JP2003107736A - Overflow pipe structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a processing liquid from overflowing to be discharged unnecessarily when carrying a photosensitive material on the outside of the liquid and processing it. SOLUTION: For an overflow pipe 110 provided on a washing tank 26, an elbow 120 is attached to an upper part of a pipe part 114 and an end part 124 of the elbow is turned to an almost horizontal direction. At the end of the elbow, an opening surface is turned obliquely downwards and a liquid cutting piece 126 is arranged inside. Thus, when the processing liquid enters from an opening of the end part 124 and is stuck to an inner surface, by a blocking part 130 of the liquid cutting piece blocking an inner upper side of the end, the processing liquid is guided to the opening turned almost downwards and returned into the washing tank and it is prevented from reaching near the upper part of the pipe part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention supplies a processing liquid to a photosensitive material conveyed above a processing tank for processing and
The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus that collects a processing liquid supplied to a photosensitive material into a processing tank, and relates to an overflow pipe structure for overflowing and discharging the processing liquid that has become excessive in the processing tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photosensitive material processing apparatus such as an automatic developing apparatus, while conveying an image-exposed photosensitive material, the photosensitive material is immersed in a processing solution, or the processing solution is sprayed on the surface of the photosensitive material. Processing solution processing such as development processing is performed.

In a PS plate processor which is an automatic developing device for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate") which is a photosensitive material having a photosensitive layer provided on a support such as aluminum, the PS plate is treated with a developing solution. In addition to the developing process of dipping in water, the washing process of spraying washing water on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate that has undergone development processing, and the desensitization of gum solution etc. on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate that has been washed A processing step such as a desensitization step of applying a processing liquid to perform a desensitization processing is provided.

In the washing section and desensitizing section of such a PS plate processor, a PS plate transport path is provided above the surface of the processing liquid, and the PS plate is transported along the transport path outside the liquid. However, the treatment liquid is supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate to perform the treatment liquid treatment.

Also in the washing process and desensitizing process of such a PS plate processor, the replenisher is conventionally replenished at a predetermined timing according to the process of the PS plate, and the excess processing liquid is removed. It overflows and discharges.

Generally, the overflow pipe for overflowing and discharging the processing liquid in the processing tank is provided so that the tip of the pipe protruding from the bottom of the processing tank is at the liquid level of the processing liquid stored in the processing tank. Therefore, when the amount of the treatment liquid in the treatment tank exceeds the liquid level, the treatment liquid flows into the overflow pipe from around the upper opening of the overflow pipe.

By the way, when the processing liquid is supplied to the PS plate which is conveyed outside the liquid, and the supplied processing liquid is dropped from the PS plate or a pair of conveying rollers which sandwich and convey the PS plate into the processing tank, If the opening faces upward, the falling processing liquid will directly enter the opening of this overflow pipe, or the falling processing liquid will hit the liquid surface in the processing tank and the splashed processing liquid will overflow. The processing liquid may get into the tube and be discharged unnecessarily.

In order to prevent such discharge of the processing liquid, it is possible to use an elbow or the like to orient the opening of the overflow pipe in the lateral direction. This makes it possible to prevent the processing liquid falling from the photosensitive material or the like from directly entering the overflow pipe.

[0009]

However, when the tip portion of the overflow pipe is oriented in the lateral direction simply by using an elbow or the like, the treatment liquid adhering to the peripheral surface of the elbow protruding to the outside of the liquid enters the inside of the elbow. The processing liquid that has sneaked or sprung up may adhere to the inner surface of the elbow and enter the overflow pipe, and it is not always possible to exactly overflow according to the liquid level of the processing liquid.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts. When the processing liquid is supplied while being supplied to the photosensitive material which is conveyed above the liquid surface of the processing liquid stored in the processing tank, the processing liquid is It is an object to propose an overflow pipe structure that prevents unnecessary discharge.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided in a processing tank in which a photosensitive material is conveyed outside the liquid, and the processing liquid stored in the processing tank is discharged from an upper opening. An overflow pipe structure that guides the treatment liquid to the outside of the treatment tank by entering the treatment liquid, is projected upward from the bottom portion of the treatment tank, and the upper end portion is opened at a predetermined position. A pipe part for guiding the outside of the processing tank, an elbow provided at an upper end part of the pipe part with one end portion formed with an opening oriented substantially horizontally, and an inner side of the one end part of the elbow. Is provided in the processing solution stored in the processing chamber, and prevents the scattered processing solution from entering the pipe portion side through the opening of the elbow exposed above the processing solution and treating the processing solution with the processing solution. Guide to the tank Characterized in that it comprises means to, a.

