Aggregation device and discharge device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: a method for separating a pigment G from a cleaning liquid containing the pigment G has not been established.SOLUTION: Provided is a coagulation method for a liquid, recovered from a printer 10, and containing a pigment G and a cleaning liquid C. The coagulation method includes storing a recovered liquid K containing the pigment G and the cleaning liquid C, cooling the recovered liquid K such that at least a part of the recovered liquid K solidifies, and heating a solid S, formed by solidifying at least a part of the recovered liquid K, in order to liquefy the solid S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention , condensate relates to a collecting device and a discharging device.

Background Art

[0002] In the conveying belt cleaning method described in Patent Document 1, the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the medium to be cleaned is electrolyzed to decompose the ink in the cleaning liquid into a dye and the cleaning liquid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the method described in Patent Document 1, although a dye is used in the ink, no consideration is given to the separation of the pigment when an ink containing a pigment is used. Here, in an inkjet printer, an ink containing a pigment is used, and when the conveyance unit of the medium is soiled with the ink, the ink is removed by cleaning with a cleaning liquid. However, a method for separating a pigment from a cleaning liquid containing a pigment has not been established.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The agglomeration method according to the present invention for solving the above problems is an agglomeration method for a liquid containing a pigment and a cleaning liquid recovered from a liquid discharge device, comprising storing the liquid, cooling the liquid so that at least a part of the liquid solidifies, and heating the solid so that the solid generated by the solidification of at least a part of the liquid liquefies.

[0006] The aggregating device according to the present invention is an aggregating device that performs an aggregating process on a liquid containing a pigment and a cleaning liquid recovered from a liquid discharge device, and includes a storage unit that stores the liquid containing the pigment and the cleaning liquid, and a temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the storage unit. The temperature changing unit cools the liquid so that at least a part of the liquid solidifies, and heats the solid so that the solid generated by the solidification of at least a part of the liquid liquefies.

[0007] The discharge device according to the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys a medium, a discharge unit that discharges a composition containing a pigment onto the medium, a cleaning unit that cleans the conveyance unit to which the composition has adhered with a cleaning liquid, a storage unit that stores a liquid containing the pigment and the cleaning liquid, and a temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the storage unit. The temperature changing unit cools the liquid so that the liquid solidifies, and heats the solid so that the solid generated by the solidification of the liquid liquefies.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. The aggregation method according to the first aspect of the present invention is an aggregation method for a liquid containing a pigment and a cleaning liquid recovered from a liquid ejection device, including storing the liquid, cooling the liquid so that at least a part of the liquid solidifies, and heating the solid so that the solid generated by at least a part of the liquid solidifying liquefies. According to this aspect, for example, in the liquid after being used for cleaning a conveyance unit as an element to be cleaned with a cleaning liquid, the pigment is dispersed. Then, by aggregating the dispersed pigment, it becomes easier to recover the pigment. As a result, it becomes easier to separate the cleaning liquid component from the liquid, so that the cleaning liquid can be easily reused for cleaning the conveyance unit. Note that the element to be cleaned with the cleaning liquid is not particularly limited as long as it is an element that can have a pigment attached thereto with the operation of the liquid ejection device and is an element constituting the liquid ejection device.

[0010] The aggregating device according to the second aspect is an aggregating device that performs an aggregating process on a liquid containing a pigment and a cleaning liquid recovered from a liquid discharge device, and includes a storage unit that stores the liquid containing the pigment and the cleaning liquid, and a temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the storage unit. The temperature changing unit cools the liquid so that at least a part of the liquid solidifies, and heats the solid so that the solid generated by the solidification of at least a part of the liquid liquefies. According to this aspect, in the liquid which is the cleaning liquid after being used for cleaning the transport unit, the pigment is dispersed. And by aggregating the dispersed pigment, it becomes easier to recover the pigment. As a result, it becomes easier to separate the cleaning liquid component from the liquid, so that the cleaning liquid can be easily reused for cleaning the transport unit.

[0011] The aggregating device according to the third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, it includes a filtering unit that filters the mixture generated by heating the solid. The mixture includes both those composed entirely of only liquid and those with a part being liquid and the remaining part being solid. According to this aspect, the liquid after removing the pigment component from the mixture using the filtering unit can be reused as the cleaning liquid for cleaning the transport unit.

[0012] The aggregating device according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect or the third aspect, it includes a centrifugal separation unit that centrifugally separates the pigment from the mixture generated by heating the solid. According to this aspect, by efficiently removing the pigment from the mixture using the centrifugal separation unit, the liquid after removing the pigment component from the mixture can be reused as the cleaning liquid for cleaning the transport unit.

[0013] In the aggregating device according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, when the storage unit is the first storage unit, a second storage unit for storing the liquid, and when the temperature changing unit for changing the temperature of the liquid stored in the first storage unit is the first temperature changing unit, a second temperature changing unit for changing the temperature of the liquid stored in the second storage unit, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the first temperature changing unit and the operation of the second temperature changing unit, wherein the second temperature changing unit can discharge heat to the first storage unit when cooling the liquid, and the control unit causes the first temperature changing unit to solidify the liquid stored in the first storage unit, then stops the operation of the first temperature changing unit for cooling the liquid stored in the first storage unit, and after the operation of the first temperature changing unit for cooling the liquid stored in the first storage unit is stopped, the second temperature changing unit performs control to cool the liquid stored in the second storage unit while discharging heat to the first storage unit. According to this aspect, even without performing heating using the first temperature changing unit, by utilizing the waste heat from the second temperature changing unit, the solidified solid in the first storage unit can be returned to a liquid state again.

