JP2628930B2 - Water supply / drainage method for washing tank - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for supplying and draining water in a washing tank, and more particularly to a method for developing, fixing, and washing a photosensitive material. The present invention relates to a water supply / drainage method for a washing tank for discharging water and supplying / discharging new washing water.

[Prior art] An automatic developing machine that automatically performs processes such as developing, fixing, and washing a photosensitive material and drying the photosensitive material includes a developing tank for storing a developer, a fixing tank for storing a fixing solution, and a washing water. A washing tank is provided. These processing tanks are provided with a transport roller for transporting the photosensitive material, and the photosensitive material is processed while being transported by the transport roller. The processing tank for developing and fixing is provided with a circulation system for circulating the processing liquid in the processing tank. In the washing tank, the photosensitive material having undergone the processing such as development and fixing is washed while being conveyed by conveying rollers. Washed with water.

This washing tank is connected to a water source such as tap water, and the photosensitive material is often washed with running water.However, when not using such running water, washing with the stored water stored in the washing tank is required. In particular, since the photosensitive material is contaminated by washing with water, the entire amount is drained when the automatic developing machine is stopped or the like, and fresh washing water is supplied and replaced when the automatic developing machine is operated or the like.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional technology, the dirty washing water is simply drained, and the gelatin or the like coated on the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material or the like is contained in the washing water dirty by the processing. Due to the dissolution, gelatin or the like may remain on the inner wall of the washing tank, the surface or rotating shaft of the transport roller, or the circulating system, and algae may be generated. For this reason, algae may adhere to the washed photosensitive material. Further, since this washing water is also used for washing a crossover rack or the like, the generated algae is clogged in the water spray holes of the washing spray pipe, causing clogging.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of draining a washing tank that prevents generation of algae in the washing tank.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a rinsing method in which a transport roller for transporting a photosensitive material having undergone at least a developing step and a fixing step is provided therein, and the photosensitive material is washed with water. A method for supplying and discharging fresh water used for washing the photosensitive material from the washing tank in which water is stored, the method comprising: supplying and discharging fresh water after discharging the washing water at least once; Wherein the transport roller is rotated when new washing water is supplied.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a transport roller for transporting the photosensitive material after at least the developing step and the fixing step is provided therein, and the washing water for washing the photosensitive material is stored and the stored washing water is circulated. In discharging the washing water used for washing the photosensitive material from the washing tank provided with a circulation system, the washing water is supplied and drained at least once by a water supply and drainage step of supplying and discharging new washing water after discharging the washing water. The method is characterized in that when new washing water is supplied, the transport roller is rotated and the washing water is circulated.

[Operation] In the first aspect of the present invention, in discharging the flush water stored in the flush tank, the flush water is discharged and then supplied and discharged at least once to supply and discharge new flush water. When the is supplied, the transport roller is rotated. In this way, by rotating the conveying roller when new washing water is supplied, the dirty washing water attached to the surface of the conveying roller and the rotating shaft is washed away, and by performing water supply and drainage. The inside of the washing tank is washed by the new washing water. As a result, dirty washing water does not remain in the washing tank, and gelatin and the like do not remain, thereby preventing generation of algae.

In the second invention, the same water supply and drainage as in the first invention is performed. When new washing water is supplied, the washing roller is rotated and the washing water is circulated by the circulation system. As a result, the contaminated washing water does not remain on the transport rollers, the circulation system, and the like of the processing tank provided with the circulation system, and the generation of algae is prevented because no gelatin or the like remains.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the supply and drainage of the washing water is performed, and the conveyance roller is rotated when new washing water is supplied. There is no dirty water remaining in the inside of the washing tank, whereby the effect of preventing generation of algae in the washing tank can be obtained.

In addition, the second invention supplies and discharges washing water, and also rotates a conveying roller and circulates washing water when new washing water is supplied. Dirty washing water does not remain in the system and the like, whereby the effect of preventing generation of algae inside the washing tank provided with the circulation system and in the circulation system can be obtained.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. An automatic developing machine to which this embodiment is applied will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the machine frame 12 of the automatic processor 10
Inside, a processing unit 11 and a drying unit 20 are provided. The processing units 11 are arranged along the transport direction of the film F and
A developing tank 14, a fixing tank 16, and a washing tank 18 partitioned by 13
It has.

An insertion rack for pulling the film F into the automatic processor 10 is provided near the film F insertion port 15 of the automatic processor 10.
17 are located.

