US20040050448A1 - Toner filling apparatus including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports - Google Patents
Toner filling apparatus including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports Download PDFInfo
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- US20040050448A1 US20040050448A1 US10/652,094 US65209403A US2004050448A1 US 20040050448 A1 US20040050448 A1 US 20040050448A1 US 65209403 A US65209403 A US 65209403A US 2004050448 A1 US2004050448 A1 US 2004050448A1
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- Prior art keywords
- powder
- container
- nozzle
- toner
- dribbling
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B1/16—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by pneumatic means, e.g. by suction
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B1/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders
- B65B1/12—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by rotary feeders of screw type
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to apparatus for filling a container with dry particulate material, and more particularly concerns a filling apparatus including an anti-dribbling filling nozzle having slanted air discharge ports for achieving dribble-free, clean-cutoff filling of a container with particulate materials such as toner.
- toner is transported from the toner supply hopper into the container by a rotating auger.
- the auger is a spiral shaped mechanical part which pushes particles of toner inside a fill tube by direct mechanical contact.
- the nature of this mechanical contact process creates substantial limitations on accuracy and productivity of the toner filling operation.
- the speed of the toner movement in the fill tube is proportional to the speed of rotation of the auger and is limited by heat release due to auger/toner/funnel friction.
- Toner containers for small low cost printers and copiers typically have a small opening into which the toner is to be added. Furthermore, the toner containers often have irregular shapes to conform to the allotted space within the copying machine. Therefore it becomes difficult to fill the toner container because of the small tube or nozzle required to fit into the small toner container opening and secondly for all the toner within the container to completely and cleanly fill the remote portions of the container before the container overflows.
- the end of a filling cycle occurs when the auger stops rotating and positive pressure normal to the axis of the auger is kept on for a fraction of a second longer in order to give some time for the toner or powder remaining in the nozzle to drop into the container.
- the positive pressure is cut off and negative pressure in the form of a vacuum is turned on to “freeze” against the nozzle wall, any toner particles still remaining in the nozzle.
- Conventional filling apparatus include conventional clean filling systems for use with such apparatus.
- a clean filling system is secured to filling line as well as to the toner conduit, and may be used to support a slide.
- the slide is connected to a tray or toner drip plate which slidably is fitted between the nozzle and the opening.
- a tray or drip plate in this position acts to prevent the spilling of powder during the indexing of containers.
- a housing which surrounds part of the nozzle, provides a cavity or chamber which is sealed when the tray or drip plate is in its closed position.
- a method and apparatus for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container.
- the anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof.
- the nozzle wall includes slanted air discharging ports for discharging directed pulses of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.
- FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toner container filling apparatus partially in section utilizing an anti-dribbling nozzle device having the slanted air discharge ports in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an enlarged portion of the filling apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the anti-dribbling nozzle device having the slanted air discharge ports in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the anti-dribbling nozzle device of FIG. 2 during container filling
- FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the anti-dribbling nozzle device of FIG. 2 during cutoff of container filling
- FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the anti-dribbling nozzle device of FIG. 2 post-cutoff showing a clean cutoff without dribbling in accordance with the present invention.
- powder filling apparatus 10 is shown.
- the powder filling apparatus 10 is used to convey powder 12 in the form of toner for use in a copier or printer from a hopper 14 to a container 16 .
- the powder filling apparatus 10 is mounted to filling line 20 to permit for the filling of large production quantities of containers 16
- the container 16 is mounted to a carrying device 22 .
- the device 22 is movable in the direction of either arrow 24 or 26 .
- the carrying device 22 serves to position container centerline 30 in alignment with apparatus centerline 32 .
- the powder filling apparatus 10 includes an anti-dribbling nozzle 34 (in accordance with the present invention, and to be described in detail below) which is used to direct the powder 12 into the container 16 .
- the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 is connected to the hopper 14 by means of a conduit 36 in the form of a hollow tube or funnel.
- the hopper 14 is positioned above the container 16 whereby gravity will assist in the flow of powder 12 toward the container 16 .
- the powder filling apparatus 10 further includes a conveyor 40 positioned at least partially within the conduit 36 for assisting in the flow of the powder 12 .
- the conveyor 40 is in the form of a spiral conveyor or auger.
- the auger 40 may be in the form of a spiral shaped auger, which may include various geometries, such as, a straight or tapered helical screw. The auger closely conforms to the conduit.
- the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 is insertable into opening 42 of the container 16 .
- the insertion of the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 in the opening 42 may be accomplished in any suitable method.
- the carrying device 22 and, consequently, the container 16 may be movable upward in the direction of arrow 44 for engagement with the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 and downward in the direction of arrow 46 for disengagement from the opening 42 .
- the upward and downward motion of the device 22 and the container 16 permits the container 16 to be indexed in the direction of arrows 24 and 26 .
- the flow of powder 12 from the hopper 14 must be halted by cutting off filling or powder flow, during the indexing of a filled container 16 from the fill position and during the indexing of the unfilled container 16 toward the filling position.
- the auger 40 may be rotated by any suitable method, i.e. by motor 50 connected to the auger 40 for rotating the auger 40 in a direction 53 .
- the motor 50 is connected to a controller 52 which sends a signal to the motor 50 to stop the rotation of the auger 40 during indexing of the carrying device 22 .
- the controller 52 is also connected by means 54 to the source 66 of pressurized air for varying the application of positive air pressure from a uniform pressure 68 to short bursts of higher pressure air 70 . Accordingly, the primary flow of powder 12 is halted by the stopping of auger 40 within the conduit 36 and by the use of a valve therein (not shown).
- a housing 56 which surrounds part of the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 , provides a cavity or chamber 62 which is sealed when the discharge opening 94 of the nozzle 34 is closed by suitable means (not shown).
- the chamber 62 can be pressurized or kept under vacuum via an air pressure applying device 64 that can apply uniform positive pressure 68 (FIGS. 2 and 3) as during a filling cycle, short bursts of higher positive pressure 70 for dribble-free cutoff in accordance with the present invention, or negative pressure 69 (FIGS. 4 and 5) post-cutoff.
- the device 64 can also be a toner dust vacuum line 64 to an air pressure and vacuum source 66 .
- the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 is shown in greater detail and includes a first end 90 adjacent to and mounted to the conduit 36 , as well as a second end 92 opposed to the first end 90 .
- the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 is comprised of a wall 96 and is secured to the conduit 36 in any suitable fashion.
- the first end 90 of the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 may be press fitted over the conduit 36 and is rigidly located within the housing 56 .
- a central portion 93 of the nozzle is between the first end 90 and the second end 92 of the anti-dribbling nozzle 34 .
- the central portion 93 has a hollow substantially conofrustrical shape or funnel like shape.
- the second or discharge end 92 includes a discharge opening 94 defined by the wall 96 .
- an apparatus 10 for directing powder 12 from a hopper 14 containing a supply of powder to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container 16 without post-cutoff dribbling includes (a) a conduit member 36 connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a quantity of powder to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device 40 located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the quantity of powder from the hopper in a powder moving direction; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle assembly 100 for directing a quantity 114 of powder from the conveyor device to cleanly fill the container 16 .
- the anti-dribbling nozzle assembly 100 includes a source 64 of pressurized air, a controller 52 and a nozzle member 34 having a first end 90 connected to the discharge end of the conduit member 36 , a second and opposite end 92 for dispensing moving powder into the container, and a nozzle wall 96 connecting the first end to the second end.
- the nozzle wall 96 includes slanted air discharge ports 110 for selectively discharging directed pulses 70 of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall 96 , thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.
- the nozzle wall 96 is porous to air so that uniform relatively lower pressure air can penetrate from the cavity 62 outside the wall 96 through random pores within the wall 96 , and in a direction normal to the axis of the nozzle (FIG. 3) into the inside of the wall 96 , thereby reducing friction between flowing powder or toner and the inside of the wall.
- the slanted air discharge ports 110 are located uniformly around the nozzle wall 96 and between the first end 90 and the second 92 thereof.
- the slanted air discharge ports 110 are each slanted forwardly relative to a direction of powder flow into the container.
- the slanted air discharge ports each form an angle of less than 15 degrees with the wall.
- the integration of the slanted or angled air discharge ports 110 into the body or wall 96 of the nozzle member 34 effectively provides an additional and timely force at the end of the cutoff cycle for pushing out the powder or toner 118 from the nozzle into the container 16 .
- the method of cleanly cutting off filling of the container without post-cutoff dribbling of powder in accordance with the present invention includes (a) stopping rotation of the auger 40 for moving powder material from the hopper, and stopping application of uniform continuous positive pressure 68 to the wall 96 of the nozzle member 34 ; (b) applying negative pressure 69 to the wall 96 ; (c) next applying increased short bursts 70 of positive air pressure through the slanted air discharge ports 110 in the wall for forcibly removing any powder from the nozzle wall; and (c) finally applying negative air pressure 69 again to the wall 96 following the step of applying increased short bursts 70 of positive air pressure. This thereby enables cleanly cutting off filling of the container 16 without post-cutoff dribbling of powder.
- the apparatus includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container.
- the anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof.
- the nozzle wall includes slanted air discharging ports for discharging directed pulses of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.
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- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus has been provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container. The anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof. The nozzle wall includes slanted air discharging ports for discharging directed pulses of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.
Description
- This application has the same inventor as, and is a Divisional of, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/198,398 filed on Jul. 17, 2002.
- This invention relates generally to apparatus for filling a container with dry particulate material, and more particularly concerns a filling apparatus including an anti-dribbling filling nozzle having slanted air discharge ports for achieving dribble-free, clean-cutoff filling of a container with particulate materials such as toner.
- Currently when filling particulate materials, for example toners into toner containers, toner is transported from the toner supply hopper into the container by a rotating auger. The auger is a spiral shaped mechanical part which pushes particles of toner inside a fill tube by direct mechanical contact. The nature of this mechanical contact process creates substantial limitations on accuracy and productivity of the toner filling operation. The speed of the toner movement in the fill tube is proportional to the speed of rotation of the auger and is limited by heat release due to auger/toner/funnel friction.
- Toner containers for small low cost printers and copiers typically have a small opening into which the toner is to be added. Furthermore, the toner containers often have irregular shapes to conform to the allotted space within the copying machine. Therefore it becomes difficult to fill the toner container because of the small tube or nozzle required to fit into the small toner container opening and secondly for all the toner within the container to completely and cleanly fill the remote portions of the container before the container overflows.
- In addition, during the filling operation there is some ordinarily undesirable continued discharge of toner (dribbling) from a conventional nozzle at cutoff or at the end of the filling cycle. In one embodiment, the end of a filling cycle occurs when the auger stops rotating and positive pressure normal to the axis of the auger is kept on for a fraction of a second longer in order to give some time for the toner or powder remaining in the nozzle to drop into the container. After that, the positive pressure is cut off and negative pressure in the form of a vacuum is turned on to “freeze” against the nozzle wall, any toner particles still remaining in the nozzle.
- The main problem with this process is that when the positive pressure in the nozzle is switched to vacuum, this vacuum usually can firmly hold only a 3-5 mm thick layer of toner particles against the inner nozzle wall. Therefore in cases where the amount of toner remaining inside the nozzle is sufficient to create a layer thicker than 5 mm, the force of vacuum will be marginal (weak) for holding those toner particles on the top of the 5 mm layer surface. Thus, very often this force is not enough to hold them for more than 0.5-1 sec. Therefore, undesirable post-cutoff continued toner fallout or dribbling occurs when the filling apparatus indexes from one container to the next, thus resulting in dirty tops and/or sides of containers.
- Conventional filling apparatus include conventional clean filling systems for use with such apparatus. Such a clean filling system is secured to filling line as well as to the toner conduit, and may be used to support a slide. The slide is connected to a tray or toner drip plate which slidably is fitted between the nozzle and the opening. A tray or drip plate in this position acts to prevent the spilling of powder during the indexing of containers. A housing which surrounds part of the nozzle, provides a cavity or chamber which is sealed when the tray or drip plate is in its closed position.
- In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container. The anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof. The nozzle wall includes slanted air discharging ports for discharging directed pulses of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.
- In the detailed description of the invention presented below, reference is made to the drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toner container filling apparatus partially in section utilizing an anti-dribbling nozzle device having the slanted air discharge ports in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an enlarged portion of the filling apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the anti-dribbling nozzle device having the slanted air discharge ports in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the anti-dribbling nozzle device of FIG. 2 during container filling;
- FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the anti-dribbling nozzle device of FIG. 2 during cutoff of container filling; and
- FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the anti-dribbling nozzle device of FIG. 2 post-cutoff showing a clean cutoff without dribbling in accordance with the present invention.
- While the present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
- According to the present invention and referring now to FIG. 1,
powder filling apparatus 10 is shown. Thepowder filling apparatus 10 is used to conveypowder 12 in the form of toner for use in a copier or printer from ahopper 14 to acontainer 16. Thepowder filling apparatus 10 is mounted to fillingline 20 to permit for the filling of large production quantities ofcontainers 16, thecontainer 16 is mounted to acarrying device 22. Thedevice 22 is movable in the direction of eitherarrow carrying device 22 serves to positioncontainer centerline 30 in alignment withapparatus centerline 32. - The
powder filling apparatus 10 includes an anti-dribbling nozzle 34 (in accordance with the present invention, and to be described in detail below) which is used to direct thepowder 12 into thecontainer 16. Theanti-dribbling nozzle 34 is connected to thehopper 14 by means of aconduit 36 in the form of a hollow tube or funnel. As shown in FIG. 1, thehopper 14 is positioned above thecontainer 16 whereby gravity will assist in the flow ofpowder 12 toward thecontainer 16. To optimize the flow ofpowder 12 toward thecontainer 16, thepowder filling apparatus 10 further includes aconveyor 40 positioned at least partially within theconduit 36 for assisting in the flow of thepowder 12. Theconveyor 40 is in the form of a spiral conveyor or auger. For example, theauger 40 may be in the form of a spiral shaped auger, which may include various geometries, such as, a straight or tapered helical screw. The auger closely conforms to the conduit. - The
anti-dribbling nozzle 34 is insertable into opening 42 of thecontainer 16. The insertion of theanti-dribbling nozzle 34 in the opening 42 may be accomplished in any suitable method. For example, thecarrying device 22 and, consequently, thecontainer 16 may be movable upward in the direction ofarrow 44 for engagement with theanti-dribbling nozzle 34 and downward in the direction ofarrow 46 for disengagement from theopening 42. The upward and downward motion of thedevice 22 and thecontainer 16 permits thecontainer 16 to be indexed in the direction ofarrows - To permit the filling of a number of
containers 16, the flow ofpowder 12 from thehopper 14 must be halted by cutting off filling or powder flow, during the indexing of a filledcontainer 16 from the fill position and during the indexing of theunfilled container 16 toward the filling position. In accordance with the present invention, it is important that halting powder flow by cutting off filling or powder flow be achieved cleanly without significant or any post-cutoff continued flow or dribbling. - As shown in FIG. 1, the
auger 40 may be rotated by any suitable method, i.e. bymotor 50 connected to theauger 40 for rotating theauger 40 in adirection 53. Themotor 50 is connected to acontroller 52 which sends a signal to themotor 50 to stop the rotation of theauger 40 during indexing of thecarrying device 22. Thecontroller 52 is also connected bymeans 54 to thesource 66 of pressurized air for varying the application of positive air pressure from auniform pressure 68 to short bursts ofhigher pressure air 70. Accordingly, the primary flow ofpowder 12 is halted by the stopping ofauger 40 within theconduit 36 and by the use of a valve therein (not shown). Ahousing 56 which surrounds part of theanti-dribbling nozzle 34, provides a cavity orchamber 62 which is sealed when the discharge opening 94 of thenozzle 34 is closed by suitable means (not shown). Thechamber 62 can be pressurized or kept under vacuum via an airpressure applying device 64 that can apply uniform positive pressure 68 (FIGS. 2 and 3) as during a filling cycle, short bursts of higherpositive pressure 70 for dribble-free cutoff in accordance with the present invention, or negative pressure 69 (FIGS. 4 and 5) post-cutoff. As shown in FIG. 1, thedevice 64 can also be a tonerdust vacuum line 64 to an air pressure andvacuum source 66. - Referring now to FIGS.1-2, the
