Photosensitive material processing apparatus

The present invention provides a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material is processed with a processing solution. Reliable liquid displacement in the vicinity of the surface of a photosensitive material, and uniform temperature adjustment can be performed. Also, damage or a transport deficiency, caused by a corner of the material coming into a through hole when a conveyance path of the photosensitive material is formed can be prevented. When pre-washing processing is carried out prior to development processing using a developer, processing unevenness in which an overcoat layer partially remains can be prevented. An operation of mounting and removing conveyance rollers disposed in a pair is facilitated and a proper nipping force can be imparted between a conveyance roller pair. Mounting of a replenisher case filled with a replenisher is facilitated and a replenisher is kept from remaining in piping or in a replenisher case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a photosensitive material is immersed in a processing solution stored in a processing tank.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a photosensitive material processing apparatus such as an automatic processor, a photosensitive material exposed imagewise is processed (developed or the like) with a processing solution by immersing the photosensitive material in a processing solution or spraying a surface of the photosensitive material with a processing solution while the photosensitive material is being conveyed.

In a presensitized plate (PS plate) processor which is an automatic processor for processing a photosensitive planographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as a “presensitized (PS) plate”), that is, a photosensitive material in which a photosensitive layer is provided on a support such as an aluminum plate, in addition to a development process in which a PS plate exposed imagewise is immersed in a developer, a washing process in which a PS plate having been subjected to development processing is washed by blowing washing water against front and back surfaces of the PS plate, a desensitizing process in which desensitizing processing is carried out in such a manner that the front and back surfaces of the PS plate having been subject to washing processing are coated with a desensitizer such as a gum solution, and the like are provided.

In some of such PS plate processors as well, a heater is provided in a developer tank so that a developer in the developer tank is heated to a temperature in a temperature range in which PS plates are most suitably processed. At this time, in the PS plate processor, a developer in the developer tank is circulated and agitated by being sucked and jetted out from a spray pipe disposed in the developer by way of a circulating pump so that the temperature of developer in the developer tank becomes uniform.

In order that development processing for PS plates may be efficiently carried out so that the same product quality could be obtained, it is necessary to attempt liquid displacement in which a fresh developer is supplied to the surface of a PS plate conveyed in the developer and a fatigued developer is removed from vicinities of the surface of the PS plate.

However, there is a problem that reliable liquid displacement in the vicinities of the surface of the PS plate is difficult to carry out in a system in which a developer is simply made to jet out from a spray pipe disposed in a developer tank. Further, the developer flow is divided into upper and lower sides of a conveyance path by the PS plate conveyed in the developer tank, thereby making it difficult to control the temperature of the developer with high accuracy.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which, when a photosensitive material is processed by being immersed in a processing solution while the temperature of the processing solution is being adjusted, reliable liquid displacement in vicinities of the surface of the photosensitive material, and uniform temperature adjustment of the processing solution are made possible.

In the PS plate processor as described above, a conveyance path is formed using a guide plate and a PS plate is guided along the upper surface of the guide plate. Due to the guide plate being curved so that a surface thereof facing the conveyance path of the PS plate becomes concave, or the guide plate being formed by connecting a plurality of flat surfaces, a conveyance path having a downwardly convexed surface can be formed.

In the PS plate processor as well, it is necessary that a fresh developer may be supplied to front and back surfaces of the PS plate to allow uniform development processing for the PS plate. To that end, the guide plate is formed so as to have a through hole passing through from front to back surfaces thereof like punching metal, so as to allow a fresh developer at a lower side of the guide plate to be supplied to the side of the conveyance path of the PS plate.

However, when a through hole is formed on a guide plate with which the PS plate is brought into contact when the PS plate is moved, a corner at a widthwise-direction edge of the leading end of the PS plate tends to be pulled in the through hole, thereby causing damage to the PS plate (for example, bending) or transport deficiency.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and a second object of the present invention is to provide a guide plate for conveying a photosensitive material, which prevents damage to a photosensitive material such as a printing plate and transport deficiency, which damage and transport deficiency are caused by a corner of the photosensitive material being pulled in a through hole when a conveyance path of the photosensitive material is formed.

In the PS plate processor as described above, a light receiving portion and a non-receiving portion are formed by exposure on a photosensitive layer, and thereafter, development processing is carried out by means of a developer. As a result, an unnecessary photosensitive layer is removed and an image is formed.

As for a photosensitive planographic printing plate, a so-called four-layer photopolymerization plate is used in which a photosensitive layer is formed on a support by a light adhesive layer, a photopolymerization layer or the like, and the surface of the printing plate is protected by an overcoat layer. This photopolymerization plate is heated to a predetermined temperature so that a photopolymerization layer of the light receiving portion is firmly adhered to a support via a light adhesive layer to improve printing resistance. Further, an overcoat layer which covers the photopolymerization layer is dissolved in water.

When the photopolymerization plate is subjected to development processing, a pre-heating process and a pre-washing process are provided before an automatic processor or prior to a developing process. The photopolymerization plate is heated prior to development processing, and thereafter, the surface of the photopolymerization plate is brushed while washing water is being supplied thereto, so that an overcoat layer removed. As a result, a photopolymerization layer of a non-receiving portion can be reliably removed at the time of development processing.

When such photopolymerization plates are subjected to development processing, an overcoat layer needs to be reliably removed prior to processing with a developer. To that end, in the pre-washing process, water is supplied from a spray pipe to the surface of the photopolymerization plate to swell the overcoat layer, and thereafter, the surface of the photopolymerization plate is brushed with a brush roller. As a result, the overcoat layer is swollen with and dissolved in washing water, and is easily peeled off.

The solubility and peeling property of the overcoat layer are greatly influenced by the period of time in which washing water adheres to the overcoat layer. The shorter this period of time, the worse the solubility and peeling property becomes. In the pre-washing process, it is necessary that brushing using a brush roller is carried out at least three seconds after water is supplied to the surface of the photopolymerization plate.

For this reason, there is proposed a structure in which a horizontal conveyance path of a photopolymerization plate is provided in the pre-washing process and washing water supplied from a spray pipe disposed immediately before a brush roller is jetted out toward the photopolymerization plate.

Although, in the pre-washing process carried out in the structure as described above, improvement in solubility and peeling property of the overcoat layer can be achieved in an intermediate portion of the photopolymerization plate in the conveying direction, washing water is apt to run down from ends of the photopolymerization plate in the conveying direction, particularly, a leading end thereof, and washing water cannot stay thereat for a required time. As a result, the solubility and peeling property of the overcoat layer are deteriorated. Further, washing water is apt to adhere unevenly to the ends of the photopolymerization plate and the overcoat layer is unevenly removed therefrom. As a result, when development processing of a photopolymerization plate is carried out, a remaining overcoat layer may cause a partial delay in development.

Such delay in development has a great influence on a finished state of a developed photopolymerization plate and may eventually be reflected in the quality of a printed matter obtained using this photopolymerization plate.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and a third object of the present invention is to provide a preprocessing apparatus which prevents occurrence of processing unevenness caused by a partially remaining overcoat layer when pre-washing processing is carried out prior to development processing using a developer.

In the PS plate processor as described above, when a PS plate is conveyed, the PS plate is nipped by conveyance rollers (hereinafter referred to as a “conveyance roller pair”) which are disposed in a pair with a conveyance path of a PS plate interposed therebetween. The pair of conveyance rollers are rotatingly driven in a predetermined direction, whereby a conveying force is applied to the PS plate. Further, the conveyance roller pair are disposed at a downstream side of the processing process, whereby a processing solution used in the processing process is squeezed out from the surface of the PS plate.

As for a structure for imparting nipping force to the conveyance roller pair, various structures, for example, a structure in which a roller bearing for supporting a lower conveyance roller is held at a predetermined position and a roller bearing for supporting an upper conveyance roller is urged toward the bearing of the lower conveyance roller, can be used.

When processing for the PS plate is started in a state in which a predetermined nipping force is not imparted between the conveyance roller pair, transport deficiency of the PS plate may be caused. That is, when urging force between the conveyance roller pair disposed to face each other is not sufficient, when the PS plate is fed in between the conveyance roller pair, slippage occurs between the conveyance roller pair and the PS plate. As a result, there arises a problem that conveying force cannot be imparted to the PS plate.

Further, when the PS plate is nipped by the conveyance roller pair, it is necessary that a large nipping force may be imparted to squeeze out a processing solution adhering to the surface of the PS plate. For this reason, when the conveyance roller pair is removed/attached for the purpose of maintenance or the like, an operation resistible to a large urging force must be carried out. Such a troublesome operation of removing/attaching the conveyance roller pair complicates the maintenance of a PS plate processor.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and a fourth object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which an operation of removing conveyance rollers disposed in a pair, or attaching the conveyance rollers so that the rollers are disposed in a pair is facilitated and a photosensitive material such as a PS plate can be processed with nipping force being properly imparted thereto between the conveyance roller pair.

In the PS plate processor as described above, processing performance of a processing solution stored in a processing tank is maintained in a range in which a PS plate can be properly finished, by replenishing a replenisher in accordance with a quantity of PS plates to be processed (processing replenishment) or by replenishing a replenisher in accordance with an elapsed time (age-based replenishment).

The PS plate processor is provided with a replenisher tank in which a replenisher is stored. The replenisher tank is provided so as to replenish a replenisher for a processing tank by operating a replenisher pump at a predetermined timing. Further, when a replenisher in the replenisher tank is reduced due to a replenisher being replenished for a processing tank, a fresh replenisher needs to be supplied to the replenisher tank.

The replenisher to be supplied to the replenisher tank is contained in a replenisher case. In the PS plate processor, a piping extending from the replenisher tank is connected to a cap provided in the replenisher case, and thereafter, the replenisher case is turned upside down to allow a replenisher to run down from the replenisher case to the replenisher tank.

However, when the replenisher case is turned upside down in a state in which the piping is connected thereto, breakage or unnatural bending occurs in the piping. As a result, there is a possibility that a replenisher may not reliably run down into the replenisher tank and may remain in the piping or replenisher case.

Further, the operation of mounting the replenisher case filled with the replenisher at a lower side of the apparatus while turning the replenisher case upside down is troublesome because an operator's working posture is not easy and this operation needs to be carried out at a high position.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and a fifth object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus in which a replenisher case filled with a replenisher is easily mounted and a state in which a replenisher remains in a piping or replenisher case can be prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the aforementioned first object of the invention, a first aspect of the present invention is a photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: first blowing means provided adjacent to a photosensitive material conveyance path at a section thereof along which a photosensitive material is conveyed diagonally downward with respect to a surface of a processing solution while being immersed in the processing solution stored in a processing tank, the first blowing means jetting out the processing solution supplied thereto along a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the photosensitive material; second blowing means provided adjacent to the photosensitive material conveyance path at a section thereof along which the photosensitive material is conveyed diagonally upward with respect to the surface of a processing solution while being immersed in a processing solution stored in a processing tank, so that a longitudinal direction of the second blowing means coincides with a widthwise direction of the photosensitive material, the second blowing means jetting out the processing solution supplied thereto, from holes formed along the longitudinal direction of the second blowing means toward a downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material; and circulating means for circulating a processing solution by sucking in, the processing solution within the processing tank, from a suction hole formed at a predetermined position in the processing tank and supplying the sucked processing solution to the first blowing means and the second blowing means.

In accordance with the first aspect, a processing solution is circulated in such a manner that a processing solution in the processing tank is sucked in from a suction hole by circulating means and is jetted out by the first and second blowing means into the processing solution in the processing tank.

At this time, the first blowing means jets out the processing solution at the upstream side of the processing tank along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, thereby allowing the processing solution to flow along a widthwise direction of the photosensitive material conveyed through a conveyance path. Accordingly, a large quantity of processing solution is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material in the early stage of processing using a processing solution, and a variation in the temperature of the processing solution caused by an inserted photosensitive material is lessened. As a result, the photosensitive material can be processed substantially evenly.

Further, the second blowing means jets out a processing solution to a downstream side in the conveying direction at a downstream portion of the processing tank so as to form a flow of processing solution along the conveying direction in the vicinity of the surface of the photosensitive material.

Accordingly, in the final stage of processing using a processing solution, having an influence on finish of the photosensitive material, a flow of processing solution along the conveying direction of the photosensitive material is formed and no processing solution in a relatively fatigued stage is stored. Therefore, no finish unevenness occurs.

Particularly, when the processing solution is jetted out toward the photosensitive material, the jetted processing solution is directly applied to the photosensitive material to cause processing unevenness. However, the aforementioned second blowing means is provided so as to jet out the processing solution from the horizontal direction substantially to the lower side (that is, the blowing hole formed in the second blowing means is formed so that the opening thereof is directed diagonally to the lower side). Therefore, the jetted developer is turned back from the bottom or the tank wall of the developing tank to form a flow along the conveying direction of the photosensitive material. As a result, such processing unevenness can be prevented.

In the first aspect, the suction hole is preferably provided at the bottom of the processing tank between the first and second blowing means.

By providing the suction hole used to circulate the processing solution between the first and second blowing means so that the processing solution is not jetted out toward the suction hole, relatively fresh processing solution jetted out from the first and second blowing means can be kept from being drawn into the suction hole and circulated by the circulating means.

The suction hole is preferably formed at the bottom of the tank, but the present invention is not limited to the same. So long as the processing solution jetted out from the first and second blowing means is not directly drawn in, the suction hole may be provided at an arbitrary position on a wall of the processing tank, or the like.

Further, in the present invention, when temperature adjustment means is provided for maintaining the temperature of the processing solution in a predetermined temperature range, flow-rate control means is also provided for regulating the quantity of processing solution jetted out from the first blowing means, to be larger than the quantity of processing solution jetted out from the second blowing means.

According to the present invention, the flow-rate control means is provided so as to jet out a large quantity of processing solution from the first blowing means at the upstream side of the conveyance path.

As a result, a large quantity of processing solution is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive material in the early stage of processing and processing using a processing solution can be facilitated. The temperature of a photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive material at the upstream side of the conveyance path and the temperature of the processing solution are generally greatly different from each other. However, as the quantity of processing solution jetted out from the first blowing means is increased as described above, the temperature of the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive material can be promptly made equal to the temperature of the processing solution. As a result, the photosensitive material can be processed with a processing solution set at a substantially uniform temperature.

In order to achieve the aforementioned second object of the present invention, a second aspect of the present invention is a photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising a guide plate for conveying a photosensitive material, by which the photosensitive material which is being conveyed is guided, wherein the guide plate comprises: a guide main body whose one surface faces a conveyance path of the photosensitive material; and through holes formed so as to pass through between front and back surfaces of the guide main body, an angle formed between a direction through which the through holes pass and a conveying direction of the photosensitive material being an acute angle.

In accordance with the second aspect, for example, when the through hole is formed as a circular hole, the axial line of the circular hole coincides with a direction through which the hole passes. At this time, in the present invention, an angle formed by the direction through which the through hole passes, and the conveying direction of the photosensitive material guided along a surface of the guide main body adjacent to the conveyance path makes an acute angle.

As a result, in this aspect, even if a corner of the photosensitive material comes into the through hole, it is guided or brought by the internal surface of the through hole to the surface of the guide main body adjacent to the conveyance path. Accordingly, damage to the photosensitive material or transport deficiency caused by the corner of the photosensitive material coming into and being caught in the through hole can be reliably prevented.

