JP6712757B2 - Polymerization equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a polymerization device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a photopolymerization device that can be suitably used for producing dentures, dental prostheses, and the like by photopolymerization.

Conventionally, as a photopolymerizer used for advancing the photopolymerization reaction of a preformed body made of a photocurable material in an uncured state, the preformed body is placed in a polymerization container, and the light source is placed in the polymerization container. A photopolymerizer that emits light is known.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an object made of a photocurable material used for a dental prosthesis or the like is cured by a light emitting diode (LED) light source, and the temperature in a light irradiation space (polymerization space) is increased. As a photopolymerizer capable of increasing its hardness (strength), "a casing, a polymerization space surrounded by a wall in the casing for polymerization, and a polymerization space in the polymerization space for polymerization. An LED light source for irradiating light and a temperature control means for heating the inside of the polymerization space are provided, and the LED light source is arranged outside the polymerization space". There is. Further, according to Patent Document 1, the photopolymerization device further includes a temperature control means for heating the inside of the polymerization space, and the temperature control means includes a cooling means for cooling the LED light source and a cooling means via the cooling means. A heat supply unit that supplies heat generated from the LED light source to the polymerization space is provided, and the polymerization space is heated by the heat generated from the LED light source. Further, the photopolymerizer has a table rotatable by a motor, and by placing a dental prosthesis or the like on the table via a dedicated attachment, uniform polymerization can be performed by rotating the attachment and the dental prosthesis or the like. It is possible.

On the other hand, in recent years, visiting medical care has attracted attention as a medical form corresponding to an aging society, and, for example, maintenance (repair) of dental prostheses such as dentures (full dentures or partial dentures), specifically, is no longer suitable. There is a demand to perform an operation of adding a photopolymerization material to the denture base of dentures to shape and harden it so that it fits in the oral cavity as part of the visiting medical examination. And the polymerization apparatus which responds to such a demand is also known. That is, in Patent Document 2, as a photopolymerization container that can be detachably provided with a light source such as a handpiece type photopolymerization device and that is easy to carry and carry, "a dental prosthesis is installed inside, and A container for photopolymerization, which includes a container that can be taken out and a light guide portion that penetrates a wall of the container so that light can pass therethrough and communicates the inside and outside of the container, is disclosed.

JP 2012-034891 JP 2012-034838 A JP-A-62-68452

The photopolymerizer disclosed in Patent Document 1 not only uses an LED having a long life as a light source but also has a temperature control means. Therefore, when polymerizing an object that requires heating during polymerization, It is advantageous. However, the temperature control means requires a Peltier element for cooling or an air passage leading to the overlapping space, and has a complicated structure, and since the table and the motor for rotating the table are mounted, the device is It becomes large. Therefore, it is hard to say that the above-mentioned polymerization device is suitable for repairing a denture during the above-mentioned visit medical treatment.

The photopolymerization container disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a merit that it is easy to carry and carry, but uses a handpiece type photopolymerization device close to a point light source (having a very small light emitting surface area) as a light source. In order to irradiate light over a wide area, it is necessary to diffuse the light using a diffusing lens or the like, and there is a problem that the intensity of light radiated per unit area of the object becomes low.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized polymerization apparatus that is easy to carry and can increase the intensity of light irradiated per unit area of an object.

In order to increase the intensity of irradiation light per unit area of the object, the present inventor uses a light source in which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged on the surface of a substrate having a relatively large area. We thought that we could solve the problem and conducted a thorough study. As a result, when a plurality of LEDs are used in a downsized device, heat generated by the LEDs causes a problem that stable operation becomes difficult, but it is used as a light source having a package with a heat sink, and a small intake air volume is used. The above problem can be solved by driving the fan and the exhaust fan in synchronism with each other and devising their arrangement to regulate the flow path so that the heated cooling air is immediately discharged to the outside of the device. I found it. However, it has been found that, depending on the type of the object, dirt adheres strongly to the inside of the device, which may make maintenance of the device difficult.

