JP2014104380A - Liquid formulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid formulation device with a simple configuration which is easy to handle.SOLUTION: A liquid formulation device comprises: a liquid storage body (32) having a discharge part (32b) which is connected to a storage part (32a) capable of storing a liquid and to a bottom wall (32a1) of the storage part (32a) and which allows the liquid stored in the storage part (32a) to flow out to the outside by self weight, and an opening/closing valve (32b2) provided at the discharge part (32b) for allowing/cutting off the flow out by self weight; a mounting part (2) in which a plurality of liquid storage bodies (32) can be mounted in a predetermined posture; and a valve opening/closing part (5) capable of, when one out of the plurality of liquid storage bodies (32) is in a predetermined position, opening/closing the opening/closing valve (32b2) of the liquid storage body (32) in the predetermined position. The mounting part (2) can move at least two out of the mounted plurality of liquid storage bodies (32) to the predetermined position selectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid preparation apparatus for preparing a plurality of types of liquids.

Liquid preparation apparatuses capable of preparing a plurality of types of liquids are known, and are particularly frequently used in the fields of food, medicine, chemistry, and the like.
The liquid here has fluidity and can be stored in a storage space of the container in a form corresponding to the storage space.
Liquids to be blended are beverages, medicines, inks, and the like. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an example of a liquid blending device that blends printing ink as a toning filling device.

The liquid preparation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is an apparatus used for toning of printing ink.
Specifically, a plurality of supply tanks each storing ink bases of different colors, a filling nozzle arranged on the same circumference corresponding to each of the plurality of supply tanks, and the filling nozzle A pipe including a pump for supplying the ink base in the supply tank, a detector for measuring the amount of the ink base discharged from the filling nozzle and accommodated in the can container, and the detector together with the can container for any filling nozzle. A moving device including a turntable that moves to a position, and a control panel that controls the discharge amount of each filling nozzle and the operation of the turntable are provided.
Then, by rotating the turntable, the detector and the can container are sequentially moved to the position of the filling nozzle corresponding to the supply tank in which the ink base to be mixed is accommodated, and a plurality of types are provided via the pump, piping, and filling nozzle. Each ink base is accommodated in a can container in a predetermined amount so that the ink base can be toned.

Japanese Patent No. 3704821

As described above, the liquid blending device described in Patent Document 1 can automatically blend a plurality of types of liquids (ink bases) and, as described above, at least a filling nozzle corresponding to each supply tank. A pump and piping disposed between the two are provided.
Since the work of cleaning the piping including the pump is a relatively time-consuming work including disassembly and reassembly, it is desired that the work can be performed more easily.
In addition, replenishment or replacement of the ink-based supply tank used for blending is performed by removing the lid attached with the discharge pipe from the ink-based supply tank, but the ink drips from the removed lid. It is necessary to consider such things as not to use it.
That is, it is desired that the liquid blending apparatus has a simpler structure and is easy to handle including installation, operation, and maintenance (cleaning, etc.).

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid preparation device that has a simple structure and is easy to handle.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations 1) to 8).
1) A storage portion (32a) capable of storing a liquid and a bottom wall (32a1) of the storage portion (32a), and allowing the liquid stored in the storage portion (32a) to flow out of its own weight. A liquid container (32) having a discharge part (32b) and an on-off valve (32b2) provided in the discharge part (32b) and allowing and blocking the self-weight outflow,
A mounting portion (2) capable of mounting a plurality of the liquid containers (32) in a predetermined posture;
A valve capable of opening and closing the on-off valve (32b2) of the liquid container (32) at a predetermined position when one of the plurality of liquid containers (32) is at a predetermined position. Opening and closing part (5),
With
The mounting portion (2) is a liquid blending device (51) that can selectively move at least two of the plurality of mounted liquid containers (32) to the predetermined position. is there.
2) In the storage part (32a), the bottom part (32a4) forming the storage space (V1) in which the liquid is stored is inclined so that the discharge part (32b) side is lowered. It is a liquid preparation apparatus (51) as described in 1).
3) A main body part (41f) having a liquid flow path (V2) and a liquid container (40) provided in the main body part (41f) and sealed so as to cover the open part. The seal portion (41d) that can be attached to the flow passage (V2), connected to the flow passage (V2), and from the opening portion of the liquid container (40) attached to the seal portion (41d) to the flow passage (V2 The liquid container (41e) having a discharge part (41e) for flowing out the liquid flowing out to the outside to the outside, and an open / close valve (41e2) provided in the discharge part (41e) to allow / block the self-weight outflow. )When,
A mounting portion (2) capable of mounting a plurality of the liquid containers (41) in a predetermined posture;
When one of the plurality of liquid containers (41) is in a predetermined position, a valve opening / closing part that opens and closes the open / close valve (41e2) of the liquid container (41) at the predetermined position ( 5) and
With
The mounting portion (2) is a liquid blending device (51) that can selectively move at least two of the plurality of mounted liquid containers (41) to the predetermined position. is there.
4) The mounting portion (2) is configured to rotate around a predetermined axis (CL1) to selectively move the at least two liquid containers (32) to the predetermined position. The liquid preparation device (51) according to any one of 1) to 3), characterized in that:
5) The liquid container (32) is formed in a shape that is radially divided about the predetermined axis (CL1) as viewed from above when mounted on the mounting portion (2). 4) The liquid preparation device (51) according to 4).
6) The discharge part (32b) is biased toward the side of the liquid container (2) close to the shaft core (CL1) in a state where the liquid container (32) is attached to the attachment part (2). The liquid preparation apparatus (51) according to 4) or 5), wherein the liquid preparation apparatus (51) is provided.
7) The mounting portion (C4) is configured to reciprocate in one direction to selectively move the at least two liquid containers (31C) to the predetermined position 1) -Liquid preparation apparatus (51C) as described in any one of -3).
8) The liquid preparation apparatus (51) according to any one of 1) to 7), wherein the liquid is a printing ink.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that the structure is simple and the handling is easy.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the Example (liquid preparation apparatus 51) of the liquid preparation apparatus of this invention. 4 is a top view of the liquid preparation device 51. FIG. It is a half section front view of the liquid preparation apparatus 51. It is the top view and sectional drawing for demonstrating the container body 32 in the liquid preparation apparatus 51. FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining a filter body 33 attached to the container body 32. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a liquid preparation device 51. FIG. It is the upper side figure and partial sectional view for explaining the mounting structure of container 31 in liquid blending device 51. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the mixing operation procedure by the liquid preparation apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view for explaining container body 32A and turntable 2A in modification 1. It is the fragmentary sectional view for explaining container body 32B and turntable 2A in modification 2, and a side view of container body 32B. 10 is an external perspective view for explaining an overall configuration of Modification 3. FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the adapter 41 in the modification 4. FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the mounting aspect to the turntable 2 of the adapter 41 in the modification 4. FIG.

