JP3727715B2

JP3727715B2 - Paste supply device

Info

Publication number: JP3727715B2
Application number: JP11058296A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 孝次坂出; 直樹池田
Original assignee: Tokuyama Corp; Tokuyma Dental Corp
Current assignee: Tokuyama Corp; Tokuyma Dental Corp
Priority date: 1996-04-08
Filing date: 1996-04-08
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-08
Also published as: JPH09276295A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、主部は柔軟な材料で形成されている容器に収容されているペーストを適宜に供給するためのペースト供給装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
当業者には周知のように、歯科用シリコーンラバー印象材は、Ｓｉ−Ｈ基を有するシリコーン及びビニル基を有するシリコーンを主成分とする基材ペーストとビニル基を有するシリコーン及び白金触媒を主成分とする硬化剤ペーストとを練和することによって生成される。また歯科用アルギン酸系印象材は、アルギン酸を主成分とする基材ペーストと石膏を主成分とする硬化剤ペーストとを練和して生成される。更にまた、その他の歯科用ポリエーテルラバー印象材、歯科用チオコールラバー印象材等も、２種類のペーストを練和して生成される。
【０００３】
このような練和に効果的に使用し得るペースト供給装置として、ハウジングに２個の受入部を配設すると共に、受入部の各々に関連して容器支持機構を配設したペースト供給装置が提案され、実用に供されている。２個の容器支持機構にはそれぞれ基材ペーストを収容した容器と硬化剤ペーストを収容した容器が支持され、２個の容器の口頸部が前記２個の受入部にそれぞれ接続される。ハウジング内には、２個の受入部の各々に関連して吸引手段が配設されると共に、練和手段が配設されている。一方の受入部に接続された容器の口頸部から基材ペーストが吸引手段の作用によって吸引され、他方の受入部に接続された容器の口頸部から硬化剤ペーストが吸引手段の作用によって吸引される。吸引された基材ペーストと硬化剤ペーストとは練和手段において練和され、そしてハウジング前面に配設された排出口から排出される。
【０００４】
基材ペースト及び硬化剤ペーストを収容する容器としては、ポリエチレン又はポリプロピレンのような適宜の合成樹脂から形成された比較的剛性の口頸部と、アルミラミネートシート、ポリエチレンシート又はフィルムのような適宜の合成樹脂シート又はフィルムでよい柔軟な材料から形成された主部とからなる形態の容器が好都合に使用される。このような容器は、倒立状態、すなわち口頸部を下にして主部が口頸部から上方に延びる状態にして容器支持機構に装着され、口頸部が受入部に接続されることが好ましい。
【０００５】
ハウジング内に配設されている吸引手段が作動させられると、容器内に収容されているペーストが口頸部から流出されて受入部及び吸引手段を通して練和手段に送られる。容器内からのペーストの流出に応じて容器の主部内に収容されているペーストが全体的に口頸部に向けて漸次流動し、容器の主部がその閉端（すなわち口頸部の反対側に位置する閉じられた端）から漸次圧搾されると、特に問題を発生させることなく、容器内のペーストが充分良好に練和手段に供給される。しかしながら、特にペーストのいわゆる降伏値が比較的大きい場合には、容器の主部に収容されているペーストが全体に渡って下方に移動することなく、特定部位より口頸部側のペーストのみが口頸部に向かって流動し、特定部位よりも閉端側のペーストは流動することなく停滞してしまうことが少なくない。そして、このような現象の発生に起因して、特定部位において容器の主部が局部的に圧搾されて閉塞が発生し、このような部位よりも閉端側に存在するペーストが口頸部に向かって流動し得なくなる傾向がある。
【０００６】
上述したとおりの問題を解決するため、特開平８−２４２７３号公報には、容器支持機構に支持された容器の主部に沿って移動自在な絞り部材を配設することが開示されている。更に詳しくは、倒立状態に支持された容器の主部に沿って延びるロッドを配設し、このようなロッドに円盤形状の絞り部材を移動自在に被嵌させることが開示されている。それ自身の重量によって下方に、従って容器の口頸部に向かう方向に偏倚されている絞り部材は、収容されているペーストによって膨出状態に維持されている容器の主部に干渉されて口頸部に向かう方向への移動が阻止されるが、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて容器の主部を圧搾しながら口頸部に向かう方向に移動する。このような絞り部材を備えたペースト供給装置においては、絞り部材の圧搾作用によって、容器からのペーストの流出に応じて容器の主部がその閉端から口頸部に向けて漸次に圧搾され、これによって容器内のペーストも全体的に漸次下方に移動され、その結果上述したとおりの問題を解決しようとするものである。
【０００７】
しかしながら、前記公開公報に開示されているペースト供給装置も、未だ充分に満足し得るものではなく、次のとおりの解決すべき問題が残留している。すなわち、前記絞り部材は、容器の主部に片側からのみ作用するにすぎず、ペーストの粘度によっては、ある程度の厚みでペーストが容器内に残留することがある。特に、絞り部材として円盤形状のものを使用した場合には、容器の幅方向両側縁部には絞り部材が作用し難い。そのため、特に容器の主部における幅方向両側縁部において、ペーストが充分良好に絞り出されず、有効に使用されないペーストが相当量残留してしまう傾向がある。
【０００８】
これらの問題を解決するため、平成６年特許願第２８０１４７号（出願日：平成６年１１月１５日、発明の名称：ペースト供給装置）の明細書及び図面には、容器支持機構に支持された容器の幅方向に細長く延びる挿通開口が形成されている絞り部材が、容器の主部の延在方向に移動自在に配設することが開示されている。容器はその主部を閉端から絞り部材の挿通開口に挿通させて容器支持機構に支持され、絞り部材は収容されているペーストによって膨出状態に維持されている容器の主部に干渉されて口頸部に向かう方向への移動が阻止されるが、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて容器の主部を圧搾しながら口頸部に向かう方向に移動され得るように構成されている。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
この装置によれば、口頸部からのペーストの流出に応じて、容器の主部がその閉端から口頸部に向けて漸次に、絞り部材の作用によって幅方向全体に渡って圧搾される。その結果、容器の主部に局部的な閉塞を生成させることなく、そしてまた容器の主部の両側縁部に相当量のペーストを残留させることなく、容器内からペーストを流出させることができる、との目的を略達成することができる。
【００１０】
しかしながら、本発明者等の経験によれば、前記公開公報に開示されているペースト供給装置をもってしても、未だ充分に満足し得るものではなく、更に、次のような解決すべき問題が存在していることが判明した。すなわち、容器には、その主部の両側部における厚さ方向の中央部に、主部の延在方向に沿って折れ線（折り畳み線）が形成されている形態のものが存在する。そしてこのタイプの容器に適用された絞り部材が、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて容器の主部を圧搾しながら口頸部に向かう方向に移動される過程において、該両側部が折れ線に沿って規則的に折り畳まれずに、変形してしわが発生する傾向がみられる。このようなしわが発生すると、絞り部材の口頸部に向かう移動が妨げられ、その機能が棄損されてしまう。その結果、絞り部材を適用したにもかかわらず、容器内のペーストが充分効果的に絞り出されず、有効に使用されないペーストが相当量残留してしまうこととなり、更なる改善が要望されていた。
【００１１】
本発明は前記事実に基づいてなされたものであり、その技術的課題は、絞り部材が、容器の主部の両側部を、それぞれに形成された折れ線に沿って規則的に折り畳ませながら、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて、容器の主部をその閉端部から口頸部に向けて漸次に、幅方向全体にわたって圧搾しながら円滑に移動することができる、新規かつ改良されたペースト供給装置を提供することである。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記技術的課題を達成するために、本発明によれば、
ハウジングと、口頸部及び柔軟な材料から形成された主部を有しかつペーストを収容した容器を支持するための、該ハウジングに装着された容器支持機構とを備えたペースト供給装置において、
該容器支持機構は、支持される容器の延在方向に延びる支持枠体と、該支持枠体にその長手方向に移動自在に支持された移動枠体と、該移動枠体を該支持枠体の一端部へ向けて付勢するためのばね手段と、容器の主部の閉端部を解除自在に保持するための、該移動枠体の一端部に配設された主部保持手段と、容器の口頸部を解除自在に保持するための、該支持枠体の他端部に配設された口頸部保持手段とを備え、
該移動枠体には、容器の幅方向に細長く延びる挿通開口が形成された絞り部材が、該移動枠体にその長手方向に移動自在に支持され、
容器の主部が閉端部から該絞り部材の該挿通開口に挿通されて該主部保持手段に保持され、口頸部が該口頸部保持手段に保持された状態において、該容器の該主部と該口頸部との間が該ばね手段により引張状態とされ、かつ該絞り部材は収容されているペーストによって膨出状態に維持されている容器の主部に干渉されて口頸部に向かう方向への移動が阻止されるが、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて容器の主部を幅方向全体に渡って圧搾しながら口頸部に向かって移動するよう構成されている、ことを特徴とするペースト供給装置、が提供される。
【００１３】
本発明のペースト供給装置においては、容器の主部が閉端部から該絞り部材の該挿通開口に挿通されて該主部保持手段に保持され、口頸部が該口頸部保持手段に保持された状態において、該主部保持手段と口頸部保持手段との間が該ばね手段により引張状態に保持されている。そして、絞り部材は収容されているペーストによって膨出状態に維持されている容器の主部に干渉されて口頸部に向かう方向への移動が阻止されるが、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて容器の主部を幅方向全体に渡って圧搾しながら口頸部に向かって移動するよう構成されている。その結果、絞り部材が、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて容器の主部を圧搾しながら口頸部に向かう方向に移動される過程において、容器の主部の両側部がそれらに設けられた折れ線に沿って規則的に折り畳まれ、変形してしわが発生する、との不具合が確実に解消される。しわの発生が防止されることに起因して、絞り部材の機能が充分に発揮され、容器の主部に局部的な閉塞を生成させることなく、そしてまた容器の主部の両側縁部に相当量のペーストを残留させることなく、容器内から所望とおりに充分良好にペーストを流出させることができる。
【００１４】
【実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明に従って構成された流体供給装置の好適実施の形態について、詳細に説明する。
【００１５】
図１には、歯科用印象材を生成するために好適に使用することができる、本発明のペースト供給装置の好適実施の形態が図示されている。このペースト供給装置は全体を番号２で示すハウジングを具備している。ハウジング２は略直方体形状の主部４とこの主部４から上方及び前方に突出せしめられている突部６とから構成されている。ハウジング２の主部４の上面には、横方向に間隔をおいて２個の受入開口８（図４参照）が配設され、これら２個の受入開口８に関連して２個の容器支持機構１０が配設されている。容器支持機構１０の各々には容器１００が装着される。容器支持機構１０及び容器１００については、後に更に詳しく述べる。
