JPH06295071A - Photosensitive planographic printing plate processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the flowing of outdoor air into a casing and to prevent the contact of the outdoor air with the surface of a planographic printing plate subjected to nonsensitizing processing. CONSTITUTION:This processing device is provided with a blade 228 between the opening peripheral edge of a discharge port 104 through which the PS plate subjected to processing is delivered by transporting rollers 78 from a finisher section 26 and the peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers of the transporting rollers 78 and is provided with a blade 230 between the end faces of the transporting rollers 78. The flow of the outdoor air from the discharge port into the finisher section 26 is prevented by these blades 228, 230 and the transporting rollers 78. the blades 228, 230 do not come into contact with the surface of the PS plate at the time the PS plate is delivered by the transporting rollers 78 and, therefore, the generation of uneven processing on the surface of the PS plate subjected to the nonsensitization processing and the damage of the surface thereof do not arise.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus which conveys a photosensitive lithographic printing plate while passing it through at least a developing section to process a processing liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor")
In general, the PS plate is generally immersed in a developing solution in the apparatus to perform development processing, or after development processing while being conveyed substantially horizontally, processing solution processing such as rinsing processing is performed in the rinse section. Generally, the rinse treatment includes a washing treatment with washing water performed after the development treatment and a desensitizing treatment performed with a gum solution or the like after the washing treatment.

A PS plate on which an image is recorded by a printing device is
The developing solution is supplied to the image recording surface by various methods such as being fed to the PS plate processor and being transported in the developing tank while being immersed in the developing solution, or spraying the developing solution onto the image recording surface for development processing. .

The developed PS plate is washed with rinsing water in the rinsing section (washing treatment), and then the gum solution is applied in the desensitizing section to protect the plate surface or both sides (desensitizing treatment). Then, it is dried.

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. Further, the PS plate processor has a heat generating portion for heating the developer, and the water content in the developer is considerably evaporated. As a result, the concentration of the developer changes, and the replenisher must be replenished frequently, which makes maintenance difficult. In addition, the concentration change of the treatment liquid due to the evaporation of water in the treatment liquid such as gum liquid is large,
Replenishment by automatic control may not be sufficient, and the operator may be forced to perform complicated manual replenishment.

Also, in rinse treatments such as water washing treatments and desensitizing treatments other than the developing treatments, a large treating liquid tank for storing the treating liquid falling from the PS plate surface after treating the PS plate surface is provided, and a large capacity is provided. Since the structure is such that the processing liquid is pumped up and the processing liquid is sprayed again from the spray pipe onto the surface of the PS plate, the evaporation of moisture from the processing liquid tank causes the same processing as in the developing section. The deposits cause the holes of the spray pipe to be clogged, which complicates maintenance and is one of the factors that increase the size of the apparatus.

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 effect of preventing evaporation is not sufficient, and the PS plate of the developer component deposited on the transport roller is not able to be said. There have been cases where the PS plate cannot be stably finished due to transfer to the top, clogging of the spray pipe, changes in the concentration of the developer, and the like.

In particular, if the PS plate discharged from the apparatus after the desensitizing treatment is completed and the surface is wet comes into contact with the blade or the like, there is a risk of damaging the still soft desensitized face of the PS plate. However, it was not possible to attach a pair of blades that substantially blocked the discharge port. For this reason,
Gum liquid, etc. may be deposited on the surface of the transport roller located near the discharge port, which may damage the surface of the PS plate that is processed first after the operation starts. Cleaning the surface of the transport roller before starting the operation of the device It was necessary to carry out cleaning work such as.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention more effectively prevents outside air from entering the inside of the casing to prevent deterioration of the processing liquid, and at the same time, performs complicated cleaning work before starting the operation of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus that does not need to be performed.

[0011]

A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention stores at least a developing processing liquid for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate in a processing liquid processing section and from an insertion opening. A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus that processes the developing lithographic printing plate to be inserted therein and conveys it through the discharge port while conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, wherein the processing liquid processing section is housed inside and is inserted. A casing provided with a first shielding means for preventing gas from flowing between the outside of the apparatus and the treatment liquid processing section in the vicinity of the insertion opening and the insertion opening, and the upstream side of the discharge opening. And a roller pair which is disposed adjacent to the discharge port and sends out the photosensitive lithographic printing plate from the discharge port, and which is attached to the peripheral edge portion of the opening of the discharge port and slidably contacts the peripheral surface of the roller pair outside the apparatus. The processing liquid processing unit And having a second shielding means for preventing the flow of gas between.

A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus is provided at an outlet of the casing and is discharged at least when the apparatus is not operating. A shutter for closing the outlet to prevent outside air from entering and for opening the outlet when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate passes.

[0013]

In the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first shielding means is provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening of the casing and is attached to the peripheral edge portion of the opening of the discharge port, and the upstream side of the discharge port. The second shielding means is provided so as to be in sliding contact with the surface of the roller pair disposed adjacent to the discharge port. This prevents outside air from flowing into the processing liquid processing unit from outside the apparatus. Further, it is possible to prevent the air containing the above generated by the processing liquid processing unit from being discharged from the processing liquid processing unit to the outside of the apparatus.

