US3896470A

US3896470A - Automatic processor for offset plates

Info

Publication number: US3896470A
Application number: US350129A
Authority: US
Inventors: John C Hovekamp
Original assignee: Buckler Industries Inc
Current assignee: Buckler Industries Inc
Priority date: 1973-04-11
Filing date: 1973-04-11
Publication date: 1975-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-22

Abstract

An automatic integrated processor which sequentially develops, washes and, if desired, applies gum to the exposed surface of an offset photolithographic plate in appropriately separated processing stages. The exposed surface of the plate is subjected to a linear, reciprocating rubbing action by plural sponges, which rubbing action produces results surprisingly similar to those produced by a manual rotary action. A fully assembled processor of this invention requires only that it be connected to a water supply, a source of power, and to a reservoir for used, waste fluids. A single electric motor is adapted (a) to drive plural pairs of coupled drive rolls, (b) to reciprocate the sponges in frictional contact with a generally horizontal offset plate and (c) to agitate angularly disposed containers for developer and gum. The translation of the rotary motion of the electric motor to linear reciprocation in mutually orthogonal planes is effected by direct rod-actuated drives with swivel rodends. The fully assembled processor may be transported through a standard 36 inch wide doorway, eliminating the drawbacks characteristic of machines which are to be assembled at the installation site.

Description

United States Patent Hovekamp AUTOMATIC PROCESSOR FOR OFFSET PLATES Primary Examiner-Fred L. Braun Attorney, Agent, or FirmCain and Lobo [5 7 ABSTRACT An automatic integrated processor which sequentially develops, washes and, if desired, applies gum to the exposed surface of an offset photolithographic plate in appropriately separated processing stages. The exposed surface of the plate is subjected to a linear, reciprocating rubbing action by plural sponges, which rubbing action produces results surprisingly similar to those produced by a manual rotary action. A fully assembled processor of this invention requires only that it be connected to a water supply, a source of power, and to a reservoir for used, waste fluids. A single electric motor is adapted (a) to drive plural pairs of coupled drive rolls, (b) to reciprocate the sponges in frictional contact with a generally horizontal offset plate and (c) to agitate angularly disposed containers for developer and gum. The translation of the rotary motion of the electric motor to linear reciprocation in mutually orthogonal planes is effected by direct rodactuated drives with swivel rod-ends. The fully assembled processor may be transported through a standard 36 inch wide doorway, eliminating the drawbacks characteristic of machines which are to be assembled at the installation site.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL 2 2 1915 AUTOMATIC PROCESSOR FOR OFFSET PLATES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Though manual development, washing and gum application, also referred to as gumming, is still practiced by the occasional user of photolithographic plates, the large scale commercial utilization of offset plates has made automatic processing of exposed plates an economic necessity. Numerous machines have been proposed to execute otherwise manually performed tasks and have met with qualified success. Machines specifically adapted to process exposed photolithographic plates automatically are disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,608,464; 3,593,641; 3,589,261; 3,562,834; 3,448,720; and others.

In general, the more successful machines have emulated the rotary, heretofore manual movement, particularly for the development of the plate. Consequently, it has been popularly believed that failure of other modes of mechanical rubbing motion as a substitute for manual rubbing is a foregone conclusion.

Moreover, the more successful machines are relatively large, enormously complicated and, not unexpectedly, require a capital investment which precludes their acquisition by a small user of plates. With respect Eb size, it is noted that available machines, for plates from about 25 inches to about 33 inches in width, will not pass, fully assembled, through a standard 36 inches wide doorway and consequently must be assembled at the installation site, preferably by a qualified factory representative. Similarly a factory-trained maintenance person is generally required to diagnose and rectify malfunctions of prior art machines due to the complicated inter-relationship of moving parts and the large number of electrical circuits. Thus, there has been a growing need for a simple, inexpensive automatic plate processor which will not only be easy to acquire but easy to maintain; and which is mechanically as ruggediy reliable as it is photographically, routinely reproducible in results. This invention is directed to sucha need.

SUMMARY OF THE SINVENTION vide a new and improved self-contained, integrated automatic processor, for exposed lithographic plates typified by those used in modern offset printing machines which processor may be delivered to a purchaser, ready-to-use, requiring only that'it be connected to a water supply, optionally a recirculating water supply, a source of power, and a reservoir for disposal of used processing fluids.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an automatic processor which utilizes simple components, coacting in the framework of a disciplined geometry, wherein a main requirement is that a fully assembled machine may be transported through a standard 36 inches wide doorway.

It is another object of this invention to provide a machine, less than 36 inches wide in the direction of travel of an exposed plate being processed, in which width a developing stage, a washing stage and a gumming stage are coplanarly disposed, but essentially compartmentalized by at least three pairs of coupled drive rolls which perform the dual function of minimizing contamination of fluids into adjacent stages and of transporting the exposed plate, sequentially, through each stage.

