DE2319140A1 - DEVICE FOR TREATMENT OF PLATE-SHAPED MATERIAL WITH A LIQUID - Google Patents

Description

K''220.GJQbA .6.26 pp-Dr.N.-ur 16 «March 1973

Description for registering the

KALLE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT Wiesbaden-Biebrich

for a patent

Device - for treating plate-shaped! Material with a liquid

The invention relates to a continuous device for the treatment of plate-shaped! Material with a liquid. It relates in particular to a device for developing and / or * or etching Printing plates

It is known to use exposed presensitized printing plates manually or in a suitable position * -

or continuous flow devices with liquid developers

409846/0911

23191

to develop. In developing these materials is usually a mechanical support the dissolving effect of the developer by rubbing, spraying or similar measures are required.

Pass-through devices of this type, which work with rotating working rubbing rollers are, for. B. in German Offenlegungsschriften 1 772 512 and 1 943 and U.S. Patent 3,682,079.

In the previously known devices, the dosage and guidance of the developer is in the development zone not yet optimally solved, so that it is full of stones Cannot develop an effect with the smallest possible consumption. That means that one is proportionate Large quantities of developer must be pumped around and sprayed openly in the air, so that rapid exhaustion of the developer occurs. The interaction between the supply of developer and the rubbing of the surface is also not optimally resolved, so that the development process is delayed and the ease of passage is delayed must be kept small if one is to have a complete and reliable development of all soluble Wants to achieve shift parts.

409846/0911

_ 3 _ 2319H0

The object of the invention was to provide an improved - ■ Treatment device of the type described - to propose, reliable treatment with rapid throughput and low liquid consumption permitted.

The invention is based on a device for treating the surface of continuous plate-shaped material with a liquid, the device being essential components of a treatment _{zone s} through which the plate-shaped material is transported essentially horizontally, transport and sealing lenient e at the beginning and end of the Contains treatment zone, guide elements for the plate-shaped material, devices for applying the liquid to the upper surface, friction rollers above the transport path of the plate-shaped material for triturating the liquid on the surface and a collecting container for the liquid below the transport path.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that two successive distribution rollers are provided, which can be driven with opposing friction directions.

409846/0911

In addition to the two mentioned distribution rollers, the device according to the invention can also contain further distribution rollers which can be driven in any direction. So z. For example, be provided in a two treatment zone operating in opposite directions Reibwalzenpaare, or it may be before or after the Reibwalzenpaar an additional distributing roller _s optionally with other surface may be disposed. It is essential that at any point in the treatment zone there are two successive distribution rollers, the first of which rubs in the direction of transport and the second of which rubs against the direction of transport.

The device works in such a way that the plate-shaped Material passed through the treatment zone with the surface to be treated facing upwards is supplied with treatment liquid from above * In the area between the two counter-rotating treatment rollers, a sump of treatment ■ forms liquid that flows off laterally over the edges of the plate-shaped material.

The devices for applying the treatment liquid are expedient over the length of the treatment zone distributed. It is particularly advantageous if

40984670911

2319H0

the first feed at the beginning of the treatment zone he follows. A further feed is preferably carried out in the area between the distribution rollers and then behind the second and / or last in the transport direction Distribution roller.

As devices for applying the treatment liquid Preferably used spray nozzles. The transport and sealing elements at the beginning and end of the Treatment zones are preferably two pairs of nip rollers.

The friction rollers are preferably designed so that they have bristles on their outer surface. In principle, other materials are also used for this purpose, such as Felt, plush, foam rubber or the like., Into consideration. However, such materials are then not very favorable if a treatment liquid for Foaming-prone aqueous-alkaline developer solution is used. But such solutions become theirs Due to the lower environmental impact, preferred over organic solvents, as far as the one to be developed Copy layer suitable for aqueous-alkaline development is. · .- "'" ■ "

409846/0911

The bristles are preferably arranged in helical rows on the outer surface of the rollers, which begin in the middle of the rollers and whose direction of rotation is selected so that the distribution rollers during operation in the intended direction of rotation, the spirals run from the center of the roller to its ends. In this way, in the sump zone, the liquid is constantly moving from the center of the plate to its sides transported away. In connection with this, the liquid supply is expediently carried out exclusively in this area or mainly, in the middle of the plate or the rollers, so that for a permanent Renewal of the treatment liquid-provided.

