JP3483989B2 - 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 a photosensitive material processing apparatus, and more particularly to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for storing a waste liquid of a processing liquid discharged from a processing tank in a waste liquid storage section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photosensitive material processing apparatus, a replenisher is replenished in a processing tank according to processing of a photosensitive material.
When replenished, the processing liquid in the processing tank overflows and is stored as a waste liquid in a waste liquid tank or the like.

On the other hand, an apparatus for concentrating the waste liquid of this photosensitive material processing apparatus has been proposed (JP-A-4-338947).
338950). This apparatus for concentrating the waste liquid uses a heat pump as a heating means of the evaporating vessel and a cooling means of a cooling vessel for cooling, condensing and liquefying the vapor in order to evaporate and concentrate the waste fluid.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-18597 discloses a means for introducing waste heat air from the drying section to evaporate the waste liquid and a means for removing moisture in the steam in the waste liquid processing tank in the processing machine. An apparatus comprising is disclosed.

In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 4-338947 to 338950, a waste heat is concentrated by providing a dedicated heat source and a cooler. However, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-118595, dry air is blown in the photosensitive material processing apparatus. It is used as a heat source to concentrate the waste liquid.

[0006]

However, the concentrating device using the heat pump has a problem that the device is very expensive and the running cost is large (these problems and problems are disclosed in JP-A-6-11897). It is also described in.).

On the other hand, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-118597, since the dry air of the processing machine itself is used, there is no need for a heat pump or a new heater, and the efficiency is improved. However, in this method, since the waste liquid is still stored in the preliminary tank (built-in tank) and then the evaporation process is performed, the device becomes complicated, and the surface area of the liquid once stored is reduced, so that the evaporation efficiency is reduced. There is a problem that it will end up.

In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of reducing the amount of waste liquid with a simple structure.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing bath for storing a processing liquid for processing a photosensitive material, and a temperature adjusting means for heating the processing liquid in the processing bath. A photosensitive material processing apparatus for storing a waste liquid of a processing liquid discharged from the processing tank in a waste liquid storage part, wherein
A reduction means for reducing the volume before storing in the storage part is provided.
The measuring means is a tank wall of the processing tank heated by the processing liquid.
After the waste liquid has passed through the tank wall, the waste liquid storage section
It is characterized by being stored in .

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The photosensitive material is subjected to predetermined processing by the processing liquid stored in the processing tank. The temperature adjusting means heats the processing liquid in the processing tank so that the photosensitive material can be processed properly.

Further, the processing liquid replenished with the processing liquid and the like, which is overflowed from the processing tank and discharged, is stored as a waste liquid in the waste liquid storage portion, and the volume reduction means reduces the volume of the waste liquid to the waste liquid storage portion. The amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage unit can be reduced because the amount is reduced before storing the waste liquid.

[0012]

More specifically, the waste liquid is stored in the waste liquid storage portion after passing through the tank wall. Here, since the tank wall is warmed by the treatment liquid heated by the temperature adjusting means, the waste liquid has its capacity reduced by evaporation of water in the tank wall portion before being stored in the waste liquid storage section. In order to increase evaporation of water, it is preferable to spread the waste liquid on the tank wall as much as possible.
Moreover, since the evaporation of water is gradually performed, it is preferable that the amount of the waste liquid discharged from the processing tank be a small amount and a constant amount according to the evaporation rate.

The invention as defined in claim 2 is as set forth in claim 1.
In the light-sensitive material processing apparatus, at least one of a blowing means and a drying air generating means for drying the light-sensitive material treated with the processing liquid is provided, and the waste liquid is generated by the blowing means before being stored in the waste liquid storage section. It is characterized in that it is affected by at least one of the dry air and the dry air generated by the dry air generating means.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the second aspect,
Before the waste liquid is stored in the waste liquid storage unit, it is affected by at least one of the wind generated by the air blowing unit and the dry air generated by the dry air generating unit. Therefore, the evaporation of the waste liquid is promoted before being stored in the waste liquid storage unit, and the amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage unit can be reduced. In particular,
By blowing air on the waste liquid that has passed through the heated tank wall,
Evaporation is accelerated and the effect is enhanced.

