JP3847256B2 - Granular dry ice distribution supply equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a granular dry ice distribution and supply device that can sequentially and easily supply a required amount of granular dry ice in a container containing a refrigerated product according to the type and amount of the refrigerated product.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  The use of granular dry ice (for example, bead dry [registered trademark] of Iwatani Corporation) has begun to become popular in recent years because it is not necessary to divide the product and can be quantitatively controlled. Yes.
[0003]
  This granular dry ice can be suitably used when keeping refrigerated items such as frozen or refrigerated foods in a cold state. For example, the granular dry ice is put into a container such as an insulated container made of polystyrene foam together with the refrigerated items. (Hereinafter, a container to be filled with granular dry ice is referred to as a “refrigerated container”).
  When placing granular dry ice in such refrigerated containers, for example, when handling a large variety of products at large supermarkets, the amount of granular dry ice to be filled in each refrigerated container Therefore, it is strongly desired to provide an apparatus capable of mechanically and stably supplying an appropriate amount for each refrigerated container.
In order to meet such demands, the present applicant has previously proposed a granular dry ice distribution and supply device that can flexibly accommodate various refrigerated containers and can easily supply the required amount of granular dry ice ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-040587 (JP 2003 − 237886 Issue gazette,Paragraph numbers [0012] and [0013] and FIG. 1)
[0005]
  The distribution supply device (hereinafter referred to as the previously proposed device) of Patent Document 1 is shown in FIG. 7, and the granular dry ice distribution supply device 41 realized by a hopper and the hopper 41 are supplied with granular dry ice. A first replenishing device 42 realized by a large hopper, a second replenishing device 43 realized by a storage tank for replenishing the large hopper 42 with granular dry ice, and a refrigerated container provided below the hopper 41. It has the structure provided with the conveyance means 44 implement | achieved by the belt conveyor which conveys A. FIG.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  The above-mentioned prior proposed apparatus can arbitrarily adjust the amount of the granular dry ice discharged from the hopper 41, so that an appropriate amount of the granular dry ice can be relatively accurately handled flexibly for each refrigerated container having a different filling supply amount. Can be filled at any time, and the intended purpose can be achieved.
[0007]
  However, in the previously proposed apparatus, both the large hopper 42 and the hopper 41 have a structure in which the hopper outlet is narrowed, and due to the characteristics of granular dry ice used under special conditions of ultra-low temperature, its own weight, etc. Due to the influence, the cross-linking phenomenon in dry ice tends to occur frequently in a narrow passage, and there is a disadvantage that clogging occurs due to solidification. As a result, there is a problem that the supply of dry ice to the refrigerated product container is not smoothly performed and the distribution and supply with high measurement accuracy cannot be performed.
[0008]
  Therefore, the present invention can stably supply a required amount of granular dry ice to a refrigerated container under high reliability with excellent measurement accuracy while reducing the structure of the entire apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a granular dry ice distribution supply device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the applicant of the present invention has an invention in which the intake port 8 is opened at the top and the discharge port 9 is opened at the bottom.The inner bottom surface of the bottom wall portion is formed as a flat surface or a conical surface having a gentle downward slope from the axial center toward the bottom periphery.On the inner bottom of the bottomed cylindrical hopper body 6,Equally arranged around the central axis and radially extending from the central axis toward the bottom edgeA stirrer 11 having a plurality of rotating blade-shaped stirring rods 12 is concentrically housed, and a predetermined amount of granular dry ice can be stored under stirring, and the take-out port 9 sequentially takes out. Supply means 2 for supplying granular dry ice to be supplied to a refrigerated product container A fed to a fixed position so that the supply amount can be adjusted, and a dry ice supply amount corresponding to a required filling amount for the refrigerated product container A Accordingly, the hopper 1 is provided with a control means 3 for driving and controlling the supply means 2, and the hopper 1 is heat-insulated on at least the side peripheral wall of the entire peripheral wall, while the take-out port 9 is provided at a predetermined position in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall. The stirring tool (11)In the longitudinal direction, each of the stirring rods (12) constituting the intermediate portion has a middle convex shape that swells forward in the rotational direction with respect to the rotational direction, and in the lateral direction, the lower edge portion is the hopper body ( 6) facing and close to the inner bottom surface, and forming the upper surface thereof into a curved surface inclined to the rear side with respect to the rotational direction so as to scoop up the granular dry ice,Each stirring rod 12 is provided close to the inner bottom surface and the inner peripheral surface of the hopper main body 6 so as to rotate slowly around the central axis so as to sweep the granular dry ice in the hopper main body 6 toward the side peripheral wall. BecomeFurther, the stirring tool 11 is a predetermined one of the plurality of stirring rods 12. 1 A plate-shaped shielding plate 16 for closing the take-out port 9 at the tip of the book. 0 Is attached, and at the time of agitation stoppage, the stop plate control is performed so that the shielding plate member 16 is placed in conformity with the outlet 9.Provided is a granular dry ice distribution and supply device.
