JPH11226472A - Cylindrical body coating method and coating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cylindrical body coating method and coating device of a vertical noncontact ring coating type which excels in productivity and by which a good and uniform coating film can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical body. SOLUTION: A cylindrical body 101 is held so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical. An annular coating member 102 is held so that it is not in contact with the outer periphery of the upper part of the cylindrical body 101. A coating liquid supply member 107 is held so that its liquid feeding port is arranged in a position at which a coating liquid 104 can be fed into a clearance between the cylindrical body 101 and the annular coating member 102 from above. After the coating liquid 104 is discharged from the coating liquid supply member 107 to form a liquid drop 110 at the coating liquid feeding port, the liquid drop 110 is fed into the clearance and excessive quantity of the coating liquid 104 is fed therein to form a small pool of the coating liquid on the circumference of the clearance. The annular coating member 102 is relatively moved to the cylindrical body 101 downward in the vertical direction. In this way, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 101, a coating film is formed.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【０００１】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、塗液により形成さ
れたリング状の液溜まりに、電子写真感光体ドラムの基
材の如き円筒体を通過させることにより、該円筒体外周
面に塗布膜を形成する、垂直型非接触リング塗布方式に
よる、円筒体の塗布方法および塗布装置に関するもので
ある。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coating film formed on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical body by passing a cylindrical body such as a base material of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum through a ring-shaped liquid reservoir formed by a coating liquid. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for coating a cylindrical body by a vertical non-contact ring coating method.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】従来より、円筒体に塗布を行う方法とし
ては、浸漬塗布法、垂直型接触リング塗布方法が知られ
ている。2. Description of the Related Art Dip coating and vertical contact ring coating have been known as methods for coating a cylindrical body.

【０００３】浸漬塗布法は操作が簡便であるという利点
を有するが、浸漬槽上部の液面状態の安定化や浸漬槽内
部の塗液の流れの安定化の為に、円筒体をゆっくり浸漬
する必要があり、その為に浸漬時間がかかること、円筒
体全体を浸漬しなければならない為、多量の塗液が必要
となり、装置が大型化し、さらにポットライフの短い塗
液を使用する場合、多量の塗液が無駄になること等の欠
点を有する。[0003] The dip coating method has an advantage that the operation is simple, but the cylinder is slowly immersed in order to stabilize the liquid level at the top of the dip tank and to stabilize the flow of the coating liquid inside the dip tank. Need to be immersed for a long time, and the entire cylinder must be immersed, so a large amount of coating liquid is required. Has the disadvantage that the coating liquid is wasted.

【０００４】さらに、塗布すべき円筒体表面以外の円筒
体内面に、塗液が塗布されるのを防ぐ為に、円筒体上部
または底部を気密に保つ必要がある。しかし、円筒体上
部を気密に保ちつつ、開口した底部開口面と塗液面とが
平行になるように、ゆっくりと浸漬させた場合に、円筒
体内部の空気が気密に保たれていたとしても、水圧によ
り、円筒体底部から塗液が侵入し、円筒体内面の一部に
塗液が付着することは避けられない為、これを除去する
工程が必要となる。一方、円筒体底部を気密に保ちつ
つ、円筒体上部を浸漬させずに、円筒体の塗布すべき外
周面のみを浸漬させれば、このような欠点はないもの
の、円筒体底部を気密に保つ為の治具が必要となり、該
治具の装着や脱着といった作業工程が必要となる。Further, in order to prevent the coating liquid from being applied to the inner surface of the cylinder other than the surface of the cylinder to be applied, it is necessary to keep the top or bottom of the cylinder airtight. However, even if the air inside the cylindrical body is kept airtight, when it is slowly immersed while keeping the top of the cylindrical body airtight, so that the open bottom opening surface and the coating liquid surface are parallel to each other, In addition, it is inevitable that the coating liquid penetrates from the bottom of the cylindrical body due to the water pressure and adheres to a part of the inner surface of the cylindrical body. Therefore, a step of removing the coating liquid is required. On the other hand, while the bottom of the cylinder is kept airtight, the top of the cylinder is not immersed, but only the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder to be coated is immersed. A jig for the jig is required, and work steps such as mounting and detaching the jig are required.

【０００５】これに対し、垂直型接触リング塗布方法と
して、例えば、円形開口部を有するリング状液漏れ防止
用弾性体パッキングを保持するリング状塗布部材を設
け、該弾性体パッキング開口部に円筒体を接触させて挿
入し、円筒体をリング状塗布部材に対し、相対的に鉛直
上方に移動させることにより、円筒体の外周面に塗布す
る方法がある。浸漬塗布方法と比較して浸漬時間がかか
らない為、生産速度が早くなること、このような垂直型
接触リング塗布方法は、円筒体内面に付着した塗液の除
去工程が要らないこと、少量の塗液で塗布が可能となる
こと、また連続的に円筒体をリング状塗布部材に供給す
ることにより、連続塗布が可能となること、といった特
に生産性を向上させる上での利点を有する。On the other hand, as a vertical contact ring coating method, for example, a ring-shaped coating member for holding a ring-shaped liquid leakage preventing elastic packing having a circular opening is provided, and a cylindrical body is provided in the elastic packing opening. There is a method of applying the liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body by contacting and inserting the cylindrical body and vertically moving the cylindrical body relatively to the ring-shaped coating member. Since the immersion time is shorter than that of the dip coating method, the production speed is increased, and such a vertical contact ring coating method does not require a step of removing the coating liquid adhering to the inner surface of the cylindrical body. In particular, there is an advantage in improving productivity such that coating can be performed with a liquid, and continuous application can be performed by continuously supplying the cylindrical body to the ring-shaped coating member.

【０００６】しかしながら、このような垂直型接触リン
グ塗布方法にあっては、被塗布物である円筒体がリング
状塗布部材の一部である弾性体パッキングと接触してい
るため、塗布中に円筒体に傷を生じてしまう欠点を有す
る。However, in such a vertical contact ring coating method, since the cylindrical body, which is the object to be coated, is in contact with the elastic packing which is a part of the ring-shaped coating member, the cylindrical body is not coated during the coating. It has the disadvantage of causing injury to the body.

【０００７】このような不具合を解消する為、特開昭６
０−９５４４０号や特開昭６１−８１６４号には、開口
部にエンドレスの塗液分配スリットを有するリング状塗
布部材を、円筒体の外周面に対して、接触しないように
近接配置し、スリットより塗液を直接押し出して供給す
ることにより液溜まりを形成し、円筒体をリング状塗布
部材に対し、相対的に鉛直上方に移動させることによ
り、円筒体の外周面に塗布する垂直型非接触リング塗布
方法が開示されている。To solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0-95440 and JP-A-61-8164, a ring-shaped coating member having an endless coating liquid distribution slit in an opening portion is disposed in close proximity to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical body so as not to contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. A vertical non-contact coating method in which a liquid pool is formed by directly extruding and supplying the coating liquid, and the cylindrical body is moved vertically upward relative to the ring-shaped coating member, thereby coating the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. A ring application method is disclosed.

【０００８】図６は、垂直型非接触リング塗布方法によ
る塗布装置の概略断面図である。また、図７は、図６に
おけるリング状塗布部材６０２の断面図である（尚、切
断面部分の詳細は省略してある）。円筒体６０１は、芯
出し治具（円筒体保持部材）６０８の上部に固定され、
リング状塗布部材６０２は円筒体６０１を取り囲むよう
に、かつ接触しないように配置される。塗液６０４は、
図示しない塗液供給手段から、図中矢印Ａで示すように
塗液保管室６０９に供給され、図７に示すスリット６１
１の出口から、リング状塗布部材６０２の開口部６０３
と円筒体６０１との間隙に供給され、液溜まり６０６を
形成する。液溜まり６０６を形成後、リング状塗布部材
６０２を円筒体６０１に対して相対的に下方に動かすこ
とにより、円筒体６０１上に塗布膜が形成される。FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a coating apparatus using a vertical non-contact ring coating method. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ring-shaped coating member 602 in FIG. 6 (details of a cut surface portion are omitted). The cylindrical body 601 is fixed to an upper part of a centering jig (cylindrical body holding member) 608,
The ring-shaped application member 602 is arranged so as to surround the cylindrical body 601 and not to contact. The coating liquid 604 is
The coating liquid is supplied from a coating liquid supply unit (not shown) to the coating liquid storage chamber 609 as shown by an arrow A in the figure, and the slit 61 shown in FIG.
1 through the opening 603 of the ring-shaped coating member 602.
And a liquid pool 606 is formed. After the formation of the liquid pool 606, the coating film is formed on the cylindrical body 601 by moving the ring-shaped coating member 602 relatively downward with respect to the cylindrical body 601.

