JP4401589B2 - Powder filling apparatus and powder filling method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method for filling powder into a powder container, and more particularly, to a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method for increasing a filling rate into a powder container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various devices and methods are known as a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method for filling powder in a powder container.
As the container filled with powder, when the powder is toner for copying machines or printers, card ridges are used, and when it is cosmetics or food, glass or plastic bottles are used, and plastic bags are also used. It is done.
Further, as a general powder filling apparatus, a powder filling apparatus is known in which powder is measured and extruded by rotating an auger having a spiral wing attached to a rod-shaped rotating shaft.
[0003]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a powder filling apparatus using an auger according to the prior art. In this powder filling apparatus, the powder is once put into a hopper or funnel 2 having an auger 25 from a large hopper, a storage container or the like (not shown). Thereafter, the powder is filled while being measured into the powder container 4 on the conveyor 27 from the opening of the bottom surface of the hopper or funnel 2 by the rotation of the auger 25.
Each powder container 4 moving on the conveyor 27 is tared before filling with powder. Based on the data, the rotation speed of the auger 25 is controlled by the rotation speed of the drive motor 26 to fill a certain amount of powder.
Further, the weight of the powder container 4 after filling is measured again, and the filling amount is calculated from the weight difference from the tare measured before filling. At this time, a certain filling amount is realized by excluding those that do not meet or exceed the allowable capacity range.
[0004]
However, in this method, since it takes time for the powder to settle in the powder container, the filling cannot be performed efficiently. Furthermore, there has been a problem that high-density filling cannot be performed.
[0005]
Therefore, a “powder filling method and apparatus” disclosed in JP-A-8-198203 has been proposed. This does not allow the powder to settle naturally in the powder container, but actively separates air to increase the density.
FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the powder filling apparatus disclosed in the above publication. In this powder filling apparatus, a funnel (not shown) is detachably connected to the powder supply port 15 of the wide-mouthed powder container 4. An air suction pipe 3 is piped in the funnel, and an air separation portion 28 for separating air from the powder is attached to one end side of the air suction pipe 3 extending into the container. Further, a decompression source is connected to the other end side of the air suction pipe 3 extending outside the funnel.
[0006]
Moreover, the structure of the air separation part 28 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. The air separation unit 28 is configured by having a plurality of hole groups 30 at the tip of the air suction tube 3. Or it is comprised with the layer 32 which consists of a fine mesh screen or a filter further in the circumference | surroundings.
[0007]
Next, the powder filling operation into the powder container 4 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the powder is supplied into the powder container 4 through the filling nozzle 29, and after a predetermined amount of powder is supplied into the powder container 4, the decompression source is driven. Thereby, the air and powder in the powder container 4 are separated in the air separation unit 28. Thereafter, the separated air is sucked into the air suction pipe 3 from the air separation unit 28 and discharged to the outside of the powder container 4 to fill the powder.
[0008]
As described above, according to the invention disclosed in the above publication, the powder can be filled at higher speed and higher density than the conventional method by sucking the air inside the powder container.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to further improve productivity, it is required to realize a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method for filling a powder container with powder at a higher speed and higher density.
Along with this, in order to ensure high work efficiency, it is required to realize a powder filling apparatus having good maintainability.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method that realizes powder filling at a higher speed and higher density than the invention disclosed in the above publication. The purpose is to do.
[0011]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method that uniformly separates powder and air in the separation means and increases the amount of powder filled in the powder container.
[0012]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a powder filling apparatus including a separating unit having high durability and good maintainability.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a powder filling apparatus according to claim 1 is provided with supply means for supplying powder to a powder container, connection means for connecting the supply means and the powder container, Separation means for separating powder and air is provided at the tip, the discharge means for discharging the air separated by the separation means to the outside of the powder container, and the powder container as a whole centering on the filling port of the powder container. And a rotating means that rotates in the horizontal direction.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the first aspect, the separation means has a separation layer which is a fine mesh screen or a filter layer.
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the powder filling apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the separating means has a separating layer composed of a plurality of layers of a mesh screen or a filter having different coarse densities.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the third aspect, the outer layer of the separation layer is a layer having a coarse roughness.
[0017]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects further includes a moving means for moving the discharge means in accordance with the filling amount of the powder in the powder container. It is characterized by that.
[0018]
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a pressurizing means for supplying pressurized air to the separating means.
[0019]
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a vibration means for applying vibration to the powder container.
[0020]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to the seventh aspect, the vibration means vibrates from the side surface and the bottom surface of the powder container, and vibrations in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are detected. It is characterized by adding to.
[0021]
A ninth aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, further comprising negative pressure means for controlling a suction negative pressure used for separation of the powder and air. It is said.
[0022]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the negative pressure means varies the suction negative pressure.
