JPH06194807A - Method and device for processing photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To process a photosensitive material and to efficiently use water by preventing the deposition of the component of a processing soln. on the surfaces of the roller and guide outside the soln. CONSTITUTION:The insertion of a film is not detected by an insertion sensor in step 200, the fact that the film is not processed for a specified time is confirmed in step 202, and a cleaning pump is operated in step 204 to clean the conveyor roller and guide. The water is recovered in each treating tank after cleaning. The amt. of water recovered in each treating tank is integrated in step 206. When the insertion of the film is detected in step 200, the amts. of the water used to clean the conveyor roller and guide when the processing device is suspended or restarted and water integrated in step 206 are substracted from the amt. of dilution water to be supplied to a developing tank in step 208, and a replenishing pump and a water feed pump are operated in step 210 to prepare a developer to be replenished in a mixing tank. The replenished developer is supplied to the developing tank and mixed, and the developer diluted in a specified ratio is replenished.

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 method and a photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material while cleaning rollers and guides which contact the photosensitive material outside the liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive material on which an image is printed is a developing solution,
A developing treatment, a fixing treatment, a washing treatment, and the like are sequentially performed with a fixing solution, washing water, and the like, and then a drying treatment is performed. The photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing the photosensitive material as described above includes a developing solution,
A processing tank is provided for storing the fixing solution, washing water, and the like.
Further, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus, the processing liquid is gradually fatigued according to the processing of the photosensitive material and with the passage of time. Therefore, in order to compensate the deterioration of the processing performance due to the fatigue of the processing liquid, the processing amount of the photosensitive material is changed. And a processing solution replenishing mechanism for replenishing the processing tank with a replenishing replenishing solution over time.

As a replenisher used in such a light-sensitive material processing apparatus, there is a replenisher prepared by diluting a replenishing stock solution with water at a constant ratio. For this reason, the processing solution replenishing mechanism provided in the photosensitive material processing apparatus is provided with a mixing tank for mixing the replenishing stock solution and water, and the replenishing stock solution and the diluting water are mixed at a constant ratio in the mixing tank. There is one that prepares a replenisher and replenishes this replenisher to the processing tank. With this replenisher, the processing performance of the processing solution in the processing tank is kept constant and the photosensitive material is finished with optimum quality.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus, guides and rollers for guiding the photosensitive material from the processing tank on the upstream side to the processing tank on the downstream side are arranged outside the liquid, and these guides and rollers are used for the upstream side. The processed photosensitive material is guided and fed into the processing tank on the downstream side. Since the processing liquid carried out by the photosensitive material adheres to these rollers and guides outside the liquid, the processing liquid adhered to these guides and rollers is washed with water, etc. There is a cleaning means for preventing the photosensitive material from adhering or depositing on the surface of the photosensitive material and preventing the photosensitive material from being contacted by the component in the processing liquid which adheres or deposits to cause uneven processing or stain. Such a cleaning means sprays water toward the rollers, guides, etc., for example, when the operation of the apparatus is started up, and the water is used to wash away components in the treatment liquid adhering to the surfaces of the rollers and guides and discharge them. I have to.

[0005]

In such a photosensitive material processing apparatus, even when the apparatus is in operation, when a non-processed state of the photosensitive material has passed for a long time, the rollers and guides disposed outside the liquid are treated with water. It is preferable to wash. However, when the rollers and guides outside the liquid are frequently washed with water, it is necessary to use a large amount of water as washing water, and this washing water must be discharged as waste liquid, which leads to an increase in the running cost of the device. I will end up. There is also a method of collecting the cleaning water after such cleaning into the processing tank, but in such a method, if the cleaning is performed frequently, the processing solution in the processing tank is diluted, and the processing capacity of the processing solution is desired. This makes it difficult to maintain the ability of the photosensitive material, and the photosensitive material cannot be processed and finished in an optimum state.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and prevents the processing liquid from adhering or depositing on the surface of a roller or a guide outside the liquid, and processes the photosensitive material to obtain optimum quality. An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing method and a photosensitive material processing apparatus.

[0007]

A method of processing a light-sensitive material according to the present invention is carried by a roller and / or a guide which is arranged outside the liquid adjacent to a processing tank for replenishing a replenishing solution consisting of a replenishing stock solution and water. While a method of processing a photosensitive material by immersing the photosensitive material in a processing solution in the processing tank,
The rollers and / or guides outside the liquid are washed with water, and the water after washing is collected in the treatment tank, and an integrated value of the amount of water collected in the treatment tank is calculated to obtain And the undiluted solution for replenishment is replenished to the processing tank as a replenishing solution.