  A liquid preparation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Example)
An example is a liquid preparation device 51. The liquid blending device 51 is a device for blending or toning a plurality of types of printing ink bases. The ink base is, for example, flexographic ink.
First, the structure of the liquid preparation apparatus 51 will be described with reference mainly to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid blending device 51 as viewed from the upper left oblique front, FIG. 2 is a top view, and FIG. 3 is a half sectional view as viewed from the front. In the front external view, which is the left half of FIG. 3, for convenience, one container 31 (described later in detail) is shown in a mounted state.
4A is a top view for explaining the container body 32 in the container 31 that can be attached to and detached from the liquid blending device 51, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line S-S in the top view. is there.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the filter body 33 placed on the container body 32.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the liquid preparation apparatus 51.
Here, the respective directions of front, rear, left, right and up are defined by arrows in FIG. The front side is a side on which an operator is mainly located when the liquid preparation apparatus 51 is used.

  The liquid blending device 51 has a substantially cylindrical shape in appearance, and includes a base portion 1 disposed on the lower side and a bowl-shaped turntable 2 disposed on the upper side of the base portion 1. A plurality of containers 31 having a generally fan-shaped column shape are detachably mounted on the turntable 2.

The base portion 1 is supported by a disc-shaped bottom plate 1b to which a plurality of casters 1a are attached, a plurality of wall portions 1c that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction from the periphery of the bottom plate 1b, and a plurality of wall portions 1c. A top plate 1d having a circular opening 1d1 in the center, and a table support plate 1e attached to the top surface of the top plate 1d, having a circular opening 1e1 in the center and supporting the turntable 2. It is formed in a substantially cylindrical table shape.
Further, an exterior panel 1f formed in an arc shape so as to open the front side as an opening 1f1 and close the other side surface is attached to the outer surface of the wall 1c.

A scale 3 and a power supply unit 4 are installed on the bottom plate 1b.
The scale 3 measures the mass of an object placed on its upper surface. When the liquid blending device 51 is used, a blending container Y for containing ink is placed, and the mass of the blending container Y and the ink contained in the blending container Y is measured. The mixing container Y is a container that can accommodate, for example, about 10 to 15 kg of ink.
The scale 3 outputs the measured mass information J1 (hereinafter, mass information J1) to the interface IF as a signal SG1.
The power supply unit 4 is connected to a power line (100 V), and supplies power to the scale 3 in the liquid blending device 51, a valve turning unit 5 and a motor M, which will be described later.

A valve rotating portion 5 having a minus slot bit 5a is attached to the lower surface 1d2 of the top plate 1d.
The valve turning unit 5 can be turned using a rotary actuator or the like while moving the bit 5a forward and backward. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the bit 5a is saved. The driving of the valve turning unit 5 is controlled by the control device CT via the interface IF.

The turntable 2 includes a disc-shaped base 2a having a circular opening 2a1 in the center, an upper peripheral wall 2b extending upward from the periphery of the base 2a, and a lower peripheral wall extending downward from the periphery of the base 2a. Part 2c.
A thrust bearing 6 is interposed between the base 2a and the table support plate 1e. Thereby, the turntable 2 is supported so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis CL <b> 1 serving as an axis with respect to the base portion 1.
On the inner peripheral surface of the lower peripheral wall portion 2c, teeth 2c1 are formed over the entire inner periphery so that the turntable 2 functions as an internal gear.
A mark Mk1 is marked on the outer peripheral surface of the upper peripheral wall 2b so that the position of the container 31 attached to the turntable 2 can be specified (shown only in FIG. 1). Here, an example in which the mark Mk1 is a number 1 to 12 is described.

