JP2007044649A - Liquid applicator and ink-jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid applicator and an ink-jet recorder which is equipped with a simple and compact removing structure of foreign matter in a mechanism for circulating liquid to supply. <P>SOLUTION: A capture space 208 is arranged below a main stream A of the circulating liquid. An opening 209 is arranged partially in the capture space 208. As a result, when foreign matter above the opening is precipitated, the foreign matter can be introduced into the capture space 208. The downstream side of the opening 209 is formed to be inclined upward with respect to the main stream of the liquid. As a result, the foreign matter can be fetched easily in the capture space 208 together with the flowing liquid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid coating apparatus and a recording apparatus. Specifically, the liquid or the like is supplied to a mechanism for applying a liquid to a medium or applying a recording agent such as ink for a predetermined purpose by a coating apparatus or a recording apparatus, and for recovering the supplied liquid. The present invention relates to a configuration for removing foreign matters mixed in a circulation path.

  The liquid circulation supply mechanism is used in various fields such as a component cleaning device and a liquid application device. In the field of ink jet recording apparatuses, it is generally known to circulate and supply ink to a recording head. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional example of a liquid circulation mechanism. In the figure, the illustration of the liquid supply target is omitted. In general, the circulation supply mechanism 100 includes a storage tank 101 that stores liquid, a pump 102 that serves as a circulation drive source, and a flow path 103 that forms a circulation path between the storage tank 101 and a supply target member (not shown). It is equipped with. A supply port 104 that is a port for supplying liquid to the supply target member is provided at one end of the flow path 103, and a recovery port 105 for recovering the liquid from the supply target member is provided at the other end of the flow path 103. Provided. The supply target member may be an application roller in the case of a liquid application mechanism in a liquid application apparatus or a recording apparatus, or a recording head to which ink as a liquid is supplied in an inkjet recording apparatus.

  The liquid circulates in the flow path 103 by the positive pressure or the negative pressure generated in the flow path 103 or the like by driving the pump 102, and supplies the liquid from the supply port 104 to the liquid application mechanism or the recording head. FIG. 1 shows an example in which pressurized supply is performed on the supply target member because the pump 102 is arranged on the upstream side of the supply target member in the direction in which the liquid circulates. In the supply target member, for example, after liquid application or ink ejection is performed on the paper, the liquid that is not consumed by the liquid is taken into the flow path 103 via the recovery port 105.

  By the way, in the supply mechanism by circulation as shown in FIG. 1, foreign matters that may be mixed in via a supply target member or the like circulate together with the liquid. Therefore, various configurations for removing foreign substances from the circulation path have been conventionally employed so that the original functions of the circulation supply mechanism and the supply target member are not impaired by such foreign substances.

  In Patent Document 1, a spiral flow is generated in the storage tank, and the foreign matter is pressed against the inner surface of the storage tank using centrifugal force to be separated from the liquid, and the separated foreign matter is collected in the lower sedimentation tank. Is described. According to this configuration, it is possible to supply a liquid with less foreign matter by drawing the liquid from the center of the vortex. Patent Document 2 describes a foreign matter separation device that combines a filter that directly removes foreign matter and centrifugal separation. However, those using the configuration of centrifugation described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a problem that the apparatus itself is relatively large and the structure is complicated. In particular, in an inkjet recording apparatus such as a printer, considering the weight, size, cost, and the like, it is difficult to directly apply the centrifugal separation mechanism described in each of the above documents to a downsized apparatus. Further, the removal mechanism by centrifugation requires a certain flow rate and has an essential problem that the effect of separating foreign substances having a low specific gravity is low.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 describes an apparatus that separates bubbles existing in a circulation supply path of a recording head that ejects ink using a filter having a relatively simple configuration. Patent Document 4 describes that in the circulation path of the liquid coating apparatus, foreign substances such as paper dust entering from the outside are similarly separated using a filter such as felt. This filter makes it possible to remove foreign matter that is resistant to posture differences by forming a tightly sealed space or a minute sealed space on the container.

JP 2003-210908 A JP-A-6-312111 JP 2004-351541 A JP 2004-130614 A

  However, when a relatively simple foreign matter removal mechanism such as a filter is used, there is a problem that the filter is clogged, the foreign matter removal function is lowered, and the flow resistance of the liquid circulation is increased. In particular, when a fine filter is used, although the removal capability is relatively high, the above problem becomes more prominent.