[0023]
The invention described in claim 11 is the powder filling apparatus described in claim 9, wherein the negative pressure means intermittently generates a suction negative pressure.
[0024]
A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the supply means supplies the powder to the powder container in two or more times, and the separation means and discharge The means is characterized in that separation and discharge are performed each time the powder is supplied.
[0025]
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the discharge means has a plurality of branched end portions, and each of the front end portions has a separating means. It is a feature.
[0026]
The invention according to claim 14 is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the discharge means is composed of a plurality of layers combining meshes having different coarse densities. .
[0027]
A fifteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the clogging is eliminated by washing the separation means.
[0028]
17. The powder filling method according to claim 16, wherein a connecting step of connecting a powder container filled with the powder and a powder supply means for supplying the powder, and a powder container centering on a filling port of the powder container A rotating step of rotating the whole in a horizontal direction, a supplying step of supplying powder to the powder container, a separation step of separating the powder supplied to the powder container and air in the powder container, And a discharge step of discharging the air in the powder container separated in the separation step to the outside of the powder container.
[0029]
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the sixteenth aspect, the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container using a fine mesh screen or a filter layer. It is said.
[0030]
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the seventeenth aspect, the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container by using a mesh screen or a filter layer of different coarse densities. It is characterized by that.
[0031]
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the powder filling method according to the eighteenth aspect, wherein the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container using a coarse mesh sieve mesh or a laminate having an outer layer by a filter. It is characterized by.
[0032]
A twentieth aspect of the present invention is the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, wherein the discharge means is moved in accordance with the amount of powder in the powder container after the discharge step. It further has a moving process.
[0033]
According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to twentieth aspects, the pressurizing step of supplying pressurized air to the separating means for executing the separating step is the last stage. It is characterized by having.
[0034]
The invention according to claim 22 is the powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising a vibration step for applying vibration to the powder container after the rotation step. .
[0035]
According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the twenty-second aspect, in the vibration step, vibration is performed from the side surface and the bottom surface of the powder container, and vibrations in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are detected. It is characterized by being added to a container.
[0036]
According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-third aspects, a negative pressure for controlling the negative suction pressure used for discharging the air in the powder container is provided after the separation step. The method further includes a pressing step.
[0037]
A twenty-fifth aspect of the invention is the powder filling method according to the twenty-fourth aspect, wherein the negative pressure step fluctuates the suction negative pressure.
[0038]
According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the negative pressure step intermittently generates a suction negative pressure.
[0039]
According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-sixth aspects, each step from the supply step to the discharge step is performed a plurality of times as a cycle, whereby It is characterized in that powder filling is performed in a plurality of stages.
[0040]
The invention according to claim 28 is the powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container using a plurality of separation means. It is characterized by that.
[0041]
The invention according to claim 29 is the powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 28, wherein the separation step includes a first separation means and a second separation means different from the first separation means. Is used to separate the powder from the air in the powder container.
[0042]
A thirty-third aspect of the invention is the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to thirty-ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein the separating step uses a separating means that eliminates clogging by washing, and a powder container. It is characterized by separating the air inside.
[0043]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment in which a powder filling apparatus or a powder filling method according to the present invention is suitably implemented will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the powder charging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The powder filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a hopper or funnel 2, an air suction pipe 3, a turntable 5, and a container rotating means 18.
[0044]
In this embodiment, the hopper or funnel 2 supplies powder to the powder container 4. The air suction tube 3 has an air separation part 7 for separating powder and air at the tip part. The turntable 5 carries the powder container 4. The container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4.
On the other hand, the powder container 4 has a powder supply port 15 for filling powder at one end and an air suction tube insertion port 19.
[0045]
The hopper or funnel 2 is connected to a piston rod of an air cylinder (not shown). By driving the air cylinder, the hopper or funnel 2 is moved up and down, and the cutout portion 6 is inserted into and removed from the powder supply port 15 of the powder container 4.
[0046]
Next, operation | movement of the powder filling apparatus 1 in this embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the powder supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, first, the hopper or funnel 2 of the powder filling device 1 and the powder container 4 are detachably connected (step S101). When the connection is completed, the container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4 (step S102).
[0047]
Thereafter, supply of powder from the hopper or funnel 2 to the powder container 4 via the powder supply port 15 is started (step S103). At this time, since the powder container 4 is rotated by the container rotating means 18, the inflow portion of the filled powder is separated to the outside and the outflow portion of the air in the container is separated to the center side in the filling port portion. Thereby, the replacement speed of the powder and air is increased, and the falling speed of the powder is increased.
[0048]
When the toner cylinder is started by driving the air cylinder or the like, the air suction pipe 3 is connected to a decompression source. Thereby, the air in the powder container 4 is separated in the air separation unit 7 and sucked into the air suction pipe 3. As a result, the air in the hopper or funnel 2 is sucked into the powder container 4, so that the powder flows smoothly from the hopper or funnel 2 to the powder container 4 immediately after the start of filling.
