JP3032660B2 - 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 in which a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is conveyed at least through a developing section and treated with a processing solution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor").
In general, a PS plate is immersed in a developing solution in a device to perform a developing process, or a developing process is performed while transporting the PS plate substantially horizontally, and then a treating solution process such as a rinsing process is performed in a rinsing section. Generally, the rinsing treatment includes a washing treatment with washing water performed after the development treatment, and a desensitization treatment performed with a gum solution or the like after the washing treatment.

A PS plate on which an image has been recorded by a printing apparatus or the like,
The developing solution is supplied to the image recording surface by various methods such as being immersed in the developing solution while being sent to the PS plate processor while being transported in the developing tank, or spraying the developing solution onto the image recording surface, and subjected to development processing. .

The developed PS plate is washed with washing water in a washing section (washing treatment), and then a gum solution is applied in a desensitizing section to protect the plate surface or both surfaces (desensitizing process). And then dried.

In general, a processing solution such as a developing solution is exposed to the outside air, so that the degree of fatigue is increased (CO ₂ fatigue) and the developing ability is reduced. There are methods to check the developing ability using a developer fatigue detection sensor, and to check the developing ability of the developer by passing the PS plate through a test before formally processing the PS plate. If the developing ability of the developing solution is known as a result, the replenishment time of the replenishing solution will be advanced, and the consumption of the replenishing solution will increase. For this reason, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 33-33, it has been considered to arrange a floating lid or the like on the liquid surface of a developing tank storing a developing solution to reduce the contact with the outside air. It is not always possible to completely seal the space between the container and the developing tank wall, and the above-mentioned floating lid alone has many gaps and is insufficient. Further, the PS plate processor has a heat generating portion for heating the developer, and the evaporation of water in the developer is considerably large. As a result, the concentration of the developer changes, and the replenisher must be replenished frequently, which makes maintenance difficult. Also, the concentration change of the processing solution due to the evaporation of the moisture of the processing solution such as the gum solution is large,
In some cases, automatic replenishment cannot cope with the situation, and the operator is forced to perform complicated manual replenishment.

Also, in a rinsing process such as a water washing process and a desensitizing process other than the developing process, a large processing solution tank for storing a processing solution that drops from the PS plate surface after processing the PS plate surface is provided. The processing liquid is pumped up by the liquid supply pump, and the processing liquid is ejected again from the spray pipe to the surface of the PS plate, so that the processing is performed. Clogging of the spray pipe due to the deposits and the like has occurred, which makes maintenance difficult and one of the factors for increasing the size of the apparatus.

[0007] In order to solve this problem, a casing around the processing section is covered with a casing, and a pair of blades for closing the insertion port and the discharge port by normally abutting against the insertion port and the discharge port of the PS plate by elastic force. There has already been considered a configuration in which each of them is attached and the outside air is prevented from entering through the insertion port and the discharge port (for example, see JP-A-3-231245).

[0008]

However, the blade can prevent the invasion of the outside air from the insertion port and the discharge port, but the effect of preventing evaporation cannot be said to be sufficient. In some cases, the PS plate cannot be stably finished due to transfer to the upper side, clogging of a hole in the spray pipe, a change in the concentration of the developer, and the like.

In particular, if the PS plate discharged from the apparatus after the desensitizing treatment is completed and the surface is wet is in contact with the blade or the like, there is a possibility that the PS plate, which is still soft, may be damaged. In some cases, a pair of blades that substantially close the discharge port could not be attached. For this reason,
The gum solution may precipitate on the surface of the transport roller located near the discharge port, damaging the surface of the PS plate to be processed first after operation starts, and cleaning the surface of the transport roller before starting operation of the device. Cleaning work such as performing the above was necessary.

In view of the above facts, the present invention more effectively prevents outside air from entering the inside of the casing to prevent deterioration of the processing solution, and performs complicated cleaning work before starting operation of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus that does not need to be performed.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus in which at least a developing solution for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is stored in a processing solution processing section, and the processing solution is supplied through an insertion port. A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus which processes the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to be inserted while transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate with the developing solution and sends the processed lithographic printing plate from an outlet, wherein the processing solution processing section is accommodated therein and A casing in which a port and the discharge port are formed and a first shielding means provided near the insertion port for preventing gas flow between the outside of the apparatus and the processing liquid processing unit; and an upstream side of the discharge port. A roller pair disposed adjacent to the discharge port to feed the photosensitive lithographic printing plate from the discharge port, and a device attached to the peripheral edge of the opening of the discharge port and slidably in contact with the peripheral surface and the end surface of the roller pair. Outside and the above processing And having a second shielding means for preventing the flow of gas between the processing unit.

A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus is provided at an outlet of the casing and at least when the apparatus is stopped operating. A shutter that closes an outlet to prevent outside air from entering and opens an outlet when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate passes.

[0013]

[Acting photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, Rutotomoni provided <br/> the first screening means to the insertion opening neighborhood of the casing, the opening edge of the discharge port, the discharge Next to the exit
A second shielding means is provided which is in sliding contact with the peripheral surface and the end surface of the roller pair which is arranged in the vertical direction . This prevents outside air from flowing into the processing liquid processing unit from outside the apparatus. Also,
It is possible to prevent the air including the above generated by the processing liquid processing section from the processing liquid processing section to the outside of the apparatus.

