JP2000284498A - Photosensitive planographic printing plate processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize stable processing without causing rubbing irregularity and processing irregularity to a photosensitive planographic printing plate. SOLUTION: In the developing tank 23 of a developing part 22, a processing liquid processing process 70 and a carrying process 72 are prepared in a developer. In the processing liquid processing process, a PS-plate 12 is carried so that the photosensitive layer thereof is immersed in the developer when the surface thereof being opposite to the photosensitive layer is brought into contact with rollers 102 arranged at a guide plate 100. Then, the photosensitive layer is swollen in response to exposure. In the carrying process, carrying force is imparted to the plate 12 when the rollers 60 and 62 of plural pairs of rollers 42-46 are brought into contact with the plate 12 and the plate 12 is peeled from a supporting body when the swollen photosensitive layer is pressed and drawn by the rollers 62. Thus, the stable developing process of the PS-plate is realized without causing the processing irregularity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate while processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter, referred to as "PS plate") is processed by a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "PS plate processor") after an image is printed by exposure. It is processed.

The PS plate processor has a developing tank for storing a developing solution, and performs a developing process by immersing the PS plate, which has been subjected to image exposure, in the developing solution while being conveyed. When the PS plate subjected to image exposure is immersed in a developer, the photosensitive layer swells according to the exposed image. PS version,
An image corresponding to the exposed image is formed by removing the swelled photosensitive layer immersed in the developer.

By the way, PS used as a printing plate for printing
An exposed image is formed on the plate, and an unnecessary photosensitive layer is removed by development. For this reason, the PS version processor includes:
A rubbing means such as a brush roller is provided in the developing tank, and the PS is conveyed while being immersed in the developing solution in the developing tank.
By rubbing the surface of the plate with this brush roller or the like, the photosensitive layer swollen by the developing solution is positively removed to promote the development processing of the PS plate.

[0005]

However, the brush roller and the like have a considerable amount of run-out, unevenness in the density of the brush, and undulation of the tip of the brush. Runout of the brush roller,
If rubbing unevenness occurs due to brush density unevenness, waving, or the like, it appears as streak-like processing unevenness on the surface of the photosensitive layer remaining on the PS plate, causing poor processing of the PS plate. Such a processing failure of the PS plate has a problem in that a printed matter created by the PS plate causes a defective finish such as print unevenness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is intended to prevent a photosensitive lithographic printing plate from being poorly finished due to uneven rubbing or the like and to ensure stable processing. It is intended to provide a device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus which transports and develops a photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which an image has been printed while supplying a developing solution. Wherein rollers arranged in pairs contact the front and back surfaces of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to impart a conveying force to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and to promote the development of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Conveying step, a processing solution treatment step provided on the upstream side of the conveying step, soaking a developing solution into a photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate while guiding the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to the conveying step, It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, a process for supplying a developing solution to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate and soaking the developing solution into a photosensitive layer without providing a rubbing means such as a brush roller in the middle of transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. There is provided a liquid processing step and a transporting step of transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by bringing the photosensitive lithographic printing plate into contact with rollers arranged in pairs, and promoting the developing process.

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus is first supplied with a developing solution to the photosensitive layer in a processing solution processing step. The transfer force is provided by the In the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, the photosensitive layer on the support swells in response to exposure in the processing solution processing step, and this photosensitive layer comes into contact with the rollers in the transport step, whereby the swollen photosensitive layer is squeezed, and Exfoliation from the body is promoted, and development processing is promoted.

Since the roller which comes into contact with the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate does not unnecessarily rub against the photosensitive layer side surface (photosensitive surface) of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate or press with excessive force, The photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be stably developed without causing processing unevenness such as rubbing unevenness on the photosensitive surface remaining on the support.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the processing solution treatment step and the transportation step are alternately arranged during the transportation of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate.

According to the present invention, the processing solution processing step and the transporting step are provided alternately. As a result, after the image is printed, the developing solution is supplied and the swollen photosensitive layer is gradually and surely removed from the support.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an outer peripheral portion of a roller that contacts a photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is formed of an elastic body among rollers arranged in pairs in the transporting step. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate is sandwiched by elastic force.

According to the present invention, at least the peripheral surface of the roller which comes into contact with the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is formed of an elastic body made of an elastomer, or the roller is put into a tubular material made of a fabric such as acrylic fiber. When the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is sandwiched between the opposing rollers by, for example, disposing an elastic body around the rollers, the roller surface is elastically deformed.