The invention described in claim 3 is the same as claim 1
Alternatively, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2,
When the temperature control means is operating, processing per unit time
It is supplemented to average out the waste liquid overflowing from the processing tank.
It is characterized by having a replenishing means for replenishing the filling liquid.
It

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 3,
When the temperature control means is operating, replenishing means, the unit time
Average the waste liquid overflowing from the per treatment tank
To replenish the replenisher . That is, the replenishing means does not replenish the liquid in a short time and does not replenish the liquid for a while after that, and replenishes the replenishing liquid little by little, so that the waste liquid overflowing from the processing tank Will also be discharged little by little in response to liquid replenishment, which makes it possible to evaporate a large amount of water and reliably reduce the amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage section. .

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a film processor 10 as a photosensitive material processing apparatus includes a cartridge 1 containing a film 12 as an exposed photosensitive material.
A mounting unit 14 for mounting the film 3 and a film developing unit 16 for developing the film 12 are provided.

The film developing section 16 is provided in a box-shaped casing 17, and has a color developing tank 18 containing a color developing solution, a bleaching tank 20 containing a bleaching solution, and a bleach-fixing solution containing a bleach-fixing solution. Tank 22, fixing tank 2 storing fixer
4, a washing tank 26 storing flush water, a first stabilizing bath 28 and a second stabilizing bath 30 storing a stabilizing bath liquid are continuously provided, and a drying chamber 32 is provided downstream of the second stabilizing bath 30. Has been.

Each of these tanks has a plurality of racks 34
By being nipped and conveyed by the rollers of the rack 34, the film 12 is immersed in each tank in a substantially U-shaped conveyance path as shown in FIG. It

Film 1 treated with these treatment liquids
2 is sent to the drying chamber 32, and the heater 36 and the fan 3
Dry air (warm air) is blown by the dry air generating means composed of 8 and the like, and after being dried, it is discharged out of the machine. [Color Developing Tank] As shown in FIG. 2, the color developing tank 18 includes a processing tank 40 that stores a color developing solution and a sub tank 42 that communicates with the processing tank 40.

In the sub tank 42, a temperature sensor (thermistor) 46 for detecting the temperature of the liquid in the sub tank 42, a float type liquid level detecting sensor 48 for detecting the level of the liquid in the tank, and a liquid in the tank are heated. Heater 50 as a temperature control means for
Is attached. The liquid level detection sensor 48 is equipped with a safety thermostat 52 that operates when the liquid in the tank rises above a predetermined temperature.

Further, the color developing tank 18 is provided with a circulation device 54 for circulating the liquid stored in the processing tank 40 and the sub tank 42. The circulation device 54 includes a replaceable circulation filter 56, a flow meter 58, and a circulation pump 6.
0, a cooling radiator 62 and a controller 55 are provided to keep the liquid at a predetermined temperature.

The sub tank 42 has a replenishing means 43.
Is attached, and the replenishment means 43 is a replenishment tank 5
1. A pump 53 for supplying the processing liquid in the replenishment tank 51 to the sub tank 42 and a nozzle 44 for discharging the processing liquid supplied from the pump 53 into the sub tank 42 are provided.
The pump 53 is controlled by the controller 55. The replenishing color developing solution is stored in the replenishing tank 51 of the color developing tank 18.

The excess color developing solution in the color developing tank 18 overflows from a slit 64 provided in the tank wall of the color developing tank 18 in the direction of arrow F.

In the color developing tank 18, an inclined wall 66 is formed below the slit 64 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined wall 66 has a plurality of inclined grooves 68 alternately formed so that the liquid overflowing from the slit 64 spreads over the entire surface.