A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a processing tank for processing a photosensitive material by immersing the photosensitive material in a stored processing solution, and a roller arranged adjacent to the processing tank for guiding and conveying the photosensitive material. And / or a guide for replenishing liquid, a cleaning means for cleaning the replenishing means with water, and a replenisher replenisher for replenishing the treatment tank with a replenisher consisting of replenishing stock solution and water, After washing the liquid transfer means by the washing means, an integrated value of the amount of water collected in the treatment tank is calculated, and when the replenisher replenishing means is operated, the integrated value is calculated from the amount of water having a predetermined ratio to the replenishing stock solution. Control means for diluting the replenishing stock solution with the amount of water from which the value has been subtracted.

[0009]

In the method of processing a light-sensitive material according to the present invention, after cleaning the rollers and guides outside the processing liquid in the processing tank with water, this water is collected in the processing tank. The accumulated value is calculated by integrating the amount of water collected in this treatment tank, and when preparing a new replenisher, the water collected in the treatment tank by cleaning the rollers and guides outside this treatment tank. Supply the amount of water and the stock solution for replenishment to the treatment tank after subtracting the integrated value of.

Therefore, the replenishing stock solution and a smaller amount of water than the water for diluting the replenishing stock solution at a predetermined ratio are replenished in the processing tank. The replenishing stock solution and the diluting water are treated. By mixing with the treatment liquid in the tank, the supplementary stock solution is diluted at a predetermined ratio depending on the amount of water when diluting the supplementary stock solution and the amount of water collected in the treatment tank by washing. I am trying to be in the same state. In addition, the method of replenishing the replenishing stock solution and the water to be diluted is provided with a place for mixing such as a replenishing tank different from the processing tank, and the replenishing solution prepared by mixing the replenishing stock solution with water is treated. The tank may be replenished, or the diluting stock solution and water to be diluted may be directly added as a replenisher to the treatment tank and mixed with the treatment solution by stirring or the like in the treatment tank.

By doing so, even if the rollers and guides are frequently washed, a large amount of waste liquid is not generated, and the treatment liquid is prevented from being diluted by the water used for washing. Therefore, the photosensitive material can be processed in an optimum state without changing the processing performance of the processing liquid.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention, the rollers and guides of the liquid conveying means are cleaned by the cleaning means. Water is used for this cleaning, and the water after cleaning is collected in the treatment tank. In addition, the amount of water collected in the treatment tank is added to calculate the integrated value, and when the replenishing stock solution is diluted with a predetermined ratio of water to prepare the replenishing solution, the water collected in the treatment tank is Add the amount of water and the stock solution for replenishment to the treatment tank after subtracting the integrated value.

The replenishing stock solution and a smaller amount of water than the water for diluting the replenishing stock solution in a predetermined ratio are replenished in the treatment tank. And by diluting with the diluting water in the treatment liquid, the replenishing stock solution is replenished with water at a predetermined ratio by the water diluting and the water collected in the treatment tank after cleaning the rollers and guides outside the treatment liquid. The stock solution for dilution can be obtained.

As this cleaning means, a general method of cleaning the liquid transfer means with water can be applied, and the amount of water after cleaning collected in the processing tank is integrated to calculate an integrated value and replenishment. When replenishing the undiluted solution to the processing tank, add the undiluted undiluted solution and the water for dilution with a predetermined ratio minus the integrated value of the amount of water used for washing together to the processing tank. The supplementary water may be replenished so that the undiluted solution for use can be substantially diluted with a predetermined ratio of water. As a result, it is possible to prevent the processing liquid from adhering to or depositing on the liquid conveying means, and prevent unevenness in processing, stains and the like from occurring on the processed photosensitive material.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an automatic developing apparatus 10 which is a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The automatic developing device 10 is a device in which a film 20, which is an example of a light-sensitive material, is dipped in a developing solution, a fixing solution and washing water to be processed, and then dried.

The automatic developing device 10 is provided with a processing liquid processing section 11 and a drying section 50 in a machine frame 12. The processing liquid processing unit 11 includes a developing tank 14 for storing a developing solution, a fixing tank 16 for storing a fixing solution, and a washing tank 18 for storing washing water, and is provided in the vicinity of the insertion port 15 provided in the machine frame 12. An insertion rack 17 for drawing the film 20 into the machine frame 12 and an insertion sensor 80 for detecting the film 20 to be inserted are provided.

The developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 1 of the processing liquid processing section 11
6, in the washing tank 18, a plurality of transport rollers 22, 26,
Transport racks 24, 28, 32 having a developer
It is disposed by being immersed in the fixer and washing water. Further, between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16, and between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18, there are a conveying roller 36 and a guide 38 above them.
A crossover rack 34 having the above is arranged.
The film 20 inserted from the insertion port 15 is drawn in by the insertion rack 17 and conveyed by the transport rollers 22, 26, 3
It is conveyed while being immersed in a developing solution, a fixing solution, and washing water sequentially by the rotational drive of Nos. 0 and 36, and the developing, fixing, and washing processes are performed.

Now, referring to FIG. 2, the automatic developing device 10 will be described.
The circulation and replenishment of the processing liquid to the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 will be described.

