Powder discharge device

Abstract

To suppress scattering of powder to surroundings when putting powder into a storage bag or when removing the storage bag.SOLUTION: A powder discharge device 1 has an inlet 10a in an inlet pipe 10 through which powder is introduced from a storage bag 100, and has an outlet 11a in an outlet pipe 11 through which the introduced powder is discharged. The powder discharge device 1 includes a sealing member 30 that airtightly seals a discharge portion 101 of the storage bag 100 and an inlet 10a while the containing bag 11 and the inlet 10a are in communication with each other. The inlet 10a of the inlet pipe 10 and the sealing member 30 deform the discharge portion 101 inside the sealing portion consisting of the inlet pipe 10 and the sealing member 30 so that the discharge portion 101 is folded back toward an upstream side and then folded back toward a downstream side in a flow direction of the powder being input from the storage bag 100 to the inlet 10a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder discharging device into which powder filled in a flexible storage bag is introduced and the introduced powder is discharged.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in factories and the like that handle powders, flexible storage bags such as flexible container bags (hereinafter referred to as flexi bags) have been used for transporting and storing powders.

[0003] In a flexi bag, after powder is introduced and filled (stored) from the charging part with the discharging part closed, transportation, storage, etc. are carried out with the charging part closed. Further, the flexi bag is suspended by a hoist or the like with the discharging part facing downward and is disposed above the powder discharging device, and the powder is discharged from the discharging part toward the powder discharging device. Specifically, by covering the outer periphery of the lower end of the discharging part of the flexi bag outside the inlet of the powder discharging device, chucking (fixing) the discharging part with respect to the inlet, sealing it, and then opening the discharging part, the powder is introduced from the discharging part of the flexi bag into the inlet of the powder discharging device.

[0004] For example, the powder conveying device from a flexible container bag described in Patent Document 1 includes a hopper that receives the powder that falls from the flexible container bag suspended by a hoist. The hopper includes a receiving part that receives the lower end opening peripheral edge of the flexible container bag from below over the entire circumference at the upper edge of the main body, and a chucking device that presses and holds the lower end opening peripheral edge of the flexible container bag received by the receiving part against the receiving part over the entire circumference. The chucking device includes two cylinders supported by brackets on the main body, a pressing plate connected to the upper ends of both cylinders and moving up and down toward the receiving part, and an annular elastic body fixed to the lower surface of the pressing plate so as to face the receiving part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-272629 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In a conventional powder discharging device, with the lower peripheral edge of a flexible container bag chucked (fixed) and sealed at the inlet, the powder inside the flexible container bag is introduced into the inlet by gravity fall. At this time, a phenomenon occurs in which the powder scatters or rises inside the communicating portion between the flexible container bag and the inlet. Since only a minute portion of the lower peripheral edge of the flexible container bag contacts and seals the inlet, minute steps or gaps are formed between the flexible container bag and the inlet. Such a sealing portion of the flexible container bag is exposed to the space where the powder rises, making it easy for the rising fine powder to adhere to and accumulate on the sealing portion.

[0007] Also, after the powder charging into the powder discharging device is completed, the flexible container bag is released from being chucked with the inlet of the powder discharging device and is pulled upward by a hoist or the like and removed (separated) from the inlet. At this time, when the lower peripheral edge of the flexible container bag is released from the inlet, the powder adhering to and deposited on the lower peripheral edge diffuses, scatters, and floats around the powder discharging device instead of falling into the inlet. As a result, there is a risk of problems such as contamination around the powder discharging device and health hazards to workers.

[0008] In addition, in the prior art such as the powder conveying device of Patent Document 1, it includes a receiving part that receives the lower end opening peripheral edge of a flexible container bag from below, and an annular elastic body that is fixed facing the receiving part on the lower surface of a pressing plate that moves up and down toward the receiving part, and sandwiches the lower end opening peripheral edge between the receiving part and the elastic body to perform airtight chucking. However, since the upper surface of the receiving part is formed into an upwardly convex curved surface or a curved surface, the elastic body cannot be strongly pressed, there is a risk of a decrease in airtightness, and there is a risk that powder adheres and accumulates in the gap formed between the upper surface of the receiving part and the elastic body. Further, in order to attach the receiving part to the upper edge of the hopper, the number of parts and the mounting man-hours increase, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a powder discharging device that can suppress the scattering of powder to the surroundings when powder is introduced from a storage bag or when the storage bag is removed. In particular, in the present invention, in the airtight state (close contact state) between the pressing member of the storage bag and the charging pipe, the sealing property (airtight state) is enhanced, and the folded-back portion (N-shaped) of the storage bag is surely formed to prevent the scattering of powder to the surroundings, and to provide a powder discharging device excellent in economy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a first powder discharging device of the present invention is a powder discharging device into which powder filled in a flexible storage bag is introduced and the introduced powder is discharged, and includes an inlet through which the powder is introduced from the storage bag, an outlet through which the introduced powder is discharged, and a sealing member that seals the discharge part of the storage bag and the inlet in an airtight manner in a state where the storage bag and the inlet communicate with each other. The inlet and the sealing member are characterized in that, in the flow direction of the powder introduced from the storage bag to the inlet, after folding back the discharge part upstream and then folding back downstream, the discharge part is deformed.

[0011] According to the first powder discharging device of the present invention, since the discharge part is deformed by the seal member so as to be folded back to the downstream side, the force received by the discharge part during deformation can be relaxed, damage to the discharge part can be suppressed, further, the number of parts and the mounting man-hour can be reduced, and the economy can be improved. Further, since the upper tip of the charging pipe serving as the charging port is relatively thin, the seal member can be strongly pressed with the storage bag sandwiched therebetween, and the sealing property (airtightness) can be enhanced.

[0012] Further, in the powder discharging device, since the folded-back portion of the discharge part folded back upstream by the deforming part composed of the charging pipe and the seal member is located inside the seal part, when viewed from the inside of the communication space between the storage bag and the charging port, the folded-back portion covers the seal part, so that the exposure of the seal part is suppressed and it is difficult for the powder in the communication space to reach the seal part. Further, the discharge part is folded back to the downstream side at the seal part, so that it adheres closely along the wall surface constituting the charging port, and it is difficult for a step or a gap to occur between the discharge part and the like. Therefore, even if the powder rises in the communication space of the storage bag and the charging port, it is difficult for the powder to adhere and accumulate on the seal part of the discharge part.

[0013] Therefore, the powder existing around the seal part of the discharge part can be minimized, so that the airtight state between the discharge part and the charging port can be stabilized. Further, when the storage bag is separated from the powder discharging device, even if the airtight state is released and the discharge part comes off from the charging port, the powder floating and staying around the seal part of the discharge part can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the contamination of the periphery of the device with powder and suppress the occurrence of health hazards to the operator. That is, the powder discharging device can suppress the scattering of powder to the surroundings when the powder is charged from the storage bag or when the storage bag is removed.

[0014] The second powder discharging device of the present invention includes a pressing member disposed upstream of the inlet in the flow direction, and a moving unit that moves the pressing member in an approaching or separating direction with respect to the inlet. The sealing member is attached to the lower side of the pressing member, and when the pressing member approaches the inlet, at least a part of the sealing member protrudes downstream of the inlet, so that the discharge portion is configured to turn back upstream.

[0015] According to the second powder discharging device of the present invention, when the pressing member is moved closer to the inlet by the moving unit with the storage bag covering the inlet, the discharge portion is turned back upstream by the sealing member protruding downstream of the sealing portion. Since the folded portion of the discharge portion turned back upstream by the sealing member is located inside the sealing portion, when viewed from the inside of the communication space between the storage bag and the inlet, the folded portion covers the sealing portion, suppressing the exposure of the sealing portion and making it difficult for the powder in the communication space to reach the sealing portion.

[0016] In the third powder discharging device of the present invention, the pressing member is opened corresponding to the inlet and includes an introduction port for introducing the discharge portion, and the sealing member is formed in an annular shape along the inner circumference of the introduction port.

[0017] According to the third powder discharging device of the present invention, since the sealing member provided along the inner circumference of the introduction port turns back the discharge portion upstream downstream of the sealing portion, it is possible to cover the sealing portion across the inner circumference of the introduction port to suppress exposure, and it is possible to further suppress the powder existing around the sealing portion of the discharge portion.

[0018] The fourth powder discharging device of the present invention includes a flow pipe communicating from the inlet to the outlet, and a collection duct surrounding the flow pipe. The collection duct has an opening opened around the inlet upstream in the flow direction, and a connection port connected to a dust collection device for collecting the powder.

[0019] According to the fourth powder discharging device of the present invention, powder diffused and scattered around the charging port can be efficiently collected through the opening, and the collected powder can be sent to a dust collecting device. Therefore, contamination by powder around the device and the occurrence of health hazards to workers can be further suppressed.

[0020] The fifth powder discharging device of the present invention includes a flow pipe communicating from the charging port to the discharge port. The moving part includes a pair of air cylinders for raising and lowering the pressing member with respect to the charging port, and a pair of cylinder guides arranged along the air cylinders. One end of the air cylinder and one end of the cylinder guide are connected to the pressing member, and one of the air cylinders and one of the cylinder guides, and the other air cylinder and the other cylinder guide are arranged to face each other with the flow pipe interposed therebetween.

