Abstract: The printing plate drying apparatus includes carrying devices such as flower pattern comb rollers which carry a printing plate having a printing surface including an image-formed portion and a non-image-formed portion, the printing surface being applied with a coating solution; first warm air duct which blows warm air to dry the printing surface of the printing plate on which the coating solution is applied; first solution-absorbing roller which touches the printing surface of the printing plate dried by the first warm air duct to absorb the solution therefrom; and second warm air duct which blows warm air to dry the printing surface of the printing plate which the solution is absorbed by the first solution-absorbing roller.

Abstract: A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus in which at least one of a gum solution and a plate baking conditioner stored in respective reservoirs is applied to a surface of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate that has been subject to developing processing.A solution-replenishing device supplies at least one of the gum solution and the plate baking conditioner to the respective reservoirs. A water-supplying device supplies water to the reservoirs. A concentration-measuring device measures a concentration of at least one of the gum solution and the plate baking conditioner which are stored in the respective reservoirs.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for developing a photosensitive lithographic plate at least one layer of which has been exposed with an image by a developer with conveying the same with the one layer facing substantially downwards, the method and apparatus being arranged in such a manner that the developer is supplied to the one layer and the thus-supplied developer is retained on the same layer.Therefore, the photosensitive lithographic plate can be developed without any necessity of being dipped in the developer.

Abstract: The improved automatic dampening water replenisher has two flow sensors that respectively measure the flow rates of stock solution and diluent water which are to be mixed to prepare dampening water with which the tank of dampening water is to be replenished, and this enables the concentration of dampening water in its tank to be maintained within a predetermined range at all times. If desired, the apparatus (the replenisher) may be equipped either with components for computing, displaying and storing the total flows of stock solution and diluent water or with an emergency alarm generator which issues an alarm indicating the occurrence of aberrations in the concentration of dampening water in its tank. This offers the advantage that normal operation of the apparatus can be resumed as soon as power failure is remedied, or the suspension of water supply and other troubles can be readily identified and corrected to avoid unwanted variations in the concentration of the dampening water.

Abstract: A method for supplementing a replenisher for developer which comprises developing a large number of PS plates imagewise exposed to light with a developer composed of an aqueous solution containing electrolytes in an automatic developing machine, characterized by determining an AC impedance of the developer contained in the automatic developing machine, obtaining a correction impedance from the measured impedance value and rate of replacement and supplementing a desired amount of the replenisher to the developer when the correction impedance reaches a predetermined value. This method makes it possible to maintain a desired activity of the developer even when a large number of PS plates are processed and to relax the restriction on the incorporation of optional devices such as an autofeeder into the automatic developing machine.

Abstract: A devleoping device for photosensitive materials, particularly, for photosensitive materials used flat printing plates, in which the consumption rate of the developing solution is significantly reduced. The developing solution is applied to the exposed surface of the heated photosensitive material and excess portions thereof quickly removed before the temperature of the photosensitive material is significantly lowered or the temperature of the developing solution significantly raised. The excess portons of the developing solution are recycled.

Abstract: A light-sensitive printing plate precursor is described comprising a support having provided thereon a light-sensitive layer, said light-sensitive layer having spray-coated and dried thereon an aqueous liquid containing a resin in a dissolved or dispersed state.