After the processing is completed, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate sent out from the processing liquid processing section is nipped and conveyed by a pair of rollers adjacent to the discharge port on the upstream side of the discharge port and conveyed by the second shielding means. It is sent to the outlet through the road. At this time, since the photosensitive lithographic printing plate contacts only the roller and does not contact the second shielding means, for example, the gum solution applied to the surface does not become uneven.

In addition, when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not discharged from the discharge port, as well as when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is discharged, the airtightness of the processing liquid processing section is maintained, the deterioration of the developing processing liquid due to carbon dioxide gas can be prevented, and the evaporation of moisture can be prevented. Therefore, the stability of the processing with the processing liquid can be improved, and the amount of the replenishing liquid to be replenished according to the evaporation and the fatigue due to the carbon dioxide gas can be reduced.

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a shutter at the discharge port, and the shutter closes the discharge port at least when the operation of the apparatus is stopped, so that outside air enters the casing. I try not to. For this reason, the transporting rollers and the like in the casing near the discharge port are exposed to the outside air, and the processing liquid adheres, and solid matter adheres to the transported photosensitive lithographic printing plate, or the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is damaged. Can be prevented.

[0017]

1 and 2 show a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a "PS plate processor") 10 according to the present embodiment. PS version processor 10,
The photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter, referred to as “PS plate”) 12 on which an image is printed by a printing device (not shown) is developed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PS plate processor 10 has an internal processing solution processing unit 11 covered with a machine casing 14. The machine frame 14 includes an upper lid 70, side plate covers 72 and 74.
And an outer panel 76 covering the lower side of the side panel covers 72, 74.
It is constituted by. Further, an insertion table 16 for sending the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 2) inward is attached to the machine casing 14. The PS plate 12 is placed on the insertion table 16 and inserted into the inside of the machine frame 14 from an opening on the back side of the insertion table 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, a developing unit 22 having a developing tank 18 in which a developing solution for developing the PS plate 12 is stored, and a developing solution A washing unit 24 for washing and washing with water, a finisher unit 26 provided with a gum solution tank 30 for storing a gum solution for applying a gum solution to the PS plate 12 after washing and desensitizing the same, from the insertion table 16. The processing liquid processing unit 11 is arranged in order along the transport direction of the PS plate 12. In addition, the washing section 2
4 is provided with a washing tank 28 for collecting washing water that has washed the PS plate 12.

The machine frame 14 is provided with a slit-shaped insertion port 102 corresponding to the inner side of the insertion table 16.
A slit-shaped outlet 104 is provided on the side opposite to 02. As shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 104 corresponds to an inlet of the drying unit 31 provided as needed downstream of the finisher unit 26. This drying section 3
For example, one that blows hot air onto both sides of the PS plate 12 while drying the PS plate 12 sent from the finisher unit 26 by using a number of rollers, and the like can be used. Further, the PS plate 1 which is processed and discharged from the PS plate processor 10 or the drying unit 31
A stocker or the like for storing plates by leaning the plate 2 may be provided.

The developing unit 2 is provided on the upper lid 70 of the upper surface of the machine frame 14.
A re-entry insertion port 150 for inserting the PS plate 12 is provided between the washing unit 24 and the washing unit 24. The PS plate 12 for performing processing other than development processing such as re-washing and application of a gum solution can be inserted through the reentry insertion port 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, a blade 152 is provided in the reentry insertion port 150. The blade 152 is made of rubber, and a tip portion thereof is brought into contact with the upper lid 70 which is a guide surface of the insertion port 150 for reentry,
The base is fixed to the back side of the upper lid 70 via the bracket 154. For this reason, the reentry insertion port 150
Are in a state of being closed by the blade 152. Here, the PS plate 12 is inserted into the reentry insertion port 150.
From above, the blade 152 elastically deforms and this P
The insertion of the S version 12 is not obstructed.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
In place of 52, PS version 1 to reentry insertion slot 150
A cover 114 may be provided to bridge the upper end of the slope 110 for guiding the second and the upper end of the vertical wall 112 erected from the reentry insertion opening 150. With these, the developing unit 22 can have a closed structure, and it is possible to prevent the developing solution from being deteriorated due to contact with carbon dioxide gas in the outside air. At this time, a cover 114 may be provided instead of the blade 152, or both the blade 152 and the cover 114 may be provided. A plate-shaped metal piece 118 is attached to an end of the lid 114, and ferrite magnets that can be protruded and retracted by a lock mechanism are housed at both ends in the conveyance width direction of the PS plate 12 near the upper end of the slope 110. Box unit (magnet type push latch) 120 with embedded iron frame
Is mounted at a position where the width in the conveying width direction is wider than that of the widest PS plate 12 that can be processed. As a result, in the state where the ferrite magnet is housed, the box unit 12
0, the ferrite magnet is locked by a lock mechanism (not shown) to hold the lid 114 in a closed state, and performs an operation such as pressing to cause the magnet to protrude.
The lid 114 placed via the pivot 8 is rotated about the shaft 116 to be pushed up and opened (in the imaginary line state in FIG. 5), so that the PS plate 12 can be inserted.

The vertical wall 112 side of the lid 114 is
And a horizontal state (closed state) by an unillustrated urging means (torsion coil spring or the like).
The ferrite magnet is projected from the lid 114 near the magnet type push latch 120 by pressing or the like, and the lid 114 is opened by the urging force of the urging means (not shown) to open the PS plate 12. You may make it insertable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper cover 70 is detachable. When the apparatus is to be maintained, the upper cover 70 is removed and the developing unit 22 and the water washing unit 2 in the machine frame 14 are removed.
4. The finisher 26 can be opened.

In the machine casing 14, a sponge member 220 is disposed at a position corresponding to the peripheral edge of the upper lid 70. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a receiving portion 222 attached to a frame 14A (for example, a material such as SUS304) in the machine frame 14 is arranged on the periphery of the opening corresponding to the upper cover 70 of the machine frame 14. The receiving portion 222 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and has one end protruding upward toward the side plate cover 72 (74) to form an upright wall 224. Sponge member 22
Numeral 0 is affixed to the receiving part 222 on the side of the processing liquid processing part 11 inside the standing wall 224.

The sponge member 220 is a resin member having closed cells. In this embodiment, the sponge member 220 is a closed cell resin of polyvinyl chloride such as Norseal (trade name, model number ^# V776, manufactured by Norton Co., Ltd.). . In addition, as a material of the sponge member 220, another product in which polyvinyl chloride is independently foamed may be used, or another resin such as a silicone resin may be independently foamed, and a resin sponge having elasticity and no water absorption is used. Can be applied.

The upper cover 70 covers the upper opening of the machine frame 14 with its lower end abutting on the sponge member 220 with the lower end of the peripheral edge approaching the inside of the upright wall 224.
0 is tightly closed to prevent outside air from entering. Further, when the water evaporated from the processing liquid processing unit 11 is condensed on the inner surface of the upper cover 70 and adheres, the water is removed from the upper cover 7.
0 and reaches the sponge member 220. At this time, since the sponge member 220 is made of a resin having closed cells, the water that has reached the sponge member 220 does not seep into the sponge member 220 and flows into the processing liquid processing unit 11 from the receiving part 222. In addition, the processing liquid processing unit 11
A groove may be provided around the periphery of the container, and the water collected in the receiving portion 222 may be discharged from this groove as waste liquid. As a result, for example, the water containing the processing liquid component condensed on the upper lid 70 between the frame 14A and the side plate cover 72 is removed from the machine frame 14
This prevents the inside of the device and the floor on which the apparatus is installed from being soiled, and the processing liquid components from causing rust and the like on the frame 14A and the like to cause corrosion.

Next, the inside of the machine casing 14 of the PS plate processor 10 will be described. As shown in FIG.
A pair of transport rollers 32 is provided on the side of the PS plate 12 inserted into the second developing tank 18 so that the PS plate 12 inserted from the insertion opening 102 is drawn into the machine frame 14. . The pair of transport rollers 32 sends the PS plate 12 toward the developing tank 18 at an angle of, for example, 15 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. In addition, this insertion port 102
Near the insertion sensor 1 for detecting the presence or absence of the PS plate 12
08 is attached. The insertion sensor 108 can recognize that the PS plate 12 exists in the apparatus.

Near the downstream side of the transport roller 32, a rubber blade 106 is mounted. Blade 106
Has a front end in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18 of the developing section 22, and has a base connected to the upper cover 70 via a bracket 156.
Mounted on The bracket 156 is attached to the fixing portion 15.
6A and a slide portion 156B attached to a fixed portion with a thumbscrew 158, and the blade 106 is fixed to the slide portion 156B. Therefore, blade 1
No. 06 has a configuration in which the tip portion can be separated from the side wall of the developing tank 18 by loosening the thumb screw 158 and sliding the slide portion 156B with respect to the fixed portion 156A.

Here, the tip of the blade 106 is usually
The PS plate 12 is in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18, and when the PS plate 12 is inserted into the insertion slot 102, the distal end of the PS plate 12 pushes the blade 106 to elastically deform and expand. The PS plate 12 is inserted into the developing unit 22 while the blade 106 is expanded as described above.

The developing tank 18 of the developing section 22 has a substantially inverted mountain shape in which an upper part is opened and a bottom central part is projected downward. In the developing tank 18, a guide plate 168, a plurality of guide rollers 34, and a rotating brush roller 170 are provided. A relatively large-diameter guide roller 36 is provided above the guide plate 168, and a rotary brush roller 38 is provided above the guide roller 34 and the rotary brush roller 170.
A guide roller 40 is provided, and a pair of rollers 42 having a function of nipping and transporting the PS plate 12 is provided at a central portion in the developing tank 18.

These are rotatably wrapped between a pair of side plates (not shown) in the developing tank 18, rotate by transmitting the driving force of a driving unit (not shown), and transport the PS plate 12 at a constant speed. Is composed. In the vicinity of the bottom of the developing tank 18, a pair of rollers 42, a plurality of guide rollers 34 adjacent thereto, and a guide plate 168 are arranged so as to convey the PS plate 12, for example, with a radius of curvature of 300 to 350 mm. . Therefore, the PS plate 1 that is nipped and transported by the pair of transport rollers 32 and inserted into the developing tank 18
2 is obliquely conveyed between the guide plate 168 and the guide roller 36 and is inserted between the rollers 42. The roller 42 is configured to pinch the PS plate 12 and apply a conveying force.

The PS plate 12 sent out from the roller 42
Is obliquely directed upward by a guide roller 34 and is discharged from the developing tank 18 while being guided by the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 and the guide roller 40. Thus, the PS plate 12 is smoothly and reliably conveyed while being immersed in the developer without applying excessive force. The rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 serve to remove waste and the like from the photosensitive layer surface of the PS plate 12 to promote development, and exclusively process the single-sided PS plate 12 with the photosensitive layer facing upward. At this time, a normal guide roller may be arranged instead of the rotating brush roller 170.

The spray pipe 44 closest to the downstream side of the roller 42 has a skewer-type roller shape with a plurality of elastic rotating members supported on the outer periphery thereof, and also has a role of guiding the PS plate 12. A discharge port (not shown) is provided between the rotating members to communicate the outer circumference and the inside of the pipe.
The spray pipe 17 is located below the guide plate 168.
2 are provided. The spray pipe 172 is provided with a large number of discharge ports (not shown) communicating with the inside along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow pipe, and is arranged so that the axial direction is along the width direction of the transport path. These spray pipes 4
The developing solution is supplied to the developing tank 4 and 172 by a circulating means described later, and the developing solution is discharged toward the bottom of the developing tank 18 to uniformly stir the developing solution in the developing tank 18. It has become.

A floating lid 5 is provided on the developer liquid surface side in the developing tank 18.
0 is arranged. A portion corresponding to the rotating brush roller 38 and the guide roller 40 adjacent thereto is projected in a substantially arc shape, and the floating lid 50 is brought into close contact with the developing solution surface in order to minimize the contact between the developing solution surface and air. The PS plate 1 of the floating lid 50 is moved up and down according to the increase and decrease of the liquid.
Both ends in the conveying direction are attached to a side plate (not shown) by a slidable structure. As the material, a lightweight material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polyamide is selected.

The end of the blade 174 is in contact with the downstream end of the floating lid 50 in the transport direction. This blade 1
74 is made of rubber and fixed to the upper lid 70 via a bracket 176. The level of the developer exposed from the downstream end in the transport direction of the floating lid 50 by the blade 174 and the floating lid 50
The upper part of the floating lid 50 is completely isolated from the outside air by the blade 106 (in a state in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18) near the insertion port 102, Evaporation of the developer can be suppressed.

At the most downstream side in the transport direction of the developing tank 18, P
A roller pair 54 for nipping and transporting the S plate 12 and squeezing the developer from the surface of the PS plate 12 is arranged.
The developer is squeezed out from the surface of the PS plate 12 sent from the developing unit 22 to the washing unit 24.

Above the washing tank 28 of the washing section 24, two pairs of conveying rollers 52 and 53 (hereinafter, referred to as an upstream roller pair 52 and a downstream roller pair 53 as needed) are separately described. It is arranged. These transport rollers 52, 5
Numeral 3 is rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and is configured to rotate by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown), forming a transport path for the PS plate 12 fed from the developing unit 22. ing. The leading end of the PS plate 12 sent from the developing unit 22 is guided so as to contact the upper part of the lower roller of the upstream roller pair 52.
Further, the leading end of the PS plate 12 discharged from the upstream roller pair 52 is guided so as to contact the upper part of the lower roller of the downstream roller pair 53.

The washing tank 28 collects washing water after washing off the developing solution from the PS plate 12 sent out from the developing tank 18. On the upstream side of the downstream roller pair 53 and above the transport path, a spray pipe 56 is provided. The spray pipe 56 is provided along the axis of the downstream roller pair 53, and A discharge port (not shown) communicating with the inside is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the roller.

Wash water is supplied to the spray pipe 56 by a water supply means described later. The wash water is dropped on the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53, and the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53 is supplied to the spray pipe 56. Is rotated, the washing water quickly spreads on the surface of the PS plate 12, and the PS
The surface of the printing plate 12 is washed with washing water. Further, the washing water after washing is applied to the receiving tray 62 from both ends in the width direction of the PS plate 12.
It is configured to fall to In addition, spray pipe 5
The timing at which the washing water is supplied to 6 is the time when the leading end of the PS plate 12 reaches the downstream roller pair 53, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the insertion sensor 108 detects the PS plate 12.

The receiving tray 62 is disposed below the transport rollers 52 and 53, and holds the lower end of the lower roller of the transport roller 53 in the first tank 64 that houses the lower end of the lower roller of the transport roller 52. The second tank 66 to be accommodated and the first tank 64
And an intermediate tank 68 connecting between the first tank 66 and the second tank 66. The washing water dropped from the spray pipe 56 is
The water collected in the second tank 66 and overflowed from the second tank 66 flows into the first tank 64 via the intermediate tank 68. The excess water in the first tank 64 overflows to the washing tank 28. The lower rollers of the transport rollers 52 and 53 pump up the water in the tray 62 and
And the upper transport rollers 52 and 53 are prevented from drying out.

Further, as described above, the washed water that has been pumped up is pumped before the abutment because the leading end of the PS plate 12 abuts on each lower roller, and the contact between the upper roller and the lower roller occurs. Washing water retained in the section is PS version 12
, So that the water can be reliably washed from the tip of the PS plate 12. Note that an overflow pipe 210 is provided in the washing tank 28, and when the overflow level exceeds a predetermined level, the overflow pipe 210 is discarded to a waste liquid tank 184.

The PS plate 12 washed in the washing section 24 is sent to the finisher section 26. Finisher section 26
A pair of transport rollers 78 are provided above the gum solution tank 30 of the PS plate 12 and the PS plate 12 fed from the washing section 24.
Are guided to the transport roller 78. In this case, the line connecting the axes of the upper roller and the lower roller of the downstream roller pair 53 is inclined about 10 ° clockwise with respect to the perpendicular. Thus, the transport of the PS plate 12 by the finisher unit 26 has an inclined surface that gradually decreases along the transport direction, so that the gum solution on the PS plate 12 does not flow into the washing unit 24.

On the upstream side of the transport roller 78, spray pipes 82 and 188 are provided in the vertical direction of the transport path. Each of the spray pipes 82 and 188 is provided with a discharge port (not shown) communicating with the inside on the outer periphery, and discharges a gum solution supplied by a circulating means described later and supplies the gum solution to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. It is supposed to. A guide plate 84 is attached around the spray pipe 82 so as to guide the transport of the PS plate 12 and to spread the gum solution from the spray pipe 82 down onto the surface of the PS plate 12 while diffusing it. ing.

On the other hand, the spray pipe 188 and the PS plate 12
A guide plate 86 is disposed along the conveyance path between the conveyances. The upstream end of the guide plate 86 is bent at a substantially right angle to form a vertical wall portion 86A, and has a substantially L-shape as a whole. Corresponding to the vertical wall portion 86A, the vertical wall portion 86
A crank-shaped bracket 88 having a vertical wall portion 88A parallel to A is provided. The vertical wall portion 88A and the bottom plate portion 88B of the bracket 88 and the vertical wall portion 86A of the guide plate 86
Thereby, a vertical groove 90 is formed. In this vertical groove 90,
The gum solution discharged from the spray pipe 188 flows through a hole provided in the vertical wall portion 86A, and the gum solution overflows from the upper end opening and passes through the upper surface of the guide plate 86.
It is made to adhere uniformly to the back surface of the S plate 12. A hard sponge 92 is provided at the bottom of the vertical groove 90 to prevent the leakage of the gum solution.

The gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 in this manner is squeezed by the conveying roller 78 at the portion which is excessively adhered, and is uniformly applied. The squeezed gum solution is collected in the gum solution tank 30. Also,
A part of the lower roller of the transport roller 78 is a gum solution tank 3.
It is immersed in the gum solution within 0. Therefore, the transport rollers 7
The gum solution taken out by the lower roller 8 is mainly applied to the back side of the PS plate 12 and the upper conveying roller 7
8 to prevent the gum solution from depositing and sticking to the surface of the transport roller 78.

The PS plate 12 that has been processed in the finisher 26 passes through the outlet 104 and is sent to the drying unit 31. As shown in FIG. 5, a substantially box-shaped guide bracket 226 protrudes from an inner wall 14B of the machine casing 14 at the outlet 104, and the PS plate 12 passes through the guide bracket 226 and is discharged. The outlet 104 is reached.

The transport roller 78 of the guide bracket 226
A rubber blade 228 (only the upper blade is shown in FIG. 5) extends toward the peripheral surface of the upper roller and the lower roller of the transport roller 78 at the upper and lower sides of the transport roller 78, respectively. The tips of the blades 228 are each in contact with the peripheral surface along the axial direction of the roller. The guide bracket 226 has blades 23 extending from both ends in the longitudinal direction toward both end faces of the respective rollers of the transport roller 78.
0 is extended. The extended tips of the blades 230 are in contact with the respective end faces of the upper and lower rollers of the transport roller 78.

For this reason, the transfer roller 78 is
4, there is formed a transport path for the PS plate 12, which is partitioned by shielding means composed of the blades 228, 230 and the guide bracket 226. Also, outlet 1
04 and the processing solution processing section 11 (finisher section 26) are blocked by a shielding means including the transport roller 78, the blades 228 and 230, and the guide bracket 226. The outside air is prevented from flowing into the processing liquid processing unit 11 from 104.

Further, as shown in FIG.
4B, a shutter 94 is provided. The shutter 94 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a longitudinal direction is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the outlet 104. Ribs 232 extend from both ends of the shutter 94, and the ribs 232 are slidably inserted into guides 234 provided on the inner wall 14B. The guide 234 forms a groove with the inner wall 14B along the vertical direction,
This allows the shutter 94 to move up and down.