[0049]
After the supply of the powder is started and a certain amount of toner is filled in the powder container 4, the air separation unit 7 separates the air contained in the powder filled in the powder container 4 (step) S104). As a result, the air content of the powder filled in the powder container is lowered, the powder filling density in the powder container 4 is increased, and the powder filling amount is increased.
[0050]
The air separated by the air separation unit 7 is sucked into the air suction pipe 3. The air sucked into the air suction pipe 3 is discharged to the outside of the powder container 4 (step S105). When the specified amount of filling is finished (step S106 / Y), all operations are stopped and the filling work is finished (step S107).
[0051]
According to the powder filling apparatus or the powder filling method in the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the filling speed, simplify the equipment, and downsize the equipment as compared with the conventional powder filling apparatus or the powder filling method. The productivity in the filling process can be improved and the cost of the filling device can be reduced.
[0052]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment in which the powder filling apparatus and the powder filling method according to the present invention are suitably implemented will be described. The powder filling apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the powder filling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and includes a hopper or funnel 2, an air suction pipe 3, a turntable 5, and a container rotating means 18. .
[0053]
In this embodiment, the hopper or funnel 2 supplies powder to the powder container 4. The air suction tube 3 has an air separation part 7 for separating powder and air at the tip part. The turntable 5 carries the powder container 4. The container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4.
On the other hand, the powder container 4 has a powder supply port 15 for filling powder at one end and an air suction tube insertion port 19.
[0054]
The air separation unit 7 according to the present embodiment has a different structure from the conventional air separation unit 28 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the air separation unit 7 in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the air separation part 7 has the inner layer 8, the intermediate | middle layer 9, and the outer layer 10 as a layer which consists of a fine mesh mesh or a filter.
[0055]
Here, the inner layer 8, the intermediate layer 9, and the outer layer 10 are characterized by comprising sieve screens or filters having different densities. According to such a configuration, since air can be sucked over the entire surface of the air sucking portion, air can be sucked uniformly and sufficiently. As a result, the powder container 4 can be filled with powder at a high packing density.
[0056]
Further, since a relatively coarse mesh or filter can be used for the outer layer 10, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of troubles such as clogging and to improve the durability and maintainability of the air separation unit 7. .
[0057]
Although not shown in FIG. 3, the air suction pipe 3 itself may be configured by a plurality of layers in which meshes having different coarse densities are combined. Thereby, the area which isolate | separates powder and air can be increased further, and it becomes possible to perform separation and suction of air more uniformly. In this case, it is preferable to laminate a coarse mesh layer of # 100 or less and a fine mesh layer of # 2000 to 3000.
In addition, operation | movement of the powder filling apparatus 1 in this embodiment is the same as that of the powder filling apparatus by 1st Embodiment shown previously using FIG.
[0058]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment in which the powder filling apparatus and the powder filling method according to the present invention are suitably implemented will be described. The powder filling apparatus in the present embodiment is the same as the powder filling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and includes a hopper or funnel 2, an air suction pipe 3, a turntable 5, and a container rotating means 18. .
[0059]
In this embodiment, the hopper or funnel 2 supplies powder to the powder container 4. The air suction tube 3 has an air separation unit 7 at the tip. The turntable 5 carries the powder container 4. The container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4.
On the other hand, the powder container 4 has a powder supply port 15 for filling powder at one end and an air suction tube insertion port 19.
[0060]
Next, operation | movement of the powder filling apparatus 1 in this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the powder filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, first, the powder filling device 1 detachably connects the hopper or funnel 2 and the powder container 4 (step S301). At this time, the air separation portion 7 at the tip of the air suction tube 3 is arranged so as to be near the bottom surface of the powder container 4. When the connection is completed, the container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4 (step S302).
[0061]
Thereafter, the supply of powder from the hopper or funnel 2 to the powder container 4 is started via the powder supply port 15 (step S303). At this time, since the powder container 4 is rotated by the container rotating means 18, the inflow portion of the filled powder is separated to the outside and the outflow portion of the air in the container is separated to the center side in the filling port portion. Thereby, the replacement speed of the powder and air is increased, and the falling speed of the powder is increased.
[0062]
When the supply of powder is started, the inside of the tube is decompressed by a decompression source connected to one end of the air suction tube 3. Thereby, the air separation unit 7 separates the powder from the air inside the powder container 4 and sucks the separated air into the air suction pipe 3 (step S304). The air sucked into the air suction tube 3 is discharged to the outside of the powder container 4 (step S305).
