JPH06130623A - Operation checking method for liquid replenishing device and liquid replenishing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect the abnormality in the liquid replenishing device by remaining amt. detecting means. CONSTITUTION:Whether the remaining amts. of the replenishing stock liquids in respective stock tanks attain prescribed levels or not is detected by level sensors in steps 200, 202 and step 206 and is displayed in a step 208 when the remaining amts. in all the stock tanks attain the prescribed levels. If the remaining amt. of the replenishing stock liquid in any one stock tank attains the prescribed level, this effect is displayed in a step 104 or step 210 and thereafter, a replenishing pump is run a prescribed number of times by a step 214 to a step 222 and whether the remaining amt. of the replenishing stock liquid in another stock tank attains the prescribed level or not is checked. An alarm is emitted in a step 224 when the remaining amt. of the replenishing stock liquid in any stock tanks fails to attain the prescribed level at this time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for confirming the operation of a replenisher replenishing device and a replenisher replenishing device for supplying a replenishing process liquid (replenisher) to a processing tank such as a photosensitive material processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material having an image printed thereon by immersing it in a processing solution is provided with a processing tank in which each processing solution is stored. In some cases, the photosensitive material is conveyed while being dipped and processed. For example, after a film which is a light-sensitive material is sequentially immersed in a developing solution, a fixing solution, etc. to perform development and fixing processing,
The treatment liquid is washed away with the washing water stored in the washing tank and dried to finish.

Generally, the processing performance of a processing solution such as a developing solution and a fixing solution used in a photosensitive material processing apparatus gradually deteriorates as the photosensitive material is processed. The photosensitive material processing apparatus is provided with a replenishing solution replenishing apparatus that supplies a replenishing processing solution (replenishing solution) according to the processing of the photosensitive material in order to compensate for such deterioration of the processing performance of the processing solution.

The replenisher replenishing device provided in the photosensitive material processing apparatus stores the replenishing stock solutions of the developing solution and the fixing solution in a stock tank (replenisher solution storage tank), and dilutes the replenishing stock solution from the stock tank. While being diluted with water at a predetermined ratio, it is supplied as a replenisher to the developing tank and the fixing tank. Also. When the amount of stock solution for replenishment in the stock tank is low, it is detected by the residual amount detecting means provided in each stock tank, so that the cartridge containing the stock solution for replenishment is loaded and the stock solution for replenishment is replenished to the stock tank. I have to.

In the photosensitive material processing apparatus, the replenishing solution replenishing apparatus supplies a replenishing solution to each processing tank to keep the processing performance of each processing solution constant and finish the photosensitive material with a constant quality.

In such a replenishing solution replenishing device, it is easy to control the replenishing solution to be supplied to the processing tank, and the developing solution and the fixing solution are kept constant so that the replenishing stock solution can be easily replenished by the cartridge. It is stored in the stock tank at a ratio of 1, and is supplied to each processing tank at a constant ratio by the replenishing means. Also, the stock solution for replenishment of the developing solution and the fixer solution can be replenished to each stock tank at the same time by encapsulating the stock solution for replenishment in the cartridge according to this ratio and loading only one cartridge. There is something I did.

[0007]

However, the processing liquid replenishing apparatus described above is provided with a residual amount detecting means for detecting the residual amount of the replenishing liquid in each processing liquid replenishing tank. Only by detecting the remaining amount of the stock solution for replenishment, whether the remaining amount detecting means is operating correctly,
No mechanism is provided for confirming whether or not the replenishing means for replenishing the replenishing liquid from the replenishing liquid replenishing tank to the processing tank is operating correctly.

If the photosensitive material processing device continues to process the photosensitive material without noticing that the remaining amount detecting means or the replenishing liquid replenishing device is not operating correctly, the prescribed replenishing liquid cannot be supplied into the processing tank. The processing performance of the processing liquid in the processing tank changes. For this reason, there arise problems that the photosensitive material cannot be processed with a certain quality and the quality of the finished photosensitive material is impaired.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and confirms the operation of the replenisher replenishing device for confirming the operation of the replenisher replenishing device such as the replenisher remaining amount detecting means and the replenisher replenishing means. An object is to provide a method and a replenisher replenishing device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for confirming the operation of a replenisher replenishing device, wherein replenisher is supplied from a plurality of replenisher storage tanks to a plurality of processing tanks by a replenishing means at a constant ratio. A method of confirming an operation of a replenisher replenishing device, wherein the replenisher is operated in a state in which at least one of predetermined remaining amount detecting means provided in each of the plurality of replenisher storage tanks has detected a predetermined level. At this time, the operating state of the replenishing means is judged depending on whether or not the other predetermined remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid has reached a predetermined level.

A replenisher replenisher according to a second aspect of the present invention is a replenisher replenisher that supplies replenisher from a plurality of replenisher storage tanks to a processing tank at a constant ratio by a replenisher. A predetermined remaining amount detecting means which is provided in each of the replenishing liquid storage tanks and operates when the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid reaches a predetermined level; and the replenishing means when at least one of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means operates. The control means for notifying by the notifying means when at least one of the other predetermined remaining amount detecting means is in the non-operating state after being activated.

A replenisher replenishing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the replenisher replenishing device according to the second aspect, wherein the predetermined remaining amount is maintained in a state where the replenisher liquid storage tank is filled with the replenisher liquid. The control means activates the notification means when at least one of the detection means is in an activated state.

