JP2813842B2 - Photosensitive material processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a silver halide photosensitive material after exposure (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "photosensitive material" or "sensitive material").

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A black-and-white photosensitive material is processed by processes such as black-and-white development, fixing and washing after exposure, and a color photosensitive material is processed by a process such as color development, desilvering, washing and stabilization after exposure. You.

A black-and-white developing solution for black-and-white development, a fixing solution for fixing, a color developing solution for color development, a bleaching solution, a bleach-fixing solution, a fixing solution for desilvering, and tap water or ion for washing with water. Exchange water and a stabilizing solution are used for the stabilizing treatment, respectively.

The temperature of each processing solution is usually adjusted to 20 to 50 ° C., and the photographic material is immersed in these processing solutions for processing.

[0005] Such processing is usually performed by a processing device such as an automatic developing machine.

In such a case, in recent years, environmental conservation and resource saving have been demanded, and it has been desired to reduce the amount of processing solution used in each processing solution.

On the other hand, with the development of a small-scale processing system called a mini-lab, photosensitive materials have been processed at stores such as photo shops, so that downsizing of the apparatus is desired.

[0008] In view of the above situation, the present applicant firstly
"A photosensitive material, comprising: a plurality of cleaning chambers formed of a block-shaped member and sequentially connected by a narrow passage; and a transport unit configured to transport the photosensitive material so as to sequentially pass through each of the cleaning chambers. Processing apparatus "(JP-A-2-205846).

In addition, there has been proposed such a photosensitive material processing apparatus which is applied to processes other than washing (washing), such as development and desilvering (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-267549).

Further, the applicant of the present invention has proposed that a rack having a plurality of processing chambers connected by passages and a transport means for sequentially passing a photosensitive material through each processing chamber is removably mounted in a processing tank. A material processing apparatus, wherein a partition member that partitions a first region including a processing chamber through which a photosensitive material first passes into a processing tank and a second region including a processing chamber through which a photosensitive material last passes is provided on the rack side. Wherein the end of the partition member is engaged with the inner surface of the processing tank to substantially block the flow of the processing liquid between the first and second regions. (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 1-24).
No. 8930).

In these devices, the size of the apparatus can be reduced and the processing efficiency can be improved, so that the use amount of the processing liquid can be reduced.

As described above, the processing efficiency is improved because the processing chambers are connected by the narrow passages, so that there is almost no mixing of the processing liquids between the processing chambers, and the processing liquids follow the supply direction of the processing liquids. This is because the concentration ratio of the liquid composition of the processing liquid in each processing chamber is maintained.

For example, in the case of rinsing water, the degree of contamination of the rinsing water changes between the processing chambers in accordance with the direction of supply of the rinsing water (wash water), and the photosensitive material is conveyed in a direction opposite to the supply direction of the rinsing water. As a result, the photosensitive material is sequentially treated with clean washing water, and the washing efficiency is improved.

In the apparatus having the above-described structure, in order to maintain the concentration ratio of the composition of the processing solution in each processing chamber, generally, a predetermined shielding means is provided to prevent mixing of the liquid between the processing chambers. ing. Specifically, a valve using buoyancy, a shield plate using rotation of a crank arm, a roller shutter using rotation of a cylindrical body having a slit-like opening, or the like is used.

However, the shielding means as described above does not have a sufficient effect of preventing the mixing of the liquids between the processing chambers, and it is desired to improve this point.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve the maintenance of the concentration ratio of the liquid composition of the processing liquid between the processing chambers, thereby improving the processing efficiency and miniaturizing the apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of improving photographic performance.

[0017]

This and other objects are attained by the present invention which is defined below as (1) and (2).

(1) The processing tank has a continuous processing path having a plurality of processing chambers sequentially connected by narrow paths, and each processing is performed while the silver halide light-sensitive material sequentially passes through the processing chambers. A photosensitive material processing apparatus configured to perform processing by contacting a processing solution filled in a chamber, wherein two blades are installed in the narrow passage, and a space between the two blades is provided. The silver halide light-sensitive material passes therethrough, and the tips of the two blades are configured to contact each other when the silver halide light-sensitive material does not pass through, and both sides of the two blades are sealed and connected. A photosensitive material processing apparatus wherein the narrow path is blocked by the blade pair.

[0019]

[0020]

(2) The light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to (1), wherein a replenisher of the processing solution is replenished into the continuous processing path when the silver halide light-sensitive material is processed.

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

In the present invention, a plurality of processing chambers are sequentially connected by a narrow passage to form a continuous processing passage, and at least one pair of blades is preferably installed in the narrow passage. When the photosensitive material is not passed, the tips of the photosensitive material are in contact with each other, so that a concentration gradient of the liquid composition of the processing liquid is generated between the processing chambers from the processing liquid supply port according to the supply direction. In addition, the concentration ratio is maintained for a relatively long time, and the processing efficiency is improved.

If a structure in which a plurality of processing chambers are sequentially connected by a narrow passage is adopted, a concentration ratio is given to the liquid composition between the processing chambers. As a result, this concentration ratio is maintained dramatically and over a long period of time.

That is, when the light-sensitive material does not pass, the effect of blocking the liquid by the blade is large, and there is almost no liquid flow between the processing chambers.

Also, when the photosensitive material passes, the blade comes into contact with both surfaces of the photosensitive material, and the squeezing action of the blade for removing the liquid carried on the photosensitive material allows the photosensitive material to carry the liquid from the processing chamber into the processing chamber. Less.

When passing through the light-sensitive material, mainly the light-sensitive material,
Liquid flow occurs through the minute gap between the blades.

At this time, since the blade is excellent in flexibility and shape followability, the flow amount of the liquid is very small. Also, the amount of circulation can be controlled.

Therefore, in both the case where the photosensitive material passes and the case where the photosensitive material does not pass, the interruption of the liquid flow by the blade is large, and the mixing of the liquid between the processing chambers is prevented.

In the present invention, the supply of the processing solution replenisher, that is, the replenishment, is preferably performed from the supply port at a predetermined position during the processing of the photographic material.
Since there is a liquid flow from the replenisher supply port to each processing chamber,
An amount corresponding to this liquid circulation amount can be supplied as a replenisher.

Thus, sufficient processing efficiency can be obtained even if the replenishment amount is small.