The developing replenishment stock solution is filled in a cartridge 52 whose interior is divided into three chambers by a partition wall as a developing replenishment stock solution A, a development replenishment stock solution B, and a development replenishment stock solution C (hereinafter collectively referred to as "development replenishment stock solution"). Has been sealed. The fixing replenishment stock solution is filled in the cartridge 54 and sealed. These cartridges 52 and 54 are loaded into cartridge receivers 56A and 56B provided in the cartridge loading section 56 of the automatic developing device 10. The packing of the cartridges 52 and 54 loaded in the cartridge receivers 56A and 56B is broken by a punching blade (not shown), and the developing replenishment stock solution and the fixing replenishment stock solution filled in flow out into the cartridge receivers 56A and 56B. There is.

A pipe 58 is provided in the cartridge receiver 56A.
One end of each of A, 58B, and 58C is opened, and one end of a pipe 58D is opened in the cartridge receiver 58D. The other ends of these pipes 58A to 58D are opened in stock tanks 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D, respectively. Therefore, by loading the cartridges 52 and 54 into the cartridge receivers 56A and 56B, the developer replenishing stock solution A in the cartridge 52 is stored in the stock tank 60A through the pipe 58A, and the development replenishing stock solution B is placed in the pipe 5A.
8B is stored in the stock tank 60B, the developing replenishment stock solution C is stored in the stock tank 60C via the pipe 58C, and the fixing replenishment stock solution of the cartridge 54 is placed in the pipe 58.
It is accommodated in the stock tank 60D via D.

Into each of the stock tanks 60A to 60D, one end of a pipe 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D is inserted and opened, and the other end of the pipe 62A, 62B, 62C is opened above the mixing tank 64. The other end of the pipe 62D is opened above the mixing tank 66. In addition, a replenishment pump 68 is provided at an intermediate portion of each of the pipes 62A to 62D.
A, 68B, 68C and 68D are arranged. These replenishment pumps 68A to 68D are connected to the control unit 70. Therefore, the replenishment pump 68A is controlled by the control unit 70.
When D to D operate, development replenishment stock solution A, development replenishment stock solution B,
Development replenishment stock solution C is supplied to the mixing tank 64 at a predetermined ratio.
The fixing replenishment stock solution is supplied to the mixing tank 66.

Each of the stock tanks 60A to 60D is provided with a liquid level sensor (not shown), and when the liquid level of any of the developing replenishing stock solutions A to C and the fixing replenishing stock solution is below a predetermined level. , Announce this and cartridge 5
2, 54 are urged to be replaced so that the stock developing replenishment solutions A to C and the fixer replenishing stock solutions in stock tanks 60A to 60D do not run short. Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the developer replenishing stock solution separated into three solutions of the developer replenishing stock solutions A to C and the fixing replenishing stock solution of one solution are used, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are It is not limited to this. Two
The developer replenishing stock solution separated into a solution may be used, one solution of the developer replenishing stock solution may be used, and the fixing replenishing stock solution may be a plurality of separated stock solutions.

One end of a pipe 72A is opened above the mixing tank 64, and one end of a pipe 72B is opened above the mixing tank 66. The other ends of these pipes 72A and 72B are connected to supply water. It is opened at the bottom of the water tank 74.
Water supply pumps 76A and 76B connected to the control unit 70 are arranged in the middle of the pipes 72A and 72B. Therefore, the water for diluting each of the stock solutions can be supplied from the water supply tank 74 into the mixing tanks 64, 66 by the operation of the water supply pumps 76A, 76B. By supplying this dilution water, the developer replenishing stock solution A in the mixing tank 64 is supplied.
To C and water are mixed to prepare a developing replenisher, and the fixing replenishing stock solution and diluting water are mixed in the mixing tank 66 to prepare the fixing replenisher.

In the water supply tank 64, a control unit 70 is provided in the middle part.
Piping 7 with solenoid valve 82 connected to
One end of the pipe 78 is open, and the other end of the pipe 78 is connected to the tap water pipe outside the machine. When the power of the automatic developing device 10 is turned on, the solenoid valve 82
Opens the pipeline of the pipe 78 to supply tap water into the water supply tank 74. Further, this water supply tank 74 is connected to the water washing tank 18 by a pipe 84, and the water supply tank 74
The tap water supplied to the washing water flows into the washing tank 18 as washing water.

On the other hand, each of the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 is provided with pipes 86A and 86B having one end opened at the top of each tank and the other end opened at the bottom of each tank. Also,
A circulation pump 88A and a heat exchanger 90A are arranged in the middle of the pipe 86A, and a circulation pump 88A and a heat exchanger 90B are arranged in the middle of the pipe 86B. These circulation pumps 88A, 88B and heat exchangers 90A, 90B
Is connected to the control unit 70, the developer in the developing tank 14 is circulated by the operation of the circulation pump 88A, and the fixer in the fixing tank 16 is circulated by the operation of the circulation pump 88B. The developing solution and the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16 are uniformly stirred. Also, the heat exchanger 9
Each of 0A and 90B has a role of heating the developing solution and the fixing solution to a predetermined temperature.

