JPS59184661A - Ink manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continuously and automatically produce ink for ink jet recording, having a stable quality, by a method in which the concentration of inorganic salts in a dye solution is detected and controlled to prepare ink. CONSTITUTION:A dye powder 22 and pure water are mixed by a stirrer 27 in a compounding tank 24 and filtered through a filter 29 to remove undissolved dye particles, and the solution is supplied through a supply tank 31 to the desalting tank 42 of a purifying section 41. The aqueous dye solution is homogenized by a stirrer 45, and the concentration of inorganic salts in the solution is detected by a detector 46 using an ion chromatographic method. When the concentration of inorganic salts is above a given value, a pump 48 is actuated to circulate the solution through a desalting filter 43, etc., an ultrafiltration filter, an osmotic filter, etc., to remove the inorganic salts into a salt discharging tank 44. Also, the concentration of dye in the solution is detected by a detector 47, and pure water is added to the solution through a valve 49 to obtain a given dye aqueous solution. The dye solution is sent to the compounding tank through a storage tank 55 and mixed with a water-soluble organic solvent and additives to prepare a desired ink.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an ink manufacturing apparatus, and particularly to an ink manufacturing apparatus suitable for preparing a recording liquid (generally referred to as an ink) suitable for inkjet recording and the like.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, inks used in the ink-end recording method in which recording is performed by ejecting ink in the recording pen F from an ejection orifice using vibrations caused by a piezo vibrator, etc., have been made by mixing various dyes and J-lees with water. Or, it is known that it is dissolved or split in a premedium consisting of other organic solvents. It is also known that similar inks are used in writing instruments such as felt pens and fountain pens.

A general example of such an ink is a water-soluble dye, water as its solvent, and glycolta f1 as a drying prevention agent. I can give things away.

Here, the water-soluble dye usually contains 1.5% of inorganic minerals such as sodium chloride and thorium. These jjj "Itaba Xn,
In addition to by-products during the dye synthesis reaction process, precipitants,
It was actively added as a plating agent or leveling agent.

If a recording ink is prepared using a dye containing such v1 salt-free salts, the following disadvantages will occur. In other words, inorganic salts reduce the dye dissolution stability in ink,
α of the dye, H14, yields 2 precipitates. In addition, in inkjet recording heads and writing tools, if the ink is emitted near the ejection orifice and the composition of the liquid changes, this causes precipitation of inorganic salts. All of these are the main causes of clogging of the discharge orifice, which should be avoided.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such adverse effects, it is necessary to control the concentration of inorganic salts within a predetermined range (generally 0.5% by weight or less in the ink) during ink production. This is essential when a commercially available dye containing inorganic salts as an impurity is used to prepare an inkjet recording ink or a writing instrument ink.

[Purpose] In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to enable the concentration of inorganic salts contained in the ink to be adjusted when preparing the ink, thereby improving the quality of inkjet recording and writing instruments. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink manufacturing apparatus suitable for manufacturing ink suitable for the like.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. Here, (1) is in the preparation step 111, and is supplied from the dye purification device 2 via the dye aqueous solution valve 3 manufactured by J'+'i as described later. Furthermore, water-soluble organic solvents and additives are supplied from the storage section 1°71!4 and the storage section 5 to the mixing tank 1 through the /Hertz 68 and 7, respectively.

Furthermore, pure water is supplied via the valve 8. These supplied materials are stirred by a stirrer 9 to prepare ink.

Inside the mixing tank! 1' and 1 of the J-made ink are detected by the liquid detector 10. Also, this formulation, Qlli
The ink in the ink is discharged in four volumes through the discharge valve 11 as necessary.

2.DELTA. shows the structure of the 〉Seitai Tozai I and Ki I in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

Here, 21 is a dye supply unit that stores dye powder 22, and the dye powder 22 is mixed into 1 via a dye valve 23.
424. Further, pure water is supplied to the mixing tank 24 through a pure water supply pipe in which a pure water valve 25 is inserted.

In this mixing tank 24, the supplied dye powder 22 and pure water are mixed 44! The dye is mixed and dissolved by a stirrer 27 to prepare an aqueous dye solution. The amount of the aqueous dye solution stored in the mixing tank 24 is detected by a mixing tank liquid amount detector 2. The aqueous dye solution obtained in the mixing tank contains particles of dye powder that were not dissolved in the pure water, and these are removed by the filter 29. For this filter 28, ordinary filter paper, Fluorobor (trade name), or the like can be used. The aqueous dye solution from which particles and the like have been removed by passing through the filter 28 is supplied to the supply tank 31 .

The aqueous dye solution supplied to the supply tank 31 is passed through the supply valve 32.
As long as it is in the closed state, it is stored in the supply tank 31. Here, this supply tank 31 is provided with a valve 33 for controlling the liquid level to suppress the amount of the aqueous dye solution stored in the supply tank to a certain amount or less.

Next, 41 is a purification section that removes inorganic salts from the aqueous dye solution. In this purification section 41, 42 is a salt reduction tank, 43
is a salt reduction filter, and 44 is a salt removal tank. An aqueous dye solution is supplied to the ikai tower tank 42 via the supply valve 32. This supplied aqueous dye solution is transferred to the tank agitator 45.
The aqueous solution is homogenized by stirring, and the inorganic salt concentration in the aqueous solution is detected by the inorganic salt concentration detector 46. This concentration detection is performed, for example, by ion chromatography.

Further, a dye concentration detector 47 detects the dye concentration in the aqueous solution. This concentration detection is performed, for example, by spectrophotometry. As described below, '$, machine salt concentration or less than a predetermined value (+N (for example, 5% by weight relative to the dye)'
If it is detected that the condition is 2, the first pump 48 is activated to circulate the dye aqueous solution in the corrosive salt tank through the salt reduction filter 43. As this salt reduction filter, for example, an ultrafiltration filter, a reverse osmosis filter, etc. are used. By passing through the A-range salt filter 43, inorganic salts such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate contained in the dye aqueous solution are not filtered out of the dye aqueous solution and are discharged as an aqueous solution.
It is lost to the bath tank 44. In this way, Ex'14 Pj4
In step 4, part of the water, which is the solvent for the dye, is removed along with the inorganic material. Therefore, in addition to replenishing the dye aqueous solution with this discharged water, the pure water valve 48
Pure water is supplied to the reduced salt tank No. 42 through the tank.

In this way, an aqueous dye solution whose inorganic salt concentration and dye concentration are within a predetermined range is added to the salt reduction tank 42! Get the night.

In addition, the dye aqueous solution in the salt-reducing tank 42.

is detected by the salt reduction tank liquid wheel detector 50. The aqueous dye solution purified as described above (salt reduction) is stored in the storage valve 51.
It is discharged to the storage tank 52 via the storage tank 52 and stored therein. As shown in FIG. 1, the dye aqueous solution in the storage tank 52 is
By controlling the opening and closing of the valve 3, the ink is supplied to the mixing tank 1 and used for mixing ink.

3'1A shows a portion related to the dye purification device 2 in the control system of the device shown in FIG.

In the figure, 81 is a controller, which controls the drive of each part. Reference numeral 62 denotes a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control program such as the operating procedure shown in No. 41 is stored. A random access memory (CRAM) 63 is used for storing various data.

In this example, the analog Ci signal is output from the inorganic salt concentration detector 46 and the Koisei material concentration detector 47, and the Tenkle 4':
After being converted into a signal, it is supplied to the controller 61 via an input cover and NOR circuit 66. -]b, a digital signal is output from the mixing tank liquid level detector 28 and the salt reduction tank liquid wheel detector 50, and is controlled via the input cover/sofa 101 path 68.
It is supplied to the Jll unit 61.

67 to 74 are each of the aforementioned Haruts 23, 25, 49, 32
It is a dry circuit for driving the Zuyohi 51, the stirrers 27 and 45, and the Narahini circulation pump 48, respectively,
On/off control is performed by a drive signal supplied from the controller 61 via the output buffer circuit 75.

Reference numerals 81 and 82 are a dye 4 concentration range setting switch and an inorganic salt concentration range 1 determination switch, respectively, which are controlled (210 supplied to the vessel.

Reference numerals 84 and 85 are a dye concentration indicator and an inorganic salts concentration indicator, respectively, which display the dye concentration value and inorganic salts concentration value in an aqueous dye solution during purification.

Therefore, the operator of the ink manufacturing apparatus y1 can easily know the quality of the ink being manufactured.

The dye concentration range and inorganic salt concentration range set by switches 81 and 82 are temporarily stored in RAM 83. Inorganic salt concentration detector 46 and dye concentration detector 47
The detected concentration values of inorganic salts and dyes in the aqueous dye solution being purified are compared with set values in the comparison section 611 of the controller, and based on the comparison results, the control of the circulation pump 48 etc. is performed as described below. The drive of each load is controlled.

FIG. 4 shows the operational flow of the dye purification device 62 shown in FIG.

In the figure, steps STI to ST4 are steps for maintaining the aqueous dye solution in the mixing tank 24 at a constant value. That is, in step STX, it is determined from the output of the mixing tank liquid level detector 28 whether the liquid level of the dye aqueous solution in the mixing tank 24 is above a low position that defines a predetermined setting range. To detect. If it is lower than the lower position, proceed to step ST2, otherwise proceed to step ST3. In step ST2,
Open the dye valve 23 and the pure water valve 25, respectively') 4. '7jj- dye powder and pure water are mixed in tank 2.
Insert within 8. In the mixing tank 24, the stirrer 27 or the constant lI! Since I = vJ, the input dye powder is dissolved in pure water and a dye water I mixture is prepared. In step ST3, it is detected from the output of the liquid film detector 28 whether or not the still image in the mixing tank 24 is above a high position that defines the setting range. Part 1'1) "If above the J position, move to step ST4, move to step ST4, otherwise proceed to step ST5. -t-1:lI'l ST4.
Dye valve 23 and pure water valve 25 in closed state 1C;
Close and stop the supply of dye powder and pure water.

In step ST5, the dye concentration value in the dye aqueous solution in the salt reduction tank 42 detected by the dye concentration detector 47 is displayed on the display 84. In step ST8, the inorganic salt concentration value detected by the inorganic salt concentration detector 46 is displayed on the display 85.

Procedure ST? Then, it is determined whether the dye concentration detected by the detector 47 is within the dye concentration range set by the switch 81. If it is determined that it is within the setting range, proceed to step ST8; otherwise,
Proceed to step ST9. In step ST8, it is determined whether the concentration of inorganic salts detected by the detector 46 is within the range of values set by the switch 82. If it is determined that it is within the setting range, proceed to step 5TIO,
If not, proceed to step ST9.

In step STY, the salt-reducing tank 4 detected by the detector 50
It is determined whether the liquid level in No. 2 is lower than the high position that defines the setting range. If it is below that high position, step 5T
If not, proceed to step 5T12.

In step 5TII, supply valve 32 and pure water valve 4
8 to supply the dye aqueous solution and pure water into the salt reduction tank 42. As a result, the dye concentration in the aqueous dye solution in the salt reduction tank 42 is adjusted to fall within the range set by the switch 81 as described above. After this, the process proceeds to step 5T13. In step 5T12, the supply valve 32 and the pure water/help 48 are closed.

In step 5T13, the circulation pump 48 is operated to circulate the aqueous dye solution in the water-reducing tank 42 through the salt-reducing filter 43, thereby removing inorganic salts from the aqueous dye solution.

As described above, if the dye concentration and the inorganic salt concentration are outside the set range, repeat the routine through step 5T11 and step 5T13 or step 5T12 and step 5T13 to determine the dye concentration and the inorganic salt concentration. 1 (The Itaba density is set to a value within the tO7 range. After the image density is within the set range, proceed to step 5TIO.

In step 5TIO, 1J detected by detector No. 50
Determine whether the liquid level in QU 1JaJilq 42 is above the low level (δ) that defines the setting range. If it is above that low position, proceed to step 5T14; otherwise, proceed to step 5T15. Proceed. In step 5TI4, the operation of the circulation pump 48 is stopped and the storage valve 51 is opened. As a result, the purified dye aqueous solution of a predetermined ψ obtained in the salt reduction tank 42 is supplied to the storage tank 52. Ru.

In step 5T15, the closing operation of storage/help 51 and supply valve 32. Perform the opening operation of the pure valve 48 and store +
At the same time as the supply to the protrusion 52 is terminated, the amount of dye aqueous solution in the salt reduction tank 42 is increased so that the blood transfusion height is within the set range.

After this, repeat the routine through steps 5TII, 5T13 or steps 5T12, 5T13 described above again.
A predetermined amount of an aqueous dye solution whose dye concentration and inorganic salt concentration are within a set range is obtained in the salt reduction tank 42 . After this, the process proceeds to step 5T14, which is a double series of steps.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the purification section 41, the dye aqueous solution is refined at regular intervals, and the purified dye aqueous solution is continuously sent from the dye purification device 2 to the mixing tank. 1, and in the mixing tank l,
Using this purified aqueous dye solution, ink can be manufactured continuously.

[Effects] As explained below, the present invention detects the concentration of inorganic salts in a dye solution when producing ink, and adjusts the concentration of R-free salts based on the detection result. Therefore, it is possible to supply a dye solution whose concentration value is within a predetermined range, thereby making it possible to continuously and automatically produce ink of stable quality for use in ink sheet recording, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the dye purification apparatus shown in FIG. h'52. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Preparation tank, 2... Dye refiner, 3... Valve, 4... Storage part, 5... Storage part, 6-... Valve, ? ...Valve, 8...Valve, 9...Agitator, ! +)...Liquid level detector, 11...Discharge valve, 21...Dye supply section, 22...Dye powder, 23...Dye valve, 24...Shipping tank, 25. ...Pure water noherb. 26... Pure water supply pipe, 27... Preparation tank agitator 28... Preparation tank liquid level detector, 29... Filtration filter, 31... Supply tank, 32... Supply valve, 33. ...Ben, 41...years old^ Seigu L 42...salt reduction tank, 43...salt reduction filter, 44...salt removal tank, 45...Ikai earth scorch tank)~)! Beating machine, 46...Deaf (machine salt agricultural level detector), 47...Dye concentration; stem detector, 48...Circulation pump, 49...Pure water valve, 50...Ikai salt rod liquid 41 detector, 51... storage valve, 52... storage tank, 61... controller, 62... read only memory (ROM), 63...
Random access memory (RAM) 64, [(5...
A/D converter, 66...Input buffer circuit, 67-74...Drive circuit, 75...Output huffer circuit, 81...Dye concentration range setting switch, 82...Inorganic salt concentration range Setting switch, 83...Console input/output 7 circuits, 84...Dye concentration display, 85...Inorganic salt concentration display, bll...Picture section. 'Ill'j'

Claims (1)

[Claims] A means for producing a dye solution, a dye refining means for detecting the concentration of inorganic salts in the solution and controlling the degree of a of the inorganic salts based on the detection output, and a dye solution supplied from the dye refining means. 4Iiii. An ink manufacturing apparatus comprising: an ink preparation section for preparing liquid.