[0021] According to the fifth powder discharging device of the present invention, the pressing member can be raised and lowered using an air cylinder. Further, even when a synchronization deviation occurs in the control of the pair of air cylinders, the parallel straightness of the pair of air cylinders can be ensured by the pair of cylinder guides, and both ends of the pressing member can be stably raised and lowered in parallel without being affected by the synchronization deviation. Therefore, since the pressing member does not become inclined, malfunction of the pair of air cylinders can be suppressed.

[0022] In the sixth powder discharging device of the present invention, one end of the air cylinder and one end of the cylinder guide are provided with a floating joint connected to the pressing member.

[0023] According to the sixth powder discharging device of the present invention, misalignment between the pressing member and the air cylinder and insufficient accuracy of parallelism can be eliminated, the air cylinder can be stably operated, and the pressing member can be stably raised and lowered. Further, the load applied to the piston packing inside the air cylinder can be suppressed, and the failure of the air cylinder can be suppressed.

[0024] The seventh powder discharging device of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects the intrusion of an obstacle from the outside between the pressing member and the charging port. When the detection unit detects the intrusion of an obstacle, the lowering of the pressing member by the moving unit is suppressed.

[0025] According to the seventh powder discharging device of the present invention, when an obstacle such as the hand of an operator intrudes between the pressing member and the charging port, the lowering of the pressing member is suppressed, so accidents such as being pinched by the pressing member can be prevented, and safety can be ensured.

[0026] The eighth powder discharging device of the present invention includes a flow pipe communicating from the charging port to the discharge port, and a compressed air ejection unit provided inside the flow pipe for ejecting compressed air toward the inside of the storage bag. The compressed air ejection unit is provided on the upstream side in the flow direction, and the tip of the compressed air ejection unit is formed to be inclined toward the downstream side in the flow direction and is provided with a check valve. The check valve is opened only when ejecting compressed air and is closed when the ejection of compressed air ends.

[0027] According to the eighth powder discharging device of the present invention, after the powder is charged from the storage bag, even if powder remains inside the storage bag, the compressed air ejection unit ejects compressed air toward the inside of the storage bag, thereby breaking residual powder such as a bridge, enhancing the fluidity of the powder, and causing the residual powder to fall into the charging port. Also, by providing a check valve, it is possible to prevent the powder from entering the inside of the compressed air ejection unit during powder charging. After the powder is charged, the check valve can be opened to stably eject compressed air. Furthermore, since the tip of the compressed air ejection unit is inclined downward, it is possible to prevent the charged powder from accumulating at the tip of the compressed air ejection unit and suppress the influence on the opening and closing operation of the check valve.

[0028] In the ninth powder discharging device of the present invention, the seal member is sandwiched between an inner support member disposed inside the seal member and an outer support member disposed outside the seal member. The outer support member is formed in an L-shaped cross section so as to support a part of the lower end portion of the seal member. An opening for attaching and detaching the seal member is formed between the inner support member and the outer support member.

[0029] According to the ninth powder discharging device of the present invention, when the storage bag contacts the seal member from the inside, the inner support member acts as a stopper, suppressing the deformation of the seal member. Thus, damage and pain of the seal member can be prevented, and the sealing property and restoration property of the seal member can be maintained. Further, when replacing the seal member due to deterioration or the like associated with the use of the seal member, the seal member can be easily attached and detached through the opening. The seal member is sandwiched between the inner support member and the outer support member and is supported from below by the L-shape of the outer support member, so that it can be prevented from falling downward. In addition, since the seal member is supported without using adhesion or adhesive tape, the attachment and detachment of the seal member are easy.

[0030] In the tenth powder discharging device of the present invention, the seal member is formed to be elastically deformable. When the pressing member is moved in the approaching direction with respect to the charging port by the moving part and the charging port is pushed into the seal member, the moving amount of the pressing member is set such that the pushing amount by which the charging port is pushed into the seal member is larger than the protruding amount by which the seal member protrudes from the inner support member.

[0031] According to the tenth powder discharging device of the present invention, since the discharging part can be reliably folded back into an N shape by the sealing member, when viewed from the inside of the communication space between the storage bag and the charging port, the folded part covers the sealing part, suppressing the exposure of the sealing part and making it difficult for the powder in the communication space to reach the sealing part. In addition, since the sealing member protrudes from the inner support member by the protruding amount, even if the storage bag is excessively pulled upward with respect to the sealing member, the protruding amount part of the sealing member serves as a buffer, and it is difficult for the storage bag to be damaged such as breakage or pain.

[0032] In the eleventh powder discharging device of the present invention, the moving amount of the pressing member is set such that the pushing-in amount is about 1 / 2 of the thickness of the sealing member and about twice the protruding amount.

[0033] According to the eleventh powder discharging device of the present invention, by setting the pushing-in amount to about half of the thickness of the sealing member, the sealing property and the restoring property of the sealing member can be maintained and ensured. By setting the pushing-in amount to about twice the protruding amount, the folded part of the discharging part can be reliably formed.

[0034] In the twelfth powder discharging device of the present invention, the sealing member is formed of an elastic material made of ethylene propylene diene rubber having a hardness of 7 to 35.

[0035] According to the twelfth powder discharging device of the present invention, the sealing member is excellent in marketability, economy, weather resistance, durability, and restoring property, and can ensure an appropriate sealing property even when pushed into the charging port.

[0036] In the thirteenth powder discharging device of the present invention, the sealing member is formed to have a protruding portion that protrudes toward the downstream side inside the charging port.

[0037] According to the 13th powder discharging device of the present invention, the folding part of the discharging part can be surely formed. Further, since the discharging part is deformed to be folded downstream by the protruding part of the sealing member, the folding amount of the discharging part can be increased by the height of the protruding part, so that the scattering of powder to the surroundings can be suppressed when the storage bag is removed.

[0038] In the 14th powder discharging device of the present invention, the protruding part is formed in a semi-circular cross-sectional shape convex downward.

[0039] According to the 14th powder discharging device of the present invention, since the storage bag is folded upstream along the semi-circular shape of the sealing member, the adhesion between the sealing member and the storage bag is improved, and the folding part of the discharging part can be surely formed.

Effects of the Invention

[0040] According to the present invention, the powder discharging device can suppress the scattering of powder to the surroundings when the powder is put into the storage bag or when the storage bag is removed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0041]

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Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are preferred specific examples of the present invention and disclose various preferred technologies, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects.

[0043] The powder discharging device 1 (see FIGS. 1 to 6 and 10) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The powder discharging device 1 is a device that inputs powder from a storage bag 100 filled with powder (see FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), 6, and 10) and discharges the input powder. In the powder discharging device 1, the powder is input from the storage bag 100 by gravity fall, and the input powder flows to the discharge side by gravity fall. Therefore, the upstream side in the powder flow direction is provided upward, and the downstream side is provided downward. Hereinafter, the powder flow direction will be referred to as the vertical direction, the upstream side in the flow direction will be referred to as the upper side or the upper direction, and the downstream side in the flow direction will be referred to as the lower side or the lower direction.

[0044] The storage bag 100 is a bag body such as a flexible container bag (hereinafter referred to as a flexible container bag) having flexibility. The storage bag 100 is made of, for example, polypropylene, nylon, or aluminum. At the upper part of the storage bag 100, there are a lifting tool for suspension by a handling device such as a hoist (crane), and an input part (bag-side input port) that is opened for charging powder into the inside of the storage bag 100. As shown in FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 6, at the lower part of the storage bag 100, there is a discharge part 101 (bag-side discharge port) that is opened for discharging powder. The discharge part 101 is formed in a sleeve shape (cylindrical shape), and the lower end is opened in a state of extending downward.

[0045] The discharge part 101 is closed by closing its intermediate position (middle position) with a closing member 102 such as a string, making it impossible to discharge the powder. Also, by releasing the closing member 102, it is opened and the powder can be discharged. When discharging the powder to the powder discharging device 1, the storage bag 100 is placed on the upper side of a receiving base 110 arranged above the powder discharging device 1 by a handling device.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, 4 to 6, and 11, the powder discharging device 1 includes an input pipe 10, a discharge pipe 11, a collection duct 12, a pressing member 13, a pair of lifting members 14, a pair of guide members 15, a compressed air ejection part 16, and a pinching prevention part 17. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the powder discharging device 1 includes a control panel 18 and a dust collecting device 19.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the powder discharging device 1 from the front upper side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the powder discharging device 1 from the rear lower side. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the powder discharging device 1. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the powder discharging device 1 from the front. FIG. 5(a) shows a state where the storage bag 100 is placed (set) on the receiving base 110 and the powder discharging device 1 so that powder can be discharged, and FIG. 5(b) shows a state where the storage bag 100 is chucked (fixed) and sealed (hermetically sealed) to the powder discharging device 1. FIG. 6 shows a state where powder is discharged from the storage bag 100 and introduced into the powder discharging device 1. Note that FIG. 5(a), FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 6 omit the pinch prevention portion 17. Further, FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 6 are shown through the portion until it communicates with the powder discharging device 1 from the storage bag 100. FIG. 11 shows the compressed air ejection and dust collection operations in the powder discharging device 1.