[0014] The discharging device according to the sixth aspect includes a conveying unit for conveying a medium, a discharging unit for discharging a composition containing a pigment onto the medium, a cleaning unit for cleaning the conveying unit to which the composition has adhered with a cleaning liquid, a storage unit for storing a liquid containing the pigment and the cleaning liquid, and a temperature changing unit for changing the temperature of the liquid stored in the storage unit, wherein the temperature changing unit cools the liquid so that the liquid solidifies, and heats the solid so that the solid liquefies when the liquid solidifies. According to this aspect, when the dispersed pigment aggregates, it becomes easier to recover the pigment. As a result, it becomes easier to separate the cleaning liquid component from the liquid, and thus it becomes easier to reuse the cleaning liquid for cleaning the conveying unit. Furthermore, by making it easier for the pigment to be separated from the liquid, when the cleaning liquid is reused, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cleaning performance of the transport unit.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the aggregation method, the aggregation unit 60, and the printer 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be specifically described. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the printer 10. The printer 10 is an example of a discharge device and performs recording on a sheet P which is an example of a medium. Another example of the medium is a fabric. Note that the X - Y - Z coordinate system shown in each figure is a rectangular coordinate system. The X direction is the device width direction of the printer 10 and, as an example, is the horizontal direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the direction is the +X direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is the -X direction. Also, the X direction is the width direction of the sheet P and is an example of the width direction of the groove belt 26 described later. The Y direction is the depth direction of the printer 10 and is the horizontal direction. The Y direction is orthogonal to the X direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the direction is the +Y direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is the -Y direction. The +Y direction is also an example of the transport direction in which the sheet P is transported. The Z direction is along the gravitational direction in which gravity acts. The tip side of the arrow indicating the direction is the +Z direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is the -Z direction. The +Z direction is the device height direction of the printer 10 and is orthogonal to both the Y direction and the X direction.

[0016] The printer 10 includes, as an example, a main body frame (not shown), a transport unit 20, a recording unit 30, a cleaning unit 40, a control unit 50, a power supply 52, and an aggregation unit 60. The conveying unit 20 is provided on the main body frame. Specifically, the conveying unit 20 includes a driving roller 22, a driven roller 24, a groove belt 26, and a motor (not shown). Then, as the groove belt 26 moves due to the rotation of the driving roller 22, the conveying unit 20 conveys the paper P supported by the groove belt 26 in the +Y direction. In the +Y direction, the driving roller 22 is arranged downstream of the driven roller 24. Also, both the driving roller 22 and the driven roller 24 have a rotation axis along the X direction. The rotation of the driving roller 22 is controlled by the control unit 50 (to be described later) controlling the operation of the motor.

[0017] The groove belt 26 is an example of a conveying section and conveys the paper P in the +Y direction. The groove belt 26 is configured as an endless belt formed by joining both ends of an elastic flat plate. Also, the groove belt 26 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the driving roller 22 and the outer peripheral surface of the driven roller 24. In other words, the groove belt 26 can convey the paper P by moving in a circular motion. As an example, the surface 27 of the groove belt 26 has adhesiveness and can support and adsorb the paper P. Adhesiveness means the property of being able to temporarily adhere to other members and being able to peel off from the adhered state.

[0018] The recording unit 30 is an example of a recording section. Also, the recording unit 30 can record information on the paper P conveyed in the +Y direction. Specifically, the recording unit 30 includes a recording head 32 as an example of a discharging section, and a carriage 34 that supports the recording head 32 so as to be reciprocally movable along the X direction. Also, the recording unit 30 is arranged above the groove belt 26. The recording head 32 has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) and is arranged in the +Z direction with respect to the surface 27. Also, the recording head 32 can record on the paper P by discharging the ink Q from the plurality of nozzles onto the recording surface of the paper P.

[0019] Ink Q is an example of a composition. Ink Q includes black ink and color ink different from the black ink. Examples of the color of the color ink include yellow, cyan, and magenta. Specifically, Ink Q includes Pigment G (Figure 3) as a coloring material, a solvent, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, a preservative, and a fungicide for ensuring the ejection stability and storage stability of the ink. In this embodiment, as an example, Pigment G of the black ink is used.

[0020] Either inorganic pigment or organic pigment can be used as Pigment G. The inorganic pigment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include carbon black, iron oxide, titanium oxide, and silica. The organic pigment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include quinacridone pigments, quinacridonequinone pigments, dioxazine pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, anthrapyrimidine pigments, ansanthrone pigments, indanthrone pigments, flavanthrone pigments, perylene pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments, perinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, thioindigo pigments, benzimidazolone pigments, isoindolinone pigments, azomethine pigments, and azo pigments.

