Powder supply device and powder supply method

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a powder supply device and a powder supply method in which surplus powder adhering to a suction measurement tool having a measuring chamber and a suction port can be removed by a simple process. [Solution] This powder supply device 1 comprises: a suction measurement tool 13 connected to a negative pressure source and having a measuring chamber 15, which is partitioned by a filter 14, and a suction port, which is provided at the tip; a nozzle 12 relatively moved by relative movement robots (501, 502, 503); and a powder removal brush 20 having brush bristles 22 extending in a direction crossing the vertical direction. The tip of the suction measurement tool 13 is embedded in the powder in a powder tank 101, and the powder is suctioned into the measuring chamber 15. After the powder is suctioned, surplus powder adhering to the suction measurement tool 13 is removed by relatively moving the suction measurement tool 13 and the brush bristles 22 while elastically deforming the brush bristles 22.

Description

Powder supply device and powder supply method

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder supplying device and a powder supplying method that suck in and discharge powder.

[0002] A powder supplying device called a powder pipette is known, which draws in a desired amount of powder into a tip having a filter and discharges it at a desired position. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a powder dispensing device including a powder dispensing tip having a filter with fine pores, a nozzle having a tip that detachably holds the tip, a pump, a means for connecting the nozzle to the suction side of the pump, a means for connecting the nozzle to the discharge side of the pump, and a means for switching between the two means.

[0003] When powder is aspirated using a powder pipette, excess powder adheres to the outer periphery of the tip, causing problems such as measurement errors and excess powder falling to unintended locations. Patent Document 2 (Patent Document 2) discloses, as a conventional technique, a powder drop tray with holes drilled into the outer periphery of the filling piston to allow excess powder to fall off the outer periphery, and a mass cutter to remove excess powder adhering below the bottom surface of the filling piston. Patent Document 2 (Patent Document 2) also discloses, as a conventional technique, a powder drop tray equipped with a filter connected to a vacuum source.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-263421

[0005] The method disclosed in Patent Document 2 makes it possible to remove excess powder adhering to the filling piston to some extent. However, because the mechanism involves dropping excess powder on the outer periphery of the filling piston by sliding against the solid powder layer 17, there is a problem that some powder remains on the outer periphery of the filling piston that cannot be removed. Furthermore, the method of Patent Document 2 requires the preparation of a powder drop table with a filter that communicates with a vacuum source, which makes it difficult to make the device compact.

[0006] Furthermore, the process for supplying powder was complicated, as it was necessary to insert the filling piston into the hole in the powder drop table and then to cut off the excess powder at the bottom end of the filling piston.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a powder supplying device and a powder supplying method that can remove excess powder adhering to an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber and an inhalation port in a simple process.

[0008] The powder supplying device of the present invention comprises the following technical means: [1] A powder supplying device comprising an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber partitioned by a filter and an inhalation port at its tip, a nozzle for applying negative pressure to the measuring chamber, a powder removal brush having bristles extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, a relative movement robot for moving the inhalation measuring device and the powder removal brush relative to each other, and a control device for controlling the operation of the relative movement robot, wherein the relative movement robot causes the tip of the inhalation measuring device to be embedded in powder in a powder tank and the powder to be sucked into the measuring chamber, and the control device removes excess powder adhering to the inhalation measuring device after the powder has been sucked in by causing the relative movement robot to move the inhalation measuring device and the brush bristles relative to each other while elastically deforming the bristles. [2] The powder supplying device described in [1], wherein the powder removing brush comprises a bristle member having a large number of the bristles planted therein. [3] The powder supplying device described in [2], wherein the bristles of the bristle implantation member are implanted so that they extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the portion between the tip and the base. [4] The powder supplying device described in [3], wherein the bristles of the bristle implantation member are implanted so that they extend diagonally upward at the base. [5] The powder supplying device described in [3], wherein the bristles of the bristle implantation member are implanted so that they extend diagonally downward at the base, and further includes a bristle guide member that supports the portion of the bristles between the tip and the base. [6] The powder supplying device described in [2], wherein the bristles have a layered bristle structure in which bristle layers are stacked in the vertical direction. [7] The powder supplying device according to [6], wherein the control device, after sucking the powder, raises the inhalation measuring device so that the tip of the inhalation measuring device is positioned above the bottom end of the lowest brush bristle layer and below the bottom end of the highest brush bristle layer in the layered bristle structure, and then performs the relative movement, thereby removing excess powder adhering to the outer circumferential surface and tip of the inhalation measuring device. [8] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the powder removing brush is configured to include a first powder removing brush and a second powder removing brush arranged so that the bristles of the first powder removing brush face each other.[9] The powder supplying device described in [8], wherein the first powder removal brush has a first bristle-implanted member in which the bristles are planted so that they extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section from the tip to the base, and the second powder removal brush has a second bristle-implanted member in which the bristles are planted so that they extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section from the tip to the base.

[10] The powder supplying device described in [9], wherein the first and second bristle-implanted members each have bristles planted so that they extend diagonally upward at the base.

[11] The powder supplying device described in [9], wherein the first and second bristle implantation members are each implanted so that the bristles extend diagonally downward at their bases, and further comprising a first bristle guide member that supports the portion of the bristles of the first powder removal brush from their tips to their bases, and a second bristle guide member that supports the portion of the bristles of the second powder removal brush from their tips to their bases.

[12] The powder supplying device described in [8], comprising a support member that supports the first powder removal brush and the second powder removal brush, the first powder removal brush and the second powder removal brush forming a cover member that covers at least a portion of the powder tank.

[13] The powder supplying device described in

[12] , wherein the support member has an engaging portion for engaging with the powder tank.

[14] The powder supplying device described in

[12] , wherein the support member has an installation portion for supporting the powder tank.

[15] A powder supply device described in any of

[12] to

[14] , wherein the first powder removal brush is composed of a first upper removal brush and a first lower removal brush, the second powder removal brush is composed of a second upper removal brush and a second lower removal brush, the first upper removal brush and the second upper removal brush form an upper cover member that covers at least a portion of the powder tank, and the first lower removal brush and the second lower removal brush form a lower cover member that covers at least a portion of the powder tank.

[16] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[15] , wherein the brush bristles are made of conductive material bristles that remove static electricity from the inhalation metering device when brought into contact with the inhalation metering device.

[17] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the brush bristles are made of conductive material bristles that remove static electricity from the inhalation metering device when brought into contact with the inhalation metering device, and the powder supplying device is made of a conductive member connected to a ground wire and includes a bristle-implanted member on which a large number of the brush bristles are planted.

[18] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[17] , wherein the powder removal brush has an arc-shaped inner surface on which the bristles are planted and includes a bristle-implanted member in which the bristles extend toward the center.

[19] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the powder removal brush has an arc-shaped outer surface on which the bristles are planted and includes a bristle-implanted member in which the bristles extend radially outward from the outer surface.

[20] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[19] , which is provided with a rotation device that rotates the inhalation metering device.

[21] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[20] , which is provided with a powder tank table on which the powder tank is placed, and a rotation device that rotates the powder tank table.

[22] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[21] , which is provided with a powder tank table on which the powder tank is placed, and a vibration device that vibrates the powder tank table.

[23] The powder supplying device according to any one of

[12] to

[15] , which is provided with a rotation device that rotates the cover member.

[24] The powder supplying device according to any one of

[12] to

[15] and

[23] , which is provided with a vibration device that vibrates the cover member.

[25] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[24] , which is provided with a disposable tip, and which is detachably attached to the nozzle.

[26] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[25] , wherein the inhalation measuring device is directly or indirectly connected to the tip of a flexible pipe that deforms in accordance with the movement of the inhalation measuring device.

[27] The powder supplying device according to any one of [1] to

[26] , which is a tabletop type.

[0009]

[28] A powder removal brush for removing excess powder adhering to an inhalation metering device of a powder supplying device that comprises a suction metering device having a measuring chamber partitioned by a filter and a suction port at its tip, a nozzle that applies negative pressure to the measuring chamber, a relative movement robot that moves the inhalation metering device and the powder removal brush relatively, and a control device that controls the operation of the relative movement robot, the powder removal brush comprising bristles extending in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction and a bristle-implanted member to which the brush bristles are planted.

[29] The powder removal brush according to

[28] , wherein the bristle-implanted member is configured to include a first bristle-implanted member and a second bristle-implanted member disposed opposite the first bristle-implanted member.

[30] The powder removal brush according to

[29] , wherein the first bristle member has a large number of bristles planted so that the bristles extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section from the tip to the base, and the second bristle member has a large number of bristles planted so that the bristles extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section from the tip to the base.

[31] The powder removal brush according to

[30] , wherein the first and second bristle members have bristles planted so that the bristles extend diagonally upward or downward at the base.

[32] The powder removal brush according to

[29] or

[30] , further comprising a first bristle guide member that guides the bristles of the first bristle member from below between the tip and the base, and a second bristle guide member that guides the bristles of the second bristle member from below between the tip and the base.

[33] A powder removal brush described in any of

[29] to

[32] further comprising a third brush bristle guide member that guides from above the portion between the tip and base of the bristles of the first bristle-implanted member, and a fourth brush bristle guide member that guides from above the portion between the tip and base of the bristles of the second bristle-implanted member.

[34] A powder removing brush according to any one of

[28] to

[33] , wherein the brush bristles are made of conductive material that removes static electricity charged on the inhalation measuring device when brought into contact with the inhalation measuring device, and the bristle implantation member is made of a conductive material connected to a ground wire.

[35] A powder supplying device comprising an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber partitioned by a filter and an inlet provided at its tip, a nozzle that is moved relatively by a relative movement robot and applies negative pressure to the measuring chamber, and the powder removing brush according to any one of

[28] to

[34] , wherein the tip of the inhalation measuring device is embedded in powder in a powder tank and the powder is sucked into the measuring chamber, and after the powder is sucked in, the inhalation measuring device and the brush bristles are moved relatively while elastically deforming the brush bristles, thereby removing excess powder adhering to the inhalation measuring device.

[0010] The powder supplying method of the present invention comprises the following technical means:

[36] A powder supplying method using a powder supplying device comprising an inhalation metering device having a measuring chamber partitioned by a filter and an inlet provided at the tip, a nozzle that applies negative pressure to the measuring chamber, a powder removing brush having bristles extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical, a relative moving robot that moves the inhalation metering device and the powder removing brush relatively, and a control device that controls the operation of the relative moving robot, the powder supplying method comprising: a filling step in which the relative moving robot immerses the tip of the inhalation metering device in powder in a powder tank and sucks the powder into the measuring chamber, a powder removing step in which the relative moving robot brings the bristles into contact with the inhalation metering device and moves the inhalation metering device and the bristles relatively to each other while elastically deforming the bristles, thereby removing excess powder adhering to the inhalation metering device, and a discharging step in which the relative moving robot moves the inhalation metering device to a predetermined position and discharges the powder in the measuring chamber.

