JP3286394B2 - Photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing equipment - Google Patents

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 in which a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is conveyed at least in a developing tank of a developing section and processed by passing through a downwardly convex conveying path. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter, referred to as "PS plate") on which an image is printed by a printing apparatus is a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "PS plate processor").
Processed by In this PS plate processor, a PS plate on which an image is recorded is immersed in a developer stored in the developer tank while being transported in the developer tank, and the PS plate is rubbed by a rubbing means such as a rotary brush in the developer. Is rubbed to promote development, and the photosensitive layer in the non-image area is removed. The PS plate that has been developed in this way is
After being washed with washing water in the washing section (washing treatment), a gum solution is applied in the desensitization treatment section (desensitization treatment), and processes such as plate surface protection are continuously performed.

FIG. 9 shows a structure of a developing section of a PS plate processor for processing a PS plate in this manner. The developing unit 200 includes the rotating brush roller 20.
2, 204 is a curved conveyance type with a squeezing mechanism. In the developing section 200, the roller pair 2 on the upstream side of the developing tank 206
08, the PS plate 12 is fed into the developing tank 206,
It is guided by a guide roller 210 and a guide roller group 212 and fed to a transport roller pair 214 in the liquid. A brush roller 202, a guide roller group 216 facing the brush roller 202, a brush roller 204, a guide roller 218 facing the brush roller 204, and the like are arranged downstream of the transport roller pair 214. On the downstream side, a conveying roller pair 220 is arranged to
Two transport paths are formed.

Further, in order to prevent fatigue caused by carbon dioxide gas in the developer in the developing tank 206, the PS plate 12 is placed in the developing tank 20.
6. The developing tank 20 is conveyed downwardly in a curved manner in the developing tank 20.
6 and a floating lid is provided on the developer surface. The floating lid prevents a part of the developing solution from being scattered by a brush roller that rotates to rub the plate surface of the PS plate 12 and a brush on the liquid surface when the brush roller is stopped. To prevent the developer components from drying and sticking to the surface.

In such a developing section 200, the PS plate 12
The capacity of the developing tank 206 is increased so that processing can be performed regardless of the size of the PS plate 12 by transmitting a predetermined driving force to a pair of conveying rollers 214 and brush rollers 202 and 204 inside the developing tank 206. Is transported in a stable state. Further, in order to uniformly rub the PS plate 12 with the brush rollers 202 and 204, the PS plate 12 is transported while being held in a substantially linear state at least in the vicinity of the brush rollers 202 and 204.

[0006] In recent years, color printing is also performed in fields where printing is mainly performed in a single color using a PS plate having a relatively small area called light printing (about 0.5 to 0.7 m ² or less). The need for a PS plate of a relatively small size is increasing. Even when processing such a relatively small size PS plate exclusively, a PS plate processor capable of processing a relatively large size PS plate is used.

[0007] While such a relatively small-sized PS plate must be processed by a PS plate processor capable of processing a large-sized PS plate, it has been downsized to process a small-sized PS plate. The demand for PS version processors is growing.

[0008]

However, the size of the apparatus largely affects the space of the developing section. In the developing section 200 of the PS plate processor having the above-described structure, the transport roller disposed in the liquid in the developing tank 206 is used. Since the driving force is transmitted to the pair 214, the brush rollers 202, 204, etc., the transmission structure of the driving force is complicated. In addition, it is necessary to provide a margin for the mounting space in consideration of the maintainability of the roller and the like in the liquid. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the size of the developing tank, which is a factor of increasing the size of the entire apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and provides a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus which has a simple configuration of a developing unit which affects the size of the apparatus and has a reduced size without deteriorating developability. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate which is provided in a developing tank and is conveyed through a downwardly convex conveying path. A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for developing while dipping in a liquid, comprising: a brush roller that is driven to rotate while being in contact with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate surface; a rotating member and / or guide member is disposed in the upstream side and the downstream side of the sexual planographic printing plate sandwiching the photosensitive planographic printing plate with the brush roller, the conveying direction end portion of the photosensitive lithographic printing The bra
Guide means for guiding in a direction approaching the sirola;
It is characterized by having.

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 an end of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in a conveying direction is a conveying direction.
It is a front end part and a rear end part .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the guide means is configured to send the lithographic printing plate into the developing tank.
The photosensitive lithographic printing plate inserted
It passes between the rotating member and / or the guide member.
And wherein the sea urchin guide child.

