JP2001224950A - Processing agent dissolution equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To accurately supply a target liquid amount even if foaming occurs. SOLUTION: In the dissolution treatment of a treatment agent, first, initial water supply is performed using a liquid level sensor so that the amount of water in a dissolution tank becomes a reference liquid amount (steps 200 to 212). Next, after the treatment agent is introduced with stirring, the bottle is washed while controlling the time so that the amount of water supplied to the dissolution tank becomes the target liquid amount (steps 214 to 22).
8). Further, after the treatment liquid is discharged, preliminary water supply is performed so that the reference liquid amount can be accurately detected by the liquid level sensor at the time of performing the next dissolution treatment (steps 230 to 240).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a treatment agent dissolving apparatus for dissolving a powdery or granular treatment agent in a dissolution tank by stirring a predetermined amount of a liquid such as water to produce a treatment liquid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a treatment agent dissolving apparatus that detects a liquid level in a dissolution tank by a liquid level sensor using electrodes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some processing solutions such as a developing solution and a fixing solution used in photographic processing are formed by dissolving a powdery or granular processing agent in water. Such a processing agent is enclosed in, for example, a PET exclusive bottle, and can be used as a processing solution for processing a photosensitive material by dissolving it in water so as to have a predetermined concentration.

When a processing solution is produced using a processing agent, a dedicated dissolving apparatus is used. This dissolving apparatus introduces a treatment agent in a bottle into a dissolution tank and supplies water in an amount corresponding to the amount of the introduced treatment agent. This water supply measurement is
A method of arranging an electrode for liquid level detection in a dissolution tank and detecting whether or not the liquid level of water has reached a predetermined level by using the electrode is used.

On the other hand, the dissolving apparatus is provided with a washing means, in which the treating agent is charged into the dissolving tank, and then the bottle containing the treating agent is sprayed with water to clean the bottle and to clean the inside of the bottle. The remaining processing agent is washed into the dissolution tank.

[0005] By the way, the dissolving device is agitated with a paddle or the like so that the water stored in the dissolving tank is agitated so as to promote uniform dissolution of the treating agent charged into the dissolving tank. I am trying to do it.

[0006]

However, if the water in the dissolving tank is agitated after the treatment agent has been charged, the liquid surface foams. If the bubbles on the liquid level adhere to the electrodes of the liquid level sensor, the liquid level sensor may cause erroneous detection.
Due to such foaming, erroneous detection of the liquid level sensor causes a problem that the liquid level is viewed higher than the actual level and the processing agent cannot be dissolved in an appropriate amount of water.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and when a liquid level sensor uses electrodes to detect the liquid level in a dissolving tank, the processing liquid is dissolved in an appropriate amount to dissolve the processing liquid. It is an object of the present invention to propose a treating agent dissolving apparatus capable of generating a treating agent.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a process for producing a treatment liquid by dissolving a powdery or granular treatment agent in a target amount of liquid supplied to a dissolution tank. A treatment agent dissolving device, a treatment agent introduction unit for introducing the treatment agent into the dissolution tank, a liquid supply unit for supplying a liquid for dissolving the treatment agent to the dissolution tank, and at least a dissolution tank A liquid level sensor having a reference electrode for detecting a liquid level of the liquid when a set reference liquid amount is supplied; and a reference electrode of the liquid level detecting means in a first liquid supply step. After the liquid supply unit was operated until the liquid level was detected, the second liquid supply step was set according to the difference between the reference liquid amount and the target liquid amount and the liquid supply capacity of the liquid supply unit. Liquid supply control hand that activates liquid supply means based on time Characterized in that it comprises a and.

According to this invention, after the liquid is supplied until the liquid level reaches the level detected by the reference electrode of the liquid level sensor in the first liquid supply step, the target liquid amount is obtained in the second liquid supply step. Solution as shown. In the second step, the liquid is supplied based on the liquid supply capacity of the liquid supply means, which is the liquid supply amount per unit time, and the treatment agent is supplied to the dissolution tank.

[0010] In the first liquid supply step, since the processing agent is not charged into the dissolving tank, no bubbles are generated in the supplied liquid, and the liquid amount can be accurately detected by the detecting means. Further, in the second liquid supply step, since the time of the liquid supply means is controlled, an appropriate amount of liquid can be supplied regardless of the bubbling of the liquid surface.

The operation time T of the liquid supply means when performing the time control in the second liquid supply step is the reference liquid amount V ₁ , the target liquid amount V _S , the discharge amount per unit time of the liquid supply means. v from, T (sec) = [( V S -V 1) / v] * can be 60 (sec). That is, if the reference liquid amount V ₁ and the discharge amount v per unit time of the liquid supply means are accurately measured in advance, the desired target liquid amount V _S can be supplied to the dissolution tank accurately. In addition, even when a plurality of dissolution tanks are provided, an appropriate amount of liquid can be supplied to each dissolution tank regardless of a machine difference between the dissolution tanks.