The lower end of the slanted wall 66 is slanted, and a gutter 70 is provided at the lower end of the slanted wall 66 for collecting the liquid that has fallen down along the slanted wall 66. Figure 2
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a pipe 72 is connected to the lower end of the gutter 70, and the liquid collected in the gutter 70 is collected in the first waste liquid tank 74 via the pipe 72. There is. The waste liquid tank 74 has a float switch 75 attached to the cap 74A for detecting the fullness of the waste liquid. [Bleaching Tank] Since the bleaching tank 20 has a structure similar to that of the color developing tank 18, only differences from the color developing tank 18 will be described. The same components as those of the color developing tank 18 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The bleaching tank 20 is different from the color developing tank 18 in that the bleaching tank 20 has a different volume as shown in FIG.
0 is that the overflow slit 64 and the inclined wall 66 are not formed, the bleaching liquid (replenishing liquid) is stored in the replenishment tank 51, and the flow meter 58 is not provided in the circulation device 54. . Further, the bleaching solution overflowing from the bleaching tank 20 flows into the adjacent bleach-fixing tank 22 as shown in FIG. 6 (arrow A). [Bleach-fixing tank] The bleach-fixing tank 22 has almost the same structure as the color-developing tank 18, and therefore only the differences from the color-developing tank 18 will be described. The bleach-fixing tank 22 is different from the color developing tank 18 in that the bleach-fixing tank 22 has a different volume, that the replenishing means 43 is not provided, and that the circulation device 54 is not provided with a flow meter 58.

In the bleach-fixing tank 22, as shown in FIG.
The bleach-fixing solution overflows from the slit 64, and the bleaching-fixing solution overflowing from the slit 64 flows down the inclined wall 66 continuous with the tank wall of the fixing tank 24 and then, as shown in FIG. It is adapted to be collected in the second waste liquid tank 78 via the pipe 76. It should be noted that the waste liquid tank 78 is also provided with a float switch 75 for detecting the fullness of the waste liquid, like the waste liquid tank 74. [Fixing Tank] The fixing tank 24 has substantially the same structure as the bleaching tank 20. Therefore, only the differences from the bleaching tank 20 will be described. The fixing tank 24 is different from the bleaching tank 20 in that the replenishing tank 51 is
The fixer (replenisher) is stored in the circulation device 54.
This is the point that the flowmeter 58 is not provided.

Further, in the fixing tank 24, as shown in FIG.
It flows into 2 (arrow B). [Washing Tank] The washing tank 26 has substantially the same structure as the fixing tank 24, and therefore only the differences from the fixing tank 24 will be described. The difference between the washing tank 26 and the fixing tank 24 is that the washing tank 26 has a different volume, that the washing water (replenishing liquid) is stored in the replenishing tank 51, and the fixing tank having overflowed washing water adjacent thereto as shown in FIG. The point is that it flows into 24 (arrow D).

An inclined wall 66 is formed on the tank wall of the washing bath 26 as shown in FIG. 4, and the inclined wall 66 of the washing tank 26 is formed on the tank wall of the first stabilizing bath 28 described below. It continues to the formed inclined wall 66. [First Stabilizing Bath] The first stabilizing bath 28 is a color developing tank 18.
Since the structure is almost the same as the above, only the difference will be described.
The first stabilizing bath 28 is different from the color developing bath 18 in that the volume is different, the replenishing means 43 is not provided, and the flow meter 58 is not provided in the circulation device 54.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in the first stabilizing bath 28, the stabilizing bath liquid overflows from the slit 64 and travels down the inclined wall 66, and then falls down to the pipe 82 and the joint 8.
It is configured to be collected in the first waste liquid tank 74 via 3 and the pipe 72. In addition, the inclined wall 66 of the first stabilizing bath 28 is continuous with the inclined wall 66 of the washing bath 26 as described above (see FIG. 4), and is formed on the tank wall of the second stabilizing bath 30 described next. It is also continuous to the formed inclined wall 66. [Second Stabilizing Bathtub] The second stabilizing bathtub 30 is the first stabilizing bathtub 2
Since the structure is almost the same as that of No. 8, only the difference from the first stabilizing bath 28 will be described. The difference between the second stabilizing bath 30 and the first stabilizing bath 28 is that the replenishing means 43 is provided, the stabilizing bath liquid (replenishing liquid) is stored in the replenishing tank 51, and the slit 64 is provided. There is no point, and the overflowing stabilizing bath solution flows out to the first stabilizing bath 28 (arrow C in FIG. 6). The first stabilizing bath 28 is attached to the tank wall.
The point that the inclined wall 66 that is continuous with the inclined wall 66 is provided as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 17
An exhaust fan 84 is attached to the upper part of the. The exhaust fan 84 prevents the dew condensation inside by exhausting the air inside the casing 17 (including a part of the exhaust used in the drying chamber 32).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this film processor 10, the exposed film 12 pulled out from the cartridge 13 is a color developing tank 18,
Bleaching tank 20, bleach-fixing tank 22, fixing tank 24, washing tank 2
6, the first stabilizing bath 28, and the second stabilizing bath 30 in that order, and the film 1 treated with the treatment liquid in each of these baths.
2 is sent to the drying chamber 32, dried, and then discharged to the outside of the machine.

