JP2009006535A - Plastic material supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plastic material supply system that reduces the damage of a hermetically closing member even if the hermetically closing member, for example, like an O-ring is arranged in the closing/opening structure of a vacuum treatment container for sending a plastic material and is improved in the hermetic closing properties of the vacuum treatment container. <P>SOLUTION: In the plastic material supply system equipped with a tank, a vacuum dryer and a molding machine, a shutter 43 is arranged to the front of the inlet 35 of an introducing passage and, when the vacuum drying treatment in the vacuum treatment container is performed, the shutter 43 is pushed by a material feeding nozzle 46, to shut the inlet 35, and, when the plastic material is supplied to the vacuum treatment container, the shutter 43 is moved upward to insert the nozzle 46 in the introducing passage from the inlet 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plastic material supply system that dries a plastic material for plastic molding and guides it to a molding machine.

In general, a plastic material for molding a plastic having a high hygroscopic property is handled so as not to be exposed to air as much as possible during molding, and a heat vacuum treatment is performed in a pre-loading process to remove moisture already contained. This is because, if a molded product is molded using a plastic material that has absorbed moisture, the outer surface of the product becomes rough or contains voids due to the evaporation of moisture accompanying heating. Patent Documents 1 and 2 are shown as techniques relating to such heat vacuum processing.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the plastic material (in this case, the pellet shape) is basically stored in the tank 26 so as not to come into contact with outside air as much as possible, and is introduced from the tank 26 into the drying device 50. After being vacuum-dried under heating, it is sent in the direction of the molding machine 53. When the drying device 50 is heated and vacuum-treated, the plastic material introduction passage from the tank 26 and the plastic material lead-out passage to the molding machine 53 are once blocked to make the inside of the drying device 50 hermetically sealed. The inside of the drying device 50 is deaerated.
A detailed example of the passage blocking mechanism will be described based on Patent Document 2. Patent Document 2 discloses a drying apparatus similar to Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 2, the upper automatic opening / closing valve 4 and the lower automatic opening / closing valve 22 correspond to the passage blocking mechanism. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the partition operation plate 24 and the intermediate plate 26 are slid and moved between the apparatus main body 7 and the storage tank 12 with respect to the lower automatic opening / closing valve 22. ing. The airtightness is maintained by the close contact between the partition operation plate 24 and the intermediate plate 26 and the O-rings 28 and 29.
JP 2007-83696 A JP 2000-198115 A

However, the sealing means as described in Patent Document 2 has the following problems.
(1) The partition operation plate 24 and the middle plate 26 are in contact with the upper lid plate 23 and the lower lid plate 27, and the O-rings 28 and 29 slightly protrude on the inner side surfaces of the upper lid plate 23 and the lower lid plate 27. It is buried in the state. Therefore, the partition operation plate 24 and the middle plate 26 always slide while sliding on the O-rings 28 and 29, and the load on the O-rings 28 and 29 is large, so that the O-rings 28 and 29 are cut off and disconnected. There are cases where the performance becomes insufficient. As a result, the O-rings 28 and 29 must be frequently replaced, which is troublesome.
(2) For example, in Patent Document 2, a device is devised such that the plastic material in the form of pellets is not chewed, but actually shutter members such as the partition operation plate 24 and the middle plate 26 are used as the lid plate 23 and the lower lid plate 27. As long as it slides while always in contact with the plastic material, it was not possible to completely eliminate the biting of the plastic material. Once the plastic material is chewed, outside air enters and cannot be degassed, so the work must be stopped and the chewed plastic material must be removed.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object thereof is to provide a sealing member such as an O-ring in a closed / open structure of a vacuum processing container for feeding a plastic material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic material supply system in which the sealing member is less damaged and the vacuum processing container has good sealing performance.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a tank for storing the plastic material and the supply of the plastic material from the tank are temporarily stored in the vacuum processing container. In a plastic material supply system comprising: a vacuum drying device that performs vacuum drying processing; and a molding machine that receives supply of plastic material from the vacuum drying device and melts the plastic material to form a molded product of a predetermined shape ,
An introduction passage for introducing a plastic material from the tank into the vacuum processing container, and a discharge port are disposed at a position facing the inlet of the introduction passage, and at least the discharge port portion is in the same inlet direction and in a direction away from the inlet. Selective movement to either the material transfer tube guided from the selectively movable tank, the first position facing the inlet of the introduction passage, or the second position retracted from the inlet With possible shutters,
When performing the vacuum drying process in the vacuum processing container, the shutter is disposed at the first position, and the material conveying tube moves in the inlet direction to push the shutter by the tip of the discharge port. When the plastic material is supplied into the vacuum processing container by moving to close the same inlet, the material conveying tube once moves in a direction away from the inlet and moves to the second position of the shutter. The material conveying tube again moves in the direction of the inlet as the shutter is retracted to the second position, and the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the discharge port. This is the gist.