According to the present invention, the stirring means for stirring the liquid supplied to the dissolving tank, and the stirring control means for operating the stirring means at a predetermined timing after the completion of the first liquid supply step. It is preferable to include

[0013] Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a cleaning means for cleaning a bottle containing the processing agent, and a cleaning and supplying means provided as one of the liquid supply means and supplying the liquid to the cleaning means. Wherein the liquid supply control means activates the cleaning liquid supply means in the second step.

According to the present invention, when the cleaning means is provided, the liquid is supplied by the liquid cleaning means in the second liquid supply step. This enables efficient liquid supply in parallel with the cleaning of the bottle.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the liquid supply control means operates the liquid supply means after discharging the processing liquid generated in the dissolving tank and discharges a predetermined amount of liquid into the dissolving tank. It is characterized by including a third liquid supply step of supplying liquid.

In the present invention, there is provided a third liquid supply step in which the processing liquid is discharged from the dissolution tank and then supplied to the dissolution tank. Thus, when bubbles generated when the processing liquid is generated remain at the bottom of the dissolution tank, the bubbles can be eliminated, and when the processing liquid is next generated, the reference electrode of the liquid level sensor is used. This enables accurate liquid level detection.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a treatment agent dissolving apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

The treatment agent dissolving device 10 has a frame 12 assembled in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has two dissolving tanks 1 above it.
Stock tanks 18 and 20 are arranged on the lower side, respectively. In FIG. 1, a water supply tank 22 is provided on the back side of the apparatus (on the back side of FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply tank 22 is disposed on a gantry 102 fixed to a predetermined position of the frame 12. A float valve 104 is mounted above the inside of the water supply tank 22, and a water supply pipe (not shown) is connected to the float valve 104. In the water supply tank 22, the valve is opened and closed by the float 104A moving up and down according to the amount of stored water,
The amount of water whose level is always within a predetermined range is stored.

On the other hand, the waterproof sheet 11
6 is laid, and the bottom of the water supply tank 22 is wrapped in the waterproof sheet 116.

Since a predetermined amount of water is always stored in the water supply tank 22, dew condensation occurs on the bottom outer surface. The waterproof sheet 116 prevents water droplets and the like generated by dew condensation from causing corrosion or the like on the frame 12 and the gantry 102 of the treatment agent dissolving device 10 and preventing the floor surface on which the treatment agent dissolution device 10 is installed from being wetted. are doing.

The waterproof sheet 116 is preferably prepared by subjecting Ecseine, Rubicell, and the like to antibacterial and antifungal treatments, and prevents the formation of scale, mold, and the like due to water droplets attached due to condensation or the like. . in this way,
In the treatment agent dissolving device 10, even if dew condensation occurs in the water supply tank 22, the occurrence of corrosion, dirt, unusual odor, and the like due to the condensed water is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 1, water supply pumps 24 and 26 are provided below the water supply tank 22 as liquid supply means. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction sides of the water supply pumps 24 and 26 are connected to the water supply tank 22 and open through the filter unit 118. Further, the discharge sides of the water supply pumps 24 and 26 are connected to the dissolution tanks 14 and 16 respectively.
Connected within. Thereby, the treatment agent dissolving device 10
Then, water is supplied from the water supply tank 22 to the dissolution tank 14 by the water supply pump 24, and water is supplied from the water supply tank 22 to the dissolution tank 16 by the water supply pump 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, a developing solution and a fixing solution used for developing and fixing a photographic photosensitive material such as a photographic film as a processing agent are provided at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the processing agent dissolving device 10. The respective bottles 28 containing the original powdery or granular developer and fixing agent are loaded. The bottle 28 is, for example, a bottle mouth 28A.
Are sealed by a sealing material (not shown).

The developer and fixing agent in the bottle 28 are dissolved in water in the dissolving tanks 14 and 16 to generate a developing solution and a fixing solution. The developing solution and the fixing solution generated in the dissolving tanks 14 and 16 are transferred from the dissolving tanks 14 and 16 to stock tanks 18 and 20, respectively, and stored therein.
That is, the treatment agent dissolving device 10 includes the dissolving tanks 14 and 1.
In 6, the developer and the fixing agent can be used for dissolving the developing agent and the fixing agent in water to produce a developing solution and a fixing solution. In the processing agent dissolving apparatus 10, one of the dissolving tanks 14 and 16 generates a developing solution, and the other generates a fixing solution.

The treatment agent dissolving apparatus 10 is provided with replenishing pumps 30 and 32. This refill pump 30,
Pipes 34A and 34B inserted into the stock tanks 18 and 20 are connected to the suction side of the pipe 32. Also,
On the discharge side of the refill pumps 30 and 32,
A supply nozzle for supplying a developing solution or a fixing solution to each processing tank of an automatic developing device (not shown) that uses the processing solution (a developing solution and a fixing solution) generated according to step 0 is connected.

