JP2005225511A - Powder filling apparatus and powder filling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder filling apparatus which enables workers to put separate portions of hyperfine powder into small containers quickly and accurately without damaging the characteristics and blend composition of the powder, nor soiling a working environment or the workers, nor imposing a risk on the workers, is easy to automatize, and is superior in handleability, and to provide a powder filling method. <P>SOLUTION: The powder filling apparatus comprises a large-sized container 10 having a gas permeable member on the inner wall thereof, a fluidizing means 50 which fluidizes the powder in the large-sized container by discharging a pressurized gas into the large-sized container via the gas permeable member, a powder valve 11 which sucks and separate the gas out of the powder, using a gas separating means, at a discharge opening leading to a small-sized container 20 and stops the discharge of the powder using a bridge, a suction pressure source 43 for forming the bridge in the powder valve 11, and a weight measuring means 30 which measures the total weight of the small-sized container filled with the powder. A tank 44, an air valve 45, and a filling amount control means 40, which opens the air valve 45 on the basis of measurement data from from the weight measuring means 30, are arranged between the powder valve 11 and the suction pressure source 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a desired amount of powder such as an ultra-fine electrostatic latent image developing toner having an average particle size of micron (usually a volume average particle size of 0.2 to 20 μm) from a large container to a small container. The present invention relates to a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method. This filling method and filling device is, for example, a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image. For example, a large container that is temporarily stored in the manufacturing process can be divided into small parts for storage and shipping. It can also be used when filling a small toner container on demand by the user.

Conventionally, electrostatic latent image developing toner is often divided from a large container into other containers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of filling toner powder into a toner receiving container from a toner supplying container having a toner auger inside and a rotary valve at the bottom. In this filling method, a step of introducing a gas into the toner under stirring in the toner supply container to improve the fluidity of the toner, and the toner is transported to a toner receiving container using a transport pipe, and the transported A step of compressing and densifying the toner, and separating the gas by a circulation exhaust pipe provided in the middle of the conveyance pipe and the toner supply container. The accompanying toner is returned again to the toner supply container together with the gas.
However, the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image is a powder having a very small particle diameter, and has a relatively low density and specific gravity compared to other powders such as ceramic materials, and has poor fluidity and high cohesion. It is. Recently, in particular, toners are becoming smaller in size to meet the demand for higher resolution of developed images, and more and more low-melting resins are used to meet the demands for energy saving and instantaneous high-speed fixing. Tend to be. Therefore, cohesion, adhesion to other object surfaces, and filming are problems.

Therefore, in order to improve these properties and avoid fluidity reduction and aggregation, in many cases, the toner particle surface is loaded with ultrafine particles such as a fluidity improver and an aggregation inhibitor, or charge control for improving charging characteristics. It is used in the form of supporting ultrafine agent. However, from the viewpoint of maintaining charging characteristics, fluidity and aggregation resistance while preventing separation and dropping of these ultrafine particles carried on the toner surface, such as an auger or screw conveyor that gives excessive stress to the toner. Agitation or transfer by means is not desirable.
In particular, color toners have a small particle size in order to obtain high resolution, and have components such as fluidity improvers, charge control agents, fluidizing agents, anti-aggregation agents, and anti-fusing agents on the surface. Therefore, the particles are entangled with each other, resulting in poor fluidity.In addition, if a strong external force is applied, there is a risk of damaging the properties of the toner. Conventional mechanical processing using a device such as a rotary valve or auger is preferable. Absent.