[0013]

In the method of confirming the operation of the replenisher replenishing device according to the present invention, the predetermined remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of each replenisher in the plurality of replenisher storage tanks has reached the predetermined amount. Each replenisher storage tank stores each replenisher, and the replenishing means removes the replenisher from each replenisher so that the remaining amount of each replenisher may reach a predetermined level (for example, the lowest level) at the same time. The replenisher is supplied to the processing tank at a constant ratio. That is, the rate of decrease of the replenishing liquid in each replenishing liquid storage tank is constant, and the predetermined remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid has reached the predetermined amount (minimum level) substantially at the same time.

In this case, for example, when the initial amounts of the replenishing liquids in the two replenishing liquid storage tanks are the same, the replenishing liquids are replenished from the respective replenishing liquid storage tanks to the respective processing tanks at a ratio of 1: 1. As a result, the replenishment liquids in the two replenishment liquid storage tanks simultaneously reach a predetermined level (minimum level).

If the replenishing device is operating normally and at least one of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid reaches the predetermined amount, the replenishing liquid in the other replenishing liquid storage tank is replenished. This means that the amount of liquid has also reached a substantially predetermined amount. In this case, considering the allowable range of operation of the replenishing means (for example, pump) and the predetermined remaining amount detecting means (for example, liquid level sensor),
When the replenishing means is operated (for example, three times) in this state, the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid in the other replenishing liquid storage tanks also reaches the predetermined amount.

At this time, when there is a predetermined remaining amount detecting means which does not detect that the replenisher has reached a predetermined amount among the plurality of replenisher storage tanks, it is determined which of the replenisher replenishing devices is abnormal. be able to. That is, it is found that the operation of the replenishing means is abnormal due to a malfunction of any one of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means or that the ratio of the replenishing fluid supplied from the replenishing liquid storage tank is not constant. it can.

In the replenisher solution replenishing device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the replenisher solution is supplied from the replenisher solution storage tank in which the replenisher solution is stored at a constant rate to the processing tank by the replenishing means. For this reason, the replenishment liquid in each replenishment liquid storage tank decreases at a constant ratio, and the remaining amount of the replenishment liquid reaches a predetermined amount (minimum level) almost at the same time.

When the predetermined amount detecting means detects that the amount of the replenishing liquid in any one of the replenishing liquid storage tanks is less than the predetermined amount, the control means operates the replenishing means to detect another predetermined remaining amount. It is confirmed whether the means has detected that the remaining amount of the replenisher is less than the predetermined amount.

As a result, the amount of the replenishing liquid in all the replenishing liquid storage tanks becomes less than the predetermined amount, and if all the predetermined remaining amount detecting means detect this state, the predetermined remaining amount detecting means and the replenishing means. It is judged that there is no problem in the operation of. Also,
When even one of the remaining amount detecting means does not detect that the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid has reached the predetermined amount (non-operating state), there is an abnormality in the operation of any one of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means or the replenishing means. Then, the notification means is activated. As the notification means, it is more preferable to use a display or the like, or to issue an alarm or the like together with the display.

As the control means, the replenishing means is operated to supply the replenishing solution to the processing tank, and the predetermined remaining amount detecting means confirms the remaining amount of the replenishing solution in each replenishing solution storage tank. When the control means detects by the predetermined remaining amount detecting means that the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid is less than the predetermined amount, the control means gives a notice such as an indication that the replenishing liquid needs to be added to the replenishing liquid storage tank. A general control means for controlling may have the function of the present invention.

In the replenisher replenishing device according to the third aspect of the present invention, after the controller replenishes each replenisher reservoir with the replenisher, the controller confirms the operation of the predetermined remaining amount detector. The predetermined remaining amount detecting means is in a non-operating state when the replenishing liquid is replenished in each replenishing liquid storage tank, but at this time, if there is a predetermined remaining amount detecting means in an operating state, the remaining amount detecting means is defective. I know there is.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an automatic developing apparatus 10 which is a photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This automatic developing device 10 develops a film 20 as a photosensitive material,
After being fixed and washed with water, it is dried and finished.

The automatic developing device 10 is provided with a processing liquid processing section 14 and a drying section 16 in a machine frame 12. The processing liquid processing unit 14 includes therein a developing tank 22, a fixing tank 24, and a washing tank 26, which are partitioned along the transport direction of the film 20 (direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1). The rinse tank 2 is provided between the fixing tank 24 and the fixing tank 24 and the washing tank 26.
A processing tank 18 having 8 and 30 is provided. In the automatic developing device 10, the processing tank 18 is an integrally molded product of resin.

In the vicinity of the insertion opening 32 of the film 20 formed in the machine frame 12 of the automatic developing device 10, there is provided an insertion table 34 projecting outwardly, and the inside of the insertion opening 32 is provided. Is an insertion roller 36 that draws the film 20 placed on the insertion table 34 and inserted from the insertion opening 32.
Is provided. Instead of the insertion table 34, an auto feeder or the like may be provided to automatically insert the film 20.

An insertion sensor 94 is provided near the insertion opening 32.
Is provided so that the film 20 inserted into the automatic developing device 10 and processed can be detected. Further, in the automatic developing device 10, the processing amount of the film 20 is integrated by detecting the film 20 with the insertion sensor 94.

The developing tank 22 contains a developing solution and is driven by a motor (not shown) to form the film 2.
A developing rack 40 having a carrying roller 38 for carrying 0 is provided so as to be immersed in the developing solution. Also, the fixing tank 24
Contains the fixing solution, and the rinsing tank 26 contains the rinsing water, and the transport roller 4 is driven by a motor (not shown).
A fixing rack 46 and a water washing rack 48, which are provided with Nos. 2 and 44, are provided by being immersed in the fixing liquid and the washing water, respectively.

