Raw material powder supply device, raw material powder blending device, glass product manufacturing device, raw material powder supply method, raw material powder blending method, and glass product manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a raw material powder supply device capable of reducing the moisture absorption of a raw material powder.SOLUTION: A raw material powder supply device includes: a raw material powder storage part for storing raw material powder having hygroscopicity; a measurement part for measuring the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage part; a first supply passage for connecting the raw material powder storage part with the measurement part to transfer the raw material powder to the measurement part from the raw material powder storage part; and a second supply passage connected to the measurement part and for transferring the raw material powder to the outside from the measurement part. At least one of the first and second supply passages includes a heating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a raw material powder supply device, a raw material powder blending device, a glass product manufacturing device, a raw material powder supply method, a raw material powder blending method, and a glass product manufacturing method.

Background Art

[0002] When blending multiple types of raw material powders at a predetermined mixing ratio, a raw material powder supply device for transporting the multiple types of raw material powders is used. The raw material powder is used, for example, as a molten glass raw material or the like. After melting the blended powder obtained by mixing the multiple types of raw material powders transported by the raw material powder supply device in a melting furnace, various glass products such as glass substrates are manufactured by cooling while shaping the obtained molten glass into a predetermined shape.

[0003] As a raw material powder supply device, for example, a device including a first storage container for storing cullets, a second storage container for storing raw material batches, a weighing device for weighing the raw material batches in the second storage container into the first storage container, and a take-out device for transporting a mixture of cullets and raw material batches to a glass melting facility is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In this device, the raw material batches that have fallen into the weighing device in the second storage container are transported into the take-out hopper of the first storage container by a screw, and the mixture of the raw material batches and cullets in the first storage container is transported into the glass melting facility by a screw.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the device of Patent Document 1 does not manage the humidity in passages through which raw material powder such as carats and raw material batches are conveyed. Therefore, in the device of Patent Document 1, when the raw material powder has hygroscopicity, at least a part of the raw material powder may react with moisture in the air and dissolve in the metering device and the take-out device, resulting in the possibility of the raw material powders sticking together. When the raw material powders stick together, they adhere to the walls and screws in the metering device and the take-out device, making it difficult to convey the raw material powder, which causes problems such as failures.

[0007] An aspect of the present invention aims to provide a raw material powder supply device capable of reducing the moisture absorption of raw material powder.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the raw material powder supply device according to the present invention includes a raw material powder storage unit for storing hygroscopic raw material powder, a metering unit for metering the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage unit, a first supply path connecting the raw material powder storage unit and the metering unit and moving the raw material powder from the raw material powder storage unit to the metering unit, and a second supply path connected to the metering unit and moving the raw material powder from the metering unit to the outside. At least one of the first supply path and the second supply path is provided with a heating unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] One aspect of the raw material powder supply device according to the present invention can reduce the moisture absorption of raw material powder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. For ease of understanding the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in each drawing, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, the scales of the members in the drawings may be different from the actual ones. In this specification, "~" indicating a numerical range means including the numerical values described before and after it as the lower limit value and the upper limit value, unless otherwise specified.

[0012] <Raw Material Powder Feeding Device> The raw material powder feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the raw material powder feeding device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the raw material powder feeding device of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system in three axial directions (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) is used. The height direction of the raw material powder feeding device is the Z-axis direction. On the plane orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, one of the two mutually orthogonal directions is the X-axis direction, and the other is the Y-axis direction. The direction from the bottom to the top of the raw material powder feeding device is the +Z-axis direction, and the opposite direction is the -Z-axis direction. In the following description, the +Z-axis direction may be referred to as up or upward, and the -Z-axis direction may be referred to as down or downward, but it does not represent a universal up-down relationship.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the raw material powder supply device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a raw material powder input unit 10, a raw material powder storage unit 20, a metering unit 30, a first supply path 40A, a second supply path 40B, a drying gas introduction unit 50, a heating unit 60, a temperature and humidity meter 70, a pressure gauge 80, and a control unit 90.

[0014] When the raw material powder supply device 1 moves the hygroscopic raw material powder P from the raw material powder storage unit 20 to the outside through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, the heating unit 60 heats the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. Thereby, the raw material powder supply device 1 reduces the humidity in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. et al. Therefore, the moisture absorption of the raw material powder moving in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B is suppressed, and the caking of the raw material powders with each other is suppressed. et al. It can be suppressed.

[0015] The raw material powder P only needs to be a powder having hygroscopicity. For example, dihydrate gypsum, calcium fluoride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, strontium chloride, boric acid, and food powders such as wheat flour can be mentioned.

[0016] Among the powders having hygroscopicity, the raw material powder P is preferably a powder having deliquescence. Hygroscopicity includes deliquescence. Hygroscopicity is the property of a substance to absorb or adsorb water molecules, and deliquescence is the property of a substance to change to a state such as a solution after absorbing or adsorbing water molecules. The powder having deliquescence is preferably used for the raw material powder supply device 1 that can suppress the caking of the raw material powders moving in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B more effectively than the powder having hygroscopicity.

[0017] The powder having deliquescence refers to a powder whose vapor pressure of the saturated aqueous solution is smaller than the partial pressure of water vapor in the atmosphere, and preferably refers to a powder whose vapor pressure of the saturated aqueous solution at 20°C is 2.7 kPa or less. Examples of the powder having deliquescence include calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, strontium chloride, etc. among the substances listed as the above-mentioned powders having hygroscopicity.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the raw material powder input section 10 is provided above the raw material powder storage section 20, temporarily stores the raw material powder P input from the outside, and inputs at least a part of the stored raw material powder P into the raw material powder storage section 20.

