JPH04122943A - Processing device for photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To uniformize development degrees and to make effective use of a developer by having a means for controlling a transporting means so as to stop the transportation before the prescribed development degree is attained when development progression does not attain the prescribed development degree. CONSTITUTION:The development progression of a photosensitive material 12 is detected by a detecting means 118 when the material 12 is transported by the transporting means while the material is subjected to development processing by the developer 24. Then, the development processing state is maintained before the development progression of the material 12 attains the prescribed development degree and, therefore, the development degrees of all the materials are uniformized. The material 12 is subjected to the development processing until the development signal of the material 12 attains the prescribed development degree and, therefore, even if the development performance of the developer 24 degrades, the developer is effectively used in this state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive material with a developer after exposure.

[Conventional technology]

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as PS plate) on which the image has been printed is sent to a photosensitive material processing device and is developed in a developing tank of the photosensitive material processing device.

Next, after being washed with water in a rinsing tank or a washing tank, a finisher liquid is discharged in a finisher tank.

However, the developer in the developer tank for developing the PS plate becomes fatigued by repeatedly developing the PS plate.

Furthermore, when the developer comes into contact with air, it becomes fatigued due to the action of carbon dioxide gas in the air. Furthermore, the concentration of the developer changes due to the evaporation of water and the like in the developer.

Conventionally, the amount of replenisher and water was set based on the detection result of the conductivity of the developer, the number of developed PS plates, etc., and the replenisher was used to replenish the replenisher.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the configuration in which the replenisher is replenished by a replenishing device, it is necessary to constantly manage the degree of decline in the developing performance of the developer due to exhaustion of the developer and maintain the developing performance of the developer at a predetermined level. However, in order to perform accurate replenishment based on the correlation between the electrical conductivity of the developer, which is related to the physical properties of the developer itself, and the degree of development of the PS plate, there is a problem in that the equipment becomes complicated and the cost increases. there were.

In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a photosensitive material processing apparatus that can make the degree of development uniform and can use the developer effectively.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention as set forth in claim (1) includes: a conveying means for conveying a photosensitive material having an exposed photosensitive layer while being developed with a developer; and a detecting means for detecting the pressure of the development progress of the photosensitive material; The conveyance means is controlled so that the photosensitive material is conveyed, and if the development progress of the photosensitive material has not reached a predetermined degree of development, the conveyance means is controlled until the degree of development of the photosensitive material reaches a predetermined degree of development. The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the conveyance means so as to stop conveyance by the means.

The present invention as set forth in claim (2) provides the photosensitive material processing apparatus as set forth in claim (1), wherein the detection means projects light having a wavelength within a range to which the photosensitive layer is not sensitive to the photosensitive layer side of the photosensitive material. It is composed of a light source section that emits light, and a light receiving section that receives the light projected from the light source section and reflected by the photosensitive material.

[Effect]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim (1), the photosensitive material having the exposed photosensitive layer is transported by the transport means controlled by the control means while being developed with a developer. The progress of development of the transported photosensitive material is detected by a detection means.

When the progress of development of the photosensitive material detected by the detection means has not reached a predetermined degree of development, the control means is configured to stop the conveyance by the conveyance means until the progress of development of the photosensitive material reaches a predetermined degree of development. The transport means are controlled.

Therefore, the state of development of the photosensitive material with the developer is maintained until the progress of development of the photosensitive material reaches a predetermined degree of development, so that the degree of development of all the photosensitive materials can be made uniform. In addition, even if the developing performance of the developer decreases,
Since the photosensitive material is developed until the progress of development of the photosensitive material reaches a predetermined degree of development, even if the developing performance of the developer decreases, the developer can still be used effectively.

According to the invention as set forth in claim (2), light having a wavelength within a range to which the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive material is not sensitive is projected from the light source toward the photosensitive layer side of the photosensitive material. This light is reflected by the photosensitive material,
The reflected light is received by the light receiving section. In this way, the progress of development of the photosensitive material is detected by light having a wavelength within the range to which the photosensitive layer is not exposed, so that the photosensitive layer is not exposed to light unnecessarily.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention has excellent effects in that the degree of development can be made uniform and the developer can be used effectively.

