JP2006235507A - Planographic printing plate processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a planographic printing plate processing apparatus free from an image defect by preventing precipitates (chips) depositing on a finisher roller from transferring onto a metal cylindrical rod. <P>SOLUTION: The processing apparatus performs consecutive processes of developing a planographic printing plate coated with a photosensitive material, washing and finishing, wherein the apparatus has a uniformizing member comprising a metal cylindrical rod that is disposed on a finisher roller to pool the cleaning water during automatic cleaning into the space formed by the rod and the finisher roller and to uniformly diffuse the cleaning water on the peripheral surface of the finisher roller. The diameter on both ends of the rod is larger than the center diameter so that the rod is in contact with the finisher roller at both ends with larger diameters and not in contact in other part with the finisher roller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lithographic printing plate processing apparatus having a photothermal conversion agent in a lithographic printing plate and subjected to laser exposure in a heat mode.

  In general, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is developed by a photosensitive lithographic processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printing plate processor). In this printing plate processor, the development process is carried out by immersing the photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which the image is recorded in the developing tank while transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the developing tank, such as a rotating brush roller provided in the developing liquid. The rubbing means is used to remove the photosensitive layer corresponding to the non-image forming area of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. In this printing plate processor, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate that has been processed with a developer is washed with washing water in a washing section (washing treatment) and then insensitive by applying a finisher solution in a desensitizing section. An oiling treatment is performed.

  Here, the finisher portion is composed of an exit roller and a spray pipe. The finisher liquid discharged from the spray pipe is placed on the lithographic printing plate and squeezed by the exit roller to apply the finisher liquid on the lithographic printing plate. It is. Such a processor automatically cleans the rollers of the finisher section with cleaning water in order to prevent the finisher liquid from sticking when the operation of the day is completed and the operation is turned off. The cleaning water discharged at this time is held in a space formed by a cleaning roller (for example, a metal cylindrical bar) installed in contact with the finisher roller on the finisher roller, and thereby the cleaning water is removed. It is uniformly diffused on the circumferential surface of the roller above the conveying roller pair 70.

Up to now, negative and positive printing plates have been mainly used as photosensitive lithographic printing plates, but with the recent CTP conversion, systems using photopolymer plates and thermal plates have become widely used. Yes. In particular, the progress of the thermal plate exposed in the heat mode is remarkable.
In a plate making system such as a thermal plate, the exposure speed of a setter is improved and the number of processed plates per day is increasing. Furthermore, the life of the treatment liquid has been extended, and it has been used for a long-term treatment with little maintenance.

Here, FIG. 7 shows an overall example of a printing plate processor of a conventional apparatus.
The printing plate processor 10 'shown in FIG. 7 generally applies a gum solution to the developing unit 14 for processing the photosensitive lithographic printing plate 12 with a developer, the washing unit 16 for washing with water, and the lithographic printing plate after washing. Thus, a finisher portion 18 'for desensitizing treatment and a drying portion 20 for drying the lithographic printing plate coming out of the finisher portion 18' are provided.
The finisher portion 18 ′ targeted by the present invention is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 70 (upper roller 70 a and lower roller 70 b) above the finishing treatment tank 28, and the printing plate 12 is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 64. By being transported toward 70, after being transported in the finisher portion 18 ′, it is sandwiched by the transport roller pair 70 and sent toward the drying portion 20.
A cleaning roller 78 ′ that rotates while contacting the upper roller 70a of the conveying roller pair 70 in the entire length direction is provided, and the conveying roller is moved from the cleaning spray 76 at a predetermined timing set in advance. The cleaning water is held in the space formed by the cleaning roller 78 ′ and the upper roller 70 a by dropping the cleaning water via the baffle plate 80 in the proximity of the upper roller 70 a and the cleaning roller 78 ′ of the pair 70. Then, the washing water is uniformly diffused to the peripheral surface of the upper roller 70a of the conveying roller pair 70, and the gum solution is washed away from the peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers 70a, 70b of the conveying roller pair 70. Prevents the roller from rotating and the printing plate processor from failing when the printing plate processor is restarted.
Also, the thermal positive printing plate 12 is prevented from being damaged by the sticking of the gum solution.
However, the present applicant has noticed that the conventional cleaning roller 78 ′ has the following problems.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the shape and function of a conventional cleaning roller 78 ′.
The conveying roller (finisher roller) pair 70 is composed of an upper roller (upper finisher roller) 70a and a lower roller 70b (lower finisher roller), and the printing plate 12 passes between them to apply the finisher liquid of the planographic printing plate. When the operation of the day is completed and the operation is turned off, the transport roller pair 70 of the finisher unit is automatically washed with washing water in order to prevent the finisher liquid from sticking.
For this purpose, the cleaning roller (here, metal cylindrical rod) 78 ′ is placed in contact with the upper roller 70a on the upper roller 70a of the conveying roller pair 70 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, the cleaning water W discharged at that time is blocked in the space formed by the cleaning roller 78 ′ and the upper roller 70a, and the cleaning water is uniformly diffused to the peripheral surface of the upper roller 70a. The finisher liquid is removed.

