JP2006038129A - Pipe member - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent electrification of a pipe body 2 with a simple structure, in a pipe member 1 having the thermoplastic synthetic resin pipe body 2 for carrying powder and grain such as a grain, a tablet such as a medicine, and granular dog food. <P>SOLUTION: Conductive fiber 3 as a linear material is embedded and fixed in a plurality of places at a proper interval in the circumferential direction among an outer peripheral wall of the pipe body 1 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the pipe body 2. A part of the respective conductive fibers 3 is exposed outside in the radial direction from an outer peripheral surface 2a of the pipe body 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a pipe member provided with a pipe body for transporting a granular material such as a grain, a tablet such as a pharmaceutical product, and a granular dog food.

  Conventionally, a tubular or cylindrical pipe body in a pipe member used for conveying granular materials is made of thermoplastic synthetic resin such as vinyl chloride resin, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like.

  Thermoplastic synthetic resin has excellent electrical insulation, but it is poor in electrical conductivity, so if powder is supplied into the pipe body, static electricity is generated due to contact and friction between the inner peripheral wall of the pipe body and the powder. easy. As a result, static electricity of the opposite pole accumulates on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body. Thus, once static electricity (charge) is charged in the pipe body, this static electricity is unlikely to leak from the pipe body.

  For this reason, there is a risk of electric shock when an operator's body comes in contact with a pipe body charged with a large amount of static electricity, or it may cause noise to control equipment placed near the pipe body, causing malfunctions. There was also a problem.

  As a configuration for preventing such troubles due to static electricity, there is a structure that discharges static electricity to the outside of the pipe body (removes it from the pipe body) by disposing a conductive member on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a conductive resin having a conductive filler such as carbon black or metal fiber added to the outer peripheral surface of a pipe body is integrally formed so as to extend in a strip shape along the longitudinal direction of the pipe body. Is disclosed. In addition to the configuration described in Patent Document 1, an antistatic agent or conductive paint is applied to the entire outer peripheral surface of the pipe body, and a strip-shaped conductive tape is spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body. Adhering and attaching a conductive film to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body are already known configurations.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-177377

  According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the area (area) occupied by the conductive resin is small with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body, if the pipe body is made of a transparent thermoplastic synthetic resin, There is an advantage that the state of conveying (supplying) the granular material can be easily visually observed from the outside.

  However, because the area occupied by the conductive resin is small, only the static electricity charged in the pipe body that exists in the vicinity of the conductive resin can be removed. That is, since the static electricity charged in the pipe body can be removed only locally, there is a problem that the effect of static elimination is not sufficient.

  On the other hand, in the above-described conventionally known configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body can be covered over a wide range with a conductive member (such as an antistatic agent or a conductive tape), thus ensuring a stable static elimination effect. There is an advantage that can be done.

  However, in this case, it is necessary to carry out the application work of antistatic agent and the pasting work such as conductive tape in the process after molding the pipe body. There was a problem of incurring an increase in cost.

  In addition, since the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body is widely covered with an antistatic agent or conductive tape made of an opaque material, the inside of the pipe body cannot be seen even if the pipe body is made of a transparent thermoplastic synthetic resin. Or hard to see. For this reason, when it is desired to visually check the state of conveyance of the granular material in the pipe body, the above-described conventionally known configuration is unsuitable, and there is a problem that it lacks versatility.

  Therefore, the present invention has a technical problem to provide a pipe member that solves the above-described problems and can prevent charging of a pipe body for conveying a granular material with a simple structure.

  In order to achieve this technical problem, the invention of claim 1 is provided with a pipe body made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin for conveying a granular material such as a tablet such as a grain, a pharmaceutical product, or a granular dog food. A plurality of linear members having electrical conductivity are arranged on the circumferential wall of the pipe body at appropriate intervals along the circumferential direction of the pipe body, and extend along the longitudinal direction of the pipe body. And at least a part of the conductive material is exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pipe member according to the first aspect, the pipe body is manufactured using a transparent thermoplastic synthetic resin as a raw material, and each of the linear members has a conductive portion including a conductive substance on an outer peripheral surface. It consists of the conductive fiber formed in the.