Therefore, as a result of studies to further solve the above-mentioned problems, in the device using a plurality of LEDs, the cause of the above-mentioned stain is determined, and even if stain is generated, the device is simple and low-cost. The inventors have succeeded in finding a method for maintaining the above-mentioned condition in good condition and have completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention comprises a photopolymerizable curable composition containing a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less, which is housed in the polymerization container and has a light irradiator and a polymerization container. A polymerization device for polymerizing the unpolymerized portion by irradiating the light emitted from the light irradiator to an object consisting of a member or an article having an unpolymerized portion,
The light irradiator has a light source chamber defined by a cylindrical side wall, a ceiling, and a floor having a light-transmissive window material, and the side wall is provided with an intake hole and an exhaust hole. A housing having one housing, a light emitting surface on which a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in a predetermined pattern, and a heat radiating surface to which a heat sink is joined, the light emitting surface facing the light transmissive window member; A light source assembly disposed in the light source chamber, a fan disposed in the light source chamber, and a portion of the light transmissive window member exposed to the outside of the light source chamber are replaceably covered , and have a thickness of 10 μm or more and 200 μm or more. The following light-transmissive protective film, and the light-transmissive window material in which the portion exposed to the outside of the light source chamber is covered by the light-transmissive protective film is in a vapor or liquid state in the light source chamber. It is hermetically sealed with a gasket to prevent water from entering
The polymerization container has a frustoconical shape or a substantially frustoconical shape in which the upper side is opened and the diameter is increased upward, and the inner side has a polymerization cup capable of accommodating the object and an opening at the top. A bottom cylindrical or box-shaped housing, having a second housing that detachably accommodates the polymerization cup through the opening,
The light is emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes of the light irradiator, and the light transmitted through the light transmissive window member is irradiated into the polymerization cup of the polymerization container, and by the light transmissive protective film, It is characterized in that a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less volatilized from an object is prevented from adhering to a portion of the light transmissive window material exposed to the outside of the light source chamber. It is the polymerization device.

In the polymerization apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the polymerization cup is a disposable cup having at least an inner surface thereof made of a material that reflects light emitted from the light emitting diode.

Further, in the polymerization apparatus of the present invention, from the viewpoint of downsizing of the apparatus, driving of the plurality of light emitting diodes and/or the fan is controlled by using electric power supplied from a battery or an external power source in the light source chamber. It is preferable that the control means for performing the operation be arranged.

Furthermore, in the polymerization apparatus of the present invention, the light irradiator and the polymerization container interact with each other from the viewpoint of being easy to carry and excellent in aesthetics, and the upper end periphery of the polymerization cup is the light of the light source chamber. It is preferable to have an integration mechanism that can integrate the two under the transparent window material while keeping a predetermined distance so that they can be integrated with each other. It is preferable that, when the light irradiator and the polymerization container are integrated, the contact portions of the light irradiator and the polymerization container are both made of a non-metallic material.

Since the polymerization apparatus of the present invention uses an LED as a light source, it can be made compact and easy to carry, so that it can be suitably used for repairing dentures during medical visits. Moreover, since a plurality of LEDs, such as ten LEDs, are used as the light source, it is possible to irradiate the surface of an object such as a denture preform with high intensity with light. Further, even though a plurality of LEDs are mounted in a compact device, the heat generated by these LEDs can be effectively dissipated to the outside of the device, so that the control device arranged in the device is subjected to thermal stress. Is less likely to occur, and nonuniformity due to the temperature in the polymerization container can be prevented, so that stable and highly accurate polymerization and curing can be performed.

Furthermore, the object has an unpolymerized part composed of a polymerization-curable composition containing a low-molecular-weight monofunctional polymerizable monomer component that volatilizes due to the heat of polymerization during polymerization and curing, and the component transmits light. Even if it adheres to a transparent window material or polymerization container and solidifies, the protective film and polymerization cup can be easily removed and replaced, so the time and cost of replacement are significantly greater than when replacing the window material. It becomes possible to reduce.

This figure is a perspective view of a typical polymerization apparatus of the present invention. 1. This figure is a cross-sectional view of the polymerization apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. This figure is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY' of the polymerization apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. This figure is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

The polymerization apparatus of the present invention applies light to an “object made of a member or article having an unpolymerized portion composed of a photopolymerizable curable composition containing a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less”. It is a polymerization device for polymerizing the unpolymerized portion by irradiation.