[0063]
When the powder surface of the powder container 4 reaches a specified level (hereinafter referred to as a movement level) (step S306 / Y), the air suction pipe is pulled up so that the air separation unit 7 has the powder surface in the powder container. It moves so that it may be located in the vicinity (step S307). When the specified amount of filling is finished (step S308 / Y), all operations are stopped and the filling work is finished (step S309).
[0064]
Here, the operation of moving the air suction pipe 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the filling unit of the powder filling apparatus as viewed from above. The powder container 4 conveyed by the entry side conveyor 13 is placed from the point A in the figure to the point B on the turntable 5. The powder container 4 rotates in the clockwise direction along with the rotation of the turntable, and after having made a round of B → C → D → E → F, the powder container 4 is lowered to the point G of the delivery conveyor 14.
[0065]
Next, FIG. 6 shows the position of the air suction pipe 3 at each point A to G on FIG. In B, the hopper or funnel 2 and the air suction pipe 3 are set on the upper surface of the powder container 4 placed on the turntable 5 from the entrance conveyor 13.
[0066]
In C, the air suction tube 3 is set at a height h <b> 1 from the bottom surface of the powder container 4. When the supply of the powder 16 is started, the powder 16 flows down from the hopper or funnel 2 to the powder container 4. Thereafter, as shown by D, the filling amount of the powder 16 increases, and the powder surface also rises with the increase. When the powder surface rises to H2 (movement level) as shown in E, the air suction tube 3 is pulled up to the height of h2.
[0067]
When the powder 16 is further supplied to the powder container 4 and the powder surface rises to H3 (a specified filling amount), the air suction pipe 3 is further pulled up to the height of h3 as shown by F. At the same time, the hopper or funnel 2 is also pulled away from the powder container 4. The powder container 4 is sent to the delivery conveyor 14 in G, and the powder filling operation is completed.
[0068]
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment in which the powder filling apparatus and the powder filling method according to the present invention are suitably implemented will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the powder filling apparatus according to the present embodiment. The powder filling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment includes a hopper or funnel 2, an air suction pipe 3, a turntable 5, a vibrating device 17, and a container rotating means 18.
[0069]
In this embodiment, the hopper or funnel 2 supplies powder to the powder container 4. The air suction tube 3 has an air separation part 7 for separating powder and air at the tip part. The turntable 5 carries the powder container 4. The vibration device 17 applies vibration to the powder container 4. The container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4.
On the other hand, the powder container 4 has a powder supply port 15 for filling powder at one end and an air suction tube insertion port 19.
[0070]
Next, the operation of the powder filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the powder filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the powder filling apparatus 1 first detachably connects the hopper or funnel 2 and the powder container 4 (step S401). At this time, the air separation portion 7 at the tip of the air suction tube 3 is arranged so as to be near the bottom surface of the powder container 4. When the connection is completed, the container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4 (step S402).
[0071]
Next, vibration is applied to the powder container 4 in the vertical direction by the vibration device 17 (step S403). Thereafter, the powder is supplied from the hopper or funnel 2 to the powder container 4 through the powder supply port 15 (step S404). At this time, since the powder container 4 is rotated by the container rotating means 18, the inflow portion of the filled powder is separated to the outside and the outflow portion of the air in the container is separated to the center side in the filling port portion. Thereby, the replacement speed of the powder and air is increased, and the falling speed of the powder is increased.
In the present embodiment, the replacement of powder and air is further promoted by vibration, and the falling speed of the powder is further increased.
[0072]
When the supply of the powder is started, the pressure is reduced by a pressure reduction source connected to one end of the air suction pipe 3. As a result, the air separation unit 7 separates the powder from the air inside the powder container 4 and sucks the separated air into the air suction pipe 3 (step S405). The air sucked into the air suction pipe 3 is discharged to the outside of the powder container 4 (step S406).
According to the present embodiment, in these separation and discharge processes, air suction by the air suction pipe 3 and natural deaeration from the powder are promoted by the effect of vibration. Thereby, powder and air can be more efficiently separated.
[0073]
When the powder surface inside the powder container 4 reaches the movement level (step S407 / Y), the air suction pipe 3 is pulled up and moved so that the air separation unit 7 is located near the powder surface in the powder container. (Step S408). When the specified amount of filling is completed (step S409 / Y), all operations are stopped and the filling operation is finished (step S410).
[0074]
[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention in which the powder filling apparatus and the powder filling method according to the present invention are preferably implemented will be described. FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the powder filling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. The powder filling apparatus 1 in this embodiment includes a hopper or funnel 2, an air suction pipe 3, a turntable 5, a container rotating means 18, a spray switching valve 21, a reduced pressure air source 22, a pressurized air source 23, a piston cylinder 24, It has an auger 25 and a drive motor 26.