It is a particular object of this invention to emulate the process results of a desirable, manual rotary motion for rubbing the exposed surface during processing, by utilizing a surprisingly effective, simple rectilinear reciprocating motion, transmitted to rubbing surfaces such'as sponges, which engage the exposed surface of the plate in frictional sliding contact.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic machine with a linearly reciprocable, integral agitator or shaker for bottles or containers of difficulty homogenizable processing fluids.

' It is still another object of this invention to effect (a) positive, accurate transport of the exposed plate by the drive-rolls, (b) linear reciprocation of the sponges and (c) continuous agitation of the processing fluid containers, by dual, gear-reduction drive means driven by, and disposed on either side of, a single electric motor.

It is also a specific object of this invention to provide a machine with built-in safeguards both for the operator and the plate being processed; specifically, a torque limiter for the drive mechanism of the drive-rolls defeats transport of a plate which is advertently fed askew; the supply of chemicals may be adjusted both in flow rate and location to avoid splashing; and out-ofphase reciprocating sponges, spaced apart from each other at a distance less than the length of a plate, ne-

gates the net torque generated by the sponges during least one pair of shafts, one in an opposite direction. from the other, to provide 'out-of-phasereciprocating action to contiguous sponges in a generally horizontal plane, coplanarly with the exposed surface of the plate; and (2) for agitating the fluid containers in a plane or- 'thogonal to the horizontal plane. The plural drives may be effectively operated, without binding, though one end of each of three rods is journalled on a single stub shaft rotatable in a vertical plane.

It is still another specific object of this invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus for shaking difficulty miscible liquids wherein the liquids containers are angularly disposed in a substantially vertical plane and linearly reciprocated by direct rod means driven by a rotary drive means not in the same vertical plane.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for connecting rotary motion about a first axis into linear reciprocating motion along a second axis in transversely spaced relationship with said first axis, a new and improved automatic pro-L cessor for offset plates, a new and improved process for developing and washing exposed offset plates, and a new and improved shaker for agitating a difficultly miscible liquid, each of which obtains one or more of the objects and advantages set forth hereinabove.

'shakingthe fluid containers.

i IBYRIEFIYDEYSCRIPTION oF THE D AwiNos FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic offset plate vprocessorpof this invention, from the receiving or infeed end of the machine where exposed plates are fed I into a first pair of driverolls. t

FIG. 2 is :an elevation perspective view ofthe right side of .the processor showing the direct rod-actuated drives for reciprocating the sponges and simultaneou'sly FIG. 3 is a partial plan view, in perspective, ofthe right side of the processor showing direct rod means for reciprocating the sponges, and the manner in which the sponges are manually replaced.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a single motor drivingly engaged with gear reducers disposed on opposite sides of the motor.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation perspective view, partially broken away for clarity, of the chain drive for driving the pairs of coupled drive rolls.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view, from the infeed end, showing three rod-ends journalled in a stub 'shaft in a crank arm,

I FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged view, from the infeed end, showing arocker arm for the intermediate sponge bar assembly and a rod-end pivotally disposed on the rocker arm.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of FIG. 7.

In the figures of the drawing, like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. Some of the parts are dimensionally exaggerated for clarity of illustration and to facilitate the description of the drive means and the manner in which it benefits the operation of the automatic processor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED I EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION cessor, which in addition to sequential developing and washing stages, provides a coating of gum arabic to preserve the plate. It will be apparent that, should normal preservation of the plate be dispensed with, the apparatus to be described hereinafter may be easily modified to exclude the gumming step.

A self-contained or integrated processor is one in which all the desired steps that are prerequisites of the ultimate in plate-processing are carried out, automatically, once the machine is placed in operation, except for feeding each plate into the infeed or feed-end and recovering processed plates from the out-feed or discharge end. An integrated processor is placed in operation by movingla fully-assembled processor into the processing room, connecting it to a water-supply, a

sourceof power, such as any available electric supply at conventionally designated line voltage, and a drain to a reservoir or treating facility adapted to receive and dispose of waste processing chemicals. The processor is referred to as being complete, because with the fluid containers provided with suitable chemicals, only wash water need be supplied before the machine is connected to a source of power for its automatic operation.

Exposed plates are fed exposed surface upward, usually manually, individually and sequentially, permitting essentially continuous operation. Operation of the machine may be interrupted at will, for example, to replenish processing chemicals, for work recesses, and the like, without having to make more than simple, routine adjustments, if any. I

' Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a self contained automatic offset lithoplate processor indicated generally at l, with covers to protect (a) a chain drive mechanism, for receiving, transporting, and discharging a plate, (b) sponges or applicator means having a rod-actuated drive mechanism adapted to reciprocably rub the exposed surface of the plate, and (c) pump means for supplying chemicals, and other components, as will be described hereinafter. The processor is placed in fluid communication with a source of washing fluid, preferably water, by connecting it with a water supply, and a power-cable from the processor is plugged into a line receptacle (details not shown). The length of the processor in the direction of travel of a plate, is less than 36 inches, with all the covers on, and fully assembled.

