Abstract:
A submerged conveyance structure for a photosensitive material, including a main body, a blade, and a blade press. The blade covers the slit hole in the state with the portions other than the portion contacting the photosensitive material, that is, the vicinity of the end edges of both sides in the longitudinal direction and the vicinity of the end edge on the opposite side with respect to the side elastically contacting the conveyance path upper wall surface, nipped by the blade press and the first tilted surface having the slit hole. Thus, the sealing property can further be made certain at the portions other than the portion that contacts the photosensitive material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material. More specifically, it relates to a submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material, the structure being applied to a photosensitive material processing device for executing predetermined processing by processing solutions stored in processing tanks, by conveying a photosensitive material to adjacent processing tanks via a path with a blade provided in a partition wall between the processing tanks. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In an automatic developing device (such as a film processor, and a printer processor) used in a laboratory, a photosensitive material (such as film and color paper) is processed. 
     The film and the color paper are processed by being successively conveyed through processing tanks housing water or processing solutions for color development, bleaching fixation, washing with water, and stabilization. 
     The solution component composition and amount of the processing solution in each tank varies depending on the processing of the film or the color paper. 
     Therefore, new solution or water is replenished to each processing tank from a replenishing tank according to the amount of film or color paper processed so as to maintain the solution component composition and amount of the water or solution. 
     Recently, submerged conveyance by a process in which a washing tank is partitioned by a submerged seal such as a roller or a blade has been proposed for water washing tanks and such. 
     Conventional water washing tanks have a structure in which a photosensitive material is conveyed in the air once (so-called crossover) when the material is conveyed from a previous water washing tank to a next water washing tank. However, in submerged conveyance, by using a partition such as a roller or a blade in the crossover, the distance by which the material is conveyed is shortened so as to reduce processing time. 
     However, there has been the problem that, in such a submerged conveyance system, if there is a gap at the roller or the blade in the partition portion, solution is leaked from the previous bath to the next bath, whereby the solution concentration of the latter rises and water washing ability becomes poor. 
     Therefore, sealability between tanks drastically influences water washing ability in the submerged conveyance structure. In order to maintain water washing efficiency, it is necessary to increase the amount by which the washing water is replenished. Of course, it can be-expected that increasing the replenishing amount results in an increase of solution that is wasted. 
     Furthermore, even in tanks other than the water washing tanks, processing solution performance is reduced by solutions in respectively adjacent tanks becoming mixed. 
     Therefore, in order to maintain high performance and reduce the amount by which the solutions must be replenished, there has been a demand for a sealing method with little leakage amount. 
     However, the blade is a part that is movably deformed when the photosensitive material is conveyed, and it is thus extremely difficult to maintain the sealing property. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material, with the structure being capable of reliably preventing, with a small number of parts, leakage of solutions among processing tanks. 
     A submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material pertaining to a first aspect of the present invention has a main body, the main body including a photosensitive material conveyance path for passage of a photosensitive material, the photosensitive material conveyance path formed in partition walls between processing tanks in which processing solutions are stored; a sheet-like blade, the blade disposed in the photosensitive material conveyance path and having an elasticity capable of allowing passage of the photosensitive material with respect to the photosensitive material conveyance path while preventing passage of the processing solutions; and a mounting member for mounting the blade to the photosensitive material conveyance path; wherein the photosensitive material conveyance path has a first tilted surface provided at the upstream side of the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, the first tilted surface facing one surface of the photosensitive material and tilted by an acute angle toward the upstream side of the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, with respect to a photosensitive material passage route, a second tilted surface provided at the upstream side of the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, the second tilted surface facing the other surface of the photosensitive material and tilted by an acute angle toward the upstream side of the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, with respect to the photosensitive material passage route, and a slit hole provided at the downstream side of the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, the slit hole opening toward one of the first tilted surface and the second tilted surface, the slit hole being formed lengthwise in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, and the blade covers the slit hole in a state in which an end edge extending in the longitudinal direction at the side facing the slit hole elastically contacts one of a path upper wall surface and a path lower wall surface of the photosensitive material conveyance path, and a vicinity of the end edges of both sides in the longitudinal direction and a vicinity of the end edge on the opposite side with respect to the side elastically contacting either one of the path upper wall surface and the path lower wall surface are nipped by the mounting member and at least one of the first tilted surface or the second tilted surface having the slit hole. 