In addition, when toner and air are mixed for the pneumatic processing of toner, a toner cloud (cloudy toner suspended matter formed by mixing toner and gas) is generated due to the suspension of ultrafine toner, and the volume to be handled is reduced. Since it expands, it is necessary to quickly separate the gas from the toner cloud to facilitate handling. However, the rapid separation of gas from the toner cloud is difficult to achieve depending only on the structure and position of the separation pipe. Therefore, the amount of compressed toner can be controlled by separating the transfer gas using such a pipe means. It is difficult to do. In addition, when targeting extremely fine toner, if the supply air amount is too large, the fluid phase rapidly expands and easily shifts to the dust phase, and the toner can be recovered from the dust phase once generated. It may take a long time or 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 to deposit only the toner on the bottom surface by natural fall. However, in order to suppress the generation of a large toner cloud, it is not easy to perform an operation of fluidizing the accumulated toner and moving it to a small container for subdivision while gently controlling the air supply.
In addition, when toner is dispensed from a large storage container into a large number of sub-containers, the initially uniformly mixed toner may gradually generate unevenness of components due to the effect of air supplied into the storage container. It is also necessary to take measures.

  In order to solve such problems of the prior art, the present applicant has applied for inventions according to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2003-188328 and 2003-194522. One of the features is that the former has two or more discharge openings of different sizes, and the latter further has a measuring tank. Each application discloses a mode using a powder valve as claim 6, but nothing is described about a specific configuration of the powder valve for the purpose of improving the filling stop accuracy as in the present invention. Not. In addition, there is no particular description of the problem that the valve formation takes time and the filling amount varies due to the lag time from the operation of the suction pressure generation source to the set suction pressure at the time of valve formation, and the means for solving the problem. .

JP-A-9-193902

  The present invention is an ultrafine powder having an average particle size of a micron unit, without giving special stress to the powder, without impairing various physical properties and compounding properties of the powder, without polluting the work environment and workers, In addition, there is no danger to the operator, the powder stored in the large container can be fluidized and quickly and accurately sorted into a small container, which is easy to automate, easy to handle, and has a filling stop accuracy. An object of the present invention is to provide a powder filling apparatus having a high filling amount and a small variation in filling amount and a powder filling method using the apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a powder filling apparatus that can be used not only for cutting out from a temporary storage container but also for transferring powder in the middle of a production line, and a powder filling method using this apparatus.