[0019] The raw material powder input section 10 includes a storage section 11, a lid section 12, a damper 13, and a gas introduction hole 14. By controlling the opening and closing of the damper 13, the storage of the raw material powder P and the input of the stored raw material powder P into the raw material powder storage section 20 are controlled.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the storage section 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and stores the raw material powder P inside. Note that the cylindrical shape may be circular or polygonal in a plan view of the storage section 11. The circular shape includes not only a perfect circle but also an ellipse in a plan view of the storage section 11. The storage section 11 is formed in a frustum of a cone shape.

[0021] The storage section 11 has an opening (input port) 11a and an opening (discharge port) 11b at its upper end and lower end, respectively. The input port 11a is a hole for inputting the raw material powder P, and the discharge port 11b is a hole for discharging the raw material powder P. The shapes of the input port 11a and the discharge port 11b can be appropriately set to any shape according to the outer shape of the storage section 11 or the like, and may be circular, rectangular, or the like.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the lid section 12 is provided above the storage section 11 and closes the input port 11a of the storage section 11. The lid section 12 blocks the input port 11a of the storage section 11 to cut off the inside of the storage section 11 from the external atmosphere. By closing the input port 11a of the storage section 11 with the lid section 12, the scattering of the raw material powder P inside the storage section 11 to the outside is suppressed, and the entry of dust or the like into the storage section 11 is reduced.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the damper 13 is provided in the middle of the passage inside the storage section 11. The configuration of the damper 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the cross-sectional area of the passage inside the storage section 11, and a general damper is used. et al.In this embodiment, the damper 13 includes a movable plate that can rotate in the vertical direction. By adjusting its inclination, the damper 13 controls the storage and dropping of the raw material powder P introduced into the storage unit 11.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, when the damper 13 is disposed substantially horizontally within the storage unit 11, there is almost no gap between the damper 13 and the inner wall of the storage unit 11, and the passage of the storage unit 11 is closed by the damper 13. Therefore, the raw material powder P is stored above the damper 13 within the storage unit 11.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, when the damper 13 is disposed substantially vertically within the storage unit 11, a gap is formed between the damper 13 and the inner wall of the storage unit 11, and the passage of the storage unit 11 is opened by the damper 13. Therefore, the raw material powder P stored within the storage unit 11 by the damper 13 drops due to its own weight and moves downward (in the -Z axis direction).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the gas introduction hole 14 is a through hole provided on the side surface of the storage unit 11 to which the gas introduction pipe 52A is connected. The dry gas CA flowing into the gas introduction pipe 52A from the dry gas introduction unit 50 (see FIG. 1) is supplied into the storage unit 11 through the gas introduction hole 14. The gas introduction hole 14 may be sized to maintain a state in which the gas introduction pipe 52A is detachably fitted.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the raw material powder storage unit 20 has the lower end of the storage unit 11 connected to its upper end and the first supply path 40A connected to its lower end. The raw material powder storage unit 20 stores the raw material powder P that has dropped and moved from the storage unit 11. The raw material powder storage unit 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a space A inside for storing the raw material powder P that drops from the storage unit 11.

[0028] The raw material powder storage unit 20 may be tapered so that its diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom in a front view. Note that the raw material powder storage unit 20 may be formed in a cylindrical shape and have the same diameter throughout from top to bottom in a front view.

[0029] The raw material powder storage unit 20 is provided with a powder inlet 20A at its upper part and a powder outlet 20B at its lower part. The raw material powder storage unit 20 is connected such that the discharge port 11b of the storage unit 11 is located above the powder inlet 20A, and is connected such that the first supply path 40A is horizontally arranged below the powder outlet 20B.

[0030] The raw material powder P that has fallen from the storage unit 11 into the raw material powder storage unit 20 accumulates upward from the first supply path 40A located below the powder outlet 20B within the raw material powder storage unit 20.

[0031] The relative humidity of the space A within the raw material powder storage unit 20 is preferably 30% or less, more preferably 15% or less, and even more preferably 10% or less. If the relative humidity is 30% or less, even if the raw material powder P is stored within the raw material powder storage unit 20 for several days (for example, 1 day to 7 days), the absorption of moisture by the raw material powder P can be suppressed.

[0032] Note that the relative humidity (unit: %) is, as shown in the following formula (1), the amount of water vapor m w contained in the air divided by the saturated water vapor amount m max at that humidity, multiplied by 100. Relative humidity RH (%) = m w / m max × 100 ··· (1)

[0033] The relative humidity of the space A within the raw material powder storage unit 20 can be set by the gas amount of the dry gas CA supplied into the storage unit 11 by the dry gas introduction unit 50. The dry gas CA is supplied into the space A through the inside of the storage unit 11 from a gas introduction pipe 52A connected to a gas introduction hole 14 provided on the side surface of the storage unit 11. By increasing the gas amount of the dry gas CA supplied into the space A, the relative humidity of the space A can be set lower.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, the metering unit 30 has a cylindrical container 31 with a space inside and a metering device 32 provided on the side surface of the container 31. The raw material powder P is supplied into the container 31 from the raw material powder storage unit 20 through the first supply path 40A. By measuring the change amount of the load applied to the metering device 32 and thereby measuring the change amount of the mass inside the container 31, the amount of the raw material powder P supplied from the raw material powder storage unit 20 is measured. As the metering device 32, a load cell or the like is used. The metering device 32 is connected to the control unit 90, and the measurement result is sent.

[0035] In addition, the metering unit 30 can use a generally used weighing machine. In addition to measuring the amount of the raw material powder P in the container 31 by the metering device 32, for example, a probe (probe type level sensor) 32 can be installed in the container 31 to measure the change amount of the height of the raw material powder P, thereby measuring the amount of the raw material powder P in the container 31.

