Liquid coating apparatus

Abstract

To provide a liquid coating apparatus capable of preventing liquid from overflowing from end portions of a strip-shaped member.SOLUTION: A liquid coating apparatus 10 according to the present invention applies liquid to a first surface 11a of a strip-shaped member 11 that is conveyed relatively along a conveyance direction. The liquid coating apparatus 10 includes a coating member (coating roller) 20 which is provided along a width direction of the strip-shaped member 11, includes a groove 23 on an outer peripheral surface 20a, and in which the outer peripheral surface 20a is in contact with the first surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11; a liquid supply mechanism 40 that supplies liquid onto the first surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11 in the vicinity of the coating member 20 on an upstream side of the coating member 20 in the conveyance direction; and a liquid movement restricting mechanism 50 that prevents the liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism 40 from moving to both end portions 11d of the strip-shaped member 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid application device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various methods are known for applying a coating liquid, which is a synthetic resin such as a thermosetting resin, to the surface of a strip metal plate 100, such as a flexographic method and a bar coater method (Patent Documents 1 and 2). For example, in the bar coater method, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, a bar coater 101 is provided as a coating roller on the upper surface (coating surface) of the strip metal plate 100 along the width direction of the strip metal plate 100. The bar coater 101 is a metal rod with a circular cross section, around which a wire 104 is wound. The upper surface of the strip metal plate 100 and the outer periphery of the bar coater 101 are in contact with each other. The strip metal plate 100 is transported along the length direction of the strip metal plate 100.

[0003] First, a coating liquid is supplied along the bar coater 101 to the upper surface of the metal strip 100 at a position close to the bar coater 101 on the upstream side in the conveying direction across the bar coater 101. The coating liquid spreads along the bar coater 101. When the metal strip 100 moves in the conveying direction in this state, the coating liquid passes through the gap 103 between the bar coater 101 and the metal strip 100, and is coated on the upper surface of the metal strip 100. The coating liquid spreads evenly on the metal strip 100. The amount of coating liquid to be applied is adjusted by the size of the gap 103 between the wires of the bar coater. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-52730 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-137399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As shown in Figure 8(A), when the length of the bar coater 101 is set to be longer than the width of the metal strip 100, the liquid can be applied over the entire width of the metal strip 100. However, if an appropriate amount of coating liquid is not applied, as shown in Figure 8(B), the coating liquid 102 may spill over from both ends (also simply referred to as "both ends") of the metal strip 100 in the width direction, and may run around to the sides or underside of the metal strip 100 or fall off.

[0006] For this reason, as shown in Fig. 9(A), the length of the bar coater 101 is set to be shorter than the width of the strip metal plate 100. However, as shown in Fig. 9(B), excess coating liquid does not pass through the gap 103 of the bar coater 101 and flows around to the outside of both ends of the bar coater 101 in the width direction, and liquid 102 accumulates in a mound at both ends of the strip metal plate 100.

[0007] Furthermore, when the coating liquid is, for example, an adhesive and another strip metal plate 100 of approximately the same size is placed on and bonded to the surface of the strip metal plate 100 to which the coating liquid has been applied, if the liquid 102 accumulates at both ends of the strip metal plate 100 as in the examples of Figures 8 and 9 above, the liquid 102 may be pushed by the other strip metal plate 100 and spill out from both ends, and may run around to the sides or bottom or fall off. Also, even if an appropriate amount of liquid is evenly applied to the entire surface of the center and both ends of the strip metal plate 100, the liquid 102 may spill out from both ends due to the pressure applied when the other strip metal plate 100 is placed on top of it.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a liquid application device that does not apply application liquid to both ends of a strip-shaped member in the width direction, and that can prevent liquid from spilling out from the ends of the strip-shaped member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention includes the following subject matter.

[0010] Item 1: A liquid application device that applies a liquid to a first surface of a belt-shaped member that is relatively transported along a transport direction, an applicator member provided along the width direction of the belt-shaped member, the applicator member having a groove on an outer circumferential surface through which a liquid passes, the outer circumferential surface of the applicator being in contact with a first surface of the belt-shaped member; a liquid supply mechanism that supplies liquid onto a first surface of the belt-shaped member near the applying member on an upstream side of the applying member in a conveying direction; a liquid movement limiting mechanism that prevents the liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism from moving to both ends of the belt-shaped member.