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

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor 10 is a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "
a developer tank 14 for developing the PS version) 12;
Overflow tank 18 disposed adjacent to developer tank 14
and a finisher tank 20 disposed adjacent to the overflow tank 18 for discharging a finisher liquid 152, which will be described later, to the PS plate 12. Note that the photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine 10 is provided with a main switch (not shown), and the photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine 10 is activated by turning on this main switch.

<Developer tank> As shown in Figure 1, the developer W! 14 has a substantially inverted mountain shape with an open top and a bottom central portion protruding downward. A developer 24 is contained within the developer tank 14 .

Further, a pair of conveyance rollers 22 are disposed in the developer tank 14 on the side where the 23rd plate 12 is inserted.

The pair of conveyor rollers 22 are supported by a pair of side plates (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. 23 plate 1 inserted between a pair of conveyance rollers 22
2 in the transport direction (first
The paper is transported along the direction of arrow A in the figure.

Further, in the developer tank 14, along the bottom wall part and the 23rd plate 1
Guide rollers 26, 28, 30. of the same diameter on the underside of 2.
32, 34, 36, and 38 are arranged in sequence. The guide roller 26 includes a shaft and an elastic rotating member fixed coaxially to the shaft.

The shaft is supported by being spanned between a pair of side plates (not shown). A plurality of elastic rotating members are supported at predetermined intervals along the axial direction. Thereby, the guide roller 26 is a skewer-shaped roller.

In addition, guide roller 28.30.32.34.36.3
8 has the same structure as the guide roller 26, so its explanation will be omitted.

Further, above the guide roller 26, a guide roller 26 is provided.
A guide roller 40 with a larger diameter is provided. Above the guide rollers 36.38, there are guide rollers 42.44.
are arranged respectively. These guide rollers 40.4
2.44 is supported by a pair of side plates (not shown) similarly to the guide rollers 26 to 38.

A pair of conveyance rollers 46 is disposed at the center of the developer tank 14 between the guide roller 30 and the guide roller 32 . The pair of transport rollers 46 are supported by a pair of side plates (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto.

A pair of conveyance rollers 46 including a driving means and a pair of conveyance rollers 22 constitute a conveyance means.

A guide roller 48 having a larger diameter than the guide roller 30 is disposed between the lower one of the pair of conveyance rollers 46 and the guide roller 30 . This guide roller 48 is a skewer-shaped roller, and the guide rollers 24 to
Similar to 38, it is supported by a pair of side plates. A bracket 50 is attached to the shaft of the guide roller 48. The bracket 50 includes a guide 5 having an L-shaped cross section.
One end of 2 is fixed. The other end of the guide 52 is arranged toward the pair of conveyance rollers 46 .

This guide 52 guides the 23rd plate 12 between the pair of conveyance rollers 46 .

A spray pipe 54 having a plurality of discharge ports formed along the axial direction is disposed at the axial center of the guide roller 32 . Further, above the guide roller 32, a spray pipe 60 having the same configuration as the spray pipe 54 is arranged.

Further, one end of a conduit 94 is communicated with the bottom wall of the developer tank 14 . The other end of the conduit 94 is connected to the spray pipe 54.
60. A circulation pump 98 and a filter 100 (F) are disposed in the middle of this conduit 94. The circulation pump 98 is connected to a second control device 164, and its operation is controlled. By operating this circulation pump 98, the developer 24 is sent from the bottom of the developer tank 14 to the spray pipe 54, 60 in the developer tank 14 again after passing through the filter 100. As a result, filter 10
0 removes debris in the developer 24 and agitates the developer 24 in the developer tank 14.

Further, a liquid level lid 102 is placed on the developer 24 . In this liquid level lid 102, movement of the 23rd printing plate 12 in the transport direction is regulated by a stopper (not shown), but movement of the developer 24 in the liquid level height direction is not regulated. That is, the liquid level lid 102 is floating above the developer 24. Therefore, the amount of developer 24 in developer tank 14 decreases,
When the liquid level of the developer 24 decreases, the liquid level lid 102 lowers to follow the decrease in the liquid level. For this reason, the liquid level lid 102
is always in close contact with the developer 24. Therefore, liquid level lid 1
02 prevents deterioration of the developer 24 caused by contact of the developer 24 with carbon dioxide gas in the air, and also prevents moisture in the developer 24 from evaporating. Therefore, the developer 24 can be used for a long period of time.

