JP2002089546A - Dewatering roller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dewatering roller for effectively removing water attached on the surface and the side faces of an object such as a flat glass pane, a metallic plate, a plastic plate, or their composite under low pressure. SOLUTION: The cylindrical dewatering roller is pressed against the surface of a workpiece to remove water therefrom. The roller is made of a hydrophilic elastic material and provided on its surface with a plurality of slits each with a depth not less than 0.2 times nor more than 20 times the thickness of the workpiece. The plurality of slits provided on the surface of the cylindrical roller are preferably spaced apart from one another by not less than 0.5 mm nor more than 5 mm.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a roller for draining a flat plate-shaped article such as a glass plate, a metal plate, a plastic plate or a composite thereof, which is provided for particularly precise use. More specifically, the present invention relates to a roller for efficiently removing moisture adhering to the surface and side surfaces of an article having a certain thickness.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a glass plate, a metal plate, a plastic plate, or a composite thereof, which requires a clear finished surface, requires a required processing such as grinding, polishing, etching, or the like.
After operations such as printing, transfer, grooving, and perforation are performed, necessary operations for removing processing debris, used chemicals, abrasives, and other contaminants from the surface are performed. After that, it is common to perform a final washing and rinsing operation, and further a drying step to obtain a final product. There is a case where the process directly shifts from the rinsing process to the drying process by hot air spraying.In particular, in recent years, in applications where precise and precise cleanliness is required, such as electronic components and laminated glass for automobile windshields, drainage is performed during that time. Attached water removing rollers are provided to remove adhering water, and a solvent washing step may be provided before drying.

[0003] In particular, when the above-mentioned article (hereinafter abbreviated as a work) is processed continuously, in order to improve the efficiency of the process and complete the drying process, water remaining on the work surface before drying is started. It is effective to install a water removal roller for the purpose of minimizing the water content. Also, the shape of the work is basically a flat plate, but the work is such that a specific pattern or the like is engraved on its surface, that is, the work has fine undulations (irregularities), or In the case where the shape of a specific groove, hole, or the like is engraved, the installation of the water removal roller is particularly effective in order to remove moisture that has entered that part or the edge part.

As the water removing roller having the above-mentioned performance, a roller formed of a material having excellent water absorbing power and having flexibility and elasticity in the shape of a cylindrical roller is used. For example, JP-A-7-1610 or JP-A-9-3
Japanese Patent No. 0886 discloses a sponge drainer or water absorption roller for continuously removing adhering moisture in a manufacturing process of a printed circuit board or a lead frame, and PVA is used as a preferable material for forming these.
A porous sponge is used.

[0005] As shown in Fig. 1, the roller 1 according to the above-mentioned prior art is used by pressing and pressing the roller 1 against the surface of a work 10 and rotating the work so that the surface speed of the roller is synchronized with the feed speed of the work. In addition, water adhering to the work surface is positively sucked and removed by utilizing the water absorbing ability of the roller. The rollers may be arranged on one side as shown in the figure, or may be arranged on both upper and lower sides to simultaneously remove water from both sides of the work. The length of the roller is required to cover the entire width of the work. The pressing rate of the roller is generally set to about 30% with respect to the thickness of the work.

[0006] By using the roller for the purpose of removing water as described above, the moisture adhering to the surface of the work is almost completely transferred to the roller, and no water droplets remain. The removal of moisture adhering to the surface of a work having a normal shape can be carried out without any particular problem by using a roller as described above. However, when the work has a thickness of a certain degree or more, specifically, the thickness exceeds 1.5 mm. When it has a thickness, the following problems surface and the water removal effect is not perfect.

That is, when the thickness of the work is 1.5 mm or less and thin, as shown in FIG. 6, the roller follows the shape of the work due to the rubber elasticity developed from the flexibility and elasticity of the roller. Can also absorb and remove moisture adhering to the side surface of the work. However, when the thickness of the work becomes a level that cannot be followed by the flexibility and elasticity of the roller, a state as shown in FIG. 7A occurs, causing a phenomenon that water droplets adhered to the side surface remain. . That is, when water is removed from the thin work 10, when the water removal roller 1 is pressed against the work 10, the portion 2 of the water removal roller that comes into contact with the work surface 11 is compressed and deformed by the force and is applied to the work surface 11. Close contact is made to cover completely, and the water adhering to that portion is almost completely transferred to the water removal roller 1 and removed. However, in the case of a thick work, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7C, the portion of the water removal roller that abuts against the side surface 12 of the work 10 is not deformed sufficiently according to the shape of the work and the gap 4 is formed.
Therefore, the side surface 12 of the work does not come into contact with the roller and does not absorb the attached water and remains as it is.
Further, since the work is usually rectangular, the above-mentioned problem can occur not only on the side surface but also on the side surface 13 orthogonal to the side surface as shown in FIG. 7B.
Such a phenomenon similarly occurs when water is removed with an extremely low pressing force even for a thin work.