Processing chemicals, such as are well-known in the art, for developing and gumming the exposed plate, are difficult to maintain in homogeneous solution. They are, therefore, continuously agitated in a shaker, indicated generally at 7. The shaker7- is'disposed below a rod-actuated drive mechanism (see FIG. 2), covered in FIG. 1, on the right hand side of a person positioned so as to present a plate to the infeed end of the processor. In descriptionshereinafter, the right hand side of the processor will be referred to as the front and the opposite, or the left hand side, will be referred toas the rear of the machine.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the shaker comprises a pair of

rocker arms

11 and 12 pivotally disposed on

vertical frame members

13 and 14 which are part of the support structure of the processor. Suitable pivots 15 are provided by bolts 16 journalled in bearing means 17, preferably ball bearings, secured in the rocker arms. The lower end of each

rocker arm

11 and 12 pivotally supports a horizontal support bar 18 near its end, at pivot 19, preferably utilizing a similar bolt and bearing means as those described immediately hereinbefore. The upper end of the rocker arm 12 is provided with a bolt or pin 21 on which is pivotally secured a swivel rod-end 22 of a rod 23, the other end of the rod 23 also having a swivel rod-end 24 pivotally disposed on a stub-shaft or pin 25. The stub-shaft 25 projects from a rotatable crank arm 26 driven by any suitable drive means. Preferred drive means is a variable speed reduction gear means 31 powered by a motor means such as an electric motor 32. (see FIG. 4)

It will be recognized that swivel rod-ends are desirable to accommodate angulation of any rod which otherwise would bind. Because the rod 23 may be disposed on the stub shaft 25, so as to place the rod 23 in essentially the same vertical plane as the rocker arms '11 and 12 and the supportbar the"bottle's may be agitated by a parallelogram motiontimpart'ed by a-r od 23iwithout swivel ends. l-l'oweven'the use of swivel ends" permits such flexibility, with respect" to the plane of movement of the rod 23, as is necessary-fin" t-hisqaarticu lar embodiment when the vertical plane is ner the same. Other means maybe usedforthis put-pose,- such as, for example,aflexible rod with predetermined rition sufficiently to permit angulated transmission of the rotary motion of the stub shaft 25, without binding, may be disposed intermediaterthe two-rod sections; Still another means, utilizing direct rod actuation,'includes a rod with conventional, fixed rodaends and a universal joint intermediate its length. v j

It will also be recognized thatthe rotary movement of the crank arm may be converted to the desired rocking motion of thesupport bar by utilizing a flexible cable and an oppositely directed spring-return, instead ofa direct-rod actuated means; but'a flexible cable and spring return is generally not as satisfactor as-direct rod actuation.

The support bar 18has fixedly disposed thereon a bottle holder or carriage 33 adapted to hold a developer bottle 34 and a gum bottle 35. The

bottles

34 and 35 are angularly, removably disposed in the holder 33,

preferably at an angle in the range from about to t 50". from the horizontal, and most preferably at about 45, by a spring 38. It has been discovered that an angularly disposed fluid container provides-surprisingly good mixing and reliably maintains homogeneity of the ;fluids."A pair of developer fluid lines 36 and a pair of gum lines 37 conduct developer and gum from the

bottles

34 and 35 respectively. I

.Rotation of the crank arm 26 produces a back-andforth rocking motion of the rocker arm 12 and reciprocates the

bottles

34 and 35. Fluids from the bottles are conducted through

lines

36 and 37 and applied to the exposed surface of a plate to be processed, as will be described hereinafter. j 7 Referring further to FIG. 2, and also to FIGS. 3 and 6, the stub shaft 25 has pivotally disposed thereon swivel rod-ends 41 and of

rods

42 and 44 respectively. The other swivel rod-end 43 of the rod 42 is pivotally. disposed on a pin 46 projecting from a rocker arm 47. The rocker arm 47 is secured on a first shaft .51, at a predetermined angle in such a manner as to impart a rocking motion, symmetrically about a.vertical axis, to a second rocker arm 52 provided with a cam 53. The first shaft 51is journalled in bearings 54 in pi],-

low blocks mountedon a front, orrig ht" hand, side plate 55. The swivel rod-end 48 of rod, 44 is pivotally disposed on a pin secured in a rocker plate 42. The

- rocker plate 49 has a projecting'carn 56 (see FIGS. 7

the shaft -57 is journalledf-fThe' bearings 60, in pillow blo'cks are mounted on the side-plate. 55. The ro'cker arm 47 and the 'rocker plate 49 are so. connected by the rods 42 and 44 'to the stub shaft 25 as .to provide out'-of phase oscillations of the first and second shafts; preferably, when the first shaft'rotates clockwise, the second shaft rotates counter-clockwise. As explain ed herein-f before, though swivel r.od ends are preferred, otherfidi-- rectrod-actuated means which will permit;angulation during operation mayl'bezused.

