JPH0387833A - Device for processing photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To lessen the deterioration of a processing liquid by the air and the moisture evaporation thereof by providing a cap for the processing liquid surface of a photosensitive material and shielding parts for both shaft ends of rubbing brush. CONSTITUTION:The rubbing brush 62 with a part of its outer periphery being projected from the processing liquid surface of the photosensitive material is immersed into the processing liquid and the photosensitive material transported and immersed in the processing liquid is rubbed by the brush 62. The cap 102 is placed on the liquid surface to cover the exposed outer periphery of the brush 62 and to shut off the liquid surface from the air. The processing liquid is shut off from the air by this constitution and the outer periphery of the exposed brush is shut off from the outside as well. The deterioration of the processing liquid by the air is thus lessened and the evaporation of the moisture in the processing liquid is lessened as well. The high-quality processing of the photosensitive material is thus executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material on which an image has been printed is automatically conveyed and immersed in a processing liquid and processed while being rubbed with a brush.

[Prior Art] Photosensitive material processing in which a photosensitive material such as a photosensitive lithographic printing plate CF2 plate, which is formed by providing a photosensitive layer on a support such as aluminum, is conveyed and immersed in a developer to be developed after image exposure. A device has been proposed.

In this photosensitive material processing apparatus, a plurality of guide rollers are arranged in the processing liquid, and these guide rollers form a conveyance path for the photosensitive material. Further, a photosensitive material processing apparatus has been proposed in which a brush serving as a rubbing member is disposed between these guide rollers, and the surface of the photosensitive material is developed while being rubbed in a processing liquid.

When a processing solution for processing a photosensitive material, particularly an alkaline developer, comes into contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air, a problem arises in that the pH decreases, that is, the developer deteriorates.

By the way, it is known to increase the temperature of the developer in order to perform a good development process with less residual color in non-image areas and to shorten the time required for development. The deterioration caused by

In addition, as a result of accelerated evaporation of the developer, the developer becomes concentrated and development performance deteriorates.

Furthermore, in an immersion-type photosensitive material processing apparatus, as evaporation progresses, the level of the developer decreases, and the time it takes for the developer to pass through the photosensitive material, that is, the processing time, becomes shorter, resulting in a decrease in development performance.

For this reason, in the conventional developing device, there is a limit to increasing the temperature of the processing liquid, and a high-quality plate cannot be obtained quickly.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application No. 63-134708 proposes a photosensitive material processing apparatus having a blocking means for blocking 40% or more of the contact area of the surface of the developer with air.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a brush is disposed in a processing liquid, a part of the outer periphery of the brush protrudes from above the liquid surface. If you try to cover the liquid surface with the lid, which is a blocking means, the brush will get in the way and you will not be able to cover the liquid surface.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a photosensitive material processing apparatus that is provided with a brush that is disposed in the processing liquid with a part of its outer periphery protruding above the liquid surface and that rubs the photosensitive material that is transported and immersed in the processing liquid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus that can reduce air deterioration of a processing liquid and reduce evaporation of water in the processing liquid.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a liquid level lid that is placed on the processing liquid surface to cover the exposed outer periphery of the brush and to shield the surface of the processing liquid from air. and a shielding part that is provided on the liquid level lid and shields both ends of the exposed brush in the axial direction.

[Operations] According to the present invention, the liquid level lid blocks the processing liquid from the air and also blocks the exposed outer periphery of the brush from the outside.

Furthermore, both exposed axial sides of the brush are covered by shielding parts.

Since these liquid level lids and shielding parts cover the processing liquid surface, deterioration of the processing liquid due to air is reduced. Furthermore, evaporation of water in the processing liquid is reduced.

[Effects of the Invention] In the present invention having the above configuration, a part of the outer periphery protrudes above the liquid surface and is placed in the processing liquid, and is provided with a brush that rubs the photosensitive material being transported and immersed in the processing liquid. In the apparatus, air deterioration of the processing liquid can be reduced, evaporation of water in the processing liquid can be reduced, and stable processing can be performed over a long period of time.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor 10, which is an example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention.

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine 10 includes a supplementary first developing tank 14 for developing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "28th plate") 12 on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown), and a 28th plate 12. A second developer tank 16 that performs auxiliary development processing, an overflow tank 18 disposed between the first developer tank 14 and the second developer tank 16, and a finisher tank 20 that applies finisher liquid to the PS plate 12. It is equipped.