With such a configuration, the treatment agent dissolving apparatus 1
0 indicates a replenishing pump 3 according to a request from the automatic developing device.
By operating 0 and 32, the developing solution and the fixing solution stored in the stock tanks 18 and 20 are supplied to the automatic developing device. Further, the processing agent dissolving device 10
Is provided with a water replenishing pump 36. By operating the water replenishing pump 36 in response to a water supply request from the automatic developing device, water can be replenished to the automatic developing device together with the developing solution and the fixing solution. I have.

The essential parts of the treatment agent dissolving apparatus 10 will be described below. The developer and the fixing agent are expressed as processing agents without particular distinction, and the description will be made on the assumption that this processing agent is dissolved in water to generate a processing liquid. Further, the processing agent developing device 1
0, the melting tank 14 and the stock tank 18 side,
The dissolving tank 16 and the stock tank 20 have substantially the same configuration. Hereinafter, the dissolving tank 14 and the stock tank 18 will be mainly described as examples, and the description of the dissolving tank 16 and the stock tank 20 will be omitted.

As shown in FIG.
Is a blown hollow container having a substantially cubic outer shape, a substantially rectangular opening 38 is formed on the upper surface, and is supported at a predetermined position of the frame 12 with the opening 38 facing upward ( (See FIG. 1).

One surface of the side wall of the melting tank 14 protrudes, and a filter unit loading section 40 having a substantially semi-cylindrical inner surface shape is formed vertically at the tip of the protruding side wall. In addition, the dissolving tank 14 has a bottom surface inclined toward the lower side of the filter unit loading section 40, and further, the processing liquid generated in the dissolving tank 14 is discharged from the dissolving tank 14 to the bottom of the filter unit loading section 40. An opening 42 projecting downward is formed in the tubular shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a pipe 44 is connected to the opening 42 of the melting tank 14. The other end of the pipe 44 is open to the upper part of the stock tank 18, and the pipe 44 is provided with an electrically operated valve 46 using a ball valve or the like at an intermediate portion. Thus, in the processing agent dissolving apparatus 10, the processing liquid in the dissolving tank 14 is stored in the stock tank 18 by opening the valve 46.
I'm trying to wash it down.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a filter unit 48 is mounted on the filter unit loading section 40 through an upper insertion port 40A. When the filter unit 48 is inserted into and loaded into the filter unit loading section 40, the outer diameter of the filter unit 48 is set so that the outer peripheral surface on the side where the filter is not provided is in close contact with the filter unit loading section 40. Is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape corresponding to the concave shape of the substantially semi-cylindrical shape.

The filter unit 48 is inserted into the filter unit loading section 40 in the direction of insertion (downward in FIG. 3).
Is formed so as to have a substantially semicircular cross section, and an opening is formed in the protruding portion 50 at the distal end. A filter element 54 is provided on the flat portion 52 of the filter unit 48. Further, when the filter unit 48 is loaded into the filter unit loading section 40, the projection 50 is fitted into the opening 42 of the dissolving tank 14.

Thus, when the valve 46 is opened, the processing liquid in the dissolving tank 14 passes through the filter element 54 of the filter unit 48 and flows into the pipe 44 from the protrusion 50. At this time, the filter element 54
The treatment agent and the like remaining without being completely dissolved in water are filtered out to prevent the treatment agent from being discharged to the stock tank 18.

The filter unit 48 is provided with the protrusion 5
The fitting of the packing 130 into the protrusions 0 prevents the processing liquid from leaking from around the protrusions 50. The filter unit 48 has a packing 136 at the upper end.
Is fixed to an upper plate 62 described later by a bracket 138 which is attached through the bracket (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 1, the stock tank 18,
Inside 20, a liquid level sensor 58 is provided. The liquid level sensor 58 includes a pair of electrodes 60A and 60B arranged in the stock tanks 18 and 20. The processing agent dissolving device 10 detects whether or not the level of the processing liquid (developing liquid and fixing liquid) in the stock tanks 18 and 20 has dropped below a predetermined level at each of the pair of electrodes 60A and 60B, and has dropped. Occasionally, generation of a new developing solution and fixing solution is promoted, and shortage of developing solution and fixing solution supplied to the automatic developing device as needed is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper plate 62 provided at the upper end of the frame 12 is provided with a rectangular hole 62A wider than the opening 38 at a position corresponding to the opening 38 of the melting tank 14. Has been established. With such a configuration, the opening 38 of the melting tank 14 is open.

