JP2003280214A - Method for replenishing replenisher solution in automatic processing machine and automatic processing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously process printing plates having a positive photosensitive layer for an infrared laser using an alkali developing solution. <P>SOLUTION: In an automatic processing machine, when the power is turned on to start operation, operating time replenishment of an alkali replenisher solution is carried out after stop time replenishment, the targeted value (threshold value) of electric conductivity is corrected and water is replenished on the basis of the measured result of electric conductivity (steps 304-308). Every time insertion of a PS plate is detected with a plate detecting sensor, the processing area of the PS plate is calculated and integrated from the detected time (steps 310 and 312), and when an integrated value S<SB>1</SB>attains to a prescribed value Sa, an alkali replenisher solution is replenished (steps 314-318), and when an integrated value S<SB>2</SB>attains to a prescribed value Sc, an aqueous surfactant solution is replenished (steps 320-324). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic developing device for developing an image-exposed printing plate, and more particularly to a replenisher replenishing method and an automatic developing device used in the developing process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as a "printing plate") is used in a printing process using a rotary press or the like. A plate for printing can be obtained by subjecting it to development processing.

On the other hand, as an image recording material suitable for exposure using a laser beam (image writing), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-285 is known.
No. 275, a binder such as a cresol resin and a substance that absorbs light to generate heat have a thermal decomposability such as quinonediazide, and substantially dissolve the binder in a state where the binder does not decompose. A positive type photosensitive material containing a substance that reduces the amount of light is proposed.

In such a positive-type photosensitive material, a substance that absorbs light and generates heat in the exposed portion generates heat when exposed to an infrared laser, and develops solubility in the exposed portion. Since the generated heat is absorbed by the aluminum support, the thermal efficiency is low, and the solubility in the alkali developing solution in the developing step is not satisfactory.

For this reason, a method is conceivable in which the developing treatment is carried out under an over condition using a solution having a high alkalinity and a high developing ability to enhance the solubility of the exposed portion.

However, a heat mode printing plate such as a positive type photosensitive material has a problem that under an over condition, the resistance to dissolution of an image portion in an alkali developing solution is low, and even a slight scratch on the surface of the photosensitive layer is dissolved. is there.

As means for solving such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-327160 and 11-3381.
No. 26, JP-A No. 11-327163, etc.,
There has been proposed a technique using an alkaline developer to which a surfactant is added as a dissolution inhibitor for the photosensitive layer. According to this proposal, even if a high pH alkaline developer is used, the image portion is less damaged, and it is possible to form an image with excellent contrast.

On the other hand, the ordinary development processing of the printing plate is continuously carried out by the automatic developing device, and in the initial stage, it is possible to form an image as designed. However, the desired contrast cannot be obtained because the activity of the developer decreases with time or the activity of the surfactant in the developer decreases.

Generally, the fluctuation of the developing property is adjusted by adding a replenishing solution into the developing tank. However, even if the replenishing solution having the same composition as the developing solution is added, the fluctuation of the developing property is changed. Is difficult to prevent. That is, the surfactant in the developer not only forms an interaction with the photosensitive layer on the plate surface to be developed, but also reacts with the polymer material in the non-image portion dissolved in the developer and is consumed. On the other hand, the developing solution is exposed to carbon dioxide gas in the air in addition to the developing treatment, so that the p
Since H decreases, it is not possible to balance the developability and the protection of the image portion only by adding a replenishing solution of a constant concentration.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and when developing a printing plate that has been subjected to scanning exposure based on digital data, the solubility of the non-image portion in an alkaline developing solution. Replenishment of an automatic developing device that maintains the dissolution resistance of the image part to an alkaline developer while maintaining excellent development stability and is excellent in development stability against external scratches, and that is capable of continuously developing the printing plate to a constant quality. An object is to propose a liquid replenishing method and an automatic developing device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a method of replenishing a replenisher for an automatic developing apparatus according to the present invention absorbs a water-insoluble alkali-soluble polymer compound and light on a support to generate heat. Replenishment of an automatic developing device that replenishes a replenisher at a predetermined timing while developing a printing plate on which a photosensitive layer for infrared laser containing a compound is formed with an alkaline developer stored as a developer in a developing tank. A method of replenishing a liquid, comprising replenishing an amount of alkali developing solution according to an operating time or a stopping time of an apparatus and an amount corresponding to a processing amount of the printing plate, and conducting the conductivity of the developing solution stored in the developing tank. When the degree of conductivity exceeds a pre-calculated conductivity target value, the developer is replenished with diluting water until the conductivity of the developer falls below the conductivity target value, and the developer is drawn into the developer tank. mark Replenishing the developing tank with an aqueous solution containing an amount of a dissolution inhibitor in accordance with the processing area of the printing plate calculated from the passage time of the printing plate detected by the plate detection means provided at the insertion port through which the plate passes. Characterize.

According to the present invention, the time replenishment and the process replenishment for replenishing the alkali developing solution and the dilution water for diluting the alkali developing solution at a predetermined ratio are performed according to the lapse of time and the processing amount of the printing plate. That is, an amount corresponding to the operating time or stop time of the automatic developing device, and an amount corresponding to the processing amount of the printing plate and an alkaline developing solution for diluting the alkaline developing solution at a predetermined ratio (hereinafter referred to as "alkaline replenisher"). And) to the developing tank.

When the electric conductivity of the developer stored in the developing tank exceeds the electric conductivity target value calculated in advance, the developing tank is replenished with diluting water and the electric conductivity of the developing solution in the developing tank is increased. The electric conductivity of the developer in the developing tank is kept within a predetermined range by setting the electric conductivity below a previously calculated target value of electric conductivity.

The processing amount of the printing plate at the time of replenishing the alkaline replenishing liquid may be the processing area of the printing plate, or the number of processed printing plates is not limited to this.

In this way, by replenishing the alkaline developing solution and water for diluting the alkaline developing solution at a predetermined ratio as an alkaline replenishing solution, contact with carbon dioxide in the air and alkali in the developing solution by treatment of the printing plate are carried out. It is possible to suppress the decrease of the density, and by detecting the electric conductivity of the developer in the developing tank and supplementing the dilution water when the electric conductivity exceeds the pre-calculated electric conductivity target value, The alkali concentration in the liquid can be kept constant.

Further, in the present invention, the processing area of the printing plate by the developing solution is calculated based on the passage time of the printing plate detected by the plate detecting means, and the surfactant is calculated based on the processing area or the integrated value of the processing areas. And an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor. As a result, the decrease in the concentration of the dissolution inhibitor contained in the developing solution is suppressed depending on the processing of the printing plate.

By thus replenishing the alkali replenisher and the dissolution inhibitor, it is possible to keep the alkali developer at a high pH and prevent the concentration of the dissolution inhibitor from lowering. The contrast is excellent and the image portion is not damaged when the printing plate thus formed is subjected to continuous development treatment with an alkali developing solution as well as when subjected to development treatment for a long period of time.

At this time, according to the present invention, the plate detecting means is used to measure the length of the printing plate in the conveying direction, and the printing plate with the developing solution is simply structured to calculate based on the measurement result. The processing area which is the processing amount of is calculated. This makes it possible to easily and appropriately replenish the dissolution inhibitor.

That is, according to the present invention, the plate detecting means measures the time taken for the leading edge to the trailing edge of the printing plate to pass through the insertion port, and is obtained based on the measurement result and the transport speed of the printing plate. The processing area is calculated by determining the plate area from the length of the printing plate along the transport direction, and the replenishment amount of the aqueous solution containing the dissolution inhibitor is set.

In the replenisher replenishing method for the automatic developing apparatus of the present invention, the charge target value of the developer is replenished in order that the developer replenisher or the developer lowers the conductivity. A replenisher replacement rate that is the rate of replacement with the diluting water, and a dilution rate that is the rate of the replenishing solution of the developing replenisher and the dilution water replenished to reduce the conductivity of the developer in the developing tank. Ratio of the integrated amount of the developer replenisher replenished so as to compensate for the decrease in the development activity within the operating time or the stop time of the automatic developing device to the product of the replenisher replacement rate and the developer amount in the developing tank. It is preferable to set using.

Further, in the replenisher replenishing method for the automatic developing apparatus of the present invention, the plate detecting means measures the time taken for the leading edge to the trailing edge of the printing plate to pass through the insertion port, and the measurement result and the printing result. It is preferable to calculate the processing area by determining the plate area from the length along the transport direction of the printing plate obtained based on the transport speed of the plate, and to set the replenishment amount of the aqueous solution containing the dissolution inhibitor, This makes it possible to easily and appropriately replenish the dissolution inhibitor.

In such an automatic developing apparatus applied to the present invention, an infrared laser photosensitive layer containing a water-insoluble alkali-soluble polymer compound and a compound which absorbs light and generates heat is formed on a support. An automatic developing device for immersing a developed printing plate in an alkaline developing solution stored in a developing tank to perform a developing process, comprising: first replenishing means for replenishing the developing tank with the alkaline developing solution; Second to replenish dilution water
Replenishing means, a third replenishing means for replenishing the developing tank with an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor, a time measuring means for measuring the operation stop time of the apparatus, and an electric conductivity of the developing solution stored in the developing tank. The alkali developing solution and the alkali developing solution are operated at a predetermined ratio by operating the conductivity detecting means for measuring and the first and second replenishing means based on the operating time or stop time of the apparatus measured by the time measuring means. The replenishment control means for replenishing the dilution water to be diluted with, and the first replenishing means and the second replenishing means are operated based on the processing amount of the printing plate to operate the alkali developing solution and the alkali developing solution. When processing replenishment control means for replenishing dilution water diluted at a predetermined ratio, and the electric conductivity detected by the electric conductivity detection means exceeds the electric conductivity target value of the developer in the developing tank set by calculation in advance. The conductivity replenishment control means for activating the second replenishing means to replenish the developing tank with the dilution water, the plate detecting means for detecting the printing plate drawn into the developing tank at a predetermined position, and the plate detecting means. Processing area integrating means for calculating and integrating the processing area of the printing plate from the passage time from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the printing plate detected by the third replenishing means based on the integrated value of the processing area integrating means. And an inhibitor replenishment control means for replenishing the developing tank with an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor.

At this time, the electric conductivity target value calculated in advance can be used as the electric conductivity threshold value. The target value of the conductivity is the ratio of the replenisher replacement rate, which is the ratio of the developer replenisher replaced by the alkali replenisher or the dilution water replenished to reduce the conductivity of the developer, and the developer replenisher ratio. Dilution ratio, which is the ratio of diluted water and the replenishment of diluted water replenished to reduce the conductivity of the developer in the developer tank, or the decrease in development activity according to the operating time or stop time of the automatic developing device. It is possible to set by using the ratio of the integrated amount of the replenishment amount of the development replenisher replenished in order to compensate for the product to the product of the liquid replacement rate and the amount of the developer in the developing tank.

In the automatic developing apparatus of the present invention as described above, the longitudinal direction, which is the length along the carrying direction of the printing plate calculated based on the detection result of the plate detecting means, extends in the width direction orthogonal to the carrying direction. It is also possible to determine the lateral dimension, which is the length of, and calculate the processing area based on the determination result. Further, the automatic developing device of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a horizontal dimension with respect to a vertical dimension of the printing plate, and the processing area integrating unit determines the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension based on the detection result of the plate detecting unit. The determination area may be calculated to calculate the processing area.

Further, the automatic developing apparatus of the present invention may calculate the processing area from the plate area based on the ratio of the image area to the plate area of the printing plate which is set in advance. This makes it possible to more easily calculate an appropriate treated area and replenish an appropriate amount of the dissolution inhibitor. The ratio of the image area may be determined in advance based on the tendency of the image or the like, or may be determined in accordance with any conventionally known method such as determining based on the data detected by scanning the plate surface after development with a light reflection sensor. Can be applied and set.

[0026]

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 schematic configuration of an automatic developing device 10 applied to this embodiment. The automatic developing device 10 is applied to a developing process of a printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate 12") imagewise exposed by an exposing device (not shown). In this automatic developing device 10, for example, a thin plate support made of aluminum or the like is used, and a single-sided PS plate 12 having a photosensitive layer formed on one surface of the support is processed.

The automatic developing apparatus 10 supplies the PS plate 12 with cleaning water by immersing the PS plate 12 in a developing solution and developing it, and by supplying washing water to the surface of the PS plate 12 which has been developed.
On the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12, a water washing section 16 for cleaning the surface of the PS plate, a desensitization processing section 18 for supplying a desensitizing solution such as a gum solution to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate for desensitizing treatment And a drying unit 20 that forms a protective film of the desensitizing treatment liquid by blowing dry air to perform a drying treatment.

The automatic developing apparatus 10 is provided with a processing tank 22. The processing tank 22 includes a developing unit 1
4, at the position to be the washing section 16 and the desensitizing section 18,
A developing tank 24 for storing a developing solution, a washing tank 26 for storing washing water, and a desensitizing processing tank 28 for storing a gum solution as a desensitizing processing solution are formed, and dried on the downstream side of the desensitizing processing tank 28. A space for installing the portion 20 is provided, and a space serving as the insertion portion 34 is formed on the upstream side of the developing tank 24.

A slit-shaped insertion port 32 is formed on the outer plate panel 30 that covers the periphery of the processing tank 22 on the side where the PS plate 12 is inserted into the automatic developing device 10 (on the left side of the paper of FIG. 1). Further, the processing tank 2 is provided in the automatic developing device 10.
The covers 36 and 38 covering the upper part of 2 and the upper part of the drying part 20
Is provided. The cover 36 on the side of the insertion port 32 covers the upper part of the water washing part 16 from the insertion part 34 of the processing tank 22,
The cover 38 is arranged so as to cover the upper part of the drying unit 20 from the water washing unit 16.

Further, the cover 36 is provided with a reentry insertion port (sub-insertion port) 40 for inserting the PS plate 12 between the developing section 14 and the water washing section 16. The sub-insertion opening 40 allows the PS plate 12 to be inserted when the processing in the automatic developing device 10 except the processing in the developing section 14 is performed.

In the automatic developing device 10, an insertion portion 34 is provided between the insertion opening 32 and the developing portion 14, and a rubber conveyance roller pair 42 is disposed in the insertion portion 34. The image-exposed PS plate 12 is inserted between the conveying roller pair 42 by being inserted from the insertion port 32 in the direction of the arrow A.

The transport roller pair 42 is driven to rotate so that the PS plate 12 is pulled in from the insertion port 32, and the developing tank of the developing section 14 is inclined at an angle of about 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. Send to 24. In addition, PS version 1
2 is inserted through the insertion opening 32 with the photosensitive layer facing upward when processed by the automatic developing device 10.

The developing tank 2 formed in the processing tank 22
4 has a substantially mountain shape in which the center of the bottom is projected downward, and in the developing tank 24, a pair of conveying rollers 48 is arranged on the side of the insertion portion 34 which is the upstream portion of the conveying path of the PS plate 12. The pair of transport rollers 50 and 52 are arranged at the central portion and the downstream portion of the transport path of the PS plate 12, respectively.

In the developing tank 24, a pair of conveying rollers 4
The guide plate 44 is disposed between the pair of conveying rollers 50 and 52, the guide plate 46, the brush roller 58 and the conveying roller 60 facing the guide plate 46 are disposed between the pair of conveying rollers 50 and 52, and the pair of conveying rollers 48. PS between the pair of transport rollers 52
A transport path for guiding and transporting the plate 12 in a substantially U shape while immersing the plate 12 in the developer is formed.

The PS plate 12 sent to the developing tank 24 by the pair of transport rollers 42 is drawn into the developing solution by the pair of transport rollers 48, is transported along the upper surfaces of the guide plates 44 and 46, and is immersed in the developer. Then, development processing is performed.
At this time, the brush roller 58 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction while being in contact with the surface of the PS plate 12, thereby removing the photosensitive layer which is no longer needed by the image exposure, and promoting the development process of the PS plate 12.

In the developing tank 24, guide plates 44,
Spray pipes 54 and 56 are provided below the respective 46, and the developer in the developing tank 24 is supplied to the spray pipes 54 and 56. As a result, the developing solution is circulated and agitated in the developing tank 24 so that the processing performance of the developing solution becomes uniform. It should be noted that the spray pipe 54 jets the developing solution along the conveyance width direction of the PS plate 12, and the spray pipe 56 jets the developing solution toward the downstream side of the PS plate 12 in the conveying direction.
Although the liquid replacement in the vicinity of the surface of the S plate 12 is efficiently performed, the spraying direction of the developer from the spray pipes 54 and 56 is not limited to this.

The conveying roller pair 52 is formed of, for example, a roller whose outer peripheral portion is made of rubber, and feeds it to the washing tank 26 while sandwiching the PS plate 12 and pulling it out from the developing tank 24. At this time, the pair of transport rollers 52 is designed to squeeze the developer adhering to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12.

