JP2007238247A - Device for automatically supplying lithographic plate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a photosensitive layer surface of a lithographic plate from being damaged when loading lithographic plates on the loaded lithographic plates for printing. <P>SOLUTION: A flat surface of a bundle of a plurality of piled lithographic plates 10 is placed on a support stand 160 obliquely arranged in a charge stand 144. The bottom part of the bundle of the lithographic plates 10 is placed on a rack member 162 installed projectedly from the surface of the support stand 160, and the surface of the lithographic plates 10 loaded on the loading stand 144 is covered with a damage preventing sheet 12 of a damage preventing sheet arranging means 14 provided with one or more damage preventing sheets 12, and a new bundle of the lithographic plates 10 can be charged from over the damage preventing sheet 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  According to the present invention, on a loading table for loading a bundle of a plurality of planographic printing plates arranged in an automatic feeder for carrying out the planographic printing plates, a planographic printing plate is further loaded on the already loaded planographic printing plates. The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically supplying a lithographic printing plate, which can prevent the photosensitive layers of the lithographic printing plates already loaded by rubbing with each other when the bundle is additionally loaded.

  In general, a lithographic printing plate (so-called PS plate) is used for offset printing. Also, in this lithographic printing field, upon receiving supply of an unexposed lithographic printing plate, the lithographic printing plate is subjected to laser exposure processing based on digital data from a computer or the like, and is applied onto the lithographic printing plate by an automatic processor. A CTP (Computer to Plate) system for making a printing plate directly by performing a development process for converting the formed latent image into a visible image has been put into practical use. Some CTP systems are provided with an automatic supply device for a lithographic printing plate (a lithographic printing plate supply device).

  In a conventional automatic lithographic printing plate feeder of an automatic plate making machine, a plurality of lithographic printing plates and interleaf sheets are stacked alternately and stored in a printing plate packaging box, and the lid is closed. With the light shielded, it is loaded into the printing plate supply cassette in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device, the door of the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device is closed and the inside of the device is shielded from light. When the open / close lid is opened and the plate-making operation is started, the sheet is fed from the bundle of planographic plates by the sheet feeder of the automatic plate feeder from the bundle of planographic plates stored in the printing plate packaging box. There is a proposal that removes the lithographic printing plates one by one and transports them to the exposure processing unit side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such an automatic supply device for a lithographic printing plate in a CTP system, one type of lithographic printing plate having a predetermined size and a predetermined thickness selected as a target for plate making is laminated and a plurality of predetermined plates are stacked to form a bundle. A rubber carry-out roller, which is a so-called roller pick type pick-up roller, is loaded on the surface of the uppermost lithographic printing plate in a bundle of lithographic printing plates as it is loaded on a loading table of an automatic lithographic printing plate feeder By rolling the (nudger roller), the planographic printing plates are pulled out one by one and carried out to the exposure processing unit side.

  When using the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus configured as described above, the operation of the automatic supply apparatus is prevented from being interrupted for the operation of loading the lithographic printing plate on the loading table. In order to operate the automatic feeding apparatus rationally, it is common to perform an operation of additionally loading a bundle of planographic printing plates at a required timing.

In the operation of additionally loading the lithographic printing plate bundle, the trailing edge of the lithographic printing plate bundle in the new lithographic printing plate bundle hits the photosensitive layer surface of the uppermost lithographic printing plate remaining on the loading table. There is a risk of scratching.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-314771

  In view of the above points, the present invention makes it possible to prevent damage to the photosensitive layer surface of a lithographic printing plate when a lithographic printing plate is newly added on top of a previously loaded lithographic printing plate. An object of the present invention is to provide a new automatic plate feeder.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic supply device for a lithographic printing plate, which is placed on a support table in which a plane in a bundle of a plurality of stacked lithographic printing plates is arranged obliquely, and a bottom portion of the lithographic printing plate bundle. A scratching sheet is placed over the required area on the outermost surface of the planographic printing plate loaded on the loading table, and the loading table configured to be placed on the shelf member mounted so as to protrude from the surface of the support table. And a scratch preventing sheet deployment means including one or a plurality of scratch preventing sheets so that a new bundle of planographic printing plates can be added and loaded from above the preventing sheet.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic lithographic printing plate supply apparatus according to the first aspect, the scratch prevention sheet deployment means is provided on the scratch prevention sheet deployment member installed on the shelf member. It is characterized in that one end side of the sheet is fixed and held.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the automatic lithographic printing plate supply apparatus according to the first aspect, the scratch preventing sheet deploying means bends the wire rod in a semicircular arc shape, and both ends thereof are fixed to the wall of the support base. The guide ring arranged in this way, the guide ring is passed through the insertion hole, and mounted so as to be movable between the use position on one end side of the guide ring and the standby position on the other end side of the guide ring. And one or a plurality of scratch prevention sheets.