[0021] The cleaning unit 40 is an example of a cleaning part. The cleaning unit 40 is arranged at a predetermined position in the -Z direction with respect to the groove belt 26. Specifically, the cleaning unit 40 includes a cleaning tank 42 and a cleaning brush 44. The cleaning tank 42 is arranged in a state of being open in the +Z direction. An outflow pipe 43 is connected to the bottom of the cleaning tank 42. A valve (not shown) is provided on the outflow pipe 43 so as to be openable and closable. The cleaning liquid C is stored in the cleaning tank 42. For example, it is composed of water or an organic solvent. The cleaning liquid C may contain additives such as a surfactant as required.

[0022] The cleaning brush 44 is rotatable around a central axis along the X direction, and while supplying the cleaning liquid C to the surface 27 with rotation, it collects the Ink Q on the surface 27. In this way, the cleaning unit 40 cleans the surface 27 of the groove belt 26 to which the ink Q adheres with the cleaning liquid C. Here, a liquid containing the pigment G and the cleaning liquid C is used as the recovered liquid K. The recovered liquid K is an example of a liquid containing the pigment G and the cleaning liquid C. Note that the one before the temperature is changed by the temperature changing unit 80 described later is referred to as the recovered liquid K, and the one after the temperature is changed by the temperature changing unit 80 is distinguished as the mixture M (Fig. 4). The chemical composition of the mixture M is the same as that of the recovered liquid K. However, the chemical composition of the mixture M may be different from that of the recovered liquid K. For example, during the process in which the recovered liquid K is heated, the chemical composition of the recovered liquid K may change, and as a result, the chemical composition of the mixture M may be different from that of the recovered liquid K.

[0023] The control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage (not shown), and controls the operations of each part of the printer 10. The power supply 52 is controlled by the control unit 50 and can supply power to each part of the printer 10. A part of the power of the power supply 52 is used for the operation of the temperature changing unit 80 described later.

[0024] The aggregation unit 60 is an example of an aggregating device for aggregating the pigment G from the recovered liquid K. The aggregation unit 60 includes a storage unit 70 and a temperature changing unit 80. The aggregation unit 60 performs an aggregation process. The aggregation process includes a process of storing the recovered liquid K, a process of cooling the recovered liquid K so that at least a part of the recovered liquid solidifies, and a process of heating the solid S (Fig. 3) generated by the solidification of at least a part of the recovered liquid K so that the solid S liquefies. Note that the solid S will be described later.

[0025] The storage unit 70 has, as an example, a storage tank 72. The storage tank 72 is open in the +Z direction and is arranged in the -Z direction with respect to the cleaning tank 42. The storage tank 72 stores the recovered liquid K flowing from the cleaning tank 42 through the outflow pipe 43. Note that the cleaning unit 40 and the storage unit 70 are supported by a slide unit (not shown), and by moving the slide unit in the X direction, it is possible to pull out from the main body frame or store it in the main body frame.

[0026] The temperature changing unit 80 has, as an example, a power source 52, a cooling unit 82, and a heating unit 86. The temperature changing unit 80 changes the temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the storage unit 70 by being operationally controlled by the control unit 50, as an example. The cooling unit 82 has, as an example, a cooling plate 84 made of a Peltier element with a heat sink (not shown) attached thereto. The cooling plate 84 is attached to the side portion of the storage tank 72, as an example. The cooling unit 82 cools the storage tank 72 by being energized from the power source 52 to the cooling plate 84. Note that the cooling unit 82 can cool the inside of the storage tank 72 to a temperature lower than 0°C. The material constituting the storage tank 72 is preferably a metal such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum.

[0027] The heating unit 86 has, as an example, a heating plate 88 composed of a planar heating element attached to the bottom of the storage tank 72. The heating unit 86 heats the storage tank 72 by being energized from the power source 52 to the heating plate 88. The heating unit 86 melts the recovered liquid K that has been frozen, i.e., solidified, by the cooling unit 82, and changes its state to the mixture M. Note that the frozen recovered liquid K is made into a solid S (Figure 3). In this way, the temperature changing unit 80 cools the recovered liquid K so that at least a part of the recovered liquid K solidifies. Further, the temperature changing unit 80 heats the solid S so that the solid S liquefies due to at least a part of the recovered liquid K solidifying.

