JP2004307042A

JP2004307042A - Continuous powder feeding method, continuous powder filling method, and continuous powder filling system

Info

Publication number: JP2004307042A
Application number: JP2003105677A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hirosato Amano; 浩里天野
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-09
Filing date: 2003-04-09
Publication date: 2004-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-09
Also published as: JP4255304B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously feed a large quantity of powder, a toner for electronic photography in particular, from a powder supply hopper to a powder fluidizing hopper, and to continuously process a large quantity of powder, the toner for electronic photography in particular, for continuously producing numerous containers filled with the powder. <P>SOLUTION: The powder fluidizing hopper 10 having a powder discharging port 11 and including a powder fluidizing means 15 is placed below the powder supply hopper 80 consisting of a storage part for reserving the powder and a tubular part 81 for discharging the powder. A method includes steps of feeding the powder in the hopper 80 into the hopper 10 and discharging it from the discharging port 11. The method also includes steps of closing the powder discharging port 11, introducing a gas by the powder fluidizing means 15, inserting the tubular part 81 of the hopper 80 so that at least its tip is buried in a non-fluidized portion b formed on the surface s of a powder layer supplied into the hopper 10, and opening the powder discharging port 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、平均粒径がミクロン単位の超微細な静電潜像現像用の粉体の所望量を過不足なく大型容器から小型粉体容器に充填する方法及び装置に関し、特に静電潜像現像用トナーに特段のストレスを与えることなく、作業環境及び作業者を汚すことなくかつ危険なく、所望量を迅速に、小型粉体容器に充填する方法及び装置に関する。このような充填方法及び充填装置は、粉体の製造工程で一時的に貯蔵する大型容器から分割保管や出荷のための小分けの際にも、また例えば極端には、エンドユーザのもとにおける小型トナー容器へのオンデマンド充填の際にも用いることができる。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
電子写真用トナー粉等のような粉体の充填方式として、粉体の自重によって大型容器からその真下に配置した小型トナー容器に落下させて充填することを基本的考え方とする、ロータリーバルブ、スクリューフィーダーあるいはオーガー式などがあり、特にオーガー式は一定容積の容器に粉体を効率よく充填する方式として、一般的に知られ実用化されているものである（例えば、特許文献１、２参照。）。
これらの充填方式によって小型トナー容器内に収納された直後には、粉体間には多量の空気が含まれ、容器内に高密度状態で多量の粉体を短時間で収納するのに、容器内に先端が粉体内に埋没するように吸引管を挿入して、脱気することが行なわれている（例えば、特許文献３参照。）。
【０００３】
通常オーガー式は、円錐形のホッパーの排出口近傍内部に設けられたスクリュー状のオーガーを回転させることによって、ホッパー内のトナー粉を排出口から下方に排出する方式であって、排出後搬送ベルト上に配置され搬送される複数の容器内に順次トナー粉を収納し行なわれている。
近年、電子写真方式による画像形成に対して、高速化、高精細化および高画質化等の要望が高まり、それに伴い、トナー粉の粒径を微小化し、表面に金属酸化物微粒子を固着させて（外添剤という）流動性を高め、あるいは融点の低い結着剤樹脂を用いて低温定着性を確保するなど、トナー粉について様々な検討がなされ、実用化されている。
しかしながら、前記のオーガー式によると、オーガーの回転によってトナー粉を加圧することになるために、トナー粉の外添剤が表面から脱離あるいは遊離し、さらにトナー粉中に埋没し、流動性を高めるという外添剤の本来の機能を軽減あるいは消失させてしまう問題が生じている。
また、低融点の結着剤樹脂が用いられた低温定着トナー粉は、オーガーの回転による加圧によってトナー粉同士が付着したり凝集体をつくりやすくなり、時としてその凝集体が元に戻らないほどに固化してしまうこともあって、その結果ホッパーの出口でトナー粉が詰って、排出が停止することになり、トナーの充填作業に支障をきたすといった問題も発生している。
本来、トナー粉は、その粒径が微小になればなるほど、ホッパーから容器に落下したトナー粉は、材質に関係なく気体中でブラウン運動をし噴霧状態を作りやすくなるために、その結果粉体間に存在することになる多量の気体を排出する必要性が生じ、容器内におけるトナー粉の高密度の充填状態を形成することを難しくすることになり、このような困難性に相俟って上記の問題が解決されることが期待されている。
【０００４】
さらに、オーガー式は、上述のように、複数の小型トナー容器を載せて搬送するベルトとホッパーを主体とした充填機が少なくとも必要となって大掛りな装置となり、また充填機の真下に容器を配置して充填しなければならないので、装置が固定的で制約があるものとなるといった欠点を有するものである。
【０００５】
さらに換言し説明すれば、特に静電潜像現像用のトナー粉体は、極く小粒径であって、セラミック材料等の他の粉体に比べ密度比重が比較的小さい割に流動性が悪く、凝集性が高く、特に最近では、現像された画像の解像力上昇の要求に答えるためますます小粒径化が進み、また、省エネルギー化及び瞬時高速定着の要求に答えるためますます低温溶融性の樹脂が採用される傾向にあることもあって、凝集性及び他物体表面への付着性やフィルミング性が問題となり、したがってこれら性質を改善し、流動性低下及び凝集を避けるため、多くの場合、トナー粒子表面に流動性向上剤や凝集防止剤等の超微粒子を担持させ、また、帯電特性改善のための電荷調節剤超微粒子を担持させた形で用いられているので、トナー表面に担持させたこれら超微粒子の分離、脱落を防いで、帯電特性、流動性及び耐凝集を保持するという観点からは、トナーに過剰なストレスを与えるオーガーやスクリュコンベアのような手段による撹拌や移送は望ましくはない。
【０００６】
特に、カラー用のトナーは、高い解像性を得るために粒径が小さく、表面に流動性向上剤や帯電調節剤、流動化剤、凝集防止剤及び融着防止剤などの成分を担持しているため、粒子相互が絡み合って流動性が悪く、その上、強い外力が加わるとトナーの特性を損なう危険性があり、ロータリーバルブやオーガーといった従来の機械的処理装置は好ましくない。
【０００７】
また、トナーのニューマチック処理のため、トナーと空気を混合すると、超微細なトナーの浮遊によるトナー雲（トナーと気体との混合により形成される雲状のトナー浮遊物）が生じて取り扱うべき容積が膨張してしまうが、このトナー雲から気体を速やかに分離して取り扱いを容易にするためには、分離配管の構造形状や位置等のみによっては達成が難しく、したがってこのような配管手段を用いた移送用気体の分離によりトナーの圧縮量をコントロールすることは難しい。また、極く微細なトナーを対象にした場合、供給空気量が多過ぎると流動相が急速に拡大して容易に粉塵相に移行し、かつ一旦生成した粉塵相からトナーを回収するのに長時間を要したり、周辺を粉塵で汚染したりすることがある。例えば、いったんトナー雲が形成すると、トナーのみを自然落下によって底面に堆積させるには数時間から数十時間の静置を要する。大きなトナー雲の生成を抑制するため、緩やかな供給空気をコントロールしながら、堆積しているトナーを流動化させて小分け用の小型容器に移動させるための操作は容易ではない。
また、大型の貯蔵容器から多数の小分け容器に分取すると、当初均一に混合していたトナーが、貯蔵容器内へ供給する空気の影響で、次第に成分むらを発生することがあり、その対策を講じる必要もある。
【０００８】
本出願人は、トナー充填方法における従来の前記諸問題を解決するための新規充填方式についての提案を先に行ない、出願した（特願２００２−２０９８０号）。
この新規充填方式は、大型容器に溜めたトナーのような粉体を、オーガー式のような攪拌と落下によって粉体充填容器に直接充填するのではなく、大型容器内の粉体を一旦計量槽に移送した後に、該計量槽から粉体充填用容器に充填する方法であって、該計量槽の粉体吐出口近傍部に充填量規制手段を設け、該充填量規制手段によって、前記計量槽の中に移送された粉体のうちの所定量のみを前記粉体充填用容器に排出するようにしたことを骨子とするものである。
【０００９】
以下に、この提案による新規充填方式について、その方式による粉体充填装置の一例を示す概念図１に基づいて説明する。
図１に示される粉体充填装置は、粉体を溜める大型容器（１０）とそれに連結管（２０）によって連結する計量槽（３０）および、粉体重量管理手段（６０）上に載せた粉体充填用容器（４０）とが、該粉体充填用容器（４０）の開口部に該計量槽（３０）の粉体吐出口（３１）が挿入されるように設置されたものである。
大型容器（１０）内の粉体は、先ず前記計量槽（３０）内に移送され、その後移送された粉体は該計量槽（３０）の粉体吐出口（３１）の近傍部に設けられた充填量規制手段（３２）と前記粉体重量管理手段（６０）とによって制御されながら、前記粉体充填用容器（４０）内に落下させて、所定量の粉体が充填された粉体充填用容器（４０）が作製される。
【００１０】
この例における前記充填量規制手段（３２）は、粉体吐出口（３１）を有する弾性体リング（３２ａ）と、粉体吐出口（３１）からの粉体の吐出を制御する吐出制御手段（３２ｂ）とからなり、吐出制御手段（３２ｂ）の吐出制御管（３２ｃ）に装着された吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）が、計量槽（３０）内を昇降し粉体吐出口（３１）と挿入−離脱するように作動して該粉体吐出口（３１）を開閉する機構からなり、その挿入程度、嵌合程度によって、粉体充填装置内への計量層からの粉体吐出量を調節するものである。
【００１１】
本発明者は、この例における前記充填量規制手段に代わる改良技術として、前記計量層の粉体吐出口近傍部に、気体を通過し粉体を通過させないフィルター材料から少なくともなり、該充填量規制手段と連通させた気体吸引手段によってフィルター材料に粉体を引き付け、その吸引程度によって粉体の排出量を制御できるような充填量規制手段を設けた計量槽とそれを具備する粉体充填装置について、新規充填方式として、提案し出願をした（特願２００３−７０９２９号）。
この改良技術は、先に提案し図１に示した充填量規制手段を用いた粉体充填装置よりも、充填量規制手段の構成を単純化できるばかりでなく、粉体への機械的ストレスをより一層軽減することができる利点を有するものである。
【００１２】
本出願人および本発明者が先に提案し出願したこれらの新規充填方式によると、先述の従来技術の諸問題が解消され、トナーに特段のストレスを与えることなく、トナー表面に担持させた超微粒子の分離、脱落、埋め込みを防いで、その諸物性並びに配合性を損なわずに、また粉体充填用容器内に所望量の粉体を過不足なく迅速かつ精確に充填でき、製造ラインの途中におけるトナーの移送用装置としても利用でき、さらに、作業環境及び作業者を汚すことなくかつ危険なく、大型容器から粉体充填用容器に充填できるといった諸利点を有し、さらにトナーのみならず微粉体一般に適用可能なものである。
【００１３】
通常、粉体、特に電子写真用トナーを容器に充填する工場における作業は、数多くの容器に対して連続的かつ間断なく行ない、粉体が充填された数多くの容器が生産されることが必要である。
すなわち、前記充填作業は、一般的に大型容器（１０）の上方に粉体供給ホッパーが設置され、該粉体供給ホッパー内に１次的に溜めた粉体を大型容器（１０）に移入して行なうのが一般的であるが、粉体を順次該粉体供給ホッパーに供給し、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体を連続的に間断なく大型容器（１０）に移入して、最終的に粉体が充填された多数の容器が生産されるように、多量の粉体が処理できることが必要である。
図１に示される粉体充填装置においては、大型容器（１０）の底部に流動化手段（１５）が設けられ（以後、流動化手段が設けられた大型容器を粉体流動化ホッパーという）、その流動化手段（１５）によって粉体を流動化し、流動化した粉体を計量槽（３０）に移送した後、粉体充填用容器に充填する方法が行なわれているが、粉体が流動化された結果、計量槽（３０）への移入と計量槽（３０）からの吐出が迅速化するため、粉体充填用容器への充填速度が高まるといった利点をもたらしている。
【００１４】
しかしながら、本発明者は、多量の粉体が連続的に処理されるように、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体の、粉体流動化ホッパーと計量槽への移入と容器への充填が順次スムースに行なわれ、粉体が充填された多数の容器を生産するには、単に粉体流動化ホッパー内で粉体を流動化しさえすれば良いと言うわけではなく、前記の流動化が強ければ強いほど、該粉体供給ホッパーからの粉体流動化ホッパーへの粉体の供給が過剰となって、粉体流動化ホッパーから粉体が溢れ出てしまい、反面、流動化が弱ければ弱いほど、該粉体供給ホッパーからの粉体流動化ホッパーへの粉体の供給が停止してしまうといった新たな問題が発生し、多量の粉体連続的処理と多数の粉体充填容器の連続的生産の障害となることを確認した。
【００１５】
【特許文献１】
特開平４−８７９０１号公報
【特許文献２】
特開平６−２６３１０１号公報
【特許文献３】
特開平９−１９３９０２号公報
【００１６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明の課題は、多量の粉体、特に電子写真用トナーを、粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーに間断なく連続的に供給することができる方法を提供することである。
また、本発明の課題は、多量の粉体、特に電子写真用トナーを間断なく連続的に処理できて、粉体が充填された多数の容器を連続的に生産できる、連続充填方法とその充填システムを提供することである。
詳しくは、本発明の課題は、一次的に粉体を溜める機能を有する粉体供給ホッパーと粉体を流動化する機能を有する粉体流動化ホッパーを用いて、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体が、粉体流動化ホッパーから溢れ出ることなくまた停止することなく、粉体流動化ホッパーに移入できるように行なえる、前記の連続充填方法とその充填システムを提供することである。
また、本発明の課題は、電子写真用トナーに特段のストレスを与えることなく、トナー表面に担持させた超微粒子の分離、脱落、埋め込みを防いで、その諸物性並びに配合性を損なわずに行なえる、前記の連続充填方法とその充填システムを提供することである。
さらに、本発明の課題は、粉体充填用容器内に所望量の粉体を過不足なく迅速かつ精確に充填でき、製造ラインの途中における粉体の移送用装置としても利用でき、また、作業環境及び作業者を汚すことなくかつ危険なく、粉体流動化ホッパーから粉体充填用容器に充填できる、前記の連続充填方法とその充填システムを提供することである。
【００１７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題は、本発明の（１）「粉体を溜める収納部と該粉体を排出する筒状部とからなる粉体供給ホッパーの下部に、粉体排出口を有し粉体流動化手段を具備する粉体流動化ホッパーを配置して、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体を該粉体流動化ホッパー内に供給した後、該粉体排出口から排出する方法であって、該粉体排出口を閉じた状態にして、該粉体流動化手段によって気体を導入して、該粉体流動化ホッパー内に供給された粉体層が形成する表面部分に、流動化部分と非流動化部分とを形成し、形成された該非流動化部分に該粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部の少なくとも先端が埋没するように挿入した後に、該粉体排出口を開放することを特徴とする、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体の該粉体流動化ホッパー内への供給と該粉体流動化ホッパーからの排出を連続的に行なう方法」、
（２）「該粉体排出口が該粉体流動化ホッパーの底部一端部に設けられ、該粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部を挿入する粉体群の表面非流動化部分が、該粉体流動化ホッパーの底部の該粉体排出口が設けられる端部と逆に寄った部分の上方に形成されることを特徴とする前記第（１）項に記載の方法」、
（３）「前記第（１）項または第（２）項に記載の方法によって排出された粉体を連続的に多数の粉体充填用容器に充填することを特徴とする連続粉体充填方法」、
（４）「前記粉体流動化ホッパーの粉体排出口と連通し充填量規制手段を具備する計量槽を用い、該粉体流動化ホッパーの粉体排出口から排出される粉体を一旦該計量槽内に移送し、その後該粉体を該計量槽から排出して粉体充填用容器に充填する方法であって、該計量槽の該充填量規制手段によって該計量槽から排出される粉体量を制御することを特徴とする前記第（３）項に記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（５）「前記充填量規制手段が、前記計量槽の粉体吐出口部に設けられた該吐出口の開口度規制手段から基本的になることを特徴とする前記第（４）項に記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（６）「前記開口度規制手段が、前記粉体吐出口部に計量槽内部から挿入しかつ離脱できる部材からなり、その部材を挿入―離脱させてその程度に応じて前記粉体吐出口部の開閉程度を規制することを特徴とする前記第（５）項に記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（７）「前記開口度規制手段が、前記粉体吐出口近傍部に設けられた気体を通過し粉体を通過させない部材とそれと連通する外部気体吸引手段からなり、該気体吸引手段によって空気を排出し粉体を引き付け、その吸引程度に応じて前記充填用粉体吐出口の開閉程度を規制することを特徴とする前記第（５）項に記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（８）「ロート形状補助容器を用い、該ロート形状補助容器の開放口部が前記計量槽の前記粉体吐出口の下部に、および該ロート形状補助容器の小径口部が粉体充填用容器の開口部に挿入されるように配置し、前記計量槽から排出される粉体を一旦該補助容器に落下させて、該補助容器に溜まった粉体間の空気を、該補助容器の開放口から自然放出させながらあるいは放出させた後に、該粉体を粉体充填用容器内に落下させることを特徴とする前記第（４）項乃至第（７）項の何れかに記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（９）「ロート形状補助容器を用い、該ロート形状補助容器の円形底部が前記計量槽の前記粉体吐出口を挿入する開口部が設けられた平面状壁をなし、かつ該ロート形状補助容器はその小径口部と円形底部またはその近傍部とを結ぶ通気管が設けられたものであって、前記計量槽と粉体充填用容器との間に該ロート形状補助容器を配置し、前記計量槽から排出される粉体を該補助容器に次いで粉体充填用容器に順次落下させ、粉体充填用容器内の空気を該通気管を通して該補助容器内に循環し、補助容器の底部開口部と計量槽の粉体吐出口との間の隙間から外部に放出させるようにしたことを特徴とする前記第（４）項乃至第（７）項の何れかに記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（１０）「前記粉体充填用容器への充填粉体量を管理するための充填粉体重量管理手段を用いることを特徴とする前記第（３）項乃至第（９）項の何れかに記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（１１）「前記粉体重量管理手段によって前記粉体充填用容器全体の重量を粉体の充填前後に行なう計測と、前記充填量規制手段による計量槽の粉体吐出口の開閉程度の調節とを連動させることによって、充填粉体量を制御することを特徴とする前記第（１０）項に記載の連続粉体充填方法」、
（１２）「粉体が電子写真用トナーであることを特徴とする前記第（３）項乃至第（１１）項の何れかに記載の連続粉体充填方法」により達成される。
【００１８】
また、上記課題は、本発明の（１３）「前記第（３）項乃至第（１２）項の何れかに記載の方法によって作製された粉体が充填された複数の容器」により達成される。
【００１９】
また、上記課題は、本発明の（１４）「前記第（１）項または第（２）項に記載の方法によって排出された粉体を連続的に多数の粉体充填用容器に充填するために用いられる連続粉体充填システムであって、粉体流動化ホッパーと連結し充填量規制手段を具備する計量槽および該粉体流動化ホッパーの上方に配置される粉体供給ホッパーからなり、該計量槽の下方に粉体充填用容器を設置後、粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体を粉体流動化ホッパーに供給後計量槽に移送し、その後粉体充填用容器に落下させて容器に粉体を充填するようにしたことを特徴とする連続粉体充填システム」、
（１５）「前記粉体流動化ホッパーは、傾斜した内壁部分を少なくとも１部有し、この傾斜した内壁部分により、内部に収納された粉体の排出が円滑化されることを特徴とする前記第（１４）項に記載の連続粉体充填システム」、
（１６）「傾斜した内壁部分を複数有し、この複数の傾斜した内壁部分からなる谷筋部分が粉体流動化ホッパーの底部を形成し、該底部に流動化手段を構成する流動床が設けられていることを特徴とする前記第（１５）項に記載の連続粉体充填システム」、
（１７）「該底部に複数の流動床が設けられていることを特徴とする前記第（１６）項に記載の連続粉体充填システム」、
（１８）「前記充填量規制手段が、該計量槽の粉体吐出口に固定された弾性体リングと、該粉体吐出口からの粉体の吐出を制御する吐出制御手段とからなり、該吐出制御手段は、前記計量槽内を昇降する吐出制御管に装着された吐出量制御部材からなり、該吐出量制御部材は、該粉体吐出口に挿入−離脱して該粉体吐出口を開閉する円錐状の部材であることを特徴とする前記第（１３）項乃至第（１７）項の何れかに記載の粉体充填システム」、
（１９）「該粉体吐出口の開閉程度が、前記吐出制御管の前記計量槽内での昇降程度に依存する前記円錐状の吐出制御部材の該弾性体リングの開口部への挿入程度によって調節されることを特徴とする前記第（１８）項に記載の粉体充填システム」、
（２０）「前記充填量規制手段が、気体を通過し粉体を通過させないフィルター材料から少なくともなり、該充填量規制手段と連通させた気体吸引手段によってフィルター材料に粉体を引き付け、その吸引程度によって粉体の吐出量を制御するようにしたことを特徴とする前記第（１３）項乃至第（１７）項の何れかに記載の粉体充填システム」、
（２１）「該充填量規制手段は、フィルター材料が該管状体自体に設けられた貫通孔を覆うように固定され、また該フィルター材料固定部位の外側に空間部を形成し気体漏れがないような壁が設けられたものであることを特徴とする前記第（２０）項に記載の粉体充填システム」、
（２２）「該フィルター材料が綾畳織であることを特徴とする前記第（２０）項または第（２１）項に記載の粉体充填システム」、
（２３）「該計量槽と該粉体充填用容器の間にロート形状補助容器を設置し、該ロート形状補助容器の円錐底部をなす開放口から内部に、該計量槽から吐出される粉体を落下させることを特徴とする前記第（１３）項乃至第（２２）項の何れかに記載の連続粉体充填システム」、
（２４）「該計量槽と該粉体充填用容器の間にロート形状補助容器を設置し、該ロート形状補助容器の円錐底部が、該計量槽から吐出される粉体を落下させる開口部が設けられた平面壁とし、また該ロート形状補助容器が、その補助容器先端の粉体排出口近傍部から該補助容器上部にかけて設置固定された通気管からなる気体置換手段を設けたものであることを特徴とする前記第（１３）項乃至第（２２）項の何れかに記載の連続粉体充填システム」、
（２５）「前記粉体充填容器への充填粉体量を管理するための充填粉体重量管理手段を有することを特徴とする前記第（１３）項乃至第（２４）項の何れか１に記載の連続粉体充填システム」、
（２６）「前記充填トナー重量管理手段が、充填トナー重量を測定するためのロードセルを有することを特徴とする前記第（２５）項に記載の連続粉体充填システム」、
（２７）「前記充填粉体重量管理手段が、前記ロードセルにおける前記粉体充填用容器の空重量と粉体が充填された該粉体充填用容器の総重量とから、充填済み粉体重量を演算する演算処理装置を有することを特徴とする前記第（２６）項に記載の連続粉体充填システム」により達成される。
【００２０】
本発明は、粉体を溜める収納部と該粉体を排出する筒状部とからなる粉体供給ホッパーの下部に、粉体排出口を有し粉体流動化手段を具備する粉体流動化ホッパーを配置して、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体を該粉体流動化ホッパー内に供給した後、該粉体排出口から排出する方法であって、該粉体排出口を閉じた状態にして、該粉体流動化手段によって気体を導入して、該粉体流動化ホッパー内に供給された粉体層が形成する表面部分に、流動化部分と非流動化部分とを形成し、形成された該非流動化部分に該粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部の少なくとも先端が埋没するように挿入した後に、該粉体排出口を開放することによって、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体を、自動的連続的に該粉体流動化ホッパー内に供給し、かつ該粉体流動化ホッパーから自動的連続的に排出することを可能にしたものである。
【００２１】
この自動的連続的に行なわうことができる、粉体の粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへの粉体供給メカニズムについて、図２に基づいて説明する。
図２は、以下に説明するような、粉体供給ホッパー（８０）の粉体層の表面（ｓ）に流動化部分（ａ）と非流動化部分（ｂ）が形成され、円筒部（８１）を該非流動化部分（ｂ）内に埋没するように設置した時点の状態を示すものである。
粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）の粉体排出口（１１）を閉じた上で、粉体供給ホッパー（８０）内の粉体を粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に供給して、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）内の粉体が所定の量に達した後に、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に設けられた粉体流動化手段（１５）を稼働させて空気を送り込むと、粉体層全体が流動化部分（ａ）と非流動化部分（ｂ）に分かれてくる。
粉体層の表面（ｓ）に、流動化部分（ａ）と非流動化部分（ｂ）が形成されたら、粉体供給ホッパー（８０）の円筒部（８１）の先端を該表面の非流動化部分（ｉ）内に埋没するように設置し、その後前記粉体排出口（１１）を開放する。
粉体排出口（１１）を開放されると、粉体排出口（１１）付近の粉体の排出から始まって、引き続いて流動化状態の粉体が排出され、非流動化部分（ｂ）の粉体層が崩れて、排出した粉体量に見合った量の非流動化部分（ｂ）の粉体が、境界面（ｃ）から流動化部分（ａ）に流れ、その流れた量に見合った該粉体供給ホッパー（８０）内の粉体が粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に落下するといったサイクルが繰り返されて、粉体が粉体供給ホッパー（８０）から粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に自動的連続的に供給される。
このように供給され流動化された粉体は、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）の粉体排出口（１１）から連続的に排出される。
従って、流動化手段が設けられた粉体流動化ホッパーが用いられ、粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体が連続的に粉体流動化ホッパーに間断なく供給され、かつ該供給された粉体が粉体流動化ホッパーから連続的に排出されている状態は、本発明の粉体連続供給排出方法が用いられているものと認識することができる。
【００２２】
すなわち、この供給方式によると、流動化部分と非流動化部分の間で少量の粉体が移動する結果、非流動部分では粉体層の下部へ移動し、それに伴って新たな粉体を粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーに自然落下させて自動的に供給することができる。そのため、複雑な機構を必要とせずに、該粉体供給ホッパーからの粉体流動化ホッパーへの粉体の供給が過剰となって、粉体流動化ホッパーから粉体が溢れ出たり、該粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへ粉体の供給が停止してしまうという問題は発生しないで、多量の粉体連続的処理と多数の粉体充填容器の連続的生産を可能としたものである。
【００２３】
特に、本発明の連続粉体供給方法は、粉体流動化ホッパーの該粉体排出口と、該粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部が挿入される粉体層の表面の非流動化部分との位置関係が重要である。
通常、該粉体排出口（１１）は、該粉体流動化ホッパーの底部の一端部に設けられるが、該粉体排出口（１１）と該粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部が挿入される粉体層の表面（ｓ）の非流動化部分（ｂ）が、この該粉体排出口（１１）から離れた位置であるほうが、前記メカニズムに基づいて粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへの粉体の供給を自動的連続的に行なわれるようにするために有効である。
従って、底部（１４）の、該粉体排出口（１１）が設けられる端部と反対側の端部（ｅ）に近い位置の上方に筒状部を挿入して行なうのが特に効果的であり、すなわちそのように筒状部を挿入できるように非流動化部分を形成することが好ましい。
【００２４】
この場合、粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部が挿入された非流動化部分は、その筒状部の先端部はじめ周囲の非流動化状態が、粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーに粉体が供給されている間は維持されていることが重要であり、従って非流動化部分の面積が筒状部の先端部面積より広くなるように、特に１．５倍以上になるように形成されることが好ましい。
【００２５】
本発明の上記粉体の連続供給排出方法は、電子写真用トナーばかりでなく薬品や食品に代表される広範囲の微粉体に適用可能である。
また、上記粉体の連続供給排出方法は、排出後の粉体を容器に充填するのに特に有効であり、以下にその連続粉体充填方法について説明する。
【００２６】
本発明の連続粉体充填方法においては、先に説明したような、充填量規制手段を具備する計量槽を粉体流動化ホッパーの粉体排出口に連通させて用いることによって、該粉体流動化ホッパー内で流動化した粉体は粉体排出口から迅速に排出して該計量槽内に移送され、該計量槽から粉体を排出し粉体充填用容器への充填が行なわれるが、該計量槽の充填量規制手段によって該計量槽から排出される粉体量を制御することができる。
こうすることによって、本発明の連続粉体充填方法は、粉体充填用容器内に所望量の粉体を過不足なく迅速かつ精確に充填でき、また、作業環境及び作業者を汚すことなくかつ危険ないものとすることができ、さらに、電子写真用トナーに特段のストレスを与えることなく、トナーの諸物性並びに配合性を損なわずに行なえるものとすることができる。
この充填量規制手段は、前記計量槽の粉体排出口部に設けられた該排出口の開口度規制手段から基本的になるものである。
【００２７】
本発明においては、この開口度規制手段として用いられるものに制限はないが、特に、前記粉体排出口部に挿入しかつ離脱できる部材からなり、その部材を挿入―離脱させてその程度に応じて前記充填用粉体排出口部の開閉程度を規制するやり方と、あるいは前記粉体排出口近傍部に設けられた気体を通過し粉体を通過させない部材とそれと連通する外部気体吸引手段からなり、該気体吸引手段によって空気を排出し粉体を引き付け、その吸引程度に応じて前記充填用粉体排出口部の開閉程度を規制するやり方が好ましく用いられる。
【００２８】
なお、本発明における「計量槽」の語句は、図３に示される例のように、重量管理手段のロードセル上に載せた粉体充填用容器を計量し、充填される粉体量を、充填量規制手段による規制と重量管理手段による計量とを連動させながら制御して行なうという意味があって表現されたものであるが、本発明における計量槽は、このような連動制御を行なわない場合にも適用可能なものである。
【００２９】
さらに、計量槽と粉体充填用容器との間に補助容器を配置して、計量槽から粉体を一旦該ロート形状補助容器に溜めて、粉体間の空気を該補助容器の開放口部から自然放出させるようにすると、粉体充填用容器に落下した後に粉体間の空気を除去する作業を改めて行なう必要性が少なくなるため、粉体が高密度に充填された粉体充填容器を作製するに必要な時間が短縮され、充填速度を高めるのに有効である。この場合、補助容器から粉体と共に空気が多少粉体充填容器内に移入されるが、この空気については、該補助容器の排出口部と粉体充填用容器の開口部間に隙間を設けておき、この隙間から放出させるようにしても良い。
【００３０】
またさらに、該補助容器として、特にロート形状のものが好ましく用いられ、このロート形状補助容器の円形底部が前記計量槽の前記粉体排出口を挿入する開口部が設けられた平面状壁をなし、かつ該ロート形状補助容器はその小径口部と円形底部またはその近傍部とを結ぶ通気管が設けられたものを用い、前記計量槽と粉体充填用容器との間に該ロート形状補助容器を配置し、前記計量槽から排出される粉体を該補助容器に次いで粉体充填用容器に順次落下させる。
落下した後に粉体充填用容器に粉体と共に存在する空気は、該通気管を通って該補助容器内に循環して、該補助容器の前記開口部と計量槽の前記粉体排出口を有する筒状体部との間に設けた隙間から外部に放出し、粉体充填用容器内に空気残る場合には、該ロート形状補助容器の排出口部と粉体充填用容器の開口部間に隙間を設けておき、この隙間から放出させるようにしても良い。
通気管が設けられたロート形状補助容器を用いるやり方によると、粉体充填用容器に落下した後に粉体間の空気を除去する作業を改めて行なう必要性が少なくなるため、粉体が高密度に充填された粉体充填容器を作製するに必要な時間が短縮され、充填速度を高めるのに有効である。
【００３１】
粉体流動化ホッパー内の粉体層の少なくとも表面に流動化部分と非流動化部分とを形成して、粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへ連続的に粉体が供給でき、しかも計量槽に粉体をスムースに移送可能とするには、特に流動化手段について、例えば空気導入部の設置位置、空気導入部の幅あるいは空気流量の制御などを工夫することが重要である。
【００３２】
この流動化手段を構成する空気導入部は、粉体に機械的ストレスを与えることなく、導入する空気によって、前記のように粉体層に流動化部分と非流動化部分とを形成し、また粉体層に僅かに膨張ないし浮動化させた状態を形成させ、導入する空気吹込量を導入調節弁によって調節することによって、流動化部分と非流動化部分との形成状態と粉体流動化ホッパーから計量槽への排出量を調節することができる。
【００３３】
流動化手段の空気導入部については、粉体流動化ホッパーの底部に設置することが必ずしも必要ではないが、粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへ連続的に粉体を供給するための流動化部分と非流動化部分とを効果的に形成するためには、底部に設置する方が好ましく、また粉体層の表面に形成される非流動化部分の真下より粉体排出口側に設置することが好ましく、さらに該空気導入部の幅は、あまり広くないほうが好ましい。
従って、粉体流動化ホッパーの形状は、特に限定的でなく、内壁側面が筒状体でも立方体でも良いが、前記空気導入部に粉体が移動しやすいように、内壁側面の途中から底部に向けて勾配を設けた谷筋部分を有し、この谷筋部分に空気導入部を設け、さらに前記空気導入部が底部の全面でなく部分的に設けたものであることが好ましい。
さらに、粉体流動化ホッパーの底面の谷筋部分を粉体排出口に向けて下降勾配を設けたものにすることによって、計量槽への粉体の移送をより円滑に行なわせることができる。
このような内壁側面の途中から底部に向けて勾配を設けた谷筋部分を有する底部内壁部分は、粉体流動化ホッパーの構造部分の１部として一体に形成されることが好ましい。
【００３４】
以上説明した、特に粉体流動化ホッパーの構成は、粉体流動化ホッパーから溢れることなく、また途中で停止することなく、粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへ連続的に粉体を供給可能とし、しかも粉体流動化ホッパー底部の粉体排出口に堆積している粉体の圧密化を防止して、計量槽への排出を助ける役割を担っている。
【００３５】
粉体流動化ホッパーと計量槽は必ずしも一体化している必要はなく、粉体流動化ホッパーから排出された粉体は、好ましくは、粉体流動化ホッパーと計量槽の間の粉体連絡路である連結管を通って計量槽へ移動する。
この連結管に、第２の粉体流動化手段を設けることによって、この第２の粉体流動化手段からの気体吹込量を調節して、連結管内での粒子架橋を防止し、連結管を経て計量槽へ排出される粉体の排出量を調節し、或いは気体吹込を停止することにより、排出停止をすることができる。
また、本発明において必ずしも不可欠ではないが、粉体流動化ホッパー及び計量槽のうちの少なくとも一方に、内部気圧を増減させる圧力調節手段を設けることができる。
【００３６】
本発明の連続充填方法とその充填システムにおいては、前記粉体充填用容器への充填粉体量を管理するための充填粉体重量管理手段を用いることが好ましく、このような充填トナー重量管理手段は、例えば、上に載置された物品の重量を測定するための慣用のロードセルであることができ、かつ、測定された重量値を表示するモニタ付のものとすることができる。
また、本発明においては必要不可欠な要件ではないが、ロードセルによる粉体重量の測定と、前記充填量規制手段とを連動させて制御するように構成することができ、また、前記粉体流動化手段からの気体吹込量を調節するように構成することができ、さらにそのための制御信号、調節信号を、中央処理装置から発信するようになし、そのような信号発信のためのタイミングを演算させることができる。また、このような中央処理装置を、所要充填量を予め設定し、また変更できるものとすることができ、そのための指令や変更指令を入力できる入力手段を付したものとすることができる。