In the water washing section 16, a conveyance path for the PS plate 12 is formed by the conveyance roller pairs 62 and 64 arranged above the water washing tank 26.
It is sandwiched between 2 and 64 and is transported in a substantially horizontal state above the liquid surface of the washing water stored in the washing tank 26.

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 spray pipes 66, 68 are supplied with the washing water stored in the washing tank 26, whereby the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 conveyed in the washing section 16 are supplied. The washing water is jetted onto the surface of the PS plate 12, and the developer is washed off from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. Further, the washing water supplied to the PS plate 12 is squeezed by the conveying roller pair 64 and collected in the washing tank 26 when the PS plate 12 is sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 64 and sent out. 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.
Is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 64 toward the conveying roller pair 70, and is thus conveyed above the liquid surface of the gum liquid stored as the desensitizing treatment liquid in the desensitizing treatment tank 28. In addition, the pair of transport rollers 70 is the PS plate 12
And is sent out from the desensitization processing unit 18.

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).
A plurality of discharge holes are formed along the width direction of the plate 12 and along the width direction of the PS plate 12.

The gum liquid stored in the desensitizing tank 28 is supplied to the spray pipes 72 and 74, and the spray pipes 72 and 74 supply the gum liquid to the PS plate 12. Discharge toward the front and back of. As a result, the gum solution is applied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12.
The pair of transport rollers 70 sends out the excess gum liquid while squeezing it from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. This allows
A thin film of gum solution is formed on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12.

The gum solution squeezed from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 is collected in the desensitizing tank 28. Further, the discharge direction of the processing liquid from the spray pipe 72 is P
It is not limited to the downstream side of the S plate 12 in the conveying direction, but may be in another direction. Further, a rectifying plate is provided, and the treatment liquid discharged toward the rectifying plate is directed in the width direction of the PS plate 12 by the rectifying plate. It may be applied by being dropped onto the surface of the PS plate 12 while being uniformly diffused along the surface. Furthermore, spray pipe 7
Instead of 4, a discharge unit or the like may be used in which the PS plate 12 moves while being in contact with the discharged processing liquid to apply the processing liquid to the back surface of the PS plate 12.

The desensitizing section 18 has a pair of conveying rollers 7.
0 is provided with a cleaning spray 76, and a cleaning roller 78 is provided which rotates while contacting the roller above the conveying roller pair 70, and is conveyed from the cleaning spray 76 at a preset predetermined timing. At the contact position between the roller above the roller pair 70 and the cleaning roller 78, the current plate 8
By dropping the cleaning water through 0, the cleaning water is uniformly diffused on the peripheral surfaces of the rollers above the conveying roller pair 70, and the treatment liquid is washed away from the peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 70, Treatment liquid (gum liquid) attached to the peripheral surface of the roller
The components inside are prevented from sticking and damaging the PS plate 12.

In the automatic developing device 10, the desensitizing section 1
A partition plate 82 is provided between the unit 8 and the drying unit 20. The partition plate 82 is arranged above the transporting path of the PS plate 12 so as to face the upper end of the processing tank 22, and as a result, a slit-shaped partition plate is provided between the desensitization processing section 18 and the drying section 20. An insertion opening 84 is formed. In addition,
The partition plate 82 has a double structure in which 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, so that the insertion opening 8 is formed.
It is prevented from entering the inside of the desensitization processing section 18 from No. 4.

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 conveyed through the drying section 20 by the supporting roller 86 and the pair of conveying rollers 90 and 92, and then discharged from the discharge port 88.

Between the support roller 86 and the conveying roller pair 90 and between the conveying roller pair 90 and the conveying roller pair 92, the conveying duct of the PS plate 12 is sandwiched to form a pair of ejection ducts 9.
4, 96 are provided. Jet ducts 94, 96
Are arranged in the longitudinal direction along the width direction of the PS plate 12, and the slit holes 9 are formed on the surface of the PS plate 12 facing the conveyance path.
8 are provided.

When the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to the ejection ducts 94 and 96 from one end side in the longitudinal direction, the dry air is slit holes 98.
Is discharged toward the transport path of the PS plate 12 and sprayed onto the PS plate 12, and the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 are dried.

On the other hand, the automatic developing device 10 is provided with a shielding lid 100 such that the lower surface thereof is lower than the liquid level of the developing solution stored in the developing tank 24, and the liquid level of the developing solution in the developing tank 24 is The area in contact with air is narrowed. In addition, the cover 36
The sub-insertion opening (re-entry insertion opening) 40 is closed by a shielding member (not shown), and this shielding member prevents outside air from entering the developing unit 14.

In the automatic developing device 10, by covering the liquid surface of the developing solution in the developing tank 24 with the shielding lid 100, the developing solution in the developing tank 24 comes into contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air. We are trying to prevent deterioration and evaporation of water due to. A blade-shaped shielding member (not shown) made of silicon rubber or the like is provided between the shielding lid 100 and the processing tank 22 and the conveying roller pair 48, the conveying roller pair 52, etc. It is more preferable because it may prevent contact with fresh outside air or evaporation of water in the developer.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 schematically shows a piping system of the automatic developing device 10. The automatic developing device 10 is provided with circulation pumps 102, 104 and 106. One end of a pipe 108 is connected to the inlet side of the circulation pump 102, and the other end of the pipe 108 opens at the bottom of the developing tank 24. Further, one end of a pipe 110 is connected to the outlet side of the circulation pump 102, and the other end of the pipe 110 is connected to each of the spray pipes 54 and 56.

In the circulation pump 104, a pipe 112 connected to the inlet side is opened at the bottom of the washing tank 26, and a pipe 114 connected to the outlet side is connected to the spray pipes 66, 68. Further, in the circulation pump 106, the pipe 116 connected to the inlet side is opened at the bottom of the desensitizing treatment tank 28, and the pipe 118 connected to the outlet side is the spray pipes 72, 7.
Connected to 4.

As a result, in the automatic developing device 10, the circulation pumps 102, 104 and 106 are operated,
The developer in the developing tank 24, the washing water in the washing tank 26, and the gum solution in the desensitizing treatment tank 28 are circulated.
Rinsing water and gum solution are supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12.

A heater 120 is provided in the developing tank 24. The developing solution is circulated by the circulation pump 102 while being heated by the heater 120, so that the developing solution can optimally process the PS plate 12. The temperature is controlled within a set predetermined temperature range.

Further, a conductivity sensor 122 for measuring the conductivity of the developing solution is attached to the pipe 110 as a conductivity detecting means, and in the automatic developing device 10, the conductivity sensor 122 detects the conductivity of the developing solution. It is possible to measure.

On the other hand, the automatic developing device 10 is provided with replenisher tanks 124A, 124B, 126 and a water supply tank 128. In the replenisher tanks 124A and 124B, a replenisher for the developer stored in the developing tank 24 (developer replenisher)
The replenisher tank 126 contains a replenisher for the gum solution stored in the desensitizing tank 28 (gum replenisher). The water supply tank 128 contains water used for replenishing the wash water stored in the washing tank 26, diluting the developing replenisher supplied to the developing tank 24 and the gum replenishing solution supplied to the desensitizing tank 28, and the like. Be accommodated.

Further, the automatic developing device 10 includes the replenishing pump 1
30, 132, 192 and water supply pumps 134, 136,
In the replenishment pump 130, the replenishment pump 130 has a pipe 140 connected to the inlet side opening into the replenisher tank 124A, and the other end of the pipe 142 connected to the outlet side is the developing tank 24.
Of the replenishing pump 192, the pipe 194 connected to the inlet side is opened in the replenisher tank 124B, and the replenishing pump 192 is connected to the outlet side.
6 is open at the upper part of the developing tank 24 toward the inside of the developing tank 24.

Further, in the replenishment pump 132, the pipe 146 connected to the inlet side opens into the replenisher tank 126, and the pipe 148 connected to the outlet side is desensitized above the desensitizing tank 28. It opens toward the inside of the chemical treatment tank 28.

As a result, the replenishment pump 130 operates to supply the development replenisher in the replenisher tank 124A to the developing tank 24, and the replenishment pump 192 operates to remove the replenisher in the replenisher tank 124B. Developing tank 24
Supplied within. Further, by operating the replenishment pump 132, the gum replenisher in the replenisher tank 126 is supplied into the desensitizing tank 28.

Inside the water supply tank 128, one end of a pipe 152 is opened, and the other end of the pipe 152 is branched and connected to the respective inlet sides of the water supply pumps 134, 136, 138. Further, in the water supply pump 134, the pipe 154 connected to the outlet side opens toward the inside of the developing tank 24 at the upper part of the developing tank 24, and in the water supply pump 136, the pipe 158 connected to the outlet side is the washing tank. The water supply pump 138 has a pipe 162 connected to the outlet side in the upper part of the dewatering tank 26 toward the inside of the dewatering tank 26. It is open.

As a result, the developing tank 24 and the desensitizing tank 28 are supplied with water for diluting the developer replenisher and the gum replenisher at a predetermined ratio by the operation of the water supply pumps 134 and 138. The washing tank 26 is supplemented with washing water by the operation of the water supply pump 136.

Each of the developing tank 24, the water washing tank 26, and the desensitizing processing tank 28 is provided with overflow means (not shown) such as an overflow pipe, and the replenisher is replenished to cause an excess. Processing liquid (developer,
The washing water and gum solution) are overflowed and discharged.

The automatic developing device 10 includes a cleaning pump 166.
Is provided, and the pipe branched from the pipe 152 is connected to the inlet side. Further, in the cleaning pump 166, the pipe 168 connected to the outlet side is connected to the cleaning spray 76,
In the automatic developing device 10, the cleaning pump 166 is operated to supply water as the cleaning liquid from the cleaning spray 76 to the conveying roller pair 70. At this time, by rotating the conveying roller pair 70, the peripheral surface of the conveying roller pair 70 is cleaned with water supplied from the cleaning spray 76. The water used to wash the conveying roller pair 70 is collected in the desensitizing tank 28, and this water may be used as the diluting water for the gum replenishing solution.

In the water supply tank 128, the float valve 1
70 is provided so that tap water or the like is supplied according to the change in the liquid level of the water in the water supply tank 128. It should be noted that the automatic developing device 10 may be one in which a water supply pump is provided and water is supplied from the water tank provided outside the device to the water supply tank 128 in accordance with the change in the liquid level detected by the float valve 170. good.

Further, in the automatic developing device 10, the chemical pump 172 and the chemical tank 174 can be mounted. The chemical pump 172 and the chemical tank 174 are mounted, and the pipe 176 connected to the inlet side of the chemical pump 172 is installed. Piping 17 that opens into the drug tank 174 and connects to the outlet side
By opening 8 in the water supply tank 128, it becomes possible to supply the water supply tank 128 with a medicine such as a scale preventive agent in the medicine tank 174.

The automatic developing device 10 has a charging pump 190 having a higher discharge capacity than the water supply pump 134.
By using this charging pump 190, so-called charging for preparing a developer from the empty state of the developing tank 24 can be performed in a short time.

Further, the processing tank 22 of the automatic developing apparatus 10
A drying fan 180 is attached to the inside of the drying unit 20, and the drying air generated by heating the air sucked by the drying fan 180 by a heater (not shown) or the like is blown out from the blowing duct 94. , 96.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
The control unit 200 provided in No. 0 includes a microcomputer (not shown), and a controller 202 that controls the operation of the automatic developing device 10.

In the controller 202, the circulation pumps 102 to 106 and the replenishment pump 1 are provided together with an operation panel 204 for performing on / off operations and various settings of the automatic developing device 10.
30, 132, 192, water supply pumps 134 to 138, washing pump 166, chemical pump 172, preparation pump 19
0, the heater 120, and the conductivity sensor 122 are connected.

The controller 202 has a PS plate 1
A drive motor 206 for transporting the second roller and driving the brush roller 58 is connected, and a drying air generating means 208 including a heater, a temperature sensor and the like is connected together with the drying fan 180.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
0, a plate detection sensor 210 is provided near the insertion opening 32 as plate detection means. This plate detection sensor 21
0 is switched on / off depending on whether or not the PS plates 12 fed into the insertion slot 32 face each other.

The PS plate 12 is inserted into the automatic developing device 10 through a so-called center through, and the plate detection sensor 210 allows the PS plate 12 to be inserted from the insertion opening 32 even if the size of the PS plate 12 in the width direction is different. The PS plate 12 is provided so as to face the intermediate portion in the width direction of the PS plate 12 so that the inserted PS plate 12 can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 3, this plate detection sensor 210 is connected to the controller 202, and the controller 202 detects the PS plate 12 insertion by this plate detection sensor 210.

As a result, the controller 202 causes the automatic developing device 10 to operate by operating the switches on the operation panel 204.
When is turned on, the start-up processing that enables the processing of the PS plate 12 is performed, and in the state where the start-up processing is completed and the PS plate 12 can be processed, the plate detection sensor 210 is inserted from the insertion opening 32. When the PS plate 12 to be inserted is detected, the drive motor 206 is operated to drive the conveyance roller such as the conveyance roller pair 42 and the brush roller 58 to start the conveyance of the PS plate 12.

At the same time, the controller 202 operates the circulation pumps 104 and 106 based on the timing of the front edge detection of the PS plate 12 by the plate detection sensor 210, so that the PS plate 12 passes through the water washing section 16. At the same time, cleaning water is ejected from the spray pipes 66 and 68, and the gum solution is ejected from the spray pipes 72 and 74 at the timing of passing through the desensitizing section 18.

Further, the controller 202 operates the drying fan 180, a heater (not shown), etc. while detecting the temperature of the dry air by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the dry air generating means 208, whereby the PS plate 12
A dry air having a predetermined temperature is blown onto the surface of the.

By the way, the PS plate 12 is provided with a positive type photosensitive layer for infrared laser. In the automatic developing apparatus 10, the PS plate 12 is developed with an alkali developing solution, and at the same time, an alkaline developing replenishing solution and a dissolving solution are used. The inhibitor aqueous solution is added (supplemented) as a replenisher.

At this time, in the automatic developing device 10, the stock solution of the alkaline developing solution (hereinafter, simply referred to as "alkali development replenishing solution") is stored in the replenishing solution tank 124A, and the replenishing solution tank 124B contains an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor. (Dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution) is stored.

First, the photosensitive layer of the PS plate 12 processed by the automatic developing device 10 will be described. The composition for forming the photosensitive layer on the support is referred to as a photosensitive composition. In addition to the photosensitive layer, the PS plate 12 further includes, if necessary,
Other layers such as a protective layer, an intermediate layer and a back coat layer may be provided.

[Photosensitive layer] The photosensitive composition contained in the positive type photosensitive layer for infrared laser contains a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble polymer compound and a compound which absorbs light and generates heat, and further, if necessary. Accordingly, other components are contained.

[Water-Insoluble and Alkali-Soluble Polymer Compound] The alkali-soluble polymer compound used in the PS plate 12 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a conventionally known compound. A polymer compound having a functional group of either a sulfonamide group or an active imide group in the molecule is preferable, and the following compounds are exemplified, but the invention is not limited thereto.

As the polymer compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group, for example, phenol formaldehyde resin,
m-cresol formaldehyde resin, p-cresol formaldehyde resin, m- / p-mixed cresol formaldehyde resin, phenol / cresol (m-, p
-, Or m- / p-mixture) mixed formaldehyde resin, novolac resin such as phenol / cresol / xylenol mixed formaldehyde resin, and pyrogallolacetone resin.

In addition to the above, it is preferable to use a polymer compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group in the side chain as the polymer compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group. As the polymer compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group in the side chain, a polymerizable monomer composed of a low molecular compound having one or more unsaturated bonds capable of polymerizing with the phenolic hydroxyl group is homopolymerized,
Alternatively, a polymer compound obtained by copolymerizing the above monomer with another polymerizable monomer may be used.

Examples of the polymerizable monomer having a phenolic hydroxyl group include acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, and hydroxystyrene having a phenolic hydroxyl group.

Specifically, N- (2-hydroxyphenyl) acrylamide, N- (3-hydroxyphenyl)
Acrylamide, N- (4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylamide, N- (2-hydroxyphenyl) methacrylamide, N- (3-hydroxyphenyl) methacrylamide, N- (4-hydroxyphenyl) methacrylamide, o-hydroxyphenyl acrylate , M-hydroxyphenyl acrylate, p-hydroxyphenyl acrylate, o-hydroxyphenyl methacrylate, m-hydroxyphenyl methacrylate, p-hydroxyphenyl methacrylate, o-hydroxystyrene, m-hydroxystyrene, p-hydroxystyrene, 2- (2 -Hydroxyphenyl) ethyl acrylate, 2- (3-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl acrylate, 2- (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl acrylate, 2- (2-hydro) Shifeniru) ethyl methacrylate, 2- (3-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl methacrylate can be suitably used 2- (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl methacrylate.

The resin having such a phenolic hydroxyl group may be used in combination of two or more kinds.