In the configuration of the first aspect, when the vacuum drying process is first performed in the vacuum processing container, the shutter is disposed at a position facing the inlet of the introduction passage. However, in this arrangement, the shutter does not tightly close the inlet to allow degassing in the container. Next, the material conveying tube moves toward the inlet and pushes the shutter. In other words, the shutter is pressed against the inlet from the outside by the material conveying tube. Only at this stage, the inlet of the introduction passage is firmly closed. It is preferable to arrange a sealing member such as an O-ring around the entrance periphery.
On the other hand, when the plastic material is supplied into the vacuum processing container from the tank via the material transfer tube, the material transfer tube is temporarily moved away from the inlet (retracting direction), and the pressing force applied to the shutter. Is released. Therefore, the shutter can be retracted. Next, as the shutter retracts, the material transport tube advances again, and the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the discharge port into the inlet of the introduction passage. Note that the deaerated state in the vacuum processing container is released before the shutter is retracted.

In the invention according to claim 2, the vacuum drying which receives the supply of the plastic material from the tank containing the plastic material and performs the vacuum drying process while temporarily storing the plastic material in the vacuum processing container In a plastic material supply system comprising an apparatus and a molding machine that receives supply of plastic material from the vacuum drying apparatus and melts the plastic material to form a molded product of a predetermined shape,
A lead-out passage for leading the plastic material from the vacuum processing container to the molding machine, and an intake port is disposed at a position facing the outlet of the lead-out passage, and at least the inlet portion is in the direction of the outlet and in a direction away from the outlet. The material transporting tube guided from the molding machine that can be selectively moved, and the first position facing the outlet of the outlet passage and the second position retracted from the outlet And a movable shutter,
When performing the vacuum drying process in the vacuum processing container, the shutter is disposed at the first position, and the material conveying tube moves toward the outlet and pushes the shutter by the tip of the inlet. When the plastic material is supplied into the molding machine by moving the outlet to close the outlet, the material conveying tube is once moved away from the outlet and the shutter is retracted to the second position. And the material conveying tube again moves in the direction of the outlet as the shutter is retracted to the second position so that the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the inlet. Is the gist.

In the configuration of the second aspect, when the vacuum drying process is first performed in the vacuum processing container, the shutter is disposed at a position facing the outlet of the outlet passage. However, in this arrangement, the shutter does not block the outlet firmly enough to allow degassing in the container. Next, the material conveying tube moves in the direction of the outlet and pushes the shutter. That is, the shutter is pressed against the outlet from the outside by the material conveying tube. Only at this stage is the outlet of the outlet passage firmly blocked. It is preferable to arrange a sealing member such as an O-ring around the outlet periphery.
On the other hand, when the plastic material is supplied from the vacuum processing container to the molding machine through the material conveying tube, the material conveying tube temporarily moves in the direction away from the outlet (retracting direction) and presses against the shutter. Is released. Therefore, the shutter can be retracted. Next, as the shutter is retracted, the material conveying tube advances again, and the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the inlet. Note that the deaerated state in the vacuum processing container is released before the shutter is retracted.

In the invention according to claim 3, vacuum drying is performed in which a plastic material is stored in the tank, and the plastic material is supplied from the tank and temporarily stored in the vacuum processing container. In a plastic material supply system comprising an apparatus and a molding machine that receives supply of plastic material from the vacuum drying apparatus and melts the plastic material to form a molded product of a predetermined shape,
An introduction passage for introducing a plastic material from the tank into the vacuum processing container, and a discharge port are disposed at a position facing the inlet of the introduction passage, and at least the discharge port portion is in the same inlet direction and in a direction away from the inlet. Select one of the first material transfer tube guided from the selectively movable tank, the first position facing the inlet of the introduction passage, and the second position retracted from the inlet A first movable shutter, a lead-out passage for leading the plastic material from the vacuum processing vessel to the molding machine, and an inlet disposed at a position facing the outlet of the lead-out passage, at least the inlet portion From the molding machine that is selectively movable in the outlet direction and in the direction away from the outlet, and from the outlet and the first position facing the outlet of the outlet passage. Evacuated second And a one of the second shutter selectively movable to a position of the position,
When performing the vacuum drying process in the vacuum processing container, the first shutter is disposed at the first position, and the first material transfer tube moves in the inlet direction to move the outlet port. When the first shutter is pushed by the tip to close the inlet, and the plastic material is supplied into the vacuum processing container, the first material transfer tube is once separated from the inlet. The first material transfer tube is moved again by allowing the first shutter to be retracted to the second position and retreating the first shutter to the second position. The second shutter is disposed at the first position when the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the discharge port by moving in the same inlet direction, and the vacuum drying process is performed in the vacuum processing container. 2 material conveying tube moves in the direction of the outlet, When the second shutter is pushed by the tip of the inlet to close the outlet, and when the plastic material is supplied into the molding machine, the second material transfer tube is once separated from the outlet. The second material transfer tube is moved again by allowing the second shutter to be retracted to the second position and the second shutter being retracted to the second position. The gist is that the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the inlet by moving in the direction of the outlet.

