JP2020195957A - Electrostatic ejection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electrostatic ejection apparatus which can suppress occurrence of dripping.SOLUTION: An electrostatic ejection apparatus includes a cartridge having a liquid storage part storing a liquid and an ejection part ejecting the liquid and an electrostatic ejection body that allows a cartridge to inserted and removed thereto/therefrom, applies a voltage to the liquid by the electrostatic ejection body and ejects the liquid, in which the electrostatic ejection body is configured so that an ejection part axis in the ejection direction of the ejection part is an upward direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an electrostatic ejection device.

Conventionally, an electrostatic ejection device that ejects a liquid by electrostatic force is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a motor, a high voltage generator, a battery, etc. are provided inside a housing made to a size that can be held by the user, and electrostatic charging is performed by a high voltage from the high voltage generator. Described is an electrostatic spraying device that ejects a (electrostatically charged) liquid composition from a nozzle toward an object.

Special Table 2007-521941

In a handheld type electrostatic ejection device that the user holds and uses by hand, the user places the electrostatic ejection device on a flat surface (top surface of table, top surface of table, top surface of box, etc.) after use. To do. When the electrostatic ejection device is placed on a flat surface in this way, if the liquid composition drips from the tip of the nozzle, the dripping liquid composition causes the electrostatic ejection device to become dirty or the flat surface on which the electrostatic ejection device is placed becomes dirty. There is a possibility that problems such as stains may occur.

The present invention relates to an electrostatic ejection device capable of suppressing the occurrence of dripping.

The present invention includes a liquid accommodating portion for accommodating a liquid, a cartridge having an ejecting portion for ejecting the liquid, and an electrostatic ejection main body capable of inserting and removing the liquid accommodating portion of the cartridge. An electrostatic ejection device that applies a voltage to the liquid to eject the liquid, and when the electrostatic ejection body is placed on a horizontal plane, the ejection portion axis along the ejection direction of the ejection portion faces upward. The present invention relates to an electrostatic ejection device configured to be.

Further, the present invention includes an electrostatic ejection main body configured so that the liquid accommodating portion of a cartridge having a liquid accommodating portion for accommodating the liquid and the ejecting portion for ejecting the liquid can be inserted and removed, and the electrostatic ejection body is used. It is an electrostatic ejection device that applies a voltage to a liquid to eject the liquid, and when the electrostatic ejection body is placed on a horizontal plane, the ejection portion axis along the ejection direction of the ejection portion is upward. It relates to an electrostatic ejection device configured to be.

According to the electrostatic ejection device according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the liquid (liquid composition) from dripping when the electrostatic ejection device is placed on a horizontal plane (plane).

It is a perspective view which shows the electrostatic ejection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the electrostatic ejection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention in the state which the cap is removed. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the electrostatic ejection device main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the structure provided in the housing of the electrostatic ejection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrostatic ejection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention in a state which is placed on the horizontal plane.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the means for solving the invention. ..

[Overall configuration and operation outline of electrostatic ejector]
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the electrostatic ejection device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a cartridge 100 for accommodating a liquid and an electrostatic ejection main body 200 capable of inserting and removing the cartridge 100. There is. Further, the electrostatic ejection device 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a cap 11 attached to the electrostatic ejection main body 200, and the cap 11 is removed at the time of use (see FIG. 1B), and the cap 11 is attached after use. (See FIG. 1A).

The electrostatic ejection device 10 according to the present embodiment is a handheld type apparatus having a shape and size that can be grasped by a user, and targets a liquid composition (liquid) by an electrostatic spray method. It spouts toward an object. The electrostatic spray method is a method in which a high voltage (for example, several kV to several tens of kV) is applied to a liquid composition (for example, a solution in which a polymer compound is dissolved in a volatile solvent) to electrostatically charge the liquid composition. This is a method of charging (electrostatically charging) and ejecting the liquid composition toward the object by an electrostatic force based on a potential difference between the charged liquid composition and the object. The liquid composition ejected by the electrostatic spray method is sent out toward the object in the form of an ultrafine thread. The ejected liquid composition is coated on the surface of the object by the process of being ejected toward the object after being ejected and by drying the solvent which is a volatile substance after adhering to the object. Can be formed. The electrostatic spinning device 10 according to the present embodiment can also be used as an electrostatic spinning device that ejects a solution containing a raw material for electrostatic spinning, that is, a spinning liquid, toward an object.

When, for example, a solution containing a volatile substance, a water-insoluble polymer for fiber formation, and water is adopted as the liquid composition, the user holds the electrostatic ejection device 10 in his hand and uses this liquid composition on the user's skin. By ejecting toward, a film can be formed on the surface of the user's skin. The coating is a deposit containing fibers.

Specifically, as the liquid composition for spinning used in the electrostatic spinning apparatus, for example, a solution in which a polymer compound capable of forming fibers is dissolved in a solvent can be used. As such a polymer compound, either a water-soluble polymer compound or a water-insoluble polymer compound can be used.