【０００９】この方法では、円筒体６０１がリング状塗
布部材６０２と接触していないため、塗布中に円筒体６
０１に傷を付けることがない。また、液溜まり６０６に
連続的に塗液を供給しつつ、連続的に円筒体６０１をリ
ング状塗布部材６０２の開口部６０３に挿通することに
より、連続塗布することも可能である。In this method, since the cylindrical body 601 is not in contact with the ring-shaped coating member 602, the cylindrical body 6
01 is not damaged. Further, it is also possible to continuously apply the coating liquid by continuously inserting the cylindrical body 601 into the opening 603 of the ring-shaped coating member 602 while continuously supplying the coating liquid to the liquid pool 606.

【００１０】しかしながら、かかる液溜まりは非常に不
安定で、液溜まりを形成する塗液量が少ないと、円筒体
とリング状塗布部材の間隙における垂直方向の液溜まり
の幅が小さくなり、塗液と円筒体あるいはリング状塗布
部材間で働く界面張力に抗しきれずに液溜まりを維持で
きなくなってしまい、液溜まりが切れて、液垂れを生じ
てしまう。一方、液溜まりを形成する塗液量が多い場合
にも、塗液と円筒体あるいはリング状塗布部材間で働く
界面張力が液自重に抗しきれずに、液溜まりから液垂れ
が生ずる。このように液垂れが生じたままその後の塗布
を行うと、該液垂れ部分は、塗布膜の厚みを不均一にす
る原因となる。従って、液溜まりを形成する塗液量を適
正に、かつ精密に保つ必要がある。However, such a liquid pool is extremely unstable. If the amount of the coating liquid forming the liquid pool is small, the width of the liquid pool in the vertical direction in the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member becomes small, and The liquid pool cannot be maintained because it cannot fully withstand the interfacial tension acting between the cylindrical member and the ring-shaped coating member, and the liquid pool is cut off, causing liquid dripping. On the other hand, even when the amount of the coating liquid forming the liquid pool is large, the interfacial tension acting between the coating liquid and the cylindrical body or the ring-shaped coating member cannot fully withstand the liquid's own weight, and liquid dripping occurs from the liquid pool. If the subsequent application is performed while the dripping occurs, the dripping portion causes the thickness of the coating film to be non-uniform. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately and precisely maintain the amount of the coating liquid that forms the liquid pool.

【００１１】また、垂直型非接触リング塗布方法におい
ては、塗布開始前に液溜まりを形成する必要があるが、
このとき液垂れを生じさせずに液溜まりを形成するため
には、円筒体とリング状塗布部材との間隙に塗液を放出
して、液塊の状態でうまく橋架けする必要がある。即
ち、円筒体とリング状塗布部材との間隙に橋架けできる
大きさに塗液を液塊状態にし、かつ、円筒体あるいはリ
ング状塗布部材間で働く界面張力により該液塊が間隙に
保持できる程度の前記液塊の自重とし、さらに、ゆっく
りと液溜まりを形成しなければならない。In the vertical non-contact ring coating method, it is necessary to form a liquid pool before the start of coating.
At this time, in order to form a liquid pool without causing dripping, it is necessary to discharge the coating liquid into the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member, and to bridge the liquid in a well-formed state. That is, the coating liquid is formed into a liquid mass in a size that can bridge the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member, and the liquid mass can be held in the gap by interfacial tension acting between the cylindrical body or the ring-shaped coating member. The liquid mass should have its own weight, and a liquid pool should be formed slowly.

【００１２】さらに、垂直型非接触リング塗布方法にお
いては、円筒体とリング状塗布部材との間隙を可能な限
り広くとることが望まれる。間隙が狭いほど、液溜まり
の上側の表面と円筒体との間に塗布中に形成されるメニ
スカスが、リング状塗布部材の開口部対向面により規制
される。このメニスカスは、塗布膜厚を決定する要素の
一つであり、間隙を広く取っておけば、リング状塗布部
材の開口部対向面の影響を受けず一定となり、塗布膜厚
は、塗布速度、塗液粘度、温度等の条件のみで決定する
こととなる。一方、間隙が狭い場合には、間隙が精密に
一定に保たれていないと、間隙が広い部分では膜厚が厚
く、狭い部分では薄くなるため、均一な塗布膜を得るこ
とができない。この間隙を一定に保つためには、円筒体
およびリング状塗布部材開口部の円筒度や、塗布装置の
駆動機構の駆動精度を厳しくする必要があり、位置合わ
せによる生産性低下や、材料および設備のコスト上昇を
招く。Further, in the vertical type non-contact ring coating method, it is desired to make the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member as wide as possible. The smaller the gap, the more the meniscus formed during application between the upper surface of the liquid pool and the cylindrical body is regulated by the opening-facing surface of the ring-shaped application member. This meniscus is one of the factors that determine the coating film thickness, and if a large gap is provided, it is constant without being affected by the opening-facing surface of the ring-shaped coating member. It is determined only by the conditions such as the viscosity of the coating liquid and the temperature. On the other hand, when the gap is narrow, if the gap is not precisely kept constant, the film thickness is large at the wide gap portion and thin at the narrow gap portion, so that a uniform coating film cannot be obtained. In order to keep this gap constant, the cylindricity of the cylindrical body and the opening of the ring-shaped coating member and the drive accuracy of the drive mechanism of the coating device need to be strict. Cost rises.

【００１３】円筒体とリング状塗布部材との間隙を広げ
るためには、液溜まり形成時に液垂れが生じないよう
に、液塊を大きく、特に水平方向に厚くする必要があ
る。このためには垂直方向の塗液供給口の幅を広げれば
よいが、放出される塗液量が多くなり、それに伴い、液
塊の自重は大きくなり、液溜まり形成時に結局液垂れが
生じやすくなる。特に塗液供給口がエンドレスのスリッ
トである場合、供給される塗液は、リング状塗布部材内
面の全周にわたるため、液塊の自重が塗液と円筒体ある
いはリング状塗布部材との間で働く界面張力以上に供給
されても、液塊はどの方向にも移動できずに留まるしか
ないため、そのまま液溜まり形成時に液垂れが生ずる。
従って、エンドレスのスリットを用いた場合、液垂れを
生じさせずに液溜まりを形成するためには、円筒体とリ
ング状塗布部材の間隙を狭くして、液塊の自重を、塗液
と円筒体あるいはリング状塗布部材間で働く界面張力以
下にしなければならない。つまり、前述したような生産
性低下を招くことになる。In order to widen the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member, it is necessary to increase the size of the liquid mass, particularly in the horizontal direction, so as not to cause dripping when the liquid pool is formed. For this purpose, the width of the coating liquid supply port in the vertical direction may be increased, but the amount of the coating liquid to be discharged increases, and accordingly, the weight of the liquid mass increases, and the liquid dripping easily occurs in the formation of the liquid pool. Become. In particular, when the coating liquid supply port is an endless slit, the supplied coating liquid covers the entire circumference of the inner surface of the ring-shaped coating member, so that the own weight of the liquid mass is between the coating liquid and the cylindrical body or the ring-shaped coating member. Even if the liquid mass is supplied at a level higher than the working interfacial tension, the liquid mass cannot move in any direction but remains and cannot be moved.
Therefore, when using an endless slit, in order to form a liquid pool without causing liquid dripping, the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member is narrowed, and the weight of the liquid mass is reduced by the coating liquid and the cylindrical liquid. It must be lower than the interfacial tension acting between the body or the ring-shaped coating members. That is, the productivity is reduced as described above.

