JP2012045475A - Gel manufacturing apparatus and gel manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gel manufacturing apparatus capable of individually recovering gel.SOLUTION: The gel manufacturing apparatus which generates gel G by reacting a first liquid A with a second liquid C includes: a container 24 for storing the second liquid C; a first flow mechanism 28 for making the second liquid C flow in the container 24; a jetting mechanism 20 for jetting the first liquid A to the flowing second liquid C by a droplet jetting method; and a second flow mechanism 98 for making the second liquid C in the container 24 and the generated gel G flow out of the container 24 to recover the gel G.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gel manufacturing apparatus and a gel manufacturing method.

  A method is known in which a gel is manufactured by ejecting a jet liquid by a droplet jet method toward a liquid to be jetted. For example, an ejection port (nozzle) that ejects the ejected matter is arranged at a certain interval with respect to the ejected liquid in a stationary state, and the ejected matter ejected from the nozzle by the droplet ejection method is stationary. A method and an apparatus for producing a gel by reacting a liquid to be ejected in a state are disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-232178 A

  However, in the prior art, when responding to the desire to eject finer droplets at shorter intervals, the liquid to be ejected is in a stationary state as illustrated in Patent Document 1. Therefore, there is a possibility that minute droplets overlap and adhere to the liquid surface of the liquid to be ejected, and the gel cannot be individually collected.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A gel manufacturing apparatus for generating a gel by reacting a first liquid and a second liquid, the container storing the second liquid, and the first liquid flowing in the container. A flow mechanism, an injection mechanism for injecting the first liquid into the flowing second liquid by a droplet injection method, and the second liquid in the container and the generated gel flow out of the container. And a second flow mechanism for recovering the gel.

  According to this, even if the first liquid is continuously ejected toward the second liquid by the ejection mechanism, the second liquid is flowing, and thus the first liquid and the second liquid react to generate. Individual gels can be obtained without the gels being adhered. Moreover, the gel produced | generated by the 1st flow mechanism can be made to flow outside a container by the 2nd flow mechanism, and can be collect | recovered.

  In addition, at least the first liquid droplet ejected from the ejection mechanism is reliably and easily controlled in terms of droplet size, ejection speed and direction, and the like. Therefore, the droplet of the first liquid can be ejected at a predetermined size so as to surely come into contact with the second liquid, and can be gelled into a uniform size. In this case, the first liquid may be ejected by a dispenser or the like, or may be ejected by an ink jet method. Note that the gel of the first liquid ejected as droplets corresponds to the microcapsules in Patent Document 1.

  Application Example 2 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the second flow mechanism is provided at a lower portion of the outer surface of the container, communicates with the inside of the container, and discharges the second liquid and the gel in the container. A discharge part provided with a valve for controlling, a gel recovery part for recovering the gel out of the second liquid and the gel discharged from the discharge part, and the second liquid discharged from the gel recovery part And a liquid circulation part that circulates in the container.

  According to this, by opening the valve | bulb of a discharge part, a 2nd liquid and a gel are flowed out of a container, A gel can be collect | recovered by isolate | separating a gel and a 2nd liquid. In addition, since the second liquid can be circulated and used, the work efficiency is improved by reducing the cost.

  Application Example 3 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the gel recovery unit includes a recovery net for recovering the gel, and a funnel-shaped member extending in a downstream direction of the recovery net. apparatus.

  According to this, the gel can be recovered by separating the gel and the second liquid.

  Application Example 4 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the pore diameter (opening) size of the recovery net is smaller than the size of the recovered gel.

  According to this, a gel of a desired size can be collected by changing the diameter of the hole diameter (opening) of the collection net.

  Application Example 5 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the recovery nets are arranged in multiple stages, and the hole diameters (openings) of the recovery nets for each stage are different.

  According to this, gels having different sizes can be collected at a time by changing the diameter of the hole diameter (opening) of the collection net. Moreover, even if the gels having different sizes are generated, the gels can be separated by size at a time by changing the diameter of the pores (openings) of the recovery net because the recovery net is multistage.

