Mixing Tank

Abstract

To provide a preparation tank which can prepare large-capacity and small-capacity liquid products.SOLUTION: The preparation tank comprises a tank body 10, and agitation means 20 having an agitation part 21. The tank body 10 includes a first tank part 11, and a second tank part 12 provided on a lower side of the first tank part 11. The first tank part 11 has a diameter on the second tank part 12 side which is gradually reduced, the second tank part 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape which has a diameter smaller than that of the first tank part 11, and the agitation part 21 is located in the second tank part 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing tank capable of dispensing large and small volumes of liquid products. [Background technology]

[0002] Liquid products such as medicines, beverages, and inks are prepared by supplying raw materials to a preparation tank and stirring them. Such preparation tanks are designed according to the volume of the desired liquid product. In general, when preparing large-volume and small-volume liquid products, large-volume and small-volume preparation tanks are used according to the respective volumes.

[0003] In this way, when multiple blending tanks are used according to the volume of the desired liquid product, space is required to place the blending tanks, and various piping and cleaning equipment are also required, which increases the introduction and operation costs. In order to solve such problems, a blending tank that can blend both large and small volumes of liquid products with one unit has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] FIG. 4 shows a conventional blending tank similar to the blending tank according to Patent Document 1. The blending tank 100 includes a tank body 111 consisting of a cylindrical portion 113 and a curved bottom portion 114, and a stirring means 120 for stirring the raw material in the tank body 111. The stirring means 120 includes a stirring shaft 122, a motor 123 for rotating the stirring shaft 122, and a plurality of stirring blades 121a and stirring blades 121b. The stirring blade 121b arranged on the bottom portion 114 is shaped to follow the curved surface of the bottom portion 114, so that the stirring blade 121b can be arranged close to the bottom surface. Therefore, even if the liquid product has a volume smaller than the volume of the blending tank, it is possible to stir it.

[0005] However, in reality, it is necessary to supply ingredients to the blending tank 100 to such an extent that the water level is higher than the agitating blade 121b (for example, 100 L). This is because if the agitating blade 121b is placed near the liquid surface, problems such as foaming of the liquid product due to agitation may occur. Ultimately, it cannot be said that the conventional blending tank 100 is capable of sufficiently agitating a small volume of liquid product.

[0006] Furthermore, in the conventional blending tank 100, it is necessary to match the shape of the agitating blade 121b to the shape of the bottom surface. That is, it is necessary to match the shape of the agitating blade 121b to the shape of the blending tank 100, which is lacking in versatility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-33635 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a mixing tank capable of mixing large and small volumes of liquid products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first aspect for achieving the above object is a mixing tank comprising a tank body and a stirring means having a stirring part, the tank body comprising a first tank section and a second tank section provided below the first tank section, the first tank section having a gradually decreasing diameter on the second tank section side, the second tank section being formed in a cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the first tank section, and the stirring part being disposed within the second tank section.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is the mixing tank according to the first aspect, characterized in that the stirring means comprises a stirring section disposed in the first tank section and a rotating means for rotating the stirring section.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a mixing tank according to the first or second aspect, characterized in that the stirring means comprises the stirring section disposed at the bottom of the second tank section, and a rotating means for rotating the stirring section.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a mixing tank according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising: a supply unit provided in the tank body for supplying powder into the inside of the tank body; a liquid supply unit for spraying liquid toward the inner surface of the tank body; and a control unit for controlling the liquid supply unit, wherein when producing a solution from liquid and powder having a capacity equal to or less than the capacity of the second tank section, the control unit controls the liquid supply unit to spray liquid toward the inner surface of the tank body after powder is supplied from the supply unit into the tank body.

[0013] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a mixing tank according to the fourth aspect, characterized in that the control unit controls the liquid supply unit so that the amount of liquid supplied to the liquid supply unit after powder is supplied from the supply unit to the inside of the tank body is greater than the amount of liquid supplied to the liquid supply unit before powder is supplied from the supply unit to the inside of the tank body. Effect of the Invention

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In accordance with the present invention, a blending tank is provided that is capable of blending large and small volumes of liquid products. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a mixing tank according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the blending tank according to the first embodiment is used. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a mixing tank according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a mixing tank according to a conventional technique is used. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a mixing tank according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a mixing tank according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a mixing tank according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] First Embodiment 1 is a schematic diagram of a blending tank 1 according to embodiment 1. The blending tank 1 includes a tank body 10 and a stirring means 20, and is supplied with various raw materials, which are stirred to blend liquid products. Specific examples of liquid products include liquid medicines, beverages, inks, etc.

[0017] The tank body 10 is a container for temporarily storing a liquid product that is supplied with ingredients from an ingredient supply means (not shown) and mixed with the ingredients by a stirring means 20. The tank body 10 is configured with a first tank section 11 and a second tank section 12.

[0018] The first tank portion 11 is a part of the upper side of the tank body 10, and the second tank portion 12 is a part of the lower side of the tank body 10. In other words, the second tank portion 12 is provided on the lower side of the first tank portion 11, and these are integrated to form one tank body 10.

[0019] The first tank portion 11 is formed so that the upper side is cylindrical and the diameter of the lower side (the second tank portion 12 side) gradually decreases. The upper part of the first tank portion 11 is called a cylindrical portion 13, and the lower part is called a tapered portion 14.

[0020] The cylindrical portion 13 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a lid on the top. The lid on the top is provided with a supply portion 15. Although not shown in the figure, the supply portion 15 is made up of an opening portion that communicates with the inside of the tank body 10, an opening / closing means such as a lid or a valve for opening and closing the opening portion, and a device group such as a mechanism for opening and closing the opening / closing means.

[0021] The tapered portion 14 is formed in a tapered shape in which the diameter linearly decreases from the top to the bottom. The top of the tapered portion 14 is connected to the cylindrical portion 13, and the bottom is connected to the second tank portion 12.

[0022] The second tank portion 12 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the second tank portion 12 is smaller than the diameter of the first tank portion 11 (cylindrical portion 13). The second tank portion 12 being formed in a cylindrical shape may include not only a portion formed in a cylindrical shape, but also a bottom portion whose diameter is gradually reduced. In the example shown in the figure, the second tank portion 12 is composed of an upper portion formed in a cylindrical shape and a tapered bottom portion whose diameter is gradually reduced from the top to the bottom.

[0023] Further, a take-out section 16 is provided at the bottom of the second tank section 12 for taking out a liquid product obtained by blending the ingredients stored in the tank body 10. Although not shown in the figure, the take-out section 16 is made up of an opening communicating with the inside of the tank body 10, opening / closing means such as a lid or a valve for opening / closing the opening, and a group of devices such as a mechanism for opening and closing the opening / closing means.

[0024] When supplying raw material to the tank body 10 having such a configuration, the opening of the supply part 15 is opened, and the raw material is supplied from the opening into the tank body 10. The supply of raw material may be performed manually, or a device for supplying raw material to the tank body 10 may be used.

[0025] When removing the liquid product from the tank body 10 having such a configuration, the opening of the removal section 16 is opened, and the liquid product is removed from the opening to the outside of the tank body 10. The raw material may be removed manually, or a device for removing the liquid product to the outside of the tank body 10 may be used.

[0026] The stirring means 20 is a device that stirs the raw materials supplied into the tank body 10. Specifically, the stirring means 20 includes a stirring blade 21, a stirring shaft 22, a motor 23, and the like.

[0027] A motor 23 is attached to the upper outside of the tank body 10. The agitation shaft 22 is disposed inside the tank body 10 and rotated by the motor 23. The agitation shaft 22 is disposed approximately vertically from the upper part of the tank body 10 to the second tank portion 12.

[0028] The stirring blade 21 is an example of the stirring portion as described in the claims, attached to the stirring shaft 22. The stirring blade 21 stirs the raw materials stored in the tank body 10 as the stirring shaft 22 rotates. In this embodiment, three stirring blades 21 are attached to the stirring shaft 22. Specifically, the three stirring blades 21 are disposed at positions corresponding to the cylindrical portion 13, the tapered portion 14, and the second tank portion 12, respectively. Each stirring blade 21 is also referred to as the stirring blade 21a, the stirring blade 21b, and the stirring blade 21c, respectively.

[0029] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the use state of the blending tank 1 of this embodiment. In the example shown in the figure, the volume of the second tank section 12 is 30 L. The volume of the second tank section 12 and the tapered section 14 is 70 L. The volume of the tank body 10 (the volume of the second tank section 12, the tapered section 14, and the first tank section 11) is 600 L. The stirring blade 21a is below the water level of 600 L, the stirring blade 21b is below the water level of 70 L, and the stirring blade 21c is below the water level of 30 L.

[0030] When preparing 30 L of a liquid product, various ingredients in amounts necessary to prepare the liquid product are charged into the tank body 10, and the stirring means 20 is operated. As a result, the stirring blades 21c stir the ingredients in the second tank section 12, and 30 L of the liquid product is prepared.

[0031] When preparing 70 L of a liquid product, various ingredients in amounts necessary to prepare the liquid product are charged into the tank body 10, and the stirring means 20 is operated. As a result, the stirring blades 21b and 21c stir the ingredients in the tapered portion 14 and the second tank portion 12, and 70 L of the liquid product is prepared.

[0032] When preparing 600 L of a liquid product, various ingredients in amounts necessary to prepare the liquid product are charged into the tank body 10, and the agitation means 20 is operated. As a result, the agitation blades 21a to 21c in the tank body 10 agitate the ingredients, and 600 L of the liquid product is prepared.

[0033] Of course, the amount of liquid product to be mixed is not limited to 30 L, 70 L, or 600 L. Mixing can be performed within a range from an amount in which the lowest stirring blade 21c is immersed in the liquid product (e.g., 20 L) to an amount that can be accommodated by the tank body 10 (e.g., 600 L).

[0034] The blending tank 1 configured as described above has a second tank section 12, which has a smaller diameter than the first tank section 11, provided below the first tank section 11, which corresponds to a conventional blending tank 100 (see FIG. 4). With this configuration, a small volume of liquid product can be blended in the second tank section 12, and a large volume of liquid product can be blended in the first tank section 11 and the second tank section 12. That is, a single blending tank 1 can blend various amounts of liquid product, from small to large.

[0035] Furthermore, compared to using multiple blending tanks depending on the volume of the desired liquid product, it is possible to reduce the space required to place the blending tank 1, thereby saving space. Also, since only one blending tank 1 is required for various piping and cleaning equipment, it is possible to reduce introduction costs and operating costs.

[0036] Here, in a conventional blending tank 100 as shown in Fig. 4, when, for example, 30 L of liquid product is supplied, the depth from the bottom of the blending tank 100 to the water surface becomes shallow, and the mixing blades 121b are exposed above the water surface. If the mixing is performed with the mixing blades 121b above the water surface, the water surface becomes rough and foams, which is not preferable. Therefore, it is practically difficult to mix and mix a small volume (for example, 30 L) of liquid product that exposes the mixing blades 121b.

[0037] However, in the blending tank 1 of this embodiment, the diameter of the second tank section 12 is smaller than that of the first tank section 11. Therefore, even when 30 L of liquid product is supplied as in the example of Fig. 4, the depth can be made deeper, so that the stirring blades 21c can be placed below the water surface. Therefore, a small volume (e.g., 30 L) of liquid product can be blended compared to the overall volume of the blending tank 1, and the stirring blades 21c can prevent the liquid surface from becoming rough and foaming.

[0038] In addition, since the diameter of the second tank portion 12 can be reduced to increase the depth of the liquid product, it is not necessary to place the agitating blade 21c close to the bottom of the second tank portion 12, nor is it necessary to give the blade a shape that matches the curved surface of the bottom. Therefore, the agitating blade 21 can be given a general-purpose shape regardless of the shape of the second tank portion 12, which allows for cost reduction.

[0039] Furthermore, in the blending tank 1 of this embodiment, the stirring blades 21a and 21b are arranged not only in the second tank section 12 but also in the first tank section 11. This makes it possible to more uniformly stir the ingredients and blend a liquid product not only in the case of a small volume but also in the case of a large volume.

[0040] Second Embodiment The stirring means 20 in the first embodiment is provided with the stirring blades 21 on the stirring shaft 22, but is not limited to this configuration. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a mixing tank according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0041] The blending tank 1A of this embodiment includes an agitator 20A and an agitator 30. The agitator 20A has a length of an agitator shaft 22A corresponding to the length of the first tank portion 11, and is configured similarly to the agitator 20 of the first embodiment except that the agitator shaft 22A has an agitator blade 21a and an agitator blade 21b. That is, the agitator 20A of this embodiment does not include the agitator blade 21c in the second tank portion 12.

[0042] The stirring means 30 is composed of a mixing head 31 provided at the bottom of the second tank portion 12, a motor 32 for rotating the mixing head 31, and the like.

[0043] When preparing a small volume, for example, 30 L of liquid product, various ingredients in the amounts required to prepare the liquid product are charged into the tank body 10, and the mixing means 30 is operated. As a result, the mixing head 31 mixes the ingredients in the second tank section 12, and 30 L of liquid product is prepared.

[0044] When preparing a large volume of liquid product that exceeds the capacity of the second tank section 12, various ingredients in the amounts required to prepare the liquid product are charged into the tank body 10, and the stirring means 20A and the stirring means 30 are operated. As a result, the stirring blades 21a, 21b, and the mixing head 31 stir the ingredients in the first tank section 11 and the second tank section 12, and a large volume of liquid product is prepared.

[0045] Even in the configuration using such stirring means 20A and stirring means 30, the blending tank 1A exhibits the same effects as the blending tank 1 of embodiment 1. Furthermore, when the stirring means 30 is disposed at the bottom of the tank body 10, the stirring means 20A does not need to be disposed.

[0046] Third embodiment A mixing tank according to embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Note that the same components as those in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0047] 5, the blending tank 1 is provided with a supply unit 15 for supplying powder to the inside of the tank body 10, similar to the first embodiment. The powder may be supplied from the supply unit 15 to the inside of the tank body 10 manually, or the powder may be supplied from the supply unit 15 to the inside of the tank body 10 using a known device for transporting powder or the like.

[0048] The blending tank 1 is provided with a liquid supply unit 40 that sprays liquid toward the inner surface of the tank body 10. Specifically, the liquid supply unit 40 is composed of a liquid supply source (not shown), a nozzle 41 arranged inside the tank body 10, a pipe 42 that connects the supply source and the nozzle 41, a pump (not shown) for pressure-feeding the liquid from the supply source, a valve (not shown) provided on the pipe 42, and the like.

[0049] The nozzle 41 has a plurality of openings, and is configured to spray the liquid supplied from the pipe 42 toward the inner surface of the tank body 10 from the plurality of openings.

[0050] The output of the pump of the liquid supply unit 40 and the opening and closing of the valves can be adjusted by a control unit, which will be described later.

[0051] Although not shown, the mixing tank 1 is equipped with a control unit. The control unit is a device also called a programmable controller or sequencer. The control unit can control the output of the pump of the liquid supply unit 40 and the opening and closing of the valve.

[0052] The control unit allows a user or the like to set the amount of liquid to be supplied to the tank body 10. Hereinafter, this set amount of liquid will be referred to as the set amount. The control unit controls the output of the pump and the opening and closing of the valve of the liquid supply unit 40 so that the amount of liquid supplied to the tank body 10 becomes the set amount.

[0053] In the thus configured blending tank 1, a case will be described in which a solution is produced from powder and a liquid whose capacity is equal to or less than the capacity of the second tank portion 12. Here, the capacity of the second tank portion 12 is set to 45 L, and the volume of the solution to be produced is also set to 45 L.

[0054] First, the control unit controls the liquid supply unit 30 to supply a volume of liquid smaller than the volume of the solution to be produced. As shown in Fig. 5, in this example, 30 L of liquid is stored in the second tank unit 12.

[0055] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when 30 L of liquid is stored in the second tank portion 12, powder is supplied from the supply portion 15.

[0056] When powder is supplied by a powder conveying device, the control unit executes control for conveying the powder from the device to the tank body 10.

[0057] When supplying powder manually, for example, the control unit displays information on a device such as a touch panel that "30 L of liquid has been stored in the second tank unit 12, so powder can be supplied." By checking this display, the operator can supply powder from the supply unit 15 with 30 L of liquid stored in the second tank unit 12.

[0058] Most of the powder supplied by the device or manually falls into the second tank portion 12 and dissolves in the liquid, but some of it adheres to the inner surface of the tank body 10. In particular, the powder is likely to adhere to the tapered portion 14 between the first tank portion 11 and the second tank portion 12.

[0059] Next, as shown in FIG. 7, after the supply of the powder is completed, the control unit supplies 15 L to the tank body 12, which is the remainder obtained by subtracting the 30 L supplied in FIG. 5 from 45 L, which is the volume of the solution to be produced.

[0060] The 15 L of liquid supplied the second time washes away the powder adhering to the inner surface of the tank body 12, particularly the tapered portion 14, and flows into the second tank portion 12. As a result, the powder can be supplied to the second tank portion 12 together with the liquid without remaining on the inner surface of the tank body 12.

[0061] Thereafter, the liquid and powder in the second tank portion 12 are mixed by the stirring means 20 as described in the first embodiment, thereby making it possible to produce 45 L of solution.

[0062] The control unit can detect that the supply of powder is complete, for example, in the following manner. When powder is supplied to the tank body 12 by a powder transport device, the control unit can detect that the supply of powder is complete by receiving a signal from the device indicating that a predetermined amount of powder has been transported to the tank body 12. When the powder is supplied manually, the control unit displays, for example, on a touch panel, a button to be pressed when the supply of powder is complete. When the button is pressed manually, the control unit can determine that the supply of powder is complete.

[0063] As described above, in the preparation tank according to this embodiment, the provision of the second tank section 12 forms the tapered section 14 to which the powder easily adheres (see FIG. 6). However, by dividing the liquid into multiple portions (twice in the above example) and supplying the liquid (15 L of liquid for the second portion, see FIG. 7) to the tank body 10 after supplying the powder, the powder adhering to the tapered section 14 can be recovered in the second tank section 12. Furthermore, since the 15 L of liquid used to recover this powder is a portion of the liquid to be used in the final solution, a desired volume of solution can be produced in the second tank section 12.

[0064] In this way, the mixing tank 1 of this embodiment prevents powder from remaining adhered to the inner surface of the tank body 10 when producing a solution in the small-volume second tank section 12, and can more reliably produce a small-volume solution in which all of the supplied powder is dissolved.

[0065] Although 30 L of liquid was supplied to the tank body 10 the first time and 15 L the second time, there is no particular limitation on the amount. It is also possible to supply a larger amount of liquid the second time than the amount supplied the first time. In this case, since a larger amount of liquid is used after supplying the powder, the powder adhering to the inner surface of the tank body 10 can be more reliably collected.

[0066] In the above example, the liquid is supplied to the tank body 10 in two separate batches, but this is not limiting. The liquid may be supplied to the tank body 10 in multiple batches, and the liquid may be supplied to the tank body 10 at least once after the powder is supplied to the tank body 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1, 1A... blending tank, 10... tank body, 11... first tank section, 12... second tank section, 20, 20A, 30... mixing means, 21, 21a, 21b, 21c... mixing blades (mixing section), 40... liquid supply section

Claims

1. A mixing tank including a tank body and a stirring means having a stirring unit, The tank body includes a first tank portion and a second tank portion provided below the first tank portion. Department and a supply unit provided in the tank body for supplying powder to an inside of the tank body; A liquid supply unit that sprays liquid toward an inner surface of the tank body; A control unit that controls the liquid supply unit, The first tank portion has a gradually decreasing diameter on the second tank portion side, The second tank portion is formed in a cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the first tank portion, The stirring unit is disposed in the second tank unit, The control unit is When a solution is produced by mixing a liquid and a powder whose capacity is equal to or less than the capacity of the second tank section, After the powder is supplied from the supply unit to the inside of the tank body, Controlling the liquid supply unit to inject liquid toward Controlling the stirring means to mix the liquid and the powder A mixing tank characterized by:

2. The mixing tank according to claim 1, The stirring means is The stirring unit is disposed in the first tank portion and the second tank portion, respectively; A rotating means for rotating the stirring unit. A mixing tank characterized by:

3. The mixing tank according to claim 1 or 2, The stirring means is The stirring unit is disposed at the bottom of the second tank unit; A rotating means for rotating the stirring unit. A mixing tank characterized by:

4. The mixing tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control unit is After the powder is supplied from the supply unit to the inside of the tank body, the powder is supplied to the liquid supply unit. The amount of liquid to be Before the powder is supplied from the supply unit to the inside of the tank body, the powder is supplied to the liquid supply unit. the liquid supply unit so that the amount of liquid to be supplied is greater than the amount of liquid to be supplied A mixing tank characterized by:

Images