JPH02220061A - Developer scum removing device for waterless planographic plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow developer scum to overflow and to reduce the stain in a developer collecting tank by scavenging the developer scum in the developer collecting tank in an overflow tank and replenishing the developer collecting tank with the developer. CONSTITUTION:The developer 18 in the developer collecting tank 22 gets over a lower partition 22A and flows into the overflow tank 62. The developer scum floating in the surface part of the developer 18 flows into the overflow tank 62 and is accumulated there. By replenishing the developer collecting tank 22 with the developer or water, the liquid level of the developer in the developer collecting tank 22 rises. When it rises exceeding a through-hole 64, the liquid level of the developer in the overflow tank 62 rises and the upper end part of an overflow pipe 70 is submerged. As to the developer in the overflow tank 62, the surface part where the developer scum floats begins to be discharged to the outside through the overflow pipe 70.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is used in a waterless lithographic printing plate development processing apparatus that develops a waterless lithographic printing plate while circulating a developer. The present invention relates to a development scum removal device for a waterless planographic printing plate for removing development scum from a developer solution.

[Prior Art] Waterless PS plates using a silicone layer as an ink loss layer are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-23042 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 46-160.
Waterless PS described in No. 44, in which a photo-soluble or photo-insolubilizable photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer are laminated on a substrate.
Edition, JP-A-48-94504, JP-A-50-501
No. 02, a waterless PS plate has been proposed in which a photoadhesive photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer are laminated on a substrate.

These can print tens of thousands of sheets without using dampening water.

The waterless PS plate described above has a photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer laminated on a support such as aluminum, and a protective film is laminated on the upper surface of these layers to protect the surface.

When an image is printed on this waterless PS plate, the photosensitive layer corresponding to exposed areas, that is, non-image areas, hardens and becomes more adhesive to the support, while the photosensitive layer corresponding to unexposed areas, ie, image areas, does not harden. In this state, when a developer is applied to the surface, the unexposed portions of the photosensitive layer swell and peel off from the support together with the silicone rubber layer.

The peeled off residue of the photosensitive layer and silicone rubber layer is collected together with the excess developer into a developer recovery tank, and is again circulated by the circulation pump and applied to a waterless lithographic printing plate.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, a problem arises in that the developer residue collected into the developer recovery tank along with the excess developer adheres to the developer recovery tank and contaminates the inside of the developer recovery tank.

Therefore, the inside of the developer recovery tank must be cleaned periodically, making maintenance of the developer recovery tank complicated.

It is also possible to install a filter in the middle of the ring path to remove developer debris from the circulating developer, but in this case, the filter may become clogged and a predetermined amount of developer may not be circulated. The problem arises that it cannot be done. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically replace the filter, which is a time-consuming task.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a development residue removal device for waterless lithographic printing plates that can remove development residue from the developer in the developer recovery tank and reduce clogging of the filter. The purpose is to obtain.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] In the present invention, a waterless lithographic printing plate development processing apparatus is used for developing a waterless lithographic printing plate while circulating a developer in a developer storage tank using a circulation pump. A waterless lithographic printing plate scum removal device for removing developer scum from a developer, wherein a surface layer of the developer in a developer storage tank containing the developer flows into the developer and floats in the developer. a collection tank for collecting dregs; a discharge means disposed in the collection tank and discharging the developer scum collected together with the developer in the surface layer to the outside of the collection tank;
Therefore, the developer collected in the developer recovery tank contains some developer residue, and the developer residue in the developer in the developer recovery tank floats on the surface of the developer. The surface layer is sucked by a circulation pump, and developer residue is collected into this collection tank. The developer in the collection tank is sucked by a circulation pump,
After the waterless lithographic printing plate is developed again, it is collected into the developer collection tank. The developer in the collection tank is discharged outward from the discharge means. By this discharge, the surface layer of the developer is discharged, so that the developer scum floating on the surface of the developer in the collection tank is also discharged to the outside together with the developer.

Therefore, clogging of the filter placed in the middle of the circulation path is reduced, and dirt in the developer recovery tank is reduced.
This enables stable development over a long period of time.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied. This waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus 10 includes a developing section 14 and a staining section 16, and is an apparatus that performs a dyeing process to facilitate plate inspection work after developing the waterless 23 plate 12.

The waterless 23rd edition 12 used here is a patent application published in 1986-86.
177, in which a primer layer, a photosensitive layer, a silicone rubber layer, and a protective film are sequentially laminated on a substrate is used.

Further, the developer 18 used in the developing section 14 is
317843, an aqueous developer containing an organic solvent proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-86177 is used. The staining solution 17 used in the staining section 16 includes a staining solution 1 containing crystal violet, astrazone red, etc.
7 is used.

The developer tank body 20 of the developer section 14 opens upward,
The bottom is formed in an inverted mountain shape, and a developer recovery tank 22 is formed in the center of the bottom. The developer 18 is contained in the developer recovery tank 22 .

Pairs of transport rollers 24, 26, and 28 are arranged at the top of the developer tank body 20 in order from the waterless PS plate 120 entry side. The pair of transport rollers 24, 26, and 28 are supported by a rack side plate (not shown), are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown), and are configured to nip and transport the waterless 23 plate 12 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. It has become. The transport roller pair 28 is disposed at the last end of the transport path for the waterless 23rd plate 12 in the developing section 14 and has the role of a squeeze roller that squeezes out the developer from the waterless 23rd plate 12.

A brush roller 30 is arranged between the transport roller pair 26 and the transport roller pair 28. This brush roller 30 is for scraping off the photosensitive layer and silicone layer corresponding to the image area on the plate surface by rubbing the surface of the waterless PS plate 120 being transported. The brush roller 30 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) in the same way as the pair of conveying rollers 24, 26, 28, and the driving force of a driving means (not shown) is transmitted to the brush roller 30, so that the brush roller 30 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the pair of conveying rollers 24, 26, 28 (the first It rotates counterclockwise in Figure 1). (In some cases, the first rotation may be clockwise.) The brush roller 30 is formed by planting brush material on a plastic or metal roll, and rotates in the direction of conveyance of the waterless 23 plate 12. By rotating in the direction of resistance (clockwise in Figure 1), the surface of the waterless 23 plate 12 is rubbed. The number of rotations of this brush roller 30 is 100
~500 rpm (preferably 200-400 rpm
) is set. Furthermore, it is preferable to arrange a vignetting prevention lever 31 on the waterless PS plate 12.

Further, by rotating the brush roller 30 and reciprocating it in the axial direction, the effect of scraping off the photosensitive layer and silicone layer on the plate surface of the waterless 23 plate 12 is further improved.

A support stand 32 made of a relatively flexible material such as plastic, such as high-density polyethylene, is disposed below the brush roller 30. When the waterless 23rd plate 12 passes, the surface of the receiver is rubbed by the brush roller 30 while the waterless 23rd plate 12 is supported on the stand 32, ensuring that the photosensitive layer and silicone layer corresponding to the image area are covered. It is designed to be scraped off. The lower support of the brush roller 30 may be a roller depending on the case.

A spray pipe 34 is arranged above the transport roller pair 24. This spray pipe 34 is provided with discharge ports 34A at appropriate intervals along the axial direction, facing the upper roller of the pair of transport rollers 24. This spray pipe 34 is communicated with a developer supply device, which will be described later, through a conduit 38 via a valve 36. As a result, the developer 18 is sent to the spray pipe 34, and the conveying roller pair 2
Dispense the developer to the upper roller of 4 and create the waterless 23 plate 1.
2, a developer is applied onto the surface.

Spray pipes 40 and 42 are also arranged between the transport roller pair 26 and the transport roller pair 28. The spray pipe 40 is disposed between the brush roller 30 and the conveying roller pair 26, and has a discharge port 40A formed therein similarly to the spray pipe 34. A discharge port 40A of the spray pipe 40 is provided facing the brush roller 30. Like the spray pipe 34, this spray pipe 40 is also connected to a developer supply device, which will be described later, via a valve 36 through a pipe line branching from the pipe line 38. As a result, the developer is fed into the spray pipe 40, and the developer is discharged and supplied to the brush roller 30.

Further, the spray pipe 42 has a discharge port 42A formed opposite to the upper roller of the pair of transport rollers 28. This spray pipe 42 also communicates with a developer supply device, which will be described later, through a pipe line branching from the pipe line 38 via a valve 36. As a result, the developer is fed into the spray pipe 40, and is discharged to the upper roller of the transport roller pair 28.

A cover 39 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed to extend from the conveying roller pair 26 to the upper part of the brush roller 30.

This cover 39 prevents the developer 18 from being scattered by the brush roller 30 to other areas.

The developer supply device includes a circulation pump 44, a filter 46,
@Pipe line 4 communicating between the ring pump 44 and the developer recovery tank 22
It consists of 8.

The circulation pump 44 is a variable flow rate pump, and the control device 52
and its discharge flow rate is controlled. A pipe line 38 is connected to the discharge port side of the circulation pump 44, and one end of the pipe line 48 is connected to the suction port side. The other end of the pipe 48 is communicated with the bottom of the developer recovery tank 22 via a valve 55 in the middle.

By the operation of this circulation pump 44, the developer recovery tank 22
The developer inside is sucked through line 48 into circulation pump 44, and then passed through line 38 to spray vibrator 34.40.
42.

A flow rate sensor 50 is disposed in the middle of the conduit 38,
The flow rate of the developer passing through the pipe line 38 is detected. This flow rate sensor 50 is connected to a control device 52, and is adapted to transmit the detection result of the flow rate of the developer. Although a general flow meter can be used as the flow rate sensor 50, a rotary type is preferable in order to downsize the device.

Further, a bypass line 51 is provided between the flow rate sensor 50 and the circulation pump 440, and an electrical conductivity detector 54 is provided in the middle of this line 51. This electrical conductivity detector 54 is adapted to detect the electrical conductivity of the developer passing through the pipe line 38. The electrical conductivity detector 54 is connected to the control device 52 and transmits detection results to the control device 52. This electrical conductivity detector 54 uses a generally known conductivity sensor.

A filter 46 is disposed in the middle of the pipe 48, and filters scum (mainly waterless 28 plate 120) in the developer passing through the pipe 48.
The photosensitive layer scraped from the surface and development residue from the silicone layer are filtered out.

A notification device 56 is connected to the control device 52, and is configured to notify that it is time to replace the filter 46 when the flow rate of the developer 18 passing through the pipe line 38 becomes less than a predetermined flow rate. This allows the filter to be replaced. The mesh size of this filter is 10μ to 500μ, preferably 100μ to
300μ) is used.

A branch pipe line 58 branches off from the middle of the pipe line 48 and communicates with an overflow tank 62 which is a collection tank via a valve 60. The overflow tank 62 is the developer recovery tank 2.
2, is provided on the partition wall of the developer recovery tank 22, and communicates with the developer recovery tank 22 through a long hole 64 along the developer surface. As a result, the developer recovery tank 2
The surface layer of the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 passes over the upper end of the lower partition wall 22A of the developer recovery tank 22 and flows into the overflow tank 62.
It flows inwards. Overflow tank 6? The overflow flow rate of the developer into the interior is 1/1 of the total circulation volume.
0 to 2/3 (preferably 1/3 to 1/2).

Further, the upper barrier 22B allows the developer scum that is once collected in the overflow tank 62 to be removed from the developer recovery tank 22 when the developer 18 is replenished by a developer replenisher to be described later and the liquid level of the developer 18 rises. We are trying to prevent it from spreading.

