Method of packaging particle-like material, and packaging machine for a particle-like material

Abstract

A method of packaging a particle-like material includes: creating a state where an inert gas introduction pipe and an inert gas exhaust pipe being inserted into an airtight container, and where the airtight container being filled up with a particle-like material, and then temporarily closing the opening portion; introducing an inert gas through the inert gas introduction pipe into the airtight container, and discharging the inert gas introduced into the airtight container out through the inert gas exhaust pipe, to thereby replace the inside of the airtight container with the inert gas; and, removing the inert gas introduction pipe and the inert gas exhaust pipe out from the airtight container, and then closing the opening portion of the airtight container.

1 . A packaging machine for a particle-like material including:
 an inert gas introduction pipe;   an inert gas exhaust pipe; and,   a temporary closing equipment which temporarily closes an opening portion of an airtight container filled with a particle-like material, while keeping the opening portion airtight with respect to the inert gas introduction pipe and the inert gas exhaust pipe which are inserted through the opening portion into the airtight container,   wherein in the airtight container filled up with the particle-like material, an inert gas introduction portion provided to the inert gas introduction pipe, and, an inert gas exhaust portion provided to the inert gas exhaust pipe, are kept unexposed by the particle-like material.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the temporary closing equipment is configured by:   a pair of holding members which hold the opening portion of the airtight container from the outside for airtight closure; and,   a moving apparatus which moves the holding members in an approaching direction and in a departing direction, to or from each other.   
     
     
         3 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein portions of the holding members which are brought into contact with the opening portion of the airtight container are configured by a flexible material.   
     
     
         4 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 3 ,
 Wherein the inert gas introduction pipe and the inert gas exhaust pipe, which are inserted through the opening portion into the airtight container, are kept airtight with respect to the opening portion, by configuring the portions of the holding members, which are brought into contact with the opening portion of the airtight container, with a flexible material.   
     
     
         5 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the flexible material is composed of rubber or urethane.   
     
     
         6 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the moving apparatus is configured by a cylinder driven by pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure.   
     
     
         7 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 1 , further including a heat-seal equipment which heat-seals the opening portion of the airtight container. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 7 , including:
 a first temporary closing equipment;   a heat-seal equipment; and,   a second temporary closing equipment.   
     
     
         9 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the inert gas introduction portion provided to the inert gas introduction pipe is configured by a plurality of through holes, the diameter of which becoming larger as becoming more distant from the opening portion of the airtight container; and,   the inert gas exhaust portion provided to the inert gas exhaust pipe is configured by a plurality of through holes, the diameter of which becoming larger as becoming more distant from the opening portion of the airtight container.   
     
     
         10 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the inert gas introduction portion provided to the inert gas introduction pipe is configured by one or a plurality of slit potions, the width of which becoming larger as becoming more distant from the opening portion of the airtight container; and,   the inert gas exhaust portion provided to the inert gas exhaust pipe is configured by one or a plurality of slit portions, the width of which becoming larger as becoming more distant from the opening portion of the airtight container.   
     
     
         11 . The packaging machine for a particle-like material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the inert gas introduction pipe and the inert gas exhaust pipe are arranged apart from each other in the airtight container.   
     
     
         12 . A method of packaging a particle-like material, the method including:
 creating a state where an inert gas introduction pipe and an inert gas exhaust pipe being inserted into an airtight container while keeping an opening portion thereof unsealed, and where the airtight container being filled up with a particle-like material, and then temporarily closing the opening portion;   introducing an inert gas through the inert gas introduction pipe into the airtight container, and discharging the inert gas introduced into the airtight container out through the inert gas exhaust pipe, to thereby replace the inside of the airtight container with the inert gas; and,   removing the inert gas introduction pipe and the inert gas exhaust pipe out from the airtight container, and then closing the opening portion of the airtight container.   
     
     
         13 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 12 , the method including:
 using an airtight container having an oxygen transmission rate of 100 cm 3 /(m 2 ·24 h·atm) or below, and a moisture vapor transmission rate at 40° C., 90% RH of 0.1 gram/(m 2 ·24 hours) or less;   temporarily closing the opening portion, while filling the airtight container with the particle-like material having a content of dissolved oxygen gas, per 1 gram of particle-like material, of 0.015 cm 3  or less; and,   closing the opening portion of the airtight container, while keeping the oxygen gas concentration in the inner atmosphere of the airtight container at 2% by volume or below.   
     
     
         14 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 13 , the method including:
 temporarily closing the opening portion, while filling the inside of the airtight container with the particle-like material having a moisture content of 2×10 2  ppm or less; and,   closing the opening portion of the airtight container, while controlling the total moisture content in the inner atmosphere of the airtight container to 0.2 mg per 1 gram of particle-like material.   
     
     
         15 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein in the airtight container filled up with the particle-like material, an inert gas introduction portion provided to the inert gas introduction pipe, and, an inert gas exhaust portion provided to the inert gas exhaust pipe are kept unexposed by the particle-like material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the inert gas, having been introduced into the airtight container, is discharged through the inert gas exhaust pipe under the evacuated condition, to an inert gas disposal portion.   
     
     
         17 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein an oxygen gas absorbing agent is additionally enclosed in the airtight container.   
     
     
         18 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the inner pressure of the airtight container is controlled to 1.3×10 4  Pa or below.   
     
     
         19 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the airtight container is composed of an aluminum-sealed packaging material, or, a packaging material made of nylon-gas-barrier multi-layered sheet.   
     
     
         20 . The method of packaging a particle-like material according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the airtight container is composed of a metal can.