JPH03209254A - Automatic developing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a suspended matter from being supplied to the surface of a photosensitive material by providing a suspended matter flow-in prevention means which is applied to the tip part of an overflow liquid collection means and whose lower end is extended below the level of processing solution collected in a collecting tank. CONSTITUTION:The tip part 30 of a duct 56 in a developer collecting tank 22 is set as the overflow liquid collection means. A rectangular notching 31 functioning as the flow-in port of processing solution is formed at the tip part 30 from above and a cover 32 functioning as a foam flow-in prevention means is fixed there. The cover 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape and a cap type in which the upper end 32A is blocked, then the lower end 32B is extended below the level 37 of the developer 18. Therefore, in the case that the level of the developer 18 rises or falls and exceeds the height of the notching 31, the developer 18 flows in from the notching 31 but the foam 35 suspended on the liquid level is prevented from flowing in the duct 56 by the cover 32. Thus, the suspended matter 35 is prevented from being supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material with the processing solution.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention supplies a processing liquid to a photosensitive material, processes it, collects the excess processing liquid into a recovery tank, and uses a circulation means to supply the processing liquid to the photosensitive material again. It relates to an automatic developing machine that supplies and processes.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in an automatic developing machine, processing liquid collected by a squeeze roller or the like is stored in a collection tank, and the processing liquid stored in the collection tank is exposed to light again by a circulation means. It is designed to be applied to the material.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this automatic processor, the collected processing liquid foams in the recovery tank and floats on the liquid surface, and these bubbles are removed when the processing liquid is recirculated by the circulation means. When supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material, it is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material together with the processing liquid. For this reason, there was a problem that the processing liquid could not be uniformly applied to the surface of the photosensitive material.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides an automatic developing machine that can prevent floating objects such as bubbles floating on the surface of the processing solution from being supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material together with the processing solution. The purpose is to provide7.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention supplies a processing liquid to a photosensitive material and processes it, collects the excess processing liquid into a recovery tank, and uses the circulation means to expose the processing liquid again. An automatic developing machine that supplies and processes materials, the tip of which is installed in the recovery tank so as to protrude from the surface of the processing liquid collected in the recovery tank, and has a processing liquid inlet formed at the tip. an overflow liquid recovery means, and a suspended matter inflow prevention means that is placed over the tip of the overflow liquid recovery means and whose lower end extends downward from the liquid level of the processing liquid collected in the recovery tank. It is characterized by

[Function] According to the present invention having the above configuration, when the liquid level of the processing liquid in the recovery tank rises, the processing liquid in the recovery tank flows through the processing liquid inlet formed at the tip of the overflow liquid recovery means. The overflow liquid then flows into the overflow liquid recovery means. In this case, the lower end of the floating matter inflow prevention means extends below the level of the processing liquid collected in the collection tank. Therefore, floating substances such as bubbles floating on the surface of the processing liquid in the recovery tank do not reach the processing liquid inlet at the tip of the overflow liquid recovery means due to the bubble inflow prevention means. Therefore, the floating matter can be prevented from flowing into the overflow liquid recovery means, and the floating matter can be prevented from being supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material together with the processing liquid.

[Embodiment] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a waterless lithographic printing plate developing device 12' as an automatic developing machine according to the present invention. This waterless lithographic printing plate developing device 12 includes a developing section 14 and a dyeing section 16.
After the waterless PS plate 11 has been developed, it is a device that performs a staining process to facilitate the plate inspection work.

The waterless PS plate 11 used here is a patent application made in 1986-86.
177, in which a brimer layer, a photosensitive layer, a silicone rubber layer, and a protective film are sequentially laminated on a substrate is used.

Further, the developer 18 used in the developing section 14 is
317843, an aqueous developer containing an organic solvent proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-86177 is used.

The staining solution 17 used in the staining section 16 includes crystal violet, astrazone red, and the like.

The developer tank body 20 of the developer section 14 opens upward,
The bottom is formed in an inverted mountain shape, and a developer recovery tank 22 is formed in the center of the bottom. The developer 18 is contained in the developer recovery tank 22 .

