JPH1133473A - Continuous coating method and continuos coating applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a continuous coating method and continuos coating applicator with which surface oxidation after washing is suppressed, the pickup of dust is averted, continuos coating is well executed without coating defects and bead break and the long-term stable continuos coating and fully automatic continuos coating are made possible by incorporation of annular washing means. SOLUTION: This coating method comprises supplying cylindrical base materials 1A, 1B, stacking and superposing these supplied cylindrical base materials 1A, 1B in alignment of their cylindrical axes, clamping and transporting these base materials, perpendicularly pushing the clamped and transported cylindrical base materials 1A, 1B from below to above, washing their outer peripheral surfaces while, aligning and positioning the annular centers of coating means 40 to the centers of the cylindrical base materials 1A, 1B after washing, continuously applying a coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical base materials 1A, 1B after the positioning, drying or drying and conditioning 50 the coated cylindrical base materials 1A, 1B, then separating and discharging the dried or dried and conditioned cylindrical base materials 1A, 1B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a continuous coating method and a continuous coating apparatus, and more particularly, to a method of stacking cylindrical substrates and vertically pushing up from the bottom to the upper surface of the cylindrical substrate to form a coating solution. The present invention relates to a continuous coating method and a continuous coating apparatus for uniformly and continuously coating the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various methods such as a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a blade coating method, and a roll coating method have been studied in relation to a thin and uniform coating on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical substrate. In particular, a thin and uniform coating such as an electrophotographic photosensitive drum is being studied to develop coating means having excellent productivity. However, the conventional means and method of applying to a cylindrical substrate have disadvantages such as the inability to obtain a uniform coating film and poor productivity.

In the spray coating method, the solvent evaporates before the coating droplet ejected from the spray gun reaches the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate, so that the solid concentration of the coating droplet increases, When the viscosity of the applied droplets increases and the droplets reach the surface, the droplets do not spread sufficiently on the surface, or the dried and solidified particles adhere to the surface. Good surface smoothness cannot be obtained. In addition, it is very difficult to control the film thickness because the arrival rate of the liquid droplets to the cylindrical substrate having the continuous surface is not 100% and there is a loss of the coating liquid or the coating liquid is partially non-uniform. . Furthermore, since stringing may occur in a polymer solution or the like, the solvent and resin used are limited.

[0004] In the blade coating method and the roll coating method, for example, a blade or a roll is arranged in the longitudinal direction of a cylindrical substrate, and the cylindrical substrate is rotated to perform coating, and then the cylindrical substrate is rotated once. , Blades or rolls are retracted. When retracting the blade or roll,
Due to the viscosity of the coating solution, a portion of the coating film thickness has a portion thicker than the other portions, and there is a disadvantage that a uniform coating film cannot be obtained.

[0005] The dip coating method improves the above-mentioned problems of poor surface smoothness of the coating solution and uniformity of the coating film.
However, the control of the coating film thickness is governed by the physical properties of the coating liquid, for example, viscosity, surface tension, density, temperature, etc. and the coating speed, and the adjustment of the physical properties of the coating liquid is very important. Also the coating speed is low,
In order to fill the coating liquid tank, a certain amount or more of liquid is required. Further, when layers are formed, there is a drawback that the lower layer components are dissolved and the coating solution tank is easily contaminated.

Accordingly, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-189061, a circular amount-regulating type coating means (including a slide hopper type coating means) has been developed. This slide hopper type application means is to apply a coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while continuously moving the cylindrical base material in the longitudinal direction, surrounding the circumference in an annular manner, Further, the coating means includes an annular coating liquid storage chamber, a supply port for supplying a coating liquid from outside to a part of the coating liquid storage chamber, and a coating liquid distribution slit opened inside the coating liquid storage chamber. The coating liquid flowing out of the slit is caused to flow down onto the coating liquid slide surface inclined obliquely downward, and a bead is formed in a slight gap between the hopper coating surface at the lower end of the coating liquid slide surface and the cylindrical substrate. To form
This is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate as it moves. By using this slide hopper type coating means, coating can be performed with a small amount of liquid, the coating liquid is not contaminated, and coating with easy control of the film thickness can be performed.

