JP2014117721A - Powder feed container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify supplying of relative small amount of powder to a predetermined device in a housing.SOLUTION: A powder feed container 0 comprises: a container body 6 which has a size that the whole body is stored in a housing and in which powder is stored; a discharge port 7 for discharging powder in the container body 6 and being connected to a putting port 31 into which powder to be supplied to a predetermined device 3 is put; and a valve member 8 for blocking between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7 when the discharge port 7 is not connected to the putting port 31 and allowing communication between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7 in a state that the discharge port 7 is connected to the putting port 31.

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder supply container that can be attached to and detached from a predetermined device disposed in a housing and is used to supply powder to the predetermined device.

  2. Description of the Related Art A powder compression molding machine that compresses powder to produce products such as pharmaceutical tablets, foods, and electronic parts is known (see, for example, the following patent document). In general, a powder compression molding machine is provided with a mortar hole penetrating vertically in a table, and upper and lower rivets are slidably held above and below the mortar hole so that powder filled in the mortar hole is filled. Compressed and molded with upper and lower eyelids.

  Filling the mortar with powder is performed by a feed shoe that moves close to the upper surface of the table and moves relative to the table. For example, in the case of a stirring feed shoe, it has a stirring blade rotating inside, and fills the mortar hole while stirring the powder supplied from the hopper with the stirring blade.

  In the field of research and development, there are cases where small quantities of molded articles of various types or compositions are manufactured. Also, since the powder is expensive, there are cases where it is desired to use only a small amount.

  However, the hopper is usually present at the top of the casing of the molding machine, and its inlet is protruding out of the molding machine. Since the molding machine is usually higher than the height of a person, a stepladder or the like must be used when the powder is put into the hopper by the hand of a person.

  Therefore, it is troublesome to put a small amount of powder into the hopper, and the powder adheres to the path until it reaches the feed shoe, resulting in waste. In order to supply a small amount of powder to the feed shoe, it is not appropriate to use a hopper for mass production of a molded product.

  On the other hand, without using a hopper, the powder can be directly supplied to the feed shoe by opening the door of the molding machine and manually.

  However, the amount of powder that can be poured into the feed shoe at a time is limited, and the door must be frequently opened and closed to supply the powder to the feed shoe, which is cumbersome. In addition, there is a risk of spilling powder when it is directly put into the feed shoe.

  Also, for example, when handling powders containing hazard substances (such as those with extremely strong pharmacological activity) that have some effect on the human body, such as steroids and anticancer agents, the workers should not inhale these powders. The containment device (or isolator) housing, which has a sealed structure that shuts off the atmosphere inside the housing from the outside, has completed a wet-down to suppress the scattering of powder remaining inside. The door cannot be opened until Therefore, the housing door cannot be opened to supply the powder to the feed shoe.

JP 2011-177772 A JP 2005-345285 A

  An object of the present invention is to simplify the operation of supplying a relatively small amount of powder to a predetermined device in a housing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a powder supply container that can be attached to and detached from a predetermined device arranged in a housing and is used to supply powder to the predetermined device. The container body has a size that can be accommodated in the casing, and is connected to a container main body in which the powder is stored, and an inlet into which the powder to be supplied to the predetermined device is charged, and the container main body The discharge port for discharging the powder in the inside, and when the discharge port is not connected to the charging port, the container body and the discharge port are blocked, and the discharge port is connected to the charging port A powder supply container including a valve member capable of communicating between the container main body and the discharge port is configured.

  As described above, if the entire powder supply container can be accommodated in the housing, it is not necessary to use a stepladder or the like to put the powder into the hopper, and it is not necessary to frequently open and close the housing door.

  More specifically, the valve member is seated on a valve seat provided in the vicinity of the discharge port to shut off between the container body and the discharge port, and the valve body is the container body. And an actuating member that causes the valve body to move away from the valve seat by being pushed inward.

  The predetermined device is, for example, a feed shoe for filling powder into a mortar hole in a powder compression molding machine that compresses and molds powder filled in a mortar hole with an upper punch and a lower punch. As another example, a pipe line connected to the feed shoe may be used.

  In the powder supply container according to the present invention, it is preferable that the casing is contained. In addition, the containment device is particularly preferably a powder compression molding machine.

  In addition, the powder supply container according to the present invention is preferably a container that is put in and out via a RTP (Rapid Transfer Port) in a containment device. If it is a containment device such as an isolator, the door cannot be opened before wet-down, but with such a configuration, the powder supply container can be taken in and out via the RTP, and hands can be put on the glove. Even in the inserted state, the powder supply container can be easily attached to and detached from the predetermined apparatus, and the operation can be easily performed without spilling powder.

