JP3577656B2 - Powder filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a powder filling apparatus particularly suitable for quickly and densely filling a bulky powder into a gas permeable powder bag.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-30881 discloses that a bulky powder, such as finely divided hydrated silica, finely divided calcium silicate, finely divided magnesium carbonate, and carbon black, can be quickly and easily put into a gas-permeable powder bag such as a kraft paper powder bag. A powder filling device suitable for filling at high density is disclosed. This powder filling apparatus includes a decompression chamber, a weight measuring means, a powder supply means, a decompression means and a control means. The decompression chamber has a door that can be opened and closed, and accommodates a powder bag loaded inside by opening the door. The powder bag is usually formed with a cylindrical filling port neck, and the open end of the filling port neck defines the filling port. The weight measuring means supports the decompression chamber, and measures the total weight of the decompression chamber, the powder bag housed therein, and the powder filled in the powder bag. The powder supply means includes a powder storage means, a filling nozzle, and a powder flow path means connecting the powder storage means and the filling nozzle. The filling nozzle is inserted through the filling port into the neck of the filling port. The powder channel means is selected between an open state that allows powder to flow through the powder channel means and a closed position that prevents powder from flowing through the powder channel means. A valve means is provided which is set as desired. The decompression means includes a decompression source and an exhaust path means connecting the decompression source and the decompression chamber. The control means alternately generates a decompressed state in which the decompression chamber is evacuated by the action of the decompression source to reduce the pressure in the decompression chamber, and a release state in which the evacuation of the decompression chamber is stopped and the decompression chamber is released to the atmospheric pressure. In this way, a gas impact is applied to the powder bag accommodated in the decompression chamber, so that the powder flows from the powder accommodating means into the powder bag through the powder passage means and the filling nozzle. When the powder is filled in the powder bag, the weight measured by the weight measuring means gradually increases accordingly. When the weight measured by the weight measuring means reaches the target value, the valve means provided in the powder flow path means is closed, and the evacuation of the decompression chamber by the decompression means is stopped, and the powder bag is opened. The filling of the powder into the interior is completed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The powder filling apparatus as described above, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-30881, is excellent in that bulky powder can be quickly and densely filled in a breathable powder bag. According to the experience of the present inventors, it has been found that they are not yet fully satisfactory and that there are the following problems to be solved. Since the decompression state in which the pressure in the decompression chamber is reduced and the release state in which the interior of the decompression chamber is released to the atmosphere are repeated, the weight measurement by the weight measuring means is not stable, and as a result, the powder filled in the powder bag is Significant errors in body weight are often created. In addition, the space between the neck portion of the filling port of the powder bag and the filling nozzle inserted therein is sealed in an appropriate manner to prevent the powder from being scattered. Since the inside is repeatedly switched between the depressurized state and the released state, the sealing between the neck of the filling port of the powder bag and the filling nozzle inserted therein is impaired, and there is a considerable possibility that powder may be scattered.
[0004]
Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is: Without causing powder blockage in the flow path In addition to being able to quickly and densely pack bulky powder into a breathable powder bag, the weight measurement is performed with sufficient precision and therefore the weight of the powder filled in the powder bag Is stably kept within a predetermined range, and the space between the neck of the filling port of the powder bag and the filling nozzle inserted therein is sufficiently securely sealed, and the scattering of the powder is sufficiently reliably prevented. , A new and improved powder filling device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of intensive research, the present inventors have developed a conventional powder filling apparatus having the above-described configuration using a reduced pressure chamber in which the vacuum chamber is evacuated to reduce the pressure inside the vacuum chamber, and the evacuation of the vacuum chamber is stopped. Instead of alternately and repeatedly generating a release state in which the pressure is released to the atmospheric pressure, the decompression means is continuously operated to maintain the decompression chamber in a continuously decompressed state, and the powder is stored in the powder storage means. Allow powder to flow into powder bag via body flow path means and filling nozzle A large-volume flow path having a large cross-sectional area and a small-volume flow path having a small cross-sectional area are provided side by side. Until the measured weight reaches the predetermined switching value, the mass valve means is set to the open state to allow a large amount of powder to flow into the powder bag, and when the measured weight reaches the switching value, the mass valve means is closed. Setting and setting the small amount valve means to the open state to allow a small amount of powder to flow into the powder bag, As a result, it has been found that the above technical problem can be achieved.