However, if the processing is continued without maintenance for a long period of time, the finisher discharged from the finisher spray 76 (FIG. 7) and the photosensitive layer component on the printing plate become precipitates and adhere to the finisher roller (upper roller) 70a. There is. If the finisher roller continues to be used without being washed, the amount of precipitates increases and eventually is transferred onto a metal cylindrical rod (metal roller) which is the washing roller 78 ′. That is, the residue on the finisher roller is scraped off by the metal roller. As shown in the enlarged blow-out view of FIG. 8A, the residue K is scattered on the cleaning roller 78 ′. At this time, the scraped-off precipitate eventually adheres to the plate at some moment and becomes a residue on the plate, resulting in an image defect.
This waste component is composed of a component in the finisher liquid and a photosensitive layer component, and is generated in a short period of time when a large amount of processing is performed. Also, when high-definition images are processed, the generation of waste may be accelerated.
It is an object of the present invention to prevent image defects by preventing such debris from adhering to the cleaning roller at least within the plate passing range in the axial direction.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 relates to a lithographic printing plate processing apparatus, wherein a lithographic printing plate coated with a photosensitive material is processed by providing at least a development process, a water washing process, and a finisher process in this order. In the processing apparatus to be performed, the cleaning water provided on the finisher roller is dammed in a space formed between the finisher roller and the cleaning water at the time of automatic cleaning, and the cleaning water is uniformly distributed on the roller peripheral surface of the finisher roller. The uniformizing member to be converted is not in contact with the finisher roller within the axial passage range of the finisher roller.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the first aspect, a non-contact distance between the uniformizing member and the finisher roller is 5 mm or less.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the uniformizing member is a metal cylindrical bar.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, the diameter of both ends of the metal cylindrical bar is made larger than the diameter of the central portion and is brought into contact with the finisher roller at the large diameter portions at both ends. Thus, the distance between the central portion of the metal cylindrical bar and the finisher roller is maintained at a predetermined distance.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the axial length of the large diameter portions at both ends is 1 mm to 5 cm.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the lithographic processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein both ends of the uniformizing member are fixed to a side plate portion.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the uniformizing member is a blade.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the blade and the finisher are provided by providing roller-shaped members at both ends of the blade, and bringing the roller-shaped members into contact with the finisher roller. It is characterized in that the interval between the rollers is kept at a predetermined interval.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, both ends of the blade are fixed to a side plate portion.

  With the above-described configuration, the metal cylinder bar or blade has the original function of blocking the cleaning water during automatic cleaning between the finisher roller and uniforming the liquid level, and the finisher roller has a non-passing range. Since it is a contact, scraps on the squeeze roller are not scraped off, and therefore, deposits do not adhere to the plate and become scraps on the plate, eliminating image defects.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
The present invention is a development processing apparatus for a lithographic printing plate coated with a photosensitive material, and is particularly effective in lithographic printing plate processing having a photothermal conversion agent in the lithographic printing plate and performing laser exposure in a heat mode. Is big. The present invention is characterized by preventing image defects caused by residue on the plate generated at the finisher portion.

An overall example of a printing plate processor according to the present invention is shown in FIG.
A printing plate processor 10 shown in FIG. 1 develops a photosensitive lithographic printing plate that has been exposed on a high-definition AM screen, FM screen, or hybrid screen by an exposure device (not shown). Here, the exposure apparatus differs depending on the system. In the case of the CTP plate making system, the image data is directly exposed to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate without using a medium by using a semiconductor laser, a gas laser, a CO ₂ laser, or the like. Prior to exposure, RIP processing is performed to form an image pattern necessary for exposure.
The printing plate processor 10 generally has a developing unit for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate with a developer, a washing unit for washing with water, and a finisher for applying a gum solution to the lithographic printing plate after washing to desensitize the plate. A drying section is provided for drying the lithographic printing plate coming out from the section and the finisher section. The present invention is not limited to the above-described general structure, and can be applied as long as it has at least a development processing mechanism including a developing section, a water washing section, and a finisher section.
The printing plate processor 10 includes a developing unit 14 for processing the printing plate 12 with a developing solution, a rinsing unit 16 for brushing the plate surface while washing the printing plate 12 processed with the developing solution while supplying rinsing water, A finisher unit 18 for applying a gum solution for protecting the plate surface to the subsequent printing plate 12 to desensitize it and a drying unit 20 for drying the printing plate 12 are provided. That is, in the printing plate processor, a developing process, a washing process, a finishing process, and a drying process are sequentially arranged along the direction of conveyance of the printing plate 12 (arrow A in FIG. 1).
A processing tank 22 is provided in the printing plate processor 10. In this processing tank 22, a developing tank 24 is formed at a position that becomes the developing section 14 as a processing tank, and a washing tank 26 and a finishing processing tank 28 are formed at positions that become the washing section 16 and the desensitizing processing section 18. Yes. Further, the processing tank 22 is provided with a space for the insertion section 34 on the upstream side of the developing tank 24 (upstream in the transport direction of the printing plate 12), and a space for the drying section 20 is formed on the downstream side of the finishing processing tank 28. Has been.

  In the outer panel 30 covering the periphery of the processing tank 22, a slit-like insertion port 32 is formed on the insertion side of the printing plate 12 to the printing plate processor (left side in FIG. 1). An insertion portion 34 is formed on the insertion port 32 side of the portion 14.

  The printing plate processor is provided with covers 36 and 38 that cover the upper part of the processing tank 22 and the upper part of the drying unit 20. The cover 36 on the insertion port 32 side covers the upper part of the washing unit 16 from the insertion part 34 of the processing tank 22, and the cover 38 is disposed so as to cover between the upper part of the washing unit 16 and the upper part of the drying unit 20.

  The cover 36 is provided with a reentry insertion port (sub-insertion port) 40 for inserting the printing plate 12 between the developing unit 14 and the water washing unit 16. The sub insertion port 40 is for insertion of the thermal positive printing plate 12 for performing processing in the PS plate processor 10 excluding processing in the developing unit 14.

A rubber conveyance roller pair 42 is disposed in the insertion portion 34 adjacent to the insertion port 40. The printing plate 12 on which the image has been printed is inserted between the conveyance roller pair 42 by being inserted along the direction of arrow A from the insertion port 32.
The conveyance roller pair 42 is rotationally driven, and sends the printing plate 12 to the developing unit 14 at an angle in a range of about 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction while drawing the printing plate 12 from the insertion port 32. In the printing plate processor used for processing the single-sided type printing plate 12 (12, 12C), the photosensitive layer (photosensitive surface) is inserted from the insertion port 32 in a state of being directed upward. That is, the printing plate 12 is processed by the printing plate processor with the photosensitive surface facing upward.
The developing tank 24 formed in the processing tank 22 has a substantially mountain shape with the bottom center protruding downward, and stores a developing solution for performing the developing processing of the printing plate 12.

  In the developing tank 24, a transport roller 48 is disposed on the insertion portion 34 side that is the upstream portion of the transport path of the printing plate 12. Further, in the developing tank 24, a transport roller pair 50 is disposed at the center of the PS plate transport path, and a transport roller pair 52 is disposed on the downstream side of the washing section 16 side.