【００１４】[0014]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】本発明は、従来の技術
における、上記のような円筒体とリング状塗布部材の間
隙を広く取れないという欠点を改良することを目的とし
てなされたものである。すなわち、本発明の目的は、生
産性に優れ、円筒体外周面に良好で均一な塗布膜を形成
することのできる垂直型非接触リング塗布方式の円筒体
の塗布方法及び塗布装置を提供することにある。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to improve the disadvantage of the prior art in that the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member cannot be widened as described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a vertical non-contact ring coating method cylindrical coating method and a coating apparatus which are excellent in productivity and can form a good and uniform coating film on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. It is in.

【００１５】[0015]

【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的は、以下の本発
明により達成される。即ち本発明は、 （１）円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるように保持し、
該円筒体上部外周、かつ接触しないように、該円筒体外
周よりも径が大きい円形開口部を有するリング状塗布部
材を保持し、該円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間隙に
上方から塗液を供給し得る位置に、形状が円形、矩形も
しくは多角形である塗液供給口が配されるように塗液供
給部材を保持し、該塗液供給部材から塗液を排出して前
記塗液供給口に液塊を形成後、前記間隙に該液塊を供給
し、塗布に必要な液量よりも過剰量の塗液を供給して、
前記間隙の全周に塗液の液溜まりを形成し、前記リング
状塗布部材を前記円筒体に対して相対的に鉛直方向下方
に移動させることにより、円筒体の外周面上に塗布膜を
形成することを特徴とする円筒体の塗布方法である。The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention provides: (1) holding a cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical;
A ring-shaped coating member having a circular opening having a larger diameter than the outer periphery of the cylindrical body is held so as not to contact with the upper portion of the cylindrical body, and the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member is coated from above. The coating liquid supply member is held so that a coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular, or polygonal shape is arranged at a position where the liquid can be supplied, and the coating liquid is discharged from the coating liquid supply member to discharge the coating liquid. After forming a liquid mass at the liquid supply port, supplying the liquid mass to the gap, supplying an excess amount of coating liquid than the amount of liquid required for coating,
By forming a liquid pool of the coating liquid on the entire circumference of the gap and moving the ring-shaped coating member vertically downward relative to the cylinder, a coating film is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. This is a method of applying a cylindrical body.

【００１６】（２）円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるよ
うに保持し、該円筒体上部外周、かつ接触しないよう
に、該円筒体外周よりも径が大きい円形開口部を有する
リング状塗布部材を保持し、前記リング状塗布部材の前
記円筒体に対向する面に、形状が円形、矩形もしくは多
角形である塗液供給口を設け、該塗液供給部材から塗液
を排出して前記塗液供給口に液塊を形成後、前記円筒体
と前記リング状塗布部材との間隙に該液塊を供給し、塗
布に必要な液量よりも過剰量の塗液を供給して、前記間
隙の全周に塗液の液溜まりを形成し、前記リング状塗布
部材を前記円筒体に対して相対的に鉛直方向下方に移動
させることにより、円筒体の外周面上に塗布膜を形成す
ることを特徴とする円筒体の塗布方法である。(2) A ring-shaped coating having a circular opening having a larger diameter than the outer periphery of the cylindrical body so as to hold the cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical, and to prevent contact with the upper part of the cylindrical body. Holding the member, on the surface of the ring-shaped coating member facing the cylinder, a coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular or polygonal shape is provided, and the coating liquid is discharged from the coating liquid supply member. After forming a liquid mass at the coating liquid supply port, the liquid mass is supplied to a gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member, and an excess amount of the coating liquid is supplied from a liquid amount required for coating, By forming a liquid pool of the coating liquid on the entire circumference of the gap, and moving the ring-shaped coating member vertically downward relative to the cylinder, a coating film is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. This is a method for coating a cylindrical body.

【００１７】（３）円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間
隙が、０．０５〜５．０ｍｍであることを特徴とする
（１）または（２）に記載の円筒体の塗布方法である。 （４）塗液供給口の直径または円相当直径が、０．３〜
５ｍｍであることを特徴とする（１）ないし（３）のい
ずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布方法である。 （５）塗液が、電子写真感光体の感光層を形成するため
の塗液であることを特徴とする（１）ないし（４）のい
ずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布方法である。 （６）塗液の粘度が、０．８〜２，０００ｍＰａ・ｓで
あることを特徴とする（１）ないし（５）のいずれか１
に記載の円筒体の塗布方法である。(3) The method for coating a cylindrical body according to (1) or (2), wherein a gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member is 0.05 to 5.0 mm. . (4) The diameter or equivalent circle diameter of the coating liquid supply port is 0.3 to
The method for coating a cylindrical body according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the diameter is 5 mm. (5) The method for coating a cylindrical body according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the coating liquid is a coating liquid for forming a photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. (6) Any one of (1) to (5), wherein the viscosity of the coating liquid is 0.8 to 2,000 mPa · s.
4. The method for coating a cylindrical body according to item 1.

【００１８】（７）円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるよ
うに保持する円筒体保持部材と、該円筒体保持部材に保
持された円筒体外周に、接触しないように、かつ、相対
的に鉛直方向に移動し得るように保持された、該円筒体
外周よりも径が大きい円形開口部を有するリング状塗布
部材と、該円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間隙に上方
から塗液を供給し得る位置に、形状が円形、矩形もしく
は多角形である塗液供給口が配されるように保持された
塗液供給部材と、を有することを特徴とする円筒体の塗
布装置である。(7) A cylindrical body holding member for holding the cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical, and a cylindrical body held by the cylindrical body holding member so as not to come into contact with and relatively to the cylindrical body holding member. A ring-shaped coating member having a circular opening having a diameter larger than the outer periphery of the cylindrical body, held so as to be able to move in the vertical direction, and a coating liquid from above into a gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member. And a coating liquid supply member having a coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular, or polygonal shape disposed at a position where the coating liquid can be supplied.

【００１９】（８）円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるよ
うに保持する円筒体保持部材と、該円筒体保持部材に保
持された円筒体外周に、接触しないように、かつ、相対
的に鉛直方向に移動し得るように保持された、該円筒体
外周よりも径が大きい円形開口部を有するリング状塗布
部材と、を有する円筒体の塗布装置であって、前記リン
グ状塗布部材の前記円筒体に対向する面に、形状が円
形、矩形もしくは多角形である塗液供給口が設けられた
ことを特徴とする円筒体の塗布装置である。(8) The cylindrical body holding member that holds the cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical, and the cylindrical body holding member that is held by the cylindrical body holding member are not in contact with each other and relatively. A ring-shaped coating member having a circular opening having a diameter larger than the outer circumference of the cylindrical body, which is held so as to be movable in a vertical direction, and a coating device for a cylindrical body having: A coating apparatus for a cylindrical body, characterized in that a coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular or polygonal shape is provided on a surface facing the cylindrical body.

