JPH1097045A - Photosensitive material processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photosensitive material processor constituted so that the processing irregularity of a photosensitive material is prevented from occurring by supplying processing solution to a squeezing roller pair. SOLUTION: A developing processor is provided with a first guide member 161 which can be switched to a first position where developer dropping from a developer supply tube 122 is guided to a processing solution coating mechanism 43 and a second position where the developer is guided to a pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45, a second guide member 162 which can be switched to a first position where the developer dropping from a pair of rollers 44 and 45 is guided to a waste solution tank 64 and a second position where the developer is guided to a developer tank 52 and a moving lever respectively arranging the first and the second guide members 161 and 162 at the first positions when a planographic printing plate M is coated with the developer and respectively moving them to the second positions when the developer is supplied to a pair of rollers 44 and 45.

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 Publication No. 6-7257, such a coating-type processing apparatus includes a wire bar formed by spirally winding a wire around a shaft around a photosensitive surface of a photosensitive material after supplying a processing liquid. A processing apparatus is disclosed in which only a required amount of processing liquid is applied to a photosensitive material by measuring the amount of the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material by contacting the measuring means.

[0005] In this processing apparatus, after the photosensitive material coated with the processing liquid is conveyed by a certain distance,
By passing the photosensitive material between a pair of squeezing rollers, the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material and used for processing the photosensitive material is squeezed from the photosensitive material.

[0006]

In such a coating type processing apparatus, for example, when the processing of the photosensitive material is interrupted for a predetermined time, the processing liquid squeezed from the photosensitive material adheres to the surface of the pair of squeezing rollers. When the next photosensitive material is conveyed to the pair of squeezing rollers while it is drying, the processing liquid in a semi-dry state may adhere to the photosensitive material again. The processing liquid re-adhered to the photosensitive material as described above causes processing unevenness of the photosensitive material.

[0007] Such uneven processing becomes particularly remarkable as uneven drying when a lithographic printing plate utilizing a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method) is used as a photosensitive material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of preventing processing unevenness of a photosensitive material by supplying a processing liquid to a pair of squeezing rollers. With the goal.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing liquid supply section for flowing down a processing liquid, a processing liquid applying section for applying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material, and a photosensitive liquid in the processing liquid applying section. A pair of squeezing rollers for squeezing the processing liquid applied to the material, a first position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit to the processing liquid application unit, and a processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit To the squeezing roller pair.
And a guide member capable of switching the position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing liquid application section for applying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material, and a processing liquid application section disposed at a predetermined distance from a side of the processing liquid application section. A pair of squeezing rollers for squeezing the processing liquid applied to the material; a processing liquid supply unit disposed above the processing liquid application unit and the squeezing roller pair to flow the processing liquid downward; Unit and a processing liquid tank disposed below the squeezing roller pair, a pump for pumping the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank to the processing liquid supply unit, the processing liquid application unit and the squeezing roller pair, A first position for guiding a processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit to the processing liquid application unit, and a processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit; To the squeezing roller pair A first guide member that can be switched between a second position and a second position. And a second guide member capable of switching between a first position for guiding the processing liquid and a second position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the pair of squeezing rollers to the processing liquid tank, and application of the processing liquid to the photosensitive material. Sometimes, the first and second guide members are respectively arranged at the first position, and when the processing liquid is supplied to the pair of squeezing rollers, the first and second guide members are respectively arranged at the second position. Switching means for performing the switching.

[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 developer application mechanism 43 is disposed below a developer supply pipe 122 connected via a pump 53 to a developer tank 52 for storing the developer. A collection tray 54 is provided below the developer application mechanism 43. The developer in the developer tank 52 is sent to the developer supply mechanism 43 via the developer supply pipe 122 and the first guide member 161 by the action of the pump 53, and is supplied onto the lithographic printing plate M. Then, a developing solution that has not been applied to the lithographic printing plate M, such as a developing solution flowing out from both ends and a rear end portion of the lithographic printing plate M, is dropped onto the collection tray 54. Further, since the developing solution can be reused, the developing solution is dropped into the liquid receiving portion 56 of the developing solution tank 52 through a collecting pipe 55 provided at a lower end portion of the collecting tray 54, and collected in the developing solution tank 52. Is done. 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.