  In the configuration of the present invention, a plurality of conductive linear materials are arranged on the peripheral wall of the pipe body made of thermoplastic synthetic resin at appropriate intervals along the circumferential direction of the pipe body, and the longitudinal direction of the pipe body Since at least a part of the conductive material of each linear material is exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body, a part of the plurality of linear materials (conductive The portion having the property can be exposed to the outside air.

  In the case of conveying the granular material by the pipe member having such a configuration, when static electricity is charged in the pipe main body due to contact / friction between the pipe main body and the granular material, the static electricity is located in the vicinity thereof. Concentrate on the material.

  Then, corona discharge occurs, air around the outer exposed portion of the linear material is ionized, and a charge having a polarity opposite to the charged charge (static electricity) of the exposed portion is attracted to the exposed portion. As a result, the charged charge of the pipe member is electrically neutralized.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, even if the area occupied by the linear material relative to the pipe body is not so large, the static electricity charged in the pipe member is neutralized and removed without grounding the pipe member. There is an effect that can be.

  In addition, since the linear members are arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body so as to be arranged in parallel at appropriate intervals, as described above, the area occupied by the linear member with respect to the pipe body is not so large. The presence of the linear material is inconspicuous.

  Thus, as in the configuration of claim 2, if the material of the pipe body is a transparent thermoplastic synthetic resin, the powder particles that pass through the pipe body while ensuring the charge removing function of the pipe member There is an effect that the state of the body can be easily visually recognized from the outside.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 4). 1A is a schematic view of a pipe member in the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the pipe member, and FIG. 2A is a main part of the pipe member in the second embodiment. FIG. 3B is an enlarged sectional view, FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the pipe member in the third embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the pipe forming machine. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a sizing device in a pipe forming machine.

  The pipe member 1 of 1st Embodiment shown to Fig.1 (a) (b) is provided with the cylindrical pipe main body 2. As shown in FIG. The pipe body 2 is manufactured by an extrusion method using a transparent thermoplastic synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon resin, polystyrene resin or the like (details will be described later). ). Therefore, the pipe body 2 has the same cross-sectional shape (cylindrical shape) over the entire length.

  On the outer peripheral wall of the pipe main body 2, the conductive fibers 3 as linear members extend along the longitudinal direction of the pipe main body 2 at a plurality of positions spaced at appropriate intervals along the circumferential direction (outer peripheral wall). It is embedded and fixed so that it is parallel to each other. A part of each conductive fiber 3 is exposed radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 2 a of the pipe body 2.

  In the conductive fiber 3 of the first embodiment, the conductive portion 3b containing a conductive material such as carbon black or metal is formed on the periphery of the synthetic resin fiber 3a made of nylon resin, polyester resin, or the like. They are arranged at equal intervals along the direction (three locations in the cross section of FIG. 1B) and extend over the entire length of the fiber 3a. The conductive portion 3b only needs to be able to come into contact with air (outside air) by exposing at least a part thereof from the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body 2.

  In addition, the wire diameter of the conductive fiber 3 can be set to an arbitrary value within a range that can be used for corona discharge (details will be described later, but a smaller diameter is preferable for corona discharge). The conductive portion 3b of the conductive fiber 3 corresponds to a “portion having conductivity” described in the claims.

  In the above configuration, when the pipe body 2 passes through the pipe body 2 and static electricity begins to be charged in the pipe body 2, the static electricity concentrates on the thin linear conductive fibers 3 located in the vicinity thereof. When the electric field around the static electricity locally exceeds the electric field strength of dielectric breakdown, the air around the conductive portion 3b exposed to the outside of the conductive fiber 3 is ionized by corona discharge. As a result of the charge having the opposite polarity to the charged charge (static electricity) of the conductive portion 3b being attracted to the conductive 3b, the charged charge of the pipe body 2 is electrically neutralized.

  Therefore, by using corona discharge by making the conductive fiber 3 into a thin line, the pipe member 1 is not grounded even if the area occupied by the conductive fiber 3 is not so large with respect to the pipe body 2. The static electricity charged on the member 1 can be neutralized and removed.