【００２０】（９）円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間
隙が、０．０５〜５．０ｍｍであることを特徴とする
（７）または（８）に記載の円筒体の塗布装置である。 （１０）塗液供給口の直径または円相当直径が、０．３
〜５ｍｍであることを特徴とする（７）ないし（９）の
いずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布装置である。 （１１）塗液が、電子写真感光体の感光層を形成するた
めの塗液であることを特徴とする（７）ないし（１０）
のいずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布装置である。 （１２）塗液の粘度が、０．８〜２，０００ｍＰａ・ｓ
であることを特徴とする（７）ないし（１１）のいずれ
か１に記載の円筒体の塗布装置である。(9) The apparatus for coating a cylindrical body according to (7) or (8), wherein the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member is 0.05 to 5.0 mm. . (10) The diameter or equivalent circle diameter of the coating liquid supply port is 0.3
The apparatus for coating a cylindrical body according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the diameter is about 5 mm. (11) The coating liquid for forming a photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the coating liquid is (7) to (10).
A cylindrical body coating apparatus according to any one of the above. (12) The viscosity of the coating liquid is 0.8 to 2,000 mPa · s
The coating device for a cylindrical body according to any one of (7) to (11), wherein

【００２１】上記本発明の構成によれば、塗液供給口の
開口部が大きな液塊を形成するに適切な形状である為、
より大きな液塊を当該供給口に形成することができ、円
筒体とリング状塗布部材との間隙に、該液塊をうまく橋
架けすることができる。従って、上記本発明の円筒体の
塗布方法または塗布装置によれば、円筒体とリング状塗
布部材との間隙を広く取ることができ、生産性に優れ、
円筒体外周面に良好で均一な塗布膜を形成することがで
きる。According to the configuration of the present invention, since the opening of the coating liquid supply port has a shape suitable for forming a large liquid mass,
A larger liquid mass can be formed at the supply port, and the liquid mass can be successfully bridged in the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped application member. Therefore, according to the method or the apparatus for coating a cylindrical body of the present invention, the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member can be widened, and the productivity is excellent.
A good and uniform coating film can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.

【００２２】尚、本発明の円筒体の塗布方法および塗布
装置は、その構成より、中空である円筒体のみならず、
円柱体に適用することも、もとより可能である。従っ
て、本発明において「円筒体」というときは「円柱体」
を含む概念とする。The method and apparatus for coating a cylindrical body according to the present invention are not limited to a hollow cylindrical body because of the structure thereof.
It is of course possible to apply to a cylinder. Therefore, in the present invention, a “cylindrical body” is a “cylindrical body”.
The concept includes

【００２３】[0023]

【発明の実施の形態】以下、図面を参照しながら本発明
を詳細に説明する。勿論、本発明は以下の具体的構成に
限定されるものではない。図１は、本発明の塗布方法に
よる塗布装置の一例を示す概略断面図である。また、図
２および図３は、図１に示す塗布装置により円筒体外周
面に塗布膜を形成する工程を説明する概略断面図であ
る。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the following specific configurations. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a coating apparatus according to the coating method of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a process of forming a coating film on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body by the coating device shown in FIG.

【００２４】図１に示す塗布装置は、円筒体保持部材１
０８と、リング状塗布部材１０２と、塗液供給部材１０
７と、から構成される。円筒体保持部材１０８は、円筒
体１０１をその外周面が鉛直になるように保持する部材
である。リング状塗布部材１０２は、円筒体１０１の外
周よりも径が大きい円形の開口部１０３を有し、円筒体
保持部材１０８に保持された円筒体１０１の外周に、接
触しないように、かつ、相対的に鉛直方向に移動し得る
ように保持されている。リング状塗布部材１０２は、開
口部１０３が円形であれば、当該部材全体が円形である
必要はなく、例えば、円形の開口部１０３を有する矩形
体やその他多角形体等であってもよい。尚、形成される
塗布膜の膜厚の均一性等を考慮すると、円筒体１０１
と、リング状塗布部材１０２の開口部１０３とは、なる
べく精密に同一軸心となるようにすることが好ましい。The coating apparatus shown in FIG.
08, the ring-shaped coating member 102, and the coating liquid supply member 10
7 is comprised. The cylindrical body holding member 108 is a member that holds the cylindrical body 101 so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical. The ring-shaped coating member 102 has a circular opening 103 having a diameter larger than the outer circumference of the cylindrical body 101, and does not contact the outer circumference of the cylindrical body 101 held by the cylindrical body holding member 108, and It is held so as to be able to move vertically in the vertical direction. As long as the opening 103 is circular, the ring-shaped application member 102 does not need to be entirely circular, and may be, for example, a rectangular body having the circular opening 103 or another polygonal body. Considering the uniformity of the thickness of the coating film to be formed, etc., the cylindrical body 101
It is preferable that the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102 and the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102 have the same axis as precisely as possible.

【００２５】また、塗液供給部材１０７は、円筒体１０
１とリング状塗布部材１０２の開口部１０３との間隙に
上方から塗液１０４を供給し得る位置に、形状が円形、
矩形もしくは多角形である塗液供給口が配されるように
保持されている。尚、図１において塗液供給部材１０７
は、円筒体１０１とリング状塗布部材１０２との間隙の
上方に、傾けた状態で配されているが、円筒体１０１と
リング状塗布部材１０２の開口部１０３との間隙に上方
から塗液１０４を供給し得る位置に、塗液供給口が配さ
れていれば、塗液供給部材１０７全体としてどのような
位置あるいは角度に保持されていてもよい。Further, the coating liquid supply member 107 is
In a position where the coating liquid 104 can be supplied from above into the gap between the opening 1 and the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102, the shape is circular,
It is held so that a rectangular or polygonal coating liquid supply port is arranged. In FIG. 1, the coating liquid supply member 107 is used.
Is disposed above the gap between the cylindrical body 101 and the ring-shaped coating member 102 in an inclined state, but is disposed in the gap between the cylindrical body 101 and the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102 from above. If the coating liquid supply port is arranged at a position where the coating liquid can be supplied, the coating liquid supply member 107 as a whole may be held at any position or angle.

【００２６】塗液供給部材１０７から排出された塗液１
０４は、塗液供給口で液塊１１０を形成し、リング状塗
布部材１０２の開口部１０３と、円筒体１０１との間隙
に供給され、供給を続けると周方向に徐々に広がりなが
ら、図２に示すように全周にわたって液溜まり１０６が
形成される。このように、形状が円形、矩形もしくは多
角形である塗液供給口により、液溜まり１１０を形成す
ると、得られる液塊１０６の自重が、液塊１０６と円筒
体１０１あるいはリング状塗布部材１０２との間で働く
界面張力以上であっても、余分な塗液１０４は周方向に
広がるため、従来技術の如きエンドレスのスリット状塗
液供給口（図６におけるスリット６１１）である場合と
比べ、液垂れが生じずに液溜まり１０６を形成し易く、
円筒体１０１とリング状塗布部材１０２との間隙を広く
取ることが可能となる。Coating liquid 1 discharged from coating liquid supply member 107
2 forms a liquid mass 110 at a coating liquid supply port, and is supplied to a gap between the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102 and the cylindrical body 101. As the supply is continued, the liquid gradually expands in the circumferential direction. As shown in (1), a liquid pool 106 is formed over the entire circumference. As described above, when the liquid pool 110 is formed by the coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular, or polygonal shape, the weight of the obtained liquid mass 106 is reduced by the liquid mass 106 and the cylindrical body 101 or the ring-shaped coating member 102. Since the excess coating liquid 104 spreads in the circumferential direction even if the interfacial tension is greater than the interfacial tension acting between the liquid and the liquid, the liquid coating liquid is more liquid than the endless slit-shaped coating liquid supply port (slit 611 in FIG. 6) as in the prior art. It is easy to form the liquid pool 106 without dripping,
The gap between the cylindrical body 101 and the ring-shaped coating member 102 can be widened.

【００２７】以上のようにして液溜まり１０６を形成
後、図３に示すように、リング状塗布部材１０２を白矢
印で示すように、円筒体１０１に対して相対的に下方に
動かすことにより、円筒体１０１の表面に塗布膜１０５
が形成される。尚、本発明において「相対的に下方に動
かす」とは、円筒体１０１との関係において、リング状
塗布部材１０２を下方に動かすことを指し、リング状塗
布部材１０２を下方に動かす場合の他、円筒体１０１を
上方に動かす場合や、双方ともそれぞれ下上方向に動か
す場合の、いずれをも含むものである。After the liquid reservoir 106 is formed as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the ring-shaped coating member 102 is moved downward relative to the cylindrical body 101 as shown by a white arrow. Coating film 105 on the surface of cylindrical body 101
Is formed. In the present invention, “moving relatively downward” refers to moving the ring-shaped coating member 102 downward in relation to the cylindrical body 101, and in addition to moving the ring-shaped coating member 102 downward, This includes both cases where the cylindrical body 101 is moved upward and cases where both are moved downward and upward.

