JPH1083052A - Processing solution supply device for photosensitive material processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing solution supply device for photosensitive material processor capable of making processing solution uniformly flow down from plural processing solution dropping parts. SOLUTION: Developer supply parts 122 are constituted of a liquid receiving part 165 and an overflow tube 166 whose lower end part is used as the developer dropping part 161. Besides, the end part 164 of a branching tube 163 on the branched side is connected to the liquid receiving parts 165 of the supply parts 122 and the other end is connected to a developer tank 52 through a pump 53. Then, developer forcibly carrier by driving the pump 53 is branched in three directions by the tube 163 and made to flow in the respective receiving parts 165. When the liquid level of the developer becomes equal to or over the fixed level, the developer overflows the upper end of the tube 166 and drops down from the dropping parts 161 of the lower end part of the tube 166.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus for processing a photosensitive material with a processing solution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photosensitive materials such as films, photographic papers, printing plates and the like are processed with a processing solution such as a developing solution, a fixing solution, a stabilizing solution, and washing water after an image is recorded. As a photosensitive material processing apparatus for performing such processing, a photosensitive material is transported into a processing tank storing a processing liquid by a transporting unit including a plurality of transport roller pairs or the like, and the photosensitive material is immersed in the processing liquid. An immersion-type processing apparatus that performs processing by such a method is known.

In such an immersion type processing apparatus,
Since the processing solution deteriorates due to processing fatigue accompanying the processing of the photosensitive material or temporal fatigue due to carbon dioxide or oxygen in the atmosphere, the deterioration of the processing solution is recovered by replenishing the processing solution with a replenisher. Therefore, the components of the processing liquid at the start of the processing are different from the components of the processing liquid when the processing is continued thereafter, and it is impossible to perform strictly uniform processing. In addition, such an immersion type processing apparatus has a problem that the amount of waste liquid of the processing liquid is large and the maintainability of the apparatus is poor.

As a photosensitive material processing apparatus for solving such problems, instead of immersing the photosensitive material in the processing solution, an amount of the processing solution required for processing the photosensitive material is applied to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material. There is also used a coating type processing apparatus for performing the processing. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-237455, such a coating type processing apparatus is provided with a processing liquid supply nozzle having a plurality of processing liquid flowing holes, and a groove formed on the surface to form a groove on the surface. The processing liquid flows down onto a roughened roller (hereinafter, referred to as a "roughening roller"), and the roughening roller is rotated while being in contact with the photosensitive material through the roughening roller. A processing apparatus for applying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material is disclosed.
In this processing apparatus, as the processing liquid supply nozzle, a pipe having one end closed and having a plurality of processing liquid down holes is used, and the processing liquid pumped by a pump is supplied from the plurality of processing liquid down holes. It is configured to flow down.

[0005]

As described above, when the processing liquid is fed under pressure into a pipe having one end closed and having a plurality of processing liquid flowing holes below, particularly when a small amount of processing liquid is supplied. In addition, the amount of the processing liquid flowing down from the plurality of processing liquid flow-down holes differs for each flow-down hole, making it difficult to flow the processing liquid uniformly. Therefore, the amount of the processing solution applied to the photosensitive material is not uniform in the width direction of the photosensitive material (the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed). Processing unevenness due to the difference occurs.

[0006] Such a phenomenon is particularly remarkable when a lithographic printing plate utilizing a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method) is used as a photosensitive material, in which development proceeds rapidly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a processing liquid supply apparatus for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, which can uniformly flow a processing liquid from a plurality of lower portions of a processing liquid. Aim.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing solution supply device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus for supplying a processing solution to a photosensitive material, wherein the processing solution tank stores the processing solution; A pump for pressure-feeding the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank, and a branch pipe having a branch end connected to the plurality of liquid receivers and the other end connected to the processing liquid tank via the pump. And a plurality of overflow pipes disposed at each of the plurality of liquid receiving portions and having a lower end portion as a processing liquid flow lower portion, wherein the pump is pumped from the processing liquid tank to the plurality of liquid receiving portions by the pump. The processing liquid flowing down from the lower part of the processing liquid by overflowing from the plurality of overflow pipes is supplied to the photosensitive material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing liquid supply device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus for supplying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material, comprising: a processing liquid tank for storing the processing liquid; A liquid receiving portion provided with a plurality of processing liquid flow lower portions, processing liquid supply means for supplying a processing liquid from the processing liquid tank to the liquid receiving portion, and a liquid level of the processing liquid stored in the liquid receiving portion And a recovery path for collecting the processing liquid overflowing from the overflow pipe into the processing liquid tank, and supplying the processing liquid flowing down from the lower part of the processing liquid to the photosensitive material. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the processing liquid supply means includes a supply pipe having a processing liquid supply hole, the processing liquid tank, and one end of the supply pipe. A processing liquid supply path to be connected, a processing liquid recovery path connecting the other end of the supply pipe to the processing liquid tank, and a processing liquid disposed in the supply path, the processing liquid in the processing liquid tank And a pump for pumping toward the supply pipe.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lithographic printing plate making apparatus provided with a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention.