A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotating member includes a plurality of rotating members. It is a skewer-shaped roller in which the small rollers are coaxially arranged with an interval dimension that is equal to or less than half the width dimension of the small rollers.

[0014]

In the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a brush roller is provided in a conveying path of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate having a convex shape provided in a developing tank, and a brush roller is provided. brush roller rubs the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in a state in which cross the photosensitive lithographic printing plate between the rotating member and / or moth <br/> id member is disposed on the upstream and downstream Accelerate development. The guide means is the end of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the transport direction.
To approach the brush roller. Photosensitivity flat
Hanging the printing plate between the rotating member and / or the guide member
In this state, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is
The surface can be rubbed, but, for example, it projects downward in the developer tank.
While the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is being conveyed in a
Inserted between the rolling member or guide member and the brush roller
The brush pressure acting on the tip is low
I will. Also, the rear end of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is
And / or get out between the guide member and the brush roller
When trying to do so, the brush pressure acting on the rear end becomes lower
There is fear. At this time, the guide means is a photosensitive lithographic printing plate
The front and rear ends of the
The front and rear ends of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate
Rush pressure can be applied, which can
Apply a predetermined brush from the front end to the rear end of the plate
It can be uniformly developed by rubbing with pressure. Sand
The guide means brushes the tip of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate.
Turn on the camera. Also, the guide means is a photosensitive lithographic printing plate.
The rear end is a brush roller and a rotating member and / or a guide member.
When sent out from between, this photosensitive lithographic printing plate
Guide the rear end to the brush roller.

At this time, in the developing tank, only the brush roller is driven, and the structure for transmitting the driving force can be simplified. Further, since the configuration of the transport path is simple, the size of the developing tank can be reduced as compared with the conventional case, and the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced. Further, since the number of parts constituting the developing tank can be reduced and the assembling becomes easy, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be greatly reduced.

[0016] In the present invention of claim 3, the guide means, since the brush roller rotating member and / or guide the photosensitive planographic printing plate between the guide member passes, reliably photosensitive lithographic printing The plate can be rubbed and transported by a brush roller while being transported.

[0017]

[0018] Incidentally, when placing at least two brush rollers, the role rotary member and / or arranged opposite the other brush roller guide means for the one brush roller be those formed by the guide member Is also good. At this time, one brush roller and the rotating member and / or the rotating member and / or guide member is arranged opposite the end of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate which passes between the guide member to the other of the brush roller brushes What is necessary is just to make it approach a roller.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a skewered roller having a plurality of small rollers arranged coaxially is used. When configuring this skewered roller, the spacing between the small rollers is reduced to less than half the width of the small rollers.

By forming the opposed roller in a skewered shape, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is sandwiched between the substantially short small roller and the brush roller. At this time, by narrowing the mounting interval of the small rollers, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive lithographic printing plate from being bent in the gap between the adjacent small rollers.

In this way, when the brush roller comes into contact with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, unevenness is prevented from occurring along the conveying width direction due to bending of the roller, bending of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, or the like. Further, the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be rubbed with a constant brush pressure, and there is no occurrence of uneven development due to uneven rubbing by the brush roller.

[0022]

1 and 2 show a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor 1") applied to this embodiment.
0 "). PS version processor 10
Develops a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter, referred to as "PS plate 12") on which an image is printed by a printing device (not shown). In this embodiment, a double-sided PS plate 12 in which photosensitive layers are formed on both front and back surfaces is used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PS plate processor 10 has an internal processing unit covered with an outer panel 14. The outer plate panel 14 is provided with an insertion table 16 for feeding the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 2) inward and a plate discharge table 17 for supporting the developed and discharged PS plate 12. . The PS plate 12 is placed on the insertion table 16, inserted into the outer panel 14 from the opening on the rear side of the insertion table 16, and discharged onto the plate discharge table 17 from the rear opening after the development processing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the PS plate processor 10 includes a developing tank 18 for developing the PS plate 12 inside the outer panel 14 and an overflow pipe for collecting a developing solution overflowing from the developing tank 18. A washing unit 24 for washing and developing the developer adhering to the PS plate 12 with water, and a finisher unit 26 for applying a gum solution to the PS plate 12 after washing and desensitizing it.
And are arranged. The washing section 24 is provided with a washing tank 28.
And the finisher section 26 includes a gum solution tank 30.