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate discharged from the processing liquid processing unit after the processing is sandwiched and conveyed by the roller pair adjacent to the discharge port on the upstream side of the discharge port and surrounded by the second shielding means. It passes through the road and is sent to the outlet. At this time, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate comes into contact only with the roller and does not come into contact with the second shielding means, so that, for example, the gum solution applied to the surface does not become uneven.

Further, when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not discharged from the discharge port as well as when discharged, the airtightness of the processing liquid processing portion is maintained, the deterioration of the developing processing liquid due to carbon dioxide gas can be prevented, and the evaporation of moisture. Therefore, the stability of the treatment with the treatment liquid can be improved, and the amount of the replenisher liquid to be replenished according to the evaporation and fatigue due to carbon dioxide gas can be reduced.

In the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, a shutter is provided at the discharge port, and the shutter closes the discharge port at least when the operation of the apparatus is stopped so that the outside air enters the casing. I try not to. For this reason, the processing liquid is fixed by exposing the conveying rollers and the like in the casing near the discharge port to the outside air, and solid matter adheres to the conveyed photosensitive lithographic printing plate or the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is damaged. Can be prevented.

[0017]

1 and 2 show a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor") 10 according to this embodiment. PS version processor 10
The 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.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PS plate processor 10 has an internal processing liquid processing section 11 covered with a machine casing 14. The machine frame 14 includes an upper lid 70, side plate covers 72, 74.
And an outer panel 76 that covers the lower sides of the side plate covers 72 and 74.
It is composed by. Further, the machine frame 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 and inserted into the machine frame 14 through the opening on the back side of the insertion table 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the machine frame 14, a developing section 22 provided with a developing tank 18 in which a developing solution for developing the PS plate 12 is stored, and a developing solution attached to the PS plate 12. From the insertion table 16, there are a water washing section 24 for washing and washing with water, and a finisher section 26 having a gum solution tank 30 for storing a gum solution for desensitizing by applying a gum solution to the PS plate 12 after washing. The processing liquid processing unit 11 is configured by being sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the PS plate 12. In addition, the washing section 2
4 is provided with a washing tank 28 for collecting washing water for washing the PS plate 12.

The machine frame 14 is provided with a slit-shaped insertion opening 102 corresponding to the inner side of the insertion table 16.
A slit-shaped discharge port 104 is provided on the side opposite to 02. As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge port 104 corresponds to the inlet of the drying unit 31 provided on the downstream side of the finisher unit 26 as required. This drying section 3
For example, the PS plate 12 sent from the finisher unit 26 may be conveyed by a large number of rollers, and hot air may be blown onto both surfaces of the PS plate 12 to dry the PS plate 12. Furthermore, the PS plate 1 that is processed and discharged from the PS plate processor 10 or the drying unit 31
You may make it provide the stocker etc. which lean against 2 and store a plate.

The developing unit 2 is provided on the upper lid 70 of the upper surface of the machine frame 14.
A re-entry insertion opening 150 for inserting the PS plate 12 is provided between the cleaning plate 2 and the washing section 24. From the reentry insertion port 150, the PS plate 12 can be inserted for performing a process other than the developing process such as rewashing and gum solution application.

As shown in FIG. 2, a blade 152 is arranged in the reentry insertion opening 150. The blade 152 is made of rubber, and its tip is brought into contact with the upper lid 70 that serves as a guide surface for the reentry insertion opening 150.
The base portion is fixed to the back surface side of the upper lid 70 via the bracket 154. Therefore, the reentry insertion port 150
Is closed by the blade 152. Here, the PS plate 12 is inserted into the reentry insertion slot 150.
Blade 152 is elastically deformed when inserted from
It does not hinder the insertion of the S plate 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the blade 1
PS plate 1 into reentry insertion slot 150 instead of 52
A lid 114 may be provided so as to be stretched over the upper end of the inclined surface 110 for guiding the 2 and the upper end of the vertical wall 112 that stands upright from the reentry insertion opening 150. With these, the developing unit 22 can have a closed structure, and it is possible to prevent the developing solution from being deteriorated by coming into contact with carbon dioxide gas in the outside air. At this time, the lid 114 may be provided instead of the blade 152, or both the blade 152 and the lid 114 may be provided. A plate-shaped metal piece 118 is attached to the end of the lid 114, and ferrite magnets that can be retracted by a lock mechanism are housed in both ends of the PS plate 12 in the conveyance width direction near the upper end of the slope 110. Box unit (magnet type push latch) 120 with embedded iron frame
Is mounted at a position where the width in the conveyance width direction is wider than that of the widest PS plate 12 that can be processed. As a result, in the state where the ferrite magnet is housed, the box unit 12
The ferrite magnet is locked inside 0 by a lock mechanism (not shown) to hold the lid 114 in a closed state, and an operation such as pressing is performed to cause the magnet to project so that the metal piece 11
The lid 114 mounted via 8 is rotated about the shaft 116 to be pushed up and opened (state of imaginary line in FIG. 5), and the PS plate 12 can be inserted.