Further, as described in US Pat. No. 4,123,279, it has an alkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as a substituent, such as t-butylphenol formaldehyde resin and octylphenol formaldehyde resin. You may use together the condensation polymer of phenol and formaldehyde.

Examples of the alkali-soluble polymer compound having a sulfonamide group include polymer compounds obtained by homopolymerizing a polymerizable monomer having a sulfonamide group or copolymerizing the monomer with another polymerizable monomer. .

Examples of the polymerizable monomer having a sulfonamide group include a sulfonamide group —NH—SO ₂ — in which at least one hydrogen atom is bonded to a nitrogen atom in one molecule.
And a polymerizable monomer composed of a low molecular weight compound each having one or more polymerizable unsaturated bonds. Among them, a low molecular weight compound having an acryloyl group, an allyl group or a vinyloxy group and a substituted or mono-substituted aminosulfonyl group or a substituted sulfonylimino group is preferable.

Examples of such a compound include compounds represented by the following general formulas (I) to (V).

[0092]

[Chemical 1]

In the formula, X ¹ and X ² each represent —O— or —NR ⁷ —. R ¹ and R ⁴ each represent a hydrogen atom or —CH ₃ . ^{R 2, R 5, R 9} , R 12 and R ¹⁶ are each optionally substituted alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkylene group, arylene group, or aralkylene group. R ^3, R ⁷ and R ¹³ are hydrogen atoms, each alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group. R ⁶ and R ¹⁷ each represent an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group. R ⁸ ,
R ¹⁰ and R ¹⁴ represents a hydrogen atom or -CH _3. R ¹¹ and R ¹⁵ each represent a single bond or an optionally substituted alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group or an aralkylene group. Y ¹ and Y ² each represent a single bond or —CO—.

Specifically, m-aminosulfonylphenyl methacrylate, N- (p-aminosulfonylphenyl) methacrylamide, N- (p-aminosulfonylphenyl) acrylamide and the like can be preferably used.

The alkali-soluble polymer compound having an active imide group preferably has an active imide group represented by the following formula in its molecule.
Homopolymerization of a polymerizable monomer consisting of an active imide group represented by the following formula and a low molecular weight compound having at least one polymerizable unsaturated bond in the molecule, or copolymerization of the monomer with another polymerizable monomer The polymer compound obtained by doing so is mentioned.

[0096]

[Chemical 2]

Specific examples of such a compound include:
N- (p-toluenesulfonyl) methacrylamide, N
-(P-toluenesulfonyl) acrylamide etc. can be used conveniently.

Further, as the alkali-soluble polymer compound of the present invention, two or more kinds of the above-mentioned polymerizable monomer having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a polymerizable monomer having a sulfonamide group, and a polymerizable monomer having an active imide group are used. It is preferable to use a polymer compound obtained by polymerizing the above, or a polymer compound obtained by copolymerizing another polymerizable monomer with these two or more polymerizable monomers.

The polymerizable monomer having a phenolic hydroxyl group is added to the polymerizable monomer having a sulfonamide group and /
Alternatively, when copolymerizing a polymerizable monomer having an active imide group, the blending weight ratio of these components is preferably in the range of 50:50 to 5:95, and in the range of 40:60 to 10:90. Is particularly preferred.

The alkali-soluble polymer compound is a copolymer of the above-mentioned polymerizable monomer having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a polymerizable monomer having a sulfonamide group, or a polymerizable monomer having an active imide group, and another polymerizable monomer. In some cases, the monomer that imparts alkali solubility is 1
It is preferably 0 mol% or more, and more preferably 20 mol% or more. When the content of the copolymerization component is less than 10 mol%, the alkali solubility tends to be insufficient, and the effect of improving the development latitude may not be sufficiently achieved.

Examples of the monomer component to be copolymerized with the polymerizable monomer having a phenolic hydroxyl group, the polymerizable monomer having a sulfonamide group, or the polymerizable monomer having an active imide group include the following (1) to (12)
The monomers listed in 1 above can be used, but the present invention is not limited thereto. (1) For example, acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters having an aliphatic hydroxyl group such as 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. (2) Methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, amyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, glycidyl acrylate, N-dimethylaminoethyl Alkyl acrylate such as acrylate. (3) Methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, amyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, 2-chloroethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, N-dimethylaminoethyl. Alkyl methacrylate such as methacrylate. (4) Acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-methylolacrylamide, N-ethylacrylamide, N-
Hexylmethacrylamide, N-cyclohexylacrylamide, N-hydroxyethylacrylamide, N-
Acrylamide such as phenylacrylamide, N-nitrophenylacrylamide, N-ethyl-N-phenylacrylamide, or methacrylamide. (5) Vinyl ethers such as ethyl vinyl ether, 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether, hydroxyethyl vinyl ether, propyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, octyl vinyl ether and phenyl vinyl ether. (6) Vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl chloroacetate, vinyl butyrate and vinyl benzoate. (7) Styrenes such as styrene, α-methylstyrene, methylstyrene and chloromethylstyrene. (8) Vinyl ketones such as methyl vinyl ketone, ethyl vinyl ketone, propyl vinyl ketone, and phenyl vinyl ketone. (9) Olefins such as ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, butadiene and isoprene. (10) N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylcarbazole, 4-vinylpyridine, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile and the like. (11) Unsaturated imides such as maleimide, N-acryloylacrylamide, N-acetylmethacrylamide, N-propionylmethacrylamide, and N- (p-chlorobenzoyl) methacrylamide. (12) acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride,
Unsaturated carboxylic acids such as itaconic acid.

When the alkali-soluble polymer compound is a homopolymer or copolymer of the above-mentioned polymerizable monomer having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a polymerizable monomer having a sulfonamide group, or a polymerizable monomer having an active imide group,
Weight average molecular weight of 2,000 or more, number average molecular weight of 50
Those of 0 or more are preferable. More preferably, the weight average molecular weight is 5,000 to 300,000, the number average molecular weight is 800 to 250,000, and the dispersity (weight average molecular weight / number average molecular weight) is 1.1 to 10. .

When the alkali-soluble polymer compound is a resin such as phenol formaldehyde resin or cresol aldehyde resin, the weight average molecular weight is 500 to
20,000 and a number average molecular weight of 200 to 10,0.
00 is preferable.

These alkali-soluble polymer compounds may be used either individually or in combination of two or more, and are used in an amount of from 30 to 99% by weight, preferably from 40 to 95% by weight, based on the total solid content of the photosensitive layer. Preferably 50-90
It is used in the addition amount of weight%. If the amount of the alkali-soluble polymer compound added is less than 30% by weight, the durability of the photosensitive layer is deteriorated, and if it exceeds 99% by weight, both the sensitivity and the durability are unfavorable.

[Compound that absorbs light and generates heat] The compound that absorbs light and generates heat has a light absorption region in the infrared region of 700 nm or more, preferably 750 nm to 1200 nm,
It refers to those exhibiting light / heat conversion ability in light having a wavelength in this range, and specifically, various pigments or dyes that absorb light in this wavelength range and generate heat can be used.

As the pigment, commercially available pigments and color index (CI) handbook, "Latest pigment handbook" (edited by Japan Pigment Technology Association, 1977), "Latest pigment application technology" (CMC Publishing, 1986) ), “Printing Ink Technology”, CMC Publishing Co., Ltd., published in 1984).

Examples of the pigments include black pigments, yellow pigments, orange pigments, brown pigments, red pigments, purple pigments, blue pigments, green pigments, fluorescent pigments, metal powder pigments, and polymer-bonded dyes. . Specifically, insoluble azo pigments, azo lake pigments, condensed azo pigments, chelate azo pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, anthraquinone pigments, perylene and perinone pigments, thioindigo pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, isoindolinone pigments. , Quinophthalone pigments, dyed lake pigments, azine pigments, nitroso pigments, nitro pigments, natural pigments, fluorescent pigments, inorganic pigments, carbon black and the like can be used.

These pigments may be used without surface treatment, or may be used after surface treatment. Surface treatment methods include resin or wax surface coating, surfactant attachment, and reactive substances (eg, silane coupling agents, epoxy compounds, polyisocyanates, etc.)
It is possible to consider a method of binding the pigment to the surface of the pigment. The above surface treatment method is "property and application of metal soap" (Koushobo),
It is described in "Printing Ink Technology" (CMC Publishing, 1984) and "Latest Pigment Application Technology" (CMC Publishing, 1986).

The particle diameter of the pigment is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.05 to 1 μm, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 1 μm. . When the particle diameter of the pigment is less than 0.01 μm, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of stability of the dispersion in the photosensitive layer coating liquid, and when it exceeds 10 μm, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of uniformity of the photosensitive layer.

As a method of dispersing the pigment, a known dispersion technique used in the production of ink or toner may be used. As the disperser, an ultrasonic disperser, a sand mill,
Attritors, pearl mills, super mills, ball mills, impellers, despersers, KD mills, colloid mills, dynatrons, three roll mills, pressure kneaders and the like can be mentioned. Details are described in "Latest Pigment Application Technology" (CMC Publishing, 1986).

As the dye, commercially available dyes and literatures (for example, "Handbook of Dyes" edited by the Society of Organic Synthesis Chemistry, Showa 45)
The well-known thing described in the annual publication can be used. Specific examples thereof include dyes such as azo dyes, metal complex salt azo dyes, pyrazolone azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, carbonium dyes, quinoneimine dyes, methine dyes, and cyanine dyes.

Of these pigments or dyes, those that absorb infrared light or near infrared light are particularly preferable because they are suitable for use in a laser emitting infrared light or near infrared light.

Carbon black is preferably used as such a pigment that absorbs infrared light or near infrared light. Examples of dyes that absorb infrared light or near infrared light include, for example, JP-A-58-125246, JP-A-59-84356, JP-A-59-202829, and JP-A-60-78787. Cyanine dyes described in JP-A Nos. 58-173696 and 58-
181690 and methine dyes described in JP-A-58-194595 and JP-A-58-11279.
3, JP-A-58-224793, and JP-A-59-48.
187, JP-A-59-73996, JP-A-60-5.
2940, naphthoquinone dyes described in JP-A-60-63744, and JP-A-58-11279.
Examples thereof include squarylium dyes described in Japanese Patent No. 2 and the like, cyanine dyes described in British Patent 434,875, and dihydroperimidine squarylium dyes described in US Pat. No. 5,380,635.

Further, as the dye, US Pat.
The near-infrared absorption sensitizer described in JP-A-6,938 is also preferably used, and the substituted arylbenzo (thio) pyrylium salt described in US Pat. 57-142645 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,32
7,169), the trimethine thiapyrylium salt described in JP-A Nos. 58-181051 and 58-22014.
No. 3, No. 59-41363, No. 59-84248,
59-84249, 59-146063, 5
No. 9-146061, a pyrilium compound, a cyanine dye described in JP-A-59-216146, a pentamethinethiopyrylium salt described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,475, and the like. Fair 5-135
Pyrylium compounds disclosed in JP-A No. 14 and JP-A No. 5-19702 are commercially available as Ep manufactured by Eporin Co.
olight III-178, Epolight III-130, Epolight
III-125, Epolight IV-62A and the like are particularly preferably used.

Further, as another particularly preferable example of the dye, there can be mentioned near infrared absorbing dyes described as formulas (I) and (II) in US Pat. No. 4,756,993. .

Preferred cyanine dyes include, for example:
The thing represented by the following general formula (Z) is mentioned.

[0117]

[Chemical 3]

In the general formula (Z), R ^{1 to} R ⁴ are each independently a hydrogen atom, or an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group, an alkoxy group, a cyclo group. Represents an alkyl group or an aryl group, R ¹ and R ² ,
R ³ and R ⁴ may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure.

Examples of R ^{1 to} R ⁴ include a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a phenyl group, a dodecyl group, a naphthyl group, a vinyl group, an allyl group, a cyclohexyl group, and the like. It may have a substituent.
Here, examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, a carbonyl group, a nitro group, a nitrile group, a sulfonyl group, a carboxyl group, a carboxylic acid ester, a sulfonic acid ester, and the like.

In the formula, R ^{5 to} R ¹⁰ each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and examples of R ^{5 to} R ¹⁰ include a methyl group, Examples thereof include an ethyl group, a phenyl group, a dodecyl group, a naphthyl group, a vinyl group, an allyl group and a cyclohexyl group, and these groups may further have a substituent. Here, as the substituent, for example, a halogen atom, a carbonyl group,
Examples thereof include nitro group, nitrile group, sulfonyl group, carboxyl group, carboxylic acid ester and sulfonic acid ester.

In the formula, R ^{11 to} R ¹³ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and R ¹² represents R ¹¹ described above. Alternatively, it may combine with R ¹³ to form a ring structure, and when m> 2, a plurality of R ¹² may combine with each other to form a ring structure.

Examples of R ^{11 to} R ¹³ include a chlorine atom, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopentyl ring formed by combining R ^32's , a cyclohexyl ring, and the like, and these groups further have a substituent. May be. Here, as the substituent, for example, a halogen atom, a carbonyl group, a nitro group, a nitrile group, a sulfonyl group, a carboxyl group,
Examples thereof include carboxylic acid ester and sulfonic acid ester.

In addition, m represents an integer of 1 to 8, and among them, 1 to 3 is preferable.

In the formula, R ^{14 to} R ¹⁵ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and R ¹⁴ is the same as R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁵ . They may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure, and when m> 2, a plurality of R ³⁴ 's may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure.

Examples of R ^{14 to} R ¹⁵ include a chlorine atom, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopentyl ring and a cyclohexyl ring in which R ¹⁴ are bonded to each other, and these groups further have a substituent. May be. Here, as the substituent, for example, a halogen atom, a carbonyl group, a nitro group, a nitrile group, a sulfonyl group, a carboxyl group,
Examples thereof include carboxylic acid ester and sulfonic acid ester.

Further, m represents an integer of 1 to 8, and among them, 1 to 3 is preferable.

In the formula, X ⁻ represents an anion, for example,
Perchloric acid, tetrafluoroboric acid, hexafluorophosphoric acid, triisopropylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, 5-nitro-O-toluenesulfonic acid, 5-sulfosalicylic acid, 2,5-dimethylbenzenesulfonic acid, 2,4. 6-trimethylbenzenesulfonic acid, 2-nitrobenzenesulfonic acid, 3-
Chlorobenzenesulfonic acid, 3-bromobenzenesulfonic acid, 2-fluorocaprylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, 1-naphthol-5-sulfonic acid, 2-methoxy-4-hydroxy-5-benzoyl-benzenesulfonic acid and para. Examples include toluene sulfonic acid.

Of these, alkylaromatic sulfonic acids such as hexafluorophosphoric acid, triisopropylnaphthalenesulfonic acid and 2,5-dimethylbenzenesulfonic acid are preferable.

As the cyanine dye represented by the general formula (Z), specifically, the following compounds are preferably used, but the cyanine dye is not limited thereto.

[0130]

[Chemical 4]

These pigments or dyes are contained in an amount of 0.01 to 50% by weight, preferably 0.1% by weight based on the total solid content of the photosensitive layer.
1 to 10% by weight, particularly preferably 0.5 to 1 in the case of dye
It can be added to the photosensitive composition in an amount of 0% by weight, particularly preferably 3.1 to 10% by weight in the case of a pigment. If the amount of the pigment or dye added is less than 0.01% by weight, the sensitivity will be low, and if it exceeds 50% by weight, the uniformity of the photosensitive layer will be lost and the durability of the photosensitive layer will be deteriorated.

These dyes or pigments may be added to the same layer as other components, or may be added to another layer provided separately. In the case of forming another layer, it is desirable to add it to a layer adjacent to a layer containing a substance which is substantially thermally decomposable and which does not substantially decompose the solubility of the alkali-soluble polymer compound. Further, the dye or pigment and the alkali-soluble polymer compound are preferably in the same layer, but may be in different layers.

[Other Components] The photosensitive composition contains
Further, various additives can be added if necessary. For example, for the purpose of improving sensitivity, cyclic acid anhydrides, phenols, organic acids, sulfonyl compounds, quinonediazide compounds, diazonium salts, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, onium salts such as iodonium salts,
Sulfone compounds and amide compounds can also be used together.

The proportion of the above cyclic acid anhydride, phenols, organic acids, and sulfonyl compounds in the solid content of the photosensitive composition is preferably 0.05 to 20% by weight, and 0.1 to 15% by weight. % Is more preferable, and 0.1 to 10
Weight percent is particularly preferred.

Further, in order to increase the stability of processing in the above-mentioned photosensitive composition with respect to developing conditions, JP-A-62-25 has been used.
Nonionic surfactants such as those described in JP 1740 and JP 3-208514 A, JP 59-1
Amphoteric surfactants such as those described in JP-A No. 21044 and JP-A No. 4-13149 can be added.

The ratio of the nonionic surfactant and the amphoteric surfactant in the solid content of the photosensitive composition is 0.0.
5 to 15% by weight is preferable, and 0.1 to 5% by weight is more preferable.

