JP2005067654A - Apparatus for filling powder, container for storing powder and method for mounting it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To successively fill powders in a plurality of containers for storing the powders into containers and to avoid mixing the powders in each container for storing the powder by only replacing the container for storing the powder without preparing a plurality of fluidizing layer forming devices with high manufacturing costs. <P>SOLUTION: In the container 10 for storing the powder, its top face and bottom face are opened, and the powder can be stored inside. An opening of the bottom face is freely removably connected with the fluidized layer forming device 2 of the apparatus for filling the powder in which the powder is fluidized by feeding air from the bottom face into the powder of the inside. An opening of the top face is freely removably connected with a lid body 3 being a top lid of the apparatus for filling with the powder. Lid bodies 52 are freely removably mounted to the top face and the bottom face under a condition where the fluidizing layer forming device 2 and the lid body 3 are removed. At first, the lid body 52 mounted on the top face as an upper lid is removed, and instead of this, the fluidizing layer forming device 2 is mounted (the first process). Then, the container 10 for storing the powder is turned upside down to make the bottom face to an upper face, and the lid body 52 mounted on this upper face is removed, and instead of this, the lid body 3 is mounted (the second process). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder filling apparatus for fluidizing powder and filling the container, a powder storage container used in the powder filling apparatus, and a method for mounting the powder storage container on the powder filling apparatus.

  In Patent Documents 1 to 4, air is supplied from the bottom of a container containing powder to fluidize the powder, and this fluid powder is led out from a conduit provided on the top lid of the container to another container. A powder filling apparatus for filling is disclosed.

JP 2002-293301 A JP 2002-296886 A JP 2002-337801 A JP 2003-104301 A

  However, when powder such as toner is filled in a container using the above-described powder filling device, it is inconvenient that the powders of different lots are mixed in the powder filling device. Therefore, when trying to fill a container with powders of different lots one after another using a powder filling device, a large number of powder filling devices must be prepared, which is expensive in terms of manufacturing cost. There is a problem of requiring a large number of devices for fluidizing powder.

  In addition, when a large number of powder filling devices cannot be prepared, it is necessary to clean the inside of the container every time. However, since the conventional container has a single lid structure in which only the upper lid is opened, it is difficult to clean the inside. There was also a problem.

  The object of the present invention is to replace only the powder storage container without using many high-cost fluidized bed forming apparatuses, and to turn the powder in a plurality of powder storage containers into containers one after another. It is possible to fill the powder and prevent the powder in each powder container from being mixed.

  Another object of the present invention is to facilitate cleaning of the powder container.

  Another object of the present invention is that powder storage containers in which powder is stored and stored in advance are attached to one powder filling device one after another, and powder filling can be performed. Is to do so.

  The invention according to claim 1 is detachable from a powder storage container having an open top surface and a bottom surface for storing powder, and an opening in the bottom surface of the powder storage container. A fluidized bed forming apparatus for supplying air to the powder in the storage container to fluidize the powder; and a first lid that is an upper cover detachably attached to the opening on the upper surface of the powder storage container. It is a powder filling device provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the first aspect, the second lid body is attached to and detached from the upper surface and the bottom surface with the fluidized bed forming device and the first lid body being detached. It is free.

  The invention according to claim 3 is provided with a container body having an upper surface and a bottom surface that are open and storing powder therein, and air is supplied to the internal powder from the bottom surface to the opening of the bottom surface. A fluidized bed forming device of a powder filling device for fluidizing the powder is detachable, and a first lid, which is an upper lid of the powder filling device, is detachably attached to the opening of the upper surface, On the bottom surface is a powder container in which the second lid is detachable with the fluidized bed forming device and the first lid removed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an upper surface and a bottom surface are opened and powder is stored therein, and air is supplied from the bottom surface to the internal powder through the bottom surface opening. A fluidized bed forming device of a powder filling device to be fluidized is detachable, a first lid which is an upper lid of the powder filling device is detachable from the opening on the upper surface, and The second lid attached to the upper surface as an upper lid is removed from the container body in which the second lid is detachably attached in a state where the fluidized bed forming device and the first lid are removed. Instead, the first step of mounting the fluidized bed forming device, and thereafter, the container body is turned upside down and the bottom surface is the top surface, and the second lid mounted on the top surface is removed. And a second step of mounting the first lid instead. Which is a method of attachment.