In the configuration of the third aspect, when the vacuum drying process is first performed in the vacuum processing container, the shutter is disposed at a position facing the inlet of the introduction passage. However, in this arrangement, the shutter does not tightly close the inlet to allow degassing in the container. Next, the material conveying tube moves toward the inlet and pushes the shutter. In other words, the shutter is pressed against the inlet from the outside by the material conveying tube. Only at this stage, the inlet of the introduction passage is firmly closed. It is preferable to arrange a sealing member such as an O-ring around the entrance periphery.
Further, the shutter is disposed at a position facing the outlet of the outlet passage. However, in this arrangement, the shutter does not block the outlet firmly enough to allow degassing in the container. Next, the material conveying tube moves in the direction of the outlet and pushes the shutter. That is, the shutter is pressed against the outlet from the outside by the material conveying tube. Only at this stage is the outlet of the outlet passage firmly blocked. It is preferable to arrange a sealing member such as an O-ring around the outlet periphery.
On the other hand, when the plastic material is supplied into the vacuum processing container from the tank via the material transfer tube, the material transfer tube is temporarily moved away from the inlet (retracting direction), and the pressing force applied to the shutter. Is released. Therefore, the shutter can be retracted. Next, as the shutter retracts, the material transport tube advances again, and the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the discharge port into the inlet of the introduction passage. Note that the deaerated state in the vacuum processing container is released before the shutter is retracted.
Further, when the plastic material is supplied from the vacuum processing container into the molding machine through the material conveying tube, the material conveying tube temporarily moves away from the outlet (retracting direction), and the pressing force against the shutter. Is released. Therefore, the shutter can be retracted. Next, as the shutter is retracted, the material conveying tube advances again, and the plastic material is supplied from the tip of the inlet. Note that the deaerated state in the vacuum processing container is released before the shutter is retracted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or third aspect of the present invention, the portion including the tip of the discharge port of the material conveying tube is provided in the introduction passage when the plastic material is supplied. The gist of this is to be inserted.
In such a configuration, in addition to the above-described operation, the plastic material to be supplied is hardly spilled from the inlet of the introduction passage, so that the direction of the inlet of the introduction passage can be arranged sideways or downward instead of upward. At this time, if the gap between the side wall of the introduction passage and the portion including the tip of the discharge port is smaller than the thickness of the plastic material, it is more difficult to spill.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second or third aspect of the present invention, when the portion including the tip of the intake port of the material conveying tube is supplied with a plastic material, the outlet passage is provided. The gist is to be inserted into the inside.
In such a configuration, since the plastic material supplied in addition to the above-described operation is hardly spilled from the outlet of the outlet passage, the outlet of the outlet passage can be arranged sideways or upward instead of downward. At this time, if the gap between the side wall of the outlet passage and the portion including the tip of the discharge port is smaller than the thickness of the plastic material, it is more difficult to spill.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the structure of the first, third, or fourth aspect of the invention, the shutter moves away from the inlet without contacting the inlet of the introduction passage at the first position. The gist is that it is arranged in an energized state.
That is, the shutter does not contact the inlet of the introduction passage during the period from the first position to the second position, and is in a state where a certain distance is maintained. In such a configuration, the shutter comes into contact with the inlet of the introduction passage only after being pushed by the material conveying tube. Since the shutter is urged in the direction away from the inlet, the shutter is automatically separated from the inlet of the introduction passage unless the material conveying tube is pushed.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to the second, third, or fifth aspect, in the first position, the shutter is separated from the outlet without contacting the outlet of the outlet passage. The gist is that it is arranged in an energized state.
That is, the shutter does not contact the outlet of the outlet passage from the first position to the second position and is in a state where a certain distance is maintained. In such a configuration, the shutter comes into contact with the outlet of the outlet passage only after being pushed by the material conveying tube. Since the shutter is urged in the direction away from the outlet, the shutter is automatically separated from the outlet of the outlet passage unless the material conveying tube is pushed.