A printout agent for obtaining a visible image immediately after heating by exposure and a dye or pigment as an image colorant may be added to the photosensitive composition.

Typical examples of the printing-out agent include a combination of a compound (photo-acid releasing agent) that releases an acid when heated by exposure with light and an organic dye capable of forming a salt.

As the image colorant, a dye other than the above-mentioned salt-forming organic dye can be used. Suitable dyes, including salt-forming organic dyes, include oil-soluble dyes and basic dyes.

These dyes are contained in an amount of 0.01 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 3% by weight based on the solid content of the photosensitive composition.
It may be added to the photosensitive composition in a weight percentage.

If necessary, a plasticizer is added to the photosensitive composition in order to impart flexibility to the coating film. For example, butylphthalyl, polyethylene glycol, tributyl citrate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dihexyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate,
Tricresyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate, tetrahydrofurfuryl oleate, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid oligomers and polymers, and the like are used.

If necessary, a compound such as a quinonediazide compound or a diazo compound which is decomposed by light may be added to the photosensitive composition. The addition amount of these compounds is preferably 1 to 5% by weight based on the solid content of the photosensitive composition.

[Production Method of Photosensitive Layer] The photosensitive layer of the PS plate 12 is
Usually, it can be formed by dissolving each of the above components in a solvent and coating the solution on a suitable support.

As the solvent used here, ethylene dichloride, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone,
Methanol, ethanol, propanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-methoxyethyl acetate, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, dimethoxyethane, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, N, N-dimethylacetamide,
N, N-dimethylformamide, tetramethylurea,
Examples thereof include N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, γ-butyrolactone, and toluene, but are not limited thereto. These solvents may be used alone or as a mixture.

The above components in the solvent (total solids including additives)
The concentration of (min) is preferably 1 to 50% by weight. Also
Coating amount (solid content) on the support obtained after coating and drying
Depends on the application,
Generally 0.5-5.0 g / m ²Is preferred.

Various methods can be used for coating, and examples thereof include bar coater coating, spin coating, spray coating, curtain coating, dip coating, air knife coating, blade coating, and roll coating. You can As the coating amount decreases, the apparent sensitivity increases, but the film characteristics of the photosensitive film deteriorate.

A surfactant for improving the coatability, for example, a fluorinated surfactant as described in JP-A-62-170950 can be added to the photosensitive layer. The preferable addition amount is 0.01 to 1% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to the total solid content of the photosensitive layer.
~ 0.5% by weight.

[Support] The support used for the PS plate 12 is a dimensionally stable plate-like material, for example, paper laminated with plastic (eg polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc.), Metal plate (for example, aluminum, zinc, copper, etc.), plastic film (for example, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose nitrate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polycarbonate) , Polyvinyl acetal, etc.), paper laminated with the above metal, or vapor-deposited, or a plastic film.

As the support, a polyester film or an aluminum plate is preferable, and among them, an aluminum plate which has good dimensional stability and is relatively inexpensive is particularly preferable. The preferred aluminum plate is a pure aluminum plate or an alloy plate containing aluminum as a main component and a slight amount of a foreign element, and may be a plastic film on which aluminum is laminated or vapor-deposited. The foreign elements contained in the aluminum alloy include silicon, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, chromium, zinc, bismuth, nickel and titanium. The content of foreign elements in the alloy is at most 10% by weight
It is the following. Particularly suitable aluminum is pure aluminum, but completely pure aluminum is difficult to produce due to refining technology, and thus may contain slightly different elements. As described above, the composition of the aluminum plate applied to the PS plate 12 is not specified, and an aluminum plate which is a publicly known and conventionally used material can be appropriately used.

The thickness of the aluminum plate is about 0.1.
It is about 0.6 mm, preferably 0.15 to 0.4 mm, and particularly preferably 0.2 to 0.3 mm.

Prior to roughening the aluminum plate, if desired, a degreasing treatment for removing the rolling oil on the surface is carried out, for example, with a surfactant, an organic solvent or an alkaline aqueous solution.

The surface roughening treatment of the aluminum plate is carried out by various methods. For example, mechanical surface roughening, electrochemical surface melting and surface roughening, and chemical surface roughening Is selectively dissolved. As the mechanical method, known methods such as a ball polishing method, a brush polishing method, a blast polishing method and a buff polishing method can be used. Further, as an electrochemical graining method, there is a method of performing alternating current or direct current in a hydrochloric acid or nitric acid electrolytic solution. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-63902, a method in which both are combined can be used.

The thus roughened aluminum plate is optionally subjected to alkali etching treatment and neutralization treatment, and then, if desired, subjected to anodizing treatment in order to enhance water retention and abrasion resistance of the surface. It As the electrolyte used for the anodizing treatment of the aluminum plate, various electrolytes that form a porous oxide film can be used, and generally sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, chromic acid or a mixed acid thereof is used. The concentration of these electrolytes is appropriately determined depending on the type of electrolyte.

The treatment conditions for anodic oxidation cannot be unconditionally specified because they vary depending on the electrolyte used, but generally, the concentration of the electrolyte is 1 to 80% by weight solution, and the liquid temperature is 5 to 70 °.
C, current density 5 to 60 A / dm ² , voltage 1 to 100 V,
An electrolysis time of 10 seconds to 5 minutes is suitable.

If the amount of the anodic oxide film is less than 1.0 g / m ² , the printing durability is insufficient, or the non-image area of the lithographic printing plate is easily scratched. So-called "scratch stains", which adhere to the surface, are likely to occur.

After the anodizing treatment, the aluminum surface is optionally subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. Examples of the hydrophilic treatment include US Pat.
181,461, 3,280,734 and 3,
There is an alkali metal silicate (for example, sodium silicate aqueous solution) method as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 902,734. In this method, the support is immersed in an aqueous sodium silicate solution or electrolyzed. Besides, potassium fluorozirconate disclosed in JP-B-36-22063 and US Pat. No. 3,276,86.
No. 8, No. 4,153,461, No. 4,689,2
For example, the method of treating with polyvinylphosphonic acid as disclosed in JP-A-72 is used.

[Other Layers] P applied to this embodiment
The S plate 12 has a photosensitive layer formed by coating a positive type photosensitive composition for infrared laser on a support. An undercoat layer may be provided between them as the above-mentioned other layer, if necessary. be able to.

As the component of the undercoat layer, various organic compounds are used, and examples thereof include phosphonic acids having an amino group such as carboxymethyl cellulose, dextrin, gum arabic, 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid, etc., and substituents. Organic phosphonic acids such as phenylphosphonic acid, naphthylphosphonic acid, alkylphosphonic acid, glycerophosphonic acid, methylenediphosphonic acid and ethylenediphosphonic acid,
Organic phosphoric acid such as phenylphosphoric acid, naphthylphosphoric acid, alkylphosphoric acid and glycerophosphoric acid which may have a substituent, phenylphosphinic acid which may have a substituent, naphthylphosphinic acid, alkylphosphinic acid and glycerophosphinic acid Are selected from the group consisting of organic phosphinic acids, amino acids such as glycine and β-alanine, and hydrochlorides of amines having a hydroxy group, such as triethanolamine hydrochloride.

This organic undercoat layer can be provided by the following method. That is, water or methanol, ethanol,
A method in which the above-mentioned organic compound is dissolved in an organic solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone or a mixed solvent thereof is applied on an aluminum plate and dried, and water or methanol, ethanol, an organic solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone or a mixed solvent thereof is applied. Is a method in which an aluminum plate is immersed in a solution in which the above organic compound is dissolved to adsorb the above compound, followed by washing with water or the like and drying to form an organic undercoat layer.

In the former method, the organic compounds of 0.
A solution having a concentration of 005 to 10% by weight can be applied by various methods. In the latter method, the concentration of the solution is 0.01-2.
0% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, the immersion temperature is 20 to 90 ° C, preferably 25 to 50 ° C, and the immersion time is 0.1 seconds to 20 minutes, preferably 2 seconds. ~ 1
Minutes. The solution used for this can also be adjusted to a pH range of 1 to 12 with a basic substance such as ammonia, triethylamine, potassium hydroxide, or an acidic substance such as hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid. Further, a yellow dye may be added to improve the tone reproducibility of the image recording material.

The coating amount of the organic undercoat layer is 2 to 200 mg /
m ² is suitable, and preferably 5 to 100 mg / m ² . If the coating amount is less than 2 mg / m ² , sufficient printing durability cannot be obtained. The same applies when the amount is larger than 200 mg / m ² .

The PS plate 12 may be provided with an overcoat layer on the photosensitive layer, if necessary. Examples of the overcoat layer component include polyvinyl alcohol, methacrylate, acrylate, and mat materials used for ordinary photosensitive printing plates.

As an example of the PS plate 12, an aluminum plate (material 1050) having a thickness of 0.3 mm was washed with trichlorethylene to degrease it, and then a nylon brush and a 400 mesh pumice water suspension were used. The surface was grained and washed well with water. This plate at 25 ℃ 25
% Sodium hydroxide aqueous solution for 9 seconds for etching, and after rinsing with water, further dipping in 20% nitric acid for 20 seconds and rinsing with water. At this time, the etching amount of the grained surface is about 3 g
/ M ² . Next, this plate was provided with a DC anodic oxide coating of 3 g / m ² at a current density of 15 A / dm ² using 7% sulfuric acid as an electrolytic solution, then washed with water and dried.

This was treated with a 2.5% by weight aqueous solution of sodium silicate at 30 ° C. for 10 seconds, the following undercoat liquid was applied, and the coating film was dried at 80 ° C. for 15 seconds to obtain a substrate. The coating amount of the coating film after drying was 15 mg / m ² .

[0165]   [Composition of undercoat liquid] -0.3 g of the following copolymer having a molecular weight of 28,000 ・ Methanol 100g ・ Water 1g

[0166]

[Chemical 5]

The following photosensitive layer coating liquid was applied to the obtained substrate so that the coating amount was 1.8 g / m ² , and dried.

[0168]   [Photosensitive layer coating liquid] ・ M, p-cresol novolak 1.0 g (M / p ratio = 6/4, weight average molecular weight 8000,     Unreacted cresol 0.5% by weight included) ・ Cyanine dye A (structure below) 0.1 g ・ Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride 0.05g -P-toluenesulfonic acid 0.002 g The counter ion of ethyl violet     6-hydroxy-β-naphthalenesulfonic acid 0.02 g Fluorosurfactant   (Megafuck F-177, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.) 0.05 g ・ Methyl ethyl ketone 12g

[0169]

[Chemical 6]

PS plate 12 produced as described above
Is subjected to exposure with an infrared laser and development processing with an alkali development processing solution.

The photosensitive layer has an advantage that a positive type image can be formed by an infrared laser. Therefore,
In the exposure step (imagewise exposure step), the light source of actinic rays used for image exposure is preferably a light source having an emission wavelength of 700 nm or more in the near infrared to infrared region.
Further, the light source is preferably a solid-state laser or a semiconductor laser, which is preferably capable of irradiating infrared rays having an emission wavelength of 700 to 1200 nm.

On the other hand, in the automatic developing device 10, when the PS plate 12 is continuously processed using the alkaline developing solution, the PS
A dissolution inhibitor suitable for the throughput of the plate 12 is replenished. The concentration of the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution to be used and the amount to be treated at the time of addition are appropriately determined depending on the material of the photosensitive layer used and the physical properties of the developing solution. It is preferable that the concentration of the dissolution inhibitor is higher than that of the solution or the replenisher, and generally, 0.1 to 100% by weight is used, preferably about 0.5 to 80% by weight, particularly It is preferably about 1 to 50% by weight. Also,
The amount to be replenished at one time is preferably about 1 to 100 ml.

The dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution may be replenished by replenishing the developing tank with an amount corresponding to the processing area of the printing plate calculated from the passage time of the printing plate detected by the plate detecting means provided at the insertion port. 50 m ² Add after every treatment. When higher stability is required, it is preferable to replenish with precision each time a small amount of plate is processed.On the other hand, when managing with a relatively wide tolerance range, a certain amount of plate should be used. It may be replenished after processing.

The dissolution inhibitor used as a replenisher is not particularly limited, and a surfactant can be preferably used. The surfactant at this time may be an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a fluorine-based surfactant, or the like.

The dissolution inhibitors (surfactants) that can be used as a replenisher for the alkaline developer will be sequentially described below.

[Anionic Surfactant] Examples of the anionic surfactant include fatty acid salts, abietic acid salts,
Hydroxyalkane sulfonates, alkane sulfonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, α-olefin sulfonates, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, branched alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, alkylphenoxypolyoxyethylenepropyl Sulfonates, polyoxyethylene alkylsulfophenyl ether salts, N-methyl-N-oleyl taurine sodium salt, N-alkylsulfosuccinic acid monoamide disodium salt, petroleum sulfonates, sulfated tallow oil, sulfuric acid of fatty acid alkyl ester Ester salts, alkyl sulfate ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate ester salts, fatty acid monoglyceride sulfate ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl Ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether sulfates, alkyl phosphoric acid ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphoric acid ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether phosphoric acid ester salts, styrene / maleic anhydride copolymers Preferable examples thereof include partial saponification products, partial saponification products of olefin / maleic anhydride copolymers, and naphthalenesulfonate formalin condensates.

[Cationic Surfactant] Examples of the cationic surfactant include alkylamine salts, quaternary ammonium salts such as tetrabutylammonium bromide,
Examples thereof include polyoxyethylene alkylamine salts and polyethylene polyamine derivatives.

[Amphoteric Surfactant] Examples of the amphoteric surfactant include carboxybetaines, alkylaminocarboxylic acids, sulfobetaines, aminosulfates, and imidazolines.

[Nonionic Surfactant] Examples of the nonionic surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polystyryl phenyl ethers, and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene. Alkyl ethers, glycerin fatty acid partial esters, sorbitan fatty acid partial esters, pentaerythritol fatty acid partial esters, propylene glycol monofatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid partial esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid partial esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid Partial esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid partial esters, polyoxyethylenated castor oil, polyoxyethyi Glycerine fatty acid partial esters, fatty acid diethanolamides, N, N-bis-2
Examples thereof include hydroxyalkylamines, polyoxyethylenealkylamines, triethanolamine fatty acid esters, trialkylamine oxides and the like.

Specific examples thereof include polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene nonyl ether, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene behenyl. Ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene behenyl ether, polyoxyethylene phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearylamine, polyoxyethylene oleylamine, polyoxyethylene stearic acid amide , Polyoxyethylene oleic acid amide, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene ethyl Nabiethyl ether, polyoxyethylene nonine ether, polyoxyethylene monolaurate, polyoxyethylene monostearate, polyoxyethylene glyceryl monooleate, polyoxyethylene glyceryl monostearate, polyoxyethylene propylene glycol monostearate, Oxyethylene oxypropylene block polymer, distyrenated phenol polyethylene oxide adduct, tribenzylphenol polyethylene oxide adduct, octylphenol polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene adduct,
Examples thereof include glycerol monostearate, sorbitan monolaurate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate.

The weight average molecular weight of these nonionic surfactants is preferably 300 to 50,000, more preferably 500 to 50,000.
5,000 is particularly preferred.

Further, the nonionic surfactant is preferably a compound represented by the following general formula (VI).

General formula (VI) R ¹ -O (CH ₂ CHR ² O) _l- (CH ₂ CH
R ³ O) _m — (CH ₂ CHR ⁴ O) _n —R ^{5 In} formula (VI), R ^{1 to} R ⁵ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group, or an alkynyl group. , An aryl group, a carbonyl group, a carboxylate group,
Represents a sulfonyl group and a sulfonate group.

Specific examples of the alkyl group include a methyl group, ethyl group and hexyl group, specific examples of the alkenyl group include a vinyl group and a propenyl group, and specific examples of the alkynyl group. Examples of the aryl group include an acetyl group and a propynyl group, and specific examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group and a 4-hydroxyphenyl group.

L, m and n represent integers of 0 or more. However,
All of l, m, and n are never 0.

Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (VI) include homopolymers such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and the like.

The ratio of the copolymer is 10/90 to 90.
/ 10 is preferable from the viewpoint of achieving both solubility in the developing solution and solubility in the coating solvent. Further, among the copolymers, the graft polymer and the block polymer are preferable from the viewpoint of both the solubility of the non-image area in the alkaline developer and the solubility resistance of the image area in the alkaline developer.

Of the compounds represented by the general formula (VI),
From the viewpoint of resistance to dissolution in an alkaline developer in the image area, polyoxyethylene represented by the following general formula (VII)
Polyoxypropylene block copolymers are preferred.