A crossover rack 50 is arranged above the developing tank 22, the fixing tank 24, and the washing tank 26. The crossover rack 50 is a rack 5 arranged above the developing tank 22, the fixing tank 24, and the washing tank 26.
The racks 52, 54, and 56 each have a lower surface that serves as a guide and a floating lid that prevents each processing liquid from unnecessarily contacting the outside air. I have a match.

The crossover rack 50 is provided with a plurality of rollers and is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a driving source (not shown) so as to rotate together with the rollers of the developing rack 40, the fixing rack 46 and the washing rack 48 at a constant speed. The film 20 is conveyed.

A rinse solution (water is used in this embodiment) is stored in the rinse tanks 28 and 30 arranged on the downstream side of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24. By cleaning the film 20 and the roller 60 with the rinse liquid, it is possible to prevent the processing liquid from being brought into the tank on the upstream side from the tank on the upstream side, and to transfer the processing liquid component attached to the roller 60 to the film 20. Prevents uneven processing due to.

The rack 52 above the developing tank 22 is provided with the insertion roller 36, and the film 20 is loaded on the developing tank 2.
It is provided with a roller 58 which is pulled out from the No. 2 and a roller 60 which is arranged in the rinse tank 28. The roller below the roller 60 is immersed in the rinse liquid in the rinse tank 28, and the rotation of the roller 60 causes the rinse liquid in the rinse tank 28 to be carried out to the roller and adhere to the surface of the roller 60 and the film 20. I am trying to wash away the developing solution.

The rack 54 above the fixing tank 24 is provided with rollers 58 for drawing the film 20 out of the fixing tank 24 and rollers 60 arranged in the rinse tank 30. The rack 56 above the washing tank 26 is provided with rollers 59 and 61 for pulling out and transporting the film 20 from the washing tank 26. The rollers 59 and 61 serve to squeeze the washing water adhering to the film 20. I also have.

Below the processing tank 18, the heat exchanger 6 is provided.
2 is provided, so that the developing solution and the fixing solution in the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 are respectively sent to the heat exchanger 62, and after being heat-exchanged, are returned to the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 again. By this, the developer in the developing tank 22 is
The fixing solution in the fixing tank 24 is maintained in a temperature range in which the film 20 is processed in an optimum state.

Now, referring to the drawings, the automatic developing device 10 will be described.
The replenishment and circulation of the processing liquid inside will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic developing device 10 includes a developing solution for replenishing each of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24, a developing replenishing stock solution serving as a fixing solution, and a fixing replenishing stock solution. Stock tanks 64 and 66 for storing are provided. Further, the automatic developing device 10 is provided with a cartridge loading section 102 for loading the cartridge 100 in which the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are sealed (not shown in FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the cartridge 100 used in the automatic developing device 10 has its interior partitioned into three chambers 100A, 100B and 100C. , Housing 100
The developing replenishment stock solutions (referred to as stock solution A and stock solution B) divided into two solutions are sealed in B and 100C. Here, the developer replenishing stock solution divided into two solutions is the stock solution B stored in the housing section 100C of the cartridge 100.
It has a higher viscosity than the stock solution A in B.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 10
A cap 104 having a packing 105 is provided at the tip end opening of each of the accommodating parts 0.
When 05 is broken and opened, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution flow out.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cartridge loading portion 102 is provided with a cartridge receiver 106, and each of the caps 10 of the cartridge 100 is provided.
The punching blade 108 corresponding to No. 4 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge receiver 106 is divided into a recovery tray 172 corresponding to the storage section 100A for storing the fixing replenishing stock solution and a recovery tray 170 corresponding to the storage sections 100B and 100C. Further, in the recovery trays 170 and 172, the punching blade 1 facing the cap 104 of the cartridge 100 is provided.
08 are arranged.

The cartridge 100 is loaded by press-fitting it into the cartridge receiver 106 of the cartridge loading section 102 with the cap 104 directed substantially downward. As a result, the punching blade 108 facing the cap 104 of the cartridge 100 breaks the packing 105.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the recovery trays 170 and 172 of the cartridge receiver 102 is for introducing the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution, which have flowed out of the cartridge 100, to the stock tanks 64 and 66. Inlet 1
74, 176 are formed, and each inlet 174,
176 is connected to the other ends of the pipes 110 and 112 that are opened by inserting one end into each of the stock tanks 64 and 66.

The stock solution A and the stock solution B of the developer replenishing stock solution are made to flow out to the recovery dish 170. This collection dish 17
0 indicates that the bottom plate 170A faces the accommodating portion 100C from the side of the punching blade 108 facing the accommodating portion 100B.
The punching blade 108 is provided so as to be inclined so that the space between the eight sides is low (shown in FIG. 5), and faces the housing portion 100C.
The introduction port 174 is formed on the side opposite to the punching blade 108 facing the housing portion 100B. Therefore, the storage unit 100
The undiluted solution A extracted from B flows in the vicinity of the perforation blade 108 facing the accommodation section 100C and reaches the introduction port 174.

