Device for separating photosensitive resins

Abstract

Device (10) for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid comprises: a hollow cannula (12), cylindrical in shape and having an external surface (16) and an internal surface (18), the cannula (12) being made of material adapted to diffuse ultraviolet radiation and at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation; and a light source (14) adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation; wherein the light source (14) is arranged so that the ultraviolet radiation emitted by it is irradiated in the cannula (12) and diffused by it both inside the cannula (12) and externally thereto.

Description

[0001] Device for separating photosensitive resins

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid, as well as a trans fer apparatus comprising such a device and a method for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid which makes use of such a device .

[0004] State of the art

[0005] To date , following several industrial processes , for example following three-dimensional printing processes using resins , it is necessary to ef fectively dispose of waste materials , in particular washing liquids . In fact , following the three- dimensional printing process , the piece is washed with isopropyl alcohol or other solutions , and a liquid containing non-polymeri zed resin in suspension is obtained . Generally, according to the known art , the liquid containing nonpolymeri zed resin in surplus or waste suspension is trans ferred inside special containers and left to settle to promote the precipitation of the solid components and therefore the separation of the solid material suspended in the liquid .

[0006] Clearly, this procedure is time-consuming, and moreover does not guarantee the complete precipitation of the resin suspended in the liquid . Furthermore , when, after the precipitation of the resin, the remaining liquid is to be trans ferred away from the container, a typical cannula or similar trans fer apparatus comes into contact with the bottom of the container and ris ks sucking not only the liquid but also the precipitated resin on the bottom of the container . From a patent point of view, some particle separation systems which are possibly applicable in the context of three-dimensional printing are known . Among them we recall the following documents : - CN 219 009 979 U (Suzhou Lijin Semiconouctor Co LTO;Gusu Lab Mat Science) 12 May 2023;

[0007] - US 6 153 107 A (Ogawa Nobuo [JP] Et Al) 28 November 2000;

[0008] - US 2009 / 294688 Al (Evans Lionel Goroon [NZ] ) 3 December 2009;

[0009] - CN 207 310 528 U (Guangzhou Oee030 Tech CO LTO) 4 May 2018;

[0010] - US 2015 / 314024 Al (Khan Benjamin [IL] Et Al) 5 November 2015.

[0011] Summary disclosure of the invention

[0012] The present patent intends to overcome the above critical issues by implementing a device for separating photosensitive resins which is preferably but not necessarily usable in three- dimensional printing processes.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a device for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid which is capable of accelerating the separation procedure and precipitating the resin suspended in the liquid.

[0014] Further objects of the present invention are to provide a transfer apparatus which allows the safe transfer of the liquid after precipitation as well as to provide a method for separating the resin which makes use of such a device.

[0015] This and other objects are fully achieved according to the present invention thanks to a device as defined in the appended independent Claim 1, thanks to a transfer apparatus as defined in the appended Claim 5 and thanks to a method for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid as defined in the appended Claim 10.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the content of which is to be understood as an integral part of this description.

[0017] In summary, a first aspect of the invention is based on the idea of providing a device for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid, the device comprising:

[0018] - a hollow cannula, cylindrical in shape and having an external and internal surface, the cannula being made of material adapted to diffuse ultraviolet radiation and at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation, as a light guide ;

[0019] - a light source adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation; wherein the light source is arranged so that the ultraviolet radiation emitted by it is irradiated into the cannula and di f fused by it both internally and externally .

[0020] Preferably, the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation .

[0021] Preferably, the light source is adapted to emit germicidal ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength between 200 nanometres and 480 nanometres , preferably between about 255 nanometres and about 275 nanometres .

[0022] Advantageously, the device further comprises an electronic control unit configured to control the activation or deactivation of the light source and / or the radiant power and / or the wavelength of the radiation emitted therefrom .

[0023] A second aspect of the proposed invention is based on the idea of providing a trans fer apparatus comprising :

[0024] - a device according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0025] - a suction mouth, arranged connected to a first end of the cannula and adapted to allow the passage of liquid from the outside to the inside of the cannula ;

[0026] - a discharge portion arranged connected to a second end of the cannula, opposite the first end of the cannula, and adapted to allow the passage of liquid from the inside of the cannula to the outside .

[0027] Preferably, the suction mouth comprises :

[0028] - a tube portion in fluid connection with the cannula ;

[0029] - an umbrella portion, extending radially with respect to the tube portion, preferably made of flexible material , essentially adapted to prevent the suction inside the tube portion of bottom residues or material precipitated on the bottom of the container ;

[0030] - an opening portion, in which there is at least one opening adapted to allow the passage of liquid from the outside to the inside of the cannula, and arranged between the tube portion and the umbrella portion .

[0031] Preferably, the light source is arranged on said discharge portion, i . e . , is made integrally therewith .

[0032] Preferably, the tube portion of the suction mouth is screwed or clamped onto the cannula and / or the discharge portion is screwed or clamped onto the cannula .

[0033] The proposed trans fer apparatus can advantageously further comprise a pump, preferably a bellows pump, adapted to generate a vacuum at the discharge portion to suck liquid from the suction mouth to inside the cannula .

[0034] Finally, a third aspect of the invention is based on the idea of providing a method for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid comprising the following steps : a ) providing a liquid containing photosensitive resin suspended in the liquid inside a container ; b ) arranging the device according to the first aspect of the invention inside said container ; c ) activating the light source of the device so that the ultraviolet radiation emitted by it is irradiated on and inside the cannula and from there di f fuses inside the container ; d) extracting the clari fied liquid .

[0035] Brief description of the accompanying drawings

[0036] Further characteristics and advantages of the proposed technical solution will appear more evident in the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment shown by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying two drawings , in which :

[0037] - Figure 1 is an exploded view of a side section of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; - Figure 2 is a lateral sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 .

[0038] It should be noted that the figures attached to the present patent application illustrate only one possible embodiment of the system, in order to better understand the advantages and features of the patent described .

[0039] These embodiments are therefore to be understood as purely illustrative and supportive of the present description without limitation of the inventive concept and above all of the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims .

[0040] Optimal method for implementing the invention

[0041] With reference to the accompanying figures , the device for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid is generally indicated with the reference number 10 . Said device 10 is used to promote the precipitation of photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid when the liquid is contained inside a container .

[0042] The device 10 essentially comprises a cannula 12 and a light source 14 . The cannula 12 is hollow and cylindrical in shape and extends between a first end 12a and a second end 12b, arranged opposite the first end 12a, and has an external surface 16 and an internal surface 18 . Preferably, the cannula 12 is a straight tube of circular section . It is possible that the cannula 12 has a spiral shape .

[0043] The cannula 12 is made of a material at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation . In particular, the material used is adapted to di f fuse the ultraviolet radiation both inwards and outwards of the cannula 12 . Essentially, therefore , the cannula 12 is made as a light guiding element . The wall thickness of the cannula 12 can for example be about 3 or 4 mm . The cannula 12 can for example be made of opal polycarbonate , i . e . , transparent , i . e . , polymethylmethacrylate . The light source 14 is adapted to be electrically powered by a battery or by a wired electrical connection to emit ultraviolet radiation in the direction of said cannula 12 . Therefore , the light source 14 is arranged so that said ultraviolet radiation is irradiated in or on the cannula 12 . The light source 14 can for example comprise at least one light emitting diode . The emitted ultraviolet radiation can preferably be germicidal ultraviolet radiation, therefore having a wavelength between about 200 and about 480 nanometres , more preferably between about 255 and about 275 nanometres .

[0044] Alternatively, the emitted ultraviolet radiation can preferably be ultraviolet radiation speci fically selected to promote the polymeri zation of a speci fic resin or a speci fic type of resins .

[0045] Thanks to the conformation of the material of the cannula 12 and the relative arrangement of the cannula 12 , the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the light source 14 is emitted towards or onto the cannula 12 and di f fuses radially with respect to the axial direction of the cannula 12 inside the container . For the control of the light source 14 , or for its activation or deactivation, or for the regulation of the radiant power emitted by it or for the regulation of the wavelength of the radiation emitted by it , the device 10 can also comprise an integrated or dedicated electronic control unit .

[0046] As anticipated, the second aspect of the invention relates to a trans fer apparatus 100 comprising the device 10 according to the first aspect of the invention .

[0047] The trans fer apparatus 100 further comprises a suction mouth 102 and a discharge portion 104 .

[0048] The suction mouth 102 is adapted to allow or promote the passage of liquid from the outside , i . e . , from the container, towards the inside of the cannula 12 , and is therefore made as a hollow body . For this purpose , the suction mouth 102 is connected to the first end 12a of the cannula 12 . According to the most preferable embodiment of the invention, the suction mouth 102 comprises a tube portion 106 , an umbrel la portion 108 and an opening portion 110 .

[0049] The tube portion 106 is made so as to ensure the fluid connection with the cannula 12 , i . e . , to allow fluid to pass from inside the suction mouth 102 to inside the cannula 12 . Preferably, the tube portion 106 is made so that it can be screwed, internally or externally, or clamped, on the cannula 12 at the first end 12a .