In the vicinity of the insertion slot 15, an insertion detection sensor 94 for detecting the film F to be inserted is provided. Further, an insertion table for manually inserting the film F or an auto feeder for automatically inserting the film F by a conveying means can be attached to the insertion opening 15 of the automatic developing machine 10.

A transport roller for transporting the film F driven by a motor (not shown) is provided in the developing tank 14 in which the developer is stored.
A transport rack 24 having 22 is provided so as to be immersed in the developer. In the fixing tank 16 in which the fixing liquid is stored, a conveyance rack 28 having a conveyance roller 26 driven by a motor (not shown) to convey the film F is provided so as to be immersed in the fixing liquid. A transport rack having transport rollers 30 for transporting the film F driven by a motor (not shown) is provided in the rinsing tank 18 in which the rinsing water is stored.
32 are provided so that they can be immersed in washing water.

Heat exchangers 19 are arranged below the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16, respectively. The developer stored in the developing tank 14 and the fixing liquid stored in the fixing tank 16 are respectively sent to the heat exchanger 19, where heat exchange is performed, and then the heat is transferred to the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16. Sent back and cycled.
As a result, the developer stored in the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank
The temperature of the fixing solution stored in 16 is maintained within a predetermined range. The washing tank 18 is also provided with a circulation system.

A crossover rack 34 is provided above a partition wall between the developing tank 14 and the fixing tank 16 and a partition wall between the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18.
Are arranged. The crossover rack 34 includes a pair of nipping and conveying rollers 36 for conveying the film F from the upstream tank to the downstream tank in the transport direction of the film F, and a guide 38 for guiding the film F.

The film F sent from the insertion opening 15 into the automatic developing machine 10 is inserted into the developing tank 14 from the insertion rack 17 and conveyed in the developing solution by the conveying rollers 22 to be developed. The developed film F is sent into the fixing tank 16 via the crossover rack 34, and is conveyed in the fixing solution by the conveying rollers 26 to be fixed. The film F that has been subjected to the fixing process is sent from the crossover rack 34 into the washing tank 18, and is conveyed through the washing water by the conveying rollers 30 to be washed. In this way, the film F is processed.

One end of a drain pipe (not shown) is attached to the bottom of each of the developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16 and the washing tank 18, and a drain valve 212 is connected to the other end of the drain pipe. ing. Therefore, by opening these drain valves 212 as needed, the developer stored in the developing tank 14, the fixing liquid stored in the fixing tank 16, and the washing water stored in the washing tank 18 Can be discharged.

A squeeze rack 40 is provided between the washing tank 18 and the drying unit 20. The squeeze rack 40 includes a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 42 that convey the washing water to the drying unit 20 while squeezing the washing water from the film F that is sent out from the washing tank 18 and to which the washing water is attached, and a plurality of guides 43 that guide the film F.
And

The drying unit 20 includes a transport roller 44 that transports the film F,
A drying fan 45 for feeding the drying air, a chamber 46 having a heater for heating the drying air therein, and a spray pipe 47 for blowing the heated drying air to the film F and the transport roller 44 are provided. Further, a drying turn section 48 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 44 in the transport path of the film F, and the transport direction of the film F is changed by the drying turn section 48 and the film F is transported obliquely upward.

The automatic developing machine 10 is provided with a film receiving box 49 for accommodating the film F sent from the drying turn section 48 so as to protrude from the outer wall of the automatic developing machine 10.

The film F whose washing water has been squeezed by the squeeze rack 40 is dried by the drying air blown out from the spray pipe 47 while being conveyed by the conveying rollers 44 heated by the drying air. Thereafter, the film F is turned at the drying turn section 48, sent to the film receiving box 49, and stored therein.

Next, the replenisher replenisher 25 will be described with reference to FIG. The replenisher replenisher 25 supplies the replenisher to the developer tank 14 and also supplies the replenisher to the fixing tank 16.
In the present embodiment, the developing replenisher supplied to the developing tank 14 is prepared by mixing three types of developing replenisher A, B, and C with water as a diluent. The fixing replenisher supplied to the inside is prepared by mixing one type of stock replenisher and water.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developing replenisher is pre-filled and sealed in a cartridge 100 which is a stock replenishing tank. The interior of the cartridge 100 is partitioned into three chambers by a partition wall. The first chamber 102 is filled with liquid A, the second chamber 104 is filled with liquid B, and the third chamber 106
Is filled with liquid C. The compositions of the A liquid, the B liquid, and the C liquid are, for example, as follows.

