JP2009144316A - Apparatus for producing nonwoven fabric by using pressurized steam-jetting nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a continuous production apparatus in which a part or almost all of constituent fibers of fiber web are surely entangled and required strength and flexibility of the surface are ensured by uniformly and continuously jetting pressurized steam. <P>SOLUTION: Provided is an apparatus for producing a nonwoven fabric by entangling constituent fibers of a fiber web by jetting pressurized steam to a fiber web running oppositely to a plurality of nozzle holes formed in a longitudinal direction of a pressurized steam jetting nozzle 10. One end of the pressurized steam jetting nozzle 10 is connected via a pressurized steam supply tube to a pressurized steam supply source and the other end of the pressurized steam jetting nozzle 10 is connected via an opening/closing valve to a steam discharge tube. A porous fiber web supporting and transporting means facing the plurality of the nozzle holes formed in the pressurized steam jetting nozzle 10 at a predetermined interval and moving in one direction across a row of the nozzle holes of the pressurized steam jetting nozzle 10 is provided. Steam suction means is disposed on an opposite side of the pressurized steam jetting nozzle 10 with respect to the fiber web supporting and transporting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber entangled nonwoven fabric using a fluid jet nozzle that jets a pressurized water vapor flow.

  Conventionally, a technique for producing an entangled nonwoven fabric by injecting a high-pressure fluid flow onto a fiber web to entangle the constituent fibers with each other is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-133579 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-256254. It is known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-144564 (Patent Document 2) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-144564 (Patent Document 3). However, high-pressure liquids are mainly used for the high-pressure fluids disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3. In the production of entangled nonwoven fabric by jetting such a high-pressure liquid flow, in addition to the large amount of liquid used, in addition to the liquid scattering prevention equipment, not only a large amount of liquid cleaning treatment equipment is required for discharging the processed liquid, It requires drying equipment for the resulting nonwoven fabric and the enormous heat energy expended on it. In addition, the noise caused by the jet of liquid is severe and the working environment is deteriorated.

  On the other hand, for example, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 3 described above, high-pressure steam may be used instead of high-pressure liquid, but it is not intended to actively entangle fibers. Or it was adopted without recognizing the difference between the liquid flow and the water vapor flow. As a result, these documents 1 and 3 use an injection nozzle having the same structure without making a distinction between a liquid flow and a water vapor flow. There is no specific disclosure regarding the discharge mechanism.

  Thus, in order to solve the problems at the time of manufacturing the fiber entangled nonwoven fabric by the high-pressure liquid flow as described above, for example, International Publication No. 95/06769 pamphlet (Patent Document 4) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-310267 (Patent Document 5). The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 proposes positively using water vapor as the high-pressure fluid in the production of the nonwoven fabric by the high-pressure fluid flow. Using water vapor in this way makes it possible to significantly reduce the amount of water used compared to the amount of water used by the water jet method, while simultaneously reducing the size of the discharge treatment facility and reducing the generation of noise. Not only can the environment be improved, but the energy saving can be realized by eliminating or downsizing the drying device, and the occurrence of the pattern of the entangled portion that appears on the surface of the nonwoven fabric unique to the fiber entangled nonwoven fabric due to the liquid flow is reduced. be able to.

  According to the method for producing a nonwoven fabric of Patent Document 4, fibers having a melting point lower than the temperature of water vapor or superheated water vapor are blended in all or part of the constituent fibers of the fiber web, and the constituent fibers of the web are entangled by a liquid flow The fabric (nonwoven fabric) is prepared in advance, and then steam or superheated steam is ejected from the surface of the fabric toward the interior of the fabric, and the low-melting fibers of the constituent fibers of the web are melted and fused. The final product (nonwoven fabric) is manufactured. Moreover, the web entanglement method described in Patent Document 5 uses a water vapor as a high-pressure fluid to entangle the fiber webs. On the other hand, according to the method for producing a nonwoven fabric disclosed in Patent Document 2, water vapor is directly sprayed on the fiber web instead of the conventional high-pressure jet water, and the water web is caused to act together with mist-like water generated by the temperature drop at that time. The nonwoven fabric is manufactured by interlacing the constituent fibers of the web.