A motor M having an external gear Mg on its shaft is attached to the table support plate 1e. The external gear Mg meshes with the teeth 2c1.
Therefore, by driving the motor M, the turntable 2 rotates in a direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the motor M.
The driving of the motor M is controlled by the control device CT via the interface IF.
A ring-shaped encoder film E1 is attached to the lower surface 2d of the turntable 2, and a sensor E2 is provided on the table support plate 1e at a position facing the encoder film E1.
This sensor E2 interfaces, as an output signal SG2, information J2 and J3 that can determine the reference position and rotation amount in the circumferential direction of the turntable 2 with respect to the base portion 1 based on a predetermined pattern of the encoder film E1. Output to IF. In the following description, information that can determine the reference position in the circumferential direction of the turntable 2 is referred to as reference position information J2, and information that can determine the amount of rotation is referred to as rotation amount information J3.

Next, the container 31 will be described.
The container 31 has a substantially fan-shaped column shape whose upper side is opened as an external shape, and can store a liquid. The container 32 is a liquid container, and a filter that can be attached to and detached from the open end side of the container 32. The body 33 and the lid body 34 that is detachable so as to cover the filter body 33 are combined.

The lid 34 that covers the container body 32 also has a fan shape in plan view. The sector central angle θa (see FIG. 2) is set at a predetermined angle. For example, the angle is obtained by equally dividing 360 ° by an integer of 2 or more. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the angle is set to 30 ° of 12 divisions.
Accordingly, the central angle of the container body 32 is also set in consideration of the plate thickness and the like corresponding to the central angle θa of the lid body 34.

  In the top view of FIG. 2, two of the plural (12) containers 31 are described in a state where the inside of the container body 32 with the filter body 33 and the lid body 34 removed is visible, and the remaining containers 31 are It is described with the lid 34 attached.

Details of the container body 32 and the filter body 33 are as follows. First, the container body 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
4A is a top view of the container body 32, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view at the SS position in the top view.

  The container body 32 has an accommodating space inside, a container portion 32a formed in a substantially fan-shaped column shape with one end opened, and a path through which the liquid stored in the container portion 32a is discharged from the bottom side of the container portion 32a. It has a tubular discharge part 32b provided so as to protrude in the direction (downward), and a handle 32c provided so that the container body 32 can be carried by hand.

The accommodating part 32a is formed, for example, by processing a metal plate or by injection molding a resin. In FIG. 4, the structure is shown as being formed by processing a metal plate.
When the liquid has photocurability such as UV flexographic ink, the member in which the liquid is accommodated and distributed such as the accommodating portion 32a is formed of a material having light shielding properties.
The accommodating portion 32a has a bottom portion 32a1 that is a substantially fan-shaped bottom wall whose apex side is formed in a small arc shape, and a wall portion 32a2 that rises from the entire periphery of the bottom portion 32a1.
The wall portion 32a2 is formed on a pair of side wall portions 32a7 and 32a8 formed on a pair of lines that pass through the point CP and form a predetermined angle θb in a plan view, and the side wall portion 32a7 is formed on an arc centered on the point CP. The peripheral wall part 32a9 that connects the side wall part 32a8 and the small arcuate wall part 32a10 that connects the side points 32a7 and 32a8 to the point CP side are formed.
In other words, the pair of side wall portions 32a7 and 32a8 facing in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis CL1 are formed so as to include a plane passing through the rotation axis CL1 of the turntable 2. 32a8 is formed in a planar shape, and the peripheral wall portion 32a9 and the small arc-shaped wall portion 32a10 are formed in a cylindrical peripheral surface shape.
The shape of the container body 32 is not limited to a substantially sectoral column shape, and may be a substantially trapezoidal columnar shape, for example.

On the apex side of the bottom 32a1, a hole 32a3 is formed with the position at a distance L1 from the point CP as a center. The tube portion 32b1 of the discharge portion 32b is attached to the hole 32a3 by welding or the like.
The accommodating portion 32a is provided with an inclined bottom portion 32a4 that is inclined such that when the bottom portion 32a1 is in a horizontal position on the ground side, the hole 32a3 side is at the lowest position, and the position becomes higher as the distance from the hole 32a3 in the horizontal direction increases. ing.
In this configuration, the storage space V1 in the storage portion 32a in which the liquid is stored is a space surrounded by the wall portion 32a2 and the inclined bottom portion 32a4.

The discharge part 32b has a pipe part 32b1 whose one end is attached to the accommodating part 32a, an on-off valve 32b2 provided on the other end of the pipe part 32b1, and a nozzle part 32b3 on the tip side from the on-off valve 32b2. ing.
In the open / close valve 32b2, a negative slit 32b4 protrudes to the outside and is exposed. The protruding direction is a fan-shaped arc side.
By rotating the slit portion 32b4 by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 °), the state of the valve can be selectively maintained in either an open state or a closed state.
Thereby, the communication possibility between the pipe part 32b1 and the nozzle part 32b2 can be controlled.
More specifically, the open / close valve 32b2 is configured to allow the liquid stored in the storage portion 32a to be discharged to the outside from the discharge port 32b5 at the tip of the nozzle portion 32b3 through the tube portion 32b1 and the open / close valve 32b2 in the open state. In this case, the discharge is cut off.
In the liquid blending device 51, the slitting part 32b4 is engaged with the bit 5a of the valve turning part 5 that functions as a valve opening / closing part, and is turned by driving the valve turning part 5.

Since the container body 32 has the inclined bottom part 32a4 inclined so as to descend toward the hole 32a3, the remaining amount of liquid decreases in the process of opening the opening / closing valve 32b2 and discharging the liquid in the storage space V1. Even if the liquid comes, the liquid is smoothly guided to the tube portion 32b1 by its own weight.
Therefore, there is almost no liquid remaining in the storage space V1 and the discharge part 32b after the discharge is completed, and the liquid is discharged almost completely.

The container body 32 is mounted on the turntable 2 so that the point CP is positioned on the rotation axis CL1.
Accordingly, the container body 32 is formed in a shape that is radially divided with the rotation axis CL1 as the center when viewed from above when mounted on the turntable 2.
Thereby, the plurality of container bodies 32 can be mounted side by side in the circumferential direction on the base portion 2a of the turntable 2 with almost no gap. In this case, the assembly mode of the plurality of mounted containers 31 is substantially cylindrical. It becomes.

Further, the position of the nozzle portion 41e3 in the plurality of mounted containers 31 is on the circumference of the radius L1 with the rotation axis CL1 as the center.
Therefore, by turning the turntable 2, the open / close valves 32 b 2 of all the containers 31 can be selectively opened / closed by the valve turning unit 5.
Further, the distance L1 (radius L1) is set to be a position biased toward the rotation axis CL1 in the mounted container 31. That is, the nozzle portion 41a3 of each container 31 is arranged on the circumference at a position very close to the rotation axis CL1.
As a result, the smaller the remaining amount of ink in the container 31, the closer the center of gravity of the container 31 is to the rotation axis CL <b> 1, and the load associated with starting and stopping the turntable 2 does not increase. Is stable.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the filter body 33. The filter body 33 includes a frame-shaped frame body 33a that engages with a small clearance around the entire periphery of the opening 32a5 of the container body 32, and a mesh portion 33b of a predetermined mesh that is stretched inside the frame body. Yes.
When the liquid is stored in the storage portion 32a, only the lid 34 is removed and the filter body 33 is attached to the storage portion 32a, and the liquid is poured through the filter body 33, so that the dust mixed in the liquid, etc. Can be separated by crushing at the net 33b. The filter body 33 is detachable from the housing portion 32a, and can be removed and washed when necessary.

There is a control device CT as an external device connected to control the operation of the liquid blending device 51. As this control device CT, a personal computer that can operate based on predetermined blending software can be used. The control device CT and the interface IF are connected by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like.
Mass information J1 from the balance 3, reference position information J2 and rotation amount information J3 from the sensor E2 are input to the control device CT via the interface IF.

The mounting position of the container body 32 on the turntable 2 is positioned with high accuracy by uneven engagement or the like.
Further, the relationship such as the concave-convex engagement may be formed on a one-to-one basis so that only one position where the plurality of container bodies 32 can be mounted is determined for each container body 32.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the base portion 2a of the turntable 2, for example, the distance from the rotation axis CL1 is set on the center line of the container body 32 at the circumferential position where each container body 32 is mounted. Studs 2a2 to 2a13 are provided differently.
In FIG. 7A, the studs 2a2 to 2a13 are provided so that the stud 2a2 is gradually positioned closer to the center axis with the stud 2a2 being the farthest position, and the stud 2a13 is the closest position.
On the other hand, the bottom 32a1 of the container body 32 is formed with an engagement portion 32a6 of a hole or a recess that can be engaged with the stud at that position, corresponding to the stud at a specific position where the container body 32 is to be mounted. deep. In FIG. 7B, a state in which the engaging portion 32a6 is engaged with the stud 2a5 is shown as a partial cross-sectional view.
As a result, only one position on the turntable 2 to which each container body 32 can be mounted is determined, and it is not erroneously mounted at a place that is not a predetermined position.

Further, the container body 32 is marked with a mark Mk2 associated with a mark Mk1 attached corresponding to a specific position where the container body 32 is mounted (see FIG. 1).
Here, the mark Mk2 is numbered 1 to 12, and the position where the mark Mk1 and the mark Mk2 match is the specific position to be mounted. Thereby, the mounting | wearing operation | work of the container 31 becomes easier.

In the liquid preparation device 51, the slit portion 32 b 4 of the opening / closing valve 32 b 2 in one container 31 A (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the plurality of containers 31 mounted on the turntable 2 is a bit of the valve rotating portion 5. The rotation direction position of the turntable 2 that is directly opposite (on the same axis) as 5a is the reference position. The reference position information J2 is output from the sensor E2 so that the control device CT can set the reference position.
For example, when the turntable 2 is at this reference position, the reference position information J2 is output from the sensor E2.
Specifically, the position of a specific stud (in this case, the stud 2a2) of the studs 2a2 to 2a13 that also serves to position the container 31 in the circumferential direction, and the encoder film E1 so that the reference position information J2 is output from the sensor E2. Are associated with the positions of the reference position marks included in.

Next, a procedure for preparing a liquid with the liquid preparation apparatus 51 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (flow diagram).
Here, it is assumed that a liquid is used as an ink base, and five types of ink bases (KB1 to KB5) are mixed at a predetermined ratio to obtain a toned ink K having a desired mass KMT.
Further, the masses corresponding to the blending amounts (volumes) KQ1 to KQ5 of the five types of ink bases KB1 to KB5 in this blending are taken as the masses KM1 to KM5, respectively, taking into account the specific gravity of each ink base KB1 to KB5. Therefore, the mass KMT of the ink KB-A to be obtained is the sum of the masses KM1 to KM5.
Further, twelve equally divided 12 containers 31 can be attached to the turntable 2, and the ink bases KB1 to KB5 are sequentially arranged from one side to the five connected containers 31-1 to 31-5. It shall contain KB5.
These pieces of information are preset in software (preparation program PGM-A) for preparing the toning ink K to be executed by the control device CT. In the breakdown, the container 31-1 is set as a reference position.

(A: Ink base accommodation process)
When the preparation program PGM-A is started in the control device CT in accordance with an input instruction from an operator or the like, the control device CT causes the display DP to display an accommodation operation instruction indicating which ink base is accommodated in which container. (S1).
In this example, the instructions are for accommodating the ink bases KB1 to KB5 in the containers 31-1 to 31-5, respectively.
Of the plurality of containers, the container 31-1 is a container that is engaged with and mounted on the identified stud 2a2.

This accommodation operation is an operation of injecting the ink bases KB1 to KB5 with the containers 31-1 to 31-5 removed from the turntable 2, respectively.
The operator confirms that the open / close valve 32b2 is closed according to the instruction, and then pours the ink bases KB1 to KB5 into the containers 31-1 to 31-5, respectively (S2-1).
At this time, it is preferable that the ink bases KB1 to KB5 are poured into the accommodating portion 32a through the mesh portion 33b with the filter body 33 attached, because the foreign matters mixed in the ink bases KB1 to KB5 are removed.

When the liquid injection is completed, the containers 31-1 to 31-5 are attached to predetermined places on the turntable 2 (S2-1). As described above, since the containers 31-1 to 31-5 correspond to the studs 2 a 2 to 2 a 5 on a one-to-one basis as described above, there is no possibility of erroneous mounting.
In addition, containers 31-6 to 31-12 that are not used in this preparation may be mounted on the turntable 2.

On the scale 3, an empty mixing container Y for receiving the ink base discharged from the discharge port 32b5 of the nozzle portion 32b3 is placed (S3).
The scale 3 measures the mass of the empty mixing container Y at this stage, and outputs the mass information J1 to the control device CT as an output signal SG1 (S4).

(B: Standard positioning process)
When the storage of the ink bases KB1 to KB5 is completed, the operator inputs the storage completion to the control device CT (S5).
Upon receiving this input, the control device CT drives the motor M to rotate the turntable 2 a predetermined number of times (for example, one rotation) as a pre-rotation operation (S6).
The control device CT acquires the reference position information J2 from the output signal SG1 from the sensor E2 obtained by this pre-rotation operation, and the container 31-1 containing the ink base KB1 is based on the acquired reference position information J2. The turntable 2 is rotated so as to be positioned at the reference position (S7).

(C: accommodation process)
When the container 31-1 reaches the reference position, the control device CT drives the valve turning portion 5 to engage the bit 5a with the slitting portion 32b4 and to change the opening / closing valve 32b2 from the closed state to the open state. Therefore, the slitting part 32b4 is rotated (S8).
When the opening / closing valve 32b2 is in an open state, the ink base KB1 accommodated in the container 31-1 flows into the preparation container Y by its own weight from the discharge port 32b5 (S9).
As the ink base KB1 flows down into the mixing container Y, the mass measured by the balance 3 increases.
The control device CT monitors the fluctuation (increase) of the mass information J1, and the mass KM1 in which the stored mass of the ink base KB1 obtained based on the mass information J1 corresponds to the amount KQ1 defined in the blending program PGM-A. Is determined (Yes) or not (No) (S10).
This determination may be determined as “Yes” at a time when the opening / closing valve 32b2 is moved forward within the operation time during which the open / close valve 32b2 shifts from the open state to the closed state, and the time lag is advanced.
If it is determined as (Yes) in (S10), the control device CT opens or closes the valve rotation unit 5 with respect to the valve turning portion 5 when the ink base KB1 is stored in a predetermined amount or when it is estimated that a predetermined amount is stored. Instructing the execution of driving to close 32b2 (S11).

(D: Accommodation stoppage process)
When the on-off valve 32b2 is closed, the ink base KB1 injection stops, so that the mass information J1 shows a constant mass without an increase in mass.
When the control device CT confirms the stop of the mass fluctuation (increase) (S12), the control device CT retracts the bit 5a.
The control device CT determines the presence or absence of another ink base to be further blended based on the type of blended ink base set in the blending program PGM-A (S13).

(E: Deployment process)
When it is determined (Yes) in (S13), the control device CT rotates the turntable 2 so that the container 31-2 containing the next ink base (here, ink base KB2) is positioned at the reference position. (S14).
(S8) to (S13) are repeatedly executed. In this example, the contents corresponding to the ink bases KB2 to KB5 are sequentially executed from the container 31-2 to the container 31-5.

(F: End process)
When it is determined that there is no (No) in (S13) (here, preparation of the ink bases KB1 to KB5 is completed), the first container 31-1 is moved to the reference position (S15), and the completion of the preparation work is completed. The effect is guided by voice output or image output (S16).

  The toning ink K is prepared by the above process.

The liquid preparation device 51 can supply and prepare the liquid (here, ink base) to be prepared directly from the container 31 containing the liquid without using a pump and piping as in the above-described configuration and preparation procedure. it can. Therefore, the structure of the apparatus is simple, and assembly work and disassembly work are easy.
Further, the container 31 containing the liquid can be carried by hand, and the container 31 can be set at a predetermined position on the turntable 2 without erroneous mounting. Therefore, handling is extremely easy.
Each container 31 is formed in a shape (for example, a substantially fan-shaped column) that can be juxtaposed in the circumferential direction with almost no gap. As a result, when a predetermined number (12 in the above example) of containers 31 are arranged, they are gathered compactly in a generally cylindrical shape as a whole. Therefore, the liquid preparation device 51 can be configured in a substantially cylindrical shape in accordance with the overall shape of the assembled container. Therefore, movement is easy and the installation location is not limited.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration and procedure, and may be modified as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

(Modification 1)
The container 31 is provided with an inclined bottom part 32a4 in the container body 32 so that the container 31 can be smoothly discharged from the discharge part 32b even when the remaining amount of the stored liquid is reduced.
On the other hand, you may enable it to attach to a turntable as the container body 32A in which the bottom part itself of the container body inclined.
This modification 1 is shown as a schematic sectional view in FIG.
The container 32A is formed such that the bottom 32Aa1 is inclined with respect to the wall 32Aa2. The turntable 2A to which the container body 32A is mounted is formed so that the base portion 2Aa is inclined so that the radially outward position is increased in accordance with the inclination of the bottom portion 32Aa1. Further, an abutting portion 2Aa3 is formed on the rotation center CL1 side of the base portion 2Aa, and the container body 32A is positioned so as to be accommodated between the upper peripheral wall portion 2Ab.

(Modification 2)
The container body 32A of the first modification may be difficult to hold with the handle 32Ac tilted in a state where the container body 32A is placed on the desk so that the bottom portion 32Aa1 is in contact therewith.
In view of this, a modification 2 using a container body 32B in which the side of the wall portion 32Aa2 on which the handle 32Ac of the container body 32A is provided is a wall portion 32Ba2 substantially orthogonal to the bottom portion 32Ba1 corresponding to the bottom portion 32Aa1 may be used.
FIG. 10A shows a cross-sectional view of the container body 32B of the second modification and the turntable 2A on which the container body 32B is mounted, and FIG. 10B shows a state where the container body 32B is placed on the desk D.
In the second modification, the handle 32Bc is easily gripped in a state where the container body 32B is placed on a flat surface such as the desk D.
Since the discharge part 32Ab protrudes from the housing part 32Aa, it is necessary to escape from the end of the desk D, but this is not limited to the second modification, and the same applies to the embodiment and the first modification.

(Modification 3)
The container 31 is not limited to a substantially sectoral column shape, and may be a rectangular parallelepiped container 31C. In this case, a plurality of containers 31C may be arranged in a line and reciprocally movable in the arranged direction.
An outline of the overall configuration of the liquid preparation apparatus 51C is shown in FIG.
The liquid blending device 51C includes a main body C1 and a table C3 having a guide rail C2 extending in the left-right direction.
A movable plate C4 is attached to the guide rail C2 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. This movement is performed by the driving device C5 controlled by the control device CT2.
A plurality (five in this example) of containers 31C are placed in parallel on the moving plate C4. Each container 31C contains different types of ink bases.
Each container 31C is provided with a discharge portion C8 having an open / close valve C6 and a discharge nozzle C7.
The main body C1 is provided with a valve rotation part C9 for opening and closing the opening / closing valve C6 and a control device CT2 (such as a personal computer) for controlling the liquid blending device 51C. In addition, a storage container C10 that stores the ink base discharged from the discharge nozzle C7 by the open / close valve C6 opened by the valve rotating portion C9 is placed on the scale C11.
The control device CT2 controls the driving device C5 to sequentially move each container 31C to a position where the valve rotating portion C9 can open and close the opening / closing valve C6, and each ink base is accommodated in the mixing container Y with a predetermined mass. Thus, the operation of the valve rotation part C9 is controlled.

  According to this liquid preparation device 51C, since the plurality of containers 31C reciprocate in one direction (left and right direction), the depth can be reduced. Therefore, the liquid blending device 51C is suitable for the case where it is permanently installed along the wall of the room without being moved frequently.

(Modification 4)
Printing ink is widely distributed by being housed in a standard container positioned as a standard container. Examples of the standard container include a 1 kg conical can (inverted truncated cone shape with an outer diameter increasing upward), a 2 kg square can (vertical rectangular parallelepiped shape), and the like.
Therefore, when preparing printing ink, it may be possible to prepare using these standard containers instead of the dedicated container 31 in the embodiment.
Here, as an example, an adapter 41 that enables blending using a conical can 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view for explaining an application method of the adapter 41, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the conical can 40 is attached to the turntable 2 through the adapter 41.
The adapter 41 functions as a liquid container in which a standard container can be attached.