【００２８】リング状塗布部材１０２の材質としては、
ステンレス、アルミニウム、ニッケルなどの金属、ポリ
エチレン、ポリプロピレン、ポリエステル、ポリイミ
ド、ＡＢＳなどの樹脂やガラスなどが用いられる。ま
た、液溜まり１０６の安定性を向上させるため、リング
状塗布部材１０２の開口部１０３（円筒体１０１と対向
する面）を表面処理しても良い。The material of the ring-shaped coating member 102 is as follows.
Metals such as stainless steel, aluminum and nickel, resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyimide and ABS, glass and the like are used. Further, in order to improve the stability of the liquid pool 106, the opening 103 (the surface facing the cylindrical body 101) of the ring-shaped coating member 102 may be subjected to a surface treatment.

【００２９】リング状塗布部材１０２の開口部１０３と
円筒体１０１との間隙は、液溜まり１０６が形成されう
る０．０５ｍｍ〜５．０ｍｍ程度が好ましく、円筒体１
０１および／またはリング状塗布部材１０２の駆動設備
の精度を考慮に入れれば０．５〜３．０ｍｍ程度がより
好ましい。The gap between the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102 and the cylindrical body 101 is preferably about 0.05 mm to 5.0 mm where the liquid pool 106 can be formed.
Taking into account the accuracy of the driving equipment for the 01 and / or the ring-shaped coating member 102, it is more preferably about 0.5 to 3.0 mm.

【００３０】塗液供給部材１０７の塗液供給口の形状
は、円形、矩形、多角形のいずれであってもよい。尚、
本発明において、塗液供給口の形状を示す「円形」と
は、「楕円形」を含む概念である。The shape of the coating liquid supply port of the coating liquid supply member 107 may be circular, rectangular, or polygonal. still,
In the present invention, “circular” indicating the shape of the coating liquid supply port is a concept including “oval”.

【００３１】塗液供給部材１０７の塗液供給口の大きさ
は、小さすぎると、リング状塗布部材の開口部１０３と
円筒体１０１との間隙に橋架けして、液溜まり１０６を
形成するに十分な大きさの液塊１１０を形成することが
できずに液垂れを生じ、大きすぎると、液塊１１０が形
成されずに塗液供給口から塗液１０４が滴下してしま
う。このため、塗液供給部材１０７の塗液供給口の直径
または円相当直径は、０．３〜５．０ｍｍの範囲にある
ことが望ましい。尚、円相当直径とは、塗液供給口が矩
形、多角形あるいは楕円形である場合の当該開口部の大
きさを示す指標であり、当該開口部の面積と、同一面積
の円を描いたときの、当該円の直径をいう。If the size of the coating liquid supply port of the coating liquid supply member 107 is too small, the liquid pool 106 is formed by bridging the gap between the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member and the cylindrical body 101. A liquid lump 110 having a sufficient size cannot be formed, causing liquid dripping. If the lump is too large, the liquid lump 110 is not formed, and the coating liquid 104 drops from the coating liquid supply port. Therefore, it is desirable that the diameter or the circle-equivalent diameter of the coating liquid supply port of the coating liquid supply member 107 is in the range of 0.3 to 5.0 mm. The equivalent circle diameter is an index indicating the size of the opening when the coating liquid supply port is rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical, and a circle having the same area as the area of the opening is drawn. The diameter of the circle at that time.

【００３２】塗液供給部材１０７は、図１に示すように
一つのみであってもよいが、周方向に液溜まり１０６を
迅速に形成させるため、周方向に複数個存在するほうが
望ましく、また、縦方向に複数段あっても構わない。た
だし、塗液供給部材１０７の数が多すぎると、液溜まり
１０６を形成する際に、塗液と、円筒体１０１あるいは
リング状塗布部材１０２との間で働く界面張力以上にな
る量の自重を有する液塊１１０が供給された場合、液塊
１１０はどの方向にも移動できずに留まるしかなくな
り、そのまま液垂れとなってしまう。従って、塗液供給
部材１０７の数は、リング状塗布部材１０２の開口部１
０３と円筒体１０１との間隙の大きさ、塗液供給口の口
径等を考慮に入れながら適宜決定すればよい。As shown in FIG. 1, only one coating liquid supply member 107 may be provided. However, it is desirable that a plurality of coating liquid supply members 107 be provided in the circumferential direction in order to quickly form the liquid pool 106 in the circumferential direction. However, there may be a plurality of stages in the vertical direction. However, when the number of the coating liquid supply members 107 is too large, when forming the liquid pool 106, the weight of the coating liquid and the amount of its own weight that is equal to or more than the interfacial tension acting between the cylindrical body 101 or the ring-shaped coating member 102 are reduced. When the liquid lump 110 having the liquid lump 110 is supplied, the liquid lump 110 can not move in any direction and stays there, and the liquid lump is dripped as it is. Therefore, the number of the coating liquid supply members 107 is determined by the
What is necessary is just to determine suitably, taking into consideration the size of the gap between the cylinder 03 and the cylindrical body 101, the diameter of the coating liquid supply port and the like.

【００３３】リング状塗布部材１０２の開口部１０３と
円筒体１０１との間隙に、塗液１０４を連続的に供給し
つつ塗布することも可能であるが、液溜まり１０６の量
が円筒体１０１に塗布される液量よりも充分に多ければ
連続的に供給しなくてもよい。It is possible to apply the coating liquid 104 to the gap between the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102 and the cylindrical body 101 while continuously supplying the coating liquid 104. If it is sufficiently larger than the amount of liquid to be applied, it is not necessary to continuously supply the liquid.

【００３４】図４は本発明の塗布方法による塗布装置の
他の一例を示すものである。図４に示す塗布装置は、円
筒体保持部材４０８と、リング状塗布部材４０２とから
構成される。図１に示す塗布装置とは、塗液供給部材１
０７がない代わりに、リング状塗布部材４０２が塗液供
給を併せ持っている点のみが異なる。FIG. 4 shows another example of the coating apparatus according to the coating method of the present invention. The coating apparatus shown in FIG. 4 includes a cylindrical body holding member 408 and a ring-shaped coating member 402. The coating apparatus shown in FIG.
The only difference is that the ring-shaped coating member 402 has a supply of the coating liquid instead of having the reference numeral 07.

【００３５】図５は、リング状塗布部材４０２の断面図
である（尚、切断面部分の詳細は省略してある）。円筒
体４０１に対向する面（開口部）４０３には、図５に示
すように１箇所、もしくは複数カ所の、形状が円形、矩
形もしくは多角形である塗液供給口４１３が設けられて
いる。図４に示す塗布装置におけるその他の構成は、図
１に示す塗布装置と同様である。FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ring-shaped coating member 402 (details of the cut surface are omitted). The surface (opening) 403 facing the cylindrical body 401 is provided with a coating liquid supply port 413 having a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape at one or a plurality of positions as shown in FIG. Other configurations of the coating apparatus shown in FIG. 4 are the same as those of the coating apparatus shown in FIG.

【００３６】図４に示す塗布装置において、塗液４０４
は、図示しない塗液供給手段により、図中矢印Ａで示す
ように塗液保管室４０９に供給され、図５に示す塗液供
給口４１３から、リング状塗布部材４０２の開口部４０
３と円筒体４０１との間隙に供給され、液溜まり４０６
を形成する。In the coating apparatus shown in FIG.
Is supplied to the coating liquid storage chamber 409 as shown by an arrow A in the drawing by a coating liquid supply means (not shown), and is supplied from the coating liquid supply port 413 shown in FIG.
3 is supplied to the gap between the cylindrical body 401 and the liquid reservoir 406.
To form

【００３７】このように、本発明は、塗液供給口４１３
をリング状塗布部材４０２の開口部４０３中に設けても
よい。かかる構成であっても図１に示す塗布装置同様、
液垂れを生ずることなく液溜まり４０６を形成すること
ができ、装置の部品点数を削減することができる。As described above, the present invention provides the coating liquid supply port 413
May be provided in the opening 403 of the ring-shaped coating member 402. Even with such a configuration, similar to the coating apparatus shown in FIG.
The liquid pool 406 can be formed without causing dripping, and the number of parts of the apparatus can be reduced.