According to the present invention, the elbow is provided on the upper portion of the pipe portion. One end of this elbow is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, so that the processing liquid that falls is
It directly prevents it from entering the upper opening of the pipe section.

Further, the elbow is provided with a returning means at the end portion where the opening is formed, and the processing liquid entering from the opening and adhering to the inner surface of the elbow reaches the upper opening of the pipe portion. And the treatment liquid is guided into the treatment tank.

As a result, even if the dropped processing liquid or the splashed processing liquid adheres to the peripheral surface of the elbow and then wraps around from the opening to the inner surface side, it does not reach the upper end of the pipe and be discharged. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the processing liquid from being unnecessarily discharged.

In the present invention as described above, as the return means, a notch reaching the inner surface of the elbow is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral portion and is formed in a substantially ring shape, and the notch is directed downward to form the elbow. It is characterized in that it includes a return member mounted inside, and an opening reaching the return member is formed in a lower portion of the one end of the elbow.

According to this invention, an opening directed substantially downward is formed at the end portion of the elbow, and the return member is attached in accordance with the opening position.

Since the return member is formed in a ring shape so as to narrow the inner surface of the end portion except the lower side, it is possible to prevent the processing liquid attached to the inner surface from being transmitted to the pipe portion side.
From the opening formed at the end of the elbow toward the lower side,
This processing liquid can be returned to the processing tank.

As such a return member, it is more preferable to form a closing portion for closing the upper side of the internal opening in the one end portion of the elbow, so that the processing liquid is prevented from being discharged. It can be reliably blocked and returned to the processing tank.

Further, in the invention, it is preferable that the pipe portion is provided at a position facing an intermediate portion in a width direction which is a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the photosensitive material in the processing tank.

Since the processing liquid supplied to the photosensitive material mainly falls from both ends in the width direction of the photosensitive material, a large amount of the processing liquid falls near the elbow, so that the processing liquid is carelessly piped. It is possible to prevent it from getting into the section.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “P”) applied as an example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus.
S version processor 10 "). The PS plate processor 10 processes a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate 12") which is image-wise exposed by an exposure device (not shown) as a photosensitive material. The PS plate 12 has a thin rectangular flat plate such as an aluminum plate as a support, and a photosensitive layer is formed on the support. As the PS plate 12, an optical bonding layer, a photopolymerization layer and an overcoat layer are laminated to form a photosensitive layer, and an image is exposed to a laser beam to accelerate a polymerization reaction of an image portion of the photopolymerization layer. It is also possible to apply a photopolymer plate or the like.

The PS plate processor 10 includes a developing section 14 for treating the PS plate 12 with a developing solution, a washing section 16 for supplying washing water of the PS plate 12 treated with the developing solution with water, and a washing section 16 after washing with water. Desensitization treatment section 18 for desensitizing the PS plate 12 by applying a gum solution for plate surface protection.
And a drying section 20 for drying the PS plate 12 are provided. That is, in the PS version processor 10,
Along the conveying direction of the plate 12 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 1),
A developing process, a water washing process, a desensitizing treatment process, and a drying process are sequentially arranged.

A processing tank 22 is provided in the PS plate processor 10. In the processing tank 22, a developing tank 24 is formed as a processing tank at a position to be the developing section 14, and a washing tank 26 and a desensitizing processing tank 28 are formed at positions to be the water washing section 16 and the desensitizing processing section 18. Has been done. Further, in the processing tank 22, a space serving as the insertion portion 34 is provided on the upstream side of the developing tank 24, and a space for the drying portion 20 is provided on the downstream side of the desensitizing processing tank 28.

A slit-shaped insertion opening 32 is formed in the outer panel 30 covering the processing tank 22, and an insertion portion 34 is provided between the insertion opening 32 and the developing portion 14.

The PS plate processor 10 has covers 36 and 3 for covering the upper part of the processing tank 22 and the upper part of the drying part 20.
8 are provided. The cover 36 on the insertion port 32 side is arranged so as to cover the insertion part 34 of the processing tank 22 to the upper part of the water washing part 16, and the cover 38 is arranged so as to cover between the upper part of the water washing part 16 and the upper part of the drying part 20.

Further, the cover 36 is re-entry between the developing section 14 and the water washing section 16 for inserting the PS plate 12 for performing the processing in the PS plate processor 10 except the processing in the developing section 14. An insertion opening (sub-insertion opening) 40 is provided.