  A powder supply method for supplying powder to a predetermined device arranged in a housing is a method of supplying powder to a container main body having a size that is entirely accommodated in the housing, and then Introducing into the housing; connecting a discharge port provided in the container body to an input port into which powder to be supplied to the predetermined device is charged; and the container body and the discharge port. The valve body that cuts off the gap is driven to communicate between the container body and the discharge port, and the powder is discharged from the discharge port and supplied to the predetermined device while the container body is housed in the housing. And a step of performing.

  Note that the powder refers to an aggregate of fine solids, and includes so-called granules and powder having a shape smaller than the granules.

  According to the present invention, the operation of supplying a relatively small amount of powder to a predetermined device in the housing can be simplified.

The perspective view which shows the housing | casing of the rotary type powder compression molding machine in one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the mechanism inside the housing | casing of the same powder compression molding machine. The top view which shows the mechanism inside the housing | casing of the same powder compression molding machine. Sectional drawing which shows RTP of the powder compression molding machine. The perspective view which shows the powder supply container in the embodiment. The side view which fractures | ruptures and shows the half part of the powder supply container. The perspective view which shows the powder supply container in the embodiment. The side view which fractures | ruptures and shows the half part of the powder supply container. The perspective view which shows one of the modifications of this invention.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a rotary powder compression molding machine (hereinafter referred to as “molding machine”) to which the powder supply container 0 of the present embodiment is applied. This molding machine is used for the purpose of producing products such as pharmaceutical tablets, foods, and electronic parts by compression molding powder.

  The basic mechanism of the molding machine is the same as that known. That is, a plurality of mortar holes (not shown) penetrating vertically on a table (not shown) of the rotating disk 2 are provided along the circumferential direction, and upper and lower ridges 21 and lower ridges (see FIG. Not shown). The upper collar 21 is held by the upper collar holding part 22 of the turntable 2 so as to be vertically slidable, and the lower collar is held by the lower collar holding part (not shown) of the turntable 2 so as to be rotatable up and down. The turntable 2 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and rotates horizontally with the upper and lower eyelets 21 and 21.

  A feed shoe 3 which is a predetermined device for filling each mortar hole of the table with a powder is installed at a predetermined position on the rotation track of the rotating disk 2. A feed port 31 for feeding powder into the feed shoe 3 is provided on the upper surface of the feed shoe 3. When mass-producing a product, one end of a duct for powder distribution (not shown) is connected to the inlet 31 and the other end of the duct is connected to the hopper 4 so that the powder from the hopper 4 through the duct can be connected. The body is continuously supplied to the inlet 31. The hopper 4 is present at the top of the casing 1 of the molding machine.

  At another predetermined location on the rotation track of the turntable 2, there are an upper roll (preloading roll 51, main pressure roll 52) for pressing the upper punch 21 downward, and a lower roll for pressing the lower punch upward. (Not shown) is installed.

  When the mortar hole of the rotating disk 2 passes just below the feed shoe 3, the powder is filled from the feed shoe 3 into the mortar hole. When the pair of the upper punch 21 and the lower punch passes between the upper rolls 51, 52 and the lower roll, the upper punch 21 and the lower punch are pressed by the rolls 51, 52 and approach each other, The powder inside is compressed from above and below to form (tablet). The molded product is pushed up to the upper surface of the table by the lower punch, scraped off by the take-out damper 53, and collected in the molded product collection unit 54.

  The turntable 2, the cage 21, the electric motor, the feed shoe 3, the rolls 51, 52 and the like are surrounded by the housing 1. The housing 1 is made into a containment, and isolates the atmosphere inside the housing 1 housing the rotating disk 2 and others from the external space.

  A plurality of insertion ports 11 to which a glove (not shown) is attached are opened on the side wall of the housing 1.

  In addition, an RTP 12 is installed on the side wall of the housing 1. With the RTP 12, articles (including a powder supply container 0 described later) can be taken in and out between the inside and the outside of the housing 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the RTP 12 includes a carry-in / out port 121 opened on the side wall of the housing 1, a lid (or door) 122 that opens and closes the carry-in / out port 121, and an RTP that is detachable from the carry-in / out port 121. The container 123 is an element. The RTP container 123 also includes a removable lid 124.

  In order to load / unload articles via the RTP 12, the RTP container 123 fitted with the lid 124 is pushed toward the carry-in / out port 121 as shown in FIG. Then, the RTP container 123 is fixed to the peripheral portion of the carry-in / out port 121 in a state where airtightness is ensured, and at the same time, the lid 124 of the RTP container 123 is fixed to the lid body 122 that closes the carry-in / out port 121.

  Then, the lid body 122 is detached from the carry-in / out port 121 and the RTP container 123 together with the lid 124, and the inside of the housing 1 and the inside of the RTP container 123 are communicated. Incidentally, the lid body 122 may be a flap type part of which is connected to the housing 1 via a hinge or the like and opened and closed. Since the outer surface of the lid body 122 is covered with the lid 124 and the outer surface of the lid 124 is covered with the lid body 122, they are not exposed to the atmosphere inside the housing 1.

  After that, if the lid 122 is attached again to the carry-in / out entrance 121 and closed, the atmosphere inside the housing 1 can be blocked from the external space. At this time, since the lid 124 is reattached to the RTP container 123 at the same time, the atmosphere inside the RTP container 123 is also blocked from the external space. When the RTP container 123 is rotated about the axis, the RTP container 123 and its lid 124 can be detached from the carry-in / out port 121 and the lid body 122.

  5 to 8 show the powder supply container 0 of the present embodiment. The powder supply container 0 of this embodiment can be attached to and detached from the inlet 31 of the feed shoe 3 disposed in the housing 1. The powder supply container 0 includes a container body 6 in which powder is stored, a discharge port 7 connected to the input port 31 of the feed shoe 3 to discharge powder in the container body 6, and the discharge port 7 serving as the feed shoe 3. And a valve member 8 that shuts off between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7 when not connected to the charging port 31.

  The container body 6 is made of, for example, plastic (or synthetic resin) such as polyethylene terephthalate or polystyrene. The container body 6 is preferably transparent or translucent so that the remaining amount of powder inside can be visually recognized.

  In the discharge port 7, a cylindrical body 71 with a flange 711 is attached to the inner periphery of the spout formed at the tip of the container body 6. The cylinder 71 is made of a metal or other material having high rigidity, and the inside thereof becomes a powder flow path. The flange 711 is provided on the distal end side of the cylindrical body 71, and comes into contact with the distal end surface of the spout when the cylindrical body 71 is inserted into the spout of the container main body 6. Deter entry into the interior. A valve seat 712 on which a valve body 82 described below is seated is provided on the proximal end side of the cylindrical body 71.

  The valve member 8 includes a valve body 82 that closes the proximal end side of the cylindrical body 71 by being seated on the valve seat 712, and an operating member 81 that causes the valve body 82 to move toward and away from the valve seat 712. . The valve body 82 has a conical outer surface on the discharge port 7 side. The outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 71 but smaller than or substantially equal to the inner diameter of the spout of the container body 6. When the outer surface of the valve body 82 is in close contact with the base end side edge of the cylindrical body 71 serving as the valve seat 712, the inside of the container body 6 and the inside of the cylinder body 71 are isolated from each other, and the powder flowing in the container body 6 flows down. Is blocked. The counter discharge port 7 side of the valve body 82 has a curved surface in which the central portion bulges more than the outer edge portion.

  The actuating member 81 extends along the axial direction of the discharge port 7 (the cylindrical body 71), and slides along the same direction with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 71. The actuating member 81 is made of a metal or other material having high rigidity, like the cylinder 71. The actuating member 81 is obtained by attaching a connecting portion 812 for connecting to the valve member 8 to a cylindrical portion 811 whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 71. As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portion 812 includes a horizontal support shaft 812 a that extends in the radial direction on the proximal end side of the tubular portion 811, and the container body 6 along the axial direction from the horizontal support shaft 812 a. And a vertical support shaft 812b extending inward. The horizontal support shaft 812a is fixed to the cylindrical portion 811 and the vertical support shaft 812b is fixed to the valve member 8, respectively. By interposing the connecting portion 812, both are maintained in a separated state so that a gap 83 is formed between the base end of the cylindrical portion 811 of the operating member 81 and the valve member 8. Then, the powder in the container body 6 flows into the cylinder 71 and the operation member 81 (the cylindrical portion 811 thereof).

  The lid 61 on the side opposite to the discharge outlet 7 of the powder supply container 0 can be attached to and detached from the container main body 6, and the lid 61 is removed to put the powder into the container main body 6. Normally, powder is stored in the container body 6, the lid 61 is remounted on the container body 6 and the lid is closed, and then the powder supply container 0 is carried into the housing 1 via the RTP 12. However, the lid 61 may be removed from the container main body 6 in the housing 1 and the powder may be put into the container main body 6 in the housing 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the valve body 82 is seated on the valve seat 712, the powder in the container main body 6 is not discharged from the discharge port 7, and the tip of the cylindrical portion 811 of the operating member 81. The side protrudes outward from the tip of the discharge port 7 (tip surface of the cap 72).

  In the course of the operation of connecting the discharge port 7 of the powder supply container 0 downward and connecting to the input port 31 of the feed shoe 3 from above, the tip of the cylindrical portion 811 of the operating member 81 is the input port of the feed shoe 3. It abuts on the inner peripheral edge of 31 and the like. When the discharge port 7 is displaced downward with respect to the feed shoe 3 together with the container body 6, the valve body 82 is separated from the valve seat 712 as shown in FIGS. Allow the body to flow down. That is, the powder enters the inside of the working member 81 from the gap 83 between the valve body 82 and the working member 81, and the powder flows down inside the working member 81 and is connected to the inlet 31 of the feed shoe 3. It is discharged from the outlet 7 and injected into the feed shoe 3.

  When the powder supply container 0 is displaced upward so that the discharge port 7 connected to the input port 31 of the feed shoe 3 is separated from the input port 31, the valve element 82 is again moved as shown in FIGS. It sits on the valve seat 712 and prohibits the powder in the container body 6 from flowing down. That is, the powder cannot flow into the operating member 81 and is not discharged from the discharge port 7.

  The powder supply container 0 of the present embodiment is accompanied by a stopper 9 for suppressing relative displacement of the valve member 8 with respect to the container body 6. The stopper 9 plays a role of holding the valve member 8 so as not to be displaced with respect to the discharge port 7 by being interposed between the discharge port 7 and the operation member 81.

  On the distal end side of the cylindrical portion 811 of the actuating member 81, there is a reduced diameter portion 811a having a relatively small diameter, and an enlarged diameter portion 811b which is closer to the distal end than the reduced diameter portion 811a and is thicker than the reduced diameter portion 811a. And are formed. The stopper 9 is fitted to the reduced diameter portion 811 a of the cylindrical portion 811.

  In this embodiment, the stopper 9 is composed of a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of members 91. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when all of them are fitted to the reduced diameter portion 811a, the upper surface of the stopper 9 is the discharge port 7 (the front end surface of the cap 72), and the lower surface is the expanded diameter. The portion 811b (the end surface facing the discharge port 7) is in contact with each other, and the distance between the discharge port 7 and the enlarged-diameter portion 811b is kept at a maximum. Therefore, the valve body 82 seated on the valve seat 712 cannot be separated from the valve seat 712, and the discharge port 7 remains closed. The stopper 9 is useful for preventing the powder in the container main body 6 from unexpectedly leaking when the powder supply container 0 is transported.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the valve body 82 can be displaced in a direction away from the valve seat 712 by removing the stopper 9 from the reduced diameter portion 811a. 7 and 8 show a state in which all members 91 constituting the stopper 9 are removed. The member 91 fitted to the reduced diameter portion 811a restricts the movable range of the operating member 81 so that the enlarged diameter portion 811b does not approach the discharge port 7 by a predetermined distance or more. As a result, the separation distance of the valve body 82 from the valve seat 712, in other words, the opening degree of the discharge port 7 and the discharge flow rate of the powder are suppressed to a certain level or less.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the powder supply container 0 of the present embodiment is set to a size that can be used in a state where the powder supply container 0 is housed in the housing 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the present powder supply container 0 is sized to be accommodated in the RTP container 123, and can be taken in and out between the inside and outside of the housing 1 via the RTP 12.

  When supplying the powder to the feed shoe 3 disposed in the casing 1, the container body 6 is introduced into the casing 1 via the RTP 12 after the powder is stored in the container body 6, and the discharging is performed. The outlet 7 is connected to the inlet 31 of the feed shoe 3, and the valve body 82 that shuts off between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7 is driven to communicate between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7. Powder is discharged from the discharge port 7 and supplied to the feed shoe 3.

  Moreover, although the residual amount of the powder in the container main body 6 decreases by discharging powder from the discharge port 7, a confirmation sensor (not shown) is provided to detect the residual amount of the powder. There may be. For example, the powder in the container body 6 is confirmed using a transmission type laser sensor. In addition, you may confirm using another sensor. The confirmation sensor may be provided in the casing 1 of the molding machine or may be provided in the container body 6.

  In the present embodiment, the powder supply container 0 is detachable with respect to a predetermined device 3 arranged in the housing 1 and used for supplying powder to the predetermined device 3. The whole is dimensioned to be accommodated in the housing 1, and is connected to a container body 6 in which the powder is stored, and an input port 31 into which the powder to be supplied to the predetermined device 3 is input, A discharge port 7 for discharging the powder in the container body 6, and when the discharge port 7 is not connected to the charging port 31, the container body 6 and the discharge port 7 are blocked, and the discharge port A powder supply container 0 including a valve member 8 capable of communicating between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7 in a state where 7 is connected to the charging port 31 is configured.

  According to the present embodiment, when a relatively small amount of powder is supplied to the predetermined device 3, the powder is stored in the container body 6 of the powder supply container 0 and is carried into the housing 1 to be predetermined. By connecting to the charging port 31 of the apparatus 3, the powder can be easily supplied.

  The valve member 8 is seated on a valve seat 712 provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 7, and a valve body 82 that blocks between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7, and the predetermined device 3. The discharge port 7 is connected to the input port 31 because the actuating member 81 that causes the valve element 82 to move away from the valve seat 712 by being pushed inward while contacting The container body 6 and the discharge port 7 communicate with each other due to the connected operation (that is, the attachment operation for bringing the powder supply container 0 close to the feed shoe 3 as the predetermined device 3), and the powder in the container body 6 Can be discharged and supplied to a predetermined apparatus 3.

  This powder supply container 0 is used as a feed shoe 3 for filling powder into a die hole in a powder compression molding machine that compresses and molds powder filled in a die hole with an upper punch 21 and a lower punch. Suitable for use in supplying powder.

  The casing 1 is preferably contained. This powder supply container 0 can be taken in and out via the RTP 12.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the step of introducing the container body 6 into the housing 1 after the powder is contained in the container body 6 having a size that can be accommodated in the housing 1 as a whole, A step of connecting the discharge port 7 provided in the container body 6 to the input port 31 into which the powder to be supplied to the predetermined device 3 is charged, and between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7 The shut-off valve body 82 is driven to communicate between the container body 6 and the discharge port 7, and the powder is discharged from the discharge port 7 while the container body 6 is housed in the housing 1. A powder supply method including a step of supplying the predetermined device 3 can be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a connecting portion 812 that connects the operating member 81 and the valve body 82 is formed by connecting a peripheral edge portion on the proximal end side of the tubular portion 811 of the operating member 81 and a lower end portion of the valve body 82 (or You may comprise by the some rod-shaped material 812c connected with the outer surface of the valve body 82).

  An apparatus to which powder is supplied using the powder supply container according to the present invention is not limited to a feed shoe of a powder compression molding machine.

  Other specific configurations of each part can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

0 ... Powder supply container 1 ... Housing 12 ... RTP
3 ... Predetermined device (feed shoe)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Input port 6 ... Container main body 7 ... Discharge port 72 ... Valve seat 8 ... Valve member 81 ... Actuating member 82 ... Valve body

Claims (6)

A powder supply container (0) that can be attached to and detached from a predetermined device (3) disposed in the housing (1) and is used to supply powder to the predetermined device (3). There,
A container body (6) that has a dimension that is entirely accommodated in the housing (1), and stores the powder;
A discharge port (7) connected to an input port (31) into which powder to be supplied to the predetermined device (3) is input, and discharging the powder in the container body (6);
When the discharge port (7) is not connected to the input port (31), the container main body (6) and the discharge port (7) are blocked, and the discharge port (7) is connected to the input port (31). A powder supply container (0) comprising a valve member (8) that allows communication between the container main body (6) and the discharge port (7) in a state of being connected to the container. The valve member (8)
A valve body (82) seated on a valve seat (72) provided in the vicinity of the discharge port (7) and blocking between the container body (6) and the discharge port (7);
An actuating member (81) for causing an operation of separating the valve body (82) from the valve seat (72) by being brought into contact with the predetermined device (3) and being pushed inward of the container body (6). The powder supply container (0) according to claim 1, comprising: The predetermined device (3) includes a feed shoe (3) for filling powder into a die hole in a powder compression molding machine that compresses and molds powder filled in a die hole with an upper punch and a lower punch. The powder supply container (0) according to claim 1 or 2. The powder supply container (0) according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the casing (1) is contained. The powder supply container (0) according to claim 4, wherein the powder supply container (0) can be taken in and out via an RTP (Rapid Transfer Port) (12). A method for supplying powder to a predetermined device arranged in a housing,
Introducing the container body into the casing after the powder is contained in the container body having a size that is entirely accommodated in the casing;
Connecting a discharge port provided in the container body to an input port into which powder to be supplied to the predetermined device is input;
The valve body that blocks between the container body and the discharge port is driven to communicate between the container body and the discharge port, and the powder is discharged from the discharge port in a state where the container body is accommodated in the housing. A powder supply method comprising: discharging and supplying to the predetermined device.

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