【００３８】以上の本発明の塗布方法あるいは塗布装置
により塗布することのできる円筒体１０１、４０１とし
ては、形状精度が高い円筒体で、均一性の高い塗布膜を
得たいものに対して特に有効である。円筒体の材質とし
ては、ステンレス、アルミニウム、ニッケルなどの金
属、ポリエチレン、ポリプロピレン、ポリエステル、ポ
リイミド、ＡＢＳなどの樹脂やガラス、紙管など、形状
精度の高いものであれば何を用いてもよい。The cylindrical bodies 101 and 401 which can be coated by the above-described coating method or coating apparatus of the present invention are particularly effective for cylindrical bodies having high shape accuracy and for obtaining a highly uniform coating film. It is. As the material of the cylindrical body, any material having high shape accuracy, such as a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, and nickel, a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyimide, and ABS, a glass, and a paper tube may be used.

【００３９】塗布すべき塗液としては、塗布の目的によ
り、公知の樹脂、顔料等を溶剤に溶解および／または分
散させて調合したものが適宜選択される。用いられる溶
剤としては、例えば、メタノール、エタノール、イソプ
ロパノール、ブタノール等のアルコール類、ヘキサン、
オクタン、シクロヘキサン等の脂肪族系炭化水素、ベン
ゼン、トルエン、キシレン等の芳香族炭化水素、ジクロ
ロメタン、ジクロロエタン、四塩化炭素、クロロベンゼ
ン等のハロゲン化炭化水素、ジメチルエーテル、ジエチ
ルエーテル、テトラヒドロフラン、エチレングリコール
等のエーテル類、アセトン、メチルエチルケトン、アノ
ン等のケトン類、酢酸エチル、酢酸メチル等のエステル
類、ジメチルホルムアルデヒド、ジメチルホルムアミ
ド、ジメチルスルホキシド等が挙げられる。また、塗液
の粘度としては、０．５ｍＰａ・ｓ〜１０，０００ｍＰ
ａ・ｓ程度が良く、さらに好ましくは、０．８ｍＰａ・
ｓ〜２，０００ｍＰａ・ｓの範囲であり、目標とする塗
布膜厚や、及び塗布速度等により、適宜選択すればよ
い。As the coating liquid to be applied, a liquid prepared by dissolving and / or dispersing a known resin, pigment or the like in a solvent is appropriately selected depending on the purpose of application. As the solvent used, for example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, alcohols such as butanol, hexane,
Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as octane and cyclohexane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, and chlorobenzene; dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and ethylene glycol Examples thereof include ketones such as ethers, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and anone; esters such as ethyl acetate and methyl acetate; dimethylformaldehyde, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The viscosity of the coating liquid is 0.5 mPa · s to 10,000 mP.
a · s is good, and more preferably 0.8 mPa ·
s to 2,000 mPa · s, and may be appropriately selected depending on a target coating film thickness, a coating speed, and the like.

【００４０】さらに、上記の塗布方法や塗布装置には、
公知の塗液粘度調整機構あるいは塗液組成調整機構、塗
液追加機構、塗液調製機構等を付加することもでき、こ
の場合、塗液の粘度あるいは組成を一定に保つことによ
り、円筒体の塗布を連続的に、より安定な状態で行うこ
とが可能となる。また、膜厚の均一性を上げるため、リ
ング状塗布部材１０２、４０２の上部に溶剤蒸気をコン
トロールするための円筒状の溶剤蒸気調整板を設けても
よい。さらに、例えば、円筒体１０１、４０１を連続的
に供給して、円筒体１０１、４０１外周面に連続的に塗
布することもできる。Further, the above-mentioned coating method and coating apparatus include:
A known coating liquid viscosity adjusting mechanism or a coating liquid composition adjusting mechanism, a coating liquid adding mechanism, a coating liquid preparing mechanism, and the like can also be added.In this case, by keeping the viscosity or the composition of the coating liquid constant, Application can be performed continuously and in a more stable state. Further, in order to improve the uniformity of the film thickness, a cylindrical solvent vapor adjusting plate for controlling the solvent vapor may be provided above the ring-shaped coating members 102 and 402. Furthermore, for example, the cylindrical bodies 101 and 401 can be continuously supplied, and can be continuously applied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical bodies 101 and 401.

【００４１】以上の如く、本発明によれば、円筒体の外
周面に良好で均一な塗布膜を形成することのでき、か
つ、生産性に優れた垂直型非接触リング塗布方式による
塗布方法及び塗布装置を提供することができる。As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to form a good and uniform coating film on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical body and to obtain a coating method using a vertical non-contact ring coating method which is excellent in productivity. An application device can be provided.

【００４２】[0042]

【実施例】本発明の効果を一層明確にする為に、以下、
本発明を実施例によって具体的に説明する。 〔実施例１〕本実施例においては、図１に示す塗布装置
により、円筒体１０１の外周面に塗布膜を形成した。円
筒体１０１としてのφ３０×３４０ｍｍのアルミパイプ
を図１に示す方法を用いて液溜まりの形成を行った。塗
液１０４としては、ブチラール樹脂（商品名：エスレッ
クＢ，積水化学製）１４重量部を１−ブタノール９８６
重量部に溶解した溶液を使用した。この時の粘度は１
１．５ｍＰａｓ、表面張力は０．２３Ｎ／ｍであった。
リング状塗布部材はＳＵＳ３０４製のものを用い、開口
部径φ３２ｍｍ（間隙は１．０ｍｍとなる）、開口部高
さ４０ｍｍのものを用いた。供給口径はφ１．５ｍｍ、
供給口の数は１個である。EXAMPLES In order to further clarify the effects of the present invention,
The present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples. [Embodiment 1] In the present embodiment, a coating film was formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 101 by the coating apparatus shown in FIG. A liquid pool was formed on an aluminum pipe of φ30 × 340 mm as the cylindrical body 101 by using the method shown in FIG. As the coating liquid 104, 14 parts by weight of a butyral resin (trade name: Esrec B, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical) is 1-butanol 986
A solution dissolved in parts by weight was used. The viscosity at this time is 1
1.5 mPas and the surface tension was 0.23 N / m.
The ring-shaped coating member used was made of SUS304, and had an opening diameter of 32 mm (a gap was 1.0 mm) and an opening height of 40 mm. The supply diameter is φ1.5mm,
The number of supply ports is one.

【００４３】先ず、図１に示すように、円筒体１０１
は、円筒体保持部材１０８の上部に固定され、リング状
塗布部材１０２は円筒体１０１と同一軸心となるように
配置されている。塗液供給部材１０７において、塗液１
０４に徐々に圧力を与え、塗液供給口に液塊１１０を形
成後、円筒体１０１とリング状塗布部材１０２の開口部
１０３との間隙に、該液塊１１０を供給した。合計０．
７ｍｌの塗液を次々に供給することにより、徐々に周方
向に広がりながら、やがて全周に液溜まり１０６が形成
された（所要時間は約２０秒）。液垂れを生ずることな
く全周にわたって液溜まりを形成できた。First, as shown in FIG.
Is fixed to the upper part of the cylindrical body holding member 108, and the ring-shaped coating member 102 is disposed so as to be coaxial with the cylindrical body 101. In the coating liquid supply member 107, the coating liquid 1
04 was gradually applied to form a liquid lump 110 at the coating liquid supply port, and then the liquid lump 110 was supplied to the gap between the cylindrical body 101 and the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102. Total 0.
By supplying 7 ml of the coating liquid one after another, the liquid pool 106 was gradually formed in the entire circumference while gradually spreading in the circumferential direction (the required time was about 20 seconds). A liquid pool could be formed over the entire circumference without dripping.