[0189] formula _{(VII) HO- (C 2 H} 4 O) a - (C 3 H 6 O) b
_{- (C 2 H 4 O)} c -H general formula (VII), a, b, c are, respectively, 1 to 1
Represents an integer of 10,000. Suitable polymers have a ratio of oxyethylene to the total molecule of 40 to 80% by weight, preferably 40 to 60% by weight, and a molecular weight of polyoxypropylene of 1,000 to 4,000, preferably 2,000. The range of up to 3,500 is particularly excellent.

[Fluorine-based Surfactant] The fluorine-based surfactant refers to a surfactant containing a perfluoroalkyl group in the molecule.

As such a fluorine-containing surfactant,
For example, perfluoroalkyl carboxylate, perfluoroalkyl sulfonate, anion type such as perfluoroalkyl phosphate, amphoteric type such as perfluoroalkyl betaine, cation type such as perfluoroalkyltrimethylammonium salt, perfluoroalkyl Amine oxide, perfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adduct, perfluoroalkyl group and hydrophilic group-containing oligomer, perfluoroalkyl group and lipophilic group-containing oligomer, perfluoroalkyl group, hydrophilic group and lipophilic group-containing oligomer, perfluoroalkyl Nonionic types such as urethane having a group and a lipophilic group are included.

Of the above surfactants, the term "polyoxyethylene" can be replaced with polyoxyalkylenes such as polyoxymethylene, polyoxypropylene and polyoxybutylene, which are also the surfactants mentioned above. Included in.

The above-mentioned surfactants may be used alone or as long as the combined use does not impair the effect.
You may use 2 or more types together.

Next, the alkaline developing solution which is preferably used for the continuous processing of the PS plate 12 in the automatic developing apparatus 10 will be described.

It is preferable that the alkali developing solution itself contains a surfactant in addition to the base. This is because the surfactant can form an interaction with the image area in the developing process and prevent the image area from being damaged.

That is, by adding a surfactant to the alkali developing solution, the solution having a high alkali concentration and a high developing ability, that is, the solubility of the image area in the alkali developing solution even when the developing process is carried out under the over condition. Is maintained,
The advantage is that the development stability against external damage is improved. It is speculated that this is due to the interaction between the alkali-soluble polymer compound and the surfactant. This interaction is strong, for example, when the nonionic surfactant used contains ethylene oxide chains or propylene oxide chains, and particularly strong when it contains ethylene oxide chains. It is speculated that this is because the alkali-soluble group, particularly the phenolic hydroxyl group and the ethylene oxide chain form a strong interaction.

The dissolution inhibitor that can be added to the alkaline developer is not particularly limited, and any of the surfactants exemplified in the aqueous solution of the dissolution inhibitor can be used.

The amount of these surfactants added to the alkaline development processing solution is preferably 0.001 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight, and particularly preferably 0. 0.03 to 3% by weight.

If the amount added is less than 0.001% by weight, the effect of adding the surfactant is difficult to obtain, and if it is more than 10% by weight, the developability tends to decrease.

[Base] The alkali developing solution contains a base as a main component.

Examples of the base include conventionally known alkali agents such as inorganic alkali agents and organic alkali agents.

Examples of the inorganic alkaline agent include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, triammonium phosphate, disodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate and phosphoric acid. Diammonium, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate,
Examples thereof include ammonium hydrogen carbonate, sodium borate, potassium borate, ammonium borate and the like.

Examples of the organic alkaline agent include monomethylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, monoisopropylamine, diisopropylamine, triisopropylamine, n-butylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine. ,
Examples thereof include monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, ethyleneimine, ethylenediamine and pyridine.

The bases may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these bases, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are preferable. The reason is that adjusting these amounts enables pH adjustment in a wide pH range. In addition, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and the like are preferable because they have a buffering effect.

In order to improve the developing property, it is preferable to increase the alkali concentration of the alkali developing treatment solution and to perform the treatment under the so-called over condition. For this purpose, the addition amount of the base may be adjusted. That is, the base is added to the alkali developing solution so that the alkali developing solution is strongly alkaline, for example, the pH is 12.5-14.0, preferably the pH is 12.8-13.8. It may be added.

The alkali developing solution may be a so-called "silicate developing solution" containing an alkali silicate as a base or an alkali silicate mixed with a silicon compound in the system. Further, a so-called "non-silicate developer" containing no non-reducing sugar and a base without containing alkali silicate may be used.

[Alkali Silicate] Examples of the alkali silicate include sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, and ammonium silicate, which may be used alone or in combination. SiO _{2 of} alkali silicate
/ M ₂ O molar ratio (M represents an alkali metal) is 0.3
Is preferably 3.0 to 3.0, particularly preferably 0.5 to 2.0.
When the above molar ratio exceeds 3.0, the developability tends to decrease. Further, as the above-mentioned molar ratio becomes smaller than 0.3, the alkali strength increases, so that the harmful effect of etching a metal such as an aluminum plate generally used as a support of a photosensitive printing plate comes to appear.

The concentration of alkali silicate in the silicate developer is preferably 1 to 10% by weight, particularly preferably 1.5 to 7% by weight. If it is higher than 10% by weight, precipitates and crystals are likely to be formed, and gelation is likely to occur during neutralization at the time of waste liquid, so that waste liquid treatment becomes complicated. Also, 1% by weight
The lower the level, the lower the developing power and the processing capacity.

[Non-reducing sugar] Does not contain alkali silicate,
When a developing treatment is performed using a so-called "non-silicate developer" containing a non-reducing sugar and a base, the surface of the photosensitive layer in the infrared-sensitive printing plate is not deteriorated and the inking property of the photosensitive layer is improved. It can be kept in good condition. Also,
The infrared-sensitive printing plate has a narrow development latitude and a large change in the image width and the like depending on the pH of the developing solution, but the non-silicate developing solution contains a non-reducing sugar having a buffering property that suppresses fluctuations in pH. , Which is advantageous as compared with the case where a developing solution containing silicate is used. Further, non-reducing sugar is less likely to contaminate the conductivity sensor for controlling the liquid activity and the pH sensor, etc., as compared with silicate, and therefore in this respect also,
Non-silicate developers are advantageous.

The non-reducing sugar is a saccharide that does not have a free aldehyde group or ketone group and does not exhibit reducing properties, and is a trehalose-type oligosaccharide in which reducing groups are bound to each other, or a reducing group of a saccharide is bound to a non-saccharide. They are classified into glycosides and sugar alcohols obtained by hydrogenating sugars and reducing them, and any of them can be preferably used. Incidentally, the development processing of the PS plate 12 is described in JP-A-8-
The non-reducing sugar described in JP-A-305039 can be preferably used.

Examples of trehalose-type oligosaccharides include:
Examples include sucrose and trehalose.

Examples of glycosides include alkyl glycosides, phenol glycosides, mustard oil glycosides and the like.

As the sugar alcohol, for example, D, L-
Arabite, rebit, xylit, D, L-sorbit, D, L-mannite, D, L-idit, D, L-
Talit, zuricit, alodulcit and the like can be mentioned. Further, maltitol obtained by hydrogenating disaccharide maltose, a reduced product (reduced starch syrup) obtained by hydrogenating oligosaccharide, and the like are preferable.

Among these non-reducing sugars, trehalose type oligosaccharides and sugar alcohols are preferable, and among them, D-
Sorbit, sucrose, reduced starch syrup, etc.
It is preferable because it has a buffering effect in the H region and is inexpensive.

These non-reducing sugars may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The content of the non-reducing sugar in the non-silicate developing solution is preferably 0.1 to 30% by weight, and 1
-20% by weight is more preferable. If the content is less than 0.1% by weight, a sufficient buffering effect cannot be obtained, and if it exceeds 30% by weight, it is difficult to achieve high concentration and there is a problem of cost increase.

Further, as the base used in combination with the non-reducing sugar, the bases listed above are preferably used. As the content of the base used here in the non-silicate developer, desired pH, kind of non-reducing sugar,
It is appropriately determined according to the addition amount and the like.

When a reducing sugar is used in combination with a base, the reducing sugar is browned, the pH is gradually lowered, and the developability is lowered, which is not preferable.

In the non-silicate developing solution, an alkali metal salt of a non-reducing sugar can be used as a main component instead of using the non-reducing sugar and a base together.

The alkali metal salt of a non-reducing sugar is prepared by mixing a non-reducing sugar and an alkali metal hydroxide and heating the mixture to a temperature not lower than the melting point of the non-reducing sugar for dehydration, or a non-reducing sugar and an alkali metal hydroxide. It is obtained by drying a mixed aqueous solution of the product.

An alkaline buffer solution containing a weak acid other than the non-reducing sugar and a strong base can be used in combination with the non-silicate developing solution.

The weak acid preferably has a dissociation constant (pKa) of 10.0 to 13.2, and is, for example, Pergam.
ION ISATION CONSTANTS OF ORGANIC issued by on Press
It can be selected from those described in ACIDS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION and the like.

Specifically, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol-1 (pKa: 12.74), trifluoroethanol (12.37), trichloroethanol (12.24). Alcohols such as pyridine-2
Aldehydes such as aldehyde (12.68), pyridine-4-aldehyde (12.05), salicylic acid (13.0), 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (12.84), catechol ( 12.6), gallic acid (12.4), sulfosalicylic acid (11.7),
3,4-dihydroxysulfonic acid (same as 12.2), 3,
4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (11.94), 1,2,
4-trihydroxybenzene (11.82), hydroquinone (11.56), pyrogallol (11.3)
4), o-cresol (the same 10.33), resorsonol (the same 11.27), p-cresol (the same 10.2)
7), a compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group such as m-cresol (the same 10.09), 2-butanone oxime (the same 1)
2.45), acetoxime (12.42), 1,2-
Cycloheptanedione dioxime (12.3), 2-
Hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime (same as 12.1)
0), dimethylglyoxime (the same 11.9), ethanediamidedioxime (the same 11.37), acetophenone oxime (the same 11.35), adenosine (the same 12.56), inosine (the same 12.2). 5), guanine (same 12.3), cytosine (same 12.2), hypoxanthine (same 12.1), xanthine (same 11.9), and other nucleic acid-related substances, and diethylaminomethylphosphonic acid (same 12). .32), 1-amino-3,3,3-trifluorobenzoic acid (same 12.29), isopropylidene diphosphonic acid (same 12.10), 1,1-ethylidene diphosphonic acid (same 11.54). ), 1,1-ethylidene diphosphonic acid 1-hydroxy (the same 11.52), benzimidazole (the same 12.86), thiobenzamide (the same 12.2).
8), picoline thioamide (the same 12.55), barbituric acid (the same 12.5) and the like are preferable.

Among these weak acids, sulfosalicylic acid and salicylic acid are preferable.

Strong bases to be combined with these weak acids include, for example, sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide,
Preferable examples include potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide.

These strong bases may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The strong base is used by adjusting the pH within a preferable range by appropriately selecting the concentration and the combination.

In the alkaline developer, for the purpose of accelerating the developability, dispersing the development residue, enhancing the ink affinity of the image area of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, etc. You may add a solvent, a reducing agent, an organic carboxylic acid, a water softener, a surfactant, etc., and also a well-known preservative, a coloring agent, a thickener, a defoaming agent etc. as other components.

[Development Stabilizer] As the development stabilizer,
For example, polyethylene glycol adducts of sugar alcohols described in JP-A-6-282079, tetraalkylammonium salts such as tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, phosphonium salts such as tetrabutylphosphonium bromide, and iodonium salts such as diphenyliodonium chloride are preferable. Take as an example.

Further, anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants described in JP-A-50-51324, JP-A-55
Examples of the water-soluble cationic polymer described in JP-A-95946 and water-soluble amphoteric polymer electrolytes described in JP-A-56-142528.

Further, the alkylene glycol-added organoboron compounds described in JP-A-59-84241 and the polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block-polymerizable water-soluble compounds described in JP-A-60-111246. Surfactants, alkylenediamine compounds substituted with polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene described in JP-A-60-129750, JP-A-61-2155.
No. 54, polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of 300 or more, a fluorinated surfactant having a cationic group as described in JP-A-63-175858, an acid or alcohol described in JP-A-2-39157. To 4
Examples thereof include a water-soluble ethylene oxide addition compound obtained by adding a mole or more of ethylene oxide, and a water-soluble polyalkylene compound.

[Organic Solvent] Examples of the organic solvent include:
The solubility in water is preferably about 10% by weight or less, more preferably 5% by weight or less. Specific examples of the organic solvent include 1-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethanol, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, and 4
-Phenyl-1-butanol, 4-phenyl-2-butanol, 2-phenyl-1-butanol, 2-phenoxyethanol, 2-benzyloxyethanol, o-methoxybenzyl alcohol, m-methoxybenzyl alcohol, p-methoxybenzyl alcohol , Benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, 2-methylcyclohexanol, 3-methylcyclohexanol, 4-methylcyclohexanol, N-phenylethanolamine,
Examples include N-phenyldiethanolamine.

The content of the organic solvent in the alkali developing treatment liquid is about 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the alkali developing treatment liquid.

The content is closely related to the content of the surfactant in the alkaline developing solution, and it is preferable to increase the amount of the surfactant as the amount of the organic solvent increases. This is because when the amount of the surfactant is reduced and the amount of the organic solvent is increased, the organic solvent is not completely dissolved and it is impossible to expect to secure good developability.

[Reducing Agent] As the reducing agent, an organic reducing agent,
Inorganic reducing agents and the like can be mentioned. These reducing agents help prevent fouling of the photosensitive printing plate.

Preferred specific examples of the organic reducing agent include phenol compounds such as thiosalicylic acid, hydroquinone, methol, methoxyquinone, resorcin, and 2-methylresorcin, and amine compounds such as phenylenediamine and phenylhydrazine.

Preferred specific examples of the inorganic reducing agent include sodium salts of inorganic acids such as sulfurous acid, bisulfite acid, phosphorous acid, phosphite acid, dihydrogen phosphite, thiosulfuric acid and dithionous acid. Examples thereof include potassium salt and ammonium salt. Among these, sulfite is preferable because it has a particularly excellent antifouling effect.

The content of the reducing agent in the alkali developing treatment liquid is about 0.05 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the alkali developing treatment liquid.

[Organic Carboxylic Acid] Examples of the organic carboxylic acid include aliphatic carboxylic acids having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic carboxylic acids.

Specific examples of the aliphatic carboxylic acid having 6 to 20 carbon atoms include caproic acid, enanthic acid, caprylic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. Among these, carbon number 8 to 1
The alkanoic acid of 2 is particularly preferred. Further, these may be unsaturated fatty acids having a double bond in the carbon chain, or branched carbon chains.

Specific examples of the aromatic carboxylic acid having 6 to 20 carbon atoms include compounds in which a benzene ring, naphthalene ring, anthracene ring or the like is substituted with a carboxyl group, and more specifically, o- Chlorobenzoic acid, p-chlorobenzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, o-aminobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid,
2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid,
Examples thereof include gallic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid, 1-naphthoic acid and 2-naphthoic acid. Among these, hydroxynaphthoic acid is particularly preferable.

Aliphatic carboxylic acids and aromatic carboxylic acids are sodium salts, potassium salts, and
It is preferably used as an ammonium salt or the like.

The content of the organic carboxylic acid in the alkali developing treatment solution is not particularly limited, but is usually 0.1.
It is about 10 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 4% by weight. If the content is less than 0.1% by weight, the effect of addition is not sufficient, and even if it exceeds 10% by weight, an effect commensurate with it cannot be obtained, and an alkaline development processing solution of another additive used in combination is not obtained. May impede dissolution.

[Hard water softener] As the soft water softener, for example, polyphosphoric acid and its sodium salt, potassium salt and ammonium salt, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, nitrilotritrix. Aminopolycarboxylic acids such as acetic acid, 1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid, 1,3-diamino-2-propanoltetraacetic acid and their sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, aminotri (methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetra ( Methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta (methylenephosphonic acid), triethylenetetraminehexa (methylenephosphonic acid), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetri (methylene) Phosphonic acid), 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid and their sodium salts, potassium salts and ammonium salts.

The optimum content of the water softening agent in the alkali developing treatment solution varies depending on the chelating power and the hardness and amount of the hard water used, but generally 0.01
It is about 5 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by weight. If the content is less than 0.01% by weight, the effect of addition may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 5% by weight, adverse effects such as color loss may occur on the image area.

The alkaline developing solution contains water in addition to the components described above. Also, the alkaline developing solution is
It is advantageous in terms of transportation if the concentrate is made to have a reduced water content when not in use (during storage) and diluted with water before use. In this case, it is appropriate that the concentration of the alkali developing solution is such that the above components do not separate or precipitate.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
02 is provided with a memory 212 such as a ROM,
Further, a processing area calculating means 214 and a clocking means 216 are formed.

