Agitation device and agitation blade attachment method

Abstract

To improve workability of replacement work of an agitation blade and increase a speed of type changeover.SOLUTION: An agitation device 100 agitates, as raw materials, liquid and liquid, liquid and liquid containing solid, or liquid containing solid and liquid containing solid. The agitation device 100 includes: an agitation vessel 10 storing the raw materials; a rotation drive part 22 that is provided in a substantially vertical direction and rotationally driven in the inside of the agitation vessel; an agitation blade attached to the rotation drive part; and a fall prevention part that prevents the agitation blade from falling from the rotation drive part. The fall prevention part can be attached to the rotation drive part from a substantially horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agitator for agitating two liquids, one liquid and one liquid containing a solid, or one liquid containing a solid and another liquid containing a solid, and a method for attaching an agitating blade. [Background technology]

[0002] Agitators are used to atomize and mix materials such as liquids and liquids, liquids containing solids, or liquids containing solids and liquids containing solids in cosmetics, food, chemicals, or pharmaceuticals. The agitator is composed of an agitator blade that rotates or turns a rotating shaft in a mixing tank to agitate the materials, and a drive unit for rotating the rotating shaft.

[0003] Even for a single cosmetic product, there are a wide variety of products that need to be mixed and refined, and each product requires different materials to be mixed. When switching between products, cleaning the mixing vessel and mixing blades and replacing the blades are essential. Therefore, smooth removal and installation of mixing blades is desirable to improve the efficiency of product changeover.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which blades at the bottom of a stirring tank (container) are replaceable from above using bolts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-019945 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 has the problem of poor workability, as it requires reaching in from the top of the narrow mixing vessel to tighten or loosen the bolts at the bottom of the vessel. Also, if the blades are attached to the top of the mixing vessel, the bolts must be attached from below by bending over, which further reduces workability and takes time.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above problems, improve the workability of the agitating blade replacement work, and promote the speedy product changeover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mixing device for mixing liquids and liquids, liquids and liquids containing solids, or liquids containing solids and liquids containing solids as raw materials, the device comprising: a mixing tank for storing the raw material; a rotation drive unit that is provided in a substantially vertical direction and rotates in the stirring tank; A stirring blade attached to the rotation drive unit; a drop prevention part that prevents the stirring blade from dropping from the rotation drive part, The present invention provides a stirring device characterized in that the fall prevention part can be attached to the rotation drive part in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0009] This configuration improves the workability of replacing the stirring blades and makes it possible to speed up product type changeover.

[0010] In the stirring device, the rotation drive unit may have a fall prevention unit insertion groove in an approximately horizontal direction in at least a portion of the part exposed in the stirring tank that is closer to the tip than the mounting position of the stirring blade, and the fall prevention unit may be configured to be insertable into the fall prevention unit insertion groove from an approximately horizontal direction.

[0011] With this configuration, simply by inserting the drop prevention part horizontally into the groove of the rotation drive part, the dropping of the stirring blade can be prevented, improving workability.

[0012] In a stirring device, the fall prevention part may be plate-shaped having an overall approximately U-shape, and may have a bolt hole or a bolt screw hole for inserting a bolt in part of it approximately parallel to the plate-shaped surface, and may be configured so that it can be bolted to the rotation drive part through the bolt hole.

[0013] With this configuration, the rotating blades can be inserted into the rotary drive unit from below, the fall prevention unit can be inserted into the rotary drive unit in an approximately horizontal direction to prevent the rotary drive unit from falling, and then the bolts can be easily tightened from an approximately horizontal direction, significantly improving workability.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for attaching an agitator blade to an agitator that mixes liquid with liquid, liquid with a solid, or liquid with a solid and liquid with a solid as raw materials, the method comprising: an agitator blade insertion step of inserting an agitator blade from the tip of a rotary drive unit while the tip of the rotary drive unit is exposed; and a fall prevention unit attachment step of inserting a fall prevention unit from a substantially horizontal direction to a position on the rotary drive unit closer to the tip than the position where the agitator blade is inserted, and bolting the fall prevention unit from a substantially horizontal direction.