  With the configuration described above, when a planographic printing plate is already loaded on the loading table and a new planographic printing plate is loaded on the loading table, the planographic plate loaded on the loading table is used. Since the scratch-proof sheet is covered on the photosensitive layer surface of the printing plate to protect it, even if the rear edge of the newly added lithographic printing plate hits the photosensitive layer surface via the scratch-proof sheet, the scratch-proof sheet is used. The impact is buffered to prevent the photosensitive layer surface from being scratched, and the trailing edge of the lithographic printing plate is guided to slide on the scratch prevention sheet and move to the shelf member, and the photosensitive layer surface is scratched. Can be prevented.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the lithographic printing plate is pushed down by being loaded on the scratch preventing sheet. In order to prevent buckling, ribs extending in the vertical direction are provided.

  By configuring as described above, in addition to the functions and effects described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the scratch prevention sheet placed on the loading table is pushed down to the planographic printing plate when it is loaded. Therefore, the work of adding and loading a bundle of planographic printing plates can be facilitated.

  The invention described in claim 5 is the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to any one of claim 1, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein a bundle of lithographic printing plates is sequentially added to the scratch preventing sheet. It is characterized in that a scale for displaying the remaining amount is provided to indicate how many planographic printing plates can be added and loaded during the loading operation.

  By configuring as described above, in addition to the operations and effects of any one of claims 1, 3, or 4, a planographic plate that is additionally loaded and placed on a scratch-preventing sheet Improve the workability of adding and loading lithographic printing plate bundles by reading the remaining amount display scale where the lower edge of the outer side of the printing plate bundle is located and knowing the approximate number of lithographic printing plates that can be added it can.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the handle for holding the scratch-proof sheet when it is operated so as to be turned. It is provided.

  By configuring as described above, in addition to the operation and effect of any one of claims 1 to 5, a handle or tab shape having a structure in which an opening is formed in a scratch-preventing sheet. By operating the handle so as to roll the scratch-preventing sheet, it is possible to easily cover the scratch-preventing sheet on the planographic printing plate placed on the loading table.

  According to the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus of the present invention, the scratch preventing sheet is applied when a lithographic printing plate is newly added and loaded by placing the scratch preventing sheet on the top of the already loaded lithographic printing plate. By interposing, there is an effect that the lithographic printing plates are not directly rubbed, the photosensitive layer surface is protected, and the generation of scratches can be suppressed.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments relating to a planographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The automatic supply apparatus provided with the scratch preventing sheet according to the present embodiment is formed by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a lithographic printing plate as compared with a general lithographic printing plate (PS plate) currently on the market. The surface on the recording layer side is strong against external force (20 times or more), and a predetermined number of so-called interleaf-free lithographic printing plates (interleaf-free lithographic printing plates), which are photopolymer PS plates that do not require protection of interleaving paper. A sheet bundle is loaded into the apparatus, and a sheet feeding apparatus separates each lithographic printing plate one sheet at a time so as to perform a feeding operation.

  The automatic supply device of a lithographic printing plate provided with a scratch-proof sheet can be used with a general lithographic printing plate currently on the market, which is laminated by interleaving interleaf sheets between the lithographic printing plates. .

  The interleaf-free lithographic printing plate (interleaf-less PS plate) used in this lithographic printing plate automatic supply device contains a photosensitive material on a support which is a thin aluminum plate formed in a rectangular plate shape of a predetermined size. A recording layer (photosensitive surface which is an image recording layer) formed by applying a photosensitive agent is provided.

  For example, in this interleaf-free lithographic printing plate, a photosensitive agent is applied in a layer form on the surface of a thin aluminum substrate as a support to form a photosensitive layer as a recording layer, and oxygen is applied to the photosensitive layer surface of the lithographic printing plate. Applying an overcoat layer to prevent desensitization development of the photosensitive layer by applying a strong characteristic against external force (for example, a strength characteristic more than 20 times that of a normal PS plate), and transporting a lithographic printing plate to the back A back coat layer made of water glass is provided to prevent the lithographic printing plates overlapping each other from sticking to each other.