A roller 236 is rotatably provided at a lower portion in the center of the shutter 94 in the longitudinal direction, and a coil spring 252 for urging the shutter 94 downward is provided near one end in the longitudinal direction. ing. The peripheral surface of the roller 236 corresponds to the peripheral surface of an eccentric cam 242 attached to a shaft 240 rotatably supported between the inner wall 14 </ b> B and the bracket 238. Own weight and coil spring 2
The urging force of 52 abuts on the eccentric cam 242.
The shaft 240 has a rotating shaft 24 of the motor 246.
Endless belt 250 between pulley 248 provided on 6A
Is wound around the pulley 244.

Therefore, the shutter 94 closes the outlet 104 by the rotation of the motor 246 (see FIG. 5).
Are indicated by two-dot chain lines, and are indicated by solid lines in FIG.
Is opened to allow the PS plate 12 to pass through (see FIG. 5).
(Indicated by a solid line). Around the shutter 94, a limit switch 254 for detecting the upper limit position of the shutter 94, a limit switch 256 for detecting the lower limit position are provided, and an upper limit pin 258 and a lower limit pin for setting the movement limit of the shutter 94. 260 is provided to prevent separation from the guide 234.

The motor 246 has the insertion sensor 108
When the leading end of the S-plate 12 is detected, the shutter 94 is driven to move the shutter 94 downward until the limit switch 256 operates to open the discharge port 104. After a lapse of a predetermined time until the PS plate 12 has passed through the outlet 104, the PS plate 12 is driven to rotate, and the shutter 94 is moved upward until the limit switch 254 is operated to close the outlet 104.

The shutter 94 is closed when the operation of the PS plate processor 10 is stopped, so as to close the inside of the machine frame 14 from the outside. However, when the PS plate 12 passes through the outlet 104, the shutter 94 is closed. Only the shutter 94 is opened, and the warm air from the outside air or the drying unit 31 is unnecessarily blown from the machine frame 1.
4 may be prevented from flowing.

Next, the replenishment and circulation of each processing solution in the developing unit 22, the washing unit 24, and the finisher unit 26 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the PS plate processor 1
0 indicates a developer replenisher tank 12 for storing the developer replenisher.
2. A gum replenisher tank 124 for storing a gum replenisher and a water storage tank 126 for storing water are arranged. One end of a pipe 130 provided with a water supply pump 128 at an intermediate portion is opened in the water storage tank 126.
The other end of 0 is connected to a spray pipe 56 provided in the washing section 24, and when the water supply pump 128 operates, the water in the water storage tank 126 is supplied to the spray pipe 56.

The developing section 22 is provided with a circulation pump 134 whose suction side communicates with the bottom of the developing tank 18. One end of a communication pipe 136 is connected to the discharge side of the circulation pump 134. The other end of the communication pipe 136 is drawn out to the side of the developing tank 18 and is connected to the spray pipes 44 and 1.
72. An intermediate portion of the communication pipe 136 is provided with a casing 140 for housing a filter and a casing 144 to which an electric conductivity sensor 142 for measuring electric conductivity of the developer is attached. Therefore, when the circulation pump 134 operates, the developing solution in the developing tank 18 is sucked, passes through the casings 140 and 144, is ejected from the spray pipes 44 and 172, is returned to the developing tank 18, and the developing solution in the developing tank 18 is developed. The liquid is circulated while being filtered. At this time, the degree of fatigue of the developer is measured.

A replenishing cylinder 160 is provided beside the developing tank 18.
A pipe 162 opened at the bottom of the refill cylinder 160 penetrates the side wall of the developing tank 18 and
0 and the developing tank 18 are communicated. One end of each of the pipes 164 and 166 is opened at an upper part of the refill cylinder 160.
The other end of the pipe 164 is connected to the developer replenisher tank 122.
And a replenishing pump 178 is provided at an intermediate portion. The other end of the other pipe 166 is opened at the bottom of the washing tank 28 and a water supply pump 180 is provided at an intermediate part.

When the replenishing pump 178 and the water supply pump 180 are operated, the replenishing solution and the water for dilution are supplied into the replenishing cylinder 160, and the developing replenisher and the water are mixed from the replenishing cylinder 160 via the pipe 162 while the developing replenisher and water are mixed. The liquid flows into the tank 18 to replenish the developing tank 18 with a replenisher. A stock tank for storing water in the washing tank 28 may be provided between the washing tank 28 and the water supply pump 180, and the water stored in this stock tank may be supplied to the refill cylinder 160.

The electric conductivity sensor 142 measures the impedance of the developer passing through the casing 144. When the value detected by the electric conductivity sensor 142 deviates from a predetermined range set in advance. The replenishing pump 178 and the water supply pump 180 are operated to replenish the developer. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing tank 18 is provided with an overflow pipe 20 for overflowing and discharging the surplus developing solution. It overflows to the tank 184.

As shown in FIG. 2, the finisher 26
The bottom of the gum solution tank 30 is connected to the suction side of the circulation pump 186, and the discharge side of the circulation pump 186
One end of the communication pipe 190 is connected. The other end of the communication pipe 190 is connected to spray pipes 82 and 188, and when the circulation pump 186 operates, the gum solution tank 30 is opened.
The gum solution inside is sucked and supplied to the spray pipes 82 and 188.

Further, a refill cylinder 196 whose bottom is communicated with the gum solution tank 30 by a pipe 198 is disposed in the finisher section 26, and one end of pipes 200 and 202 is provided above the refill cylinder 196. It is open. The other end of the pipe 200 is opened in the gum replenishing solution tank 124 and a replenishing pump 204 is provided at an intermediate part. Also,
The other end of the other pipe 202 is opened in a water storage tank 126, and a water supply pump 206 is provided at an intermediate portion.

The replenishment pump 204 and the water supply pump 2
When the 06 is activated, the gum replenisher and the water for dilution are supplied to the replenisher cylinder 196, and the gum solution is replenished while flowing into the gum solution tank 30 while mixing. As shown in FIG. 2, the gum solution tank 30 is provided with an overflow pipe 208, and when the gum solution exceeds a predetermined level, excess gum solution is guided to the waste solution tank 184 and discarded. It has become.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. PS plate 12 on which an image is recorded by a printing device (not shown) or the like
Is placed on the insertion table 16 and sent to the back of the insertion table 16. Thus, the PS plate 12 reaches the insertion slot 102. A blade 106 is disposed in the insertion port 102, and when the PS plate 12 does not elastically deform the blade 106 by pressing the blade 106, it reliably prevents outside air from entering the developing unit 22 from the insertion port 102. The PS plate 12 inserted from the insertion opening 102 is elastically deformed by the blade 106 and is smoothly fed into the developing unit 22.

Also, the tip of the PS plate 12 is
After passing through 2, the insertion sensor 108 detects the PS plate 12 and detects that the processing of the PS plate 12 has started.
Thus, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the water supply pump 128 is operated to supply water to the spray pipe 56, and the water washing of the PS plate 12 is started.

The P inserted from the insertion slot 102 of the machine frame 14
The S plate 12 is sent to the developing unit 22 by the transport roller 32 and is immersed in the developing solution in the developing tank 18. When the PS plate 12 inserted into the developing tank 18 is guided by the guide plate 168 and inserted between the rollers 42 and passes, the PS plate 12 is conveyed through the developing tank 18 by the guide rollers 34 and the like. Thereafter, the photosensitive layer side surface of the PS plate 12 is
8, 170, the development is accelerated, and unnecessary photosensitive layers are removed according to the printed image.

The developed PS plate 12 is washed with a water washing section 24.
To be transported by the transport rollers 52 and 53. At this time, since the PS plate 12 is guided so as to contact the lower roller of the transport roller 52, the washing water pumped up from the tray 62 by the rotation of the lower roller flows around the surface of the PS plate 12, When the PS plate 12 is sandwiched between the transport rollers 52, a liquid pool can be formed. This makes it possible to reliably perform the water washing process from the tip of the PS plate 12.

Thereafter, the PS plate 12 is moved to the downstream roller pair 53.
Is washed with new water dripped from the spray pipe 56 to the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53 at the timing of reaching the downstream side.
Among them, washing is performed by washing water taken out by a lower roller.

When the rinsing process is completed, the PS plate 12 is sent to the finisher unit 26 and is nipped and conveyed by conveying rollers 78. Here, the spray pipes 82, 188
Is applied and subjected to a desensitization treatment. At this time, the line connecting the axes of the upper and lower rollers of the transport roller pair 53 is inclined with respect to the perpendicular, and the tip side of the PS plate 12 is gradually lowered, so that the flow direction of the gum solution attached to the PS plate 12 is kept constant. can do.

The PS plate 12 on which the gum solution has been applied is removed while the excess gum solution is removed by the transport roller 78.
It passes between the blades 228 to reach the outlet 104.
Thereafter, the PS plate 12 is provided with a drying unit 3 provided as necessary.
Drying treatment is carried out at 1.

Here, the shutter 9 provided at the discharge port 104
4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The shutter 94 is held at an upper position to close the discharge port 104. When the insertion sensor 108 detects that the PS plate 12 has been inserted into the processing liquid processing unit 11 in the first step 300, the timer is operated in the next step 302. At the same time, the motor 246 is driven to rotate the eccentric cam 242, and the shutter 94 starts moving to the lower position (step 304). Next Step 30
In step 6, when the limit switch 256 detects the shutter 94, the driving of the motor 246 is stopped (step 30).
8). As a result, the shutter 94 moves to a predetermined lower position, the outlet 104 is opened, and the PS plate 12 can pass.

In this state, the PS plate 12 that has been processed by the processing liquid processing section 11 is sent out from the discharge port 104 by the transport rollers 78 of the finisher section 26.

