Pressurizing device for high-viscosity materials, pressurizing method for high-viscosity materials

Abstract

To provide an example configuration, for a high-viscosity material pressure device that applies a pressure to a high-viscosity material housed in a cartridge toward a discharge port side, capable of eliminating problems of air mixing into the high-viscosity material in the cartridge and increase in an amount of air used.SOLUTION: A pressurization device 10 for a high-viscosity material comprises: a cartridge 11 housing a high-viscosity material; a pressurization unit 12 that pressurizes the high-viscosity material in the cartridge toward a discharge port 11b side of the cartridge; and a pressing unit 13 that presses an outer surface of the pressurization unit against an inner surface of the cartridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pressurizing device for high-viscosity material and a pressurizing method for high-viscosity material, which pressurize a high-viscosity material contained in a cartridge toward a discharge port side. Background Art

[0002] For example, in the conventional device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cartridge provided with a concave piston is accommodated in a pressurized tank, and the concave piston is pressurized by compressed air supplied from an air pressure regulating valve, thereby pressurizing the high-viscosity material in the cartridge toward the discharge port side. That is, the conventional device is configured to pressurize the high-viscosity material in the cartridge with compressed air. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-232856 Summary of Invention Problems to be Solved by Invention

[0004] In the conventional configuration in which the high-viscosity material in the cartridge is pressurized by compressed air, since the compressed air is supplied toward the high-viscosity, there is a problem that air is mixed into the high-viscosity material in the cartridge, causing defects. In the conventional configuration in which the high-viscosity material in the cartridge is pressurized by compressed air, there is also a problem that the amount of air used increases, leading to increased cost.

[0005] Therefore, this disclosure provides an example configuration for a pressurizing device for high-viscosity materials that pressurizes the high-viscosity material contained in a cartridge toward the discharge port, thereby eliminating the problems of air mixing into the high-viscosity material in the cartridge and increased air usage. Furthermore, it provides a pressurizing method for high-viscosity materials that eliminates the problems of air mixing into the high-viscosity material in the cartridge and increased air usage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pressurizing device 10 for high-viscosity materials according to this disclosure comprises a cartridge 11 containing a high-viscosity material, a pressurizing unit 12 that pressurizes the high-viscosity material in the cartridge toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge, and a pressing unit 13 that presses the outer surface of the pressurizing unit against the inner surface of the cartridge.

[0007] The pressurization method for high-viscosity materials according to this disclosure involves pressurizing the high-viscosity material in the cartridge 11 toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge by a pressurizing unit 12, and pressing the outer surface of the pressurizing unit against the inner surface of the cartridge by a pressing unit 13.

[0008] The pressurizing device 10 and pressurizing method for high-viscosity materials described herein can eliminate the problems of air mixing into the high-viscosity material in the cartridge 11 and the increase in the amount of air used. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows an example of the configuration of a pressurizing device for high-viscosity materials according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, with a portion shown in cross-section. [Figure 2] A schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a pusher jig according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a cartridge door in the closed and open states according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] A schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a screw jig and its surrounding parts according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an example of the pre-replacement setup work for a cartridge replacement according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating an example of the internal setup work involved in cartridge replacement according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating an example of the external setup work after cartridge replacement, as part of a cartridge replacement procedure according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the pressurizing device for high-viscosity materials of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The pressurizing device 10 for high-viscosity materials illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a cartridge 11, a plunger 12, a pusher jig 13, a cartridge door 14, and a pressurizing cylinder 15. The pressurizing device 10 for high-viscosity materials is further connected to a relay unit 16 and a switching valve 17. Hereinafter, the pressurizing device 10 for high-viscosity materials may be simply referred to as "pressurizing device 10".

[0011] The cartridge 11 is formed in a long, generally cylindrical shape, and contains a gel material G, which is an example of a high-viscosity material. In this embodiment, the gel material G is a heat dissipation gel applied to a substrate such as an electronic device. However, the gel material G is not limited to a heat dissipation gel; various materials with a certain degree of viscosity and fluidity can be used.

[0012] An open opening 11a is formed at one end of the cartridge 11 in the longitudinal direction, in this case the upper end in the drawing. That is, one end of the cartridge 11 in the longitudinal direction is open and not closed.

