JP2011068593A - Droplet applying apparatus and droplet applying method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for forming various application patterns without requiring a high-capacity memory and enforcing a large treatment burden on a control part etc. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for producing a patch holds matrix data D in which a plurality of elements are arranged in row and column directions and each element is provided with values from 0 to n (n is an arbitrary positive integer) in a memory. The control part 40 binarizes the matrix data D using threshold values designated by a recipe to acquire a pattern image data P to regulate an application pattern. Discharge of a chemical from an application head is controlled on the base of the acquired pattern image data P to form a prescribed application pattern on a substrate sheet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for forming a coating pattern on a coating object by discharging a coating liquid as droplets onto the coating object.

  Various techniques for forming various coating patterns by ejecting a coating liquid as droplets onto a coating object have been proposed. For example, an ink jet apparatus ejects minute ink droplets from an ejection head onto an application target (for example, print paper) to form various application patterns such as figures and characters on the application target. In general, the ejection of ink from the ejection head is controlled based on binary image data describing a coating pattern to be formed on a coating object. The configuration of the ink jet apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

  By the way, conventionally, the binary image data used for controlling the ejection head has been generated in real time when the control unit of the coating processing apparatus executes the coating processing. Alternatively, the image data generated in real time by the external apparatus is acquired by being transferred to the control unit of the coating processing apparatus at high speed. Further, when the application pattern is limited to some extent, the image data of all possible application patterns are stored in the memory of the application processing apparatus, and the image data stored in the memory when executing the application process is stored. In many cases, a configuration in which a pattern matching a coating pattern to be formed is selected and read out is employed.

JP 2002-137370 A

  In the former mode, there is an advantage that it can be applied to any coating pattern, but it is necessary to generate image data at a high speed in order to ensure the processing speed of the coating process, so a process for generating this is performed. The burden on the processing unit is increased. In the latter mode, a large amount of image data must be stored in a memory in order to be able to deal with various application patterns. Therefore, a large-capacity memory is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a technique capable of forming various application patterns without imposing a large processing burden on a control unit or the like and without requiring a large-capacity memory. The purpose is to do.

  The invention of claim 1 holds matrix data in which a plurality of elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, and each element is assigned an element value from 0 to n (where n is an arbitrary positive integer). And holding means for binarizing the matrix data using the same threshold value for all of the plurality of elements, and obtaining the obtained binary image data as pattern image data for defining a coating pattern; A coating head that ejects the coating liquid as droplets onto the coating object; and the ejection of the coating liquid from the coating head based on the pattern image data to control the coating pattern on the coating object. And control means for forming.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the droplet applying apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a plurality of shape patterns are defined in a nested manner in a matrix region of the matrix data, and contour lines of the plurality of shape patterns are provided. Each is a boundary line that defines an element region whose element value is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the droplet applying apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the pattern acquisition unit extracts an element having an element value equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value from the matrix data. Pattern image data defining a coating pattern whose shape is one of the plurality of shape patterns is acquired.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the droplet applying apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the pattern obtaining unit has an element value equal to or lower than a predetermined upper limit threshold value from the matrix data and a predetermined lower limit threshold value. By extracting the above elements, pattern image data defining a coating pattern whose shape is a hollow shape obtained by combining two shape patterns of the plurality of shape patterns is acquired.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the droplet coating apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the pattern acquisition means sets the matrix data to a threshold value defined according to the shape of the coating object. Is used to obtain pattern image data that defines a coating pattern having a shape corresponding to the shape of the coating object.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the droplet applying apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the plurality of shape patterns include a shape that is congruent with the application object.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the droplet coating apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the plurality of shape patterns include a shape corresponding to a partial region excluding a predetermined outer edge width region of the coating object. It is.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the droplet applying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each element value is distributed and arranged in a matrix region of the matrix data.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the droplet applying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pattern acquisition unit binarizes the matrix data using a predetermined threshold value, and responds to the threshold value. Pattern image data defining the application pattern of density is acquired.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the droplet applying apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the droplet applying apparatus manufactures a patch having a drug supported on one side of a base sheet. It is a manufacturing apparatus, the application target is the base sheet, and the coating solution is a chemical solution containing the drug.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a matrix data in which a) a plurality of elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, and each element is assigned an element value from 0 to n (where n is an arbitrary positive integer). And binarizing all of the plurality of elements using the same threshold value, and obtaining the obtained binary image data as pattern image data for defining a coating pattern; and b) applying to the coating head And a step of discharging a coating liquid onto the object as droplets to form the application pattern on the object to be applied.

  According to the invention of claims 1 to 11, a matrix in which a plurality of elements are arranged in the row direction and the column direction, and each element is given an element value of 0 to n (where n is an arbitrary positive integer). By binarizing the data using the same threshold value for all of the plurality of elements, pattern image data defining a coating pattern is acquired. According to this configuration, pattern image data of various application patterns can be acquired simply by changing the threshold value used for the binarization process. Therefore, various application patterns can be formed with a simple configuration (that is, without imposing a large processing burden on the control unit or the like and without requiring a large-capacity memory).

  In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, pattern image data of a coating pattern whose shape is one of a plurality of shape patterns defined in the matrix region can be acquired from the matrix data. Therefore, various shapes of application patterns can be formed with a simple configuration.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 4, the pattern image data of the application pattern whose shape is a hollow shape obtained by combining two shape patterns out of a plurality of shape patterns defined in the matrix region from the matrix data. Can be acquired. Therefore, it is possible to form a variety of hollow pattern application patterns with a simple configuration.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 9, by binarizing the matrix data in which each element value is distributed and arranged in the matrix area using a predetermined threshold value, a coating pattern having a density corresponding to the threshold value is obtained. Can be obtained. According to this configuration, it is possible to acquire pattern image data of application patterns having various densities only by changing the threshold used for the binarization process. Therefore, application patterns with various concentrations can be formed with a simple configuration.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 10, it is possible to manufacture patches with various application patterns with a simple configuration.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the principal part structure of a patch manufacturing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of shape matrix data. It is a figure which shows the structural example of shape matrix data. It is a figure which shows one of the pattern image data acquired by binarizing shape matrix data. It is a figure which shows one of the pattern image data acquired by binarizing shape matrix data. It is a figure which shows one of the pattern image data acquired by binarizing shape matrix data. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in 2nd Embodiment. It is the elements on larger scale of density matrix data. It is a figure which shows one of the pattern image data acquired by binarizing density matrix data. It is a figure which shows one of the pattern image data acquired by binarizing density matrix data. It is a figure which shows one of the pattern image data acquired by binarizing density matrix data. It is a figure which shows one of the pattern image data acquired using shape matrix data and density matrix data together. It is a figure which shows the structural example of merge matrix data. It is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to an apparatus for manufacturing a patch by applying a drug to a base sheet (patch manufacturing apparatus) will be described.

<A. First Embodiment>
<1. Device configuration>
The configuration of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a main configuration of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1. The patch manufacturing apparatus 1 pastes an object to be applied (here, a circular base sheet) 90 on a belt-like support 92 on which an adhesive 91 has been applied in advance (see FIG. 3). This is an apparatus for applying a drug on the base sheet 90.

