JP2016132467A - Filling device and production method of container filled with powder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filling device where the bulk density of powders at the upper side of a carrying portion among the bulk densities of powders stored within a storage portion is topically increased in comparison with a filling device without a cylindrical body whose bottom edge exists within the storage portion, which is disposed at the upper side of a spiral portion and whose both ends are open.SOLUTION: A filling device 10 comprises: a storage portion 22 being formed with a hole 22B at a bottom edge, having an inner peripheral surface whose diameter becomes gradually small from an upper end side over the bottom edge and storing powders T; a carrying portion 24 being cylindrical, being connected to the storage portion 22 at the edge of the hole 22B and forming a carrying path 24C carrying the powders T; a spiral element 30 which is disposed within the carrying portion 24, has a shaft 32 and a spiral portion 34 formed around the shaft 32, rotates around the shaft 32 and carries the powders T within the carrying portion 24; and a cylindrical body 52 where at least the bottom edge exists within the storage part 22, which is disposed at the upper side of the spiral portion 34 and whose both ends are open.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a filling apparatus and a method for producing a container filled with powder.

  In Patent Document 1, the powder 2 is introduced into the container 4 by supplying the powder 2 into the hopper 3 and sucking and removing the air in the powder 2 to the container 4 side. Is described in a high density.

  Patent Document 2 includes an agar 64 having a spiral blade, a metering unit 20 that measures the amount of powder filling while feeding powder by the rotation of the agar 64, and the inner wall of the metering unit 20 and the ogar 64. A powder filling machine having a breathable member provided on the surface. And the powder filling machine of patent document 2 describes the powder filling machine which discharges pressurized air in the measurement part 20 via these breathable members.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a filling apparatus 10 that fills a packaging material 34 with a predetermined amount after degassing a powder 11 containing gas by a degassing mechanism 26 provided in the vicinity of a powder outlet 14 a that discharges the powder 11. The driving method is described. And in the operation method of the filling apparatus 10 of patent document 3, deaeration is started simultaneously with the start of the filling operation of the filling apparatus 10, and deaeration is stopped after 30 to 70% of the total filling time after the start. Have been described.

  In Patent Document 4, a tank 1 for storing powder P, a discharge passage cylinder 10 continuing to the bottom 1a of the tank 1, and a thread extending on the bottom 1a and the discharge passage cylinder 10 are inserted into the outer peripheral surface. A powder trace supply device including a rod-like body 2 in which a groove 23 is formed is described. Further, in the fine powder supply device of Patent Document 4, the rod-shaped body 2 is formed hollow with a porous material that allows passage of air and prevents passage of the powder P, and is formed in the hollow portion 21 of the rod-shaped body 2. It is described that the vacuum suction device 6 and the compressed air supply device 7 are selectively communicated with each other.

JP 2001-97302 A JP-A-8-72821 JP-A-8-231051 JP-A-8-217253

  The present invention has a bulk density of the powder accommodated in the accommodating portion as compared with a filling device which is not provided with a cylindrical body whose lower end is located in the accommodating portion and above the spiral portion and which is open at both ends. An object of the present invention is to provide a filling device that locally increases the bulk density of the powder on the upper side of the transport unit.

  The filling device according to claim 1 has a hole formed in the lower end, an inner peripheral surface having a diameter that gradually decreases from the upper end side to the lower end, a storage portion that stores powder, and a cylindrical shape, the storage A conveying part that forms a conveying path that conveys powder by being connected at the edge of the part and the hole, and has a spiral part that is disposed in the conveying part and is formed around the axis, A helical body that rotates around the shaft and conveys the powder in the conveying section, and a cylindrical body that is disposed at least at the lower end in the accommodating section and above the helical section, and is open at both ends. ing.

  A filling device according to a second aspect is the filling device according to the first aspect, wherein a porous member is provided in an opening at a lower end of the cylindrical body.

  A filling device according to a third aspect is the filling device according to the second aspect, wherein the porous member protrudes from the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical body toward the spiral portion.

  A filling device according to a fourth aspect is the filling device according to the third aspect, wherein the porous member is configured such that the diameter gradually decreases from the opening to the spiral portion side.

  A filling device according to a fifth aspect is the filling device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the cylindrical body is provided with an adjusting means for adjusting an amount of air flowing into the cylindrical body.

  A method for manufacturing a container filled with powder according to claim 6 is a method of feeding powder into the housing portion using the filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and A container is disposed, and the spiral body is rotated to extrude powder from the lower end of the transport unit, and the container is filled with powder.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a container filled with powder, wherein the powder is fed into the housing portion using the filling device according to the fifth aspect, and a container is disposed below the conveying portion. When at least one of the volume average particle diameter and the specific gravity of the powder to be filled therein is smaller than the reference value, the air that flows into the cylinder by the adjusting means than when the value is not less than the reference value And the helical body is rotated to extrude the powder from the lower end of the transport unit to fill the container with the powder.

  The method for producing a container filled with powder according to claim 8 is the method for producing a container filled with powder according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the spiral body is filled after the powder is filled in the container. The reverse rotation of the spiral is stopped by reverse rotation.

  The filling device according to claim 1 is a powder that is accommodated in the accommodating portion as compared with a filling device that does not include a cylindrical body that is disposed at the lower end in the accommodating portion and above the spiral portion and that is open at both ends. The bulk density of the powder on the upper side of the conveying unit can be locally increased.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is easier to selectively feed air out of the powder and the air into the cylinder as compared with the filling apparatus in which the lower end of the cylinder remains open.