[0013] An outlet 11b is formed at the other end of the cartridge 11 in the longitudinal direction, in this case, the lower end in the drawing. That is, the other end of the cartridge 11 in the longitudinal direction is mostly closed by a closing surface 11c, but the outlet 11b is formed in a part of the closing surface 11c. The gel material G inside the cartridge 11 can flow out to the outside through this outlet 11b. In this embodiment, the outlet 11b is formed to protrude outward from the closing surface 11c along the axis of the cartridge 11. Screw threads are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outlet 11b.

[0014] The plunger 12 is inserted into the cartridge 11 through the opening 11a of the cartridge 11. The plunger 12 is housed within the cartridge 11 so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 11. The plunger 12 integrally comprises a pressure surface portion 12a and a peripheral wall portion 12b. The pressure surface portion 12a is formed in a generally circular shape with the same dimensions as the inner diameter of the cartridge 11. The peripheral wall portion 12b forms a generally annular wall surface at the edge of the pressure surface portion 12a.

[0015] The plunger 12 forms a recess 12c. Specifically, the pressurizing surface portion 12a forms the bottom surface of the recess 12c. The peripheral wall portion 12b forms the inner peripheral surface of the recess 12c. The plunger 12 functions as an example of a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the gel material G inside the cartridge 11 toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11.

[0016] The pusher jig 13 functions as an example of a pressing part that presses the outer surface of the plunger 12, in this case the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b, against the inner surface of the cartridge 11. As illustrated in Figure 2, the pusher jig 13 has a configuration in which an elastic body 13b is sandwiched between a pair of main body members 13a. The main body members 13a are made of a rigid material such as stainless steel. The elastic body 13b is made of an elastically deformable material such as silicone rubber.

[0017] The pair of main body members 13a are each formed in a generally circular shape as a whole, and a clamping portion 13c is formed on an outer portion thereof in the radial direction. The elastic body 13b is clamped within the clamping portion 13c. The elastic body 13b is not a simple annular member such as a so-called "O-ring", but is a massive component having a certain size with a certain thickness dimension in the axial direction and a certain length dimension in the radial direction. The elastic body 13b is formed in a generally annular shape along the circumferential direction of the pusher jig 13. That is, the elastic body 13b is continuously arranged along the circumferential direction of the pusher jig 13. However, the elastic body 13b may be intermittently arranged along the circumferential direction of the pusher jig 13.

[0018] The pair of main body members 13a are each formed with a recess 13d on an inner portion thereof in the radial direction. The pair of main body members 13a form the main body portion of the pusher jig 13 by fastening the recesses 13d with a fastener 13e. The fastener 13e can be constituted by, for example, a combination of a bolt and a nut.

[0019] A gap S is formed between the pair of main body members 13a. Therefore, as exemplified by the hollow arrow A in FIG. 2, when an external force along the axial direction of the pusher jig 13 is applied to the pusher jig 13, the gap S between the pair of main body members 13a is compressed. Along with this, the space in the clamping portion 13c is reduced, and the elastic body 13b is deformed so as to be pushed outward in the radial direction as exemplified by the hollow arrow B. The pusher jig 13 configured as described above is fitted into the recess 12c of the plunger 12 as exemplified in FIG. 1.

[0020] The cartridge door 14 illustrated in Fig. 1 functions as an example of a holding portion that holds the cartridge 11. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the cartridge door 14 has a configuration in which a pair of arc-shaped door bodies 14a are rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 14b, and has a so-called double-door structure. The cartridge door 14 is provided with a clamp 14c that maintains the pair of door bodies 14a in a closed state. The cartridge door 14 may have any configuration as long as it includes at least one clamp 14c, and may also have a configuration including a plurality of clamps 14c along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge door 14.

[0021] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the pressurizing cylinder 15 includes a pusher 15a. The pressurizing cylinder 15 is configured such that the pusher 15a can reciprocate along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 11. The pusher 15a is not a fluid such as gas or liquid, but is configured as a non-fluid having no fluidity such as a metal material, and functions as an example of a pushing portion that mechanically or physically pushes the plunger 12 toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11. That is, the pressurizing cylinder 15 pushes the plunger 12 toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11 via the pusher jig 13 by moving the pusher 15a toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11. Accordingly, the plunger 12 moves inside the cartridge 11 toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11, and along with this movement, the gel material G inside the cartridge 11 is pressurized toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11 and discharged from the discharge port 11b.

