JP2005075375A - Powder filling method and powder filling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder filling method and a powder filling apparatus for guiding a gas into a powder uniformly to bring the powder into a controlled fluid state with an addition of a minimum amount of a gas, so that the fluid powder is made to flow into the inner part or bottom of a filling container with a small mouth diameter or of a complicated shape, the filling apparatus small and portable, easy to operate, and deaerating the gas in the container to enable high-density filling work without producing dust. <P>SOLUTION: According to the method for filling the powder into the container, a funnel is arranged between a conduit pipe for powder filling and the powder filling container held by a support ring method, the funnel stuck firmly to a connection of the powder filling container. The powder fluidized with a gas is filled into the filling container, and an excess air suction pipe, which is arranged above the filling container, is lowered into the filling container, where the suction pipe sucks up air in the powder to increase the density of the powder in the container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a container-like portion that cannot be filled by a small-diameter container such as a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image of 20 microns or less, filling a small-capacity container, or a conventional filling method using gravity. The present invention relates to a powder filling method and a powder filling apparatus, and more particularly to a direct filling technique of a dry toner into a toner cartridge in a copying machine or a developing unit of a copying machine.

There are rotary valves, screw feeders, auger type filling machines, etc. as powder filling machines. In order to fill the powder receiving container from these devices, the weight of the powder is used and directly under the filling machine. The method of placing powder receiving containers, increasing the bulk density of the powder in a filling machine, and filling the cut powder into these containers by gravity is to place the powder in a fixed volume filling container. It is a common method for efficient filling.
In addition, after introducing gas into the powder in the powder feeder to improve fluidity, it is transported from the powder feeder to the vicinity of the receiving container by the subordinate pipe and degassed from the powder in the transport pipe by the deaeration pipe. After that, a method [Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-193902 (Patent Document 1)] in which the container is filled with high density has been proposed.

  However, these systems must be equipped with a deaeration pipe that is accurately provided coaxially on the filling tube, and are difficult to manufacture and are heavy and difficult to carry. It is effective when the filling container is located directly under the filling machine with a large diameter. However, in small-diameter filling containers and filling containers with various structures inside, the powder that has left the filling machine or the transport pipe is inside the container. It is difficult to replace the air, and there is a problem that a desired amount cannot be filled because the powder is blown up from the filling port or the structure in the container is hindered from moving the powder.

In addition, if you try to replenish toner used in copiers, printers, facsimiles, etc. directly to toner bottles and developing parts of machines in general offices where the machine is installed, dust may fly or even replenish Even if it is possible, when filling in a low density state containing a lot of air or directly into a complicated development area, there will be problems in image formation depending on where the toner enters and where it does not. I was doing it.
JP-A-2002-293301 (Patent Document 2) and JP-A-2002-337801 (Patent Document 3) disclose a powder filling method and a powder filling apparatus that solve these problems. This powder filling method / apparatus is to supply the powder fluidized by the powder flow device to the filling container through the conduit. The powder container holding device (work holder) is based on the bottom of the container. Therefore, there is a problem that it cannot be used for containers with different lengths of powder containers.

JP-A-9-193902 JP 2002-293301 A JP 2002-337801 A

  Therefore, in view of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to introduce a gas uniformly into the powder and obtain a controlled flow state of the powder with a minimum amount of gas. Flowing powder flows into the back or bottom of the container, and it is small and portable, easy to operate, and degassed from the powder after filling or filling with a surplus air suction pipe in the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that can be filled with high density and no dust without body clogging. It is another object of the present invention to provide a filling device that is small and portable and easy to operate so that anyone can fill powders such as toner without any work contamination. This filling apparatus can be used in a toner manufacturing factory, a toner shipping department, an organization for copier maintenance, for example, and a copier site in an office. It is another object of the present invention to provide a filling method and apparatus that can cope with even containers having different lengths.

  The said subject is achieved by following (1)-(26).