Each of the cams on ithe rocker a'rm'52', the rocker plate 49 and .the rocker' arm 58 is engaged in mm fol= lower blocks 61 provided. near one. end of -:a sponge. bar assembly. Each sponge bar assemblycomprises a bar 62 which extends to'the lefthand side of the processon The sponge bar. 62 supports a channel 63.- in whichma'n elongated sponge 64 is removably disposed.:.A similar intermediate sponge and a'gumsponge'(neither.shownj) are also removably disposed. byany suitable means,

such as-prongs, in three similar sponge-assemblies.

Each of the sponges isso disposed as to be in frictiona'k.

sliding contact:with'the plate to,be processed the slid ing contact being actuated by the action of the c-arn s and cam follower blocks. Commercially available sponges, natural or synthetic are preferred, though-any suitable resilientporoussurface will pro,vide1an;ade-t quate rubbing surface. The rockerarms 52 and .58 -and rocker plate 49 :reciprocate the ,sponge bar assemblies rectilinearly,across-theplate in adirection orthogonal to the direction of travel of the plate as itis processed, The sponges reciprocated by rocker arm 52,.and rocker plate 49 are refenred toas apairof developing sponges,

and the. sponge 'reciprocated by rocker arm, 5 8.is,re ferred toaasa gumming or gum sponge. Aswillpresently be apparent the sponge reciprocated by,,- rocker plate 49., also referred to as the intermediate sponge, performs a dual function, the edge on the infeed;.or plate-feeding side rubbing developer solution; and the edge on the outfeed or, plate-discharging side -rubbing washing water over the plate. Simultaneous, oppositely directed reciprocation of the pair of developing sponges, relative to each other, balancesand offsetsthe torques generated bythe sponges so as not to damage an offset plate fed to the processor. j, I

Each-sponge bar assembly is provided near.each,end with adjustable pressure means, to set a desired rubbing pressure for each sponge. This may be effected by aZ shaped roller pressure arm assembly :71 having a pressure roller 72 rotatably disposed on one end, and the other end adjustably, fixedly disposed in a blocjk .'7,3 mounted to the front side-plate 55. Similar roller pressure arm assemblies are disposed in blocks on a rear side-plate (as seen in FIG. 5). The block 73 is sp lit and provided with a bolt 74 to fixedly secure one end of the i'oller pressure arm. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a reduction gear means or gear'reducer .81 is disposed on the other side of the electric motor 32, that is opposite. from thereduction gear means 31, and is drivingly engaged with the rnotor 32, as ,will be described hereinafter. The reduction gear means 81 is provided with a shaft 82 on a l2-pitch sprocket 83 is keyed. A drive chain .84

urge it onwards. Sprocket 86 is keyed to the lower of a pair of coupled drive rolls 90, also referred to as gum rolls, and which are also adapted to pressingly receive a plate therebetween and urge it onwards.

Sprockets

85 and 86 are preferably l7-pitch sprockets, and in operation, impart the same rotational speed to the coupled which is keyed to the lower of a pair of coupled drive rolls 92, also referred to as feed rolls, adapted to recieve an offset plate therebetween and to urge it toward the wash rolls 91. The sprocket 89 is preferably a 20- pitch sprocket and is provided with a torque limiter 93 with an adjustable running torque, such as is commercially available from Morse Chain.

The gear reducer 81 is provided with a variable speed drive, such as is commercially available from Browning, which includes a manually controlled sheave 101 with a control knob 102 which permits choice of a desired driven speed. The correct speed is held by spring tension. The variable speed drive also includes a spring loaded sheave 103 fixedly disposed on one end of a shaft 104 of a drive-belt relay. The other end of the shaft 104 is provided with a flanged sheave 105 on which a timing belt 106 is trained and then drivingly engaged on a wide sheave 107 keyed to the shaft of the electric motor 32. The sheave 107 is wide enough to accommodate two timing belts 108 and 106 which recessingi that is, with ithe exposed surface of the plate facing upward. It is preferably to provide a slight incline for the deck 112, such as, for example, 1 inch in 27 inches, the deck sloping downwards towards the outfeed end of the processor. The sponges 64 are in abutting, rubbing contact with the deck, the desired pressure being adjustably by loosening the bolt 74, pressing down on the roller 72 and securely tightening the bolt 74.

The processor, replete with necessary chemicals for developing an offset lithoplate and protecting the de-' veloped plate, is placed in operation by switching on the electric motor 32 and individual gear motors for each of the chemicals, by means of switches 4 and seen on the feed-end panel of the machine in FIG. 1. The speeds of the gear motors are preselected to pump a predetermined amount of chemicals.