[37] The powder supplying method according to

[36] , wherein the powder removing step includes an outer peripheral surface removing step of removing excess powder adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the inhalation metering device and a tip removing step of removing excess powder adhering to the tip of the inhalation metering device.

[38] The powder supplying method according to

[37] , wherein the bristles have a layered bristle structure in which bristle layers are stacked in the vertical direction, and the method includes a positioning step, performed immediately after the filling step, of raising the inhalation metering device so that the tip of the inhalation metering device is positioned above the bottom end of the lowest bristle layer in the layered bristle structure and below the bottom end of the highest bristle layer, and the powder removing step simultaneously performs the outer peripheral surface removing step and the tip removing step by moving the inhalation metering device in one direction.

[39] The powder supplying method according to

[37] or

[38] , wherein the outer peripheral surface removing step includes removing excess powder by the bristles sliding on the outer peripheral surface of the inhalation metering device due to the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the bristles.

[40] The powder supplying method according to any one of

[36] to

[39] , wherein the powder removing brush is configured to include a first powder removing brush and a second powder removing brush arranged so that the bristles of the first powder removing brush face each other, and the powder removing step includes a first powder removing step of removing excess powder from half of the circumference of the suction metering device with the first powder removing brush, and a second powder removing step of removing excess powder from the remaining half of the circumference of the suction metering device with the second powder removing brush.

[41] The powder supplying method according to

[40] , wherein the powder removing brush is configured to include a support device that supports the first powder removing brush and the second powder removing brush so that the bristles of each brush are in contact or overlapping position, and the powder removing step is performed simultaneously by moving the suction metering device in one direction.

[42] The powder supplying method according to any one of

[36] to

[41] , wherein the powder removing brush has an arc-shaped side surface on which the bristles are planted and comprises a bristle-planted member from which the bristles extend toward the center, and the powder removing step is carried out by moving the suction measuring device along an arc-shaped trajectory.

[43] The powder supplying method according to any one of

[36] to

[41] , wherein the powder removing brush has an arc-shaped outer surface on which the bristles are planted and comprises a bristle-planted member from which the bristles extend radially outward from the outer surface, and the powder removing step is carried out by moving the suction measuring device along an arc-shaped trajectory.

[44] The powder supplying method according to any one of

[36] to

[43] , wherein the powder removing step is carried out while rotating the suction measuring device and the powder removing brush relative to each other.

[45] The powder supplying method according to any one of

[36] to

[44] , wherein the filling step is carried out while vibrating the powder tank.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a powder supplying device and a powder supplying method that can remove excess powder adhering to an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber and an inhalation port in a simple process.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a powder measuring device of an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a see-through side view of a main part showing a state in which the tip of a tip attached to the powder measuring device of an embodiment is embedded in powder in a powder tank; FIG. 3 is a see-through side view of a main part showing a state in which powder has been sucked and filled into the measuring chamber of the powder measuring device from the state of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a see-through side view of a main part showing a state in which the tip of the powder measuring device has been raised from the powder tank from the state of FIG. 3; (a) is a perspective view showing a mode in which excess powder is removed from the side peripheral surface of the tip by a powder removal brush, and (b) is a side view of (a). FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a mode in which the powder removal brush is used, with (a) showing a state in which the powder removal brush is in a first position, (b) showing a state in which the powder removal brush is in a second position, (c) showing a state in which the powder removal brush is in a third position, and (d) showing a state in which the powder removal brush is in a fourth position; (a) is a perspective view showing a mode in which excess powder is removed from the tip by the powder removal brush, and (b) is a side view of (a). 1A and 1B are side views showing usage modes of the powder removal brush, where (a) shows the powder removal brush at position a, (b) shows the powder removal brush at position b, (c) shows the powder removal brush at position c, (d) shows the powder removal brush at position d, (e) shows the powder removal brush at position e, and (f) shows the powder removal brush at position f. These are plan views showing the movement paths of the first and second powder removal brushes and the tip. (a) is a plan view showing the tip moving from the position indicated by circled number 1 to the position indicated by circled number 2, (b) is a plan view showing the tip moving from the position indicated by circled number 2 to the position indicated by circled number 3, (c) is a plan view showing the tip moving from the position indicated by circled number 4 to the position indicated by circled number 5, and (d) is a plan view showing the tip moving from the position indicated by circled number 5 to the position indicated by circled number 6. These are plan views showing the movement paths of the first and third powder removal brushes and the tip according to Variation 1. 10A and 10B are side views showing the positional relationship between the tip and the powder removal brush, where (a) shows the tip in position a, (b) shows the tip in position b, (c) shows the tip in position c, (d) shows the tip in position d, (e) shows the tip in position e, (f) shows the tip in position f, and (g) shows the tip in position g.17A is a plan view showing a fourth powder removal brush according to Modification 2, and (b) is a plan view showing a fifth powder removal brush according to Modification 3.

[0044] FIG. 17B is a side view of a powder tank cover member according to an embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 17C is a side view of a powder tank cover member with an electrostatic removal function according to an embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 17D is a side view of a powder tank cover member with a layered bristle structure according to an embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 17A is a side view of an attachment-type powder tank cover member according to an embodiment, and (b) is a side view of a free-standing powder tank cover member according to an embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 17B is a side view of a configuration in which the powder supplying device of FIG. 14 is provided with a tip rotation device that rotates the powder metering device around a rotation axis in the vertical direction, (b) is a side view of a configuration in which the powder supplying device of FIG. 14 is provided with a cover member rotation device that rotates the powder tank cover member around a rotation axis in the vertical direction, and (c) is a side view of a configuration in which the powder supplying device of FIG. 17A is provided with a rotation device that rotates the powder tank around a rotation axis in the vertical direction. (a) A perspective view showing a powder removal brush and a suction device, (b) a side view of (a), and (c) a side view of a tenth powder removal brush having suction ports provided in the bristle member. (a) A side view of the eleventh and twelfth powder removal brushes, and (b) a side view of the thirteenth and fourteenth powder removal brushes. (a) A side view of the fifteenth and sixteenth powder removal brushes and the first and second brush guide members, (b) A side view of the seventeenth and eighteenth powder removal brushes and the first and second brush guide members, and (c) A side view of the first and second powder removal brushes and the first to fourth brush guide members. A perspective view of a desktop powder supplying device according to Example 1. A perspective view of a brush device and a vibration device according to Example 1. A side view of a powder measuring device according to Example 2. A perspective view of a powder supplying device according to Example 2.

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A powder supplying device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a powder measuring device 10 and powder removing brushes (20, 30).

[0014] <Powder Measuring Device 10> Figure 1 is a side view showing the powder measuring device 10. The powder measuring device 10 is mainly composed of a main body 11, a nozzle 12 extending from the bottom end of the main body 11, and a tip (inhalation measuring tool) 13 attached to the tip of the nozzle 12, and is also called a powder pipette.

[0015] The main body 11 can apply negative pressure to the internal space of the nozzle 12 using an external or internal negative pressure source (not shown). A tip 13 is detachably attached to the tip of the cylindrical nozzle 12. The tip 13 comprises an attachment section 131 into which the nozzle 12 is inserted and an inlet section 132 that extends downward from the attachment section 131 and has a smaller diameter than the attachment section 131. The lower end of the inlet section 132 of the tip 13 is provided with an inlet port 133 that opens downward. The tip 13 is a known tip, is formed from a resin material, and is generally disposable. The shape of the tip 13 is not limited to the cylindrical shape shown in the example, and any shape, including a tapered shape, can be used. In this specification, the tip 13 may also be referred to as an inhalation measuring device. The tip is not limited to being made of resin, but may also be made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, glass, or paper.

[0016] The powder measuring device 10 of this embodiment is used to suck in a desired amount of powder by inserting the lower end of the suction portion 132 of the tip 13 into the powder stored in a powder tank, and then discharge the powder after moving to a predetermined position. When performing this operation, a problem occurs in which excess powder adheres to the tip of the tip 13. The problem of excess powder adhering to the tip of the tip 13 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0017] 2 is a perspective side view of a main part showing the state in which the tip of the tip 13 attached to the powder measuring device 10 of the embodiment is embedded in the powder 102 in the powder tank 101. As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment portion 131 of the tip 13 is formed with a stepped flow path consisting of a large-diameter flow path 131a and a small-diameter flow path 131b. The tip of the nozzle 12 is inserted into the large-diameter flow path 131a and is fixed by abutting against a step provided at the upper end of the small-diameter flow path 131b. Note that the fixing of the nozzle and tip is not limited to abutting against a step and may be fixed by a taper.

[0018] A filter 14 is disposed within the suction section 132 of the tip 13 at a position a certain distance away from the suction port 133. The space within the tip 13 from the filter 14 to the suction port 133 forms a measuring chamber 15. When sucking powder, the main body 11 is moved above the powder tank 101 by a relative moving robot (not shown), and then the main body 11 is lowered by the relative moving robot (not shown) so that the tip of the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102 to a depth D. Powder 102, such as a sample, is stored in the powder tank 101. The depth D can be varied depending on the application.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a main portion of the powder measuring device 10, showing the state in which powder 102 has been sucked and filled into the measuring chamber 15 of the powder measuring device 10, following the state shown in FIG. 2 . When sucking powder 102 into the measuring chamber 15, the tip of the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102 to a depth D, and the main body 11 applies negative pressure to the internal space of the nozzle 12 from a negative pressure source such as a pump (not shown). This then applies negative pressure to the internal space of the tip 13, which communicates with the internal space of the nozzle 12, and the powder 102 is sucked into the measuring chamber 15 through the suction port 133 of the tip 13. The filter 14 provided at the upper end of the measuring chamber 15 has a pore structure that allows gas to pass through but not the powder 102, so that the powder 102 sucked through the suction port 133 is stored in the measuring chamber 15. The timing at which negative pressure from the negative pressure source is applied to the nozzle 12 can be automatically controlled by a control device (not shown). It goes without saying that the control device can adjust the negative pressure to a desired level.

[0020] 4 is a see-through side view of the main part showing the state in which the tip 13 of the powder measuring device 10 has been raised from the powder tank from the state shown in FIG. When the main body 11 is raised by a relative movement robot (not shown), excess powder 103 adheres to the outer peripheral surface near the tip of the suction portion 132 of the tip 13. Furthermore, excess powder 104 held by negative pressure also protrudes from the suction port 133 and adheres to the tip of the tip 13. If the excess powder 103 on the outer peripheral surface of the tip 13 and the excess powder 104 at the tip are discharged together when the powder in the measuring chamber 15 is discharged, this can cause an error in the supply amount.