[0075]
In this embodiment, the hopper or funnel 2 supplies powder to the powder container 4. The air suction tube 3 has an air separation unit 7 at the tip. The turntable 5 carries the powder container 4. The container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4. The three-way switching valve 21 switches the connection between the air suction pipe 3 and the reduced pressure air source 22 or the pressurized air source 23. The piston cylinder 24 moves up and down the hopper or funnel 2 and the air suction pipe 3. The auger 25 supplies powder to the hopper or funnel 2 by rotation. The drive motor 26 rotates the auger 25.
On the other hand, the powder container 4 has a powder supply port 15 for filling powder at one end. In the present embodiment, the air suction tube 3 is inserted into the powder container 4 from the powder supply port 15.
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 9, when connecting the powder filling apparatus 1 and the powder container 4 by inserting one end of a conical object into the powder supply port 15, the diameter of the powder supply port 15 of the container used is used. Is generally 15 mm to 23 mm.
Therefore, the diameter of the powder suction tube 3 is preferably 10 mm or less. If the diameter of the tube is larger than this, the insertion into the powder container 4 becomes difficult, and the area where the powder and air are replaced at the filling port decreases, so the replacement speed decreases. It is not preferable.
[0077]
Moreover, since the air suction pipe 3 in this embodiment has a branch and has the structure which has the air separation part 7 in each front-end | tip, the air inside the uniform powder container 4 can be attracted | sucked more. .
Further, in the drawing, the air suction pipe 3 is branched into two, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the structure may be divided into three or more and each may have an air separation part 7.
[0078]
The reduced pressure air source 22 generates a negative pressure in the air suction pipe 3 and the air separation unit 7, thereby separating the powder and air inside the powder container 4 and sucking the separated air. The pressurized air source 23 ejects pressurized air from the air separation unit 7 through the air suction pipe 3, thereby destroying a lump of powder generated inside the powder container 4 or clogging in the air separation unit 7. To eliminate. The three-way switching valve 21 switches the connection between the air suction pipe 3 and the reduced pressure air source 22 or the pressurized air source 23 by a switching operation.
[0079]
Next, operation | movement of the powder filling apparatus 1 in this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the powder filling apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, first, the hopper or funnel 2 is moved by the piston cylinder 24, and is detachably connected to the powder container 4 (step S501). At this time, the air separation portion 7 at the tip of the air suction tube 3 is arranged so as to be near the bottom surface of the powder container 4. When the connection is completed, the container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4 (step S502).
[0080]
Thereafter, powder is supplied from the hopper or funnel 2 to the powder container 4 through the powder supply port 15 (step S503). At this time, since the powder container 4 is rotated by the container rotating means 18, the inflow portion of the filled powder is separated to the outside and the outflow portion of the air in the container is separated to the center side in the filling port portion. Thereby, the replacement speed of the powder and air is increased, and the falling speed of the powder is increased.
[0081]
When the supply of powder is started, the pressure in the tube is reduced by the reduced pressure air source 22 connected to one end of the air suction tube 3, and the air separation unit 7 separates the powder from the air inside the powder container 4. (Step S504).
[0082]
In the present embodiment, the negative pressure generated inside the powder container 4 is arbitrarily changed according to the type of powder, the shape and size of the container, and the like by the control of the reduced pressure air source 22 after the start of decompression (step S505). ). Examples of the fluctuation pattern include a pattern in which the negative pressure is increased or decreased, a pattern in which the negative pressure is intermittently generated, and the like.
[0083]
At this time, it is preferable to control the negative pressure in a range of −50 kPa ± 30 kPa. If a negative pressure higher than this is used, powder agglomerates are likely to occur around the air separation unit 7, and clogging of the filter tends to occur, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when a negative pressure lower than this is used, the object of the invention cannot be sufficiently achieved because the separation between the powder and air becomes insufficient.
[0084]
The air separated by the air separation unit 7 and sucked into the air suction pipe 3 is discharged to the outside of the powder container 4 (step S506).
[0085]
When the powder surface inside the powder container 4 reaches the movement level (step S507 / Y), the air suction pipe 3 is pulled up and moved so that the air separation unit 7 is located near the powder surface in the powder container. (Step S508). When the specified amount of filling is finished (step S509 / Y), the operation is stopped and the filling work is finished (step S510).
[0086]
Thereafter, the air suction pipe 3 is connected to the pressurized air source 22 by switching the three-way switching valve 21. Thereby, compressed air is supplied to the air separation part 7, clogging is eliminated, and durability of a filter is improved (step S511).
[0087]
[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment in which the powder filling apparatus and the powder filling method according to the present invention are suitably implemented will be described. The powder filling apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the powder filling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and includes a hopper or funnel 2, an air suction pipe 3, a turntable 5, and a container rotating means 18. .
[0088]
In this embodiment, the hopper or funnel 2 supplies powder to the powder container 4. The air suction tube 3 has an air separation part 7 for separating powder and air at the tip part. The turntable 5 carries the powder container 4. The container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4.
