JP2006102715A - Liquid coater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent liquid particles remaining on the tip of a nozzle whereto a liquid is injected from being fixed, even when a sheet coated with the liquid where particles are dispersed is conveyed at an arbitrary timing. <P>SOLUTION: When a signal showing that the sheet S is conveyed from a printer 50 is input to a control part 30, a support roller 41 is rotated to separate a contact roller 42 from the tip of the nozzle 10. In a case other than that, the support roller 41 is rotated to contact the contact roller 42 with the tip of the nozzle 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid application apparatus that applies a liquid in which particles such as glue are dispersed to a conveyed sheet, and in particular, a liquid that naturally dries and adheres to a sheet regardless of a change in heat. The present invention relates to a liquid coating apparatus for coating.

  Conventionally, in a glue application device that applies glue to a sheet of paper or the like, if no glue is applied to the sheet, that is, no glue is ejected from the nozzle tip for a long time, it remains at the nozzle tip. The glue that is in contact with the air for a long time dries and adheres to the tip of the nozzle. In this case, as with hot melt glue, the tip of the nozzle is heated when the glue is applied to the glue that is heated and melted when applied to the sheet and then cured at room temperature. As a result, the glue that adheres to the tip of the nozzle can be melted and applied to the sheet, but for glue that dries naturally regardless of changes in heat, the state where no glue is injected from the nozzle tip continues for a long time. When the glue is applied again to the sheet after that, it becomes difficult for the glue to stick out from the nozzle tip due to the glue stuck to the nozzle tip, and when the glue sticking to the nozzle covers the nozzle tip, the glue is ejected from the nozzle tip. Will not be able to.

In view of this, a protection device that prevents the glue from being solidified at the nozzle tip by covering the tip of the nozzle from which the glue is injected with a nozzle cap when the glue application device is not used has been considered (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.). This protective device is provided with a nozzle cap that can be contacted / separated with respect to the nozzle tip from which the glue is injected, and the glue is applied with the nozzle cap being separated from the nozzle tip, and then the nozzle is applied. When a predetermined time elapses after glue is no longer ejected from the tip, the nozzle cap automatically contacts the nozzle tip under the control of the nozzle cap drive device, thereby preventing the glue from solidifying at the nozzle tip. Yes.
JP-A-9-141162

  In recent years, as described above, in a glue application device that applies glue to a sheet of paper or the like, a sheet on which information is printed is conveyed by the printer in conjunction with a printer that prints information on the sheet. The apparatus which apply | coats is used. In such a printer-linked type glue application device, when a sheet on which information is printed is conveyed by the printer, it is necessary to be able to apply glue to the conveyed sheet. .

  However, in the above-mentioned printer-linked type glue application device, even if the glue application operation is not performed, as long as the printer is turned on, the sheet on which the information is printed is displayed on the printer. There is always the possibility of being transported from. For this reason, even when the protective device as described above is used, the nozzle cap must be kept away from the nozzle tip while the printer power is on, and the printer power is on. If the glue application operation is not performed for a long time in the state, the glue remaining at the nozzle tip dries for a long time and then adheres to the nozzle tip, and then the glue application operation. When performing the operation, it is difficult for the glue to be injected from the nozzle tip due to the fixed glue, and furthermore, if the glue stuck to the nozzle tip is covered, the glue cannot be ejected from the nozzle tip. There is a problem.

  Similarly, in a liquid application apparatus that injects a liquid in which particles are dispersed, such as the above-described glue, and applies it to a sheet, if the liquid is not injected from the nozzle tip for a long time, it remains at the nozzle tip. When the liquid is dried by touching the air for a long time, the particles stick to the tip of the nozzle, and when the liquid application operation is performed thereafter, the sticking particles make it difficult for the liquid to be ejected from the tip of the nozzle. However, when the adhered particles cover the nozzle tip, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to eject the liquid from the nozzle tip.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional techniques as described above, and is a case where a sheet to which a liquid in which particles are dispersed is applied is conveyed at an arbitrary timing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid coating apparatus capable of preventing the liquid particles remaining at the tip of the nozzle from which the liquid is ejected from sticking.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A liquid application device that applies the liquid to a sheet that is conveyed by ejecting the liquid in which particles are dispersed from the nozzle tip,
Nozzle covering means configured to be able to contact the nozzle tip;
Control means for separating the nozzle covering means from the nozzle tip when a signal indicating that a sheet is conveyed is input, and for bringing the nozzle covering means into contact with the nozzle tip otherwise. .

Further, the nozzle covering means is made of a material in which a contact portion that contacts the nozzle tip comprises water absorption,
It is characterized by having a moisture supply means for supplying moisture to the contact portion in a state where at least the nozzle covering means is separated from the nozzle tip.