<First developer tank> As shown in Fig.
A pair of conveyance rollers 22 is arranged on the insertion side of the paper. The 28th plate 12 with an image printed thereon by a printing device (not shown) is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 22, and the inserted 28th plate 12 is sent into the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor 10.

The first developer tank 14 has an approximately inverted mountain shape with an open top and a bottom central portion protruding downward.

A developer 24 is contained within the first developer tank 14 . Inside the first developing tank 14, guide rollers 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 366, 38 of the same diameter are installed along the bottom wall.
is installed. These guide rollers 26 to 38 form skewer-shaped rollers in which a plurality of elastic rotating members are pivotally supported on the outer periphery of the shaft, and the shaft is supported by being stretched between a pair of side plates (not shown). .

Further, a guide roller 40 having a larger diameter than the guide roller 26 is arranged above the guide roller 26, a guide roller 42 is arranged above the guide roller 36, and a guide roller 40 is arranged above the guide roller 36.
A guide roller 44 is arranged above the roller 8 . These guide rollers 40, 42, 44 are the guide rollers 26
- 38, it is supported by a pair of side plates (not shown).

A pair of transport rollers 46 is arranged between the guide rollers 30 and 32 in the center of the first developer tank (4). This conveyance roller pair 46 is supported by a pair of side plates (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto.

A guide roller 48 having a larger diameter than the guide roller 30 is arranged between the conveyance roller 46 and the guide roller 30.

This guide roller 48 is a skewer-shaped roller and the guide roller 2
Similar to 4-38, it is supported by a pair of side plates. A guide 52 is attached to the shaft of the guide roller 48 via a bracket 50. One end of this guide 52 is fixed to the bracket 50, and the other end is arranged toward the pair of conveying rollers 46. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is guided between the conveyance rollers 46.

Therefore, the 23rd printing plate 12 sent into the first developer tank 14 by the conveying roller pair 22 is inserted between the guide roller 24 and the guide roller 40, and the guide roller 28, 30, 48
The paper is guided by the guide 52 and is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 46 by the guide 52 . After passing through the pair of transport rollers 46, it is guided by guide rollers 32, 34, 36, 42, 38 and rises obliquely, and is guided by guide rollers 44 and sent onto the overflow tank 18. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is immersed in the developer in the first developer tank 16 and developed.

The guide roller 32 is formed by a plurality of elastic rotating members pivotally supported on the outer periphery of a spray pipe 54 in which a plurality of discharge ports are formed along the axial direction.

This spray pipe 54 is communicated with one end of a conduit 56. The other end of the conduit 56 passes through the bottom of the second developer 16 and opens into the second developer tank 16 .

A supply pump 58 (P,) is disposed in the middle of the pipe line 56, and this supplies the developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 to the spray pipe 54.

Moreover, above the guide roller 32, there is a spray nozzle (eve 60).
is located. The spray pipe 60 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports opening toward the conveying roller pair 46 along the axial direction.

This spray pipe 60 is also in communication with the conduit 56,
The developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 is supplied by a supply pump 58 .

A brush 62 is arranged between the spray pipe 60 and the guide roller 42. This brush 62 has a rotating shaft 64 rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto.

The brush 62 is helically wound and bonded to the rotating shaft 64 via a long rag brush nylon sheet. This fibrous brush is made of nylon, ETEF, PP5SPP, or the like. Also, the outer diameter is 40mmΦ or less and 25~4
0mmΦ is preferable, and the wire diameter of the fibrous brush is 20 to 70μ.
is set to .

Further, the rotation speed of this fibrous brush is set to 300 rpm or less, and preferably 60 to 20 Or pm.

Alternatively, the brush 62 may be formed by providing a spiral groove on the rotating shaft 64, inserting a torsion brush into the groove, and winding the brush. In this case, the Nejiri Brush is a brush with bristles fixed to two wires, and when the wires of this Nejiri Brush are inserted into the groove, the bristles are evenly scattered to the outside of the groove and protrude, and the radially erected bristles rotate around the rotation axis. evenly distributed. This torsion brush is molded from the same material as the fibrous brush described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, a brush 78 having the same structure as the brush 62 is arranged at the bottom of the conveyance path for the 23rd printing plate 12 between the guide roller 36 and the guide roller 38.

A scraping prevention plate 80 is provided on the guide roller 42 side of the brush 62.
is located. This vignetting prevention plate 80 has a brush 62
This prevents the rear end of the 23rd plate 12 passing between the guide roller 36 and the guide roller 36 from being vignetted. Furthermore, a scratch prevention plate 82 is arranged between the brush 78 and the idle roller 38.