JP 51-133579 A JP-A-9-256254 JP 2000-144564 A International Publication No. 95/06769 Pamphlet JP 7-310267 A

  However, as long as the contents of Patent Document 4 are analyzed, although mention is made of the use of high-temperature steam, the fiber entanglement due to steam, such as the steam pressure at the time of injection and the size and shape of the nozzle holes, is mentioned. There is no special description regarding various conditions specific to. From this, the production of the nonwoven fabric by the high-temperature steam flow disclosed in Patent Document 4, for example, is not the main purpose of fiber entanglement by the steam flow, and the configuration of the fiber web made of a heat-meltable material with so-called steam heat It can be understood that the main purpose is to melt the fibers. Usually, in the fiber entangled nonwoven fabric produced by jetting a high-pressure water stream, as described in, for example, Patent Document 3 described above, a blow mark or a hole mark by the jet fluid remains on the fiber web surface.

  In the manufacturing method of the nonwoven fabric of the said patent document 4, the fiber entanglement by a jet water flow is performed as a pre-process which injects water vapor | steam with respect to a fiber web. Therefore, naturally, the above-mentioned striking marks and hole marks remain in the fabric entangled with this jet of water flow, and the high-temperature steam sprayed there does not penetrate the entire surface of the fabric in the thickness direction. , It is thought that it mainly passes through the hitting marks and hole marks. Of course, at this time, the low melting point fibers existing on the other web surface where the hitting marks and the opening marks are not formed are melted at the same time. This can be recognized also from FIGS. 4 to 5 of the above-mentioned Patent Document 4 because there is a portion where fibers are fused even in a region where the hitting marks or hole marks are not formed. . As a result, the non-woven fabric shown in the figure has no difference in flexibility from a conventional non-woven fabric by point bonding, and in particular, the surface has many hardened portions made of a heat-meltable material.

  Moreover, although the structure of one form of the water vapor | steam ejection nozzle is illustrated by the said patent document 5, about the structure, size, usage mode, etc. of the same ejection nozzle, no description is made at all.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 describes a specific structure of a water vapor jet nozzle. However, how water vapor is fed into the jet nozzle, and high-pressure water vapor is uniformly and under what conditions. There is no specific description of whether or not to erupt continuously. The water vapor used for this ejection is usually industrial water that has been softened and slightly added with additives, and since it passes through various pipes, it mixes extremely fine foreign substances. It is easy to block the ejection nozzle hole. Alternatively, a part of the water vapor introduced into the nozzle is condensed and becomes drainage and accumulates in the vicinity of the nozzle hole, so that the nozzle hole is likely to be blocked, and the water vapor is likely to be intermittently ejected without being continuously ejected. Moreover, even if the nozzle structure disclosed in the document 2 can be suitably employed as long as it is a liquid flow injection nozzle, the number of parts is too large and complicated as a water vapor injection nozzle.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has an object of simple structure and capable of uniformly and continuously ejecting pressurized water vapor, and a part of the constituent fibers of the fiber web or The required strength is obtained by entanglement of most of the fibers, the flexibility of the surface of the resulting nonwoven fabric can be ensured and the internal form can be improved, and the efficiency of entanglement of the constituent fibers of the fiber web is ensured. It is providing the continuous manufacturing apparatus of a typical nonwoven fabric.

  The basic configuration of the nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is to eject pressurized steam from a plurality of nozzle holes formed in the longitudinal direction of the pressurized steam jet nozzle to the fiber web that runs oppositely, thereby forming the constituent fibers. Concerning an apparatus for producing a nonwoven fabric by entanglement, a pressurized steam supply source connected to one end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle via a pressurized steam supply pipe and an other end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle connected via an open / close valve A porous fiber web that faces the plurality of pressurized steam jet nozzle holes formed in the pressurized steam jet nozzle and a plurality of pressurized steam jet nozzle holes at a predetermined interval and moves in one direction across the pressurized steam jet nozzle It is characterized by comprising a carrying transfer means and a suction means arranged on the opposite side of the pressurized steam jet nozzle across the transfer means. As the pressurized steam jet nozzle, it is desirable to employ a pressurized steam jet nozzle having the following configuration.

  That is, the pressurized steam jet nozzle has a steam inlet port connected to a pressurized steam supply pipe at one end and a steam outlet port connected to an external steam outlet pipe at the other end, and an opening extending along the length direction of the lower surface And a hollow cylindrical nozzle holder, and a nozzle member that is detachably disposed on the lower surface of the nozzle holder and has a plurality of nozzle holes formed facing the opening.