The outer panel 14 is provided with a slit-shaped insertion port 102 and a discharge port 104, respectively. The insertion port 102 is formed corresponding to the back opening of the insertion table 16, and the discharge port 104 is formed corresponding to the back opening of the plate discharge table 17.

A rubber blade 106 is mounted inside the insertion port 102. Blade 106
Is the insertion table 1 whose tip is inserted into the insertion slot 102.
6 and the blade 106 and the insertion table 1
The insertion port 102 is closed by the side wall 6 and the insertion table 16. Here, when the PS plate 12 is inserted into the insertion slot 102, the blade 106 is expanded against the elastic force by the pressing force when the PS plate 12 is inserted, and the PS plate 12 is expanded.
Can be inserted smoothly. A sensor 108 for detecting the presence or absence of the PS plate 12 is attached inside the insertion slot 102.
2 can be confirmed to be present in the apparatus.

On the upper surface of the outer panel 14, a reentry insertion port (sub insertion port) 150 for inserting the PS plate 12 between the developing section 22 and the washing section 24 is provided. The sub-insertion port 150 is provided with a PS for performing processing excluding development processing.
It is an insertion port for the plate 12.

The sub-inlet 150 has a blade 152
Is disposed and is closed by the blade 152. Here, when the PS plate 12 to be re-entered is inserted from the sub insertion slot 150, the blade 152 is elastically deformed and does not hinder the insertion of the PS plate 12.

A pair of transport rollers 32 is disposed on the side of the developing unit 22 where the PS plate 12 is inserted into the developing tank 18.
The P on which the image is printed between the pair of transport rollers 32
The S plate 12 is inserted from the insertion slot 102. The pair of transport rollers 32 sends the PS plate 12 toward the developing tank 18 at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

The developing tank 18 has a substantially inverted mountain shape having an upper opening and a bottom center protruding downward. The developing tank 18 has an upstream portion along the transport direction of the PS plate 12. A guide plate 168, rotating brush rollers 38 and 170, and a roller pair 54 are arranged in this order from the side. The rotating brush roller 38 corresponds to the upper surface side of the PS plate 12, and the guide plate 168 and the rotating Brush roller 170
Are arranged corresponding to the lower surface side of the PS plate 12. The rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 and the roller pair 54
The driving force of a driving unit (not shown) is transmitted to rotate the PS plate 12 in the transport direction of the PS plate 12.

The guide plate 168 extends from the vicinity of the transport roller 32 toward the center of the developing tank 18, and its tip reaches the vicinity of the rotating brush roller 38 and the backup roller 34 A, and is located downstream of the guide plate 168. A guide roller 36 is disposed above the end. The backup rollers 34A and 34B, which are rotating members, face the rotating brush roller 38, and the backup rollers 40A, 40B, which are downstream rotating members, are arranged so as to face the rotating brush roller 170. The backup rollers 34A, 34B, 40A, 40B are rotatable without the driving force of the driving means.

The PS plate 12 inserted into the developing tank 18 is
Guided along the upper surface side of the guide plate 168, between the rotating brush roller 38 and the backup rollers 34A, 34B,
Rotating brush roller 170 and backup roller 40A,
It is sent in order during 40B. Also, the guide roller 3
Numeral 6 guides the leading end of the PS plate 12 from between the guide plate 168 and the rotary brush roller 38 and the backup roller 34A. Thereafter, the roller pair 54
And is sent out from the developing tank 18. By these means, the PS plate 12 is placed in the developing tank 18 by 150 to 2 times.
It is conveyed with a radius of curvature of 50 mm, and is smoothly and reliably immersed in a developer without applying excessive force.

Here, the PS plate 12 is transported through a downwardly convex curved transport path provided in the developing tank 18, but the transport means in the developing tank 18 may be a downwardly convex transport path. For example, the PS plate 12 may be transported partially linearly.

As shown in FIG. 5, the guide roller 34
A, 34B, 40A, and 40B use a skew-shaped roller in which a plurality of small rollers 48 in which a rotating member 45 having an elastic member 46 on its outer periphery is rotatably mounted by being inserted through a shaft 47 are used. The small roller 48 is attached to the shaft 47 so that the interval dimension C is equal to or less than half the width dimension D of the small roller 48 along the axial direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the width dimension D of the small roller 48 is set to 20 mm, and the interval dimension C between the small rollers 48 is set to 2 mm. Further, the width dimension D of the small roller 48 at the subsequent stage is not necessarily required to be the same,
May be different from each other, or the width D of some of the small rollers 48 may be different from the width D of the other small rollers 48.