When a water-insoluble polymer compound is used, the liquid composition contains 50% by mass or more of a volatile liquid agent selected from alcohols and ketones. A volatile liquid agent is a substance that is volatile in a liquid state. The vapor pressure of the volatile liquid agent is preferably 0.01 kPa or more and 106.66 kPa or less, more preferably 0.13 kPa or more and 66.66 kPa or less, and 0.67 kPa or more and 40.00 kPa or less at 20 ° C. It is more preferably 1.33 kPa or more, and even more preferably 40.00 kPa or less.

Among the volatile liquids, as the alcohol, for example, a monovalent chain fatty alcohol, a monovalent cyclic aliphatic alcohol, and a monovalent aromatic alcohol are preferably used. The chain aliphatic monohydric alcohols C ₁ -C ₆ alcohols, monohydric C ₄ -C ₆ cyclic alcohols as cyclic alcohols, benzyl aromatic alcohols monohydric alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol and the like Each is listed. Specific examples thereof include ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, n-propanol, n-pentanol and the like. As these alcohols, one kind or two or more kinds selected from these can be used.

Among the volatile liquid, as the ketone-di C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone. These ketones can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The volatile liquid agent is more preferably one or more selected from ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and butyl alcohol, and more preferably one or two selected from ethanol and butyl alcohol, and the formed fiber. From the viewpoint of feel, a volatile liquid agent containing ethanol is more preferable.

The content of the volatile liquid agent in the liquid composition is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 55% by mass or more, and further preferably 60% by mass or more. Further, it is preferably 95% by mass or less, more preferably 94% by mass or less, and further preferably 93% by mass or less. The content of the volatile liquid agent in the liquid composition is preferably 50% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, more preferably 55% by mass or more and 94% by mass or less, and 60% by mass or more and 93% by mass or less. It is more preferable to have. By containing the volatile liquid agent in the liquid composition at this ratio, the liquid composition can be sufficiently volatilized when the electrostatic spray method is performed, and a film containing fibers is formed on the surface of the skin or nails. be able to.

Further, ethanol is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 65% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the volatile liquid agent, from the viewpoint of high volatility and the feel of the formed fibers. It is more preferably 80% by mass or more. Further, it is preferably 100% by mass or less. Ethanol is preferably 50% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less, more preferably 65% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less, and 80% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the volatile liquid agent. Is even more preferable.

In addition, the liquid composition preferably contains a water-insoluble polymer for fiber formation. The water-insoluble polymer for fiber formation is a substance that can be dissolved in a volatile liquid agent. Here, "dissolving" means that the substance is in a dispersed state at 20 ° C., and the dispersed state is visually uniform, preferably visually transparent or translucent.

The water-insoluble polymer for fiber formation is a polymer that is soluble in volatile substances and insoluble in water. In the present specification, the term "water-soluble polymer" refers to 0. Of the soaked polymer after weighing 1 g of the polymer in an environment of 1 atm and 23 ° C. and then immersing it in 10 g of ion-exchanged water. A polymer having a property of 5 g or more being soluble in water. On the other hand, in the present specification, the term "water-insoluble polymer" refers to 0 of the soaked polymer after weighing 1 g of the polymer in an environment of 1 atm and 23 ° C. and then immersing it in 10 g of ion-exchanged water. A polymer having a property that 1.5 g or more does not dissolve, in other words, a polymer having a dissolution amount of less than 0.5 g.

Examples of the water-insoluble polymer having a fiber-forming ability include completely saponified polyvinyl alcohol that can be insolubilized after film formation, partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol that can be crosslinked after film formation by using a cross-linking agent, and poly (N-propanoyl ethylene). Imine) Oxazoline-modified silicone such as graft-dimethylsiloxane / γ-aminopropylmethylsiloxane copolymer, polyvinyl acetal diethylaminoacetate, zein (main component of corn protein), polyester, polylactic acid (PLA), polyacrylonitrile resin, polymethacrylic Examples thereof include acrylic resin such as acid resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, and polyamideimide resin. One or a combination of two or more selected from these water-insoluble polymers can be used. Among these water-insoluble polymers, fully saponified polyvinyl alcohol that can be insolubilized after film formation, partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol that can be crosslinked after film formation when used in combination with a cross-linking agent, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyurethane resin, polymethacrylic acid resin, etc. One selected from acrylic resin, polyvinyl acetal diethylaminoacetate, oxazoline-modified silicone such as poly (N-propanoylethyleneimine) graft-dimethylsiloxane / γ-aminopropylmethylsiloxane copolymer, polylactic acid (PLA), zein, or It is preferable to use two or more kinds. Among these water-insoluble polymers, partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol, completely saponified polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral resin, polymethacrylic resin, and polyurethane resin are more preferable, and partially saponified polyvinyl is preferable from the viewpoint of dispersibility in an alcohol solvent and the feel of fibers. Alcohol, completely saponified polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinyl butyral resin are more preferable, and a film containing fibers can be stably and efficiently formed on the surface of the skin or nails, the durability of the film, the formability of the film, and the skin. Polyvinyl butyral resin is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of achieving both followability and durability.