As described above, in the case of a thick work, the water removal by the conventional water removal roller is not perfect. The water droplets remaining on the side surface may be scattered in the transfer step to the next step or in the air blow step, and may again adhere to the surface from which water has been removed. When the process proceeds to the subsequent drying process with the water droplets remaining, the efficiency of the drying process is reduced, which not only lowers the operation rate of the device, but also leaves the portion where the water droplets adhere as white stains, It also increases the product defect rate. Furthermore, when a work is incorporated into a product as one part, the stained portion may cause the product to be defective.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional water removing roller, the present inventors have efficiently removed water adhering to the surface and side surfaces of a work even in the case of a thick work. Conducted intensive studies on the dewatering roller that can be, found that the form of the roller having a slit in the thickness direction is suitable for solving the above problems,
The present invention has been completed. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water removing roller capable of efficiently removing water adhering to the surface and side surfaces of a work regardless of the thickness of the work.

[0010]

An object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical water removing roller for removing water by pressing against the surface of a work, wherein the water removing roller is made of a hydrophilic elastic material,
The surface is provided with a plurality of slits having a depth of 0.2 to 20 times the thickness of the work, and preferably 0.5 to 10 times the thickness of the work. Is done. The preferred interval between the slits provided on the surface of the water removing roller is 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereby. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a method of using a water removing roller and a concept of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of the water removing roller of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the water removing roller of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a front view showing a substantial use state of the water removing roller of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged explanatory view thereof. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a substantial use state of the water removing roller of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a use state of a thin work with a conventional water removal roller, and FIG. 7A is a front view showing a use state of a thick work with a conventional water removal roller. 7 (b) is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 7 (c) is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7 (a).

As described above, when water is removed from a thin work using a conventional water removal roller, there is no substantial problem as shown in FIG. If this is done, the water removal on the side is insufficient as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) show a state in which water is removed from the thick workpiece 10 using the water removing roller of the present invention shown in FIG. The water removal roller 1 of FIG. 2 includes a plurality of slits 3 in a direction along an imaginary plane A (shown schematically in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the XX ′ axis passing through the center of the cylindrical roller. (Hereinafter abbreviated as a vertical slit) is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the roller 1. When removing water from the work 10, even in the case of a thick work, the vertical slit 3 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the water removal roller 1 abutting on the side surface 12 overlaps the work side surface 12, and FIG. As shown in (a) and FIG. 4 (b), the side surface 12 of the work comes into contact with the water removal roller at the cut of the vertical slit, and the remaining moisture attached to the side surface is transferred to the water removal roller and removed. Is done. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the positions where the vertical slits 3 are provided are concentrated in the vicinity corresponding to both side surfaces of the work, and are not provided in the portion abutting on the central portion of the work. .

The depth of a vertical slit or a horizontal slit, which will be described later, provided on the surface of the water removing roller according to the present invention must be not less than 0.2 times and not more than 20 times the thickness of the work. is there. If the depth of the slit is too shallow, the function of removing water on the side surface of the work, which is the object of the present invention, cannot be sufficiently achieved. On the other hand, if the slits are deeper than necessary, the mechanical strength becomes inferior and the wear becomes severe, which is not preferable. The preferred slit depth is 0.1 mm of the work thickness.
5 times or more and 10 times or less.

As described above, the zone where the vertical slits 3 are provided is a zone corresponding to both side surfaces of the work, and the interval between the vertical slits 3 in that zone is 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. Preferably, more preferably 1
mm or more and 3 mm or less. When supplying the work to the device, even if the position where the work is placed is slightly shifted, if the vertical slits are provided at narrow intervals, either slit will overlap with the side surface, and the above-mentioned state will always be Can be formed. However, when the interval between the vertical slits exceeds 5 mm, the positional flexibility between the vertical slits and the work is insufficient, and a portion that does not contact the water removing roller is formed, and a sufficient water removing effect is obtained. Cannot be expected. In addition, if it is less than 0.5 mm, the width of one piece becomes too thin and the structure becomes soft,
On the contrary, a problem arises in the shape followability, the desired effect cannot be obtained, and the mechanical strength is weakened, and the life of the roller itself is shortened, which is not preferable.

Further, the water adhering to the side surface 12 in the direction orthogonal to the water removal roller moves to the water removal roller and is removed by the action of the above-mentioned vertical slit, but on the other hand, it is positioned parallel to the water removal roller. The water removal on the side surface 13 is not sufficient as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an example showing a form of a water removal roller suitable for performing water removal on the side surface 13 located in parallel with the water removal roller, and is a center of a cylindrical roller X-.
A plurality of slits 6 (hereinafter abbreviated as lateral slits) are provided on the outer periphery of the water removal roller in a direction along a radial virtual plane B (an example of which is shown in FIG. 1) passing through the X ′ axis. . FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a use state of the water removing roller on a work. When the work 10 is fed in and its tip, that is, the side surface 13 comes to the lower part of the water removing roller 1, one of the lateral slits 6 cut on the outer periphery meshes with the work 10, and the work 10 As a result, the remaining water adhering to the side surface 13 moves to the water removal roller 1 and is removed. The same applies to the last side of the work, and the water removal effect is sufficient.

The plurality of horizontal slits 6 are cut at substantially equal intervals on the entire surface of the water removing roller, and the interval is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. A particularly preferred range is from 1 mm to 3 mm. When the work is supplied to the apparatus, if the horizontal slits are provided at narrow intervals, any of the slits meshes with the work and overlaps the side surface, so that the above-described state can be always formed. become. However, if the interval between the vertical slits exceeds 5 mm, the flexibility of the engagement between the vertical slits and the work becomes insufficient, and the case where the vertical slits do not come into contact with the water removing roller can be obtained, and a sufficient water removing effect is expected. become unable. On the other hand, also 0.5 mm
If it is less than one piece, the width of the piece becomes too thin and it becomes structurally weak, causing a problem in shape followability, and the desired effect is not obtained, the mechanical strength is weakened, and the life of the roller itself is shortened. Is not preferred.

The method of providing the slit is not particularly limited. For example, a method of cutting a slit at a predetermined position using a rotary blade, or a method of manufacturing a roller by charging a molding die. A method in which a thin separator is put in a predetermined place, the separator is removed after production, and the part is formed into a slit can be used. Further, for example, a method in which a plurality of disk-shaped materials having a thickness corresponding to the interval between slits are prepared and stacked to obtain a water removal roller having a desired vertical slit can also be mentioned.

The water removal roller according to the present invention is of a type having a vertical slit and a type having a horizontal slit, each of which is separately prepared and disposed in an apparatus to remove water. For example, in the example of FIG. As shown in the figure, if a roller is provided with a horizontal slit at the center of the roller, that is, a part that contacts the surface of the work, and a longitudinal slit at both ends of the roller, that is, a part that contacts the side of the work, only one roller Can achieve a sufficient effect.

Although the water removal roller 1 according to the present invention is disposed around the rotation shaft 5 as a center, high pressure, rotation and frictional force are applied to the water removal roller during operation. The rollers must be firmly fixed to the axis of rotation. The means for fixing is not particularly limited, but a method using an adhesive is the most common. Further, a fusion method using heat, a method of gripping using a holder, and the like can be given. Furthermore, prepare a rotating shaft slightly thicker than the through hole perforated in the center of the water removal roller, insert it through the center hole of the water removal roller, utilizing the rubber elasticity of the water removal roller. A fixing method can also be given. This method is preferably used, for example, in the case of an electronic component, since a trace amount of an organic solvent or the like due to the adhesive may be disliked from the device.

As the water removing roller used in the present invention, an integrated material may be used and slit processing may be performed. For example, as shown in the explanatory view of FIG. That is, a method of dividing into a portion contacting the center portion of the work and portions 7 and 8 requiring slit processing, that is, portions contacting both side surfaces of the work, and combining them to constitute one water removal roller. There is also. In the roller for removing water, the part provided with the slit has particularly poor mechanical strength, so if such a method is used, only the part provided with the slit can be replaced, so that the total life is reduced. It leads to stretching.

The water removal roller used in the present invention is used in the manner described above, and in particular, it is strongly required to follow the shape of the work. It is important to have flexibility. The part pressed against the work is easily compressed and deformed, and when the stress is released, it is required to immediately restore the original shape.

The material of the water removing roller according to the present invention is not particularly limited, and any material can be used as long as it is a hydrophilic elastic body. For example,
Examples include a fiber aggregate such as felt or nonwoven fabric having cushioning properties, a resin-treated fiber aggregate, a rubber foam subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, and a hydrophilic sponge. However, in practice, the above-mentioned usage is performed, and in particular, the ability to absorb all the water adhering to the surface by instantaneous contact with the work and bring it to a pre-drying state, that is, positive contact with only simple contact Because it is required to have a performance that sucks up moisture and hardly leaves it,
In addition to having the above-mentioned flexibility and rebound resilience, it is preferable to use a material as described below. That is, first, the material has strong hydrophilicity, and then, it is a porous material having a high water retention capacity, and further, it has a positive water sucking ability. In order to express these things, it is more preferable that the porous elastic body has fine continuous pores. Suitable materials having such performance include, for example, a porous elastic body of a polyvinyl acetal resin or a hydrophilic polyurethane porous elastic body.

The porous elastic body of the polyvinyl acetal resin used in the present invention is generally called a PVA sponge, and can be obtained by a known method as shown below. That is, for example, an aldehyde as a cross-linking agent, a mineral acid as a catalyst, and a starch as a pore-forming agent are added to an aqueous solution of completely saponified or partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of polymerization of about 500 to 3000, and uniformly stirred. Pour into the formwork of 50 to 8
It can be obtained by reacting at a temperature of about 0 ° C. for about 10 to 20 hours. The product obtained by this method has a fine continuous pore structure, and its physical properties are greatly affected by the type, amount, concentration of the polyvinyl alcohol used, and the type, amount, and amount of starch used as a pore-forming agent. Therefore, in order to obtain a water removal roller having suitable structural properties, it is sufficient to perform these considerations.

The porous elastic body of the polyvinyl acetal resin suitable for use as the water removing roller of the present invention has a porosity of about 80 to 95%, an average pore diameter of about 30 to 300 μm, and is further dried. 250 to weight
A 30% compressive stress of 15 to 150 g / cm ^{2 in} a state containing 400 wt% of moisture (hereinafter referred to as an appropriate water-containing state).
It is to be. Of these physical property values, especially 30%
The compressive stress is important, and by being within this numerical range, it is possible to impart suitable flexibility and elasticity to the water removing roller of the present invention, and the water removing action of the work under low pressing conditions which is the object of the present invention. Can be achieved. The porosity referred to in the present invention is measured by a dry automatic densitometer on a rectangular parallelepiped polyvinyl acetal-based resin porous material that has been sufficiently dried with a dryer, and the apparent volume and the true volume of the rectangular parallelepiped are calculated as follows. This is a value calculated by equation (1). Porosity (%) = (apparent volume−true volume) / apparent volume × 100 (1) Further, the average pore diameter is PORUS METALIALS
Inc. It is a value determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry using a mercury porosimeter manufactured by the company. The term "30% compressive stress" used herein means that a porous elastic body of a polyvinyl acetal resin having a proper water content is set on a digital load measuring device so that a load is applied to the entire end face, and crushed by 30%. The load at the time is measured, and the load is obtained as a value obtained by dividing the load by the area of the end face.

Further, the hydrophilic polyurethane porous elastic body referred to in the present invention refers to a sponge-like polyurethane resin structure having flexibility and rebound resilience. It refers to a material that has been subjected to a hydrophilic treatment by adding a hydrophilic substance. In particular, as a type having continuous pores, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 6 can be obtained by a known method. The hydrophilic polyurethane porous elastic body suitable for use as the water removal roller of the present invention has a porosity of about 60 to 90%, an average pore diameter of about 10 to 300 μm, and depends on its type E. The durometer has a hardness of E50 or less, preferably E30 or less. In addition,
The durometer hardness according to type E here means JI
It is measured by the method described in the test method of SK6253, and the hardness is determined from the indentation depth of the indenter when the indenter of the type E durometer is pressed through the spring to the surface of the porous body. This refers to the hardness obtained using the required tester (durometer).

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described based on examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Example A roller made of a porous elastic body of polyvinyl acetal resin having a total length of 60 mm and a diameter of 35 mmφ was prepared, and a vertical slit having a depth of 5 mm was provided at intervals of 2 mm on the entire surface. The polyvinyl acetal resin porous elastic roller used here has a porosity of about 90% and an average pore diameter of about 120 μm.
m, 30% compressive stress was about 50 g / cm ² . The water removal rollers were arranged on both upper and lower surfaces, and a rectangular glass plate having a thickness of 5 mm, a width of 20 mm, and a length of 50 mm was selected as a work, and a water removal test on the surface was continuously performed. Pressing rate is 30 for roller thickness
%, The feed speed of the work was set at 4 m / min, and the surface speed of the roller was set so as to be synchronized with the feed speed of the work. Using the water removal roller, water removal of the above-mentioned glass work was continuously performed. As a result, no defective product was found due to insufficient water removal on the side surface, and the appearance of the product was extremely good. Also, no breakage of the work caused by the water removing roller was observed.

Comparative Example 1 Except for using a water removal roller having no longitudinal slit,
A water removal test was performed under exactly the same conditions as in the example. As a result, some product defects were observed due to insufficient water removal on the side surfaces, and some defects in appearance due to scattering of water droplets were also observed.

Comparative Example 2 A water removal test was performed under exactly the same conditions as in the example, except that a water removal roller having no longitudinal slit was used and the pressing ratio was set to 50% of the roller thickness. As a result, the number of defective water removal on the side surface decreased, but some damage to the work caused by the water removal roller was observed and the water removal roller itself was severely damaged.

In general, the water removal roller is not used as a single product, but is often used as a part of a series of continuous processing devices. Generally, a series of continuous steps combined with steps such as high-pressure water cleaning, cleaning with a rotating brush, solvent cleaning, hot-air drying, and the like are formed as a rear step leading to a predetermined processing step. In such a series of steps, the value of the water removal roller of the present invention is great, and these steps can be performed as continuous steps only by the excellent water removal effect. In addition, the water removal roller of the present invention has an extremely excellent effect on water removal of a thick work, which has been conventionally insufficient in the side surface water removal effect.

[0030]

According to the water removal roller of the present invention, it is possible to provide a water-removing action to a precise use, and particularly to a work having a high water removal effect, especially for a thick work. The process which was conventionally incomplete can be completed. That is, by using the water removal roller of the present invention, a glass plate, a metal plate, a plastic plate or a composite thereof or the like, which requires a clear finishing surface, is sufficient for the rear finishing step, and further, to a thinner one. On the other hand, a high water removal effect can be obtained with an extremely low pressing force, and there is a great deal of contribution to the industry.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage of a water removal roller.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a water removal roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the water removing roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a case where water is removed from a thick workpiece by the water removing roller shown in FIG. 2;
Is a partially enlarged view

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view in the case where water is removed from a thick workpiece by the water removal roller shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view in a case where water is removed from a normal (thin) work by a conventional water removing roller.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a case where a thick work is water-removed by a conventional water-removal roller;
(B) is a side sectional view thereof, and (c) is a partially enlarged view of (a).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the water removing roller according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of forming a water removal roller of the present invention by combination.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: roller for water removal, 2: contact surface of the roller for water removal on the work surface, 3: vertical slit, 4: gap formed between the roller for water removal and the side of the work, 5: rotating shaft, 6: horizontal Slits 7, 8: rollers for removing water with longitudinal slits
9: roller for removing water without slits, 10: work, 11: work surface, 12, 13: work side surface, X-
X ': axis passing through the center of the cylindrical roller, A: XX'
Virtual plane orthogonal to the axis, B: radial virtual plane passing through the XX 'axis

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Seiji Noda 2-15-15 Nakaikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo Aion Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3J103 AA02 AA13 AA37 AA72 AA85 BA41 FA30 GA02 GA52 HA12 HA18 HA41 HA48

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical water removing roller for removing water by pressing against the surface of a work, wherein the water removing roller is made of a hydrophilic elastic body, and the surface of the work has a thickness of 0%. .
A water removing roller provided with a plurality of slits having a depth of 2 to 20 times. 2. The water removing roller according to claim 1, wherein the interval between the slits is 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. 3. A plurality of slits are provided in a direction along an imaginary plane orthogonal to the XX 'axis passing through the center of the cylindrical water removing roller and / or in a radial imaginary direction passing through the XX' axis. The water removal roller according to claim 1, wherein the water removal roller is provided in a direction along the surface. 4. A plurality of slits provided in a direction along an imaginary plane orthogonal to the XX 'axis passing through the center of the water removal roller are provided intensively at both ends of the cylindrical roller. The water removal roller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic elastic body is a porous elastic body of a polyvinyl acetal resin having continuous pores, and has a 30% compressive stress of 15 g / cm ² or more and 150 g / cm ² or less. The water removal roller according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic elastic body is a polyurethane porous elastic body, and the durometer hardness of the type E is E50 or less. Roller for water removal.