As shown in FIG. 4, the backup rollers 34A and 34B are slightly separated from each other so that their outer peripheral surfaces do not come into contact with each other.
A rotating brush roller 38 is arranged above and in the middle of 34B. Rotary brush roller 38 and backup roller 3
4A and 34B are attached so that the bristle tips of the rotating brush roller 38 lightly touch (kiss touch) the peripheral surfaces of the backup rollers 34A and 34B. by this,
When the PS plate 12 is sandwiched between the rotating brush roller 38 and the backup roller 34A or the backup roller 34B, the PS plate 12 can be supported in a stable state.

The brush pushing amount E for determining the brush pressure of the rotary brush roller 38 when the PS plate 12 is supported between the backup rollers 34A and 34B is determined by setting the backup rollers 34A and 34B to the rotary brush roller 38. Since the kiss is touched, the backup roller 34
A and 34B can be set by the interval F between the axes. The structure between the rotating brush roller 170 and the backup rollers 40A and 40B has the same structure, and detailed description is omitted.

For this reason, the rotating brush rollers 38, 170
Is driven to rotate the PS plate 12 so that the backup roller 34A, 34B or the backup roller 40
The upper and lower sides of the PS plate 12 are rubbed at a constant peripheral speed by the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 at a constant brush pressure in a state where the PS plate 12 is stretched over A and 40B, thereby promoting development.

The guide roller 36 is a skew-shaped roller in which a plurality of rotating members having an elastic member on the outer periphery are pivotally supported (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, when the leading end of the PS plate 12 inserted into the developing tank 18 by the roller pair 32 abuts on the guide roller 36 having no drive source, the guide roller 36 is rotated by the transport force of the PS plate 12. , PS version 12
Is guided between the guide plate 168 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3). Further, the guide roller 36 is used for the PS plate 12.
When the tip of the PS plate 12 is inserted between the rotating brush roller 38 and the backup roller 34A, it comes into contact with the intermediate portion of the PS plate 12 in the transport direction, and the contact position with the backup roller 34A is used as a fulcrum. The tip is arranged so as to be directed toward the rotating brush roller 38.
Thereby, the rotating brush roller 3 is attached to the tip of the PS plate 12.
8, a predetermined brush pressure is applied.
A guide (not shown) as a second guide member may be provided instead of the guide roller 36. The position of this guide can be adjusted similarly to the guide roller 36. Note that P
When the leading end of the S plate 12 is inserted between the rotating brush roller 170 and the backup roller 40A, the leading end of the PS plate 12 is made to approach the rotating brush roller 170 by the backup roller 34B.

When the rear end of the PS plate 12 passes between the rotating brush roller 38 and the backup roller 34B, the PS plate 12 is rotated by the backup roller 40A.
When the rear end of the PS plate 12 is directed toward the rotating brush roller 38 and the rear end of the PS plate 12 passes between the rotating brush roller 170 and the backup roller 40B, the rear end of the PS plate 12 is moved by the roller pair 54. It is directed toward the rotating brush roller 170 (not shown).

Thus, the backup roller 34
Even if only the leading end or the trailing end is in contact with any one of A, 34B, 40A, and 40B, it is possible to prevent the brush pressure by the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 from being reduced to prevent uneven rubbing. The PS plate 12 can be rubbed from the front end to the rear end with a uniform brush pressure. The developing tank 1
The roller pair 54 at the most downstream position of 8 has a role of nipping and transporting the PS plate 12 and squeezing the developer from both front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12.

The developing tank 18 is communicated with a pump 160. The pump 160 is formed on discharge ports 44A and 44B formed on the upper and lower side walls with a guide plate 168 therebetween, and on the bottom downstream side wall surface of the developing tank 18. The discharge port 172 is connected to the discharge port 172. Therefore, the developer in the developing tank 18 is sucked by the operation of the pump 160, and the discharge ports 44A, 44
B and 172 are discharged into the developing tank 18 to circulate and agitate the developer. In addition, the discharge ports 44A and 44B are directed to the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12, and supply relatively fresh developer to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 being transported.