[0015] This configuration improves the workability of replacing the stirring blades and makes it possible to speed up product type changeover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The agitator and agitator blade mounting method of the present invention can improve the workability of agitator blade replacement work and promote rapid product changeover. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a stirring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an agitation blade of the agitation device in Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a rotation drive unit of the agitator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating a method for attaching an agitating blade in Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a method for attaching the stirring blade in Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a third diagram illustrating a method for attaching an agitating blade in Example 1 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Example]

[0018] (Stirring device) The stirring device of Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the stirring device of Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the stirring blade of the stirring device of Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the rotation drive unit of the stirring device of Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a first diagram illustrating a method for attaching the stirring blade in Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a second diagram illustrating a method for attaching the stirring blade in Example 1 of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a third diagram illustrating a method for attaching the stirring blade in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0019] The stirring apparatus 100 in Example 1 includes a generally cylindrical stirring vessel 10 with an open top and windows 11 on the side and bottom to allow the interior to be seen, a generally circular lid 20 with a contact portion (not shown) on one side that can be fitted tightly to the upper sidewall of the stirring vessel 10, a rotational drive unit 22 that penetrates the lid 20 and is partially inserted into the stirring vessel 10 to rotate or rotate around the rotational axis, a stirring blade 23 attached near the tip of the rotational drive unit 22, a material input unit 21 on the other side of the lid 20, and a drive unit (not shown) that raises and lowers the stirring vessel 10 to an upper limit position, an intermediate position (FIG. 1 shows the stirring vessel in the intermediate position), and a lower limit position (FIG. 2 shows the stirring vessel in the intermediate position). The rotational drive unit 22, the stirring blade 23, and the lid 20 can be raised and lowered to the upper limit position and the intermediate position by a separate drive unit. When the stirring tank 10 is located at the lowest position, the rotary drive unit 22, the stirring blade 23, and the lid unit 20 are located at least in the intermediate position, and the stirring blade 23 is exposed as shown in Figure 2, making it easy to perform replacement work as described below.

[0020] The stirring vessel 10 in Example 1 is made of a roughly cylindrical glass with an open top, and the back and part of the bottom are supported by protective metal. Therefore, of the outer surfaces of the stirring vessel 10, most of the front and bottom sides that are not protected by protective metal function as window sections 11, allowing the stirring state to be observed. The glass of the stirring vessel 10 is also made of double glass, and hot water can be poured between the panes to increase or maintain the temperature inside the stirring vessel 10, and cold water can be poured between the panes to decrease or maintain the temperature inside the stirring vessel 10.

[0021] In Example 1, the window portion 11 is provided on the side and bottom surfaces of the agitation tank 10, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the window portion 11 may be provided on the side and top surfaces, or may be provided on at least the side surfaces. In Example 1, the agitation tank 10 is made of a substantially cylindrical glass with an open top, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the agitation tank 10 may be made of a substantially polygonal prism-shaped glass with an open top, or may be made of a substantially cylindrical resin.

[0022] Furthermore, the stirring tank 10, the rotation drive unit 22, the stirring blade 23, and the lid 20 are configured so that the lid 20 is in close contact with the stirring tank 10 when the stirring blade 23 is in the upper limit position or intermediate position, so that the stirring inside the stirring tank 10 can be stirred by rotating or turning the stirring blade 23, and the inside of the stirring tank 10 can be evacuated. Therefore, depending on the material to be stirred, efficient stirring is possible.

[0023] In Example 1, the lid part 20 is configured to be in close contact with the stirred tank 10 from the upper limit position to the intermediate position, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the lid part 20 may be configured to be in close contact with the stirred tank 10 only at the upper limit position and the intermediate position, or the close contact part of the lid part 20 may be configured to be in close contact with the upper surface of the side wall of the stirred tank 10 at least at the upper limit position and the intermediate position.

[0024] A contact portion made of rubber packing is provided around the entire periphery of lid 20 on one surface (the surface that contacts the ceiling of agitation tank 10) of lid 20 so that it can be tightly fitted to the upper surface of the side wall of agitation tank 10. From the upper limit position to the intermediate position, the upper surface of the side wall of agitation tank 10 is tightly fitted to the contact portion of lid 20, and agitator blade 23 attached near the tip of rotation drive unit 22 that penetrates lid 20 rotates or turns within agitation tank 10 to mix the charged materials.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the agitator blade 23 is composed of an upper portion 23a that is generally flat and extends laterally, with an upper circular hole 23e; two middle portions 23b extending downward from the upper portion 23a; multiple blades 23c extending laterally inward from the middle portions 23b; and a lower portion 23d where the two middle portions 23b are joined at the bottom and have a lower circular hole 23f. The diameter of the agitator blade attachment point 29 (see Figure 3(b)) near the tip of the generally cylindrical rotary drive unit 22 to which the agitator blade 23 is attached is set to a size that allows the upper circular hole 23e to be inserted. As described below, when the agitator blade 23 is inserted into the rotary drive unit 22, the upper circular hole 23e is inserted up to the agitator blade attachment point 29 of the rotary drive unit 22.