[0011] Item 2: The liquid application device according to item 1, wherein the liquid movement restriction mechanism is a pair of air blowing units, and the air blowing units are provided at positions corresponding to both ends of the belt-shaped member in the width direction.

[0012] Item 3: The liquid application device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the application member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and is freely rotatable.

[0013] Item 4: The liquid application device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the liquid supply mechanism includes a nozzle that supplies liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the application member, and a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the nozzle.

[0014] Item 5: The application member does not rotate, the liquid movement restriction mechanism includes a suction flow path including suction ports provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends of the applying member, and a suction device connected to the suction flow path; Item 10. The liquid application device according to item 1 or 4, wherein the suction port is open toward a position near the application member on the first surface of the belt-shaped member, on an upstream side of the application member in the transport direction.

[0015] Item 6: The application member does not rotate, the liquid supply mechanism includes a liquid supply flow path including a liquid supply port provided on an outer peripheral surface of the applying member, and a liquid supply unit connected to the liquid supply flow path; The liquid application device according to item 1, item 4, or item 5, wherein the liquid supply port is open toward a position near the application member on the first surface of the belt-shaped member, upstream of the application member in the transport direction.

[0016] Item 7: The liquid application device according to items 1 and 4, wherein the liquid movement restriction mechanism is a flat surface formed on the outer circumferential surface at both ends of the application member.

[0017] Item 8: The groove of the application member is filled with a filler, Item 8. The liquid application device according to item 7, wherein the outer surface of the filled filler is flush with the outer circumferential surface of the application member to form the flat surface.

[0018] Item 9: A sensor that detects liquid at a position on the first surface of the belt-shaped member near the applying member on the upstream side of the applying member in the conveying direction; 9. The liquid application device according to any one of items 1 to 8, further comprising: a control device connected to the sensor and the liquid supply mechanism, and controlling the amount of liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism based on the amount of liquid detected by the sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid application device that can prevent the liquid from spilling out from the end of the belt-shaped member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a schematic overall configuration of a liquid application apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] (A) is a front view of the application roller, and (B) is an enlarged view of part A in (A). [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the entire liquid application device. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are side views showing a part of the liquid application device, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where a sufficient amount of liquid is present, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the amount of liquid is insufficient. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of an application roller according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the length direction of the application roller of the embodiment of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 10A is a front view of an application roller according to another embodiment, and FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1A is a front view of a conventional application roller and a belt-shaped member, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a front view of a conventional application roller and a belt-shaped member, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of portion D in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] (Overall composition) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a liquid application device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The liquid application device 10 applies a liquid to a first surface (upper surface 11a) of a belt-shaped member 11, which is an object to be applied and is transported in a transport direction. The liquid application device 10 includes an application roller 20, which is an application member provided on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 along the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11 and which applies a liquid, and an opposing roller 30 provided at a position opposite the application roller 20 with the belt-shaped member 11 sandwiched between them. The application roller 20 and the opposing roller 30 are supported by a support (not shown) so as to be rotatable about their respective axes. The belt-shaped member 11 is transported in the transport direction by a transport mechanism (not shown), such as a roller.

[0022] The belt-shaped member 11 is transported along one direction along its length. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction in which the belt-shaped member 11 is transported is referred to as the transport direction, which is from left to right in Figures 1 and 2. The direction in which the belt-shaped member 11 advances is referred to as the downstream side, and the direction opposite to the downstream side is referred to as the upstream side. The direction perpendicular to the upper surface 11a (first surface) and lower surface (second surface) of the belt-shaped member 11 is referred to as the vertical direction. The direction perpendicular to the transport direction (length direction of the belt-shaped member 11) and the vertical direction is referred to as the width direction. The width direction is parallel to the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11 and the length direction of the application roller. In the following description, the vertical direction is vertical, and the upper surface 11a (first surface) and lower surface (second surface) of the belt-shaped member 11 are horizontal. However, the vertical direction does not necessarily have to be vertical and may be tilted relative to the vertical direction. The tilt angle is preferably set to 45 degrees or less. Liquid is indicated in gray in the drawings.

