JP3442585B2 - Processing solution tank for photosensitive material 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 material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material with a processing liquid, and more particularly to the structure of a processing liquid tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photosensitive materials such as films, printing papers and printing plates are processed with a processing solution such as a developing solution, a fixing solution, a stabilizing solution and a rinsing water after recording an image. As a photosensitive material processing apparatus for performing such processing, the photosensitive material is conveyed into a processing tank in which the processing liquid is stored by a conveying means composed of a plurality of conveying roller pairs, and the photosensitive material is immersed in the processing liquid. There is known an immersion type processing apparatus which performs processing by the above.

In such an immersion type processing apparatus,
Since the processing liquid deteriorates due to processing fatigue associated with the processing of the light-sensitive material, fatigue over time due to carbon dioxide gas or oxygen in the atmosphere, the deterioration of the processing liquid is recovered by supplementing the processing liquid with a replenisher. Therefore, the components of the treatment liquid at the start of treatment are different from the components of the treatment liquid when the treatment is continued thereafter, and it is impossible to perform strictly uniform treatment. Further, such an immersion type processing apparatus has a problem that a large amount of the processing solution is wasted and the maintenance property of the apparatus is poor.

As a photosensitive material processing apparatus for solving such a problem, instead of immersing the photosensitive material in the processing liquid, an amount of the processing liquid necessary for processing the photosensitive material is applied to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material. A coating type processing apparatus for performing the above processing is also used. For example, in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-7257, a wire bar or the like formed by spirally winding a wire around a shaft on a photosensitive surface of a photosensitive material after supplying a processing liquid is used as a coating type processing apparatus. There is disclosed a processing apparatus in which the measuring means is brought into contact with the photosensitive material and the amount of the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material is measured to apply only the processing liquid in an amount necessary for processing to the photosensitive material.

In such a coating type processing apparatus, the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank is supplied to a photosensitive material processing section for applying the processing liquid by a pump or the like. Then, the processing liquid, which has been supplied onto the photosensitive material and then flown out from the end portion on the photosensitive material by being measured by the measuring means or the like, is collected again in the processing liquid tank through the processing liquid recovery passage.

[0006]

As described above, the processing solution is supplied from the processing solution tank to the processing section of the photosensitive material, and
By collecting the processing liquid that was not used for processing the photosensitive material again in the processing liquid tank, while the processing liquid is being circulated, contaminants such as silver sludge generated from the photosensitive material in the processing liquid (hereinafter "Silver sludge, etc.)" is mixed.
When such silver sludge or the like is mixed in the processing liquid and applied to the photosensitive material, the photosensitive material is contaminated and processing unevenness occurs in the processed photosensitive material.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a processing solution tank of a photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of preventing silver sludge and the like from being supplied to a photosensitive material processing section together with the processing solution. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank is sucked from the suction port to be supplied to the photosensitive material processing section and is collected from the photosensitive material processing section. A processing solution tank used in a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein a processing solution is allowed to flow into a processing solution tank from a recovery port, wherein the suction port is arranged above the bottom surface of the processing solution tank, and the bottom surface is provided. Is inclined so that the suction port side is high and the recovery port side is low.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, by disposing the recovery port and the suction port apart from each other, the treatment liquid from the recovery port to the suction port is treated. A circulation passage is formed, and a heater for heating the treatment liquid and a sensor for measuring the temperature of the treatment liquid are arranged in this order in the circulation passage for the treatment liquid.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lithographic printing plate making apparatus including a processing solution tank of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention.

This plate making apparatus uses a lithographic printing plate M using a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method) as a photosensitive material,
The lithographic printing plate M is subjected to image exposure and development processing, and the lithographic printing plate M is exposed to an exposure device 2 and the lithographic printing plate M after exposure is subjected to development processing. The development processing device 3 is included.

A lithographic printing plate using a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method), particularly a lithographic printing plate having a physical development nucleus layer on a silver halide emulsion layer is disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 3,728. No. 114, No. 4,134,769, No. 4,160,670, No. 4,336,321, No. 4,501,811, No. 4,510,228, No. 4,621,041. The exposed silver halide undergoes chemical development by DTR development to become black silver and forms a hydrophilic non-image area. On the other hand, unexposed silver halide crystals are The silver salt complexing agent in the developing solution forms a silver complex that diffuses to the physical development nuclei layer on the surface and causes physical development due to the presence of nuclei to form an image area mainly composed of ink-receptive physically developed silver. Form.

