Patent ID: 6152310
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: A21C

Abstract:
A powder supply system for supplying powders to a plurality of processing devices comprising:a powder replenishment device storing therein powders;a powder suction device for suckingly discharging the powders in the powder replenishment device;a plurality of powder supply units connected in series and positioned between the powder replenishment device and the powder suction device, and comprising 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, and each powder supply unit comprising:an auxiliary tank for temporarily storing therein the powders, the auxiliary tank having an upper portion and a lower portion;a powder inlet conduit connected to the upper portion of the auxiliary tank for introducing powders into the auxiliary tank;a powder outlet conduit connected to the upper portion of the auxiliary tank for discharging the powders from the auxiliary tank; anda powder supplying portion provided at the 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 being connected to the powder replenishment device and the outlet conduit of the downstream end auxiliary tank being connected to the powder suction device, the powder suction device sucking 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; anda powder sensor 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.