  The patch manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a transport mechanism 20 that transports the belt-shaped support body 92 along the horizontal direction, and a position detection sensor 70 that detects the position of the base sheet 90 affixed on the transported support body 92. A coating unit 10 for spraying and applying a chemical solution containing a drug to the base sheet 90, a chemical solution feeding unit 30 for feeding the chemical solution to the coating unit 10, and a drying unit for drying the chemical solution applied to the base sheet 90 50. Moreover, the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with the control part 40 which controls said each element provided in the apparatus.

<Transport mechanism 20>
The transport mechanism 20 includes a feed roller 21 around which a long belt-like support 92 is wound. The transport mechanism 20 also includes a tension roller and an auxiliary roller (not shown), and transports the support body 92 fed from the feed roller 21 along the horizontal direction. The support 92 plays a role of sequentially conveying and supplying the base sheet 90 to the coating unit 10 and can be formed of flannel cloth, woven cloth, knitted fabric, non-woven cloth, resin film, or the like. The width of the support 92 is 60 mm, for example. In this embodiment, the adhesive 91 is previously laminated on the entire surface of one side of the support 92 wound around the feed roller 21 (FIG. 3). That is, the transport mechanism 20 feeds the support 92 on which the adhesive 91 layer has already been formed from the feed roller 21 and transports the support 92 so that the adhesive layer faces upward.

  Further, the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a sheet supply mechanism (not shown) in the vicinity of the feed roller 21, and a disk that is an object to be coated on the support 92 that is fed from the feed roller 21 by the sheet supply mechanism. A base material sheet 90 having a shape is supplied. The base sheet 90 that directly carries the drug is formed of a resin material that is impermeable to the drug (for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), etc.).

  Further, the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 includes an encoder 22. The encoder 22 outputs a pulse signal each time the support 92 is transported by a predetermined distance by the transport mechanism 20. As the encoder 22, for example, a rotary encoder that rotates according to the conveyance amount of the support 92 and outputs a pulse signal for each predetermined rotation amount can be used.

<Coating unit 10>
The coating unit 10 is a functional unit that applies a chemical solution containing a drug to the base sheet 90 transported by the transport mechanism 20 and includes a coating head 11 that is mechanically fixed and contained.

  The coating head 11 atomizes a chemical solution containing a medicine to generate fine droplets, and sprays the droplets onto the upper surface of the base sheet 90 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 20. Specifically, the coating head 11 has a width equal to or greater than the entire width of the support 92 and is arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction TD (the width direction of the support 92). A plurality of nozzles (not shown) arranged in the above are provided. The control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from each nozzle, for example, by controlling the voltage applied to each nozzle. The specific internal structure of the coating head 11 can be the same as that disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-23334. However, the nozzle arrangement pitch in the width direction of the support 92 is preferably as small as possible because the smaller the nozzle arrangement pitch, the higher the accuracy of chemical solution application. The coating head 11 may be a liquid droplet jet head that ejects a chemical solution by the liquid droplet jet method (for example, an inkjet head having a stacked piezo drop on demand method). Any method of ejecting drops may be used.

  With the above configuration, the coating head 11 discharges the liquid droplets of the chemical solution one line at a time to the base sheet 90 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 20 in accordance with the control from the control unit 40. That is, the coating head 11 moves while moving relatively in the direction opposite to the transport direction TD (that is, while moving relatively with respect to the substrate sheet 90 affixed on the support 92). A liquid droplet of a chemical solution is discharged to form a predetermined coating pattern.

  The application unit 10 may be provided with a temperature control unit (not shown) that controls the temperature of the chemical solution by heating or cooling the application head 11 provided in the application unit 10. As the temperature control unit, a temperature control pipe for introducing temperature-controlled water at a predetermined temperature or a heater can be used. The viscosity and surface tension of the chemical solution also depend on the temperature of the chemical solution. By adjusting the temperature of the chemical solution using the temperature control unit, the viscosity and surface tension of the chemical solution fall within the appropriate range that can be ejected from a droplet jet type nozzle. Can be adjusted as follows. In addition, when the viscosity and surface tension of the chemical solution change, the amount of meniscus of the chemical solution formed near the tip of the nozzle also changes, causing the problem that the amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle also changes. By keeping the temperature of the chemical in the coating head 11 constant (for example, 30 ° C.), the amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle can also be made constant. The temperature adjustment unit may be built in the coating head 11.

<Chemical liquid feeding part 30>
The chemical liquid feeding unit 30 feeds the chemical liquid to the coating unit 10. The chemical solution feeding unit 30 includes a chemical solution tank 31 that stores the chemical solution. The chemical tank 31 is connected to the application head 11 of the application unit 10 through a supply pipe 32. A foreign substance removal filter and a deaeration filter (both not shown) are interposed in the middle of the supply pipe 32. The chemical liquid tank 31 always stores a certain amount of chemical liquid, and the chemical liquid tank 31 is appropriately replenished with chemical liquid from a preparation tank (not shown).

  Here, the chemical solution is a liquid containing a drug. Although the specific kind of the drug used for the patch is not particularly limited, a drug that can be administered through the skin, that is, a drug that can be absorbed through the skin is preferable. More specifically, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents such as indomethacin, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, viloxicam, methyl salicylate, glycol salicylate, l-menthol, dl-camphor, valinylyl nonylate, capsaicin, etc. can give. In addition, coronary vasodilators such as nitroglycerin, nifedipine and isosorbide nitrate, or asthma drugs such as procaterol and tulobuterol may be used as drugs. In addition to the above, the drugs include general anesthetics, hypnotics / sedatives, antiepileptics, antipruritics, psychoneurotics, skeletal muscle relaxants, autonomic nerves, antispasmodics, antiparkinson drugs, Antihistamine, cardiotonic, arrhythmic, diuretic, antihypertensive, vasoconstrictor, peripheral vasodilator, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular, respiratory stimulant, antitussive expectorant, hormone, purulent disease Topical medicine, analgesic / antipruritic / astringent / anti-inflammatory medicine, parasitic skin disease medicine, hemostatic medicine, gout treatment medicine, diabetes medicine, anti-malignant tumor medicine, antibiotics, chemotherapeutic medicine, narcotic, anti Depressants, smoking cessation aids (nicotine), etc. can be used.

  Such a drug is dissolved in a solvent to form a drug solution. As the solvent, water or alcohol can be used depending on the properties of the drug. A chemical solution having a predetermined concentration in which a drug is dissolved in a solvent is prepared in a preparation tank, and the chemical solution is supplied from the preparation tank and stored in the chemical tank 31. The chemical solution stored in the chemical solution tank 31 is supplied to each nozzle by capillary action generated in the nozzle when the coating head 11 ejects the chemical solution. In the process of supplying the chemical liquid, foreign substances and bubbles are removed from the chemical liquid flowing through the supply pipe 32 by the foreign substance removal filter and the degassing filter, respectively. In addition, the chemical | medical solution may further contain the binder and / or additive which improve the adhesiveness to the base material sheet 90. FIG. In addition, a chemical solvent may be added to the chemical solution in order to adjust the viscosity and surface tension of the chemical solution. In addition, a moisturizing agent may be added to the chemical solution in order to reduce the drying rate of the chemical solution.