The upper plate 62 is provided with a lid 64 that can take a position for covering the rectangular hole 62A and a position for not covering the rectangular hole 62A. One end of the lid 64 is hinged to the upper plate 62 by the hinge 100.
, And is fixed to the upper plate 62 so that the other end side is appropriately detached by a screw (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Are provided with two loading ports 66 in which the bottles 28 are loaded. By loading the bottle 28 into the loading port 66 with the bottle port 28A facing downward, the processing agent in the bottle 28 can be charged into the dissolution tank 14 from the opening 38. In this embodiment, for example, only the bottle 28 containing the developer can be loaded into one of the two loading ports 66, and only the bottle 28 containing the fixing agent can be loaded into the other. It is possible.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a support bar 106 is attached to the lid 64. One end in the longitudinal direction of the support bar 106 is pivotally supported by the lid 64 via a pin 108. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper plate 62 has an accommodation hole 110 for accommodating the support bar 106 when the opening 38 of the melting tank 14 is closed by the lid 64. Support bar 10
6 is moved integrally with the lid 64 by rotating the lid 64 in a direction to open the opening 38 of the dissolving tank 14, and is pulled out of the housing hole 110.

As shown in FIG. 5, a notch 112 is formed in the support bar 106 at the end opposite to the pin 108, and the inner portion of the notch 112 is
It is 4. The support bar 106 has an accommodation hole 110.
When it is pulled out, the hook (not shown) formed in the peripheral portion of the housing hole 110 facing the notch 112 enters the lock portion 114 from the notch 112 to prevent downward movement. Thereby, the lid 64
Is supported by the support bar 106 and is held at a predetermined rotation position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, on the upper surface of the processing agent dissolving device 10, a cover 68 that covers the lid 64 integrally is provided. The cover 68 includes a lid 64.
The insertion port 7 is located at a position facing the loading port 66 provided in the
0 is formed. Each bottle 28 has a bottle mouth 28A
Is inserted downward from the insertion opening 70 of the cover 68,
It is loaded into the loading port 66 of the lid 64.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lid 64 is provided with a punching mechanism 72 for each of the loading ports 66 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 5). This piercing mechanism 72
Is provided with a piercing blade 74, and the sealing member closing the bottle opening 28A is broken by swinging the piercing blade 74 toward the bottle opening 28A by an actuator (not shown). When the sealing material breaks, the loading port 6
The treatment agent falls into the dissolving tanks 14 and 16 from the bottle opening 28A of the bottle 28 loaded in 6.

The piercing blade 74 has such a shape that it breaks while leaving a part of the sealing material, and prevents the sealing material from dropping into the melting tanks 14 and 16 when the sealing material is broken. ing. A conventionally known configuration can be used as the perforation mechanism 72 and the perforation blade 74, and a detailed description is omitted in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lid 64 is provided with a bottle washing nozzle 76 toward the inside of the bottle 28 loaded in the loading port 66. As shown in FIG. 1, a bottle cleaning pump 78
Is provided. The bottle cleaning pump 78 has a suction side connected to the water supply tank 22 together with the water supply pump 24, and a discharge side connected to a bottle cleaning nozzle 76. The bottle cleaning nozzle 76 supplies water supplied by the operation of the bottle cleaning pump 78 to the bottle. 28.

When a certain amount of the treating agent in the bottle 28 is supplied to the dissolving tanks 14 and 16, the treating agent in the bottle 28 is dropped into the dissolving tanks 14 and 16, and then the bottle cleaning pump 78 is moved at a predetermined timing. Is operated to eject water from the bottle washing nozzle 76 into the bottle 28, thereby washing the inside of the bottle 28. As a result, the processing agent remaining in the bottle 28 without dropping is removed from the dissolving tank 1
4 and 16, and when the sealing material of the bottle opening 28A is closed without blocking the hole 28A, the sealing material is pushed into the bottle 28 with water jetted from the bottle washing nozzle 76. The entire amount of the processing agent in the bottle 28 is surely dropped into the dissolving tanks 14 and 16.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5,
The cover 64 is provided with a stirring means 80 and a liquid level sensor 82.

The stirring means 80 is driven by a stirring motor 84.
It is attached to the upper surface of. The drive shaft 84A of the stirring motor 84 extends to the opposite side via the lid 64, and the upper end of a shaft 86 to which the stirring fin 88 is attached at the lower end is fixed.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
When the end of the drive shaft 84A is pivotally supported by the lid 64 and the lid 64 is at a position covering the opening 38 of the melting tank 14, the end extends into the melting tank 14 through the opening 38. The stirring fin 88 attached to the shaft 86 is located at a position near the bottom of the dissolving tank 14.

A disk-shaped suppressing plate 98 is attached to the shaft 86 below the liquid level above the stirring fin 88. If the suppression plate 98 is not attached, when the stirring motor 84 is driven, the stirring fin 88 rotates, and the liquid level fluctuates or bubbles when stirring the inside of the dissolution tank 14. When the suppression plate 98 is attached, it is possible to suppress the water in the vicinity of the liquid surface from being sucked by the stirring fins 88, and to reduce the fluctuation or bubbling of the liquid surface.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a flange 90 is provided above the shaft 86 near the lid 64. The flange 90 is located above the liquid level when a predetermined amount of water for dissolving the processing agent is introduced into the dissolving tank 14, and when the shaft 86 rotates, water near the liquid level is 86 is prevented from rising.