In this aspect, an angle α formed between a guide surface of the guide main body adjacent to the conveyance path of the photosensitive material and the photosensitive material abutting against the guide surface, and an angle β formed between the guide surface and an internal surface of the through hole at a downstream side in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material are set so as to satisfy α+β<90°.

Further, in this aspect, a hole width d as the inner diameter of the through hole along the conveying direction of the photosensitive material is set based on a plate thickness t of the guide main body between front and back surfaces thereof, and the angles α and β.

As a result, the through hole can be formed so as to keep the corner of the photosensitive material coming into the through hole from protruding from the through hole to the rear surface of the guide main body, and damage to the photosensitive material and transport deficiency can be more reliably prevented.

In order to achieve the third object of the present invention, a third aspect of the present invention is a photosensitive material processing apparatus including a preprocessing device which preprocesses a planographic printing plate exposed imagewise, prior to development processing, the preprocessing device comprising: a dampening member having a water holding property and provided along a widthwise direction of the planographic printing plate, an end of the dampening member protruding toward a conveyance path of the planographic printing plate being provided so as to abut against the planographic printing plate substantially evenly along the widthwise direction of the printing plate; a spray pipe extending so that a longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction of the planographic printing plate and having holes formed therein along the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe, the spray pipe being provided so as to jet out washing water from the holes toward the dampening member; and a brush roller disposed at a downstream side of the dampening member and the spray pipe in the conveying direction and provided so as to brush the surface of the planographic printing plate to which the washing water is supplied.

In accordance with the third aspect, the dampening member is disposed at the upstream side of the brush roller so as to protrude toward the conveyance path of the planographic printing plate, and abuts against the planographic printing plate, conveyed toward the brush roller, along the widthwise direction of the planographic printing plate. Further, the spray pipe jets out washing water toward the dampening member.

As a result, the dampening member is dampened by washing water jetted out from the spray pipe and the planographic printing plate abuts against the wet dampening member, thereby allowing washing water to be uniformly supplied to the surface of the planographic printing plate along the widthwise direction of the planographic printing plate.

At this time, the dampening member protrudes toward the conveyance path of the planographic printing plate. Therefore, washing water is reliably supplied not only to an intermediate portion of the planographic printing plate in the conveying direction, but also to a leading end or a trailing end thereof, and thereafter, the surface of the planographic printing plate can be brushed with the brush roller.

Accordingly, even when an overcoat layer is removed from the surface of the planographic printing plate, the overcoat layer can be reliably kept from remaining at the leading or trailing end of the planographic printing plate. When the planographic printing plate is subjected to development processing, no developer streak is formed.

Further, in the third aspect, a flow-straightening plate may be further provided which is disposed adjacent to the dampening member so that a longitudinal direction thereof coincides with a longitudinal direction of the dampening member and one end side in the widthwise direction thereof is inclined to face the dampening member, the flow-straightening plate being provided so as to allow washing water jetted out from the spray pipe to run down toward the dampening member while diffusing the washing water along the longitudinal direction thereof.

In this case, so long as washing water is jetted out from the spray pipe to the flow-straightening plate, the flow-straightening plate supplies the washing water to the dampening member while diffusing the washing water along the longitudinal direction thereof, that is, the widthwise direction of the planographic printing plate.

As a result, washing water can be reliably supplied to an entire region of the dampening member in the longitudinal direction thereof, and washing water can be supplied evenly to an entire surface of the planographic printing plate along the widthwise direction thereof.

Further, in the third aspect, the conveyance path of the planographic printing plate may be inclined so that the position at which the brush roller is provided is lower than the position at which the dampening member is provided.

In this case, the planographic printing plate is conveyed at least between the dampening member and the brush roller so that the position at which the brush roller is provided becomes lower than the position at which the dampening member is provided. As a result, washing water supplied from the dampening member can be made to stay on the surface of the planographic printing plate between the dampening member and the brush roller, and therefore, the surface of the planographic printing plate can be brushed with the brush roller in a state of being sufficiently dampened.

In the third aspect, a channel brush is preferably used as the dampening member. As a result, washing water can be supplied evenly to the surface of the planographic printing plate along the widthwise direction thereof. In the present invention, so long as desired rubbing efficiency is obtained, a rubbing member having an arbitrary structure can be used.

In order to achieve the aforementioned fourth object, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: conveyance rollers disposed in a pair with a conveyance path of a photosensitive material interposed therebetween, for conveying the photosensitive material in a processing section for carrying out processing with a processing solution stored therein while nipping the photosensitive material therebetween; and a roller-nip adjustment device in which an operation of mounting and removing the conveyance rollers, and an operation of imparting and releasing nipping force for the rollers are carried out, the roller-nip adjustment device comprising: a bearing supporting portion disposed at a predetermined position on a pair of side plates provided so as to face each other at both sides in a widthwise direction of the photosensitive material orthogonal to the conveying direction thereof; a bearing accommodating portion disposed in the bearing supporting portion to prevent downward movement of a first bearing which supports a lower conveyance roller, and accommodating a second bearing which supports an upper conveyance roller so that the second bearing can move close to and apart from the first bearing; a presser member disposed at a predetermined position in the bearing supporting portion so as to be moved between a position at which the presser member keeps each of the first and second bearings accommodated in the bearing accommodating portion from being pulled out from the bearing accommodating portion, and a position at which the presser member can pull out the first bearing and the second bearing from the bearing accommodating portion, the presser member being provided so as to urge the second bearing by urging force of urging means formed therein at the position at which the pullout is prevented, thereby allowing a predetermined nipping force to be imparted between the upper and lower conveyance rollers; and a mounting lever provided swingably in the presser member and applying urging force of the urging means to the first bearing in a state in which the mounting lever is inclined lower from an upright position at which an end of the lever is turned upward.

In the fourth aspect, the first and second bearings for supporting upper and lower conveyance rollers, respectively, are accommodated in the bearing accommodating portion of the bearing supporting portion mounted in the side plates. In a state in which pullout of the first and second bearings from the bearing accommodating portion is prevented by the presser member, the mounting lever is inclined. As a result, urging force of urging means provided in the presser member is imparted, as nipping force for nipping the photosensitive material, to between the upper and lower conveyance rollers via the first bearing.

Further, as the inclined mounting lever being lifted up to an upright position, nipping force imparted between the conveyance rollers is released, and the presser member is allowed to retreat to a position at which the first and second bearings can be pulled out from the bearing accommodating portion.

As described above, it is possible to carry out an operation of imparting nipping force to between the conveyance rollers and releasing the nipping force, by using a simple operation, that is, a swinging operation of the mounting lever. Further, mounting and removal of the conveyance rollers can be carried out, and maintenance of a conveyance roller pair which forms a conveyance path of the photosensitive material is facilitated.

Further, in the fourth aspect, an apparatus casing in which the processing section is provided, and a cover which closes an upper side of the apparatus casing, may be further provided, and when the mounting lever is set upright with an end thereof turned upward, the end of the mounting lever abuts against the cover to lift up the cover from a position at which the cover closes an interior of the apparatus casing.

When the mounting lever is set at an upright position, the mounting lever abuts against and lifts up the cover. As a result, based on whether the cover is mounted in a normal state or not, it can be clearly determined whether or not a predetermined nipping force is being imparted between a conveyance roller pair. Therefore, a state in which the photosensitive material is processed with no predetermined nipping force being imparted between a conveyance roller pair can be reliably prevented.

Further, some photosensitive material processing apparatuses are each provided with an interlock mechanism which allows processing of a photosensitive material only when the cover is mounted in a normal state. When the interlock mechanism is used, the photosensitive material can be processed only when the photosensitive material can be reliably nipped by the conveyance roller pair. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent transport deficiency or damage to the photosensitive material, which results from that the photosensitive material is processed without being nipped by the conveyance roller pair.

In order to achieve the aforementioned fifth object of the present invention, a fifth aspect of the present invention is a photosensitive material processing apparatus comprising: a photosensitive material processing section which is provided above an apparatus casing and in which a photosensitive material is processed with a processing solution, or a photosensitive material is processed with a processing solution and subjected to drying processing; a trolley which can be moved between a position within a space provided in the apparatus casing and below the photosensitive material processing section, and a position to which the trolley is pulled out from the apparatus casing; a replenisher tank disposed on the trolley and accommodating a replenisher of a processing solution used for processing of the photosensitive material; and a replenisher pump used to supply a replenisher filled in the replenisher tank to a processing tank.

In accordance with the fifth aspect, the trolley with the replenisher tank mounted thereon is moved into a space provided in the apparatus casing so that the replenisher tank is loaded in the apparatus casing. When the trolley is pulled out from the apparatus casing, the replenisher tank can be pulled out from the apparatus.

Accordingly, when a replenisher is supplied to the replenisher tank, the operation therefor can be carried out at an outer side of the apparatus casing. As a result, supply of a replenisher becomes extremely facilitated.

Further, in the fifth aspect, a mounting portion, in which a replenisher case having a substantially rectangular box-shaped configuration and filled with the replenisher is mounted, is formed on the replenisher tank, and the replenisher case can be inserted between the replenisher tank and the photosensitive material processing section when the trolley is moved to a predetermined position in the apparatus casing.

That is, a replenisher case filled with a replenisher may be mounted on the replenisher tank.

As a result, the replenisher case is mounted on the replenisher tank and a replenisher is made to run down from the replenisher case to the replenisher tank. Therefore, an operation of supplying a replenisher to the replenisher tank becomes easy. Further, the trolley is moved with the replenisher case mounted on the replenisher tank, and can be loaded in the apparatus casing. Therefore, the time for the operation of supplying a replenisher to the replenisher tank can be shortened. That is, it suffices that the replenisher case may be loaded in the apparatus casing so that the replenisher runs down from the replenisher case to the replenisher tank. A waiting time until the total quantity of replenisher in the replenisher case flows into the replenisher tank is no longer required.

Further, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, a nozzle provided in the replenisher tank and connected to an outlet opening of the replenisher case by a flexible tube is supported swingably by a holder provided in an inlet opening of the replenisher tank.

That is, the nozzle is swingably mounted to the holder provided at the inlet opening of the replenisher tank, and the flexible tube connected to the nozzle is connected to a replenisher outlet opening of the replenisher case. In this case, when the replenisher case is inverted and mounted on the replenisher tank, the nozzle swings to prevent breakage of the flexible tube. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent a state in which a replenisher remains in the replenisher case due to breakage of the flexible tube, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will be hereinafter given of a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.FIG. 1schematically shows the structure of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate processor110”) applied as an example of photosensitive material processing apparatus. The PS plate processor110carries out processing for a photosensitive planographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate112”), which has been exposed imagewise as a photosensitive material using an exposing device (not shown), with a processing solution. The PS plate112is formed in such a manner that a thin-walled rectangular flat plate such as an aluminum plate is formed as a support and a photosensitive layer is formed on the support. As for the PS plate112, a photopolymerization plate can be applied in which a photosensitive layer is formed by a light adhesive layer, a photopolymerization layer and an overcoat layer in an overlapping state, and is exposed imagewise to laser light to accelerate a polymerization reaction in an image portion of the photopolymerization layer.

The PS plate processor110is provided with a developing section114in which the PS plate112is processed with a developer, a washing section116in which the PS plate112processed with a developer is washed with washing water, a desensitizing section118in which the washed PS plate112is coated with a gum solution for protecting a printing plate and desensitized, and a drying section120for drying the PS plate112. That is, in the PS plate processor110, a developing process, a washing process, a desensitizing process and a drying process are provided in this order in a direction in which the PS plate112is conveyed (which direction is indicated by arrow A in FIG.1).

A processing tank122is provided in the PS plate processor110. The processing tank122includes a developing tank124formed at a position in which the developing section114is located, a washing tank126formed at a position in which the washing section116is located, and a desensitizing tank128formed at a position in which the desensitizing section118is located.

A slit-shaped insertion opening132is formed on an outer panel130which covers the processing tank122, and an insertion portion134is formed in the processing tank122between the insertion opening132and the developing section114.

The PS plate processor110is provided with covers136and138which cover the upper side of the processing tank122and the upper side of the drying section120, respectively. The cover136at the side of the insertion opening132is disposed so as to cover an upper side of a region from the insertion portion134to the washing section116in the processing tank122. The cover138is disposed so as to cover an upper side of a region from the washing section116to the drying section120.

The cover136includes an insertion opening for reentry (an auxiliary insertion opening)140in which the PS plate112is inserted between the developing section114and the washing section116. The auxiliary insertion opening140is used to insert therein the PS plate112when the PS plate processor110is to be processed at a section other than the developing section114.

A conveyance roller pair142made of rubber is disposed in the insertion portion134adjacent to the insertion opening132. The PS plate112on which an image is printed is inserted from the insertion opening132along the direction indicated by arrow A and sent into between the conveyance roller pair142.

When the conveyance roller pair142is driven to rotate, the PS plate112is pulled in from the insertion opening132and sent into the developing section114at a conveying angle of about 15 to 31 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, a single-sided PS plate112with a photosensitive layer being formed on a support at one surface thereof is used. The PS plate112is inserted from the insertion opening132into the PS plate processor110in a state in which the photosensitive layer faces upward.

The developing tank124formed in the processing tank122is constructed so that the bottom center thereof protrudes downward to have a substantially mountain-shaped configuration, and a developer used for development processing of the PS plate112is stored in the developing tank124. The developing tank124is provided with guide plates144and146at a lower side thereof (along the base thereof) and along a direction in which the PS plate112is conveyed. In the developing tank124, conveyance roller pairs148,150and152are provided at an upstream side (at the side of the insertion portion134) and midstream and downstream sides (at the side of the washing section116), in addition to the guide plates144and146.

The PS plate112pulled in by the conveyance roller pair142from the insertion opening132is sent into between the conveyance roller pair148. The conveyance rollers148pulls the PS plate112in the developing tank124and conveys the same onto the guide plate146.

The guide plate144is disposed between the conveyance roller pairs148and150, and guides the PS plate112conveyed by the conveyance roller pair148toward the conveyance roller pair140diagonally to the lower side. Further, the guide plate146is disposed between the conveyance roller pairs150and152, and guides the PS plate112conveyed by the conveyance roller pair150along the bottom of the developing tank124diagonally to the upper side.

As a result, the PS plate112is immersed in a developer while being guided and conveyed in the developing tank124along the substantially U-shaped conveyance path.

The conveyance roller pair152is formed by rollers of which outer peripheries are made of rubber, and is provided so as to pull out the PS plate112from the developing tank124by nipping the PS plate112guided by the guide plate146, and convey the same to the washing section116. At this time, the conveyance roller pair152sends out the PS plate112while squeezing out a developer from the PS plate112pulled out from the developing tank124.

In the developing tank124, spray pipes154and156are provided at the side of lower surfaces of the guide plates144and146, respectively. Further, a large number of through holes (not shown) are formed on each of the guide plates144and146.

The spray pipes154and156are each provided so as to jet out a developer when a developer stored in the developing tank124is supplied to the spray pipes via circulating means (described later). As a result, the developer in the developing tank124is agitated so that the PS plate112can be uniformly processed. At this time, due to the developer flowing from the through holes formed in the guide plates144and146toward the conveyance path of the PS plate112, rapid development processing of the PS plate112is realized and also processing unevenness of the PS plate112is prevented.