The above problems are solved by the following inventions 1) to 24).
1) Large container having a breathable member on the inner wall, fluidizing means for fluidizing powder in the large container by discharging pressurized gas into the large container through the breathable member, discharge port to the small container The total weight of the powder valve that separates and sucks only the gas by the gas separation means and stops the discharge by the bridge, the suction pressure generation source for forming the bridge on the powder valve, and the small container filled with powder A powder filling apparatus having a weight measuring means for measuring a weight, comprising a tank between a powder valve and a suction pressure generation source, an air valve between the tank and the powder valve, and a weight measuring means A powder filling apparatus for filling a small container with powder in a large container, comprising filling amount control means for opening an air valve based on measurement data from the container.
2) The powder according to 1), wherein a path for press-fitting air is provided between the air valve and the powder valve, and the bridge is broken by the press-fitting of air from this path when the air valve is closed. Filling equipment.
3) The gas separation means is disposed inside the powder discharge pipe, and is equipped with a mesh material that allows only gas to pass without passing powder, 1) or 2) Powder filling device.
4) The gas separating means is disposed inside the powder discharge pipe, and has a plurality of fine holes through which only the gas passes without passing through the powder, and each fine hole communicates with each other inside. The powder filling apparatus according to 1) or 2), wherein the powder filling apparatus is a body.
5) The powder filling apparatus according to 3) or 4), wherein the fluidizing means includes a gas introduction pipe for introducing a pressurized gas into the gas separation means.
6) The powder filling apparatus according to 5), wherein the gas introduction pipe has an air supply control valve that performs air supply stop, air supply start, and air supply amount adjustment.
7) The powder filling apparatus according to any one of 1) to 6), wherein the large container has an inner wall portion inclined at least partially.
8) The powder filling apparatus according to 7), wherein the inclined inner wall portion is a part of a hopper-like structural portion at the bottom of the large container.
9) Any one of 1) to 8), wherein the filling amount control means has a monitor unit for displaying the total weight of at least the small container filled with the powder, which is measured by the weight measuring means. The powder filling apparatus described in 1.
10) The filling amount control means includes an arithmetic processing unit that calculates the weight of the filled powder from the empty weight of the small container and the total weight of the small container filled with the powder 1) to 9) The powder filling apparatus according to any one of the above.
11) The powder filling according to 10), wherein the arithmetic processing unit has an input means, and the input means can input the expected filling weight of the powder and change the inputted expected filling weight. apparatus.
12) The powder filling apparatus according to 10) or 11), wherein the opening / closing operation of the air valve is controlled based on a calculation result of the calculation processing unit.
13) A powder filling method for filling powder in a large container into a small container, the large container having a breathable member on an inner wall, and a pressurized gas in the large container via the breathable member The powder in the large container is fluidized by discharging the gas, and only the gas is separated and sucked by the gas separating means and the suction pressure generation source at the discharge port to the small container, and a powder is formed by forming a bridge on the powder valve. When stopping discharge, a tank is provided between the powder valve and the suction pressure generation source, an air valve is provided between the tank and the powder valve, and the suction pressure is stored in the tank in advance by the suction pressure generation source. Measure the total weight of the small container filled with powder, open the air valve based on the measured data, apply the suction pressure stored in the tank to the powder valve, and instantly form a bridge to form the powder. Powder filling characterized by stopping discharge Method.
14) The powder filling method according to 13), wherein a path for press-fitting air is provided between the air valve and the powder valve, and when the air valve is closed, air is pressed from this path to break the bridge. .
15) The powder filling method according to 13) or 14), wherein as the gas separation means, a powder material is installed inside the powder discharge pipe, which is fitted with a mesh material that does not allow powder to pass but allows only gas to pass. .
16) As a gas separating means, a porous body having a large number of fine holes through which only gas is allowed to pass without allowing powder to pass therethrough is arranged inside the powder discharge pipe. The powder filling method as described in 13) or 14) above.
17) The powder filling method according to 15) or 16), wherein a fluidizing means including a gas introduction pipe for introducing a pressurized gas into the gas separation means is employed.
18) The powder filling method according to 17), wherein fluidizing means including a gas introduction pipe having an air supply control valve that performs air supply stop, air supply start, and air supply amount adjustment is adopted.
19) The powder filling method according to any one of 13) to 18), wherein a large container having an inner wall portion inclined at least in part is used.
20) The powder filling method according to 19), wherein the inclined inner wall part is a part of a hopper-like structure part at the lower part of the large container.
21) Any one of 13) to 20), wherein a filling amount control means having a monitor unit for displaying the total weight of at least the small container filled with powder, which is measured by the weight measuring means, is adopted. The powder filling method according to claim 1.
22) The filling amount control means having an arithmetic processing unit for calculating the weight of the filled powder from the empty weight of the small container and the total weight of the small container filled with the powder is employed 13) to 21) The powder filling method according to any one of the above.
23) The powder filling method according to 22), wherein the arithmetic processing unit has an input means, and the input means inputs the expected filling weight of the powder and changes the inputted expected filling weight.
24) The powder filling method according to 22) or 23), wherein the opening / closing operation of the air valve is controlled based on a calculation result of the calculation processing unit.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
The present invention relates to a powder filling technique for quickly filling a small container with a predetermined amount of powder in a large container without applying mechanical stress.
Examples of the “powder” as an object of the present invention include various powders such as toner for developing electrostatic latent images, chemicals, cosmetics, foods, etc., but particularly preferable is an ultrafine particle having an average particle size of micron. It is a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image that is powder.
As the large container in the present invention, a container having a breathable member on the inner wall and a discharge opening for discharging powder to the small container is used. The breathable member may be any member that can be introduced into a large container through the passage of a gas such as air or nitrogen, and is preferably provided at least near the discharge portion. The fluidizing means fluidizes the powder by discharging a pressurized gas into the large container through the breathable member. That is, a fluidized bed of powder is formed in the vicinity of the breathable member of the large container, gas is blown into the powder in the large container, and the powder layer in the large container is slightly expanded or floated. Thus, the powder is guided to the discharge opening without applying mechanical stress to the powder.