  Further, the developing tank 24 transports a guide plate, a transport roller, etc. according to the type of the printing plate 12 to be processed between the transport roller 48 and the transport roller pair 50 and between the transport roller pair 50 and the transport roller pair 52. By providing parts, a brush roller used as a rubbing member, a backup roller or a guide plate, a substantially U-shaped transport path for transporting the printing plate 12 while being immersed in the developer in the developing tank 24 is provided. It is formed. The configuration of the conveyance path in the developing tank 24 will be described later.

On the other hand, in the developing tank 24, the brush roller 142 and the transport roller 60 are disposed between the transport roller pair 50 and 52. The brush roller 142 is used as an example of a rubbing member, and the brush roller 142 and the conveyance roller 60 are attached so as to face the upper surface side of the printing plate 12 conveyed between the conveyance roller pair 50 and 52. Yes. The brush roller 142 contacts the upper surface of the printing plate 12 while rotating in a predetermined direction and a predetermined rotation direction, thereby brushing the photosensitive layer on the upper surface side of the printing plate 12 and removing an unnecessary photosensitive layer with a developer. Has come to promote.
The printing plate 12 drawn from the insertion port 32 by the conveyance roller pair 42 passes below the conveyance roller 48 and is fed between the conveyance roller pair 50, and further along the bottom surface of the developing tank 24 by the conveyance roller 50. Then, it is guided obliquely upward toward the conveying roller pair 52. At this time, the upper surface side of the printing plate 12 is brushed by the brush roller 142.
Further, the conveying roller pair 52 is formed, for example, by a rubber roller at the outer periphery, and is sent to the washing unit 16 while sandwiching the di-printing plate 12 and pulling it out from the developing tank 24.

  In the developing tank 24, spray pipes 54 and 56 are provided between the conveyance roller 48 and the conveyance roller pair 50 and near the bottom surface between the conveyance roller pair 50 and the conveyance roller pair 52. The developer in the developing tank 24 sucked by a pump (not shown) is supplied to the spray pipes 54 and 56, and the developer is ejected from the spray pipes 54 and 56. Thereby, the developing solution in the developing tank 24 is agitated so that the printing plate 12 can be uniformly processed. At this time, the developer is ejected from the spray pipe 54 along the width direction that is orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing plate 12, so that the developer ejected from the spray pipe 54 is transported in the developer tank 24. It goes around the front and back surfaces of the printing plate 12 to prevent rapid development processing and uneven processing of the printing plate 12.

Further, a fixed amount of replenisher is replenished to the developing unit by a replenishment pump (not shown). The replenishment can be performed by measuring the plate length of the printing plate with a sensor in the insertion portion, calculating the area from the pre-input plate width, and replenishing. Furthermore, you may replenish at a fixed time interval.
Furthermore, an electric conductivity sensor (not shown) may be incorporated in the developing tank and supplemented from the change.

  The printing plate 12 drawn from the developing tank 24 by the transport roller pair 52 is sent to the washing unit 16 while the developer attached to the surface is squeezed out by the transport roller pair 52.

  A cylindrical metal rod bar is disposed between the developing unit 14 and the rinsing unit 16 to regulate the position where the front end of the printing plate 12 fed from the developing unit is inserted into the rinsing unit inlet roller pair 62. Here, a cylindrical metal rod bar has been described as means for restricting the insertion position of the front end of the printing plate, but the means is not limited to this. Moreover, although the case where the metal rod bar for position control was used as an example was described here, it is not limited to using the metal rod bar.

  The lower part of the planographic printing plate is supported by the bar, and the leading end of the planographic printing plate 12 enters the washing unit inlet roller. The washing washing liquid is stored in the meniscus on the developing roller side of the washing inlet roller, but the lithographic printing plate tip passes through the washing liquid pool stored in the meniscus and reaches the washing inlet roller above the horizontal line at the nip point. storm in.

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

  Between the conveyance roller pairs 62 and 64, spray pipes 66 and 68 are arranged in pairs with the conveyance path of the printing plate 12 interposed therebetween. A metal rod rod 67 for discharging liquid is disposed on the upper roller 62A of the conveying roller pair 62.

For example, washing water (hereinafter referred to as “washing water”) is stored in the washing tank 26 as a cleaning agent. In the automatic developing device 10, spraying is performed in synchronization with the conveyance of the printing plate 12 by a water supply pump (not shown). Rinsing water in the rinsing tank 26 is supplied to the pipes 66 and 68. As a result, washing water is ejected from the spray pipes 66 and 68 toward the printing plate 12 to wash away the developer adhering to the surface of the printing plate 12.
The washing water supplied to the printing plate 12 is squeezed from the front and back surfaces of the printing plate 12 together with the developer and the like adhering to the front and back surfaces of the printing plate 12 when the printing plate 12 is held between the conveying roller pair 64 and sent out. It is dropped and collected in the washing tank 26. The spray direction of flushing water from the spray pipes 66 and 68 is such that the spray pipe 66 is upstream in the transport direction of the printing plate 12 and the spray pipe 68 is downstream in the transport direction of the printing plate 12. It may be in another direction. Further, a new washing water solution is supplied to the washing tank 26 by means (not shown) according to the processing amount of the printing plate 12.
Furthermore, a preservative may be automatically added to suppress the growth of scales and fungi. As a scale inhibitor, BK-3 manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. is preferably used.

  The finisher unit 18 is provided with a conveying roller pair 70 above the finishing tank 28, and the printing plate 12 is conveyed toward the conveying roller pair 70 by the conveying roller pair 64, thereby conveying the finisher unit 18. After that, the sheet is sandwiched by the conveying roller pair 70 and sent to the drying unit 20.

  In the finisher unit 18, a spray pipe 72 is provided on the upper side of the conveyance path of the printing plate 12, and a spray pipe 74 is provided on the lower side of the conveyance path. The spray pipes 72 and 74 have a longitudinal direction (axial direction) along the width direction of the printing plate 12, and are arranged above and below the conveyance path of the printing plate 12. A plurality of discharge holes are formed in the spray pipes 72 and 74 along the width direction of the thermal positive printing plate 12.

  The finishing treatment tank 28 stores a gum solution used for protecting the printing plate 12. The gum solution is supplied to the spray pipes 72 and 74 in synchronization with the conveyance of the printing plate 12. The spray pipe 72 drops the gum solution onto the printing plate 12 and spreads it on the surface of the printing plate 12 and applies it. The spray pipe 74 discharges the gum solution from the discharge hole toward the back surface of the printing plate 12 and applies the gum solution to the back surface of the printing plate 12.

The printing plate 12 has a protective film formed by a gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces. In addition, the discharge direction of the gum solution from the spray pipe 72 is not limited to the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing plate 12, and may be in other directions. A rectifying plate is provided and ejected toward the rectifying plate. The gum solution may be applied to the surface of the printing plate 12 while being uniformly diffused along the width direction of the printing plate 12 with a current plate. Further, instead of the spray pipe 74, a discharge unit or the like for applying the gum solution to the back surface of the printing plate 12 by moving the printing plate 12 while contacting the discharged gum solution may be used.
In the present invention, the finisher portion 18 is provided with a cleaning spray 76 above the conveying roller pair 70, contacts the upper roller 70a of the conveying roller pair 70 only at both ends, and the central portion rotates in a non-contact state. The cleaning roller 78 is provided, and at a predetermined timing set in advance, the cleaning water is passed from the cleaning spray 76 to a position above the transport roller pair 70 and the cleaning roller 78 via the current plate 80. The cleaning water is held in the space formed by the cleaning roller and the finisher roller, so that the cleaning water is uniformly diffused on the peripheral surface of the roller above the conveying roller pair 70, and the conveying roller pair 70 When the gum solution is washed out from the peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers and the gum solution adheres to the peripheral surfaces of the rollers and the printing plate processor is restarted, the rollers do not rotate and the printing plate pro Ssa is prevented from failure.
Also, the thermal positive printing plate 12 is prevented from being damaged by the sticking of the gum solution.

2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the shape of the cleaning roller according to the present invention. FIG. 2A shows the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B shows the second embodiment.
FIG. 2A shows a cleaning roller according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which both end portions 78a of the metal cylindrical rod have a diameter that is 2t1 larger than that of the central portion. That is, when the metal cylindrical rod 78 is in contact with the upper roller 70a, only both end portions 78a and 78a are in contact with the upper roller 70a and rotate, but the central portion is always free from the upper roller 70a and the gap t1. It becomes.
Therefore, even if debris is transferred from the upper roller 70a to both ends 78a and 78a, the debris is not transferred to the central portion.

  Moreover, in order to keep the space | interval t1 with a washing | cleaning roller appropriate, the member which can adjust a space | interval suitably can be used. As the distance adjusting member, for example, the distance can be adjusted by rotating a screw-shaped adjusting member.

In order to stabilize the interval between the cleaning roller and the finisher roller, in addition to contacting the cleaning roller at both ends, both ends of the cleaning roller may be directly supported on the side plate portion to stabilize the interval.
FIG. 2B shows a cleaning roller according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Both ends of a metal cylindrical rod are rotatably fixed to the measuring plate portion 78b, and the whole is always vacant by the upper roller 70a and the gap t1. It is in a state. Therefore, the deposit adhering to the upper roller 70a is not transferred.
The same applies when a cleaning blade (described later) is used instead of the cleaning roller.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the cleaning roller (metal cylindrical bar) 78 according to Embodiment 1 of FIG. (A) shows the time of operation of the developing machine (that is, when it is not washed), and (b) shows the time of washing.
In (a), the printing plate 12 passes between the conveying roller pair 70 composed of the upper roller 70a and the lower roller 70b, and the finisher liquid of the planographic printing plate is applied. At this time, the cleaning roller 78 is in a non-contact state with the upper roller 70a except for both end portions 78a and 78a, and the residue that is a deposit adhering to the upper roller 70a is not transferred except for both end portions 78a.

  Further, at the time of cleaning, as shown in (b), the discharged cleaning water W is blocked in the space formed by the cleaning roller 78 and the upper roller 70a, and the cleaning water is uniformly diffused to the peripheral surface of the upper roller 70a, The finisher liquid is removed. In this case, since transfer of residue does not occur if it is non-contact, the closer the non-contact interval t is to 0, the more effective the cleaning water is used. On the other hand, if the non-contact interval exceeds 5 mm, the cleaning water is wasted, which is not preferable.

  In this way, the transfer of residue can be eliminated by holding the ends other than both ends of the metal cylindrical rod 78 in a non-contact state with the finisher roller 70a. The non-contact distance between the cleaning roller and the finisher roller is 5 mm or less. If this interval is too wide, the cleaning water cannot be retained, and therefore the interval cannot be increased any further. Although 5 mm or less is one standard, a smaller interval is preferable, and a greater effect can be obtained with 2 mm or less. It is difficult to keep the interval smaller than this in terms of accuracy, but it is more preferable to keep the distance at 0.5 mm or less.

The cleaning roller has a cylindrical shape and is made of stainless steel. Here, a cylindrical shape is described, but the same effect can be obtained even if a blade described later is used. As a working example, a bar made of slenless was described, but the material of the bar and blade can be basically applied as long as it has water resistance, but in particular, metal, light metal, alloy However, materials such as plastic, ceramic, glass, and bakelite can also be applied as appropriate.
The shape is not preferably a square, and the roller is easily damaged at the portion in contact with the roller. Accordingly, a cylindrical plate that does not easily damage the back surface of the printing plate is preferably used. Even if a rubber roller is used instead of the bar-shaped one, the effect can be obtained, but this is not preferable in terms of cost.
The diameter of both ends of the cleaning roller (here, a metal cylindrical rod) is designed to be thick, and the distance from the finisher roller is kept constant by the both ends. As the axial length of the thicker diameter parts provided at both ends is shorter, the contact part becomes smaller and it is difficult to become debris, but if it is too short, the pressing force increases due to the weight of the bar and it is buried on the finisher roller. As a result, the distance from the cleaning roller is not stabilized. This is the same not only on the bar but also when using a blade. The appropriate range is from 1 mm to 5 cm, more preferably from 3 mm to 3 cm.

  It should be noted that the circumferential mounting position of the cleaning roller 78 with respect to the finisher roller 70a and the mounting angle θ1 with respect to the normal line from the part having a small angle as shown in FIG. 4A to the angle θ2 (θ1 <θ2) in FIG. By moving to the portion, the pressing force applied to the finisher roller 70a by the dead weight F1 of the cleaning roller 78 can be reduced from F2 (FIG. 4 (a)) to F4 (FIG. 4 (b)). The axial length of the radial portion can be shortened to reduce the amount of residue attached.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the shape of the cleaning blade according to the present invention. FIG. 5A shows the third embodiment, and FIG. 5B shows the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 5A shows a cleaning blade according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and both ends of a metal blade 780 are rotatably attached to the shafts of rotating rollers 780a and 780a.
The cleaning blade 780 and the upper roller 70a are placed in a non-contact state for a distance t1. Only the rotating rollers 780a and 780a at both ends are in contact with the upper roller 70a and rotate, but the central portion is always free from the upper roller 70a and the gap t. Therefore, the deposit adhering to the upper roller 70a is not transferred except for both end portions 780a and 780a.

FIG. 5B shows a cleaning blade 780 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Both ends of the cleaning blade 780 are fixed to the measuring plate portion 780b, and the whole is always free from the upper roller 70a and the gap t1 (t1 ≦ 5 mm). It is in a state. Therefore, also in this case, the deposit adhering to the upper roller 70a is not transferred to the cleaning blade 780.
In this case as well, a member for adjusting the distance from the squeezing roller may be prepared on site as appropriate, and may be operated in a form suitable for practical use.

  6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cleaning blade used in FIG. 5, in which FIG. 6A shows the operation of the developing machine (that is, the non-cleaning), and FIG. 6B shows the cleaning. In (a), the printing plate 12 passes between the conveying roller pair 70 composed of the upper roller 70a and the lower roller 70b, and the finisher liquid of the planographic printing plate is applied. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cleaning blade 780 is not in contact with the upper roller 70a, and the precipitate adhering to the upper roller 70a is unlikely to be transferred except at both ends 78a.

At the time of cleaning, as shown in FIG. 6B, the discharged cleaning water W is blocked in the space formed by the cleaning blade 780 and the upper roller 70a, and the cleaning water is evenly distributed on the peripheral surface of the upper roller 70a. And the finisher liquid is removed. In this case, since transfer of residue does not occur if it is non-contact, the closer the non-contact interval t is to 0, the more effective the cleaning water is used. On the other hand, if the non-contact interval exceeds 5 mm, the cleaning water is wasted, which is not preferable.
In this way, even when the cleaning blade 780 is brought close to the finisher roller 70a in a non-contact state, no transfer of residue occurs.

The printing plate 12 to which the finisher liquid has been applied by the finisher unit 18 is sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 70, and is sent to the drying unit 20 in a state where the finisher liquid remains slightly on the front and back surfaces (the finisher liquid remains as a thin film). It is done.
The PS plate processor 10 is provided with a partition plate 82 between the finisher unit 18 and the drying unit 20. The partition plate 82 is disposed above the conveyance path of the printing plate 12 so as to face the upper end of the processing tank 22, and thereby, a slit-shaped insertion port 84 between the finisher unit 18 and the drying unit 20. Is formed. The partition plate 82 has a double structure, whereby a groove-like air passage is formed on the drying portion 20 side of the insertion opening 84, and the air in the drying portion 20 enters the air passage. Thus, the air in the drying unit 20 is prevented from entering the desensitizing processing unit 18 from the insertion port 84.

  In the drying unit 20, a support roller 86 that supports the printing plate 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the insertion port 84, and in the vicinity of the central portion in the conveyance direction of the thermal positive printing plate 12 and the discharge port 88. A conveying roller pair 90 and a conveying roller pair 92 are provided. The thermal positive printing plate 12 is transported in the drying unit 20 by a support roller 86 and a pair of transport rollers 90 and 92.

  Ducts 94 and 96 are disposed between the support roller 86 and the conveyance roller pair 90 and between the conveyance roller pair 90 and the conveyance roller pair 92 in pairs with the conveyance path of the printing plate 12 interposed therebetween. The ducts 94 and 96 are disposed such that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the width direction of the thermal positive printing plate 12, and a slit hole 98 is provided on the surface facing the conveyance path of the printing plate 12.

  The ducts 94 and 96 discharge the dry air from the slit hole 98 toward the conveying path of the printing plate 12 when the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied from one end side in the longitudinal direction. And sprayed onto the printing plate 12. Thereby, as for the printing plate 12, the gum liquid currently apply | coated to the front and back is dried, and a protective film is formed.

  On the other hand, the developing unit 14 is provided with a shielding lid 100 such that the lower surface is below the level of the developer stored in the developer tank 24, and the level of the developer in the developer tank 24 is in contact with air. The area is narrowed. Further, the auxiliary insertion port (reentry insertion port) 40 of the cover 36 is blocked by a shielding member (not shown), and this shielding member prevents outside air from entering the developing unit 14.

  The shielding lid 100 is provided with a selection part (to be described later) together with a concave portion 100A into which the brush roller 142 and the conveying roller 60 project from the developer surface, and a roller above the conveying roller pair 52. A recess 100B into which a part enters is formed.

In the automatic developing apparatus 10, by disposing the liquid level lid 100 in the developing tank 24, deterioration due to the developer in the developing tank 24 coming into contact with carbon dioxide in the air or the like is prevented. I am doing so. A blade-shaped shielding member (not shown) formed of silicon rubber or the like is provided between the shielding lid 100 and the processing tank 22 and the conveying roller 48 or the conveying roller pair 52, so that the developer in the developing tank 24 is fresh. It may be possible to prevent contact with outside air or evaporation of water in the developer, which is more preferable.
In the developing tank 24 of the automatic developing device 10, a conveyance roller 48 </ b> A is disposed below the conveyance roller 48 so as to face the conveyance roller 48. As a result, the printing plate 12 is inserted between the transport rollers 48 and 48 </ b> A by the transport roller pair 42 of the insertion portion 34. The conveyance roller 48 </ b> A rotates following the rotation of the conveyance roller 48, sandwiches the printing plate 12 inserted between the conveyance roller 48 and draws it into the developing tank 24.

  In the developing tank 24, a guide plate 44 is disposed between the conveyance roller 48 and the conveyance roller pair 50. The guide plate 44 guides the printing plate 12 drawn by the transport rollers 48 and 48A so as to be inserted between the transport roller pair 50 at a predetermined angle.

A guide plate 46 is disposed on the conveyance roller pair 50 and the conveyance roller pair 52. The guide plate 48 guides the thermal positive printing plate 12 fed out by the transport roller pair 50 toward the transport roller pair 52 along the bottom surface of the developing tank 24.
The guide plate 46 is opposed to the brush roller 142 and the transport roller 60. The brush roller 142 sandwiches the printing plate 12 conveyed on the upper surface of the guide plate 46 with the guide plate 46 with a predetermined brush pressure. In this state, the brush roller 142 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, whereby the surface of the printing plate 12 is brushed and immersed in the developer to facilitate the removal of the photosensitive layer. The transport roller 60 prevents the printing plate 12 being transported on the guide plate 46 while being brushed by the brush roller 142 from being lifted from the guide plate 46, so that the printing plate 12 is moved on the guide plate 46. The guide is surely guided toward the transport roller pair 52.

Next, materials used for the development system will be described.
The photosensitive lithographic printing plate to which the alkali developing solution of the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited, and various lithographic printing plates in which an image recording layer such as a photosensitive layer and a heat-sensitive layer is provided on a support. List the original version. Examples of the image recording layer include thermal positive types described in JP-A-7-285275 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-154279, JP-A-7-20625, and JP-A-11-218903. And the thermal poly negative type described in JP-A Nos. 2001-100412 and 2002-169282.
Particularly preferred are the multilayer thermal positive types described in JP-A-11-218914, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-499707, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-189095, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-181121. The thermal positive type of the multilayer may have a multilayer structure of at least two layers.

  The developer used in the present invention contains the following components. Developer (Alkaline Agent) The developer and developer replenisher used in the developing method of the present invention are alkaline aqueous solutions having a pH of 10.0 to 13.5, more preferably 11.0 to 13.3. Conventionally known alkaline aqueous solutions can be used as the developer and developer replenisher. For example, sodium silicate, potassium, tribasic sodium phosphate, potassium, ammonium, dibasic sodium phosphate, potassium, ammonium, sodium bicarbonate, potassium, ammonium, sodium carbonate, potassium, Examples include inorganic alkaline agents such as ammonium, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium, ammonium, sodium borate, potassium, ammonium, sodium hydroxide, ammonium, potassium, and lithium. Moreover, monomethylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, monoisopropylamine, diisopropylamine, triisopropylamine, n-butylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, Organic alkali agents such as ethyleneimine, ethylenediamine, and pyridine are also used.

Among these alkali agents, aqueous silicate solutions such as sodium silicate and potassium silicate are preferred. The reason for this is that the ratio of pH and developability depends on the ratio (generally expressed as a molar ratio of [SiO ₂ ] / [M ₂ O]) and concentration of silicon oxide SiO ₂ and alkali metal oxide M ₂ O, which are silicate components. This is because adjustment is possible. For example, the molar ratio of SiO ₂ / Na ₂ O is 1.5 to 2.5 (that is, [SiO ₂ ] / [Na ₂ O] is 1.5 to 2.5), and the content of SiO ₂ is An alkali metal silicate composed of an aqueous solution of 1 to 4% by weight of sodium silicate is preferably used in the present invention.
A more preferable alkaline agent is a buffer solution composed of a weak acid and a strong base. As the weak acid used as the buffer solution, those having an acid dissociation constant (pKa) of 10.0 to 13.3 are preferable, and those having a pKa of 11.0 to 13.1 are particularly preferable. For example, in the case of sulfosalicylic acid, the third dissociation constant is 11.7, which can be suitably used in the present invention. That is, in the case of a polybasic acid, it can be used in the present invention if at least one acid dissociation constant is within the above range.

  Such a weak acid is selected from those described in IONATION CONSTANTS OF ORGANIC ACIDS INAQUEOUS SOLUTION issued by Pergamon Press, for example, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol-1 (pKa 12.74), Alcohols such as trifluoroethanol (12.37) and trichloroethanol (12.24), and aldehydes such as pyridine-2-aldehyde (12.68) and pyridine-4-aldehyde (12.05) Sorbitol (13.0), sucrose (12.7), 2-deoxyribose (12.61), 2-deoxyglucose (12.51), glucose (12.46), galactose (same) 12.35), Ara Vinose (12.34), xylose (12.29), fructose (12.27), lipos (12.22), mannose (12.08), L-ascorbic acid (11.34) Sugars, 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 (12.2), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (11.94), 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene (11.82), hydroquinone (same as above) 11.56), compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group such as pyrogallol (11.34) and resorcinol (11.27), 2-butanone oxime (12.45), acetoxy (12.42), 1,2-cycloheptanedione dioxime (12.3), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime (12.10), dimethylglyoxime (11.9), ethanediamide dioxime (Id. 11.37), oximes such as acetophenone oxime (No. 11.35), 2-quinolone (No. 11.76), 2-pyridone (No. 11.65), 4-quinolone (No. 11.28), Amino acids such as 4-pyridone (11.12), 5-aminovaleric acid (10.77), 2-mercaptoquinoline (10.25), 3-aminopropionic acid (10.24), fluorouracil (13.0), guanosine (12.6), uridine (12.6), adenosine (12.56), inosine (12.5), guanine (12) 3) Nucleic acid-related substances such as Citidin (same as 12.2), Cytosine (same as 12.2), Topoxanthin (same as 12.1), Xanthine (same as 11.9), In addition, Diethylaminomethylphosphonic acid (same as 12) .32), 1-amino-3,3,3-trifluorobenzoic acid (12.29), isopropylidene diphosphonic acid (12.10), 1,1-ethylidene diphosphonic acid (11.54). ), 1-hydroxy 1,1-ethylidene diphosphonate (11.52), benzimidazole (12.86), thiobenzamide (12.8), picoline thioamide (12.55), barbituric acid ( And weak acids such as 12.5). Sodium hydroxide, ammonium, potassium and lithium are used as strong bases to be combined with these weak acids.

  These alkali agents are used alone or in combination of two or more. Of these alkaline buffers, sulfosalicylic acid, salicylic acid, saccharose and sorbitol are combined with sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Among them, a preferred combination is sorbitol and potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. The above various alkali agents are used by adjusting the pH within a preferable range depending on the concentration and combination.

  (Surfactant) For the developer and replenisher used in the present invention, various surfactants and organics may be used as necessary for the purpose of promoting developability, dispersing development residue, and enhancing the ink affinity of the printing plate image area. A solvent can be added. Preferred surfactants include anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants.

  (Development Stabilizer) Various development stabilizers are used in the developer and replenisher used in the present invention. Preferred examples thereof include 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 such as diphenyliodonium chloride. A salt is a preferred example.

  (Organic solvent) If necessary, an organic solvent is added to the developer and the development replenisher. As such an organic solvent, those having a solubility in water of about 10% by weight or less are suitable, and preferably those having a solubility in water of 5% by weight or less are selected. For example, 1-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethanol, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, 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 and 4-methylcyclohexanol, N-phenylethanol Examples thereof include amines and N-phenyldiethanolamine. The content of the organic solvent is 0.1 to 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the used solution. The amount used is closely related to the amount of surfactant used, and it is preferable to increase the amount of surfactant as the amount of organic solvent increases. This is because the amount of the surfactant is small, and when the amount of the organic solvent is large, the organic solvent is not completely dissolved, so that it is impossible to expect good developability.

  (Reducing agent) A reducing agent is further added to the developer and replenisher used in the present invention. This prevents stains on the printing plate, and is particularly effective when developing a negative photosensitive lithographic printing plate containing a photosensitive diazonium salt compound. Preferable organic reducing agents include phenol compounds such as thiosalicylic acid, hydroquinone, metol, methoxyquinone, resorcin, and 2-methylresorcin, and amine compounds such as phenylenediamine and phenylhydrazine. More preferable inorganic reducing agents include sodium, potassium and ammonium salts of inorganic acids such as sulfurous acid, bisulfite, phosphorous acid, hydrogen phosphite, dihydrogen phosphite, thiosulfuric acid and dithionite. A salt etc. can be mentioned. Among these reducing agents, sulfites are particularly excellent in the antifouling effect. These reducing agents are preferably contained in the range of 0.05 to 5% by weight with respect to the developer at the time of use.

  (Organic carboxylic acid) An organic carboxylic acid may be further added to the developer and replenisher used in the present invention. Preferred organic carboxylic acids are fatty acid carboxylic acids and aromatic carboxylic acids having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. The amount added is from 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 4% by weight, based on the developing solution in use.

(Others) The developer and replenisher used in the present invention may further contain an antifoaming agent, a hard water softening agent and the like, if necessary. Examples of water softeners include polyphosphoric acid and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, triethylenetetraminehexaneacetic acid, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, 1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetra Aminopolycarboxylic acids such as acetic acid and 1,3-diamino-2-propanoltetraacetic acid and their sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, aminotri (methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetra (methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta (methylene Phosphonic acid), triethylenetetramine hexa (methylenephosphonic acid), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetri (methylenephosphonic acid) Beauty diphosphonic acid and their sodium salts, potassium salts and ammonium salts. The optimum value of such a hard water softening agent varies depending on its chelating power, the hardness of the hard water used and the amount of hard water. % By weight, more preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.5% by weight. If the addition amount is less than this range, the intended purpose is not sufficiently achieved. If the addition amount is more than this range, adverse effects on the image area such as color loss will occur.
The remaining component of the developer and the replenisher is water, but various additives known in the art can be added as required. It is advantageous in terms of transportation that the developer and replenisher used in the present invention are concentrated solutions in which the water content is less than in use, and diluted with water during use. In this case, the degree of concentration is appropriate such that each component does not cause separation or precipitation. By using the developer as described above in the present invention, the occurrence of image defects and the like can be more significantly suppressed.

（１）実施例１は金属製円柱棒（金属バー）をフィニッシャーローラから５ｍｍ離間させ、太径部は１ｃｍであり、結果は洗浄効果は○△で許容範囲内であり、カスは金属製円柱棒の細径部には発生しなかった。
（２）比較例１は金属製円柱棒をフィニッシャーローラから６ｍｍ離間させたところ、カスは金属製円柱棒の細径部には発生しなかったものの、洗浄効果が不良であったので、総合判断は不可となった。
（３）実施例２は金属製円柱棒をフィニッシャーローラから０．５ｍｍ離間させたもので、結果は洗浄効果は○（優）で、カスも金属製円柱棒の細径部に発生しなかった。
（４）実施例３は金属製円柱棒の代わりに金属ブレードをフィニッシャーローラから５ｍｍ離間させたもので、結果は洗浄効果は○△で許容範囲内であり、カスは金属製円柱棒の細径部には発生しなかった。
（５）比較例２は金属ブレードをフィニッシャーローラから７ｍｍ離間させたもので、カスは発生しなかったものの、洗浄効果が不良であった。
（６）比較例３は従来例で、両端に太径部のない金属製円柱棒をフィニッシャーローラに接触させたもの（すなわち、０ｍｍ）で、結果は洗浄効果は抜群であるが、カスが発生し、結果は不良であった。
（７）実施例４は金属製円柱棒をフィニッシャーローラから１ｍｍ離間させ、太径部を１ｍｍと短くした。結果は洗浄効果は○で、カスも金属製円柱棒の細径部に発生しなかった。
（８）比較例４は金属製円柱棒をフィニッシャーローラから１ｍｍ離間させ、太径部を最も短く０．８ｍｍとした。結果は洗浄効果は○であるが、太径部が短いため経時とともにフィニッシャーローラに食い込んでいき、フィニッシャーローラとの間隔１ｍｍが確保できなくなり、途中でカスの発生が生じた。 <Example>
Hereinafter, although the remarkable effect of the present invention is explained based on an example, the range of the present invention is not limited to these examples.
An original HP-S for lithographic printing plates (thermal positive multi-layer printing material manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) is first drawn with a Trend setter VX manufactured by Creo at a beam intensity of 8 W, a drum rotation speed of 150 rpm, and an AM screen of 175 lpi. Next, using the self-described machine described in detail in FIG. 1, a developer obtained by diluting the initial charge developer DT-2 (thermal positive developer manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) 1: 8 with water. The development process is performed with the liquid temperature kept at 30 degrees and the development time of 12 seconds. Here, water was put into the washing section. The finishing section was loaded with finisher FG-1 (diluted 1: 1) manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and subjected to finishing treatment.
The developer replenisher used was diluted DT-2R 1: 6.5, the water replenisher was water, and the finisher replenisher was FG-1 diluted 1: 1.
The running was carried out for 3 months at 100 m ² / day.
The cleaning method uses a metal cylindrical bar (metal bar) as a member to dam the cleaning liquid, changes the spacing between the finisher roller (upper roller), and changes the axial length of the large diameter part at both ends of the metal cylindrical bar. As a result, the cleaning effect of the finisher roller and the state of residue generation were observed. Further, a stainless steel cylindrical rod was used as the metallic cylindrical rod.
The results are shown in Table 1.