[0010]
  In the above-described distribution supply device, for example, all the amount of granular dry ice in the distribution container in which the granular dry ice necessary for the cold storage work for several hundred to about one thousand of the refrigerated containers A is stored in the hopper 1. throw into. In the hopper body 6, the granular dry ice stored in each stirrer 12 of the stirrer 11 is uniformly and efficiently stirred to prevent a bridging phenomenon due to solidification due to its own pressure. As a result, the individual granular dry ice in a loose state can be smoothly fed out to the feeding side of the supply means 2, and as a result, it is possible to stably maintain the quantitative distribution supply without supply unevenness.
  Further, when the stirring tool 11 is stopped, the take-out port 9 is closed with the shielding plate material 16 to prevent clogging of the granular dry ice in the duct 22 and the supply means 2 described later as the distribution path of the granular dry ice. Can be conditioned.
[0011]
The granular dry ice is sent out by an appropriate amount by a supply means 2 comprising a screw conveyor provided in connection with the hopper 1 and supplied sequentially into a refrigerated product container A conveyed to a fixed position by, for example, a conveyance means. . At that time, the granular dry ice fed to the feeding side of the supplying means 2 is actuated from the sending side by a required amount adapted to the amount of dry ice to be charged by the operation of the control means 3 for driving and controlling the supplying means 2. It is sequentially supplied into each refrigerated product container A.
[0012]
As described above, according to the apparatus of the present invention, a granular dry ice container having a simple and compact structure with a low height by the bottomed cylindrical hopper 1 alone and the supply means 2 including a screw conveyor or the like is used. The required amount of granular dry ice can be reliably and smoothly distributed and supplied without any clogging.
[0013]
  In the above-mentioned distribution supply device, each stirring bar 12 sweeps the granular dry ice toward the side peripheral wall while scooping the granular dry ice while approaching the inner bottom surface and the inner peripheral surface with respect to the granular dry ice stored in the hopper body 6. The stirring action is extremely effective because it rotates in such a way that it can be reliably guided to the take-out port 9 without causing any stagnation at any point. It is possible to uniformly stir the entire interior of the hopper body 6 without causing any clogging.
  Further, when the agitation is stopped, the take-out port 9 is reliably closed by the shielding plate member 16 to prevent clogging in the granular dry ice distribution path after the take-out port 9 when the granular dry ice is replenished or when the apparatus is stopped.
[0014]
  Further, in order to solve the above problems, the claims2The invention of claim1In the granular dry ice distribution supply apparatus describedSaidThe supply means 2 is a screw conveyor in which a screw 17 is rotatably provided in a cylindrical outer casing 18 having an inlet 19 on a dry ice inlet side and an outlet 20 on a dry ice outlet side.Thus, the granular dry ice is inclined upward so that it can be transferred from the low inlet 19 to the high outlet 20.TheSaidThe screw (17) includes a horizontal line perpendicular to the screw axis.SaidOf outlet (20)Near the entrance (19)An angle (θ) corresponding to about 45 degrees as an angle of repose unique to the granular dry ice group by intersecting the virtual vertical plane (C) passing through the immediately preceding position at the immediately preceding position.To the entrance (19)2 pitches in terms of screw pitch from the foremost position of the virtual inclined surface (D) that is inclinedOnlyInlet (19) sideWhatThe delivery end (21) is placed in a region up to the farthest remote position and is provided in the cylindrical outer casing (18),SaidThe control means 3 is configured to control the rotation amount of the screw 17 by a small rotation unit of one rotation or less corresponding to the dry ice supply amount corresponding to the required filling amount of the refrigerated product container A. A granular dry ice distribution and supply device is provided.
