JPH09323032A - Powder mixing device for disposable body warmer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce a body warmer capable of suppressing oxidation reaction and having desired heating performance by mixing two or more kinds of powder such as iron powder and a water retention agent which are raw materials for the body warmer while avoiding their contact with air, and particularly to provide powder mixing device for the disposal body warmer more improved in powder mixing efficiency. SOLUTION: This mixing device consists of a first tank, a second tank, a measuring/feeding device, a mixing cylinder 4, a mixing screw 41 which is freely rotatably installed in the mixing cylinder 4 and whose maximum width is made smaller than the inside diameter of the mixing cylinder 4, a motor for subjecting the mixing screw 41 to rotary driving, and a shutter 9 installed in a discharge port 12 of the mixing cylinder 4 so that it may be freely opened and closed. Screw threads 42b of the mixing screw 41 are formed so that large width parts 41c and small width parts 41d may be alternately arranged along the axial center direction of the mixing screw 41.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a powder mixing device for disposable body warmers. More specifically, by mixing two or more kinds of powder such as iron powder and a water retention agent, which are raw materials for disposable body warmers, while avoiding contact with air, the oxidation reaction is suppressed and a body warmer having a desired heat generation performance is produced. It is a powder mixing device for disposable body warmers, which does not cause dust to scatter and does not cause powder clumping.
In particular, the present invention relates to a powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer having an improved powder mixing effect.

[0002] In this specification, the term "powder" is a concept including fine particles, coarse particles, and mixtures thereof.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique for mixing and filling two or more kinds of powder such as iron powder which is a raw material of a disposable body warmer and a water retention agent (oxidizer), for example, two or more kinds of powder and water are used. After adding a predetermined amount to a mixing tank etc. and mixing, transfer it to another container, store it for a certain period of time depending on the case, and then transfer it to the discharge position for filling and fill it in a bag etc. Things are common.

For example, a powder mixing device which has been conventionally used is a twin-screw mixer having two rotating shafts provided with stirring blades, and a ribbon type mixing device having a rotating shaft provided with a ribbon (helical band blade). And a V-type mixer with a stirring blade. The powder and water are mixed by these powder mixing devices, and then the mixed powder is transferred to the hopper of the packaging mechanism main body by a transfer means such as a belt conveyor, and then the powder is mixed by the packaging mechanism main body. A disposable body warmer is made by continuously packing in a breathable bag.

[0005]

However, two or more kinds of powders such as iron powder, which is a raw material for disposable body warmers, and a water retention agent, react when mixed in the presence of air (oxygen). The body needs to be mixed while minimizing the oxidation reaction or filled with nitrogen gas or the like. In this case, with the conventional technique in which the time from mixing to filling is long, the reaction of the powder due to mixing cannot be sufficiently suppressed, and it is not possible to produce a body warmer having a desired exothermic performance. It reduces the commercial value of products that use powder. Further, a special device is required to fill the nitrogen gas, which leads to an increase in cost. Moreover, the heat generated by the oxidation reaction causes powder to adhere to the mixing container, storage container, transfer container, hopper, etc., which may cause corrosion of these devices or damage the devices. However, there is a problem that a huge amount of labor is required for the work of removing the adhered powder and the work of cleaning in order to reduce such adverse effects. Further, there is a problem that continuous mixing cannot be performed.

[0006] Further, conventionally, since the powder is mixed and transferred in a state where it is exposed to the outside air by the above-mentioned mixing method and a belt conveyor, etc., dust is likely to be scattered at the work site, which makes the working environment poor, and There are also problems such as the need for air conditioning equipment and dust collectors for improvement.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer which can efficiently mix powders (Japanese Patent Application No. 8-70774).
issue). The powder mixing device for such a disposable body warmer is (a)
A plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for the disposable body warmer, (b) arranged below each of the raw material tanks,
A metering / charging device for metering and charging the raw material,
(C) a mixing cylinder which is composed of a cylinder extending in the vertical direction, in which a plurality of supply ports for receiving the raw materials from the weighing and charging device are formed in the upper part, and a discharge port is formed in the lower part,
(D) a mixing screw that is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and has a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder; and (e) drive means for rotating the mixing screw. (F) A shutter that is openably and closably provided at the discharge port of the mixing cylinder. According to the powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer, the powder is mixed while rotating the mixing screw inside the mixing cylinder while avoiding contact with the air, thereby suppressing the oxidation reaction and providing a body warmer having a desired heat generation performance. It has advantages that it can be manufactured, and that powder is prevented from adhering to the inside of the hopper, and that dust is not scattered on the work site.

An object of the present invention is to improve a mixing device provided with the mixing cylinder and the mixing screw, and particularly to provide a powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer having an improved powder mixing effect.

[0009]

A powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: (a) a plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer; and (b) below each of the raw material tanks. A plurality of supply ports which are provided and which comprise a metering / charging device for metering and charging the raw material, and (c) a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction, and which has an upper portion for receiving the raw material from the metering / charging device. And a mixing screw having a discharge port formed at the bottom thereof, and (d) a mixing screw rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and having a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder. And (e) a driving means for rotationally driving the mixing screw, and (f) a shutter which is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing tube, wherein the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer comprises: The threads of the mixing screw It is characterized in that the axis portion and the smaller width of the large width along the direction of the portion of the mixing screw is formed so as to alternately arranged.

A powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided with (a) a plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) below each of the raw material tanks. And (c) a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of supply ports for receiving raw materials from the weighing and charging device are formed in the upper part, and a lower part. A mixing cylinder having a discharge port formed therein, (d) a mixing screw rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder, the maximum width of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder, and (e) the mixing screw. A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, comprising: a driving means for rotationally driving a screw; and (f) a shutter that is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing cylinder, the peripheral end portion of the mixing screw. Has at least one It is characterized in that the blade is disposed.

A powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to a third aspect of the present invention is provided with (a) a plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) below each of the raw material tanks. And (c) a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of supply ports for receiving raw materials from the weighing and charging device are formed in the upper part, and a lower part. A mixing cylinder having a discharge port formed therein, (d) a mixing screw rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder, the maximum width of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder, and (e) the mixing screw. A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer comprising a driving means for rotationally driving a screw, and (f) a shutter that is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing cylinder, wherein an inner wall of the mixing cylinder is A baffle with a C shape It is characterized by comprising at least one arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the coupling screw.

A powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with (a) a plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) below each of the raw material tanks. And (c) a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of supply ports for receiving raw materials from the weighing and charging device are formed in the upper part, and a lower part. A mixing cylinder having a discharge port formed therein, (d) a mixing screw rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder, the maximum width of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder, and (e) the mixing screw. A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer comprising a driving means for rotationally driving a screw, and (f) a shutter which is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing cylinder, wherein the screw thread of the mixing screw is I will intermittently intermittently It is characterized by comprising formed on.

It is preferable that the threads of the mixing screw of the fourth aspect of the invention are formed so that the large width portion and the small width portion are assembled so as to be spaced apart from each other.

A powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is provided with (a) a plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) below each of the raw material tanks. And (c) a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of supply ports for receiving raw materials from the weighing and charging device are formed in the upper part, and a lower part. A mixing cylinder having a discharge port formed therein, (d) a mixing screw rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder, the maximum width of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder, and (e) the mixing screw. A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer comprising a driving means for rotationally driving a screw, and (f) a shutter which is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing cylinder, wherein , A protrusion that projects inward Guide members exhibiting a cylindrical shape having a part is characterized by comprising at least one arrangement.

A powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided with (a) a plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) below each of the raw material tanks. And (c) a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of supply ports for receiving raw materials from the weighing and charging device are formed in the upper part, and a lower part. A mixing cylinder having a discharge port formed therein, (d) a mixing screw rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder, the maximum width of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder, and (e) the mixing screw. A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer comprising a driving means for rotationally driving a screw, and (f) a shutter which is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing cylinder, wherein Protrusion protruding inward A plurality of guide members exhibiting a semi-cylindrical shape having a can is characterized by which alternately disposed along the axial direction of the mixing tube.

At least one blade for dispersing the powder to be charged into the mixing cylinder is provided above the mixing screw.
It is preferable that one sheet is provided.

At the bottom of the mixing screw, there is at least one blade for guiding the powder stored at the bottom of the mixing cylinder to a portion of the discharge port of the mixing cylinder that is not blocked by the shutter. It is preferably provided.

When performing the mixing operation using the powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to the present invention, first, the metering / charging device is introduced into the mixing cylinder through the upper part, for example, the first supply port and the second supply port. Weigh iron powder and water retention agent using
throw into. Inside the mixing cylinder, the mixing screw is rotated by the driving means in the direction in which the mixture moves upward. Therefore, the powder introduced into the mixing cylinder has two movements, namely, a movement that falls between the mixing screw and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder, and a movement that is lifted from below by the screw threads of the mixing screw and rises. By repeating, it is mixed uniformly. At this time, since the powders are mixed inside the almost completely closed mixing cylinder, they hardly scatter out of the mixing cylinder. Moreover, since there is almost no time to contact with air (in particular, oxygen), heat generation of the powder is reduced in the downstream packaging mechanism after mixing. When the mixing of the powders is completed and the shutter is opened, the powders can be easily taken out by free fall through the discharge port.

Further, the shutter is opened in advance by a predetermined opening so that continuous mixing can be carried out while continuously charging, and the mixture and the discharge port can be continuously freely moved by the same volume as the powder charged from each supply port. You may drop it.

In the first aspect of the invention, since the threads of the mixing screw are formed such that the large width portion and the small width portion are alternately arranged along the axial direction of the mixing screw. In addition to the above operation, it is possible to perform the operation of raising and dropping the powder in small steps between the adjacent individual screw threads. As a result, the mixing effect of the powder can be further improved as compared with the case where a simple screw-shaped mixing screw is used.