Therefore, when the operation of the apparatus is started up, the developing solution and the fixing solution are circulated and heated to a predetermined temperature, and during the processing of the film 20, the developing solution and the fixing solution are processed in the optimum state. It can be maintained at a temperature that allows

On the suction side of the circulation pump 88A of the pipe 86A, a pipe 92 having one end opened to the bottom of the mixing tank 64 is connected and communicated with the circulation pump 88B of the pipe 86B.
A pipe 94 having one end opened to the bottom of the mixing tank 66 is connected to and connected to the suction side of the. Therefore, when the circulation pumps 88A and 88B are operated, the developing replenisher prepared in the mixing tank 64 is sucked together with the developing solution in the developing tank 14, and the mixing tank 66 is mixed with the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16. The fixing replenisher inside is sucked. As a result, the developing solution in the developing tank 14 and the developing replenisher are mixed and stirred, and the fixing tank 1
The fixer in 6 is mixed with the fixer in the mixing tank 66 and stirred. As a result, the developing replenisher is supplied to the developing tank 14 and the fixing replenisher is supplied to the fixing tank 16.

Incidentally, the developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 1
An overflow pipe (not shown) is provided in each of the units 8 to discharge the developing solution, the fixing solution, and the rinsing water which are excessive due to the supply of the developing replenishing solution, the fixing replenishing solution, and the rinsing water. . At this time, the wash water is the heat exchanger 90.
The cooling water of A and 90B may be used and then discharged.

At the bottom of the water tank 74, the pipe 1
00 is open at one end. This pipe 100 is branched into pipes 102 and 104 at an intermediate portion, and a cleaning pump 106, and a cleaning pump 106 are provided at the intermediate portions of the branched pipes 102 and 104.
108 is provided. The other end of the pipe 102 is connected to a spray nozzle 110 arranged above the tank wall between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16, and the other end of the pipe 104 is between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18. Is connected to a spray nozzle 110 arranged on the upper part of the tank wall.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spray nozzle 110.
Has a hollow inside, and the longitudinal direction is arranged along the widthwise direction of transport of the film 20. This spray nozzle 1
A large number of ejection holes 112, which communicate with the inside, are formed in the outer peripheral portion of 10 along the axial direction. Therefore, when water is supplied from the water supply tank 74 by the operation of the cleaning pumps 106 and 108, the water is evenly ejected from the ejection holes 112 toward the surface of the guide 38 on the transport path side of the film 20, and the guide 3
The surface of the conveyance roller 36 near the guide 38 is cleaned together with the surface of No. 8.

The water ejected from the ejection holes 112 of the spray nozzle 110 between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 is washed off the surfaces of the guide 38 and the conveying roller 36 and is collected in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16. At this time, half of the water ejected from the spray nozzle 110 is collected in the developing tank 14,
The other half is collected in the fixing tank 16.

Further, the water ejected from the spray nozzle 110 between the fixing tank 16 and the water washing tank 18 by the operation of the cleaning pump 108 cleans the surfaces of the guide 38 and the conveying roller 36, and half of the water is transferred to the fixing tank 16. The water is collected and the other half is collected in the washing tank 18.

Here, in the control unit 70, the cleaning pump 10
6 and 108 are operated to integrate the amounts of water collected in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 to newly add a developing replenisher,
Water supply pumps 76A, 76B when preparing the fixing replenisher
The amount of water for diluting the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution is adjusted by adjusting the amount of water supplied to the mixing tanks 64 and 66 by the operation of the above, and the water collected in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 by washing the crossover rack 34. I am trying to reduce it by the amount of.

As an example, the cleaning pumps 106, 1
Reference numeral 08 indicates that the crossover rack 34 is activated when the operation of the apparatus is started up, when the operation of the apparatus is finished, and when the unprocessed state of the film 20 continues for a certain time (for example, 15 minutes).
The carrying roller 36 and the guide 38 are cleaned. The amount of water supplied to the spray nozzle 110 is
200 ml each at the start-up and end of operation of the device,
20 every time the untreated state of the film 20 elapses for a certain period of time
ml.

As shown in FIG. 1, a squeeze roller 42 for conveying the film 20 while squeezing the film 20 and a guide 43 for guiding the film 20 toward the drying section 50 are provided between the washing tank 18 and the drying section 50. Squeeze rack 40
Is provided. The film 20 delivered from the water washing tank 18 is guided to the drying section 50 while the surface water content is squeezed out by the squeeze roller 42.

The squeeze roller 4 close to the washing tank 18
2 and the guide 43, the developing tank 14, the crossover rack 34 between the fixing tank 16, the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18
The present embodiment described with respect to the crossover rack 34 can be similarly applied.

