JP2020006293A - Liquid supply device, liquid application device and device for discharging liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

To increase squeezing force while suppressing increase in size of a device.SOLUTION: A liquid application device 200 includes: a storage container 202 for storing process liquid 201; an application roller 203, part of which being immersed into the process liquid 201, and which doubles as a drawing roller for drawing the process liquid 201, and applies the process liquid 201 to a continuous sheet 10; and a first squeezing roller 204 and a second squeezing roller 205 for squeezing the process liquid 201 that has been drawn by the application roller 203 and carried by a peripheral surface of the application roller 203.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply device, a liquid application device, and a device for discharging liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Some apparatuses such as a printing apparatus that discharges a liquid include a coating apparatus that applies a coating liquid such as a processing liquid using a member to be printed as a member to be coated.

  For example, a processing roller is immersed in the processing liquid in the processing liquid storage tank, and the processing liquid is pumped up and held (held) on the surface. The held processing liquid is transferred to a film thickness control roller that controls the film thickness adhering to the coating roller, and the processing liquid held by the film thickness control roller is transferred to the coating roller. There is known an apparatus in which a recording medium is conveyed during printing and a processing liquid held on the surface of an application roller is applied to the recording medium (Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-183336 A

  However, as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when an aperture roller such as a film control roller that squeezes liquid on the peripheral surface of the pumping roller is arranged, a plurality of aperture rollers are sequentially arranged in series in order to increase the aperture force. In such a configuration, there is a problem that the size of the apparatus increases in one direction as the number of roller stages increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to increase the drawing force while suppressing an increase in the size of the apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the liquid supply device according to the present invention includes:
A storage container for storing the liquid,
A pumping roller for pumping the liquid in the storage container,
A plurality of squeezing rollers that come into contact with the peripheral surface of the pumping roller.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the drawing force while suppressing an increase in the size of the apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing device as a device that discharges liquid according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective perspective view of a treatment liquid application device including a liquid liquid application device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view illustrating a configuration of the treatment liquid application device. It is a typical explanatory view of the liquid application device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic explanatory view of a liquid application device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printing apparatus as a device that discharges liquid according to the embodiment.

  In the printing apparatus 1, a continuous paper 10, which is a long continuous sheet material wound in a roll shape, is fed from a feeding device 11, and a processing liquid applied to the continuous paper 10 by a processing liquid application device 12. Is applied and applied. The sheet material may be cut.

  Thereafter, the printing unit 13 performs required printing on the continuous paper 10, is sent to the drying device 14, passes through a heating / cooling process by the drying device 14, and winds the continuous paper 10 with the winding device 15. Taken.

  Next, a processing liquid application device including the liquid liquid application device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the processing liquid application apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view illustrating the configuration of the processing liquid application apparatus.

  The treatment liquid application device 12 includes a liquid application device 200 including a liquid supply device according to the present invention that applies a treatment liquid 201 such as a beading inhibitor to the continuous paper 10 that is a member to be applied with a liquid. I have.

  Further, a reservoir tank 224 and cartridges 229 and 238 are provided as supply units for supplying the processing liquid 201 to the liquid coating apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, an example in which the member to be coated with the treatment liquid is a print medium and the print medium is a continuous body will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  As the treatment liquid, for example, a modifier that modifies the surface of the continuous paper 10 by applying it to the surface of the continuous paper 10 can be used. Specifically, by applying the ink to the continuous paper 10 in advance without unevenness, the water content of the ink can be quickly permeated into the continuous paper 10, the color components can be thickened, and the drying can be accelerated. Fixing agents (setting agents) that can prevent (feathering, bleeding, etc.) and strikethrough and increase productivity (number of images output per unit time) can be cited.

  The treatment liquid is composed of, for example, celluloses that promote the penetration of moisture with respect to a surfactant (any of anionic, cationic, or nonionic, or a mixture of two or more of them). A solution or the like to which a base such as (hydroxypropylcellulose) and talc fine powder are added can be used. Further, fine particles can be contained.