[0048] The charging pipe 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and both upper and lower ends are open, that is, a charging port 10a is provided at the upper end of the charging pipe 10. In the present embodiment, an example where the charging pipe 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape will be described, but the charging pipe 10 may be formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape or a rectangular shape. The wall thickness of the charging pipe 10 (charging port 10a) is several millimeters, specifically, 4 to 5 mm. Since the upper tip of the charging pipe 10 contacts the storage bag 100, it is chamfered (R-processed) so as not to damage the storage bag 100. Note that the upper tip of the charging pipe 10 may be formed to have a convex cross section upward in order to push the storage bag 100 into the sealing member 30 of the pressing member 13. When discharging the powder in the storage bag 100, the storage bag 100 is disposed above the charging pipe 10, and the discharge portion 101 of the storage bag 100 (particularly, the peripheral portion of the downstream side thereof) is covered with the charging pipe 10 (see FIG. 5(a)). At this time, by releasing the closing member 102 of the discharge portion 101 and opening the discharge portion 101, the discharge portion 101 and the charging pipe 10 are brought into a communicating state.

[0049] The discharge pipe 11 has the same inner diameter as the input pipe 10, is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and both upper and lower ends are open. That is, a discharge port 11a is provided at the lower end of the discharge pipe 11. Further, a discharge-side flange 11b is provided at the lower end of the discharge pipe 11 along the outer periphery, and the discharge-side flange 11b is configured to be connectable to the pipe at the powder discharge destination. The discharge pipe 11 may be connected to a transport pressure vessel via a powder measuring device as the powder discharge destination, or may be connected to a molding device or the like. In the present embodiment, an example in which the discharge pipe 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape in accordance with the input pipe 10 will be described, but the discharge pipe 11 may be elliptical or angular as long as it has the same inner diameter as the input pipe 10.

[0050] The discharge pipe 11 is provided below the input pipe 10, and the input pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11 are connected so that their inner circumferences communicate with each other. For example, by connecting a flange 10b provided along the outer periphery of the lower end of the input pipe 10 and a flange 11c provided along the outer periphery of the upper end of the discharge pipe 11, the input pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11 are connected and function as a single flow pipe 20. The input pipe 10 is detachable from the discharge pipe 11. In the present embodiment, an example in which a single flow pipe 20 is constituted by a separate input pipe 10 and discharge pipe 11 will be described, but the flow pipe 20 may be integrally constituted.

[0051] The flow pipe 20 is provided with a net member 21 at an intermediate position thereof (middle position) so as to block the vertical direction (flow direction). For example, the net member 21 is constituted by a wire mesh or the like having a mesh-shaped opening, and is provided so as to be sandwiched between the input pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11. The net member 21 can block the passage of foreign matters while allowing the passage of powder. Therefore, accidents such as the entry of foreign matters into the downstream equipment can be prevented.

[0052] The collection duct 12 surrounds the periphery of the flow pipe 20 composed of the input pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11, is formed on a rectangular parallelepiped having a space inside, and houses the flow pipe 20 inside. A cover plate 12a is provided on the upper surface of the collection duct 12, an upper opening 12b (opening) is opened in the cover plate 12a, and a lower opening 12c is opened in the lower surface of the collection duct 12.

[0053] The upper opening 12b is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the input pipe 10 (input port 10a), and the lower opening 12c is formed with an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the discharge pipe 11. The input pipe 10 is inserted into the upper opening 12b, and the discharge pipe 11 is inserted into the lower opening 12c, and the flow pipe 20 is arranged to penetrate the collection duct 12 in the vertical direction.

[0054] The upper opening 12b is opened around the input port 10a on the upstream side in the flow direction, and functions as a scattered powder suction part for sucking the powder scattered above the collection duct 12 without being introduced into the input pipe 10. On the other hand, the lower opening 12c is airtightly connected to the outer peripheral surface of the discharge pipe 11 by welding or the like, whereby the flow pipe 20 is fixed to the collection duct 12. The input pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11 may be supported by a predetermined support member with respect to the inner surface of the collection duct 12.

[0055] The collection duct 12 is provided with a connection port 12d connected to a dust collector 19 that collects the powder scattered without being introduced into the input pipe 10. For example, the connection port 12d is opened on the back surface of the collection duct 12, and a connection pipe 23 connected to the dust collector 19 is airtightly attached by welding or the like. A dust collection side flange 23a is provided along the outer periphery at the tip of the connection pipe 23, and the dust collection side flange 23a is configured to be connectable to the dust collector 19 via a pipe such as a duct hose. Instead of the dust collection side flange 23a, a ferrule (pipe joint) or the like may be used to connect a hose between the connection pipe 23 and the dust collector 19. The connection port 12d may be opened on the side surface of the collection duct 12.

[0056] The collection duct 12 is provided with a storage case 24 for housing the elevating member 14 and the guide member 15. For example, the collection duct 12 is provided with a pair of storage cases 24 on the left and right side surfaces. One storage case 24 houses one elevating member 14 and one guide member 15 as a set, and the other storage case 24 houses the other elevating member 14 and the other guide member 15 as a set.

[0057] The collection duct 12 is provided with an inspection door 25 on the front for inspecting the interior. The inspection door 25 is attached via a hinge or the like so as to open and close an opening provided in the front of the collection duct 12. An operator can inspect and confirm the interior of the collection duct 12 by opening the inspection door 25. Note that the inspection door 25 may be made of a transparent material such as glass or a clear panel so that the interior can be confirmed while it is closed.

[0058] The pressing member 13 presses the discharge part 101 of the storage bag 100 against the input pipe 10 (input port 10a). For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the pressing member 13 is formed of an elliptical pressing plate larger in outer diameter than the input pipe 10. The pressing member 13 is disposed above the input pipe 10, and the discharge part 101 is pressed against the input pipe 10 by being pressed from above in a state where the discharge part 101 is sandwiched between the pressing member 13 and the input pipe 10.

[0059] The pressing member 13 is provided with an inlet 13a that opens at the center corresponding to the input pipe 10 (input port 10a), and the inlet 13a is formed to have an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the input pipe 10. The pressing member 13 is disposed with the center of the inlet 13a aligned with the center of the input pipe 10. When discharging the powder of the storage bag 100, the storage bag 100 is disposed above the pressing member 13, the discharge part 101 is introduced from the upper side to the lower side of the pressing member 13 through the inlet 13a, and then the discharge part 101 is placed over the input pipe 10.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the pressing member 13 is provided with an outer support member 28, an inner support member 29, and a seal member 30 on its lower side. The outer support member 28, the seal member 30, and the inner support member 29 are precisely attached to the pressing member 13 without causing defects such as distortion.

[0061] The outer support member 28 and the inner support member 29 are provided so as to sandwich and accommodate the seal member 30 therebetween. The outer support member 28 is formed so as to support the seal member 30 from the radially outer side and also from the lower side. The outer support member 28 is formed in an annular shape with an L-shaped cross-section, and as shown in FIG. 8, has a wall portion 28a extending in the vertical direction and a bottom portion 28b extending radially inward from the lower end of the wall portion 28a. The wall portion 28a has an inner diameter and an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the input pipe 10. The bottom portion 28b has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the input pipe 10. The outer support member 28 is provided on the lower surface of the pressing member 13 with the center of the opening aligned with the center of the introduction port 13a.

[0062] The inner support member 29 is formed so as to support the seal member 30 from the radially inner side. The inner support member 29 is formed in an annular shape having an opening with substantially the same diameter as the introduction port 13a and has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the input pipe 10. In other words, the inner support member 29 is formed in an annular shape along the inner circumference of the introduction port 13a. The inner support member 29 is provided on the lower surface of the pressing member 13 with the center of the opening aligned with the center of the introduction port 13a and is formed to project downward. The inner support member 29 is formed shorter than the wall portion 28a of the outer support member 28 and the seal member 30 in the vertical direction. Since the lower tip of the inner support member 29 may come into contact with the storage bag 100, chamfering (R) is applied so as not to damage the storage bag 100.

[0063] An opening 29a for attaching and detaching the seal member 30 is formed between the inner tip of the bottom 28b of the outer support member 28 and the lower tip of the inner support member 29. The pressing member 13 and the input pipe 10 are arranged so that the inside (inner diameter) of the input pipe 10 (input port 10a) corresponds to the center position of the opening 29a (the center position of the pressing margin) in the radial direction. In other words, in the radial direction, the first distance X1 corresponding to the distance from the inner tip of the bottom 28b of the outer support member 28 to the inside of the input pipe 10 and the second distance X2 corresponding to the distance from the inside of the input pipe 10 to the inside (inner diameter) of the seal member 30, that is, the outside (outer diameter) of the inner support member 29 are set to be approximately the same, and the sum of the first distance X1 and the second distance X2 corresponds to the pressing margin of the opening 29a. Further, the third distance X3, which is the radial length of the bottom 28b for holding the seal member 30 in the storage position between the outer support member 28 and the inner support member 29, is set to be approximately the same as the first distance X1 and the second distance X2.

[0064] The pressing position of the seal member 30 by the input pipe 10 (input port 10a) is set closer to the center of the seal member 30 in the radial direction, so the sealing performance is higher. Therefore, the inside of the input pipe 10, rather than the outside or the center, is set as the center of the opening 29a (pressing margin). By pressing the center of the opening 29a (pressing margin) with the inside of the input pipe 10, even if an error in the pressing position occurs due to an attachment error or play in the pressing member 13, the seal member 30 can be reliably sealed, and the risk of contact between the input port 10a and members such as the outer support member 28 during pressing can be avoided.