The controller 202 measures the operating time when the power source of the automatic developing device 10 is turned on by the timing means 216, and measures the stop time when the power source is turned off. Further, the controller 202 sets a replenishment amount of the alkaline developer (stock solution of the alkali developer) and a replenishing amount of diluting water for diluting the alkali developer at a predetermined ratio based on the stop time and the operating time, and the setting is made. Based on the above, the replenishing pump 130 and the water supply pump 134 are operated to replenish the alkaline developing solution and the diluting water to the developing tank 24 as the alkaline replenishing solution of the developing solution. That is, the controller 202 performs the time-dependent replenishment of the alkali replenisher separately for the stop time replenishment in which the automatic developing device 10 is stopped and the operating time replenishment in which the automatic developing device 10 is operating.

As a result, the controller 202 compensates for the alkaline component in the developing solution which is reduced when the developing solution in the developing tank 24 comes into contact with air during the operation and stop of the automatic developing apparatus 10.

Further, in the controller 202, the replenishing amount of the alkali replenishing liquid at the time of replenishing the operating time is made larger than the replenishing amount of the alkali replenishing liquid at the time of replenishing the stop time. That is, during the operation in which the power source of the automatic developing device 10 is turned on, the developing solution is supplied to the PS plate 12 by the heater 120.
Is controlled to a temperature (for example, about 30 ° C.) that can be processed optimally, and is agitated by a roller for conveyance, a brush roller 58, etc., so that the carbon dioxide gas is generated more than when the power is off and stopped. Degradation and evaporation of water are likely to occur.

In the memory 212 provided in the controller 202, the replenishing amount of the alkali replenishing solution (the replenishing amount of the alkali developing solution and the diluting water or the replenishing pump 130) per unit time obtained from the test result or the like is stored. The operation time of the water supply pump 134 and the like) are stored. The replenishment amount of the alkali replenishing liquid per unit time is larger during the operation time (when the operation time is replenished) than when it is the stop time (when the stop time is replenished).

Also, the controller 202 is the PS plate 12
The treatment replenishment is performed to replenish the alkali replenisher based on the treatment amount. In the automatic developing device 10, the alkaline component in the developer consumed by the processing of the PS plate 12 is appropriately replenished.

The controller 202 uses the PS version 12
As an example of the processing amount, the processing area, which is the area of the non-image portion of the PS plate 12, is integrated, and every time the integrated value of this processing area reaches a predetermined value, it is set in advance based on this integrated value (predetermined value). Although the amount of the alkaline replenisher used is replenished to the developing tank 24, the present invention is not limited to this, and the conventionally known arbitrary parameters such as the treated area of the PS plate 12 and the number of treated sheets are used to replenish the alkaline replenisher. It may be a process supplement.

The controller 202 is provided with an electric conductivity calculating means 218 and an electric conductivity comparing means 220. The controller 202 uses the conductivity sensor 122 to measure the conductivity of the developer in the developing tank 24 at a preset timing such as after replenishing the alkali replenisher.

The conductivity calculating means 218 calculates the target conductivity value of the developer in the developing tank 24, and the conductivity comparing means 220 calculates the target conductivity value calculated by the conductivity calculating means 218. Is used as a threshold value, the electric conductivity of the developer in the developing tank 24 measured by the electric conductivity sensor 122 is compared, and when the electric conductivity of the developing solution in the developing tank 24 exceeds the threshold value, the water supply pump 134 Is operated to replenish the developing tank 24 with diluting water so that the electric conductivity of the developer in the developing tank 24 falls below a threshold value (electric conductivity target value).

In the automatic developing apparatus 10, the developer (preparing solution) initially stored in the developing tank 24 and the alkali replenisher have a general electric conductivity different from each other. Development tank 2 by replenishing
The conductivity of the developer in 4 gradually changes such as approaching the conductivity of the alkali replenisher. For this reason, the electric conductivity calculating means 218 calculates an electric conductivity target value that is an appropriate electric conductivity value that should be originally obtained when the replenishment liquid is replenished.

At this time, the electric conductivity calculating means 218 uses the replenisher replacement ratio, which is the ratio of the developer replenisher in the developing tank 24 to the developing replenisher or the dilution water replenished to reduce the electric conductivity of the developer. And a dilution ratio which is a ratio of the dilution water for diluting the stock solution of the replenisher, the dilution water replenished for reducing the conductivity, and the dilution water in the replenisher to the alkaline developer (stock solution), and the automatic developing device 10 Solution replacement rate of the integrated value of the alkaline developer replenished (time-dependent replenishment, stop time replenishment and operation time replenishment) in order to compensate for the decrease in the development activity during the operation and the stop of the developing solution in the developing tank 24. The ratio of the quantity to the product is calculated.

As a result, the controller 202 can obtain an appropriate target electric conductivity value according to the replenishing amount of the alkali replenishing liquid.

The conductivity can be measured by using a known conductivity meter such as an AC conductivity meter, an AC bridge meter, or other conductivity meter. However, the measured current value or oscillation of the conductivity meter can be used. Optimum conditions such as frequency differ depending on the composition of the developer. Therefore, the current value is preferably low to some extent both in terms of the apparatus and to prevent electrolysis of the water-soluble developer, and is preferably several μA to several hundred mA. In addition, the oscillation frequency is several hundreds Hz from the relationship of the capacitance component in the developing solution.
It is preferably several hundred kHz.

The impedance value of the developing solution containing the electrolyte depends on the temperature of the aqueous solution, and the value decreases as the solution temperature rises. Therefore, it is more preferable to measure the electric conductivity value with a measuring device provided with a temperature sensor and a temperature compensation circuit. In addition, the controller 20 that controls replenishment
In 2, the temperature compensation may be performed by converting the actually measured liquid resistance value and the liquid temperature into an electric conductivity value at a predetermined temperature.

The sensor installation position of the AC conductivity meter, AC bridge meter, or other conductivity meter may be any place where the conductivity value of the developer can be measured by being immersed in the developer at the time of measurement. In FIG. 10, the pipe 108 for circulating the developing solution is provided, but the invention is not limited to this, and may be provided in the developing tank 24. In addition, platinum,
A known measuring cell using stainless steel or the like can be used.

On the other hand, the controller 202 uses the PS plate 12
Is calculated, and the replenishment pump 192 is operated in accordance with the treated area to replenish the developing tank 24 with the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution.

At this time, in the controller 202, when the plate detection sensor 210 detects the front end of the PS plate 12, the timer for detecting the plate detection sensor 210 from the front end to the rear end of the PS plate 12 is measured by a timer (not shown). From this measurement result, the length of the PS plate 12 along the transport direction is calculated. That is, the controller 202 uses the plate detection sensor 210 and the PS plate 1 conveyed at a constant speed.
The time when 2 passes through the insertion opening 32 is measured, and the length (longitudinal dimension) along the transport direction of the PS plate 12 is calculated from this transit time and the transport speed of the PS plate 12.

Also, the memory 212 of the controller 202
In Table 1, the average value of the width dimension for each vertical dimension, which is the length along the transport direction of the PS plate 12 which is calculated and set in advance, is stored as a table shown in Table 1, for example.

[0264]

[Table 1]

The controller 202 uses the plate detection sensor 21.
When the vertical dimension of the PS plate 12 is calculated using 0, the memory 2
The horizontal dimension corresponding to the vertical dimension is read from the table stored in 12, and the plate area is calculated.

Also, the memory 212 of the controller 202
In the table, the non-image area ratio, which is the ratio of the area of the non-image portion to the plate area of the PS plate 12 processed by the automatic developing device 10, or the image area ratio, which is the ratio of the area of the image portion, is preset and stored. Therefore, the controller 202 calculates the processing area by the developing solution from the plate area and the non-image area ratio or the image area ratio. In the following, the non-image area ratio is used to calculate the processing area. Further, as the non-image area ratio or the image area ratio, a value set from the tendency of the image formed on the PS plate 12 may be used, and the PS after the development processing is completed.
The image portion or the non-image portion of the plate surface (image surface) of the plate 12,
It is also possible to use a reflection type optical sensor to detect it in a scanning manner and set it using this data.

In the controller 202, the processing areas are sequentially integrated, and each time the integrated value reaches a predetermined value, the developing tank 24 is replenished with the amount of the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution set based on the integrated value of the processing area. I am trying to do it.

Accordingly, in the automatic developing device 10, PS
The dissolution inhibitor is replenished, which is consumed in accordance with the processing of the plate 12 or is adhering to the surface of the PS plate 12 and taken out from the developing tank 24 to decrease.

In the automatic developing device 10, this processing area is used also when the processing replenishment of the alkali replenishing solution is performed. Further, the controller 202 is, for example, a P input by a key operation of the operation panel 204.
The size of the S plate 12 and the average non-image area ratio of the PS plate 12 to be processed are stored in the memory 212.

Here, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The PS plate 12 on which the positive type photosensitive layer for infrared laser is formed is subjected to scanning exposure using an infrared laser by a setter or the like not shown. Automatic developing device 10
Develops the PS plate 12.

The automatic developing device 10 operates the drive motor 206 when the plate detection sensor 210 detects the leading end of the PS plate 12 inserted from the insertion port 32. As a result, the PS plate 12 is nipped by the conveyance roller pair 42 which is rotationally driven by the drive motor 206, and is drawn into the automatic developing device 10.

The conveying roller pair 42 moves the PS plate 12 drawn in from the insertion opening 32 by 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, 50, and 52 while being guided by the guide plates 44 and 46, and is stored in the developing tank 24 (the alkaline developing solution). ), And is discharged from the developing solution at a discharge angle in the range of 17 ° to 31 °.

When the PS plate 12 is immersed in the developing solution in the developing tank 24, an unnecessary photosensitive layer swells in accordance with the exposed image, and the swollen photosensitive layer is removed from the support. At this time, in the automatic developing device 10, by brushing the surface (the surface on the photosensitive layer side) of the PS plate 12 with the brush roller 58 arranged in the developing tank 24,
The removal of unwanted photosensitive layers from the surface of the is promoted.

The PS plate 12 which has been developed and sent from the developing tank 24 is sent to the 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.

PS plate 12 sent to desensitizing section 18
Passes between the spray pipes 72 and 74 and is sandwiched by the pair of transport rollers 70.

At this time, in the desensitizing section 18, the gum solution is discharged from the spray pipes 72 and 74 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.

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

In the automatic developing apparatus 10, by operating the replenishment pump 130 or the water supply pump 134 at a predetermined timing set in advance, the alkali replenisher is replenished so that the alkali concentration in the developer is within the proper range. And the amount of the dissolution inhibitor in the developing solution is kept appropriate by operating the replenishment pump 192.

Here, the replenishment of the replenisher to the developing tank 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the controller 202 provided in the automatic developing device 10, when the power of the automatic developing device 10 is turned off by operating the switch on the operation panel 204, the time measuring means 216 starts measuring the stop time T _OFF , and the automatic developing device 10 is started. When the power source 10 is turned on, the measurement of the operating time T _ON is started. When the power supply of the automatic developing device 10 is turned off, the operating time T _{ON at} that time is stored. Furthermore, in the present embodiment,
As an example, the integrated value S ₁ of the processing area for replenishing the alkali replenisher and the integrated value S ₂ of the processing area for replenishing the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution are separately integrated.
The present invention is not limited to this, and the same integrated value may be used, and the replenishment of the alkali replenisher may be performed using the integrated value of another processing area or processing amount.

FIG. 4 shows the outline of the replenishing process. This flowchart is executed when the automatic developing device 10 is turned on (operated) by the switch operation of the operation panel 204, ends when the automatic developing device 10 is turned off (stopped), and the initial setting is performed in the first step 300.

In this initial setting, the integrated value S ₁ of the processing area with respect to the alkali developing solution accumulated until the last time the apparatus is stopped and the dilution water (alkali replenishing solution) for diluting the alkali developing solution at a predetermined ratio, The integrated value S ₂ of the treated area for the dissolution inhibiting aqueous solution is read. At the same time, the liquid replacement ratio of the developer stored in the developing tank 24 and the target value (conductivity target value) dm, which is the threshold value of the conductivity of the developing solution stored in the developing tank 24, are set. read out.

In the automatic developing device 10, the PS plate 12
Table of the horizontal dimension for the vertical dimension of, the target value d of the electrical conductivity
m, the image area ratio R, etc. are stored in the memory 212 in advance,
The target value dm of the electric conductivity, the integrated values S ₁ and S _{2 of} the processing area, the liquid replacement rate, and the like are stored in the memory 212 each time they are updated.

After that, in step 302, it is confirmed whether or not the alkali replenisher has been replenished with time.

FIG. 5A shows the outline of the replenishing process with time, and this flowchart is executed when the power source of the automatic developing device 10 is turned on, and the first step 330 is executed.
Then, the stop time T of the device measured by the time measuring means 216
_{Read OFF} .

At the next step 332, this stop time T
Based on _OFF , the replenishing amount of the alkali developing solution and the replenishing amount of the alkali replenishing solution which is the replenishing amount of the dilution water for diluting the alkali developing solution at a predetermined ratio are set.

Thereafter, in step 334, the replenishing pump 130 and the water supply pump 134 are operated to replenish the developing tank 24 with the set amount of the alkaline developing solution and the diluting water as the alkaline replenishing solution (stop time replenishment).

As a result, when the automatic developing device 10 is stopped, the deterioration of the processing performance due to the decrease of the alkali concentration due to the contact of the developer in the developing tank 24 with the carbon dioxide gas in the air is compensated. .

When the stop time replenishment is completed in this way, in step 336, the operation time T _ON stored at the time of the previous operation stop is read, this operation time T _ON is set in the timer, and then the timer is started. Then, the measurement of the operating time T _ON is started (step 338). That is, the measurement of the operating time T _{ON is} continuously started after the last operation stop.

After that, in step 340, it is confirmed whether or not the measured operating time T _ON has reached a preset set time (for example, a predetermined time of about 1 to 3 hours). If a positive determination is made at 340, step 342
Move to. In this step 342, the automatic developing device 1
The amount of the alkaline developer set for a set time of 0 during operation and the amount of dilution water for diluting the alkaline developer at a predetermined ratio are read out and set as a replenishment amount.

In the next step 344, the replenishment pump 130 and the water supply pump 134 are operated to replenish the developing tank 24 with the set amounts of the alkaline developing solution and the diluting water, and the operating time is replenished. In addition, the PS plate 1
If the processing of No. 2 is in progress, after the processing of the PS plate 12 is completed, the replenishment pump 130 and the water supply pump 134 are operated to replenish the operating time.

After that, when the timer is reset in step 346, the process proceeds to step 338, and the measurement of the operating time T _{ON is} newly started.

That is, the controller 202 replenishes the amount of the alkaline replenisher set for replenishing the operating time at a preset time interval while the automatic developing apparatus 10 is in operation, thereby performing automatic development. While the apparatus 10 is in operation, it is prevented that the developing solution comes into contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air and thus the liquid activity is not lowered.

In this embodiment, the time measurement is continuously started from the operation time T _ON at the end of the previous operation, but the time measurement is not limited to this. For example, the automatic developing device 1
When the power supply of 0 is turned on and the stop time is replenished, the amount of the alkaline developer and the dilution water corresponding to the operation time T _ON at the end of the previous operation may be added and replenished.
Following the stop time replenishment, an arbitrary process can be applied, such as replenishing the amount of the alkali developing solution and the diluting water according to the operation time T _ON at the end of the previous operation.

On the other hand, in the flow chart shown in FIG. 4, when the replenishment of the alkali replenisher with time is executed, step 30
A positive determination is made in 2, and the process proceeds to step 304. This step 304 is a threshold value (conductivity target value) of the electric conductivity of the developing solution based on the replenishing amount of the alkaline developing solution or the diluting water.
The target value dm is corrected. Target value d of this conductivity
To correct m, first, from the replenishing amount of the alkaline replenishing solution or the diluting water replenished in the developing tank 24, the liquid replacement rate, which is the ratio of the developing solution in the developing tank 24 being replaced with the alkaline replenishing solution or the diluting water, is calculated. After that, the target value dm that is set or corrected and stored in the memory 212 is corrected based on the liquid replacement rate.

In step 306, water replenishment (conductivity replenishment) is performed based on the electric conductivity of the developer. In the present embodiment, the conductivity is calculated every time the alkaline developer or the dilution water is replenished by the replenishment with time, the process replenishment, and the conductivity replenishment described later, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to apply any method such as integrating the replenishment amount of the alkaline developer or the diluting water and calculating the electric conductivity at a predetermined timing such as a predetermined time.

FIG. 5 (B) shows an outline of the conductivity supplementation. In this flowchart, the first step 37 is performed.
At 0, the measurement value d of the conductivity of the developer is read from the measurement result of the conductivity sensor 122.

In the next step 372, the read measured value d of the electric conductivity is compared with the target value dm to determine whether the electric conductivity (measured value d) of the developer exceeds the target value dm. As a result, when the measured value d of the electric conductivity does not exceed the target value dm (d ≦ dm), a negative determination is made in step 372, and the electric conductivity replenishment process is terminated without water replenishment.

