Patent ID: 7555983

Claim:
A plate handling apparatus comprising: a loader which is supported to be movable substantially parallel to a paper convey direction and swingable in directions to come close to and be spaced apart from an outer surface of a plate cylinder to perform plate removal/supply; first driving means for moving said loader among a first position close to said plate cylinder, a second position spaced apart from the first position in the paper convey direction, and a third position which is between the first position and the second position; second driving means for swinging said loader among a first swing state where said loader is substantially perpendicular to the paper convey direction, a second swing state where said loader is inclined such that a distal end thereof faces said plate cylinder, and a third swing state which is between the first swing state and the second swing state; first detection means for detecting a position of said loader in the paper convey direction; and second detection means for detecting a swing state of said loader; and control means for controlling said first driving means and said second driving means, wherein said control means controls said second driving means so as to cause said loader positioned at said third position to swing into said third swing state, then controls said first driving means so as to cause said loader to move from said third position to said first position, and thereafter controls said second driving means so as to cause said loader swing from said third swing state into said second swing state to subsequently accomplish the plate removal/supply operation.