  Application Example 6 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the liquid circulation unit includes a pump at a downstream end portion of the funnel-shaped member, and the pump sucks the funnel-shaped member and is on the recovery net. A gel manufacturing apparatus that separates the gel and the second liquid.

  According to this, since the funnel-shaped member is sucked by the pump and separated into the gel and the second liquid on the collection net, the second liquid comes out from the collection net unless the collection net has a small pore size (opening). You can avoid the situation of not taking advantage.

  Application Example 7 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the liquid circulation unit further includes a filter for filtering the second liquid.

  According to this, the second liquid can be supplied into the container after the impurities are captured by the filter for filtration.

  Application Example 8 A gel production method using the gel production apparatus according to any one of the above.

  According to this, even if the first liquid is continuously ejected toward the second liquid by the ejection mechanism, the second liquid is swirling, so that the first liquid and the second liquid react with each other. Individual gels can be obtained without the generated gels being in close contact.

  Further, the gel can be recovered by flowing the second liquid and the gel out of the container and separating the gel and the second liquid. In addition, since the second liquid can be circulated and used, the work efficiency is improved by reducing the cost.

  In addition, at least the first liquid droplet ejected from the ejection mechanism is reliably and easily controlled in terms of droplet size, ejection speed and direction, and the like. Therefore, the droplet of the first liquid can be ejected at a predetermined size so as to surely come into contact with the second liquid, and can be gelled into a uniform size.

The perspective view which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The elevation view which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The top view which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The perspective view and sectional drawing which show the gel collection | recovery part which concerns on this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control structure of the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process for manufacturing the gel which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the gel manufacturing method and the gel manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. The gel manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment jets a liquid by an ink jet method to gel the liquid.

  First, an example of a gel manufacturing apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gel manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing the gel manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the gel manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the gel manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is installed on a base plate 10, a gel generation unit 12 installed on the base plate 10, and a base plate 10 in the vicinity of the gel generation unit 12. Ink pack unit 14, head suction pump 16 installed on base plate 10 near gel generation unit 12, first work table 18 installed on base plate 10 near gel generation unit 12, gel generation A head drive BOX 22 that drives the head (jetting mechanism) 20 of the unit 12 and a lower part of the outer surface of the petri dish (container) 24, communicate with the inside of the petri dish 24, and a calcium chloride aqueous solution (second liquid) C in the petri dish 24 And a pipe (discharge portion) (second flow mechanism) 92 provided with a valve 90 for controlling the discharge of the gel G The gel recovery unit (second flow mechanism) 98 for recovering the gel G out of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C and the gel G discharged from the pipe 92 and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C discharged from the gel recovery unit 98 in the petri dish 24. And a liquid circulation part (second flow mechanism) 88 to be circulated.

  The base plate 10 includes a petri dish guide plate 26 that guides the petri dish 24 of the gel generating unit 12 to a predetermined position.

  The gel generation unit 12 includes a stirrer (first flow mechanism) 28, a petri dish 24, a plate 30, and a head 20.

  The stirrer 28 includes a rotor 32. The rotor 32 is placed in the petri dish 24. The stirrer 28 rotates the rotor 32 in the petri dish 24 so that the calcium chloride aqueous solution C in the petri dish 24 is swirled. Thereby, the dripped sodium alginate aqueous solution (1st liquid) A has played the role which overlaps on the liquid level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and the gel G does not produce | generate.

  The petri dish 24 is installed on the top of the stirrer 28. The center of the petri dish 24 is aligned with the center of rotation of the rotor 32 of the stirrer 28. The petri dish 24 is made of a visible material such as transparent acrylic, and is formed in a tubular shape. The flow state of the aqueous calcium chloride solution C and the gel G can be visually confirmed. The petri dish 24 is made of transparent acrylic or transparent or translucent polypropylene, but is not limited to this, and may be made of an opaque material, such as an aqueous solution of sodium alginate A, an aqueous solution of calcium chloride C, and a gel G to be produced. As long as the material does not change or chemically react, it may be made of glass or metal. The calcium chloride aqueous solution C contained in the petri dish 24 has a concentration of 2%.