The adapter 41 includes a main body portion 41f having an upper wall portion 41a and a lower wall portion 41b that face each other, and a peripheral wall portion 41c that connects the upper wall portion 41a and the lower wall portion 41b at the periphery. Is formed in a flat drop shape. A space V2 surrounded by the upper wall portion 41a, the lower wall portion 41b, and the peripheral wall portion 41c is formed inside. This space V2 serves as a liquid flow path.
A circular opening 41a1 is formed in the upper wall 41a, and the external space communicates with the space V2. Further, around the opening 41a1, a seal portion 41d formed in a short tube shape with silicone rubber or the like is attached.
On the drop-like apex side of the adapter 41, a discharge portion 41e is erected from the lower wall portion 41b. The discharge part 41e has a discharge pipe 41e1, an opening / closing valve 41e2, and a nozzle part 41e3.
Here, the lower wall portion 41b is formed so as to be inclined so as to approach the upper wall portion 41a as the part side where the discharge portion 41e is provided is farthest from the upper wall portion 41a and the farther from the discharge portion 41a. Yes.
That is, the adapter 41 is inclined so that the lower wall portion 41b is lowered toward the discharge portion 41a in the use posture attached to the turntable 2. Therefore, even when the remaining amount of liquid in the space V2 is reduced in the process of discharging the liquid in the space V2 when the opening / closing valve 41e2 is opened, the liquid is smoothly guided to the discharge portion 41b by its own weight.
Thereby, there is almost no liquid remaining in the space V2 and the discharge part 41e after the discharge is completed, and the liquid is discharged almost completely.

When the adapter 41 is attached to the conical can 40, the open / close valve 41e2 of the adapter 41 is closed in advance and the lid of the conical can 40 is opened.
Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the adapter 41 is fitted into the open end of the conical can 40 with the lower wall portion 41 b positioned upward (upside down posture). Since the sealing portion 41d has flexibility and is in close contact with the open end portion of the conical can 40, the conical can 40 can be attached to the sealing portion 41d in a sealing manner.
Next, the adapter 41 is turned upside down together with the conical can 40 attached to the adapter 41 and attached to the turntable 2. Thereby, the ink base KB accommodated in the conical can 40 flows into the space V2 and the discharge pipe 41e1 which are flow paths. When the opening / closing valve 41e2 is opened in this state, the ink base KB flows down from the nozzle portion 41e3 due to its own weight. Thus, by using the adapter 41, the standard container (conical can 40) can be used substantially as an alternative to the accommodating portion 32a of the container body 32.

Since the adapter 41 has a drop shape with a central angle on the apex side being a predetermined angle, a plurality of adapters 41 can be mounted on the turntable 2 side by side in the circumferential direction, like the container 31.
As a result, a plurality of types of ink bases accommodated in the standard container can be prepared by causing their own weights to flow sequentially by turning the turntable 2 and opening / closing the opening / closing valve 41e2.

  A male screw may be provided on the outer peripheral surface on the open end side of the conical can 40, a male screw to be screwed to the female screw may be provided on the adapter 41 side, and both may be screwed together to be integrated.

  On the other hand, in the case of using a square can which is another standard container, the adapter can be replaced with the accommodating portion 32a in the same manner as the conical can 40 by using an adapter that can be attached in accordance with the shape of the square can. Can do. In the case of a square can, if the device can be mounted on the turntable 2 side by side in the circumferential direction, the size of the apparatus increases.

  According to the modified example 4, since the distributed standard container can be used as it is, the operation of replenishing the liquid used for the preparation is remarkably simplified and easy.

  Each of the above-described modifications can be prepared by supplying a liquid (in this case, an ink base) to be prepared directly from the container without using a pump and piping, as in the embodiment. Therefore, the structure is simple and the assembling work and the disassembling work are easy.

The embodiment and each modification can be further modified.
A sensor for detecting whether or not the container 31 or the adapter 41 is mounted on the turntables 2 and 2A may be provided, and the control devices CT and CT2 may be configured to control the operation with reference to the sensor output.
The control device CT may be provided in the liquid preparation device 51.
The plurality of containers 31 attached to the turntable 2 do not have to have the same central angle θa. A container having a central angle θa corresponding to a plurality of the containers 31 may be used. By storing the liquid with a high blending ratio in the large container, the number of times of replenishment of the liquid can be reduced and the working efficiency can be improved.
The opening / closing control of the opening / closing valve 32b2 by the control device CT is not limited to that based on the mass information J1 from the balance 3.
For example, a flow meter may be provided in the pipe portion 32b1 of the discharge portion 32b, and the control device CT may be configured to perform opening / closing control based on the flow rate obtained from the flow meter.
In addition, a liquid level sensor for measuring the liquid level position of the preparation container Y may be provided, and the control device CT may be configured to open and close based on the height position of the liquid level obtained from the liquid level sensor.
You may comprise so that the motor 51 may be removed from the liquid preparation apparatus 51 of an Example, and the turntable 2 may be rotated manually. In this case, the control device CT guides the operator by voice or image whether or not the desired container has been positioned at the reference position.
In the accommodating portion 32a of the container body 32 in the embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 32a9 may be formed in a planar shape instead of a circumferential surface shape. For example, it may be formed in a planar shape orthogonal to a straight line passing through the point CP.
In this case, the container body has a substantially trapezoidal columnar shape, and the collective form of the plurality of containers 31 attached to the turntable 2 has a substantially rectangular columnar shape.
During the blending operation, the filter body 33 and the lid body 34 may not be attached to the container body 32.

  In the third modification, the moving plate C4 can be reciprocated in one direction with a plurality of containers arranged in a line, but the moving plate C4 is fixed in position without moving, and the valve rotates. You may comprise so that the main-body part C1 which has the part C9 can reciprocate along the row | line | column of a container. In this case, since the moving space of the moving plate C4 is not required, the occupied space for installation can be made compact.

The inclined bottom portion 32a4, the bottom portions 32Aa1, 32Ba1, and the lower wall portion 41b, which are the bottom portions of the space in which the liquid is accommodated, are not flat surfaces whose inclined surfaces are continuous, for example, discontinuous flat surfaces having steps. Good. Further, the inclined surface may be a curved surface, or a combination of a flat surface and a curved surface.
The inclined bottom portion 32a4 may not be provided. Moreover, the lower wall part 41b may be formed so that the surface may become horizontal instead of inclining in use. However, it is desirable to provide the inclined bottom portion 32a4 from the viewpoint of facilitating smooth discharge when the amount of liquid is small. Further, it is desirable that the surface of the lower wall portion 41b is formed to be inclined.

  The embodiment, its modifications, and other modifications can be freely combined with each other as much as possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base part 1a Caster, 1b Bottom plate, 1c Wall part, 1d Top plate 1d1 Opening part, 1d2 Lower surface, 1e Table support plate, 1e1 Opening part 1f Exterior panel, 1f1 Opening part 2, 2A Turntable 2a, 2Aa Base part, 2a1 opening Part, 2a2 to 2a13 stud 2Aa3 butting part, 2b, 2Ab upper peripheral wall part, 2c lower peripheral wall part 2c1 teeth, 2d lower surface 3 scale, 4 power supply part 5 valve rotating part, 5a bit 6 thrust bearing 31, 31-1 to 31 -12, 31A, 31C Container 32, 32A, 32B Container body (liquid container)
32a housing part, 32a1, 32Aa1 bottom (bottom wall)
32a2, 32Aa2, 32Ba2 Wall part, 32a3 hole, 32a4 inclined bottom part 32a5 opening part, 32a6 engaging part, 32a7, 32a8 side wall part 32a9 peripheral wall part, 32a10 small arc-shaped wall part, 32b, 32Ab discharge part 32b1 pipe part, 32b2 tube part Valve, 32b3 Nozzle part 32b4 Slot part, 32b5 Discharge port 32c, 32Ac, 32Bc Handle 33 Filter body, 33a Frame part, 33b Net part 34 Lid body 40 Conical can (standard container)
41 Adapter (liquid container)
41a upper wall part, 41a1 opening part, 41b lower wall part, 41c peripheral wall part 41d seal part, 41e discharge part, 41e1 discharge pipe 41e2 on-off valve, 41e3 nozzle part, 41f main body part 51, 51C liquid compounding device CL1 rotation axis (axis core)
C1 body part, C2 guide rail, C3 table part, C4 moving plate C5 drive device, C6 open / close valve, C7 discharge nozzle, C8 discharge part C9 valve rotation part, C10 container, C11 scale CT, CT2 control device D machine, DP display E1 encoder film, E2 sensor IF interface J1 mass information, J2 reference position information, J3 rotation amount information K toning ink, KB1 to KB5, KB ink base KM1 to KM5, KMT mass, KQ1 to KQ5 compounding amount M motor, Mg External gear Mk1, Mk2 Mark PGM-A (Toning ink K) Preparation program SG1, SG2 Output signal V1 Storage space, V2 space (flow path)
Y Mixing container θa Center angle

Claims (8)

A storage unit that can store liquid; a discharge unit that is connected to a bottom surface of the storage unit and allows the liquid stored in the storage unit to flow out of its own weight; and A liquid container having an open / close valve that allows / blocks outflow;
A mounting portion capable of mounting a plurality of the liquid containers in a predetermined posture;
A valve opening / closing portion capable of opening / closing the opening / closing valve of the liquid container at a predetermined position when one of the plurality of liquid containers is at a predetermined position;
With
The mounting unit is a liquid preparation apparatus in which at least two of the plurality of mounted liquid containers can be selectively moved to the predetermined position.   2. The liquid preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom portion forming a storage space in which the liquid is stored in the storage portion is inclined so that the discharge portion side is lowered. A main body having a liquid flow path, a seal section that is provided in the main body section and can be sealingly attached so as to cover the opened liquid container, and connected to the flow path. A discharge portion for allowing the liquid flowing out from the opening portion of the liquid container attached to the seal portion to the flow path to flow out to the outside, and an allowance / blocking of the self-weight outflow provided in the discharge portion. A liquid container having an opening and closing valve,
A mounting portion capable of mounting a plurality of the liquid containers in a predetermined posture;
A valve opening / closing portion capable of opening / closing the opening / closing valve of the liquid container at a predetermined position when one of the plurality of liquid containers is at a predetermined position;
With
The mounting unit is a liquid preparation apparatus in which at least two of the plurality of mounted liquid containers can be selectively moved to the predetermined position.   The mounting portion is configured to rotate around a predetermined axis to selectively move the at least two liquid containers to the predetermined position. The liquid preparation apparatus according to claim 1.   The liquid preparation according to claim 4, wherein the liquid container is formed in a shape that is radially divided about the predetermined axis as viewed from above when mounted on the mounting portion. apparatus.   The said discharge part is provided in the state close | similar to the said shaft center in the said liquid container in the state which mounted | wore the said liquid container with the said mounting part, The Claim 4 or Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Liquid compounding equipment.   The mounting part is configured to reciprocate in one direction to selectively move the at least two liquid containers to the predetermined position. The liquid preparation apparatus described in 1.   The liquid preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is printing ink.

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