Solution A Potassium hydroxide 330 g Potassium sulfite 630 g Sodium sulfite 240 g Potassium carbonate 90 g Boric acid 45 g Diethylene glycol 180 g Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 30 g 3,3'-Dithiobishydrocinnamic acid 3 g 5-Methylbenzotriazole 0.025 g Hydroquinone 450 g Potassium bromide 15 g Water In addition, 4125 ml liquid B triethylene glycol 525 g glacial acetic acid 102.6 g 5-nitroindazole 3.75 g 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone 34.5 g water was added to 750 ml liquid C glital aldehyde (50 wt / wt%) 150 g or 0 metabisulfite Add 150g of potassium water and add 750ml of cartridge 100 1st chamber 102, 2nd chamber 104 and 3rd chamber 1
Portions corresponding to 06 are provided with inlets 108, 110, and 112. These inlets 108, 110 and 112 are cylindrical and extend in the same direction and at the same height. Inlet 10
8, 110 and 112 are covered with packings 114 at the respective open ends, and the packings 114 are pressed against caps 116 which are screwed into the respective inlets 108, 110 and 112, so that the inlets 108, 110
And 112 are closed.

A handle 118 to be gripped when handling the cartridge 100 or the like is provided on the side of the cartridge 100 on the side of the inlets 108, 110 and 112 and on the opposite side.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the fixing replenishing stock solution is previously filled and sealed in the cartridge 120 which is a replenishing stock solution tank. The cartridge 120 is provided with a cylindrical inlet 122. A packing 124 is placed over the opening end of the injection port 122, and the packing 124 is pressed against a cap 126 screwed to the injection port 122, and
The opening of 2 is closed.

The cartridge 120 is also provided with a handle 128 that is gripped when handling the cartridge 120 or the like on the side of the inlet 122 and on the opposite side.

The replenisher replenishing device 25 is provided with these cartridges 100 and 1
20 and the stock replenisher and the replenisher in the cartridges 100 and 120
And a liquid supply unit 130 for supplying the liquid. This liquid supply section 1
30 will be described with reference to FIGS. Liquid supply section
130 is a machine frame 1 parallel to the transport direction of the film F to be transported.
It is provided on two sides. In FIG. 1, it is on the near side of the page. The liquid supply unit 130 includes an outer plate 132 that constitutes a part of a side outer wall of the automatic developing machine 10, and an automatic developing machine
And a cartridge receiver 134 fixed to the inner surface of the cartridge 10. The cartridge receiver 134 is formed in a box shape having an open top, and is formed in a size that can accommodate the cartridges 100 and 120.

At the bottom of the cartridge receiver 134, perforated portions 135 are provided corresponding to the inlets 108, 110, 112 and 122 of the cartridges 100 and 120 to be accommodated (see FIG. 6).
Since these perforated portions 135 have substantially the same shape, the first chamber 102 filled with the liquid A of the cartridge 100 is used here.
Will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, an inverted-hat-shaped liquid receiving tray 136 is arranged in the perforated portion 135. The liquid tray 136 is
It is fixed by screws 140 to a mounting bracket 138 fixed to the side wall of the cartridge receiver 134 via the flange 136A. At the center of the bottom 136B of the liquid receiving tray 136, a projection 142 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6A, the projecting portion 142 is formed by combining four plate-like portions 142A so as to form a cross. The width of the plate member 142A is formed so as to gradually increase from the upper portion to the lower end portion, and the upper end surface is formed in an arc shape so as to be continuous with the side end surface. Note that the projection 142 may be formed by processing a single member to have the same shape as described above, or the projection 142 may be fixed to the bottom 136B or placed on the bottom 136B. Good.

Also, in the vicinity of the projection 142 on the bottom 136B of the liquid receiving tray 136,
A connection pipe 136D whose inner peripheral portion is a flow path 136C and extends downward through the bottom wall of the cartridge receiver 134 is provided.
This connection pipe 136D is fitted to one end of a flexible pipe 144. The other end of the flexible pipe 144 is connected to a stock tank 50 described later. In the cartridge 100 inserted into the cartridge receiver 134, the packing 114 of the injection port 108 corresponding to the first chamber 102 is pushed into the inside of the cartridge 100 by the projection 142. Thus, the liquid A is supplied to the later-described stock tank 50 through the flow path 136C of the communication pipe 136D and the pipe 144. In this embodiment,
Although the packing 114 is configured to be pushed into the injection port 108 by the protrusion 142, a type in which the packing 114 is penetrated by the perforation blade can also be applied.

