Apparatus for washing and rinsing of used lithographic plate members

A lithographic plate washing apparatus for the facilitated automatic washing and rinsing of previously used lithographic plate members having substantially flat central portions and pre-formed parallel flanged peripheral edges, said apparatus comprising:

• feed fixture means capable of accommodating at least one of said flanged lithographic plate members thereon;
• at least one drive means positioned adjacent to and operably aligned with said feed fixture means so as to receive and longitudinally propel at least one lithographic plate member through said apparatus;
• said drive means having flange accommodation means to accommodate and preserve the shape of said peripheral flanges formed in said lithographic plates;
• scrubbing station means operably positioned after said at least one drive means adjacent said feed fixture means so as to receive said lithographic plate members from said drive means and dispense cleaning solvent through solvent dispensing means and apply scrubbing action by scrubbing means contacting with said plate member;
• said scrubbing station means having an entry side and an exit side;
• said scrubbing station means further being operably associated with said drive means so as to enable said drive means to engage and longitudinally propel said lithographic plate members from said entry side of said scrubbing station means to said exit side of said scrubbing station means;
• said scrubbing station means further including rinse means for the application of at least one liquid rinse to said plate members passing therethrough;
• said scrubbing station means further including rinse fluid drainage means operably associated with said rinse means and said drive means for collection of said rinse fluid from said scrubbing station;
• removal fixture means operably aligned with and juxtaposed to said scrubbing station means so as to receive said lithographic plate members from said drive means;
• said removal fixture means further including lithographic plate member flange accommodation means associated therewith to further accommodate and preserve the shape of said peripheral flanges formed therewithin;
• frame means operably supporting said feed fixture means, said drive means, said scrubbing station means and said removal fixture means;
• said flange accommodation means of said drive means being operably aligned and associated with said feed fixture flange accommodation means and said removal fixture flange accommodation means so as to enable accommodation and preservation of said shapes of said peripheral flanges formed in said lithographic plate members as said plate members pass through said feed fixture means, said scrubbing station means, and said removal fixture means;
• and
• said feed fixture means, drive means, scrubbing station means, and removal fixture means cooperating so as to provide substantially automatic and continuous feeding, dispensing of cleaning solvent, scrubbing, rinsing, and removing of said lithographic plate members into, through and from said apparatus, while accommodating and preserving said peripheral flanges formed therein.