This vignetting prevention plate 82 is similar to the vignetting prevention plate 80.
This prevents the rear end of the plate 12 from being vignetted.

! A pipe line 84 that communicates with the bottom of the overflow tank 18 is open above the first developer tank 14 . A pump 86 (P6) is arranged in the middle of this pipe line 84. Also the first
Above the developer tank 14 is a pipe line 9 communicating with a water supply tank 88.
0 is open, and a water supply pump 92 (P2) is disposed in the middle of this pipe line 90. This water supply pump 92
is connected to a conductivity replenishment controller 176, which will be described later. This controls the timing of water supply.

Further, one end of a conduit 94 reaches the lower part of the first developer tank 14 . A conductivity detector 96 (S
), a circulation pump 98, and a filter 100(F) are arranged, and the other end is communicated again to the lower part of the first developer tank 14. Therefore, the operation of the circulation pump 98 causes the first
The developer 24 stored in the lower part of the developer tank 14 is connected to the conduit 9.
After passing through the conductivity detector 96 and the filter 100, it is sent into the first developer tank 14 again. As a result, the conductivity of the developer 24 is detected, dust, etc. in the developer 24 is removed, and the developer 24 in the first developer tank 14 is stirred.

Further, the conductivity detector 96 is connected to the conductivity replenishment controller 17.
6, detects the conductivity of the developer 24 passing through the pipe 94, detects the conductivity of the developer 24 in the first developer tank 14, and transmits the detection result to the conductivity replenishment controller 176. .

Further, a liquid level lid 102 is arranged above the first developing tank 14 . As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the liquid level lid 102 corresponding to the brush 62 and the guide roller 42 protrudes in a substantially arc shape, and a bent portion 02A is formed. The outer periphery of the bushing 62 protruding from the liquid surface and the guide roller 42 are housed inside this bent portion on the liquid surface side. Bent part 1
Openings 102B are formed at both widthwise ends of 02A, that is, at both sides along the axial direction of the brush 62 and guide roller 42. This opening 102A is closed by a semicircular shielding plate 180.

In addition, the liquid level lid 102 is configured so that the movement of the PS plate 12 in the conveying direction is first controlled.
Although it is regulated by a stopper (not shown) provided on the inner wall of the developer tank 14, movement in the liquid level height direction is not regulated. Therefore, when the amount of the developer 24 in the first developer tank 14 is small (as a result, the liquid level decreases, the liquid level lid 102 lowers to follow this decrease. Since the contact area between the developer and the air is reduced, it prevents deterioration of the developer caused by the developer absorbing carbon dioxide gas in the air and neutralizing the alkaline components in the developer.Also, Prevents evaporation of developer.

The shape of the liquid level lid 102 is designed so that the shielding rate of the developer 24 from air is 40% or more, preferably 60% or more. This shape is determined by the opening shape of the first developer tank 14, parts protruding from the developer surface, and the like.

As described above, the liquid level lid 102 is made of a lightweight material so that it floats on the surface of the developer in the first developing tank 14. Preferred materials include synthetic resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyamide, and polyester, lightweight metals, and foamed plastics.

Note that as shown in FIG. 3, the bent portion 1 of the liquid level lid 182
82A may have a protruding rectangular shape.

A shielding plate 186 that closes both sides of this bent portion 182 is formed in a rectangular shape.

Further, a guide cover 104 for beam entry is arranged above the first developing tank 14. This guide cover 104 directly inserts and guides the PS plate 12 into the second developer tank 16 over the first developer tank 14 for second development and finisher processing after the development process.

Overflow tank> The upper part of the side wall of the first developer tank 14 on the side of the overflow tank 18 is bent toward the overflow tank 18 side, and the developer 24 in the first developer tank 14 overflows the upper part of this side wall and flows into the overflow tank 18. It is collected inside.

A pair of conveying rollers 106 is arranged at the upper part of the side wall that partitions the overflow tank 18 and the second developer tank 16. These transport roller pairs 106 are rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. The 23rd printing plate 12 sent out from between the guide rollers 38 and 44 is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 106.

The conveyance roller 106 located on the upper side has a small diameter roller 10.
8 are placed in contact with each other. This roller 108 is connected to the developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 adhering to the conveyance roller 106.
is prevented from entering the overflow tank 18.