Developing fluid is applied to the exposed surface of a plate as soon as it is fed through feed rolls at the infeed end of the processor. Developing fluid is conveniently provided through plural flexible tubes 36 which deliver fluid from a bottle in the shaker. The tubes 36 are positioned, intermediate the feed rolls 92 and the first developing sponge 64, by. brackets 114 which are adjustably disposed on the sponge bar 62 of the first developing sponge. The developing fluid is pumped from the bottle by any conventional pumping means such as a rotary pump 115 driven by a variable speed gear motor 116. It is preferred to use a separate rotary pump for each tube which dispenses developing fluid, only one of which is shown in FIG. 5.

Developing fluid applied to the plate is rubbed by first one, and then the other of the pair of developing sponges 64b and 64b. The feed rolls 92 continue to urge the plate onwards to the wash rolls 91. The correct or most desirable roller pressure between therolls of each pair of coupled drive rolls is set by a lock nut 96 and adjusting screw 95 adapted to exert pressure on roller bushings 97.

Water for the washing stage is provided by a water wash spray bar having a plurality of holes (not shown) through which water is jetted into.the nip of the wash rolls '91. The water serves to rinse the developed plate, and the second of the pair of developing sponges provides an additional power washing and scrubbing action.

The wash rolls 91 squeeze excess water from the plate and urges the plate to the gumming stage. The wash rolls also serve to anchor the plate, as it travels, so that the simultaneous rubbing action, in the same direction, of the second developing sponge and the gumming sponge, does not torque the plate excessively.

'For gumming the plate, gum is applied intermediate the wash rolls and the gum sponge in a manneranalogous to the application of developling fluid, through gum dispensing flexible tubes 37 which are positioned, adjustably, with brackets 114 on the gum sponge bar. Again, as before, gum is pumped from the gum bottle by any conventionalpumping means such as a rotary pump driven by a variable speed gear motor, and a separate pump for each tube is preferred. The gum is rubbed onto the surface of the plate by the gum sponge and is urged towards the gum-rolls where excess gum is squeezed from the plate. The plate is discharged from the gum rolls, fully developed and coated with a protective coating of gum.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the instant automatic processor that the developing, washing and gumming stages are essentially compartmentalized, that is, substantially separate and distinct from each other. The developing stage is defined by the zone between the developing rolls and the infeed edge of the intermediate or second of the pair of developing sponges; the washing stage is defined by the zone between the outfeed edge of the intermediate sponge and the wash rolls; and the gumming stage is defined by the zone between the wash rolls and the gum-rolls. The slight incline of the deck, sloping downwardly from the infeed to the outfeed ends of the processor, ensures a flow of liquids toward outfeed end and at the same time, helps prevent undue contamination of developing fluid by water, and contamination of the water by gum respectively.

It will also be apparent that, for economy of utilization of chemicals, a multiplicity of plates is most advantageously processed sequentially and essentially continuously. It will be apparent that the machine may also be operated for a single plate at a time.

Used fluids flowing off the exposed surface of a plate being processed, and through suitable'openings'provided in the deck 112, drain into the drain pan and thereafter into a reservoir for waste fluids. Alternatively, the drain pan may be connected directly to a axis is to be converted toa linear or rectilinear recipro-' cating motion: along a second axis in transverselyspaced relationship with thefirst axis by utilizing a shaft means disposed for oscillation about the I third axis which is angular ly related tothe second'axis. Such an apparatus may be: adapted for use in any machine wherein the aforementioned conversion of motion is desired, and is particularly applicable .toprocessors of the type describedherein to effect linear reciprocation of an elongate member including arubbing means such as a brush, sponge or applicator. As is well known in the art, such processors of offset plates may includeany conveyor means; for the plates, such as, for example, a conveyor belt or drive rolls.

waste line which may bedisposed of in a suitable manner. I 'f The apparatusof this invention is broadlyapplicable to any mechanism wherein a rotary motion about a first I in which said firstand second rubbing respectively each said rocker arm having a cam cooperatingly engaged in a cam follower operatingeach said rubbing means-respectively.

4. The self-contained processor of claim 3 wherein each said rod means has swivel ends. I

i 5. The'self-contain'ed processor according to claim 3 rocated 110 outofphase.

"6." ln a self-contained processor having conveyor means for transporting therethrough an individual photolithographic plate soithat an exposed surface of said plate is processedsequentially and essentially continu ously through developing, washing and gumming stages, a first drive-means for oscillating plural rubbing- 7 surfaces engaging said exposed'surface and a second drive means for engaging and driving said conveyor means,.the improvementcomprising firstgandsecond Modifications, changes, and improvements to the preferred form of the invention herein disclosed,"described and illustrated may occur to thoseiskilled in the art who come to understand the principles and precepts thereof Accordingly, the scope ofthe patent to be issued herein shouldnot be limitedto the particular em bodiments of the invention set forth herein, but rather should be limited by the advance of which the invention has promoted the art.

