Patent Publication Number: US-6910815-B2

Title: Photosensitive material processing apparatus

Description:
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&#39;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&lt;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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of a PS plate processor applied to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a pipeline of the PS plate processor according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic structural diagram showing a developer tank of the PS plate processor according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a principal portion of a processing tank, which schematically shows the structure of the developer tank of the PS plate processor according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic structural diagram of a PS plate processor applied to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view which schematically shows a principal portion of a guide main body which forms a guide plate according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of a principal portion of the guide main body taken along a direction in which a PS plate is conveyed, which schematically shows a through hole formed in the guide main body. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view which schematically shows another example of a guide main body which can be applied to the guide plate. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic structural diagram of a preprocessing apparatus based on a third embodiment of the PS plate processor according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a principal portion which schematically shows the structure in the vicinity of a spray pipe based on the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic structural diagram of a principal portion when the structure in the vicinity of the spray pipe based on the third embodiment is seen from a direction orthogonal to a direction in which a photopolymerization plate is conveyed. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic structural diagram of a PS plate processor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view which schematically shows an exterior of the PS plate processor according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view which schematically shows a holder based on the fourth embodiment in a state in which a lever of a presser member is set upright. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view which schematically shows an exploded state of the presser member provided in the holder. 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of the holder which schematically shows a state in which the presser member is inclined. 
         FIG. 16B  is a schematic perspective view of the holder when seen from a direction different from one in FIG.  16 A. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a principal portion, which schematically shows relative positions of a cover and the holder in a state in which a lever based on the fourth embodiment is inclined. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a principal portion, which schematically shows relative positions of the cover and holder in a state in which the lever is set upright. 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic structural diagram of a PS plate processor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram showing a pipeline in which circulation of a processing solution and replenishment of a replenisher are carried out, of the PS plate processor according to the fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view which schematically shows an exterior of the PS plate processor according to the fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view which schematically shows the PS plate processor of the fifth embodiment in a state in which an interior of an apparatus casing is opened. 
         FIG. 23  is a side view which schematically shows the PS plate processor of the fifth embodiment in a state in which an interior of the apparatus casing is opened. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view which schematically shows a trolley and replenisher tanks mounted thereon in the fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view which schematically shows a holder and a nozzle according to the fifth embodiment, seen from one side (the upper side) of the holder. 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view which schematically shows a holder and a nozzle according to the fifth embodiment, seen from another side (the lower side) of the holder. 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic side view of the holder and the nozzle according to the fifth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     [First Embodiment] 
     A description will be hereinafter given of a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.  FIG. 1  schematically shows the structure of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate processor  110 ”) applied as an example of photosensitive material processing apparatus. The PS plate processor  110  carries out processing for a photosensitive planographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate  112 ”), which has been exposed imagewise as a photosensitive material using an exposing device (not shown), with a processing solution. The PS plate  112  is 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 plate  112 , 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 processor  110  is provided with a developing section  114  in which the PS plate  112  is processed with a developer, a washing section  116  in which the PS plate  112  processed with a developer is washed with washing water, a desensitizing section  118  in which the washed PS plate  112  is coated with a gum solution for protecting a printing plate and desensitized, and a drying section  120  for drying the PS plate  112 . That is, in the PS plate processor  110 , 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 plate  112  is conveyed (which direction is indicated by arrow A in FIG.  1 ). 
     A processing tank  122  is provided in the PS plate processor  110 . The processing tank  122  includes a developing tank  124  formed at a position in which the developing section  114  is located, a washing tank  126  formed at a position in which the washing section  116  is located, and a desensitizing tank  128  formed at a position in which the desensitizing section  118  is located. 
     A slit-shaped insertion opening  132  is formed on an outer panel  130  which covers the processing tank  122 , and an insertion portion  134  is formed in the processing tank  122  between the insertion opening  132  and the developing section  114 . 
     The PS plate processor  110  is provided with covers  136  and  138  which cover the upper side of the processing tank  122  and the upper side of the drying section  120 , respectively. The cover  136  at the side of the insertion opening  132  is disposed so as to cover an upper side of a region from the insertion portion  134  to the washing section  116  in the processing tank  122 . The cover  138  is disposed so as to cover an upper side of a region from the washing section  116  to the drying section  120 . 
     The cover  136  includes an insertion opening for reentry (an auxiliary insertion opening)  140  in which the PS plate  112  is inserted between the developing section  114  and the washing section  116 . The auxiliary insertion opening  140  is used to insert therein the PS plate  112  when the PS plate processor  110  is to be processed at a section other than the developing section  114 . 
     A conveyance roller pair  142  made of rubber is disposed in the insertion portion  134  adjacent to the insertion opening  132 . The PS plate  112  on which an image is printed is inserted from the insertion opening  132  along the direction indicated by arrow A and sent into between the conveyance roller pair  142 . 
     When the conveyance roller pair  142  is driven to rotate, the PS plate  112  is pulled in from the insertion opening  132  and sent into the developing section  114  at a conveying angle of about 15 to 31 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, a single-sided PS plate  112  with a photosensitive layer being formed on a support at one surface thereof is used. The PS plate  112  is inserted from the insertion opening  132  into the PS plate processor  110  in a state in which the photosensitive layer faces upward. 
     The developing tank  124  formed in the processing tank  122  is 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 plate  112  is stored in the developing tank  124 . The developing tank  124  is provided with guide plates  144  and  146  at a lower side thereof (along the base thereof) and along a direction in which the PS plate  112  is conveyed. In the developing tank  124 , conveyance roller pairs  148 ,  150  and  152  are provided at an upstream side (at the side of the insertion portion  134 ) and midstream and downstream sides (at the side of the washing section  116 ), in addition to the guide plates  144  and  146 . 
     The PS plate  112  pulled in by the conveyance roller pair  142  from the insertion opening  132  is sent into between the conveyance roller pair  148 . The conveyance rollers  148  pulls the PS plate  112  in the developing tank  124  and conveys the same onto the guide plate  146 . 
     The guide plate  144  is disposed between the conveyance roller pairs  148  and  150 , and guides the PS plate  112  conveyed by the conveyance roller pair  148  toward the conveyance roller pair  140  diagonally to the lower side. Further, the guide plate  146  is disposed between the conveyance roller pairs  150  and  152 , and guides the PS plate  112  conveyed by the conveyance roller pair  150  along the bottom of the developing tank  124  diagonally to the upper side. 
     As a result, the PS plate  112  is immersed in a developer while being guided and conveyed in the developing tank  124  along the substantially U-shaped conveyance path. 
     The conveyance roller pair  152  is formed by rollers of which outer peripheries are made of rubber, and is provided so as to pull out the PS plate  112  from the developing tank  124  by nipping the PS plate  112  guided by the guide plate  146 , and convey the same to the washing section  116 . At this time, the conveyance roller pair  152  sends out the PS plate  112  while squeezing out a developer from the PS plate  112  pulled out from the developing tank  124 . 
     In the developing tank  124 , spray pipes  154  and  156  are provided at the side of lower surfaces of the guide plates  144  and  146 , respectively. Further, a large number of through holes (not shown) are formed on each of the guide plates  144  and  146 . 
     The spray pipes  154  and  156  are each provided so as to jet out a developer when a developer stored in the developing tank  124  is supplied to the spray pipes via circulating means (described later). As a result, the developer in the developing tank  124  is agitated so that the PS plate  112  can be uniformly processed. At this time, due to the developer flowing from the through holes formed in the guide plates  144  and  146  toward the conveyance path of the PS plate  112 , rapid development processing of the PS plate  112  is realized and also processing unevenness of the PS plate  112  is prevented. 
     A brush roller  158  and a conveyance roller  160  are provided in the developing tank  124  so as to face the guide plate  146 . The brush roller  158  brushes the surface of the PS plate  112  by rotating in a state in which a hair member is made to contact the surface of the PS plate  112  immersed in the developer and conveyed on the guide plate  146 , and facilitates removal of an unnecessary photosensitive layer from the surface of the PS plate  112 . At this time, the conveyance roller  160  prevents the PS plate  112 , brushed by the brush roller  158 , from rising to the liquid surface from the guide plate  146 . 
     Due to the PS plate  112  being thus conveyed in the developing tank  124  while being immersed in the developer, a photosensitive layer exposed to light and no longer required is removed. 
     In the washing section  116 , a conveyance path is formed so as to convey the PS plate  112  substantially in the horizontal direction by conveyance roller pairs  162  and  164  disposed above the washing tank  126 . The PS plate  112  is conveyed horizontally above the washing tank  126  in a state of being nipped by the conveyance roller pairs  162  and  164 . 
     In the washing section  116 , spray pipes  166  and  168  which make a pair in the vertical direction are provided between the conveyance roller pairs  162  and  164  with the conveyance path of the PS plate  112  interposed therebetween. The spray pipes  166  and  168  are disposed so that the axial direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction of the PS plate  112  (a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the PS plate  112  is conveyed). A plurality of blowing openings (not shown) are formed in each of the spray pipes  166  and  168  along the axial direction of the spray pipe so as to face the conveyance path of the PS plate  112 . 
     Washing water is stored in the washing tank  126  and supplied to the spray pipes  166  and  168  synchronously with conveying of the PS plate  112 . As a result, washing water is jetted out from the spray pipes  166  and  168  toward the PS plate  112  and a developer adhering to the surface of the PS plate  112  is washed off. 
     When the PS plate  112  is sent out by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair  164 , the washing water supplied to the PS plate  112  is squeezed out from front and back sides of the PS plate  112  together with the developer adhering to the front and back sides of the PS plate  112 , and thereafter, recovered in the washing tank  126 . Washing water is jetted out from the spray pipe  166  toward an upstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  and washing water is jetted out from the spray pipe  168  toward a downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . However, the directions in which washing water is jetted out from the spray pipes  166  and  168  are not limited to the same, and other directions may be adopted. 
     In the desensitizing section  118 , a conveyance roller pair  170  is provided above the desensitizing tank  128 . The PS plate  112  is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair  164  toward the conveyance roller pair  170  and conveyed within the desensitizing section  118 , and thereafter, it is further conveyed toward the drying section  120  by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair  170 . 
     In the desensitizing section  118 , a spray pipe  172  is provided above the conveyance path of the PS plate  112 , and a spray pipe  174  is provided below the conveyance path of the PS plate  112 . The spray pipes  172  and  174  are disposed with the conveyance path of the PS plate  112  interposed therebetween so that the longitudinal direction (axial direction) thereof coincides with the widthwise direction of the PS plate  112 . Further, a plurality of blowing openings are formed in each of the spray pipes  172  and  174  along the widthwise direction of the PS plate  112 . 
     A gum solution used to protect the printing surface of the PS plate  112  is stored in the desensitizing tank  128  and supplied to the spray pipes  172  and  174  synchronously with conveying of the PS plate  112 . The spray pipe  172  drops the gum solution toward the PS plate  112  and spreads the same on the surface of the PS plate  112 . Further, the spray pipe  174  jets out the gum solution from the blowing openings toward the back surface of the PS plate  112  and applies the same to the back surface of the PS plate  112 . 
     A protective film is formed by applying a gum solution to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112 . The direction to which the gum solution is jetted out from the spray pipe  172  is not limited to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 , and other directions may be adopted. Alternatively, the gum solution may drop to be applied to or coated on the surface of the PS plate  112  in 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 plate  112 . Further, in place of the spray pipe  174 , for example, a discharging unit may be used in which the gum solution is applied to the surface of the PS plate  112  while the PS plate  112  is being moved in contact with the discharged gum solution. 
     In the desensitizing section  118 , a washing spray  176  is provided above the conveyance roller pair  170  and a washing roller  178  is provided so as to rotate in contact with an upper roller of the conveyance roller pair  170 . At a predetermined timing, washing water is dropped from the washing spray  176  via the flow-straightening plate  180  at a position in which the upper roller of the conveyance roller pair  170  and the washing roller  178  contact 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 pair  170  and the gum solution is washed off from the peripheral surfaces of upper and lower rollers in the conveyance roller pair  170 . As a result, damage to the PS plate  112  caused by the gum solution being firmly fixed to the peripheral surfaces of the rollers is prevented. 