Further, in the upper part of the developer tank main body 20, a pair of transport rollers 24, 26 and a pair of squeeze rollers 28 are arranged in order from the entrance side of the waterless PS plate 11. The transport roller pair 24, 26 and the squeeze roller pair 28 are supported by a rack side plate (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown), and move the waterless PS plate 11 to the right side in FIG. Nip and convey in the six directions of arrows in the figure).

Further, the squeeze roller pair 28 is configured to squeeze the water-free P in the developing section 14.
It is arranged at the rear end of the conveyance path of the S plate 11 to squeeze out the developer from the waterless PS plate 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, a brush roller 10 is disposed between the conveyance roller pair 26 and the squeeze roller pair 28. This brush roller 10 is for scraping off the photosensitive layer and silicone layer corresponding to the image area on the plate surface by rubbing the surface of the waterless PS plate 11 being conveyed.

The brush roller 10 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) in the same manner as the pair of conveyance rollers 24.26 and the pair of squeeze rollers 28, and the driving force of a drive means (not shown) is transmitted to the pair of conveyance rollers 24.26 and the pair of squeeze rollers 28. Rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction (counterclockwise in Figure 3).

This brush roller 10 is adapted to rub the surface of the waterless PS plate 11 by rotating in the same direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) with respect to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 11. Further, depending on the case, it may be rotated in a direction that resists the conveying direction of the waterless 28 plate. The rotation speed of this brush roller 10 is 100 to 500 rpm (preferably 200 to 40 rpm).
0rpm). In some cases, it is preferable to install a waterless PS version vignetting prevention lever.

Further, by rotating the brush roller 10 and reciprocating it in the axial direction, the effect of scraping off the photosensitive layer and silicone layer on the plate surface of the waterless 28 plate 11 is further improved.

A support 40 made of a relatively flexible material such as plastic, for example high-density polyethylene, is disposed below the brush roller 10. When the waterless 28 plate 11 passes through this passage, the surface of the receiver is rubbed by the brush roller 10 while the waterless 28 plate 11 is supported on the stand 40, and the photosensitive layer and silicone layer corresponding to the image area are rubbed. is ensured to be scraped off. The lower part of the brush roller 10 may be a roller depending on the case.

A spray pipe 42 is arranged above the transport roller pair 24. This spray pipe 42 is provided with discharge ports 42A at appropriate intervals along the axial direction, facing the upper roller of the pair of transport rollers 24. This spray pipe 42 is connected via a valve 44 to a developer supply device, which will be described later, through a conduit 46.

As a result, the developer 18 is fed into the spray pipe 42, and is discharged to the upper roller of the transport roller pair 24, so that the developer is applied onto the waterless PS plate 11.

Spray pipes 48, 50 are also arranged between the pair of transport rollers 26 and the pair of squeeze rollers 28. The spray pipe 48 is disposed between the brush roller 10 and the conveying roller pair 26, and has a discharge port 48A formed therein similarly to the spray pipe 42. spray pipe 48
The discharge port 48A is provided facing the brush roller 10.

Like the spray pipe 42, this spray pipe 48 is also connected to a developer replenishing device, which will be described later, via a valve 44 through a pipe line branching from the pipe line 46. As a result, the developer is fed into the spray pipe 48, and the developer 18 is discharged and supplied to the brush roller 10.

Further, the spray pipe 50 has a discharge port 50A formed opposite to the upper roller of the squeeze roller pair 28. This spray pipe 50 also communicates with a developer replenishment device, which will be described later, through a pipe line branching from the pipe line 46 via the noil valve 44. As a result, the developer 18 is fed into the spray pipe 48 and is discharged to the upper roller of the squeeze roller pair 28.

A cover 52 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed to extend from the conveying roller pair 26 to the upper part of the brush roller 10 .

This cover 52 prevents the brush roller 1O from spreading the developer 18 to other layers.