A brush roller158and a conveyance roller160are provided in the developing tank124so as to face the guide plate146. The brush roller158brushes the surface of the PS plate112by rotating in a state in which a hair member is made to contact the surface of the PS plate112immersed in the developer and conveyed on the guide plate146, and facilitates removal of an unnecessary photosensitive layer from the surface of the PS plate112. At this time, the conveyance roller160prevents the PS plate112, brushed by the brush roller158, from rising to the liquid surface from the guide plate146.

Due to the PS plate112being thus conveyed in the developing tank124while being immersed in the developer, a photosensitive layer exposed to light and no longer required is removed.

In the washing section116, a conveyance path is formed so as to convey the PS plate112substantially in the horizontal direction by conveyance roller pairs162and164disposed above the washing tank126. The PS plate112is conveyed horizontally above the washing tank126in a state of being nipped by the conveyance roller pairs162and164.

In the washing section116, spray pipes166and168which make a pair in the vertical direction are provided between the conveyance roller pairs162and164with the conveyance path of the PS plate112interposed therebetween. The spray pipes166and168are disposed so that the axial direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction of the PS plate112(a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the PS plate112is conveyed). A plurality of blowing openings (not shown) are formed in each of the spray pipes166and168along the axial direction of the spray pipe so as to face the conveyance path of the PS plate112.

Washing water is stored in the washing tank126and supplied to the spray pipes166and168synchronously with conveying of the PS plate112. As a result, washing water is jetted out from the spray pipes166and168toward the PS plate112and a developer adhering to the surface of the PS plate112is washed off.

When the PS plate112is sent out by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair164, the washing water supplied to the PS plate112is squeezed out from front and back sides of the PS plate112together with the developer adhering to the front and back sides of the PS plate112, and thereafter, recovered in the washing tank126. Washing water is jetted out from the spray pipe166toward an upstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate112and washing water is jetted out from the spray pipe168toward a downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate112. However, the directions in which washing water is jetted out from the spray pipes166and168are not limited to the same, and other directions may be adopted.

In the desensitizing section118, a conveyance roller pair170is provided above the desensitizing tank128. The PS plate112is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair164toward the conveyance roller pair170and conveyed within the desensitizing section118, and thereafter, it is further conveyed toward the drying section120by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair170.

In the desensitizing section118, a spray pipe172is provided above the conveyance path of the PS plate112, and a spray pipe174is provided below the conveyance path of the PS plate112. The spray pipes172and174are disposed with the conveyance path of the PS plate112interposed therebetween so that the longitudinal direction (axial direction) thereof coincides with the widthwise direction of the PS plate112. Further, a plurality of blowing openings are formed in each of the spray pipes172and174along the widthwise direction of the PS plate112.

A gum solution used to protect the printing surface of the PS plate112is stored in the desensitizing tank128and supplied to the spray pipes172and174synchronously with conveying of the PS plate112. The spray pipe172drops the gum solution toward the PS plate112and spreads the same on the surface of the PS plate112. Further, the spray pipe174jets out the gum solution from the blowing openings toward the back surface of the PS plate112and applies the same to the back surface of the PS plate112.

A protective film is formed by applying a gum solution to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112. The direction to which the gum solution is jetted out from the spray pipe172is not limited to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate112, and other directions may be adopted. Alternatively, the gum solution may drop to be applied to or coated on the surface of the PS plate112in such a manner that the gum solution jetting out toward a flow-straightening plate is uniformly diffused by the flow-straightening plate along the widthwise direction of the PS plate112. Further, in place of the spray pipe174, for example, a discharging unit may be used in which the gum solution is applied to the surface of the PS plate112while the PS plate112is being moved in contact with the discharged gum solution.

In the desensitizing section118, a washing spray176is provided above the conveyance roller pair170and a washing roller178is provided so as to rotate in contact with an upper roller of the conveyance roller pair170. At a predetermined timing, washing water is dropped from the washing spray176via the flow-straightening plate180at a position in which the upper roller of the conveyance roller pair170and the washing roller178contact each other. This makes it possible for the washing water to uniformly diffuse on a peripheral surface of the upper roller of the conveyance roller pair170and the gum solution is washed off from the peripheral surfaces of upper and lower rollers in the conveyance roller pair170. As a result, damage to the PS plate112caused by the gum solution being firmly fixed to the peripheral surfaces of the rollers is prevented.

The PS plate112to which the gum solution is applied in the desensitizing section118is nipped by the conveyance roller pair170and conveyed to the drying section120in a state in which the gum solution slightly remains on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112.

In the PS plate processor110, a partition plate182is provided between the desensitizing section118and the drying section120. This partition plate182is disposed above the conveyance path of the PS plate112so as to face an upper end of the processing tank122. As a result, a slit-shaped insertion opening184is formed between the desensitizing section118and the drying section120. The partition plate182has a double structure, and a groove-shaped air passage is formed in the insertion opening184at the side of the drying section120so that air within the drying section120may infiltrate into the air passage. As a result, a state in which the air within the drying section120infiltrates into the desensitizing section118from the insertion opening184is prevented.

In the drying section120, a supporting roller186which supports the PS plate112is disposed in the vicinity of the insertion opening184. A conveyance roller pair190is disposed in the intermediate portion of the drying section120in the conveying direction of the PS plate112, and a conveyance roller pair192is disposed in the vicinity of an exhaust opening188. The PS plate112is conveyed within the drying section120by the supporting roller186and the conveyance roller pairs190and192.

A pair of ducts194and196is provided between the supporting roller186and the conveyance roller pair190and also between the conveyance roller pair190and the conveyance roller pair192, with the conveyance path of the PS plate112interposed between each pair of ducts. The ducts194and196are disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction of the PS plate112, and a slit hole198is formed on a surface of each duct which faces the conveyance path of the PS plate112.

When dry air generated by a dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to each duct194,196from one longitudinal-direction end of the duct, the dry air is discharged from the slit hole198toward the conveyance path of the PS plate112and blown against the PS plate112. As a result, the gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112is dried and a protective film is thereby formed.

A shielding lid1100is disposed in the developing section114so that the lower surface thereof is located below the liquid surface of the developer stored in the developing tank124. Therefore, an area in which the liquid surface of the developer within the developing tank124is in contact with the air is reduced. Further, the auxiliary insertion opening (an insertion opening for reentry)140of the cover136is closed by a shielding member (not shown) to prevent outside air from infiltrating into the developing section114. The space between the shielding lid1100and each upper roller of the conveyance roller pairs148and152projecting from the liquid surface is reduced, thereby preventing deterioration of the developer in the developing tank124due to the developer coming in contact with carbon dioxide in the air. Alternatively, a bladed shielding member made of silicon rubber or the like may be provided between the shielding lid1100, processing tank122, and conveyance roller pairs148and152, thereby preventing the developer within the developing tank124from coming in contact with outside fresh air or preventing evaporation of water content in the developer.

FIG. 2shows a piping system for a processing solution in the PS plate processor110. One end of piping1102is connected to the processing tank122of the PS plate processor110at the bottom of the developing tank124. The other end of the piping1102is connected to the spray pipes154and156which are disposed within the developing tank124, and a circulating pump1104and a filter1106are provided in an intermediate portion of the piping1102. When the circulating pump1104is activated, the developer in the developing tank124is supplied to the spray pipes154and156and jetted out from the spray pipes154and156into the developing tank124, thereby allowing circulation and agitation of the developer. At this time, when the developer passes through the filter1106, suspended matters are removed therefrom.

One end of piping1110is connected to the bottom of the washing tank126. The other end of the piping1110is connected to the spray pipes166and168, and a circulating pump1112and a filter1114are provided in an intermediate portion of the piping1110. As a result, washing water within the washing tank126is supplied to the spray pipes166and168due to operation of the circulating pump1112while suspended matters are being removed by the filter1114.

Further, one end of piping1116is connected to the bottom of the desensitizing tank128. The other end of the piping1116is connected to the spray pipes172and174, and a circulating pump1118and a filter1120are provided in an intermediate portion of the piping1116. As a result, when the circulating pump1118is activated, a gum solution within the desensitizing tank128is supplied to the spray pipes172and174while suspended matters are being removed by the filter1120.

An overflow pipe1122is provided in the developing tank124. One end of piping1124is connected to the overflow pipe1122, and the other end thereof is connected to a waste liquid tank (not shown). An overflow pipe1126is provided in the washing tank126, and an overflow pipe1128is provided in the desensitizing tank128. Respective one ends of piping1130and piping1132are respectively connected to the overflow pipes1126and1128, and respective another ends of the piping1130and piping1132are each connected to a waste liquid tank (not shown).

As a result, excessive developer, washing water and gum solution in the developing tank124, the washing tank126and the desensitizing tank128are made to flow into the overflow pipes1122,1126and1128, respectively, and are discharged into the waste liquid tank.

The piping1102for circulation of a developer branches at an input side of the circulating pump1104and is connected via a waste liquid valve1134to piping1124. Further, the piping1110for circulation of washing water branches at an input side of the circulating pump1112and is connected via a waste liquid valve1136to piping1130, and the piping1116for circulation of a gum solution branches at an input side of the circulating pump1118and is connected via a waste liquid valve1138to piping1132.

The developer within the developing tank124, washing water within the washing tank126, and gum solution within the desensitizing tank128can be discharged by opening the waste liquid valves1134,1136and1138.

The PS plate processor110is provided with: a replenisher tank1140filled with a developer replenisher to be supplied to the developing tank124as a replenisher of developer, a replenisher tank1142filled with a gum solution replenisher to be supplied to the desensitizing tank128as a replenisher of gum solution, and a replenishment water tank1144filled with water. Water stored in the replenishment water tank1144is used to dilute a developer replenisher or a gum solution replenisher and replenish water for the washing tank126. Due to tap water being supplied to the replenishment water tank1144via piping (not shown), the quantity of water stored in the tank is maintained in a predetermined range.

Further, a mixing tank1146is also provided in the PS plate processor110in the vicinity of the developing tank124. Respective one ends of piping1148and piping1150are each opened in the mixing tank1146. The other end of the piping1148is connected to the replenisher tank1140, and a replenisher pump1152is provided in an intermediate portion of the piping1148. The other end of the piping1150is inserted in the replenishment water tank1144and a replenishment water pump1154is provided in an intermediate portion of the piping1150.

In the PS plate processor110, when a replenisher is replenished for the developing tank124, the replenisher pump1152and the replenishment water pump1154are activated at a predetermined timing, a developer replenisher and water (dilution water) used to dilute the developer replenisher at a predetermined ratio are supplied into the mixing tank1146as replenishers.

One end of piping1156is connected to the bottom of the mixing tank1146. The other end of the piping1156is connected at an input side of the circulating pump1104. As a result, a replenisher supplied into the mixing tank1146is sucked up due to operation of the circulating pump1104and supplied to the spray pipes154and156while being mixed with the developer within the developing tank124.

In the PS plate processor110, auxiliary tanks1158and1160are provided adjacent to the washing tank126and the desensitizing tank128, respectively. One end of piping1162opens in the auxiliary tank1158disposed in the washing tank126and the other end thereof opens in the replenishment water tank1144. Further, respective one ends of piping1164and piping1166each open in the auxiliary tank1160disposed in the desensitizing tank128. The other end of the piping1164is connected to the replenisher tank1142and the other end of the piping1166opens in the replenishment water tank1144.

The piping1162and the piping1166are respectively provided with replenishment water pumps1168and1170at intermediate portions thereof. The piping1164is provided with a replenisher pump1172at an intermediate portion thereof.

When the replenishment water pump1168is activated, water in the replenishment water tank1144is supplied to the auxiliary tank1158as new washing water. When the replenisher pump1172and the replenishment water pump1170are activated, a gum solution replenisher in the replenisher tank1142and water used to dilute the gum solution replenisher at a predetermined ratio are supplied, as a replenisher of gum solution to be replenished for the desensitizing tank128, to the auxiliary tank1160.

One end of piping1174is connected to the bottom of the auxiliary tank1158, and the other end thereof is connected to an input side of a circulating pump1112. Further, one end of piping1176is connected to the bottom of the auxiliary tank1160, and the other end thereof is connected to an input side of a circulating pump1118.

When the circulating pump1112is activated, water within the auxiliary tank1158is supplied to the spray pipes166and168while being mixed with washing water within the washing tank126. When the circulating pump1118is activated, a replenisher within the auxiliary tank1160is supplied to the spray pipes172and174while being mixed with the gum solution within the desensitizing tank128.

In the PS plate processor110, due to each operation of the circulating pumps1104,1112and1118, replenisher pumps1152and1172, and replenishment water pumps1154,1168and1170being controlled based on predetermined conditions, circulation of developer, washing water and gum solution, and replenishment of replenishers for the developing tank124, washing tank126and desensitizing tank128are carried out.

A conventionally known method can be applied to the aforementioned control, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

The PS plate processor110is also provided with piping1178of which one end is connected to a washing spray176and of which another end opens in the replenishment water tank1144. A washing pump1180is provided in an intermediate portion of the piping1178. When the washing pump1180is activated, water within the replenishment water tank1144is supplied to the washing spray176to allow washing of the conveyance roller pair170in the desensitizing tank128.

At this time, water used for washing the conveyance roller pair170is recovered into the desensitizing tank128and the recovered water in the desensitizing tank128is used to dilute a gum solution replenisher. However, water used to dilute a gum solution replenisher may also be supplied using the washing pump1180, not using the piping1166and the replenishment water pump1170.

A developer sucked up from the developing tank124by the circulating pump1104is supplied to the spray pipe154provided as first blowing means and also to the spray pipe156provided as second blowing means, and jetted out from the spray pipes154and156into the developer in the developing tank124.

As shown inFIG. 3in detail, the spray pipe154is provided below the guide plate144at an upstream side of the developing tank124. Further, as shown inFIG. 4, the spray pipe154extends from one end of the developing tank124in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, to the other end thereof, and is made to open at an intermediate portion of the developing tank124along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

The spray pipe154is adapted to jet out the developer sucked up by the circulating pump1104along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112.

As a result, a flow of developer along the widthwise direction of the PS plate112is formed within the developing tank124at the upstream side of the conveyance path of the PS plate112. That is, developer jetted out from the spray pipe154is turned back by a rack side plate1200disposed in the developing tank124or a side wall1202of the developing tank124and flows along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Accordingly, the developer within the developing tank124flows along the surface of the PS plate112conveyed at the upstream side of the developing tank125, from one end to the other end of the widthwise direction of the PS plate112, and liquid displacement is carried out in the vicinities of the surface of the PS plate112.

InFIG. 3, the shielding lid1100and the like are not shown. Further, inFIG. 4, the guide plates144and146provided above the spray pipes154and156, the conveyance roller160, and the like are not shown.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the spray pipe156is disposed below the guide plate146at the downstream side of the developing tank124. As shown inFIG. 4, the spray pipe156is disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112. Further, a large number of exhaust holes1204are formed in the spray pipe156. These exhaust holes1204are formed along the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe156at predetermined intervals. Further, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the exhaust holes1204are each disposed diagonally to the lower side at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate112. The space between the exhaust holes1204may be set so that developer can be substantially uniformly jetted out from the spray pipe156in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112.