  The filling device according to claims 3 and 4 is less likely to deteriorate the powder as compared with a filling device in which a flat porous member is provided in the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical body.

  The filling apparatus according to the fifth aspect can adjust the bulk density of the powder in the housing portion.

  The method of manufacturing a container filled with powder according to claim 6 is a method using a filling device that does not include a cylindrical body that has a lower end in the housing portion and is disposed above the spiral portion and is open at both ends. In comparison, the bulk density of the powder conveyed in the conveying unit can be increased.

  The method for producing a container filled with the powder according to claim 7 is such that at least one of the volume average particle diameter and the specific gravity is a reference value as compared with a method using a filling device in which an adjustment means is not provided in the cylinder. When filling a smaller powder into the container, the difference between the bulk density of the powder and the bulk density of the powder in which at least one of the volume average particle diameter and specific gravity is the reference value is made equal or smaller. be able to.

  The method for producing a container filled with powder according to claim 8 is a method using a filling device that does not include a cylindrical body that has a lower end in the housing portion and is disposed above the spiral portion and is open at both ends. In comparison, it is possible to reduce the amount of powder spilled from the transport section after the flow rate of the filling operation.

It is the schematic (front view) which shows the state which has filled the container with the toner using the filling apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic (front view) which shows the filling apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram (front view) showing a state where the filling device of the first embodiment conveys toner downward. It is the schematic (front view) which shows the state which the filling apparatus of a comparison form is conveying the toner below. It is a figure (schematic diagram) showing the simulation result of the bulk density of the toner in the storage unit using the finite volume method, and the simulation result at the moment (0 second) when the toner is stored in the storage unit of the filling device of the comparative form FIG. It is a figure (schematic diagram) showing the simulation result of the toner bulk density in the storage unit using the finite volume method, and shows the simulation result when 2 seconds have passed after the toner is stored in the storage unit of the filling device of the comparative form. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram (schematic diagram) illustrating a simulation result of the bulk density of toner in a storage unit using a finite volume method, and at the moment (at 0 second) when toner is stored in the storage unit of the filling device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows a simulation result. It is a figure (schematic diagram) showing the simulation result of the bulk density of the toner in the storage unit using the finite volume method, and the simulation result when 2 seconds have elapsed after the toner is stored in the storage unit of the filling device of the first embodiment. FIG. It is the schematic (front view) which shows the state which the filling apparatus of 2nd Embodiment is conveying the toner below. FIG. 10 is a schematic view (front view) illustrating a state where a filling device according to a third embodiment conveys toner downward. Schematic (front view) which shows the state which the filling apparatus of the form which combined the valve | bulb which comprises the filling apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, and the pump which comprises the filling apparatus of 3rd Embodiment is conveying the toner below. It is.

≪Overview≫
Hereinafter, three embodiments (first to third embodiments) which are modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an arrow H direction in the drawings is a height direction.

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of the filling apparatus 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated. Next, a manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 described later using the filling device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

<Configuration>
For example, the filling device 10 is for filling toner T used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (not shown) into a cartridge main body 90 (hereinafter referred to as a container 90). As shown in FIG. 1, the filling device 10 discharges the toner T from the opening at the lower end of the filling device 10 (opening 24 </ b> B of the conveyance unit 24 described later), and fills the container 90 disposed on the lower side. It is like that. Therefore, an opening 90 </ b> A is formed on the upper side of the container 90. The opening 90A is circular. Here, the toner T is an example of a powder. In the present embodiment, the toner T means an aggregate of toner particles constituting the toner T.

  The toner T is a consumable item in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the container 90 (toner cartridge 100) filled with the toner T is used as a replacement part of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the filling device 10 includes a hopper 20, an auger 30, a transmission shaft 40, a cylindrical portion 50, an agitator 60, a moving device 70, a scale (not shown), a toner T The housing height sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a height sensor, not shown) and the control unit 80 are configured. Here, the auger 30 is an example of a spiral body.

[hopper]
The hopper 20 includes a storage unit 22 and a transport unit 24.

[Container]
The storage unit 22 has a function of storing the toner T. The accommodating part 22 is a truncated cone-shaped cylinder, and has an opening 22A and an opening 22B on the upper side and the lower side, respectively, and has an inner peripheral surface whose diameter gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end. . Here, the opening 22B is an example of a hole. Note that the toner T in the toner tank (not shown) is fed into the accommodating portion 22 from the opening 22A.

[Transport section]
The transport unit 24 has a cylindrical shape, and an opening 24A and an opening 24B are formed on the upper side and the lower side, respectively, and has an inner peripheral surface having the same diameter from the upper end to the lower end. The conveyance unit 24 of the present embodiment is a cylinder, and the axis of the conveyance unit 24 is an axis C in the drawing. The transport unit 24 is disposed below the storage unit 22. The diameter of the opening 24 </ b> B is approximately the same as the diameter of the opening 22 </ b> B of the housing portion 22. Further, the diameter of the opening 24B is smaller than the diameter of the opening 90A of the container 90. The transport unit 24 is connected to the edge of the opening 22B of the storage unit 22 by the edge of the opening 24A, and forms a transport path 24C that transports the toner T stored in the storage unit 22 downward.

  The hopper 20 is configured symmetrically with respect to the axis C. The axis C is along the height direction.