When the photosensitive material passes through the narrow passage, the photosensitive material comes into contact with the blade, thereby not only reducing the carry-in of the liquid between the processing chambers but also reducing the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material. The film formed is destroyed and the process is accelerated.
This improves photographic performance.

Further, when the processing is stopped, the concentration ratio of the liquid composition of the processing liquid in each processing chamber is maintained because the liquid blocking property by the blade is large, and the frequency of the liquid exchange of the processing liquid when the processing is restarted is reduced. Can be.

The above effects can be obtained not only when the blade pair is installed, but also when an integral blade whose side portions are connected and sealed is installed in the blade pair.

With such a blade, the amount of liquid flow is reduced both when the photosensitive material passes and when it does not pass.

[0037]

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing an example of a structure in which the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a washing processing apparatus.
2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. As shown in these figures, the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 of the present invention has a vertically long processing tank 2 having a predetermined volume. A rack 3 is detachably loaded into the processing tank 2. This rack 3
Has side plates 31 and 32, and several block-shaped members (hereinafter, referred to as block bodies) 4 are installed between these side plates.

These blocks 4 are made of, for example, plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyphenylene oxide (PPO), ABS resin, phenolic resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, ceramics such as alumina, and various metals such as stainless steel and titanium. Of a hard material. In particular, it is preferable to be made of plastics such as polypropylene, PPO, ABS resin, etc. from the viewpoint of excellent moldability, light weight, and sufficient strength.

Although the block 4 is a solid member in the illustrated example, it may be formed as a hollow member (for example, manufactured by blow molding).

With such a block body 4, five processing chambers 6A, which are spaces for washing the photosensitive material S with water, are provided.
6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are formed. Each of the processing chambers 6A to 6E is filled with washing water W. In the illustrated configuration, the volume per processing chamber is 20 to 30.
It may be about 00 ml.

The processing chambers 6A and 6B vertically adjacent to each other,
Between 6B and 6C, 6C and 6D and 6D and 6E,
Narrow passages 71, 72, 73 and 74 connecting both processing chambers are formed. Similar passages 75 and 76 for loading and unloading the photosensitive material S are formed in the upper portions of the processing chambers 6A and 6E, respectively. The width (effective slit width) of these passages 71 to 76 is preferably about 0.5 to 5 mm, which is about 5 to 40 times the thickness of the photosensitive material S. With such a width, the photosensitive material S
Is transported without hindrance.

In the illustrated configuration, the length of the passage between the processing chambers is 10 to 200 mm, preferably 20 to 60 m.
m.

As described above, the processing chambers 6A to 6E and the passage 7
1 to 76 form a continuous processing path.

Each of the passages 71 to 74 is provided with a pair of blades 15 as shown. The pair of blades 15 are attached to the block body 4 such that the tips thereof come into close contact with each other when the photosensitive material S does not pass therethrough. Then, when the photosensitive material S passes through, the leading end is pushed out by the entry of the photosensitive material S.

FIG. 4A shows the processing path 71 in FIG.
An enlarged view of a part is shown. As shown in FIG. 4A, the blade 15 has a base attached to the block body 4 and a tip having a tip portion whose thickness gradually decreases toward the tip, and is used in combination of two blades. Also,
As shown in FIG. 4B, the blade 15 may have a base portion and a tip portion having the same thickness.

At this time, the average inclination angle of the tip of the blade 15 with respect to the surface of the photosensitive material S is generally 30 to 60 ° C.
The angle is preferably about 30 to 45 °.

The entire length of the blade 15 including the base portion, which is the mounting portion of the block body 4, may be longer than the effective slit width (w) of the passage. The thickness is preferably 10 to 50 mm, particularly preferably 15 to 25 mm, which is 3 to 10 times. The overlap between the tips of the blades 15 when the photosensitive material does not pass through the pair of blades 15 installed opposite to each other is preferably about 1 to 10 mm, particularly about 2 to 5 mm. The thickness is 1/1 of the length of the blade 15.
The thickness may be 00 or more, or 0.5 mm or more, generally 0.7 to 2 mm, particularly 1 to 1.5 mm.

Under these conditions, the adhesiveness between the tips of the blades 15 when the photosensitive material S does not pass is ensured, and the flow of the washing water W can be effectively blocked. Further, the washing water W can be circulated when the photosensitive material S passes, and the circulating amount of the rinsing water W can be as small as a required replenishment amount.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when the photosensitive material S passes, the blade tip 155 is expanded by the entry of the photosensitive material S between the two blades 15, and the photosensitive material S is mainly located between the blade tips 155. A gap 715 is formed at both side edges in the width direction. Such a gap 71
The formation of 5 enables the above-described liquid circulation, and the amount of the liquid circulation can be controlled by selecting the material of blade 15 or the like.

The material of the blade 15 is, for example, natural rubber,
Various rubbers such as chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, fluoro rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber, soft polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, ionomer resin, fluorine resin, silicone resin, etc. There is no particular limitation as long as it is an elastic material such as a soft plastic and does not adversely affect the washing water W, and can be appropriately selected according to a replenishing amount and the like.
In particular, silicone rubber is preferable.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the processing chamber 6
A pair of transport rollers 8 are installed near the center of each of A, 6B, 6D, and 6E, and three pairs of transport rollers 8 are installed in the processing chamber 6C. Further, a pair of conveying rollers 8 are provided near the photosensitive material entrance of the passage 75 and near the photosensitive material exit of the passage 76, respectively.

Each of these transport rollers 8 has a rotating shaft 8
At 1, both of the roller pairs are driven and rotated by the side plates 31 and 32, and the photosensitive material S is conveyed while sandwiching the photosensitive material S between the rollers.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drive mechanism of the transport roller 8 includes a bevel gear 83 fixed to a predetermined position of a main shaft 82 extending in the vertical direction in FIG.
1 and a bevel gear 84 fixed to one end of the roller pair 1 rotates a main shaft 82 in a predetermined direction by operation of a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, so that one of the transport rollers 8 of the roller pair is rotated. It is designed to rotate. A gear 85 is fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 81 of each transport roller 8, and the rotation of one roller 8 of the roller pair is transmitted to the other roller 8 by meshing of the gear 85. Has become.