  Further, the chemical liquid feeding unit 30 may include a negative pressure pump (not shown) that applies a negative pressure from the chemical liquid tank 31 to the application head 11 of the application unit 10 via the supply pipe 32. The chemical solution supplied to the nozzle itself is under its own weight and cannot form a meniscus suitable for the droplet jet method near the tip of the nozzle, but if a negative pressure opposite to the discharge direction is applied to the chemical solution by a negative pressure pump The chemical solution can be slightly pulled back into the nozzle to form an appropriate meniscus. Furthermore, a heater (not shown) for adjusting the temperature of the chemical solution in the chemical solution tank 31 to a predetermined temperature (for example, 30 ° C.) may be provided below the chemical solution tank 31.

<Drying unit 50>
The drying unit 50 is provided on the downstream side of the coating unit 10 in the conveyance direction of the base sheet 90. The drying unit 50 dries the chemical applied to the base sheet 90 that passes through the inside of the drying unit 50. As the drying unit 50, various known drying devices such as one that blows normal temperature dry air or heated dry air (hot air) onto the surface of the base sheet 90 can be used. Further, as the drying unit 50, a hot air drying furnace that supplies mere hot air (without special dehumidification) or a drying furnace using a far infrared heater may be used.

<Position detection sensor 70>
The position detection sensor 70 is provided on the upstream side of the coating unit 10 in the conveyance direction of the base sheet 90. The position detection sensor 70 detects the position of the base sheet 90 on the support 92 before spraying a liquid droplet of the chemical liquid from the application head 11. Based on the position information of the base sheet 90 detected by the position detection sensor 70, the control unit 40 controls the chemical liquid discharge position of the coating head 11 so that the liquid droplets of the chemical liquid are accurately sprayed on the base sheet 90. . As the position detection sensor 70, various sensors such as a reflection type or transmission type optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor can be used. Further, an imaging camera may be provided in place of the position detection sensor 70, and the position of the base sheet 90 may be detected by processing image data obtained by imaging the upper surface of the support 92 with the imaging camera. .

<Control unit 40>
The control unit 40 controls the various operation mechanisms provided in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 40. The configuration of the control unit 40 as hardware is the same as that of a general computer. That is, the control unit 40 stores a CPU 41 that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM 42 that is a read-only memory that stores basic programs, a RAM 43 that is a readable / writable memory that stores various information, a processing program 81, data, and the like. The fixed disk 44 to be placed is connected to the bus line 49. The RAM 43 stores “matrix data D” to be described later.

  In addition, the encoder 22, the position detection sensor 70, and the coating head 11 described above are connected to the bus line 49 via an interface (I / F) 45. Various operation mechanisms of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 other than these are also connected to the bus line 49 via an interface (not shown). The CPU 41 of the control unit 40 executes the processing program 81 stored in the fixed disk 44 to control each operation mechanism such as the coating head 11 and advance the patch manufacturing process.

  A display device 46 and an input device 47 are electrically connected to the bus line 49. The display device 46 is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information such as processing results and messages. The input device 47 is configured using, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and receives input of commands, parameters, and the like. The operator of the apparatus can input commands and parameters from the input device 47 while confirming the contents displayed on the display device 46. Note that the display device 46 and the input device 47 may be integrated to form a touch panel.

  Further, a reading device 48 that reads recorded contents from a recording medium RM such as a DVD or a CD is connected to the bus line 49. The processing program 81 may be read from the recording medium RM by the reading device 48 and stored in the fixed disk 44.

  The above is the main component of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1. In addition to the above configuration, the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 includes various mechanisms that omit detailed description. For example, on the further downstream side of the drying unit 50, a mechanism for attaching a release liner to the base sheet 90 coated with a chemical solution and a mechanism for cutting the support 92 are provided.

<2. Process flow>
The flow of the patch manufacturing process performed in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3-6 is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1. FIG. The following processing proceeds when the CPU 41 of the control unit 40 executes the processing program 81 to control each operation mechanism of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1.

  Under the control of the control unit 40, the transport mechanism 20 transports the support body 92 along the horizontal direction, and a sheet supply mechanism (not shown) has a disk-shaped base sheet 90 on the upper surface of the support body 92 at regular intervals. Supply. A layer of adhesive 91 is formed in advance on the upper surface of the support 92 that is fed from the feed roller 21 and conveyed in the horizontal direction, and the supplied base sheet 90 is stuck on the support 92. The position of each base material sheet 90 affixed on the support body 92 is detected by the position detection sensor 70 and transmitted to the control unit 40.

  Based on the position information acquired from the position detection sensor 70, the control unit 40 controls the coating head 11 to spray liquid chemical droplets onto the base material sheet 90 on the support 92. That is, the application head 11 of the application unit 10 generates a fine droplet by atomizing the chemical liquid containing the drug according to the control by the control unit 40, and the substrate sheet 90 that is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 20. Spray on a predetermined area. As a result, the drug layer 95 is formed on the base sheet 90.

  However, the application pattern in which the drug layer is formed on the base sheet 90 is specified by the recipe, and the control unit 40 has binary image data (in which the application pattern specified by the recipe is described) ( (Hereinafter referred to as “pattern image data P”) is acquired by a series of processes described later. Based on the acquired pattern image data P, the on / off timing of all nozzles provided in the coating head 11 is controlled. That is, when a chemical liquid is sprayed onto a certain area (area set to “1” in the pattern image data P), a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element of the nozzle corresponding to that area to eject a liquid droplet of the chemical liquid from the nozzle. . The discharge timing of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 is specified based on the pulse signal from the encoder 22. As a result, a drug layer is formed on the base sheet 90 with the application pattern specified in the recipe.

  In this embodiment, the shape of the application pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 is specified in the recipe. That is, the operator can form an application pattern having an arbitrary shape on the base sheet 90 by designating the recipe.

  For example, when it is specified in the recipe to form a coating pattern that is the same as that of the base sheet 90 (that is, when it is specified to form a drug layer on the entire surface of the base sheet 90), the control is performed. The unit 40 acquires the pattern image data P in which the application pattern of the figure congruent with the base sheet 90 is described, and controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the application head 11 based on the acquired pattern image data P. Thereby, the chemical | medical agent layer 95 is formed in the whole surface of the base material sheet 90 (FIG. 4).

  Further, for example, when it is specified in the recipe to form a coating pattern corresponding to a partial area excluding a predetermined outer edge width area of the base sheet 90 (that is, inside by a predetermined width from the outer edge of the base sheet 90) The control unit 40 acquires the pattern image data P in which the application pattern of the graphic corresponding to the partial area is described, and the acquired pattern image data. Based on P, the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 is controlled. Thereby, the chemical | medical agent layer 95 is formed in the said partial area | region of the base material sheet 90 (FIG. 5).