And a support portion that supports the contact portion and causes the contact portion and the nozzle tip to contact or be separated by control by the control means.
The contact portion is attached to the support portion so that the position of contact with the nozzle tip is variable.

  In the present invention configured as described above, in a state where a signal indicating that the sheet is conveyed is not input, the tip of the nozzle from which the liquid in which particles are dispersed is ejected by the control of the control means When a signal indicating that the sheet is conveyed is input after the nozzle covering means configured to contact the nozzle is in contact with the nozzle tip, the nozzle covering means is controlled by the control means. The liquid is applied to the sheet that is separated from and conveyed.

  In this way, since the nozzle covering means is separated from the nozzle tip only at the timing when the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is conveyed even when the power supply of the apparatus for supplying the liquid application sheet such as a printer is ON. In a state where the liquid is not applied, the nozzle tip is covered with the nozzle coating means, so that when the liquid application operation is not performed for a long time, the liquid remaining on the nozzle tip touches the air for a long time and the particles are fixed. There is no end to it.

  As described above, in the present invention, since the nozzle covering means is separated from the nozzle tip only at the timing when the sheet is conveyed, for example, the sheet is conveyed at an arbitrary timing from a printer or the like. However, it is possible to prevent the liquid remaining at the tip of the nozzle from which the liquid in which the particles are dispersed is ejected from coming into contact with the air for a long time and fixing the particles.

  Further, the abutting portion that abuts the nozzle tip of the nozzle covering means is made of a material having water absorption, and at least the nozzle covering means is supplied with moisture in a state of being separated from the nozzle tip. In the case of having the moisture supply means, moisture can be contained in the abutting portion, thereby further preventing the nozzle tip from being dried in a state where the liquid application operation is not performed.

  Further, it has a support portion that supports the contact portion and makes contact or separation between the contact portion and the nozzle tip under the control of the control means so that the position at which the contact portion contacts the nozzle tip is variable. Even if the liquid particles remaining on the tip of the nozzle adhere to the contact portion by changing the region in contact with the nozzle tip of the contact portion, what is attached to the support portion, The effect of preventing the nozzle tip from being dried by the contact portion does not deteriorate.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a liquid coating apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 30 shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, information is printed by a printer 50, and a printer interlocking type glue coating that applies glue to a single piece sheet S conveyed on a conveyance path 60 constituted by a conveyor or the like. In the cloth apparatus, a nozzle 10 for injecting glue to the sheet S is provided on the conveyance path 60 of the sheet S on which information is printed by the printer 50. The nozzle 10 communicates with the glue tank 20 in which the glue G ejected from the nozzle 10 is stored, and the glue G stored in the glue tank 20 is ejected from the nozzle 10 under the control of the control unit 30. In addition, a nozzle covering member 40 that covers the tip of the nozzle 10 in a state where the sheet S is not conveyed from the printer 50 onto the conveyance path 60 is disposed in the region facing the nozzle 10. Reference numeral 40 denotes an elastic and water-absorbing material such as sponge or felt, and includes a contact roller 42 configured to be able to contact the tip of the nozzle 10 and a support roller 41 that supports the contact roller 42. ing. The support roller 41 is provided such that the central portion of the roller is a rotation shaft, and the rotation shaft is connected to the control unit 30 and is rotated by the control of the control unit 30. The contact roller 42 is supported at a position eccentric to the support roller 41 from the center of the roller of the support roller 41 so as to be rotatable about the roller center. Therefore, the circumferential surface of the contact roller 42 has a shape protruding from the circumferential surface of the support roller 41. Further, in a region opposite to the nozzle 10 with respect to the nozzle covering member 40, a container 70 serving as a water supply means storing water 71 is disposed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 in the present embodiment includes a print signal input unit 31 to which a print signal is input in the printer 50, and a nozzle according to the print signal input through the print signal input unit 31. 10, by controlling a glue injection mechanism (not shown) in the glue 10, a glue application control unit 32 that ejects glue G stored in the glue tank 20 from the tip of the nozzle 10, and a printer via the print signal input unit 31. The roller control unit 33 controls the rotation of the support roller 41 based on the input state of the print signal from 50.

  The glue application operation in the glue application apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the glue application operation in the glue application apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  When the power source of the glue application device is set to the ON state, first, the control unit 30 checks whether or not a preliminary signal from the printer 50 is input via the print signal input unit 31 (step S1). The preliminary signal is a signal that is output from the printer 50 prior to the print signal when information is printed on the sheet S by the printer 50, and the sheet on which the information is printed by the printer 50 by this signal. It is indicated that S is transported on the transport path 60.