On the other hand, the powder container 4 has a powder supply port 15 for filling powder at one end and an air suction tube insertion port 19.
[0089]
Next, the operation of the powder filling apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the powder filling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, first, the hopper or funnel 2 of the powder filling device 1 and the powder container 4 are detachably connected (step S601). At this time, the air separation portion 7 at the tip of the air suction tube 3 is arranged so as to be near the bottom surface of the powder container 4. When the connection is completed, the container rotating means 18 rotates the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container 4 (step S602).
[0090]
Thereafter, powder is supplied from the hopper or funnel 2 to the powder container 4 through the powder supply port 15 (step S603). At this time, since the powder container 4 is rotated by the container rotating means 18, the inflow portion of the filled powder is separated to the outside and the outflow portion of the air in the container is separated to the center side in the filling port portion. Thereby, the replacement speed of the powder and air is increased, and the falling speed of the powder can be increased.
[0091]
When the supply of powder is started, the inside of the tube is decompressed by a decompression source connected to one end of the air suction tube 3. As a result, the air separation unit 7 separates the powder from the air inside the powder container 4 and sucks the separated air into the air suction pipe 3 (step S604). The air sucked into the air suction tube 3 is discharged to the outside of the powder container 4 (step S605).
[0092]
In the case of the first filling (step S606 / Y), when the powder specified for the first time is filled in the powder container 4 (step S607 / Y), the supply of the powder is first stopped (step S607 / Y). S608). Then, the separation of the powder from the air, the suction of the separated air, and the discharge are continued for a certain period and then stopped (step S609).
[0093]
Thereafter, the supply of powder is resumed (step S603), and the powder and air are separated, the separated air is sucked, and the separated air is discharged (steps S604 and S605), as in the first filling. ). In the case of the second filling (step S606 / N), after the powder container 4 is filled with the powder until the specified filling amount is reached (step S610 / Y), all the operations being executed are stopped (step S611). ) Finish the filling operation.
[0094]
In this way, while the powder supply is stopped, the powder and air are separated, and the separated intake air is sucked and discharged. Higher filling rates can be achieved than if done. Further, by performing separation, suction, and discharge while the powder supply is stopped, the time required for filling can be shortened and productivity can be increased as compared with the case where these are not performed.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the powder filling apparatus according to claim 1 has means for rotating the powder container for filling the powder in the horizontal direction around the filling port. As a result, the replacement of the powder and air at the filling port of the powder container during the powder supply is promoted, and the powder filling speed can be increased.
[0096]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the first aspect, the separation means has a separation layer formed of a fine mesh screen or filter. Thereby, air is uniformly sucked over the entire surface of the separation layer, and a high packing density can be realized. Further, the same performance as that of the conventional separating means can be obtained by the separating means smaller than the conventional one, and the apparatus can be reduced in size.
[0097]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the second aspect, the separation means has a separation layer composed of a plurality of sieve meshes or filter layers having different coarse densities. Thereby, the maintainability at the time of occurrence of clogging or the like can be improved.
[0098]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the third aspect, the outer layer of the separation layer is composed of a coarse layer. Thereby, the powder and air can be more efficiently separated, and the occurrence of clogging can be reduced.
[0099]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the discharging means is arranged from the vicinity of the bottom surface of the powder container to the upper part according to the amount of powder in the powder container Can be moved to. Thereby, powder and air can be more efficiently separated, and a high filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0100]
The invention according to claim 6 is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a pressurizing means for supplying pressurized air to the separating means. When clogging occurs, this can be eliminated by pressurized air. Thereby, it is possible to realize a powder filling apparatus with improved workability that may require a low maintenance frequency.
[0101]
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a vibration means for applying vibration to the powder container during the filling operation. Thereby, natural deaeration and air suction inside the powder container can be promoted, and higher packing density and filling speed can be realized.
[0102]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the vibration means applies vertical and horizontal vibrations to the powder container from the bottom and side surfaces of the powder container. Thereby, the effect by vibration is further promoted, and a higher filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0103]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the suction negative pressure can be controlled to an arbitrary pressure. This makes it possible to control the negative suction pressure according to the type of powder to be filled, the average particle diameter, the filling amount, the shape and capacity of the powder container, and the like. For this reason, the powder filling operation can be performed under optimum conditions, and a higher filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0104]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the separation of the powder and air and the suction and discharge of the separated air are performed by the suction negative pressure whose pressure changes. Thereby, separation, suction, and discharge can be performed more effectively, and a high filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0105]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to the ninth aspect, separation of the powder and air and separation of the air and discharge are performed by intermittent suction negative pressure. Thereby, separation, suction, and discharge can be performed more effectively, and a high filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0106]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the powder filling is divided into two or more times, and the powder is supplied each time the powder is supplied. Separation of the powder and air and suction and discharge of the separated air are performed. As a result, a higher packing density and a higher packing speed can be realized than when a specified amount of powder is supplied to the powder container in one supply.
