JPH1062944A - Method and apparatus for cleaning squeeze roller in photosensitive material processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a cleaning method and a cleaning device for a squeezing roller, which can efficiently clean the squeezing roller with a small amount of a cleaning liquid. SOLUTION: A cleaning liquid supply pipe 1 for discharging a cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid storage unit 104 to a pair of squeezing rollers 44, 45.
The supply of the cleaning liquid to 05 is performed by the pump 106 controlled by the control unit 160. At this time, during one cleaning operation, the supply of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply pipe 105 to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 is performed by split supply in which a supply of 1.2 seconds and a supply stop of 5 seconds are repeated five times. This is done by operation.

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 liquid, and more particularly to a cleaning roller for removing a processing liquid attached to the photosensitive material by supplying a cleaning liquid to the cleaning roller. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a squeezing roller cleaning method and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning squeezing rollers.

[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, such a coating type processing apparatus has a processing liquid supply nozzle having a plurality of processing liquid discharge holes, and the surface thereof is formed by forming a groove on the surface. The processing liquid is discharged onto a roughened roller (hereinafter, referred to as a "roughening roller"), and the roughening roller is brought into contact with the photosensitive material and rotated, so that the roughening roller is rotated through the roughening roller. A processing apparatus for applying a processing liquid to a photosensitive material is disclosed.
In such a processing apparatus, the processing liquid applied to the photosensitive material is removed by a pair of squeezing rollers that rotate while sandwiching the photosensitive material.

[0005]

In such a processing apparatus, as the processing of the photosensitive material is continued, the processing liquid remaining on the aperture roller crystallizes on the aperture roller.
If the photosensitive material is sandwiched in the state where the processing liquid crystal is present on the squeeze roller, a phenomenon occurs in which the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material is damaged or the photosensitive material has uneven processing. Need to be washed with a washing liquid. At this time, it is preferable that the amount of the cleaning liquid used is as small as possible from the viewpoint of running costs and environmental problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a cleaning method and a cleaning apparatus for a squeezing roller which can efficiently clean the squeezing roller with a small amount of a cleaning liquid. I do.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cleaning liquid is supplied to a squeezing roller that removes a processing liquid attached to the photosensitive material by rotating while sandwiching the photosensitive material. A method of cleaning a squeezing roller for cleaning a roller, wherein the supply of the cleaning liquid to the squeezing roller is performed in a plurality of times.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aperture roller cleaning apparatus for cleaning a pair of aperture rollers for removing a processing liquid attached to the photosensitive material by sandwiching and rotating the photosensitive material, A cleaning liquid supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the surface of the squeezing roller, a pump for pumping the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage unit to the cleaning liquid supply unit, and driving the pump a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals. And a pump control means for supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply unit to the squeezing roller in a plurality of times.

[0009]

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 to which the present invention is applied.

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

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

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

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

The lithographic printing plate M to which the image has been exposed is sequentially transported from the exposure device 2 to the subsequent development processing 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 unit 3 applies a developing solution (activator) to the exposed lithographic printing plate M and performs a developing process, and a developing solution (stabilizer) to the lithographic printing plate M after the developing process. Stabilizer 33 for applying and stabilizing
And a drying unit 34 for drying the lithographic printing plate M after the stabilization process.

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

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

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

A collection tray 58 is provided below the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45. The fatigue 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.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developer application mechanism 43 includes a developer supply pipe 122 having a plurality of discharge holes 121 formed thereunder, and a plurality of developer supply pipes 122 for flowing the developer down to the lower end thereof. Developer receiving portion 124 having opening 123
A coating roller 125 having a plurality of grooves on its surface and rotating in contact with the lithographic printing plate M; and a diffusion for guiding the developer flowing down from the opening 123 of the developer receiving portion 124 to the coating roller 125. The film 126 and the developer receiving section 12
4 has a backflow prevention film 127 for preventing backflow of the developer flowing down from the opening 123, and a backup roller 128 abutting on the application roller 125. In addition,
Arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M.

The developing solution supply pipe 122 is connected to the developing solution tank 52 via the pump 53, and the developing solution is discharged from the plurality of discharge holes 121 by driving the pump 53. After the developer is once received by the developer receiving section 124, the diffusion film 12
Flow down to 6. Opening 12 of developer receiving section 124
The developer flowing down from 3 is temporarily stored in the contact portion between the application roller 125 and the diffusion film 126 and is diffused in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Then, with the rotation of the application roller 125, the developer passes through the opening formed by the groove of the application roller 125 and passes through the application roller 125.
Move in the direction of the contact portion between
A reservoir is formed there.

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

The stabilizing section 33 is provided with a stabilizing liquid applying mechanism 73 for measuring and applying a 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.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stabilizing liquid application mechanism 73 includes a stabilizing liquid supply pipe 132 having a plurality of discharge holes 131 formed below the stabilizing liquid supply pipe 132 and a plurality of stabilizing liquid supply pipes at the lower end thereof. A stable liquid receiving portion 134 having an opening 133 formed therein.
A coating roller 135 whose surface is formed of a single-cell sponge and rotates in contact with the lithographic printing plate M; and an opening 133 of the stable liquid receiving portion 134 whose surface is formed in an uneven shape.
Film 136 for guiding the stable liquid flowing down from the coating roller 135 to the coating roller 135 and the lithographic printing plate M with the coating roller 1
And a leaf spring 138 that urges the plate spring 335. In addition,
Arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M.