[0022] At this time, the pusher jig 13 is subjected to a pressing force from the pusher 15a at its upper end and to pressure from the plunger 12 and the gel material G at its lower end. As a result, an external force is applied to the pusher jig 13 along its axial direction, causing the elastic body 13b to deform so as to be pushed radially outward. The elastic body 13b, deformed to be pushed radially outward, presses the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b of the plunger 12 against the inner surface of the cartridge 11. Thus, the degree of contact between the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b of the plunger 12 and the inner surface of the cartridge 11 increases. In this way, according to the pressurization method for high-viscosity materials of this disclosure, the gel material G inside the cartridge 11 is pressurized by the plunger 12 toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11, and the outer surface of the plunger 12 is pressed against the inner surface of the cartridge 11 by the pusher jig 13.

[0023] As the elastic body 13b presses the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b of the plunger 12 against the inner surface of the cartridge 11, an external force is applied to the peripheral wall portion of the cartridge 11 radially outward, causing the peripheral wall portion of the cartridge 11 to expand radially outward. However, the cartridge door 14, which holds the cartridge 11 that is trying to expand radially outward, is firmly held in a closed state by a pair of door bodies 14a and clamps 14c. Therefore, the cartridge door 14 suppresses the expansion of the cartridge 11 radially outward by the pressing force generated by the elastic body 13b of the pusher jig 13.

[0024] Furthermore, the pressing force generated by the elastic body 13b of the pusher jig 13 can also act as an external force directed radially outward, i.e., towards the opening direction, on the door body 14a of the cartridge door 14 via the peripheral wall portion of the cartridge 11. Therefore, as the door body 14a opens slightly, it is conceivable that a gap may occur between the outer surface of the cartridge 11 and the inner surface of the door body 14a, particularly above and below the pusher jig 13. However, even in such cases, since the pair of door bodies 14a are firmly held closed by the clamp 14c, the gap formed between the outer surface of the cartridge 11 and the inner surface of the door body 14a can be kept to a small gap, for example, 0.1 to 0.15 mm (millimeters).

[0025] As illustrated in Figure 1, the relay section 16 includes a first path 16a and a second path 16b. The first path 16a and the second path 16b intersect in their respective intermediate portions, forming an integrated flow path that extends in all four directions. An inlet 16c is provided at one end of the first path 16a, in this case the upper end in the drawing. An air vent 16d is provided at the other end of the first path 16a, in this case the lower end in the drawing. An outlet 16e is provided at one end of the second path 16b, in this case the left end in the drawing. A pressure sensor 16f is provided at the other end of the second path 16b, in this case the right end in the drawing.

[0026] The outlet 11b of the cartridge 11 is connected to the inlet 16c. The inlet 16c functions as an example of a connection part that connects to the outlet 11b of the cartridge 11. An air vent valve and a suction pump (not shown) are connected to the air vent section 16d. The gel material G flowing in from the outlet 11b of the cartridge 11 through the inlet 16c may contain air. If the gel material G contains air, or is highly likely to contain air, the air-containing gel material G, or gel material G highly likely to contain air, can be removed by opening the air vent valve (not shown) and driving the suction pump (not shown) to suction it out from the air vent section 16d.

[0027] When the air vent valve (not shown) is closed, the gel material G that flows from the discharge port 11b of the cartridge 11 through the inlet 16c into the first path 16a further flows through the second path 16b and is supplied to the switching valve 17 from the outlet 16e. The pressure sensor 16f is configured to detect the pressure of the gel material G flowing through the first path 16a and the second path 16b. The pressure sensor 16f can be configured with a well-known sensor capable of detecting the pressure applied to a fluid such as the gel material G.

[0028] The switching valve 17 includes a first path 17a, a second path 17b, a third path 17c, and a switching section 17d. One end of the first path 17a, in this case the left end in the drawing, is connected to the switching section 17d. The other end of the first path 17a, in this case the right end in the drawing, is connected to the outlet section 16e of the relay section 16. One end of the second path 17b, in this case the upper end in the drawing, is connected to a dispenser (not shown). The other end of the second path 17b, in this case the lower end in the drawing, is connected to the switching section 17d. The dispenser (not shown) is a well-known configuration that includes, for example, a discharge nozzle capable of dispensing a fluid such as a gel material G.