First, the structure of the exposure apparatus 2 will be described. The exposure device 2 exposes the image of the original on the planographic printing plate M by projecting the reflected light from the original mounted on the original holder 12 onto the surface of the planographic printing plate M by the projection optical system 13. is there.

The document holder 12 has a translucent plate 14 on which a document is placed, and an upper lid 15 which can be opened and closed with respect to the translucent plate 14, and in a state where the document is held by driving a motor 16. In FIG. 1, it is configured to be capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line. Further, the projection optical system 13 is fixed below the reciprocating path of the document holder 12, and has a rod-shaped light source 17 for illuminating the surface of the document that is held by the document holder 12 and moves horizontally, with a rod-shaped light source 17. The light source 17 includes a plurality of folding mirrors 18 for guiding the reflected light from the document, and a projection lens 19 for projecting the reflected light guided by the plurality of folding mirrors 18 onto the planographic printing plate M.

When exposing the image of the original on the lithographic printing plate M by the exposure device 2, the original holder 12 is arranged at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the upper lid 15 is opened and the transparent plate 14 is opened. The original is placed on the original holder 12 by placing the original and closing the upper lid 15. Then, with the light source 17 turned on, the document holder 12 is moved leftward in FIG. Further, in synchronization with this, the leading end of the planographic printing plate M wound in a roll shape by the plurality of conveying rollers 22 and the guide member 23 is attached to the document holder 1
It is conveyed at the same speed as the moving speed of 2. As a result, the original document held in the original document holder 12 is sequentially irradiated with light from the light source 17. Then, the reflected light from the original document is applied to the surface of the planographic printing plate M, which moves at the same speed as the original document holder 12, through the plurality of folding mirrors 18 and the projection lens 19, so that the planographic printing plate M has an image of the original document. Exposed.

The lithographic printing plate M on which the image has been exposed is sequentially conveyed from the exposure device 2 to the subsequent development processing device 3 and processed. Further, on the exit side of the exposure device 2, a cutting device 25 having a cutter 24 that moves in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M is arranged. Cut at the rear edge of the exposed portion.

Since the planographic printing plate M in the exposure device 2 is transported at a speed lower than the planographic printing plate M in the development processing device 3, the planographic printing plate M is simply transferred to the exposure device 2 and the development processing device 3. It cannot be transported over. Further, when the planographic printing plate M is cut by the cutting device 25, it is necessary to stop the transportation of the planographic printing plate M. Therefore, the buffer unit 26 of the planographic printing plate M is disposed between the exposure device 2 and the development processing unit 3, and the buffer unit 26 is conveyed when the planographic printing plate M that has been exposed in the exposure device 2 is conveyed. By stopping the rotation of the pair of rollers 27, 28 disposed in the above for a certain period of time, the planographic printing plate M is stored in the buffer unit 26 for a certain length and then conveyed to the developing processing apparatus 3. ing.

Next, the structure of the development processing device 3 will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing the development processing apparatus 3 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the piping system thereof.

The developing processing apparatus 3 applies a developing solution (activator) to the exposed lithographic printing plate M to develop it, and a stabilizing solution (stabilizer) to the developed lithographic printing plate M. Stabilizer 33 for applying and stabilizing treatment
And a drying unit 34 for drying the lithographic printing plate M after the stabilization treatment.

The developing unit 32 is the roller 2 of the buffer unit 26.
Planographic printing plate M conveyed to developing section 32 by 7, 28
A pair of introducing rollers 41 and 42 for nipping and conveying the developer, and a developing solution application for measuring and applying a certain amount of developing solution to the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M conveyed by the pair of introducing rollers 41 and 42. Mechanism 43 and a pair of squeezing rollers 4 for removing the developer used in the developing process from the planographic printing plate M.
4, 45 and a plurality of guide members 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 for guiding the planographic printing plate M.