[0023] The operation of the liquid application device 10 is outlined as follows. As shown in Figure 1, liquid is supplied to a position on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11, near the application roller 20, upstream of the application roller 20 in the conveyance direction. When the belt-shaped member 11 is conveyed in this state in the conveyance direction, the movement of the belt-shaped member 11 causes the application roller 20 to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 1. A groove 23 is formed in the outer peripheral surface 20a of the application roller 20, and the liquid passes through the space between the groove 23 and the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11, causing the liquid to be evenly spread and applied to the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. The opposing roller 30 rotates clockwise to support the belt-shaped member 11.

[0024] The liquid application device 10 further includes a liquid supply mechanism 40 that supplies liquid onto the upper surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11, a liquid movement restriction mechanism (a pair of air blowing units 50) that is provided at at least one of both end portions 20b of the application roller 20 or both end portions 11d of the strip-shaped member 11 and prevents the liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism 40 from moving to both end portions 11d of the strip-shaped member 11, a sensor 60 that detects whether or not liquid is present on the upper surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11, and a control device 70 that controls the amount of liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism 40 based on the amount of liquid detected by the sensor 60.

[0025] (Belt-shaped member 11) The material of the belt-shaped member 11 onto which the liquid is applied by the liquid application device 10 of this embodiment is not limited, but it may be a metal plate made of, for example, an amorphous alloy, an electromagnetic steel sheet, or a stainless steel material. The size is not limited, but in this embodiment, the belt-shaped member 11 used has a width of 10 mm to 300 mm and a thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm.

[0026] (liquid) The liquid applied by the liquid application device 10 of this embodiment may be any liquid, but examples include anaerobic adhesives and one-component heat-curing adhesives. The liquid preferably has a viscosity in the range of 50 mPa·s or more and 10,000 mPa·s or less.

[0027] (Application roller 20) 2(A) and 3, the application roller 20 has a length slightly longer than the width of the belt-shaped member 11, and is disposed so that both ends of the application roller 20 are positioned outside both ends of the belt-shaped member 11 in the width direction. The application roller 20 has a substantially circular cross section, and is rotatable about a central axis 21 that passes through the center of the application roller 20. In this embodiment, the application roller 20 is rotatably supported by a support (not shown) of the liquid application device 10.

[0028] The application roller 20 is driven to rotate in a direction toward the upstream side in the conveying direction in accordance with the conveyance of the belt-shaped member 11. Note that the central shaft 21 of the application roller 20 may be connected to the output shaft of a drive motor (not shown), and the application roller 20 may be driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A1 according to the conveyance speed of the belt-shaped member 11.

[0029] When the application roller 20 is driven to rotate, a mechanism for driving the application roller 20 is not required, simplifying the configuration of the liquid application device 10 and reducing its size. Furthermore, when the application roller 20 is driven to rotate, the rotational speed of the application roller 20 needs to correspond to the conveyance speed of the belt-shaped member 11. However, it is difficult to appropriately adjust the rotational speed of the application roller 20. If the rotational speed of the application roller 20 does not correspond to the conveyance speed of the belt-shaped member 11, the frictional force between the application roller 20 and the belt-shaped member 11 will be greater than when the application roller 20 is driven to rotate. To avoid this, it is preferable to rotate the application roller 20 in a driven manner. However, at the contact point between the application roller 20 and the support supporting the application roller 20, frictional force may occur due to factors such as oil deterioration and dust over long-term use, making it difficult for the application roller 20 to rotate. When the application roller is driven to rotate, the application roller 20 is rotated by a drive motor or the like, ensuring reliable rotation of the application roller 20.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the application roller 20 is a cylindrical metal rod having an outer peripheral surface 20a on which annular grooves 23 and protrusions 22 are formed alternately in the axial direction. The grooves 23 and protrusions 22 may be formed in an annular shape or in a spiral shape. The depth of the grooves 23, i.e., the height of the protrusions 22, the width of the grooves 23, and the width of the protrusions 22 are designed appropriately depending on the type of liquid to be applied.