[0028] Next, the aggregation method, the action of the aggregation unit 60, and the printer 10 of Embodiment 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, after recording is performed on the conveyed paper P by the recording unit 30, a part of the ink Q may adhere to the surface 27 of the gravure belt 26. For example, this is the case after borderless recording is performed on the paper P. A part of the ink Q adhering to the surface 27 is washed in the cleaning unit 40 and recovered together with the cleaning liquid C into the cleaning tank 42 to become the recovered liquid K. Then, by opening a valve (not shown), the recovered liquid K flows from the cleaning tank 42 to the storage tank 72 and is stored in the storage tank 72.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a state where the recovered liquid K is stored in the storage tank 72, the cooling unit 82 is energized from the power supply 52 (FIG. 1). The cooling plate 84 has its temperature lowered by the Peltier effect. As a result, the temperature of the stored recovered liquid K is lowered so that at least a part of the stored recovered liquid K solidifies. Thereby, the stored recovered liquid K solidifies. The arrows in the figure represent the movement of heat. While the cooling unit 82 cools the recovered liquid K, the heating unit 86 is not energized, so heating is not performed. When observing the recovered liquid K during solidification, it was found that the outer edge portion of the recovered liquid K became nearly transparent, and a state where the pigment G (FIG. 3) gathered inside the recovered liquid K was seen. The outer edge portion of the recovered liquid K is the portion where solidification starts earlier in time than the inside of the recovered liquid K and includes the portion of the recovered liquid K that contacts the inner wall of the storage tank 72.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, in the solid S generated by the solidification of the recovered liquid K, the pigment G is aggregated. Note that, in order to clearly show the pigment G, the pigment G is shown by a plurality of quadrilaterals, but in reality, it is an aggregate close to a lump. The pigments G are held so as not to aggregate due to the difference in ionization tendency in a state of being dispersed in the ink Q (FIG. 1). In other words, the pigment G is in a state of being coated with a positively or negatively charged material, and a repulsive force acts between the pigments G. Here, when the pigment G is frozen, the coating is removed, so it is assumed that the repulsive force between the pigments G becomes difficult to act and they aggregate. When the cooling by the cooling unit 82 is stopped and the solid S is stored in the storage tank 72, the heating unit 86 starts heating the solid S by being energized from the power supply 52.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the solid S is melted by the heating of the heating unit 86 so that the solid S liquefies. Thereby, the mixture M is generated. In accordance with the generation of the mixture M, the heating by the heating unit 86 is stopped.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a state in which the temperature changing unit 80 is removed from the storage tank 72. When the mixture M is left standing, the pigment G precipitates, separating into a lower layer M1 containing a large amount of the pigment G and an upper layer M2 containing a large amount of the cleaning liquid C. Here, an outflow port 73 is provided in a part of the storage tank 72 to allow the upper layer M2, which is the supernatant liquid, to flow out and to be collected in a container (not shown). Most of the supernatant liquid collected in the container consists of the cleaning liquid C.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the pigment G is recovered from the storage tank 72 in which the pigment G has precipitated. Thus, in the aggregation unit 60 of Embodiment 1, as an example, by using the sedimentation separation method, the cleaning liquid C and the pigment G can be recovered respectively.

[0034] As described above, according to the aggregation method and the aggregation unit 60 of Embodiment 1, in the recovery liquid K after being used for cleaning the gripper belt 26 (FIG. 1), the pigment G is dispersed. And by aggregating the dispersed pigment G, it becomes easier to recover the pigment G. Thereby, since it becomes easier to separate the cleaning liquid C component from the recovery liquid K, it becomes easier to reuse the cleaning liquid C for cleaning the gripper belt 26. According to the printer 10, since it becomes easier to separate the pigment G from the recovery liquid K, when the cleaning liquid C is reused, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the cleaning performance of the gripper belt 26.

[0035] [Modification 1 of Embodiment 1] Next, the aggregation method, aggregation unit 60, and printer 10 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 will be specifically described. Note that parts common to the aggregation method, aggregation unit 60, and printer 10 of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The aggregation method, aggregation unit 60, and printer 10 of Modification 1 are substantially the same as those of Embodiment 1, but the method for recovering the pigment G from the solid S is different from that of Embodiment 1.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a state in which the solid S obtained by the aggregation method of Embodiment 1 is being cut by the cutting machine 89. When the solid S is generated by cooling the recovery liquid K, the solidification times at a plurality of portions of the recovery liquid K are different from each other, so the concentration of the pigment G is not uniform in each portion. Most of the pigment G gathers in the interior where the solidification time is later than that of the outer edge portion of the solid S. The central portion SA where this pigment G gathers is cut out in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by the cutting machine 89 as an example. Note that, of the solid S, the remaining portion excluding the central portion SA is defined as the remaining portion SB.

[0037] The central portion SA has a higher mixing ratio of the pigment G than the remaining portion SB. Therefore, the central portion SA can be discarded as the pigment G as it is. The remaining portion SB has less pigment G. Therefore, as an example, by melting the remaining portion SB and leaving it to precipitate the remaining pigment G, the cleaning liquid C that becomes the supernatant can be recovered. In this way, there is also a method of recovering the pigment G by cutting out the aggregated pigment G from the solid S.

[0038] 〔Modification 2 of Embodiment 1〕 Next, the aggregation method, aggregation unit 60, and printer 10 according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 will be specifically described. Note that parts common to the aggregation method, aggregation unit 60, and printer 10 of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The aggregation method, aggregation unit 60, and printer 10 of Modification 2 are substantially the same as those of Embodiment 1, but the method for recovering the pigment G from the solid S is different from those of Embodiment 1 and Modification 1.

[0039] Figure 8 shows the state in which the solid S (Figure 3) obtained by the aggregation method of Embodiment 1 is selected after being pulverized by a pulverizer (not shown). The solid S is previously pulverized into a plurality of chips each having a size such that each does not melt during selection. Here, the chip containing the most pigment G is defined as chip A, the chip having a lower mixing ratio of pigment G than chip A is defined as chip B, and further, the chip having a lower mixing ratio of pigment G than chip B is defined as chip C. Note that chips A, B, and C shown in Figure 8 are partial extractions and are shown with mixing ratios different from the actual mixing ratios. The mixing ratio is, for example, the ratio of the volume of pigment G contained in one chip to the volume of one chip.

[0040] Chips A, B, and C are selected by a selection device 90 as an example. The selection device 90 includes an identification unit 92 capable of identifying chips A, B, and C, and a separation unit 94 that separates chip A from chips B and C among chips A, B, and C identified by the identification unit 92. The identification unit 92 is configured to include, for example, a camera that performs identification using near-infrared rays. The separation unit 94 is configured to include an air nozzle (not shown). The separation unit 94 blows chips B and C detected by the identification unit 92 away using air. On the other hand, chip A falls due to its own weight. Thereby, chip A is separated. In this way, there is also a method of recovering a portion rich in pigment G by pulverizing and selecting solid S.

[0041] 〔Embodiment 2〕 Next, the aggregation method, aggregation unit 100, and printer 10 according to Embodiment 2 will be specifically described. Regarding the parts common to the aggregation method, aggregation unit 60, and printer 10 of Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. In Embodiment 2, the difference lies in that in the printer 10, the agglomeration unit 100 is used instead of the agglomeration unit 60.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, the agglomeration unit 100 includes a storage unit 102, a temperature changing unit 104, a separation unit 110, and a recovery tank 116. The storage unit 102 has a storage tank 72. A supply pipe 103 is connected to the bottom of the storage tank 72. The temperature changing unit 104 includes a cooling unit 106 and a heating unit 108. The cooling unit 106 cools the storage tank 72 and solidifies the recovered liquid K inside the storage tank 72 by generating the Peltier effect due to energization from the power supply 52 (FIG. 1). The heating unit 108 heats the storage tank 72 by energization from the power supply 52 to melt, that is, liquefy the solid S (FIG. 3) inside the storage tank 72.

[0043] The separation unit 110 is connected to the inside of the storage tank 72 via the supply pipe 103. A supply pump 105 is provided in the supply pipe 103. Further, as an example, the separation unit 110 includes a filtration unit 112 and a centrifugal separation unit 114. The filtration unit 112 is configured to include a filter (not shown). Further, the filtration unit 112 filters the mixture M generated by heating the solid S generated in the storage unit 102 by the temperature changing unit 104.

[0044] The centrifugal separation unit 114 centrifugally separates the pigment G from the mixture M. Note that in the separation unit 110, as an example, centrifugal separation by the centrifugal separation unit 114 is performed on the mixture M after filtration in the filtration unit 112. The inside of the recovery tank 116 is connected to the separation unit 110 via a discharge pipe 117. A discharge pump 118 is provided in the discharge pipe 117. Inside the recovery tank 116, a liquid nearly equal to the cleaning liquid C after the pigment G is separated in the separation unit 110 is stored.

[0045] Next, the agglomeration method, the agglomeration unit 100, and the operation of the printer 10 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. In the agglomeration unit 100, when the cooling unit 106 is energized from the power source 52, the recovered liquid K inside the storage tank 72 is solidified. As a result, the pigment G agglomerates at the central portion of the solid S (FIG. 3). Then, the power supply to the cooling unit 106 is stopped. Subsequently, when the heating unit 108 is energized from the power source 52, the solid S is heated. As a result, a mixture M is generated inside the storage tank 72. Then, the power supply to the heating unit 108 is stopped.

[0046] The mixture M inside the storage tank 72 is supplied to the separation unit 110 by driving the supply pump 105. In the separation unit 110, the filtration unit 112 separates the pigment G by filtering the mixture M. Subsequently, the centrifugal separation unit 114 further separates the pigment G by performing centrifugal separation on the mixture M containing a part of the remaining pigment G. The cleaning liquid C separated from the pigment G in the separation unit 110 is discharged to the recovery tank 116 by driving the discharge pump 118.

[0047] As described above, according to the agglomeration method, the agglomeration unit 100, and the printer 10 of Embodiment 2, the liquid after removing the component of the pigment G from the mixture M using the filtration unit 112 can be reused as the cleaning liquid C for cleaning the groove belt 26. Also, by efficiently removing the pigment G from the mixture M using the centrifugal separation unit 114, the liquid after removing the component of the pigment G from the mixture M can be reused as the cleaning liquid C for cleaning the groove belt 26. Further, compared with the sedimentation separation method, the time for removing the component of the pigment G from the mixture M can be shortened.

[0048] 〔Embodiment 3〕 Next, the aggregation method, the aggregation unit 120, and the printer 10 according to Embodiment 3 will be specifically described. Regarding the parts common to the aggregation method, the aggregation unit 60, and the printer 10 of Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. In Embodiment 3, the difference is that in the printer 10, the aggregation unit 120 is used instead of the aggregation unit 60.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 10, the aggregation unit 120 includes a storage unit 122, a temperature changing unit 132, a control unit 50, and a power supply 52. The control unit 50 in Embodiment 3 is an example of a control unit. The storage unit 122 has, as an example, a storage tank 123, a storage tank 124, and a storage tank 125. The storage tank 123 is an example of a first storage unit. The storage tank 124 is an example of a second storage unit with respect to the storage tank 123. Also, the storage tank 124 is an example of a first storage unit with respect to the storage tank 125. The storage tank 125 is an example of a third storage unit. Also, when the storage tank 124 is regarded as a first storage unit with respect to the storage tank 125, the storage tank 125 is also an example of a second storage unit. The storage tank 124 is located downstream of the storage tank 123 in the +Y direction. The storage tank 125 is located downstream of the storage tank 124 in the +Y direction. The storage tanks 123, 124, and 125 can each store the recovered liquid K.