The lower roller 41 of the pair of introducing rollers 41, 42 is a heat roller having a built-in heater for heating the planographic printing plate M passing therethrough. The planographic printing plate M is preheated prior to the developing treatment, because the planographic printing plate M is heated by the heat capacity of the planographic printing plate M when a small amount of temperature-controlled developer is applied to the planographic printing plate M for development. This is to prevent the temperature of the developer that comes into contact with the developer from decreasing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developing solution applying mechanism 43 is connected to a developing solution tank 52 for storing a developing solution via a pump 53. A recovery tray 54 is installed below the developing solution application mechanism 43. The developer in the developer tank 52 is supplied to the developer applying mechanism 43 by the pump 53.
And is supplied onto the planographic printing plate M. The developer that has not been applied to the planographic printing plate M, such as the developer that has flowed out from both ends or the rear end of the planographic printing plate M, is collected in the recovery tray 5.
4. Drop onto 4. Furthermore, since this developing solution can be reused, the recovery pipe 5 provided at the lower end of the recovery tray 54 can be used.
The liquid is dropped onto the liquid receiving portion 56 of the developing solution tank 52 via 5 and is collected in the developing solution tank 52. A panel heater 57 is built in the developing solution tank 52, and is configured to maintain the developing solution circulating in the developing solution circulation path from the developing solution tank 52 to the developing solution application mechanism 43 at a predetermined temperature. ing.

The structure of the developer tank 52 will be described later in detail.

A collection tray 58 is installed below the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45. The fatigue developing solution removed from the lithographic printing plate M by the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 passes through the recovery hole 63 of the liquid receiving member 62 provided below the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 to collect the recovery tray 5.
Drop onto 8. Further, since this developer cannot be reused, it is discharged to the drain tank 64 via the recovery pipe 59 provided at the lower end of the recovery tray 58.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing solution applying mechanism 43 has a developing solution supply pipe 122 having a plurality of discharge holes 121 formed thereunder, and a plurality of developing solution flowing pipes at the lower end thereof. Developer receiving portion 124 having opening 123 formed therein
A coating roller 125 having a plurality of grooves on its surface and rotating in contact with the lithographic printing plate M; and a diffusion for guiding the developer flowing down from the opening 123 of the developer receiving portion 124 to the coating roller 125. The film 126 and the developer receiving portion 12
4 has a backflow prevention film 127 for preventing the backflow of the developer flowing down from the opening 123, and a backup roller 128 contacting the coating roller 125. In addition,
The arrow in FIG. 4 indicates the conveyance direction of the planographic printing plate M.

The developing solution supply pipe 122 is connected to the above-described developing solution tank 52 via the pump 53, and the developing solution is discharged from the plurality of discharge holes 121 by driving the pump 53. The developing solution is once received by the developing solution receiving section 124, and then is diffused through the plurality of openings 123.
Run down to 6. Opening 12 of developer receiving portion 124
The developer flowing down from No. 3 is temporarily stored in the contact portion between the coating roller 125 and the diffusion film 126 and diffused in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M. Then, as the coating roller 125 rotates, the developing solution passes through the grooved opening of the coating roller 125 and passes through the coating roller 125.
Moves toward the contact portion between the backup roller 128 and
A reservoir is formed there.

Then, when the planographic printing plate M passes through this liquid reservoir, a developing solution is applied to the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M. At this time, since the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M is pressed against the surface of the coating roller 125 by the backup roller 128, the developer applied to the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M is opened by the groove of the coating roller 125. A certain amount is weighed by the part. Therefore, the backup roller 128
Lithographic printing plate M that has passed through the abutting portion between the coating roller 125 and the coating roller 125.
That is, the photosensitive surface is always coated with a fixed amount of developer necessary for development.

The stabilizing section 33 is provided with a stabilizing solution applying mechanism 73 for measuring and applying a predetermined amount of stabilizing solution onto the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M conveyed from the developing section 32, and is provided for stabilization processing. It has a pair of squeezing rollers 74, 75 for removing the stabilizing liquid from the planographic printing plate M, and a plurality of guide members 76, 77, 78 for guiding the planographic printing plate M.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stabilizing solution applying mechanism 73 is connected to a stabilizing solution tank 82 for storing the stabilizing solution via a pump 83. A recovery tray 84 is installed below the stabilizing solution applying mechanism 73. The stabilizing solution in the stabilizing solution tank 82 is applied by the pump 83 to the stabilizing solution application mechanism 73.
And is supplied onto the planographic printing plate M. Then, the stabilizing solution that has not been applied to the lithographic printing plate M, such as the stabilizing solution that has flowed out from both end portions or the rear end portion of the lithographic printing plate M, is reusable and is dropped onto the recovery tray 84. Then, the stabilizing solution is further dripped onto the liquid receiving portion 86 of the stabilizing solution tank 82 through the collecting pipe 85 provided at the lower end of the collecting tray 84, and is collected in the stabilizing solution tank 82.