[0007]

However, even if the above-mentioned slide hopper type coating means is used, the surface oxidation of the cylindrical base material after cleaning cannot be suppressed, and adhesion of dust, coating defects and bead breakage can be prevented. There is a problem that it may occur and be continuously applied, and it is difficult to perform continuous application or fully automatic continuous application stably for a long time.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an annular cleaning means,
After washing the cylindrical substrate, the surface oxidation is suppressed and it can be applied to the cylindrical substrate, there is no adhesion of dust, there is no coating defect and there is no bead break. An object of the present invention is to provide a continuous coating method and a continuous coating apparatus capable of performing fully automatic continuous coating.

[0009]

The above object is achieved by the following means. That is, (1) a cylindrical base material is supplied, the supplied cylindrical base material is aligned with a cylindrical axis, stacked, and conveyed, and the gripped and conveyed cylindrical base material is vertically pushed upward from below. Cleaning the outer peripheral surface, positioning the annular center of the application means in alignment with the center of the cleaned cylindrical substrate, and continuously applying the coating liquid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate after the positioning. A continuous coating method, wherein the applied cylindrical substrate is dried or dried and adjusted, and the dried or dried adjusted cylindrical substrate is separated and discharged.

Or (2) supply means for supplying the cylindrical base material, gripping / conveying means for stacking and conveying the cylindrical base materials supplied by the supply means with their cylindrical axes aligned, An annular washing means for washing the outer peripheral surface while vertically pushing the cylindrical base material upward from below, a positioning means for aligning the center of the cylindrical base material after washing with the annular center of the coating means, and Coating means for continuously applying a coating liquid on the outer peripheral surface of the base material, drying / drying adjustment means for drying or adjusting the applied cylindrical base material, and the applied cylindrical base material A continuous coating apparatus, comprising: a separating and discharging unit for separating and discharging.

[0011] The continuous coating apparatus as referred to herein is one in which cylindrical base materials such as a slide hopper type coater, an extrusion type coater, a ring coater, a spray coater and the like are stacked and relatively moved upward or downward to continuously apply. And preferably a slide hopper type coater.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a continuous coating method and a continuous coating apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of a continuous coating apparatus according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a supply means, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the annular cleaning means, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another annular cleaning means, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the drying means, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the application means, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the application means and a drying hood provided above the application means.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the drying / drying adjustment means, and FIG. 11 is a state diagram illustrating a separation and discharge process by the separation and discharge means.

In FIG. 1, a continuous coating apparatus comprises a supply means 10 for supplying a cylindrical substrate 1 and a gripping / conveying means 20 for gripping / conveying the cylindrical substrate 1 supplied by the supplying means 10 with its cylindrical axis aligned. An annular cleaning means 70 for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1 while vertically pushing up the gripped and conveyed cylindrical substrate 1 from below, and the cylindrical substrate 1 Positioning means 30 for adjusting the center of
A coating means 40 for continuously applying a coating liquid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material; a drying / drying adjustment means 50 for drying or adjusting the applied cylindrical base material; Separation / discharge means 60 for separating and discharging a cylindrical substrate
And A drying means 80 for drying after washing.
There is. Further, the gripping and conveying means 20, the positioning means 30,
Each of the application unit 40, the drying / drying adjustment unit 50, and the separation / discharge unit 60 has a unit that can independently adjust the operation start position. The means that can be independently adjusted have their operation start positions independently and easily and reliably performed by an adjustment mechanism or the like of a known technique.

Referring to FIG. 2, the supply means will be described. The supply means 10 supplies a cylindrical substrate. The plurality of cylindrical substrates 1 before the coating process are stored in the supply table 161 in advance.
The movable transport member 163 of the automatic transport device 162 moves by gripping one cylindrical substrate 1 from the cylindrical substrate 1 on the supply table 161, and moves the placement guide member 1 on the rotary table 12.
Place in 1. The placement guide member 11 has a circular groove in which the cylindrical base material 1 can be loosely fitted and accommodated, and a plurality of (six in the drawing) are provided in the rotation circumferential direction of the turntable 12.
The rotary table 12 includes a motor M1 and gear trains 131 and 132.
Is driven intermittently. When one cylindrical substrate 1 is conveyed below the vertical center line Z and stopped, the elevating member 14 is raised via the pinion gear 141 and the rack gear 142 by starting the motor M2. A push-up member 15 is provided above the elevating member 14 via a coil spring 143 serving as a buffer member, and the bottom of the placement guide member 11 is pushed up by the lift of the push-up member 15.