(1) In a method of filling powder into a powder container, a funnel that is in close contact with a connecting portion of the powder container between a powder filling conduit and a powder container held in a support ring system A part of the powder container is stored in the funnel while filling the powder fluidized by the gas into the funnel, and the excess air suction pipe disposed above is lowered into the powder container. A powder filling method, wherein air in the body is sucked to increase the density of the filled powder.

(2) The powder filling method according to (1), wherein the powder container is held by a holding plate exchange method.
(3) A weighing scale is placed under the powder container, and when the powder in the powder container reaches the specified value, the powder feeding from the conduit is stopped, and the powder in the powder container The powder filling method according to the above (1) or (2), wherein air is sucked.

(4) The powder filling method according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the tip of the conduit is disposed at a height that does not contact the powder in the funnel during powder filling.

(5) The powder filling method according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the surplus air suction pipe is disposed at a height that does not contact the powder in the funnel during powder filling. .

(6) The powder filling method according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the surplus air suction pipe sucks air in the powder at two or more positions.

(7) Insert the surplus air suction tube into the powder container in the same way as the powder filling to suck the air in the powder, and contact the powder when the weight of the filled powder is close to the specified value The powder filling method according to the above (1), wherein the powder is raised to a position where it is not, and then lowered again after the measurement is completed to suck air in the powder.

(8) After fluidizing the powder in the powder storage device having a sealed structure for storing the powder and gas for filling with gas, the fluidized powder is removed from the powder storage device for filling. It transfers to the front-end | tip of the said conduit | pipe, The powder filling method in any one of said (1)-(7) characterized by the above-mentioned.

(9) The powder filling method as described in (8) above, wherein the powder is fluidized by introducing an additional gas into the powder storage device for filling.

(10) The powder filling method according to the above (8) or (9), wherein the powder is fluidized by the gas by vibrating the powder storage device for filling.

(11) The above (8) to (10), wherein the transfer from the powder storage device for filling powder to the tip of the conduit is performed by increasing the pressure in the powder storage device for filling. The powder filling method according to any one of the above.

(12) By transferring the powder from the powder storage device for filling to the tip of the conduit, an external pressure is applied to the powder storage device for filling to reduce the internal volume of the powder storage device for filling. The powder filling method according to any one of (8) to (11), which is performed.

(13) The powder filling method according to any one of the above (1) to (12), wherein the powder is a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image having an average volume particle diameter of 0.2 μm to 20 μm.

(14) A conduit for supplying at least fluidized powder to the funnel, a funnel, an excess air suction pipe, a gas introduction means for fluidizing the powder, and a powder storage device for filling that can be sealed; A powder filling characterized in that a conduit as a transfer path for the fluidized powder is provided between the powder storage device for filling and the funnel, and the powder container is held in a support ring manner apparatus.

(15) The powder filling apparatus according to (14), wherein the powder container is held by a holding plate exchange system.

(16) The powder filling apparatus according to (14), wherein a pressure control valve for internal pressure is further provided in the powder storage apparatus for filling.

(17) The powder filling apparatus as described in (14) above, wherein the gas introducing means for fluidizing the powder is a pressure vessel that stores the gas in the powder storage apparatus for filling so that the gas can be sent out.

(18) The powder filling apparatus as described in (14) above, wherein the gas introduction means for fluidizing the powder is an air supply pump with a check valve.

(19) The filling powder storage device further includes a gas distribution means for uniformly introducing gas into the filling powder storage device between the gas introduction means for fluidizing the powder. The powder filling apparatus according to any one of (14) to (18), wherein:

(20) The powder filling device according to any one of (14) to (18), wherein a pressure safety valve for releasing and sealing the internal pressure is further provided in the powder storage device for filling.

(21) The internal pressure of the filling powder storage device is increased by a device deformation means that deforms the filling powder storage device by applying an external pressure to reduce the internal volume of the filling powder storage device. The powder filling device according to any one of (14) to (20), wherein the powder flows out of the powder storage device for filling.