[0107]
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the discharge means is branched into two or more and has a separation means at each tip. As a result, the powder and air can be separated at a plurality of locations inside the powder container at the same time, and a higher filling density and filling speed can be realized. Further, the performance equivalent to that of the conventional separation means can be obtained by the further smaller separation means, and the apparatus can be downsized.
[0108]
The invention according to claim 14 is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the discharging means is configured by laminating layers in which meshes having different coarse densities are combined. It is possible to increase the area of the part that separates from air. As a result, the powder and air can be more uniformly separated in the powder container, and a higher packing density and a higher packing speed can be realized. Further, the performance equivalent to that of the conventional separation means can be obtained by the further smaller separation means, and the apparatus can be downsized.
[0109]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the separation means is configured so that clogging is eliminated by washing. Thereby, the efficiency of the separation means is maintained at a high level, and a high packing density and a high packing speed can be realized.
[0110]
A powder filling method according to a sixteenth aspect includes a step of rotating the entire container in the horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container. As a result, the replacement of the powder and air at the filling port of the powder container during the powder supply is promoted, and the powder filling speed can be increased.
[0111]
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the sixteenth aspect, the powder and air are separated by a fine mesh screen or filter. Thereby, air is uniformly sucked and a high filling density can be realized. Further, the same performance as that of the conventional separating means can be obtained by the separating means smaller than the conventional one, and the apparatus can be reduced in size.
[0112]
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the seventeenth aspect, the powder and air are separated by laminating a plurality of sieve nets or filters having different coarse densities. Thereby, the maintainability at the time of occurrence of clogging or the like can be improved.
[0113]
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the eighteenth aspect, the powder and air are separated using a coarse mesh sieving net or a laminate having an outer layer by a filter. As a result, the powder and air can be more efficiently separated, and the occurrence of clogging can be reduced.
[0114]
The powder filling method according to claim 20 is the powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising a step of moving the discharge means according to the amount of powder in the powder container. Have. Thereby, powder and air can be more efficiently separated, and a high filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0115]
A twenty-first aspect of the invention is the powder filling apparatus according to any one of the sixteenth to twentieth aspects, further comprising a step of supplying pressurized air to the separating means. For this reason, when clogging occurs in the separating means, this can be eliminated by pressurized air. Thereby, it is possible to realize a powder filling apparatus with improved workability that may require a low maintenance frequency.
[0116]
The invention described in claim 22 is the powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising a step of applying vibration to the powder container during the filling operation. Thereby, natural deaeration and air suction inside the powder container are promoted, and a higher filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0117]
According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the twenty-second aspect, vibrations in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are applied to the powder container from the bottom and side surfaces of the powder container. Thereby, the effect by vibration is further promoted, and a higher filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0118]
The invention according to claim 24 further comprises a step of controlling the suction negative pressure used for discharging air in the powder container in the powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 23. . This makes it possible to control the negative suction pressure according to the type of powder to be filled, the average particle diameter, the filling amount, the shape and capacity of the powder container, and the like. For this reason, the powder filling operation can be performed under optimum conditions, and a higher filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0119]
According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the negative pressure step varies the suction negative pressure. Thereby, separation, suction, and discharge can be performed more effectively, and a high filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0120]
According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the negative pressure step intermittently generates a negative suction pressure. Thereby, separation, suction, and discharge can be performed more effectively, and a high filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0121]
According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-sixth aspects, each step from the supply step to the discharge step is executed a plurality of times as a cycle. As a result, the powder container is filled with the powder divided into two or more times, and the powder and air are separated and the separated air is sucked and discharged each time the powder is supplied. . For this reason, it is possible to realize a higher packing density and a higher packing speed than when supplying a specified amount of powder to a powder container in one supply.
[0122]
A twenty-eighth aspect of the invention is the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-seventh aspects, wherein the powder and air are separated using two or more separation means. As a result, the powder and air can be separated at a plurality of locations inside the powder container at the same time, and a higher filling density and filling speed can be realized.
[0123]
A twenty-ninth aspect of the invention is the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-eighth aspects, wherein the area of the part where the powder and the air are separated can be increased. As a result, the powder and air can be more uniformly separated in the powder container, and a higher packing density and a higher packing speed can be realized.