[0065] The seal member 30 is formed to be elastically deformable and has a function of hermetically sealing the discharge part 101 of the storage bag 100 and the charging pipe 10 (charging port 10a). The seal member 30 is made of an elastic material of ethylene propylene diene rubber with a hardness of 7 to 35, and is formed in an annular shape having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the charging pipe 10 and an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the charging pipe 10. In other words, the seal member 30 is disposed corresponding to the upper tip of the charging pipe 10. The seal member 30 is provided on the lower surface of the pressing member 13 with the center of the opening aligned with the center of the introduction port 13a, and is housed between the outer support member 28 and the inner support member 29. As shown in FIG. 8, where the inner support member 29 and the seal member 30 protrude downward from the lower surface of the pressing member 13, the seal member 30 has a thickness Y3 that protrudes downward by a protrusion amount Y1 larger than that of the inner support member 29.

[0066] The seal member 30, which is a rubber packing, can ensure sealing performance by elastically pressing and contacting the upper tip of the charging pipe 10 when the pressing member 13 descends. As the lower surface of the seal member 30 moves downward from the upper tip of the charging pipe 10, the charging pipe 10 is pushed into the seal member 30 and the seal member 30 elastically deforms.

[0067] When discharging the powder in the storage bag 100, with the discharge part 101 of the storage bag 100 introduced from the introduction port 13a of the pressing member 13 covering the charging pipe 10 (charging port 10a), when the pressing member 13 approaches (descends) the charging pipe 10, chucking (fixing) and sealing (sealing) of the discharge part 101 with respect to the charging port 10a are performed (see FIGS. 5(b) and 6).

[0068] At this time, the seal member 30 of the descending pressing member 13 presses and contacts the upper tip of the charging pipe 10 with the discharge part 101 interposed therebetween, so that the discharge part 101 is clamped between the charging pipe 10 and the seal member 30 and chucking and sealing are performed (see FIGS. 5(b) and 6). In other words, the charging pipe 10 and the seal member 30 function as a seal part that hermetically seals the discharge part 101 and the charging port 10a in a state where the storage bag 100 and the charging port 10a are in communication.

[0069] Furthermore, at this time, as the inner support member 29 and the seal member 30 of the pressing member 13 descend toward the charging port 10a, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower tip of the inner support member 29 enters the inside of the charging port 10a while contacting the discharge portion 101 from the outside of the discharge portion 101. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the A region shown in FIG. 6. Also, the seal member 30 protruding below the inner support member 29 is pushed into the upper tip of the charging pipe 10 (charging port 10a) and elastically deformed, and the inner portion of the seal member 30 that is radially inside the charging port 10a protrudes by the amount of the pushing-in amount Y2 downstream of the charging port 10a and enters the inside of the charging port 10a while pushing the discharge portion 101.

[0070] As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the upstream portion of the discharge portion 101 extending in the flow direction from the storage bag 100 is pushed downward by the seal member 30, and the discharge portion 101 is folded back upward from the lower tip of the seal member 30. Also, while the discharge portion 101 is being pulled downward inside the charging port 10a, the downstream portion of the discharge portion 101 covered outside the charging port 10a is hooked on the upper tip of the charging pipe 10, and the discharge portion 101 is folded back downward from the upper tip of the charging pipe 10. At this time, the pushing-in amount Y2 of the charging pipe 10 with respect to the seal member 30 becomes the amount of folding back of the storage bag 100. The discharge portion 101 is folded back upward and then folded back downward inside the sealing portion composed of the charging pipe 10 and the seal member 30, and is deformed into an N-shaped cross section. In other words, the charging pipe 10 and the seal member 30 function as a deforming portion for deforming the discharge portion 101.

[0071] At this time, since the discharge portion 101 is being pulled downward from the upper tip of the charging pipe 10 in the sealing portion, it adheres along the upper tip of the charging pipe 10, so it is difficult for a step or a gap to occur between the discharge portion 101 and the charging pipe 10. Therefore, even if powder rises in the communication space between the storage bag 100 and the charging pipe 10, it is difficult for the powder to adhere to and accumulate on the sealing portion of the discharge portion 101.

[0072] In addition, when the material of the storage bag 100 is relatively hard, the pushing-in amount Y2 may be set deeper than usual to surely prevent powder leakage. At the same time, the output of the lifting member 14 that lowers the pressing member 13 (for example, the supply air pressure of an air cylinder) may be increased to strongly set the pressing force by the input pipe 10.

[0073] Since the nylon storage bag 100 is softer (has higher flexibility) than the aluminum storage bag 100, even if the pressing force by the input pipe 10 is the same, the folds of the storage bag 100 can be firmly flattened to eliminate gaps. Therefore, in the case of the nylon storage bag 100, a sealing member 30 with higher hardness may be used than in the case of the aluminum storage bag 100. In other words, the hardness of the sealing member 30 may be changed according to the flexibility of the material of the storage bag 100. For example, in the case of the nylon storage bag 100, a sealing member 30 with a rubber hardness of 35 degrees may be used, and in the case of the aluminum storage bag 100, a sealing member 30 with a rubber hardness of 20 degrees may be used. In this embodiment, since the sealing member 30 made of rubber sponge has a longer life as its rubber hardness is higher (harder) due to its characteristics, a sealing member 30 with a higher rubber hardness may be selected.

[0074] The pair of lifting members 14 functions as a moving part that moves the pressing member 13 in the approaching direction or the separating direction with respect to the input pipe 10 (input port 10a). The lifting member 14 is composed of, for example, an air cylinder. In this embodiment, the lifting member 14 moves the pressing member 13 in the approaching direction or the separating direction with respect to the input pipe 10 by lifting and lowering the pressing member 13 with respect to the collection duct 12. The pair of lifting members 14 are arranged on both the left and right sides with the input pipe 10 interposed therebetween and are housed in the housing case 24 of the collection duct 12. The upper end of the lifting member 14 is attached to the pressing member 13, and the lower end of the lifting member 14 is attached to the housing case 24.

[0075] Further, a floating joint 32 is provided at the upper end of the lifting member 14, and the floating joint 32 is attached to the pressing member 13. The floating joint 32 can eliminate the misalignment and insufficient parallelism accuracy between the pressing member 13 and the pair of lifting members 14 which are air cylinders, enabling the air cylinders to operate stably and the pressing member 13 to move up and down stably.

[0076] The lifting member 14 which is an air cylinder is a mechanism capable of reciprocating up and down, and is provided with air supply ports 33 for supplying compressed air on the upper side and the lower side. By supplying compressed air to the upper air supply port 33, the piston rod 14a of the air cylinder moves downward, and by supplying compressed air to the lower air supply port 33, the piston rod 14a of the air cylinder moves upward. The air cylinder is connected to a known pneumatic circuit (not shown) equipped with a solenoid valve, and is lifted and lowered by controlling the pneumatic circuit by the control panel 18.

[0077] The pair of guide members 15 guide the movement of the pressing member 13 relative to the input pipe 10 by the pair of lifting members 14. The pair of guide members 15 are arranged on both the left and right sides sandwiching the input pipe 10, and are housed in the storage case 24 of the collection duct 12. The guide member 15 functions as a cylinder guide for guiding the movement of the lifting member 14 which is an air cylinder.

[0078] Note that one lifting member 14 and one guide member 15, and the other lifting member 14 and the other guide member 15 are arranged to face each other with the input pipe 10 in between. For example, when viewed from the front, the left lifting member 14 is arranged closer to the front than the left guide member 15, while the right lifting member 14 is arranged closer to the front than the right guide member 15.

[0079] The upper end of the guide member 15 is attached to the pressing member 13 via the mounting fitting 34, but the lower end of the guide member 15 is not fixed, and the guide member 15 is movable vertically inside the storage case 24. The guide member 15 is constituted by, for example, a guide shaft, and inside the storage case 24, a guide support portion 35 for supporting the smooth vertical movement of the guide member 15 which is a guide shaft is provided. In FIGS. 1 and 4, an example in which two guide support portions 35 are provided is shown, but the guide support portion 35 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0080] In addition, when the storage case 24 is formed in accordance with the vertical length of the elevating member 14, the lower end of the descending guide member 15 may move downward beyond the lower end of the storage case 24. In this case, a protection tube 36 for protecting the protrusion of the guide member 15 may be provided at a position corresponding to the guide member 15 below the storage case 24. The protection tube 36 is formed with a hollow interior so as to accommodate the guide member 15 that moves downward beyond the storage case 24.

[0081] Alternatively, in order to prevent the protrusion of the guide member 15, the vertical length of the guide member 15 may be made shorter than that of the elevating member 14, and the guide member 15 may be configured to be supported not only inside the storage case 24 but also above the storage case 24.

[0082] The compressed air ejection portion 16 ejects compressed air toward the inside of the storage bag 100 communicating with the input pipe 10. The compressed air ejection portion 16 is constituted by, for example, an ejection pipe that intermittently ejects compressed air in a pulsed jet.