[0006]
That is, according to the present invention, as a powder filling device that achieves the above technical problem, having a door that can be opened and closed, a decompression chamber for housing a gas permeable powder bag,
Weight measuring means supporting the decompression chamber,
Powder containing means, a filling nozzle inserted into the powder bag through a filling port formed in the powder bag contained in the decompression chamber, A large flow path having a large cross-sectional area, an open state arranged in the large flow path, allowing the powder to flow from the powder storage means to the filling nozzle through the large flow path; A large quantity valve means selectively set to a closed state for preventing powder from flowing from the powder containing means to the filling nozzle through the small quantity flow path, a small flow path having a small cross-sectional area, and the small flow path An open state allowing powder to flow from the powder storage means to the filling nozzle through the small flow path, and from the powder storage means through the small flow path. Small valve means selectively set to a closed state for preventing powder from flowing to the filling nozzle Powder supply means comprising:
Decompression means including a decompression source, and exhaust path means connecting the decompression source and the inside of the decompression chamber,
By continuously operating the pressure reducing means to continuously reduce the pressure in the pressure reducing chamber, The large quantity valve means is set to the open state, and a large quantity of powder flows into the powder bag from the powder storage means through the large quantity flow path and the filling nozzle, and is then measured by the weight measuring means. When the weight becomes a switching value smaller than the target value by a predetermined amount, the large quantity valve means is set to the closed state and the small quantity valve means is set to the open state, and the small quantity flow path is set from the powder accommodating means. And flowing a small amount of powder into the powder bag via the filling nozzle, and thereafter, when the weight measured by the weight measuring means reaches the target value, the large quantity valve means and the small quantity valve means Both sides closed, and again Stop the decompression action of the decompression chamber by the decompression means System Means,
There is provided a powder filling device comprising:
[0007]
Preferably, the control means includes: Until the weight measured by the weight measuring means reaches the switching value, the inside of the decompression chamber is continuously kept in a highly depressurized state, and when the weight measured by the weight measuring means reaches the switching value, the pressure in the decompression chamber is reduced. Is continuously in a low pressure state. In a preferred embodiment, the exhaust path means of the pressure reducing means is connected to the inside of the pressure reducing chamber through an opening formed in a side wall of the pressure reducing chamber, and the pressure reducing chamber is provided with a restricting means. The restricting means does not substantially restrict the vertical movement of the decompression chamber, but causes the decompression chamber to be evacuated through the exhaust path means by the action of the decompression means. Substantially restricts movement outside the vertical direction. The restriction means comprises a plurality of pairs of restriction mechanisms, each of the restriction mechanisms being fixed to a stationary base and extending substantially vertically, a first rod being fixed to the vacuum chamber and extending substantially vertically. It may include a second rod, a spring steel plate piece formed with a first through hole through which the first rod penetrates and a second through hole through which the second rod penetrates. It is preferable that the large-volume flow path and the small-volume flow path of the powder supply means include a stretchable pipe member, and the exhaust path means of the decompression means preferably also includes a stretchable pipe member. . In a preferred embodiment, the powder bag is in a form having a cylindrical filling port neck whose open end defines a filling port, and the filling nozzle is a tubular nozzle member having an open end, A telescopic sleeve disposed on the outer periphery of the member and having both ends fixed to the nozzle member; and an operating state of supplying compressed air between the nozzle member and the telescopic sleeve; A sleeve operating means which is selectively set to a non-operating state in which the space between the sleeve and the sleeve is released to the atmosphere, wherein the nozzle member and the telescopic sleeve are inserted into the neck of the filling port of the powder bag, When the sleeve operating means is set to the operating state and compressed air is supplied between the nozzle member and the telescopic sleeve, the telescopic sleeve is swelled and the outer peripheral surface of the telescopic sleeve becomes powdery. Bag filling It is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the neck.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a more detailed description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of a powder filling device constituted according to the present invention.