The structure of the stabilizing solution tank 82 will be described in detail later.

A collection tray 88 is installed below the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75. The stabilizing liquid removed from the planographic printing plate M by the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75 is dropped onto the recovery tray 88 through the recovery hole 93 of the liquid receiving member 92 provided below the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75. To do. Further, since this stabilizing liquid cannot be reused, it is discharged to the drainage tank 64 via the recovery pipe 89 provided at the lower end of the recovery tray 88.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stabilizing solution applying mechanism 73 has a stabilizing solution supply pipe 132 having a plurality of discharge holes 131 formed therebelow, and a plurality of stabilizing solution flow-down mechanisms at its lower end portion. Stabilizer receiving portion 134 having an opening 133 formed therein
And a coating roller 135 whose surface is composed of a single-foam sponge and rotates in contact with the lithographic printing plate M, and an opening 133 of the stabilizing liquid receiving portion 134 whose surface is formed in an uneven shape.
The diffusion film 136 for guiding the stabilizing liquid flowing down from the coating roller 135 to the coating roller 135, and the planographic printing plate M are coated with the coating roller 1.
35, and a leaf spring 138 that urges it toward 35. In addition,
The arrow in FIG. 4 indicates the conveyance direction of the planographic printing plate M.

The stabilizing solution supply pipe 132 is connected to the aforementioned stabilizing solution tank 82 via the pump 83, and the stabilizing solution is discharged from the plurality of discharge holes 131 by driving the pump 83. The stabilizing solution is once received by the stabilizing solution receiving portion 134, and then the diffusion film 13 is opened from the plurality of openings 133.
Run down to 6. Opening 13 of stabilizing liquid receiving portion 134
The stabilizing liquid that has flowed down from 3 is once stored in the contact portion between the coating roller 135 and the diffusion film 136, and diffused in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M. Then, as the coating roller 135 rotates, the stabilizing liquid passes through the opening due to the unevenness of the surface of the diffusion film 136 and moves toward the contact portion between the coating roller 135 and the leaf spring 138, and the liquid reservoir is stored there. Form.

When the planographic printing plate M passes through this liquid reservoir, the stabilizing solution is applied to the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M. At this time, since the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M is pressed against the surface of the coating roller 135 by the leaf spring 138, the stabilizer applied to the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M is a single bubble on the surface of the coating roller 135. It is weighed in a fixed amount by a large number of holes made of sponge. Therefore, the photosensitive liquid of the planographic printing plate M, which has passed through the contact portion between the leaf spring 138 and the coating roller 135, is always coated with a certain amount of stabilizing liquid necessary for stability.

The leaf spring 138 is provided with an overflow hole 137 for preventing an excessively large amount of stabilizing liquid from being stored in the contact portion between the leaf spring 138 and the coating roller 135, thereby preventing the liquid reservoir from becoming excessively large. It is provided.

The drying section 34 supports and conveys the lithographic printing plate M conveyed from the stabilizing section 33, and a rubber roller 102,
A mirror surface roller 103 that prevents unevenness in drying of the planographic printing plate M by contacting the rubber roller 102 with a predetermined pressure, and the rubber roller 10 against the mirror surface roller 103.
Cleaning liquid reservoir 104 for supplying the cleaning liquid via
A drying mechanism 107 having a fan 105 and a heater 106 for blowing hot air onto the planographic printing plate M to dry it, and a plurality of transport rollers 108 for transporting the planographic printing plate M.
09 and 110. The cleaning liquid storage unit 104 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A cleaning liquid supply pipe 105 for supplying a cleaning liquid to Nos. 4 and 45 is connected via a pump 106.

The development processing of the planographic printing plate M by the development processing device 3 is performed as follows.

