 is incorporated in the processing tank 5. The film P, which is a photographic photosensitive material sent into the inside of the developing section 2, is transported in the rack 8 of the processing tank 5 as shown by a broken line, and is sequentially transported into the processing liquid in the processing tank 5 to be developed. A transport mechanism for transporting the film P is incorporated in the rack 8. As the transport mechanism, a plurality of sprockets 9 that can be engaged with square holes of a reader to which the leading end of the film P is connected are used. In the present invention, the invention is not limited to the one that develops the film P. When developing photographic paper as a photographic photosensitive material, the transport mechanism uses a plurality of pairs of feed rollers that sandwich the photographic paper. Can be used.

The processing tank 5 of the developing section 2 contains a processing liquid 6 such as a developing liquid and a fixing liquid.
Undergoes various processes when the film P passes through the inside. In the processing step, a part of the processing liquid 6 is
And the film P is transported to the next step together with the film P. Therefore, if left as it is, the processing liquid 6 in the processing tank 5 gradually decreases. Therefore, in general, the film P
A sufficient amount of the processing liquid 6 in the processing tank 5 in accordance with the processing amount of
Is replenished.

As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid level of the processing liquid 6 in these processing tanks 5 is equal to that of a partition 11a between adjacent processing tanks 5a and 5b containing the same type of processing liquid.
The liquid level is adjusted and held by a notch 7a provided at an appropriate position (hereinafter referred to as a notch method). Therefore, by replenishing a sufficient amount of the processing liquid to the processing tank 5a having the highest liquid level to be held, the processing liquid replenished excessively overflows from the notch 7a to the adjacent processing tank 5b. . Further, similarly, an excess amount of the processing liquid 6 in the processing tank 5b is cut out.
b overflows to the processing tank 5c, and the liquid level of the processing tank 5b is maintained at a predetermined level. In this way, the liquid levels of the processing liquids 6 in all the processing tanks 5 are sequentially maintained at the predetermined level. Will be.

In this case, instead of providing the notch 7 in the partition 11, an overflow pipe 20a having an opening at a predetermined height is provided in the processing tank 5a as shown in FIG.
The processing tank 5b adjacent to the lower end of the overflow pipe
The bottom can be connected to the bottom with a pipe 12a to maintain the same liquid level as the notch system (hereinafter referred to as a bottom piping system). Or, the overflow pipe 20a
Is connected to an opening provided in the side wall 13a of the processing tank 5a, and the opening is connected to an opening provided below the opening and provided in the side wall 13b of the processing tank 5b by piping. Can also maintain the same liquid level (hereinafter, referred to as a side wall piping method).

[0007]

However, in the notch method, when the distance between the rack 8 and the partition wall 11 installed in the processing tank is small, the resistance to the flow of the processing liquid flowing between the rack 8 and the partition wall 11 is small. Since it is large, the flow of the processing liquid into the notch 7 is not sufficient, so that there is a disadvantage that the liquid level of the processing tank cannot be properly maintained. Also, since the liquid level of the processing tank on the side where the processing liquid flows out must be always higher than the liquid level of the processing tank on the side where the processing liquid flows in, the selection and height of the liquid level of each processing tank The degree of freedom for changing is very low.
Furthermore, since the combination of the cascades differs depending on the processing specifications, there is a case where the presence of the notch provided in the partition wall becomes a problem, and once the notch is provided in the partition wall, such a case cannot be handled. In addition, it is difficult to use the same processing tank.

Further, even if the processing liquids have the same specific gravity at the beginning, during the processing, a processing liquid having a different specific gravity may be mixed in from the adjacent processing tank containing another processing liquid due to so-called carry-in. In this case, the specific gravity of the processing liquid is not the same between the processing tanks. Therefore, in the bottom piping method and the side wall piping method, a predetermined movement of the processing liquid may not occur due to a difference in specific gravity of the processing liquid between the processing tanks connected by the pipe. For example, if the specific gravity of the processing liquid is smaller in the outflow-side processing tank that discharges the processing liquid than in the inflow-side processing tank that receives the processing liquid, the liquid level of the inflow-side processing tank corresponds to the specific gravity difference. Therefore, the position is stabilized at a position lower than the predetermined height by the height of the hydraulic pressure.

