JPH07152136A - Photosensitive material processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] When sharing processing solutions in different processing steps,
The change in the liquid level of the processing liquid in one processing tank should not affect the other processing tank. The fixing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14 and the fixing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18 are connected by a pipe line 70 and a pipe line 72, and a circulation pump 74 and a heat exchanger 76 provided in the pipe line 72. The bleach-fix solution is circulated to maintain a predetermined temperature. Further, the pipe 70 is provided with a valve 88, and the pipe 72 is provided with valves 88 and 90. By closing the valves, the flow of the bleach-fixing solution is blocked, and the transport rack 78 from the fixing tank 34 is blocked. It is possible to prevent the liquid level of the fixing tank 54 from changing even if the liquid is taken out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus provided with a plurality of transport paths for individually transporting a photosensitive material, and more specifically, at least a part of a processing solution is shared. The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photographed photographic film (for example, negative film) is pulled out from a cartridge by a film feeding device and fed into a developing device, and then returned for each image frame together with the photographic print exposed on photographic paper. . Such an apparatus for developing and printing a negative film that has been photographed includes a negative film developing step, an exposure step of exposing an image recorded on the negative film to photographic paper, and a step of developing the image-exposed photographic paper. There is a system in which the device is made compact and the operability is improved.

In the negative film developing process, the negative film is processed by storing the processing solution in each processing tank of a developing tank, a fixing tank and a water washing tank and immersing the negative film in each processing solution. In the process of developing photographic paper, the processing solution is stored in each of the color developing tank, the bleach-fixing tank and the water washing tank, and the image-exposed photographic paper is immersed in each processing solution. Although each processing tank is individually partitioned, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-14692, a processing path for negative film and photographic paper is provided in one processing tank to process the negative film. A photographic processing apparatus has been proposed in which a processing solution used for processing photographic paper is shared. In this way, by sharing the processing liquid, the processing liquid can be effectively used, and the replenishing mechanism for maintaining the processing performance of the processing liquid, the circulation, and the temperature can be efficiently maintained.

[0004]

However, when the negative film and the photographic paper are processed in one processing tank, for example, when a defective conveyance of the photographic paper occurs in the process of developing the photographic paper, the printing is performed. When the processing tank for the paper processing step is opened, the processing tank for the negative film processing step is also opened at the same time. Therefore, not only the processing of photographic paper but also the processing of the negative film must be interrupted, and the negative film is exposed unnecessarily, or the processing is interrupted, which may affect the image of the negative film being processed. There will be a problem to say.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts. In an apparatus which integrally includes a step of processing a plurality of photosensitive materials while conveying them and shares a part of the processing solution, one processing is carried out. An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus which does not affect the finish of the photosensitive material processed in the other processing step in order to solve the problem of insufficient conveyance of the photosensitive material during the process. And

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive material processing apparatus having a plurality of transfer paths that share at least one processing liquid, and the photosensitive material is transferred simultaneously along the respective transfer paths. A first and second photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of processing while storing the shared processing liquid for each of the transportation paths and having a transportation rack for transporting the photosensitive material while immersing the photosensitive material in the processing liquid. A treatment bath; a light-shielding cover that individually covers the upper portions of the first and second treatment baths to shield the inside; and a first conduit that connects the first and second treatment baths in a light-shielding state. A circulation means for communicating the first and second processing tanks in a light-shielded state and enabling circulation of the processing liquid between the first processing tank and the second processing tank together with the first pipeline. The second pipe provided and regardless of the liquid level change in the one processing tank And having a liquid level holding means for maintaining a square the processing solution in the processing tank to a given liquid level, the.

A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising an opening / closing means for opening / closing the first and second pipelines as the liquid level holding means. It is characterized by having.

A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein one end is connected to the second processing tank and the other end is connected to the second pipeline. A third conduit connected to the first processing tank side, and a second conduit having one end connected to the first processing tank and the other end connected to the second conduit.
A fourth conduit connected to the treatment tank side of
The opening / closing means enables opening / closing of each of the first, second, third, and fourth conduits individually, and opening / closing of each of the first and second treatments. It is characterized in that only the processing liquid stored in either one of the tanks can be circulated.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is
2. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level holding means is interlocked with an extracting operation from the processing liquid of either one of the transport racks in the first or second processing tanks to extract the liquid. The liquid level correction member having the same volume as that of the transport rack is immersed in the processing liquid.