[0036] The size of the metering unit 30 is not particularly limited and can be designed to any appropriate size.

[0037] The metering unit 30 is connected to the first supply path 40A above the side surface on one side (-Y-axis direction) thereof and is connected to the second supply path 40B below the side surface on the other side (+Y-axis direction). The raw material powder P is supplied from the first supply path 40A from the upper side inside the metering unit 30 and is discharged from the second supply path 40B to the outside of the metering unit 30.

[0038] The metering unit 30 is provided with a gas introduction hole 311 above the side surface on the other side (+Y-axis direction) of the container 31, and a gas introduction pipe 52B may be connected. The dry gas CA flowing into the gas introduction pipe 52B from the dry gas introduction unit 50 (see Fig. 1) is supplied into the storage unit 11 from the gas introduction hole 311. The gas introduction hole 311 only needs to be sized so that the gas introduction pipe 52B can be maintained in a state of being detachably fitted.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the first supply path 40A is a tubular passage that connects the raw material powder storage section 20 and the metering section 30 and moves the raw material powder P from the raw material powder storage section 20 to the metering section 30. The first supply path 40A may be rectangular or circular in the axial view. The first supply path 40A has an upper opening 401A at a position corresponding to the powder discharge port 20B of the raw material powder storage section 20 and is connected to the raw material powder storage section 20 substantially horizontally. One end of the first supply path 40A is connected to an input hole 312 provided in the side wall of the container 31 of the metering section 30.

[0040] The upper opening 401A may have substantially the same shape and size as the powder discharge port 20B in plan view, may have a size including the powder discharge port 20B, or may be smaller than the powder discharge port 20B.

[0041] The first supply path 40A has a first powder supply section 41A inside. The first powder supply section 41A only needs to have a mechanism capable of transferring the raw material powder P in a substantially horizontal direction, and a screw feeder, a rotary feeder, an electromagnetic feeder, etc. can be used. et al. In this embodiment, the first powder supply section 41A may be composed of a screw feeder and may have a conveying screw 411A and a drive section 412A that rotationally drives the conveying screw 411A.

[0042] The conveying screw 411A transfers the raw material powder P in the first supply path 40A in a substantially horizontal direction toward the metering section 30.

[0043] As the drive section 412A, a motor or the like is used.

[0044] The raw material powder P in the first supply path 40A is moved to the metering section 30 by driving the conveying screw 411A to rotate by the drive section 412A.

[0045] The first supply path 40A is preferably provided substantially horizontally at the bottom of the raw material powder storage unit 20. Since a heating unit 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the first supply path 40A as will be described later, by providing the first supply path 40A substantially horizontally, the amount of movement of the raw material powder P passing through the first supply path 40A can be appropriately adjusted according to the heating condition of the first supply path 40A, so that the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be reduced.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the second supply path 40B is a tubular passage that is connected to the discharge port 313 of the container 31 of the metering unit 30 and moves the raw material powder P from the metering unit 30 to the outside (for example, the blending unit 110 in FIGS. 6 and 7). The second supply path 40B has an upper opening 401B at a position corresponding to the discharge port 313 of the container 31 and is connected to the metering unit 30 substantially horizontally.

[0047] The second supply path 40B has a second powder supply unit 41B inside. The second powder supply unit 41B may be configured in the same manner as the first powder supply unit 41A. That is, the second powder supply unit 41B only needs to have a mechanism capable of transporting the raw material powder P in a substantially horizontal direction, similar to the first powder supply unit 41A, and a screw feeder, a rotary feeder, an electromagnetic feeder, etc. may be used. et al. In the present embodiment, the second powder supply unit 41B, like the first powder supply unit 41A, may be composed of a screw feeder and may have a conveying screw 411B and a drive unit 412B that rotationally drives the conveying screw 411B.

[0048] Similar to the first supply path 40A, the second supply path 40B is preferably provided substantially horizontally at the bottom of the metering unit 30. Since a heating unit 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the second supply path 40B as will be described later, by providing the second supply path 40B substantially horizontally, the amount of movement of the raw material powder P passing through the second supply path 40B can be appropriately adjusted according to the heating condition of the second supply path 40B, so that the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be reduced.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the dry gas introduction unit 50 is connected to a gas introduction hole 14 (see FIG. 2) provided on the side surface of the storage unit 11 of the raw material powder input unit 10 and introduces dry gas CA into the raw material powder input unit 10 and the raw material powder storage unit 20.

[0050] As the drying gas CA, dry air, nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, etc. are used.

[0051] The drying gas introduction section 50 may include a gas supply section 51 that stores the drying gas CA, and a gas introduction pipe 52 that connects the gas supply section 51 to the storage section 11 and the metering section 30 and conveys the drying gas CA into the storage section 11 and the metering section 30.

[0052] As the gas supply section 51, a gas tank or the like that stores the drying gas CA is used.

[0053] The gas introduction pipe 52 may include a gas introduction pipe 52A that connects the gas supply section 51 to the storage section 11, and a gas introduction pipe 52B that connects the gas supply section 51 to the container 31 of the metering section 30. The gas introduction pipe 52A supplies the drying gas G from its tip into the storage section 11, and the gas introduction pipe 52B supplies the drying gas G from its tip into the container 31. The gas introduction pipe 52 may be provided with a control valve (not shown) in the middle of the gas introduction pipes 52A and 52B to control the flow rate of the drying gas CA flowing through these pipes. Note that the gas introduction pipe 52 may have only the gas introduction pipe 52A and not have the gas introduction pipe 52B.

