JPH0580481A - Photosensitive material processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the contamination, vaporization, degeneration and deterioration of a processing soln. due to oscillation. CONSTITUTION:This processor is provided with lids 8 and 9 for shielding the upper openings 2-7, the passages 12a and 12b for charging a photosensitive material S, the passages 13a and 13b for discharging the material S, the tank-to- tank passages 15a,...15d piercing the walls 17 of the tanks, a blade 16 set to shield the passages and a processing soln. replacing device 20 for supplying a developer, bleaching soln. and washing water to the tanks 2, 3 and 7 and discharging the developer and bleachable fixer from the tanks 2 and 4. The charge and discharge of the processing soln. are detected by flowmeters 24a,...24d, 28a and 28b, and the operation of the pumps 23a,...23d, 27a and 27b is controlled by a control means 30 based on the information so that the processing soln. is appropriately charged or discharged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light-sensitive material processing apparatus for wet-processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter, simply referred to as light-sensitive material).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the wet processing of photosensitive materials, the photosensitive materials are successively transported and dipped in a processing solution (for example, developing solution, bleaching solution, fixing solution, washing water, etc.) stored in a plurality of processing tanks. It is done by doing.

Conventionally, in a photosensitive material processing apparatus for performing such processing, the upper part of each processing tank is open and the liquid level of the processing liquid stored in the processing tank is open to the atmosphere. Problems such as evaporation, temperature drop, and alteration / deterioration of the treatment liquid due to contact with air have occurred.

In order to solve this problem, the liquid surface of the processing liquid is covered with a fluid layer such as paraffin, and the photosensitive material can be carried in and out of the processing liquid. A light-sensitive material processing apparatus provided with an opening forming means for forming an opening in a fluid layer is disclosed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H01-001).
-310351).

However, in this photosensitive material processing apparatus, the aperture forming means is composed of, for example, a drive source, a movable plate, a link mechanism connecting these, and the like, and these are activated each time the photosensitive material passes. The structure is complicated,
There is a problem that the size of the device is increased. Further, a failure may occur due to the components in the treatment liquid being deposited on the movable part or the movable part being corroded.

By the way, in a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which the upper part of the processing tank is open, when an earthquake occurs, the liquid surface of the processing liquid sways, the processing liquid spills on the floor or the like, and is contaminated. As a result, the processing liquid may enter the adjacent processing tank and cause contamination. Particularly, the contamination between the developing solution and the bleaching solution (or the bleach-fixing solution) is a problem because the photographic property of the light-sensitive material is extremely deteriorated. When such contamination occurs, all of the processing liquid in the processing tank must be replaced, which requires labor, time, maintenance of an unprocessable state during replacement, economic efficiency, and an increase in the amount of waste liquid. It is not preferable in various points such as.

In recent years, due to the spread of photo processing systems, the expansion of applications, and the necessity of dealing with emergencies, a place other than a still place, for example, a vehicle, a ship, an aircraft, an elevator, etc. For example, a photosensitive material processing device such as an automatic developing machine or a wet copying machine may be installed.
In this case as well, the photosensitive material processing device itself swings,
It vibrates and causes the problem of contamination.

In this case, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-310351
In the light-sensitive material processing apparatus described in No. 6, since the fluid surface covering the processing liquid surface is a fluid layer such as paraffin floating on the processing liquid, the fluid layer also shakes due to the shaking and vibration of the processing liquid. The liquid may move or vibrate, and the processing liquid and paraffin may spill on the floor or the like to be contaminated, or may cross the partition between the processing tanks to cause contamination.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent evaporation, deterioration and deterioration of a processing liquid with a simple structure, and to prevent spillage and contamination of the processing liquid against shaking and vibration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light-sensitive material processing apparatus which does not cause

[0010]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described in (1) to (4) below.

(1) A light-sensitive material processing apparatus for wet-processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, wherein a plurality of processing tanks containing a processing solution and the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material are conveyed through a predetermined route. And a lid for shielding the upper opening of a predetermined processing tank among the processing tanks, and at least one set for carrying in and out the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material into the processing tank. Of the carrying-in passage and the carrying-out passage, the passage between the tanks that communicates between the adjacent predetermined treatment tanks, and the passages for the carrying-in, carrying-out passage and the passage between the tanks are shielded from these passages. And a treatment liquid replacement device for sucking and discharging the treatment liquid from a predetermined treatment tank among the treatment tanks and supplying a new treatment liquid to the predetermined treatment tank. Characterized by Optical material processing apparatus.

(2) A liquid amount detecting means for detecting the discharge amount and the supply amount of the processing liquid is provided, and the discharge amount and the supply amount of the processing liquid are properly adjusted based on the information from the liquid amount detecting means. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to (1) above, further including control means for controlling the processing liquid replacement device.

(3) The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the processing liquid replacement device can select and change a processing tank for discharging and / or supplying the processing liquid.

(4) The light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the supply and discharge of the processing solution is carried out in synchronization with the processing of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing a structural example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a structural diagram schematically showing a structural example of a processing liquid replacement apparatus in the photosensitive material processing apparatus shown in FIG. Is. As shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive material processing apparatus 1
Has a casing 1A, and in the upper part of the casing 1A, a developing tank 2, a bleaching tank 3, a bleach-fixing tank 4, a fixing tank 5 and two washing tanks 6 and 7 each having a predetermined volume.
Are arranged in this order from the left side in FIG.

Each of these processing tanks 2 to 7 contains a developing solution, a bleaching solution, a bleach-fixing solution, a fixing solution, washing water and washing water (stabilizing solution) up to a predetermined level. The temperature of each of these processing liquids is adjusted to, for example, about 20 to 50 ° C. by a heating means such as a heater (not shown).

In each of the processing tanks 2 to 7, there is arranged a carrying roller 18 for carrying the photosensitive material S such as a negative film through a predetermined path in each tank. A guide (not shown) that guides the photosensitive material S to the next conveying roller 18 is installed between the conveying rollers 18, and the descending photosensitive material S is placed near the bottom of each processing tank 2 to 7. A circular arc-shaped reversing guide (not shown) is installed. The transport roller 18, the guide, the reversing guide, and the like constitute a transport unit for the photosensitive material S.

At the upper part of the developing tank 2 and the other processing tanks 3 to 7, a lid member 8 for shielding the upper opening of the processing tank is provided.
And 9 are installed. As a result, each processing tank 2
The inside of 7 is kept in a substantially sealed state, and the contamination of the processing liquid due to evaporation, alteration / deterioration, shaking, and vibration of the processing liquid is prevented.

As the constituent materials of the lids 8 and 9 and the processing tanks 2 to 7, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyphenylene oxide (P
Examples thereof include various resins such as PO), ceramics, metals having corrosion resistance, and any combination thereof.

The thickness of the lids 8 and 9 is not particularly limited, but is usually about 1 to 50 mm, preferably about 2 to 10 mm.

In the illustrated example, the surface of each processing liquid is in contact with the lids 8 and 9, but the surface of the processing liquid and the lid 8 are in contact with each other.
There may be a space between and.

The lid 8 has a housing 10a penetrating the lid 8.
And 11a are installed, and the photosensitive material S is placed inside the housing 10a.
A carrying-in passage 12a for carrying in the developing solution and a carrying-out passage 13a for carrying out the photosensitive material S to the outside of the developing tank 2 are formed in the housing 11a.

Further, the lid 9 is provided with housings 10b and 11b penetrating the lid 9, and a carrying-in passage 12b for carrying the photosensitive material S into the bleaching solution is provided in the housing 10b.
However, a discharge passage 13b for discharging the photosensitive material S to the outside of the washing tank 7 is formed in the housing 11b.

On the upper part of each tank wall 17 between the bleaching tank 3, the bleach-fixing tank 4, the fixing tank 5 and the water washing tank 6, there are installed housings 14a, 14b and 14c which penetrate the tank wall 17, and the washing tank 6, A housing 14 d that penetrates the tank wall 17 is installed below the tank wall 17 between the seven. In each of the housings 14a to 14d, inter-tank moving passages 15a, 15b, 15c through which the photosensitive material S passes and moves so as to communicate with the adjacent processing tanks.
And 15d are formed.

In each of the carry-in passages 12a and 12b, the carry-out passages 13b and 13b, and the inter-tank moving passages 15a to 15d, a pair of blades 1 that substantially shields these passages is provided.
6 is installed.

The blade 16 is preferably made of a thin-walled elastic material whose thickness gradually decreases toward the tip, and by installing the tip portions in close contact with each other, the treatment liquid in the passage 11 for moving between tanks can be treated. It substantially blocks distribution (seal effect). Further, when the photosensitive material S passes between the blades 16, the photosensitive material S spreads the leading end portions of both blades 16 in close contact with each other, and passes while sliding on the leading end portions. At this time, the processing liquid adhering to both surfaces of the photosensitive material S is wiped off (squeeze effect), and it is prevented from being brought into the next processing tank. The sealing effect and the squeeze effect prevent the deterioration of the processing liquid due to the carry-in of the processing liquid,
Good photographic properties can be obtained, and the replenishment amount and drainage amount of the processing liquid can be reduced.

Since it is necessary to surely prevent contamination between the developing solution and the bleaching solution (or bleach-fixing solution, fixing solution), in the illustrated configuration example, a tank between the developing tank 2 and the bleaching tank 3 is provided. The passage for passage between tanks is not provided on the wall, and the photosensitive material S is once discharged from the developing tank 2 through the passage 13a for carrying out, and the passage 12b for carrying in.
It is designed to be loaded into the bleaching tank 3 from.

The constituent material of the blade 16 is, for example, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, fluororubber, butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, urethane rubber, and many other materials. Various rubbers such as sulfurized rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, silicone resin, soft polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene (especially medium or low density PE), polypropylene, fluororesin, ionomer resin, thermoran, sunplane, milastomer, hytrel Examples include various soft resins such as elastomers.

Of these, materials having excellent durability are preferable, and in this respect, urethane rubber, fluororesin, natural rubber, butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polypropylene or the above various elastomers are preferable.

The contact surface pressure between the tips of the blades 16 is
Is adjusted to the extent that the sealing effect and the squeeze effect is effectively exhibited, 0.001~0.1kg / cm ² or so, particularly preferably in the 0.005~0.02kg / cm ² approximately.

Although a pair of blades are shown in the illustrated example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base of one blade is fixed to one inner wall of the housing, and the tip of the blade is the housing. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it contacts the other inner wall. In this case, it is preferable that a portion of the inner wall of the housing, which is brought into contact with the blade tip portion, projects toward the inside of the passage.

As described above, in the present invention, the means for carrying in, carrying out, and moving the photosensitive material S between the tanks does not have a drive source or a mechanically movable part, so that the structure becomes complicated and the apparatus becomes large. No trouble, no trouble.

On top of the washing tank 7, the wet photosensitive material S
A dryer 50 for drying the is installed. This dryer 5
0 is a casing 51 communicating with the unloading passage 13b.
And a warm air supply device 52 including a warm air fan for supplying warm air for drying and a warm air blowing nozzle, and a casing 51.
And a plurality of transport rollers 53 arranged in a predetermined array.

A stocker 6 for storing and accumulating the dried photosensitive material S is provided on the photosensitive material output side of the dryer 50.
0 is set.

On the left side of the developing tank 2 in FIG. 1, an electric control unit 70 including a control means 30 described later is provided, and the electric control unit 70 causes processing conditions (photosensitive material conveying speed, processing liquid temperature, etc.). It controls replenishment conditions (replenishment timing, replenishment amount, etc.) of the processing liquid, drying conditions (drying temperature, hot air supply amount, etc.).