The stable liquid supply pipe 132 is connected to the aforementioned stable liquid tank 82 via a pump 83, and the stable liquid is discharged from the plurality of discharge holes 131 by driving the pump 83. After the stable liquid is once received by the stable liquid receiving section 134, the diffusion film 13 passes through the plurality of openings 133.
Flow down to 6. Opening 13 of stable liquid receiving portion 134
The stable liquid flowing down from 3 is temporarily stored in a contact portion between the application roller 135 and the diffusion film 136, and is diffused in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the lithographic printing plate M. Then, with the rotation of the application roller 135, the stable liquid passes through the opening formed by the unevenness on the surface of the diffusion film 136, moves toward the contact portion between the application roller 135 and the leaf spring 138, and stores the liquid therein. Form.

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

The leaf spring 138 has an overflow hole 137 for storing an excessive amount of stable liquid in a contact portion between the leaf spring 138 and the application roller 135 and preventing the liquid reservoir from becoming excessively large. Is provided.

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

As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning liquid storage section 104 includes a pair of squeezing rollers 44, 4 in the developing section 32.
Cleaning liquid supply pipe 105 for supplying a cleaning liquid to
And a pump 106. This pump 1
06 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 105 from the cleaning liquid storage 104
Is supplied to a pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 from a plurality of discharge holes formed along the cleaning liquid supply pipe 105.
It is dripped on. The cleaning operation of the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 will be described later in detail.

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

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

In the developing device 3 described above, crystals of the developing solution are generated on the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 in the developing section 32 as the lithographic printing plate M is processed. For this reason, it is necessary to wash the crystals of the developer. Hereinafter, a pair of squeezing rollers 44, which are characteristic parts of the present invention,
The cleaning operation of No. 45 will be described.

First, the structure of a control mechanism for controlling the cleaning operation of the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit 160.

The developing apparatus 3 includes a CPU 161 for controlling a pump 106 for supplying a cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage section 104 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 105.
The control unit 160 includes a ROM 162 and a RAM 163. The control unit 160 is connected to a pump driving unit 165 that drives the pump 106 via an interface 164.

The control section 160 is also connected to, for example, a drive motor for transporting the lithographic printing plate M in the developing apparatus 3 and also serves as control means for controlling other operations of the developing apparatus 3. Function.

Next, a cleaning operation for cleaning the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 will be described. FIG. 7 shows the developing device 3
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation as a subroutine thereof.

In the developing device 3, at the time when the developing process is started, when the developing process of the planographic printing plate M is interrupted for a certain period of time, and when the developing process is completed, the pair of aperture rollers 44 and 45 A cleaning operation is performed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the operator turns on the start switch of the plate making apparatus including the exposure apparatus 2 and the development processing apparatus 3 in order to start the development processing of the planographic printing plate M.
If N (Step S1), the first cleaning operation is performed (Step S2). This cleaning operation is performed by the developing device 3
The purpose of the present invention is to clean and remove the crystal of the developing solution and other contaminants generated on the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 during the stop of the developing process before the start of the developing process. It is assumed that the plate making device is energized before the operator turns on the start switch.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the developing process has been interrupted for a certain period of time in the developing device 3 (step S3). This is because, when the developing process is interrupted for a certain period of time or more, it is considered that the developing solution is dried during that time, and crystals of the developing solution are generated on the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45. is there. If the development processing has been interrupted for a certain period of time or longer, a cleaning operation is performed (step S4). As this time, for example, a time of about 10 minutes is set. At the start of the developing process, steps S3 and S4 are skipped.

Then, in order to end the development processing, it is determined whether or not the operator has turned off the switch of the plate making apparatus (step S5). Until the operator turns off the switch of the plate making apparatus, the washing operation is performed every time the developing process is interrupted for a certain period of time in steps S3 and S4.

The operator turns off the switch of the plate making apparatus.
Then, the final cleaning operation is performed (step S
6). This cleaning operation is performed by cleaning the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 in advance before stopping the developing processing device 3, and thereby developing the surface of the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 while the developing processing device 3 is stopped. It is intended to prevent the generation of liquid crystals. Then, when the final cleaning operation is completed, the processing is completed. After that, the power supply to the device is stopped as necessary.

At the time of the above-mentioned cleaning operation, the controller 160
The pump 106 receives the drive of the pump driving unit 165 from the cleaning liquid storage unit 104 to supply the cleaning liquid supply pipe 105
The cleaning liquid is supplied to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 from the cleaning liquid supply pipe 105. The supply of the cleaning liquid by the pump 106 in this one cleaning operation is as follows.
In order to increase the cleaning efficiency, the cleaning is performed in a plurality of times.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cleaning operation is started, the number N of supply of the cleaning liquid in one cleaning operation is set to 0 (step S11). Then, the pump 106 is driven by the driving of the pump driving unit 165 (step S12), and the pair of squeezing rollers 44,
45 rotation is started (step S13). And
If the time T1 has elapsed (step S14), the pump 10
6 is stopped (step S15). This time T
For example, a time of about 1.2 seconds is set as 1.