The liquid level sensor 82 is provided with a plurality of electrodes 92 as shown in FIGS.
Each upper end of 2 is attached to a bracket 94. When this bracket 94 is attached to the lower surface of the lid 64, when the lid 64 is at a position covering the opening 38 of the melting tank 14, each electrode 92 has its tip at a predetermined position in the melting tank 14. To position.

For example, the electrode 92 has four electrodes 92C, 9
It consists of 2L, 92M and 92H. The electrode 92M is connected to the water supply pump 24 before the treatment agent is dropped into the dissolution tank 14.
(Or water supply pump 26) to operate the melting tank 14
(Or the amount of water supplied to the dissolution tank 16) is for detecting whether or not the amount of water reaches a predetermined level set in advance.
The electrodes 92C and 92L have a length reaching the vicinity of the bottom surface of the melting tank 14. The electrode 92H is used when the water level (liquid level) in the dissolving tank 14 reaches a necessary and sufficient amount for dissolving the processing agent contained in one bottle 28 to obtain a processing solution having a predetermined concentration. The length of the tip is in contact with the liquid surface of the water.

In the treatment agent dissolving apparatus 10, the detection sensor 82
Water is supplied to the dissolving tank 14 while confirming the detection state of, and the treating agent is dissolved in an appropriate amount of water.

The bracket 9 of the liquid level sensor 82
4 is provided with an electrode cover 96. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrode cover 96 is formed in a tubular shape having a cross section that is long in the direction in which the electrodes 92 are arranged, and the upper end of the electrode cover 96 is fitted into a bracket 94 protruding from the lid 64. It has become.

As described above, the electrode 92 of the liquid level sensor 82
Is surrounded by the electrode cover 96, and even if the liquid level around the electrode cover 96 undulates due to the influence of the supply of water to the dissolving tank 14 or the stirring, the fluctuation of the liquid level does not affect the electrode cover 9.
The influence on the liquid surface around the electrode 92 surrounded by 6 is minimized. The electrode cover 9
6, a cut 96A is formed in the longitudinal direction so that the liquid level in the electrode cover 96 can be accurately changed according to the amount of water stored in the dissolving tank 14 by the cut 96A. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electrode cover 96 is provided with an electrode cleaning nozzle 120.
The electrode cleaning nozzle 120 is provided with a spout 122 facing each of the electrodes 92C, 92L, 92M, and 92H covered by the electrode cover 96. The electrode cleaning nozzle 120 is connected to a water supply pump 24 (or a water supply pump 26) via a pipe (not shown).

With such a configuration, the electrode cleaning nozzle 1
The dissolution tank 1 is operated by a water supply pump 24.
When water is supplied to the water supply tank 4 from the water supply tank 22, a part of the water is supplied. The electrode cleaning nozzle 120 supplies the water from each of the jet ports 122 to the electrodes 92C, 92L, 92L.
M, 92H, electrodes 92C, 92L, 92
M and 92H are cleaned, and the electrodes 92C and 92H are cleaned.
L, 92M and 92H are washed off bubbles and the like of the processing solution. The water used for cleaning the electrode 92 falls into the dissolution tank 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, a controller 150 is provided in a control section 148 for controlling the operation of the apparatus. The controller 150 includes water supply pumps 24 and 26, a bottle cleaning pump 78, replenishment pumps 30 and 32, a water replenishment pump 36, a perforation mechanism 72 provided in each of the dissolving tanks 14 and 16, a liquid level sensor 82, The stirring motor 84 of the stirring means 80, the liquid level sensor 58 provided in the stock tanks 18 and 20, the valve 46 provided in the pipe 44
And the like are connected to the actuator 152 for operating the.

In addition, the display unit 1
An operation panel 160 having a general configuration including the 56 and the start switch 158 is provided. The operation panel 160 is connected to the controller 150. Further, the controller 150 is connected to an automatic developing device (not shown) for supplying the processing liquid generated in the dissolving tanks 14 and 16.

When the start switch 158 provided on the operation panel 160 is operated to instruct the start of the dissolving process, the controller 150 controls these devices to dissolve the treating agent in the dissolving tanks 14 and 16. Start. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper plate 62 has a limit switch 14 adjacent to the insertion port 40A of the melting tank 14.
The limit switch 142 is connected to the controller 150. The limit switch 142 is turned on when the filter unit 48 is loaded in the filter unit loading section 40. The controller 150 starts the dissolution treatment of the treatment agent based on the detection result of the limit switch 142, thereby preventing the dissolution treatment of the treatment agent from being started when the filter unit 48 is not loaded.