The material of each transport roller 8 is preferably one having durability and chemical resistance to washing water W. For example, various rubbers such as neoprene, EPT rubber, sunplane, thermolan, Hytrel, etc. Elastomer, rigid vinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene,
ABS resin, PPO, nylon, polyacetal (PO
M), phenolic resin, polyphenylene sulfide (P
PS), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), various resins such as Teflon, ceramics such as alumina, stainless steel, titanium,
Metals having corrosion resistance, such as Hastelloy, or a combination thereof can be given.

A guide 9 for guiding the photosensitive material S is provided between the transport rollers 8 in the processing chambers 6A, 6B, 6D and 6E and the passages 71 to 74.

The guide 9 is composed of a pair of plate-like members, and is installed facing each other with an interval through which the photosensitive material S can pass.

Further, between the transport rollers 8 in the processing chamber 6C,
A reversing guide 10 which is curved in an arc shape and changes the direction of the photosensitive material S along the curved portion is provided.

The guides 9 and 10 are made of, for example, a molded plastic or metal plate. Also, it is preferable that openings (not shown) penetrating the guides 9 and 10 are formed substantially uniformly. Thereby, circulation of the washing water W becomes possible, and circulation is promoted, so that washing efficiency is improved.

The guides 9 and 10, the transport roller 8, and a drive system thereof constitute transport means for the photosensitive material S.

Above the processing chamber 6E, a liquid supply passage 11 having one end open and the other end communicating with the passage 76 is formed through the block body 4. In addition, above the processing chamber 6A,
A drain passage 12 having one end open and the other end communicating with the passage 75 is formed through the block body 4.

On the other hand, the processing tank 2 is provided with a liquid supply pipe 13 and a drain pipe 14 which penetrate the side wall and open to the inner surface of the processing tank. Then, with the rack 3 loaded in the processing tank 2, the liquid supply path 11 and the liquid supply pipe 13, the liquid discharge path 12 and the liquid discharge pipe 1
4 are respectively connected.

The liquid supply pipe 13 is for supplying (replenishing) the washing water W, and the drain pipe 14 is for supplying the overflow water O of the exhausted washing water W after the treatment due to overflow or the like.
Or to exhaust the F _1.

The rack 3 is provided with a plate-like partition member 17. As shown in FIG. 6, this partition member 17
The first area 18 shown by oblique lines on the left side of the figure and the second area 19 shown by oblique cross lines on the right side of the figure are partitioned to block the flow of the washing water W in both areas.

The first area 18 is an area including the processing chamber 6A through which the photosensitive material S first passes, and in the illustrated example, also includes the processing chamber 6B through which the photosensitive material S passes second. Second area 19
Is a region including the processing chamber 6E through which the photosensitive material S passes last, and in the illustrated example, also includes a processing chamber 6D through which the photosensitive material S passes second from the last.

As shown in FIG. 2, both end portions 171 and 172 of the partition member 17 are tapered (the width gradually decreases downward in the figure), while the corresponding side walls of the processing tank 2 are formed. 21 and 22 are also tapered at the same angle. Thereby, when the rack 3 is inserted into the processing tank 2, the ends 171 and 172 of the partition member 17 are connected to the side walls 21 and 2 of the processing tank 2.
2 to define a first area 18 and a second area 19. At this time, the engagement portion comes into close contact with the weight of the rack 3 and substantially prevents the flow of the washing water W. If a sealing member such as a packing made of an elastic material is provided at the engaging portion, for example, at the ends 171 and 172, the washing water W
It is preferable because the blocking property of the phenol is further improved.

The taper angles of the ends 171 and 172 of the partition member 17 and the side walls 21 and 22 of the processing tank 2 are not particularly limited, but are preferably about 2 to 10 ° with respect to the vertical direction. In addition, the same material as that of the block body 4 can be used as a constituent material of the partition member 17, and even if the partition member 17 is joined to a separate member from each of the block bodies 4 and the side plates 31 and 32. It may be formed integrally.

Further, outside the side plates 31 and 32 and at predetermined positions in the height direction of the rack 3, the side plates 31, 3
A flat plate 20 orthogonal to each of the second and partition members 17 is provided. The main shaft 82 penetrates the flat plate 20 and is supported. The installation position of the flat plate 20 is determined by the passage 71
It is preferable that the height is set at or near a certain height where the height is 74. The flat plate 20 prevents the flow of the processing liquid in the vertical direction between the side plate 31 and the side wall 21 and between the side plate 32 and the side wall 22. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the processing liquid in each of the processing chambers 6A to 6E from being mixed through the outside of the side plates 31 and 32.

Next, the usage and operation of the photosensitive material processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.

When the processing of the photosensitive material S is started, the washing water W is supplied from the liquid supply port 13, and the processing chambers 6A to 6E and the narrow passages 71 to 74 are filled with the washing water W.

At this time, as described above, the blade 15 is configured to block the flow of the washing water W when the photosensitive material S does not pass therethrough. It is preferable that the objects are conveyed and supplied smoothly. Further, a liquid supply port may be provided in each of the processing chambers 6A to 6E to fill the washing water W.

When the rinsing water W is filled in this way, the photosensitive material S is carried into the rinsing water W in the passage 75 above the processing chamber 6A, and at the same time, the replenishment of the rinsing water W from the liquid supply pipe 13 is started. Is done.

The reason why the replenishment of the washing water W is started simultaneously with the start of the processing of the photosensitive material S as described above is because the effect of blocking the washing water W by the blade 15 is great, so that the photosensitive material S enters the blade 15. Starting by letting the washing water W
Is substantially distributed.

In this case, strictly speaking, the washing water W does not flow even if the washing water W is replenished until the tip of the photosensitive material S reaches the blade 15 provided in the passage 74 below the processing chamber 6E. .

In the present invention, however, the number of replenishments is increased (every 30 to 90 seconds) (every 5 to 30 seconds),
Very small replenishment amount (0.5-
10 ml), so the blade 1
By the time it reaches 5, the liquid level rises only slightly, and there is no problem such as backflow from the liquid supply pipe 13.

The photosensitive material S in the present invention is mainly of a long winding type including paper and the like. Even if the photosensitive material S is not of a long winding length, the distance between adjacent blades in the continuous processing path is 1.
Those having a length of 3 times or more, preferably 2 times or more are covered.

