JPH1083051A - Photosensitive material processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photosensitive material processor constituted so that processing irregularity of a photosensitive material is prevented from occurring by supplying a quantity of processing solution required for processing to the leading edge part of the photosensitive material. SOLUTION: A developer coating mechanism 43 is provided with a leaf spring 128 abutting on a coating roller 125 for coating a planographic printing plate M with developer. The spring 128 is constituted of a first inclined surface 128a inclining the downstream side of the plate M in a carrying direction downward and a second inclined surface 128b inclining the downstream side of the plate M in the carrying direction upward. Besides, the cross section thereof is formed to be almost V-shaped. Then, the second inclined surface 128b of the spring 128 elastically abuts on the lower part of the roller 125. Besides, a developer bank is formed between the spring 128 and the roller 125.

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. Sho 62-237455, as such a coating type processing apparatus, a roller whose surface is roughened by forming a groove on the surface (hereinafter referred to as a "roughening roller"). And a support roller that rotates in contact with the roughening roller,
By discharging the processing liquid from the processing liquid supply nozzle having a plurality of processing liquid discharge holes to the roughening roller and passing the photosensitive material between the roughening roller and the support roller, the photosensitive material is passed through the roughening roller. Discloses a processing apparatus for applying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material.

[0005]

In such a coating type processing apparatus, it is preferable to use the processing liquid as little as possible from the viewpoint of the running cost required for the processing and environmental problems. On the other hand, in such a coating type processing apparatus, if the supply amount of the processing solution to the photosensitive material is small, it is difficult to uniformly develop the entire photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material, and processing unevenness is likely to occur. Occurs.

[0006] In particular, in a state in which the processing liquid is applied by contacting the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material with the roughening roller after the leading end of the photosensitive material has passed between the roughening roller and the support roller. Since a liquid pool of the processing liquid is formed between the photosensitive material and the roughening roller, an amount of the processing liquid necessary for processing is supplied to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material. However, when the leading end of the photosensitive material passes between the roughening roller and the support roller, no liquid reservoir is formed between the photosensitive material and the roughening roller. Unevenness occurs due to an insufficient amount of the processing liquid applied to the substrate.

[0007] Such a phenomenon is particularly remarkable when a lithographic printing plate utilizing a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method), in which development proceeds rapidly, is used as a photosensitive material. This may cause poor printing power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to prevent the occurrence of processing unevenness in a photosensitive material by supplying an amount of processing solution necessary for processing to the leading end of the photosensitive material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus that can perform the processing.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a processing liquid reservoir is formed between a photosensitive material and a coating member that is in contact with a photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material. A photosensitive material processing apparatus for applying the processing liquid to the photosensitive material by transporting the photosensitive material in contact with the coating member, wherein the photosensitive material processing apparatus contacts the coating member with an elastic force and performs processing between the coating member and the photosensitive member. A plate-like member for forming a liquid reservoir is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the coating member is formed of a coating roller having a roughened surface, and the plate member is formed of the photosensitive member. It has a first inclined surface inclined downward on the downstream side in the transport direction of the material, and a second inclined surface inclined upward on the downstream side in the transport direction of the photosensitive material.

[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. In such a lithographic printing plate using the silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method), particularly in the early stage of development, the silver complex is likely to move, so that an image flow is likely to occur due to the turbulence of the developing solution. It has the characteristic that uneven development due to uneven supply of the developer is likely to occur due to the rapid progress.

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 lithographic printing plate M by this exposure device, the document holder 12 is arranged at a position shown by a solid line in FIG. The document is mounted on the document holder 12 by closing the upper lid 15 after placing the document. 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 12.
Is transported 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
And a pair of introduction rollers 41 and 42 for nipping and transporting, and a later-described detail for measuring and applying a fixed amount of developer to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M transported by the pair of introduction rollers 41 and 42. , A pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 for removing the developing solution subjected to the developing process from the lithographic printing plate M, and a plurality of guide members for guiding the lithographic printing plate M 46, 47, 48, 49, 5
0.

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 developing solution removed from the lithographic printing plate M by the pair of squeezing rollers 44, 45 passes through the collecting hole 63 of the liquid receiving member 62 provided below the pair of squeezing rollers 44, 45, and the collection tray 5
8 is dropped. Further, since this developer cannot be reused, it is discharged to the drainage tank 64 via the collection pipe 59 provided at the lower end of the collection tray 58.

The configuration of the developer application mechanism 43 and the operation of applying the developer to the lithographic printing plate M are described below.
This will be described in detail later.

The stabilizing section 33 is provided with a stabilizing liquid applying mechanism 73 for measuring and applying a fixed 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 that has not been 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 onto 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.

The configuration of the above-described stabilizing solution applying mechanism 73 and the operation of applying the stabilizing solution to the lithographic printing plate M are described below.
This will be described in detail later.

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 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 the developing apparatus 3, since only the amount of the 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 configurations of the developing solution applying mechanism 43 and the stabilizing solution applying mechanism 73, which are characteristic portions of the present invention, will be described.

First, the structure of the developer application mechanism 43 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the developer application mechanism 43.

The developing solution application mechanism 43 includes a developing solution supply pipe 122 having a plurality of discharge holes 121 formed thereunder,
A plurality of openings 1 for allowing the developer to flow down to the lower end thereof
And a developer receiving portion 124 having a hole 23 formed therein.
The developer flowing down from the opening 123 of the lithographic printing plate M
A diffusion film 126 for guiding to the application roller 125 rotating in contact with the coating roller 125; a backflow prevention film 127 for contacting the application roller 125; and a leaf spring 128 for contacting the application roller 125. The arrow in FIG.
The transport path of the lithographic printing plate M is shown.

The developing solution supply pipe 122 is connected to the developing solution tank 52 via a pump 53, and discharges the developing solution from the plurality of discharge holes 121 by driving the pump 53. The three discharge holes 121 are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the planographic printing plate M.

The developer receiving section 124 is provided with the developer supply pipe 12.
The second processing liquid diffuser functions as a first processing liquid diffusing unit for once receiving the developing liquid discharged from 2 and diffusing it in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. At the lower end of the developer receiving portion 124, six openings 123 are formed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M. The openings 123 are arranged on both sides of a position corresponding to each of the three discharge holes 121 of the developer supply pipe 122 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M. That is, the developer receiving portion 12 is
The openings 123 are disposed on both sides of each of the three developer flow-down positions 4 and 4.

The diffusion film 126 is made of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film having a thickness of about 0.3 mm, and is attached to the side wall of the developer receiving portion 124 by the mounting plate 130. The upper end of the portion of the diffusion film 126 that hangs down from the developer receiving portion 124 is
It is arranged close to the opening 123 of the developer receiving section 124, and its lower end is in contact with the surface of the application roller 125 with elasticity.

The application roller 125 is, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a wire bar in which a wire 125b of about 0.4 mm is wound on the surface of a metal roller 125a of about 14 mm in diameter. For this reason, the application roller 125
A plurality of grooves are formed by wires 125b in a direction substantially parallel to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Therefore, when the application roller 125 and the diffusion film 126 are in contact with each other, a plurality of openings 125 c formed by grooves of the application roller 125 are formed at the contact portions between the application roller 125 and the diffusion film 126. This opening 125c
Is a reference for the amount of application when the developer applied to the lithographic printing plate M is measured.

The developer flowing down from the opening 123 of the developer receiver 124 is applied to the application roller 125 and the diffusion film 12.
6 and temporarily diffused in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Then, the developer is applied to the application roller 125 along with the rotation of the application roller 125.
Through the opening 125c formed by the groove
And the leaf spring 128 moves in the direction of the contact portion. Therefore, the coating roller 125 and the diffusion film 126 receive the developer flowing down from the opening 123 of the developer receiving portion 124 and temporarily diffuse the developer in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Functions as a treatment liquid diffusion unit.

In this embodiment, the coating roller 1 is used for the purpose of improving the transportability of the lithographic printing plate M.
Although 25 is rotated, the application roller may not be rotated when sufficient transport performance is obtained by another transport mechanism.

As the application roller 125, instead of using a wire bar, a roller having its surface subjected to threading or groove processing may be used. Furthermore, it is also possible to use something other than a roller.

The backflow prevention film 127 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), similarly to the diffusion film 126.
And is attached to the developer receiving portion 124 by the mounting plate 120. The lower end of the backflow prevention film 127 is located upstream of the contact portion between the application roller 125 and the diffusion film 126 with respect to the rotation direction of the application roller 125 (that is, with respect to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M, On the downstream side of the contact portion between the 125 and the diffusion film 126), it is in contact with the surface of the application roller 125. The backflow prevention film 127 is connected to the developer receiving portion 12.
The developing solution flowing down from the opening 123 of the coating roller 12
5 functions as a regulating means for preventing outflow to the upstream side in the rotation direction. Therefore, the backflow prevention film 127 can prevent the backflowing developer from adhering again to the surface of the planographic printing plate M to which the developer is applied and conveyed.

The leaf spring 128 serves as an urging means for urging the lithographic printing plate M toward the surface of the coating roller 125 and a liquid reservoir forming means for forming a liquid reservoir of the developing solution between the plate roller 128 and the coating roller 125. Function. The leaf spring 128 is formed of a metal plate having a moderate elasticity, and has a first inclined surface 128a inclined downward on the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 4) in the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M and a lithographic printing plate M. Has a substantially V-shaped cross section comprising a second inclined surface 128b that is inclined upward on the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 4) in the transport direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the leaf spring 128 is applied to the coating roller 125 on the second inclined surface 128b.
It is in contact with the lower part of the body with elastic force.

The developer passing between the coating roller 125 and the diffusion film 126 reaches a contact portion between the leaf spring 128 and the coating roller 125. Then, the developer is applied to the first and second inclined surfaces 128 of the leaf spring 128.
In the region surrounded by a and 128b and the application roller 125, a reservoir of the developer is formed. The size of the liquid reservoir depends on the supply amount of the developer supplied from the developer supply pipe 122. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of the developing solution supplied from the developing solution supply pipe 122, the lithographic printing is performed in the region of the leaf spring 128 surrounded by the first and second inclined surfaces 128 a and 128 b and the application roller 125. It becomes possible to previously form a reservoir of a developing solution in an amount necessary for developing the leading end of the plate M.

The first inclined surface 128a of the leaf spring 128 stores more developer than necessary at the contact portion between the leaf spring 128 and the application roller 125, thereby preventing the liquid reservoir from becoming excessively large. An overflow hole 129 is provided.

The leaf spring 128 is connected to the first and second inclined surfaces 128.
The reason why the shape is substantially V-shaped having a and 128b is as follows. That is, the application roller 125 is formed of a wire bar, and has a plurality of grooves formed on the surface thereof by the wire 125b in a direction substantially parallel to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M, as shown in FIG. For this reason, in the state where the application roller 125 and the leaf spring 128 are in contact with each other, a plurality of grooves formed by the application roller 125 are formed at the contact portion between the application roller 125 and the leaf spring 128, as in the case of the diffusion film 126 described above. An opening 125c is formed. For this reason, when the leaf spring 128 is formed of a flat metal plate having only an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 4) in the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M, the above-described opening is required. When the value of 125 c is large or the viscosity of the developer is small, the plate spring 128 passes between the application roller 125 and the diffusion film 126 and
The developer reaching the abutting portion may flow out through the opening 125c, and a liquid reservoir of a required size may not be formed. For this reason, the lithographic printing plate M
The downstream side (the left side in FIG. 4) of the lithographic printing plate M in the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M is directed upward at the leading end of the first inclined surface 128a inclined downwardly in the transport direction (the left side in FIG. 4). By using the one having a substantially V-shaped cross section provided with the inclined second inclined surface 128b, the outflow of the developer is prevented, and the first inclined surface 128a, the second inclined surface 128b, A liquid reservoir having a stable size is formed in the liquid reservoir formed by the above.

When the planographic printing plate M conveyed by the pair of introduction rollers 41 and 42 passes through the liquid reservoir formed between the application roller 125 and the leaf spring 128, the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate M Is applied with a developer. At this time,
Since the size of the liquid reservoir is previously large enough to process the leading end of the lithographic printing plate M, the lithographic printing plate M
Insufficient amount of the developing solution applied to the front end of the lithographic printing plate causes uneven development and does not cause poor printing durability in the planographic printing plate M after the development processing. The lithographic printing plate M
Is pressed against the surface of the application roller 125 by the leaf spring 128, so that the developer applied to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M is measured in a fixed amount by the opening 125c formed by the groove of the application roller 125. Is done. Therefore, the entire area of the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M that has passed through the contact portion between the leaf spring 128 and the application roller 125 is always coated with a certain amount of developer required for development.

Next, the structure of the stabilizing liquid application mechanism 73 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the stabilizing liquid application mechanism 73.

The stable liquid application mechanism 73 includes a stable liquid supply pipe 132 having a plurality of discharge holes 131 formed thereunder.
A plurality of openings 1 for allowing the stable liquid to flow down at the lower end thereof
And a stable liquid receiving portion 1
The stable liquid flowing down from the opening 133 of the lithographic printing plate M
A diffusion film 136 for guiding the application roller 135 rotating in contact with the coating roller 135; and a leaf spring 138 in contact with the application roller 135. The arrows in FIG. 7 indicate the transport path of the lithographic printing plate M, as in FIG.

The stable liquid supply pipe 132 is connected to the above-mentioned stable liquid tank 82 via a pump 83, and discharges the stable liquid from the plurality of discharge holes 131 by driving the pump 83. The three discharge holes 131 are arranged side by side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M.

The stabilizing liquid receiving section 134 receives the stabilizing liquid discharged from the stabilizing liquid supply pipe 132 and diffuses the stabilizing liquid in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M, similarly to the developing liquid receiving section 124 described above. Function as a first processing liquid diffusion unit. The lower end of the stable liquid receiving portion 134 has six openings 13 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M.
3 are drilled. The openings 133 are arranged on both sides of a position corresponding to each of the three discharge holes 131 of the stable liquid supply pipe 132 in a direction orthogonal to the direction of transport of the lithographic printing plate M. That is,
As in the case of the developer application mechanism 43 described with reference to FIG. 4, the openings 133 are arranged on both sides of each of the three locations where the stable liquid flows down from each discharge hole 131 to the stable liquid receiving section 134. become.

The diffusion film 136 is formed by laminating an unevenly processed film on a stainless steel thin plate having a thickness of about 0.03 mm, and is attached to the side wall of the stable liquid receiving portion 134 by the mounting plate 140. . Diffusion film 13
6, the upper end of the hanging portion from the stable liquid receiving portion 134 is disposed close to the opening 133 of the stable liquid receiving portion 134, and the lower end of the lower portion contacts the surface of the application roller 135 with elastic force. In contact.

The application roller 135 is a roller that rotates at the same peripheral speed as the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate M, and has a surface formed of a single-cell sponge. When the application roller 135 and the diffusion film 136 are in contact with each other, an opening is formed at the contact portion between the application roller 135 and the diffusion film 136 due to the unevenness of the surface of the diffusion film 136.

The stable liquid flowing down from the opening 133 of the stable liquid receiving portion 134 is applied to the application roller 135 and the diffusion film 13.
6 and temporarily diffused in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Then, the stabilizing liquid is supplied to the diffusion film 13 with the rotation of the application roller 135.
6. The coating roller 135 passes through the opening formed by the irregularities on the surface.
And the leaf spring 138 moves in the contact direction. Therefore, the application roller 135 and the diffusion film 136 receive the stable liquid once flowing down from the opening 133 of the stable liquid receiving portion 134, and diffuse the liquid in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the planographic printing plate M. Functions as a treatment liquid diffusion unit.

The leaf spring 138 functions as an urging means for urging the lithographic printing plate toward the surface of the coating roller 135 and a liquid reservoir forming means for forming a liquid reservoir of the stable liquid between the plate roller 138 and the coating roller 135. I do. The leaf spring 138 is formed of a metal plate having an appropriate elasticity, similarly to the leaf spring 128 described above, and has a first side inclined downward on the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 6) in the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Slope 138 of
a and a second inclined surface 138b inclined upward on the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 6) of the planographic printing plate M in the transport direction has a substantially V-shaped shape. The leaf spring 138 is in elastic contact with the lower portion of the application roller 135 on the second inclined surface 138b.

The stable liquid that has passed between the application roller 135 and the diffusion film 136 reaches the contact portion between the leaf spring 138 and the application roller 135. The stable liquid is supplied to the first and second inclined surfaces 138 of the leaf spring 138.
a, 138b and a stabilizing liquid reservoir are formed in a region surrounded by the application roller 135. The size of the liquid reservoir depends on the supply amount of the stable liquid supplied from the stable liquid supply pipe 132. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of the stabilizing liquid supplied from the stabilizing liquid supply pipe 132, the lithographic printing is performed in the region of the leaf spring 138 surrounded by the first and second inclined surfaces 138 a and 138 b and the application roller 135. It becomes possible to form a reservoir of the required amount of stabilizing liquid for stabilizing the leading end of the plate M.

In the first inclined surface 138 a of the leaf spring 138, as in the case of the leaf spring 128, more stable liquid than necessary is stored in the contact portion between the leaf spring 138 and the application roller 135, and the liquid reservoir becomes excessive. An overflow hole 139 is provided to prevent the size from increasing.

When the lithographic printing plate M conveyed to the stabilizing liquid applying mechanism 73 passes through a liquid reservoir formed between the applying roller 135 and the leaf spring 138, the stabilizing liquid is applied to the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate M. Applied. At this time, since the size of the liquid reservoir is previously large enough to process the leading end of the lithographic printing plate M, the amount of the stabilizing liquid applied to the leading end of the lithographic printing plate M is insufficient. That is not the case. In addition, 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 does not have a single bubble property 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 necessary for stabilization is always applied to the entire area of 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.

Next, the structure of the developer application mechanism 43 according to another embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 shows the developer application mechanism 4
It is a schematic diagram showing the modification of No. 3. Note that the same members as those of the developer application mechanism 43 shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the developing solution applying mechanism 43 shown in FIG. 7, the leaf spring 128 has a cross section formed by an inclined surface 128c which is inclined downward on the downstream side (left side in FIG. 7) in the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. The difference from the developer application mechanism shown in FIG. 4 is that a linear metal plate is employed.

Opening 125 by Groove of Coating Roller 125
When c is small, the viscosity of the developing solution is large, and further, when using a coating roller 125 that does not have a groove oriented in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M, the developing solution is Since it does not flow out through the opening 125c, instead of using a leaf spring 128 having a substantially V-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. A leaf spring 128 having a straight section having only an inclined surface 128c inclined downward toward the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 7) in the transport direction can be used. Similarly, even when the application roller 138 made of a sponge is used as in the stable liquid application mechanism 73, a leaf spring having a straight cross section can be used.

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 an amount of development necessary for developing and stabilizing the lithographic printing plate M is used. Although the case where the present invention is applied to the developing device 3 which performs the developing process and the stabilizing process by applying only the liquid and the stabilizing solution has been described, the present invention can also be applied to other various photosensitive material processing devices. It is possible.

[0065]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the plate-shaped member which abuts on the coating member with elastic force and forms a liquid reservoir for the processing liquid between the coating member and the coating member is provided. It is possible to stably form a liquid reservoir of an amount required for processing the leading end of the photosensitive material between the coating member and the plate member. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of processing unevenness due to an insufficient amount of the processing liquid applied to the front end of the photosensitive material.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a coating roller having a roughened surface is employed as a coating member, and a plate-like member is provided such that the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material is inclined downward. Having a first inclined surface to be inclined and a second inclined surface inclined upward on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material, the processing liquid from between the coating member and the plate-shaped member is used. Can be prevented, and a liquid reservoir having a stable size can be formed in the liquid reservoir formed by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

[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 sectional view showing a part of an application roller 125 in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a stable liquid application mechanism 73.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a developer application mechanism 43 according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 Exposure device 3 Development processing device 32 Developing unit 33 Stabilizing unit 34 Drying unit 43 Developing solution applying mechanism 73 Stabilizing solution applying mechanism 122 Developing solution supply pipe 125 Applying roller 125a Roller 125b Wire 125c Opening 128 Plate spring 128a First inclined surface 128b second inclined surface 128c inclined surface 132 stable liquid supply pipe 135 application roller 138 leaf spring 138a first inclined surface 138b second inclined surface M planographic printing plate

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A processing liquid reservoir is formed between a photosensitive material and a coating member abutting a photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material, and the photosensitive material is conveyed in a state of being in contact with the coating member. A photosensitive material processing apparatus for applying the processing liquid to the photosensitive material, wherein a plate-shaped member is provided which abuts on the coating member with elasticity and forms a liquid pool of the processing liquid between the coating member and the coating member. A photosensitive material processing apparatus. 2. The coating member includes a coating roller having a roughened surface, and the plate-like member has a first member inclined downward toward a downstream side in a conveying direction of the photosensitive material. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second inclined surface that inclines the downstream side of the photosensitive material in the transport direction upward.