JP2005157361A - Method and system for packing, transporting, storing and collecting liquid crystal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for packing, transporting, storing, and collecting LC and LCM that only avoid disadvantages of a container currently in use or have them to a reduced extent, and secure the quality of the LC or LCM while they are packed in the container, transported, stored, and collected from the container. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a method for packing, transporting, and collecting the liquid crystal (LC) or liquid crystal mixture (LCM) in or from an air-impermeable and vapor-impermeable container, a circulating method for packing an air or water sensitive substance or substance mixture, specially LC and LCM in a recyclable container or packing them therefrom, transporting, storing, and recycling them, and a device and a system, or a container used for a method of this type. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for packing and recovering liquid crystals (LC) or liquid crystal mixtures (LCM) in or from air and water vapor impermeable containers. The present invention further relates to a circulation method for packing and transporting, storing and recovering LCs and LCMs in or from reusable containers. The invention further relates to introduction and recovery devices and systems and containers for use in this type of method.

  Liquid crystals (LC) are mainly used as dielectrics in electro-optic display devices. LC displays are for example on flat panel screens in television receivers or computer applications (laptops, notebooks), but also on smaller area displays in eg mobile phones, pocket calculators, or in automobiles or aircraft structures Suitable for.

  After manufacture, the liquid crystals and liquid crystal mixtures (LCM) are packed into glass bottles usually having a volume of 100 ml or 500 ml, for example for storage or transport. However, due to the ever-increasing demand for LCM, an increasing amount of packaging materials—mainly polystyrene foam and cardboard—is required due to the increasing number of bottles and the brittleness of the glass.

  The use of glass bottles is currently the best compromise, but involves many quality related problems such as air contact, light transmission or dissolution of ions from the glass. However, contact with oxygen, moisture or ionic substances can significantly impair the quality of LCM, especially their electrical and electro-optical properties, such as resistivity.

  Furthermore, stuffing LCM in glass bottles is a labor-intensive work step that is risky in terms of quality. The same applies to bottle handling and LCM recovery, for example in the manufacture of LC displays using these LCMs.

Thus, currently used glass bottles can break, they transmit light, and these sealing caps transmit oxygen and water vapor, and residual air cannot be removed from the bottle.
Furthermore, the currently known glass bottles and packaging materials can generally only be used once because they are too complex to clean. This results in increased costs and increased environmental pollution.

  Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to avoid or have only a reduced extent of the disadvantages of currently used containers, and while being packed, transported, stored and recovered in or from the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for packing, transporting, storing and retrieving LCs and LCMs that allows for certainty of LC and LCM quality. Another object of the present invention is to improve the environmental harmony between packing, transporting, storing and recovering LC and LCM.

  This object has been achieved in the present invention by the method described below. In this method, a large stuffing unit made of steel or an equivalent material, preferably having a volume of 5 to 200 liters, easy to use and reliable quality is preferably used in the circulation system.

  To date, steel containers have not been used for LC storage, especially since only a small amount of LC has been packed to date. In general, the use of the system of the present invention in the LC industry has not been known to date.

  The quality advantages of high-quality steel or similar material containers over the glass bottles used in the LC industry to date are in particular their impermeability to air and water vapor as well as their opacity to light, to LCM. There is no dissolution of ions, reduced production of particles, increased safety during transport and handling of containers by LCM users. Furthermore, the use of relatively large containers with larger capacities significantly reduces the container surface area compared to the amount of LC introduced, which has an advantageous effect on the shelf life and quality assurance of LC and LCM. Have

  Furthermore, the systems and containers of the present invention can “tune in” LC and LCM products by the user or consumer, ie modify the physical and / or chemical properties of the LC products, for example by filtration, or Explore possibilities for improvement.

  With the aid of the system and container of the present invention, LC materials can also be transported directly from the LC manufacturer side to the user side in a closed system without contact with air or moisture, for example, The required LC material can be automatically supplied to the manufacturing unit for the LC display.

This opens up new possibilities for new technologies in the manufacture of LC displays and increases the reliability of the method. Furthermore, the availability and quality of the LC material is improved.
The present invention is a method for packing liquid crystal (LC) or liquid crystal mixture (LCM), optionally transporting and / or storing, which is air-tight and water-tight or water vapor tight. The method is characterized in that the permeable container is at least partly filled with LC or LCM, all remaining volume of air present is replaced with protective gas and the container is sealed.