anti-dribbling nozzle 34 is shown in greater detail and includes afirst end 90 adjacent to and mounted to theconduit 36, as well as asecond end 92 opposed to thefirst end 90. Theanti-dribbling nozzle 34 is comprised of a wall 96 and is secured to theconduit 36 in any suitable fashion. For example, as shown thefirst end 90 of theanti-dribbling nozzle 34 may be press fitted over theconduit 36 and is rigidly located within thehousing 56. Between thefirst end 90 and thesecond end 92 of theanti-dribbling nozzle 34 is acentral portion 93 of the nozzle. Thecentral portion 93 has a hollow substantially conofrustrical shape or funnel like shape. As shown, the second or dischargeend 92 includes adischarge opening 94 defined by the wall 96. - Thus to recap, in accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed an
apparatus 10 for directingpowder 12 from ahopper 14 containing a supply of powder to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of acontainer 16 without post-cutoff dribbling. Theapparatus 10 includes (a) aconduit member 36 connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a quantity of powder to be moved therethrough; (b) aconveyor device 40 located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the quantity of powder from the hopper in a powder moving direction; and (c) ananti-dribbling nozzle assembly 100 for directing aquantity 114 of powder from the conveyor device to cleanly fill thecontainer 16. - The
anti-dribbling nozzle assembly 100 includes asource 64 of pressurized air, acontroller 52 and anozzle member 34 having afirst end 90 connected to the discharge end of theconduit member 36, a second andopposite end 92 for dispensing moving powder into the container, and a nozzle wall 96 connecting the first end to the second end. The nozzle wall 96 includes slantedair discharge ports 110 for selectively discharging directedpulses 70 of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall 96, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling. In one embodiment as shown, the nozzle wall 96 is porous to air so that uniform relatively lower pressure air can penetrate from thecavity 62 outside the wall 96 through random pores within the wall 96, and in a direction normal to the axis of the nozzle (FIG. 3) into the inside of the wall 96, thereby reducing friction between flowing powder or toner and the inside of the wall. - As further shown, the slanted
air discharge ports 110 are located uniformly around the nozzle wall 96 and between thefirst end 90 and the second 92 thereof. The slantedair discharge ports 110 are each slanted forwardly relative to a direction of powder flow into the container. The slanted air discharge ports each form an angle of less than 15 degrees with the wall. The integration of the slanted or angledair discharge ports 110 into the body or wall 96 of thenozzle member 34 effectively provides an additional and timely force at the end of the cutoff cycle for pushing out the powder ortoner 118 from the nozzle into thecontainer 16. - Further, with the
means nozzle member 34, the method of cleanly cutting off filling of the container without post-cutoff dribbling of powder in accordance with the present invention includes (a) stopping rotation of theauger 40 for moving powder material from the hopper, and stopping application of uniform continuouspositive pressure 68 to the wall 96 of thenozzle member 34; (b) applyingnegative pressure 69 to the wall 96; (c) next applying increasedshort bursts 70 of positive air pressure through the slantedair discharge ports 110 in the wall for forcibly removing any powder from the nozzle wall; and (c) finally applyingnegative air pressure 69 again to the wall 96 following the step of applying increasedshort bursts 70 of positive air pressure. This thereby enables cleanly cutting off filling of thecontainer 16 without post-cutoff dribbling of powder. - As can be seen, there has been provided a method and apparatus have been provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container. The anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof. The nozzle wall includes slanted air discharging ports for discharging directed pulses of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.
- While the embodiment disclosed herein is preferred, it will be appreciated from this teaching that various alternative, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be made by those skilled in the art, which are intended to be encompassed by the following claims:
Claims (10)
1. An apparatus for directing powder from a hopper containing a supply of powder to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a quantity of powder to be moved therethrough;
(b) a conveyor device located at least partially within said conduit member for moving the quantity of powder from the hopper in a powder moving direction towards the container; and
(c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the powder from said conveyor device to cleanly fill the container, said anti-dribbling nozzle device including a source of pressurized air, a controller and a nozzle member having a first end connected to said discharge end of said conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving powder into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting said first end to said second end, said nozzle wall including slanted air discharge ports for selectively discharging directed pulses of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said nozzle wall is porous to air.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said slanted air discharge ports are located uniformly around said nozzle member and between said first end and said second thereof.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller is connected to said source of pressurized air for controlling the application of positive and negative air pressure through said slanted air discharge ports in said wall for forcibly removing any powder from said nozzle wall.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller is connected to said conveyor device for controlling stopping and starting said conveyor device to move or halt movement of powder.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said conveyor device comprises an auger.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said slanted air discharge ports are each slanted forwardly relative to a direction of powder flow into the container.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said controller is adapted for stopping said conveyor device before applying positive and negative air pressure through said slanted air discharge ports.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said controller includes means for varying the application of positive air pressure through said slanted air discharge ports from uniform positive air pressure to short bursts of positive air pressure.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said slanted air discharge ports each form an angle of less than 15 degrees with said wall.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/652,094 US20040050448A1 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-08-29 | Toner filling apparatus including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/198,398 US6640845B1 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2002-07-17 | Toner filling apparatus and method including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports |
US10/652,094 US20040050448A1 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-08-29 | Toner filling apparatus including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/198,398 Division US6640845B1 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2002-07-17 | Toner filling apparatus and method including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040050448A1 true US20040050448A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 |
Family
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/198,398 Expired - Fee Related US6640845B1 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2002-07-17 | Toner filling apparatus and method including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports |
US10/652,094 Abandoned US20040050448A1 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-08-29 | Toner filling apparatus including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/198,398 Expired - Fee Related US6640845B1 (en) | 2002-07-17 | 2002-07-17 | Toner filling apparatus and method including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports |
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US (2) | US6640845B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102981385A (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2013-03-20 | 兄弟工业株式会社 | Toner filling apparatus |
CN108725854A (en) * | 2017-04-19 | 2018-11-02 | 上海金湖活性炭有限公司 | A kind of activated carbon negative-pressure conveying system |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT201600122873A1 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-02 | Ica Spa | DOSING AND CUTTING SYSTEM FOR COMPACT POWDERS |
JP6888293B2 (en) * | 2016-12-22 | 2021-06-16 | 澁谷工業株式会社 | Fill nozzle |
EP4220101A1 (en) * | 2022-01-26 | 2023-08-02 | Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH | Filling device and filling system for volumetric dosing of powder |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6102088A (en) * | 1997-09-03 | 2000-08-15 | Xerox Corporation | Vacuum valve shutoff for particulate filling system |
US6116001A (en) * | 1997-11-05 | 2000-09-12 | Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh | Device for packaging |
US6227768B1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2001-05-08 | Xerox Corporation | Particulate conveyor device and apparatus |
US6318418B1 (en) * | 1998-02-11 | 2001-11-20 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Metering apparatus for pourable bulk material |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH533537A (en) * | 1970-12-21 | 1973-02-15 | Gericke & Co | Device for filling a container with compacted, powdery material |
IT1273274B (en) * | 1994-03-28 | 1997-07-07 | Azionaria Costruzioni Acma Spa | POWDERING MATERIAL DISPENSING UNIT |
US6340036B1 (en) * | 1999-06-16 | 2002-01-22 | Konica Corporation | Powdery-particles supplying method and apparatus, and control method for flowing solid-state substances |
-
2002
- 2002-07-17 US US10/198,398 patent/US6640845B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-08-29 US US10/652,094 patent/US20040050448A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6102088A (en) * | 1997-09-03 | 2000-08-15 | Xerox Corporation | Vacuum valve shutoff for particulate filling system |
US6116001A (en) * | 1997-11-05 | 2000-09-12 | Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh | Device for packaging |
US6318418B1 (en) * | 1998-02-11 | 2001-11-20 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Metering apparatus for pourable bulk material |
US6227768B1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2001-05-08 | Xerox Corporation | Particulate conveyor device and apparatus |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102981385A (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2013-03-20 | 兄弟工业株式会社 | Toner filling apparatus |
US9360799B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2016-06-07 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Toner filling apparatus |
CN108725854A (en) * | 2017-04-19 | 2018-11-02 | 上海金湖活性炭有限公司 | A kind of activated carbon negative-pressure conveying system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6640845B1 (en) | 2003-11-04 |
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