JP2003266000A - Microchannel coater head, spray method and coated material - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply and easily prepare a high quality fluid in which a dispersion part is separated and incorporated. <P>SOLUTION: A 2nd flow passage 11 in which a 2nd liquid phase (b) flows is joined to a slit 10 in which a 1st liquid phase (a) such as a liquid resin flows at a prescribed angle. A pigment (c) is dispersed in the 2nd liquid phase (b) in the 2nd flow passage 11. Liquid drops B formed by dispersing the pigment (c) to be moved in the inside part of the 2nd liquid phase (b) is separated and incorporated by supplying the 2nd liquid phase (b) in the 2nd flow passage 11 to the 1st liquid phase (a) in the slit 10. The liquid is applied on a base film 2 from the slit 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a plurality of types of liquids,
Coater head for mixing different fluids such as gas,
The present invention also relates to a coating method and a coating material which are formed by mixing these fluids.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to advances in microfabrication technology for micron-sized fine channels and valves, micron-order industrial processing has become easier. These are called microchannel reactors, microchannel mixers, micromachines, microfluidic devices, etc. that use channels and valves of several microns size for reaction vessels and the like. Various applications have been proposed for these microchannel reactors and the like. On the other hand, in the field of printing, there are the following methods for obtaining a coated article by coating a liquid material obtained by mixing microcapsules containing a pigment or the like with a liquid such as a resin on a paper or sheet as a coated article. For example, a method of transferring a coating material on a roll to a paper or sheet pressed by a roll, represented by a gravure coat, a knife coater, a printing method including a liquid pool and a scraping edge represented by a bar coater, and a die coater. The coating method is a coating method in which a coating material is supplied to a coater head typified by a coater, a curtain coater, and a lip coater (trademark of Hirano Techseed Co., Ltd.) and coated on paper or a sheet through a slit of the head to obtain a coated material. Proposed as technology and coating technology. There is also a method of ejecting fine droplets of the coating material onto the paper or sheet from the tip of the head like an ink jet printer head.

In the above-mentioned coating technology and coating technology, a coated material in which microcapsules are dispersed and mixed in a liquid such as a resin is conventionally manufactured as follows.
First, as solid particles, for example, a pigment is dispersed in a liquid to prepare a pigment dispersion liquid, and the dispersion liquid is aggregated by phase inversion emulsification or the like to prepare liquid microcapsules in which the pigment is dispersed. Next, this liquid is filtered to separate and dry the microcapsules, and then the microcapsules are mixed into the liquid resin and stirred to produce a liquid material in which the microcapsules are dispersed and mixed in the liquid resin. A coated product in which such microcapsules are dispersed can be enclosed in a sheet-shaped processed product, or coated on a film or paper to produce various coated products such as a printed product.

[0004]

However, in the above-described apparatus and method for manufacturing a coated product in which microcapsules are dispersed and mixed, it is troublesome and complicated to manufacture the coated product through a plurality of steps. There is. Further, when the microcapsules are produced by phase inversion emulsification or the like, the pigment seeps into the liquid outside the microcapsules from the inside of the microcapsules, so that the pigment adheres and remains on the outer surface of the microcapsules. Then, after the microcapsules are separated and dried, the microcapsules are dispersed and mixed in the liquid resin, and the pigment remains on the outside of the microcapsules, or the pigment adhered to the microcapsules separates and floats in the liquid resin. Therefore, there is a drawback that the contrast of display information is lowered when it is used as various kinds of coatings such as a display element obtained by coating such a coating on a film or the like. In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a microchannel coater head capable of easily and easily producing a high-quality coating material in which a dispersion portion is separated and mixed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a coating method capable of easily and easily producing a high-quality coated material in which a dispersion portion is separated and mixed. Still another object of the present invention is to obtain a high quality coated article.

