JP2005298041A - Gas replacement method for granular materials - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a gas replacement method for a granular material which can be efficiently replaced in a short time by simple pressure control of the replacement gas and which can be easily incorporated into an automatic line.
A replacement gas is supplied into a hermetic container 2 containing a powdered granular material 1 to increase the pressure in the hermetic container 2, and after this pressure increase, the replacement gas is discharged out of the hermetic container 2 and depressurized. Therefore, when the inside of the sealed container 2 is pressurized, the replacement gas enters the entire area of the powdered granular material 1, and then the air remaining in the powdered granular material 1 is depressurized in the sealed container 2. Is released, and gas replacement is effectively performed. Since the gas flow in which the granular material 1 moves is not generated by the pressure increase and depressurization, abnormal behavior does not occur in the granular material 1.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention is a powder that efficiently replaces the air remaining in the granular material with a specific gas such as an inert gas when filling the granular material such as food or medicine into a container such as a bag. The present invention relates to a gas replacement method for particulate matter.

  Conventionally, various substances are sealed in a specific gas atmosphere. For example, in order to prevent and store oxidative deterioration of food products and drugs, the inside of the bag is sealed as an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen gas when packing these substances. Here, when the target substance to be encapsulated is a granular material such as a powder, there is a problem that it is very difficult to replace the gas originally contained in the powder with a replacement gas. That is, in the case of powder, since the particles are fine, the gas present around the powder particles is sealed inside the aggregate of fine particles, and it is extremely difficult to replace this. It was difficult.

  That is, the air layer in the vicinity of the top opening of the bag filled with powder is relatively easily replaced with gas, but the air in the bag and in the vicinity of the bottom is hardly replaced, and the residual layer has a residual oxygen concentration of 0. Even if gas replacement is performed up to 5% or less and sealing is performed, oxygen remaining in the interior and bottom portion diffuses over time, and the oxygen concentration in the bag becomes about 5 to 10%, preventing oxidation deterioration. It was insufficient for the purpose of doing. In addition, in order to sufficiently replace oxygen in the powder with an inert gas or the like, it is necessary to supply the inert gas at a large flow rate, and the powder has risen and hinders bagging.

Therefore, a vacuum method in which the inside of the container in which the granular material is accommodated is evacuated, a nozzle injection method in which a replacement gas is injected into the container through a nozzle, and a screw that flows the replacement gas while stirring the granular material with a screw. A stirring method has been proposed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-42805 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-148401 JP 2002-46704 A

  However, in the above vacuum method, the residual oxygen concentration is determined by the ultimate vacuum, and in order to increase the replacement speed, the vacuum pump must be enlarged, the equipment scale is increased, and the equipment investment is also increased. The nozzle injection method is suitable for an object such as beans, but with a powder such as flour, the powder rises and gas replacement cannot be performed. Furthermore, since the above-described screw agitation method allows the replacement gas to flow while being agitated with a screw, it takes a long time for the gas replacement, and the scale of the equipment increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and can easily perform gas replacement for a granular material in a short time by simple pressure control of a replacement gas, and can be used in an automatic line. It aims at providing the gas replacement method with respect to the granular material which is easy to incorporate.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gas replacement method for a granular material according to the present invention is to supply a replacement gas into a sealed container containing the powdered material and pressurize the inside of the sealed container. The gist is to release the pressure out of the sealed container.

  That is, in the gas replacement method for the granular material according to the present invention, the replacement gas is supplied into the sealed container in which the granular material is accommodated, and the pressure in the sealed container is increased by the replacement gas. In the transition period in which the pressure is increased, the replacement gas penetrates into every corner of the granular material as the pressure propagates to the entire area of the sealed container. On the other hand, by releasing the replacement gas in the sealed container, which is at a high pressure as described above, and releasing the pressure, the air that is present in the particulate matter is released at the same time. Therefore, due to the pressure fluctuation from the pressure increase to the depressurization in the sealed container, a gas flow accompanying the pressure fluctuation is obtained in the sealed container, and the residual gas such as the air is surely replaced. In particular, since the pressure is increased and depressurized with respect to the inside of the sealed container, the displacement gas does not pass through the sealed container, and the dynamic pressure due to the replacement gas flow is very less likely to act on the powder and the powder. It is possible to prevent soaring, and gas replacement can be performed while the granular material is in a substantially static state. Further, since the control is performed for the pressure increase and the depressurization of the replacement gas, the control is simplified and a production process that is easy to operate is realized.