【００３７】
本発明の、該粉体流動化ホッパー内の粉体層の表面部分に流動化部分と非流動化部分を形成し、その表面非流動化部分に該粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部を挿入することによって、粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体を粉体流動化ホッパーに連続的に供給するやり方は、それ自体従来にないものであり広範囲に適用可能なものである。
従って、該粉体流動化ホッパー内に粉体を供給した後に、該粉体流動化ホッパーから排出される粉体の移送先が前記計量槽に限定されるものではない。
【００３８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面に基いて本発明を具体的に説明する。
図３は、本発明の連続粉体充填方法に適用される充填システムの一例を示す概念図である。
図３に示される粉体充填システムでは、粉体を溜める粉体供給ホッパー（８０）、その粉体が供給される粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）、該粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）と連結管（２０）によって連結し、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）からの粉体を移入する計量槽（３０）、該計量槽（３０）の粉体排出口の下に配置されるロート形状補助容器、および粉体重量管理手段（６０）上に載せた粉体充填用容器（４０）とが設置されている。
粉体供給ホッパー（８０）内の粉体は、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に供給された後、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に具備する流動化手段（１５）によって流動化状態になって計量槽（３０）内に移送され、その後移送された粉体は該計量槽（３０）の粉体排出口（３１）の近傍部に設けられた充填量規制手段（３２）と前記粉体重量管理手段（６０）とによって排出量を制御しながら、前記粉体充填用容器（４０）内に落下させて、所定量の粉体が充填された粉体充填容器（４０）が作製される。
【００３９】
粉体供給ホッパー（８０）としては、粉体を外側から供給するための開放口（８２）と、先端が粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に排出する排出口となる筒状部（８１）を有するものであれば、形状、材質およびサイズは特に限定的でないが、ロート形状のステンレス製で、開放口（８２）の直径が５００〜１０００ｍｍ、筒状部（８１）の排出口の直径が３００〜６００ｍｍで筒状部（８１）の長さが４００〜６００ｍｍ程度、ロート形状の円錐壁部（８４）と筒状部（８１）とのなす角度（θ）が４５〜６５°程度で、容量が１５０〜３５０リットル程度のものが好ましく用いられる。
【００４０】
粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）としては、粉体流動化手段と粉体排出口とを有し、かつ該粉体流動化手段によって粉体層の表面部に流動化部分と非流動化部分を形成し、非流動化部分に該粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）の筒状部（８１）を挿入した場合に、粉体供給ホッパー（８０）内の粉体を連続的に粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に供給可能とするものでありさえすれば、形状、材質およびサイズは特に限定されず、側壁部（１３）が円筒形状でも立方体形状でも良く、プラスック製でもステンレス製でも使用可能であり、容量が３５〜５５リットル程度のものが好ましく用いられる。
【００４１】
図４は、粉体流動化ホッパーの一例を示す斜視図である。
この粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）は、側壁部（１３ａ）、（１３ｂ）、（１３ｃ）および（１３ｄ）からなる立方体形状部と、これらの側壁部（１３ａ）、（１３ｂ）および（１３ｃ）のそれぞれに連なる傾斜した内壁部分（１２ａ）、（１２ｂ）および（１２ｃ）と、この傾斜した３つの内壁部分と側壁部（１３ｄ）によって形成される谷筋部分からなる底部（１４）から構成され、その底部（１４）の一端部に粉体排出口（１１）が設けられたものであり、底部（１４）は粉体排出口に向かって下降傾斜し、また該底部（１４）には粉体流動化手段を構成する気体導入部として流動床が設けられてある。
傾斜した内壁部分を設けることによって、底部（１４）に粉体が集まり流動化しやすくなり、また粉体排出口に向けて下降傾斜した底部（１４）は、流動化した粉体を円滑に排出しやすくする。
内壁部分の傾斜角度は、３０〜６０°であることが好ましく、粉体排出口に向けての底部の傾斜角度は、３０〜６０°であることが好ましい。
【００４２】
図３において、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）の底部（１４）には、流動床（非図示）が設けられ、該流動床とそれに連なる気体導入管（１５ａ）とから粉体流動化手段（１５）が構成されている。外部に設けた気体導入手段（非図示）から、気体を気体導入管（１５ａ）を通して流動床に送り込んで、粉体を流動化させる。この気体の導入は、エア圧を０．１〜０．５Ｍｐａで送気量を７５０〜１５００ｍｌ／２００ｃｍ^２．１ｍｉｎ［単位時間単位流動床面積当りの空気量］で行なうことが好ましい。
該流動床は、気体を噴出するための多数の微細孔を有し、各微細孔は内部で相互に連通している多孔質体から構成され、気体導入管（１５ａ）から該多孔質体に導入される加圧気体は、送気調節弁（１５ｂ）で調節することが好ましい。
この多孔質体としては、表面が平滑な燒結体（金属製、樹脂製）あるいは綾畳織などの金属製メッシュ材などが好ましく用いられる。
多孔質体が用いられてなる該流動床の数は、限定されないが、好ましくは１〜５箇所に分けて設置することが好ましく、また該流動床の大きさが幅５〜１５ｍｍ、長さ６０〜１３０ｍｍであることが好ましい。
複数の流動床の数が多い場合には、粉体流動化ホッパーの底部全面に設け、数が少ない場合には、粉体排出口側によせて設けることが好ましい。
複数の流動床を設ける場合にも、なるべく粉体排出口側寄りの流動床のみから気体を導入するようにしたほうが、本発明のように粉体層表面に筒状部を挿入する非流動性部分を形成するのに有効であり、また数少ない流動床を設ける場合には、筒状部が挿入される非流動性部分の真下より粉体排出口側に近い場所に設けることが好ましい。
送気された気体との混合により形成される粉体雲（粉体と気体との混合により形成される雲状の粉体浮遊物）の大きさを調節することができる。
また図示してないが、流動化した粉体の粉塵爆発を防止するため、この例の粉体充填システムにおいては、発生した静電気を除電するための除電手段が設けられている。
【００４３】
図３の例の粉体充填システムは、該粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）の粉体排出口と連結管（２０）によって連結される計量槽（３０）が具備されたものである。
この連結管（２０）には、流動化手段（２１）を設けることができ、気体導入管（２１ａ）を通して気体が導入調節弁（２１ｂ）によって調節されながら導入され、該粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）から計量槽（３０）へ移入する粉体の流動状態を維持し、移入を円滑に行なわせている。
【００４４】
この計量槽について説明する。
計量槽は、その材質として特に限定的でなく、ステンレス、チタン、アルミニウムなどのような金属製でもプラスチック製でも適用可能であり、また一部が、すなわち少なくとも充填量規制手段設置部位から粉体吐出口にかけて、あるいは全体が管状構造（管状体という）からなり、特に円筒形のものが好ましく用いられる。その径が５０〜２００ｍｍ程度のものを用いることが好ましく、また、計量槽（３０）の粉体吐出口の径が５〜１５ｍｍ程度のものを用いることが好ましい。なお、粉体吐出口と反対側が閉じられていることは言うまでもないことである。
【００４５】
図３の計量槽における充填量規制手段（３２）について説明する。
すなわち、この例の装置における充填量規制手段（３２）は、吐出開口部（３１）を有する弾性体リング（３２ａ）と、吐出開口部（３１）からの粉体の吐出を制御する吐出制御手段（３２ｂ）とからなる。
該吐出制御手段（３２ｂ）は、計量槽（３０）内を昇降する吐出制御管（３２ｃ）に装着された吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）からなり、吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）は、粉体吐出口（３１）と挿入−離脱して該吐出開口部（３１）を開閉する円錐状の部材である。
粉体吐出口（３１）の開閉程度は、吐出制御管（３２ｃ）の計量槽（３０）内での昇降程度に依存する円錐状の吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）の弾性体リング（３２ａ）の粉体吐出口（３１）への挿入程度、嵌合程度によって調節される。
【００４６】
吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）の小半径の円錐先端が粉体吐出口（３１）より完全に抜け去るまで上昇したときに、全開状態（充填される粉体の自由吐出）であり、吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）の大半径の円錐根本端まで粉体吐出口（３１）に完全に嵌合するように下降し挿入したときに、全閉状態（粉体の吐出停止）である。
さらに、その途中の状態即ち吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）が該粉体吐出口（３１）から完全に抜け切らずかつ完全に下降し切らない状態であって、吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）の中程度の大きさの円錐半径箇所と該粉体吐出口（３１）との間に間隙が保持される程度に挿入されたときには、その挿入レベルに応じた半開状態（粉体の部分吐出）である。
図中、符号（３７）で示される柔軟性ある覆部材は、粉体吐出口（３１）の下のスリーブ（３０ａ）に設けたものであるが、本発明において、この覆部材（３７）は、省略することも可能である。
【００４７】
図３に示されるように、弾性体リング（３２ａ）は、外周縁から内部の粉体吐出口（３１）に向かうにつれて肉厚が薄くなった断面くさび形をしており、したがって、吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）が完全挿入されたときに接触せざるを得ない内側の方が、柔軟性が大きい。
このような構造の弾性体リング（３２ａ）とした場合には、吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）と接触しても、弾性体リング（３２ａ）や吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）表面に粉体のフイルミングを生じないが、これは、弾性体リング（３２ａ）が吐出制御部材（３２ｄ）と接触しても、両者の間に不可避的に残存する粉体にストレスをほとんど与えないためと想われる。
【００４８】
本発明においては、計量槽（３０）の吐出開口部（３１）の充填量規制手段として、例えば粉体吐出口（３１）を弾性体材料で適宜の形状に形成し、開口度規制部材を、この吐出開口部に隣接して面方向に所定距離スライド又は進退する板状部材とすることができ、また、吐出開口部に合致した開口を有する部材の移動による両開口の相対的位置関係により開口程度を調節可能なものとすることができる。
【００４９】
そして、このような吐出制御管（３２ｃ）の昇降は、駆動制御装置（３９ａ）により制御される駆動源（３９ｂ）によって駆動される駆動装置（３９）により行われる。
吐出制御管（３２ｃ）の昇降のための駆動装置（３９）は、エアー圧シリンダ、モータ、油圧シリンダ等の適宜手段により行うことができるが、この例の装置においては、エアー圧シリンダを用いている。
【００５０】
また、本発明の粉体充填システムに用いられる計量槽の他の充填量規制手段として、先に本出願人が出願（特願２００３−７０９２９号）したものについて、説明する。
図５は、本発明に用いられる粉体充填システムの一例を示すものであって、粉体供給ホッパー（８０）、その粉体が供給される粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）、計量槽（３０）および粉体重量管理手段（６０）のロードセル（６１）上に載せた粉体充填用容器（４０）とが設置されている。この例において、計量槽（３０）と粉体充填用容器（４０）との間にロート形状補助容器を設置することも可能である。
充填量規制手段（３４）は、計量槽（３０）の粉体吐出口（３１）近傍に設けられ、気体が通過し粉体が通過しないフイルター材料が用いられる。特に、計量槽（３０）が、上部が円筒体であってある部位から縮径構造となり、縮径の終了部から粉体吐出口（３１）に向けて円筒体である構造の場合には、該充填量規制手段（３４）の設置部位は、縮径の終了部近辺に設けると効果的である。
充填量規制手段（３４）と連結した、計量槽（３０）の外部に設けられた気体吸引手段（３４ａ）を稼働させると、計量槽（３０）内の粉体間に存在する気体が吸引され、気体が該メッシュ部と気体吸引手段とが連結される気体吸引管（３４ｂ）を通して排出されると同時に、該メッシュ部の壁面に吸引されたトナー粉体が絞り状態になって粉体群を形成し、吸引圧を調節することによって粉体群の大きさを変化させ、その結果充填量が調節される。
【００５１】
該管状体自体には、予め１つ以上の貫通孔が設けておき、該充填量規制手段は、フィルター材料を該貫通孔を覆うように固定され、また該フィルター材料固定部位の外側に空間部を形成し気体漏れがないような壁が設けられたものである。該貫通孔は、フィルター材料が管状体に支持されたものになって、強度が向上させることができる。
一方、該壁には、気体排出口が設けられ、該気体排出口を気体吸引手段と連通させている。該壁を構成する材質は限定的でなく、計量槽に用いる材質と同じでも良い。
また該壁は、フィルター材料を通して吸引される気体が漏れない状態になりさえすれば、管状体の一部周囲でも全周囲にでも形成することができる。
さらに、この充填量規制手段を、粉体吐出口に近い順に、吐出停止機能部と吐出量調整機能部との２つの部分に機能分離して設けると、吸引手段による気体吸引圧の調整がスムースに行なうことができ、吸引圧が強過ぎて詰まってしまうようなことも起こらずに、所定の粉体量を正確かつ迅速に粉体充填用容器内に充填することができるので、好ましい。
【００５２】
図６（ａ）は、充填量規制手段設定部位の断面概念図で、充填量規制手段を吐出停止機能部と吐出量調整機能部との２つの部分に分けてない場合を示すものである。
計量槽（３０）の粉体吐出口（３１）近傍に貫通孔（５０）が設けられ、この貫通孔（５０）を覆うようにフィルター材料（５１）が固定され、さらにフィルター材料（５１）の外側に気体漏れのない壁（５２）が、空間部（５３）が形成されるように、設けられている。
一方、図６（ｂ）は、充填量規制手段を吐出量調整機能部（Ａ）と吐出停止機能部（Ｂ）との２つの部分に分けた場合の断面概念図を示すものであり、それぞれに貫通孔（５０）、フィルター材料（５１）、壁（５２）および空間部（５３）が設けられている。
この壁（５２）は、フィルター材料（５１）を通して吸引される気体が漏れない状態になりさえすれば、管状体の一部周囲でも全周囲にでも形成することができる。
【００５３】
充填量規制手段は、幅５〜５０ｍｍのフィルター材料で管状構造体周囲の６０％〜１００％の部分を巻くようにして形成することが有効である。
また、フィルター材料として綾畳織のものが、空気が通過しトナー粉体が通過しない機能を有するものとして、特に好ましく、メッシュが５００／３５００のものがさらに好ましい。
また、メッシュの異なる２枚以上のフィルター材料の積層体で構成されたものを用いることが好ましく、さらに該積層体として管状体の内芯部側になるに従い、メッシュの細かいフィルター材料で構成されたものが、特に充填量規制手段に用いるものとして有効である。
【００５４】
該充填量規制手段と連結させて用いられる気体吸引手段としては、特に限定されないが、例えば真空ポンプ吸引式、エジェクター吸引式などが用いられ、中でもエジェクター吸引式はメンテナンスがほとんど要らない点で好ましい。
また、該気体吸引手段によって得られる吸引圧についても限定されるものではないが、−５〜−５０ｋＰａ程度で吸引すると、充填量を効果的に規制できるので好ましい。この吸引圧の調節は、調節弁（非図示）を設けて行なうことも可能である。
また、計量槽から粉体充填容器への粉体は、計量槽中の充填量規制手段部位の内圧と送流速度を調整して停止することができるが、その際の粉体の嵩密度を０．４〜０．５程度になるようすることが、好ましい。
【００５５】
本発明の充填システムに用いる充填量規制手段としては、以上に説明した２種類のものに限定されないが、特に例示したこれらの充填量規制手段を用いると、粉体に機械的なストレスがかからないために、特にトナーの流動性を高めるために表面に付着させる添加剤（外添剤）の脱離等が起こりにくく、また低融点樹脂を含有させた低温定着用トナーの場合にも凝集体が生成しにくくなって、トナーの特性を低減させることがなく、また吐出開口部に付着して容器への排出を妨げたりすることがなく、充填作業効率を高めることを可能とするものである。
【００５６】
また、本発明の充填システムにおいては、計量槽（３０）に、内部気圧を増減させる圧力調節手段を設けることができ、また、このような圧力調節手段は代わりに粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に設け、又は粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）にも併設することができる。このような圧力調節手段は、前記の粉体流動化手段から気体が送気された状態の粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）及び／又は計量槽（３０）内の圧力状態あるいは粉体雲状態の調節を可能とする。
【００５７】
次に、図３に示される粉体充填システムのように、計量槽（３０）と粉体充填用容器（４０）との間に設置することが可能な補助容器（７０）について説明する。
該補助容器（７０）としては、円錐形ロート状物が特に好ましく、また気体置換手段（７４）が設けられたものが用いられ、該補助容器（７０）の円錐底部（７１）に設けられた開放口（７１ａ）が、吐出される粉体を受け入れるように該計量槽（３０）の真下に設置され、また補助容器（７０）の排出口（７２ａ）のある円筒部（７２）を粉体充填容器（４０）の該開口部に挿入させて該補助容器と粉体充填容器とが設置される。
【００５８】
該ロート状補助容器の各部サイズは、特に限定的でなく、例えば円錐底部の直径について言えば１３０〜１８０ｍｍ程度のものが用いられ、また円錐頂部の角度（θ）が５０〜７０°であるものを用いると、該補助容器から粉体充填容器への落下排出を円滑に行なうのに好ましい。
該補助容器の材質に特に制限はないが、樹脂製のものが加工性の点で好ましく、例えばポリエステル、ポリカーボネイトあるいはアクリル系樹脂が用いられ、透光性であると内部の粉体の排出状態を視認可能となるため好ましい。
また、ロート状補助容器の管状体部先端に、スポンジのようなクッション製なる材質からなる口金（パッキン）を貼りつけるなどして固定して、排出口を形成すると、補助容器と粉体充填用容器とを、粉体充填用容器の開口部がこの口金にあたるようにして設置するようにすれば、衝撃を緩和できるので好ましい。
また、該補助容器を昇降するための昇降手段を具備する粉体充填装置を用い、該補助容器を昇降させると、粉体充填用容器の取り替えを容易にすることができるので好ましい。
また、該補助容器（７０）は、粉体充填用容器（４０）に所定量の粉体が充填後、別の粉体充填容器に取り換えるために、昇降手段（７３）によって昇降させることができる。
【００５９】
図３に示される該補助容器（７０）は、前述のように、計量槽から落下し該補助容器に一旦溜める粉体間にする気体、すなわち主として空気を円錐底部（７１）の開放口から自然放出させるために設置され、その後粉体を粉体充填用容器（４０）内に落下させるが、その落下後粉体充填用容器（４０）に空気が存在する場合には、該補助容器（７０）の該円筒開口部（７２）と粉体充填用容器（４０）との隙間から放出させ、さらに粉体充填用容器（４０）内の粉体中に脱気管を挿入して、吸引放出させることも可能である。
【００６０】
さらに、本発明の粉体充填システムに用いられる補助容器（７０）としては、気体置換手段が設けられたのものが適用可能である。
その一例を図７に基づいて説明するが、気体置換手段（７４）が設けられた補助容器（７０）としてはこの例に限定されない。
計量槽（３０）の先端の粉体吐出口（３１）が、補助容器（７０）の円錐底部（７１）の開口部（７１ａ）に挿入されるように設置され、また該補助容器（７０）の排出口（７２ａ）のある円筒部（７２）が、粉体充填容器（４０）の開口部（４１）に挿入されるように設置されている。
気体置換手段（７４）は、補助容器（７０）に一体に設けられたものである。
該気体置換手段（７４）は、通気管（７４ａ）から構成され、補助容器（７０）の前記排出口（７２ａ）の周囲に一方の通気口（７４ｂ）が、補助容器（７０）の円錐底部（７５）の上部に他方の通気口（７４ｃ）がそれぞれ形成されている。
該補助容器（７０）の円錐壁部（７５）から円筒部（７２）に変わる部位近辺の通気管部位（７４ｄ）の形状を、円錐底部（７１）に平行かつほぼ平面にして、その平面部分周囲にクッション性材料からなる口金（７６）が貼り付けられている。
この口金（７６）は、粉体充填容器を設置する際に、その粉体充填容器（４０）の開口部（４１）による衝撃を和らげ、かつ補助容器と粉体容器との密閉状態をつくる機能を有するものである。
【００６１】
計量槽から排出される粉体は、該気体置換手段が設けられた該ロート形状補助容器に、次いで粉体充填用容器に順次落下して充填が行なわれる。
該ロート形状補助容器から落下した後に粉体充填用容器に粉体と共に存在する空気は、該通気管を通って該補助容器内に循環して、該補助容器の前記開口部と計量槽の前記粉体排出口を有する筒状体部との間に設けた隙間から外部に放出し、粉体充填用容器内に空気が残る場合には、該ロート形状補助容器の排出口部と粉体充填用容器の開口部間に隙間を設けておき、この隙間から放出させるようにしても良い。
通気管が設けられたロート形状補助容器を用いるやり方によると、粉体充填用容器に落下した後に粉体間の空気を除去する作業を改めて行なう必要性が少なくなるため、粉体が高密度に充填された粉体充填容器を作製するに必要な時間が短縮され、充填速度を高めるのに有効である。
【００６２】
また本発明の充填システムにおいては、計量槽（３０）内に、内部気圧を増減させる圧力調節手段（非図示）を設けることができ、また、このような圧力調節手段は代わりに粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）に設け、又は粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）にも併設することができる。このような圧力調節手段は、前記粉体流動化手段（１５）から気体が送気された状態の粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）及び／又は計量槽（３０）内の圧力状態、トナー雲状態の調節に資する。
【００６３】
一方、本発明の粉体充填システムは、粉体充填用容器（４０）への充填粉体量を管理するための充填粉体重量管理手段を有することが好ましく、この例のシステムにおける充填粉体重量管理手段（６０）は、粉体充填用容器（４０）をその上に載置して充填トナー重量を測定するためのロードセル（６１）を有する。
ロードセル（６１）は、これを昇降して計量槽（３０）と粉体充填用容器（４０）の間隔を適宜変更するためのリフター（６１ａ）上に設けられている。
また、ロードセル（６１）には、測定された充填粉体重量を表示するためのモニタ手段（６３）が設けられている。
【００６４】
このようなモニタ手段としては、重量や圧力を受け弾性変形する程度に応じて変化した電圧を検知するような受圧検知手段からの電圧信号に基いて、又は受圧力に応じて直接起電力を変化させる圧電素子等の圧力検知素子からの発生信号に基いて、測定重量を表示できる公知の表示手段を用いることができ、モニタ手段（６３）に表示された重量を見てトナーの充填量を確認ながら、充填を行ない又は終了することができる。
【００６５】
また、本発明の粉体充填装置においては、充填粉体重量管理手段（６０）を用いることができるが、その場合には、前記粉体充填用容器（４０）の例えば空重量と粉体が充填された前記粉体充填用容器（４０）の重量を測定して、充填済み粉体重量を演算する演算処理装置（６２）を設けることができる。
【００６６】
そして、演算処理装置（６２）は、入力手段（６４）を有し、該入力手段（６４）により、例えばモニタ手段（６３）に表示された重量を見つつ、粉体の充填予定重量の入力、及び、入力された充填予定重量の変更を行うことができる。
また、演算処理装置（６２）は、その演算結果に基いて、駆動装置（３９）の駆動源（３９ｂ）ための駆動制御装置（３９ａ）に通信回線（６７）から駆動指令信号を送信し、駆動制御装置（３９ａ）は、それに基いて充填量規制手段の吐出制御管（３２ｃ）を昇降させ、計量槽の吐出口の開閉程度を調整する。
計量槽の充填量規制手段が、計量槽の粉体吐出口近傍部に設けられた気体を通過し粉体を通過させない部材とそれと連通する外部気体吸引手段からなるものを用いる場合にも、同様に駆動指令信号に基づいて、該気体吸引手段による気体吸引程度を調整することができる。
なお、該演算処理装置（６２）としては、簡単なアナログ式電圧比較器からマイコンチップのようなものを含む各種ＣＰＵまで種々のものを用いる（アナログ式電圧比較器の場合には、無論、所定電位差に応じた例えばパルス信号に変換するＡＤ変換器を付属させる）ことができる。
【００６７】
この例における入力手段（６４）は、コード発生器（バイナリーコード）としてのデジタルスイッチの釦兼回転摘みであるが、演算処理装置（６２）をＣＰＵとする場合には、キーボードとすることができ、その場合には、無論、重量を含む各種データを（演算の結果及び／又は入力手段からの入力信号の結果に基いて）書替可能に格納（即ち逐次ＣＰＵに呼出され、演算）される。
この演算結果を再度逐次格納するＲＡＭ、及び、該各種データを演算処理するための処理プログラムと各種指令情報発信プログラムとを含む各種プログラムを呼出自在に格納するＲＯＭを付すことができる。
そして、演算処理装置（６２）は、前記演算結果に基いて、例えば前記各送気調節弁の開閉指令信号を送信するようなプログラムを有するものに構成することができる。
【００６８】
また、本発明の粉体充填システムにおいては、粉体流動化ホッパー（１０）と計量槽（３０）をつなぐ連結管を複数本設け（例えば、図３における連結管（１６））、各連結管の開口が粉体流動化ホッパーの異なった位置から粉体を充填シリンダに移送するようにすることもでき、さらに、ここで、その連結管の１つは、計量槽（３０）の上部空間の圧力を大気圧以下に維持する圧力調整部材とすることができる。
【００６９】
本発明の充填システムにおいては、粉体流動化ホッパーの粉体排出口側の粉体堆積量が増えると、その分空気の抵抗が大きくなり、連結管内の粉体の移送速度が小さくなり、移送が自動的に停止することがある。
粉体の流動化はこれを防ぐが、粉体流動化ホッパー内への送気による粉体層の膨張の程度（粉体雲の大きさ程度）は、粉体層の深さの２０％〜５００％程度に調整すべきであり、これより少ないと円滑な排出ができにくく、多いと容器内で粉体の局部的渦流や、吹き上げが起きて好ましくない。
計量槽内の粉体層の膨張の程度（トナー雲の大きさ程度）は、粉体層の深さの２５％〜６００％程度に調整することが好ましい。また、流動化した粉体層のかさ密度を高める手段として、多孔質板のエアスライダを分割して間欠的に供給空気を送り、粉体を分割したパルス状にして輸送することもできる。
【００７０】
本発明の連続粉体充填方法と充填システムは、種々の粉体が適用可能であるが、特に電子写真用トナーに効果的であり、その種類も限定的でなく、例えば２成分非磁性ブラックートナー、１成分非磁性カラートナー、１成分非磁性黒色トナーあるいは１成分磁性黒色トナー等を用いることができる。
【００７１】
【実施例】
以下に、本発明の連続粉体充填方法とその充填システムを、図３に示される粉体充填システムであって、補助容器（７０）として気体置換手段を具備するものを用いて電子写真用トナーに適用した例によって、説明する。
【００７２】
先ず、粉体充填システムの各構成要素およびそれに付随して用いる各要素の仕様について説明する。
粉体供給ホッパー
ロート形状のステンレス製、容量：２５０リットル、
開放口の直径：７００ｍｍ、筒状部の排出口の直径：１４０ｍｍ、
筒状部の長さ：４５０ｍｍ、
ロート形状の円錐壁部と筒状部とのなす角度（θ）：６０°
使用するトナー
２成分非磁性ブラックートナー（外添剤付着トナー）
（リコーカラーレーザプリンター用タイプ８０００トナー．
平均体積粒径：１．２μｍ．真比重：１．２）
３．粉体流動化ホッパー
・形状と材質：図４に示されるステンレス製のもの
・容量とサイズ．
容量：４５リットル
幅（側壁１３ａと１３ｂ）：４７０ｍｍ、
奥行（側壁１３ｃと１３ｄ）：４００ｍｍ
装置高さ（ｈ）：７５０ｍｍ、立方体部高さ（ｋ）：３６０ｍｍ
・底部（１４）に設ける流動床．
燒結樹脂多孔質材を用いた流動床を５箇所に設置した。
燒結樹脂多孔質材：
多孔質ポリエチレン、５ｍｍ（厚さ）×１０ｍｍ（幅）×１００ｍｍ（長さ）
平均空孔径：１０μｍ、気孔率：３０％
４．計量槽
粉体吐出口を有する円筒体が途中から拡径して太くなったステンレス製の円筒形体。
全体の長さ：４００ｍｍ、太部の直径：１００ｍｍ、粉体吐出口の直径１０ｍｍ、粉体吐出口から拡径部までの長さ：８０ｍｍ、拡径部角度；７０°および
充填量規制手段の粉体吐出口からの設置位置：５０ｍｍ。
充填量規制手段（図６ｂに示されるもの）
・吐出量調整機能部（Ａ）と吐出停止機能部（Ｂ）とを設けたもの
・吐出量調整機能部（Ａ）と吐出停止機能部（Ｂ）とをそれぞれ設ける円筒体の各部位周囲に等間隔に４つの貫通孔を設け、この周囲に（Ａ）については３０ｍｍの幅の、（Ｂ）については１０ｍｍの幅のステンレスメッシュ（綾畳織．５００／３５００）を巻くように貼りつける。
・さらに各フィルター材料の外側周囲に空間部を形成し気体漏れがないようなステンレス製の壁を設け、さらにこの壁に気体排出口を設ける。
・気体吸引手段として２つのＭＥ−６０（コガネイ製）を用い、気体排出口それぞれを１つの気体吸引手段に連結する。
５．補助容器
・ポリエステル製ロート形状容器。
・排出口にスポンジ製口金が貼りつけられ、かつ図７に記載されるように、気体通気管が管状体部の排出口近傍部から、気体置換手段としてのロート壁上部に貫通し一体に設けられたもの。
・円錐底部直径：１６５ｍｍ、全長：２８０ｍｍ、排出口が設けられた管状体部の直径：１１ｍｍ、円錐頂部角度：６０°．
６．粉体充填容器
直径：１００ｍｍ、長さ：２００ｍｍ、容積：１５６０ｃｃ、開口部の直径２０ｍｍの円筒形ポリエステル製のもの。
【００７３】
このような要素からなる粉体充填システムを用いて、本発明の連続粉体充填方法によって、約８ｔのトナーを連続的に処理した具体的な内容について、説明する。
予め、上記の各構成要素が、図３に示されるように設置された粉体充填システムを準備した。
また、補助容器昇降手段によって、補助容器の円錐底部のほぼ中心が計量槽の粉体吐出口に合うような所定位置に設定し固定する。
さらに、重量管理手段としてロードセルを用い、粉体が入っていない空の粉体充填用容器（４０）をこのロードセル（６１）上に載せて重量を測定した後、リフター（６１ａ）を、粉体充填用容器の開口部が補助容器の排出口（７２ａ）近傍の口金（７６）の位置まで上げて、固定する。
【００７４】
はじめに、粉体供給ホッパー内に容量の７０％程度に溜めておいたトナーを、粉体流動化ホッパーの粉体排出口を閉じた状態にして、粉体流動化ホッパー内に落下させて、容量の８０％になるように溜めた。
次に、粉体流動化ホッパーの５箇所の流動床のうち、粉体排出口側の４箇所の流動床から内部に空気を、約０．３ＭＰａのエア圧で約５分一定速度（トナーの粉体層表面が静止したところでバランスする送風量。９００ｍｌ／２００ｃｍ^２．１ｍｉｎ［単位時間単位流動床面積当りの空気量］）条件で導入して、粉体流動化ホッパー内の粉体層表面に流動化部分と非流動化部分を形成した。
この粉体層表面の非流動化部分に粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部を約１５ｃｍ挿入した後に、粉体流動化ホッパーの粉体排出口を開いて、粉体流動化ホッパー内の粉体の計量槽への排出移入を開始した。開始後も、８ｔのトナーの充填処理が完了するまで、同じ条件で空気の導入を継続した。
【００７５】
計量層（３０）内に移入されたトナーを、計量層の粉体吐出口（３１）からロート状補助容器に落下させてから、さらに該補助容器から粉体充填用容器（４０）内に落下させて、１個の容器へのトナーの充填作業を完了させた。
この場合、当初５５ｇ／ｓｅｃの流量条件で落下させたが、該容器内のトナーが所定量の９０％になった時点で、計量槽の充填量規制手段のうち吐出量調整機能部（Ａ）に連結する吸引手段を−１５ｋＰａで稼働させて５ｇ／ｓｅｃの流量条件に減じて行なった。
【００７６】
１つの充填容器へのトナー充填作業が完了したら、計量槽の充填量規制手段のうち吐出停止機能部（Ｂ）に連結する吸引手段を稼働させてトナーの落下を停止させ、次の粉体充填用容器を補助容器にセットした後、吐出停止機能部（Ｂ）に連結する吸引手段の稼働を停止して、トナーの落下を開始し、同様にしてトナー充填の繰り返し作業を連続的に行ない、８ｔのトナーの容器への充填作業が約１２０時間で完了し、トナーが充填された容器を１４，５００本生産した。
この約１２０時間で行なれた充填作業は、粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへのトナーの供給が、滞ることなくまた粉体流動化ホッパーから溢れることもなく行なわれ、トナーが充填された容器を連続的に間断なく生産することができた。
【００７７】
なお、８ｔのトナーは、粉体供給ホッパーが空にならないようなタイミングで、粉体供給ホッパーに４００ｋｇ／ロットの割合で２０回供給された。
【００７８】
こうして行なわれた本発明の連続粉体充填方法は、さらに次のような効果があることを確認した。
なお、充填速度は、１本の容器が充填装置にセットされた後から充填が完了するまでに要する時間であり、容器のセット時間を含む準備時間は含まれていない。
（１）充填速度：１０ｓｅｃ（５５０ｇ／１個の容器）
充填容器内のトナーの充填密度：０．３８ｇ／ｃｃ
（３）充填後のトナーの外添剤の状態：
外添剤の離脱と埋没状態について、ＳＥＭ写真によって充填前に状態と比較し観察したところ、トナー粒子表面に外添剤が正常に付着していることを確
認した。
（４）充填後のトナーにより得られる画像：
充填後のトナーを用い、リコー製カラープリンター．イプシオカラー８０００によって、２００００枚の画像を連続印字した結果、いずれも地汚れなど
の不良画像の発生がないものであった。
【００７９】
（比較例）
本発明の連続粉体充填方法のような、粉体流動化ホッパー内のトナー層表面に流動化部分と非流動化部分を形成することをしないで行なった場合の、粉体供給ホッパーから粉体流動化ホッパーへのトナー供給状態を観察した。
１）粉体流動化ホッパー内のトナー層全体を流動化した場合
粉体供給ホッパーからのトナーの供給が過剰となり、粉体流動化ホッパーから溢れ、その溢れを止めるためにナイロン製の柔軟なカバーで粉体流動化ホッパー上部開放口を覆ったが、隙間からトナーは飛散してしまい、トナー充填容器の連続生産が不可能であることを確認した。
２）粉体流動化ホッパー内のトナー層全体を非流動化とした場合
粉体流動化ホッパーから計量槽へのトナーの移送が、９本のトナー充填容器が生産された時点で止まってしまい、また粉体供給ホッパー内のトナー層には穴（ラットホール）が形成し、トナーのブリッジ化する状態が発生して、トナー充填容器の連続生産が不可能であることを確認した。
【００８０】
【発明の効果】
以上、詳細かつ具体的な説明から明らかなように、本発明の連続粉体供給方法によれば、多量の粉体、特に電子写真用トナーを間断なく連続的に供給することができる。
本発明の連続粉体充填方法と充填システムによれば、多量の粉体、特に電子写真用トナーを間断なく連続的に処理できて、粉体が充填された多数の容器を連続的に生産することができる。
詳しくは、本発明の連続粉体充填方法と充填システムによれば、一次的に粉体を溜める機能を有する粉体供給ホッパーと粉体を流動化する機能を有する粉体流動化ホッパーを用いて、該粉体供給ホッパー内の粉体が、粉体流動化ホッパーから溢れ出ることなくまた停止することなく、粉体流動化ホッパーに移入することができる。
また、本発明の連続粉体充填方法と充填システムによれば、電子写真用トナーに特段のストレスを与えることなく、トナー表面に担持させた超微粒子の分離、脱落、埋め込みを防いで、その諸物性並びに配合性を損なわずに行なうことができる。
さらに、本発明の連続粉体充填方法と充填システムによれば、粉体充填用容器内に所望量の粉体を過不足なく迅速かつ精確に充填でき、製造ラインの途中における粉体の移送用装置としても利用でき、また、作業環境及び作業者を汚すことなくかつ危険なく、粉体流動化ホッパーから粉体充填用容器に充填することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】先に提案した粉体充填システムの一例を説明する断面図である。
【図２】本発明における粉体の供給メカニズムを説明するための断面図である。
【図３】粉体供給ホッパーを用いた本発明の粉体充填システムの一例の断面図である。
【図４】本発明における粉体流動化ホッパーの一例を示す斜視図である。
【図５】粉体供給ホッパーを用いた本発明の粉体充填システムの他の例の断面図である。
【図６】本発明の粉体充填システムに用いられる計量層の充填量規制手段の断面図である。
【図７】本発明における気体置換手段を有するロート状補助容器の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０粉体流動化ホッパー（大型容器）
１１粉体流動化ホッパーの粉体排出口
１２粉体流動化ホッパーの内壁部
１２ａ粉体流動化ホッパーの内壁部
１２ｂ粉体流動化ホッパーの内壁部
１２ｃ粉体流動化ホッパーの内壁部
１３粉体流動化ホッパーの側壁部
１３ａ粉体流動化ホッパーの側壁部
１３ｂ粉体流動化ホッパーの側壁部
１３ｃ粉体流動化ホッパーの側壁部
１３ｄ粉体流動化ホッパーの側壁部
ｅ粉体流動化ホッパーの底部端部
ｈ粉体流動化ホッパーの装置高さ
ｉ粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部挿入部
ｋ粉体流動化ホッパーの立方体部高さ
１４底部（谷筋部分）
１５粉体流動化手段
１５ａ導入管
１５ｂ送気調節弁
１６連結管
２０連結管
２１第２の粉体流動化手段
２１ａ第２導入管
２１ｂ送気調節弁
３０計量槽
３０ａスリーブ
３１粉体吐出口
３２充填量規制手段
３２ａ弾性体リング
３２ｂ吐出制御手段
３２ｃ吐出制御管
３２ｄ吐出制御部材
３３ａ第３導入管
３３ｂ送気調節弁
３４フイルター材料を用いた充填量規制手段
３４ａ気体吸引手段
３４ｂ気体吸引管
３７覆部材
３９駆動装置
３９ａ駆動制御装置
３９ｂ駆動源
４０粉体充填用容器
４１粉体充填用容器の開口部
５０充填量規制手段の貫通孔
５１充填量規制手段のフィルター材料
５２充填量規制手段の壁
５３充填量規制手段の空間部
Ａ吐出量調整機能部
Ｂ吐出量停止機能部
６０充填粉体重量管理手段
６１ロードセル
６１ａリフター
６２演算処理装置
６３モニタ手段
６４入力手段
６５通信回線
６６通信回線
６７通信回線
６８通信回線
７０補助容器（円錐形ロート状物）
７１補助容器の円錐底部
７１ａ円錐底部に設けた開放口
７２補助容器の排出口のある円筒部
７２ａ補助容器の円筒部にある排出口
７３補助容器昇降手段
７４気体置換手段
７４ａ通気管
７４ｂ通気管の通気口
７４ｃ通気管の通気口
７４ｄ円錐壁部から円筒部に変わる通気管部位
７５円錐壁部
７６口金
８０粉体供給ホッパー
８１粉体供給ホッパーの筒状部
８２粉体供給ホッパーの開放口
８４円錐壁部
ａ流動化部分
ｂ非流動化部分
ｃ境界面