In the drying section 50, a transport roller 44 for transporting the film 20, a chamber 46 containing a heater, and a drying air generated by a drying fan 45 are transported by the transport roller 4.
An outlet pipe 47 is provided for ejecting toward the vicinity of 4. The film 20 fed into the drying unit 50 is heated and dried by the drying air blown from the blowing pipe 47 while being conveyed downward by the conveying rollers 44.

At the lower part of the drying section 50, the drying turn section 48 is provided.
The film 20 dried by the drying air is turned diagonally upward by the drying turn portion 48, and is then discharged to the receiving box 49. The film 20 is stocked in the receiving box 49.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The film 20 on which an image is recorded by exposure is the automatic developing device 1
It is inserted into the automatic developing device 10 from the insertion port 15 of 0 and processed. In the automatic developing device 10, the film 20 inserted from the insertion port 15 is drawn by the insertion rack 17 and sent to the developing tank 14 of the processing liquid processing section 11.

In the developing tank 14, while being conveyed in a substantially U-shape by the conveying roller 22 of the rack 24, it is immersed in a developing solution to perform a developing process. The film 20 that has been processed in the developing tank 14 is guided and conveyed by the guide 38 of the crossover rack 34 and the conveying roller 36 and sent to the fixing tank 16. In the fixing tank 16, the transport roller 2 of the rack 28
The film 20 is conveyed while being guided in a substantially U-shape by means of 6, and is immersed in a fixing solution to carry out a fixing process. The film 20 that has been processed in the fixing tank 16 is guided and conveyed by the crossover rack 34 and sent to the washing tank 18. In the washing tank 18, the film 20 is conveyed while being immersed in the washing water by the conveying roller 30 of the rack 32,
The film 20 is washed with water, and the fixer component is removed from the surface of the film 20.

The film 20 which has been washed with water is guided from the washing tank 18 to the squeeze roller 42 of the squeeze rack 40 and the guide 43 and sent from the treatment liquid treatment section 11 to the drying section 50. At this time, the water adhering to the surface of the film 20 is removed by the squeeze roller 42. In the drying unit 50, while the film 20 is being conveyed by the conveying rollers 44, the drying air generated by the chamber 46 and the drying fan 45 is jetted toward the surface of the film 20 from the blowing pipe 47 to heat and dry the film 20. When the film 20 is conveyed while being heated and reaches the drying turn section 48, the film 20 is obliquely turned upward, discharged, and stocked in a receiving box 49.

Next, the developing replenisher and the fixing replenisher are replenished to the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 in the automatic developing device 10, and the carrying roller 36 and the guide 38 of the crossover rack 34 are used.
The cleaning will be described.

In this automatic developing device 10, the film 20
When a power switch (not shown) is turned on at the time of starting the process of (1), the circulation pump 88 and the heat exchanger 90 are operated to circulate the developing solution and the fixing solution in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16, and a predetermined amount. Heat to temperature. With this,
The solenoid valve 82 is opened to supply tap water to the water supply tank 74 and also to supply water from the water supply tank 74 to the washing tank 18.

Further, in the automatic developing apparatus 10, the surfaces of the guides 38 of the crossover rack 34 and the conveying rollers 36 are cleaned when the operation of the apparatus is started up. Further, when the operation of the apparatus is finished, the guide of the crossover rack 34 and the conveyance roller 36 are similarly washed. In this cleaning, the cleaning pumps 106 and 108 are operated to supply the water in the water supply tank 74 to the spray nozzle 110 by a predetermined amount. The water supplied to the spray nozzle 110 is guided from the ejection hole 112 to the guide 38.
The water that has been ejected toward the surface of the guide 38 and further hits the surface of the guide 38 is scattered on the surface of the rotating conveying roller 36, and the components in the developing solution or the fixing solution adhering to the guide 38 and the conveying roller 36 are removed. Wash away. The water that has washed off the surfaces of the guide 38 and the conveyance roller 36 falls to the developing tank 14,
A predetermined amount is collected in the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18. At this time, 100 ml of water from the spray nozzle 110 between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 is stored in the developing tank 14.
6 is a spray nozzle 110 between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 and 200 ml each between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18, and the washing tank 18 is fixed to the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 1.
This means that 100 ml of water has been supplied from the spray nozzle 110 during the period 8.

Further, in the automatic developing device 10, in order to compensate for the fatigue of the developing solution and the fixing solution while the operation of the apparatus is stopped, the developing replenishing solution or the fixing solution is set in each of the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 at the time of starting the operation of the apparatus. Add replenisher. For this purpose, the replenishment pumps 68A to 68C and the water supply pump 76A are operated to replenish the developing tank replenishing stock solution and the diluting water into the mixing tank 64. At this time, the amount of water supplied to the mixing tank 64 by the water supply pump 76 </ b> A is supplied by subtracting the amount of water supplied to the developing tank 14 by the cleaning pump 102. That is, for example, when 400 ml of water is required to dilute the developing replenishment stock solution supplied to the mixing tank 64 at a predetermined ratio, when the operation of the apparatus is finished and when the operation is started up, the spray nozzle 110 guides the guide 38 and the conveyance roller 36. Development tank 1
200 ml of water (2 times 100 ml) collected in 4 is supplied to the mixing tank 74 by the water supply pump 76A to dilute the development replenishing stock solutions A to C to prepare a development replenishing solution.