Another reason why the liquid level in the processing tank cannot be maintained at a predetermined level is that when the processing liquid overflows through the notch or the overflow pipe, the liquid level of the overflow is raised. Is not at the same level as the height of the bottom surface of the notch or the opening surface of the overflow tube, and as shown in FIG. 3A, the liquid level rises by h from those levels. . Since the liquid level rise amount h is not constant, for example, it increases as the overflow amount increases, it further promotes that the liquid level of the processing liquid cannot be maintained at a predetermined height. In this case, if the notch is used, the influence of the surface tension of the processing liquid or the like, or the rack is in the processing tank, which acts as a resistance and the flow of the processing liquid to the notch is not performed smoothly. The liquid level rises due to the influence of the above. Also, using a conventional overflow tube,
Since the wall thickness of the pipe up to the opening of the overflow pipe is constant,
As in the case of the notch, the liquid level rises by about 4 mm due to the influence of the surface tension of the processing liquid and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention provides a photographic processing apparatus having a processing tank capable of suppressing a rise in the level of a processing solution and accurately maintaining the level of the processing solution at a predetermined height. It is intended to provide a device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a photographic processing unit having a developing unit for developing a photographic photosensitive material by passing the photographic photosensitive material through a processing solution contained in a plurality of processing tanks. The apparatus, among the plurality of processing tanks, a plurality of processing tanks containing the same type of processing liquid,
At least one processing tank having therein only an overflow pipe having an opening at the upper end, an overflow pipe having an opening at the upper end, and a cascade pipe having an opening at an upper end higher than the height of the opening of the overflow pipe And a plurality of processing tanks containing the same type of processing liquid, and an overflow pipe of one processing tank and a cascade pipe of another processing tank among related processing tanks. Are connected by piping, and the height of the opening of the overflow pipe is higher than the opening of the cascade pipe connected by piping, whereby the processing overflowing to the opening of the overflow pipe of the processing tank is performed. A liquid has the cascade pipe via the cascade pipe connected by piping to the overflow pipe. Is supplied to another processing tank, the liquid level of the processing tank is characterized by comprising held at a predetermined height.

Further, the photographic processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a thin portion having a reduced thickness at an opening of the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe, and the processing tank when the processing liquid overflows from the opening. In addition, the rise in the level of the processing liquid in the cascade tube is suppressed to a low level.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, a cap is placed on the opening of the cascade pipe of the processing tank in the processing tank according to processing specifications, and supply of the processing liquid is shut off.

According to the cascade piping of the processing tanks in the photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, the height of the processing solution in each processing tank of the photographic processing apparatus can be accurately maintained at a predetermined height.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a cascade pipe of a processing tank in a photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an overflow due to a difference in thickness of a thin portion provided in an opening. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in the liquid level.

In the cascade pipe of the processing tank according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an overflow pipe 20 having an opening at the upper end and / or a cascade pipe 21 having an opening at the upper end, or both, are placed in the processing tank 5. And the overflow pipe 20 and the cascade pipe 21 are connected to the corresponding cascade pipe 21 and overflow pipe 20 of another processing tank, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of the overflow pipe 12a provided in the outflow-side processing tank 5a for discharging the processing liquid 6 and the cascade pipe 21b provided in the inflow-side processing tank 5b for receiving the processing liquid. Is connected to the lower end by a pipe 12a. Further, similarly, the lower end of the overflow pipe 20b of the processing tank 5b and the processing tank 5c
And the lower end of the cascade pipe 21c is connected by a pipe 12b,
The related processing tanks are sequentially connected by pipes to complete the entire cascade pipe. However, in FIG. 2, the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe are separated from the wall of the processing tank, but the overflow pipe, the cascade pipe and the wall of the processing tank may be formed integrally. Further, the pipes 12a and 12b for connecting the processing tanks to each other.
Can be performed by a general piping method such as hose piping. In FIG. 1, the rack 8 provided in the processing tank 5 is omitted.

In this case, the basic height of the liquid level of the processing liquid 4 in each processing tank is uniquely determined by, for example, the height of openings provided at the upper ends of the overflow pipes 20a and 20b of the processing tank. Is done. As long as the height of the opening provided at the upper end of the cascade pipes 21b and 21c of the inflow-side processing tank is lower than the height of the opening of the overflow pipes 20a and 20b of the corresponding outflow-side processing tank. In addition, the flow of the processing liquid is ensured regardless of the specific gravity of the processing liquid. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the case where only one processing tank 5b having both the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe is shown, but even if a plurality of such processing tanks exist. Good.