The present invention further provides for packing, transporting, storing and recovering LCs or LCMs of the containers described herein, particularly those having an inner wall made of steel or material with equivalent surface properties. Regarding use.
The present invention further includes a system or container as described herein for stuffing, transporting, storing and retrieving LCs and LCMs, particularly where the system or container is packed, optionally transported. And / or said system or container, characterized in that it remains closed for the entire cycle including the steps of storing and recovering, preventing or reducing possible contamination of the LC or LCM.

The present invention further relates to a stuffing and / or recovery device for use in the methods described herein.
The invention further relates to a method for packing, optionally transporting and / or storing and recovering LCs and LCMs in or from reusable containers.

  The invention further provides a circulation method for filling, optionally transporting and / or storing and recovering liquid crystals (LC) or liquid crystal mixtures (LCM) in or from reusable containers, The LC or LCM is introduced into the container described herein by the methods described herein, optionally transported, and / or stored in the container, partially or fully container The containers recovered from and partially or completely emptied can be reused or re-used to refill with the same or different LC or LCM, Regarding the method.

  The invention further comprises a system for stuffing liquid crystal (LC) or liquid crystal mixture (LCM), optionally transporting and / or storing and collecting, a device for stuffing and / or collecting LC or LCM And one or more replaceable and optionally reusable containers that can be coupled to a device for packing or collecting LC or LCM.

  LCs or LCMs for use in the containers and systems of the present invention are, for example, individual liquid crystal materials or mixtures of a plurality of individual liquid crystal materials, and mixtures of individual liquid crystal materials and other non-liquid crystal materials, where These mixtures are preferably liquid crystalline. LC or LCM can be used in the containers and systems of the invention as a pure substance or a mixture of pure substances, but also in the form of, for example, solutions, emulsions, dispersions or suspensions.

  LCs and LCMs are particularly preferably packed, stored, transported and / or recovered in a liquid or low viscosity state in a liquid crystalline or isotropic phase, preferably as a pure substance or a mixture of pure substances. The In this context, “low viscosity” means an LC or LCM having a flow viscosity of <70 cSt, preferably <50 cSt (in each case at 20 ° C.).

  Also, LCs or LCMs in the container of the present invention are not in a thermodynamically stable state, but instead are in a kinetically hindered state, such as a supercooled melt instead of a crystalline phase. It can be stored as a body or supercooled LC phase, in liquid form. Due to the closed form of the vessel and reduced particle formation (and thus reduced risk of formation of crystallization nuclei), LCs or LCMs may remain stable for long periods in this type of liquid state. it can.

  In addition, LCs or LCMs, usually in solid or relatively high viscosity forms, can be placed in or out of a container in a liquid or low viscosity state under certain external conditions such as atmospheric pressure and room temperature. These conditions can be packed, stored, transported, and / or recovered, for example, by modifying at elevated pressure and / or elevated temperature. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the container or recovery device has for this purpose, for example, a suitable heating device. This is a further advantage of the system of the present invention over the glass bottles used to date.

  The container for use in the method of the present invention preferably has an inner wall made of steel or one or more other materials, or made of steel or one or more other materials. Here, these other materials are equivalent to steel or have better surface properties than steel. The materials used for the container are basically non-contaminating, non-abrasive, resistant to liquid crystals and aggressive substances, corrosion resistant, or rust free, air Must be impermeable to oxygen and water vapor and preferably opaque to light. Besides steel, other suitable and preferred materials are, for example, zirconium or its alloys, enamels, ceramics, aluminum oxide or silicon oxide.

  Particularly preferred are containers made of one or more of these preferred materials. In principle, however, containers made of other materials whose inner wall has a coating of one or more of these preferred materials, such as plastic containers or metallized glass containers coated with silicon dioxide, are also suitable. Such containers can also have a transparent wall, which simplifies the monitoring of the filling level.