Next, the holding and conveying means will be described with reference to FIG.
The gripping / transporting means 20 corrects and transports the gripping step. The cylindrical substrate (drum) 1 is gripped by the transport hand and transported upward. The place to be gripped may be any place as long as the drum 1 is not adversely affected. However, it is preferable that the level difference between the drums is corrected to a certain extent by gripping the connecting portion between the drums. In addition, since the drum is gripped with a strong force against the total weight of the drum stacked thereon, it is preferable to grip the non-image portion of the connecting portion in order to prevent occurrence of a scratch failure. Specifically, first, the holding member 214 of the transfer hand 211 of the holding unit 21 provided at the upper position and the holding member 215 of the transfer hand 212 are rotatably supported by the shaft 213, and are pushed up first and transferred upward. The gap between the cylindrical base material 1 and the cylindrical base material 1 that has been pushed up similarly is raised in the direction indicated by the arrow at the same speed as the application speed while holding the holding member 214 and the holding member 215 while adjusting the step. Let it. Further, the transfer hand 2 of the gripper 22 provided at the lower position
21 and the holding member 225 of the transfer hand 222 are also rotatably supported by the shaft 223, and the holding members 224 between the cylindrical substrates 1 and between the newly pushed cylindrical substrates 1 are provided. The step is adjusted with the holding member 225 to hold the object. After the completion of the grip, the grip 21
Is increased in the direction indicated by the arrow at the same speed as the coating speed. Incidentally, reference numerals 216 and 226 denote pressure buffer members which are attached to the tips of the gripping portions and which prevent slipping and protect the peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1. An example of carrying a step-corrected conveyance is disclosed in
Japanese Patent No. 21371 is preferably used.

The annular cleaning means 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The annular cleaning means 70 includes an air shower section 71 for removing dust on the surface of the cylindrical substrate, and a cleaning liquid section 72 using a cleaning liquid.
And a rinsing section 73. The air shower section 71 is blown with high-pressure air, and the cleaning agent liquid section 72 is provided.
Are the first cleaning unit 721, the second cleaning unit 722, and the third cleaning unit 7
The cleaning liquid is sprayed at a high pressure.
As the detergent, an aqueous detergent is preferable from the viewpoint of environmental pollution, and the alkaline aqueous detergent described in Example 1 on page 3 of JP-A-7-152161 or the composition on page 14 of Japanese Patent Application No. 7-340761 is used. Is preferably used. At this time, the efficiency can be increased by irradiating ultrasonic waves. After the cleaning with the cleaning agent is completed, the high-pressure flow of the ultrapure water is beaten by the first rinsing 731 and the second rinsing 732 of the rinsing section 73 to complete the cleaning. The cleaning agent components may be different in the first cleaning unit 721, the second cleaning unit 722, and the third cleaning unit 723,
Usually, the components of the cleaning agent are the same and the concentration is set to the first cleaning unit 72.
1, the second cleaning unit 722, and the third cleaning unit 723 are sequentially increased, and the cleaning temperature is set to, for example, 2 in the first cleaning unit 721.
5 ° C., 28 ° C. in the second cleaning unit 722,
Then it is better to make it different from 30 ° C.

Referring to FIG. 5, another annular cleaning means 70 will be described. The annular cleaning means 70 includes an air shower section 71 for removing dust on the surface of the cylindrical substrate, a cleaning liquid section 72 using a cleaning liquid, and a rinsing section. 73. This annular cleaning means is different from the annular cleaning means 70 in FIG. 4 in the cleaning liquid section 72, and the cleaning liquid section 72 is different from the first cleaning section and the second cleaning section in FIG.
The washing unit and the third washing unit are integrated, and the first washing unit, the second washing unit, and the third washing unit are shown from below in FIG.
More specifically, those described in JP-A-62-183867 and JP-A-6-210202, and those described in JP-A-5-142804 are preferably used as the annular cleaning unit. The washed cylindrical substrate is transferred to the next drying means 80.

Referring to FIG. 6, the drying means 80 will be described. A plurality of cylindrical substrates 1A, 1B, 1C vertically stacked along a vertical center line ZZ are continuously moved upward in the direction indicated by the arrow. The substrate is dried by blowing high-pressure clean air 81 at a temperature of 30 ° C. to 120 ° C. onto the surface of the cylindrical substrate. In addition,
For further details, refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 5-216495, Japanese Patent Application No.
What is described in the specification of -99559 is preferably used. It reaches the positioning means 60 via the drying means 80.