[0005]

The microchannel coater head according to the present invention uses a technique such as a microchannel reactor for the coater head in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, the second flow path as the fine flow path through which the second fluid different from the first fluid flows is joined to the first flow path as the fine flow path through which the first fluid flows,
It is characterized in that a coating material obtained by mixing the second fluid of the second flow channel into the first fluid of the first flow channel as a dispersion portion for separating from each other is discharged from the slit. The first flow path and the second flow path are fine flow paths that form a laminar flow even if the first fluid and the second fluid are compatible fluids.
Since the seed fluid flows without being made compatible with each other, the second fluid supplied to the first passage through the second passage separates from the first fluid as island-shaped dispersion portions. Therefore, this coating material can be applied by being discharged from the discharge port and the slit of the first flow path. Moreover, this coated product can be manufactured at a stretch by successive steps. Further, if the first and second fluids are incompatible, it is easier to manufacture the dispersion portion. The term “dispersion part” as used herein refers to a part in which the second fluid exists in the first fluid in a state of a dispersion such as droplets separated from each other without being compatible with the first fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid are different fluids and are composed of liquids or liquids and gases. When it is composed of liquid and gas, either the first fluid or the second fluid may be liquid. The dispersion part may be arranged such that another object such as solid particles such as a pigment is contained in the second fluid, or the other object may not be contained. The applied material is a fluid in which the second fluid exists as a dispersion portion in the first fluid and is to be applied to an object to be coated such as a film or paper. Liquids such as the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase can be adopted as the first fluid and the second fluid, or gas such as air or gas may be adopted instead of the liquid for one or both of them.

In the microchannel coater head according to the present invention, the discharge port of the first flow path as the fine flow path through which the first fluid flows and the second flow as the fine flow path through which the second fluid different from the first fluid flows. The discharge port of the passage is arranged side by side in the slit, and the second fluid discharged from the discharge port of the second flow channel is mixed into the first fluid discharged from the discharge port of the first flow channel as a dispersion part for separating each other. It is characterized in that the coating material thus obtained is discharged from a slit. According to the present invention, the first fluid and the second fluid are respectively discharged from the respective discharge openings of the first flow path and the second flow path, and then the second fluid is separated from each other in the first fluid as a dispersion portion. It is possible to obtain the coating liquid, and further to flow from it for a short distance to discharge from the slits forming the fine flow path of the head portion for coating. Therefore, compared with the above-mentioned invention, the distance from the formation of the coating material using a plurality of fluids to the coating is further shortened, and even if the first fluid and the second fluid are compatible fluids, the fine flow path is formed in the slit. The coating can be applied before they are compatible with each other while maintaining the effect of the laminar flow due to, and the quality of the generated coating is less likely to deteriorate, so that a higher quality coating can be obtained.

Solid particles may be disposed so as to be flowable in the second fluid and the dispersion section. The dispersion part can be separated into islands in the first fluid in a state where the solid particles are enclosed in the dispersion part, and the coating material conventionally produced in a plurality of stages can be manufactured in a continuous process.

In the coating method according to the present invention, the second fluid flowing in the second flow path forming the fine flow path is supplied to the first fluid flowing in the first flow path forming the fine flow path to make the second fluid flow to each other. It is characterized in that a mixed coating material is obtained as a dispersion portion to be separated, and this coating material is coated on or between coating objects. A fine first flow path in which different types of fluid form a laminar flow, and a second fluid is supplied from the second flow path to mix the first fluid with the second fluid as a dispersion portion for separating the second fluid from each other. The coated product can be obtained in a continuous process, and the coated product can be continuously obtained by discharging the coated product from the slit of the microchannel coater head and coating the coated object.

In the coating method according to the present invention, the second fluid discharged from the discharge opening of the second flow path forming the fine flow path is mutually added to the first fluid discharged from the discharge opening of the first flow path forming the fine flow path. It is characterized in that a mixed coating material is obtained as a dispersion portion to be separated, and this coating material is coated on or between coating objects. To obtain a coated material in which the second fluid is separated as a dispersion portion in the first fluid in the slit of the head portion where the first fluid and the second fluid have ejected the respective ejection openings of the first flow path and the second flow path, respectively. The coating can be performed by discharging from the slit after a shorter distance. Also, the second
Solid particles may be disposed so as to be flowable in the fluid and the dispersion portion. By dispersing the solid particles in the second fluid, it is possible to separate the dispersed portion, in which the solid particles are enclosed in the confluent first fluid, into islands, so that the coating material can be manufactured in one step in a continuous process.

After the coating material is formed, one of the first fluid and the dispersion portion may be treated so as not to be compatible with the other. By curing or solidifying the first fluid in the state of the applied material, it is possible to prevent the dispersion portion formed by the second fluid in the form of islands from moving or being incompatible with the first fluid. It can exhibit stable characteristics. In this case, the first fluid may contain, for example, an ultraviolet curable composition or a thermoplastic resin. Alternatively, the first fluid may contain a component that reacts with the second fluid to form a coating such as a gel or a reactive coating on the outer surface of the dispersion portion. This makes the first
It is possible to prevent the fluid and the second fluid from becoming compatible with each other and prevent the movement of the dispersion portion.