The structure of the first guide member 161 will be described later in detail.

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 through the second guide member 162, the collection tray 5
8 is dropped. 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.

The structure of the second guide member 162 will be described later in detail.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing solution application mechanism 43 has a plurality of openings 123 for receiving the developing solution guided by the first guide member 161 at the lower end thereof for flowing the developing solution. A developing solution receiving portion 124, an application roller 125 having a plurality of grooves on its surface and rotating in contact with the lithographic printing plate M, and an opening 12 of the developing solution receiving portion 124.
A diffusion film 126 for guiding the developing solution flowing down from the developing roller 3 to the coating roller 125; a backflow preventing film 127 for preventing the developing solution flowing down from the opening 123 of the developing solution receiving portion 124; And a backup roller 128 that comes into contact with the backup roller 128. Note that the arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M.

The developer guided by the first guide member 161 is once received by the developer receiver 124,
It flows down from the plurality of openings 123 toward the diffusion film 126. The developing solution flowing down from the opening 123 of the developing solution receiving portion 124 is temporarily stored in a contact portion between the application roller 125 and the diffusion film 126, and is diffused in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. And this developer is
With the rotation of the application roller 125, the application roller 125 moves through the opening formed by the groove of the application roller 125 in the direction of the contact portion between the application roller 125 and the backup roller 128, and forms a liquid reservoir there.

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 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 liquid application mechanism 73 is connected via a pump 83 to a stabilizing liquid tank 82 for storing the stabilizing liquid. 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 liquid application mechanism 73 includes a stabilizing liquid supply pipe 132 having a plurality of discharge holes 131 formed below the stabilizing liquid supply pipe 132, and a plurality of stabilizing liquid supply pipes for flowing the stabilizing liquid downward at the lower end thereof. A stable liquid receiving portion 134 having an opening 133 formed therein.
A coating roller 135 whose surface is formed of a single-cell sponge and rotates in contact with the lithographic printing plate M; and an opening 133 of the stable liquid receiving portion 134 whose surface is formed in an uneven shape.
Film 136 for guiding the stable liquid flowing down from the coating roller 135 to the coating roller 135 and the lithographic printing plate M with the coating roller 1
And a leaf spring 138 that urges the plate spring 335. In addition,
Arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M.

The stable liquid supply pipe 132 is connected to the above-mentioned stable liquid tank 82 via a pump 83, and the stable liquid is discharged from the plurality of discharge holes 131 by driving the pump 83. After the stable liquid is once received by the stable liquid receiving section 134, the diffusion film 13 passes through the plurality of openings 133.
Flow down to 6. Opening 13 of stable liquid receiving portion 134
The stable liquid flowing down from 3 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 stable liquid 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 fixed volume by a number of holes made by 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 planographic 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 former stage is placed on a pair of introduction rollers 41 and 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 this developing apparatus 3, since only the amount of developing solution necessary 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 first and second guide members 161 and 162, which are characteristic parts of the present invention, and their driving mechanisms will be described. FIG. 6 shows the first and second guide members 161 and 16.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a drive mechanism 2 and a driving mechanism thereof.

The first guide member 161 is disposed at a height between the developer application mechanism 43 and the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 and the developer supply pipe 122. The first guide member 161 moves between a first position shown by a solid line and a second position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 around a support shaft 163 fixed to the main body of the developing device 3. It is configured to be rotatable. The first position is a position where the developing solution flowing from the developing solution supply pipe 122 is guided to the developing solution receiving portion 124 of the developing solution application mechanism 43 as shown by a solid line in FIG. The position is a position where the developing solution flowing down from the developing solution supply pipe 122 is guided to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