In addition, the vertical wall 112 side of the lid 114 is attached to the shaft 1
It is rotatably connected by 16 and is in a horizontal state (closed state) by a biasing means (torsion coil spring or the like) not shown.
From above, the ferrite magnet is projected by performing an operation such as pressing on the lid 114 in the vicinity of the magnetic push latch 120, and the lid 114 is opened by the urging force of the urging means (not shown), so that the PS plate 12 is You may make it insertable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper lid 70 is removable, and for maintenance of the apparatus, the upper lid 70 is removed and the developing section 22 and the washing section 2 in the machine frame 14 are removed.
4. The finisher part 26 can be opened.

A sponge member 220 is arranged in the machine frame 14 at a position corresponding to the peripheral edge of the upper lid 70. Figure 4
As shown in FIG. 3, a receiving portion 222 attached to the frame 14A (for example, material SUS304) in the machine frame 14 is arranged at the periphery of the opening corresponding to the upper lid 70 of the machine frame 14. The receiving portion 222 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and one end thereof projects upward toward the side plate cover 72 (74) to form a standing wall 224. Sponge member 22
0 is affixed to the receiving portion 222 on the side of the treatment liquid treatment portion 11 which is inside the standing wall 224.

The sponge member 220 is a resin member having closed cells, and in this embodiment, it is a polyvinyl chloride independent foaming resin such as Norseal (trade name, model number ^# V776 manufactured by Norton Co., Ltd.). . The material of the sponge member 220 may be another product in which polyvinyl chloride is independently foamed, or a resin sponge that is elastic and non-water-absorbing by independently foaming another resin such as a silicone resin. Can be applied.

The upper lid 70 covers the upper opening of the machine frame 14 by bringing the lower end into contact with the sponge member 220 in a state where the lower end of the peripheral edge is close to the inside of the standing wall 224.
The space between 0 and 0 is tightly closed to prevent outside air from entering. Further, when the water evaporated from the processing liquid processing section 11 is condensed and adheres to the inner surface of the upper lid 70, this water is absorbed by the upper lid 7.
It reaches the sponge member 220 along the inner surface of 0. At this time, since the sponge member 220 is made of resin having closed cells, the moisture reaching the sponge member 220 flows into the processing liquid processing unit 11 from the receiving portion 222 without permeating the sponge member 220. The processing liquid processing unit 11
It is also possible to provide a groove around and to discharge the water collected in the receiving portion 222 as a waste liquid from this groove. As a result, for example, the water containing the treatment liquid component dewed on the upper lid 70 between the frame 14A and the side plate cover 72 is discharged to the machine frame 14.
It is prevented that the inside of the machine, the floor surface on which the apparatus is installed, or the like is contaminated, or that the processing liquid component causes rust or the like on the frame 14A or the like to cause corrosion.

Next, the inside of the machine casing 14 of the PS plate processor 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 2
A pair of transport rollers 32 are provided on the side of the second developing tank 18 where the PS plate 12 is inserted, and the PS plate 12 inserted through the insertion port 102 is drawn into the machine frame 14. . The pair of conveying rollers 32 feed the PS plate 12 toward the developing tank 18 at an angle of, for example, 15 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. Also, this insertion port 102
The insertion sensor 1 for detecting the presence or absence of the PS plate 12 near the
08 is attached. The insertion sensor 108 can recognize that the PS plate 12 is present in the apparatus.

A blade 106 made of rubber is attached near the downstream side of the conveying roller 32. Blade 106
Has its tip portion in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18 of the developing portion 22, and the base portion via the bracket 156.
Installed on. The bracket 156 has a fixed portion 15
6A 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 1
No. 06 is configured so that the tip end portion can be separated from the side wall of the developing tank 18 by loosening the thumbscrew 158 and sliding the slide portion 156B with respect to the fixing portion 156A.

Here, normally, the tip of the blade 106 is
It is in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18, and when the PS plate 12 is inserted into the insertion port 102, the tip of the PS plate 12 pushes the blade 106 to elastically deform and spread. The PS plate 12 is inserted into the developing unit 22 while expanding the blade 106 in this manner.

The developing tank 18 of the developing section 22 has a substantially inverted mountain shape with an upper opening and a bottom central portion protruding downward. In the developing tank 18, a guide plate 168, a plurality of guide rollers 34, and a rotating brush roller 170 are arranged. A relatively large diameter guide roller 36 is provided above the guide plate 168, and a rotary brush roller 38 is provided above the guide roller 34 and the rotary brush roller 170.
Also, a guide roller 40 is provided, and a pair of rollers 42 having a function of sandwiching and transporting the PS plate 12 is provided at the center of the developing tank 18.