  Particularly preferred are pressure vessels made of corrosion resistant materials or stainless steel. Preference is furthermore given to containers in which the inner wall has an inner wall which has been treated by a suitable method, for example electropolished or pickled, or provided with a specific coating. Examples of such coatings are, for example, coatings of organic substances provided by vapor deposition, sputtering or other methods used as coatings in titanium or alloys containing titanium or also in LC display elements ("overcoating"). It is. Preferred topcoat materials are known to those skilled in the art.

In contrast to glass bottles, the container of the present invention has a reduced tendency to contaminate LC or LCM, to particle formation and / or to ionic dissolution.
Particularly preferred are pressure vessels made of corrosion resistant steel having an inner wall which has been electropolished or correspondingly treated.

  Other suitable lids, containers and systems are described, for example, in the specifications DE-A-37 20 939, DE-A-38 15 623, DE-A-42 12 338, EP-A-0 297 372, DE-A. -36 36 888, DE-A-36 37 455, GB-A-0 847 354, WO 98/02368 A1, WO 99/20535 A1, WO 98/47661 A1, WO 00/36329 A1, WO 00/54635 A1 And those described in WO 00/73154 A2 or having an equivalent design.

  However, the use of such containers for LC or LCM has not been described until now.

  1 and 2 show side views of various embodiments of a preferred and preferred container (10) by way of example and diagrammatically. The container (10) is made of stainless steel, for example, and optionally has a side plate (10a). This has a sealable opening (11), for example a screw or flange lid (12) and optionally adjustable inlet and outlet valves (15), (16), eg a membrane valve. Two, optionally with fittings or fittings (17), (18), eg fast-fit fittings or lids of a given design, eg screw caps or flange lids (not shown) Mounting parts (13) and (14) are provided. In addition, the attachment part (14) is connected to a dip tube (19) which acts to pack or recover the LC or LCM without a seam or via a suitable joint.

  Packing or recovering the LC or LCM in or from the container is preferably done via the mounting part (14) and the dip tube (19). The mounting part (13) serves for the introduction of protective gas into the container, for example for pressurization during LC or LCM recovery and / or for pressure equalization. The opening (11) has an effect of cleaning the container, for example.

  The mounting parts (14) and fittings (17) are preferably capable of being directly connected by an LC stuffer or LC user, if desired, to a specific stuffing and / or collection device or to a dispensing unit. Is manufactured as such. The stuffing and collecting device should preferably have a corresponding counterpiece for connection.

The mounting parts (13) and (14) are preferably opened (11) and lid so as to keep the number of openings and junctions on the container representing a potential source of contamination as small as possible. (12) is passed.
The container (10) of the present invention preferably has one or more dip tubes (19), as shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container of the present invention comprises a filling level display or other measuring device that provides information about the contents present or remaining in the container, such as a dip tube, float switch or rod probe. Including. The amount of LC located in the container is monitored, for example, by a continuous capacitive measurement method or other suitable method for determining the level in the container.

In another preferred embodiment, the container according to the invention is connected to one or more external measuring devices, for example a balance that makes it possible to monitor the amount of LC located in the container.
A predetermined amount of LC or LCM is dispensed from the container in a monitored manner via the mounting part (14), optional outlet valve (16) and optional fitting (18), fill level indication, immersion probe or balance. Or it can be collected in combination with other suitable measuring devices.

  Instead of or in addition to these measuring devices, the container according to the invention comprises in a preferred embodiment one or more dispensing or dividing units, or one or more dispensing or dividing units. Thus, a predetermined amount of substance can be recovered. The dispensing unit can be connected to the container, for example by a hose or a flexible or rigid pipe joint, for example a fluorinated plastic line or a wrinkled rigid or flexible line.

  A filling level display, balance or measuring device for monitoring the amount of LC in the container can also be connected to or integrated into the dispensing unit. It is also possible to adjust or measure the amount and / or flow rate of LC or LCM with the aid of the aforementioned measuring device or distribution unit, or with a flow meter or flow regulating valve. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the container is inserted into or connected to a system comprising one or more dispensing units and / or measuring devices.

In a preferred method, the container is washed before filling, filled with LC or LCM, the residual volume of air is replaced with a protective gas, preferably argon or nitrogen, the container is sealed, the dispensing unit is optionally Link.
The LC or LCM is preferably degassed in a vessel. For this purpose, a vacuum is operated, after which protective gas is introduced, and the operation is repeated once or twice or more as desired.