FIG. 6 shows a punching blade 10 applied to this embodiment.
8 is shown. The piercing blade 108 includes tooth portions 109 having a substantially triangular side surface with one apex facing upward, and these tooth portions 109 are arranged with a cross-shaped gap. The perforating blade 108 breaks the packing 105 of the cap 104, and each accommodation portion 1 of the cartridge 100.
When protruding into 00A, 100B and 100C, the internal fixing replenishing stock solution, stock solution A and stock solution B flow out into the recovery trays 170 and 172 from between the respective tooth portions 109.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stock tank 64 side of the pipe 110 is inserted into the stock tank 64, and the tip of the inserted pipe 110 reaches the vicinity of the inner side wall of the stock tank 64. . Therefore, the pipe 1
The developing replenishment stock solution which has flowed through the inside of the stock tank 10 and has reached the inside of the stock tank 64 flows down along the inner side wall when flowing out from the opening of the pipe 110. Therefore, when each stock solution flows out from the pipe 110 and is stored in the stock tank 64, it is possible to prevent foaming. The fixing replenishing stock solution is also made to flow down along the inner side wall of the stock tank 66 (not shown) also in the pipe 112 opened in the stock tank 66.

Stock tank 6 for storing stock solution for replenishment of development
4 is provided with a mixing pump 114 for agitating and uniformly mixing the developer replenishing stock solution which has been divided into two solutions, and the developer replenishing stock solution contained in the stock tank 64 from the cartridge 100 is stock tank 64. Mix evenly inside. The mixing pump 114 operates for a predetermined time when the cartridge 100 of the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution 100 is loaded and the stock replenishing stock solution is filled in the stock tanks 64 and 66. The developing replenishment undiluted solution which has been divided into the undiluted solution B is circulated in the stock tank 64 so as to be mixed evenly.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a mixing pump 114 for agitating and mixing the stock developer replenishing stock solution stored in the stock tank 64 is attached to the lower part of the side surface of the stock tank 64. The discharge side pipe 115B from the mixing pump 114 is opened in the stock tank 64 above the mixing pump 114. Also, the mixing pump 1
The suction side pipe 115A of 14 is a discharge side pipe 115B.
It opens into the stock tank 64 at a higher position. By loading the cartridge 100, the liquid level of the developer replenishing stock solution supplied into the stock tank 64 is determined by the suction side pipe 115A of the mixing pump 114.
It is designed to be above the opening position of.

The stock tanks 64 and 66 each have a liquid level sensor 156 as a predetermined remaining amount detecting means which operates when the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution in the stock tanks 64 and 66 reaches a predetermined level. 158 are arranged. As the liquid level sensors 156 and 158, a general liquid level sensor such as an electrode type can be used (in this embodiment, an electrode type is used as an example). These liquid level sensors 156 and 158 are connected to the control unit 98 of the automatic developing device 10. The control unit 98 controls each unit of the automatic developing device 10, and the liquid level sensor 1
When it is detected by 56 and 158 that the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution or the fixing replenishing stock solution is less than a predetermined amount, the notifying device 99 notifies the operator. As a method of this notification, an alarm or a display can be used. By the operation of the notification device 99, the operator can know that the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution becomes less than a predetermined amount and the cartridge 100 must be replaced. That is, the replacement timing of the cartridge 100 can be known.

In this embodiment, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are replenished to the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 at the same timing and at a constant ratio by a replenishing solution replenishing mechanism described later. Further, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution supplied from the cartridge 100 to the stock tanks 64 and 66 also match this ratio, whereby the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution in the stock tanks 64 and 66 are substantially the same. The remaining amount reaches a predetermined amount at a timing.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24, mixing tanks 118 and 120 are formed by partitioning a part of the tank by a filter 116.

In the mixing tanks 118 and 120, pipes 148A and 148B for supplying dilution water for diluting the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution to predetermined concentrations are opened at one end, and one ends are stock tanks 64, respectively. The other ends of the pipes 122 and 124 opened near the bottom of 66 are opened.

Replenishment pumps 68 and 69 are provided in the middle of the pipes 122 and 124, and the replenishment stock solution in the stock tank 64 is developed through the pipe 122 by the operation of the replenishment pump 68. The fixing replenishing stock solution in the stock tank 66 is supplied to the pipe 1 by being supplied to the mixing tank 118 of the tank 22 and operating the circulation pump 69.
It is supplied to the mixing tank 120 of the fixing tank 24 through 24.
It should be noted that the piping 14 is
Water (diluting water) is supplied at a predetermined ratio into the mixing tanks 118 and 120 by a water supply means described later via 8A and 148B.

The upper parts of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 are
The bottoms of the mixing tanks 118 and 120 are communicated with the pipes 126 and 128, and the heat exchanger 62 and the circulation pumps 130 and 132 are disposed in the middle of the pipes 126 and 128, respectively. The developer in the mixing tank 118 is sucked into the pipe 126 and returned to the inside of the developer tank 22 via the heat exchanger 62, and the developer in the developer tank 22 is sucked into the pipe 128 to filter the filter 116. The developer is circulated through the mixing tank 118. Further, by operating the circulation pump 132, the fixing liquid in the mixing tank 120 is returned to the fixing tank 24 via the heat exchanger 62,
The fixing liquid in the fixing tank 24 is circulated through the filter 116 to the mixing tank 120. The developer replenishing stock solution and water in the mixing tank 118 are uniformly mixed with the developing solution in the developing tank 22 by the circulation of the developing solution, and the fixing replenishing stock solution and water in the mixing tank 120 are mixed in the fixing tank 24 by the circulation of the fixing solution. Is evenly mixed with the fixing solution.

It should be noted that the excess developing solution and fixing solution caused by supplying the developing replenisher and the fixing replenisher to the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24 are discharged to a waste liquid tank (not shown) by an overflow pipe (not shown). It has become so.

Pipes 134 and 136 having a drain valve 70 at one end are opened at the bottoms of the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24. By opening the drain valve 70, development in the developing tank 22 is performed. The liquid and the fixing liquid in the fixing tank 24 can be discharged to the outside of the machine.