【００１６】
ハウジング２内には、２個の受入開口８の各々に関連して配設された２個の吸引ポンプのような吸引手段（図示していない）と共に、スタテックミキサー又はダイナミックミキサーのような練和手段（図示していない）が配設されている。ハウジング２の突部６の前面には下方に向かって後方に傾斜して延びる傾斜面１３が形成されており、このような傾斜面１３には前方に向かって下方に傾斜して突出する排出部１４が付設されている。ハウジング２内に配設されている前記吸引手段及び練和手段は、本発明に従って構成された図示のペースト供給装置における新規特徴を構成するものではなく、これら自体は公知の形態のものでよく、それ故にこれらの構成の詳細について本明細書においては説明を省略する。
【００１７】
上述したとおりのペースト供給装置においては、例えば、２個の容器支持機構１０の一方には基材ペーストを収容した容器１００が装着され、他方には硬化剤ペーストを収容した容器１００が装着される。そして、ハウジング２内に配設されている前記吸引手段の作用によって２個の容器１００からそれぞれペーストが吸引され、ハウジング２内に配設されている前記練和手段に送給される。練和手段は２個の容器１００から送給されたペーストを練和して歯科用印象材を生成し、このような印象材を、ハウジング２の前面に配設されている排出部１４内の排出路を通して、排出部１４の先端に形成されている排出口から排出する。
【００１８】
後述する容器支持機構１０の各々に支持される容器１００は、図３に示すように、ポリエチレン又はポリプロピレンのような適宜の合成樹脂から形成された比較的剛性の口頸部１０２と、アルミラミネートシート、ポリエチレンシート又はフィルムのような適宜の合成樹脂シート又はフィルムでよい柔軟な材料から形成された主部１０４とからなる。雄ねじが形成された口頸部１０２の付け根の部分には、３つの係止フランジ１０６が軸方向に間隔を置いて一体に配設されている。各係止フランジ１０６は、軸方向から見て６角形をなしている。主部１０４の両側部における厚さ方向の中央部には、主部１０４の延在方向に沿って折れ線（折り畳み線）１０８が形成されている。
【００１９】
２個の受入開口８に関連して配設された２個の容器支持機構１０の各々及びこれらに関連するハウジング２の部分の構成は、それぞれ実質上同一であるので、以下、図１〜図４を参照して、片方の容器支持機構１０及びそれに関連するハウジング２の部分の構成について説明する。容器支持機構１０は、ハウジング２の主部４の上面に離脱自在に固定されたベース部材１２と、ベース部材１２に旋回軸１５を介して旋回自在に支持された支持ロッド部材１６とを含んでいる。支持ロッド部材１６は支持枠体を構成する。
【００２０】
平板状をなすベース部材１２は、貫通開口１８が形成された前部と、前部より幅の狭い後部とからなり、後部にも貫通開口１９が形成されている。ベース部材１２の後部における上部後端の角部には傾斜面１２ａが形成されている。前部における貫通開口１８は、ハウジング２の主部４の受入開口８と同軸上に位置付けられている。貫通開口１８は、この実施の形態では図示しない受入部が配設され、この受入部には、容器１００の口頸部１０２を受け入れる円形断面の貫通開口が形成されこの貫通開口にはシール用Ｏリングが配設されている（いずれも図示せず）。
【００２１】
支持ロッド部材１６の下端部は、ねじ部材２１によりブラケット部材２０に固定されている。ブラケット部材２０は、比較的厚さの薄い板状部からなる前部と、比較的厚さの厚い板状部からなる後部とを備えている。そしてこの後部には、横方向に間隔を置いて下方に延びる一対の直立壁２２が形成されている。この一対の直立壁２２が、ベース部材１２の後部両側壁に実質上水平に延びる旋回軸１５を介して旋回自在に支持されている。したがって、支持ロッド部材１６は、ブラケット部材２０に、ブラケット部材２０を介して、図２に実線で示す作用位置と、図２に二点鎖線で示す着脱操作位置（セット位置）との間を、旋回軸１５回りに旋回自在に装着されている。前記作用位置において、支持ロッド部材１６は、実質上鉛直に延在するよう位置付けられる。また、前記着脱操作位置において、支持ロッド部材１６は、２０度≦α≦７０度、特に３０度≦α≦６０度であるのが好ましい傾斜角度αをなして、上方に向かって後方に（したがって前記貫通開口１８から離れる方向に）傾斜して延在する。
【００２２】
ハウジング２の主部４の上面には検出手段２４が配設されている。この検出手段２４は、ベース部材１２の貫通開口１９を通して上方に突出する検知アームを有するマイクロスイッチから構成されている。ブラケット部材２０の後部の下面は当接面２６を規定し、ベース部材１２の後部の上面は当接面２８を規定している。支持ロッド部材１６が前記作用位置に位置付けられると、前記当接面２６が前記当接面２８に当接し、したがって支持ロッド部材１６が図２において反時計方向に更に旋回することが阻止され、支持ロッド部材１６（及び支持ロッド部材１６に支持された、後述する各部材）はそれ自身の重量によって前記作用位置に保持される。また、検出手段２４を構成するマイクロスイッチの検知アームに前記当接面２６（この実施の形態では、支持ロッド部材１６の下端面）が作用し、その結果、支持ロッド部材１６が作用位置にさせられたことを検出手段２４が検出する。検出手段２４の検出信号はマイクロコンピュータ又は電子制御回路から構成することができる制御手段（図示していない）に送給され、検出手段２４が検出信号を生成している場合に限り装置の作動（すなわち上述した吸引手段及び練和手段の作動）が許容される。
【００２３】
支持ロッド部材１６が前記着脱操作位置に位置付けられると、前記当接面２６の後端がベース部材１２の傾斜面１２ａに当接し、したがって支持ロッド部材１６が図２において時計方向に更に旋回することが阻止され、支持ロッド部材１６（及び支持ロッド部材１６に支持された、後述する各部材）はそれ自身の重量によって前記装着操作位置に保持される。所望ならば、支持ロッド部材１６を前記作用位置及び／又は前記装着操作位置に解除自在にロックする適宜のロック手段を配設することもできる。
【００２４】
ブラケット部材２０の前部には、容器１００の口頸部１０２を離脱自在に保持するための口頸部保持手段３０が配設されている。ブラケット部材２０の前部には平面から見て略Ｕ形状の開口３２が形成されている。この開口３２のＵ形開放端は、ブラケット部材２０の前部の横方向一側縁（図１において右側に位置する容器支持機構１０においては板状部の右側縁、左側に位置する容器支持機構１０においては板状部の左側縁）に位置付けられている。開口３２を規定している内側の上端には、内側全体に渡って延びかつ内側に向かって突出する被係止フランジ３４が形成されている。
【００２５】
主として図４を参照して、支持ロッド部材１６は、断面が円形の主棒部材１６０と、下端部が、主棒部材１６０の上端部に旋回自在に連結された補助棒部材１６２とを含んでいる。したがって主棒部材１６０の下端部が、前記ブラケット部材２０に固定されている。主棒部材１６０の下方部分は大径に、また上方部分は小径に形成され、両者の間には段部１６３が形成されている。補助棒部材１６２は主棒部材１６０の小径部と同径に構成されている。補助棒部材１６２の上端部には操作用のノブ１６２ａが配設されている。主棒部材１６０の上端部はヨーク状に形成され、補助棒部材１６２の下端部は平板状に形成されている。そして補助棒部材１６２の平板状部が主棒部材１６０のヨーク状部に位置付けられ、ピン１６４を介して旋回自在に連結されている。これにより、補助棒部材１６２は、主棒部材１６０と共通の軸線上に位置する同軸位置（図１及び図２に示す位置）と、主棒部材１６０に直交する直交位置（図４に示す位置）との間を旋回自在である。
【００２６】
補助棒部材１６２が直交位置に位置付けられた状態において、補助棒部材１６２の下端部は、主棒部材１６０の外周面から、半径方向外方に突出するようその長さが規定されている。また、補助棒部材１６２が同軸位置に位置付けられた状態において、補助棒部材１６２の下端部の外周面と、主棒部材１６０（小径部）の上端部の外周面とが、実質上連続するよう構成されている。
【００２７】
主棒部材１６０には、移動枠体である外筒部材４０が、その軸線方向に移動自在に支持されている。外筒部材４０の内径は、主棒部材１６０の大径部の外径より僅かに大きく形成されている。外筒部材４０の上端部における内周部には円筒状のばね押さえ４２が固定されている。ばね押さえ４２は、外筒部材４０の内周面と主棒部材１６０の小径部の外周面との間に形成される隙間に位置付けられ、主棒部材１６０に対しては軸方向に移動自在である。主棒部材１６０の段部１６３とばね押さえ４２との間には、ばね手段であるコイルばね４４が介在されている。これにより、外筒部材４０は、支持ロッド部材１６の上端部へ向けて付勢される。
【００２８】
外筒部材４０の下方には、その軸線方向に延びるスリット４６が形成され、主棒部材１６０の大径部には半径方向外方に突出するストップピン１６６が配設されている。スリット４６はストップピン１６６に係合されている。これにより、外筒部材４０の、支持ロッド部材１６に対する回転が阻止されると共に、軸線方向の移動範囲が規制される。スリット４６及びストップピン１６６は、外筒部材４０の移動範囲規制手段を構成する。なお、ストップピン１６６の先端は外筒部材４０の外周面より半径方向外方に突出しないよう、その長さが規定されている。
【００２９】
外筒部材４０の上端部における外周部には、容器１００の主部１０４における閉端（すなわち口頸部１０２の反対側に位置する閉じられた端）を離脱自在に保持するための主部保持手段５０が配設されている。主部保持手段５０は、外筒部材４０の上端部における外周部に固定されたブロック状の部材５２を含んでいる。この部材５２には前方に突出し次いで下方に延びる一対の突出壁部５４（図１参照）が形成され、一対の突出壁部５４間に保持部材５５が装着されている。保持部材５５の横方向両側には、実質上水平に突出する短軸５６が一体に形成され、このような短軸５６の各々が一対の突出壁部５４の各々に旋回自在に装着され、その結果、保持部材５５は、短軸５６の中心軸線を旋回軸線として図４に実線で示す作用位置と図４に二点鎖線で示す非作用位置との間を旋回自在に装着されている。保持部材５５が前記作用位置に位置付けられると、保持部材５５の実質上平坦な締付面５７が部材５２の前面５８に近接し、これと実質上平行に位置する。保持部材５５が前記非作用位置に位置付けられると、保持部材５５と前記前面５８との間に所定の間隙が形成される。
【００３０】
前記容器支持機構１０には、容器１００の幅方向に細長く延びる挿通開口Ｓ（後述する）が形成された絞り部材６０が配設されている。すなわち、外筒部材４０には、円筒状部材６２が回転自在にかつその軸線方向に移動自在に支持されており、絞り部材６０は円筒状部材６２に一体に配設されている。円筒状部材６２は、鋼のような比較的高比重の材料から形成されている。絞り部材６０は、略半円形状の本体６４と、本体６４の幅方向両側から前方に相互に平行に突出するよう配設された支持アーム６６と、支持アーム６６間に回転自在に装着された一対のローラ６８とを備えている。ローラ６８の各々は、幅方向に相互に平行に延びるよう構成されており、このようなローラ６８間に前記挿通開口Ｓが規定されている。
【００３１】
絞り部材６０における挿通開口Ｓは、一対のローラ６８間に形成されているので、後述するところから理解されるように、挿通開口Ｓに挿通される容器１００の主部１０４との間の相互摩擦作用は著しく小さく、したがって容器１００からのペーストの流出に応じて絞り部材６０は充分円滑に下降させられ、容器１００の主部１０４を所望とおりに圧搾することができる。挿通開口Ｓの延在長さは、容器１００の主部１０４の幅方向寸法よりも幾分長いのが好適である。挿通開口Ｓの幅は、ペーストが存在しない状態における容器１００の主部１０４の厚さよりも幾分大きい寸法であるのが好適であり、容器１００の主部１０４が、アルミラミネートシート、合成樹脂製シート又はフィルムから形成されている場合には、１乃至５ｍｍ、特に２乃至３ｍｍ程度であるのが好適である。挿通開口Ｓの幅が過大になると、容器１００の主部１０４に対する絞り部材６０の圧搾作用乃至絞り作用が低下し、容器１００の主部１０４内に残留させられるペーストの量が増大する。
【００３２】
