Developer apparatus for lithographic plate processing system

A lithographic plate processing system comprising:

• means for moving an exposed lithographic plate having at least a predetermined width along a predetermined path at a predetermined rate;
• means positioned on the path for applying developer to the exposed surface of the lithographic plate;
• means positioned on the path for uniformly developing the entire exposed surface of the plate;
• said developing means comprising:
• a plurality of rectangularly shaped developer spreading members positioned at spaced points along a line extending subtantially transversely to the direction of movement of the lithographic plate along the predetermined path, each said spreading member mounted for engagement with the exposed surface of the lithographic plate, the line of developer spreading members extending completely across the processor, and having a width at least equal to said predetermined width;
• means for rotating the developer spreading members about spaced apart axes each extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the exposed surface of the lithographic plate;
• each of said spreading members extending in both directions from its axis of rotation more than half the distance between adjacent axes so that the paths of rotation of adjacent developer spreading members overlap one another, thereby applying developer uniformly to the entire surface of the plate exposed to the line of said developer spreading members;
• and
• means for simultaneously oscillating all of the rotating developer spreading members along a line extending substantially transversely to the direction of movement of the lithographic plate;
• the rate of said oscillation being wholly independent of the rate of movement of the lithographic plate along said predetermined path;
• means positioned on the path of movement of the lithographic plate for washing the exposed surface of the plate to remove excess developer therefrom;
• and
• means positioned on the path of movement of the lithographic plate for applying gum arabic to the exposed surface thereof.