Automatic processing machine for photography

An automatic processing machine for photography which performs developing processing of a photographic light-sensitive material automatically while replenishing a replenisher solution from a replenisher tank to a processing solution tank. A pipe having orifices therein is arranged approximately centrally in the replenisher tank. A vessel loading mouth capable of holding a processing agent kit vessel obliquely to the surface of the processing solution is provided at an upper opening portion of said replenisher tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to an automatic processing machine for processing of 
photographic light-sensitive materials. 
More particularly, the present invention pertains to an automatic procesing 
machine which performs developing processing of photographic 
light-sensitive materials automatically, while replenishing a replenisher 
processing solution to a starting processing solution filled in a 
processing tank. 
For processing of photographic light-sensitive materials by means of an 
automatic procesing machine while replenishing a replenisher processing 
solution (hereinafter referred to merely as replenisher solution), two 
kinds of processing solutions of a starting processing solution 
(hereinafter referred to merely as starting solution) and a replenisher 
solution are generally employed. When processing is started for the first 
time by means of an automatic procesing machine which has been carried in 
and installed or when the processing solution in the processing tank has 
been discarded for some reason, the processing tank is first filled with a 
starting solution, then a predetermined amount of a replenisher solution 
corresponding to the amount of the light-sensitive materials processed is 
replenished, and a part of the fatigued processing solution in the 
processing tank is discharged out from the overflow discharging outlet. 
The starting solution and the replenisher solution are generally prepared 
by use of tanks for preparation of processing solutions called as mixing 
tanks etc. by dissolving or diluting a kit of processing agents with 
water. However, use of tanks for preparation of processing solutions 
requires a space for its installment or a working space for performing 
dissolving working thus bringing about inconveniences in working in a 
narrow place such as a small scale photofinishing laboratory for color 
photography. For the purpose of obviating such tanks for preparation of 
processing solutions which dissolve or dilute replenisher solutions, there 
has been proposed, for example, with respect to the replenisher solution, 
the so-called automatic replenishing device, in which the replenisher 
solution is prepared in a replenisher tank for storing the replenisher 
solution or the processing agent kit and water from a water supplying tank 
in amounts necessary for replenishing once or several times are metered 
and mixed before replenishing. However, according to the latter technique, 
the device employed will become too large to be suitable for an automatic 
processing machine to be used for a small scale photofinishing laboratory 
of photography with a small amount of processings. Accordingly, the 
present inventors, concerning the former technique, have previously 
proposed a replenisher tank which has enabled simple and instantaneous 
preparation of a replenisher solution. The previously proposed technique 
is a replenisher tank in an automatic processing machine which can prepare 
not only the replenisher solution but also the starting solution. 
The present inventors have continued the study about the previously 
proposed technique and consequently found that, in the case when a part or 
all of the processing agent kit comprises a liquid agent, some troubles 
will occur in injecting the processing agent kit comprising said liquid 
agent into the replenisher tank. 
To describe in detail, the replenisher tank according to said previously 
proposed technique has two or more tanks juxtaposed, and in injecting 
successively respective part liquid agents constituting the developing 
agent kit into one of said replenisher tanks, said liquid agent may 
sometimes be splashed against the liquid surface in the replenisher tank 
to cause liquid scattering, which may in turn be introduced into another 
replenisher tank adjacent thereto. Also, when part liquid agents are 
poured into the tank while holding them together with the vessel therefor, 
the pouring mouth of the vessel is required to be slanted accurately 
toward the upper opening of the replenisher tank. However, depending on 
the developing agent kit employed, even one part liquid agent may be as 
much as 2 to 3 liters, weighing up to some kilograms. It is a very tedious 
work to maintain the part liquid agent with such volume and weight at the 
correct pouring position over the period until pouring is completed. And, 
unless an extreme attention is paid, the part liquid agent may sometimes 
be unexpectedly splashed out vigorously to be mixed into another adjacent 
replenisher tank. 