他方、挿通開口Ｓの幅が過少になると、容器１００の主部１０４をその閉端から挿通開口Ｓに挿通させる操作が困難になると共に、容器１００の主部１０６と絞り部材６０の相互摩擦作用が過剰になり、このような絞り部材６０は、円筒状部材６２を介して外筒部材４０に沿って、したがって容器支持機構１０に支持されている容器１００の主部１０４の延在方向に移動自在に、外筒部材４０に支持されており、円筒状部材６２を含むそれ自身の重量によって下方に、したがって容器支持機構１０に支持されている容器１００の口頸部１０２に向かう方向に偏倚されている。所望ならば、絞り部材６０自身の重量に加えてあるいはこれに代えて、絞り部材６０を容器１００の口頸部１０２に向かう方向に偏倚する、ばね部材のような適宜の弾性偏倚手段を配設することもできる。
【００３３】
絞り部材６０に関連して、前記ブラケット部材２０の側部におけるハウジング２の主部４の上面には、上方に突出する検出アームを有するマイクロスイッチから構成することができる検出手段６９が配設されている。絞り部材６０及び検出手段６９の作用については後に言及する。
【００３４】
円筒状部材６２の上端部には、第１の磁石である永久磁石７０が配設されると共に、主棒部材１６０の軸線方向に延在するピン孔７２が形成されている。主部保持手段５０における部材５２の、円筒状部材６２の上端部に対向する下端部には、第２の磁石である永久磁石７４が配設されると共に、軸線方向にかつ円筒状部材６２に向かって鉛直に延びるピン７６が装着されている。絞り部材６０を外筒部材４０に沿って最上位置に移動させることにより、円筒状部材６２のピン孔７２が部材５２のピン７６に離脱自在に嵌合され、絞り部材６０の周方向位置が規定される。同時に円筒状部材６２の永久磁石７０が部材５２の永久磁石７４に離脱自在に吸着されて、絞り部材６０が部材５２、したがって主部保持手段５０に離脱自在に仮支持される。円筒状部材６２の下端部には合成ゴム等の弾性を有する部材から形成された環状の弾性緩衝部材７８が配設されている。
【００３５】
図１〜図４を参照して説明すると、前記したように、それ自体は周知の形態でよい容器１００は、口頸部１０２と主部１０４とを有する。主部１０４は、柔軟な材料から袋状に形成されている。後に更に言及するように、容器１００の主部１０４はその閉端（図３に図示する状態において上端）から、前記絞り部材６０の挿通開口Ｓに挿通させることが必要であるが、このような挿通を容易に遂行することができるようになすために、必要ならば、容器１００の主部１０４の閉端部のみを、局部的に大きな剛性を有するようになすこともできる。容器１００の主部１０４における閉端部の剛性を局部的に増大させるには、例えば閉端部の厚さを局部的に増大させる、あるいは閉端部に剛性板状片を貼着することができる。
【００３６】
一方、容器１００の口頸部１０２は、先に述べたような適宜の合成樹脂から射出又は圧縮成形によって形成されており、比較的剛性である。このような口頸部１０２は略円筒形状であり、主部１０４の一端中央部に接続されており、主部１０４の内部に連通させられている。口頸部１０２の外周面に形成された係止フランジ１０６間の隙間及び該隙間における口頸部１０２の外径は、前記した口頸部保持手段５６の被係止フランジ３４の厚さ、対向する被係止フランジ３４間の間隔に、それぞれに対応して規定されている。このような容器１００内には例えば基材ペースト又は硬化剤ペーストが収容され、以下に説明するとおりにして容器支持機構１０に容器１００を装着する前においては、口頸部１０２には雄ねじに係合させられる雌ねじを有する形態の蓋（図示していない）が装着され、口頸部１０２は閉じられている。
【００３７】
上述したとおりのペースト供給装置においては、次のとおりの手順によって容器支持機構１０に容器１００を装着することができる。図４を参照して、最初に、主部保持手段５０を外筒部材４０と共に補助棒部材１６２の同軸位置（図１及び図２に示す位置）から下方にコイルばね４４の付勢力に抗して押し下げ、補助棒部材１６２を直交位置に位置付ける。次いで押し下げる力を弱めることにより、主部保持手段５０は外筒部材４０と共にコイルばねの付勢力によりその上端が補助棒部材１６２の直交面に押圧されてその移動が阻止される。これにより補助棒部材１６２の直交位置がコイルばねの付勢力により保持されると共に、主部保持手段５０が口頸部保持手段３０に対して、容器１００をセットできる間隔に位置付けられる。これらの操作は、これを容易かつ確実に遂行することができる。
【００３８】
次に絞り部材６０を外筒部材４０に沿って最上位置まで移動させる。その際、絞り部材６０を周方向に旋回させて、そのピン孔７２を主部保持手段５０のピン７６に整合させ、そして係合させる。絞り部材６０の永久磁石７０が主部保持手段５０の永久磁石７４に吸着され、絞り部材６０は主部保持手段５０に仮支持される。これにより絞り部材６０は主部保持手段５０に対し所定の位置に位置付けられる。絞り部材６０の位置決め及び仮支持は、絞り部材６０の上昇、旋回操作により遂行できるので、その操作はきわめて容易であり、また位置決め及び仮支持も確実に遂行される。なお、円筒状部材６２の下端には弾性緩衝部材７８が装着されているので、仮装着されている絞り部材６０に意図しない外力が作用し、主部保持手段５０から外れて落下し、ブラケット部材２０との間に、操作者の手、あるいは指が挟まれたとしても、これを損傷することが防止される。
【００３９】
続いて支持ロッド部材１６を旋回させ、図２の二点鎖線に示す着脱操作位置に位置付ける。次いで、容器１００の主部１０４をその閉端から、絞り部材６０の一対のローラ６８間に形成されている挿通開口Ｓに挿通させる。その後に、主部保持手段５０の保持部材５５を時計方向に旋回させて非作用位置に位置付け、容器１００の主部１０４における、挿通開口Ｓに挿通させた閉端を、保持部材５５と部材５２の前面５８との間の間隙に挿入する。次いで保持部材５５を反時計方向に旋回させて作用位置に位置付ける。その結果、容器１００の主部１０４の閉端を保持部材５５の締付面５７が、部材５２の前面５８と実質上平行に延在させられるので、保持部材５５は作用位置に充分確実に維持されて、容器１００の主部１０４の閉端を圧縮挟持する。所望ならば、保持部材５５を作用位置に解除自在にロックする適宜のロック手段を付設することもできる。また、保持部材５５の締付面５７及び／又は部材５２の前面５８にゴム板のような摩擦係数が高くかつ弾性を有する材料を貼着することもできる。
【００４０】
主部保持手段５０による容器１００の主部１０４の閉端の保持に引き続いてあるいはこれに先立って、容器１００の口頸部１０２に形成されている係止フランジ１０６間の隙間を、口頸部保持手段３０の被係止フランジ３４に係合させて、容器１００の口頸部１０２を口頸部保持手段３０の開口３２内に挿入させる。これにより、二つの係止フランジ１０６が被係止フランジ３４の上下を挟む形で係止させられるので、口頸部保持手段３０に対して容器１００の口頸部１０２が、その軸線方向に移動することが阻止され、口頸部１０２が充分確実に保持される。また、被係止フランジ３４が形成されている開口３２は、支持ロッド部材１６の旋回軸線方向に開放、すなわち図１において右側に位置する容器支持機構１０においては板状部の右側縁に、左側に位置する容器支持機構１０においては板状部の左側縁に開放されていて、旋回軸線に対して垂直な方向においては閉じられているので、支持ロッド部材１６が旋回される際に、容器１００の口頸部１０２が被係止フランジ３４から偶発的に離脱されるおそれはない。
【００４１】
図２に二点鎖線で示す着脱操作位置に位置付けた状態の支持ロッド部材１６に、上述したとおりにして容器１００を装着すると、容器１００は支持ロッド部材１６（外筒部材４０）に沿って、したがって口頸部１０２から上方に向かって後方、すなわちハウジング２の主部４の上面から離れる方向に、２０度≦α≦７０度、特に３０度≦α≦６０度であるのが好ましい傾斜角度α（図２参照）をなして延在する。容器１００の主部１０４をその閉端から絞り部材６０の挿通開口Ｓに挿通させる操作、主部保持手段５０によって容器１００の主部１０４の閉端を保持する操作、及び口頸部保持手段３０によって容器１００の口頸部１０２を保持する操作は、支持ロッド部材１６を着脱操作位置に位置付けた状態で遂行することができるので、一人の操作者が充分容易にかつ迅速に遂行することが可能である。
【００４２】
また、容器１００の主部１０４の閉端部と口頸部１０２との間にコイルばね４４による引張力が作用しない状態で、容器１００を容器支持機構１０にセットすることができるので、セット操作を容易かつ確実に遂行することができる。
【００４３】
その後に、絞り部材６０を最上位置から外筒部材４０に沿って下方に押し下げる。これにより、絞り部材６０の永久磁石７０が主部保持手段５０の永久磁石７４から離脱され、またピン孔７２がピン７６から離脱させられる。絞り部材６０は、自重により下方に移動しようとするが、収容されているペーストによって膨出状態に維持されている容器１００の主部１０４に干渉されてその移動が阻止される。絞り部材６０は、永久磁石７０及び７４の吸着を解除するのみで主部保持手段５０から引き離すことができるので、容器１００をセットした後、絞り部材６０を容易かつ確実に絞り作用の態勢とすることができる。
【００４４】
次いで、主部保持手段５０を、コイルばね４４の付勢力に抗して外筒部材４０と共に主棒部材１６０に沿って若干押し下げ、補助棒部材１６２を主棒部材１６０に対し同軸位置に位置付ける。この状態において、押し下げる力を弱めることにより、主部保持手段５０は、外筒部材４０と共にコイルばね４４の付勢力により、外筒部材４４の上端部が、主棒部材１６０の上端及び補助棒部材１６２の下端部を跨ぐ位置まで上方に移動する。これにより補助棒部材１６２の、主棒部材１６０に対する旋回が阻止されて、前記同軸位置が保持される（図１及び図２に示す状態）。そして主部保持手段５０は、口頸部保持手段３０に対してコイルばね４４により上方に付勢されるので、容器１００の口頸部１０２と主部１０４の閉端部間に引張状態が形成されることが重要である。これにより、主部１０４の両側部に形成された折れ線部分が、それに沿って直線状に引き延ばされる。以上の説明から明らかなように、容器１００の引張状態の形成操作はきわめて容易であり、しかも確実にこれを遂行することができる。
【００４５】
次に、容器１００の口頸部１０２から図示しない蓋を離脱させて口頸部１０２を開封し、そして支持ロッド部材１６を図１及び図２に実線で示す作用位置に旋回させる。支持ロッド部材１６を作用位置に旋回させると、上述したように検出手段２４がこれを検出して信号を生成すると共に、支持ロッド部材１６に装着されている容器１００の口頸部１０２の先端部が、ベース部材１２の貫通開口１８内に配設されている図示しない受入部内に挿入され、図示しないＯリングが口頸部１０２の先端部外周面に密接させられる。その結果、容器１００内に収容されているペーストが、受入部及びハウジング２の主部４に形成されている貫通開口８を通してハウジング２内に吸引され得る状態が確立される。図１及び図２に明確に図示するように、支持ロッド部材１６を作用位置に位置付けると、容器１００は、受入部に接続された口頸部１０２から支持ロッド部材１６に沿って、実質上鉛直に上方に延在する。
【００４６】
前記したように、外筒部材４４に支持されている絞り部材６０は、その自重によって下方に移動しようとするが、容器１００の主部１０４に収容されているペーストによって膨出状態に維持されている主部１０４に干渉され、これによってその下方への移動が阻止される。その結果、容器１００の主部１０４内に多量のペーストが収容されている状態においては、図２に実線で示す部位に位置する。
【００４７】
ハウジング２内に配設されている前記吸引手段（図示していない）の吸引作用によって、容器１００の主部１０４内に収容されているペーストが口頸部１０２から漸次流出させられると、これに応じて絞り部材６０が口頸部１０２に向かって漸次降下する。容器１００の主部１０４は、その上端すなわち閉端から絞り部材６０の挿通開口Ｓに挿通させられているので、絞り部材６０が降下すると、容器１００の主部１０４は、その前面側及び後面側の双方から幅方向全体に渡って、その上端すなわち閉端から口頸部１０２に向かって漸次圧搾され、主部１０４に収容されているペーストは、その全体が漸次下方に流動させられる。
【００４８】
容器１００の口頸部１０２と主部１０４とは、コイルばね４４により相互に離れる方向に引っ張られた状態で容器支持機構１０に支持されていることが重要である。この引張作用により、絞り部材６０が移動するに従って、主部１０４の圧搾された部分における両側部が、それらに設けられた折れ線１０８に沿って規則的に折り畳まれるので、両側部が変形してしわが発生する、との不具合が確実に解消される。しわの発生が防止されることに起因して、絞り部材６０の機能が充分に発揮され、容器１００の主部１０４に局部的な閉塞を生成させることなく、そしてまた容器１００の主部１０４の両側縁部に相当量のペーストを残留させることなく、容器１００内から所望とおりに充分良好にペーストを流出させることができる。
【００４９】