As a result, the developer supplied from the circulating pump1104to the spray pipe156is jetted out from the spray pipe156to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate112and a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate112is formed at the downstream side in the conveyance path of the PS plate112. That is, the developer jetted out from the spray pipe156is turned back by the bottom of the developing tank124or the tank wall1206at the downstream side of the developing tank124to form a flow along the conveying direction of the PS plate112.

Due to the aforementioned flow of developer, a developer having a uniform processing performance along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112is supplied to the PS plate112conveyed on the guide plate146, and liquid displacement is effectively carried out in the vicinities of the surface of the PS plate112.

As shown inFIG. 3, a suction hole1210is formed on a bottom plate1208disposed at the lowest position of the bottom of the developing tank124between the spray pipes154and156. When the circulating pump1104is activated, the developer within the developing tank124is sucked into the suction hole1210. Further, the developing tank124is also provided with a heater1212, serving as temperature adjustment means to heat the developer, in the vicinity of the suction hole1210.

As a result, the developer heated by the heater1212principally flows into the suction hole1210.

In the PS plate processor110, the developer within the developing tank124is set substantially at a uniform temperature due to a developer heated by the heater1212being jetted out from the spray pipes154and156. So long as the suction hole1210is positioned such that the developer jetted out from the spray pipes154and156does not directly flow therein, it is not necessary that the suction hole1210may be provided on the bottom plate1208between the spray pipes154and156. For example, the suction hole1210may be provided on a tank wall of the developing tank124, or the like.

A conventionally known method can be used to carry out temperature adjustment control of a developer using the heater1212, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment. Further, the heater1212may be provided in the midstream of the piping1102in which the developer is circulated, instead of being provided within the developing tank124. Moreover, a heat exchanger used to cool a developer or adjust the temperature thereof, or the like may also be provided in the piping1102in addition to the heater1212.

As shown inFIG. 2, a branch pipe1214is provided in the piping1102at a portion in which the piping1102is branched into the spray pipes154and156. The branch pipe1214includes flow-rate control means such as an orifice (not shown) so that the quantity of developer to be supplied to the spray pipe154becomes larger than that to be supplied to the spray pipe156. In the present embodiment, the ratio between quantities of developer discharged from the spray pipes154and156is, by way of example, set so as to be 6:4 to 8:2.

In the PS plate processor110described above, when the PS plate112on which an image is recorded by being exposed using a printing device (not shown) is inserted from the insertion opening132, the conveyance roller pair142is driven to rotate. As a result, the PS plate112is pulled in the PS plate processor110by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair142.

In the PS plate processor110, a sensor is provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening132and is used to detect the PS plate112passing through the insertion opening132. When this sensor detects insertion of the PS plate112, the conveyance roller pair142and the like are driven to rotate, and at a timing based on detection of the PS plate112by the sensor, washing water is discharged from the spray pipes166and168of the washing section116and a gum solution is discharged from the spray pipes172and174of the desensitizing section118.

The conveyance roller pair142is used to convey the PS plate112inserted from the insertion opening132in the developing tank124, at an inlet angle of 15 to 31 degrees to the horizontal direction. As a result, the PS plate112is conveyed within the developing tank124by the conveyance roller pairs148,150and152while being guided by the guide plates144and146and immersed in the developer stored in the developing tank124. Thereafter, the PS plate112is discharged from the developer at an outlet angle of 17 to 31 degrees.

Due to the PS plate112being immersed in the developer within the developing tank124, an unnecessary photosensitive layer swells in accordance with an exposed image and the swollen photosensitive layer is removed from a support. At this time, in the PS plate processor110, the surface of the PS plate112(the surface with the photosensitive layer formed thereon) is brushed by the brush roller158disposed within the developing tank124to facilitate removal of the unnecessary photosensitive layer from the surface of the PS plate112.

The PS plate processor110may be provided so as to brush the surface of the PS plate112using a plurality of brush rollers, or may be provided so as to carry out processing for the PS plate112using no brush roller.

The PS plate112subjected to development processing and discharged from the developing tank124is conveyed to the washing section116by the conveyance roller pair152. At this time, the conveyance roller pair152is used to squeeze out a developer adhering to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112.

In the washing section116, washing water is jetted out from the spray pipes166and168toward the PS plate112while the PS plate112is being conveyed substantially in the horizontal direction in a state of being nipped by the conveyance roller pairs162and164. Further, the conveyance roller pair164disposed at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate112is used to squeeze out washing outer supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112together with a remaining developer which has not been squeezed out by the conveyance roller pair152, and conveys the PS plate112to the desensitizing section118.

As a result, when the PS plate112passes through the washing section116, a developer remaining on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112is washed off.

The PS plate112conveyed to the desensitizing section118passes through between the spray pipes172and174and is discharged from the desensitizing section118in the state of being nipped by the conveyance roller pair170.

At this time, in the desensitizing section118, a gum solution is jetted out from the spray pipes172and174and applied and diffused uniformly to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112. The conveyance roller pair170squeezes out an excessive gum solution from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112while nipping and conveying the PS plate112, thereby forming a uniform thin film of gum solution on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112.

The PS plate112coated with a gum solution is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair170from the insertion opening184to the drying section120. In a case in which a shutter is provided at the insertion opening184, the shutter is activated at a timing of starting processing of the PS plate112or at a timing at which the PS plate112is discharged from the desensitizing section118, to open the insertion opening184, so that, when the PS plate112does not pass therethrough, dry air of the drying section120does not inadvertently flow into the desensitizing section118and cause a gum solution to firmly adhere to the conveyance roller pair170. Further, the air flowing from the insertion opening184is reliably prevented from reaching the developing section114to cause deterioration in the developer due to carbon dioxide in the air. Further, water content of the developer, washing water and water content of the gum solution is reliably prevented from evaporating and escaping from the insertion opening184.

In the drying section120, dry air is blown against the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112from the ducts194and196while the PS plate112is being conveyed by the supporting roller186and the conveyance roller pairs190and192. As a result, a protective film is formed on the PS plate112by a gum solution applied on the surface of the PS plate112, and the PS plate112is discharged from the exhaust opening188.

In the PS plate processor110, the developer within the developing tank124is circulated and agitated by the circulating pump1104while being heated by the heater1212, and maintained in a predetermined temperature range in which the PS plate112can be finished most suitably.

In the PS plate processor110, the developer is sucked into the suction hole1210formed on the bottom plate1208of the developing tank124by operating the circulating pump1104. The developer is supplied to the spray pipes154and156via the piping1102, and jetted out from the spray pipes154and156into the developing tank124.

The spray pipe154is provided at the upstream side of the developing tank124and jets out the developer along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112to form a flow of developer along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112in the vicinity of the guide plate144.

As a result, liquid displacement is carried out in which a fresh developer is supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112inserted from the insertion portion134and guided to be conveyed on the guide plate144while a developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate112is discharged by a developer flowing along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

At this time, in the PS plate processor110, the branch pipe1214is provided in the piping1102used to circulate the developer, and a large quantity of developer is thereby jetted out from the spray pipe154. As a result, rapid liquid displacement is carried out on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112conveyed on the guide plate144, and development processing of the PS plate112is facilitated by this displacement of the developer.

The temperature of the PS plate112inserted in the developing tank124is, in general, lower than the temperature of the developer, which temperature is different from the temperature of the developer at which the PS plate112is most suitably processed. To this end, the temperature of the developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate112initially inserted in the developer is influenced by the temperature of the PS plate112, and the temperature of the developer does not fall within the temperature range in which the PS plate112is most suitably processed.

At this time, in the PS plate processor110, a large quantity of developer is jetted out from the spray pipe154provided at the upstream side of the developing tank124, to prevent the temperature of the developer in the vicinities of the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112from changing under the influence of the temperature of the PS plate112.

In other words, the temperature of a developer at the upstream side of the developing tank124is kept from changing under the influence of the temperature of the PS plate112, by rapidly removing a developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate112, the temperature of which developer tends to decrease under the influence of the temperature of the PS plate112, by jetting out a large quantity of developer from the spray pipe154. Accordingly, efficient development processing of the PS plate112can be started.

As a result, the temperature of developer within the developing tank124is properly maintained. That is, the temperature of developer can be adjusted with high accuracy by jetting out a large quantity of developer to the upstream side of the developing tank124.

Further, in the PS plate processor110, the developer is jetted out from the spray pipe156disposed at the downstream side of the developing tank124toward the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate112. As a result, a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate112is formed in the vicinities of the front and back surfaces of the PS plate conveyed on the guide plate146provided at the downstream side, and liquid displacement is carried out by the developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate112.

The developer passing through the downstream side of the developing tank124has relatively been fatigued, as compared with a fresh developer. A finish of development processing is influenced by the difference in the processing performance of developer. In the PS plate processor110, in order to prevent a finishing unevenness caused by the developer jetting out from the spray pipe156being directly blown against the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112, the developer is jetted out diagonally to the lower side at the downstream side of the conveying direction.

In the PS plate processor110, a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate112is formed at the downstream side of the developing tank124, as described above. Thus, a developer having uniform processing performance is supplied to the PS plate112along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112.

As a result, the PS plate processor110prevents, the difference in the processing performance of the developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate112, from being made along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate112and causes no unevenness in a finished state by development processing.

As described above, in the PS plate processor110, a large quantity of developer is jetted out from the spray pipe154at the upstream side of the developing tank124along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate, so as to improve temperature adjustment accuracy of the developer. Further, rapid liquid displacement in the vicinities of the front and back surfaces of the PS plate112conveyed at the upstream side is carried out so as to facilitate development processing.

In the PS plate processor110, the developer is jetted out from the spray pipe156so that a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate112is formed at the downstream side of the developing tank124. Accordingly, development processing can be carried out without causing unevenness in a finished state of the PS plate112.

Furthermore, in the PS plate processor110, the spray pipes154and156are each adapted not to jet out the developer toward the suction hole1210into which developer within the developing tank124is sucked by the circulating pump1104. For this reason, a relatively fresh developer jetted out from the spray pipes154and156is not kept from being sucked into the suction hole1210, and development processing of the PS plate112is carried out using the relatively fresh developer.

As a result, the PS plate112of high quality can be finished efficiently using the developer stored in the developing tank124.

The structure of the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, there was described a case in which the developer within the developing tank124used for development processing of the PS plate112is provided as a processing solution. However, the present invention is not limited to the same and can be applied to any suitable processing tank in which the PS plate112is conveyed and processed in a state of being immersed in a processing solution.

Further, in the present embodiment, there was described a case in which the PS plate112is used as a photosensitive material and the PS plate processor110is used to process the PS plate112with a processing solution. The present invention, however, is not limited to a printing plate such as the PS plate112, and can also be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus having any suitable structure in which a photosensitive material such as photographic printing paper or a photographic film is conveyed and processed while being immersed in a processing solution.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a processing solution is jetted out by first blowing means provided at the upstream side of a processing tank along a direction orthogonal to a direction in which a photosensitive material is conveyed, and a processing solution is jetted out by second blowing means provided at the downstream side of the processing tank toward the downstream side in the direction in which the photosensitive material is conveyed, thereby resulting in that a photosensitive material can be efficiently processed with the processing solution and finished with high quality.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.FIG. 5schematically shows the structure of a PS plate processor210which is applied to the second embodiment as a photosensitive material processing apparatus. The second embodiment is similar to the aforementioned first embodiment, and therefore, only structures and operation different from those of the first embodiment will be described and descriptions of the same structures and operation as those of the first embodiment will be basically omitted.

In the PS plate processor210based on the present embodiment, guide plates244and246provided in a developing tank224have important features (which differs noticeably from those of the first embodiment). Therefore, the guide plates244and246will be particularly described below.

The guide plate244is provided at the upstream side of the developing tank224(near an insertion opening232), and guides a PS plate212, fed in by a conveyance roller pair242, diagonally to the lower side. The guide plate246is provided at the downstream side of the developing tank224and guides the PS plate212along the bottom of the developing tank224diagonally to the upper side.

Further, a conveyance roller pair245is provided in the developing tank224between the guide plates244and246. When the conveyance roller pair245is driven to rotate, it conveys the PS plate212guided by the guide plate244toward the guide plate246while imparting conveying force to the PS plate212. As a result, the PS plate212is immersed in a developer while being guided and conveyed within the developing tank224along a substantially U-shaped conveyance path.

The developing tank224is provided with, near a washing section216, a conveyance roller pair248formed by rollers whose outer peripheries are made of rubber. The PS plate212is guided by the guide plate246toward the conveyance roller pair248, and pulled out form the developing tank224by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair248. The PS plate212is thus immersed in a developer when conveyed within the developing tank224, an unnecessary portion of a photosensitive layer exposed imagewise swells due to the developer and is peeled from a support, and an unnecessary photosensitive layer is removed in accordance with an exposure image.

Spray pipes250are provided within the developing tank224respectively at lower sides of the guide plates244and246. A developer within the developing tank224, which is sucked by a pump (not shown), is supplied to each spray pipe250and jetted out from the spray pipe250. As a result, the developer within the developing tank224is agitated and the PS plate212can be uniformly processed.

Thus, in the present embodiment, processing solution jetting/circulating means including the spray pipes250may basically have a known structure, but of course may be structured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

As described above, the guide plates244and246, serving as guide plates used to convey a photosensitive material, are provided within the developing tank224of the PS plate processor210, and used to form a conveyance path for guiding to convey the PS plate212along a substantially U-shaped conveyance path.

FIG. 6schematically shows the guide plate246. In the following, the guide plate246will be described as an example, and a description of the guide plate244will be omitted.

A guide main body2100of the guide plate246is formed substantially into a flat plate. The upper surface of the guide main body2100(which corresponds to the upper side of the paper ofFIG. 6) is provided as a guide surface2104facing the PS plate212. Further, the guide main body2100is slightly bent at an intermediate portion thereof in the conveying direction of the PS plate212so that the downstream side of the guide main body2100in the conveying direction of the PS plate212is disposed at a slightly upper position than the lower side.

A shaft2106is inserted in and passes through an upstream-side end of the guide main body2100in the conveying direction of the PS plate212. As the shaft2106is laid at a predetermined position and spanning between a pair of side plates (not shown) which forms a processing rack disposed in the developing tank224, a portion of the guide main body2100at the upstream side of the PS plate212is held at a predetermined position within the developing tank224.

Further, a leg portion2108is provided at each of both ends of the guide main body2100in the widthwise direction of the PS plate212orthogonal to the conveying direction so as to extend downward in a direction opposite to the conveyance path of the PS plate212. An end of the guide main body2100at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate212is held at a predetermined position within the developing tank224by spanning the leg portions2108between the pair of side plates of the processing rack or causing the leg portions2108to abut against a supporting portion (not shown) protruding from the bottom of the developing tank224.

As a result, the guide plate246which guides the PS plate212in an upward direction can be formed by the guide main body2100, between the pair of side plates (not shown) within the developing tank224. The guide plate246is formed in such a manner that guide main bodies2100of which number corresponds to the transverse dimension of the PS plate212are joined together along the widthwise direction of the PS plate212.

A large number of through holes2110are formed on the guide main body2100at predetermined intervals. InFIG. 6, the through holes2110are arranged at predetermined intervals both in the longitudinal and widthwise directions of the PS plate212, but the present invention is not limited to the same. For example, the through holes2110may be arranged diagonally at a predetermined angle with respect to the conveying direction of the PS plate212, or may be formed at random.

