Powder and granular material supplying method and powder and granular material supplying device

Abstract

To provide a method and a device for supplying powder and granular material capable of quantitatively supplying the powder and granular material.SOLUTION: A method for supplying powder and granular material includes a first step of charging the powder and granular material by supplying conductive powder and granular material on a conveying surface of a conveying member having an insulating conveying surface, and a second step of separating the charged powder and granular material from the conveying surface by external force and supplying the powder and granular material to the outside. A supplying device 100 includes driving members 5, 22, an endless conveying belt 10 circularly driven by the driving members, an electrode 20 in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the conveying belt, powder supplying means 30 for supplying powder and granular material to an outer peripheral surface of the conveying belt, and external force generating means 40 for separating the powder and granular material adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the conveying belt, in which the conveying belt 10 has an insulating layer 12 positioned on the outer peripheral surface side and a conductive layer 14 positioned on the inner peripheral surface side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a powder / granular material supplying method and a powder / granular material supplying device. [Background technology]

[0002] Powder and granular material feeders for supplying powder and granular material include vibration feeders, coil feeders, screw feeders, circle feeders, table feeders, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes a screw-type powder and granular material feeder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-071014 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the fields of pharmaceutical manufacturing, food manufacturing, and industrial material manufacturing such as paints and plastics, powders and granules are supplied in fixed quantities to blend or add small amounts of powders and granules, or to precisely mix powders and granules together. However, when a mechanism is used to push powders and granules out using mechanical pressure, the pressure tends to cause the powders and granules to clump together. If the powders and granules are pushed out as lumps, it becomes difficult to supply the powders and granules in fixed quantities.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a powder / granular material supplying method and supplying device that enable a fixed amount of powder / granular material to be supplied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for supplying powder or granular material, comprising a first step of supplying conductive powder or granular material onto a conveying surface of a conveying member having an insulating conveying surface to charge the powder or granular material, and a second step of detaching the charged powder or granular material from the conveying surface by an external force and supplying it to the outside.

[0007] According to the above supply method, by including the above first and second steps, it is possible to supply the charged powder or granule from the conveying surface to the outside while suppressing the aggregation of the powder or granule on the conveying surface. Therefore, according to the above supply method, by adjusting the size of the conveying surface and the conveying speed, it is possible to supply a fixed amount of powder or granule without applying a large pressure that would cause the powder or granule to aggregate. Furthermore, according to the above supply method, since the charged powder or granule is supplied, it is possible to precisely mix it with powder or granule that is charged with the opposite polarity and is supplied separately, or to coat the powder or granule by electrostatic force to adhere it to a grounded object or an object charged with the opposite polarity.

[0008] In the supply method according to one aspect, the conveying member is an endless conveying belt driven in a circular manner by a driving member, the conveying belt having an insulating layer located on the outer circumferential surface side and a conductive layer located on the inner circumferential surface side, and in the first step, a conductive powder or granular material may be supplied onto the surface of the insulating layer as the conveying surface, and a voltage may be applied to the conductive layer to dielectrically charge the powder or granular material. By dielectrically charging the powder or granular material, the charged powder or granular material can be attached in one layer to the surface of the insulating layer, making it easy to supply a fixed amount of powder or granular material by driving the conveying belt. In addition, by adjusting the width and conveying speed of the conveying belt, it is easy to finely adjust the supply amount of powder or granular material.

[0009] The external force may be an air current, in which case the powder or granular material is less likely to be damaged by the external force.

[0010] The external force may be electrostatic force, in which case the powder or granule is less likely to be damaged by the external force.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for supplying powder or granular material, comprising: a first step of supplying a conductive first powder or granular material onto a first conveying surface of a first conveying member having an insulating first conveying surface, and charging the first powder or granular material; a second step of detaching the charged first powder or granular material from the first conveying surface by a first external force and supplying the charged first powder or granular material to the outside; a third step of supplying a conductive second powder or granular material onto a second conveying surface of a second conveying member having an insulating second conveying surface, and charging the second powder or granular material; and a fourth step of detaching the charged second powder or granular material from the second conveying surface by a second external force and supplying the charged second powder or granular material to the outside.