  The lithographic printing plates to be bundled without the interleaving paper are manufactured by producing a predetermined plurality of lithographic printing plates, eliminating the interleaving paper, and contacting the surface of the lithographic printing plate with the photosensitive surface (Em surface which is a photosensitive agent surface). ) To the back side of the planographic printing plate (the back side of the PS plate aluminum side) is in direct contact with each other and transported and stored in a rectangular parallelepiped bundle. When the lithographic printing plate is supplied to the inside in a light-shielded state and is transported by the internal mechanism of this lithographic printing plate automatic supply device, the aluminum surface side of the lithographic printing plate is exposed to the photosensitive of the lithographic printing plate located below it. Even if it slides on the surface, it does not cause scratches or pressure fog.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus performs laser exposure processing based on digital data from a computer or the like, and generates a latent image formed on the lithographic printing plate 10 by an automatic processor. It is used by being mounted on a CTP (Computer to Plate) system that directly develops a printing plate after development processing for converting it into a visible image.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the CTP system includes an automatic supply device 110 to which a bundle of a plurality of lithographic printing plates 10 stacked without a slip sheet is supplied, and the automatic supply device 110 integrally. A single-wafer supply device 112 configured to supply the lithographic printing plates 10 (PS plates) separately from the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 one by one, an inner drum exposure device (monogon scanner) 114, a buffer device 116, Development processing device 118.

  In the CTP system, the mechanism of the main part of the sheet feeding device 112 is arranged inside the housing of the automatic feeding device 110 and is integrally configured. In order to configure this single wafer supply device 112, a loading table 144 is installed inside the automatic supply device 110.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the loading table 144 is a flat plate arranged obliquely from the floor surface in the casing from the automatic supply device 110 to the single wafer supply device 112 to the upper part on the inner drum exposure device 114 side. In order to place the ends of the bundles of the lithographic printing plates 10 on the support table 160, a shelf member 162 having a shelf portion formed in a plate shape projecting upright from the surface of the support table 160 is attached to the support table 160. It is configured to be mounted so that the height position can be adjusted by sliding on the surface.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide member 161 that is movable and adjustable is provided on the support base 160 to guide the left and right sides of the bundle of planographic printing plates 10.

  In addition, when the loading table 144 is disposed obliquely, the size of the automatic supply device 110 in the horizontal direction can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced as compared with the case where the loading table 144 is disposed horizontally. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device provided with the scratch preventing sheet, when the lithographic printing plate 10 is newly added and loaded on the already loaded lithographic printing plate 10. In order to prevent the photosensitive layer surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 from being scratched, a scratch preventing sheet deployment member 14 which is a scratch preventing sheet deploying means provided with one or a plurality of scratch preventing sheets 12 is installed.

  In the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus provided with the scratch preventing sheet shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the scratch preventing sheet deployment member 14 is installed on the shelf member 162. The scratch prevention sheet deployment member 14 is a columnar pedestal member having an isosceles trapezoidal cross section, and is formed in a shape in which a pinching portion 14 </ b> A that is a rectangular groove along the longitudinal direction is formed in the top portion (or a side portion).

  The flaw prevention sheet deployment member 14 is configured to hold the flaw prevention sheet 12 by sandwiching one end side of one or a plurality of flaw prevention sheets 12 so as not to come off. .

  Thus, since the scratch preventing sheet 12 is fixed to the holding member 14A of the base member, the scratch preventing sheet 12 is not carried out by being connected to the planographic printing plate 10 that is pulled up for carrying out from the loading table 144.

  This scratch-preventing sheet 12 is made of a material (Teflon (registered trademark), nylon (registered trademark), polyethylene, PET, etc.) having a characteristic that the coefficient of friction against the back surface (back surface) of the planographic printing plate 10 and the photosensitive layer surface is low. ) Made of a flexible sheet having a required strength and thickness (about 50 μ to 200 μ) and having a high flexibility, and is formed in a predetermined shape.

  The scratch prevention sheet 12 is added to the planographic printing plate 10 already loaded on the loading table 144, and the planographic printing plate that is added and loaded by an operator when the planographic printing plate 10 is newly loaded and loaded. The bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 to be added and loaded is often placed on the shelf member 162 in a state where the bundle is curved so that the center is convex toward the support table 160 side of the loading table 144. The center convex portion covers a range that is easy to hit the photosensitive layer surface of the planographic printing plate 10 already loaded on the loading table 144 (here, the height of the central portion of the rear end of the planographic printing plate 10 is 80 mm and the width is 200 mm). It forms in the above magnitude | size and shape.

  In the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus having the scratch preventing sheet shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the scratch preventing sheet 12 is protected at the center in the width direction at the lower part of the planographic printing plate 10 already loaded on the loading table 144. It forms in the rectangular shape which can cover the predetermined part which should be.

  Further, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus provided with the scratch preventing sheet shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a plurality (five in this embodiment) of scratch preventing sheets 12 are installed on the scratch preventing sheet deployment member 14. Thus, it is possible to perform the work of continuously adding and loading a new lithographic printing plate 10 as long as there is a scratch prevention sheet 12 without waiting until the lithographic printing plate 10 placed on the loading table 144 is used up. .