     The PS plate  112  to which the gum solution is applied in the desensitizing section  118  is nipped by the conveyance roller pair  170  and conveyed to the drying section  120  in a state in which the gum solution slightly remains on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112 . 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , a partition plate  182  is provided between the desensitizing section  118  and the drying section  120 . This partition plate  182  is disposed above the conveyance path of the PS plate  112  so as to face an upper end of the processing tank  122 . As a result, a slit-shaped insertion opening  184  is formed between the desensitizing section  118  and the drying section  120 . The partition plate  182  has a double structure, and a groove-shaped air passage is formed in the insertion opening  184  at the side of the drying section  120  so that air within the drying section  120  may infiltrate into the air passage. As a result, a state in which the air within the drying section  120  infiltrates into the desensitizing section  118  from the insertion opening  184  is prevented. 
     In the drying section  120 , a supporting roller  186  which supports the PS plate  112  is disposed in the vicinity of the insertion opening  184 . A conveyance roller pair  190  is disposed in the intermediate portion of the drying section  120  in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 , and a conveyance roller pair  192  is disposed in the vicinity of an exhaust opening  188 . The PS plate  112  is conveyed within the drying section  120  by the supporting roller  186  and the conveyance roller pairs  190  and  192 . 
     A pair of ducts  194  and  196  is provided between the supporting roller  186  and the conveyance roller pair  190  and also between the conveyance roller pair  190  and the conveyance roller pair  192 , with the conveyance path of the PS plate  112  interposed between each pair of ducts. The ducts  194  and  196  are disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction of the PS plate  112 , and a slit hole  198  is formed on a surface of each duct which faces the conveyance path of the PS plate  112 . 
     When dry air generated by a dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied to each duct  194 ,  196  from one longitudinal-direction end of the duct, the dry air is discharged from the slit hole  198  toward the conveyance path of the PS plate  112  and blown against the PS plate  112 . As a result, the gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  is dried and a protective film is thereby formed. 
     A shielding lid  1100  is disposed in the developing section  114  so that the lower surface thereof is located below the liquid surface of the developer stored in the developing tank  124 . Therefore, an area in which the liquid surface of the developer within the developing tank  124  is in contact with the air is reduced. Further, the auxiliary insertion opening (an insertion opening for reentry)  140  of the cover  136  is closed by a shielding member (not shown) to prevent outside air from infiltrating into the developing section  114 . The space between the shielding lid  1100  and each upper roller of the conveyance roller pairs  148  and  152  projecting from the liquid surface is reduced, thereby preventing deterioration of the developer in the developing tank  124  due 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 lid  1100 , processing tank  122 , and conveyance roller pairs  148  and  152 , thereby preventing the developer within the developing tank  124  from coming in contact with outside fresh air or preventing evaporation of water content in the developer. 
       FIG. 2  shows a piping system for a processing solution in the PS plate processor  110 . One end of piping  1102  is connected to the processing tank  122  of the PS plate processor  110  at the bottom of the developing tank  124 . The other end of the piping  1102  is connected to the spray pipes  154  and  156  which are disposed within the developing tank  124 , and a circulating pump  1104  and a filter  1106  are provided in an intermediate portion of the piping  1102 . When the circulating pump  1104  is activated, the developer in the developing tank  124  is supplied to the spray pipes  154  and  156  and jetted out from the spray pipes  154  and  156  into the developing tank  124 , thereby allowing circulation and agitation of the developer. At this time, when the developer passes through the filter  1106 , suspended matters are removed therefrom. 
     One end of piping  1110  is connected to the bottom of the washing tank  126 . The other end of the piping  1110  is connected to the spray pipes  166  and  168 , and a circulating pump  1112  and a filter  1114  are provided in an intermediate portion of the piping  1110 . As a result, washing water within the washing tank  126  is supplied to the spray pipes  166  and  168  due to operation of the circulating pump  1112  while suspended matters are being removed by the filter  1114 . 
     Further, one end of piping  1116  is connected to the bottom of the desensitizing tank  128 . The other end of the piping  1116  is connected to the spray pipes  172  and  174 , and a circulating pump  1118  and a filter  1120  are provided in an intermediate portion of the piping  1116 . As a result, when the circulating pump  1118  is activated, a gum solution within the desensitizing tank  128  is supplied to the spray pipes  172  and  174  while suspended matters are being removed by the filter  1120 . 
     An overflow pipe  1122  is provided in the developing tank  124 . One end of piping  1124  is connected to the overflow pipe  1122 , and the other end thereof is connected to a waste liquid tank (not shown). An overflow pipe  1126  is provided in the washing tank  126 , and an overflow pipe  1128  is provided in the desensitizing tank  128 . Respective one ends of piping  1130  and piping  1132  are respectively connected to the overflow pipes  1126  and  1128 , and respective another ends of the piping  1130  and piping  1132  are each connected to a waste liquid tank (not shown). 
     As a result, excessive developer, washing water and gum solution in the developing tank  124 , the washing tank  126  and the desensitizing tank  128  are made to flow into the overflow pipes  1122 ,  1126  and  1128 , respectively, and are discharged into the waste liquid tank. 
     The piping  1102  for circulation of a developer branches at an input side of the circulating pump  1104  and is connected via a waste liquid valve  1134  to piping  1124 . Further, the piping  1110  for circulation of washing water branches at an input side of the circulating pump  1112  and is connected via a waste liquid valve  1136  to piping  1130 , and the piping  1116  for circulation of a gum solution branches at an input side of the circulating pump  1118  and is connected via a waste liquid valve  1138  to piping  1132 . 
     The developer within the developing tank  124 , washing water within the washing tank  126 , and gum solution within the desensitizing tank  128  can be discharged by opening the waste liquid valves  1134 ,  1136  and  1138 . 
     The PS plate processor  110  is provided with: a replenisher tank  1140  filled with a developer replenisher to be supplied to the developing tank  124  as a replenisher of developer, a replenisher tank  1142  filled with a gum solution replenisher to be supplied to the desensitizing tank  128  as a replenisher of gum solution, and a replenishment water tank  1144  filled with water. Water stored in the replenishment water tank  1144  is used to dilute a developer replenisher or a gum solution replenisher and replenish water for the washing tank  126 . Due to tap water being supplied to the replenishment water tank  1144  via piping (not shown), the quantity of water stored in the tank is maintained in a predetermined range. 
     Further, a mixing tank  1146  is also provided in the PS plate processor  110  in the vicinity of the developing tank  124 . Respective one ends of piping  1148  and piping  1150  are each opened in the mixing tank  1146 . The other end of the piping  1148  is connected to the replenisher tank  1140 , and a replenisher pump  1152  is provided in an intermediate portion of the piping  1148 . The other end of the piping  1150  is inserted in the replenishment water tank  1144  and a replenishment water pump  1154  is provided in an intermediate portion of the piping  1150 . 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , when a replenisher is replenished for the developing tank  124 , the replenisher pump  1152  and the replenishment water pump  1154  are 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 tank  1146  as replenishers. 
     One end of piping  1156  is connected to the bottom of the mixing tank  1146 . The other end of the piping  1156  is connected at an input side of the circulating pump  1104 . As a result, a replenisher supplied into the mixing tank  1146  is sucked up due to operation of the circulating pump  1104  and supplied to the spray pipes  154  and  156  while being mixed with the developer within the developing tank  124 . 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , auxiliary tanks  1158  and  1160  are provided adjacent to the washing tank  126  and the desensitizing tank  128 , respectively. One end of piping  1162  opens in the auxiliary tank  1158  disposed in the washing tank  126  and the other end thereof opens in the replenishment water tank  1144 . Further, respective one ends of piping  1164  and piping  1166  each open in the auxiliary tank  1160  disposed in the desensitizing tank  128 . The other end of the piping  1164  is connected to the replenisher tank  1142  and the other end of the piping  1166  opens in the replenishment water tank  1144 . 
     The piping  1162  and the piping  1166  are respectively provided with replenishment water pumps  1168  and  1170  at intermediate portions thereof. The piping  1164  is provided with a replenisher pump  1172  at an intermediate portion thereof. 
     When the replenishment water pump  1168  is activated, water in the replenishment water tank  1144  is supplied to the auxiliary tank  1158  as new washing water. When the replenisher pump  1172  and the replenishment water pump  1170  are activated, a gum solution replenisher in the replenisher tank  1142  and 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 tank  128 , to the auxiliary tank  1160 . 
     One end of piping  1174  is connected to the bottom of the auxiliary tank  1158 , and the other end thereof is connected to an input side of a circulating pump  1112 . Further, one end of piping  1176  is connected to the bottom of the auxiliary tank  1160 , and the other end thereof is connected to an input side of a circulating pump  1118 . 
     When the circulating pump  1112  is activated, water within the auxiliary tank  1158  is supplied to the spray pipes  166  and  168  while being mixed with washing water within the washing tank  126 . When the circulating pump  1118  is activated, a replenisher within the auxiliary tank  1160  is supplied to the spray pipes  172  and  174  while being mixed with the gum solution within the desensitizing tank  128 . 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , due to each operation of the circulating pumps  1104 ,  1112  and  1118 , replenisher pumps  1152  and  1172 , and replenishment water pumps  1154 ,  1168  and  1170  being controlled based on predetermined conditions, circulation of developer, washing water and gum solution, and replenishment of replenishers for the developing tank  124 , washing tank  126  and desensitizing tank  128  are 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 processor  110  is also provided with piping  1178  of which one end is connected to a washing spray  176  and of which another end opens in the replenishment water tank  1144 . A washing pump  1180  is provided in an intermediate portion of the piping  1178 . When the washing pump  1180  is activated, water within the replenishment water tank  1144  is supplied to the washing spray  176  to allow washing of the conveyance roller pair  170  in the desensitizing tank  128 . 
     At this time, water used for washing the conveyance roller pair  170  is recovered into the desensitizing tank  128  and the recovered water in the desensitizing tank  128  is used to dilute a gum solution replenisher. However, water used to dilute a gum solution replenisher may also be supplied using the washing pump  1180 , not using the piping  1166  and the replenishment water pump  1170 . 
     A developer sucked up from the developing tank  124  by the circulating pump  1104  is supplied to the spray pipe  154  provided as first blowing means and also to the spray pipe  156  provided as second blowing means, and jetted out from the spray pipes  154  and  156  into the developer in the developing tank  124 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  in detail, the spray pipe  154  is provided below the guide plate  144  at an upstream side of the developing tank  124 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the spray pipe  154  extends from one end of the developing tank  124  in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, to the other end thereof, and is made to open at an intermediate portion of the developing tank  124  along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. 
     The spray pipe  154  is adapted to jet out the developer sucked up by the circulating pump  1104  along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . 
     As a result, a flow of developer along the widthwise direction of the PS plate  112  is formed within the developing tank  124  at the upstream side of the conveyance path of the PS plate  112 . That is, developer jetted out from the spray pipe  154  is turned back by a rack side plate  1200  disposed in the developing tank  124  or a side wall  1202  of the developing tank  124  and flows along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Accordingly, the developer within the developing tank  124  flows along the surface of the PS plate  112  conveyed at the upstream side of the developing tank  125 , from one end to the other end of the widthwise direction of the PS plate  112 , and liquid displacement is carried out in the vicinities of the surface of the PS plate  112 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the shielding lid  1100  and the like are not shown. Further, in  FIG. 4 , the guide plates  144  and  146  provided above the spray pipes  154  and  156 , the conveyance roller  160 , and the like are not shown. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the spray pipe  156  is disposed below the guide plate  146  at the downstream side of the developing tank  124 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spray pipe  156  is disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . Further, a large number of exhaust holes  1204  are formed in the spray pipe  156 . These exhaust holes  1204  are formed along the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe  156  at predetermined intervals. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the exhaust holes  1204  are each disposed diagonally to the lower side at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . The space between the exhaust holes  1204  may be set so that developer can be substantially uniformly jetted out from the spray pipe  156  in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . 
