JP2002080005A - Method and device for filling viscous material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for filling viscous material in a container in which mixing of air bubbles into the viscous material is reduced and air bubbles can be removed. SOLUTION: An external force is applied to viscous material under reduced pressure, the viscous material is once changed into a rod-like shape, small block shape or thin film shape and then the material is filled in a discharging container. A certain method for performing this filling operation is carried out such that a preliminary container (2) storing the viscous material therein and a vacant discharging container (1) are arranged in such a way that a discharging port of the preliminary container (2) is positioned at a rear end of the discharging container (1) and each of discharging directions of these containers is coincided to each other, the preliminary container (2) and the discharging container (1) are rotated under a reduced pressure so as to cause their discharging directions to be coincided with a centrifugal direction under a state in which a closed space having the preliminary container (2) and the discharging container (1) arranged therein is reduced in its pressure, thereby a centrifugal force is added to the viscous material as an external force under the reduced pressure and the viscous material is filled in the discharging container (1).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for filling a viscous material, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for promoting defoaming in a method for filling a viscous material into a discharge container having a discharge port.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of supplying a viscous material to a predetermined portion on a substrate, for example, there is a so-called drawing method (including a dispensing method and a stippling method). This method is performed by controlling the discharge of the viscous material filled in the discharge container having the discharge port from the discharge port and the relative movement of the discharge container and the substrate.

For example, in a liquid crystal panel manufacturing process, a pair of substrates such as glass substrates are bonded at a predetermined interval, and liquid crystal is held in a space between the substrates formed by the bonding as shown in FIG. As shown in (), a sealing material 61 as a viscous material such as a thermosetting material is supplied to the peripheral portion on one substrate 62 by a drawing method, leaving an injection port 65 for injecting liquid crystal later. . More specifically, FIG.
As shown in (b), a dispenser syringe 63 as a discharge container filled with the seal material 61 is disposed above a predetermined position (start point) on the substrate 62, and the seal material 61 is discharged from the discharge port 64 of the dispenser syringe 63. The dispenser syringe 63 is relatively moved with respect to the substrate 62 while discharging from the
By stopping the discharge when the pressure reaches, the sealing material 61 is supplied to the peripheral portion on the substrate 62 by drawing a predetermined line.

[0004] As another example, electric (or electronic)
In a circuit manufacturing process, a paste for forming a circuit, such as a material for a conductor, a material for a resistor, or a material for an insulator, is supplied to a predetermined portion on a circuit board by a drawing method. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 10, a circuit forming paste (viscous material) 71 filled in a dispenser syringe 73 is discharged from a discharge port 74 on a substrate 72 on which a conductor pattern 75 and the like are formed in advance in the same manner as in the above-described example. The paste 71 is moved by moving the dispenser syringe 73 relative to the substrate 72, preferably while maintaining a constant distance between the exposed surface of the substrate 72 and the discharge port 74. At a predetermined location.

As still another example, in order to mount an electronic component on a circuit board such as a printed board in a mounting process of the electronic component, a so-called cream solder (a viscous material) is applied to a predetermined location on the board by a drawing method. , For example, on the land of the conductor pattern. Cream solder can also be supplied in the same manner as in the above example, but in particular when using the stippling method, a dispenser syringe filled with cream solder is placed above a predetermined position on the substrate and the cream solder is left for a predetermined time. After dispensing, the dispenser syringe is moved relative to the board to another predetermined location, and cream solder is supplied by repeating the supply of cream solder, drawing a “dot” on a predetermined area on the board. are doing.

In such a method of supplying a viscous material, if the viscous material is filled together with bubbles in a discharge container such as a dispenser syringe, the bubbles are also discharged when the viscous material is discharged. This is a kind of so-called ejection failure, and may cause various problems depending on the use of the viscous material. For example, there is a possibility that the adhesion of the substrate of the liquid crystal panel becomes insufficient, the electric characteristics of an electric circuit are affected, and electronic components are not properly joined to the substrate.

Conventionally, in order to reduce such a discharge failure due to mixing of bubbles into the viscous material, the viscous material is filled with a viscous material so as to remove bubbles, that is, to promote defoaming. Generally, the viscous material is left in a vacuum to remove bubbles, and then the viscous material is manually scooped and poured into a discharge container to be filled. Filling is complete by degassing deservedly.

As a conventional example, a method for filling a dispenser syringe with a sealing material used for bonding substrates in a liquid crystal panel manufacturing process will be specifically described below.

First, a viscosity of 40 Pa · s and a thixotropic ratio of 2.3
A sealing material in which a glass fiber serving as a spacer for forming a gap is dispersed in the epoxy resin described above is placed in an appropriate container, and is left in a vacuum of 100 Pa or less to remove bubbles. Next, the container containing the sealing material was weighed 20 m in diameter.
While tilting above an empty dispenser syringe having a length of 150 mm and a length of 150 mm, the sealing material in the container is scraped with a spoon and poured into a dispenser syringe disposed below. The work at this time is performed manually under the atmospheric pressure.
Thereafter, the dispenser syringe into which the sealing material has been poured is again left still in a vacuum of 100 Pa or less to remove bubbles. Thereafter, the dispenser syringe containing the sealing material is centrifuged at atmospheric pressure using a centrifugal separator if necessary. At this time, the radius of rotation is 200 mm, and the number of rotations is 500 to
Let it be 1000 rpm. As described above, the filling of the dispenser syringe with the sealing material is completed.

[0010]

In the conventional filling method as described above, the vacuum is allowed to stand still and centrifugal rotation is performed if necessary in order to promote defoaming. In fact, the current situation is that discharge failures due to air bubble mixing occur.