[0054] The tip of the gas introduction pipe 52A may be provided so as to be substantially at the same position as the inner wall of the storage section 11, or may protrude into the space in the storage section 11. Similarly to the gas introduction pipe 52A, the tip of the gas introduction pipe 52B may be provided so as to be substantially at the same position as the inner wall of the container 31, or may protrude into the space in the container 31.

[0055] In this embodiment, the dry gas introduction section 50 connects the gas introduction pipe 52A to the raw material powder input section 10. However, a through hole may be provided on the side surface of the raw material powder storage section 20, and the dry gas CA may be directly supplied to the space A in the raw material powder storage section 20 by connecting to the side surface of the raw material powder storage section 20. Further, in addition to the gas introduction pipes 52A and 52B, the dry gas introduction section 50 may be connected with another gas introduction pipe to the side surface of the raw material powder storage section 20.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the heating section 60 has two heating sections 60A and 60B. The heating section 60A is provided on the outer periphery of the first supply path 40A and heats the first supply path 40A. The heating section 60B is provided on the outer periphery of the second supply path 40B and heats the second supply path 40B. Note that the heating section 60 may include only one of the heating sections 60A or 60B and may be provided only on the outer periphery of the first supply path 40A or the second supply path 40B.

[0057] The heating section 60A has a heat transfer member 61A that heats the first supply path 40A and a thermometer 62A that measures the temperature of the first supply path 40A. The heating section 60B has a heat transfer member 61B that heats the second supply path 40B and a thermometer 62B that measures the temperature of the second supply path 40B.

[0058] The heat transfer members 61A and 61B are arranged on the outer peripheries of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B in a state of being in contact with the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. As the heat transfer members 61A and 61B, a ribbon heater in which a heater wire is stitched and integrated with a heat-resistant cloth or ribbon can be used. Instead of the ribbon heater, the heating sections 60A and 60B may use a planar heater, a ceramic heater, etc. in which a heater wire is stitched and integrated with a heat-resistant cloth or ribbon.

[0059] The thermometers 62A and 62B are preferably provided on the outer peripheries of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B so as to be positioned between the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B and the heat transfer members 61A and 61B. As the thermometers 62A and 62B, those generally used as thermometers can be used. For example, thermocouples and the like are used. The thermometers 62A and 62B are connected to the control unit 90, and the measurement results are sent. Since the temperatures of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B are measured by the thermometers 62A and 62B, the heating temperatures of the heat transfer members 61A and 61B can be appropriately adjusted to arbitrary temperatures.

[0060] The heating unit 60 heats the outer peripheries of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, so that heat is transferred to the air inside the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, and the air inside the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B is heated. Thereby, the saturated water vapor pressure of the air inside the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B can be increased, and the amount of moisture present in the air inside the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of moisture absorption due to the reaction of the raw material powder P with the moisture present in the air in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B.

[0061] The heating unit 60 may be provided over the entire lengths of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, or may be provided only partially. For example, the heating unit 60A may not be provided at a position directly below the raw material powder storage unit 20, and may be provided between the upper opening 401A provided at a position corresponding to the powder discharge port 20B of the raw material powder storage unit 20 and the wall surface of the metering unit 30. The heating unit 60B may not be provided at a position directly below the metering unit 30, and may be provided outside the wall surface of the container 31 at a position corresponding to the discharge port 313 of the container 31. In regions other than directly below the raw material powder storage unit 20 and the metering unit 30, since the area where the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B come into contact with the outside increases, they are particularly likely to be cooled by the outside air and tend to generate moisture. By providing the heating unit 60A between the upper opening 401 and the wall surface of the metering unit 30, and providing the heating unit 60B outside the wall surface of the container 31 at a position corresponding to the upper opening 401B, and heating the air inside the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, the saturated water vapor pressure of the air can be increased, and the generation of moisture in the air can be efficiently suppressed. Also, the heating units 60A and 60B can be easily attached and detached.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the heating units 60A and 60B may each include heat insulating materials 63A and 63B that cover the peripheries of the heat transfer members 61A and the thermometers 62A, and the heat transfer members 61B and the thermometers 62B, respectively. The heat insulating materials 63A and 63B can be formed into sheet shapes for use. By covering the peripheries of the heat transfer members 61A and the thermometers 62A, and the heat transfer members 61B and the thermometers 62B with the heat insulating materials 63A and 63B, the heat generated in the heating units 60A and 60B can be suppressed from radiating to the outside, so the heating efficiency of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B is increased.

[0063] As the heat insulating materials 63A and 63B, general heat insulating materials can be used. For example, inorganic fibers, organic fibers, resin foams, etc. can be used. As the inorganic fibers, composite materials containing inorganic fiber materials such as glass fibers, ceramic fibers, and silica fibers and, if necessary, inorganic binders such as colloidal silica, alumina sol, and sodium silicate can be used. As the organic fibers, aramid, polyamide, polyimide, etc. can be used. As the resin foams, silicone resins, fluororesins, etc. can be used. The thicknesses of the heat insulating materials 63A and 63B are not particularly limited as long as they can cover the heat transfer members 61A and the thermometers 62A, and the heat transfer members 61B and the thermometers 62B.

[0064] The temperature and humidity meter 70 is provided in the space A in the raw material powder storage section 20. The temperature and humidity meter 70 is not particularly limited and any measuring instrument that can measure the temperature and humidity in the raw material powder storage section 20 can be used. et al. The temperature and humidity meter 70 is connected to the control section 90 and the measurement results are sent.

[0065] The pressure gauge 80 is not particularly limited and any pressure gauge that can measure the pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 can be used. et al. The pressure gauge 80 is connected to the control section 90 and the measurement results are sent. In the raw material powder storage section 20, the dry gas CA is supplied from the storage section 11 and the air pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 is maintained at a positive pressure. When the raw material powder P falls from the raw material powder storage section 20 into the first supply path 40A and moves, the dry air CA in the raw material powder storage section 20 is also led out to the outside, and the air pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 may become negative. When the air pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 becomes negative, a force that pushes the raw material powder P back to the raw material powder storage section 20 side acts from the metering section 30, and it may become difficult for the raw material powder P to be smoothly supplied from the first supply path 40A to the metering section 30. By measuring the pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 with the pressure gauge 80 and adjusting the supply amount of the dry gas CA, the supply amount of the raw material powder P from the storage section 11, the moving speed of the raw material powder P in the first supply path 40A, etc., so that the air pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 becomes positive pressure, a state where the raw material powder P can be smoothly supplied from the raw material powder storage section 20 through the first supply path 40A to the metering section 30 can be maintained.

[0066] The control unit 90 is communicably connected to each member constituting the raw material powder supply device 1, such as the weighing device 32, the dry gas introduction unit 50, the heat transfer members 61A and 61B, the temperature and humidity meter 70, and the pressure gauge 80, in an arbitrary manner. The control unit 90 is controllably connected to the heat transfer members 61A and 61B. The control unit 90 has a storage means for storing a control program and various stored information, and an arithmetic means that operates based on the control program. The control unit 90 is realized by the arithmetic means reading and executing the control program and the like stored in the storage means.

[0067] In the present embodiment, when the raw material powder P is a molten glass raw material, the molten glass raw material is composed of molten glass. The composition of the molten glass is not particularly limited. The molten glass may be any of soda-lime glass, alkali-free glass, mixed alkali-based glass, borosilicate glass, and other glasses.

[0068] When the molten glass is soda-lime glass used for architectural or automotive sheet glass, etc., the molten glass preferably has a composition expressed in mass percentage based on oxides: SiO2: 65 - 75%, Al2O3: 0 - 3%, CaO: 5 - 15%, MgO: 0 - 15%, Na2O: 10 - 20%, K2O: 0 - 3%, Li2O: 0 - 5%, Fe2O3: 0 - 3%, TiO2: 0 - 5%, CeO2: 0 - 3%, BaO: 0 - 5%, SrO: 0 - 5%, B2O3: 0 - 5%, ZnO: 0 - 5%, ZrO2: 0 - 5%, SnO2: 0 - 3%, SO3: 0 - 0.5%.

[0069] When the molten glass is alkali-free glass used for substrates such as liquid crystal displays, etc., the molten glass preferably has a composition expressed in mass percentage based on oxides: SiO2: 39 - 75%, Al2O3: 3 - 27%, B2O3: 0 - 20%, MgO: 0 - 13%, CaO: 0 - 17%, SrO: 0 - 20%, BaO: 0 - 30%.

[0070] In the case of a mixed alkali-based glass in which the molten glass is used for substrates such as plasma displays, the molten glass preferably has a composition of SiO2: 50 to 75%, Al2O3: 0 to 15%, MgO + CaO + SrO + BaO + ZnO: 6 to 24%, and Na2O + K2O: 6 to 24% in terms of mass percentage based on oxides.

[0071] In the case of borosilicate glass in which the molten glass is used for heat-resistant containers or scientific instruments, etc., the molten glass preferably has a composition of SiO2: 60 to 85%, Al2O3: 0 to 5%, B2O3: 5 to 20%, and Na2O + K2O: 2 to 10% in terms of mass percentage based on oxides.

[0072] Thus, the raw material powder supply device 1 includes the heating unit 60 on the outer peripheries of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. Thereby, the raw material powder supply device 1 can heat the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B in the heating unit 60 to increase the saturated water vapor pressure of the air in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B and lower the relative humidity. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P in order to suppress the absorption of moisture in the air by the raw material powder P while the raw material powder P passes through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B.

[0073] Among the members constituting the raw material powder supply device 1 such as the raw material powder storage unit 20, the metering unit 30, the first supply path 40A, and the second supply path 40B, when the raw material powder absorbs moisture in each member through which the raw material powder P passes, there is a possibility that a solid substance formed by the raw material powder P absorbing moisture and solidifying adheres, causing an abnormality in the supply of the raw material powder P to the outside. For example, in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, etc., the conveying screws 411A, etc. of the first powder supply unit 41A and the second powder supply unit 41B may not be able to be driven or may not be driven and rotated sufficiently, and there is a possibility that the raw material powder P cannot be moved. Since the raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the occurrence of moisture absorption of the raw material powder P, the raw material powder P can be stably supplied to the outside in a preset amount.

[0074] The raw material powder supply device 1 includes a raw material powder input section 10 and a dry gas introduction section 50, and the dry gas introduction section 50 can be connected to the raw material powder input section 10. The raw material powder supply device 1 introduces dry gas CA into the storage section 11 of the raw material powder input section 10 and supplies it into the raw material powder storage section 20. Thus, the dry gas CA is mixed with the air existing in the raw material powder storage section 20. By reducing the concentration of the air in the raw material powder storage section 20 and increasing the concentration of the dry gas, the humidity of the air in the raw material powder storage section 20 becomes lower, so that the contact between the raw material powder P in the raw material powder storage section 20 and the moisture in the air can be reduced. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can further reduce the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P in the raw material powder storage section 20.

[0075] As the dry gas, the raw material powder supply device 1 can use dry air, nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, etc. Since these airs or gases do not contain moisture and have a low humidity, by using these airs or gases as the dry gas and mixing them with the air in the raw material powder storage section 20, the concentration of the air in the raw material powder storage section 20 can be more reliably reduced. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can surely suppress the contact between the raw material powder P and the moisture in the air in the raw material powder storage section 20, so that the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P in the raw material powder storage section 20 can be more reliably reduced.