容器１００の主部１０４に収容されているペーストの略全部が、口頸部１０２から流出させられると、絞り部材６０は図示しない最下位置、すなわち支持ロッド部材１６の下端近傍位置まで降下する。絞り部材６０が最下位置まで降下すると、絞り部材６０が検出手段６９の検出アームに作用し（当接し）、絞り部材６０が下端近傍位置まで降下したこと、換言すれば容器１００内のペーストが殆ど使用されたことを、検出手段６９が検出して信号を発生する。検出手段６９が生成する信号は上述した制御手段（図示していない）に送給され、ペースト供給装置の作動が不可能にさせられる。このように、絞り部材６０が所定位置まで移動したことを検出手段６９により検出することによって、容器１００内のペーストが殆ど消費されたことを確実に検知することができる。したがって、容器１００内のペーストが消尽されてしまった後に吸引手段を作動させて、空気吸引等の望ましくない現象を発生させることを確実に回避することができる。なお、必要に応じて、容器１００を新しいものと交換する必要が生じたことを使用者に示す警告ランプのような警告手段（図示していない）が付勢される。
【００５０】
容器支持機構１０に装着されている容器１００を取り外す際には、主部保持手段５０を、外筒部材４０と共に補助棒部材１６２の同軸位置から下方にコイルばね４４の付勢力に抗して押し下げ、補助棒部材１６２を直交位置に位置付ける。次いで主部保持手段５０を図４に示す位置に位置付ける。これにより、容器１００に対するコイルばね４４の付勢力を解除する。次いで支持ロッド部材１６を旋回して、図２の二点鎖線で示す非作用位置に位置付ける。次いで絞り部材６０を上方に移動させ、主部保持手段５０の部材５２の下端に仮支持させる。そして容器１００の主部１０４の閉端を主部保持手段３０から離脱させると共に、容器１００の口頸部１０２を横方向外側に移動させることによって口頸部保持手段３０から離脱させ、容器支持機構１０から容器１００を離脱させることができる。
【００５１】
図１〜図４に示す実施の形態においては、ハウジング２に２個の容器支持機構１０を配設しているが、容器支持機構１０が単一である形態のペースト供給装置にも本発明を適用することができることはいうまでもない。また前記実施の形態において、図示しない受入部は、ベース部材１２の貫通開口１８内に配設されているが、ハウジング２の主部４の受入開口８側に配設してもよい。更に、上述した実施の形態においては、絞り部材６０が最下位置まで降下したことを検出手段６９で検出することによって、容器１００内のペーストが殆ど使用されたことを検出しているが、これに代えてあるいはこれに加えて、マイクロスイッチ又は光学スイッチ等の適宜の検出手段によって同状態を検出することにより、容器１００内のペーストが殆ど使用されたことを検出することもできる。
【００５２】
また、本発明のペースト供給装置は、如何なるペーストの供給にも好都合に適用することができるが、特に、ハウジング２に２個の受入部を配設する共に２個の容器支持機構を配設した態様の装置は、前記歯科用シリコーンラバー印象材、歯科用ポリエーテルラバー印象材、歯科用チオコールラバー印象材、歯科用アルギン酸系印象材等の２成分ペースト型印象材の練和、供給に好適に使用され得ることが理解されるべきである。
【００５３】
本発明によれば、先に述べた技術的課題を解決するため、ハウジングと、口頸部及び柔軟な材料から形成された主部を有しかつペーストを収容した容器を支持するための、該ハウジングに装着された容器支持機構とを備えたペースト供給装置において、
該容器支持機構は、支持される容器の延在方向に延びる支持枠体と、該支持枠体にその長手方向に移動自在に支持された移動枠体と、該移動枠体を該支持枠体の一端部へ向けて付勢するためのばね手段と、容器の主部の閉端部を解除自在に保持するための、該移動枠体の一端部に配設された主部保持手段と、容器の口頸部を解除自在に保持するための、該支持枠体の他端部に配設された口頸部保持手段とを備え、
該移動枠体には、容器の幅方向に細長く延びる挿通開口が形成された絞り部材が、該移動枠体にその長手方向に移動自在に支持され、
容器の主部が閉端部から該絞り部材の該挿通開口に挿通されて該主部保持手段に保持され、口頸部が該口頸部保持手段に保持された状態において、該容器の該主部と該口頸部との間が該ばね手段により引張状態とされ、かつ該絞り部材は収容されているペーストによって膨出状態に維持されている容器の主部に干渉されて口頸部に向かう方向への移動が阻止されるが、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて容器の主部を幅方向全体に渡って圧搾しながら口頸部に向かって移動するよう構成されている、ことを特徴とするペースト供給装置、が提供される。
【００５４】
本発明によれば、前記構成に加えて、該支持枠体は支持ロッド部材から構成され、該移動枠体は該支持ロッド部材にその軸方向に移動自在に支持された外筒部材から構成され、該ばね手段は、該支持ロッド部材と該外筒部材間に介在されて該外筒部材を該支持ロッド部材の一端部へ向けて付勢するコイルばねから構成され、該主部保持手段は、該外筒部材の一端部に配設され、該口頸部保持手段は、該支持ロッド部材の他端部に配設され、該絞り部材は、該外筒部材に軸方向に移動自在に支持された円筒状部材に配設され、
該支持ロッド部材は断面が円形の主ロッド部材と、一端部が、該主ロッド部材の一端部に旋回自在に連結された、該主ロッド部材と同径の補助ロッド部材とを含み、該補助ロッド部材は、該主ロッド部材と共通の軸線上に位置する同軸位置及び該主ロッド部材に直交する直交位置との間を旋回自在であり、
該補助ロッド部材が該直交位置に位置付けられた状態において、該補助ロッド部材の該一端部は、該主ロッド部材の外周面から、半径方向外方に突出するようその長さが規定され、かつ該補助ロッド部材の該同軸位置から該主ロッド部材の他端部に向かう方向に該コイルばねの付勢力に抗して移動させられた該外筒部材の該一端部が、該コイルばねにより該補助ロッド部材の直交面に押圧されてその移動が阻止されることにより、該補助ロッド部材の該直交位置が保持されると共に、該主部保持手段が該口頸部保持手段に対して、容器をセットできる間隔に位置付けられる、ペースト供給装置が提供される。
この発明においては、容器の主部の閉端部と口頸部との間にコイルばねによる付勢力が作用しない状態で、容器を容器支持機構にセットすることができるので、セット操作を容易かつ確実に遂行することができる。また構成が簡単であり、比較的低コストで実用化することができる。
【００５５】
本発明によれば、前記第２の構成に加えて、該補助ロッド部材が該同軸位置に位置付けられた状態において、該補助ロッド部材の該一端部の外周面と該主ロッド部材の該一端部の外周面とが実質上連続するよう構成され、かつ該外筒部材が、該コイルばねによりその一端部が該補助ロッド部材及び該主ロッド部材の各々の該一端部を跨ぐ位置まで該主ロッド部材の他端部から離れる方向に移動するよう付勢されることにより、該補助ロッド部材の該同軸位置が保持されると共に、容器の該引張状態が形成される、ペースト供給装置が提供される。
この発明によれば、一端が補助ロッド部材の直交面に押圧されている外筒部材を、コイルばねの付勢力に抗して、主部保持手段と共に支持ロッド部材の他端部方向に若干移動させ、次いで補助ロッド部材を主ロッド部材に対し同軸位置に位置付け、外筒部材を主部保持手段と共にコイルばねの付勢力に従って補助ロッド部材の方向に移動させることにより、容器の引張状態を形成することができる。したがって、容器の引張状態の形成操作を容易かつ確実に遂行することができる。
【００５６】
本発明によれば、前記第２の構成に加えて、該円筒状部材は、該外筒部材に回転自在に支持され、該円筒状部材の一端部には第１の磁石が配設されると共に該主棒部材の軸線方向に延在するピン孔が形成され、該主部保持手段の、該円筒状部材の該一端部に対向する端部には第２の磁石が配設されると共に該軸線方向にかつ該円筒状部材に向かって延びるピンが装着され、
該主部保持手段と該口頸部保持手段とが、容器をセットできる該間隔に位置付けられた状態で、該絞り部材を最端位置に移動させることにより、該円筒状部材の該ピン孔が該主部保持手段の該ピンに離脱自在に嵌合されて該絞り部材の周方向位置が規定されると共に、該円筒状部材の該第１の磁石が該主部保持手段の該第２の磁石に離脱自在に吸着されて該絞り部材が該主部保持手段に離脱自在に支持される、ペースト供給装置が提供される。
この発明によれば、容器のセット操作を容易かつ確実に遂行することができると共に、主部保持手段の端部に吸着されている絞り部材を容易に引き離すことができるので、容器をセットした後、絞り部材を容易かつ確実に作用態勢とすることができる。
【００５７】
本発明によれば、前記第３の構成に加えて、該円筒状部材の下端部には弾性緩衝部材が配設されている、ペースト供給装置が提供される。
この発明によれば、絞り部材に意図しない外力が作用して絞り部材が主部保持手段から外れて落下し、絞り部材と他の部材との間に操作者の手あるいは指が挟まれても、これを損傷することが防止される。
【００５８】
【発明の効果】
本発明のペースト供給装置においては、絞り部材が、容器の主部の両側部を、それぞれに形成された折れ線に沿って規則的に折り畳ませながら、収容されているペーストの口頸部からの流出に応じて、容器の主部をその閉端部から口頸部に向けて漸次に、幅方向全体にわたって圧搾しながら円滑に移動することができる。したがって、容器の主部の特定部位がそれよりも閉端側にペーストを残留せしめて局部的に圧搾されることが充分効果的に防止されると共に、容器の主部の両側縁部に相当量のペーストを残留させることが効果的に防止され、容器の主部に収容されているペーストの実質上全てを、充分良好に口頸部から流出させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に従って構成されたペースト供給装置の好適実施の形態を示す斜視図。
【図２】図１のペースト供給装置における容器支持機構、絞り部材及び容器を示す部分側面図。
【図３】図１のペースト供給装置における容器支持機構及び容器の一部を示す部分斜視図。
【図４】容器支持機構の他の作動態様を示す斜視部。
【符号の説明】
２ハウジング
１０容器支持機構
１２ベース部材
１６支持ロッド部材
２０ブラケット部材
２４検出手段
３０口頸部保持手段
３４係止フランジ
４０外筒部材
４２ばね押さえ
４４コイルばね
５０主部保持手段
５５保持部材
６０絞り部材
６８ローラ
６９掲出手段
７０及び７４永久磁石
７２ピン孔
７６ピン
７８弾性緩衝部材
１００容器
１０２容器の主部
１０４容器の口頸部
１０６係止フランジ
１０８折れ線
１６０主棒部材
１６２補助棒部材
Ｓ挿通開口[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paste supply apparatus for appropriately supplying a paste contained in a container whose main part is formed of a flexible material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As is well known to those skilled in the art, dental silicone rubber impression materials are mainly composed of a base paste composed mainly of silicones having Si-H groups and silicones having vinyl groups, silicones having vinyl groups and platinum catalysts. It is produced by kneading with a curing agent paste. The dental alginic acid-based impression material is produced by kneading a base paste mainly composed of alginic acid and a hardener paste mainly composed of gypsum. Furthermore, other dental polyether rubber impression materials, dental thiocol rubber impression materials and the like are produced by kneading two types of pastes.