[0010]

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the processing tank sharing the processing liquid is divided into the first processing tank and the second processing tank. The first and second processing tanks are individually shielded by a light-shielding lid, and light is prevented from leaking from the first and second conduits connecting the first processing tank and the second processing tank. There is. Therefore, even if one of the processing tanks is opened, the light-shielding state of the other processing tank is not damaged.

Further, the first and second processing tanks are provided with liquid level holding means so that even if the carrier rack of one processing tank is pulled out, the liquid level of the processing liquid in the other processing tank is leveled. Is prevented, the photosensitive material can be processed in a normal state.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, opening / closing means is provided in the first and second pipelines that connect the first processing tank and the second processing tank, and the opening / closing means is provided. By closing each of the pipelines, the flow of the processing liquid is stopped so that the liquid level of the processing liquid in the other processing tank does not change even if the transport rack is pulled out from one processing tank. I have to.

As a result, even if the processing in the processing tank of one processing step is interrupted, the processing in the other processing step can be performed.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the circulation of the processing liquid in one processing tank is stopped by the opening / closing means so that only the processing liquid in the other processing tank can be circulated. ing. As a result, even if the processing in the first processing step is interrupted, the processing can proceed normally in the second processing step.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, when the transfer rack of one processing tank is pulled out from the inside of the processing tank, it has the same volume as the transfer rack pulled out in association with the pulling operation. The liquid level correction member is immersed in the processing liquid. As a result, even when the first processing tank and the second processing tank are in communication with each other, the processing liquid can be maintained at a predetermined liquid level regardless of the withdrawal of the transport rack.

[0016]

1 and 2A and 2B, a photographic processing apparatus 1 which is a photosensitive material processing apparatus applied to Example 1 of the present invention.
0 is shown. Note that FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the photographic processing apparatus 10 viewed from the upper surface side of the photographic processing apparatus 10, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are respectively taken along lines 2A-2A and 2B-2B of FIG. The schematic configuration of the inside of the device is shown.

This photographic processing apparatus 10 comprises a negative film 1
Film processing device 14 for processing 2 and negative film 1
An exposure device 20 that exposes the second image onto the photographic paper 16 and a photographic paper processing device 18 that processes the image-exposed photographic paper 16
Are integrally housed in the casing 10A.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the film processing apparatus 14 is provided with a cartridge loading section 24 into which a cartridge 22 containing the negative film 12 imagewise exposed by a camera or the like (not shown) is loaded. The negative film 12 is pulled out from the cartridge 22 loaded in the cartridge loading section 24, and the film processing apparatus 14
It is sent in.

The film processing apparatus 14 has a first developing tank 26 for storing a color developing solution, a color developing section 30 having a second developing tank 28, and a bleach-fixing section having a fixing tank 34 for storing a bleach-fixing solution. The unit 36 is provided with a water washing unit 40 having a plurality of water washing tanks 38 for storing the washing water, and a drying unit 42 for drying the negative film 12 subjected to the water washing process. Negative film 12 pulled out from the Patrone 22
Is sequentially conveyed through the color developing section 30, the bleach-fixing section 36 and the water washing section 40 (in the direction of arrow A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A), and subjected to color development, bleach-fixing and water washing, and then to the drying section 42. It is sent to be subjected to a drying process, sent to the exposure device 20, and then discharged to the outside of the apparatus.

The exposure device 20 is loaded with a paper magazine 44 containing the unexposed photographic paper 16, and the image recorded on the negative film 12 is exposed on the photographic paper 16 drawn from the paper magazine 44. It is supposed to do. The image-exposed photographic paper 16 is sent from the exposure device 20 to the photographic paper processing device 18.

In the exposure device 20, the photographic printing paper 16 is exposed at a predetermined magnification and exposure conditions for each image frame of the negative film 12 to record an image. Although a detailed description of the exposure device 20 is omitted in the present embodiment, the exposure device 20 is a general exposure device 2 that exposes the image recorded on the negative film 12 onto the photographic paper 16.
Of course, 0 can be applied, and for example, while the negative film 12 and the photographic paper 16 are conveyed at a predetermined speed, the slit light beam passing through the negative film 12 is imaged on the photographic paper 16 to expose the photographic paper 16. Various exposure methods such as slit exposure or digital exposure in which an image recorded on the negative film 12 is converted into a digital signal and the photographic printing paper 16 is scanned and exposed by a laser beam corresponding to the digital signal can be used. .