One end of the conduit 90 is open above the liquid level of the developer 24 in the developer tank 14 . The other end of the pipe line 90 is communicated with the water tank 88 . Further, a water supply pump 92 (P,) is disposed in the middle of the pipe line 90. This water supply pump 92
is connected to a second control device 164, and its operation is controlled.

The upper part of the side wall of the developer tank 14 on the downstream side in the transport direction is bent toward the overflow tank 18 side, which will be described later.

In the developer tank 14 described above, a reflective photosensor 118 as a detection means is disposed at a position corresponding to the non-image area of the 23rd printing plate 12 between the guide roller 44 and the guide roller 42. In this case, the photosensor 118 is 23rd edition 1
It is preferable to detect the development state with the plate 23 immersed in the developer 24, and for this purpose, the tip of the photosensor 118 is placed close to the plate 23 in the developer 24. This photosensor 118 includes a light source section and a light receiving section (not shown). The light source is a power supply (not shown)
The light from the light source section is projected onto the colored photosensitive layer of the 23rd plate 12. The light emitted from the light source is within the range to which the photosensitive layer of the 23rd plate 12 is not sensitive, and since the wavelength range to which the 28th plate 12 is normally sensitive is in the ultraviolet range, it cannot be used with visible light, infrared light, etc. Light can be used.

The light receiving section is connected to a first control device 176 as a control means. The light receiving section receives the reflected light reflected by the non-image area of the photosensitive layer of the colored 23rd plate 12, and converts the reflected light into electricity according to the amount of the received light, and sends the light to the first control device 176.
It is output to. As the development of the 23rd plate 12 progresses, the colored photosensitive layer dissolves, so the reflection density decreases as the development progresses, and when the development progresses sufficiently, the aluminum plate of the support of the 23rd plate 12 is exposed in the non-image area. The reflection density will be the lowest. Further, the first control means 176 stores a reservation reference reflection density L1 and a reference reflection density L2 (Ll>L2). The reference reflection density L1 is the reflection density in a state where the photosensitive layer remains in the non-image area before the 23rd plate 12 is developed. The reference reflection density L2 is the reflection density of the 23rd edition 12 on the aluminum support. This reference reflection density L2 indicates a predetermined degree of development that the 23rd plate 12 should satisfy.

Further, the first control means 176 controls the pair of conveyance rollers 22
and a pair of transport rollers 46, and their drives are controlled.

Overflow Tank> The developer 24 in the developer tank 14 overflows the upper part of this side wall and is collected into the overflow tank 18.

At the top of the overflow tank 18, a pair of conveyance rollers 1 are installed.
06 is installed. The pair of conveyance rollers 106 are rotatably supported by side plates (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. The 23rd plate 12 sent out from between the guide rollers 38 and 44 is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 106.

Inside the overflow tank 18, there is a pipe 1 passing through the bottom of the tank.
One end of the pipe 114 extends from the bottom to a predetermined height, and the height of the developer 24 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 the drain tank 116 .

Furthermore, one end of a conduit 84 is open at the bottom of the overflow tank 18 . The other end of the conduit 84 opens into the developer tank 14 described above. A pump 86 (P2) is disposed in the middle of this conduit 84. Pump 86 is connected to second control device 164 and its operation is controlled.

Finisher Tank> A partition plate 142 is provided at a portion where the overflow tank 18 and the finisher 120 are partitioned. The partition plate 142 prevents the developer 24 adhering to the pair of transport rollers 106 from entering the finisher liquid 152 in the finisher tank 20 .

At the top of the finisher tank 20, a pair of conveyance rollers 144 are arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

These pair of transport rollers 144 are rotatably supported by side plates (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. The pair of conveyance rollers 144 are arranged at a slightly lower position than the pair of conveyance rollers 106 in the overflow tank 18 . Between the pair of conveyance rollers 144, the 23
Plate 12 is inserted. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is transported with the upper part of the finisher tank 20 tilted.

A spray pipe 146 having the same configuration as the spray pipe 54 described above is disposed above the transport path for the 23rd plate 12 between the pair of transport rollers 106 and the pair of transport rollers 144. The finisher of this spray pipe 146
The discharge port of the liquid 152 is opened toward the transport roller side located above the pair of transport rollers 144 . This spray pipe 146 is connected to one end of a conduit 148.

