Patent Publication Number: US-6705779-B2

Title: Automatic replenishment for a treatment compartment of a photofinishing apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to an arrangement for preparing a liquid treatment solution for treating, e.g. developing photosensitive material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of photofinishing technologies, two types of photofinishing environments are mainly known. One of these types concerns minilabs and the other, large scale photofinishing laboratories. In the minilabs, all kinds of processing needed for the exposed film, for the exposure of the photosensitive paper and the development of the exposed photosensitive paper as well as all splicing and cutting operations necessary for the exposed and developed film and the exposed and developed photosensitive paper are dealt with in one small scale minilab. This minilab is able to process small to medium numbers of films and/or photographs. 
     On the other hand, large scale photofinishing laboratories are able to process a huge number of exposed films which are arranged in film batches. These film batches are processed in special high speed printer devices. 
     In minilabs it is useful to conduct most of the operations, if not all operations, automatically without wasting time. 
     Minilabs include several compartments directed to the treatment of the exposed film and several compartments directed to the treatment of the exposed photopaper. In the known minilabs as well as in the known types of large scale photofinishing laboratories, the replenishment of these compartments is not sufficiently operated automatically and some times have to be replenished, if the treating solution in the compartments is no longer useful for an acceptable result. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve the known arrangements by providing an arrangement for preparing a liquid treatment solution for the treatment of photosensitive material. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to propose such a new arrangement which is able to provide a fresh treatment solution without any time delay. 
     The solution to deal at least partially with these objects is an arrangement for preparing a liquid treatment solution for treating photosensitive material, such as photosensitive film material or photosensitive paper material, comprising: a storage container for storing said treatment solution to be fed to a development compartment of a development apparatus; a supply portion for a dry component or dry components and/or dry mixtures of components of said treatment solution; a reception container for receiving and storing a solvent, e.g. water, distilled water or the like; wherein a mixing tank is located between said supply portion, said reception container and said storage container, said parts being connected to said mixing tank. 
     Particularly useful and advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the sub-claims. 
     The present invention can be used for all processes in connection with the development of photographic material, i.e. all developing, desilvering, washing and stabilizing processes, to dissolve and supply the granules of the necessary chemical components for each of the steps. 
     Of course, the photographic material can be a photographic film or a photographic print paper, both for color and black-and-white shots and prints. 
     Accordingly, the combination of different tanks and containers can be arranged for preparing not only a developer, but also a bleacher or a bleach-fixer for a desilvering step, a stabilizer for a non-water washing step and a stabilizer for a dye-stabilizing step, respectively. 
     Accordingly, e.g. a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material after being exposed to light, is then processed in the steps such as a series of developing, desilvering, washing and stabilizing steps. And, a silver halide black-and-white photographic light-sensitive material, after exposed to light, is then processed in the series of developing and fixing steps. In these processes, a black-and-white developer or a color developer for carrying out a developing step, a bleacher or a bleach-fixer for a desilvering step, city water or deionized water for a washing step, a stabilizer for a non-water washing step, and a stabilizer for a dye-stabilizing step, respectively. 
     In general, a processing device according to the invention includes for instance a developing unit, a fixing unit, a desilvering unit, a washing or stabilizing unit and a drying unit and also a means for automatically transporting a photographic light-sensitive material through each of the processing tanks or compartments. 
     However, for simplification in the following it is only referred to the developing of films and prints, while the invention is also related to the e.g. fixing, bleaching or whatever process. 
     The advantages of the present invention are based on the fact that an additional mixing tank is located between a supply portion, a reception container and a storage container, wherein said parts are connected to the mixing tank by conduits. With this new feature of the invention, it is possible to prepare a new developer solution on the basis of dry components in connection with the solvent, which will usually be water or distilled water, while, at the same time, when mixing the new liquid developer solution, unused and active liquid developer solution is available for the development compartment of a development apparatus in a minilab or in a large scale photofinishing laboratory. Correspondingly, if the fresh liquid development solution has been pumped or withdrawn from the storage container to the development compartment of the development apparatus, the prepared fresh developer solution from the mixing tank can be supplied to the storage container and, immediately afterwards, the components of the development solution can be introduced into the mixing tank to prepare a new charge of the liquid developer solution. This is in particular important if dry ingredients in the form of powder or granules have to be disoluted in the solvent, e.g. water, which takes considerable time which can delay the overall function of the respective development apparatus and, correspondingly, of the complete minilab or the complete large scale photofinishing laboratory. 
     It is an advantageous embodiment of the present invention that the supply portion includes at least one and in particular two or more connecting locations for connecting replaceable vessels to the arrangement according to the arrangement. The vessels are, for instance, replaceable cartridges or the like which can be placed at the connecting locations to introduce the dry component or components or mixtures of the dry components to compose the liquid developer solution. For instance, the connecting locations can include flange devices or the like in connection with a pivotable lid or similar, which can be opened after the flange device has been fixably connected to the connecting location of the supply portion. The replaceable vessels or cartridges can be protected by housings to avoid possible damaging of the cartridges which could soil or spoil the liquid developer solution. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment including features in accordance with the invention, the storage container includes a sensor means which is able to monitor at least one particular level of the developer solution. This particular level of the developer solution in the storage container can also be merely a signal indicating that the storage container is empty. Of course, the sensor means in the storage container can also provide a continuous measurement showing all possible levels, i.e. the full level, all intermediate levels and also the empty state of the storage container. 
     According to another important embodiment in accordance with the present invention the mixing tank also includes a sensor means which is to monitor at least one particular level of a solvent and/or a liquid in said tank. Also this sensor means can provide a signal when the mixing tank is empty, i.e., if the fresh developer solution has been forwarded to the storage container. On the other hand, the sensor means of the mixing tank can also provide a signal when the mixing tank has been filled with a particular amount of material to be mixed to obtain the homogeneous fresh developer solution. Of course, this sensor of the mixing tank can also issue signals for all intermediate levels between the two levels, i.e. the maximum level and the minimum level. The maximum level should be adjustable so that it is possible to change the maximum amount of developer solution to be prepared in the mixing tank. 
     Accordingly, also the reception container should include a sensor means capable of detecting the level of the solvent, e.g. water, distilled water, or the like, in the reception container. It is also possible to only monitor the empty state of the reception container. 
     The storage container is connected via a conduct to said development compartment of the development apparatus, minilab or similar. Through this condridge said developer solution can be transported. This can be realised by sucking the developer solution or by creating a pressure in the storage container. If the storage container is placed above the development compartment, it is also possible to transport the developer solution by gravity only. However, a pumping means can be operated to transport the developer solution from the storage container to the development compartment. 
     To initiate the transport of the developer solution from the arrangement according to the invention to the development compartment, the development compartment should include a sensor indicating, when to change said developer solution. This sensor in the developer compartment should monitor the activity of the developer solution in the development compartment. If necessary, several sensor means for monitoring the activity of the developer solution in the developer compartment can be used to provide the necessary signals to activate the change of the old developer solution in the developer compartment to the fresh developer solution from the arrangement according the invention. 
     In a very secure but simple embodiment, it is possible that the sensor located in the storage container issues a signal when this container is empty. This signal can activate a valve to open a passageway from the mixing tank to the storage container to replenish the storage container. The sensor means installed in the mixing tank can also release a signal when the mixing tank is empty so that a valve is opened to replenish the mixing tank, if necessary, via a pump or the like, containing the solvent which has been supplied from the reception container. At the same, time the signal emitted by the sensor means of the mixing tank can also activate, i.e. open, the supply portion and the respective connecting locations of the supply portion. Afterwards, when the mixing tank has been filled to a certain level with the solvent and the dry components or mixtures from the supply portion and the replaceable vessels or cartridges respectively, the supply portion can be closed and the valve and/or pump can be controlled to stop feeding the solvent. At the same time or somewhat later a mixing device can be activated to support the dissolution process which takes place in the mixing tank. The mixing device can be, for instance, a stirring device or a loop-like convict with the pumping means or the like which generates a continuous movement in the solvent in the mixing tank to enhance the effectiveness of the dissolution process, i.e. to speed up the dissolution process. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to a particular embodiment in accordance with the invention. In the specification, further advantageous aims and features in accordance with the invention are disclosed. 
     The attached FIGURE shows an arrangement in accordance with the present invention in a principle cross-sectional view. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the FIGURE, a storage container  10  is connected via a sucking pipe  32  and a pumping means  46  to a pipe connection  30  which ends in a developer compartment represented by the reference number  14 . 
     When the pump, which for instance can be a transfer bellow pump, has emptied the storage container  10 , a sensor  52  is able to detect this state of the storage container  10 . The sensor holder of the sensor  52  can also include a vent pipe  50  to allow a pressure balance in the container  10  when developer is withdrawn or supplied to the tank  10 . 
     The tank  10  has an inlet opening  38  which is connected to an outlet opening  34  of a mixing tank  18 . The outlet opening  34  is connected to the inlet opening  38  via a three-way-valve  54  which can be switched in two different positions. In one position the three-way-valve  54  provides a connection between the mixing tank  18  and the storage container  10 . In the other setting, the valve  54  connects the outlet opening  34  of a tank  18  to a connecting piece  42  of the valve  54 . Said valve is fitted via a pipe to a pump  40  which has the purpose of moving the liquid in the tank  18  by sucking the liquid to the outlet opening  34  and re-feeding the liquid through another inlet  36  of the mixing tank  18  back into the mixing tank. Accordingly, the pump  40  generates a movement or flow in the tank to support any chemical reactions, such as for instance a dissolution of components introduced into the tank  18 , and to help to provide a homogeneous developer solution which is composed of the solvent stemming from a reception compartment  16  and the dry components stemming from cartridges  62   a ,  62   b.    
     The mixing tank  18  has two inlet openings. The inlet opening  56  connects a supply portion  12  to the mixing tank  18 . The inlet opening  48  introduced the solvent from the reception container  16  through a pipe  20  into the mixing tank  18 . 
     The solvent in the reception container  16 , which can be replenished via an opening  72  into the container  16  is withdrawn via a sucking pipe  22 . The sucking pipe  22 , which is connected to the connection pipe  20 , is connected to the container  16  via an opening  24 . The opening  24  also supports a sensor  74  fixed to a holder through which a vent pipe  76  is also connected to the inner space of the container  16 . The vent pipe  76  allows for pressure balance in the container  16  when the level of the solvent in the container  16  changes. The solvent can be transferred by a pump means  26  and the connecting pipe  20 . To exactly control the amount of solvent to be supplied to the mixing tank  18 , a valve, and in particular a solenoid valve  28 , can be installed in the course of the connecting pipe  20  behind the pump  26 . 
     In addition, the mixing tank  18  includes a level sensor  68  which is able to detect the levels of the amount of liquid existent in the tank  18 . Moreover, the fixture of the level sensor  68  is provided with a vent pipe  70  to allow for a pressure balance in the tank  18 . The level sensor  68  and the vent pipe  70  are introduced or connected, respectively, to the inner space of the tank  18  via an opening  64 . 
     The supply portion  12  has several connecting locations  58   a ,  58   b  to which replaceable cartridges  62   a ,  62   b  can be connected. The replaceable cartridges  62   a ,  62   b  themselves or the connecting locations  58   a ,  58   b  can incorporate some lids  57   a ,  57   b , which can be opened after a cartridge has been connected to the respective connecting location and closed before an emptied replaceable cartridge is removed. The purpose of this is to avoid dust or dirt being accidently introduced into the mixing tank and spoiling the fresh developer solution which has been prepared. 
     As can be seen, the replaceable cartridges  62   a ,  62   b  are protected by housings  60   a ,  60   b  so that the cartridges cannot be accidently damaged. 
     All the sensors  52 ,  68 ,  74  of this arrangement can activate the necessary actuators to accomplish a proper function of the arrangement according to the invention. Thus, the sensor  52  can actuate the three-way-valve  42  or alternatively a two-way-valve to replenish the container  10  with fresh developer from the mixing tank  18 . In case of the appliance of a two-way-valve, the mixing loop including the pump  40  is always open and only an additional connecting conduit between the mixing tank  18  and the storage container  10  is controlled by such a two-way-valve. The pump  46  can be activated by one or several sensors in the development compartment, if the used developer in the development compartment has been poured out and fresh developer from the container  10  has be replenished into the development compartment  14 . The sensor  68  can detect when the mixing tank  18  is empty and can, after the valve  54  has been closed, activate the solenoid valve  28  and, if necessary, the pump  26 , to introduce solvent, e.g. water, from the container  16  into the tank  18 . At the same time, the signal from the sensor  68  can activate the supply portion  12  to introduce the necessary amount of dry ingredients for the developer solvent into the tank  18 . 
     When the level sensor  68  detects that the maximum level has been reached, or, if possible beforehand, the valve  54  can be controlled to be set to connect a mixing pump  40  to the mixing tank  18 . 
     Of course, the different functions said forth above can also be accomplished by a central control processor or a central control computer which is part of the development apparatus or the minilab which incorporates the development compartment  14 . 
     To be able to provide a turbulent stream or flow in the mixing tank  18  to dissolute the granules more quickly, the inlet  36  can be connected to one or more distribution conduits. This or these distribution conduits can be extended to different locations in the mixing tank  18 . It is also possible to use one distribution pipe, extending from one end of the mixing tank  18  to the other, said pipe being provided with many orifices to deliver the content of the mixing tank  18  during the mixing and dissolution procedure. 
     It is also possible to install a distribution arrangement for the granules so that the granules are initially widely spread in the tank  18  before the mixing or dissolution procedure begins. 
     It has to be kept in mind, that all treatment liquids which may be appropriate for a photo-finishing process can be prepared in accordance with these embodiments. Furthermore, of course, several of the above arrangements in practice can be operated in parallel to dissolve the ingredients and to provide the treatment liquids.