[0029] One end of the third path 17c, in this case the left end in the drawing, is open. It is possible to connect the outlet 16e of another relay section 16, different from the relay section 16 illustrated in Figure 1, to one end of the third path 17c. That is, multiple cartridges 11, in this case at least two, can be connected to the switching valve 17. The other end of the third path 17c, in this case the right end in the drawing, is connected to the switching section 17d. The switching section 17d is configured to switch the switching valve 17 between a first state and a second state. The first state is when the first path 17a and the second path 17b are connected, as illustrated in Figure 1. The second state is when the third path 17c and the second path 17b are connected.

[0030] The pressurizing device 10 further includes a screw jig 18. As illustrated in Figure 4, the screw jig 18 is formed in a generally disc shape with a predetermined thickness dimension, in this case, a dimension slightly shorter than the protrusion amount of the discharge port 11b. The screw jig 18 has a screw hole 18a in its center. The screw hole 18a penetrates the screw jig 18 along the axial direction. The screw jig 18 is attached to the discharge port 11b side end of the cartridge 11 by screwing the discharge port 11b into the screw hole 18a. The screw jig 18 attached to the discharge port 11b side end of the cartridge 11 functions as an example of a pressure receiving part that receives pressure generated when the plunger 12 is pushed in by the pressurizing cylinder 15 at the discharge port 11b side end of the cartridge 11. In Figure 4, the pressure received by the screw jig 18 is conceptually illustrated by white arrows.

[0031] The screw jig 18 also has the function of making the discharge port 11b of the cartridge 11 tightly adhere to the inlet portion 16c of the intermediate portion 16 by supporting the outer surface of the discharge port 11b that is screwed into the screw hole portion 18a. That is, the outer surface of the inlet portion 16c of the intermediate portion 16 is formed in a shape that becomes narrower towards the tip, a so-called tapered shape. Therefore, as the plunger 12 is pushed in by the pressurizing cylinder 15, a downward force acts on the cartridge 11, and consequently the discharge port 11b is pushed further toward the inlet portion 16c. At this time, the outer surface of the discharge port 11b is pressed from the radially outward direction by the screw jig 18. Therefore, the radial outward expansion of the discharge port 11b is suppressed by the screw jig 18, so that the discharge port 11b can be made to adhere even more tightly to the inlet portion 16c.

[0032] The pressurizing device 10, configured as described above, is best used while housed inside a safety enclosure (not shown). Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the safety enclosure is equipped with an openable and closable safety door, allowing workers to perform various tasks on the pressurizing device 10 inside the safety enclosure, such as maintenance work, by opening this safety door. Maintenance work includes tasks such as replacing the cartridge 11. The safety door can be opened and closed by operating an open / close button provided on the safety enclosure.

[0033] Next, an example of the cartridge 11 replacement procedure in the pressurizing device 10 described above will be explained. For the sake of explanation, the cartridge 11 removed from the pressurizing device 10 will be referred to as the "used cartridge 11," and the cartridge 11 newly installed in the pressurizing device 10 will be referred to as the "new cartridge 11." The replacement of the cartridge 11 is a task that may be necessary at a frequency of, for example, once every 20 minutes, depending on various conditions such as its intended use and usage conditions.

[0034] As illustrated in Figure 5, in step A1, the worker removes a cap (not shown) from the cartridge 11 before use. The cap (not shown) covers and protects the discharge port 11b of the cartridge 11 before use. In step A2, the worker attaches a screw jig 18 to the discharge port 11b of the cartridge 11 before use. In step A3, the pusher jig 13 is inserted through the opening 11a of the cartridge 11 before use and fitted into the recess 12c of the plunger 12. The plunger 12 is assumed to be pre-installed inside the cartridge 11 before use. That is, the plunger 12 also has the function of preventing the gel material G inside from leaking out from the opening 11a of the cartridge 11 before use. The operations in steps A1 to A3 can be defined as operations that can be performed without stopping the operation of the pressurizing device 10, so-called "external setup operations". The order in which steps A2 and A3 are performed may be changed.

[0035] Next, as illustrated in Figure 6, in step B1, the worker opens the safety door by operating the opening / closing button on the safety housing. In step B2, the worker releases the locking state by the clamp 14c and opens the pair of door bodies 14a of the cartridge door 14 to remove the used cartridge 11. At this time, as illustrated in the circle Z in Figure 6, the gel material G may protrude in a angular shape from the entrance portion 16c of the relay portion 16. Therefore, the worker should use a tool such as a spatula H to scrape off and remove the gel material G that has protruded in an angular shape.