  The liquid application device 200 includes a storage container (supply pan) 202 storing the processing liquid 201, an application roller 203, a first aperture roller 204, a second aperture roller 205, a pressure bracket 206, and a pressure roller 207. And

  The application roller 203 is a member that pumps up the processing liquid 201 from the storage container 202 and applies the processing liquid 201 to the continuous paper 10. A part of the application roller 203 is immersed in the processing liquid 201 in the storage container 202 and is rotated in the direction of the arrow, thereby pumping up the processing liquid 201 and supporting it on the peripheral surface. In the present embodiment, the application roller 203 also serves as a pumping roller, and therefore, the liquid application device 200 also serves as a liquid supply device.

  The first squeezing roller 204 and the second squeezing roller 205 come into contact with the peripheral surface of the application roller 203 and handle (squeeze) the processing liquid 201 carried on the peripheral surface of the application roller 203 to form a thin film. In this embodiment, the first squeezing roller 204 and the second squeezing roller 205 have the same diameter and are arranged concentrically with respect to the center O of the application roller 203. The aperture rollers 205 may have different diameters. Further, three or more aperture rollers can be arranged.

  Here, the first squeezing roller 204 and the second squeezing roller 205 are held by a pressure bracket 206 which is the same holding member, and are arranged along the peripheral surface of the application roller 203. The pressure bracket 206 is urged in the direction of the arrow toward the peripheral surface of the application roller 203, and the first aperture roller 204 and the second aperture roller 205 are pressed against the peripheral surface of the application roller 203. In this manner, by holding the plurality of squeezing rollers on the same pressure bracket, the squeezing force (pressing force) between the plurality of squeezing rollers can be made uniform.

  The pressure roller 207 is urged in the direction of the arrow toward the peripheral surface of the application roller 203 and is pressed with a constant pressing force. For example, in the case of a continuous body such as the continuous paper 10, since the continuous body can be pressed against the peripheral surface of the application roller 203 by the tension of the continuous body, the pressure roller 207 may not be provided.

  Here, the application roller 203, the first squeezing roller 204, the second squeezing roller 205, and the pressure roller 207 are rotating in the directions indicated by arrows. The continuous paper 10 is transported in the transport direction.

  In the liquid coating apparatus 200, the processing liquid 201 is pumped from the storage container pan 202 by the rotation of the coating roller 203, and is carried on the peripheral surface of the coating roller 203 in a liquid film state.

  Then, at the nip portion between the application roller 203 and the first squeezing roller 204 and at the nip portion between the application roller 203 and the second squeezing roller 205, the film is uniformly extended (squeezed) to be thin.

  Thereafter, the processing liquid 201 thinned on the application roller 203 is applied to the continuous paper 10 at a nip portion between the application roller 203 and the pressure roller 207.

  As described above, since a plurality of squeezing rollers are arranged along the peripheral surface of the pumping roller (which also serves as the application roller in the present embodiment), even when a plurality of squeezing rollers are arranged to increase the squeezing force, the apparatus can be used. Can be reduced in size. This makes it possible to increase the drawing force while suppressing an increase in the size of the apparatus.

  In the treatment liquid application device 12 of the present embodiment, a reservoir tank 224 of a substantially closed system is connected to the storage container 202 via a retreat path 225. When the electromagnetic valve 226 provided in the evacuation route 225 that connects the reservoir tank 224 and the storage container 202 is opened, the processing liquid 20 in the storage container 202 flows out of the storage container 202 due to the head difference, and the evacuation route 225 Through the reservoir tank 224. Thus, during standby or the like, the processing liquid 201 in the storage container 202 is transferred to the reservoir tank 224 to suppress an increase in viscosity.

  The timing at which the electromagnetic valve 226 is opened is such that, for example, the printing process is stopped for a longer time (for example, one hour or more) than the normal work time between print jobs such as changing the continuous paper 10 and changing the print pattern. In this case, a waiting time for filling the storage container 202 with the processing liquid 201 is prevented from occurring each time printing is stopped.