The developing tank 18 is provided with a developing solution tank 16.
From 6 onward, the developing replenisher is replenished by the operation of the pump 164. Further, the overflow pipe 20 arranged on the most upstream side of the developing tank 18 is configured such that the developing solution flows when the liquid level of the developing solution exceeds a predetermined level due to the replenishment of the developing replenishing solution. The flowing developer is guided to a waste liquid tank 184 to be discarded.

A liquid level cover 50 is provided on the liquid level of the developing solution in the developing tank 18.
Is arranged. The liquid surface cover 50 is disposed so as to float on the liquid surface of the developing solution, and minimizes the contact between the liquid surface of the developing solution and air to prevent deterioration of the developing solution due to carbon dioxide gas. The liquid surface cover 50 is attached to a side plate (not shown) so that both ends in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 can slide on the side plate (not shown) so as to move up and down in accordance with an increase and decrease of the developer. Light materials such as polyethylene and polyamide are selected.

In the washing section 24 downstream of the developing section 22, two pairs of transport rollers 52 and 53 are disposed above the washing tank 28. These transport rollers 52 and 53 are rotatably supported by side plates (not shown), and are rotated by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown). Are formed. The leading end of the PS plate 12 sent from the developing unit 22 is fed by a pair of rollers 54 so as to be in contact with the upper part of the lower roller of the transport roller 52. The transport roller 52 sends the PS plate 12 such that the leading end of the PS plate 12 contacts the upper portion of the lower roller of the transport roller 53.

A spray pipe 56 is provided on the upstream side of the transport roller 53 and above the transport path. The spray pipe 56 is disposed along the axis of the transport roller 53, A discharge port communicating with the inside is provided at a position corresponding to the central portion of the. From the spray pipe 56, the washing water pumped up by the pump 180 from the washing water tank 178 is dropped on the upstream portion of the upper roller of the transport roller 53, and the upper roller of the transport roller 53 is rotated, whereby the PS plate 12 is rotated. The washing water spreads quickly on the surface of the PS plate 12, and the surface of the PS plate 12 is washed by the washing water. Further, the washing water after washing is configured to drop from both ends in the width direction of the PS plate 12 to a tray 62 described later.

When the washing water is dropped from the spray pipe 56, the leading end of the PS plate 12 is
, And the sensor 108 detects PS
It is controlled by the time from when the leading edge of the plate 12 is detected.

The lower portions of the lower rollers of the transport rollers 52 and 53 are accommodated in a first tank 64 and a second tank 66 of the tray 62, respectively. The first tank 64 and the second tank 66
Between them, an intermediate tank 68 is provided. Saucer 62
The washing water that has fallen from the surface of the PS plate 12 is stored therein, and this washing water is pumped up by the lower roller to wash the back surface of the PS plate 12 and dry the upper roller. Is suppressed.

The pumped washing water is PS
PS when the plate 12 is fed to the transport rollers 52 and 53
Since the leading end of the plate 12 abuts against the lower roller,
Rinsing water that has been pumped before contact and stays at the contact portion between the upper roller and the lower roller will remain in the sandwiched state of the PS plate 12 and be surely rinsed from the leading end of the PS plate 12. Is available.

Rinse water that has been dropped from the spray pipe 56 and diffused in the width direction on the surface of the PS plate 12 to treat the surface of the PS plate 12 is supplied to a second tank below both ends of the PS plate 12 in the width direction. 66, and the first tank 64 through the intermediate tank 68.
And the back surface of the PS plate 12 is treated by the washing water pumped from the first tank 64 and the second tank 66. The washing water overflowing from the first tank 64 is guided to the washing tank 28. The washing water in the washing tank 28 is the waste liquid port 1
It is discarded to the waste liquid tank 184 immediately from 82.

A pair of transport rollers 78 is provided above the gum solution tank 30 of the finisher section 26, which is a desensitizing section downstream of the washing section 24. Transport roller 53
The PS plate 12 sent out by the transport roller 7
8.

On the upstream side of the transport roller 78, spray pipes 82 and 188 are provided in the vertical direction of the transport path. Each of the spray pipes 82 and 188 is provided with a discharge port (not shown) communicating with the inside on the outer periphery. From the spray pipes 82 and 188, the gum solution sucked from the gum solution tank 30 by the pump 194 is discharged and supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12.