What is claimed is: I 1

1. In a self-contained processor for processing 'an'exposed surface of individual ph'ot'olithographic plates serelation with said first axis andIhaving an axis extending parallel with said first axis first'and'second drive shafts, eachsaid drive shaft being mounted in spacedrelation with said first and stub shaft a xes for rotation about an L axis extending transversely of said first and stub shaft axes, each said drive shaft having a crank arm thereon; no nrotatable first and second rubbing means extending parallel with eachother and mounted to reciprocate rectilinearly, each on anaxis extending inispaced parallel relation with said first and stub shaftaxes, first and second direct rod means having ends, one end of each saidrdirect rod means being mounted on said stub shaft,

the other end of said first andsecond rod means being mounted on said "crank arm of :said first and second driveshafts, respectively,in spaced relation with the said axis thereof whereby rotation of said stub shaft about said first axis oscillates said drive shafts about their axis, respectively, means and providingengage- "mentvbet ween said first and second drive shafts and said first and second rubbing means, respectively, said last named meansincluding means whereby each said rubbing means is reciprocated in response to said oscillation of said drive shafts, respectively. I

2. The self-contained processor according to claim 1 in which said first and second rubbing means are reciprocated 110 out'of phase, n

3. The self-contained processor of claim 1 wherein reciprocation of each saidrubbing means is effected by a rocker arm fixedly disposed on eachsaid drive shafts,

reciprocable,nonrotatable rubbing means to reciprocate said rubbing surfaces in frictional, sliding contact with said exposed surface, bottle shaker means for holding containers without tipping the fluids used in processing each said exposed surface and stirring the fluids therein by rocking said containers about an axisv transverse of their height, said first drive means includ{ ing a crank arm mounted for rotation about a first axis,

a stub shaft mounted on'said crank arm in spaced relation with said first axis, and having an a xis'extending parallel with said first axis, first, second and third direct rod'means, each said direct rod means having ends, one endof each of said direct rod means journalled on said stub shaft, the other end of said first and secondv rod means being operationally interconnected with said 1 firsttand secondrubbing means, respectively, to recip rocate said rubbing means, respectively, in response to rotation of said crank arm, and the other end of said third rod being operationallyinterconnected-withsaid bottle shaker means to rock the containers therein 7 about said transverse axis in response to rotationof said crank arm. i i

.7. The processor according to claim 6 in'which said first and second direct rod means are operationally 'interconnected'with said first and second'rubbing means,

respectively, by means including first andsecond drive shaft means each mounted for rotation about an, axis extending transversely of and in spaced relationwith said first axis and being interconnected with said other end of said first and second direct rod means and said first and second rubbing mean s,"both, respectively; said interconnection between said other end of said direct rod means and drive shaft means, respectively, being in spaced relation with said axis of said drive shaft means, respectively, whereby rotation of said stub shaft about said first axis oscillates each said. drive shaft means about its axis.

8. A self-containedprocessor for processing an exposed surface of individual photolithograph ic plates sequentially and essentially continuously through developing, washing and gumming states, utilizing conveyor means adapted to receive and urgeeachof said plates under rubbing surface means, said processor comprisa. first drive means disposed in operative relationship with said rubbing surface means near one side of said conveyor, including I i i. a crank arm rotatable about a firstaxis, andstub shaft means disposed on said crank arm in spaced means are reciprelationship with s'aid first axi's,' and having an s j "axis extending parallel with said first axis,"

ii; said rubbing surface meansfbeing rectil-inearly r'eciprocable'nonro-tatably,-=along a second axis 1' transversely spaeedcfro rn "and. parallel'with said' first axis andnsaid stub shaft means; axis to rub said exposed surface; "iii. shaft'means in operable engagement withfsaid i rubbing surfaces means and disposed for rotation ;about a third axis, s'pacedefrdm and extending ,transverselyqof said first and second-axes; iv.=.=rod means having ends, oneend of sa'id rod means mounted-onsaid stub shaft means, -the surface in the washing stage,

f. a second pair of coupled drive rolls adaptedto strip --excess washing fluidfrom said-exposed surface and :to urge saidplate to the gumming stage,

5 I g.xmeans for'app lying igldmfto said expo sedsurface in 1 the gurnming stage,

' h. third rectilinearly reciprocable fubjbing iheans having a resilient third-rubbing surface adapted to be otherend of said rod means engaging said shaft means and said shaft means oscillating about said thirdaxis in responseto rotation of said stud shaft aboutsaid firstaxis, saidoscillatin'of said shaft meansireciprocating said, rubbingmeans,

conveyor means. a I ,9. Aself-contained processor for processing exposed individual photo lit'hographic,platessequentiall y ande second drive means, engaging and driving saidis eri tially continuously throu'gh substantially compart} mentalized developing, washing and gurhrning st'ag es,

said processorcomprising;v v, I" U a a firstpair of coupled'dri ve rolls adapted toreceive "'apl'ate therebetvi een, with the-exposed surface of said platefacing upward, and to urge said'plate to I the developing stage,

b'. means for applyingdeveloperfluid to SaideXposed 'su i iface in the de p Stage;