  According to the invention described in each of the above claims, in the closing / opening structure by the shutter arranged at the entrance / exit for feeding the plastic material, the entrance / exit is reliably closed by pushing the shutter with the material conveying tube. Therefore, the sealing property of the vacuum processing container is improved. Further, when a sealing member such as an O-ring is arranged around the entrance / exit, the load on the sealing member is reduced because contact with the sealing member can be reduced or eliminated when the shutter moves. The damage to the sealing member is small, and the replacement timing of the sealing member is lengthened. As a result, an improvement in workability is recognized, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a plastic material supply system (hereinafter referred to as a supply system) of this embodiment. The supply system includes a tank device 11 that contains a plastic material, a vacuum drying device 12 that receives a supply of plastic material from the tank device 11 and performs a vacuum drying process on the plastic material, and a supply of plastic material after drying. And a molding machine 13 for molding a molded product.
The tank device 11 includes a gantry 14 and a tank body 15 supported by the gantry 14. The tank body 15 includes a trunk portion 16 configured to be narrowed and an upper lid 17 that covers an opening above the trunk portion 16. The base end side of the material supplying flexible hose 18 </ b> A is connected to the lower end position of the body portion 16, and the plastic material in the tank body 15 is supplied toward the vacuum drying device 12. A shutter device 19 is disposed at a lower position of the body portion 16, and controls supply and blocking of the plastic material to the flexible hose 18A. An open / close valve 20 is provided in the middle of the flexible hose 18A.

  The vacuum drying device 12 includes a vacuum processing container 23 in an upper housing space 22 a inside the housing 21. The vacuum processing container 23 constitutes a space sealed inside by a cylindrical body portion 24, an upper lid 25 and a bottom plate 26. A heating wire 27 is wired inside the bottom plate 26. A heat conduction plate 28 rising from the bottom plate 26 is erected in the body portion 24. The heat conductive plate 28 includes heat radiating blades 29 and plays a role of spreading the heat generated in the bottom plate 26 evenly inside the body portion 24.

  A material introduction unit 31 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper lid 25. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, the material introduction unit 31 includes a passage block 33 that is erected on a base 32. The passage block 33 is a block body having a substantially rectangular outer shape, and includes a front wall 34 configured in a vertical and flat surface. An introduction passage 36 having a circular cross section is formed in the passage block 33 from the inlet 35 opened in the front wall 34 to the inside of the vacuum processing vessel 23. Therefore, the shape of the inlet 35 is also circular. A long groove 34a is formed in the front wall 34 so as to surround the entire circumference of the inlet 35, and an O-ring 37 is fitted into the long groove 34a in a state of slightly protruding from the front wall 34. A left and right side wall 38 intersecting with the front wall 34 is formed with a concave rail portion 39 extending vertically.

A first air cylinder device 40 is disposed on the passage block 33. A shutter frame 41 is suspended and supported at the tip of the rod 40 a of the first air cylinder device 40. The left and right hanging walls 41a of the shutter frame 41 are loosely fitted in the rail portion 39 of the passage block 33, and serve as a guide when the shutter frame 41 moves in the vertical direction (the rail portion 39 and the left and right hanging walls 41a are Guide member for sliding movement of the shutter).
A shutter attachment piece 42 is formed at the lower end position of the left and right hanging walls 41a. The shutter 43 is attached to the shutter attachment piece 42 via an attachment pin 44. The shutter 43 is always biased in a direction away from the shutter attachment piece 42 by a coil spring 45 which is between the shutter attachment piece 42 and is mounted on the attachment pin 44. As shown in FIG. 2B, a slight gap is formed between the shutter 43 and the front wall 34 in a plan view when attached to the shutter attachment piece 42.
The rod 40a of the first air cylinder device 40 can take two stop positions, an upper position and a lower position, by pneumatic control from a compressor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2 (a) or 5, the shutter 43 is disposed at a position shifted completely upward from the front surface of the entrance 35, and as shown in FIG. 43 is arranged in front of the entrance 35.