Accordingly, in the case of the long-length photosensitive material S, the photosensitive material S is placed in the processing chambers 6A, 6B, 6
C, 6D, and 6E are transported in this order, but when passing through the blade 15 installed in the passage 74 below the processing chamber 6E,
Each time the washing water W is replenished, the washing water W constantly flows in the opposite direction (counter flow) to the conveying direction of the photosensitive material S, and the replenishment is continued during the processing period to form this liquid flow.
The overflow solution OF ₁ is discharged from the drain pipe 14.

At this time, the flow rate of the washing water W through the blade 15 between the processing chambers is 0.1 to 100 ml / min.
Preferably it is 0.5 to 50 ml / min, which substantially corresponds to the replenishment amount.

Incidentally, the conveying speed (linear speed) of the photosensitive material S
Is about 0.3 to 20 m / min.

The content of the agent such as the fixing agent in the washing water W by the carry-in from the previous bath carried on the photosensitive material S is large in the processing chamber 6A, and is large in the processing chamber 6B, 6C, 6D,
It gets smaller as it goes to 6E. That is, the squeezing effect of the blade 15 causes extremely reduction in carry-in from the processing chamber to the processing chamber, and the liquid blocking property of the blade 15 is extremely large except for the liquid flow due to the supply of the washing water W as described above. And that the washing water W is supplied as described above.

For example, the processing chambers 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D,
The fixing agent concentration at the time of running equilibrium in 6E was
If C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ , C ₄ , and C ₅ are satisfied, the following relationship is satisfied.

[0082]

This tendency is the same for other drugs.

The squeezing effect of the blade 15 reduces the carry-in of the washing water W between the processing chambers due to the photosensitive material S, but the conventional blocking means (for example, as shown in FIG. 11).
Compared to, the amount carried sensitive material 1 m ² per 10
It can be reduced by about 70%.

On the photosensitive material S, in particular, on the emulsion surface, a boundary film such as waste products washed out with water is formed, but the blade 15 comes into contact with the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material S to form a boundary. The membrane is destroyed. This promotes water washing and improves water washability. Specifically, washing out of oil-soluble substances such as a residual developing agent in a color photographic material or the like becomes sufficient.

When the processing is completed and the photosensitive material S is carried out of the washing water W in the passage 76 above the processing chamber 6E, the replenishment is stopped at the same time.

After the completion of the processing, that is, immediately after the photosensitive material S is carried out of the processing tank 2 (10 to 100 after carrying out).
), The flow rate of the washing water W through the blade 15 is 0.0001 to 0.5 in the replenishing direction of the washing water W.
ml / min, preferably 0.001-0.1 ml / min.

Further, with respect to the chemicals such as the fixing agent brought in from the pre-bath, taking the fixing agent as a representative example, the relation of the concentration of the fixing agent in each processing chamber immediately after the end of the processing is almost the same as that during the processing.

The concentration of the chemicals and the like in each processing chamber in the above description should be referred to as the degree of contamination of the washing water W.

As described above, the blade 15 has the function of shutting off the liquid flow when the photosensitive material S is not processed, and has the function of flowing the liquid in the same direction as the replenishing direction when the photosensitive material S is processed. And a function to destroy the membrane.

At this time, the flow rate of the washing water W is determined by the gap between the photosensitive material S and the blade 15 formed when the blade 15 is spread when the photosensitive material S passes. The presence of the gap allows for replenishment.

Accordingly, the replenishment amount may be substantially the same as the circulation amount, and mainly depends on the width, thickness, transport speed and the like of the photosensitive material S. If color paper is taken as an example, it is shown in Table 1. It will be something like

[0093]

[Table 1]

The replenishment amount exemplified in Table 1 is approximately 50 to 80% of the replenishment amount as compared with the conventional case, and even with such a replenishment amount, there is no generation of stain due to poor washing or the like.
In addition, as a result, the washing efficiency can be improved, so that the apparatus can be downsized.

Further, when the photosensitive material S is not passed through (unprocessed), the flow of the washing water W is cut off by the blade 15, so that the flow rate of the washing water W in the suspended state is It is 0.0001 to 0.5 ml / min, and preferably 0.001 to 0.1 ml / min, from the upper part of the tank 2 to the lower processing chamber.

Each processing chamber 6A when the processing is stopped
It said fixing agent concentration ~6E likewise be following relationship between the C ₁ -C _5.

[0097]

Thus, the washing water W during the suspension of the treatment is
Is very small. As a result, even in a case where the processing is suspended for a long time and then restarted, an efficient water washing processing can be immediately performed.

In the above description, the photosensitive material having a long winding has been described. However, in the case of a photosensitive material other than the long winding, a counterflow is formed when the photosensitive material passes through the blade 15 provided in the passage 74, and thereafter, the photosensitive material is formed. The liquid is conducted in the portion of the blade 15 through which the liquid passes, and the liquid is not completely shut off in other portions of the continuous processing path, so that a counterflow liquid flow is formed in the entire continuous processing path.

In the photosensitive material other than the long-wound photosensitive material, the flow rate of the liquid in a state where the photosensitive material is present in all the blade portions is the same as that of the long-wound photosensitive material. When such a photosensitive material is present in some blade portions, the flow rate of the liquid in the photosensitive material passing portion is 0.1 to 100 ml / min, preferably 0.5 to 50 m / min.
1 / min. Furthermore, in the case where the liquid does not flow due to the blocking effect of the blade in principle, the flow rate of the liquid generated at the time of replenishment is 0.1 to 100 ml / min, preferably 0.5 to 50 ml / min. Further, the concentration relationship of the agent such as the fixing agent in each processing chamber is almost the same as that of the long winding.

The replenishment timing and replenishment amount control described above may be performed using a known control method and means.

In the illustrated example, a pair of blades 15 is provided in each of the passages 71 to 74. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of blades 15 may be provided. When there are a plurality of pairs, there are usually 2 to 5 pairs, and all blades having the same shape may be used in combination with blades having different lengths.

The squeeze effect,
It is possible to improve the liquid blocking property and the like, thereby further reducing the replenishing amount. For example, when the number of pairs is increased from one pair to two pairs under the same condition, the number of pairs is reduced by about 20 to 30% as compared with the number of pairs.