[0003]
As a paste supply device that can be used effectively for such kneading, a paste supply device is proposed in which two receiving portions are provided in the housing and a container support mechanism is provided in association with each of the receiving portions. And is in practical use. A container containing a base paste and a container containing a curing agent paste are supported by the two container support mechanisms, respectively, and the mouth and neck portions of the two containers are connected to the two receiving parts, respectively. In the housing, suction means and a kneading means are arranged in association with each of the two receiving portions. The base paste is sucked by the action of the suction means from the mouth and neck of the container connected to one receiving part, and the curing agent paste is sucked by the action of the suction means from the mouth and neck of the container connected to the other receiving part. Is done. The sucked base paste and curing agent paste are kneaded by the kneading means and discharged from the discharge port provided on the front surface of the housing.
[0004]
As a container for containing the base paste and the curing agent paste, a relatively rigid mouth and neck formed from an appropriate synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and an appropriate one such as an aluminum laminate sheet, a polyethylene sheet or a film. Containers in the form of a main part formed of a flexible material, which may be a synthetic resin sheet or film, are advantageously used. It is preferable that such a container is mounted on the container support mechanism in an inverted state, that is, with the main portion extending upward from the mouth and neck with the mouth and neck being down, and the mouth and neck being connected to the receiving portion. .
[0005]
When the suction means disposed in the housing is activated, the paste contained in the container flows out from the mouth and neck and is sent to the kneading means through the receiving part and the suction means. As the paste flows out of the container, the paste contained in the main part of the container gradually flows toward the mouth and neck as a whole, and the main part of the container has its closed end (that is, the opposite side of the mouth and neck). Gradually squeezing from the closed end located at (2), the paste in the container is supplied to the kneading means satisfactorily without causing any problems. However, in particular, when the so-called yield value of the paste is relatively large, the paste contained in the main part of the container does not move downward, and only the paste on the mouth and neck side of the specific part is not in the mouth. The paste that flows toward the neck and the paste on the closed end side rather than the specific part often stagnate without flowing. Then, due to the occurrence of such a phenomenon, the main part of the container is locally squeezed at a specific site to cause a blockage, and the paste present on the closed end side from such site is in the mouth and neck. There is a tendency that it cannot flow toward.
[0006]
In order to solve the problem as described above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-24273 discloses disposing a throttle member that is movable along the main part of the container supported by the container support mechanism. More specifically, it is disclosed that a rod extending along the main portion of the container supported in an inverted state is provided, and a disc-shaped throttle member is movably fitted to such a rod. The squeezing member biased downward by its own weight, and thus in the direction toward the mouth-neck of the container, is interfered with the main part of the container maintained in a bulging state by the contained paste, and the mouth-neck Although the movement to the direction which goes to a part is blocked | prevented, it moves to the direction which goes to a mouth-neck part, pressing the main part of a container according to the outflow from the mouth-neck part of the accommodated paste. In the paste supply device provided with such a squeezing member, the main part of the container is gradually squeezed from the closed end toward the mouth and neck according to the outflow of the paste from the container by the squeezing action of the squeezing member, As a result, the paste in the container is gradually moved downward as a whole, and as a result, the problem as described above is to be solved.
[0007]
However, the paste supply apparatus disclosed in the above publication is still not fully satisfactory, and the following problems to be solved remain. That is, the squeezing member only acts on the main part of the container from one side, and the paste may remain in the container with a certain thickness depending on the viscosity of the paste. In particular, when a disc-shaped member is used as the squeezing member, the squeezing member is unlikely to act on both side edges in the width direction of the container. For this reason, the paste is not sufficiently squeezed out particularly at both side edges in the width direction of the main portion of the container, and a considerable amount of paste that is not effectively used tends to remain.
[0008]
In order to solve these problems, the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 280147 (filing date: November 15, 1994, title of invention: paste supply device) are supported by a container support mechanism. Further, it is disclosed that a throttle member in which an insertion opening extending in the width direction of the container is formed is movably disposed in the extending direction of the main part of the container. The container is supported by the container support mechanism by inserting its main part from the closed end into the insertion opening of the squeezing member, and the squeezing member is interfered with the main part of the container maintained in the bulging state by the contained paste. Although movement in the direction toward the mouth and neck is blocked, it can be moved in the direction toward the mouth and neck while squeezing the main part of the container according to the outflow from the mouth and neck of the contained paste. It is configured.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to this device, the main portion of the container is gradually squeezed over the entire width direction by the action of the squeezing member from the closed end toward the mouth and neck in response to the paste flowing out from the mouth and neck. . As a result, the paste can flow out from the container without generating a local blockage in the main part of the container and without leaving a considerable amount of paste on both side edges of the main part of the container. It is possible to substantially achieve the purpose.
[0010]
However, according to the experience of the present inventors, even with the paste supply device disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, it is still not satisfactory, and there are the following problems to be solved. Turned out to be. That is, the container has a form in which a fold line (folding line) is formed along the extending direction of the main part at the center part in the thickness direction on both sides of the main part. And in the process in which the squeezing member applied to this type of container is moved in the direction toward the mouth and neck while squeezing the main part of the container according to the outflow of the contained paste from the mouth and neck, There is a tendency that both sides are not regularly folded along the fold line but deformed and wrinkled. When such wrinkles occur, the movement of the throttle member toward the mouth and neck is hindered, and the function is lost. As a result, despite the fact that the squeezing member was applied, the paste in the container was not squeezed out sufficiently effectively, leaving a considerable amount of paste that was not used effectively, and further improvements were desired. .
[0011]
The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned facts, and the technical problem thereof is that the squeezing member accommodates both sides of the main part of the container while regularly folding the side parts along the fold line formed on each side. The main part of the container is gradually moved from its closed end toward the mouth and neck according to the outflow from the mouth and neck of the paste, and can be moved smoothly while being squeezed over the entire width direction. And it is providing the improved paste supply apparatus.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the technical problem, according to the present invention,
In a paste supply apparatus comprising a housing and a container support mechanism mounted on the housing for supporting a container having a mouth and neck and a main part formed of a flexible material and containing a paste.
The container support mechanism includes a support frame extending in the extending direction of a container to be supported, a moving frame supported by the support frame so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and the moving frame as the support frame. Spring means for biasing toward one end of the main body, and main part holding means disposed at one end of the movable frame for releasably holding the closed end of the main part of the container, A mouth-and-neck holding means disposed at the other end of the support frame for releasably holding the mouth-neck of the container,
The movable frame body is supported by the movable frame body so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the diaphragm member formed with an insertion opening extending in the width direction of the container.
In a state where the main portion of the container is inserted from the closed end portion into the insertion opening of the throttle member and held by the main portion holding means, and the mouth and neck portion is held by the mouth and neck portion holding means, the container Between the main part and the mouth-and-neck part is pulled by the spring means, and the squeezing member is interfered with the main part of the container maintained in a bulging state by the contained paste, so that the mouth-and-neck part Although the movement in the direction toward is prevented, the main part of the container is moved toward the mouth and neck while being squeezed over the entire width direction in accordance with the outflow of the contained paste from the mouth and neck. There is provided a paste supply device that is configured.
[0013]
In the paste supply device of the present invention, the main part of the container is inserted from the closed end part into the insertion opening of the throttle member and held by the main part holding means, and the mouth and neck part is held by the mouth and neck part holding means. In this state, the main portion holding means and the mouth and neck portion holding means are held in tension by the spring means. The squeezing member is interfered by the main part of the container maintained in a bulging state by the contained paste and is prevented from moving in the direction toward the mouth and neck, but the mouth and neck of the contained paste The main part of the container is configured to move toward the mouth and neck while being squeezed over the entire width direction in accordance with the outflow from the part. As a result, in the process in which the squeezing member is moved in the direction toward the mouth-neck while compressing the main part of the container according to the outflow of the contained paste from the mouth-neck, both sides of the main part of the container Are regularly folded along the fold line provided on them, and the problem of wrinkling due to deformation is reliably eliminated. Due to the prevention of wrinkling, the function of the squeezing member is sufficiently exerted, without causing a local blockage in the main part of the container, and also corresponding to both side edges of the main part of the container Without leaving an amount of paste, the paste can flow out sufficiently well as desired from within the container.
[0014]
Embodiment
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a fluid supply apparatus configured according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the paste supply apparatus of the present invention that can be suitably used to produce a dental impression material. This paste supply apparatus is provided with a housing denoted as 2 as a whole. The housing 2 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main portion 4 and a protrusion 6 that protrudes upward and forward from the main portion 4. On the upper surface of the main part 4 of the housing 2, two receiving openings 8 (see FIG. 4) are disposed at intervals in the lateral direction, and two container supports are associated with these two receiving openings 8. A mechanism 10 is provided. A container 100 is attached to each of the container support mechanisms 10. The container support mechanism 10 and the container 100 will be described in more detail later.
[0016]
In the housing 2, suction means (not shown) such as two suction pumps arranged in relation to each of the two receiving openings 8, and a mixer such as a static mixer or a dynamic mixer. Summing means (not shown) are provided. The front surface of the projection 6 of the housing 2 is formed with an inclined surface 13 that is inclined downward and extends rearward, and such an inclined surface 13 is inclined to protrude downward and protrudes downward. 14 is attached. The suction means and the kneading means arranged in the housing 2 do not constitute a new feature in the illustrated paste supply apparatus constructed according to the present invention, and these may be of a known form, Therefore, the description of the details of these configurations is omitted in this specification.
[0017]
In the paste supply device as described above, for example, one of the two container support mechanisms 10 is equipped with a container 100 containing a base paste, and the other is equipped with a container 100 containing a curing agent paste. . Then, the paste is sucked from the two containers 100 by the action of the suction means disposed in the housing 2 and fed to the kneading means disposed in the housing 2. The kneading means kneads the paste fed from the two containers 100 to generate a dental impression material, and this impression material is placed in the discharge section 14 disposed on the front surface of the housing 2. It discharges from the discharge port formed in the front-end | tip of the discharge part 14 through a discharge path.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, a container 100 supported by each of the container support mechanisms 10 to be described later includes a relatively rigid mouth-and-neck portion 102 made of an appropriate synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and an aluminum laminate sheet. And a main portion 104 formed of a flexible material which may be an appropriate synthetic resin sheet or film such as a polyethylene sheet or film. Three locking flanges 106 are integrally arranged at intervals in the axial direction at the base portion of the mouth and neck portion 102 where the male screw is formed. Each locking flange 106 has a hexagonal shape when viewed from the axial direction. A fold line (folding line) 108 is formed along the extending direction of the main portion 104 at the center in the thickness direction on both sides of the main portion 104.
[0019]
Each of the two container support mechanisms 10 disposed in relation to the two receiving openings 8 and the configuration of the portion of the housing 2 related thereto are substantially the same. 4, the configuration of one container support mechanism 10 and the portion of the housing 2 related thereto will be described. The container support mechanism 10 includes a base member 12 that is detachably fixed to the upper surface of the main portion 4 of the housing 2, and a support rod member 16 that is pivotally supported by the base member 12 via a pivot shaft 15. Yes. The support rod member 16 constitutes a support frame.
[0020]
The base member 12 having a flat plate shape includes a front part in which the through opening 18 is formed and a rear part having a narrower width than the front part, and the through opening 19 is also formed in the rear part. An inclined surface 12 a is formed at the corner of the upper rear end of the rear portion of the base member 12. The through opening 18 in the front part is positioned coaxially with the receiving opening 8 of the main part 4 of the housing 2. The through-opening 18 is provided with a receiving portion (not shown) in this embodiment, and the receiving portion is formed with a through-opening having a circular cross section for receiving the mouth-and-neck portion 102 of the container 100. A ring is provided (both not shown).
[0021]
A lower end portion of the support rod member 16 is fixed to the bracket member 20 by a screw member 21. The bracket member 20 includes a front portion made of a relatively thin plate-like portion and a rear portion made of a relatively thick plate-like portion. A pair of upright walls 22 extending downward with a gap in the lateral direction are formed at the rear portion. The pair of upright walls 22 are rotatably supported on both side walls of the rear portion of the base member 12 via a pivot shaft 15 extending substantially horizontally. Therefore, the support rod member 16 is connected to the bracket member 20 via the bracket member 20 between the operation position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 and the attachment / detachment operation position (set position) indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is mounted so as to be able to turn around the turning shaft 15. In the working position, the support rod member 16 is positioned to extend substantially vertically. Further, in the attachment / detachment operation position, the support rod member 16 forms an inclination angle α that is preferably 20 degrees ≦ α ≦ 70 degrees, and particularly preferably 30 degrees ≦ α ≦ 60 degrees, and is directed rearwardly (and accordingly). It extends with an inclination (in a direction away from the through-opening 18).
[0022]
On the upper surface of the main portion 4 of the housing 2, detection means 24 is disposed. The detection means 24 is composed of a microswitch having a detection arm protruding upward through the through opening 19 of the base member 12. The lower surface of the rear portion of the bracket member 20 defines the contact surface 26, and the upper surface of the rear portion of the base member 12 defines the contact surface 28. When the support rod member 16 is positioned at the operating position, the contact surface 26 contacts the contact surface 28, and thus the support rod member 16 is prevented from further pivoting counterclockwise in FIG. The rod member 16 (and each member to be described later supported by the support rod member 16) is held at the operation position by its own weight. In addition, the contact surface 26 (in this embodiment, the lower end surface of the support rod member 16) acts on the detection arm of the microswitch that constitutes the detection means 24. As a result, the support rod member 16 is moved to the operation position. The detecting means 24 detects that it has been performed. The detection signal of the detection means 24 is sent to a control means (not shown) which can be constituted by a microcomputer or an electronic control circuit, and only when the detection means 24 is generating a detection signal, the operation of the device ( That is, the above-described operation of the suction means and the kneading means is allowed.
[0023]
When the support rod member 16 is positioned at the attachment / detachment operation position, the rear end of the contact surface 26 comes into contact with the inclined surface 12a of the base member 12, and thus the support rod member 16 further rotates clockwise in FIG. The support rod member 16 (and each member described later supported by the support rod member 16) is held at the mounting operation position by its own weight. If desired, appropriate locking means for releasably locking the support rod member 16 at the operating position and / or the mounting operation position can be provided.
[0024]
At the front part of the bracket member 20, a mouth / neck part holding means 30 for detachably holding the mouth / neck part 102 of the container 100 is disposed. A substantially U-shaped opening 32 is formed in the front portion of the bracket member 20 as viewed from above. The U-shaped open end of the opening 32 is a lateral side edge of the front part of the bracket member 20 (in the container support mechanism 10 located on the right side in FIG. 1, the right side edge of the plate-like part and the container support mechanism located on the left side) 10 is positioned at the left edge of the plate-like portion. A locked flange 34 that extends over the entire inner side and protrudes toward the inner side is formed at the inner upper end that defines the opening 32.
[0025]
Referring mainly to FIG. 4, the support rod member 16 includes a main bar member 160 having a circular cross section, and an auxiliary bar member 162 having a lower end portion pivotably connected to an upper end portion of the main bar member 160. Yes. Therefore, the lower end portion of the main bar member 160 is fixed to the bracket member 20. A lower portion of the main rod member 160 is formed with a large diameter and an upper portion is formed with a small diameter, and a step portion 163 is formed between the two. The auxiliary rod member 162 is configured to have the same diameter as the small diameter portion of the main rod member 160. An operation knob 162 a is disposed at the upper end of the auxiliary bar member 162. The upper end portion of the main rod member 160 is formed in a yoke shape, and the lower end portion of the auxiliary rod member 162 is formed in a flat plate shape. The flat plate-like portion of the auxiliary rod member 162 is positioned at the yoke-like portion of the main rod member 160 and is pivotally connected via a pin 164. As a result, the auxiliary bar member 162 has a coaxial position (position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) located on the same axis as the main bar member 160, and an orthogonal position (position shown in FIG. 4) perpendicular to the main bar member 160. ).
[0026]
In a state where the auxiliary bar member 162 is positioned at the orthogonal position, the length of the lower end portion of the auxiliary bar member 162 is defined so as to protrude outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the main bar member 160. Further, in a state where the auxiliary bar member 162 is positioned at the coaxial position, the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the auxiliary bar member 162 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the main bar member 160 (small diameter portion) are substantially continuous. It is configured.
[0027]
The main rod member 160 supports an outer cylinder member 40 that is a movable frame body so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof. The inner diameter of the outer cylinder member 40 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion of the main rod member 160. A cylindrical spring retainer 42 is fixed to the inner peripheral portion of the upper end portion of the outer cylinder member 40. The spring retainer 42 is positioned in a gap formed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 40 and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion of the main rod member 160, and is movable in the axial direction with respect to the main rod member 160. is there. A coil spring 44 as a spring means is interposed between the step 163 of the main bar member 160 and the spring retainer 42. Thereby, the outer cylinder member 40 is urged toward the upper end portion of the support rod member 16.
[0028]
A slit 46 extending in the axial direction is formed below the outer cylinder member 40, and a stop pin 166 protruding outward in the radial direction is disposed on the large diameter portion of the main rod member 160. The slit 46 is engaged with the stop pin 166. Thereby, rotation with respect to the support rod member 16 of the outer cylinder member 40 is prevented, and the movement range in the axial direction is restricted. The slit 46 and the stop pin 166 constitute a movement range restricting means for the outer cylinder member 40. Note that the length of the end of the stop pin 166 is defined so as not to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 40.
[0029]
The outer peripheral portion of the upper end portion of the outer cylinder member 40 has a main portion holding for releasably holding a closed end (that is, a closed end located on the opposite side of the mouth and neck portion 102) of the main portion 104 of the container 100. Means 50 are provided. The main portion holding means 50 includes a block-like member 52 fixed to the outer peripheral portion at the upper end portion of the outer cylinder member 40. The member 52 is formed with a pair of protruding wall portions 54 (see FIG. 1) that protrudes forward and then extends downward, and a holding member 55 is mounted between the pair of protruding wall portions 54. A short shaft 56 that protrudes substantially horizontally is integrally formed on both lateral sides of the holding member 55, and each of the short shafts 56 is rotatably mounted on each of the pair of protruding wall portions 54. As a result, the holding member 55 is mounted so as to be pivotable between a working position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4 and a non-acting position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 with the central axis of the short shaft 56 as a turning axis. When the holding member 55 is positioned at the working position, the substantially flat clamping surface 57 of the holding member 55 is located close to the front surface 58 of the member 52 and substantially parallel thereto. When the holding member 55 is positioned at the non-operating position, a predetermined gap is formed between the holding member 55 and the front surface 58.
[0030]
The container support mechanism 10 is provided with a throttle member 60 in which an insertion opening S (described later) extending in the width direction of the container 100 is formed. In other words, the cylindrical member 62 is supported on the outer cylinder member 40 so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction thereof, and the throttle member 60 is disposed integrally with the cylindrical member 62. The cylindrical member 62 is made of a material having a relatively high specific gravity such as steel. The diaphragm member 60 is mounted between the support arm 66 and a substantially semicircular main body 64, a support arm 66 disposed so as to protrude in parallel from the both sides in the width direction of the main body 64, and the support arm 66. A pair of rollers 68 is provided. Each of the rollers 68 is configured to extend parallel to each other in the width direction, and the insertion opening S is defined between the rollers 68.
[0031]
Since the insertion opening S in the throttle member 60 is formed between the pair of rollers 68, mutual friction between the main portion 104 of the container 100 inserted through the insertion opening S is understood as will be described later. The action is remarkably small. Therefore, the squeezing member 60 is lowered sufficiently smoothly in response to the paste flowing out of the container 100, and the main portion 104 of the container 100 can be squeezed as desired. The extending length of the insertion opening S is preferably slightly longer than the width direction dimension of the main portion 104 of the container 100. The width of the insertion opening S is preferably slightly larger than the thickness of the main portion 104 of the container 100 in the absence of paste, and the main portion 104 of the container 100 is made of an aluminum laminate sheet or synthetic resin. When formed from a sheet or film, it is preferably 1 to 5 mm, particularly about 2 to 3 mm. When the width of the insertion opening S is excessive, the squeezing action or the squeezing action of the squeezing member 60 on the main part 104 of the container 100 decreases, and the amount of paste that remains in the main part 104 of the container 100 increases.
[0032]
On the other hand, when the width of the insertion opening S is too small, it becomes difficult to insert the main portion 104 of the container 100 from the closed end into the insertion opening S, and the frictional action between the main portion 106 of the container 100 and the throttle member 60 is achieved. The throttle member 60 moves along the outer cylinder member 40 via the cylindrical member 62 and thus in the extending direction of the main portion 104 of the container 100 supported by the container support mechanism 10. It is freely supported by the outer cylinder member 40 and is biased downward by its own weight including the cylindrical member 62, and thus in a direction toward the mouth and neck portion 102 of the container 100 supported by the container support mechanism 10. ing. If desired, appropriate elastic biasing means such as a spring member for biasing the throttle member 60 in the direction toward the mouth-and-neck portion 102 of the container 100 is provided in addition to or instead of the weight of the throttle member 60 itself. You can also
[0033]
In relation to the diaphragm member 60, on the upper surface of the main portion 4 of the housing 2 on the side portion of the bracket member 20, a detection means 69 that can be constituted by a microswitch having a detection arm protruding upward is disposed. ing. The operation of the diaphragm member 60 and the detection means 69 will be described later.
[0034]
A permanent magnet 70 that is a first magnet is disposed at the upper end of the cylindrical member 62, and a pin hole 72 that extends in the axial direction of the main rod member 160 is formed. A permanent magnet 74, which is a second magnet, is disposed at a lower end portion of the member 52 of the main portion holding means 50 facing the upper end portion of the cylindrical member 62, and is disposed in the axial direction and on the cylindrical member 62. A pin 76 extending vertically is attached. By moving the aperture member 60 to the uppermost position along the outer cylinder member 40, the pin hole 72 of the cylindrical member 62 is detachably fitted to the pin 76 of the member 52, and the circumferential position of the aperture member 60 is defined. Is done. At the same time, the permanent magnet 70 of the cylindrical member 62 is detachably attracted to the permanent magnet 74 of the member 52, and the aperture member 60 is temporarily supported by the member 52, and thus the main part holding means 50, so as to be detachable. An annular elastic buffer member 78 formed of a member having elasticity such as synthetic rubber is disposed at the lower end of the cylindrical member 62.
[0035]
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, as described above, the container 100, which may be in a well-known form, includes the mouth / neck portion 102 and the main portion 104. The main part 104 is formed in a bag shape from a flexible material. As will be further described later, the main portion 104 of the container 100 needs to be inserted from the closed end (the upper end in the state shown in FIG. 3) into the insertion opening S of the throttle member 60. In order to facilitate the insertion, if necessary, only the closed end portion of the main portion 104 of the container 100 can be locally rigid. In order to locally increase the rigidity of the closed end portion of the main portion 104 of the container 100, for example, the thickness of the closed end portion is locally increased, or a rigid plate-like piece is attached to the closed end portion. it can.
[0036]
On the other hand, the mouth / neck portion 102 of the container 100 is formed by injection or compression molding from an appropriate synthetic resin as described above, and is relatively rigid. Such a mouth-and-neck portion 102 has a substantially cylindrical shape, is connected to the central portion of one end of the main portion 104, and communicates with the inside of the main portion 104. The clearance between the locking flanges 106 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mouth-and-neck portion 102 and the outer diameter of the mouth-and-neck portion 102 in the clearance are the thickness of the locked flange 34 of the mouth-and-neck portion holding means 56, and the opposing diameter. The interval between the to-be-latched flanges 34 is defined correspondingly. In such a container 100, for example, a base paste or a curing agent paste is accommodated, and before the container 100 is mounted on the container support mechanism 10 as described below, the mouth and neck portion 102 is engaged with a male screw. A lid (not shown) having a female screw to be mated is attached, and the mouth and neck 102 is closed.
[0037]
In the paste supply apparatus as described above, the container 100 can be attached to the container support mechanism 10 by the following procedure. Referring to FIG. 4, first, the main part holding means 50 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 44 from the coaxial position (position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the auxiliary rod member 162 together with the outer cylinder member 40. The auxiliary bar member 162 is positioned at the orthogonal position. Next, by weakening the pushing-down force, the upper end of the main part holding means 50 is pressed against the orthogonal surface of the auxiliary bar member 162 by the urging force of the coil spring together with the outer cylinder member 40, and its movement is prevented. Thereby, the orthogonal position of the auxiliary bar member 162 is held by the biasing force of the coil spring, and the main part holding means 50 is positioned at an interval at which the container 100 can be set with respect to the mouth and neck part holding means 30. These operations can be performed easily and reliably.
[0038]
Next, the aperture member 60 is moved to the uppermost position along the outer cylinder member 40. At that time, the throttle member 60 is turned in the circumferential direction so that the pin hole 72 is aligned with and engaged with the pin 76 of the main portion holding means 50. The permanent magnet 70 of the diaphragm member 60 is attracted to the permanent magnet 74 of the main part holding means 50, and the diaphragm member 60 is temporarily supported by the main part holding means 50. Thereby, the diaphragm member 60 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the main part holding means 50. Positioning and temporary support of the throttle member 60 can be performed by raising and rotating the throttle member 60, so that the operation is very easy, and positioning and temporary support are also reliably performed. Since the elastic buffer member 78 is attached to the lower end of the cylindrical member 62, an unintentional external force acts on the temporarily attached throttle member 60, and it falls off the main part holding means 50 and falls off the bracket member. Even if an operator's hand or finger is pinched between the two, damage to the operator's hand or finger is prevented.
[0039]
Subsequently, the support rod member 16 is turned and positioned at the attachment / detachment operation position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Next, the main portion 104 of the container 100 is inserted from its closed end into the insertion opening S formed between the pair of rollers 68 of the throttle member 60. Thereafter, the holding member 55 of the main part holding means 50 is rotated clockwise to be positioned at the non-operating position, and the closed end inserted through the insertion opening S in the main part 104 of the container 100 is held by the holding member 55 and the member 52. Is inserted into the gap between the front surface 58 of the slab. Next, the holding member 55 is turned counterclockwise to be positioned at the operating position. As a result, the clamping surface 57 of the holding member 55 extends substantially parallel to the front surface 58 of the member 52 at the closed end of the main portion 104 of the container 100, so that the holding member 55 is maintained sufficiently in the operating position. Thus, the closed end of the main portion 104 of the container 100 is compressed and sandwiched. If desired, appropriate locking means for releasably locking the holding member 55 in the operating position can be provided. In addition, a material having a high friction coefficient and elasticity such as a rubber plate can be attached to the fastening surface 57 of the holding member 55 and / or the front surface 58 of the member 52.
[0040]
Subsequent to or prior to holding the closed end of the main portion 104 of the container 100 by the main portion holding means 50, the gap between the locking flanges 106 formed in the mouth and neck portion 102 of the container 100 is set to the mouth and neck portion. The mouth and neck portion 102 of the container 100 is inserted into the opening 32 of the mouth and neck portion holding means 30 by engaging with the locked flange 34 of the holding means 30. As a result, the two locking flanges 106 are locked so as to sandwich the upper and lower sides of the locked flange 34, so that the mouth and neck portion 102 of the container 100 moves in the axial direction with respect to the mouth and neck portion holding means 30. To prevent the mouth and neck 102 from being held sufficiently securely. Further, the opening 32 in which the locked flange 34 is formed opens in the direction of the pivot axis of the support rod member 16, that is, in the container support mechanism 10 located on the right side in FIG. In the container support mechanism 10 located in the position, the container 100 is opened to the left edge of the plate-like portion and closed in the direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, so that the container 100 is swung when the support rod member 16 is swung. There is no risk that the mouth / neck portion 102 of the mouth and neck portion 102 is accidentally detached from the locked flange 34.
[0041]
When the container 100 is attached to the support rod member 16 positioned at the attachment / detachment operation position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 as described above, the container 100 is moved along the support rod member 16 (outer cylinder member 40). Accordingly, the inclination angle α is preferably 20 degrees ≦ α ≦ 70 degrees, particularly 30 degrees ≦ α ≦ 60 degrees, in the rearward direction from the mouth-and-neck portion 102, that is, in the direction away from the upper surface of the main portion 4 of the housing 2. (See FIG. 2). An operation of inserting the main portion 104 of the container 100 from the closed end thereof into the insertion opening S of the throttle member 60, an operation of holding the closed end of the main portion 104 of the container 100 by the main portion holding means 50, and an opening and closing portion holding means 30. Thus, the operation of holding the mouth / neck portion 102 of the container 100 can be performed with the support rod member 16 positioned at the attachment / detachment operation position, so that one operator can perform it easily and quickly. It is.
[0042]
Further, since the container 100 can be set on the container support mechanism 10 in a state where the tensile force by the coil spring 44 does not act between the closed end portion of the main portion 104 of the container 100 and the mouth and neck portion 102, the setting operation is performed. Can be carried out easily and reliably.
[0043]
Thereafter, the diaphragm member 60 is pushed downward from the uppermost position along the outer cylinder member 40. As a result, the permanent magnet 70 of the aperture member 60 is detached from the permanent magnet 74 of the main part holding means 50, and the pin hole 72 is detached from the pin 76. Although the squeezing member 60 tries to move downward due to its own weight, the squeezing member 60 is interfered by the main portion 104 of the container 100 maintained in a bulging state by the contained paste, and its movement is prevented. The squeezing member 60 can be separated from the main part holding means 50 only by releasing the adsorption of the permanent magnets 70 and 74. Therefore, after setting the container 100, the squeezing member 60 is easily and reliably placed in the squeezing state. be able to.
[0044]
Next, the main portion holding means 50 is slightly pushed down along the main rod member 160 together with the outer cylinder member 40 against the urging force of the coil spring 44, and the auxiliary rod member 162 is positioned at a coaxial position with respect to the main rod member 160. In this state, by weakening the pushing-down force, the main portion holding means 50 causes the upper end portion of the outer cylinder member 44 to be connected to the upper end of the main rod member 160 and the auxiliary rod member by the urging force of the coil spring 44 together with the outer cylinder member 40. It moves upward to a position straddling the lower end of 162. Accordingly, the auxiliary rod member 162 is prevented from turning with respect to the main rod member 160, and the coaxial position is maintained (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The main part holding means 50 is biased upward by the coil spring 44 with respect to the mouth and neck part holding means 30, so that a tensile state is formed between the mouth and neck part 102 of the container 100 and the closed end part of the main part 104. It is important that Thereby, the broken line part formed in the both sides of the main part 104 is extended linearly along it. As is apparent from the above description, the operation of forming the container 100 in the tensioned state is extremely easy and can be reliably performed.
[0045]
Next, a lid (not shown) is removed from the mouth-and-neck portion 102 of the container 100 to open the mouth-and-neck portion 102, and the support rod member 16 is swung to the operation position indicated by the solid line in FIGS. When the support rod member 16 is swung to the operating position, the detection means 24 detects this and generates a signal as described above, and the distal end portion of the mouth-neck portion 102 of the container 100 attached to the support rod member 16 Is inserted into a receiving portion (not shown) disposed in the through opening 18 of the base member 12, and an O ring (not shown) is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the mouth / neck portion 102. As a result, a state is established in which the paste accommodated in the container 100 can be sucked into the housing 2 through the receiving portion and the through opening 8 formed in the main portion 4 of the housing 2. As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the support rod member 16 is positioned in the working position, the container 100 is substantially vertically along the support rod member 16 from the neck portion 102 connected to the receiving portion. Extending upwards.
[0046]
As described above, the squeezing member 60 supported by the outer cylinder member 44 attempts to move downward by its own weight, but is maintained in the bulging state by the paste contained in the main portion 104 of the container 100. The main part 104 is interfered with, thereby preventing the downward movement thereof. As a result, in a state where a large amount of paste is accommodated in the main portion 104 of the container 100, the container 100 is located at a portion indicated by a solid line in FIG.
[0047]
When the paste contained in the main portion 104 of the container 100 is gradually discharged from the mouth and neck portion 102 by the suction action of the suction means (not shown) disposed in the housing 2, Accordingly, the throttle member 60 gradually descends toward the mouth and neck portion 102. Since the main part 104 of the container 100 is inserted through the insertion opening S of the throttle member 60 from the upper end, that is, the closed end, when the throttle member 60 is lowered, the main part 104 of the container 100 is the front side and the rear side. From both sides, the paste is gradually squeezed from the upper end, that is, the closed end toward the mouth-and-neck portion 102, and the paste contained in the main portion 104 is gradually caused to flow downward.