"c. a first nonrotatable,rectilinearly reciprocable rub- Y t. i .l

' 1v. means interconnecting the other'end of said sec- I dinaldimension 'of said plate in the directionof its =-travel, said second rubbing surface being recipro- .-cable upon said exposed surface, but'out ofphase with said first rubbing surface, to offset the torque generated by said first rubbing surface, e.. means for applying washing fluid to said exposed I v 'disposed in fr ic tional -sliding contact with said exposed surface torubsaid gum on said. exposed sur-v face, said thir d rubbing surface being reciprocable upon said exposed surface, v

a third pair of coupled drive-rolls adapted Im strip excess 'gumrning fluid from said exposed surface, bottle shaker'means to agitate containers of said developer fluid and gumreciproc'abl in simple rectilinear rnotionin a plane essentially orthogonal third rubbing surfaces,-

to the plane of motion of said first, second and k. afirStdrivejmeans, said drivemean's' comprising ,i. a crankarm mounted for. rotation aboutya first axis, said first axis extending parallel-with the direction of reciprocation'of said rubbing surfaces,

a. stub shaft mounted on said crankarni in spaced relation with said first axisfor rotation with said crank arm'about said first axis, 5 ii. first, second and third rod means, having ends,

one end of each of said rodmean sjour iialled on said stub shaft,

iii. means interconnecting the other end of said first rod means an'dsaid first rubbing means to'effect I frectilinear reciprocation of saidfirstrubbing means in response to rotation of said 'stub shaft about'said first axis,

0nd rod mea'ns and said second and third rubbing means to effectrectilinear reciprocation of said second and third rubbing means in response to vrotation of said stub shaftabout said fi rst axis,

, v. means interconnecting; the other end bf said third rodmeans'and said bottleshaker meansto effect rectilinear reciprocation of saidfbottle shaker means in response to rotation df. said shaft aboutsaid first axis, and r a second drive means, disposed in driving engage;

ment with said drive rolls, to actuate said drive rolls to transport each of said plates through said s'tages.

Claims

1. In a self-contained processor for processing an exposed surface of individual photolithographic plates sequentially and essentially continuously through developing, washing and gumming stages wherein conveyor means is adapted to receive and urge each of said plates under rubbing means in frictional contact with said exposed surface, and drive means is disposed in operative relationship with said rubbing means, said drive means including a first crank arm rotatable about a first axis, a stub shaft mounted on said first crank arm in spaced relation with said first axis and having an axis extending parallel with said first axis, first and second drive shafts, each said drive shaft being mounted in spaced relation with said first and stub shaft axes for rotation about an axis extending transversely of said first and stub shaft axes, each said drive shaft having a crank arm thereon; nonrotatable first and second rubbing means extending parallel with each other and mounted to reciprocate rectilinearly, each on an axis extending in spaced parallel relation with said first and stub shaft axes, first and second direct rod means having ends, one end of each said direct rod means being mounted on said stub shaft, the other end of said first and second rod means being mounted on said crank arm of said first and second drive shafts, respectivelY, in spaced relation with the said axis thereof whereby rotation of said stub shaft about said first axis oscillates said drive shafts about their axis, respectively, means and providing engagement between said first and second drive shafts and said first and second rubbing means, respectively, said last named means including means whereby each said rubbing means is reciprocated in response to said oscillation of said drive shafts, respectively.

2. The self-contained processor according to claim 1 in which said first and second rubbing means are reciprocated 110* out of phase.

3. The self-contained processor of claim 1 wherein reciprocation of each said rubbing means is effected by a rocker arm fixedly disposed on each said drive shafts, respectively each said rocker arm having a cam cooperatingly engaged in a cam follower operating each said rubbing means, respectively.

4. The self-contained processor of claim 3 wherein each said rod means has swivel ends.

5. The self-contained processor according to claim 3 in which said first and second rubbing means are reciprocated 110* out of phase.

6. In a self-contained processor having conveyor means for transporting therethrough an individual photolithographic plate so that an exposed surface of said plate is processed sequentially and essentially continuously through developing, washing and gumming stages, a first drive means for oscillating plural rubbing surfaces engaging said exposed surface and a second drive means for engaging and driving said conveyor means, the improvement comprising first and second reciprocable, nonrotatable rubbing means to reciprocate said rubbing surfaces in frictional, sliding contact with said exposed surface, bottle shaker means for holding containers without tipping the fluids used in processing each said exposed surface and stirring the fluids therein by rocking said containers about an axis transverse of their height, said first drive means including a crank arm mounted for rotation about a first axis, a stub shaft mounted on said crank arm in spaced relation with said first axis and having an axis extending parallel with said first axis, first, second and third direct rod means, each said direct rod means having ends, one end of each of said direct rod means journalled on said stub shaft, the other end of said first and second rod means being operationally interconnected with said first and second rubbing means, respectively, to reciprocate said rubbing means, respectively, in response to rotation of said crank arm, and the other end of said third rod being operationally interconnected with said bottle shaker means to rock the containers therein about said transverse axis in response to rotation of said crank arm.