     Photosensitive material processed by processing solutions in processing tanks is conveyed by a conveyance device such as a roller to be sent to an adjacent next processing tank via a photosensitive material conveyance path for successive predetermined processing. 
     Here, when the photosensitive material passes through the photosensitive material conveyance path, since the photosensitive material is conveyed between the blade and the path upper wall surface or the path lower wall surface while being slid against both, adjacent solutions cannot be mixed with each other. Moreover, when the rear end of the photosensitive material (with respect to the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed) passes along the photosensitive material conveyance path, the blade elastically contacts the path upper wall surface or the path lower wall surface to therefore prevent mixing of the adjacent solutions with each other. 
     Moreover, since the blade covers the slit hole in the state with the portions other than the portion contacting the photosensitive material (i.e., the vicinity of the end edges of both sides in the longitudinal direction and the vicinity of the end edge on the opposite side with respect to the side elastically contacting either one of the path upper wall surface and the path lower wall surface) nipped by the mounting member and at least one of the first tilted surface and the second tilted surface having the slit hole, the sealing property can further be made certain at the portions other than the portion that contacts the photosensitive material. 
     The submerged conveyance structure for a photosensitive material according to the present invention, the first tilted surface and the second tilted surface are preferably tilted with respect to the photosensitive material passage route in a range of 10° to 80°. Further, one of the first tilted surface and the second tilted surface preferably includes screw holes and projections along the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the blade preferably includes circular or elongated holes at a position corresponding to the screw holes and the projections. 
     It is further preferable that the mounting member includes a screw hole and a fitting hole at positions corresponding to each of the screw holes and the projections. 
     Furthermore, it is preferable that the main body, the blade part and the mounting part are detachable. Moreover, preferably, a mounting surface nearest the photosensitive material conveyance path and opposite to a blade nipping surface of the mounting member is a conveyance surface. 
     Since the submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material, which structure allows passage of the photosensitive material and prevents mixture of adjacent solutions, comprises three parts, i.e., the main body having the photosensitive material conveyance path, the blade, and the mounting member for mounting the blade, the number of parts structuring the conveyance structure can be reduced and assembly can be facilitated. Moreover, since the blade can be replaced by removing the photosensitive material path member to the outside of the tank, replacement of the blade is facilitated 
     The submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive member according to the present invention, longitudinal direction side portions of the end edge of the blade, which end edge elastically contacts the path wall surface, are preferably inserted in a groove formed at an area where the first tilted surface and the second tilted surface intersect. Further preferably, the groove includes a width greater than blade thickness. Furthermore, the blade preferably comprises a substantially rectangular shape with a fixed thickness and the blade thickness is in a range of 0.3 to 0.7 mm. 
     Since both end edge portions of the blade extending in the longitudinal direction elastically contacting the path upper wall surface or the path lower wall surface are inserted and held in the groove formed at the intersection portion of the first tilted surface or the second tilted surface at both sides of the slit hole in the longitudinal direction, the sealing property at the blade longitudinal direction both end parts can further be made certain. 
     The submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material according to the present invention, the blade is preferably held relatively movably between the main body and the mounting member. It is further preferable that a dimension of the mounting member in the longitudinal direction is set to be substantially the same as a dimension of the blade in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore preferably, the dimension of the first tilted surface in the longitudinal direction and the dimension of the second tilted surface in the longitudinal direction are greater than the dimension of the slit hole in the longitudinal direction and the dimension of the first tilted surface in the longitudinal direction and the dimension of the second tilted surface in the longitudinal direction are greater than the it dimension of the blade in the longitudinal direction. 
     Since the blade is reciprocally movable between the main body and the mounting part, generation of distortion (waves, wrinkles or the like) of the blade can be restrained in the case the difference is generated between the blade stretch amount and the main body and mounting part stretch amount is generated at the time of thermal expansion. 
     The submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material according to the present invention, the main body and the mounting member preferably comprise a synthetic resin including glass fiber. 