  Furthermore, the main equipment structure for carrying out the method of the present invention includes a gas supply equipment for supplying replacement gas into the sealed container, an on-off valve for intermittently supplying the gas, and the discharge gas flow. An on-off valve that is intermittent and a control device that operates the gas supply facility and the on-off valve can be used. Since such an equipment structure can be formed using a versatile unit or the like, the equipment structure can be simplified and the equipment cost can be reduced. At the same time, simplified equipment extends the maintenance cycle and ensures reliable equipment operation.

  As described above, the problems in the vacuum method, nozzle injection method, screw stirring method and the like described above are solved.

  In the gas replacement method for the granular material according to the present invention, the position where the replacement gas is supplied into the sealed container and the position where the replacement gas is released in the sealed container are substantially opposed to each other with the powdered material interposed therebetween. In this case, the direction in which the replacement gas introduced into the granular material enters the granular material at the time of pressurization is the same direction as the direction in which air or replacement gas is released at the time of depressurization. . Therefore, a unidirectional directional displacement flow state is formed from the supply point side to the discharge point side, and the air remaining in the particulate matter is efficiently discharged, thereby obtaining reliable gas replacement. It is done.

  In the gas replacement method for the granular material of the present invention, when the location for supplying the replacement gas into the sealed container and the location for releasing the replacement gas in the sealed container are arranged on one side of the sealed container, Since the replacement gas can be supplied and discharged from one side of the hermetic container, piping of the gas replacement device can be easily performed, and the device can be simplified.

  In the gas replacement method for the granular material according to the present invention, when the above pressure increase and depressurization are repeated a predetermined number of times, the concentration of residual air can be further reduced by repeating the pressure increase and the depressurization. Gas fullness is further enhanced.

  In the gas replacement method for the granular material according to the present invention, when the pressure in the sealed container at the time of pressurization is 1 MPa or less, the gas replacement is efficiently performed with an inexpensive apparatus without using a large pressure generator. It can be performed. That is, it is necessary to make it a high-pressure gas facility that can withstand pressures exceeding 1 MPa. In any case, the equipment cost and the maintenance cost will be greatly increased. With this, gas replacement can be performed efficiently.

  In the gas replacement method for the granular material of the present invention, the difference between the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container at the time of pressurization and the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container at the time of depressurization is 0.05 MPa or more. In this case, penetration of the replacement gas into the granular material at the time of pressurization and discharge of the replacement gas to the outside of the granular material at the time of depressurization are reliably performed, and efficient gas replacement is performed in a short time. be able to. Furthermore, gas replacement can be performed efficiently with an inexpensive device without using a large pressure generator.

  In the gas replacement method for a granular material according to the present invention, when the hermetically sealed container is held by a rotary table type moving means that sequentially performs a plurality of steps, and the gas is replaced in the step performed by the rotary table type moving means. By being a rotary table type, for example, reliable gas replacement can be performed in an automatic line that continuously performs a series of processes such as a bag supply process, a powder filling process, a gas replacement process, and a sealing process. In addition, the device itself can be simplified and the maintenance cycle can be extended. In addition, since the gas replacement process by pressure increase and depressurization is built into the rotary table type moving means, the time required for gas replacement can be shortened, and the production tact time can be prevented from being extended, resulting in reduced productivity. It is effective because it does not cause

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the gas replacement method for the granular material of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram and a partial cross-sectional view showing an apparatus for carrying out a gas replacement method for a granular material according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the granular material handled in this example is wheat flour 1. And as shown to the same figure (B), the airtight container 2 which accommodates the said flour 1 is made into the shape of a cylinder, and the structure as an airtight container is carried out by fitting the upper cover 3 and the lower cover 4 up and down. Is formed. A diffusion chamber 6 is provided on the upper lid 3 by attaching a thin plate-like filter 5. A diffusion chamber 8 is provided on the lower lid 4 by attaching a filter 7 to the same structure. The filters 5 and 7 are formed of a synthetic resin net having a small mesh that can prevent the passage of the flour 1. As this synthetic resin, a polyamide resin is used. However, other filter materials may be used. In addition, 250 g of flour 1 is filled in the sealed container 2, and this filling amount is about 70% of the capacity of the sealed container 2.

  A supply pipe 9 for supplying nitrogen gas, which is an inert gas, into the sealed container 2 is connected to the diffusion chamber 3. The discharge tube 10 is also connected to the diffusion chamber 8 by a similar structure.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the nitrogen gas is pumped from a gas supply facility 11. In this example, the gas supply facility 11 includes a nitrogen gas cylinder 12 to which the supply pipe 9 is connected. A pressure regulator 13 is disposed in the supply pipe 9, and an electric inlet opening / closing valve 14 is disposed on the downstream side. The pressure regulator 13 sets the pressure increase value in the sealed container 2. A pressure gauge 15 is attached to the downstream side of the inlet opening / closing valve 14.

  On the other hand, the discharge pipe 10 is provided with an open / closed sample gas extraction port 16, an electric outlet opening / closing valve 17 is provided on the downstream side, and the downstream discharge pipe 10 is connected to the atmosphere. It is open.

  When the inlet on / off valve 14 is open, the outlet on / off valve 17 is closed. Conversely, when the inlet on / off valve 14 is closed, the outlet on / off valve 17 is open. A control device 18 is provided to perform the opening / closing operation by setting the opening / closing time and the opening / closing time of the both opening / closing valves 14 and 17. The control device 18 supplies operation signals to both the on-off valves 14 and 17.

  When the inlet opening / closing valve 14 is opened and nitrogen gas is supplied to the sealed container 2, the pressure regulator 13 sets the pressure of the nitrogen gas to a high pressure, and the high-pressure nitrogen gas is supplied into the sealed container 2. Thereby, the pressure in the sealed container 2 is increased. When the pressurized nitrogen gas is supplied into the sealed container 2, the nitrogen gas penetrates into every corner of the flour 1 as the pressure of the nitrogen gas propagates. After that, when the inlet on / off valve 14 is closed and the outlet on / off valve 17 is opened, the high pressure nitrogen gas in the sealed container 2 is discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe 10 and the inside of the sealed container 2 is depressurized. The At the time of this release, that is, at the time of decompression, the air present in the flour 1 is released at the same time.

  In the supply of nitrogen gas, the nitrogen gas that has flowed into the diffusion chamber 6 from the supply pipe 9 spreads throughout the diffusion chamber 6 and passes through the entire area of the filter 5 uniformly. Therefore, the pressure propagation of nitrogen gas to the flour 1 or the intrusion into the flour 1 is favorably performed on the entire flour 1 without being shifted to a specific portion of the flour 1. Moreover, in the gas discharge at the time of depressurization, since it flows out to the discharge pipe 10 through the diffusion chamber 8 on the discharge side, the air remaining in the flour 1 can be discharged uniformly from the whole area of the flour 1. As described above, since the diffusion chambers 6 and 8 are arranged on the inflow side and the outflow side, respectively, the flow and turbulent flow that are offset by the air and nitrogen gas passing through the flour 1 are not generated, and it is good. Gas replacement is performed.

  Next, an experimental result by the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  3 and 4 show that when the filling amount of flour 1 is 250 g and the pressure of nitrogen gas at the time of pressurization is three pressures of 0.1 MPa, 0.2 MPa, and 0.3 MPa, the number of purges (pressure increase / desorption) The number of pressures) and the oxygen concentration in the gas sampled from the extraction port 16 are shown. That is, when the pressure of nitrogen gas was 0.1 MPa and the number of purges was performed five times, it was recognized that the 20% oxygen concentration at the time of zero purges was reduced to 0.17%. Moreover, when the airtight container 2 was shaken after 5 times of purging and the flour 1 was shaken and mixed, it was found that the oxygen concentration was reduced to 0.07%. By this shaking, no increase in oxygen concentration was observed, so it became clear that the gas inside the flour 1 was uniformly replaced throughout. Moreover, it is thought that the oxygen concentration reduction by this shaking is because nitrogen gas which exists in the space part in the airtight container 2 penetrate | invaded into the flour 1 uniformly at the time of shaking.

  Further, when the pressure increase value of the nitrogen gas is increased to 0.2 MPa and 0.3 MPa, the oxygen concentration is 0.32% and 0.1% even if the number of purges is 3, and the gas replacement is sufficiently performed. It was recognized that it was made. It is recognized that when the pressure increase value of nitrogen gas is increased in this way, the amount of nitrogen gas entering into the flour 1 is increased and the gas replacement property is improved.

  As described above, in any of the experimental examples, a result in which the residual oxygen concentration is significantly lower than 0.5% is obtained, and sufficient replacement of nitrogen gas that does not cause quality abnormalities such as oxidative degradation in the flour 1 is performed. It has been found.

  FIG. 2 is a system diagram when the sealed container 2 is filled with 400 g of flour to fill the sealed container 2 with a full tank. As shown in FIG. 3, even in the case of a nitrogen gas pressure increase value of 0.1 MPa at a charge amount of 400 g, a value of 0.35% which is already significantly lower than the oxygen concentration of 0.5% at the fourth purge stage. And the same result as in the case of 250 g filling was obtained. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the influence of the filling amount of the flour 1. It was confirmed that both 250 g and 400 g had a good oxygen concentration at the stage of the fourth purge.

  FIG. 6 is data showing a comparative experimental example. The filling amount of the flour 1 was 250 g, the pressure increase value of the nitrogen gas was 0.02 MPa, gas sampling was performed from the extraction port 16 every five purges, and the oxygen concentration was measured. As a result, even when the number of purges reached 25, the oxygen concentration was 0.66% and could not fall below 0.5% as described above. Thus, when the pressure increase value of nitrogen gas is as low as 0.02 MPa and the pressure difference between the pressure increase and the pressure release in the sealed container 2 is small, it is clear that a sufficient replacement effect cannot be obtained. became.

  The pressure in the sealed container 2 at the time of pressurization is preferably set in the range of 1 MPa to 0.05 MPa, more preferably 0.8 MPa to 0.07 MPa. Furthermore, 0.6 MPa to 0.09 MPa is more preferable, and 0.4 MPa to 0.1 MPa is most preferable. By doing so, good gas replacement can be performed as described above. In addition, gas replacement can be performed efficiently with an inexpensive apparatus without using a large pressure generator. In other words, if the pressure exceeds 1 MPa, it is necessary to make it a high-pressure gas facility that can withstand it, and in any case, the equipment cost and maintenance cost will be greatly increased, but by setting the pressure increase value within the above pressure range, it is inexpensive. This makes it possible to perform gas replacement efficiently with a simple apparatus.

  Further, the difference between the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container 2 at the time of pressurization and the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container 2 at the time of depressurization is preferably set to 0.05 MPa or more, more preferably 0. 0.07 MPa or more. Most preferred is 0.09 MPa or more. The pressure difference of 0.05 MPa or more is applied within a pressure range of atmospheric pressure (0 MPa) to +1 MPa. On the other hand, when a pressure difference of 0.05 MPa or more is applied in a state close to a negative pressure, it is applied within a pressure range of -0.1 MPa to atmospheric pressure (0 MPa).

  The effects of the above embodiment are listed as follows.

  The replacement gas is supplied into the sealed container 2 in which the flour 1 is accommodated, and the pressure in the sealed container 2 is increased by the replacement gas. As the pressure propagates, the replacement gas penetrates into every corner of the flour 1. On the other hand, by releasing the replacement gas in the sealed container 2 having a high pressure as described above and releasing the pressure, the air present in the flour 1 at the time of the release is simultaneously released. Therefore, due to the pressure fluctuation from the pressure increase to the depressurization in the hermetic container 2, a gas flow accompanying the pressure fluctuation is obtained in the hermetic container 2, and the residual gas such as air is surely replaced. In particular, since the pressure is increased and depressurized with respect to the inside of the sealed container 2, it is not a phenomenon in which the replacement gas passes through the sealed container 2, but the dynamic pressure due to the replacement gas flow is extremely less likely to act on the flour 1. It is possible to prevent soaring, and gas replacement can be performed while the flour 1 is in a substantially static state. Further, since the control is performed for the pressure increase and the depressurization of the replacement gas, the control is simplified and a production process that is easy to operate is realized.

  Furthermore, the main equipment structure for carrying out the method of the present invention includes a gas supply equipment 11 for supplying replacement gas into the sealed container 2, an inlet on-off valve 14 for intermittently supplying the gas, and the above-mentioned The outlet opening / closing valve 17 for intermittently releasing the gas flow and the control device 18 for operating the gas supply equipment 11 and the opening / closing valves 14, 17 can be used. Since such an equipment structure can be formed using a versatile unit or the like, the equipment structure can be simplified and the equipment cost can be reduced. At the same time, simplified equipment extends the maintenance cycle and ensures reliable equipment operation.

  As described above, the problems in the vacuum method, nozzle injection method, screw stirring method and the like described above are solved.

  By making the supply pipe 9 for supplying the replacement gas into the closed container 2 and the discharge pipe 10 for releasing the replacement gas in the closed container 2 into a substantially opposed positional relationship with the flour 1 in between, the flour 1 The direction in which the replacement gas introduced into the flour 1 enters the flour 1 at the time of pressurization is the same as the direction in which air or replacement gas is released at the time of depressurization. Therefore, a unidirectional directional replacement flow state is formed from the supply pipe 9 side to the discharge pipe 10 side, air remaining in the flour 1 is efficiently discharged, and reliable gas replacement is performed. can get.

  By repeating the pressurization and depressurization a predetermined number of times, the concentration of residual air can be further reduced and the replacement gas can be more fully filled.

  Since the pressure in the sealed container 2 at the time of pressurization is 1 MPa or less, gas replacement can be efficiently performed with an inexpensive apparatus without using a large pressure generator. That is, it is necessary to make it a high-pressure gas facility that can withstand pressures exceeding 1 MPa. In any case, the equipment cost and the maintenance cost will be greatly increased. Thus, gas replacement can be performed efficiently.

  Since the difference between the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container 2 at the time of pressurization and the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container 2 at the time of depressurization is 0.05 MPa or more, the flour 1 of the replacement gas at the time of pressurization The penetration into the inside and the discharge of the substitution gas to the outside of the flour 1 at the time of depressurization are performed reliably, and efficient gas substitution can be performed in a short time. Furthermore, gas replacement can be performed efficiently with an inexpensive device without using a large pressure generator.

  In addition, when the flour 1 is hardened in a part where it has been offset for some reason, it is possible to reverse the gas flow to break up the cake.

  7, 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the gas replacement method for the granular material of the present invention, and each figure shows the structure of the gas replacement apparatus for performing the method of the present invention. .

  7 is a conceptual exploded perspective view, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation sequence of the apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a bag of flour is sealed. A measuring disk 19 for measuring the amount of the flour 1 is provided with a plurality of measuring holes 20 concentrically. A rotating shaft 21 is attached to the center of the measuring disk 19, and the rotating shaft 21 is supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on a stationary member of the gas displacement device. Further, the measuring disk 19 is rotated by a driving device (not shown).

  An inlet-side rotating plate 22 that rotates while sliding on the upper surface of the measuring disk 19 and an outlet-side rotating plate 23 that rotates while sliding on the lower surface of the measuring disk 19 are arranged in a positional relationship with the measuring disk 19 interposed therebetween. ing. The rotary shafts 24 and 25 of both rotary plates 22 and 23 are coaxial, and are parallel to the rotary shaft 21 of the measuring disk 19. Further, both rotary shafts 24 and 25 are driven by separate drive devices (not shown) to perform different rotational operations.

  The inlet side rotating plate 22 is provided with an inlet hole 26 for flour 1 and a supply hole 27 for nitrogen gas at intervals of 180 degrees. A filter 28 is attached to the lower part of the supply hole 27. On the other hand, the outlet side rotary plate 23 is provided with outlet holes 29 for the flour 1 and nitrogen gas discharge holes 30 at intervals of 180 degrees. A filter 31 is attached to the top of the discharge hole 30. Further, the supply pipe 32 of the flour 1 is disposed above the inlet hole 26.

  In FIG. 8A, the rotation stop positions of the inlet side rotating plate 22 and the outlet side rotating plate 23 are set to predetermined positions, whereby the inlet hole 26, the measuring hole 20, and the discharge hole 30 are arranged in a straight line. Shows the state. On the other hand, in this state, the supply hole 27 of the inlet side rotating plate 22 and the outlet hole 29 of the outlet side rotating plate 23 are arranged in a straight line. FIG. 8A shows a state in which the flour 1 is supplied from the supply pipe 32 into the measuring hole 20.

  (B) shows a state in which only the entrance-side rotating plate 22 has rotated from the state (A) and stopped at a predetermined position. In this state, the filter 28 is aligned with the measuring hole 20, and the flour 1 is in the same state as the state accommodated in the closed container 2. In this state, the joint member 33 of the supply pipe 9 and the joint member 34 of the discharge pipe 10 are in close contact with the supply hole 27 and the discharge hole 30 in an airtight state. Thereafter, the pressurization and depressurization of the nitrogen gas are performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and the air in the flour 1 is replaced with the nitrogen gas.

  (C) has shown the state which takes out the flour 1 which gas substitution was complete | finished. That is, the joint member 34 of the discharge pipe 10 is retracted and the receiving duct 35 of the flour 1 stands by just below the measuring hole 20, and in this state, only the outlet side turntable 23 rotates, and the outlet hole 29 becomes the measuring hole. It matches 20. In this state, the flour 1 is filled into the bag 36 from the receiving duct 35. In order to prevent air from being mixed in the transition period in which the flour 1 is transferred into the bag 36 in this way, it is preferable to continue sending nitrogen gas from the supply pipe 9 if necessary. Further, the bag 36 is made of synthetic resin or synthetic resin laminated paper in order to perform heat sealing described later.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an apparatus for sealing the bag 36. A casing 37 is waiting just below the outlet hole 29 of the outlet side rotating plate 23. An airtight holding seal 38 made of rubber or the like is attached to the upper edge of the casing 37 so that the seal 38 can be brought into close contact with the lower surface of the outlet side rotating plate 23. In the casing 37, the bag 36 is opened.

  The casing 37 is provided with a heat sealer 39 for heat-sealing the upper opening of the bag 36 existing inside the casing 37. The heat sealer 39 protrudes so as to face the space near the upper portion of the casing 37, and advances and retreats into the casing 37. The casing 37 is connected to a nitrogen gas supply pipe 40 and a supply pipe 41 so that the inside of the casing 37 is in a nitrogen gas atmosphere. Other than that, it is the same as that of the said Example, and attaches | subjects the same code | symbol to the same part.

  When the bag 36 is filled with the flour 1, the heat sealer 39 is attached to the casing 37 in a state where the introduction of nitrogen gas from the feeding pipe 40 is continued and air is prevented from entering the internal space of the casing 37. Pushing inside is done. Then, the upper portion of the bag 36 is sandwiched by the heat sealer 39, and the sandwiched portion is heated to seal the upper opening of the bag 36 with a heat seal as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Is called. By performing heat sealing while the inside of the casing 37 is kept in a nitrogen gas atmosphere in this way, air can be completely prevented from entering the flour 1 replaced with nitrogen gas, and gas replacement is performed at a higher level. . Other than that, there exists an effect similar to the said Example.

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a third embodiment of the gas replacement method for the granular material of the present invention, and each figure measures the gas replacement apparatus for performing the method of the present invention and the flour 1 after the gas replacement. The structure of the weighing device is shown.

  FIG. 10 is a conceptual exploded perspective view, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view. The gas replacement device itself is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 except for the replacement chamber pipe 45 and the joint member 34, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The replacement chamber pipe 45 corresponds to the cylindrical sealed container 2 and is coupled to a stationary member 46 of the apparatus. The replacement chamber pipe 45 is filled with the flour 1, and the amount of the flour 1 can be filled in a plurality of bags 36 and is filled in a large amount within a range where gas replacement is possible. Further, the joint member 34 is adapted to match the outer peripheral surface of the outlet side rotating plate 23.

  A metering device 47 is assembled to the gas replacement device. In this measuring device 47, a plurality of measuring holes 50 are provided on a circumference of a measuring rotating plate 49 that rotates about a rotating shaft 48, and a first rotating plate 51 and a second rotating plate 51 that open and close these measuring holes 50. A rotating plate 52 is provided. The measurement hole 50 is set to a predetermined volume so that the flour 1 can be measured to a predetermined amount, and the size of the measurement hole 50 can be changed to obtain a plurality of measurement amounts. The two rotating plates 51 and 52 are supported by rotating shafts 53 and 54, respectively, and rotate. The upper surface of the first rotating plate 51 is in close contact with the lower surface of the outlet-side rotating plate 23 of the gas displacement device, and the lower surface can be rotated in close contact with the upper surface of the metering rotating plate 49.

  In the first rotating plate 51, an introduction hole 55 that guides the flour 1 to the measuring hole 50 is formed so as to penetrate the first rotating plate 51. Further, the second rotary plate 52 is formed with a delivery hole 56 that receives the flour 1 in the weighed measurement hole 50 and sends it to the duct 35 in a state of penetrating the second rotary plate 52. The rotating shafts 25, 53, and 54 are coaxially arranged, and as shown in FIG. 11, the outlet hole 29, the introduction hole 55, and the delivery hole 56 have the same diameter and are provided on the same circumference. Further, as will be described later, the introduction hole 55 and the delivery hole 56 are arranged at locations where the first rotation plate 51 and the second rotation plate 52 can be matched with the measurement hole 50 of the measurement rotation plate 49. .

  The operation of the weighing device 47 will be described. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the gas replacement device performs the gas replacement operation by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the pressure of nitrogen gas. The weighing device 47 is in a state where both the upper and lower sides of the weighing hole 50 are closed.

  When the gas replacement is completed, the joint member 34 is separated from the outlet-side rotating plate 23, and then the outlet-side rotating plate 23 and the first rotating plate 51 are rotated together, so that the outlet hole 29 and the introduction hole 55 remain matched. It communicates with the replacement chamber pipe 45. Thereby, the flour 1 fills the measuring hole 50, and when the first rotating plate 51 rotates and closes the measuring hole 50 in this state, the flour 1 is sealed in the measuring hole 50 and weighed. Thereafter, when the second rotating plate 52 rotates and the delivery hole 56 matches the measuring hole 50, the flour 1 is filled into the bag 36 through the receiving duct 35. Finally, the bag 36 is sealed with a heat sealer (for example, a heat sealer 39 as shown in FIG. 9) to block air from entering.

  According to the above configuration, the flour 1 replaced with nitrogen gas is continuously weighed in the weighing device 47, so that it can be weighed in a state where air cannot enter. Further, since the gas replacement device and the metering device 47 can be integrally formed, the entire device is compact, which is advantageous in terms of cost reduction. Other than that, there exists an effect similar to each said Example.

  12 and 13 show a fourth embodiment of the gas replacement method for the granular material of the present invention, and each figure shows the structure of the gas replacement apparatus for performing the method of the present invention.

  This embodiment is a case of a rotary table type gas displacement device. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the apparatus, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a process sequence. Step (A) is a step in which the bag 36 is inserted into the casing 37 corresponding to the closed container 2 placed on the turntable 42. Then, the turntable 42 rotates clockwise by a predetermined angle and stops at the position of step (B), and the bag 36 is filled with the flour 1. In the step (B), as shown in FIG. 13B, the opening device 43 that widens the opening of the bag 36 is operating. Thereafter, the rotary table 42 rotates by a predetermined angle for each process. In the step (C), the upper opening of the casing 37 is closed by a lid member 44 joined with the supply pipe 9 and the discharge pipe 10 opened, and the inside of the casing 37 is pressurized with nitrogen gas, and then depressurized. Gas replacement is performed. In step (D), the bag 36 is heat sealed. And the bag 36 is taken out by a process (E). Various methods for holding the casing 37 on the rotary table 42 can be adopted. For example, the casing 37 can be held by a clamp mechanism (not shown). Other than that, it is the same as that of each said Example, and attaches | subjects the same code | symbol to the same part.

  With the above configuration, for example, (A) bag supply process, (B) flour 1 filling process, (C) nitrogen gas replacement process, (D) sealing process, (E) bag by being a rotary table type In an automatic line that continuously performs a series of steps such as the take-out step 36, reliable gas replacement can be performed, the device itself can be simplified, and the maintenance cycle can be extended. In addition, since the gas replacement process by pressure increase and depressurization is built into the rotary table type moving means, the time required for gas replacement can be shortened, and the production tact time can be prevented from being extended, resulting in reduced productivity. It is effective because it does not cause

  Furthermore, since the location where the nitrogen gas is supplied into the casing 37 and the location where the gas within the casing 37 is released are arranged on one side of the casing 37, the supply of nitrogen gas from one side of the casing 37 The gas can be discharged, the piping of the gas replacement device can be easily performed, and the device can be simplified. Other than that, there exists an effect similar to each said Example.

  Although the fourth embodiment is a rotary table type gas displacement device, a casing 37 is placed on a conveyor (not shown) that linearly moves in the steps (A) to (E). It is possible to perform each process.

  In each of the above embodiments, the bag 36 is mainly used as the container. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plastic container, a metal container, or the like can be used. Moreover, as a granular material to which the present invention is applied, powders such as wheat flour have been illustrated and described in the above-described embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to this, and granular and fibrous materials are also included in the present invention. It is the meaning contained in a granular material. Also, it is not limited to powdered and granular products such as foods, drugs, and cosmetics, but is applicable to various types of products that are roughly powdered, such as industrial basic products and semi-finished products such as resin powder and metal powder. be able to.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to gas replacement for preventing oxidative deterioration of granular materials such as foods, but is not limited thereto, and the granular materials and specific gas are not limited thereto. It is also possible to apply to gas replacement for promoting the reaction with.

It is the system diagram and sectional drawing of a sealed container which show one Example of the gas replacement method of this invention. It is a system diagram which shows one Example of the gas replacement method of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the gas substitution result in wheat flour. It is a diagram which shows the relationship between the frequency | count of purge for every pressure | voltage rise value, and oxygen concentration. It is a diagram which shows the relationship between the frequency | count of purge for every filling amount of flour, and oxygen concentration. It is a table | surface which shows the result of a comparative experiment example. It is a disassembled perspective view of a gas substitution apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the thing of FIG. 7 in steps. It is sectional drawing of the sealing apparatus of a bag. It is a disassembled perspective view of a gas displacement apparatus and a metering apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the thing of FIG. It is a top view of a rotary table type gas displacement apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the process of the gas replacement apparatus of FIG. 12 sequentially.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flour 2 Sealed container 3 Upper lid 4 Lower lid 5 Filter 6 Diffusion chamber 7 Filter 8 Diffusion chamber 9 Supply pipe 10 Release pipe 11 Gas supply equipment 12 Nitrogen gas cylinder 13 Pressure regulator 14 Inlet opening / closing valve 15 Pressure gauge 16 Extraction outlet 17 Outlet opening / closing Valve 18 Control device 19 Measuring disk 20 Measuring hole 21 Rotating shaft 22 Inlet side rotating plate 23 Outlet side rotating plate 24 Rotating shaft 25 Rotating shaft 26 Inlet hole 27 Supply hole 28 Filter 29 Outlet hole 30 Discharge hole 31 Filter 32 Supply pipe 33 Joint Member 34 Joint member 35 Receiving duct 36 Bag 37 Casing 38 Seal 39 Heat sealer 40 Feeding pipe 41 Sending pipe 42 Rotary table 43 Opener 44 Lid member 45 Replacement chamber pipe 46 Stationary member 47 Measuring device 48 Rotating shaft 49 Measuring rotary plate 50 Measuring hole 51 1st rotating plate 52 2nd Rolling plate 53 Rotating shaft 54 Rotating shaft 55 Introduction hole 56 Delivery hole

Claims (7)

  A gas for a granular material, characterized in that a replacement gas is supplied into a sealed container containing the powdered granular material to increase the pressure in the sealed container, and after this pressure increase, the replacement gas is discharged to the outside of the sealed container and depressurized. Replacement method.   The gas with respect to the granular material according to claim 1, wherein a position where the replacement gas is supplied into the sealed container and a position where the replacement gas is released within the sealed container are substantially opposed to each other with the powdered material interposed therebetween. Replacement method.   The gas replacement method for a granular material according to claim 1, wherein a place for supplying the replacement gas into the sealed container and a place for discharging the replacement gas in the sealed container are arranged on one side of the sealed container.   The gas replacement method for a granular material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressurization and depressurization are repeated a predetermined number of times.   The gas replacement method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure in the sealed container at the time of the pressure increase is 1 MPa or less.   The difference between the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container at the time of pressurization and the pressure of the replacement gas in the sealed container at the time of depressurization is 0.05 MPa or more. Gas replacement method for powdery granular materials.   The granular form according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hermetic container is held by a rotary table type moving means that sequentially performs a plurality of steps, and gas replacement is performed in the step performed by the rotary table type moving means. Gas replacement method for objects.

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