[Ogre]
The auger 30 rotates forward with respect to its own axis (referred to as its own axis) to convey the toner T in the conveyance unit 24 to the lower side, and rotates reversely with respect to its own axis to cause toner in the conveyance unit 24. It has a function of transporting T upward. The auger 30 is driven by a drive source (not shown) controlled by the control unit 80 and rotates forward or backward around a rotation shaft 32 described later. The forward rotation direction in the present embodiment is the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. The reverse rotation direction is the reverse direction of the arrow R1 direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the auger 30 has a rotating shaft 32 and a spiral portion 34. Here, the rotating shaft 32 is an example of an axis. The own axis of the auger 30 overlaps the axis C. The spiral portion 34 is formed in a spiral shape on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft 32 and has a surface facing the own axis direction. The auger 30 is disposed in the transport unit 24 and the storage unit 22. Specifically, a part of the auger 30 (the rotating shaft 32 and the spiral part 34) is disposed in the transport unit 24, and a part of the auger 30 protrudes from the upper end of the transport unit 24. A portion of the auger 30 that protrudes from the upper end of the transport unit 24 is disposed in a lower part of the storage unit 22. When the auger 30 is viewed from its own axis direction, the outer periphery of the spiral portion 34 forms a circle centered on the axis C and separated from the edge of the inner peripheral surface of the transport portion 24.

[Transmission shaft]
The transmission shaft 40 has a function of transmitting torque of a drive source that drives the auger 30 to the auger 30. The own axis of the transmission shaft 40 overlaps the axis C as shown in FIGS. A part of the transmission shaft 40 protrudes from the upper end of the housing part 22, and a part thereof is disposed in the housing part 22. A drive source is connected to the end of the transmission shaft 40 that protrudes from the upper end of the accommodating portion 22. In addition, the rotation shaft 32 of the auger 30 is fixed to the end of the transmission shaft 40 on the side disposed in the accommodating portion 22.

[Cylinder part]
The cylinder part 50 has the cylinder 52 and the filter 54, as FIG.2 and FIG.3 shows. Here, the filter 54 is an example of a porous member.

[Cylinder]
In the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100, the cylindrical body 52 flows in the air G existing in the gap between the toner particles in the storage unit 22 while the toner T is stored in the storage unit 22 (see FIG. 3). And has a function of discharging the air G in the housing portion 22 out of the housing portion 22. The cylindrical body 52 has an opening 52A and an opening 52B formed on the upper side and the lower side, respectively (both ends open), and the diameter is the same from the upper end to the lower end. The cylindrical body 52 is disposed in the accommodating portion 22 with its own axis overlapping the axis C and its inner circumferential surface being separated from the transmission shaft 40. When the cylindrical body 52 is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the own axis direction, the cylindrical body 52 surrounds the transmission shaft 40 with the transmission shaft 40 protruding from both ends thereof. Further, the own axis of the cylindrical body 52 overlaps the axis C. Therefore, the cylindrical body 52 is disposed immediately above the auger 30.

  The lower end of the cylindrical body 52 (the edge of the opening 52B) is preferably located at a height of ½ or less with respect to the height of the housing portion 22 from the opening 22B (reference) of the housing portion 22, and further 1/3. It is preferable to be located at the following height. In the present embodiment, the lower end of the cylindrical body 52 (the edge of the opening 52B) is positioned at a height of 1/5 (20%) as an example from the opening 22B (reference) of the storage portion 22 with respect to the height of the storage portion 22. doing. Further, the upper end of the cylindrical body 52 (the edge of the opening 52A) is located at a height of 9/10 (90%) as an example with respect to the height of the housing portion 22 from the opening 22B of the housing portion 22.

〔filter〕
The filter 54 has a function of selectively allowing the air G to pass through the cylindrical body 52 out of the toner T and air G stored in the storage unit 22 during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100. The filter 54 is a truncated cone-shaped cylinder, and has an opening 54A and an opening 54B on the upper side and the lower side, respectively, and has a mesh-like wall M whose diameter gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end. Yes. The diameter of the opening 54A is equal to the diameter of the opening 52B of the cylindrical body 52. Further, the inner diameter of the opening 54B is equal to the lower outer diameter of the transmission shaft 40. The filter 54 is bonded to the edge of the opening 52B of the cylindrical body 52 at the edge of the opening 54A. The filter 54 is in close contact with the lower side of the transmission shaft 40 at the edge of the opening 54B. From the above, the filter 54 is provided in the opening 54 </ b> B of the cylindrical body 52. The filter 54 protrudes toward the auger 30 (spiral portion 34). The filter 54 of the present embodiment is a bon mesh (manufactured by Nichidai Co., Ltd.) as an example.

[Agitator]
The agitator 60 has a function of moving the toner T to a lower portion of the cylindrical portion 50 in the storage unit 22 while stirring the toner T stored in the storage unit 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the agitator 60 includes a support bar 62 and a blade 64. A part of the support bar 62 is disposed in the accommodating part 22, and a part of the support bar 62 protrudes from the upper end of the accommodating part 22. A blade 64 is fixed to an end portion of the support rod 62 on the side disposed in the housing portion 22, and an end portion of the support rod 62 on the side protruding from the upper end of the housing portion 22 is an upper side of the housing portion 22. Is attached to a drive source (not shown). The blade 64 is fixed to the support rod 62 in a state where the blade 64 is inclined to the axis C so that the upper end is separated from the axis C with respect to the lower end.

  The support bar 62 is driven by a drive source during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 and rotates about the axis C in the direction of the arrow R2. Along with this, the blade 64 moves in the direction of the arrow R2 about the axis C to move the toner T to the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 50 in the accommodating portion 22 while stirring the toner T. Yes. The agitator 60 does not contact the auger 30, the transmission shaft 40, and the cylinder part 50 arranged in the housing part 22 when rotating around the axis C, and the lower part of the cylinder part 50 is not in contact with the auger 30. It is designed to rotate without passing. In the figure, white thick arrows indicate the flow of toner T, and black thick arrows indicate the flow of air G.