  According to the present invention, when the operation of fluidizing the powder in the powder container and filling it in another container is performed, the fluidized bed forming device and the first lid can be easily attached. Even without preparing a large number of fluidized bed forming devices with high production costs, it is possible to replace only the powder storage container and fill the containers one after another with powder in multiple powder storage containers. Moreover, the powder in each powder container does not mix. Moreover, since the upper and lower sides are opened, the inside of the powder container can be easily cleaned.

  According to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, the powder container can be attached and detached with the fluid lid forming device and the first lid removed from the upper and lower openings. The powder storage container in which the powder is stored and stored in the fluid bed forming device without the first lid in advance is attached to one powder filling device one after another. Filling can be performed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a powder filling apparatus of the present invention. 1 includes a powder container 10, an air header 11, a vent porous plate 12, a powder outlet tube 13, a powder filling container 14, a filling nozzle 15, a soft packing 16, and a vent porous plate. 17, pressure release valve 18, powder flow rate adjustment valve 19, powder inlet 20, fluidized powder transport pipe 21, first pressure gauge 22, second pressure gauge 23, third pressure gauge 24, and fourth pressure gauge 25. The first pressure reducing valve 26, the second pressure reducing valve 27, the air flow meter 28, the introduction gas regulating valve 29, the compressed air piping 30, and the like.

  The powder container 10 serves as a container body, and normally stores the powder 31 in a sealed state. The fluidized bed forming apparatus 2 configured to supply air to the powder 31 to form a fluidized bed is constituted by the air header 11 and the vent porous plate 12. The air header 11 is provided at the bottom of the powder container 10. The air header 11 detachably accommodates the perforated porous plate 12 that supplies air for forming a fluidized bed of the powder 31 to the powder 31, and the compressed air pipe 30. Can be installed and removed freely. The perforated porous plate 12 is a sieve that separates gas and powder, and is composed of a sintered metal plate, a sintered resin plate, a fine wire mesh, or the like.

  The lid 3 that is the first lid attached to the opening in the upper part of the powder container 10 has a powder inlet 20, a pressure release valve 18, a powder flow rate adjustment valve 19, a powder outlet pipe 13, and the like. Is provided.

  The powder inlet 20 with the closing valve is an inlet for the powder 31 stored in the powder container 10. The pressure release valve 18 is for releasing or sealing the internal pressure in the powder container 10. The powder flow rate adjusting valve 19 finely adjusts the internal pressure in the powder container 10. The compressed air pipe 30 is made of, for example, a stainless steel pipe.

  The fluidized powder transport pipe 21 is a transport path for transporting the fluidized powder 31 to the filling nozzle 15 and is detachably connected to the filling nozzle 15. The fluidized powder transport pipe 21 is composed of a urethane tube or the like. The filling nozzle 15 is detachably connected to the fluidized powder transport pipe 21 and is composed of, for example, a stainless steel filling pipe.

  The 1st-4th pressure gauges 22-25 measure the pressure of a predetermined part. The first and second pressure reducing valves 26 and 27 are valves for depressurizing a predetermined portion. The air flow meter 28 measures the flow rate of air flowing into the air header 11. The introduction gas adjustment valve 29 is for adjusting the amount of gas flowing into the air header 11.

  According to the powder filling apparatus 1 having such a configuration, air is supplied by the fluidized bed forming apparatus 2 attached to the opening at the bottom of the powder container 10 to flow the powder 31 in the powder container 10. Through the powder lead-out pipe 13 which is the lead-out path of the fluidized powder 31 provided on the lid 3, and further through the fluidized powder transport pipe 21, the vent porous plate 17 and the filling nozzle 15. The fluidized powder 31 can be filled in the powder filling container 14.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing another configuration example of the powder filling apparatus. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are used for the same members as in FIG. 2 includes a powder container 10, an air header 11, a vent porous plate 12, a powder outlet tube 13, a powder filling container 14, a filling nozzle 15, a soft packing 16, and a vent porous plate. 17, pressure release valve 18, powder flow rate adjustment valve 19, powder inlet 20, fourth pressure gauge 25, introduction gas adjustment valve 29, power plug 40, motor 41, holding frame 42, pump 43, check valve 44 , A ventilation pipe 45, a gas distribution plate 46, a conduit 47, and the like.