The pipe line 46 is connected to the discharge side of the circulation pump 54,
One end of a conduit 56 is communicated with the suction port side. The other end 56A of the pipe line 56 reaches the inside of the developer recovery tank 22 via a valve 58 in the middle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tip 30 of the pipe line 56 in the developer recovery tank 22 is used as an overflow liquid recovery means, and the tip 30 is connected from above as a processing liquid inlet. Three rectangular notches 31 are formed at approximately equal intervals. Note that the shape of the processing liquid inlet may be other shapes such as a circle, and the number thereof may be determined arbitrarily.

Further, a cover 32 is fixed to the tip end 30 of the conduit 56 inside the developer recovery tank 22 as a means for preventing bubbles from flowing in.

This cover 32 has a cylindrical shape, has a cap shape with an upper end 32A closed, and a lower end 32B that is closed with a closed end 32A.
It extends below the liquid level 37 of 8.

Therefore, when the liquid level of the developer 18 rises and falls and exceeds the height of the notch 31 (state of the liquid level 34), the developer 18 flows from the notch 31, but bubbles 35 floating on the liquid surface is prevented from flowing into the conduit 56 from the notch 31 by the cover 32. Further, the lower end 32B of the cover 32 is connected to the developer 18.
Because it extends below the liquid level 37 of the developer 1
Even if the liquid level of the tube 8 drops, the bubbles 35 will not enter into the pipe line 56 from the notch 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, by the operation of the circulation pump 54, the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 is sucked into the circulation pump 54 through the pipe line 56, and is passed through the pipe line 46 into the spray vibrator 42. Sent to 48.50.

A flow rate sensor 60 is disposed in the middle of the pipe line 46,
The flow rate of the developer 18 passing through the pipe line 46 is detected.

Further, a bypass line 62 is provided between the flow rate sensor 60 and the circulation pump 54, and an impedance detector 64 is provided in the middle of this line 62. This impedance detector 64 detects the impedance of the developer 18 passing through the conduit 62. This impedance detector 64
A generally known sensor is used.

A filter 66 is disposed in the middle of the conduit 56, and filters the residue (mainly waterless PS plate 11) in the developer passing through the conduit 48.
The photosensitive layer and development residue from the silicone layer that have been scraped off the surface of the photosensitive layer are filtered.

A branch pipe line 68 branches off from the middle of the pipe line 56 and communicates with an overflow tank 72 via a valve 70. The overflow tank 72 is disposed on the side of the developer recovery tank 22, is provided on a partition wall of the developer recovery tank 22, and communicates with the developer recovery tank 22 through a long hole 74 along the developer surface.

As a result, the surface layer of the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 flows over the upper end of the lower partition wall 22A of the developer recovery tank 22 into the overflow tank 72. The overflow flow rate of the developer 18 into the overflow tank 72 is 1/10 to 8/hour (preferably 1/3 to 2) of the total circulation amount.
/3).

Furthermore, when the developer is replenished by the developer supply destination device described later and the liquid level of the developer 18 rises, the upper partition wall 22B allows the developer residues once collected in the overflow tank 72 to flow into the developer recovery tank 22. I'm trying not to spread it.

As shown in FIG. 3, the overflow tank 72 has an opening formed at the top and is opened and closed with a lid 76, which is removed from the opening when maintenance is performed inside the overflow tank 72. Overflow I'! '
The upper part of the side wall 78 of 72 is inclined to form an inclined wall 78A. The branch pipe 68 passes through the lower part of this side wall 78.
are in communication with each other, and the developer 18 in the overflow and low tank 72 is sucked by the operation of the circulation pump 54. This suction causes the developer 18 to flow in the direction of arrow B along the inclined wall 78A. In addition, the surface layer of the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 72 due to the suction of the circulation pump 54, and the developer recovery tank 22
The developer scum floating in the developer inside flows into the overflow tank 72 and is collected by the inclined wall 78.
The flow caused by A sends it into the conduit 68. In this case, a silicone rubber layer is laminated on the surface of the waterless PS plate 11 for ink repellency, and when this silicone rubber layer is scraped off by the brush roller 10 together with the photosensitive layer corresponding to the image area, it becomes development residue. The developer is collected into the developer recovery tank 22 along with the excess developer. In the developer in the developer recovery tank 22, the developer scum floats to the surface layer of the developer 180 because its specific gravity is lower than that of the developer. Also, upper partition wall 2
2B serves as a so-called weir to prevent the developer residue once collected in the overflow tank 72 from spreading into the developer recovery tank 22.

Also, an overflow pipe 80 is provided in the overflow tank 72.
is installed. The lower end of this overflow pipe 80 penetrates the bottom of the overflow tank 72 and protrudes outward, and the upper end extends through the upper partition wall 22B of the developer recovery tank 22.
It is set higher than the top of the. Therefore, when the developer 18 is replenished by the developer replenishment device described later and the level of the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 rises, the surface layer of the developer 18 in the over 70 tank 72 is Together with the dregs, it flows outward through an overflow pipe 80.

The developer replenishment device includes a developer solution tank 82 containing a developer solution, a water tank 84 containing water, a developer solution supply pump 86 for supplying the developer solution into the developer recovery tank 22, and a developer solution supply pump 86 for supplying the developer solution into the developer recovery tank 22, and a developer solution supply pump 86 for supplying the developer solution to the developer recovery tank 22. It is composed of a water supply pump 88 for supplying water into the developer recovery tank 22.

One end of a pipe line 90 is connected to the developer stock tank 82, and the other end is connected to a wide-mouth pipe line 9 disposed in the developer recovery tank 22.
It opens to 2. A developing solution supply pump 86 is disposed in the middle of this pipe line 90.

The water tank 84 is connected to one end of a pipe line 94, and the other end opens to a wide-mouth pipe line 92 in the developer recovery tank 22.

A water supply pump 88 is disposed in the middle of this pipe line 94.

Further, a heater 98 is arranged at the bottom of the developer recovery tank 22 . This heater 98 is connected to a power source (not shown) to heat the developer 18. The temperature of the developer 18 is controlled by this heater 98 from 15° to 45° (
It is preferably set at 25° to 30°).

The developing time of this device is 10 seconds to 3 minutes, preferably 3 minutes.
0 seconds to 2 minutes), and the staining time is 5 seconds to 1 minute.
minutes (preferably 10 seconds to 30 seconds).

Next, the dyeing section 16 will be explained.

The dye tank main body 100 of the dyeing section 16 opens upward like the developer tank main body 20, has an inverted mountain-shaped bottom, and has a dye solution recovery tank 102 formed in the center of the bottom. A staining liquid 17 is accommodated in the staining liquid recovery tank 102 . An overflow pipe 104 is disposed within the dye solution recovery tank 102 . The upper end of this overflow pipe 104 is located at the upper part of the dye solution recovery tank 10, 2, and the lower end penetrates the bottom of the dye solution recovery tank 102 and projects outward.

This overflow pipe 104 causes the dye solution 17 to be transferred to the dye solution collection tank 102 when the liquid level in the dye solution collection tank 102 rises and exceeds the upper end of the overflow pipe 104 due to replenishment of the dye solution by a dye solution replenishment device to be described later. The liquid level height of the staining liquid 17 is set by discharging from the inside to the outside.

At the top of the dyeing tank main body 100, a pair of transport rollers 106 and a pair of squeeze rollers 108 are arranged in order from the entrance side of the 23rd waterless version 11 into the dyeing tank main body 100 along the transport direction of the 23rd waterless version 11. There is.

The transport roller pair 106 is supported by a rack side plate (not shown), and the squeeze roller pair 108 is supported by a roller support structure similar to that of the squeeze roller pair 28, and is rotated by being transmitted with the driving force of a driving means (not shown). 11 is held and conveyed. These transport roller pair 106 and squeeze roller pair 108 are made of a general rubber material so as not to damage the surface of the waterless 23 plate 11 being transported.

A pair of squeeze rollers 109 is arranged on the downstream side of the dyeing tank main body 100 in the conveyance direction of the waterless 23rd plate 11. The squeeze roller pair 109 is made of a roll material such as NBR rubber or tolyl butadiene rubber, and the wipeability of the dyeing solution 17 is improved.

A brush roller 120 is arranged between the transport roller pair 106 and the squeeze roller pair 108.

Like the transport roller pair 106, the brush roller 120 is also supported by a side plate (not shown), and the driving force of a drive means (not shown) is transmitted to rotate the brush roller 120 in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the transport roller pair 106 (
(clockwise in Figure 3).

This brush roller 120 has the same configuration as the brush roller 10 described above, and rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) that resists the conveyance direction of the waterless 23 plate 11.
The surface of plate 11 is rubbed. Depending on the case, it may be rotated in the forward direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the waterless 23 plate 11. The number of rotations of the brush roller 120 is 100 to 50.
It is set at 0 rpm (preferably 200 to 400 rpm). Furthermore, depending on the case, it is preferable to install a vignetting prevention lever in the waterless PS plate 11.

A support stand 122 made of a relatively flexible material such as plastic, for example high-density polyethylene, is disposed below the brush roller 120.

Therefore, when waterless 23rd edition 11 passes through this passage,
While the waterless 23rd edition 11 is guided on the stand 122,
A staining liquid 17 is applied to the surface by a brush roller 120.

A spray vibrator 124 is disposed above the brush roller 120. This spray pipe 124 is surrounded by a substantially U-shaped rectifier plate 126.

A suitable number of discharge ports 124A are formed in the spray pipe 124 along the axial direction so as to face the current plate 126.

This spray vibrator 124 is connected through a valve 128 to a stain solution supply device, which will be described later, through a conduit 130. As a result, the dyeing liquid is fed into the spray vibrator 124 and is discharged toward the current plate 126. The dyeing liquid 17 is guided by the current plate 126 and supplied to the brush roller 120. At this time, the staining liquid 17 spreads while flowing down on the rectifying plate 126 and is uniformly supplied onto the brush roller 120.

A spray vibrator 132 is also arranged between the brush roller 120 and the squeeze roller pair 108 on the squeeze roller pair 108 side. Like the spray vibe 124, this spray vibe 132 is also surrounded by a substantially U-shaped rectifier plate 126. This spray vibrator 132 has a plurality of discharge ports 132A provided at appropriate intervals along the axial direction, facing the rectifier plate 126. The spray vibrator 132, like the spray vibrator 124, is connected to the pipe v&1 via the valve 128.
30 communicates with a staining solution supply device, which will be described later. As a result, the dyeing liquid 17 is fed into the spray vibrator 132, discharged toward the current plate 126, guided, and supplied to the upper roller of the squeeze roller pair 108. At this time, the dyeing liquid 17 is uniformly supplied to the squeeze roller pair 108, which spreads while flowing down on the rectifying plate 126.

A cover 131 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed above the brush roller 120 and squeeze roller pair 108. This cover 131 prevents the staining liquid 17 from being scattered by the brush roller 120.

The dye solution supply device includes a circulation pump 134 and a filter 136.
and a conduit 138 that communicates the circulation pump 134 and the dye solution recovery tank 102.

A pipe line 130 is connected to the discharge port side of the circulation pump 134,
One end of a conduit 138 is communicated with the suction port side.

The other end of the conduit 138 is communicated with the bottom of the dye solution recovery tank 102. Due to the operation of this circulation pump 134, the dyeing solution 17 in the dyeing solution recovery tank 102 passes through the pipe line 138.
It is drawn into circulation pump 134 and sent through line 130 to spray vibrator 124,132.

A filter 136 is disposed in the middle of the conduit 138,
Dirt in the dyeing solution passing through the pipe 138 (mainly debris from the photosensitive layer and silicone layer scraped off from the surface of the waterless 23 plate 11 brought in from the developing section) is removed.