[0083] The compressed air ejection part 16, which is an ejection pipe, is arranged to extend vertically inside the input pipe 10 or the discharge pipe 11 as shown in FIG. 11. The upper tip part thereof is formed to be inclined downward and is provided with a check valve 37. The check valve 37 is configured to open only when ejecting compressed air and to close when the ejection of compressed air ends. The check valve 37 is configured to open and close, for example, by rotating around a fulcrum. In FIG. 11, the closed check valve 37 is shown by a solid line, and the open check valve 37 is shown by a dashed line.

[0084] The compressed air ejection part 16 is connected to a compressed air supply source (not shown) such as a compressor, and compressed air is ejected by controlling the compressed air supply source by the control panel 18.

[0085] The pinching prevention part 17 prevents an obstacle such as an operator's hand from being pinched between the descending pressing member 13 and the input pipe 10. The pinching prevention part 17 includes, for example, a detection part that detects the intrusion of an external obstacle between the pressing member 13 and the input pipe 10. When the detection part detects the intrusion of an obstacle, the descending of the pressing member 13 by the pair of elevating members 14 is suppressed. At this time, as the suppression of the descending of the pressing member 13, the pinching prevention part 17 may prohibit the descending of the pressing member 13, or may raise the descending pressing member 13. The pinching prevention part 17 is preferably configured to suppress the descending of the pressing member 13 by controlling the elevating member 14 by the control panel 18. In this case, the control panel 18 functions as the pinching prevention part 17.

[0086] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 9, 10(a), and 10(b), the pinching prevention portion 17 includes, as a detection portion, an annular ring 39, a plate-shaped detected plate 40, a support rod 41 that supports the ring 39 and the detected plate 40, and a proximity sensor 42. One detected plate 40, one support rod 41, and one proximity sensor 42 are combined into one set. In FIG. 9, an example is shown in which three sets of detected plates 40, support rods 41, and proximity sensors 42 are provided. However, the detected plates 40, support rods 41, and proximity sensors 42 may be one set or two sets, or four sets or more.

[0087] The ring 39 restricts the intrusion of obstacles between the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10. The ring 39 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the charging pipe 10 and is disposed between the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10. Note that a cylindrical member may be used instead of the ring 39.

[0088] The detected plate 40 is formed of a material such as metal and is disposed above the pressing member 13. The pressing member 13 is formed with an insertion hole 13b penetrating in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the support rod 41. The support rod 41 is inserted into the insertion hole 13b and is movable freely in the vertical direction. The support rod 41 supports the detected plate 40 above the pressing member 13 and supports the ring 39 below the pressing member 13. The detected plate 40 serves to prevent the support rod 41 from coming off, and the ring 39 is suspended from the pressing member 13 by the detected plate 40 and the support rod 41. Thereby, the ring 39 is movable freely together with the support rod 41 and the detected plate 40.

[0089] The proximity sensor 42 is provided on the pressing member 13 at a position corresponding to the detected plate 40. Specifically, a detection hole 13c is formed in the pressing member 13 so as to penetrate vertically at a position corresponding to the detected plate 40, and the proximity sensor 42 is attached to the back surface of the pressing member 13 by an attachment member 43 at a position below the detection hole 13c. The detected plate 40 is arranged so as to cover the detection hole 13c from above, and the proximity sensor 42 has a detection range in the detection hole 13c and detects the detected plate 40 through the detection hole 13c.

[0090] The proximity sensor 42 is a sensor that non - contact detects the approach of the detected plate 40 and is preferably used even in a situation where powder is scattered around. For example, the proximity sensor 42 is composed of an electromagnetic induction type sensor, which generates a high - frequency magnetic field by a transmitting circuit and a detection coil. When the detected plate 40 made of metal approaches this high - frequency magnetic field, an induced current flows through the detected plate 40 by electromagnetic induction, and the impedance of the detection coil changes due to this induced current, causing the oscillation of the transmitting circuit to decay or stop. The electromagnetic induction type proximity sensor 42 detects the approach of the detected plate 40 by detecting such decay or stop of the oscillation of the transmitting circuit. Alternatively, the proximity sensor 42 may be composed of a photoelectric sensor or other non - contact sensors, or a contact sensor if there is no problem in its operation in an environment where powder is scattered.

[0091] In the pinching prevention part 17, usually, the detected plate 40 is placed on the pressing member 13 so as to cover the detection hole 13c and exists within the detection range of the proximity sensor 42. Therefore, the proximity sensor 42 detects the approach of the detected plate 40. On the other hand, for example, when the ring 39 is lifted upward by the hand of an operator who has entered between the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10, the support rod 41 and the detected plate 40 are lifted together with the ring 39. At this time, the detected plate 40 moves upward from the detection hole 13c and gets out of the detection range of the proximity sensor 42, and the proximity sensor 42 stops detecting the approach of the detected plate 40.

[0092] The proximity sensor 42 transmits a detection signal indicating the detection result (whether it is detecting or not) of the detected plate 40 to the control panel 18. When the proximity sensor 42 detects the detected plate 40, the control panel 18 permits the lowering of the pressing member 13 by the pair of lifting members 14 because the ring 39 is not lifted and no obstacle has entered between the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10. On the other hand, when the proximity sensor 42 does not detect the detected plate 40, the control panel 18 suppresses the lowering of the pressing member 13 by the pair of lifting members 14 because the ring 39 is lifted and an obstacle has entered between the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 3, the control panel 18 includes a lifting operation member 45 for operating the lifting and lowering of the pair of lifting members 14, a dust collection operation member 46 for operating the activation and stop of the dust collection operation of the dust collector 19, and a jet operation member 47 for operating the activation and stop of the compressed air jet of the compressed air jetting unit 16. The lifting operation member 45, the dust collection operation member 46, and the jet operation member 47 are composed of, for example, switches.

[0094] Further, the control panel 18 includes a control device 48 for controlling the pair of lifting members 14, the dust collector 19, and the compressed air jetting unit 16. The control device 48 is composed of, for example, a computer such as a CPU that executes a program stored in a memory. The control device 48 controls the lifting and lowering of the pair of lifting members 14 according to the operation of the lifting operation member 45, controls the activation and stop of the dust collection operation of the dust collector 19 according to the operation of the dust collection operation member 46, and controls the activation and stop of the compressed air jet of the compressed air jetting unit 16 according to the operation of the jet operation member 47. Note that the control device 48 controls the pair of lifting members 14 to lift and lower synchronously.

[0095] The pair of elevating members 14 and the control device 48 are configured to move up and down with a predetermined elevating stroke as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). For example, at the timing when the seal member 30 of the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10 sandwich the discharge portion 101 of the storage bag 100 to complete the sealing, the control device 48 is configured to stop the downward movement of the pressing member 13. Further, as described above, the control device 48 controls the downward movement of the pair of elevating members 14 according to the detection result of the proximity sensor 42 of the pinching prevention portion 17.

[0096] The control device 48 sets the movement of the pressing member 13 by the pair of elevating members 14 (moving portions) to a predetermined movement amount. For example, the control device 48 moves the pressing member 13 in the approaching direction with respect to the charging pipe 10 (charging port 10a) by the pair of elevating members 14, brings the upper tip portion (charging port 10a) of the charging pipe 10 into contact with the seal member 30 of the pressing member 13, and further pushes it in while elastically deforming the seal member 30.

[0097] At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 48 may set the movement amount of the pressing member 13 such that the pushing amount Y2 by which the charging pipe 10 is pushed into the seal member 30 is larger than the protruding amount Y1 by which the seal member 30 protrudes from the inner support member 29. Further, the control device 48 may set the movement amount of the pressing member 13 such that the pushing amount Y2 of the charging pipe 10 with respect to the seal member 30 is about 1 / 2 of the thickness Y3 of the seal member 30 and about twice the protruding amount Y1 of the seal member 30 with respect to the inner support member 29. For example, when the thickness Y3 of the seal member 30 is about 20 mm, the protruding amount Y1 of the seal member 30 with respect to the inner support member 29 is about 5 mm, and the pushing amount Y2 of the charging pipe 10 with respect to the seal member 30 is about 10 mm.

[0098] The dust collecting device 19 is a device that collects the powder collected in the collection duct 12 through the connection pipe 23. The dust collecting device 19 has a suction port, and the suction port is connected to the connection pipe 23 through a pipe such as a duct hose. For example, the dust collecting device 19 includes a filter, a fan, a motor, and a backwashing device. The dust collecting device 19 rotates the fan by the motor and sucks the powder through the filter to collect the dust. The dust collecting device 19 ejects compressed air onto the filter (pulse jet) by the backwashing device to remove the powder collected on the filter.

[0099] Next, an operation example of the powder discharging device 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 12.

[0100] First, at time T0, the storage bag 100 in which the powder is stored is placed at the standby position. In the powder discharging device 1, the pair of elevating members 14 are placed at the standby position (elevated position), the dust collecting device 19 stops the dust collecting operation, and the compressed air ejection unit 16 stops the compressed air ejection (pulse jet ejection OFF).

[0101] At time T1, the operator operates a handling device such as a hoist to lower the storage bag 100 in which the powder is stored toward the receiving base 110 disposed above the powder discharging device 1 and place it on the upper side of the receiving base 110. The operator pulls out the discharge part 101 of the storage bag 100, introduces it downward through the inlet 13a of the pressing member 13, and covers the charging pipe 10. At this time, it is desirable that the peripheral portion of the downstream side of the discharge part 101 is inserted into the upper opening 12b of the cover plate 12a of the collection duct 12 and covered below the cover plate 12a.