As shown in FIG. 2B, in the photographic paper processor 18, a color developing section 50 having a first developing tank 46 and a second developing tank 48 which store a color developing solution for processing the photographic paper 16 is provided. A bleach-fixing section 56 having a fixing tank 54 storing a bleach-fixing solution, a rinsing section 60 having a plurality of rinsing tanks 58 storing rinsing water, and a drying section for drying the photographic paper 16 after the rinsing processing. 62 and photographic paper 16 that has been dried
A receiving box 64 for stocking

The photographic printing paper 16 sent to the photographic printing paper processor 18 has a color developing section 50, a bleach-fixing section 56 and a water washing section 6.
0 is sequentially conveyed (in the direction of arrow B shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B), and color development, bleach-fixing, and washing treatment are performed. Further, when the washing process is completed, the photographic printing paper 16 is dried in the drying section 62 and discharged to the receiving box 64. The printing paper 16 discharged into the receiving box 64 is cut into image frames and finished as a photographic print.

By the way, in this photographic processing apparatus 10, the processing liquid is shared by a part of the processing tank of the film processing apparatus 14 and a part of the processing tank of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18.

FIG. 3 shows a fixing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14 and a fixing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18 as an example of a processing tank sharing the processing liquid. The upper opening of each of the fixing tanks 34 and 54 is closed by upper lids 66 and 68 to individually shield the light. The top cover 66 may integrally shield the parts from the first developing tank 26 to the fixing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14, and the upper lid 68 may cover the first developing tank 46 of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18.
It is also possible to integrally shield the components from the fixing tank to the fixing tank 34, or to serve as a crossover rack forming a transport path to an adjacent processing tank.

Conveying racks 78 and 80 are disposed in the fixing tanks 34 and 54, respectively, so as to be immersed in the bleach-fixing solution. The negative film 12 is conveyed and conveyed in the fixing tank 34 by the conveying rack 78. The photographic paper 16 is conveyed in the fixing tank 54 by the rack 80.

On the other hand, the fixing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14
The bottom of the sheet and the bottom of the fixing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18 are connected by a pipe 70 as a first pipe. The middle portion of the pipe 70 is bent upward to form a gate shape so that the light in one tank does not reach the other tank. In addition, one end or the other end of a conduit 72 as a second conduit is opened in the side walls near the liquid surfaces of the fixing tanks 34 and 54, respectively. The circulation pump 74 and the heat exchanger 7 are provided in the middle of the pipe 72.
6 are arranged.

A valve 86 is provided in the intermediate portion of the pipe line 70 as an opening / closing means, and in the pipe line 72, between the circulation pump 74 and the fixing tank 54 and between the heat exchanger 76 and the fixing tank 54. Valves 88 and 90 are provided between them. Each of the conduits 70, 72 has a valve 86, 88,
It can be opened and closed by operating 90.

In the fixing tanks 34 and 54, valves 86,
The circulation pump 74 and the heat exchanger 76 are differentially operated with 88 and 90 opened to circulate the bleach-fixing solutions in the respective tanks while agitating the bleach-fixing solution. The negative film 12 and the photographic printing paper 16 are maintained in a predetermined temperature range in which they can be processed in an optimum state.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this photographic processing apparatus 10, the exposed negative film 12 is pulled out from the cartridge 22 loaded in the cartridge loading section 24, and the color developing section 30, the bleach-fixing section 36 and the water washing section 40 are drawn.
After being sequentially conveyed, it is immersed in a color developing solution, a bleach-fixing solution, and washing water for development processing, and then dried in a drying section 42 and sent to the exposure device 20.

In the exposure device 20, the film processing device 14
The image recorded on the negative film 12 which has been developed and sent in 1 is exposed to the photographic paper 16 drawn from the paper magazine 44 for each image frame. In the exposure device 20, the photographic paper 16 that has undergone image exposure is treated by the photographic paper processing device 1
Send to 8. In the printing paper processor 18, the image-exposed printing paper 16 is immersed in a color developing solution, a bleach-fixing solution, and washing water for development processing, then dried in a drying section 62 and discharged to a receiving box 64.