(1) In Example 1, a metal cylindrical bar (metal bar) is separated from the finisher roller by 5 mm, the large diameter part is 1 cm, the result is a permissible range with a cleaning effect of ◯ △, and the residue is a metal cylinder It did not occur in the small diameter part of the bar.
(2) In Comparative Example 1, when the metal cylindrical bar was separated from the finisher roller by 6 mm, no debris was generated in the small diameter portion of the metal cylindrical bar, but the cleaning effect was poor. Became impossible.
(3) In Example 2, the metal cylindrical bar was separated from the finisher roller by 0.5 mm, and the result was that the cleaning effect was good (excellent), and no debris was generated in the small diameter part of the metal cylindrical bar. .
(4) In Example 3, the metal blade was separated from the finisher roller by 5 mm instead of the metal cylinder bar, and the result was that the cleaning effect was within the allowable range with △, and the residue was the small diameter of the metal cylinder bar It did not occur in the part.
(5) In Comparative Example 2, the metal blade was separated from the finisher roller by 7 mm, and no debris was generated, but the cleaning effect was poor.
(6) Comparative Example 3 is a conventional example in which a metal cylindrical rod without a large diameter portion at both ends is brought into contact with a finisher roller (that is, 0 mm). As a result, the cleaning effect is outstanding, but debris is generated. However, the result was bad.
(7) In Example 4, the metal cylindrical bar was separated from the finisher roller by 1 mm, and the large diameter portion was shortened to 1 mm. As a result, the cleaning effect was good, and no debris was generated in the small diameter portion of the metal cylindrical bar.
(8) In Comparative Example 4, the metal cylindrical bar was separated from the finisher roller by 1 mm, and the large diameter portion was made the shortest to 0.8 mm. As a result, the cleaning effect was good, but since the large diameter portion was short, it eroded into the finisher roller over time, and it became impossible to secure an interval of 1 mm from the finisher roller.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole printing plate processor which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the shape of the washing roller concerning the present invention, (a) shows Embodiment 1 and (b) shows Embodiment 2, respectively. 2A and 2B are perspective views for explaining the operation of the cleaning roller according to Embodiment 1 in FIG. 2A, in which FIG. 2A shows the operation of the developing machine, and FIG. 2B shows the time of cleaning. It is a figure which shows the attachment position which differs in the circumferential direction with respect to the finisher roller of a washing | cleaning roller, (a) is angle | corner (theta) 1 and (b) is a case of angle (theta) 2 ((theta) 1 <(theta) 2). It is a figure explaining the shape of the braid | blade for washing | cleaning which concerns on this invention, (a) shows Embodiment 3, (b) has shown Embodiment 4. FIG. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cleaning blade used in FIG. 5, in which FIG. 5A shows the time when the developing machine is in operation (that is, when it is not cleaned), and FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole example of the printing plate processor of a conventional apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the structure and function of a cleaning roller.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing plate processor 12 Printing plate 14 Developing part 16 Washing part 18 Finishing (desensitizing) processing part 20 Drying part 22 Processing tank 24 Developing tank 26 Washing tank 28 Finishing processing tank 30 Outer panel 32 Inserting port 34 Inserting part 36 Insertion Mouth side cover 38 Drying section side cover 40 Reentry insertion slot (sub insertion slot)
42, 48, 50, 52 Conveying roller pair 60 Conveying roller 69 Restricting member (bar) for regulating the conveying line of a planographic printing plate
70 Roller pair 70a Upper roller 70b Lower roller 78 Metal cylindrical bar (bar)
78a Both ends large diameter portion 78b Measuring plate portion 780 Metal blade 780a Rotating roller 780b Measuring plate portion K Waste

Claims (9)

  In a processing apparatus for processing a lithographic printing plate coated with a photosensitive material by providing at least a development process, a water washing process, and a finisher process in this order, cleaning water provided at the finisher roller for automatic cleaning is used as the finisher roller. A uniformizing member that dams up the space formed between the finisher rollers and makes the diffusion of the cleaning water uniform on the roller peripheral surface of the finisher roller is not in contact with the finisher roller within the plate passing range in the axial direction of the finisher roller. A lithographic printing plate processing apparatus characterized by that.   2. The lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a non-contact distance between the uniformizing member and the finisher roller is 5 mm or less.   The uniformizing member is a cylindrical rod, and the diameter of both ends thereof is larger than the diameter of the central portion, and the center portion of the cylindrical rod and the finisher roller are brought into contact with the finisher roller at the large diameter portions at both ends. The lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interval is maintained at a predetermined interval.   The lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a length in the axial direction of the large-diameter portions at both ends is 1 mm or more and 5 cm or less.   The lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the homogenizing member is a metal cylindrical bar.   The lithographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the uniformizing member are fixed to a side plate portion.   3. The lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the uniformizing member is a blade.   2. A roller-like member is provided at each of both ends of the blade, and the roller-like member is brought into contact with the finisher roller so as to maintain a predetermined interval between the blade and the finisher roller. 7. The lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to 7.   The lithographic processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein both ends of the blade are fixed to a side plate portion.

Images