Slot Die

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a slot die including a slit for discharging a fluid toward an object to be coated, wherein the slot die includes: a block including a leading edge surface facing the object to be coated, an inner surface defining the slit, and an outer surface having a first groove that extends in the width direction of the slot die and at least one second groove that intersects the first groove and extends from the first groove toward the leading edge surface; and at least one adjusting tool for changing the width of the first groove to adjust the width of the slit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a slot die. [Background technology]

[0002] Slot dies are widely used for coating various fluids. As a method for adjusting the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the slot die, for example, the following techniques are known.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a die lip drive structure that adjusts the gap between the lips by utilizing a lever mechanism. The die lip drive structure adjusts the gap between the first lip and the second lip by applying a pressure load or a tensile load to a flexible lip portion constituting at least one of a first lip and a second lip provided on a die body. For example, in a T-die disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, a concave cutout portion is provided in the width direction near the lower end of the die body, and a flexible lip portion that is elastically deformable is formed with the cutout portion as a boundary. The flexible lip portion deforms starting from the concave cutout portion, thereby adjusting the gap between the first lip and the second lip.

[0004] The following Patent Document 2 discloses an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the opening width of a slot that opens into the tip of the tool body by adjusting the opening width of a slit formed along the longitudinal direction on the tip side of the tool body. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the opening width of the slit by an electrical drive means. The adjustment mechanism is movable in the longitudinal direction by an electrical movement means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-036926 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-171292 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When the flexible lip portion at a certain point is deformed by the die lip drive structure disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the flexible lip portion near the flexible lip portion may also be deformed following the deformation of the flexible lip portion. The above-mentioned phenomenon hinders precise adjustment of the gap between the first lip and the second lip, and reduces the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction. The above-mentioned phenomenon may also occur in the adjustment mechanism disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a slot die that improves coating thickness uniformity in the cross direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure includes the following aspects. <1> A slot die including a slit for discharging a fluid toward an object to be coated, the slot die including: a block including a tip surface facing the object to be coated, an inner surface defining the slit, and an outer surface having a first groove extending in the width direction of the slot die and at least one second groove intersecting the first groove and extending from the first groove toward the tip surface; and at least one adjustment device for adjusting the width of the slit by changing the width of the first groove. <2> the adjustment device includes a screw for changing the width of the first groove; <1> The slot die according to claim 1. <3> The adjustment device includes a pair of adjustment parts including a first adjustment part and a second adjustment part arranged adjacent to each other on the outer surface of the block with the first groove in between, and a screw arranged to penetrate the first adjustment part of the pair of adjustment parts and including a tip surface that contacts the second adjustment part of the pair of adjustment parts, and the screw applies a force to the second adjustment part to change the width of the first groove. <1> The slot die according to claim 1. <4> The adjustment device includes a pair of adjustment parts including a first adjustment part and a second adjustment part arranged adjacent to each other on the outer surface of the block with the first groove in between, and a screw arranged to penetrate the first adjustment part of the pair of adjustment parts and inserted into the second adjustment part of the pair of adjustment parts, and the screw pushes and pulls the second adjustment part to change the width of the first groove. <1> The slot die according to claim 1. <5> The first adjustment portion includes a female thread portion, the second adjustment portion includes a female thread portion, and the screw is a differential screw including a first male thread portion that meshes with the female thread portion of the first adjustment portion and a second male thread portion that meshes with the female thread portion of the second adjustment portion. <4> The slot die according to claim 1. <6> the at least one adjustment device includes a plurality of adjustment devices aligned along the first groove on the outer surface of the block, and one second groove of the at least one second groove is disposed between two adjacent adjustment devices of the plurality of adjustment devices; <1> ~ <5> 13. The slot die according to claim 12, Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a slot die is provided that improves coating thickness uniformity across the width. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a slot die according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the slot die shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a coating method using the slot die shown in FIGS. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a slot die according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. The following embodiments may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] When describing the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, the description of the overlapping components and symbols in the drawings may be omitted. Components indicated by the same symbols in the drawings are the same components. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily represent the actual dimensional ratios.

[0013] In the present disclosure, a numerical range indicated using "~" indicates a range including the numerical values ​​described before and after "~" as the lower and upper limits, respectively. In the numerical ranges described in stages in the present disclosure, the upper or lower limit described in a certain numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit of another numerical range described in stages. In addition, in the numerical ranges described in the present disclosure, the upper or lower limit described in a certain numerical range may be replaced with a value shown in the examples.

[0014] In the present disclosure, when a plurality of substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition, the amount of each component in the composition means the total amount of the plurality of substances present in the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0015] In the present disclosure, the term "process" includes not only independent processes, but also processes that cannot be clearly distinguished from other processes as long as the intended purpose of the process is achieved.

[0016] In the present disclosure, "mass %" and "weight %" are synonymous, and "parts by mass" and "parts by weight" are synonymous.

[0017] In the present disclosure, combinations of two or more preferred embodiments are more preferred embodiments.

[0018] In this disclosure, ordinal numbers (e.g., "first" and "second") are terms used to distinguish components, and do not limit the number of components or the superiority or inferiority of the components.

