JP3005121B2 - Photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate with a processing solution such as a developer or a dyeing solution, and more particularly to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate to which a processing solution is attached. The present invention relates to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for processing while rubbing the surface of the plate with a brush or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A silicone rubber layer is used as an ink repellent layer.
Waterless photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "waterless lithographic printing plate")
As is, JP-B-44-23042 JP and JP-B-46-
No. 16044, waterless lithographic plates having a photo-soluble or photo-insolubilizable photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer laminated on a substrate, and JP-A-48-94504 and JP-A-50-50102. The waterless lithographic plate described in each of the above publications, in which a photo-adhesive photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer are laminated on a substrate, has been proposed. Such a waterless lithographic plate can print tens of thousands of sheets without using dampening water.

In the lithographic plate without water, a photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer are laminated on a support such as aluminum, and the surface is protected by laminating a protective film. In this waterless lithographic printing plate, the photosensitive layer is cured according to the amount of exposure light and adheres to the support. In this state, a developing solution (for example, a developing solution substantially consisting of water, hereinafter referred to as "developing water") Say)
Is applied, the photosensitive layer in the unexposed portion and the portion with a small amount of exposure swells and the silicone rubber layer is peeled off, leaving the photosensitive layer and the silicone rubber layer in the exposed portion. Further, in the processed waterless lithographic plate, the image portion and the non-image portion have substantially the same color, and therefore, the waterless lithographic developing device is adapted to apply a staining liquid to facilitate the plate inspection work.

In such a waterless lithographic developing apparatus for developing and dyeing a waterless lithographic plate, a processing liquid is applied to the surface of the waterless lithographic plate in order to uniformly and reliably perform the developing and dyeing processes of the waterless lithographic plate. Rub it with a brush etc. while applying. As a result, in the waterless lithographic plate, the silicone rubber layer on the photosensitive layer swollen or eluted by the developing water is reliably removed, and the dyeing solution is uniformly applied to the area where the silicone rubber layer has been removed. In a waterless lithographic developing apparatus, a processing solution applied to the surface of a waterless lithographic plate is collected in a processing tank and is used again for waterless lithographic processing.

When the surface of a waterless lithographic plate to which a processing liquid such as a dyeing liquid is applied is rubbed with a brush, the scattered processing liquid foams. For this reason, in a waterless lithographic developing apparatus, in order to prevent the bubbles of the processing solution such as the dyeing solution from growing in the processing tank and overflowing the processing tank to contaminate the inside of the apparatus, for example, to increase the side plate of the processing tank. Either insert a side plate into the opening and fill the gap between this side plate and the opening of the processing tank with a sealing material such as silicone rubber to seal it, or use a large processing tank with high side walls from the beginning. I had to.

[0006]

However, the work of reliably filling the sealant between the opening of the processing tank and the side plate or the like has to be performed in a narrow space, which is not easy. Is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and has as its object to provide a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus capable of simplifying or omitting a sealing operation of a processing tank.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
The photosensitive lithographic printing plate is transported and processed with a processing solution, and the processing solution used for processing is stored in a processing tank , and the processing in the processing tank is performed.
A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for re-processing a processing liquid heated by a processing liquid heating means provided in the liquid , wherein the processing liquid is stored in the processing tank. Plane level
Liquid level detecting means for detecting, and the liquid level of the processing liquid in the processing tank
Upper limit level bubbles of the processing solution level foamed onto the liquid surface does not exceed the opening surface of the processing bath and the treatment liquid heating
Means between the lower limit level not exposed from the processing solution
Position based on the detection result of the liquid level detection means.
Controlling means, between the opening surface and the upper limit level
Characterized in that and a discharge means having a discharge port for discharging bubbles of the treatment liquid

[0009] The photosensitive planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is a photosensitive planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a depth following the processing bath is shallow and shallow bottom bottom And from
The shallow bottom is between the outlet level and the opening surface
It is characterized by being located in .

[0010]

In the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus of the present invention described above, the processing liquid is stored in the bottom of the processing tank while maintaining the processing liquid within a predetermined level range. The treatment tank has an outlet for the discharge means.
When the processing solution foams and this bubble grows and exceeds a certain level, the processing solution exceeding the certain level is removed.
Bubbles are discharged from the treatment tank .

[0011] The amount of the processing liquid stored in the processing tank is determined in consideration of the foaming property of the processing liquid.
Discharge means are provided so as not to exceed a certain level.
Thus, it is possible to prevent bubbles of the processing liquid from overflowing from the processing tank. That is, the size of the processing tank is set in consideration of the required storage amount and foaming property of the processing liquid, and further,
When the foam of the processing liquid reaches a certain level, the foam is discharged by the discharging means so that the foam of the processing liquid does not reach the upper opening of the processing tank.

[0012] In the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that a large amount of bubbles of the processing liquid is not discharged by the discharging means.
The size and the depth of the processing tank may be determined in consideration of the processing capacity of the apparatus, and the processing tank may be prevented from being discharged from the discharging means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus, wherein a processing tank is partly deep and a processing liquid is stored in the deep part. Also provided as level of shallow following the deep is the level between the outlet of the discharge means and the opening of the processing tank. Thus, even if bubbles of the processing liquid grow, they do not reach the opening surface of the processing tank.

In this way, if the bubbles of the processing liquid in the processing tank are prevented from reaching the opening surface of the processing tank, the opening of the processing tank can be reduced.
Foam is possible to simplify the sealing of the gap between the side plates or the like for preventing the scattering, thereby facilitating the assembling of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor from.

The control for controlling the liquid level of the processing liquid
The means is provided with a processing tank or a tank adjacent to the processing tank for measuring the level of the processing liquid, and if the level of the processing liquid in the tank is monitored, the processing tank is not affected by the bubbles of the processing liquid. It is possible to control the liquid level of the processing liquid within the predetermined range. This allows the heater to heat the processing liquid in the processing tank
Even if a processing liquid heating means such as the above is provided, it is possible to additionally have a function of preventing the heater from being idle.

[0016]

1 and 2 show a waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10 as an embodiment of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.
Is provided with an insertion base 11, from which the waterless planographic plate 12 is inserted into the casing 10A in a substantially horizontal state (the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1). Further, in the waterless planographic developing device 10, a stocker 11 </ b> A can be disposed at an outlet side opposite to the insertion table 11, and the waterless planographic developing device 12 developed by the waterless planographic developing device 10 is used. Is discharged from the casing 10A and is stocked. In the lithographic developing apparatus 10 without water, the insertion table 11
Attach an auto feeder etc. in place of
2 may be automatically fed into the casing 10A. Further, a water washing and drying device or the like may be provided between the stocker 11A and the waterless lithographic developing device 10, and the developed waterless lithographic plate 12 may be continuously dried and discharged, instead of the stocker 11A. , Waterless lithography 1
2 water-free lithographic plate 1 equipped with an automatic transfer device 2
2 may be further subjected to plate bending and punching processing continuously.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the lithographic developing apparatus 10 without water. The waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10 includes a developing unit 14 and a dyeing unit 16, and after the waterless lithographic plate 12 is developed, a dyeing process for facilitating plate inspection is performed. As a staining solution used in the staining section 16, a staining solution containing crystal violet, Astrazone Red, or the like is used.

The waterless lithographic plate 12 developed by the waterless lithographic developing device 10 is, for example, a laminate of a primer layer, a photosensitive layer, a silicone rubber layer, and a protective film on an aluminum substrate. The waterless lithographic plate 12 in which the photosensitive layer has been exposed according to the image is subjected to development processing in a waterless lithographic developing device 10 by removing the protective film on the surface.

The developing section 14 and the dyeing section 16 are covered by an inner casing 15 and partitioned by a partition 15A. The partition 15A has an opening 15B through which the waterless lithographic plate 12 is inserted.

The developing tank body 20 of the developing section 14 has an inverted chevron shape, is open upward, and has a deep bottom center portion serving as a developing water collecting tank 22. Developing water recovery tank 22
The inside contains developing water. In the developing section 14, an auxiliary tank 18 is arranged between the waterless lithographic plate 12 insertion side (left side in FIG. 2) and the developing tank main body 20. The bottom plate 18A of the auxiliary tank 18 is inclined so that the side of the developing tank main body 20 becomes lower, and the tip thereof is bent toward the developing water collecting tank 22.
It is designed to flow inside. In addition, the auxiliary tank 18
It may be integrated with the developing tank body 20.

The developing water stored in the developing water collecting tank 22 is:
Organic water is not contained in the components, and simple water such as tap water can be used. Further, the hardness of water may be adjusted by mixing a defoaming agent with water to suppress the generation of bubbles during circulation, or by adding a chelating agent. Furthermore, the number of times of recycle use may be increased by adding a preservative. An ozone generator may be provided to obtain the same effect as the preservative.

In the developing section 14, transport roller pairs 24, 25, 26 and 28 are arranged in this order from the side where the waterless lithographic plate 12 is inserted. The transport roller pairs 24 and 25 are provided in the auxiliary tank 18, Conveying roller pairs 26 and 28 are provided above the developing tank main body 20. Transport roller pair 24, 25, 2
The reference numerals 6 and 28 are supported by a rack side plate (not shown), rotate by receiving the driving force of a driving means (not shown), and pinch and convey the waterless lithographic plate 12 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Further, developing water is applied to the surface of the waterless planographic plate 12 before the lithographic plate 12 passes through the pair of transport rollers 24 to 28.

A backflow prevention roller 27 is in contact with the upper roller of the transport roller 24 to prevent the backflow of the developing water 18. A guide plate 29 is disposed substantially horizontally between the pair of transport rollers 24 and 25 and between the pair of transport rollers 25 and 26, and the flat plate 12 without water is inserted from the insertion side. It is sent out by pairs 24, 25, and 26 and is transported in a substantially horizontal state.

A spray pipe 34 is disposed above the pair of transport rollers 24 and 25 on the downstream side. In these spray pipes 34, discharge ports (not shown) provided at predetermined intervals along the transport width direction of the waterless lithographic plate 12 are opposed between upper and lower rollers of the transport roller pairs 24 and 25, respectively. . These spray pipes 34 are connected to pipes 38
And a developing water supply device described later. As a result, the developing water sent to the spray pipe 34 is sprayed on the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12 nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 24 and 25.

The transport roller pair 28 is disposed at the last part of the transport path of the waterless lithographic plate 12 in the developing unit 14 and functions as a squeeze roller for squeezing the developing water applied to the waterless lithographic plate 12 in the developing unit 14. have.

A brush roller 30 is disposed between the transport roller pair 26 and the transport roller pair 28. The brush roller 30 is for scraping a silicone rubber layer corresponding to an image portion on the plate surface of the conveyed lithographic plate 12 by rubbing the plate surface. The brush roller 30 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) similarly to the transport roller pairs 24, 25, 26, and 28, and is configured to rotate by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown).

The brush roller 30 is formed by planting a brush material in a plastic or metal roll, and rotates (forward) in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) corresponding to the transport direction of the waterless lithographic plate 12. In this case, the surface of the waterless planographic plate 12 is rubbed. The rotation speed of the brush roller 30 is 100 to 800 rpm (preferably 20 rpm).
0-600 rpm).

The effect of scraping the silicone rubber layer on the plate surface of the waterless planographic plate 12 is improved by rotating and reciprocating the brush roller 30 in the axial direction (the direction of the front and back of the paper of FIG. 2). This is called “forward rotation”
Say). In addition, the rotation direction of the brush roller 30 and
The combination with the rotation direction of the brush roller 100 on the dyeing section 16 side described later can be selected as follows. (Developing section 14)-----(Dyeing section 16)-Forward rotation-------------------------------------------------------- Rotational swing --------Forward rotation-Forward rotation--------------------------------(--------------------------------------------- The rotation or swing of the roller 100 may be combined.

A roller 32 is disposed below the brush roller 30, and a guide plate 31 is disposed downstream of the roller 32. The waterless lithographic plate 12 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the roller 32 and the brush roller 30, and the guide plate 31
Is sent out in a substantially horizontal state. At this time, the surface is rubbed by the brush roller 30, so that the silicone rubber layer corresponding to the image area is reliably scraped off. Further, the guide plate 31 also has a role of preventing vignetting of the lithographic plate 12 without water.

A blade 33 is in contact with the upper roller of the transport roller pair 26, and the silicone rubber layer scraped off by the brush roller 30 scatters and adheres to the transport roller pair, but is not taken out to the upstream side. It has been like that.

Since the roller 32 is freely rotatable, if the lithographic plate 12 is conveyed while the brush roller 30 is stopped, the lithographic plate 12 is rotated by the rotation of the roller 32. , Are smoothly inserted between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32. Such an operation is not performed during the actual developing process, but is performed when inspecting the brushing state of the brush roller 30. That is, a waterless lithographic plate 12 entirely exposed or an unexposed waterless lithographic plate 1
2 is held between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32, and the brush roller 30 is rotated in the stopped state to determine whether the brush width is appropriate.

In the case of such an inspection, the lithographic plate 12 without water is used.
Can be freely inserted and removed while the brush roller 30 is stopped, so that even if the amount of exposure is reduced and the amount of scraping by the brush roller 30 is increased, the remaining portion at the time of insertion and removal may come off. And an accurate brush width can be obtained.

Around the brush roller 30, spray pipes 40 and 42 are arranged. Spray pipe 40
Is disposed between the brush roller 30 and the transport roller pair 26, and a discharge port (not shown) is formed toward the brush roller 30. Like the spray pipe 34, the spray pipe 40 is connected to a later-described developing water supply device through a pipe branched from the pipe 38. The developing water supplied to the spray pipe 40 by the developing water supply device is jetted and supplied toward the brush roller 30.

The spray pipe 42 is provided between the transport roller pair 28
A discharge port (not shown) is formed between the upper and lower rollers. The spray pipe 42 is also connected to a developing water supply device described later via a pipe branched from the pipe 38. When the developing water is sent from the developing water supply device to the spray pipe 42, the developing water is jetted between the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 28.

Above the brush roller 30, a brush cover 39 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed. The brush cover 39 has a function of preventing the developing water adhering to the brush roller 30 from scattering when the brush roller 30 rotates.

The developing water supply device is constituted by a circulation pump 44, a filter 46, and a pipe 48 communicating the circulation pump 44 and the developing water collecting tank 22.

The circulation pump 44 is a variable flow type pump.
It is connected to the control device 52, and its discharge flow rate is controlled by the control device 52. The pipeline 38 communicates with the discharge port side of the circulation pump 44, and one end of the pipeline 48 communicates with the suction port side. The other end of the pipe 48 is connected to the bottom of the developing water collecting tank 22 via a valve 55 on the way. By the operation of the circulation pump 44, the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 is sucked into the circulation pump 44 through the pipe 48, and the spray pipes 34, 4 through the pipe 38.
0, 42.

A filter 46 is provided in the middle of the pipe 48 to remove the residue (development residue consisting mainly of a silicone rubber layer scraped off the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12) in the developing water passing through the pipe 48. It is designed to be filtered. The mesh of this filter has a mesh size of 10 μm to 500 μm (preferably 50 μm to 30 μm).
0μ) is used. This filter 46
For example, it is replaced every time a predetermined amount of the waterless planographic plate 12 is processed. A flow sensor (not shown) is provided in the middle of the pipe 38 to detect the flow rate of the developing water passing through the pipe 38, and when the flow rate of the developing water passing through the pipe 38 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate, the filter 46 is turned off. The replacement time may be notified.
A general flow meter can be used as the flow sensor, but a rotary sensor is preferable in order to reduce the size of the device.

A conduit 56 is opened and closed by a valve 54 between a valve 55 and the developing water recovery tank 22.
When the valve 54 is opened, the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 can be discharged to a substantially entire discharge tank (not shown) or the like.

An overflow pipe 50 is provided in the developing water collecting tank 22. The overflow pipe 50 has one end protruding from a liquid surface of the developing water at a predetermined height, and the other end connected to the pipe 56. When the amount of the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 reaches a predetermined value or more and reaches the upper end opening of the overflow pipe 50, the developing water on the outermost layer is discharged by the overflow pipe 50. The height of the overflow pipe 50 from the bottom of the developing water collecting tank 22 corresponds to the highest liquid level (overflow level) of the developing water contained in the developing water collecting tank 22.

One end of a pipe 58 is opened in the developing section 14, and the other end of the pipe 58 is connected to a water supply pipe outside the waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10 via a valve 60. By opening this valve 60, the developing water can be supplied to the developing section 14 of the lithographic developing apparatus 10 without water. That is, as described above, in the waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10 used in this embodiment, tap water is used as the developing water. The pipe 58 for supplying the developing water is connected to the developing unit 14.
The developing water supplied from the pipe 58 flows into the developing water collecting tank 22 along the bottom plate 18A of the auxiliary tank 18.

A solenoid valve 62 and a flow meter 64 with a regulating valve are arranged in a pipe 58 to which tap water is supplied, and these are connected to the control device 52 . The control device 52 opens the solenoid valve 62 to supply tap water to waterless lithographic developing device 10. The control device 5
2, while adjusting the flow rate of the developing water to be supplied to the developing unit 14 by the flow meter 64 with regulating valve, so as to integrate the supply amount of the developing water. When the integrated value of the supply amount of the developing water reaches a predetermined value, replacement of the filter 46, replacement of the developing water, and the like may be performed.

A pipe 58 for supplying tap water is branched between a solenoid valve 62 and a flow meter 64 with a regulating valve, and a dyeing water tank 12 for supplying water to the dyeing section 16 is provided.
8. A float valve 66 is provided at the tip of the branched pipe 58A, and tap water flows in when the liquid level in the dyeing water tank 128 becomes lower than a predetermined level.

The pipe 58 is provided with a cleaning hose 70 via a valve 68 so that the developing section 14 and the dyeing section 16 in the waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10 can be cleaned with tap water.

In this embodiment, tap water is drawn directly into the lithographic developing apparatus 10 without water. However, a tank for storing developing water is provided in the apparatus, and the water in this tank is pumped up by a water supply pump for developing. You may make it supply to the part 14 and the dyeing | staining part 16.

Waterless lithographic developing apparatus 1 applied to this embodiment
0, the passing amount of the waterless lithographic plate 12, that is, the processing amount (the area of the waterless lithographic plate 12), which is disposed on the entrance side of the developing unit 14
Is provided, and is connected to the control device 52. In the waterless planographic detector 86, a plurality of photoelectric tubes are arranged along the width direction of the waterless planographic plate 12,
By measuring the time required for the waterless lithographic plate 12 to pass above the waterless lithographic detector 86, the controller 52 can integrate the throughput of the waterless lithographic plate 12. The waterless lithographic detector 86 may be arranged along the width direction to calculate the area of the plate surface by measuring the width and length of the waterless lithographic plate 12 passing therethrough. The length in the width direction of each sheet may be input in advance to the apparatus, and the area may be calculated by detecting the length of the waterless lithographic plate 12 with one photoelectric tube. When the waterless lithographic detector 86 detects the insertion of the waterless lithographic plate 12, the solenoid valve 62 is opened to supply the developing unit 14 with the developing water.

A heater 88 is provided at the bottom of the developing water collecting tank 22.
Is arranged. The heater 88 is connected to a power supply (not shown) to heat the developing water. The heater 88 sets the temperature of the developing water to 15 ° to 60 ° (preferably 25 ° to 50 °). The developing time in this apparatus is 10 seconds to 3 minutes (preferably 3 seconds).
0 second to 2 minutes), and the staining time is 5 seconds to 1 minute.
Minutes (preferably 10 seconds to 30 seconds).

Next, the dyeing section 16 will be described. The dyeing tank main body 90 of the dyeing section 16 is opened upward like the developing tank main body 20, the bottom is formed in an inverted mountain shape, the dyeing liquid collecting tank 92 is formed in the center of the bottom, and the developing water collecting tank 22 is formed. It is arranged adjacent to. Above the dyeing tank main body 90, a transport path for the waterless lithographic plate 12 is formed. The dyeing tank main body 90 has an open surface whose upper end is open wide .
In addition, a concave portion serving as a staining liquid recovery tank 92 is formed at the center. The staining liquid is stored in the staining liquid recovery tank 92. The details of the stain recovery tank 92 will be described later.

On the upper part of the dyeing tank main body 90, there is provided a lithographic plate 1 without water.
Along the transport direction 2, transport roller pairs 94 and 96 are sequentially arranged from the entrance side to the dyeing tank main body 90. The transport roller pairs 94 and 96 are supported by a rack side plate (not shown), and rotate by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown).
The lithographic plate 12 without water is pinched and transported. These transport roller pairs 94 and 96 are formed of a general rubber material so as not to damage the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12 to be transported.

The upper end of the pair of transport rollers 94 is in contact with the tip of a blade 95, which, like the blade 33, scrapes off the developing residue adhering to the pair of transport rollers 94 and transports the same. The smoothness of the surface of the roller pair 94 is maintained. The blade 95 also has a role of preventing backflow.

A transport roller pair 98 is disposed downstream of the waterless lithographic plate 12 in the dyeing tank main body 90 in the transport direction. The transport roller pair 98 is made of a roll material such as NBR rubber (nitrile butadiene rubber) or a Molton roller, so that the wiping property of the dyeing liquid is improved.

A brush roller 100 is arranged between the pair of transport rollers 94 and 96. The brush roller 100 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) similarly to the pair of transport rollers 94 and 96, and a driving force of a drive unit (not shown) is transmitted to rotate the brush roller 100 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the pair of transport rollers 94 (clockwise in FIG. 2). ). The brush roller 100 is formed by planting a brush material in a roll made of plastic or metal. The brush roller 100 is rotated in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) opposite to the conveying direction of the waterless lithographic plate 12 to thereby rotate the waterless lithographic plate 12. Is designed to rub the surface. The rotation speed of the brush roller 100 is 100 to 800r
pm (preferably 200 to 600 rpm).

A roller 32 is arranged below the brush roller 100 similarly to the lower part of the brush roller 30, and a guide plate 31 is provided adjacent to the upstream side of the roller 32. For this reason, the waterless planographic plate 12 is inserted between the roller 32 and the brush roller 100 in a substantially horizontal state, and the dyeing liquid is applied to the surface by the brush roller 100. At this time, the guide plate 31 also has a role of preventing waterless lithographic 12 vignetting.

Around the brush roller 100, spray pipes 104 and 105 are provided. The supply of the processing liquid to the brush roller 100 is performed to a spray pipe 104 disposed at an upper portion on the upstream side thereof through a rectifying plate 106 extending substantially below and near the brush roller 100. Discharge ports (not shown) are provided at predetermined intervals along the axial direction of the brush roller 100 in the spray pipe 104 toward the current plate 106.

The spray pipe 104 communicates with a dye supply device described later via a conduit 110. As a result, the dyeing liquid is sent to the spray pipe 104, discharged to the current plate 106, guided by the current plate 106, and supplied to the brush roller 100. At this time, the dyeing liquid spreads while flowing down on the current plate 106 and is uniformly supplied onto the brush roller 100. The current plate 106 reduces foaming as much as possible.

The spray pipe 105 on the downstream side of the brush roller 100 is provided with a rectifying plate 108 extending between the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 96. The spray pipe 105 has a discharge port (not shown).
Are provided along the axial direction in opposition to the current plate 108. Spray pipe 105 is spray pipe 1
As in the case of 04, it is communicated with a staining solution supply device described later via a conduit 110, and when the staining solution is supplied from the staining solution supply device, it is discharged from the spray pipe 105 toward the straightening plate 108, The sheet is guided to 108 and supplied between the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 96. At this time, the dyeing solution spreads while flowing down on the plate of the flow straightening plate 108, and is supplied to the transport roller pair 96 in a state where the foaming amount is as small as possible.
Developing debris and the like are washed away from the surface of the pair of conveying rollers 96.

Brush roller 100 and spray pipe 10
Above 4, 105, a brush cover 107 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed. The brush cover 107 rotates the brush roller 100 and the spray pipe 104,
The scattering of the dyeing solution by 105 is prevented.

The staining liquid supply device includes a circulation pump 114, a filter 116, a circulation pump 114 and a staining liquid recovery tank 92.
And a conduit 118 communicating the same. The pipeline 110 communicates with the discharge port side of the circulation pump 114, and one end of a pipeline 118 communicates with the suction port side. Circulation pump 1
14 is connected to a control device 52, and when the circulation pump 114 is operated by the control device 52, the stain recovery tank 9
2 is sucked into the circulation pump 114 through the line 118, and is sprayed from the line 110 to the spray pipes 104, 1.
05.

A filter 116 is provided in the middle of the pipe 118, and the residue in the dyeing solution passing through the pipe 118 (mainly brought from the developing unit and scraped off from the surface of the waterless planographic plate 12) Developed residue such as a silicone rubber layer) is removed.

The dyeing liquid replenishing apparatus includes a dyeing liquid tank 122 containing a dyeing liquid, a dyeing liquid supply pump 124 for supplying the dyeing liquid into the dyeing liquid recovery tank 92, and a dyeing liquid supply to the dyeing liquid recovery tank 92. It is composed of a water tank 128 for thinning the liquid and a water supply pump 130. Replenisher for staining solution
And the ratio of dilution water are arbitrary,
So that it can be changed like dilution water "1-9"
It is desirable.

One end of a pipe 126 is connected to the staining liquid tank 122, and the other end of the pipe 126 is opened to a replenishing cylinder 132 disposed adjacent to the staining liquid recovery tank 92. A dye supply pump 124 is provided in the middle of the pipe 126. In addition, the replenishing cylinder 132 has the other end of the pipe 134 whose one end is opened in the water tank 128. A water supply pump 130 is provided at an intermediate portion of the pipe 134. The dye supply pump 124 and the water supply pump 130 are connected to the control device 52. Thus, when the control device 52 operates the dye supply pump 124 or the water supply pump 130, the dye or water is supplied to the dye recovery tank 92 as the dye via the replenishing cylinder 132. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the staining solution recovery tank 9
Numeral 2 is a concave portion formed in the center of the dyeing tank main body 90, and stores the dyeing solution at the bottom. The dyeing solution applied to the waterless lithographic plate 12 conveyed in the dyeing section 16 is received by the opening of the dyeing tank main body 90 and stored in the dyeing solution recovery tank 92. The side plate 15C of the casing 15 is fitted into the opening of the dyeing tank main body 90 so that the dyeing liquid does not jump out of the tank of the dyeing tank main body 90 even if it scatters.

An overflow pipe 91 penetrates through the bottom of the stain recovery tank 92, and the upper end of the overflow pipe 91 reaches the vicinity of the upper portion of the stain recovery tank 92 and is opened. The other end of the overflow pipe 91 is
It is opened in the waste liquid tank 72 (shown in FIG. 2). The upper end of the overflow pipe 91, the dyeing solution recovery tank 92
Than the upper level of the liquid surface of the dyeing solution recovery tank 92 below the opening
The upper overflow level (see Figure 3)
You. The dye solution applied to the waterless lithographic plate 12 is foamed by the brush roller 100, and when the bubbles of the dye solution are collected in the dye solution recovery tank 92 and grow in the dye solution recovery tank 92, the dye solution passes over the upper end of the overflow pipe 91. Then, these bubbles flow into the overflow pipe 91 and are discharged into the waste liquid tank 72. For this reason, the bubbles of the staining liquid do not exceed the opening of the developing tank main body 90.

As shown in FIG.
One end of the pipe 144 is opened at the bottom of the pipe. The other end of the pipe 144 communicates with the bottom of the liquid level measuring tank 142 so that the liquid level of the liquid level measuring tank 142 and the liquid level of the bubble-free stain in the stain recovery tank 92 are maintained. They are almost the same.

As shown in FIG. 3, this liquid level measuring tank 1
A liquid level gauge 146 is provided at 42. This liquid level meter 1
46 is connected to the control device 52. Level gauge 146
Is provided with a float 150 and an electrode 152. When the liquid level falls below a predetermined range (lower limit level), it is detected by the float 150, and when the liquid level of the staining liquid rises and exceeds a predetermined level. (Upper limit level) electrode 152
Is to be detected. The control device 52 includes:
When the liquid level of the staining liquid in the liquid level measuring tank 142 falls outside a predetermined level, an alarm is issued to notify the worker. The liquid level gauge 146 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it can detect whether or not the liquid level of the staining liquid in the liquid level measuring tank 142 is out of a predetermined level range.

In the staining solution recovery tank 92, the staining solution is replenished so as to maintain the level of the staining solution at a predetermined level. For example, in the staining liquid collecting tank 92, the volumes of the staining liquid collecting tank 92 at the upper and lower limit level positions are each 1
It is set to 2.8 liters and 9.4 liters. The capacity up to the upper end (overflow level) of the overflow pipe 91 is set to 19.7 liters.

The capacity of the staining solution recovery tank 92 is determined in consideration of the components of the staining solution, the processing capacity of the waterless lithographic plate 12, and the like.
The setting is made so as to prevent unnecessary discharge of bubbles of the staining solution. Incidentally, the replenishment of the normal stain is made in accordance with the processing amount of waterless planographic 12, the replenishing amount is 5-1
It is set to 00 cc / m ² (preferably 10 to 60 cc / m ² ). Further, in the waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10, the level of the dyeing liquid is set to be near the upper limit level when the stoppage of the apparatus is stabilized, so that even if the apparatus is operated and the dyeing liquid is circulated, the dyeing liquid is collected. The level of the dyeing liquid in the tank 92 does not fall below the lower limit level. Also, staining solution
Replenishment based on the level of the staining solution
It does not matter. As a method, the operation switch
Immediately after loading, the level of the staining solution reaches the specified level.
Supplementation or the level of the staining solution at regular intervals
Bell replenishment included. Level of the staining solution at regular intervals
The replenishment based on the standard is, for example, the staining solution is specified every 2 hours.
Automatically determines whether the liquid level has reached
If the specified liquid level has not been reached,
Replenish the staining solution until the level is reached.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a heater 88 is provided at the bottom of the staining solution recovery tank 92, and is connected to a power supply (not shown) to heat the staining solution to maintain the solution temperature at a predetermined temperature. It is set to keep within the range. The temperature of the staining solution is set at 15 to 45 ° C. (preferably 20 to 40 ° C.), and is controlled by the control device 52. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower limit level of the staining liquid is set so that the heater 88 is immersed in the staining liquid, thereby preventing the heater 88 from being idled.

Further, the lithographic developing apparatus 10 without water is connected to the developing water collecting tank 22 through a pipe 138, and a liquid level measuring tank for maintaining the liquid level of the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 within a predetermined range. 136 are provided. A liquid level gauge 146 is also provided in the liquid level measuring tank 136, and monitors the liquid level of the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 so as not to fall outside a predetermined range.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Waterless image was baked at image sintered TsukeSo location not shown planographic 12 is inserted into the developing unit 14 after passing through the upper of the waterless planographic detector 86. The exposed portion of the photosensitive layer of the waterless lithographic plate 12 inserted into the developing tank 14, that is, the exposed portion is cured and adheres to the silicone rubber layer, and the unexposed portion is exposed.
The photosensitive layer has a swelling or elutable state by the developing water.

In this state, after the protective film laminated to protect the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12 is peeled off, the waterless lithographic plate 12 is inserted into the developing section 14. The developing water jetted from the spray pipe 34 is applied to the surface of the waterless planographic plate 12 while being nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 24 and 25 of the developing unit 14. Thereby, the photosensitive layer in the unexposed portion (image portion) of the waterless planographic plate 12 swells, and the silicone rubber layer is easily peeled off from the support.

Further, the lithographic plate 12 without water is provided with a pair of transport rollers 26.
The brush roller 30 and the roller 32
Inserted between Brush roller 30 is lithographic plate 1 without water
2 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2), and rubs the upper surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12 passing over the roller 32. Developing water is also supplied to the brush roller 30. The surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12 is rubbed by the brush roller 30 while the developing water is applied, and the silicone rubber layer on the photosensitive layer swollen or eluted by the developing water is removed. Is scraped off. This is the waterless planographic 12 exposed portion (non-image portion) to correspond to that sensitive optical layer, the remaining silicone rubber layer, a positive image is formed.

The surplus developing water after development of the developing water applied to the surface of the waterless planographic plate 12 falls into the developing water collecting tank 22 and is collected.

Further, the waterless lithographic plate 12 from which the unexposed portion (image portion) of the silicone rubber layer has been scraped off by the brush roller 30 is applied again with developing water when it is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 28, and The developing water is squeezed out when sent out to the pair 28. The lithographic plate 12 without water in this state is inserted between the pair of conveying rollers 94 of the dyeing section 16.

In the dyeing section 16, the waterless lithographic plate 12 is nipped and transported by the transport roller pair 94 and inserted between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32. This brush roller 100
Rotates in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the waterless planographic plate 12 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2), and applies the dyeing liquid guided and supplied to the current plate 106 to the upper surface of the waterless planographic plate 12. As a result, the dyeing solution adheres to the photosensitive layer, that is, the unexposed portion (image portion), and is dyed.

Further, the waterless lithographic plate 12 has a pair of conveying rollers 96.
The dyeing liquid is squeezed out while being squeezed while being applied to the surface of the upper roller of the pair of transport rollers 96 and guided by the rectifying plate 106 and supplied to the roller. The waterless lithographic plate 12 is dyed, so that the image portion and the non-image portion can be easily distinguished, and the plate inspection work is facilitated.

The waterless lithographic plate 12 having the image portion dyed thereon is sent out from the dyeing portion 16 and then inserted between the pair of transport rollers 98, and the dyeing liquid remaining on the surface is wiped off. After this, a washing and drying step may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing water collecting tank 22
The developing water is supplied to the spray pipes 34, 40 and 42 by the operation of the circulation pump 44, and is applied to the waterless lithographic plate 12 transported through the developing unit 14. Excessive developing water after application of the waterless lithographic plate 12 falls and is collected in the developing water collecting tank 22. The developing water collected in the developing water recovery tank 22 contains a mixture of developing residues such as a silicone rubber layer peeled off from the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12, and these developing residues are:
Since the specific gravity is lower than that of the developing water, the specific gravity is floating on the surface layer of the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22.

When the waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10 is operated, the solenoid valve 62 is opened with the processing of the waterless lithographic plate 12, and tap water as developing water is supplied into the developing water collecting tank 22 of the developing section 14. As a result, in the developing water collecting tank 22, the surplus developing water is discharged from the overflow pipe 50 together with the developing residue. In the developing water recovery tank 22, the supply of the developing water and the discharge of the dirty developing water are performed at the same time, and the waterless lithographic plate 12 can be subjected to the developing treatment with the relatively fresh developing water. In addition, the developing water collecting tank 22 may be provided with a scum removing means for separating and discharging only the developing scum from the developing water.

The developing water may be supplied to the developing water collecting tank 22 by detecting the waterless lithographic plate 12 inserted into the developing section 14 by the waterless lithographic detector 86. In this case, the replenishment amount of water is 100-10000cc
/ Min, preferably 200 to 5000 cc / min .

In the next dyeing section 16, the dyeing solution is applied to the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12, and the excess dyeing solution is collected in a dyeing solution recovery tank 92. Developing water adheres and remains on the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12 inserted into the dyeing section 16, so that the developing water is carried into the dyeing liquid collected in the dyeing liquid collecting tank 92 after dyeing. In addition, the dyeing solution deteriorates depending on the dyeing amount of the waterless lithographic plate 12. For this reason, based on the detection result of the area of the waterless lithographic plate 12 by the waterless lithographic detector 86, the control device 52 operates the dyeing liquid supply pump 124 and the water supply pump 130 at a fixed ratio and puts the dyeing liquid into the dyeing liquid collecting tank 92. And a long-term stable dyeing process can be performed without lowering the dyeing ability of the dyeing solution.

In the dyeing section 16, the surface of the waterless lithographic plate 12 is rubbed by a brush roller 100 while applying a dyeing liquid. Due to the rotation of the brush roller 100, the staining liquid scatters and collides with the inner surface of the brush cover 107 to foam. The bubbles of the staining solution are collected together with the staining solution in the staining solution collection tank 92.
Collected inside . For this reason, in the staining solution collection tank 92,
As the processing of the waterless lithographic plate 12 progresses, bubbles may gradually grow without disappearing. The bubbles on the liquid surface of the staining liquid in the staining liquid recovery tank 92 are
Even when the liquid level is within a predetermined range, it approaches the upper end level of the overflow pipe 91 as it grows. When the foam of the dyeing solution reaches the upper end of the overflow pipe 91, it flows into the overflow pipe 91 and the waste liquid tank 7
It is discharged to 2. Thus, the bubbles of the dyeing solution do not exceed the opening of the dyeing tank main body 90. That is, even if the dyeing liquid in the dyeing liquid recovery tank 92 foams and grows, the dyeing liquid does not overflow from the dyeing tank main body 90.
The seal between the opening 0 and the side plate 15C of the casing 15 can be simplified. Thereby, the assembling work of the waterless planographic developing device 10 becomes easy.

The stain in the stain recovery tank 92 is checked by the liquid level gauge 146 in the liquid level measurement tank 142 to determine whether or not the control device 52 has deviated from a predetermined liquid level (between the upper limit level and the lower limit level). Monitor the level of the staining solution to the upper limit level
Alarm when the level exceeds or falls below the lower level.
Report that the level of the staining solution is out of the specified range.
Knows that the level of the staining solution is out of the specified range.
The lithographic developing device without water 10
Prevent it from running. As a result, the staining solution can be collected
The level of the staining solution in the tank 92 falls below the lower limit level.
That the waterless lithographic developing device 10 continues to operate in the
It is possible to prevent the resulting heating of the heater 88 from being idle . Further, it is possible to prevent to the liquid surface of the staining solution rises, dyed liquid reaches the upper end of the o <br/> Bafuro tube 91, from being discharged from the overflow pipe 91.

In the present embodiment, the capacity of the staining liquid recovery tank 92 is set in consideration of the foaming state of the staining liquid from the components of the staining liquid. Is prevented from overflowing and being discharged. When bubbles of the dyeing liquid are discharged more than necessary, the replenishing amount of the dyeing liquid must be increased, but the running cost of the waterless lithographic developing device 10 can be suppressed by suppressing the discharging amount of the dyeing liquid.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the dyeing section 16 of the waterless lithographic developing apparatus 10 in which the processing liquid is particularly likely to foam. However, the present invention is applied to the developing tank main body 20 of the developing section 14. May be applied. Further, in the present embodiment, the waterless lithographic developing device 10 is applied as the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing device, but may be applied to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing device that processes other photosensitive lithographic printing plates. In particular, in an apparatus using a processing liquid that easily foams, a sealing operation for preventing liquid leakage from an opening of a processing tank can be simplified, and assembly of the apparatus becomes easy.

Further, in the present embodiment, one developing water recovery tank 22 and one staining liquid recovery tank 92 are provided for each of the developing unit 14 and the dyeing unit 16, but the number of processing tanks for storing the processing liquid is reduced. It is not limited. An apparatus that performs processing by storing the same processing liquid in a plurality of processing tanks may be used.

[0087]

As described above, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the present invention is capable of treating a photosensitive lithographic printing plate even if bubbles of the processing liquid are generated by the progress of the processing of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and grow in the processing tank.
There is no overflow from the processing tank. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the sealing of the upper opening of the processing tank, and to obtain an excellent effect that the workability in manufacturing the apparatus is remarkably improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a waterless lithographic developing apparatus applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a waterless lithographic developing apparatus applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the dyeing tank main body viewed from a transport direction of a waterless planographic plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Waterless lithographic developing apparatus (photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus) 12 Waterless lithographic printing plate (photosensitive lithographic printing plate) 14 Developing part 16 Dyeing part 20 Developing tank main body 90 Dyeing tank main body 91 Overflow pipe 92 Staining liquid recovery tank 100 Brush Roller 142 Liquid level measuring tank 146 Liquid level gauge

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-209253 (JP, A) JP-A-2-220061 (JP, A) JP-A-3-209254 (JP, A) JP-A-4-209 127160 (JP, A) JP-A-2-220060 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03F ^7/ 00-7/42

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A treated with a processing solution while conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and storing the treating solution used in the processing in the processing tank, the
The processing solution heating means provided in the processing solution in the processing tank
A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus that uses the processing liquid warmed again for processing, a liquid level detecting means for detecting a liquid level of the processing liquid stored in the processing tank;
And upper level foam processing liquid the treatment liquid to the liquid level and foam on the liquid surface does not exceed the opening surface of the processing bath
Lower limit at which the processing liquid heating means is not exposed from the processing liquid
Detection by the liquid level detection means so as to be located between the
And control means for controlling based on the result, a discharge port for discharging bubbles of the treatment liquid between the aperture surface and the upper level Yes
Photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus comprising: the discharge means, a to. 2. A deep that the processing bath followed by shallow and shallow bottom and
Wherein the shallow bottom is the outlet level and the opening surface
Photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that located between the.