A guide plate 84 is provided around the spray pipe 82.
Is attached to guide the transport of the PS plate 12,
The pumped gum solution is indirectly sprayed onto the PS plate 12. On the other hand, spray pipe 188 and PS
A guide plate 86 is provided along the transport path between the transport of the plate 12. In the upstream portion of the guide plate 86, a vertical groove 9 is provided.
0 is formed, and the gum solution flows into the vertical groove 90 from the spray pipe 188 and overflows from the upper end opening of the vertical groove 90 to the upper surface side of the guide plate 86. The overflowing gum solution flows along the upper surface of the guide plate 86, and the back surface of the PS plate 12 is processed. In addition, in the vertical groove 90,
A hard sponge (not shown) is provided to prevent the gum solution from leaking.

The transport roller 78 nips and transports the PS plate 12 and squeezes the gum solution supplied by the spray pipes 82 and 188 to desensitize the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. ing. PS version 12
The gum solution squeezed from the front and back surfaces is collected in the gum solution tank 30.

The PS plate 12, which has been processed by the finisher 26, is placed in the outlet 10 provided in the outer panel 14.
4 and is discharged to the upper surface of the plate discharge table 17. The discharge port 104 is provided with a shutter 198 that opens and closes the discharge port 104 by moving the handle 196 up and down. When the PS plate processor 10 is not operated or the PS plate 12 is not processed, the shutter 198 is used. Is closed to prevent outside air from flowing into the inside from the discharge port 104.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. PS plate 12 on which an image is recorded by a printing device (not shown) or the like
Is placed on the insertion table 16 and then sent to the back side of the insertion table 16 to reach the insertion port 102, where the pressing force at the time of insertion causes the blade 106 to expand against its elastic force and expand the PS plate. It is inserted inside the device of the processor 10. Inserted P
The S plate 12 is drawn in by the transport roller 32 and sent to the developing unit 22. When the leading end of the PS plate 12 passes through the insertion slot 102, this is detected by the sensor 108, and the timer is started. This timer measures the timing at which the washing water is dropped from the spray pipe 66 of the washing section 24.

The PS plate 12 inserted into the developing tank 18 is guided by the guide plate 168 from the transport roller 32 and is sent out at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the horizontal, and the downstream end of the guide roller 36 and the guide plate 168. Is guided while the direction is corrected. Thereafter, the PS plate 12 is moved by the guide rollers 36 and the guide plate 168 to the backup rollers 34A,
4B and the rotating brush roller 38.

The PS plate 12 inserted between the backup rollers 34A and 34B and the rotating brush roller 38 has its surface rubbed by the rotating brush roller 38 to promote development, and the photosensitive layer in the non-image area is efficiently removed. You.

Here, the backup rollers 34A, 34
When the PS plate 12 is sandwiched between the roller B and the rotating brush roller 38, the backup rollers 34A and 34B are rotated by a plurality of small rollers 48 so that the shaft 47 does not require a driving force from a driving source and is freely rotatable. Since the skewered rollers are arranged, a plurality of small rollers 48 that freely rotate in contact with the PS plate 12 as the PS plate 12 is transported.
Is limited to the small rollers 48 in the range corresponding to the width of the PS plate 12 to be conveyed, so that even when the narrow PS plate 12 is conveyed, the small rollers 48 can be freely released with a small force. It can be rotated, and the PS plate 12 can be transported smoothly.

The backup rollers 34A, 34B
In this case, since the interval C between the small rollers 48 is narrowed so as to be equal to or less than half the width D of the small rollers 48, the PS plate 12 is prevented from being curved between the small rollers 48. Thus, unevenness due to rubbing due to the curvature of the PS plate 12 along the width direction is prevented. The distance C between the small rollers 48 is equal to the width D of the small rollers 48.
Is more preferably about 1/10 to 1/20,
The setting can be made in consideration of the rigidity of the plate 12.

When the leading end of the PS plate 12 is inserted between the backup roller 34A and the rotating brush roller 38, the guide roller 36 comes into contact with the intermediate portion of the PS plate 12 in the transport direction, and PS plate 1 with 12 stiffness
2 is directed in a direction approaching the rotating brush roller 38. This prevents the leading end of the PS plate 12 from entering between the backup roller 34A and the backup roller 34B, separating from the rotating brush roller 38 and reducing the brush pressure, and preventing the leading end of the PS plate 12 from being rubbed unevenly. I have. When the rear end of the PS plate 12 is sent out between the backup roller 34B and the rotary brush roller 38, the backup roller 40A downstream of the rotary brush roller 38 sends the rear end of the PS plate 12 to the rotary brush roller 38. By approaching, the PS plate 12 is prevented from being rubbed unevenly at the rear end.