[0019] In this disclosure, "solids" means components other than the solvent.

[0020] <Slot die according to the first embodiment> A slot die according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a slot die according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the slot die shown in Figure 1. Directions X and Y are perpendicular to each other, directions X and Z are perpendicular to each other, and directions Y and Z are perpendicular to each other. Direction X is parallel to the width direction of the slot die.

[0021] 1 and 2 includes a first block 10, a second block 20, and an adjustment tool 30. A slit 40 and a manifold 50 are formed between the first block 10 and the second block 20.

[0022] (First block) The first block 10, together with the second block 20, defines a slit 40 and a manifold 50. The first block 10 faces the second block 20 and is fixed to the second block 20 by bolts (not shown).

[0023] The first block 10 is made of stainless steel. However, the first block 10 may be made of a material other than stainless steel. Examples of materials other than stainless steel include ceramics and cemented carbide.

[0024] The shape of the first block 10 is a columnar shape extending in the direction X. The width of the first block 10 is determined, for example, according to the width of the coating film. The width of the first block 10 is preferably within a range of 20 mm to 400 mm. The width of the first block 10 may be within a range of 20 mm to 200 mm. The width of the first block 10 may be within a range of 50 mm to 100 mm. The width of the first block 10 means the distance from one end of the first block 10 to the other end along the direction X.

[0025] The first block 10 includes a tip surface 10a, an inner surface 10b, and an outer surface 10c. In a coating method using the slot die 100, the tip surface 10a faces an object to be coated (not shown). The tip surface 10a is provided at the tip of the first block 10 and faces the direction Z. The tip surface 10a extends in the direction X. The inner surface 10b defines the slit 40. The inner surface 10b faces the direction Y. The inner surface 10b extends in the direction X and the direction Z. The outer surface 10c has a first groove 11 and a second groove 12. The outer surface 10c faces in the opposite direction to the direction Y. That is, the outer surface 10c is the outer surface of the slot die 100. The outer surface 10c extends in the direction X and the direction Z.

[0026] The first block 10 includes a tip portion 10d defined by a first groove 11 and a second groove 12. As described later, the tip portion 10d of the first block 10 can be deformed by an adjustment tool 30 starting from a bottom portion 11a of the first groove 11. The number of tip portions 10d defined by one first groove 11 and two second grooves 12 is 10. However, the number of tip portions 10d defined by one first groove 11 and two second grooves 12 is not limited to 10. The number of tip portions 10d defined by one first groove 11 and two second grooves 12 may be changed depending on the width of the first block 10, the number of adjustment tools 30 that can be installed, and the required uniformity of the thickness of the coating film.

[0027] The first groove 11 partitions the tip 10d of the first block 10 in the direction X and the direction Y, and improves the mobility of the tip 10d of the first block 10. In the XZ plane view of the slot die 100, the first groove 11 extends in the direction X, that is, in the width direction of the slot die 100. Specifically, the first groove 11 extends from one end to the other of the width of the slot die 100. In the XZ plane view of the slot die 100, the first groove 11 is parallel to the tip surface 10a of the first block 10, that is, the tip of the slot die 100. When the first groove 11 is parallel to the tip of the slot die 100 in the XZ plane view of the slot die 100, the variation in the movable range of the tip 10d of the first block 10 is reduced, and the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is improved. In addition, the first groove 11 extends from the outer surface 10c toward the slit 40. 2, the shape of the bottom 11a of the first groove 11 is circular. The circular shape of the bottom 11a of the first groove 11 improves the mobility of the tip portion 10d of the first block 10. However, the shape of the bottom 11a of the first groove 11 is not limited to a circle, and may be a polygon such as a rectangle.

[0028] The width of the first groove 11 is preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and particularly preferably in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. The larger the width of the first groove 11, the more the mobility of the tip portion 10d of the first block 10 is improved. The smaller the width of the first groove 11, the more the rigidity of the first block 10 is improved. The width of the first groove 11 means the shortest distance from one end of the first groove 11 to the other end along the direction Z in the XZ plane view of the slot die 100.

[0029] The depth of the first groove 11 is determined, for example, according to the thickness of the first block 10 and the mobility of the tip portion 10d of the first block 10. The depth of the first groove 11 is preferably within a range of 10 mm to 180 mm, and more preferably within a range of 20 mm to 80 mm. The greater the depth of the first groove 11, the more the mobility of the tip portion 10d of the first block 10 is improved. The smaller the depth of the first groove 11, the more the rigidity of the first block 10 is improved. The preferred range of the maximum depth of the first groove 11 is the same as the preferred range of the depth of the first groove 11 described above.

[0030] From the viewpoint of the mobility of the tip portion 10d of the first block 10 and the rigidity of the first block 10, the ratio of the depth of the first groove 11 to the width of the first groove 11 (i.e., [depth of the first groove 11] / [width of the first groove 11]) is preferably within a range of 2 to 20, and more preferably within a range of 5 to 15. The ratio of the maximum depth of the first groove 11 to the width of the first groove 11 (i.e., [maximum depth of the first groove 11] / [width of the first groove 11]) is the same as the above-mentioned preferable range of [depth of the first groove 11] / [width of the first groove 11].