【００４４】液溜まり１０６を形成後、リング状塗布部
材１０２を円筒体１０１に対して、４００ｍｍ／ｍｉｎ
の速度で下方に動かすことにより、円筒体１０１外周面
に塗液を塗布した。その後１５０℃で７．５ｍｉｎ乾燥
し、塗布膜を形成した。得られた円筒体１０１外周面の
塗布膜の膜厚を、周方向４点（円筒体１０１の軸に対し
て９０°間隔）、かつ、軸方向３点（円筒体１０１の上
端より、５５ｍｍ、１７５ｍｍ、２８５ｍｍ）の計１２
点について測定したところ、膜厚の標準偏差は０．１２
μｍであり、均一性の高い塗布膜であった。After the formation of the liquid pool 106, the ring-shaped coating member 102 is moved at 400 mm / min.
The coating liquid was applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 101 by moving it downward at the speed shown in FIG. Thereafter, drying was performed at 150 ° C. for 7.5 minutes to form a coating film. The thickness of the coating film on the outer peripheral surface of the obtained cylindrical body 101 is set at four points in the circumferential direction (at 90 ° intervals with respect to the axis of the cylindrical body 101) and at three points in the axial direction (55 mm from the upper end of the cylindrical body 101). 175mm, 285mm) 12
The standard deviation of the film thickness was 0.12 when measured for points.
μm, and the coating film was highly uniform.

【００４５】〔実施例２〕塗液供給部材１０７の数を４
個とし、それぞれの塗液供給口を円筒体１０１とリング
状塗布部材１０２の開口部１０３との間隙の上方に、円
筒体１０１の軸に対して９０°間隔で配置した以外は、
実施例１と同様にして液溜まり１０６を形成した。[Embodiment 2] The number of the coating liquid supply members 107 was four.
Except that the respective coating liquid supply ports are arranged above the gap between the cylindrical body 101 and the opening 103 of the ring-shaped coating member 102 at intervals of 90 ° with respect to the axis of the cylindrical body 101.
A liquid pool 106 was formed in the same manner as in Example 1.

【００４６】実施例１よりも迅速に（所要時間は約５
秒）、液垂れを生ずることなく全周にわたって液溜まり
１０６を形成することができた。また、実施例１と同様
に塗布膜を形成したところ、実施例１と同様の均一性の
高い塗布膜を得ることができた。More quickly than in Example 1 (the required time is about 5
Second), the liquid pool 106 could be formed over the entire circumference without dripping. Further, when a coating film was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, a coating film having high uniformity similar to that in Example 1 could be obtained.

【００４７】〔比較例１〕本比較例においては、図６に
示す塗布装置により、円筒体６０１の外周面に塗布膜を
形成した。リング状塗布部材６０２の断面は、図７に示
すようになっており、スリット６１１の幅は１．５ｍｍ
とし、エンドレスとなっている。その他の構成は、実施
例１と同様とした（勿論、図１における「塗液供給部材
１０７」は、配さない）。液塊をリング状塗布部材６０
２の開口部６０３と円筒体６０１との間隙に供給したと
ころ、液溜まり６０６の形成は瞬時に行われたが、その
際液垂れが発生した。Comparative Example 1 In this comparative example, a coating film was formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 601 by the coating apparatus shown in FIG. The cross section of the ring-shaped coating member 602 is as shown in FIG. 7, and the width of the slit 611 is 1.5 mm.
And it is endless. Other configurations were the same as those of the first embodiment (of course, the “coating liquid supply member 107” in FIG. 1 is not provided). Apply the liquid mass to the ring-shaped coating member 60
When the liquid was supplied to the gap between the second opening 603 and the cylindrical body 601, the liquid pool 606 was formed instantaneously, but liquid dripping occurred at that time.

【００４８】液溜まり６０６を形成後、リング状塗布部
材６０２を円筒体６０１に対して、４００ｍｍ／ｍｉｎ
の速度で下方に動かすことにより、円筒体６０１外周面
に塗液を塗布した。その後１５０℃で７．５ｍｉｎ乾燥
し、塗布膜を形成した。得られた円筒体６０１外周面の
塗布膜の膜厚を、周方向４点（円筒体６０１の軸に対し
て９０°間隔）、かつ、軸方向３点（円筒体６０１の上
端より、５５ｍｍ、１７５ｍｍ、２８５ｍｍ）の計１２
点について測定したところ、膜厚の標準偏差は０．６３
μｍであり、均一性に欠けるものであった。After the formation of the liquid pool 606, the ring-shaped coating member 602 is moved at 400 mm / min.
The coating liquid was applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 601 by moving it downward at a speed of. Thereafter, drying was performed at 150 ° C. for 7.5 minutes to form a coating film. The thickness of the coating film on the outer peripheral surface of the obtained cylindrical body 601 is set at four points in the circumferential direction (at 90 ° intervals with respect to the axis of the cylindrical body 601) and at three points in the axial direction (55 mm from the upper end of the cylindrical body 601). 175mm, 285mm) 12
When measured for points, the standard deviation of the film thickness was 0.63.
μm, and lacked uniformity.

【００４９】[0049]

【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明の円筒体の
塗布方法および塗布装置によれば、リング状塗布部材と
円筒体との間隙を広くすることができ、円筒体あるいは
リング状塗布部材を移動させる際、駆動機構の駆動精
度、あるいは、円筒体およびリング状塗布部材開口部の
円筒度の精度を緩く設定でき、生産コストを抑えること
ができる。さらに、円筒体とリング状塗布部材とが接触
しないため、塗布中に円筒体の基材に傷を付けることな
く、良好で均一性の高い塗布膜を形成することができ
る。As described above, according to the method and apparatus for coating a cylindrical body of the present invention, the gap between the ring-shaped coating member and the cylindrical body can be widened, and the cylindrical body or the ring-shaped coating member can be formed. When moving the cylinder, the driving accuracy of the driving mechanism or the cylindricity of the cylindrical body and the opening of the ring-shaped application member can be set loosely, and the production cost can be reduced. Further, since the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member do not come into contact with each other, a good and highly uniform coating film can be formed without damaging the base material of the cylindrical body during coating.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

【図１】本発明の塗布方法による塗布装置の一例を示す
概略断面図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a coating apparatus according to a coating method of the present invention.

【図２】図１に示す塗布装置により円筒体外周面に塗布
膜を形成する工程のうち、液溜まり形成時の状態を示す
概略断面図である。FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when a liquid pool is formed in a step of forming a coating film on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical body by the coating apparatus shown in FIG.

【図３】図１に示す塗布装置により円筒体外周面に塗布
膜を形成する工程のうち、塗布膜形成直後の状態を示す
概略断面図である。3 is a schematic sectional view showing a state immediately after the formation of a coating film in a process of forming a coating film on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical body by the coating apparatus shown in FIG.

【図４】本発明の塗布方法による塗布装置の他の一例を
示す概略断面図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of the coating apparatus according to the coating method of the present invention.

【図５】図４に示す塗布装置におけるリング状塗布部材
の断面図である。5 is a sectional view of a ring-shaped coating member in the coating device shown in FIG.

【図６】従来の垂直型非接触リング塗布方法による塗布
装置の概略断面図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a coating apparatus using a conventional vertical non-contact ring coating method.