  A second air cylinder device 47 is disposed at a position facing the inlet 35 of the passage block 33 on the base 32. A nozzle 46 is fixed to the slide table 47 a of the second air cylinder device 47. The nozzle 46 is a hard cylinder having a circular cross section made of an alloy, and its proximal end is connected to the distal end of the flexible hose 18A. The tip of the nozzle 46 is disposed in front of the inlet 35 of the passage block 33 and advances and retreats in the horizontal direction together with the slide table 47a. The outer diameter of the nozzle 46 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet 35 of the passage block 33. The slide table 45a of the second air cylinder device 45 can take two stop positions: a position advanced (advanced) in the direction of the inlet 35 and a position retracted from the inlet 35 by pneumatic control from a compressor (not shown). At the position where the nozzle 46 is advanced to the maximum, the tip of the nozzle 46 is arranged at a position where it is slightly inserted into the introduction passage 36 from the inlet 35 (state of FIG. 6).

A collecting tube 49 is formed at a position below the bottom plate 26 of the vacuum processing vessel 23, and a steel pipe material delivery tube 50 extends from the collecting tube 49 toward the outside of the housing 21. A material outlet unit 51 is disposed at the tip of the material delivery pipe 50. An open / close valve 52 is provided in the middle of the material delivery pipe 50. The configuration of the material derivation unit 51 is basically the same except that the inlet 35 of the passage block 33 in the material introduction unit 31 serves as an outlet, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. The proximal end side of the nozzle 46 of the material lead-out unit 51 is connected to the distal end side of the flexible hose 18B.
A pneumatic hub 53 composed of a group of pipe joints is disposed on the upper surface of the upper lid 25 and adjacent to the material introduction unit 31. The pneumatic hub 53 serves as a connection port of a pneumatic circuit into the vacuum processing vessel 23 other than the introduction passage 36 and the material delivery pipe 50. The vacuum processing container 23 is provided with a first sensor 54 that detects a decrease in the plastic material in the vacuum processing container 23.
A vacuum pump 55 and a suction blower 56 are disposed in a position adjacent to the vacuum processing container 23 in the upper housing space 22 a inside the housing 21. A dust filter 61 and a dehumidifying unit 62 are disposed in the lower housing space 22 b inside the housing 21.
The molding machine 13 basically includes a hopper 63 and a molding machine main body 64 which are sealed so that outside air is not introduced. Inside the hopper 63, a second sensor 65 for detecting a decrease in the plastic material in the hopper 63 is provided. The base end side of the flexible hose 18 </ b> B that receives the supply of the plastic material from the vacuum processing container 23 is connected to the hopper 63 via the material derivation unit 51.

Next, an outline of a pneumatic circuit around the vacuum processing vessel 23 other than the flexible hoses 18A and 18B will be described.
An air tube 70 extending from the vacuum pump 55 is connected to a three-way switching valve 58 via a gas vent filter 57. An air tube 71 extending from the hopper 63 and an air tube 72 extending from the pneumatic hub 53 are connected to the three-way switching valve 58 in a switchable manner. An air tube 73 extending from the suction blower 56 is connected to the dust filter 61. The first branch air tube 74 </ b> A extending from the dust filter 61 is connected to the pneumatic hub 53. An opening / closing valve 75 is provided in the middle of the first branch air tube 74A.
The second branch air tube 74 </ b> B extending from the dust filter 61 is connected to the hopper 63. A port switching unit (not shown) is provided in the dust filter 61, and the port is appropriately switched to one of the branch air tubes 74A and 74B based on an instruction from a controller described later. In addition, an open / close valve 76 for bringing the atmospheric pressure in the vacuum processing vessel 23 to atmospheric pressure is provided in the pneumatic hub 53.
An air tube 77 extending from the dehumidifying unit 62 is connected to the material delivery pipe 50 and the tank device 11. That is, the dried air supplied from the dehumidifying unit 62 is supplied to the tank body 15 and the hopper 63, respectively.

Next, an outline of the operation of the supply system configured as described above will be described. The operation control of the supply system of the present embodiment is executed by a sequencer, but it can also be executed by other control means.
The controller of the sequencer includes the first and second sensors 54 and 65, the first and second air cylinder devices (compressor switching solenoid devices) 40 and 47, and various valves (solens that are actuators) 20 and 52. , 58, 75, 76 and dust filter 61 (internal port switching section) are connected to each other. The controller detects the air cylinder devices 40 and 47 and the various valves 20, 52, 58, and 58 based on the detection signals that the first and second sensors 54 and 65 detect that “the plastic material has become a predetermined amount or less”. 75 and 76 and the dust filter 61 are driven and controlled in a predetermined order.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory flowchart of a processing routine based on detection signals from the first and second sensors 54 and 65 by the controller of the sequencer. As shown in the figure, the controller determines whether or not the second sensor 65 has been detected in step S1, and if it determines that it has been detected, the plastic material is supplied from the vacuum dryer 12 to the molding machine 13 in a subroutine of step S2. Execute the process. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the second sensor 65 has not been detected, the controller determines whether or not the first sensor 54 has been detected in step S3. In a subroutine, supply processing of the plastic material from the tank device 11 to the vacuum drying device 12 is executed. If it is determined that both the sensors 54 and 65 are not detected in both step S1 and step S3, the process is terminated while maintaining the current state. That is, the processing is basically performed with priority given to the decrease in the plastic material on the molding machine 13 side.