The second guide member 162 is arranged at a height between the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 and the developer tank 52. The second guide member 162 moves between a first position shown by a solid line and a second position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6 around a support shaft 164 fixed to the main body of the developing device 3. It is configured to be rotatable. This first position is, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
4 and 45 are positions for guiding the developing solution flowing down from the collecting holes 63 of the liquid receiving member 62 to the collecting tray 58 to discharge the developing solution to the drainage tank 64. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the developing solution flowing from the squeezing roller pairs 44 and 45 through the collecting hole 63 of the liquid receiving member 62 is guided to the collecting tray 54 to be collected in the developing solution tank 52. Position.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first guide member 161
Is engaged via a long hole 167 with a pin 166 erected on a driving rod 170 that moves up and down by driving the air cylinder 165. Further, the second guide member 162 is engaged with a pin 168 erected on the drive rod 170 via a long hole 169. For this reason, the first guide member 161 and the second guide member 162 move synchronously between the above-described first position and second position by driving the air cylinder 165. When the drive rod 170 is at the raised position, the first and second guide members 161 and 162 are both located at the first position, and when the drive rod 170 is at the lowered position, the first and second guide members 161 and 162 are at the first position. Are arranged at the second position.

Therefore, when the driving rod 170 is moved to the raised position by driving the air cylinder 165, the developing solution flowing down from the developing solution supply pipe 122 is supplied to the first guide member 161.
And supplied to the developer receiving section 124 in the developer application mechanism 43. Also, a pair of squeezing rollers 44, 4
The developing solution flowing down through the recovery hole 63 of the liquid receiving member 62 from the liquid developer 5 is discharged to the drainage tank 64 via the recovery tray 58.

On the other hand, when the drive rod 170 is moved to the lowered position by driving the air cylinder 165, the developer supply pipe 1
The developer flowing down from 22 is guided by a first guide member 161 and supplied to a pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45. Further, the liquid receiving member 62 is provided by the pair of squeeze rollers 44 and 45.
The developer flowing down through the collecting hole 63 of the collecting tray 5
4 and is collected in the developer tank 52.

In the developing apparatus 3 as described above,
When developing the lithographic printing plate M, the driving rod 170 is moved to the raised position by driving the air cylinder 165, and the first and second guide members 161 and 162 are respectively disposed at the first position. Thereby, the developer supply pipe 122
The developer flowing down from the developing solution is guided to the developer receiving portion 124 of the developer applying mechanism 43 via the first guide member 161.
Then, the developer is applied to the lithographic printing plate M passing through the developer application mechanism 43 via the diffusion film 126 and the application roller 125. On the other hand, the developer applied to the lithographic printing plate M and subjected to the developing process is applied to a pair of squeezing rollers 4.
The collecting holes 6 of the liquid receiving member 62
Flow down through 3. Since this developer cannot be reused, it is guided by the second guide member 162 and the recovery tray 58
Through the drain tank 64.

In the developing apparatus 3, when the lithographic printing plate M is developed and the apparatus is interrupted for a certain period of time or longer, the developer adhering to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 is semi-dried. It becomes a state and is concentrated. When the next lithographic printing plate M passes between the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 when the process is resumed, the concentrated developer re-adheres to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M, and thereby the lithographic printing plate M M drying unevenness occurs. Therefore, when the developing process of the lithographic printing plate M is restarted, the pair of squeezing rollers 44, 4
5 to supply a developing solution to the pair of squeezing rollers 4.
After the surfaces of the plates 4 and 45 have been restored to a normal state in which the developer adheres in a thin film form, the lithographic printing plate M needs to be treated.

In this case, the air cylinder 165
The drive rod 170 is moved to the lowering position by the drive of, and the first and second guide members 161 and 162 are respectively arranged at the second position. Thus, the developing solution flowing down from the developing solution supply pipe 122 is guided to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 via the first guide member 161. And this developer is
A pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 4 to which the concentrated developer has adhered
The surface of No. 5 is returned to a normal state. Further, the developer is supplied from the surface of the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 to the liquid receiving member 6.
It flows down through the second recovery hole 63. Since the developer can be reused, it is guided by the second guide member 162 and collected in the developer tank 52 via the collection tray 54.

As described above, in the developing apparatus 3 according to this embodiment, even if the developing process of the lithographic printing plate M is interrupted for a certain period of time and the process is restarted, the developing process is performed via the first guide member 161 in advance. By supplying the developing solution to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45, it is possible to prevent unevenness in drying of the lithographic printing plate M after processing. The developing solution supplied to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 is collected in the developing solution tank 52 via the second guide member 162, so that the developing solution can be effectively used without waste. Liquid consumption can be reduced.