[0026] The upper part of the agitator blade attachment point 29 is larger in diameter than the agitator blade attachment point 29, and the agitator blade 23 will not move above this point. Also, as will be described later, by inserting and positioning the fall prevention part 25 into the fall prevention part insertion groove 24, the agitator blade 23 will not move downward either.

[0027] The rotation drive unit 22 that rotates or turns the stirring blade 23 is provided with a motor or the like and extends to the other surface side of the lid unit 20. The rotation drive unit 22 moves up and down integrally with the lid unit 20.

[0028] The top of the mixing tank 10 shown in Figure 1 is positioned at an intermediate position, 962 mm from the floor. This intermediate position is set so that operator H can easily add materials to the material charging section 21. Note that the inside of the mixing tank 10 may be evacuated. In this case, after adding materials to the hopper of the material charging section 21, the cock is turned to open the door separating the mixing tank 10 from the inside of the mixing tank, and the materials are drawn in by the vacuum. After this, to maintain the vacuum, the cock is turned in the opposite direction to close the door separating the mixing tank 10 from the inside of the mixing tank, and the vacuum state inside the mixing tank 10 is maintained.

[0029] In Example 1, the distance from the floor surface to the top surface of the mixing tank 10 at the intermediate position was set to 962 mm, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be set to 963 mm or more or 961 mm or less, as long as it is set at a position that makes it easy for the operator H to input material into the material input section 21.

[0030] The top of the agitation vessel 10 shown in Figure 2 is at its lowest position, set at 622 mm from the floor, and the lid 20, agitator blade 23, and rotary drive unit 22 are at their intermediate positions. In this positional relationship, the top of the agitation vessel 10 is open, exposing the agitator blade 23, allowing for the replacement of the agitator blade 23. In other words, the lid 20, along with the agitator blade 23 and rotary drive unit 22, remains at the intermediate position and does not descend to the lowest position. This releases the lid 20 from its tight contact with the top of the agitation vessel 10, opening it up.

[0031] In Example 1, the lower limit position is set to 622 mm, which is the distance from the floor surface to the ceiling surface of the mixing tank 10, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be set to 623 mm or more or 621 mm or less, as long as it is set to a position that makes it easy for the operator H to replace or clean the mixing blades 23.

[0032] FIG. 3(a) shows the entire rotary drive unit 22, without showing the lid 20, the agitator blade 23, or the agitator tank 10. FIG. 3(b) shows an enlarged view of the tip of the rotary drive unit 22 exposed inside the agitator tank 10. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the tip of the rotary drive unit 22 has a generally cylindrical shape, and near the tip, on the tip side of the agitator blade attachment point 29, there is a drop prevention unit insertion groove 24 recessed in a generally horizontal direction around the entire circumference. As described below, by inserting a drop prevention unit 25 in a generally horizontal direction into this drop prevention unit insertion groove 24, the drop prevention unit 25, which is larger in diameter than the agitator blade attachment point 29, can easily prevent the agitator blade 23 located at the agitator blade attachment point 29 from falling.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, fall prevention unit 25 has two parallel protrusions 25a, 25b and has a generally U-shaped plate shape overall, with fixing unit 26 screwed to its base end. Bolt holes 27 penetrate fixing unit 26 generally parallel to the surface of the generally U-shaped plate (generally horizontal after attachment to the rotation drive unit). Screws can be inserted into bolt holes 27 generally horizontally to screw the fall prevention unit to rotation drive unit 22. Protrusions 25a, 25b of fall prevention unit 25 are parallel to each other, and the gap between them is large enough to be inserted into fall prevention unit insertion groove 24, and the planar (horizontal) width of protrusions 25a, 25b is large enough to support stirring blade 23.

[0034] In the first embodiment, the fall prevention portion 25 is substantially U-shaped, but this is not limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the fall prevention portion 25 may be substantially arc-shaped. Also, although the bolt holes 27 are configured to penetrate the fixing portion 26 that is screwed to the substantially U-shaped portion, this is not limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, a thick plate may be provided with the bolt holes 27 that penetrate the substantially U-shaped portion substantially parallel to the surface of the plate (substantially horizontal after attachment to the rotation drive unit).