In the above, the blade pair is used in the narrow passage, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, an integral blade shown in FIG. 7 may be used. The blade 5 shown in FIG. 7 is installed and used in the processing tank 2 at substantially the same location as the above-mentioned blade pair.

The blade 5 is composed of two blades 51 and 52 in the form of a blade pair.
Side surfaces 53 and 54 are integrally provided for sealingly connecting 52 with a thin plate of the same material as this. This side 5
In the portions 3 and 54, the portions corresponding to the tips of the blades 51 and 52 (that is, the overlapping portions when the photosensitive material is not passed when the blades are paired) are sealed so that the photosensitive material S can pass through. Without any breaks 55, 56 are provided. The dimensions and the like of such an integral blade 5 may be in accordance with the aforementioned paired blade.

With such a blade 5, the flow of the liquid between the processing tank wall and the photosensitive material S can be further reduced as compared with the blade pair under the same conditions, and as a result, the replenishment amount can be reduced by 10%. It can be reduced by about 50%. Also,
The concentration of chemicals and the like in each of the processing chambers 6A to 6E is substantially the same as that of the blade pair.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a blade pair as described above or an integrated blade.
One blade can be used in combination. When this is used, a single blade is installed so as to close the narrow passage, and one end (base) of the single blade is fixed to the passage wall, and a gap formed between the other end (tip) and the passage wall surface is formed. Photosensitive material S
May be passed.

Further, in addition to the blade, another blocking mechanism may be provided for blocking the movement of the liquid when the photosensitive material does not pass. 8A, 8B, and 8C in combination with the blade pair 15, for example.

FIG. 8A shows a rotary shutter 61 having a substantially semicircular cross section, and controls the flow and shutoff of the liquid by rotation.

FIG. 8 (b) shows a combination of two rotating bodies 62, 62 whose cross sections are part of a circle.

Further, what is shown in FIG. 8C is a member 63 formed of a shape memory alloy, which controls the flow and cutoff of the liquid by turning on / off a switch of a heater 64.

In any of these methods, when the light-sensitive material does not pass, the liquid is reliably shut off by gravity, tightening force, electromagnetic force, or the like. When the light-sensitive material passes, these forces are cut off and the light-sensitive material itself pushes the shielding means. It passes through them by spreading it.

The control of the flow and shutoff of the liquid in the above may be performed by a passage signal or the like of the photosensitive material S, and the liquid may be circulated in response to the passage signal. FIG. 8 representatively shows the passage 71 portion.

In the above description, replenishment is performed simultaneously with processing, but replenishment can be performed during non-processing. In such a case, however, a bypass may be provided to connect adjacent processing chambers, and a liquid amount corresponding to the replenishment amount of the preceding processing chamber may be flowed into the subsequent processing chamber.

In the above description, the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a water washing processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various processing.

In this case, when the stabilization treatment is to be performed, the structure may be the same as that of the washing treatment device except that the stabilizing solution is filled instead of the washing water.

When the present invention is applied to the processing of development, bleaching, bleach-fixing or fixing, the processing liquid stored in these tanks is in the same direction (parallel direction) as the transport direction of the photosensitive material S during processing of the photosensitive material. Since it is preferable that the apparatus is supplied to the flow, the apparatus may be configured as shown in FIG.

The apparatus 1 'shown in FIG. 9 uses the drainage path 12 and the drainage pipe 14 of the processing chamber 6A as those shown in FIG. Of the liquid supply path 11 and the liquid supply pipe 13
Except for use as 4, there is essentially no change in its configuration. Therefore, the same members as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

For example, when the apparatus 1 ′ is applied to a color developing apparatus, in the apparatus 1 ′, a color developing solution (or a replenisher thereof) R ₁ is supplied from a liquid supply pipe 43 and a drain pipe 44. so that the overflow solution oF ₂ is discharged from.

[0121] At this time, since it starts to refill of the photosensitive material at the same time as the start color developer R ₁ of the processing of S, it is to such, blocking effect of the color developing solution by the blade 15 is large, the photosensitive starting by advancing the material S to the blade 15, the color developing solution R ₁ is because substantially flow.

[0122] In this case, strictly speaking, to the tip of the photosensitive material S reaches the blade 15 installed in the processing chamber 6A below the passage 71, replenisher color developer also R ₁ is replenished R ₁
Will not be distributed.

However, in the present invention, the number of replenishments is set to be larger than the normal (every 30 to 90 seconds) (every 5 to 30 seconds),
Very small replenishment amount (0.5-
10 ml), so the blade 1
Before reaching 5, the liquid level rises only slightly, and there is no problem such as backflow from the liquid supply pipe 43.

In this manner, the photosensitive material S passes through the processing chamber 6A and reaches the blade 15 provided in the passage 71, as indicated by the arrow in the figure. At this time, the liquid is conducted through the blade 15. At this time, since the photosensitive material S has not passed through the other blades 15, it can be said that there is no liquid conduction in principle, but the photosensitive material S
Does not mean that 100% of the liquid is blocked. For this reason, even in such a state, the processing chamber 6A
Thus, a flow (parallel flow) in the same direction as the light-sensitive material is formed in the entire continuous processing path including steps (A) and (B).

As described above, since the photosensitive material S in the present invention is preferably of a long winding type, after the tip of the photosensitive material S reaches the blade 15, the photosensitive material S is at least It passes through the blade 15 at one place.

In the case of the long-length photosensitive material S, the photosensitive material S is then conveyed in the order of the processing chambers 6B, 6C, and 6D to pass through the passage 7
Once having passed through the installed blade 15 to 4, each of the replenishment of the replenisher R _1, color developer R ₁ is steadily flow in parallel flow, in that the liquid flow is formed by being processed Become.

At this time, the flow rate of the color developing solution through the blade 15 between the processing chambers is 0.1 to 100 ml /
Min, preferably 0.5 to 50 ml / min, which substantially corresponds to the replenishment amount.

The degree of freshness of the color developing solution is large in the processing chamber 6A and is gradually reduced in the processing chambers 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E. That is, this is because the liquid blocking property of the blade 15 is large, the liquid flow is blocked except for the liquid flow as described above, and the color developing solution is supplied as described above.