In the treating agent dissolving apparatus 10, the water supply pump 2
As the bottle cleaning pump 78, particularly the bottle cleaning pump 78, a direct current pump (DC pump) whose discharge amount does not affect the change in the voltage or frequency of the AC power supply supplied to the treatment agent dissolving apparatus 10 is used. The controller 150 supplies the discharge amount per unit time of the bottle cleaning pump 78 and the liquid level to the dissolution tank 14 when the liquid level is detected by the electrode 92M set as the reference electrode in the liquid level sensor 82. The reference liquid amount, which is the amount of water, is accurately measured and stored.

The bottle washing pump 78 supplies the same amount of water to each of the dissolving tanks 14 and 16. The water supply per hit is stored. Alternatively, a flow rate measuring means may be provided to measure the amount of water discharged from the bottle cleaning pump 78, and calculate and store the discharge amount per unit time.

When dissolving the treatment agent, the controller 150 first performs initial water supply using the water supply pump 24 as a first water supply step. In this initial water supply, for example, after the liquid level sensor 82 supplies water until the liquid level is detected by the electrode 92M, a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds)
Leave the liquid surface to stand still, and confirm that the liquid surface has reached a predetermined level. At this time, if the liquid level has not reached the predetermined level, the adjustment is performed by operating the water supply pump 24 to supply the shortage.

As described above, when the liquid level reaches the predetermined level, the controller 150 operates the stirring motor 84 to feed the processing agent while stirring, and then, as a second liquid supply step, The bottle cleaning pump 78 is operated.
At this time, the controller 150 sets the operation time of the bottle cleaning pump 78 to the time set based on the discharge amount, so that the water supply amount to the dissolving tank 14 is detected by the electrode 92H when the water supply is completed. The liquid level reaches the target liquid level.

The controller 150 dissolves the treatment agent in water by stirring the mixture after supplying the water and the treatment agent in the amounts set for dissolving the treatment agent in this manner, thereby producing a treatment liquid. Thereafter, the valve 46 is opened to discharge the generated processing liquid. At this time, the controller 150
After a predetermined time has passed since the electrode 92L of the liquid level sensor 82 no longer detects the liquid level, the valve 46 is closed and the discharge of the processing liquid is terminated. Also, the controller 150
When the discharge of the processing liquid is completed, as a third liquid supply step, the water supply pump 24 is operated to perform preliminary water supply. This preliminary water supply cleans the electrode 92 and dilutes the processing liquid remaining in the valve 46, thereby preventing the processing agent in the processing liquid from adhering to the valve 46 and causing the valve 46 to open and close. are doing.

In the treatment agent dissolving apparatus 10, since the electrodes 92L, 92M, 92H of the liquid level sensor 82 are supplied with water while washing them with water, the electrodes 92L, 92M, 92H are used.
Is slightly higher (for example, about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm) than the liquid level to be detected. This prevents erroneous detection that the drops at the tips of the electrodes 92L, 92M, and 92H raise the liquid level, and the liquid level to be detected is lower than the actual level.

The operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the timing chart of FIG.

The bottle 28 containing the developer and the fixing agent is provided with a lid 64 provided opposite to the melting tank 14.
And the loading port 66 provided to face the dissolving tank 16. At this time, the bottle 28 is inserted into the loading port 6 by inserting the bottle port 28A closed by the sealing material from the insertion port 70 formed in the cover 68.
6 is loaded.

In this state, the process is started by operating the start switch 158 of the operation panel 160.
In the controller 150, the limit switch 14
After confirming that the filter unit 48 is loaded in the dissolving tank 14 by 2, the dissolving process is started, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

In this flowchart, in the first step 200, the water supply pump 24 is operated and the dissolution tank 14
Start the initial water supply to. By operating the water supply pump 24 at the time of the initial water supply, the water in the water supply tank 22 is supplied to the electrode cleaning nozzle 120 to clean the electrodes 92C, 92L, 92M, and 92H of the liquid level sensor 82. Accordingly, when bubbles of the processing liquid adhere between the electrodes 92C, 92L, 92M, and 92H and between the electrodes 92C, 92L, 92M, and 92H and the inner surface of the electrode cover 96, these bubbles are formed on the electrodes 92C, 92L. , 92M, 92H and electrode cover 96
Is washed off from the inside.

In the next step 202, the liquid level sensor 82
It is confirmed whether or not the initial water supply amount has been reached, that is, whether or not the electrode 92M of the liquid level sensor 82 has detected the liquid level. Here, the initial water supply amount is reached, and step 202
If an affirmative determination is made in step 20, the process proceeds to step 204, where the operation of the water supply pump 24 is stopped, and the timer for measuring the stop time is reset / started (step 20)
6). In step 208, it is checked whether or not the time t ₁ (see FIG. 10, for example, about 10 seconds) has elapsed since the water supply was stopped.