As described above, by stabilizing the brush pressure on the entire surface of the PS plate 12, the development processing can be promoted without causing uneven rubbing. The backup rollers 40A and 40B and the rotating brush roller 17
0 rubs the back surface of the PS plate 12 (lower side surface in FIG. 2) uniformly over the entire area. At this time, the backup roller 34B stabilizes the brush pressure at the front end of the PS plate 12, and the roller pair 54 stabilizes the brush pressure at the rear end of the PS plate 12.

In this way, the PS plate 12 on which the front and back surfaces have been uniformly rubbed and which has undergone the developing process is drawn out of the developing tank 18 while the developing solution is squeezed out by the roller pair 54, and sent to the water washing section 24. Are conveyed by the conveying rollers 52 and 53. At this time, since the leading end of the PS plate 12 is guided so as to contact the lower roller of the transport roller 52, the washing water pumped up from the receiving tray 62 by the rotation of the lower roller rotates around the surface of the PS plate 12. Including, PS
When the plate 12 is nipped by the transport roller 52, a liquid pool is formed. Thereby, the surface of the PS plate 12 can be reliably washed with water from the front end.

Thereafter, when it is determined that the time from the time of insertion measured by the timer has reached a predetermined time and the leading end of the PS plate 12 has reached the downstream roller pair 53, the surface of the PS plate 12 is moved from the spray pipe 56 to the downstream side. The back surface is washed by fresh washing water dropped on the upper roller of the roller pair 53, and the back surface is washed by washing water taken out of the tray 62 by the lower rollers of the transport rollers 52 and 53.

When the water washing process is completed, the PS plate 12 is sent out between the guide plates 84 and 86, sent to the finisher 26, and nipped and conveyed by the conveying rollers 78. Here, the desensitizing treatment is performed by the gum solution discharged from the spray pipes 82 and 188. The PS plate 12 subjected to the desensitization treatment passes through the discharge port 104 from the finisher 26 and is sent out onto the plate discharge table 17.

As described above, in the PS plate processor 10, the guide roller 136 freely rotates with the guide plate 168, and the backup roller 34 freely rotates with the guide plate 168 without causing processing unevenness in the developing unit 22.
Since the curved transport can be performed with a simple configuration including only the backup rollers A and B and the backup rollers 40A and 40B that freely rotate with the rotating brush roller 170, the size of the developing tank can be reduced. Further, since the number of components constituting the transport path in the driving and developing tank 18 can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced. Note that the intermediate portion of the guide plate 168 is bent downward along the conveyance path so that the brush pressure by the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 on the PS plate 12 is substantially uniform, and the front and rear portions are linearly formed. The transport path of the PS plate 12 in the developing tank 18 may not be entirely curved, but may have a linear portion.

The brush pressure of the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170, that is, the brush pushing amount E of the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 is described by taking the rotating brush roller 38 shown in FIG. From the dimension R and the radius dimension r of the backup rollers 34A and 34B,
The brush pushing amount E can be easily obtained from (r + R) ² = (r + RE) ² + (F / 2) ² (three-square theorem).

When adjusting the brush pushing amount E, the distance F between the axes of the backup rollers 34A and 34B is adjusted so that each of the backup rollers 34A and 34B can be adjusted.
The rotating brush roller 38 may be kiss-touched to the peripheral surface of 34B.

[0068] Accordingly, the backup roller 34A is rotated member, 34B, 40A, may be provided with a guide for conveying the PS plate 12 is guide member in place of 40B. This guide includes the backup rollers 34A, 34B, 40
A and 40B, the PS plate 12 and the brush roller 3 can move in the same direction and at a right angle to the transport path of the PS plate 12.
8, 170 The degree of contact with 170 can be adjusted. Further, a backup roller 34A which is a rotating member,
34B, the backup rollers 40A, 40B.
Either one of B may be replaced with the guide as the first guide member.

The conveying path of the PS plate 12 in the developing tank 18 according to the present invention can be variously applied as shown in FIGS.