[0031] The second groove 12 divides the tip 10d of the first block 10 in the direction Y and the direction Z, and can reduce the influence of deformation of one tip 10d on another tip 10d. As a result, the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is improved. The second groove 12 intersects the first groove 11 at a right angle and extends from the first groove 11 toward the tip surface 10a. That is, in the XZ plane view of the slot die 100, the angle between the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 is 90°. However, the angle between the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 is not limited to 90°. The angle between the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may be within a range of 85° to 95°. The angle between the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may be within a range of 87° to 93°. The angle between the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may be 89° to 91°. As the angle between the first groove 11 and the second groove 12 approaches 90°, the controllability of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 improves, and the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction improves. Similarly to the first groove 11, the second groove 12 extends from the outer surface 10c toward the slit 40.

[0032] The width of the second groove 12 is preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and particularly preferably in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. The larger the width of the second groove 12, the larger the distance between two adjacent tips 10d, and the smaller the effect of deformation of one tip 10d on another tip 10d. As a result, the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is improved. The smaller the width of the second groove 12, the larger the number of second grooves 12 that can be formed in the first block 10. The larger the number of second grooves 12, the more the number of adjustment points for the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 is, and the more finely the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is adjusted. As a result, the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is improved. The width of the second groove 12 means the shortest distance from end to end of the second groove 12 along the direction X in the XZ plane view of the slot die 100.

[0033] From the standpoint of the mobility of the tip portion 10d and the controllability of the width of each slit 40 separated by the second groove portion 12, the ratio of the width of the second groove 12 to the width of the first groove 11 (i.e., [width of the second groove 12] / [width of the first groove 11]) is preferably within the range of 0.2 to 5, more preferably within the range of 0.5 to 3, and particularly preferably within the range of 0.7 to 1.5.

[0034] The depth of the second groove 12 is determined, for example, according to the thickness of the first block 10 and the mobility of the tip 10d of the first block 10. The depth of the second groove 12 is preferably in the range of 10 mm to 180 mm, and more preferably in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm. The greater the depth of the second groove 12, the less the effect of deformation of one tip 10d on another tip 10d, and the more uniform the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is improved. The smaller the depth of the second groove 12, the more rigid the first block 10 is. The preferred range of the maximum depth of the second groove 12 is the same as the preferred range of the depth of the second groove 12 described above.

[0035] From the viewpoints of uniformity of the coating thickness in the width direction and rigidity of the first block 10, the ratio of the depth of the second groove 12 to the width of the second groove 12 (i.e., [depth of the second groove 12] / [width of the second groove 12]) is preferably within a range of 2 to 20, and more preferably within a range of 5 to 15. The ratio of the maximum depth of the second groove 12 to the width of the second groove 12 (i.e., [maximum depth of the second groove 12] / [width of the second groove 12]) is the same as the preferred range of [depth of the second groove 12] / [width of the second groove 12] described above.

[0036] From the viewpoint of uniformity of the coating thickness in the width direction, the interval between the second grooves 12 is preferably within the range of 10 mm to 100 mm, more preferably within the range of 15 mm to 50 mm, and particularly preferably within the range of 25 mm to 35 mm. Furthermore, the interval between the second grooves 12 is preferably uniform. The interval between the second grooves 12 means the distance between two adjacent second grooves 12 when viewed in the XZ plane of the slot die 100.

[0037] The number of the second grooves 12 extending from the first groove 11 toward the tip surface 10a is 11. However, the number of the second grooves 12 is not limited to 11. The number of the second grooves 12 may be changed according to the width of the first block 10, the number of the adjustment devices 30 that can be installed, and the required uniformity of the thickness of the coating film. The larger the number of the second grooves 12, the larger the number of tip portions 10d partitioned by the first grooves 11 and the second grooves 12, and the larger the number of adjustment points for the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100. As a result, the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is finely adjusted, and the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is improved.

[0038] Examples of the manufacturing method of the first block 10 include forging, casting, and cutting. The first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may be formed during the forging or casting process. The first groove 11 and the second groove 12 may be formed by cutting.

[0039] (Second block) The second block 20, together with the first block 10, defines a slit 40 and a manifold 50. The second block 20 faces the first block 10 and is fixed to the first block 10 by bolts (not shown).

[0040] The second block 20 is made of stainless steel. However, the second block 20 may be made of a material other than stainless steel. Examples of materials other than stainless steel include the materials other than stainless steel exemplified in the description of the components of the first block 10. The second block 20 preferably contains the same components as those contained in the first block 10.

[0041] The second block 20 has a columnar shape extending in the direction X. The width of the second block 20 is the same as the width of the first block 10. The preferred range of the width of the second block 20 is the same as the preferred range of the width of the first block 10 described above.

[0042] The manufacturing method of the second block 20 includes, for example, forging, casting, and cutting.

[0043] (adjustment device) The adjustment device 30 changes the width of the first groove 11, and adjusts the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 by using the change in the width of the first groove 11. As described later, the adjustment device 30 changes the width of the first groove 11 by pushing and pulling the second adjustment part 32 in response to the rotation of the bolt 33. The adjustment devices 30 are lined up along the first groove 11 on the outer surface 10c of the first block 10. The second groove 12 is disposed between two adjacent adjustment devices 30. That is, the adjustment devices 30 and the second groove 12 are disposed alternately along the direction X, i.e., the width direction of the slot die 100.

[0044] The number of the adjusting devices 30 is 10. However, the number of the adjusting devices 30 is not limited to 10. The number of the adjusting devices 30 may be changed according to the number of tip portions 10d of the first block 10 defined by the first grooves 11 and the second grooves 12. The greater the number of the adjusting devices 30, the more finely the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is adjusted. As a result, the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction is improved.

[0045] The adjustment tool 30 includes a first adjustment part 31 , a second adjustment part 32 , and a bolt 33 .

[0046] The first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 constitute a pair of adjustment parts. The first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 are arranged adjacent to each other on the outer surface 10c of the first block 10 with the first groove 11 therebetween. The second adjustment part 32 is in contact with the tip part 10d of the first block 10, which is partitioned by one first groove 11 and two second grooves 12. The first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 are fixed to the outer surface 10c of the first block 10 by a bolt (not shown). However, the first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 may be fixed to the first block 10 by a fastener other than a bolt. The first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 may be fixed to the first block 10 by a method other than a method using a fastener. The first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 are formed of stainless steel. However, the first adjustment portion 31 and the second adjustment portion 32 may be formed of a material other than stainless steel. Examples of materials other than stainless steel include materials other than stainless steel exemplified in the description of the components of the first block 10. The shape of the first adjustment portion 31 and the second adjustment portion 32 is a rectangular prism. However, the shape of the first adjustment portion 31 and the second adjustment portion 32 may be a shape other than a rectangular prism. The first adjustment portion 31 includes a female thread portion. The female thread portion of the first adjustment portion 31 is formed on an inner circumferential surface that defines the screw hole of the first adjustment portion 31. The second adjustment portion 32 includes a female thread portion. The female thread portion of the second adjustment portion 32 is formed on an inner circumferential surface that defines the screw hole of the second adjustment portion 32.

[0047] The bolt 33 is a screw that changes the width of the first groove 11. Specifically, the bolt 33 is a type of differential screw, and pushes and pulls the second adjustment part 32 by utilizing the difference in the pitch of the thread. As described later, the width of the first groove 11 affects the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100. The bolt 33 is disposed penetrating the first adjustment part 31 and inserted into the second adjustment part 32. Specifically, the bolt 33 is inserted into the screw hole of the second adjustment part 32 through the screw hole of the first adjustment part 31. The bolt 33 may be disposed penetrating both the first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32. The bolt 33 includes a first male screw portion that engages with the female screw portion of the first adjustment part 31 and a second male screw portion that engages with the female screw portion of the second adjustment part 32. In the bolt 33, the pitch of the first male screw portion is different from the pitch of the second male screw portion. The "pitch of the male thread" means the distance between two adjacent threads of the male thread. The absolute value of the difference between the pitch of the first male thread and the pitch of the second male thread may be 0.1 mm or more, 0.15 mm or more, or 0.2 mm or more. The absolute value of the difference between the pitch of the first male thread and the pitch of the second male thread is preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.15 mm to 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. In the bolt 33, the outer diameter of the first male thread is preferably larger than the outer diameter of the second male thread. The bolt 33 extends in the direction Z and can rotate around a virtual straight line along the direction Z as a rotation axis. The bolt 33 can move in the direction Z or in the opposite direction to the direction Z while rotating. The movement direction and movement amount of the bolt 33 are adjusted according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the bolt 33. The force with which the bolt 33 pushes or pulls the second adjustment portion 32 changes depending on the direction and amount of rotation of the bolt 33, thereby adjusting the width of the first groove 11. The bolt 33 is made of stainless steel. However, the bolt 33 may be made of a material other than stainless steel. Examples of materials other than stainless steel include the materials other than stainless steel exemplified in the description of the components of the first block 10.

[0048] (slit) The slit 40 is a space for discharging a fluid toward an object to be coated. The slit 40 is defined by the first block 10 and the second block 20. The slit 40 extends in the X direction and the Z direction, and forms a discharge port at the tip of the slot die 100. The width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 is determined according to, for example, the flow rate and viscosity of the coating liquid. The width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 is preferably within a range of 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm. The width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 means the distance from one end of the slit 40 to the other end along the Y direction in the XY plane view of the tip of the slot die 100.

[0049] (Manifold) The manifold 50 is a space for storing a fluid. The manifold 50 is defined by the first block 10 and the second block 20. The manifold 50 is in communication with the slit 40. The fluid stored in the manifold 50 moves in the direction Z and is discharged through the slit 40. In the XZ plane view of the slot die 100, the manifold 50 extends in the direction X, that is, in the width direction of the slot die 100. In FIG. 2, the shape of the manifold 50 is substantially trapezoidal. The shape of the manifold 50 corresponds to the shape of the substantially trapezoidal recess formed in the second block 20. However, the shape of the manifold 50 may be a shape other than the substantially trapezoidal shape. The shape of the manifold 50 may be semicircular. The shape of the manifold 50 may be circular. The circular manifold is defined, for example, by a combination of a semicircular recess formed in the first block 10 and a semicircular recess formed in the second block 20.

[0050] (How to adjust the slit width) With reference to FIG. 2, a method for adjusting the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 will be described. The tip 10d of the first block 10, which is partitioned by the first groove 11 and the second groove 12, can be deformed starting from the bottom 11a of the first groove 11. In FIG. 2, when the force with which the bolt 33 presses the second adjustment part 32 increases in response to the rotation of the bolt 33 (in other words, when the distance between the first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 increases), the tip 10d of the first block 10 in contact with the second adjustment part 32 deforms counterclockwise starting from the bottom 11a of the first groove 11, and the width of the first groove 11 increases. As a result, the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 decreases. On the other hand, when the force with which the bolt 33 pulls the second adjustment part 32 increases in response to the rotation of the bolt 33 (in other words, when the distance between the first adjustment part 31 and the second adjustment part 32 decreases), the tip part 10d of the first block 10 in contact with the second adjustment part 32 deforms clockwise from the bottom part 11a of the first groove 11 as a starting point, and the width of the first groove 11 decreases. As a result, the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100 increases. The above-mentioned operation adjusts the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 100. In addition, with respect to the two tip parts 10d adjacent to each other across the second groove 12, the second groove 12 can suppress the force applied to one tip part 10d by the adjustment tool 30 from being transmitted to the other tip part 10d. In other words, even if a tip part 10d is deformed by the adjustment tool 30, another tip part 10d located next to the tip part 10d is less likely to deform. As a result, the plurality of adjustment devices 30 aligned along the direction X can independently adjust the width of the slit 40 at a desired point, improving the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film in the width direction.

[0051] (Application method) A coating method using a slot die 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a coating method using the slot die shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. According to the coating method shown in Fig. 3, a multilayer film can be obtained.

[0052] A film F, which is an object to be coated, is transported by a roll-to-roll system. A slot die 100 and a drying device 200 are provided in the middle of the transport path of the film F.

[0053] The components of the film F include, for example, polymers and metals. Examples of the polymers include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and triacetyl cellulose. The film F may include one or more polymers. Examples of the metals include, for example, iron, chromium, nickel, titanium, copper, aluminum, silver, and gold. The metal may be an alloy. Examples of the alloys include, for example, stainless steel and invar. The film F may include one or more metals. In an embodiment, the film F preferably includes a polymer, and more preferably includes at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and triacetyl cellulose. Specific examples of the film F including a polymer include a polyethylene terephthalate film, a polyethylene naphthalate film, and a triacetyl cellulose film. In an embodiment, the film F preferably includes a metal, and more preferably includes at least one selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, copper, aluminum, silver, and gold, and even more preferably includes at least one selected from the group consisting of copper and aluminum, and particularly preferably includes aluminum. Specific examples of the film F containing a metal include a copper film and an aluminum film.

[0054] The film F may have high thermal conductivity. An example of the film F having high thermal conductivity is a film F having a thermal conductivity of 200 W / (m·K) or more. The upper limit of the thermal conductivity of the film F is not limited. The thermal conductivity of the film F may be 500 W / (m·K) or less. The thermal conductivity of the film F is measured using a laser flash method. First, the film F is cut out at three locations along the width direction (specifically, positions 5 mm from both ends in the width direction and the center in the width direction) with a diameter of 5 mm to 10 mm to obtain three measurement samples. The thermal conductivity of each measurement sample is measured using a thermal property measuring device (e.g., LFA-502, Kyoto Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) that applies the laser flash method. The arithmetic average of the three measured values ​​is taken as the thermal conductivity of the film F.

[0055] The layer structure of the film F is not limited. The film F may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0056] From the viewpoint of improving productivity, the film F is preferably a long film. The length of the film F is preferably 10 m or more, more preferably 100 m or more, and particularly preferably 200 m or more. There is no upper limit to the length of the film F. The upper limit to the length of the film F may be 1,000 m or 500 m. The length of the film F is usually within a range of 10 m to 1,000 m. "The length of the film F" means the distance from one end of the film F to the other end in the transport direction of the film F.

[0057] There is no limitation on the width of the film F. From the viewpoint of improving productivity, the width of the film F is preferably within a range of 100 mm to 2,000 mm.

[0058] There is no limitation on the thickness of the film F. From the viewpoint of material costs, the thickness of the film F is preferably within a range of 3 μm to 50 μm, and more preferably within a range of 10 μm to 30 μm.

[0059] The transport speed of the film F is preferably within a range of 1 m / min to 100 m / min.

[0060] The tension of the film F is preferably in the range of 10 N / m to 500 N / m, more preferably in the range of 50 N / m to 200 N / m. The tension is controlled, for example, by using a known tension control device. The tension may be controlled by using a known conveying device including a tension control mechanism. An example of a conveying device including a tension control mechanism is a conveying device including a tendency drive roller. The tendency drive roller rotates, for example, by friction or magnetic force acting between a rotating shaft supporting the tendency drive roller and the tendency drive roller. The rotating shaft is rotated, for example, by a motor. That is, the force that rotates the rotating shaft is transmitted to the tendency drive roller, and the tendency drive roller rotates. The conveying device including the tendency drive roller can control the tension of the film according to, for example, the number of rotations of the rotating shaft. Technology related to the tendency drive roller is described, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 4066904. The contents of the above documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] 3, a slot die 100 ejects a coating liquid toward a film F being transported. The coating liquid is supplied to the slot die 100 from a container (not shown) that stores the coating liquid.

[0062] The type of coating liquid is not limited. The coating liquid is preferably an aqueous coating liquid. "Aqueous coating liquid" means a coating liquid in which the solvent contained in the coating liquid is substantially water. "The solvent contained in the coating liquid is substantially water" means that most of the solvent contained in the coating liquid is water. The proportion of water in the solvent contained in the aqueous coating liquid is preferably 90% by mass or more, more preferably 95% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 100% by mass.

[0063] Examples of the water contained in the aqueous coating liquid include natural water, purified water, distilled water, ion-exchanged water, pure water, and ultrapure water.

[0064] The water content in the aqueous coating liquid is preferably 40% by mass or more, more preferably 50% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the aqueous coating liquid. The water content in the aqueous coating liquid is preferably less than 100% by mass, more preferably 80% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the aqueous coating liquid.

[0065] The water-based coating liquid may contain particles, such as inorganic particles, organic particles, and composite particles of an inorganic substance and an organic substance.

[0066] Inorganic particles include, for example, metal particles, metalloid particles, metal compound particles, metalloid compound particles, inorganic pigment particles, mineral particles, and polycrystalline diamond particles. Metals include, for example, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, and their alloys. Metalloids include, for example, silicon. Metal compounds and metalloid compounds include, for example, oxides, hydroxides, and nitrides. Inorganic pigments include, for example, carbon black. Minerals include, for example, mica.

[0067] Examples of the organic particles include resin particles and organic pigment particles.

[0068] Examples of composite particles of an inorganic substance and an organic substance include composite particles in which inorganic particles are dispersed in a matrix of an organic substance, composite particles in which organic particles are coated with an inorganic substance, and composite particles in which inorganic particles are coated with an organic substance.

[0069] The particles may be surface treated to impart dispersibility, or the surface treatment may result in the formation of composite particles.

[0070] The particle size, specific gravity, and form of use of the particles are not limited and are determined, for example, according to the coating film formed by the coating liquid and the production conditions of the coating film.

[0071] The water-based coating liquid may contain one or more types of particles.

[0072] The content of particles in the water-based coating liquid is not limited and is determined depending on, for example, the purpose of adding the particles, the coating film formed by the coating liquid, and the production conditions of the coating film.

[0073] Examples of components of the water-based coating liquid include binder components, components that contribute to the dispersibility of particles, polymerizable compounds, polymerization initiators, and components for improving coating performance (for example, surfactants).

[0074] The solid content of the coating liquid is preferably less than 70% by mass, and more preferably from 30% to 60% by mass.

[0075] The thickness of the coating liquid applied to the film F (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "thickness of the liquid film") is not limited. The thickness of the liquid film may be within a range of 10 μm to 200 μm. The thickness of the liquid film may be within a range of 20 μm to 100 μm.

[0076] In FIG. 3, a drying device 200 dries the coating liquid applied to a film F. A multilayer film is obtained by drying the coating liquid. The drying device 200 dries the coating liquid by blowing air. The temperature of the gas in the blowing air is preferably within a range of 25° C. to 200° C., and more preferably within a range of 30° C. to 150° C. The wind speed in the blowing air is preferably 1.5 m / sec to 50 m / sec. Drying devices used to dry the coating liquid include, for example, an oven, a hot air blower, and an infrared heater.

[0077] The uses of the multilayer film obtained by the above method are not limited.

[0078] <Slot die according to the second embodiment> A slot die according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view showing a slot die according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The slot die 110 shown in Fig. 4 includes the same components as those of the slot die 100 described above, except that an adjustment device 60 is applied instead of the adjustment device 30. The slot die 110 will be described in detail below. However, in the following description of the slot die 110, the contents that overlap with the slot die 100 will be omitted.

[0079] The arrangement of the adjustment devices 60 is the same as the arrangement of the adjustment devices 30 described above, and the number of the adjustment devices 60 is the same as the number of the adjustment devices 30 described above.

[0080] The adjustment tool 60 includes a first adjustment part 61 , a second adjustment part 62 , and a bolt 63 .

[0081] The first adjustment portion 61 includes a female thread portion. The female thread portion of the first adjustment portion 61 is formed on an inner circumferential surface that defines a screw hole of the first adjustment portion 61.

[0082] The bolt 63 is a screw that changes the width of the first groove 11. The bolt 63 is disposed penetrating the first adjustment portion 61. The bolt 63 includes a male thread portion that engages with the female thread portion of the first adjustment portion 61 and a tip surface that contacts the second adjustment portion 62. The tip surface of the bolt 63 faces the second adjustment portion 62. The tip surface of the bolt 63 contacts the second adjustment portion 62 and can apply force to the second adjustment portion 62. The bolt 63 extends in the direction Z and can rotate around a virtual straight line along the direction Z as a rotation axis. The bolt 63 can move in the direction Z or in the opposite direction to the direction Z while rotating. The movement direction and movement amount of the bolt 63 are adjusted according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the bolt 63. The force with which the bolt 63 presses the second adjustment portion 62 changes according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of the bolt 63, and the width of the first groove 11 is adjusted.

[0083] A method for adjusting the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 110 will be described. The width of the slit 40 is adjusted by bringing the tip surfaces of some or all of the bolts 63 into contact with the second adjustment portion 63. If the width of the slit 40 is set within a desired range, the tip surfaces of all of the bolts 63 do not need to be in contact with the second adjustment portion 63. When the force with which the bolt 63 presses the second adjustment portion 62 increases in response to the rotation of the bolt 63, the tip portion 10d of the first block 10 in contact with the second adjustment portion 62 is deformed counterclockwise from the bottom portion 11a of the first groove 11, and the width of the first groove 11 increases. As a result, the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 110 decreases. On the other hand, when the force with which the bolt 63 presses the second adjustment portion 62 decreases in response to the rotation of the bolt 63, the tip portion 10d of the first block 10 in contact with the second adjustment portion 62 deforms clockwise from the bottom portion 11a of the first groove 11 as a starting point, and the width of the first groove 11 decreases. As a result, the width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 110 increases. The width of the slit 40 at the tip of the slot die 110 is adjusted by the above-mentioned operation.

[0084] <Modification> In the first embodiment described above, the screw for changing the width of the first groove is inserted into the first adjustment part and the second adjustment part in this order. In a modified example, the screw for changing the width of the first groove may be inserted into the second adjustment part and the first adjustment part in this order. In other words, an adjustment tool may be used that is disposed so as to penetrate the second adjustment part and includes a screw inserted into the first adjustment part.

[0085] In the first embodiment described above, the screw that changes the width of the first groove is screwed into the second adjustment part. That is, the male thread of the screw that changes the width of the first groove is engaged with the female thread of the second adjustment part. In a modified example, an adjustment device including a screw that fits into the second adjustment part by a means other than screwing into the second adjustment part to push and pull the second adjustment part may be used. An example of a screw that pushes and pulls the second adjustment part is a screw that includes an enlarged part that fits into the second adjustment part. In the enlarged part, the outer diameter of the screw is increased. The outer diameter of the enlarged part may increase linearly or nonlinearly toward the tip of the screw. The second adjustment part can be pushed and pulled by fitting the enlarged part of the screw into a space that is provided inside the second adjustment part and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the enlarged part of the screw. In addition, an example of a screw that pushes and pulls the second adjustment part is a screw that includes a narrowed part that fits into the second adjustment part. In the narrowed part, the outer diameter of the screw is reduced. The second adjustment part can be pushed and pulled by fitting the narrowed portion of the screw into a space having a shape corresponding to the shape of the narrowed portion of the screw provided inside the second adjustment part. The screw that pushes and pulls the second adjustment part preferably includes a tip surface that comes into contact with the second adjustment part.

[0086] In the second embodiment described above, the screw that changes the width of the first groove is disposed so as to penetrate the first adjustment portion, and the tip surface of the screw is in contact with the second adjustment portion. In a modified example, an adjustment tool including a screw that is disposed so as to penetrate the second adjustment portion and has a tip surface that contacts the first adjustment portion may be used. In the modified example described above, the width of the first groove is adjusted by changing the force with which the screw presses the first adjustment portion.

[0087] In each of the above-described embodiments, the screw that changes the width of the first groove moves the tip of the first block defined by the first groove and the second groove via the second adjustment part. In a modified example, an adjustment tool that directly moves the tip of the first block defined by the first groove and the second groove to change the width of the first groove may be used.

[0088] In each of the above-described embodiments, an adjustment device is used that changes the width of the first groove by using the rotation of a screw. In a modified example, an adjustment device including a thermally expanding member may be used. The volume of the thermally expanding member changes depending on the temperature. The width of the first groove 11 is adjusted by changing the volume of the thermally expanding member depending on the temperature. An example of the thermally expanding member is a heat bolt. Technologies related to heat bolts are described in, for example, JP 2020-152097 A and JP 2017-159490 A.

[0089] In each of the above-described embodiments, an adjustment device that changes the width of the first groove by hydraulic or electric drive may be used.

[0090] In each of the above-described embodiments, the first block may be formed by combining a plurality of members. The first groove and the second groove may be formed, for example, by combining a plurality of members constituting the first block. In each of the above-described embodiments, the second block may also be formed by combining a plurality of members. EXAMPLES

[0091] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

[0092] <Example 1> (Preparation of film AL1) An aluminum film with a width of 380 mm, a thickness of 10 μm, a length of 300 m, and a thermal conductivity of 230 W / (m K) was prepared as film AL1. Film AL1 was wound into a roll to form a roll film.