The content of the water-insoluble polymer for fiber formation in the liquid composition is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more, and further preferably 5% by mass or more. Further, it is preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 25% by mass or less, and further preferably 20% by mass or less. The content of the water-insoluble polymer for fiber formation in the liquid composition is preferably 1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, and 5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less. The following is more preferable. By containing the water-insoluble polymer for fiber formation in the liquid composition at this ratio, a fibrous film can be stably and efficiently formed.

In addition, the liquid composition preferably contains water. Since water is ionized and charged as compared with a non-ionizing solvent such as ethanol, it is possible to impart conductivity to the liquid composition. Therefore, a fibrous film is stably formed on the surface of the skin and nails by electrostatic spraying. In addition, water contributes to the improvement of adhesion of the film formed by the electrostatic spray to the skin and nails, the improvement of durability, and the appearance. From the viewpoint of obtaining these effects, water is preferably contained in the liquid composition in an amount of 0.2% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, and has a high humidity. Also in the environment, 0.4% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less is more preferable from the viewpoint of the formability of the fibrous film.

The liquid composition may further contain other components. Other components include, for example, polyols, liquid oils, plasticizers for water-insoluble polymers for fiber formation, conductivity control agents for liquid compositions, water-soluble polymers, coloring pigments, powders such as extender pigments, dyes, fragrances, and repellents. , Antioxidants, stabilizers, preservatives, various vitamins and the like. When other components are contained in the liquid composition, the content ratio of the other components is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and 0.5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less. Is even more preferable.

In addition, glycols can be included in the liquid composition. Examples of the glycol include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and the like. From the viewpoint of sufficiently volatilizing the volatile liquid agent when performing the electrostatic spray method, from the viewpoint of fiber forming property, and from the viewpoint of the feel of the formed fibers, 10% by mass or less is preferable in the liquid composition, and 3% by mass or less. Is more preferable, 1% by mass or less is preferable, and substantially no substance is contained.

The viscosity of the liquid composition is 25 ° C. from the viewpoint of stably forming a fibrous film, the spinnability at the time of electrostatic spraying, the improvement of the durability of the film, and the improvement of the feel of the film. 2 mPa · s or more and 3000 mPa · s or less is preferable, 10 mPa · s or more and 1500 mPa · s or less is more preferable, 15 mPa · s or more and 1000 mPa · s or less is further preferable, and 15 mPa · s or more and 800 mPa · s or less is further preferable. The viscosity of the liquid composition is measured at 25 ° C. using an E-type viscometer. As the E-type viscometer, for example, an E-type viscometer (VISCONICEMD) manufactured by Tokyo Keiki Co., Ltd. can be used. In that case, the measurement conditions were 25 ° C., and the rotor No. of the cone plate. 43. An appropriate rotation speed is selected according to the viscosity, and the viscosity of 500 mPa · S or more is 5 rpm, the viscosity of 150 mPa · S or more and less than 500 mPa · S is 10 rpm, and the viscosity of less than 150 mPa · S is 20 rpm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrostatic ejection body 200 includes a housing 210 and a cover 250 attached to the housing 210. A cartridge 100 and a cover 250 are removable from the housing 210.

The housing 210 and the cover 250 are made of an insulating material, that is, a material having a property of being difficult to conduct electricity. The term "insulating property" or "difficult to conduct electricity" as used herein means having a volume resistivity (ASTM D257, JIS K6911) exceeding, for example, 10 ¹² Ωm. Examples of the insulating material used for the housing 210 and the cover 250 include an insulating organic material such as a synthetic resin, an insulating inorganic material such as glass or ceramic, and the like. As the insulating organic material, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyacetal, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), monomer cast nylon and the like can be used. On the other hand, the conductive material, a material having a property of easily conduct electricity, that is, for example, shall mean a material having a 10 ^-2 [Omega] m or less in volume resistivity.

[Cartridge configuration]
The cartridge 100 is a disposable container that is replaceably attached to a device to which a liquid is supplied, and its intended use is not particularly limited. However, in the present embodiment, the electrostatic used in the electrostatic spinning device is used. It is a cartridge for spinning equipment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge 100 has a liquid storage bag (liquid storage unit) 110 capable of storing a liquid and a ejection unit 120 for ejecting the liquid in the liquid storage bag 110. There is.

The liquid storage bag 110 is a flat bag-shaped airtight container formed by stacking two sheets of the same shape and the same size and joining the peripheral edges of the two sheets, and the liquid composition is stored therein. ..