Thus, when the photosensitive layer swelled and softened by the developing solution is pressed and separated from the roller, the photosensitive layer is squeezed by the elastic force of the roller, thereby being reliably separated from the support.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter, “PS plate processor 10”) applied to the present embodiment.
Is shown). This PS version processor 10
Develops a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter, referred to as "PS plate 12") on which an image is printed by a printing device (not shown).

The PS plate processor 10 includes a developing unit 22 for processing the PS plate 12 with a developing solution, and a PS plate 1.
A washing unit 24 for washing the developer adhering to 2; a finisher unit 26 for applying a gum solution to the PS plate 12 after washing to desensitize the PS plate 12; and a drying unit 250 for drying the PS plate 12. It is arranged.

The outer panel 14 is provided with a slit-shaped insertion port 34 and a discharge port 36, respectively. The insertion table 16 is provided outside the insertion slot 34, and guides the insertion of the PS plate 12 into the insertion slot 34.

A cover 35 that covers the upper part of the developing part 22, the washing part 24 and the finisher part 26 has a reentry insertion opening (sub-portion) for inserting the PS plate 12 between the developing part 22 and the washing part 24. An insertion port 38 is provided. The sub insertion port 38 is an insertion port for the PS plate 12 for performing processing except for processing with a developer.

A pair of rubber transport rollers 32 are disposed on the side of the developing unit 22 where the PS plate 12 is inserted. The PS plate 12 on which an image has been printed passes through the insertion port 34 through the pair of transport rollers. 32. The pair of transport rollers 32 is rotated by a driving force of a driving unit (not shown) to draw in the inserted PS plate 12 and to feed the developing plate 22 to the developing unit 22 at an angle of about 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. It has become. In the present embodiment, as an example, a single-sided PS plate 12 in which a photosensitive layer is formed on one surface of an aluminum support having a predetermined thickness is used, and the PS plate 12 has a photosensitive layer facing upward. In this state, it is inserted into the PS plate processor 10 from the insertion port 34.

The developing section 22 is provided with a substantially mountain-shaped developing tank 23 which is open at the top and whose center at the bottom projects downward. A developing solution is stored in the developing tank 23. In the developing unit 22, a guide plate 100 is disposed along the bottom of the developing tank 23 below the PS plate 12 in the transport direction.

The guide plate 100 is provided upstream of the developing tank 23 (on the side of the insertion port 34). The guide plate 100 is provided with a plurality of freely rotating rollers (small rollers) 102 whose rotating shaft is the PS plate 12 It is mounted in a direction that intersects the transport direction of The developing unit 22 is driven by a pair
The PS plate 12 sent into the inside is conveyed on the guide plate 100 while being guided by the rollers 102. At this time, since the roller 102 freely rotates while the PS plate 12 is lifted from the surface of the guide plate 100, the PS plate 12 is prevented from being damaged by sliding.

A transfer roller 114 made of rubber is arranged on the washing section 24 side of the developing section 22. The PS plate 12 guided and conveyed in the developing section 22 in a substantially U-shape is connected to the conveying roller pair 114. And is pulled out from the developing unit 22.

A developing solution is stored in the developing unit 22. The PS plate 12 is immersed in the developing solution by being guided and transported in the developing unit 22, and is developed. That is, in the PS plate 12, the photosensitive layer exposed by image printing swells by being immersed in the developing solution, and peels off from the support. Thus, the photosensitive layer is removed from the PS plate 12 according to the printed image.

The developing section 22 is provided with a spray pipe 40, and the PS plate 12 is
PS transported in the developer toward the upstream side in the transport direction
The developer is sprayed on the photosensitive layer surface of the plate 12.

The developing solution sprayed on the photosensitive layer surface is circulated from the developing tank 23 by a piping and a pump (not shown) and returns to the spray pipe 40. Here, the spraying direction from the spray pipe 40 to the PS plate 12 conveyed in the developer is the PS plate 1
The downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 is not limited to the upstream side in the second transport direction, and may be another direction such as a direction orthogonal to the PS plate 12 being transported.