[Moving device]
The moving device 70 has a function of moving the container 90 in the direction of the arrow R3 during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the moving device 70 has a belt 70 </ b> A for placing the container 90 and moving the container 90. The moving device 70 of this embodiment is a belt conveyor type device as an example.

[Other configurations]
The filling device 10 includes a scale (not shown) and a height sensor (not shown) in addition to the components described above. The scale has a function of measuring the mass of the container 90 filled with the toner T during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100. The scale is disposed below the belt 70A and at a position B (see FIG. 1) described later. The height sensor stores the toner T stored in the storage unit 22 during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 (the toner T from the opening 22B (reference) is stored in the storage unit 22). It has a function to measure the height up to the position. The height sensor of the present embodiment is a light detection method as an example.

[Control unit]
The control unit 80 has a function of controlling components and the like constituting the filling device 10 during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100. The above-described drive source for driving the auger 30 is an example of the above-described components, but a specific description will be given together with the description of the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 described later.

[Supplement]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the filling device 10 will be supplemented.

[Supplement 1]
In the storage unit 22, blades (not shown) of an agitator (not shown) are provided to stir the toner T stored in the storage unit 22. This blade is driven by a drive source (not shown) provided on the upper side of the accommodating portion 22 during the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100, and the axis C serves as a rotation axis and the direction around the axis C in the direction of arrow R2 (FIG. 3). The toner T is agitated while rotating at the same time. The blades are configured to rotate without contacting the auger 30, the transmission shaft 40, and the cylindrical portion 50 disposed in the housing portion 22.

[Supplement 2]
In the filling device 10, the toner T stored in the storage unit 22 is stored at a height higher than the lower end (edge of the opening 52 </ b> B) of the cylindrical body 52 and lower than the upper end (opening 52 </ b> A) of the cylindrical body 52. It is designed to be used in a state where Therefore, in a state where the toner T is accommodated in the accommodating portion 22, the lower end of the cylindrical body 52 is disposed in the toner T, and the upper end of the cylindrical body 52 is outside the toner T (a portion where the toner T is not accommodated). It is supposed to be arranged in.

[Supplement 3]
The filling device 10 has a height of 80% or more and 85% or less as an example with respect to the height of the storage portion 22 from the opening 22B. Used in a state of being accommodated at a reference height) (see FIG. 3). The height of the toner T in the storage unit 22 is high when the toner T is sent into the storage unit 22 in a preparation process described later and when the toner T is filled in the container 90 in a filling process described later. Measured by the sensor. Then, the control unit 80 feeds the toner T in the toner tank into the storage unit 22 so that the toner T in the storage unit 22 becomes the reference height based on the measurement value measured by the height sensor. .

[Supplement 4]
In order to facilitate understanding of the distribution of the bulk density of the toner T in the storage unit 22, the illustration of the agitator 60 is omitted in the drawings other than FIG.

  This is the end of the description of the configuration of the filling apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

<Manufacturing process of cartridge>
Next, a manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 using the filling device 10 (hereinafter referred to as a manufacturing process of the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. The manufacturing process of this embodiment includes a preparation process, an arrangement process, a movement process, and a filling process.

[Preparation process]
In the preparation step, the control unit 80 sends the toner T in the toner tank (not shown) into the storage unit 22 so as to have a reference height. This completes the preparation process.

  The toner T accommodated in the accommodating portion 22 has a lower end depending on the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 22, the weight of the toner T, the position of the opening 22B, the arrangement of the cylindrical portion 50, and the like. The bulk density is higher in the vicinity of (opening 22B) and on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 50. Here, in FIG. 3, for convenience, the bulk density of the toner T in the storage unit 22 and the transport unit 24 is indicated by four-level halftone dots (the higher the density of the halftone dots, the higher the bulk density). As described above, the actual bulk density of the toner T in the accommodating portion 22 is close to the lower end (opening 22B) and is higher toward the lower side of the cylindrical portion 50. The preparation process ends after about 2 seconds after the control unit 80 sends the toner T in the toner tank to the reference height into the storage unit 22.

[Arrangement process]
In the arrangement step, the operator arranges the plurality of containers 90 at predetermined positions on the belt 70 </ b> A of the moving device 70. The arrangement process is thus completed. When the arrangement process is completed, the plurality of containers 90 are arranged at equal intervals (equivalent pitch) in one row along the moving direction of the belt 70A.

[Transfer process]
In the moving process, the control unit 80 uses the moving device 70 to move the container 90 disposed on the position A on the belt 70A from the height direction below the transport unit 24 constituting the filling device 10. When viewed, the axis of the opening 90A is moved to a position B where it overlaps the axis C (see FIG. 1). This is the end of the moving process. The moving process is performed after the arranging process and the filling process.

[Filling process]
In the filling process, after the moving process, the controller 80 fills the container 60 with the toner T using the filling device 10.

  Specifically, in the filling process, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 80 drives the drive source (not shown) to rotate the blades 64 of the agitator 60 in the direction of the arrow R <b> 2. 30 is rotated forward (rotated in the direction of arrow R1).