In this automatic developing device 10, the film 20
The developing replenishing stock solution, the fixing replenishing stock solution, and a predetermined amount of water are supplied to the developing tank and the fixing tank according to the processing amount of No. 1, and the ratio of the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution is kept constant. As a result, the stock developer 64 and the stock developer replenishing solution in the stock tank 66 and the stock replenishing fixing solution reach the predetermined remaining amounts almost at the same time, and the stock solution replenishing developing solution and the stock replenishing solution fixing solution can be replenished simultaneously. As a result, in the automatic developing device 10, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution can be accommodated and used in the same cartridge 100.

Next, the water supply in the automatic developing device 10 will be described. In the automatic developing device 10, tap water is directly taken in from the water supply through the solenoid valve 140. The pipe 142 to which the solenoid valve 140 is connected is opened to a water supply tank 144 formed by partitioning a part of the water washing tank 26, and tap water taken into the automatic developing device 10 is supplied to the water supply tank 144. There is.

One end of a pipe 146 is opened at the bottom of the water supply tank 144. The pipe 146 is branched into a pipe 148 and a pipe 150, a water supply pump 152 is arranged at an intermediate portion of the pipe 148, and a pipe 148A, 148B is branched at an outlet side of the water supply pump 152. The formed pipes 148A and 148B are opened above the mixing tank 118 of the developing tank 22 and the mixing tank 120 of the fixing tank 24, respectively. Further, a water supply pump 154 is arranged in the middle of the pipe 150, and at the outlet side of the water supply pump 154,
It is branched into a pipe 150A opened above the rinse tank 28 and a pipe 150B opened above the rinse tank 30.

Therefore, by the operation of the water supply pump 152, the water in the water supply tank 144 is supplied as dilution water to the mixing tank 118 of the developing tank 22 and the mixing tank 120 of the fixing tank 24.
By the operation of the water supply pump 154, the rinse liquid is supplied to the rinse tanks 28 and 30. Moreover, a part of the tap water supplied into the water supply tank 144 flows into the water washing tank 26 and is used as washing water. The excess water supplied to the rinse tanks 28 and 30 is discharged to a waste liquid tank (not shown) by an overflow pipe (not shown). Further, the water overflowing from the water washing tank 26 is discharged after being used for cooling the heat exchanger 62, so that the water can be used efficiently.

A water storage tank may be provided in the automatic developing device 10 so that the water stored in this water storage tank is supplied to the water supply tank 144, or water is supplied from this storage tank to each tank. May be.

As shown in FIG. 1, the processing liquid processing unit 14
The film 20 that has been transported and processed in each processing tank inside
Are sent into the drying section 16 adjacent to the processing liquid processing section 14 by the roller 61 of the crossover rack 50.

In the drying section 16, a transport path for transporting the film 20 in a substantially horizontal state is formed by the plurality of roller pairs 72, and is directed substantially downward by the roller 74 and the guide 76 in the downstream section, and the machine frame 12 is provided. It is configured to be discharged into the receiving box 80 from the discharge port 78 formed in the.

In the drying section 16, a plurality of infrared heaters 82 are arranged above and below the transport path for the film 20. The longitudinal direction of each infrared heater 82 is arranged along the conveyance width direction of the film 20, and a guide 84 formed of a stainless wire or the like is provided along the width direction of the film 20 on the conveyance path side of the film 20. ,
A reflecting mirror 86 is arranged on the side opposite to the transport path. Therefore, the heat radiated from the infrared heater 82 is efficiently reflected between the guides 84 by the reflecting mirror 86.
The radiant heat is directed toward the surface of the film 20.
It is designed to be heated and dried.

In the drying section 16, a fan 88 is arranged adjacent to the infrared heater 82. These fans 88
Sucks in the air outside the machine as dry air,
It is designed to eject toward the surface of 0. This dry air removes the water vaporized from the film 20 from the vicinity of the surface of the film 20, and also the infrared heater 82.
The surface temperature of the film 20 heated by is kept within a predetermined range.

A blowing pipe 90 is arranged near the roller 74 and the guide 76 with the conveying path of the film 20 interposed therebetween. The blowing pipe 90 has a fan arranged below the drying section 16. Air outside the machine is supplied as dry air from 92. The blowing pipe 90 discharges the dry air toward the film 20 to remove high-humidity air near the surface of the film 20 conveyed between the rollers 74 and the guides 76, thereby promoting the drying of the film 20. I am trying to do it.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the automatic developing device 10, when the film 20 is inserted through the insertion port 32, the film 20 is drawn into the device by the insertion roller 36 and sent into the developing tank 22. The film 20 is conveyed while being immersed in the developing solution by the developing rack 40 and sent out to the rinse tank 28, and the developing solution adhered to the roller 60 and the surface of the film 20 is washed away in the rinse tank 28.

The film 20 is conveyed from the rinse tank 28 into the fixing tank 24, and is conveyed while being immersed in the fixing solution by the fixing rack 46, and the roller 60 and the fixing solution on the surface of the film 20 are washed away by the rinse tank 30.

Film 2 which has been developed and fixed
No. 0 is washed while being conveyed through the washing water by the washing rack 48, and is dried from the treatment liquid treatment section 14 while the washing water adhering to the surface is squeezed out by the rollers 58 and 61 provided on the rack 56 of the crossover rack 50. Part 16
Sent to.

In the drying section 16, while the film 20 is being conveyed by the roller pair 72, it is heated by the infrared heater 82 to dry the film 20. The dried film 20 is discharged by the roller 74 and the guide 84 to the discharge port 7.
The sheet is conveyed toward 8 and discharged to the receiving box 80.

In this automatic developing device 10, the film 20
In accordance with the above processing, the developing solution and the fixing solution are circulated in the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24, and the stock tank 64,
The developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are supplied from 66, and the dilution water is supplied by the operation of the water supply pump 152 to replenish the developing solution and the fixing solution.

The developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are the developing tank 2
2 and the fixing tank 24, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution in the stock tanks 64 and 66 are reduced. The developing replenishment stock solution and the fixing replenishment stock solution in the stock tanks 64 and 66 reach the specified remaining amounts at substantially the same time.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for detecting the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution in the stock tanks 64 and 66. Further, FIG. 9 shows the liquid level sensors 156, 1 after the cartridge 100 is replaced.
A flow chart for confirming the operation of 58 is shown. These flowcharts are performed at any time in the control flow of the operation of the automatic developing device 10 in the control unit 98.

First, the remaining amount detection of the developing replenishment stock solution and the fixing replenishment stock solution in the stock tanks 64 and 66 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step 200, the liquid level sensor 156 detects whether or not the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution in the stock tank 64 has reached a predetermined level (for example, the minimum level). When the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution has not reached the predetermined level, the process proceeds to step 202, and it is determined whether the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution in the stock tank 66 reaches the predetermined level by a liquid level sensor as a predetermined remaining amount detecting means. 158. If the fixing replenishment undiluted solution has not reached the predetermined level, it is returned. If the remaining amount of the fixing replenishment undiluted solution has reached the predetermined level, the process proceeds to step 204 and the notification device 99 is sent.
Informs that the remaining amount of the fixing replenishing stock solution is insufficient.

When the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution has reached the predetermined level in step 200, the routine proceeds to step 206, where it is confirmed whether the remaining amount of the fixing replenishing stock solution in the stock tank 66 has reached the predetermined level. Accordingly, when the remaining amount of the fixing replenishing stock solution in the stock tank 66 has reached the predetermined level, the process proceeds to step 208, and the notifying device 99 causes the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution to reach the predetermined levels. When the cartridge 100 is reached, the cartridge 100 is replaced to prompt the supply of the developing replenishment stock solution and the fixing replenishment stock solution.

When it is confirmed in step 206 that the remaining amount of the fixing replenishing stock solution has not reached the predetermined level,
In step 210, the notification device 99 notifies that the remaining amount of the developer replenishing stock solution has reached a predetermined level.

When the remaining amount of either the developing replenishing stock solution or the fixing replenishing stock solution reaches the predetermined level in steps 204 and 210, the process proceeds to step 212.
The counter N, which counts the number of times the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are replenished, is reset, and the process proceeds to step 214
It is detected whether the replenishment pumps 68 and 69 are activated. When the replenishment pumps 68 and 69 are operated, the counter N is incremented (step 216) and then step 21
The liquid level sensors 156 and 158 confirm whether the remaining amounts of the developing replenishment stock solution and the fixing replenishment stock solution both reach the predetermined levels. Only when it is detected that the remaining amounts of both the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution have reached the predetermined level, the process proceeds to step 208, and if either one is present, the process proceeds to step 222 and the counter N is used. It is confirmed whether the number of trials from step 214 to step 220 has reached a predetermined number.

In this embodiment, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are simultaneously supplied at a constant ratio to the developing tank 22 and the fixing tank 24, and the developing replenisher solution and the fixing replenisher solution are stock tank 64, Since the residual amount of the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution is set to a predetermined level substantially at the same time because they are stored in 66, the replenishing pump 68,
Although the number of trials is set to 3 in consideration of the allowable range of operation of the liquid level sensors 156 and 158, the number of trials is not limited to this, and the number of trials may be 2 or 4 or more. May be.

In this case, for example, stock tanks 64, 6
If the ratio of the developing replenishing solution and the fixing replenishing solution first stored in 6 is 2: 1, the discharge amount of the pump 68 and the pump 69
The discharge amount is set to about 2: 1 and the residual liquid amounts in the stock tanks 64 and 66 reach the minimum level almost at the same time.

When it is detected in step 222 that the remaining amount of both the developing replenishment stock solution and the fixing replenishment stock solution has not reached the predetermined level even if the number of trials reaches the specified number, the process proceeds to step 224, and the notification is given. An alarm is issued by the device 99. When the remaining amounts of both the developing replenishment stock solution and the fixing replenishment stock solution do not reach the specified levels at substantially the same time, the liquid level sensors 156, 15
8, defective operation of one of the supplementary pumps 68 and 69,
Since a defect in the replenishment system such as clogging of the pipes 122 and 124 is assumed, the control unit 98 notifies the operator by the notification device 99 and prompts the operator to confirm the device.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart for confirming the operation of the liquid level sensors 156 and 158 when the cartridge 100 is replaced.

First, in step 230, it is confirmed whether or not the cartridge 100 has been replaced, the cartridge 100 is replaced, and the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are supplied to the stock tanks 64 and 66, respectively. Only then does the process move to step 232.

In step 232, the liquid level sensor 156 confirms whether the remaining amount of the developing replenishing stock solution is above a predetermined level, and in step 234, after confirming that the remaining amount of the fixing replenishing stock solution is above the predetermined level. The process proceeds to step 236, and when the notification device 99 displays that the remaining amount of the developing replenisher or the fixing replenisher is insufficient, this display is canceled.