  The plate 30 is installed on the upper part of the petri dish 24. The plate 30 keeps the distance between the nozzle plate 34 surface of the head 20 and the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C constant. The plate 30 is formed of a transparent acrylic plate. Thereby, the spiral flow state of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be observed from the outside of the plate 30. The plate 30 includes a square hole (not shown) for projecting the nozzle 36 surface of the head 20, a head fixing portion 40 for fixing the head 20, and a calcium chloride aqueous solution used when supplying the calcium chloride aqueous solution C into the dish 24. And a supply port 42. The calcium chloride aqueous solution supply port 42 is a funnel with a lid. The funnel with the lid is placed on the plate 30. The lid of the funnel with a lid is located at the top of the funnel and can slide to the left and right. This prevents particles from entering the funnel and prevents the calcium chloride aqueous solution C from being ejected outside the funnel (safety measure). A sealing portion such as waterproof rubber or an O-ring is formed in the square hole.

  The ink pack unit 14 includes a second work table 46 and an ink pack (tank) 48 installed on the second work table 46. The second workbench 46 includes a mirror surface metal plate-like top surface 50 and a middle stage 52 provided below the top surface 50. The ink pack 48 is installed in the middle stage 52. The ink pack unit 14 accommodates the sodium alginate aqueous solution A and is installed in the vicinity of the head 20. The ink pack unit 14 can be moved up and down by moving the middle stage 52 of the second work table 46 up and down. The top surface 50 is made of a metal plate and protects the impact from the top on the ink pack unit 14. The metal plate is a mirror surface. Thereby, it can be used as visual confirmation of the presence or absence of nozzle ejection of the head 20. In mirror finishing, electroless nickel plating is coated on the aluminum surface. Thereby, weight reduction of a mirror surface metal plate is achieved. The supply port of the ink pack unit 14 is the same height as the surface of the nozzle plate 34. Thereby, dripping from the nozzle 36 or intrusion of air into the nozzle 36 can be prevented. The ink pack unit 14 is made of, for example, transparent or translucent polyethylene. In the gel manufacturing apparatus 2, the sodium alginate aqueous solution A accommodated in the ink pack unit 14 has a concentration of 1%.

  The head suction pump 16 includes a cleaning mechanism for preventing the head 20 from being clogged. The cleaning mechanism performs, for example, forced droplet suction from the head 20 or head cleaning after a predetermined number of droplets are ejected or when the image analysis unit 54 (see FIG. 6) analyzes the abnormality of the gel G. The stable operation of the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 is intended.

  The first workbench 18 includes a mirror surface metal plate-like top surface 56. The mirror surface metal plate, for example, sprays the sodium alginate aqueous solution A onto the mirror surface metal plate from the head 20 before the gel production, and makes a visual check of whether or not the nozzle of the head 20 is jetted in advance from the sprayed state. It is intended for stable operation.

  The head 20 includes a nozzle plate 34 in which a plurality of nozzles 36 for injecting the sodium alginate aqueous solution A are formed. According to this, a multi-injection mechanism part becomes possible, and many gels G can be manufactured in a short time. Moreover, it becomes possible to change the injection quantity and kind of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A injected for every head 20, and a wide variety of gel manufacture can be performed at once. The nozzle 36 has a diameter of 100 μm, for example, and the sodium alginate aqueous solution A ejected from the nozzle 36 at an ejection frequency of 10 Hz or more has a flow rate of 1 mm / s. The size of the droplet ejected from the nozzle 36 is about 50 μm. The aqueous sodium alginate solution A is contained in the ink pack 48, led to the conduit 60, and supplied to the head 20. The smooth surface area of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C and the array area of the plurality of nozzles 36 overlap in a direction parallel to the water surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. Further, the flow direction of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C and the arrangement direction of the plurality of nozzles 36 intersect each other. The flow direction of the aqueous calcium chloride solution C and the arrangement direction of the plurality of nozzles 36 may be configured to be at right angles to each other. According to this, even if the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is continuously jetted by the head 20 toward the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, the distance between the nozzles 36 can be maximized with respect to the flow direction of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. Therefore, the gel G produced by the reaction of the aqueous sodium alginate solution A and the aqueous calcium chloride solution C can be obtained without further adhesion. Although the nozzles 36 are formed in one row on the head 20, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of rows may be formed. The distance (interval) between the nozzle plate 34 of the head 20 and the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C swirled by the stirrer 28 is defined.