[0009]
FIG. 1 schematically shows the main components of a powder filling device constructed according to the invention. This powder filling device includes a reduced pressure chamber 2. The decompression chamber 2 is mounted on and supported by a weight measuring means 4 composed of a platform scale. The decompression chamber 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a door 6 is provided on the front surface thereof. The door 6 is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 7. The door 6 is provided with opening and closing movement means 8 which can be constituted by, for example, a pneumatic cylinder mechanism. When the door 6 is moved to the illustrated closed position by the action of the opening / closing means 8, the decompression chamber 2 is substantially airtightly sealed. When the door 6 is moved to the open position, the vacuum chamber 2 is opened and the powder bag 10 filled with the powder (the filling of the powder will be described in more detail later) is removed from the vacuum chamber 2 and the next time. An empty powder bag 10 can be accommodated in the decompression chamber 2. A powder bag support frame (not shown) is provided in the decompression chamber 2 which may have a well-known configuration. The powder bag 10 is supported upright by the support frame. In the powder bag 10 which may be a well-known kraft paper powder bag having air permeability, a cylindrical filling port neck 12 is formed on one side (left side in FIG. 1) of the upper end thereof. The tip (left end in FIG. 1) is open and defines a filling port (see also FIG. 2). The door 6 of the decompression chamber 2 is also provided with a door lock mechanism 14 including an electromagnetic solenoid. When the door 4 is moved to the closed position and the door lock mechanism 14 is urged, the door 4 is sufficiently moved to the closed position. Locked securely.
[0010]
Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 1, the powder filling device is provided with a powder supply unit indicated by reference numeral 16 as a whole. The powder supply means 16 includes a powder storage means 18, a filling nozzle 20, and a powder flow path means 22 connecting the powder storage means 18 and the filling nozzle 20.
[0011]
The powder storage means 18 of the powder supply means 16 is composed of a silo, and an inflow port 24 is formed on the upper end surface thereof. The powder container 18 also has two outlets, namely a large-volume outlet 26 disposed at the lower end and a small-volume outlet 28 disposed somewhat above the large-volume outlet 26. ing. As indicated by the arrow 30, when the amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit 18 decreases, the powder flows into the powder storage unit 18 through the inflow port 24.
[0012]
Referring to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 1, the filling nozzle 20 of the powder supply means 16 includes a tubular nozzle member 32. An opening is formed in the upper part of one side wall (left side wall in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the decompression chamber 2, and the nozzle member 32 is inserted into the decompression chamber 2 through the opening. An additional member 34 is fixed to a front portion of the nozzle member 32. The additional member 34 has an outer peripheral wall 36, an annular front wall 38, and an annular rear wall 40, and an annular space is defined between the nozzle member 32 and the additional member 34. One end (the left end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the outer peripheral wall 36 of the additional member 34 is fixed to the above-mentioned one side wall of the decompression chamber 2 in an appropriate manner, so that the filling nozzle 20 moves to a required position of the decompression chamber 2. Fixed to. A seal member (not shown) is provided between one end of the outer peripheral wall 36 of the additional member 34 and an opening formed on one side wall of the decompression chamber 2, and the space therebetween is airtightly closed. ing. A telescopic sleeve 42 is provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle member 32, more specifically, on the outer periphery of the outer peripheral wall 36 of the additional member 34. Both ends of the sleeve 42, which can be made of a suitable synthetic rubber or the like, are tightly fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 36 by a tightening ring 44. A plurality of holes 46 (one of which is shown in FIG. 2) are formed in the outer peripheral wall 36 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the holes 46 are covered by the sleeve 42.
[0013]
Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the filling nozzle 20 is provided with a sleeve operating means, generally designated by the reference numeral 48. Such sleeve actuating means 48 includes air flow path means 50. The upstream end of the air passage means 50 is connected to a compressed air source 52, and the downstream end is defined between the nozzle member 32 and the additional member 34 through an opening formed in the annular rear wall 40 of the additional member 34. Connected to an annular space. The air flow passage means 50 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 54, a pressure detector 56, a control valve means 58, a pipe member 60 which can extend and contract in the extending direction, and a quick exhaust valve 62. As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the front part of the nozzle member 32 provided with the additional member 34 is inserted into the cylindrical filling neck portion 12 of the powder bag 10 housed in the decompression chamber 2. When the control valve means 58 is set to the open state, the compressed air is defined between the nozzle member 32 and the additional member 34 through the pressure reducing valve 54 and the quick exhaust valve 62 set to the non-exhaust state. It is introduced into the space and discharged from the hole 46 formed in the outer peripheral wall 36 of the additional member 34. Thus, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 1 and 2, the expandable and contractible sleeve 42 is bulged radially outward by the action of the introduced compressed air, so that the filling port neck 12 of the powder bag 