  Here, as will be described later, the nozzle 10 of the glue application device is in a state in which the contact roller 42 is always in contact with the control unit 30 before the power is turned off.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing the positional relationship between the nozzle 10 and the nozzle covering member 40 under the control of the control unit 30 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A shows the contact roller 42 in contact with the tip of the nozzle 10. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the contact roller 42 is separated from the tip of the nozzle 10.

  Before the power supply of the glue applying device is set to the OFF state, as shown in FIG. 4A, the contact roller 42 faces the nozzle 10 by the control of the roller control unit 33 in the control unit 30. As a result, the support roller 41 rotates, so that the contact roller 42 and the tip of the nozzle 10 come into contact with each other. Therefore, when the power of the glue application device is set to the ON state, the contact roller 42 is in contact with the tip of the nozzle 10.

  In this state, when a preliminary signal from the printer 50 is input via the print signal input unit 31, the support roller 41 rotates so that the contact roller 42 is farthest from the nozzle 10 by the control of the roller control unit 33. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the contact roller 42 is separated from the tip of the nozzle 10 (step S2). At this time, the contact roller 42 is immersed in water 71 stored in a container 70 provided in a region opposite to the nozzle 10 with respect to the nozzle covering member 40. Since the contact roller 42 is made of a material having water absorption, water 71 stored in the container 70 is supplied to the contact roller 42.

  Thereafter, when the sheet S on which information is printed by the printer 50 is conveyed on the conveyance path 60, a glue injection mechanism (not shown) in the nozzle 10 is controlled by the control in the glue application control unit 32. As a result, the glue G stored in the glue tank 20 is ejected from the tip of the nozzle 10 and applied to the sheet S on the transport path 60 (step S3).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state in which glue is applied to the sheet S by the glue application device shown in FIG. 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the sheet S on which information is printed by the printer 50 is conveyed on the conveyance path 60, the glue G is applied for a predetermined length in the conveyance direction. It will be. That is, the glue G stored in the glue tank 20 is ejected from the nozzle 10 while the tip of the nozzle 10 is opposed to the area of the sheet S where the glue G is applied by the glue application control unit 32. The glue injection mechanism (not shown) in the nozzle 10 is controlled, and the glue injection mechanism (not shown) in the nozzle 10 is prevented so that the glue G stored in the glue tank 20 is not injected from the nozzle 10 during other periods. ) Will be controlled. As the paste injection mechanism for realizing this operation, for example, a cylinder to which the paste G stored in the paste tank 20 is supplied in the nozzle 10 and a hole formed toward the tip of the nozzle 10 in communication with the cylinder are provided. The nozzle opening and the needle pressed against the nozzle opening by a spring force or the like in the cylinder are provided. Normally, the glue G is not injected from the nozzle 10 by pressing the needle against the nozzle opening. When the glue is applied, the needle is moved away from the nozzle opening by the control of the glue application control unit 32, and the injection path of the glue G supplied from the glue tank 20 to the cylinder is opened. The thing etc. which inject | paste the glue G can be considered.

  Such control in the glue application control unit 32 is performed in accordance with a print signal output from the printer 50. For example, in the glue application unit control 32, according to the print signal output from the printer 50, information is printed by the printer 50 and the glue G is applied to each of the sheets S conveyed on the conveyance path 60. Control is performed such that the glue G is applied only to a predetermined sheet S among the sheets S that are printed with information at 50 and conveyed on the conveyance path 60.

  In the printer 50, as described above, while printing on the sheet S is being performed, a print signal indicating that printing is being performed by the printer 50 is output. It is shown that the sheet S on which information is printed is conveyed on the conveyance path 60. Therefore, when the print signal is not output from the printer 50 (step S4), the control unit 30 determines that the sheet S is not conveyed from the printer 50, and the contact roller 42 is controlled by the control of the roller control unit 33. The support roller 41 rotates so as to face the nozzle 10, and as a result, the contact roller 42 comes into contact with the tip of the nozzle 10 as shown in FIG. 4A (step S 5). As a result, the tip of the nozzle 10 is covered with the contact roller 42, and the glue G remaining at the tip of the nozzle 10 is prevented from coming into contact with the air and sticking. At this time, the contact roller 42 that contacts the tip of the nozzle 10 is immersed in the water 71 stored in the container 70 in a state of being separated from the tip of the nozzle 10, and thus absorbs the water 71. Thereby, drying of the tip of the nozzle 10 can be further prevented.

  Further, the sheets S coated with the glue G ejected from the nozzles 10 are conveyed on the conveyance path 60, stacked in a predetermined combination in the stock area, and adhered to each other by the glue G. Become. Further, in the printer 50, printing is output from the sheet S that is the head of the plurality of sheets S that are stacked on top of each other, so that depending on the bonding direction, the sheets S to which the glue G is applied are reversed after being reversed. Sometimes it is done.

  Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated until the power of the glue applying device is set to the OFF state (step S6). At this time, the contact roller 42 is rotatably supported around the center of the roller at a position eccentric from the roller center of the support roller 41 with respect to the support roller 41. When contacting the tip of the nozzle 10, the contact position can be made variable. Therefore, even if the glue G remaining at the tip of the nozzle 10 adheres to the contact roller 42, if the contact roller 42 is rotated relative to the support roller 41, the tip of the nozzle 10 of the contact roller 42. , The tip of the nozzle 10 does not come into contact again with the region where the glue G is adhered, and the contact roller 42 reduces the effect of preventing the tip of the nozzle 10 from drying. Disappears. It is also conceivable that the contact position of the contact roller 42 with the tip of the nozzle 10 can be varied by making the contact roller 42 movable to the left or right or in the depth direction with respect to the support roller 41.

  In the above-described glue application operation, when an error such as a jam occurs in the sheet S conveyed on the conveyance path 60, by controlling the roller control unit 33 or operating a jog switch (not shown) or the like, The support roller 42 rotates and the contact roller 42 is separated from the tip of the nozzle 10.

In the present embodiment, the contact roller 42 and the tip of the nozzle 10 are brought into contact with or separated from each other by rotating the support roller 41 under the control of the roller control unit 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also conceivable that the contact roller 42 and the tip of the nozzle 10 are brought into contact with or separated from each other by changing the position of the support roller 41 so that the distance between the support roller 41 and the nozzle 10 is changed. Even in this case, it is preferable that moisture be supplied to the contact roller 42 when the contact roller 42 and the tip of the nozzle 10 are separated.
Further, although the roller-shaped support roller 41 is used as the support portion, the roller-shaped support roller 41 is not limited to the roller shape as long as the contact roller 42 and the tip of the nozzle 10 can be contacted or separated.

  In this embodiment, moisture is supplied to the contact roller 42 by immersing the contact roller 42 separated from the tip of the nozzle 10 in the water 71 stored in the container 70. The form of supplying moisture is not limited to this, and a form in which water is dropped on the contact roller 42, water is supplied to the contact roller 42 using a tube, or a humidification process is considered. Further, the supply of moisture to the contact rollers 42 is not performed only in a state where the contact rollers 42 are separated from the tip of the nozzle 10 as in this embodiment, but the contact roller 42 is applied to the tip of the nozzle 10. It is more preferable that the configuration is always performed including the contact state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the information is printed by the printer 50 and the single-piece sheet S is described as an example of the sheet to which the glue G is applied. However, the glue coating of the present embodiment is also applied to a continuous sheet. A cloth device can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the glue G is applied to the sheet S on which information is printed by the printer 50 has been described as an example. However, as an apparatus for supplying the sheet S, the sheet is conveyed. As long as it outputs a signal indicating the above, not only the printer 50 but also various processing devices can be applied.

  In this embodiment, the glue G is taken as an example of the liquid in which the particles are dispersed, and the glue application device that applies the glue G to the sheet S has been described. However, particles such as glue are dispersed. The present invention is not limited to this as long as the liquid is injected and applied to the sheet.

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the liquid application apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the glue application | coating operation | movement in the glue application | coating apparatus shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the nozzle and nozzle coating | coated member by control in the control part shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a figure which shows the state in which the contact roller is contacting the front-end | tip of a nozzle, (b) is. It is a figure which shows the state which the contact roller is spaced apart from the front-end | tip of a nozzle. It is a figure for demonstrating the state in which glue is apply | coated to a sheet | seat with the glue application apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Nozzle 20 Glue tank 30 Control part 31 Print signal input part 32 Glue application control part 33 Roller control part 40 Nozzle covering member 41 Support roller 42 Contact roller 50 Printer 60 Conveyance path 70 Container 71 Water G Glue S Sheet

Claims (3)

A liquid application device that applies the liquid to a sheet that is conveyed by ejecting the liquid in which particles are dispersed from the nozzle tip,
Nozzle covering means configured to be able to contact the nozzle tip;
Control means for separating the nozzle covering means from the nozzle tip when a signal indicating that a sheet is conveyed is input, and for bringing the nozzle covering means into contact with the nozzle tip in other cases Liquid applicator. The liquid coating apparatus according to claim 1,
The nozzle covering means is made of a material in which a contact portion that contacts the tip of the nozzle has water absorption,
A liquid application apparatus comprising: a water supply unit that supplies water to the contact portion in a state where at least the nozzle covering unit is spaced from the nozzle tip. The liquid coating apparatus according to claim 2,
A support portion that supports the contact portion and that contacts or separates the contact portion and the nozzle tip by the control of the control unit;
The liquid application apparatus, wherein the contact portion is attached to the support portion so that a position of contact with the nozzle tip is variable.

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