  Here, the angle of repose unique to the granular dry ice group is an angle formed between the generatrix and the horizontal plane of a cone formed when the granular dry ice is gently dropped on a horizontal plane with a funnel-like object. .
[0015]
  In the above-described distribution supply device, when controlling the distribution supply amount of granular dry ice in small rotation units of one rotation or less with the rotation amount of the screw being controlled, in the conventional device, the phase of the screw end when the supply is stopped is controlled. The entire amount is dropped due to the difference, or a part of the amount is left without being dropped, and a filling error occurs due to a slight difference in the dropped amount. By adopting the above-described configuration of the present invention that is placed inside, the filling amount error is eliminated here, and the distribution and supply of granular dry ice can be performed under high-precision measurement management.
[0016]
  Further, in order to solve the above problems, the claims3The invention of claim2In the granular dry ice distribution supply device described inSaidThe inlet 19 of the supply means 2 isSaidIt is formed wider than the take-out port 9 of the hopper 1, and is positioned immediately below the take-out port 9.An outlet (9) and an inlet (19) are provided.It is connected by a duct 23 having an expanded skirt shape, and the duct 23 isSaidVertically downward from the outlet 9 sideprojectionWhenThatA granular dry ice distribution and supply device is provided that is suspended and maintained in a steady posture so that no portion of the inner peripheral wall surface is projected and no granular dry ice is deposited. To do.
[0017]
  In the distribution and supply apparatus, the supply means 2 is specified by the configuration of the duct 23 in a steady posture that does not cause the accumulation of granular dry ice as the form of the flow path from the hopper 1 to the supply means 2 such as a screw. It is possible to stably deliver granular dry ice to the container so that there is no clogging (crosslinking) and no excess or deficiency occurs. That is, it is well known that granular dry ice used under ultra-low temperature is clogged due to its own weight, and that growth starts from that point if any deposition occurs in the flow. This distribution and supply device is nothing but a configuration that can fundamentally prevent the occurrence of the above-described deposition.
[0018]
  Further, in order to solve the above problems, the claims4The invention of claim3In the granular dry ice distribution and supply apparatus described above, there is provided a granular dry ice distribution and supply apparatus configured such that the inner peripheral surface of the duct 23 is subjected to a slippery process having slipperiness.
[0019]
  In the distribution supply device, not only removing the cause of the accumulation of granular dry ice but also making the granular dry ice more slippery, the granular dry ice feeding to the supplying means 2 is more reliably and reliably performed. It is possible to perform it stably.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, embodiments of a granular dry ice distribution and supply device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
  FIG. 1 shows a system schematic diagram of a granular dry ice filling line using the first embodiment of the distribution supply device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The top view of the hopper 1 and the supply means 2 in embodiment, FIG. 3 shows the right view similarly, respectively. The filling line shown in FIG. 1 includes an input unit 4, a hopper 1, a supply unit 2, and a transport unit 5 as element members, and further, a control unit 3 is related to the supply unit 2 and the refrigerated product container A. Prepare.
[0021]
  First, as the charging means 4, for example, a device called a lifter is used, and a base 29 provided so as to be able to move forward and backward to be able to approach and separate from the hopper 1 at a predetermined position, and this base. A support column 30 erected vertically from the base 29, a horizontal arm 31 supported and guided by the support column 30 to move up and down, and an arm tip portion of the horizontal arm 31 about 135 ° with the arm tip portion as a rotational center It is an elevating / turning device constituted by a container holding member 32 that is supported so as to be capable of turning at an angle of ˜180 ° and is always kept in a horizontal posture.
  For example, the lifter 4 contains a distribution container B in which the amount of granular dry ice required for the cold storage operation for several tens of the refrigerated containers A is stored in advance and the top plate is removed and opened. After being held by the holding member 32, it is advanced and raised and lifted to the required height as shown in the drawing, and is rotated about 135 ° to the posture shown in the two-dot chain line, so that the total amount of granular dry ice in the distribution container B Is operated so as to be put into the hopper 1 immediately below.