10 is filled. Is tightly contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the powder bag 10. Thus, the space between the nozzle member 32 and the filling port neck 12 of the powder bag 10 is airtightly closed. When the control valve means 58 is set to the closed state and the quick exhaust valve 62 is set to the exhaust state, the compressed air acting on the sleeve 42 is released, and the sleeve 42 has its own elasticity so that the sleeve 42 has a broken line and a broken line in FIGS. Restore to the state shown by the solid line. The pressure detected by the pressure detector 56 is supplied to a control means 64 (FIG. 3), which can be constituted by a microprocessor, and the control means 64 adjusts the pressure reducing valve 54 appropriately to determine the pressure applied to the sleeve 42. Set to a predetermined value. Since the air passage means 50 of the sleeve operating means 48 includes a telescopic tube member 60 which may be a so-called flexible tube, a load is applied to the decompression chamber 2 from the sleeve operating means 48 and the weight measuring means 4 The weight measurement of the decompression chamber 2 is not substantially affected.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2, a support piece 65 extending forward is provided at the tip of the filling nozzle 20. The support piece 65 can be formed from a straight bar or a round bar curved into an appropriate shape. When the front part of the nozzle member 32 is inserted into the filling port neck 12 of the powder bag 10, the support piece 65 extends into the main part of the powder bag 10 and continues to the filling port neck 12 (FIG. 1). In addition, the upper end of the powder bag 10 is supported at a position (right side of the filling port neck 12 in FIG. 2) to prevent the powder bag 10 from hanging down. In order to prevent the powder bag 10 from hanging down, instead of attaching the support piece 65 to the tip of the filling nozzle 20, the nozzle member 32 is disclosed as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-32081. It may also be intended to integrally form a projecting piece projecting from its upper half at its tip. However, when such a projecting piece is formed integrally with the nozzle member 32, a relatively large amount of a part of the powder filled in the powder bag 10 adheres to the inner surface of the projecting piece through the nozzle member 32. When the powder bag 10 is separated from the nozzle member 32 after the powder filling is completed, or thereafter, the powder attached to the inner surface of the protruding piece may drop or scatter and contaminate the inside of the decompression chamber 2. .
[0015]
Description will be given with reference to FIG. And powder The body channel means 22 includes a large volume channel 66 and a small volume channel 68. This is very important . The large-volume flow path 66, which can be formed from a pipe member having a large cross-sectional area, extends from the large-volume outlet 26 formed in the powder container 18 and extends through a tube member 70 that can expand and contract in the extending direction. Connected to the upstream end of the filling nozzle 20. The extendable tube member 70 can be formed from a so-called flexible tube. The mass flow path 66 is provided with mass valve means 72 for controlling the opening and closing of the flow path. A small flow path 68, which can be formed from a pipe member having a small cross-sectional area, extends from the small flow outlet 28 formed in the powder storage means 18 and has a large volume downstream of the large quantity valve means 72. It is connected to the channel 66. The small flow path 68 is provided with a small valve means 74 for controlling the opening and closing of the flow path. Since the expandable tube member 70 is provided at the downstream end of the powder flow path means 22, a load is applied to the decompression chamber 2 from the powder storage means 18 and the powder flow path means 22 to perform weight measurement. There are no adverse effects.
[0016]
A mechanical conveying means such as a screw feeder is provided in the large flow path 66 and / or the small flow path 68 in order to promote the flow of the powder through the large flow path 66 and / or the small flow path 68. It may also be intended to However, when such a mechanical transfer means is provided, when the powder calmed down in the powder storage means 18 composed of a silo passes through the large flow path 66 and / or the small flow path 68, There is a tendency that a mechanical action such as stirring is applied to the powder by the mechanical transporting means to activate the powder, thereby causing problems such as a reduction in the bulk density of the powder. . According to the experience of the present inventors, in the powder filling apparatus constituted according to the present invention, even if the mechanical conveyance means is not provided in the large amount flow path 66 and / or the small amount flow path 68, there is a particular problem. The powder can be made to flow sufficiently smoothly through the large amount flow path 66 and the small amount flow path 68 without generating the powder.
[0017]
Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 1, the powder filling apparatus is also provided with a decompression means indicated by reference numeral 76 as a whole. The decompression means 76 includes a decompression source 78 and an exhaust path means 80. The reduced pressure source 78 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a wet vacuum pump 82. The suction side of the vacuum pump 82 is connected to a circulating water tank 86 via a circulating water passage 84. A discharge path 88 is connected to the discharge side of the vacuum pump 82. The discharge path 88 is branched into an exhaust path 90 open to the atmosphere and a drain path 92 connected to a circulating water tank 86. I have. The circulating water tank 86 is connected to a water source 96 via a water level regulating valve 94, which may be a ball tap, so that the amount of circulating water contained in the circulating water tank 86 is kept constant. A drain 100 having valve means 98 is also connected to the circulating water tank 86.