In the second aspect of the invention, since at least one blade is arranged at the peripheral end portion of the mixing screw, the powder between the mixing screw and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder is generated along with the above operation. The blades force the circumferential movement of the mixing cylinder by the blades, and as a result, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

In the third aspect of the invention, at least one baffle plate having a substantially C-shape is disposed inside the mixing cylinder, so that the powder introduced into the mixing cylinder is mixed with the mixing screw and the mixing cylinder. When falling between the inner wall and the inner wall, the powder does not fall to the bottom of the mixing cylinder because it is blocked by the baffle. That is, the powder either moves after hitting the baffle and then falling, or it is stored on the baffle and then raised again by the mixing screw. Therefore, the movement of the powder is
Since it becomes more complicated, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, since the screw threads of the mixing screw are formed so as to be intermittently interrupted, the powder is partially formed in the portion where the screw threads of the mixing screw are not formed in accordance with the above operation. Behaves irregularly. As a result, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, since at least one guide member having a cylindrical shape having a projecting portion projecting inward is disposed inside the mixing cylinder, in addition to the above operation, A part of the powder falling between the mixing screw and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder is guided toward the screw thread of the mixing screw by the protrusion inside the guide member, and again moved by the mixing screw. As a result, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, a plurality of semi-cylindrical guide members having projecting portions projecting inward are provided inside the mixing cylinder in a staggered manner along the axial direction of the mixing cylinder. Since it is installed, a part of the powder that falls between the mixing screw and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder is guided to the screw thread of the mixing screw by the protrusion inside the guide member with the operation of, and again. It moves up by the mixing screw. As a result, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a sectional explanatory view showing an embodiment of a disposable body warmer manufacturing apparatus using a disposable body warmer powder mixing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing an essential part near a mixing cylinder in the apparatus shown in FIG. Figures, and FIGS.
6 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a mixing cylinder and a mixing screw in the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a disposable body warmer in which a powder mixing apparatus 1 for a disposable body warmer (hereinafter simply referred to as a mixing machine), a hopper 2 and a packaging mechanism body 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention are sequentially arranged below. Manufacturing equipment is shown. In addition,
The mechanism in the mixing cylinder is partially omitted for clarity.

First, the mixing apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

The mixing device 1 is a device for mixing and stirring iron powder, which is a raw material of a disposable body warmer, and other additives (water retaining agent, water, etc.) in a state of being isolated from air inside the mixing cylinder 4. Above the mixing cylinder 4, a first tank 5 containing iron powder and a second tank 6 containing a water retention agent are provided.
Is provided. A mixing screw 41 is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder 4. A motor 8 for rotating the mixing screw 41 is provided at the upper end of the mixing cylinder 4, and a shutter 9 for opening and closing the outlet 12 of the mixing cylinder 4 is provided at the lower end of the mixing cylinder 4. There is. Although not shown, in the vicinity of the outlets 5a, 6a opened at the bottom of the first tank 5 and the second tank 6,
A metering / charging device conventionally used to measure and charge the raw material in each tank is provided.

The mixing cylinder 4 is made of a straight pipe such as an acrylic pipe, a stainless steel pipe, an iron pipe, and the openings at the upper and lower ends thereof are closed by an upper lid 13 and a lower lid 14, respectively. A first supply port 10 and a second supply port 11 are formed on the upper lid 13, and the first supply port 10 and the second supply port 10 are formed.
At the supply port 11, the first tank 5 and the second tank 6 are provided.
Outlets 5a and 6a are connected respectively. further,
A coupling 15 that rotatably supports the mixing screw 41 is fixed to a position between the first supply port 10 and the second supply port 11 of the upper lid 13. On the other hand, the lower lid 14 has a discharge port 12 that is about the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder 4.
Are formed. Further, a pair of guide rails (not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the lower lid 14, and the flat shutter 9 is slidably supported by the guide rails. A water inlet 16 is formed on the side wall of the mixing cylinder 4. Therefore, water can be directly injected into the powder being mixed in the mixing cylinder 4 through the water inlet 16 via the water supply pipe (not shown), and it is not necessary to consider the loss of water. , Can adjust the optimum water content. The water to be injected may be simple water or saline.

In this embodiment, an example of injecting water from the water inlet 16 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and water is supplied to the second tank 6 on the water retention agent side. Water may be added to the water retention agent in advance by injecting it. In this case, it is necessary to consider the loss of water.

In this embodiment, an example of a straight pipe mixing cylinder has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the shape may be appropriately changed. For example, if the mixing cylinder has a tapered shape, that is, if the inner diameter becomes smaller as it goes downward, the powder accumulated in the lower part of the mixing cylinder 4 can be guided to the root of the mixing screw 41, Alternatively, the mixture falling between the cylinder and the screw can be moved toward the screw center again and lifted to the upper part to improve the mixing state.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder 4 is made smaller as it goes downward has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the mixing cylinder 4 is not limited to this. As the mixing screw 41 moves downward, the inner surface of the mixing cylinder 4 and the mixing screw 4
If the distance between the outermost portion of 1 and the outermost portion of 1 is made small, the powder can be brought closer to the screw side as described above. Therefore, as another example, even if the straight tube mixing cylinder 4 and the mixing screw 41 whose outer diameter increases toward the lower side are combined, the above-described operation can be achieved.

Also, a straight tube is adopted as the mixing tube 4, and a cylindrical baffle plate whose thickness increases as it goes downward is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the mixing tube 4 by adhesion or the like to improve the mixing state. You can In this case, the baffle plate may be provided only in the vicinity of the lower end of the mixing cylinder 4, or may be provided in a plurality of places including the vicinity of the central portion and the upper end.