These are rotatably wound between a pair of side plates (not shown) in the developing tank 18, and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) being transmitted to convey the PS plate 12 at a constant speed. Are configured. In the vicinity of the bottom of the developing tank 18, for example, the PS plate 12 is arranged to be conveyed with a radius of curvature of 300 to 350 mm by a pair of rollers 42, a plurality of guide rollers 34 and a guide plate 168 adjacent thereto. . Therefore, the PS plate 1 that is sandwiched and conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 32 and inserted into the developing tank 18
2 is obliquely conveyed through between the guide plate 168 and the guide roller 36, and is inserted between the rollers 42. The rollers 42 sandwich the PS plate 12 and apply a conveying force.

The PS plate 12 sent from the roller 42
Is discharged obliquely upward by the guide roller 34, guided by the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170, and the guide roller 40, and discharged from the developing tank 18. As a result, the PS plate 12 is smoothly and reliably conveyed while being immersed in the developing solution without applying an excessive force. The rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 have a function of removing wastes and the like from the photosensitive layer surface of the PS plate 12 to accelerate development, and treat the single-sided PS plate 12 exclusively with the photosensitive layer facing upward. In this case, a normal guide roller may be arranged instead of the rotating brush roller 170.

The spray pipe 44 closest to the downstream side of the 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 rotating member so as to connect the outer circumference and the inside of the pipe.
The spray pipe 17 is provided below the guide plate 168.
2 are provided. 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. These spray pipes 4
A developing solution is supplied to 4, 172 by a circulation means described later, and this developing solution is discharged toward the bottom surface of the developing tank 18 to uniformly stir the developing solution in the developing tank 18. It is like this.

On the liquid surface side of the developer in the developing tank 18, a floating lid 5 is provided.
0 is placed. In the floating 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 surface of the developing solution to minimize contact between the developing solution surface and air. The PS plate 1 of this floating lid 50 moves up and down according to the increase and decrease of the liquid.
Both ends of the conveying direction 2 are attached to side plates (not shown) by a slidable structure. Light-weight materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polyamide are selected as the material.

The tip of the blade 174 is in contact with the downstream end of the floating lid 50 in the carrying direction. This blade 1
74 is made of rubber and is fixed to the upper lid 70 via a bracket 176. With this blade 174, the liquid surface of the developer exposed from the downstream end of the floating lid 50 in the transport direction, and the floating lid 50
The upper part of the floating lid 50 is completely separated from the outside air by the blade 106 (in a state of being in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18) near the insertion opening 102. Evaporation of the developing solution can be suppressed.

On the most downstream side of the developing tank 18 in the conveying direction, P
A pair of rollers 54 for squeezing the developer from the surface of the PS plate 12 are arranged while the S plate 12 is nipped and conveyed.
The developing solution is squeezed from the surface of the PS plate 12 sent from the developing section 22 to the water washing section 24.

Above the washing tank 28 of the washing section 24, there are two pairs of conveying rollers 52 and 53 (hereinafter, referred to as upstream roller pair 52 and downstream roller pair 53, which will be described separately). It is arranged. These transport rollers 52, 5
3 is rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown) so that the driving force of a drive means (not shown) is transmitted to rotate, and forms a conveying path for the PS plate 12 fed from the developing section 22. ing. The leading end of the PS plate 12 sent from the developing unit 22 is guided so as to come into contact with the upper portion of the lower roller of the upstream roller pair 52.
Further, the front end portion of the PS plate 12 discharged from the upstream roller pair 52 is guided so as to contact the upper portion of the lower roller of the downstream roller pair 53.

The washing tank 28 is adapted to collect the washing water after washing the developing solution from the PS plate 12 sent from the developing tank 18. A spray pipe 56 is arranged on the upstream side of the downstream roller pair 53 and above the conveying path. The spray pipe 56 is arranged along the axis of the downstream roller pair 53, and the upper side thereof. A discharge port (not shown) that communicates with the inside is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the roller.

Wash water is supplied to the spray pipe 56 by a water supply means which will be described later. The wash water is dropped onto the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53 and the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53. By rotating, the wash water spreads quickly on the surface of the PS plate 12,
The surface of the plate 12 is washed with rinsing water. Further, the washing water after washing is received from the widthwise both ends of the PS plate 12 into the tray 62.
It is configured to fall into. In addition, spray pipe 5
The washing water is supplied to 6 at the time when the tip of the PS plate 12 reaches the downstream roller pair 53, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the insertion sensor 108 detected the PS plate 12.

The tray 62 is disposed below the transport rollers 52 and 53, and has a first tank 64 for accommodating the lower end of the lower roller of the transport roller 52 and the lower end of the lower roller of the transport roller 53. A second tank 66 for accommodating and a first tank 64
And an intermediate tank 68 that connects between the second tank 66 and the second tank 66. The rinsing water dropped from the spray pipe 56 is the second
The water collected in the second tank 66 and overflowing from the second tank 66 flows into the first tank 64 via the intermediate tank 68. The surplus water in the first tank 64 overflows into the washing tank 28. The rollers on the lower side of the transport rollers 52 and 53 pump up the water in the tray 62 to make the PS plate 12
The back surface of the above is cleaned and the upper transport rollers 52 and 53 are prevented from drying.