[0124]
A thirty-third aspect of the invention is the powder filling method according to any one of the sixteenth to thirty-ninth aspects, wherein the powder and the air are separated by a separation means configured to eliminate clogging by washing. Thereby, the efficiency of the separation process is maintained at a high level, and a high packing density and a high packing speed can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a powder filling apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the powder filling apparatus according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an air separation unit of a powder filling apparatus according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a powder filling apparatus according to a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a filling part of a powder filling apparatus according to a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
6 is a schematic diagram showing the position of the air suction tube 3 at each point A to G on FIG. 5 and the state of powder filling.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a powder filling apparatus according to a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the powder filling apparatus according to the fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a powder filling apparatus according to a fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the powder filling apparatus according to the fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of a powder filling apparatus according to a sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a powder filling apparatus according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of a powder filling apparatus according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an air separation unit of a powder filling apparatus according to a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Powder filling equipment
2 Hopper or funnel
3 Air suction pipe
4 Powder container
5 Turntable
6 Cutout part
7, 28 Air separation unit
8 Inner layer
9 Middle class
10 outer layer
11 Upper joint
12 Lower joint
13 Incoming conveyor
14 Outlet conveyor
15 Powder supply port
16 powder
17 Exciter
18 Container rotating means
19 Air suction tube insertion port
21 Three-way switching valve
22 Reduced pressure air source
23 Pressurized air source
24 piston cylinder
25 Auger
26 Drive motor
27 Conveyor
29 Filling nozzle
30 holes
32 layers

Claims (30)

Supply means for supplying powder to the powder container;
Connection means for connecting the supply means and the powder container;
A separation means for separating the powder and air in the powder container at the tip, and a discharge means for discharging the air separated by the separation means out of the powder container;
A powder filling apparatus comprising: a rotating unit that rotates the entire powder container in a horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container. 2. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separation means includes a separation layer which is a fine mesh screen or a filter layer. 3. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the separation means includes a plurality of separation layers formed of mesh screens or filters having different coarse densities. 4. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the outer layer of the separation layer is a layer having a coarse density. 5. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit that moves the discharge unit according to a filling amount of the powder in the powder container. 6. 6. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressurizing unit that supplies pressurized air to the separation unit. The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a vibration means for applying vibration to the powder container. 8. The powder filling according to claim 7, wherein the vibration means vibrates from a side surface and a bottom surface of the powder container and applies vibrations in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction to the powder container. apparatus. The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising negative pressure means for controlling a negative suction pressure used for separating the powder and air. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the negative pressure means varies the suction negative pressure. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the negative pressure means intermittently generates the suction negative pressure. The supply means supplies the powder to the powder container in two or more times,
The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the separation unit and the discharge unit perform separation and discharge each time the powder is supplied. The discharging means has a tip portion branched into a plurality of parts,
The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of the tip portions has the separation means. The powder discharging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the discharge means is configured by a plurality of layers in which meshes having different coarse densities are combined. The powder filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the separation means is clogged by washing. A connecting step of connecting a powder container filled with powder and a powder supply means for supplying the powder;
A rotating step of rotating the entire powder container in a horizontal direction around the filling port of the powder container;
A supply step of supplying the powder to the powder container;
A separation step of separating the powder supplied to the powder container and the air in the powder container;
And a discharging step of discharging the air in the powder container separated in the separation step to the outside of the powder container. The powder filling method according to claim 16, wherein in the separation step, the powder and air in the powder container are separated using a fine mesh screen or a filter layer. 18. The powder filling method according to claim 17, wherein the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container by using a mesh screen or a layer of filters having different coarse densities. . 19. The powder filling method according to claim 18, wherein the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container using the laminate having an outer layer formed by a coarse mesh screen or a filter. 20. The moving device according to claim 16, further comprising a moving step of moving a discharging unit according to a filling amount of the powder in the powder container after the discharging step. Powder filling method. 21. The powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, further comprising a pressurizing step of supplying pressurized air to the separating means for performing the separating step at the last stage. The powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising an oscillating step of applying vibration to the powder container after the rotating step. 23. The powder according to claim 22, wherein in the vibration step, vibration is performed from a side surface and a bottom surface of the powder container, and vibrations in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction are applied to the powder container. Filling method. The powder according to any one of claims 16 to 23, further comprising a negative pressure step for controlling a suction negative pressure used for discharging air in the powder container after the separation step. Body filling method. 25. The powder filling method according to claim 24, wherein the negative pressure step varies the suction negative pressure. The powder filling method according to claim 24, wherein the negative pressure step intermittently generates the suction negative pressure. 27. The filling of the powder into the powder container is performed in a plurality of stages by performing each process from the supplying process to the discharging process as a cycle a plurality of times. The powder filling method according to any one of the above. The powder filling method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container using a plurality of separation means. The separation step is characterized in that the powder and the air in the powder container are separated using a first separation unit and a second separation unit different from the first separation unit. Item 29. The powder filling method according to any one of Items 16 to 28. 30. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein the separation step separates the powder and the air in the powder container by using a separation unit that is free from clogging by washing. The powder filling method as described.

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