Further, the present invention has a powder valve structure in which only air is separated and sucked at a filling nozzle for charging powder into a small container and discharge is stopped by a bridge. A tank is provided between the suction pressure source and the air valve between the tank and the powder valve. According to this configuration, the suction pressure is accumulated in the tank with the air valve closed, and when the powder filling amount reaches a specified amount, the air valve is opened and the suction pressure is rapidly applied to the powder valve. Thus, the closed state of the valve can be instantaneously formed to stop the discharge of the powder, and the discharge stop accuracy is remarkably improved. And the dispersion | variation in the filling amount for every container can be reduced.
The connection between the powder valve and the tank and between the tank and the suction pressure generation source may be not only a rigid body such as a metal pipe but also a flexible one such as an air tube. The size of the tank varies depending on the characteristics and flow state of the powder, or the inner diameter of the breathable member of the powder valve (filling nozzle) and the cross-sectional area of the contact part of the powder. Preferably, from the start of suction until the closed state of the powder valve is completed. It is desirable to be able to secure 100% of the suction air capacity. However, the effect is exhibited even with a capacity of less than 100%.
Further, the present invention performs weight control for measuring the total weight of at least a small container filled with powder, and controls the filling amount of each discharge opening of the large container based on measurement data from the weight measurement means. It has a filling amount control means. The weight measuring means may measure the weight of an empty small container not filled with powder and transmit the data to the filling amount control means, or when the weight of the empty small container is known. The data may be input to the filling amount control means in advance.

In addition, by installing a path to press-in air between the air valve and the powder valve, when the air valve is closed, air is pressed into the powder valve from this path to instantly break the bridge and start discharging. It becomes possible.
Further, as the gas separating means, for example, a plurality of holes are formed in the discharge pipe, and a mesh material (for example, 3500 mesh) that allows only the gas to pass therethrough without passing the powder, or copper, stainless steel, etc. A porous body made of a sintered metal in which fine particles are bonded by sintering can be used.
Further, as the fluidizing means, a gas separation means provided with a gas introduction pipe may be used, or a gas introduction pipe having an air supply control valve for air supply stop, air supply start and air supply amount adjustment is used. Further, it is possible to easily adjust the flow state and the powder pressure in the large container in which gas is blown from the fluidizing means.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the large container has an inner wall portion that is inclined at least partially, and the inclined inner wall portion facilitates the discharge of the powder stored therein to each discharge opening. . Typically, this sloped inner wall portion can be part of a hopper-like structural portion below the large container.
Furthermore, the filling amount control means preferably has a monitor unit for displaying the total weight of the small container filled with the powder, which is measured by the weight measuring means, and is filled with the empty weight of the small container and the powder. It is more preferable to have a calculation processing unit for calculating the weight of the filled powder from the total weight of the small containers. The arithmetic processing unit preferably includes a conventionally known input unit such as a keyboard or a digital switch, and is capable of inputting the expected filling weight of the powder and changing the inputted estimated filling weight. .
Furthermore, the opening / closing operation of the air supply control valve of the fluidizing means may be controlled based on the calculation result of the calculation processing unit.

  According to the present invention, the suction pressure is accumulated in the tank 44 with the air valve 45 closed, and when the powder filling amount reaches a specified amount, the air valve 45 is opened and the powder valve 11 is rapidly opened. Powder filling device and powder capable of improving discharge stopping accuracy and reducing variation in filling amount for each container by applying suction pressure and instantaneously forming a bridge to stop powder discharge A body filling method can be provided.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention further more concretely, this invention is not limited by these Examples.