As described above, since the leading edge of the PS plate 12 abuts on the lower rollers, the scrubbed washing water is pumped up before the abutment, and the upper roller and the lower roller come into contact with each other. Washing water staying in the section is the PS plate 12
Therefore, the PS plate 12 can be reliably washed with water from the tip of the PS plate 12. An overflow pipe 210 is provided in the washing tank 28, and when the overflow pipe 210 exceeds a predetermined liquid level, it is discarded in the waste liquid tank 184.

The PS plate 12 washed with water in the water washing section 24 is sent to the finisher section 26. Finisher section 26
A pair of transport rollers 78 are provided above the gum solution tank 30 of the PS plate 12 fed from the water washing section 24.
Are guided to the transport roller 78. In this case, the line connecting the shafts of the upper roller and the lower roller of the downstream roller pair 53 is inclined about 10 ° in the clockwise direction with respect to the perpendicular. As a result, the PS plate 12 is conveyed by the finisher unit 26 so that the PS plate 12 has an inclined surface that gradually decreases in the conveying direction, so that the gum liquid on the PS plate 12 does not flow into the water washing unit 24.

Further, spray pipes 82, 188 are arranged on the upstream side of the conveying roller 78 in the vertical direction of the conveying path. These spray pipes 82, 188 are provided with discharge ports (not shown) communicating with the inside on the outer circumference, and discharge the gum liquid supplied by the circulation means described later and supply it to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. It is supposed to do. A guide plate 84 is attached to the periphery of the spray pipe 82 to guide the transport of the PS plate 12 and to make the gum solution from the spray pipe 82 evenly flow down onto the surface of the PS plate 12 while diffusing it. ing.

On the other hand, the spray pipe 188 and the PS plate 12
A guide plate 86 is arranged along the conveyance path between the conveyance and the conveyance. The upstream end of the guide plate 86 is bent at a substantially right angle to form a vertical wall portion 86A, and is generally L-shaped. Corresponding to the vertical wall portion 86A, the vertical wall portion 86
A crank-shaped bracket 88 having a vertical wall portion 88A parallel to A is arranged. The vertical wall portion 88A and the bottom plate portion 88B of the bracket 88 and the vertical wall portion 86A of the guide plate 86.
A vertical groove 90 is formed by. In this vertical groove 90,
The gum liquid discharged from the spray pipe 188 flows in through a hole provided in the vertical wall portion 86A, overflows from the upper end opening, and passes through the upper surface of the guide plate 86.
The S plate 12 is evenly attached to the back surface. A hard sponge 92 is provided at the bottom of the vertical groove 90 to prevent the gum solution from leaking.

The gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 in this manner is squeezed by the conveying roller 78 to squeeze the excessively adhered portion, and is applied uniformly. The squeezed gum solution is collected in the gum solution tank 30. Also,
A part of the lower roller of the transport roller 78 is the gum solution tank 3
It is soaked in the gum solution of 0. Therefore, the transport roller 7
The gum solution carried out to the lower roller of 8 is mainly applied to the back surface side of the PS plate 12, and at the same time, the upper transport roller 7
By suppressing the drying of No. 8, the gum liquid is prevented from being deposited and fixed on the surface of the conveying roller 78.

The PS plate 12 which has been processed by the finisher unit 26 passes through the discharge port 104 and is sent to the drying unit 31. As shown in FIG. 5, a guide box-shaped guide bracket 226 is provided on the inner wall 14B of the machine frame 14 so as to project from the discharge port 104. The PS plate 12 passes through the guide bracket 226 and is discharged. It is designed to reach the exit 104.

Conveying roller 78 of guide bracket 226
A rubber blade 228 (only the upper blade is shown in FIG. 5) is provided at the upper and lower portions of the side toward the peripheral surfaces of the upper roller and the lower roller of the transport roller 78, respectively. The tip of the blade 228 is in contact with the peripheral surface along the axial direction of the roller. Further, the guide bracket 226 has blades 23 extending from both ends in the longitudinal direction toward both end faces of the respective rollers of the transport roller 78.
0 is extended. The extended distal end portion of the blade 230 is in contact with the respective end surfaces of the upper and lower rollers of the transport roller 78.

For this reason, from the transport roller 78 to the insertion port 10
A transport path for the PS plate 12 defined by a shielding means composed of the blades 228 and 230 and the guide bracket 226 is formed between the four. In addition, outlet 1
04 and the processing liquid processing section 11 (finisher section 26) are blocked by a shielding means composed of the transport roller 78, blades 228 and 230, and a guide bracket 226, and the insertion opening is maintained even when the PS plate 12 is in a passing state. The outside air does not flow into the processing liquid processing unit 11 from 104.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the machine frame 14 and the inner wall 1
A shutter 94 is provided between the shutter 4 and 4B. The shutter 94 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and its longitudinal direction is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 104. Ribs 232 are extended to both ends of the shutter 94, and the ribs 232 are slidably inserted into guides 234 provided on the inner wall 14B. The guide 234 forms a groove along the up-down direction with the inner wall 14B,
This allows the shutter 94 to move up and down.