In the present invention, the object is limited to those containing "a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less". This is because the monofunctional polymerizable monomer described above "fixes firmly. This is because it is the causative substance of "contamination". That is, part of the monofunctional polymerizable monomer is vaporized and scattered by the heat of polymerization generated during photopolymerization, and the stain is generated by solidifying in a state of adhering to the surroundings, The present invention assumes that such photopolymerization of an object is frequently performed, and takes measures to facilitate maintenance of the apparatus. However, the polymerization apparatus of the present invention only needs to be used for the polymerization of the target object, and needless to say, may be used for the polymerization of the target object not containing the monofunctional polymerizable monomer.

The photopolymerizable curable composition in the object assumed as the object in the polymerization apparatus of the present invention includes a radical polymerizable monomer containing a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less, and a photopolymerization initiator. Any photopolymerizable composition can be used without particular limitation, and the photopolymerizable curable composition may contain other components such as a filler and a pigment or a dye, if necessary.

Examples of the monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less include methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl. (Meth)acrylate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate, methoxyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, n-hexyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate, 2-(meth)acryloxyethyl propionate, Examples thereof include ethoxyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate and diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate. The content of these monofunctional polymerizable monomers contained in the photopolymerizable curable composition, the contamination at the time of polymerization is likely to occur, the effect of the present invention is remarkable, the photopolymerizable curable composition It is preferably 30% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less, particularly 40% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, based on the mass (total mass) of all the polymerizable monomers in the product.

As an example of a photopolymerizable curable composition containing such a monofunctional polymerizable monomer, a so-called denture base lining material or a dental composite resin used as a photocurable composition Mention may be made of dental curable compositions. Further, the member or article to be the object may be partially formed of the photopolymerizable curable composition. Examples of such an object include a denture base of a denture formed by lining a repair lining material and a denture base formed by molding a hard resin for crown on a model or a metal frame. be able to.

Further, the light for irradiating the object is not particularly limited as long as it is light containing light having a wavelength for activating the photopolymerization initiator contained in the photopolymerization curable composition (activating light), and is used. It may be appropriately determined according to the kind of the photopolymerization activator, but usually, short-wavelength visible light or ultraviolet light is often used.

The polymerization apparatus of the present invention accommodates the specific light irradiator that emits the light (activation light) to the outside and the object inside, and the active light emitted from the light irradiator therein It has a specific polymerization container that irradiates an object to polymerize and cure it.

Hereinafter, the structure of the light irradiator and the polymerization container, and the structure of the polymerization apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the polymerization apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a light irradiator 200 and a polymerization container 300.

The light irradiator 200 has a light source chamber 220 defined by a cylindrical side wall 221, a circular ceiling 222, and a floor 223 having a circular light-transmissive window member 230. The first housing 210 has a plurality of slit-shaped intake holes 224 and exhaust holes 225. Inside the light source chamber 220, a light source assembly 240, an intake fan 250, an exhaust fan 260 and a control means 280 are arranged.

As the material of the first housing 210 (the parts other than the light-transmissive window material 230 of the side wall 221, the ceiling 222, and the floor 223), synthetic resin, metal, ceramics, etc. can be used, but industrial mass production is easy. Therefore, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyvinyl chloride ( It is preferable to use a resin material such as PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Further, the light-transmissive window member 230 is one that transmits activating light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED) 243 described later, and is particularly limited as long as the transmittance of the activating light is 80% or more. However, when the activation light is visible light or ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 500 nm, the thickness composed of materials such as glass, PC, PMMA, PET, PEN, PVC, PA and PS is 1 to 1. A plate-shaped body having a size of 10 mm, preferably 2 to 5 mm is suitably used. The area of the light-transmissive window member 230 is ²⁰ to 225 cm ² (the shape of the window is circular, from the viewpoint of being able to downsize the device and irradiating the surface of an object such as a denture with sufficient light. It is preferably about 5 to about 17 cm when expressed by the diameter in the case), and particularly preferably 50 to 170 cm ² (about 8 to about 15 cm when expressed by the diameter when the window has a circular shape). The entire surface of the floor 223 may be the light transmissive window material 230, but it is preferable that the window material can be replaced. For that purpose, an opening slightly smaller than the light transmissive window material 230 is provided in the center of the floor 223. It is preferable that the light-transmissive window member 230 is detachably fixed to the edge portion remaining outside the opening using a screw or a bolt/nut.