  For LC recovery, the vessel is preferably connected to a protective gas such as nitrogen or argon. Also, pressure equalization or filling with the protective gas of the container during LC recovery can be performed directly by the distribution unit. Preferably, however, this is done through a separate opening in the container that is not identical to the fill or recovery opening for at least 1 second. A container of this type having two openings is shown, for example, in FIGS. However, the vessel can also have more than two openings for LC introduction, LC recovery, protective gas introduction and / or pressure equalization.

In another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, recovery from LC or LCM transport containers or permanently installed containers as part of the system of the present invention is effected by pressure, pumping or pressure and vacuum.
In a preferred embodiment, the container is one or more specific fittings or joints (17) suitable for connection to a filling and / or collection device by the LC or LCM manufacturer, supplier or user, (18) and / or one or more inlet or outlet valves (15), (16). Particularly preferred is a quick mounting joint that can be closed on both sides.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more filters or equivalent devices that act to remove particles, water or water vapor or other contaminants from the LC or LCM during introduction into the vessel Is placed between the LC filling device and the container.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more filters or equivalent devices that act to remove particles, water, water vapor or other contaminants from the LC or LCM during recovery from the vessel. , Between the corresponding collection opening of the container and the LC collection device and / or between the collection opening in the container and the dispensing unit.

Suitable filters are those known to those skilled in the art, such as commercially available membrane filters or cartridge filters. A plurality of filters combined in a single filter unit can also be used.
It is also possible to achieve circulating filtration using suitable means such as a pump in combination with a filter unit. In this case, the LC or LCM can be pumped from the container, back through the filter unit and then the closed line, back to the container and optionally recovered by the user via an additional connection.

The volume of the container is preferably greater than 0.5 liter, in particular at least 1 liter, particularly preferably at least 5 liter, very particularly preferably at least 10 liter. Preference is furthermore given to containers having a volume of 10 to 200 liters, in particular 10 to 100 liters, particularly preferably 20 to 50 liters. However, it is also possible to use containers having a volume greater than 200 liters.
The container is preferably completely or almost completely filled with LC or LCM, in particular to the extent that it exceeds 90% of the volume. Any free residual volume present is preferably filled with protective gas.

  A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is a system for packing liquid crystal (LC) or liquid crystal mixture (LCM), optionally transporting and / or storing and recovering, for packing and / or recovering LC or LCM And one or more replaceable and optionally reusable containers that can be coupled to the device for LC or LCM introduction or recovery purposes. .

  This type of system is shown schematically and by way of example in side view in FIGS. This consists of the device (20) (solid line) and one or more exchangeable containers, for example the container (10) according to FIG. 1 or 2 (dotted line). The device (20) consists of a receptacle or a closed housing or holder (21), into which a replaceable container (10) can be inserted, optionally afterwards with a cover (22) or Can be connected to the door. The device (20) further includes supply and discharge lines (23a / b) and (24), which can be, for example, rigid or flexible (as shown in FIG. 4), for example metal or It can be a line made of fluorinated plastic or a wrinkled rigid or flexible line.

  Lines (23) and (24) are optionally provided with valves (25a / b) and (26), optionally via suitable fittings or joints (27) and (28) via the container (10 ). Lines (23) and (24) are optionally further connected to suitable couplers or fittings (29a / b) and (30), for example other filling or recovery stations or devices for filling LC displays. Quick fitting fittings that facilitate direct connection of, for example, a distribution unit, a protective gas line or a vacuum pump.

A predetermined amount of LC or LCM can be introduced into the vessel (10) or recovered from it via line (24). The other line (23) has the role of degassing the LC or LCM or venting (scavenging) or pressure equalization with a protective gas in the vessel (10).
A predetermined amount of LC or LCM is dispensed from the vessel in a monitored manner via line (24), optional fittings (28, 30) and optional outlet valve (26), fill level indication, immersion probe or balance. Or it can be collected in combination with other suitable measuring devices.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more suitable dispensing units are optionally connected via lines (30) to the line (24) for LC recovery, as described above for the container (10), Or, additionally connect.
In the device according to FIG. 4, the protective gas line is branched into two separate lines (23a) and (23b), where line (23a) acts as a supply and line (23b) Exhaust or pressure equalization effect (in the direction of the arrow).