  The gel manufacturing apparatus 2 sprays the sodium alginate aqueous solution A from the nozzle 36 by the droplet jetting method toward the calcium chloride aqueous solution C that spirally flows in the petri dish 24, so that the sodium alginate aqueous solution A and the chloride in the petri dish 24 are sprayed. A gel G produced by a chemical reaction with the aqueous calcium solution C is obtained. Specifically, by spraying the sodium alginate aqueous solution A toward the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, the sodium alginate aqueous solution A and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C chemically react to generate a calcium alginate gel.

  The pipe 92 causes the aqueous calcium chloride solution C and the generated gel G in the petri dish 24 to flow out of the petri dish 24.

  The gel collection unit 98 collects the gel G generated by spraying the aqueous solution of calcium chloride C with the aqueous solution of sodium alginate A.

Next, the gel recovery unit 98 will be described in detail.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing the gel recovery unit 98 according to the present embodiment. The gel recovery unit 98 according to this embodiment includes a filter (recovery net) 96 and a funnel-shaped member 94. The filter 96 is disposed on the funnel member 94. The pore size (opening) of the filter 96 is 10 microns compared to 25 microns of the gel G. The filter 96 constitutes a multistage filter by varying the hole diameter. Thereby, the gel G from which a magnitude | size differs can be fractionated and collect | recovered. In the gel recovery unit 98, the tubing pump 108 is used to connect the tube 106 so that the gel G on the filter 96 and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C are separated and so that the calcium chloride aqueous solution C does not stay on the filter 96 by the separation. The funnel-shaped member 94 is sucked from the discharge port 104.

  The liquid circulating unit 88 causes the calcium chloride aqueous solution C to flow. Then circulate. The liquid circulation unit 88 includes a tube 106, a tubing pump 108, and a filter 110. The calcium chloride aqueous solution C separated from the gel G by the gel recovery unit 98 flows through the tube 106 by the tubing pump 108, is filtered by the filter 110 and is circulated to the petri dish 24.

(Example)
First, a hole is made in the side surface (lower part) of the petri dish 24 and a pipe 92 with a valve 90 for drainage is installed. Thereby, the gel G and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be discharged.

  Next, the gel collection part 98 which can set the funnel-shaped member 94 and the filter 96 for gel ball collection is manufactured with a transparent acrylic board. The filter 96 may be a smooth membrane filter, or the filter 96 may be made of a smooth stainless steel wire and a twill mat. Further, since the filter 96 is soft, it is deformed by suction as it is. Therefore, even if a stainless steel plate having a large number of holes having a thickness of 0.5 mm and a hole diameter (opening) of φ1.0 mm is installed as a back plate. Good (not shown). A filter 96 is mounted thereon.

  Next, the O-ring 100 is installed on the filter 96, and the threaded product of the transparent acrylic pipe 102 is installed thereon. Thereby, the filter 96 is fixed. In addition, a multistage filter can be configured. For example, the first filter on the pipe 92 side is a coarse filter that filters particles larger than 1 μm, and the second filter on the funnel-like member 94 side is a series of fine filters that filter particles larger than 0.1 μm. Two connected filters can be used.

  Next, the discharge port 104 of the funnel-shaped member 94 and the filter 110 for filtration of the liquid circulation unit 88 are connected by the tube 106, and the tubing pump 108 is installed therebetween.

  Next, a hole is made in the head fixing plate 30, and the tube 106 is inserted and connected to the filter 110.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. The head drive BOX 22 includes a display unit 64 for displaying the gelation state grasped through the image pickup device 62, the operating state of the gel production apparatus 2, and the like, and an operation unit 66 for inputting instructions to the respective units of the gel production apparatus 2. And have. In this case, a so-called personal computer is used as the head drive BOX 22, and details of the head drive BOX 22 for controlling the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 will be described next.