ｓ粉体層の表面[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for filling a desired amount of powder for developing an ultra-fine electrostatic latent image having an average particle size of a micron unit from a large container to a small powder container without excess or shortage. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for quickly filling a desired amount into a small-sized powder container without giving any particular stress to a developing toner, without polluting a working environment and an operator, and without danger. Such a filling method and a filling apparatus can be used for dividing a large container temporarily stored in a powder manufacturing process from divided storage for storage or shipment, and, for example, extremely small size for an end user. It can also be used for on-demand filling of a toner container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a method of filling powder such as toner powder for electrophotography, a rotary valve, a screw, and the like, are based on a basic idea that the powder is dropped from a large container to a small toner container disposed directly below the container by its own weight and filled. There are a feeder and an auger type. In particular, the auger type is generally known and put to practical use as a method for efficiently filling powder into a container having a fixed volume (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).
Immediately after being stored in a small toner container by these filling methods, a large amount of air is contained between the powders. A suction tube is inserted so that the tip is buried in the powder, and degassing is performed (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0003]
Normally, the auger type is a method in which the toner powder in the hopper is discharged downward from the discharge port by rotating a screw-shaped auger provided near the discharge port of the conical hopper. The toner powder is sequentially stored in a plurality of containers arranged and conveyed above.
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for high-speed, high-definition, high-quality images, etc. for electrophotographic image formation, and accordingly, the particle size of toner powder has been reduced, and metal oxide fine particles have been fixed on the surface. Various studies have been made on toner powder, such as enhancing fluidity (referred to as an external additive) or securing low-temperature fixability by using a binder resin having a low melting point, and have been put to practical use.
However, according to the auger method, since the toner powder is pressurized by rotation of the auger, the external additive of the toner powder is detached or released from the surface and further buried in the toner powder to reduce the fluidity. There is a problem in that the original function of the external additive, ie, enhancing the function, is reduced or eliminated.
Further, in a low-temperature fixing toner powder using a binder resin having a low melting point, the toner powder easily adheres to each other or forms an aggregate by pressurization by rotation of the auger, and sometimes the aggregate does not return to the original state. As a result, the toner powder is clogged at the outlet of the hopper, and the discharge is stopped. As a result, there is a problem that the toner filling operation is hindered.
Originally, the smaller the particle size of the toner powder, the easier it is for the toner powder dropped from the hopper to the container to make a browning motion in a gas regardless of the material, and as a result the powder It becomes necessary to discharge a large amount of gas that will be present in between, and it becomes difficult to form a high-density filling state of the toner powder in the container. It is hoped that the above problems will be solved.
[0004]
Further, as described above, the auger type requires at least a filling machine mainly including a belt and a hopper for carrying and transporting a plurality of small toner containers, and is a large-scale device. The disadvantage is that the device must be arranged and filled, which makes the device fixed and restricted.
[0005]
In other words, in particular, the toner powder for developing an electrostatic latent image has an extremely small particle size, and has a relatively low density specific gravity compared to other powders such as ceramic materials, and therefore has a low fluidity. Poor, high cohesiveness, especially in recent years, increasingly smaller particle size to meet the demand for increased resolution of developed images, and increasingly low-temperature fusibility to meet the demand for energy saving and instantaneous high-speed fixing Due to the tendency to adopt a resin, cohesion and adhesion and filming properties to the surface of other objects are problematic. In this case, ultrafine particles such as a fluidity improver and an anti-agglomeration agent are supported on the surface of the toner particles, and the charge control agent for improving the charging characteristics is used in the form of supporting ultrafine particles. These carried Separation of fine particles, prevent falling, charging characteristics, from the viewpoint of maintaining the fluidity and cohesion, stirring and transfer by means such as augers and screw conveyors giving excessive stress to the toner is not desirable.
[0006]
In particular, color toners have a small particle size in order to obtain high resolution and carry components such as a fluidity improver, a charge controlling agent, a fluidizing agent, an anti-agglomeration agent and an anti-fusing agent on the surface. Therefore, the particles are entangled with each other, resulting in poor fluidity. Further, when a strong external force is applied, there is a risk that the characteristics of the toner may be impaired. Conventional mechanical processing devices such as a rotary valve and an auger are not preferable.
[0007]
In addition, when toner and air are mixed for pneumatic treatment of toner, a toner cloud (cloud-like toner floating matter formed by mixing toner and gas) due to the floating of ultra-fine toner is generated, and the volume to be handled is increased. However, in order to quickly separate gas from the toner cloud and facilitate handling, it is difficult to achieve this only by the structure and position of the separation pipe. It is difficult to control the amount of toner compression by separating the transfer gas. Also, in the case of extremely fine toner, if the amount of supplied air is too large, the fluid phase rapidly expands and easily shifts to the dust phase, and it takes a long time to recover the toner from the dust phase once generated. This may take time and the surrounding area may be contaminated with dust. For example, once a toner cloud is formed, it takes several hours to several tens of hours for only the toner to be deposited on the bottom surface by natural fall. In order to suppress the generation of a large toner cloud, it is not easy to fluidize the accumulated toner and move it to a small container for subdivision while controlling the gently supplied air.
Also, if a large storage container is dispensed into a large number of small containers, the toner that was initially uniformly mixed may gradually become uneven due to the effect of air supplied into the storage container. It is necessary to take it.
[0008]
The applicant of the present invention has proposed and applied for a new filling method for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems in the toner filling method (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-20980).
This new filling method does not directly charge powder such as toner stored in a large container into the powder filling container by stirring and falling like an auger type, but once measures the powder in the large container. And then filling the container for powder filling from the measuring tank, wherein a filling amount regulating means is provided in the vicinity of the powder discharge port of the measuring tank, and the measuring tank is filled by the filling amount regulating means. The main feature is that only a predetermined amount of the powder transferred into the container is discharged to the powder filling container.
[0009]
Hereinafter, a new filling method according to this proposal will be described with reference to a conceptual diagram 1 showing an example of a powder filling apparatus according to the method.
The powder filling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a large container (10) for storing powder, a measuring tank (30) connected to the container by a connecting pipe (20), and a powder placed on a powder weight managing means (60). The body filling container (40) is installed such that the powder discharge port (31) of the measuring tank (30) is inserted into the opening of the powder filling container (40).
The powder in the large container (10) is first transferred into the measuring tank (30), and then the transferred powder is provided near the powder discharge port (31) of the measuring tank (30). The powder filled with a predetermined amount of powder is dropped into the powder filling container (40) while being controlled by the filling amount regulating means (32) and the powder weight managing means (60). A filling container (40) is made.
[0010]
The filling amount regulating means (32) in this example includes an elastic ring (32a) having a powder discharge port (31) and a discharge control means (32) for controlling discharge of powder from the powder discharge port (31). The discharge control member (32d) attached to the discharge control pipe (32c) of the discharge control means (32b) moves up and down in the measuring tank (30) and inserts into the powder discharge port (31). A mechanism for opening and closing the powder discharge port (31) by operating so as to be detached, and adjusting a discharge amount of the powder from the measuring layer into the powder filling device according to an insertion degree and a fitting degree thereof. It is.
[0011]
The present inventor has proposed, as an improved technique in place of the filling amount controlling means in this example, that a portion near the powder discharge port of the measuring layer is made of at least a filter material that allows gas to pass through but does not allow powder to pass through. A measuring tank provided with a filling amount regulating means capable of controlling the discharge amount of the powder by attracting the powder to the filter material by a gas suction means communicating with the means and a powder filling apparatus having the same. A new filling method was proposed and filed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-70929).
This improved technology not only simplifies the configuration of the filling amount regulating means than the powder filling apparatus using the filling amount regulating means proposed previously and shown in FIG. 1, and also reduces the mechanical stress on the powder. This has the advantage that it can be further reduced.
[0012]
According to these new filling methods proposed and filed by the present applicant and the present inventor, the above-mentioned problems of the prior art are solved, and the superconducting toner carried on the toner surface without applying any particular stress to the toner is solved. Prevents the separation, dropping and embedding of fine particles, without impairing their physical properties and compoundability, and allows quick and accurate filling of the desired amount of powder into the powder filling container without excess, shortage, and in the middle of the production line. In addition, it can be used as a toner transfer device, and has the advantage that it can be filled into a powder filling container from a large container without polluting the working environment and workers without danger. It is applicable to the body in general.
[0013]
Normally, operations in a factory for filling a container with powder, particularly electrophotographic toner, need to be performed continuously and continuously on a large number of containers to produce a large number of containers filled with powder. is there.
That is, in the filling operation, a powder supply hopper is generally installed above the large container (10), and the powder temporarily stored in the powder supply hopper is transferred to the large container (10). In general, the powder is sequentially supplied to the powder supply hopper, and the powder in the powder supply hopper is continuously transferred into the large container (10) without interruption. It is necessary to be able to process a large amount of powder so that a large number of containers filled with powder are produced.
In the powder filling apparatus shown in FIG. 1, fluidizing means (15) is provided at the bottom of a large vessel (10) (hereinafter, a large vessel provided with fluidizing means is referred to as a powder fluidizing hopper), The method of fluidizing the powder by the fluidizing means (15), transferring the fluidized powder to the measuring tank (30), and filling the powder into a powder filling container is performed. As a result, since the transfer to the measuring tank (30) and the discharge from the measuring tank (30) are accelerated, there is an advantage that the filling speed to the powder filling container is increased.
[0014]
However, the present inventor has proposed that the transfer of the powder in the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper and the measuring tank and the filling of the container in order so that a large amount of powder is continuously processed. In order to produce a large number of containers that are smoothly and filled with powder, it is not merely necessary to fluidize the powder in the powder fluidization hopper, but if the fluidization is strong, The stronger the powder, the more the powder is supplied from the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper, and the powder overflows from the powder fluidization hopper. This causes a new problem that the supply of the powder from the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper is stopped, and the continuous processing of a large amount of powder and the continuous production of a large number of powder filled containers. Was confirmed to be an obstacle.
[0015]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-4-87901
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-263101
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-9-193902
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of continuously supplying a large amount of powder, particularly an electrophotographic toner, from a powder supply hopper to a powder fluidization hopper without interruption.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous filling method and a continuous filling method capable of continuously processing a large amount of powder, particularly an electrophotographic toner, without interruption, and continuously producing a large number of containers filled with powder. Is to provide a system.
Specifically, an object of the present invention is to use a powder supply hopper having a function of temporarily storing powder and a powder fluidization hopper having a function of fluidizing the powder, and to control the powder in the powder supply hopper. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous filling method and a filling system as described above, wherein a body can be transferred into a powder fluidization hopper without overflowing and stopping without flowing out of the powder fluidization hopper.
Further, the object of the present invention is to prevent separation, dropping and embedding of ultrafine particles carried on the surface of a toner without giving any particular stress to the toner for electrophotography, without impairing its physical properties and compoundability. To provide a continuous filling method and a filling system as described above.
Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to quickly and accurately fill a desired amount of powder in a powder filling container without excess, shortage, and can be used as a device for transferring powder in the middle of a production line. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous filling method and a filling system as described above, which can fill a powder filling container from a powder fluidizing hopper without polluting the environment and workers without danger.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is to provide (1) a powder fluidizing means having a powder discharge port at a lower portion of a powder supply hopper comprising a storage portion for storing powder and a cylindrical portion for discharging the powder. Disposing a powder fluidization hopper comprising: supplying the powder in the powder supply hopper into the powder fluidization hopper, and then discharging the powder from the powder outlet. With the body discharge port closed, gas is introduced by the powder fluidizing means, and the fluidized portion and the non-fluidized Forming a non-fluidized portion, and inserting the powder supply hopper into the formed non-fluidized portion such that at least the tip of the cylindrical portion is buried, and then opening the powder discharge port. Supply of powder in the powder supply hopper into the powder fluidization hopper and the powder fluidization hopper How continuously perform discharge of al ",
(2) "the powder outlet is provided at one end of the bottom of the powder fluidization hopper, and the surface non-fluidized portion of the powder group into which the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper is inserted is The method according to the above (1), wherein the powder outlet is formed above a portion of the bottom of the fluidized hopper opposite to the end where the powder outlet is provided.
(3) A continuous powder filling method characterized by continuously filling a large number of powder filling containers with powder discharged by the method described in the above (1) or (2). "
(4) "Using a measuring tank provided with a filling amount regulating means which communicates with the powder discharge port of the powder fluidization hopper, once the powder discharged from the powder discharge port of the powder fluidization hopper is Transferring the powder into the measuring tank, and then discharging the powder from the measuring tank to fill the powder filling container, wherein the powder discharged from the measuring tank by the filling amount regulating means of the measuring tank. The method for filling a continuous powder according to the above item (3), wherein the body weight is controlled ”,