By the way, when the development process is performed, the film 1
Since each processing solution is deteriorated according to the processing of No. 2, the color developing tank 18, the bleaching tank 20, the fixing tank 24, the washing tank 26, and the second stabilizing bath 30 are freshly replenished according to the processing amount of the film 12. A predetermined amount of liquid is replenished by the replenishing means 43.

When the color developing tank 18 is replenished with the replenishing solution, the overflowing color developing solution is slit 64.
Is discharged to the outside of the tank via. The color developer discharged from the slit 64 slowly spreads downward while spreading over the entire surface of the inclined wall 66.

Since the inclined wall 66 is warmed by the heated color developing solution in the processing tank 40, the inclined wall 66 promotes evaporation of the color developing solution which flows along the inclined wall 66 and slowly flows downward. As a result, the overflowed color developing solution is concentrated by evaporating water until it reaches the lower end of the inclined wall 66, and is collected in the first waste liquid tank 74 via the gutter 70 and the pipe 72.

On the other hand, when the replenishing solution is replenished in the bleaching tank 20, the overflowed bleaching solution flows into the bleach-fixing tank 22. When the fixing bath 24 and the washing bath 26 are replenished with the replenishing liquid, the overflowing fixing bath and washing water flow into the bleach-fixing bath 22. The bleach-fixing solution overflowing from the bleach-fixing tank 22 is discharged out of the tank through the slit 64.

The bleach-fixing solution discharged from the slit 64 slowly spreads downward while spreading over the entire surface of the inclined wall 66. Since the inclined wall 66 is warmed by the bleach-fix solution and the fixing solution, the inclined wall 66 promotes the evaporation of the bleach-fix solution flowing down the inclined wall 66 and slowly. As a result, the overflowed bleach-fix solution
The water evaporates and is concentrated before reaching the lower end of the inclined wall 66, and the second waste liquid tank 7 passes through the gutter 70 and the pipe 76.
Recovered within 8.

Further, when the second stabilizing bath 30 is replenished with the replenishing liquid, the overflowing stabilizing bath liquid becomes the first stabilizing bath 2.
Pour into 8. Further, the stabilizing bath liquid overflowing from the first stabilizing bath 28 is discharged to the outside of the bath through the slit 64. The stabilizing bath solution discharged from the slit 64 slowly flows downward while spreading over the entire surface of the inclined wall 66.

Since the inclined wall 66 is warmed by the stabilizing bath liquid, it promotes the evaporation of the stabilizing bath liquid while passing through the inclined wall 66 and slowly flowing downward. As a result, the overflowed stabilizing bath liquid is concentrated by evaporating water until it reaches the lower end of the inclined wall 66, and is then stored in the first waste liquid tank 74 via the gutter 70 and the pipe 82, the joint 83 and the pipe 72. Will be collected.

As described above, in the film processor 10 of the present embodiment, the overflowed processing liquid is evaporated by the warmed inclined wall 66 to reduce its volume.
The amount of waste liquid in the first waste liquid tank 74 and the second waste liquid tank 78 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2, the steam 67 generated on the inclined wall 66 is discharged from the casing 1 by the exhaust fan 84.
7 is discharged to the outside.

Further, a part of the exhaust gas used in the drying chamber 32 is applied to the inclined wall 66 and then discharged to the outside of the machine, so that the evaporation of the waste liquid can be further promoted.

A duct or the like for guiding the exhaust gas of the drying chamber 32 to the inclined wall 66 may be provided to positively apply the warm exhaust gas of the drying chamber 32 to the inclined wall 66. In addition, exhaust heat (warm air) after cooling a heat source (for example, a motor) used in the device may be guided.