A liquid level cover 50 is provided on the developing liquid level of the developing section 22.
Is arranged. The lower surface of the liquid surface cover 50 is
2 is arranged so as to be lower than the liquid level of the developing solution stored in the developing device 2. Further, shielding members 116A and 116C are attached to the insertion port 34 side on the frame 130 and the liquid surface lid 50 forming the upper end of the developing tank 23, and shielding members 116B and 116D are attached on the washing section 24 side. ing. In addition, shielding sections 116E and 116F are attached to the drying section 250 side of the finisher section 26,
A shielding member 116G is attached to the upper part of the reentry insertion slot 38 of FIG.

The shielding member 116A has its leading end in contact with the peripheral surface of the lower roller of the transport roller 32.
16C, the leading end thereof is in contact with the peripheral surface of the upper roller of the transport roller 32. The tip of the shielding member 116B contacts the peripheral surface of the lower roller of the transport roller pair 114, and the tip of the shielding member 116D contacts the peripheral surface of the roller above the transport roller 114. Also, the shielding member 1
The tip of 16E contacts the peripheral surface of the upper roller of the transport roller pair 58, and the distal end of the shielding member 116F contacts the peripheral surface of the lower roller of the transport roller pair 58. Further, the shielding member 116G is provided so as to close the reentry insertion slot 38. These shielding members 116A, 116
B, 116C, 116D, 116E, 116F, 116
G is formed of silicon rubber or the like.

As described above, the cover 35, the liquid surface cover 50, the shielding members 116A, 116B, 116C and 116D, the pair of transport rollers 32 and the transport roller pair 114, etc.
The area where the liquid level of the developer in the developing tank 23 comes into contact with air is reduced, fresh air is prevented from entering near the liquid level of the developer, and contact between the developer level and air is reduced. In order to minimize deterioration of the developing solution due to carbon dioxide gas in the air and to prevent evaporation of water in the developing solution. The liquid level cover 50 is provided with skewer rollers 118 and 120 on the lower surfaces of the upstream and downstream ends of the PS plate 12 in the transport direction, whereby the PS plate 12 transported in the developing unit 22 is provided. Prevents the surface (mainly the photosensitive surface) from being damaged by contact with the lower surface of the liquid surface cover 50.

The PS plate 12 pulled out from the developing section 22 by the pair of transport rollers 114 is sent to the washing section 24 while the developer adhering to the surface is squeezed down by the pair of transport rollers 114.

The washing section 24 has two pairs of transport rollers 52,
53 are provided. These transport rollers 52, 53
Forms a conveyance path for the PS plate 12, rotates by receiving a driving force of a driving unit (not shown), and pinches and conveys the PS plate 12 sent from the developing unit 22.

The PS plate 1 is provided between the transport rollers 52 and 53.
The spray pipe 56,
122 are provided. Spray pipe 56, 122
Has a plurality of discharge holes communicating with the inside of the pipe at a position facing the transport path of the PS plate 12, the axial direction of which is arranged along the axial direction of the transport rollers 52 and 53.

The spray pipes 56 and 122 have P
A flush water is supplied from a flush water tank (not shown) by a pump in synchronization with the transport of the S plate 12, and the PS plate 12 transported in the flush section 24 is supplied to the spray pipes 56, 122. Then, the front and back surfaces are washed with the washing water discharged from the discharge holes. At this time, the washing water discharged from the spray pipes 56 and 122 is PS
When the front and back surfaces of the plate 12 are quickly spread and the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 are cleaned, the PS rollers 12 are conveyed by the transport roller 53.
Squeezed from. Here, the spray pipes 56, 1
The direction in which the washing water is discharged to the PS plate 12 transported from the nozzle 22 is upstream in the transport direction in the spray pipe 56 and downstream in the transport direction in the spray pipe 122, but is not limited to this. good.

The finisher section 26 provided downstream of the washing section 24 is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 58, and the PS plate 12 is provided with the conveying rollers 53 of the washing section 24.
Is fed between the conveying rollers 58. On the upstream side of the transport roller 58, a spray pipe 124 is disposed above the transport path of the PS plate 12.

The spray pipe 124 has an axial direction arranged along the axial direction of the conveying roller 58, and a plurality of discharge holes communicating with the inside of the pipe are formed in the PS plate 12 on the conveying path side. This spray pipe 124 has PS
The gum solution is supplied from a gum solution tank (not shown) by a pump (not shown) in synchronization with the transport of the plate 12, and the PS plate 12
The gum solution is discharged onto the plate surface of the PS plate 12 toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate. Note that the gum solution is discharged in the PS plate 12
The direction is not limited to the downstream side in the transport direction, and may be another direction.