(5) The above-mentioned (4), wherein the filling amount regulating means basically comprises opening degree regulating means for the discharge port provided at the powder discharge port portion of the measuring tank. Continuous powder filling method ",
(6) "The opening degree regulating means comprises a member which can be inserted into and removed from the powder discharge port from the inside of the measuring tank, and the member is inserted and removed, and the powder discharge port is formed in accordance with the degree. The continuous powder filling method according to the above (5), wherein the degree of opening and closing of the powder is regulated.
(7) "The opening degree regulating means comprises a member provided near the powder discharge port and passing gas but not allowing powder to pass through, and external gas suction means communicating with the member. Discharging the powder, attracting the powder, and regulating the opening / closing degree of the filling powder discharge port according to the degree of suction of the powder, wherein the continuous powder filling method according to the above mode (5),
(8) "Using a funnel-shaped auxiliary container, the opening of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is below the powder discharge port of the measuring tank, and the small-diameter mouth of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is a powder filling container. The powder discharged from the measuring tank is once dropped into the auxiliary container, and the air between the powders accumulated in the auxiliary container is removed from the opening of the auxiliary container. The continuous powder according to any one of the above items (4) to (7), wherein the powder is dropped into the powder filling container while or naturally releasing the powder from the container. Filling method ",
(9) "Using a funnel-shaped auxiliary container, the circular bottom of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container forms a planar wall provided with an opening for inserting the powder discharge port of the measuring tank, and the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is used. Is provided with a vent pipe connecting the small-diameter mouth portion and the circular bottom portion or the vicinity thereof, wherein the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is arranged between the measuring tank and the powder filling container, The powder discharged from the tank is sequentially dropped into the auxiliary container and then into the powder filling container, and the air in the powder filling container is circulated through the ventilation pipe into the auxiliary container, and the bottom opening of the auxiliary container is opened. The method for filling a continuous powder according to any one of the above items (4) to (7), characterized in that the powder is discharged to the outside from a gap between the powder discharge port of the measuring tank and the powder discharge port. ,
(10) The method according to any one of the above items (3) to (9), wherein a filling powder weight managing means for controlling an amount of the filling powder in the powder filling container is used. Described continuous powder filling method '',
(11) "measurement of the entire weight of the powder filling container before and after the powder is filled by the powder weight managing means, and adjustment of the opening / closing degree of the powder discharge port of the measuring tank by the filling amount regulating means." The continuous powder filling method according to the above (10), wherein the amount of the filled powder is controlled by interlocking
(12) It is achieved by the “continuous powder filling method according to any one of the above (3) to (11), wherein the powder is an electrophotographic toner”.
[0018]
In addition, the above object is achieved by (13) “a plurality of containers filled with powder produced by the method according to any one of the above items (3) to (12)” of the present invention. .
[0019]
The object of the present invention is also to provide (14) a method for continuously filling powder discharged by the method described in (1) or (2) into a large number of powder filling containers. A continuous powder filling system used for a fluidizing hopper, comprising a measuring tank connected to a powder fluidizing hopper and having a filling amount regulating means, and a powder supply hopper disposed above the powder fluidizing hopper, After setting the powder filling container below the measuring tank, the powder in the powder supply hopper is supplied to the powder fluidization hopper, and then transferred to the measuring tank. Continuous powder filling system, characterized by filling the body,
(15) The powder fluidizing hopper has at least one inclined inner wall portion, and the inclined inner wall portion facilitates discharge of powder stored therein. Continuous powder filling system according to item (14) ";
(16) "A plurality of slanted inner wall portions, a valley formed by the plurality of slanted inner wall portions forms a bottom portion of the powder fluidization hopper, and a fluidized bed constituting fluidizing means is provided on the bottom portion. The continuous powder filling system according to the above (15), wherein
(17) “The continuous powder filling system according to the above (16), wherein a plurality of fluidized beds are provided at the bottom”;
(18) The filling amount regulating means includes an elastic ring fixed to a powder discharge port of the measuring tank, and a discharge control means for controlling discharge of powder from the powder discharge port. The discharge control means includes a discharge amount control member attached to a discharge control pipe that moves up and down in the measuring tank, and the discharge amount control member is inserted into and detached from the powder discharge port to disconnect the powder discharge port. The powder filling system according to any one of (13) to (17), wherein the powder filling system is a conical member that opens and closes.
(19) "The degree of opening and closing of the powder discharge port depends on the degree of upward and downward movement of the discharge control pipe in the measuring tank, depending on the degree of insertion of the conical discharge control member into the opening of the elastic ring. The powder filling system according to the above (18), wherein the powder filling system is adjusted.
(20) "The filling amount regulating means is made of at least a filter material that passes gas but does not allow powder to pass through, and the gas suction means communicated with the filling amount regulating means attracts the powder to the filter material, The powder filling system according to any one of the above items (13) to (17), wherein the powder discharge amount is controlled by:
(21) "The filling amount regulating means is fixed so that the filter material covers a through hole provided in the tubular body itself, and forms a space outside the filter material fixing portion so that there is no gas leakage. Powder filling system according to the above mode (20), wherein
(22) “The powder filling system according to the above (20) or (21), wherein the filter material is a twill tatami weave”,
(23) "A funnel-shaped auxiliary container is installed between the measuring tank and the powder filling container, and the powder discharged from the measuring tank is inserted into an opening from the conical bottom of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container. Wherein the continuous powder filling system according to any one of the above (13) to (22),
(24) "A funnel-shaped auxiliary container is installed between the measuring tank and the powder filling container, and the conical bottom of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container has an opening for dropping powder discharged from the measuring tank. A flat wall provided, and the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is provided with gas replacement means consisting of a vent pipe installed and fixed from the vicinity of the powder outlet at the tip of the auxiliary container to the upper portion of the auxiliary container. The continuous powder filling system according to any one of the above items (13) to (22), "
(25) The method according to any one of the above items (13) to (24), further comprising a filling powder weight managing means for controlling an amount of the filling powder in the powder filling container. Described continuous powder filling system ",
(26) The continuous powder filling system according to (25), wherein the charged toner weight managing means has a load cell for measuring the charged toner weight.
(27) The “filled powder weight managing means calculates the filled powder weight from the empty weight of the powder filling container in the load cell and the total weight of the powder filled container filled with powder. The continuous powder filling system according to the above mode (26), comprising an arithmetic processing unit for performing the arithmetic operation.
[0020]
The present invention relates to a powder fluidizing device having a powder outlet and a powder fluidizing means at a lower portion of a powder supply hopper comprising a storage portion for storing powder and a cylindrical portion for discharging the powder. A method of disposing a hopper, supplying the powder in the powder supply hopper into the powder fluidization hopper, and then discharging the powder from the powder discharge port, wherein the powder discharge port is closed Introducing a gas by the powder fluidization means, forming a fluidized portion and a non-fluidized portion on the surface portion where the powder layer supplied into the powder fluidized hopper is formed, After inserting at least the distal end of the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper into the formed non-fluidized portion so as to be buried, the powder discharge port is opened to remove the powder in the powder supply hopper. Automatically and continuously fed into the powder fluidization hopper, and It is obtained by allowing to discharge automatically continuously.
[0021]
A mechanism of powder supply from the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper which can be automatically and continuously performed will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 shows that a fluidized portion (a) and a non-fluidized portion (b) are formed on the surface (s) of the powder layer of the powder supply hopper (80) as described below, and the cylindrical portion (81) is formed. 2) shows the state at the time when it is installed so as to be buried in the non-fluidized portion (b).
After closing the powder discharge port (11) of the powder fluidization hopper (10), the powder in the powder supply hopper (80) is supplied to the powder fluidization hopper (10), After the powder in the fluidized hopper (10) reaches a predetermined amount, the powder fluidizing means (15) provided in the powder fluidized hopper (10) is operated to inject air, and The whole is divided into a fluidized portion (a) and a non-fluidized portion (b).
When the fluidized portion (a) and the non-fluidized portion (b) are formed on the surface (s) of the powder layer, the tip of the cylindrical portion (81) of the powder supply hopper (80) is moved to the non-fluidized portion of the surface. It is installed so as to be buried in the modified part (i), and then the powder discharge port (11) is opened.
When the powder discharge port (11) is opened, the powder in the fluidized state is discharged starting from the discharge of the powder in the vicinity of the powder discharge port (11), and the non-fluidized portion (b) is discharged. The powder layer collapses, and the amount of powder in the non-fluidized portion (b) corresponding to the amount of the discharged powder flows from the boundary surface (c) to the fluidized portion (a), and the amount corresponding to the flow amount The cycle in which the powder in the powder supply hopper (80) drops into the powder fluidization hopper (10) is repeated, and the powder is moved from the powder supply hopper (80) to the powder fluidization hopper (10). ) Automatically and continuously supplied.
The powder supplied and fluidized in this way is continuously discharged from the powder discharge port (11) of the powder fluidization hopper (10).
Therefore, a powder fluidizing hopper provided with fluidizing means is used, the powder in the powder supply hopper is continuously supplied to the powder fluidizing hopper without interruption, and the supplied powder is The state where the powder is continuously discharged from the body fluidizing hopper can be recognized as the case where the method for continuously supplying and discharging powder according to the present invention is used.
[0022]
In other words, according to this supply method, a small amount of powder moves between the fluidized portion and the non-fluidized portion, so that the powder moves to the lower part of the powder layer in the non-fluidized portion, and accordingly, new powder is added. The powder can be automatically supplied by being naturally dropped from the body supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper. Therefore, the supply of the powder from the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper becomes excessive without requiring a complicated mechanism, so that the powder overflows from the powder fluidization hopper or the powder This does not cause the problem that the supply of powder from the body supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper stops, and enables continuous processing of a large amount of powder and continuous production of many powder-filled containers. is there.
[0023]
In particular, the continuous powder supply method of the present invention is characterized in that the powder discharge port of the powder fluidization hopper and the non-fluidized portion of the surface of the powder layer into which the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper is inserted. The positional relationship is important.
Usually, the powder outlet (11) is provided at one end of the bottom of the powder fluidization hopper, and the powder outlet (11) and the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper are inserted. When the non-fluidized portion (b) of the surface (s) of the powder layer is located away from the powder outlet (11), the powder fluidized hopper is moved from the powder supply hopper based on the mechanism described above. This is effective for automatically and continuously supplying powder to the apparatus.
Therefore, it is particularly effective to insert the cylindrical portion above the bottom (14) above a position near the end (e) opposite to the end where the powder discharge port (11) is provided. Yes, ie it is preferred to form the non-fluidized part so that the tubular part can be inserted as such.
[0024]
In this case, the non-fluidized portion into which the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper is inserted is in a non-fluidized state around the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion and the powder supply hopper. Therefore, it is important that the area of the non-fluidized portion is made larger than the tip area of the cylindrical portion, particularly 1.5 times or more. Is preferred.
[0025]
The method for continuously supplying and discharging the powder according to the present invention is applicable not only to electrophotographic toners but also to a wide range of fine powders represented by medicines and foods.
The method for continuously supplying and discharging the powder is particularly effective for filling the container with the powder after discharging, and the method for continuously charging the powder will be described below.
[0026]
In the continuous powder filling method of the present invention, as described above, by using the measuring tank having the filling amount regulating means in communication with the powder discharge port of the powder fluidizing hopper, the powder The powder fluidized in the hopper is quickly discharged from the powder discharge port and transferred into the measuring tank, and the powder is discharged from the measuring tank and filled into a powder filling container. The amount of powder discharged from the measuring tank can be controlled by the filling amount regulating means of the measuring tank.
By doing so, the continuous powder filling method of the present invention can quickly and accurately fill a desired amount of powder into the powder filling container without excess, shortage, and without polluting the working environment and workers. Danger can be eliminated, and furthermore, the electrophotographic toner can be performed without any particular stress and without impairing various physical properties and compounding properties of the toner.
The filling amount regulating means basically comprises opening degree regulating means for the discharge port provided at the powder discharge port of the measuring tank.
[0027]
In the present invention, there is no particular limitation on what is used as the opening degree regulating means. In particular, the opening degree regulating means comprises a member which can be inserted into and detached from the powder discharge port, and the member is inserted and detached according to its degree. A method of restricting the degree of opening and closing of the powder discharge port for filling, or a member provided in the vicinity of the powder discharge port and passing gas but not passing powder, and external gas suction means communicating with the member. It is preferable to use a method in which air is discharged by the gas suction means to attract the powder, and the degree of opening and closing of the filling powder discharge port is regulated in accordance with the degree of suction.
[0028]