Each sheet body is composed of a laminated body including an inner layer forming an inner surface when formed into a bag shape, an outer layer forming an outer surface, and a barrier layer arranged between the inner layer and the outer layer. An arbitrary layer, for example, an adhesive layer such as a PET film, may be further provided between the inner layer and the outer layer.

The inner layer is preferably formed of a sealant layer that is resistant to the liquid composition to be contained and has a sealant effect (heat-sealing property). Specifically, unstretched polypropylene (CPP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), blend of LDPE and LLDPE, medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), metallocene polyethylene. , Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer film (EVA) and the like can be used. Among them, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and a blend of LDPE and LLDPE are preferable. The thickness of the inner layer is preferably 30 μm or more, and more preferably 40 μm or more. The thickness of the inner layer is preferably 150 μm or less, and more preferably 80 μm or less.

The outer layer is made of a material having higher mechanical strength than the inner layer. Examples of the outer layer material include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), stretched polypropylene (OPP), stretched nylon (ONy), and the like. Among them, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is preferable. The thickness of the outer layer is preferably 10 μm or more, and more preferably 15 μm or more. The thickness of the outer layer is preferably 30 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or less. The outer layer may have a printing layer at the interface with the barrier layer. The print layer is usually formed by an ink containing a colorant as a main component, which is easily dissolved in a highly volatile solvent liquid composition.

The barrier layer is formed of a material capable of suppressing the permeation of the liquid composition in the liquid storage bag 110 into the outer layer. As the barrier layer, for example, an aluminum sheet can be used. The thickness of the aluminum sheet is preferably 5 μm or more, and more preferably 7 μm or more. The thickness of the aluminum sheet is preferably 15 μm or less, and more preferably 9 μm or less.

As the barrier layer, aluminum, aluminum oxide, silica, indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin dioxide (SnO ₂ ), etc. are deposited on a resin film such as a PET film or polypropylene (PP) film. A vapor-deposited film can also be used. The thickness of the resin film is preferably 10 μm or more, and more preferably 15 μm or more. The thickness of the resin film is preferably 30 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or less.

The resin film and the material of the thin-film deposition layer can be appropriately combined to form a thin-film deposition film. Of these, it is preferable to use a PET film as the resin film and aluminum as the vapor deposition layer.

Since the barrier layer can suppress the evaporation of the liquid composition (volatile liquid solvent), it is possible to suppress the precipitation of the polymer or the like dissolved in the liquid composition, and effectively stabilize the contents. Can be improved. Further, when an aluminum sheet or a thin-film deposition film is used for the barrier layer, the contents can be effectively protected because the barrier layer itself has a light-shielding property. Further, since it is not necessary to impart light-shielding property to the print layer, the number of colors that can be used for printing can be increased. Further, since it has gloss, the design can be improved.

The liquid storage bag 110 can be deformed according to the amount of the liquid composition contained. That is, when the liquid composition is sufficiently contained, the liquid storage bag 110 has a bulging shape that bulges outward, but as the amount of the liquid composition contained decreases, the amount of swelling gradually decreases. Eventually, it becomes flat. It is also possible to use a cylinder-type liquid storage unit instead of the liquid storage bag 110.

The ejection portion 120 has a mounting body 121, a connecting body 122, and a nozzle 123, and is formed of a conductive resin (for example, a resin containing carbon) in the present embodiment. Here, the "electrically conductive resin" include a conductive material such as metal or carbon, also low electrical resistance, electrical good flow easily resin, for example, a resin having the following volume resistivity of 10 ^-2 [Omega] m It means that. Further, as the resin, for example, PP (polypropylene) resin, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PE (polyethylene) resin, POМ (polyacetal) resin and the like are resistant to solvents such as ethanol. A solvent-based resin can be used.

The mounting body 121 has a flow path, a pump (for example, a gear pump), and a small electrode inside the mounting body 121. The flow path is a flow path through which the liquid composition is circulated. The pump is arranged in the middle of the flow path, and when driven, the liquid composition is sucked and circulated in the flow path. The small electrode additionally electrostatically charges the liquid composition flowing in the flow path. Although details will be described later, the main electrostatic charge is performed in the housing 210. The connecting body 122 is mechanically connected to the liquid containing bag 110 and communicates with the inside of the liquid containing bag 110 to guide the liquid composition in the liquid containing bag 110 to the flow path of the mounting body 121. The nozzle 123 is integrally formed with the mounting body 121, has a ejection hole 123a at the tip thereof, and has a linear nozzle flow path connecting the ejection hole 123a and the flow path of the mounting body 121. .. The nozzle 123 may be a separate body from the mounting body 121.

Although the details will be described later, the charged liquid composition is ejected from the ejection hole 123a after passing through the linear nozzle flow path formed in the nozzle 123. The axis along the direction in which the liquid composition is ejected from the nozzle 123, that is, the axis passing through the linear nozzle passage and the ejection hole 123a provided in the nozzle 123 is referred to as a nozzle shaft (spouting portion axis) A. ..