  The most notable point here is that the nozzle holder has a water vapor inlet at one end and a water vapor outlet at the other end. Water vapor cannot always be ejected from the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle. For example, the supply of water vapor is also stopped during periodic inspections or when the machine is stopped. When the ejection of water vapor is stopped in this way, the temperature in the nozzle also naturally decreases abruptly. In order to restart the production of the nonwoven fabric by restarting the ejection of water vapor, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the inside of the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle to a predetermined temperature. When the temperature is raised, when the configuration other than the water vapor inlet is sealed like the conventional nozzle, the amount of water vapor introduced into the nozzle holder is limited to the amount ejected from the nozzle hole, and the amount of heat exchange is small. It takes a long time to raise the temperature of the nozzle itself.

  Therefore, in the pressurized steam jet nozzle, a steam outlet is provided at the other end of the nozzle holder as described above, and a steam outlet pipe connected to the steam outlet is provided with, for example, an open / close valve as described later. Install to allow opening and closing of water vapor outlet. Now, before starting the nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus, water vapor is introduced into the nozzle holder. At this time, the water vapor outlet is open, and the water vapor introduced from the water vapor inlet is continuously discharged to the outside through the water vapor outlet. The temperature of the nozzle holder is measured, and when the temperature reaches a predetermined high temperature, the water vapor outlet is closed. Simultaneously with this closing, the water vapor pressure at the water vapor inlet is measured, and when the water vapor pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the nonwoven fabric production apparatus is started. The time to start at this time is greatly shortened as compared with the conventional case where the water vapor outlet is not present because the temperature of the nozzle holder is quickly raised by the new high temperature water vapor passing through the nozzle holder.

  Specific examples of the shape of the hollow cylindrical nozzle holder include a cylindrical nozzle holder and a rectangular nozzle holder, and the cylindrical nozzle holder is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of uniform flow of pressurized water vapor and production. Used. Also, during actual work, a high-mesh cylindrical filter, for example, a cylindrical filter in the case of a cylindrical nozzle holder, or a rectangular filter in the case of a rectangular nozzle holder is placed on the same axis. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these.

  In the present invention, when a cylindrical nozzle holder is used as described above, it is desirable to dispose a high mesh cylindrical filter on the same axis in the nozzle holder. Here, the high-mesh cylindrical filter refers to a filter having pores with a diameter of about 1 to 50 μm that can remove fine foreign matters contained when water vapor is introduced. In this case, water vapor introduced from a water vapor inlet provided at one end of the nozzle holder is introduced into the inside of the cylindrical filter, passes through the filter and reaches the nozzle hole formed in the nozzle plate. Erupts outside. At this time, the pressure distribution in the longitudinal direction on the inner wall surface of the nozzle holder is made uniform by the cylindrical filter, and fine foreign substances contained during the introduction of the water vapor are removed from the water vapor by the cylindrical filter. Without blocking the plurality of nozzle holes of the nozzle member formed along the direction, high-pressure steam is stably ejected from the nozzle holes with an equal ejection pressure.

  The nozzle holder may have a drain outlet at its lower part. Further, the nozzle holder may be inclined alone or together with the nozzle member. This is because the drain accumulates in the nozzle holder during operation, so that the drain can be easily discharged to the outside. For this reason, a drain discharge port is formed at the lower base end of the nozzle holder in the tilt direction and can be opened and closed by an open / close valve, for example, and the valve is opened and collected inside the nozzle holder at any time. The drain is discharged to the outside. At this time, since the nozzle holder is inclined, an extra device such as suction is unnecessary. The nozzle holder may be tilted independently or may be tilted together with the nozzle member. Furthermore, since the drain does not cause clogging such as nozzle holes, a step is provided between the bottom surface of the nozzle holder and the arrangement plane of the nozzle member, or a drain channel (groove) is formed on the bottom surface of the nozzle holder, Furthermore, a drain channel that communicates with a part of the bottom surface of the nozzle holder may be provided independently of the nozzle holder. In the case of providing the drain flow path independently, only the flow path may be tilted without tilting the nozzle holder as described above. In addition, it is preferable that the said inclination sets the maximum gradient with respect to a horizon to 1/100. When this gradient is larger than 1/100, drain accumulates quickly at the inclined base end portion of the nozzle holder. Therefore, drainage must be frequently performed, and the water vapor pressure distribution in the nozzle holder tends to be non-uniform.