As the first tank 5 and the second tank 6, a taper-shaped hopper which is conventionally used and which becomes thinner as it goes down is adopted. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the number of tanks is two has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be appropriately performed when an additive other than iron powder and a water retention agent is added. You may add a tank.

In the mixing screw 41, a screw thread 41b is spirally extended around the shaft 41a so that the maximum width is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder 4 in order to provide a clearance for allowing the powder to fall. The screw may be, for example, iron plated with chrome. The pitch of the mixing screw 41 is appropriately selected according to the degree of mixing. Also, the pitch of the upper part and the lower part may be changed.

A commercially available motor is used as the motor 8 for rotating the mixing screw 41, and the rotation speed of the motor 8 is an inverter (control panel) S (for example, F).
RZ12-0.4KP; manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

As the shutter 9, a flat plate-like member slidably supported as described above is adopted, and the handle 17 provided on the end edge of the shutter 9 is pulled or pushed to arbitrarily set it. The outlet 12 can be opened and closed. The shutter 9 may be opened and closed manually, or automatically opened and closed, for example, by converting the driving force of a motor or the like into a linear driving force via a worm gear mechanism or the like, the shutter can be automatically opened and closed. Alternatively, it may be opened or closed by an air cylinder.

When performing the mixing operation using the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1, first, the first supply port 10 and the second supply port 10 in the upper part are introduced from the first tank 5 and the second tank 6 into the sealed mixing cylinder 4. Through the supply port 11, the iron powder and the water retention agent are metered and charged using the metering and charging device (not shown). Also, water or saline is injected through the water inlet 16.
Inside the mixing cylinder 4, the mixing screw 41 is rotated by the motor 8 in the direction in which the mixture moves upward. Therefore, the powder charged in the mixing cylinder 4 is
By repeating two movements, a movement that falls between the mixing screw and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder (arrow I), and a movement that is lifted from below by the threads 41b of the mixing screw 41 (arrow II). ,
Evenly mixed. At this time, since the powder is mixed inside the closed mixing cylinder 4, it hardly scatters to the outside of the mixing cylinder 4. Moreover, since there is almost no time to come into contact with air (in particular, oxygen thereof), heat generation of the powder is reduced in the downstream packaging mechanism (the hopper 2 and the packaging mechanism main body 3) after mixing. When the mixing of the powders is completed, if the shutter 9 is opened, the powders can easily be transferred to the hopper 2 of the packaging mechanism by freely falling through the discharge port 12.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, respective examples of the first to sixth inventions in which the mixing effect of the powder is further improved will be described.

As an embodiment of the first invention, the screw thread 41b of the mixing screw 41 is shown in FIG.
41c having a large width along the extending direction of the shaft 41a of the
And the narrow width portions 41d are shown as alternating mixing devices. In the case of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 2, the above-mentioned operation and the operation of raising and dropping the powder in small increments between the adjacent thread portions of the individual screw threads (for example, between the thread portions 41e and 41f) are performed. be able to. As a result, the mixing effect of the powder can be further improved as compared with the case where a simple screw-shaped mixing screw is used.

Also, a thread 41b as shown in FIG.
The mixing screw 41 in which the large width portion 41c and the small width portion 41d are alternately formed is easy to maintain.

The mixing screw 41 shown in FIG.
Then, the part 41 of the large width of the screw thread 41b for 1/2 turn
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the large width portion 41c and the small width portion 41d are not limited to this. It goes without saying that the respective lengths may be changed appropriately. Also, the width of each may be changed as appropriate.

Further, the mixing screw 4 shown in FIG.
Since the pair of blades 42 are fixed to the upper part of the first shaft 41a, it is possible to preliminarily disperse the powder to be charged into the mixing cylinder 4 so as not to be charged as a lump.

On the other hand, since a pair of blades 43 are fixed to the lower part of the shaft 41a of the mixing screw 41, the powder stored in the bottom of the mixing cylinder 4 is included in the discharge port 12 of the mixing cylinder 4. It is possible to guide the user to a portion that is not blocked by the shutter 9. For example, even when the shutter 9 is half opened, the powder of the entire mixing cylinder 4 can be uniformly dropped while being guided to the open portion C of the discharge port 12 by the blades 43. Generation of A can be prevented.

As an embodiment of the second invention, FIG. 3 shows a mixing device in which a plurality of blades 45 are arranged at the peripheral end of the mixing screw 44. In the case of the mixing device shown in FIG. 3, the powder is forcibly moved in the circumferential direction of the mixing cylinder 4 by the blades 45 between the mixing screw 44 and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder 4 along with the above operation. ,
The powder mixing effect can be further improved.

The shape and number of the blades 45 may be appropriately changed as long as the blades can be moved in the circumferential direction. For example, with regard to the shape, it is preferable to adopt a substantially wedge-shaped or a substantially rectangular blade extending in the axial direction of the mixing screw 44, since more powder can be given a movement in the circumferential direction. As for the number of sheets, if there is at least one blade 45, it is possible to give the powder a movement in the circumferential direction. Further, preferably, the plurality of blades 45 are alternately arranged as shown in FIG. 3, so that the powder can be more effectively moved in the circumferential direction.