(22) The powder filling according to any one of (14) to (21) above, wherein vibration means for vibrating the filling powder storage device is provided in the filling powder storage device. apparatus.

(23) The powder filling device according to any one of (14) to (21), wherein the vibration means for vibrating the powder storage device for filling is vibrated by a power source of the air supply pump. .

(24) The powder filling apparatus according to any one of (14) to (23) above, wherein the funnel has a half apex angle of 3 to 35 degrees.

(25) The powder filling apparatus according to any one of (14) to (24), wherein a powder valve is provided at a tip of the conduit.

(26) The powder filling apparatus according to any one of (14) to (25) above, wherein the powder is an electrostatic latent image developing toner having an average volume particle size of 0.2 μm to 20 μm.

According to the present invention, the gas is uniformly introduced into the powder to obtain the flow state of the powder controlled with the minimum gas amount, the flowing powder is introduced into the small-diameter powder container, and excess air is sucked in the container. A tube can be used to degas after filling or during and after filling, providing a method that can be easily filled with high density and dust-free without clogging the powder, and anyone can fill anywhere As described above, it is possible to provide a filling device that is small, portable and easy to operate.
In addition, in the present invention, the powder container work holder system is changed from a general container bottom-standard upright system to a support ring system, so that various powder containers can be used without being affected by the length of the powder container. Can be filled.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.
In the present invention, the tip of a conduit for transferring the fluidized powder is located in the funnel, and the powder is filled into a filling container (powder container) through the funnel.

It is well known that powder can be fluidized and pneumatically transported by, for example, a pipe, by mixing gas and powder. However, by simply discharging a fluidized powder having a diameter of 20 μm or less, particularly an extremely fine powder such as a toner having a diameter of 10 μm or less into a container, for example, powder (dust) can be prevented from being scattered or degassed after filling. Even if it is insufficient and can be implemented by adding dust countermeasures and deaeration facilities for large facilities in the factory, it is not practical in an environment such as a general office.
In addition, in the powder filling method using the powder fluidizer that can be used in the office, the degassing speed of the powder in the filling container is significantly slower than the powder feeding speed. The problem of causing clogging remains.

  An ultrafine powder such as a toner usually has a secondary agglomeration because of its extremely large surface area ratio to the volume. For example, an ultrafine powder whose secondary agglomeration has been solved by an agitator or the like is an extremely fine powder. Regardless of the specific gravity of the bulk material before conversion, only the surface state is mainly reflected, and the Brownian motion continues in the gas. Therefore, when a fine powder such as toner is transported pneumatically, it accompanies it. Experience has shown that it takes a tremendous amount of time to separate very fine powder from a gas by natural sedimentation.

  In the present invention, after the gas is uniformly introduced into the filling powder in the filling powder storage device (powder cutting device) having a sealed structure, the filling powder storage device (powder) It is preferable to transfer the powder out of the filling powder storage device and to fill the container by adjusting and controlling the pressure in the body cutting device. By this gas uniform introduction means, air can be gently introduced into the powder storage device for filling, and fluidization can be achieved with the minimum necessary amount, and thus, for example, low Brownian motion of the powder. Since the powder has high fluidity after fluidization, the powder can be discharged out of the filling powder storage device by transferring the pressure in the filling powder storage device slightly higher than the external pressure. Pneumatic transport can be smoothly carried out in the path to the tip of the conduit, and filling can be performed without extra stirring in the filling container.

  When fluidizing powder with gas, it is important to introduce the gas uniformly when introducing gas from outside the device instead of using only the gas of the powder storage device for filling. For example, it is particularly preferable to introduce the gas through a gas distribution means such as a sintered metal plate, a sintered resin plate, or a fine wire mesh. Control of the start and end when the fluidized powder is discharged and filled into the container can be performed by adjusting the pressure in the filling powder storage device. It can be performed by a pressure control valve provided in the apparatus, and can be assisted by an external pressurizing means or the like. Further, the pressure in the powder storage device for filling can be changed during the powder filling operation, and fine pressure adjustment can be performed to change the outflow state of the powder, for example, at the beginning and midway of the powder filling operation.