First, the plastic material supply process from the tank apparatus 11 to the vacuum drying apparatus 12 as a subroutine of step S4 in the above routine will be described.
As an initial state, the vacuum processing vessel 23 is sealed and in a deaerated state. That is, the material introduction unit 31 is in the state shown in FIGS. The material deriving unit 51 is also in the state shown in FIGS.
From this state, the plastic material is supplied to the vacuum drying apparatus 12 via the material introduction unit 31 in the following flow.
1) Opening of the opening / closing valve 76: This makes the atmospheric pressure in the vacuum drying device 12 the same as the atmospheric pressure. The three-way switching valve 58 is switched to the air tube 71 side.
2) Retraction of the nozzle 46: This is executed by driving the second air cylinder device 47 (the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 8). As the nozzle 46 moves backward, the shutter 43 pushed by the coil spring 45 moves away from the inlet 35.
3) Upward movement of the shutter 43: This is executed by driving the first air cylinder device 40 (state shown in FIGS. 5 and 9).
4) Advancement of the nozzle 46: This is executed by driving the second air cylinder device 47 (state shown in FIGS. 6 and 10). As a result, the nozzle 46 is inserted into the inlet 35 and temporarily stops.
5) Driving of the suction blower 56 is started: The suction port passing through the dust filter 61 at this time is an air tube 74A on the pneumatic hub 53 side. If it is air tube 74B, it will switch simultaneously.
6) Suction of plastic material: After suction for a predetermined time, the opening / closing valve 20 is opened. As a result, the plastic material on the tank device 11 side downstream of the opening / closing valve 20 in the flexible hose 18A is not sucked. That is, all the plastic material upstream from the opening / closing valve 20 is taken into the vacuum drying device 12 side.
7) Stopping the suction blower 56: Following the opening of the opening / closing valve 20, the suction blower 56 is also stopped. This completes the uptake of the predetermined amount of plastic material.
8) Retraction of nozzle 46:
9) Downward movement of the shutter 43:
10) Advancement of the nozzle 46: 8) to 10) are executed, and the inlet 35 is closed again by the shutter 43 (the state of FIGS. 3 and 7).
11) Deaeration: The three-way switching valve 58 is switched to the air tube 72 side. The opening and closing valves 75 and 76 are closed. Since the vacuum pump 55 is continuously operated, deaeration in the vacuum processing vessel 23 is started by switching these valves 58, 75 and 76.

Next, the plastic material supply process from the vacuum drying device 12 to the molding machine 13 as a subroutine of step S2 in the above routine will be described first.
As an initial state, the vacuum processing vessel 23 is sealed and in a deaerated state. That is, the material derivation unit 51 is in the state shown in FIGS. The material introduction unit 31 is also in the state shown in FIGS.
From this state, the plastic material is supplied to the molding machine 13 through the material derivation unit 51 in the following flow.
1) Opening of the opening / closing valve 76: This makes the atmospheric pressure in the vacuum drying device 12 the same as the atmospheric pressure.
2) Retraction of the nozzle 46: This is executed by driving the second air cylinder device 47 (the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 8). As the nozzle 46 moves backward, the shutter 43 pushed by the coil spring 45 moves away from the outlet 35.
3) Upward movement of the shutter 43: This is executed by driving the first air cylinder device 40 (state shown in FIGS. 5 and 9).
4) Advancement of the nozzle 46: This is executed by driving the second air cylinder device 47 (state shown in FIGS. 6 and 10). As a result, the nozzle 46 is inserted into the outlet 35 and temporarily stops.
5) Driving of the suction blower 56 is started: The suction port passing through the dust filter 61 at this time is an air tube 74B on the hopper 63 side. If it is air tube 74A, it will switch simultaneously.
6) Suction of plastic material: After suction for a predetermined time, the open / close valve 52 is opened. As a result, the plastic material on the vacuum drying device 12 side downstream of the opening / closing valve 52 is not sucked. That is, all the plastic material upstream from the opening / closing valve 52 is taken into the molding machine 13 side.
7) Stopping the suction blower 56: Following the opening of the opening / closing valve 52, the suction blower 56 is also stopped. This completes the uptake of the predetermined amount of the plastic material.
8) Retraction of nozzle 46:
9) Downward movement of the shutter 43:
10) Advancement of the nozzle 46: 8) to 10) are executed, and the outlet 35 is closed again by the shutter 43 (state of FIGS. 3 and 7).