  The head drive BOX 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 68 that comprehensively controls the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 and a ROM that stores programs and the like for the CPU 68 to perform various processes such as droplet ejection with reference to the CPU 68. (Read Only Memory) 70 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 74 for temporarily storing data and the like sent from the operation unit 66, the image pickup device 62, and the detector 72. The head drive BOX 22 includes an image analysis unit 54 that receives and analyzes image data from the imaging device 62, an ejection control unit 76 that controls the head 20, a spiral control unit 78 that controls the stirrer 28, and a detector. The liquid amount detection unit 80 that receives the liquid amount data from 72 and the input / output interface 82 for performing input / output with the display unit 64 and the operation unit 66 or external devices are provided.

  The image analysis unit 54 receives an image indicating the gel state of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A photographed by the imaging device 62 and analyzes whether or not the gel is in a desired form. The analysis result is transmitted to the CPU 68, and the CPU 68 determines whether or not to continue the injection and instructs the injection control unit 76 and the spiral control unit 78. The ejection control unit 76 controls ejection of droplets from the head 20 based on an instruction from the CPU 68. The vortex controller 78 controls the stirrer 28 so that the sodium alginate aqueous solution A does not overlap on the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C in response to the ejection of droplets from the head 20 by the ejection controller 76. The liquid amount detection unit 80 receives the liquid amount of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C detected by the detector 72 of the ink pack 48 and determines whether the liquid amount is necessary for continuing the ejection. The determination result is transmitted to the CPU 68, and when it is determined that the liquid amount is insufficient, the CPU 68 instructs the injection control unit 76 to stop. In the case of stop, the CPU 68 displays an alarm indicating that the stop has occurred on the display unit 64.

Next, a method for generating (manufacturing) a gel of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A by the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 will be described based on a flowchart.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for manufacturing the gel according to the present embodiment. This flowchart shows the flow of one droplet ejection.

  As advance preparation, the gel manufacturer puts the calcium chloride aqueous solution C into the dish 24. The calcium chloride aqueous solution C may be put into the petri dish 24 through the calcium chloride aqueous solution supply port 42. The amount of the aqueous calcium chloride solution C is determined by defining a distance (platen gap) S between the surface of the nozzle plate 34 of the head 20 and the liquid surface of the aqueous calcium chloride solution C. The amount of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is measured by a scale line printed on the side surface of the petri dish 24. The amount of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is set in advance so that the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is placed in the petri dish 24 by a necessary distance between the nozzle plate 34 and the surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. Measured. From the next time, the gel manufacturer measures the required weight of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C with an electronic balance and puts it through the calcium chloride aqueous solution supply port 42.

  Next, the gel manufacturer turns on the power of the head drive BOX 22 and selects a droplet ejection pattern. The ejection pattern is a set of ejection conditions corresponding to the liquid ejected from the nozzle 36, and includes a voltage waveform applied to the piezo element. In this case, the number of droplets ejected is also included. An ejection pattern for ejecting droplets of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is selected.

  Next, the gel manufacturer confirms in advance the ejection of the head 20 on the mirror surface metal plate of the top surface 56 of the first workbench 18. The aqueous sodium alginate solution A is pushed by a piezo element (not shown) of the head 20 and ejected as a droplet from the nozzle 36.

  Next, the gel manufacturer sets the head 20 in the square hole of the plate 30 above the petri dish 24, and fixes the upper part of the head 20 by the head fixing part 40. The setting position of the head 20 is set on the smooth surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, avoiding the depression P in the center portion generated by the rotation of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. In a multi-nozzle head, the nozzle 36 arrangement row direction may be set perpendicular to the rotation direction of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. In the case of a multi-nozzle head, the arrangement direction of the nozzles 36 may be set obliquely with respect to the rotation direction of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C.

  The preliminary preparation is thus completed. First, in Step S10, the head drive BOX 22 causes the aqueous solution of calcium chloride (second liquid) C to spirally flow with the rotor 32 using the stirrer 28.

  Next, in step S20, the head drive BOX 22 ejects droplets of the sodium alginate aqueous solution (first liquid) A from the head 20 onto the calcium chloride aqueous solution C that spirally flows. The ejected liquid droplets are thrown into the flowing calcium chloride aqueous solution C. Since the droplets in this state react with the calcium chloride aqueous solution C to form the gel G, the gel G having a uniform shape can be obtained. After ejecting the liquid droplets, the process proceeds to step S30.

  Next, in step S30, the head drive BOX 22 determines whether or not it is in a predetermined gel state. That is, it is determined whether or not the droplet of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is a gel G having a desired shape. This determination is performed by the image analysis unit 54 with reference to the image of the gel G photographed by the imaging device 62. In the gel manufacturing apparatus 2, the imaging device 62 images the gel G collected in a collection net of a gel collection unit (not shown). If the gel G is in the predetermined gel state, the process proceeds to step S40. On the other hand, if the gel G is not in the predetermined gel state, an alarm is displayed in step S50 and the flow is terminated. By stopping the flow, the ejection of droplets and the like are stopped.

  If the gel G is in a predetermined gel state, it is determined in step S40 whether or not the selected number of injections has been completed. This determination is performed by an ejection control unit (not shown) by counting the number of ejections of the head 20. If a predetermined number of droplets have been ejected, the process proceeds to step S60. If a predetermined number of droplets have not been ejected, the process returns to step S20.

  When returning to step S20, the step of step S20 is continued until a predetermined number of droplets are ejected. Then, after ejecting a predetermined number of droplets, the process proceeds to step S60.

  Next, in step S60, the valve 90 provided in the pipe 92 is controlled to discharge the calcium chloride aqueous solution C and the gel G in the petri dish 24. The discharged calcium chloride aqueous solution C and gel G are separated by the gel recovery unit 98, and the gel G is recovered. Collect the gel G and end the flow. The head 20 and the stirrer 28 are turned off. The calcium chloride aqueous solution C discharged from the gel recovery unit 98 is returned to the petri dish 24 by the liquid circulation unit 88.

  The embodiment of the gel manufacturing method using the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 has been described above. Below, the effect of embodiment is described collectively.

  (1) Even if the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is continuously sprayed by the head 20 toward the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 is swirling, so the sodium alginate aqueous solution A and Individual gels can be obtained without causing the gel G produced by the reaction with the calcium chloride aqueous solution C to adhere. Further, the gel G generated by the stirrer 28 can be flowed out of the petri dish 24 and recovered by the pipe 92, the gel recovery unit 98, and the liquid circulation unit 88.

  (2) By opening the valve 90 of the pipe 92, the calcium chloride aqueous solution C and the gel G are allowed to flow out of the petri dish 24, and the gel G can be recovered by separating the gel G and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. . Further, since the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be circulated and used, the working efficiency is improved by reducing the cost.

  (3) The gel G can be recovered by separating the gel G from the calcium chloride aqueous solution C.

  (4) By changing the pore diameter (opening) of the filter 96, the gel G having a desired size can be collected.

  (5) By changing the pore diameter (opening) of the filter 96, gels G having different sizes can be collected at a time. Further, even when gels having different sizes of the gel G are generated, the gel 96 can be separated for each size at a time by changing the pore diameter (opening) of the filter 96 because the filter 96 is multistage.

  (6) Since the funnel-shaped member 94 is sucked by the tubing pump 108 and separated on the filter 96 into the gel G and the aqueous calcium chloride solution C, the pore size (opening) of the filter 96 is so fine that it must be sucked from the filter 96. A state in which the calcium chloride aqueous solution C does not come out can be avoided.

  (7) The calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be supplied into the dish 24 after impurities are captured by the filter 110 for filtration.

  (8) Even if the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is continuously jetted by the head 20 toward the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is swirling, so that the sodium alginate aqueous solution A and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C are The gel G produced | generated by reaction can obtain each gel G, without closely_contact | adhering.