In the finisher section 26, a discharge unit 126 is disposed below the conveying path of the PS plate 12. The discharge unit 126 has a slit formed continuously in the width direction of the PS plate 12 (a direction orthogonal to the transport direction), so that the gum solution is supplied similarly to the spray pipe 124 described above. ing.

On the PS plate 12 conveyed to the finisher 26, the gum solution supplied to the spray pipe 124 is dripped from the discharge holes and spreads on the surface to form a protective film. Further, the PS plate 12 is transported while the back surface side is in contact with the slit portion of the discharge unit 126, so that the gum solution discharged from the slit adheres to the entire back surface side to form a protective film. In addition, an ejection unit 126 is disposed below the transport path of the PS plate 12, and the gum solution is
The S plate 12 was supplied. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A spray pipe is provided, and the PS plate 1 is supplied from the spray pipe.
2, the gum solution may be discharged.

The PS plate 12 to which the gum solution has been applied in the finisher section 26 is sandwiched between a pair of transport rollers 58, and is discharged from the discharge port 36 with the gum solution slightly remaining on the front and back surfaces. It is sent to the drying unit 250 arranged on the side.

The drying section 250 has a P near the outlet 36.
A support roller 270 for supporting the S plate 12 is provided, and a transfer roller 252 and a transfer roller 254 are provided in the center of the transfer path of the PS plate 12 in the drying unit 250 and near the discharge port 258. ing. The support roller 270 and the transport roller 252 at the center have a flower-shaped cross section in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and are driven to rotate together with the transport roller 254 near the discharge port 258 by the driving force of a driving unit (not shown). I have.

The PS plate 12 sent to the drying unit 250
Is transported in the drying unit 250 by the support roller 270 and the transport rollers 252 and 254. The outlet 36
Is provided with a shutter 272 for separating the processor unit up to the finisher unit 26 for processing the PS plate 12 with the processing liquid and the drying unit 250.

In the drying unit 250, ducts 260A and 260B are arranged between the support roller 270 and the transport roller 252 and between the transport roller 252 and the transport roller 254 in pairs with the transport path of the PS plate 12 therebetween. Has been established.

Each of the ducts 260A and 260B
The longitudinal direction is arranged along the width direction of the PS plate 12, and a slit hole 262 is provided on a surface of the PS plate 12 facing the conveyance path. This duct 260A, 260
B, the drying air generated by the drying air generating means (not shown) is supplied from one end in the longitudinal direction. Each of the ducts 260A and 260B passes the supplied drying air to the slit hole 262. From the PS plate 12 toward the transport path. Thus, the drying air discharged from the slit holes 262 of the ducts 260A and 260B is blown to the PS plate 12 transported in the drying unit 250, and the gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces is dried.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PS tank 12 is provided in the developing tank 23 together with the guide plate 100.
A plurality of roller pairs (three pairs of roller pairs 42, 44, 46 as an example in the present embodiment) are provided. When the PS plate 12 guided in the developing tank 23 by the guide plate 100 passes through the center of the developing tank 23, the PS plate 12 is nipped and conveyed by a pair of rollers 42, 44 and 46, and then directed to the conveying roller 114 by a guide roller 48. I will be guided.

Thus, in the developing section 22, the guide plate 1
00 and a roller 102 provided on the guide plate 100 to convey the PS layer 12 in the developing solution without contacting the photosensitive layer side of the PS plate 12, and to bring the roller pairs 42 to 46 into contact with the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. The process is divided into a process of transporting while performing

The PS plate 1 is formed by the guide plate 100 and the roller 102.
2, the photosensitive layer of the PS plate 12 does not come into contact with a roller or the like, so that the photosensitive layer always comes into contact with the developing solution, and the developing solution permeates the photosensitive layer according to the exposed image, and The swelling (development) of the layer is promoted (hereinafter referred to as “treatment solution treatment step 70”).