With the above configuration, the supply system according to the present embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The nozzle 46 has a function of supplying a plastic material and pressing the shutter 43 to tightly seal the vacuum processing container 23. As a result, the shutter 43 firmly closes the inlet (outlet) 35, and the degree of sealing when the vacuum processing vessel 23 is deaerated is improved.
(2) Since the nozzle 46 can be inserted into the introduction passage 36, the inlet (outlet) 35 can be opened in the vertical front wall 34 instead of upward. Since the entrance (exit) 35 is opened in the front wall 34 which is not horizontal in this way, even if plastic material is spilled, it remains between the front wall 34 and the shutter 43 when the shutter 43 is closed and deaerated. There is no obstacle to processing.
Further, since the nozzle 46 basically moves back and forth and is inserted into the introduction passage 36 at the time of advancement, the plastic material does not spill.
(3) Since the shutter 43 can move without contacting the O-ring 37 at all, unlike the conventional case, the O-ring 37 is not worn and deteriorated, and it is not necessary to frequently replace the O-ring 37.

The present invention may be embodied as follows.
The pressure system circuit is an example, and other circuits can be set.
As the moving actuator for the nozzle 46 and the shutter 43, it is possible to use a cylinder other than the cylinder as described above.
In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle 46 is connected to the tip of the flexible hose 18 as the material conveying tube. However, the material conveying tube may of course be an integral type as a whole. Further, even if an attachment is attached to the tip of the nozzle 46, it does not deviate from the concept of the material conveying tube.
The nozzle 46 may be advanced so as to be flush with or close to the inlet 35 without being inserted into the introduction passage 36.
In the above embodiment, the inlet 35 faces in the lateral direction (that is, the nozzle 46 moves in the horizontal direction), but the inlet 35 may face upward. Further, if the nozzle 35 is in a case that is very close to the inner diameter of the introduction passage 36, the plastic resin will not spill, and the direction of the inlet 35 can be set freely.
In the above embodiment, the shutter 43 is configured to move in a sliding manner. However, the shutter 43 may be configured to move in other manners such as an open / close type.
The material introducing unit 31 and the material deriving unit 51 do not necessarily have to have both.
-It is free to use means other than the O-ring 37 as the sealing member. Further, the sealing member may be disposed on the shutter side.
The position of the opening / closing valve 20 can be changed as appropriate. In addition, it is free to provide an opening / closing means that prevents the upstream material from being left by means other than the opening / closing valve 20.
In addition, the present invention may be implemented in a modified form without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a supply system according to an embodiment that embodies the present invention. (A) is sectional drawing in the AA line of FIG. 5, (b) is a top view of a passage block and shutter vicinity. The side view of a material introduction unit (shutter closed state). The side view of a material introduction unit (shutter open state). The side view of a material introduction unit (Shutter upper moving state). The side view of a material introduction unit (nozzle insertion state). The partial expansion perspective view of the periphery of the shutter of a material introduction unit (shutter closed state). The partial expansion perspective view of the periphery of the shutter of a material introduction unit (shutter open state). The partial expansion perspective view of the shutter periphery of a material introduction unit (Shutter upper moving state). The partial expansion perspective view of the periphery of the shutter of a material introduction unit (a nozzle insertion state). The flowchart explaining the processing routine based on the detection signal from a 1st and 2nd sensor.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Tank apparatus as a tank, 12 ... Vacuum drying apparatus, 13 ... Molding machine, 35 ... Inlet (outlet), 36 ... Introductory passage, 43 ... Shutter, 46 ... Nozzle as material conveyance pipe body.

Claims (7)