A sensitive material holding portion 80 for holding an unprocessed photosensitive material S is provided above the electric control portion 70. In the illustrated example, the photosensitive material holding unit 80 is capable of setting a film cartridge, and is provided with a cutter 81 for cutting the film pulled out from the film cartridge.

The exposed (photographed) photosensitive material S drawn out from the photosensitive material holding portion 80 is first introduced into the developer tank 2 through the carry-in passage 12a and between the blades 16 by the rotation of the conveying roller 18. Then, the developer is conveyed in a U-shaped path through the developer, and is once conveyed out of the processing tank through the blades 16 of the discharge passage 13a. Further, the photosensitive material S is introduced into the bleaching tank 3 through the blades 16 of the carry-in passage 12b, conveyed in the bleaching solution by a U-shaped path, passes through the inter-tank moving passage 15a, and passes through the blade 16 It is introduced into the bleach-fixing solution after a lapse of time, and subsequently similarly immersed in the fixing solution, rinsing water, and rinsing water, and is carried out of the rinsing tank 7 through the blades 16 of the carrying-out passage 13b. After that, the photosensitive material S
Is transported in the casing 51 by the transport roller 53, and is dried by warm air supplied from the warm air supply device 52 during this time. The dried photosensitive material S is sequentially stored and accumulated in the stocker 60.

Below the processing baths 2 to 7 in the casing 1A, a processing liquid replacement device 20 for replenishing the processing bath and draining the processing bath is installed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processing liquid replacement device 20.
Are the four liquid storage spaces 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d
It has a replenisher tank 21 and a drain tank 25 which are partitioned into two parts. Liquid storage spaces 21a, 21b, 21c, 21
A developer, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, and a replenisher for washing water are contained in each d.

The liquid storage space 21a and the developing tank 2, the liquid storage space 21b and the bleaching tank 3, the liquid storage space 21c and the fixing tank 5, and the liquid storage space 21d and the washing tank 7 are respectively provided with pipe lines 22a and 22a.
They are connected by 22b, 22c and 22d. Also,
The drainage tank 25 and the developing tank 2, and the drainage tank 25 and the bleach-fixing tank 4 are connected by pipelines 26a and 26b, respectively.

Further, in the middle of the pipelines 22a to 22d, pumps 23a, 23b, 23c and 23 for feeding liquid are respectively provided.
d and flowmeters 24a, 24b, 24 which are liquid amount detecting means.
c and 24d are installed, and similar pumps 27a and 27b and similar flowmeters 28a and 28b are installed in the middle of the pipelines 26a and 26b, respectively.

Further, the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 is provided with a control means 30 composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and the control means 30 includes pumps 23a, 23b, 23c and 2
3d, 27a, 27b and lines 33a, 3 respectively.
3b, 33c, 33d, 37a, 37b are electrically connected. Further, the control means 30 includes a flow meter 24a,
24b, 24c, 24d, 28a, 28b and lines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 38a, respectively.
It is electrically connected at 38b.

As the pumps 23a to 23d, 27a and 27b, for example, a centrifugal pump, a diaphragm pump, a bellows pump and a roller pump can be used.

Any of the flowmeters 24a to 24d, 28a, 28b may be used as long as it can detect the amount of the processing liquid passing through the pipeline, but an integrating flowmeter is particularly preferable, and its form is preferable. , Impeller type, gear type, etc. may be used.

Further, each of the pipelines 22a to 22d, 26a, 2
One end of 6b is connected to, for example, the bottom of a predetermined processing tank among the processing tanks 2 to 7, but in this case, it is preferable to connect it via a detachable connector (not shown). Thereby, one end of each of the conduits 22a to 22d, 26a, and 26b can be selectively connected to an arbitrary treatment tank of the treatment tanks 2 to 7, and the arrangement pattern of the treatment liquid in the treatment tanks 2 to 7 and The composition, the flow direction of the processing liquid between the processing tanks, and the like can be appropriately selected and changed.

Such selection and change may be made in accordance with the type of the photosensitive material S to be processed and the processing conditions, and the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 may be used as a moving object such as a vehicle, a ship, an aircraft or an elevator to be described later. When installed, it can be set individually to suit each moving object, which is advantageous. For example, a photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 mounted on a vehicle or an aircraft for news reporting and coverage has a piping configuration that enables rapid processing, and is mounted on a ship that requires a long voyage. On the other hand, it is possible to adopt a pipe configuration capable of further reducing the replenishment amount of the treatment liquid and the waste liquid amount.

Next, the operation of the processing liquid replacement device 20 will be described.

In synchronism with the processing of the photosensitive material S, the processing liquid in each processing tank is replaced, that is, the processing liquid is supplied and discharged.

First, the supply and discharge of the developing solution will be described. When a signal for operating the pump (hereinafter referred to as a pump operation signal) is output from the control means 30, the pump operation signal is transmitted to the pumps 23a and 27a via lines 33a and 37a, respectively. The pumps 23a and 27a start driving at substantially the same time. As a result, the new developer in the liquid storage space 21a is transferred to the conduit 2
2a is supplied into the developing tank 2 and the fatigued developing solution in the developing tank 2 is sucked, and the drain tank 25 is discharged through the pipeline 26a.
Will be introduced to.

At this time, the amount of the processing liquid that has passed through the conduit 22a (the amount of the processing liquid supplied) and the amount of the processing liquid that has passed through the conduit 26a (the amount of the processing liquid discharged) are respectively the flowmeter 24a. And 28a, this information is input to the control means 30 via lines 34a and 38a, respectively, and processed. The processing liquid supply amount and the processing liquid discharge amount detected and measured by the flowmeters 24a and 28a are the proper amounts (target values) of the processing liquid supply amount and the processing liquid discharge amount which are stored in advance in the memory of the control means 30. Be compared.

At the time when the supply amount of the processing liquid reaches the appropriate amount (at the time when the target value is reached), the control means 30 outputs a signal (hereinafter referred to as a pump stop signal) to stop the operation of the pump, and the pump is stopped. The signal is transmitted to the pump 23a via the line 33a, and the pump 23a stops.

At the time when the discharge amount of the processing liquid reaches an appropriate amount (at the time when the target value is reached), a pump stop signal is output from the control means 30, and this pump stop signal is transmitted to the pump 27a via the line 37a. Then, the pump 27a is stopped.

The target value of the processing liquid supply amount is almost equal to the target value of the processing liquid discharge amount, or in consideration of the decrease of the developing solution due to the taking out of the photosensitive material S, the target value of the processing liquid discharge amount is more than It is preferable that the value is slightly larger.

Next, the supply and discharge of the processing liquid other than the developing liquid will be described. When the pump operating signal is output from the control means 30, this pump operating signal is sent to the lines 33b to 3b.
Pumps 23b-2b through 3d and 37b, respectively.
3d and 27b and these pumps 23b-
23d and 27b start driving at substantially the same time. Thereby, a new bleaching solution in the liquid storage spaces 21b to 21d,
The fixer and the washing water are respectively provided in the conduits 22b to 22d.
Is fed into the bleaching tank 3, the fixing tank 5 and the washing tank 7 through which the tired bleach-fixing solution in the bleaching and fixing tank 4 is sucked,
It is introduced into the drainage tank 25 via the pipe line 26b.

As shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, when the washing water is supplied into the washing tank 7, the increased amount of the washing water causes the photosensitive material S to pass between the blades 16 of the passage 15d for moving between tanks. In this case, the water flows into the washing tank 6 through a slight gap between the blades 16 formed in the vicinity of both ends of the photosensitive material S in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as a gap between the blades), and further, the washing water in the washing tank 6 is washed. The water flows into the fixing tank 5 through the gap between the blades of the inter-tank moving passage 15c. The fixing tank 5 is supplied with rinsing water from the gap between the blades and the fixing liquid (may be a concentrated liquid of the fixing liquid) from the pipe 22c, and the increased amount of the fixing liquid is passed between the tanks. It flows into the bleach-fixing tank 4 through the gap between the blades 15b.

On the other hand, when the bleaching solution is supplied into the bleaching tank 3, the increased amount of the bleaching solution flows into the bleach-fixing tank 4 through the gap between the blades of the inter-tank moving passage 15a.

As a result, in the bleach-fixing tank 4, the bleaching solution and the fixing solution are respectively supplied from the adjacent bleaching tank 3 and the fixing tank 5, and these are mixed to form a bleach-fixing solution.
Then, the increased amount of the bleach-fixing solution is discharged to the outside of the tank through the pipe line 26b.

At the time of supplying / discharging the processing liquid as described above, the amount of the processing liquid that has passed through the respective pipes 22b to 22d (processing liquid supply amount) and the amount of the processing liquid that has passed through the pipe 26b (the processing liquid). Emission amount) is the flow meter 24b-2, respectively.
Detected and measured by 4d and 28b, this information is
Each is input to the control means 30 via lines 34b to 34d and 38b and processed. Flow meter 24
Each of the processing liquid supply amount and the processing liquid discharge amount detected and measured by b to 24d and 28b is an appropriate amount (target value) of the processing liquid supply amount and the processing liquid discharge amount stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 30. Compared to.

In each of the bleaching solution, the fixing solution and the rinsing water, the control means 30 outputs a pump stop signal at the time when the supply amount of the processing solution reaches an appropriate amount (at the time when the target value is reached). , And is transmitted to the pumps 23b to 23d via the lines 33b to 33d, and the predetermined pumps 23b to 23d are stopped.

At the time when the discharge amount of the processing liquid reaches the proper amount (at the time when the target value is reached), a pump stop signal is output from the control means 30, and this pump stop signal is transmitted to the pump 27b via the line 37b. Then, the pump 27b is stopped.

The sum of the target values of the respective processing liquid supply amounts of the bleaching solution, the fixing solution and the washing water is substantially equal to the target value of the processing solution discharge amount, or the amount of the developing solution carried by the photosensitive material S and the washing solution are washed. It is preferable to set the value in consideration of the difference in the amount of water taken out.

When the replenisher tank 21 is empty, it is replaced with a new replenisher tank 21. Further, when the drainage tank 25 is full, the processing liquid waste liquid in the tank is drained from the drainage tank 2
5 is discarded, and a new empty drainage tank 25 is set.

The composition and pH of the mother liquor of the processing liquid in each processing tank 2 to 7 and each replenishing liquid in the replenishing liquid tank 21 are not particularly limited, and are appropriately selected according to the type of the photosensitive material S to be processed. do it.

The preferable values of the supply amount (replenishment amount) of each processing solution are shown in Table 1 below.

[0066]

[Table 1]

In the present invention, as described above, the evaporation, alteration and deterioration of the treatment liquids are suppressed, and contamination of the treatment liquids does not occur. The amount is as small as about 50 to 90%, and as a result, the amount of waste liquid is also small.

The treatment liquid replacement device 20 is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawing, and in particular, the arrangement pattern of the pipelines can be arbitrary. For example, draining water from the washing tank 6,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which washing water does not flow into the fixing tank 5, or to supply and discharge the processing liquid in each of the processing tanks 2 to 7.

In the light-sensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, the type of light-sensitive material S to be processed is not particularly limited, and may be color or black and white. For example, color negative film, color reversal film, color positive film, color photographic paper, color reversal photographic paper, black and white negative film, black and white reversal film, X-ray photographic light sensitive material, black and white photographic paper, black and white reversal photographic paper, microfilm and the like. ,
The size is also not particularly limited.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is, for example, a large automatic processor, a small automatic processor (minilab), a wet copying machine, a printer processor, a video printer processor, a photographic print making coin machine, and a plate inspection machine. It can be applied to various photosensitive material processing devices such as color paper processing machines.

Although the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated structural examples, the present invention is not limited to these. In particular, the configuration and arrangement of the processing tank are appropriately determined according to the type of photosensitive material to be processed, and for example, in the processing of color photographic paper, a developing tank is usually used.
The bleach-fixing tank and the washing tank are arranged side by side.
Further, it is possible to add processing tanks for various purposes such as providing a preliminary water washing tank or an adjusting tank between adjacent processing tanks, for example, between the developing tank 2 and the bleaching tank 3. In addition, the lids 8 and 9 are not installed in all the processing tanks, but at least the necessary processing tanks (for example, a developing tank and a bleaching tank (bleach-fixing tank, fixing tank) which are highly required to prevent contamination). It may be installed only on one side).

[0072]

As described above, according to the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, since the upper opening of each processing tank is shielded by the lid, it is possible to prevent evaporation of the processing liquid and alteration / deterioration. Therefore, the replenishment amount and the drainage amount of the processing liquid can be reduced. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a drive source or a mechanically movable part as a means for carrying in, carrying out, and moving the photosensitive material between the tanks, the structure is not complicated, the size of the apparatus is not increased, and there is no failure. ..

Further, even when the photosensitive material processing apparatus is shaken or vibrated, the processing solution is not spilled, and the processing solution is not deteriorated due to contamination, so that good photographic properties can be stably obtained. For this reason, it is advantageous to install the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention in a moving object such as a vehicle, a ship, an aircraft, an elevator, etc.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing a configuration example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a treatment liquid replacement device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Photosensitive Material Processing Device 1A Casing 2 Developing Tank 3 Bleaching Tank 4 Bleaching Fixing Tank 5 Fixing Tank 6, 7 Water Washing Tank 8, 9 Lid 10a, 10b Housing 11a, 11b Housing 12a, 12b Carrying Path 13a, 13b Carrying Path 14a to 14d Housings 15a to 15d Passages for movement between tanks 16 Blades 17 Tank walls 18 Conveying rollers 20 Treatment liquid replacement device 21 Replenishment liquid tanks 21a to 21d Liquid storage space 22a to 22d Pipe lines 23a to 23d Pumps 24a to 24d Flowmeter 25 Drainage tank 26a, 26b Pipe line 27a, 27b Pump 28a, 28b Flow meter 30 Control means 33a-33d Line 34a-34d Line 37a, 37b Line 38a, 38b Line 50 Dryer 51 Casing 52 Warm air supply device 53 Conveying roller 60 Stocker 70 Electric control unit 80 Photosensitive Material Holding Section 81 Cutter S Photosensitive Material

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light-sensitive material processing apparatus for wet-processing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, comprising: a plurality of processing tanks containing a processing solution; and the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material conveyed by a predetermined route. Conveying means, a lid that shields an upper opening of a predetermined processing tank among the processing tanks, and at least one set of a means for carrying the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material into and out of the processing tank. The carrying-in passage and the carrying-out passage, the inter-tank moving passage that communicates between adjacent predetermined processing tanks, and the carrying-in passage, the carrying-out passage, and the inter-tank moving passage are shielded from these passages. And a treatment liquid replacement device for sucking and discharging the treatment liquid from a predetermined treatment tank among the treatment tanks and supplying a new treatment liquid to the predetermined treatment tank. Characterized by Optical material processing apparatus. 2. A liquid amount detecting means for detecting the discharge amount and the supply amount of the processing liquid is provided, and the discharge amount and the supply amount of the processing liquid are properly adjusted based on the information from the liquid amount detecting means. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the processing liquid replacement apparatus. 3. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid replacement device is capable of selecting and changing a processing tank for discharging and / or supplying the processing liquid. 4. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid is supplied and discharged in synchronization with the processing of the silver halide photographic photosensitive material.