Moist powder storage container

Abstract

A wet powder storage container includes a container body capable of storing a wet powder including a powder and a solvent. The container body has an upper storage portion having a supply port for supplying the wet powder, a lower storage portion disposed below the upper storage portion and having a discharge port for discharging the wet powder, and a bridge formation portion provided between the upper storage portion and the lower storage portion. The bridge formation portion promotes formation of a bridge based on the wet powder so as to cut off falling of the wet powder from the upper storage portion to the lower storage portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to containers for storing moist powders. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-265782 discloses a powder supply storage container, which includes a container body, a rotating rod, and an air outlet. The container body is capable of storing powder. A powder inlet is provided at the top of the container body, and a powder outlet is provided at the bottom of the container body. The rotating rod stirs the powder inside the container body. The rotation of the rotating rod suppresses powder agglomeration and blocking. The air outlet is located above the air outlet. The powder is discharged from the air outlet using air discharged from the air outlet. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the case of storing moist powder containing powder and solvent in a storage container as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-265782, the weight of the moist powder stored at the bottom or near the container body generates relatively large compressive stress. Therefore, the solvent may seep out from the moist powder stored at the bottom or near the container body, potentially causing deterioration of the moist powder (such as reduced ductility).

[0004] This disclosure provides a wet powder storage container capable of inhibiting solvent seepage from the wet powder.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure involves a wet powder storage container comprising a container body configured to store a wet powder containing both powder and solvent. The container body includes: an upper storage section having a supply port for supplying the wet powder; a lower storage section disposed below the upper storage section and having a discharge port for discharging the wet powder; and a bridge-forming section disposed between the upper and lower storage sections. The bridge-forming section facilitates the formation of bridges based on the wet powder, thereby preventing the wet powder from falling from the upper storage section to the lower storage section.

[0006] According to this disclosure, a wet powder storage container can be provided that can inhibit solvent seepage from the wet powder. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and in the drawings:

[0008] Figure 1This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wet powder storage container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates a modified example of a container for storing moist powder.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates a modified example of a container for storing moist powder.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates a modified example of a container for storing moist powder.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a wet powder storage container used in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the wet powder storage container used in the comparative example relative to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for evaluating the ductility of wetted powder.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a table showing various evaluation results in the embodiments and comparative examples. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wet powder storage container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This wet powder storage container 1 is, for example, suitable for storing wet powder used in the electrode sheets of a battery storage unit.

[0018] The wet powder storage container 1 has a container body 100 and a crushing component 200.

[0019] The container body 100 is capable of storing moist powder WP containing powder and solvent. The solid content of the moist powder WP is, for example, 70% or more and 84% or less. The solid content is determined, for example, by the dry weight method. The moist powder WP can be granular, flake-like, or clay-like. The particle size of the moist powder WP is, for example, 4 mm or less. The container body 100 of this embodiment can store the moist powder WP in a state where the upper and lower parts are separated. The container body 100 has an upper storage section 110, a lower storage section 120, and a bridge forming section 130. For example, the moist powder WP is in a viscous granular form (like moist sand), not in a paste state. Therefore, the moist powder WP adheres to each other and does not immediately fall from the upper storage section 110 to the lower storage section 120, and the moist powder WP forms the bridge forming section 130. In addition, since the moist powder WP has a certain degree of viscosity, it becomes a bread-like texture when stamped.

[0020] The upper storage section 110 has a supply port 112 for supplying wet powder WP. The supply port 112 opens upward. The upper storage section 110 is formed in a cylindrical shape. More specifically, the upper storage section 110 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0021] The lower storage section 120 is disposed below the upper storage section 110. The lower storage section 120 has a discharge port 122 for discharging wet powder WP. The discharge port 122 opens downwards. The lower storage section 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape. More specifically, the lower storage section 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The central axis of the lower storage section 120 is located on the extension line of the central axis of the upper storage section 110. That is, the upper storage section 110 and the lower storage section 120 are formed with a direction connecting the upper storage section 110 and the lower storage section 120 (…). Figure 1 A cylindrical shape extending along the central axis (in the vertical direction).