  As described above, the degree of pressurization in the present invention may be slightly higher than the normal pressure, and if it is pressurized too much, the trapping effect by the fine powder cloud staying in the container may be impaired. . Generally, the degree of pressurization is 2 to 1500 gauge hectopa, preferably 3 to 800 gauge hectopa, although it depends on the amount of fine powder cloud staying in the container and the filling mode of fluidized fine powder. Preferably it is 10-500 gauge hectopa. When the pressure is less than 2 gauge hectares, filling takes a long time.

  Further, the present invention can pressurize the filling powder storage device after fluidizing by shaking the sealed powder storage device filled with powder and gas, Pressurization can be performed by reducing the internal volume of the powder storage device for filling by external pressure, for example, by crushing to reduce the internal volume and discharging the powder out of the device to the end of the conduit. Transport by matic and fill powder container. According to this method, an apparatus for fluidizing powder is unnecessary or at least can be miniaturized, and means for discharging can be omitted as much as possible. The powder storage device for filling may be of a size and weight that can be shaken by hand, and may be of a size and weight that can be easily vibrated or swung by pump power for introducing pressurized air. May be. The powder storage device for filling can be used as a single-use type simple filling machine by reducing the size and weighing the required amount in advance.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the powder accumulated in the container is degassed by inserting the surplus air suction tube into the container, so that powder in a certain range can be filled with high density. .

[Device Example 1]
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an example of the apparatus of the present invention. The powder filling device (1) of this example is a hermetically sealed (usually sealed) powder fluidizing device (10) for filling, and a lower portion of the powder fluidizing device (10) can be attached and detached with a flange. Gas powder separation sieve (2) (sintered metal plate, sintered resin plate, fine wire mesh, etc.) as an air-permeable perforated plate to form a fluidized bed of powder that can be removed and stored freely And a compressed air pipe (7) as a vent pipe provided with an introduction gas regulating valve (20), an air header (3) as a gas introduction means into which the compressed air pipe (7) is detachably fitted, and closed. Powder inlet with valve (11), pressure release valve (13) for releasing and sealing internal pressure, powder flow rate adjusting valve (15) for fine pressure adjustment, powder fluidizing device (10) inside Pressure gauge (14) for checking the pressure of the pipe, a conduit (24) connected to the powder outlet pipe (24) Is composed of two), the tip of the conduit (12) is inserted into a funnel (17), also the end of the funnel (17) is connected to the powder container (18).

  The air header (3) has a slight pressure resistance so that the pressure inside the filling powder fluidizer (10) can be increased, and the air header (3) has a third pressure gauge (p3). Provided. The compressed air pipe (7) connected to the air header (3) is provided with a first pressure reducing valve (25), a second pressure reducing valve (26), and an air flow meter (27) in order, and the first pressure reducing valve (25). ) And the second pressure reducing valve (26), and a first pressure gauge (p1) is provided between the second pressure reducing valve (26) and the air flow meter (27), respectively. It has been. Further, as the powder filling container (18) in the powder filling apparatus of this example, a container such as a transparent resin toner container can be preferably used.

  In the apparatus of this example, the powder to be filled is introduced into the powder fluidizing apparatus (10) for filling from the powder inlet (11) with a closing valve, and the pressure for releasing and sealing the internal pressure. Open the release valve (13). On the other hand, the operation of the powder flow rate adjustment valve (15) for fine pressure adjustment may be automated by human power or an electromagnetic valve. Thereafter, the pressure release valve (13) of the powder inlet (4) is closed, and gas is introduced from the vent pipe (7) into the air header (3) which is a pressurized air reservoir as gas introduction means. This inflow of gas may be adjusted by the first pressure reducing valve (25) and the second pressure reducing valve (26) as pressure adjustment and flow rate adjustment, and the inflow continues while the apparatus is in operation.