This plate-making apparatus uses a lithographic printing plate M using a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method) as a photosensitive material.
The lithographic printing plate M is subjected to image exposure and development processing. The exposure apparatus 2 performs exposure to the lithographic printing plate M, and performs the development processing to the exposed lithographic printing plate M. And a development processing device 3.

A lithographic printing plate using a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method), particularly a lithographic printing plate having a physical development nucleus layer on a silver halide emulsion layer, is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,728. No. 4,114,769, No.4,160,670, No.4,336,321, No.4,501,811, No.4,510,228, No.4,621,041 The exposed silver halide is subjected to chemical development by DTR development to become black silver to form a hydrophilic non-image area, while the unexposed silver halide crystal is The silver salt complexing agent in the developer forms a silver complex and diffuses to the physical development nucleus layer on the surface. Form.

First, the configuration of the exposure apparatus 2 will be described. The exposure device 2 exposes the image of the original to the lithographic printing plate M by projecting the reflected light from the original mounted on the original holder 12 onto the surface of the lithographic printing plate M by the projection optical system 13. is there.

The document holder 12 has a light-transmitting plate 14 on which a document is placed, and an upper lid 15 that can be opened and closed with respect to the light-transmitting plate 14. 1, it is configured to be reciprocally movable in the left-right direction between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line. Further, the projection optical system 13 is fixed below the reciprocating movement path of the original holder 12, and a rod-shaped light source 17 for irradiating illumination light to the surface of the original horizontally moved while being held by the original holder 12; The apparatus includes a plurality of folding mirrors 18 for guiding light reflected from a document by the light source 17 and a projection lens 19 for projecting the reflected light guided by the plurality of folding mirrors 18 onto a lithographic printing plate M.

When exposing an image of a document on the planographic printing plate M by the exposure device 2, the document holder 12 is arranged at a position shown by a solid line in FIG. The original is mounted on the original holder 12 by closing the upper cover 15 after placing the original. Then, with the light source 17 turned on, the document holder 12 is moved to the left in FIG. In synchronization with this, the leading end of the lithographic printing plate M wound in a roll by the plurality of transport rollers 22 and the guide member 23 is moved to the original holder 1.
2 is conveyed at the same speed as the moving speed. As a result, the document held in the document holder 12 is sequentially irradiated with light from the light source 17. Then, the reflected light from the original is irradiated onto the surface of the lithographic printing plate M moving at the same speed as the original holder 12 via the plurality of folding mirrors 18 and the projection lens 19, and the image of the original is printed on the lithographic printing plate M. Exposed.

The lithographic printing plate M to which the image has been exposed is sequentially conveyed from the exposing device 2 to the subsequent developing device 3 for processing. Further, a cutting device 25 having a cutter 24 that moves in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M is disposed on the exit side of the exposure device 2. Cut at the rear end of the exposed part.

Since the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate M in the exposure device 2 is lower than the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate M in the developing device 3, the lithographic printing plate M is simply transferred to the exposure device 2 and the developing device 3. Cannot be conveyed. When the lithographic printing plate M is cut by the cutting device 25, it is necessary to stop the transport of the lithographic printing plate M. For this reason, a lithographic printing plate M buffer unit 26 is provided between the exposure device 2 and the development processing device 3, and when the lithographic printing plate M that has been exposed in the exposure device 2 is transported, the buffer unit 26 By stopping the rotation of the pair of rollers 27 and 28 disposed for a certain period of time, the lithographic printing plate M is stored in the buffer unit 26 for a certain length, and then conveyed to the developing device 3. ing.