Since the overflow of the waste liquid occurs when the liquid is replenished in the drive state, the waste liquid can be efficiently evaporated.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to promote the evaporation of the waste liquid, the warm inclined wall 66 of each tank is used, and it is not necessary to separately prepare a heating device or equipment for evaporative concentration. For this reason, it becomes possible to treat the waste liquid inexpensively and efficiently. Further, since the amount of the waste liquid discharged to the first waste liquid tank 74 and the second waste liquid tank 78 is small, the first waste liquid tank 74 and the second waste liquid tank 78 can be downsized, and the device can be downsized. It is also possible. Further, the number of maintenance such as replacement of the first waste liquid tank 74 and the second waste liquid tank 78 can be reduced, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

The evaporation area (area of the inclined wall) may be changed according to the ratio of the amount of waste liquid. Also, the inclined wall 6
If the angle of 6 with respect to the vertical line is increased, the flow rate of the waste liquid can be slowed down, and the waste liquid can be evaporated over time.

Furthermore, in order to accelerate the evaporation of the waste liquid,
Any portion of the treatment tank can be used as long as it is a warm treatment tank wall, and for example, the bottom wall of the treatment tank may be used. In this case, the bottom wall of the processing tank may be inclined or arcuate.

Further, in the above embodiment, the plurality of inclined grooves 68 are alternately formed so that the overflowed liquid spreads over the entire surface of the inclined wall 66, but the liquid spreads and the contact area with the air expands. Thus, fine irregularities may be formed on the entire surface, or the surface may be wavy.

When the odorous waste liquid is evaporated, the evaporation area may be reduced, or the waste liquid may be directly discharged to the waste liquid tank without the inclined wall 66. Further, the air inside may be discharged via a deodorizing means (for example, an activated carbon filter or the like).

In the conventional photosensitive material processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 7, the replenishment of the liquid is performed once for each processing of the photosensitive material or once for several processings as indicated by an imaginary line (collective replenishment). .

In the present embodiment, it is more effective to replenish the solution as little as possible over a long time and slowly, as shown in the replenishment of the liquid (method 1).

For example, when the liquid replenishing amount in the color developing tank is required to be 23 ml per film, and the liquid replenishing rate at the normal time is 1 ml / min, overflow occurs unless the next process is performed within 23 minutes. The waste liquid is evaporated and almost disappears.

Therefore, the present method is more effective for a processor having a smaller processing amount. That is, if the processing amount is small, the amount of the overflowed liquid is small, which makes it possible to evaporate most of the water on the inclined wall 66.

Particularly, in a low-throughput machine, almost no waste liquid is produced, and the dissolved matter can be collected in the solid state on the inclined wall 66. In this case, an inclined wall 66 having a volume necessary for solidification is secured, and as shown in FIG. 8, a water-absorbing recovery sheet (or mat) 86 such as sponge, felt, non-woven fabric, paper, cotton, etc. is previously attached to the inclined wall. It is also possible to replaceably attach it to 66 and periodically collect the solidified waste liquid. When almost no waste liquid is generated as described above, it is possible to provide a waste liquid tank 88 having a small capacity as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the case of continuous processing, the controller 5
5 is provided with a memory, and the replenishment amount is added to the memory until a constant replenishment amount is reached, and the replenishment rate is gradually increased each time the predetermined amount is exceeded (see FIG. 7, liquid replenishment (method 2)). For example, when the replenishment amount is 46 ml, the replenishment rate is 2 ml / min, and when the replenishment amount is 69 ml, the replenishment rate is 3 ml / min.

The moist exhaust gas discharged from the dew condensation preventing exhaust fan 84 may be cooled by a cooling device and the regenerated water obtained by the cooling may be recovered. This can suppress an increase in ambient humidity.

Further, a fan for directly blowing air to the inclined wall 66 may be provided separately. Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a film processor is shown, but the present invention is a processing tank for storing a processing liquid for processing a photosensitive material,
A photosensitive material processing apparatus other than a film processor, as long as it is a photosensitive material processing apparatus including a temperature adjusting means for heating the processing liquid in the processing tank, and storing the waste liquid of the processing liquid discharged from the processing tank in a waste liquid storage section. Of course, it can also be applied to. Examples of the photosensitive material processing apparatus other than the film processor include a printer processor that develops printing paper and the like, a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a film processor and a printer processor are integrated, a wet copy, and a printing plate processing machine. In a printer processor or the like, exhaust heat used for cooling a baking lamp or the like can be used for promoting evaporation. [Test Example] Next, the film processor FP506B manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. was modified and the amount of waste liquid was compared with that of a normal film processor FP506B.

