JPH10307380A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a photosensitive material to be coated with the small quantity of processing liquid and to eliminate need for processing waste liquid. SOLUTION: The photosensitive material consisting of a silver halide photographic sensitive material being suitable for the copying of a color film original and the like is coated with developer from the nozzle hole of a jetting tank 312. A hollow chamber 354 is arranged on a side opposed to the tank 312 by interposing a carrying path D. The upper part of the chamber 354 is covered with a heating plate 356 and plural suction holes 358 piercing through the inside and the outside of the chamber 354 are formed on the plate 356. The non-coated part of the photosensitive material is sucked by the holes 358 and the photosensitive material is heated and guided by the plate 356. Besides, a carrying roller 364 squeezing the developer from the photosensitive material and carrying the photosensitive material is arranged on the dopnstream side of the path D of the photosensitive material with respect to the plate 356.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by appropriately applying a processing liquid to an image recording material such as a photosensitive material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when copying a color film original or a color print original onto a light-sensitive material such as a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, exposure, development, bleach-fixing, washing and drying are sequentially performed on the light-sensitive material. Is to be performed.

In the development, bleach-fixing, and washing, the photosensitive material is sequentially immersed in a developing solution, a bleaching solution, and washing water, which are processing solutions stored in a developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a washing tank, respectively. The solution, the bleaching solution, and the washing water were each applied.

[0004]

However, when a photosensitive material is immersed and applied in a tank in which the processing solution is stored, a large amount of the processing solution is required, and a large amount of the processing solution is used and discarded. Has the disadvantage of requiring the treatment described above.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus which enables coating with a small amount of processing liquid and can eliminate the need for processing of waste liquid.

[0006]

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the photosensitive material by sequentially performing a plurality of types of processing on the exposed photosensitive material, Transport means for transporting the photosensitive material along a transport path for guiding the photosensitive material, and processing for supplying a processing liquid used in each step to an exposed surface of the photosensitive material provided in each step of the processing Liquid supply means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the processing liquid supply means has a plurality of nozzle holes, and the processing liquid is applied to the photosensitive material by simultaneously jetting the processing liquid from the nozzle holes. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, wherein the processing liquid supply means has a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in the width direction of the photosensitive material, and the nozzle holes and the photosensitive material are relatively moved. The processing liquid is sprayed from these nozzle holes to apply the processing liquid to the photosensitive material.

The operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect will be described below. The conveying means conveys the photosensitive material along a conveying path for guiding the photosensitive material, and a processing liquid supply means provided in each of a plurality of types of processing such as development, bleach-fixing, and washing is used in each of the processes. The liquid is supplied to each exposed surface of the photosensitive material.

Therefore, the processing liquid supply means corresponding to each step supplies the processing liquid to the exposed surface of the photosensitive material, thereby at least developing, bleaching and fixing the exposed photosensitive material.
A plurality of types of processing such as washing with water are sequentially performed, and an image can be easily formed on the photosensitive material.

In addition, as the processing liquid supply means supplies the processing liquid used in each step to the exposed surface of the photosensitive material, the coating is performed by immersing the photosensitive material or the like in a tank in which the processing liquid is stored. Compared with the apparatus, it is possible to apply with a small amount of the processing liquid, and it is not necessary to treat the used processing liquid which has been used as a waste liquid.

The operation of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 will be described below. The present invention also has the same effect as in claim 1, but the processing liquid supply means having a plurality of nozzle holes simultaneously sprays the processing liquid from these nozzle holes to apply the processing liquid to the exposed photosensitive material, An image is formed on a photosensitive material.

Therefore, since the processing liquid supply means has a nozzle hole and ejects the processing liquid from the nozzle hole, the processing liquid supply means is compared with a coating apparatus in which a photosensitive material or the like is immersed and applied in a tank in which the processing liquid is stored. In addition, it becomes possible to apply with a small amount of the processing liquid, and it is not necessary to treat the processing liquid that has been used and wasted.

Further, since the processing liquid supply means has a plurality of nozzle holes, it is possible to eject a large number of water drops of the processing liquid.

Further, since the processing liquid is simultaneously jetted from the nozzle holes, the processing liquid can be applied over a wide area by a single injection, and the application time can be shortened.

The operation of the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 will be described below. According to the present invention, the processing liquid supply means has a plurality of nozzle holes which are arranged in the width direction of the photosensitive material. It is possible to apply the processing liquid over the entire width direction.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus which is an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feeding unit 12 is located at a position on the right side in an apparatus main body 10 constituting the main body of the image recording apparatus.
The exposure unit 14 is disposed at a position closer to the upper side in the apparatus main body 10, and the processing unit 16 is disposed in the center of the apparatus main body 10.
Is disposed, and a drying unit 18 is disposed at a position on the left side in the apparatus main body 10.

A pair of magazines 20 and 22 are mounted on the right end of the apparatus main body 10 in a line up and down. The inside of the magazines 20 and 22 is made of a silver halide photographic material. Photosensitive material 24 and photosensitive material 2
6 are housed in a roll shape, respectively, and are taken out from the leading ends to the sheet feeding unit 12. As an example, the photosensitive material 24 is a photosensitive material optimal for copying a color film original, and the photosensitive material 26 is an optimal photosensitive material for copying a color printed original.

The photosensitive material 24 or the photosensitive material 26 drawn from the pair of magazines 20 and 22 is supplied to the sheet feeding unit 1.
2 to the exposure window 28. And the exposure unit 14
The image of the color document 32 placed on the transparent document table 30 provided above the image is exposed.

Here, the color document 32 is pressed against the document table 30 by the irradiation device 50 and is illuminated by the lamp unit 54 in the irradiation device 50 that moves in synchronization with the scanning of the light source unit 36 immediately below the document table 30. . A transparent plate 56 (glass, acrylic, or the like) facing the color original 32 is fitted into a lower portion of a casing 52 serving as an outer frame of the irradiation device 50, and a lamp unit 5 serving as a light source is provided.
4 is sent to the color document 32 via the transparent plate 56.

The transmitted light from the color original 32 is
When the light is irradiated to a slit (not shown) of the light source unit 36, the light is reflected by a plurality of mirrors 40 and passes through the optical unit 42, and the photosensitive material 24 or the photosensitive material 24 located at the exposure window 28 by opening a shutter (not shown). The material 26 is exposed. The optical unit 42 includes a condenser lens and a plurality of filters such as yellow, magenta, and cyan.

A step motor 58 having a pulley 60 is disposed at a position on the left side of the lamp unit 54.
A pulley 62 is disposed at a position on the right side of the lamp unit 54, and a timing belt 64 is stretched between the pulleys 60 and 62. And the timing belt 64
One end of the lamp unit 54 is fixed at a predetermined position of the lamp unit 5.
4 is performed.

That is, by controlling the stepping motor 58 so as to scan the lamp unit 54 in synchronization with the scanning of the light source unit 36 as described above, the color original 32
Is constantly radiated to the slit (not shown) of the light source unit 36.

On the other hand, a switching guide 70 capable of changing the direction is provided at an intermediate portion of the transport trajectory of the photosensitive materials 24 and 26 (position after passing through the exposure window 28). Therefore, when all the exposures are completed, the photosensitive material 24 or the photosensitive material 26 to be fed downward in FIG. 1 is temporarily moved in the reverse direction, and the leading end thereof is stopped upstream of the switching guide 70. Then, the switching guide 70 is turned so as to be guided to the processing unit 16.

In the processing section 16, a developing section 72, a bleach-fixing section 74, and a washing section 76 are provided in succession, and development, bleach-fixing, and washing are sequentially performed by a processing liquid filled therein. The photosensitive materials 24 and 26 that have been washed with water are sent to the drying unit 18. Further, in the drying section 18, the washed photosensitive materials 24 and 26 are dried and sent out onto the tray 80.

As described above, a series of operations such as exposure, development, bleach-fix and drying are performed in the apparatus main body 10, and the image of the color original 32 is recorded and formed on the photosensitive materials 24 and 26.

Here, the processing of the photosensitive material in the processing section 16 will be specifically described below using the photosensitive material 24 as an example.

That is, the exposed photosensitive material 24 conveyed from the switching guide 70 side is first sent to the developing section 72 in the processing section 16. As shown in FIG. 2, an injection tank 312 which constitutes a part of a coating device 310 which is a processing liquid supply unit is arranged at a position of the developing unit 72 facing the transport path D of the photosensitive material 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, a developer bottle 332 for storing a developer to be supplied to the injection tank 312 is disposed below and to the left of the injection tank 312. Above 332, a filter 334 for filtering the developer is disposed. A liquid feed pipe 342 in which a pump 336 is arranged on the way connects the developer bottle 332 and the filter 334.

Further, a sub-tank 338 for storing the developing solution sent from the developing solution bottle 332 is disposed on the right side of the injection tank 312, and a liquid sending pipe 344 extends from the filter 334 to the sub-tank 338.

Accordingly, when the pump 336 is operated, the developer is sent from the developer bottle 332 to the filter 334 side, and the developer that has passed through the filter 334 and is filtered is sent to the sub-tank 338, where the developing solution is sent to the sub-tank 338. The liquid is once stored.

The sub tank 338 and the injection tank 31
A liquid supply pipe 346 connecting the liquid supply pipe 2 and the liquid supply pipe 2 is provided between the liquid supply pipe 346 and the developer supply bottle 332 via a filter 334, a sub tank 338, a liquid supply pipe 346, and the like. The inside of the injection tank 312 will be filled.

A circulation pipe 348 having one end connected to the developer bottle 332 is connected to the sub-tank 338 so as to protrude into the sub-tank 338 and extend therefrom. The liquid bottle 332 is returned.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A box-shaped chamber 354 having a hollow inside is located on the side opposite to the ejection tank 312 with respect to the ejection path 312 and on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the photosensitive material 24 with respect to the ejection tank 312. Are located. This chamber 354
A heating plate 356, which is a smooth flat plate enclosing a heater or the like (not shown), is covered on the top of the heating plate 356. In the heating plate 356, a large number of suction holes 358 penetrating between the inside and outside of the chamber 354 are provided at regular intervals. It is formed with.

Further, at one end of the chamber 354,
A fan (not shown) for sucking air in the chamber 354 is provided, and a duct 362 connects between the chamber 354 and the fan.

Therefore, by operating the fan, the air in the chamber 354 is sucked through the duct 362, and accordingly, the non-coating surface of the photosensitive material 24 (see FIG. Lower side)
The heating plate 356 heats the photosensitive material 24 on the transport path D and guides the photosensitive material 24.

Further, the injection tank 312 and the heating plate 35
6, a transporting means comprising a plurality of rollers for squeezing the developing solution from the photosensitive material 24 after the developing solution is sprayed and transporting the photosensitive material 24 downstream of the transporting path D of the photosensitive material 24 Is disposed.

The bleach-fixing section 74 and the washing section 76 also have the same structure as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, instead of the developer bottle 332, a bleach bottle for storing bleach is disposed in the bleach-fixing section 74, and a washing water bottle for storing washing water is arranged in the washing section 76.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a rectangular thin plate which can be elastically deformed is provided on a part of the wall surface of the injection tank 312 which faces the conveyance path D of the photosensitive material 24. A bent nozzle plate 322 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the nozzle plate 322 has a plurality of nozzle holes 324 (for example, several tens μm in diameter) for ejecting the developing solution filled in the ejection tank 312. The photosensitive material 24 is arranged linearly along a direction intersecting with the transport direction A of the photosensitive material 24 at regular intervals, and is arranged over the entire width of the photosensitive material 24. For this reason, the injection tank 31 is
2 can be discharged to the photosensitive material 24 side.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an exhaust pipe 330 extends from the upper part of the injection tank 312,
The exhaust pipe 330 allows communication between the inside and the outside of the injection tank 312. A valve (not shown) for opening and closing the exhaust pipe 330 is provided in the middle of the exhaust pipe 330, and the opening and closing movement of the valve allows the inside of the injection tank 312 to communicate with and close to outside air. I have.

As shown in FIG. 6, both ends of the nozzle plate 322, which is the end of the nozzle plate 322 located in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the plurality of nozzle holes 324 arranged linearly, are a pair of levers. The nozzle plate 322 and the pair of lever plates 320 are connected to each other by being bonded to the plates 320 with an adhesive or the like. The pair of lever plates 320 are fixed to the pair of side walls 312A via narrow supporting portions 312B formed respectively below the pair of side walls 312A of the injection tank 312.

On the other hand, a part of a pair of top walls 312C that abut against each other to form the top surface of the injection tank 312 protrudes to the outside of the injection tank 312, and is provided below the protruding top wall 312C. Are arranged with a plurality of piezoelectric elements 326 (three on each side in the present embodiment) bonded to be actuators. The lower end of the piezoelectric element 326 is bonded to the outer end side of the lever plate 320 so that the piezoelectric element 3
26 and the lever plate 320 are connected.

Therefore, the piezoelectric element 326 and the lever plate 3
20 and the support portion 312B constitute a lever mechanism, and when the outer end side of the lever plate 320 is moved by the piezoelectric element 326, the lever plate 320 is moved in the opposite direction to this movement.
The inner end side of the will move. The piezoelectric element 326
Is formed of laminated piezoelectric ceramics, for example, and has a large displacement in the axial direction of the piezoelectric element 326. A power source (not shown) controls the timing of voltage application by a controller. It is connected. And the valve for opening and closing the exhaust pipe 330 described above also
It is connected to this controller, which also controls the opening and closing movement of the valve.

On the other hand, the lever plate 320 and the side wall 312
A, the support portion 312B and the top wall 312C respectively form a part of an integrally formed frame 314,
As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of the frames 314 is overlapped and screwed with a bolt (not shown),
The outer frame of the injection tank 312 is formed in a state where the pair of lever plates 320, the pair of side walls 312A, the pair of top walls 312C, and the pair of support portions 312B are arranged to face each other.

Further, the left and right ends of the nozzle plate 322, which are the ends of the nozzle plate 322 positioned in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle hole 324, and the ends of the pair of frames 314 include thin sealing portions. The stop plate 328 is arranged in a state of being bonded to the pair of frames 314.

Further, a gap between the left and right ends of the nozzle plate 322 and the ends of the pair of frames 314 and the sealing plate 328 is filled in the inside of the sealing plate 328, and development is performed from between these portions. In order to prevent the liquid from leaking, an elastic adhesive, for example, a silicone rubber-based adhesive is filled.
Therefore, without hindering the movement of the left and right ends of the nozzle plate 322,
The gap of the injection tank 312 is sealed by the elastic adhesive. Note that the left and right ends of the injection tank 312 may be sealed with only the elastic adhesive without using the thin sealing plate 328.

As described above, when power is supplied to the piezoelectric element 326 from the power supply, as shown in FIG. 7, the piezoelectric element 326 is extended and the lever plate 320 is rotated around the support portion 312B, and the piezoelectric element 326 is rotated. The nozzle plate 322 is moved so that the element 326 raises the center of the nozzle plate 322 along the arrow B direction.
Is displaced while being deformed. And this nozzle plate 32
With the deformation of 2, the pressure of the developer in the spray tank 312 increases, and a small amount of the developer L is sprayed collectively from the nozzle hole 324 in a linear manner.

The jet tank 312 of the bleach-fixing section 74 and the washing section 76 has the same structure as described above, and operates in the same manner.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The photosensitive material 24 sent from the magazine 20 and having been exposed,
The photosensitive material 2 is conveyed to the processing section 16 and
4 is first sent to the lower side of the injection tank 312 of the developing unit 72. Then, the developing solution is attached to the photosensitive material 24 conveyed along the conveying path D by jetting the developing solution from the jet tank 312. The operation and operation at this time will be described below.

That is, the injection tank 312 which is disposed opposite to the transport path D of the photosensitive material 24 and stores the developing solution,
The developer is sprayed toward the photosensitive material 24 and the spray tank 3
A transport roller 364 arranged downstream of the photosensitive material 24 with respect to the transport path D of the photosensitive material 24 squeezes the developing solution from the photosensitive material 24 after the developing solution has been sprayed, and at the same time,
Is further transported.

The side opposite to the injection tank 312 across the transport path D of the photosensitive material 24,
A heating plate 356 is disposed between the transfer plate 12 and the transport roller 364. The heating plate 356 is sucked by the suction holes 358 to heat the photosensitive material 24 on the transport path D by the heating plate 356. It is transported while being guided by the heating plate 356.

More specifically, after the developer is conveyed on the conveyance path D from the switching guide 70 side and the developing solution is attached to the front end side of the photosensitive material 24 by jetting from the jet tank 312, the developing solution is also moved on the heating plate 356. Sent while sliding, photosensitive material 2
When the leading end side of the photosensitive material 4 is nipped by the transport roller 364, the transport of the photosensitive material 24 is stopped for, for example, several seconds, and the photosensitive material 24 is heated by the heating plate 356.