In the present embodiment, the liquid storage bag 110 is connected to the ejection portion 120 by the connecting body 122, and this connection position is deviated from the position of the ejection portion 120 through which the nozzle shaft A passes.

[Housing configuration and operation]
The housing 210 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 has a shape and size that can be grasped by a user. Specifically, the housing 210 has a flat shape, that is, a shape in which a cross section orthogonal to the nozzle axis A has a long axis and a short axis. Further, the housing 210 has a length in the direction along the nozzle axis of, for example, 3 cm or more and 11 cm or less. In the housing 210, a storage space 220 (see FIG. 2) capable of accommodating the liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 is formed, and a charging structure for electrostatically charging the liquid composition and the like. , A drive unit for driving the pump provided in the mounting body 121 and the like are arranged. Details of the charging structure, the driving unit, and the like, the surface shape of the housing 210, and the like will be described later.

In the present specification, the surface on which the cover 250 is mounted is referred to as "tip surface S1" on the surface of the housing 210. Further, of the tip surface S1, the outer peripheral edge portion with which the contact edge portion 252 described later of the cover 250 comes into contact is referred to as "peripheral edge 221". Hereinafter, the structure applied to the tip surface S1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip surface S1 is a substantially elliptical surface surrounded by an elliptical peripheral edge 221. An insertion hole 223 is formed in the tip surface S1 in a state substantially parallel to the long axis of the ellipse. The insertion hole 223 communicates with the storage space 220 in the housing 210, and the liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 has a shape and size that allows the liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 to be inserted and removed from the storage space 220 through the insertion hole 223. ing. In the present embodiment, the insertion hole 223 and the accommodation space 220 are formed not at the central position of the ellipse but at a position close to a part of the peripheral edge 221. That is, the insertion hole 223 and the accommodating space 220 are formed at positions deviated from the position (arrangement position of the nozzle 123) through which the nozzle shaft A of the ejection portion 120 passes, whereby the liquid accommodating in the accommodating space 220 is accommodated. The bag 110 is biased toward one contact surface S31 (or S33). In the housing 210 according to the present embodiment, the insertion hole 223 and the accommodation space 220 are biased toward one contact surface S31 (or S33) in this way, so that the housing 210 is located on the other contact surface S33 (or S31) side. It is possible to secure a wide storage space for the charged structure, drive unit, and the like.

On the tip surface S1, a first engaging step portion 224 is formed along the peripheral edge 221 thereof, and a second engaging step portion 225 is formed on the inner peripheral side of the first engaging step portion 224. Has been done. The cap 11 is detachably attached to the housing 210 by fitting the opening edge portion 11a (see FIG. 1B) into the first engaging step portion 224. The cover 250 has a contact edge portion 252 (see FIG. 2), which is a portion along one of the openings 251, fitted into the second engaging step portion 225, so that the cover 250 becomes a portion along the peripheral edge 221 of the housing 210. It is detachably attached.

A mount recess 226 is formed on the tip surface S1. The mount recess 226 has a shape that holds the mounting body 121 in an aligned state when the mounting body 121 of the cartridge 100 is fitted. Therefore, when the liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 is inserted into the storage space 220 through the insertion hole 223 and the mounting body 121 is closely fitted into the mount recess 226 to hold the position, the cartridge 100 is housed. It is accurately mounted in the specified position of 210.

A charging structure, a driving unit, and the like provided in the housing 210 will be described with reference to FIG. A main power supply operation unit 241 and an operation operation unit 242 are attached to the housing 210 so that they can be operated from the outside of the housing 210. Inside the housing 210, a power supply unit 243, a high voltage generation unit 244, an electrode 245, an output terminal 246, and a drive unit 247 are provided.

The electrode 245 is composed of two conductive plates (metal plate or the like). The two conductive plates are arranged so as to face each other with the accommodation space 220 sandwiched between them. Therefore, when the liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 is housed in the storage space 220 via the insertion hole 223 and the cartridge 100 is accurately mounted at the specified position of the housing 210, the liquid storage bag 110 constitutes the electrode 245. Occupy the position between the two conductive plates. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the electrode 245 is formed of a bag-shaped conductor and the liquid storage bag 110 housed in the storage space 220 of the housing 210 is wrapped by the bag-shaped electrode 245. ..

Here, the operation performed by operating the main power supply operation unit 241 and the operation operation unit 242 will be described. As a premise of this operation, it is assumed that the states (a), (b) and (c) shown below are satisfied. Although it is in the state of (c) in normal use, even if it is not in the state of (c), it is possible to perform an operation based on the operation by the main power supply operation unit 241 and the operation operation unit 242.
(A) The liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 is housed in the storage space 220 via the insertion hole 223, and the cartridge 100 is accurately mounted at the specified position of the housing 210.
(B) According to the above (a), the liquid storage bag 110 is occupied at a position between the two conductive plates constituting the electrode 245.
(C) The cover 250 is mounted on the housing 210 (see FIG. 1B).

