JP2021188741A - High-pressure gas container - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a high-pressure gas container comprising information transmission means, which can be converted into electronic data without causing human error and can be used repeatedly.SOLUTION: A high-pressure gas container comprises a metal high-pressure gas container body 2, and machine-readable information transmission means 3 located on a shoulder part 2A of the high-pressure gas container body 2. The information transmission means 3 includes one or more of a group consisting of a single hole, a straight line and a curved line, which are deeply carved in the shoulder part 2A. When the information transmission means 3 is read by a machine, the high-pressure gas container 1 having a minimum width of 150 to 2000 μm and a depth of the single hole of 200 μm or more is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a high pressure gas container.

High-pressure gas containers (made of manganese steel or aluminum) are required to be stamped in accordance with the High Pressure Gas Safety Act. Among them, the container symbol number, which is the most important for container management, is decided to be stamped on the shoulder of the container. Then, each gas container is identified by a container symbol number, and recipes such as container inspection, gas filling, and gas use are carried out.

By the way, the container symbol number is printed on a curved surface such as the shoulder of the container, and there are a plurality of engraved fonts. Therefore, for example, even if the stamp is read by a CCD camera or the like, there is no technology that can convert it into electronic data as a symbol number, and even if the AI technology is used, it is 100% definitely impossible to read. Therefore, conventionally, the container symbol number can only be read visually.

However, when the container symbol number is visually read, a human error is likely to occur, and there is a problem that a correct recipe cannot be carried out, such as carrying out an erroneous container inspection content due to a reading error.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a labeled high-pressure gas container and a system for managing these containers, in which the container symbol number is visually read and then the information is labeled with a barcode and attached to the high-pressure gas container. There is. By reading this barcode with a barcode reader, the container symbol number can be acquired as electronic data, and container management becomes easy.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-058743

However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to create a barcode label, it is necessary to first visually read an information transmission means such as a container symbol number, so that there is still a problem that a human error occurs. .. In addition, the barcode label attached to the high-pressure gas container is easy to peel off, and in order to inspect the appearance after removing all foreign substances according to the safety law, the barcode label must be peeled off repeatedly. There was a problem that it could not be used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a high-pressure gas container provided with information transmission means that can be converted into electronic data without causing human error and can be used repeatedly.

The present invention adopts the following configuration.
[1] Metal high-pressure gas container body and
It is located on the shoulder of the high-pressure gas container body and is equipped with a machine-readable information transmission means.
The information transmission means includes any one or more of a group consisting of a single hole, a straight line and a curved line deeply carved in the shoulder portion.
In the information transmission means when reading with the machine,
The minimum width of the single hole is 150 to 2000 μm.
A high-pressure gas container having a single hole depth of 200 μm or more.
[2] The high-pressure gas container according to the preceding item [1], wherein the surface of the high-pressure gas container body is covered with a coating film.
[3] The high-pressure gas container according to the preceding item [2], wherein the coating film has a thickness of 50 to 160 μm.
[4] The high-pressure gas container according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the information transmission means includes a bar code or a two-dimensional code.
[5] The high-pressure gas container according to any one of the preceding items [1] to [4], wherein the information transmission means includes a container symbol number.

Since the high-pressure gas container of the present invention is provided with information transmission means that can be used repeatedly, it can be converted into electronic data without causing human error.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the high pressure gas container which is one Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the information transmission means arranged in the high pressure gas container of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the information transmission means arranged in the high pressure gas container of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make each component easier to see, the scale of the dimensions may be different depending on the component, and the dimensional ratio of each component may not be the same as the actual one. No. Further, the materials, dimensions, etc. exemplified in the following description are examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to them, and the present invention can be appropriately modified without changing the gist thereof. ..

<High-pressure gas container>
First, as an embodiment of the present invention, the high-pressure gas container 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
Note that FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the high-pressure gas container 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the high-pressure gas container 1 of the present embodiment includes a high-pressure gas container main body 2 and an information transmission means 3 located on the shoulder portion 2A of the high-pressure gas container main body 2.
The high-pressure gas container 1 of the present embodiment supplies the high-pressure gas filled in the high-pressure gas container main body 2 to the consumption equipment arranged on the secondary side of the high-pressure gas container 1.

(High pressure gas container body)
The high-pressure gas container body (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “container body”) 2 has a shoulder portion 2A and a body portion 2B.
The container body 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is a container (cylinder) that conforms to the High Pressure Gas Safety Act and the container safety regulations.

Specifically, examples of the type of the container main body 2 include a seamless container, a welded container, an ultra-low temperature container, a low temperature container, a brazing container, a fiber reinforced plastic composite container (FRP container), and the like. Among these, metal welded containers and seamless containers are preferable.