A normal film processor FP50
6B has a structure in which a waste liquid port having an inner diameter of several mm is provided on the sub-tank side, and overflows when refilling is performed, and the waste liquid is directly discharged to the drainage tank.

On the other hand, the modified film processor FP5
No. 06B has a structure in which a normal overflow waste port is closed, a tank wall on the processing tank side is cut out, and an inclined wall is provided therein as shown in FIG. 4 and the like. The surface area of the inclined wall was about 600 cm ² for the developing solution, the bleach-fixing solution and the stabilizing bath solution.

The temperature of the tank wall of each tank is kept within the range of about 37.6 to 38.0 ° C. by the flow of the liquid in the processing tank, receives heat from the processing tank, and is conventionally A built-in exhaust fan for preventing dew condensation promoted evaporation and concentration. Further, during the processing, the exhaust air from the drying section naturally entered the development processing section, so that the evaporation was further promoted.

Here, the air volume of the exhaust fan is 0.85 to
The air volume of the fan of the dry air generating means is 1.10 m ³ / min and is 8.5 m ³ / min, and in this state 40 to 80 ml / min.
It has been found that temporal evaporation naturally occurs in the casing.

Although different depending on the operating conditions and environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), the relationships shown in FIGS. 9 to 10 were found.

Here, in FIG. 9, the modified film processor FP506B was driven for 3 hours, and the vapor pressure P in the casing and the evaporation amount and evaporation rate of the processing liquid in each processing tank were measured under various environmental conditions. Results are shown. Further, FIG. 10 shows the result of the evaporation amount shown in FIG.
This is a bar graph that is corrected to the average evaporation amount per hour. On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the average evaporation rate per about 150 cm ² and the vapor pressure in the casing of the modified film processor FP506B in the drive state.

The opening area of the color developing tank 18 is 170
cm ² , the opening area of the bleaching tank 20 is 150 cm ² , the opening area of the bleach-fixing tank 22 is 190 cm ² , the opening area of the fixing tank 24, the opening area of the washing tank 26, the first stabilizing bath 28 and the second stabilizing bath 30. The opening area is 130 cm ² each,
The liquid temperature of the color developing solution is 37.6 ° C, and the liquid temperatures of the bleaching solution, the bleach-fixing solution, the fixing solution, the washing water and the stabilizing bath solution are each 38.0.
Was ° C.

In the drive state (the power is on and the film is being processed), the exhaust fan, the heater of the dry air generating means and the fan are operating, and the air volume of the exhaust fan at that time is 0. It was 0.85 to 1.10 m ³ / min (on average, about 1 m ³ / min), and the air volume of the fan of the dry air generating means was 8.5 m ³ / min.

Next, in FIG. 12, the modified film processor FP506B is placed in a standby state for 5 hours (a heater for heating the processing liquid, a heater and a fan of the dry air generating means are turned on, and the film is not conveyed), and various conditions are set. The results of measuring the vapor pressure P in the casing, the amount of evaporation of the processing liquid in each processing tank, and the evaporation rate under the above environmental conditions are shown. Also,
FIG. 13 is a bar graph in which the result of the evaporation amount shown in FIG. 12 is converted into an average evaporation amount per hour. On the other hand, FIG. 14 shows the film processor F in the standby state.
It shows the relationship between the average evaporation rate per about 150 cm ² in the casing of P506B and the vapor pressure.

As a result of the test, when it was affected by dry air in the drive condition (developing condition), the temperature was 15 ° C. and the humidity was 2
It was found that water can be vaporized at 80 ml / hour under an environment of 0%, and that water can be vaporized at 40 ml / hour even under a high humidity condition of temperature 32 ° C. and humidity 83%.

Here, the film processor FP before modification
The 506B and the modified film processor FP506B each developed a color negative film on the basis of a color negative film development processing formulation CN-16FA (trade name) of Fuji Film Co., Ltd. 4 times per hour, and the result was accumulated in a waste liquid tank. The amount of waste liquid is as shown in Table 1 below (however, at a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 35%).

The liquid replenishment per film is 23 ml / color developing solution, 5 ml / color bleaching solution, 16 ml / fixing solution, 34 ml / washing water, and stabilizing bath solution. Is 20 ml / bottle, totaling 98 ml / bottle,
The replenishment rates are, on average, 92 ml / hr for color developer, 20 ml / hr for bleach, 64 ml / hr for fixer, 136 ml / hr for wash water (super rinse), and 80 for stable bath. Milliliter / hour.