That is, the planographic printing plate M on which an image has been recorded by the exposure device 2 in the preceding stage has a pair of introducing rollers 41, 4
It is conveyed by 2, and the developing solution application mechanism 43 applies an amount of the developing solution necessary for the development processing of the planographic printing plate M.
The planographic printing plate M coated with only the developer necessary for the development process is fed from the developer coating mechanism 43 to the pair of squeezing rollers 4.
The developing process is completed on the photosensitive surface while being transported to the space developing section 4 and 45. And planographic printing plate M
The developer adhering to the developer used for the developing process is removed by the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45. Subsequently, the lithographic printing plate M is applied with a stabilizing liquid application mechanism 73 to apply an amount of the stabilizing liquid required for stabilizing the lithographic printing plate M. The lithographic printing plate M to which only the amount of the stabilizing liquid necessary for the stabilizing treatment is applied is stabilized while being conveyed to the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75, and the lithographic printing plate M is attached to the lithographic printing plate M. The stabilizing liquid supplied to the above is removed by the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75. Then, the planographic printing plate M for which the stabilization process has been completed
After being prevented from being unevenly dried by being pressed by the mirror surface roller 103, the product is dried by the drying mechanism 107 and discharged onto the discharge tray 29 shown in FIG.

In the development processing apparatus 3, since the planographic printing plate M is coated with only the developing solution necessary for the developing process and the developing process is performed, the amount of the developing solution required for the process can be reduced. It will be possible. Further, since the treatment liquid which is substantially unused is supplied to the planographic printing plate M, the planographic printing plate M can always be subjected to uniform treatment.

Next, the structures of the developing solution tank 52 and the stabilizing solution tank 82 according to the present invention will be described. 6 is a side sectional view of the developing solution tank 52, FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the stabilizing solution tank 82, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the installation state of the developing solution tank 52 and the stabilizing solution tank 82.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the developer tank 52 is a tank body 16 installed on a tray 161.
2 and an upper lid 163 installed in an airtight state with respect to the tank body 162. As described above, the upper lid 163 is provided with the liquid receiving section 56 for receiving the developer dropped from the collecting tube 55 of the collecting tray 54. The lower end of the liquid receiving portion 56 that constitutes the developer recovery port 170 is disposed below the liquid surface of the developer stored in the developer tank 52.

A replenishment tank 164 is provided at one end of the developer tank 52 for keeping the liquid level of the developer in the developer tank 52 constant even when the developer is consumed. Further, by the action of the pump 53 described above, the developer in the developer tank 52 is sucked into the other end of the developer tank 52 and supplied to the developer applying mechanism 43 as a processing unit of the planographic printing plate M. A suction pipe 166 having a suction port 165 is provided. The suction pipe 166 is surrounded by a partition 168 having a filter 167. The suction port 165 of the suction pipe 166 is
As shown in FIG. 6, a bottom surface 169 of the developer tank 52,
The partition walls 168 are arranged so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance.
In addition, the bottom surface 169 of the developer tank 52 has a suction pipe 166.
It is inclined so that the side is high and the liquid receiving portion 56 side is low.

The developing solution in the developing solution tank 52 is stored in the pump 5
By the action of 3, the pressure is fed from the suction port 165 of the suction pipe 166 to the developing solution application mechanism 43 and is supplied onto the planographic printing plate M. Then, the developer that has not been applied to the planographic printing plate M, such as the developer that has flowed out from both ends or the rear end of the planographic printing plate M, is collected in the developer tank 52 via the liquid receiving section 56.
Therefore, in the developer tank 52, a circulation path of the developer from the recovery port 170 at the lower end of the liquid receiving part 52 to the suction port 165 of the suction pipe 166 is formed. The panel heater 57 and the temperature sensor 171 for measuring the temperature of the developing solution are arranged in this order along the circulation path.

In the developing solution tank 52, since the panel heater 57 is arranged along the circulation path of the developing solution, the developing solution flows along the panel heater 57, and the developing solution is efficiently supplied. It can be heated. Further, since the panel heater 57 and the temperature sensor 171 are arranged in this order along the circulation path of the developer from the recovery port 170 at the lower end of the liquid receiving section 52 to the suction port 165 of the suction pipe 166, Since the temperature of the developing solution immediately before being heated by the panel heater 57 and being sucked through the suction port 165 can be measured by the temperature sensor 171, the temperature of the developing solution can be measured more accurately, and the temperature control of the developing solution can be performed more accurately. It becomes possible to do it.

When the development processing of the planographic printing plate M is continued by the development processing apparatus 3 equipped with the development tank 52, silver sludge or the like composed of silver or a silver complex is generated from the planographic printing plate M, and this silver sludge is generated. And the like are mixed in the developer that is circulated and used. Such silver sludge and the like are lithographic printing plates M
When applied to the lithographic printing plate M, the lithographic printing plate M is contaminated, and the lithographic printing plate M after the development process has uneven processing.

However, in the developing solution tank 52, the suction port 165 of the suction pipe 166 is provided in the developing solution tank 5
The second bottom surface 169 and the partition wall 168 are disposed at a predetermined distance from each other, and the bottom surface 169 is inclined so that the suction pipe 166 side is high and the liquid receiving section 56 side is low. Can be prevented from being sent together with the developing solution from the developing solution tank 52 to the developing solution applying mechanism 43 and applied to the planographic printing plate M.

That is, since silver sludge and the like have a larger specific gravity than the developing solution, the silver sludge and the like collected in the developing solution tank 52 from the solution receiving section 56 together with the developing solution settle near the lower part of the solution receiving section 56. To do. Even when the developer flows from the liquid receiving portion 56 toward the suction pipe 166, the bottom surface 169 is formed.
Due to the inclination, the silver sludge and the like stay near the lower part of the liquid receiving portion 56 and do not move to the suction pipe 166 side. Even if some of the silver sludge or the like moves to the suction pipe 166 side, since the suction port 165 and the bottom surface 169 are separated from each other, the silver sludge or the like does not reach the suction port 165. Therefore, the silver sludge or the like is sucked into the suction pipe 166.
Can be prevented from being sucked into the suction port 165.

Further, in this embodiment, the suction pipe 166 has a partition wall 16 having a filter 167 around the suction pipe 166.
8 is surrounded by the suction port 16 of the suction pipe 166.
Since No. 5 sucks only the developing solution that has passed through the filter 167, it is possible to prevent fine silver sludge or the like floating in the developing solution from being sucked into the suction port 165 of the suction pipe 166.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the stabilizer tank 82 is a tank body 18 installed on the tray 161.
2 and an upper lid 183 installed in an airtight state with respect to the tank body 182. As described above, the upper lid 183 is provided with the liquid receiving portion 86 for receiving the stabilizing liquid dropped from the recovery pipe 85 of the recovery tray 84. The lower end portion of the liquid receiving portion 86 that constitutes the stabilizing solution recovery port 190 is arranged below the liquid surface of the stabilizing solution stored in the stabilizing solution tank 82, similarly to the developing solution tank 52.

A replenishing tank 184 is provided at one end of the stabilizing solution tank 82 for keeping the level of the stabilizing solution in the stabilizing solution tank 82 constant even when the stabilizing solution is consumed. Further, at the other end of the stabilizing solution tank 52, the stabilizing solution in the stabilizing solution tank 82 is sucked and supplied to the stabilizing solution application mechanism 73 as a processing section of the lithographic printing plate M by the action of the pump 83 described above. A suction pipe 186 having a suction port 185 is provided. The suction pipe 186 is surrounded by a partition wall 188 having a filter 187. The suction port 185 of the suction pipe 186 is
As shown in FIG. 7, a bottom surface 189 of the stabilizer tank 82,
The partition walls 188 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.
Further, the bottom surface 189 of the stabilizing solution tank 82 has a suction pipe 186.
It is inclined so that the side is high and the liquid receiving portion 56 side is low.

When the stabilizing treatment of the lithographic printing plate M is continued by the developing treatment apparatus 3 having the stabilizing tank 82, silver sludge or the like generated from the lithographic printing plate M is circulated and used through the lithographic printing plate M. It is mixed in the stabilizing solution. However, in the stabilizing solution tank 82, like the developing solution tank 52, the suction port 185 of the suction tube 186 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 189 of the stabilizing solution tank 82 via the partition wall 188, and Since the bottom surface 189 is inclined so that the suction pipe 186 side is high and the liquid receiving portion 56 side is low, silver sludge and the like are sent together with the stabilizing solution from the stabilizing solution tank 82 to the stabilizing solution application mechanism 73 and the planographic printing plate M. Can be prevented from being applied to.