The developing replenisher solution prepared in the mixing tank 64 is mixed with the developing solution in the developing tank 14 by the operation of the circulation pump 88A and uniformly stirred. As a result, the developing solution in the developing tank 14 is in the same state as that when the developing replenishing stock solution diluted with a predetermined ratio of water is supplied. Similarly, the fixing replenisher may be prepared and the fixing replenisher may be prepared in the fixing tank 16.

In the automatic developing apparatus 10 which has been subjected to the operation start-up processing in this way, the components in the processing liquid adhering to the guide 38 and the conveying roller 36 arranged outside the liquid are deposited,
It is possible to prevent uneven processing and stains from impairing the finished quality of the film 20.

In the automatic developing device 10, the film 2
A developing replenisher and a fixing replenisher are prepared according to the process No. 0 and are replenished to the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16, and at the same time, each time the unprocessed state of the film 20 is passed for a predetermined time during operation, the cleaning pump 106, The transport roller 36 and the guide 38 of the crossover rack 34 are cleaned by operating 108.

In FIG. 4, the controller 70 shows the cleaning pump 10
6 shows a flowchart for performing operations 6 and 108 and preparing a replenisher solution. According to this flowchart, the cleaning in the automatic developing device 10 and the preparation of the replenisher mainly using the developing solution as an example will be described in detail. It should be noted that this is an example and does not limit the present invention.

In the first step 200, the insertion sensor 8
It is detected by 0 whether or not the film 20 is inserted from the insertion port 15. When the insertion sensor 80 detects that the film 20 has been inserted, in the automatic developing device 10,
The processing of the film 20 described above is performed for a predetermined time. When the film 20 is not detected, the process proceeds to step 202, and it is determined whether or not the unprocessed state of the film 20 has passed a predetermined time (15 minutes as an example in this embodiment).

When the non-processed state of the film 20 has passed for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 204 and the cleaning pump 10
6 and 108 are activated. As a result, a predetermined amount of water in the water supply tank 74 is transferred to the developing tank 1 through the pipes 102 and 104.
4 and the fixing tank 16 and between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18 are supplied to the spray nozzle 110,
It is ejected toward the surface of the guide 38 from the ejection hole 112 of No. 0. At this time, the transport roller 36 is driven to rotate,
The water scattered from the guide 38 also cleans the surface of the transport roller 36. The water ejected from the spray nozzle 110 is collected in each of the developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16, and the washing tank 18.

In the next step 206, the spray nozzle 1
The amount of water ejected from 10 and collected in each treatment tank is integrated. In this embodiment, the amount of water supplied to each spray nozzle 110 by one cleaning is set to 20 ml, and this causes 10 ml of water to be collected in the developing tank 14, and the amount of collected water is sequentially set. Add up. If two washing operations are performed while the film 20 is not being processed, this means that 20 ml of water has been collected in the developing tank 14, and the developing tank 14 has been washed N times. Will collect (10 × N) ml of water.

When the insertion sensor 80 detects the insertion of the film 20 in step 200, the process proceeds to step 208. In step 208, the film 2 is transferred to the developing tank 14.
The amount of diluting water for replenishing the development replenisher according to the processing of 0 is calculated. That is, an amount is calculated by subtracting the amount of water collected in the developing tank 14 by the washing operation from the amount of water for diluting the developing replenishing stock solution for replenishing the developing tank 14 at a constant ratio.

In this embodiment, the spray nozzle 1 is used for cleaning the guide 38 of the crossover rack 34 and the conveying roller 36 by 200 ml at the end of the operation of the apparatus and at the start-up of the operation.
Water was jetted from 10 and 200 ml (10
0 ml is collected twice). In addition, water is ejected from the spray nozzle 110 for cleaning and (10 × N) ml of water is collected in the developing tank 14 every time a non-processed state has passed for a predetermined time since the processing of the film 20 was started. become.
From these, the amount of water recovered in the developing tank 14 by the washing operation becomes (200 + 10 × N) ml, which is (200 + 1) from the amount of water for diluting the developing replenishment stock solution at a constant ratio.
Calculate the amount by subtracting 0 × N) ml.

In the next step 210, the replenishment pump 68
A to C are operated to supply the developer replenishing stock solutions A to C from the stock tanks 60A to C to the mixing tank 64 at a constant ratio, and the water supply pump 76A is operated to perform step 208.
The amount of water obtained in step 3 is supplied to the mixing tank 64. The developing replenisher prepared in the mixing tank 64 in this way is circulated by the circulation pump 88.
By the operation of A, it is mixed with the developing solution in the developing tank 14 which circulates.