  The introduced gas is uniformly dispersed in the powder by the ventilation porous plate (2) to fluidize the powder. When the tip of the conduit (12) is inserted into the funnel (17) and the pressure release valve (13) is closed, the powder is transported from the filling fluidizer (10) by the pressure of the gas used for fluidization. The tube is extruded into a conduit (12) and discharged through a funnel (17) into a powder container (18).

  In the apparatus of this example, at the beginning of filling, particularly when the inside of the powder filling container (18) is completely empty, the powder flow rate adjustment of the filling powder fluidizer (10) is first performed. The opening and closing degree of the valve (15) is moderated, the powder discharge rate from the filling powder fluidizer (10) is conserved, and the powder filling container (18) of the filled fluid powder is filled. The amount of the fine powder cloud staying in the container (18) is removed by the surplus air suction pipe (28) lowered as necessary, and the powder flow rate is adjusted. The valve (15) can be opened further and the filling operation can be continued.

Then, by opening the pressure release valve (13), the internal pressure in the filling powder fluidizer (10), which has been a transportation force, disappears, and the discharge of the powder can be stopped.
The discharge of the powder can be stopped by providing a powder valve at the tip of the conduit (9), whereby the stability of the powder filling amount can be obtained. Here, the powder valve has a multi-tube structure and sucks air around the powder discharge port to fix the powder to prevent discharge of the powder.

  In order to quickly increase the internal pressure of the filling powder fluidizer (10), which is the driving force for powder transport, the filling powder fluidizer (10) is separate from the compressed air inlet for fluidization. The compressed air inlet may be provided at a position above the powder level of the fluidized powder.

FIG. 3 shows the positional relationship among the tip of the conduit (12), the funnel (17), the powder container (18), the surplus air suction pipe (28), and the work holder (29). FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the conduit (12) and the powder container (18) are not connected, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the conduit (12) and the powder container (18). Represents a state in which is connected.
The powder container (18) is held by a support ring holding system as shown in FIGS. The lower end opening of the funnel (17) and the mouth of the powder container (18) are in close contact with each other, and the powder container (18) does not shake due to the three-point support with the container holding plate (30), so that the filling is satisfactory. Can be operated.
Further, if the container holding plate (30) is replaced, it is possible to deal with powder containers of various different diameters.

In the present invention, a funnel (preferably a funnel having a capacity of 1.1 times or more of the capacity of the powder to be filled) is provided between the tip of the conduit for transporting the fluidized powder and the filling container. As part of the powder is stored in the funnel while filling the filling container with the powder through this funnel, the surplus air suction pipe arranged at the upper part is lowered to bring the powder into the container. At the same time as stopping, by sucking air in the powder and putting the powder into the container, the powder can be filled at high speed without clogging the conduit.
The reason why the capacity of the powder filled in the filling container is preferably 1.1 times or more is that the feeding speed from the powder fluidizing device is higher than the degassing speed of the powder in the container. This is because it is possible to prevent the powder from overflowing from the container when it is overwhelmingly faster.

  Further, the lower end opening of the funnel (17) preferably has a half apex angle θ of 3 to 35 degrees, which improves the falling speed of the powder falling. The diameter of the lower end opening of the funnel (17) is preferably made smaller than the diameter of the powder container (18), and this allows the excess air in the powder container (18) to escape more quickly and shortens the filling time. The Moreover, it is preferable to arrange | position the front-end | tip of a conduit | pipe (12) at the height which does not contact the powder in a funnel (17) during filling of a powder, and, thereby, stability of a filling amount is obtained.

  The surplus air suction pipe (28) is preferably arranged at a height that does not come into contact with the powder in the funnel (17) during powder filling, so that a more stable filling amount can be obtained. The surplus air suction pipe (28) preferably sucks air at two or more positions in the powder container (18), so that surplus air in the powder container (18) can be evenly released. it can.