When the developer in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the PS plate212passes through the through holes2110of the guide main body2100in the developing tank224, the developer can be discharged toward the bottom of the developing tank224and a fresh developer can be made to flow from the bottom side of the developing tank224toward the conveyance path of the PS plate212.

As shown inFIG. 7, the PS plate212is guided along the guide surface2104in such a manner that the end thereof is moved in contact with the guide surface2104of the guide main body2100.

The through holes2110formed in the guide main body2100are formed such that each hole opening on the guide surface2104faces the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate212. The direction to which the through hole opens indicates, for example, the axial direction of the through hole when the through hole2110is formed as a circular hole. The through holes2110shown inFIGS. 6 and 7are each formed so that the axial direction thereof is directed to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate212.

The guide surface2104of the guide main body2100is disposed along the conveying direction of the PS plate212. As a result, the PS plate212is moved so that the leading end thereof abuts against the guide surface2104at a predetermined angle α.

Further, when the angle formed between the direction to which each of the through holes2110formed in the guide main body2100opens, and the guide surface2104is indicated as β, an angle formed between an internal surface2112of the through hole2110at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate212, and the guide surface2104equals to the angle β.

At this time, in the PS plate processor210, when the sum of angle α and angle β is indicated as angle θ, the angle θ is made to become an acute angle, preferably 45 degrees or less.α+β=θ0<θ<90°preferably,0<θ<45°that is,0<(α+β)<90°preferably,0<(α+β)<45°

The angle θ becomes an angle formed when the leading end of the PS plate212abuts against the internal surface2112of the through hole2110. When the angle θ is made to become an acute angle, even if a corner212A of the PS plate212in the widthwise direction is pulled into the through hole2110, the corner212A is moved along the internal surface2112and comes out from the through hole2110without being caught therein, and the leading end of the PS plate212can be moved again on the guide surface2104.

The angle α formed between the PS plate212and the position of the guide main body2100, namely, the guide surface2104on the upper surface of the guide main body2100can be determined based on the positional relationship between the PS plate212conveyed within the developing tank224and the guide main body2100. In order to prevent transport deficiency caused by the corner212A of the leading end of the PS plate212moving into the through hole2110, the thickness of the guide main body2100, the size of the through hole2110formed in the guide main body2100, and the like need to be set based on the angles α and β.

If the angles α and β are set in the aforementioned ranges and the corner212A of the PS plate212moving into the through hole2110does not come out from the through hole2110, the corner212A should be in a state of protruding from the through hole2110toward the rear surface of the guide main body2100.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 7, assuming that a distance from the guide surface2104of the guide main body2100to the rear surface of the guide main body2100along the internal surface2112of the through hole2110is indicated as length M, an intersecting point of a line obtained by extending the leading end of the PS plate212facing, at the angle α, the guide surface2104of the guide main body2100, and the direction along the length M, is indicated as point X, and a distance from the guide surface2104to the point X along the length M is indicated as N, if M>N, it is possible to prevent the leading end of the PS plate212from protruding from the through hole2110to the rear surface of the guide main body2100.

A point located at an edge of the through hole2110at the side of the guide surface2104, and also located at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate212, is indicated as point Z. Point Z′ as another edge of the through hole2110at the side of the guide surface2104, which is opposite to point Z and at the internal surface2112A inFIG. 7, is determined. A line normal to the internal surface2112B is drawn from point Z′. A line as an extension of the internal surface2112B is drawn in the direction of “M”. The intersecting point of these two lines are indicated as Y in FIG.7. Here, the angle γ is obtained based on the following expression:
β+γ=90° and γ=90°−β.

In this case, when the distance between point Z and point Y is length Q and the distance between point X and point Y is length P, an expression, M>Q−P must be satisfied to realize the relationship M>N.

Lengths M, P and Q are each expressed as below based on angles α, β and γ, plate thickness t, and hole width d of the through hole2110between the internal surface2112A and the internal surface2112B.M=t/cos γ=t/cos(90−β)Q=d·tan γ=d·tan(90−β)P=d·tan(γ−α)=d·tan(90−α−β)
Accordingly, the through hole2110is preferably formed so as to satisfy the following expression.
d·tan(90−β)−d·tan(90−α−β)<t/cos(90−β)

As a result, even if the corner212A of the PS plate212comes into the through hole2110, the corner212A can be reliably kept from protruding from the rear surface of the guide main body2100(the side opposite to the guide surface2104) and being caught by the guide main body2100.

In the PS plate processor210structured as described above, when the PS plate212on which an image is recorded by a printing device (not shown) is placed on an insertion table240and inserted in the insertion opening232, the PS plate212is pulled in by the conveyance roller pair242and conveyed to the developing section214. In the PS plate processor210, a timer is used so that the PS plate212passing through the insertion opening232is detected by the sensor (not shown). The timer is used for operating driving means for conveying the PS plate212, and measuring a timing at which washing water is discharged from the spray pipes262A and262B of the washing section216or a timing at which a gum solution is discharged in the desensitizing section218.

In the developing section214, the PS plate212is inserted by the conveyance roller pair242at an inlet angle of 15 to 31 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and conveyed while being immersed in the developer. Further, the PS plate212is discharged from the developer at an outlet angle of 17 to 31 degrees. When the PS plate212is immersed in the developer in the developing section214, an unnecessary portion of a photosensitive layer swells in accordance with an exposure image, and the swollen photosensitive layer is removed from a support. At this time, the surface of the PS plate212is brushed by the bush roller280disposed within the developing tank224to facilitate removal of an unnecessary photosensitive layer from the surface of the PS plate212.

In the PS plate processor210, the PS plate212may be brushed with a plurality of brush rollers280disposed so as to face the surface of the PS plate212, or may be processed using no brush roller280.

The PS plate212processed with the developer and discharged from the developer in such a manner as described above is pulled out by the conveyance roller pair248and conveyed to the washing section216. Subsequent operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the guide plate246is provided within the developing tank224of the PS plate processor210, and the PS plate212is conveyed by the guide plate246in a bent state and immersed in the developer.

Further, the through holes2110are formed in the guide plate246, and a relatively fresh developer is supplied via the through holes2110to the guide surface2104of the guide main body2100, serving as the conveyance path of the PS plate212.

As a result, the developer in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the PS plate212, which has been deteriorated due to the PS plate212being processed therewith, is discharged from the vicinity of the conveyance path of the PS plate212, and the PS plate212can be entirely subjected to development processing using a developer having a substantially uniform processing performance.

Further, suspended matters adhering to the PS plate212are brought into the developing tank224and reside on the guide surface2104of the guide main body2100. Such suspended materials can be discharged by way of the through holes2110toward the bottom of the developing tank224.

As a result, in the PS plate processor210, there is no possibility that the product quality deteriorates due to uneven development caused by adhesion of suspended materials in the developing tank224to the PS plate212and/or variation in processing performance of the developer.

The PS plate212is conveyed in such a manner that the leading end thereof abuts against the guide surface2104of the guide main body2100. At this time, when the corner212A of the PS plate212moves into the through hole2110formed in the guide main body2100, damage such as corner bending, or transport deficiency may be caused.

According to the present embodiment, the through holes2110are formed in the guide main body2100of the guide plate246so that the angle θ which is the sum of the angle α formed between the guide surface2104and the PS plate212when the leading end of the PS plate212abuts against the guide surface2104, and the angle/formed between the guide surface2104and the internal surface2112, becomes an acute angle.

As a result, when the corner212A of the PS plate212moves into the through hole2110and abuts against the internal surface2112, it is possible to prevent the corner212A from protruding from the rear surface of the guide main body2100at the innermost position of the through hole2110. Thus, even if the corner212A of the PS plate212abuts against the internal surface2112, it can be moved back toward the guide surface2104.

Accordingly, the PS plate212can be smoothly guided by reliably preventing damage to the PS plate212or transport deficiency, which is caused by the corner212A of the PS plate212moving into the through hole2110.

Further, in the through hole2110formed in the guide main body2100, the angle β and the hole width d are set based on the plate thickness t of the guide main body2100. Therefore, there is no possibility that the corner212A of the PS plate212moving into the through hole2110may protrude from the rear surface of the guide main body2100. As a result, smooth conveying of the PS plate212becomes possible by reliably preventing damage to the PS plate212or transport deficiency, which is caused by the corner212A of the PS plate212moving into the through hole2110and protruding from the rear surface of the guide main body2100.

In the present embodiment described above, a circular hole is formed as the through hole2110, but the shape of the through hole2110is not limited to the same.

For example, through holes2124formed in a guide main body2120shown inFIG. 8each have a rectangular opening at the side of a guide surface2122. It suffices that the through holes2124are formed in the guide main body2120so that the angle θ which is the sum of the angle β formed between the guide surface2122and an internal surface2126of the through hole2124at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate212, and the angle α formed between the PS plate212and the guide surface2122is less than 90 degrees, and more preferably less than 45 degrees.

In the present embodiment, the guide plate246within the developing tank224was described as an example, but naturally, the present embodiment can also be applied to the guide plate244.

Further, the photosensitive material processing apparatus using the guide plates to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the PS plate processor210. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a PS plate processor having any suitable structure in which a conveyance path of a PS plate is formed using a guide plate in which through holes are formed for circulation of a processing solution, or to a photosensitive material processing apparatus having any suitable structure in which not only the PS plate212, but other photosensitive material such as photographic printing paper or a film are processed.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, there was described the guide surface2104or2122of the guide main body2100or2120, which is bent to become a concave surface. However, the present invention is not limited to the same, and the guide surface may be formed as a flat surface.

As described above, the present embodiment has an excellent effect that the sum of the angle α formed between a photosensitive material and a guide surface which faces a conveyance path of the photosensitive material, and the angle β formed between the guide surface and an internal surface of a through hole is made into an acute angle, thereby reliably preventing damage to the photosensitive material and transport deficiency, which is caused by a corner of the photosensitive material moving into the through hole, and reliably allowing smooth conveying of the photosensitive material.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the third embodiment is basically the same as the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the first embodiment except that a preprocessing apparatus is provided which carries out preprocessing such as removal of an overcoat layer, prior to development processing of a printing plate such as a photopolymerization plate having an overcoat layer formed thereon. Therefore, only structures and operation of the preprocessing apparatus peculiar to the present embodiment will be described hereinafter and the same structures and operation as those of the first embodiment will be basically omitted.

FIG. 9schematically shows the structure of a preprocessing apparatus310according to the present embodiment.

The preprocessing apparatus310is used when development processing is carried out after a planographic printing plate, in which a photosensitive layer has been formed on one surface of a support (a rectangular thin film made of aluminum or the like), is exposed imagewise by an exposure device (not shown). More specifically, the preprocessing apparatus310is used to carry out pre-heating processing and pre-washing processing prior to development processing. As for a planographic printing plate to be processed by the preprocessing apparatus310, a so-called photopolymerization plate (hereinafter referred to as a “photopolymerization plate312”) is used in which an overcoat layer, such as an oxygen cutoff layer, is formed on an upper surface of a photosensitive layer formed by a light adhesive layer and a photopolymerization layer being overlapped with each other.

That is, the present embodiment is applied to a case in which a photopolymerization plate is used in the photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present invention, and the preprocessing apparatus for preprocessing a photopolymerization plate is a part of the photosensitive material processing apparatus.

When the photopolymerization plate312having a four-layer structure is exposed imagewise by scanning thereon laser light based on image data using an exposure device such as a setter, a polymerization reaction is accelerated in an image portion of a photopolymerization layer. Further, when the photopolymerization plate312is subjected to heating processing (pre-heating processing) prior to development processing, a polymerization reaction is accelerated in a photopolymerization layer of an image portion, so that the photopolymerization layer is firmly adhered to a support via a light adhesive layer. As a result, resistance to printing can be improved. Furthermore, due to the photopolymerization plate312being subjected to pre-washing processing to allow removal of an overcoat layer, the time for development processing can be reduced and the product quality is improved.

In the preprocessing apparatus310, the photopolymerization plate312is subjected to pre-heating processing and pre-washing processing prior to development processing. The photopolymerization plate312preprocessed by the preprocessing apparatus310is basically subjected to development processing by the same automatic processor as that of the first embodiment. However, an automatic processor having any suitable structure may be used so long as it allows development processing for the photopolymerization plate312. Further, the preprocessing apparatus310applied to the present embodiment may be used alone separately from the automatic processor, or may be used in a state of being connected to the automatic processor.

In an apparatus casing314of the preprocessing apparatus310, a pre-heating section316for a pre-heating process is provided at the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photopolymerization plate312, and a pre-washing section318for a pre-washing process is provided at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photopolymerization plate312.

In the apparatus casing314, an insertion opening320is formed at the upstream side of the pre-heating section316, and a conveyance roller pair322is provided between the insertion opening320and the pre-heating section316. When the photopolymerization plate312is inserted in the insertion opening320along the direction indicated by arrow A, it is pulled in by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair322. A plate detecting sensor324is provided at an inner side of the insertion opening320. When the plate detecting sensor324detects the leading end of the photopolymerization plate312inserted from the insertion opening320, driving of the conveyance roller pair322and the like is started.

In the pre-heating section316, a plurality of skewer rollers328are provided within a heating chamber326. The skewer rollers328are each formed in such a manner that, for example, a plurality of short rollers are rotatably supported along the axial direction with a predetermined space therebetween and made slightly movable along the axial line. Even if a support thermally expands due to the photopolymerization plate312being heated in the pre-heating section316, occurrence of an undulate state of a support is prevented by the skewer rollers328.

In the heating chamber326, heaters332serving as heating means are provided near an inlet330and a circulating fan334is provided at the upstream side of the heaters332.

The circulating fan334supplies the air to the heaters332and blows out the heated air against the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate312. The air within the heating chamber326is thus agitated so that the temperature thereof becomes substantially uniform and reaches a predetermined temperature. At this time, the circulating fan334blows out the air, heated by the heaters332provided near the inlet330, against the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate312(in the direction indicated by arrow B) to remove cold air on the surface of the photopolymerization plate312inserted from the inlet330, from the surface of the photopolymerization plate312, thereby accelerating heating of the photopolymerization plate312by the heaters332.

In the pre-heating section316, a photopolymerization layer of the photopolymerization plate312is properly polymerized and hardened by setting a predetermined temperature and a predetermined heating time when the photopolymerization plate312passes through the heating chamber326. As a result, resistance to printing of the photopolymerization plate312is improved.

The photopolymerization plate312having passed through the heating chamber326is conveyed from the outlet336to the pre-washing section318. A cooling section is provided between the outlet336of the heating chamber326and the pre-washing section318. Prior to a supply of washing water to the photopolymerization plate312conveyed from the heating chamber326in the pre-washing section318, the photopolymerization plate312is cooled by a cooling fan (not shown). As a result, wrinkles in the photopolymerization plate312, which are caused by the photopolymerization plate312being rapidly cooled by washing water supplied in the pre-washing section318, can be prevented.

The pre-washing section318is provided with a washing tank338, and a washing tank340filled with washing water is formed within the washing tank338.

In the pre-washing section318, conveyance rollers342,344and346are disposed in a zigzag manner from the side of the pre-heating section316. The conveyance rollers342and346are provided so as to face the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate312and the conveyance roller344is disposed between the conveyance rollers342and346so as to face the lower surface of the photopolymerization plate312.