The staining liquid replenishing device includes a staining liquid tank 14 containing the staining liquid.
0, and a dye solution supply pump 142 for supplying the dye solution into the dye solution recovery tank 102.

One end of a conduit 146 is communicated with the dyeing solution tank 140, and the other end opens into a wide-mouthed conduit 92 disposed within the dyeing solution recovery tank 102. A dye solution supply pump 142 is disposed in the middle of this conduit 146.

A heater 98 is disposed at the bottom of the dyeing solution recovery tank 102 and is connected to a power source (not shown) to heat the dyeing solution. The temperature of this staining solution 17 is 15 to 45°C (preferably 2
temperature (0 to 30°C).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The waterless 23rd plate 11 on which the image has been printed is sent into the waterless lithographic printing plate developing device 12 and inserted into the developing section 14 using an image printing device (not shown).

The portion of the photosensitive layer of the waterless 23 plate 11 inserted into the developing section 14 that is irradiated with light, that is, the exposed portion, hardens and adheres to the primer layer, and the unexposed portion is in a state where it can be swollen or eluted by the developer 18. It becomes.

From this state, after peeling off the protective film laminated to protect the surface of the waterless 23rd plate 11, the waterless 23rd plate 11 is inserted into the developing section 14, and is conveyed while being held between the pair of conveying rollers 24 of the developing section 14. The developer 18 is applied to the surface while being applied. As a result, the photosensitive layer in the unexposed area (image area) of the waterless 23rd plate 11 swells and becomes easily peeled off from the primer layer.

Further, the waterless 23rd plate 11 is pinched and conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 26, and the brush roller 10 and the receiver are inserted between the table 40. The brush roller 10 rotates in a direction that follows the conveyance direction of the waterless PS plate 11 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3), and the receiver rubs the upper surface of the waterless PS plate 11 passing over the table 40. A developer 18 is also supplied to this brush roller 10.
The surface of the waterless PS plate 11 is rubbed by the brush roller 10 while being coated with the developer 18, and the photosensitive layer and silicone rubber layer swollen or eluted by the developer 18 are scraped off. As a result, a photosensitive layer and a silicone layer corresponding to exposed areas (non-image areas) remain on the waterless PS plate 11, and a positive image is formed.

The surplus developer 18 after the developer 18 applied to the surface of the waterless PS plate 11 is developed falls into the developer collection layer 22 and is collected.

Further, the waterless PS has the photosensitive layer and silicone layer in the unexposed area (image area) scraped off by the brush roller 10.
The plate 11 is held and conveyed by a pair of squeeze rollers 28, and the developer 18 is applied again, and the developer 18 is squeezed out from the waterless PS plate 11. PS version 11 without water in this state
is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 106 of the dyeing section 16. The waterless PS plate 11 from which the developer 18 has been squeezed out is inserted between the brush roller 120 and the tray 1220. Like the brush roller 10, this brush roller 120 also rotates in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the waterless PS plate 11, and the dyeing solution 17 supplied while being guided by the current plate 126 is directed to the soil surface of the waterless PS plate 11. Apply. As a result, the staining liquid adheres to the primer layer, that is, the unexposed area (image area), and the dyeing is carried out.

Further, the waterless PS plate 11 is inserted between the pair of squeeze rollers 108 , and the staining liquid 1 is supplied to the upper roller of the pair of squeeze rollers 108 while being guided by a rectifying plate 126 .
7 is applied to the surface, the staining liquid 17 is squeezed out,
Being squeezed. This staining is a process to make it easier to distinguish between the image area and the non-image area, as the surfaces of the image area and non-image area of the waterless PS plate 11 after development are the same color, and are used for plate inspection work. This is the process that is carried out.

After the waterless PS plate 11 with the image area dyed is sent out from the staining section 16, it is inserted between the squeeze roller pair 109, and the staining solution 17 remaining on the surface is wiped off. Since this squeeze roller pair 109 is made of NBR rubber, the wiping property of the dyeing liquid 17 is improved. In particular, if the dyeing solution 17 remains in the non-image area, the ink repellency of the silicone rubber layer will decrease, making it impossible to obtain a good image during printing. Since the aperture is squeezed out, a good image can be obtained.