  On the other hand, the opening formed in the lower surface of the nozzle holder may be a slit-like opening formed continuously in the length direction of the nozzle holder, or formed in a staggered shape in the length direction of the nozzle holder. A plurality of small holes may be used. The water vapor pressure reaching the nozzle holes formed in the nozzle member through these openings is equalized, and the water vapor can be uniformly jetted in the nozzle longitudinal direction. Naturally, the drain flow path is formed at a portion off the opening of the nozzle holder.

  The nozzle member can be composed of a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle holes and a plate support member that supports the nozzle plate. The nozzle hole preferably has a cylindrical hole. The shape of the cylindrical hole may be a simple cylindrical shape, but may further have an inverted trapezoidal portion continuous to the upper end of the cylindrical hole of the nozzle hole, or the nozzle hole may extend from the lower end periphery of the cylindrical hole. You may make it have a ring piece extended concentrically toward the inside of a mustache, Preferably on a concentric circle. Furthermore, a continuous groove portion having an inverted trapezoidal cross section that is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate may be provided at the upper end of the cylindrical hole of the nozzle hole, or an inverted truncated conical hole is provided at the upper end of each cylindrical cylindrical hole. You may make it have.

  The nozzle holes formed in the nozzle plate may be formed in a single row in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate, but may be formed in a plurality of rows in the width direction of the nozzle plate, for example. In this case, it is preferable to arrange a plurality of rows of nozzle holes in a zigzag shape because the sprayed water vapor acts uniformly in the width direction of the fiber web.

  The ratio between the height and the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole, preferably a cylindrical cylindrical hole, is preferably 1 to 2. If the value is smaller than 1, the water vapor flow is difficult to be a columnar flow, and if it is larger than 2, high-precision machining is difficult due to the small nozzle hole diameter and the thickness of the nozzle plate. Further, when the nozzle hole is configured to have a ring piece concentrically extending from the lower end peripheral edge of the cylindrical tube hole to the inside of the mouthpiece as described above, there is a water vapor flow ejected from the nozzle hole. For example, the jet power to the fiber web increases, and the front and back of the web can be easily penetrated. The convergence point is determined by the shape of the nozzle hole, the water vapor pressure, and the like.

  It is preferable that the thickness of the nozzle plate is 0.5 to 1 mm, the inner diameter of the water vapor outlet of the nozzle hole is 0.05 to 1 mm, and the pitch between the nozzles is 0.5 to 3 mm. If the plate thickness of the nozzle plate is less than 0.5 mm, it is difficult to obtain sufficient strength to withstand the water vapor pressure, and if it exceeds 1 mm, it is difficult to process fine nozzle holes with high accuracy. Electric discharge machining or laser machining can be employed for forming the nozzle holes. Further, when the inner diameter of the water vapor outlet of the nozzle hole is smaller than 0.05 mm, not only the processing is difficult, but clogging is liable to occur, and when it exceeds 1 mm, it is difficult to obtain a required jet power when the water vapor is ejected. If the pitch between the nozzles is 0.5 to 3 mm, sufficient entanglement can be obtained between the constituent fibers of the fiber web at the same time. In addition, the pitch between nozzles says the distance between the center points of each nozzle hole.

  Further, the nozzle member has a ship-shaped recessed groove portion communicating with the lower end opening of the nozzle holder, a rectangular cross-sectional groove portion formed along the bottom of the concave recessed groove portion, and a predetermined length along the length direction of the rectangular cross-sectional groove portion. It can also comprise a single member comprising a plurality of inverted frustoconical holes formed with a pitch and a cylindrical tube hole formed continuously at the lower end of each inverted frustoconical hole. By configuring the nozzle member as a single member in this way, not only can the number of components be greatly reduced, but the nozzle opening end of the nozzle hole can be brought close to the jet surface of the fiber web, The pressure drop due to the adiabatic expansion of the pressurized steam is reduced, and a penetration force in the web can be obtained.

  Furthermore, if the lower end surface shape in the width direction of the nozzle member is a curved surface shape protruding downward, the fiber web can be easily introduced. Even in this invention, it is preferable that the ratio between the height and the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole is 1 to 2, the inner diameter of the water vapor outlet of the nozzle hole is 0.05 to 1 mm, and the pitch between the nozzles Is preferably 0.5 to 3 mm. The pitch between the nozzles in this case also refers to the distance between the center points of the nozzle holes, as described above. Also in this case, it is preferable to form the nozzle holes in a plurality of rows in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle member.