By detachably attaching the light-transmissive window material 230 in this manner, when the light-transmissive window material 230 is scratched due to long-term use, the light-transmissive window material 230 can be replaced. It becomes possible to maintain good light transmittance.

The polymerization apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the protective film 231 is used for the purpose of reducing the replacement frequency of the light-transmissive window material 230. As described above, the object is composed of a polymerization-curable composition containing a low-molecular-weight (specifically, a molecular weight of 200 or less) monofunctional polymerizable monomer component that volatilizes due to the heat of polymerization during polymerization-curing. When there is an unpolymerized part, the component adheres to the light transmissive window material 230. Since the deposits at this time are hardened after the deposits and cannot be easily removed, the outer surface of the light-transmissive window material 230 is protected by a protective film 231 for preventing stains when polymerizing such an object. It becomes important to coat with. That is, by using such a protective film 231, when the light transmittance is reduced due to the adhered matter, only the protective film 231 needs to be replaced, which is more time-consuming than replacement of the window material. And the cost can be significantly reduced. As such a protective film 231, the transmittance of the activating light is preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 90% or more, and its material and thickness are determined by the wavelength of the activating light and the absorbance thereof. Accordingly, the material and thickness such that the light transmittance falls within the above range may be appropriately determined. Examples of materials that can be preferably used as the protective film 231 include PE, PP, PET, PEN, PVC, PS, perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The thickness of the film is usually 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less.

By the way, in order to prevent the formation of a so-called surface unpolymerized layer which is inevitably formed due to the influence of atmospheric oxygen during polymerization, a technique of performing polymerization in a state in which an object is submerged in water or warm water is known. Also in the polymerization apparatus of the present invention (see Patent Document 3), water or warm water may be injected into the polymerization cup 310 described later. In preparation for such a case, it is preferable that a gasket 232 be interposed in the fixed portion to hermetically seal the light source chamber 220 so that steam or liquid water does not enter. The gasket 232 is not particularly limited as long as it can be hermetically sealed, but it is preferable to use an elastic seal member made of fluororubber, silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber or the like.

The light source assembly 240 includes a base body 241 having a light emitting surface 242 on which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 243 are arranged in a predetermined pattern and a heat radiating surface 244 to which a heat sink 245 is joined. The light source assembly 240 is arranged with the light emitting surface 242 facing the light transmissive window material 230, emits the active light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 243 and transmitted through the light transmissive window material 230 to the outside. It can be emitted.

The light source assembly 240 is basically the same as a so-called LED module with a heat sink, and the materials of the base body 241 and the heat sink 245, the LED (which may be packaged), and the joining method of the heat sink 245 are heat sinks. The shape and the area of the base 241 (substantially corresponding to the shape and the area of the light emitting surface 242) are the same as the shape and the area of the light transmissive window material 230, though there is no particular difference from the LED module. It is preferable. The number and arrangement pattern of the plurality of LEDs 243 arranged on the light emitting surface 242 are as uniform as possible with respect to the object according to the shape and area of the light emitting surface 242, the directivity angle (half-value angle) of each LED, and the like. It may be appropriately determined so that irradiation can be performed, but when an LED having a directivity angle (half-value angle) of 110 to 140 degrees is used, the number of unit areas of the light emitting surface 242 is 0.10 to 0.25 (pieces). /Cm ² ) is preferable.

A heat sink 245 is joined to the heat radiation surface 244 on the back side of the light emitting surface 242. The heat sink 245 is made of a metal having a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. In the heat sink 245 shown in the figure, the heat sink 245 has a plurality of heat dissipating fins 246 arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval and is adjacent to each other. A groove-shaped ventilation passage 247 is formed between the portions 246. Then, the light source assembly 240 is cooled by removing the heat generated when the LEDs are driven when the cooling air passes through the ventilation passage 247.