As guide elements for the material to be treated, pairs of rollers can serve, which the plate-shaped material between pick up and transport through the treatment zone. At least in the area below the distribution rollers, a guide element can preferably be used as a guide element. -or support plate with longitudinal ribs be provided, over which the plate-shaped material is pushed. Has advantageous., The support plate at least openings below the friction roller acting against the through-groove between the ribs.

409 84 6/0911

- ⁷ '23Ί9Η0

through which the liquid can drain into the collecting container. In this way it is avoided that the plate-shaped material when entering its Leading edge in the area between the distribution rollers with a higher transport speed, z. B. with Speeds of more than about 0.5 m per minute, on the liquid that has accumulated there floats that of the second, running against the direction of transport The friction roller is pushed between the support plate and the material. In this case there is in particular with rapid rotation of the distribution rollers, d. H.

at a friction speed of more than about 2m / Minute, otherwise there is a risk that the slightly raised leading edge will be caught by the second distribution roller and . is bent upwards.

In order to suck the plate-shaped material from the Preventing the support plate and keeping the friction as low as possible is what makes the support surface of the ribs a total of only a minor part, about 1/4 or less, of the total area of the support plate a, us. the The support plate is preferably made of smooth, corrosion-resistant metal. The ribs can optionally with a friction-reducing, chemically resistant and abrasion-resistant plastic, e.g. B. polytetrafluoroethylene coated be.

40 9 8A6 / 09 11

The height of the friction rollers can be adjusted so that the intensity of the friction can be varied. This can also be done by changing the peripheral speed of both rollers. This can apply to both Rolls be the same or different. You can, for example, "at the second distribution roller by such an amount be smaller that the friction speed on the Surface of the material to be treated is about the same on both rollers. In any case, it should the circumferential speed of the first distribution roller, which rubs in the direction of transport of the items to be treated, be greater than the throughput speed of the plate-shaped material, so that in each case the direction of friction of both rollers is opposite to each other is.

The rollers can in addition to their rotary motion perform a reciprocating motion in the axial direction. This and the helical arrangement the bristles, the risk of longitudinal stripes forming on the material to be treated is avoided.

When operating the device according to the invention in their preferred embodiment is that to be treated sheet-like material from the crush

409846/0911

-s-

roller pair detected at the beginning of the treatment zone and pushed through the treatment area. Is the length of the plate-shaped material smaller than that of the treatment zone, further driven pairs of rollers can be used be provided. Immediately behind the first pair of squeeze rollers is the first row of spray nozzles, which sprays the surface of the material with treatment liquid. This z. B. the layer to be developed pre-soaked or swollen.

If there is a larger supply of liquid in this area, a considerable part of the material can be used here be removed. Especially in the development of copy layers, their detached parts of the visual layer do not dissolve in the developer, but as patties or finer particles remain suspended in the developer, it is advisable to do so even before reaching the first distribution roller to remove a large part of the layer areas to be detached and from the Rinse surface. An additional spray of developer can be used immediately before the first Distribution roller be advantageous. The material achieved

409846/0911

then the first friction roller, which the softened layer parts rubs out and together with the supernatant liquid in the intermediate zone between the distribution rollers pushes. There the treatment liquid enriched with the detached stock is removed from the rollers transported away to the edges and replaced in the middle with fresh treatment liquid. To this In this way, the surface, which has been roughly treated by pre-soaking and rubbing, is once again included at every point fresh treatment solution brought into contact with the now dissolves the not yet completely removed soluble surface areas. After this treatment " the solution is composed of the second distribution roller with the last removable layer components from the hardened or insoluble parts of the layer brushed off. Immediately behind the second distribution roller the surface is expediently sprayed again with fresh treatment liquid. The bulk of this Liquid is picked up by the distribution roller and against the transport direction over the plate surface in the Promoted area between the distribution rollers. The rest of the liquid that remains on the plate surface, is used when leaving the treatment area through the

40 98 46/0911

2313140

Pinch rollers squeezed out. Take advantage of the three rows of spray nozzles in the order shown decreasing amounts of fluid applied.