7. The processor according to claim 6 in which said first and second direct rod means are operationally interconnected with said first and second rubbing means, respectively, by means including first and second drive shaft means each mounted for rotation about an axis extending transversely of and in spaced relation with said first axis and being interconnected with said other end of said first and second direct rod means and said first and second rubbing means, both, respectively; said interconnection between said other end of said direct rod means and drive shaft means, respectively, being in spaced relation with said axis of said drive shaft means, respectively, whereby rotation of said stub shaft about said first axis oscillates each said drive shaft means about its axis.

8. A self-contained processor for processing an exposed surface of individual photolithographic plates sequentially and essentially continuously through developing, washing and gumming states, utilizing conveyor means adapted to receive and urge each of said plates under rubbing surface means, said processor comprising: a. first drive means disposed in operative relationship with said rubbing surface means near one side of said conveyor, includiNg i. a crank arm rotatable about a first axis, and stub shaft means disposed on said crank arm in spaced relationship with said first axis, and having an axis extending parallel with said first axis, ii. said rubbing surface means being rectilinearly reciprocable nonrotatably, along a second axis transversely spaced from and parallel with said first axis and said stub shaft means axis to rub said exposed surface; iii. shaft means in operable engagement with said rubbing surfaces means and disposed for rotation about a third axis, spaced from and extending transversely of said first and second axes; iv. rod means having ends, one end of said rod means mounted on said stub shaft means, the other end of said rod means engaging said shaft means and said shaft means oscillating about said third axis in response to rotation of said stud shaft about said first axis, said oscillation of said shaft means reciprocating said rubbing means, and b. a second drive means, engaging and driving said conveyor means.

9. A self-contained processor for processing exposed individual photolithographic plates sequentially and essentially continuously through substantially compartmentalized developing, washing and gumming stages, said processor comprising: a. a first pair of coupled drive rolls adapted to receive a plate therebetween, with the exposed surface of said plate facing upward, and to urge said plate to the developing stage, b. means for applying developer fluid to said exposed suurface in the developing stage. c. a first nonrotatable, rectilinearly reciprocable rubbing means having a resilient first rubbing surface adapted to be disposed in frictional sliding contact with said exposed surface to rub said developer fluid on said exposed surface, said first rubbing surface being reciprocable upon said exposed surface d. second rectilinearly reciprocable rubbing means having a resilient second rubbing surface adapted to be disposed in frictional sliding contact with said exposed surface and spaced apart from said first rubbing surface by a distance less than the longitudinal dimension of said plate in the direction of its travel, said second rubbing surface being reciprocable upon said exposed surface, but out of phase with said first rubbing surface, to offset the torque generated by said first rubbing surface, e. means for applying washing fluid to said exposed surface in the washing stage, f. a second pair of coupled drive rolls adapted to strip excess washing fluid from said exposed surface and to urge said plate to the gumming stage, g. means for applying gum to said exposed surface in the gumming stage, h. third rectilinearly reciprocable rubbing means having a resilient third rubbing surface adapted to be disposed in frictional sliding contact with said exposed surface to rub said gum on said exposed surface, said third rubbing surface being reciprocable upon, said exposed surface, i. a third pair of coupled drive rolls adapted to strip excess gumming fluid from said exposed surface, j. bottle shaker means to agitate containers of said developer fluid and gum reciprocable in simple rectilinear motion in a plane essentially orthogonal to the plane of motion of said first, second and third rubbing surfaces, k. a first drive means, said drive means comprising i. a crank arm mounted for rotation about a first axis, said first axis extending parallel with the direction of reciprocation of said rubbing surfaces, a stub shaft mounted on said crank arm in spaced relation with said first axis for rotation with said crank arm about said first axis, ii. first, second and third rod means, having ends, one end of each of said rod means journalled on said stub shaft, iii. means interconnecting the other end of said first rod means and said first rubbing means to effect rectilinear reciprocation of said first rubbing means in response to rotation of said stub shaft about said first axis, iv. means interconnecting the other end of said second rod means and said second and third rubbing means to effect rectilinear reciprocation of said second and third rubbing means in response to rotation of said stub shaft about said first axis, v. means interconnecting the other end of said third rod means and said bottle shaker means to effect rectilinear reciprocation of said bottle shaker means in response to rotation of said stub shaft about said first axis, and a second drive means, disposed in driving engagement with said drive rolls, to actuate said drive rolls to transport each of said plates through said stages.