     As a result, the developer supplied from the circulating pump  1104  to the spray pipe  156  is jetted out from the spray pipe  156  to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  and a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  is formed at the downstream side in the conveyance path of the PS plate  112 . That is, the developer jetted out from the spray pipe  156  is turned back by the bottom of the developing tank  124  or the tank wall  1206  at the downstream side of the developing tank  124  to form a flow along the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . 
     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 plate  112  is supplied to the PS plate  112  conveyed on the guide plate  146 , and liquid displacement is effectively carried out in the vicinities of the surface of the PS plate  112 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a suction hole  1210  is formed on a bottom plate  1208  disposed at the lowest position of the bottom of the developing tank  124  between the spray pipes  154  and  156 . When the circulating pump  1104  is activated, the developer within the developing tank  124  is sucked into the suction hole  1210 . Further, the developing tank  124  is also provided with a heater  1212 , serving as temperature adjustment means to heat the developer, in the vicinity of the suction hole  1210 . 
     As a result, the developer heated by the heater  1212  principally flows into the suction hole  1210 . 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , the developer within the developing tank  124  is set substantially at a uniform temperature due to a developer heated by the heater  1212  being jetted out from the spray pipes  154  and  156 . So long as the suction hole  1210  is positioned such that the developer jetted out from the spray pipes  154  and  156  does not directly flow therein, it is not necessary that the suction hole  1210  may be provided on the bottom plate  1208  between the spray pipes  154  and  156 . For example, the suction hole  1210  may be provided on a tank wall of the developing tank  124 , or the like. 
     A conventionally known method can be used to carry out temperature adjustment control of a developer using the heater  1212 , and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment. Further, the heater  1212  may be provided in the midstream of the piping  1102  in which the developer is circulated, instead of being provided within the developing tank  124 . Moreover, a heat exchanger used to cool a developer or adjust the temperature thereof, or the like may also be provided in the piping  1102  in addition to the heater  1212 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a branch pipe  1214  is provided in the piping  1102  at a portion in which the piping  1102  is branched into the spray pipes  154  and  156 . The branch pipe  1214  includes flow-rate control means such as an orifice (not shown) so that the quantity of developer to be supplied to the spray pipe  154  becomes larger than that to be supplied to the spray pipe  156 . In the present embodiment, the ratio between quantities of developer discharged from the spray pipes  154  and  156  is, by way of example, set so as to be 6:4 to 8:2. 
     In the PS plate processor  110  described above, when the PS plate  112  on which an image is recorded by being exposed using a printing device (not shown) is inserted from the insertion opening  132 , the conveyance roller pair  142  is driven to rotate. As a result, the PS plate  112  is pulled in the PS plate processor  110  by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair  142 . 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , a sensor is provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening  132  and is used to detect the PS plate  112  passing through the insertion opening  132 . When this sensor detects insertion of the PS plate  112 , the conveyance roller pair  142  and the like are driven to rotate, and at a timing based on detection of the PS plate  112  by the sensor, washing water is discharged from the spray pipes  166  and  168  of the washing section  116  and a gum solution is discharged from the spray pipes  172  and  174  of the desensitizing section  118 . 
     The conveyance roller pair  142  is used to convey the PS plate  112  inserted from the insertion opening  132  in the developing tank  124 , at an inlet angle of 15 to 31 degrees to the horizontal direction. As a result, the PS plate  112  is conveyed within the developing tank  124  by the conveyance roller pairs  148 ,  150  and  152  while being guided by the guide plates  144  and  146  and immersed in the developer stored in the developing tank  124 . Thereafter, the PS plate  112  is discharged from the developer at an outlet angle of 17 to 31 degrees. 
     Due to the PS plate  112  being immersed in the developer within the developing tank  124 , 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 processor  110 , the surface of the PS plate  112  (the surface with the photosensitive layer formed thereon) is brushed by the brush roller  158  disposed within the developing tank  124  to facilitate removal of the unnecessary photosensitive layer from the surface of the PS plate  112 . 
     The PS plate processor  110  may be provided so as to brush the surface of the PS plate  112  using a plurality of brush rollers, or may be provided so as to carry out processing for the PS plate  112  using no brush roller. 
     The PS plate  112  subjected to development processing and discharged from the developing tank  124  is conveyed to the washing section  116  by the conveyance roller pair  152 . At this time, the conveyance roller pair  152  is used to squeeze out a developer adhering to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112 . 
     In the washing section  116 , washing water is jetted out from the spray pipes  166  and  168  toward the PS plate  112  while the PS plate  112  is being conveyed substantially in the horizontal direction in a state of being nipped by the conveyance roller pairs  162  and  164 . Further, the conveyance roller pair  164  disposed at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  is used to squeeze out washing outer supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  together with a remaining developer which has not been squeezed out by the conveyance roller pair  152 , and conveys the PS plate  112  to the desensitizing section  118 . 
     As a result, when the PS plate  112  passes through the washing section  116 , a developer remaining on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  is washed off. 
     The PS plate  112  conveyed to the desensitizing section  118  passes through between the spray pipes  172  and  174  and is discharged from the desensitizing section  118  in the state of being nipped by the conveyance roller pair  170 . 
     At this time, in the desensitizing section  118 , a gum solution is jetted out from the spray pipes  172  and  174  and applied and diffused uniformly to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112 . The conveyance roller pair  170  squeezes out an excessive gum solution from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  while nipping and conveying the PS plate  112 , thereby forming a uniform thin film of gum solution on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112 . 
     The PS plate  112  coated with a gum solution is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair  170  from the insertion opening  184  to the drying section  120 . In a case in which a shutter is provided at the insertion opening  184 , the shutter is activated at a timing of starting processing of the PS plate  112  or at a timing at which the PS plate  112  is discharged from the desensitizing section  118 , to open the insertion opening  184 , so that, when the PS plate  112  does not pass therethrough, dry air of the drying section  120  does not inadvertently flow into the desensitizing section  118  and cause a gum solution to firmly adhere to the conveyance roller pair  170 . Further, the air flowing from the insertion opening  184  is reliably prevented from reaching the developing section  114  to 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 opening  184 . 
     In the drying section  120 , dry air is blown against the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  from the ducts  194  and  196  while the PS plate  112  is being conveyed by the supporting roller  186  and the conveyance roller pairs  190  and  192 . As a result, a protective film is formed on the PS plate  112  by a gum solution applied on the surface of the PS plate  112 , and the PS plate  112  is discharged from the exhaust opening  188 . 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , the developer within the developing tank  124  is circulated and agitated by the circulating pump  1104  while being heated by the heater  1212 , and maintained in a predetermined temperature range in which the PS plate  112  can be finished most suitably. 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , the developer is sucked into the suction hole  1210  formed on the bottom plate  1208  of the developing tank  124  by operating the circulating pump  1104 . The developer is supplied to the spray pipes  154  and  156  via the piping  1102 , and jetted out from the spray pipes  154  and  156  into the developing tank  124 . 
     The spray pipe  154  is provided at the upstream side of the developing tank  124  and jets out the developer along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  to form a flow of developer along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  in the vicinity of the guide plate  144 . 
     As a result, liquid displacement is carried out in which a fresh developer is supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  inserted from the insertion portion  134  and guided to be conveyed on the guide plate  144  while a developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate  112  is discharged by a developer flowing along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. 
     At this time, in the PS plate processor  110 , the branch pipe  1214  is provided in the piping  1102  used to circulate the developer, and a large quantity of developer is thereby jetted out from the spray pipe  154 . As a result, rapid liquid displacement is carried out on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  conveyed on the guide plate  144 , and development processing of the PS plate  112  is facilitated by this displacement of the developer. 
     The temperature of the PS plate  112  inserted in the developing tank  124  is, in general, lower than the temperature of the developer, which temperature is different from the temperature of the developer at which the PS plate  112  is most suitably processed. To this end, the temperature of the developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate  112  initially inserted in the developer is influenced by the temperature of the PS plate  112 , and the temperature of the developer does not fall within the temperature range in which the PS plate  112  is most suitably processed. 
     At this time, in the PS plate processor  110 , a large quantity of developer is jetted out from the spray pipe  154  provided at the upstream side of the developing tank  124 , to prevent the temperature of the developer in the vicinities of the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112  from changing under the influence of the temperature of the PS plate  112 . 
     In other words, the temperature of a developer at the upstream side of the developing tank  124  is kept from changing under the influence of the temperature of the PS plate  112 , by rapidly removing a developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate  112 , the temperature of which developer tends to decrease under the influence of the temperature of the PS plate  112 , by jetting out a large quantity of developer from the spray pipe  154 . Accordingly, efficient development processing of the PS plate  112  can be started. 
     As a result, the temperature of developer within the developing tank  124  is 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 tank  124 . 
     Further, in the PS plate processor  110 , the developer is jetted out from the spray pipe  156  disposed at the downstream side of the developing tank  124  toward the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . As a result, a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  is formed in the vicinities of the front and back surfaces of the PS plate conveyed on the guide plate  146  provided at the downstream side, and liquid displacement is carried out by the developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate  112 . 
     The developer passing through the downstream side of the developing tank  124  has 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 processor  110 , in order to prevent a finishing unevenness caused by the developer jetting out from the spray pipe  156  being directly blown against the front and back surfaces of the PS plate  112 , the developer is jetted out diagonally to the lower side at the downstream side of the conveying direction. 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  is formed at the downstream side of the developing tank  124 , as described above. Thus, a developer having uniform processing performance is supplied to the PS plate  112  along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  112 . 
     As a result, the PS plate processor  110  prevents, the difference in the processing performance of the developer in the vicinity of the surface of the PS plate  112 , from being made along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  and causes no unevenness in a finished state by development processing. 
     As described above, in the PS plate processor  110 , a large quantity of developer is jetted out from the spray pipe  154  at the upstream side of the developing tank  124  along 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 plate  112  conveyed at the upstream side is carried out so as to facilitate development processing. 
     In the PS plate processor  110 , the developer is jetted out from the spray pipe  156  so that a flow of developer along the conveying direction of the PS plate  112  is formed at the downstream side of the developing tank  124 . Accordingly, development processing can be carried out without causing unevenness in a finished state of the PS plate  112 . 
     Furthermore, in the PS plate processor  110 , the spray pipes  154  and  156  are each adapted not to jet out the developer toward the suction hole  1210  into which developer within the developing tank  124  is sucked by the circulating pump  1104 . For this reason, a relatively fresh developer jetted out from the spray pipes  154  and  156  is not kept from being sucked into the suction hole  1210 , and development processing of the PS plate  112  is carried out using the relatively fresh developer. 
     As a result, the PS plate  112  of high quality can be finished efficiently using the developer stored in the developing tank  124 . 
     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 tank  124  used for development processing of the PS plate  112  is 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 plate  112  is 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 plate  112  is used as a photosensitive material and the PS plate processor  110  is used to process the PS plate  112  with a processing solution. The present invention, however, is not limited to a printing plate such as the PS plate  112 , 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. 
     [Second Embodiment] 
     Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.  FIG. 5  schematically shows the structure of a PS plate processor  210  which 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 processor  210  based on the present embodiment, guide plates  244  and  246  provided in a developing tank  224  have important features (which differs noticeably from those of the first embodiment). Therefore, the guide plates  244  and  246  will be particularly described below. 
     The guide plate  244  is provided at the upstream side of the developing tank  224  (near an insertion opening  232 ), and guides a PS plate  212 , fed in by a conveyance roller pair  242 , diagonally to the lower side. The guide plate  246  is provided at the downstream side of the developing tank  224  and guides the PS plate  212  along the bottom of the developing tank  224  diagonally to the upper side. 
     Further, a conveyance roller pair  245  is provided in the developing tank  224  between the guide plates  244  and  246 . When the conveyance roller pair  245  is driven to rotate, it conveys the PS plate  212  guided by the guide plate  244  toward the guide plate  246  while imparting conveying force to the PS plate  212 . As a result, the PS plate  212  is immersed in a developer while being guided and conveyed within the developing tank  224  along a substantially U-shaped conveyance path. 
     The developing tank  224  is provided with, near a washing section  216 , a conveyance roller pair  248  formed by rollers whose outer peripheries are made of rubber. The PS plate  212  is guided by the guide plate  246  toward the conveyance roller pair  248 , and pulled out form the developing tank  224  by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair  248 . The PS plate  212  is thus immersed in a developer when conveyed within the developing tank  224 , 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 pipes  250  are provided within the developing tank  224  respectively at lower sides of the guide plates  244  and  246 . A developer within the developing tank  224 , which is sucked by a pump (not shown), is supplied to each spray pipe  250  and jetted out from the spray pipe  250 . As a result, the developer within the developing tank  224  is agitated and the PS plate  212  can be uniformly processed. 
     Thus, in the present embodiment, processing solution jetting/circulating means including the spray pipes  250  may 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 plates  244  and  246 , serving as guide plates used to convey a photosensitive material, are provided within the developing tank  224  of the PS plate processor  210 , and used to form a conveyance path for guiding to convey the PS plate  212  along a substantially U-shaped conveyance path. 
       FIG. 6  schematically shows the guide plate  246 . In the following, the guide plate  246  will be described as an example, and a description of the guide plate  244  will be omitted. 
     A guide main body  2100  of the guide plate  246  is formed substantially into a flat plate. The upper surface of the guide main body  2100  (which corresponds to the upper side of the paper of  FIG. 6 ) is provided as a guide surface  2104  facing the PS plate  212 . Further, the guide main body  2100  is slightly bent at an intermediate portion thereof in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212  so that the downstream side of the guide main body  2100  in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212  is disposed at a slightly upper position than the lower side. 
     A shaft  2106  is inserted in and passes through an upstream-side end of the guide main body  2100  in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 . As the shaft  2106  is laid at a predetermined position and spanning between a pair of side plates (not shown) which forms a processing rack disposed in the developing tank  224 , a portion of the guide main body  2100  at the upstream side of the PS plate  212  is held at a predetermined position within the developing tank  224 . 
     Further, a leg portion  2108  is provided at each of both ends of the guide main body  2100  in the widthwise direction of the PS plate  212  orthogonal to the conveying direction so as to extend downward in a direction opposite to the conveyance path of the PS plate  212 . An end of the guide main body  2100  at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212  is held at a predetermined position within the developing tank  224  by spanning the leg portions  2108  between the pair of side plates of the processing rack or causing the leg portions  2108  to abut against a supporting portion (not shown) protruding from the bottom of the developing tank  224 . 
     As a result, the guide plate  246  which guides the PS plate  212  in an upward direction can be formed by the guide main body  2100 , between the pair of side plates (not shown) within the developing tank  224 . The guide plate  246  is formed in such a manner that guide main bodies  2100  of which number corresponds to the transverse dimension of the PS plate  212  are joined together along the widthwise direction of the PS plate  212 . 
     A large number of through holes  2110  are formed on the guide main body  2100  at predetermined intervals. In  FIG. 6 , the through holes  2110  are arranged at predetermined intervals both in the longitudinal and widthwise directions of the PS plate  212 , but the present invention is not limited to the same. For example, the through holes  2110  may be arranged diagonally at a predetermined angle with respect to the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 , or may be formed at random. 
     When the developer in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the PS plate  212  passes through the through holes  2110  of the guide main body  2100  in the developing tank  224 , the developer can be discharged toward the bottom of the developing tank  224  and a fresh developer can be made to flow from the bottom side of the developing tank  224  toward the conveyance path of the PS plate  212 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the PS plate  212  is guided along the guide surface  2104  in such a manner that the end thereof is moved in contact with the guide surface  2104  of the guide main body  2100 . 
     The through holes  2110  formed in the guide main body  2100  are formed such that each hole opening on the guide surface  2104  faces the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 . The direction to which the through hole opens indicates, for example, the axial direction of the through hole when the through hole  2110  is formed as a circular hole. The through holes  2110  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  are each formed so that the axial direction thereof is directed to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 . 
     The guide surface  2104  of the guide main body  2100  is disposed along the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 . As a result, the PS plate  212  is moved so that the leading end thereof abuts against the guide surface  2104  at a predetermined angle α. 
     Further, when the angle formed between the direction to which each of the through holes  2110  formed in the guide main body  2100  opens, and the guide surface  2104  is indicated as β, an angle formed between an internal surface  2112  of the through hole  2110  at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 , and the guide surface  2104  equals to the angle β. 
     At this time, in the PS plate processor  210 , 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=θ   0&lt;θ&lt;90°   preferably,   0&lt;θ&lt;45°   that is,   0&lt;(α+β)&lt;90°   preferably,   0&lt;(α+β)&lt;45°       

     The angle θ becomes an angle formed when the leading end of the PS plate  212  abuts against the internal surface  2112  of the through hole  2110 . When the angle θ is made to become an acute angle, even if a corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  in the widthwise direction is pulled into the through hole  2110 , the corner  212 A is moved along the internal surface  2112  and comes out from the through hole  2110  without being caught therein, and the leading end of the PS plate  212  can be moved again on the guide surface  2104 . 
     The angle α formed between the PS plate  212  and the position of the guide main body  2100 , namely, the guide surface  2104  on the upper surface of the guide main body  2100  can be determined based on the positional relationship between the PS plate  212  conveyed within the developing tank  224  and the guide main body  2100 . In order to prevent transport deficiency caused by the corner  212 A of the leading end of the PS plate  212  moving into the through hole  2110 , the thickness of the guide main body  2100 , the size of the through hole  2110  formed in the guide main body  2100 , 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 corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  moving into the through hole  2110  does not come out from the through hole  2110 , the corner  212 A should be in a state of protruding from the through hole  2110  toward the rear surface of the guide main body  2100 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7 , assuming that a distance from the guide surface  2104  of the guide main body  2100  to the rear surface of the guide main body  2100  along the internal surface  2112  of the through hole  2110  is indicated as length M, an intersecting point of a line obtained by extending the leading end of the PS plate  212  facing, at the angle α, the guide surface  2104  of the guide main body  2100 , and the direction along the length M, is indicated as point X, and a distance from the guide surface  2104  to the point X along the length M is indicated as N, if M&gt;N, it is possible to prevent the leading end of the PS plate  212  from protruding from the through hole  2110  to the rear surface of the guide main body  2100 . 
     A point located at an edge of the through hole  2110  at the side of the guide surface  2104 , and also located at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 , is indicated as point Z. Point Z′ as another edge of the through hole  2110  at the side of the guide surface  2104 , which is opposite to point Z and at the internal surface  2112 A in  FIG. 7 , is determined. A line normal to the internal surface  2112 B is drawn from point Z′. A line as an extension of the internal surface  2112 B 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&gt;Q−P must be satisfied to realize the relationship M&gt;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 hole  2110  between the internal surface  2112 A and the internal surface  2112 B.
         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 hole  2110  is preferably formed so as to satisfy the following expression.
 
 d ·tan(90−β)− d ·tan(90−α−β)&lt; t /cos(90−β) 
       

     As a result, even if the corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  comes into the through hole  2110 , the corner  212 A can be reliably kept from protruding from the rear surface of the guide main body  2100  (the side opposite to the guide surface  2104 ) and being caught by the guide main body  2100 . 
     In the PS plate processor  210  structured as described above, when the PS plate  212  on which an image is recorded by a printing device (not shown) is placed on an insertion table  240  and inserted in the insertion opening  232 , the PS plate  212  is pulled in by the conveyance roller pair  242  and conveyed to the developing section  214 . In the PS plate processor  210 , a timer is used so that the PS plate  212  passing through the insertion opening  232  is detected by the sensor (not shown). The timer is used for operating driving means for conveying the PS plate  212 , and measuring a timing at which washing water is discharged from the spray pipes  262 A and  262 B of the washing section  216  or a timing at which a gum solution is discharged in the desensitizing section  218 . 
     In the developing section  214 , the PS plate  212  is inserted by the conveyance roller pair  242  at 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 plate  212  is discharged from the developer at an outlet angle of 17 to 31 degrees. When the PS plate  212  is immersed in the developer in the developing section  214 , 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 plate  212  is brushed by the bush roller  280  disposed within the developing tank  224  to facilitate removal of an unnecessary photosensitive layer from the surface of the PS plate  212 . 
     In the PS plate processor  210 , the PS plate  212  may be brushed with a plurality of brush rollers  280  disposed so as to face the surface of the PS plate  212 , or may be processed using no brush roller  280 . 
     The PS plate  212  processed with the developer and discharged from the developer in such a manner as described above is pulled out by the conveyance roller pair  248  and conveyed to the washing section  216 . Subsequent operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
     As described above, the guide plate  246  is provided within the developing tank  224  of the PS plate processor  210 , and the PS plate  212  is conveyed by the guide plate  246  in a bent state and immersed in the developer. 
     Further, the through holes  2110  are formed in the guide plate  246 , and a relatively fresh developer is supplied via the through holes  2110  to the guide surface  2104  of the guide main body  2100 , serving as the conveyance path of the PS plate  212 . 
     As a result, the developer in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the PS plate  212 , which has been deteriorated due to the PS plate  212  being processed therewith, is discharged from the vicinity of the conveyance path of the PS plate  212 , and the PS plate  212  can be entirely subjected to development processing using a developer having a substantially uniform processing performance. 
     Further, suspended matters adhering to the PS plate  212  are brought into the developing tank  224  and reside on the guide surface  2104  of the guide main body  2100 . Such suspended materials can be discharged by way of the through holes  2110  toward the bottom of the developing tank  224 . 
     As a result, in the PS plate processor  210 , there is no possibility that the product quality deteriorates due to uneven development caused by adhesion of suspended materials in the developing tank  224  to the PS plate  212  and/or variation in processing performance of the developer. 
     The PS plate  212  is conveyed in such a manner that the leading end thereof abuts against the guide surface  2104  of the guide main body  2100 . At this time, when the corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  moves into the through hole  2110  formed in the guide main body  2100 , damage such as corner bending, or transport deficiency may be caused. 
     According to the present embodiment, the through holes  2110  are formed in the guide main body  2100  of the guide plate  246  so that the angle θ which is the sum of the angle α formed between the guide surface  2104  and the PS plate  212  when the leading end of the PS plate  212  abuts against the guide surface  2104 , and the angle/formed between the guide surface  2104  and the internal surface  2112 , becomes an acute angle. 
     As a result, when the corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  moves into the through hole  2110  and abuts against the internal surface  2112 , it is possible to prevent the corner  212 A from protruding from the rear surface of the guide main body  2100  at the innermost position of the through hole  2110 . Thus, even if the corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  abuts against the internal surface  2112 , it can be moved back toward the guide surface  2104 . 
     Accordingly, the PS plate  212  can be smoothly guided by reliably preventing damage to the PS plate  212  or transport deficiency, which is caused by the corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  moving into the through hole  2110 . 
     Further, in the through hole  2110  formed in the guide main body  2100 , the angle β and the hole width d are set based on the plate thickness t of the guide main body  2100 . Therefore, there is no possibility that the corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  moving into the through hole  2110  may protrude from the rear surface of the guide main body  2100 . As a result, smooth conveying of the PS plate  212  becomes possible by reliably preventing damage to the PS plate  212  or transport deficiency, which is caused by the corner  212 A of the PS plate  212  moving into the through hole  2110  and protruding from the rear surface of the guide main body  2100 . 
     In the present embodiment described above, a circular hole is formed as the through hole  2110 , but the shape of the through hole  2110  is not limited to the same. 