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one or more filters or filter units (31) that act to purify LC or LCM during LC introduction or recovery are Connect in line (24) as described above for (10) (where each flow direction of LC material during LC recovery or LC introduction must be considered for the installation of the filter) . The gas line (23a / b) also optionally includes one or more filters.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing or receptacle (21) has a suitable device (32) for leak monitoring, as shown in FIG.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (20) or container (10) is mounted on a balance (33), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that in the container (10). Regular monitoring of the amount of LC located is facilitated.

The device (20) can have a static or dynamic design. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the device (20) is placed on a movable base (34), for example in the form of a trolley. It is also possible to design the device (20) to be movable by placing it directly on a roller, runner or other suitable auxiliary equipment for movement. In this way, the device (20) can be moved between different LC usage, production or storage facilities.
The amount of LC introduced or recovered can be measured as described above for the container, for example by means of a balance (33) or other measuring method, or a filling level indication or placed directly on or in the container (10) It can be monitored by a filling level measuring unit.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the system and / or container has a heating device. This allows LC or LCM to be more easily introduced or recovered after warming to a liquid or relatively low viscosity state as described above.
The aforementioned lines, valves, fittings, filling level indications, measuring devices and / or dispensing units of the containers and systems of the present invention are optionally provided with suitable control systems and actuating elements to enable automatic methods and attached units. Facilitates transmission and automatic operation.

  Device (20) and replaceable container (10) preferably form a closed system. The device (20) stays on the one hand on the LC manufacturer or LC supplier and / or on the other hand on the LC user, eg LC display manufacturer, while the container (10) is the same or different Can be exchanged between containers and transported between these sites.

  In a preferred embodiment, the device for LC introduction (20) is connected directly to a production plant or storage tank for LC or LCM. In another preferred embodiment, the device (20) is suitable for LC recovery, as described below, for a production plant for LC displays or a device or unit suitable for filling LC displays, for example for ODF processes Connect directly to other devices. This allows LC or LCM to be transported directly from the LC manufacturer side to the user side in a closed system without contact with air or moisture. Thus, the system of the present invention can automatically supply production units for LC displays with LC or LCM, for example.

  The empty container is returned to the LC supplier or manufacturer and removed or repaired as necessary, cleaned, and reused to form a lean circulation system.

  The system of the present invention having a device (20) and a corresponding container (10) or a series of corresponding containers (10), preferably in each case for only one particular type of LC or LCM Used for. This means that the LC or LCM need not be removed from the line and the mounting parts of the device (20) and container (10) after use of the system, and no time and expense for line cleaning is required, Furthermore, it means that the consumption of expensive LC material is reduced. This is a further advantage of the container and system of the present invention from both an economic and ecological point of view.

  In particular, in use of the system described above for a particular type of LC or LCM, the container (10) and device (20) may include, for example, the name of the particular LC product or further information such as composition, technical data, date of manufacture, It is advantageous to provide batch numbers, safety precautions, danger notes, product handling information, etc. For this purpose, the container (10) and / or device (20) preferably has a corresponding identification, for example in the form of a bar code or label or other technical device or mark suitable for this purpose. . In other preferred embodiments, one or more suitable fittings, lids or precision keys, for example in the corresponding line (24) of the corresponding mounting part (14) of the device (20) or container (10), eg Provide a coding system that can only be opened or closed electronically, magnetically or mechanically identifiable or authenticable by a key card or other corresponding device suitable for this purpose .

  The containers and systems of the present invention are for use in the field by LC users for filling LC displays, especially for filling LC displays by the so-called ODF ("one drop filling") method. Especially suitable.

  LC displays usually consist of two plane-parallel glass substrates, which are provided with a transparent electrode layer, an orientation phase, optionally colored filters and optionally further thin layers. The substrates are held parallel to each other at a predetermined distance of a few microns by spacers and are firmly bonded to each other by an adhesive, for example at the edges. Fill the empty space with LC material. In the manufacture of LC display elements, the so-called capillary filling method or the so-called ODF (“one drop filling”) method is usually used. In capillary filling, the LC display element is prefabricated in its entirety, and residual air between the two rigidly bonded substrates of the LC display is removed by applying a vacuum, and thereafter or simultaneously. LC material is drawn between these two substrates by capillary forces. However, this method can take several hours. In the ODF method, LC material in the form of droplets is applied to a prefabricated LC display substrate, but not yet joined together, and the substrates are then joined together. This method is significantly faster than capillary filling.