Next, the circulation of the developer 18 in the developing section 14, removal of residue, and replenishment of the developer 18 will be explained.

<Circulation> As shown in FIG. 3, the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 is sent to the spray pipes 42, 48, 50 by the operation of the circulation pump 54, and the developer 18 is transported through the developing section 14 without water. It is applied to the PS plate 11. Excess developer 18 after coating the waterless PS plate 11 falls and is collected into a developer recovery tank 22 .

There is no water in the developer collected into the developer recovery tank 22.
There are developer residues such as the photosensitive layer and silicone rubber layer peeled off from the surface of the S plate 11 mixed in, and since these developer residues have a lighter specific gravity than the developer, the surface layer of the developer is removed in the developer collection tank 22. floating in the air.

Dust Removal> In this state, the developer 18 in the developer recovery tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 72 over the lower partition wall 22A. As a result, the developer residue floating on the surface layer of the developer 18 flows into the overflow tank 72 and is collected therein.

Furthermore, when the developer or water is replenished into the developer recovery tank 22, the level of the developer in the developer recovery tank 22 rises, and when it rises beyond the elongated hole 74, the developer in the overflow tank 72 rises. The height of the liquid level (developing particles collected on the surface layer) also rises, and the upper end of the overflow pipe 80 is submerged in water. As a result, the developer 18 in the overflow tank 72 is discharged from the surface layer (in which developer residue is floating) to the outside through the overflow pipe 80. At this time, the upper partition wall 22 of the developer recovery [22] forming the through hole 74
B acts as a weir, and prevents the developer particles once accumulated in the overflow tank 72 from being diffused into the developer recovery tank 22 due to the rise in the liquid level of the developer 18.

Next, recovery of the overflow liquid in the developer recovery tank 22 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developer 1 in the developer recovery tank 22
When the liquid level of 8 rises and becomes equal to or higher than the height of the notch 31 formed at the tip 30 of the conduit 56 (when the liquid level reaches 34), the developer 18 flows from the notch 31 to the conduit. 56. In this case, the developer tf3 enters from the lower opening 32C of the cover 32, but the bubbles 3 floating on the liquid surface 34
5 is prevented from flowing into the conduit 56 from the notch 31 by the cover 32.

For this reason, the bubbles 35 are mixed with the developer 18 in the circulation pump 5.
It is not sent to PS version 11 via 4 etc. Therefore, uneven coating of the developer 18 on the PS plate 11 due to the bubbles 35 can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, a notch 31 as a processing liquid inlet is formed at the tip end 30 of the pipe line 56 connected to the developer recovery tank 22, and a cover 32 is formed as a means for preventing the inflow of suspended matter.
However, the pipe line 1 connected to the dyeing solution recovery tank 102
38 may be extended upward, and a processing liquid inlet may be formed at the tip thereof, and a means for preventing floating matter from flowing may be arranged.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention has the above structure, it is possible to prevent floating substances such as bubbles floating on the surface of the processing liquid from being supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material together with the processing liquid. This excellent effect can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of the developer recovery tank of an automatic developing machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... PS plate, 12... Waterless lithographic printing plate developing device, 18... Developer, 20... Developer collection layer, 30... Tip, 31... Notch, 32... ...Cover 37...Liquid level.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An automatic developing machine that supplies a processing liquid to a photosensitive material to process it, collects excess processing liquid into a recovery tank, and supplies the processing liquid to the photosensitive material again using a circulation means for processing, and the tip part an overflow liquid recovery means provided in the recovery tank so as to protrude from the surface of the processing liquid collected in the recovery tank, and having a processing liquid inlet at its tip; and a tip of the overflow liquid recovery means. 1. An automatic developing machine, comprising: means for preventing the inflow of suspended matter, the lower end of which is placed over the surface of the processing liquid and extends below the surface of the processing liquid collected in the collection tank.