Further, the blade 45 in FIG. 3 is the mixing screw 4
Although it is fixed perpendicularly to No. 4, it may be attached so that the angle can be changed. By making it possible to change the angle of the blades 45, it is possible to flexibly cope with various conditions such as the particle size of the powder or the viscosity, and also to adjust the moving direction of the powder. Therefore, more suitable powder mixing can be performed.

As an embodiment of the third invention, FIG. 4A shows a baffle plate 46 having a substantially C-shape inside the mixing cylinder 4.
(See FIG. 4 (b)) shows a mixing device in which a plurality of mixing screws 57 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of the mixing screw 57.
The outer peripheral portion of the baffle plate 46 is fixed inside the mixing cylinder 4. On the other hand, since the slit 47 is formed in the screw thread 57b of the mixing screw 57 in the vicinity of the baffle plate 46, the mixing screw 57 is a baffle plate 46.
It can rotate without being disturbed by.

In the case of the mixing device of FIG. 4 (a), the mixing cylinder 4
When the powder charged into the mixer falls between the mixing screw 57 and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder 4, the powder is prevented from falling by the baffle plate 46, so that it does not suddenly fall to the bottom of the mixing cylinder 4. That is, the powder falls either after hitting the baffle plate 46, or after being stored on the baffle plate 46, it is moved up again by the mixing screw 57. Therefore, the movement of the powder becomes more complicated than in the case of FIG. 1, so that the mixing effect of the powder can be further improved.

If at least one baffle plate 46 is provided, the whole powder can be prevented from suddenly falling to the bottom of the mixing cylinder 4, but a plurality of baffle plates 46 as shown in FIG. 4 (a). By alternately arranging, the powder always hits one of the baffles 46, so that the powder can drop and rise in a more complicated manner, and as a result, the mixing effect of the powder is further improved. Can be made.

As an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention, FIG. 5 shows a mixing device in which the threads 48b of the mixing screw 48 are formed so as to be periodically interrupted. In the case of the mixing device of FIG.
In the portion 48c where the screw thread 48b is not formed, the powder can partially move irregularly, and as a result,
The powder mixing effect can be further improved.

Incidentally, it is preferable that the distance between the mixing screw 48 and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder 4 is as small as possible, since the mixing effect becomes larger.

Further, the screw thread 48b of the mixing screw 48
By partially changing the maximum width of the thread 4
8b may be formed such that the large width portion and the small width portion are assembled separately from each other. For example, a combination of a large width portion (large) and a small width portion (small) of the screw thread 48b and a portion (none) where the screw thread 48b is not formed are large, none, small, none, large ... You can combine them as shown.

As an embodiment of the fifth invention, FIG. 6 shows a mixing apparatus in which a plurality of cylindrical guide members 49 each having an inwardly projecting portion 49a are arranged inside the mixing cylinder 4. It is shown. The guide member 49 is fixed to the inside of the mixing cylinder 4 by being screwed from the outside or by being attached to the inner wall with an adhesive or the like, or is integrally molded with the mixing cylinder 4. In the case of the mixing device of FIG.
And a part of the powder falling between the mixing cylinder 4 and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder 4 is guided to the screw thread 57b of the mixing screw 57 by the protrusion 49a inside the guide member 49, and is moved again by the mixing screw 57. . As a result, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

Further, the protruding portion 49a of the guide member 49 shown in FIG.
Has a gentle slope 49b in the vertical direction along the axial direction of the mixing cylinder 4, the upper slope guides the powder in the axial direction of the mixing screw 57, and the lower slope raises the powder. Helps to move.

As a sixth embodiment, FIG. 7 shows the mixing cylinder 4
A plurality of semi-cylindrical guide members 50 each having a protruding portion 50a protruding inward are provided inside the mixing cylinder 4
The mixing devices are shown staggered along the axial direction of the. In the case of the mixing device of FIG. 7, part of the powder falling between the mixing screw 57 and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder 4 along with the above operation is screwed by the protrusion 50 a inside the guide member 50 to the screw of the mixing screw 57. It guides toward the mountain 57b, and again moves up by the mixing screw 57. As a result, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

Further, similarly to the guide member 49 of FIG. 6, the protruding portion 50a of the guide member 50 of FIG. 7 also has a gentle slope 50b in the vertical direction along the axial direction of the mixing cylinder 4, so that the protrusion 50a of FIG. It works the same as

In the mixing device shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, as in the mixing device of FIG. 2, a pair of blades 42 are fixedly attached to the upper part of the shaft of each mixing screw. It is possible to preliminarily disperse the powder to be charged into the powder so that it does not form a lump and is not charged. Further, since a pair of blades 43 is fixed to the lower part of the shaft of each mixing screw, the powder stored in the bottom of the mixing cylinder 4 is discharged from the discharge port 12 of the mixing cylinder 4 by the shutter 9 Since it can be dropped evenly while being guided to the portion C that is not blocked by, the occurrence of the bridge A on the shutter 9 can be prevented.