In addition, a fan for sending cooling air to the ventilation path 247 is installed in the light source chamber 220. The figure shows a mode in which two fans, that is, an intake fan 250 and an exhaust fan 260 are used. The cooling air is external air taken in from the intake holes 224 existing at a position facing the intake fan 250 by driving the intake fan 250, and the warmed air after use is present at a position facing the same. It is discharged to the outside through the exhaust hole 225. In the polymerization apparatus of the present invention, in the above air-cooling mechanism, an exhaust fan 260 is additionally arranged, and the intake fan 250 and the exhaust fan 260 are driven in synchronism with each other, thereby cooling without using a large fan. The air flow velocity is increased (the amount of air passing through the ventilation passage 247 is increased per unit time). Since a small fan with a small installation space can be used, even if two fans are used, they can be installed in a narrow space of the light source chamber 220, and the device can be made compact.

In addition, in the polymerization apparatus 100 of the present invention shown in the figure, the intake hole 224, the intake fan 250, the ventilation passage 247, the exhaust fan 260, and the exhaust hole 225 are arranged in a straight line so as to face one end of the ventilation passage 247. The intake fan 250 is arranged at the same time, and the exhaust fan 260 is arranged so as to face the other end of the ventilation path 247. This regulates the flow of air when driving both fans. That is, by adopting such an arrangement structure, it is difficult for the air heated by absorbing the heat from the radiation fins 246 to spread inside the light source chamber 220 except the ventilation passage 247. Therefore, the effect of improving the cooling efficiency by using the two fans together and the flow restriction can reduce the thermal stress on the devices and circuits such as the control means 280 arranged inside the light source chamber 220. The control unit 280 means a unit that controls driving of the LEDs 243, the intake fan 250, the exhaust fan 260, and the like.

As a drive source (power) of the control means 280, electric power supplied from the outside via a battery (not shown) or the external power cord port 290 is used. Then, based on information from an operation panel or various switches (not shown) attached to the first housing 210 of the light irradiator 200, and information from various sensors to be installed as necessary, Control the drive of equipment. Such switches and sensors include a main power switch, a main switch for starting irradiation, a timer switch, a selection switch, an indicator lamp, an optical sensor for controlling output, a temperature sensor, and a thermistor as a safety device. , Tilt switches, contact switches, proximity switches and the like. Further, as an example of the control method by the control means 280, as a method for controlling the irradiation time, a method of arranging a timer switch on the outer surface of the first housing 210 and performing an arbitrary adjustment, and a microcomputer is mounted on the control means 280. For example, a method of controlling the irradiation time by programming so that the light is automatically turned off 5 minutes or 10 minutes after the start of irradiation can be adopted. At this time, the programmed irradiation time can be selected by arranging a selection switch on the outer surface of the first housing 210 or by selecting the number of times the main switch is pressed. As a method for controlling the drive of the intake fan 250 and the exhaust fan 260, a method of programming and controlling so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes equal to or lower than a specified temperature, or a method of starting the drive at the same time when the light irradiation starts However, it is possible to employ a method of programming and controlling so as to continue driving for a certain time after the light is turned off.

The polymerization container 300 has a truncated cone shape or a substantially truncated cone shape in which the upper side is opened and the diameter is increased upward, and a polymerization cup 310 capable of accommodating the object is provided therein, and an opening 321 is provided at the top. A bottomed cylindrical or box-shaped housing having a second housing 320 that detachably accommodates the polymerization cup 310 through the opening 321. Then, the light (activation light) emitted from the plurality of LEDs 243 of the light irradiator 200 and transmitted through the light-transmissive window member 230 is applied to the inside of the polymerization cup 310.

It is preferable that at least the inner surface of the polymerization cup 310 is made of a material that reflects the activation light, such as aluminum, stainless steel, glass plated with metal, or transparent resin. By doing so, since the polymerization cup 310 has a truncated cone shape or a substantially truncated cone shape, a part of the light reflected on the side surface is reflected on the bottom surface and the back side of the object is also irradiated with the light. Is possible. At this time, the angle of the generatrix with respect to the perpendicular of the truncated cone shape or the substantially truncated cone shape is preferably 5 to 30 degrees (deg). Further, the upper end peripheral edge 311 of the polymerization cup 310 (the circular or substantially circular opening of the cup) is within the range of the light transmissive window material 230, and when the light transmissive window material 230 is circular, The diameter of the peripheral edge (diameter of the opening) is preferably equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the light transmissive window material 230.