  Application of LC or LCM by the ODF method is carried out mechanically, for example via a suitable device having a plurality of outlets that can be applied to the substrate in large numbers simultaneously. Thus, the system of the present invention can preferably be directly coupled in situ at the LC display manufacturer to the corresponding ODF device, thus the LC or LCM from the container to the ODF device or the LC display. The substrate is designed so that it can be transported directly in a closed system, optionally with automatic operation.

  The container is pre-cleaned, for example with one or more suitable cleaning agents, and then machine washed with hot water and optionally one or more cleaning agents, optionally with deionized or demineralized water. Wash by washing and drying. Alternatively or additionally, organic solvents or other materials can also be used for washing.

  In addition to LC or LCM, the methods, systems, devices and containers of the present invention are basically used in other substances or substance mixtures, such as high purity chemicals or substances, particularly air, oxygen, for use particularly in the LC industry. Also suitable for packing, transporting, storing and recovering liquids with increased sensitivity to moisture, ionic impurities, etc.

  The methods and systems of the present invention are also suitable for packing, transporting, storing and recovering additives or adjuvants or LC or LCM precursors mixed with LC or LCM. Additives or auxiliaries can also be added in situ, for example at the LC display manufacturer, to the LC or LCM already located in the container or system of the present invention. This allows LC or LCM properties to be specifically modified at various stages of the operation of packing, transporting, storing and recovering. Examples of this type of additive are stabilizers, inhibitors, surfactants, plasticizers, wetting agents, dispersion aids, flow control agents, viscosity reducing agents, hydrophobizing agents, adhesives, flow agents, antifoaming agents. A degassing or degassing agent, a thinner or a dye. The mixed amount of material can be monitored by a balance placed on the container or system, as described above, or other measurement device or fill level indication.

  Alternatively, LCM may be introduced into the vessel in a continuous or simultaneous manner in the vessel or system of the present invention from the corresponding precursor, eg, individual LC compounds and optionally additives, into the vessel. It is also possible to manufacture directly. To improve LCM uniformity, the vessel can optionally include a device suitable for mixing, such as a stirrer. Also a central static system with a vessel with a stirrer, either continuously or simultaneously, for example one or more mobile systems (20) containing various individual LC compounds and / or additives. It is also possible to connect to (20), in which the individual substances are transferred in predetermined amounts from the mobile system and then mixed.

  Also, multiple systems (20) comprising different or identical LCs or LCMs or additives can be connected in series or in parallel to each other and / or to one or more central supply lines or systems. It is also possible to connect.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention are the following:
The container may or may be equipped with one or more specific fittings or fittings that facilitate packing for LC or LCM, or connection to a collection device, It has one or more sealable openings.
-The container can optionally comprise or be equipped with one or more specific joints or fittings, thereby creating a vacuum, excess pressure or protective gas atmosphere in the container It has one or more sealable openings that can be made.

-A particular coupler or connector is a component of a dispensing or splitting unit or comprises one or more dispensing or splitting units.
The container is connected to or may be equipped with one or more dispensing or dividing units facilitating the recovery of a given amount of LC or LCM. It has a sealable opening.
The container has one or more dip tubes.
The container has a filling level display or a filling level measuring unit.

The container, system, distribution unit or supply and / or discharge line has one or more flow meters or flow regulating valves for adjusting or measuring the amount of LC.
The container, system and / or introduction or collection device comprises one or more filters or filter units.
The introduction and / or recovery of LC or LCM into or out of the vessel under a protective gas atmosphere.

-One or more separate openings where the pressure equalization or supply of the protective gas into the vessel is not identical to the opening (one or more) for the introduction or recovery of LC or LCM Do through.
-Degas the LC or LCM after filling in the vessel.
-Wash the vessel after collecting the LC or LCM.

-The container is filled with LC or LCM, transport, storage or recovery operations and / or LC properties associated with these operations, such as monitoring of ambient conditions such as pressure or temperature, such as viscosity or LC phase state or aggregation state It has one or more devices that allow monitoring, for example a heating device.