  Further, the gel G can be recovered by allowing the calcium chloride aqueous solution C and the gel G to flow outside the petri dish 24 and separating the gel G and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. Further, since the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be circulated and used, the working efficiency is improved by reducing the cost.

  In addition, at least the droplets of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A ejected from the head 20 are reliably and easily controlled in terms of droplet size, ejection speed and direction. Therefore, the droplet of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A can be jetted at a predetermined size so as to be surely in contact with the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and gelled to a uniform size.

  (9) At least the droplets of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A ejected from the head 20 are reliably and easily controlled in terms of droplet size, ejection speed and direction. Therefore, the droplet of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A can be jetted at a predetermined size so as to be surely in contact with the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and gelled to a uniform size. In this case, the sodium alginate aqueous solution A may be ejected by a dispenser or the like, or may be ejected by an ink jet method.

  (10) Since the head 20 is an ink jet system, the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 can control the size of the droplet of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A, the direction of the jet speed, and the like more accurately than other jet methods, so It can be gelled to a uniform size under the same conditions. In particular, even if the gel G is minute, the gel G can be made uniform.

  (11) Since the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is ejected from the head 20 in the form of droplets, a uniform gel G having a size of 10 μm is obtained. By adjusting the size of the droplet, a gel G having a desired size other than 10 μm generated in this embodiment can be easily obtained.

  (12) Since the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is swirled in the chalet 24 rather than in a stationary state, contamination of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C or generation of viable bacteria can be prevented.

  In addition, the deformation | transformation in the range which can solve at least one part of the said subject, improvement, etc. are contained in above-mentioned embodiment.

(Modification 1)
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the liquid circulation unit 88 collects the calcium chloride aqueous solution C that has passed through the gel collection unit 98 and circulates it to the petri dish 24 by the tubing pump 108. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The circulation unit 88 may collect the calcium chloride aqueous solution C that has passed through the gel collection unit 98 in the collection tank, and then circulate the calcium chloride aqueous solution C collected in the collection tank to the petri dish 24 by the tubing pump 108.

  The petri dish 24 and the plate 30 are made of transparent acrylic or transparent or translucent polypropylene. However, the invention is not limited to this, and may be made of an opaque material such as a sodium alginate aqueous solution A, a calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and Any material that does not alter or chemically react the generated gel G may be made of glass or metal.

(Modification 2)
The head 20 for ejecting droplets of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A may be a method of dropping the sodium alginate aqueous solution A by a dispenser or the like instead of the inkjet method. According to this, the droplet of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A can be accurately jetted toward the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and the gel G can be generated. Thus, the gel manufacturing apparatus corresponding to the various solution to spray can be provided by using together an inkjet system and various injection systems. And in order to inject a highly viscous solution, you may provide in the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 the mechanism which heats a solution and makes a viscosity low.

(Modification 3)
The detector 72 of the ink pack 48 may detect information such as the concentration of the liquid in addition to the amount of liquid to be stored.

(Modification 4)
The distance (platen gap) S between the nozzle plate 34 surface of the head 20 and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is mounted with a water level sensor (not shown) in the petri dish 24, and when it reaches a certain level, water absorption (calcium chloride aqueous solution C) is stopped. May be. According to this, since the water absorption (calcium chloride aqueous solution C) can be stopped when the water level reaches a certain level, the distance (platen gap) between the nozzle plate 34 surface of the head 20 and the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be managed. it can. Therefore, the droplet of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A can be jetted at a predetermined size so as to be surely in contact with the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and gelled to a uniform size.

(Modification 5)
In each of the above embodiments, the case where the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is used as the first liquid and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is used as the second liquid has been described as an example in order to obtain the gel G of alginic acid. In addition to this, in order to obtain the gel G of alginic acid, a method using a potassium alginate solution as the first liquid and a barium chloride solution as the second liquid may be used, and the first liquid containing the gel forming material may be used. Any second liquid that gels upon reaction can be applied. The gel G can also contain a desired substance. For example, the sodium alginate aqueous solution A contains a curing agent, a drug, oxygen, a cell, a pigment, a catalyst, nanoparticles, fluorescent particles, and the like. Injected as droplets. Thereby, the gel G which enclosed the hardening | curing agent, the chemical | medical agent, oxygen, the cell, the pigment, the catalyst, the nanoparticle, the fluorescent particle, etc. inside can be obtained. For example, the gel G in which a curing agent or a drug is encapsulated can be used in such a way that when the external pressure or the like is applied, the curing agent or the drug comes out of the gel G and the curing action or the drug action starts. By forming a liquid, it is possible to produce a gel G that can obtain a curing action and a drug action even in a narrow place. In particular, by producing a minute gel G in which a hardener is encapsulated as a dental material, an appropriate amount of hardener can be applied to a narrow portion such as a crown. The hardener is not used more than the necessary amount, the waste of the hardener is eliminated, and the cost of dental treatment can be reduced. The size and concentration of the droplets in each liquid are not limited to the settings in each embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Gel manufacturing apparatus 10 ... Base plate 12 ... Gel production | generation unit 14 ... Ink pack unit 16 ... Head suction pump 18 ... 1st work bench 20 ... Head (jetting mechanism) 22 ... Head drive BOX 24 ... Petri dish (container) 26 ... Petri dish Guide plate 28 ... Stirrer (first flow mechanism) 30 ... Plate 32 ... Rotor 34 ... Nozzle plate 36 ... Nozzle 40 ... Head fixing part 42 ... Calcium chloride aqueous solution supply port 46 ... Second worktable 48 ... Ink pack 50 ... Top Surface 52 ... Middle stage 54 ... Image analysis unit 56 ... Top surface 60 ... Conduit 62 ... Imager 64 ... Display unit 66 ... Operation unit 68 ... CPU 70 ... ROM 72 ... Detector 74 ... RAM 76 ... Injection control unit 78 ... Swirl control Unit 80 ... Liquid level detection unit 82 ... Input / output interface 88 ... Liquid Body circulation part (second flow mechanism) 90 ... Valve 92 ... Pipe (discharge part) (second flow mechanism) 94 ... Funnel-shaped member 96 ... Filter (collection net) 98 ... Gel collection part (second flow mechanism) 100 ... O-ring 102 ... Pipe 104 ... Discharge port 106 ... Tube 108 ... Tubing pump (pump) 110 ... Filter.

Claims (8)

A gel production apparatus for producing a gel by reacting a first liquid and a second liquid,
A container for storing the second liquid;
A first flow mechanism for flowing the second liquid in the container;
An ejection mechanism that ejects the first liquid to the second liquid that is flowing by a droplet ejection method;
A second flow mechanism for allowing the second liquid in the container and the generated gel to flow out of the container and collecting the gel;
The gel manufacturing apparatus characterized by including. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1,
The second flow mechanism is
A discharge portion provided at a lower portion of the outer surface of the container, provided with a valve that communicates with the inside of the container and controls discharge of the second liquid and the gel in the container;
A gel recovery part for recovering the gel out of the second liquid and the gel discharged from the discharge part;
A liquid circulation part for circulating the second liquid discharged from the gel recovery part into the container;
The gel manufacturing apparatus characterized by including. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The gel recovery part is
A collection net for collecting the gel;
A funnel-shaped member extending in the downstream direction of the recovery net;
The gel manufacturing apparatus characterized by including. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3,
The gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a hole diameter (opening) size of the recovery net is smaller than a size of the recovered gel. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The collection nets are arranged in multiple stages,
The gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pore diameter (opening) size of the recovery net for each stage is different. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The liquid circulation part is
Including a pump at the downstream end of the funnel-shaped member;
The said pump sucks the said funnel-shaped member and isolate | separates the said gel and the said 2nd liquid on the said collection | recovery net | network. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The said liquid circulation part is further equipped with the filter which filters said 2nd liquid, The gel manufacturing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   The gel manufacturing method using the gel manufacturing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-7.