As a result, when it is determined that the liquid level has stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, an affirmative determination is made in step 208 and the process proceeds to step 210. In step 210, it is determined from the detection result of the liquid level sensor 82 whether or not the liquid level has reached the initial water supply amount. At this time, when the liquid level has not reached the predetermined level (negative determination in step 210), the process proceeds to step 212, and the water supply pump 24 is operated while checking the liquid level detected by the liquid level sensor 82, Adjust the amount of water supply.

In this way, it is confirmed that the initial water supply has been completed, and if a positive determination is made in step 210,
In step 214, the stirring motor 84 is operated to start stirring water. At the same time, step 216
Then, the perforating mechanism 72 is operated to break the sealing material sealing the bottle opening 28A, and the processing agent is supplied from the bottle 28.

When the treatment agent is introduced from the bottle 28, the process proceeds to step 218 at a predetermined timing to operate the bottle cleaning pump 78 and reset / start the timer for measuring the water supply time (step 2).
20).

Thereafter, at step 222, it is determined whether or not the time measured by the timer has reached a predetermined water supply time t ₂ (see FIG. 10). When the predetermined water supply time t ₂ has been reached, the routine proceeds to step 224. Then, the water supply using the bottle cleaning pump 78 is stopped.

The water supply time t ₂ is determined based on the initial water supply amount V ₁ , the target water supply amount V _S required for dissolving the treating agent, and the discharge amount v of the bottle cleaning pump 78, based on the water supply amount to the melting tank 14. Is calculated and set in advance so that the target water supply amount V _S is obtained.

[0078] water supply time t ₂ of the bottle washing pump _{78, t 2 (sec) = [} (V S -V 1) / v] * 60 and has a (sec). Thus, the stationary liquid level of the water in the dissolution tank 14 becomes the liquid level detected by the electrode 92H of the liquid level sensor 82.

That is, when the liquid level of the water in the dissolving tank 14 is detected while being stirred by the stirring fins 88, accurate detection of the liquid level may be difficult even when the periphery of the electrode 92 is surrounded by the electrode cover 96. . In contrast, to set the water supply time t ₂ based on the water amount required, by performing the water supply by the time control, it is possible to appropriate amount of water.

The dissolving tanks 14 and 16 are generally made by blow molding, but the capacities tend to be different. At this time, by performing the time control of the water supply amount, it is possible to correct the machine difference for each tank, and it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of water.

In the treatment agent dissolving apparatus 10, water is supplied while performing time control using the bottle cleaning pump 78. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and water may be supplied by controlling the time of the water supply pump 24. And the water supply pump 24
And the bottle cleaning pump 78 may be used in combination to supply water for hours.

In this way, when the water supply of the target water supply amount is completed, the water is continuously stirred, and the added processing agent is surely dissolved in the water to generate a processing liquid. The stirring time may be set arbitrarily.

In the next step 226, the dissolving tank 14
When it is determined that the generation of the processing liquid has been completed (Yes determination), the process proceeds to step 228, where the stirring motor 84 is stopped, and the stirring of the water is ended.

In the next step 230, the valve 46 is opened. Thus, the processing liquid generated in the dissolving tank 14 flows into the stock tank 18 while passing through the filter element 54, and is stored in the stock tank 18.

When the valve 46 is opened, the level of the processing liquid in the dissolution tank 14 gradually decreases. At this time, in step 232, the liquid level sensor 82 checks whether the liquid level of the processing liquid has reached the lower limit level detected by the electrode 92L.

Here, when the liquid level sensor 82 detects that the liquid level of the processing liquid has reached the lower limit level (Yes in step 232), the process proceeds to step 234 to determine the timing for closing the valve 46. In step 236, it is determined whether or not the time measured by the timer has reached a predetermined time t ₃ (see FIG. 10).

The time measured by the timer reaches time t ₃ ,
If an affirmative determination is made in step 236, it is determined that the discharge of the processing liquid from the dissolving tank 14 has been completed, and step 23
8 and the valve 46 is closed.

At this time, the valve 46 is closed based on the time from the detection of the lower limit level by the liquid level sensor 82, so that the time until the valve 46 is closed is increased. The position of the lower limit level to be detected can be raised. That is, the electrode 9
The lower end of the 2 L can be raised away from the bottom of the dissolution tank 14.

In general, bubbles are generated on the liquid surface of the treatment liquid after stirring. When this processing liquid is discharged from the dissolving tank 14, bubbles remaining on the liquid surface form electrodes 92C and 92C.
L causes erroneous detection. In particular, melting tank 1
If the bottom surface of the electrode 4 and the tip of the electrode 92L are close to each other, bubbles remaining on the bottom surface of the dissolving tank 14 adhere to the electrodes 92C and 92L even after the discharge of the processing liquid is completed, and the processing liquid remains. It will be judged.