[0031] The application roller 20 is not limited to a bar coater, and any device capable of applying a liquid can be used. For example, the application roller 20 may be a bar coater or wire bar, which is a cylindrical metal rod tightly wound with a wire having a circular cross section. In this case, convex portions 22 and concave grooves 23 are formed spirally along the circumferential direction on the outer surface 20a of the application roller 20 according to the outer shape of the wound wire. The width, depth, etc. of the convex portions 22 and concave grooves 23 are determined according to the thickness (diameter) of the wire.

[0032] The outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 abuts against the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. The outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 abuts against the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 means that the apexes of the convex portions 22 of the applying roller 20 are in contact with the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. Note that the apexes of the convex portions 22 do not strictly refer to the apexes alone, but rather to the surrounding area including the apexes, which is an area that can come into contact with the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. The abutting portions of the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 and the convex portions 22 of the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 are referred to as "abutment portions 12" or "abutment portions 12 between the belt-shaped member 11 and the applying roller 20."

[0033] (opposing roller 30) Counter roller 30 is a known roller, and has the same diameter as application roller 20, but is slightly longer than application roller 20. Counter roller 30 is disposed at a position corresponding to application roller 20, sandwiching belt-shaped member 11 therebetween, and supports application roller 20 and belt-shaped member 11. Counter roller 30 is supported by a support (not shown) of liquid application device 10, and rotates in the direction of arrow A2, which is opposite to the rotation direction of application roller 20, as belt-shaped member 11 is transported in the transport direction.

[0034] (Liquid supply mechanism 40) The liquid supply mechanism 40 includes a nozzle 41 for discharging liquid and supplying the liquid to the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20, a liquid supply unit 42 for supplying the liquid to the nozzle 41, and a supply tube 43 connecting the nozzle 41 and the liquid supply unit 42. As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge port 41a of the nozzle 41 is positioned slightly away from the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 without contacting the outer peripheral surface 20a. The discharge port 41a of the nozzle 41 is provided above the applying roller 20, between the center of the applying roller 20 and the most upstream position of the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 in the conveyance direction. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the discharge port 41a of the nozzle 41 is provided at a position aligned with the most upstream position of the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 in the conveyance direction. As a result, the liquid discharged from the discharge port 41a flows downward on the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20, reaches the vicinity of the contact portion 12 between the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 and the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11, and is supplied to the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. The liquid is supplied to a region on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11, near the contact portion 12 on the upstream side of the contact portion 12 between the applying roller 20 and the belt-shaped member 11, excluding both end portions 11d in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the "liquid supply region 13"), and forms a liquid puddle. Note that the liquid does not flow into both end portions 11d in the width direction due to the air blowing unit 50 described below.

[0035] The position where the nozzle 41 is provided is not necessarily limited to the above example, and the nozzle 41 may be provided at a position further upstream of the application roller 20 as long as a puddle of liquid can be formed in the liquid supply region 13 .

[0036] 3, in this embodiment, two nozzles 41 are provided along the width direction, at positions symmetrical with respect to the center in the width direction. Note that three or more nozzles 41 may be provided at equal intervals. Furthermore, each nozzle 41 may be connected to a liquid supply unit 42, or multiple nozzles 41 may be connected to one liquid supply unit 42.

[0037] Known components are used for the nozzle 41, liquid supply unit 42, and supply tube 43. The liquid supply unit 42 includes a liquid storage unit 44 in which the liquid is stored, a pressure source 45 connected to the liquid storage unit 44 and supplying pressure to the liquid storage unit 44, and a valve 46 such as an electronic valve that is provided between the pressure source 45 and the liquid storage unit 44 and turns the supply of liquid from the liquid supply unit 42 to the nozzle 41 on and off.

[0038] The liquid supplied from the liquid supply mechanism 40 moves along the length of the application roller 20 and forms a pool of liquid in the liquid supply region 13 .

[0039] (Liquid movement restriction mechanism) In this embodiment, the liquid movement restriction mechanism is a pair of air blowing units 50 provided at positions corresponding to both ends of the application roller in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each air blowing unit 50 is attached to a support (not shown). The air blowing outlet of the air blowing unit 50 is located near the application roller 20, upstream of the application roller 20 above the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11, and below the central axis 21 of the application roller 20 in the vertical direction. Air is blown from an obliquely upward direction toward the contact portion 12 between the application roller 20 and the belt-shaped member 11, that is, toward both end portions 11d of the belt-shaped member 11 and both end portions 20b of the application roller 20 (hereinafter also referred to as both end portions of the contact portion 12). That is, in a plan view, air is blown toward both end portions of the contact portion 12 in the conveyance direction.

[0040] Air is sprayed at least to positions of the contact portion 12 corresponding to both end portions 11d of the strip-shaped member 11. As a result, liquid is not supplied to both ends of the application roller 20, and as shown in FIG. 3, regions 11b where no liquid is applied are formed at both end portions 11d of the strip-shaped member 11 in the width direction. This also prevents liquid from flowing to both end portions of the contact portion 12 and upstream of both end portions of the contact portion 12, thereby preventing the liquid from spilling over the end of the strip-shaped member 11. The length of each of the regions 11b where no liquid is applied formed at both ends of the application roller 20 along the width direction of the strip-shaped member 11 (the width of the regions 11b where no liquid is applied) is set according to the thickness of the liquid to be applied (liquid film thickness), and is set to be 100 to 1000 times the thickness of the liquid. For example, if the thickness of the liquid is 0.005 mm, the width of the regions 11b where no liquid is applied is set to be 0.5 to 5 mm. The position of the air outlet of the air blowing unit 50 and the air blowing strength are adjusted so that the width of the region 11b where no liquid is applied has a desired value.

[0041] Furthermore, if the liquid is, for example, an adhesive, and another strip-shaped member 11 of approximately the same size is placed on top of and adhered to the top surface 11a of a strip-shaped member 11 to which the liquid has been applied, applying the liquid to the entire surface of the strip-shaped member 11, including the ends, may cause the liquid to spread laterally and spill over the ends as one strip-shaped member 11 is pressed toward the other strip-shaped member 11. However, in the above configuration, liquid is not supplied to both ends of the application roller 20, so regions 11b where the liquid is not applied are formed at both end portions 11d in the width direction of the strip-shaped member 11, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the weight of the other strip-shaped member 11 causes the liquid to spread in the regions 11b where the liquid is not applied, making it less likely for the liquid to spill over the ends.

[0042] A known air blowing unit 50 is used, and in this embodiment, for example, it is an air source such as an air compressor with a synthetic resin tube attached. The direction of air blowing by the air blowing unit 50 is not limited to the direction toward both ends of the contact portion 12 along the conveyance direction in a plan view, as described above, but may be, for example, blown toward the center of the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 in the longitudinal direction of the application roller.

[0043] (Sensor 60) The sensor 60 detects the amount of liquid present in the liquid supply region 13. In this embodiment, a photosensor with model number F0-49X manufactured by Keyence Corporation is used. However, the sensor 60 may be any sensor 60 capable of detecting the amount of liquid, such as a sensor 60 using capacitance or a sensor 60 using resistance. The sensor 60 of this embodiment detects the amount of liquid present in the liquid supply region 13 by detecting whether or not liquid is present at a set measurement point 11c. In this embodiment, the amount of liquid is detected as follows. As shown in FIG. 4, the measurement point 11c is set on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 at a position a predetermined distance along the conveyance direction from the contact portion 12 between the application roller 20 and the belt-shaped member 11. The sensor 60 includes a light-emitting element that emits light toward the measurement point 11c and a light-receiving element that receives light reflected from the measurement point 11c. The sensor 60 detects whether or not liquid is present at the measurement point 11c based on the intensity of the light received by the light-receiving element. If liquid is present, it is assumed that a sufficient amount of liquid is present in the liquid supply region 13, and if liquid is not present, it is assumed that the amount of liquid present in the liquid supply region 13 is insufficient.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sensor 60 is provided at one location in the center of the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11, but a plurality of sensors may be provided at equal intervals along the width direction.

[0045] (Control device 70) The control device 70 is connected to the sensor 60 and the valve 46 of the liquid supply mechanism 40. The control device 70 controls the amount of liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism 40 based on the amount of liquid detected by the sensor 60. The control device 70 receives a detection signal from the sensor 60 and determines whether or not liquid is present at the measurement point 11c by comparing the value indicated by the detection signal with a reference value. If the control device 70 determines that liquid is present at the measurement point 11c, it determines that there is a sufficient amount of liquid in the liquid supply region 13 and causes the liquid supply mechanism 40 to stop supplying liquid. If the control device 70 determines that there is no liquid at the measurement point 11c, it determines that the amount of liquid present in the liquid supply region 13 is insufficient and causes the liquid supply mechanism 40 to start supplying liquid. The control device 70 is, for example, a computer including a CPU, memory, etc., but is not limited to this and may be composed of analog circuits.

[0046] In the above example, the amount of liquid supplied to liquid supply region 13 is controlled by turning on and off the supply of liquid from liquid supply mechanism 40, and the amount of liquid supplied per unit time is constant when the supply is on. However, by connecting control device 70 to pressure source 45 of liquid supply mechanism 40 and using control device 70 to change the pressure supplied by pressure source 45 to liquid storage portion 44, the amount of liquid supplied per unit time when the supply is on can be changed.

[0047] (Coating Operation of Liquid Coating Device 10) The application operation of the liquid application device 10 will now be described. As a preparation step, a sufficient amount of liquid for applying the liquid to the belt-shaped member 11 is supplied to the liquid supply area 13 on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. The control device 70 causes the liquid supply mechanism 40 to start supplying liquid. This causes the liquid supply mechanism 40 to supply liquid to the liquid supply area 13 on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. When the detection value of the sensor 60 exceeds the threshold value, the control device 70 determines that a sufficient amount of liquid has been supplied for liquid application, and causes the liquid supply mechanism 40 to stop supplying liquid. Because the air blowing unit 50 is driven throughout the preparation step, liquid is not supplied to both ends of the abutting portion 12 or to areas upstream of both ends.

[0048] Next, the liquid application process is performed. The conveying mechanism conveys the belt-shaped member 11 in the conveying direction. As the belt-shaped member 11 moves, the application roller 20 rotates in the direction of arrow A1, and the opposing roller 30 rotates in the opposite direction to support the belt-shaped member 11. As the liquid passes through the grooves 23 of the application roller 20, an amount of liquid corresponding to the size of the grooves 23 remains on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 downstream of the application roller 20. As this liquid spreads, the liquid is evenly applied to the central portion of the width of the belt-shaped member 11 downstream of the application roller 20 on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. Because the air blowing unit 50 prevents the liquid from being supplied to both ends 20b of the application roller 20, regions 11b where the liquid is not applied are formed on both ends 11d of the width of the belt-shaped member 11 downstream of the application roller 20 on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11.

[0049] According to the above configuration, the air blowing unit 50 prevents the liquid from flowing into both end portions 11d of the belt-shaped member 11 and both end portions 20b of the application roller. As a result, regions 11b where the liquid is not applied can be formed at both widthwise end portions 11d of the belt-shaped member 11, and the liquid can be prevented from spilling out from both end portions 11d of the belt-shaped member 11 and both end portions 20b of the application roller 20. Furthermore, by using the air blowing unit 50 as a liquid movement restriction mechanism, spilling of the liquid can be prevented with a simple configuration.

[0050] In this embodiment, the application roller 20 is fixed to a support and the belt-shaped member 11 is transported in the transport direction, but the belt-shaped member 11 may be fixed to a support and the application roller 20 may move on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 while rotating. In this case, the liquid supply mechanism 40 and the air blowing unit (liquid movement restriction mechanism) 50 also move together with the application roller 20.