When any of the liquid level sensors 156 and 158 detects that the remaining amount is less than or equal to the predetermined level in steps 232 and 234, the process proceeds to step 238 and the notification device 9 is executed.
9 gives an alarm.

When the cartridge 100 is replaced, the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are stocked at a fixed ratio.
4 and 66. Therefore, the liquid level sensor 156,
When 158 is operating normally, there is no detection that the remaining amount of any one of the supplementary stock solutions is below a predetermined level,
This may cause malfunction of the liquid level sensor 156 or the liquid level sensor 158.
To inform the workers.

As described above, by comparing the detection results of the liquid surface sensor 156 for detecting the liquid surface level of the developing replenishing liquid and the liquid level sensor 158 for detecting the liquid level of the fixing replenishing liquid, the automatic developing device 10 is compared. An abnormality can be detected by self-determining the replenishment mechanism inside. As a result, the developing solution in the developing tank 22 and the fixing solution in the fixing tank 24 can be maintained at a predetermined processing capacity, and the film 20 can be finished with a constant quality.

Next, the cartridge 100 is exchanged, and the developing replenishing stock solution and the fixing replenishing stock solution are respectively supplied to the stock tank 6.
A mechanism for supplying the ink to the Nos. 4, 66 will be described.

The cartridge 100 is loaded by pulling out the empty cartridge 100 from the cartridge receiver 106 of the cartridge loading unit 102 and then inserting the cap 104 downward into the cartridge receiver 106. As a result, the punching blade 108 provided in the cartridge receiver 106 breaks the packing 105 of the cap 104, and the tip end of each punching blade 108 is inserted into the accommodating portions 100A, 1A.
Insert into 00B and 100C. As a result, the stock solution A and the stock solution B of the developer replenishing stock solution flow out into the collecting tray 170 and the fixing replenisher stock solution flows into the collecting tray 172 from between the tooth portions 109 of the perforating blades 108. The fixing replenishment stock solution that has flowed out to the recovery dish 172 flows into the stock tank 66 from the introduction port 176 through the pipe 112.

Further, the stock solution A of the developer replenishing solution that has flowed out to the recovery dish 170 flows into the vicinity of the perforating blade 108 facing the accommodation section 100C in which the stock solution B is accommodated due to the inclination of the bottom plate 170A of the recovery dish 170 and is introduced. Head to mouth 174. At this time, since the stock solution B having high viscosity and relatively low fluidity flows out from the containing section 100C along the tooth portions 109 of the punching blade 108, the stock solution A is supplied to the stocking blade 108 facing the containing section 100C. When passing the vicinity, this punching blade 10
The undiluted solution B adhering to the tooth portion 109 of No. 8 is washed off and flows toward the inlet 174. As a result, the developer replenishing stock solution mixes in such a manner that the stock solution B flows into the stock solution A, reaches the introduction port 174, and flows from the introduction port into the stock tank 64 through the pipe 110. Also, piping 1
Since 10 is opened near the inner side wall of the stock tank 64, the developer replenishing stock solution containing the stock solution A and the stock solution B flows down along the inner side wall of the stock tank 64 without being bubbled and is stored in the stock tank 64. It When supplying the developer replenishing stock solution foamed in the stock tank 64 to the developing tank 22, when the foam of the developer replenishing stock solution enters the pipe 122, the replenishing pump 68 is provided by the air lock.
This makes it possible to prevent problems in the replenishment system, such as the inability to supply the developing replenishment stock solution to the developing tank 22.

In the recovery tray 170 of the cartridge receiver 106, the stock solution A having high fluidity is passed in the vicinity of the stock solution B having low fluidity, and the stock solution B is caused to flow by the stock solution A. The stock solution B can also be reliably stored in the stock tank 64. As a result, the stock solution having a low fluidity does not remain in the vicinity of the perforation blade 108 of the recovery dish 170, and the mixing ratio of the stock solution A and the stock solution B of the developer replenishing stock solution can be maintained at a predetermined ratio. Also,
Even if there is a difference in viscosity between the stock solution A and the stock solution B, they can be stored in the stock tank 64 in a premixed state, and the mixing pump 114 can be operated in the stock tank 64 to easily mix them. It is possible to obtain a uniform mixed state.

That is, when mixing is performed using the mixing pump 114 for mixing liquids having different viscosities, it takes time to complete the mixing or the mixing cannot be sufficiently performed unless the liquids are mixed to some extent. When the stock solution is stored in the stock tank 64, the stock solution 64 having a high viscosity is made to flow by the stock solution 64 having a low viscosity.
By mixing the stock solution A and the stock solution B before storing the stock solution in the stock tank 64, the stock solution can be easily mixed in the stock tank 64, and a stock solution for replenishing the developing solution in which the stock solution A and the stock solution B are uniformly mixed can be obtained.

As the punching blade provided on the cartridge receiver 106, for example, the punching blade 180 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B can be applied. The punching blade 180 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and one end face in the axial direction is inclined with respect to the axis line, and a tooth portion 184 divided by a slit-shaped notch 182 is formed along the axial direction. The piercing blade 180 is attached by being floated from the bottom plate by a plurality of ribs 186 joined to the outer peripheral portion, and a space is formed below the piercing blade 180 (downward in the vertical direction in each figure).

As shown in FIG. 7B, this punching blade 180
Has a projecting tip, and when the packing 105 provided on the cap 104 is broken, the force concentrates on this projecting tip, so the packing 10 can be easily performed with a small force.
5 can be torn, and even with the cartridge 100 including the packing 105 of the plurality of caps 104, the respective packings 105 can be easily torn substantially simultaneously with a small insertion force.