  The powder container 10 normally stores the powder 31 in a sealed state. The powder container 10 is made of a flexible material, for example. The air header 11, the perforated porous plate 12, the vent pipe 45, etc. The air header 11 has a connecting flange which is attached to and detachably coupled to the lower flange of the powder container 10 at the upper portion, and the air vent perforated plate 12 for forming a fluidized bed of the powder 31 is removable. And the vent pipe 45 is fitted in and removed freely.

  The powder inlet 20 with the closing valve is an inlet for the powder 31 stored in the powder container 10. The pressure release valve 18 is for releasing or sealing the internal pressure in the powder container 10. The powder flow rate adjusting valve 19 finely adjusts the internal pressure in the powder container 10.

  The conduit 47 is a transport path for transporting the fluidized powder 31 to the filling nozzle 15, and is connected to the filling nozzle 15 so as to be detachable. The conduit 47 is composed of a urethane tube or the like. The filling nozzle 15 is detachably connected to the conduit 47, and is composed of, for example, a stainless filling tube. At the base of the filling nozzle 15, a ventilation hole having a shape wound around with a soft packing 16 made of, for example, a truncated cone-shaped polypropylene ring having a size enough to fit into the mouth of the powder filling container 14. A plate 17 is provided.

  The fourth pressure gauge 25 measures the pressure in the powder container 10. The introduction gas adjustment valve 29 adjusts the amount of gas flowing into the air header 11.

  The motor 41 to which the power plug 40 is connected expands and contracts the bellows structure pump 43. The pump 43 is attached to the holding frame 42 and is detachably fixed, and sends air to the air header 11 via the check valve 44 and the vent pipe 45 by expansion and contraction. Further, the powder container 10 vibrates through the holding frame 42 due to the expansion and contraction of the pump 43, and the powder 31 in the powder container 10 is fluidized.

  In the powder filling apparatus 1 of FIG. 2, the powder 31 in the powder container 10 is fluidized and fluidized via the powder outlet tube 13, the conduit 47, the vent porous plate 17, and the filling nozzle 15. The powder 31 is filled in the powder filling container 14.

  The details of the configuration and operation of the powder filling apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above are described in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like, and are not described here.

  Next, the powder container 10 will be described in detail.

  3 to 5 are explanatory views of the powder container 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the powder container 10 is, for example, a cylindrical container, and both upper and lower surfaces thereof are open, and the upper and lower openings 51 have lid bodies 52 that are second lid bodies, respectively. It is detachable. Then, a lid 52 is attached to one opening 51 of the powder container 10 to form a bottom plate, and powder 31 such as toner powder is accommodated therein, and a lid 52 is attached to the other opening 51 as an upper lid. Then, the powder 31 can be stored and stored.

  And the powder container 10 can remove | desorb the cover body 52 from the opening 51, the fluidized bed formation apparatus 2 and the cover body 3 can be attached or detached to each opening 51, respectively, and the fluidized bed formation apparatus 2 to each opening 51, When the lid 3 is mounted, the powder container 10 is sealed with the fluidized bed forming device 2 and the lid 3, and the powder 31 in the powder container 10 is fluidized and filled with powder as described above. The container 14 can be filled.

  The operation of attaching the fluidized bed forming device 2 and the lid 3 to the powder container 10 is specifically performed as follows.

(1) First Step First, as shown in FIG. 4, the lid 52 serving as the upper lid of the powder container 10 sealed by the two lids 52 is detached and flows into the opening 51. The layer forming apparatus 2 is mounted with the air ejection side facing the inside of the powder container 10.

(2) Second Step Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the powder container 10 is turned upside down, the other lid 52 is detached, and the lid 3 is attached to the opening 51.

  Thus, the operation of mounting the fluidized bed forming device 2 and the lid 3 on the powder container 10 is completed.