[0012] According to the above supply method, the first powder and the second powder can be supplied in fixed amounts. Also, according to the above supply method, the detached charged first powder and the detached charged second powder have opposite polarities, so that an electrostatic force can be applied between them, enabling mixing (particularly precise mixing) of the first powder and the second powder.

[0013] In the supply method of the above-mentioned another aspect, the first conveying member and the second conveying member are respectively an endless first conveying belt and a second conveying belt driven in a circular manner by a drive member, and the first conveying belt and the second conveying belt have an insulating layer located on the outer circumferential surface side and a conductive layer located on the inner circumferential surface side, and in a first step, a first powder material having conductivity is supplied onto a surface of the insulating layer of the first conveying belt as a first conveying surface, and a voltage is applied to the conductive layer of the first conveying belt to dielectrically charge the first powder material, and in a third step, a second powder material having conductivity is supplied onto a surface of the insulating layer of the second conveying belt as a second conveying surface, and a voltage is applied to the conductive layer of the second conveying belt to dielectrically charge the second powder material with a polarity opposite to that of the first powder material.

[0014] In the above case, the first and second powder particles are each dielectrically charged, so that the charged powder particles can be attached to the surface of the insulating layer in one layer, and the first and second powder particles can be easily supplied in fixed amounts by driving the conveyor belt. In addition, the supply amount can be easily fine-tuned by adjusting the width and conveyor speed of the conveyor belt.

[0015] The first and second external forces may be air currents, in which case the powder or granular material is less likely to be damaged by the external forces.

[0016] The first and second external forces may be electrostatic forces, in which case the powder or granular material is less likely to be damaged by the external forces.

[0017] In addition, in the second and fourth steps, the charged first granular material and the charged second granular material may be detached from the first and second conveying surfaces, respectively, so that the charged first granular material and the charged second granular material come into contact with each other.

[0018] The contact between the first powder and the second powder may be achieved by adjusting an external force, or the first and second powder may be separated by bringing the first conveying belt and the second conveying belt close to each other at a predetermined position so that the first powder, which is electrically charged, and the second powder, which is oppositely charged, are attracted to each other by electrostatic force.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a powdered or granular material supplying device comprising a drive member, an endless conveying belt driven in rotation by the drive member, an electrode in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the conveying belt, a powdered or granular material supplying means for supplying powdered or granular material to the outer peripheral surface of the conveying belt, and an external force generating means for detaching powdered or granular material adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the conveying belt, wherein the conveying belt has an insulating layer located on the outer peripheral surface side and a conductive layer located on the inner peripheral surface side.

[0020] According to the above-mentioned supply device, the supply method according to one aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented, and a fixed amount of powder can be supplied. Also, according to the above-mentioned supply device, since the charged powder can be supplied to the outside, it is possible to precisely mix the powder with the powder charged with the opposite polarity, or to coat the powder by electrostatic force on a grounded object or an object charged with the opposite polarity.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a powder / granular material supply system including a plurality of the above-described supply devices.

[0022] According to the above supply system, the supply method according to another aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented, and the first powder and the second powder can be supplied in fixed amounts. Also, according to the above supply system, the first powder and the second powder can be charged to have opposite polarities, and the first powder and the second powder can be mixed (particularly precisely mixed) by contacting them externally. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a powdered or granular material supplying method and supplying device that enable a fixed amount of powdered or granular material to be supplied. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a powder / granular material supplying device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining one embodiment of a method for supplying powder or granular material. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining one embodiment of a method for supplying powder or granular material. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining another embodiment of the method for supplying powder or granular material. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a powder / granular material supply system. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining another embodiment of the method for supplying powder or granular material. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining another embodiment of the method for supplying powder or granular material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment. In this specification, a numerical range indicated using "~" indicates a range including the numerical values ​​before and after "~" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively. In addition, the upper limit and lower limit values ​​individually stated can be combined in any combination.