As described above, in order to prevent the formation of a so-called surface unpolymerized layer which is inevitably formed by the influence of atmospheric oxygen during the polymerization, it is effective to carry out the polymerization in a state where the object is immersed in water or warm water. Is. Therefore, in the polymerization apparatus 100 of the present invention, it is preferable that water or warm water is injected into the polymerization cup 310 so that the object can be irradiated with light while being immersed in the water or warm water. At this time, since the amount of water or hot water required depending on the size of the object is different, if you put it in water or warm water in the polymerization container in advance, it is not possible to immerse the entire object if the amount of water is too small, On the other hand, if the amount of water is too large, water or hot water may overflow outside the cup, making it difficult to adjust the amount of water. In the polymerization apparatus 100 of the present invention, since the second housing 320 has a double structure in which the polymerization cup 310 is detachably accommodated, water or warm water is put into the polymerization cup 310 up to the vicinity of the upper end edge 311 of the polymerization cup 310, Even if the object is put in, the water or warm water overflowing from the polymerization cup 310 can be received in the gap between the polymerization cup 310 and the second housing 320, and the overflow water can be removed by removing the polymerization cup 310 after use. Etc. can be easily discarded. This facilitates the preliminary preparation of water or hot water, and shortens the working time.

In addition, in the polymerization container 300, in order to ensure that the activation light transmitted through the light-transmissive window material 230 of the light irradiator 200 can always be arranged at a position where the activation light is reliably and efficiently incident on the polymerization cup 310. Positioning means (not shown) is preferably provided on the polymerization cup 310 and the second housing 320. As such a positioning means, for example, a concave portion is provided on the bottom surface of the polymerization cup 310, a convex portion corresponding to the second housing 320 is provided, and positioning is performed by fitting the both, and a second housing 320 is provided. A means for providing a guide (projection) circumscribing the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the polymerization cup 310 and positioning with the guide can be used.

Further, as described above, in the case of polymerizing an object having an unpolymerized portion composed of a polymerization-curable composition containing a low-molecular weight monofunctional polymerizable monomer component that is volatilized by the heat of polymerization during polymerization and curing. In addition to the fact that the component adheres to the inner surface of the polymerization cup 310 and inhibits the reflection of activating light, when such a deposit is deposited, the deposit adheres to the target. Polymerization may occur depending on the state. From the viewpoint of avoiding such a problem, it is preferable to make the polymerization cup 310 removable so that cleaning and replacement can be easily performed. Further, when the polymerization device 100 is used, the polymerization cup 310 is internally provided, has a shape substantially similar to the polymerization cup 310, and at least the inner surface thereof is made of a material that reflects the light emitted from the LED 243. A disposable cup (not shown) can also be used. By setting the unused polymerization cup 310 and the disposable cup at each time of use to carry out polymerization and discarding them after use, it is possible to easily avoid the above-mentioned problems and facilitate hygiene. Further, the polymerization cup 310 itself may be configured by the disposable cup as described above.

The material of the second housing 320 is not particularly limited, but is usually the same material as that of the first housing 210. Further, the shape and size thereof are not particularly limited as long as the superimposing cup 310 can be detachably accommodated, but the upper end peripheral edge 311 of the superimposing cup 310 is located below the light transmissive window member 230 of the light source chamber 220. The shape and size are preferably such that they are integrated with the first housing 210 when they are overlapped with a distance maintained, and in the embodiment shown in the drawing, they are formed into a cylindrical shape when they are stacked. ing.

