JPH101194A - Dosing valve and dosing method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with correction) [PROBLEMS] A valve for introducing a fluid filled in a drum or the like into another container, the breathing operation, the nozzle position determination, and the like.
An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring valve capable of improving measuring accuracy and working environment. The valve is fixed to an outlet of a container filled with a fluid, and discharges the liquid in the container to the outside.
A coaxial double pipe comprising an inner cylinder 30 and an outer cylinder 20, having a fixing means for fixing the outer cylinder to the container on an outer surface thereof;
The inner cylinder is freely inserted into the outer cylinder, one end of the inner cylinder is open, and the other end is closed. Outflow openings 36 and air holes 44 are provided on the side surface of the inner cylinder in order from the closed end. An air breathing pipe 46 protrudes beyond the inner cylinder opening 38 in the inner cylinder. One end of the air breathing pipe 46 is open, and the other end is in airtight communication with the air hole 44 of the inner cylinder. Metering valve.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a valve for charging a fluid filled in a drum or the like into another container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional low-mix high-volume production system,
In general, a method of supplying various fluids from a tank to tanks such as a reaction tank and a mixing tank by piping has been used. However, in order to meet the diversification of consumer needs, it has been forced to shift to a high-mix low-volume, multi-variable production system. In this case, the conventional pipe transfer means requires the number of pipes for each kind of raw material, which is not practical. For this reason, a production system using a moving tank has been proposed as a so-called pipeless plant.

[0003] To prepare raw materials in a pipeless plant,
This is performed by moving the tank to the charging station. In this case, in addition to the large amount of raw material supplied via the piping,
Many kinds of raw materials and additives are supplied from raw material containers such as drums and pail cans. When a fluid is charged from these raw material containers into the tank, a method of manually measuring the weight using an auxiliary tool such as a tipping machine and a scale is used. In this method, variations in measurement accuracy due to uncertainties such as the skill level and physical condition of the operator are likely to occur, making it difficult to produce a certain product according to the recipe. further,
When moving or loading heavy raw material containers, there are concerns about the burden and danger on the worker's body. In addition, various types of devices for automatically metering and charging are proposed, but in terms of cost,
There have been problems with the use of the nozzles used in conjunction therewith and, in some cases, an increase in the burden of washing the funnel.

[0004] Therefore, it has been a recent problem how to efficiently and safely feed a fluid filled in a raw material container into a tank such as a reaction tank or a mixing tank with high measurement accuracy. In the following, the case of an automatic weighing-in device will be considered in detail, but the same problem can be said in the case of manual inputting.

[0005] Conventionally proposed drum weighing and charging apparatus (for example, JP-A-5-1941, JP-A-6-2418)
71, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-200629) has a method in which a drum can is gripped and lifted, the bottom of the drum can is raised, and the drum can is tilted down so as to lower the discharge port. However, in this case, there are various problems. The first major issue relates to the adjustment of the attitude of the drum. First, since the remaining amount in the drum can also change while continuing the charging, the overturning angle is changed, thereby changing the position of the outlet, and the relative position between the outlet and the receiving container needs to be adjusted each time. . Specifically, the position of the drum,
Alternatively, the position of the receiving container is moved back and forth, and the rotation axis when the drum can is overturned is changed so as to narrow the drop point of the fluid. The adjustment of the attitude and the adjustment of the positional relationship between the drum and the receiving container are controlled by a preset program while measuring the remaining amount of the drum. That is, when the measured value approaches the set value, it is necessary to reduce the amount of flowing out by reducing the speed of turning over the drum, and to facilitate the adjustment. Further, the program must be changed each time depending on the viscosity of the liquid. By the way, in the case of manual, in order to cope with these posture adjustment and position adjustment,
There is a problem that the skill required of the worker is required, and the measurement accuracy varies depending on the skill of the worker as described above. At the same time, the workers were detained for monitoring, and during that time they were not allowed to perform any other work except for the full input.

On the other hand, in order to avoid such a complicated adjustment of the relative position, that is, in order to reduce fluctuations in the outflow direction due to a change in the position of the discharge port, a large funnel is provided on the receiving container side. In some cases, a plug-in method is adopted. In this case, it is necessary to clean the inner surface of the funnel every time the product is switched, and there is a problem in that an additional operation occurs. Or, in order to save the trouble of cleaning as much as possible, it is necessary to carry out a procedure such as rinsing with a co-fluid that can be washed last, such that the order of introduction is determined in advance according to the type of raw material. In order to eliminate the work of attaching the funnel, a method is used in which the diameter of the receiving container is an open-type receiving container having the same diameter as the container body, or the nozzle diameter of the receiving container is increased. In this method, the shape of the receiving container is limited.

[0007] The second problem is a problem of breathing. When a fluid sealed inside is discharged from a sealed container such as a drum can, a so-called breathing phenomenon is observed in which air enters the closed container against the flow of the discharged liquid. When this phenomenon occurs, the flow of the liquid becomes intermittent, and the vibration of the liquid column and the vibration of the drum itself occur. For this reason, the accuracy of the measurement is deteriorated. In order to eliminate this phenomenon and allow air to flow smoothly, it is actually practiced to slowly turn over the drum can or to loosen or remove the air stopper. This air port plugging operation itself is performed when opening the discharge port for attaching a nozzle described later.

[0008] A third major problem relates to valves and nozzles generally mounted at the outlet. In an automatic charging apparatus, an elbow-shaped nozzle is often attached to a drum can discharge port. When loosening or removing the air port plug, this nozzle is manually attached with a screw, a clamp, or the like in consideration of the charging direction. That is, it is attached so that the mouth of the elbow faces the outside of the drum. After that, it is placed on a conveyor or the like and transported to the loading and falling position. At a station with a tipping device, the position of this nozzle is detected using a sensor or the like, and the position (orientation) can be matched with the receptacle on the container side using a position indexing mechanism and position adjustment mechanism. Is being done. Specifically, this mechanism is performed by rotating a drum. As described above, various methods have been proposed, but it is unavoidable that the cost is increased. On the other hand, in the case of a manual charging device, a shut valve may be attached to the discharge port and the device may be turned over. Even in this case, when attaching the valve, it is necessary to consider the orientation of the discharge port in advance and to attach the valve with care and attention.

A fourth problem relates to weighing. A load cell is generally used for metering. This load cell requires a plurality (normally four in the case of an automatic weighing device) in order to improve the weighing accuracy. This is because even if the position of the center of gravity moves due to the overturn of the drum, the center of gravity moves down to the range of the weighing platform on the girder. The total weight in the drum can is known by calculating the readings obtained from the plurality of load cells. The provision of a plurality of load cells in this way obviously increases the cost, but also requires a circuit for calculating from each weighing value. In addition, since the nozzle attached to the end of the discharge port is open, the charging speed was adjusted by measuring the weight of the entire tipping device and controlling the tilt angle. It was difficult to control the flow rate by two-step control to change the flow rate. For this reason, advanced control software was required to obtain the predetermined accuracy.

A fifth problem relates to the working environment. When the drum can is turned over and charged, particularly when the drum is full, there is a problem that the fluid is greatly scattered in the initial stage of the charging, and the entire device, the receiving container and its surroundings are soiled. This scattering problem also had an adverse effect on weighing by the loss-in-weight method.

The above is summarized as follows: There is a problem caused by the method of throwing the drum can while falling over. 2. It is also desirable from the viewpoint of measurement accuracy to reduce or eliminate the phenomenon of breathing. 3. Even if a nozzle is attached, the attached equipment such as a nozzle indexing mechanism causes an increase in cost. 4. It is desired to reduce the number of load cells within a range where weighing accuracy is allowed. 5. It is desired to improve the working environment.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and realizes an automatic weighing and charging device for accurately weighing and charging a raw material container such as a drum filled with a fluid into a receiving container. And a metering method using the valve.

[0013]

The present invention provides: A valve fixed to an outlet of a container filled with a fluid and discharging the liquid in the container to the outside, comprising a coaxial double pipe including an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder and an air breathing pipe provided in the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder has a fixing means for tightly fixing to the discharge port of the container on the outer surface, the inner cylinder is inserted movably while closely contacting the outer cylinder, one end of the inner cylinder is opened, The other end is closed, an outflow opening and an air hole are provided on the inner cylinder side surface in order from the closed one end to the open one end, and the air breathing pipe has one end protruding beyond the inner cylinder opening. An opening, the other end of which is closed and located between the outflow opening of the inner cylinder and the air hole, has an air hole on the side surface, and the air hole and the air hole of the inner cylinder are airtight. A metering injection valve that is in communication. 2. 2. A metering valve according to the above item 1, wherein a connection means to a drive device for sliding the inner cylinder in the outer cylinder is provided at one end of the closed inner cylinder. At the outlet of the container filled with the fluid,
In a state where the open end of the inner cylinder is inserted into the container, the metering injection valve according to the above is tightly fixed by fixing means provided on the outer surface of the outer cylinder, and then the container filled with the fluid is turned over. A method of metering and charging, wherein the inner cylinder of the fixed valve is drawn out from the outer cylinder to the atmosphere side, and the length of the drawn-out valve is adjusted to adjust the outflow speed of the fluid in the container.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metering valve of the present invention and a method of using the same.

FIG. 1 shows a drum can 90 to which a metering valve (hereinafter simply referred to as a valve) 10 of the present invention is attached and turned upside down. 92 is a top plate, 96 is an air port, 97 is an air port plug, 94 is a pedestal having a screw fitting portion on the inner surface of the discharge port, and is attached to the top plate.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are detailed views in a state where the valve 10 is used in a drum. FIG. 2 is a sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. This valve is composed of an inner cylinder 30 and an outer cylinder 20.
Assembled from two parts. The outer cylinder 20 is screwed on the outer end of the outer cylinder 20 to be attached to the drum-side pedestal 94 having a threaded portion on the inner surface, and is fixed to the pedestal 94 by screw connection. A first O-ring 22 is provided and closely attached to prevent leakage of liquid from the screw portion. The inner cylinder 30 is movably inserted into the outer cylinder 20 and has a second O-ring 32 for sealing when the valve is closed. Inner cylinder 30
It is preferable that the outer cylinder 20 and the outer cylinder 20 are made of dissimilar metals from the viewpoint of preventing looseness due to free movement. The inner cylinder 30 has an opening 38 at one end on the drum can side, and the other end is closed to provide a connection means with a driving device for sliding the valve. In this example, the connecting means is a U-shaped groove 3
4, which is connected to an opening / closing arm of the drive device described later. The upper part of the inner cylinder 30 is open inside the drum,
The opening 38 communicates with the outflow opening 36 provided in the middle portion of the inner cylinder through the pipe 40 of the inner cylinder and the direction changing portion 42. The outflow opening 36 is preferably a rectangle with rounded corners, but is not limited to this.

The outflow opening 3 on the side where the outflow opening 36 exists.
Near the outflow opening 36 between the opening 6 and the opening 38, the air hole 4
4 are provided. Further, an air breathing pipe 46 is attached inside the inner cylinder 30. This air breathing pipe 46
One end 50 is open to the inside of the drum, and the other end is provided with a top plate 48 so as to be tightly closed with the conduit 40. An air hole 45 provided in the air breathing pipe 46 and an air hole 44 provided in the vicinity of the outflow opening 36 of the inner cylinder are provided in airtight communication. In this figure, the air breathing pipe and the inner cylinder are in close contact with each other. However, if the air breathing pipe is inside the inner cylinder and the air hole communicates with the air hole of the inner cylinder, it is not always necessary to make close contact. The thickness and length of the air breathing pipe 46 differ depending on the required discharge time. The shape varies depending on whether the valve is for a drum or a pail.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the drum to which the valve of the present invention is attached is turned upside down and the valve is fully opened. The U-shaped groove 34 is provided in the main body of the valve, and the handling device 100 (FIG. 5) is appropriately moved and inserted so that the small-diameter portion 70 of the connecting rod 152 is at a predetermined position in this portion. A drive device (mostly an air cylinder; FIG. 9) connected to both ends of the connecting rod 152 (FIG. 3) connected to the crosspiece small-diameter portion 70 and integrated is pushed downward. The distance to push down is the air holes 44, 4
5 is adjusted to a position where it is opened to the atmosphere side.

Next, the operation when the present valve is used will be described. In the valve of the present invention, after removing the outlet plug of the drum can, the outer cylinder 20 is screwed into the pedestal 94,
Fixed. When the valve is attached, the outflow opening of the inner cylinder fits in the outer cylinder and is closed without being opened to the outside air. The drum is then inverted by a suitable gripping and overturning means so that the valve is positioned downward. Next, when the inner cylinder is pulled out, the outflow opening and the air hole are opened to the atmosphere, and this valve is opened, the liquid starts to flow out, and the air layer on the upper part of the drum can is depressurized in a very short time. Become. When the reduced pressure reaches a predetermined size, air is introduced from the air holes 44 and 45. The air is
Air bubbles form and accumulate at the top, but this condition has the same effect as opening the drum to the atmosphere. Therefore,
With the introduction of the air from the air holes 44 and 45, the fluid in the drum can flows out of the outflow opening 36 smoothly. For this reason, the vibration and the like due to the breathing of the air in the conventional drum can weighing and charging apparatus do not occur. This allows for accurate weighing. When a signal from a load cell or the like causes the amount of discharge from the drum to reach a predetermined set value,
The outflow can be stopped by closing the valve.

By previously setting the falling angle of the drum and the angle of the direction changing section 42, the falling angle of the fluid can be adjusted right below. Therefore, even if the receiving port of the receiving container is small, the liquid can be transferred without scattering.

The discharge time depends on the viscosity of the liquid and the air breathing pipe 46.
Thickness, length, size of air holes 44, 45, outflow opening 3
6 and the cross-sectional area of the conduit 40. In the case where the liquid is water in a drum, in order to discharge the entire amount within 3 minutes from the full state, the specifications within a desired range are as follows. 46 has an inner diameter of 10 to 16 mm, a length of 100 to 400 mm from the inner cylinder end 38, and a diameter of the air holes 44 and 45 of 10
It is desirable to set the range to ２０20 mm.

The measurement is performed by a lost-in-weight method. That is, measurement is performed by a separately provided load cell, and the measured value is input while being constantly compared with a predetermined set value. When the flow rate approaches the set value, two-step control of reducing the flow rate in order to increase the measurement accuracy can be performed. At a predetermined timing, the inner cylinder 30 moves upward to a predetermined position. This state is shown in FIG. At this time, the outflow opening 36 is closed by the outer cylinder 20 for half or more. In addition, the air holes 44 and 45 move from the atmosphere side into the liquid in the drum, so that the air breathing cannot be performed smoothly. This outflow opening 3
The throttle control of the flow rate is performed by narrowing 6 and closing the air holes 44 and 45. By creating a state where the flow rate is reduced by closing the air holes, it is possible to easily increase the accuracy. Even if the outflow opening 36 is narrowed and the air holes 44 and 45 are closed,
Since the remaining input amount is small, the input ends before the internal depressurized state becomes large until breathing is required. It is determined whether the two-stage control is required according to a predetermined accuracy. In addition, the direction conversion surface 42 is attached generally within a range of 10 to 45 degrees. FIG. 6 described later.
As described above, when the drum is discharged directly below, it is determined in consideration of the falling angle of the drum.

The present invention relates to a valve suitable for an automatic drum can weighing and charging apparatus. To actually perform the work of attaching the valve, holding the drum and falling down, some kind of handling equipment is required. . The valve of the present application is used by being incorporated into these handling devices. Here, as one of typical use modes, an operation example in the case where a drum can is manually gripped and attached to a commercially available drum can tipping machine that falls over will be described.

FIG. 5 is an overall view thereof. A foot-operated lifter, a weighing table attached to the lifter, an arm that supports a container such as a drum can, and a container that can be turned around; and a shut-off valve attached to the outlet of the drum can In this case, a container such as a drum can is turned over at a predetermined angle, and the liquid in the drum can is charged into another container by opening and closing a cutoff valve. That is, the drum can overturning device 100 includes the entire frame 110 having the wheels 116 and 11.
6 'and can be moved freely by wheels. Numeral 112 denotes a horizontal arm, at the tip of which is provided a bearing 120 for supporting a rotating shaft for rotating / falling the drum. The drum can is gripped by drum grip clamps 126, 127, 128,
Fixed. At 126, a second horizontal arm 124 is attached, and at the tip thereof, actuators (typically air cylinders) 150, 15 for opening and closing valves are provided.
0 'is provided. A connecting rod 152 connects the valve 10 of the present invention to the opening / closing actuator. The gripped drum can is lifted to a predetermined height by the foot pedal 140. Next, it is turned over by the handle 123. A U-shaped groove 34 is provided at the top of the valve 10.
Since the inner cylinder 30 of the valve 10 is rotatable in the valve mounting base (outer cylinder 20) as described above, a small diameter provided at the center of the connecting rod 152 is provided. By fitting the portion 70 into the U-shaped groove 34, the direction of the outlet opening 36 of the valve 10 is uniquely determined.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the drum can has been turned over. In order to make the overflow from the outlet opening 36 of the valve downward, the drum can is turned at an angle without being completely inverted. I have. In this case, the outflow direction can be set directly below. Thereby, even if the diameter of the receiving container for receiving the overflow is small, it is possible to insert the receiving container. For the purpose of completely discharging the liquid, in this position, there is a problem that a residual liquid is generated at the corner of the drum. In such a case, FIG.
As shown in (2), when completely inverted and inverted, the remaining amount can be minimized.

If the payout amount is set to a predetermined amount and designated to the load cell controller, the valve is closed when the opening / closing actuator connected to the controller reaches the predetermined amount. By performing the above-described two-stage position control of the valve, the accuracy can be further improved. That is, the valve is somewhat closed before the predetermined amount is reached, the flow rate is reduced, and the final cutoff is performed.

In both cases where the drum can is inverted at a certain angle as shown in FIG. 6 and when the drum can is completely inverted as shown in FIG. 8, the drum can is left in a fixed direction. In the meantime, the worker is released from the sticking restraint, so that other work can be performed, and the overall production efficiency is improved. Furthermore, as the inclination is adjusted according to the remaining amount of drums as in the past,
It is not necessary to adjust the relative position between the receiving container and the charging machine, since a change in the position of the injection port is avoided. Accordingly, there is no need for skill in the work, no liquid overflow due to the work of changing the overturning angle, and no contamination of the surroundings.

Next, the procedure of the charging operation when the drum handling apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is used will be described. First, the outlet of the drum can is opened, and the outer cylinder 20 of the valve of the present invention is attached by screwing. The inner cylinder 30 is inserted into this outer cylinder. The setting of the small diameter portion 70 and the groove 34 of the connecting rod 152 is adjusted, and the drum can is gripped by the handling device. With the drum pedal raised with the foot pedal, move to the loading position.
Flip it to a predetermined angle with the handle and lock it. By inputting a predetermined payout amount to the load cell controller, the opening / closing actuator (FIG. 9) connected to the controller opens the valve. The valve is closed when a predetermined amount has been charged. After loading is completed, raise the drum to the original position with the handle, move to the drum storage location, and lower with the foot pedal. In addition, remove the inner and outer cylinders of the valve and close the plug at the outlet. This series of operations is merely an example of operation, and it is necessary to change the procedure according to the actual situation at the site.

The overturning method shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that another handling device may be used. Since there are various types of handling devices, both manual and automatic, the valves and load cells of the present invention can be combined with these handling devices. This makes it possible to provide a charging device of a type suitable for the actual situation at the site.

[0030]

The following effects are produced by using the valve of the present invention. 1. Since the valve has a breathing pipe, air can smoothly flow into a container such as a drum can, and vibration at the time of liquid outflow from the container can be eliminated. 2. The outflow direction from the outflow opening 36 can be made vertical by adjusting the overturning angle of the drum in accordance with the angle of the direction change portion 42 of the valve, so that the following effects can be obtained and the working environment can be improved. 1) It is not necessary to correct the relative position and posture of the drum and the receiving container (overturning work). 2) No need for a funnel in the receiving container, which reduces the burden of cleaning work. 3) The size of the receiving container is not limited in terms of the aperture, nozzle shape, and the like. 3. The valve inner cylinder portion is rotatable, and thus the opening / closing drive unit mounting portion is formed in a U-shaped groove, so that the position of the outlet is uniquely determined at the position where the connecting rod is mounted, which has been conventionally required. No mechanism for nozzle position detection is required. 4. Since two-stage position control of the valve is possible, high accuracy is possible even with a small number of load cells.
Also, no special arithmetic circuit is required in the load cell. 5. Since a screw can be provided on the outside of the valve outer cylinder portion in accordance with the pedestal of the drum can, the valve / nozzle can be easily attached. Further, since the shape and structure of the valve are simple, the work is easy even in the case of disassembly and cleaning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which a metering valve of the present invention is attached to a drum and inverted.

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view of the valve of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state where a valve is open.

FIG. 5 is a front view, a side view, and a plan view showing an example of a drum can handling apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which liquid is extracted from a drum can in a vertical direction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which a drum can is vertically turned over.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the outflow opening of the valve is narrowed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an actuator that opens and closes a valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Metering valve 20 Outer cylinder 22 O-ring 30 Inner cylinder 32 O-ring 34 U-shaped groove 36 Outflow opening 38 Inner cylinder opening 40 Pipe line 42 Direction conversion part 44 Inner cylinder air hole 45 Air breathing pipe Air hole 46 Air breathing pipe 48 Top plate (breathing tube) 50 Air breathing tube opening 70 Small diameter portion 90 Drum can 92 Top plate (Drum can) 94 Pedestal 100 Handling device 110 Overall frame 112 Side arm 116 Wheel 120 Bearing 123 Handle 124 Second side arm 126, 127, 128 Drum can grip clamp 130 Load cell 140 Foot pedal 150 Actuator 152 Connecting rod

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hisao Watanabe 3-6-46 Higashinakazawa, Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A valve fixed to an outlet of a container filled with a fluid and for extracting a liquid in the container to the outside, wherein the valve is provided in a coaxial double tube comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and provided in the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder has fixing means for tightly fixing to the discharge port of the container, and the inner cylinder is freely inserted while closely adhering to the outer cylinder. One end is open, the other end is closed, and the inner cylinder side surface is provided with an outflow opening and an air hole in order from the closed one end to the open one end. The other end is closed and is located between the outflow opening of the inner cylinder and the air hole, and has an air hole on the side surface, and the air hole and the air of the inner cylinder are provided. A metering injection valve that is air-tightly connected to the hole. 2. The metering injection valve according to claim 1, wherein one end of the closed inner cylinder is provided with connection means to a driving device for sliding the inner cylinder in the outer cylinder. 3. The outer surface of an outer cylinder of the fluid-filled container, wherein the metering injection valve according to claim 1 or 2 is inserted into the outlet of the fluid-filled container with one open end of the inner cylinder inserted into the interior of the container. The container filled with the fluid is turned over, and the inner cylinder of the fixed valve is pulled out from the outer cylinder to the atmosphere side. A dosing method characterized by adjusting the outflow speed.