[0048]
It is important that the mouth-and-neck portion 102 and the main portion 104 of the container 100 are supported by the container support mechanism 10 in a state of being pulled away from each other by the coil spring 44. As the squeezing member 60 moves due to this tensile action, both sides of the compressed portion of the main portion 104 are regularly folded along the fold line 108 provided on them, so that both sides are deformed. The problem of the occurrence of wrinkles is reliably resolved. Due to the prevention of wrinkling, the function of the squeezing member 60 is fully exerted without causing local blockage in the main portion 104 of the container 100 and also in the main portion 104 of the container 100. The paste can flow out sufficiently satisfactorily as desired from within the container 100 without leaving a considerable amount of paste on both side edges.
[0049]
When substantially all of the paste accommodated in the main portion 104 of the container 100 is discharged from the mouth-and-neck portion 102, the squeezing member 60 descends to a lowermost position (not shown), that is, a position near the lower end of the support rod member 16. When the squeezing member 60 is lowered to the lowest position, the squeezing member 60 acts on (abuts) the detection arm of the detecting means 69, and the squeezing member 60 has been lowered to a position near the lower end, in other words, the paste in the container 100 is removed. The detecting means 69 detects that it has been almost used and generates a signal. A signal generated by the detecting means 69 is sent to the above-mentioned control means (not shown), and the operation of the paste supplying device is made impossible. Thus, by detecting that the squeezing member 60 has moved to a predetermined position by the detecting means 69, it is possible to reliably detect that the paste in the container 100 is almost consumed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of an undesirable phenomenon such as air suction by operating the suction means after the paste in the container 100 is exhausted. If necessary, warning means (not shown) such as a warning lamp is activated to indicate to the user that the container 100 needs to be replaced with a new one.
[0050]
When removing the container 100 attached to the container support mechanism 10, the main part holding means 50 is pushed down against the urging force of the coil spring 44 from the coaxial position of the auxiliary rod member 162 together with the outer cylinder member 40. The auxiliary bar member 162 is positioned at the orthogonal position. Next, the main part holding means 50 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. Thereby, the biasing force of the coil spring 44 against the container 100 is released. Next, the support rod member 16 is turned and positioned at a non-operation position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Next, the diaphragm member 60 is moved upward and temporarily supported on the lower end of the member 52 of the main part holding means 50. Then, the closed end of the main part 104 of the container 100 is detached from the main part holding means 30, and the mouth and neck part 102 of the container 100 is moved outwardly in the lateral direction to be detached from the mouth and neck part holding means 30, thereby The container 100 can be detached from the 10.
[0051]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the two container support mechanisms 10 are arranged in the housing 2, but the present invention is also applied to a paste supply apparatus having a single container support mechanism 10. It goes without saying that it can be applied. In the embodiment, the receiving portion (not shown) is disposed in the through opening 18 of the base member 12, but may be disposed on the receiving opening 8 side of the main portion 4 of the housing 2. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detection means 69 detects that the throttle member 60 has been lowered to the lowest position, thereby detecting that the paste in the container 100 is almost used. Instead of or in addition to this, it is also possible to detect that the paste in the container 100 is almost used by detecting the same state by appropriate detection means such as a micro switch or an optical switch.
[0052]
The paste supply device of the present invention can be applied to any paste supply conveniently. In particular, the housing 2 is provided with two receiving parts and two container support mechanisms. The apparatus of the aspect is suitable for kneading and supplying the two-component paste type impression material such as the dental silicone rubber impression material, the dental polyether rubber impression material, the dental thiocol rubber impression material, the dental alginic acid based impression material. It should be understood that can be used.
[0053]
According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described technical problem, the housing and the neck and the main part formed of a flexible material, and the container for supporting the paste, In a paste supply apparatus comprising a container support mechanism mounted on a housing,
The container support mechanism includes a support frame extending in the extending direction of a container to be supported, a moving frame supported by the support frame so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and the moving frame as the support frame. Spring means for biasing toward one end of the main body, and main part holding means disposed at one end of the movable frame for releasably holding the closed end of the main part of the container, A mouth-and-neck holding means disposed at the other end of the support frame for releasably holding the mouth-neck of the container,
The movable frame body is supported by the movable frame body so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the diaphragm member formed with an insertion opening extending in the width direction of the container.
In a state where the main portion of the container is inserted from the closed end portion into the insertion opening of the throttle member and held by the main portion holding means, and the mouth and neck portion is held by the mouth and neck portion holding means, the container Between the main part and the mouth-and-neck part is pulled by the spring means, and the squeezing member is interfered with the main part of the container maintained in a bulging state by the contained paste, so that the mouth-and-neck part Although the movement in the direction toward is prevented, the main part of the container is moved toward the mouth and neck while being squeezed over the entire width direction in accordance with the outflow of the contained paste from the mouth and neck. There is provided a paste supply device that is configured.
[0054]
According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the support frame is configured by a support rod member, and the movable frame is configured by an outer cylinder member that is supported by the support rod member so as to be movable in the axial direction. The spring means is constituted by a coil spring interposed between the support rod member and the outer cylinder member and biasing the outer cylinder member toward one end of the support rod member, and the main part holding means is The mouth and neck holding means are arranged at the other end of the support rod member, and the throttle member is axially movable with respect to the outer cylinder member. Arranged in a supported cylindrical member,
The support rod member includes a main rod member having a circular cross section, and an auxiliary rod member having one end portion rotatably connected to one end portion of the main rod member and having the same diameter as the main rod member. The rod member is pivotable between a coaxial position located on a common axis with the main rod member and an orthogonal position perpendicular to the main rod member,
In a state where the auxiliary rod member is positioned at the orthogonal position, the length of the one end portion of the auxiliary rod member is defined to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main rod member; and The one end portion of the outer cylindrical member moved against the biasing force of the coil spring in the direction from the coaxial position of the auxiliary rod member toward the other end portion of the main rod member is moved by the coil spring. By being pressed against the orthogonal surface of the auxiliary rod member and preventing its movement, the orthogonal position of the auxiliary rod member is held, and the main part holding means is a container relative to the mouth and neck part holding means. A paste supply device is provided, which is positioned at an interval at which can be set.
In the present invention, since the container can be set on the container support mechanism in a state where the urging force by the coil spring does not act between the closed end portion of the main portion of the container and the mouth and neck portion, the setting operation is easy and easy. Can be carried out reliably. Further, the configuration is simple, and it can be put to practical use at a relatively low cost.
[0055]
According to the present invention, in addition to the second configuration, in the state where the auxiliary rod member is positioned at the coaxial position, the outer peripheral surface of the one end portion of the auxiliary rod member and the one end portion of the main rod member The outer rod member is configured to be substantially continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary rod member and the main rod member to a position where one end portion of the outer rod member straddles the one end portion of each of the auxiliary rod member and the main rod member. Provided is a paste supply device that is biased so as to move away from the other end of the member so that the coaxial position of the auxiliary rod member is maintained and the tensile state of the container is formed. .
According to this invention, the outer cylinder member whose one end is pressed against the orthogonal surface of the auxiliary rod member is moved slightly in the direction of the other end portion of the support rod member together with the main portion holding means against the biasing force of the coil spring. Next, the auxiliary rod member is positioned at a coaxial position with respect to the main rod member, and the outer cylinder member is moved in the direction of the auxiliary rod member in accordance with the urging force of the coil spring together with the main portion holding means, thereby forming a tensile state of the container. be able to. Therefore, the operation of forming the container in a tensile state can be performed easily and reliably.
[0056]
According to the present invention, in addition to the second configuration, the cylindrical member is rotatably supported by the outer cylindrical member, and a first magnet is disposed at one end of the cylindrical member. In addition, a pin hole extending in the axial direction of the main bar member is formed, and a second magnet is disposed at an end portion of the main portion holding means facing the one end portion of the cylindrical member. A pin extending in the axial direction and toward the cylindrical member is attached,
The pin hole of the cylindrical member is moved by moving the throttle member to the extreme end position in a state where the main part holding means and the mouth-and-neck holding means are positioned at the interval where the container can be set. A circumferential position of the throttle member is defined by being detachably fitted to the pin of the main part holding means, and the second magnet of the main part holding means is the second magnet of the main part holding means. A paste supply device is provided in which the throttle member is removably attracted to a magnet and is removably supported by the main part holding means.
According to the present invention, the container setting operation can be performed easily and reliably, and the throttle member adsorbed on the end of the main part holding means can be easily pulled away. In addition, the diaphragm member can be easily and surely set in the acting state.
[0057]
According to the present invention, in addition to the third configuration, a paste supply device is provided in which an elastic buffer member is disposed at the lower end of the cylindrical member.
According to this invention, even if an unintended external force acts on the diaphragm member and the diaphragm member comes off from the main part holding means and falls, the operator's hand or finger is sandwiched between the diaphragm member and another member. This is prevented from damaging.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
In the paste supply device according to the present invention, the squeezing member regularly folds out both sides of the main part of the container along the fold line formed on each of the containers, and the stored paste flows out from the mouth and neck. Accordingly, the main portion of the container can be smoothly moved from its closed end portion toward the mouth-neck portion while being squeezed over the entire width direction. Therefore, the specific part of the main part of the container is sufficiently effectively prevented from being locally squeezed with the paste remaining on the closed end side, and a considerable amount at both side edges of the main part of the container. It is effectively prevented that the paste remains, and substantially all of the paste contained in the main part of the container can flow out of the mouth and neck sufficiently well.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a paste supply apparatus constructed according to the present invention.
2 is a partial side view showing a container support mechanism, a squeezing member, and a container in the paste supply apparatus of FIG. 1;
3 is a partial perspective view showing a container support mechanism and a part of the container in the paste supply apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another operation mode of the container support mechanism.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Housing
10 Container support mechanism
12 Base member
16 Support rod member
20 Bracket member
24 detection means
30 Mouth and neck holding means
34 Locking flange
40 Outer cylinder member
42 Spring retainer
44 Coil spring
50 Main part holding means
55 Holding member
60 Aperture member
68 Laura
69 Posting means
70 and 74 permanent magnets
72 pin hole
76 pins
78 Elastic cushioning member
100 containers
102 Main part of the container
104 The mouth and neck of the container
106 Locking flange
108 polyline
160 Main bar member
162 Auxiliary bar member
S insertion opening

Claims

In a paste supply apparatus comprising a housing and a container support mechanism mounted on the housing for supporting a container having a mouth and neck and a main part formed of a flexible material and containing a paste.
The container support mechanism includes a support frame extending in the extending direction of a container to be supported, a moving frame supported by the support frame so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and the moving frame as the support frame. Spring means for biasing toward one end of the main body, and main part holding means disposed at one end of the movable frame for releasably holding the closed end of the main part of the container, A mouth-and-neck holding means disposed at the other end of the support frame for releasably holding the mouth-neck of the container,
The movable frame body is supported by the movable frame body so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the diaphragm member formed with an insertion opening extending in the width direction of the container.
In a state where the main portion of the container is inserted from the closed end portion into the insertion opening of the throttle member and held by the main portion holding means, and the mouth and neck portion is held by the mouth and neck portion holding means, the container Between the main part and the mouth-and-neck part is pulled by the spring means, and the squeezing member is interfered with the main part of the container maintained in a bulging state by the contained paste, so that the mouth-and-neck part Although the movement in the direction toward is prevented, the main part of the container is moved toward the mouth and neck while being squeezed over the entire width direction in accordance with the outflow of the contained paste from the mouth and neck. A paste supply device, characterized in that it is configured.