Note that the liquid receiving tray 13
The liquid A flows out to 6, and the cartridge receiver 134 is provided at substantially the same height as the stock tank 50 so that the discharged liquid A stops at a predetermined water surface position in the liquid receiving tray 136.

The perforation section 135 is provided with the cartridges 100 and 12 as described above.
0, the liquids A, B, C, and the unfixed replenisher of the cartridges 100 and 120 inserted in the cartridge receiver 134 respectively. It is supplied to a stock tank 50 described later.

The liquid supply unit 130 configured as described above is swingably supported around the lower end of the outer plate 132. That is, the fifth
As shown in the figure, a pair of legs 148 project downward from the lower end of the outer plate 132. As shown in FIG. 8, each of these legs 148 is made of a plate material bent in a substantially U-shape in cross-section, and its opposing walls extend upward from the lower end to portions opposing each other. U-shaped groove 148A is formed.

On the other hand, on the side of the main body of the automatic processor 10, a bottom plate 10A is provided.
And a receiving portion 150 that accommodates the lower portion of the leg portion 148 is attached. As shown in FIG. 8, the receiving portion 150
It has a substantially U-shaped cross section opened upward, and a through-hole 150A is formed in the opposing wall at a position facing each other.
The shaft member 152 is inserted through the through hole 150A, and the through hole of the shaft member 152 is formed.
An E-ring 154 is attached to the protruding portion from
Is attached. Further, the shaft member 1 is inserted into the U-shaped groove 148A of the leg 148.
When the leg 148 is attached so that the 52 enters, the liquid supply unit 130 can be swung. In addition, through hole 1
A long bolt may be inserted into 50A, a nut may be screwed into the tip of the long bolt, and a liquid supply unit 130 may be provided so that the long bolt enters the U-shaped groove 148A of the leg 148.

Above the liquid supply unit 130 of the automatic developing machine 10, the liquid supply unit 130 engages with a not-shown locking projection provided inside the outer plate 132 of the liquid supply unit 130 when the liquid supply unit 130 is closed. A locking member 158 is provided for maintaining the closed state (FIG. 5). The locking member 158 is released from engagement with the locking projection by being rotated by a predetermined angle. The cartridge receiver 134 of the liquid supply unit 130 and the inside of the automatic developing machine 10 are connected by a gas damper (not shown). The gas damper is configured to smoothly perform the swing from the closed state of the liquid supply unit 130, that is, the stored state of the cartridges 100 and 120, to the open state, that is, the state in which the cartridges 100 and 120 can be taken in and out, The swing of the liquid supply unit 130 is limited to a predetermined angle. In this embodiment, when the liquid supply unit 130 is swung by 15 ° from the closed state, the swing is stopped by the gas damper.

As shown in FIG. 5, a cover 156 for covering the legs 148 and the receiving portion 150 and improving the appearance of the automatic developing machine 10 is attached below the liquid supply section 130 of the automatic developing machine 10. It has become.

Further, the automatic developing machine 10 has a removable portion (not shown) that covers a portion corresponding to the liquid supply portion 130 on the opposite side to the side where the above-described liquid supply portion 130 is disposed and a portion covered by the cover 156. Cover is attached. Inside the cover, a receiving portion (not shown) that is the same as the receiving portion 150 described above is provided on the bottom plate 10A of the automatic developing machine 10. Therefore, the liquid supply unit 130 can be replaced from the above-described side of the automatic developing machine 10 to a later-described side by removing the long bolt 152, the nut 154, and the gas spring (not shown).

On the bottom plate 10A of the automatic processor 10, a stock tank 50 is installed. As shown in FIG. 2, the stock tank 50 is divided into four tanks by partition walls. First tank 50A, second tank 50B, third tank 50 in stock tank 50
C and the fourth tank 50D are the first chamber 102 of the cartridge 100, respectively.
The second chamber 104, the third chamber 106, and the cartridge 120 are connected via a pipe 144. Therefore, the first tank 50A is the first chamber 1
02 is stored in the second tank 50B in the second chamber 1B.
04 is filled with B liquid, and the third tank 50C is in the second chamber 1
The fourth liquid tank 50D stores the liquid C filled therein, and the fourth tank 50D stores the stock solution for fixing replenishment filled in the cartridge 120.