In the mixing apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, while the powder is dropped from the gap between the mixing screw 41 and the inner wall of the mixing cylinder 4, the powder is forcibly lifted by the mixing screw 41. By doing so, the powder is mixed. Therefore, the mixing cylinder 4 and the mixing screw 4
If the specifications of 1 are changed appropriately, for example, the number of revolutions of the mixing screw 41, the pitch of the mixing screw 41 or the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder 4 is changed, a required amount of powder can be continuously mixed at a required speed. You can

Further, the shutter 9 is opened in advance by a predetermined opening so that continuous mixing can be performed while continuously feeding the mixture, and the same amount of powder as the powder fed from the respective supply ports 10 and 11 can be discharged from the mixture and the discharge port. You may make it fall continuously continuously. By such continuous mixing, a large amount of powder can be quickly mixed. When performing continuous mixing,
It suffices to close the shutter 9 only at the beginning of mixing to mix the powders inside the mixing cylinder 4, and after the desired mixing state is reached, open the shutter 9 to perform continuous mixing.

Further, a tube (not shown) for temporary storage may be provided between the shutter 9 and the hopper 2 of the downstream packaging mechanism so that batch mixing can be performed. In this case,
First, the powders are mixed with the shutter 9 closed, and after the mixing is completed, the shutter 9 is opened and the whole mixture is allowed to fall freely into the tube for temporary storage. After that, the shutter 9 is closed and all the mixture in the cylinder for temporary storage is supplied to the downstream packaging mechanism at a predetermined supply rate through, for example, a chute (not shown), and in parallel with that, Powder mixing is performed in the mixing cylinder. By such batch mixing, a large amount of powder can be rapidly mixed, and the mixed state of the obtained mixture can be kept uniform.

If a vacuum device or a gas replacement device for evacuating the inside of the mixing cylinder 4 according to the contents or enclosing nitrogen gas or an inert gas is also provided, the mixing cylinder 4 can be provided. It is possible to more effectively prevent the powder from coming into contact with oxygen inside.

As a packaging mechanism, a hopper 2 for storing the mixed powder discharged from the discharge port 12 of the mixing cylinder 4 is connected to the downstream side of the mixing device 1 configured as described above, and the hopper 2 is connected to the hopper 2. A packaging mechanism body 3 for packaging the mixed powder in a breathable base material and processing the base material into a sealed bag at the lower end outlet 2a of
Is attached to form a disposable body warmer manufacturing apparatus.

The packaging mechanism body 3 is composed of a fixed amount supply unit 18 and a packaging unit 19.

The fixed quantity supply part 18 is a part for supplying the powder inside the hopper 2 to the packaging part 19 by the capacity to be filled in one bag of a disposable body warmer, and is provided at the outlet 2a of the hopper 2. The supply drum 20 and the chute 21
A swing plate 22 that is swingably provided inside the chute 21.
From the distribution member 23 that is horizontally movable below the chute 21, the drive roller 24 for horizontally driving the distribution member 23, the bottom plate 26, the first individual chute 27, and the second individual chute 29. It is configured.

The supply drum 20 is a cylindrical member having a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The powder dropped from the hopper 2 is first stored in the groove of the outer peripheral surface of the supply drum 20, and then the supply drum 20.
The powders stored in the respective grooves are quantitatively dropped onto the chute 21 with the rotation of the.

The swing plate 22 is swingably provided around the rotary shaft 22a, and moves to the left side in the drawing when the amount of the mixed powder supplied into the chute 21 becomes too large.
It acts on a separately provided limit switch (not shown) or the like to stop the rotation of the supply drum 20, that is, the supply of the mixed powder.

The distribution member 23 is a plate-like member in which a plurality of fixed-quantity pockets 25 having a volume equivalent to one bag are arranged along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and are horizontally arranged by rails (not shown) or the like. It is movably supported by. The fixed quantity pocket 25 is a space portion whose upper and lower sides are open, and the lower end thereof is closed by a bottom plate 26 so that powder does not leak. The distribution member 23 can be moved from the position immediately below the supply drum 20 to the position immediately above the first individual chute 27.

Similar to the distribution member 23, the bottom plate 26 is supported by rails (not shown) and the like so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and further, a locking member (not shown) capable of engaging with and disengaging from the distribution member 23. Are linked by. Bottom plate 26
Moves while being connected to the distribution member 23. Moreover,
Since the connection by the locking member is released almost immediately before the first individual chute 27, the bottom plate 26 cannot move upward of the first individual hopper 27.

The first individual chute 27 is a fixed type chute disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of fixed quantity pockets 25, and a shutter 28 is swingably provided at the outlet thereof.

The second individual chutes 29 are vertically movable chutes arranged corresponding to the plurality of quantitative pockets 25. Second individual shoot 29
Is moved vertically in a predetermined cycle by a drive cam mechanism (not shown) or the like.

With this structure, when the powder is quantitatively supplied by the quantitative supply unit 18, the quantitative pocket 25 is first prepared.
Is moved to a position just below the supply drum 20, and the mixed powder in the chute 21 is filled in the fixed amount pocket 25.