Example 1
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration example of a conventional powder filling apparatus, and FIG. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the powder filling apparatus according to the present invention (the lower half of a large container is shown in cross section). Conventionally, the powder valve 11 and the suction pressure generation source 43 are only connected by the suction pipe 13. However, in the present invention, a tank 44 is provided between the powder valve 11 and the suction pressure generation source 43. It is characterized in that an air valve 45 is provided between 44 and the powder valve 11. Reference numeral 60 denotes a supply port for supplying toner to the large container 10 from a large-scale toner storage location (not shown).
In this embodiment, toner for developing an electrostatic image having an average particle diameter of several microns is used as a powder to be filled.
The small toner container 20 is placed on a known weight measuring means 30 such as a load cell.
The large container 10 has a powder valve (filling nozzle) 11 at the lower discharge part. The powder valve 11 has a porous body (which may be a mesh material) 12 as gas separation means inside, and is connected to a suction pressure generation source 43 via an air valve 45 and a tank 44.
Further, the large container 10 has a hopper shape, and the inner wall portion 14 thereof is inclined so as not to prevent the toner contained therein from sliding off, so that the discharge to the toner discharge tube is facilitated.

  Furthermore, fluidizing means 50 is provided in the large container 10. The fluidizing means 50 includes a breathable member 51 provided on the lower wall of the large container 10, and a pressurized air supply means 52 for supplying air to the inside of the large container 10 through the breathable member 51. The pressurized air supply means 52 and the air-permeable member 51 are connected to each other to form an air introduction pipe 53. The air-permeable member 51 is made of a porous body having a large number of micropores for ejecting air and each micropore communicating with the inside. In order to obtain the required high discharge capacity, the air-permeable member 51 is provided over the entire circumference in this embodiment. Some of the holes in the breathable member 51 are greatly related to the amount of supplied air. In the case of the apparatus of this embodiment, since the cross section of the large container 10 becomes narrower toward the toner discharge tube, several stages of air outlets are continuously provided along the circumferential surface in order to prevent the cross-linking phenomenon caused by the toner. It is good also as a blowout structure in which air is provided, or air blows off in the spiral direction. Such fluidization means 50 can prevent interruption of toner outflow or dropout, and can adjust toner discharge amount by adjusting the air supply amount. It is possible to adjust the size of the toner cloud formed by the mixing.

As the weight measuring means 30, a conventional weight measuring device such as a load cell can be used, and the measurement data (the weight of the empty small toner container 20 and the total weight of the small toner container 20 filled with the toner 21) are communicated. It is sent to the arithmetic processing section 41 of the filling amount control means 40 via the line 31.
The filling amount control means 40 includes an arithmetic processing unit 41 and a communication line 42. The arithmetic processing unit 41 calculates the filled toner weight from the empty weight of the small toner container 20 measured by the weight measuring means 30 and the total weight of the small toner container 20 filled with the toner 21, and based on the calculated weight of the air valve 45 is controlled to open. The arithmetic processing unit 41 may be configured to allow the input of the expected filling weight of the powder and the change of the inputted expected filling weight by an input means such as a keyboard.

When filling the toner from the large container 10 containing toner into the small toner container 20 with the apparatus of FIG. 2, first, the empty small toner container 20 is placed on the weight measuring means 30. The weight measuring unit 30 transmits the weight measurement data of the empty small toner container 20 to the arithmetic device 41 via the communication line 31. Here, the pressurized air supply means 52 is operated to supply compressed air to the breathable member 51 through the air supply pipe 53. Then, air blows out into the large container 10 through a large number of holes of the air-permeable member 51, and fluidizes the toner accommodated therein to form a fluidized bed state.
On the other hand, the air valve 45 is closed according to an instruction from the arithmetic processing unit 41, and toner charging is started.
When the toner 21 is filled into the small toner container 20, the weight measuring unit 30 transmits measurement data of the total weight of the filled small toner container 20 to the arithmetic processing unit 41 via the communication line 31. In the arithmetic processing unit 41, the air valve opening weight and the suction pressure generation source starting weight are determined in advance according to the type of the small toner container 20, the type of toner, and the filling amount, and are stored in the internal memory. Then, the current filling toner amount is measured, and when the filling amount corresponding to the suction pressure generation source starting weight is reached, the suction pressure generation source 43 is started via the signal line 42 to secure the suction pressure in the tank 44. When the filling amount corresponding to the air valve opening weight is reached, the air valve 45 is opened via the signal line 42 and the air in the powder valve 11 is sucked at once by the suction pressure stored in the tank 44. The powder bridge is instantly formed to stop the toner discharge.
In this manner, the toner container 20 can be accurately filled with a desired amount of ultrafine toner having an average particle diameter of a micron.
In practice, the powder valve 11 having a nozzle inner diameter of 12 mm, the gas separation means having a cross-sectional area of 1055 mm ² and the 500 ml tank 44 are filled with toner powder used in electrophotography with the configuration shown in FIG. As a result, the variation in the filling amount was reduced by 5.0% compared to the conventional method.