On the other hand, when the measured conductivity value d exceeds the target value dm (d> dm), step 37
An affirmative decision is made in step 2, and the routine proceeds to step 374. In step 374, the water supply pump 134 is operated to supply a predetermined amount of water to the developing tank 24.

That is, the measured value d of the electrical conductivity is the target value dm.
When it exceeds the range, since the alkali concentration in the developing solution is high, it is judged that the conductivity of the developing solution exceeds the proper range, and the developing tank 24 is replenished with diluting water. Dilute the liquid to reduce the conductivity. The replenishment amount of the diluting water may be a replenishment amount of a fixed amount, or may be a replenishment amount set based on the difference between the measured value d and the target value dm. Conductivity is measured while replenishing dilution water one by one, and the measured value of conductivity d
May be lower than the target value dm.

The target value dm of the electric conductivity is Vt: the volume of the developing solution in the developing tank Vwi: the replenishing solution diluting solution and / or the developing solution conductivity for diluting the replenishing solution replenished with the passage of time and / or processing. Vhi: volume of replenisher solution replenished over time and / or treatment Vhc: volume of replenisher solution replenished over time Vhd: volume of replenisher solution replenished by treatment Xn: replenisher solution Substitution ratio Zn: Replenisher diluting liquid and / or developer diluting liquid replenished in order to lower the conductivity, which is the ratio contained in the replenishing liquid in the developer, replenishing liquid dilution ratio Fn: Replenisher in the developing liquid Of the replenisher solution replenished over time, the replenisher solution ratio dm: conductivity target values C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ , C ₄ , C ₅ , C ₆ , C ₇ , C ₈ : experiment Assuming that the processing liquid / equipment derived constants are constants, the liquid replacement rate Xn _{, Xn = (Vt · X n} -1 + Vhi + Vwi) / (Vt + Vhi + Vwi) next, from here, Zn = [Vt · Xn · Z n-1 + Vwi · (Z n-1 +1) ] / [Vt ・ Xn + Vhi ・ (Z _n-1 +1)] dm = (1−Xn) ・ C ₃ + Xn ・ [[1− (C ₅ + C ₄ / (Zn + 1))] ・C ₆ + [C ₅ + C ₄ /
(Zn + 1)] ・ C ₉ ] or Fn = [Vt ・ Xn ・ [C ₂ + C ₁ / (Zn + 1)] ・ F _n-1 + Vhc] / [Vt ・ Xn ・ [C ₂
＋ C ₁ / (Zn + 1)] ＋ Vhc ＋ Vhd] dm = (1−Xn) ・ C ₃ + Xn ・ [[1− (C ₅ ＋ C ₄ ／ (Zn + 1))] C ₆ ＋ (C ₅ ＋ C
_{4 / (Zn + 1))} · [(1-Fn) · C 7 + Fn · C 8]] can be calculated as.

In general, OH-ions (hydroxy ions) and K ⁺ ions (potassium ions) are present in the developing solution, and the conductivity of the developing solution changes depending on the concentrations of both ions. From here, 1 / P: conductivity, P _OH : OH-ion resistance value C _OH : OH- ion concentration P _K : K ⁺ resistance value _CK : K ⁺ ion concentration, P = 1 / (P _OH × C _OH ) + 1 / (P _K × C _K ).

P _OH and P _K are unique values, and the conductivity of the developing solution is determined by the concentrations of C _OH and C _K , that is, the concentrations of both OH − and K ⁺ ions. Further, in order to keep the concentration of hydroxide ion (OH-ion) constant, it is necessary to suppress the amount of potassium ion (K ⁺ ion).

On the other hand, in the developing solution, as the development of the PS plate 12 progressed, the photosensitive layer in the unexposed portion reacted with the alkali in the developing solution and was dissolved in the developing solution, but at this time, it was eluted. The photosensitive material and the binder do not affect the conductivity of the developer.

On the other hand, carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) in the air may dissolve in the developing solution during the development. The K ₂ CO ₃ salt produced at this time affects the electric conductivity of the developing solution, and when the concentration of the K ₂ CO ₃ salt increases, the electric conductivity of the developing solution also increases.

From this point, when the processing of the PS plate 12 is continued while replenishing the developing solution with the alkali replenishing solution or the diluting water, the K ⁺ ion concentration and the K ₂ CO ₃ salt concentration are suppressed,
By keeping the OH-concentration constant, the liquid sensitivity can be appropriately controlled.

Generally, the developer is supplemented with OH-ions consumed by the development treatment of the PS plate 12 by the alkali replenisher, but the OH-ion concentration is constant (the liquid sensitivity is controlled to be constant). State)
The conductivity is changed by the K ⁺ ion and the K ₂ CO ₃ salt.

The cause of this is that the new developer (preparing solution) and the alkali replenisher have different alkali concentrations,
For example, the dissolution of carbon dioxide gas (CO ₂ ) in the developer may be mentioned.

The difference in alkali concentration between the charging solution and the alkaline replenishing solution is, for example, when the conductivity of the charging solution is 47 ms and the electrical conductivity of the alkaline replenishing solution is 92 ms, the sensitivity of the developing solution is the sensitivity of the new solution (preparing solution). Even if the OH ⁻ ion concentration is always constant when the state is maintained, the K ⁺ ion concentration is high because the high-concentration alkali replenishing solution is replenished.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6A, the conductivity of the developing solution (measured value d) rises in accordance with the replenishing amount of the replenishing solution (alkali replenishing solution), and the new solution (preparing solution) In the state where most of the above) is replaced with the replenisher, the electric conductivity is 60 ms. In FIG. 6 (A), it is assumed that the carbon dioxide gas is not dissolved in the developer.

On the other hand, when the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the developing solution, the K ₂ CO ₃ salt produced by the reaction of the carbon dioxide gas with the alkali in the developing solution increases the conductivity.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the change in conductivity depending on the liquid substitution rate is greater than that when carbon dioxide gas is not dissolved (shown by the broken line in FIG. 6 (B)). , When carbon dioxide is melted (Fig. 6 (B))
(Indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2), the charge amount is 47 ms and the replenisher liquid has a conductivity of 92 ms. Then, the electric conductivity increases to 70 ms. It is assumed that the evaporation of water from the developing tank 24 has not occurred.

The actual conductivity of the developing solution changes between the broken line and the solid line in FIG. 6 (B). Further, the actual change in the electrical conductivity depends on the processing environment of the PS plate 12, as well as the installation environment of the automatic developing device 10 such as the concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the air and the temperature. Therefore, the electrical conductivity is changed based on the processing environment and the processing conditions. It is preferable to set the target value dm of the degree.

On the other hand, in the flow chart of FIG. 4, it is confirmed in step 308 whether or not the electric conductivity water is replenished. When the electric conductivity water is replenished, an affirmative decision is made in step 308 and the electric conductivity target value dm is obtained. Is corrected (set), and when the correction of the target value dm is completed, an affirmative determination is made in step 308, and the process proceeds to step 310.

In this step 310, the plate detection sensor 2
10 confirms whether or not the PS plate 12 is inserted for the development processing by the automatic developing device 10, and when it is detected that the PS plate 12 is inserted, an affirmative determination is made in step 310, and the process proceeds to step 312. To do.

This step 312 is executed each time the insertion of the PS plate 12 is detected, that is, every time the PS plate 12 is processed, and the processing area of the PS plate 12 in the automatic developing device 10 is calculated. Add up.

FIG. 7 shows the outline of the calculation of the processing area. In the present embodiment, as an example, the integrated processing area for replenishing the alkali replenishing liquid (integrated value S ₁ ) and the integrated processing area for replenishing the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution (integrated value S 1 ₂ ) is done in parallel. That is, in the present embodiment, as an example, the processing amount of the PS plate 12 when the alkaline replenisher is replenished is used as the processing area which is calculated when the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution is replenished.

This flowchart shows the first step 3
At 50, it is confirmed whether the plate detection sensor 210 has detected the front end of the PS plate 12 inserted from the insertion port 32.

Here, when the PS plate 12 is inserted from the insertion port 32 of the automatic developing device 10 and the front end of the PS plate 12 faces the plate detection sensor 210, an affirmative decision is made in step 350 and the process proceeds to step 352. Then, the integrated processing area is started.

In this step 352, a timer (not shown) is reset / started, and in the next step 354, it is confirmed whether or not the plate detection sensor 210 has detected the passage of the trailing edge of the PS plate 12.

As a result, the rear end of the PS plate 12 drawn into the developing tank 24 from the insertion port 32 at a constant speed passes a position facing the plate detection sensor 210, and the plate detection sensor 2
When the state of the PS plate 12 is switched from the detection state to the non-detection state of the PS plate 12, an affirmative determination is made in step 354 and step 356
Move to. In step 356, the passage time t of the PS plate 12 is read from the measurement time of a timer (not shown).

Thereafter, in step 358, the PS plate 12
The vertical dimension L, which is the length along the transport direction of the PS plate 12, is calculated from the passing time t of the PS plate 12 and the transport speed v of the PS plate 12 in the automatic developing device 10. This vertical dimension L can be easily calculated as L = t × v.

At the next step 360, the horizontal dimension W corresponding to the calculated vertical dimension is read out from the table stored in the memory 212, and further the non-image area ratio R stored in the memory 212 is read out. Then, the processing area s is calculated from the vertical dimension L, the horizontal dimension W, and the non-image area ratio R of the PS plate 12 (s = L × W × R).

In this way, the processing area s of the PS plate 12 drawn into the insertion port 32 and sent to the developing tank 24 is calculated. In step 364, the processing area s is integrated to obtain the integrated value S ₁ and Calculate the integrated value S ₂ (S ₁ = S ₁
+ S, S ₂ = S ₂ + s).

In the automatic developing device 10, in this way,
Each time the PS plate 12 is inserted from the insertion opening 32, the processing area s is calculated, and as shown in FIG.
At 14, it is confirmed whether or not the processing area S ₁ for the alkali replenisher has reached a preset predetermined value Sa.

Here, the integrated value S ₁ of the processing area is the predetermined value S
When a is reached (S ₁ ≧ Sa), an affirmative decision is made in step 314 and the operation moves to step 316. This step 31
In _No. 6, the replenishing pump 130 and the water supply pump 134 are operated, and the amount of the alkaline developing solution corresponding to the integrated value S ₁ of the processing area and the diluting water for diluting the alkaline developing solution at a predetermined ratio are stored in the PS plate 12. Processing replenishment is carried out by replenishing the developing tank 24 as an alkali replenisher for the processing amount.

In this way, the PS plate 12 is stored in the developing tank 24.
An appropriate amount of alkali replenisher solution is replenished according to the treated area.

After that, in step 318, the integrated value S ₁ of the processing area is reset (S ₁ = 0) so that the new processing area can be integrated, and the process proceeds to step 304, where the conductivity is changed. The target value dm for replenishing water is corrected.

On the other hand, in step 320, it is confirmed whether or not the integrated value S ₂ of the processing area for the replenishment of the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution has reached the preset predetermined value Sc.

Here, when the integrated value S ₂ reaches the predetermined value Sc (S ₂ ≧ Sc) and the determination in step 320 is affirmative,
Control goes to step 322. In this step 322,
The replenishment pump 192 is operated to replenish the developing tank 24 with the amount of the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution set according to the integrated value Sc of the processing area of the PS plate 12.

Thereafter, in step 322, the integrated value S ₂ of the processing area is reset (S ₂ = 0), and step 30
Move to 2.

As described above, in the automatic developing device 10, PS
While replenishing with an alkali replenishing solution, the alkali concentration lowered by the treatment of the plate 12 and carbon dioxide in the air,
The dissolution inhibitor consumed by the treatment of the PS plate 12 is
Replenishment is carried out according to the processing area of the S plate 12, which allows the alkaline developing solution to have a predetermined pH in the automatic developing device 10.
While maintaining a high alkali content, a certain degree of dissolution inhibition (surface activity) is obtained.

Therefore, in the automatic developing device 10, the PS plate 12 having the positive photosensitive layer for infrared laser is formed.
Since the developing solution having a high pH (high alkali) is used in the developing treatment, the developing treatment can be performed so that an image having excellent contrast is formed.

That is, even when a large number of PS plates 12 are processed, the balance between the developability and the protective property of the image portion is maintained, the deterioration of the contrast and the damage of the image portion are not caused, and the high quality image is obtained. I am trying to get a printing plate.

At this time, a dissolution inhibitor such as polyethylene glycol is added based on the treated area of the PS plate 12 separately from the alkali developing solution (alkali replenisher) so that a constant dissolution inhibition can be always obtained. Has a high pH
Even if the alkali developing solution described in (1) is used, the developing process can be performed without damaging the image portion of the PS plate 12.

In the development processing of the PS plate 12 on which the positive type photosensitive layer for infrared laser is formed, the alkali plays a role of dissolving the exposed portion (non-image portion) and the unexposed portion (image portion).
A dissolution inhibitor such as polyethylene glycol plays a role in suppressing the dissolution of the. Therefore, in order to appropriately perform the development processing of the PS plate 12, it is necessary to keep the influence of the alkali concentration in the developer and the concentration of the dissolution inhibitor constant.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), the sensitivity increases as the amount of binder added increases. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), when the amount of addition of the surfactant serving as the dissolution inhibitor increases, the sensitivity decreases. In FIG. 8 (B), the measurement result of the sensitivity change when polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added as a dissolution inhibitor in a state where 200 g of binder was added (see FIG. 8 (A)). Is shown.

From here, by adding 9 to 12 g of PEG to 200 g of the binder, it is possible to restore the sensitivity to that of the new solution (prepared solution).

Therefore, even if the PS plate 12 is continuously developed, it can be developed by supplementing an appropriate amount of an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor such as a surfactant according to the treated area of the PS plate 12. The liquid can be kept at the same sensitivity as the new liquid (prepared liquid).

On the other hand, in the developing solution, alkali is consumed by the contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air. This lowers the pH of the developer, but in order to restore the alkali concentration,
When a replenisher containing a dissolution inhibitor such as a surfactant is replenished, the dissolution inhibitor becomes excessive and the sensitivity decreases.

Further, when the developer is treated with the PS plate 12, the alkali is consumed, and the binder eluted in the developer adsorbs the surfactant as the dissolution inhibitor. Therefore, if the replenisher is replenished so that the alkali concentration is adjusted, the sensitivity will be increased.

By replenishing the alkali replenisher, it is possible to prevent the alkali concentration in the developer from lowering due to contact with carbon dioxide gas (CO ₂ ) in the air and the treatment of the PS plate 12, and To keep the alkali concentration in the developer constant by detecting the conductivity of the developer in the developing tank 24 and supplementing the dilution water when the conductivity exceeds a previously calculated target value of the conductivity. You can

On the other hand, the dissolution inhibitor is supplemented based on the treated area of the PS plate 12 and the treated area or the integrated value of the treated area. As a result, it is possible to prevent an excess or deficiency of the dissolution inhibitor in the developing solution and keep the sensitivity of the developing solution substantially constant.

Therefore, in the automatic developing apparatus 10, even if the PS plate 12 is developed for a long period of time, the sensitivity of the developing solution is kept substantially constant, which causes the PS plate 12 to lose contrast and damage the image portion. Without losing, P
The S plate 12 can be developed.

In particular, in the automatic developing device 10, the developing replenisher is replenished based on the area of the PS plate 12, rather than simply replenishing the developing replenisher according to the number of processed PS plates 12. Therefore, an appropriate amount of development replenisher can be replenished even when PS plates 12 having different sizes are processed.

At this time, in the automatic developing device 10, by storing the data of the horizontal dimension with respect to the vertical dimension, which is the length along the transport direction of the PS plate 12, as a table,
With a simple configuration using one plate detection sensor 210 that detects the insertion of the plate 12, it is possible to replenish the developing tank 24 with an appropriate amount of the dissolution inhibitor.

In the automatic developing device 10, the PS plate 12
Although the processing area is calculated by using the area of No. and the non-image area ratio, at least the plate area is obtained from the vertical dimension of the PS plate 12, and the replenishment amount of the developing replenisher is calculated based on this plate area. It is possible to form a high quality image as compared with a case where the replenishment amount of the development replenisher is simply determined from the number of processed PS plates 12.

[0351]

EXAMPLES Specific examples will be described below as examples. The present invention is not limited to these examples.

[Production of Substrate] An aluminum plate (material 1050) having a thickness of 0.3 mm was washed with trichlorethylene to degrease it, and then a nylon brush and 400 mesh of pumisu water suspension were used to grain this surface. Washed well with water. This plate was immersed in a 25% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution at 45 ° C. for 9 seconds for etching, washed with water, further immersed in 20% nitric acid for 20 seconds, and washed with water. At this time, the etching amount of the grained surface was about 3 g / m ² . Next, this plate was treated with 7% sulfuric acid as an electrolytic solution to obtain a current density of 15
After a direct current anodized film of 3 g / m ² in A / dm ^2,
It was washed with water and dried.

This was treated with a 2.5% by weight aqueous solution of sodium silicate at 30 ° C. for 10 seconds, the following undercoat liquid was applied, and the coating film was dried at 80 ° C. for 15 seconds to obtain a substrate. The coating amount of the coating film after drying was 15 mg / m ² .

[0354]   [Composition of undercoat liquid] -0.3 g of the following copolymer having a molecular weight of 28,000 ・ Methanol 100g ・ Water 1g

[0355]

[Chemical 7]

The following photosensitive layer coating liquid was applied to the obtained substrate so that the coating amount was 1.8 g / m ² , and dried to obtain a lithographic printing plate precursor of Example 1.

[0357]     [Photosensitive layer coating liquid] ・ M, p-cresol novolak 1.0 g (M / p ratio = 6/4, weight average molecular weight 8000,     Unreacted cresol 0.5% by weight included) ・ Cyanine dye A (structure below) 0.1 g ・ Tetrahydrophthalic anhydride 0.05g -P-toluenesulfonic acid 0.002 g The counter ion of ethyl violet     6-hydroxy-β-naphthalenesulfonic acid 0.02 g Fluorosurfactant (Megafuck F-177, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.) 0.05 g ・ Methyl ethyl ketone 12g

[0358]

[Chemical 8]

Example 1 In this example, as a specific example of the developing solution (alkali developing solution) and the developing replenishing solution (alkali replenishing solution), an alkaline developing solution A1 having the following composition was placed in the developing tank 24 of the automatic developing apparatus 10. 20 liters of (pH about 13) are charged and kept at 30 ° C., and a development replenisher (alkali replenisher) B1 having the following composition is replenished at a predetermined timing.

[Composition of Alkali Developer A1] SiO ₂ .K ₂ O 4.0 wt% (K ₂ O / SiO ₂ = 1.1 (molar ratio)) Citric Acid 0.5 wt% Polyethylene glycol (Weight average molecular weight = 1000) 0.5% by weight Water 95.0% by weight [Composition of development replenisher B1] SiO ₂ .K ₂ O 5.0% by weight (K ₂ O / SiO ₂ = 1.1) (Molar ratio) ・ Citric acid 0.6% by weight ・ Polyethylene glycol (weight average molecular weight = 1000) 0.6% by weight ・ Water 93.8% by weight It should be noted that 8 liters of water and non-sensitizing oil are contained in the washing tank 26. In the chemical treatment tank 28, FP-2W (Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.)
(Manufactured): water = 1: 1 diluted with 8 liters of finishing gum solution.

Here, the plate size is 1030 m × 800 mm
PS plate 12, the non-image area ratio R, the replenishment amount per unit processing area and the integrated value S ₁ are set so that the development replenisher B1 is replenished by 80 cc per sheet, and the development replenishment is performed per hour as replenishment over time. The treatment is performed while replenishing the liquid B1 with 100 cc each.

That is, the replenishing alkaline developing solution and the dilution water for diluting the alkaline developing solution at a predetermined ratio are used as the alkaline replenishing solution according to the processing amount of the PS plate 12 and the automatic developing apparatus 10 is replenished. Conduction water replenishment is performed together with stop time replenishment and operation time replenishment (time replenishment).

For the PS plate 12, a plate setter Trendsetter 3244F manufactured by Creo Co., Ltd. was used (output:
9.0 W, rotation speed: 150 rpm, resolution 2400 dp
i, the image area is about 20%), and the exposure process is performed.

At this time, each time 10 m ² development processing was performed, 5 cc of a development replenisher (nonionic surfactant aqueous solution) C1 having the following composition was replenished as a dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution.
Replenishment amount of developer replenisher C1 per unit area and integrated value S
Set ₂ . That is, the development replenisher C1, which is an aqueous solution of a dissolution inhibitor, is replenished according to the treated area of the PS plate 12.

[Composition of Development Replenisher C1] Polyethylene glycol (weight average molecular weight = 1000) 10.0 wt% Water 90.0 wt% (Comparative Example 1) Development replenisher C1 which is a nonionic surfactant aqueous solution The development processing was performed under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the addition was not performed. That is, in Comparative Example 1, the treatment replenishment with the alkali replenisher, the replenishment with time, and the conductivity water replenishment were performed, and the replenishment of the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution (development replenisher C1) was omitted.

The solubility of the non-image portion of the PS plate 12 of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 which had been subjected to the above-mentioned development treatment to the plate and the solubility of the image portion in the alkali developing solution were evaluated. did. The evaluation was performed visually according to the following criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

[Solubility in non-image area] ◯: No residual film remained in the exposed area ×: Partial residual film remained in the exposed area [Dissolution resistance in the image area] ◯: Unexposed area Is not dissolved in the alkaline developing solution at all Δ: The unexposed area is slightly dissolved in the alkaline developing solution but the image density is slightly lowered ×: The unexposed area is partially in the alkaline developing solution And the image density is reduced.

[0368]

[Table 2]

As is clear from Table 2, in this embodiment, excellent image formation in which the image portion and the non-image portion were turned on / off was excellent and continuous image formation was possible up to the 1000th printing plate. It was found that even after processing up to about 100 plates, the development processing was stably performed for 1 to 2 months.

Further, from the results of Comparative Example 1, when the dissolution inhibitor (surfactant) was not replenished, only the 100th plate could be developed stably, and the 150th plate showed a change in image density due to dissolution of the image area. It turned out that there was a decline. (Example 2) The alkaline developer A1, the developing replenisher (alkali replenisher) B1, and the developing replenisher (surfactant aqueous solution) C1 in Example 1 were respectively used in the following alkaline developer A.
2, the development replenisher (alkali replenisher) B2 and the development replenisher (dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution) C2 were replaced, and the development treatment was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Alkali Developer A2] D Solbit 5.0 wt% Sodium Hydroxide 2.0 wt% Surflon S-121 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., quaternary ammonium salt) 0.5 wt% Water 92 .5 wt% [Development replenisher B2] D sorbit 6.3 wt% Sodium hydroxide 2.5 wt% Surflon S-121 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., quaternary ammonium salt) 0.6 wt% Water 90.6% by weight [Development replenisher C2] -Surflon S-121 (Asahi Glass Co., quaternary ammonium salt) 10.0% by weight-Water 90.0% by weight (Comparative Example 2) Cationic surfactant aqueous solution Development was carried out under the same conditions as in Example 2 except that the development replenisher C2 was not added.

The PS plate 12 of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 which had been subjected to the above-mentioned development treatment and was subjected to plate-making had a solubility in a non-image area with an alkali developing solution and an image area with an alkali developing solution. It evaluated by the same criteria as 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0373]

[Table 3]

As is clear from Table 3, even when a cationic surfactant is used as the dissolution inhibitor, in this example,
Up to 1000 plates of continuous processing, excellent image formation with good on / off of the image area and non-image area can be performed, and when processing up to about 100 plates a day, it takes 1 month to 2 days.
It was found that the development processing was stably performed over a period of months.

Further, from the results of Comparative Example 2, when the dissolution inhibitor was not replenished, only the 100th plate could be developed stably, and the image density was lowered at the 150th plate due to the dissolution of the image area. I understood it. (Embodiment 3) In the development processing step in Embodiment 1,
Alkali developer A1, development replenisher (alkali replenisher) B
1. Development replenisher (solution inhibitor solution) C1
The following alkaline developing solution A3, development replenishing solution (alkali replenishing solution) B3, and development replenishing solution (solution inhibitor aqueous solution) C3 were used, and development processing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Composition of Alkali Developer A3] SiO ₂ .K ₂ O 6.0 wt% (K ₂ O / SiO ₂ = 1 (molar ratio)) Trisodium Phosphate 2.0 wt% Amogen K (Baitain type compound manufactured by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 0.8 wt% ・ Water 91.2 wt% [Development replenisher B3] ・ SiO ₂・ K ₂ O 8.0 wt% (K ₂ O / SiO ₂ = 1 (molar ratio))-Trisodium phosphate 3.0 wt% -Amogen K (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., betaine type compound) 1.0 wt% -Water 88.0 wt% [Development replenisher C3]- Amogen K (Baitain type compound manufactured by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 15.0% by weight Water 85.0% by weight (Comparative Example 3) Development replenisher C which is an amphoteric surfactant aqueous solution.
Development processing was performed under the same conditions as in Example 3 except that addition of No. 3 was not performed.

After the above development processing was completed, the plate-making printing plates of Example 3 and Comparative Example 3 were subjected to solubility in the non-image area alkali developing solution and in the image area solubility in the alkali developing solution. Evaluation was made according to the same criteria as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0378]

[Table 4]

As is clear from Table 4, even when the amphoteric surfactant is used as the dissolution inhibitor, in the present example, on / off of the image area and the non-image area was continued until the continuous processing of 1000 plates. Can form an excellent image with good
It was found that even after processing up to about 00 plates, it was stably developed for 1 to 2 months.

Further, from the results of Comparative Example 3, when the surfactant was not replenished, only the 100th plate could be stably developed, and the image density was lowered at the 150th plate due to dissolution of the image area. I understood it. (Example 4) In Example 4, the alkaline developer A1 and the developer replenisher (alkali replenisher) B1 of Example 1 were added with a developer replenisher (solution inhibitor solution) C4 having the following composition, in terms of the area of the PS plate 12. The developing replenisher B1 was added so that it was replenished by 20 cc each time 10 plates were processed.

[Composition of development replenisher C4] SiO ₂ · K ₂ O 5.0 wt% (K ₂ O / SiO ₂ = 1.1 (molar ratio)) Citric acid 0.6 wt% Polyethylene glycol (Weight average molecular weight = 1000) 10.0% by weight Water 84.4% by weight (Comparative Example 4) Except that the development replenisher C4, which is an aqueous solution containing a nonionic surfactant, was not added. Four
The development process was performed under the same conditions as in.

The lithographic printing plates of Example 4 and Comparative Example 4 which had been subjected to the above development treatment and had been subjected to plate-making had a solubility in the non-image portion with respect to the alkali developing treatment solution and a solubility in the image portion with respect to the alkali developing treatment solution. Evaluation was made according to the same criteria as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 5 below.

[0383]

[Table 5]

As is clear from Table 5, even when the replenisher containing an alkaline agent in addition to the nonionic surfactant is used, a solution containing an aqueous solution containing a predetermined amount of the surfactant is used as the replenisher. According to the developer replenishing method of the invention, excellent image formation in which the image area and the non-image area are turned on / off can be excellently performed up to the continuous processing of 1000 plates, and 100 times a day.
It was found that even when processing up to the plate level, the development processing was stably carried out for 1 to 2 months.

Further, from the results of Comparative Example 4, when the dissolution inhibitor was not replenished, only the 100th plate could be developed stably, and at the 150th plate, the image density was lowered due to the dissolution of the image area. I understood it.

As is clear from each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the automatic developing device 10 can secure stable developing property for a long period of time. While performing, by supplementing the aqueous solution containing the dissolution inhibitor according to the treated area of the PS plate 12, the developability, that is, the solubility of the non-image area can be maintained.

On the other hand, it was found that when the dissolution inhibitor aqueous solution was not replenished, the solubility of the non-image area and the protection of the image area were out of balance, and the solubility of the image area became a problem.

The embodiment described above does not limit the structure of the present invention. In this embodiment,
The replenishment of the alkali replenishing solution is performed based on the processing area by calculating the processing area from the passage time of the PS plate 12 detected by the plate detecting sensor 210, but the processing area of the PS plate 12 is not limited to this. Any method can be used as long as it can replenish an appropriate alkali replenisher according to the amount.

Further, the automatic developing device 10 applied to this embodiment does not limit the structure of the automatic developing device to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention has a photosensitive layer for infrared laser formed. As long as it develops a printing plate having an arbitrary composition, it can be applied to an automatic developing device having an arbitrary configuration.

[0390]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a printing plate having a photosensitive layer for infrared laser such as a positive photosensitive layer for infrared laser formed thereon is subjected to a developing treatment, an alkaline developer and this alkali are used. Water is replenished according to the electric conductivity while replenishing the developing solution with a diluting water that dilutes the developing solution at a predetermined ratio as an alkali replenishing solution. Along with this, with a simple configuration using one plate detection means, a proper processing area of the printing plate is calculated, and an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor is replenished based on the calculation result, so that a large number of printing plates can be obtained. It has an excellent effect that a stable developing property can be obtained even if the developing treatment (1) and the printing plate treatment are carried out for a long period of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic developing device applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a piping system of an automatic developing device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control unit of the automatic developing device.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an outline of processing replenishment and conductivity replenishment of a developing replenisher in an automatic developing device.

FIG. 5 (A) is a flow chart showing an outline of replenishment over time,
(B) is a flow chart showing an outline of conductivity replenishment.

FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically showing a change in electric conductivity with respect to a replenishment amount of a developing replenisher, and FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing a change in electric conductivity with respect to a liquid replacement rate depending on a dissolved amount of carbon dioxide gas. It is a diagram.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of calculation of a processing amount (processing area) using a plate detection sensor.

FIG. 8A is a diagram schematically showing a change in sensitivity with respect to the amount of binder added to a developer, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the amount of a surfactant (PEG) as a dissolution inhibitor added to the developer. It is a diagram which shows the outline of a sensitivity change.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Automatic Developing Device 12 PS Plate (Printing Plate) 14 Developing Section 24 Developing Tank 32 Insert Port 122 Conductivity Sensor (Conductivity Detection Means) 124A Replenisher Tank (First Replenishing Means) 124B Replenisher Tank (Third Replenisher) Means) 128 water supply tank (second replenishment means) 130 replenishment pump (first replenishment means) 134 water feed pump (second replenishment means) 192 replenishment pump (third replenishment means) 200 controller 202 controller (processing area) Integrating means, aging replenishment controlling means, processing replenishing controlling means, inhibitor replenishing controlling means) 210 plate detecting sensor (plate detecting means) 212 memory (storing means) 214 processing area calculating means (processing area integrating means) 216 clocking means 218 conductivity Degree calculating means 220 Conductivity comparing means

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shuichi Takamiya             Fuji-Sha, 4000 Kawajiri, Yoshida-cho, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture             Shin Film Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H025 AC08 AD03 CB52 CC20 FA03                       FA14 FA17                 2H096 AA07 BA16 BA20 EA04 GA08                       GA22 GA23

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printing plate in which a photosensitive layer for infrared laser containing a water-insoluble alkali-soluble polymer compound and a compound that absorbs light and generates heat is formed on a support, and stored as a developer in a developing tank. A method of replenishing a replenisher for an automatic developing device, which replenishes a replenisher at a predetermined timing while performing a developing treatment with an alkaline developer that is used, and an amount of the replenisher according to the operating time or stop time of the apparatus and the processing of the printing plate. When replenishing the amount of the alkaline developer according to the amount, the conductivity of the developer stored in the developing tank is higher than the previously calculated conductivity target value, the conductivity of the developer is While replenishing the developing tank with diluting water until the electric conductivity falls below the target value, the passage time of the printing plate detected by the plate detecting means provided at the insertion port through which the printing plate drawn into the developing tank passes is calculated. A replenisher replenishing method for an automatic developing device, comprising replenishing the developing tank with an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor in an amount corresponding to the calculated processing area of the printing plate. 2. A printing plate in which a photosensitive layer for an infrared laser containing a water-insoluble alkali-soluble polymer compound and a compound which absorbs light and generates heat is formed on a support is stored in a developing tank. An automatic developing device for performing a developing treatment by immersing in an alkali developing solution, comprising: a first replenishing means for replenishing the developing tank with the alkali developing solution; and a second replenishing means for replenishing the developing tank with dilution water. Third replenishing means for replenishing the developing tank with an aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor, time measuring means for measuring the operation or stop time of the apparatus, and electric conductivity for measuring the electric conductivity of the developing solution stored in the developing tank. Detecting means, and the first replenishing means and the second replenishing means are operated based on the operating time or stop time of the apparatus measured by the time measuring means to operate the alkaline developer and the alkaline developer at a predetermined ratio. Dilution Replenishing control means for replenishing dilution water, and the first and second replenishing means are operated based on the processing amount of the printing plate to dilute the alkaline developer and the alkaline developer at a predetermined ratio. Processing replenishment control means for replenishing dilution water, and the second replenishment means when the electric conductivity detected by the electric conductivity detection means exceeds the electric conductivity target value of the developer in the developing tank set by calculation in advance. Is operated to replenish the developing tank with dilution water, a conductivity replenishing control means, a plate detecting means for detecting the printing plate drawn into the developing tank at a predetermined position, and the printing plate detected by the plate detecting means. Processing area integration means for calculating and integrating the processing area of the printing plate from the passage time from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the printing plate, and activating the third replenishing means based on the integrated value of the processing area integration means. Include the suppression replenishment control means for replenishing the aqueous solution containing a dissolution inhibitor to the developing tank, an automatic developing apparatus according to claim.