In the coated article according to the present invention, the coated article obtained by mixing the second fluid in which solid particles are provided as a dispersion portion in the first fluid in a state of being separated from each other is applied to the coated article or the coated article. It is characterized in that it is applied between the first fluid and the dispersion portion so as to be held in a state of being incompatible with the first fluid.
It is possible to stably maintain the dispersion portion in the first fluid in a state of being incompatible. For example, the dispersion portion can be held at that position by hardening or solidifying the first fluid, and by reacting the first fluid and the second fluid, a film is formed on the outer surface of the dispersion portion,
The compatibility of both fluids can be prevented, and stable characteristics due to the dispersion portion and the first fluid can be exhibited. Therefore, in this coated object, for example, by electrifying the coated object via the object to be coated, the solid particles movably provided in the dispersion portion in the first fluid can be moved, and the display by the coated object can be performed. Information and the like can be rewritten and changed, and good display characteristics and the like can be obtained.

Further, the first fluid may contain an ultraviolet curable composition or a thermoplastic resin. Or the first
The fluid may contain a component that reacts with the second fluid in the dispersion portion to form a film. In this case, the coating is made of gel or reactive coating. By these, it is possible to prevent the first fluid and the second fluid of the dispersion portion from being compatible with each other, and it is also possible to prevent the movement of the dispersion portion.

In the structure of the microchannel coater head according to the above-mentioned invention, the second channel may be connected to the first channel at an appropriate angle. Further, the second flow path may be connected to the first flow path by arranging the second flow path substantially parallel to the first flow path. Alternatively, the second flow path may intersect the first flow path at an appropriate angle, and the first flow path and the second flow path may communicate with each other at the intersection. In this case, it is preferable to make the pressure of the second fluid higher than the pressure of the first fluid in order to form the dispersion portion. Further, in each of the above-described inventions, in order to form the dispersion portion in the first fluid, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the second flow passage is set to be smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of the first flow passage. The inner diameter of the second channel is 1
It is preferable that the flow path is in the range of ˜1000 μm. Further, the second fluid in the second channel may be continuously or intermittently supplied to the first fluid in the first channel. Also the first
The inner diameter and the flow velocity of the first flow path may be appropriately selected so that the Reynolds numbers thereof are less than 2100 when the fluid and the second fluid are assumed to be Newtonian fluids.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a microchannel coater head, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a microchannel coater head.
3 is a perspective view of an essential part of the head portion shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a display element coated with a coating material by a microchannel coater head. The coater head according to the first embodiment is a micro-channel coater head (hereinafter, abbreviated as micro-coater head) 1 that uses fine channels that form a laminar flow. The micro coater head 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a head portion 3 for applying a coating material such as ink to a coating object, for example, a base film (or paper) 2 and the head portion 3 has a head portion 3. A flow path 6 that supplies the fluid stored in the tank 4 via a pump 5 is connected. The head portion 3 is passed through this flow path 6.
The first fluid supplied to is a first liquid phase a composed of, for example, a colored liquid resin or a liquid in which a pigment is dispersed.
In the head part 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upstream lip 8 and the downstream lip 9 are arranged substantially parallel to each other so as to face the base film 2 to be coated, and the downstream lip 9 is the upstream lip 8. The leading end surface 9a is formed to be curved in a substantially R shape so as to project more toward the base film 2 side. Both lips 8,
A slit 10 for flowing the first liquid phase a and supplying it to the base film 2 is formed as a first flow path between 9 and a discharge port 10a is formed at the tip of the slit 10.
Further, a second flow passage 11 having a flow passage cross-sectional area smaller than that of the slit 10 communicates with the slit 10 at an intermediate portion in the flow direction of the first liquid phase a so as to intersect at a predetermined angle α. A second liquid phase b made of, for example, a solid dispersion different from the first liquid phase, which is a second fluid, flows through the second flow path 11, and the slit 10
It is designed to flow inside. Solid particles, for example, pigments are contained in the second liquid phase b in a dispersed state.

The width of the slit 10 constituting the first flow path (the interval corresponding to the short side of the substantially rectangular section) and the width of the second flow path 11 (when the flow path is a quadrangle such as a substantially square section) or the inner diameter (flow rate) When the path has a circular cross section) means 1 to 1000μ
m, preferably 5 to 500 μm, and more preferably 10 to 300 μm. Slit 1
0 and the second flow passage 11 are both fine flow passages having a small inner diameter, and therefore, the first liquid phase a and the second liquid phase b flowing inside, respectively.
The turbulent flow is unlikely to occur and flows in a laminar or near-laminar state. Generally, the flow of a fluid containing a first liquid phase a and a second liquid phase b in a flow channel is roughly classified into a laminar flow and a turbulent flow. Laminar flow means that all particles of the fluid are directed in the flow direction. Refers to a moving flow, and turbulent flow is a flow in which fluid particles have a vector other than the direction of flow. The critical velocity when changing from laminar flow to turbulent flow is defined by the Reynolds number given by the following equation.
That is, the density of the fluid is ρ (kg / m3) and the viscosity is μ (kg
/ M · s), the length representative of the flowing system (here, the slit 10 and the second flow path 11) is L (m), and the average flow velocity of the system is U (m / s), Reynolds The number Re is expressed by Re = L · U · ρ / μ. Here, in general, when Re <2100, laminar flow occurs, and when Re> 4000, turbulent flow occurs, and 2100 <
Re <4000 is said to be a transition region.

In considering the Reynolds number Re in a tubular microchannel, for example, L is the diameter of the tube (slit 1
In the case of 0, it is general to represent the width. In the coater head for printing, the normal printing speed is 100 m /
s, and the ink viscosity is 0.1 kg / m · s,
The following numerical examples are included including other elements. That is, 3
For the seed tube diameters L1, L2, L3, L1 = 0.0
01m (φ = 1mm), L2 = 0.0001m (φ = 1
00 μm), L3 = 0.00001 m (φ = 10 μm)
Since ρ = 1500 kg / m3 μ = 0.1 kg / m · s U = 100 m / s, the Reynolds numbers Re1, Re2 and Re3 corresponding to the tube diameters L1, L2 and L3 are Re1 = 0. .001 * 100 * 1500 / 0.1 = 15
00 Re2 = 0.0001 * 100 * 1500 / 0.1 = 1
50 Re3 = 0.00001 * 100 * 1500 / 0.1 =
It will be 15. In each of these cases, Reynolds number Re1,
Since Re2 and Re3 are less than 2100, it can be seen that they flow as a laminar flow.

Therefore, in the laminar flow, even if two compatible liquids are flowing, the two liquids are mixed with each other only by molecular diffusion, so that the two liquids flow in a separated state for a considerable time. On the other hand, when the compatibility of the two liquids is low, the two-liquid separated state is maintained more stably. Since the width of the slit of the coater head is generally 1 mm or less, in the microcoater head 1 according to the present embodiment, the first liquid phase a and the second liquid phase a
A laminar flow is obtained by selecting the viscosity and speed of the liquid phase b. In particular, the slit 10 of the present embodiment has a width of 1000 mm or less, and the second channel 11 has an inner diameter (L) 50 smaller than the width of the slit 10.
Since it is about 0 to 10 μm, it flows as a laminar flow. In the present embodiment, when the second liquid phase b in which the pigment c is dispersed flows into the slit 10 from the second flow path 11, the second liquid phase b is torn and separated from each other to form droplets B sequentially. Then, the droplets B flow in the first liquid phase a in a dispersed state separated from each other. Each droplet B is formed in an island shape such as a substantially spherical shape or a marble shape, and inside thereof, a plurality of pigments c are movably dispersed and arranged in a second liquid phase b which is a solid dispersion liquid. There is.

In order for the second liquid phase b to form such droplets B in the first liquid phase a, the slit 10 and the second flow path 11 are formed.
Are required to be small flow channels having a small inner diameter, and the flow channel cross-sectional area of the second flow channel 11 is smaller than that of the slit 10 which is the main flow channel. And the droplet B
Is considered to occur due to the difference in surface tension or the difference in flow velocity between the first and second liquid phases a and b. It should be noted that in order to generate the droplet B, depending on the characteristics of the first liquid phase a and the second liquid phase b, in addition to the above flow path configuration, the supply of the second liquid phase b is continuously performed. When performing, the viscosity of the second liquid phase b in the second flow path 11 is made higher than the viscosity of the first liquid phase a in the slit 10, and the flow velocity in the first liquid phase a in the slit 10 is set. To make it larger than the flow velocity of the second liquid phase b in the second flow path 11,
The second flow path 11 is greater than the hydraulic pressure of the first liquid phase a in the slit 10.
At least one of the three conditions of increasing the liquid pressure of the second liquid phase b therein should be provided. Alternatively, the droplet B can be obtained even if the supply of the second liquid phase b is performed intermittently. In addition, as an example, the width (inner diameter) of the slit 10 is several 100 μm, for example, 120 μm.
m; second channel 11 has an inner diameter of several μm to several tens of μm, for example, 40 μm; droplet B has an average outer diameter of about 10 μm; About 10 μm to 1 μm are contained in one droplet B.

The microcoater head 1 according to this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. Next, a coating method using the microcoater head 1 will be described. First, the liquid resin in the tank 4 is supplied to the slit 10 of the head portion 3 via the flow path 6 by the pump 5. In the slit 10 forming the first flow path of the fine flow path, this liquid resin is made to flow as a first liquid phase a toward the discharge port 10a as a laminar flow. At the same time, in the second flow path 11, the second liquid phase b in which the pigment c is almost uniformly dispersed is supplied to the connection port with the slit 10. The second liquid phase b passes from the second flow path 11 to the slit 10
When it flows into the first liquid phase a, for example, it is sequentially torn and separated by the first liquid phase a flowing at a higher speed, and the pigment c is mixed in the first liquid phase a as droplets B dispersed in the second liquid phase b inside. To do. In this way, when the droplets B are separated into the first liquid phase a at appropriate intervals and flow together with the first liquid phase a and are discharged from the discharge port 10a, the droplets B are continuously formed on the tip surface of the head portion 1 at a predetermined position. Base film 2 supplied at speed V and tip surface 9a of downstream lip 9
Thus, the first liquid phase a in which the droplets B are dispersed flows in between and and is applied onto the base film 2. In this way, the droplets B having the pigment c dispersed therein are applied as the island-shaped dispersed coating material 13 on the base film 2 in the first liquid phase a made of the liquid resin. For example, the coating shown in FIG. The thing is obtained.

Here, when the first and second liquid phases a and b are compatible liquids, they form a laminar flow in the slit 10 and flow in a separated state without being mixed with each other, but the base film 2 After being applied on top, the second liquid phase b in the droplet B and the first liquid phase a surrounding the second liquid phase gradually become compatible with each other.
In order to prevent this, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin may be mixed in the first liquid phase a. Immediately after the first liquid phase a in which the droplets B are dispersed on the base film 2 is applied as the coating material 13, that is, immediately after being formed into a film, the coating material 13 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the first liquid phase a. . As a result, the droplets B are held separately from each other in the state where the pigment c is dispersed in the second liquid phase b. Alternatively, even when the first liquid phase a is set to a thermoplastic resin having a higher viscosity than the second liquid phase b, the droplet B
Can be dispersed and held in the first liquid phase a. As another holding method, a component that is compatible with the second liquid phase b and that reacts with the second liquid phase b to form a gel or an insoluble film may be added to the first liquid phase a. Good. In this case, slit 1
When the second liquid phase b is introduced into the first liquid phase a within 0 to form the droplet B, a reaction is started at the interface of the droplet B to form an insoluble film having a constant thickness at the interface. Will be. As a result, the droplet B is stabilized by the insoluble film and held in the first liquid phase a. As a component that forms a gel or an insoluble film, for example, there is one in which one of a thermosetting urethane resin and an isocyanate is contained in the first liquid phase a and the other is contained in the second liquid phase. In this case, The thermosetting urethane resin is preferably used as the main component of the liquid phase. Also Ca, Mg
One of the aqueous liquid containing ions and the protein (gel-like substance) may be contained in the first liquid phase a and the other may be contained in the second liquid phase. Alternatively, one of the organic silanes and methyl methacrylate may be contained in the first liquid phase a and the other in the second liquid phase b. In this case, the second liquid phase b is mixed in the first liquid phase a. Then, the film can be formed by irradiating the interface where both components intersect with ultraviolet light.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a coating material 14 obtained by coating the coating material 13 on the base film 2. For example, the coating material 13 is enclosed between the transparent base films 2 and 2. A display element such as a digital paper is shown. In this display element, when a voltage is applied to an electrode (not shown) outside the base films 2 and 2 to apply an electric field, the charged pigment c in the liquid droplet B moves vertically to display information. Further, by switching the polarity of the electrode, the pigment c in the droplet B moves, so that the display information can be rewritten.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the second liquid phase b of the second flow path 11 is contained in the first liquid phase a in the slit 10.
Is supplied, the first liquid phase a in which the droplets B are dispersed at once can be manufactured as the coating material 13 in successive steps. Further, the coating material 13 is continuously coated on the base film 2 by using the micro coater head 1 to obtain various coating materials 14. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the coating material 14 obtained by applying the coating material 13 in which the droplets B are dispersed and arranged can be obtained, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first liquid phase in which the droplets B are dispersed is obtained. A liquid crystal display element such as a flexible liquid crystal display plate can be obtained by using the liquid crystal composition for the droplet B (and the first liquid phase a) instead of a. Further, if the droplet B is composed of an aromatic component, an element such as an aromatic sheet or deodorant fiber sheet that can be used for a long period of time can be prepared. Further, if a liquid drug is used in place of the first liquid phase a and a solid drug is contained in the droplet B in place of the pigment c, a fine drug can be produced.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same or similar parts and members as those in the above-described embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the head part of the microcoater head according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the part where the second flow path merges with the slit of the head part. In the drawing, the slit 21 that constitutes the first flow path of the head portion 20 is a flow path that supplies the first liquid phase a, and the width of the base end side flow path part 21a located on the base end side is narrow and the discharge port 21b side. The width of the tip-side flow passage portion 21c located at is wide, and a step portion 21d (which may be an inclined portion) is provided in the middle of connecting the flow passage portions 21a and 21c.
Then, the second flow path 11 is connected at the step portion 21d, and the pigment c
The second liquid phase b in which is dispersed is discharged into the first liquid phase a. The second flow path 11 is arranged substantially parallel to the base end side flow path portion 21a of the slit 20 so that the second liquid phase b passes through the step portion 2
In 1d, the first liquid phase a is merged. Also in the micro coater head 20 according to the present embodiment, the second
The liquid phase b is supplied from the second flow path 11 into the first liquid phase a of the slit 20 and separated into islands to form droplets B. Then, as in the first embodiment, the base film 2 coated with the coating material 13 is obtained as a coating material, and the same effect is obtained.

7 and 8 show a modification of the micro coater head according to the second embodiment. Figure 7
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a head part according to a modification, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a part where the second flow passage merges with the slit of the head part. In the drawing, the slit 24 of the head portion 23 has a proximal end side channel portion 24 whose proximal end portion is branched into a plurality (two in the figure).
a and 24a, and the step portion 24b is connected to the tip side flow passage portion 24c having a large inner diameter. In this example, the second flow path 11 is connected to the step portion 24b sandwiched by the base end side flow path portions 24a, 24a, and the base end side flow path portion 24
It is arranged substantially parallel to a. Also in this modification, the second liquid phase b is discharged from the second flow path 11 to the front end side flow path portion 24c, and the island-shaped droplets B are separated from each other to be generated.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part of the head portion. In FIG. 9, the slit 2 forming the first flow path of the head portion 26
A plurality of flow paths 28, ... Are respectively formed in the inside of 7 toward the slit discharge ports 27a, and the first liquid phase a made of, for example, a liquid resin flows therein. In the head portion 26, the second flow passages 11 each having a smaller flow passage cross-sectional area than the flow passages 28 are formed in the direction intersecting the respective flow passages 28, and the pigment c is dispersed inside each second flow passage 11. The second liquid phase b is flowing. And each flow path 28 and each second flow path 11 communicate with each other at an intersection 29,
For example, the first liquid phase a has a higher flow velocity than the second liquid phase b, and
The pressure is set to be lower than that of the liquid phase b. Therefore, at each intersection 29, the second liquid phase b flowing through the second flow path 11 intermittently flows into the flow path 28 due to the pressure difference to form island-shaped droplets B in which the pigment c is dispersed. To do. The droplets B are separated from each other, flow in the first liquid phase a, and are applied as the coating material 13 onto the base film 2 from the ejection port 27a of the slit 27. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the structure of the head portion of the microcoater head is not limited to the above-described one, and various structures can be adopted. In short, the configuration of the head portion is such that the second flow path 11 of the fine flow path is merged with the slit forming the fine flow path to cause the second liquid phase b in the second flow path 11 to be in the first liquid phase a in the slit. Droplet B dispersed in
As long as it is formed as, for example, special table 2001
-520112, Proc. 1st Intl.comt, on Microreact
A flow path of meandering partition type shown in ion Techandogy (1997) 72-103 or the like may be adopted in the head portion of the microchannel coater head. Alternatively, a first flow path through which the first liquid phase a flows may be separately formed in the slit.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of an essential part of a head portion of a microcoater head. In the figure, the slit 32 formed in the head portion 31 of the microcoater head is formed with a plurality of fine flow paths partitioned from the base end side to the vicinity of the discharge port 32a on the tip end side. A part of the plurality of fine channels constitutes the first channel 33 through which the first liquid phase a such as a liquid resin flows and is discharged from the discharge port 33a, and the remaining one or a plurality of fine channels contain the pigment c therein. The dispersed second liquid phase b flows to form the second flow path 34 that is discharged from the discharge port 34a.
Here, the discharge ports 3 on the tip side of the first flow path 33 and the second flow path 34 are provided.
3a and 34a open in the slit 32 in the vicinity of the discharge port 32a. The flow channel cross-sectional area ratio between the first flow channel 33 and the second flow channel 34 can be set appropriately, but in the present embodiment, the flow channel total cross-sectional area of the first flow channel 33 is the flow channel of the second flow channel 34. It is set larger than the total cross-sectional area. As a result, each first flow path 3
The second liquid phase b ejected from the ejection ports 34a of the respective second flow paths 34 is mixed in the first liquid phase a ejected from the three ejection ports 33a in the state of being dispersed as island-shaped droplets B. Become. Then, the liquid droplet B dispersed in the first liquid phase a is applied as the coating material 13 on the base film 2 (not shown) from the slit discharge port 32a.

In particular, according to this embodiment, since the position where the droplet B is dispersed and mixed in the first liquid phase a is near the discharge port 32a of the slit 32 which is applied to the base film 2,
Immediately after the droplet B is dispersed and mixed in the first liquid phase a, it can be discharged from the discharge port 32a of the slit 32 to be applied to the base film 2, and the first liquid phase a and the second liquid phase b can be formed. Even if they are compatible, the possibility of compatibility is extremely small, and
There is an effect that the liquid phases a and b of the seed can be applied in a separated state. Also in each of the first to third embodiments,
The two liquid phase merging portion in the slit of the head portion of the microcoater head is slit while stably maintaining the two liquid phases a and b separated if the flow passage cross-sectional area of the flow passage is small enough to form a laminar flow. It flows to the discharge port. However, in practice, there are fine irregularities and chemical unevenness on the inner surface of the flow passage from the two liquid phase confluence parts such as the slit and the flow passage that form the first flow passage to the slit discharge port, and it is necessary for the device. Since a valve, a pipe, and the like are installed, there is a factor that causes turbulent flow, and the first liquid phase a and the second liquid phase b in the droplet B are likely to be compatible with each other. Therefore, as shown in the fourth embodiment,
The confluent portion of the two liquid phases, that is, the discharge ports 33a and 34a of the first and second flow paths 33 and 34 are provided in the vicinity of the discharge port of the head portion 31, more specifically, near the discharge port 32a of the slit 32, It is particularly preferable to apply the liquid droplet B of the second liquid phase b in the first liquid phase a to the base film 2 or the like from the slit discharge port 32a immediately after the coating material 13 is formed.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the second flow path 11 connected to the slits 10 and 20.
One or more may be provided and each may be connected to the slit. In this case, the island-shaped droplets B, which are respectively supplied from the plurality of second flow paths 11 and are formed in the first liquid phase a, may contain the same kind of pigment, or the second flow path 1
A plurality of different types of pigments may be included for each one. The cross-sectional shape of each flow path such as the first flow path and the second flow path may be any shape such as a circle, a square, or a quadrangle such as a rectangle. Further, the first liquid phase a that constitutes the first fluid and the second liquid phase b that constitutes the second fluid are not limited to liquids, and gas such as air or gas may be used. When a gas is caused to flow through the second channel, solid particles such as pigment c may be dispersed in the gas in a suspended state.