A roller 236 is rotatably provided at the lower center of the shutter 94 in the longitudinal direction, and a coil spring 252 for urging the shutter 94 downward is disposed near one end in the longitudinal direction. ing. The peripheral surface of the roller 236 corresponds to the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 242 mounted on the shaft 240 rotatably supported between the inner wall 14B and the bracket 238, and the roller 236 corresponds to the shutter 94. Own weight and coil spring 2
It is in contact with the eccentric cam 242 by the biasing force of 52.
In addition, the shaft 240 includes a rotary shaft 24 of the motor 246.
Endless belt 250 between the pulley 248 provided on 6A
A pulley 244 around which is wound is arranged.

Therefore, the rotation of the motor 246 causes the shutter 94 to close the discharge port 104 at the upper position (see FIG. 5).
Is indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6 and is indicated by a solid line in FIG.
The lower position to open the PS plate so that the PS plate 12 can pass (see FIG. 5).
(Indicated by the solid line). Around the shutter 94, a limit switch 254 for detecting the upper limit position of the shutter 94 and a limit switch 256 for detecting the lower limit position are provided, and an upper limit pin 258 and a lower limit pin for setting the movement limit of the shutter 94. 260 is provided to prevent separation from the guide 234.

In this motor 246, the insertion sensor 108 has a P
When the tip of the S plate 12 is detected, it is driven to move the shutter 94 downward until the limit switch 256 is actuated to open the discharge port 104. The PS plate 12 is rotationally driven after a lapse of a predetermined time until the PS plate 12 has finished passing through the discharge port 104, and the shutter 94 is moved upward until the limit switch 254 operates, thereby closing the discharge port 104.

The shutter 94 is closed when the operation of the PS plate processor 10 is stopped so as to close the inside of the machine frame 14 to the outside, but when the PS plate 12 is passing through the discharge port 104. Only when the shutter 94 is opened, warm air is unnecessarily blown from the outside air or the drying unit 31.
It may not be allowed to flow into 4.

Next, replenishment and circulation of each processing solution in the developing section 22, the water washing section 24, and the finisher section 26 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the PS version processor 1
0 is a development replenisher tank 12 for storing the development replenisher.
2. A gum replenishing liquid tank 124 for storing a gum replenishing liquid and a water storage tank 126 for storing water are arranged. In the water storage tank 126, one end of a pipe 130 provided with a water supply pump 128 in the middle is opened.
The other end of 0 is connected to the spray pipe 56 provided in the water washing section 24, and when the water supply pump 128 operates, the water in the water storage tank 126 is supplied to the spray pipe 56.

The developing section 22 is provided with a circulation pump 134 whose suction side communicates with the bottom of the developing tank 18. One end of a communication pipe 136 is connected to the discharge side of the circulation pump 134. The other end of the communication pipe 136 is pulled out to the side of the developing tank 18 to form the spray pipes 44, 1
It is connected to 72. A casing 140 that accommodates a filter and a casing 144 to which a conductivity sensor 142 that measures the conductivity of the developer is attached are provided in the middle of the communication pipe 136. Therefore, when the circulation pump 134 is operated, the developing solution in the developing tank 18 is sucked, passes through the casings 140 and 144, is ejected from the spray pipes 44 and 172 and is returned to the developing tank 18, and the developing solution in the developing tank 18 is developed. The liquid is circulated while being filtered. At this time, the degree of fatigue of the developer is measured.

A replenishing cylinder 160 is provided on the side of the developing tank 18.
And a pipe 162 opened at the bottom of the replenishing cylinder 160 penetrates the side wall of the developing tank 18 and
0 and the developing tank 18 are communicated with each other. One end of each of the pipes 164 and 166 is opened at the upper portion of the replenishing cylinder 160.
The other end of the pipe 164 is connected to the developing replenisher tank 122.
A replenishing pump 178 is provided in the middle of the opening. The other end of the other pipe 166 is opened at the bottom of the washing tank 28, and a water supply pump 180 is arranged in the middle.

When the replenishing pump 178 and the water supply pump 180 are operated, the developing replenishing liquid and the diluting water are supplied into the replenishing cylinder 160, and the developing replenishing liquid and the water are mixed from the replenishing cylinder 160 and the development is performed via the pipe 162. It flows into the tank 18 and the replenisher is replenished to the developing tank 18. A stock tank for storing the water in the washing tank 28 may be provided between the washing tank 28 and the water supply pump 180, and the water stored in the stock tank may be supplied to the replenishing cylinder 160.

The conductivity sensor 142 measures the impedance of the developing solution passing through the casing 144, and when the value detected by the conductivity sensor 142 is out of a predetermined range set in advance. The replenishment pump 178 and the water supply pump 180 are operated to replenish the developing solution. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing tank 18 is provided with an overflow pipe 20 for overflowing and discharging the excess developing solution, so that the developing solution exhausted due to the replenishment of the developing solution is drained. The tank 184 is designed to overflow.