Located below the described treatment zone see the collecting tray for the treatment liquid. If necessary, it can be divided into several departments to collect the various parts of the zone be divided with different degrees of contamination resulting treatment solution. The liquid is allowed to settle there and passed through a sieve or filter to remove suspended visual parts, which is advantageously constantly covered with liquid, fed back to the spray nozzles. The liquid is replaced by fresh liquid in portions or continuously according to its consumption * If the treatment is to take place at a certain constant temperature, a heater and / or a Cooling can be provided for the treatment liquid.

The device according to the invention is particularly useful as a developing device for exposed copy materials suitable for processing into printing plates. In this way, those that remained soluble during the exposure become

40984 6/09 11

or layer areas that have become soluble with the Washed out developer solution, so that a relief image which is made as letterpress form, planographic form, Gravure form, etching stencil or the like. Can be used. Come as photosensitive systems all positive or negative working layers suitable for this processing, e.g. B. o-quinonediazide, p-quinonediazide, dia'zo resin and photopolymer layers as well as layers of unsensitized or sensitized crosslinkable polymers. As a developer for such layers organic Solvent or aqueous solutions used. In some cases, pure water is sufficient. In general, as far as possible, aqueous developers are preferred to organic solvents. because this involves a number of problems, such as evacuation of the vapors and recovery from the consumed Developers, do not apply. For many types of layers, such as diazo or photopolymer layers, are preferred Aqueous-alkaline solutions are used, which may contain small amounts of water-miscible organic May contain solvents.

A 0 9 8 k 6/09 1 1

23191

Another important application of the invention Device is the removal of hardened imagewise photoresists after they are used as reservage or masking stencils have served against the etching or electroplating solutions. This often as stripping In most cases, designated decoating requires in addition to the dissolving effect of the decoating agent an intensive mechanical action in order to completely remove the hardened parts of the layer. The device according to the invention is also excellently suited for this task. .

The device according to the invention is also for the etching of developed printing plates, if necessary as a further step after the material has passed through a developing device according to the invention suitable. In this way, z. B. multi-metal, deep or high pressure plates sequential development and etching can be made. Sensitized printed circuit boards can also be used can be processed into copied circuits by developing, etching and decoating.

40 98467 091 1

23191

The device according to the invention described above is particularly suitable as a treatment station in a larger system, e.g. a text processing line for printing plates to be built in. Several stations of the same structure, e.g. B. as above at the. Etching * described, or others not according to the invention Treatment stations are combined with the device. So z. B. a printing plate first a pure spray development zone, then one according to the invention Development zone with distribution rollers, one if necessary etching zone constructed according to the invention and finally Pass through a gumming zone in which an easily washable protective cover is for the time of storage is applied until use. Watering stations between all treatment stations are advantageous switched on to remove adhering treatment fluids to remove.

The device according to the invention is now based on • explained individual embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a developing device according to the invention.

A0 9846/0911

Fig. 2 shows a distribution roller in plan view.

Fig. 3 is a simplified cross-section through the Support plate for the item to be treated.

Fig. 4 shows schematically a possibility for Arrangement of two treatment devices according to the invention together with other stations in a photoresist processing line.

The device of Fig. 1 is of a housing with inlet and outlet openings 2 and 3 for the Surrounding the item to be treated. The one above the in and Outlet openings lying part consists of a removable hood 4 made of transparent material, which prevents the liquid from splashing into the environment and observes the development process permitted.

The inlet and outlet openings are followed by pairs of squeeze rollers 5a and 5b as well as 6a and 6b, used as a means of transport and liquid sealing

409846/091 1

2319U0

to serve. Below the transport path of the material to be treated in the area between the two pairs of squeezing rollers is a support plate 7 ₉ which has parallel ribs 10 running in the direction of transport (see Fig. 3) Above the plate are two parallel friction rollers 8 and 9 driven in opposite directions. In the area below the distribution rollers, the support plate 7 has parallel slots 11 between the ribs, through which the accumulated drainage fluid can drain. Furthermore, three rows of spray nozzles 12, 13 and 13 are arranged above the transport path of the material to be treated, the performance of which decreases in the specified order. The rows of nozzles 12 and 14 are distributed essentially uniformly over the width of the treatment zone, that is to say transversely to the direction of transport. The nozzle 13 consists of a single spray nozzle in the middle of the treatment zone or the distribution rollers.

