Cleaning cover for powder supply device and cleaning method for powder supply device

Abstract

The conveying mechanism can be cleaned while the powder is stored in the hopper. [Solution] The cover portion 3a of the cleaning cover 3 is inserted into the gap between the upper part of the screw member 2a and the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 2c, covering the screw member 2a from above at the inlet 1a of the hopper 1. After attaching the cleaning cover 3 in this manner, the screw member 2a is removed from the first cylindrical portion 2c. Since the introduction path of powder from the inlet 1a of the hopper 1 to the inside of the first cylindrical portion 2c is closed by the cleaning cover 3, even if the screw member 2a is removed while powder is stored in the hopper 1, the powder in the hopper 1 will not enter the inside of the first cylindrical portion 2c.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder supply device for supplying raw material powders such as pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, chemical products, foods, supplements, batteries, electronic components, and other industrial products.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a powder supply device that introduces powder stored in a hopper into a screw feeder type conveying mechanism, conveys it by the conveying mechanism, and quantitatively supplies it to a powder processing device or the like in the next process (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The conveying mechanism of this type of powder supply device includes a cylindrical conveying path and a screw member that is detachably arranged in the conveying path and is rotationally driven around its axis. The powder that has fallen from the inlet at the lower part of the hopper and is introduced into the conveying path is conveyed along the conveying path by the rotation of the screw member and is discharged from the discharge port at the end of the conveying path. By adjusting the rotation speed and rotation time of the screw member, the amount of powder discharged from the conveying path, that is, the supply amount of the powder, can be adjusted to a predetermined amount.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] During operation of a powder supply device, problems may occur in the conveying mechanism, requiring the removal of the screw component and cleaning of the conveying mechanism. For example, powder jamming or blockage may occur in the conveying path, causing the screw component to overload or the amount of powder supplied to fluctuate. In such cases, the screw component must be removed from the conveying path, any powder adhering to the screw component and any powder adhering to or accumulating in the conveying path must be removed to eliminate the cause of the problem. However, when the screw component is removed from the conveying path, the powder stored in the hopper falls from the inlet into the conveying path and accumulates there. This makes it impossible to clean the conveying path, and also makes it impossible to return the screw component to the conveying path after cleaning. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the powder from the hopper before removing the screw component from the conveying path, which is one of the reasons why the cleaning work is complicated. In addition, when restarting the operation of the powder supply device, it is necessary to re-store the powder in the hopper, which increases the effort required when restarting operation.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a structure and method that allows cleaning of a conveying mechanism while powder is stored in the hopper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cleaning cover for a powder supply device, which includes a hopper for storing powder and having a powder inlet at its lower part, and a conveying mechanism for conveying powder introduced from the inlet of the hopper, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a cylindrical conveying path for conveying powder and a screw member detachably arranged in the conveying path and rotated around its axis, and the conveying path is formed by a first cylindrical part located below the hopper and communicating with the inlet, and a second cylindrical part detachably connected to the first cylindrical part, wherein the cleaning cover for the powder supply device is inserted into the first cylindrical part when the second cylindrical part is removed from the first cylindrical part, and closes the powder introduction path from the inlet of the hopper to the inside of the first cylindrical part at the portion above the screw member.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for cleaning a powder supply device, wherein the powder supply device comprises a hopper for storing powder and having a powder inlet at its lower part, and a conveying mechanism for conveying powder introduced from the inlet of the hopper, the conveying mechanism comprises a cylindrical conveying path for conveying powder and a screw member detachably arranged in the conveying path and rotated around its axis, the conveying path is formed by a first cylindrical part located below the hopper and communicating with the inlet, and a second cylindrical part detachably connected to the first cylindrical part, and when cleaning the powder supply device, the second cylindrical part is removed from the first cylindrical part, a cleaning cover is inserted into the first cylindrical part to close the powder introduction path from the inlet of the hopper to the inside of the first cylindrical part at the upper part of the screw member, and then the screw member is removed from the inside of the first cylindrical part, providing a method for cleaning a powder supply device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to clean the conveying mechanism while powder is stored in the hopper. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the powder supply device. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of hopper 1 as seen from diagonally above. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing the second cylindrical part detached from the first cylindrical part. [Figure 4] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state when the cleaning cover is inserted. [Figure 5] Figures (a) and (d) show the plan view of the cleaning cover, a perspective view from diagonally below (Figure (b)), a cross-sectional view of (a) at cc (Figure (c)), and a cross-sectional view of (a) at dd (Figure (d)). [Figure 6]This is a schematic cross-sectional view (a cross-section parallel to the axis of the screw member) showing the cleaning cover in place. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the cleaning cover attached. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view (a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the screw member) showing the cleaning cover in place. [Figure 9] This is a schematic perspective view showing the state with the screw component removed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the powder supply device. This powder supply device comprises a hopper 1 that stores powder and has a powder inlet 1a at its lower part, and a conveying mechanism 2 that conveys the powder introduced from the inlet 1a of the hopper 1.