As described above, when the negative film 12 and the photographic paper 16 are processed, the color developing solution and the bleach-fixing solution are uniformly stirred in the respective tanks, and
The temperature of the negative film 12 and the photographic paper 16 can be maintained substantially in parallel with each other while the temperature is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.

Here, a case will be described in which the negative film 12 is taken out from the carrying rack 78 when the negative film 12 fails to be carried in the carrying rack 78 in the fixing tank 34, for example.

When the negative film 12 is taken out from the fixing tank 34, the valves 86, 88 and 90 are operated to close the conduits 70 and 72, and the upper lid 66 which covers the second developing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14 is closed. Remove the second developing tank 34
Open the upper part. At this time, the inside of the second developing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing device 18 is shielded from light by the upper lid 68, and the light from the second developing tank 34 passes through the conduits 70 and 72 communicating with the second developing tank 34. It also prevents the bleach-fixing solution from entering and exiting. Therefore, even if the processing of the negative film 12 is interrupted and the second developing tank 34 is opened in the film processing device 14, light is inadvertently introduced into the photographic paper processing device 18 to cause the photographic paper 1 inside the device.
6 is not exposed and the liquid level in the fixing tank 54 does not change.

Further, even if the transport rack 78 is taken out from the second developing tank 34 to take out the negative film 12,
Although the liquid level in the fixing tank 34 changes, the wall surface level in the fixing tank 54 does not change. Therefore, regardless of whether the transport rack 78 is pulled out from the fixing tank 34,
Since a fixed amount of the bleach-fix solution is stored in the fixing tank 54, the photographic paper 16 can be processed further.

In this embodiment, the valves 86, 8
8 and 90 prevent the bleach-fixing solution from flowing through the pipes 70 and 72 to suppress the change in the liquid level, but the means for preventing the change in the liquid level of the processing liquid is It is not limited.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The valves 86, 88, 90 may not be provided at 0, 72. At this time, in each of the fixing tanks 34 and 54, the liquid level correction unit 8 is provided above the liquid level of the bleach-fixing liquid.
2, 84 may be provided.

The liquid level correction units 82 and 84 are connected to, for example, the transfer racks 78 and 80 via the wires 99A and 99B and the pulleys 99 having different diameters, and when the transfer rack 78 is lifted and pulled out from the fixing tank 34. Wire 99A
The rotating rack 7 of different diameter causes the transport rack 7 to be pulled out.
The liquid level correction unit 82 has the same volume as that of the wire 99B.
It is designed to be drawn into the bleach-fixing solution. Further, the liquid level correction unit 84 is provided in the transport rack 8
When 0 is extracted from the fixing tank 54, the same volume as the extracted transport rack 80 is inserted into the bleach-fixing solution.

As a result, when the transport rack 78 is pulled out from the second developing tank 34 to take out the negative film 12, the pull-out operation of the transport rack 78 is followed,
The liquid level correction unit 82 is immersed in the bleach-fixing solution in the fixing tank 34. Therefore, from the second developing tank 34 to the transport rack 7
Even if 8 is taken out, not only the liquid level of the bleach-fixing solution in the second developing tank 34, but also the level of the bleach-fixing solution in the fixing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing device 18 communicating with this fixing tank 34. Does not change.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the basic structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 shows the connection state of the fixing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14 applied to the second embodiment and the fixing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18. Here, the bottom of the fixing tank 34 and the valve 90 of the conduit 72 between the circulation pump 74 are connected by a conduit 92, and a valve for opening and closing the conduit 92 at an intermediate portion of the conduit 92. 96 are provided. Further, the bottom of the fixing tank 54 and the valve 88 of the conduit 72 and the heat exchanger 76 are connected by a conduit 94, and a valve 98 for opening and closing the conduit 94 at an intermediate portion of the conduit 94. Is provided.

The fixing tanks 34, 54 are usually valves 96, 9
The pipe lines 92 and 94 are closed by 8 and the pipe lines 70 and 74 are closed.
The bleach-fix solution is circulated through the.

Here, when the conveyance of the negative film 12 is hindered in the second developing tank 34, the valves 86 and 88 are used.
Is operated to close the space between the heat exchanger 76 and the fixing tank 34 in the conduits 70 and 72, and the valve 98 is operated to open the conduit 94. As a result, a circulation path for the bleach-fixing solution between the fixing tank 54, the circulation pump 74, the heat exchanger 76, and the second developing tank 54 is made possible by the pipe lines 72 and 94, and the processing of the photographic paper 16 is advanced without delay. be able to.

Therefore, regardless of whether or not the fixing tank 34 of the film processing device 14 is open and whether or not the transport rack 78 is pulled out, the photographic paper processing device 18 is provided.
In the fixing tank 54, the photographic paper 16 can be processed without any trouble.

In the first and second embodiments, the case in which the negative film 12 is not conveyed properly in the fixing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14 has been described, but the fixing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18 prints an image. Even when the conveyance failure of the paper 16 occurs, the processing of the negative film 12 is not interrupted similarly.

As described above, the fixing baths 34 and 54 can be shielded from each other, and even if the liquid level of one processing liquid changes, the liquid level of the other processing liquid is prevented from changing. When trying to eliminate a conveyance error that occurred in the processing of either the negative film or the photographic paper, surely prevent the other from being inadvertently exposed or the processing being stagnated. You can

In Examples 1 and 2, the bleach-fixing solution is shared by the fixing tank 34 of the film processing apparatus 14 and the fixing tank 54 of the photographic paper processing apparatus 18 provided in the photographic processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other processing tanks may be shared. The configuration of the photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is the same as that of the photo processing apparatus
It is not limited to.

[0048]

As described above, in the light-sensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, even if the light-shielding lid of one of the processing tanks sharing the processing liquid is opened, light leaks into the other processing tank and the processing solution is being processed. The photosensitive material will not be inadvertently exposed. In addition, even if the transfer rack is pulled out from one processing tank, the liquid level of the other processing tank is prevented from changing, so that the processing of one processing tank is interrupted due to the interruption of the processing of the other processing tank. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the finish of the light-sensitive material being processed in the other processing tank is not spoiled without needing to be interrupted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a photographic processing apparatus applied to a first embodiment.

2A is a schematic configuration diagram of a film processing apparatus, FIG.
FIG. 1B is a schematic configuration diagram of a photographic paper processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a connection state between fixing tanks according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing tank showing a modification of the liquid surface holding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a connection state between fixing tanks according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Photographic Processing Device (Photosensitive Material Processing Device) 12 Negative Film (Photosensitive Material) 14 Film Processing Device (First Processing Step) 16 Printing Paper (Photosensitive Material) 18 Printing Paper Processing Device (Second Processing Step) 34 Fixing Tank (First processing tank) 54 Fixing tank (second processing tank) 66, 68 Upper lid (light shielding lid) 70, 72 Pipe line (first and second pipe lines) 74 Circulation pump 78, 80 Transport rack 82, 84 Liquid Level Correction Unit 86, 88, 90, 96, 98 Valve (Opening / Closing Means) 92, 94 Pipelines (Third and Fourth Pipelines)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first for sharing at least one processing liquid
And a second processing step, wherein the photosensitive material processing apparatus can process the photosensitive material in parallel in each processing step,
First and second processing tanks provided with a transport rack that stores the shared processing solution for each transport path and transports the photosensitive material while immersing the photosensitive material in the processing solution, and the first and second processing tanks.
A light-shielding lid for individually covering the upper part of the processing tank to shield the inside thereof, a first conduit for communicating the first and second processing tanks with each other in a light-shielding state, and the first and second processing tanks A second pipe line that communicates with each other in a light-shielding state and that includes a circulation means that enables circulation of the treatment liquid between the first treatment bath and the second treatment bath together with the first pipe passage; 1. A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: a liquid surface holding unit that maintains a processing liquid in the other processing tank at a predetermined liquid surface level regardless of a change in the liquid surface in one processing tank. 2. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising opening / closing means for opening / closing the first and second pipelines as the liquid level holding means. 3. A third conduit having one end connected to the second processing tank and the other end connected to the first processing tank side of the second conduit, and one end having the first conduit. A fourth connecting to the processing tank and the other end connected to the second processing tank side of the second pipeline.
And a pipeline for each of the first, second, third, and fourth pipelines that can be individually opened and closed by the opening / closing means. 3. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein only the processing liquid stored in one of the first and second processing tanks can be circulated by opening and closing. 4. The liquid level holding means comprises the first or second liquid level holding means.
Characterized in that the liquid level correction member having the same volume as the extracted transport rack is immersed in the process liquid in association with the operation of extracting from the process liquid of any one of the transfer racks in the treatment tank. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1.