  Further, the surplus air suction pipe (28) is inserted into the powder container (18) simultaneously with the start of powder filling, and the surplus air is sucked and continued until it becomes close to a predetermined filling amount, and then raised once. It is preferable that the excess air is sucked and removed by lowering again after reaching a predetermined filling amount. Thereby, the speed of suction of surplus air can be increased and the filling time can be shortened.

[Device Example 2]
FIG. 2 shows an outline of another example of the apparatus of the present invention. In the powder filling apparatus (1) of this example, the filling powder fluidizing apparatus (10) made of a flexible material such as soft plastic is provided below the filling powder fluidizing apparatus (10). Attached and detachable with a flange, and air-permeable perforated plate (2) (sintered metal plate, sintered resin plate, fine wire mesh, etc.) for forming a fluidized bed of powder is removably stored. , Compressed air piping as a vent pipe (7), air header (3) as a gas introducing means in which the vent pipe (7) is detachably fitted, inlet of powder with a closing valve (11), internal pressure Pressure release valve (13) for opening and sealing, powder flow rate adjusting valve (15) for fine pressure adjustment, stainless steel pipe as fluid powder outlet pipe, fluidized powder discharge path (transfer path) (12) as a removable urethane tube connected It has been.

  However, unlike the apparatus of Example 1, as a gas introducing means, a pump having a bellows structure (6) having a check valve (8) at the gas outlet and extending and contracting by a small electric motor (5) to send air to the air header (3) ). The pump (6) is detachably fixed in the holding frame (9), and when the pump (6) expands and contracts by the small electric motor (5), the powder fluidizing device for filling through the holding frame (9). (10) is vibrated, and the powder in the filling powder fluidizer (10) is fluidized with gas by this vibration.

  In the apparatus of this example, neither the powder fluidizing apparatus for filling (10) nor the air header (3) need to be made of a thick material peculiar to the pressurized container, and the entire apparatus is further reduced in weight and size. For example, the power line plug (21) for the small electric motor (5) can be operated simply by being inserted into an outlet provided in the copying machine.

Thus, in the present invention, the funnel (17) is provided between the conduit (12) and the powder container (18), so that the powder (12) is not clogged with powder. The body can be discharged into the powder container (18) in a state close to natural flow.
Further, the powder may be discharged from the powder fluidizer (10) to the tip of the conduit (12) by increasing the pressure in the powder fluidizer (10). Alternatively, an external pressure may be applied to the gasifying device (10) to reduce the internal volume of the powder fluidizing device (10).
In particular, by adopting a support ring holding method as a holding method of the powder container (18) of the work holder (29), filling of the powder containers (18) having different lengths can be performed without trouble. If a plurality of types of container holding plates (30) are prepared, it is possible to easily fill powder containers of different diameters.

  As described above, the present invention is particularly effective when the powder to be filled is an electrostatic latent image developing toner having an average volume particle size of 0.2 μm to 20 μm.

It is the figure which simplified and showed the filling system of the fine powder in this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the powder filling apparatus in this invention. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a positional relationship among a conduit, a funnel, a powder container, a work holder, and an excess air suction pipe, in a state where the funnel and the powder container are not connected. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a positional relationship among a conduit, a funnel, a powder container, a work holder, and an excess air suction pipe, in a state where the funnel and the powder container are not connected.

Explanation of symbols

1 Powder filling device 2 Gas-powder separation sieve (ventilated perforated plate)
3 Air header 4 Powder inlet 5 Small electric motor
6 Pump 7 Compressed air piping 8 Check valve 9 Holding frame 10 Filling powder fluidizer 11 Powder inlet 12 Fluid powder transport pipe (conduit)
13 Pressure Release Valve 14 Pressure Gauge 15 Powder Flow Rate Control Valve 16 Connector 17 Funnel 18 Powder Container 20 Introduced Gas Control Valve 21 Power Line Plug 24 Powder Derived Pipe 25 First Pressure Reducing Valve 26 Second Pressure Reducing Valve 27 Air Flow Rate Total 28 Excess air suction pipe 29 Work holder 30 Container holding plate p1 First pressure gauge p2 Second pressure gauge p3 Third pressure gauge