  Further, since the electromagnetic valve 226 is opened when power is not supplied, when the power of the processing liquid application device 12 is cut off, the processing liquid 201 stored in the storage container 202 is transferred to the reservoir tank 224. Is done. Such a configuration prevents the processing liquid 201 from being stored in the storage container 202 for a long time without being used.

  In addition, if the processing liquid 201 is not used in the reservoir tank 224 for a long time (for example, several tens of days or more), the viscosity of the processing liquid 201 will increase. Therefore, when the processing liquid 20 has not been used in the reservoir tank 224 for a certain period of time or more, the processing liquid 201 in the reservoir tank 224 is discharged to the waste liquid tank 221 by the waste liquid pump 222, thereby maintaining the freshness of the processing liquid 201. Dripping.

  Further, a circulation path 228 branched from the evacuation path 225 is provided. The circulation path 228 includes an upstream circulation path 228a that leads the evacuation path 225 to the filter 227, and a downstream circulation path 228b that leads from the filter 227 to the three-way valve 233. An electromagnetic valve 232 is provided upstream of the filter 227 in the circulation path 228a.

  The filter 227 removes paper dust or the like staying in the storage container 202 and prevents the processing liquid 201 from becoming a paste. Note that paper dust and the like staying in the storage container 202 are generated when the continuous paper 10 is slid and moved by the application roller 203 and the pressure roller 207.

  When the treatment liquid 201 is being applied to the continuous paper 10 by the liquid application device 200, a part of the treatment liquid 201 in the storage container 202 is circulated from the evacuation path 225 by opening the electromagnetic valve 232. The paper is sent to the filter 227 through the 228a, and the paper powder and the like contained in the processing liquid 201 are removed.

  When the three-way valve 233 connects the filter 227 to the storage container 202 and the supply pump 230 is driven, the processing liquid 201 from which paper dust or the like has been removed by the filter 227 is stored in the storage container 202 by the supply pump 230. Re-supplied to.

  The supply of the processing liquid 201 to the storage container 202 is performed from a reservoir tank 224 or a cartridge 229 or 238 which is a supply unit.

  The reservoir tank 224 is provided with a sensor 210 for detecting the remaining amount of the processing liquid 201 in the reservoir tank 224.

  When the sensor 210 detects that the remaining amount of the processing liquid 201 in the reservoir tank 224 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the solenoid valve 236 is opened. When the solenoid valve 236 is opened, the processing liquid 201 stored in the reservoir tank 224 is passed from the circulation supply path 235 that connects the reservoir tank 224 and the filter 227 to the filter 227.

  Then, the three-way valve 233 is brought into a state where the filter 227 and the storage container 202 communicate with each other, and when the supply pump 230 is driven, the processing liquid 201 passed through the filter 227 is supplied to the storage container 202 by the supply pump 230. You.

  On the other hand, when the sensor 210 detects that the processing liquid 201 in the reservoir tank 224 is less than the predetermined amount, the supply is performed from one of the cartridges 229 and 238.

  For example, when the supply is performed from the cartridge 229, the electromagnetic valve 234 is opened, the three-way valve 233 is brought into a state in which the cartridge 229 communicates with the storage container 202, and the supply pump 230 is driven. Then, the processing liquid 201 in the cartridge 229 is supplied to the storage container 202 by the supply pump 230 through the path 231.

  A remaining amount sensor 223 for detecting the presence or absence of the processing liquid 201 in the cartridges 229 and 238 is provided on the path 231.

  For example, when it is detected that there is no processing liquid 201 in the cartridge 229, the control is switched to supply from the cartridge 238. As a result, the electromagnetic valve 237 is opened, and the processing liquid 20 stored in the cartridge 238 is supplied to the storage container 202 by the supply pump 230 through the path 231.