Further, the transport roller 106 located further below has an overflow tank 18 and a roller 110.1 inside the second developer tank 16.
12 are arranged in contact with each other. The roller 110 is carried out by the 23rd printing plate 12 in the first developer tank 14 to prevent the developer 24 adhering to the transport roller 106 from entering the second developer tank 16 . Further, the roller 112 prevents the developer in the second developer tank from entering the overflow tank 18.

Inside the overflow tank 18 is a conduit 114 that penetrates the bottom.
One end of the pipe 114 extends from the bottom to a predetermined height, and the height of the developer in the overflow tank 18 is determined by the height of the pipe 114 from the bottom. The other end of this conduit 114 opens into a drain tank 116 .

Second developer tank> At the top of the second developer tank 16, a pair of transport rollers 118 are arranged on the side of the finisher tank 20. These transport roller pairs 118 are rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown). The driving force of a driving means (not shown) is transmitted and rotates. A pair of conveyor rollers 10 is disposed between these pairs of conveyor rollers 118.
The 23rd edition 12 sent out from between 6 and 6 is inserted. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is conveyed substantially horizontally above the second developing tank 16.

23 plate 12 between conveyance roller 106 and conveyance roller 118
A spray pipe 120 having the same structure as the spray pipe 54 described above is arranged above the conveyance path. The outlet of the developer 24 of this spray pipe 120 is connected to the conveyor roller 1.
It is opened toward the 06 side, and discharges the supplied developer between the conveyance roller 106 and the upper surface side of the 23rd plate 12. This spray pipe 120 is connected to one end of a conduit 122. The other end of the conduit 122 communicates with the bottom of the second developer tank 16, and a supply pump 124 is disposed in the middle. A developer 24 is stored in the lower part of the second developer tank 16 , and the developer 24 is supplied to the spray pipe 120 by the operation of the circulation pump 124 . As a result, the developer 24 is applied to the surface of the 23rd plate 12.

A kite roller 126 is disposed at the bottom of the conveyance path for the 23rd plate 12 in correspondence with the spray pipe 120. Similar to the guide roller 32, this guide roller 126 is connected to a spray pipe 54 in which a plurality of discharge ports are formed along the axial direction.
A plurality of elastic rotating members are pivotally supported on the outer periphery of the rotary member. This spray pipe 128 is in communication with the conduit 122, and the developer 24 is supplied by the operation of the developer supply pump 124.

A plurality of discharge ports are opened in the spray pipe 128 along the axial direction between the conveyance roller 118 and the back side of the 23rd printing plate 12. The developer 24 thus supplied is discharged and applied to the back side of the 23rd plate 12.

One end of a conduit 130 is communicated with the bottom of the second developer tank 16 . The other end of the pipe line 130 is connected to a developing solution tank 132. A stock solution supply pump 1 is located in the middle of the pipe line 130.
32 (P,) are arranged. This stock solution supply pump 1
32 is connected to a processing replenishment controller 164 to control its operation.

Further, one end of a conduit 134 is communicated with the bottom of the second developing tank 16 . The other end of the pipe line 134 is connected to a water supply tank 88. A water supply pump 136 is arranged in the middle of the pipe line 134. This water supply pump 136 (P3) is connected to the conductivity replenishment controller 176 and the processing replenishment controller 164, and their operations are controlled.

Further, one end of a conduit 138 passes through the bottom of the second developer tank 16 and projects into the second developer tank. This second developing tank 16
The height of the inward protrusion sets the liquid level height of the developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 . The other end of the pipe line 138 is a drain tank 140
The developing solution overflowing the pipe line 138 is discharged.

Finisher tank> A partition plate 142 is provided on the side wall that partitions the second developer tank 16 and the finisher tank 20.
This prevents the developer 24 adhering to the pair of transport rollers 118 from mixing into the finisher solution in the finisher tank 20.

A pair of conveyor rollers 144 is arranged on the exit side in the upper part of the finisher tank 20.
is rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. The conveyance roller pair 144 is arranged at a slightly lower position than the conveyance roller 118. A pair of conveying rollers 11 is provided between the pair of conveying rollers 144.
The 23rd edition 12 sent out from between 8 and 8 is inserted. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is transported with the upper part of the second developing tank 16 tilted.

23 plate 1 between the conveying roller pair 118 and the conveying roller 144
A spray pipe 146 having the same structure as the spray pipe 54 described above is arranged above the second conveyance path. A discharge port for the developer 24 of the spray pipe 146 is opened toward the conveyance roller 144 side, and the supplied developer is discharged between the conveyance roller 144 and the upper surface side of the 23rd plate 12. This spray pipe 146 is connected to one end of a conduit 148. The other end of the pipe line 148 is the finisher tank 2
0, and there is a supply pump 150 on the way.
is located. A finisher liquid 152 is stored in the lower part of the finisher tank 20, and the finisher liquid 152 is stored at the bottom of the finisher tank 20.
50 causes this finisher liquid 152 to be supplied to the spray pipe 146. As a result, the finisher liquid 152 is discharged and applied onto the surface of the 23rd plate 12.

A finisher liquid coating box 154 is arranged at the bottom of the conveyance path for the 23rd plate 12 in correspondence with the spray pipe 146 . The finisher liquid application box 154 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and an opening 154A is formed toward the top. A spray pipe 156 is arranged within the finisher liquid application box 154. Similar to the spray pipe 146, this spray pipe 156 has a plurality of discharge ports formed along the axial direction. This spray pipe 154 is in communication with a conduit 148, and the finisher liquid 152 is supplied into the finisher liquid application box 154 by the operation of the supply pump 148. The finisher liquid 152 supplied into the finisher liquid application box 154 overflows from the opening 154A and is applied to the back side of the 23rd plate 12 passing above.

One end of a conduit 158 is connected to the bottom of the finisher tank 20 . The other end of the conduit 158 is connected to a liquid tank 160. A stock solution supply pump 162 (P,) is arranged in the middle of the pipe line 158. This stock solution supply pump 162 is connected to a processing replenishment controller 164 to control its operation.

Further, one end of a conduit 166 is communicated with the bottom of the finisher tank 20. The other end of the pipe 166 is a water tank 88
is connected to. A water supply pump 1 is installed in the middle of the pipe 166.
68 (P3) is arranged. This water supply pump 136
is connected to the processing replenishment controller 164, and its operation is controlled.

Further, one end of a conduit 1170 passes through the bottom of the finisher tank 20 and projects into the finisher tank 20. The height of this protrusion into the finisher tank 20 sets the liquid level height of the finisher liquid in the finisher tank 20. The other end of the pipe line 170 opens to a drain tank 172, and the developer that has overflowed the pipe line 170 is discharged.

A detector 174 connected to the processing replenishment controller 164 is arranged on the insertion side of the transport roller pair 22. The detector 174 detects the passage time of the 23rd plate 12 at the insertion port of the photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine 10, and detects the preset PS.
Using the processing speed of the plate and the width dimension of the PS plate, the processing replenishment controller 164 calculates the area of the 23 plate 12 to be inserted into the photosensitive planographic printing plate processor 10.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The 23rd plate 12 on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown) is inserted into the transport roller pair 22, and then inserted between the guide roller 40 and the guide roller 26 of the first developer tank 14.
It is sent into the first developer tank 14. This 23rd plate 12 is guided by guide rollers 28, 30, 48 and descends to the first
Sent to the center of development.

The large-diameter guide roller 52 guides the tip of the 23rd plate 12 without deviating from the predetermined conveyance path.
It functions to insert the leading end of the third plate 12 between the pair of conveying rollers 46.

The 23rd plate 12 inserted into the pair of conveying rollers 46 and sent out from the pair of conveying rollers 46 is moved by the guide rollers 32, 34, .
36, 42, 38, and 44, rises, and is sent out from the first developer tank 14.

During this conveyance, both sides of the PS plate 12 are rubbed by brushes 62, 78, and unnecessary swollen or dissolved photosensitive layers are rubbed off. This ensures that the 23rd plate 12 is developed.

Since this brush 62.78 has a small diameter, the rotating shaft 64.70 is placed in the developer, and the liquid level lid 102 reduces the contact of the developer 24 with air, thereby preventing deterioration of the developer 24. The first developing tank 14 can be reduced.
can be made smaller and costs can be reduced.

Further, the developer overflowing from the first developer tank 14 and discharged into the overflow tank 18 is inserted into the discharge tank 116 from the pipe line 114.

The 23rd plate 12 processed by conveyance in the first developing tank 14 is almost completely developed, and furthermore, the second developing tank 1
6 and is additionally developed.

Further, the 23rd plate 12 is squeezed when being conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 46 in the developer 24 in the first developing tank 16.
Immediately thereafter, the developer 24 is sprayed by the spray pipe 60.54, and the developer in the first developer tank 14 is circulated.