Figure 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of a preferred and preferred container (10). Figure 3 shows a side view of another embodiment of a preferred and preferred container (10). Figure 2 shows a side view of the system of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a side view of the system of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Container 10a Side plate 11 Opening 12 Screw or flange lid 13, 14 Mounting parts 15, 16 Outlet valve 17, 18, 27, 28, 29a, 29b, 30 Joint or joint 20 Device 21 Receptacle or closed housing or holder 22 Cover 23, 23a, 23b, 24 line 25a, 25b, 26 Valve 31 Filter or filter unit 32 Device for leakage monitoring 33 Balance 34 Movable base

Claims (21)

  A method for packing liquid crystals (LC) or liquid crystal mixtures (LCM), optionally transporting and / or storing, air and water vapor impermeable containers at least partially filled with LC or LCM and present air All the remaining volumes of are optionally replaced with protective gas and the container is sealed.   2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the container has an inner wall made of steel or one or more materials with equivalent or better surface properties.   3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the vessel is a pressure vessel made of corrosion-resistant steel and has an inner wall optionally electropolished or treated in a similar manner.   One or two, where the container can or is equipped with one or more specific fittings or fittings that facilitate connection to an introduction or collection device for LC or LCM The method according to claim 1, comprising the above-described sealable opening.   One or more containers can be connected to or provided with one or more specific dispensing or dividing units that facilitate the collection of a given amount of LC or LCM 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealable opening.   6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has a volume of at least 5 liters.   7. A method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the container has a volume of 10 to 200 liters.   8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has one or more dip tubes.   9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container has a filling level display or a filling level measuring unit.   A circulation method, wherein the LC or LCM is packed in the container according to any of claims 1-9 by the method according to any of claims 1-9, optionally transported, and / or Reuse a container that has been stored in a container and partially or completely recovered from the container and partially or completely emptied to refill with the same or different LC or LCM, Alternatively, the method can be reused.   Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the introduction and / or recovery of LC or LCM is carried out under a protective gas atmosphere.   12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the vessel is washed after LC or LCM recovery.   A container as defined in any of claims 1-9.   14. Use of the container according to claim 13 for packing, transporting, storing or recovering LC or LCM.   A system for packing liquid crystals (LC) or liquid crystal mixtures (LCM), optionally transporting and / or storing and collecting, a device for introducing and / or collecting LC or LCM, and introducing LC or LCM Or said system comprising one or more replaceable and optionally reusable containers that can be coupled to a device for retrieval.   The system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the containers is a container according to claim 13. One or more replaceable containers (10) according to claim 13, comprising one or more attachment parts (13), (14),
A receptacle, housing or holder (21) for containing a replaceable container (10), optionally sealed with one or more doors or covers (22);
At least one rigid or flexible line (24) and air or protection for introducing or collecting LC or LCM, optionally with valves (25a / b) and (26) in each case At least one rigid or flexible line (23a / b) for the introduction or discharge of gas or for pressure equalization,
One or more joints or joints (27) and (28) for connecting the attachment parts (13), (14) of the container,
-Optionally one or more additional fittings or joints for connection to gas lines, further introduction or recovery stations, distribution units for LC or LCM or devices for filling LC displays (29a / b) and (30),
-Optionally one or more filters or filter units (31) or equivalent devices for the purification of LC or LCM and / or supplied air or protective gas,
-Optionally one or more devices (32) for leak monitoring,
A balance or other measuring device (33), optionally facilitating monitoring of the amount of LC present in or to be recovered from the container (10);
A device (20) optionally comprising a movable base (34) or roller, rigidly connected to the device, or other suitable auxiliary equipment for moving the device
The system according to claim 15 or 16, comprising:   Use of a system according to any of claims 14 to 17 in a method according to any of claims 1 to 12.   18. Use of a system according to any of claims 14 to 17 in a method for filling an LC display having an LC or LCM, wherein the LC or LCM is produced or stored in a closed system. Said use, characterized in that it is transported from the site to a filling device or LC display filling site.   20. Use according to claim 19, characterized in that the LC display is filled with LC or LCM by the ODF ("one drop filling") method.   21. A method for filling an LC display according to claim 19 or 20.

Images