Incidentally, the phrase “measuring tank” in the present invention is, as in the example shown in FIG. 3, a container for powder filling placed on a load cell of a weight control means, and the amount of powder to be filled is measured. The regulation by the quantity regulating means and the weighing by the weight management means are controlled and performed in an interlocked manner, but the weighing tank in the present invention is used when such an interlocking control is not performed. Is also applicable.
[0029]
Further, an auxiliary container is arranged between the measuring tank and the powder filling container, and the powder from the measuring tank is temporarily stored in the funnel-shaped auxiliary container, and air between the powders is opened at the opening of the auxiliary container. If it is made to spontaneously discharge from the container, the need to perform the work of removing the air between the powder after falling into the powder filling container is reduced, so that the powder filling container filled with the powder at a high density is used. The time required for fabrication is reduced, which is effective for increasing the filling speed. In this case, some air is transferred into the powder filling container together with the powder from the auxiliary container. For this air, a gap is provided between the outlet of the auxiliary container and the opening of the powder filling container. Alternatively, it may be discharged from this gap.
[0030]
Further, as the auxiliary container, a funnel-shaped container is particularly preferably used, and the circular bottom portion of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container forms a flat wall provided with an opening for inserting the powder discharge port of the measuring tank. And the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is provided with a vent pipe connecting the small-diameter mouth portion and the circular bottom portion or the vicinity thereof, and the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is provided between the measuring tank and the powder filling container. Is disposed, and the powder discharged from the measuring tank is sequentially dropped into the auxiliary container and then into the powder filling container.
The air present together with the powder in the powder filling container after falling is circulated through the ventilation pipe into the auxiliary container, and has the opening of the auxiliary container and the powder outlet of the measuring tank. When the air is discharged from the gap provided between the cylindrical body and the air remains in the powder filling container, the air is discharged between the outlet of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container and the opening of the powder filling container. A gap may be provided, and the gas may be released from the gap.
According to the method of using a funnel-shaped auxiliary container provided with a ventilation pipe, the need to perform the operation of removing air between the powder after falling into the powder filling container is reduced, so that the powder has a high density. The time required to produce a filled powder-filled container is reduced, which is effective in increasing the filling speed.
[0031]
A fluidized portion and a non-fluidized portion are formed on at least the surface of the powder layer in the powder fluidization hopper, so that powder can be continuously supplied from the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper, and furthermore, weighing can be performed. In order to enable the powder to be smoothly transferred to the tank, it is important to devise, for example, the position of the air introduction section, the width of the air introduction section, or the control of the air flow rate, particularly for the fluidizing means.
[0032]
The air introducing portion constituting the fluidizing means forms a fluidized portion and a non-fluidized portion in the powder layer as described above by the introduced air without giving a mechanical stress to the powder, By forming the powder layer in a slightly expanded or floating state and adjusting the amount of air to be introduced by the introduction control valve, the formation state of the fluidized portion and the non-fluidized portion and the powder fluidized hopper The amount discharged from the tank to the measuring tank can be adjusted.
[0033]
The air inlet of the fluidizing means is not always required to be installed at the bottom of the powder fluidizing hopper. In order to effectively form the fluidized portion and the non-fluidized portion, it is preferable that the fluidized portion is installed at the bottom portion, and is installed on the powder discharge port side from directly below the non-fluidized portion formed on the surface of the powder layer. Preferably, the width of the air introduction portion is not so wide.
Therefore, the shape of the powder fluidizing hopper is not particularly limited, and the inner wall side surface may be a cylindrical body or a cubic body. It is preferable that the valley has a valley having a slope directed toward the valley, and an air introduction portion is provided in the valley, and the air introduction is provided not partially but entirely on the bottom.
Further, by making the valleys on the bottom surface of the powder fluidization hopper have a downward slope toward the powder discharge port, the powder can be more smoothly transferred to the measuring tank.
It is preferable that the bottom inner wall portion having the valley steep portion inclined from the middle of the inner wall side surface toward the bottom is integrally formed as a part of the structural portion of the powder fluidization hopper.
[0034]
The configuration of the powder fluidization hopper described above, in particular, continuously supplies powder from the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper without overflowing from the powder fluidization hopper and without stopping halfway. It is possible to prevent the powder accumulated in the powder discharge port at the bottom of the powder fluidization hopper from being consolidated, and to help discharge to the measuring tank.
[0035]
The powder fluidizing hopper and the measuring tank do not necessarily have to be integrated, and the powder discharged from the powder fluidizing hopper is preferably supplied to the powder communication path between the powder fluidizing hopper and the measuring tank. It moves to a measuring tank through a certain connecting pipe.
By providing the second powder fluidization means in this connection pipe, the amount of gas blown from the second powder fluidization means is adjusted to prevent particle bridging in the connection pipe, and to connect the connection pipe. The discharge can be stopped by adjusting the discharge amount of the powder discharged to the measuring tank or by stopping the gas blowing.
Further, although not necessarily indispensable in the present invention, at least one of the powder fluidization hopper and the measuring tank may be provided with a pressure adjusting means for increasing or decreasing the internal pressure.
[0036]
In the continuous filling method and the filling system according to the present invention, it is preferable to use a filled powder weight managing means for managing the amount of the filled powder in the powder filling container. May be, for example, a conventional load cell for measuring the weight of an article placed thereon, and may have a monitor for displaying the measured weight value.
Although not an essential requirement in the present invention, it can be configured so that the measurement of the powder weight by the load cell and the filling amount regulating means are controlled in conjunction with each other. The gas injection amount from the means can be configured to be adjusted, and further, a control signal and an adjustment signal therefor are transmitted from the central processing unit, and the timing for transmitting such a signal is calculated. Can be. Further, such a central processing unit can be configured such that a required filling amount can be set in advance and can be changed, and can be provided with an input means capable of inputting a command or a change command therefor.
[0037]
According to the present invention, a fluidized portion and a non-fluidized portion are formed on the surface portion of the powder layer in the powder fluidized hopper, and the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper is inserted into the non-fluidized portion of the surface. As a result, the method of continuously supplying the powder in the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper is a non-conventional method per se, and is widely applicable.
Therefore, the transfer destination of the powder discharged from the powder fluidization hopper after the powder is supplied into the powder fluidization hopper is not limited to the measuring tank.
[0038]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a filling system applied to the continuous powder filling method of the present invention.
In the powder filling system shown in FIG. 3, a powder supply hopper (80) for storing powder, a powder fluidization hopper (10) to which the powder is supplied, and a connection with the powder fluidization hopper (10) A measuring tank (30) connected by a pipe (20) for transferring powder from the powder fluidization hopper (10), and a funnel-shaped auxiliary container disposed below a powder outlet of the measuring tank (30) And a powder filling container (40) placed on the powder weight management means (60).
After the powder in the powder supply hopper (80) is supplied to the powder fluidization hopper (10), it is brought into a fluidized state by the fluidization means (15) provided in the powder fluidization hopper (10). The powder transferred to the measuring tank (30) is then transferred to a filling amount regulating means (32) provided near a powder outlet (31) of the measuring tank (30). While controlling the discharge amount by the weight management means (60), the powder is dropped into the powder filling container (40), and a powder filling container (40) filled with a predetermined amount of powder is produced. .
[0039]
As the powder supply hopper (80), an open port (82) for supplying powder from the outside and a cylindrical portion (81) having a distal end serving as a discharge port for discharging to the powder fluidization hopper (10) are provided. The shape, material, and size are not particularly limited as long as they have, but they are made of a funnel-shaped stainless steel, the diameter of the opening (82) is 500 to 1000 mm, and the diameter of the outlet of the cylindrical portion (81) is 300. And the length of the cylindrical portion (81) is about 400 to 600 mm, the angle (θ) between the funnel-shaped conical wall portion (84) and the cylindrical portion (81) is about 45 to 65 °, and the capacity is Of about 150 to 350 liters is preferably used.
[0040]
The powder fluidizing hopper (10) has a powder fluidizing means and a powder discharge port, and a fluidized part and a non-fluidized part are formed on the surface of the powder layer by the powder fluidizing means. When the cylindrical portion (81) of the powder fluidization hopper (10) is inserted into the non-fluidized portion, the powder in the powder supply hopper (80) is continuously crushed by the powder fluidization hopper. The shape, material and size are not particularly limited as long as it can be supplied to (10), and the side wall (13) may be cylindrical or cubic, and may be made of either plastic or stainless steel. And those having a capacity of about 35 to 55 liters are preferably used.
[0041]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the powder fluidization hopper.
This powder fluidizing hopper (10) has a cubic shape portion composed of side walls (13a), (13b), (13c) and (13d), and these side walls (13a), (13b) and (13c). And a bottom portion (14) comprising a valley formed by the three inner wall portions and the side wall portion (13d). A powder outlet (11) is provided at one end of the bottom (14). The bottom (14) is inclined downward toward the powder outlet, and the bottom (14) has powder. A fluidized bed is provided as a gas introduction part constituting the body fluidizing means.
By providing the inclined inner wall portion, the powder gathers at the bottom portion (14) to be easily fluidized, and the bottom portion (14) inclined downward toward the powder discharge port smoothly discharges the fluidized powder. Make it easier.
The inclination angle of the inner wall portion is preferably 30 to 60 °, and the inclination angle of the bottom toward the powder discharge port is preferably 30 to 60 °.
[0042]
In FIG. 3, a fluidized bed (not shown) is provided at the bottom (14) of the powder fluidization hopper (10), and the fluidized bed and a gas introduction pipe (15a) connected to the fluidized bed are connected to the powder fluidization means ( 15) is configured. A gas is sent from a gas introduction means (not shown) provided outside to the fluidized bed through a gas introduction pipe (15a) to fluidize the powder. The introduction of this gas is performed at an air pressure of 0.1 to 0.5 Mpa and an air supply amount of 750 to 1500 ml / 200 cm. ² . It is preferable to carry out for 1 min [the amount of air per unit time unit fluidized bed area].
The fluidized bed has a large number of fine holes for ejecting gas, and each fine hole is formed of a porous body communicating with each other inside, and is connected to the porous body through a gas inlet pipe (15a). It is preferable that the introduced pressurized gas is adjusted by the air supply control valve (15b).
As the porous body, a sintered body (metal or resin) having a smooth surface or a metal mesh material such as twill tatami is preferably used.
The number of the fluidized beds using the porous body is not limited, but it is preferable that the fluidized beds are installed in 1 to 5 places, and the size of the fluidized bed is 5 to 15 mm in width and 60 in length. It is preferably about 130 mm.
When the number of the plurality of fluidized beds is large, it is preferably provided on the entire bottom surface of the powder fluidization hopper, and when the number is small, it is preferably provided near the powder discharge port side.
Even when a plurality of fluidized beds are provided, it is better to introduce gas only from the fluidized bed closer to the powder discharge port side, as in the present invention. When providing a fluidized bed which is effective for forming a portion and is provided with a small number of fluidized beds, it is preferable that the fluidized bed is provided at a location closer to the powder outlet side than immediately below the non-fluid portion into which the tubular portion is inserted.
The size of the powder cloud formed by mixing with the supplied gas (the cloud-like powder suspended matter formed by mixing the powder and the gas) can be adjusted.
Although not shown, in order to prevent dust explosion of the fluidized powder, the powder filling system of this example is provided with a static eliminator for eliminating static electricity generated.
[0043]
The powder filling system in the example of FIG. 3 includes a measuring tank (30) connected to a powder outlet of the powder fluidizing hopper (10) by a connecting pipe (20).
Fluidization means (21) can be provided in the connecting pipe (20), and gas is introduced through the gas introduction pipe (21a) while being regulated by the introduction control valve (21b). The flow state of the powder transferred from 10) to the measuring tank (30) is maintained, and the transfer is performed smoothly.
[0044]
This measuring tank will be described.
The measuring tank is not particularly limited in its material, and may be made of metal such as stainless steel, titanium, aluminum or the like, or may be made of plastic. A tubular structure (referred to as a tubular body) is formed at the outlet or entirely, and a cylindrical one is particularly preferably used. It is preferable to use one having a diameter of about 50 to 200 mm, and preferably one having a diameter of about 5 to 15 mm of a powder discharge port of the measuring tank (30). It goes without saying that the side opposite to the powder discharge port is closed.
[0045]
The filling amount regulating means (32) in the measuring tank of FIG. 3 will be described.
That is, the filling amount regulating means (32) in the apparatus of this example includes an elastic ring (32a) having a discharge opening (31) and a discharge control means for controlling discharge of powder from the discharge opening (31). (32b).
The discharge control means (32b) comprises a discharge control member (32d) attached to a discharge control pipe (32c) that moves up and down in the measuring tank (30), and the discharge control member (32d) includes a powder discharge port (32). 31) and a conical member that opens and closes the discharge opening (31) by inserting / removing it.
The degree of opening and closing of the powder discharge port (31) depends on the degree of elevation of the discharge control pipe (32c) in the measuring tank (30), and the powder of the elastic body ring (32a) of the conical discharge control member (32d) is changed. It is adjusted by the degree of insertion into the body discharge port (31) and the degree of fitting.
[0046]
When the small-diameter conical tip of the discharge control member (32d) rises until it completely comes out of the powder discharge port (31), the discharge control member (32d) is in a fully open state (free discharge of the powder to be filled). When fully inserted into the powder discharge port (31) down to the large-diameter conical root end of 32d), the powder discharge port (31) is in a fully closed state (discharge of powder is stopped).
Furthermore, the state in the middle, that is, the state in which the discharge control member (32d) is not completely removed from the powder discharge port (31) and not completely lowered, and the discharge control member (32d) When inserted to such an extent that a gap is maintained between the conical radius portion of the size and the powder discharge port (31), it is in a half-open state (partial discharge of powder) according to the insertion level.