The lower part of the housing 1 is used as a drip pan designed for the developer liquid. The liquid is drawn out of the tub through the exchangeable sieve and, if necessary, further filtering agents (not shown)

409846/0911

devices through the line 17 with the help of the pump back to the spray nozzles 12 _y 13 and 14 are pumped. A regulating valve 19, 20 and 21 is fitted in the supply lines to each spray nozzle, with which the liquid supply can be regulated separately at each stage. .

Fig. 2 shows the structure of the surface of a distribution roller. The outer surface is arranged in a helical manner Bristles 22 occupy "the" two in the middle of the Form the beginning of the coils. When the roller is in operation, the visible part of the surface moves in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the support plate 7 in the area below a distribution roller. The guide elements of the plate are ribs 10 tapering towards the top in the shape of a roof, the end faces 23 of which, on which the material to be treated ₃ slides, only make up a small part of the width of the plate 7. Between the ribs 10 there are downwardly open slots 11 *. Outside the slotted area, the plate has the serrated profile indicated by the line 2k.

4'67 "091-T

Fig. 4 shows a processing line for processing e.g. B. of exposed multi-metal printing plates. "It consists .aus the stations A to H ₅ " of which B and P are constructed according to the invention. In detail, the system consists of a conventional spray development station A, a development station B according to the invention, a washing station C _5, a conventional spray-etching station D _5, a washing station E _3, a disinfection station P according to the invention, a washing station G and a preservation station H. "

A brass-chrome bimetal plate 'with an image-wise exposed photopolymer layer is .z. B. in this processing line / treated as follows: In the spray development station A, the layer is thoroughly wetted with developer and swollen. Larger detached parts of the layer are washed away. In station B constructed according to the invention, the fine development takes place by rubbing out the remaining soluble parts of the layer. In station G, water is used to remove debris from the desegregation system. _{In station D, a spray treatment s} is carried out in a similar way as in A, but with chrome etching. To the at

409846/0911

2319UQ

As the surface parts of the carrier are exposed, the chrome is etched down to the brass underneath. Then in station E watering takes place again and in station F the hardened anti-etching layer is removed with a coating agent while rubbing. Another rinse follows in station 6 and finally the fixation or preservation of the ready-to-print bimetallic plate with an easily washable cover _s z. B. from gum arabic. -

The described embodiment of a combination of devices according to the invention with per se known elements is an example of a large number of ways of applying the invention Contraption.

409846/091 1

Claims (8)

-20- - 2319U0 Pa te nt a η s ρ r ü ehe 1. Device for treating the surface of continuous plate-shaped! Material with a liquid, the device being essential Components a treatment zone through which the plate-shaped material is transported essentially horizontally, transport and sealing elements on Beginning and end of the treatment zone, guide elements for the sheet material, means for applying the liquid to the upper surface, Friction rollers above the transport path of the plate-shaped material for grinding the liquid on the surface and a collecting container for the Contains liquid below the transport path, characterized in that two successive Friction rollers (8, 9) are provided which can be driven with opposing friction directions. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the means for applying the liquid are spray nozzles (12, 13, 14). 409846/09 11 2319 HO 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one spray nozzle each at the beginning of the treatment zone between the distribution rollers and is mounted behind the second distribution roller. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized j that the distribution rollers carry bristles (22) on their outer surface. " 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that that the bristles (22) on the outer surface of each roller beginning in the middle of the roller Coils with opposite directions of rotation are arranged in such a way that the coils during operation of the roller to their ends * 6. Apparatus according to claim 3 and 5, characterized in that the between the distribution rollers arranged spray nozzle (13) is designed so that it applies the liquid "exclusively or mainly in the area of the roller centers. 409846/0911 2319 UO 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that as a guide element for the plate-shaped Material a support plate (7). provided with parallel ribs (10) running in the longitudinal direction is. . 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 »characterized in that at least in the area below the second distribution roller between the ribs (10) there are openings (11) through which the liquid can run downwards. AO9846 / 09 TI L e r s e i t e