Next, the configuration of the developing apparatus 3 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing the developing device 3 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an outline diagram showing a piping system thereof.

The developing apparatus 3 includes a developing unit 32 for applying a developing solution (activator) to the exposed lithographic printing plate M and performing a developing process, and a developing solution (stabilizer) for the lithographic printing plate M after the developing process. Stabilizer 33 for applying and stabilizing
And a drying unit 34 for drying the lithographic printing plate M after the stabilization process.

The developing section 32 includes a roller 2 of the buffer section 26.
Lithographic printing plate M conveyed to developing section 32 by 7, 28
A pair of introduction rollers 41 and 42 for nipping and transporting the developer, and a developer application for measuring and applying a fixed amount of the developer to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M transported by the pair of introduction rollers 41 and 42 A mechanism 43 and a pair of squeezing rollers 4 for removing the developer supplied to the developing process from the lithographic printing plate M;
4, 45, and a plurality of guide members 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 for guiding the lithographic printing plate M.

The lower roller 41 of the pair of introduction rollers 41, 42 is a heat roller having a built-in heater for heating the lithographic printing plate M passing therethrough. The lithographic printing plate M is heated in advance prior to the development process because a small amount of a temperature-controlled developer is applied to the lithographic printing plate M and the lithographic printing plate M is heated by the heat capacity of the lithographic printing plate M when developing. This is to prevent the temperature of the developer that has come into contact with the developer from decreasing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developing solution application mechanism 43 is connected via a pump 53 to a developing solution tank 52 for storing the developing solution. A collection tray 54 is provided below the developer application mechanism 43. The developing solution in a developing solution tank 52 is pumped by a pump 53 to a developing solution application mechanism 43.
And supplied onto the lithographic printing plate M. Then, the developer not applied to the lithographic printing plate M, such as the developing solution flowing out from both ends and the rear end of the lithographic printing plate M, is collected on a collecting tray 5.
4. Drop on top. Further, since this developer can be reused, the collection tube 5 provided at the lower end of the collection tray 54 is provided.
5, the liquid is dropped into the liquid receiving portion 56 of the developer tank 52 and collected in the developer tank 52. The developer tank 52 has a built-in panel heater 57 and is configured to maintain the developer circulating in the developer circulation path from the developer tank 52 to the developer application mechanism 43 at a predetermined temperature. ing.

A collection tray 58 is provided below the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45. The fatigue developer removed from the lithographic printing plate M by the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 cannot be reused.
Recovery hole 6 of liquid receiving member 62 provided below 4, 45
3 and is dropped onto the collection tray 58. Then, the developer is discharged to a drain tank 64 via a collection pipe 59 provided at a lower end of the collection tray 58.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing solution applying mechanism 43 includes a developing solution supply unit 122 and a developing solution receiving unit 124 having a plurality of openings 123 formed at the lower end thereof for flowing the developing solution. A coating roller 125 having a plurality of grooves on its surface and rotating in contact with the lithographic printing plate M;
24 is applied to the application roller 1
25, a backflow prevention film 127 for preventing the backflow of the developing solution flowing down from the opening 123 of the developing solution receiving portion 124, and a backup roller 128 contacting the application roller 125. . Note that the arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M.

The developing solution supply section 122 is connected to the developing solution tank 52 via a pump 53, and the developing solution flows down from a plurality of developing solution flowing portions 161 described later by driving the pump 53. This developer is supplied to the developer receiver 1
After being once received at 24, it flows down toward the diffusion film 126 from the plurality of openings 123. Developer receiving section 12
The developer flowing down from the opening 123 of the coating roller 1
The lithographic printing plate M is temporarily stored in a contact portion between the lithographic printing plate M and the diffusion film 126 and is diffused in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Then, with the rotation of the application roller 125, the developer passes through the opening formed by the groove of the application roller 125 and moves in the direction of the contact portion between the application roller 125 and the backup roller 128, forming a liquid reservoir there. I do.

When the lithographic printing plate M passes through the liquid reservoir, a developing solution is applied to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M. At this time, since the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M is pressed against the surface of the application roller 125 by the backup roller 128, the developer applied to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M is opened by the groove of the application roller 125. It is weighed to a certain amount by the part. Therefore, the backup roller 128
Printing plate M that has passed the contact portion between
A constant amount of developer required for development is always applied to the photosensitive surface.

The structure of the developer supply section 122 will be described later in detail.

The stabilizing section 33 is provided with a stabilizing liquid applying mechanism 73 for measuring and applying a constant amount of a stabilizing liquid to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M conveyed from the developing section 32 and a stabilizing process. The lithographic printing plate M includes a pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75 for removing the stabilizing liquid from the lithographic printing plate M, and a plurality of guide members 76, 77 and 78 for guiding the lithographic printing plate M.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stabilizing solution application mechanism 73 is connected to a stabilizing solution tank 82 for storing a stabilizing solution via a pump 83. A collection tray 84 is provided below the stable liquid application mechanism 73. The stable liquid in the stable liquid tank 82 is supplied to the stable liquid applying mechanism 73 by the pump 83.
And supplied onto the lithographic printing plate M. Then, the stabilizing liquid not applied to the lithographic printing plate M, such as the stabilizing liquid flowing out from both ends and the rear end of the lithographic printing plate M, is dropped on the collection tray 84 because it can be reused. Further, the stable liquid drops into the liquid receiving section 86 of the stable liquid tank 82 via the recovery pipe 85 provided at the lower end of the recovery tray 84, and is collected in the stable liquid tank 82.

A collection tray 88 is provided below the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75. The stable liquid removed from the lithographic printing plate M by the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75 is dropped onto the collection tray 88 via the collection holes 93 of the liquid receiving member 92 provided below the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75. I do. Further, since this stable liquid cannot be reused, it is discharged to the drainage tank 64 via a collecting pipe 89 provided at the lower end of the collecting tray 88.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stabilizing solution applying mechanism 73 includes a stabilizing solution supply portion 132, a stabilizing solution receiving portion 134 having a plurality of openings 133 at the lower end thereof for allowing the stabilizing solution to flow down. An application roller 135 whose surface is formed of a single-cell sponge and rotates in contact with the lithographic printing plate M;
The diffusion film 136 for guiding the stable liquid flowing from the opening 133 of the stable liquid receiving portion 134 to the application roller 135 and the lithographic printing plate M are urged toward the application roller 135. And a leaf spring 138. Note that the arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M.

The stable liquid supply unit 132 is connected to the above-mentioned stable liquid tank 82 via a pump 83, and the stable liquid flows down from a plurality of stable liquid flow lower parts 181 by driving the pump 83. After the stable liquid is once received by the stable liquid receiving unit 134, it flows down from the plurality of openings 133 toward the diffusion film 136. The stable liquid that has flowed down from the opening 133 of the stable liquid receiving portion 134 is temporarily stored in a contact portion between the application roller 135 and the diffusion film 136, and is diffused in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Then, with the rotation of the application roller 135, the stable liquid passes through the opening formed by the unevenness on the surface of the diffusion film 136, moves toward the contact portion between the application roller 135 and the leaf spring 138, and stores the liquid therein. Form.

When the lithographic printing plate M passes through the liquid reservoir, a stabilizing solution is applied to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M. At this time, since the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M is pressed against the surface of the application roller 135 by the leaf spring 138, the stable liquid applied to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M is a single bubble on the surface of the application roller 135. It is metered to a constant volume by a number of holes with a sponge. Therefore, a constant amount of the stabilizing liquid required for stabilization is always applied to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M that has passed through the contact portion between the leaf spring 138 and the application roller 135.

The leaf spring 138 has an overflow hole 137 for storing a stable liquid more than necessary at a contact portion between the leaf spring 138 and the application roller 135 to prevent the liquid reservoir from becoming excessively large. Is provided.

The drying unit 34 includes a rubber roller 102 that supports and transports the lithographic printing plate M transported from the stabilizing unit 33,
A mirror roller 103 for preventing uneven drying of the lithographic printing plate M by contacting the rubber roller 102 with a predetermined pressure;
Cleaning liquid reservoir 104 for supplying the cleaning liquid via
A drying mechanism 107 having a fan 105 and a heater 106 for blowing hot air onto the lithographic printing plate M to dry it, and a plurality of transport rollers 108 for transporting the lithographic printing plate M;
09 and 110. The cleaning liquid storage unit 104 is provided as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
The cleaning liquid supply pipe 105 for supplying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid 4 and 45 is connected to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 105 via a pump 106.

The development processing of the lithographic printing plate M by the development processing device 3 is performed as follows.