The material of the container body 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is made of metal. Examples of such a material include manganese steel, chrome molybdenum steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, nickel chrome molybdenum steel, chrome molybdenum vanadium steel and the like. Among these, manganese steel, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel are more preferable from the viewpoint of versatility.

The size (volume) of the container body 2 is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected depending on the contents and application. Examples of the volume of the container body 2 include a large container exceeding 87 L, a medium container of 40 to 87 L, a small container of less than 40 L, and the like. Among these, medium containers and small containers are more preferable from the viewpoint of versatility.

The container body 2 may be painted. That is, the surface of the container body 2 may be covered with a coating film. Generally, the high-pressure gas container 1 is color-coded according to the type of high-pressure gas filled. For example, oxygen is painted black, liquefied carbon dioxide is painted green, and air and nitrogen are painted gray.

The coating film may be a single layer, or two or more kinds of coating films may be laminated. An example in which two types of coating films are laminated includes a laminated film of a base layer and a colored layer.

The thickness (total thickness) of the coating film on the surface of the container body 2 is generally 50 to 160 μm, more preferably 55 to 80 μm.

(Information transmission means)
The information transmission means 3 is located on the shoulder portion 2A of the container body 2. The position of the information transmission means 3 on the shoulder portion 2A is not particularly limited as long as it is a thick portion and a curved shoulder portion 2A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information transmission means 3 is an aggregate including any one or more of a group consisting of a single hole 4, a straight line 5, and a curve 6 deeply carved in the shoulder portion 2A of the container body 2. be.

The minimum width (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “dot size”) of the deeply carved single hole (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “deep carved hole”) 4 before painting is 150 to 2000 μm and 300 to 1000 μm. It is preferably 500 to 900 μm, and more preferably 500 to 900 μm. When the dot size is 150 μm or more, it is the minimum width that can be read by the reader, and it is preferable because it is not affected by painting. Further, when the dot size is 2000 μm or less, it is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the overall size of the two-dimensional code.

The depth of the deep engraved hole 4 before painting is 200 μm or more, preferably 300 μm or more, and more preferably 400 μm or more from the surface of the container body 2.
When the depth of the deep engraving hole 4 is 200 μm or more, sufficient shading can be obtained when reading with a barcode reader, a camera, or the like, so that the deep engraving hole 4 can be read by a machine.
Further, when the depth of the deep engraving hole 4 is 400 μm or more, when the surface of the container body 2 is covered with a coating film or when the high-pressure gas container 1 is used repeatedly (the coating is peeled off and then painted again). Even in the case of), it is preferable because it can be read by a bar code reader, a two-dimensional code reader, a camera, or the like.

In the high-pressure gas container 1 of the present embodiment, in the information transmission means 3 for reading by a machine, the depth of the deep engraving hole 4 is preferably 200 μm or more, preferably 300 μm or more, from the surface of the container body 2. , 400 μm or more is more preferable.
Specifically, when the high-pressure gas container 1 to be read by a machine is before painting (that is, when there is no coating film on the surface of the container body 2), the depth of the deep engraving hole 4 is from the surface of the container body 2. If it is 200 μm or more, it can be read.
On the other hand, when the high-pressure gas container 1 to be read by a machine is after painting (that is, when there is a coating film on the surface of the container body 2), the depth of the deep carved hole 4 after painting is the container body 2. If it is substantially 200 μm or more from the surface of the surface, it can be read.

Here, the deep engraving hole 4 can be formed by irradiating the surface of the container body 2 with a laser. As the laser irradiation device, a commercially available laser irradiation device (for example, 3-Axis fiber laser marker MD-F5200 manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION) can be used.
Further, the conditions for forming the deep hole 4 by laser irradiation are not particularly limited, and the laser output, irradiation time, and the like can be appropriately selected depending on the laser irradiation device to be used.

Further, the deeply carved straight line 5 and the curved line 6 can be formed by irradiating the surface of the container body 2 with a laser, similarly to the deeply carved hole 4. At this time, the straight line 5 and the curve 6 may be formed by forming a plurality of deep holes 4, or the straight line 5 and the curve 6 may be formed by continuously irradiating the laser along the desired straight line and curve. May be good. The minimum width and depth of the deeply carved straight line 5 and the curved line 6 are the same as those of the deeply carved hole 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the information transmission means 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the aggregate including any one or more of the group consisting of the deep hole 4, the straight line 5, and the curve 6 is two-dimensional such as a QR code (registered trademark). Consists of codes and alphanumers. The information transmission means 3 is not limited to these. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be a barcode or other identifiable characters (not shown).

Among these, as the information transmission means 3, it is preferable to use a two-dimensional code from the viewpoint of space saving and the amount of information.
For example, when the dot size of the deep engraved hole 4 is 300 to 1000 μm, the size can be 20 mm square.