On the other hand, the roller pairs 42, 44, 46
Roller 6 in contact with the back surface (non-photosensitive layer side) of S plate 12
As 0, a roller having high hardness (hard roller) using resin or metal is used in the outer peripheral portion, and as the roller 62 which contacts the photosensitive layer of the PS plate 12, EPT rubber, silicon rubber, polyethylene, polychlorinated is used in the outer peripheral portion. A scrub in which a resin roller or a metal roller using an elastomer such as vinyl is knitted using a cylindrical knitted fabric (for example, 80% acrylic and 20% nylon based on BDS (Industrial Fabrics)). A roller (soft roller) having a low hardness by being inserted into a roller cover) and covering the peripheral surface of the roller with this tubular knitted fabric is used.

In the roller pairs 42 to 46, the PS plate 12 is sandwiched mainly by the elastic force of the roller 62.

The roller pairs 42, 44, 46 rotate in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 by transmitting a driving force (not shown) to the rollers 60, 62.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the roller pairs 42, 44, 46 hold the PS plate 12,
The outer peripheral portion of the roller 62 is elastically deformed to generate a pinching force of the PS plate 12 with the roller 60. In this state, when the roller 62 is driven to rotate, the PS plate 12 is sent out so as to be pushed out between the roller pairs 42, 44 and 46.

On the other hand, the PS plate 12 swollen by the developer
After the photosensitive layer is pressed by the pressing force when it is nipped by the roller 60 and the roller 62, when the pressing force is released by the separation of the roller 62, the photosensitive layer is separated from the support of the PS plate 12.

In the developing section 22, a plurality of roller pairs 42-4
6 is provided, so that P
The S plate 12 is conveyed while being repeatedly pressed (hereinafter referred to as “conveying step 72”).

That is, in the developing section 22, after the swelling of the photosensitive layer by the developing solution is promoted in the first processing solution processing step 70, the P
The S plate 12 is conveyed while being repeatedly held and not held.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below.

The PS plate 12 on which an image is recorded by a printing device (not shown) is placed on the insertion table 16 and then inserted into the insertion slot 34. In PS version processor 10,
When the PS plate 12 is inserted from the insertion port 34, the PS plate 12 is pulled in by the pair of transport rollers 32 and sent to the developing unit 22. In the PS version processor 10,
When the PS plate 12 passing through the insertion slot 34 is detected by a sensor (not shown), a timer is started. This timer measures the timing of discharging the washing water from the spray pipe 56 of the washing unit 24 and the timing of discharging the gum solution in the finisher unit 26, together with the operation of the driving means for transporting the PS plate 12 by the PS plate processor 10. Used for

In the developing section 22, the PS plate 12 is fed by the conveying roller 32 at an insertion angle in the range of 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction, and is conveyed while being immersed in the developing solution. The PS plate 12 is sent out of the developer at a discharge angle in the range of 17 ° to 31 °. PS version 12
Is immersed in a developing solution in the developing unit 22, whereby the photosensitive layer swells according to the exposed image, and the swollen photosensitive layer is removed from the support.

P sent from the developing solution in the developing section 22
The S plate 12 is pulled out by the transport roller 114, and while the developer adhering to the front and back surfaces is squeezed out, the washing unit 2
0 is sent to 4. In the washing section 24, the PS plate 12 is nipped and transported by the transport rollers 52 and 53.

On the other hand, the washing section 24 discharges washing water from the spray pipe 56 based on the time measured by the timer. As a result, the PS plate 12 is moved
When the sheet is conveyed between the feed roller 53 and the conveying roller 53, the front and back surfaces are washed with washing water. This washing water is drawn down from the PS plate 12 by the transport roller 53.

The PS plate 12 that has been subjected to the water washing process is sent to the finisher unit 26 by the transport rollers 53. In the finisher section 26, the gum solution discharged from the spray pipe 124 and the discharge unit 126 is applied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12, and the PS plate 12 is subjected to desensitization processing.

The PS plate 12 to which the gum solution has been applied passes through the outlet 36 and is sent to the drying unit 250. In addition,
The shutter 282 provided at the discharge port 36 is
At the start of the process or at the timing when the PS plate 12 is sent out from the finisher unit 26 to open the discharge port 36, the drying air in the drying unit 250 enters the finisher unit 26 unnecessarily, and the gum solution is conveyed to the pair Sticking to the roller 58 or the like is prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the air from entering the discharge port 36 and reaching the developing section 22 to prevent the developer from being deteriorated by carbon dioxide gas in the air, or to prevent the water and the washing water in the developer from evaporating and exit the discharge port 36. To prevent them from getting lost.