  By the way, the foreign matter precipitates or floats in the liquid according to its specific gravity. Most of the foreign matters in the liquid coating apparatus and the ink jet recording apparatus are paper dust, which generally precipitates. In particular, precipitation is significant when the liquid is not flowing. On the other hand, since the liquid in the storage tank is used to the end, the outlet to the channel is often arranged near the bottom of the storage tank. For this reason, the foreign matter deposited on the bottom is carried along with the liquid into the flow path, and as described above, the function of the coating mechanism and the recording head, which are members to be supplied, may be impaired.

  As a countermeasure against such foreign matter that precipitates, a method is known in which only one supernatant is circulated through one or more settling tanks for storing the precipitate. However, this configuration cannot consume the liquid in the settling tank to the end, and is particularly wasteful when the liquid is used as a consumable. Providing a separate sedimentation tank is contrary to the simplification of the apparatus configuration.

  Foreign matter floating in the liquid may impair the application function and the function of the recording head, as well as the foreign matter that precipitates. For example, the foreign substance floating in the storage tank is sent into the circulation path along with the flow of the liquid circulating, which may adversely affect the coating mechanism.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid coating apparatus having a simple and small foreign matter removal configuration in a mechanism for circulating and supplying a liquid, and inkjet recording. To provide an apparatus.

  Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention is a liquid application apparatus that applies a liquid to an application medium, an application unit that applies liquid to the medium, a storage unit that stores liquid supplied to the application unit, Between the storage unit and the application unit via a supply side channel for supplying liquid from the storage unit to the application unit and a recovery side channel for recovering liquid from the application unit to the storage unit And a means for circulating the liquid, wherein the storage section comprises an outlet communicating with the supply-side flow path and an inlet communicating with the recovery-side flow path, and the storage section is provided with the circulation. A trapping space having an opening and a wider cross-sectional area than the opening is formed below the generated liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid application apparatus that applies liquid to an application medium, an application unit that applies liquid to the medium, a storage unit that stores liquid supplied to the application unit, Between the storage unit and the application unit via a supply side channel for supplying liquid from the storage unit to the application unit and a recovery side channel for recovering liquid from the application unit to the storage unit And a means for circulating the liquid, wherein the storage section has an outlet that communicates with the supply-side flow path, an inlet that communicates with the recovery-side flow path, and a liquid that travels from the inlet to the outlet. And a normal vector of the upstream surface of the filter with respect to the flow of the liquid from the inlet to the outlet, has a vertical downward component.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid application apparatus that applies liquid to an application medium, an application unit that applies liquid to the medium, a storage unit that stores liquid supplied to the application unit, Between the storage unit and the application unit via a supply side channel for supplying liquid from the storage unit to the application unit and a recovery side channel for recovering liquid from the application unit to the storage unit And a means for circulating the liquid, wherein the storage unit is configured to supplement the impurities in the liquid with an outlet that communicates with the supply-side channel, an inlet that communicates with the recovery-side channel. And a surface of the filter is provided in parallel to the liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid application apparatus that applies liquid to an application medium, an application unit that applies liquid to the medium, a storage unit that stores liquid supplied to the application unit, Between the storage unit and the application unit via a supply side channel for supplying liquid from the storage unit to the application unit and a recovery side channel for recovering liquid from the application unit to the storage unit Means for circulating the liquid, and the storage section is provided below the inflow direction in the gravity direction of the outflow port communicating with the supply side flow channel, the inflow port communicating with the recovery side flow channel. A trapping space for capturing impurities in the liquid, the trapping space having an opening, and the opening takes in the impurity in the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet. It is characterized by being.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image is recorded on the medium by ejecting ink from a recording head to the liquid coating apparatus according to the above aspect and a medium coated with the liquid by the liquid coating apparatus. And an ink jet recording apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, the foreign matter existing in the storage tank or the flow path is settled while the liquid is flowing, guided to the capture space through the opening, and removed from the liquid. Similarly, when no flow is generated, the gas is guided into the capturing space through the opening. In addition, foreign matter present in the flow is removed by a filter, but this filter is less likely to be clogged by foreign matter because the normal vector on the upstream side of the liquid flow has a vertically downward component. It becomes.