When the developing replenisher is supplied to the developing tank 14,
As it is agitated with the water from the spray nozzle 110,
In the developing tank 14, a predetermined amount of dilution water with respect to a predetermined amount of the development replenishing stock solutions A to C is separately supplied to the mixing tank 64 and the developing tank 14, and the developing solution in the developing tank 14 is supplied. It is not diluted or too dark.

Similarly, the fixing replenishing solution prepared by the fixing replenishing stock solution and water in the mixing tank 66 is supplied to the fixing tank 16. The fixing tank 16 is (20 × N) ml, that is, (400 + 20 ×) when the operation of the apparatus is finished and when the operation of the apparatus is started up, a total of 400 mL of 200 mL each, and N times of cleaning work.
N) ml of water is collected, and the washing tank 18 is (200 + 10 ×).
N) ml of water will be collected. When the fixing replenisher for the fixing tank 16 is prepared, the amount of water recovered from each spray nozzle 110 is subtracted from the water for diluting the fixing replenishing stock solution at a predetermined ratio, as in the developing tank 14. It may be prepared by diluting with. As a result, even if the concentrated fixing replenishing solution is replenished with the concentrated fixing replenishing solution, the fixing replenishing solution prepared by diluting the fixing replenishing solution with a fixed ratio of water is replenished by the water supplied from the spray nozzle 110 into the fixing tank 16. Is the same as

In this way, the outside liquid conveying rollers 36,
While cleaning the guide 38, in consideration of the amount of water used for this cleaning, the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 are constantly replenished with the developing replenishing solution and fixing replenishing solution prepared by diluting the replenishing stock solution at a constant ratio. It is possible to keep the developing solution and the fixing solution at optimum processing performance. In addition, the transport roller 36 and the guide 38 outside the liquid
Since it is possible to prevent the developing solution and the fixing solution from adhering to and depositing on the
Film 2 produced by concentrated, oxidized, and deposited developer
It is possible to prevent the unevenness of the treatment of 0 and the stain of the film 20 caused by the concentration and precipitation of the fixing liquid which is attached to the conveyance roller 36 and the guide 38, and the film 20 can be finished with the optimum quality.

In this embodiment, the unprocessed state of the film 20 is kept for a predetermined time (15 in this embodiment) during the operation of the apparatus.
In the case of continuous operation, the washing pumps 106 and 108 are operated to supply a predetermined amount (20 ml in this embodiment) of water between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 and between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18.
Although the transport roller 36 and the guide 38 between the cleaning rollers 106 and 108 are cleaned, the operation intervals of the cleaning pumps 106 and 108 and the amount of water supplied during operation are not limited to this. For example, the operating interval of the cleaning pump 106 may be activated every 20 minutes when the untreated state of the film 20 has elapsed, and the operating interval of the cleaning pump 108 may be performed every 1 hour when the untreated state of the film 20 has elapsed. Good. At this time, the amount of water ejected from the spray pipe 110 and collected in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 is individually integrated to calculate an integrated value, and this integrated value is subtracted when a replenisher is newly adjusted. The supplementary stock solution may be diluted with water.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the water jetted from the spray nozzle 110 for the cleaning work, the water jetted at the end of the operation of the apparatus and at the start of the operation was taken into consideration. When the amount of water is such that the treatment performance of the treatment liquid does not change with or without addition, the untreated state after the treatment of the film 20 is started from the amount of water of a predetermined ratio that dilutes the replenishing stock solution. The supplementary stock solution may be diluted with an amount of water obtained by subtracting the integrated value of the water ejected from the spray nozzle 110 each time a predetermined time has elapsed.

In this way, even if the transport rollers 36 and guides 38 outside the liquid are frequently washed, the water after washing is not discharged as waste liquid, and the treatment liquid is treated by the water after washing. It can also be prevented from being diluted.

In this embodiment, the spray nozzle 11
Although the description has been given by using the structure in which the transport roller 36 and the guide 38 provided on the crossover rack 34 are cleaned by 0, the method for cleaning the rollers and the guide outside the liquid is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a rinsing tank 120 may be provided as a cleaning means. In FIG. 5, a rinse tank 120 is shown between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16, and a description of the rinse tank between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18 is omitted. The rinsing tank is not limited to these and can be applied to the one adjacent to each processing tank.

In the rinse tank 120, the cleaning pump 10
By the operation of 6, water serving as cleaning water is supplied from the water supply tank 74. A part of the lower roller of the transport roller 36 of the crossover rack 34 is immersed in the cleaning water in the rinse tank 120.
The water in the rinsing tank 120 is taken out by the rotation of, and the surface of the transport roller 36 is cleaned.