Meanwhile, the squeeze rack shown in FIG.
Tap water is supplied to the back side of the paper surface of 40, and a water supply tank 54 for storing the tap water is provided (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 9, the water supply tank 54 is divided into two by partition walls 164 and 166.
It is partitioned into a water tank 168, a first water tank 170, and a third water tank 172. Tap water is supplied to the first water tank 170 of the water supply tank 54 from the tap of the tap by a pipe 90 having a water supply valve 92 in the middle.
The partition 166 is lower in height than the peripheral wall of the water supply tank 54, and tap water supplied to the first water tank 170 overflows the partition 166 and flows into the third water tank 172. In addition, the partition 164
Is set to be substantially the same as the height of the peripheral wall of the water supply tank 162. As shown in FIG. 9A, the partition 164 has a groove bottom at a position slightly lower than the upper end of the partition 166 and opens at the upper end of the partition 164 to open the second water tank 168 and the first water tank 170.
Are formed in a U-shaped groove 176 communicating with. This U-shaped groove 176
May be provided in plural. Therefore, the tap water supplied to the first water tank 170 flows into the third water tank 172 as described above, and also flows into the second water tank 168 via the U-shaped groove 176. The structure for communicating the second water tank 168 and the first water tank 170 is not limited to the U-shaped groove 176, but may be another structure such as a slit opened in the horizontal direction near the water surface.

In the second water tank 168, silver ion releasing means 180 for releasing silver ions and suppressing generation of water algae is arranged.

The silver ion releasing means 180 is composed of a silver ion sustained release source 182 and a water-permeable container or element 184 for containing the silver ion sustained release source 182. An example of this type of silver ion sustained release source 182 is a water-soluble glass containing monovalent Ag described in JP-A-63-39692.

This water-soluble glass is composed of at least one of SiO ₂ , B ₂ O ₃ , P ₂ O ₅ or the like as a network forming oxide, and Na ₂ O, K ₂ O, CaO, MgO, BaO as a network modifying oxide. , ZnO etc.
It is preferably formed of one or more kinds of intermediate oxides, such as one or more of Al ₂ O ₃ and TiO ₂ , and contains 0.05 to 10 parts by weight, particularly 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of Ag ₂ O.

This water-soluble glass becomes a gel state in water,
A gel containing a certain amount of silver ions is gradually eluted into water.

Such a water-soluble glass may be a lump, a granular form, or a powder form. Normally, as shown in FIG. 9, it is stored in a water-permeable sheet container (for example, a bag-shaped nonwoven fabric) and placed in water. When a block of water-soluble glass is used, it may be accommodated in a mesh bag and the bag may be hung down in water by a string.

The amount of the water-soluble glass added to the water in the second water tank 168 is preferably in the range of 10 to 10,000 g / m ³ .

As a specific example of the water-soluble glass, a glass commercially available as Biosure SG (trade name) manufactured by Kinki Pipe Giken Co., Ltd. can be applied.

Also, as the silver ion sustained release source 182, various sources can be used as long as they can exchange and elute a small amount of silver ions and hydrogen ions in water in small amounts. For example, Keiyo Stenkiller (trade name) can be used. Commercially available ones are also suitable.

Further, as another silver ion releasing means 180, one using an Electro-Katadyn method of electrically releasing silver ions in water can be cited as an example.

In this method, for example, a pair of silver / copper alloy electrodes is placed in water, and a current is applied to the electrodes to elute a small amount of silver ions from the electrodes.

For example, Caribbean Clear Suiminpur Purefire (trade name) manufactured by Caribbean Clear International can be used.

The silver ion releasing means 180 is maintained so as to release silver ions at a concentration of 1 to 10,000 ppb, preferably 3 to 1000 ppb after 24 hours with respect to 10 liters of water in the second water tank 168, for example.

A liquid level sensor 186 is provided in the second water tank 168 of the water supply tank 54.
Are arranged. The liquid level sensor 56 detects the liquid level in the second water tank 168 of the water tank 54 and opens and closes the water supply valve 92 to maintain the liquid level constant.

In the automatic developing machine 10, a first mixing tank 58 for preparing a developing replenisher to be supplied to the developing tank 14 and a second mixing tank for preparing a fixing replenisher to be supplied to the fixing tank 16 are provided. 60 are located.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first tank 50A, the second tank 50B, and the third tank 50C are connected to one ends of pipes 62A, 62B, and 62C, respectively, and the pipes 62A, 62B and The other end of 62C is 1st
To the mixing tank 58. A liquid pump 64 composed of a bellows pump is provided in these pipes 62A, 62B and 62C.
A and B liquid pumps 64B and C liquid pumps 64C are respectively provided. Further, one end of a pipe 66A is connected to the water supply tank 54, and the other end of the pipe 66A is connected to the first mixing tank 58. A water pump 68A constituted by a bellows pump is provided in the pipe 66A. Therefore, the A liquid pump 64
When the A and B liquid pumps 64B, the C liquid pump 64C and the water pump 68A are operated, the A liquid in the first tank 50A and the B liquid in the second tank 50B
The liquid, the C liquid in the third tank 50C, and the tap water in the water supply tank 54 are supplied to the first mixing tank 5 via pipes 62A, 62B, 62C, and 66A, respectively.
Supplied to 8. In the mixing tank 58, the liquid A, the liquid B and the liquid C are mixed and diluted with tap water to prepare a developing replenisher to be supplied to the developing tank 14.