  In particular, if the arrangement number of the conductive fibers 3 is increased and the arrangement interval of the conductive fibers 3 along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body 3 is narrowed, static electricity generated in the pipe body 2 is more reliably (effectively). Can be removed. The electric charge left in the air diffuses against the charged electric charge of the conductive portion 3b and finally escapes to the ground.

  Further, since the thin linear conductive fibers 3 are arranged around the outer peripheral surface 2a of the pipe body 2 so as to be arranged in parallel at appropriate intervals, as described above, the conductive fibers 3 of the pipe body 2 are arranged. The occupied area is not so large, and the presence of the conductive fibers 3 is not noticeable.

  Thus, if the pipe body 2 is made of a transparent thermoplastic synthetic resin, the state of the powder passing through the pipe body 2 can be seen outside while ensuring the neutralization function of the pipe member 1. Easily visible. When cleaning the pipe member 1, it is easy to confirm the presence or absence of foreign matter or water droplets.

  Furthermore, since the group of conductive fibers 3 is embedded and fixed around the outer peripheral surface 2a of the pipe body 2 with a part thereof exposed, it can be easily dropped off like a conductive tape or a conductive film. There is also an advantage that it does not peel off.

  Other embodiment shown to Fig.2 (a)-(c) is another example of the conductive fiber as a linear material. The conductive fiber 3 'of the second embodiment shown in (a) is formed with a conductive portion 3b' containing a conductive material such as carbon black so as to surround the entire outer peripheral surface of the fiber 3a 'made of nylon resin or the like. It is a thing. In the conductive fiber 3 ″ of the third embodiment shown in (b), a single-letter-shaped conductive portion 3b ″ containing a conductive material such as carbon black is formed at the center of the cross section of the fiber 3a ″ made of nylon resin or the like. It is a thing.

  Also in the second and third embodiments, by exposing at least a part of the conductive portions 3b ′ and 3b ″ from the outer peripheral surface 2a of the pipe body 2, the conductive portions 3b ′ and 3b ″ can come into contact with air (outside air). It is configured as follows.

  As is apparent from these configurations, the conductive fibers 3, 3 ′, 3 ″ as the linear material have the conductive portions 3 b, 3 b ′, 3 b ″ containing a conductive material such as carbon black or metal as their outer peripheral surfaces. It suffices if the form appears (exposed) in 2a. Further, the exposed portions of the respective conductive fibers 3, 3 ', 3 "(linear material) do not need to extend continuously over the entire length of the pipe body 2. For example, in the fourth embodiment shown in (c). As described above, the exposed portion may be configured to jump out at appropriate intervals along the longitudinal direction of the pipe body 2. In other words, the conductive fibers 3, 3 ', 3 ″ exposed portions and non-exposed portions (portions embedded in the pipe body 2) may be alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the pipe body 2. Examples of the conductive material include conductive polymers such as polyaniline and polypyrrole.

  A band (not shown) made of a conductive material is wound around the outer peripheral surface 2a at an appropriate position of the pipe body 2, and this band and the conductive portions 3b, 3b ′, 3b ″ exposed on the outer peripheral surface 2a May be made to contact, and the band may be appropriately grounded through a conductor to neutralize static electricity accumulated on the outer peripheral surface 2a of the pipe body 2.

  Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the pipe member 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  A pipe molding machine 10 for manufacturing the pipe member 1 by an extrusion molding method determines the tube diameter of the extrusion device 11 having the raw material hopper 11a, the die mold 12, and the pipe member 1 in order along the extrusion direction of the synthetic resin. A cooling sizing device 13, a take-up device 14, and a cutting device 15 are provided. The pipe forming machine 10 is characterized in that a plurality of supply reels 16 for supplying conductive fibers 3 as a linear material are disposed between a die mold 12 and a sizing device 13. Others are the same as those of a conventionally known pipe forming machine.

  In manufacturing the pipe member 1 using the pipe forming machine 10, the thermoplastic synthetic resin material 20 supplied from the raw material hopper 11a to the cylinder part 11b of the extrusion device 11 is melted and kneaded in the cylinder part 11b. Then, it is extruded in a molten state toward the die mold 12. Next, the molten thermoplastic synthetic resin material 20 is formed into a predetermined pipe shape by the die mold 12 and continuously extruded from the die mold 12.

  The unsolidified pipe-shaped thermoplastic synthetic resin material 20 extruded from the die mold 12 is cooled and solidified while its pipe diameter (outer shape) is regulated by the sizing device 13 and continuously taken up by the take-up device 14. .

  Here, the conductive fibers 3 fed from the group of supply reels 16 are inserted into the pipe passage 13a of the sizing device 13 so as to be arranged in parallel at appropriate intervals around the inner peripheral surface of the pipe passage 13a. Yes. By supplying the unsolidified pipe-shaped thermoplastic synthetic resin material 20 into the sizing device 13 in this state, a plurality of conductive fibers 3 are formed around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe-shaped thermoplastic synthetic resin material 20. It is embedded and fixed in a state where a part is exposed from the outer peripheral surface 20a.

  Thereafter, the pipe-shaped thermoplastic synthetic resin material 20 in which the conductive fibers 3 are embedded in the outer peripheral wall is cut into a predetermined length by the cutting device 15 located on the downstream side of the take-up device 14 to become the pipe member 1. .

  By adopting the manufacturing method as described above, the molding process of the pipe body 2 and the embedding process of the conductive fibers 3 can be performed together, so that a series of processes for manufacturing the pipe member 1 can be automated. The productivity of the member 1 is significantly improved and labor saving is possible. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the pipe member 1 can be reduced.

  Others The present invention can be embodied in various forms other than the illustrated embodiment. For example, the pipe body is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may have a cylindrical shape with an oval cross section or a square cylinder with a polygonal cross section. The present invention can also be applied to a pipe member provided with a spiral fin inside. The vertical and horizontal length dimensions of the pipe body can be set freely. The thickness and color of the pipe body can be appropriately selected according to the required characteristics.

  If the pipe member is made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material having a low friction coefficient (for example, nylon resin, polyethylene resin, fluorinated ethylene resin, etc.), the slipperiness of the powder is improved and the powder when passing through the pipe body is improved. Wear with the particles can be reduced.

  If the material of the pipe member is a flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin (for example, nylon resin, polyethylene resin, vinyl chloride resin, polyurethane resin, fluorinated ethylene resin, etc.), the pipe member can be curved.

  The linear member is not limited to being embedded and fixed in a state in which a part of the linear member is exposed around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body, but may be attached around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body or fixed by baking or the like. The linear material is not limited to the above-described conductive fiber, but may be a thin linear material having conductivity such as a metal fiber such as a stainless fiber or a carbon fiber. Further, the linear material may be a single wire, or may be, for example, a thread-like material obtained by twisting a large number of single fibers (filaments) having conductivity. The thickness of the linear material is desirably set to about 0.05 to 0.2 mm.

(A) is the schematic of the pipe member in 1st Embodiment, (b) is a principal part expanded sectional view of a pipe member. (A) is a principal part expanded sectional view of the pipe member in 2nd Embodiment, (b) is a principal part enlarged perspective view of the pipe member in 3rd Embodiment, (c) is the schematic of the pipe member in 4th Embodiment. It is. It is a schematic side view of a pipe forming machine. It is a schematic perspective view of the sizing apparatus in a pipe forming machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pipe member 2 Pipe main body 2a Peripheral surface 3, 3 ', 3 "Conductive fiber 3b, 3b', 3b" as a linear material Conductive part 10 Pipe molding machine 11 Extruding device 12 Die die 13 Sizing device 14 Taking over Device 15 Cutting device 16 Supply roll 20 Thermoplastic synthetic resin material

Claims (2)

A pipe member provided with a pipe body made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin for conveying grains, tablets such as pharmaceuticals, granular dog food, etc.
On the peripheral wall of the pipe body, a plurality of conductive linear materials are arranged at appropriate intervals along the circumferential direction of the pipe body, and provided so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the pipe body,
A pipe member characterized in that at least a part of the conductive material is exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body.   The pipe body is manufactured from a transparent thermoplastic synthetic resin, and each of the linear members is made of conductive fibers having a conductive portion including a conductive substance formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The pipe member described in 1.

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