  With the forward rotation of the auger 30, the toner T stored in the lower side of the storage portion 22 and between the spiral portions 34 adjacent to the axial direction of the auger 30 protruding into the storage portion 22 is It is moved from inside the storage unit 22 into the transport unit 24. Next, the toner T moved into the transport unit 24 is transported downward and reaches the opening 24 </ b> B, and then pushed out from the lower end of the transport unit 24 by the toner T on the upper side. Next, the toner T pushed out from the lower end of the transport unit 24 falls downward due to its own weight, and is filled in the container 90 disposed at the position B. When the amount of toner T filled in the container 90 reaches a predetermined amount, the control unit 80 stops driving the drive source and stops the rotation of the auger 30. The control unit 80 determines that a predetermined amount has been reached based on the measured value of the mass of the container 90 measured by a scale (not shown). In the present embodiment, the control unit 80 rotates the auger 30 in the forward direction for about 60 seconds as an example.

  Next, in the filling process, the control unit 80 drives the drive source for a predetermined period and rotates the auger 30 in the reverse direction (rotates in the reverse direction of the arrow R1), whereby the toner T in the transport unit 24 is transferred. Move up. The filling process is thus completed. The toner T stored in the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 50 in the storage portion 22 immediately before the auger 30 is rotated in reverse as the toner T in the transport portion 24 is moved upward. The bulk density is higher than In addition, the predetermined period in this embodiment is 2 seconds as an example.

  In the filling step, during the period when the filling device 10 fills the container 60 with the toner T, the accommodation height of the toner T in the accommodation unit 22 is measured by a height sensor. Then, the control unit 80 sends the toner T in the toner tank into the storage unit 22 so that the toner T in the storage unit 22 becomes the reference height based on the measurement value measured by the height sensor. As a result, the amount of toner T that has been filled in the container 60 by the filling device 10 is replenished into the housing portion 22 from the toner tank.

  The preparation process, the movement process, the arrangement process, and the filling process included in the manufacturing process of the present embodiment have been described above. In the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, after the filling process, the control unit 80 moves the container 90 filled with the toner T from the position B and arranges another container 90 at the position B. In the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the moving process and the filling process are alternately performed, and the toner T is filled into all the containers 90 arranged at the predetermined positions of the belt 70A. The container 90 filled with T is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the belt 70A, and the process ends. A lid (not shown) is attached to the portion of the container 90 filled with the toner T where the opening 90 </ b> A is formed in another process to form the toner cartridge 100.

  This is the end of the description of the manufacturing method of the present embodiment.

<Action>
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the present embodiment is compared with the comparison forms assumed below (first to third comparison forms). In the comparative embodiment, when using the same parts as the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the reference numerals of the parts are used as they are, and when performing the same process as the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the name of the process is used as it is. I will explain.

[Operation based on the provision of the cylinder]
Hereinafter, the operation based on the fact that the filling device 10 of the present embodiment includes the cylindrical body 52 will be described with reference to the drawings by comparing the present embodiment with the first comparative embodiment described below.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the filling device 10 </ b> A of the first comparative form does not include the cylindrical portion 50. The filling device 10A of the first comparative embodiment is the same as the filling device 10 of the present embodiment except that the tubular portion 50 is not provided. Further, the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 using the filling device 10A of the first comparative form (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing process of the first comparative form) is replaced with the filling apparatus 10 of the present embodiment and the filling of the first comparative form. Except for the point that is performed using the apparatus 10A, the manufacturing process is the same as that of the present embodiment.

  In the case of the manufacturing process of the first comparative form, the transfer of the filling device 10A during the movement process after the filling process, in other words, during the period until the filling process to another container 90 is started after the filling process is completed. There is a possibility that toner particles may spill downward from the opening 24 </ b> B of the portion 24. When toner particles are spilled, they adhere to the outer wall of the container 90 and stain the container 90. Spilled toner particles are lost.

  As described above, the reason why toner particles are spilled in the manufacturing process of the first comparative embodiment is that the toner T accommodated near the lower end (opening 22B) in the accommodating portion 22 and the inside of the conveying portion 24, as shown in FIG. It is presumed that the toner T has a bulk density that the gravity acting on the toner particles is larger than the force acting on the toner particles.

  On the other hand, the filling device 10 of the present embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 50. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the air G that is fed together with the toner T in the preparation process and exists in the gap between the toner particles flows into the opening 52B of the cylindrical body 52 as shown in FIG. It is discharged from the opening 52A.

  Therefore, according to the manufacturing process (filling device 10) of the present embodiment, the toner T accommodated near the lower end (opening 22B) in the accommodating portion 22 as compared with the manufacturing process (filling device 10A) of the first comparative embodiment. In addition, the bulk density of the toner T in the transport unit 24 can be increased. Accordingly, according to the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the toner particles spilling from the conveying unit 24 after the filling process can be reduced as compared with the manufacturing process of the first comparative embodiment.

  Further, as described above, according to the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the toner T can be transported in a state where the bulk density of the toner T transported in the transport unit 24 is higher than that in the first comparative embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the toner T having a higher bulk density can be filled in the container 90 than in the manufacturing process of the first comparative embodiment. From another point of view, according to the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the same amount of toner T can be filled into the container 90 having a smaller volume compared to the manufacturing process of the first comparative embodiment. That is, according to the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, it is possible to manufacture a small toner cartridge 100 that is filled with the same amount of toner T as compared to the manufacturing process of the first comparative embodiment.

  Further, in the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the cylindrical body 52 is arranged in the accommodating portion 22 so that the lower end of the cylindrical body 52 (portion where the opening 52B is formed) is above the spiral portion 34 of the auger 30. Has been. Therefore, in the filling device 10 according to the present embodiment, the air G that exists in the lower portion of the accommodating portion 22 and in the lower portion of the cylindrical body 52 flows into the opening 52 </ b> B of the cylindrical body 52.

  Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, compared to the filling device 10A of the first comparative embodiment, the toner accommodated in the upper portion in the accommodating portion 22 and the portion near the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 22. The bulk density of the toner T accommodated on the lower side of the cylindrical body 52 can be locally increased while keeping the bulk density of T the same (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Accordingly, according to the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the toner T that is transported in the transport unit 24 while maintaining the same load during rotation of the agitator 60 as compared with the filling device 10A of the first comparative embodiment. However, variation in bulk density can be reduced. That is, according to the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the filling speed of the toner T filled in the container 90 while maintaining the same load when rotating the agitator 60 as compared with the filling device 10A of the first comparative embodiment. (Mass of toner T filled per unit time) can be stabilized. In the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the bulk density of the toner T transported in the transport unit 24 and the variation in the bulk density of the toner T can be reduced as compared with the filling device 10A of the first comparative embodiment. When the rotation (including forward rotation and reverse rotation) of the auger 30 is stopped in the filling process, the toner particles are not easily spilled from the transport unit 24. Therefore, in the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the rotation of the auger 30 can be stopped in a short time in the filling process, compared to the filling device 10A of the first comparative embodiment. That is, according to the manufacturing process of this embodiment, the manufacturing efficiency of the toner cartridge 100 (the number of toner cartridges 100 manufactured per unit time) can be improved as compared with the manufacturing process of the first comparative embodiment.

  5 shows the bulk density state of the toner T at the moment when the toner T is accommodated in the accommodating portion 22 of the first comparative embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows that the toner T is accommodated in the accommodating portion 22 of the first comparative embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an analysis result using a finite volume method with respect to a bulk density state of toner T after 2 seconds. On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows the state of the bulk density of the toner T at the moment when the toner T is accommodated in the accommodating portion 22 of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows that the toner T is accommodated in the accommodating portion 22 of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an analysis result using a finite volume method with respect to a bulk density state of the toner T after 2 seconds.

  Considering these schematic diagrams of the analysis results, the filling device 10 of the present embodiment is lower than the cylinder 52 in the toner T in the storage unit 22 (conveying unit 24) as compared with the filling device 10A of the first comparative example. The bulk density of the toner T in the upper part) can be increased locally in a short time. Therefore, according to the manufacturing process of the present embodiment, the time required for the preparation process can be shortened compared to the manufacturing process of the first comparative embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the manufacturing process (filling apparatus 10) of the present embodiment, the working efficiency can be improved because the preparation process takes less time than the manufacturing process (filling apparatus 10A) of the first comparative embodiment. For example, when the toner T having a different color is replaced in the storage unit 22 and the container 90 is filled with the toner T having a different color, the time for the preparation process can be shortened.

[Operation based on the fact that a filter is provided at the opening of the cylinder]
Hereinafter, the operation based on the fact that the filter 54 is provided in the opening 52B of the cylindrical body 52 in the filling device 10 of the present embodiment will be described by comparing the present embodiment with the second comparative embodiment described below. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.

  In the filling device (not shown) of the second comparative embodiment, the filter 54 is not provided in the opening 52 </ b> B of the cylindrical body 52. The filling device of the second comparative embodiment is the same as the filling device 10 of this embodiment except that the filter 54 is not provided. Also, the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 using the filling device of the second comparative form (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing process of the second comparative form) is replaced with the filling apparatus 10 of the present embodiment and the filling device of the second comparative form. The process is the same as the manufacturing process of this embodiment except that the process is performed using The filling device of the second comparative form and the manufacturing process of the second comparative form belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the case of the filling device of the second comparative form, since the filter 54 is not provided in the opening 52B of the cylindrical body 52, the toner T may enter the cylindrical body 52 from the opening 52B.

  On the other hand, in the case of the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the filter 54 is provided in the opening 52 </ b> B of the cylindrical body 52, so that the toner T hardly enters the cylindrical body 52. .

  Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, it is easier to selectively send the air G out of the toner T and the air G into the cylindrical body 52 as compared with the filling device of the second comparative embodiment.

[Operation based on the fact that the filter protrudes toward the spiral side]
Hereinafter, in the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the operation based on the fact that the filter 54 provided in the opening 52B of the cylindrical body 52 protrudes toward the spiral portion 34 side will be described below with respect to the present embodiment and the third comparative embodiment. And will be described. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.

  The filling device (not shown) of the third comparative embodiment is provided with a disk-like (flat plate) filter (not shown) having a mesh-like wall M covering the opening 52B in the opening 52B of the cylindrical body 52. . Therefore, the filling device of the third comparative form selectively supplies air G out of the toner T and the air G into the cylindrical body 52, like the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, compared to the filling device of the second comparative form. Easy to send. The filling device of the third comparative embodiment is the same as the filling device 10 of the present embodiment except that the disk-shaped filter is provided in the opening 52B instead of the filter 54. In addition, the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 using the filling device of the third comparative embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing process of the third comparative embodiment) is replaced with the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, and the filling device of the third comparative embodiment. The process is the same as the manufacturing process of this embodiment except that the process is performed using The filling device of the third comparative form and the manufacturing process of the third comparative form belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the case of the filling device of the third comparative form, the disk-shaped filter in the accommodating portion 22, that is, the toner T accommodated in the portion below the cylinder 52 and above the auger 30 stays as it is. Easy to do. When the toner T stays for a long time, the toner T deteriorates.

  On the other hand, in the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the filter 54 protrudes toward the auger 30 (spiral portion 34) as shown in FIGS. Therefore, in the case of the filling device 10 according to the present embodiment, the toner T is unlikely to stay in a portion below the cylindrical body 52 and above the auger 30 in the housing portion 22.

  Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the toner T is hardly deteriorated as compared with the filling device of the third comparative embodiment.

  Further, in the case of the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the filter 54 is a truncated cone-shaped cylinder as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and has a diameter that gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end. ing. That is, the diameter of the filter 54 of the present embodiment gradually decreases from the upper side to the lower side like the inner peripheral surface of the housing portion 22. Therefore, the toner T moved along the outer periphery of the filter 54 in the accommodating portion 22 moves to the lower side of the accommodating portion 22 as compared to the toner T moved along the disc-shaped filter of the third comparative form. Easy to do. Therefore, in the case of the filling device 10 according to the present embodiment, the toner T is unlikely to stay in a portion below the cylindrical body 52 and above the auger 30 in the housing portion 22.

  Therefore, according to the filling device 10 of the present embodiment, the toner T is hardly deteriorated as compared with the filling device of the third comparative embodiment.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in this embodiment, when using the same part etc. as the filling apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment, when using the code | symbol of the part etc. as it is and performing the process similar to the manufacturing process of 1st Embodiment, the name of the process This will be described using

<Configuration>
The filling device 10B of the present embodiment includes a lid 52C and a valve V in addition to the configuration of the filling device 10 of the first embodiment. The lid 52C is a disk that is bonded to the outer periphery of the transmission shaft 40 and the edge of the opening 52A of the cylindrical body 52 to block the opening 52A. A through hole 52D is formed in the lid 52C, and one end of the valve V is fixed to the edge of the through hole 52D. The air G in the cylinder 52 is discharged through the valve V. That is, the valve V is configured to adjust the cross-sectional area of the air G channel, that is, to adjust the channel resistance. Therefore, the valve V has a function of adjusting the amount of air G flowing into the cylindrical body 52. Here, the valve V is an example of an adjusting unit. The filling device 10B of the present embodiment is the same as the filling device 10 of the first embodiment except for the points described above. Further, the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 using the filling device 10B of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing process of the present embodiment) is replaced with the filling device 10 of the first embodiment and the filling device 10B of the present embodiment. The process is the same as the manufacturing process of the first embodiment except that the process is performed using.

<Action>
Hereinafter, the operation of the filling device 10B of the present embodiment will be described by comparing the present embodiment with the first embodiment. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.

  In the filling device 10 of the first embodiment, the valve body V is not provided in the cylindrical body 52. Therefore, the filling device 10 of the first embodiment cannot adjust the amount of air G flowing into the cylindrical body 52.

  On the other hand, the filling device 10 </ b> B of the present embodiment is provided with a valve V in the cylindrical body 52. Therefore, the filling device 10 </ b> B of the present embodiment can adjust the flow resistance of the air G in the cylindrical body 52.

  Therefore, according to the filling device 10 </ b> B of the present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the bulk density of the toner T in the storage unit 22. For example, when a plurality of levels of toner T having different particle diameters (volume average particle diameters) of toner particles are filled in the container 90, generally, the toner T having a smaller particle diameter tends to have a lower bulk density. Thus, when the container 90 is filled with the toner T having a small particle diameter, the flow resistance of the valve V is made lower than when the toner T having a large particle diameter is filled into the container 90 (tubular body). If the amount of air G flowing into 52 is increased), it is possible to fill any container 90 with the bulk density of the toner T being equal or nearly equal. In other words, according to the filling device 10B of the present embodiment, when the toner T having a different particle diameter is filled in the container 90 as compared with the filling device in which the valve 52 is not provided in the cylindrical body 52, the particles The difference between the bulk density of the toner T having a small diameter and the bulk density of the toner T having a large particle diameter can be made equal or small. Here, among the toners T having different particle diameters, when the value of the volume average particle diameter of the toner T having a large particle diameter is used as a reference value, the value of the volume average particle diameter of the toner T having a small particle diameter is larger than the reference value. Mean small. That is, the reference value is a value that can be arbitrarily determined. In addition, for example, when a plurality of levels of toner T having different specific gravity of toner particles are filled in the container 90, the toner density generally tends to be lower because the toner T has a lower specific gravity because its own weight is smaller. Therefore, when filling the container 90 with the toner T having a small specific gravity of the toner particles, the flow resistance of the valve V is made lower (inside the cylinder 52) than when the toner T having a large specific gravity is filled into the container 90. If the amount of the air G flowing into the container 90 is increased), it is possible to fill any container 90 with the bulk density of the toner T being equal or nearly equal. In other words, according to the filling device 10B of the present embodiment, when the toner T having a different specific gravity is filled in the container 90 as compared with the filling device in which the valve V is not provided in the cylindrical body 52, the specific gravity is higher. The difference between the bulk density of the small toner T and the bulk density of the toner T having a large specific gravity can be made equal or small. Here, when the specific gravity value of the toner T having a large specific gravity among the toners T having different specific gravity is used as the reference value, it means that the specific gravity value of the toner T having a small specific gravity is smaller than the reference value. That is, the reference value is a value that can be arbitrarily determined. The specific gravity referred to in this specification means the mass per unit volume of the toner T itself (that is, toner particles). Other operations of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

«Third embodiment»
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in this embodiment, when using parts similar to the filling devices 10 and 10B of the first and second embodiments, the reference numerals of the parts are used as they are, and the same manufacturing steps as those of the first and second embodiments are used. When performing a process, the name of the process is used as it is.

<Configuration>
The filling device 10C of the present embodiment includes a pump P in place of the valve V of the filling device 10B of the second embodiment. Therefore, the air G in the cylinder 52 is exhausted by the pump P. Here, the pump speed of the pump P of this embodiment is variable as an example. That is, the pump P is configured to be able to adjust the flow rate of the air G flowing through the cylindrical body 52. Therefore, the pump P has a function of adjusting the amount of air G flowing into the cylindrical body 52. Here, the pump P is an example of an adjusting unit. The filling device 10C of the present embodiment is the same as the filling device 10B of the second embodiment except for the points described above. Further, the manufacturing process of the toner cartridge 100 using the filling device 10C of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing process of the present embodiment) is replaced with the filling device 10B of the second embodiment, and the filling device 10C of the present embodiment. The process is the same as the manufacturing process of the second embodiment except that the process is performed using

<Action>
Hereinafter, the operation of the filling device 10C of the present embodiment will be described by comparing the present embodiment with the first embodiment. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.

  In the filling device 10 of the first embodiment, the cylinder P is not provided with the pump P. Therefore, the filling device 10 of the first embodiment cannot adjust the amount of air G flowing into the cylindrical body 52.

  On the other hand, in the filling device 10 </ b> C of the present embodiment, the pump 52 is provided in the cylindrical body 52. Therefore, the filling device 10 </ b> C of the present embodiment can adjust the amount of air G that flows into the cylindrical body 52.

  Therefore, according to the filling apparatus 10 </ b> C of the present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the bulk density of the toner T in the storage unit 22. In the filling device 10C of the present embodiment, for example, a plurality of levels of toner T having different toner particle diameters (volume average particle diameter) are filled in the container 90, or a plurality of levels of toner particles having different specific gravities. When T is filled in each container 90, it is effective in that the bulk density of the toner T can be adjusted by adjusting the flow resistance of the air G by the valve V. Other operations of the present embodiment are the same as the operations of the first and second embodiments.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other embodiments are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in each embodiment, the powder is described as the toner T. However, the powder may not be the toner T. For example, it may be a powder used for pharmaceuticals, foods, industrial materials and other uses.

  In addition, the accommodating portion 22 of each embodiment is a truncated cone-shaped cylinder, and an opening 22A and an opening 22B are formed on the upper side and the lower side, respectively, and the diameter gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end. It was described as having a surface. However, as long as the accommodating part 22 has an inner peripheral surface in which the diameter gradually decreases from the upper end side to the lower end, the shape of the accommodating part 22 may be different from that of each embodiment. For example, the accommodating part may have an inner peripheral surface whose diameter gradually decreases from the upper end side to the lower end, and the upper end side may be cylindrical.

  Further, it is needless to say that a mode in which the second embodiment and the third embodiment are combined, for example, a mode in which the valve 52 and the pump P are provided in the cylindrical body 52 is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Absent. In this case, the valve V and the pump P may be fixed to a lid 52C that closes the opening 52A of the cylindrical body 52, respectively. Further, the valve V and the pump P connected in series may be fixed to the lid 52C (see the filling device 10D in FIG. 11). Here, the combination of the valve V and the pump P connected in series is an example of the adjusting means. In this way, by fixing the valve V and the pump P connected in series to the lid 52C, it flows in the cylinder 52 as compared with the case where either the valve V or the pump P is fixed to the cylinder 52. It is possible to adjust the amount of the air G over a wide range, that is, to adjust the bulk density of the toner T over a wide range.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Filling apparatus 10B Filling apparatus 10C Filling apparatus 10D Filling apparatus 22 Storage part 22B Opening (an example of hole)
24 transport unit 24C transport path 30 auger (an example of a spiral body)
32 Rotating shaft (an example of shaft)
34 spiral part 52 cylinder 52B opening (an example of the opening of the lower side in a cylinder)
54 Filter (an example of a porous member)
P pump (an example of adjusting means)
T toner (example of powder)
V valve (an example of adjusting means)

Claims (8)

A hole is formed at the lower end, an inner peripheral surface having a diameter that gradually decreases from the upper end side to the lower end, and an accommodating portion that accommodates the powder;
A cylindrical conveying unit that forms a conveying path that conveys powder by being connected by an edge of the accommodation unit and the hole;
A spiral body that is disposed in the transport unit, has a shaft and a spiral portion formed around the shaft, and rotates around the shaft to transport the powder in the transport unit;
A cylinder having at least a lower end in the accommodating portion and disposed on the upper side of the spiral portion, and having both ends open;
A filling device. In the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical body, a porous member is provided,
The filling device according to claim 1. The porous member protrudes from the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical body toward the spiral portion.
The filling device according to claim 2. The porous member is configured such that the diameter gradually decreases from the opening to the spiral portion side.
The filling device according to claim 3. The cylinder is provided with adjusting means for adjusting the amount of air flowing into the cylinder.
The filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Using the filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Powder is fed into the container,
A container is disposed below the transport unit;
Rotating the helical body to extrude powder from the lower end of the transport unit, and filling the container with powder;
A method for producing a container filled with powder. Using the filling device according to claim 5,
Powder is fed into the container,
A container is disposed below the transport unit;
When at least one of the volume average particle diameter and specific gravity of the powder filled in the container is smaller than a reference value, the adjustment means causes the cylinder to move into the cylinder than when the value is equal to or greater than the reference value. Increasing the amount of air flowing in and rotating the helical body to extrude powder from the lower end of the transport unit to fill the container with powder,
A method for producing a container filled with powder. After filling the container with the powder, reverse rotation of the helical body by reverse rotation of the helical body,
A method for producing a container filled with the powder according to claim 6 or 7.