For example, the processing chambers 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D,
As an index indicating the degree of freshness of the color developing solution in 6E, a halide ion eluted from the photosensitive material S, for example, Br ^- concentration, is used, and the processing chambers 6A, 6B, 6C and 6 are used.
D, when running equilibrium in 6E Br ^- concentration in _turn, if _{Cx 1, Cx 2, Cx 3} , Cx 4, Cx 5, becomes to satisfy the following relation.

[0130]

Further, the carry-in amount of the color developing solution between the processing chambers per 1 m ² of the photosensitive material due to the squeezing effect of the blade 15 is reduced by about 10 to 70% as compared with the related art.

Further, on the photosensitive material S, in particular, on the emulsion surface, an undesired boundary film formed by the development reaction is formed.
When the blade 15 comes into contact with the emulsion surface of the photosensitive material S, the boundary film is destroyed. This accelerates development.

In the apparatus 1 'having the structure shown in FIG. 9, immediately after the completion of the processing, that is, immediately after the photosensitive material S is carried out of the processing tank 2 (10 to 100 minutes after carrying out), the blade 15 of the color developing solution is used. Is 0.0001 to 0.5 ml / min, preferably 0.01 to 0.5 ml / min, in the direction of replenishment of the color developing solution.
It becomes 01-0.1 ml / min. The relationship of the degree of freshness of the color developing solution in each processing chamber is substantially the same as during processing.

The flow direction and the flow amount of the color developing solution when the processing is stopped are the same as those in the water washing apparatus.
Furthermore, the degree of freshness of the color developing solution in each processing chamber is as follows:
It shows the same tendency as the fixing agent in washing water. Therefore, the processing can be smoothly resumed.

In the case of a photosensitive material other than a long roll, the liquid is conducted at the blade 15 where the photosensitive material S passes, and the liquid is not completely shut off at other portions of the continuous processing path. Thus, a liquid flow of a parallel flow is formed. In such a photosensitive material other than a long-winding material, the flow rate of the liquid in a state where the photosensitive material is present in all the blade portions is the same as that of the long-wound photosensitive material. When such a photosensitive material is present in some of the blade portions, the flow rate of the liquid in the photosensitive material passing portion is 0.1 to 100 ml / min, preferably 0.5 to 50 ml / min.
ml / min. Furthermore, in the case where the liquid does not flow due to the blocking effect of the blade in principle, the flow rate of the liquid generated at the time of replenishment is 0.1 to 100 ml / min, preferably 0.5 to 50 ml / min. Further, the relationship of the degree of freshness of the color developing solution in each processing chamber is substantially the same as that of the long roll.

Even when the apparatus 1 'shown in FIG. 9 is an apparatus applied to each of the bleaching, bleach-fixing and fixing processes, the flow rate of the liquid and the like are in accordance with the developer. Also,
The degree of freshness of the processing solution in each processing chamber is almost the same as that of the developing solution. Further, the effect of accelerating the treatment due to the destruction of the film can be obtained. Also, the amount of photosensitive material brought in between the processing chambers is reduced.

Further, in the present invention, bleaching, bleach-fixing,
When the desilvering process for fixing is performed in the same tank using the above-described apparatus, the apparatus may be configured as shown in FIG.

The apparatus 1 ″ shown in FIG. 10 uses the drainage path 12 and the drainage pipe 14 of the processing chamber 6A as the liquid supply path 45 and the liquid condensing pipe 47 of the processing chamber 6C shown in FIG. The configuration is essentially the same except that a drain pipe 46 is provided so as to maintain a predetermined liquid level in the processing tank 2. Therefore, the same members as those shown in FIG. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

[0139] In the apparatus 1 "shown in FIG. 10, the bleaching solution (or its replenisher) R ₂ is supplied from the liquid supply pipe 47, the fixing liquid (or its replenisher) R ₃ is supplied from the liquid supply pipe 13,
From drain pipe 46 so that the overflow solution OF ₃ is discharged. In this case, the bleach-fixing solution is stored in the processing chamber 6C, and the bleaching solution is in the same direction (parallel flow) as the photosensitive material S in the processing direction, and the fixing solution is transported in the same direction as the photosensitive material during processing. And the flow in the opposite direction (counter flow).

In the case of the apparatus 1 "having such a configuration, the processing performance does not deteriorate even if the fixing solution has a counter flow.

That is, in the bleach-fixing process, only the fixing progresses in the unexposed and undeveloped portion, and in the developing portion, the bleaching progresses first and then the fixing progresses. It is preferable from the viewpoint of processing efficiency that the substantial bleaching process is performed in the processing chamber 6E and the substantial fixing process is performed in the processing chamber 6E (fifth chamber).

In such an apparatus 1 ″, the processing chamber 6
In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the apparatus of FIG. 9 applied to the development processing and the like, and in the processing chambers 6C, 6D and 6E, the apparatus of FIG. The relationship such as the drug concentration is almost the same.

In the example shown, the number of processing chambers is 5
However, the present invention is not limited to this.
-30, preferably 5-15.

Various processing solutions such as washing water, a stabilizing solution, a black-and-white developer, a color developing solution, a bleaching solution, a fixing solution and a bleach-fixing solution used in the present invention may be any of known ones. For details of the processing solution, see JP-A-63-70.
857, JP-A-1-190889, JP-A-1-19
8754, JP-A-1-106050, JP-A-1-9
3737, JP-A-1-250947, JP-A-2-1-1
03035, JP-A-2-103037, JP-A-2-3037
No. 71260, JP-A-61-267559 and the like can be referred to.

The light-sensitive material of the present invention may be any of various color and black-and-white light-sensitive materials. For example, including the above color paper, a color negative film, a color reversal film, a color positive film, a color reversal photographic paper, a photographic material for plate making, an X-ray photographic material,
Examples include black-and-white negative films, black-and-white printing papers, and photosensitive materials for micros.

The photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention includes, for example, various photosensitive material processing apparatuses such as a wet copying machine, an automatic developing machine, a printer processor, a video printer processor, a photographic print making coin machine, and a color paper processing machine for plate inspection. Can be applied to

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the configuration examples, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0148]

According to the present invention, the concentration ratio of the composition of the processing liquid between the processing chambers is maintained for a very long time. As a result, processing efficiency is improved, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

The present inventor has set out the following in order to confirm the above effects.
Various experiments were performed. An example is shown below.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 1 The following experiment was carried out using a water washing apparatus having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and an apparatus modified as described below.

