JP2012055847A - Gel production device and gel production method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gel production device which can produce stable gel, and to provide a gel production method.SOLUTION: The gel production device for producing the gel by making a first liquid A and a second liquid C react with each other includes: a vessel 24 which houses the second liquid C; a flow-through mechanism 28 which makes the second liquid C flow in the vessel 24; an injection mechanism 20 having a nozzle plate 34 at which a nozzle 36 for injecting the first liquid A to the flowing second liquid C by a liquid-droplet injection method is arranged; a first plate 30 at which a fixture for fixing the injection mechanism 20 and a through-hole communicating with the nozzle 36 are formed; and a second plate 124 which is mounted with the first plate 30, in which the through-hole communicating with the nozzle 36 is formed, and which is floated on the second liquid C and vertically moves in the vessel 24 accompanied by the displacement of a water level of the second liquid C. A distance S between the nozzle plate 34 and the liquid face of the second liquid C is kept constant even if the water level of the second liquid C is displaced.

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 the first liquid is injected into the second liquid, the volume of the second liquid increases, the water level changes, and the distance between the liquid surface and the nozzle plate (platen gap) changes, resulting in a stable gel. May not be generated.

  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, a container for storing the second liquid, and a flow mechanism for flowing the second liquid in the container An injection mechanism including a nozzle plate in which a nozzle for injecting the first liquid to the flowing second liquid by a droplet injection method is formed, a fixing jig for fixing the injection mechanism, and the nozzle A first plate in which a through hole communicating with the first plate is formed, and a through hole communicating with the nozzle is formed on the first plate, floats on the second liquid, and has a water level of the second liquid. A second plate that moves up and down in the container in accordance with the displacement, and the distance between the nozzle plate and the liquid surface of the second liquid is kept constant even when the water level of the second liquid is displaced. Gel manufacturing apparatus characterized by that.

  According to this, by placing the second plate made of a material floating on the second liquid on the second liquid and placing the first plate for fixing the injection mechanism thereon, the water level of the second liquid is displaced. However, the position of the injection mechanism changes with the water level of the second liquid, the distance between the nozzle plate and the liquid surface of the second liquid can be kept constant, and at least a part of the second plate becomes the second liquid. By soaking, the fluctuation of the liquid level of the second liquid is suppressed, so that a stable gel can be generated.

  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 A gel manufacturing apparatus for generating a gel by reacting a first liquid and a second liquid, the container storing the second liquid, and a flow mechanism for flowing the second liquid in the container An injection mechanism including a nozzle plate in which a nozzle for injecting the first liquid to the flowing second liquid by a droplet injection method is formed, a fixing jig for fixing the injection mechanism, and the nozzle And a first plate that floats on the second liquid and moves up and down in the container in accordance with the displacement of the water level of the second liquid, the nozzle plate and the first plate The distance between the liquid level of the two liquids is kept constant even when the water level of the second liquid is displaced.

  According to this, since the first plate made of the material floating in the second liquid is placed on the second liquid and the injection mechanism is fixed thereto, the water level of the second liquid is displaced even if the water level of the second liquid is displaced. At the same time, the position of the injection mechanism also changes, the distance between the nozzle plate and the liquid surface of the second liquid can be kept constant, and a part of the first plate is immersed in the second liquid, so that the second liquid Since the fluctuation of the liquid level is suppressed, a stable gel can be generated.

  Application Example 3 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the nozzle plate and the liquid surface of the second liquid are parallel to each other.

  According to this, a more stable gel can be generated.

  Application Example 4 The gel manufacturing apparatus according to the above-described gel manufacturing apparatus, further including at least one defining portion that defines a direction of the vertical movement of at least one of the first or second plate.

  According to this, for example, by providing the defining portions in the vicinity of the four corners of at least one of the first or second plate, the direction of vertical movement of the nozzle plate is defined, so the nozzle plate and the liquid level of the second liquid Parallelism can be maintained.

  Application Example 5 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the defining part is a combination of a shaft and a linear bush.

  According to this, the parallelism between the nozzle plate and the liquid surface of the second liquid can be easily maintained.

  Application Example 6 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, a plurality of the injection mechanisms are fixed on the first plate.

  According to this, since a plurality of ejection mechanisms can be fixed on the first plate with good balance (for example, without changing the center of gravity of the first plate), the nozzle plate and the second liquid can be easily fixed in the plurality of ejection mechanisms. The distance from the liquid surface can be kept constant.

  Application Example 7 In the gel manufacturing apparatus, the gel further includes a water level measurement unit that measures the displacement of the water level of the second liquid from the vertical movement of the first or second plate. Manufacturing equipment.