[0050] The storage tank 123 and the storage tank 124 are partitioned by a partition wall 126 that stands upright in the +Z direction. The storage tank 124 and the storage tank 125 are partitioned by a partition wall 127 that stands upright in the +Z direction. The height of the partition wall 126 in the +Z direction and the height of the partition wall 127 in the +Z direction are, as an example, approximately the same height. Also, the partition wall 126 and the partition wall 127 contain, as an example, an aluminum component.

[0051] A drain pipe 128 is provided at a predetermined position in the +Z direction with respect to the storage tank 125. The recovered liquid K recovered after cleaning the grooved belt 26 (FIG. 1) flows from the drain pipe 128 only into the storage tank 125. The recovered liquid K contains the pigment G (FIG. 3). When the storage tank 125 is full, the recovered liquid K that overflows from the storage tank 125 flows into the storage tank 124. When the storage tank 124 is full, the recovered liquid K that overflows from the storage tank 124 flows into the storage tank 123. In this way, the recovered liquid K is stored in the order of the storage tank 125, the storage tank 124, and the storage tank 123.

[0052] The temperature changing unit 132 includes a temperature changing unit 134 that changes the temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 123, a temperature changing unit 137 that changes the temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124, and a temperature changing unit 142 that changes the temperature of the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 125.

[0053] The temperature changing unit 134 is an example of a first temperature changing unit. Specifically, the temperature changing unit 134 is composed of a heat absorption plate 135, a heat radiation plate 136, and a Peltier element (not shown). The Peltier element is sandwiched between the heat absorption plate 135 and the heat radiation plate 136, and the Peltier effect is generated by energization from the power source 52. The heat radiation plate 136 is attached to the -Y direction side wall of the storage tank 123. The heat absorption plate 135 is exposed inside the storage tank 123.

[0054] The temperature changing unit 137 is an example of a second temperature changing unit. Note that the temperature changing unit 137 is also an example of a first temperature changing unit. When the temperature changing unit 137 cools the recovered liquid K in the storage tank 124, it can discharge heat to the storage tank 123. Specifically, the temperature changing unit 137 is composed of a heat absorption plate 138, a heat radiation plate 139, and a Peltier element (not shown). The Peltier element is sandwiched between the heat absorption plate 138 and the heat radiation plate 139, and the Peltier effect is generated by energization from the power source 52. The heat radiation plate 139 is attached to the +Y direction surface of the partition wall 126. The heat absorption plate 138 is exposed inside the storage tank 124.

[0055] The temperature change unit 142 is an example of a third temperature change section. When the temperature change unit 137 is regarded as the first temperature change section, the temperature change unit 142 is also an example of the second temperature change section. When cooling the recovered liquid K in the storage tank 125, the temperature change unit 142 can exhaust heat to the storage tank 124. Specifically, the temperature change unit 142 includes a heat absorption plate 143, a heat dissipation plate 144, and a Peltier element (not shown). The Peltier element is sandwiched between the heat absorption plate 143 and the heat dissipation plate 144, and a Peltier effect is generated by energization from the power supply 52. The heat dissipation plate 144 is attached to the +Y direction surface of the partition wall 127. The heat absorption plate 143 is exposed inside the storage tank 125.

[0056] Note that the heat absorption plates 135, 138, and 143 and the heat dissipation plates 136, 139, and 144 are preferably made of metal, heat-conductive ceramic, or the like. Also, the heat absorption plate 138, the heat dissipation plate 139, and the partition wall 126 are an example of members that constitute a heat transfer path between the storage tank 123 and the storage tank 124. The heat absorption plate 143, the heat dissipation plate 144, and the partition wall 127 are an example of members that constitute a heat transfer path between the storage tank 124 and the storage tank 125. In other words, the aggregation unit 120 and the printer 10 have a heat transfer unit that transfers the heat discharged from the second temperature change section to the first storage section. Here, the heat transfer unit does not have to be a heat conduction method that combines a plurality of members as in the present embodiment. For example, a heat conduction method using a single member may be used. Also, the heat discharged from the second temperature change section may be transferred to the first storage section by radiation, convection generated by flowing an air current, or the like.

[0057] The control unit 50 controls the operations of the temperature change units 134, 137, and 142. Also, the control unit 50 solidifies the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 123 by the temperature change unit 134 and then stops the operation of the temperature change unit 134. Further, after the operation of the temperature change unit 134 is stopped, the control unit 50 performs control to heat the storage tank 123 by the exhaust heat from the temperature change unit 137. After the control unit 50 solidifies the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124 by means of the temperature change unit 137, it stops the operation of the temperature change unit 137. Further, after the operation of the temperature change unit 137 is stopped, the control unit 50 performs control to heat the storage tank 124 by the waste heat from the temperature change unit 142.