[0021] Furthermore, the excess powder 103, 104 may fall off due to air currents or slight vibrations when the powder measuring device 10 is moved to a supply location, which may contaminate the working environment. Below, a method for removing excess powder adhering to the outer peripheral surface and tip of the tip 13 will be described.

[0022] 5(a) and 5(b), the first powder removal brush 20 is configured to include a bristle member 21 and brush bristles 22. For ease of explanation, the brush bristles 22 are drawn thicker in FIG.

[0023] One end of the brush bristles 22 is implanted on the side of the bristle implantation member 21. The bristles 22 are composed of a group of elastic bristles of the same length and diameter extending along the extension direction 23. Materials for the bristles 22 include, for example, synthetic resin bristles, synthetic fibers, various animal hairs, various plant fibers, and some or all of these materials that have been made conductive. The bristle implantation member 21 shown in FIG. 5 has a flat side on which the brush bristles 22 are implanted. However, the side of the bristle implantation member 21 may have a curved, arc-shaped shape, and the brush bristles 22 may be implanted thereon. The bristles 22 may also be composed of a combination of elastic bristles of different lengths and / or different diameters.

[0024] The brush bristles 22 have three layers, consisting of an upper layer, a middle layer, and a lower layer, which are arranged at equal intervals in a first direction of travel 24 perpendicular to the extension direction 23. In other words, the brush bristles 22 of the embodiment have a three-layered bristle structure formed by stacking three brush layers in the vertical direction. In the embodiment, the extension direction 23 of each brush layer is horizontal, but each brush layer may be arranged so that its extension direction forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the layered bristle structure of the brush bristles 22 of the first powder removal brush 20 is not limited to the illustrated three layers, but may be two layers, or four or more layers.

[0025] The first powder removal brush 20 is used by bringing the tip 13 into contact with the first side surface 25 and then moving the tip 13 along the first moving direction 24 while elastically deforming the brush bristles 22. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the tip 13 is brought into contact with the first side surface 25 of the first powder removal brush 20 to remove excess powder, and Fig. 5(b) is a side view of Fig. 5(a). Note that the first powder removal brush 20 is used while held on a brush holder (not shown), and the tip 13 is moved by a relative movement robot (not shown).

[0026] (1) Removal of excess powder 103 on the outer peripheral surface of the tip 13 Figure 6 is a plan view showing how the first powder removal brush 20 is used, where (a) shows the powder removal brush in a first position, (b) shows the powder removal brush in a second position, (c) shows the powder removal brush in a third position, and (d) shows the powder removal brush in a fourth position.

[0027] After the powder 102 has been sucked in, the powder measuring device 10 is moved by a relative movement robot (not shown) to a position where the tip 13 faces the first side surface 25 of the first powder removing brush 20 (see FIG. 6( a)). Here, the horizontal position of the tip 13 relative to the first powder removing brush 20 is not such that the tip 13 abuts the tip 13 near the tip of the bristles, but such that the tip 13 abuts the brush bristles 22 closer to the base than the tip of the bristles. For example, the tip 13 abuts within a range of 3 / 4 to 1 / 8 or 2 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the length L of the bristles 22 from the tip of the bristles 22.

[0028] Next, when the tip 13 is advanced in the first direction of advance 24 by a relative movement robot (not shown), the tip 13 comes into contact with the first side surface 25. When the tip 13 is advanced in the first direction of advance 24, the brush bristles 22 that have come into contact with the tip 13 elastically deform and come into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tip 13 on the bristle-implanted member 21 side, thereby scraping off excess powder 103 adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the tip 13 on the bristle-implanted member 21 side (see FIG. 6(b)).

[0029] Furthermore, when the tip 13 is moved along the first direction of travel 24, the bristles 22 near the second side surface 26 opposite the first side surface 25 also come into contact with the tip 13 and elastically deform, while the bristles 22 near the first side surface 25 are released from contact with the tip 13 and return to their original positions (see FIG. 6( c)). When the tip 13 is further moved along the first direction of travel 24, all of the bristles 22 are released from contact with the tip 13 and return to their original positions (see FIG. 6( d)). In this way, by moving the tip 13 along the first direction of travel 24 from the first side surface 25 to the second side surface 26 of the first powder removal brush 20, the excess powder 103 adhering to half of the outer periphery of the tip 13 (the bristle-implanted member 21 side) can be cleaned by the first powder removal brush 20.

[0030] After cleaning by moving the tip 13 along the first direction of travel 24, the tip 13 may be moved along a second direction of travel 27, which is the opposite direction to the first direction of travel 24, to clean the outer peripheral surface on the opposite side of the tip 13 (the lower side in FIG. 6 ). Because the scraping action of the brush bristles 22 is stronger on the outer peripheral surface on the direction of travel side, which the brush bristles 22 first come into contact with, than on the outer peripheral surface on the opposite side of the direction of travel, a higher cleaning effect can be achieved by cleaning while moving the tip 13 along the second direction of travel 27.

[0031] Furthermore, the remaining half of the outer periphery of the tip 13 (the side opposite the bristle member 21) can also be cleaned with the first powder removal brush 20, thereby removing excess powder 103 adhering to the entire outer periphery of the tip 13. As described above, when the tip 13 is moved along the second traveling direction 27, the main body 11 may be rotated 180 degrees to clean the outer periphery of the tip 13 on the side that is not being cleaned (the side opposite the bristle member 21). A preferred embodiment includes the second powder removal brush 30, which will be described later.

[0032] (2) Removal of Excess Powder 104 at the Tip 13 Figures 7(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the removal of excess powder 104 at the tip of the tip 13 by the first powder removal brush 20. Note that, for ease of explanation, the brush bristles 22 are drawn thicker in Figure 7 than in reality.

[0033] The excess powder 104 at the tip of the tip 13 is removed by scraping off the powder adhering to the tip surface of the tip 13 with the upper surfaces of the lower bristles 22 of the first powder removal brush 20. Here, the vertical position at which the tip of the tip 13 abuts against the brush 20 is preferably within a range of 2 / 3 of the height H of the bristles 22 from the lower ends of the bristles 22. It is preferable that the upper surfaces of the middle or lower bristles 22 of the first powder removal brush 20 contact the tip of the tip 13, but this contact is not essential; as long as there are bristles 22 located directly below the tip of the tip 13, it is possible to remove the excess powder 104 that protrudes from the tip of the tip 13.

[0034] Furthermore, when only the lower layer of brush bristles 22 is positioned below the tip of the tip 13, the upper and middle layers of brush bristles 22 scrape the side surface of the tip 13. To effectively remove excess powder 103 from the circumferential surface of the tip 13 while simultaneously removing excess powder 104 from the tip of the tip 13, the thickness (height H) of the first powder removal brush 20 is preferably set to 5 mm to 60 mm or 10 mm to 50 mm. From another perspective, it is preferable to configure the height H of the first powder removal brush 20 to be greater than the depth D (see FIG. 2 ) at which the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102. When the relationship "height H > depth D" is satisfied, excess powder 104 from the tip of the tip 13 can be removed simultaneously with excess powder 103 from the circumferential surface of the tip 13. Since the depth D varies depending on the application, it is preferable to set the thickness (height H) of the first powder removal brush 20 to accommodate various applications.

[0035] When the height H is less than the depth D, the effect of the present invention can be achieved by moving the tip 13 relative to the first powder removal brush 20 to remove the excess powder 103 above the side surface of the tip 13, and then moving the tip 13 relative to the first powder removal brush 20 again to remove the excess powder 103 and excess powder 104 below the side surface of the tip 13.

[0036] It is also preferable to position the tip 13 so that it is located a buffer distance B from the tip of the brush bristles 22 toward the base, thereby preventing the tip of the brush bristles 22 from entering the suction port 133 and scraping out the powder in the measuring chamber 15 (see FIG. 7(b)). For example, the tip 13 is set to abut against the brush bristles 22 within a range of 3 / 4 to 1 / 8 or 2 / 3 to 1 / 6 of the length L of the brush bristles 22 from the tip of the brush bristles 22.

[0037] 8(a) to 8(f) are side views showing the first powder removal brush 20 at positions a to f, respectively, as viewed from the tip side of the brush bristles 22. In Fig. 8(a), the upper layer of the brush 22 is indicated by reference numeral 22a, the middle layer of the brush 22 is indicated by reference numeral 22b, and the lower layer of the brush 22 is indicated by reference numeral 22c. As shown in Fig. 8(a), the lower end of the tip 13 at position a is located vertically between the middle layer 22b and the lower layer 22c.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8B, when the tip 13 advances from position a in the first direction of advance 24 and reaches position b, the side of the tip 13 comes into contact with the upper layer bristles 22a and the middle layer bristles 22b.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8C, when the tip 13 advances from position b in the first advancement direction 24 and reaches position c, the brush bristles 22a in the upper layer constituting the first side surface 25 are pressed by the tip 13. １ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b １ The excess powder 104 that protrudes from the tip of the tip 13 is transferred to the lower layer of brush bristles 22c. １At this time, the tip of the tip 13 may or may not come into contact with the brush bristles 22c in the lower layer. Also, the brush bristles 22b in the middle layer may deform so as to slip under the tip of the tip 13, and the excess powder 104 that has overflowed from the tip of the tip 13 may be scraped off by the brush bristles 22b in the middle layer.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8D, when the tip 13 advances from position c in the first advancement direction 24 and reaches position d, the brush bristles 22a in the upper layer constituting the first side surface 25 are １ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b １ The upper layer of brush bristles 22a is released from contact with the tip 13 and returns to its original position. １ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b １ The upper layer of brush bristles 22a adjacent to ２ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b ２ is elastically deformed by the pressure of the chip 13.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8( e), when the tip 13 advances from position d in the first advancement direction 24 and reaches position e, the upper layer of brush bristles 22 a ２ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b ２ The upper layer of brush bristles 22a is released from contact with the tip 13 and returns to its original position. ２ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b ２ The upper layer of brush bristles 22a adjacent to ３ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b ３ is elastically deformed by the pressure of the chip 13.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8(f), when the tip 13 advances from the position e in the first advancement direction 24 and reaches the position f, the upper layer of the brush bristles 22a ３ and the middle layer of brush bristles 22b ３ is released from contact with the tip 13 and returns to its original position.

[0043] As described above, by moving the tip 13 from position a to position f, the excess powder 103 on the side surface of the tip 13 and the excess powder 104 spilling out from the tip are removed by the first powder removal brush 20.

[0044] 9, a preferred embodiment includes a second powder removal brush 30 disposed opposite the first powder removal brush 20. The second powder removal brush 30 has the same configuration as the first powder removal brush 20, and includes a bristle member 31 and brush bristles 32.

[0045] The second powder removal brush 30 is positioned with the first powder removal brush 20 so that their bristles face each other. A gap G is provided between the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30. While the bristle implant 21 and the bristle implant 31 are shown as separate components in FIG. 9 , they may be formed as a single unit. The sides of the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30 on which the bristles 22, 32 are implanted may be curved rather than flat. The first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30 do not need to be parallel to each other; they may be positioned such that the intersection of their extensions forms an acute angle (e.g., less than 45 degrees). The bristle implants 21, 31 may be integrally formed, for example, as C-, V-, or U-shaped (half-bracket) implants.

[0046] The tip 13 is moved along a path in the order of the circled numbers 1 to 6 shown in Fig. 9. First, the tip 13 moves along the width direction W of the brush 21 from the position of circled number 1 to the position of circled number 2, thereby removing excess powder 103 adhering to the left half-circumferential surface and excess powder 104 spilling out from the tip. Fig. 10(a) shows the tip 13 moving from the position of circled number 1 to the position of circled number 2.

[0047] Next, tip 13 returns from the position of circled number 2 to the position of circled number 3, thereby removing excess powder 103 adhering to the left semicircular surface and excess powder 104 spilling out from the tip. Figure 10(b) shows tip 13 midway as it moves from the position of circled number 2 to the position of circled number 3. The movement path from the position of circled number 2 to the position of circled number 3 may be the same as the movement path from the position of circled number 1 to the position of circled number 2.

[0048] By this reciprocating movement across the brush bristles 22 from circled numbers 1 to 3, excess powder 103 adhering to the left half surface of the tip 13 and excess powder 104 spilling out from the tip are removed.

[0049] Next, the tip 13 moves from the position of the circled number 3 to the position of the circled number 4, and the second powder removing brush 30 removes the excess powder 103 adhering mainly to the right half peripheral surface.

[0050] First, the tip 13 moves from the position of the circled number 4 to the position of the circled number 5, thereby removing the excess powder 103 adhering to the right half of the circumference and the excess powder 104 at the tip that was not completely removed. Figure 10(c) shows the tip 13 moving from the position of the circled number 4 to the position of the circled number 5.

[0051] Next, tip 13 returns from the position of circled number 5 to the position of circled number 6, thereby removing excess powder 103 adhering to the left half-circumferential surface and excess powder 104 at the tip that was not completely removed. Figure 10(d) shows tip 13 midway as it moves from the position of circled number 5 to the position of circled number 6. The movement path from the position of circled number 5 to the position of circled number 6 may be the same as the movement path from the position of circled number 4 to the position of circled number 5.

[0052] This reciprocating movement across the brush bristles 32 from circled numbers 4 to 6 removes excess powder 103 adhering to the right half surface of the tip 13 and excess powder 104 at the tip that was not completely removed by the first powder removal brush 20.

[0053] As described above, according to the preferred embodiment, the excess powder 103 on the entire circumferential surface of the tip 13 can be reliably removed by the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30. Note that in Figure 9, as indicated by circled numbers 2 and 5, the tip 13 is moved to a position where it is completely released from contact with the bristles 22 and 32 of the brushes 20 and 30, but sufficient excess powder removal can be achieved even if the tip starts to move back while it is still in contact with the bristles 22 and 32.

[0054] 11 , the embodiment according to the first modification includes a third powder removal brush 40 disposed opposite the first powder removal brush 20. The third powder removal brush 40 has the same configuration as the first powder removal brush 20, and includes a bristle member 41 and brush bristles 42.

[0055] The third powder removal brush 40 is arranged so that the bristles of the first powder removal brush 20 face each other. The first powder removal brush 20 and the third powder removal brush 40 are also arranged so that the bristles of the first powder removal brush 20 and the third powder removal brush 40 overlap each other.

[0056] The tip 13 is moved along a path in the order of the circled numbers 1 to 3 shown in Fig. 12. First, the tip 13 moves from the position of circled number 1 to the position of circled number 2, thereby removing excess powder 103 adhering to the entire periphery and excess powder 104 spilling out from the tip. Figs. 12(a) to 12(d) show the tip 13 as it moves from the position of circled number 1 to the position of circled number 2.

[0057] Next, tip 13 returns from the position of circled number 2 to the position of circled number 3, thereby removing excess powder 103 that was not completely removed and that adhered to the entire peripheral surface, as well as excess powder 104 that protrudes from the tip. Figures 12(d) to 12(g) show tip 13 as it moves from the position of circled number 2 to the position of circled number 3. The movement path from the position of circled number 2 to the position of circled number 3 may be the same as the movement path from the position of circled number 1 to the position of circled number 2.

[0058] By this reciprocating movement across the brush bristles 22, 42 from circled numbers 1 to 3, excess powder 103 adhering to the entire periphery of the tip 13 and excess powder 104 spilling out from the tip are removed.

[0059] As described above, according to the first modification, the first powder removal brush 20 and the third powder removal brush 40 can remove the excess powder 103 on the entire circumferential surface of the tip 13 with a shorter movement distance of the tip 13 (i.e., one reciprocating movement) than in Fig. 9, thereby shortening the cleaning time of the tip 13. Note that in Figs. 11 and 12, the tip 13 is moved to a position where it is completely released from contact with the bristles 22, 42 of the brushes 20, 40, as indicated by the circled number 2, but sufficient excess powder removal can be achieved even if the tip 13 starts to move back while it is still in contact with the bristles 22, 42.

[0060] 13A, the embodiment according to the second modification includes a fourth powder removal brush 50. The fourth powder removal brush 50 includes an annular bristle member 51 and brush bristles 52.

[0061] The annular bristle-implanted member 51 has brush bristles 52 that extend toward the center and are planted on its inner circumferential surface. The length of the brush bristles 52 is such that a central hole 53 is formed in the center of the powder removal brush 50. In the example of Fig. 13(a), the bristle-implanted member 51 is formed from a single annular member, but the bristle-implanted member 51 may also be formed from a plurality of bristle-implanted members, each having a circular arc-shaped inner circumferential surface on which the brush bristles 52 are planted.

[0062] When removing excess powder 103 on the side surfaces of tip 13 and excess powder 104 at the tip, first, tip 13 is inserted into central hole 53, and the height position of tip 13 is adjusted. This height position adjustment is the same as the example in FIG. 7 described above. Note that tip 13 may also be adjusted by inserting tip 13 closer to the base than the tip of brush 52, rather than into central hole 53. Next, tip 13 is moved closer to the base than the tip of brush bristles 52, and the tip 13 is moved clockwise or counterclockwise in a circular motion, thereby removing excess powder 103 on the side surfaces of tip 13 and excess powder 104 at the tip.

[0063] <Powder Removal Brush 60> As shown in Fig. 13(b), the embodiment according to Modification 3 includes a fifth powder removal brush 60. The fifth powder removal brush 60 includes an annular bristle member 61 and brush bristles 62. The annular bristle member 61 has brush bristles 62 that extend radially from its outer periphery. Here, the bristle member 61 may be configured as a disk-shaped or cylindrical member.

[0064] When removing excess powder 103 on the side surfaces of tip 13 and excess powder 104 at the tip, first, the height position of tip 13 is adjusted. This height position adjustment is the same as the example in FIG. 7 described above. Next, by moving tip 13 closer to the base than the tips of brush bristles 62 and moving tip 13 in a clockwise or counterclockwise circular motion, it is possible to remove excess powder 103 on the side surfaces of tip 13 and excess powder 104 at the tip. Note that the height position adjustment of tip 13 may be performed after moving tip 13 closer to the base than the tips of brush bristles 62.

[0065] <Powder Tank Cover Member 70> In a preferred embodiment, the powder tank cover member 70 is configured by the first powder removing brush 20 and the second powder removing brush 30 described with reference to FIGS.

[0066] As shown in Figure 14, the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30 are positioned above the powder tank 101 by a support (not shown) to form the powder tank cover member 70 (see Figure 23 described below). The width W (see Figure 9) of the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30 is large enough to cover all or part of the powder tank 101.

[0067] When powder 102 is sucked in by the powder measuring device 10, the tip 13 is inserted into the gap G or the brush bristles 22, 32 between the first powder removing brush 20 and the second powder removing brush 30. Excess powder 103, 104 adhering to the tip 13 during the powder sucking operation is removed by moving the tip 13 relative to the first powder removing brush 20 and the second powder removing brush 30, and falls into the powder tank 101. Because the first powder removing brush 20 and the second powder removing brush 30 are positioned directly above the powder tank 101, the movement distance of the powder measuring device 10 required to remove the excess powder 103, 104 is minimized.

[0068] The powder tank cover member 70 described above serves to prevent the scattered powder 105 in the powder tank 101 from scattering to the outside. It also serves to prevent external dust 106 from entering the powder tank 101. A vibrating device may be provided to impart vibrations to the powder tank cover member 70, and the powder tank cover member 70 may be vibrated when removing the excess powder 103, 104. The powder tank 101 may also be vibrated by transmitting vibrations from this vibrating device.

[0069] <Powder Tank Cover Member 170 with Static Electricity Removal Function> Figure 15 is a side view of the powder tank cover member 170 with static electricity removal function. The tip 13 is generally made of a resin material, and excess powder can adhere to the tip and outer peripheral surface of the tip 13 due to static electricity. This cover member is effective in removing excess powder that has adhered due to static electricity.

[0070] In both the sixth powder removal brush 80 and the seventh powder removal brush 90, some or all of the brush bristles 82, 92 are made of conductive material bristles with static-removing properties. Examples of conductive material bristles include nylon surfaces coated with conductive carbon, acrylic or nylon fibers chemically bonded with copper sulfide, and composites of nylon and carbon-containing conductive materials. The bristle implants 81, 91 on which the brush bristles 82, 92 are implanted are also made of conductive material. The brush bristles 82, 92 made of conductive material can instantly remove static electricity through corona discharge generated upon contact with the tip 13. However, to enhance the static-removing effect, it is preferable to connect a ground wire 171 to the bristle implants 81, 91. While FIG. 15 shows a ground wire 171 only on the sixth powder removal brush 80, a ground wire can also be provided on the seventh powder removal brush 90.

[0071] By moving the tip 13 relative to the sixth powder removal brush 80 and the seventh powder removal brush 90 along the path shown in Figure 9 above, excess powder adhering to the tip 13 can be removed.

[0072] The powder tank cover member 170 described above not only functions as a cover to prevent the powder inside the powder tank 101 from scattering and the intrusion of dust from the outside, but also has a static elimination function that can effectively remove excess powder carrying static electricity that has adhered to the tip and outer peripheral surface of the tip 13. It goes without saying that the static elimination brush is not limited to being used as a powder tank cover member, and the static elimination function can be added to a brush alone without a powder tank.

[0073] <Multi-tiered powder tank cover member 270> Figure 16 is a side view of a multi-tiered powder tank cover member 270. This powder tank cover member 270 has a lower cover member that includes the first powder removing brush 20 and the second powder removing brush 30, and an upper cover member that includes the eighth powder removing brush 220 and the ninth powder removing brush 230.

[0074] The eighth powder removal brush 220 has the same configuration as the first powder removal brush 20, and includes a bristle member 221 and brush bristles 222. The ninth powder removal brush 230 has the same configuration as the second powder removal brush 30, and includes a bristle member 231 and brush bristles 232. The powder removal brushes (20, 30) constituting the lower cover member and the powder removal brushes (220, 230) constituting the upper cover member are supported by a support (not shown).

[0075] 16, the powder removal brushes (20, 30) constituting the lower cover member and the powder removal brushes (220, 230) constituting the upper cover member are drawn apart, but they can also be placed close to each other. In this case, excess powder adhering to the tip 13 can be removed not only by the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30, but also by the eighth powder removal brush 220 and the ninth powder removal brush 230.

[0076] According to the multi-stage powder tank cover member 270 shown in Figure 16, when the excess powder adhering to the tip and outer peripheral surface of the tip 13 is removed using the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30, the excess powder that scatters upward can be contained by the upper-stage cover members (220, 230).

[0077] Attachment-Type Powder Tank Cover 370 Figure 17(a) is a side view of an attachment-type powder tank cover 370 according to an embodiment. The attachment-type powder tank cover 370 includes bristle members 321, 331 and brush bristles 322, 332 that can be attached to the powder tank 101. The bristle members 321, 331 are integrally formed. The bristle members 321, 331 have hook-shaped engaging portions 321a, 331a, respectively. By engaging the engaging portions 321a, 331a with the powder tank 101, the powder tank cover 370 can be easily attached to the powder tank 101.

[0078] 17(a), the brush bristles 322, 332 are arranged inside the powder tank 101, which more effectively prevents the powder 102 in the powder tank 101 from scattering to the outside. A vibrating device may be provided to vibrate the powder tank cover 370 when removing the excess powder 103, 104. The vibrations from this vibrating device may also be transmitted to the powder tank 101 to vibrate it.

[0079] <Freestanding Powder Tank Cover Member 470> Figure 17(b) is a side view of a freestanding powder tank cover member 470 according to an embodiment. The freestanding powder tank cover member 470 includes bristle members 421, 431 and brush bristles 422, 432 that can stand on their own within the powder tank 101. The bristle members 421, 431 are integrally formed. The bristle members 421, 431 have grounding portions 421a, 431a, respectively, and by grounding the grounding portions 421a, 431a on the powder 102 in the powder tank 101, the powder tank cover member 470 can stand on its own within the powder tank 101.

[0080] 17(b), the powder tank cover member 470 has brush bristles 422, 432 arranged inside the powder tank 101, which more effectively prevents the powder 102 in the powder tank 101 from scattering to the outside. In addition, the powder tank cover member 470 can be installed in any powder tank 101 with an inner diameter large enough to fit the powder tank cover member 470, making it applicable to powder tanks 101 of various sizes.

[0081] <Various Rotating Devices> The powder supplying device 1 equipped with the above-described powder tank cover member (70, 370) can be equipped with various rotating devices that rotate the tip 13 and the powder tank cover member (70, 370) relative to each other. The rotational motion described below may be either clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0082] 18(a) is a side view showing a configuration in which a tip rotation device that rotates the powder measuring device 10 around a vertical axis of rotation is provided in the powder supplying device 1 of FIG. 14 . Examples of tip rotation devices include providing a rotation device such as a motor that rotates the nozzle 12 on the main body 11, or mounting the powder measuring device 10 on a relative moving robot (not shown) via a rotation device such as a motor that rotates the powder measuring device 10. When the relative moving robot (not shown) moves the tip 13 along the path shown in FIG. 9 , combining the rotation operation of the tip rotation device with the rotation operation of the tip rotation device can more effectively remove excess powder (103, 104) adhering to the tip 13. The tip 13 may be stopped and only the tip rotation device may be rotated to remove excess powder (103, 104) adhering to the tip 13.

[0083] 18(b) is a side view showing a configuration in which a cover member rotation device that rotates the powder tank cover member 70 around a vertical axis is provided in the powder supplying device 1 of FIG. 14. For example, a cover member rotation device in which a rotation device such as a motor is provided on a support for the powder tank cover member 70 is disclosed. When a relative movement robot (not shown) moves the tip 13 along the path shown in FIG. 9, by combining the rotation operation of the cover member rotation device, it is possible to more effectively remove excess powder (103, 104) adhering to the tip 13. The excess powder (103, 104) adhering to the tip 13 may be removed by rotating only the cover member rotation device while the tip 13 is stationary.

[0084] FIG. 18(c) is a side view showing a configuration in which a powder tank rotation device that rotates the powder tank 101 around a vertical axis of rotation is provided in the powder supplying device 1 of FIG. 17(a). For example, a rotation device such as a motor is provided on a table on which the powder tank is placed. When a relative moving robot (not shown) moves the tip 13 along the path shown in FIG. 9, by combining the rotation operation of the powder tank rotation device, it is possible to more effectively remove excess powder (103, 104) adhering to the tip 13. The excess powder (103, 104) adhering to the tip 13 may be removed by rotating only the powder tank rotation device while the tip 13 is stationary. Alternatively, a vibration device that vibrates the table on which the powder tank is placed may be provided in combination with the rotation device.

[0085] <Powder Suction Device 180, 333> Figure 19(a) is a perspective view showing the powder removal brush 20 and the powder suction device 180, and Figure 19(b) is a side view thereof. The powder suction device 180 has a suction port 181 that communicates with a negative pressure source (not shown) via an on-off valve, and sucks excess powder 103, 104 removed from the tip 13 by the brush bristles 22 through the suction port 181. The powder suction device 180, which is located below the bristle member 21, may be connected to the underside of the bristle member 21 or to a support that supports the powder removal brush 20. The timing at which negative pressure is generated in the suction port 181 can be automatically controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0086] 19(c) is a side view showing a tenth powder removal brush 320 in which a suction port 323 is provided in a bristle member 321. Brush bristles 322 are implanted on the side surface of the bristle member 321, and multiple suction ports 323 are provided in the portions of the same side surface where no brush bristles 322 are implanted. That is, a powder suction device 333 is provided in the bristle member 321. The suction port 323 communicates with a negative pressure source (not shown) via an on-off valve, and excess powder 103, 104 removed from the tip 13 by the brush bristles 322 is sucked through the suction port 323. The timing at which negative pressure is generated in the suction port 323 can be automatically controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0087] The powder suction devices 180 and 333 described above can prevent the excess powder 103 and 104 removed from the tip 13 from scattering to the outside. The powder suction devices 180 and 333 can also be applied to the powder removal brushes shown in FIGS.

[0088] <Powder Removal Brushes 620, 630> Figure 20(a) is a side view showing the eleventh powder removal brush 620 and the twelfth powder removal brush 630. The eleventh powder removal brush 620 includes a bristle implant 621 and brush bristles 622, the bristle implant 621 being arranged so that the side surface on the bristles 622 side faces diagonally upward.

[0089] The brush bristles are implanted on the side surface of the bristle implantation member 621 that faces diagonally upward so that the root portions 622a of the bristles extend in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the bristle implantation member 621. The reason for extending the root portions 622a diagonally upward is to prevent the bristles from sagging due to their own weight at the center portions 622b and tip portions 622c. In other words, the root portions 622a of the brush bristles 622 extend diagonally upward in consideration of sagging due to their own weight so that the bristles extend horizontally at the center portions 622b and tip portions 622c. Note that the effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the center portions 622b or tip portions 622c of the brush bristles extend horizontally.

[0090] The twelfth powder removal brush 630 is provided so that the tip 622c and tip 632c of the eleventh powder removal brush 620 face each other. The twelfth powder removal brush 630 has the same configuration as the eleventh powder removal brush 620, and includes a bristle member 631 and brush bristles 632. The twelfth powder removal brush 630 is also implanted in the bristle member 631 so that the base 632a of the bristles 632 extends obliquely upward. That is, the base 632a of the bristles 632 of the twelfth powder removal brush 630 extends obliquely upward, taking into account sagging due to the bristles' own weight, so that the bristles extend horizontally at the center 632b and tip 632c. Note that the effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the center 632b or tip 632c of the bristles extends horizontally.

[0091] When using the eleventh powder removal brush 620 and the twelfth powder removal brush 630 to remove excess powder 103, 104 adhering to the tip 13, it is advisable to abut the tip 13 against the center portions 622b, 632b or the tip portions 622c, 632c of the brush bristles extending horizontally. For example, the excess powder 103, 104 can be removed by moving the tip 13 along the path in the order of the circled numbers shown in Figure 9 or Figure 11. Note that the center portions 622b, 632b in Figure 20(a) refer to the portions between the base portions 622a, 632a and the tip portions 622c, 632c.

[0092] 20(b) is a side view showing the thirteenth powder removal brush 720 and the fourteenth powder removal brush 730. The thirteenth powder removal brush 720 has a bristle member 721 similar to that of the first powder removal brush 20, but differs in that the roots 722a of the bristles 722 are planted so that they extend diagonally upward. It also differs from the eleventh powder removal brush 620 in that the side of the bristles of the bristle member 721 on which the bristles are planted is arranged parallel to the vertical direction, and the tips of the bristles 722 are aligned on the same plane parallel to the vertical direction.

[0093] In the thirteenth powder removal brush 720, the root portion 722a extends diagonally upward, taking into consideration the sagging of the bristles due to their own weight, so that the bristles extend horizontally at the center portion 722b and the tip portion 722c. In other words, the root portion 722a of the brush bristles 722 extends diagonally upward, taking into consideration the sagging of the bristles due to their own weight, so that the bristles extend horizontally at the center portion 722b and the tip portion 722c. The tip portions 722c of the brush bristles are configured so that the tips of the bristles from the upper layer to the lower layer are positioned on a plane parallel to the vertical direction. Note that the effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the center portion 722b or the tip portion 722c of the brush bristles extend horizontally.

[0094] The fourteenth powder removal brush 730 is provided so that the tip 722c and tip 732c of the thirteenth powder removal brush 720 face each other. The fourteenth powder removal brush 730 has the same configuration as the thirteenth powder removal brush 720, and includes a bristle implant 731 and brush bristles 732. The bristles 732 of the fourteenth powder removal brush 730 have their roots 732a extending diagonally upward to allow for sagging due to the bristles' own weight, so that the bristles extend horizontally at the center 732b and tip 732c. The tip 732c of the bristles is configured so that the tips of the bristles from the upper to lower layers lie on a plane parallel to the vertical direction. Note that the effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the center 732b or tip 732c of the bristles extend horizontally.

[0095] When using the thirteenth powder removal brush 720 and the fourteenth powder removal brush 730 to remove excess powder 103, 104 adhering to the tip 13, it is advisable to abut the tip 13 against the center portions 722b, 732b or the tip portions 722c, 732c of the horizontally extending brush bristles (for example, the path shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 11). The thirteenth powder removal brush 720 and the fourteenth powder removal brush 730 are configured so that the gaps between the brush bristles 722, 732 are uniform from the upper to lower layers. This allows the sweet spots of the tip portions 722c, 732c for removing excess powder 103, 104 from the tip 13 to be wider than those of the eleventh powder removal brush 620 and the twelfth powder removal brush 630. It should be noted that the central portions 722b and 732b in FIG. 20(b) refer to the portions between the root portions 722a and 732a and the tip portions 722c and 732c.

[0096] <Brush Guide Members 841-844> Figure 21(a) is a side view showing the fifteenth powder removal brush 820, the sixteenth powder removal brush 830, the first brush guide member 841, and the second brush guide member 842. The fifteenth powder removal brush 820 includes a bristle implant member 821 arranged so that the side surface facing the bristles 822 faces diagonally downward, and brush bristles 822. A first brush guide member 841 having a flat upper surface is arranged below the central portions 822b of the bristles. The bristles are implanted on the diagonally downward-facing side surface of the bristle implant member 821 so that the root portions 822a of the bristles extend in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the bristle implant member 821, and the central portions 822b abut against the first brush guide member 841. The bristles of the central portion 822b and the tip portion 822c of the brush bristles extend horizontally due to the guiding action of the first brush guide member 841. The effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the central portion 822b or the tip portion 822c of the brush bristles extend horizontally.

[0097] The sixteenth powder removal brush 830 is provided so that the tip end 822c and tip end 832c of the fifteenth powder removal brush 820 face each other. The sixteenth powder removal brush 830 has the same configuration as the fifteenth powder removal brush 820, and includes a bristle implant member 831 and brush bristles 832. A second brush guide member 842 having a flat upper surface is disposed below the central portion 832b of the brush bristles. The central portion 832b of the brush bristles, which extend diagonally downward from the side of the bristle implant member 831, abuts against the second brush guide member 842. Due to the guiding action of the second brush guide member 842, the central portion 832b and tip end 832c of the brush bristles extend horizontally. Note that the effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the central portion 832b or the tip end 832c of the brush bristles extend horizontally.

[0098] The first and second brush guide members 841, 842 function as guide plates supporting the brush bristles 822, 832 from below, so that even if the bristles are long enough to hang down under their own weight, the central portions 822b, 832b and tip portions 822c, 832c of the brush bristles 822, 832 can extend horizontally. The first and second brush guide members 841, 842 are connected and fixed to, for example, a support that supports the powder removal brushes 820, 830. When the fifteenth and sixteenth powder removal brushes 820, 830 are used to remove excess powder 103, 104 adhering to the tip 13, the tip 13 may be brought into contact with the first and second brush guide members 841, 842 along a path that passes between them (e.g., the path shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 11).

[0099] Figure 21(b) is a side view showing the seventeenth powder removal brush 920, the eighteenth powder removal brush 930, the first brush guide member 841, and the second brush guide member 842. The first and second brush guide members 841, 842 are the same as those shown in Figure 21(a), and therefore will not be described here. The seventeenth powder removal brush 920 includes a bristle member 921 similar to that of the first powder removal brush 20, but differs in that the roots 922a of the bristles 922 are planted so that they extend diagonally downward. It also differs from the fifteenth powder removal brush 820 in that the side of the bristles of the bristle member 921 on which the bristles are planted are arranged parallel to the vertical direction, and the tips of the bristles 922 are aligned on the same plane parallel to the vertical direction.

[0100] The seventeenth powder removal brush 920 has bristles at the center 922b and tip 922c of the brush bristles extending horizontally due to the guiding action of the first brush guide member 841. The seventeenth powder removal brush 920 is also configured so that the bristles from the upper to lower layers are positioned on a plane parallel to the vertical direction. Note that the effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the center 922b or tip 922c of the brush bristles extend horizontally.

[0101] The eighteenth powder removal brush 930 has the same configuration as the seventeenth powder removal brush 920, and includes a bristle implant member 931 and brush bristles 932. Like the seventeenth powder removal brush 920, the eighteenth powder removal brush 930 has the bristles at the center 932b and tip 932c of the bristles extending horizontally due to the guiding action of the second brush guide member 842. The eighteenth powder removal brush 930 is also configured so that the bristles from the upper to lower layers lie on a plane parallel to the vertical direction. The effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as either the center 932b or tip 932c of the bristles extend horizontally.

[0102] When using the seventeenth powder removal brush 920 and the eighteenth powder removal brush 930 to remove excess powder 103, 104 adhering to the tip 13, it is preferable to abut the tip 13 on a path that passes between the first and second guide members 841, 842 (for example, the path shown in FIG. 9 or 11 ). The seventeenth powder removal brush 920 and the eighteenth powder removal brush 930 are configured so that the gaps between the brush bristles 922, 932 are uniform from the upper to lower layers, making it possible to make the sweet spots of the tips 922 c, 932 c for removing excess powder 103, 104 from the tip 13 wider than those of the fifteenth powder removal brush 820 and the sixteenth powder removal brush 830.

[0103] 21(a) and (b) illustrate a configuration in which a pair of powder removal brushes are pressed against the first and second brush guide members 841 and 842. However, as shown in Figures 14 to 18, it is also possible to combine a powder removal brush whose bristles extend horizontally with the first and second brush guide members 841 and 842. The brush guide members can also be applied to a single powder removal brush 20.

[0104] The bristles of the powder removal brush have the problem of spreading out in the vertical direction at the tip end after long-term use, but this problem can be solved by providing a brush guide member. Figure 21(c) is a side view showing the first powder removal brush 20, the second powder removal brush 30, and the first to fourth brush guide members 841 to 844. The first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30 have already been described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, so further description will be omitted.

[0105] A first brush guide member 841 is disposed below the brush bristles 22 in a position adjacent to or in contact with the brush bristles 22, and a second brush guide member 842 is disposed below the brush bristles 32 in a position adjacent to or in contact with the brush bristles 32. A third brush guide member 843 is disposed above the brush bristles 22 in a position adjacent to or in contact with the brush bristles 22, and a fourth brush guide member 844 is disposed above the brush bristles 32 in a position adjacent to or in contact with the brush bristles 32. In the illustrated example, the third brush guide member 843 has the same shape as the first brush guide member 841 and is disposed opposite to each other, but the shapes of the two do not necessarily have to be identical, and the centers of the two may be offset from each other. The same applies to the second brush guide member 842 and the fourth brush guide member 844.

[0106] When using the first powder removal brush 20 and the second powder removal brush 30 to remove excess powder 103, 104 adhering to the tip 13, it is preferable to bring the tip 13 into contact with the brush along a path that passes between the first to fourth brush guide members 841 to 844 (for example, the path shown in FIG. 9 or 11). The configuration shown in FIG. 21(c) can prevent the problem of the bristles of the powder removal brushes 20, 30 spreading out in the vertical direction at the tip end after long-term use.

[0107] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0108] <Configuration> Figure 22 is a perspective view of a tabletop powder supplying device 1 according to Example 1. The powder measuring device 510 has the same configuration as the powder measuring device 10 shown in Figure 1 and includes a main body 511 and a nozzle 512. The nozzle 512 is used with a tip 13 attached to its tip. The powder measuring device 510 is mounted on a Z-direction driving device 503 so that the extension direction of the nozzle 512 is vertical, allowing for positioning in the Z direction (vertical direction). The Z-direction driving device 503 is mounted on a gate-shaped Y-direction driving device 502, allowing for positioning in the Y direction. Furthermore, a work table 504 on which the powder tank 101 and other components to be operated by the powder measuring device 510 are mounted is mounted on an X-direction driving device 501, allowing for positioning in the X direction. The X-direction driving device 501 is disposed on a stand 508. In this specification, the XYZ direction drive devices (501, 502, 503) may be referred to as a relative movement robot.

[0109] The control device 520 is a computer equipped with a processing device and a storage device, and a control program for controlling the operation of the powder measuring device 510 and the XYZ direction drive devices (501, 502, 503) is stored in the storage device. The control device 520 controls the XYZ direction drive devices (501, 502, 503) to position the powder measuring device 510 at any coordinate on the work table 504. The control device 520 also controls the operation of a switching valve (not shown) that connects or disconnects the nozzle 512 of the powder measuring device 510 from a negative pressure source (not shown). The control device 520 also controls the operation of the vibration device 540, which will be described later.

[0110] 23 is a perspective view of a brush device 530 and a vibration device 540 according to the first embodiment. The brush device 530 is configured to include bristle members 531 and 532 and brush bristles 533 and 534, and is supported by a support 535. The support 535 is connected to a vibration table 542 of the vibration device 540. Unlike the example shown in FIG. 23 , the support 535 may be connected to the work table 504. The bristle members 531 and 532 are columnar members having brush bristles 533 and 534 respectively planted on their inner surfaces, and are connected to the support 535.

[0111] The brush bristles 533, 534 are similar to the brush bristles 22, 32 in the above-described embodiment and are composed of elastic bristles of the same length and diameter. The brush bristles 533, 534 are arranged so that their tips face each other, with a gap between them. The width of the bristles 533, 534 in the extension direction of the bristle implants 531, 532 is large enough to cover a portion of the opening of the powder tank 101. When lowering the tip 13 into the powder tank 101, lowering it at a position not covered by the brush bristles 533, 534 or at a position where there is a gap can be prevented, preventing dust adhering to the brush bristles 533, 534 from entering the tip 13 or the powder tank 101 due to contact during the tip 13's descent. However, under conditions where dust adhering to the brush bristles 533, 534 does not pose a problem, the tip 13 may be lowered at a position covered by the brush bristles 533, 534. Powder is stored in a cylindrical container, the powder tank 101. The shape of the powder tank 101 is not limited to the cylindrical shape shown in the example, and any shape of powder tank, including a bottle or a bag, can be used.

[0112] The vibration device 540 includes a vibration table 541 and a vibration table 542, and is fixed to the work table 504 by a fixture 543. The fixture 543 may be integral with the support 535. Alternatively, unlike this embodiment, a vibration device may be provided to vibrate the brush device 530, and the powder tank 101 may be vibrated by the vibration transmitted via the support 535. The vibration table 541 includes a vibration device such as a motor inside, and the ON / OFF operation of the vibration device is controlled by the control device 520. The vibration table 542 is a table on which the powder tank 101 is placed, and the brush device 530 is connected to the vibration table 541 via the support 535. The vibration table 542 may be provided with a holding mechanism for holding the powder tank 101. The vibration table 541 is fixed to the work table 504 by the fixture 543, and is moved in the X direction together with the work table 504 by the X-direction driving device 501.

[0113] <Powder Supply Operation> The operation of supplying powder to a powder tray using the powder measuring device 510 will be described. Here, it is assumed that an appropriate tip 13 has already been attached to the nozzle 512 of the powder measuring device 510, and that a powder tray (not shown) has been placed on the work table 504. First, the control device 520 moves the powder measuring device 510 above the powder tank 101 and lowers the nozzle 512 to embed the tip of the tip 13 into the powder in the powder tank 101. Next, the control device 520 connects the nozzle 512 to a negative pressure source (not shown), and sucks the powder into the measuring chamber 15 in the tip 13. A filter 14 that defines the upper end of the measuring chamber 15 is disposed within the tip 13, and the measuring chamber 15 is filled with powder by the action of negative pressure (see FIG. 3).

[0114] When powder is drawn into the measuring chamber 15 from the tip of the tip 13 embedded in the powder, the vibrating device 540 vibrates the powder tank 101. The suction creates indentations on the surface of the powder in the powder tank 101, but vibrating the powder tank 101 allows the surrounding powder to flow into the indentations, smoothing out the unevenness on the powder surface. The formation of indentations on the surface of the powder in the powder tank 101 is undesirable because it can cause air to be sucked in and uneven suction flow rates. When the vibrating device 540 vibrates the powder tank 101, the vibrations are transmitted to the tip 13 via the powder. Vibrating the tip 13 uniformly distributes the powder drawn into the measuring chamber 15, also achieving a consistent bulk density. In addition, the powder may be drawn into the measuring chamber 15 while vibrating the powder measuring device 510.

[0115] Once the powder has been filled into the measuring chamber 15, the Z-direction drive device 503 is driven to vertically position the powder measuring device 510 in order to remove excess powder. The control device 520 performs positioning so that the tip of the tip 13 is positioned on the upper surface of the lowest bristles of the brush bristles 533, 534, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 or 8. Next, the control device 520 moves the tip 13 and the brush device 530 relative to each other using the X-direction drive device 501 and the Y-direction drive device 502 so that the tip 13 moves along a path such as that shown in FIG. 9. This removes excess powder (103, 104) from the tip and side surfaces of the tip 13.

[0116] When the removal of excess powder (103, 104) from the tip and side peripheral surface of the tip 13 is completed, the control device 520 drives the XYZ direction drive devices (501, 502, 503) to move the powder measuring device 510 above the powder tray (not shown), and releases the negative pressure from the negative pressure source that has been acting within the measuring chamber 15 or applies positive pressure to discharge the powder within the measuring chamber 15 into the powder tray (not shown). At this time, the tip 13 may be vibrated to promote discharge.

[0117] When all dispensing operations for the same type of powder are completed, the control device 520 drives the XYZ direction drive devices (501, 502, 503) to move the powder measuring device 510 to the tip removal jig 505, and detaches the tip 13 from the tip of the nozzle 512. The detached tip 13 is discharged into the tip disposal tray 506. If there is a subsequent dispensing operation for a different type of powder, a new tip 13 from the tip tray 507 is attached to the nozzle 512, and the powder is sucked into the powder tank 101 containing the different type of powder in the same procedure. At this time, it is preferable to also replace the brush device 530 with a new one.

[0118] According to the powder supplying device 1 of Example 1 described above, after the powder has been measured and drawn in, the excess powder (103, 104) adhering to the tip and side peripheral surface of the tip 13 can be automatically removed, thereby enabling highly accurate measurement and discharge. Furthermore, by drawing in the powder while vibrating the powder tank 101 with the vibration device 540, it is possible to fill the measuring chamber 15 with the powder at a constant bulk density.

[0119] The powder supplying device 201 according to Example 2 differs from the powder supplying device 1 according to Example 1 mainly in that the powder measuring device 610 has a flexible pipe 612. The following description will focus on the differences from Example 1, and the same elements as those in Example 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description will be omitted.

[0120] FIG. 24 is a side view of a powder measuring device 610 according to a second embodiment. The powder measuring device 610 includes a main body 611 that applies negative pressure to a flexible pipe 612, and the flexible pipe 612. The flexible pipe 612 is formed of a flexible tube, and a tip 612a of the flexible pipe forms a nozzle. A tip 613 is detachably attached to the tip 612a of the flexible pipe. Unlike the illustrated example, a nozzle member may be connected to the tip 612a of the flexible pipe, and the flexible pipe 612 and the tip 613 may be indirectly connected via the nozzle member. For example, a nozzle head 619 (described later) may be used as the nozzle member, and the tip 613 may be detachably attached to a cylindrical tip attachment portion provided on the nozzle head 619.

[0121] Tip 613 is a disposable type that includes an intake port 614, a measuring chamber 615, a filter 616, an intake section 617 having an internal space that communicates with flexible tubing 612, and an attachment section 618 for attachment to flexible tubing 612. Negative pressure is applied to measuring chamber 615 from main body 611 via flexible tubing 612 and filter 616. Tip 613 is similar to tip 13 except that measuring chamber 615 and intake section 617 are frustum-shaped.

[0122] 25 is a perspective view of the powder supplying device 201 according to Example 2. In the powder measuring device 610, a main body 611 is provided on the outside of a stand 508. In the illustrated example, the main body 611 is installed on top of the control device 520, but the main body 611 can be installed in any location, and the main body 611 can also be built into the stand 508.

[0123] One end of the flexible pipe 612 extends from the main body 611, and the other end is inserted into the nozzle head 619. A tip 613 is attached to the distal end 612a of the flexible pipe extending from the nozzle head 619. The nozzle head 619 is mounted on a Z-direction driving device 503, allowing for positioning in the Z direction (vertical direction). The Z-direction driving device 503 is mounted on a Y-direction driving device 502, allowing for positioning in the Y direction. The work table 504 is mounted on an X-direction driving device 501, allowing for positioning in the X direction. The brush device 530 and vibration device 540 installed on the work table 504 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The modifications of these devices described in the first embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment.

[0124] Flexible piping 112 can deform to follow the movement of nozzle head 619, allowing negative pressure supplied from main body 611 to act on nozzle head 619 at any position. The method of removing excess powder adhering to the tip and outer peripheral surface of tip 613 using brush device 530 is the same as in Example 1. Furthermore, the method of sucking powder while vibrating powder tank 101 using vibration device 540 is also the same as in Example 1.

[0125] According to the powder supplying device 201 of Example 2 described above, after the powder has been measured and inhaled, excess powder adhering to the tip and side peripheral surface of the tip 613 can be automatically removed, thereby enabling highly accurate metered dispensing. Furthermore, by inhaling the powder while vibrating the powder tank 101 with the vibration device 540, it is possible to fill the measuring chamber 615 with powder at a constant bulk density. In addition, because the nozzle head 619 is lighter than the inhalation metering device 510 of Example 1, it is possible to employ a relative movement robot with a smaller driving force than that of Example 1.

[0126] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above-described embodiments, and such modifications and improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0127] For example, the present invention is also applicable to a device such as that illustrated in Patent Document 2, which is not disposable and has a filling piston (inhalation measuring device / nozzle) having a measuring chamber separated by a filter and an inhalation port provided at the tip.

[0128] 1: Powder supply device 10: Powder measuring device 11: Main body (of powder measuring device) 12: Nozzle 13: Tip (inhalation measuring device) 14: Filter 15: Measuring chamber 20: First powder removal brush 21: Hair-implanted member 22: Brush bristles 23: Extension direction 24: First traveling direction 25: First side 26: Second side 27: Second traveling direction 30: Second powder removal brush 31: Hair-implanted member 32: Brush bristles 40: Third powder removal brush 41: Hair-implanted member 42: Brush bristles 50: Fourth powder removal brush 51: Hair-implanted member 52: Brush bristles 60: Fifth powder removal brush 61: Hair-implanted member 62: Brush bristles 70: Powder tank cover member 80: Sixth powder removal brush 81: Hair-implanted member 82: Brush bristles 90: Seventh powder removal brush 91: Hair-planted member 92: Brush bristles 101: Powder tank 102: Powder 103: Excess powder on outer periphery 104: Excess powder at tip 105: Scattered powder 106: Dust in the atmosphere 131: Mounting part 132: Suction part 133: Suction port 170: Powder tank cover member with static electricity removal function 171: Earth wire 180: Powder suction device 181: Suction port 201: Powder supply device 220: Eighth powder removal brush 221: Hair-planted member 222: Brush bristles 230: Ninth powder removal brush 231: Hair-planted member 232: Brush bristles 270: Cover member with multi-stage structure 320: Tenth powder removal brush 321, 331, 421, 431, 621, 631, 721, 731, 821, 831, 921, 931: Hair implantation member 322, 332, 422, 432, 622, 632, 722, 732, 822, 832, 922, 932: Brush bristles 323: Suction port 333: Powder suction device 370: Attachment type powder tank cover member 470: Freestanding powder tank cover member 501: X-direction drive device 502: Y-direction drive device 503: Z-direction drive device 504: Work table 505: Chip removal jig 506: Chip disposal tray 507: Chip tray 510: Powder measuring device 511: Main body (of powder measuring device) 512: Nozzle 520: Control device 530: Brush device 531, 532: flocking member 533,534: Brush bristles 535: Support 540: Vibration device 541: Vibration table 542: Vibration table 543: Fixture 610: Powder measuring device 611: Main body (of powder measuring device) 612: Flexible piping 613: Tip (suction measuring device) 614: Suction port 615: Measuring chamber 616: Filter 617: Suction section 618: Mounting section 619: Nozzle head 620: Eleventh powder removing brush 630: Twelfth powder removing brush 720: Thirteenth powder removing brush 730: Fourteenth powder removing brush 820: Fifteenth powder removing brush 830: Sixteenth powder removing brush 841: First brush guide member 842: Second brush guide member 843: Third brush guide member 844: Fourth brush guide member 920: Seventeenth powder removal brush 930: Eighteenth powder removal brush

Claims

1. A powder supplying device comprising: an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber separated by a filter and an inlet at the tip; a nozzle that applies negative pressure to the measuring chamber; a powder removal brush having bristles extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction; a relative movement robot that moves the inhalation measuring device and the powder removal brush relative to each other; and a control device that controls the operation of the relative movement robot, wherein the tip of the inhalation measuring device is embedded in powder in a powder tank and the powder is sucked into the measuring chamber, and the control device removes excess powder adhering to the inhalation measuring device by moving the inhalation measuring device and the brush bristles relative to each other after sucking in the powder while elastically deforming the bristles.

2. A powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the powder removing brush comprises a bristle member having a large number of bristles planted therein.

3. A powder supplying device according to claim 2, wherein the bristles of the bristle-implanted member are planted so that the bristles extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the portion between the tip and the base.

4. A powder supplying device according to claim 3, wherein the bristles of the bristle-implanted member are planted so that the bristles extend obliquely upward at their bases.

5. A powder supplying device as described in claim 3, wherein the bristles of the bristle implantation member are implanted so that they extend diagonally downward at the base, and further comprising a bristle guide member that supports the portion of the bristles between the tip and base of the bristles.

6. The powder supplying device according to claim 2, wherein the brush bristles have a layered bristle structure in which brush bristles are stacked in the vertical direction.

7. A powder supply device as described in claim 6, wherein the control device, after sucking in the powder, raises the suction metering device so that the tip of the suction metering device is positioned above the bottom end of the lowest brush bristle layer and below the bottom end of the top brush bristle layer of the layered bristle structure, and then performs the relative movement, thereby removing excess powder adhering to the outer surface and tip of the suction metering device.

8. The powder supply device of claim 1, wherein the powder removal brush comprises a first powder removal brush and a second powder removal brush arranged so that the bristles of the first powder removal brush face each other.

9. A powder supply device as described in claim 8, wherein the first powder removal brush comprises a first bristle member on which a large number of bristles are planted so that the bristles extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section between the tip and the base, and the second powder removal brush comprises a second bristle member on which a large number of bristles are planted so that the bristles extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section between the tip and the base.

10. A powder supplying device according to claim 9, wherein the first and second bristle members are each arranged so that the brush bristles extend obliquely upward at their bases.

11. The powder supply device of claim 9, wherein the first and second bristle implantation members are each implanted so that the bristles extend diagonally downward at the base, and further comprising a first bristle guide member that supports the portion of the bristles of the first powder removal brush between the tip and base, and a second bristle guide member that supports the portion of the bristles of the second powder removal brush between the tip and base.

12. A powder supply device as described in claim 8, further comprising a support for supporting the first powder removal brush and the second powder removal brush, the first powder removal brush and the second powder removal brush forming a cover member that covers at least a portion of the powder tank.

13. The powder supplying device according to claim 12, wherein the support has an engaging portion for engaging with the powder tank.

14. The powder supplying device according to claim 12, wherein the support has an installation portion for standing upright in the powder tank.

15. A powder supply device as described in claim 12, wherein the first powder removal brush is composed of a first upper removal brush and a first lower removal brush, the second powder removal brush is composed of a second upper removal brush and a second lower removal brush, the first upper removal brush and the second upper removal brush form an upper cover member that covers at least a portion of the powder tank, and the first lower removal brush and the second lower removal brush form a lower cover member that covers at least a portion of the powder tank.

16. A powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the brush bristles are made of conductive material that removes static electricity from the inhalation measuring device when brought into contact with the inhalation measuring device.

17. A powder supplying device as described in claim 1, wherein the brush bristles are made of conductive material bristles that remove static electricity charged to the inhalation measuring device when brought into contact with the inhalation measuring device, and the device is made of a conductive member connected to an earth wire and is provided with a bristle-implanted member on which a large number of the brush bristles are planted.

18. A powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the powder removal brush comprises a bristle-implanted member having an arc-shaped inner surface on which the brush bristles are planted, the bristles extending toward the center.

19. A powder supply device as described in claim 1, wherein the powder removal brush has an arc-shaped outer surface on which the brush bristles are planted, and is provided with a bristle planting member from which the brush bristles extend radially outward from the outer surface.

20. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating device for rotating said inhalation metering device.

21. The powder supply device according to claim 1, comprising: a powder tank table on which the powder tank is placed; and a rotating device for rotating the powder tank table.

22. The powder supply device according to claim 1, comprising: a powder tank table on which the powder tank is placed; and a vibration device for vibrating the powder tank table.

23. The powder supplying device according to claim 12, further comprising a rotating device for rotating the cover member.

24. The powder supplying device according to claim 12, further comprising a vibrating device for vibrating the cover member.

25. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the inhalation metering device is a disposable tip, and the tip is removably attached to the nozzle.

26. A powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the suction measuring device is directly or indirectly connected to the tip of a flexible pipe that deforms in accordance with the movement of the suction measuring device.

27. A powder supplying device according to any one of claims 1 to 26, which is a tabletop type.

28. A powder removal brush for removing excess powder adhering to an inhalation measuring device of a powder supply device that comprises an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber separated by a filter and an inhalation port at its tip, a nozzle that applies negative pressure to the measuring chamber, a relative movement robot that moves the inhalation measuring device and the powder removal brush relative to each other, and a control device that controls the operation of the relative movement robot, and that buries the tip of the inhalation measuring device in powder in a powder tank and inhales the powder into the measuring chamber, the powder removal brush comprising brush bristles that extend in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a bristle-implanted member in which the brush bristles are implanted.

29. The powder removal brush according to claim 28, wherein the bristle member comprises a first bristle member and a second bristle member disposed opposite the first bristle member.

30. A powder removal brush as described in claim 29, wherein the first bristle member has a large number of bristles planted therein so that the bristles extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section between the tip and the base, and the second bristle member has a large number of bristles planted therein so that the bristles extend horizontally at the tip and at least a portion of the section between the tip and the base.

31. A powder removal brush according to claim 30, wherein the first and second bristle members are respectively planted so that the bristles extend obliquely upward or downward at their bases.

32. A powder removal brush as described in claim 29, further comprising a first brush bristle guide member that guides from below the portion between the tip and base of the bristles of the first bristle-implanted member, and a second brush bristle guide member that guides from below the portion between the tip and base of the bristles of the second bristle-implanted member.

33. A powder removal brush as described in claim 29, further comprising a third brush bristle guide member that guides from above the portion between the tip and base of the bristles of the first bristle-implanted member, and a fourth brush bristle guide member that guides from above the portion between the tip and base of the bristles of the second bristle-implanted member.

34. A powder removal brush as described in claim 28, wherein the brush bristles are made of conductive material that removes static electricity charged to the suction measuring device when brought into contact with the suction measuring device, and the bristle implant is made of a conductive material connected to an earth wire.

35. A powder supplying device comprising an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber separated by a filter and an inhalation port at its tip; a nozzle that is moved relatively by a relative movement robot and applies negative pressure to the measuring chamber; and a powder removal brush as described in any of claims 28 to 34, wherein the tip of the inhalation measuring device is embedded in powder in a powder tank and the powder is sucked into the measuring chamber, and after the powder is sucked in, the powder supplying device removes excess powder adhering to the inhalation measuring device by moving the inhalation measuring device and the brush bristles relative to each other while elastically deforming the brush bristles.

36. A powder supplying method using a powder supplying device comprising: an inhalation measuring device having a measuring chamber partitioned by a filter and an inlet at its tip; a nozzle that applies negative pressure to the measuring chamber; a powder removal brush having bristles extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction; a relative moving robot that moves the inhalation measuring device and the powder removal brush relatively; and a control device that controls the operation of the relative moving robot, the powder supplying method comprising: a filling step in which the relative moving robot buries the tip of the inhalation measuring device in powder in a powder tank and inhales the powder into the measuring chamber; a powder removal step in which the relative moving robot brings the bristles into contact with the inhalation measuring device and moves the inhalation measuring device and the brush bristles relative to each other while elastically deforming the bristles, thereby removing excess powder adhering to the inhalation measuring device; and a discharge step in which the relative moving robot moves the inhalation measuring device to a predetermined position and discharges the powder in the measuring chamber.

37. A powder supply method as described in claim 36, wherein the powder removal step includes an outer peripheral surface removal step of removing excess powder adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the inhalation measuring device, and a tip removal step of removing excess powder adhering to the tip of the inhalation measuring device.

38. A powder supply method as described in claim 37, wherein the brush bristles have a layered bristle structure in which brush bristle layers are stacked in the vertical direction, and the method includes a positioning step, performed immediately after the filling step, of raising the suction measuring device so that the tip of the suction measuring device is positioned above the bottom end of the bottommost brush bristle layer and below the bottom end of the topmost brush bristle layer in the layered bristle structure, and the powder removal step simultaneously performs the outer peripheral surface removal step and the tip removal step by moving the suction measuring device in one direction.

39. A powder supply method as described in claim 37, wherein the outer peripheral surface removal step includes removing excess powder by the brush bristles sliding on the outer peripheral surface of the inhalation measuring device due to the restoring force of the elastic deformation of the brush bristles.

40. A powder supply method as described in claim 36, wherein the powder removal brush comprises a first powder removal brush and a second powder removal brush arranged so that the bristles of the first powder removal brush face each other, and the powder removal process includes a first powder removal process in which the first powder removal brush removes excess powder from one half of the circumference of the suction measuring device, and a second powder removal process in which the second powder removal brush removes excess powder from the remaining half of the circumference of the suction measuring device.

41. A powder supply method as described in claim 40, further comprising a support device that supports the first powder removal brush and the second powder removal brush so that the bristles of each brush are in contact or overlapping relationship, and the powder removal step is performed by moving the suction measuring device in one direction, thereby simultaneously performing the first powder removal step and the second powder removal step.

42. A powder supply method as described in claim 36, wherein the powder removal brush has an arc-shaped side on which the brush bristles are planted and is provided with a bristle planting member from which the brush bristles extend toward the center, and the powder removal step is carried out by moving the suction metering device in an arc-shaped orbit.

43. A powder supply method as described in claim 36, wherein the powder removal brush has an arc-shaped outer surface on which the brush bristles are planted, and the brush bristles are provided with a bristle planting member that extends radially outward from the outer surface, and the powder removal step is carried out by moving the suction metering device in an arc-shaped orbit.

44. A powder supplying method according to any one of claims 36 to 43, wherein the powder removing step is carried out while rotating the suction measuring device and the powder removing brush relative to each other.

45. A powder supplying method according to any one of claims 36 to 43, wherein the filling step is carried out while vibrating the powder tank.