As a result, the photopolymerization plate312conveyed into the pre-washing section318is conveyed between the conveyance rollers342and346, and the conveyance roller344.

Further, the upper end of the conveyance roller344is located at a position higher than the lower ends of the conveyance rollers342and346. The conveyance rollers342and346are provided so that a line tangential to respective lower ends thereof is directed downward at the downstream side in the conveying direction. Therefore, when the photopolymerization plate312is conveyed between the conveyance rollers342and346, the photopolymerization plate312is bent by the conveyance roller344so as to be made slightly convex at an upper side thereof, and thereafter, the photopolymerization plate312is conveyed out from between the conveyance rollers344and346slightly diagonally to the lower side.

The conveyance rollers342and346are each formed as a skewer roller in which a plurality of short rollers are slightly movable along the axial direction thereof. Due to this structure of each conveyance roller and the aforementioned zigzag arrangement of the conveyance rollers342,344and346, even if the photopolymerization plate312shrinks by being heated in the pre-heating section314, occurrence of wrinkles or the like is prevented.

In the pre-washing section318, a brush roller348and a back-up roller350are provided in a pair at the downstream side of the conveyance roller346with the one above the other. The position at which the brush roller348and the back-up roller350contact each other is lower than the lower end of the conveyance roller346. As a result, the photopolymerization plate312is conveyed and inserted in between the brush roller348and the back-up roller350slantingly from the position between the conveyance rollers344and346.

In the pre-washing section314, a spray pipe352is provided between the conveyance roller346and the brush roller348, and a spray pipe354is provided above the brush roller348. The spray pipes352and354are each supplied with washing water within the washing tank340using a washing pump (not shown) or the like. Any conventionally known structure can be used to supply washing water to the spray pipes352and354, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 10, the spray pipe352is hollow and one end thereof in the longitudinal direction is opened. A plurality of holes356are formed in the spray pipe352at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe352. As a result, washing water supplied to the spray pipe352is jetted out from the holes356.

As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, a holder358is mounted at the spray pipe352. The holder358is formed so as to have a substantially L-shaped cross sectional configuration by a top plate360disposed substantially in the horizontal direction, and a hanging plate362extending downward from one widthwise direction end of the top plate360. The holder358is disposed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe352.

Both longitudinal-direction ends of the hanging plate362are each bent inward to form a pair of leg plates364. The leg plates364each include an insertion hole366corresponding to an outer diameter of the spray pipe362.

Further, a flow-straightening plate368is provided in the holder358so as to extend from a lower end of the hanging plate362in the widthwise direction thereof. When the top plate360of the holder358is disposed substantially in the horizontal direction, the flow-straightening plate368is inclined so as to face diagonally to the lower side.

The holder358is connected to the spray pipe352in such a manner that the spray pipe352is inserted in each of the insertion holes366from the side of one longitudinal-direction end thereof. At this time, the spray pipe352and the holder358are held by a bracket (not shown) so that the holes356are directed to the vicinity of the bent portion between the hanging plate362and the flow-straightening plate368, and further mounted at a predetermined position in the pre-washing section318so that the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe352coincides with the widthwise direction of the photopolymerization plate312orthogonal to the conveying direction of the photopolymerization plate312.

As a result, washing water jetted out from the holes356of the spray pipe352flows down on the flow-straightening plate368while being diffused in the widthwise direction of the photopolymerization plate312, that is, the longitudinal direction of the flow-straightening plate.

An attachment plate370is formed at an end of the top plate360of the holder358opposite to a side in which the hanging plate362is formed. The attachment plate370is formed by bending a widthwise direction end of the top plate360so as to be made substantially parallel to the hanging plate362, and the spray pipe352is disposed between the hanging plate362and the attachment plate370.

A channel brush372serving as a dampening member is mounted in the attachment plate370. For the channel brush372, any suitable structure can be used in which, for example, a bundle of brush material374of a predetermined length is folded back at the intermediate portion thereof, and the folded intermediate portion is inserted in a channel member376having a substantially U-shaped cross sectional configuration, and the brush material374is fixed to the channel member376by carrying out caulking processing for the channel member376, and thereafter, the ends of the brush material374is trimmed so as to be aligned to a predetermined length.

Further, a presser plate378is mounted to the holder358. The presser plate378is bent along the widthwise direction thereof at an angle slightly smaller than a right angle to form a presser portion380. As the presser plate378is mounted to the plate360of the holder358, the presser portion380is made to face the attachment plate370of the holder358.

The channel brush372is formed so that the channel member376is made to face the attachment plate370of the holder358with the brush material374disposed at the lower side. In this state, the presser plate378is mounted at the top plate360of the holder358. At this time, the channel brush372is mounted to the holder358by fixing the channel member376to the holder358with the channel member376interposed between the attachment plate370and the presser portion380.

As shown inFIG. 11, in the channel brush372mounted to the holder358, the lower end of the brush material374reaches a position lower than the flow-straightening plate368. As a result, washing water jetted out from the spray pipe352adheres to the brush material374of the channel brush372and is held within the brush material374, and excessive washing water flows out from the brush material374.

As shown inFIGS. 9 and 11, the leading end of the brush material374of the channel brush372is made to protrude toward the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate312inclined between the conveyance roller346and the brush roller348. As a result, the channel brush372(brush material374) abuts and rubs against the surface of the photopolymerization plate312conveyed from a position between the conveyance rollers344and346to a position between the brush roller348and the idle roller350.

Further, as shown inFIG. 10, the transverse dimension of the channel brush372is longer than that of the photopolymerization plate312. As a result, the channel brush372is made to evenly abut against an entire region of the photopolymerization plate312along the widthwise direction thereof.

At this time, when washing water is jetted out from the spray pipe352, washing water is evenly supplied to the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate312.

As shown inFIG. 9, the holder358is mounted to the spray pipe354disposed above the brush roller348. The lower end of the flow-straightening plate368of the holder358is directed to the upper portion of the brush roller348. As a result, washing water jetted out from the spray pipe354is supplied to the brush roller348while being diffused by the flow-straightening plate368along the axial direction of the brush roller348.

When the photopolymerization plate312is nipped between the brush roller348and the idle roller350, the brush roller348is adapted to have a predetermined brush pressure. As a result, when the photopolymerization plate312passes through a position between the brush roller348and the idle roller350with the brush roller348being rotated in a predetermined direction, the brush roller348brushes the surface of the photopolymerization plate312.

As shown inFIG. 9, a guide plate382is provided between the conveyance roller346and the spray pipe352at the lower side of the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate312. When the guide plate382is used, the trailing end of the photopolymerization plate312conveyed out from between the conveyance rollers344and346significantly hangs down due to its own weight or the weight of washing water supplied to the surface of the plate, and washing water staying on the surface of the photopolymerization plate312runs down. Accordingly, adhesion of washing water staying on the surface of the photopolymerization plate to the conveyance roller344is reliably prevented.

Namely, there is no possibility that washing water containing components of an overcoat layer and adhering to the conveyance roller344may adhere to a back surface of the photopolymerization plate312, so that the photopolymerization plate312may slip on the idle roller350during conveying thereof or the photopolymerization plate312may be contaminated.

Further, a guide plate384is provided below the idle roller350in an inclined manner. Washing water jetting out from the spray pipes352and354falls from the idle roller350on the guide plate384, so as to prevent bubbling or scattering of washing water, which results from that washing water falling from the idle roller350directly hits against the liquid surface of the washing water stored in the washing tank340.

A skewer roller386is provided in the pre-washing section318at the downstream side of the brush roller348. The skewer roller386prevents the photopolymerization plate312, which is being located at the upper side of the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate312and passing through between the brush roller348and the idle roller350, from rising to the liquid surface by being brushed with the brush roller348and being moved apart from the conveyance path.

A conveyance roller pair388is provided at the downmost position at the downstream side of the pre-washing section318. The conveyance roller pair388discharges the photopolymerization plate312, while squeezing out washing water supplied from the spray pipes352and354to the photopolymerization plate312, from the front and back surfaces of the photopolymerization plate312.

An overcoat layer at the uppermost position of the photopolymerization plate312swells with water and is apt to be peeled off. When the overcoat layer in the swollen state is brushed with the brush roller348or the like, the overcoat layer can be reliably removed.

In the pre-washing section318, washing water is supplied from the spray pipe352to the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate312discharged from the position between the conveyance rollers344and346, to swell the overcoat layer, and thereafter, the photopolymerization plate is brushed with the brush roller348to remove an overcoat layer from the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate312.

In the pre-washing section318, the overcoat layer removed from the surface of the photopolymerization plate312is recovered, together with washing water, in the washing tank340. Further, the washing tank340is provided so that fresh washing water is supplied thereto by fresh water supplying (or replenishing) means (not shown). As a result, excessive washing water and the removed overcoat layer are discharged from the washing tank340by overflow means (not shown).

The conveyance roller pair388is disposed in the apparatus casing314and is used to discharge the photopolymerization plate312from an exhaust opening390. As shown inFIG. 9, when the conveyance roller pair388within the apparatus casing314is omitted and a processing apparatus such as an automatic processor is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the preprocessing apparatus310, a conveyance roller pair provided at the most upstream position at the upstream side of the processing apparatus may be used as the conveyance roller pair388.

In the preprocessing apparatus310structured as described above, when the photopolymerization plate312exposed imagewise is inserted in the pre-heating section316, the photopolymerization plate312is heated at a predetermined heating temperature and for a predetermined heating time, to increase the degree of polymerization of a photopolymerization layer in an image portion. As a result, resistance to printing of the photopolymerization plate312is increased.

The photopolymerization plate312having passed through the pre-heating section316is conveyed to the pre-washing section318. In the pre-washing section318, the photopolymerization plate312is sent out diagonally to the lower side while conveying force is being imparted to the photopolymerization plate312by the conveyance rollers342,344and346disposed in a zigzag manner. As a result, the photopolymerization plate312is conveyed to a position between the brush roller348and the back-up roller350.

In the preprocessing apparatus310, when a state in which the photopolymerization plate312is inserted is detected by the plate detecting sensor324, the conveyance roller pair322and the like are driven, to start conveying processing of the photopolymerization plate312. At the same time, in the preprocessing apparatus310, based on a timing of detecting a plate by the plate detecting sensor324, washing water within the washing tank340is supplied to the spray pipes352and354provided in the pre-washing section318.

When washing water is supplied to the spray pipe354, the spray pipe354jets out the washing water toward the flow-straightening plate368and supplies the washing water to the brush roller348while diffusing the washing water by the flow-straightening plate368.

Further, when washing water is supplied to the spray pipe352, the spray pipe352supplies the washing water from the holes356to the flow-straightening plate368. As a result, washing water runs down the flow-straightening plate368toward the brush material374of the channel brush372while being diffused by the flow-straightening plate368in the longitudinal direction of the channel brush372, that is, the widthwise direction of the photopolymerization plate312, so that washing water adheres to the brush material374of the channel brush372and stays within the brush material374.

The leading end of the photopolymerization plate312sent out from a position between the conveyance rollers344and346is conveyed between the brush roller348and the idle roller350while the leading end abuts against the end of the channel brush372. At this time, the brush material374of the channel brush372protruding toward the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate312abuts and rubs against the leading end of photopolymerization plate312.

As a result, washing water stored within the brush material374of the channel brush372is supplied to the leading end of the photopolymerization plate312. At this time, the brush material374of the channel brush372are provided so as to contact an entire region of the photopolymerization plate312along the widthwise direction thereof, and therefore, washing water is supplied from the brush material374of the channel brush372to an entire region of the leading end of the photopolymerization plate312along the widthwise direction thereof.

The photopolymerization plate312, to which washing water is uniformly supplied to the entire region along the widthwise direction of the photopolymerization plate, is conveyed in between the brush roller348and the idle roller350in a state in which an overcoat layer swells with washing water and is apt to be peeled off, and brushed with the brush roller348.

Accordingly, the overcoat layer is reliably and uniformly removed from the leading end of the photopolymerization plate312.

Further, when washing water supplied from the spray pipe352via the flow-straightening plate368is excessively supplied to the channel brush372, the washing water runs down from the channel brush372to the surface of the photopolymerization plate312which abuts against the channel brush372. At this time, the photopolymerization plate312is conveyed in an inclined manner so that the position thereof becomes lower at the side of the brush roller348, and therefore, washing water is accumulated on the surface of the photopolymerization plate312at the upstream side of the brush roller348.

When the washing water is accumulated on the surface of the photopolymerization plate312, the overcoat layer reliably swells with the washing water. When the photopolymerization plate312is brushed with the brush roller348in the state in which the overcoat layer has sufficiently swollen, the overcoat layer is reliably removed.

The leading end of the brush material374in the channel brush372protrudes toward the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate312. Therefore, the leading end of the brush material reliably comes into contact with the photopolymerization plate312up to the trailing end thereof and washing water used to swell the overcoat layer can be supplied entirely to the surface of the photopolymerization plate312.

Accordingly, an overcoat layer at the trailing end of the photopolymerization plate312is also reliably removed.

Further, the photopolymerization plate312brushed with the brush roller348, to remove an overcoat layer therefrom, is nipped by the conveyance roller pair388and passed to a subsequent process, in a state in which washing water has been squeezed out from the photopolymerization plate312together with the overcoat layer removed from the surface of the photopolymerization plate312.

As described above, in the preprocessing apparatus310applied to the present embodiment, brushing with the brush roller348is carried out by supplying washing water to the photopolymerization plate312from the leading end to the trailing end thereof, and therefore, in a reliably manner, there is no possibility that the overcoat layer may remain unevenly at the leading and trailing ends of the photopolymerization plate. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the overcoat layer remaining on the surface of the photopolymerization plate312partially delays development during developing processing of the photopolymerization plate312, thereby causing uneven finishing such as uneven development. In other words, the surface of the photopolymerization plate312can be finished by being uniformly subjected to development processing.

The aforementioned embodiment is not provided so as to restrict the structure of the present invention thereto. For example, in the present embodiment, the channel brush372is used as the dampening member, but the present invention is not limited to the same. The channel brush372can be replaced with a common brush, a band-shaped cloth material such as textile fabrics having a high water holding property, or a sponge material. Here, the channel brush372preferably has a high wear resistance, thereby suppressing wear thereof caused by contact with the surface of the photopolymerization plate312. The channel brush372thus formed can be used for a long period of time.

Further, in the present embodiment, washing water jetted out from the spray pipe352is supplied to the brush material374of the channel brush372via the flow-straightening plate368. However, washing water may also be jetted out directly toward the brush material374by turning the holes374toward the brush material374without using the flow-straightening plate368.

Moreover, the aforementioned structure can be applied to a preprocessing apparatus having any suitable structure, in which the surface of a planographic printing plate such as a photopolymerization plate is brushed with a brushing member such as a brush roller while supplying washing water to the surface of the planographic printing plate.

As described above, in the present embodiment, washing water jetted out from the spray pipe can be evenly supplied by a dampening member to an entire region from a leading end to a trailing end of the planographic printing plate in the conveying direction, along the widthwise direction of the planographic printing plate. Therefore, when, for example, an overcoat layer or the like is removed from the surface of the planographic printing plate, the state in which the overcoat layer partially remains can be reliably prevented. That is, the overcoat layer or the like can be removed from an entire region on the surface of the planographic printing plate.