  As described above, the powder container 10 is formed with the openings 51 in the upper and lower sides, and the lids 52 can be attached to and detached from the openings 51. Therefore, if the lids 52 are attached, the powder 31 is placed inside. Can be stored and stored. When fluidizing the powder 31 in the powder container 10 and filling the powder filling container 14, the lid 52 is detached and the fluidized bed forming device 2 and the lid 3 are easily attached. Therefore, the powder in the plurality of powder storage containers 10 can be replaced by replacing only the powder storage container 10 without preparing a number of fluidized bed forming apparatuses 2 with high production costs. 31 can be filled one after another into the powder filling container 14, and the powder 31 in each powder container 10 is not mixed.

  Further, the powder storage container 10 is formed with openings 51 in the upper and lower sides, and a lid 52 can be attached to and detached from each opening 51. Therefore, if the lid 52 is detached, the inside of the powder storage container 10 can be cleaned. Easy to do. Therefore, even if the powder 31 in the powder storage container 10 becomes empty, the inside of the powder storage container 10 is prepared for cleaning, and the new powder 31 is stored without being mixed with the previous powder 31. can do.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in order to fix the lid 52 to the powder container 10, the powder container 10 and the lid 52 are fastened with bolts 62 with a packing 61 interposed therebetween. (FIG. 6) Or various means, such as fastening the powder container 10 and the lid 52 with a band 64 made of an elastic body with a packing 63 interposed therebetween (FIGS. 7 and 8) can be used. . The same means can be used when the fluidized bed forming device 2 and the lid 3 are fixed to the powder container 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the second step, the powder container is centered around this pivot point, for example, by pivotally supporting both sides of the body of the powder container 10 on a base 71 or the like. If 10 is turned upside down, the powder 31 is stored and the heavy powder container 10 is turned upside down.

It is explanatory drawing of the whole structure of the powder filling apparatus which is the best form for implementing this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the whole structure of the other example of a powder filling apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a powder container. It is explanatory drawing of the process of mounting | wearing a fluidized bed formation apparatus etc. with a powder container. It is explanatory drawing of the process of mounting | wearing a fluidized bed formation apparatus etc. with a powder container. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure which fixes a cover body to a powder storage container. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure which fixes a cover body to a powder storage container. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure which fixes a cover body to a powder storage container. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | work which replaces powder storage container upper and lower sides easily.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Powder filling apparatus 2 Fluidized bed formation apparatus 3 1st cover body 10 Powder storage container 52 2nd cover body

Claims (4)

A powder storage container having an open top and bottom for storing powder;
A fluidized bed forming device that is detachably attached to the opening of the bottom surface of the powder storage container and fluidizes the powder by supplying air to the powder in the powder storage container from the bottom surface;
A first lid which is an upper lid detachably attached to the opening on the upper surface of the powder container;
A powder filling device equipped with.   The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second lid body is detachably attached to the upper surface and the bottom surface in a state where the fluidized bed forming device and the first lid body are detached. It has a container body that has an open top and bottom and stores powder inside.
A fluidized bed forming device of a powder filling device that fluidizes the powder by supplying air from the bottom surface to the internal powder from the bottom surface is detachable,
A first lid that is an upper lid of the powder filling device is detachable from the opening on the upper surface,
A second lid can be attached to and detached from the top and bottom surfaces with the fluidized bed forming device and the first lid removed.
Powder container. The upper surface and the bottom surface are open and powder is stored inside, and the flow of a powder filling device that fluidizes the powder by supplying air from the bottom surface to the internal powder through the bottom surface opening. A layer forming device is detachable, a first lid body, which is an upper lid of the powder filling device, is detachably attached to the opening on the upper surface, and the fluidized bed forming device and the first lid on the upper surface and the bottom surface. The fluidized bed forming apparatus is configured to detach the second lid attached as an upper lid on the upper surface from a container body in which the second lid is detachably attached with the body detached. A first step of attaching
Thereafter, the container body is turned upside down, the bottom surface is the top surface, the second lid mounted on the top surface is removed, and the second lid is mounted instead. When,
A method for mounting a powder container comprising:

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