Apparatus A: The apparatus shown in the figure is replaced with a rotary shutter which controls the flow of liquid in the passage (solid line in the drawing) and the cutoff (dotted line in the drawing) by rotation as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 exemplarily shows the rotary shutter 16 in the passage 71 portion, and the material of the portion where the liquid comes into contact with the shutter is EPT rubber).

Apparatus B: Apparatus using the following pair of blades in the illustrated apparatus.

Blade: 1 mm thick (same thickness: same hereafter) Length 18 mm (overall: same below) Tip overlap 1.5 mm (when light-sensitive material is not passed) Material Silicone rubber Average tilt angle approximately 45 °

Apparatus C: Apparatus using the following pair of blades in the illustrated apparatus.

Blade: thickness 1 mm, length 25 mm, overlap of tip 3 mm (when light-sensitive material is not passed) Material Silicone rubber Average tilt angle approximately 45 °

Apparatus D: An apparatus using three pairs of the same blades as the apparatus B.

In the above apparatus, the capacity per processing chamber is about 150 for each of the processing chambers 6A, 6B, 6D and 6E.
0 ml, processing chamber 6C 3000 ml, passage width 3 mm,
The length of the passage between the processing chambers was 60 mm.

In each of the above apparatuses A to D, the first chamber (processing chamber 6A) was washed with 10% by volume of a bleach-fix solution,
The rooms 5 to 5 were filled with fresh washing water.

In this case, the bleach-fixing solution used was a P2 solution of a processing agent CP40FA manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., and the washing water was ion-exchanged water.

[0160] In this manner, the roll-type paper of Fuji Color Paper Super FA manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. after the predetermined treatment was treated for 10 minutes and then left for 100 hours.

At this time, the washing water in each room was drained for 0 minutes, 3 minutes,
Sampling at 10 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 100 hours, and the degree of mixing of bleach-fix solution (leakage)
Was examined.

For the leakage amount, the conductivity was measured by a conductivity measuring instrument, and the concentration was estimated from the calibration curve.

The results are shown in Table 2 and FIG.

During the processing of the photosensitive material, the washing water was replenished from the fifth chamber (processing chamber 6E). The replenishing amount at this time is also shown in Table 2.

[0165]

[Table 2]

As is clear from Table 2, in the device A using the conventional shutter, almost 50% was mixed after 1 hour and almost mixed after 24 hours.
In the apparatuses B, C, and D using the blades, even after 100 hours, only about 35%, 5%, and 2% of mixing occurred, respectively, and a great improvement was observed. This is shown in FIG.
This is supported by the results.

After 100 hours, the washing water is moved from the processing chamber 6A to the processing chamber 6C,
It is thought that it is happening to the processing room 6C from
The flow rate at this time is about 0.008 ml / min.

Actually, each of the above apparatuses A to D was filled with washing water, and the color paper after the predetermined treatment was washed with a replenishing amount shown in Table 3 at the time of processing. The transport speed (linear speed) of the color paper at this time is 60 cm /
Minutes.

[0169]

[Table 3]

The replenishment amounts in Table 3 are based on the apparatus B, C, D
In this case, it corresponds to the flow rate of the washing water through the blade during the treatment. In addition, the relationship between the concentration of the drug in each processing room due to carry-on from the previous bath during processing,
This is almost the same as that shown in Table 2 for the 0 minute sampling.

In the apparatus A, the flow rate of the washing water through the shielding means during the treatment was 37 ml / min.

The carry-in amount per 1 m ² of the photosensitive material between the processing chambers due to the squeezing effect of the blade is determined by the apparatus A.
Approximately 25% of the shielding means.

When the photographic properties at the start of the running and 5 hours after the start of the running (after the lapse) were compared, in the apparatus A, poor washing was observed in the apparatus after the lapse of the running, such as insufficient washing out of the developing agent and the like. In contrast, devices B to D
As a result, good photographic properties equivalent to those at the start were obtained.

This result indicates that the devices B to D of the present invention in which the blades are installed have better liquid flow blocking properties than the device A except for the liquid flow corresponding to the replenishment amount, and This indicates that washing with water is promoted because a boundary film formed on the emulsion surface is destroyed by contact with the emulsion surface.

When the washing process was resumed after the treatment was stopped for 100 hours, in the device A, the washing failure occurred immediately after the restart of the process, whereas in the devices B to D, particularly the devices C and D.
As a result, good photographic properties were obtained immediately after the restart. This is considered to be because, as shown in Table 2, in the devices B to D, the blade has a large blocking property of the liquid flow.

Experimental Example 2 The following experiment was conducted by appropriately changing the processing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 10 as described below.

Apparatus E: Apparatus shown in FIG. 10 in which the rotary shutter of FIG. 11 is used instead of the blade.

Apparatus F: Apparatus shown in FIG. 10 using a pair of the following blades.

Blade: thickness 1 mm, length 25 mm, overlap of tip 3 mm, material Silicone rubber average inclination angle approximately 45 °

In the above apparatus, the capacity per processing chamber is 700 m for processing chambers 6A, 6B, 6D and 6E.
1, 1500 ml in the processing chamber 6C. Passage width is 3m
m, the length of the passage is 50 mm, and the overall transport length is
It was 1200 mm. The transfer speed is 60 cm /
Minutes.

In each of the above apparatuses E and F, the first chamber was filled with the bleaching liquid, the second chamber was also filled with the bleaching liquid, the third chamber was filled with the bleach-fixing liquid, and the fourth and fifth chambers were filled with the fixing liquid. .

In addition to this apparatus, an apparatus for processing by color development in 3 minutes and 15 seconds, an apparatus for performing bleaching, bleach-fixing and fixing, and an apparatus for washing, stabilizing and then drying are provided so that development processing can be performed. Was assembled. At this time, the processing steps were as shown in Table 4 in accordance with the processing apparatus described above.

[0183]

[Table 4]

The processing solutions used were those shown in Table 5 as a color developing solution, those shown in Table 6 as a bleaching solution, those shown in Table 7 as a fixing solution, and those shown in Table 8 as a stabilizing solution. Further, as the bleach-fixing solution mother liquor, a mixture of the bleaching solution mother liquor of Table 6 and the fixing solution mother liquor of Table 7 in a ratio of 15 to 85 was used.

[0185]

[Table 5]

[0186]

[Table 6]

[0187]

[Table 7]

[0188]

[Table 8]

The following was used as the washing water.

(Washing water) Common tap water was used as the H-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120B manufactured by Rohm and Haas) and the OH type strongly basic anion exchange resin (Amberlite IRA-). 4
00) to reduce the calcium and magnesium ion concentration to 3 mg / l or less, followed by 20 mg of sodium diisocyanurate dichloride.
/ L and 150 mg / l of sodium sulfate were added. This solution had a pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.5.

A running test was performed using Fuji Color Negative Film HR100.

At this time, the bleaching time, the bleach-fixing time and the fixing time were 40 seconds, 40 seconds and 40 seconds, respectively.

The test was conducted on a color negative film HR-100.
(70 mm width) was continuously processed for 5 hours, and the solutions in the processing chambers 6A and 6E were sampled immediately after the start and for 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours and 5 hours to mix the bleaching solution and the fixing solution. The degree (leakage amount) was examined.

The amount of leakage was measured by analyzing the amount of iron and the amount of ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) in the sample solution.

The results are shown in Table 9 and FIG.

During processing of the light-sensitive material, the first chamber (processing chamber 6A) was replenished with the bleaching replenisher, and the fifth chamber (processing chamber 6E) was replenished with the fixing replenisher.

The replenishing amount at this time was as follows.

Bleach replenisher 5.5 ml / min Fixer replenisher 54 ml / min

The above-mentioned replenishment amount indicates the flow amount of the liquid through the blade in the apparatus F in which the blade is installed. On the other hand, the flow rate of the liquid through the shielding means in the apparatus E was 5.5 ml in the parallel flow direction during the processing.
/ Min, 54 ml / min in the counterflow direction.

The carry-in amount per 1 m ² of the photosensitive material due to the squeezing effect of the blade in the parallel flow was about 40% as compared with the apparatus E.

[0201]

[Table 9]

As is clear from Table 9, in the apparatus E using the conventional shutter, the concentration of the bleaching solution in the processing chamber 6A was reduced by mixing after 1 hour, and the concentration of the bleaching solution was reduced to 40% after 5 hours. The device F using blades
After 5 hours of running, the decrease in the concentration of the bleaching solution was 15% or less, indicating a significant improvement.

The same was observed for the concentration of the fixing solution in the processing chamber 6E.

When the amount of residual silver of the film actually processed after 5 hours of running was compared, the amount of silver remaining in the apparatus E was 3
0 to 50 μg / cm ² of residual silver was detected.
In this case, only 5 μg / cm ² or less of residual silver was detected, and there was no problem. This is supported by the results of FIG.

It is considered that the improvement of the processability in the apparatus F is also due to the fact that the film formed on the emulsion surface of the light-sensitive material, such as the processing waste, is destroyed by contact with the blade.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 3 In the rinsing processing apparatuses A and B of Experimental Example 1, except that the parallel flow was performed by changing the replenishing direction as shown in FIG. Two color negative films were processed. Such devices are referred to as devices G and H according to devices A and B. The processing steps were the same as those in Experimental Example 2, except for the color development step, which used a normal tank-type processing tank. The color developing solutions shown in Table 5 were used, and the other processing solutions were used in accordance with Experimental Example 2.

For comparison, the same treatment was performed using a conventional tank-type color developing tank.

Thus, the change in photographic performance after three rounds of processing in the color developing tank was examined. Photo performance is sensitivity,
The gradation was examined. The sensitivity is 1 when the replenishment rate is 46 ml / the photosensitive material is 70 mm per 1 m width in the conventional color developing tank.
The relative sensitivity is set to 00. The gray scale is represented by the average gray scale of the linear region of the characteristic curve, and the characteristic value of the green sensitive layer is used as a representative value. Table 10 shows the results. In addition,
Table 10 also shows the replenishment amounts of the color developing solutions.
In this example, this amount indicates the amount of liquid flowing between the processing chambers via the shielding means, and was adjusted in some cases.

[0209]

[Table 10]

Table 10 shows that the apparatus H of the present invention improves the photographic performance due to the effect of the blade.

In Experimental Examples 1, 2, and 3, the treatment was performed using the apparatus in which the integrated blade shown in FIG. 7 was installed instead of the blade pair, but an effect equal to or higher than that of the blade pair was obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

4A and 4B are enlarged cross-sectional views each showing a blade portion in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a first region and a second region in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the blade according to the present invention.

8 (a), (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views each showing an example of using the shielding means in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view showing another configuration example of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view showing still another configuration example of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a conventional shutter.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the degree of mixing of a processing solution in each processing chamber of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the degree of mixing of a processing solution in each processing chamber of the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 ', 1 "photosensitive material processing apparatus 2 Processing tank 21, 22 Side wall 3 Rack 31, 32 Side plate 4 Block body 5 Integrated blade 6A-6E Processing chamber 71-76 Passage 8 Conveyance roller 81 Rotation axis 82 Main axis 83, 84 bevel gear 85 gear 9 guide 10 reversing guide 11, 41, 45 liquid supply path 12, 42 drainage path 13, 43, 47 liquid supply pipe 14, 44, 46 drainage pipe 15 blade 16 rotary shutter 17 partition member 171, 172 End 18 First area 19 Second area S Photosensitive material W Rinse water R ₁ Color developing solution R ₂ Bleaching solution R ₃ Fixing solution OF ₁ , OF ₂ , OF ₃ Overflow solution

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-267549 (JP, A) JP-A-4-46338 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03D 3 / 08

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A processing vessel having a continuous processing path having a plurality of processing chambers sequentially connected by a narrow-radiation path, wherein each processing chamber is sequentially passed while a silver halide photosensitive material sequentially passes through the processing chambers. A photosensitive material processing apparatus configured to perform processing by contacting with a processing liquid filled in, wherein two blades are installed in the narrow passage, and the space between the two blades is The silver halide light-sensitive material passes therethrough, and the tips of the two blades are configured to contact each other when the silver halide light-sensitive material does not pass therethrough. A photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the narrow path is blocked by the pair of blades. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein said silver halide photosensitive material is processed
2. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a replenisher of the processing liquid is replenished into the continuous processing path.