[0051] (Other embodiments) Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The application roller 20 is fixed to a support or the like so as not to rotate. As shown in FIG. 5, the application roller 20 has a suction channel 81 formed along a plane parallel to the cross section. The suction channel 81 is a through-hole provided along the diameter of the circular cross section of the application roller 20, and both ends of the suction channel 81 open to the outer circumferential surface 20a of the application roller 20. One opening is a suction port 81a for sucking liquid from a puddle. The suction port 81a opens toward a position near the application roller 20 on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11, upstream of the application roller 20 in the conveying direction. The other opening 81b is connected to a suction device 82 via a connector or tube 85 inserted into the opening. The suction device 82 is, for example, a suction pump. As shown in FIG. 6, the suction channels 81 are provided at two locations, one at each end 20b of the application roller 20 in the longitudinal direction (the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11). The suction channels 81 and the suction device 82 constitute a liquid movement restriction mechanism 80. The liquid movement restriction mechanism 80 may include two suction flow paths 81 and two suction devices 82, with each suction device 82 connected to one of the suction flow paths 81, or may include two suction flow paths 81 and one suction device 82, with both suction flow paths 81 connected to the same suction device 82. Alternatively, a cylindrical tube may be inserted into the through-hole, with the interior thereof serving as the suction flow path 81, and the suction device 82 may be connected to the other opening of the cylindrical tube via a connector or tube 85.

[0052] The suction device 82 sucks the liquid located at the end on the top surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11 through the suction flow path 81, thereby sucking excess liquid from both end portions 11d on the top surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11. As a result, regions 11b where no liquid is applied can be formed at both widthwise end portions 11d of the strip-shaped member 11, and the liquid can be prevented from spilling out from both end portions 11d of the strip-shaped member 11 and both end portions 20b of the application roller 20.

[0053] Furthermore, a liquid supply flow path 83 is formed in the applying roller 20. Like the suction flow path 81, the liquid supply flow path 83 is a through-hole provided along the diameter of the circular cross section of the applying roller 20, and both ends of the liquid supply flow path 83 open to the outer circumferential surface 20a of the applying roller 20. One opening is a liquid supply port 83a for supplying liquid to the liquid supply region 13 on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11. The liquid supply port 83a opens toward a position near the applying roller 20 on the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11, upstream of the applying roller 20 in the conveying direction. In other words, the liquid supply port 83a can supply liquid toward the liquid supply region 13. The other opening 83b is connected to a liquid supply unit 42 via a connector and a supply tube 43 inserted into the opening 83b. The configuration of the liquid supply unit 42 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so a description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid supply flow paths 83 are provided at positions between the suction flow path 81 and the center of the applying roller 20, one each. The liquid supply flow path 83 and the liquid supply unit 42 constitute the liquid supply mechanism 40. The liquid is supplied to the liquid supply region 13 on the upper surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11 through the liquid supply flow path 83. Alternatively, a cylindrical tube may be inserted into the through-hole, with the interior thereof serving as the liquid supply flow path 83, and the liquid supply unit 42 may be connected to the other opening of the cylindrical tube via a connector or supply tube 43. Furthermore, the number of liquid supply flow paths 83 is not limited to two, and multiple liquid supply flow paths 83 may be arranged at equal intervals.

[0054] The other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so the same reference numerals as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] According to the above configuration, even if the liquid supplied from the liquid supply flow path 83 flows into both end portions 11d on the upper surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11, it is sucked in by the suction flow path 81, thereby preventing the liquid from spilling out from both end portions 11d on the upper surface 11a of the strip-shaped member 11. Furthermore, since the liquid supply port 83a of the liquid supply flow path 83 can be provided in a position close to the liquid supply region 13, the liquid can be reliably supplied to the liquid supply region 13.

[0056] (Other embodiments) Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 7. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the configuration of the application roller 20 differs from that of the embodiment of Figure 1. Filler 91 is filled into the grooves 23 at both ends 20b of the outer peripheral surface 20a of the application roller 20. As a result, at both ends 20b of the application roller 20, the outer surfaces of the filler 91 are aligned radially with the protrusions 22 of the application roller 20, forming flat surfaces 92. The flat surfaces 92 refer to a case where the outer peripheral surface 20a is free of irregularities such as protrusions 22 or grooves 23, or where the difference between the outermost and innermost positions of the irregularities in the radial direction is 0.01 mm or less. The flat surfaces 92 constitute a liquid movement restriction mechanism 90.

[0057] The flat surface 92 is formed by filling the grooves 23 at both ends 20b of the outer circumferential surface 20a of the applying roller 20 with a filler 91, and then polishing the outer circumferential surface 20a of the applying roller 20.

[0058] For example, an epoxy adhesive is used as the filler 91. However, any filler 91 may be used as long as it can fill the recessed grooves 23 to form the flat surface 92 and enable the application roller 20 to function.

[0059] According to the above configuration, the recessed grooves 23 are not formed at both end portions 20b of the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20, and therefore no gap is formed between the upper surface 11a of the belt-shaped member 11 and the flat surface 92 of the outer peripheral surface 20a of the applying roller 20 when they come into contact with each other. This makes it difficult for the liquid to pass through, and areas where the liquid is not applied are formed at both ends of the width of the belt-shaped member 11.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to an embodiment, it is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Expressions expressing the same state of things, such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "same," "identical," "equal," and "homogeneous," not only refer to strict equality, but also to tolerances or differences to the extent that the same function is achieved. Expressions expressing triangular, rectangular, and circular shapes not only refer to shapes in the strict geometric sense, but also to shapes including irregularities, chamfers, etc., to the extent that the same effect is achieved. The terms "comprise," "include," "have," "includes," "includes," or "have" a component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the presence of other components. "Parallel" and "orthogonal" mean substantially "parallel" and "orthogonal," and include not only strict "parallel" and "orthogonal" states, but also include an error of several degrees. In addition, expressions such as "part" are sometimes used, such as "end part." For example, "end part" means a part that has a certain range including the "end." The same applies to other expressions that include "part." [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Liquid application device 11 Belt-shaped member 11a Upper surface of the belt-shaped member 11b Area where no liquid is applied 11d Both ends of the belt-shaped member 12 Contact portion between belt-shaped member and application roller 13 Liquid supply area 20 Application roller 20a Outer surface 20b Both ends 22 Convex part 23 Groove 30 opposing roller 40 Liquid supply mechanism 41 nozzle 42 Liquid supply section 50 Air spray unit (liquid movement restriction mechanism) 60 sensors 70 Control device 80 Liquid movement restriction mechanism 81 Suction channel 82 Suction device 83 Liquid supply channel 90 Liquid movement restriction mechanism 91 Filling material 92 Flat surface

Claims

1. A liquid application device that applies a liquid to a first surface of a belt-shaped member that is relatively transported along a transport direction, an applying member provided along the width direction of the belt-shaped member, the applying member having a groove on an outer peripheral surface through which a liquid passes, the outer peripheral surface of the applying member being in contact with the first surface of the belt-shaped member; a liquid supply mechanism that supplies liquid onto a first surface of the belt-shaped member near the applying member on an upstream side of the applying member in a transport direction; a liquid movement limiting mechanism that prevents the liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism from moving to both ends of the belt-shaped member.

2. 2. The liquid application device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid movement restriction mechanism is a pair of air blowing units, each of which is provided at a position corresponding to both ends of the belt-shaped member in the width direction.

3. The liquid application device according to claim 1 , wherein the application member has a substantially circular cross section and is freely rotatable.

4. The liquid application device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid supply mechanism comprises: a nozzle that supplies liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the application member; and a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the nozzle.

5. The application member does not rotate, the liquid movement restriction mechanism includes a suction flow path including suction ports provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends of the applying member, and a suction device connected to the suction flow path; The liquid application device according to claim 1 , wherein the suction port is open toward a position on the first surface of the belt-shaped member upstream of the application member in the transport direction and in the vicinity of the application member.

6. The application member does not rotate, the liquid supply mechanism includes a liquid supply flow path including a liquid supply port provided on an outer peripheral surface of the applying member, and a liquid supply unit connected to the liquid supply flow path; The liquid application device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid supply port is open toward a position on the first surface of the belt-shaped member, upstream of the application member in the transport direction, and in the vicinity of the application member.

7. The liquid application device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid movement restriction mechanism is a flat surface formed on the outer circumferential surface at both ends of the application member.

8. The groove of the application member is filled with a filler, The liquid application device according to claim 7 , wherein an outer surface of the filled filler is flush with the outer circumferential surface of the application member to form the flat surface.

9. a sensor for detecting liquid present on a first surface of the belt-shaped member near the applying member on an upstream side of the applying member in a conveying direction; 2. The liquid application apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control device connected to the sensor and the liquid supply mechanism, the control device controlling the amount of liquid supplied by the liquid supply mechanism based on the amount of liquid detected by the sensor.

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