[0035] As a result, after inserting the agitating blade 23 into the rotation drive unit 22 and positioning it at the agitating blade mounting location 29, the drop prevention unit 25 can be inserted horizontally into the drop prevention unit insertion groove 24, thereby easily preventing the agitating blade 23 from falling. Also, by screwing the drop prevention unit 25 to the rotation drive unit 22 from the horizontal direction, the drop prevention unit 25 can be reliably fixed to the rotation drive unit 22. The movable portion 22 can be held by the movable portion 22.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the rotation drive unit 22 is configured to have a substantially horizontal fall prevention unit insertion groove 24 around the entire circumference near the tip thereof, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, a partial groove may be provided near the tip of the rotation drive unit 22 only in the portion into which the protrusions 25a, 25b of the substantially U-shaped fall prevention unit 25 are inserted. In other words, it is sufficient to provide a groove into which the fall prevention unit can be inserted in at least a portion of the rotation drive unit 22. Furthermore, the tip portion of the rotation drive unit 22 does not have to be substantially cylindrical, but may be polygonal prism-shaped.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the fall prevention portion 25 is substantially U-shaped, but is not limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the fall prevention portion 25 may be substantially arc-shaped.

[0038] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the fall prevention unit 25 is configured to be inserted into the fall prevention unit insertion groove 24 of the rotation drive unit 22, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the fall prevention unit may be an arc-shaped plate with bolt holes and bolted to the side of the rotation drive unit 22 from a substantially horizontal direction through the bolt holes. Also, the fixing unit 26 may be fixed with an adhesive instead of screws, or the fixing member 26 and the fall prevention unit 25 may be integrated by polishing or the like. Furthermore, instead of bolting the fall prevention unit 25 to the rotation drive unit 22, the fall prevention unit 25 may be configured to engage with the rotation drive unit 22. At least, the fall prevention unit 25 may be configured to be attached to the rotation drive unit from a substantially horizontal direction.

[0039] (Method of attaching the agitator blade) A method of attaching the agitator blade 23 to the rotary drive unit 22 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. First, with the tip of the rotary drive unit 22 exposed (for example, with the agitator tank 10 positioned at the lowest position and the lid 20 and rotary drive unit 22 positioned at intermediate positions), as shown in Figure 4, the agitator blade 23 is held by hand and inserted from the bottom (the tip of the rotary drive unit 22) into the rotary drive unit 22 until it is positioned at the agitator blade attachment position 29 (agitator blade insertion step). At this time, the agitator blade 23 is held with one hand, as letting go will cause the agitator blade 23 to fall.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the agitator blade 23 is composed of an upper portion 23a that is generally flat and extends laterally, with an upper circular hole 23e; two middle portions 23b extending downward from the upper portion 23a; blades 23c extending laterally from the middle portions 23b; and a lower portion 23d in which the two middle portions 23b are joined at the bottom and have a lower circular hole 23f. The diameter of the agitator blade attachment portion 29 is set to a size that allows the upper circular hole 23e to be inserted. When inserting the agitator blade 23 into the rotary drive unit 22, the upper circular hole 23e is inserted into the rotary drive unit 22.

[0041] Next, while supporting the agitator blade 23 with one hand, the fall prevention unit installation step is carried out. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the roughly U-shaped fall prevention unit 25 is inserted into the fall prevention unit insertion groove 24 in a roughly horizontal direction from the tips of the two parallel protrusions 25a, 25b. As a result, even if the agitator blade 23 is released from the hand, it will not fall because it is held by the fall prevention unit 25. The fall prevention unit 25 has a fixing unit 26 screwed to the base end of the roughly U-shaped portion. A bolt hole 27 penetrates the fixing unit 26 in a direction roughly parallel (roughly horizontal) to the protrusions 25a, 25b.

[0042] Finally, as shown in FIG. 6, the bolt 28 is inserted into the bolt hole 27 provided in the fixed part 26 and screwed into the threaded hole cut in the agitator blade mounting location 29 to attach the fall prevention part 25 to the rotary drive part 22. This fixes the roughly U-shaped base of the fall prevention part 25 to the fall prevention part insertion groove 24 of the rotary drive part 22. If the bolt 28 is a butterfly bolt, it can be turned by hand. Furthermore, if the butterfly bolt is designed to be anti-falling, it can be prevented from falling off, further improving work efficiency. When a butterfly bolt with anti-falling measures is used, the bolt hole 27 provided in the fixed part 26 can be made into a threaded bolt hole.