After that, the drive roller 24 is rotated counterclockwise by a motor (not shown), and the distribution member 23,
And the bottom plate 26 connected to the distribution member 23 by the locking member is moved to the left. At this time, the bottom plate 26 is released from the connection by the locking member almost immediately before the first individual chute 27 and stops moving at such a position, but the distribution member 23 is
Move further to the left. Therefore, the quantitative pocket 25
Since the lower end opening is opened just above the first individual chute 27, the powder in the fixed amount pocket 25 is dropped to the first individual chute 27. After the supply of the powder to the first individual chute 27 is completed, the distribution member 23 returns to the initial position by rotating the drive roller 24 in the reverse direction. At that time, the bottom plate 26 is again connected to the distribution member 23 by the locking member.

In the first individual chute 27, the shutter 28 is opened in advance, and the powder is allowed to fall freely on the second individual chute 29. After the supply of the powder to the second individual chute 29 is completed, the shutter 28 is closed in conjunction with the movement of the distribution member 23 to the right, thereby preventing the remaining powder from falling.

Finally, while the second individual chute 29 is moved in the vertical direction at a predetermined cycle by the drive cam mechanism (not shown) or the like, the powder is packed in the packaging section 19 (specifically,
By freely dropping it between the pair of die rolls 30, the powder can be smoothly packed in order from the back of the bag manufactured by the packaging unit 19. That is, the second individual hopper 29 is at the lower end position at the beginning of filling one bag, and is raised in synchronization with the rotation of the die roll 30. The above-described series of quantitative supply of powder is repeatedly performed.

In the present embodiment, an example in which a plurality of fixed quantity pockets 25 and a plurality of first and second individual chutes 27, 29 are arranged for mass production has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above and may be provided one by one.

The packaging section 19 includes a pair of die rolls 30 for heat sealing, and a heater H for heating is built in the die rolls 30. Moreover, on the outer peripheral surface of the die roll 30, a rectangular concave portion 32 corresponding to the shape of the front surface or the back surface of the bag to be manufactured is formed.
Are formed at equal intervals along the axial direction and the circumferential direction. Further, the ridges 31 are provided so as to project in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the die roll 30 along the outer peripheral edge of the recess 32.

When the pair of die rolls 30 rotates in the direction in which the pair of air-permeable base materials B are wound, the ridges 31 extending in the axial direction of the die rolls 31 face each other every 120 degrees, so that the base materials B are joined to each other. Can be heat-sealed, and the side edges of the base material B can be heat-sealed by the protrusions 31 (not shown) extending in the circumferential direction of the die roll 30. Therefore, the pair of die rolls 30 can wind up the pair of base materials B to continuously form a bag. Since the second individual hopper 29 of the fixed quantity supply unit 18 is disposed above the intermediate position of the pair of die rolls 30, powder is formed between the pair of die rolls 30 from the hopper 29 while forming a bag. It can be dropped and the powder can be packed continuously.

In the disposable body warmer manufacturing apparatus using the above-mentioned mixing device, the powder is mixed inside the sealed mixing cylinder 4 and then directly dropped into the hopper 2 through the discharge port 12 and then to the packaging mechanism main body 3. Supplied. Therefore, it is not necessary to transfer the powder between the mixing device 1 and the hopper 2 by contacting the air with a belt conveyor or the like as in the conventional case, so that there is almost no time to contact the air (in particular, oxygen among them). . Therefore, after the mixing, heat generation of the powder in the downstream packaging mechanism (the hopper 2 and the packaging mechanism main body 3) is reduced, the powder is agglomerated inside the hopper 2, and the powder is not collected in the hopper 2 and the packaging mechanism main body 3. There is no problem such as adhesion.

The bags made continuously are individually cut and separated by a conventionally known method, and then inspected as to whether or not they are empty bags.

[0082]

According to the mixing apparatus of the present invention, the oxidation reaction is suppressed by mixing two or more kinds of powder such as iron powder, which is a raw material for disposable body warmers, and a water retention agent while avoiding contact with air, It is possible to manufacture a body warmer having a desired heat generation performance. Moreover, since the powders are mixed inside the almost closed mixing cylinder, the dust is less scattered and the powders do not clump.

Moreover, since the powder can be more complicatedly moved as compared with the combination of the mixing screw and the mixing cylinder of the normal shape, the powder mixing effect can be further improved.

Further, in the disposable body warmer manufacturing apparatus using the above-mentioned mixing device, the powder is mixed inside the sealed mixing cylinder, and then directly dropped into the hopper of the packaging mechanism through the discharge port, and then the packaging mechanism main body. Is supplied to. Therefore,
Since it is not necessary to transfer the powder between the mixing device and the hopper by contacting the air with a belt conveyor or the like as in the conventional case, there is almost no time to contact the air (in particular, oxygen among them). Therefore, after the mixing, heat generation of the powder in the downstream packaging mechanism is reduced, and the powder is not clogged inside the hopper, and the powder does not adhere to the hopper and the packaging mechanism main body.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an example of a disposable body warmer manufacturing apparatus using a disposable body warmer powder mixing apparatus according to the first invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of essential parts near a mixing cylinder in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of essential parts showing an embodiment of a mixing cylinder and a mixing screw in the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer according to the second invention.

FIG. 4 (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a mixing cylinder and a mixing screw in the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer according to the third invention, and FIG.
It is a front view of the baffle of (a).