In the state of (a) above, the output terminal 246 is electrically connected to a small electrode provided in the mounting body 121 of the cartridge 100. Further, the drive unit 247 is mechanically connected to a pump provided in the mounting body 121 of the cartridge 100.

When the main power supply operation unit 241 is turned off (OFF), power is not supplied from the power supply unit 243 to the high voltage generation unit 244 and the drive unit 247. Therefore, the high voltage is not generated from the high voltage generating unit 244, and the driving unit 247 is not driven. Therefore, if the main power supply operation unit 241 is turned off, even if the user mistakenly operates the operation operation unit 242, the liquid composition contained in the liquid storage bag 110 will not be electrostatically charged. No liquid composition is ejected.

The operation operation unit 242 is composed of, for example, a switch capable of switching between an on (ON) state and an off (OFF) state.

If the operation operation unit 242 is turned ON while the main power supply operation unit 241 is in the ON state, power is supplied from the power supply unit 243 to the high voltage generation unit 244 and the drive unit 247. Then, the drive unit 247 is driven to generate a rotational force, and this rotational force is transmitted to the pump provided in the mounting body 121 of the cartridge 100, and the pump is driven. By driving the pump, the liquid composition in the liquid storage bag 110 is sucked to the ejection portion 120 side. Further, the high voltage generating unit 244 generates a positive high voltage (for example, several kV to several tens of kV), and sends the generated high voltage to the electrode 245 and the output terminal 246. When a high voltage is applied to the electrode 245, the liquid composition contained in the liquid storage bag 110 is electrostatically charged. The output terminal 246 sends a high voltage to a small electrode provided in the mounting body 121 of the cartridge 100. When a high voltage is applied to the small electrode, the liquid composition circulating in the mounting body 121 is additionally electrostatically charged. When the liquid composition electrostatically charged in this way flows from the liquid storage bag 110 into the ejection portion 120 and reaches the ejection hole 123a of the nozzle 123, it is based on the potential difference between the charged liquid composition and the object. Due to the electrostatic force, the liquid composition is ejected toward the object. After that, when the operation operation unit 242 is turned off, the ejection of the liquid composition is stopped.

In addition to the main power supply operation unit 241 and the operation operation unit 242, the housing 210 is provided with a changeover switch (not shown) that can adjust the ejection amount of the liquid composition in multiple stages (for example, three stages of large / medium / small). It may have been.

In the above example, the operation operation unit 242 is a switch that selects only two states of ON / OFF, but is not limited to this, for example, it is turned on (ON) by pushing it in and turned off when it is stopped. It may be a switch that can return to (OFF) and change the pushing amount in the ON state. When the operation operation unit 242 is a switch capable of changing the pushing amount in the ON state, it is possible to adjust the ejection amount of the liquid composition ejected from the nozzle 123 by changing the pushing amount. There may be. That is, as the pushing amount of the operation operation unit 242 is increased, the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 243 to the drive unit 247 increases, and the rotation speed of the drive unit 247 increases. Then, the rotation speed of the gear pump 133 provided in the mounting body 121 increases, and the amount of the liquid composition sucked (inflowing) from the liquid storage bag 110 toward the ejection portion 120 increases and is ejected. The amount of liquid composition ejected also increases. On the other hand, when the pushing amount of the operation operation unit 242 is reduced, the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 243 to the drive unit 247 decreases, and the rotation speed of the drive unit 247 decreases. Then, the rotation speed of the gear pump 133 provided in the mounting body 121 is reduced, the amount of the liquid composition sucked (inflowing) from the liquid storage bag 110 toward the ejection portion 120 is reduced, and the liquid composition is ejected. The amount of liquid composition ejected is also reduced.

[Cover configuration]
The cover 250 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1B and 2. The cover 250 has one opening 251 and the other opening 253, and has a tubular shape in which the opening area is narrowed from one opening 251 toward the other opening 253. Therefore, one opening 251 is wider than the other opening 253. The portion of the cover 250 along the opening 251 is the contact edge portion 252. The cover 250 is attached to the housing 210 by fitting the contact edge portion 252 to the second engaging step portion 225 of the housing 210. When the cover 250 is mounted on the housing 210 to which the cartridge 100 is mounted, the nozzle 123 penetrates the other opening 253 of the cover 250 and the ejection hole 123a faces the outside of the cover 250. That is, the cover 250 is configured to allow the liquid composition to be ejected from the ejection portion 120 even if it is attached to the housing 210.

[Housing surface shape, etc.]
The surface shape and the like of the housing 210 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 4. The housing 210 has a front end surface S1 which is a surface on which the liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 is inserted / removed, a rear end surface S2 which is a surface opposite to the front end surface S1, and a front end surface S1 and a rear end surface S2. It has a peripheral surface S3 arranged between and.