  According to this, the displacement of the water level of the second liquid can be measured in real time.

  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 water level of the second liquid is displaced, the distance between the nozzle plate and the liquid surface of the second liquid can be kept constant, and at least a part of the second plate becomes the second liquid. By soaking, the fluctuation of the liquid level of the second liquid is suppressed, so that a stable gel can be generated.

  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 1st Embodiment. The elevation view which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the plate location of the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control structure of the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process for manufacturing the gel which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the gel production | generation unit location of the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The top view which shows the plate location of the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the gel manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 3rd 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. The gel manufacturing apparatus generates a gel by reacting the first liquid and the second liquid.

(First embodiment)
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 And a head drive BOX 22 for driving the head (jet mechanism) 20 of the unit 12.

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

  The gel generating unit 12 includes a stirrer (flow mechanism) 28, a petri dish 24, a plate (first plate) 30, a float (second plate) 124 (see FIG. 6), a shaft (defining part) 120, a linear A bush (defining part) 122 (see FIG. 5) and a head 20 are provided.

  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 (second liquid) 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 stores the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. 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%.

  FIG. 5 is a top view showing plate portions of the gel manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the gel manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 along the cutting line AA in FIG. The plate 30 is installed on the upper part of the petri dish 24. The plate 30 has a head fixing portion (fixing jig) 40 for fixing the head 20 and a through hole 126 communicating with the nozzle 36. The material of the plate 30 is, for example, an acrylic plate. 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 float (second plate) 124 is loaded with the plate 30. The float 124 is formed with a through hole 128 that communicates with the nozzle 36. The float 124 floats on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. The float 124 moves up and down in the petri dish 24 as the water level of the aqueous calcium chloride solution C is displaced. The material of the float 124 is, for example, an acrylic plate or polystyrene foam. Further, the water level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C may be measured in real time as input data of a water level meter (water level measuring unit) (not shown) indicating the vertical movement of the float 124.

  The shaft 120 and the linear bush 122 define the direction of vertical movement of at least one of the plate 30 and the float 124. For example, the shaft 120 and the linear bush 122 define the direction of vertical movement of the plate 30. At least one of the shaft 120 and the linear bush 122 is provided. For example, the shaft 120 and the linear bush 122 are provided near the four corners of the plate 30. According to this, since the direction of vertical movement of the nozzle plate 34 is defined, the parallelism between the nozzle plate 34 and the liquid level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be maintained.

  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 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. 7) 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 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.

  According to the present embodiment, the distance between the nozzle plate 34 and the liquid level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is kept constant even if the water level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is displaced. The nozzle plate 34 and the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C may be parallel. According to this, the more stable gel G can be produced | generated.

  FIG. 7 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 sodium alginate aqueous solution A detected by the detector 72 of the ink pack 48 and determines whether or not 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. 8 is a flowchart showing steps 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 calcium chloride aqueous solution 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 flow is terminated. On the other hand, 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, when a predetermined number of droplets are ejected, the flow ends. The head 20 and the stirrer 28 are turned off. The head 20 is removed, and the petri dish 24 is removed while sliding. Alternatively, the head 20, the plate 30 and the float 124 are removed, and the petri dish 24 is moved with a lid.

  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) The gel manufacturing apparatus 2 places a float 124 made of a material floating on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and places a plate 30 on which the head 20 is fixed on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. Even if the water level of the water solution is displaced, the position of the head 20 changes with the water level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, the distance between the nozzle plate 34 and the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be kept constant, and at least the float 124 Since a part of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is immersed in the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, fluctuations in the liquid level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C are suppressed, so that a stable gel G can be generated.

  (2) Even if the sodium alginate aqueous solution A is continuously jetted by the head 20 toward the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, the gel manufacturing apparatus 2 is swirling, so that 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.

  (3) 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.

  (4) In the gel manufacturing apparatus 2, since the head 20 is an ink jet method, the size of the droplet of the sodium alginate aqueous solution A, the control of the speed and direction of the jet can be controlled more accurately than other jet methods, and the droplet is always generated. 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.

  (5) 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.