[0018]
An opening is formed at a lower portion of one side wall (the left side wall in FIG. 1) of the decompression chamber 2, and an exhaust pipe 102 is connected to the opening. The exhaust path means 80 in the pressure reducing means 76 includes a main exhaust path 104 extending from a downstream end connected to the suction side of the vacuum pump 82. The upstream end of the main exhaust passage 104, which can be constituted by a pipe member, is connected to the exhaust pipe 102 of the decompression chamber 2 via a tube member 106 which can be formed from a so-called flexible tube and can be extended and contracted in an extending direction. ing. Since the telescopic tube member 106 is provided, the load is not applied to the decompression chamber 2 from the decompression means 76, and the weight measurement of the decompression chamber 2 by the weight measurement means 4 is not substantially affected. The main exhaust path 104 is provided with a pressure reduction degree detector 108 and a vacuum valve means 110. The main exhaust passage 104 is provided with an air suction passage 112 which is branched from the downstream side of the vacuum valve means 110 and extends therefrom. The air suction passage 112 is provided with a pressure reduction degree adjusting valve means 114. . The main exhaust path 104 is further provided with an atmosphere communication path 116 that branches off from the upstream side of the vacuum valve means 110, and a control valve means 118 is provided in the atmosphere communication path 116.
[0019]
In the pressure reducing means 76 as described above, the control valve means 118 provided in the atmosphere communication passage 116 is set to a closed state, the vacuum pump 82 is operated, and the vacuum valve means 110 is set to an open state. Then, the gas in the decompression chamber 2 is sucked by the vacuum pump 82 through the main exhaust path 104, and thus the pressure in the decompression chamber 2 is reduced. The pressure reduction degree detected by the pressure reduction degree detector 108 is sent to the control means 64 (FIG. 3), and the control means 64 adjusts the opening degree of the pressure reduction degree adjusting valve means 114 to suck the air from the atmospheric suction path 112 to the main exhaust path 104. The amount of atmospheric air to be controlled is adjusted, whereby the degree of reduced pressure in the reduced pressure chamber 2 is adjusted as required. The gas sucked from the decompression chamber 2 to the vacuum pump 82 contains some powder that has flowed out or scattered from the powder bag 10, and the powder is sent to the vacuum pump 82 via the circulation water channel 84. The water is mixed with the water to be sucked and is supplied to the circulating water tank 86 through the discharge path 88 and the liquid discharge path 92. The gas sent from the vacuum pump 82 to the discharge path 88 is discharged to the atmosphere through the discharge path 90. When the amount of powder contained in the circulating water in the circulating water tank 86 becomes excessive, the valve member 98 can be opened to discharge the contaminated circulating water in the circulating water tank 86. When the vacuum valve means 110 is closed and the operation of the vacuum pump 82 is stopped, and the control valve means 118 provided in the atmosphere communication passage 116 is set to the open state, the inside of the decompression chamber 2 is closed. Through the atmosphere.