[0093] (Preparation of Coating Solution A) The following components were mixed to prepare coating solution A. Polyvinyl alcohol (CKS-50, saponification degree: 99 mol%, polymerization degree: 300, Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 58 parts by mass Cellogen PR (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.): 24 parts by weight Surfactant (Emalex 710, Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.): 5 parts by weight Art Pearl (registered trademark) J-7P water dispersion: 913 parts by weight

[0094] The aqueous dispersion of Art Pearl J-7P was prepared by the following method. 3 parts by mass of Emalex 710 (Nihon Emulsion Co., Ltd., nonionic surfactant) and 3 parts by mass of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) were added to 74 parts by mass of pure water. 20 parts by mass of Art Pearl J-7P (Negami Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., silica composite cross-linked acrylic resin fine particles) were added to the obtained aqueous solution, and dispersed at 10,000 rpm (revolutions per minute) for 15 minutes using an Ace Homogenizer (Nihon Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.) to obtain an aqueous dispersion of Art Pearl J-7P (particle concentration: 20% by mass). The true specific gravity of the silica composite cross-linked acrylic resin fine particles in the obtained aqueous dispersion was 1.20, and the average particle size of the fine particles was 6.5 μm.

[0095] (Slot die preparation) A first block and a second block having shapes as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 were obtained by casting and machining. The obtained first block and the second block were connected to each other by a bolt, and then an adjustment tool including the components as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 was provided on the first block. The bolt of the adjustment tool is a differential screw including a male screw portion having an outer diameter of 8 mm and a pitch of 1.25 mm and a male screw portion having an outer diameter of 10 mm and a pitch of 1.5 mm, and the movement distance of the bolt per rotation is 0.25 mm. The former male screw portion is engaged with the female screw portion of the second adjustment portion, and the latter male screw portion is engaged with the female screw portion of the first adjustment portion. A slot die was obtained by the above procedure. The dimensions of the slot die are shown below. Slot die width: 350mm Width of the slit at the tip of the slot die: 0.5 mm First groove width: 4mm First groove depth: 30mm Second groove width: 4mm Maximum depth of second groove: 30mm Second groove spacing: 30mm

[0096] (Manufacturing of multi-layer films) Using a manufacturing apparatus including the components shown in Figure 3, the coating solution A was applied to the film AL1, and then the coating solution was dried. The conveying speed of the film AL1 was 30 m / min. By the above procedure, a multilayer film was obtained.

[0097] <Example 2> A multilayer film was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the configuration of the slot die was changed according to the description in Table 1.

[0098] <Comparative Examples 1 to 3> A multilayer film was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the configuration of the slot die was changed according to the description in Table 1.

[0099] <Evaluation> (Uniformity of coating thickness in the width direction) Using a film thickness gauge (SI-T90, Keyence Corporation), the thickness of the coating film in the width direction of the multilayer film was measured at 10 points every 5 mm. The distribution T of the coating film thickness in the width direction of the obtained multilayer film was calculated and evaluated according to the following criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. A:T≦2% B: 2% <T<4% C: 4%≦T<6% D: 6%≦T

[0100] [Table 1]

[0101] Table 1 shows that, compared to the uniformity of the coating thickness of the coating films in Comparative Examples 1-3, the uniformity of the coating thickness of the coating films in Examples 1-2 is superior.

[0102] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-210534, filed on December 18, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10: First block 10a: Tip surface 10b:Inner 10c: External surface 10d: Tip 11: First Groove 11a: Bottom 12: The second groove 20: Second block 30:Adjustment equipment 31, 61: First adjustment section 32, 62: Second adjustment section 33, 63: Bolt 40: Slit 50: Manifold 100, 110: Slot die 200:Drying equipment F: Film

Claims

1. A slot die including a slit for discharging a fluid toward a coating object, a block including a tip surface facing the object to be coated, an inner surface defining the slit, and an outer surface having a first groove extending in a width direction of the slot die and at least one second groove intersecting the first groove and extending from the first groove toward the tip surface; At least one adjustment tool for adjusting a width of the slit by changing a width of the first groove, The second groove is not formed on the inner surface. Slot die.

2. The slot die of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment device comprises a screw for varying a width of the first groove.

3. The slot die of claim 1, wherein the adjustment device includes a pair of adjustment portions including a first adjustment portion and a second adjustment portion arranged adjacent to each other on the outer surface of the block across the first groove, and a screw arranged to penetrate the first adjustment portion of the pair of adjustment portions and including a tip surface that contacts the second adjustment portion of the pair of adjustment portions, and the screw applies a force to the second adjustment portion to change the width of the first groove.

4. The slot die of claim 1, wherein the adjustment device includes a pair of adjustment portions including a first adjustment portion and a second adjustment portion arranged adjacent to each other on the outer surface of the block across the first groove, and a screw arranged to penetrate the first adjustment portion of the pair of adjustment portions and inserted into the second adjustment portion of the pair of adjustment portions, and the screw pushes and pulls the second adjustment portion to change the width of the first groove.

5. 5. The slot die of claim 4, wherein the first adjustment portion includes a female threaded portion, the second adjustment portion includes a female threaded portion, and the screw is a differential screw including a first male threaded portion that mates with the female threaded portion of the first adjustment portion and a second male threaded portion that mates with the female threaded portion of the second adjustment portion.

6. The slot die of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one adjustment device includes a plurality of adjustment devices aligned along the first groove on the outer surface of the block, and one second groove of the at least one second groove is disposed between two adjacent adjustment devices in the plurality of adjustment devices.

Images