One end of a pipe 62D is connected to the fourth tank 50D, and the other end of the pipe 62D is connected to the second mixing tank 60. A bellows pump 64D is disposed in the conduit 62D. One end of a pipe 66B is connected to the water supply tank 54, and the other end of the pipe 66B is connected to the second mixing tank 60. A bellows pump 68B is provided in the pipe 66B. Accordingly, when the bellows pumps 64D and 68B are operated, the unfixed replenisher in the fourth tank 50D and the tap water in the water supply tank 54 are supplied to the second mixing tank 60 via the pipes 62D and 66B. In the mixing tank 60, the stock fixing replenisher is diluted with tap water to form a fixing replenisher to be supplied to the fixing tank 16.

Note that a pipeline 71 for circulating the developing solution is
The circulating pump 72 and a heat exchanger 19 for controlling the developing solution to a constant temperature are provided in a conduit 71. Note that a heater may be used instead of the heat exchanger 19.

One end of a pipe 70 communicates with the bottom of the first mixing tank 58, and the other end communicates with the pipe 71 upstream of the circulation pump 72. Therefore, by the operation of the circulation pump 72,
The developing replenisher formed in the first mixing tank 58 is gradually supplied to the developing tank 14 through a pipe 70 and a pipe 71, and is sucked by the circulating pump 72 when the circulating pump 72 is operated. While being mixed with the developer circulating in the passage 71,
The developing replenisher is supplied into the developing tank 14 to replenish the developing replenisher with the developer.

Both ends of a conduit 75 for circulating the fixing solution are communicated with the fixing tank 16, and a circulation pump 76 is provided in the conduit 75. One end of a pipe 74 is connected to the second mixing tank 60, and the other end is connected to the pipe 75 on the upstream side of the circulation pump 76. Therefore, when the circulation pump 76 is operated as in the case of the developing replenisher, the fixing replenisher formed in the second mixing tank 60 is circulating in the pipe 75 via the pipe 74. While being mixed with the fixing solution, the fixing replenisher is supplied into the fixing tank 16 to replenish the fixing solution.

The water supply tank 54 and the washing tank 18 are communicated with each other through a pipe 188, and the third water tank 172 and the washing tank 18 of the water supply tank 54 are installed so that the internal water levels are at the same level. The replenishment of water to the washing tank 18 is performed by a pipe provided from the water tap to the water supply tank 54 when the insertion detection sensor 94 provided near the insertion port 15 of the film F of the automatic processor 10 detects the film F. This is performed by opening a water supply valve 92 provided in the middle of 90.

Further, the automatic developing apparatus 10 has a structure for cleaning the crossover rack 34 described above. That is,
As shown in FIG. 10, a spray pipe 200 is provided at the upper end of the partition wall 13 so that the longitudinal direction is along the width direction of the film F.
Is arranged. The spray pipe 200 has a plurality of rows of water sprinkling holes 202 along its longitudinal direction.
And guides 38 and the like. One end of a pipe 204 (FIG. 9) is connected to the spray pipe 200, and the other end is connected to a first water tank 168 of the water supply tank 54.
A cleaning pump 78 shown in FIG.
Is arranged. Accordingly, when the cleaning pump 78 is operated, the tap water in the second water tank 168 is supplied as cleaning water to the spray pipe 200 via the conduit 204 and is directed from the water spray hole 202 to the nipping and conveying roller 36, the guide 38, and the like. The jet is ejected, and the crossover rack 34 is washed.

Since the washing water of the crossover rack 34 contains a germicide for preventing the generation of water algae, it is possible to prevent the washing water discharge port of the spray pipe (not shown) from being clogged with the water algae. This crossover rack
The washing of 34 is performed, for example, at the end of one day of operation of the automatic processor 10.