Claims (26)

  In a method of filling powder into a powder container, a funnel that is in close contact with a connecting portion of the powder container is provided between a powder filling conduit and a powder container held in a support ring system, The powder fluidized by the gas is filled in the powder container, the excess air suction pipe disposed above is lowered into the powder container, the air in the powder is sucked, and the filled powder A powder filling method characterized by increasing the density of a body.   2. The powder filling method according to claim 1, wherein the powder container is held by a holding plate exchange method.   A weighing scale is placed under the powder container. When the powder in the powder container reaches the specified value, the powder feeding from the conduit is stopped and the air in the powder container is sucked in. The powder filling method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:   The powder filling method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end of the conduit is disposed at a height that does not contact the powder in the funnel during powder filling.   The powder filling method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surplus air suction pipe is disposed at a height that does not contact the powder in the funnel during powder filling.   The powder filling method according to claim 1, wherein the surplus air suction pipe sucks air in the powder at two or more positions.   Insert the surplus air suction tube into the powder container in the same way as powder filling to suck the air in the powder, and to the position where it does not come into contact with the powder when the weight of the filled powder is close to the specified value The powder filling method according to claim 1, wherein the air is further raised and then lowered again after the completion of measurement to suck air in the powder.   After the powder in the hermetically-packed powder storage device for storing the powder and gas for filling is fluidized with gas, the fluidized powder is discharged from the powder storage device for filling into the conduit. It transfers to a front-end | tip, The powder filling method in any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned.   9. The powder filling method according to claim 8, wherein the powder is fluidized by introducing an additional gas into the powder storage device for filling.   The powder filling method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the powder is fluidized by gas when the filling powder storage device is vibrated.   11. The transfer from the powder storage device for filling powder to the tip of the conduit is performed by increasing the pressure in the powder storage device for filling. Powder filling method.   The transfer from the powder storage device for filling powder to the tip of the conduit is performed by applying an external pressure to the powder storage device for reducing the volume of the powder storage device for filling. The powder filling method according to claim 8, wherein:   The powder filling method according to claim 1, wherein the powder is an electrostatic latent image developing toner having an average volume particle size of 0.2 μm to 20 μm.   At least a conduit for supplying fluidized powder to a funnel, a funnel, a surplus air suction pipe, a gas introducing means for fluidizing powder, and a powder storage device for filling that can be sealed is provided. A powder filling apparatus, wherein a conduit as a transfer path for the powder is provided between the filling powder storage device and the funnel, and the powder container is held in a support ring manner.   15. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the powder container is held by a holding plate exchange system.   15. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a pressure control valve for internal pressure provided in the powder storage apparatus for filling.   15. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the gas introduction means for fluidizing the powder is a pressure container that stores the gas in the powder storage apparatus for filling so that the gas can be sent out.   15. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the gas introduction means for fluidizing the powder is an air supply pump with a check valve.   The powder storage device for filling further has gas distribution means for uniformly introducing gas into the powder storage device for filling between the gas introduction means for fluidizing the powder. The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 18.   The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising a pressure safety valve for releasing and sealing the internal pressure in the powder storage apparatus for filling.   The internal pressure of the filling powder storage device is increased by the device deforming means for applying external pressure to deform the filling powder storage device and reducing the internal volume of the filling powder storage device. The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the powder filling apparatus flows out of the powder storage apparatus for filling.   The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 21, further comprising vibration means for vibrating the filling powder storage apparatus in the filling powder storage apparatus.   23. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the vibration means for vibrating the powder storage apparatus for filling is vibrated by a power source of the air supply pump.   The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein the funnel has a half apex angle of 3 to 35 degrees.   The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein a powder valve is provided at a tip of the conduit.   The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein the powder is an electrostatic latent image developing toner having an average volume particle size of 0.2 µm to 20 µm.

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