  A predetermined number of sheets were stacked without interleaving paper on the loading table 144 in which the lithographic printing plate 10 in the automatic lithographic printing plate supply apparatus having the scratch-preventing sheet shown in FIGS. When placing a bundle of lithographic printing plates 10, although not shown, an operator prepares a bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 packaged with a packaging material in a dark room. Next, the operator opens the door 142 of the automatic supply device 110 in the dark room, and places one end of the bundle of planographic printing plates 10 on the shelf member 162 on the loading table 144 arranged obliquely inside the door 142. Place the guide member 161 along the left and right sides of the bundle so that the guide member 161 is slanted on the surface of the support base 160, close the door 142, shield the light, and place it in the automatic feeder 110. Is a dark room.

  When the planographic printing plate 10 is already loaded and the planographic printing plate 10 is newly added to the loading table 144 and loaded, the door 142 is opened in the dark room as described above, and the work is performed as shown in FIG. A worker performs an operation of placing the first scratch-preventing sheet 12 on the photosensitive layer surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 remaining on the shelf member 162.

  Next, the worker puts a bundle of the planographic printing plates 10 to be added and loaded on the scratch preventing sheet 12 covering the planographic printing plates 10 remaining on the shelf member 162. At this time, the photosensitive layer surface of the planographic printing plate 10 remaining on the shelf member 162 is covered and protected by the scratch preventing sheet 12.

  Therefore, for example, when the trailing edge of the lithographic printing plate 10 in a bundle of new lithographic printing plates 10 hits the photosensitive layer surface via the scratch preventing sheet 12, the scratch preventing sheet 12 acts as a cushion to cushion the impact. Therefore, the photosensitive layer surface is prevented from being damaged, and the trailing edge of the lithographic printing plate 10 slides smoothly on the surface of the scratch preventing sheet 12 and moves onto the shelf member 162, so that the photosensitive layer surface is scratched. Can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when a planographic printing plate 10 is newly loaded onto the loading table 144 while the planographic printing plate 10 is already loaded, the planks remaining on the shelf member 162 are left by the operator. An operation is performed in which a second scratch-preventing sheet 12 is placed on the surface of the photosensitive layer of the planographic printing plate 10 that is additionally loaded on the printing plate 10.

  As a result, the photosensitive layer surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 loaded on the shelf member 162 is covered and protected by the scratch preventing sheet 12, so that the lithographic printing plate in a new bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 is protected. Even when the trailing edge of the sheet 10 hits the surface of the photosensitive layer through the scratch preventing sheet 12, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive layer surface from being scratched by the shock being buffered by the scratch preventing sheet 12, and the trailing edge of the lithographic printing plate 10 However, it is possible to prevent the surface of the photosensitive layer from being scratched by being guided by sliding on the scratch-preventing sheet 12 and moving onto the shelf member 162.

  In this way, it is possible to sequentially add new lithographic printing plates 10 onto the lithographic printing plates 10 loaded on the shelf member 162 until the scratch preventing sheet 12 is used up. At the end of the loading operation, the door 142 is closed to shield the light, and the interior of the automatic supply device 110 is set as a dark room.

  In the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus provided with the scratch preventing sheet shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, when all the lithographic printing plates 10 are carried out from the loading table 144, all the scratch preventing sheets 12 are removed. It moves to a standby position that is out of the shelf member 162.

  In the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, how many lithographic printing plates are used in the operation of sequentially adding and loading a bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 onto a shelf member 162. As a means for giving a guide for knowing whether or not 10 bundles can be added and loaded up to the maximum loading height from the surface of the support table 160 to the end face of the scratch preventing sheet deployment member 14, the scratch preventing sheet 12 is added and loaded. A remaining amount display scale 12A can be provided on the surface on which the planographic printing plate 10 is placed.

  The remaining amount display scale 12 </ b> A is disposed, for example, on both vertical side portions (one vertical side portion or any position on the surface of the scratch prevention sheet 12) of the scratch prevention sheet 12.

  When the remaining amount display scale 12A is provided in this way, the remaining amount display scale on which the lower end side on the outer side of the bundle of the planographic printing plates 10 that are additionally loaded on the scratch prevention sheet 12 is positioned. By reading 12A, it is possible to know the approximate number of planographic printing plates 10 that can be added.

  It should be noted that the remaining amount display scale 12A is provided between the end face of the scratch preventing sheet deployment member 14 and the outermost lithographic printing plate 10 at a portion not covered with the scratch preventing sheet 12 on the surface of the shelf member 162. It may be configured to display whether there is room for placing the planographic printing plates 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus provided with the scratch preventing sheet, the scratch preventing sheet 12 arranged on the loading table 144 is pushed down and buckled by the lithographic printing plate 10 when it is loaded. The rib 16 extending in the vertical direction may be integrally formed on the scratch-preventing sheet 12 so that there is no such a problem.

  The rib 16 is a scratch-preventing sheet 12 formed by sticking a separate rib member or by forming a rib structure on the plane of the scratch-preventing sheet 12 or by forming only a predetermined portion of the scratch-preventing sheet 12 thick. You may comprise so that it may not buckle.

  Further, the scratch preventing sheet 12 may be configured to have a strength that does not buckle even if the entire scratch preventing sheet 12 is formed thick and leaned.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus provided with the scratch preventing sheet, the scratch preventing sheet 12 disposed on the loading table 144 by the scratch preventing sheet deployment member 14 is placed on the photosensitive layer surface of the planographic printing plate 10. In order to facilitate the operation of covering the cover, a handle 18 having a structure in which a hand opening is formed in the free end of the scratch preventing sheet 12 may be provided.

  When the handle 18 is provided on the scratch preventing sheet 12 as described above, the scratch preventing sheet 12 installed on the scratch preventing sheet deploying member 14 is operated so as to roll the calendar and is positioned on the outermost side on the loading table 144. The lithographic printing plate 10 can be easily covered.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus provided with the scratch preventing sheet, the scratch preventing sheet 12 disposed on the loading table 144 by the scratch preventing sheet deployment member 14 is placed on the photosensitive layer surface of the planographic printing plate 10. In order to facilitate the work to cover, the number of the scratch-preventing sheets 12 used to add and load the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 can be read and the remaining number of the scratch-preventing sheets 12 can be easily grasped. Tab-shaped handles 20 are integrally formed at predetermined positions shifted from each other at the free ends of the sheet 12, and serial numbers are assigned to the tab-shaped handles 20.

  In this way, when the tab-shaped handle 20 is provided on the scratch-preventing sheet 12, the scratch-preventing sheet 12 installed on the scratch-preventing sheet deployment member 14 is operated so as to hold the tab-shaped handle 20 and loaded. The lithographic printing plate 10 located on the outermost side of 144 can be easily covered.

  Next, another configuration example of the scratch preventing sheet disposing means in the automatic lithographic printing plate supply apparatus including the scratch preventing sheet will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the scratch preventing sheet disposing means shown in FIG. 9, a predetermined space is cut out at two predetermined positions of the shelf member 162 in the loading table 144 to form a through space. Further, in the through space of the shelf member 162, a guide ring 22 is formed by bending a thin round bar (wire) into a semicircular arc shape, and fixing both ends thereof to the wall of the support base 160 to project in a D shape. Place.

  One or a plurality of scratch preventing sheets 12 are movably mounted on the guide ring 22. For this reason, the scratch preventing sheet 12 is provided with a guide portion 24 projecting in a small rectangular shape from two predetermined positions at the end.

  This guide portion 24 is drilled with an insertion hole. Then, by attaching the guide ring 22 through the insertion hole of the guide portion 24, as shown in FIG. 9, the standby position where the scratch preventing sheet 12 is suspended below the guide ring 22, and the upper side of the guide ring 22 It is configured to be movable between the use position pulled up to the position.

  In the scratch preventing sheet disposing means shown in FIG. 9 configured as described above, the scratch preventing sheet 12 can be composed of a hard material having no flexibility. Further, the entire surface of the scratch preventing sheet 12 can be brought into close contact with the photosensitive layer surface of the planographic printing plate 10.

  In the scratch preventing sheet disposing means shown in FIG. 9 configured as described above, the scratch preventing sheet 12 is placed on the photosensitive layer surface of the uppermost lithographic printing plate 10 placed on the support base 160 of the loading table 144. Then, the work of adding and loading the bundle of planographic printing plates 10 is performed.

  Further, in the scratch preventing sheet deployment means shown in FIG. 9, when all the lithographic printing plates 10 are unloaded from the loading table 144, all the scratch preventing sheets 12 after use are removed from the use position on the guide ring 22. Move to the standby position.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, this single-wafer supply device 112 is provided as an unloading means that is moved between a pickup position and a retracted position by an operating device (not shown) to a position above the loading table 144. A carry-out roller (pickup roller) 146 configured in the roller pick method is attached.

  The carry-out roller 146 is formed to have a predetermined length in the direction of the rotation axis so as to make rolling contact over a predetermined length range at the center portion in the width direction of the planographic printing plate 10. The carry-out roller 146 is configured to be rotated by a drive motor which is a drive source (not shown). Although not shown in the drawings, the carry-out roller 146 is mounted so as to be movable between a pick-up position pressed on the planographic printing plate 10 and a retracted position separated from the planographic printing plate 10.

  Further, the sheet feeding device 112 is equipped with a rolling operation means for rolling the lithographic printing plate 10 to be unloaded that is positioned on the most surface side in the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 placed on the loading table 144. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the spreading operation means is adsorbed to a portion near the upper end (near the end on the downstream side in the transport direction) of the uppermost planographic printing plate 10 placed on the loading table 144 by the suction cup device 164. Although not shown in the drawing, the adsorbed lithographic printing plate 10 is moved in a vertical standing direction to be separated from the second lithographic printing plate 10 in a bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10, and the first lithographic printing plate 10 to be carried out. A space of a predetermined interval is formed between the second lithographic printing plate 10 and air is introduced to perform a squeezing operation for moving to a squeezing position that eliminates the vacuum contact state therebetween.

  Further, the squeezing operation means releases the suction of the suction device 164 to the first lithographic printing plate 10 in the squeezing position, although not shown, following the squeezing operation for lifting the first lithographic printing plate 10. The first lithographic printing plate 10 is configured to perform a squeeze releasing operation for dropping the first lithographic printing plate 10 onto the second lithographic printing plate 10 by its own weight.

  Further, in this sheet feeding device 112, the unloading roller 146 is moved to the retracted position in conjunction with the unwinding operation of the unwinding operation means by which the unwinding operation means pulls up the first lithographic printing plate 10. The lithographic printing plate 10 is returned to the conveying operation state (returned to the pick-up position) in which the unloading roller 146 is pressed against the upper surface of the first lithographic printing plate 10 in conjunction with the rolling release operation for dropping the lithographic printing plate 10. Configure as follows.

  In the sheet feeding device 112 configured as described above, only one sheet of the first lithographic printing plate 10 on the top of the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 placed on the loading table 144 is separated and conveyed. When performing the feeding operation to the winding mechanism, first, only the lithographic printing plate 10 at the top of the bundle is moved to the rolling position by the rolling operation means, and then the rolling operation means is operated to release the winding. Then, the first lithographic printing plate 10 is dropped by its own weight to be placed on the second lithographic printing plate 10.

  In the sheet feeding device 112, air enters the space between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 by the series of operations described above, and then the first lithographic printing plate 10. Is moved down on the second lithographic printing plate 10, and the air in the space spreads over the entire back surface of the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate. The vacuum contact state with the plate 10 is released, and the conveyance resistance generated due to the vacuum contact is reduced.

  Next, in the sheet feeding device 112, a conveying operation state (pickup) in which the unloading roller 146 is pressed against the upper surface of the first lithographic printing plate 10 in conjunction with the rolling release operation of the first lithographic printing plate 10. After returning to the position), the unloading roller 146 is rotated by a drive motor mechanism (not shown), so that the unloading roller 146 is placed on the top of the bundle of the planographic printing plates 10. Rolling up, separates only one sheet and feeds it to the conveyor belt winding mechanism.

  At this time, the scratch preventing sheet 12 is interposed between the first lithographic printing plate 10 at the top of the bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 below the first lithographic printing plate 10. In this case, the end of the first lithographic printing plate 10 on the downstream side in the transport direction is smoothly slid out on the surface of the scratch preventing sheet 12 and is therefore carried out by the scratch preventing sheet 12. It is possible to prevent the surface of the photosensitive layer 10 from being damaged.

  Further, when a scratch preventing sheet 12 is interposed between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10, the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate. Since there is a gap between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10, there is a gap between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10. Can be more effectively prevented, and the operation of separating the first lithographic printing plate 10 from the second lithographic printing plate 10 can be performed more reliably.

  In the sheet feeding device 112, when the first lithographic printing plate 10 is unloaded and can be conveyed by the conveying belt winding mechanism, the unloading roller 146 is detached from the first lithographic printing plate 10.

  The transport belt winding mechanism includes a main transport belt winding mechanism 150 that stretches a main transport belt 148 and a sub transport belt for transporting each lithographic printing plate 10 from the loading table 144 to the inner drum exposure device 114. A sub-conveying belt winding mechanism 154 around which 152 is stretched is installed.

  The main transport belt winding mechanism 150 forms a transport path by stretching the transport belt 148 between the loading position of the lithographic printing plate 10 that hits the top of the loading table 144 and the unloading position to the inner drum exposure device 114. .

  Further, the sub-transport belt winding mechanism 154 shares a part of the transport path set below the main transport belt 148 in the main transport belt winding mechanism 150 so that the lithographic printing plate 10 being transported drops off. Configure to prevent.

  For this reason, the sub-transport belt winding mechanism 154 is moved from the intermediate roller 156 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the guide range in the main transport belt 148 where the leading end of each planographic printing plate 10 unloaded from the loading table 144 is abutted. In the section of the intermediate roller 158 close to the exit of the transport path set on the lower side of the transport belt 148, the main transport belt 148 and the sub transport belt 152 are wound so as to run together.

  In the main transport belt winding mechanism 150 configured as described above, the leading end of the lithographic printing plate 10 separated and transported by the unloading roller 146 is intermediate to the first roller 151 at the leading end of the main transport belt 148. It hits a guide range 148A corresponding to a portion stretched between the roller 156 and is conveyed toward the intermediate roller 156 according to the traveling operation of the main conveyor belt 148.

  In this sheet feeding device 112, the leading end of the lithographic printing plate 10 carried out by the carry-out roller 146 hits the main conveyance belt 148 stretched over the guide range 148A, and the main conveyance belt 148 is elastically easily deformed. Thus, the lithographic printing plate 10 is received so as not to be impacted, and the main conveying belt 148 of the portion of the lithographic printing plate 10 hit by the tip is deformed into a substantially U-shape so that the lithographic printing plate 10 is bent and its tip is The portion can be smoothly sandwiched between the main transport belt 148 and the sub transport belt 152 at the position of the intermediate roller 156. As described above, the planographic printing plate 10 is elastically softly received when the leading end of the planographic printing plate 10 hits the main transport belt 148, so that the photosensitive surface forming the photosensitive layer can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, in this sheet feeding device 112, even when the number of planographic printing plates 10 is carried out from a bundle of the planographic printing plates 10 including those loaded in addition, the carry-out roller 146 rolls in contact. The leading end of the lithographic printing plate 10 to be pulled up is set so that it always comes into contact with the main transport belt 148 within the guide range 148A so that it can be properly carried out.

  Therefore, each time the lithographic printing plate 10 is pulled out from the bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10 in the sheet feeding device 112, it can be appropriately carried out even if the drawing position changes, and the drawing of the lithographic printing plate 10 to the loading table 144 is possible. Since it is not necessary to provide a complicated device for adjusting the position, the configuration can be simplified and the device can be downsized.

  The planographic printing plate 10 whose leading end is guided by the main transport belt 148 is transported on the transport path while being sandwiched and sandwiched between the main transport belt 148 and the sub transport belt 152 at the position of the intermediate roller 156. Then, the nipping state is released at the position of the intermediate roller 158 close to the outlet, and it is carried into the inner drum exposure device 114.

  The inner drum exposure apparatus 114 in this CTP system is configured with a support 134 having a circular arc inner peripheral surface shape (a shape constituting a part of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface) as a base, and on the inner peripheral surface of the support 134. The planographic printing plate 10 is supported along the same.

  In this inner drum exposure device 114, exposure is performed after holding the lithographic printing plate 10, which is an unrecorded recording medium, securely in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the support 134 by a vacuum suction means (not shown). Process.

  In the inner drum exposure device 114, a spinner mirror device 136 as a light beam deflector is disposed at the center of the arc of the support 134. This spinner mirror device 136 is configured such that a rotary shaft 140 having a reflecting mirror member (spinner mirror) 138 disposed on the top surface thereof can be rotated at high speed by a motor as a drive source whose rotation is controlled by a spinner driver of a control device (not shown). To do. The spinner mirror device 136 is configured such that the rotation center axis of the rotation shaft 140 coincides with the arc center axis of the support 134.

  In the spinner mirror device 136, the light beam projected from the optical system on the light source side is reflected on the reflecting mirror surface of the rotating reflecting mirror member 138 to scan the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate 10 in the main scanning direction. Perform exposure.

  The spinner mirror device 136 performs sub-scanning by being controlled to move at a constant speed in the axial direction of the arc center axis of the support 134 (direction penetrating from the front surface to the back surface in FIG. 2) by a sub-scanning moving unit (not shown). .

  Therefore, in the spinner mirror device 136, the rotation of the motor is controlled by the spinner driver of the control device, and the movement is controlled in the sub-scanning direction by a sub-scanning moving unit (not shown).

  The spinner mirror device 136 configured in this manner reflects the light beam projected from the optical system on the light source side and modulated in accordance with image information to the reflecting mirror surface of the rotating reflecting mirror member 138 in the main scanning direction. The two-dimensional image is recorded on the entire recording surface of the planographic printing plate 10 by moving the spinner mirror device 136 in the sub-scanning direction while performing the scanning exposure.

  The buffer device 116 provided in the CTP system has a function of carrying the lithographic printing plate 10 exposed by the inner drum exposure device 114 to the development processing device 118 at a required timing by adjusting the conveyance speed.

  The development processing device 118 performs a development process on the exposed lithographic printing plate 10 that has been carried in, visualizes the latent image, and makes a printing plate.

  The automatic lithographic printing plate supply device in the CTP system described above is formed on the surface with, for example, a so-called thermal PS plate other than the photopolymer PS plate that is the lithographic printing plate 10 that does not require protection of the slip sheet. In order to prevent the recording layer forming the formed image from being scratched, an overcoat layer (an OC layer composed of a water-soluble material that can be completely removed by a water washing step before development, etc.) on the outermost surface of the recording layer ) Can be used. Furthermore, the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device does not require protection of interleaf paper, and it is a surface-enhanced thermal plate that has a surface that has been strengthened to the extent that scratches do not pose a problem even when handled in a stacked and bundled state. PS version can be used.

  In addition, the configuration of this lithographic printing plate automatic supply device is a lithographic printing plate that is generally compatible with a plate making method used in the field of lithographic printing, and records an image on a recording layer using light (optical mode). Lithographic printing plate, lithographic printing plate for recording an image on a recording layer using heat (thermal mode), lithographic printing plate for recording an image by converting light into heat in the recording layer (light, thermal mode) It can be used for separating and supplying a lithographic printing plate using a chemical reaction, a lithographic printing plate using physical development, and the like one by one.

1 is a perspective view showing an entire CTP (Computer to Plate) system provided with an automatic lithographic printing plate supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall schematic configuration inside a CTP system including an apparatus for automatically supplying a lithographic printing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part schematic side view which takes out and shows the loading stand part arrange | positioned in the automatic supply apparatus of the lithographic printing plate concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a main part taken out and showing a loading table portion arranged in an automatic supply device for a lithographic printing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part schematic perspective view which takes out and shows the loading stand part arrange | positioned in the automatic supply apparatus of the lithographic printing plate concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part schematic perspective view which takes out and shows the loading stand part provided with the damage prevention sheet | seat of another structure arrange | positioned in the automatic supply apparatus of the lithographic printing plate concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part schematic perspective view which takes out and shows the loading stand part provided with the damage prevention sheet | seat of another structure arrange | positioned in the automatic supply apparatus of the lithographic printing plate concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part schematic perspective view which takes out and shows the loading stand part provided with the damage prevention sheet | seat of another structure arrange | positioned in the automatic supply apparatus of the lithographic printing plate concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part schematic perspective view which takes out and shows the loading stand part provided with the damage prevention sheet arrangement | positioning means of the other structure arrange | positioned in the automatic supply apparatus of the lithographic printing plate concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Planographic printing plate 12 Scratch prevention sheet 14 Scratch prevention sheet deployment member 14A Clamping part 16 Rib 18 Handle 20 Tab-shaped handle 22 Guide ring 24 Guide part 110 Automatic supply apparatus 112 Single wafer supply apparatus 142 Door 144 Loading table 160 Supporting table 162 Shelf member

Claims (6)

A flat surface of a stack of lithographic printing plates stacked in a predetermined number is placed on a support table arranged obliquely, and the bottom of the bundle of lithographic printing plates is placed on a shelf member mounted so as to protrude from the surface of the support table A loading table configured in
A single plate is provided so that a scratch prevention sheet is placed on the outermost surface of the lithographic printing plate loaded on the loading table, and a bundle of lithographic printing plates can be newly added from the scratch prevention sheet. Or a scratch preventing sheet deployment means comprising a plurality of the scratch preventing sheets,
An apparatus for automatically supplying a lithographic printing plate comprising: The scratch prevention sheet deployment means,
2. The lithographic printing plate according to claim 1, wherein one or more side edges of the scratch prevention sheet are fixedly held on a scratch prevention sheet deployment member installed on the shelf member. Automatic feeding device. The scratch preventing sheet deployment means
A guide ring in which a wire is curved in a semicircular arc shape, and both ends thereof are fixed to the wall of the support base; and
The guide ring is inserted into the insertion hole, and is attached to the one or more of the guide ring so as to be movable between a use position on one end side of the guide ring and a standby position on the other end side of the guide ring. Scratch prevention sheet,
The apparatus for automatically supplying a lithographic printing plate according to claim 1, comprising:   4. A rib extending in a vertical direction is provided on the scratch-preventing sheet so as not to be buckled by being pressed down by the planographic printing plate when it is added and loaded. An automatic supply device for a lithographic printing plate as described in item 1.   The scratch prevention sheet is provided with a remaining amount display scale indicating how many pieces of the planographic printing plates can be added and loaded in the operation of sequentially adding and loading the bundles of the planographic printing plates. The lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4.   The lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the scratch prevention sheet is provided with a handle for holding the scratch prevention sheet.

Images