[0026] <Granular powder supply device> The powder / granular material supplying device of this embodiment includes a drive member, an endless conveyor belt driven in a circular manner by the drive member, an electrode in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the conveyor belt, a powder / granular material supplying means for supplying powder / granular material to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt, and an external force generating means for removing powder / granular material adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has an insulating layer located on the outer peripheral surface side and a conductive layer located on the inner peripheral surface side.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a powder / granular material supplying device. The supplying device 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a first driving member 5, a second driving member 22, and an endless conveyor belt 10 driven in a circulating manner by these members. The supplying device 100 further includes an electrode 20 in contact with an inner peripheral surface S2 of the conveyor belt 10, a hopper 30 for supplying powder / granular material 1 to an outer peripheral surface S1 of the conveyor belt, an airflow generating device 40 for generating an airflow for separating powder / granular material adhering to the outer peripheral surface S1 of the conveyor belt 10, and a static eliminator 43 for removing electric charge from the conveyor belt.

[0028] The conveyor belt 10 has an insulating layer 12 located on the outer circumferential surface side, and a conductive layer 14 and an insulating layer 16 located on the inner circumferential surface side. In the conveyor belt 10, the surface of the insulating layer 12 (the main surface on the outer circumferential surface side of the belt) constitutes the outer circumferential surface S1, and the surfaces of the conductive layer 14 and the insulating layer 16 (the main surfaces on the inner circumferential surface side of the belt) constitute the inner circumferential surface S2.

[0029] The insulating layer 12 has a surface resistivity of 10 13 Ω or more is sufficient. 13 The insulating layer 12 may be formed using an insulating material. For example, the insulating material may have a surface resistivity of 10 13 Materials having a resistance of Ω or more can be used, and specific examples include rubber materials such as silicone rubber and ethylene butadiene rubber.

[0030] From the viewpoints of tensile resistance and flexibility, the thickness of the insulating layer 12 may be 0.1 to 7 mm, may be 1 mm to 5 mm, or may be 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0031] The conductive layer 14 has a surface resistivity of 10 6 It may be less than 10 -3 The resistance may be Ω or more. The conductive layer 14 can be formed using a conductive material. Examples of the conductive material include metals such as copper foil and aluminum foil, carbon fiber, and conductive rubber.

[0032] From the viewpoint of wear resistance, the thickness of the conductive layer 14 may be 0.01 mm to 1 mm, 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, or 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0033] In the conveyor belt 10, the conductive layer 14 is electrically separated from the adjacent conductive layer by the insulating layer 16. The length of the conductive layer 14 in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt may be adjusted so that two electrodes (e.g., the electrode 20 and the second driving member) do not contact each other at the same time. The insulating layer 16 may be made of an insulating material similar to that of the insulating layer 12. Alternatively, the insulating layer 16 may not be provided, and the conductive layer 14 may be provided at a predetermined interval. In this case, the conveyor belt may be, for example, an insulating belt (insulating layer 12) on the inner peripheral surface side of which a conductive film (conductive layer 14) is intermittently bonded.

[0034] The first driving member 5 and the second driving member 22 may be, for example, a driving roller that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the conveyor belt and drives the conveyor belt by frictional force. At least one of the first driving member 5 and the second driving member 22 may have a driving motor that rotates the driving roller. The driving member may be connected to a control unit that has a function of adjusting the driving speed, driving time, etc. of the conveyor belt. As long as at least one of the first driving member 5 and the second driving member 22 can drive the conveyor belt, one may be a driving member and the other may be a rotating member such as a roller.

[0035] The second driving member 22 may be earthed or may function as an electrode connected to a power source so that a voltage of any polarity can be applied to the conductive layer. When the second driving member 22 is earthed, it is possible to remove electric charge from the conductive layer of the conveyor belt 10. When the second driving member 22 functions as an electrode, it is possible or easy to remove the charged powder particles from the conveyor belt by electrostatic repulsion by applying a voltage of the same polarity as that of the charged powder particles on the conveyor belt.

[0036] The electrode 20 may be any electrode that is connected to a power source and can apply a voltage by contacting the conductive layer 14 of the conveyor belt 10. For example, the electrode 20 may be made of a metal such as copper or aluminum, conductive rubber, or carbon. The electrode 20 may be in the form of, for example, a roll, a plate, or a brush.

[0037] In the supply device 100, the electrode 20 is provided at a position facing the hopper 30 with the conveyor belt 10 in between, and a second electrode may be further provided. The second electrode may also function as an external force generating means for removing the powder particles charged by electrostatic repulsion from the conveyor belt, for example, as in the case where the above-mentioned second driving member 22 has the function of an electrode.