  (6) Since the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is swirled in the chalet 24 instead of being stationary, contamination of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C or generation of viable bacteria can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a gel generation unit portion of the gel manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the first embodiment, the float 124 is provided. However, in the gel manufacturing apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment, the plate 30 is floated on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. The plate 30 moves up and down in the petri dish 24 with the displacement of the water level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. The distance between the nozzle plate 34 and the surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is kept constant even if the water level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is displaced. According to this, since the plate 30 made of a material floating on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is placed on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, and the head 20 is fixed thereto, the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is displaced even if the water level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is displaced. The position of the head 20 changes with the water level of the aqueous solution C, and the distance between the nozzle plate 34 and the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be kept constant. In addition, since a part of the plate 30 is immersed in the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, fluctuation of the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C is suppressed, and thus a stable gel G can be generated.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 10 is a top view showing plate portions of the gel manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the gel manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the gel manufacturing apparatus 6 taken along the cutting line BB in FIG. In the first embodiment, one head 20 is provided on the plate 30, but the gel manufacturing apparatus 6 according to this embodiment has a plurality of heads 20 fixed on the plate 31. According to this, since the plurality of heads 20 can be fixed on the plate 31 in a well-balanced manner (for example, without changing the center of gravity of the plate 31), the nozzle plate 34 and the calcium chloride aqueous solution C can be easily fixed in the plurality of heads 20. The distance from the liquid surface can be kept constant.

  The float (second plate) 125 carries the plate 31. The float 125 is formed with a through hole 128 that communicates with the nozzle 36. The float 125 floats on the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. The float 125 moves up and down in the petri dish 24 with the displacement of the water level of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C. The material of the float 125 is, for example, an acrylic plate or polystyrene foam.

  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)
The bottom surface of the plate 30 or the floats 124 and 125 immersed in the calcium chloride aqueous solution C may be flat or uneven. Further, the inclination of the bottom surface may be parallel to the liquid surface of the calcium chloride aqueous solution C, or may be inclined with a certain inclination.

(Modification 2)
The petri dish 24 and the plate 30 are made of transparent acrylic or transparent or translucent polypropylene, but are not limited thereto, 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 the like. As long as it is a material that does not alter or chemically react the gel G, it may be made of glass or metal.

(Modification 3)
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 4)
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 5)
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 6)
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 2,4,6 ... Gel manufacturing apparatus 10 ... Base plate 12 ... Gel production | generation unit 14 ... Ink pack unit 16 ... Head suction pump 18 ... 1st work table 20 ... Head (jet mechanism) 22 ... Head drive BOX 24 ... Petri dish (container) 26 ... Petri dish guide plate 28 ... Stirrer (flow mechanism) 30, 31 ... Plate (first plate) 32 ... Rotor 34 ... Nozzle plate 36 ... Nozzle 40 ... Head fixing part (fixing jig) 42 ... Supply of aqueous calcium chloride solution Mouth 46 ... Second work table 48 ... Ink pack 50 ... Top 52 ... Middle stage 54 ... Image analyzer 56 ... Top 60 ... Conduit 62 ... Imager 64 ... Display unit 66 ... Operation unit 68 ... CPU 70 ... ROM 72 ... Detector 74 ... RAM 76 ... Injection controller 78 ... Swirl controller 80 ... Liquid amount detector 82 ... Input / output interface 120 ... Shaft (specifying part) 122 ... Linear bush (specifying part) 124, 125 ... Float (second plate) 126,128 ... Through hole.

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 flow mechanism for flowing the second liquid in the container;
An injection mechanism comprising a nozzle plate in which nozzles for injecting the first liquid by a droplet injection method are formed on the second liquid that is flowing;
A first plate in which a fixing jig for fixing the injection mechanism and a through hole communicating with the nozzle are formed;
A second plate on which the first plate is loaded, a through hole communicating with the nozzle is formed, floats on the second liquid, and moves up and down in the container in accordance with the displacement of the water level of the second liquid;
Including
The gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the nozzle plate and the liquid level of the second liquid is kept constant even if the water level of the second liquid is displaced. 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 flow mechanism for flowing the second liquid in the container;
An injection mechanism comprising a nozzle plate in which nozzles for injecting the first liquid by a droplet injection method are formed on the second liquid that is flowing;
A fixing jig for fixing the ejection mechanism and a through hole communicating with the nozzle are formed, float on the second liquid, and move up and down in the container as the water level of the second liquid moves. Plates,
Including
The gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the nozzle plate and the liquid level of the second liquid is kept constant even if the water level of the second liquid is displaced. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The gel manufacturing apparatus, wherein the nozzle plate and the liquid surface of the second liquid are parallel to each other. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The gel manufacturing apparatus, further comprising at least one defining portion that defines a direction of the vertical movement of at least one of the first or second plate. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4,
The gel manufacturing apparatus, wherein the defining portion is a combination of a shaft and a linear bush. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A plurality of the injection mechanisms are fixed on the first plate. In the gel manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The gel manufacturing apparatus further includes a water level measuring unit that measures a displacement of the water level of the second liquid from the vertical movement of the first or second plate.   The gel manufacturing method using the gel manufacturing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-7.