[0022]
  The hopper 1 is a container having a volume capable of storing the entire amount of granular dry ice stored in the distribution container B, and includes a hopper body 6, a stirring tool 11, and a top plate 7. The hopper body 6 has a bottomed cylindrical shape (circular shape) having a top opening and an inner bottom surface of the bottom wall portion forming a flat surface by covering a rust-proof and low-temperature resistant material with a heat insulating material as a base material. Formed in a barrel-shaped container. A top plate 7 having a rectangular intake 8 corresponding to the opening of the circulation container B is attached to the circular top opening by fitting so as to be rotatable. The inner bottom surface of the hopper body 6 is not limited to a flat surface, but may be a conical surface that has a gentle uniform downward gradient from the center of the cylinder axis toward the bottom periphery.
[0023]
  The hopper main body 6 has a take-out port 9 having a predetermined shape, for example, a small quadrilateral shape, at a location on the wall portion in contact with the bottom peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion and located above the feeding side of the supply means 2. This take-out port 9 may be provided in the side wall in addition to being provided in the bottom wall, and in order to reliably and smoothly take out the granular dry ice and feed the supply means 2 to the feed side, It is necessary to open the wall portion including the bottom peripheral edge of at least one of the side peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion and at a position located above the feeding side of the supply means 2. In the figure, reference numeral 28 denotes a lattice, which is attached to the top opening using a vertical beam lattice or a vertical and horizontal beam lattice, and plays a role of loosening and crushing the granular dry ice supplied in a state of being stuck in the distribution container B and gravity. It is a member provided from the role of interference of impact caused by dropping, prevention of accidents caused by operations such as putting a hand into the hopper body 6, and points on safety measures.
[0024]
  The stirrer 11 includes 2 to 4 plural stirring rods 12 (four blade-shaped stirring rods in the present embodiment) from the center boss portion.Radially arranged from the central axis toward the bottom periphery of the hopper body 6 evenly arranged around the central axisThe central axis of the boss part is stored in a concentric arrangement at the bottom part in the hopper body 6 and the four stirring rods 12 are opposed to and close to the inner bottom face and the inner peripheral face thereof. It is provided so as to be rotatable around. In each figure, a reference numeral 14 denotes a drive motor with a brake, which is connected to the center of the boss portion via a rotating shaft 13 that is pivoted through the center portion of the bottom wall of the speed reducer and the hopper body 6. .
[0025]
  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the four stirring rods 12 isIn plan viewIt has an arcuate shape, DiameterIn the longitudinal direction extending in the direction, the granular dry ice is swept out toward the side wall of the hopper body 6 when rotating,The middle partBased on the rotation direction indicated by the arrow lineForward in the direction of rotationLike a bowl that scoops granular dry ice in a state where it becomes a middle convex shape that bulges to the side, and in the vertical width direction, the lower edge portion is opposed to and close to the inner bottom surface of the hopper body 6,Inclined backward with respect to the direction of rotationFormed on the curved surface. Each stirrer 12 in the stirrer 11 of the present embodiment is provided with two stirrer angles 15 attached upright at two points, the tip and the middle part in the longitudinal direction. The stirring action is further enhanced.
[0026]
  A predetermined one of the stirring rods 12 is provided with a shielding plate 16 attached to the lower edge of the tip side by a fixing means such as welding or screwing. The shielding plate material 16 is provided in correspondence with the take-out port 9, and is a member that functions to open the port 9 when the stirring rod 12 rotates and close it when stopped. Is formed by a slightly large quadrilateral thin plate similar to the shape of the small quadrilateral, and is attached to a single stirring rod 12 that is positioned and selected so as to be covered directly above the take-out port 9.
[0027]
  When the stirring rod 12 is stopped, the stirring tool 11 configured as described above needs to be placed in a state in which the shielding plate member 16 is fitted to the outlet 9 as a lid member. Automatic stopping control is performed on the rod 12. That is, as an example, a control means such as attaching an encoder as a detection means 26 for detecting the rotational dynamics of the rotary shaft 13 and controlling the start and stop of the drive motor 14 by a command signal from the encoder 26 is employed. In the stop operation, the take-out port 9 can be easily and reliably blocked by the shielding plate member 16 by stopping the predetermined one stirring rod 12 at a required position.