At this time, by increasing the time t ₃ (for example, 40 seconds to 120 seconds), the electrodes 92C and 92L are increased.
Is separated from the bottom of the melting tank 14 (for example, the electrode 9).
The distance from the lower end of 2L to the bottom of the dissolution tank 14 is 25
mm to 40 mm), and erroneous detection by the liquid level sensor 82 can be reliably prevented.

When the discharge of the processing liquid from the dissolving tank 14 has been completed in this way, the process proceeds to step 240, where preliminary water supply is performed. In this preliminary water supply, the water supply pump 24 is operated for a predetermined time so that the electrode cleaning nozzle 120
C, 92L, 92M, 92H
Wash 2C, 92L, 92M, 92H. This allows
The bubbles of the processing solution adhering around the electrodes 92C, 92L, 92M, and 92H and on the inner surface of the electrode cover 96 are washed away. Also, since the valve 46 is closed, the electrode cleaning nozzle 1
The water jetted from 20 is stored in the dissolution tank 14.

This water enters the valve 46 and dilutes the processing liquid adhering to the inner surface of the valve 46 and the gap between the movable valve (spherical valve).
6 can be reliably prevented from being deposited in the opening 6 and causing the opening and closing failure of the valve 46.

By dissolving the processing agent in this manner, a processing solution having an appropriate concentration can be generated and supplied to an automatic developing device or the like.

Note that the present embodiment described above does not limit the configuration of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the bottle cleaning pump 78 is used in the second liquid supply step, but when no bottle 28 cleaning means is provided,
The water supply pump 24 may be used.

The present embodiment does not limit the structure of the dissolving tank to which the present invention is applied and the structure of the treating agent dissolving apparatus using the dissolving tank. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a dissolving tank and an apparatus for dissolving a processing agent having an arbitrary configuration that generate a processing solution by dissolving a processing agent such as a developer or a fixing agent in a liquid such as water.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the liquid is supplied by the time control, the treatment agent is charged or agitated, so that the target amount of the liquid can be accurately supplied to the dissolution tank. Can be supplied to Thereby, an excellent effect that a processing solution having an appropriate concentration can be generated regardless of the presence or absence of bubbling of the processing solution is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing agent dissolving apparatus applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a water supply tank provided in the processing agent dissolving device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a dissolving tank and a filter unit loaded in the dissolving tank.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the vicinity of an upper portion of a melting tank.

5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dissolving tank and the vicinity of the dissolving tank as viewed from a direction different from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view taken along a horizontal direction of a melting tank.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid level sensor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a dissolving treatment of a treatment liquid.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart along the flowchart shown in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Processing agent dissolution apparatus 14, 16 Dissolution tank 22 Water supply tank 24, 26 Water supply pump (liquid supply means) 28 Bottle 72 Punching mechanism (input means) 76 Bottle cleaning nozzle (cleaning means) 78 Bottle cleaning pump (liquid supply means, cleaning Liquid supply unit) 80 Stirring unit 82 Liquid level sensor 84 Stirring motor (Stirring unit) 88 Stirring fin (Stirring unit) 92 (92C, 92L, 92M, 92H) Electrode 92M Electrode (Reference electrode) 96 Electrode cover 120 Electrode cleaning nozzle 122 Spout 150 Controller (liquid supply control means, stirring control means, injection control means)

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2H098 BA10 BA20 BA31 DA06 EA03 EA05 4G035 AA25 AE02 AE13 4G037 AA03 BA05 BB01 BC01 BD10 EA04

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A treatment agent dissolving apparatus for dissolving a powdery or granular treatment agent in a target amount of liquid supplied to a dissolution tank to generate a treatment solution, wherein the treatment agent dissolves in the dissolution tank. A treating agent introducing means for introducing an agent, a liquid supplying means for supplying a liquid for dissolving the treating agent to the dissolving tank, and when supplying a liquid of a preset reference liquid amount to at least the dissolving tank, A liquid level sensor having a reference electrode for detecting the liquid level of the liquid; and operating the liquid supply means until the liquid level is detected by the reference electrode of the liquid level detection means in a first liquid supply step. And a supply control means for operating the supply means based on a time set according to a difference between the reference liquid amount and the target liquid amount and a supply capacity of the supply means in a second supply step. In the second liquid supply step, Processing agent dissolving device which comprises a supplying control means for moving, the. 2. A stirring means for stirring the liquid supplied to the dissolving tank, and a stirring control means for operating the stirring means at a predetermined timing after the completion of the first liquid supply step. The treatment agent dissolving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A cleaning device for cleaning a bottle containing the processing agent, and a cleaning liquid supply unit provided as one of the liquid supply units and supplying the liquid to the cleaning unit. 2. The liquid supply control means operates the cleaning liquid supply means in the second step.
Alternatively, the treatment agent dissolving apparatus according to claim 2. 4. A third liquid supply for supplying a predetermined amount of liquid into the dissolving tank by operating the liquid supplying means after discharging the processing liquid generated in the dissolving tank. The treatment agent dissolving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a liquid process.