Developing processing of a photographic light-sensitive material, 
particularly a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material 
without washing with water, when it is a positive type (posi-type), may be 
constituted of, for example, the respective steps of color developing, 
bleach-fixing and waterless rinsing. If, for example, a part liquid agent 
of the bleach-fixing replenisher solution or the bleach-fixing 
replenishing agent kit during preparation happens to be introduced into 
the adjacent tank of a color developing replenisher tank, it will have 
marked influence on the photographic performance of the finished print. 
Accordingly, all of said color developing replenisher solution is required 
to be discarded, and also the bleach-fixing replenisher solution must be 
prepared again, because no prescribed concentration can be attained 
therein. 
Thus, liquid scattering or vigorous splashing out of the tank during 
preparation of processing solutions has marked influences not only on 
photographic performances, but also considerably harmful influences on 
human bodies anc clothings. 
To review now prior art examples, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined 
Utility Model Publication No. 52742/1981, there has been known the method 
in which the lids of the vessels for parts liquid agents of respective 
developing agent kits are constructed so as to be broken by piercing with 
a sharp member such as a needle and the like and said vessels are placed 
to stand toward the sharp member such as needle and the like provided in 
the replenisher tank. However, it is very difficult to perform the 
operation of placing the vessel upright upside down so that the breakable 
lid may be pierced with a sharp member such as a needle and the like when 
said vessel contains a part liquid agent having a great volume and weight. 
It is also disadvantageous in aspect of production cost to mount such a 
breakable lid for each vessel. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention has been accomplished with the background of the state of 
the art as described above, and an object of this invention is to provide 
an automatic processing machine for photography, which is capable of 
preparing rapidly without any trouble a processing solution for 
photographic light-sensitive materials. 
Such an object of the present invention can be accomplished by an automatic 
processing machine for photography which performs developing processing of 
a photographic light-sensitive material automatically while replenishing a 
replenisher solution from a replenisher tank to a processing solution tank 
.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, similarly as 
in the technique previously proposed, the replenisher tank is built in the 
automatic processing machine, and the developing processing of a 
photographic material is performed while the replenisher solution is 
prepared in said built-in type replenisher tank and said prepared 
replenisher solution is replenished to the processing tank. In the present 
invention, the replenisher tank may be constructed so that not only the 
replenisher solution but also the starting solution can be prepared in the 
replenisher tank. The present invention is described below in more detail 
below by referring to preferred embodiments, by which however the present 
invention is not limited at all. 
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show preferred embodiments of the replenisher tank used 
in the present invention, respectively, each being a sectional view of the 
pertinent portion illustrating the relationship between the replenisher 
tank and the processing tank. In each Figure, there is shown the case of 
the replenisher tank used in the present invention which is constructed so 
that a starting solution can also be prepared. 
In each Figure, 1 is a processing tank, which performs one of the 
developing processing steps by passing a photographic light-sensitive 
material through said tank by means of a conveying means such as conveying 
rack etc. 2 is a replenisher tank relating to the present invention which 
supplements the replenisher solution to said processing tank 1. 3 is a 
means for delivering replenisher solution which delivers and supplements 
quantitatively the replenisher solution in said replenisher solution in 
tank 2 to said processing tank 1, and comprises a passage 6 communicating 
to the bottom opening 4 of the replenisher tank 2 with the upper opening 5 
of the processing solution tank 1 and a constant delivery pump 7 such as 
bellows pump etc. provided in said passage 6. 8 is a means for circulating 
and stirring the processing solution, which stirs and mixes the processing 
solution in the replenisher tank 2 by circulation, and comprises a passage 
10 communicating to the bottom opening 4 with the upper opening 9 
(preferably below the liquid surface) of the replenisher tank 2 and a 
liquid delivering pump 11 provided in said passage 10. 12 is a means for 
delivering the starting solution prepared in the replenisher tank 2 and 
comprises a passage 13 communicating to the bottom opening 4 of the 
replenishing tank 2 with the upper opening 55 of the processing tank 1 and 
a liquid delivering pump 14 provided in said passage 13. In the Figures, 
15 is a kit of developing agents (comprising one or two or more kinds of 
solutions or powder), and 16 is a three-way valve for change-over coupled 
to a pipe 17. As shown in FIG. 1, a pipe 17 having orifices 18A and 18B at 
portions thereof both above and below the liquid surface, is arranged 
approximately at the central portion in the replenisher tank 2. 
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the pipe 17 has orifices 18B only at 
portions thereof below the liquid surface. 
The actions of the above respective embodiments are described as follows. A 
predetermined amount of a starting solution is prepared by stirring and 
mixing a predetermined amount of water introduced from the water supply 
tank (see FIG. 3) and a predetermined amount of processing agents from the 
processing agent kit 15 by permitting them to circulate through the 
passage 10 by actuation of the liquid delivering pump 11. Next, the liquid 
delivering pump 14 is actuated to deliver said starting solution in the 
replenisher tank 2 through the passage 13 to the processing tank 1 to fill 
the processing tank 1 with said starting solution. Subsequently, a 
predetermined amount of replenisher solution is prepared by stirring and 
mixing a predetermined amount of water introduced from the water supply 
tank etc. and a predetermined amount of processing agents from other 
processing agent kit 15 by permitting them to circulate through the 
passage 10 by actuation of the liquid delivering pump 11. Said replenisher 
solution is supplemented quantitatively intermittently (or continuously) 
through the actuation of the constant delivery pump 7 through the passage 
6 into the processing tank 1 during running processing of a 
light-sensitive material in the processing tank 1. Of course, the 
three-way valve 16 for change-over is changed over for changing the 
passage to be used. Also, in replenishing the above replenisher solution 
to the processing tank 1, it may be supplemented so that the processing 
solution in said processing tank 1 may be overflowed from the overflow 
discharge outlet (not shown). 
Automatic processing machines for photography, in the case when the 
photographic light-sensitive material to be processed is for color 
photography, generally have two or more processing tanks and replenisher 
tanks for carrying out the processes automatically, for example, color 
developing, bleach-fixing (or bleaching and fixing), stabilizing, 
waterless rinsing, etc. In this case, practicing of the tank construction 
according to the present invention in at least one replenisher tank will 
evidently belong to the technical scope of the present invention. 
The automatic processing machine for photography of the present invention 
preferably comprises a built-in type replenisher tank. FIG. 3 illustrates 
an embodiment of the processing machine of the present invention in which 
a processing tank, a replenisher tank, etc., explained in FIGS. 1 and 2 
are incorporated. In FIG. 3, the printing paper 102 in the magazine 103 
mounted on the mounting section 101 enters through the body inlet section 
105 into the body 104, subjected automatically to developing processings 
through the developing tank 106, the bleach-fixing tank 107, the first 
rinsing tank 108 and the second rinsing tank 109, and then dried in the 
drying section 110 and taken out through the body outlet 111, followed 
optionally by other steps such as cutting and others at the sections above 
the body 104, to give a product print. 
112, 113 and 114 designate replenisher tanks for the developer tank 106, 
the bleach-fixing tank 107 and the first rinsing tank 108 respectively. 
These replenisher tanks are constituted in such a manner as illustrated in 
FIGS. 1 and 2. The water supplying tank 115 (which can be omitted) 
containing water for diluting or dissolving processing agents stored 
therein is formed into a kit, and further the waste solution tank (not 
shown, positioned below the respective tanks 106-109 and the replenisher 
tanks 112-114) and/or the preliminary tanks 116, 117 (which can be 
omitted) are also detachably housed in the machine. In the Figure, 118, 
119 and 120 show replenishing agent kits, and 121 shows a shelf for 
placing said kits 118, 119 and 120 which also functions as the 
opening-closing lid. 
The present invention, having such a construction as described above, can 
accomplish the above-mentioned object, and exhibit excellent effects, and 
further requires no utility supplying means such as water pipe etc. and 
discharging pipe means for waste solution.