[0038] The power source connected to the electrode 20 may be, for example, a known high voltage power source. The high voltage power source may be a DC power source or an AC power source. In addition, the power source may be connected to a control unit having a function of adjusting, for example, the applied voltage, application time, etc.

[0039] The hopper 30 may be any type capable of supplying the contained powdered or granular material 1 to the outer peripheral surface S1 of the conveyor belt 10, and may, for example, have an inclined bottom surface so that the powdered or granular material can move to the conveyor belt by gravity, and may be equipped with a vibration mechanism as necessary. The hopper 30 is also provided with a ground electrode for earthing, and when conductive powdered or granular material is supplied from the hopper 30 to the outer peripheral surface S1 of the conveyor belt 10 (surface of the insulating layer 12), a voltage is applied to the conductive layer 14 on the inner peripheral surface side via the electrode 20, thereby dielectrically charging the powdered or granular material.

[0040] The airflow generating device 40 can have a function of appropriately adjusting the direction, strength, etc. of the airflow so that the airflow can separate powder and granular material adhering to the outer peripheral surface S1 of the conveyor belt 10. An example of the airflow generating device is a device that can eject air compressed by a pump or the like.

[0041] In this embodiment, other external force generating means may be used. For example, as described above, the charged powder or granular material may be detached from the conveyor belt by the electrostatic repulsive force of the second electrode.

[0042] The charge removing device 43 is a device for removing residual charges on the conveyor belt after the powder or granular material is removed. As the charge removing device 43, an ionizer that generates positive and negative air ions by corona discharge or glow discharge, an ionizer that generates positive and negative air ions by X-rays, or the like can be used.

[0043] The powder / granular material supply device of this embodiment is not limited to the configuration of the supply device 100 and can be modified in various ways. In the supply device 100, the rotation shaft that changes the moving direction of the conveyor belt is provided at two locations (the first driving member 5 and the second driving member 22), but it may be provided at three or more locations.

[0044] <Method of supplying powder and granular material-1> The powder / granule supply method of this embodiment includes a first step (step AC) of supplying conductive powder / granule onto the conveying surface of a conveying member having an insulating conveying surface to charge the powder / granule, and a second step (step S) of detaching the charged powder / granule from the conveying surface by an external force. Through these steps, the charged powder particles can be supplied to the outside.

[0045] Examples of powders and granules having electrical conductivity include metal particles such as gold, silver, nickel, copper, solder, etc., and conductive coated particles obtained by coating non-conductive particles such as carbon particles, glass, ceramics, plastics, etc. with a conductive material such as metal. Note that powders and granules having electrical conductivity also include insulating powders and granules that have been given electrical conductivity by adsorbing or absorbing moisture.

[0046] The powder particles may be spherical or approximately spherical in shape, and may have recesses, protrusions, or both recesses and protrusions on their surfaces.

[0047] The particle size of the powder or granule may be 1 to 1000 μm, 10 to 500 μm, or 50 to 300 μm.

[0048] The powder / granular material supplying method of the present embodiment can be carried out by using the powder / granular material supplying device of the present embodiment described above.

[0049] In step AC, for example, the conveying member may be an endless conveying belt 10 driven in a circular manner by a driving member 5, and a voltage may be applied to an electrode 20 in contact with the conductive layer 14 to dielectrically charge the conductive powder or granular material on the surface (outer peripheral surface S1) of the insulating layer 12, which serves as the conveying surface. By dielectrically charging the powder or granular material, the charged powder or granular material can be attached in one layer to the surface of the insulating layer, making it easier to supply a fixed amount of powder or granular material with high accuracy by driving the conveying belt. In addition, by adjusting the width and conveying speed of the conveying belt, it becomes easy to finely adjust the supply amount of powder or granular material.

[0050] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the powder / granular material supply method of this embodiment, showing step AC. In step AC shown in Fig. 2, a voltage (positive voltage in the figure) is applied to the electrode 20, so that a positive voltage is applied to the conductive layer 14, and a negative charge is induced in the conductive powder / granular material 1 that is earthed in the hopper and faces the conductive layer 14 with the insulating layer 12 in between, so that the negatively charged powder / granular material 1a can be attached (electrostatically attracted) to the surface (outer peripheral surface S1) of the insulating layer 12, which is an insulating conveying surface, by electrostatic force.

[0051] By induction charging, a layer of powder 1a can be attached (electrostatically attracted) to the surface S1 of the insulating layer 12, but vibration may be applied to the conveyor belt 10 (step V) to prevent particles from riding on top of other particles. Step V may involve vibrating a member in contact with the conveyor belt, such as the first driving member 5. In the supply device 100, the outer circumferential surface S1 of the conveyor belt is configured to pass above the hopper 30, so that the shaken off powder can be collected in the hopper 30.

[0052] From the viewpoint of performing step V, the supplying device 100 of this embodiment may include a vibration mechanism for vibrating the conveyor belt 10.

[0053] The voltage applied to the electrodes in step AC can be appropriately changed depending on the thickness of the insulating layer so that the above-mentioned induced charging occurs, and may be 1 V to 20 kV, 0.1 kV to 10 kV, or 1 kV to 5 kV.

[0054] The voltage application may be continuous or intermittent.

[0055] The voltage application time can be appropriately set depending on the amount of powder or granule to be charged.

[0056] 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams for explaining the powder / granular material supplying method of this embodiment, showing an example of step S. Step S includes driving the conveyor belt 10, to which the charged powder / granular material 1a adheres on the surface (outer peripheral surface S1) of the insulating layer 12 serving as the conveying surface, to convey the charged powder / granular material 1a to a predetermined position or region (R1 in FIG. 3, R2 in FIG. 4) (step T), and separating the charged powder / granular material 1a from the surface (outer peripheral surface S1) of the insulating layer 12 serving as the conveying surface by an external force (step E).

[0057] 3, airflow 42 is used as the external force from the viewpoint of preventing damage to the powder or granule. When the supplying device 100 includes the second driving member 22 which is grounded, the charge of the conductive layer 14 remaining after the charged powder or granule 1a is released in step E can be removed.

[0058] As an external force other than airflow, for example, an electrostatic force such as electrostatic repulsion or electrostatic attraction, or a mechanical external force such as a grounded conductive brush can be used.

[0059] In step E shown in Fig. 4, electrostatic force is used as the external force. Here, the second driving member 22 functions as an electrode, and by applying a voltage of the same polarity (negative in the figure) as that of the charged powder or granule on the conveyor belt, it becomes possible to detach the charged powder or granule from the conveyor belt by electrostatic repulsion. When combined with an air flow or a mechanical external force, the electrostatic repulsion can be used as the external force that promotes the detachment of the charged powder or granule.

[0060] The method for supplying powder or granular material according to the present embodiment may further include a step (step SE) of removing residual charges on the conveyor belt after the powder or granular material is released. In step SE, for example, the above-mentioned charge removing device 43 can be used.

[0061] The powder / granular material supplying method and supplying device of the present embodiment can be used, for example, in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, food products, and industrial materials such as paints and plastics.

[0062] <Powder and granular material supply system> The powdered or granular material supplying system of this embodiment includes a plurality of powdered or granular material supplying devices of this embodiment described above.

[0063] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a powder / granular material supply system. The supply system 200 shown in Fig. 5 includes two supply devices 100 and 110 having the same configuration as the powder / granular material supply device of the present embodiment described above. The details of each member are the same as those described above.

[0064] In the supply system 200, a first powdered or granular material 1 can be supplied to a hopper 30 of the supply device 100, and a second powdered or granular material 2 can be supplied to a hopper 30 of the supply device 110.

[0065] According to the supply system 200 of this embodiment, it is possible to stably supply a fixed amount of a plurality of types of powdered or granular materials. In addition, according to the supply system of this embodiment, it is possible to implement another embodiment of the powdered or granular material supply method described below, and it is possible to mix (particularly precisely mix) a plurality of powdered or granular materials.

[0066] <Method of supplying powder and granular material-2> A method for supplying powder or granular material according to another embodiment includes a first step (step AC-1) of supplying a conductive first powder or granular material onto a first conveying surface of a first conveying member having an insulating first conveying surface to charge the first powder or granular material, a second step (step S-1) of removing the charged first powder or granular material from the first conveying surface by an external force, a third step (step AC-2) of supplying a conductive second powder or granular material onto a second conveying surface of a second conveying member having an insulating second conveying surface to charge the second powder or granular material, and a fourth step (step S-2) of removing the charged second powder or granular material from the second conveying surface by an external force. Through these steps, the charged first powder or granular material and the charged second powder or granular material can be supplied to the outside.

[0067] The first powder and the second powder can be any of the powders described above.

[0068] Steps AC-1 and AC-2 can be performed in the same manner as step AC described in powder / granular material supplying method-1.

[0069] A supplying method according to another embodiment can be implemented using the supplying system according to the present embodiment described above. For example, steps AC-1 and S-1 can be implemented by the supplying device 100, and steps AC-2 and S-2 can be implemented by the supplying device 110.

[0070] 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining a powder / granular material supplying method according to another embodiment, showing an example of steps S-1 and S-2. Note that steps AC-1 and AC-2 can be similar to step AC in the supplying method according to the present embodiment, and the first powder / granular material and the second powder / granular material are charged to polarities opposite to each other.

[0071] Step S-1 may include driving the first conveyor belt 10, to which the charged first powder granular material 1a adheres on the surface of the insulating layer 12 of the first conveyor belt (the outer peripheral surface S1 of the first conveyor belt), which is the first conveying surface, to convey the charged first powder granular material 1a to a predetermined position or region (R1 in Figure 6, R2 in Figure 7) (step T-1), and detaching the charged first powder granular material 1a from the surface of the insulating layer 12 of the first conveyor belt, which is the first conveying surface (the outer peripheral surface S1 of the first conveyor belt), by a first external force (step E-1).

[0072] In addition, step S-2 may include driving the second conveyor belt 10, to which the charged second powder granules 2a are attached on the surface of the insulating layer 12 of the second conveyor belt, which is the second conveying surface (the outer peripheral surface S1 of the second conveyor belt), to convey the charged second powder granules 2a to a predetermined position or region (R1 in Figure 6, R2 in Figure 7) (step T-2), and detaching the charged second powder granules 2a from the surface of the insulating layer 12 of the second conveyor belt, which is the second conveying surface (the outer peripheral surface S1 of the second conveyor belt), by a second external force (step E-2).

[0073] 6, airflow 42 is used as the external force from the viewpoint of preventing damage to the powder or granule. In addition, in the supplying devices 100, 110, the second driving member 22 is earthed, and the electric charge remaining on the conductive layer 14 after the charged powder or granule is released in steps E-1 and E-2 can be removed.

[0074] 7, electrostatic force is used as the external force. As in step E-1 and step E-2 described above, the charged powder or granule may be detached from the conveyor belt by electrostatic repulsion, or may be combined with an air flow or a mechanical external force to serve as the external force that promotes the detachment of the charged powder or granule.

[0075] In steps E-1 and E-2, the charged first powder 1a and the charged second powder 2a may be separated from the first conveying surface and the second conveying surface, respectively, so that the separated first powder 1a and the separated second powder 2a come into contact with each other outside. Since the separated charged first powder and the separated charged second powder have opposite polarities, mixed particles 3 of the first powder 1a and the second powder 2a are formed as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and the first powder 1 and the second powder 2 are supplied to the container 50 in a quantified and mixed state.

[0076] Contact between the detached first powder granule 1a and the detached second powder granule 2a can be achieved, for example, by adjusting the direction and strength of the first and second air flows 42, or by bringing a first predetermined position or area into close proximity to a second predetermined position or area (for example, bringing R2 in the supply device 100 and R2 in the supply device 110 into close proximity).

[0077] In steps E-1 and E-2 shown in FIG. 7, voltages of opposite polarities are applied to the member 22 of the supply device 100 and the member 22 of the supply device 110, which makes it possible to easily perform electrostatic mixing.

[0078] In Figs. 6 and 7, the mixed particle 3 is composed of one first powder and one second powder, but in another embodiment of the powder supply method, the mixing ratio can be changed by adjusting the charge amount and supply amount of the first and second powder. For example, when it is desired to mix the first powder and the second powder in a ratio of 3:1, the supply ratio of the first powder and the second powder is set to 3:1, and an electric charge amount three times that of the first powder is given to the second powder, so that three first powders can be attached to one second powder. In this way, it is possible to mix the first powder and the second powder in a desired ratio. Since the powder has conductivity, after the particles are attached to each other, the powders 1 and 2 in a state in which the positive and negative charges are offset are supplied into the container 50.

[0079] The powder / granular material supply method according to another embodiment may also further include a step of removing residual charge from the first conveyor belt after the powder / granular material is released (step SE-1) and a step of removing residual charge from the second conveyor belt after the powder / granular material is released (step SE-2). In steps SE-1 and SE-2, for example, the above-mentioned charge removing device 43 may be used, as shown in FIG.

[0080] According to the powder / granule supplying method of another embodiment and the supplying system of this embodiment, the first powder / granule and the second powder / granule can be stably supplied in a fixed amount even if the particle size is small and the amount is small, and the powder / granule can be precisely mixed. Such a supplying method and supplying system are useful, for example, in mixing a drug and an excipient in a medicine, mixing a seasoning in a food, mixing a paint pigment, mixing a dispersant into a plastic pellet, etc.

[0081] Further embodiments are described below. (Appendix 1) A method for supplying powder or granular material, comprising: a first step of supplying conductive powder or granular material onto a conveying surface of a conveying member having an insulating conveying surface and charging the powder or granular material; and a second step of detaching the charged powder or granular material from the conveying surface by an external force and supplying it to the outside. (Appendix 2) The method for supplying powder or granular material described in (Appendix 1), wherein the conveying member is an endless conveying belt driven in rotation by a driving member, the conveying belt has an insulating layer located on the outer circumferential surface side and a conductive layer located on the inner circumferential surface side, and in a first step, the powder or granular material is supplied onto the surface of the insulating layer serving as the conveying surface, and a voltage is applied to the conductive layer to dielectrically charge the powder or granular material. (Appendix 3) The method for supplying powder or granular material according to (Appendix 1) or (Appendix 2), wherein the external force is an air current. (Appendix 4) The method for supplying powder or granular material according to (Appendix 1) or (Appendix 2), wherein the external force is an electrostatic force. (Appendix 5) A method for supplying powder or granular material, comprising: a first step of supplying a conductive first powder or granular material onto a first conveying surface of a first conveying member having an insulating first conveying surface, and charging the first powder or granular material; a second step of detaching the charged first powder or granular material from the first conveying surface by a first external force and supplying the charged first powder or granular material to the outside; a third step of supplying a conductive second powder or granular material onto a second conveying surface of a second conveying member having an insulating second conveying surface, and charging the second powder or granular material; and a fourth step of detaching the charged second powder or granular material from the second conveying surface by a second external force and supplying the charged second powder or granular material to the outside. (Appendix 6) The powder / granular material supply method according to (Appendix 5), wherein the first and second conveying members are respectively an endless first conveying belt and a second conveying belt driven in circulation by a drive member, the first conveying belt and the second conveying belt having an insulating layer located on their outer circumferential surface side and a conductive layer located on their inner circumferential surface side, and in a first step, a first powder / granular material is supplied onto a surface of the insulating layer of the first conveying belt as a first conveying surface, and the first powder / granular material is dielectrically charged by applying a voltage to the conductive layer of the first conveying belt, and in a third step, a second powder / granular material is supplied onto a surface of the insulating layer of the second conveying belt as a second conveying surface, and the second powder / granular material is dielectrically charged with a polarity opposite to that of the first powder / granular material by applying a voltage to the conductive layer of the second conveying belt. (Appendix 7) The method for supplying powder or granular material according to (Appendix 5) or (Appendix 6), wherein the first external force and the second external force are air currents. (Appendix 8) The method for supplying powder or granular material according to (Appendix 5) or (Appendix 6), wherein the first external force and the second external force are electrostatic forces. (Appendix 9) The method for supplying powder or granular material according to any one of (Appendix 5) to (Appendix 8), wherein in the second and fourth steps, the charged first powder or granular material and the charged second powder or granular material are removed from the first and second conveying surfaces, respectively, so that the charged first powder or granular material and the charged second powder or granular material come into contact with each other. (Appendix 10) A powdered or granular material supplying device comprising: a driving member; an endless conveying belt driven in a circular motion by the driving member; an electrode in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the conveying belt; a powdered or granular material supplying means for supplying powdered or granular material to the outer peripheral surface of the conveying belt; and an external force generating means for detaching powdered or granular material adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the conveying belt, wherein the conveying belt has an insulating layer located on the outer peripheral surface side and a conductive layer located on the inner peripheral surface side. (Appendix 11) A powder / granular material supply system comprising a plurality of supply devices according to (Appendix 10). [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1,2...powder and granular material, 1a,2a...charged powder and granular material, 3...mixed particles, 5,22...driving member, 10...conveyor belt, 12...insulating layer, 14...conductive layer, 16...insulating layer, 20...electrode, 30...hopper, 40...airflow generating device, 42...airflow, 43...static removal device, 50...container, 100,110...supply device, 200...supply system.

Claims

1. The method includes a first step of supplying conductive powder or granular material onto an insulating conveying surface of a conveying member, and charging the powder or granular material; and a second step of removing the charged powder or granular material from the conveying surface by an external force and supplying the charged powder or granular material to the outside, the conveying member is an endless conveying belt that is driven in a circulating manner by a driving member, the conveyor belt has an insulating layer located on an outer circumferential surface side and a conductive layer located on an inner circumferential surface side, The powder / granule supplying method, in the first step, comprises supplying the powder / granule onto a surface of the insulating layer serving as the transport surface, and applying a voltage to the conductive layer to dielectrically charge the powder / granule.

2. A method for supplying powdered or granular material as described in claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is arranged so as to be electrically separated from adjacent conductive layers by an insulating layer or at a predetermined interval.

3. The method for supplying powder or granular material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external force is an air current.

4. 3. The method for supplying powder or granular material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external force is an electrostatic force.

5. a first step of supplying a conductive first powder or granular material onto a first conveying surface of a first conveying member having an insulating first conveying surface, and charging the first powder or granular material; and a second step of separating the charged first powder or granular material from the first conveying surface by a first external force, and supplying the charged first powder or granular material to the outside; a third step of supplying a conductive second powder or granular material onto a second conveying surface of a second conveying member having an insulating second conveying surface, thereby charging the second powder or granular material; and a fourth step of separating the charged second powder or granular material from the second conveying surface by a second external force, thereby supplying the charged second powder or granular material to the outside. having the first conveying member and the second conveying member are, respectively, an endless first conveying belt and a second conveying belt which are driven in a circulating manner by a driving member, the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt each have an insulating layer located on an outer circumferential surface side and a conductive layer located on an inner circumferential surface side, In the first step, the first powder particles are supplied onto a surface of the insulating layer of the first conveyor belt as the first conveying surface, and a voltage is applied to the conductive layer of the first conveyor belt to dielectrically charge the first powder particles; In the third step, the second powder or granular material is supplied onto a surface of the insulating layer of the second conveyor belt as the second conveying surface, and a voltage is applied to the conductive layer of the second conveyor belt, thereby dielectrically charging the second powder or granular material with a polarity opposite to that of the first powder or granular material.

6. a first step of supplying a conductive first powder or granular material onto a first conveying surface of a first conveying member having an insulating first conveying surface, and charging the first powder or granular material; and a second step of separating the charged first powder or granular material from the first conveying surface by a first external force, and supplying the charged first powder or granular material to the outside; a third step of supplying a conductive second powder or granular material onto a second conveying surface of a second conveying member having an insulating second conveying surface, thereby charging the second powder or granular material; and a fourth step of separating the charged second powder or granular material from the second conveying surface by a second external force, thereby supplying the charged second powder or granular material to the outside. having In the second and fourth steps, the charged first and second powder materials are detached from the first and second conveying surfaces, respectively, so that the charged first and second powder materials come into contact with each other.

7. The method for supplying powder or granular material according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first external force and the second external force are air currents.

8. 7. The method for supplying powder or granular material according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first external force and the second external force are electrostatic forces.

9. a driving member, an endless conveyor belt driven in a circular manner by the driving member, an electrode in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the conveyor belt, powder / granule supplying means for supplying powder / granule to an outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt, and external force generating means for separating the powder / granule adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt, The powder / granular material supplying device, wherein the conveyor belt has an insulating layer located on an outer circumferential surface side and a conductive layer located on an inner circumferential surface side.

10. A powdered or granular material supplying device as described in claim 9, wherein the conductive layers are arranged so as to be electrically separated from adjacent conductive layers by an insulating layer or at a predetermined interval.

11. A powder / granular material supply system comprising a plurality of the supply devices according to claim 9 or 10.

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