Further, in this embodiment, the suction pipe 186 has the partition wall 18 around which the filter 187 is provided.
8 is surrounded by the suction port 18 of the suction pipe 186.
No. 5 sucks only the stabilizing solution that has passed through the filter 187, so that fine silver sludge or the like floating in the stabilizing solution is sucked into the suction port 185 of the suction pipe 186 as in the case of the developer tank 52.
It can also be prevented from being inhaled.

In the embodiment described above, the suction pipe 1
Although the case where 66 and 186 are surrounded by partition walls 168 and 188 having filters 167 and 187 has been described, the partition walls 168 and 188 may be omitted.
Also in this case, the suction port 1 of the suction pipes 166, 186
65 and 185 are the bottom surfaces 169 and 189 of the tanks 52 and 82.
If it is arranged to be spaced apart from above, it is possible to prevent silver sludge and the like from being sucked into the suction pipes 165 and 185.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the lithographic printing plate M using the silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method) is used as the light-sensitive material, and the lithographic printing plate M is provided with a developing solution in an amount necessary for development. The case where the present invention is applied to the developing processing apparatus 3 which applies only the developing processing to the above is described, but the present invention can also be applied to various other photosensitive material processing apparatuses.

[0055]

According to the invention as set forth in claim 1, the suction port is arranged so as to be spaced apart upward from the bottom surface of the processing liquid tank, and the bottom surface is inclined so that the suction port side is high and the recovery port side is low. Therefore, it is possible to prevent contaminants such as silver sludge from mixing into the processing liquid from the processing liquid tank. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive material from being contaminated and the processed photosensitive material from having uneven processing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by disposing the recovery port and the suction port apart from each other, a circulation path of the processing liquid from the recovery port to the suction port is formed, and the circulation of the processing liquid. Since the heater for heating the treatment liquid and the sensor for measuring the temperature of the treatment liquid are arranged in this order in the order, the treatment liquid flows along the heater, and the treatment liquid is efficiently heated. Further, since the temperature of the processing liquid immediately before being heated by the heater and being sucked from the suction port is measured by the temperature sensor, the temperature of the processing liquid can be controlled more accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plate making apparatus for a lithographic printing plate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a development processing device 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a piping system of a development processing device 3.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a developing solution applying mechanism 43.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a stabilizing solution coating mechanism 73.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a developer tank 52.

7 is a side sectional view of a stabilizing liquid tank 82. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an installed state of a developing solution tank 52 and a stabilizing solution tank 82.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 exposure equipment 3 Development equipment 32 Development Department 33 Stabilizer 43 Developer coating mechanism 52 developer tank 56 Liquid receiver 57 panel heater 73 Stabilizer coating mechanism 82 Stabilizer tank 86 Liquid receiving part 165 suction port 166 Inhalation tube 169 bottom 170 Collection port 171 Temperature sensor 185 suction port 186 Inhalation tube 189 bottom 190 Collection port

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Eiji Miyasaka, Eiji Miyasaka 1 at 480 Takamiya-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. Hikone District Business Office (72) Inventor, Yasuhiro Kawaguchi 480 Takamiya-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture Address No. 1 Dainichi Honshu Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd., Hikone District (56) References JP-A-63-235942 (JP, A) JP-A-63-8647 (JP, A) JP-A-3-294855 (JP , A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03D 3/00-15/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A processing solution stored in a processing solution tank is sucked from an inlet and supplied to a photosensitive material processing section, and a processing solution recovered from the photosensitive material processing section is allowed to flow into the processing solution tank from the recovery port. A processing liquid tank for use in a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction port is arranged above the bottom surface of the processing liquid tank, and the bottom surface is higher on the suction port side and lower on the recovery port side. A processing solution tank for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, which is inclined to the right. 2. A treatment liquid circulation path extending from the collection port to the suction port is formed by arranging the collection port and the suction port apart from each other, and the treatment liquid is circulated in the circulation path of the processing liquid. The processing liquid tank of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a heater for heating the liquid and a sensor for measuring the temperature of the processing liquid are arranged in this order.