[0036] In step B3, the worker places the unused cartridge 11, with the pusher jig 13 and screw jig 18 attached, into the pair of door bodies 14a of the cartridge door 14. In step B4, the worker closes the pair of door bodies 14a of the cartridge door 14 and locks them with the clamp 14c. In step B5, the worker closes the safety door by operating the open / close button on the safety housing. In step B6, the worker drives an air venting valve (not shown) to vent air from the air venting section 16d, that is, to remove the gel material G containing air or gel material G that is likely to contain air.

[0037] Furthermore, the air bleeding in step B6 may be performed as needed. That is, at the initial stage of use, when the gel material G begins to be discharged from the newly installed pre-use cartridge 11 attached to the pressurizing device 10, there is a high possibility that the discharged gel material G contains air. Therefore, the air bleeding in step B6 may be performed at the initial stage of use of the newly installed pre-use cartridge 11, and the air bleeding in step B6 may be omitted after the initial stage of use, for example, during the second and subsequent uses. The operations in steps B1 to B5 can be defined as operations that cannot be performed without stopping the operation of the pressurizing device 10, so-called "internal setup operations." Similarly, the air bleeding in step B6 can also be defined as a so-called "internal setup operation."

[0038] The cartridge 11 of the pressurizing device 10 can be replaced by the "external setup work (steps A1 to A3)" and "internal setup work (steps B1 to B5, and step B6 if necessary)" as exemplified above. Then, by driving the pressurizing cylinder 15, the gel material G in the cartridge 11 can be supplied to a dispenser (not shown).

[0039] Next, an example of the disposal procedure for the used cartridge 11 will be described. As illustrated in Figure 7, in step C1, the worker removes the pusher jig 13 from the used cartridge 11 that has been removed from the pressurizing device 10. The removed pusher jig 13 is reusable. In step C2, the worker removes the screw jig 18 from the used cartridge 11. In step C3, the worker attaches a cap (not shown) to the used cartridge 11 and disposes of it. The operations in steps C1 to C3 can be defined as operations that can be performed without stopping the operation of the pressurizing device 10, so-called "external setup operations". The order in which steps C1 and C2 are performed may be changed.

[0040] The high-viscosity material pressurizing device 10 according to this disclosure comprises a cartridge 11 containing a gel material G, a plunger 12 that pressurizes the gel material G in the cartridge 11 toward the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11, and a pusher jig 13 that presses the outer surface of the plunger 12 against the inner surface of the cartridge 11. With this configuration example and the high-viscosity material pressurizing method realized by the high-viscosity material pressurizing device 10, the degree of contact between the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 12b of the plunger 12 and the inner surface of the cartridge 11 can be increased by the pusher jig 13, thereby suppressing the mixing of air into the gel material G in the cartridge 11. Furthermore, the problem of increased air usage compared to conventional configurations can be eliminated.

[0041] The pressurizing device 10 includes a cartridge door 14 that holds the cartridge 11, and the cartridge door 14 prevents the cartridge 11 from expanding due to the pressing force generated by the pusher jig 13. With this configuration, the expansion and deformation of the cartridge 11 due to the pressing force from the pusher jig 13 can be suppressed, and the mixing of air into the gel material G inside the cartridge 11 can be further suppressed. In addition, since the cartridge door 14 has a so-called double-door structure, the opening and closing of the cartridge door 14, and consequently the replacement of the cartridge 11, can be easily performed. Furthermore, the cartridge door 14 holds the cartridge 11 along its entire longitudinal direction. Therefore, no matter where the pusher jig 13, which generates a radially outward pressing force, moves along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 11, the side circumference of the cartridge 11 can be pressed from the outside by the cartridge door 14 against the radially outward pressing force generated by the pusher jig 13, thereby increasing the durability of the cartridge 11.

[0042] The pressurizing device 10 is equipped with a screw jig 18 on the discharge port 11b side of the cartridge 11 that receives the pressure generated by the plunger 12. With this configuration, deformation of the cartridge 11, especially the discharge port 11b portion, due to the pressure received from the plunger 12 can be suppressed, and a state in which the gel material G flows out smoothly from the discharge port 11b can be maintained. In addition, such a screw jig 18 can increase the degree of contact between the discharge port 11b of the cartridge 11 and the inlet portion 16c of the intermediate portion 16, and leakage of the gel material G from the connection portion between the discharge port 11b and the inlet portion 16c can be suppressed.