【図７】図６に示す垂直型非接触リング塗布装置におけ
るリング状塗布部材の断面図である。7 is a sectional view of a ring-shaped coating member in the vertical non-contact ring coating device shown in FIG.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１０１、４０１、６０１：円筒体 １０２、４０２、６０２：リング状塗布部材 １０３、４０３、６０３：開口部 １０４、４０４、６０４：塗液 １０５：塗布膜 １０６、４０６、６０６：液溜まり １０７：塗液供給部材 １０８、４０８、６０８：円筒体保持部材 ４０９、６０９：塗液保管室 ６１１：スリット ４１３：塗液供給口 101, 401, 601: cylindrical body 102, 402, 602: ring-shaped coating member 103, 403, 603: opening 104, 404, 604: coating liquid 105: coating film 106, 406, 606: liquid pool 107: coating liquid Supply member 108, 408, 608: cylindrical body holding member 409, 609: coating liquid storage chamber 611: slit 413: coating liquid supply port

Claims (12)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】 円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるように
保持し、 該円筒体上部外周、かつ接触しないように、該円筒体外
周よりも径が大きい円形開口部を有するリング状塗布部
材を保持し、 該円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間隙に上方から塗液
を供給し得る位置に、形状が円形、矩形もしくは多角形
である塗液供給口が配されるように塗液供給部材を保持
し、 該塗液供給部材から塗液を排出して前記塗液供給口に液
塊を形成後、前記間隙に該液塊を供給し、塗布に必要な
液量よりも過剰量の塗液を供給して、前記間隙の全周に
塗液の液溜まりを形成し、 前記リング状塗布部材を前記円筒体に対して相対的に鉛
直方向下方に移動させることにより、円筒体の外周面上
に塗布膜を形成することを特徴とする円筒体の塗布方
法。1. A ring-shaped coating member which holds a cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical, and has a circular opening having a diameter larger than the outer circumference of the cylindrical body so as to prevent contact with the upper outer circumference of the cylindrical body. And a coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular or polygonal shape is disposed at a position where the coating liquid can be supplied from above into the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member. After holding the supply member, the coating liquid is discharged from the coating liquid supply member to form a liquid mass at the coating liquid supply port, and then the liquid mass is supplied to the gap, and the amount of the liquid is larger than the amount required for coating. The coating liquid is supplied, and a liquid pool of the coating liquid is formed on the entire circumference of the gap. By moving the ring-shaped coating member vertically downward relative to the cylindrical body, A method for coating a cylindrical body, comprising forming a coating film on an outer peripheral surface. 【請求項２】 円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるように
保持し、 該円筒体上部外周、かつ接触しないように、該円筒体外
周よりも径が大きい円形開口部を有するリング状塗布部
材を保持し、 前記リング状塗布部材の前記円筒体に対向する面に、形
状が円形、矩形もしくは多角形である塗液供給口を設
け、 該塗液供給部材から塗液を排出して前記塗液供給口に液
塊を形成後、前記円筒体と前記リング状塗布部材との間
隙に該液塊を供給し、塗布に必要な液量よりも過剰量の
塗液を供給して、前記間隙の全周に塗液の液溜まりを形
成し、 前記リング状塗布部材を前記円筒体に対して相対的に鉛
直方向下方に移動させることにより、円筒体の外周面上
に塗布膜を形成することを特徴とする円筒体の塗布方
法。2. A ring-shaped coating member which holds a cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical, and has a circular opening having a diameter larger than the outer circumference of the cylindrical body so as to prevent contact with the upper outer circumference of the cylindrical body. A coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular or polygonal shape is provided on the surface of the ring-shaped coating member facing the cylinder, and the coating liquid is discharged from the coating liquid supply member to form the coating liquid. After forming a liquid mass at the liquid supply port, the liquid mass is supplied to the gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member, and an excess amount of the coating liquid is supplied to the gap between the cylinder and the ring-shaped coating member. Forming a liquid pool of the coating liquid on the entire circumference of the cylindrical body, and moving the ring-shaped coating member vertically downward relative to the cylindrical body to form a coating film on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. A method for coating a cylindrical body, characterized in that: 【請求項３】 円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間隙
が、０．０５〜５．０ｍｍであることを特徴とする請求
項１または２に記載の円筒体の塗布方法。3. The method for coating a cylindrical body according to claim 1, wherein a gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member is 0.05 to 5.0 mm. 【請求項４】 塗液供給口の直径または円相当直径が、
０．３〜５ｍｍであることを特徴とする請求項１ないし
３のいずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布方法。4. The diameter or circle equivalent diameter of the coating liquid supply port is as follows:
The method for coating a cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thickness is 0.3 to 5 mm. 【請求項５】 塗液が、電子写真感光体の感光層を形成
するための塗液であることを特徴とする請求項１ないし
４のいずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布方法。5. The method for coating a cylindrical body according to claim 1, wherein the coating liquid is a coating liquid for forming a photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. 【請求項６】 塗液の粘度が、０．８〜２，０００ｍＰ
ａ・ｓであることを特徴とする請求項１ないし５のいず
れか１に記載の円筒体の塗布方法。6. The coating liquid has a viscosity of 0.8 to 2,000 mP.
The method for coating a cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the value is a · s. 【請求項７】 円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるように
保持する円筒体保持部材と、 該円筒体保持部材に保持された円筒体外周に、接触しな
いように、かつ、相対的に鉛直方向に移動し得るように
保持された、該円筒体外周よりも径が大きい円形開口部
を有するリング状塗布部材と、 該円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間隙に上方から塗液
を供給し得る位置に、形状が円形、矩形もしくは多角形
である塗液供給口が配されるように保持された塗液供給
部材と、を有することを特徴とする円筒体の塗布装置。7. A cylindrical body holding member for holding the cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical, and a vertical surface so as not to contact the outer circumference of the cylindrical body held by the cylindrical body holding member. A ring-shaped coating member having a circular opening larger than the outer periphery of the cylindrical body, which is held so as to be able to move in the direction, and supplying a coating liquid from above to a gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member. A coating liquid supply member which is held so that a coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular or polygonal shape is disposed at a position where the coating liquid can be supplied. 【請求項８】 円筒体をその外周面が鉛直になるように
保持する円筒体保持部材と、 該円筒体保持部材に保持された円筒体外周に、接触しな
いように、かつ、相対的に鉛直方向に移動し得るように
保持された、該円筒体外周よりも径が大きい円形開口部
を有するリング状塗布部材と、を有する円筒体の塗布装
置であって、 前記リング状塗布部材の前記円筒体に対向する面に、形
状が円形、矩形もしくは多角形である塗液供給口が設け
られたことを特徴とする円筒体の塗布装置。8. A cylindrical body holding member for holding the cylindrical body so that its outer peripheral surface is vertical, and a vertical surface so as not to contact the outer circumference of the cylindrical body held by the cylindrical body holding member. A ring-shaped coating member having a circular opening having a diameter larger than the outer periphery of the cylindrical body, the ring-shaped coating member being held so as to be able to move in the direction. A coating device for a cylindrical body, wherein a coating liquid supply port having a circular, rectangular, or polygonal shape is provided on a surface facing the body. 【請求項９】 円筒体と該リング状塗布部材との間隙
が、０．０５〜５．０ｍｍであることを特徴とする請求
項７または８に記載の円筒体の塗布装置。9. The coating device for a cylindrical body according to claim 7, wherein a gap between the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped coating member is 0.05 to 5.0 mm. 【請求項１０】 塗液供給口の直径または円相当直径
が、０．３〜５ｍｍであることを特徴とする請求項７な
いし９のいずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布装置。10. The coating device for a cylindrical body according to claim 7, wherein a diameter or an equivalent circle diameter of the coating liquid supply port is 0.3 to 5 mm. 【請求項１１】 塗液が、電子写真感光体の感光層を形
成するための塗液であることを特徴とする請求項７ない
し１０のいずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布装置。11. The apparatus for coating a cylindrical body according to claim 7, wherein the coating liquid is a coating liquid for forming a photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. 【請求項１２】 塗液の粘度が、０．８〜２，０００ｍ
Ｐａ・ｓであることを特徴とする請求項７ないし１１の
いずれか１に記載の円筒体の塗布装置。12. The coating liquid has a viscosity of 0.8 to 2,000 m.
The coating device for a cylindrical body according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the pressure is Pa · s.