That is, the lithographic printing plate M, on which an image has been recorded by the exposure device 2 at the preceding stage, is transferred to the pair of introduction rollers 41, 4
The developing solution is applied by the developer application mechanism 43 to apply an amount of the developing solution necessary for developing the lithographic printing plate M.
The lithographic printing plate M to which only the developing solution necessary for the developing process is applied is supplied from the developing solution applying mechanism 43 to the pair of squeezing rollers 4.
The developing process is completed on the photosensitive surface while being transported through the space developing section reaching to 4, 45. And the lithographic printing plate M
The developing solution adhered to the developing process and removed by the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 is removed. Subsequently, the lithographic printing plate M is applied with a stabilizing solution application mechanism 73 with an amount of stabilizing solution necessary for stabilizing the lithographic printing plate M. The lithographic printing plate M to which only the necessary amount of the stabilizing liquid for the stabilizing process is applied is stabilized while being conveyed to the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75, and the stabilizing process attached to the lithographic printing plate M is performed. Is removed by the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75. Then, the lithographic printing plate M for which the stabilization process has been completed.
After the unevenness of drying is prevented by being pressed by the mirror surface roller 103, the drying is performed by the drying mechanism 107 and discharged onto the discharge tray 29 shown in FIG.

In the developing apparatus 3, since only the developing solution required for the developing process is applied to the lithographic printing plate M and the developing process is performed, the amount of the developing solution required for the process can be reduced. It becomes possible. Further, since a substantially unused processing liquid is supplied to the lithographic printing plate M, the lithographic printing plate M can always be uniformly processed.

Next, the structure of the developing solution supply section 122 and the like, which are characteristic parts of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the developer supply unit 122 and the developer tank 52 are connected by a branch pipe 163.

In this figure, reference numeral 122 denotes the above-mentioned developing solution supply units, which are respectively a liquid receiving unit 165 and a liquid receiving unit 16.
5 and the lower end thereof is connected to the developer
1 and an overflow pipe 166.
Reference numeral 163 denotes a branch pipe composed of a tube made of a soft resin, and an end 164 of the branch pipe 163 on the branch side.
Are connected to the liquid receiving section 165 of the developing liquid supply section 122, respectively. Further, the other end of the branch pipe 163 is connected to the developer tank 52 described above via a pump 53.

Although part of the drawing is omitted in FIG. 6, the branch pipe 163 branches the developing solution pumped by the pump 53 into three directions. Are connected to three developer supply units 122. The developer supply sections 122 are arranged at equal intervals in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

In such a configuration, when the developing solution stored in the developing solution tank 52 is pumped by the driving of the pump 53, the developing solution is branched into three directions by the branch pipe 163, and the respective liquid receiving portions are formed. 165. When the liquid level of the developer becomes equal to or more than a certain level, the developer overflows from the upper end of each overflow pipe 166 and flows down from the lower part 161 of the developer at the lower end of the overflow pipe.

At this time, by setting the height position of the upper end of the overflow pipe 166 in each developer supply section 122 to the same height, the lower end of the overflow pipe 166 supplied from the developer tank 52 to each developer supply section 122 is provided. The amount of the developing solution flowing down from the developing solution downstream part 161 can be the same. Therefore, it is possible to uniformly supply the developing solution to the developing solution receiving portion 124 in the developing solution application mechanism 43 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M.

The inner diameter of the overflow tube 166 is appropriately selected depending on the viscosity and surface tension of the developing solution, the amount of the supplied developer, and the like, but is preferably 1 to 5 mm.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the developer supplied under pressure by the pump 53 is supplied to three developer supply units 12.
2, the developing solution pumped by the pump 53 may be branched to about 2 to 5 or more developing solution supply units 122 as needed.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
The developing solution flowing down from the developing solution flowing section 161 of each developing solution supply section 122 is supplied to the application roller 125 via the developing solution receiving section 124 of the developing solution applying mechanism 43. Alternatively, the developer may flow down directly to the application roller 125 from 161.

The stable liquid supply unit 132 of the stable liquid application mechanism 73 has the same structure as the above-mentioned developer supply unit 122. The stable liquid stored in the stable liquid tank 82 is stabilized by driving the pump 83. The structure is such that the liquid is fed to the liquid supply unit 132 and flows down from each stable liquid flow lower part 181.

According to the above-described embodiment, by setting the height position of the upper end of the overflow pipe 166 in each developer supply section 122 to the same height, the amount of the developer flowing down from each developer lower part 161 is reduced. It can be the same amount. Therefore, even when a small amount of the developer is supplied, the developer can be supplied uniformly.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a developer supply unit 2 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the liquid supply 22 is connected to a developer tank 52 and a pump 53 described above.

The developer supply section 222 is similar to the developer supply section 122 according to the first embodiment, and has a developer application mechanism 43.
, A developer supply pipe 231 extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4); It has a liquid receiving pipe 232 surrounding the outside of the liquid supply pipe 231 and a pair of overflow pipes 233 disposed below the liquid receiving pipe 232.

Two developer supply holes 234 are formed below the developer supply pipe 231. One end of the developer supply pipe 231 is connected to the developer tank 52 via a pump 53 by a supply pipe 235. Further, the other end of the developer supply pipe 231 is connected to the developer tank 52 by a recovery pipe 236.

Below the liquid receiving tube 232, three developer flow holes 241 are formed at an equal pitch as a developer flow lower part. The overflow pipes 233 are provided on both sides of the three developer flow holes 241. The height position of the upper end of the overflow pipe 233 is h higher than the lowermost end of the liquid receiving pipe 232. Each overflow pipe 233 is connected to the developer tank 52 by a recovery pipe 237. 242 is a liquid receiving tube 232
This is an air vent hole drilled upward.

In such a configuration, when the developing solution stored in the developing solution tank 52 is pumped by the driving of the pump 53, the developing solution flows into the developing solution supply pipe 231 through the supply pipe 235. After the inflow, the recovery line 23
6 and is circulated by being collected in the developer tank 52. Then, a part of the developer circulating in the circulation path is supplied into the liquid receiving tube 232 from two developer supply holes 234 formed in the developer supply tube 231. And
When the liquid level of the developer stored in the liquid receiving pipe becomes h or more,
The developer overflows from the upper end of each overflow pipe 233 and is collected in the developer tank 52 through the collection pipe 237.

The developer supply hole 234 is connected to the liquid receiving tube 23.
A part of the developing solution supplied to the inside of the developing solution application mechanism 4 is supplied from three developing solution flowing holes 241 formed in the solution receiving pipe 232.
3 flows down onto the developer receiving portion 124. At this time, in the liquid receiving pipe 232, since the liquid level of the developing solution is maintained at the constant value h, the flowing amount of the developing solution flowing down from each developing solution flowing hole 241 is uniform. Further, since the amount of the developer flowing down from each developer flowing down hole 241 is determined by the liquid level h of the developer, even when the pressure of the developer supplied to the developer supply pipe 231 changes, The flow amount of the developer from each developer flow hole 241 does not change.

The number of the developer supply holes 234 in the developer supply pipe 231 is preferably 1 to 3 and the diameter is preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. Further, it is preferable that the number of the developer flowing holes 241 in the liquid receiving pipe 232 is 2 to 5, and the diameter thereof is 1 to 2
mm is preferable.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the developing solution flowing down from the developing solution flowing hole 241 in the liquid receiving tube 232 is supplied to the application roller 125 via the developing solution receiving portion 124 of the developing solution applying mechanism 43. But
The developing solution may flow down to the application roller 125 directly from each developing solution flowing hole 241.

According to the above-described embodiment, the liquid receiving pipe 23
By keeping the level of the developer in 2 constant,
The amount of the developer flowing down from each developer flowing down hole 241 can be made uniform. Further, since the amount of the developer flowing down from each developer flowing down hole 241 is determined by the liquid level h of the developing solution, by adjusting the liquid level h, the amount of the developer flowing from each developer flowing down hole 241 is adjusted. It is also possible to control the flow rate.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the developing solution is pumped from the developing solution tank 52 to the developing solution supply pipe 231 by the pump 52, and the developing solution is supplied from the developing solution supply pipe 231 to the recovery pipe 236. The developing solution is circulated by collecting the developing solution in the developing solution tank 52 and circulating a part of the developing solution through the developing solution flowing hole 241. The components of the developer applied to the lithographic printing plate M can always be made uniform. Also, due to the circulation of the developer,
The temperature control by the panel heater 57 provided in the developer tank 52 can be performed more efficiently.

