Abstract: A lithographic plate storing system comprises a lifting member for engaging with a hook of a lithographic plate; a carriage including a lithographic plate engagement member which is adapted to be located in an advanced position while the lifting member is lowered so as to receive the lithographic plate and in a retreated position while the lifting member is raised so as not to interfere therewith and a pusher for sidewardly pushing the lithographic plate while the lithographic plate is supported by the engagement member; and a fixed storage shelf including a plurality of perpendicularly spaced-apart partitions.

Abstract: Lithographic plates (S) are transported from an input chute (2) onto which they are released from an overhead conveyor (1) to an outlet (20) at a lower level by a rotary shelf device (10) in which a series of plate trays (16) travel with endless chains (13, 13'). The lithographic plates are fed onto successive plate trays (16) by a belt conveyor (4) onto which the plates are directed from the chute (2). The plate trays (16) are upwardly inclined away from the chains (13, 13') during the downward movement of the trays from a position adjacent the belt conveyor (4) to the outlet (20).

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a lithographic plate (S) from a horizontal conveyor (10) to an overhead conveyor (14) comprises has an elevator (19) in the form of a pair of endless chains (20) travelling around an endless vertical path. The chains (20) carry opposed hooks (22) for engaging a folded end portion (S1) of a lithographic plate and supporting the plate therebetween as the chain conveys the plate to a plate bed (24) on which the plate is deposited and which presents the plates to the overhead conveyor. Guide rails (23) are provided for guiding the hooks apart as the plate is deposited on the plate bed. A pair of elevators (19) may be provided to supply the lithographic plate to either one of a pair of overhead conveyors (14) depending upon the orientation with which the plate is supplied to the apparatus.

Abstract: A device is provided for transferring a lithographic plate (S) from a horizontal conveyor (1) to an overhead conveyor (25). The transfer device has orienting means (2) for receiving a transversely extending lithographic plate from the horizontal conveyor (1) and positioning a folded over end portion (12) of the lithographic plate in the path of a hook member (13) carried by an endless chain (30) of an elevator (3), so that the plate (S) is lifted into a vertical position and then deposited on a positioning bed (4). An upper part (23) of the bed (4) is pivotable by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (22) to position the end portion (12) of the plate (S) inwardly of the locus of the hook member (13) as the hook member passes around a lower sprocket wheel (15) of the elevator, so that the hook member passes by without again picking up the lithographic plate.