  Further, for example, when the recipe specifies that an application pattern corresponding to a predetermined outer edge width region of the base sheet 90 is formed (that is, a drug layer is formed from the outer edge of the base sheet 90 to a partial region of a predetermined width). The control unit 40 acquires the pattern image data P describing the application pattern of the graphic corresponding to the partial area, and applies the application head based on the acquired pattern image data P). 11 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from 11. Thereby, the chemical | medical agent layer 95 is formed in the said partial area | region of the base material sheet 90 (FIG. 6).

  The base material sheet 90 on which the drug layer 95 is formed is conveyed to the drying unit 50 and the chemical liquid is dried. Thereafter, a release liner is bonded to the base sheet 90, and the support 92 is cut into a predetermined size to obtain a patch.

<3. Pattern Image Data P Acquisition Mode>
The control unit 40 of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment uses the matrix image D stored in the RAM 43 of the control unit 40 as the pattern image data P that defines the application pattern having the shape specified in the recipe. Get. Hereinafter, a method in which the control unit 40 acquires the pattern image data P will be described.

<3-1. Matrix Data D>
First, the matrix data D will be described. The matrix data D is data in which a plurality of elements are arranged in the row direction and the column direction, and each element is given a value (element value) from 0 to n (where n is an arbitrary positive integer). . The value of n is defined according to the data size that each element has. For example, if each element has an 8-bit data size, any element value from 0 to 255 can be assigned to each element, so n = 255.

  The number of elements of the matrix data D is preferably defined according to the number of nozzles of the coating head 11 (specifically, the number of nozzles in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction TD, that is, the resolution of the nozzles). For example, when the resolution of the nozzle is 600 dpi, the number of elements in the row direction (or column direction) of the matrix data D is preferably 600.

  The patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment holds matrix data D (hereinafter referred to as “shape matrix data Da”) that defines the shape of an application pattern as matrix data D. The shape matrix data Da will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the shape matrix data Da.

  In the shape matrix data Da, a plurality of shape patterns are defined in a nested manner in the matrix region, and the contour line of each shape pattern is a boundary line that defines an element region whose element value is a predetermined value or less. .

  For example, in the shape matrix data Da shown in FIG. 7, the contour line L (1) of the first shape pattern is a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value of 10 or less. The contour line L (2) of the second shape pattern is a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value of 30 or less. The contour line L (3) of the third shape pattern is a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value of 50 or less. That is, one of element values 0 to 10 (10 in the example of FIG. 7) is given to an element located in the matrix area and the area M1 inside the contour line L (1). In addition, any element value of 11 to 30 is assigned to an element located in the region M2 outside the contour line L (1) and inside the contour line L (2) (example in FIG. 7). Then 30). In addition, any element value of 31 to 50 is given to an element located in the region M3 outside the contour line L (2) and inside the contour line L (3) (example in FIG. 7). Then 50). In addition, any element value of 51 to 255 is given to the element located in the region M4 outside the contour line L (3) (255 in the example of FIG. 7). In the example of FIG. 7, the same element value is arranged in each region, but different element values may be arranged as long as the values are within an allowable range.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the shape matrix data Da in which three circular shape patterns having different sizes are defined is illustrated, but the shape pattern defined in the shape matrix data Da is not limited to three, Moreover, a shape pattern other than a circle may be defined, and a plurality of types of shapes may be defined simultaneously. FIG. 8 shows another configuration example of the shape matrix data Da.

<3-2. Acquisition of pattern image data P>
As described above, the application pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 is specified in the recipe. Specifically, the recipe describes a threshold value that allows the application pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 to be extracted from the matrix data D stored in the RAM 43, thereby forming the pattern on the base sheet 90. The application pattern to be specified is specified. The control unit 40 converts the matrix data D stored in the RAM 43 into binary data (binarization) using a threshold value specified in the recipe, and obtains the obtained binary data as pattern image data P. To do. However, in the binarization process, the same threshold value is used for all of a plurality of elements included in the matrix data D. That is, all of the plurality of elements included in the matrix data D are compared with the same threshold value.

  When the shape matrix data Da is stored in the RAM 43, a threshold value (upper limit threshold value, or upper limit threshold value and lower limit threshold value) at which the shape of the coating pattern to be formed can be extracted from the shape matrix data Da is specified in the recipe. ing.

<When an upper threshold is specified for the recipe>
When the upper limit threshold value is specified in the recipe, the control unit 40 converts the shape matrix data Da into the pattern image data P by extracting an element region having an upper limit threshold value or less from the shape matrix data Da. Specifically, for each of all elements of the shape matrix data Da, the element value is compared with the designated upper limit threshold value. If the element value is equal to or less than the upper limit threshold value, “1” is assigned to the element, When the value is larger than the upper limit threshold value, “0” is given to the element to convert the shape matrix data Da into the pattern image data P.

  For example, it is assumed that the upper threshold value designated in the recipe is 10. In this case, for each of all elements of the shape matrix data Da, the control unit 40 assigns “1” to the element when the element value is 10 or less, and assigns “1” to the element when the element value is greater than 10. 0 ”is assigned. When the shape matrix data Da stored in the RAM 43 is as illustrated in FIG. 7, an element region (region M1) having an element value of 10 or less is extracted by the processing. The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as the pattern image data P (FIG. 9).

  The control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, whereby a coating pattern having the first shape pattern is formed on the base sheet 90 (for example, FIG. 5).

  Further, for example, assume that the upper limit threshold value specified in the recipe is 50. In this case, for each of all elements of the shape matrix data Da, the control unit 40 assigns “1” to the element when the element value is 50 or less, and assigns “1” to the element when the element value is greater than 50. 0 ”is assigned. When the shape matrix data Da stored in the RAM 43 is as illustrated in FIG. 7, element regions (region M1, region M2, and region M3) having element values of 50 or less are extracted by this processing. The The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as pattern image data P (FIG. 10).

  When the control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, the coating pattern of the third shape pattern is formed on the base sheet 90 (for example, FIG. 4).

<When the upper and lower thresholds are specified in the recipe>
When the upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold are specified in the recipe, the control unit 40 extracts the shape matrix data Da from the shape matrix data Da by extracting element regions that are equal to or lower than the upper limit threshold and equal to or higher than the lower limit threshold. Convert to pattern image data P. Specifically, for each of all elements of the shape matrix data Da, the element value is compared with the specified upper and lower thresholds, respectively, and the element value is equal to or higher than the upper threshold and lower than the lower threshold. Gives “1” to the element, and if the element value is larger than the upper threshold or smaller than the lower threshold, “0” is given to the element, thereby obtaining the shape matrix data Da as the pattern image data. Convert to P.

  For example, it is assumed that the upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold specified in the recipe are 50 and 31, respectively. In this case, the control unit 40 gives “1” to the element when the element value is 31 or more and 50 or less for each of all the elements of the shape matrix data Da, and the element value is more than 50. If it is larger or smaller than 31, “0” is assigned to the element. When the shape matrix data Da stored in the RAM 43 is as illustrated in FIG. 7, an element region (region M3) having an element value of 31 or more and 50 or less is extracted by the processing. The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as pattern image data P (FIG. 11).