In this rinse tank 120, the cleaning pump 10
When the water is supplied into the rinse tank 120 by the operation of 6, the water containing the processing liquid component squeezed out of the film 20 becomes an excess water, gets over the tank wall 120A, and passes through the developing tank 14,
It flows into the fixing tank 16. In this way, the amounts of water collected in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 are added up, and when newly preparing a developing replenisher and a fixing replenisher, the amount of diluting water is changed from the rinse tank 120 to the developing tank 14 If the amount of water recovered in the fixing tank 16 is reduced, it is possible to supply a replenisher solution which is substantially a replenishment stock solution diluted at a constant ratio.

The water overflowing from the rinse tank 120 is collected in, for example, only one of the upstream processing tanks (the developing tank 14 in the rinse tank between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16). Even if there is, the application of the present invention is of course possible.

In addition to this, for example, a general method of arranging a nozzle above the transport roller 36 and washing the surface of the transport roller by causing water to flow down to the surface of the upper roller by the operation of a cleaning pump is performed. Is applicable. In the present invention, when the rollers and guides outside the liquid are washed by such a method, water is collected in the treatment tank after the washing and a supplementary stock solution is newly prepared when a supplementary solution to be newly supplemented to the relevant treatment tank is prepared. Adjust the amount of the diluted water to be diluted by washing the rollers and guides outside the liquid and reducing the amount of water collected in the processing tank, and then replenish the stock solution with the specified amount of water while replenishing the replenishing solution to the processing tank. It may be possible to obtain a diluted state.

Further, although an example in which the crossover rack 34 is provided with the carrying roller 36 and the guide 38 has been described, it may be provided with only the carrying roller or only the guide.

In this embodiment, the method of adding the replenishing stock solution and water to the mixing tanks 64 and 66 and mixing them and replenishing them to the processing tank has been described.
It may be replenished to a processing tank such as a developing tank or a fixing tank.

In this embodiment, the automatic developing device 10 for processing the film 20 as the photosensitive material has been described as an example, but the photosensitive material is not limited to the film 20 and other photosensitive materials such as photographic paper are applied. It can be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a material, and of course does not limit the configuration of the photosensitive material processing apparatus.

[0070]

As described above, according to the photosensitive material processing method and the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, the processing liquid adhering to the guides and rollers disposed outside the liquid is frequently washed away with water and adhered. It is possible to prevent the concentration of the solution from becoming low and to prevent the components in the processing solution from precipitating, so that unevenness of processing, stains and scratches do not deteriorate the quality of the finished photosensitive material. In addition, the water ejected toward the guides and rollers arranged outside the liquid is collected in the processing tank, and the amount of water collected in this processing tank is added to the processing tank. Since the replenishing stock solution is diluted with, there is no waste of water.

Further, since the photosensitive material can be processed with the processing liquid which always maintains the predetermined processing ability, it has an excellent effect that the photosensitive material can be finished in an optimum state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automatic developing device applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram of an automatic developing apparatus in which a solid line indicates a piping system and a broken line indicates a wiring system.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a crossover rack between a developing tank and a fixing tank.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a cleaning pump and the preparation of a replenisher when the automatic developing device is in operation.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts between a developing tank having a rinse tank and a fixing tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Automatic Developing Device (Photosensitive Material Processing Device) 14 Developing Tank 16 Fixing Tank 18 Washing Tank 20 Film (Photosensitive Material) 34 Crossover Rack (Liquid Transporting Device) 36 Conveying Roller 38 Guide 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D Replenishing Pump ( Replenisher supply means) 70 Control units 88A, 88B Circulation pumps (stirring means) 102, 104 Water supply pumps (replenisher supply means) 106, 108 Washing pumps (washing means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. The photosensitive material is immersed in the processing solution in the processing tank while being conveyed by a roller and / or a guide arranged outside the solution adjacent to the processing tank for replenishing the replenishing solution containing a replenishing stock solution and water. A method of processing a photosensitive material, wherein the roller and / or guide outside the liquid is washed with water, the water after washing is collected in the processing tank, and the amount of water collected in the processing tank is integrated. A process of a light-sensitive material, characterized by calculating a value and replenishing the replenishing stock solution with water obtained by subtracting the integrated value from water having a predetermined ratio to the replenishing stock solution and the replenishing stock solution as a replenishing solution. Method. 2. A liquid comprising a processing bath for processing a photosensitive material by immersing it in a stored processing liquid, and a roller and / or a guide arranged adjacent to the processing bath for guiding and conveying the photosensitive material. An external transfer means, a cleaning means for cleaning the external transfer means with water, a replenishing solution replenishing means for replenishing the processing tank with a replenishing solution consisting of a replenishing stock solution and water, and the cleaning means for the external transfer means After the washing, the integrated value of the amount of water collected in the treatment tank is calculated, and when the replenisher replenishing means is operated, the amount of water obtained by subtracting this integrated value from the amount of water of a predetermined ratio to the replenishing stock solution is used. And a control unit for diluting the stock solution for replenishment.