A tank for storing the plastic material, a vacuum drying apparatus that receives the supply of the plastic material from the tank and temporarily stores the plastic material in the vacuum processing container, and a vacuum drying apparatus from the vacuum drying apparatus. In a plastic material supply system provided with a molding machine that receives supply of a plastic material and melts it to form a molded product of a predetermined shape,
An introduction passage for introducing a plastic material from the tank into the vacuum processing container;
A discharge port is disposed at a position opposite to the inlet of the introduction passage, and at least a portion of the discharge port is guided from the tank that can be selectively moved in the inlet direction and in a direction away from the inlet; ,
A shutter that is selectively movable to any one of a first position facing the inlet of the introduction passage and a second position retracted from the inlet;
When performing the vacuum drying process in the vacuum processing container, the shutter is disposed at the first position, and the material conveying tube moves in the inlet direction to push the shutter by the tip of the discharge port. To close the entrance,
When the plastic material is supplied to the vacuum processing container, the material conveying tube is once moved away from the inlet to allow the shutter to be retracted to the second position, and The plastic material supply system is characterized in that the pipe for transporting the material moves again in the direction of the same inlet as it is retracted to the second position and supplies the plastic material from the tip of the discharge port. A tank for storing the plastic material, a vacuum drying apparatus that receives the supply of the plastic material from the tank and temporarily stores the plastic material in the vacuum processing container, and a vacuum drying apparatus from the vacuum drying apparatus. In a plastic material supply system provided with a molding machine that receives supply of a plastic material and melts it to form a molded product of a predetermined shape,
A lead-out passage for leading the plastic material from the vacuum processing container to the molding machine;
An intake port is disposed at a position opposite to the outlet of the outlet passage, and at least a portion of the inlet port is selectively transferred in the outlet direction and in a direction away from the outlet, and the material conveying tube is guided from the molding machine. When,
A shutter that is selectively movable to any one of a first position facing the outlet of the outlet passage and a second position retracted from the outlet;
When performing the vacuum drying process in the vacuum processing container, the shutter is disposed at the first position, and the material conveying tube moves toward the outlet and pushes the shutter by the tip of the inlet. To close the outlet,
When supplying the plastic material into the molding machine, the material conveying tube once moves in a direction away from the outlet to allow the shutter to be retracted to the second position, and the same shutter. The plastic material supply system is characterized in that the pipe for conveying the same material moves again in the direction of the same outlet as it is retracted to the second position and receives supply of the plastic material from the tip of the intake port. A tank for storing the plastic material, a vacuum drying apparatus that receives the supply of the plastic material from the tank and temporarily stores the plastic material in the vacuum processing container, and a vacuum drying apparatus from the vacuum drying apparatus. In a plastic material supply system provided with a molding machine that receives supply of a plastic material and melts it to form a molded product of a predetermined shape,
An introduction passage for introducing a plastic material from the tank into the vacuum processing container;
A discharge port is disposed at a position facing the inlet of the introduction passage, and at least a portion of the discharge port is guided from the tank that is selectively movable in the direction of the inlet and in a direction away from the inlet. The tube,
A first shutter that is selectively movable to any one of a first position facing the inlet of the introduction passage and a second position retracted from the inlet;
A lead-out passage for leading the plastic material from the vacuum processing container to the molding machine;
A second material transport guided from the molding machine, wherein the intake is disposed at a position facing the outlet of the outlet passage, and at least the inlet portion is selectively movable in the outlet direction and in a direction away from the outlet. A tubular body,
A second shutter that is selectively movable to any one of a first position facing the outlet of the outlet passage and a second position retracted from the outlet;
When performing the vacuum drying process in the vacuum processing container, the first shutter is disposed at the first position, and the first material transfer tube moves in the inlet direction to move the outlet port. The first shutter is pushed by the tip to close the inlet,
When supplying the plastic material into the vacuum processing container, the first material transfer tube is once moved in a direction away from the inlet to retract the first shutter to the second position. As the first shutter is retracted to the second position, the first material conveying tube moves again in the direction of the inlet and supplies the plastic material from the tip of the discharge port. ,
When performing the vacuum drying process in the vacuum processing container, the second shutter is disposed at the first position, and the second material transfer tube moves in the outlet direction to move to the inlet. The second shutter is pushed by the tip to close the outlet,
When the plastic material is supplied into the molding machine, the second material transfer tube is once moved in a direction away from the outlet to allow the second shutter to be retracted to the second position. At the same time, as the second shutter is retracted to the second position, the second material conveying tube again moves in the direction of the outlet and receives the supply of plastic material from the tip of the intake port. Features plastic material supply system. 4. The plastic material supply system according to claim 1, wherein a portion including the tip of the discharge port of the material conveying tube is inserted into the introduction passage when the plastic material is supplied. 4. The plastic material supply system according to claim 2, wherein a portion including the leading end of the intake port of the material conveying tube is inserted into the lead-out passage when the plastic material is supplied. 5. . The said shutter is arrange | positioned in the state urged | biased in the direction away from the entrance, without contacting the entrance of the said introduction channel | path in the said 1st position. Plastic material supply system. The said shutter is arrange | positioned in the state urged | biased in the direction away | separated from the exit, without contacting the exit in the said extraction passage in the said 1st position. Plastic material supply system.

Images