  When the control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, the coating pattern of the hollow-shaped coating pattern obtained by hollowing out the second shape pattern from the third shape pattern is the base material. It is formed on the sheet 90 (see, for example, FIG. 6).

<B. Second Embodiment>
<1. Device configuration>
A configuration of the patch manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. The patch manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment has the same device configuration as the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

<2. Process flow>
The flow of the patch manufacturing process performed in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12-14 is a figure which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the patch in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1. FIG.

  As in the first embodiment, the application pattern for forming the drug layer on the base sheet 90 is specified by the recipe, and the control unit 40 describes the application pattern specified by the recipe. The obtained pattern image data P is acquired by a series of processes described later. Then, on / off timing is controlled for all nozzles provided in the coating head 11 according to the acquired pattern image data P. As a result, a drug layer is formed on the base sheet 90 with the application pattern specified in the recipe.

  However, in this embodiment, the density of the coating pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 is specified in the recipe. That is, the operator can form an application pattern having an arbitrary density on the base sheet 90 by designating the recipe. However, “the density of the coating pattern” here is a value defined by the amount of the chemical liquid ejected from one nozzle and the amount of the chemical liquid to be applied to the entire coating pattern, and the chemical liquid ejected from the nozzle This is a different concept from the density value.

  For example, it is assumed that the number of nozzles per unit area is N, and the amount of chemical liquid discharged from one nozzle is m. In this case, if the amount of the chemical solution to be applied per unit area is (N × m), it is necessary to discharge the chemical solution from all N nozzles. In this case, the density of the coating pattern is 100 percent (FIG. 12). On the other hand, if the amount of the chemical solution to be applied per unit area is (N × m) / 2, the chemical solution may be discharged from only half (N / 2) nozzles out of the N nozzles. In this case, the density of the coating pattern is 50 percent (FIG. 13). Thus, the density of the application pattern is defined by the ratio of the area of the area where the chemical is actually applied to the entire area of the application pattern.

  For example, when it is specified in the recipe that an application pattern with a density of 100 percent is formed on the base sheet 90, the control unit 40 uses the pattern image data P describing the application pattern with a density of 100 percent. Based on the acquired pattern image data P, the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 is controlled. As a result, a drug layer having a concentration of 100 percent (that is, a drug layer in which a drug solution is applied to all dots in the application pattern) 95 is formed on the base sheet 90 (FIG. 12).

  For example, when it is specified in the recipe that an application pattern having a density of 50 percent is formed on the base sheet 90, the control unit 40 displays the pattern image data P describing the application pattern having a density of 50 percent. And the ejection of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 is controlled based on the acquired pattern image data P. As a result, a drug layer having a concentration of 50 percent (that is, a drug layer in which a chemical solution is applied to only half of all dots in the application pattern) 95 is formed on the base sheet 90 (FIG. 13).

  For example, when it is specified in the recipe that an application pattern having a density of 12.5% is formed on the base sheet 90, the control unit 40 describes the application pattern having a density of 12.5%. The pattern image data P is acquired, and the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 is controlled based on the acquired pattern image data P. As a result, a drug layer having a concentration of 12.5% (that is, a drug layer in which a chemical solution is applied to only 1/8 of all dots in the application pattern) 95 is formed on the base sheet 90. (FIG. 14).

<3. Pattern Image Data P Acquisition Mode>
The control unit 40 of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment uses the matrix image D stored in the RAM 43 of the control unit 40 as the pattern image data P that defines the application pattern having the concentration specified by the recipe. Get. Hereinafter, a method in which the control unit 40 acquires the pattern image data P will be described.

<3-1. Matrix Data D>
The patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment holds, as matrix data D, matrix data D (hereinafter referred to as “density matrix data Db”) that defines the density of the coating pattern. The density matrix data Db will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of the density matrix data Db.

  In the density matrix data Db, each element value is distributed and arranged over the entire matrix area. That is, in the density matrix data Db, each element value is formed so as not to appear locally in the matrix region.

  In particular, it is preferable that the element values are uniformly distributed throughout the matrix area (that is, the element values are arranged so that the frequency of appearance per unit area of the element values is equal throughout the matrix area). .

<3-2. Acquisition of pattern image data P>
Similar to the first embodiment, also in this embodiment, an application pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 is specified in the recipe. When the density matrix data Db is stored in the RAM 43, the recipe designates a threshold value from which binary image data matching the density of the coating pattern to be formed can be extracted from the density matrix data Db.

  The control unit 40 converts the density matrix data Db stored in the RAM 43 into binary data using a threshold value specified in the recipe, and acquires the obtained binary data as pattern image data P. However, here, in the binarization process, the same threshold is used for all of the plurality of elements included in the density matrix data Db. That is, all of the plurality of elements included in the density matrix data Db are compared with the same threshold value.

  Specifically, the control unit 40 compares the element value with the specified threshold value for each of all elements of the density matrix data Db, and gives “1” to the element when the element value is equal to or less than the threshold value. If the element value is larger than the threshold value, the density matrix data Db is converted to the pattern image data P by assigning “0” to the element.

  However, as described above, in the density matrix data Db, the element values are distributed throughout the matrix area. Therefore, regardless of the threshold value, elements are uniformly extracted from the entire matrix region. However, the number of extracted elements varies according to the threshold value. That is, a coating pattern is obtained in which the number of elements corresponding to the threshold value is distributed and arranged throughout the matrix area. Such a coating pattern exhibits a uniform density when viewed macroscopically, and the density is defined by the ratio of the number of extracted elements to the total number of elements constituting the matrix.

  For example, it is assumed that the threshold value specified in the recipe is 20. In this case, for each of all elements of the density matrix data Db, the control unit 40 assigns “1” to the element when the element value is 20 or less, and assigns “1” to the element when the element value is greater than 20. 0 ”is assigned. Thereby, an element region having an element value of 20 or less is extracted from the density matrix data Db. In the case where the density matrix data Db stored in the RAM 43 is as shown in FIG. 15, out of 64 elements, 8 elements (elements having an element value of 20 or less) are extracted. Therefore, pattern image data P defining a coating pattern having a density of 12.5% is obtained. The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as pattern image data P (FIG. 16).

  When the control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, a coating pattern having a concentration of 12.5% is formed on the base sheet 90 (FIG. 14). reference).

  Also, for example, assume that the threshold value specified in the recipe is 80. In this case, for each of all elements of the density matrix data Db, the control unit 40 assigns “1” to the element when the element value is 80 or less, and assigns “1” to the element when the element value is greater than 80. 0 ”is assigned. Thereby, an element region having an element value of 80 or less is extracted from the density matrix data Db. When the density matrix data Db stored in the RAM 43 is as shown in FIG. 15, 32 elements (elements having an element value of 80 or less) are extracted from the 64 elements. Therefore, pattern image data P defining a coating pattern having a density of 50 percent is obtained. The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as pattern image data P (FIG. 17).

  When the control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, a coating pattern having a density of 50 percent is formed on the base sheet 90 (see FIG. 13). .