[0028]
  Next, various types of conveyors can be applied to the supply means 2, but in the illustrated embodiment, the screw conveyor is preferably a screw conveyor in which a screw 17 is provided in a cylindrical outer casing 18 that has been heat-insulated. In the distribution and supply of ice, effective for filling several kilograms is, for example, a screw conveyor having a cylinder diameter (inner diameter) of 125 mm and a screw pitch of 100 mm, while effective for filling several hundred grams. For example, a screw conveyor having a cylinder diameter (inner diameter) of 92 mm and a screw pitch of 80 mm may be mentioned.
[0029]
  As shown in the drawing, the supply means 2 comprising these screw conveyors has a dry ice feed side inlet 19 facing the base end of the screw shaft to which a variable speed drive motor 22 is connected. Directly connected by a duct 23 and facing the portion immediately before the delivery end 21 of the screw 17, a delivery port 20 provided in the cylindrical outer casing 18 is positioned at a position directly above the conveying means 5.So that the granular dry ice can be transferred from the low-position inlet 19 to the high-position outlet 20 so as to be inclined upward.The granular dry ice disposed in the hopper 1 is received from the inlet 19 via the duct 23 and then transferred while being pushed up by the rotation of the screw 17, and is transported by the transport means 5 to be positioned immediately below. An appropriate amount of granular dry ice is provided in the container of the refrigerated product container A to be sequentially supplied and supplied from the outlet 20.
The duct 23 includes a flanged upper duct 24 provided integrally with the hopper body 1 at the take-out port 9 and a flanged lower duct 25 provided integrally with the cylindrical outer casing 18 at the inlet 19 part. The two flanges 24 and 25 are formed into a single duct 23 by flange connection.
[0030]
  With respect to the supply means 2 described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the delivery end 21 of the screw 17 is held at a position immediately before the delivery port 20, and the delivery end surface is used as an angle of repose unique to the granular dry ice group. An angle of about 45 degrees is formed on an inclined surface held with respect to a perpendicular axis passing through the screw axis. By adopting such a structure, the filling error due to the stop position of the screw 17 can be minimized.
[0031]
  Thus, the more preferable characteristic points of the structure of the screw 17 will be further described with reference to FIG.the aboveThe screw length is set so that it can substantially match the position of the virtual inclined surface D, and is provided in the cylindrical outer casing 18. The virtual inclined surface D in this case includes the horizontal line orthogonal to the screw axis and includes the outlet 20.Near the entrance 19An angle θ corresponding to about 45 degrees as an angle of repose unique to the granular dry ice group intersecting the virtual vertical plane C passing through the immediately preceding position at the immediately preceding position.To the entrance 19 sideAn inclined surface that is inclined. In addition, the effect | action and effect which a screw conveyor provided with such a structure show | plays later.
[0032]
  The control means 3 provided in association with the supply means 2 is an operating condition of the screw 17 of the screw conveyor as the supply means 2 in accordance with the amount of dry ice charged to the individual refrigerated containers A that are sequentially conveyed by the conveyance means 5. Is controlled to adjust the rotation speed and rotation speed including starting and stopping, and is electrically connected to the detection means 27 and the drive motor 22, respectively. As the detection means 27 in this case, for example, an encoder that is attached to the shaft end of the screw 17 and detects the shaft rotation angle is preferable. Of course, the control means 3 may be electrically associated with its drive motor (not shown) in order to adjust the operation of the transport means 5 together.
[0033]
  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the conveying means 5 is arranged next to the hopper 1 and the supplying means 2 to sequentially convey the refrigerated containers A, for example, a roller, a lattice or an endless belt. A horizontal conveyor is used, and the dry ice filling point on the conveyor is disposed directly below the delivery port 20 of the screw conveyor as the supply means 2. In addition, immediately below the conveying surface of the filling point of the conveyor, for example, a load cell for detecting the necessary amount of granular dry ice to be put into the refrigerated product container A (hereinafter referred to as dry ice charging amount). The detection means 33 is provided as needed to increase the reliability of the weighing accuracy.
[0034]
  In the granular dry ice filling line having the above-described structure, the distribution container B in which a predetermined amount of granular dry ice is accommodated and the lid is removed is brought to a position directly above the hopper 1 by the charging means 4 and turned over. The whole amount of granular dry ice in the distribution container B is put into the hopper 1. While stirring the granular dry ice loaded on the inner bottom portion of the hopper 1 with the agitator 11, the appropriate amount is simultaneously fed out by the supply means 2 and charged into the refrigerated product container A that is sequentially conveyed.
[0035]
Throughout this supply operation, each stirring rod 12 of the stirring tool 11 functions to sweep up the granular dry ice and sweeps it toward the side peripheral wall of the hopper main body 6, and performs effective stirring. Since the operation for guiding while loosening is continued, the granular dry ice in the hopper 1 is prevented from bridging due to solidification due to its own pressure, etc., so that the granular dry ice in a normal state loosened individually can be prevented. The required amount can be smoothly fed out through the duct 3 to the inlet 19 on the inlet side of the supply means 2.
[0036]
  The granular dry ice fed into the inlet 19 of the supply means 2 is driven by the operation of the control means 3 based on a command from the encoder as the detection means 27 attached in association with the shaft end of the screw 17. Since the start / stop, rotation and speed control of the motor 22 are appropriately controlled, a required amount adapted to the amount of dry ice charged is transferred from the outlet 20 on the delivery side into the refrigerated product container A immediately below. Sequentially charged and supplied. In this case, the delivery end 21 portion of the screw 17 is held at a position immediately before the delivery port 20, for example, and an angle of about 45 degrees as an angle of repose unique to the granular dry ice group passes through the screw axis. Since it forms in the inclined surface hold | maintained with respect to the perpendicular axis | shaft, the filling error by the difference in the phase angle at the time of the stop of the screw 17 is almost eliminated, and a filling precision can be improved.
[0037]
  On the other hand, when the supply of dry ice to the hopper 1 and the supply of the supply means 2 are interrupted, the supply means 2 can be closed by closing the take-out port 9 with the shielding plate 16 simultaneously with the stop of stirring by the stirring tool 11. Clogging due to excessive supply of dry ice or the like in the distribution channel is reliably prevented, and filling under stable conditions is achieved.
[0038]
  FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 schematically show an elevation view and a plan view schematically illustrating the main part of the second embodiment of the distribution supply device of the present invention. In the distribution / distribution apparatus shown in the figure, similar to those in the first embodiment, corresponding element members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. This distribution and supply device is characterized by the configuration of the main parts of the shielding plate material 16, supply means 2 and control means 3, which will be described below.
[0039]
  The shielding plate material 16 is formed by a slightly larger rectangular thin plate similar to the shape of the small square of the outlet 9, and is selected and positioned so as to be covered directly above the outlet 9. The rod 12 is common to that of the first embodiment in that it is attached to the lower edge portion of the tip end side by fixing means such as welding or screwing. A characteristic point is that the stirrer 12 is positioned behind the stirring bar 12 with respect to the direction. In this case, the shielding plate material 16 is not limited to a thin plate, and other plate materials such as a net plate and a lattice plate may be used as long as the shielding plate material 16 can block the passage of granular dry ice.
[0040]
  By providing the shielding plate material 16 as described above, clogging in the granular dry ice distribution path after the take-out port 9 is ensured by closing the take-out port 9 when the agitation is stopped and replenishing granular dry ice and when the apparatus is stopped. It is prevented beforehand. In particular, the shielding plate member 16 is provided on the rear side of the stirring bar 12 so that the shielding plate member 16 is closed by sliding movement at the take-out port 9 immediately after the granular dry ice is sprinkled with the stirring rod 12. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that some of the granular dry ice is obstructed and obstructed by this, making it difficult to seal the take-out port 9, and the take-out port 9 can be reliably sealed. It is.
[0041]
  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, with respect to the supply means 2, a screw 17 is rotatably provided in a cylindrical outer casing 18 having an inlet 19 on the dry ice inlet side and an outlet 20 on the dry ice outlet side. Formed by a screw conveyor. And theScrew 17For the sending end 21,An angle θ corresponding to about 45 degrees as an angle of repose unique to the granular dry ice group intersecting the virtual vertical plane C passing through the position immediately before the delivery port 20 at the position just beforeTo the entrance 19 side2 pitches in terms of screw pitch from the frontmost position of the virtual inclined surface D that is inclinedOnly away to the entrance 19 sideA feature of the configuration is that it is provided in the cylindrical outer casing 18 so as to be fixed in the region up to the position of the last part.
[0042]
  Further, the control means 3 is configured to control the rotation amount of the screw 17 in a small rotation unit of one rotation or less corresponding to the dry ice supply amount corresponding to the required filling amount of the refrigerated product container A. This is where the points are considered structural features.
[0043]
  In such a distribution supply apparatus, when controlling the distribution supply amount of granular dry ice in a small rotation unit of one rotation or less, that is, a unit of several hundred grams, with the rotation amount of the screw as a control target, The amount of granular dry ice adhering to the end of the screw when the supply is stopped may be dropped or a part of the dry ice may be left undropped. However, by adopting the above configuration in which the delivery end 21 of the screw 17 is placed in the above-described predetermined region, the filling amount error is eliminated here, and the accuracy is increased. Distribution of granular dry ice can be performed under high metering control.
[0044]
  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a duct 23 portion which is a main portion of the third embodiment according to the distribution supply device of the present invention. In the distribution / distribution apparatus shown in the figure, the elements are similar to those of the first and second embodiments, and corresponding element members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. This distribution supply apparatus has features regarding the configuration of the inlet 19 of the supply means 2, the configuration of the duct 23, and their arrangement, and this point will be described below.
[0045]
  First, the inlet 19 in the supply means 2 is formed wider than the outlet 9 of the hopper 1 and is provided in the immediate vicinity of the outlet 9, and a skirt-opening duct 23. There are structural features at two points, that is, the outlet 9 and the inlet 19 are connected to each other.SaidVertically downward from the outlet 9 sideprojectionWhenThatIt is also characterized in that it is arranged in a suspended configuration that maintains a steady posture so that no part of the inner peripheral wall is projected and no accumulation of granular dry ice occurs. is doing.
[0046]
  In the above-described distribution supply device, the flow path from the hopper 1 to the supply means 2 such as a screw has a steady posture that does not cause the accumulation of granular dry ice (b ≧ a in FIG. 6). By specifying the configuration of the duct 23 (shown in the conditions), it is possible to stably deliver granular dry ice to the supply means 2 without clogging (crosslinking) and without causing excess or deficiency. In other words, it is known that granular dry ice used at ultra-low temperatures is clogged due to its own weight, as it is known that growth starts from that point if any deposition occurs in the flow. In this distribution and supply apparatus, there is nothing but a configuration that can fundamentally prevent the above-mentioned deposition from occurring.
[0047]
  Further, although not shown in the drawings, it is a more preferable structure to perform a slippery treatment having easy slipping property by means such as attaching a fluororesin sheet to the inner peripheral surface of the duct 23. When a fluororesin sheet is attached, it is more preferable to adopt a skirt (warm) structure in consideration of shrinkage due to cold. In such a distribution and supply apparatus, not only the cause of the occurrence of the accumulation of granular dry ice is removed, but also the granular dry ice is made to be more slippery, so that the granular dry ice feeding to the supply means 2 is further improved. It is possible to perform reliably and stably.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the distribution supply device of the present invention, a required amount of granular dry ice is refrigerated by arbitrarily adjusting the operation conditions such as the operation time and the rotation speed of the supply means connected to the hopper by the control means. It can be put into a product container and can be accurately filled with an appropriate amount of granular dry ice while smoothly responding to each refrigerated product container having a different filling supply amount. Therefore, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the distribution supply work.
[0049]
  In particular, according to the distribution supply device according to the present invention, it is configured so as not to cause any dry ice clogging in the granular dry ice flow path from the hopper to the supply means, thereby realizing an excellent distribution supply in terms of weighing accuracy. In addition, stable continuous operation is achieved, and each member in the apparatus has a compact structure, which has a low height and does not occupy a large installation space, further reducing the apparatus cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0050]
FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of a granular dry ice filling line using a first embodiment of a distribution supply device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hopper 1 and supply means 2 in the first embodiment according to the present invention shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of the hopper 1 and the supply means 2 in the first embodiment according to the present invention shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an elevation view schematically showing a main part of a second embodiment according to the distribution supply apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a main part of a second embodiment according to the distribution supply apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a duct 23 part which is a main part of a third embodiment according to the distribution supply device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a system schematic of a prior art granular dry ice filling line.
[Explanation of symbols]
[0051]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hopper 2 ... Supply means 3 ... Control means
4 ... Feeding means 5 ... Conveying means 6 ... Hopper body
7 ... Top plate 8 ... Inlet 9 ... Outlet
10 ... Upper lid 11 ... Stirrer 12 ... Stir bar
13 ... Rotating shaft 14 ... Drive motor 15 ... Agitation angle
16 ... Shielding plate material 17 ... Screw 18 ... Cylindrical outer casing
19 ... Delivery port 20 ... Delivery port 21 ... Delivery end
22 ... Drive motor 23 ... Duct 24 ... Upper duct with flange
25 ... Lower duct with flange 26 ... Encoder
27 ... Encoder A ... Refrigerant container required B ... Distribution container
  C ... Virtual vertical plane D ... Virtual inclined plane θ ... Angle

Claims (4)

Inlet (8) possess respective open outlet (9) at the bottom on top, the conical surface the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall portion becomes gentle descending slope toward the bottom peripheral edge of the flat surface or the shaft center in the inner bottom portion of the bottomed cylindrical hopper body Ru formed (6), a plurality rotating blades like that extends radially toward said bottom peripheral edge from place equally about a central axis and the central axis A stirrer (11) having a stirrer rod (12) is concentrically housed, and a hopper (1) capable of storing a predetermined amount of granular dry ice under stirring, and the take-out port (9) Supply means (2) for supplying granular dry ice sequentially taken out from the refrigerated container (A) to be fed to a fixed position so that the supply amount can be adjusted, and a requirement for the refrigerated container (A) According to the dry ice supply amount corresponding to the filling amount, the supply means (2 The result from a drive control for controlling means (3),
In the hopper (1), at least the side peripheral wall of the entire peripheral wall is heat-insulated, and the take-out port (9) is opened at a predetermined position in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall,
Each stirring rod (12) constituting the stirring tool (11) has a middle convex shape in which the intermediate portion swells forward in the rotation direction with respect to the rotation direction in the longitudinal direction, and the lower edge in the width direction. The portion is opposed to and close to the inner bottom surface of the hopper body (6), and the upper surface is formed into a curved surface inclined to the rear side with respect to the rotational direction so as to scoop up the granular dry ice, the hopper body (6) in the inner bottom surface and inner peripheral surface in proximity to around the central axis of the stirring rod (12) said hopper main body so as to the particulate dry ice swept toward the side wall laterally out (6) It is provided so that it can rotate slowly,
Further, the stirrer (11) is a plate-shaped shielding plate (16) for closing the take-out port (9) at the tip of a predetermined one of the plurality of stirrers (12 ). The dry supply of granular dry ice is characterized in that when the agitation is stopped, the shielding plate material (16) is stationaryly controlled so as to be placed in conformity with the outlet (9). apparatus. The supply means (2) can rotate a screw (17) in a cylindrical outer casing (18) having a delivery port (19) on the dry ice delivery side and a delivery port (20) on the dry ice delivery side. It is a screw conveyor provided, and is arranged so as to be inclined upward so that granular dry ice can be transferred from a low-position inlet (19) to a high-position outlet (20),
The screw (17), said inlet port (19) a virtual vertical plane passing through the near-side position just before the delivery port includes a horizontal line that directly intersects the screw axis (20) relative to (C) intersect at straight front position 2 in terms of screw pitch from the foremost position of the virtual inclined surface (D) inclined to the inlet (19) side at an angle (θ) corresponding to about 45 degrees as an angle of repose unique to the granular dry ice group. be provided in the pitch only inlet port (19) by stationary tubular outer discharge end (21) in the region of the rearmost position away to the side housing (18) within, whereas the control means (3) but those that performed by controlling the amount of rotation of the screw (17) with a small rotation unit of one rotation or less corresponds to the dry ice supply amount commensurate with the required filling amount of the refrigerated goods container (a) min granular dry ice according to claim 1 Supply device. Said inlet port (19), the position of the directly below the near portion to the outlet (9) than is formed wide mouth said mounting spout (9) of the hopper (1) of the supply means (2) open provided, outlet (9) feed inlet and (19) is linked by the skirt spreading type duct (23), said duct (23), the vertical from the outlet (9) side to claim 2 formed by vertically holding the constant posture as not to cause deposition of the particulate dry ice any location even without being projected in the inner peripheral wall surface when projected downward The granular dry ice distribution supply apparatus as described. The distribution supply apparatus of the granular dry ice of Claim 3 by which the lubricity process which has easy slidability is given with respect to the internal peripheral surface of the said duct (23).

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