Next, in FIG. 7, a plurality of cylindrical substrates 1A, 1B (hereinafter, referred to as cylindrical substrates 1) vertically superposed along a vertical center line ZZ are continuously shown by arrows. In the direction, and surrounds the periphery thereof, and the coating liquid (photosensitive liquid) is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1 by a portion (hopper application surface) 41 directly involved in the application of the slide hopper type application means 40.
L is applied. The cylindrical substrate 1 may be a hollow drum, for example, an aluminum drum, a plastic drum, or a seamless belt type substrate. On the hopper coating surface 41, a narrow coating liquid distribution slit (abbreviated as a slit) 43 having a coating liquid outlet 42 opening toward the cylindrical substrate 1 is formed in the horizontal direction. The slit 43 communicates with an annular coating liquid distribution chamber (coating liquid reservoir) 44, and the annular coating liquid distribution chamber 44 has a storage tank 2.
The application liquid L in the inside is supplied by the pressure feed pump 3 through the supply pipe 4,
The liquid is supplied from the supply port 48. On the other hand, below the coating liquid outlet 42 of the slit 43, a coating liquid slide which is continuously inclined downward and is formed so as to terminate at a dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical substrate 1. A surface (hereinafter, referred to as a slide surface) 45 is formed.
Further, a lip 46 extending downward from the end of the slide surface 45 is formed. In the application by the application means (slide hopper type application means) 40, when the coating liquid L is pushed out from the slit 43 and flows down along the slide surface 45 in the process of lifting the cylindrical substrate 1, the end of the slide surface 45 Is applied to the surface of the cylindrical substrate 1 after forming a bead between the end of the slide surface 45 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1. Since the end of the slide surface 45 and the cylindrical substrate 1 are arranged with a certain gap therebetween, the cylindrical substrate 1 is already applied without damaging the cylindrical substrate 1 and even in the case of forming multiple layers having different properties. Can be applied without damaging the layer.

On the other hand, at a position furthest from the application liquid supply section of the pressure feed pump 3, a part of the application liquid distribution chamber 44
Air bleeding means 47 for removing bubbles in the coating liquid distribution chamber 44 is provided. When the coating liquid L in the storage tank 2 is supplied to the coating liquid distribution chamber 44 and supplied from the coating liquid distribution slit 43 to the coating liquid outlet 42, the opening / closing valve is opened and the air release means 47 opens the coating liquid distribution chamber 44. Exhaust the air.

Below the coating means 40, a positioning means 30 for positioning the cylindrical substrate 1 in the circumferential direction is fixed. A plurality of air supply ports 32 and a plurality of exhaust ports 33 are formed in the main body 31 of the positioning means 30 of the cylindrical substrate 1. The plurality of air supply ports 32 are connected to an air supply pump (not shown), and a fluid such as air is pumped. A discharge port 34 passes through one end of the air supply port 32 on the side facing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1. The discharge port 34 faces the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1 with a predetermined gap. The gap is 30
μm to 2 mm. The discharge port 34 has a diameter of 0.05-0.
The nozzle has a small diameter of 5 mm. The fluid pumped from the air supply pump is introduced into the main body 31 from the plurality of air inlets 32 and is discharged from the plurality of outlets 34 to be uniform with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1A (1B). Form a fluid film layer. The discharged fluid is discharged out of the apparatus from the plurality of exhaust ports 33. Incidentally, the positioning means described in JP-A-3-274568 and JP-A-3-280063 are preferably used in detail.

Next, the coating means 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The application means 40 is a vertical slide hopper type coater. The coating means 40 is provided on a movable table (XY axis movable control table) (not shown) that can adjust the position of the coating device on the cross section of the cylindrical substrate 1. Further, a control means may be provided as disclosed in JP-A-3-21371. Thus, the coating composition is applied on the drum. The applied drum is transferred to the drying / drying adjusting means 80. Specifically, the coating means described in JP-A-58-189061 is preferably used. The supply means 10 preferably has a buffer mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 9, the drying hood of the drying / drying adjusting means will be described. The drying hood 51 has an annular wall surface, and a large number of openings 51A are formed in the wall surface. Cylindrical substrate 1
Is raised in the direction of the arrow, and the coating liquid L is applied on the hopper application surface (application head) 41 of the application means 40 to form the photosensitive layer 5. The photosensitive layer 5 formed on the cylindrical substrate 1 is gradually dried while passing through the drying hood 51. This drying is performed by discharging the solvent contained in the coating liquid L out of the wall surface through the large number of openings 51A. As described above, the photosensitive layer 5 formed by applying the application liquid onto the cylindrical substrate 1 by the application means 40 is surrounded by the drying hood 51 immediately after the application, and the opening 5
Since the solvent is released only from 1A, the drying speed of the photosensitive layer 5 immediately after the application is substantially proportional to the opening area of the opening 51A.