  As a result, it is possible to provide a liquid application apparatus and an ink jet recording apparatus having a simple and small foreign matter removal configuration in a mechanism for circulating and supplying liquid.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a liquid circulation supply mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, as in FIG. 1, the illustration of the mechanism that is the liquid supply target is omitted.

  In FIG. 2, a circulation supply mechanism 200 supplies a liquid from a storage tank 201 that stores liquid, a pump 202 that serves as a circulation drive source, and a supply target member from the storage tank 201, and from the supply target member to the storage tank 201. And a flow path 203 for returning the liquid to the back. The supply-side channel 203 is provided with a supply port 204 serving as a connection port for supplying liquid to the supply target member and an outlet 207 for taking in the liquid in the storage tank 201. The return-side flow path 203 is provided with a recovery port 205 serving as a connection port for taking the liquid from the supply target member into the circulation path and an inlet 206 for allowing the liquid returned in the storage tank 201 to flow in. .

  Furthermore, a trapping space 208 is formed in the storage tank 201 for thinning out foreign substances that precipitate, such as paper dust. As shown in FIG. 2, the capture space 208 is formed by a member such as a plate so as to cover the entire bottom surface of the storage tank 201 except for the vicinity of the portion where the outlet 207 of the supply side channel 203 is arranged. The In addition, although this capture | acquisition space 208 is shown as a comparatively high thing with respect to the height of a storage tank in FIG. 2, this is for simplifying illustration. In practice, the height of the capture space 208 is lower than shown. Preferably, the top of the space 208 is set to a position that is substantially the same as the position in the height direction of the outlet 207 of the supply-side channel 203. Thereby, when supplying the liquid in the storage tank 201 from the outlet 207, the liquid which remains in the space 208 and cannot be used can be reduced as much as possible. In addition, the outlet 207 is disposed at a position close to the bottom surface of the storage layer. With the above configuration, the liquid in the liquid storage tank 201 can be almost used up.

  The capture space 208 is disposed below a portion where a main flow of liquid during circulation (that is, a flow along the direction of circulation) exists as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. Of course, when the amount to be stored decreases and the position of the liquid level falls below the upper surface member forming the capture space 208, the main flow described above does not exist, and the liquid flowing in from the inflow port 206 does not flow. It flows in the storage tank along the upper surface of the member forming 208. However, at this time, as described above, the liquid in the storage tank 201 is almost used. Therefore, until most of the liquid in the storage tank 201 is used, the main flow as shown by the arrow A can be generated, and the relationship in which the capture space 208 is disposed below the main flow can be maintained. Can do.

  An opening 209 is provided in a part of the capture space 208. As a result, when the foreign matter thereabove settled, it can be guided into the capture space 208. Further, the opening 209 is formed such that its downstream side is inclined upward with respect to the main flow in the direction indicated by the arrow A. As a result, it is possible to make it easy to take in foreign matter carried along with the flowing liquid into the capture space 208.

  In addition, when the storage tank is configured to temporarily store the liquid supplied from the main storage tank, such as a buffer tank or a deaeration tank, the above-mentioned point of using up the liquid is used. Of course, it is not necessary to consider. That is, since the storage tank of such a form is always configured to maintain a constant liquid level, the capture space may be positioned below the liquid surface.

  In the above configuration, by driving the pump 202, the liquid in the storage tank 201 is pumped up through the supply-side flow path 203, and the liquid is supplied to the supply target member such as a coating mechanism through the supply port 204. Then, the liquid is taken into the return-side flow path 103 from the supply target member via the recovery port 205 and flows into the storage tank 201 from the inflow port 206. Again, the inflowing liquid is supplied from the outlet 207, and the liquid circulates in the flow path 203.

  The capture space 208 is installed vertically downward with respect to the main flow of liquid by the above circulation. Accordingly, when the liquid is circulated, the foreign matter present in the liquid is deposited into the capture space 208 via the opening 209. As described above, the opening 209 of the capture space 208 has a shape in which the downstream side of the main circulation flow is inclined upward in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal direction, and foreign matter can be easily taken in. Further, even during the rest period when the circulation is not performed, the foreign matter that precipitates goes into the capturing space 208 through the opening 209. Furthermore, since the main flow of the liquid does not occur inside the capture space 208, the foreign matter once settled is not wound up.

  In addition, when the storage tank 201 is a form which can be replaced by a cartridge type, the foreign matter which settled in the capture | acquisition space 208 can be discarded with replacement | exchange of a storage tank. In the case of not being replaceable, for example, a relatively large opening for cleaning can be provided, and cleaning can be performed to remove foreign matter through the opening.

  The foreign substances assumed in the present embodiment are mainly paper dust, and most of them are precipitated in an aqueous solution.

An example of the size of foreign matter when paper dust is mixed is shown below. Paper powder mainly contains pulp and fillers (calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, etc.).
Pulp 10-50μm
Calcium carbonate 10 μm or less Kaolin Around 10 μm Talc 40-50 μm In addition, in the application of the present invention, foreign substances are not limited to the above.

  The present invention can also be applied to a case where a foreign substance floats in a liquid, that is, a foreign substance having a specific gravity of 1 or less. For example, it is possible to remove foreign matter by providing a liquid capture space vertically above the main flow of liquid described above. Specifically, a trapping space 208 that is symmetrical in the vertical direction with the trapping space 208 including the opening 209 shown in FIG. 2 is provided above the main flow. However, in this case, it is necessary that the position of the liquid level is always in the capturing space. Therefore, for example, another storage tank is provided, and the liquid level is always kept constant depending on the water head difference between the storage tank and the storage tank 201 and the position of the supply port from the other storage tank in the storage tank 201. To.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a view showing a storage tank portion of the liquid circulation supply mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration and circulation path of the liquid circulation system of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. The difference is that a storage tank 301 includes a filter 302 for removing foreign substances and a precipitation space 303 for storing the removed paper powder.

  As in the first embodiment, the flow path 306 is formed by a tubular tube, and the outlet 305 formed at the end of the tube is disposed at the bottom of the storage tank 301 or at a position close to the bottom. . As a result, almost all of the liquid in the storage tank 301 can be consumed.

  In this embodiment, the filter 302 is installed with an inclination of 45 degrees so that the normal vector of the upstream surface thereof includes a component that extends vertically downward. A sedimentation space 303 for collecting foreign substances is provided upstream of the filter 302 and vertically below. Thereby, immediately before the filter 302, the liquid main flow vector has a vertically downward component. That is, since the surface of the filter 302 is parallel to the main flow of the liquid and has a cross-flow structure, the filter 302 is less likely to be clogged. That is, since the liquid is flowed in parallel to the filter surface and the filtration is performed while peeling the deposits on the filter surface, the filter is not easily clogged and stable filtration can be performed. Thereby, the foreign matter in the liquid on the downstream side of the filter 302 is reduced, and the liquid is sent again from the outlet 305 into the circulation flow path. As a result, it is possible to supply a liquid with little foreign matter. Note that the position in the height direction of the filter 302 and the sedimentation space 303 below the filter 302 and the outlet 305 of the supply-side channel 306 are the same as described in the first embodiment, from the viewpoint of using up the liquid in the storage tank. It is preferable to have the same height as much as possible. Or in the case of the buffer tank form mentioned above, a filter etc. should just exist below the liquid level kept constant.

  When the filter 302 is clogged due to long-term use or the like, the clogged foreign matter is discharged upstream by reversing the circulation of the pump for a short time. At this time, since there is a vertically downward component in the normal line of the upstream surface of the filter 302, it is easy to recover from clogging. Further, the sedimentation space 303 collects the foreign matter discharged by the recovery process by sedimentation.

In addition, when some vibration in the apparatus is transmitted to the storage tank 301, foreign matter may be shaken off from the filter 302. In this case, since the sedimentation space 303 is disposed on the upstream side of the filter 302 and on the vertical lower side, the shaken foreign matter settles in the sedimentation space 303 and is collected.
In this embodiment, the size of the storage tank 201 is 70 mm × 50 mm × 30 mm, and the material of the filter 302 is stainless steel and has a wire mesh shape (filtration accuracy of about 200 to 400 μm). In addition, when a sintered body of stainless fiber or the like is used as a filter, attention must be paid to the relationship with the inflow speed because the flow resistance is large.

  In addition, in application of this invention, the formation position and number of a filter and sedimentation space are not limited to the said embodiment. For example, filters having different filtration accuracy may be arranged in the order of coarse, medium, and dense, and a precipitation space may be provided for each. Further, the inclination of the filter does not need to be 45 degrees, and it is only necessary that the normal vector on the upstream surface of the filter is directed to the vertically lower side as much as possible.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a view showing a storage tank portion of the liquid circulation supply mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The present embodiment is basically a combination of the structures of the first and second embodiments described above, and the trapping space 402 for removing foreign substances, the filter 403, and the removed foreign substances are stored in the storage tank 401. A sedimentation space 404 is provided.

  Also in this embodiment, the channel 407 is formed by a circular tube, and the outlet 406 formed at the end of the tube is disposed at the bottom of the storage tank 401 or a position close to the bottom, and the storage tank 401 Almost all the liquid inside can be consumed.

  The capture space 402 is installed vertically below the main flow of liquid. When the liquid is circulated intermittently, the foreign matter present in the liquid is deposited in the capture space. The opening 409 of the capture space 402 is formed in a stepped portion with a high downstream side of the main flow, and has a shape that makes it easy to capture foreign matter. Further, since the main flow of the liquid does not directly hit the trapping space 402, the impurities that have once precipitated are not rolled up.

  Further, the filter 403 is installed with an inclination of 45 degrees from the vertical so that the normal vector of the upstream surface thereof includes a component that faces vertically downward. A sedimentation space 404 for collecting foreign matter is provided upstream of the filter 403 and vertically below. With the above configuration, the flow path is formed immediately before the filter 403 so that the liquid main flow vector has a vertically downward component. Accordingly, the surface of the filter 403 is parallel to the main flow of the liquid and has a cross-flow structure, so that the filter is less likely to be clogged.

  In the storage tank 401, the capture space 402 and the filter 403 are disposed together, and the capture space 402 is disposed on the upstream side of the filter 403. Thereby, the foreign substance can be roughly removed by the former, and the foreign substance can be finely removed by the latter, so that a storage tank with high removal accuracy can be configured.

  In the application of the present invention, the capture space and the formation position and number of filters are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, one or more acquisition spaces and one or more filters may be provided simultaneously. Further, the inclination of the filter does not need to be 45 degrees, and it is only necessary that the normal vector of the upstream surface of each filter is directed to the vertically lower side as much as possible.

(Fourth Embodiment-Embodiment of Liquid Coating Apparatus-)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid coating apparatus including a liquid circulation supply mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The liquid application apparatus 500 of this embodiment includes an application roller 501 that applies a liquid to the application medium P, and a counter roller 502 that is driven to face the application roller. Further, a liquid holding member 503 that supplies liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the application roller 501 and a liquid supply mechanism 504 that supplies liquid to the liquid holding member 503 are provided.

  The liquid supply mechanism 504 includes a storage tank 505 for storing liquid, a pump 506 serving as a circulation drive source, and a flow path 507 through which the liquid flows. The flow path 507 is connected to a supply port 508 for supplying the liquid to the holding member in the liquid holding member 503 and a recovery port 509 for recovering the liquid from the holding member.

  The storage tank 505 includes a capture space 512 for removing foreign matter, a filter 511, and a sedimentation space 510 for collecting the removed foreign matter. In addition, the capture space 512 (capture unit 515) is disposed upstream of the filter 511 and the sedimentation space 510 (filter unit 516). When the amount of liquid decreases, the liquid is replenished in a timely manner from a supply tank (not shown).

  The counter roller 502 is urged toward the peripheral surface of the application roller 501 by an urging means (not shown). Then, by rotating the coating roller 501 in the clockwise direction in the figure, the coating medium P to be coated with the coating liquid can be sandwiched between both rollers, and the coating medium P is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the material of the application roller 501 is liquid silicon having a rubber hardness of 20 degrees, the surface roughness is Ra 0.8 μm, and the diameter is 23.169 mm. The material of the counter roller 502 is stainless steel, the diameter is 14 mm, and the surface is blasted.

  Further, the liquid holding member 503 is a long length that extends over the entire liquid application region by the application roller 501 when the liquid holding member 503 is urged against the peripheral surface of the application roller 501 by an urging force of a pressing unit (not shown). A liquid holding space is formed. In the liquid holding space, the coating liquid is supplied from the supply port 508 via the liquid holding member 503, but the liquid holding member 503 is not allowed to move outward from the liquid holding space when the application roller 501 is stopped. It is possible to prevent the coating liquid from leaking in preparation. The application roller 501 rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing by the rotation of the roller drive motor, and applies the application liquid onto the recording surface of the recording medium P while conveying the application medium P. In addition, since the liquid is supplied with a negative pressure to the liquid holding member 503 in this embodiment, the mechanism is strong against leakage.

  In the present embodiment, when foreign matter such as paper dust due to the application medium enters the circulation channel 507 from the contact portion between the application roller 501 and the liquid holding member 503, the liquid in the storage tank 505 becomes cloudy. The liquid may be pumped up to the liquid holding member 503 by the pump 506 again.

  On the other hand, the storage tank 505 of the present embodiment includes a capturing unit 515 that roughly removes paper dust and a filter unit 516 that finely removes paper dust, and the capturing unit 515 is disposed upstream of the filter unit. .

  FIG. 6 is a view of the capturing unit 515 as viewed from the filter unit 516 side. As shown in the figure, the catching portion 515 is provided with a substantially mountain-shaped member, and the recovered liquid is dropped through the recovery port 509 toward the apex thereof. The dropped liquid forms a flow toward the capture spaces 512 on both sides. Foreign matters in this flow and foreign matters in the liquid above the mountain shape settle when the circulation is stopped. The configuration of the filter unit 516 is the same as that of the third embodiment described above.

  After passing through the trapping part 515, the liquid passes through the filter part 516, and the foreign matter is further finely removed and circulates again through the circulation path from the outlet 514. By providing both the capturing unit 515 and the filter unit 516 in the storage tank 501, a storage tank with high removal accuracy can be configured.

  The coating liquid used in this embodiment is a processing liquid that accelerates the aggregation of the pigment when recording with the ink using the pigment as the color material. In this embodiment, by using the treatment liquid as the coating liquid, the pigment that is the color material of the ink discharged onto the recording medium coated with the treatment liquid is reacted to accelerate the aggregation of the pigment. This insolubilization can improve the recording density. Furthermore, bleeding can be reduced or prevented. Of course, the coating liquid used in the ink jet recording apparatus is not limited to the above example.

  Although the sealed space is formed by bringing the liquid holding member into contact with the application roller, the application liquid is supplied by immersing the roller in the liquid tank and transferring the application liquid from the roller to the application roller. Form may be sufficient. In this embodiment, the application is performed using a roller as the application device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure an application mechanism that performs application by discharging an application liquid onto a medium. .

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of the circulation supply in the liquid coating apparatus or the liquid coating mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus has been described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the circulation supply mechanism described in the above-described embodiments may be used to remove foreign matters such as paper dust and bubbles generated in the circulation path for ink supply in the ink jet recording apparatus. The same effect can be obtained even if the present invention is applied to a liquid circulation supply system in a cleaning mechanism or the like.

It is a schematic diagram which shows one prior art example of a liquid circulation mechanism. It is a schematic diagram which shows the liquid circulation supply mechanism concerning 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the part of the storage tank of the liquid circulation supply mechanism which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the part of the storage tank of the liquid circulation supply mechanism which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the liquid application apparatus provided with the circulation supply mechanism of the liquid concerning 4th embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the capture part shown in Drawing 5 from the filter part side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Circulation supply mechanism 201 Storage tank 202 Pump 203 Channel 204 Supply port 205 Recovery port 206 Inlet 207 Outlet 208 Capture space 209 Opening 301 Storage tank 302 Filter 303 Precipitation space 304 Inlet 305 Outlet 306 Channel 401 Storage tank 402 Capture space 403 Filter 404 Precipitation space 405 Inlet 406 Outlet 407 Flow path 500 Liquid application device 501 Application roller 502 Counter roller 503 Liquid holding member 504 Liquid supply mechanism 505 Storage tank 506 Pump 507 Channel 508 Supply port 509 Recovery port 510 Precipitation Space 512 Capture space 511 Filter 513 Inflow port 514 Outflow port 515 Capture unit 516 Filter unit

Claims (15)

In a liquid application apparatus for applying a liquid to an application medium,
An application unit for applying a liquid to a medium;
A storage unit for storing a liquid to be supplied to the application unit;
The supply section and the application section are connected via a supply-side flow path for supplying liquid from the storage section to the application section and a recovery-side flow path for recovering liquid from the application section to the storage section. Means for circulating said liquid between,
The storage unit includes an outlet communicating with the supply-side channel and an inlet communicating with the recovery-side channel,
The storage portion is characterized in that a capture space portion having an opening and a wider cross-sectional area than the opening is formed below the liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet generated by the circulation. Liquid applicator.   The liquid coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening is inclined vertically upward in a liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet.   The liquid coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the opening is not parallel to a direction of a liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet.   The filter further includes a filter provided in the liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet, and the normal vector of the upstream surface of the filter with respect to the liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet is vertically downward The liquid coating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a component.   The liquid applying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a sedimentation space is formed in the storage unit below the upstream side surface of the filter.   6. The liquid application apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the filter is provided on the downstream side of the capturing space in the flow of the liquid from the inlet to the outlet.   A second capture space portion having an opening and a wider cross-sectional area than the opening is further formed in the storage portion above the liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet generated by the circulation. A liquid coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The liquid application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is disposed near a bottom surface of the storage unit. In a liquid application apparatus for applying a liquid to an application medium,
An application unit for applying a liquid to a medium;
A storage unit for storing a liquid to be supplied to the application unit;
The supply section and the application section are connected via a supply-side flow path for supplying liquid from the storage section to the application section and a recovery-side flow path for recovering liquid from the application section to the storage section. Means for circulating liquid between them,
The storage unit includes an outlet that communicates with the supply-side channel, an inlet that communicates with the recovery-side channel, and a filter that is provided in the flow of liquid from the inlet toward the outlet. A liquid coating apparatus, wherein a normal vector of an upstream surface of the filter with respect to a liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet has a vertically downward component.   The liquid application apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a sedimentation space is formed in the storage unit below the upstream side surface of the filter. In a liquid application apparatus for applying a liquid to an application medium,
An application unit for applying a liquid to a medium;
A storage unit for storing a liquid to be supplied to the application unit;
The supply section and the application section are connected via a supply-side flow path for supplying liquid from the storage section to the application section and a recovery-side flow path for recovering liquid from the application section to the storage section. Means for circulating liquid between them,
The storage unit includes an outlet that communicates with the supply-side channel, an inlet that communicates with the recovery-side channel, and a filter for capturing impurities in the liquid. A liquid application apparatus, wherein the liquid application apparatus is provided in parallel with a liquid flow from the inlet to the outlet. In a liquid application apparatus for applying a liquid to an application medium,
An application unit for applying a liquid to a medium;
A storage unit for storing a liquid to be supplied to the application unit;
The supply section and the application section are connected via a supply-side flow path for supplying liquid from the storage section to the application section and a recovery-side flow path for recovering liquid from the application section to the storage section. Means for circulating said liquid between,
The storage section supplements impurities in the liquid provided at an outlet communicating with the supply-side flow channel, an inlet communicating with the recovery-side flow channel, and the gravity direction of the inlet at a lower position in the gravity direction. With a capture space
The trapping space has an opening, and the opening takes in impurities in the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet. A liquid application apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Recording means for recording an image on the medium by discharging ink from a recording head to the medium coated with the liquid by the liquid coating apparatus;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: In an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink to a recording medium,
A recording head for ejecting ink to the recording medium;
A storage for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head;
The supply section and the application section are connected via a supply-side flow path for supplying ink from the storage section to the application section and a recovery-side flow path for recovering ink from the recording head to the storage section. Means for circulating ink between them,
The storage section includes an outlet communicating with the supply-side channel and an inlet communicating with the recovery-side channel,
An inkjet having an opening and having a wider cross-sectional area than the opening is formed in the storage part below the ink flow from the inlet to the outlet generated by the circulation. Recording device. In an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink to a recording medium,
A recording head for ejecting ink to the recording medium;
A storage for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head;
The supply section and the application section are connected via a supply-side flow path for supplying ink from the storage section to the application section and a recovery-side flow path for recovering ink from the recording head to the storage section. Means for circulating ink between them,
The storage unit includes an outlet that communicates with the supply-side channel, an inlet that communicates with the recovery-side channel, and a filter that is provided in the flow of ink from the inlet toward the outlet. An inkjet recording apparatus, wherein a normal vector of an upstream surface of the filter with respect to an ink flow from the inlet to the outlet has a vertically downward component.

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