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of essential parts showing an embodiment of a mixing cylinder and a mixing screw in the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer according to the fourth invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of essential parts showing an embodiment of a mixing cylinder and a mixing screw in the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer according to the fifth invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of essential parts showing an embodiment of a mixing cylinder and a mixing screw in the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer according to the sixth invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Mixing Device 2 Hopper 3 Packaging Mechanism Main Body 4 Mixing Cylinder 5 First Tank 6 Second Tank 41, 44, 48, 57 Mixing Screw 8 Motor 9 Shutter 10 First Supply Port 11 Second Supply Port 12 Discharge Port 41b Thread 41c Large width portion 41d Small width portion 45 Blade 46 Baffle plate 49, 50 Guide member 49a, 50a Projection portion

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) a weighing / charging device which is disposed below each of the raw material tanks and which measures and doses the raw materials. And (c) a mixing cylinder which is composed of a vertically extending cylindrical body and has a plurality of supply ports for receiving the raw materials from the weighing / charging device at the upper part and a discharge port at the lower part, (D) a mixing screw that is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and has a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder; and (e) drive means for rotating the mixing screw. (F) A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, which comprises a shutter provided at the discharge port of the mixing cylinder so as to be openable and closable, wherein the screw thread of the mixing screw is along the axial direction of the mixing screw. Large width part and small A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, characterized in that it is formed so that the width portions are arranged alternately. 2. A plurality of raw material tanks for supplying a raw material for a disposable body warmer, and (b) a weighing / charging device which is disposed below each of the raw material tanks and which measures and doses the raw material. And (c) a mixing cylinder which is composed of a vertically extending cylindrical body and has a plurality of supply ports for receiving the raw materials from the weighing / charging device at the upper part and a discharge port at the lower part, (D) a mixing screw that is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and has a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder; and (e) drive means for rotating the mixing screw. (F) A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, which comprises a shutter that is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing cylinder, wherein at least one blade is provided at a peripheral end portion of the mixing screw. Usage characterized by being done Powder mixing device for discarding warmers. 3. A plurality of raw material tanks for supplying a raw material for a disposable body warmer, and (b) a weighing / charging device which is disposed below each of the raw material tanks and which measures and doses the raw material. And (c) a mixing cylinder which is composed of a vertically extending cylindrical body and has a plurality of supply ports for receiving the raw materials from the weighing / charging device at the upper part and a discharge port at the lower part, (D) a mixing screw that is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and has a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder; and (e) drive means for rotating the mixing screw. (F) A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, comprising a shutter provided at an outlet of the mixing tube so as to be openable and closable, wherein an inner wall of the mixing tube has:
A powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer, wherein at least one baffle plate having a substantially C shape is arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the mixing screw. 4. A plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) a weighing / charging device which is disposed below each of the raw material tanks and which measures and doses the raw materials. And (c) a mixing cylinder which is composed of a vertically extending cylindrical body and has a plurality of supply ports for receiving the raw materials from the weighing / charging device at the upper part and a discharge port at the lower part, (D) a mixing screw that is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and has a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder; and (e) drive means for rotating the mixing screw. (F) A powder blender for a disposable body warmer, which is provided with a shutter that is openably and closably provided at an outlet of the mixing cylinder, wherein the screw threads of the mixing screw are formed so as to be intermittently interrupted. Disposable characterized by Powder mixing device for body warmers. 5. The powder blender for a disposable body warmer according to claim 4, wherein the screw threads of the mixing screw are formed such that a large width portion and a small width portion are assembled separately from each other. 6. A plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) a weighing / feeding device arranged below each of the raw material tanks for weighing and feeding the raw materials. And (c) a mixing cylinder which is composed of a vertically extending cylindrical body and has a plurality of supply ports for receiving the raw materials from the weighing / charging device at the upper part and a discharge port at the lower part, (D) a mixing screw that is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and has a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder; and (e) drive means for rotating the mixing screw. (F) A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, which includes a shutter provided at an outlet of the mixing tube so as to be openable and closable, wherein the mixing tube has a protruding portion that projects inward. Fewer cylindrical guide members A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, characterized in that one of them is provided. 7. A plurality of raw material tanks for supplying raw materials for a disposable body warmer, and (b) a weighing / charging device arranged below each of the raw material tanks for weighing and feeding the raw materials. And (c) a mixing cylinder which is composed of a vertically extending cylindrical body and has a plurality of supply ports for receiving the raw materials from the weighing / charging device at the upper part and a discharge port at the lower part, (D) a mixing screw that is rotatably provided inside the mixing cylinder and has a maximum width smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing cylinder; and (e) drive means for rotating the mixing screw. (F) A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, which comprises a shutter provided at an outlet of the mixing tube so as to be openable and closable, wherein the mixing tube has a semi-projecting part that projects inward. A plurality of cylindrical guide members A powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer, wherein the powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer is arranged alternately along the axial direction of the mixing cylinder. 8. The powder mixing apparatus for a disposable body warmer according to claim 1, wherein at least one blade for dispersing powder to be charged into the mixing cylinder is provided above the mixing screw. 9. A blade at least in the lower part of the mixing screw for guiding the powder stored in the bottom of the mixing cylinder to a portion of the discharge port of the mixing cylinder that is not blocked by the shutter. Claim 1 which is provided with one sheet
7. The powder mixing device for a disposable body warmer according to 7.