[0072]

[Table 1]

As a result of the test, the modified film processor FP506B is the same as the unmodified film processor FP50.
It was found that the amount of waste liquid can be reduced by 47% compared to 6B.

[0074]

As described above, since the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the first aspect has the above-mentioned structure, the waste liquid is evaporated.
Simple structure without the need for additional heating means
In addition, the amount of waste liquid can be reduced at low cost.
Also, the excellent effect of not consuming extra energy
Have.

[0075]

The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the above-mentioned.
With this configuration , there is an excellent effect that evaporation can be promoted and the effect of reducing the amount of waste liquid can be enhanced. Further, by using the conventionally used dry air generating means, the increase in the number of parts can be suppressed and the structure is not complicated. Further, as the blowing means, for example, an exhaust fan for preventing dew condensation that has been conventionally used can be used. This suppresses an increase in the number of parts and does not complicate the structure. Note that evaporation can be further promoted by applying air to the waste liquid that has propagated through the heated tank wall.

A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 3
Since it has the above-mentioned configuration, it has an excellent effect that a large amount of water can be evaporated and the amount of waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage portion can be surely reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an internal structure of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a color developing tank.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inclined wall.

FIG. 4 is a front view of each processing tank.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a bleaching tank.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a relationship between each processing tank and a waste liquid tank.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the relationship between film processing and liquid replenishment.

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the processing tank.

FIG. 9 is a result of measuring the vapor pressure P in the casing, the evaporation amount and evaporation rate of the processing liquid in each processing tank under various environmental conditions when the modified film processor FP506B is set in a drive state.

FIG. 10 is a bar graph in which the result of the evaporation amount shown in FIG. 9 is converted into an average evaporation amount per hour.

FIG. 11 shows the inside of the casing 15 when the modified film processor FP506B is set in the drive state.
It shows the relationship between the average evaporation rate per 0 cm ² and the vapor pressure.

FIG. 12 is a result of measuring the vapor pressure P in the casing, the evaporation amount of the processing liquid in each processing tank, and the evaporation rate under various environmental conditions when the modified film processor FP506B is placed in a standby state for 5 hours.

FIG. 13 is a bar graph in which the results of the evaporation amount shown in FIG. 12 are converted into an average evaporation amount per hour.

FIG. 14 shows the inside of the casing when the modified film processor FP506B is in the standby state.
5 is a graph showing the relationship between the average evaporation rate per 50 cm ² and vapor pressure.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Film Processor (Photosensitive Material Processing Device) 12 Film (photosensitive material) 18 Color development tank (processing tank) 22 Bleach-fixing tank (processing tank) 28 First Stabilizing Bath (Treatment Tank) 36 heater (dry air generating means) 38 fan (dry air generating means) 43 Replenishing means 50 heater (temperature control means) 66 inclined wall (tank wall) 74 First waste liquid tank (waste liquid storage part) 78 Second waste liquid tank (waste liquid storage part) 84 Exhaust fan (Blower) 88 Waste liquid tank (waste liquid storage part)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A processing tank for storing a processing solution for processing a light-sensitive material, and a temperature adjusting means for heating the processing solution in the processing tank, the waste liquid of the processing solution discharged from the processing tank being a waste liquid. A light-sensitive material processing apparatus for storing in a storage unit, the volume of the waste liquid being reduced before being stored in the waste liquid storage unit.
A measuring means, and the reducing means is heated by the treatment liquid.
It is a tank wall of the processing tank, and the waste liquid is transmitted through the tank wall.
After being stored, it is stored in the waste liquid storage section.
Optical material processing equipment. 2. A photosensitive material treated with a blowing means and a processing liquid.
At least one of dry air generating means for drying the material
The waste liquid is sent to the waste liquid storage unit before being stored in the waste liquid storage unit.
The wind generated by the wind means and the dry air generating means
Affected by at least one of the dry winds generated
The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
Place 3. When the temperature control means is operating,
The waste liquid overflowing from the processing tank per unit time is leveled.
A replenisher that replenishes the replenisher so that it is leveled is provided.
The photosensitive material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
Processing equipment.