At this time, in order to supply the developing solution to each of the developing solution applying mechanism 43 and the pair of applying rollers 44 and 45,
Since there is no need to provide two sets of pumping means such as pumps, the apparatus can be simplified.

In particular, the developing apparatus 3 according to this embodiment
In the first embodiment, the supply of the developing solution to the developing solution applying mechanism 43 and the pair of applying rollers 44 and 45 and the collection and discharge of the developing solution from the pair of applying rollers 44 and 45 are performed only by driving the single air cylinder 165. Since the processing can be performed, the configuration of the developing device 3 can be further simplified.

In the above-described embodiment, 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 supplied with an amount of developing solution necessary for development. Although the case where the present invention is applied to the developing apparatus 3 for performing the developing process by applying only the above is described, the present invention can also be applied to other various photosensitive material processing apparatuses.

[0054]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply section to the processing liquid application section and the squeezing roller for the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply section Since a guide member that can switch between the second position for guiding to the pair is provided, the processing liquid supplied from the processing liquid supply unit is switched and supplied from the processing liquid application unit side to the squeezing roller pair side as necessary. This makes it possible to prevent uneven processing of the photosensitive material with a simple configuration.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first method for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit to the processing liquid application unit is provided.
And a second position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit to the squeezing roller pair, and guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the squeezing roller pair to the drainage unit. And a second position for switching a first position to guide the processing liquid flowing down from the pair of squeeze rollers to the processing liquid tank, and a first position for applying the processing liquid to the photosensitive material. A second guide member disposed at the first position, and a switching means for disposing the first and second guide members at the second position when the processing liquid is supplied to the squeezing roller pair. The processing liquid supplied from the processing liquid supply unit can be switched and supplied from the processing liquid application unit side to the squeezing roller side as needed, and the processing unevenness of the photosensitive material can be prevented with a simple configuration. . Further, since the processing liquid supplied to the pair of squeezing rollers can be collected in the processing liquid tank, the processing liquid can be effectively used without waste.

[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 showing first and second guide members 161 and 162 and a driving mechanism thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Exposure device 3 Developing device 32 Developing unit 33 Stabilizing unit 34 Drying unit 43 Developing solution application mechanism 44 Squeeze roller 45 Squeeze roller 52 Developing solution tank 53 Pump 54 Collection tray 58 Collection tray 122 Developing solution supply pipe 125 Application roller 161 First Guide member 162 second guide member 163 support shaft 164 support shaft 165 air cylinder 170 drive rod

Claims (2)

[Claims] A processing liquid supply unit for flowing down the processing liquid; a processing liquid application unit for applying the processing liquid to the photosensitive material; and a squeezing roller pair for squeezing the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material in the processing liquid application unit. A first position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit to the processing liquid application unit, and a second position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit to the squeezing roller pair. A photosensitive material processing apparatus, comprising: a guide member capable of switching between the two. 2. A processing liquid application section for applying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material, and a processing liquid application section is disposed at a predetermined distance beside the processing liquid application section,
A pair of squeezing rollers for squeezing the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material in the processing liquid application unit; and a processing liquid supply disposed above the processing liquid application unit and the squeezing roller pair to flow the processing liquid downward. A processing liquid tank disposed below the processing liquid application unit and the squeezing roller pair; a pump for pumping the processing liquid stored in the processing liquid tank to the processing liquid supply unit; and a processing liquid application unit. And a first guide disposed at a height position between the squeezing roller pair and the processing liquid supply unit to guide the processing liquid flowing down from the processing liquid supply unit to the processing liquid application unit.
And a first guide member capable of switching a position of the processing liquid flowing from the processing liquid supply unit to a second position for guiding the processing liquid to the pair of squeezing rollers; and between the squeezing roller pair and the processing liquid tank. A first position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the pair of squeezing rollers to the drainage section, and a second position for guiding the processing liquid flowing down from the squeezing roller pair to the processing liquid tank. A second guide member that can be switched between positions; a first guide member and a second guide member that are respectively disposed at the first position when the processing liquid is applied to the photosensitive material; And a switching means for arranging the first and second guide members at the second position when supplying the photosensitive material.