In each of the above-described embodiments, a lithographic printing plate M using a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method) is used as a photosensitive material, and the lithographic printing plate M is developed in an amount necessary for development. Although a case has been described where the present invention is applied to the developing apparatus 3 which performs a developing process by applying only a liquid, the present invention can be applied to other various photosensitive material processing apparatuses.

[0061]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid pumped from the processing liquid tank to the plurality of liquid receiving parts via the branch pipes is supplied from the overflow pipes respectively arranged in the liquid receiving parts. The processing solution is caused to overflow, and the processing solution is supplied to the photosensitive material by flowing down from a plurality of lower portions of the processing solution at the lower end of the overflow pipe. Therefore, the amount of the processing solution flowing down from each lower portion of the processing solution can be made uniform. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid is supplied to the photosensitive material by flowing down the processing liquid from a plurality of lower portions of the processing liquid disposed in the liquid receiving portion for storing the processing liquid at a constant liquid level. Therefore, the flow rate of the processing liquid from the lower part of each processing liquid can be made uniform.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the processing liquid supply means for supplying the processing liquid from the processing liquid tank to the liquid receiving section includes:
A supply pipe having a processing liquid supply hole, a processing liquid supply path connecting the processing liquid tank to one end of the supply pipe, a processing liquid recovery path connecting the other end of the supply pipe to the processing liquid tank, Since there is a pump disposed in the path and for pumping the processing liquid in the processing liquid tank toward the supply pipe, a part of the processing liquid can flow down uniformly while circulating the processing liquid.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lithographic printing plate making apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a developing device 3;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a piping system of the developing device 3;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a developer application mechanism 43.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a stable liquid application mechanism 73.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a developer supply unit 122 and the like according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a developer supply unit 222 and the like according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Exposure device 3 Development processing device 32 Developing unit 33 Stabilizing unit 34 Drying unit 43 Developing solution applying mechanism 52 Developing solution tank 53 Pump 73 Stabilizing solution applying mechanism 82 Stabilizing solution tank 83 Pump 122 Developing solution supply unit 132 Stabilizing solution supply unit 161 Development Lower part of liquid flow 163 Branch pipe 165 Liquid receiver 166 Overflow pipe 181 Lower part of stable liquid 231 Developer supply pipe 232 Liquid receiver 233 Overflow pipe 234 Developer supply hole 235 Supply pipeline 236 Recovery pipeline 237 Recovery pipeline 241 Developer Downhole

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kyonosuke Yamamoto 3-4-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Mitsui Paper Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshikazu Takano 3-4-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Mitsubishi Paper Mills Co., Ltd. (72) Akira Kunihiro, Inventor 3-4-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. 3 Mitsubishi Paper Mills Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A processing liquid supply device of a photosensitive material processing apparatus for supplying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material, comprising: a processing liquid tank for storing the processing liquid; and a pump for pressure-feeding the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank. A branch pipe having an end on the branch side connected to the plurality of liquid receivers and the other end connected to the processing liquid tank via the pump; and A plurality of overflow pipes each having a lower end part below the processing liquid flow, wherein the processing is performed by the pump being pumped from the processing liquid tank to the plurality of liquid receiving sections and overflowing from the plurality of overflow pipes. A processing liquid supply apparatus for a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein a processing liquid flowing down from a lower part of the liquid flow is supplied to the photosensitive material. 2. A processing solution supply device for a photosensitive material processing apparatus for supplying a processing solution to a photosensitive material, comprising: a processing solution tank for storing the processing solution; and a plurality of processing solution flowing down portions for flowing down the processing solution. A disposed liquid receiving unit, a processing liquid supply unit that supplies a processing liquid from the processing liquid tank to the liquid receiving unit, an overflow pipe that controls a liquid level of the processing liquid stored in the liquid receiving unit, A recovery path for collecting the processing liquid overflowing from the overflow pipe into the processing liquid tank, wherein the processing liquid flowing down from the lower part of the processing liquid is supplied to the photosensitive material. Processing liquid supply device. 3. The processing liquid supply means includes: a supply pipe having a processing liquid supply hole; a processing liquid supply path connecting the processing liquid tank to one end of the supply pipe; The processing liquid recovery path connecting the processing liquid tank and a pump disposed in the supply path and pumping the processing liquid in the processing liquid tank toward the supply pipe. A processing liquid supply device for the photosensitive material processing device according to Claim 1.