[0043] According to the pressurizing device 10, the plunger 12 is pushed towards the discharge port 11b of the cartridge 11 by the pusher 15a of the pressurizing cylinder 15, which is configured as a non-fluid material. In other words, according to the pressurizing device 10 of this disclosure, the gel material G inside the cartridge 11 is pressurized by the pressing force generated by the non-fluid pusher 15a, rather than by compressed air as in conventional configurations, thus further suppressing the mixing of air into the gel material G inside the cartridge 11.

[0044] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be modified or expanded as appropriate without departing from its essence. For example, the pressing force generated by the pusher 15a in the pressurizing cylinder 15 is assumed to be, for example, 0.35 MPa (megapascals), but this pressing force can be appropriately changed depending on, for example, the size of the cartridge 11 or the viscosity of the gel material G.

[0045] The pressurizing cylinder 15 may be configured to reciprocate the pusher 15a using hydraulic pressure, or to reciprocate the pusher 15a using compressed air, or to reciprocate the pusher 15a using another pressure transmission medium. Even in the configuration where the pusher 15a is reciprocated using compressed air, the component that generates the pressing force to pressurize the gel material G in the cartridge 11 is still the non-fluid pusher 15a, so it is possible to sufficiently suppress the mixing of air into the gel material G in the cartridge 11.

[0046] The pressurizing device 10 may be configured, for example, with an auto switch inside the pressurizing cylinder 15. The auto switch is composed of a combination of a magnet and a magnetic detection sensor that detects the magnetic force of the magnet. By providing such an auto switch in the pressurizing cylinder 15, the remaining amount of gel material G in the cartridge 11 can be accurately detected based on the amount of movement of the pusher 15a.

[0047] While this disclosure is described in accordance with the embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to those embodiments or structures. This disclosure also encompasses various modifications and variations within the equivalence. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms that include only one, more, or fewer of those elements, fall within the scope and concept of this disclosure.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit and its method described herein may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and its method described herein may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor by one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and its method described herein may be implemented by one or more dedicated computers configured by a combination of a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions and a processor configured by one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program may also be stored in a computer-readable non-transitional tangible storage medium as instructions to be executed by the computer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] In the drawing, 10 is a pressurizing device for high-viscosity materials, 11 is a cartridge, 11b is the cartridge outlet, 12 is a plunger (pressurizing part), 13 is a pusher jig (pressing part), 14 is a cartridge door (holding part), 15a is a pusher (pushing part), 16c is the inlet (connection part), and 18 is a screw jig (pressure receiving part).

Claims

1. A cartridge (11) containing a high-viscosity material, A pressurizing unit (12) pressurizes the high-viscosity material inside the cartridge toward the discharge port (11b) side of the cartridge, A pressing portion (13) that presses the outer surface of the pressurizing portion against the inner surface of the cartridge, Equipped with, The pressing portion has an elastic body sandwiched between a pair of main body members, and by compressing the space between the pair of main body members, the elastic body is deformed radially outward, thereby pressing the outer surface of the pressing portion against the inner surface of the cartridge.

2. The cartridge is held in place by a holding portion (14), The holding portion suppresses the expansion of the cartridge due to the pressing force generated by the pressing portion, as described in claim 1.

3. The pressurizing device for high-viscosity materials according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure receiving section (18) on the discharge port side of the cartridge that receives the pressure generated by the pressurizing section.

4. The cartridge is equipped with a connecting portion (16c) that is connected to the discharge port, The pressure receiving section is configured to bring the discharge port of the cartridge into close contact with the connection section, as described in claim 3.

5. The pressurizing device for high-viscosity materials according to claim 1, comprising a non-fluid material that does not have fluidity, and a pressing portion (15a) that pushes the pressurizing portion toward the discharge port side of the cartridge.

6. A method for pressurizing a high-viscosity material, wherein a pressurizing unit (12) pressurizes a high-viscosity material inside a cartridge (11) toward the discharge port (11b) side of the cartridge, and a pressing unit (13) presses the outer surface of the pressurizing unit against the inner surface of the cartridge, wherein an elastic body sandwiched between a pair of main body members of the pressing unit is deformed radially outward by compressing the space between the pair of main body members, thereby pressing the outer surface of the pressurizing unit against the inner surface of the cartridge.

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