[0058] That is, after the control unit 50 solidifies the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 123 by means of the temperature change unit 134, it stops the operation of the temperature change unit 134 to cool the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 123. After the operation of the temperature change unit 134 to cool the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 123 is stopped, the temperature change unit 137 performs control to cool the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124 while discharging heat to the storage tank 123. Note that when the temperature change unit 137 cools the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124 while discharging heat to the storage tank 123, the control unit 50 may perform control to heat the solid S in the storage tank 123 by the temperature change unit 134. Further, when the temperature change unit 137 cools the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124 while discharging heat to the storage tank 123, the control unit 50 may perform control to completely stop the operation of the temperature change unit 134.

[0059] After the control unit 50 solidifies the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124 by the temperature change unit 137, the control unit 50 stops the operation of the temperature change unit 137 from cooling the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124. After the operation of the temperature change unit 137 from cooling the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 124 is stopped, the temperature change unit 142 performs control to cool the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 125 while discharging heat to the storage tank 124. Note that when the temperature change unit 142 cools the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 125 while discharging heat to the storage tank 124, the control unit 50 may perform control to heat the solid S in the storage tank 124 by the temperature change unit 137. Further, when the temperature change unit 142 cools the recovered liquid K stored in the storage tank 125 while discharging heat to the storage tank 124, the control unit 50 may perform control to completely stop the operation of the temperature change unit 137.

[0060] Further, a detection unit for detecting the degree of solidification of the recovered liquid K stored in each of the storage tanks 123, 124, and 125 may be provided. For example, a temperature sensor may be used as the detection unit. In this case, based on the detection result of the temperature sensor, the control unit 50 can determine whether the recovered liquid K stored in each of the storage tanks 123, 124, and 125 has solidified. Note that as the detection unit, a sensor unit including a vibrating piece immersed in the recovered liquid K and an actuator for vibrating the vibrating piece may be used. In this case, when the portion of the recovered liquid K in contact with the vibrating piece solidifies, it becomes difficult for the vibrating piece to vibrate, and the current to be supplied to the actuator to vibrate the vibrating piece at a predetermined amplitude changes. Based on the change in the current supplied to the actuator, the control unit 50 can determine whether the recovered liquid K stored in each of the storage tanks 123, 124, and 125 has solidified.

[0061] Next, the aggregation method, the operation of the aggregation unit 120, and the operation of the printer 10 according to Embodiment 3 will be described. In each of the storage tanks 125, 124, and 123, a predetermined amount of the recovered liquid K is stored. Here, when the storage tank 123 is almost full, power is supplied from the power source 52 to the temperature change unit 134. Due to this power supply, a Peltier element (not shown) operates, causing heat absorption on the heat absorption plate 135 and heat dissipation on the heat dissipation plate 136. As a result, the temperature of the recovered liquid K in the storage tank 123 decreases, and the recovered liquid K becomes the solid S. Then, the power supply to the temperature change unit 134 is stopped.

[0062] Subsequently, power is supplied from the power source 52 to the temperature change unit 137. Due to this power supply, heat is absorbed on the heat absorption plate 138 and heat is dissipated on the heat dissipation plate 139. As a result, the temperature of the recovered liquid K in the storage tank 124 decreases, and the recovered liquid K becomes the solid S. At this time, the heat dissipated from the heat dissipation plate 139 moves to the solid S in the storage tank 123 through the partition wall 126. As a result, the solid S in the storage tank 123 is returned to the mixture M (FIG. 4). Then, the power supply to the temperature change unit 137 is stopped.

[0063] Subsequently, power is supplied from the power source 52 to the temperature change unit 142. Due to this power supply, heat is absorbed on the heat absorption plate 143 and heat is dissipated on the heat dissipation plate 144. As a result, the temperature of the recovered liquid K in the storage tank 125 decreases, and the recovered liquid K becomes the solid S. At this time, the heat dissipated from the heat dissipation plate 144 moves to the solid S in the storage tank 124 through the partition wall 127. As a result, the solid S in the storage tank 124 is returned to the mixture M. Then, the power supply to the temperature change unit 142 is stopped.

[0064] As described above, according to the aggregation method, the aggregation unit 120, and the printer 10 of the third embodiment, even without heating using the temperature change units 134 and 137, by utilizing the waste heat from the temperature change units 137 and 142, the solidified solid S in the storage tanks 123 and 124 can be returned to the liquid mixture M again. Thereby, the energy consumed by the aggregation unit 120 and the printer 10 can be reduced.

[0065] The aggregation method, aggregation units 60, 100, 120, and printer 10 according to the embodiments of the present invention are basically configured as described above. However, it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0066] In the aggregation unit 60, when the atmospheric temperature is sufficiently low, the recovery liquid K stored in the storage tank 72 may be left in the atmosphere to solidify the recovery liquid K. In this case, since power required for solidification is unnecessary, the energy for solidifying the recovery liquid K can be reduced. Also, when the atmospheric temperature varies greatly during a day, thawing after solidification becomes possible by leaving the recovery liquid K. In the aggregation unit 60, when the concentration of the pigment G in the recovery liquid K is high, the pigment G may not aggregate much when the recovery liquid K is frozen. In this case, after diluting the recovery liquid K with water or the cleaning liquid C, more pigment G can be aggregated by solidifying the recovery liquid K.

[0067] In the aggregation unit 60, when cooling is performed by the cooling unit 82, it is not limited to the method of uniformly cooling the entire storage tank 72, and partial cooling with a time difference may be performed. The cooling unit 82 and the heating unit 86 may be provided at opposite positions with respect to the storage tank 72. In the modification 2, the crushed chips A, B, and C may be separated while being conveyed using a belt conveyor instead of free fall.