  For example, assume that the threshold value specified in the recipe is 255. When each element of the density matrix data Db is defined with an 8-bit data size, the element values of all elements of the density matrix data Db are defined with a value of 255 or less. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 40 assigns “1” to all elements of the density matrix data Db. As a result, the entire region of the density matrix data Db is extracted. When the density matrix data Db stored in the RAM 43 is as shown in FIG. 15, all of the 64 elements are extracted. Therefore, pattern image data P defining a coating pattern with a density of 100 percent is obtained. The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as pattern image data P (FIG. 18).

  When the control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, a coating pattern having a density of 100 percent is formed on the base sheet 90 (see FIG. 12). .

<C. Third Embodiment>
<1. Device configuration>
The configuration of the patch manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. The patch manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment has the same device configuration as the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

<2. Process flow>
The flow of the patch manufacturing process performed in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that performed in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to each of the above embodiments.

  Similar to the above embodiments, here, the application pattern for forming the drug layer on the base sheet 90 is specified by the recipe, and the control unit 40 applies the application pattern specified by the recipe. Is acquired by a series of processes described later. Then, on / off timing is controlled for all nozzles provided in the coating head 11 according to the acquired pattern image data P. As a result, a drug layer is formed on the base sheet 90 with the application pattern specified in the recipe.

  However, in this embodiment, both the shape and density of the coating pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 are specified in the recipe. That is, the operator can form an application pattern having an arbitrary shape and an arbitrary density on the base sheet 90 by designating the recipe.

  For example, in the recipe, when the shape is congruent with the base sheet 90 and the density is designated to form a coating pattern of 50%, the control unit 40 has the shape as the base sheet 90. Pattern image data P, which is a congruent figure and in which an application pattern with a density of 50 percent is described, is acquired, and the discharge of the chemical solution from the application head 11 is controlled based on the acquired pattern image data P. As a result, a drug layer 95 having a concentration of 50 percent is formed on the entire surface of the base sheet 90 (FIG. 13).

<3. Pattern Image Data P Acquisition Mode>
The control unit 40 of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment uses the matrix data D stored in the RAM 43 of the control unit 40 to store pattern image data P that defines the application pattern having the shape and density specified in the recipe. Use to get. Hereinafter, a method in which the control unit 40 acquires the pattern image data P will be described.

<3-1. Matrix Data D>
The patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment holds the shape matrix data Da and the density matrix data Db described above as the matrix data D.

<3-2. Acquisition of pattern image data P>
Similar to the above-described embodiments, also in this embodiment, the application pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 is specified in the recipe. When the shape matrix data Da and the density matrix data Db are stored in the RAM 43, the recipe includes a threshold value (upper limit threshold value, upper limit threshold value, and upper threshold value) from which the shape of the application pattern to be formed can be extracted from the shape matrix data Da. Lower limit threshold value) and a threshold value from which binary image data matching the density of the coating pattern to be formed can be extracted from the density matrix data Db. The application pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 is specified by these two threshold values.

  The control unit 40 converts each of the shape matrix data Da and the density matrix data Db stored in the RAM 43 into binary data using a threshold value specified in the recipe. Then, a logical product of each element of the obtained two binary image data is taken to generate new binary image data, which is obtained as pattern image data P.

  For example, when the matrix data D stored in the RAM 43 is the shape matrix data Da shown in FIG. 7 and the density matrix data Db shown in FIG. 15, the upper limit threshold value specified in the recipe for the shape matrix data Da Is 50 and the threshold value specified in the recipe for the density matrix data Db is 80, the logical product of the binary image data shown in FIG. 10 and the binary image data shown in FIG. The pattern image data P shown in FIG. 19 is acquired.

  The control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical liquid from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, whereby a coating pattern having a shape of the third shape and a density of 50% is formed on the base sheet 90. (See FIG. 13).

<D. Fourth Embodiment>
<1. Device configuration>
The configuration of the patch manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The patch manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment has the same device configuration as the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

<2. Process flow>
The flow of the patch manufacturing process performed in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that performed in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment.

<3. Pattern Image Data P Acquisition Mode>
The control unit 40 of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment uses the matrix data D stored in the RAM 43 of the control unit 40 to store pattern image data P that defines the application pattern having the shape and density specified in the recipe. Use to get. Hereinafter, a method in which the control unit 40 acquires the pattern image data P will be described.

<3-1. Matrix Data D>
The patch manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment holds, as matrix data D, matrix data (hereinafter referred to as “merged matrix data Dc”) that can define both the shape and density of the application pattern. The merged matrix data Dc will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the merged matrix data Dc.

  In the merged matrix data Dc, like the shape matrix data Da (FIG. 7), a plurality of shape patterns are defined in a nested manner in the matrix area, and the contour line of each shape pattern has an element value equal to or less than a predetermined value. It is a boundary line that defines the element area.

  For example, in the merged matrix data Dc shown in FIG. 20, the contour line L (1) of the first shape pattern is a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value of 50 or less. The contour line L (2) of the second shape pattern is a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value of 100 or less. The contour line L (3) of the third shape pattern is a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value of 150 or less. That is, any element value of 0 to 50 is given to the element located in the area M1 inside the matrix area and the outline L (1). In addition, an element value of any one of 51 to 100 is assigned to an element located in the region M2 outside the contour line L (1) and inside the contour line L (2). In addition, an element value of 101 to 150 is assigned to an element located in the region M3 outside the contour line L (2) and inside the contour line L (3). In addition, any element value of 151 to 255 is given to the element located in the region M4 outside the contour line L (3).

  Here, in the merged matrix data Dc, each element value is distributed and arranged in the partial region to which the element value belongs. In the case of the merged matrix data Dc shown in FIG. 20, for example, elements with an element value of 30 are distributed in the region M1, and elements with an element value of 90 are distributed in the region M2. That is, in the merged matrix data Dc, each element value is formed so that it appears only in a specific partial area defined in the matrix area, but appears dispersed in the partial area.

  In the example of FIG. 20, merged matrix data Dc in which three circular shape patterns having different sizes are defined is illustrated, but the shape pattern defined in the merged matrix data Dc is not limited to three, Further, a shape pattern other than a circle may be defined, and a plurality of types of shapes may be defined simultaneously (see FIG. 8).

<3-2. Acquisition of pattern image data P>
Also in this embodiment, the application pattern to be formed on the base sheet 90 is specified in the recipe, as in the above embodiments. When the merge matrix data Dc is stored in the RAM 43, the recipe includes a threshold value (upper limit threshold value, or binary value) that can extract binary image data that matches the shape and density of the coating pattern to be formed from the merge matrix data Dc. , Upper threshold and lower threshold).

  The control unit 40 converts the merged matrix data Dc stored in the RAM 43 into binary data using a threshold specified by the recipe, and acquires the obtained binary data as pattern image data P. However, here, in the binarization process, the same threshold is used for all of the plurality of elements included in the merged matrix data Dc. That is, all of the plurality of elements included in the merged matrix data Dc are compared with the same threshold value.

  Specifically, for each of all elements of the merged matrix data Dc, the element value is compared with the designated upper limit threshold value. If the element value is equal to or less than the upper limit threshold value, “1” is assigned to the element. When the value is larger than the upper limit threshold, “0” is assigned to the element, thereby converting the merged matrix data Dc into the pattern image data P. Further, when the upper limit threshold and the lower limit threshold are specified in the recipe, the element value is equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, and when it is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold, “1” is given to the element, and the element value is the upper limit threshold. Greater than or less than the lower limit threshold value, the merged matrix data Dc is converted into the pattern image data P by giving “0” to the element.

  For example, it is assumed that the upper limit threshold specified in the recipe is 50. In this case, for each of all elements of the merged matrix data Dc, the control unit 40 assigns “1” to the element when the element value is 50 or less, and assigns “1” to the element when the element value is greater than 50. 0 ”is assigned. When the merged matrix data Dc stored in the RAM 43 is as exemplified in FIG. 20, all elements arranged in the region M1 are extracted by the processing. The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as pattern image data P.

  The control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, whereby a coating pattern having a shape of the first shape pattern and a concentration of 100% is formed on the base sheet 90. Will be.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the upper limit threshold value specified in the recipe is 25. In this case, for each of all elements of the merged matrix data Dc, the control unit 40 assigns “1” to the element when the element value is 20 or less, and assigns “1” to the element when the element value is greater than 25. 0 ”is assigned. When the merged matrix data Dc stored in the RAM 43 is as illustrated in FIG. 20, elements having an element value of 25 or less are distributed in the region M1. Therefore, elements are uniformly extracted from the entire region M1 by the processing. For example, if the same number of element values are arranged, half of all elements arranged in the region M1 are uniformly extracted from the entire region M1, and a coating pattern having a concentration of 50% is defined. Pattern image data P to be obtained is obtained. The control unit 40 acquires the obtained data as pattern image data P.

  The control unit 40 controls the discharge of the chemical solution from the coating head 11 according to the pattern image data P, whereby a coating pattern having a shape of the first shape and a density of 50% is formed on the base sheet 90. Will be.

<E. effect>
According to the above embodiment, matrix data D in which a plurality of elements are arranged in the row direction and the column direction and each element is assigned an element value from 0 to n (where n is an arbitrary positive integer). Is stored in the RAM 43, and this is binarized using a threshold value specified in the recipe, thereby obtaining pattern image data P defining the application pattern. However, in the binarization process, the same threshold value is used for all of a plurality of elements included in the matrix data D. According to this configuration, the pattern image data P of various application patterns can be acquired simply by changing the threshold used for the binarization process. Accordingly, various application patterns can be formed with a simple configuration (that is, without imposing a large processing burden on the control unit or the like and without requiring a large-capacity memory).

  For example, when each element has an 8-bit data size, any element value of 0 to 255 can be assigned to each element. In this case, a maximum of 256 coating patterns can be defined on one matrix data D. That is, pattern image data P describing 256 coating patterns can be extracted from one piece of matrix data D. The memory capacity required to store one matrix data D having an 8-bit data size for each element is 32, which is the memory capacity required to store pattern image data P describing 256 coating patterns as they are. It can be seen that the required data capacity is much smaller.

  Further, the control unit 40 can acquire the pattern image data P only by comparing the element value included in the matrix data D with a given threshold value. Therefore, the processing load required for the control unit 40 to acquire the pattern image data P can be reduced.

  In particular, according to the first embodiment, an element area equal to or lower than the upper limit threshold specified in the recipe is selected from matrix data D (shape matrix data Da) in which a plurality of shape patterns are defined in a nested manner in the matrix area. By extracting, the pattern image data P of the application pattern whose shape is one of a plurality of shape patterns defined in the matrix region can be acquired. Further, by extracting, from the shape matrix data Da, an element region that is equal to or lower than the upper limit threshold specified in the recipe and is equal to or higher than the lower limit threshold specified in the recipe, the shape is defined in the matrix region. The pattern image data P of the application pattern which is a hollow shape obtained by combining two of the shape patterns can be acquired. Therefore, various shapes of application patterns can be formed with a simple configuration.

  For example, in the case of a patch, a drug layer is often formed on the entire surface of the base sheet 90, or a drug layer is formed with a margin of a predetermined width around the base sheet 90. As described above, the application pattern to be formed on the application object is often a shape defined according to the shape of the application object (for example, a shape that is the same as or similar to the application object).

  In the first embodiment, the threshold value defined in accordance with the shape of the base material sheet 90 that is the application target is specified in the recipe, so that the shape of the application target is set on the application target. It becomes possible to form a coating pattern having a shape. For example, if a threshold value that can extract a coating pattern having the same shape as the base sheet 90 from the shape matrix data Da including various shapes is described in the recipe, the base sheet 90 has the same shape as that of the base sheet 90. An application pattern can be formed (that is, a drug layer is formed on the entire surface of the base sheet 90) (see FIG. 4).

  In addition, for example, a shape corresponding to the application target (for example, a congruent shape, a similar shape, a shape corresponding to a partial region excluding a predetermined outer edge width region of the application target, a predetermined outer edge width of the application target If shape matrix data Da including a shape corresponding to a region, etc.) is created and stored in the RAM 43, it is possible to deal with a wide variety of application processes for the application object. For example, as in the above-described embodiment, when the application target is a circular base sheet 90, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a shape in which concentrically arranged circles with various radii are defined in a nested manner. If the matrix data Da has been created, the matrix data Da includes a shape that is congruent to the base sheet 90, a shape that corresponds to a partial region excluding a predetermined outer edge width region of the base sheet 90, and a predetermined shape of the base sheet 90. A shape or the like corresponding to the outer edge width region is included. Therefore, the pattern image data P that defines the application patterns of these various shapes can be generated from the shape matrix data Da. That is, if such shape matrix data Da is stored in the RAM 43, it is possible to widely cope with various coating processes for the base sheet 90 (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

  In particular, according to the second embodiment, the matrix data D (density matrix data Db) in which the element values are distributed and arranged in the matrix area is binarized using the threshold value specified in the recipe. Thus, the pattern image data P that defines the application pattern having the density corresponding to the threshold value can be acquired. Therefore, application patterns with various concentrations can be formed with a simple configuration.

  In particular, according to the third embodiment, both the shape matrix data Da and the density matrix data Db are binarized using the threshold values specified in the recipe, and the two binary image data obtained are obtained. The logical product is acquired as pattern image data P. Thereby, the pattern image data P that defines the application pattern having the shape and density corresponding to the threshold value specified in the recipe can be acquired. Therefore, it is possible to form a coating pattern in which various shapes and concentrations are freely combined with a simple configuration.

  In particular, according to the fourth embodiment, a plurality of shape patterns are defined in a nested manner in the matrix region, and further, each value element is dispersed in the partial region defined by the contour line of each shape pattern. By binarizing the arranged merge matrix data Dc using a threshold value specified in the recipe, pattern image data P that defines a coating pattern having a shape and density corresponding to the threshold value can be acquired. . Therefore, it is possible to form a coating pattern in which various shapes and concentrations are freely combined with a simple configuration.

<F. Modification>
While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, the RAM 43 may store a plurality of matrix data D. In this case, various kinds of matrix data Da, Db, Dc described in the above embodiments may be included. When a plurality of matrix data D are stored in the RAM 43, which matrix data D is to be used for processing is designated in advance by a recipe, and the control unit 40 uses the designated matrix data D for the pattern image. What is necessary is just to make it the structure which acquires the data P. FIG.