  Meanwhile, the cartridge 229 that has reached the end of the processing liquid is replaced with a new cartridge 229. As described above, with the configuration in which a plurality of cartridges can be mounted, the cartridges can be replaced without stopping the operation of the processing liquid application device 12. In this embodiment, the case where two cartridges 229 and 238 are mounted is described as an example. However, this is an example, and three or more cartridges may be mounted.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view of the liquid application device according to the same embodiment.

  The liquid application apparatus 200 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that applies liquid to the cut sheet material 110.

  The first squeezing roller 204A is constituted by a cooling roller, and the second squeezing roller 205A is constituted by a heating roller. At this time, the second squeezing roller 205A, which is a heating roller, is located downstream of the first squeezing roller 204A, which is a cooling roller, in the rotation direction (the direction of the arrow) of the application roller 203, which is a pumping roller.

  Accordingly, the second squeezing roller 205A, which is a heating roller, can be relatively separated from the processing liquid 201 in the storage container 202 more than the cooling roller (the first squeezing roller 204A), and the quality of the processing liquid 201 can be changed by heat. Deterioration and the like can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid is applied to the carted sheet material 110, but the liquid can be applied to a continuous body such as the continuous paper 10 as in the first embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the two squeezing rollers are a cooling roller and a heating roller. However, a configuration in which at least one of a cooling roller and a heating roller is included in a plurality of squeezing rollers may be employed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of the liquid application device according to the same embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a pumping roller 208 is disposed between the application roller 203 and the storage container 202.

  A first squeezing roller 204 and a second squeezing roller 205 are arranged in contact with the pumping roller 208 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As described in the second embodiment, the first squeezing roller 204 and the second squeezing roller 205 may be at least one of a cooling roller and a heating roller.

  In the present embodiment, the pumping roller 208, the first squeezing roller 204, and the second squeezing roller 205 constitute a liquid supply device 250 that supplies the processing liquid 201 from the squeezing roller 208 to the application roller 203.

  The member to which the liquid is applied may be, for example, a continuous body such as continuous paper, roll paper, or a web, a cut sheet material, or a sheet for an electronic circuit board such as a wallpaper or a prepreg.

  Also, in addition to recording images such as characters and figures with a liquid such as ink, an image having no meaning such as a pattern is applied to the member to be coated with a liquid such as ink for the purpose of decoration and decoration. May do it.

  In the present application, the liquid to be applied is not particularly limited, but preferably has a viscosity of 30 mPa · s or less at normal temperature and normal pressure or by heating and cooling. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, coloring agents such as dyes and pigments, functionalizing materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , Edible materials such as natural pigments, and the like, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and the like. These include, for example, ink-jet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements, and formation of resist patterns for electronic circuits. Liquid, three-dimensional modeling material liquid, and the like.

  When a liquid ejection head is used as the liquid applying means, a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a piezoelectric actuator (laminated piezoelectric element and thin film piezoelectric element) or a heating resistor as an energy source for ejecting the liquid, One using an electrostatic actuator composed of a plate and a counter electrode is included.

  Printing in the present application has the same meaning as image formation, recording, printing, printing and the like.

1 printing device (device that discharges liquid)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 carrying-in means 12 pre-processing means 13 printing means 14 discharging means 100 coating device 201 processing liquid 202 storage container 203 coating roller 204 first squeezing roller 205 second squeezing roller 206 pressure bracket 207 pressure roller (pressure member)
208 Pumping roller

Claims (8)

A storage container for storing a liquid,
A pumping roller for pumping the liquid in the storage container,
A plurality of squeezing rollers that contact a peripheral surface of the pumping roller. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of squeezing rollers is a heating roller. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of squeezing rollers is a cooling roller. The plurality of squeezing rollers include a heating roller and a cooling roller,
The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heating roller is disposed downstream of the cooling roller in a rotation direction of the pumping roller. 5. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of squeezing rollers are held by the same holding member. A liquid application device comprising the liquid supply device according to claim 1. The liquid application device according to claim 6, wherein the pumping roller also serves as an application roller. An apparatus for discharging a liquid, comprising: the liquid supply device according to claim 1; or the liquid application device according to claim 6.

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