JPH06236041A - Automatic developing machine for photosensitive planographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the automatic developing machine for photosensitive planographic printing plates which improves the safety of processing by enclosing respective processing sections to prohibit the infiltration of outdoor air, reduces the size of the device by decreasing the amt. of the processing liquid to be discarded and improves maintenance operation. CONSTITUTION:A rubber plate 106 is mounted near an insertion port 102 and a rubber plate 152 is disposed in an insertion port 150. The front end of a rubber blade 174 is brought into contact with the downstream side end in the transporting direction of a liquid level cap 50. The part above this liquid level cap 50 is completely isolated from the outdoor air to suppress the evaporation of a developer. A discharge port 104 is provided with a cap body 110 which is opened and closed by the presence or absence of a PS plate 12 by a sensor 108. Further, washing water is supplied as a non-circulation type, i.e., the washing water is dropped from a spray pipe 56 onto a transporting roller 53 to wash the front surface of the PS plate and is scooped up from a receiving tray 63 to wash the rear surface thereof and is then discarded; therefore, the evaporation rate of the water is low.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which conveys a photosensitive lithographic printing plate while passing it through a developing section and a rinsing section for processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photosensitive lithographic printing plate automatic developing machine (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor") for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, is it generally necessary to immerse the PS plate in a developing solution in the apparatus for development processing? Alternatively, after the developing process is carried out while being conveyed substantially horizontally, the rinsing part performs a rinsing process or the like. The rinse treatment is generally a washing treatment with washing water performed after the development treatment and a desensitizing treatment with a gum solution performed after the washing treatment.

A PS plate on which an image is recorded by a printing device is
The developer is supplied to the image recording surface by various methods such as being sent to the PS plate processor and being transported in the developing tank while being immersed in the developing solution, or being sprayed on the image recording surface (surface). It is processed.

The developed PS plate is washed with rinsing water in the rinsing section (water rinsing treatment), the gum solution is applied in the desensitizing section to protect the plate surface (desensitizing treatment), and then dried. It is processed.

Generally, a processing solution such as a developing solution has an increased degree of fatigue (CO ₂ fatigue) when exposed to the outside air, and the developing ability is lowered. There is a method of confirming the developing ability using a developer fatigue detection sensor, and confirming the developing ability of the developer by passing the PS plate for a test before officially processing the PS plate. By knowing the developing ability of the developing solution by the above method, and as a result, when the developing ability deteriorates quickly, the replenishing time of the replenishing solution is advanced and the consumption amount of the replenishing solution increases. Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-878.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 33-33, it is considered that a floating lid or the like is provided on the liquid surface of a developing tank that stores the developing solution to reduce contact with the outside air. It is not always possible to completely seal the space between the developing tank and the developing tank wall, and the above floating lid alone is insufficient because there are many gaps. In addition, the automatic processor has a heat generating part that heats the developer,
The evaporation of water in the developer is quite large. As a result, deposition of the developer component on the transport roller, transfer of the deposit onto the plate when transporting the PS plate by the transport roller, clogging of the spray pipe holes, change in developer concentration, etc. Was tough. Further, the concentration of the treatment liquid due to the evaporation of water in the treatment liquid such as gum liquid is large, and the replenishment by automatic control cannot be dealt with, and the operator may be forced to perform complicated manual replenishment.

Further, also in rinse treatments such as water washing treatments and desensitizing treatments other than the developing treatments, a large treatment liquid tank for storing the treatment liquid on which the PS plate surface drops after the PS plate is treated is provided, and a large capacity is provided. Since the structure is such that processing is performed by pumping up with a liquid feed pump and spraying each processing liquid from the spray pipe onto the surface of the PS plate, evaporation of water from the processing liquid tank causes spray pipe to be used in the same manner as in the developing section. The holes are clogged and the maintenance is complicated. Further, such a structure is one of the factors that increase the size of the device.

In order to solve this, a pair of blades which cover the processing section with a casing and normally abut against the insertion port and the ejection port of the PS plate by elastic force to close the insertion port and the ejection port. There has already been considered a structure in which the outside air is prevented from entering through the attachment, the insertion port, and the discharge port (see JP-A-3-231245 as an example).