[0050] The umbrella portion 108 extends radially with respect to the tube portion 106 and is preferably made of flexible material , for example rubber, so as to be able to enter a narrower neck opening of the container with respect to the umbrella portion 108 .

[0051] The umbrella portion 108 serves to shield the inlet of the cannula 12 or to prevent the suction of the cannula 12 from occurring directly on the bottom wall of the container, where the photosensitive resin is expected to have precipitated, and therefore to prevent the precipitated material from being sucked instead of the liquid present in the container .

[0052] The umbrella portion 108 is connected to the tube portion 106 by an opening portion 110 . In the opening portion 110 there is at least one opening 112 , in the radial direction, adapted to allow the passage of the liquid contained in the container towards the inside of the cannula 12 , by means of the fluid connection ensured by the tube portion 106 .

[0053] The discharge portion 104 is made so as to ensure the fluid connection with the cannula 12 , i . e . , so as to allow the liquid to pass from the inside of the cannula 12 to the outside , to end the trans fer process . For this purpose , it is arranged connected to the second end 12b of the cannula 12 , therefore opposite the suction mouth 102 . Preferably, the discharge portion 104 is made so that it can be screwed, internally or externally, or clamped, on the cannula 12 at the second end 12b . Preferably, the light source 14 is arranged on said discharge portion 104 , for example being integrally mounted thereon or being integrally made therewith . In the embodiment shown in the figures , the light source 14 is mounted inside a cavity of the discharge portion 104 facing the cannula 12 .

[0054] The trans fer apparatus 100 can further comprise , for generating the vacuum necessary for suction at the discharge of the liquid to be trans ferred, a pump (not shown, known per se ) , such as a bellows pump .

[0055] The pump is adapted to generate a vacuum at the discharge portion 104 or the second portion 12b of the cannula 12 , and therefore inside the cannula 12 . Thereby, the liquid is sucked inside the cannula 12 entering by means of said at least one opening 112 .

[0056] As anticipated, according to the third aspect of the invention, the device 10 can be used in a method for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid comprising the steps of : a ) providing a liquid containing photosensitive resin suspended in the liquid inside a container ; b ) arranging the device 10 according to the first aspect of the invention inside said container; c ) activating the light source 14 of the device 10 so that the ultraviolet radiation emitted by it is irradiated on and inside the cannula 12 and from there di f fuses inside the container d) extracting the clari fied liquid .

[0057] Industrial applicability

[0058] Substantially, the method can be used within a trans fer procedure in which it is first intended to promote the precipitation on the bottom of the container of the photosensitive resin initially suspended in the liquid and then trans fer the puri fied liquid without sucking any part of the material deposited on the bottom . As can be seen from the above description, a device according to the present invention provides several advantages .

[0059] Firstly, thanks to the possibility of promoting the precipitation of the photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid, it makes it possible to speed up the disposal process of such waste materials .

[0060] Furthermore , thanks to the possibility of integrating the device inside a trans fer apparatus , it is possible to carry out both the resin separation process and the trans fer process of the remaining liquid part by means of a single piece of equipment .

[0061] Of course , without prej udice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the embodiment details can widely vary with respect to what has been described and illustrated by way of non-limiting example , without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims .

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 24 July 2025 (24.07.2025)1. Transfer apparatus (100) for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid, comprising: a hollow cannula (12) having a cylindrical shape and comprising an external surface (16) and an internal surface (18) , said cannula (12) being made of material adapted to diffuse ultraviolet radiation and at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation; a light source (14) disposed inside said cannula (12) and adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation, said light source (14) being arranged so that the ultraviolet radiation emitted thereby is irradiated in the cannula (12) and diffused both inside the cannula (12) and externally thereto; a suction mouth (102) connected to a first end (12a) of the cannula ( 12 ) , said suction mouth (102) comprising: a tube portion (106) in fluid connection with the cannula(12) , an umbrella portion (108) extending radially with respect to the tube portion (106) , and an opening portion (110) disposed between the tube por- tion (106) and the umbrella portion (108) , said opening portion (110) comprising at least one opening (112) adapted to allow the passage of liquid from the outside to the inside of the cannula (12) ; and a discharge portion (104) connected to a second end (12b) of the cannula (12) , opposite the first end (12a) , and adapted to allow the passage of liquid from the inside of the cannula(12) to the outside.

2. Transfer apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the light source (14) comprises at least one light emitting diode adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation.