At the insertion portion 34 adjacent to the insertion opening 32, a rubber conveying roller pair 42 is arranged. The PS plate 12 on which the image has been printed is inserted between the conveying roller pair 42 by being inserted from the insertion port 32 in the direction of the arrow A.

The conveying roller pair 42 draws the PS plate 12 through the insertion port 32 and moves about 15 in the horizontal direction.
It is fed to the developing unit 14 at an angle in the range of 30 ° to 31 °. In this embodiment, a single-sided PS plate 12 having a photosensitive layer formed on one surface of the support is used.
2 is inserted into the PS plate processor 10 through the insertion port 32 with the photosensitive layer facing upward.

Developing tank 2 formed in processing tank 22
4 has a substantially mountain shape in which the center of the bottom is projected downward, and stores a developing solution for developing the PS plate 12. In the developing tank 24, guide plates 44 and 46 are arranged on the lower side along the transport direction of the PS plate 12 along the bottom. Further, in the developing tank 24, conveying roller pairs 48, 50 and 52 are arranged at the upstream portion (insertion portion 34 side), the middle portion and the downstream portion (water washing portion 16 side).

The PS plate 12 drawn in from the insertion port 32 by the conveying roller pair 42 is fed into the space between the conveying roller pairs 48, and the conveying roller pair 48 draws the PS plate 12 into the developing tank 24 and guides it. It is sent out along the plate 44. The guide plate 44 guides the PS plate 12 drawn into the developing tank 24 by the pair of transport rollers 48 in an obliquely downward direction.

The pair of conveying rollers 50 nip the PS plate 12 guided by the guide plate 44 and send it out along the guide plate 46. In addition, the guide plate 46 includes a pair of transport rollers 50.
The PS plate 12 sent out from is guided obliquely upward along the bottom surface of the developing tank 24.

Further, the conveying roller pair 52 has, for example, an outer peripheral portion formed of a roller made of rubber, and the guide plate 4
The developing tank 24 with the PS plate 12 guided by 6 interposed therebetween.
While pulling out from, it is sent to the washing section 16.

As a result, the PS plate 12 is immersed in the developing solution while being guided and conveyed in the developing tank 24 in a substantially U shape.
By exposing, the unnecessary photosensitive layer is removed.

In the developing tank 24, spray pipes 54 and 56 are provided on the lower surface side of the guide plates 44 and 46.
Further, a large number of liquid passage holes (not shown) are formed in each of the guide plates 44 and 46.

The spray pipes 54, 56 are supplied with the developer in the developing tank 24 sucked by a pump (not shown), and the developer is ejected from the spray pipes 54, 56. As a result, the developer in the developing tank 24 is agitated so that the PS plate 12 can be uniformly processed. At this time, by swirling the developing solution into the transport path side of the PS plate 12 through the liquid passage holes formed in the guide plates 44 and 46, it is possible to prevent the rapid development processing of the PS plate 12 and the occurrence of processing unevenness. There is.

A brush roller 58 and a carrying roller 60 are provided inside the developing tank 24 so as to face the guide plate 46. The brush roller 58 rotates while contacting the surface of the PS plate 12 conveyed on the guide plate 46 with the bristle material while being immersed in the developing solution, thereby brushing the surface of the PS plate 12 to make the PS plate 12 Promotes the removal of unwanted photosensitive layers from the surface of the. At this time, the transport roller 60 prevents the PS plate 12 brushed by the brush roller 58 from rising from the guide plate 46.

The PS plate 12 thus developed
The developing solution adhering to the surface is squeezed out when being sent out to the washing section 16 by the pair of transport rollers 52.

In the washing section 16, a conveying path for conveying the PS plate 12 in a substantially horizontal state is formed by a pair of conveying rollers 62 and 64 arranged above the washing tank 26.
2 is sandwiched between a pair of conveyance rollers 62 and 64, and the washing tank 26
Is transported horizontally above.

The water washing section 16 has a pair of conveying rollers 62, 64.
In between, spray pipes 66 and 68 are provided in a pair in the vertical direction with the transport path of the PS plate 12 interposed therebetween. The spray pipes 66 and 68 are arranged such that the axial direction is along the width direction of the PS plate 12 (direction orthogonal to the transport direction), and a plurality of discharge holes (not shown) facing the transport path of the PS plate 12 are provided in the axial direction. It is formed along.

The washing water is stored in the washing tank 26, and the PS plate processor 10 supplies the washing water to the spray pipes 66 and 68 in synchronization with the conveyance of the PS plate 12 by a water supply pump (not shown). . As a result, washing water is ejected from the spray pipes 66 and 68 toward the PS plate 12, and the developer adhering to the surface of the PS plate 12 is washed away.

The rinsing water supplied to the PS plate 12 is sent out while the PS plate 12 is sandwiched by the conveying roller pair 64, and is sent out together with the developer adhering to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. It is squeezed out from the water and collected in the washing tank 26. Note that the direction of jetting the washing water from the spray pipes 66 and 68 is such that the spray pipe 66 is upstream in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 and the spray pipe 68 is downstream in the transport direction of the PS plate 12, but is not limited to this. Instead, it may be in another direction.

The desensitizing section 18 is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 70 above the desensitizing tank 28, and the PS plate 12 is provided therewith.
After being transported by the transport roller pair 64 toward the transport roller pair 70, it is transported through the desensitization processing unit 18, and then is sandwiched by the transport roller pair 70 and transported toward the drying unit 20.

In the desensitizing section 18, a spray pipe 72 is provided above the transport path of the PS plate 12, and a spray pipe 74 is provided below the transport path. The spray pipes 72, 74 have PS in the longitudinal direction (axial direction).
The PS plates 12 are vertically arranged along the width direction of the plate 12 with the transport path of the PS plate 12 interposed therebetween. Also, spray pipes 72, 74
A plurality of discharge holes are formed along the width direction of the PS plate 12.

The desensitizing tank 28 stores a gum solution used for protecting the plate surface of the PS plate 12, and the gum solution is sprayed in synchronization with the transfer of the PS plate 12 to the spray pipes 72, 74.
Is supplied to. The spray pipe 72 uses this gum solution as a P
It is dripped toward the S plate 12 and spread on the surface of the PS plate 12 and applied. In addition, the spray pipe 74 is
The gum solution is discharged toward the back surface of the plate 12 to apply the gum solution to the back surface of the PS plate 12.

The PS plate 12 has a protective film formed by the gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces. In addition, spray pipe 7
The discharging direction of the gum liquid from 2 is not limited to the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12, and may be another direction. Further, a rectifying plate is provided and the gum liquid jetted toward the rectifying plate is While uniformly diffusing along the width direction of the PS plate 12 with the current plate,
The PS plate 12 may be applied by dropping it on the surface. Further, instead of the spray pipe 74, the PS plate 12 moves while being in contact with the discharged gum liquid, so that P
You may use the discharge unit etc. which apply a gum solution to the back surface of S plate 12.

In the desensitizing section 18, a cleaning spray 76 is provided above the conveying roller pair 70, and a cleaning roller 78 that rotates while contacting the roller above the conveying roller pair 70 is provided. The cleaning water is dropped from the cleaning spray 76 to a contact position between the cleaning roller 78 above the conveying roller pair 70 and the cleaning roller 78 at a predetermined timing set in advance through the straightening plate 80. The gum liquid is evenly dispersed on the peripheral surfaces of the rollers above the conveying roller pair 70 to wash away the gum liquid from the peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 70, and the gum liquid adheres to the peripheral surfaces of the rollers to cause PS.
The plate 12 is prevented from being damaged.

The PS plate 12 coated with the gum solution in the desensitizing section 18 is sandwiched by the pair of transport rollers 70 and sent to the drying section 20 with the gum solution slightly remaining on the front and back surfaces. At this time, the excess gum solution is squeezed from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 by the pair of conveying rollers 70 and is collected in the desensitizing tank 28.

The PS plate processor 10 is provided with a partition plate 82 between the desensitizing section 18 and the drying section 20. The partition plate 82 is disposed above the transporting path of the PS plate 12 so as to face the upper end of the processing tank 22, whereby the desensitization processing unit 18 and the drying unit 20 are disposed.
A slit-shaped insertion opening 84 is formed between the two. In addition, the partition plate 82 has a double structure, whereby a groove-shaped ventilation passage is formed on the drying portion 20 side of the insertion opening 84, and the air in the drying portion 20 enters into this ventilation passage. This prevents the air in the drying unit 20 from entering the desensitization processing unit 18 through the insertion opening 84.

In the drying section 20, in the vicinity of the insertion opening 84,
A support roller 86 that supports the PS plate 12 is disposed, and a transport roller pair 90 and a transport roller pair 92 are disposed in the central portion of the PS plate 12 in the transport direction and in the vicinity of the discharge port 88. . The PS plate 12 is transported in the drying section 20 by the support roller 86 and the transport roller pair 90, 92.

Between the support roller 86 and the conveying roller pair 90 and between the conveying roller pair 90 and the conveying roller pair 92, a pair of ducts 94 and 96 sandwiching the conveying path of the PS plate 12 is provided.
Is provided. The ducts 94 and 96 have a longitudinal direction of P.
The PS plate 12 is arranged along the width direction of the S plate 12.
A slit hole 98 is provided on the surface facing the conveyance path.

When the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to the ducts 94 and 96 from one end side in the longitudinal direction, the dry air is supplied from the slit holes 98 to the slit P.
It is discharged toward the transport path of the S plate 12 and sprayed on the PS plate 12. As a result, the gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 is dried to form a protective film.

On the other hand, the lower surface of the developing section 14 is the developing tank 24.
The shielding lid 100 is arranged below the liquid surface of the developer stored in the developing tank 24 to reduce the area where the liquid surface of the developer in the developing tank 24 contacts the air. The sub-insertion port (reentry insertion port) 40 of the cover 36 is closed by a shielding member (not shown), and the shielding member prevents outside air from entering the developing unit 14. Further, the shielding lid 100 is narrowed between the upper side of the conveying roller pair 48, 52 protruding from the liquid surface and the like,
This prevents the developer in the developer tank 24 from being deteriorated due to contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air. A blade-shaped shielding member made of silicon rubber or the like is provided between the shielding lid 100 and the processing tank 22 and the conveying roller pairs 48, 52, etc., so that the developer in the developing tank 24 may come into contact with fresh outside air. It is also possible to prevent the water content in the developer from evaporating.

By the way, in the PS version processor 10,
The developer is replenished in the developing tank 24 depending on the processing amount of the PS plate 12 and the elapsed time. In addition, PS version processor 10
Then, depending on the amount of the PS plate 12 to be treated, the washing bath 26 is replenished with water serving as a new washing water solution, and the desensitizing treatment bath 28 is replenished with a gum solution replenishing solution.

Further, in the PS plate processor 10, the excess processing liquid (developing solution,
The washing water and gum solution) are overflowed and discharged. As the replenishing mechanism and the replenishing timing of the replenishing liquid, a conventionally known general mechanism can be used, and detailed description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, overflow pipes 110 and 112 to which the present invention is applied are provided in the washing tank 26 and the desensitizing tank 28 for treating the PS plate 12 while conveying it outside the liquid. It is provided.

An overflow pipe 11 for overflowing the washing water from the washing tank 26 with reference to the drawings.
0 and the overflow pipe 112 for overflowing the gum solution from the desensitizing tank 28 will be described. The overflow pipe 110 provided in the washing tank 26 and the overflow pipe 112 provided in the desensitizing treatment tank 28 have the same basic structure.
The overflow pipe 110 provided in 6 will be described as an example,
Overflow pipe 11 provided in desensitizing tank 28
The description of 2 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the overflow pipe 11
No. 0 is equipped with a pipe portion 114 protruding from the bottom portion of the washing tank 26 formed in the processing tank 22. Also,
On the lower surface side of the processing tank 22, a pipe portion 116 is provided so as to project coaxially with the pipe portion 114.
116 are in communication with each other.

A pipe 118 is connected to the pipe section 116. A pipe 118 connected to the pipe portion 116 is connected to a waste liquid tank (not shown) that stores a treatment liquid such as washing water discharged from the PS plate processor 10 as a waste liquid, whereby the inside of the washing tank 26 is The washing water of the above enters the pipe portion 114 and is discharged to the waste liquid tank.

The upper end of the pipe portion 114 is opened upward so that the opening surface is substantially horizontal. In addition, the upper end of the pipe 114 is the washing tank 26.
When the maximum amount of washing water is stored in the inside, it is coincident with the liquid level of this washing water (shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in the overflow pipe 110 applied to the present embodiment, the elbow 120 is attached to the pipe portion 114. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the elbow 120 has an internal pipe line bent into a substantially L-shape, and the one end 122 is fitted with the upper end of the pipe 114.

As a result, the other end portion 124 of the elbow 120 is oriented substantially horizontally. That is, elbow 1
20 is attached to the pipe portion 114 so that the end portion 1
The axis of 24 (indicated by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 5) is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction.

At this time, as shown in FIG.
No. 0 is mounted so that the upper end of the pipe portion 114 projects into the conduit on the end portion 122 side. As a result, the liquid level of the wash water rises, the wash water enters the opening on the end portion 124 side, and the liquid level further rises to increase the pipe portion 114.
When passing over the upper end of the pipe section 114, the washing water flows into the pipe section 114 from the upper end of the pipe section 114.

Further, the elbow 120 has a shape in which the end portion 124 side is inclined and cut at a predetermined angle with respect to the axis. As a result, the elbow 120 has an opening surface on the side of the end portion 124 inclined downward so that washing water falling from above does not directly enter the opening on the side of the end portion 124. There is. That is, the elbow 120
Has an opening surface directed obliquely downward so as to form an eaves portion that covers the upper portion of the opening on the side of the end portion 124.

On the other hand, in the overflow pipe 110, the draining piece 12 is provided as a return member in the end portion 124 of the elbow 120.
6 is inserted and attached. Figure 6
As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid draining piece 126 has a substantially C shape in which a notch 128 is formed in a part of a substantially ring-shaped outer peripheral portion. In addition, the liquid cutting piece 126 has a closing portion 130 formed on one end side in the axial direction so as to close approximately half of the opening from the side opposite to the cut 128 toward the cut 128.

The liquid draining piece 126 formed in this way
Is closed so that the cut 128 side faces downward.
It is inserted into the end portion 124 of the elbow 120 from the opposite side. At this time, as shown in FIG.
It is arranged so as to slightly project from the opening of the end portion 124. At this time, the horizontal position of the lower end of the closing part 130 of the liquid draining piece 126 is set higher than the horizontal position of the upper end of the pipe part 114.

As a result, the liquid draining piece 126 has the closed portion 1
The water 30 forms a lower wall inside the end portion 124 of the elbow 120, and the rinsing water attached to the inner surface outside (opening side) the liquid draining piece 126 enters the pipe portion 114 side along the inner surface of the elbow 120. To prevent the drainage piece 1
The washing water adhering to the inner surface outside 26 is blocked by the blocking portion 130.
It is configured to drop into the washing tank 26 from below the opening of the end portion 124.

When the liquid level in the flush tank 26 rises, the flush water passes through the notch 128 formed in the draining piece 126 from the opening on the side of the end portion 124 of the elbow 120 to wash the flush water in the elbow 120. The upper end of the pipe part 114 is reached.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the washing tank 26 and the desensitizing tank 28, the overflow pipe 1
10, 112 are provided so as to be intermediate portions in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the PS plate 12. Further, each of the overflow pipes 110 and 112 is directed to one side in the width direction in which the end portion 124 of the elbow 120 is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the PS plate 12.

In the PS plate processor 10 thus configured, the PS plate 12 on which an image is recorded by being exposed by a printing device (not shown) is inserted into the insertion port 32.
Then, the transport roller 42 is driven to rotate.
As a result, the PS plate 12 is nipped by the pair of transport rollers 42 and drawn into the PS plate processor 10.

In the PS plate processor 10, a sensor for detecting the PS plate 12 passing through the insertion port 32 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion port 32.
When the insertion of 2 is detected, the rotation drive of the conveying roller pair 42 and the like is started, and at the timing based on the detection of the PS plate 12 by this sensor, the rinsing water from the spray pipes 66, 68 of the rinsing section 16 is detected. The gum liquid is discharged from the spray pipes 72 and 74 of the discharge and desensitization processing unit 18.

The conveying roller pair 42 has the PS plate 12 drawn in from the insertion port 32, and is 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.
It is fed into the developing tank 24 at an insertion angle within the range. As a result, the PS plate 12 is conveyed in the developing tank 24 by the pair of conveying rollers 48 to 52 while being guided by the guide plates 44 and 46, and is immersed in the developing solution stored in the developing tank 24 to be 17 °. It is delivered from within the developer at an ejection angle in the range of ˜31 °.

When the PS plate 12 is immersed in the developing solution in the developing tank 24, an unnecessary photosensitive layer swells according to the exposed image, and the swollen photosensitive layer is removed from the support. At this time, in the PS plate processor 10, the surface of the PS plate 12 (the surface on the photosensitive layer side) is brushed by the brush roller 58 arranged in the developing tank 24, so that P
The removal of the unnecessary photosensitive layer from the surface of the S plate 12 is promoted.

As the PS version processor 10,
The surface of the PS plate 12 may be brushed using a plurality of brush rollers, or the PS plate 12 may be treated without using the brush rollers.

The PS plate 12 which has been developed and sent out from the developing tank 24 is sent to the water washing section 16 by the pair of carrying rollers 52. At this time, the conveying roller pair 52 is set to P
The developer adhering to the front and back surfaces of the S plate 12 is squeezed out.

In the water washing section 16, the PS plate 12 is sandwiched by the conveying roller pairs 62 and 64 and conveyed in a substantially horizontal state, while the washing water is jetted from the spray pipes 66 and 68. The transport roller pair 64 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 squeezes the wash water supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 together with the developer remaining without being squeezed by the transport roller pair 52. While dropping, the PS plate 12 is sent to the desensitization processing unit 18.

As a result, when the PS plate 12 passes through the water washing section 16, the developer remaining on the front and back surfaces is washed off.

The PS plate 12 sent to the desensitizing section 18
Passes through between the spray pipes 72 and 74 and is sandwiched by the pair of transport rollers 70, so that the pair of transport rollers 7
0 is sent from the desensitization processing unit 18.

At this time, in the desensitizing section 18, the gum liquid is discharged from the spray pipes 66 and 68 to make the PS plate 1
The gum solution is uniformly applied to the front and back surfaces of No. 2 while diffusing the gum solution.
The conveying roller pair 70 sandwiches and conveys the PS plate 12, and squeezes the excess gum liquid from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12, thereby forming a uniform thin film of gum liquid on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. .

The PS plate 12 coated with the gum solution is sent to the drying section 20 from the insertion opening 84 by the pair of conveying rollers 70. When the insertion opening 84 is provided with a shutter, the timing for starting the processing of the PS plate 12 or P
At the timing when the S plate 12 is sent out from the desensitization processing unit 18, the shutter is operated to open the insertion opening 84,
When the PS plate 12 does not pass through, the drying air of the drying unit 20 unnecessarily enters the desensitization processing unit 18 to prevent the gum solution from sticking to the pair of transport rollers 70, and also the insertion port 8
4 to prevent the deterioration of the developing solution due to carbon dioxide in the air that reaches the developing section 14 and to prevent the developing solution from deteriorating, or the water in the developing solution, the washing water and the water in the gum solution evaporate. It prevents you from getting out of 84.

In the drying section 20, while the PS plate 12 is being conveyed by the supporting roller 86 and the pair of conveying rollers 90 and 92, the drying air is blown from the ducts 94 and 96 to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. As a result, the PS plate 12 has a protective film formed by the gum solution applied on the surface and is discharged from the discharge port 88.

In the PS version processor 10, the PS
Washing tank 2 at a predetermined timing according to the amount of processing of plate 12
6 is replenished with a new solution of washing water and the desensitizing tank 28 is replenished with gum solution, and excess washing water in the washing tank 26 and gum solution in the desensitizing tank 28 are removed. Overflow and discharge.

At this time, the washing tank 26 and the oil-sensitizing treatment tank 2
In 8, when the washing water and gum solution increase and the liquid level rises,
The elbow 120 enters into the elbow 120 through an opening formed in the end portion 124, and further reaches the vicinity of the pipe portion 114 through a notch 128 of a liquid cutting piece 126 provided in the end portion 124. In this state, the liquid surface further rises, so that the washing water and the gum liquid are separated from each other by the pipe portion 114.
Over the upper end of the pipe and flows into the pipe portion 114 and is discharged.

Therefore, the liquid level of the washing water in the washing tank 26 and the gum liquid in the desensitizing tank 28 can be maintained so as not to exceed the overflow level, and the PS plate 12
Is designed to give the optimum finish quality.

By the way, in the water washing section 16 and the desensitization processing section 18, while the PS plate 12 is being conveyed outside the liquid, the washing water and the gum solution are supplied to the surface of the PS plate 12, and the PS plate 12 and the conveying roller pair The washing water and gum solution falling from 64 and 70 are respectively collected in the washing tank 26 and the desensitizing treatment tank 28.

At this time, the overflow pipe 110 provided in the washing tank 26 and the overflow pipe 112 provided in the desensitizing tank 28 are fitted with an elbow 120 at the upper end of the pipe portion 114 to wash them with water. The opening into which the gum solution enters is directed in the width direction of the PS plate 12.

Further, the overflow pipes 110 and 112
Is disposed in the widthwise middle portion of the PS plate 12, and therefore, when passing through the PS plate 12, not only the washing water and the gum liquid that fall from both ends of the PS plate 12 in the width direction, but also the conveying roller pair 6
The washing water and the gum solution falling from Nos. 4 and 70 do not directly enter the pipe portion 114 of the overflow pipe 112.

On the other hand, the rear end of the PS plate 12 and the pair of conveying rollers 6
4 or the washing liquid or the gum liquid which is dropped from the conveying roller pair 70, or the liquid surface in the washing tank 26 or the desensitizing treatment tank 28 is hit by the falling water and jumps up.
Elbow 1 used for 10 or overflow pipe 112
It adheres to the outer peripheral surface of 20.

The washing water and the gum solution attached to the outer peripheral surface of the elbow 120 may wrap around from the opening on the end portion 124 side of the elbow 120 to the inner surface side. In addition, the washing water or the gum solution splashed by being hit by the falling washing water or the gum solution may adhere to the inner surface of the end portion 124 of the elbow 120.

At this time, the overflow pipes 110, 11
2, the draining piece 116 is placed in the end 124 of the elbow 120.
The washing water and the gum liquid attached to the inner surface of the end portion 124 of the elbow 120 are provided in the closing portion 1 of the draining piece 126.
It flows down through 30 and falls from the opening of the end portion 124 formed so as to face downward. Therefore, washing water or gum solution may adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the elbow 120,
Even if it jumps up and enters from the end portion 124 of the elbow 120, it does not reach the vicinity of the pipe portion 114 and is not unnecessarily discharged from the washing tank 26 or the desensitizing treatment tank 28.

Therefore, in the PS plate processor 10, it is possible to reliably prevent the running cost of the apparatus from increasing due to unnecessary discharge of washing water and gum solution.

The embodiment described above does not limit the structure of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the eaves portion is formed on the upper side of the opening by tilting the opening surface of the opening of the end portion 124 of the elbow 120 obliquely downward as the return means, and the draining piece 126 is provided inside the end portion 124.
However, the structure of the returning means is not limited to this.

For example, in the elbow 132 shown in FIG. 7, a notch 136 having a predetermined width is formed at a predetermined position along the axial direction at the lower portion of the end portion 134 directed in the substantially horizontal direction.
By inserting the liquid cutting piece 126 into the elbow 132 formed in this way, even if the processing liquid that has entered from the opening of the end portion 134 adheres to the inner surface, this processing liquid is reliably discharged from the notch 136 and the elbow It can be reliably prevented that the pipe 132 reaches the vicinity of the pipe portion 114.

Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid draining piece 126 is used as the return member, but the return member or the return means is not limited to this, and the return member or the return means is inserted from the opening formed at the end portion of the elbow to the inner surface. Any structure can be used as long as it discharges the attached processing liquid while preventing it from reaching the pipe portion side.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is applied to the PS plate processor for processing the PS plate 12 as a photosensitive material, but the present invention is not limited to the PS plate and is conveyed outside the liquid. The photosensitive material processing apparatus may include a processing step of supplying the processing solution to the photosensitive material to be processed and collecting the processing solution falling from the photosensitive material into the processing tank below the transport path.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, the processing liquid dropped from the photosensitive material and the processing liquid splashed by the falling processing liquid hitting the liquid surface are discharged from the overflow pipe portion. It can be surely prevented. As a result, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the running cost from increasing due to unnecessary discharge of the processing liquid.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of a processing tank provided with an overflow pipe to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a main part of a processing tank showing a position of an overflow pipe.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an overflow pipe to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the overflow pipe taken along the vertical direction.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a liquid cutting piece provided on an elbow of an overflow pipe.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an overflow pipe showing another example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 PS Plate Processor (Photosensitive Material Processing Device) 12 PS plate (photosensitive material) 16 Washing department 18 Desensitizing section 22 Processing tank 26 Washing tank 28 Desensitizing tank 110, 112 overflow pipe 114 pipe section 120 Elbow 124 end (one end, return means) 126 Draining piece (return means, return member) 128 cuts 130 Block

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Igarashi             1250 Takematsu, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Equipment             Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H096 AA06 GA22 GA60

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A photosensitive material is provided in a processing bath to be conveyed outside the liquid, and the processing liquid stored in the processing bath is introduced from an upper opening to guide the processing liquid to the outside of the processing bath. An overflow pipe structure, in which a pipe portion that projects upward from the bottom of the processing tank and has an upper end opening at a predetermined position, and a pipe portion that guides the processing liquid flowing into the opening to the outside of the processing tank, and an opening are formed. An elbow provided at the upper end of the pipe portion with one end directed substantially horizontally, and a treatment liquid stored inside the treatment provided inside the one end of the elbow. A return means for preventing the scattered processing liquid from entering the pipe portion side through the opening of the elbow exposed above, and for guiding the processing liquid into the processing tank. Overflow Tube structure. 2. As the return means, a notch reaching the inner surface of the elbow is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral portion and is formed in a substantially ring shape, and the notch is directed downward and is mounted inside the elbow. The overflow pipe structure according to claim 1, further comprising a return member, wherein an opening reaching the return member is formed in a lower portion of the one end of the elbow. 3. The overflow pipe structure according to claim 2, wherein the return member is formed with a closing portion that closes an upper side of the internal opening in the one end portion of the elbow. 4. The pipe portion is provided at a position facing an intermediate portion in a width direction which is a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the photosensitive material in the processing tank. The overflow pipe structure according to any one of 1.