In the high-pressure gas container 1 of the present embodiment, it is required that the information transmission means 3 can be read by a machine. Here, the term "readable by a machine" means that, for example, when the information transmission means 3 is a barcode or a two-dimensional code, it may be read by a barcode reader or a two-dimensional code reader and can be determined by a black-and-white determination algorithm. When the information transmission means 3 is an alphanumerical character or the like, it may be read by a camera and can be determined by AI.

The information transmission means 3 preferably includes a container symbol number. When the information transmission means 3 includes the container symbol number, the container symbol number previously visually recognized can be read by a machine as electronic data to manage the container. Therefore, when managing containers, the probability of human error occurrence is greatly reduced, and a system (process control) that does not produce nonconforming products can be constructed.

As described above, according to the high-pressure gas container 1 of the present embodiment, since the information transmission means 3 that can be used repeatedly is provided, it is possible to convert the container symbol number and the like into electronic data without causing a human error.

Further, the high-pressure gas container 1 of the present embodiment can be read by a machine even if the surface of the container body 2 is painted, as long as the depth of the deep hole 4 constituting the information transmission means 3 is 400 μm or more. It can be used repeatedly even if it is repainted after the paint is peeled off.

Further, according to the high-pressure gas container 1 of the present embodiment, the container symbol number is stamped at the container manufacturing factory and at the same time, the two-dimensional code is marked as the information transmission means 3 from the time when the new container arrives. Electronic data processing becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to obtain the effect of greatly saving the labor of production and management of non-conforming products. In addition, it is possible to input data other than the container symbol number (for example, the date of manufacture of the container, the weight of the container, the filling date of gas, etc.) in the two-dimensional code, and when that information changes, the old two-dimensional code By erasing with a strike-through line and re-marking, it is possible to always manage with the latest information.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to that of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be described in detail by verification tests 1 to 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

<Verification test 1>
Using the following conditions, the high-pressure gas containers of Test Examples 1 to 4 shown in Table 1 below were prepared.
-High-pressure gas container body: Manganese steel seamless container (capacity: 47L), aluminum seamless container (capacity: 10L)
-Information transmission means: 2D code (9.6 mm square DataMatrix)
-Laser irradiation device: 3-Axis fiber laser marker MD-F5200 (manufactured by KEYENCE)
・ Dot size of deep engraving: φ700 μm
-Deep hole depth: 200 μm, 400 μm
-Two-dimensional code reader: Handy terminal "BT-W370" (manufactured by KEYENCE)

Next, the following steps were carried out for the high-pressure gas containers of Test Examples 1 to 4, and the reading result of the two-dimensional code was confirmed. The results are shown in Table 1.
-Step (1): After forming the two-dimensional code (after laser marking)
-Step (2): After painting (base layer + colored layer: 70 μm thickness)
・ Process (3): After paint peeling and repainting

As shown in Table 1, Test Example 1 and Test Example 3 have a depth of 200 μm, and therefore can be read by a two-dimensional code reader after the formation of the two-dimensional code (in Table 1, simply “” It was described as "OK". The same shall apply hereinafter), but it could not be read either after painting or after repainting (in Table 1, it is simply described as "impossible". The same shall apply hereinafter).
On the other hand, in Test Example 2 and Test Example 4, since the depth of the deep engraving hole is 400 μm, it can be read by the two-dimensional code reader after the formation of the two-dimensional code, after painting, and after repainting. It was possible.

<Verification test 2>
By the same method as the step (3) of Test Example 2 described above, a two-dimensional code and a container symbol number “ABC12345” 8 are attached to the shoulder portion (reference numeral 2A shown in FIG. 1) of the high-pressure gas container by using a laser marker. Each letter was marked (see reference numeral 3 in FIG. 1).
The two-dimensional code was marked by inputting a code indicating eight characters of the container symbol number "ABC12345".

When the two-dimensional code was read using the handy terminal in the same manner as in the verification test 1, it was confirmed that eight characters of "ABC12345" were input.
Furthermore, it was confirmed visually that it was the same as the eight characters of the container symbol number "ABC12345" marked at the bottom of the two-dimensional code.

<Verification test 3>
Using a stamping machine (hand-type air stamping machine turret type model TK-100D (12-hole specification) manufactured by Nakamac Co., Ltd.), the container symbol is attached to the shoulder of the high-pressure gas container (reference numeral 2A shown in FIG. 1). Eight characters of the number "ABC12345" were stamped. At this time, the work environment is measured using the method specified in the Industrial Safety and Health Act, and the noise generated during stamping is measured using a sound level meter (Integral sound level meter NL-05A manufactured by Rion Co., Ltd.). As a result, it was 91 dB.