Thereafter, when the time T2 further elapses, 1 is added to the number of times N of supplying the cleaning liquid (step S17), and it is confirmed that the number of times of supply does not reach the preset number n (step S18). Then, the process returns to step S12 to repeat the above operation. As this time T2,
For example, a time of about 5 seconds is set, and as n, for example, about 5 times is set. Therefore, in steps S12 to S18, during one cleaning operation, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 that are rotating while being in contact with each other is performed by the supply of 1.2 seconds and the supply of 5 seconds. This is performed by a divided supply operation in which the operation of stopping is repeated five times.

As described above, the cleaning liquid is divided into a plurality of times and supplied to the pair of squeezing rollers 44, 45, whereby the cleaning liquid previously supplied onto the pair of squeezing rollers 44, 45 is applied to the respective rollers 44, 45. After spreading on the surface,
Since the cleaning liquid is supplied to the surfaces of the rollers 4 and 45, even when only a small amount of the cleaning liquid is supplied onto the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45, the surfaces of the rollers 44 and 45 are efficiently cleaned. Becomes possible. For example, when the operation of supplying about 5 cc of the cleaning liquid in 1.2 seconds is repeated five times in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning effect is much higher than when 25 cc of the cleaning liquid is supplied at a time and the cleaning is performed. It has been confirmed by the present inventors.

By repeating the above steps S12 to S18, if the number N of supplying the cleaning liquid reaches the preset number n (step S18), the pair of squeezing rollers 44, 4
The rotation of Step 5 is stopped (Step S19), and the cleaning operation ends.

When the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 rotate independently of the cleaning operation, such as when the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 are driven in synchronization with the entire transport mechanism of the plate making apparatus, the above-described steps S13 and S19 are performed. Not executed.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid reservoir 104 to the mirror rollers 103 to the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45. The cleaning liquid storage section may be separately provided, and the cleaning liquid may be supplied from the cleaning liquid storage section.

Further, even when a developing solution or a stabilizing solution is used as a washing solution for washing the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45, crystals of the developing solution can be washed. However, at the time of the cleaning operation in step S6 in FIG. 7, a stabilizing solution or a cleaning solution is used to prevent generation of crystals of the developing solution on the surfaces of the pair of squeezing rollers 44 and 45 while the developing device 3 is stopped. There is a need to.

In the above-described embodiment, since the stabilizing liquid does not usually crystallize, the pair of squeezing rollers 74 and 75 in the stabilizing section 33 are not cleaned.
These squeezing rollers 7 are used to prevent contamination other than crystals.
4, 75 may be washed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment,
A lithographic printing plate M using a silver complex salt diffusion transfer method (DTR method) as a photosensitive material, and a developing processing device 3 for applying only a developing solution necessary for development to the lithographic printing plate M and performing a developing process. Although the present invention has been described with reference to the case where the present invention is applied, the present invention can also be applied to other various kinds of photosensitive material processing apparatuses.

[0058]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the supply of the cleaning liquid to the squeezing roller is performed in a plurality of times, the squeezing roller can be efficiently cleaned with a small amount of the cleaning liquid. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply unit to the squeezing roller in a plurality of times by driving the pump a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals. Even when a small amount of cleaning liquid is supplied to the squeeze roller, the squeeze roller can be sufficiently cleaned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control unit 160.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a cleaning process in the developing device 3;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 Exposure device 3 Development processing device 32 Developing unit 33 Stabilizing unit 34 Drying unit 43 Developer coating mechanism 44 Squeeze roller 45 Squeeze roller 104 Cleaning solution storage unit 105 Cleaning solution supply pipe 106 Pump 160 Control unit 165 Pump drive unit M Planographic printing plate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Kawaguchi 1 at 480 Takamiya-cho, Hikone-shi, Shiga Japan Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. Hikone District Office (72) Inventor Eiji Miyasaka 480-takamiya-cho, Hikone-shi, Shiga 1 Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. in Hikone district office

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A method of cleaning a squeezing roller, comprising: supplying a cleaning liquid to a squeezing roller that removes a processing liquid attached to the photographic material by rotating while sandwiching the photographic material; A method of cleaning a squeezing roller in a photosensitive material processing apparatus, wherein the supply of the cleaning liquid to the squeezing roller is performed in a plurality of times. 2. A squeezing roller cleaning device for cleaning a pair of squeezing rollers for removing a processing liquid attached to the photographic material by sandwiching and rotating the photographic material, wherein a cleaning liquid is applied to a surface of the squeezing roller. A cleaning liquid supply section for supplying the cleaning liquid, a pump for pumping the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage section to the cleaning liquid supply section, and by driving the pump a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals, from the cleaning liquid supply section. A pump control means for supplying a cleaning liquid to the squeezing roller in a plurality of times; and a cleaning device for the squeezing roller in the photosensitive material processing apparatus.