The other end of the conduit 148 is communicated with the bottom of the finisher tank 20. A circulation pump 150 is installed in the middle of the pipe line 148.
is installed. The circulation pump 150 is connected to a second control device 164, and its operation is controlled.

A finisher liquid 15 is provided at the bottom of the finisher tank 20.
The finisher liquid 152 is supplied to the spray pipe 146 by operation of the circulation pump 150. As a result, the finisher liquid 152 is discharged onto the surface of the 23rd plate 12.

A finisher liquid application box 154 is arranged below 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 toward a corner inside the finisher liquid application box 154. This spray pipe 156 is connected to the pipe line 14.
8, and when the circulation pump 150 operates, the finisher liquid 152 is transferred to the finisher liquid application box 154.
supplied within.

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.

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 the water tank 8
It is connected to 3. A water supply pump 168 (P,) is arranged in the middle of the pipe line 166. This water pump 1
68 is connected to a second control device 164, and its operation is controlled.

Furthermore, a pipe line 170 is provided at the bottom of the finisher tank 20.
One end passes through 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 152 in the finisher tank 20. The other end of the pipe line 170 opens to a drain liquid tank 172, and the finisher liquid 152 that has overflowed the pipe line 170 is discharged.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

When the main switch (not shown) is turned on, the 23rd plate 12 with the image printed thereon is transferred to the pair of conveyor rollers 2.
After being inserted between the guide rollers 40 and 26 of the developer tank 14, the developer is transported into the developer tank 14. The transported 23rd plate 12 is moved to the guide roller 28
．． 30. 48 and descend diagonally to the developer tank 14.
sent to the center of At this time, the large diameter guide roller 48
serves to guide the leading edge of the 23rd printing plate 12 without deviating from a predetermined conveyance path.

The 23rd plate 12 sent to the center of the developing tank 14 is guided by the guide 5.
2 and is guided and inserted between a pair of conveyance rollers 46. 23 sent out from this pair of conveyance rollers 46
The plate 12 has guide rollers 32.34.36.42.38
．． 44 and rises along the conveyance direction. During this process, the 23rd plate 12 is loaded with the developer solution 2 in the first developer tank 16.
4 and developed.

It should be noted that the 23rd plate 12 is squeezed when being conveyed by a pair of conveyance rollers 46 in the developer 24 in the developer tank 14.
Immediately thereafter, the developer 24 is sprayed by the spray pipes 54, 60.

In addition, the developer tank 1 is
Developing solution 24 in 4 is circulated.

In addition, the developer 24 overflowing from the developer tank 14
is collected into the overflow tank 18. The developer 24 recovered in the overflow tank 18 is supplied into the developer tank 14 again through a pipe 84 by a pump 86. Therefore, the developer 24 can be used effectively. Note that the developer 2 may be in the overflow tank 18 more than necessary.
4 is recovered, the surplus developer 24 is transferred to pipe 1.
14 to a discharge tank 116.

In the above-mentioned process, the 23rd plate 12 is moved by the guide roller 42.
The progress of the development is detected by the photosensor 118 and the first control device 176 in the vicinity of exceeding .

Next, this detection process and the operation based on the detection result will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step 122, the output (So) from the photosensor 118 is captured, and then in step 124, S. <
It is determined whether L + or not. That is, step 124
Then, it is determined whether the PS plate] 2 has been transported to a position where the light emitted by the light source section of the photosensor 118 is blocked.

If the result in step 124 is negative, the process returns to step 122. If the answer is yes in step 124, then in step 126 the S
. "L2 or not is determined. In this step 126,
It is determined whether the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 has reached a predetermined degree of development (L,). If the answer is NO in step 126, the driving of the driving means is stopped in step 128, and then in step 130, a flag F indicating that the driving has been stopped is set. When flag F is set, the process returns to step 126. The driving means continues to be stopped until the progress of development of the 23rd plate 12 reaches a predetermined degree of development, and during this period the PS plate 12 continues to be immersed in the developer 24, that is, the 23rd plate 12 continues to be developed.

On the other hand, if step 126 is affirmative, step 132
It is determined whether flag F is set or not.

If step 132 is affirmative, step 134 drives the driving means again. Thereafter, in step 136, it is determined whether the main switch has been turned OFF. Note that if the result in step 132 is negative, the drive means has not been stopped, so the process directly proceeds to step 136. If the result in step 136 is negative, the process returns to step 122.

If affirmative at step 136, the process ends.

The 23rd plate 12 sent out from the developer tank 14 in this way
After the developer 24 is squeezed out while being held and conveyed by a pair of conveyance rollers 106, the spray pipe 146
．． Finisher liquid 152 is 23rd edition 12 by 156
It is dispensed or applied to both sides of the Thereafter, the 23rd plate 12 is sent out between the pair of conveyance rollers 144 of the finisher tank 20.

Note that the 23rd plate 12 is heated with developer 2 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 minutes).
If the predetermined reference reflection density L2 is not reached even after immersion in the liquid developer 24, it is determined that the developer 24 is exhausted, and the developer 24 is replaced with a new developer 24.

Further, the amount of water evaporation in the developer tank 14 and the finisher tank 20 is measured in advance, and the second control device 164 operates the water supply pump 92 and the water supply pump 168 as appropriate to supply water. As a result, the developer liquid 24, finisher liquid 1
52 a contraction is prevented.

In this way, in this embodiment, the 23rd plate 1 in the developing tank 14 is
The development progress of the 23rd plate 12 is detected using the photosensor 118 and the first control device 176, and if the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 has not reached the predetermined degree of development, the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 is determined to be the predetermined degree of development. The 23rd plate 12 is immersed in the developer 24 in the developer tank 14 and continues to be developed until the development level of the 23rd plate 12 is reached. can be made uniform.

Further, in this embodiment, since the configuration does not require a replenishing device, it is possible to reduce the size of the photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine 10 and to reduce costs.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since developer temperature control can also be omitted, the mechanism can be simplified.

In addition, in this embodiment, even if the developing performance of the developer 24 decreases due to fatigue of the developer 24 due to the number of processed sheets of the 23 plates 12 and fatigue of the developer 24 over time, the degree of decrease in the developing performance of the developer 24 is Since the developer 24 can be used depending on the situation, the developer 24 can be used effectively.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 is
Since the detection is performed directly from the third plate 12, the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 can be accurately detected, and the degree of development of the 23rd plate 12 can be made uniform. Therefore, the quality of the PS plate 120 during the development process can be improved.

In addition, in this example, the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 is compared to the 23rd plate 1.
Since the detection is performed using light outside the photosensitive wavelength range of No. 2, the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 can be detected without unnecessary exposure of the photosensitive layer of the 23rd plate 12 when measuring the development progress.

Note that in this embodiment, the photosensor 118 is connected to the developing tank 14.
Although the developer tank 14 is provided near the outlet of the developer tank 14, it can also be provided at other locations in the developer tank 14. In that case, it is preferable to set the value of L2 so that some of the photosensitive layer of the 23rd plate 12 remains.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

Note that the same components as in the first embodiment are given the same numbers and will be briefly described.

As shown in FIG. 3, this photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine 2
00 is a so-called metering development method in which a developer 24 is applied to the surface of the 23rd plate 12 on which an image has been printed on the photosensitive layer for development.

The 23rd plate 12 is transported from the developing section 202 to the finisher part 204 approximately horizontally along the conveyance direction (direction of arrow B in FIG. 3).
The materials are transported and processed in sequence.

[Developing section]

The developing section 202 includes a first storage tank 206 for storing and circulating the surplus developer 24 obtained by applying the developer 24 to the 23rd plate 12. The first storage tank 206 has a substantially inverted mountain shape with an open top and a bottom center that protrudes downward. A pair of conveyance rollers 208 are disposed adjacent to the insertion table 201 on the insertion side of the 23rd plate 12 of the developing section 202 . 23 plates 12 of a pair of conveyor rollers 208
A pair of conveyance rollers 209 are disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction and on the entrance side of the first storage tank 206 . A wire parr 213 is disposed at the upper part of the exit side of the first storage tank 206 so as to be in contact with the upper surface of the 23rd plate 12, and a backup roller 213 is provided on the lower surface of the 23rd plate 12, facing the wire parr 213.
05 is provided. A spray pipe 212 is arranged above the wire par 213, and the spray pipe 212
The developer 24 discharged from the plate 21 is supplied to the surface of the wire par 213 via the developer rectifying plate 210, and is further supplied to the surface of the wire par 213.
2 surface. The developer 24 applied to the surface of the 23rd plate 12 is applied in a predetermined amount by a wire parser 213. One end of a conduit 214 is connected to the spray pipe 212 .