     For example, through holes  2124  formed in a guide main body  2120  shown in  FIG. 8  each have a rectangular opening at the side of a guide surface  2122 . It suffices that the through holes  2124  are formed in the guide main body  2120  so that the angle θ which is the sum of the angle β formed between the guide surface  2122  and an internal surface  2126  of the through hole  2124  at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the PS plate  212 , and the angle α formed between the PS plate  212  and the guide surface  2122  is less than 90 degrees, and more preferably less than 45 degrees. 
     In the present embodiment, the guide plate  246  within the developing tank  224  was described as an example, but naturally, the present embodiment can also be applied to the guide plate  244 . 
     Further, the photosensitive material processing apparatus using the guide plates to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the PS plate processor  210 . 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 plate  212 , but other photosensitive material such as photographic printing paper or a film are processed. 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, there was described the guide surface  2104  or  2122  of the guide main body  2100  or  2120 , 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. 
     [Third Embodiment] 
     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. 9  schematically shows the structure of a preprocessing apparatus  310  according to the present embodiment. 
     The preprocessing apparatus  310  is 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 apparatus  310  is 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 apparatus  310 , a so-called photopolymerization plate (hereinafter referred to as a “photopolymerization plate  312 ”) 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 plate  312  having 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 plate  312  is 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 plate  312  being 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 apparatus  310 , the photopolymerization plate  312  is subjected to pre-heating processing and pre-washing processing prior to development processing. The photopolymerization plate  312  preprocessed by the preprocessing apparatus  310  is 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 plate  312 . Further, the preprocessing apparatus  310  applied 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 casing  314  of the preprocessing apparatus  310 , a pre-heating section  316  for a pre-heating process is provided at the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photopolymerization plate  312 , and a pre-washing section  318  for a pre-washing process is provided at the downstream side in the conveying direction of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     In the apparatus casing  314 , an insertion opening  320  is formed at the upstream side of the pre-heating section  316 , and a conveyance roller pair  322  is provided between the insertion opening  320  and the pre-heating section  316 . When the photopolymerization plate  312  is inserted in the insertion opening  320  along the direction indicated by arrow A, it is pulled in by being nipped by the conveyance roller pair  322 . A plate detecting sensor  324  is provided at an inner side of the insertion opening  320 . When the plate detecting sensor  324  detects the leading end of the photopolymerization plate  312  inserted from the insertion opening  320 , driving of the conveyance roller pair  322  and the like is started. 
     In the pre-heating section  316 , a plurality of skewer rollers  328  are provided within a heating chamber  326 . The skewer rollers  328  are 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 plate  312  being heated in the pre-heating section  316 , occurrence of an undulate state of a support is prevented by the skewer rollers  328 . 
     In the heating chamber  326 , heaters  332  serving as heating means are provided near an inlet  330  and a circulating fan  334  is provided at the upstream side of the heaters  332 . 
     The circulating fan  334  supplies the air to the heaters  332  and blows out the heated air against the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate  312 . The air within the heating chamber  326  is thus agitated so that the temperature thereof becomes substantially uniform and reaches a predetermined temperature. At this time, the circulating fan  334  blows out the air, heated by the heaters  332  provided near the inlet  330 , against the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate  312  (in the direction indicated by arrow B) to remove cold air on the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  inserted from the inlet  330 , from the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 , thereby accelerating heating of the photopolymerization plate  312  by the heaters  332 . 
     In the pre-heating section  316 , a photopolymerization layer of the photopolymerization plate  312  is properly polymerized and hardened by setting a predetermined temperature and a predetermined heating time when the photopolymerization plate  312  passes through the heating chamber  326 . As a result, resistance to printing of the photopolymerization plate  312  is improved. 
     The photopolymerization plate  312  having passed through the heating chamber  326  is conveyed from the outlet  336  to the pre-washing section  318 . A cooling section is provided between the outlet  336  of the heating chamber  326  and the pre-washing section  318 . Prior to a supply of washing water to the photopolymerization plate  312  conveyed from the heating chamber  326  in the pre-washing section  318 , the photopolymerization plate  312  is cooled by a cooling fan (not shown). As a result, wrinkles in the photopolymerization plate  312 , which are caused by the photopolymerization plate  312  being rapidly cooled by washing water supplied in the pre-washing section  318 , can be prevented. 
     The pre-washing section  318  is provided with a washing tank  338 , and a washing tank  340  filled with washing water is formed within the washing tank  338 . 
     In the pre-washing section  318 , conveyance rollers  342 ,  344  and  346  are disposed in a zigzag manner from the side of the pre-heating section  316 . The conveyance rollers  342  and  346  are provided so as to face the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  and the conveyance roller  344  is disposed between the conveyance rollers  342  and  346  so as to face the lower surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     As a result, the photopolymerization plate  312  conveyed into the pre-washing section  318  is conveyed between the conveyance rollers  342  and  346 , and the conveyance roller  344 . 
     Further, the upper end of the conveyance roller  344  is located at a position higher than the lower ends of the conveyance rollers  342  and  346 . The conveyance rollers  342  and  346  are 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 plate  312  is conveyed between the conveyance rollers  342  and  346 , the photopolymerization plate  312  is bent by the conveyance roller  344  so as to be made slightly convex at an upper side thereof, and thereafter, the photopolymerization plate  312  is conveyed out from between the conveyance rollers  344  and  346  slightly diagonally to the lower side. 
     The conveyance rollers  342  and  346  are 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 rollers  342 ,  344  and  346 , even if the photopolymerization plate  312  shrinks by being heated in the pre-heating section  314 , occurrence of wrinkles or the like is prevented. 
     In the pre-washing section  318 , a brush roller  348  and a back-up roller  350  are provided in a pair at the downstream side of the conveyance roller  346  with the one above the other. The position at which the brush roller  348  and the back-up roller  350  contact each other is lower than the lower end of the conveyance roller  346 . As a result, the photopolymerization plate  312  is conveyed and inserted in between the brush roller  348  and the back-up roller  350  slantingly from the position between the conveyance rollers  344  and  346 . 
     In the pre-washing section  314 , a spray pipe  352  is provided between the conveyance roller  346  and the brush roller  348 , and a spray pipe  354  is provided above the brush roller  348 . The spray pipes  352  and  354  are each supplied with washing water within the washing tank  340  using a washing pump (not shown) or the like. Any conventionally known structure can be used to supply washing water to the spray pipes  352  and  354 , and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the spray pipe  352  is hollow and one end thereof in the longitudinal direction is opened. A plurality of holes  356  are formed in the spray pipe  352  at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe  352 . As a result, washing water supplied to the spray pipe  352  is jetted out from the holes  356 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a holder  358  is mounted at the spray pipe  352 . The holder  358  is formed so as to have a substantially L-shaped cross sectional configuration by a top plate  360  disposed substantially in the horizontal direction, and a hanging plate  362  extending downward from one widthwise direction end of the top plate  360 . The holder  358  is disposed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe  352 . 
     Both longitudinal-direction ends of the hanging plate  362  are each bent inward to form a pair of leg plates  364 . The leg plates  364  each include an insertion hole  366  corresponding to an outer diameter of the spray pipe  362 . 
     Further, a flow-straightening plate  368  is provided in the holder  358  so as to extend from a lower end of the hanging plate  362  in the widthwise direction thereof. When the top plate  360  of the holder  358  is disposed substantially in the horizontal direction, the flow-straightening plate  368  is inclined so as to face diagonally to the lower side. 
     The holder  358  is connected to the spray pipe  352  in such a manner that the spray pipe  352  is inserted in each of the insertion holes  366  from the side of one longitudinal-direction end thereof. At this time, the spray pipe  352  and the holder  358  are held by a bracket (not shown) so that the holes  356  are directed to the vicinity of the bent portion between the hanging plate  362  and the flow-straightening plate  368 , and further mounted at a predetermined position in the pre-washing section  318  so that the longitudinal direction of the spray pipe  352  coincides with the widthwise direction of the photopolymerization plate  312  orthogonal to the conveying direction of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     As a result, washing water jetted out from the holes  356  of the spray pipe  352  flows down on the flow-straightening plate  368  while being diffused in the widthwise direction of the photopolymerization plate  312 , that is, the longitudinal direction of the flow-straightening plate. 
     An attachment plate  370  is formed at an end of the top plate  360  of the holder  358  opposite to a side in which the hanging plate  362  is formed. The attachment plate  370  is formed by bending a widthwise direction end of the top plate  360  so as to be made substantially parallel to the hanging plate  362 , and the spray pipe  352  is disposed between the hanging plate  362  and the attachment plate  370 . 
     A channel brush  372  serving as a dampening member is mounted in the attachment plate  370 . For the channel brush  372 , any suitable structure can be used in which, for example, a bundle of brush material  374  of a predetermined length is folded back at the intermediate portion thereof, and the folded intermediate portion is inserted in a channel member  376  having a substantially U-shaped cross sectional configuration, and the brush material  374  is fixed to the channel member  376  by carrying out caulking processing for the channel member  376 , and thereafter, the ends of the brush material  374  is trimmed so as to be aligned to a predetermined length. 
     Further, a presser plate  378  is mounted to the holder  358 . The presser plate  378  is bent along the widthwise direction thereof at an angle slightly smaller than a right angle to form a presser portion  380 . As the presser plate  378  is mounted to the plate  360  of the holder  358 , the presser portion  380  is made to face the attachment plate  370  of the holder  358 . 
     The channel brush  372  is formed so that the channel member  376  is made to face the attachment plate  370  of the holder  358  with the brush material  374  disposed at the lower side. In this state, the presser plate  378  is mounted at the top plate  360  of the holder  358 . At this time, the channel brush  372  is mounted to the holder  358  by fixing the channel member  376  to the holder  358  with the channel member  376  interposed between the attachment plate  370  and the presser portion  380 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , in the channel brush  372  mounted to the holder  358 , the lower end of the brush material  374  reaches a position lower than the flow-straightening plate  368 . As a result, washing water jetted out from the spray pipe  352  adheres to the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  and is held within the brush material  374 , and excessive washing water flows out from the brush material  374 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the leading end of the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  is made to protrude toward the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate  312  inclined between the conveyance roller  346  and the brush roller  348 . As a result, the channel brush  372  (brush material  374 ) abuts and rubs against the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  conveyed from a position between the conveyance rollers  344  and  346  to a position between the brush roller  348  and the idle roller  350 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the transverse dimension of the channel brush  372  is longer than that of the photopolymerization plate  312 . As a result, the channel brush  372  is made to evenly abut against an entire region of the photopolymerization plate  312  along the widthwise direction thereof. 
     At this time, when washing water is jetted out from the spray pipe  352 , washing water is evenly supplied to the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the holder  358  is mounted to the spray pipe  354  disposed above the brush roller  348 . The lower end of the flow-straightening plate  368  of the holder  358  is directed to the upper portion of the brush roller  348 . As a result, washing water jetted out from the spray pipe  354  is supplied to the brush roller  348  while being diffused by the flow-straightening plate  368  along the axial direction of the brush roller  348 . 
     When the photopolymerization plate  312  is nipped between the brush roller  348  and the idle roller  350 , the brush roller  348  is adapted to have a predetermined brush pressure. As a result, when the photopolymerization plate  312  passes through a position between the brush roller  348  and the idle roller  350  with the brush roller  348  being rotated in a predetermined direction, the brush roller  348  brushes the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a guide plate  382  is provided between the conveyance roller  346  and the spray pipe  352  at the lower side of the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate  312 . When the guide plate  382  is used, the trailing end of the photopolymerization plate  312  conveyed out from between the conveyance rollers  344  and  346  significantly 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 plate  312  runs down. Accordingly, adhesion of washing water staying on the surface of the photopolymerization plate to the conveyance roller  344  is reliably prevented. 
     Namely, there is no possibility that washing water containing components of an overcoat layer and adhering to the conveyance roller  344  may adhere to a back surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 , so that the photopolymerization plate  312  may slip on the idle roller  350  during conveying thereof or the photopolymerization plate  312  may be contaminated. 
     Further, a guide plate  384  is provided below the idle roller  350  in an inclined manner. Washing water jetting out from the spray pipes  352  and  354  falls from the idle roller  350  on the guide plate  384 , so as to prevent bubbling or scattering of washing water, which results from that washing water falling from the idle roller  350  directly hits against the liquid surface of the washing water stored in the washing tank  340 . 
     A skewer roller  386  is provided in the pre-washing section  318  at the downstream side of the brush roller  348 . The skewer roller  386  prevents the photopolymerization plate  312 , which is being located at the upper side of the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate  312  and passing through between the brush roller  348  and the idle roller  350 , from rising to the liquid surface by being brushed with the brush roller  348  and being moved apart from the conveyance path. 
     A conveyance roller pair  388  is provided at the downmost position at the downstream side of the pre-washing section  318 . The conveyance roller pair  388  discharges the photopolymerization plate  312 , while squeezing out washing water supplied from the spray pipes  352  and  354  to the photopolymerization plate  312 , from the front and back surfaces of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     An overcoat layer at the uppermost position of the photopolymerization plate  312  swells with water and is apt to be peeled off. When the overcoat layer in the swollen state is brushed with the brush roller  348  or the like, the overcoat layer can be reliably removed. 
     In the pre-washing section  318 , washing water is supplied from the spray pipe  352  to the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  discharged from the position between the conveyance rollers  344  and  346 , to swell the overcoat layer, and thereafter, the photopolymerization plate is brushed with the brush roller  348  to remove an overcoat layer from the upper surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     In the pre-washing section  318 , the overcoat layer removed from the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  is recovered, together with washing water, in the washing tank  340 . Further, the washing tank  340  is 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 tank  340  by overflow means (not shown). 
     The conveyance roller pair  388  is disposed in the apparatus casing  314  and is used to discharge the photopolymerization plate  312  from an exhaust opening  390 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the conveyance roller pair  388  within the apparatus casing  314  is omitted and a processing apparatus such as an automatic processor is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the preprocessing apparatus  310 , 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 pair  388 . 
     In the preprocessing apparatus  310  structured as described above, when the photopolymerization plate  312  exposed imagewise is inserted in the pre-heating section  316 , the photopolymerization plate  312  is 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 plate  312  is increased. 
     The photopolymerization plate  312  having passed through the pre-heating section  316  is conveyed to the pre-washing section  318 . In the pre-washing section  318 , the photopolymerization plate  312  is sent out diagonally to the lower side while conveying force is being imparted to the photopolymerization plate  312  by the conveyance rollers  342 ,  344  and  346  disposed in a zigzag manner. As a result, the photopolymerization plate  312  is conveyed to a position between the brush roller  348  and the back-up roller  350 . 
     In the preprocessing apparatus  310 , when a state in which the photopolymerization plate  312  is inserted is detected by the plate detecting sensor  324 , the conveyance roller pair  322  and the like are driven, to start conveying processing of the photopolymerization plate  312 . At the same time, in the preprocessing apparatus  310 , based on a timing of detecting a plate by the plate detecting sensor  324 , washing water within the washing tank  340  is supplied to the spray pipes  352  and  354  provided in the pre-washing section  318 . 
     When washing water is supplied to the spray pipe  354 , the spray pipe  354  jets out the washing water toward the flow-straightening plate  368  and supplies the washing water to the brush roller  348  while diffusing the washing water by the flow-straightening plate  368 . 
     Further, when washing water is supplied to the spray pipe  352 , the spray pipe  352  supplies the washing water from the holes  356  to the flow-straightening plate  368 . As a result, washing water runs down the flow-straightening plate  368  toward the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  while being diffused by the flow-straightening plate  368  in the longitudinal direction of the channel brush  372 , that is, the widthwise direction of the photopolymerization plate  312 , so that washing water adheres to the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  and stays within the brush material  374 . 
     The leading end of the photopolymerization plate  312  sent out from a position between the conveyance rollers  344  and  346  is conveyed between the brush roller  348  and the idle roller  350  while the leading end abuts against the end of the channel brush  372 . At this time, the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  protruding toward the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate  312  abuts and rubs against the leading end of photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     As a result, washing water stored within the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  is supplied to the leading end of the photopolymerization plate  312 . At this time, the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  are provided so as to contact an entire region of the photopolymerization plate  312  along the widthwise direction thereof, and therefore, washing water is supplied from the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  to an entire region of the leading end of the photopolymerization plate  312  along the widthwise direction thereof. 
     The photopolymerization plate  312 , 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 roller  348  and the idle roller  350  in a state in which an overcoat layer swells with washing water and is apt to be peeled off, and brushed with the brush roller  348 . 
     Accordingly, the overcoat layer is reliably and uniformly removed from the leading end of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     Further, when washing water supplied from the spray pipe  352  via the flow-straightening plate  368  is excessively supplied to the channel brush  372 , the washing water runs down from the channel brush  372  to the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  which abuts against the channel brush  372 . At this time, the photopolymerization plate  312  is conveyed in an inclined manner so that the position thereof becomes lower at the side of the brush roller  348 , and therefore, washing water is accumulated on the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  at the upstream side of the brush roller  348 . 
     When the washing water is accumulated on the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 , the overcoat layer reliably swells with the washing water. When the photopolymerization plate  312  is brushed with the brush roller  348  in the state in which the overcoat layer has sufficiently swollen, the overcoat layer is reliably removed. 
     The leading end of the brush material  374  in the channel brush  372  protrudes toward the conveyance path of the photopolymerization plate  312 . Therefore, the leading end of the brush material reliably comes into contact with the photopolymerization plate  312  up to the trailing end thereof and washing water used to swell the overcoat layer can be supplied entirely to the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     Accordingly, an overcoat layer at the trailing end of the photopolymerization plate  312  is also reliably removed. 
     Further, the photopolymerization plate  312  brushed with the brush roller  348 , to remove an overcoat layer therefrom, is nipped by the conveyance roller pair  388  and passed to a subsequent process, in a state in which washing water has been squeezed out from the photopolymerization plate  312  together with the overcoat layer removed from the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 . 
     As described above, in the preprocessing apparatus  310  applied to the present embodiment, brushing with the brush roller  348  is carried out by supplying washing water to the photopolymerization plate  312  from 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 plate  312  partially delays development during developing processing of the photopolymerization plate  312 , thereby causing uneven finishing such as uneven development. In other words, the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312  can 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 brush  372  is used as the dampening member, but the present invention is not limited to the same. The channel brush  372  can 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 brush  372  preferably has a high wear resistance, thereby suppressing wear thereof caused by contact with the surface of the photopolymerization plate  312 . The channel brush  372  thus formed can be used for a long period of time. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, washing water jetted out from the spray pipe  352  is supplied to the brush material  374  of the channel brush  372  via the flow-straightening plate  368 . However, washing water may also be jetted out directly toward the brush material  374  by turning the holes  374  toward the brush material  374  without using the flow-straightening plate  368 . 
     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. 
     [Fourth Embodiment] 
     Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.  FIG. 12  schematically shows the structure of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processor (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate processor  410 ”) 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 processor  410  based on the fourth embodiment is noticeably different from the PS plate processor  110  of the first embodiment in that conveyance rollers of the processor  410  disposed 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 processor  410  carries out processing, with a processing solution, for a photosensitive planographic printing plate (used as a photosensitive material and referred hereinafter to as a “PS plate  412 ”) exposed imagewise by an exposure device (not shown). The PS plate  412  is 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 plate  412 , 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 processor  410  of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of conveyance roller pairs  442 ,  448 ,  450 ,  452 ,  462 ,  464 ,  470 ,  490 ,  492  and the like, which nip the PS plate  412  and impart conveying force to the PS plate  412 . These conveyance roller pairs each have nipping force for nipping the PS plate  412  between facing conveyance rollers. Further, the conveyance roller pairs  452 ,  464  and  470  provided 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 plate  412  from the surface of the PS plate  412 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 14  to  18 , a holder  4110  used for mounting the conveyance roller pair  464  provided in a washing section  416  of the PS plate processor  410  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the conveyance roller pair  464  is formed by an upper conveyance roller  4112  and a lower conveyance roller  4114  and is provided so as to nip the PS plate  412  between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114 . The conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  each 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 rollers  4112  and  4114  are 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 roller  4112 ,  4114  is inserted in a roller bearing  4116 . The conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  of the conveyance roller pair  464  are rotatably supported by holding the roller bearings  4116  at predetermined positions in the washing section  416 . At this time, the respective roller bearings  4116  of the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  are integrally held by the holder  4110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 A and  16 B, the holder  4110  is formed so as to have a substantially U-shaped configuration by a pair of side frames  4118  and a lower frame  4120  which connects respective one ends of the pair of side frames  4118 . An accommodating portion  4122  for the roller bearings  4116  (see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) is provided between the pair of side frames  4118 . As a result, the roller bearings  4116  are accommodated within the accommodating portion  4122  by being inserted between the side frames  4118  from an open side opposite to the lower frame  4120 . In  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 A and  16 B, the roller bearings  4116  mounted in the holder  4110 , and the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  are not shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16B , a leg plate  4124  is formed so as to extend from the pair of side frames  4118 . The leg plates  4124  respectively extend from the pair of side frames  4118  in parallel with each other, and the respective ends thereof opposite to the side frames  4118  are connected by a base plate  4126 . As a result, the holder  4110  is formed so as to have a substantially U-shaped configuration when seen from the open side of the pair of side frames  4118  (that is, when seen from the upper side in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 A and  16 B), and the roller bearings  4116  are accommodated in the accommodating portion  4122  so that the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  are disposed at a side opposite to the base plate  4126 . The roller bearings  4116  are each formed into a rectangular block when seen from outside, and rotation thereof is prevented in a state in which the bearings  4116  are inserted between the pair of side frames  4118 . 
     Further, the base plate  4126  includes an extending portion  4126 A formed so as to extend from the lower end thereof in parallel with the lower frame  4120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the holder  4110  is mounted at a pair of side plates  4128  disposed in the washing section  416 . A mounting groove  4130  having a widthwise dimension corresponding to an interval between the leg plates  4124  (not shown in these drawings) of the holder  4110  is formed in the side plate  4128  at a predetermined position corresponding to a position at which the conveyance roller pair  464  is mounted. The holder  4110  is inserted from the extending portion  4126 A of the base plate  4126  and mounted in the mounting groove  4130 . At this time, the holder  4110  is fixed to the side plate  4128  due to a protrusion formed at the lower end of the mounting groove  4130  being fitted in between the extending portion  4126 A of the base plate  4126 , and the lower frame  4120 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , a locking pin  4132  is mounted at one of the side frames  4118  (for example, a side frame  4118 A). A flange portion  4136  is formed at one end of a shaft  4134 , and the locking pin  4132  is fixed to the side frame  4118 A in such a manner that the shaft  4134  is inserted in the side frame  4118 A from a side opposite to the flange portion  4136 . At this time, the locking pine  4132  is fixed with a predetermined interval being formed between the flange portion  4136  and the end of the side frame  4118 A. 
     Further, a presser receiving portion  4138  is mounted at the other side frame  4118  (for example, a side frame  4118 B) of the holder  4110 . The presser receiving portion  4138  is formed substantially in the shape of a bar and is fixed to the side frame  4118 B by being fitted in the side frame  4118 B from a longitudinal-direction end thereof. 
     A pin hole  4142  in which a pin  4140  is inserted is formed in the presser receiving portion  4138  at an end thereof protruding from the side frame  4118 B. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 A and  16 B, in the holder  4110 , a presser member  4144  is mounted in the pair of side frames  4118 . The presser member  4144  is formed in such a manner that a pair of leg plates  4148  are mounted to an elongated block-shaped base portion  4146 . The leg plates  4148  are each formed substantially in a triangular shape. Further, a pin hole  4150  is formed in each of the pair of leg plates  4148  so that the longitudinal direction thereof is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the base plate  4146 . 