[0008]

However, although the blade can prevent the invasion of the outside air from the insertion port and the discharge port, the processing units (developing unit, water washing unit, desensitizing unit) are still open. As it is, the evaporation prevention effect is not sufficient, and the PS component is transferred due to the transfer of the developer component clogged onto the conveying roller onto the PS plate, the clogging of the spray pipe hole, and the change in the developer concentration. There were times when it was not possible to finish the plate in a stable manner. In addition, the rinse part of the water washing butoh is also equipped with a large processing liquid tank that stores the rinse liquid that has processed the PS plate, such as a spray pipe that pumps the processing liquid toward the PS plate by pumping it up with a large capacity liquid feed pump. There was a case where it became necessary and the size became large.

Incidentally, it is not preferable in terms of surface quality of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate that the photosensitive lithographic printing plate discharged from the apparatus after the desensitizing treatment is finished and discharged from the apparatus is in contact with the blade. This point is not taken into consideration in the above-mentioned prior art.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention encloses each processing portion by the casing and the blade and the partition plate or the partition plate to prevent the invasion of outside air to improve the stability of the processing and to discard the processing liquid. An object of the present invention is to obtain an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate which can reduce the amount of the apparatus, downsize the apparatus, and improve the maintenance work.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing section which is one of processing sections for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate with a developer while conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. The rinsing liquid was supplied to one surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate while being transported and processed, and the rinsing liquid that dropped from the one surface was stored and thereby the other surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate was processed. After that, the rinsing portion for discharging the rinsing liquid and the insertion port and the discharge port provided with a partition plate for partitioning the lithographic printing plate so as not to hinder the passage of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate are provided with at least the developing portion or the rinsing portion. And a casing that surrounds the processing area of the lithographic printing plate and that prevents at least the developer or rinse solution from being exposed to the outside air.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the rinsing liquid supplied from the rinsing part to the developing part is water, and is used as dilution water of a replenishing stock solution for replenishing the water to the developing part. There is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the processing area is divided into blocks for each processing section or a combination of a plurality of processing sections so that passage of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not hindered. A partition plate for partitioning the blocks is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which conveys a photosensitive lithographic printing plate while passing it through at least a developing unit or a rinsing unit which is a processing unit. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate is provided with an insertion port and a discharge port and surrounds a processing region of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate including at least the developing part or the rinsing part to prevent at least the developing solution or the rinsing liquid from being exposed to the outside air. The casing and the processing area are divided into blocks for each processing section or a block in which a plurality of processing sections are combined, and the photosensitive area is provided between these blocks and at the insertion port and the discharge port of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Partition plate for partitioning the insertion port, the discharge port and each block so as not to hinder the passage of the lithographic printing plate, and a moving means for moving the partition plate to the closed position and the open position. , The has.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, wherein the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is processed with at least a developing solution while the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is being conveyed. A casing provided with an outlet for surrounding at least a developing section for treating the photosensitive lithographic printing plate with the developer to prevent at least the developer from being exposed to the outside air, and an inlet and an outlet for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. A partition plate that partitions the insertion port and the discharge port so as not to hinder the passage of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by providing an outlet, and a rinse that processes the photosensitive lithographic printing plate with the developing solution and then a rinse liquid. The rinse liquid supplied from the developing section to the developing section is water, and a rinse solution supplying means is supplied to the developing section as dilution water of a replenishing stock solution that replenishes the water to the developing section. To have.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the partition plate provided at the discharge port is retracted to a position not in contact with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate passes. I am trying.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the rinse liquid is supplied to one surface (upper surface) of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate for processing.
After that, a rinse liquid that drops from one surface (upper surface) of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is stored, and the other surface (lower surface) of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is treated with the stored rinse liquid.

Since the rinse liquid which has processed the other surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is discharged and the amount of the rinse liquid supplied to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is set to a small amount (minimum necessary amount),
The discharge amount of the rinse liquid is small.

On the other hand, the processing section is covered with a casing for preventing at least the developing solution or the rinsing solution from being exposed to the outside air, and the insertion port and the discharge port of this casing are partitioned by partition plates and hermetically sealed. It is possible to suppress the amount of evaporation of the processing liquid, and deposits adhere to the transport system (for example, rollers) or the processing liquid supply system (for example, spray pipe) to deteriorate the image on the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Can be prevented.

As described above, since the tank for circulating and utilizing the rinse liquid is abolished, and at least the developing solution or the rinse solution is prevented from being exposed to the outside air by the casing provided with the partition plate, the evaporation amount of the processing liquid is reduced. Since it can be significantly reduced, the stability of processing can be improved and the maintainability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, after one surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is treated with the rinse liquid in the rinse portion, the other surface is treated with the rinse liquid accumulated after dropping, and then developed. As dilution water for replenishing stock solution to be replenished to
This rinse liquid supplied from the rinse section was used as water. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of water discarded as a rinse liquid used for processing the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and reduce the amount of diluted water used as the replenishing stock solution.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the casing provided with the partition plate and having the insertion port and the discharge port can significantly reduce evaporation of the processing liquid, but the photosensitive lithographic printing plate The processing liquid evaporates to some extent as the sheet is conveyed (for example, opened when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is inserted or discharged). Further, even when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not processed, since the range covered by the casing is wide, some evaporation of the processing liquid may occur. Therefore,
The processing area is divided into blocks for each processing unit or blocks in which a plurality of processing units are combined, and a partition plate is arranged between these blocks to create a small range of space for each processing unit to evaporate the processing liquid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the processing liquids from evaporating and mixing with each other to be condensed and returned to the processing tank.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the partition plate is provided between the blocks and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate insertion port and discharge port by making the partition plate movable between the closed position and the open position. The outside air can be introduced by setting the open position. Here, by setting the partition plate to an appropriate open position, it is possible to deal with the case where it is desired to prevent dew condensation or to intentionally increase the replenishment amount.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least the developing section is provided by at least the casing for preventing the developing solution from being exposed to the outside air, and the partition plates provided at the inlet and the outlet of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. By sealing, it is possible to significantly reduce the fatigue (O ₂ fatigue) of the processing solution such as the developing solution exposed to the outside air, and to significantly reduce the evaporation amount of the processing solution such as the developing solution. Therefore, it is possible to improve processing stability and maintainability.

Further, since the rinse liquid for treating the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the rinse portion is used as water, and the rinse liquid is supplied to the developing portion as dilution water of the replenishing stock solution for replenishing the water to the developing portion, the rinse liquid supply means is provided. A small photosensitive lithographic printing plate of a device that supplies dilution water of a replenishing stock solution can be realized.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the partition plate disposed at the discharge port is normally closed, and is opened when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is discharged from the casing. Therefore, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is discharged from the discharge port without making contact with the lid. In other words, there is no problem such as damage to the image formed on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate.

[0027]

1 and 2 show a photosensitive lithographic printing plate automatic developing machine (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor") 10 according to the present embodiment. PS version processor 10
A photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate") 12 on which an image is printed by a printing device (not shown) is developed by the PS plate processor 10 and then dried.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PS plate processor 10 has an inner processing portion covered with an outer panel 14. The outer panel 14 is provided with an insertion table 16 for feeding the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 2) inward.
The PS plate 12 is placed on the insertion table 16
Is inserted into the inside of the outer panel 14 through the opening on the back side.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the outer panel 14, a developing tank 18 for developing the PS plate 12 and an overflow pipe 20 for collecting the developer overflowed from the developing tank 18 are provided. Part 22 and PS version 1
Washing section 24 for washing the developing solution adhering to 2 with water
And a finisher portion 26 that applies a gum solution to the PS plate 12 after washing with water to desensitize it.

A rinsing tank 28 is arranged in the rinsing section 24, and a gum solution tank 30 is arranged in the finisher section 26.

The outer panel 14 is provided with slit-shaped insertion openings 102 and ejection openings 104, respectively.
02 is provided corresponding to the back side opening of the insertion table 16. On the other hand, the discharge port 104, as shown in FIG.
Drying section 31 provided on the downstream side of the finisher section 26
It is provided in correspondence with the entrance of.

A re-entry insertion port (sub-insertion port) 150 for inserting the PS plate 12 is provided between the developing section 22 and the water washing section 24 on the upper surface of the outer panel 14. The sub-insertion port 150 serves as an insertion port for the PS plate 12 for performing processing other than development processing.

A blade 152 is arranged as a partition plate in the sub-insertion port 150. The blade 152 is made of rubber and has a tip end portion in contact with the outer plate panel 14 serving as a guide support surface of the auxiliary insertion port 150, and a base portion fixed to the back surface side of the outer plate panel 14 via a bracket 154. Therefore, the sub-insertion port 150 is closed by the blade 152. PS version 1 re-entered here
2 is inserted from the sub-insertion port 150, the blade 152
Does not interfere with the insertion of the PS plate 12 due to elastic deformation.

The drying unit 31 conveys the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 2) sent from the finisher unit 26 by a large number of rollers (not shown), and blows warm air on both sides of the PS plate 12 to dry it. It is like this. The dried PS plate 12 is discharged from the PS plate processor 10, and is discharged to, for example, a stocker (not shown) that leans the PS plate 12 and stores it.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of conveying rollers 3 are provided on the side of the developing section 22 where the PS plate 12 is inserted into the developing tank 18.
2 is provided, and the PS plate 12 having an image printed thereon is inserted through the insertion opening 102 between the pair of conveying rollers 32. The pair of conveying rollers 32 is P
The developing tank 18 with the S plate 12 at an angle of 15 ° to the horizontal direction
It is designed to be sent to.

A rubber blade 106 is attached near the downstream side of the conveying roller 32. Blade 106
Has its tip end in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18 of the developing unit 22, and has its base attached to the outer panel 14 via the bracket 156. The bracket 156 is composed of a fixed portion 156A and a slide portion 156B attached to the fixed portion with a thumbscrew 158, and the blade 106 is fixed to the slide portion 156B. Therefore, the blade 106 loosens the thumbscrew 158 and slides 156B.
Is slid with respect to the fixed portion 156A,
The tip portion can be separated from the side wall of the developing tank 18.

Here, normally, the tip of the blade 106 is
When the PS plate 12 is in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18 and is conveyed to the insertion port 102, the blade 106 is expanded against the elastic force due to the pressing force of the PS plate 12 during conveyance. It is composed. Therefore, the PS plate 12 can be smoothly sent to the developing unit 22.

In the vicinity of the insertion opening 102, PS
A sensor 108 for detecting the presence or absence of the plate 12 is attached. It can be recognized by the sensor 108 that the PS plate 12 is present in the apparatus.

The developing tank 18 has a substantially inverted mountain shape with an open top and a bottom center protruding downward. A pump 160 is provided in the developing tank 18, and the developing solution in the developing tank 18 is sucked by the pump 160.
It is designed to be ejected from spray pipes 44 and 172 described later. As a result, the developing solution stored in the developing tank 18 is circulated. During this circulation, a measuring instrument 162 for measuring the fatigue level of the developing solution (AC impedance of the developing solution) is passed, and the fatigue level of the developing solution is detected. Further, the developing tank 18 has a pump 1
The replenishment stock solution is supplied from the development replenishment stock solution tank 166 via 64.

In the developing tank 18, the guide plate 16 is provided on the upstream side.
8. A large number of guide rollers 34 and rotating brush rollers 170 are arranged on the downstream side. These guide rollers 3
4 and the rotating brush roller 170 are rotatably stretched between a pair of side plates of the developing tank 18.

A relatively large diameter guide roller 36 is provided above the guide plate 168, and rotating brush rollers 38, 70 and a guide roller 40 are provided above the guide roller 34.
Are provided respectively, and are rotatably supported between a pair of side plates of the developing tank 18.

A pair of squeezing rollers 42 having a function of squeezing the surface of the PS plate 12 are arranged in the center of the developing tank 18. These guide rollers 34,
36, 40, rotating brush roller 38, and diaphragm roller 42
The driving force of a driving means (not shown) is transmitted to and rotates to convey the PS plate 12 at a constant speed.

In the vicinity of the bottom of the developing tank 18, a pair of aperture rollers 42 and a plurality of guide rollers 3 adjacent thereto.
4, 300 to 3 PS plate 12 by the guide plate 168
It is arranged to convey with a radius of curvature of 50 mm. Therefore, the PS plate 12 nipped and conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers 32 and inserted into the developing tank 18 is obliquely conveyed between the guide plate 168 and the guide roller 36 and inserted between the aperture rollers 42. It The squeeze roller 42 removes waste products eluted from the photosensitive layer side (upper side of the paper surface of FIG. 2) of the PS plate 12 into the developing solution, and the waste products are the PS plates 1
Isolate so as not to be transported to the downstream side with the movement of 2.

PS plate 1 sent from the squeezing roller 42
2 is directed obliquely upward by the guide roller 34,
It is guided by the rotating brush roller 38 and the guide roller 40 and discharged from the developing tank 18. By this, PS
The plate 12 is transported smoothly and surely while being immersed in the developing solution without applying an excessive force.

The spray pipe 44 closest to the downstream side of the squeezing roller 42 has a skewered roller shape in which a plurality of elastic rotating members are axially supported on the outer periphery thereof, and also has a role of guiding the PS plate 12. A discharge port (not shown) is provided between the elastic rotating member so as to connect the outer circumference and the inside of the pipe. A spray pipe 172 is arranged below the guide plate 168. The spray pipe 172 is provided with a large number of discharge ports (not shown) communicating with the inside along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow pipe, and is arranged so that the axial direction is along the width direction of the transport path. The spray pipe 172 and the spray pipe 44 store the developing solution in the developing tank 18
The fresh developing solution is quickly spread over the entire developing tank 18.

The overflow pipe 20 is disposed on the most downstream side of the developing tank 18, and when the liquid level of the developing solution exceeds a predetermined level, the developing solution is guided to the waste liquid tank 184 and discarded. ing.

On the surface of the developing solution in the developing tank 18, the liquid level lid 5
0 is placed. In the liquid surface lid 50, a portion corresponding to the rotating brush roller 38 and the guide roller 40 adjacent thereto is projected in a substantially arcuate shape, and is brought into close contact with the developing solution surface in order to minimize contact between the developing solution surface and air. The PS of the liquid surface lid 50 is adjusted so that it rises and falls according to the increase and decrease of the developer.
Both ends of the plate 12 in the conveying direction are attached by a side plate slideable structure (not shown). Light-weight materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polyamide are selected as the material.

At the downstream end of the liquid surface lid 50 in the carrying direction,
The tip of the blade 174 is in contact. The blade 174 is made of rubber and is fixed to the outer panel 14 via a bracket 176. The blade 174 partitions the liquid surface of the developing solution exposed from the downstream end of the liquid surface lid 50 in the transport direction from the upper portion of the liquid surface lid 50.
The blade 106 in the vicinity of 02 (in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18) completely separates the upper part of the liquid surface lid 50 from the outside air, and thus the evaporation of the developing solution can be suppressed.

On the most downstream side in the transport direction of the developing tank 18, P
A pair of rollers 54 is arranged to sandwich and convey the S plate 12 and to squeeze the developing solution from the surface of the PS plate 12.

On the other hand, the PS plate processor 10 is provided with a washing tank 28 of the washing section 24 on the downstream side of the developing section 22. Above the washing tank 28, two pairs of conveying rollers 52,
53 is provided. These transport rollers 52, 53
Is rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown) so that the driving force of a driving means (not shown) is transmitted to rotate the drive plate. There is.

In the washing tank 28, washing water after washing the developing solution from the PS plate 12 sent from the developing tank 18 is stored. A spray pipe 56 is disposed upstream of the transport roller 53 and above the transport path, and a plurality of discharge ports communicating with the interior are provided on the outer periphery of the spray pipe 56. From the spray pipe 56, the washing water pumped up from the washing water tank 178 by the pump 180 is dropped on the roller above the conveying roller 53, and the conveying roller 53 rotates, so that P
Rinsing water spreads quickly on the surface of the S plate 12, and the PS plate 12
Surface is washed with rinsing water.

The lower part of the lower rollers of the transport rollers 52 and 53 is housed in a tray 62. Saucer 62
The washing water is stored in the tank, and is washed by the lower roller to wash the back surface of the PS plate 12 and prevent the upper conveying rollers 52 and 53 from drying.

The rinsing water diffused in the width direction on the surface of the PS plate 12 falls from both ends of the PS plate 12 in the width direction to the tray 62 below, and the rinsing water pumped up from the tray 62 causes the PS plate 12 to be washed. The back side of is processed. The washing water overflowing from the tray 62 is guided to the washing tank 28. An overflow pipe 182 is arranged in the washing tank 28, and when the overflow pipe 182 exceeds a predetermined liquid level, the overflow pipe 182 is discarded to the waste liquid tank 184.

The washing tank 28 and the developing tank 18 are
The washing water in the washing tank 28 is guided to the developing tank 18 by driving the pump 186, and can be used as dilution water when supplying the replenishing stock solution to the developing tank 18. There is.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of conveying rollers 78 are provided above the gum solution tank 30 of the finisher section 26 which is a desensitizing treatment. Conveyor roller 53
The PS plate 12 sent out by the
You will be guided to 8.

Further, spray pipes 82 and 188 are arranged on the upstream side of the carrying roller 78 in the vertical direction of the carrying path. The lower spray pipe 188 has a skewered roller shape and also has a role of guiding the PS plate 12. These spray pipes 82, 188 are also provided with discharge ports (not shown) communicating with the inside in the same outer periphery as the spray pipe 56. This spray pipe 82, 1
From 88, the gum solution pumped from the gum solution tank 190 by the pump 192 is discharged and supplied to the front surface and the back surface of the PS plate 12.

The carrying roller 78 nips and carries the PS plate 12, and at the same time, squeezes the gum solution supplied by the spray pipe 82 for desensitizing the surface of the PS plate 12. The gum solution squeezed from the surface of the PS plate 12 is collected in the gum solution tank 30.
The gum solution in the gum solution tank 30 is circulated by the pump 194. In addition, an overflow pipe 196 is provided in the gum liquid tank 30, and when the gum liquid exceeds a predetermined liquid level, it is guided to the waste liquid tank 184 and discarded.

The lower part of the lower transport roller 78 is dipped in the gum solution stored in the gum solution tank 30.
On the back side of 2, the lower conveying roller 78 is the gum solution tank 30.
The coating process is performed by pumping up the gum solution from. As a result, the transporting roller 78 takes out the gum solution to desensitize the back surface of the PS plate 12 and suppresses the drying of the upper transporting roller 78, so that the components of the processing solution are not deposited on the surface of the transporting roller 78. It has become.

The PS plate 12 which has been processed by the finisher section 26 is sent out to the drying section 31 through the discharge port 104 of the casing 100.

Here, the discharge port 104 is provided with a lid 110 as a partition plate. The lid 110 is in the shape of a flat plate and is fixed to a shaft 112 whose upper side has an axis parallel to the width direction of the PS plate 12. Therefore, the lid 11
0 is rotatable about a shaft 112, and when the lid 110 is in the vertical position, the discharge port 104 is closed by a spring or by gravity.

The shaft 112 is rotatable by a driving means (not shown) (for example, a solenoid), and the lid 110 is swung within a range of about 90 ° with the rotation of the shaft 112. ing. Here, when the lid 110 is in a substantially horizontal position, the discharge port 104 is opened.

The rotation of the shaft 112 is performed based on the detection of the PS plate 12 by the sensor 108 provided near the insertion opening 102. That is, the sensor 108
The lid 1 is detected while the plate 12 is being detected and from when the plate 12 is no longer being detected (after the rear end is detected) until a predetermined time elapses.
10 is held substantially horizontally (the discharge port 104 is open),
Other than that, it is configured to be vertical (the discharge port 104 is closed).

Therefore, when the PS plate 12 passes through the discharge port 104, there is no contact between the PS plate 12 and the lid 110.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. First,
The processing tanks such as the developing tank 18, the washing tank 28, and the gum solution tank 30 are
It is covered with a casing 100 such as the upper lid 14 and the main body 8. In addition, the PS version processor 10
When the plate 12 is not developed, the insertion slot 1
02 is closed because the blade 106 is in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18. On the other hand, the outlet 104
Does not detect the PS plate 12 with the sensor 108,
The lid 110 is in a vertical state, and the discharge port 104 is also closed. In addition, the sub-insertion port 150 also has a blade 152.
And the upper part of the liquid surface lid 50 of the developing unit 22 is also closed by the blades 106 and 152. Therefore, the developing solution in the developing tank 18, the washing water in the washing section 24, and the gum solution in the finisher section 26 are not exposed to the outside air, and CO ₂ fatigue is hardly present. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in developing ability due to deterioration over time, and for example, the replenishing amount of the replenishing stock solution in the developing unit 22 can be drastically reduced. In particular, since the surface of the developing solution in the developing tank 18 is covered with the liquid surface lid 50, the effect of preventing contact between the developing solution and the outside air is great.

Here, the blade 106 of the insertion port 102
By loosening the thumbscrew 158,
Since 6B is slidable, it can be opened as required. For example, when it is desired to intentionally increase the replenishment amount of the replenishing stock solution, the replenishment interval can be narrowed by opening the replenishing solution to some extent.

A blade (not shown) having the same structure as the blade 174 or the blade 106 is provided between the developing tank 18 and the washing tank 28 or between the washing tank 28 and the gum solution tank 30,
Similar to the blade 106, the slide portion may be slidable so that it can be opened as necessary by loosening the thumbscrew.

Next, the processing procedure of the PS plate 12 will be described. The PS plate 12 on which an image is recorded by a printing device or the like (not shown) is placed on the insertion table 16 and fed to the back side of the insertion table 16. As a result, the PS plate 12 reaches the insertion opening 102.

The tip of the PS plate 12 has the insertion opening 10
When passing 2, the sensor 108 detects this,
The shaft 112 is rotated to swing the lid 110 of the discharge port 104 from a vertical state to a substantially horizontal state. As a result, the discharge port 104 is opened. The sensor 108 is the PS plate 12
It is also possible to input a signal to the CPU when the leading edge of the sheet is detected and open the discharge port 104 at an appropriate timing from the conveying speed.

PS plate 1 inserted in casing 100
2 is first sent to the developing unit 22. When the PS plate 12 is inserted into the PS plate processor 10, the PS plate processor 10 sends the PS plate 12 to the developing tank 18 by the conveying roller 32. The PS plate 12 fed by the carrying roller 32 spreads the blade 106 against its elastic force by the pressing force at the time of carrying it. Therefore, the PS plate 12 is smoothly transported to the developing unit 22.

The PS plate 12 is guided by the guide plate 168 and sent out at an angle of 15 ° with respect to the horizontal, and is conveyed in the developing tank 18 by the guide rollers 34 and the like.

Thereafter, the surface of the PS plate 12 on the side of the photosensitive layer is rubbed by the rotating brush 38 to promote development, and the photosensitive layer in the non-image portion is removed.

The developed PS plate 12 is washed with water 24.
And is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 52 and 53. At this time, the front surface of the PS plate 12 is washed with new washing water dropped from the spray pipe 56 to the upper roller of the transport rollers 53, and the back surface is washed from the tray 62 by the lower roller of the transport rollers 53. Washed with water.

That is, the rinsing water dropped from the spray pipe 56 and reaching both ends in the width direction of the PS plate 12 drops from the surface and reaches the tray 62. In this saucer 62,
The PS plate 12 is introduced from both ends in the longitudinal direction. Saucer 6
The lower transfer rollers 52, 53 immersed in the water 2 pump up the wash water in the tray 60 by rotation,
The back side of the plate 12 is washed.

The washing water overflowing from the tray 62 is washed by the washing tank 2
8 and the washing water in the washing tank 28 exceeds a predetermined amount and is sent to the waste liquid tank 184 by the overflow pipe 182, but most of the washing water is supplied to the developing tank 18 by the pump 186.

That is, the replenishing stock solution is supplied from the developing replenishing stock solution tank 166 to the developing tank 18 by the operation of the pump 164 according to the processing amount of the PS plate 12, and the like. It is used as dilution water that has a predetermined ratio with the amount of the replenishing stock solution to be replenished. This makes it possible to effectively use the washing water that has been washed in the washing section 24 and reduce the amount of waste liquid.

When the washing process is completed, the PS plate 12 is guided by the guide roller 80 and is sent to the finisher unit 26 which is a desensitizing process unit, and is nipped and carried by the carrying roller 78. Here, the desensitizing process is performed by the gum liquid discharged from the spray pipes 82 and 188.

PS discharged from the finisher section 26
The plate 12 reaches the outlet 104 of the casing 100.

A lid 110 is arranged at the discharge port 104, but the shaft 112 is rotated by the detection of the PS plate 12 by the sensor 108, and the lid 110 is in a substantially horizontal state. , PS plate 1 passing through the outlet 104
There is no interference between 2 and this lid 110. Therefore, the surface quality of the PS plate 12 can be protected without rubbing the photosensitive surface of the PS plate 12 that has been developed.

After a lapse of a predetermined time after the rear end of the PS plate 12 is detected by the sensor 108, the lid 110 is in a vertical state, that is, the discharge port 104 is closed, but it passes through the casing 100. Since the time is constant, the lid 110 swings to close the discharge port 104 after the rear end of the PS plate 12 has surely come out of the discharge port 104.

The PS plate 12 that has passed through the discharge port 104 is dried in the drying section 31 and discharged from the PS plate processor 10 to complete the process.

For the purpose of the present invention to minimize the contact between the developing solution and the outside air, it is better to shorten the time when the lid 110 is open. Therefore, P
A structure in which the S plate 12 is opened only while the S plate 12 is passing through and is closed during other periods is preferable. So, for example,
A sensor is arranged in the vicinity of the inside of the discharge port, the lid 110 is opened by detecting the tip of the PS plate 12, and when the rear end of the PS plate 12 passes, the time until the rear end completely comes out of the discharge port is PS. It is also possible to determine from the plate transport speed and set the time to a timer to close the lid 110.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing unit 24 stores the washing water in a large tank and does not use the circulation type which circulates and uses the minimum necessary amount of the washing water and then discards it. Since it is of a circulation type, the washing tank 28 can be made relatively small, a circulation pump, piping, etc. are not required, and the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced. In addition, the precipitate solidifies on the rollers and the like due to evaporation from a large processing liquid tank for storing and circulating the processing liquid that has dropped after processing the PS plate 12, which has occurred in the case of the circulation type device. Such a problem can be solved, and maintainability can be improved. The total amount of waste in this embodiment is 1
Regardless of the treated area per day, it will be 25-100cc / m ² ,
Compared to conventional 150 ~500c / m ^2, it can be greatly reduced.

Further, the developing unit 22 is connected to the blades 106 and 17
Since the blade 152 and the lid 110 are also provided in the sub-insertion port 150 and the discharge port 104 by separating them from other parts by 4, the inside of the apparatus can be partitioned into several blocks, and the processing liquid by the outside air can be separated. Deterioration can be greatly suppressed.

Further, in the conventional processing apparatus, the cleaning plate (about 1 to 3 plates), which was necessary at the start of work, is unnecessary, and the workability is improved.

In this embodiment, the finisher section 2
Although 6 does not have a saucer, the lower conveying roller 78 is directly immersed in the gum solution tank, but a saucer may be provided like the water washing section 24. Further, the finisher portion may also be a non-circulating type depending on the processing performance of the gum solution.

Further, the developing section 22 is made into one block, the water washing section 24 and the finisher section 26 are made into one block, and the blades 106, 152, 174 and the lid 1 are provided.
Partitioned by 10, but without the blade 174, the developing unit 2
2, the washing part 24 and the finisher part 26 together
Alternatively, the developing unit 22, the water washing unit 24, and the finisher unit 26 may be independent blocks. Further, the partition between the blocks may be omitted as long as the treatment liquid has a property of not easily causing air fatigue.

Further, in this embodiment, since the computer control for determining the replenishment timing of the developing replenishing stock solution based on the measurement result by the measuring device 162, the screen ruling is 400
Plates for high-definition printing of up to 700 lines / inch could be processed stably, but with the conventional accuracy (150 to 170 lines / inch), computer control can be omitted.

[0088]

As described above, in the automatic developing machine for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to the present invention, each processing section is surrounded by the casing and the partition plate to prevent outside air from entering and improve the processing stability. It has an excellent effect that the disposal amount of the processing liquid can be reduced, the apparatus can be downsized, and the maintenance work can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a PS plate processor according to an embodiment.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 PS plate processor 12 PS plate 22 developing part 24 water washing part 26 finisher part 102 insertion port 104 discharge port 106 blade (partition plate) 110 lid (partition plate) 152 blade (partition plate) 174 blade (partition plate)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A developing section, which is one of processing sections for processing with a developing solution while conveying a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and a rinsing liquid with a rinsing solution while conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. A rinse part for supplying and treating the one surface and storing the rinse liquid falling from the one surface to treat the other surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate thereby, and a rinse part for discharging the rinse liquid, The photosensitive lithographic printing plate is surrounded by at least the developing section or the rinsing section, which is provided with an insertion port and a discharge port for partitioning so as not to hinder the passage of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. An automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, comprising: a casing that prevents the liquid or rinse liquid from being exposed to the outside air. 2. The photosensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the rinsing liquid supplied from the rinsing unit to the developing unit is water, and the water is used as dilution water of a replenishing stock solution for replenishing the developing unit. Automatic lithographic printing plate processor. 3. A partition plate which divides the processing region into blocks for each processing unit or blocks in which a plurality of the processing units are combined and partitions the blocks so as not to hinder the passage of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. The automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. An automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which conveys a photosensitive lithographic printing plate while passing it through at least a developing unit or a rinsing unit, which is a processing unit. A casing that surrounds a processing area of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate including an insertion opening and an outlet and that includes at least the developing section or the rinsing section, and at least prevents the developing solution or the rinsing solution from being exposed to the outside air; It is divided into blocks for each of the processing units or blocks in which a plurality of the processing units are combined, and provided between these blocks and at the insertion port and the discharge port of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate for passage of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. A photosensitive flat plate having a partition plate for partitioning the insertion port, the discharge port, and each block so as not to hinder, and a moving means for moving the partition plate to the closed position and the open position. Automatic developing machine of the printing plate. 5. An automatic developing machine for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, wherein the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is processed with at least a developing solution while being conveyed, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate having an insertion port and an ejection port. Of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate surrounding the developing section for treating the photosensitive lithographic printing plate with the developing solution, and a casing for preventing at least the developing solution from being exposed to the outside air; A partition plate that partitions the insertion port and the discharge port so as not to hinder the passage of the planographic printing plate, and the photosensitive planographic printing plate is treated with the developing solution and then treated with a rinse liquid. The rinsing liquid is water, and a rinsing liquid supply unit that supplies the water to the developing unit as dilution water of a replenishing stock solution that replenishes the water to the developing unit. Automatic developing machine. 6. The partition plate provided at the discharge port is retracted to a position not in contact with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate passes. Item 6. An automatic developing machine for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to any one of items 5.