[0068] In the aggregation unit 100, the separation unit 110 may be composed of only the filtration unit 112 or only the centrifugal separation unit 114. Also, the filtration unit 112 may be used after using the centrifugal separation unit 114 first. In the aggregation unit 120, the storage tank 125 and the temperature change unit 142 may be absent. Also, the number of each of the storage tank and the temperature change unit may be 4 or more.

[0069] The temperature changing unit may perform cooling and heating using separate members, or one member may have both cooling and heating functions. Further, as an example of the temperature changing unit, it is not limited to one having a cooling unit using a Peltier element, and may have a heat pump. The recovered liquid K is not limited to that recovered from the gutter 26, and may be, for example, a recovered liquid recovered by cleaning a member different from the gutter 26, such as the recording head 32. In cooling, either a state where a part of the recovered liquid K is solidified or a state where all of the recovered liquid K is solidified may be achieved.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 10... Printer, 20... Conveyor unit, 22... Driving roller, 24... Driven roller, 26... Gutter, 27... Surface, 30... Recording unit, 32... Recording head, 34... Carriage, 40... Cleaning unit, 42... Cleaning tank, 43... Outflow pipe, 44... Cleaning brush, 50... Control unit, 52... Power supply, 60... Aggregation unit, 70... Storage part, 72... Storage tank, 73... Outlet, 80... Temperature changing unit, 82... Cooling unit, 84... Cooling plate, 86... Heating unit, 88... Heating plate, 89... Cutting machine, 90... Sorting device, 92... Identification part, 94... Separation unit, 100... Aggregation unit, 102... Storage part, 103... Supply pipe, 104... Temperature changing unit, 105... Supply pump, 106... Cooling unit, 108... Heating unit, 110... Separation part, 112... Filtration part, 114... Centrifugal separation part, 116... Recovery tank, 117... Discharge pipe, 118... Discharge pump, 120... Aggregation unit, 122... Storage part, 123... Storage tank, 124... Storage tank, 125... Storage tank, 126... Partition wall, 127... Partition wall, 128... Drain pipe, 132... Temperature changing unit, 134... Temperature changing unit, 135... Heat absorption plate, 136…Heat dissipation plate, 137…Temperature change unit, 138…Heat absorption plate, 139…Heat dissipation plate, 142…Temperature change unit, 143…Heat absorption plate, 144…Heat dissipation plate, C…Cleaning liquid, G…Pigment, K…Recycled liquid, M…Mixture, M1…Lower layer, M2…Upper layer, P…Paper, Q…Ink, S…Solid

Claims

1. An agglomeration device that performs an agglomeration process on a liquid containing a pigment and a cleaning liquid recovered from a liquid ejection device, a storage unit that stores the liquid containing the pigment and the cleaning liquid, a temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the storage unit, a second storage unit that stores the liquid when the first storage unit is the storage unit, a second temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the second storage unit when the temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the first storage unit is the first temperature changing unit, a control unit that controls the operation of the first temperature changing unit and the operation of the second temperature changing unit, comprising, the temperature changing unit, cools the liquid so that at least a part of the liquid solidifies, heats the solid so that the solid generated by at least a part of the liquid solidifying liquefies, the second temperature changing unit is capable of discharging heat to the first storage unit when cooling the liquid, the control unit, after solidifying the liquid stored in the first storage unit by the first temperature changing unit, the first temperature changing unit stops the operation of cooling the liquid stored in the first storage unit, after the operation of the first temperature changing unit cooling the liquid stored in the first storage unit is stopped, the second temperature changing unit performs control to cool the liquid stored in the second storage unit while discharging heat to the first storage unit, An agglomeration device characterized by this.

2. The agglomeration device according to claim 1, further comprising a filtration unit that filters a mixture generated by heating the solid.

3. The agglomeration device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a centrifugal separation unit that centrifugally separates the pigment from a mixture generated by heating the solid.

4. a conveyance unit that conveys a medium, a discharge unit that discharges a composition containing a pigment onto the medium, a cleaning unit that cleans the conveyance unit to which the composition has adhered with a cleaning liquid, a storage unit that stores a liquid containing the pigment and the cleaning liquid, a temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the storage unit, a second storage unit that stores the liquid when the first storage unit is the storage unit, a second temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the second storage unit when the temperature changing unit that changes the temperature of the liquid stored in the first storage unit is the first temperature changing unit, a control unit that controls the operation of the first temperature changing unit and the operation of the second temperature changing unit; comprising; the temperature changing unit cools the liquid so that the liquid solidifies, and heats the solid so that the solid liquefies by the solidification of the liquid; the second temperature changing unit is capable of discharging heat to the first storage unit when cooling the liquid; the control unit; after solidifying the liquid stored in the first storage unit by the first temperature changing unit, stops the operation of the first temperature changing unit from cooling the liquid stored in the first storage unit; after the operation of the first temperature changing unit from cooling the liquid stored in the first storage unit is stopped, the second temperature changing unit performs control to cool the liquid stored in the second storage unit while discharging heat to the first storage unit; a discharge device characterized by the above.

Images