Example 2
Compared with Example 1, a powder filling apparatus having a configuration in which a compressed air source 46 as shown in FIG.
According to the present embodiment, at the start of discharge after the powder valve is formed, immediately after the air valve 45 is closed, the release air is blown from the compressed air source 46 by a signal from the control unit 41, The discharge starts smoothly.

Example 3
A powder filling apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 was produced. The feature of this apparatus is that the apparatus of FIG. 2 of Example 1 performs powder feeding and powder discharge by gravity, whereas powder feeding and powder discharge is performed by the pressure in the large container. Parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 2 are indicated by the same numbers.
The fluidizing means 50 is provided in the large container 10 that can be sealed. The fluidizing means 50 includes a breathable member 51 provided at the bottom of the large container 10 and a pressurized air supply means 52 for supplying air to the inside of the large container 10 through the breathable member 51.
The toner discharge portion is guided from a powder introduction tube 17 inserted into the powder so as not to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the large container 10 to a powder valve (filling nozzle) 11 via a fluidized powder transport tube 16.
In the apparatus of this embodiment, when the pressure release valve 18 is open, the powder to be filled is introduced from the powder inlet with a shut-off valve at the top of the large container. Thereafter, the powder is fluidized by introducing gas from the pressurized air supply means 52 into the large container 10 through the air-permeable member 51.
After fluidization, when the powder inlet and the pressure release valve 18 are closed, the powder is pushed out of the large container 10 into the fluid powder transport pipe 16 by the pressure of the gas used for fluidization, and the small container 20 The powder is discharged from the powder valve 11 installed in the upper part into the small container 20. At that time, the opening degree of the powder speed adjusting valve 19 is adjusted to adjust the powder discharge speed.
Thereafter, in the same manner as in Example 1, the discharge of the powder is stopped.

The figure which shows the structural example of the conventional powder filling apparatus typically. The figure which shows the structure of the powder filling apparatus of Example 1 typically. The figure which shows typically the partial structure of the powder filling apparatus of Example 2. FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the powder filling apparatus of Example 3 typically.

Explanation of symbols

10 Large container 11 Powder valve (= Filling nozzle)
12 Porous body (or mesh material)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Suction pipe 14 Inner wall part of large container 16 Fluidized powder transport pipe 17 Powder introduction pipe 18 Pressure release valve 19 Powder speed adjustment valve 20 Small toner container 21 Toner 24 Pressure gauge 25 Pressure gauge 30 Weight measuring means 31 Communication line 40 Filling amount control means 41 Arithmetic processing part 42 Communication line 43 Suction pressure generation source 44 Tank 45 Air valve 46 Compressed air source 50 Fluidization means 51 Breathable member 52 Pressurized air supply means 53 Gas introduction pipe 60 Supply port

Claims (24)