[0012] An agitator 1b is installed inside the hopper 1. The agitator 1b is driven to rotate by the first rotational drive unit 1c and agitates the powder stored in the hopper 1.

[0013] The conveying mechanism 2 comprises a cylindrical conveying path P for conveying powder, a screw member 2a positioned in the conveying path P and rotated around its axis X, and a second rotational drive unit 2b that rotates the screw member 2a. The conveying path P extends in the direction of the axis X of the screw member 2a and is formed by a first cylindrical section 2c and a second cylindrical section 2d. The first cylindrical section 2c is located below the hopper 1 and has a communication port that communicates with the inlet 1a of the hopper 1. The first cylindrical section 2c is formed by connecting a separate cylindrical member to the lower part of the hopper 1, or is formed integrally with the lower part of the hopper 1. The second cylindrical section 2d is detachably connected to the first cylindrical section 2c and has a powder discharge port 2d1 at one end. The second cylindrical section 2d is connected to the first cylindrical section 2c, for example, by abutting a flange 2d2 provided at the end of the second cylindrical section 2d against a flange 2c1 provided at the end of the first cylindrical section 2c and fastening them with bolts or the like. A cylindrical discharge member 2e is connected to the end of the second cylindrical section 2d on the side of the discharge port 2d1. A filter for solid-gas separation (not shown) or the like is connected to the upper part of the discharge member 2e, and a cylindrical transfer path (chute, etc.) leading to the powder supply destination is connected to the lower part of the discharge member 2e.

[0014] The powder introduced into the first cylindrical section 2c from the inlet 1a of the hopper 1 is transported along the transport path P by the rotation of the screw member 2a and discharged from the discharge port 2d1 of the second cylindrical section 2d. The powder discharged from the discharge port 2d1 is then supplied to the next process, such as a powder processing device, via the discharge member 2e and the transport path connected thereto.

[0015] The screw member 2a is a member provided with a spiral blade portion 2a2 on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 2a1. The number of screw members 2a arranged in the conveying path P is arbitrary (one or more), but in this embodiment, two screw members 2a are arranged such that their axes X are parallel and juxtaposed in the horizontal plane. Each screw member 2a is detachably connected to the output shaft 2b1 of the second rotation driving portion 2b by screw connection or the like. A predetermined clearance is provided between the two screw members 2a and between each screw member 2a and the inner surface of the conveying path P (the first cylindrical portion 2c and the second cylindrical portion 2d). The amount of powder discharged from the discharge port 2d1 as the screw member 2a rotates, that is, the supply amount of the powder supplied to the powder processing apparatus or the like in the next process, can be adjusted to a predetermined amount by adjusting the rotation speed and rotation time of the screw member 2a.

[0016] FIG. 2 schematically shows a state of viewing the inside of the hopper 1 obliquely from above. In the figure, a part of the hopper 1 is broken, the agitator 1b and the second cylindrical portion 2d are omitted, and the screw member 2a is cut at the flange 2c1 of the first cylindrical portion 2c. The inlet 1a of the hopper 1 and the communication port of the first cylindrical portion 2c communicating therewith, for example, have a rectangular shape (rectangular shape) in plan view, and the powder that has fallen from the inlet 1a of the hopper 1 and is introduced into the inside of the first cylindrical portion 2c is drawn in by the rotating screw member 2a and conveyed toward the side of the second cylindrical portion 2d.

[0017] During the operation of the above powder supply apparatus, some trouble may occur in the conveying mechanism 2, and the screw member 2a may need to be removed from the conveying path P and the conveying mechanism 2 may need to be cleaned. FIGS. 3 to 9 schematically show the procedure for cleaning the conveying mechanism 2.

[0018] First, as shown in FIG. 3, the second cylindrical portion 2d is removed from the first cylindrical portion 2c. When the second cylindrical portion 2d is removed, the end portion of the first cylindrical portion 2c (the portion of the flange 2c1) and a part of the screw member 2a are exposed.