The overflow tank 62 is opened at the top to form an opening, and is opened and closed with a lid 66 so that the overflow tank 62 can be removed from the opening during maintenance of the inside of the overflow tank 62. Further, a branch pipe 58 is communicated through the lower part of the side wall 68 of the overflow tank 62, and when the circulation pump 44 is operated, the overflow tank 62
The developer solution inside is sucked out. The surface layer of the developer in the developer recovery tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 62 by the suction of the circulation pump 44, and the developer recovery tank 2
The developer scum floating in the developer in the developer tank 2 flows into the overflow tank 62, where the developer scum is collected. In this case, a silicone rubber layer is laminated on the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 for ink repellency, and when this silicone rubber layer is scraped off by the brush roller 30 together with the photosensitive layer corresponding to the image area, it becomes development residue. The developer is collected into the developer recovery tank 22 along with the excess developer. Developer recovery tank 2
In the developer in No. 2, the developer scum floats to the surface layer of the developer because its specific gravity is lower than that of the developer.

Further, the lower partition wall 22A functions as a so-called weir for collecting development residues on the surface layer of the developer recovery tank 22 flowing into the overflow tank 62. Further, when the liquid level of the developer 18 in the overflow tank 62 rises due to replenishment of the developer described later, the upper partition wall 22B acts as a weir to prevent the collected developer scum from spreading into the developer recovery tank 22. It plays the role of

In addition, an overflow pipe 70 is provided in the overflow tank 62.
is installed. The lower end of this overflow pipe 70 penetrates the bottom of the overflow tank 62 and protrudes outward, and the upper end is set higher than the lower end of the upper partition wall 22B of the developer recovery tank 22. For this reason, when the developer 18 is replenished by the developer replenisher described later and the liquid level of the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 rises (to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1), the developer 18 is submerged in water and overflows. Moro tank 62
The surface layer of the developer 18 inside flows out to the outside through an overflow pipe 70 together with developer residue.

In this embodiment, the upper end of the overflow tube 70 is always open, but a valve is provided at the tip to open it at an appropriate time to release the developer residue collected in the overflow tank 62 to the outside. It is also possible to have a structure for discharging. Further, the height position of the upper end of the overflow pipe 70 is such that the developer 18 during circulation is
The liquid level may be slightly lower than the position indicated by the solid line in Figure 1), and at this position, it is also possible to open the valve etc. when the developer 18 is being circulated and discharge the developer scum to the outside. .

The developer replenishing device includes a developer solution tank 72 containing a developer solution, a water tank 74 containing water, a developer solution supply pump 76 for supplying the developer solution into the developer recovery tank 22, and a developer solution supply pump 76 for supplying the developer solution into the developer recovery tank 22. It is configured with a water supply pump 78 for supplying water into the developer recovery tank 22.

One end of a pipe line 80 is connected to the developer stock tank 72, and the other end is connected to a wide-mouth pipe line 8 disposed in the developer recovery tank 22.
It opens to 2. A developing stock solution supply pump 76 is disposed in the middle of this conduit 80 . This developing solution supply pump 76 is connected to the control device 52, so that the timing of its operation is controlled.

The water tank 74 is connected to one end of a pipe line 84, and the other end opens to a wide-mouth pipe line 82 in the developer recovery tank 22.

A water supply pump 78 is disposed in the middle of this pipe line 84. This water supply pump is connected to a control device 52, so that the timing of its operation is controlled.

Further, an aluminum detector 86 is connected to the control device 52, which is disposed on the inlet side of the developing section 14 and detects the amount of waterless PS plate 120 passing through, that is, the amount of processing (the area of 28 waterless plates 12). , the processing amount is supplied to the control device 52. This aluminum detector 86 has a photocell without water 28
Plate 120 Plural pieces are arranged along the width direction, waterless 28 plate 1
The area on the printing plate may be detected by measuring the time it takes for the waterless 28 plate 120 to pass through the top of the aluminum detector 86.
The area may be detected by detecting the length with one phototube.

Further, a heater 88 is arranged at the bottom of the developer recovery tank 22 . This heater 88 is connected to a power source (not shown) to heat the developer 18. The temperature of the developer 18 is controlled by this heater 88 from 15° to 45° (
It is preferably set at 25° to 30°).