In the drying section 250, drying air is blown from the ducts 260A and 260B while the PS plate 12 is transported by the support roller 170 and the transport rollers 252 and 254. As a result, the PS plate 12 is discharged from the outlet 258 after the protective film is formed by the applied gum solution.

In the developing section 22 of the PS plate processor 10, first, the rollers 102 provided on the guide plate 100 provided as the processing solution processing step 70 are transported through the developing solution while being brought into contact with the back surface of the PS plate 12. . Thereby, the photosensitive layer of the PS plate 12 is immersed in the developer.

At this time, since the roller or the like does not contact the surface (photosensitive surface) of the PS plate 12 on the photosensitive layer side, the developing solution is temporarily removed from the photosensitive layer by the contact with the roller or the like. Can be prevented, and the developer can be surely soaked into the photosensitive layer. Further, a developer can be supplied to the photosensitive surface of the PS plate 12 by the spray pipe 40.

On the other hand, when the PS plate 12 comes off the guide plate 100, the pair of rollers 44 provided as the conveying process 72
44 and 46 in order. Roller pair 42-4
6 is a roller 60 facing the back surface of the PS plate 12,
A roller 62 is provided to face the photosensitive surface of the plate 12, and the rollers 60 and 62 come into contact with the PS plate 12 to pinch the PS plate 12.

At this time, since a soft roller is used as the roller 62, the outer peripheral portion of the roller 62 is elastically deformed and comes into contact with the photosensitive surface of the PS plate 12, and the elastic force causes the photosensitive surface of the PS plate 12 to be extremely pressed. Thus, the PS plate 12 is sent out.

When the PS plate 12 is sandwiched between the rollers 60 and 62, the photosensitive layer swollen by the developer is pressed against the support. Thereafter, when the holding by the rollers 60 and 62 is released, the swollen photosensitive layer is
Since it is slightly pushed out by the elastic force of the roller 62, it is separated from the support by this. That is, when releasing the PS plate 12 held between the roller 60 and the roller 60, the roller 62 peels off the swollen photosensitive layer from the support in a stiff manner.

The PS plate 12 has a pair of rollers 42, 44, 46.
Thus, the nipping of the photosensitive layer swollen by the developer is surely removed by repeating the nipping by the rollers 60 and 62 in order.

On the other hand, the photosensitive layer which has not been exposed when the image is printed does not swell even when it is immersed in a developing solution. When the non-swelled photosensitive layer is sandwiched between the rollers 60 and 62, the roller 62 is elastically deformed, so that there is no pressing mark caused by pressing the photosensitive layer more than necessary. Further, since the roller 62 is elastically deformed, no trace of pressing is generated on the PS plate 12, so that even if the roller 62 oscillates or bends (bend), it does not appear as processing unevenness.

That is, when the photosensitive surface of the PS plate 12 is rubbed while being pressed by a brush roller or the like, a considerable amount of rub marks are formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer on which the processing liquid has not swelled. In addition, when the brush roller has run-out, uneven density of the brush, and waving of the bristle, etc., the unevenness of the brush roller is generated.
It appears on the surface of the S plate 12.

On the other hand, in the developing section 22 of the PS plate processor 10, since the photosensitive layer is only pressed by the roller 62 which is a soft roller, no processing unevenness such as rubbing unevenness is caused.

In the developing unit 22 provided in the PS plate processor 10 as described above, the exposed photosensitive layer on the PS plate 12 can be reliably removed, and the development of the PS plate 12 is accelerated on the surface of the PS plate 12. And the contact pressure of the roller 62 that comes into contact with the sheet for conveyance does not remain as processing unevenness, and the development processing of the PS plate 12 can be stably performed.

The above-described embodiment shows an example of the present invention, and does not limit the configuration of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, a processing liquid processing step 70 is provided before the developing unit 22 and a transporting step 72 is
However, the processing solution treatment step and the transport step may be alternately arranged.

That is, the developing unit 1 shown in FIG.
In 40, the roller pair 142 is disposed at a central portion in the developing tank 23, and the roller pairs 144 and 14 are provided at predetermined intervals on the upstream side and the downstream side of the roller pair 142, respectively.
6 are arranged. The roller pairs 142, 144, 1
Each of the rollers 46 includes a roller 60 and a roller 62.