  Further, for example, in the shape matrix data Da, the contour lines of a plurality of shape patterns defined in the matrix region are boundary lines that define element regions whose element values are equal to or less than a predetermined value. The line may be a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In the latter case, a lower limit threshold value is designated in the recipe, and the control unit 40 extracts an element region that is equal to or larger than the lower limit threshold value from the shape matrix data Da, so that the shape is converted from the shape matrix data Da into the shape matrix data Da. Pattern image data P that defines a coating pattern that is one of a plurality of shape patterns defined in (1) can be acquired.

  Further, for example, each element value of the density matrix data Db is assumed to be distributed over the entire matrix area, and in particular, preferably distributed uniformly over the entire matrix area. It may be configured to be dispersed non-uniformly. For example, the frequency of appearance of a specific element value per unit area may be high (or low) near the center of the matrix region.

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the application pattern to be formed is specified by specifying a threshold value for creating the pattern image data P from the matrix data D in the recipe. The application pattern to be formed may be specified by the application pattern number or the like. Further, the application pattern to be formed may be specified by specifying the shape (or density) of the application pattern to be formed. In these cases, a table in which the application pattern number (or the shape and density of the application pattern) is associated with the threshold value with which the application pattern can be extracted from the matrix data D stored in the RAM 43 is stored in advance in the RAM 43 or the like. Alternatively, the control unit 40 may read the threshold value associated with the application pattern number specified in the recipe from the table and perform the binarization processing of the matrix data D.

  Further, for example, in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1, a plurality of application units 10a and 10b may be provided as shown in FIG. By discharging different chemical solutions from the respective application units, the base sheet 90 can be separately applied with a plurality of types of chemical solutions. Note that any one of the plurality of application units 10a and 10b may be an application unit that applies an adhesive instead of a drug. In the example of FIG. 21, two coating units 10a and 10b are provided, but three or more coating units may be provided.

  As described in the first embodiment, for example, if the shape matrix data Da illustrated in FIG. 7 is used, the pattern image data P that defines the application pattern of the first shape pattern and the second shape pattern are used. It is possible to easily acquire the pattern image data P that defines the application pattern of the shape pattern in which the first shape pattern is cut out.

  Therefore, the first coating unit 10a is used to form the drug layer 95a having the first shape pattern on the base sheet 90 with the first chemical solution, and further from the second coating unit 10 with the second chemical solution. If the base layer 90 is formed with the drug layer 95b having a hollow shape pattern obtained by hollowing out the first shape pattern from the second shape pattern, the base sheet 90 can be easily applied with a plurality of types of chemical solutions. They can be divided (see FIG. 21). For example, if the second chemical solution is an adhesive material, a patch in which an adhesive layer is formed around the chemical solution can be easily generated.

  Further, for example, in the patch manufacturing apparatus 1, the coating unit 10 may include a plurality of coating heads 11. By providing a plurality of coating heads 11 in one coating unit 10, the resolution can be increased. For example, if the 300 dpi coating head 11 is arranged so that the nozzles are staggered, a resolution of 600 dpi can be realized.

  Moreover, the component of the patch manufacturing apparatus 1 which concerns on each said embodiment is not restricted to the aspect demonstrated above. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the control unit 40 includes the CPU 41, but this may be replaced with, for example, an FPGA.

  In addition, although the multilayer piezo drop-on-demand ink jet head is used as the coating head 11, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as micro droplets are generated and ejected by a so-called droplet jet method. Good.

  Moreover, in the above, the case where this invention is applied to the apparatus (patch manufacturing apparatus) which manufactures a patch by apply | coating a chemical | medical agent to a base material sheet is demonstrated. When the present invention is applied to a patch manufacturing apparatus, patches with various application patterns can be manufactured with a simple configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to the patch manufacturing apparatus, but can be applied to various apparatuses that apply droplets to an application target. For example, the present invention can be applied to an ink jet apparatus that forms an image or the like by applying ink droplets to a print sheet or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Patch production apparatus 10 Application | coating unit 11 Application | coating head 20 Conveyance mechanism 21 Feed roller 22 Encoder 30 Chemical solution feeding part 40 Control part 50 Drying unit 70 Position detection sensor 90 Base material sheet 92 Support body 95 Drug layer D Matrix data Da Shape matrix Data Db Density matrix data Dc Merged matrix data P Pattern image data

Claims (11)

Holding means for holding matrix data in which a plurality of elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction and each element is assigned an element value of 0 to n (where n is an arbitrary positive integer);
Pattern acquisition means for binarizing the matrix data using the same threshold value for all of the plurality of elements, and acquiring the obtained binary image data as pattern image data defining a coating pattern;
An application head for discharging the application liquid as droplets to the application object;
Control means for controlling the ejection of the coating liquid from the coating head based on the pattern image data to form the coating pattern on the coating object;
A droplet applying apparatus comprising: The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 1,
In the matrix area of the matrix data, a plurality of shape patterns are defined in a nested manner,
Each of the contour lines of the plurality of shape patterns serves as a boundary line that defines an element region having an element value equal to or less than a predetermined value. The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 2,
The pattern acquisition means
Extracting an element having an element value equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value from the matrix data to obtain pattern image data defining an application pattern whose shape is one of the plurality of shape patterns. A droplet coating apparatus. The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 2,
The pattern acquisition means
By extracting elements from the matrix data whose element value is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit threshold and greater than or equal to a predetermined lower limit threshold, the shape is a combination of two shape patterns of the plurality of shape patterns A droplet coating apparatus that acquires pattern image data that defines a coating pattern that is a punched-out shape. The droplet applying apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The pattern acquisition means
The matrix data is binarized using a threshold value defined according to the shape of the coating object, thereby obtaining pattern image data defining a coating pattern having a shape corresponding to the shape of the coating object. A droplet applying apparatus. The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 5,
The droplet coating apparatus, wherein the plurality of shape patterns include a congruent shape with the coating object. The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of shape patterns include a shape corresponding to a partial region excluding a predetermined outer edge width region of the application object. The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 1,
A droplet coating apparatus, wherein each element value is distributed and arranged in a matrix area of the matrix data. The droplet applying apparatus according to claim 8,
The pattern acquisition means
A liquid droplet coating apparatus, wherein the matrix data is binarized using a predetermined threshold value to obtain pattern image data defining a coating pattern having a density corresponding to the threshold value. A droplet applying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The droplet applying apparatus is a patch manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a patch carrying a drug on one side of a base sheet,
The application object is the substrate sheet,
The droplet coating apparatus, wherein the coating liquid is a chemical liquid containing the drug. a) Matrix data in which a plurality of elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction and each element is given an element value from 0 to n (where n is an arbitrary positive integer) Binarization using the same threshold value for all, and obtaining the obtained binary image data as pattern image data defining a coating pattern;
b) causing the coating head to discharge the coating liquid onto the coating object as droplets to form the coating pattern on the coating object;
A droplet coating method comprising:

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