[0020]
Referring to FIG. 1, the pressure-reducing chamber 2 is further provided with two pairs of restricting mechanisms arranged at intervals in the vertical direction (vertical direction) in FIG. Limiting means including a limiting mechanism pair is provided. The upper limit mechanism pair is composed of a pair of limit mechanisms 120 arranged at intervals in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1, and the lower limit mechanism pair is also spaced apart in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1. And a pair of limiting mechanisms 122 disposed in the above. With reference to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 1, each of the pair of limiting mechanisms 120 includes a bracket 126 fixed to an upright support column 124 of a stationary base, and one side wall of the decompression chamber 2 (the left side in FIG. 1). And a bracket 128 fixed to the wall. The bracket 126 is protruded from the support column 124 toward the decompression chamber 2, and a first rod 130 extending substantially vertically downward is fixed to the tip of the bracket 126. The bracket 128 is projected from one side wall of the decompression chamber 2 toward the support column 124, and has a substantially vertical end at its tip. To A second rod 132 extending upward is fixed. The first rod 130 is formed of a round bar, and the upper end thereof is fixed to the bracket 126 by an appropriate method such as welding or screwing. Similarly, the second rod 132 is also formed of a round bar, and the lower end thereof is fixed to the bracket 128 by an appropriate method such as welding or screwing. An annular regulating piece 134 is attached to the lower end of the first rod 130, and an annular regulating piece 136 is attached to the upper end of the second rod 132. Each of the pair of restriction mechanisms 120 further includes a thin spring steel plate 138. The plate piece 138 has an outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the first rod 130 and the second rod 132, and more specifically, substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first rod 130 and the second rod 132. Through holes 140 and 142 having a large inner diameter are formed. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, by inserting the first rod 130 through the through hole 140 of the plate 138 and inserting the second rod 132 through the through hole 142 of the plate 138, the plate 138 is It is connected between one rod 130 and the second rod 132. After the first rod 130 is inserted into the through hole 140 of the plate 138, another annular regulating piece 144 is further attached to the lower end of the first rod 130. After the second rod 132 is inserted into the through hole 142 of the plate 138, another annular regulating piece 146 is further attached to the upper end of the second rod 132. The distance between the annular regulating piece 134 and the annular regulating piece 144 attached to the first rod 130 is slightly larger than the thickness of the plate 138 existing between them, and the annular regulating piece 134 attached to the second rod 132 The distance between the restricting piece 136 and the annular restricting piece 146 is also somewhat larger than the thickness of the plate 138 existing between them. Therefore, the plate 138 can move relatively in the vertical direction with respect to the first rod 130 and the second rod 134. The attachment of the annular restriction pieces 134 and 144 to the first rod 130 and the attachment of the annular restriction pieces 136 and 146 to the second rod 132 can be performed by an appropriate method such as screwing. Since the configuration of each of the pair of restriction units 122 may be substantially the same as each of the pair of restriction units 120, the description of the configuration of each of the pair of restriction units 122 will be omitted.
[0021]
As can be understood by referring to FIG. 1, when the gas in the decompression chamber 2 is evacuated by the action of the decompression means 76 and the inside of the decompression chamber 2 is decompressed, due to the decompression generated in the exhaust path means 80, A force acts to shrink and expand the telescopic tube member 70, and a leftward force acts on the decompression chamber 2 in FIG. The restricting means 120 and 122 described above prevent the decompression chamber 2 from moving leftward in FIG. 1 against a force acting on the decompression chamber 2. On the other hand, regardless of the presence of the restricting means 120 and 122, for example, by the vertical movement of the second rod 132 with respect to the first rod 130 and the plate piece 138 in the restricting means 120 or by using spring steel Is slightly bent elastically, the decompression chamber 2 can move substantially freely in the vertical direction. Therefore, due to the reduced pressure in the decompression chamber 2 by the decompression means 76, the weight measuring means 4 of the decompression chamber 2, the powder bag 10 contained in the decompression chamber 2, and the powder in the powder bag 10. The generation of an unacceptable large error in the weight measurement by the method can be avoided sufficiently reliably, and the weight of the powder filled in the powder bag 10 can be measured sufficiently accurately.
[0022]
Next, an operation procedure of the powder filling apparatus controlled by the control means 64 (FIG. 3) will be summarized and described mainly with reference to FIG.
[0023]
The door 6 of the decompression chamber 2 is opened, a new powder bag 10 is stored in the decompression chamber 2 as required, and the filling port neck 12 of the powder bag 10 is moved to the filling nozzle 20 of the powder supply means 16. When the positioning is completed as required, and thus the preparation operation is completed, the operation start switch (not shown) is closed. Then, the opening / closing means 8 attached to the door 6 is operated to close the door 6, and then the door lock mechanism 14 is urged to lock the door 6 at the closed position. Further, the control valve member 58 of the sleeve operating means 48 is set to the open state, whereby the sleeve 42 of the filling nozzle 20 is expanded as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. The inner peripheral surface of the neck portion 12 of the filling port 10 is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface. Next, after a certain period of time (for example, about 2 seconds) required for the vibration of the decompression chamber 2 caused by the various operations to be attenuated, the weight measured by the weight measuring means 4 (that is, the powder Is empty) is calibrated to zero.
[0024]
Thereafter, the vacuum pump 82 in the pressure reducing means 76 is operated, and the vacuum valve means 110 is set to the open state, whereby the pressure inside the pressure reducing chamber 2 is reduced. The decompression regulating valve means 114 is set to a highly decompressed state, which may be, for example, about -3000 mm water column, so that a highly depressurized state is generated in the decompression chamber 2. At substantially the same time as or after setting the vacuum valve means 110 to the open state, the mass valve means 72 arranged in the mass flow path 66 of the powder supply means 16 is set to the open state. Thus, a large amount of powder is sucked into the filling nozzle 20 from the powder storage means 18 through the large amount flow path 66 together with air, and the large amount of powder is sucked into the powder bag 10 together with air. The powder sucked into the powder bag 10 is held in the bag, but the gas sucked into the powder bag 10 passes through the air-permeable bag wall, flows out into the decompression chamber 2, and is decompressed. The exhaust gas is exhausted through an exhaust passage means 76. Immediately after the start of the powder filling, a large amount of powder is rapidly filled in the powder bag 10, but as the filling progresses, the so-called clogging of the bag wall of the powder bag 10 progresses. Since the powder filled in the powder bag 10 resists the gas flow, the filling speed of the powder into the powder bag 10 is gradually reduced.
[0025]
When the weight of the filled powder measured by the weight measuring means 4 becomes a value smaller than the target value by a predetermined amount, for example, 90% of the target value, the control means 64 makes the mass flow path 66 of the powder supplying means 16 The large quantity valve means 72 provided is set to a closed state, and the small quantity valve means 74 provided to the small quantity flow path 68 is set to an open state. Simultaneously or subsequently, the pressure-reducing regulating valve means 114 is operated to set a low-pressure state, for example, about -1700 mm water column. Thus, a small amount of powder is sucked from the powder storage means 18 to the filling nozzle 20 through the small amount flow path 66 at a low speed together with a small amount of gas, and the small amount of the powder is filled into the powder bag 10 at a low speed. You.
[0026]
Next, when the weight of the filled powder measured by the weight measuring means 4 reaches the target value, the small quantity valve means 74 provided in the small quantity flow path 68 of the powder supply means 16 is closed. Therefore, the supply of the powder to the filling nozzle 20 is stopped. Further, the operation of the vacuum pump 82 in the pressure reducing means 76 is stopped, and the vacuum valve means 110 is set to a closed state, so that the pressure reduction in the pressure reducing chamber 2 is stopped. Further, after a lapse of a short time, for example, about 2 seconds, the control valve means 118 provided in the atmosphere communication passage 116 of the pressure reducing means 76 is set to an open state, and the inside of the pressure reducing chamber 2 is communicated with the atmosphere. Next, after a slight time delay, which may be, for example, about 2 seconds, the control valve means 58 of the sleeve operating means 48 is set to the closed state, and the quick exhaust valve 62 is set to the exhaust state. 42 is restored to the state shown by the solid line in FIGS. Simultaneously or subsequently, the door lock mechanism 14 is deenergized to release the door lock operation, the opening / closing movement means 8 is operated, and the door 6 is opened. Then, the powder bag 10 filled with the required amount of powder sufficiently precisely is taken out of the decompression chamber 2.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the powder filling device configured according to the present invention, the powder filling is performed while the decompression chamber is continuously maintained in the decompressed state. Also, since the powder is supplied using the large-volume flow path provided with the large-volume valve means and the small-volume flow path provided with the small-volume valve means, the clogging of the powder in the flow path does not occur. Bulk powder can be quickly and densely packed in air-permeable powder bags You. Also, The weight measurement was performed with sufficient precision, so that the weight of the powder filled in the powder bag was stably kept within a predetermined range, and was also inserted into the filling neck of the powder bag and inserted therein. The space between the nozzle and the filling nozzle is sufficiently reliably sealed, and the scattering of the powder is sufficiently reliably prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing the main components of a preferred embodiment of a powder filling device constructed according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a filling nozzle and a filling neck of a powder bag in the powder filling device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing control-related components in the powder filling apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partial slope view showing a limiting mechanism that constitutes limiting means in the powder filling device shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
2: Decompression chamber
4: Weight measurement means
6: Decompression chamber door
10: powder bag
12: Neck of filling mouth of powder bag
16: powder supply means
18: Powder storage means
20: Filling nozzle
22: powder channel means
32: annular nozzle member
42: Telescopic sleeve
48: Sleeve operating means
64: control means
66: Mass flow path
68: small flow path
70: Telescopic tube member
72: Mass valve means