The Industrial Safety and Health Act requires the following measures regarding noise.
"In workplaces with an equivalent noise level of 85 dB (A measurement) or higher, equivalent noise level measurement (A measurement and B measurement) based on the work environment measurement standard (Ministry of Labor Notification No. 46, 1976) is performed once every June. Do this for 10 minutes per measurement point. "

Here, since the 91 dB workplace is the third management category that requires the strictest management in the work environment category, the following measures (1) to (3) are required.
(1) Indicate the location with a sign and post the use of protective equipment.
(2) To be in management category I or management category II by improving the work method.
(3) Use protective equipment.

Next, using the same method as in step (1) of Test Example 2 of Verification Test 1, the noise when marking the container symbol number using a laser marker was measured and found to be 81 dB.
Since this corresponds to the I management category, it was confirmed that the work can be continued in a work environment that does not require signs and protective equipment. That is, it was confirmed that the use of the laser marker requires less noise than the use of the stamping machine and is suitable as a work environment.

<Verification test 4>
Using the following conditions, the high-pressure gas containers of Test Examples 5 to 15 shown in Table 2 below were prepared.
・ High-pressure gas container body: Manganese steel seamless container (capacity: 47L, 10L)
-Information transmission means: 2D code (DataMatrix)
・ Two-dimensional code size: 8 mm square, 10 mm square, 13 mm square, 16 mm square, 20 mm square ・ Laser irradiation device: 3-Axis fiber laser marker MD-F5200 (manufactured by KEYENCE)
-Deep hole dot size: 100 μm, 150 μm, 500 μm, 700 μm, 1000 μm
・ Depth of deep engraving hole: listed in Table 2 ・ Presence or absence of painting: Underlayer + colored layer = 70 μm thickness ・ Two-dimensional code reader: Handy terminal "BT-W370" (manufactured by KEYENCE)

Next, the reading result of the two-dimensional code was confirmed for the high-pressure gas containers of Test Examples 5 to 15. The results are shown in Table 2.

As shown in Table 2, in the test example in which the depth of the deep engraved hole was 150 μm, reading was not possible regardless of the presence or absence of coating and the dot size (indicated as “impossible” in Table 2).
On the other hand, in the test example in which the depth of the deep engraved hole was 200 μm, it was possible to read when there was no coating (unpainted) and the dot size (minimum width of the single hole) was 150 μm or more (). In Table 2, it is described as "OK"). On the other hand, in Test Example 8 with coating (after coating), the actual depth at the time of reading by a machine was less than 200 μm, so that reading was not possible even though the dot size was 150 μm.
Further, in the test example in which the depth of the deep engraved hole is 400 μm, the actual depth at the time of reading by the machine is 200 μm or more regardless of whether it is unpainted (unpainted) or painted (after painting). , It was possible to read when the dot size (minimum width of a single hole) was 150 μm or more (indicated as “OK” in Table 2).
It was confirmed that the results were the same for the 10L container and the 47L container, and did not depend on the capacity of the container.

<Verification test 5>
A high-pressure gas container on which a barcode or the like was printed was produced using the following conditions.
・ High-pressure gas container body: Manganese steel seamless container (capacity: 47L)
-Information transmission means: Bar code (CODE39)
-Laser irradiation device: 3-Axis fiber laser marker MD-F5200 (manufactured by KEYENCE)
・ Dot size of deep engraving: φ700 μm
・ Depth of deep hole: 400 μm
-Two-dimensional code reader: Handy terminal "BT-W370" (manufactured by KEYENCE)

A laser marker was used to mark the shoulder portion of the high-pressure gas container (reference numeral 2A shown in FIG. 1) with the barcode (CODE39) shown in FIG. 3 and the eight characters of the container symbol number “ABC12345”.
The barcode was marked by inputting a code indicating eight characters of the container symbol number "ABC12345".

As in the case of the verification test 1, when the barcode was read using the handy terminal, it was confirmed that 8 characters of "ABC12345" were input.
Furthermore, it was confirmed visually that it was the same as the eight characters of the container symbol number "ABC12345" marked on the lower part of the barcode.

1 ... High-pressure gas container 2 ... High-pressure gas container body (container body)
2A ・ ・ ・ Shoulder part 2B ・ ・ ・ Body part 3 ・ ・ ・ Information transmission means 4 ・ ・ ・ Deeply carved single hole (deeply carved hole)
5 ... straight line 6 ... curve

Claims (5)

Metal high-pressure gas container body and
It is located on the shoulder of the high-pressure gas container body and is equipped with a machine-readable information transmission means.
The information transmission means includes any one or more of a group consisting of a single hole, a straight line and a curved line deeply carved in the shoulder portion.
In the information transmission means when reading with the machine,
The minimum width of the single hole is 150 to 2000 μm.
A high-pressure gas container having a single hole depth of 200 μm or more. The high-pressure gas container according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the high-pressure gas container body is covered with a coating film. The high-pressure gas container according to claim 2, wherein the coating film has a thickness of 50 to 160 μm. The high-pressure gas container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information transmission means includes a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The high-pressure gas container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information transmission means includes a container symbol number.

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