The other end of the pipe line 214 is communicated with a developer mixing device 216 via a stock tank 211 . In addition, the pipe line 21
4, a developer supply pump 218 is disposed. The developer supply pump 218 is controlled by a control means (not shown).

By operating the developer supply pump 218, the developer 24 is supplied from the developer mixing device 216 to the spray pipe 212.

Further, a second storage tank 207 is provided adjacent to the first storage tank 206, and stores excess developer 24 squeezed by a pair of squeeze rollers 223 provided near the outlet of the second storage tank 207. It is supposed to be done. Second
The developer 24 stored in the storage tank 207 is discharged to the waste liquid tank 238 via the valve 220. Two flower-shaped rollers 222 are arranged below the conveyance path of the 23rd plate 12 on the population side of the second storage tank 207, and a small-diameter guide roller 221 is arranged between the squeeze roller 223 and the flower-shaped roller 222. It is set up.

Further, the developer mixing device 216 is communicated with a developer stock tank 226 via a conduit 224 and with a dilution water tank 230 via a conduit 228 . A supply pump 232 is disposed in the middle of the conduit 224, and a supply pump 234 is disposed in the middle of the conduit 228. These supply pumps 232 and 234 are controlled by a control means (not shown), and by their operation, the developer stock solution and dilution water are sent to the developer mixer 216 through pipes 224 and 228, where they are mixed, and are further added to the stock. It is sent to tank 211.

One end of a pipe line 236 is connected to the bottom of the first storage tank 206, and the other end of the pipe line 236 is connected to the stock tank 211.
The developer supply pump 218 and the pipeline 214 form a circulation path.

A photosensor 118 is disposed above the guide roller 221 described above. Photo sensor 118 is connected to control section 260 . Control 8260 is connected to a drive device described below.

[Washing section]

The washing section 203 includes a washing tank 240 and a pair of conveying rollers 24.
2. It is equipped with a pair of squeeze rollers 244, and is connected to the pipe line 2 from the washing water stock tank 248 via the pump 241.
Washing water is supplied to the spray vibrator 246 via 43. Washing water sprays from the nozzle of Spray Vibe 246 23 version 1
2, the water is sprayed and water is washed. One end of a pipe line 245 is connected to the bottom of the washing tank 240, and the other end of the pipe line 245 is opened into a washing water stock tank 248.

[Part of the finisher]

The finisher m204 includes a finisher tank 250, and a pair of conveyance rollers 252 is disposed on the upstream side of the finisher [250 in the conveyance direction of the 23rd plate 12. Furthermore, a pair of squeeze rollers 254 are provided on the downstream side of the finisher tank 250 in the conveyance direction. A pair of conveyor rollers 252 and a pair of squeeze rollers 25
A pair of spray vibrators 256 are disposed between the 23rd plate 12 and the 23rd plate 12. The spray vibrators 256 located above and below the conveyance path of the 23rd plate 12 have their discharge ports directed toward a pair of conveyance rollers 252 and a pair of squeeze rollers 254, respectively. These spray vibes 256 are communicated with one end of the pipe line 253. Conduit 2
The other end of the finisher liquid stock tank 258 communicates with the bottom of the finisher liquid stock tank 258 . A supply pump 251 is disposed in the middle of the pipe line 253. The supply pump 251 is controlled by a control means (not shown). Furthermore, one end of a conduit 255 is communicated with the bottom of the finisher tank 250. The other end of the conduit 255 opens into a finisher liquid stock tank 258 . Since the washing water and the finisher liquid become dirty due to their circulation, they are discharged as waste liquid from the bottoms of the washing water stock tank 248 and the finisher liquid stock tank 258, respectively, and replaced with new liquid. In addition, a pair of conveyance rollers 208.20
9.242.252, pair of squeeze rollers 223.2
44 and 254 are driven by a drive device (not shown).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The 23rd plate 12 with an image printed on the photosensitive layer by a printing device (not shown) is inserted between a pair of transport rollers 208 and then held between a pair of transport rollers 209 and transported approximately horizontally into the developing section 202. . Then, a slightly larger amount of developer 24 than required for development is discharged by the spray vibrator 212 to the inside of the L-shaped developer rectifying plate 210 and applied to the upper surface of the 23rd plate 12. The excess developer 24 removed by this falls into the first storage tank 206. The 23rd plate 12 is further conveyed by a flower-shaped roller 222 and passed through a small-diameter guide roller 221.
After that, it is inserted between a pair of squeeze rollers 223 and squeezed.