[0043] Conventionally, the agitator blade 23 had to be bolted from below to the rotary drive unit 22 located in the middle position by bending over and twisting the upper body, but the above-mentioned Example 1 of the present invention improves the workability of replacing the agitator blade 23 and makes it possible to speed up product type changeover.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the fall prevention unit 25 is configured to be inserted into the fall prevention unit insertion groove 24 of the rotation drive unit 22, but this is not necessarily limited to this and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the fall prevention unit may be an arc-shaped plate with bolt holes and fastened to the side of the rotation drive unit 22 by bolts from a substantially horizontal direction through these bolt holes. Also, instead of being fastened by bolts, the fall prevention unit 25 may be configured to be engaged with the rotation drive unit 22. At the very least, it is sufficient to configure the fall prevention unit 25 to be attached to the rotation drive unit 22 from a substantially horizontal direction.

[0045] Thus, in Example 1 of the present invention, there is provided an agitation device for agitating liquids with other liquids, liquids with one solid, or liquids with one solid as raw materials, the agitation device comprising: an agitation tank for storing the raw materials; a rotation drive unit that is arranged in a substantially vertical direction and rotates within the agitation tank; agitator blades attached to the rotation drive unit; and a drop prevention unit that prevents the agitator blades from falling from the rotation drive unit, wherein the drop prevention unit can be attached to the rotation drive unit in a substantially horizontal direction. This agitation device improves the workability of agitator blade replacement work and speeds up product type changeover.

[0046] Furthermore, in Example 1 of the present invention, there is provided a method for installing an agitator blade in an agitator that mixes liquid with liquid, liquid with a solid, or liquid with a solid and liquid with a solid as raw materials, the method comprising: an agitator blade insertion step of inserting an agitator blade from the tip of a rotary drive unit while the tip of the rotary drive unit is exposed; and a fall prevention unit installation step of inserting a fall prevention unit from a substantially horizontal direction to a position on the rotary drive unit closer to the tip than the position where the agitator blade is inserted, and installing the fall prevention unit from a substantially horizontal direction. This agitator blade installation method improves the workability of the agitator blade replacement work and speeds up product type changeover. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] The stirring device and stirring blade mounting method of the present invention can be widely applied to fields where raw materials are stirred: liquid with liquid, liquid with solid, or liquid with solid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10: Mixing tank 11: Window section 20: Lid section 21: Material input section 22: Rotation drive section 23: Mixing blade 23a: Upper section 23b: Middle section 23c: Blade 23d: Lower section 23e: Upper circular hole 23f: Lower circular hole 24: Drop prevention section insertion groove 25: Drop prevention section 25a: Protrusion 25b: Protrusion 26: Fixing section 27: Bolt hole 28: Bolt 29: Mixing blade attachment point 30: Display section 40: Rail 43: Rail holding section 100: Mixing device

Claims

1. A mixing device for mixing liquids and liquids, liquids and liquids containing solids, or liquids containing solids and liquids containing solids as raw materials, a mixing tank for storing the raw material; a rotation drive unit that is provided in a substantially vertical direction and rotates in the stirring tank; A stirring blade attached to the rotation drive unit; a drop prevention part that prevents the stirring blade from dropping from the rotation drive part, The agitation device is characterized in that the fall prevention part can be attached to the rotation drive part in a substantially horizontal direction.

2. The stirring device described in claim 1, characterized in that the rotation drive unit has a fall prevention unit insertion groove extending approximately horizontally in at least a portion of the portion exposed within the stirring tank, which is located tip-side from the mounting position of the stirring blade, and the fall prevention unit can be inserted into the fall prevention unit insertion groove from an approximately horizontal direction.

3. The stirring device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fall prevention part is plate-shaped having an approximately U-shape overall, and has a bolt hole or bolt screw hole for inserting a bolt in part of it approximately parallel to the plate-shaped surface, and can be bolted to the rotation drive part through the bolt hole.

4. 1. A method for attaching an agitating blade to an agitation device that agitates liquids, liquids and liquids containing solids, or liquids containing solids and liquids containing solids as raw materials, comprising: an agitation blade insertion step of inserting an agitation blade from the tip of the rotation drive unit while the tip of the rotation drive unit is exposed; A method for installing an agitator blade, comprising: a fall prevention unit installation process for inserting a fall prevention unit from a substantially horizontal direction into the rotation drive unit at a position closer to the tip than the position where the agitator blade is inserted, and installing the fall prevention unit from a substantially horizontal direction.

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