As a result, an excellent effect is obtained in which partial remaining of the overcoat layer is reliably prevented. As a result, unevenness in finishing such as uneven development is reliably prevented.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.FIG. 12schematically shows the structure of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processor (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate processor410”) based on a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present embodiment.

The present embodiment is similar to the aforementioned first embodiment. Therefore, only structures and operation different from those of the first embodiment will be described and the same structures and operation as those of the first embodiment will be basically omitted.

The PS plate processor410based on the fourth embodiment is noticeably different from the PS plate processor110of the first embodiment in that conveyance rollers of the processor410disposed in a pair are easily mounted in a removable manner and nipping force is easily imparted to the conveyance rollers. A device used to remove/attach the conveyance rollers and impart nipping force will be particularly described hereinafter.

The PS plate processor410carries out processing, with a processing solution, for a photosensitive planographic printing plate (used as a photosensitive material and referred hereinafter to as a “PS plate412”) exposed imagewise by an exposure device (not shown). The PS plate412is formed by a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, which support is a thin-walled rectangular flat plate such as an aluminum plate. For the PS plate412, a photopolymerization plate can also be used in which a photosensitive layer is formed by a light adhesive layer, a photopolymerization layer and an overcoat layer in an overlapped state and is exposed imagewise to laser light to accelerate a polymerization reaction in an image portion of the photopolymerization layer.

The PS plate processor410of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of conveyance roller pairs442,448,450,452,462,464,470,490,492and the like, which nip the PS plate412and impart conveying force to the PS plate412. These conveyance roller pairs each have nipping force for nipping the PS plate412between facing conveyance rollers. Further, the conveyance roller pairs452,464and470provided at the downstream side in each processing section for processing with a processing solution are each mounted, in a state in which a large nipping force is imparted thereto between facing conveyance rollers for the purpose of squeezing out a processing solution adhering to the surface of the PS plate412from the surface of the PS plate412.

With reference toFIGS. 14to18, a holder4110used for mounting the conveyance roller pair464provided in a washing section416of the PS plate processor410will be described.

As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, the conveyance roller pair464is formed by an upper conveyance roller4112and a lower conveyance roller4114and is provided so as to nip the PS plate412between the conveyance rollers4112and4114. The conveyance rollers4112and4114each may be comprised of, for example, a rubber roller in which an outer periphery of a metal cylinder is covered with an elastic member such as silicone rubber.

The conveyance rollers4112and4114are each provided with a gear (not shown) at an axial-direction end thereof. A general structure in which respective gears mesh with each other at the outer peripheries thereof and thus the gears (the rollers) are rotated integrally is applied to these conveyance rollers.

A rotating shaft (not shown) protruding from both axial-direction ends of each conveyance roller4112,4114is inserted in a roller bearing4116. The conveyance rollers4112and4114of the conveyance roller pair464are rotatably supported by holding the roller bearings4116at predetermined positions in the washing section416. At this time, the respective roller bearings4116of the conveyance rollers4112and4114are integrally held by the holder4110.

As shown inFIGS. 14,15,16A and16B, the holder4110is formed so as to have a substantially U-shaped configuration by a pair of side frames4118and a lower frame4120which connects respective one ends of the pair of side frames4118. An accommodating portion4122for the roller bearings4116(seeFIGS. 17 and 18) is provided between the pair of side frames4118. As a result, the roller bearings4116are accommodated within the accommodating portion4122by being inserted between the side frames4118from an open side opposite to the lower frame4120. InFIGS. 14,15,16A and16B, the roller bearings4116mounted in the holder4110, and the conveyance rollers4112and4114are not shown.

As shown inFIG. 16B, a leg plate4124is formed so as to extend from the pair of side frames4118. The leg plates4124respectively extend from the pair of side frames4118in parallel with each other, and the respective ends thereof opposite to the side frames4118are connected by a base plate4126. As a result, the holder4110is formed so as to have a substantially U-shaped configuration when seen from the open side of the pair of side frames4118(that is, when seen from the upper side inFIGS. 14,15,16A and16B), and the roller bearings4116are accommodated in the accommodating portion4122so that the conveyance rollers4112and4114are disposed at a side opposite to the base plate4126. The roller bearings4116are each formed into a rectangular block when seen from outside, and rotation thereof is prevented in a state in which the bearings4116are inserted between the pair of side frames4118.

Further, the base plate4126includes an extending portion4126A formed so as to extend from the lower end thereof in parallel with the lower frame4120.

As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, the holder4110is mounted at a pair of side plates4128disposed in the washing section416. A mounting groove4130having a widthwise dimension corresponding to an interval between the leg plates4124(not shown in these drawings) of the holder4110is formed in the side plate4128at a predetermined position corresponding to a position at which the conveyance roller pair464is mounted. The holder4110is inserted from the extending portion4126A of the base plate4126and mounted in the mounting groove4130. At this time, the holder4110is fixed to the side plate4128due to a protrusion formed at the lower end of the mounting groove4130being fitted in between the extending portion4126A of the base plate4126, and the lower frame4120.

As shown inFIG. 15, a locking pin4132is mounted at one of the side frames4118(for example, a side frame4118A). A flange portion4136is formed at one end of a shaft4134, and the locking pin4132is fixed to the side frame4118A in such a manner that the shaft4134is inserted in the side frame4118A from a side opposite to the flange portion4136. At this time, the locking pine4132is fixed with a predetermined interval being formed between the flange portion4136and the end of the side frame4118A.

Further, a presser receiving portion4138is mounted at the other side frame4118(for example, a side frame4118B) of the holder4110. The presser receiving portion4138is formed substantially in the shape of a bar and is fixed to the side frame4118B by being fitted in the side frame4118B from a longitudinal-direction end thereof.

A pin hole4142in which a pin4140is inserted is formed in the presser receiving portion4138at an end thereof protruding from the side frame4118B.

As shown inFIGS. 14,15,16A and16B, in the holder4110, a presser member4144is mounted in the pair of side frames4118. The presser member4144is formed in such a manner that a pair of leg plates4148are mounted to an elongated block-shaped base portion4146. The leg plates4148are each formed substantially in a triangular shape. Further, a pin hole4150is formed in each of the pair of leg plates4148so that the longitudinal direction thereof is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the base plate4146.

The presser member4144is mounted in such a manner that the presser receiving portion4138of the side frame4118B is interposed between the pair of leg plates4148, and is further mounted to the side frame4118B due to the pin4140, inserted in the pin holes4150of the leg plates4148, being inserted in the pin hole4142of the presser receiving portion4138. At this time, the presser member4144is made rotatable around the pin4140.

Further, a pair of leg portions4152facing the locking pin4132is formed in the presser member4144so as to face a direction opposite to the leg plates4148. The interval between the leg portions4152is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the shaft4134of the locking pin4132and is narrower than the outer diameter of the flange portion4136. When the presser member4144is mounted to the side frame4118, respective ends4152A of the leg portions4152are interposed between the flange portion4136of the locking pin4132and the upper end of the side frame4118A.

In the state in which the pin4140is inserted in the elongated pin holes4150of the leg plates4148, the presser member4144can be moved between a fixed position at which the ends4152A of the leg portions4152catch the shaft4134below the flange portion4136of the locking pin4132, and a withdrawal position at which the ends4152A of the leg portions4152retreat from the positions below the flange portion4136of the locking pin4132.

The presser member4144closes the end side of the pair of side frame4118at the fixed position to prevent pullout of the roller bearings4116from between the pair of side frames4118. Further, the presser member4144rotates around the pin4140at the withdrawal position of the ends4152A of the leg portions4152, to open a space between the ends of the pair of side frames4118to allow insertion and removal of the roller bearings4116.

A mounting hole4154is formed in the base portion4146of the presser member4144. The mounting hole4154is formed along the longitudinal direction of the base portion4146. The diameter of the mounting hole4154at the upper end of the base portion4146is made small, and the diameter thereof in a region from the intermediate portion to the lower end portion of the base portion4146is made larger.

A compression coil spring4156and a pusher pin4158are inserted and mounted in the mounting hole4154. One end of a shaft4160of the pusher pin4158is enlarged in diameter to form a presser portion4162. As shown inFIG. 16B, the lower end of the mounting hole4154corresponds to the outer diameter of the presser portion4162, and the shaft4160of the pusher pin4158is inserted in the mounting hole4154so that the presser portion4162is disposed at the lower side, that is, at the side of the accommodating portion4122between the side frames4118. At this time, due to the shaft4160being inserted in the compression coil spring4156, the compression coil spring4156is disposed within the mounting hole4154so as to be able to urge the pusher pin4158in a direction in which the presser portion4162of the pusher pin4158is pushed out from the mounting hole4154, that is, toward the accommodating portion4122.

As shown inFIG. 15, a pin hole4164is formed at an end of the pusher pin4158opposite to the presser portion4162of the shaft4160, and a lever4168is mounted to the pusher pin4158via a pin4166inserted in the pin hole4164.

As shown inFIGS. 14,15,16A and16B, a pin hole4170in which the pin4166is inserted is formed at a longitudinal-direction end of the lever4168. The lever4168is connected to the pusher pin4158and mounted to the presser member4144by inserting the pin4166inserted in the pin hole4170, in the pin hole4164(seeFIG. 15) formed in the shaft4160of the pusher pin4158. Further, the lever4168is rotatable around the pin4166.

The pin hole4164of the shaft4160is protruded from the upper end of the base portion4146against urging force of the compression coil spring4156, so that the lever4168is mounted to the presser member4144. The pin hole4170in the lever4168is positioned so that a distance therefrom to a longitudinal-direction end of the lever is longer than a distance therefrom to an end of the lever in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

In the presser member4144, when the lever4168is inclined so that the longitudinal direction thereof is made orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the base portion4164, the pusher pin4158allows the presser portion4162to protrude toward the accommodating portion4122due to urging force of the compression coil spring4156(see FIGS.16A and16B). Further, when the lever4168is set upright so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction of the base portion4146, and the pusher pin4158is pulled up against the urging force of the compression coil spring4156, the presser portion4162of the presser member4144is accommodated in the mounting hole4154.

In the state in which the presser member4144spans between the side frames4118with the ends4152A of the leg portions4152being inserted in the lower side of the flange portion4136of the locking pin4132, when the lever4168is inclined, the presser portion4162of the pusher pin4158protrudes toward the accommodating portion4122of the holder4110in which the roller bearings4116of the conveyance rollers4112and4114are accommodated. In the conveyance roller pair464, the presser portion4162protruding from the presser member4144due to inclination of the lever4168abuts against the roller bearing4116of the upper conveyance roller4112and the conveyance roller4112is, together with the roller bearing4116, urged toward the conveyance roller4114.

At this time, the roller bearing4116of the lower conveyance roller4114abuts against the lower frame4120of the holder4110, and therefore, nipping force at the time of nipping the PS plate412is imparted between the conveyance rollers4112and4114of the conveyance roller pair464.

Further, in the holder4110, when the lever4168is set upright, the pusher pin4158is pulled up against the urging force of the compression coil spring4156, and the conveyance roller4112and the roller bearing4116thereof are released from a state of being urged by the compression coil spring4156.

At this time, the ends4152A of the leg portions4152can be pulled out from the lower side of the flange portion4136of the locking pin4132, and therefore, the presser member4144can be made rotatable around the pin4140.

When the space between the pair of side frames4118is opened by rotating the presser member4144around the pin4140, the roller bearings4116can be pulled out by lifting up the conveyance rollers4112and4114of the conveyance roller pair464.

As shown inFIG. 12, a cover438which covers the washing section416is provided, together with a cover436, above the conveyance roller pair464. As shown inFIG. 17, the holder4110mounted at the rack side plate4128of the washing section416is provided so that the lever4168does not interfere with the cover438due to inclination of the lever4168. As a result, as indicated by the solid line inFIG. 13, when the cover438is mounted in a normal state, the upper portion of the PS plate processor410is closely covered.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 18, when the lever4168of the holder4110is set upright, the end of the lever4168protrudes upward and interferes with the cover438. Accordingly, when the upper side of the washing section416and the drying section420is closed by the cover438, the lever4168abuts against and lifts up the cover438(the state indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.13). As a result, nipping force for nipping the PS plate412is no longer imparted between the conveyance rollers4112and4114of the conveyance roller pair464.

In the PS plate processor410structured as described above, when the PS plate412on which an image is recorded by being exposed by a printing device (not shown) is inserted from the insertion opening432, the conveyance roller pair442is driven to rotate. As a result, the PS plate412is pulled in the PS plate processor410in a state in which the PS plate is nipped by the conveyance roller pair442.

In the PS plate processor410of the present embodiment, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs for nipping and conveying the PS plate412are provided. In these conveyance roller pairs, a predetermined urging force is imparted between upper and lower conveyance rollers, and during maintenance or the like, it is necessary that the covers436and438are taken away and the conveyance rollers are removed against urging force imparted between the conveyance rollers.

Next, mounting and removal of conveyance rollers4112and4114in the conveyance roller pair464will be described. In the PS plate processor410, the holder4110is used for mounting the conveyance roller pair464. In the holder4110, due to the lever4168of the presser member4144being set upright from an inclined state, the presser portion4162abutting against the roller bearing4116of the conveyance roller4112can be separated from the bearing4116against the urging force of the compression coil spring4156. As a result, urging force imparted between the conveyance rollers4112and4114is released.

Further, the presser member4144provided in the holder4110is structured such that the space between the side frames4118, in which the roller bearings4116are accommodated, can be opened by setting the lever4168upright. As a result, due to the bearings4116being pulled out from the accommodating portion4122by lifting up the conveyance rollers4112and4114, the conveyance rollers4112and4114can be removed.

As described above, the holder4110applied to the present embodiment allows removal of the conveyance roller pair464in an extremely simple manner.

When the conveyance roller pair464is mounted, the roller bearings4116are mounted respectively at rotating shafts of the conveyance rollers4112and4114and inserted in the accommodating portion4122between the pair of side frames4118formed in the holder4110. Subsequently, the presser member4144is rotated to close the opening between the side frames4118and the ends4152A of the leg portions4152are inserted in the lower side of the flange portion4136of the locking pin4132.

In the aforementioned state, when the lever4168of the presser member4144is inclined, the presser portion4162of the pusher pin4158is made to abut against the roller bearing4116of the conveyance roller4112. As a result, the ends4152A of the leg portions4152are pushed against the flange portion4136of the locking pin4132by urging force of the compression coil spring41156, to prevent removal of the presser member4144. Further, the conveyance roller4112is urged via the bearing4116toward the conveyance roller4114kept from moving by the roller bearing4116abutting against the lower frame4120.

As a result, a predetermined nipping force is imparted between the conveyance rollers4112and4114and the conveyance roller pair464is mounted at the rack side plate4128.

As described above, the holder4110applied to the present embodiment facilitates not only removal but also mounting of the conveyance roller pair464and assembling efficiency of the conveyance roller pair can be extremely improved.

The nipping force between the conveyance rollers4112and4114can be adjusted by changing the urging force of the compression coil spring4156. That is, so long as the compression coil spring4156which produces urging force corresponding to a required nipping force is used, the nipping force between the conveyance rollers4112and4114can be adjusted.

When the presser member4144provided in the holder4110is mounted to impart a predetermined nipping force to between the conveyance rollers4112and4114, the lever4168is inclined. In a state in which no nipping force is imparted between the conveyance rollers4112and4114, the lever4168is set upright and abuts against the cover438which covers the upper side of the conveyance roller pair464. In a case in which the cover438is mounted to the PS plate processor410, the cover438is lifted up.

