Universal spray processor for imaged plates

A system for developing a planographic printing plate having an imaged photosensitive coating on a substrate, comprising:

• a flat support surface;
• a feeder for delivering said plates in series to the support surface;
• a nozzle array spaced from the support surface and oriented to discharge developer solution transversely onto the plate when on the support surface;
• a source of fresh developer solution;
• a supply line for delivering developer solution from the source to the nozzle array;
• first means, for pressurizing the developer in the nozzle array over a range of 5 psi to at least 50 psi, whereby developer solution can be selectively directed from the nozzles as a pressurized turbulent flow pattern sprayed transversely at the plate when on the support surface;
• second means, for moving at least one of the plate, support surface, or nozzle array at a constant speed to present successive target areas of the plate to impingement of sprayed developer solution;
• third means, downstream of the nozzle array, for removing substantially all developer solution on said successive target areas after a preestablished local dwell time;
• and
• fourth means, downstream of said third means, for final cleaning of exposed areas of the plate substrate.

A system for developing a planographic printing plate having an imaged photosensitive coating on a substrate, comprising:

• a flat support surface;
• a feeder for delivering said plates in series to the support surface;
• a nozzle array spaced from the support surface and oriented to discharge alkaline developer solution transversely onto a plate when on the support surface;
• a source of fresh alkaline developer solution;
• a supply line for delivering developer solution from the source to the nozzle array;
• means for pressurizing the developer in the nozzle array in the range of about 5 to 250 psi, whereby developer solution can be selectively directed from the nozzles as a pressurized flow pattern that turbulently impinges at an area of plate when on the support surface;
• and
• means for moving at least one of the plate, support surface, or nozzle array at a constant speed.