  Large container having a breathable member on the inner wall, fluidizing means for fluidizing the powder in the large container by discharging pressurized gas into the large container through the breathable member, gas at the discharge port to the small container Measures the total weight of a powder valve that separates and sucks only gas by a separation means and stops discharge by a bridge, a suction pressure generation source for forming a bridge in the powder valve, and a small container filled with powder. A powder filling device having a weight measuring means, comprising a tank between a powder valve and a suction pressure generation source, an air valve between the tank and the powder valve, A powder filling apparatus for filling powder in a large container into a small container, comprising filling amount control means for opening an air valve based on measurement data.   2. The powder filling according to claim 1, wherein a path for press-fitting air is provided between the air valve and the powder valve, and the bridge is broken by the press-fitting of air from the path when the air valve is closed. apparatus.   The powder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas separating means is disposed inside the powder discharge pipe, and is equipped with a mesh material that allows only the gas to pass without passing the powder. Filling equipment.   The gas separation means is disposed inside the powder discharge pipe, and is a porous body having a large number of micropores that allow only the gas to pass therethrough without allowing the powder to pass therethrough, and each micropore communicates with each other inside. 3. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder filling apparatus is provided.   5. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fluidizing means includes a gas introduction pipe for introducing a pressurized gas into the gas separation means.   6. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the gas introduction pipe has an air supply control valve that performs air supply stop, air supply start, and air supply amount adjustment.   The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the large container has an inner wall portion inclined at least partially.   8. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inclined inner wall part is a part of a hopper-like structure part at the lower part of the large container.   9. The filling amount control means has a monitor unit for displaying the total weight of at least the small container filled with the powder, which is measured by the weight measuring means. Powder filling equipment.   The filling amount control means includes an arithmetic processing unit that calculates the weight of the filled powder from the empty weight of the small container and the total weight of the small container filled with the powder. A powder filling apparatus according to claim 1.   11. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the arithmetic processing unit has an input means, and the input means can input the expected filling weight of the powder and change the inputted expected filling weight. .   12. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the opening / closing operation of the air valve is controlled based on a calculation result of the calculation processing unit.   A powder filling method for filling powder in a large container into a small container, wherein the large container has a breathable member on an inner wall and discharges pressurized gas into the large container through the breathable member. The powder in the large container is fluidized, and only the gas is separated and sucked by the gas separation means and the suction pressure generation source at the discharge port to the small container, and a bridge is formed on the powder valve to discharge the powder. Is stopped, a tank is provided between the powder valve and the suction pressure generation source, an air valve is provided between the tank and the powder valve, and the suction pressure is stored in the tank in advance by the suction pressure generation source. Measure the total weight of the small container with the body transferred and filled, open the air valve based on the measured data, and apply the suction pressure stored in the tank to the powder valve to instantly form a bridge to discharge the powder. A powder filling method characterized by stopping.   14. The powder filling method according to claim 13, wherein a path for press-fitting air is provided between the air valve and the powder valve, and when the air valve is closed, the bridge is broken by press-fitting air from this path.   15. The powder filling method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein as the gas separation means, a device equipped with a mesh material that does not allow powder to pass but allows only gas to pass is disposed inside the powder discharge pipe.   As the gas separation means, a porous body having a large number of fine holes that allow only the gas to pass therethrough without allowing the powder to pass therethrough is arranged inside the powder discharge pipe, and each fine hole communicates with each other inside. The powder filling method according to claim 13 or 14.   The powder filling method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein fluidizing means including a gas introduction pipe for introducing pressurized gas into the gas separation means is employed.   18. The powder filling method according to claim 17, wherein fluidization means including a gas introduction pipe having an air supply control valve for performing an air supply stop, an air supply start, and an air supply amount adjustment is employed.   The powder filling method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein a large container having an inner wall portion inclined at least partially is used.   20. The powder filling method according to claim 19, wherein the inclined inner wall portion is a part of a hopper-like structure portion at the lower portion of the large container.   21. The filling amount control means having a monitor unit for displaying the total weight of at least the small container filled with the powder, which is measured by the weight measuring means, is adopted. The powder filling method as described.   The filling amount control means having an arithmetic processing unit for calculating the weight of the filled powder from the empty weight of the small container and the total weight of the small container filled with the powder is employed. The powder filling method according to claim 1.   23. The powder filling method according to claim 22, wherein the arithmetic processing unit has an input means, and the input means inputs the expected filling weight of the powder and changes the inputted expected filling weight. The powder filling method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the opening / closing operation of the air valve is controlled based on a calculation result of the calculation processing unit.

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