The peripheral surface S3 is configured to include two opposing contact surfaces S31 and S33 and two opposing curved surfaces S32 and S34. That is, in the peripheral surface S3, the curved surface S32 is arranged next to the contact surface S31, the contact surface S33 is arranged next to the curved surface S32, and the curved surface S34 is arranged next to the contact surface S33 along the circumferential direction. , The contact surface S31 is arranged next to the curved surface S34. The "contact surface" refers to a surface including a portion that comes into contact with the horizontal plane H when the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H. Further, the "circumferential direction" means a waist circumference direction centered on the nozzle shaft A.

The curved surfaces S32 and S34 are narrower in the circumferential direction than the contact surfaces S31 and S33, and are largely curved outward in the radial direction centered on the nozzle shaft A. That is, in the present embodiment, the contact surfaces S31 and S33 and the curved surfaces S32 and S34 are both curved outward in the radial direction about the nozzle axis A, and the radius of curvature of the curved surfaces S32 and S34. Is smaller than the radius of curvature of the contact surfaces S31 and S33. Further, in the present embodiment, the two contact surfaces S31 and S33 have a shape (tail narrowing shape) in which the distance between the two contact surfaces S31 and S33 gradually narrows from the front end surface S1 side to the rear end surface S2 side. Have. In other words, the contact surfaces S31 and S33 are inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the nozzle shaft A so as to expand in the ejection direction.

The curved surfaces S32 and S34 are narrower in the circumferential direction than the contact surfaces S31 and S33, and are greatly curved toward the outside. Therefore, when the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H, FIG. 4 shows. As shown, it is placed in a state where any one of the contact surfaces S31 and S33 is in contact with the horizontal plane H. In the example of FIG. 4, the electrostatic ejection device 10 is mounted in a state where the contact surface S33 is in contact with the horizontal plane H. Even if the curved surface S32 or the curved surface S34 is in contact with the horizontal plane H and the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H, the curved surfaces S32 and S34 are narrow in the circumferential direction and face outward. Since the electrostatic ejection device 10 is largely curved, the electrostatic ejection device 10 rotates around the nozzle shaft A as a rotation center axis, and shifts to a state in which any one of the contact surfaces S31 and S33 is in contact with the horizontal plane H. ..

In the present embodiment, the contact surfaces S31 and S33 become inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the nozzle shaft A as the distance between the contact surfaces S31 and S33 narrows from the front end surface S1 side toward the rear end surface S2 side. ing. Therefore, when the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H, the electrostatic ejection device 10 has the following position / orientation (state) of (α). In particular, in the present embodiment, it is placed on the horizontal plane H while maintaining the following (β) position and orientation (state).
(Α) The nozzle shaft A of the ejection portion 120 is in an upward state when viewed from the horizontal plane H.
(Β) In a state viewed from a direction parallel to the horizontal plane H and orthogonal to the nozzle axis A (that is, the state shown in FIG. 4), the angle formed by the nozzle axis A and the horizontal plane H becomes an acute angle.

In order to more reliably ensure that the position and orientation of (α), preferably the two positions and orientations of (α) and (β), are maintained, including various devices housed in the housing 210. It is effective to configure the center of gravity of the housing 210 so that it is closer to the rear end surface S2 than the center position between the front end surface S1 and the rear end surface S2. Further, by setting the position of the center of gravity in this way, there is an advantage that it is difficult to feel the weight when holding it in the hand.

In this way, the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H while maintaining the above-mentioned position and orientation of (α), preferably the above-mentioned two positions and orientations (α) and (β). The liquid composition does not drip from the ejection hole 123a of the nozzle 123 of the electrostatic ejection device 10. Therefore, even when a liquid composition having a weak surface tension is used, the occurrence of dripping can be suppressed.

Further, the electrostatic ejection device 10 has an angle formed by the nozzle shaft A and the horizontal plane H when the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H so that one of the contact surfaces S31 and S33 comes into contact with the horizontal plane H. The surface shape of the housing 210 (inclination angles of the contact surfaces S31 and S33) and the position of the center of gravity of the housing 210 are set so that the (acute angle) angle θ is 1 degree or more and 10 degrees or less, more preferably 2 degrees or more and 7 or less. It is preferable that By setting the angle θ of the angle (acute angle) formed by the nozzle shaft A and the horizontal plane H within the above range, the occurrence of dripping can be effectively suppressed, and the gripability of the device can be improved. The design can be maintained.

As described above, the liquid storage bag 110 of the cartridge 100 has a flat shape. Further, the liquid storage bag 110 is connected to the ejection portion 120 at a position deviated from the position where the nozzle shaft A passes (arrangement position of the nozzle 123) in the ejection portion 120. That is, the height positions of the liquid storage bag 110 and the ejection hole 123a of the nozzle 123 are different from each other with respect to the flat surface of the liquid storage bag 110. Therefore, when the liquid storage bag 110 is housed in the storage space 220 of the housing 210 and the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H,
(I) The flat liquid storage bag 110 is occupied at a position between the contact surface S31 and the contact surface S33 and faces the contact surfaces S31 and S33.
(Ii) The liquid storage bag 110 may be located below the ejection hole 123a of the nozzle 123, or
(Iii) The liquid storage bag 110 may be located above the ejection hole 123a of the nozzle 123.