74: small amount valve means
76: decompression means
78: Decompression source
80: exhaust path means
82: vacuum pump
106: Telescopic tube member
110: vacuum valve means
114: Decompression degree adjusting valve means
120: Restriction mechanism (restriction means)
122: Limiting mechanism (limiting means)
130: First rod
132: The second rod
138: Spring steel plate
140: Through hole of plate piece
142: Through hole of plate piece

Claims (6)

With a door that can be opened and closed, a decompression chamber for containing a breathable powder bag,
Weight measuring means supporting the decompression chamber,
Powder accommodating means, a filling nozzle inserted into the powder bag through a filling port formed in the powder bag accommodated in the decompression chamber, a large flow path having a large sectional area, and arranged in the large flow path An open state allowing powder to flow from the powder storage means to the filling nozzle through the mass flow path, and a powder from the powder storage means to the filling nozzle through the mass flow path. A large quantity valve means selectively set to a closed state for preventing the body from flowing, a small quantity flow path having a small cross-sectional area, and a small quantity flow path; An open state that allows powder to flow from the body container to the filling nozzle, and a closed state that prevents powder from flowing from the powder container to the filling nozzle through the small amount flow path. Powder supply means including a small amount valve means selectively set to
Decompression means including a decompression source, and exhaust path means connecting the decompression source and the inside of the decompression chamber,
The decompression means is continuously operated to continuously reduce the pressure in the decompression chamber, and the mass valve means is set to an open state, and the mass flow path and the filling nozzle are set from the powder accommodating means. A large amount of powder is caused to flow into the powder bag via the above, and when the weight measured by the weight measuring means becomes a switching value smaller than the target value by a predetermined amount, the large quantity valve means is set to a closed state; The small quantity valve means is set to an open state, and a small quantity of powder flows into the powder bag from the powder storage means via the small quantity flow path and the filling nozzle, and thereafter the weight measuring means If the weight to be measured is the target value by both the large-quantity valve unit and the small amount valve means to a closed state, and also the to that control means stops the pressure reducing action of the vacuum chamber by said vacuum means ,
A powder filling device comprising: The control means continuously sets the inside of the decompression chamber to a highly reduced pressure state until the weight measured by the weight measuring means reaches the switching value, and when the weight measured by the weight measuring means reaches the switching value. , To continuously reduce the pressure in the decompression chamber to a low degree
The powder filling device according to claim 1. The exhaust path means of the pressure reducing means is communicated with the inside of the pressure reducing chamber through an opening formed in a side wall of the pressure reducing chamber;
The decompression chamber is provided with a restricting means. The restricting means does not substantially restrict the vertical movement of the depressurizing chamber, but moves the inside of the depressurizing chamber through the exhaust path means by the action of the depressurizing means. Substantially restricting the decompression chamber from moving in a direction other than the vertical direction due to the evacuation,
The powder filling device according to claim 1. The restriction means comprises a plurality of pairs of restriction mechanisms, each of the restriction mechanisms being fixed to a stationary base and extending substantially vertically, a first rod being fixed to the vacuum chamber and extending substantially vertically. A second rod, including a spring steel plate piece formed with a first through hole through which the first rod is penetrated and a second through hole through which the second rod is penetrated;
The powder filling device according to claim 3. The large-volume flow path and the small-volume flow path of the powder supply means include a stretchable pipe member, and the exhaust path means of the decompression means also includes a stretchable pipe member.
The powder filling means according to claim 3. The powder bag is in a form having a cylindrical filling port neck whose open end defines a filling port,
The filling nozzle has a tubular nozzle member having an open end, a telescopic sleeve disposed on the outer periphery of the nozzle member, and both ends of which are fixed to the nozzle member, and a telescopic sleeve between the nozzle member and the telescopic sleeve. A sleeve operating means selectively set to an operating state of supplying compressed air to the nozzle and an inoperative state of releasing the space between the nozzle member and the telescopic sleeve to the atmosphere, wherein the nozzle member and the telescopic sleeve are provided. When the sleeve is inserted into the neck of the filling port of the powder bag, the sleeve operating means is set to the operating state, and compressed air is supplied between the nozzle member and the telescopic sleeve, the telescopic sleeve becomes Is bulged so that the outer peripheral surface of the elastic sleeve is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the neck portion of the filling port of the powder bag,
A powder filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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