In order to easily form such an integrated structure, the light irradiator 200 and the polymerization container 300 interact with each other so that the upper end edge 311 of the polymerization cup 310 is a light-transmissive window of the light source chamber 220. It is preferable to have an integration mechanism below the material 230 so that they can be integrated by overlapping with each other while keeping a predetermined distance. As such an integrated mechanism, as shown in FIG. 4, as an integrated mechanism 270 on the light irradiator 200 side, a ring is formed slightly inward from the outermost periphery of the bottom of the first housing 210 (the back side of the floor 223). And the fitting protrusion is provided, and as the integration mechanism 330 on the side of the polymerization container 300, a part of the vicinity of the upper end of the outer peripheral wall of the second housing 320 is thinned and fitted with the fitting protrusion, An example in which a shelf portion (step portion) that can be placed is formed. When such an integrated mechanism is adopted, in order to prevent heat generated from the LED 243 from the polymerization container 300 through the first housing 210 from being transferred to the second housing 320 as much as possible, both are integrated. It is preferable that both contact portions are made of a non-metallic material such as a synthetic resin when they are made into a solid state, and the contact area is also made as small as possible.

Although the polymerization apparatus of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, various modifications can of course be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the integrated mechanism can be appropriately changed according to the shape and the like of the first housing and the second housing, the second housing as a drawer type, and a shape that fits in the first housing, Place the object in the polymerization cup with the drawer open, and then close the drawer so that the top edge of the polymerization cup overlaps with the light-transmissive window material at a predetermined distance while the drawer is closed. May be.

100... Polymerization device 200... Light irradiator 210... First housing 220... Light source room 221... Side wall 222... Ceiling 223... Floor 224... Intake hole 225... Exhaust hole 230... Light transmissive window material 231... Protective film 232... Gasket 240... Light source assembly 241... Base body 242... Light emitting surface 243... LED
244... Radiating surface 245... Heat sink 246... Radiating fin 247... Ventilation path 250... Intake fan 260... Exhaust fan 270... Integrated mechanism (light irradiator side)
280... Control means 290... Port for external power cord 300... Polymerization container 310... Polymerization cup 311... Upper edge of polymerization cup 320... Second housing 321... Opening 330. ..Integration mechanism (polymerization container side)

Claims (5)

A non-polymerized portion comprising a photopolymerizable curable composition containing a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less, which is housed inside the polymerization container and has a light irradiator and a polymerization container. A polymerization device for polymerizing the unpolymerized portion by irradiating the light emitted from the light irradiator to an object consisting of a member or an article having,
The light irradiator is
A first housing having a light source chamber defined by a cylindrical side wall, a ceiling, and a floor having a light-transmissive window material, and the side wall having an intake hole and an exhaust hole;
It has a substrate having a light emitting surface on which a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in a predetermined pattern and a heat radiating surface to which a heat sink is joined, and is arranged in the light source chamber with the light emitting surface facing the light transmissive window material. Light source assembly,
A fan disposed in the light source chamber,
A light-transmitting protective film having a thickness of 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less, which replaceably covers a portion of the light-transmitting window material exposed to the outside of the light source chamber,
The light-transmissive window material, which is covered by the light-transmissive protective film, on the portion exposed to the outside of the light source chamber, is hermetically sealed by a gasket so that water in a vapor or liquid state does not enter the light source chamber. And
The polymerization container is
A polymerization cup capable of accommodating the object therein, having a truncated cone shape or a substantially truncated cone shape in which the upper side is released and the diameter is increased upward.
A bottomed cylindrical or box-shaped housing having an opening at the top, and a second housing detachably accommodating the polymerization cup through the opening,
The light is emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes of the light irradiator, and the light transmitted through the light transmissive window member is irradiated into the polymerization cup of the polymerization container, and by the light transmissive protective film, It is characterized in that a monofunctional polymerizable monomer having a molecular weight of 200 or less volatilized from an object is prevented from adhering to a portion of the light transmissive window material exposed to the outside of the light source chamber. The polymerization device. The polymerization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the inner surface of the polymerization cup is a disposable cup made of a material that reflects light emitted from the light emitting diode. The control means for controlling the driving of the plurality of light emitting diodes and/or the fan by using electric power supplied from a battery or an external power source is arranged in the light source chamber. The polymerization apparatus according to 1. The light irradiator and the polymerization container interact with each other so that the upper end peripheral edge of the polymerization cup overlaps below the light-transmissive window material of the light source chamber with a predetermined distance therebetween to integrate them. The polymerization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an integrated mechanism capable of performing the above. 5. The integration mechanism according to claim 4, wherein when the light irradiator and the polymerization container are integrated, the contact parts of the light irradiator and the polymerization container are both made of a non-metallic material. Polymerization equipment.

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