[0102] At time T2, the operator operates the elevating operation member 45 of the control panel 18 to activate the pair of elevating members 14 and lower the pressing member 13 with respect to the charging pipe 10. Thereby, the chucking (fixing) and sealing (sealing) of the discharge part 101 with respect to the charging pipe 10 (charging port 10a) are performed.

[0103] At this time, the sealing member 30 of the pressing member 13 that descends presses against the charging pipe 10 with the discharge portion 101 interposed therebetween, so that the discharge portion 101 is sandwiched between the charging pipe 10 and the sealing member 30 and sealed in an airtight manner.

[0104] Furthermore, at this time, with the upper tip portion of the charging pipe 10 supporting the discharge portion 101 from the inside, the sealing member 30 of the pressing member 13 that descends enters the inside of the charging port 10a while pressing the discharge portion 101 from the outside. As a result, the upstream side portion of the discharge portion 101 is pushed by the sealing member 30, and the discharge portion 101 is folded back upward from the lower tip portion of the sealing member 30. Also, the downstream side portion of the discharge portion 101 is hooked on the upper tip portion of the charging pipe 10, and the discharge portion 101 is folded back downward from the upper tip portion of the charging pipe 10. As a result, the discharge portion 101 is deformed into a cross-sectional N shape that is folded back upward and then folded back downward.

[0105] After the chucking and sealing of the discharge portion 101 are completed, at time T3, the operator unlocks the closing member 102 of the discharge portion 101 to communicate the discharge portion 101 with the charging pipe 10 and starts powder charging, and discharges the powder in the storage bag 100 from the discharge portion 101 by gravity drop and charges it into the charging pipe 10.

[0106] At time T4 after a predetermined time has elapsed, when the charging of most of the powder by gravity drop is completed, the operator operates the ejection operation member 47 of the control panel 18 to activate the compressed air ejection portion 16 and intermittently ejects compressed air a plurality of times, for example, 3 times, in a pulse jet manner, toward the inside of the storage bag 100 communicating with the charging pipe 10. Thereby, the powder remaining inside the storage bag 100 is discharged and dropped into the charging pipe 10.

[0107] In addition, in order to promote the discharge of the remaining powder in the storage bag 100, a vibration generating device such as a vibration device may be attached to the receiving base 110, and the receiving base 110 may be vibrated together with the storage bag 100 to discharge the powder remaining inside the storage bag 100 and drop it into the charging pipe 10.

[0108] Also, in order to facilitate the discharge of the residual powder in the storage bag 100, the handling device may cause the storage bag 100 to perform operations such as rising, falling, and swinging, so as to discharge the powder remaining inside the storage bag 100 and let it fall into the input pipe 10. In Fig. 12, the operation of repeating the rising and falling of the storage bag 100 three times is shown by a dashed line.

[0109] After the discharge of the residual powder is completed, at time T5, the operator operates the lifting and lowering operation member 45 of the control panel 18 to activate the pair of lifting and lowering members 14, and raises the pressing member 13 with respect to the input pipe 10. As a result, the chucking (fixing) and sealing (sealing) of the discharge part 101 with respect to the input pipe 10 (input port 10a) are released.

[0110] After the chucking and sealing of the discharge part 101 are released, at time T6, the operator operates the handling device to raise the storage bag 100, which has finished discharging the powder, with respect to the receiving base 110. Also, when the operator raises the storage bag 100, the operator operates the dust collection operation member 46 of the control panel 18 to activate the dust collection device 19 and start collecting the powder that has scattered without being introduced into the input pipe 10. Note that the dust collection device 19 may increase the suction force generated at the upper opening 12b of the collection duct 12 by increasing the rotation speed of the fan in response to the rising of the storage bag 100.

[0111] At time T7 when the rising of the storage bag 100 is completed, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the rising of the storage bag 100 is completed, the operator operates the dust collection operation member 46 of the control panel 18 to stop the operation of the dust collection device 19.

[0112] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which an operator operates the lifting operation member 45, the dust collection operation member 46, and the ejection operation member 47 of the control panel 18 to raise and lower the pair of lifting members 14, to operate and stop the dust collection operation of the dust collection device 19, and to operate and stop the ejection of compressed air from the compressed air ejection unit 16. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. In other examples, the powder discharge device 1 may be controlled by the control device 48 of the control panel 18 to automatically operate in conjunction with each other along the timing chart of FIG. 12 for the raising and lowering of the pair of lifting members 14, the operation and stop of the dust collection operation of the dust collection device 19, and the operation and stop of the ejection of compressed air from the compressed air ejection unit 16.

[0113] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the dust collection device 19 is operated when the storage bag 100 is lifted to start collecting the powder that has scattered without being introduced into the introduction pipe 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. In other examples, the timing of operating the dust collection device 19 may be such that the dust collection device 19 is operated during the self-weight fall of the powder that has been chucked and sealed.

[0114] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the powder discharge device 1 is a powder discharge device 1 into which the powder filled in the flexible storage bag 100 is introduced and the introduced powder is discharged. The introduction pipe 10 is provided with an inlet 10a through which the powder is introduced from the storage bag 100, and the discharge pipe 11 is provided with an outlet 11a through which the introduced powder is discharged. The powder discharge device 1 includes a seal member 30 that hermetically seals the discharge portion 101 of the storage bag 100 and the inlet 10a in a state where the storage bag 100 and the inlet 10a are in communication. The inlet 10a of the introduction pipe 10 and the seal member 30 are configured such that, in the flow direction of the powder introduced from the storage bag 100 to the inlet 10a, after turning the discharge portion 101 upstream, the discharge portion 101 is deformed inside the seal portion composed of the introduction pipe 10 and the seal member 30 so as to turn downstream.

[0115] With such a configuration, in the powder discharging device 1, since the discharge part 101 is deformed by the seal member 30 so as to be folded back downstream, the force received by the discharge part 101 during deformation can be alleviated, damage to the discharge part 101 can be suppressed, and further, the number of parts and the mounting man-hours can be reduced, and the economy can be improved. Also, since the upper tip of the input pipe 10 serving as the input port 10a is relatively thin, the seal member 30 can be strongly pressed with the storage bag 100 sandwiched therebetween, and the sealing property (airtightness) can be enhanced.

[0116] Also, in the powder discharging device 1, since the folded-back portion of the discharge part 101 that is folded back upstream by the deforming part composed of the input pipe 10 and the seal member 30 is located inside the seal part, when viewed from the inside of the communication space between the storage bag 100 and the input port 10a, the folded-back portion covers the seal part, so that the exposure of the seal part is suppressed, and it is difficult for the powder in the communication space to reach the seal part. Also, since the discharge part 101 is folded back downstream at the seal part, it adheres along the wall surface of the input pipe 10 constituting the input port 10a, so that it is difficult for a step or a gap to occur between the discharge part 101 and the input port 10a. Therefore, in the communication space of the storage bag 100 and the input port 10a, even if the powder rises, it is difficult for the powder to adhere to and accumulate on the seal part of the discharge part 101.

[0117] Therefore, the powder existing around the seal part of the discharge part 101 can be minimized, so that the airtight state between the discharge part 101 and the input port 10a can be stabilized. Further, when the storage bag 100 is separated from the powder discharging device 1, even when the airtight state is released and the discharge part 101 comes off from the input port 10a, the powder floating and staying around the seal part of the discharge part 101 can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the contamination of the periphery of the device with powder and suppress the occurrence of health hazards to the operator. That is, the powder discharging device 1 can suppress the scattering of powder to the surroundings when the powder is input from the storage bag 100 or when the storage bag 100 is removed.

[0118] Furthermore, the technology of the powder discharging device 1 of the present invention can be applied as a powder discharging method. In other words, in the powder discharging method of charging the powder filled in the flexible storage bag 100 into the powder discharging device 1 and discharging the charged powder from the powder discharging device 1, in a state where the storage bag 100 and the charging port 10a of the powder discharging device 1 are in communication, there are a sealing step of hermetically sealing the discharging portion 101 of the storage bag 100 and the charging port 10a, and in the flow direction of the powder charged from the storage bag 100 to the charging port 10a, after folding back the discharging portion 101 upstream, a deforming step of deforming the discharging portion 101 inside the sealing portion of the discharging portion 101 so as to fold back downstream, a charging step of charging the powder from the discharging portion 101 to the charging port 10a, and a discharging step of discharging the charged powder from the discharge port 11a of the powder discharging device 1.

[0119] Also, in the present embodiment, the powder discharging device 1 includes a pressing member 13 disposed upstream of the charging port 10a in the flow direction, and a lifting member 14 which is a moving portion that moves the pressing member 13 in the approaching direction or the separating direction with respect to the charging port 10a. The sealing member 30 is attached to the lower side of the pressing member 13, and is configured such that when the pressing member 13 approaches the charging port 10a, at least a part of the sealing member 30 protrudes downstream of the charging port 10a to fold back the discharging portion 101 upstream.

[0120] With such a configuration, in the powder discharging device 1, when the pressing member 13 is brought close to the charging port 10a by the moving portion with the storage bag 100 covering the charging port 10a, the discharging portion 101 is folded back upstream by the sealing member 30 protruding downstream of the sealing portion. Since the folded-back portion of the discharging portion 101 folded back upstream by the sealing member 30 is located inside the sealing portion, when viewed from the inside of the communication space between the storage bag 100 and the charging port 10a, the folded-back portion covers the sealing portion, suppressing the exposure of the sealing portion and making it difficult for the powder in the communication space to reach the sealing portion.

[0121] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the powder discharging device 1, the pressing member 13 is opened corresponding to the charging port 10a and includes an introduction port 13a for introducing the discharge portion 101, and the sealing member 30 is formed in an annular shape along the inner circumference of the introduction port 13a.

[0122] With such a configuration, since the sealing member 30 provided along the inner circumference of the introduction port 13a turns the discharge portion 101 upstream on the downstream side of the sealing portion, it is possible to cover the sealing portion across the inner circumference of the introduction port 13a and suppress exposure, and it is possible to further suppress the powder existing around the sealing portion of the discharge portion 101.

[0123] In addition, in the present embodiment, the powder discharging device 1 includes a circulation pipe 20 communicating from the charging port 10a to the discharge port 11a, and a collection duct 12 surrounding the circulation pipe 20. The collection duct 12 includes an upper opening 12b opened around the charging port 10a on the upstream side in the flow direction, and a connection port 12d connected to a dust collection device 19 for collecting powder.

[0124] With such a configuration, the powder diffused and scattered around the charging port 10a can be efficiently collected through the upper opening 12b, and the collected powder can be sent to the dust collection device 19. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the contamination by the powder around the device and the occurrence of health damage to the operator.

[0125] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the powder discharging device 1, the pair of elevating members 14 which are moving parts are composed of a pair of air cylinders that raise and lower the pressing member 13 with respect to the charging port 10a, and the powder discharging device 1 includes a pair of guide members 15 composed of a pair of cylinder guides arranged along the air cylinders. One end of the air cylinder and one end of the cylinder guide are connected to the pressing member 13. One air cylinder and one cylinder guide, and the other air cylinder and the other cylinder guide are arranged to face each other with the circulation pipe 20 interposed therebetween.

[0126] With such a configuration, the pressing member 13 can be moved up and down using an air cylinder. Also, even if a synchronization deviation occurs in the control of the pair of air cylinders, the parallel straightness of the pair of air cylinders can be ensured by the pair of cylinder guides, and both ends of the pressing member 13 can be stably moved up and down in parallel without being affected by the synchronization deviation. Therefore, since the pressing member 13 does not become inclined, malfunction of the pair of air cylinders can be suppressed.

[0127] Also, in the present embodiment, in the powder discharging device 1, one end of the air cylinder and one end of the cylinder guide are provided with a floating joint 32 connected to the pressing member 13.

[0128] With such a configuration, misalignment between the pressing member 13 and the pair of lifting members 14 which are air cylinders and insufficient accuracy of parallelism can be eliminated, the air cylinders can be operated stably, and the pressing member 13 can be moved up and down stably. Also, the load applied to the piston packing inside the air cylinder can be suppressed, and malfunction of the air cylinder can be suppressed.

[0129] Also, in the present embodiment, the powder discharging device 1 is provided with a pinching prevention part 17, and the pinching prevention part 17 is provided with a detection part that detects intrusion of an external obstacle between the pressing member 13 and the charging port 10a. When the detection part detects intrusion of an obstacle, the pinching prevention part 17 suppresses the lowering of the pressing member 13 by the moving part.

[0130] With such a configuration, when an obstacle such as an operator's hand intrudes between the pressing member 13 and the charging port 10a, the lowering of the pressing member 13 is suppressed, so an accident such as being pinched by the pressing member 13 can be prevented in advance, and safety can be ensured.

[0131] Further, in the present embodiment, the powder discharging device 1 is provided inside the flow pipe 20 and includes a compressed air jetting portion 16 that jets compressed air toward the inside of the storage bag 100. The compressed air jetting portion 16 is provided on the upstream side in the flow direction, and the tip of the compressed air jetting portion 16 is formed to be inclined toward the downstream side in the flow direction and includes a check valve 37. The check valve 37 is opened only when jetting compressed air, and closes when the jetting of the compressed air ends.

[0132] With such a configuration, after the powder is introduced from the storage bag 100, even if powder remains inside the storage bag 100, by jetting compressed air toward the inside of the storage bag 100 with the compressed air jetting portion 16, residual powder such as a bridge can be broken, the fluidity of the powder can be increased, and the residual powder can be dropped into the charging port 10a. Also, by providing the check valve 37, it is possible to prevent the powder from entering the inside of the compressed air jetting portion 16 during powder charging. On the other hand, after the powder is charged, the check valve 37 can be opened to stably jet the compressed air. Further, since the tip of the compressed air jetting portion 16 is inclined downward, it is possible to prevent the charged powder from accumulating on the tip of the compressed air jetting portion 16 and suppress the influence on the opening and closing operation of the check valve 37.

[0133] Further, in the present embodiment, the seal member 30 is sandwiched between an inner support member 29 disposed inside the seal member 30 and an outer support member 28 disposed outside the seal member 30. The outer support member 28 is formed in an L-shaped cross section so as to support a part of the lower end portion of the seal member 30. An opening 29a for attaching and detaching the seal member 30 is formed between the inner support member 29 and the outer support member 28.

[0134] With such a configuration, when the storage bag 100 contacts the seal member 30 from the inside, the inner support member 29 acts as a stopper, suppressing the deformation of the seal member 30. This prevents damage and pain to the seal member 30 and maintains the sealing performance and restorability of the seal member 30. Further, when replacing the seal member 30 due to deterioration or the like associated with the use of the seal member 30, the attachment and detachment of the seal member 30 can be easily performed through the opening 29a. The seal member 30 is sandwiched between the inner support member 29 and the outer support member 28 and is supported from below by the L-shape of the outer support member 28, so that it can be prevented from falling downward. Note that since the seal member 30 is supported without using adhesion or an adhesive tape, the attachment and detachment of the seal member 30 are easy.

[0135] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the seal member 30 is formed to be elastically deformable. When the pressing member 13 is moved in the approaching direction with respect to the insertion port 10a by the moving part and the insertion port 10a is pushed into the seal member 30, the moving amount of the pressing member 13 may be set such that the pushing amount Y2 by which the insertion port 10a is pushed into the seal member 30 is larger than the protruding amount Y1 by which the seal member 30 protrudes from the inner support member 29.

[0136] With such a configuration, the discharge part 101 can be surely folded back into an N-shape by the seal member 30. Therefore, when viewed from the inside of the communication space between the storage bag 100 and the insertion port 10a, the folded part covers the seal part, suppressing the exposure of the seal part and making it difficult for the powder in the communication space to reach the seal part. In addition, since the seal member 30 protrudes from the inner support member 29 by the protruding amount Y1, even if the storage bag 100 is excessively pulled upward with respect to the seal member 30, the portion of the protruding amount Y1 of the seal member 30 serves as a buffer, and it is difficult for the storage bag 100 to suffer problems such as damage and pain.

[0137] Further, in the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the pressing member 13 may be set such that the pushing-in amount Y2 is about 1 / 2 of the thickness Y3 of the sealing member 30 and about twice the protruding amount Y1.

[0138] With such a configuration, by making the pushing-in amount Y2 about half of the thickness Y3 of the sealing member 30, the sealing performance and the resilience of the sealing member 30 can be maintained and ensured. By setting the pushing-in amount Y2 to be about twice the protruding amount Y1, the folded-back portion of the discharge portion 101 can be reliably formed.

[0139] Further, in the present embodiment, the sealing member 30 is formed of an elastic material made of ethylene propylene diene rubber having a hardness of 7 to 35.

[0140] With such a configuration, the sealing member 30 is excellent in marketability, economy, weather resistance, durability, and resilience, and can ensure appropriate sealing performance even when it is pushed into the inlet 10a.

[0141] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the powder discharging device 1 causes the sealing member 30 to be pushed into the upper tip portion (inlet 10a) of the charging pipe 10, so that the sealing member 30 is elastically deformed and protrudes downstream of the inlet 10a, thereby folding back the discharge portion 101 upstream. However, the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0142] In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the powder discharging device 1 may be formed to have a protruding portion 30a in which the sealing member 30 protrudes downstream toward the radially inner side from the inlet 10a, and the protruding portion 30a may be configured to fold back the discharge portion 101 upstream. The protruding portion 30a is formed in an annular shape having a width of a second distance X2 corresponding to the inside of the charging pipe 10 to the inside of the sealing member 30 (outside of the inner support member 29) in the radial direction. When the sealing member 30 is housed between the outer support member 28 and the inner support member 29, the protruding portion 30a is formed to protrude downstream of the opening 29a.

[0143] For example, as shown in Fig. 13(a), the protruding portion 30a may be formed with a rectangular cross-section, or, as shown in Fig. 13(b), it may be formed with a lower surface that slopes downward toward the outer radial direction, or, as shown in Fig. 13(c), it may be formed with a semi-circular cross-section that is convex downward. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 13(d), the protruding portion 30a may be formed with a semi-circular cross-section that is convex downward and has a width shorter than the second distance X2. Or, the protruding portion 30a may be formed in other shapes such as an ellipse. The protruding portion 30a may be integrally formed with the seal member 30 during the molding of the seal member 30, or may be formed as a separate part from the seal member 30 and adhered to the lower surface of the seal member 30.