In the figure, a flexible cover member denoted by reference numeral (37) is provided on the sleeve (30a) below the powder discharge port (31). In the present invention, the cover member (37) is Can be omitted.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic body ring (32a) has a wedge-shaped cross section in which the thickness decreases from the outer peripheral edge toward the inner powder discharge port (31). The inner side, which must contact when (32d) is completely inserted, has greater flexibility.
In the case of the elastic ring (32a) having such a structure, even when the elastic ring (32a) comes into contact with the discharge control member (32d), filming of the powder occurs on the surface of the elastic ring (32a) or the discharge control member (32d). This is thought to be because even when the elastic ring (32a) comes into contact with the discharge control member (32d), almost no stress is applied to the powder inevitably remaining between them.
[0048]
In the present invention, as the filling amount regulating means of the discharge opening (31) of the measuring tank (30), for example, the powder discharge port (31) is formed in an appropriate shape with an elastic material, and the opening degree regulating member is It can be a plate-like member that slides or retreats a predetermined distance in the plane direction adjacent to the discharge opening, and the opening is determined by the relative positional relationship between the two openings due to the movement of the member having the opening that matches the discharge opening. The degree can be adjustable.
[0049]
The elevation of the discharge control pipe (32c) is performed by a driving device (39) driven by a driving source (39b) controlled by a driving control device (39a).
The driving device (39) for raising and lowering the discharge control pipe (32c) can be performed by an appropriate means such as an air pressure cylinder, a motor, a hydraulic cylinder, etc. In the device of this example, an air pressure cylinder is used. I have.
[0050]
Further, as another filling amount regulating means of the measuring tank used in the powder filling system of the present invention, the one applied by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-70929) will be described.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a powder filling system used in the present invention, which includes a powder supply hopper (80), a powder fluidization hopper (10) to which the powder is supplied, and a measuring tank (30). ) And a powder filling container (40) placed on a load cell (61) of the powder weight management means (60). In this example, it is also possible to install a funnel-shaped auxiliary container between the measuring tank (30) and the powder filling container (40).
The filling amount regulating means (34) is provided near the powder discharge port (31) of the measuring tank (30), and is made of a filter material through which gas passes and powder does not pass. In particular, when the measuring tank (30) has a structure in which the upper part is a cylindrical body and has a reduced diameter structure, and has a cylindrical body from an end portion of the reduced diameter toward the powder discharge port (31), It is effective that the installation portion of the filling amount regulating means (34) is provided near the end of the diameter reduction.
When the gas suction means (34a) provided outside the measuring tank (30) connected to the filling amount regulating means (34) is operated, gas existing between the powders in the measuring tank (30) is sucked. At the same time, the gas is discharged through the gas suction pipe (34b) connecting the mesh portion and the gas suction means, and at the same time, the toner powder sucked on the wall surface of the mesh portion is squeezed to form a powder group. The size of the powder group is changed by forming and adjusting the suction pressure, so that the filling amount is adjusted.
[0051]
The tubular body itself is provided with one or more through holes in advance, and the filling amount regulating means is fixed so as to cover the filter material with the filter material, and a space is provided outside the filter material fixing portion. And a wall that does not leak gas is provided. The through holes are formed by supporting the filter material on the tubular body, so that the strength can be improved.
On the other hand, a gas outlet is provided in the wall, and the gas outlet is connected to the gas suction means. The material constituting the wall is not limited, and may be the same as the material used for the measuring tank.
The wall can also be formed around part or all of the tubular body as long as the gas sucked through the filter material does not leak.
Further, when the filling amount regulating means is provided separately in two parts of a discharge stopping function part and a discharge amount adjusting function part in the order close to the powder discharge port, the adjustment of the gas suction pressure by the suction means is smooth. This is preferable because a predetermined amount of powder can be accurately and quickly filled into the powder filling container without causing clogging due to excessive suction pressure.
[0052]
FIG. 6A is a conceptual cross-sectional view of a portion where the filling amount regulating means is set, and shows a case where the filling amount regulating means is not divided into two parts, a discharge stop function unit and a discharge amount adjusting function unit.
A through hole (50) is provided near the powder discharge port (31) of the measuring tank (30), and a filter material (51) is fixed so as to cover the through hole (50). A gas-tight wall (52) is provided on the outside so that a space (53) is formed.
On the other hand, FIG. 6B is a conceptual cross-sectional view when the filling amount regulating means is divided into two parts, a discharge amount adjusting function part (A) and a discharge stop function part (B). , A through hole (50), a filter material (51), a wall (52), and a space (53) are provided.
This wall (52) can be formed around part or all of the tubular body as long as the gas sucked through the filter material (51) does not leak.
[0053]
It is effective that the filling amount regulating means is formed by winding a portion of 60% to 100% around the tubular structure with a filter material having a width of 5 to 50 mm.
Also, a twill woven weave as a filter material is particularly preferable as a material having a function of allowing air to pass and not allowing toner powder to pass, and a filter having a mesh of 500/3500 is more preferable.
In addition, it is preferable to use a filter made of a laminate of two or more filter materials having different meshes. Further, as the laminate becomes closer to the inner core portion of the tubular body, the filter is made of a filter material having a finer mesh. This is particularly effective for use in the filling amount regulating means.
[0054]
The gas suction means used in connection with the filling amount control means is not particularly limited. For example, a vacuum pump suction type, an ejector suction type, or the like is used, and among them, the ejector suction type is preferable because it requires little maintenance.
Also, the suction pressure obtained by the gas suction means is not limited, but it is preferable to suction at about -5 to -50 kPa because the filling amount can be effectively regulated. The adjustment of the suction pressure can be performed by providing a control valve (not shown).
In addition, the powder from the measuring tank to the powder filling container can be stopped by adjusting the internal pressure and the sending speed of the filling amount regulating means in the measuring tank, but the bulk density of the powder at that time can be reduced. It is preferable to set it to about 0.4 to 0.5.
[0055]
The filling amount regulating means used in the filling system of the present invention is not limited to the two types described above, but if these exemplified filling amount regulating means are used, no mechanical stress is applied to the powder. In particular, it is difficult for the additives (external additives) to be attached to the surface of the toner in order to enhance the fluidity of the toner to be easily detached, and that an aggregate is formed even in the case of a low-temperature fixing toner containing a low melting point resin. This makes it possible to improve the filling efficiency without reducing the properties of the toner and preventing the toner from adhering to the discharge opening and preventing the toner from being discharged into the container.
[0056]
In the filling system of the present invention, the measuring tank (30) may be provided with pressure adjusting means for increasing or decreasing the internal pressure, and such a pressure adjusting means may be used instead of the powder fluidizing hopper (10). Or a powder fluidization hopper (10). Such a pressure adjusting means is capable of controlling a pressure state or a powder cloud state in the powder fluidization hopper (10) and / or the measuring tank (30) in a state where gas is supplied from the powder fluidization means. Allows for adjustment.
[0057]
Next, an auxiliary container (70) that can be installed between the measuring tank (30) and the container for powder filling (40) as in the powder filling system shown in FIG. 3 will be described.
As the auxiliary container (70), a conical funnel is particularly preferable, and a container provided with a gas replacement means (74) is used. The auxiliary container (70) is provided on the conical bottom portion (71) of the auxiliary container (70). An opening (71a) is provided directly below the measuring tank (30) so as to receive the powder to be discharged, and a cylindrical portion (72) having an outlet (72a) of the auxiliary container (70) is connected with the powder. The auxiliary container and the powder filling container are installed by being inserted into the opening of the filling container (40).
[0058]
The size of each part of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is not particularly limited. For example, the diameter of the cone bottom is about 130 to 180 mm, and the angle (θ) of the cone top is 50 to 70 °. It is preferable to use the above for smoothly dropping and discharging the powder from the auxiliary container to the powder filling container.
The material of the auxiliary container is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of a resin in terms of processability. For example, polyester, polycarbonate or an acrylic resin is used. It is preferable because it becomes visible.
In addition, a base (packing) made of a material made of a cushion, such as a sponge, is fixed to the tip of the tubular body of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container to form a discharge port. It is preferable to install the container such that the opening of the container for powder filling is in contact with the base, since the impact can be reduced.
Further, it is preferable to use a powder filling device having a lifting means for raising and lowering the auxiliary container and to raise and lower the auxiliary container, because replacement of the powder filling container can be facilitated.
Further, the auxiliary container (70) can be moved up and down by elevating means (73) in order to replace the auxiliary container (40) with another powder-filled container after filling a predetermined amount of powder into the powder-filling container (40). .
[0059]
As described above, the auxiliary container (70) shown in FIG. 3 naturally releases gas, that is, mainly air, between the powders dropped from the measuring tank and temporarily stored in the auxiliary container from the opening of the conical bottom (71). It is installed for discharging, and then the powder is dropped into the powder filling container (40). If air is present in the powder filling container (40) after the drop, the auxiliary container (70) ) Is released from the gap between the cylindrical opening (72) and the powder filling container (40), and a deaeration tube is inserted into the powder in the powder filling container (40) to suck and discharge. It is also possible.
[0060]
Further, as the auxiliary container (70) used in the powder filling system of the present invention, a container provided with a gas replacement means is applicable.
An example will be described with reference to FIG. 7, but the auxiliary container (70) provided with the gas replacement means (74) is not limited to this example.
The powder discharge port (31) at the tip of the measuring tank (30) is installed so as to be inserted into the opening (71a) of the conical bottom (71) of the auxiliary container (70). The cylindrical portion (72) having the discharge port (72a) is inserted so as to be inserted into the opening (41) of the powder filling container (40).
The gas replacement means (74) is provided integrally with the auxiliary container (70).
The gas replacement means (74) is composed of a ventilation pipe (74a), and one ventilation port (74b) is provided around the discharge port (72a) of the auxiliary container (70) at the conical bottom of the auxiliary container (70). The other vent (74c) is formed in the upper part of (75).
The shape of the ventilation pipe portion (74d) near the portion where the conical wall portion (75) of the auxiliary container (70) changes from the conical wall portion (75) to the cylindrical portion (72) is parallel to and substantially planar with the conical bottom portion (71), A base (76) made of a cushioning material is attached to the periphery.
When the powder container is installed, the base (76) reduces the impact of the opening (41) of the powder container (40) and creates a sealed state between the auxiliary container and the powder container. It has.
[0061]
The powder discharged from the measuring tank is sequentially dropped into the funnel-shaped auxiliary container provided with the gas replacement means and then into a powder filling container to be filled.
The air present along with the powder in the powder filling container after dropping from the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is circulated through the ventilation pipe into the auxiliary container, and the opening of the auxiliary container and the air in the measuring tank are circulated. When the air is discharged from the gap provided between the cylindrical body having the powder discharge port and the air remains in the powder filling container, the discharge port of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container and the powder filling are discharged. A gap may be provided between the openings of the container, and the gas may be released from the gap.
According to the method of using a funnel-shaped auxiliary container provided with a ventilation pipe, the need to perform the operation of removing air between the powder after falling into the powder filling container is reduced, so that the powder has a high density. The time required to produce a filled powder-filled container is reduced, which is effective in increasing the filling speed.
[0062]
Further, in the filling system of the present invention, a pressure adjusting means (not shown) for increasing or decreasing the internal air pressure can be provided in the measuring tank (30), and such a pressure adjusting means can be used instead of a powder fluidizing means. It can be provided in the hopper (10) or can be provided in the powder fluidization hopper (10). Such a pressure adjusting means includes a pressure state in the powder fluidizing hopper (10) and / or the measuring tank (30) in a state where gas is supplied from the powder fluidizing means (15), and a toner cloud state. Contributes to the adjustment of
[0063]
On the other hand, the powder filling system of the present invention preferably has a filling powder weight managing means for controlling the amount of the filling powder in the powder filling container (40). The weight managing means (60) has a load cell (61) for placing the powder filling container (40) thereon and measuring the charged toner weight.
The load cell (61) is provided on a lifter (61a) for raising and lowering the load cell and appropriately changing the distance between the measuring tank (30) and the powder filling container (40).
The load cell (61) is provided with a monitor (63) for displaying the measured weight of the filled powder.
[0064]
As such a monitoring means, the electromotive force changes directly based on a voltage signal from the pressure receiving detecting means which detects a voltage changed according to the degree of elastic deformation under weight or pressure, or directly according to the receiving pressure. Known display means capable of displaying the measured weight can be used based on a signal generated from a pressure detecting element such as a piezoelectric element to be used. The filling can be performed or terminated while the filling is in progress.
[0065]
In the powder filling apparatus of the present invention, a filled powder weight managing means (60) can be used. In this case, for example, the empty weight and the powder of the powder filling container (40) are reduced. An arithmetic processing unit (62) for measuring the weight of the filled powder filling container (40) and calculating the filled powder weight can be provided.
[0066]
The arithmetic processing unit (62) has input means (64), and inputs the expected weight of the powder to be filled while watching the weight displayed on, for example, the monitor means (63). , And the input expected filling weight can be changed.
The arithmetic processing device (62) transmits a drive command signal from the communication line (67) to the drive control device (39a) for the drive source (39b) of the drive device (39) based on the calculation result, The drive control device (39a) raises and lowers the discharge control pipe (32c) of the filling amount regulating means based on the drive control device, and adjusts the opening / closing degree of the discharge port of the measuring tank.
The same applies to the case in which the filling amount regulating means of the measuring tank uses a member provided in the vicinity of the powder discharge port of the measuring tank and formed of a member that does not allow passage of the powder and an external gas suction means that communicates with the member. The degree of gas suction by the gas suction means can be adjusted based on the drive command signal.