[0076] The raw material powder supply device 1 can have a raw material powder input section 10 including a storage section 11, a lid section 12, a damper 13, and a gas introduction hole 14. Thereby, the raw material powder supply device 1 can easily maintain the sealed state of the space inside the raw material powder input section 10. Therefore, when the raw material powder P introduced into the raw material powder input section 10 moves from the raw material powder input section 10 to the raw material powder storage section 20, the raw material powder supply device 1 can suppress contact with moisture in the air, so that the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be more stably reduced. Further, the raw material powder supply device 1 can store the raw material powder P while keeping the space inside the storage section 11 in a sealed state by closing the damper 13. Furthermore, a predetermined amount of the raw material powder P can be dropped into the raw material powder storage section 20 at an arbitrary timing for use. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 suppresses contact between the raw material powder P introduced into the raw material powder input section 10 and the outside air during the storage and use stages of the raw material powder P introduced into the raw material powder input section 10 et al. and can reduce the occurrence of moisture absorption of the raw material powder P when it is stored in the raw material powder input section 10.

[0077] The raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the relative humidity inside the raw material powder storage section 20 to 30% or less. Thereby, even when the raw material powder P is introduced into the raw material powder storage section 20, the raw material powder supply device 1 suppresses the raw material powder P from absorbing moisture in the air. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can more stably reduce the occurrence of moisture absorption of the raw material powder P in the raw material powder storage section 20.

[0078] The raw material powder supply device 1 can include a ribbon heater as a heat transfer member in the heating unit 60. The ribbon heater is wound around the outer circumferences of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can be easily attached while maintaining the state where the ribbon heater is in contact with the outer circumferences of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, and its length can be easily adjusted. Thereby, the raw material powder supply device 1 can surely heat the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B within a predetermined range in their axial directions. Thus, the raw material powder supply device 1 can increase the saturated water vapor amount of the air passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B and appropriately lower the relative humidity in the air. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can suppress the raw material powder P from absorbing moisture in the air while the raw material powder P passes through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path et al. Therefore, it can effectively suppress the occurrence of moisture absorption of the raw material powder P.

[0079] The raw material powder supply device 1 can cover the heating unit 60 with a heat insulating material 61. Thereby, the raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the leakage of the heat of the heating unit 60 to the outside and maintain the state where the heating unit 60 is in contact with and fixed to the outer circumferences of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can increase the heating efficiency of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, so that the relative humidity in the air can be surely lowered. Thus, the raw material powder supply device 1 can more surely suppress the raw material powder P passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B from absorbing moisture in the air et al. Therefore, the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be more stably reduced.

[0080] The raw material powder supply device 1 can use a molten glass raw material for the raw material powder P. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the moisture absorption of the molten glass raw material during the production of glass, so that glass products can be stably produced.

[0081] <Raw material powder supply method> A method for supplying raw material powder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The method for supplying raw material powder according to this embodiment is performed using the raw material powder supply device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method for supplying raw material powder according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the method for supplying raw material powder according to this embodiment, the lid portion 12 is opened, and the raw material powder P is put into the storage portion 11 with the damper 13 closed, and stored above the damper 13 in the storage portion 11 (raw material powder storage step: step S11).

[0082] Next, the damper 13 is opened, and the raw material powder P stored in the storage portion 11 is dropped downward by its own weight and deposited on the first supply path 40A located at the position of the upper opening 401A, and stored in the first supply path 40A and the raw material powder storage portion 20 (raw material powder storage step: step S12).

[0083] Next, the raw material powder P is moved from the raw material powder storage portion 20 to the weighing portion 30 by the conveying screw 411A through the first supply path 40A (first supply step: step S13). At this time, the first supply path 40A is heated by the heating portion 60A to warm the air in the first supply path 40A, and by increasing the saturated water vapor pressure of the air, the relative humidity in the air can be lowered, so that the reaction of the raw material powder P with the moisture in the air can be suppressed.

[0084] Next, the raw material powder P supplied from the raw material powder storage portion 20 is weighed by the weighing portion 30 (weighing step: step S13).

[0085] Next, the raw material powder P is moved from the weighing portion 30 to the outside by the conveying screw 411B through the second supply path 40B (second supply step: step S14). At this time, the second supply path 40B is heated by the heating portion 60B to increase the saturated water vapor pressure of the air in the second supply path 40B, thereby suppressing the reaction of the raw material powder P with the moisture in the air.

[0086] In the raw material powder supply method according to this embodiment, in the first supply step (step S13) and the second supply step (step S15), the heating unit 60 heats the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B to increase the saturated water vapor pressure of the dry air CA passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, and can lower the relative humidity. Thereby, the raw material powder supply method according to this embodiment suppresses the raw material powder P from absorbing moisture in the air while passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B et al. Thus, moisture absorption of the raw material powder P is suppressed.

[0087] <Raw material powder blending device> A raw material powder blending device including the raw material powder supply device according to this embodiment will be described.

[0088] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a raw material powder blending device, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the raw material powder blending device 100 includes a plurality of raw material powder supply devices 1-1 ··· 1-N (N is an integer of 1 or more) and a blending unit 110. The raw material powder supply devices 1-1 ··· 1-N (N is an integer of 1 or more) in FIGS. 6 and 7 represent the raw material powder supply device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but are shown in a simplified manner in FIGS. 6 and 7. The blending unit 110.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7, the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 ··· 1-N (N is an integer of 1 or more) are arranged in parallel in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the blending unit 110. The raw material powder supply devices 1-1 ··· 1-N (N is an integer of 1 or more) each include heating units 60B-1 ··· 60B-N in their respective second supply paths 40B-1 ··· 40B-N, and the heating units 60B-1 ··· 60B-N all include heat transfer members 61B-1 ··· 61B-N and thermometers 62B-1 ··· 60B-N. Since the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 ··· 1-N are the above-described raw material powder supply device 1, details are omitted. In the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 ··· 1-N, when the raw material powder to be dropped into each is a raw material powder with low hygroscopicity or a non-hygroscopic raw material powder, the heating unit 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) does not need to be used.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the blending unit 110 is connected to the second supply paths 40B-1 to 40B-N of the respective raw material powder supply devices 1-1 to 1-N, and mixes the plurality of raw material powders P supplied by the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 to 1-N, and blends them so as to have respective arbitrary blending ratios to obtain a blended powder P1.

[0091] The blending unit 110 may be any device that can blend a plurality of raw material powders P at respective arbitrary blending ratios, and may include a blending tank 111, a stirring device 112 provided inside the blending tank 111, and a driving unit 113 that rotationally drives the stirring device 112.

[0092] The raw material powder blending device 100 may store the blended powder P1 in the blending tank 111, or may store it in an external blending powder storage tank (not shown) or the like.

[0093] In addition, in the present embodiment, any one of the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 to 1-N may be a general raw material powder supply device that does not include a heating unit 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0094] By including the blending unit 110, the raw material powder blending device 100 can blend a plurality of raw material powders P discharged from the plurality of raw material powder supply devices 1 at respective arbitrary ratios. In the plurality of raw material powder supply devices 1, moisture absorption of the raw material powder P is suppressed, so fluctuations in the amount of the raw material powder P discharged from each raw material powder supply device 1 are suppressed. Therefore, the raw material powder blending device 100 can appropriately supply an arbitrary amount of the raw material powder P from each raw material powder supply device 1 to the blending unit 110, so that the blending unit 110 can produce a blended powder P1 containing a plurality of raw material powders P at respective arbitrary ratios. Therefore, the raw material powder blending device 100 can produce a blended powder P1 with excellent quality.

[0095] <Raw Material Powder Blending Method> A raw material powder preparation method including the raw material powder supply method according to this embodiment will be described. The raw material powder preparation method according to this embodiment is performed using the raw material powder preparation apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the raw material powder preparation method according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the raw material powder preparation method, a plurality of raw material powders are supplied from the raw material powder supply apparatuses 1-1 ··· 1-N to the preparation unit 110 (a plurality of raw material powder supply steps: step S21). Since each raw material powder supply step (step S21) is the same as the raw material powder preparation method according to the above-described embodiment except that the type of the raw material powder P is changed, the details are omitted.

[0096] Next, a plurality of raw material powders P are mixed and prepared in the preparation unit 110 (preparation step: step S22).

[0097] Next, by preparing a plurality of raw material powders in the preparation unit 110 at arbitrary mixing ratios, a prepared powder P1 containing the plurality of raw material powders at arbitrary ratios is obtained.

[0098] The raw material powder preparation method according to this embodiment can mix and prepare the plurality of raw material powders P discharged from the plurality of raw material powder supply apparatuses 1 in the preparation step (step S22). In the plurality of raw material powder supply steps (step S21), since the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P is suppressed during supply, fluctuations in the amount of the raw material powder P discharged from each raw material powder supply apparatus 1 are suppressed. Therefore, in the preparation step (step S22), the raw material powder preparation method according to this embodiment can appropriately supply an arbitrary amount of the raw material powder P from each raw material powder supply apparatus 1 to the preparation unit 110, and thus can produce a prepared powder P1 containing the plurality of raw material powders P at arbitrary ratios. Therefore, the raw material powder preparation method according to this embodiment can produce a prepared powder P1 with excellent quality.

[0099] <Glass product manufacturing apparatus> A glass product manufacturing apparatus including the raw material powder preparation apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. Note that the case where the prepared powder containing the raw material powder is a glass raw material powder will be described.

[0100] FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a glass product manufacturing apparatus and is a plan view of FIG. 10. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a raw material powder blending apparatus 100, a melting section 210, and a forming section 220. Since the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 is the same as the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 described above, details thereof are omitted. Also, the raw material powder supply apparatuses 1-1 ··· 1-N (N is an integer of 1 or more) in FIGS. 9 and 10 represent the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but as in FIGS. 6 and 7, FIGS. 9 and 10 show it in a simplified manner.

[0101] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the melting section 210 melts the blended powder P1 obtained by the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 to produce molten glass (glass melt) G1. The melting section 210 may be a general glass melting apparatus and includes a melting tank 211 and a burner 212.

[0102] The melting tank 211 is formed of a heat-resistant material such as refractory bricks and has a hollow structure. The blended powder P1 is conveyed into the melting tank 211.

[0103] The melting tank 211 has a raw material inlet 211A and a raw material outlet 211B on its side surface.

[0104] The blended powder P1 introduced into the melting tank 211 from the raw material inlet 211A is heated by the heat of the flame of the burner 212 and gradually melts into the molten glass G1 accommodated in the melting tank 211. The molten glass G1 is discharged from the raw material outlet 211B and moves to the forming section 220.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the forming unit 220 forms the molten glass G1 produced in the melting unit 210 into a plate shape. The forming unit 300 may be a general device, for example, a float forming device, a fusion forming device, or the like. The float forming device continuously supplies the molten glass G1 onto the bath surface of the molten tin in the bath to form the molten glass G1 into a ribbon shape. The fusion forming device continuously supplies the molten glass G1 inside a trough having a substantially V-shaped cross section, and joins the molten glass G1 that has overflowed from both the left and right sides of the trough at the lower edge of the trough to form a ribbon shape.

[0106] The formed glass formed by the forming unit 300 is gradually cooled and then cut into a predetermined size to become a glass product such as a glass plate.

[0107] By including the melting unit 210 and the forming unit 220, the glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 can manufacture a glass product using the blended powder P1 obtained by the raw material powder blending apparatus 100. Since the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 can manufacture the blended powder P1 containing a plurality of raw material powders P at arbitrary ratios, the glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 can manufacture a glass product with excellent quality by using the blended powder P1 in the melting unit 210 and the forming unit 220.

[0108] <Glass Product Manufacturing Method> A glass product manufacturing method including the raw material powder blending method according to the present embodiment will be described. The glass product manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is performed using the glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the glass product manufacturing method according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in the glass product manufacturing method, a plurality of raw material powders are blended (blending step: step S31). Since the blending step (step S31) uses the raw material powder blending method according to the present embodiment, the details are omitted.

[0109] Next, the blended powder obtained in the raw material powder blending step (step S31) is supplied into the melting tank 211 through the raw material inlet 211A to obtain the molten glass G1 (melting step: step S32).

[0110] Next, the molten glass obtained in the melting step (step S32) is discharged from the raw material discharge port 211B of the melting tank 211 and conveyed to the forming unit 220, where it is formed into a predetermined desired shape (forming step: step S33).

[0111] Next, the formed body after forming is gradually cooled (gradual cooling step: step S34) and cut to a predetermined length (cutting step: step S35).

[0112] Thereby, a glass product of the target size is manufactured.

[0113] In the glass product manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, in the melting step (step S32) and the forming step (step S22), a glass product can be manufactured using the formulated powder P1 obtained in the formulation step (step S31). In the formulation step (step S31), since a formulated powder P1 containing a plurality of raw material powders P at arbitrary ratios can be manufactured, the glass product manufacturing method according to the present embodiment can manufacture a glass product with excellent quality by using the formulated powder P1 in the melting step (step S32) and the forming step (step S22).

[0114] As described above, the embodiments have been described. However, the above embodiments are presented as examples, and the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, replacements, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0115] 1, 1-N Raw Material Powder Supply Device 10 Raw Material Powder Input Section 11 Storage Section 12 Lid Section 13 Damper 14 Gas Introduction Hole 20 Raw Material Powder Storage Section 30 Measuring Section 40A First supply path 40B Second supply path 50 Dry gas introduction section 51 Gas supply section 52 Gas introduction pipe 60 Heating section 100 Raw material powder blending device 110 Blending section 200 Glass product manufacturing device 210 Melting section 220 Forming section

Claims

1. A raw material powder storage unit for storing a hygroscopic raw material powder; A weighing unit for weighing the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage unit; A first supply path connecting the raw material powder storage unit and the weighing unit and moving the raw material powder from the raw material powder storage unit to the weighing unit; A second supply path connected to the weighing unit and moving the raw material powder from the weighing unit to the outside, and at least one of the first supply path and the second supply path is provided with a heating unit, A raw material powder supply device in which the raw material powder is a molten glass raw material.

2. A raw material powder input unit for inputting the raw material powder into the raw material powder storage unit; The raw material powder supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a dry gas introduction unit connected to the raw material powder storage unit or the raw material powder input unit and introducing dry gas into the raw material powder storage unit.

3. The raw material powder supply device according to claim 2, wherein the dry gas contains at least one of dry air, nitrogen gas, and oxygen gas.

4. The raw material powder input unit is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a storage unit for storing the raw material powder, a lid for closing an opening at an upper end of the storage unit, a damper provided in the storage unit for adjusting the falling amount of the raw material powder, a gas introduction hole provided on a side surface of the storage unit for supplying dry gas into the storage unit, and The raw material powder supply device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the relative humidity in the raw material powder storage unit is 30% or less.

6. The raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating unit includes a ribbon heater.

7. The raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a heat insulating material covering the heating part.

8. A plurality of raw material powder supply parts for supplying raw material powder, A blending part that blends and prepares a plurality of the raw material powders supplied by the plurality of raw material powder supply parts to obtain a blended powder, comprising Among the plurality of raw material powder supply parts, at least one is a raw material powder blending device which is the raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The raw material powder blending device according to claim 8, A melting part that melts the blended powder obtained by the raw material powder blending device to produce molten glass, A glass product manufacturing device comprising a forming part that forms the molten glass to obtain a glass product.

10. A raw material powder storage step of storing a raw material powder having hygroscopicity in a raw material powder storage part, A weighing step of weighing the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage part with a weighing part, A first supply step of moving the raw material powder from the raw material powder storage part to the weighing part through a first supply path connecting the raw material powder storage part and the weighing part, A second supply step of moving the raw material powder from the weighing part to the outside through a second supply path connected to the weighing part, including wherein the raw material powder is a molten glass raw material, A raw material powder supply method of heating the raw material powder with a heating part in at least one of the first supply path and the second supply path.

11. A plurality of raw material powder supply steps of respectively supplying a plurality of raw material powders from a plurality of raw material powder supply parts, A blending step of blending and preparing a plurality of the raw material powders supplied by the plurality of raw material powder supply parts with a blending part to obtain a blended powder, including At least one of the plurality of the raw material powder supply steps is a raw material powder preparation method using the raw material powder supply method according to claim 10.

12. A melting step of melting the prepared powder obtained by using the raw material powder preparation method according to claim 11 to produce molten glass; A glass product manufacturing method including a forming step of forming the molten glass to obtain a glass product.

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