As described above, according to the cascade piping of the present invention, if a sufficient amount of the processing liquid is always supplied to the processing tank 5a where the processing liquid is discharged first, the liquid level of each processing tank is reduced. It can be automatically adjusted to a predetermined height and automatically held.

According to the cascade piping of the present invention,
The position of the overflow is not limited to the partition wall as in the notch method, and the position where the flow of the processing liquid into the overflow tube is not hindered by the rack as described above can be relatively freely selected and the overflow tube can be selected. Can be installed, so that the processing liquid flows into the overflow pipe smoothly. In addition, if there is no need to move the processing liquid between the processing tanks due to differences in the combination of cascades depending on the processing specifications, at least cap the opening of the cascade pipe and shut off the supply of the processing liquid. You can just respond.

Next, in order to more accurately maintain the level of the processing liquid in the processing tank, it is necessary to generate the processing liquid when flowing into the overflow pipe and when the processing liquid flows out from the cascade pipe. It is necessary to keep the rise of the liquid level of the overflow low. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c), a thin portion 1 having a reduced thickness is provided at the openings of the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe.
A zero is provided to cause a contraction of the overflow flow beyond the side wall of the opening. Since the influence of this flow contraction affects the liquid level of the processing liquid at the place where the overflow starts, the liquid level rise amount h0 in this case is larger than the liquid level rise amount h in the conventional overflow pipe and cascade pipe having openings. Can be smaller. Specifically, the thin portion 1 of the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe
When the thickness of 0 is 2 mm and the length is 13 mm, the liquid level rise can be made as small as 2 mm compared to the liquid level rise of 4 mm in the case of 5.5 mm without the thin portion. it can.

The thinner the thin portions of the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe are, the more effective they are in suppressing the rise in liquid level, but there is a problem in molding.

The thin portion is shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.
May be provided upstream of the overflow, or conversely, it may be provided downstream of the overflow.

[0024]

As described above, according to the method of the cascade pipe of the processing tank and the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe in the photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, the liquid level of the processing liquid in the processing tank can be accurately adjusted to a predetermined height. Since it can be held, it is possible to prevent the quality of the photosensitive material from deteriorating due to the fluctuation of the level of the processing liquid in the processing step.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a cascade pipe of a processing tank in a photographic processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cascade pipe of the processing tank of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in a liquid level of an overflow due to a difference in thickness of an opening.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a notched processing tank.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a processing tank of a bottom piping system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5, 5a, 5b, 5c Processing tank 6 Processing liquid 10 Thin part 12a, 12b Piping 20a, 20b, 20c Overflow pipe 21a, 21b, 21c Cascade pipe

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-6-175324 (JP, A) JP-A-7-64266 (JP, A) JP-A-5-25449 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03D 3/02

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus, comprising: a developing section for developing a photographic light-sensitive material by passing it through a processing solution stored in a plurality of processing tanks, wherein the plurality of processing tanks are provided. A plurality of processing tanks containing the same type of processing liquid, at least one processing tank having therein only an overflow pipe having an opening at an upper end,
A processing tank having therein an overflow pipe having an opening at an upper end and a cascade pipe having an opening at an upper end position higher than the height of the opening of the overflow pipe,
Further, among the plurality of processing tanks containing the same type of processing liquid, an overflow pipe of one processing tank and a cascade pipe of another processing tank among related processing tanks are connected by piping, and the overflow pipe The height of the opening is higher than the opening of the cascade pipe connected by piping, whereby the processing liquid overflowing to the opening of the overflow pipe of the processing tank is connected to the overflow pipe by piping. The photographic light-sensitive material processing apparatus is supplied to another processing tank having the cascade pipe via the cascade pipe, and the liquid level of each processing tank is maintained at a predetermined height. 2. An opening portion of the overflow pipe and the cascade pipe is provided with a thin portion having a reduced thickness, and the processing liquid in the processing tank and the cascade pipe when the processing liquid overflows from the opening. The photographic material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rise in the liquid level is suppressed to a low level. 3. The photographic light-sensitive device according to claim 1, wherein a cap is placed on an opening of the cascade pipe of the processing tank among the plurality of processing tanks according to processing specifications, and supply of the processing liquid is shut off. Material processing equipment.