Such a problem is caused by the fact that the viscous material that has been defoamed by being left in a vacuum is exposed to the atmosphere and is poured into the dispenser syringe, so that air bubbles are likely to be mixed into the viscous material. Bubbles that are mixed in when the viscous material is poured into the dispenser syringe can be partially defoamed by subsequent vacuum standing or centrifugal rotation. Since it is difficult to move inside, defoaming cannot be sufficiently promoted, and more bubbles remain in the viscous material. Also, in the case of a material having a relatively high thixotropic ratio, even if air bubbles are released by defoaming, traces of the bubbles are likely to remain without being leveled. It will entrap the air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for reducing the incorporation of air bubbles in a method of filling a viscous material into a container. Is to do.

In this specification, the term "viscous material" refers to any material having a so-called viscosity (or fluidity), and specifically, a material having a viscosity of, for example, 1 Pa · s or more can be used. Further, the value of the viscosity in the present specification is the value of E
The value of the thixo ratio is the ratio of the respective values of the viscosity measured at a rotation speed of 1 rpm and 10 rpm.

[0014]

According to one aspect of the present invention, an external force is applied to a viscous material under reduced pressure to temporarily transform the viscous material into a rod-shaped, small-lumped, or thin-film shape. A method for filling a viscous material, wherein the method comprises filling the discharge container afterwards.

In the present invention, the reduced pressure means a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, and preferably a pressure of about 100 Pa or less. Further, the external force applied to the viscous material may be, for example, a centrifugal force, a mechanical pressing force by extrusion from an extruding means, gravity, an electric force, and other forces.

According to the method of the present invention, the viscous material is once made into a rod shape, a small lump shape, or a thin film shape under reduced pressure, so that the surface area of the viscous material per unit volume can be further increased. Yes, more of the viscous material can be exposed to the reduced pressure atmosphere. Thereby, defoaming of air bubbles from the viscous material can be promoted more than the conventional stationary under vacuum and / or centrifugal rotation under atmospheric pressure,
Mixing of air bubbles into the viscous material can be reduced. Therefore, when the viscous material is discharged from the discharge container and used, it is possible to effectively reduce defective discharge caused by bubbles mixed in the viscous material. The present invention is not limited to the application of an external force to the viscous material to form a rod, a small lump, or a thin film, but may be deformed to another shape. For example, by applying an external force to the viscous material, the surface area of the viscous material per unit volume exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere can be made larger than that of the conventional method.

The method of the present invention relates to a method of filling a discharge container with a viscous material. However, the present invention is not limited to the discharge container, and can be applied to a case where it is preferable to defoam and fill a viscous material into an arbitrary container. Will.

In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) having an open outlet, a spare container containing a viscous material, and an empty outlet having a closed outlet and an open rear end portion; (B) arranging the container so that the discharge port of the preliminary container is located in the rear end portion of the discharge container, and the discharge directions of the discharge ports of the preliminary container and the discharge container coincide with each other;
(C) rotating the preliminary container and the discharge container under reduced pressure so that the discharge direction of the preliminary container and the discharge container substantially coincides with the centrifugal direction. Applying a centrifugal force as an external force to the viscous material in the preliminary container under reduced pressure, thereby filling the viscous material into the discharge container.

Here, the discharge direction refers to the direction of flow of the viscous material from the inside of the container to the outside through the discharge port, and the centrifugal direction refers to the direction in which centrifugal force is applied, that is, radially outward from the center of rotation. We shall say the direction to head.

In the present invention, each of the preliminary container and the discharge container preferably has a discharge portion, for example, a nozzle, having a diameter smaller than that of the main body.

According to this aspect, the viscous material is transferred to the discharge container through the relatively narrow discharge port of the preliminary container by centrifugal force under reduced pressure, and at the time of this discharge, the viscous material once becomes rod-shaped and / or Since it has a small lump shape, the surface area of the viscous material exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere can be sufficiently increased. Therefore, the air bubbles mixed in the viscous material are exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere, so that the air in the air bubbles is easily removed, so that the defoaming of the viscous material can be effectively promoted.

In the step (b), the internal space of the preliminary container and the discharge container is reduced indirectly by reducing the pressure in the closed space in which the preliminary container and the discharge container are arranged. This can be achieved by connecting the space inside the container airtightly with a communication line, and indirectly depressurizing the space inside the spare container and the discharge container through the communication line.

In another preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention is the above-mentioned embodiment, wherein, instead of the step (c), the viscous material in the preliminary container is passed through the discharge port of the preliminary container by using an extruding means under reduced pressure. Extruding and applying a mechanical pressing force as an external force to the viscous material in the preliminary container.

In this embodiment, the viscous material is transferred from the preliminary container to the discharge container using the centrifugal force described above, and instead of the centrifugal force, a mechanical pressing force by extrusion is used, and an appropriate extruding means is used. This is to extrude the viscous material in the spare container into the discharge container. According to this aspect, the viscous material once becomes rod-shaped and / or small lump-shaped during extrusion, so that the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as in the above-described aspect.

Here, in order to fill the viscous material in the vicinity of the discharge port of the discharge container, it is preferable that the discharge direction and the pushing direction coincide with the direction of gravity.

In these embodiments in which the viscous material is filled into the discharge container using the preliminary container, ultrasonic vibration and / or heat is applied to the viscous material located inside at least one of the preliminary container and the discharge container. Preferably, this increases the flowability of the viscous material and can effectively promote defoaming and leveling.

In still another preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of (d) depressurizing a space inside the discharge container in which the discharge port is closed and containing a viscous material; and (e) discharging the discharge container. A step of rotating the discharge container under reduced pressure so that the discharge direction of the outlet is perpendicular to the centrifugal direction, and applying a centrifugal force as an external force to the viscous material in the discharge container under reduced pressure,
(F) rotating the discharge container under reduced pressure so that the discharge direction of the discharge port of the discharge container substantially matches the centrifugal direction, and applying a centrifugal force as an external force to the viscous material in the discharge container under reduced pressure; Thus, the step of filling the discharge container with the viscous material is included.

According to this aspect, instead of using the above-mentioned spare container to discharge and fill the viscous material into the discharge container under reduced pressure, the viscous material is discharged in a different direction in the discharge container under reduced pressure. Fluidized. Specifically, step (e)
In, maintaining the discharge direction perpendicular to the centrifugal direction and rotating, viscous material in the centrifugal direction, that is, flow in the direction perpendicular to the discharge direction and pressed against the side wall of the discharge container,
In the step (f), the viscous material is filled while flowing in the centrifugal direction, that is, in the discharge direction by rotating while maintaining the discharge direction equal to the centrifugal direction. According to such a method, since the viscous material is once formed into a thin film shape in the step (e), the surface area of the viscous material exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere can be sufficiently increased. Therefore, the above 2
It is possible to effectively promote the defoaming of the viscous material as in the first and second embodiments.

The above step (d) can be performed by reducing the pressure in the closed space in which the discharge container is arranged.

The step (e) can be performed by revolving the discharge container under reduced pressure. By such a revolution, the viscous material in the discharge container can be brought closer to a portion of the side wall of the discharge container that is radially outward, and can be formed into a substantially thin film on the side wall. Alternatively, the step (e) can be carried out by rotating the discharge container under reduced pressure, and preferably both revolution and rotation are used. By such rotation and revolving, the viscous material in the discharge container can be further spread over the entire side wall of the discharge container to flow in a complicated manner, and the surface of the viscous material exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere is constantly renewed and revolved. Defoaming can be promoted more than only in the case of only.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for filling a discharge container with a viscous material in a preliminary container,
A holder for holding a spare container having an open discharge port and a discharge container having a closed discharge port and an open rear end portion, wherein the discharge port of the preliminary container is in a rear end portion of the discharge container. A holder for holding the preliminary container and the discharge container so that the discharge directions of the discharge ports of the preliminary container and the discharge container coincide with each other, and a rotating unit for rotating the holder, the preliminary container and the discharge container And a vacuum means for reducing the pressure of the auxiliary container and the discharge container, the rotation means having a discharge direction of the discharge port substantially coincident with the centrifugal direction due to the rotation of the holder.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for filling a viscous material in a preliminary container into a discharge container, the preliminary container having an open discharge port, a closed discharge port and an open discharge port. A fixing means for fixing a discharge container having a rear end portion, wherein a discharge port of the preliminary container is located in a rear end portion of the discharge container, and discharge directions of the discharge ports of the preliminary container and the discharge container are substantially the same. Fixing means for fixing the preliminary container and the discharge container so as to coincide with each other, extruding means for extruding the viscous material in the preliminary container through the discharge port of the preliminary container, and a vacuum source for depressurizing the preliminary container and the discharge container. An apparatus is provided that includes:

In these apparatuses for filling the discharge container with the viscous material using the preliminary container, an ultrasonic vibration source for applying ultrasonic vibration to the viscous material located in at least one of the preliminary container and the discharge container is provided. It is preferable to further include a heating source for heating the viscous material. Further, in these apparatuses, the vacuum source indirectly depressurizes the space inside the preliminary container and the discharge container by depressurizing the sealed space in which the preliminary container and the discharge container are arranged, or It can also be used to indirectly depressurize the space inside the spare container and the discharge container via a communication line that hermetically connects the space inside the discharge container.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for filling a discharge container with a viscous material, wherein the discharge container having a closed discharge port is rotated in a plane including a discharge direction of the discharge port. A first support member that supports the discharge container in a state where the discharge direction is restricted in a predetermined direction at a restricted position, and discharges in a state where the discharge container is rotatable in the plane including the discharge direction at a non-restricted position. A second support for opening the container, and a rotating means for rotating the first support, wherein the centrifugal direction due to the rotation of the first support using the rotating means is in the restricted position. An apparatus is provided that includes rotating means that is substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the discharge direction of the discharge container supported by the body, and a vacuum source that depressurizes a closed space in which the discharge container is disposed. .

In this device, the second
May be configured to revolvably hold the discharge container with rotation of the first support by the rotating means. Alternatively, and more preferably, the first support and the second support in the restrained position further hold the discharge container so that it can rotate, and the second support communicates with the rotating means. The discharge container is configured to rotate. Also, in this device, the vacuum source can be used to depressurize the enclosed space in which the discharge container is arranged.

Each apparatus of the present invention as described above is suitably used for carrying out the method of the present invention as described above, and has the same effects as the method of the present invention.

The method and apparatus of the present invention can be applied to fill any suitable viscous material into a dispensing container. The present invention is preferably used for filling a viscous material such as a sealing material for bonding a liquid crystal substrate, a paste for forming a circuit, and a cream solder. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Can also be used for filling the viscous material.

[0038]

(Embodiment 1) One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
It is the schematic of the filling apparatus of the viscous material of this embodiment. FIG.
(A)-(c) is a figure explaining the filling method of the viscous material of this embodiment with time. Note that, for simplicity, FIG.
(A) to (c) show only one set of containers.

As shown in FIG. 1, the viscous material filling apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes a holding body 3 for holding a dispenser syringe 1 and a spare container 2 which are discharge containers.
The apparatus includes a motor 4 as a rotating means for rotating the holder 3 and a vacuum pump 6 as a vacuum source for reducing the pressure in the closed space 5 in which the preliminary container 2 and the dispenser syringe 1 are arranged. This closed space 5 is covered with an openable and closable top plate 9 such as a transparent acrylic plate having a thickness of about 30 mm, for example, via an O-ring 8 through a vacuum container 7 containing the preliminary container 2 and the dispenser syringe 1. The exhaust port 14 formed in the vacuum vessel 7 is provided with a tube 15
Is connected to the vacuum pump 6.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the dispenser syringe 1 has, for example, an inner diameter of about 20 mm and a length of about 15 mm.
A cylindrical body 1a having a diameter of 0 mm, a cylindrical discharge section 1b having an inner diameter of about 0.3 mm, and an inclined section 1c that transitions from the main body to the discharge section can be used. Discharge port 1 of discharge section 1a of dispenser syringe 1
1 is closed by any suitable plug 13 and the main body 1
a is open at the rear end. The spare container includes, for example, a cylindrical main body 2a having an inner diameter of about 30 mm and a length of about 100 mm, and a cylindrical discharge section 2 having an inner diameter of about 0.5 mm.
b and an inclined portion 2c that transitions from the main body portion 2a to the discharge portion 2b and can be used. The discharge port 12 of the discharge part 2a of the preliminary container 2 is open, and the main body part 2a is open at the rear end.

In the dispenser syringe 1 and the preliminary container 2, the discharge port 12 of the preliminary container 2 is located in the rear end portion of the main body 1a of the dispenser syringe 1, and the discharge directions of the dispenser syringe 1 and the preliminary container 2 coincide with each other. The holder 10 is disposed on the holder 3 provided with an appropriate step so as to be on a straight line, and a fastener 10 (see FIG. 1)
Respectively. The holding body 3 uses a motor 4 to
The discharge direction of the dispenser syringe 1 and the preliminary container 2 rotated about the axis X (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) and arranged as described above is the same as the centrifugal direction acting on these by the rotation of the holder 3. Matches.

In the apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the holder 3 has a disk shape with a radius of, for example, about 300 mm, and the dispenser syringe 1 and the spare container 2 form a set.
A total of four sets are evenly placed on the holder 3 at an angle of 90 degrees around the axis X so that the discharge direction is directed to the outside (centrifugal direction) of the rotation system of the holder 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, three or less sets,
Alternatively, a configuration in which five or more sets are evenly arranged around the axis X may be adopted.

Next, a method of filling the viscous material of the present embodiment using the above-described apparatus 20 will be described. In the present embodiment, a sealing material used for bonding substrates in a liquid crystal panel manufacturing process is used as a viscous material. This sealing material is the same as the above-described sealing material in the conventional example, and is configured by dispersing glass fibers serving as spacers for gap formation in an epoxy resin having a viscosity of 40 Pa · s and a thixo ratio of 2.3. ing.

First, about 20 g of the sealing material 16 is manually poured into the preliminary container 2, and the preliminary container 2 and the empty dispenser syringe 1 are placed on the holder 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (a). After fixing, the top plate 9 (see FIG. 1) is covered to form the closed space 5. Then, vacuum pump 6
Is operated to deaerate from the exhaust port 14 and reduce the pressure in the closed space 5 to, for example, about 100 Pa or less.

Next, under a predetermined reduced pressure, for example, about 1
While maintaining the pressure of 00 Pa or less, the motor 4 is operated to rotate the holder 3 about the rotation axis X at a rotation speed of about 1000 rpm. At this time, the preliminary container 2 fixed to the holder 3 and the dispenser syringe 1
Is the rotation axis X with the discharge direction coinciding with the centrifugal direction.
2, the sealing material 16 in the preliminary container 2 is discharged through the discharge port 12 into the dispenser syringe 1 as shown in FIG. At the time of this discharge, the sealing material 1
6 once becomes a rod-like and / or small lump shape,
The discharged sealing material 16 is filled in order from the discharge port 11 of the dispenser syringe 1 by centrifugal force. At this time, bubbles (not shown) escape from the sealing material 16 and are sucked toward the vacuum pump 6 from a gap between the rear end portion of the main body portion 1a of the dispenser syringe 1 and the discharge portion 2b of the preliminary container 2. After about 10 minutes, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the sealing material 16 in the preliminary container 2
Almost all are transferred to the dispenser syringe 1 and the filling of the sealant 16 into the dispenser syringe 1 is completed.

According to the method of the present embodiment as described above,
The sealing material (viscous material) is transferred to the dispenser syringe (discharge container) by a centrifugal force through a relatively narrow discharge port of the preliminary container under reduced pressure. For this reason, the surface area exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere of the sealing material discharged from the discharge portion of the spare container can be made sufficiently large, and the air bubbles mixed in the sealing material are exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere to remove the air in the air bubbles. Easy to remove. In addition, the dispenser syringe can be filled with the viscous material little by little in a reduced-pressure atmosphere, and the incorporation of new bubbles during the filling can be avoided. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively promote the defoaming of the sealing material.

Various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the holder is fixed at about 1000 rpm, but the rotation speed may be changed with a predetermined profile according to the viscosity of the viscous material. At the beginning of the rotation, the number of revolutions is relatively low so that the viscous material is exposed to the reduced pressure atmosphere for a longer period of time to further promote defoaming, after which substantially all of the viscous material is removed from the preliminary container and discharged from the discharge container. It is preferable that the rotation speed is relatively high so that the viscous material is densely filled in the discharge container and the leveling is further promoted. Specifically, when using a viscous material having a viscosity of about 10 Pa · s,
The rotation speed is about 100 to 300 rpm at the beginning of rotation.
And then preferably at about 1000 rpm.
If the viscosity of the viscous material is higher than this, for example, 100P
In the case of about a · s, it is preferable to set the lower rotational speed a little higher.

In this embodiment, a container having one discharge port is used as a spare container, but a container having two or more discharge ports may be used. By using a spare container having a plurality of discharge ports, filling of the discharge container with a viscous material can be completed in a shorter time.

In addition, the type of the viscous material to be handled, the viscosity,
The thixo ratio and amount, and the shape and dimensions of the above-described members, the pressure (or degree of vacuum) during depressurization, the number of rotations and the time of rotation are merely examples, and it is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that they can be changed as appropriate. Will be.

(Embodiment 2) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the viscous material filling device of the present embodiment. FIG.
(A)-(c) is a figure explaining the filling method of the viscous material of this embodiment with time. 3 and 4 (a).
In (c), the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the first embodiment will be described unless otherwise specified.
(Dimensions of materials, materials, filling conditions, etc.). For the sake of simplicity, only one set of containers is shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C as in FIGS. 2A to 2C.

The filling device 30 for the viscous material of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 mainly removes the vacuum vessel 7 and the O-ring 8 from the apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. The second embodiment differs from the device 20 of the first embodiment in that a new closed space 21 is formed by airtightly connecting the dispenser syringe 2 and the dispenser syringe (discharge container) 1.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 4A, these gaps are hermetically sealed between the discharge section 2b of the preliminary container 2 and the rear end of the main body 1a of the dispenser syringe 1. An O-ring 22 for sealing is arranged, and
The lid 2 is connected to the open end of the main body 2a through an O-ring 23.
Covered with 4. The preliminary container 2 and the dispenser syringe 1 are connected to the rotating shaft 27 of the holder 3 via exhaust ports 25 and 26 (for example, each having an inner diameter of about 6 mm) provided with spaces inside the preliminary container and the discharge container, respectively. It is airtightly connected by a communication line communicating with a flow path 28 provided therein, and forms a closed space 21. This flow path 28 is connected to the vacuum pump 6 via the tube 15 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the pressure in the sealed space 21 can be reduced through the communication line using the vacuum pump 6. The rotating shaft 22 is connected to the motor 4 by a belt 24, and can be rotated using the motor 4.

Even with such an apparatus 30 of the present embodiment, a viscous material, for example, the above-described sealing material can be filled in the same manner as in the method of the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to this, according to the present embodiment, there is no need to use a vacuum container as in the first embodiment, and the device can be reduced in weight and size.

It should be noted that various modifications as exemplified in the first embodiment can be added to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 3) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the viscous material filling apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG.
(A)-(c) is a figure explaining the filling method of the viscous material of this embodiment with time. 5 and 6 (a).
In (c), the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the viscous material filling device 40 of the present embodiment, a dispenser syringe (discharge container) 1 and a spare container 2 having the same shape and dimensions as those described in the first embodiment. Are fixed in the closed space 5 formed by the vacuum vessel 7 (not shown).
Thus, the dispenser syringe 1 and the auxiliary container 2 are preferably fixed in the same arrangement as in the first embodiment so that the discharge directions of the dispenser syringe 1 and the preliminary container 2 coincide with the direction of gravity. The vacuum vessel 7 is provided with an exhaust port 14 and is connected to a vacuum source (not shown) such as a vacuum pump, so that the pressure in the sealed space 5 in the vacuum vessel 7 can be reduced.

As shown in the figure, above the preliminary container 2,
An extruding means 31, such as a piston, for extruding a viscous material (for example, the above-described sealing material) 16 inside the preliminary container 2 to the dispenser syringe 1 below the preliminary container 2 is arranged. The viscous material 16 of the pushing means 31
Has a periphery substantially equal to the main body 2a of the preliminary container 2 and is complementary to the inclined portion 2c so that substantially all the viscous material 16 is pushed out of the preliminary container 2 by the pushing means 31. It preferably has a shape. The pushing means 31 is connected to, for example, a stepping motor 32 disposed outside the vacuum vessel 7 and may be configured to mechanically push the viscous material 16.

The dispenser syringe 1 and the spare container 2 are provided with an ultrasonic transmitter 33, which is preferably an ultrasonic vibration source, along their outer walls. By oscillating ultrasonic waves using the ultrasonic transmitter 33,
Ultrasonic vibration can be given to the dispenser syringe 1 and the preliminary container 2 which are in contact with the ultrasonic oscillator 33. This ultrasonic oscillator 33 may be formed integrally with the above-mentioned fixing means.

Next, a method of filling the viscous material of the present embodiment using the above-described apparatus 40 will be described. Also in the present embodiment, the sealing material exemplified in the first embodiment is used as a viscous material.

First, as in the first embodiment, for example, about 20
6A and an empty dispenser syringe 1 are placed and sealed as shown in FIG. 6A, and then vacuum is applied using an appropriate vacuum source (not shown). From the exhaust port of the container 7, the sealed space 5 is
Reduce the pressure to a or less.

Then, under a reduced pressure of a predetermined pressure, for example, about 1
Stepping motor 32
To move the extruding means 31 downward from the position shown in FIG. 6A (that is, in the discharge direction of the preliminary container 2), and the sealing material 16 is moved from the preliminary container 2 to the dispenser syringe 1.
Extrude at a rate of about 1 g / min (see FIG. 6 (b)). When extruding the sealing material 16 by the pushing means 31, it is preferable to operate the ultrasonic oscillator 33 to apply ultrasonic vibration to the dispenser syringe 1 and the preliminary container 2,
This facilitates discharge of the sealing material 16 from the preliminary container 2 and promotes leveling of the sealing material 16 discharged to the dispenser syringe 1. The sealing material 16 extruded (discharged) from the preliminary container 2 is filled from the discharge port of the dispenser syringe 1 by gravity. After about 20 minutes, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), almost all of the sealing material 16 in the preliminary container 2 is transferred to the dispenser syringe 1, and the filling of the sealing material 16 into the dispenser syringe 1 is completed.

According to the method of the present embodiment as described above,
The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to this, according to the present embodiment, it suffices to simply fix the discharge container and the spare container, and it is not necessary to rotate the holder as in the first embodiment (or the second embodiment). Downsizing and simplification can be achieved.

In this embodiment, the fluidity of the viscous material is increased to facilitate discharge from the preliminary container.
An ultrasonic vibration source (ultrasonic oscillator) was used to promote the leveling of the viscous material discharged into the discharge container. However, when using a viscous material that can withstand heating, instead of or together with the ultrasonic oscillator The viscous material may be heated using a heating source such as a heater. For example, 25
Greater than 100 Pa · s at 50 ° C and 10 Pa · s at 50 ° C
When a material having a viscosity of less than about 10 and containing no thermosetting component is used as the viscous material, it is preferable to heat the material to about 50 ° C. The fluidity of the viscous material can also be increased by increasing the temperature of the viscous material.

The ultrasonic vibration source and / or heating means as described above can be applied to the method and apparatus of the first or second embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the number of outlets of the spare container, the type of viscous material to be handled, the viscosity, the thixo ratio and the amount, the shape and dimensions of the above members, Various modifications can be made to the pressure (or the degree of vacuum) and the like. Further, also in the present embodiment, the discharge container and the spare container may be connected in an airtight manner without using a vacuum container as in the second embodiment, and the internal closed space may be depressurized.

(Embodiment 4) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the viscous material filling apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG.
(A)-(c) is a figure explaining the filling method of the viscous material of this embodiment with time. 7 and 8A.
In (c), the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the first embodiment will be described unless otherwise specified.
(Dimensions of materials, materials, filling conditions, etc.).

The filling device 50 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 mainly removes the preliminary container 2 and the holder 3 from the device 20 shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. Then, the dispenser syringe (discharge container) 1 is fixed by an upper support (first support) 41 and a lower support (second support) 42 connected to a rotation shaft of a motor (rotation means) 4. This is different from the device 20 of the first embodiment.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 8A, the dispenser syringe 1 is supported by an upper support 41 via a fastener 43 at an upper position distal to the discharge port. The dispenser syringe 1 is provided with the fastener 43
Is rotatably connected to the upper support 41, and can rotate in a plane including the ejection direction. Specifically, in a plane including the paper surface of FIGS. It can swing around a pin for fixing the fastener 43 to the upper support 41 (that is, it can swing like a pendulum). The upper support body 41 and the fastener 43 rotate the dispenser syringe 1 at least 1/4 turn from the position shown in FIG. 8A (for example, a vertical position) to the position shown in FIG. 8C (for example, a horizontal position). I just want to be able.

Further, the dispenser syringe 1 is supported by a lower support 42 at a lower position proximal to the discharge port. The lower support 42 is detachably attached to the dispenser syringe 1, and the lower support 42 is moved up and down by using, for example, a small piston 44, so that the lower support 42 is moved to a restrained position (FIG. 8A or FIG. It can be configured to switch between the position (FIG. 8C). When the lower support 42 is in the constrained position, the dispenser syringe 1 is fixed, cannot rotate in the above plane including the discharge direction (ie, the paper surface of FIG. 8), and the lower support 42 is in the unconstrained position. In this case, the dispenser syringe 1 is released from the lower support 42 and can rotate in the plane.

The upper support 41 is rotated about the axis X (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) using the motor 4. The centrifugal direction due to the rotation of the upper support 41 is included in the plane including the discharge direction in which the dispenser syringe 1 is rotatable (that is, in the plane including the paper surface in FIGS. 8A to 8C). It is. Therefore, when the lower support 42 is in the unconstrained position and the dispenser syringe 1 can swing (or rotate), when the upper support 41 is rotated about the axis X, the upper support 41 is in a position perpendicular to the centrifugal direction. The dispenser syringe 1 which has been substantially stationary at this time rotates in the plane according to the centrifugal force, and when a sufficient centrifugal force is applied to the dispenser syringe 1, as shown in FIG. The direction will now match the centrifugal direction. On the other hand, the lower support 42 is in the restraining position and the dispenser syringe 1
When the upper support body 41 is rotated about the axis X when the dispenser cannot swing, the dispenser syringe 1 keeps the state before the rotation even under the centrifugal force, that is, the discharge direction is changed to the centrifugal direction (or (Radial direction) and revolves around the axis X.

In the apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, the radius of rotation from the center of the dispenser syringe 1 in the vertical state to the axis X is, for example, about 100 mm, and a total of four dispenser syringes 1 rotate about the axis X. Although they can be arranged evenly at an angle of 90 degrees, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or less sets or five or more sets may be equally arranged around the axis X.

Next, a method of filling the viscous material of the present embodiment using the above-described apparatus 50 will be described. Also in the present embodiment, the sealing material exemplified in the first embodiment is used as a viscous material.

First, the dispenser syringe 1 containing about 20 g of the sealing material 16 is supported and sealed by the upper support 41 with the fastener 43 as shown in FIG. 8A, and thereafter, the vacuum pump (vacuum source) The pressure in the closed space 5 is reduced to, for example, about 100 Pa or less using the pressure chamber 6.

Next, under a reduced pressure of a predetermined pressure, for example, about 1
The motor 4 is operated in a state where the dispenser syringe is not allowed to swing while the lower support 42 is in the restraining position while maintaining the pressure at or below 00 Pa, and the upper support 41 is rotated about the axis X at a rotational speed of about 1000 rpm for about 10 minutes. Let it. At this time, the upper support 41 and the lower support 42
The dispenser syringe 1 supported by can not swing,
As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the orbital revolves with the ejection direction directed in a direction perpendicular to the centrifugal direction. Due to such revolving centrifugal force, the sealing material 16 inside the dispenser syringe 1 flows toward the outer portion of the rotating system on the inner wall of the dispenser syringe 1 and is pressed against the outer portion. At this time, the viscous material spreads in a thin film shape on the side wall of the dispenser syringe.

Next, the operation of the motor 4 is stopped to stop the rotation once, and the lower support 42 is pushed down to the unconstrained position by using the small piston 44. Thereafter, the motor 4 is operated again while maintaining the predetermined reduced pressure. Then, the upper support 41 is rotated about the axis X at a rotation speed of about 1000 rpm for about 10 minutes. At this time, the dispenser syringe 1 supported only by the upper support body 41 can swing in the above plane, and when a sufficient centrifugal force is applied to the dispenser syringe 1, FIG.
As shown in (c), the revolving process is performed in a state where the ejection direction substantially matches the centrifugal direction. Due to the centrifugal force of such revolution, the sealing material 16 which has been pressed against the inner wall of the dispenser syringe 1 on the outer side of the rotating system and spread.
Flows toward the discharge port of the dispenser syringe 1 this time. Thereby, the filling of the sealing material 16 into the dispenser syringe 1 is completed.

Here, the dispenser syringe 1 containing the sealing material (viscous material) 16 is rotated at a sufficient number of revolutions by the motor 4 so that the discharge direction of the dispenser syringe 1 and the centrifugal direction substantially match. It is preferable to apply a sufficient centrifugal force. However, the discharge direction and the centrifugal direction may be shifted as long as the viscous material can be filled in the discharge port side of the dispenser syringe (discharge container).

According to the method of the present embodiment as described above,
The sealing material (viscous material) flows in different directions in the dispenser syringe (discharge container) by centrifugal force under reduced pressure. For this reason, the surface area of the sealing material exposed to the reduced pressure atmosphere can be made sufficiently large, and the air bubbles mixed in the sealing material are exposed to the reduced pressure atmosphere, so that air in the air bubbles can be easily removed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively promote the defoaming of the sealing material.

Various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the discharge container (dispenser syringe) is revolved while being supported by the second support (lower support), but the discharge container is connected to the first support (upper support). A bearing or the like is used as a fastener, and the discharge container is rotatably held by using a belt or the like as the second support, and the belt is arranged so as to surround the discharge container and the rotation axis of the rotating means (motor). However, the discharge container may be rotated in contact with the rotating shaft. According to this configuration, in a state where the discharge container is prevented from swinging by using the belt (second support), the discharge container revolves and rotates while the discharge direction is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the centrifugal direction. Because of the rotation, the viscous material in the discharge container convection is more complicated than in the fourth embodiment in which the discharge container revolves. Therefore, the surface area of the viscous material exposed to the reduced-pressure atmosphere can be increased, and the defoaming of the viscous material can be further promoted.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the number of outlets of the spare container, the type of viscous material to be handled, the viscosity, the thixo ratio and the amount, the shapes and dimensions of the above members, Various modifications can be made to the pressure (or the degree of vacuum) and the like. Further, the ultrasonic vibration source and / or the heating unit described in the third embodiment can be applied to the method and the device of the present embodiment.
Further, also in the present embodiment, the discharge container and the spare container may be connected in an airtight manner without using a vacuum container as in the second embodiment, and the internal closed space may be depressurized.

[0081]

According to the present invention, in a method of filling a viscous material, there is provided a method and an apparatus for reducing the incorporation of bubbles into the viscous material.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for filling a viscous material according to one embodiment of the present invention.

2 (a) to 2 (c) are diagrams illustrating a method of filling a viscous material in the embodiment of FIG. 1 with time.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for filling a viscous material according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 (a) to 4 (c) are diagrams for explaining the method of filling the viscous material in the embodiment of FIG. 3 with time.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an apparatus for filling a viscous material according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 (a) to 6 (c) are diagrams for explaining a method of filling the viscous material in the embodiment of FIG. 5 with time.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an apparatus for filling a viscous material according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 (a) to 8 (c) are diagrams for explaining a method of filling the viscous material in the embodiment of FIG. 7 with time.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a general method of supplying a substrate bonding sealing material onto a substrate by a drawing method in a liquid crystal panel manufacturing process.
9A is a top view, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a general method of supplying a circuit forming paste onto a substrate by a drawing method in a process of manufacturing an electric circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dispenser syringe (discharge container) 2 Spare container 3 Holder 4 Motor (rotating means) 5 Sealed space 6 Vacuum pump (vacuum source) 7 Vacuum container 8 O-ring 9 Top plate 10 Fasteners 11, 12 Discharge port 13 Plug 14 Exhaust Mouth 15 Tube 16 Viscous material 20 Filling device for viscous material

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A viscous material characterized in that the viscous material is once shaped into a rod, a small lump, or a thin film by applying an external force to the viscous material under reduced pressure, and then filled in a discharge container. Filling method. (A) a preliminary container having an open discharge port and containing a viscous material; and an empty discharge container having a closed discharge port and an open rear end portion. Is located in the rear end portion of the discharge container, and disposed so that the discharge directions of the discharge ports of the preliminary container and the discharge container coincide with each other; and (b) depressurizing the space inside the preliminary container and the discharge container. (C) rotating the preliminary container and the discharge container under reduced pressure so that the discharge direction of the preliminary container and the discharge container substantially coincides with the centrifugal direction, and reducing the centrifugal force as an external force on the viscous material in the preliminary container. Filling the dispensing container with the viscous material by adding below. 3. The step (b) includes indirectly depressurizing the space inside the preliminary container and the discharge container by depressurizing the enclosed space in which the preliminary container and the discharge container are arranged. The method described in. 4. The step (b) includes connecting the internal space of the preliminary container and the discharge container airtightly with a communication line, and indirectly reducing the internal space of the preliminary container and the discharge container through the communication line. 3. The method of claim 2, comprising: 5. In place of the step (c), the viscous material in the preliminary container is extruded under reduced pressure through an outlet of the preliminary container by using an extruding means, and the viscous material in the preliminary container is mechanically converted into an external force by an external force. The method according to claim 2, wherein a pressing force is applied. 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein ultrasonic vibration is applied to a viscous material located inside at least one of the preliminary container and the discharge container. 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein heat is applied to a viscous material located inside at least one of the spare container and the discharge container.
7. The method according to any one of 6. 8. A step of (d) depressurizing a space inside the discharge container in which the discharge port is closed and containing the viscous material; and (e) a discharge direction of the discharge port of the discharge container is perpendicular to the centrifugal direction. Rotating the discharge container under reduced pressure so as to apply a centrifugal force to the viscous material in the discharge container as an external force under reduced pressure; and (f) the discharge direction of the discharge port of the discharge container is substantially the centrifugal direction. Rotating the discharge container under reduced pressure so as to coincide with the above, applying a centrifugal force under reduced pressure as an external force to the viscous material in the discharge container, thereby filling the discharge container with the viscous material. 2. The method according to 1. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (e) comprises revolving the discharge vessel under reduced pressure. 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein step (e) comprises rotating the discharge container under reduced pressure. 11. A device for filling a viscous material in a spare container into a discharge container, comprising: a spare container having an open discharge port; and a discharge container having a closed discharge port and an open rear end portion. And a discharge port of the preliminary container is located in a rear end portion of the discharge container, and the preliminary container and the discharge container are arranged such that the discharge directions of the discharge ports of the preliminary container and the discharge container coincide with each other. A rotating means for rotating the holding body, the rotating means having a discharge direction of a discharge port of the preliminary container and the discharge container substantially coinciding with a centrifugal direction by rotation of the holding body; and a preliminary container. And a vacuum source for depressurizing the discharge container. 12. An apparatus for filling a viscous material in a preliminary container into a discharge container, comprising: a preliminary container having an open discharge port; and a discharge container having a closed discharge port and an open rear end portion. Fixing means for fixing the auxiliary container such that the discharge port of the auxiliary container is located in the rear end portion of the discharge container, and the discharge directions of the auxiliary container and the discharge port of the discharge container substantially coincide with each other. A fixing means for fixing the auxiliary container and the discharge container, an extruding means for extruding the viscous material in the auxiliary container through a discharge port of the auxiliary container, and a vacuum source for reducing the pressure of the auxiliary container and the discharge container. 13. The vacuum source according to claim 11, wherein the vacuum source indirectly depressurizes a space inside the preliminary container and the discharge container by depressurizing a closed space in which the preliminary container and the discharge container are arranged. apparatus. 14. A vacuum source indirectly depressurizes the space inside the preliminary container and the discharge container via a communication line that hermetically connects the space inside the preliminary container and the discharge container.
Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12. 15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an ultrasonic vibration source for applying ultrasonic vibration to a viscous material located inside at least one of the preliminary container and the discharge container. 16. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a heating source for heating a viscous material located inside at least one of the auxiliary container and the discharge container. 17. An apparatus for filling a discharge container with a viscous material, wherein the first support rotatably supports the discharge container having a closed discharge port in a plane including the discharge direction of the discharge port. A second support for supporting the discharge container in a state in which the discharge direction is restricted in a predetermined direction in the restricted position, and opening the discharge container in a rotatable state in the plane including the discharge direction in the unconstrained position; A rotating means for rotating the body and the first support, wherein the centrifugal direction caused by the rotation of the first support using the rotating means corresponds to the discharge of the discharge container supported by the second support at the restrained position. A direction substantially perpendicular to said predetermined direction,
An apparatus comprising: a rotating unit; and a vacuum source for reducing the pressure in a closed space in which the discharge container is disposed. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the second support in the restrained position revolves holding the discharge container with rotation of the first support by the rotating means. 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first support and the second support in the restrained position further hold the discharge container so as to be able to rotate, and the second support communicates with the rotating means to rotate the discharge container. Item 19. The apparatus according to Item 18.