The developing unit 120 shown in FIG.
Guide roller 1 on the downstream side of the rotating brush roller 170
22 are arranged. This guide roller 122
Is a guide means for the PS plate 12, and has a function of stabilizing the brush pressure when the rear end of the PS plate 12 passes between the rotating brush roller 170 and the backup roller 40B. The guide plate 1 shorter than the guide plate 168 in order to shorten the length of the transport path in the developing tank 18.
24 are arranged to form a transport path for the PS plate 12.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show developing units 126 and 128 for processing a so-called single-sided PS plate 12A having a photosensitive layer formed on one surface. The photosensitive layer is inserted into 128 in a state where the photosensitive layer is directed upward (upper side in the paper of FIGS. 7A and 7B). As shown in FIG. 7A, in the developing unit 126, the surface (image recording surface) of the PS plate 12A on the photosensitive layer side is rubbed by the rotating brush roller 38, and the length of the transport path in the developing tank 18 is reduced. The adjustment is performed by a guide plate 130 which is a guide means disposed upstream of the rotating brush roller 38.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, guide plates 132 and 134 serving as guide means may be arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the rotary brush roller 38, respectively, to form a transport path for the PS plate 12A. . At this time, the guide plate 13
A guide roller 136 is arranged above the upstream end of the rotating brush roller 38 and the rotating brush roller 38 and the backup roller 34B.
The brush pressure acting on the rear end of the PS plate 12A passing through the gap is stabilized.

8A and 8B, the rotating brush roller 38 and the rotating brush roller 170 are configured so as to have a function of a roller facing each other with respect to the other rotating brush roller.

The developing units 138 and 14 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B
0, the PS plate 12 is held and conveyed between the backup roller 34A and the rotating brush roller 170 when the front side (upper side of the paper surface of FIG. 8A) of the PS plate 12 is rubbed by the rotating brush roller 38. In addition, when the rotating brush roller 170 rubs the back side of the PS plate 12 (the lower side in FIG. 8A), the rotating brush roller 38 and the backup roller 40B hold and convey the PS plate 12. Also, the backup roller 40B
Stabilizes the brush pressure at the rear end on the front side of the PS plate 12,
The backup roller 34A has a function of stabilizing the brush pressure at the front end of the back side of the PS plate 12. The length of the transport path in the developing tank 18 is adjusted by the guide plate 142,
144.

As described above, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to various configurations. In each case, the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 (PS plate 12
(Surface) can be stably developed without causing processing unevenness.

[0076]

As described above, in the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus of the present invention, only the brush roller needs to be rotationally driven in the developing tank, and the structure for transmitting the driving force is simplified. Can be. Further, since only the brush roller is used as the roller that is driven to rotate in the developing tank, the space for installing the developing tank can be reduced, and a small-sized and low-cost apparatus can be obtained.

At this time, since the entire surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate from the leading end to the trailing end in the transport direction can be rubbed at a constant pressure by the brush roller, there is an excellent effect that the developability is extremely good.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a PS plate processor applied to the present embodiment.

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

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a developing unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a rotating brush roller and a backup roller.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a backup roller.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a modification of the configuration of the developing unit.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic configuration diagrams each showing a modification of the configuration of the developing unit of the present embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic configuration diagrams each showing a modification of the configuration of the developing unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a conventional example of a developing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 PS plate processor (photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus) 12 PS plate (photosensitive lithographic printing plate) 18 Developing tank 32 Conveying roller 54 Roller pair 38, 170 Rotating brush roller 34A, 34B, 40A, 40B Backup roller 36 Guide roller 168 Guide plate 48 Small roller

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-8736 (JP, A) JP-A-3-87835 (JP, A) JP-A-3-107168 (JP, A) 107166 (JP, A) JP-A-3-107167 (JP, A) JP-A-58-175099 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03F 7/30

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for developing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, which is provided in a developing tank and conveyed through a conveying path curved downward and convex, while immersing the lithographic printing plate in a developing solution. A brush roller that is driven to rotate while being in contact with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate surface; and a brush roller that is disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the transport direction of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate with respect to the brush roller. A rotating member and / or a guide member for sandwiching the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and guide means for guiding an end of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in a conveying direction in a direction approaching the brush roller. Characteristic lithographic printing plate processing equipment. 2. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the conveying direction is a front end and a rear end in the conveying direction. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit guides the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed into the developing tank so as to pass between the brush roller and the rotating member and / or the guide member. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The skewer-shaped roller in which the rotating member is configured such that a plurality of small rollers are coaxially arranged at an interval dimension that is equal to or less than half the width dimension of the small rollers. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .