Electrophotography – Control of electrophotography process – Control of developing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-07-03
Grimley, Arthur T. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Control of electrophotography process
Control of developing
C399S237000, C399S247000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256460
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a detecting device which detects whether solution is being supplied to a tank, and to a processing device which utilizes the detecting device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In processing tanks in an automatic developing apparatus such as a developing tank and a fixing tank, as photosensitive materials are subjected to processing, the processing solutions in the tanks deteriorate due to processing and deteriorate over time. To compensate therefor, replenishing solutions must be replenished in order to activate the processing solutions in the tanks. Further, the amount of processing solution within the processing tank decreases due to evaporation and due to the processing solution being carried out from the tank on the photosensitive material. In these cases as well, replenishing solution is replenished so as to prevent the surface level of the processing solution within the processing tank from falling.
Usually, a flow path is formed by piping extending from a reserve tank, in which replenishing solution is stored, to the processing tank. The replenishing solution is discharged to above the processing tank by the driving of a pump.
In such an automatic developing apparatus, if the amount of the replenishing solution with the reserve tank is not monitored, there may not be any replenishing solution when replenishing is necessary, which may lead to problems with the operation of the automatic developing apparatus. The following methods are known as methods of monitoring the existence of the replenishing solution in the reserve tank.
A method in which a sealed reserve tank is used is known, and the existence of the replenishing solution is detected on the basis of the load applied to the pump which discharges the replenishing solution from the tank.
However, this method cannot use an open-type reserve tank.
A method in which the surface level of the solution in the tank is monitored by a level sensor mounted at the tank is used, so that the existence of the replenishing solution is detected.
In this method, it can be determined whether or not there is replenishing solution in the tank, but it cannot be determined whether replenishing solution is actually being supplied to the processing tank.
A method is known in which a rotary blade or the like, which rotates due to the flow of the replenishing solution, is provided in the piping for supplying the replenishing solution. By monitoring the rotational state of the rotary blade, the existence of the replenishing solution is detected.
In this method, if a state in which replenishing solution is not replenished continues over a long period of time, problems in operation may arise due to solidification of chemical agents contained in the replenishing solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the aforementioned, an object of the present invention is to provide a detecting device which can be applied to an automatic processing apparatus having an open-type reserve tank and which detects whether a processing solution is being supplied to the processing tank and which does not cause trouble even if a state in which replenishing solution is not replenished continues over a long period of time, and to provide a processing apparatus using the same.
The present invention provides a detecting device for use in a processing device having a tank storing a liquid and a supplying means for supplying liquid from above the tank along a supply path, the detecting device being for detecting whether liquid is being supplied to the tank, the detecting device comprising: a first electrode disposed on the supply path of the liquid; a second electrode disposed in the tank; and a sensor electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the sensor detecting whether a closed circuit exists between the first electrode and the second electrode.
The present invention also provides a processing device comprising: a tank for storing a liquid; supplying means for supplying liquid from above the tank along a supply path; a first electrode disposed on the supply path of the liquid; a second electrode disposed in the tank; and a sensor which is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the sensor detecting whether a closed circuit exists between the first electrode and the second electrode.
In accordance with the present invention, when the supplying means is not supplying a liquid, or when the amount of supplied liquid is too small for the liquid to flow continuously, a layer of air exists between the first and second electrodes. Thus, the circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode is open. On the other hand, when the amount of supplied liquid is so large that a continuous flow of the supplied liquid is formed, the circuit is closed, and the sensor detects that the liquid is being supplied. The detecting device does not include any movable portions such as a rotary blade whose operation may become problematic if liquid is not supplied for a long period of time and the viscosity of the liquid adhered to the detecting device thereby increases. Thus, the detecting device can be used continuously with hardly any need for maintenance at all. Further, even if the surface of the liquid is not detected at all times (as is the case when a level sensor is used), if the sensor does not detect that the circuit is closed when the supplying means is operated, the operator can know that the liquid is not being supplied.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3580158 (1971-05-01), Scholle et al.
patent: 4631116 (1986-12-01), Ludwig
patent: 4813240 (1989-03-01), Hon
patent: 5126023 (1992-06-01), Huang et al.
patent: 5926668 (1999-07-01), Lee
Nozawa Ryouei
Sugiyama Akira
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Grimley Arthur T.
Ngo Hoang
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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