[0022] A supply port 124 for supplying wet powder WP may also be provided on the upper part of the lower storage section 120.

[0023] A bridging section 130 is disposed between the upper storage section 110 and the lower storage section 120. The bridging section 130 promotes bridged BR based on wetted powder WP (see reference). Figure 1 The formation of the bridge forming portion 130 (the portion where the wet powder WP is blocked and condensed) prevents the wet powder WP from falling from the upper storage portion 110 to the lower storage portion 120. In other words, the bridge forming portion 130 forms a space S between the wet powder WP stored in the upper storage portion 110 and the wet powder WP stored in the lower storage portion 120.

[0024] The bridge forming portion 130 has a connecting portion 132 that connects the upper storage portion 110 and the lower storage portion 120. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 132 has a neck 132a. The cross-sectional area of ​​the neck 132a on a plane orthogonal to the central axis is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower end portion 111 of the upper storage portion 110 on the plane orthogonal to the central axis, and smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper end portion 121 of the lower storage portion 120 on the plane. The neck 132a may have a shape that curves toward the central axis.

[0025] The pulverizing member 200 pulverizes the bridge BR formed within the container body 100. In this embodiment, a stirrer is used as the pulverizing member 200. The stirrer has a rotating shaft 202, an upper stirring section 210, and a lower stirring section 220.

[0026] The rotating shaft 202 is fixed to the container body 100 along the central axis. The rotating shaft 202 is capable of rotating relative to the container body 100 about the central axis. The rotating shaft 202 has a shape that extends from the upper end of the upper storage section 110 to the lower part of the lower storage section 120.

[0027] The upper stirring section 210 is connected to the portion of the rotating shaft 202 located within the upper storage section 110. The upper stirring section 210 stirs the wet powder WP within the upper storage section 110.

[0028] The lower stirring section 220 is connected to the portion of the rotating shaft 202 located within the lower storage section 120. The lower stirring section 220 stirs the wet powder WP within the lower storage section 120.

[0029] As explained above, in the wet powder storage container 1 of this embodiment, since a bridge forming portion 130 is provided between the upper storage portion 110 and the lower storage portion 120, the wet powder WP stored in the upper storage portion 110 and the wet powder WP stored in the lower storage portion 120 are separated in the vertical direction. Therefore, the weight of all the wet powder WP in the container body 100 acting on the wet powder WP stored at or near the bottom of the lower storage portion 120 can be suppressed, thus preventing solvent from seeping out of the wet powder WP.

[0030] In the above embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the neck 132a can also be formed by an inclined surface that gradually narrows as it faces downward.

[0031] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the connecting portion 132 in the bridge forming portion 130 can also be formed as a cylinder with the same diameter as the upper storage portion 110 and the lower storage portion 120. In this example, the inner surface of the connecting portion 132 (in...) Figure 3 The surface roughness of the part indicated by the thick line in the middle is smaller than the surface roughness of the inner surface of the upper storage part 110.

[0032] In this design, the surface roughness of the inner surface of the connecting portion 132 is smaller than that of the inner surface of the upper storage portion 110. Therefore, the contact area between the wetted powder WP and the connecting portion 132 is larger than the contact area between the wetted powder WP and the inner surface of the upper storage portion 110. Consequently, the friction generated between the wetted powder WP and the inner surface of the connecting portion 132 increases, effectively forming a bridge BR in the connecting portion 132.

[0033] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, the bridge forming part 130 may also have a connecting part 132 and a solvent supply part 134 for supplying solvent to the inner surface of the connecting part 132. The solvent supply part 134 sprays solvent onto the inner surface of the connecting part 132 while rotating relative to the container body 100 about the central axis.

[0034] In addition, in the above embodiment, an agitator is exemplified as the pulverizing member 200, but as the pulverizing member 200, an air supply unit that can blow air to the bridge BR inside the container body 100, or an energy imparting unit (knocker, etc.) that imparts impact energy to the bridge forming part 130 and its surrounding parts in the container body 100 from the outside of the container body 100 may also be used.

[0035] The exemplary implementation described above are specific examples of the following solutions.

[0036] The wet powder storage container in the above embodiment has a container body capable of storing wet powder containing powder and solvent. The container body has: an upper storage section having a supply port for supplying the wet powder; a lower storage section disposed below the upper storage section and having a discharge port for discharging the wet powder; and a bridge forming section disposed between the upper storage section and the lower storage section, and the wet powder forming a bridge in such a way as to cut off the fall of the wet powder from the upper storage section to the lower storage section.

[0037] In this wet powder storage container, a bridge-forming section is provided between the upper and lower storage sections, thus separating the wet powder stored in the upper storage section from the wet powder stored in the lower storage section in the vertical direction. Therefore, the weight of all the wet powder within the container body can be prevented from acting on the wet powder stored at or near the bottom of the lower storage section, thereby preventing solvent seepage from the wet powder.

[0038] Alternatively, the upper and lower storage portions can be formed as a cylinder having a central axis extending along the direction connecting the upper and lower storage portions. In this case, the bridge forming portion may have a necked-out section. The cross-sectional area of ​​the necked-out section on a plane orthogonal to the central axis is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower end of the upper storage portion on the same plane, and smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper end of the lower storage portion on the same plane.

[0039] In this design, since a neck is formed between the upper storage section and the lower storage section, the wet powder stored in the upper storage section and the wet powder stored in the lower storage section are effectively separated in the vertical direction.

[0040] In this case, it is preferable that the constricted neck has a shape that bends toward the central axis.

[0041] This helps prevent moist powder from getting stuck in the neck.

[0042] Alternatively, the bridge forming portion may also have a connecting portion that connects the upper storage portion and the lower storage portion. In this case, the surface roughness of the inner surface of the connecting portion is smaller than the surface roughness of the inner surface of the upper storage portion.

[0043] In this design, the surface roughness of the inner surface of the connecting portion is smaller than that of the inner surface of the upper storage portion. Consequently, the contact area between the wetted powder and the connecting portion is larger than the contact area between the wetted powder and the inner surface of the upper storage portion. Therefore, the friction generated between the wetted powder and the inner surface of the connecting portion increases, thus effectively forming a bridge at the connecting portion.

[0044] Alternatively, the bridge forming portion may include: a connecting portion that connects the upper storage portion to the lower storage portion; and a solvent supply portion that supplies the solvent toward the inner surface of the connecting portion.

[0045] In this scheme, the proportion of solvent in the wetted powder is increased at the joint, thus effectively forming a bridge at the joint.

[0046] Additionally, preferably, the wet powder storage container also includes a crushing component that causes the bridge formed within the container body to collapse.

[0047] In this design, since the bridge can be crushed using the crushing component, it is easy to make the wet powder fall from the upper storage section to the lower storage section.

[0048] For example, the pulverizing component includes a stirrer capable of stirring the wet powder within the container body. The stirrer preferably has an upper stirring section for stirring the wet powder in the upper storage section and a lower stirring section for stirring the wet powder in the lower storage section.

[0049] In this scheme, it is possible to achieve both the collapse of the bridge achieved by the upper stirring section and the promotion of the discharge of wet powder from the outlet achieved by the lower stirring section.

[0050] Next, refer to Figures 5-8 The evaluation results of the wetted powder in both the embodiments described above and the comparative examples therebetween will be explained. The wetted powder used is one containing an active substance, conductive particles, a resin, and a solvent.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the wet powder storage container used in the embodiments. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the wet powder storage container used in the comparative example.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, in the embodiment, with Figure 2 Similarly, the example shown uses a container body 100 having a constricted neck 132a consisting of an inclined surface that gradually narrows as it faces downwards.

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, in the comparative example, a container body 100B formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape is used. A stirrer 200B is provided inside the container body 100B.

[0054] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for evaluating the ductility of wetted powder (WP). For example... Figure 7 As shown, the device has an upper plate 11, a lower plate 12 disposed below the upper plate 11, and an intermediate plate 13 disposed between the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12 in such a way as to contact the upper surface of the lower plate 12.

[0055] The ductility of wetted powder (WP) is evaluated as follows. That is, as... Figure 7 As indicated by the middle arrow, by inserting an intermediate plate 13 between the upper plate 11 and the lower plate 12, the distance h between the upper plate 11 and the intermediate plate 13 is evaluated based on the shear load generated by the wet powder WP sandwiched between the intermediate plate 13 and the upper plate 11. Furthermore, the upper surface of the lower plate 12 and the lower surface of the intermediate plate 13 in contact with it are inclined such that the distance between the upper plate 11 and the intermediate plate 13 decreases as the intermediate plate 13 is inserted.

[0056] Various evaluations, including those on extensibility, were performed on the wet powder WP stored at the bottom A of the container body 100 of the embodiment and the wet powder WP stored at the bottom B of the container body 100B of the comparative example. Figure 8 The evaluation results are shown.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown, the wet powder WP stored at the bottom A of the embodiment showed no solvent seepage and exhibited good ductility (no deterioration). Furthermore, when the wet powder WP was deposited into a film using the MPS film-forming method, no film-forming defects were found.

[0058] On the other hand, the wet powder WP stored at the bottom B of the comparative example showed solvent seepage and poor ductility (deterioration). In addition, when the wet powder WP was used to form a film using the MPS film-forming method, film-forming defects were found.

[0059] Furthermore, the embodiments and examples disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is not shown by the description of the above embodiments and examples, but by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A wet powder storage container, characterized by comprising: a container main body configured to store a wet powder including a powder and a solvent, wherein the container main body comprises: an upper storage portion having a supply port for supplying the wet powder; a lower storage portion disposed below the upper storage portion and having a discharge port for discharging the wet powder; and a bridge formation portion provided between the upper storage portion and the lower storage portion and configured to promote formation of a bridge based on the wet powder so as to cut off falling of the wet powder from the upper storage portion to the lower storage portion, wherein the bridge is capable of inhibiting the solvent from seeping out from the wet powder stored at a bottom portion of the container main body or in the vicinity thereof.

2. The wet powder storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that: the upper storage portion and the lower storage portion are formed in a cylindrical shape having a central axis extending in a direction linking the upper storage portion and the lower storage portion, the bridge formation portion has a necked portion; and a cross-sectional area of the necked portion in a plane orthogonal to the central axis is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a lower end portion of the upper storage portion in the plane orthogonal to the central axis and smaller than a cross-sectional area of an upper end portion of the lower storage portion in the plane.

3. The wet powder storage container according to claim 2, characterized in that: the necked portion has a shape curved in a manner protruding toward the central axis.

4. The wet powder storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the bridge formation portion has a linking portion linking the upper storage portion and the lower storage portion; and a surface roughness of an inner surface of the linking portion is smaller than a surface roughness of an inner surface of the upper storage portion.

5. The wet powder storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the bridge formation portion has a linking portion linking the upper storage portion and the lower storage portion, and a solvent supply portion configured to supply the solvent toward an inner surface of the linking portion.

6. The wet powder storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by further comprising a pulverization member configured to collapse the bridge formed inside the container main body.

7. The wet powder storage container according to claim 6, characterized in that: the pulverization member includes an agitator configured to agitate the wet powder inside the container main body; and the agitator has an upper agitating portion configured to agitate the wet powder inside the upper storage portion, and a lower agitating portion configured to agitate the wet powder inside the lower storage portion. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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