Referring to FIG. 10, the suction dryer 53 of the drying / drying adjusting means will be described. The suction dryer 53 includes a suction slit member 534 having a suction slit 531, a suction chamber 532, and a suction nozzle 533, and a lower cylindrical member 53.
5. The upper cylindrical member 536 is connected concentrically. Then, suction is performed from a plurality of suction nozzles 533 provided, suction air uniformized in the circumferential direction by the suction chamber 532 having a uniform circumferential direction and the suction slit 531 having a uniform circumferential direction flows, and the suction slit member 53 is further provided.
4. The turbulence of the air flow between the inner diameter surfaces of the upper and lower cylindrical members 536 and 535 and the outer peripheral surface of the coated cylindrical substrate 1 is extremely slightly suppressed by the buffer space 537, and is indicated by 538. It creates an air flow of uniform suction air for drying. The applied film is dried by transporting the applied cylindrical substrate 1 to the drying zone in the Z direction indicated by the arrow.

The separation / discharge means 60 will be described with reference to FIG.
It comprises a vertical moving robot stage 61, a shaft body 62, an upper chuck (upper gripper) 63, a lower chuck (lower gripper) 64, and an air cylinder 65. In addition, as another thing, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 120664 may be used.

The coated cylindrical base material 1 is stacked upward from below, moves upward, and reaches the separation position as shown in FIG. At this time, the vertical robot is activated and moves the entire separation device coaxially and at the same speed with the cylindrical substrate 1 to be separated. First, the lower gripper 64 holds the cylindrical substrate 1B adjacent to the cylindrical substrate 1A to be separated at the position shown in FIG. Next, the upper grip 63 holds the cylindrical substrate 1A to be separated at the position shown in FIG. The upper gripper 6 is moved by the shaft 62 connected to the air cylinder 65.
Reference numeral 3 moves upward while holding the cylindrical substrate 1A to be separated, and reaches the position shown in FIG. 11D. At this time, the coating film straddling the cylindrical substrate 1B adjacent to the cylindrical substrate 1A to be separated is cut off, and the cylindrical substrate 1 is cut as shown in FIG.
A, 1B separation is performed. Separated cylindrical substrate 1A
As shown in FIG. 11E, the lower gripper 6
4 is in a released state, and then, as shown in FIG. 11 (f), the vertical moving robot stage 61 rises rapidly with the upper grip 63 holding the cylindrical substrate 1A to be separated, and the adjacent cylindrical substrate 1B The separated cylindrical substrate 1A is placed on a separation device disposed far above the position
Is released and the process ends. Then, in order to separate the next cylindrical substrate 1B, the vertically moving robot stage 61 is lowered, and the shaft 62 is lowered.
Return to (a). Specifically, the separation means described in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-124270 is preferably used.

As described above, by incorporating the annular cleaning means, surface oxidation can be suppressed and coating can be performed after cleaning, and good continuous coating can be performed without adhesion of dust and without coating defects or bead breaks. Automatic continuous application is possible.

(Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the continuous coating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be sequentially coated.
It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the continuous coating device of 2nd Embodiment. Note that the same members as those in FIG. 1 are mechanically and functionally the same, and description thereof is omitted.

On the vertical center line ZZ above the annular cleaning means 70 and the drying means 80, there is a coating unit A comprising a positioning means 30A, a coating means 40A and a drying / drying adjusting means 50A. Further above, there is a coating unit B including a positioning unit 30B, a coating unit 40B, and a drying / drying adjusting unit 50B. Further above, the positioning means 30
C, an application unit C including an application unit 40C and a drying / drying adjustment unit 50C. Separation / discharge means 60 is arranged at the top. Each coating means 40A, 40
The coating liquid discharged from each of B and 40C forms a multi-layered coating layer on the cylindrical substrate 1 sequentially,
A, 50B, and 50C are dried. The dried uppermost cylindrical substrate 1A is gripped by the separating / discharging means 60, separated from the lower cylindrical substrate 1B, and placed on a pallet (not shown) outside the machine. . In the case of sequential application, it is preferable that a positioning means is provided before the application means and a drying / drying adjustment means is provided immediately after the application means.

[0031]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(Example 1) A mirror-finished aluminum drum support having a diameter of 80 mm, a height of 355 mm, and 283 g was used as a conductive support. UCL-1 coating liquid composition described below was used as a coating liquid using the continuous coating apparatus of FIG.

UCL-1 coating composition (3.0 W / V
% Polymer concentration) Copolymer nylon resin (manufactured by CM-8000 Toray) Methanol / n-butanol = 10/1 (vol ratio) The annular washing means is an annular washing means shown in FIG.
The contents of the cleaning liquid are as shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. Table 1 shows the type of cleaning liquid and the cleaning temperature in each step, and Table 2 shows the detergent composition of the cleaning liquid in Table 1 above. The cleaning agents in Table 2 are in weight ratio, and the pH of the cleaning solution is 11.3.

[0034]

[Table 1]

[0035]

[Table 2]

By incorporating the annular cleaning means as described above, a coating drum with high sensitivity and good coatability was obtained, in which the surface oxidation was suppressed after cleaning and there was no adhesion of dust and the like. In addition, since stable continuous coating of many pieces and complete automation can be performed in a long time, a high quality product can be obtained without contamination of dust and dirt.

Example 2 As a conductive support, a mirror-finished aluminum drum support having a diameter of 80 mm, a height of 355 mm, and a thickness of 283 g was used. Using the sequential continuous coating apparatus shown in FIG. 12, coating liquid compositions UCL-1, CGL-1, and CTL-1 were prepared on the aluminum drum support as described below, respectively, and the slide hopper type coating apparatus 40A (UCL) was used. -1),
40B (for CGL-1), 40C (for CTL-1)
In the same manner as in Example 1, three successive multi-layer coatings were performed. The annular cleaning means was the annular cleaning means shown in FIG. 5, and the cleaning liquid and the cleaning temperature were the same as in (Example 1). C
After the TL coating, after the separation, main drying was performed at 95 ° C. for 1 hour in a drying chamber to produce a photoreceptor.

UCL-1 coating liquid composition copolymerized nylon resin (CM-8000 manufactured by Toray Industries, Ltd.); 3 g methanol / n-butanol = 10/1 (vol ratio);
1000 g CGL-1 coating liquid composition fluorenone type disazo pigment (CGM-1); 25 g butyral resin (manufactured by Esrec BX-L Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.);
10 g methyl ethyl ketone; 1430 ml A dispersion of the above coating solution composition for 20 hours using a sand mill.

CTL-1 coating solution composition CTM-1; 500 g polycarbonate (Z-200 manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company); 5
60 g 1,2-dichloroethane; 2800 ml Here, the chemical formula of CGM-1 is represented by “Chemical Formula 1” and CTM-1
Is shown in “Chemical formula 2”.

[0040]

Embedded image

[0041]

Embedded image

The obtained drum of the photoreceptor was manufactured by Konica U-
The 10th and 1st shots were taken with a BX-3035 copier.
There was no difference in the 0000th line, and there was no unevenness in density, fogging, image defects (black spots, white spots, dust, streaks, scratches, etc.), and the results were good. As a comparative example, a similar photosensitive member was prepared using a drum washed on another line (three hours after washing), and the sensitivity was compared. As a result, the drum of the photosensitive member of the present invention showed + 15%. Improvements were seen.

[0043]

According to the structure described above, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, a cylindrical base material is supplied, the supplied cylindrical base material is aligned, stacked, conveyed and gripped and conveyed, and the gripped and conveyed cylindrical base material is provided. Clean the outer peripheral surface while vertically pushing up from the bottom,
The center of the annular shape of the coating means is aligned with the center of the cylindrical base material after cleaning, and the coating liquid is continuously applied on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material after the positioning, and the coated cylindrical shape is applied. Since the cylindrical base material is dried or adjusted for drying, and the dried or dried cylindrical base material is separated and discharged, the cylindrical base material can be continuously and stably applied, and the productivity is improved. The coating film is uniform, has no coating unevenness and coating film defects, and has good coating properties without inclusion of dust and dust. Further, the time from cleaning to application of the cylindrical substrate can be shortened, and application can be performed before oxidation of the cylindrical substrate proceeds.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the annular cleaning unit is an annular cleaning unit surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical substrate, assembly and maintenance and inspection of the annular cleaning unit are facilitated.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning unit includes the air shower section, the cleaning agent liquid section, and the rinsing section, the cleaning of the cylindrical substrate is ensured.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, while the coating means continuously moves the cylindrical base material in the longitudinal direction, the coating means surrounds the circumference of the cylindrical base material in a ring shape, and Since it is a slide hopper type for applying a coating solution, the coating film is uniform, there is no coating unevenness or coating film defect, and the coating property is good.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the positioning means has a discharge port for spraying a fluid in a ring shape on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate, highly accurate positioning can be performed.