     Since the main body and the mounting part are made of a synthetic resin containing a glass fiber, the coefficient of linear expansion can be reduced compared with one made of a synthetic resin not containing a glass fiber conventionally used commonly, and thus the cause of generating distortion can be reduced. 
     The submerged conveyance structure for a photosensitive material according to the present invention, areas of the main body and the mounting member contacting the photosensitive material are preferably disposed with a low frictional material having a friction coefficient lower than that of the material comprising the main body and the mounting member. 
     Since a low frictional material is provided in the main body and the mounting part at the portion in contact with the photosensitive material, process of wearing of the portion in contact with the photosensitive material can be delayed so that the sealing property can be maintained over a long time. Moreover, the photosensitive material can be conveyed while being slid smoothly. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a photosensitive material path member of the present invention before passage of the photosensitive material. 
     FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the photosensitive material path member of the present invention during passage of the photosensitive material. 
     FIG. 1C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a groove in the photosensitive material path member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automatic developing device to which the present invention has been applied. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the photosensitive material path member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main body of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the photosensitive material path member of the present invention during passage of the photosensitive material. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
     FIG. 2 shows a development processing section  12  of an automatic developing device  10 . 
     In the development processing section  12 , a developing tank  16 , a fixation bleaching tank  18 , a first water washing tank  20 , a second water washing tank  22 , a third water washing tank  24  and a fourth water washing tank  26  are horizontally disposed in sequence from the upstream side of the direction in which the photosensitive material  14  is conveyed (i.e., the direction indicated by arrow A; hereinafter, the “upstream side”). 
     A predetermined amount of developing solution is stored in the developing tank  16 , and a predetermined amount of fixation bleaching solution is stored in the fixation bleaching tank  18 . 
     Moreover, a predetermined amount of washing water is respectively stored as a processing solution in the first water washing tank  20 , the second water washing tank  22 , the third water washing tank  24  and the fourth water washing tank  26 . 
     The photosensitive material  14  of the present embodiment is a silver halide photosensitive material (paper) for photography. 
     A conveyance device  28  comprising a plurality of rollers is provided in the developing tank  16  and in the fixation bleaching tank  18  for conveying the photosensitive material in a substantially U-shape in the tanks. 
     Holding rollers  30  for conveying the photosensitive material  14  into the developing tank  16  and holding rollers  32  for conveying the photosensitive material  14  treated by development processing to the fixation bleaching tank  18  are provided above the developing tank  16 . 
     Moreover, holding rollers  34  for conveying the photosensitive material  14  from the developing tank  16  to the fixation bleaching tank  18 , and holding rollers  36  for conveying the photosensitive material  14  treated fixation processing to the first water washing tank  20  are provided above the fixation bleaching tank  18 . 
     Further, holding rollers  38  for conveying the photosensitive material  14  treated by fixation processing into the first water washing tank  20  are provided above the first water washing tank  20 . 
     A photosensitive material path member  46 , capable of allowing passage of the photosensitive material  14  as well as preventing passage of solution is provided in a partition wall  40  between the first water washing tank  20  and the second water washing tank  22 , in a partition wall  42  between the second water washing tank  22  and the third water washing tank  24 , and in a partition wall  44  between the third water washing tank  24  and the fourth water washing tank  26 . 
     Moreover, nip rollers  50  are provided, as a conveyance device for conveying the photosensitive material  14 , in each of the first water washing tank  20 , the second water washing tank  22 , the third water washing tank  24 , and the fourth water washing tank  26 . 
     Holding roller  52   s  for conveying the photosensitive material  14  washed with water to an unillustrated drying processing section are provided above the fourth water washing tank  26 . 
     Moreover, the end part of a pipe  56  for supplying a fresh water washing processing solution stored in a replenishing tank  54  to the fourth water washing tank  26  is provided above the fourth water washing tank  26 . Furthermore, a pump  58  for supplying water washing processing solution stored in a replenishing tank  54  to the fourth water washing tank  26  is provided at the pipe  56 . 
     The pump  58  is connected to a pump driving device  60  for driving the pump at a predetermined timing. 
     Moreover, an overflow pipe  62  for discharging water washing processing solution exceeding the predetermined amount is provided in the first water washing tank  20 , whereby the overflowed water washing processing solution is stored in a storage tank  64  via the overflow pipe  62 . 
     Next, the structure of the photosensitive material path member  46  will be explained in detail. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the photosensitive material path member  46  comprises a main body  72 , a blade  74 , and a blade press  76  that are detachably disposed at an opening  70  of the partition wall  40  (the same is true of path member  46  with respect to the other partition walls  42  and  44 ). 
     The main body  72  is mounted on the partition wall  40  by screws  77 . A packing  79  comprising an elastic sheet such as rubber or the like is disposed between the main body  72  and the partition wall  40 . 
     In the present embodiment, the main body  72  is formed of a synthetic resin (for example, PC, PPE, ABS, and PPS) containing glass fiber,;and includes a photosensitive material conveyance path  78  for allowing passage of the photosensitive material  14 . 
     The photosensitive material conveyance path  78  includes a slit hole  80  having a fixed width hi formed lengthwise along the width direction of the photosensitive material  14  (i.e., the direction orthogonal to direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed) and an insertion part  82  provided at the upstream side with respect to the slit hole  80 , with the width of the insertion part  82  in the vertical direction gradually widening toward the upstream side. 
     Each of a lower wall surface  80 A and an upper wall surface  80 B of the slit hole  80  are formed horizontally. 
     In the present embodiment, the photosensitive material  14  is conveyed horizontally between the water washing tanks. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, an upper wall surface  82 B of the insertion part  82  is tilted by an angle θ 1  with respect to the conveyance surface (horizontal) of the photosensitive material  14 , and a lower wall surface  82 A of the insertion part  82  is tilted by an angle θ 2  with respect to the conveyance surface (horizontal) of the photosensitive material  14 . 
     The angle θ 1  and the angle θ 2  are preferably in a range of 10° to 80°, and more preferably in a range of 10° to 30°. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slit hole  80  opens to the upper wall surface  82 B of the insertion part  82 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, a dimension W 1  of the insertion part  82  (the upper wall surface  82 B, the lower wall surface  82 A) in the longitudinal direction is set to be larger than a dimension W 2  of the slit hole  80  in the longitudinal direction. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a groove  84  is formed along the lower wall surface  80 A of the slit hole  80  in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part  82 , from the portion at which the upper wall surface  82 B and the lower wall surface  82 A intersect toward the downstream side of the direction of conveyance (i.e., the direction of arrow B). 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a width h 2  of the groove  84  is set to be slightly larger than a thickness t of a blade  74  described later (thicker than the blade thickness by about 0.01 to 0.5 mm). The thickness t of the blade  74  in this embodiment is 0.5 mm, but it is preferably about 0.3 to 0.7 mm. 
     The reason the width h 2  of the groove  84  is made slightly larger than the thickness t of the blade  74  is to move the blade  74  with respect to the groove  84  so that waves, wrinkles or the like are prevented from arising in the blade  74  in the event that there is a difference between a change in the size of the blade  74  due thermal expansion and a change in the size of the photosensitive material path member  46  due to thermal expansion. It is preferable that the difference between the width h 2  of the groove  84  and the thickness t of the blade  74  is as small as possible within a range in which relative movement of the blade  74  is allowed. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of screw holes  86  and columnar projections  88  are formed in the upper wall surface  82 B along the longitudinal direction. 
     The blade  74  mounted on the upper wall surface  82 B comprises a thin sheet-like elastic member formed in a rectangular shape having a fixed thickness. In the present embodiment, the blade  74  is made of a urethane resin. However, the blade may be made of another material such as rubber as long as the material has elasticity. Preferred materials for the blade  74  are given below. 
     A polyurethane resin having a hardness of JIS A, 80° to 99°, is preferable for the blade  74 . In particular, a thermosetting polyurethane material having a polyether-based prepolymer as the material is preferable for the material of the blade  74  that is to be used in a solution over a long period of time. 
     Examples of the material polyisocyanate include TDI (trilene diisocyanate) and a TDI-based prepolymer. A PTMG-based (polytetramethylene ether glycol based) material is particularly preferable as the polyether-based prepolymer. An aromatic amine based compound is used as a curing material. 
     Specific examples include Coronate 4080, Coronate 4090, Coronate 4095, Coronate 4099, Coronate 6912 and the like, produced by Nihon Polyurethane Kogyo Corp. These materials are TDI-based polyurethanes and PTMG-based prepolymers. Other specific examples include Takenate L-2000 series, L-2690, L-2695, L-2705, L-2710, L-2760, or the like, produced by Takeda Yakuhin Kogyo Corp. These materials are PTMG-based mold pouring type polyurethane resins. 
     Although specific examples of preferred materials have been presented, the present invention is not limited to the same. The series of substances that are thermosetting urethane elastomers disclosed on p. 116 of “Latest Polyurethane Application Technology” (published by CMC, Feb. 26, 1983) and that are referred to as adiplene type prepolymers (PTG(polyether polyols)/TDI type) among the prepolyer mold pouring type urethane elastomers disclosed on p. 117 can be applied. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the dimension W 1  of the insertion part  82  (the upper wall surface  82 B, the lower wall surface  82 A) in the longitudinal direction is set to be slightly larger (0.1 to 1.5 mm) than the dimension W 3  of the blade  74  in the longitudinal direction. 
     The reason for this is because the coefficient of thermal expansion of the blade  74  is larger than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the main body  72  in this embodiment, and is to prevent distortion (waves, wrinkles or the like) of the blade  74  due to both ends of the blade  74  coming into strong contact with the side walls  82 C at both sides of the insertion part  82  in the longitudinal direction caused by thermal expansion of the blade  74 . 
     In the blade  74 , long holes  92  are formed at positions that are opposite screw holes  86  formed in the upper wall surface  82 B and that face the projections  88 . The long holes  92  are formed lengthwise along the longitudinal direction of the blade  74 . 
     The blade press  76  is made of the same material as that of the main body  72  and is formed lengthwise along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive material conveyance path  78 . Moreover, the blade press  76  has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the photosensitive material conveyance path  78  longitudinal direction as shown in FIG.  1 . The dimension W 4  of the blade press  76  in the longitudinal direction is the same size as the blade  76  longitudinal direction dimension W 3  (or a size slightly smaller than W 1 ). 
     The blade press  76  is provided with a screw inserting hole  94  formed at a position facing a screw hole  86  of the upper wall surface  82 B, and round holes  96  formed for fitting the projections  88  therein are formed on the mounting surface facing the upper wall surface  82 B. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the blade  74  is held between the upper wall surface  82 B and the blade press  76  by inserting the screw  98  into the screw inserting hole  94  formed in the blade press  76  and then screwing the screw  98  into the screw hole  86  formed in the upper wall surface  82 B. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1A,  3  and  5 , the blade press  76  is provided with a notch  99  formed at a position facing the slit hole  80 . 
     The blade  74  is fixed in a state in which the upper end edge thereof extending along the longitudinal direction and the vicinity of the end edge at both sides in the longitudinal direction closely contact the upper wall surface  82 B. 
     The blade  74  is held in a state in which the vicinity of the lower end edge is pressed against the lower wall surface  82 A of the slit hole  80  along the entire length and the vicinity of both ends (corner parts) of the blade  74  is inserted in the groove  84  as shown in FIG.  1 C. 
     The blade  74  is fixed between the main body  72  and the blade press  76  by such a holding force that it can be moved relatively with respect to the main body  72  and the blade press  76  at the time of thermal expansion. 
     Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described. 
     At the automatic developing device  10 , the photosensitive material  14  is immersed in developing solution in the developing tank  16 , and then immersed in fixing solution in the fixation bleaching tank  18  and conveyed to the first water washing tank  20 . In this embodiment, the photosensitive material  14  is conveyed with the emulsion surface thereof as the upper side and the support as the lower side. 
     The photosensitive material  14  sent to the first water washing tank  20  is washed with washing water stored in the first water washing tank  20 . 
     The photosensitive material  14  washed with water in the first water washing tank  20  is conveyed to the second water washing tank  22  by the nip rollers  50 . The photosensitive material  14  is conveyed to the second water washing tank  22  by deforming the blade  74  of the photosensitive material path member  46  to pass between the blade  74  and the lower wall surface  80 A of the slit hole  80  while being slid. After passage of the photosensitive material  14 , the lower end edge of the blade  74  is pressed and closely contacted again with the lower wall surface  80 A of the slit hole  80  so as to prohibit passage of solution. 
     Thereafter, the photosensitive material  14  similarly passes through each photosensitive material path member  46  to be washed with washing water in each of the second water washing tank  22 , the third water washing tank  24 , and the fourth water washing tank  26 . The photosensitive material  14  is then conveyed to the drying processing section by the holding roller pair  52 . 
     In the automatic developing device  10  of the present embodiment, washing water is replenished by the so-called cascade method. For example, fresh washing water is replenished to the fourth water washing tank  26 , according to the amount of the photosensitive material  14  processed, at the most downstream side of the photosensitive material  14  conveyance direction. 
     Moreover, the submerged conveyance structure of the automatic developing device  10  of the present embodiment has the following excellent effects. 
     (1) Since the photosensitive material path member  46  according to this embodiment comprises three parts, i.e., the main body  72 , the blade  74  and the blade press  76 , the number of parts is small so that assembly thereof is facilitated. 
     (2) Since the blade  74  can be replaced by removing the photosensitive material path member  46  to the outside of the tank, replacement of the blade  74  is facilitated. 
     (3) Since the blade  74  is fixed relatively movably with respect to the main body  72  and the blade press  76 , distortion (waves, wrinkles or the like) is not generated in the blade  74  even when the coefficients of linear expansion of the blade  74  and the main body  72  are different or even if there are changes in temperature. Moreover, since the lower edge end of the blade  74  is always reliably pressed by the lower wall surface  80 A of the slit hole  80 , there is no deterioration in the sealing property of the blade  74 . 
     (4) Since the main body  72  and the blade press  76  are made of a synthetic resin containing a glass fiber, amount of thermal distortion can be reduced whereby the source responsible for generating distortions in the blade  76  can be reduced. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Although the main body  72  and the blade press  76  are made of a synthetic resin in the preceding embodiment, a material having a friction coefficient lower (solid lubricating agent) than that of the synthetic resin comprising the main body  72  and the blade press  76  may be coated (or adhered) on the portion to be contacted and slid upon by the photosensitive material  14 . 
     Moreover, with respect to the blade  74 , a material having a friction coefficient lower than that of the material comprising the blade  74  can be coated on the portion to be contacted and slid upon by the photosensitive material  14 . 
     Examples of such material having a low friction coefficient include fluorine resins, molybdenum disulfide and the like, but other materials may be used as well. 
     By providing a material having a low friction coefficient at the portion to be contacted and slid upon by the photosensitive material  14 , wear can be suppressed so that the sealing property can be maintained over a long time and the photosensitive material  14  can be conveyed while being slid smoothly. 
     In the preceding embodiment, the blade press  76  is fastened on the main body  72  by being screwed. However, the blade press  76  and the main body  72  can also be fixed using a snap-type fastener, wherein one member having a convex projection formed thereon is fitted together with another member having a concavity formed therein by inserting the convex projection into the cavity. 
     Further, in the preceding embodiment, the main body  72  is fixed to the partition walls  40 ,  42 ,  44  by being screwed, so that the main body  72  may be detached from the partition walls  40 ,  42 ,  44 . However, the main body  72  may also be provided integrally with the partition wall  40 ,  42 ,  44 , i.e., the photosensitive material conveyance path  78  can be formed directly in the partition walls  40 ,  42 ,  44 , whereby the number of parts can further be reduced. 
     Still further, in the preceding embodiment, the photosensitive material path member  46  is used in the partition walls  40 ,  42 ,  44  between the water washing tanks in the above-mentioned embodiment. However, the photosensitive material path member  46  can be used for a partition wall between other processing tanks. 
     As heretofore explained, according to the submerged conveyance structure for photosensitive material of the present invention, leakage of solution between the processing tanks can be reliably prevented with a small number of parts and sealing property can be maintained over a long period of time. Furthermore, the present invention has the excellent effect of conveying a photosensitive material while sliding the same smoothly.