[0019] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the cleaning cover 3 is inserted into the gap between the upper part of the screw member 2a and the inner surface of the first cylindrical part 2c from the end side of the first cylindrical part 2c. As shown in Figure 5, the cleaning cover 3 consists of a cover part 3a that is inserted into the gap between the upper part of the screw member 2a and the inner surface of the first cylindrical part 2c, and a mounting part 3b provided at one end of the cover part 3a. In this embodiment, the cover part 3a has a form in which two semi-cylindrical parts with a circular arc cross-section are connected in parallel, corresponding to the arrangement of the two screw members 2a. The mounting part 3b has an annular flange form, corresponding to the shape of the flange 2c1 of the first cylindrical part 2c. Insert the cover portion 3a into the gap between the upper part of the screw member 2a and the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 2c from the end side of the first cylindrical portion 2c, and push it in the axial direction of the screw member 2a until the mounting portion 3b abuts against the flange 2c1 of the first cylindrical portion 2c. Then, when the mounting portion 3b is abutted against the flange 2c1 and fixed with a fixing bolt or the like, the installation of the cleaning cover 3 is completed.

[0020] Figures 6 to 8 schematically show the cleaning cover 3 in place. The cover portion 3a of the cleaning cover 3 is inserted into the gap between the upper parts of the two screw members 2a and the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 2c, covering the screw members 2a from above at the inlet 1a of the hopper 1. In addition, at least both ends of the cover portion 3a are in contact with the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 2c, or are facing the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 2c with a small gap that prevents powder from passing through. As a result, the powder introduction path from the inlet 1a of the hopper 1 to the inside of the first cylindrical portion 2c is closed at the upper part of the screw members 2a.

[0021] After attaching the cleaning cover 3 in the manner described above, the screw member 2a is removed from the output shaft 2b1 of the second rotary drive unit 2b, and the screw member 2a is pulled out of the first cylindrical part 2c as shown in Figure 9. Since the powder introduction path from the inlet 1a of the hopper 1 to the inside of the first cylindrical part 2c is closed by the cleaning cover 3 in the manner described above, even if the screw member 2a is removed while powder is stored in the hopper 1, the powder in the hopper 1 will not enter the inside of the first cylindrical part 2c. As a result, the second cylindrical part 2d and the screw member 2b can be removed while powder is stored in the hopper 1, in other words, without removing the powder from the hopper 1, and the conveying path P (inside the first cylindrical part 2c and the second cylindrical part 2d) and the screw member 2a can be cleaned. After cleaning, the screw member 2a can be inserted into the inside of the first cylindrical part 2c and connected to the output shaft 2b1 of the second rotary drive unit 2b. Then, after attaching the screw member 2a inside the first cylindrical part 2c, the cleaning cover 3 is removed and the second cylindrical part 2d is connected to the first cylindrical part 2c, making the powder supply device ready to resume operation. Since the powder remains stored in the hopper 1, there is no need to refill the hopper 1 with powder when resuming operation of the powder supply device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0022] 1 Hopper 1a Inlet 2. Conveying mechanism 2a Screw member P transport path 2c First cylindrical part 2d Second cylindrical part 3. Cleaning cover 3a Cover section 3b Mounting part

Claims

1. A cleaning cover used when cleaning a powder supply device comprising a hopper for storing powder and having a powder inlet at its lower part, and a conveying mechanism for conveying the powder introduced from the inlet of the hopper, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a cylindrical conveying path for conveying powder and a screw member detachably disposed in the conveying path and rotated around its axis, and the conveying path is formed by a first cylindrical part located below the hopper and communicating with the inlet, and a second cylindrical part detachably connected to the first cylindrical part, A cleaning cover for a powder supply device, which is inserted into the first cylindrical part when the second cylindrical part is detached from the first cylindrical part, and which closes the powder introduction path from the inlet of the hopper to the inside of the first cylindrical part at the portion above the screw member.

2. A cleaning cover for a powder supply device according to claim 1, comprising a cover portion inserted into the gap between the upper part of the screw member and the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion, and a mounting portion provided at one end of the cover portion and detachably attached to the end of the first cylindrical portion.

3. A method for cleaning a powder supply device, The powder supply device comprises a hopper for storing powder and having a powder inlet at its lower part, and a conveying mechanism for conveying the powder introduced from the inlet of the hopper, the conveying mechanism comprising a cylindrical conveying path for conveying powder, and a screw member detachably arranged in the conveying path and rotated around its axis, the conveying path being formed of a first cylindrical part located below the hopper and communicating with the inlet, and a second cylindrical part detachably connected to the first cylindrical part. A method for cleaning a powder supply device, comprising: removing the second cylindrical part from the first cylindrical part; inserting a cleaning cover into the first cylindrical part to close the powder introduction path from the hopper's inlet to the inside of the first cylindrical part at the portion above the screw member; and then removing the screw member from the inside of the first cylindrical part.

Images