The development progress of the 23rd plate 12 coated with the developer 24 is detected by a reflective photosensor 118. If the detected development progress has reached a predetermined degree of development, the 23rd plate 12 is transported as is, but if the detected development progress has not reached the predetermined degree of development, the pair of transport rollers 208 and 209 are controlled by the control section 260. And the driving of the pair of squeeze rollers 223 is stopped. And the 23rd edition 12 is
Developing continues while the stopped state is maintained.

When the development progress of the 23rd plate 12 reaches a predetermined degree of development,
The drive device is driven again by the control section 260, and the 23rd plate 12 is transported to the washing section 203.

At this time, the excess developer 24 is removed by a pair of squeeze rollers 22.
3 and collected in the second storage tank 202.

Washing water is discharged from the spray pipe 246 onto the 23rd plate 12 that has been transported to the washing section 203, and washing is performed.
It is squeezed by a pair of squeeze rollers 244.

The washing water collected in the washing tank 240 is circulated through a circulation path consisting of a pipe 245, a stock tank 248, a pump 241, and a pipe 243.

The 23rd plate 12 is then conveyed to the finisher portion 204 by a pair of conveyance rollers 252 . 23rd edition transported 1
The finisher liquid is discharged from the spray vibrator 256 to the spray vibrator 256. Thereafter, the 23rd plate 12 is squeezed by a pair of squeeze rollers 254. The finisher liquid collected in the finisher tank 250 is circulated and reused through a circulation path consisting of a pipe 255, a stock tank 258, a pump 251, and a pipe 253.

In this way, in this embodiment as well, the effect of making the degree of development of the 23rd plate 12 uniform can be obtained, as in the first embodiment described above.

Note that in the first and second embodiments, the photosensor 118 has two
In addition to detecting the development progress of the third plate 12, it also detects whether the 23rd plate 12 has been conveyed to the detection position of the photosensor 118. It may be detected using a sensor different from the photosensor 118. Further, for example, a lever biased by a biasing means is disposed so as to interfere with the conveyance path of the 23rd plate 12, and a contact is fixed to the lever, so that the 23rd plate 12 is conveyed to a predetermined detection position. When the contact is not activated, the contact is rendered non-conductive by the urging force of the urging means, and when the 23rd plate 12 is conveyed to a predetermined detection position, the lever rotates against the urging force of the urging means, and the contact is closed. A mechanical configuration such as conduction may also be used.

In addition, although a reflective photosensor 118 is used as a detection means, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a thermal conversion type photosensor such as a thermistor bolometer can be used without affecting the photosensitive layer of the 23rd plate 12. Any method that can detect the development progress of the plate 12 can be applied.

Note that any light source for the photosensor 118 may be used as long as it has a wavelength within the range to which the photosensitive layer of the 23rd plate 12 is not sensitive.

In addition, in the first and second embodiments, positive type 23 edition 12
The explanation was given using the example, but this is not limited to negative type P.
It may be the S version.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control of the first control device, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a lithographic printing plate processing machine. 10.200...Photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine, 12...
・PS plate, 14...Developer tank, 22.46.208.209...Pair of transport rollers, 24...Developer, 1187...Photo sensor, 176...First control device, 202 ...Development section, 213...Wire bar 223...Pair of squeeze rollers, 260...Control section.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A conveyance means for conveying a photosensitive material having an exposed photosensitive layer while being developed with a developer; a detection means for detecting the progress of development of the photosensitive material; the conveyance means is controlled to the extent that the development progress of the photosensitive material has not reached a predetermined degree of development, and the conveyance by the conveyance means is stopped until the development progress of the photosensitive material reaches a predetermined degree of development; A photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling the conveyance means. (2) The detection means includes a light source unit that emits light with a wavelength within a range to which the photosensitive layer is not sensitive to the photosensitive layer side of the photosensitive material, and a light source unit that emits light with a wavelength within a range that the photosensitive layer is not sensitive to, and a light source that emits light from the light source unit and reflected by the photosensitive material. Claim (1) comprising: a light receiving section that receives light;
) The photosensitive material processing apparatus described in ).