In this embodiment, the stock tank 64
Further, a mixing pump 114 for stirring the stock developer replenishing solution in the stock tank 64 is provided, and the suction side pipe 115A is opened above the stock tank 64. Although the developer replenishing stock solution in the stock tank 64 is reduced and the liquid level is lowered, the suction side pipe 115A of the mixing pump 114 is used.
Is opened above the discharge side pipe 115B, and both the pipe 115A and the pipe 115B are opened above the mixing pump 114, so that the inside of the mixing pump 114 does not become empty and the inside of the mixing pump 114 is developed. It is possible to prevent the components in the supplementary stock solution from precipitating.

Since the mixing pump 114 is attached to the stock tank 64, the stock tank 64 can be taken out from the apparatus without removing the mixing pump 114 when performing maintenance on the stock tank 64, which is unnecessary. Maintenance is easy because there is no need to remove and install various pipes. Also,
Both the suction side pipe 115A and the discharge side pipe 115B between the stock tank 64 and the mixing pump 114 can be shortened, and it is possible to prevent bubbles from accumulating in the respective pipes. Therefore, especially in the suction side pipe 115A. Mixing pump 1 by air lock generated by air bubbles entering
The malfunction of 14 can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the cartridge receiver 1
The bottom plate 170A of the recovery tray 170 of No. 06 is tilted to guide the stock solution A flowing out into the recovery tray 170 in the direction in which the stock solution B flows out.
The undiluted solution B that has flowed out to the above is diffused in the vicinity of the perforation blade 108, and the undiluted solution B is caused to flow by the undiluted solution A. Then, the undiluted solution A and the undiluted solution B are mixed in a better condition and then poured into the stock tank 64. be able to.

In this embodiment, the film 20 is used as the photosensitive material and the film 2 is used as the photosensitive material processing device.
Although the automatic developing device 10 for processing 0 is applied, the photosensitive material processing device to which the present invention is applied and the photosensitive material processed by this device are not limited, and a photosensitive material processing device for processing another photosensitive material is applied. Can be applied to.

In this embodiment, the developing replenishing stock solution divided into two parts is used, but the present invention is applied to the cartridge receiver for accommodating the three or more divided liquid parts in the same tank while mixing them. It is of course possible to do so. At this time, the liquid having relatively high fluidity may be caused to flow in the vicinity of the liquid having low fluidity, and the liquid having low fluidity may be caused to flow as the liquid having relatively high fluidity.

[0096]

As described above, according to the method for confirming the operation of the replenisher replenishing device of the present invention, the abnormality of the replenisher replenishing device can be easily detected by using the predetermined remaining amount detecting means of each replenisher reserving tank. it can.

In addition, the replenisher solution replenishing device according to the present invention can confirm the operation of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means of each replenisher solution storage tank when the replenisher solution storage tank is replenished with the replenisher solution. Further, when the replenishing means supplies the replenishing liquid to the processing tank, and the predetermined remaining amount detecting means detects the remaining amount in the replenishing liquid storage tank, by mutually confirming the operating state of each predetermined remaining amount detecting means, It is possible to easily determine the operating states of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means and the replenishing means.

In addition to this, since a processing liquid having a constant performance is always stored in each processing tank, there is an excellent effect that the photosensitive material can be finished with a constant quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic developing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic piping system diagram of the automatic developing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the cartridge loading portion of the automatic developing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a cartridge receiver.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a punching blade.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a modified example of a punching blade, and FIG.
[Fig. 3] is a side view of the perforating blade shown in (A).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for detecting the remaining amount of stock solution for replenishment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for confirmation by a liquid level sensor after replenishing the replenishing stock solution.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic developing device 14 Processing liquid processing part 16 Drying part 22 Developing tank (processing tank) 24 Fixing tank (processing tank) 20 Film 64, 66 Stock tank (replenisher storage tank) 68, 69 Replenishing pump (replenishing means) 98 Control Part (control means) 99 Notification device (notification means) 100 Cartridges 122 and 124 Piping (replenishment means) 156 and 158 Liquid level sensor (predetermined remaining amount detection means)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shinhiro Yamamoto 1250 Takematsu, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Fuji Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for confirming the operation of a replenisher solution replenishing device, which supplies replenisher solution from a plurality of replenisher solution storage tanks to a plurality of processing tanks at a constant ratio by a replenishing means, each of the plurality of replenisher solution storage tanks. When the replenishing means is operated in a state in which at least one of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means provided in the above has detected that the predetermined level is reached, the other predetermined remaining amount detecting means causes the remaining amount of the replenishing liquid to reach a predetermined level. The method for confirming the operation of the replenisher replenishing device is characterized in that the operation state of the replenishing means is judged by whether or not it has been detected. 2. A replenishing solution replenishing device for supplying replenishing solution from a plurality of replenishing solution storage tanks to a processing tank at a constant ratio by a replenishing means, wherein the replenishing solution storage tank is provided in each of the plurality of replenishing solution storage tanks. Of a predetermined remaining amount detecting means that is activated when the remaining amount of the predetermined amount of remaining amount reaches a predetermined level, and the replenishing means is activated in a state where at least one of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means is activated. A replenisher replenishing device, comprising: a control means for notifying by at least one of the notifying means when at least one is in an inoperative state. 3. The control means activates the notification means when at least one of the predetermined remaining amount detecting means is in an operating state in a state where the replenishing fluid storage tank is filled with the replenishing fluid. The replenisher replenishing device according to claim 2.