3. Transfer apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source (14) is adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength between 200 nanometers and 480 nanometers, preferably between about 255 nanometers and about 275 nanometers .

4. Transfer apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims , further comprising an electronic control unit config- ured to control the activation or deactivation of the light source (14) , and / or the radiant power and / or the wavelength of the radiation emitted therefrom.

5. Transfer apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the light source (14) is arranged on said discharge portion (104) .

6. Transfer apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the tube portion (106) of the suction mouth(102) is screwed or clamped on the cannula (12) at the first end (12a) and / or wherein the discharge portion (104) is screwed or clamped on the cannula (12) at the second end (12b) .

7. Transfer apparatus according to any one of the precedingclaims , further comprising a pump, preferably a bellows pump, adapted to generate a vacuum at the discharge portion (104) for sucking liquid through the suction mouth (102) and the cannula ( 12 ) .

8. Transfer apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the umbrella portion (108) is made of flexible material and is configured to prevent suction of precipitated material from the bottom of a container during liquid aspira- tion operation.

9. Transfer apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the cannula (12) is made of plastic material transparent or translucent to ultraviolet radiation.

10. Method for separating photosensitive resin suspended in a liquid using the transfer apparatus according to any one ofClaims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: immersing the suction mouth (102) of the apparatus in the liquid containing suspended photosensitive resin; activating the light source (14) to emit ultraviolet ra- diation that is diffused by the cannula (12) both inter- nally and externally; aspirating the liquid through the suction mouth (102) and the cannula (12) towards the discharge portion (104) ; polymerizing the photosensitive resin suspended in the liquid by exposure to ultraviolet radiation during pas- sage through the cannula (12) and in the immediateexternal vicinity of the cannula (12) ; collecting the clarified liquid from the discharge portion (104) .[0001][0002]STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 (1 )[0003]The claims have been amended to address the objections raised in the International Search Report and Written Opinion while preserving the essential technical contribution of the invention.[0004]NATURE OF AMENDMENTS[0005]The principal amendment involves restructuring the independent claim to focus on the complete transfer apparatus rather than the basic device alone. New claim 1 now combines the essential elements of the UV treatment system with the specific suction mouth configuration that provides the distinctive technical advantage.[0006]The amended independent claim specifically recites a transfer apparatus comprising a hollow UV- transparent cannula with internal light source, and critically, a suction mouth with a specific three- part configuration: a tube portion in fluid connection with the cannula, an umbrella portion extending radially from the tube portion, and an opening portion disposed between the tube and umbrella portions containing at least one opening for liquid passage.[0007]TECHNICAL SIGNIFICANCE[0008]This specific suction mouth configuration solves the technical problem of efficiently separating photosensitive resins while preventing re-aspiration of precipitated material. The umbrella portion acts as a shield preventing direct suction from the container bottom where precipitated resin accumulates, while the strategically positioned opening portion creates controlled liquid flow that enhances separation efficiency.[0009]The combination of simultaneous UV polymerization during aspiration with this controlled flow configuration represents a non-obvious technical solution that was not disclosed in the cited prior art documents.[0010]1 RELATIONSHIP TO ORIGINAL DISCLOSURE[0011]All amended features are fully supported by the original disclosure. The transfer apparatus configuration is described on page 6, lines 25-35. The specific suction mouth configuration with tube portion, umbrella portion, and opening portion is detailed on page 7, lines 1-26, including the umbrella portion's function to prevent precipitated material suction (page 7, lines 15-20) and the opening portion arrangement (page 7, lines 21-26).[0012]The UV-transparent cannula and internal light source are described on pages 5-6, with specific material properties (page 5, lines 26-30) and light source characteristics (page 6, lines 1 -10).[0013]IMPACT ON DESCRIPTION AND DRAWINGS[0014]The amendments do not require changes to the description or drawings. The amended claims correspond directly to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and described in the detailed description. Figure 4 specifically shows the suction mouth configuration now claimed in the independent claim, including the tube portion, umbrella portion, and opening portion arrangement. The description already emphasizes this preferred embodiment as the "most preferable embodiment of the invention" (page 7, line 1), supporting the focus of the amended claims on this configuration.[0015]SCOPE OF PROTECTION[0016]The amended claims define a more specific but commercially significant scope of protection centered on the inventive suction mouth configuration. This approach provides strong protection for the applicant's core innovation while addressing the examiner's concerns about novelty and clarity.[0017]The dependent claims maintain protection for important technical variations including LED specifications, wavelength ranges, electronic control, connection methods, and pump integration, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the invention's commercial embodiments.[0018]2

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