As a result, based on a determination as to whether or not the cover438is mounted in a normal state, it can be clearly determined whether or not a proper nipping force is imparted to the conveyance roller pair464.

Further, not only in the PS plate processor410, but also in various types of automatic processors, generally, an interlock mechanism is provided which can process the PS plate412or can be activated so as to process the PS plate412only when the covers436and438, or the like are mounted in a normal state.

In such cases, the interlock mechanism can be activated due to the cover438being lifted up by the lever4168. Accordingly, the state in which the PS plate processor410is activated with no proper nipping force being imparted to the conveyance roller pair464or the like can be reliably prevented.

The aforementioned embodiment does not restrict the structure of the present invention thereto. For example, in the present embodiment, mounting of the conveyance roller pair464provided in the washing section416was described as an example, but the holder4110can also be applied to mounting of any suitable conveyance roller pair which nips and conveys the PS plate412.

At this time, in the present embodiment, the lever4168of the presser member4144abuts against and lifts up the cover438. However, the lever4168may abut against and lift up the cover436. Alternatively, the lever4168may abut against a shielding lid4100to lift up the cover436.

Further, the PS plate processor410applied to the present embodiment does not restrict thereto the photosensitive material processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The aforementioned structure can also be applied to a PS plate processor having any suitable structure in which a planographic printing plate such as a PS plate is nipped and conveyed by conveyance roller pairs. Furthermore, the aforementioned structure can also be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus having any suitable structure in which not only a printing plate such as a PS plate, but a photosensitive material such as photographic printing paper or a photographic film is nipped and conveyed.

According to the present embodiment, imparting and releasing of nipping force to conveyance rollers, and mounting and removal of conveyance rollers can be effected by a swinging operation of a mounting lever. Further, an excellent effect is obtained that the mounting lever is provided so as to abut against and lift up the cover in a state in which the lever is set upright and nipping force imparted between conveyance rollers has been released, thereby reliably preventing a photosensitive material from being mistakenly processed in a state in which no nipping force is imparted between conveyance rollers.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.FIG. 19schematically shows the structure of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processor (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate processor510”) based on a photosensitive material processing apparatus of the present embodiment.

The fifth embodiment is similar to the aforementioned first embodiment. Therefore, only structures and operation different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and the same structure sand operation as those of the first embodiment will be basically omitted.

The PS plate processor510based on the present embodiment is noticeably different from the PS plate processor110of the first embodiment in an advantageous feature that mounting of a replenisher case filled with a replenisher is facilitated and remaining of a liquid in piping or in a replenisher case is prevented. A characteristic mechanism of supplying a replenisher will be hereinafter described.

In the PS plate processor510of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 19, a processing tank522is disposed at an upper side of the processor and processing sections from a developing section514to a drying section520, in which a PS plate512is processed while being conveyed, are provided in the processing tank522. That is, a PS plate processing section5200, in which the PS plate512is processed with a processing solution and subjected to drying processing while being conveyed, is disposed at an upper side of the processor.

As shown inFIGS. 21to23, the PS plate processor510is enclosed by an outer plate panel530and includes an apparatus casing5202above which the PS plate processing section5200is provided. Further, one side of the outer plate panel530(hereinafter referred to as an “outer plate panel530A” shown inFIG. 21) in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate512is mounted in a removable manner.FIGS. 22 and 23each show a state in which the outer plate panel530A is removed.

As shown inFIGS. 22 and 23, in the PS plate processor510, the interior of the apparatus casing5202at the lower side of the processor is opened by removing the outer plate panel530A.

In the PS plate processor510, waste liquid tanks5204, in which a developer discharged from a developing tank524, and the like are recovered, are loaded in the apparatus casing5202. Further, a trolley5206is mounted within the apparatus casing5202. In the PS plate processor510, for example, two waste liquid tanks5204are accommodated at the side of the developing tank524and the trolley5206can be mounted at the side of the drying section520.

As shown inFIG. 24, the trolley5206includes a base5208having a substantially rectangular configuration when seen from the top. Casters5210are mounted respectively at four corners of the base5208and the trolley5206is movable by the casters5210on a floor surface on which the PS plate processor510is installed. Further, a grip5212is formed on one side of the base5210in the trolley5206, and the trolley5206can be moved by holding the grip5212between a position at which it is mounted within the apparatus casing5202, and a position at which it is pulled out from the apparatus casing5202.

Replenisher tanks5140and5142are mounted on the base5208of the trolley5206. The replenisher tanks5140and5142are disposed within the apparatus casing5202in a state in which the trolley5206is mounted within the apparatus casing5202. In addition to the replenisher tanks5140and5142, a chemicals tank5182in which chemicals used by the PS plate processor510are accommodated can be mounted on the base5208of the trolley5206.

The replenisher tanks5140and5142are each structured in such a manner that a tank portion5214in which a replenisher (developer replenisher or a gum solution replenisher) is accommodated, and a mounting portion5216having a substantially trapezoidal configuration when seen from the side and disposed at the upper side of the tank portion5214, are integrally formed. The replenisher tanks5140and5142have the same shape, and the replenisher tank5140will be mainly described hereinafter. A developer replenisher and a gum solution replenisher are accommodated in the replenisher tanks5140and5142, respectively.

An upper surface5218of the mounting portion5216is made flat, and a cubitainer5220, that is, a replenisher case filled with a replenisher, is mounted on the upper surface5218.

The cubitainer5220is formed in such a manner that a hermetically sealed container made of resin is accommodated in an outer box made of corrugated fiberboard or the like, and a replenisher (developer replenisher or gum solution replenisher) is filled in the hermetically sealed container made of resin.

A connecting nozzle5222is provided at an upper side of the tank portion5214in the replenisher tank5140. The connecting nozzle5222is mounted to a holder5224provided on the upper surface of the tank portion5214.

The holder5224is mounted at an end on the upper surface of the tank portion5214, and the replenisher tank5140is mounted on the base5208of the trolley5206so that the holder5224and the grip5212are disposed on the same side surface.

As shown inFIGS. 25to27, the holder5224is formed in the shape of a substantially circular plate when seen from the top, and a mounting hole5226(not shown inFIG. 25) for the connecting nozzle5222is formed at the central portion of the holder5224. As shown inFIG. 24, the holder5224is mounted on the tank portion5214so that one longitudinal-direction end of the mounting hole5226is disposed at the side of the grip5212of the trolley5206and the other end of the mounting hole is disposed at the side of the mounting portion5216.

As shown inFIGS. 25,26and27, guides5228which makes a pair are provided so as to protrude from the holder5224toward the interior of the tank portion5214. The guides5228are provided at both sides of the mounting hole5226in the widthwise direction thereof and each formed in the shape of a semicircular plate. That is, the guides5228are formed in a pair with the mounting hole5226interposed therebetween.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 25to27, the connecting nozzle5222has a stick-shaped configuration in which a conduit is formed inside thereof. One end of the connecting nozzle5222is formed as a connecting portion5232which is inserted in and connected to a flexible tube5230. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 25, a portion of the connecting nozzle5222(from the intermediate portion to an end opposite to the connecting portion5232) is formed as a diameter enlarged portion5234.

The outer diameter of the connecting nozzle5222at the side of the connecting portion5232is smaller than an open width of the mounting hole5226formed in the holder5224, and the outer diameter thereof at the side of the diameter enlarged portion5234is larger than the open width of the mounting hole5226. Further, the outer diameter of the flexible tube5230is larger than the open width of the mounting hole5226of the holder5224, and a space between the guides5228formed in a pair in the holder5224is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the diameter enlarged potion5234of the connecting nozzle5222.

The connecting nozzle5222is inserted in the mounting hole5226of the holder5224from the side of the connecting portion5232so that the connecting portion5232protrudes upward from the tank portion5214, and the flexible tube5230is connected to the connecting portion5232.

The connecting nozzle5222is provided so as not to be pulled out from the mounting hole5226, due to the flexible tube5230being connected thereto in a state in which the connecting nozzle5222is inserted in the mounting hole5226.

Further, the connecting nozzle5222is movable in the longitudinal direction of the mounting hole5226because the diameter enlarged portion5234is disposed between the pair of guides5228. Thus, the connecting nozzle5222is swingable along the longitudinal direction of the mounting hole5226. That is, inclination of the connecting nozzle5222within the mounting hole5226in the widthwise direction thereof is limited and the connecting portion5232protruding upward from the holder5224can be inclined toward the mounting portion5216and toward an outer side of the PS plate processor510opposite to the mounting portion5216.

As shown inFIG. 24, a cap5236is mounted at the cubitainer5220at an outlet opening of a replenisher, and the flexible tube5230is connected to the cap5236. A replenisher stored in the cubitainer5220flows into the replenisher tank5140by connecting the flexible tube5230to the cap5236and inverting the cubitainer5220with the cap5236turned downward at a position higher than the tank portion5214of the replenisher tank5140.

As shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, a concave portion5238, which is made semicircular when seen from the top, is formed in the mounting portion5216of the replenisher tank5140(5142) at the side of the connecting nozzle5222. When the cubitainer5220is mounted on the upper surface5218of the mounting portion5216with the cap5236turned downward, the cap5236is fitted in the concave portion5238.

Further, as shown inFIG. 24, a substantially rectangular concave portion5240is formed in the mounting portion5216of the replenisher tank5140at a side opposite to the connecting nozzle5222, and a vacuum nozzle5242is provided in the concave portion5240. Moreover, a plurality of elbows5244each having an internal conduit bent into a substantially L-shaped configuration are mounted to the base5208of the trolley5206.

The vacuum nozzles5242of the replenisher tank5140are each connected to an end of the elbow5244by piping5246. Further, piping5148(5148A) connected to an input side of a replenisher pump5152and piping5164(5164A) connected to an input side of a replenisher pump5172are connected respectively to the elbows5244. When the replenisher pump5152is activated, a developer replenisher is pumped out from the replenisher tank5140. Further, when the replenisher pump172is activated, a gum solution replenisher is pumped out from the replenisher tank5142.

The piping5148A and the piping5164A which connect the elbows5244to the replenisher pumps5152and5172each have predetermined slackness. Therefore, when the trolley5206is moved from the position at which the trolley is mounted within the apparatus casing5202to the position to which the trolley is pulled out from the apparatus casing5202, there is no possibility that the piping5148A and5164A may be forcedly pulled or movement of the trolley5206may be hindered.

In the PS plate processor510, replenishment of a replenisher is carried out in such a manner that the replenisher pumps5152and5154are activated in accordance with the amount of PS plates512to be processed and a developer replenisher and water used to dilute the developer at a predetermined ratio are supplied to the developing tank524. Further, in the PS plate processor510, replenishment of a gum solution is carried out in such a manner that fresh water of washing water is replenished to the washing tank526, and the replenisher pumps5172and5170are activated to supply a gum solution replenisher and water used to dilute the gum solution at a predetermined ratio, to the desensitizing tank528.

When the developer replenisher is supplied to the developing tank524and the gum solution replenisher is supplied to the desensitizing tank528, the developer replenisher within the replenisher tank5140and the gum solution replenisher within the replenisher tank5142are reduced. Accordingly, the developer replenisher and the gum solution replenisher each need to be supplied.

In the PS plate processor510, when the developer replenisher and the gum solution replenisher are supplied for the replenisher tanks5140and5142, respectively, first, the outer plate panel530A is removed to open the interior of the apparatus casing5202. Thereafter, the trolley5206mounted in the apparatus casing5202is pulled out from the apparatus casing5202.

As a result, the replenisher tanks5140and5142, and the cubitainer5220which are loaded in the PS plate processor510, can be pulled out from the processor, and the cubitainer5220in an empty state can be easily removed.

When a replenisher is supplied to the replenisher tank5140, the cubitainer5220in an empty state is removed and thereafter, the flexible tube5230connected to the connecting nozzle5222of the replenisher tank5140is connected to the cap5236of a new cubitainer5220. As a result, a replenisher can be made to flow from the new cubitainer5220into the replenisher tank5140.

Subsequently, the cubitainer5220is inclined and inverted, and then placed on the upper surface5218of the mounting portion5216formed at the upper side of the replenisher tank5140. As a result, a replenisher is made to flow from the cubitainer5220into the replenisher tank5140.

At this time, the connecting nozzle5222moves within the mounting hole5226of the holder5224along the longitudinal direction of the mounting hole5226correspondingly to movement of the flexible tube5230which connects the cap5236of the cubitainer5220and the connecting nozzle5222of the replenisher tank5140, and the connecting nozzle5222is further inclined, thereby preventing any forced bending or breaking in the flexible tube5230.

Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent a state in which a replenisher remains in the cubitainer5220or a replenisher does not run down from the cubitainer5220.

The cubitainer5220is thus placed on the replenisher tank5140, and thereafter, the trolley5206is moved into the apparatus casing5202and the cubitainer5220is, together with the replenisher tank5140, loaded in the PS plate processor510, and the interior of the processor is closed by the outer plate panel530A.

A replenisher runs down from the cubitainer5220placed on the replenisher tank5140in accordance with the quantity of a replenisher in the replenisher tank5140. That is, when the liquid surface of the replenisher in the replenisher tank5140rises up and an opening at an end of the connecting nozzle5222at the side of the diameter enlarged portion5234contacts the liquid surface of the replenisher, flowing of the replenisher stops. Accordingly, the replenisher can be supplied from the cubitainer5220in accordance with the quantity of a replenisher in the replenisher tank5140.

As described above, in the PS plate processor510, the replenisher tanks5140and5142, and the cubitainer5220filled with a replenisher to be supplied to each of the replenisher tanks5140and5142are placed on the trolley5206and loaded in the apparatus casing5202. Accordingly, the cubitainer5220can be handled outside the processor and an operation of supplying a developer replenisher and a gum solution replenisher to the replenisher tanks5140and5142is extremely facilitated.

Further, the connecting nozzle5222provided in each of the replenisher tanks5140and5142is made swingable in a direction to which the cubitainer5220is inclined. Therefore, there is no possibility that the flexible tube5230which connects each of the replenisher tanks5140and5142to the corresponding cubitainer5220may be forcedly bent or broken. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a state in which a developer replenisher or a gum solution replenisher may remain in the cubitainer due to breaking or forced bending of the flexible tube5230.

Accordingly, when the cubitainer5220is replaced, an operation of flowing a developer replenisher or a gum solution replenisher which remains in the cubitainer5220, into the replenisher tanks5140and5142, becomes unnecessary, and a supplying operation of a replenisher can be facilitated still further.

The aforementioned embodiment is not provided so as to restrict the structure of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the PS plate processor510for processing a PS plate was described as a photosensitive material processing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to the same and can be applied to a photosensitive material processing apparatus having any suitable structure, in which various types of photosensitive material such as a photographic film or photographic printing paper are processed with a processing solution.

According to the present embodiment, a replenisher tank and a replenisher case filled with a replenisher to be supplied to the replenisher tank are mounted together on a trolley and can be pulled out from an apparatus casing, thereby facilitating an operation of supplying a replenisher for the replenisher tank. Further, in the present invention, a nozzle provided in the replenisher tank is made swingable. As a result, no breaking in piping connected to the replenisher case is caused and all the replenisher within the replenisher case can be reliably made to run down into the replenisher tank.