JPS60203945A - Preparation of processing solution in photographic automatic developing machine and its processing bath - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable preparation of a starting processing soln. without providing a tank for preparing the starting soln. by using a processing bath as the preparation tank of the starting soln. CONSTITUTION:The processing bath is filled with water to a level mark 4A through a level gage 3 by using a hose or the like to prepare the starting processing soln. in the processing bath, the kit 7 of a processing agent is added into it while the soln. is circulated with a circulating pump 1, and after circulation and agitation, conveying racks are fitted. Photographic films or photographic printing papaers having latent images are passed through the processing bath filled with an adjusted starting soln. by using the conveying racks 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Applicability Yf] The present invention provides a method for preparing a processing solution in an automatic processor for processing photographic materials, and a method suitable for use in carrying out the preparation method. This relates to a processing tank.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a processing solution and a processing tank in an automatic processor that automatically develops a photographic material while replenishing a starting processing solution filled in the processing tank with a replenishing processing solution.

[Prior Art] In order to process a photographic material while replenishing a replenishing processing liquid (hereinafter simply referred to as replenishing liquid) using an automatic processor,
Usually, start treatment liquid (hereinafter simply referred to as start liquid)
Two types of processing liquids are used: a replenisher and a replenisher. When processing is started for the first time using an automatic processing machine that has been delivered and installed, or when the processing solution in the processing tank is discarded for some reason, the processing layer is first filled with the start solution, and then the processing amount of the photosensitive material is A predetermined amount of replenishing liquid is replenished in response to this, and a portion of the processing liquid in the processing tank that has become exhausted is discharged to the outside from the overflow outlet.

The starting solution and the replenishing solution are usually prepared by dissolving or diluting a processing agent kit with water in a processing solution preparation tank called a dissolution tank or the like. However, the use of a processing liquid preparation tank requires space for its installation and work space for dissolution work.
This poses a problem when working in narrow spaces such as small color photo labs. In order to eliminate the processing liquid preparation tank for dissolving or diluting such replenishment liquid, for example, for replenishment liquid, it is necessary to prepare the replenishment liquid in a replenishment tank for storing the replenishment liquid, or to remove the processing agent key / ) and water supply. A so-called automatic replenishment device has been proposed that measures, mixes, and replenishes a tank by the amount necessary for one or several refills. However, despite the fact that the amount of the starter solution to be prepared is larger than that of the replenisher, the current situation is that no improvements have been made to it.

As a result of various studies on methods for preparing the starter solution, the inventor of the present invention discovered that by dissolving the starter solution in a processing tank, the starter treatment agent can be dissolved without the need to prepare a preparation tank called a conventional dissolution tank. I found out what I can do. Automatic processing machines are usually equipped with a circulation device to circulate the processing solution in the processing tank. It was found that sufficient mixing was possible by removing and attaching the transport rack. It has also been found that preparation can be carried out more satisfactorily by removing the transport rack and preparing the starting solution; however, in this case, if a photosensitive material transport means called a transport rack is attached after preparation, It has been found that since the liquid level increases by the capacity of the conveying means such as the conveying tank, it becomes extremely difficult to prepare the correct amount of starting liquid with the conveying rack etc. removed.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to prepare a star I/liquid preparation tank such as a dissolution tank for preparing a start liquid, and to prepare a start liquid. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a processing solution in an automatic processor, and a processing tank suitable for use in carrying out the method.

[Structure of the Invention] The method of the present invention that achieves the above-mentioned object is a processing method in an automatic photographic processing machine that automatically develops a photographic light-sensitive material while replenishing a replenisher solution to a start solution filled in a processing tank. The method of preparing a liquid is characterized in that a processing tank is used as a container for preparing a starting liquid used in the processing tank.

Further, the processing tank according to the present invention is a processing tank in an automatic photographic processing machine that automatically develops a photographic light-sensitive material while replenishing a replenisher to a start solution filled in the processing tank, It is characterized by having a liquid level display means used for liquid preparation.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is to install a conveying means for continuously conveying the photographic material into a processing tank filled with the start liquid after the preparation of the start liquid.
The processing tank of the present invention ensures that when the photographic material conveying means is installed after preparing the start liquid, the liquid level of the start liquid reaches the reference mark provided below the flow outlet of the processing tank. It is preferable to have a mark to indicate. In particular, the mark indicates the liquid level of the dissolving or diluting water before adding the processing agent, and/or the liquid level after adding the dissolving or diluting water and the processing agent. preferable.

When the transport rack is installed, the liquid level does not necessarily have to be exactly at the overflow outlet (or the reference mark provided below the outlet), but if the liquid level is too high above the overflow outlet, it will be wasteful. If the amount increases and the liquid level becomes too low below the overflow outlet, the time during which the photosensitive material is immersed in the processing liquid becomes short, which is undesirable. Therefore, when the transport rack is attached, the liquid level is preferably within ±20% from the overflow outlet, and more preferably within ±10%. For this reason, it is preferable that the processing tank of the present invention is provided with a base tongue mark immediately below the overflow outlet.

The start solution may be prepared in the same way as the replenisher from a processing agent kit with the same amount of starting solution as separate from the replenisher kit, or
In some cases, the above-mentioned replenisher kit is used for preparation.

For the latter, ■ When using the replenisher as it is as a starting solution, ■ When diluting the replenisher and using it as a starting solution, ■ When adding a so-called starter to the replenisher and using it as a starting solution, ■ When using the replenisher as a starting solution. In some cases, it is diluted and a starter is added to it and used as a starting solution. The present invention can be applied to any of these cases, and it is preferable to provide the necessary liquid level display means for each color.

[Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Examples.
The embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

1 to 3 are diagrams showing a processing tank in an automatic photographic processor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a method for preparing (dissolving) a starting solution using the processing tank. In the figure l
is a pump that circulates the processing liquid, 2 is an overflow outlet, 3 is a liquid level gauge installed so that the liquid level can be seen from outside the tank,
471 is a mark (liquid level display means) indicating the liquid level of water required to prepare a starting liquid whose liquid level reaches the overflow outlet when the transport rack is installed, and 5 is a mark (liquid level display means) of 4A. Water is filled up to the mark, 6 is a hose for supplying water, 7 is a processing agent kit (liquid or powder) used to prepare a processing solution, and 8 is a transport rack.

To prepare the starting solution in the treatment tank, fill water with hose 6 etc. to the position marked 4A as shown in Figure 1, and then add the treatment agent kit while circulating with circulation pump 1 as shown in Figure 2. 7 is injected, sufficiently circulated and stirred, and then a transport rack 8 is attached as shown in FIG. 3, so that the starting liquid can be dissolved and prepared in just the right amount. The liquid level display means used for preparing the starting liquid may be any means that allows the liquid level to be recognized. It may be a mark attached to a transparent or translucent member partially attached to the wall of the processing tank so that the water can be seen, or a liquid level detection sensor linked to an indicating means such as a lamp or buzzer. It may be. It is preferable that the circulation passage including the circulation pump 1 is provided at a position where not only the lower opening IA but also the upper opening IB are below the liquid level. The circulation direction may be from any direction.

The automatic processor used in the present invention automatically develops a photographic film or photographic paper having a latent image by passing it through a transport rack into a processing tank filled with the starting solution prepared as described above.

At this time, the processing tank is replenished with the replenisher, but the replenishment method includes a method of intermittently supplying a fixed amount of replenisher to overflow the processing solution in the processing tank, and a method of replenishing a fixed amount of replenisher. Any method can be adopted, such as a method of continuously supplying the liquid.

When the photographic light-sensitive material to be processed is color, an automatic photographic processor automatically carries out processes such as color development, bleach-fixing (or bleaching and fixing), stabilization (anhydrous rinsing), etc. It is common to have more than one processing tank,
In this case, it is clear that it falls within the technical scope of the present invention as long as the liquid preparation method or tank configuration of the present invention is implemented in at least one processing tank.

The automatic photographic processor preferably used to apply the present invention is a type with a built-in replenisher tank (including a removable one), and a specific example thereof is Utility model registration order (A) filed on the 27th,
Examples include devices shown in (B), (C:), and (D). That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the photographic paper 102 in the magazine 103 attached to the mounting part 101 enters the main body 104 from the main body entrance part 105, and is transferred to the developing tank 106, the bleach-fixing tank 107, and the first rinsing tank 108. , second rinsing tank 109
After being automatically developed, it is dried in a drying section 110, taken out from the main body outlet 111, or subjected to cutting and other processes at the upper part of the main body 104 to become a product print.

Developer tank 106, bleach-fix tank 107, first rinse tank 108
As shown in the figure, the second rinsing tanks 108 are sequentially arranged in parallel, each tank is provided with a roller for transporting the photographic paper, and the photographic paper 102 is immersed in the liquid while being subjected to a predetermined process. ing. A water supply tank 115 (optional) includes replenisher tanks 112, 113, and 114 for automatically replenishing the processing solution for processing the photosensitive material, and stores water for diluting or dissolving the processing agent. ) is made into a kit, and a waste liquid tank (not shown) for storing the waste liquid after treatment (various types 10B to 108 and replenisher tanks 112 to 14)
4) and/or reserve tank 116.
117 (optional) is removably housed. In addition, 118, 119, 120 are replenisher kits,
Reference numeral 121 indicates an opening/closing lid that also serves as a shelf on which the kits 118, 119, and 120 are placed. If such a device is used, the water supply tank is made into a kit and the waste liquid tank is built-in, so the device can be operated without the need for utility supply means such as water pipes or waste liquid discharge piping means. In addition, since such piping is not required, piping construction costs can be kept low, the entire device can be made compact, and it is also suitable for so-called demonstrations, such as when water supply cannot be secured. The present invention is most preferably applied to such a device.

Note that the treatment agent kit 7 used in the above example does not necessarily have to be a so-called start method treatment agent kit (starter); for example, it may be a replenisher kit or a starter may be added thereto to prepare a starting liquid amount. You may use the treatment liquid obtained by

And the liquid level display means (mark) when kit 7 is also included.
It is also preferable to provide 4B. In addition,
In the figure, 4C indicates a reference mark provided under the overflow outlet.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to achieve the above-mentioned object, and is particularly suitable for application to an automatic developing machine that does not require utility supply means such as water pipes or waste liquid discharge pipe means. be effective.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show cross-sectional views of a processing tank in an automatic photographic processor showing an embodiment to which the present invention is applied,
Figure 1 shows the state filled with water up to the liquid level indicator (mark) attached to the liquid level gauge, Figure 2 shows the state where the processing agent kit for preparing the processing liquid has been injected, and Figure 3 shows the transport rack. It is shown with the . FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an automatic developing machine suitable for applying the present invention. In the figure, l is the circulation pump, 2 is the overflow outlet, 3 is the liquid level gauge, 4A is the mark indicating the level of water required to prepare the starting liquid, and 4B is when Kit 7 is also included. 4c is a reference mark provided under the overflow outlet, 5 is water, 6 is a hose, 7 is a processing agent kit, and 13 is a transport rack. Photograph by Roku Konishi, patent applicant. Kogyo Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Nobuaki Sakaguchi (and 1 other person)

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A method for preparing a processing solution in an automatic photographic processing machine that automatically develops a photographic light-sensitive material while replenishing a replenishment processing solution to a start processing solution filled in the processing tank. A method for preparing a processing solution in an automatic photographic processor, characterized in that the processing tank is used as a preparation container for a start processing solution used in the processing tank. (2) The photograph according to claim 1, characterized in that, after the start processing solution is prepared, a conveying means is installed to continuously transport the photographic light-sensitive material into a processing tank filled with the start processing solution. A method for preparing a processing solution for an automatic processor. (3) A processing tank in an automatic photographic processing machine that automatically develops a photographic light-sensitive material while replenishing a replenishment processing solution to a start processing solution filled in the processing tank, which is used for preparing the start processing solution. A processing tank characterized by having a liquid level display means. (4) When the liquid level display means used for preparing the start processing liquid is attached to the photosensitive material conveying means after preparing the start processing liquid, the liquid level of the start processing liquid is below the overflow outlet of the processing tank. 4. The processing tank according to claim 3, wherein the processing tank is a mark indicating that the reference mark is reached. (5) The processing tank according to claim 4, wherein the mark indicates the liquid level of the dissolving or diluting water before adding the processing agent. The processing tank according to claim 4, wherein the mark (6) indicates the liquid level after adding the dissolving or diluting water and the processing agent.