JPH0533389B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a small-sized automatic developing machine for color photographic materials used in so-called mini-labs, and particularly to improvement of a control system from the aspect of energy saving.

[Background of the Invention] In the past, color photographic materials were generally processed using large automatic processing machines in large centralized processing facilities called laboratories, but in recent years, processing using small-sized automatic processing machines called minilabs has begun. Along with this trend, various improvements have been proposed in terms of miniaturization of automatic processors, ease of installation, operation, maintenance, etc., and energy saving.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] In so-called mini-labs, where the throughput is small and is used intermittently, automatic processors can be made smaller and easier to install, and even when the throughput is small, the processing liquid can be There is a strong desire for an automatic processor that does not oxidize and can be easily managed, and energy saving measures are particularly important in order to reduce running costs.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to clarify a preferable control system mainly from the viewpoint of energy saving.

[Structure of the Invention] The automatic developing machine for color photographic light-sensitive materials according to the present invention is an automatic developing machine for processing color photographic light-sensitive materials without washing with running water, and the conveyance system is a roller transport type or a short reader type. During processing suspension, the operation of the transport system, processing liquid circulation system, and drying system is stopped, but the transport system is activated every time a certain period of time elapses to prevent the processing liquid adhering to the transport roller from solidifying. At the same time, calculate the expected drying time according to the processing start information of the photosensitive material,
The apparatus is characterized by being equipped with a control system that performs preheating in advance of the scheduled completion time and starts drying in accordance with processing completion information, the details of which will be explained below.

In the automatic developing machine according to the present invention, each processing solution is stored and prepared in a processing tank, which is maintained at a constant level by a heating and cooling device, and the photographic light-sensitive material sent by the conveyance system is immersed therein. processing and finally drying.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E, the replenishment processing solution is prepared by setting the replenishment solution kit 1 at the top of the replenishment tank 2 in a state where it is securely held by the holding member 3, and replenishing the consumed amount as the processing progresses. will be replenished accordingly.

In order to homogenize the chemical composition and temperature of the processing liquid, the replenishment tank is equipped with heating means, cooling means, stirring means, circulation means, etc., but these operations are automated to reduce energy costs. controlled. That is, control is performed such as starting the operation only when the color photosensitive material to be processed is set, starting the operation at the same time as the heater is activated at a temperature below a certain temperature, or starting the operation intermittently.

When dissolving the start liquid in the treatment tank or filling the treatment tank with the start liquid prepared in the replenishment tank and operating the circulation pump, this is to prevent air bubbles from forming and causing the liquid to burst and cause contamination. When installing the circulation pipe 5 in the treatment tank 4, if the circulation pipe is a closed system, for example, as shown in FIG. This is not desirable as there is a risk that air may accumulate in the area.

However, the processing liquid in the processing tank is generally filtered through a liquid purification filter for the purpose of preventing floating matter from adhering to the photosensitive material, but such a filter does not improve the efficiency of the filtration action. Therefore, it is connected to the circulation pipe. In this case, in consideration of filter replacement, it is necessary to make the wall height of the filter box almost the same as the level of the processing liquid in the processing tank, so that the processing liquid in the processing tank does not flow backwards when replacing the filter. In this case, it is unavoidable that a part of the circulation pump will be above the installation position. Therefore, in such a case, a device is required to evacuate the air inside the filter box, making the operation extremely complicated. These drawbacks can be solved by making the filter chamber open. From this point of view, in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 59-69158, a structure in which a liquid purifying filter is arranged was proposed, and specifically, the structure is as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, the filter mechanism 6 is housed in a box 7 fixed to the upper side of the processing tank 4. A specific example of the structure of the filter mechanism 6 is shown in FIG. 5, in which a cylindrical filter member 6B is held by stoppers 6C and 6D on a hollow base body 6A with many through holes provided around the periphery. installed. The filter mechanism 6 is attached to the upper end of the pipe 5 that is connected to the bottom surface of the box 7, and is kept watertight so that the processing liquid does not directly flow into the pipe 5 without passing through the filter mechanism 6. It needs to be attached to. Further, the liquid level of the processing liquid is controlled so that it is always above the filter mechanism 6. This is because if a part of the filter mechanism 6 comes out above the level of the processing liquid, there is a risk that air will be drawn in, resulting in liquid splashing and oxidation of the processing liquid due to the air. Various known sensor means can be used to detect the liquid level position, and when a Marufunction is detected, the pump 8
stop the operation. Note that the liquid level positions of the processing liquid in the processing tank 4 and the box 7 are the same, and the liquid level sensor may be placed in either location. Further, the filter mechanism 6 can be easily taken out by opening the lid 7A of the box 7.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a temperature adjustment sensor, and by placing it inside the box 7, it is far from the heater installation position and can accurately detect the temperature. Reference numeral 7B is an opening for setting the replenishment pipe 10 that supplies the replenisher from the replenisher tank.The replenisher pipe 10 is easier to attach and detach than when supplying the replenisher directly to the processing tank 4. Since it is always introduced into the processing tank 4 after passing through the filter mechanism 6, even if foreign matter were to be mixed in, it is possible to prevent an accident from occurring.