     The presser member  4144  is mounted in such a manner that the presser receiving portion  4138  of the side frame  4118 B is interposed between the pair of leg plates  4148 , and is further mounted to the side frame  4118 B due to the pin  4140 , inserted in the pin holes  4150  of the leg plates  4148 , being inserted in the pin hole  4142  of the presser receiving portion  4138 . At this time, the presser member  4144  is made rotatable around the pin  4140 . 
     Further, a pair of leg portions  4152  facing the locking pin  4132  is formed in the presser member  4144  so as to face a direction opposite to the leg plates  4148 . The interval between the leg portions  4152  is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the shaft  4134  of the locking pin  4132  and is narrower than the outer diameter of the flange portion  4136 . When the presser member  4144  is mounted to the side frame  4118 , respective ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152  are interposed between the flange portion  4136  of the locking pin  4132  and the upper end of the side frame  4118 A. 
     In the state in which the pin  4140  is inserted in the elongated pin holes  4150  of the leg plates  4148 , the presser member  4144  can be moved between a fixed position at which the ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152  catch the shaft  4134  below the flange portion  4136  of the locking pin  4132 , and a withdrawal position at which the ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152  retreat from the positions below the flange portion  4136  of the locking pin  4132 . 
     The presser member  4144  closes the end side of the pair of side frame  4118  at the fixed position to prevent pullout of the roller bearings  4116  from between the pair of side frames  4118 . Further, the presser member  4144  rotates around the pin  4140  at the withdrawal position of the ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152 , to open a space between the ends of the pair of side frames  4118  to allow insertion and removal of the roller bearings  4116 . 
     A mounting hole  4154  is formed in the base portion  4146  of the presser member  4144 . The mounting hole  4154  is formed along the longitudinal direction of the base portion  4146 . The diameter of the mounting hole  4154  at the upper end of the base portion  4146  is made small, and the diameter thereof in a region from the intermediate portion to the lower end portion of the base portion  4146  is made larger. 
     A compression coil spring  4156  and a pusher pin  4158  are inserted and mounted in the mounting hole  4154 . One end of a shaft  4160  of the pusher pin  4158  is enlarged in diameter to form a presser portion  4162 . As shown in  FIG. 16B , the lower end of the mounting hole  4154  corresponds to the outer diameter of the presser portion  4162 , and the shaft  4160  of the pusher pin  4158  is inserted in the mounting hole  4154  so that the presser portion  4162  is disposed at the lower side, that is, at the side of the accommodating portion  4122  between the side frames  4118 . At this time, due to the shaft  4160  being inserted in the compression coil spring  4156 , the compression coil spring  4156  is disposed within the mounting hole  4154  so as to be able to urge the pusher pin  4158  in a direction in which the presser portion  4162  of the pusher pin  4158  is pushed out from the mounting hole  4154 , that is, toward the accommodating portion  4122 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , a pin hole  4164  is formed at an end of the pusher pin  4158  opposite to the presser portion  4162  of the shaft  4160 , and a lever  4168  is mounted to the pusher pin  4158  via a pin  4166  inserted in the pin hole  4164 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 A and  16 B, a pin hole  4170  in which the pin  4166  is inserted is formed at a longitudinal-direction end of the lever  4168 . The lever  4168  is connected to the pusher pin  4158  and mounted to the presser member  4144  by inserting the pin  4166  inserted in the pin hole  4170 , in the pin hole  4164  (see  FIG. 15 ) formed in the shaft  4160  of the pusher pin  4158 . Further, the lever  4168  is rotatable around the pin  4166 . 
     The pin hole  4164  of the shaft  4160  is protruded from the upper end of the base portion  4146  against urging force of the compression coil spring  4156 , so that the lever  4168  is mounted to the presser member  4144 . The pin hole  4170  in the lever  4168  is 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 member  4144 , when the lever  4168  is inclined so that the longitudinal direction thereof is made orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the base portion  4164 , the pusher pin  4158  allows the presser portion  4162  to protrude toward the accommodating portion  4122  due to urging force of the compression coil spring  4156  (see FIGS.  16 A and  16 B). Further, when the lever  4168  is set upright so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction of the base portion  4146 , and the pusher pin  4158  is pulled up against the urging force of the compression coil spring  4156 , the presser portion  4162  of the presser member  4144  is accommodated in the mounting hole  4154 . 
     In the state in which the presser member  4144  spans between the side frames  4118  with the ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152  being inserted in the lower side of the flange portion  4136  of the locking pin  4132 , when the lever  4168  is inclined, the presser portion  4162  of the pusher pin  4158  protrudes toward the accommodating portion  4122  of the holder  4110  in which the roller bearings  4116  of the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  are accommodated. In the conveyance roller pair  464 , the presser portion  4162  protruding from the presser member  4144  due to inclination of the lever  4168  abuts against the roller bearing  4116  of the upper conveyance roller  4112  and the conveyance roller  4112  is, together with the roller bearing  4116 , urged toward the conveyance roller  4114 . 
     At this time, the roller bearing  4116  of the lower conveyance roller  4114  abuts against the lower frame  4120  of the holder  4110 , and therefore, nipping force at the time of nipping the PS plate  412  is imparted between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  of the conveyance roller pair  464 . 
     Further, in the holder  4110 , when the lever  4168  is set upright, the pusher pin  4158  is pulled up against the urging force of the compression coil spring  4156 , and the conveyance roller  4112  and the roller bearing  4116  thereof are released from a state of being urged by the compression coil spring  4156 . 
     At this time, the ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152  can be pulled out from the lower side of the flange portion  4136  of the locking pin  4132 , and therefore, the presser member  4144  can be made rotatable around the pin  4140 . 
     When the space between the pair of side frames  4118  is opened by rotating the presser member  4144  around the pin  4140 , the roller bearings  4116  can be pulled out by lifting up the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  of the conveyance roller pair  464 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , a cover  438  which covers the washing section  416  is provided, together with a cover  436 , above the conveyance roller pair  464 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the holder  4110  mounted at the rack side plate  4128  of the washing section  416  is provided so that the lever  4168  does not interfere with the cover  438  due to inclination of the lever  4168 . As a result, as indicated by the solid line in  FIG. 13 , when the cover  438  is mounted in a normal state, the upper portion of the PS plate processor  410  is closely covered. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 18 , when the lever  4168  of the holder  4110  is set upright, the end of the lever  4168  protrudes upward and interferes with the cover  438 . Accordingly, when the upper side of the washing section  416  and the drying section  420  is closed by the cover  438 , the lever  4168  abuts against and lifts up the cover  438  (the state indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.  13 ). As a result, nipping force for nipping the PS plate  412  is no longer imparted between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  of the conveyance roller pair  464 . 
     In the PS plate processor  410  structured as described above, when the PS plate  412  on which an image is recorded by being exposed by a printing device (not shown) is inserted from the insertion opening  432 , the conveyance roller pair  442  is driven to rotate. As a result, the PS plate  412  is pulled in the PS plate processor  410  in a state in which the PS plate is nipped by the conveyance roller pair  442 . 
     In the PS plate processor  410  of the present embodiment, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs for nipping and conveying the PS plate  412  are 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 covers  436  and  438  are taken away and the conveyance rollers are removed against urging force imparted between the conveyance rollers. 
     Next, mounting and removal of conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  in the conveyance roller pair  464  will be described. In the PS plate processor  410 , the holder  4110  is used for mounting the conveyance roller pair  464 . In the holder  4110 , due to the lever  4168  of the presser member  4144  being set upright from an inclined state, the presser portion  4162  abutting against the roller bearing  4116  of the conveyance roller  4112  can be separated from the bearing  4116  against the urging force of the compression coil spring  4156 . As a result, urging force imparted between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  is released. 
     Further, the presser member  4144  provided in the holder  4110  is structured such that the space between the side frames  4118 , in which the roller bearings  4116  are accommodated, can be opened by setting the lever  4168  upright. As a result, due to the bearings  4116  being pulled out from the accommodating portion  4122  by lifting up the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114 , the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  can be removed. 
     As described above, the holder  4110  applied to the present embodiment allows removal of the conveyance roller pair  464  in an extremely simple manner. 
     When the conveyance roller pair  464  is mounted, the roller bearings  4116  are mounted respectively at rotating shafts of the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  and inserted in the accommodating portion  4122  between the pair of side frames  4118  formed in the holder  4110 . Subsequently, the presser member  4144  is rotated to close the opening between the side frames  4118  and the ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152  are inserted in the lower side of the flange portion  4136  of the locking pin  4132 . 
     In the aforementioned state, when the lever  4168  of the presser member  4144  is inclined, the presser portion  4162  of the pusher pin  4158  is made to abut against the roller bearing  4116  of the conveyance roller  4112 . As a result, the ends  4152 A of the leg portions  4152  are pushed against the flange portion  4136  of the locking pin  4132  by urging force of the compression coil spring  41156 , to prevent removal of the presser member  4144 . Further, the conveyance roller  4112  is urged via the bearing  4116  toward the conveyance roller  4114  kept from moving by the roller bearing  4116  abutting against the lower frame  4120 . 
     As a result, a predetermined nipping force is imparted between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  and the conveyance roller pair  464  is mounted at the rack side plate  4128 . 
     As described above, the holder  4110  applied to the present embodiment facilitates not only removal but also mounting of the conveyance roller pair  464  and assembling efficiency of the conveyance roller pair can be extremely improved. 
     The nipping force between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  can be adjusted by changing the urging force of the compression coil spring  4156 . That is, so long as the compression coil spring  4156  which produces urging force corresponding to a required nipping force is used, the nipping force between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114  can be adjusted. 
     When the presser member  4144  provided in the holder  4110  is mounted to impart a predetermined nipping force to between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114 , the lever  4168  is inclined. In a state in which no nipping force is imparted between the conveyance rollers  4112  and  4114 , the lever  4168  is set upright and abuts against the cover  438  which covers the upper side of the conveyance roller pair  464 . In a case in which the cover  438  is mounted to the PS plate processor  410 , the cover  438  is lifted up. 
     As a result, based on a determination as to whether or not the cover  438  is mounted in a normal state, it can be clearly determined whether or not a proper nipping force is imparted to the conveyance roller pair  464 . 
     Further, not only in the PS plate processor  410 , but also in various types of automatic processors, generally, an interlock mechanism is provided which can process the PS plate  412  or can be activated so as to process the PS plate  412  only when the covers  436  and  438 , or the like are mounted in a normal state. 
     In such cases, the interlock mechanism can be activated due to the cover  438  being lifted up by the lever  4168 . Accordingly, the state in which the PS plate processor  410  is activated with no proper nipping force being imparted to the conveyance roller pair  464  or 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 pair  464  provided in the washing section  416  was described as an example, but the holder  4110  can also be applied to mounting of any suitable conveyance roller pair which nips and conveys the PS plate  412 . 
     At this time, in the present embodiment, the lever  4168  of the presser member  4144  abuts against and lifts up the cover  438 . However, the lever  4168  may abut against and lift up the cover  436 . Alternatively, the lever  4168  may abut against a shielding lid  4100  to lift up the cover  436 . 
     Further, the PS plate processor  410  applied 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. 
     [Fifth Embodiment] 
     Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.  FIG. 19  schematically shows the structure of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processor (hereinafter referred to as a “PS plate processor  510 ”) 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 processor  510  based on the present embodiment is noticeably different from the PS plate processor  110  of 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 processor  510  of the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a processing tank  522  is disposed at an upper side of the processor and processing sections from a developing section  514  to a drying section  520 , in which a PS plate  512  is processed while being conveyed, are provided in the processing tank  522 . That is, a PS plate processing section  5200 , in which the PS plate  512  is processed with a processing solution and subjected to drying processing while being conveyed, is disposed at an upper side of the processor. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 21  to  23 , the PS plate processor  510  is enclosed by an outer plate panel  530  and includes an apparatus casing  5202  above which the PS plate processing section  5200  is provided. Further, one side of the outer plate panel  530  (hereinafter referred to as an “outer plate panel  530 A” shown in  FIG. 21 ) in the widthwise direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the PS plate  512  is mounted in a removable manner.  FIGS. 22 and 23  each show a state in which the outer plate panel  530 A is removed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , in the PS plate processor  510 , the interior of the apparatus casing  5202  at the lower side of the processor is opened by removing the outer plate panel  530 A. 