As the arithmetic processing unit (62), various types are used, from a simple analog type voltage comparator to various CPUs including a microcomputer chip. For example, an A / D converter that converts a pulse signal according to the potential difference can be attached).
[0067]
The input means (64) in this example is a button and a rotary knob of a digital switch as a code generator (binary code), but can be a keyboard when the arithmetic processing unit (62) is a CPU. In this case, of course, various data including weight are rewritably stored (that is, sequentially called by the CPU and operated) (based on the result of the operation and / or the result of the input signal from the input means). .
A RAM for sequentially storing the calculation results again and a ROM for callably storing various programs including a processing program for performing arithmetic processing on the various data and various command information transmission programs can be provided.
The arithmetic processing device (62) may be configured to have a program for transmitting, for example, an opening / closing command signal for each of the air supply control valves based on the calculation result.
[0068]
Further, in the powder filling system of the present invention, a plurality of connecting pipes for connecting the powder fluidizing hopper (10) and the measuring tank (30) are provided (for example, the connecting pipe (16) in FIG. 3). Can transfer powder from different locations of the powder fluidization hopper to the filling cylinder, and furthermore, wherein one of the connecting tubes is located in the upper space of the metering tank (30). A pressure adjusting member for maintaining the pressure at or below the atmospheric pressure can be used.
[0069]
In the filling system of the present invention, as the amount of powder accumulated on the powder discharge port side of the powder fluidization hopper increases, the resistance of air increases accordingly, and the transfer speed of the powder in the connecting pipe decreases, and the transfer speed decreases. May stop automatically.
Fluidization of the powder prevents this, but the degree of expansion (about the size of the powder cloud) of the powder layer due to air supply into the powder fluidization hopper is 20% of the depth of the powder layer. It should be adjusted to about 500%, and if it is less than this, it is difficult to discharge smoothly. If it is more than this, local vortex of the powder or blow-up in the container occurs, which is not preferable.
The degree of expansion of the powder layer in the measuring tank (about the size of the toner cloud) is preferably adjusted to about 25% to 600% of the depth of the powder layer. Further, as means for increasing the bulk density of the fluidized powder layer, the air slider of the porous plate may be divided and the supply air may be intermittently sent to transport the powder in divided pulse form.
[0070]
The continuous powder filling method and the filling system of the present invention are applicable to various powders, but are particularly effective for electrophotographic toners, and their types are not limited. For example, a two-component non-magnetic black toner One-component nonmagnetic color toner, one-component nonmagnetic black toner, one-component magnetic black toner, or the like can be used.
[0071]
【Example】
Hereinafter, a continuous powder filling method and a filling system according to the present invention will be described with reference to a powder filling system shown in FIG. 3, which is provided with gas replacement means as an auxiliary container (70). A description will be given using an example applied to (1).
[0072]
First, the specifications of each component of the powder filling system and each component used in conjunction therewith will be described.
Powder supply hopper
Funnel-shaped stainless steel, capacity: 250 liters,
The diameter of the opening: 700 mm, the diameter of the outlet of the cylindrical portion: 140 mm,
The length of the cylindrical part: 450 mm,
Angle (θ) between the funnel-shaped conical wall portion and the cylindrical portion: 60 °
Toner used
Two-component non-magnetic black toner (toner with external additives)
(Type 8000 toner for Ricoh color laser printer.
Average volume particle size: 1.2 μm. True specific gravity: 1.2)
3. Powder fluidization hopper
-Shape and material: stainless steel as shown in Fig. 4
・ Capacity and size.
Capacity: 45 liters
Width (side walls 13a and 13b): 470 mm,
Depth (side walls 13c and 13d): 400 mm
Device height (h): 750 mm, cube height (k): 360 mm
A fluidized bed at the bottom (14).
Fluid beds using a sintered resin porous material were installed at five locations.
Sintered resin porous material:
Porous polyethylene, 5mm (thickness) x 10mm (width) x 100mm (length)
Average pore size: 10 μm, porosity: 30%
4. Measuring tank
A cylindrical body made of stainless steel in which a cylindrical body having a powder discharge port is enlarged in the middle and becomes thicker.
Overall length: 400 mm, diameter of thick part: 100 mm, diameter of powder discharge port: 10 mm, length from powder discharge port to enlarged diameter part: 80 mm, diameter of enlarged diameter part: 70 ° and
Installation position of the filling amount regulating means from the powder discharge port: 50 mm.
Filling amount control means (shown in FIG. 6b)
.Providing a discharge amount adjustment function section (A) and a discharge stop function section (B)
-Four through-holes are provided at equal intervals around each part of the cylindrical body where the discharge amount adjusting function part (A) and the discharge stop function part (B) are provided, and (A) has a width of 30 mm. And (B), a stainless steel mesh (twill tatami weave. 500/3500) having a width of 10 mm is applied so as to be wound.
-Further, a stainless steel wall is formed so as to form a space around the outside of each filter material so that there is no gas leakage, and a gas outlet is provided in this wall.
-Two ME-60 (made by Koganei) are used as gas suction means, and each gas outlet is connected to one gas suction means.
5. Auxiliary container
・ Polyester funnel-shaped container.
A sponge base is attached to the discharge port, and as shown in FIG. 7, a gas vent pipe penetrates from the vicinity of the discharge port of the tubular body to the upper part of the funnel wall as gas replacement means and is integrally provided. What was done.
Conical bottom diameter: 165 mm, total length: 280 mm, diameter of tubular body provided with outlet: 11 mm, cone top angle: 60 °.
6. Powder filling container
Made of cylindrical polyester having a diameter of 100 mm, a length of 200 mm, a volume of 1560 cc and an opening of 20 mm in diameter.
[0073]
Specific contents obtained by continuously processing about 8 t of toner by the continuous powder filling method of the present invention using the powder filling system including such elements will be described.
A powder filling system in which each of the above components was installed as shown in FIG. 3 was prepared in advance.
In addition, the auxiliary container elevating means sets and fixes a predetermined position such that the approximate center of the conical bottom of the auxiliary container matches the powder discharge port of the measuring tank.
Further, a load cell is used as a weight control means, and an empty powder filling container (40) containing no powder is placed on the load cell (61), and the weight is measured. The opening of the filling container is raised to the position of the base (76) near the outlet (72a) of the auxiliary container and fixed.
[0074]
First, the toner stored in about 70% of the volume in the powder supply hopper is dropped into the powder fluidization hopper with the powder discharge port of the powder fluidization hopper closed, and the volume is reduced. 80% of the total.
Next, of the five fluidized beds of the powder fluidization hopper, air was introduced into the inside from the four fluidized beds on the powder outlet side at an air pressure of about 0.3 MPa for a constant speed (toner of toner) for about 5 minutes. The amount of air that is balanced when the surface of the powder layer is stationary: 900 ml / 200 cm ² . 1 min [the amount of air per unit time unit fluidized bed area]) to form a fluidized portion and a non-fluidized portion on the surface of the powder layer in the powder fluidized hopper.
After inserting the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper into the non-fluidized portion of the powder layer about 15 cm, the powder discharge port of the powder fluidized hopper was opened, and the powder in the powder fluidized hopper was removed. Discharge transfer to the measuring tank was started. After the start, the introduction of air was continued under the same conditions until the toner filling process of 8t was completed.
[0075]
After the toner transferred into the measuring layer (30) is dropped from the powder discharge port (31) of the measuring layer into the funnel-shaped auxiliary container, the toner is further dropped from the auxiliary container into the powder filling container (40). Thus, the operation of filling the toner into one container was completed.
In this case, the toner was initially dropped under the flow rate condition of 55 g / sec, but when the amount of toner in the container became 90% of the predetermined amount, the discharge amount adjusting function part (A) of the filling amount regulating means of the measuring tank was used. Was operated at −15 kPa to reduce the flow rate to 5 g / sec.
[0076]
When the operation of filling the toner into one filling container is completed, the suction means connected to the discharge stop function section (B) of the filling amount regulating means of the measuring tank is operated to stop the toner from falling, and the next powder filling is performed. After the container is set in the auxiliary container, the operation of the suction means connected to the discharge stop function unit (B) is stopped, the toner starts to fall, and the toner filling operation is repeated continuously in the same manner. The operation of filling the container with 8 tons of toner was completed in about 120 hours, and 14,500 containers filled with toner were produced.
In the filling operation performed in about 120 hours, the supply of the toner from the powder supply hopper to the powder fluidization hopper is performed without stagnation and without overflowing from the powder fluidization hopper. Containers that were continuously produced without interruption.
[0077]
The 8t toner was supplied to the powder supply hopper 20 times at a rate of 400 kg / lot at such a timing that the powder supply hopper would not become empty.
[0078]
It was further confirmed that the continuous powder filling method of the present invention thus performed had the following effects.
Note that the filling speed is a time required from the time when one container is set in the filling device to the time when filling is completed, and does not include the preparation time including the container setting time.
(1) Filling speed: 10 sec (550 g / container)
Filling density of toner in filling container: 0.38 g / cc
(3) State of external additive of toner after filling:
The detachment and buried state of the external additive was observed by comparing with the state before filling by SEM photograph, and it was confirmed that the external additive was normally attached to the surface of the toner particles.
I accepted.
(4) Image obtained by toner after filling:
Ricoh color printer using filled toner. As a result of continuous printing of 20,000 sheets of images using the ipsio color 8000, any
No defective image was generated.
[0079]
(Comparative example)
As in the case of the continuous powder filling method of the present invention, the powder is supplied from the powder supply hopper when formed without forming a fluidized portion and a non-fluidized portion on the toner layer surface in the powder fluidized hopper. The state of toner supply to the fluidized hopper was observed.
1) When the whole toner layer in the powder fluidization hopper is fluidized
The toner supply from the powder supply hopper became excessive, overflowed from the powder fluidization hopper, and the upper opening of the powder fluidization hopper was covered with a flexible nylon cover to stop the overflow. Was scattered, and it was confirmed that continuous production of the toner-filled container was impossible.
2) When the entire toner layer in the powder fluidization hopper is made non-fluidized
The transfer of the toner from the powder fluidizing hopper to the measuring tank stops when nine toner filled containers are produced, and a hole (rat hole) is formed in the toner layer in the powder supply hopper. It was confirmed that a toner bridging state occurred and continuous production of a toner-filled container was impossible.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
As apparent from the detailed and specific description above, according to the continuous powder supply method of the present invention, a large amount of powder, particularly electrophotographic toner, can be continuously supplied without interruption.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the continuous powder filling method and the filling system of this invention, a large amount of powder, especially an electrophotographic toner, can be continuously processed without interruption, and a large number of containers filled with powder are continuously produced. be able to.
Specifically, according to the continuous powder filling method and the filling system of the present invention, using a powder supply hopper having a function of temporarily storing powder and a powder fluidization hopper having a function of fluidizing powder. Thus, the powder in the powder supply hopper can be transferred into the powder fluidization hopper without overflowing and without stopping from the powder fluidization hopper.
Further, according to the continuous powder filling method and the filling system of the present invention, without applying any particular stress to the toner for electrophotography, it is possible to prevent the separation, falling off, and embedding of the ultrafine particles carried on the toner surface, and to improve the various properties. It can be carried out without impairing physical properties and compoundability.
Furthermore, according to the continuous powder filling method and the filling system of the present invention, a desired amount of powder can be quickly and accurately filled into a powder filling container without excess, shortage, and transfer of powder in the middle of a production line. It can also be used as an apparatus, and can be filled into a powder filling container from a powder fluidizing hopper without polluting the working environment and workers without danger.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a previously proposed powder filling system.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a powder supply mechanism in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the powder filling system of the present invention using a powder supply hopper.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a powder fluidization hopper according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the powder filling system of the present invention using a powder supply hopper.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a filling amount regulating means of a measuring layer used in the powder filling system of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a funnel-shaped auxiliary container having gas replacement means according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Fluidizing hopper (large container)
11 Powder discharge port of powder fluidization hopper
12 Inner wall of powder fluidization hopper
12a Inner wall of powder fluidization hopper
12b Inner wall of powder fluidization hopper
12c Inner wall of powder fluidization hopper
13 Side wall of powder fluidization hopper
13a Side wall of powder fluidization hopper
13b Side wall of powder fluidization hopper
13c Side wall of powder fluidization hopper
13d Side wall of fluidized powder hopper
e Bottom end of powder fluidization hopper
h Height of powder fluidization hopper
i Insertion part of cylindrical part of powder supply hopper
k Cube height of powder fluidization hopper
14 Bottom (valley line)
15 Powder fluidization means
15a Introduction pipe
15b Air supply control valve
16 Connecting pipe
20 Connecting pipe
21 Second powder fluidization means
21a 2nd introduction pipe
21b Air supply control valve
30 measuring tank
30a sleeve
31 Powder discharge port
32 Filling amount control means
32a elastic ring
32b discharge control means
32c discharge control tube
32d discharge control member
33a Third introduction pipe
33b Air supply control valve
34 Filling amount control means using filter material
34a Gas suction means
34b gas suction tube
37 Covering member
39 Drive
39a Drive control device
39b drive source
40 Container for powder filling
41 Opening of powder filling container
50 Through-hole for filling amount control means
51 Filter material for filling amount control means
52 Wall of filling amount control means
53 Space part of filling amount control means
A Discharge volume adjustment function
B Discharge rate stop function section
60 Weight control means for filled powder
61 load cell
61a Lifter
62 Arithmetic processing unit
63 Monitoring means
64 input means
65 Communication line
66 Communication line
67 Communication line
68 Communication line
70 Auxiliary container (conical funnel)
71 Conical bottom of auxiliary container
71a Open mouth provided at the bottom of the cone
72 Cylindrical part with auxiliary container outlet
72a outlet in cylindrical part of auxiliary container
73 Auxiliary container elevating means
74 Gas replacement means
74a ventilation tube
74b vent hole of vent pipe
74c vent pipe vent
74d Ventilation pipe section changing from conical wall section to cylindrical section
75 Conical wall
76 base
80 Powder supply hopper
81 Tubular part of powder supply hopper
82 Powder supply hopper opening
84 Conical wall
a Fluidized part
b Non-fluidized part
c boundary surface
s Surface of powder layer