Note that, on the upstream side of the roller pair 144, between the roller pairs 144 and 142, between the roller pairs 142 and 146, and on the downstream side of the roller pair 146, for example, A guide means for guiding by contacting the device may be provided.

In the developing unit 140 configured as described above, P
Processing solution processing step 150 of immersing the photosensitive layer of S plate 12 in a developing solution
And a transporting step 152 for transporting the PS plate 12 by nipping the PS plate 12 between the rollers 60 and 62. In the transporting step 152, the swollen photosensitive layer on the photosensitive surface that comes into contact with the roller 62 is supported. Peel from

Even if such a configuration is used, stable processability of the PS plate 12 can be ensured without causing processing unevenness on the photosensitive surface.

Further, in the present embodiment, the roller 62 that contacts the photosensitive layer of the PS plate 12 is a soft roller, and the roller 60 that is a hard roller contacts the back surface that is a non-photosensitive surface. Is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in a developing section 160 shown in FIG. 4B, a roller pair 142, 144, 14 of the developing section 140 is used.
Instead of 6, a roller pair 162, 164, 166 in which the rollers 62, which are soft rollers, are arranged in pairs may be used. That is, during the processing liquid processing step 150, the transporting step 170 in which the PS plate 12 is transported by the rollers 62
May be formed. Thus, not only the PS plate 12 having the photosensitive layer formed on one side of the support but also the PS plate 12A which is a double-sided photosensitive material having the photosensitive layers formed on both sides of the support can be processed.

When used for processing the PS plate 12A which is a double-sided photosensitive material, the PS plate 1
It is preferable to omit the rollers 102 for guiding 2A or to arrange them at intervals.

Further, the roller 62, which is a soft roller, is brought into contact with the photosensitive layer of the PS plate 12, but the rollers 60, 6
The PS plate 12 may be pinched by 0. In this case, when the holding force is applied between the rollers 60 by a conventionally known urging means using a spring or the like, the holding force may be reduced.

That is, the PS plate 12 may be pinched with a pinching force enough to impart a conveying force to the PS plate 12.

Further, the developing process may be performed by increasing the rotation speed of the roller pairs 42, 44, 46 as compared with the pair of conveyance rollers 32, or the rotation speed may be increased in the order of the roller pairs 42, 44, 46. The developing process may be performed at a higher speed.

Further, a pair of transport rollers 32, 1
The developing process may be promoted by rotating at least one pair of rollers of the roller pairs 42, 44, 46 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of 14.

The PS plate processor 10 applied to the present embodiment does not limit the configuration of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The present invention can be applied to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus of any configuration for carrying out development processing while feeding a developer to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and applying the photosensitive layer surface of the PS plate 12 to be horizontally transported. A method of supplying a developer by discharging it from a spray pipe may be used.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, the photosensitive layer is squeezed by the roller which comes into contact with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the transport step without rubbing the photosensitive lithographic printing plate with a rubbing means such as a brush roller. Thereby, the photosensitive layer is separated from the support.

As a result, the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate does not have unevenness due to rubbing by a brush roller or the like, and also does not cause any trace of pressing by the roller or the like. An excellent effect of stably developing can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a PS plate processor applied to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of a processing solution processing step and a transporting step in a developing tank.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the nipping of a PS plate by a pair of rollers in a transport process.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing a configuration example of a processing solution processing step and a transporting step in a developing tank applicable to the present invention, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 PS plate processor (photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus) 12 PS plate (photosensitive lithographic printing plate) 22 Developing part 23 Developing tank 42,44,46 Roller pair 60 Roller 62 Roller (Roller formed by elastic body) 70 Processing Liquid treatment process 72 Transport process

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for transporting and developing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which an image has been printed while supplying a developing solution, wherein the rollers arranged in pairs are the photosensitive lithographic printing plates. A conveying step for applying a conveying force to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by contacting the front and back surfaces of the printing plate and promoting a development process of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, provided on the upstream side of the conveying step, A treatment solution treatment step of impregnating a photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate with a developer while guiding the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to a transporting step. . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid processing step and the transporting step include:
The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive lithographic printing plates are alternately arranged while being conveyed. 3. An outer peripheral portion of a roller contacting a photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate among rollers arranged in pairs in the transporting step is formed of an elastic body, and the photosensitive member is formed by an elastic force of the elastic body. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lithographic printing plate is sandwiched.