As shown in FIG. 2, the finisher portion 26
The bottom of the gum solution tank 30 is connected to the suction side of the circulation pump 186, and the discharge side of the circulation pump 186 is
One end of the communication pipe 190 is connected. The other end of the communication pipe 190 is connected to the spray pipes 82 and 188, and when the circulation pump 186 is operated, the gum solution tank 30.
The gum solution therein is sucked and supplied to the spray pipes 82 and 188.

A replenishing cylinder 196, the bottom of which is connected to the gum solution tank 30 by a pipe 198, is arranged in the finisher portion 26, and one end of the pipes 200, 202 is provided above the replenishing cylinder 196. It is open. Of these, the other end of the pipe 200 is opened in the gum replenishing liquid tank 124, and a replenishing pump 204 is arranged in the middle portion. Also,
The other end of the other pipe 202 is opened in the water storage tank 126, and a water supply pump 206 is arranged in the middle portion.

These replenishment pump 204 and water supply pump 2
When 06 operates, the gum replenishing liquid and the water for dilution are supplied to the replenishing cylinder 196, and the gum liquid that flows into the gum liquid tank 30 while mixing these is replenished. As shown in FIG. 2, the gum liquid tank 30 is provided with an overflow pipe 208, and when the gum liquid exceeds a predetermined liquid level, the excess gum liquid is guided to the waste liquid tank 184 and discarded. Has become.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. PS plate 12 on which an image is recorded by a printing device (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. A blade 106 is arranged in the insertion port 102, and reliably prevents outside air from entering the developing unit 22 from the insertion port 102 when the PS plate 12 does not press the blade 106 to elastically deform it. The PS plate 12 inserted from the insertion port 102 elastically deforms the blade 106 and is smoothly sent to the developing unit 22.

The tip of the PS plate 12 has the insertion opening 10
After passing 2, the insertion sensor 108 detects the PS plate 12 and detects that the processing of the PS plate 12 has started.
As a result, for example, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the water supply pump 128 is operated to supply water to the spray pipe 56 and start washing the PS plate 12 with water.

P inserted from the insertion opening 102 of the machine frame 14
The S plate 12 is sent to the developing unit 22 by the conveyance roller 32 and immersed in the developing solution in the developing tank 18. The PS plate 12 inserted in the developing tank 18 is guided by the guide plate 168, inserted between the rollers 42, and passes through, and is conveyed in the developing tank 18 by the guide rollers 34 and the like. After that, the surface of the PS plate 12 on the photosensitive layer side is rotated by the rotating brush roller 3
Rubbing with 8 and 170 accelerates development and removes unnecessary photosensitive layer depending on the printed image.

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, since the PS plate 12 is guided so as to come into contact with the lower roller of the transport roller 52, the washing water pumped up from the tray 62 circulates around the surface of the PS plate 12 by the rotation of the lower roller. When the PS plate 12 is sandwiched by the transport rollers 52, a liquid pool can be formed. As a result, the water washing process can be reliably performed from the tip of the PS plate 12.

After that, the PS plate 12 has the downstream roller pair 53.
Is washed with fresh water dropped from the spray pipe 56 to the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53 at the timing of reaching, and the back surface is transferred from the tray 62 to the downstream roller pair 53.
It is washed with washing water carried out by the lower roller.

When the washing process is completed, the PS plate 12 is sent to the finisher section 26, and is nipped and carried by the carrying rollers 78. Here, the spray pipes 82, 188
The gum solution discharged from is applied to be desensitized. At this time, since the line connecting the axes of the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 53 is inclined with respect to the perpendicular and the tip side of the PS plate 12 is gradually lowered, the flow direction of the gum solution adhering to the PS plate 12 is kept constant. can do.

The PS plate 12 on which the gum solution has been applied, while the excess gum solution is removed by the carrying roller 78,
It passes between the blades 228 and reaches the discharge port 104.
After that, the PS plate 12 is provided with a drying unit 3 provided as necessary.
The drying process is performed at 1.

Here, the shutter 9 provided at the discharge port 104
The operation of No. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The shutter 94 is held at the upper position to close the discharge port 104. In the first step 300, when the insertion sensor 108 detects that the PS plate 12 has been inserted into the processing liquid processing part 11, the timer is activated in the next step 302. At the same time, the motor 246 is driven to rotate the eccentric cam 242, and the shutter 94 starts moving to the lower position (step 304). Next step 30
In step 6, when the limit switch 256 detects the shutter 94, the driving of the motor 246 is stopped (step 30
8). As a result, the shutter 94 moves to a predetermined position below, the discharge port 104 is opened, and the PS plate 12 can pass through.

In this state, the PS plate 12 which has been processed by the processing liquid processing section 11 is sent out from the discharge port 104 by the carrying roller 78 of the finisher section 26.

In the next step 310, the insertion sensor 10
8 measures the time from the detection of the front end of the PS plate 12 by a timer, and after a predetermined time has passed, that is, the time required to complete the delivery of the PS plate 12 from the discharge port 104 by the conveying roller 78. After a lapse of time, the process proceeds to step 312, in which the motor 246 is driven to reverse and the shutter 94 is moved upward. This shutter 94
When the limit switch 254 detects the upward movement of the motor (step 314), the driving of the motor 246 is stopped (step 316). As a result, the shutter 94 reaches the position where the discharge port 104 is closed. This is when the equipment is running,
This is performed every time the PS plate 12 is processed (step 31).
8).