Thereafter, the conveyance is started again by the conveyance roller 364, and the photosensitive material 24 in the portion where the developing solution is applied is applied.
Is sent out from above the heating plate 356.

Accordingly, the heating plate 356 sucks the photosensitive material 24 through the suction holes 358, and the photosensitive material 24 is guided while the photosensitive material 24 is in close contact with the heating plate 356 and slides. When jetting, the injection tank 3
The clearance K (shown in FIG. 6) between the photosensitive material 12 and the photosensitive material 24 is kept constant. Therefore, there is no portion on the photosensitive material 24 where the developer is not attached, and the developer can be uniformly applied on the photosensitive material 24.

Further, as described above, the transport path D of the photosensitive material 24 on the side opposite to the non-coated surface on which the developing solution is not applied.
The heating plate 35 is placed on the side facing the injection tank 312 with the
6 will be arranged. For this reason, after the developer is applied to the photosensitive material 24 and before it permeates into the photosensitive material 24, not only does it not have to be transported by contacting the application surface which is the photosensitive surface with a transport roller or the like, but also, The photosensitive material 24 is heated by the heating plate 356 so that the developer can permeate into the photosensitive material 24 in a short time, so that the image quality of the image on the photosensitive material 24 is not deteriorated.

Further, the photosensitive material 24 is transported by a transport roller 364.
A heating plate 356 for sucking and guiding the photosensitive material 24 by the suction holes 358 is disposed between the ejection tank 312 and the transport roller 364 even if a shock is applied to the photosensitive material 24 when the photosensitive material 24 is inserted and pinched, Since the photosensitive material 24 is sucked into the suction holes 358, no impact is transmitted to the portion of the photosensitive material 24 which is located opposite the ejection tank 312,
As a result, the developer can be more uniformly applied onto the photosensitive material 24.

Before the developer is injected from the injection tank 312, the valve of the exhaust pipe 330 is first closed by the controller. When spraying the developer while atomizing it in this state, a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements 326 by energization from a power supply controlled by a controller, and all the piezoelectric elements 326 are deformed so as to be simultaneously expanded.

When the plurality of piezoelectric elements 326 expand and contract so as to extend simultaneously, a pair of lever plates 320 are supported.
Along with swinging around 12B, the portion of the nozzle plate 322 around the nozzle hole 324 located between the pair of lever plates 320 extends along the direction toward the photosensitive material 24 on the transport path D. The nozzle plate 322 is reciprocated (in this case, moves in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7), and the developer in the injection tank 312 is pressurized by the nozzle plate 322.

As described above, with the operation of the piezoelectric element 326, the developer filled in the injection tank 312 is jetted from the plurality of nozzle holes 324. As a result, the injection tank 312
As shown in FIG. 7, the developer filled in
4 and is atomized while being ejected from the photosensitive material 24 to adhere to the photosensitive material 24 being conveyed.

At this time, the nozzle plate 322 installed in the injection tank 312 as a part of the wall surface of the injection tank 312
The plurality of nozzle holes 324 for injecting the developer are
Are arranged along the entire width direction of the piezoelectric element 326, and along with the operation of the piezoelectric element 326, the lever plate 320 is swung around the support portion 312B extending along the direction in which the plurality of nozzle holes 324 are linearly arranged. Therefore, the entire portion of the nozzle plate 322 provided with the plurality of nozzle holes 324 is uniformly displaced,
The developer filled in the ejection tank 312 is ejected from each of the plurality of nozzle holes 324.

Accordingly, the injection tank 312 is
Since the developing solution is sprayed from the nozzle hole 324, it is possible to apply a small amount of the developing solution compared to a coating apparatus in which a photosensitive material or the like is immersed in a tank in which the developing solution is stored. This makes it possible to not only eliminate the necessity of treating the used developer as a waste liquid, but also to dry the developer in a short time.

The injection tank 312 is provided with a plurality of nozzle holes 324 arranged over the entire width of the photosensitive material 24.
Since the developer is simultaneously ejected from these nozzle holes 324 by a single displacement by the piezoelectric element 326, it is possible to apply the developer over a wide area over the entire width of the photosensitive material 24 with a single ejection. It is possible to shorten the application time.

Further, a lever plate 320 is connected at both ends of the nozzle plate 322 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle hole 324, and the nozzle plate 322 and the piezoelectric element 326 are connected via the lever plate 320. Therefore, the nozzle holes 324 can be stably displaced collectively along the longitudinal direction of the plurality of nozzle holes 324 arranged linearly with the same displacement amount, and the uniform development solution Coating becomes possible.

The developing solution is applied over the entire surface of the photosensitive material 24 by spraying the developing solution from the nozzle holes 324 many times at an arbitrary timing in combination with the transport speed of the photosensitive material 24.

On the other hand, since the particle size is determined by the nozzle holes 324 and the gas is not mixed with the liquid, there is no variation in the particle size, and the nozzle holes 324 are arranged linearly at regular intervals. Therefore, the dispersion of the landing position is eliminated. For this reason, these variations do not hinder the uniformity of the liquid on the surface of the photosensitive material 24 which is the coated surface.

Further, since the plurality of nozzle holes 324 are arranged linearly at regular intervals along a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 24, the nozzle plate 322 is scanned on a two-dimensional plane. This eliminates the necessity, and enables large-area application in a short time. Further, the nozzle hole 3 is formed in the photosensitive material 24.
Since the nozzle plate 322 having 24 does not contact,
Clogging, contamination, and the like are eliminated, and the durability of the application device 310 is improved.

On the other hand, since it is only necessary to form a plurality of nozzle holes 324 in the nozzle plate 322, no integration technique is required, and the coating apparatus 310 can be manufactured at low cost.

Further, the nozzle holes 324 of the nozzle plate 322
When the developer is ejected from the sub-tank, although the developer in the ejection tank 312 sequentially decreases, the sub-tank 338 has a function of supplying the developer and keeping the water level in the ejection tank 312 constant. The developer is supplied from the 338 side, and the water pressure in the spray tank 312 during atomization can be maintained at a constant value, and continuous spray of the developer is ensured.

Thereafter, the photosensitive material 24 to which the developing solution as a processing solution has been applied in the developing section 72 is transferred to the transport roller 36.
4 to the bleach-fixing unit 74,
After the bleaching solution is applied in the same manner, the bleaching solution is sent to the rinsing unit 76 and the rinsing water is applied. The bleach-fixing unit 74 and the rinsing unit 76 also have the same function as described above. Then, the above steps are performed sequentially and continuously.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8 and will be described below. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a felt 414 is disposed below a coating tank 412 which is a processing liquid supply means in which processing liquid is stored. Are transported while being in contact with each other, so that the processing liquid is oozed out from the application tank 412 via the felt 414 and supplied.

As described above, with the compact and low-cost apparatus configuration of the felt 414, it is possible to apply a small amount of processing liquid, and to apply a uniform processing liquid to the photosensitive material 24 while eliminating the need for waste liquid processing. It becomes possible.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9 and will be described below. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a coating roller 424 is rotatably disposed in a processing liquid tank 422 filled with a processing liquid, and the coating roller 424 is driven by a driving source such as a motor (not shown). To rotate. That is, the processing liquid tank 422 and the application roller 424 constitute a processing liquid supply unit.

Therefore, the photosensitive material 24 is conveyed while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 424 projecting from the surface of the processing liquid, and adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 424 with the rotation of the application roller 424. The processed liquid adheres to the lower surface of the photosensitive material 24, and the processing liquid is supplied.

As described above, the compact and low-cost apparatus configuration of the processing liquid tank 422 and the coating roller 424 enables the application with a small amount of processing liquid and makes the uniform processing of the photosensitive material 24 unnecessary while eliminating the waste liquid processing. Application of the processing liquid becomes feasible.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 10 and will be described below. The first
The same members as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the base end is connected to a tank (not shown) in which the processing liquid is stored, and a slit-like processing liquid supply means whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the plane of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a certain liquid feed pipe 432 is arranged at a position in contact with the transport path D.

The photosensitive material 24 is conveyed while being brought into contact with the upper end, which is the tip of the liquid feed pipe 432, so that the processing liquid that has flowed out from the upper end of the liquid feed pipe 432 is removed.
The processing liquid is supplied while being attached to the lower surface of the photosensitive material 24.

As described above, the compact and low-cost apparatus configuration of the slit-shaped liquid sending pipe 432 enables the application with a small amount of processing liquid and makes the processing of the photosensitive material 24 uniform while eliminating the need for waste liquid processing. The application of the liquid becomes feasible.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11 and will be described below. The first
The same members as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a porous roller 442 serving as a processing liquid supply means having a large number of holes (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface and impregnating the processing liquid into these holes is used. It is arranged at a position in contact with the transport path D,
The porous roller 442 is configured to be rotated by a driving source such as a motor (not shown).

Accordingly, the photosensitive material 24 is conveyed while being brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the porous roller 442, so that the processing liquid seeps out from a large number of holes formed on the outer peripheral surface of the porous roller 442. Thus, the processing liquid is supplied while being attached to the lower surface of the photosensitive material 24.

As described above, the compact and low-cost apparatus configuration of the porous roller 442 enables the application with a small amount of the processing liquid and makes it unnecessary to treat the waste liquid, and uniformly applies the processing liquid to the photosensitive material 24. Can be realized.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 12 and will be described below. The first
The same members as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a spray tank 452, which is a processing liquid supply means having a spray hole (not shown) for spraying the processing liquid on the upper surface side, faces the transport path D as shown in FIG. Are located.

Therefore, by spraying the processing liquid from the spray tank 452, the processing liquid adheres to the lower surface of the photosensitive material 24 and the processing liquid is supplied.

As described above, the compact and low-cost apparatus configuration of the spray tank 452 makes it possible to apply a small amount of processing liquid and to eliminate the need for processing waste liquid, and to uniformly apply the processing liquid to the photosensitive material 24. It becomes feasible.

In the above-described embodiment, the transport means for transporting the photosensitive material along the transport path is the transport roller 364.
However, for example, a structure in which the photosensitive material is conveyed by a belt may be adopted, and in this case, the photosensitive material may be conveyed while being securely mounted on the belt by a negative pressure or an adhesive.

Further, the first and second embodiments in the above embodiment are described.
In the embodiment, the processing liquid is supplied from the upper side with the exposure surface as the upper surface side, and the processing liquid is supplied from the lower side with the exposure surface as the lower surface side in the third to sixth embodiments. The processing liquid may be arranged in the opposite direction to the embodiment, and the processing liquid may be supplied from the opposite direction to the above embodiment. Although the chamber 354 is not shown in the third to sixth embodiments, the chamber 354 may be provided in these embodiments.

On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the explanation has been made using the image recording apparatus using the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material. However, the light-sensitive material of the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the present invention can be applied to other sheet-like or roll-like image recording materials, and the processing solution applied to the photosensitive material may be a processing solution other than the developing solution.

On the other hand, the nozzle plate 322, which is the nozzle of the injection tank 312 according to the first embodiment, is provided with a nozzle hole linearly at a predetermined interval along a direction intersecting the direction of the photosensitive material transport path D. Although 324 are arranged in one row over the entire width of the photosensitive material, two or more nozzle rows may be arranged in a zigzag pattern, for example.

In this case, since a plurality of nozzle rows are arranged in which the nozzle holes 324 are linearly arranged at regular intervals along the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the photosensitive material over the entire width of the photosensitive material. A large number of water droplets can be adhered to the photosensitive material with a small number of displacements, and can be closest packed or applied a plurality of times, so that the application amount can be increased and the uniformity can be improved.

[0096]

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the coating can be performed with a small amount of the processing liquid and the processing of the waste liquid can be omitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a coating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the injection tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a state where the photosensitive material is conveyed below the injection tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an injection tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state in which water is injected from an injection tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 image recording device 24 photosensitive material 26 photosensitive material 310 coating device 312 injection tank 322 nozzle plate 324 nozzle hole 326 piezoelectric element

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an exposed photosensitive material by sequentially performing a plurality of types of processing on the exposed photosensitive material, wherein the photosensitive material is transferred along a conveyance path for guiding the photosensitive material. An image characterized by comprising: transport means for transporting a material; and processing liquid supply means provided in each step of the processing and supplying a processing liquid used in each step to an exposed surface of the photosensitive material. Forming equipment. 2. The processing liquid supply means has a plurality of nozzle holes, and applies the processing liquid to the photosensitive material by simultaneously jetting the processing liquid from these nozzle holes.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. The processing liquid supply means has a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in the width direction of the photosensitive material, and moves the nozzle holes and the photosensitive material relative to each other. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid is applied to the photosensitive material by spraying the liquid.