6 to 8 show the construction of a processing liquid circulation system that is particularly effective when performing color development processing. That is, the processing solution circulated by the pump 8 from the processing tank 4 via the filter mechanism 6 is introduced into the processing tank 4 again through the pipe 5, but especially in the case of color developing solution, the processing solution is simply passed through the processing tank. 4, but at the end of pipe 5 as shown in the figure.
A terminal device 12 having a large number of pores 11 of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably about 2 mm, is attached, and the processing liquid is jetted from the pores 11 onto the color photographic material to be processed. The pores 11 may be configured simply as through holes or may be configured as nozzles. Although the number and arrangement of the pores 11 are not limited, it is preferable that the pores 11 be sprayed in, for example, a staggered pattern at at least three locations in the width direction of the color photosensitive material to be processed. The terminal device of the present invention needs to be used with all of its pores 11 immersed in the bath liquid. The above structure is particularly effective in preventing uneven stirring during color development processing.

Note that the above-described spraying mechanism is based on the circulation pump 8.
Although the configuration is related to the circulation of the processing liquid,
Separately from this, the spraying mechanism may be provided independently.

Furthermore, in addition to the above, in order to achieve energy savings, it is also desirable to operate the spraying mechanism only when the color photosensitive material is being processed in the processing tank.

Especially when used in cold regions, there is a risk that the processing liquid may freeze and the components may precipitate.
For example, the temperature adjustment mechanism is activated when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, such as 15° C. or lower, 0° C. or higher, preferably 3° C. or higher, and more preferably 5° C. or higher. In this case, it is desirable to operate the circulation pump at the same time to prevent local deterioration of the liquid. Also, in this case,
It is desirable to arrange the temperature sensor at a position where the average temperature of the processing liquid in the processing tank can be measured. It is also desirable to have separate switches for the automatic developing machine, such as ON/OFF, cold region, and timer switches. Further, for the purpose of shortening the heat-up time, it is desirable to adjust the heater output during heat-up and during temperature control by, for example, changing the number of heaters turned on.

Furthermore, in this invention, regarding cooling of the processing tank/replenishment tank, for example, if water is stored in an unused replenishment tank or a dedicated tank, and a cooling method using this stored water is used, cooling water as in the conventional case can be used. It is not necessary to use .

In the automatic developing machine to which this invention is applied,
Since no rinsing water is required, it can be installed anywhere, but the waste liquid must be treated in some way. For example, in FIG. 9, a waste liquid receptacle 14 having a lid is provided on a flat surface of the waste liquid recovery tank 13 without protruding above the flat surface. 15 is a handle, and a discharge port 16 is provided at the opposite position.

Since the tank 13 is constructed as shown in the figure, it can be easily attached to and removed from a predetermined position within the apparatus using a cassette method.

When an endless belt is used as a means of feeding and transporting color photosensitive materials into processing tanks, the belt circulates through different types of processing tanks, resulting in the mixing of different types of processing solutions, albeit in small amounts. In addition to adversely affecting the processing liquid composition,
There are disadvantages such as air being carried into the processing liquid by the belt, which tends to cause air oxidation. In order to solve this problem, the present invention employs a roller transport system and a shot leader system.

In the present invention, the drive is automatically controlled for the purpose of saving energy and preventing air from being mixed into the liquid due to idle operation of the conveying system. It is desirable to drive the conveyance system intermittently only when it is detected that a color photosensitive material has been loaded.
In addition, if a part of the above roller is out of the liquid level, the photosensitive material is not transported to prevent the processing liquid attached to the roller from drying up and causing damage to the photosensitive material such as scratches. It is desirable to drive the rollers intermittently even at certain times.

Since a certain amount of time is required from the start of processing to the completion of processing of color photosensitive materials, controlling the drying equipment according to the processing information of color photosensitive materials reduces processing costs and provides sufficient drying. desirable.

In the present invention, the power supply for the heater is normally
It is left in the OFF state, the completion time is calculated from the process start information, preheating is performed prior to the scheduled completion time (temperature rise in the drying chamber), and drying is started according to the process completion information, significantly reducing power consumption. It is possible to save money.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is most suitable for application to a small automatic developing machine for mini-labs, and the above-mentioned problems are solved, and in particular, air oxidation of processing liquid, etc. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the photosensitive material, prevent the roller from damaging the photosensitive material, and significantly reduce power consumption.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the mounting structure of the replenisher kit, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the liquid level display means, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the liquid level display means.
The figure is a schematic diagram showing the processing liquid circulation system, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the purification filter mechanism, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the filter section, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the spraying mechanism,
Figure 7 is a front or plan view of the spray mechanism;
The figure is a front or plan view of the spraying mechanism, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the waste liquid tank. In the figure, 1 is a replenisher kit, 2 is a replenishment tank, 3 is a receiving member, 4 is a processing tank, 5 is a pipe, 6 is a filter mechanism, 6B is a filter, 7 is a box,
7A is a lid, 7B is an opening, 8 is a pump, 9 is a temperature sensor, 10 is a replenishment pipe, 11 is a pore, 12 is a terminal fitting, 14 is a waste liquid inlet, and 16 is a waste liquid outlet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an automatic developing machine that processes color photographic light-sensitive materials without washing with running water, the conveyance system is a roller transport type or shot reader type, and the conveyance system, processing liquid circulation system, and drying system are closed during processing suspension. operation is stopped, but the conveyance system is activated every predetermined period of time to prevent the processing liquid adhering to the conveyance roller from solidifying, and the scheduled drying time is calculated according to the processing start information of the photosensitive material. ,
An automatic developing machine for color photographic materials, comprising a control system that preheats in advance of the scheduled completion time and starts drying in accordance with processing completion information.