Thus, the PS version processor 10
The developing unit 22 inside the machine casing 14 is connected to the blades 106, 174.
Separated from the outside of the machine and the washing section 24, etc.
The PS plate 12 insertion side of the finisher section 26 is separated from the outside of the machine or the developing section 22 by blades 174 and 152, and the discharge side is conveyed roller 78 and blades 228 and 230.
Therefore, even if the shutter 94 is open and the PS plate 12 is being sent toward the discharge port 104 by the transport roller 78, the outside air is isolated from the outside. Since it is possible to reliably prevent the invasion of the processing liquid and suppress the deterioration of the processing liquid due to the outside air, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of the processing liquid to be replenished for compensating the deterioration of the processing liquid due to evaporation or carbon dioxide gas fatigue. The running cost of the device can be reduced.

Further, the discharge port 104 is normally the shutter 9
Since it is closed by 4, it is possible to reliably prevent the transport roller 78, which is likely to come into contact with the outside air that has entered from the discharge port 104, from coming into contact with the outside air, and the gum liquid adheres to and hardens on the surface of the transportation roller 78. Can be prevented. As a result, in the conventional processing apparatus, it becomes possible to eliminate the cleaning work with the cleaning plate (about 1 to 3 plates) which was necessary at the start of work.

The blade 228 which is in contact with the carrying roller 78 of the finisher section 26 wipes off the water droplets from the surface of the carrying roller 78 when the evaporated water in the apparatus is condensed and adheres to the carrying roller 78. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water droplets condensed on the transport roller 78 from damaging the finish of the surface of the PS plate 12 that has been processed. The tip of the blade 156 arranged near the insertion opening 102 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the conveying roller 32 to wipe off water droplets that are condensed on the surface of the conveying roller 32 and adhered thereto. A function of preventing water droplets from adhering to the surface of the PS plate 12 sent to the sheet 22 may be additionally provided.

Incidentally. In the present embodiment, the movement range of the shutter 94 is detected by the limit switches 254 and 256, but the shutter 94 is detected by the drive amount of the motor 246.
You may make it control opening and closing. Further, the shutter 94 may be opened not only when the PS plate 12 passes through the discharge port 104, but may be opened during the operation of the device and close the discharge port 104 when the operation of the device is stopped.

Further, in the present embodiment, the shutter 94 is opened and closed by driving the motor 246, but the shutter 94 may be opened and closed by other driving means, and the shutter is opened when the operator starts the operation of the apparatus. A manual type in which 94 is opened and closed at the end of operation may be used.

[0080]

As described above, in the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the present invention, the processing liquid processing section inside the casing can be reliably shielded from the outside air. Especially, at least when the operation of the device is stopped, the discharge port is surely closed, so that the components in the processing liquid are securely prevented from being precipitated and hardened on the transport roller arranged near the discharge port, and the maintenance of the device is simplified. be able to.

Further, since the shielding means is arranged between the discharge port and the roller pair for sending out the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, the treatment liquid treatment is performed without bringing the shielding means into contact with the surface of the treated photosensitive lithographic printing plate. The surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be reliably separated from the outside of the machine, and the surface of the processed photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not inadvertently contacted with a blade or the like. Has excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a PS plate processor applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a PS plate processor applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic piping system diagram of a PS plate processor applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of main parts taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an essential part showing a space between a discharge port and a roller pair near the discharge port.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an essential part showing the vicinity of the shutter applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a main-portion cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the reentry insertion opening.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of opening / closing operation of a shutter.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 PS plate processor (photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing device) 11 processing liquid processing unit 12 PS plate (photosensitive lithographic printing plate) 14 machine frame (casing) 22 developing unit 24 water washing unit 26 finisher unit 78 transport rollers (roller pair) 94 Shutter 102 Insertion port 104 Discharge port 150 Reentry insertion port 228, 230 Blade

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A processing solution processing section stores at least a developing solution for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is inserted through an insertion port while being processed by the developing solution. A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for sending out from the discharge port through the discharge port, wherein the processing liquid processing unit is housed inside to form the insertion port and the discharge port, and the processing liquid outside the device and the processing liquid near the insertion port. A casing provided with a first shielding means for blocking the flow of gas between the processing section, and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate disposed adjacent to the outlet on the upstream side of the outlet from the outlet. A pair of rollers for sending out, and a second shielding means attached to the peripheral edge of the opening of the discharge port and slidably contacting the peripheral surface of the pair of rollers to prevent the flow of gas between the outside of the apparatus and the processing liquid processing section. Characterized by having And a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus. 2. A shutter which is provided at an outlet of the casing to close the outlet at least when the operation of the apparatus is stopped to prevent outside air from entering and to open the outlet when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate passes. 2. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: