JPS6034863A - Preparing apparatus for ink - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form an ink preparing apparatus which is fitted for preparing ink suitable for ink-jet recording, writing utensils, etc. by a construction wherein, while the concentration of heavy-metal ions contained in a dye solution is controlled, the density of the dye in the ink prepared is determined, so that the control of the properties of the ink can be performed. CONSTITUTION:The density of the dye in the ink prepared in a preparation tank 1 is detected by a dye density detector 11. The final property control (lot control) of the prepared ink is conducted on the basis of the output of this detector. The ink in which each component is prepared to be of a desired value is discharged through a discharge valve 13 as occasion demands.

Description

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

(Prior Art) Conventionally, the ink used in the inkjet recording method, in which recording is performed by ejecting ink in a recording head from an ejection orifice using vibrations caused by a piezo vibrator, has been made by mixing various dyes and pigments with water or other organic solvents. It is known to be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid medium consisting of: It is also known that similar inks are used in writing instruments such as felt pens and fountain pens.

An example of a typical structure of such ink is one consisting mainly of a water-soluble dye, water as its solvent, and the king of glycols as an anti-drying agent.

Here, the water-soluble dye usually contains inorganic salts such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, and heavy metal ions.

When recording ink is prepared using dyes containing such inorganic ions, the following disadvantages arise. That is, inorganic ions reduce the stability of dye dissolution in the ink, causing aggregation and precipitation of the dye. Furthermore, in inkjet recording heads and writing instruments, when ink evaporates near the ejection orifice and the liquid composition changes, inorganic salts are precipitated. All of these causes clogging of the discharge orifice, which is most avoided.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such adverse effects, it is necessary to control the S ion concentration to be within a predetermined range during ink production. This is essential when a commercially available dye containing an inorganic ion as an impurity is used to prepare an inkjet recording ink or a writing instrument ink.

(Objective) In view of these points, the object of the present invention is to control the concentration of heavy metal ions contained in a dye solution when preparing ink, and to control the concentration of heavy metal ions and dye concentration in the prepared ink. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink manufacturing apparatus suitable for manufacturing ink suitable for inkjet recording, writing implements, etc., by which it is possible to understand and manage its properties.

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

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. Here, 1 is an ink preparation tank, and a dye aqueous solution purified as described later is supplied from the dye purification device 2 via the ink mixing tank 3.

Further, a water-soluble organic solvent and additives are supplied from the storage section 4 and the storage section 5 to the mixing tank via valves 6 and 7, respectively. Furthermore, pure water is also supplied via valve 8. Stir each of these supplied materials a9
Mix the ink by stirring.

The amount of ink produced in the mixing tank 1 is measured using a liquid amount detector lO.
Detected by. Further, the dye concentration and heavy metal ion concentration in the ink prepared in the mixing tank 1 are detected by a dye concentration detector 11 and a heavy metal ion concentration detector 12, respectively. Based on the outputs of both these detectors,
Performs final property control (loft control) of the prepared ink. The ink whose components have been adjusted to desired values is discharged via the discharge valve 13 as necessary.

14 is a control unit that controls the drive of each part; 15
Reference numeral 16 denotes an operation unit equipped with various display units and drive switches, etc., and 16 a printer that prints out various data.

Here, in the display section of the operation section 15, 15-1 and 15-2 are a dye concentration indicator and a heavy metal ion concentration indicator, respectively, and display the detection results of the dye concentration detector 11 and the heavy metal ion concentration detector 12, respectively. indicate. That is, both displays display the dye concentration value and the heavy metal ion concentration value in the ink as the final product obtained in the ink preparation tank 1. Based on this display result, the operator can manage the properties (loft management) of the manufactured ink.

Further, the printer 16 prints out the detection results of both the detectors 11 and 12 at regular intervals. Based on this output result, the operator can monitor changes in the properties of the manufactured ink over time.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the dye purification apparatus in the apparatus shown in FIG.

Here, 21 is a dye supply section that stores dye powder 22, and supplies the dye powder 22 to a mixing tank 24 via a dye valve 23. In addition, a pure water valve 2 is provided in the mixing tank 24.
Pure water is supplied through a pure water supply pipe 26 with a pipe 5 inserted therein.

In the mixing tank 24, the supplied dye powder 22 and pure water are mixed and dissolved by a mixing tank agitator 27 to create an aqueous dye solution. The amount of the aqueous dye solution stored in the mixing tank 24 is detected by a mixing tank liquid star detector 28. 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 28. For this filter 28, ordinary filter paper, Fluorobor (trade name), or the like can be used. The dye solution from which particles and the like have been removed by passing through the filter 29 is supplied to the supply tank 31 via the dye solution supply valve 30.

A supply tank liquid level sensor 32 is disposed in the supply tank 31, and the dye solution supply valve 30 is controlled to open and close based on the output of this sensor, thereby controlling the liquid level height in the supply tank 31.

Next, 41 is a purification section that removes heavy metal ions from the dye aqueous solution, and includes a plurality of processing units (in this example, three first to third processing units) 42-1, 42-2 and 4.
Consists of 2-3. Each processing unit h 42 (42-1 to 4
In 2-3), the aqueous dye solution in the supply tank 31 is supplied to the ion exchange resin column 44 (44-1 to 44-3) via the supply valve 43 (43-1 to 43=3). The ion exchange resin column 44 separates heavy metal ions from the dye aqueous solution by so-called ion exchange separation. That is,
Due to ion exchange within the column, highly adsorbable heavy metal ions contained in the aqueous dye solution are captured by the ion exchange resin and remain within the column. Here, valves 45 (45-1 to 45-3) for controlling the liquid level are provided in the column to control the amount of the aqueous dye solution supplied into the column. Further, this column 44 is made detachable from the processing unit, and whether or not the column is attached is detected by a filter replacement end switch (not shown).

Next, heavy metal ion concentration sensor 4fl (4f (-1 to 4
[1-3) is disposed in the outflow solution passageway at the lower end of the column 44 to detect the heavy metal ion concentration in the outflow solution from the column 44. As a method for detecting the heavy metal ion concentration, for example, a measurement method using a metal ion electrode 1 or a measurement method using atomic absorption spectroscopy is used. Solution sensor 4
7 (47-1 to 47-3) are similarly disposed in the outflow solution passage, and detect the presence or absence of the outflow solution in the outflow solution passage.

The effluent solution from column 44 is ! Discharge pulp 48 (48
-1 to 48-3) to the storage tank 49. In addition, through the second discharge valve 50 (50-1 to 5O-3), the operation of the circulation pump 51 controls the opening and closing of the two valves 48 and 50 that return the flow to the supply tank 31, as described below. This is performed based on the detection results of the concentration sensor 46.

The aqueous dye solution obtained in the storage tank 48 from which heavy metal ions have been removed is taken out through the supply valve 3 as described above and used for preparing ink.

FIG. 3 shows parts related to the dye purification apparatus in the control system of the apparatus shown in FIG. Here, 101 is a controller,
In charge of drive control of each part. A read-only memory (ROM) 102 stores a control program such as the operating procedure shown in FIG. A random access memory (RAM) 103 temporarily stores various data.

Reference numeral 104 denotes various switches arranged in the operation unit 15, which send various command signals to the controller 101 via the human output buffer circuit 105. 10fi is a display section similarly arranged in the operation section 15, and as described later, the first to third unit filter replacement indicators that display that the column in each processing unit needs to be replaced, and each processing unit. It has first to third unit operation indicators that indicate that the dye aqueous solution is being purified.

+07 is a drive circuit that controls the display of the display 10EI based on the drive signal from the controller 101.

The detection outputs of the mixing tank liquid level detector 28 and the supply tank liquid level sensor 32 are sent to the controller 10 via an input buffer circuit 108.
1. The drive circuits 11o-114 operate on each load (valve 23, 25
, 3, stirrer 27, and pump 51] are turned on for the second time.

Next, 120 is a control system of the processing unit 42-1.

Since the configuration of each processing unit is the same, the other units 42-2 and 42-3 are omitted in the figure. After the detection signal from the heavy metal ion concentration sensor 46-1 is digitized via the A/D converter 121,
The input signal is supplied to the controller 101 via the Kuf7 circuit 122. Further, a digital detection signal is output from the solution sensor 47-1 and is supplied to the controller 101 via the large-power buffer circuit 122. 123, 124 and 125 are drive circuits for opening and closing the aforementioned pulps 43-1.48 to 1 and 50-1, respectively;
On/off control is performed by a drive signal supplied from 01 through an output eight-pass circuit 12El.

In the dye purification apparatus of this embodiment configured as described above, based on the detection output of the heavy metal ion concentration sensor 4B,
The processing units 44-1 to 44-3 are sequentially replaced to perform heavy metal ion removal processing. That is, there is a limit to the ability of the ion exchange resin in the ion exchange resin column 44 to capture heavy metal ions, and once a certain amount of heavy metal ions have been adsorbed, ion exchange separation is no longer performed. As a result, the dye solution containing heavy metal ions is discharged as is, and the concentration of heavy metal ions in the solution flowing out from the column 44 increases. By detecting this concentration increase, the use of the ion exchange resin column is disabled, and subsequent purification of the dye solution is performed using either of the other two columns.

In addition, an ion exchange resin column that is no longer usable is replaced with a new column, or the ion exchange resin is regenerated so that it can be purified again in the processing unit.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of each processing unit.

Here, each flag is used to make the following determination.

Unit filter replacement flag: A flag that instructs to replace the filter in each processing unit, that is, the ion exchange resin column. When this flag is turned on, the corresponding unit filter replacement indicator will display that filter replacement is necessary. .

Unit change request flag: A flag that requests a change in the processing unit. When this flag is turned on, the processing unit specified by the unit selection counter is selected.
Dye purification operations are transferred to that processing unit.

Unit operation flag: A flag indicating that the corresponding processing unit has been selected.

Unit in operation flag: A flag indicating that the corresponding processing unit is in operation.

Unit discharge flag 2 This flag is turned on when the concentration of heavy metal ions in the solution flowing out from the column in the corresponding processing unit exceeds a set value, and instructs the pump 51 to start refluxing the solution to the supply tank 31 .

Next, each step shown in FIG. 4 will be explained.

In FIG. 4(A), each display and data are initialized in step STI. In step ST2, the processing unit change request flag is turned on and the contents of the unit selection counter are set to rlJ. In step ST3,
Based on the detection output of the supply tank liquid level sensor 32, it is determined whether a predetermined amount of dye solution is stored in the supply tank 31. When the predetermined amount is stored, the dye solution supply valve 30 is closed in step ST4, and then the process proceeds to step ST6. However, if the predetermined amount has not been reached, step S
At T5, the supply valve 30 is opened to supply the aqueous dye solution to the supply tank.

Step ST8 is a processing step when there is a filter replacement request in the first processing unit 42-1, and consists of steps 5T8-1 to 5T6-3. First, step 5
If it is determined that the first unit filter replacement flag is in the on state at Te-+, the process proceeds to step 5T6-2, where it is determined whether the first unit filter replacement end switch is on. When in the on state, step 56-
3, the first unit filter replacement flag is turned off, and the display indicating that replacement is required, which was displayed on the first unit filter replacement display, is erased. After this,
Proceed to step ST7. Note that when the filter replacement flag is off in step 5Te-1 and when the filter replacement end switch is off in step 5T8-2, step ST? Proceed to.

Step ST7 and step ST8 are the second
processing unit) 42-2 and third processing unit 42-
Step ST3 is a processing step when there is a filter replacement request, and its contents are the same as step ST6, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In step ST9, it is determined whether or not the unit change request flag is in the on state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 5TIO, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 5TIfi in FIG. 4(B). In step 5TIO, the content of the unit selection counter is determined and the content is "1".
If the value is ``2'', the process proceeds to step 5T13, if it is ``2'', the process proceeds to step 5T14, and if it is ``3'', the process proceeds to step 5T15.

Steps 5T13 to 5T15 are each processing unit 42-1
This is a processing step when 42-3 is selected. Since the contents of each of these steps 5T13 to 5T15 are the same, the contents of step ST+3 when the first processing unit 42-1 is selected will be explained. First, step 5T13
At -1, it is determined whether the first unit filter replacement flag is in the off state. If the judgment is negative, step 5
Proceed to T13-5, and if the determination is affirmative, step 5T13-
Proceed to step 2. In step ST+3-2, the first unit operating indicator is turned on to display that the first processing unit 42-1 is operating. In step 5T13-3, the supply valve 43-1 and the second discharge valve 50-1 are opened. Subsequently, in step 5T13-4, the first unit operation flag is turned on and the unit change request flag is turned off. Next, in step 5T13-5, after setting the content of the unit selection counter to "2", in step 5T13-5,
Proceed to T111.

Here, the contents of the unit selection counter are r2J,
It is a ring counter that changes in the order of r3 J , rl J , r2 J , . ”.

Next, step 5T18. of FIG. 4(B). ST1? and 5718 are discharge control steps for the effluent solution from the ion exchange resin column in each processing unit. Since the contents of each of these steps are the same, only the contents of step 5T1B, which shows the control in the first processing unit 42-1, will be explained.

First, in step 5T18-1, it is determined whether the first unit operation flag is in the on state.

If the determination is negative, the process jumps to step 5T113-5, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 5Tlfi-2. In step 5TI8-2, it is determined whether the metal ion concentration in the IIL ejected solution of the column detected by the heavy metal ion sensor 46-1 is below a set value. If the determination is negative, proceed to step 5T18-5; if the determination is negative, -
Proceed to step 5T1e-3. Step 5Tl13-3
Now, the second discharge valve 50-1 is closed and the first discharge valve 48-1 is opened. As a result, the ion exchange resin column 44
The aqueous dye solution from which heavy metal ions have been removed to a value below the set value in step -1 is discharged into the storage tank 48 via the first discharge valve 48-1. Next, step 5T1B-
In step 4, the first unit operation flag is turned off, and the first unit operation flag is turned on, and then the process proceeds to step 5TIEI-5.

In step 5T16-5, it is determined whether the first unit operating flag is in the on state or not. If it is in the off state, the process advances to step 5TI13-10, and if it is in the on state, the process advances to step 5TI6-8. In step 5T18-8, it is determined whether the concentration detected by the heavy metal ion concentration sensor 46-1 exceeds a set value (i16). If the set value is not exceeded, step 5T113-1 (
If it exceeds the threshold, the flow advances to step 5Tlfl-7. After turning off the first unit operating indicator in step ST'1G-7, the process proceeds to step ST'1G-8, where the supply valve 43-1 and the first discharge valve 48-1 are closed. Furthermore, while opening the second discharge valve 50-1,
The circulation pump 51 is driven to start a reflux operation in which the effluent solution from the column 44-1 is refluxed to the supply tank 31 via the second discharge valve 50-1. Next, in step ST9, the first unit) operating flag is turned off, and the first unit
After turning on the unit discharge flag, step 5T11
Proceed to 3-10.

Next, in step 5718-10, it is determined whether or not the first unit discharge flag is in the on state. If it is in the off state, the process proceeds to step 5T17, and if it is in the on state, the process proceeds to step 5T16-11. Step 5T16-1
1, it is determined whether the solution sensor 47-1 disposed in the outflow solution passage of the column 44-1 is off, that is, whether or not the outflow solution remains in the outflow solution passage. When it is not in the OFF state, that is, when a solution is detected, step ST1? If it is in the OFF state, the process advances to step 5TIR-12. This off state means that all of the aqueous dye solution discharged from the column 44-1 and having a heavy metal ion concentration higher than the set value has been refluxed to the supply tank 31. In Step 571fl-12,
The first unit filter replacement indicator is turned on to indicate that the column of the first processing unit needs to be replaced.Next, in step 5TI6-13, the second discharge valve 50-
At the same time, the drive of the pump 51 is stopped, and the reflux operation is stopped. Next, in step 5T1B-14,
The first unit discharge flag is turned off, the first unit filter replacement flag is turned on, and the unit change request flag is turned on. After this, step ST1? Proceed to.

Next, after passing through steps 5T17 and ST+8, the process returns to step ST3 shown in FIG. 4(A).

By executing the above-mentioned steps, the dye aqueous solution is purified in each processing unit l-42-1 to 42-3, and a purified dye aqueous solution whose heavy metal ion concentration is below the set value is obtained in the storage tank 48. It will be done.

(Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, ion exchange separation is performed to capture heavy metal ions in the dye solution, and the dye solution from which the heavy metal ions have been removed is continuously supplied to produce ink. Since the dye concentration in the prepared ink is detected during preparation, the properties of the final ink can be managed based on the detection results, and the quality is suitable for use in inkjet recording. It is possible to obtain an ink having the following properties.

[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 block diagram showing the dye purification apparatus in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the apparatus shown in FIG. A block diagram showing parts related to the dye purification device, FIGS. 4(A) and (
B) is a flowchart showing the purification operation in the processing unit of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1... Ink preparation tank, 2... Dye purification device, 3... Valve, 4... Storage section, 5... Storage section, 6... Valve, 7... Valve, 8. ...Valve, 8...Stirrer, IO...Liquid level detector. 11...Dye concentration detector, ]2...Heavy metal ion concentration detector, 13...Discharge valve, 14...Control unit, 15...Operation unit, 15-1...Dye concentration display 15-2... Heavy metal ion concentration indicator, 16... Printer, 21... Dye supply unit, 22... Dye powder, 23... Dye valve, 24... Preparation tank, 25 ...Pure water valve, 26...Pure water supply pipe, 27...Blending tank stirrer, 28...Blending tank liquid level detector, 29...Filtering filter, 30...Dye solution supply Valve, 31... Supply tank, 32... Supply tank liquid level sensor, 41... Sewing section, 42... Processing unit, 43... Supply valve, 44... Ion exchange resin column . 45... Valve, 4B... Heavy metal ion concentration sensor, 47... Solution sensor, 48... First discharge valve. 48...Storage tank, 50...piS2 discharge valve, 5]...Circulation pump. 101...Controller. 102... Read only memory, 103... Random access memory, 104... Switch, 105... Input/output buffer circuit, 108... Display device, 107... Drive circuit, 108... Input Buffer circuit, lO8... Output buffer 7 circuit, 110-114... Drive circuit, 121... A/D converter, 122... Input buffer circuit, 123.124, 125... Drive circuit, 12B・
'−・Output buffer circuit. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A means for producing a dye solution. a dye solution processing means for capturing heavy metal ions in the dye solution by performing ion exchange separation; an ink preparation section for preparing ink using the purified dye solution discharged from the processing means; 1. An ink manufacturing apparatus comprising: a detection means for detecting dye concentration in ink. (Margin below)