According to the seventh aspect, since the coating means is provided on the movable table capable of adjusting the position of the coating device on the cross section of the cylindrical substrate, the position of the coating device can be adjusted with high accuracy. The coating is uniform, free of coating unevenness and coating defects, and has good coating properties.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since there are a plurality of coating means and a plurality of coating layers are sequentially formed, multiple coating of the cylindrical substrate can be efficiently and continuously and stably produced. Productivity is improved and dust and dirt are not mixed.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the gripping / conveying means, the positioning means, the coating means, the drying / drying adjusting means,
Since the operation start position of each unit of the separation / discharge unit is independently adjustable, the operation start position can be independently and easily and reliably performed by a known adjusting mechanism or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a continuous coating apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a supply unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grip in the gripping and conveying means.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an annular cleaning means.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another annular cleaning means.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a drying unit.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a positioning unit and an application unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an application unit.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a coating unit and a drying hood provided above the coating unit.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a drying / drying adjustment unit.

FIG. 11 is a state diagram illustrating a separation and discharge process by a separation and discharge unit.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of a continuous coating apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A, 1B Cylindrical base material (coating drum, drum) 10 Supply means 12 Rotary table 13 Driving means 14 Elevating member 15 Push-up member 20 Holding transport means 21, 22 Holding section 211 Transport hand 212 Transport hand 221 Transport hand 222 Transport Hand 30 Positioning means 40, 40A, 40B, 40C Coating means (coater) 50, 50A, 50B, 50C Drying / drying adjusting means 60 Separating and discharging means 70 Annular cleaning means 80 Drying means M1, M2 Motor

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical base material is supplied, the supplied cylindrical base material is aligned, stacked, stacked and gripped and conveyed, and the gripped and conveyed cylindrical base material is vertically pushed upward from below. Cleaning the outer peripheral surface, positioning the annular center of the application means in alignment with the center of the cleaned cylindrical substrate, and continuously applying the coating liquid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate after the positioning. A continuous coating method, wherein the applied cylindrical substrate is dried or dried and adjusted, and the dried or dried adjusted cylindrical substrate is separated and discharged. 2. A supply means for supplying a cylindrical base material, a gripping / conveying means for stacking and conveying the cylindrical base materials supplied by the supplying means with their cylindrical axes aligned, and the cylindrical shape gripped and transported. An annular cleaning means for cleaning the outer peripheral surface while vertically lifting the base material from bottom to top, a positioning means for aligning the center of the cylindrical base material after cleaning with an annular center of the coating means, and the cylindrical base material A coating means for continuously applying a coating liquid on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate, a drying / drying adjusting means for drying or adjusting the applied cylindrical base material, and separating and discharging the applied cylindrical base material And a separating / discharging means for performing the operation. 3. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said annular cleaning means is an annular cleaning unit surrounding the outer periphery of said cylindrical substrate. 4. The cleaning unit is an air shower unit,
4. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a cleaning liquid section and a rinsing section. 5. A slide hopper type wherein the coating means continuously moves the cylindrical substrate in its longitudinal direction, surrounds the periphery thereof in an annular shape, and applies a coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate. 3. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 6. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the positioning means has a discharge port for spraying a fluid in a ring shape on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate. 7. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said coating means is provided on a movable table capable of adjusting a position of the coating apparatus on a cross section of the cylindrical substrate. 8. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of said coating means, and a plurality of coating layers are sequentially formed. 9. The gripping / conveying means, the positioning means,
3. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a unit that can independently adjust the operation start position of each of the coating unit, the drying / drying adjustment unit, and the separation / discharge unit. 4.