     In the PS plate processor  510 , waste liquid tanks  5204 , in which a developer discharged from a developing tank  524 , and the like are recovered, are loaded in the apparatus casing  5202 . Further, a trolley  5206  is mounted within the apparatus casing  5202 . In the PS plate processor  510 , for example, two waste liquid tanks  5204  are accommodated at the side of the developing tank  524  and the trolley  5206  can be mounted at the side of the drying section  520 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the trolley  5206  includes a base  5208  having a substantially rectangular configuration when seen from the top. Casters  5210  are mounted respectively at four corners of the base  5208  and the trolley  5206  is movable by the casters  5210  on a floor surface on which the PS plate processor  510  is installed. Further, a grip  5212  is formed on one side of the base  5210  in the trolley  5206 , and the trolley  5206  can be moved by holding the grip  5212  between a position at which it is mounted within the apparatus casing  5202 , and a position at which it is pulled out from the apparatus casing  5202 . 
     Replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  are mounted on the base  5208  of the trolley  5206 . The replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  are disposed within the apparatus casing  5202  in a state in which the trolley  5206  is mounted within the apparatus casing  5202 . In addition to the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142 , a chemicals tank  5182  in which chemicals used by the PS plate processor  510  are accommodated can be mounted on the base  5208  of the trolley  5206 . 
     The replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  are each structured in such a manner that a tank portion  5214  in which a replenisher (developer replenisher or a gum solution replenisher) is accommodated, and a mounting portion  5216  having a substantially trapezoidal configuration when seen from the side and disposed at the upper side of the tank portion  5214 , are integrally formed. The replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  have the same shape, and the replenisher tank  5140  will be mainly described hereinafter. A developer replenisher and a gum solution replenisher are accommodated in the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142 , respectively. 
     An upper surface  5218  of the mounting portion  5216  is made flat, and a cubitainer  5220 , that is, a replenisher case filled with a replenisher, is mounted on the upper surface  5218 . 
     The cubitainer  5220  is 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 nozzle  5222  is provided at an upper side of the tank portion  5214  in the replenisher tank  5140 . The connecting nozzle  5222  is mounted to a holder  5224  provided on the upper surface of the tank portion  5214 . 
     The holder  5224  is mounted at an end on the upper surface of the tank portion  5214 , and the replenisher tank  5140  is mounted on the base  5208  of the trolley  5206  so that the holder  5224  and the grip  5212  are disposed on the same side surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 25  to  27 , the holder  5224  is formed in the shape of a substantially circular plate when seen from the top, and a mounting hole  5226  (not shown in  FIG. 25 ) for the connecting nozzle  5222  is formed at the central portion of the holder  5224 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the holder  5224  is mounted on the tank portion  5214  so that one longitudinal-direction end of the mounting hole  5226  is disposed at the side of the grip  5212  of the trolley  5206  and the other end of the mounting hole is disposed at the side of the mounting portion  5216 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 25 ,  26  and  27 , guides  5228  which makes a pair are provided so as to protrude from the holder  5224  toward the interior of the tank portion  5214 . The guides  5228  are provided at both sides of the mounting hole  5226  in the widthwise direction thereof and each formed in the shape of a semicircular plate. That is, the guides  5228  are formed in a pair with the mounting hole  5226  interposed therebetween. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 25  to  27 , the connecting nozzle  5222  has a stick-shaped configuration in which a conduit is formed inside thereof. One end of the connecting nozzle  5222  is formed as a connecting portion  5232  which is inserted in and connected to a flexible tube  5230 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 25 , a portion of the connecting nozzle  5222  (from the intermediate portion to an end opposite to the connecting portion  5232 ) is formed as a diameter enlarged portion  5234 . 
     The outer diameter of the connecting nozzle  5222  at the side of the connecting portion  5232  is smaller than an open width of the mounting hole  5226  formed in the holder  5224 , and the outer diameter thereof at the side of the diameter enlarged portion  5234  is larger than the open width of the mounting hole  5226 . Further, the outer diameter of the flexible tube  5230  is larger than the open width of the mounting hole  5226  of the holder  5224 , and a space between the guides  5228  formed in a pair in the holder  5224  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the diameter enlarged potion  5234  of the connecting nozzle  5222 . 
     The connecting nozzle  5222  is inserted in the mounting hole  5226  of the holder  5224  from the side of the connecting portion  5232  so that the connecting portion  5232  protrudes upward from the tank portion  5214 , and the flexible tube  5230  is connected to the connecting portion  5232 . 
     The connecting nozzle  5222  is provided so as not to be pulled out from the mounting hole  5226 , due to the flexible tube  5230  being connected thereto in a state in which the connecting nozzle  5222  is inserted in the mounting hole  5226 . 
     Further, the connecting nozzle  5222  is movable in the longitudinal direction of the mounting hole  5226  because the diameter enlarged portion  5234  is disposed between the pair of guides  5228 . Thus, the connecting nozzle  5222  is swingable along the longitudinal direction of the mounting hole  5226 . That is, inclination of the connecting nozzle  5222  within the mounting hole  5226  in the widthwise direction thereof is limited and the connecting portion  5232  protruding upward from the holder  5224  can be inclined toward the mounting portion  5216  and toward an outer side of the PS plate processor  510  opposite to the mounting portion  5216 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , a cap  5236  is mounted at the cubitainer  5220  at an outlet opening of a replenisher, and the flexible tube  5230  is connected to the cap  5236 . A replenisher stored in the cubitainer  5220  flows into the replenisher tank  5140  by connecting the flexible tube  5230  to the cap  5236  and inverting the cubitainer  5220  with the cap  5236  turned downward at a position higher than the tank portion  5214  of the replenisher tank  5140 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , a concave portion  5238 , which is made semicircular when seen from the top, is formed in the mounting portion  5216  of the replenisher tank  5140  ( 5142 ) at the side of the connecting nozzle  5222 . When the cubitainer  5220  is mounted on the upper surface  5218  of the mounting portion  5216  with the cap  5236  turned downward, the cap  5236  is fitted in the concave portion  5238 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 24 , a substantially rectangular concave portion  5240  is formed in the mounting portion  5216  of the replenisher tank  5140  at a side opposite to the connecting nozzle  5222 , and a vacuum nozzle  5242  is provided in the concave portion  5240 . Moreover, a plurality of elbows  5244  each having an internal conduit bent into a substantially L-shaped configuration are mounted to the base  5208  of the trolley  5206 . 
     The vacuum nozzles  5242  of the replenisher tank  5140  are each connected to an end of the elbow  5244  by piping  5246 . Further, piping  5148  ( 5148 A) connected to an input side of a replenisher pump  5152  and piping  5164  ( 5164 A) connected to an input side of a replenisher pump  5172  are connected respectively to the elbows  5244 . When the replenisher pump  5152  is activated, a developer replenisher is pumped out from the replenisher tank  5140 . Further, when the replenisher pump  172  is activated, a gum solution replenisher is pumped out from the replenisher tank  5142 . 
     The piping  5148 A and the piping  5164 A which connect the elbows  5244  to the replenisher pumps  5152  and  5172  each have predetermined slackness. Therefore, when the trolley  5206  is moved from the position at which the trolley is mounted within the apparatus casing  5202  to the position to which the trolley is pulled out from the apparatus casing  5202 , there is no possibility that the piping  5148 A and  5164 A may be forcedly pulled or movement of the trolley  5206  may be hindered. 
     In the PS plate processor  510 , replenishment of a replenisher is carried out in such a manner that the replenisher pumps  5152  and  5154  are activated in accordance with the amount of PS plates  512  to be processed and a developer replenisher and water used to dilute the developer at a predetermined ratio are supplied to the developing tank  524 . Further, in the PS plate processor  510 , replenishment of a gum solution is carried out in such a manner that fresh water of washing water is replenished to the washing tank  526 , and the replenisher pumps  5172  and  5170  are activated to supply a gum solution replenisher and water used to dilute the gum solution at a predetermined ratio, to the desensitizing tank  528 . 
     When the developer replenisher is supplied to the developing tank  524  and the gum solution replenisher is supplied to the desensitizing tank  528 , the developer replenisher within the replenisher tank  5140  and the gum solution replenisher within the replenisher tank  5142  are reduced. Accordingly, the developer replenisher and the gum solution replenisher each need to be supplied. 
     In the PS plate processor  510 , when the developer replenisher and the gum solution replenisher are supplied for the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142 , respectively, first, the outer plate panel  530 A is removed to open the interior of the apparatus casing  5202 . Thereafter, the trolley  5206  mounted in the apparatus casing  5202  is pulled out from the apparatus casing  5202 . 
     As a result, the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142 , and the cubitainer  5220  which are loaded in the PS plate processor  510 , can be pulled out from the processor, and the cubitainer  5220  in an empty state can be easily removed. 
     When a replenisher is supplied to the replenisher tank  5140 , the cubitainer  5220  in an empty state is removed and thereafter, the flexible tube  5230  connected to the connecting nozzle  5222  of the replenisher tank  5140  is connected to the cap  5236  of a new cubitainer  5220 . As a result, a replenisher can be made to flow from the new cubitainer  5220  into the replenisher tank  5140 . 
     Subsequently, the cubitainer  5220  is inclined and inverted, and then placed on the upper surface  5218  of the mounting portion  5216  formed at the upper side of the replenisher tank  5140 . As a result, a replenisher is made to flow from the cubitainer  5220  into the replenisher tank  5140 . 
     At this time, the connecting nozzle  5222  moves within the mounting hole  5226  of the holder  5224  along the longitudinal direction of the mounting hole  5226  correspondingly to movement of the flexible tube  5230  which connects the cap  5236  of the cubitainer  5220  and the connecting nozzle  5222  of the replenisher tank  5140 , and the connecting nozzle  5222  is further inclined, thereby preventing any forced bending or breaking in the flexible tube  5230 . 
     Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent a state in which a replenisher remains in the cubitainer  5220  or a replenisher does not run down from the cubitainer  5220 . 
     The cubitainer  5220  is thus placed on the replenisher tank  5140 , and thereafter, the trolley  5206  is moved into the apparatus casing  5202  and the cubitainer  5220  is, together with the replenisher tank  5140 , loaded in the PS plate processor  510 , and the interior of the processor is closed by the outer plate panel  530 A. 
     A replenisher runs down from the cubitainer  5220  placed on the replenisher tank  5140  in accordance with the quantity of a replenisher in the replenisher tank  5140 . That is, when the liquid surface of the replenisher in the replenisher tank  5140  rises up and an opening at an end of the connecting nozzle  5222  at the side of the diameter enlarged portion  5234  contacts the liquid surface of the replenisher, flowing of the replenisher stops. Accordingly, the replenisher can be supplied from the cubitainer  5220  in accordance with the quantity of a replenisher in the replenisher tank  5140 . 
     As described above, in the PS plate processor  510 , the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142 , and the cubitainer  5220  filled with a replenisher to be supplied to each of the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  are placed on the trolley  5206  and loaded in the apparatus casing  5202 . Accordingly, the cubitainer  5220  can be handled outside the processor and an operation of supplying a developer replenisher and a gum solution replenisher to the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  is extremely facilitated. 
     Further, the connecting nozzle  5222  provided in each of the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  is made swingable in a direction to which the cubitainer  5220  is inclined. Therefore, there is no possibility that the flexible tube  5230  which connects each of the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142  to the corresponding cubitainer  5220  may 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 tube  5230 . 
     Accordingly, when the cubitainer  5220  is replaced, an operation of flowing a developer replenisher or a gum solution replenisher which remains in the cubitainer  5220 , into the replenisher tanks  5140  and  5142 , 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 processor  510  for 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.