The development time in this device is set to 10 seconds to 3 minutes (preferably 30 seconds to 2 minutes), and the staining time is set to 5 minutes.
(seconds to 1 minute, preferably 10 seconds to 30 seconds). Further, a developing tank can be added as necessary.

Next, the dyeing section 16 will be explained.

The dye tank main body 90 of the dyeing section 16 opens upward like the developer tank main body 20, has an inverted mountain-shaped bottom, and has a dye solution recovery tank 92 formed in the center of the bottom. The staining liquid 17 is accommodated in the staining liquid recovery tank 92 . An overflow pipe 91 is disposed within the dyeing solution recovery tank 92. The upper end of this overflow pipe 91 is located in the upper part of the dye solution recovery tank 92, and the lower end penetrates the bottom of the dye solution recovery tank 92 and projects outward. This overflow pipe 91 collects the dyeing solution 17 when the liquid level in the dyeing solution recovery tank 92 rises and exceeds the upper end of the overflow tube 9-1 due to replenishment of the dyeing solution by a dyeing solution replenishing device described later. The liquid level of the staining liquid 17 is set by discharging it from the tank 92 to the outside.

At the top of the dyeing tank main body 90, pairs of transport rollers 94 and 96 are arranged sequentially along the transport direction of the waterless 23rd printing plate 12 from the entrance side of the waterless 23rd printing plate 12 into the dyeing tank main body 90.

The pair of transport rollers 94 and 96 are supported by a rack side plate (not shown), are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown), and are designed to nip and transport the waterless 23 plates 12. These conveyor roller pairs 94 and 96 are made of a general rubber material so as not to damage the surface of the waterless 23 plate 12 being conveyed.

A pair of conveying rollers 98 is disposed on the downstream side of the dyeing tank main body 90 in the conveying direction of the waterless 23 plate 12.

The conveying roller pair 98 is made of a roll material such as NBR rubber or tolyl butadiene rubber, and is coated with the dyeing liquid 1.
The wiping performance of No. 7 has been improved.

A brush roller 100 is arranged between the transport roller pair 94 and the transport roller pair 96. The brush roller 100 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) in the same way as the pair of conveying rollers 94.96, and the driving force of a driving means (not shown) is transmitted thereto, so that the brush roller 100 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the pair of conveying rollers 94.96 (clockwise in FIG. 1). ). This brush roller 1
00 is formed by planting brush material on a plastic or metal roll, and by rotating in a direction (clockwise in Figure 1) that resists the conveyance direction of the waterless 23rd version 12, the waterless 23rd version is created. It is designed to rub 12 surfaces. Further, depending on the case, it may be rotated in the forward direction with respect to the conveying direction of the waterless 28 plate. The rotation speed of the brush roller 100 is 100 to 500 rpm (preferably 200 to 400 rpm)
m) is set. Furthermore, it is preferable to arrange a vignetting prevention lever to prevent vignetting in the waterless PS version.

A support stand 102 made of a relatively flexible material such as plastic, for example high-density polyethylene, is arranged below the brush roller 100.

A rubber roller may also be used. Therefore, when the waterless 23rd plate 12 passes, the dyeing liquid 17 is applied to the surface by the brush roller 100 while the waterless 23rd plate 12 is guided on the tray 102.

A spray pipe 104 is installed above the brush roller 100.
is installed. This spray pipe 104 is surrounded by a substantially U-shaped rectifying plate 106.

A suitable number of discharge ports 104A are formed in the spray pipe 104 along the axial direction, facing the current plate 106.

This spray pipe 104 is connected via a valve 108 to a dye solution supply device to be described later through a conduit 110. As a result, the dyeing liquid 17 is fed into the spray pipe 104 and is discharged toward the current plate 106.
The dye liquid 17 is supplied to the brush roller 100 while being guided by the brush roller 100 . At this time, the staining liquid 17 spreads while flowing down on the rectifying plate 106 and is uniformly supplied onto the brush roller 100.

A spray pipe 112 is also arranged between the brush roller 100 and the conveying roller pair 96 on the conveying roller pair 96 side. This spray pipe 112 is also the spray pipe 104.
Similarly, it is surrounded by a substantially U-shaped rectifying plate 106. This spray pipe 112 has a discharge port 112A connected to a rectifying plate, 1
An appropriate number of them are provided along the axial direction opposite to 06.

The spray pipe 112, like the spray pipe 104, is communicated with a dye solution supply device to be described later through a conduit 110 via a valve 108. With this, spray pipe 1
A dyeing liquid 17 is fed into the rectifier 12 and is discharged and guided toward the rectifying plate 106 so that the dyeing liquid 17 is supplied to the upper roller of the conveying roller pair 96. At this time, the staining liquid 17 spreads while flowing down on the rectifying plate 106,
It is uniformly supplied to the conveying roller pair 96.

A cover 107 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is arranged above the brush roller 100 and the conveying roller pair 96. This cover 107 prevents the brush roller 100 from scattering the staining liquid to other areas.

The dye solution supply device includes a circulation pump 114 and a filter 116.
and a conduit 118 that communicates the circulation pump 114 and the dyeing solution recovery tank 92. A pipe line 110 is connected to the discharge port side of the circulation pump 114, and a pipe line 1 is connected to the suction port side.
One end of 18 is connected. The other end of the pipe line 118 is communicated with the bottom of the dyeing solution recovery tank 92. By the operation of this circulation pump 114, the dyeing liquid in the dyeing liquid recovery tank 92 is sucked into the circulation pump 114 through the pipe line 118.
Through line 110 it is directed to spray pipes 104, 112.

A filter 116 is disposed in the middle of the conduit 118,
It is designed to remove dregs (mainly dregs from the photosensitive layer and silicone layer scraped from the surface of the waterless PS plate 120 brought in from the developing section) in the dyeing solution passing through the pipe 118.

The dye solution replenishing device includes a dye solution tank 122 containing the dye solution 17, and a dye solution supply pump 124 for supplying the dye solution into the dye solution recovery tank 92.

One end of a pipe line 126 is communicated with the dye liquid tank 122, and the other end opens into a wide-mouth pipe line 82 disposed within the dye liquid recovery tank 92. A dye solution supply pump 124 is disposed in the middle of this pipe line 126. This dye solution supply pump 124 is connected to a control device 52 so that the timing of its operation, that is, the operation when replenishing the dye solution 17 is controlled. The replenishment amount of staining solution 17 is 5 to 100c.
c/m' (preferably 10 to 60 cc/m').

A heater 88 is disposed at the bottom of the dyeing solution recovery tank 92 and is connected to a power source (not shown) to heat the dyeing solution 17. The temperature of this staining solution 17 is 15 to 4
The temperature is set at 5°C (preferably 20 to 30°C). Moreover, the number of dyeing tanks can be increased as needed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The waterless 23rd plate 12 on which the image has been printed is inserted into the developing section 14 after passing above the aluminum detector 86 using an image printing apparatus (not shown). The portion of the photosensitive layer of the waterless 23 plate 12 inserted into the developing section 14 that is irradiated with light, that is, the exposed portion, hardens and adheres to the primer layer, and the unexposed portion is in a state where it can be swollen or eluted by the developer 18. It becomes.

From this state, after peeling off the protective film laminated to protect the surface of the waterless 23rd plate 12, the waterless 23rd plate 12 is inserted into the developing section 14, and is conveyed while being held between the pair of conveying rollers 24 of the developing section 14. The developer 18 is applied to the surface while being applied. As a result, the photosensitive layer in the unexposed area (image area) of the waterless 23 plate 12 swells and becomes easily peeled off from the primer layer.

Further, the waterless 23rd plate 12 is pinched and conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 26, and a brush roller 30 and a receiver are inserted between a table 32. The brush roller 30 rotates in a direction that follows the conveyance direction of the waterless 23rd plate 12 (counterclockwise in FIG. 1), and the receiver rubs the upper surface of the waterless 23rd plate 12 passing over the table 32. The developer 18 is also supplied to this brush roller 30.
The surface of the waterless 23 plate 12 is rubbed by a brush roller 30 while being coated with the developer 18, and the photosensitive layer and silicone rubber layer swollen or dissolved by the developer 18 are scraped off. As a result, a photosensitive layer and a silicone layer corresponding to exposed areas (non-image areas) remain on the waterless 23rd plate 12, and a positive image is formed.

The surplus developer 18 after the developer 18 applied to the surface of the waterless 23 plate 12 is developed falls into the developer recovery tank 22 and is collected.

Furthermore, the water-less 23 in which the unexposed portion (image portion) of the photosensitive layer and the silicone layer are scraped off by the brush roller 30
The plate 12 is held and conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 28, and the developer 18 is applied again, and the developer 18 is squeezed out from the waterless plate 12.

The waterless 23rd plate 12 in this state is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 94 in the dyeing section 16. The waterless 23rd plate 12 is conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 94 by the brush roller 10.
0 and the receiver are inserted between the stand 102. Like the brush roller 30, this brush roller 100 also rotates counterclockwise in FIG. Coat the top surface of the P8 plate 12. As a result, the dyeing solution 17 adheres to the primer layer, that is, the unexposed area (image area), and is dyed.

Further, the waterless PS plate 12 is inserted between the pair of conveying rollers 96 1, and the rectifying plate 10 is passed to the upper roller of the pair of conveying rollers 96.
The dyeing liquid 17 guided and supplied by the dyeing liquid 6 is applied to the surface, and the dyeing liquid 17 is squeezed out. This staining is a process to make it easier to distinguish between the image area and the non-image area, as the surfaces of the image area and non-image area of the waterless PS plate 12 after development are the same color, and are used for plate inspection work. This is the process that is carried out.

After the waterless PS plate 12 whose image area has been dyed is sent out from the dyeing section 16, it is inserted between a pair of transport rollers 98, and the staining solution 17 remaining on the surface is wiped off. Since the pair of transport rollers 98 is made of NBR rubber, the ability to wipe off the staining liquid 17 is improved. In particular, the staining liquid 17 remains in the non-image area and the ink repellency of the tail and silicone rubber layer decreases, making it impossible to obtain a good image during printing.However, the pair of transport rollers 98 reliably squeezes the staining liquid from the surface. This allows you to obtain good images.

Next, the circulation of the developer 18 in the developing section 14, removal of residue, and replenishment of the developer 18 will be explained.

Circulation> As shown in FIG. 1, the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 is sent to the spray pipes 34, 40, and 42 by the operation of the circulation pump 44, and the developer 18 is transported through the developer section 14 without water. It is applied to the PS plate 12. Excess developer 18 after coating the waterless PS plate 12 falls and is collected into a developer recovery tank 22.

There is no water in the developer collected into the developer recovery tank 22.
There are developer residues such as the photosensitive layer and silicone rubber layer that have peeled off from the surface of the S plate 12 mixed in, and these developer residues have a lighter specific gravity than the developer, so they are removed from the surface layer of the developer in the developer collection tank 22. floating in the air.

Dust Removal> In this state, the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 62 over the lower partition wall 22A. As a result, the developer residue floating on the surface layer of the developer solution 18 flows into the overflow tank 62 and is accumulated therein.

If the filter 46 should become clogged with developer residue, the circulating flow rate of the developer 18 passing through the pipe line 38 will decrease. The flow rate sensor 50 detects this, and the control device 5
The detection results are transmitted to 2.

The control device 52 activates the notification device 56 so that the filter 4
6 notifies you that it is clogged.

This allows the operator to know when to replace the filter 46 with a new one.

When the developer or water is further replenished into the developer recovery tank 22, the level of the developer in the developer recovery tank 22 rises.
As it rises beyond the through hole 64, the level of the developer in the overflow tank 62 (developing particles are collected on the surface layer) also rises, and the upper end of the overflow pipe 70 is submerged in water (Fig. 1-2). (position indicated by dotted diagonal line). As a result, the developer in the overflow tank 62 is discharged from the surface layer (in which developer particles are floating) to the outside through the overflow pipe 70. At this time, the upper partition wall 22B of the developer recovery tank 22 that forms the through hole 64 acts as a weir, and the scum that is once collected in the overflow tank 62 is raised by replenishing the developer solution. The developer recovery tank 22
It cannot spread inward.

In this way, in this embodiment, the overflow pipe 70 discharges the developer particles to the outside when replenishing the developer stock solution or water, so that clogging of the filter is reduced and stable development processing can be carried out over a long period of time. I can do it. Furthermore, since the circulation path of the developer 18 is made into two systems, the branch pipe 158 and the pipe line 48, developer scum can be removed from the developer 18, so that developer scum does not accumulate in the developer recovery tank 22 and the circulation pump 44. This makes maintenance easier.

Developing Solution Replenishment> The aluminum detector 86 detects the 23 plate 12 without drainage inserted into the developing section 14, and detects the processing amount.

Based on this detection result, the control device 52 operates the developer supply pump 76 to supply the developer solution into the developer recovery tank 22 . This replenishment is carried out in accordance with the processing amount, that is, the area, of the waterless 23 plate 12, and is intended to recover the deterioration of the developer 18 caused by processing. This replenishment amount is 5 to 500 cc
/m' (preferably 20 to 200 cc/m').

Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the developer 18 is detected by an electrical conductivity detector 54, and this result is transmitted to the control device 52. This allows the amount of water in the developer 18 to be detected. When the water in the developer 18 evaporates and concentrates, the electrical conductivity of the developer 18 increases, and when it reaches a predetermined value or more, the controller 52 operates the water supply pump 78,
Water is supplied into the developer recovery tank 22. The amount of water replenishment is set at 500 to 1000 cc/time. This prevents the developer 18 from concentrating, replenishes the area of the developer stock solution and maintains the activity of the developer 18 at a constant level, allowing stable development over a long period of time.

Next, replenishment of the staining solution 17 in the staining section 16 will be explained.

The developer 18 remains attached to the surface of the waterless 23 plate 12 inserted into the staining section 16, and the staining solution 17 is applied in this state. For this reason, the developer 18 is carried into the staining liquid 17 collected in the staining liquid recovery tank 92 after dyeing, and the staining liquid 17 deteriorates.

In addition, depending on the amount of dyeing process for the waterless 23 plate 12, the dyeing solution 1
7 deteriorates. Therefore, based on the detection result of the area of the waterless 23 plate 12 by the aluminum detector 86, the control device 52
operates the dyeing solution supply pump 124 to remove the dyeing solution recovery tank 92.
Supply staining solution inside.

As a result, the dyeing ability of the staining liquid 17 is not reduced, and a stable dyeing process can be carried out over a long period of time.

In this embodiment, the upper end of the overflow tube 70 is set at a height such that it is submerged when the liquid level rises due to replenishment of the developer solution 18, but the height is not limited to this. It may be set at a position slightly lower than the liquid level of the liquid 18 so that the developer residue can be discharged from the overflow pipe 70 even during circulation.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the present invention, the developer scum in the developer recovery tank is collected in the overflow tank, and the developer scum is submerged in the developer by replenishing the developer. Since it is discharged, developer residue can be removed from the developer, reducing clogging of the filter placed in the middle of the circulation path, and reducing dirt in the developer recovery tank. You can get excellent results.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus according to the present invention. 10... Waterless planographic printing plate developing device, 12... Waterless planographic printing plate (PS plate), 14... Development section, 16... Staining section, 18... Developer, developer recovery Tank, circulation pump, filter, overflow tank, overflow pipe.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Used in a waterless planographic printing plate development processing device that develops a waterless planographic printing plate while circulating the developer in the developer storage tank with a circulation pump, and uses water to remove developer residue from the developer. A lithographic printing plate residue removal device, comprising:
A collection tank for collecting developer residue floating in the developer into which the surface layer of the developer flows into the developer storage tank in which the developer is stored; 1. A device for removing developer scum from a waterless lithographic printing plate, comprising: a discharge means for discharging developer scum collected together with a developer solution to the outside of a collection tank.