[0144] As a result, as shown in Fig. 14, when the pressing member 13 descends toward the charging pipe 10 (charging port 10a), on the outer side in the radial direction from the protruding portion 30a, the charging pipe 10 contacts the lower surface of the seal member 30 with the storage bag 100 interposed therebetween. Then, the seal member 30 is pushed into the upper tip portion (charging port 10a) of the charging pipe 10 on the outer side from the protruding portion 30a and elastically deformed. At this time, on the inner side in the radial direction from the charging port 10a, the seal member 30 protrudes downstream from the charging port 10a by an amount obtained by adding the pushing-in amount Y2 of the charging pipe 10 with respect to the seal member 30 and the height Y4 of the protruding portion 30a, that is, the integrated value of the pushing-in amount Y2 and the height Y4 becomes the folding-back amount of the storage bag 100.

[0145] As described above, in other embodiments, the seal member 30 is formed with a protruding portion 30a that protrudes downstream on the inner side from the charging port 10a.

[0146] With such a configuration, the folded portion of the discharge portion 101 can be reliably formed. Further, since the protruding portion 30a of the seal member 30 deforms the discharge portion 101 so as to fold it back downstream, the folding-back amount of the discharge portion 101 can be increased by the height of the protruding portion 30a, so that scattering of powder to the surroundings can be suppressed when the storage bag 100 is removed.

[0147] In another embodiment, the protruding portion 30a of the seal member 30 is formed in a semi-circular cross-sectional shape that is convex downward.

[0148] With such a configuration, since the storage bag 100 is folded back upstream along the semi-circular shape of the seal member 30, the adhesion between the seal member 30 and the storage bag 100 is improved, and the folded portion of the discharge portion 101 can be reliably formed.

[0149] In this embodiment, when the pressing member 13 descends, the discharge portion 101 of the storage bag 100 is folded upward inside the seal portion by the deforming portion composed of the input pipe 10 and the seal member 30, and then folded downward, thereby being deformed into an N-shaped cross-section. However, the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0150] In another example, the powder discharging device 1 may include two annular members (not shown) that are doubly stacked inside and outside as a deforming portion for deforming the discharge portion 101. In this case, the discharge portion 101 is passed from above to below along the inner peripheral side of the inner annular member, and then folded upward along the outer peripheral side of the inner annular member at the lower edge portion of the inner annular member. With the discharge portion 101 folded back on the outer peripheral side of the inner annular member, the outer annular member is fitted on the outer peripheral side of the inner annular member, whereby the discharge portion 101 is sandwiched between the inner annular member and the outer annular member. Further, the discharge portion 101 is folded downward along the outer peripheral side of the outer annular member at the upper edge portion of the outer annular member.

[0151] In this way, the discharge portion 101 is deformed into an N-shaped cross-section by the inner annular member and the outer annular member. Then, the outer annular member is attached to the upper tip portion of the input pipe 10 with the discharge portion 101 deformed. Thereby, the discharge portion 101 is chucked (fixed) and sealed (hermetically sealed) by the inner annular member, the outer annular member, and the input pipe 10.

[0152] Further, the deforming portion for deforming the discharge portion 101 may be configured to repeatedly deform the discharge portion 101 in an N-shaped cross section. For example, as the deforming portion, the charging pipe 10 is configured to have a double edge portion at the upper tip portion, and the pressing member 13 is configured to have a double inner support member 29. Then, when the pressing member 13 descends, the double edge portions of the charging pipe 10 push the sealing member 30 of the pressing member 13 at different positions in the radial direction, thereby alternately sandwiching the discharge portion 101 and deforming the discharge portion 101 so as to repeat the N-shaped cross section. Alternatively, as the deforming portion, it may be provided with three annular members that are triple-layered, and the three annular members alternately sandwich the discharge portion 101 to deform the discharge portion 101 so as to repeat the N-shaped cross section.

[0153] In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which the pinching prevention portion 17 is composed of the ring 39, the detected plate 40, the support rod 41, and the proximity sensor 42 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. In other examples, the pinching prevention portion 17 may include a shielding member such as a curtain (not shown) that covers the space between the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10 so as to prevent the intrusion of obstacles between the pressing member 13 and the charging pipe 10. Further, the pinching prevention portion 17 may include a sensor that detects operations such as an operation in which the shielding member is opened, a winding operation, and a lifting operation, and suppress the descent of the pressing member 13 by the pair of elevating members 14 when these operations are detected.

[0154] Further, the present invention can be appropriately modified within a range not contrary to the gist or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a powder discharging device with such modifications is also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0155] The technology of the present invention can be suitably used as a powder discharging device in which powder is introduced from a storage bag such as a flexible container bag for storing powder in a facility such as a factory that handles powder, and the introduced powder is discharged.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0156] 1 Powder discharging device 10 Feeding pipe (sealing part, deformation part) 10a Feeding port 11 Discharge pipe 11a Discharge port 12 Collection duct 12b Upper opening (opening) 12d Connection port 13 Pressing member 13a Inlet 14 Lifting member (moving part) 15 Guide member 16 Compressed air ejection part 17 Pinching prevention part 18 Control panel 19 Dust collector 20 Flow pipe 28 Outer support member 29 Inner support member 30 Sealing member (sealing part, deformation part) 30a Protrusion 32 Floating joint 37 Check valve 39 Ring (detection part) 40 Detected plate (detection part) 41 Support rod (detection part) 42 Proximity sensor (detection part) 48 Control device 100 Storage bag 101 Discharge part

Claims

1. A powder discharging device that receives powder filled in a flexible storage bag and discharges the powder, an inlet through which the powder is introduced from the containing bag; a discharge port for discharging the charged powder; a sealing member that airtightly seals the discharge portion of the storage bag and the insertion port while the storage bag and the insertion port are in communication with each other, A powder discharging device characterized in that the inlet and the sealing member deform the discharge section so that the discharge section folds back toward the upstream side and then toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the powder being discharged from the storage bag to the inlet.

2. a pressing member disposed upstream of the inlet in the flow direction; a moving unit that moves the pressing member in a direction toward or away from the insertion port, 2. The powder discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is attached to the underside of the pressing member, and when the pressing member approaches the inlet, at least a portion of the sealing member protrudes downstream of the inlet, thereby folding the discharge section back toward the upstream side.

3. the pressing member has an inlet that is opened corresponding to the inlet and through which the discharge section is introduced, 3. The powder discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member is formed in an annular shape along an inner periphery of the inlet.

4. a flow pipe communicating from the inlet to the outlet; a collection duct surrounding the flow pipe, The collection duct has an opening that is opened around the inlet on the upstream side in the flow direction, The powder discharging device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a connection port connected to a dust collector that collects the powder.

5. a flow pipe communicating from the inlet to the outlet, The moving unit includes a pair of air cylinders that raise and lower the pressing member relative to the insertion port; a pair of cylinder guides arranged along the air cylinder, One end of the air cylinder and one end of the cylinder guide are connected to the pressing member, 3. The powder discharging device according to claim 2, wherein one of the air cylinders and one of the cylinder guides and the other of the air cylinders and the other of the cylinder guides are arranged opposite each other with the flow pipe in between.

6. 6. The powder discharging device according to claim 5, wherein one end of the air cylinder and one end of the cylinder guide are provided with a floating joint connected to the pressing member.

7. a detection unit that detects an obstacle entering between the pressing member and the insertion port from the outside, The powder discharging device according to claim 2 , wherein the detecting unit prevents the moving unit from lowering the pressing member when the detecting unit detects an intrusion of an obstacle.

8. a flow pipe communicating from the inlet to the outlet; a compressed air ejection unit provided inside the flow pipe and configured to eject compressed air toward the interior of the storage bag; the compressed air ejection portion is provided on the upstream side in the flow direction, a tip portion of the compressed air ejection portion is formed to be inclined toward the downstream side in the flow direction, and is equipped with a check valve, 2. The powder discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the check valve opens only when the compressed air is being ejected, and closes when the ejection of the compressed air is completed.

9. the seal member is sandwiched between an inner support member disposed inside the seal member and an outer support member disposed outside the seal member, the outer support member is formed in an L-shaped cross section so as to support a portion of a lower end portion of the seal member, 3. The powder discharging device according to claim 2, wherein an opening for attaching and detaching the seal member is formed between the inner support member and the outer support member.

10. The sealing member is formed to be elastically deformable, 10. The powder discharging device according to claim 9, wherein the amount of movement of the pressing member is set so that when the pressing member is moved in a direction approaching the inlet by the moving unit and the inlet is pressed into the sealing member, the amount by which the inlet is pressed into the sealing member is greater than the amount by which the sealing member protrudes from the inner support member.

11. 11. The powder discharging device according to claim 10, wherein the amount of movement of the pressing member is set so that the amount of pressing is approximately half the thickness of the sealing member and approximately twice the amount of protrusion.

12. 2. The powder discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is made of an elastic material such as ethylene propylene diene rubber having a hardness of 7 to 35.

13. 2. The powder discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is formed with a protruding portion that protrudes toward the downstream side and is located inside the inlet.

14. 14. The powder discharging device according to claim 13, wherein the protrusion is formed in a semicircular cross section that is convex downward.

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