When the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H and the state (ii) is obtained, the liquid storage bag 110 is located below the ejection hole 123a of the nozzle 123, so that the liquid is liquid. There is almost no risk of anyone occurring.

When the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H and the above state (iii) is reached, the liquid storage bag 110 is located above the ejection hole 123a of the nozzle 123. If no measures are taken, dripping may occur. However, in the present embodiment, when the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H, the surface of the housing 210 can be secured so that the two positions (α) and (β) can be held at the same time. Since the shape and the position of the center of gravity of the housing 210 are set, the occurrence of dripping can be suppressed.

[Other]
In the above embodiment, the peripheral surface S3 of the housing 210 has a four-sided structure in which contact surfaces and curved surfaces are alternately arranged in order along the circumferential direction, but the contact surface and the curved surface are arranged along the circumferential direction. It may have another surface structure such as a six-sided structure in which and are arranged alternately in order.

Further, in the above embodiment, the surface shape of the peripheral surface S3 of the housing 210 and the position of the center of gravity of the housing 210 are devised to prevent the occurrence of dripping of the liquid composition, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to or instead of the above configuration, the above-mentioned two positions (α) and (β) are simultaneously maintained by providing a protrusion on the portion of the contact surfaces S31 and S33 on the tip surface S1 side. It is also possible to suppress the occurrence of dripping of the liquid composition by making the structure possible.

Further, in the above embodiment, both the contact surface S31 and the contact surface S33 have been described as inclined surfaces, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the electrostatic ejection device is in the state of (iii) above. When the 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H, only the surface (contact surface S33) that comes into contact with the horizontal plane H may be the inclined surface. In this case, when the electrostatic ejection device 10 is placed on the horizontal plane H so as to be in the state of (ii) above, the surface (contact surface S31) that comes into contact with the horizontal plane H may be, for example, a smooth surface. ..

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to each of the above embodiments.

10: Electrostatic ejection device 100: Cartridge 110: Liquid storage bag (liquid storage part)
120: Ejection part 122: Connection body 123: Nozzle 123a: Ejection hole 200: Electrostatic ejection body 210: Housing 220: Accommodation space A: Nozzle shaft (Ejection part shaft)
H: Horizontal plane S1: Front end surface S2: Rear end surface S3: Peripheral surface S31: Contact surface S32: Curved surface S33: Contact surface S34: Curved surface

Claims (7)

A cartridge having a liquid accommodating portion for accommodating a liquid and an ejection portion for ejecting the liquid, and an electrostatic ejection main body capable of inserting and removing the liquid accommodating portion of the cartridge are provided, and a voltage is applied to the liquid by the electrostatic ejection body. It is an electrostatic ejection device that ejects the liquid by applying
The electrostatic ejection body is an electrostatic ejection device configured such that when the electrostatic ejection body is placed on a horizontal plane, the ejection portion axis along the ejection direction of the ejection portion faces upward. It is provided with an electrostatic ejection body configured so that the liquid accommodating portion of a cartridge having a liquid accommodating portion for accommodating the liquid and the ejecting portion for ejecting the liquid can be inserted and removed, and a voltage is applied to the liquid by the electrostatic ejection body. It is an electrostatic ejection device that ejects the liquid.
The electrostatic ejection body is an electrostatic ejection device configured such that when the electrostatic ejection body is placed on a horizontal plane, the ejection portion axis along the ejection direction of the ejection portion faces upward. The electrostatic ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrostatic ejection body is configured so that an angle formed by the ejection portion shaft and the horizontal plane becomes an acute angle when placed on the horizontal plane. The electrostatic ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the electrostatic ejection body is configured such that the angle formed by the ejection portion axis and the horizontal plane is 1 degree or more and 10 degrees or less. The electrostatic ejection body is between the front end surface, which is the surface on which the liquid accommodating portion is inserted and removed, the rear end surface, which is the surface opposite to the front end surface, and the front end surface and the rear end surface. Has a peripheral surface arranged in
The peripheral surface includes a contact surface including a portion that comes into contact with the horizontal surface when placed on the horizontal surface, and a curved surface that is narrower in the circumferential direction than the contact surface and is curved outward. The electrostatic ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The peripheral surface has two opposing contact surfaces and two opposing curved surfaces.
The electrostatic ejection device according to claim 5, wherein the two contact surfaces have a shape in which the distance between the two contact surfaces gradually narrows from the front end surface to the rear end surface. The electrostatic ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cartridge has a connection position of the liquid accommodating portion with respect to the ejection portion deviated from a position on the axis of the ejection portion.

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