Claims

A powder fluidization hopper having a powder discharge port and having a powder fluidization means is arranged at a lower portion of a powder supply hopper comprising a storage portion for storing the powder and a cylindrical portion for discharging the powder. And supplying the powder in the powder supply hopper into the powder fluidization hopper, and then discharging the powder from the powder discharge port. A gas is introduced by the powder fluidization means to form a fluidized portion and a non-fluidized portion on the surface portion of the powder layer supplied into the powder fluidized hopper, where the fluidized portion is formed. After inserting at least the distal end of the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper into the fluidized portion so as to be buried, opening the powder discharge port, wherein the powder in the powder supply hopper is A method in which the supply into the powder fluidization hopper and the discharge from the powder fluidization hopper are continuously performed. .

The powder discharge port is provided at one end of the bottom of the powder fluidization hopper, and the surface non-fluidized portion of the powder group into which the cylindrical portion of the powder supply hopper is inserted is formed of the powder fluidization hopper. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bottom is formed above a portion of the bottom opposite to the end where the powder outlet is provided.

3. A continuous powder filling method, wherein the powder discharged by the method according to claim 1 or 2 is continuously filled into a large number of powder filling containers.

Using a measuring tank provided with a filling amount regulating means communicating with the powder discharge port of the powder fluidizing hopper, the powder discharged from the powder discharging port of the powder fluidizing hopper is temporarily put into the measuring tank. Transferring the powder from the measuring tank and filling it into a powder filling container, wherein the amount of powder discharged from the measuring tank is controlled by the filling amount regulating means of the measuring tank. The method for filling a continuous powder according to claim 3, wherein:

5. The continuous powder filling method according to claim 4, wherein said filling amount regulating means basically comprises opening degree regulating means for said discharge port provided at a powder discharge port portion of said measuring tank.

The opening degree regulating means is made of a member that can be inserted into and removed from the powder discharge port from inside the measuring tank, and the member is inserted and removed to adjust the opening and closing degree of the powder discharge port in accordance with the degree. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method is restricted.

The opening degree regulating means includes a member provided in the vicinity of the powder discharge port, which allows gas to pass therethrough and does not allow powder to pass therethrough, and external gas suction means communicating with the member. The method according to claim 5, wherein the degree of opening and closing of the filling powder discharge port is regulated according to the degree of suction.

Using a funnel-shaped auxiliary container, the open mouth of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is below the powder discharge port of the measuring tank, and the small-diameter mouth of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is at the opening of the powder filling container. It is arranged so as to be inserted, the powder discharged from the measuring tank is once dropped into the auxiliary container, and the air between the powder accumulated in the auxiliary container is spontaneously released from the opening of the auxiliary container. 8. The continuous powder filling method according to claim 4, wherein the powder is dropped into the powder filling container while or after discharging.

Using a funnel-shaped auxiliary container, the circular bottom of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container forms a planar wall provided with an opening for inserting the powder discharge port of the measuring tank, and the funnel-shaped auxiliary container has a small-diameter opening. Provided with a vent pipe connecting the portion and the circular bottom or the vicinity thereof, wherein the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is arranged between the measuring tank and the powder filling container, and is discharged from the measuring tank. Powder is sequentially dropped into the auxiliary container and then into the powder filling container, the air in the powder filling container is circulated through the ventilation pipe into the auxiliary container, and the bottom opening of the auxiliary container and the measuring tank are circulated. The continuous powder filling method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the powder is discharged to the outside from a gap between the powder discharge port and the powder discharge port.

10. The continuous powder filling method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a charged powder weight managing means for controlling the amount of powder charged into the powder filling container is used.

The measurement of the weight of the entire powder filling container before and after the filling of the powder by the powder weight managing means and the adjustment of the degree of opening and closing of the powder discharge port of the measuring tank by the filling amount regulating means are linked. The method for filling a continuous powder according to claim 10, wherein the amount of the filled powder is controlled by the method.

12. The method according to claim 3, wherein the powder is an electrophotographic toner.

A plurality of containers filled with a powder produced by the method according to claim 3.

A continuous powder filling system used for continuously filling a plurality of powder filling containers with powder discharged by the method according to claim 1, wherein the system is connected to a powder fluidization hopper. It is composed of a measuring tank having a filling amount regulating means and a powder supply hopper disposed above the powder fluidization hopper, and after setting a powder filling container below the measuring tank, the inside of the powder supply hopper is A continuous powder filling system wherein powder is supplied to a powder fluidization hopper, transferred to a measuring tank, and then dropped into a powder filling container to fill the container with powder.

The powder fluidization hopper has at least one inclined inner wall portion, and the inclined inner wall portion facilitates discharge of powder stored therein. Continuous powder filling system.

A plurality of slanted inner wall portions, a valley formed by the plurality of slanted inner wall portions forms a bottom portion of the powder fluidization hopper, and the bottom portion is provided with a fluidized bed constituting fluidization means; The continuous powder filling system according to claim 15, characterized in that:

17. The continuous powder filling system according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of fluidized beds are provided at the bottom.

The filling amount regulating means includes an elastic ring fixed to a powder discharge port of the measuring tank, and a discharge control means for controlling discharge of powder from the powder discharge port. A discharge amount control member attached to a discharge control tube that moves up and down the measuring tank. The discharge amount control member is inserted into and removed from the powder discharge port to open and close the powder discharge port. The powder filling system according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the member is a member.

The degree of opening and closing of the powder discharge port is adjusted by the degree of insertion of the conical discharge control member into the opening of the elastic ring, which depends on the degree of elevation of the discharge control pipe in the measuring tank. The powder filling system according to claim 18, characterized in that:

The filling amount regulating means is at least made of a filter material that passes gas and does not allow powder to pass therethrough, and attracts the powder to the filter material by gas suction means that is in communication with the filling amount regulating means. 18. The powder filling system according to claim 13, wherein the discharge amount is controlled.

The filling amount regulating means is fixed so that the filter material covers a through hole provided in the tubular body itself, and is provided with a wall which forms a space outside the filter material fixing portion and prevents gas leakage. The powder filling system according to claim 20, wherein the powder filling system is provided.

22. The powder filling system according to claim 20, wherein the filter material is a twill tatami weave.

A funnel-shaped auxiliary container is installed between the measuring tank and the powder filling container, and the powder discharged from the measuring tank is dropped into the inside of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container from an opening that forms a conical bottom. The continuous powder filling system according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that:

A funnel-shaped auxiliary container is installed between the measuring tank and the powder filling container, and the conical bottom of the funnel-shaped auxiliary container has a flat surface provided with an opening for dropping powder discharged from the measuring tank. Wall, and the funnel-shaped auxiliary container is provided with gas replacement means comprising a ventilation pipe installed and fixed from the vicinity of the powder discharge port at the tip of the auxiliary container to the upper part of the auxiliary container. A continuous powder filling system according to any of claims 13 to 22.

25. The continuous powder filling system according to any one of claims 13 to 24, further comprising a charged powder weight managing means for controlling an amount of powder charged into the powder filled container.

26. The continuous powder filling system according to claim 25, wherein the charged toner weight managing means has a load cell for measuring the charged toner weight.

An arithmetic process of calculating the filled powder weight from the empty weight of the powder filling container in the load cell and the total weight of the powder filling container filled with powder in the load cell; 27. The continuous powder filling system according to claim 26, comprising an apparatus.