Further, the developer 24 that overflows from the first developer tank 14 and is discharged into the overflow tank 18 is passed through the pipe line 84 by the pump 86 and is again supplied into the first developer tank 14, so that the developer 24 can be effectively used. It can be used for.

The 23rd plate 12 sent out from the first developer tank 14 is held and transported by a pair of transport rollers 106 , the developer is squeezed out, and the plate 12 is sent out between a pair of transport rollers 118 . The second developing tank 16 is sent out toward the conveying roller pair 118.
The upper part of the paper is not guided by guide rollers 126 and is transported in a substantially horizontal direction.

During this conveyance, the developer 24 is discharged and coated onto both sides of the 23rd plate 12 by the spray pipes 120 and 128. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is completely developed.

The developer 24 of the first developer tank 14 is exhausted by the development process of the 23rd plate 12, and this exhausted developer 24 is discharged from the overflow tank 18 through the pipe 134 into the discharge tank 116.

Further, the developing stock solution and water are replenished into the second developing tank 16 by the processing replenishment controller 164.
6, the developer is replenished into the first developer tank 14. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 to which the developer is applied in the second developer tank 16
has been developed in advance in the first developer tank 14, so there is little deterioration due to processing of the developer in the second developer tank 16. Therefore, since the developer in the second developer tank is supplied into the first developer tank 14, the developer can be used for a long period of time, and long-term running is possible.

Further, since the upper surface of the developer is covered by the liquid level lid 102, deterioration of the developer due to air can be reduced, and evaporation of the developer can be reduced.

Next, replenishment will be explained.

When a large number of 23 plates 12 are developed in the first developer tank 14, the developer becomes exhausted. The degree of fatigue of the developing solution is determined by detecting the area of the 23 plate 12 being processed by the detector 174 and calculating by the processing replenishment controller 164, and by replenishing the developing solution, the deterioration of the developing solution can be recovered.

That is, the P5 plate 12 inserted by the detector 174
Based on this detection result, the processing replenishment controller 164 calculates the operating time of the developer stock pump 132 and the water supply pump 136 to supply the developer replenisher in an amount corresponding to the area of the PS plate 12. The stock solution supply pump 132 and the water supply pump 136 are operated.

Further, the electrical conductivity of the developing solution 24 is detected by the electrical conductivity detector 96, and when the developing solution 24 is concentrated and the electrical conductivity increases and reaches a predetermined value or more, the electrical conductivity replenishment controller 176 is activated to supply water. The pump 92 is operated to supply the first developer tank 14 . In addition, the amount of water evaporated into the second developer tank 18 and the finisher tank 24 is measured in advance, and the second developer water supply pump 136 and finisher water supply pump 68 are operated in proportion to the operation of the water supply pump 92. let This water replenishment amount is set to 1Qcc to 1000cc/time.

Further, the finisher tank 20 is refilled with the finisher stock solution and water at a constant rate by a processing replenishment controller 164, a finisher solution stock solution supply pump 162, and a water supply pump 168.

This prevents the developer 24 and finisher solution 152 from concentrating, and in addition to the area replenishment, the activity of the developer solution 24 and finisher solution 152 is kept constant, making it possible to perform stable development over a long period of time.

In this example, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is shown as an example of the photosensitive material, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a developing device for photosensitive recording materials such as a developing device for waterless planographic printing plates as other photosensitive materials. You can.

Further, in this embodiment, a separate shielding plate 180 is used as a shielding portion that shields both sides of the brush and guide roller 42 in the axial direction.
．． 184 is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be formed integrally with the liquid level lid 102.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a liquid level lid, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view showing another liquid level lid. 10... Photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine, 12... Photosensitive planographic printing plate CF2 plate> 14... First
Developer tank, 16... Second developer tank, 24... Developer, 62.78... Brush, 64.70... Rotating shaft, 66... Fibrous brush, 74... Twisted brush. 102...Liquid level lid, 180.187...Shielding plate.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A photosensitive material processing device that automatically conveys and immerses an image-exposed photosensitive material in a processing solution, exposing a part of its outer periphery above the liquid surface and processing it while rubbing it with a brush placed inside the processing solution. A liquid level lid placed on the surface of the processing liquid to cover the outer periphery of the brush and shield the surface of the processing liquid from air; A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: a shielding part that shields both axial ends of the brush exposed upward from above the liquid surface.