In addition, as shown in FIG.
Liquid level sensors 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D are provided on the upper portions of the side walls in 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a part related to control of the present embodiment. The transport roller driving motor 210 is connected to the transport roller 30 immersed in the washing water in the washing tank 18. The transport roller driving motor 210 is connected to a control circuit 216 composed of a microcomputer or the like. A drain pipe is connected to the bottom surface of the washing tank 18, and the drain pipe is provided with the drain valve 212 described above. Wash tank 1
A circulation pipe 215 provided with a water circulation pump 214 is provided so as to communicate the bottom surface and the side surface of 8. In the washing tank 18, a liquid level sensor 222 for detecting the liquid level of the washing water in the washing tank 18 is provided. The transport roller drive motor 210, the drain valve 212, the water circulation pump 214, the liquid level sensor 222, and the water supply valve 92 described above are connected to the control circuit 216. Further, a stop button 218 operated when the automatic developing machine is stopped and a power switch 220 for stopping supply of power to the automatic developing machine are connected to the control circuit 216.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The film F on which the image has been printed is inserted into the automatic developing machine 10 through the insertion opening 15,
In the developing tank 14, the fixing tank 16, and the rinsing tank 18, the liquid is treated with the developing solution, the fixing liquid, and the rinsing water, sent to a squeeze rack and squeezed. The squeezed film F is placed in the drying section 20.
The drying is performed by the heated drying air and the heated transport roller 44, and stored in the film receiving box 49 via the drying turn unit 48.

The processing gradually deteriorates the developer in the developing tank 14.
Therefore, a predetermined amount of the developing replenisher is replenished from the mixing tank 58 into the developing tank 14 periodically or in accordance with a predetermined film processing amount. This replenishment is performed by controlling the A-solution pump, the B-solution pump, the C-solution pump, and the water pump in the mixing tank 58 by the intermittent operation of the circulating pump 72 at a predetermined ratio of the discharge time. This is performed while mixing with the developer in the tank 14. Accordingly, when the replenishing solution is replenished, the distribution of the components constituting the developing solution in the developing tank 14 does not become uneven, and the distribution of the components becomes uniform.

Further, the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16 gradually deteriorates due to the processing. Therefore, a predetermined amount of the fixing replenisher is replenished from the mixing tank 60 into the fixing tank 16 periodically or in accordance with a predetermined film processing amount. This replenishment is performed while the fixing replenisher in the mixing tank 60 is mixed with the fixing liquid in the fixing tank 16 by intermittent operation of the circulation pump 76. Therefore, when the replenishing solution is replenished, the distribution of each component constituting the fixing solution in the fixing tank 16 does not become uneven.

When the cartridges 100 and 120 are inserted into the cartridge receiver of the liquid supply unit 130, and the respective injection ports 108, 110, 112 and 122 are set to the perforated parts 135, the replenisher stock solution is supplied into the respective tanks of the stock tank 50. You. The liquid level in each tank is detected by each liquid level sensor, and when the liquid level falls below a predetermined level, the controller 216 determines that the tank is empty and requests replacement of the cartridge.

Next, a flush water supply / discharge routine for the flush tank 18 will be described with reference to FIG. This routine is the stop button of the automatic processor
Fired when 218 is operated. In step 230, the drain valve 212 is opened. In step 232, the washing tank
It is determined whether or not the time T ₀ at which the flush water in the flush water 18 is completely drained has elapsed, and when the time T _{0 has} elapsed, it is determined that the drain of the dirty flush water in the flush tank 18 has been completed, and in step 234 The drain valve 212 is closed, and in step 236, the water supply valve 92 is opened. As a result, the water supply tank 54
The new washing water is supplied into the empty washing tank 18 via.
In step 238, time T ₁ (e.g., washing water supplied into the washing tank 18 is time becomes more than half) when it is determined whether elapsed, and the time T ₁ has elapsed, conveying roller drive in step 240 The operation motor 210 is operated to rotate the transport roller 30. As described above, the contaminated washing water in the washing tank 18 is drained, the new washing water is supplied, and then the conveying roller 30 is rotated, so that the dirty washing water attached to the conveying roller 30 is washed away. In the next step 242, it is determined whether or not the liquid level sensor 222 is turned on to determine whether or not the washing tank 18 is full. When it is determined that the water is full, the water supply valve 92 is closed in step 244, and the water circulation pump 214 is operated in step 246.
As a result, the washing water in the washing tank 18 is circulated through the circulation pipe 215, and the dirty washing water remaining in the water circulation pump 214 and the circulation pipe 215 is washed away by the new washing water. In step 248, a predetermined time T ₂ (for example, a time corresponding to the time during which the contaminated washing water remaining in the water circulation pump 214 and the circulation pipe 215 is discharged into the washing tank 18)
It is determined whether the elapsed when it is determined that the time T ₂ has elapsed, the water circulation pump 214 is stopped to stop the rotation of the transport roller driving motor 210 in step 250, the count value m indicating the number of times of water supply and drainage Is incremented by one. In step 252, it is determined whether or not the count value m is equal to or more than a predetermined value (for example, 1 to 3). When the count value m is less than the predetermined value, the process returns to step 230, and the above processing is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the count value m is equal to or more than the predetermined value, that is, after performing the water supply and drainage processing a predetermined number of times, the power switch 220 is turned off in step 254. Thus, the supply of power to the automatic developing machine is stopped. Further, since the drain valve 212 is opened in step 250, the washing water in the washing tank 18 is entirely discharged.

FIG. 13 shows the drain valve 21 when controlled as described above.
2. Operation states of the water supply valve 92, the transport roller driving motor 210, and the water circulation pump 214 are shown.

In the above description, an example in which the transport roller driving motor 210 is controlled in synchronization with the opening and closing of the drain valve 212 or the water supply valve 92 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the transport roller driving motor 210 Need only be operated intermittently. In addition, the example in which the water circulation pump 214 is also controlled in synchronization with the water supply valve 92 or the drain valve 212 has been described.However, as long as the amount of washing water that does not cause the water circulation pump 214 to idle in the washing tank 18 is stored. There is no need to operate synchronously with the drain or feed valve. Further, in the above description, the washing water provided with the water circulation system has been described, but the invention can also be applied to the washing water not provided with the water circulation system. In this case,
Only the roller is driven when new washing water is supplied. Further, an example has been described in which the liquid level sensor detects whether or not the washing tank has become full. However, it may be determined whether or not the water filling valve has become full from the time the water supply valve is rotating.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the washing water in the washing tank is discharged by repeatedly supplying and draining water, so that gelatin and the like dissolved in the washing tank do not remain. This can be prevented from occurring.

Further, in this embodiment, since silver ion releasing means for preventing germs is provided, it is effective when the photosensitive material is washed with stored water, and the generation of algae can be prevented even if some gelatin or the like remains. Therefore, the number of repetitions of plumbing can be reduced.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied may be any of an automatic developing machine for X-ray films, an automatic developing machine for photographic films, and an automatic developing machine for photosensitive lithographic printing plates.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an essential part of an automatic developing machine to which the present invention can be applied, FIG. 2 is a system diagram around a replenisher replenishing device, FIG. 4th
The figure is a perspective view of a cartridge in which the stock solution for fixing replenishment is stored,
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a liquid supply part, FIG.
6A is a cross-sectional view of the protrusion, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the perforated portion is inclined, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the swinging portion of the liquid supply unit, and FIG. FIG. 9A is a sectional view
FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a crossover rack part, FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a part related to control of the present embodiment, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a water supply / drainage routine, FIG. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing operations of a drain valve, a water supply valve, and the like of the present embodiment. 10 ... automatic developing machine, 14 ... developing tank, 16 ... fixing tank, 25 ...
... Replenisher replenisher, 50 ... Stock tank, 52A-52D ...
… Liquid level sensor, 64… bellows pump, 100…
Cartridge, 120 ... Cartridge.

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Minoru Yamada 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A 1-217344 (JP, A) JP-A 63-18350 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a transporting roller for transporting the photosensitive material after at least the developing step and the fixing step is provided therein, and the photosensitive material is used for washing the photosensitive material from a washing tank storing washing water for washing the photosensitive material. A method for supplying and discharging flush water, comprising: performing a water supply and drainage step of supplying and discharging fresh flush water at least once after discharging the flush water, wherein the transport roller is driven when new flush water is supplied. A method for supplying / draining water in a washing tank, which is rotated. 2. A circulating system in which a conveying roller for conveying at least the photosensitive material having undergone the developing step and the fixing step is provided therein, and washing water for washing the photosensitive material with water is stored, and the stored washing water is circulated. In discharging the washing water used for washing the photosensitive material from the washing tank provided,
A method of supplying and draining flush water, wherein a water supply and drainage step of supplying and discharging fresh flush water after discharging the flush water is performed at least once, wherein the transport roller is rotated and fresh flush water is circulated when new flush water is supplied. A method for supplying and draining water in a washing tank.