[0029]

As described above, the microchannel coater head according to the present invention can be manufactured through a process in which a fluid in which a dispersion portion of the second fluid is formed is continuous in the first fluid. Further, the microchannel coater head according to the present invention is
By arranging the discharge port of the first flow path and the discharge port of the second flow path side by side in the slit, it is possible to further shorten the distance from the coating material formation to the coating with a plurality of fluids, in addition to the above-described effects. Even if the first fluid and the second fluid are compatible with each other, they can be applied before they are compatible with each other, and the quality of the generated coating material is less likely to deteriorate. Is obtained. Further, since the solid particles are disposed in the second fluid and the dispersion portion so as to be flowable, it is possible to manufacture such a coating material which has been conventionally produced in a plurality of stages in a continuous process.

Further, the coating method according to the present invention can obtain a coating material in which the second fluid is mixed as a dispersion portion for separating the second fluid from each other in a continuous process, and further the coating material is applied to an object to be coated. It is possible to continuously obtain coated objects to be applied.
In the coating method according to the present invention, the discharge port of the first flow path and the discharge port of the second flow path are arranged side by side to form a coating material, and then the coating is performed by discharging from the slit of the head portion at a short distance. Therefore, even if the first and second fluids are compatible with each other, there is no effect of causing the compatibility. In the coated article according to the present invention, the solid particles provided in the dispersion section in the first fluid can be moved, the display information and the like by the coating article can be rewritten and changed, and the dispersion section in the first fluid can be changed. It can be stably held and can exhibit good characteristics such as highly accurate display characteristics.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram of a microchannel coater head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a head portion of the microchannel coater head shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the head unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a coating material applied by a microchannel coater head.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a head portion of a microchannel coater head according to a second embodiment.

6 is a perspective view of a main part of the head unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a head portion according to a modified example of the microchannel coater head according to the second embodiment.

8 is a main part perspective view of the head part shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a head portion of a microchannel coater head according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a head portion of a microchannel coater head according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Micro Channel Coater Head (Micro Coater Head) 2 Base Film (Applicable Object) 3, 20, 23, 26, 31 Heads 10, 21, 24, 27 Slit (First Flow Path) 10a, 21b, 27a, 32a Outlets 11, 34 Second flow path 13 Applied material 14 Painted material 28 First flow path a First liquid phase (first fluid) b Second liquid phase (second fluid) B Droplet (dispersion part) c Pigment (solid particle )

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A first flow path, which is a fine flow path through which a first fluid flows, and a second flow path, which is a fine flow path through which a second fluid different from the first fluid flows, is merged into the first flow path. A microchannel coater head configured to discharge a coating material obtained by mixing a second fluid of a second flow path into a first fluid of a flow path as a dispersion portion for separating the second fluid from a slit. 2. A slit having a discharge port of a first flow channel as a fine flow channel through which a first fluid flows and a discharge port of a second flow channel as a fine flow channel through which a second fluid different from the first fluid flows. Which are arranged in parallel to each other and discharge from the discharge port of the first flow path.
A microchannel coater head configured to discharge a coating material, which is formed by mixing a second fluid discharged from a discharge port of a second flow path into a fluid as a dispersion portion for separating from each other, from a slit. 3. The microchannel coater head according to claim 1, wherein solid particles are movably disposed in the second fluid and the dispersion portion. 4. A dispersion unit for supplying a second fluid flowing through a second flow path forming a fine flow path to a first fluid flowing through a first flow path forming the fine flow path to separate the second fluid from each other. A coating method in which a mixed coating material is obtained and the coating material is coated on or between coating objects. 5. A dispersion part for separating the second fluid discharged from the discharge port of the second flow path forming the fine flow path into the first fluid discharged from the discharge port of the first flow path forming the fine flow path. A coating method in which a mixed coating material is obtained and the coating material is coated on or between coating objects. 6. The coating method according to claim 5, wherein solid particles are disposed in the second fluid and the dispersion portion so that the solid particles can flow. 7. The coating method according to claim 4, wherein after the coating material is formed, one of the first fluid and the dispersion portion is treated so as not to be compatible with the other. 8. A coating material, which is mixed in the first fluid in a state where the second fluid having solid particles inside is used as a dispersion portion and is separated from each other, is applied onto or between the coating objects. The coated object is configured to hold the dispersion portion in a state of being incompatible with the first fluid. 9. The coated article according to claim 8, wherein the first fluid contains an ultraviolet curable composition or a thermoplastic resin. 10. The coated article according to claim 8, wherein the first fluid contains a component that reacts with the second fluid in the dispersion portion to form a film.