In the next step 310, the insertion sensor 10
8 measures the time from the detection of the leading edge of the PS plate 12 by a timer. After a predetermined time has elapsed, that is, the time required for the transport roller 78 to complete the feeding of the PS plate 12 from the discharge port 104 is completed. After the elapse, the process proceeds to step 312, in which the motor 246 is reversely driven to move the shutter 94 upward. This shutter 94
When the limit switch 254 detects the upward movement (step 314), the driving of the motor 246 stops (step 316). As a result, the shutter 94 reaches a position where the outlet 104 is closed. This is when the device is running
This is performed every time the PS plate 12 is processed (step 31).
8).

As described above, the PS version processor 10
The developing unit 22 inside the machine casing 14 is connected to the blades 106 and 174.
By the outside of the machine and the water washing unit 24, etc.
The PS plate 12 insertion side of the finisher unit 26 is isolated from the outside of the machine or the developing unit 22 by the blades 174 and 152, and the discharge side is the conveyance roller 78 and the blades 228 and 230.
Therefore, even if the shutter 94 is in the open state while the apparatus is in operation, particularly while the PS plate 12 is being fed toward the discharge port 104 by the transport roller 78 and the shutter 94 is in the open state, Intrusion of the processing solution due to outside air can be suppressed, and the replenishment amount of the processing solution for compensating for the deterioration of the processing solution due to evaporation or carbon dioxide gas fatigue can be greatly reduced. The running cost of the device can be reduced.

Usually, the outlet 104 is provided with the shutter 9.
4, the transport roller 78, which easily comes into contact with the outside air entering from the discharge port 104, can be reliably prevented from coming into contact with the outside air, and the gum solution adheres and hardens to the surface of the transport roller 78. Can be prevented. As a result, in the conventional processing apparatus, the cleaning operation using the cleaning plate (about 1 to 3 plates) which is necessary at the start of work can be made unnecessary.

The blade 228 in contact with the transport roller 78 of the finisher 26 wipes off water droplets from the surface of the transport roller 78 when the evaporated moisture in the apparatus is condensed and adheres to the transport roller 78. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water droplets condensed on the transport roller 78 from impairing the finish of the surface of the PS plate 12 after the processing. The developing unit is configured such that the tip of the blade 156 disposed in the vicinity of the insertion port 102 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the transport roller 32 to wipe off water droplets that have condensed on the surface of the transport roller 32 and adhered thereto. A function of preventing water droplets from adhering to the surface of the PS plate 12 sent to the plate 22 may also be provided.

Note that. In the present embodiment, the movement range of the shutter 94 is detected by the limit switches 254 and 256, but the movement amount of the motor
May be controlled to open and close. The shutter 94 is not limited to being opened only when the PS plate 12 passes through the outlet 104, but may be opened during operation of the apparatus and closing the outlet 104 when operation of the apparatus is stopped.

Further, in the present embodiment, the shutter 94 is opened and closed by driving the motor 246. However, the shutter 94 may be opened and closed by other driving means. A manual type that opens 94 and closes at the end of operation may be used.

[0080]

As described above, in the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the present invention, the processing liquid processing section inside the casing can be reliably shut off from the outside air. Particularly, at least when the operation of the apparatus is stopped, the discharge port is securely closed, so that the components in the processing liquid are prevented from being deposited and hardened on the transport roller disposed near the discharge port, and the maintenance of the apparatus is simplified. be able to.

Further, since the shielding means is disposed between the discharge port and the pair of rollers for sending out the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, the processing solution treatment can be performed without bringing the shielding means into contact with the surface of the processed photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Parts can be reliably isolated from the outside of the machine, and the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not inadvertently brought into contact with a blade or the like, so that the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not damaged. Has excellent effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a PS plate processor applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a PS plate processor applied to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic piping system diagram of a PS plate processor applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing a portion between a discharge port and a pair of rollers near the discharge port.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part showing the vicinity of a shutter applied to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the reentry insertion slot.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a shutter opening / closing operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 PS plate processor (photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing device) 11 Processing liquid processing unit 12 PS plate (photosensitive lithographic printing plate) 14 Machine frame (casing) 22 Developing unit 24 Washing unit 26 Finisher unit 78 Transport roller (roller pair) 94 Shutter 102 Insertion port 104 Discharge port 150 Reentry insertion port 228, 230 Blade

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] At least a developing solution for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is stored in a processing solution processing section, and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate inserted from an insertion port is conveyed and processed by the developing solution. A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for sending out the processing liquid from the discharge port, wherein the processing liquid processing unit is accommodated therein, the insertion port and the discharge port are formed, and the processing liquid and the processing liquid are disposed in the vicinity of the insertion port. A casing provided with first shielding means for preventing gas from flowing between the processing unit, and a photosensitive lithographic printing plate disposed adjacent to the discharge port on the upstream side of the discharge port from the discharge port. A pair of rollers to be fed, and a second shield attached to the peripheral edge of the opening of the discharge port and slidingly contacting the peripheral surface and the end surface of the pair of rollers to prevent the flow of gas between the outside of the apparatus and the processing liquid processing unit. Means, DOO photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim. 2. A shutter provided at a discharge port of the casing to close the discharge port at least while the operation of the apparatus is stopped to prevent invasion of outside air and to open the discharge port when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate passes therethrough. 2. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: