Conveyors: fluid current – With diverse power-driven conveyor – Endless
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2001-12-25
Nguyen, Tuan N. (Department: 3653)
Conveyors: fluid current
With diverse power-driven conveyor
Endless
C406S125000, C406S129000, C406S146000, C222S064000, C222S368000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332739
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a powder supply system for supplying powder, and more specifically, to the powder supply system for replenishing powder in a plurality of powder supply units.
Conventionally, a plurality of powder supply units for supplying powder at various stages along a production line have been provided at different locations along the production line. For example, in a production line such as a line for producing bread, a plurality of powder supply units are provided each in association with each processing device, so that powders in the powder supply unit are sprinkled on the surface of dough at the processing device.
According to a conventional powder supply system, a powder replenishment device or a powder replenishment device having a pressure source has been provided for supplying powder to each one of the plurality of powder supply units to replenish powder in the powder supply units. The plurality of the powder supply units are connected to the powder replenishment device by pipes arranged in parallel. Pressurized air from the pressure source is used to supply powder to the plurality of powder supply units.
The pressure source generates a high pressure to create and air flow in the pipes sufficient for moving the powder through the pipes. Therefore, the piping must be highly resistant to high pressure. Also, the portions where separate pipes are connected together need to be maintained with a proper seal. The configuration for maintaining the seal becomes complicated to withstand the high pressure in the pipes.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) No. SHO-63-272720 discloses a configuration for transporting powder using a flow of air caused by suction force generated by a suction unit. Utilization of the negative pressure can avoid problems attendant to the utilization of highly positive pressure.
However, in these conventional configurations for replenishing powder from the powder replenishment device to each of the plurality of powder supply units, the plurality of powder supply units are connected in parallel with respect to the powder replenishment device whether the configuration is for supplying powder by pressurized air or by suction of air. This parallel construction requires branch pipes for distributing powder from the powder replenishment device to the individual powder supply units. This complicates the piping arrangement for transporting powder. Further, a switching valve for switching transport of powder to each of the powder supply units must be provided to each powder supply unit or to each branch pipe portion. This can make the overall cost of piping expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome the above-described problems and to provide an improved powder supply system having a simple structure without employment of the switching valve.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved powder supply unit available for the powder supply system.
These and other object of the present invention will be attained by providing a powder supply system for supplying powders to a plurality of processing devices including a powder replenishment device, a powder suction device, a plurality of powder supply units, and a powder sensor. The powder replenishment device stores therein powders. The powder suction device is adapted for suckingly discharging the powders in the powder replenishment device. The plurality of powder supply units are connected in series and are positioned between the powder replenishment device and the powder suction device. The plurality of powder supply units include an upstream end powder supply unit and a downstream end powder supply unit, each powder supply unit being provided for supplying powders to each processing device. Each powder supply unit includes an auxiliary tank, a powder inlet conduit, a powder outlet conduit, and a powder supplying portion. The auxiliary tank is adapted for temporarily storing therein the powders. The powder inlet conduit is connected to an upper portion of the auxiliary tank for introducing powders into the auxiliary tank. The powder outlet conduit is connected to the upper portion of the auxiliary tank for discharging the powders from the auxiliary tank. The powder supplying portion is provided at a lower portion of the auxiliary tank for supplying the powders conveyed from the auxiliary tank to each processing device. The inlet conduit of the upstream end auxiliary tank is connected to the powder replenishment device and the outlet conduit of the downstream end auxiliary tank is connected to the powder suction device. The powder suction device sucks the powders in the powder replenishment device through the inlet conduits and the outlet conduits and through the respective auxiliary tanks for successively and fully accumulating powders in the auxiliary tanks in the order from the upstream end auxiliary tank to the downstream end auxiliary tank. The powder sensor is connected to a downstream of the downstream end powder supply unit for detecting a full accumulation of the powders in all auxiliary tanks and for stopping operation of the powder replenishment device and the powder suction device as a result of the powder detection.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a powder supply unit connected to a powder source for supplying powders to a processing device, the powder supply unit including a powder reservoir, a powder supplying portion, an auxiliary tank, a powder inlet conduit, a powder outlet conduit, and a valve. The powder reservoir is adapted for temporarily storing powders therein. The powder supplying portion is connected between a lower end of the powder reservoir and the processing device. The auxiliary tank is connected to an upper end of the powder reservoir. The powder inlet conduit is connected to an upper portion of the auxiliary tank for introducing powders into the auxiliary tank. The powder outlet conduit is connected to the upper portion of the auxiliary tank for discharging the powders from the auxiliary tank. The valve is provided at the lower portion of the auxiliary tank and movable between a close position for accumulating the powders in the auxiliary tank and an open position for dropping the powders in the auxiliary tank into the powder reservoir.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4669921 (1987-06-01), Flament et al.
patent: 5669741 (1997-09-01), Ono et al.
patent: 5927908 (1999-07-01), Kikuchi et al.
patent: 6152310 (2000-11-01), Sakai et al.
patent: 63-272720 (1988-11-01), None
Kikuchi Masao
Sakai Yoshitaka
Nguyen Tuan N.
Rheon Automatic Machinery Co. Ltd.
Sughrue & Mion, PLLC
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