  The pressurized steam jet nozzle of the present invention having the above-described configuration is suitably applied to the nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, and the entangled nonwoven fabric can be efficiently manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus. That is, the production of the nonwoven fabric by the above manufacturing apparatus has a water vapor inlet port connected to a pressurized steam supply pipe at one end and a water vapor outlet port connected to an external water vapor exhaust pipe at the other end, and in the length direction of the lower surface. A pressurized water vapor jet comprising: a hollow cylindrical nozzle holder having an opening along the nozzle; and a nozzle member that is detachably disposed on the lower surface of the nozzle holder and has a plurality of nozzle holes formed facing the opening. A method of manufacturing a nonwoven fabric in which a constituent fiber is entangled by continuously injecting pressurized steam in the width direction of a fiber web traveling from a plurality of nozzle holes using a nozzle, and the pressurized steam is first introduced from the steam inlet. And discharging the pressurized steam from the steam outlet, measuring the temperature in the pressurized steam jet nozzle, and the temperature in the nozzle When the required temperature is reached, the steam discharge path is switched to a drain passage through a trap to stop the discharge of the steam, and after stopping the discharge of the steam, the fiber web is made to face the injection nozzle hole of the nozzle. It runs continuously, entangles the constituent fibers of the fiber web with pressurized water vapor ejected from the injection nozzle hole, and sucks water vapor penetrating the fiber web and discharges it to the outside.

  The nozzle holder of the pressurized steam jet nozzle is usually encapsulated with a heat insulating material or the like, and prevents the temperature of the pressurized steam jet passing through the inside from being lowered. can do. Specific methods include heating with a heat medium such as silicon-based oil, and heating methods using an electric heater such as induction heating. In addition, for example, the entire pressurized steam jet nozzle is opened in a box with the pressurized steam jet side open. And hot air heated to a high temperature is introduced into the box. Thus, if the entire pressurized steam jet nozzle is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the saturated steam temperature of the steam to be used, for example, with hot air, the temperature reduction of the pressurized steam inside can be effectively prevented, and the nonwoven fabric can be prevented. Not only is it easy to efficiently obtain the necessary amount of water vapor to act, but it is also easy to obtain a high-quality nonwoven fabric that has been entangled and heat-sealed.

  On the other hand, it is usually arranged above the fiber web that travels through the pressurized steam jet nozzle, and applies a pressurized steam jet flow toward the upper surface of the fiber web, but below the fiber web that travels through the pressurized steam jet nozzle. It is also possible to apply a jet stream of pressurized water vapor upward from the lower surface of the fiber web. Thus, when the jet stream of pressurized steam is jetted upward from the lower side of the fiber web, the steam condensate hardly accumulates in the nozzle holes arranged on the upper surface side of the nozzle holder, and stable steam jets are generated. This is preferable because it becomes possible.

  If the pressurized water vapor is applied from one surface of the fiber web with a pair of the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle and the water vapor suction means disposed opposite to the nozzle, the intended object of the present invention is achieved. However, it is also possible to prepare two or more sets of the pressurized steam jet nozzles and the steam suction means and arrange them alternately so that the pressurized steam is jetted from both the front and back surfaces of the fiber web.

  In this case, since the constituent fibers of the fiber web are not only entangled by pressurized steam from one side, but can be received independently from both the front and back sides, the constituent fibers of the fiber web are entangled equally on both the front and back sides. It is possible to obtain a high-quality non-woven fabric that is not only heat-bonded and has the stability of the form as a non-woven fabric, but also is uniform in appearance.

  Further, a water vapor reflecting plate can be disposed between the fiber web traveling in one direction and the suction means. This water vapor reflecting plate has a large number of holes having a diameter of 1 to 10 mm, and the aperture ratio is preferably 10 to 50%. When the value is smaller than these values, the water vapor suction force by the suction means when passing through the fiber web does not work effectively, and when it becomes larger, the amount of water vapor reflected is too small. While the pressurized water vapor ejected from the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle penetrates the fiber web, the constituent fibers are entangled. However, when the fiber entanglement state of the pressurized water vapor ejection side and the penetration side of the fiber web is compared, the entanglement of the constituent fibers on the water vapor ejection side is more advanced than the entanglement of the constituent fibers on the penetration side. Therefore, by arranging the water vapor reflecting plate as described above, the water vapor penetrating the fiber web is reflected by the water vapor reflecting plate on the surface of the fiber web on the penetrating side, thereby promoting the entanglement between the constituent fibers on the water vapor reflecting plate side. For example, even when pressurized water vapor is ejected from one direction with respect to the fiber web, not only the fiber entanglement proceeds on the surface on the opposite side, but the constituent fibers projecting to the penetration side of the fiber web are Since it is pressed and entangled, it becomes easy to obtain a uniform and stable nonwoven fabric form on both the front and back surfaces.

  Further, the fiber web transfer means holds the fiber web between the porous fiber web carrying and transferring means disposed between the nozzle hole of the pressurized steam jet nozzle and the fiber web, and the fiber web carrying and transferring means. A porous fiber web pressing and transferring means for transferring the fiber web in cooperation with the fiber web supporting and transferring means, and the fiber web is interposed between the fiber web supporting and transferring means and the fiber web pressing and transferring means. If sandwiched and transferred, it is preferable because the fiber on the web surface is not disturbed even when high-temperature and high-pressure steam is sprayed onto the transferred fiber web. At this time, both the fiber web carrying and transferring means and the pressing and transferring means may be porous endless belts that are driven and rotated in synchronization with each other by a driving source, or the fiber web pressing and transferring means and the fiber web. One of the carrying and transfer means may be an endless belt that is driven and rotated, and the other may be a porous rotating drum that is driven and rotated in synchronization with the endless belt.

  In the case of the former, it has suction means having a slit-like suction opening inside the endless belt and facing the nozzle hole of the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle. Preferably, the endless belt and the rotating drum are the closest parts, and it is desirable to have suction means having a slit-like suction opening inside the endless belt or the rotating drum. All of these suction means are fixed, and the endless belt or the rotating drum rotates in the vicinity of the slit-like suction opening surface.

  If a porous rotating drum is employed for either one of the fiber web pressing and transferring means and the fiber web carrying and transferring means, the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced. The structure and arrangement of the rotating drum and suction means can be substantially the same as the structure and arrangement of the rotating drum and suction means employed in the circular net paper machine. Further, as the porous endless belt and the rotating drum, for example, a metal net or punching metal can be used. At this time, it is desirable that the mesh degree of the fiber web pressing and transferring means does not exceed that of the fiber web carrying and transferring means. Generally, it is desirable that the mesh degree of each of these transfer means is 20 to 40 (pieces / 2.54 cm), and particularly when the mesh degree of the fiber web pressing and transferring means is less than 20 (pieces / 2.54 cm). Constituent fibers on the surface side pressed by the pressure transfer means pass through the mesh, jump out to the surface, and spread laterally. In particular, when the mesh degree of the fiber web pressing and transferring means exceeds 40 (pieces / 2.54 cm), clogging is likely to occur, and the sprayed water vapor is diffused along the surface of the fiber web pressing and transferring means and is ejected to the fiber web. Prevent water vapor penetration. When the mesh degree of the fiber web carrying / transporting means is also out of the above numerical range, it is difficult to produce a high quality nonwoven fabric.

  Usually, the pressurized steam jet nozzle is fixed at a predetermined position and is in a stationary state, and the fiber web pressing and transferring means and the fiber web carrying and transferring means also move in one direction so as to transfer the fiber web in one direction. However, in the present invention, the pressurized steam jet nozzle is reciprocated in a short stroke in the transverse direction of the fiber web transfer path, or the pressurized steam jet nozzle is fixed and the fiber is fixed. It is preferable that the web pressing and transferring means and the fiber web carrying and transferring means are reciprocated with the same short stroke in the transverse direction of the fiber web transfer path. Thus, when any one of the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle or the fiber web pressing and transferring means and the fiber web carrying and transferring means is reciprocated, the pressurized water vapor is jetted and applied uniformly in the width direction of the fiber web. A moire-like pattern due to water vapor ejected from the nozzle holes is not formed on the surface of the non-woven fabric, and a non-woven fabric having a uniform surface form is obtained. The stroke width of this reciprocation may be slightly longer than the pitch between nozzles, specifically about ± 5 mm, and the reciprocating speed is 30 to 300 times / min.

  By the way, it is preferable that the gap between the nozzle hole of the pressurized steam jet nozzle and the fiber web pressing and transferring means is as small as possible, and it is most preferable that the gap is directly slidable if possible. However, when the nozzle hole of the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle and the fiber web pressing and transferring means are brought into sliding contact with each other, damage due to wear of both is severe and the required durability cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is desirable to have a means for adjusting the gap between the nozzle hole of the pressurized steam jet nozzle and the fiber web pressing and transferring means. By this gap adjusting means, the gap between the nozzle hole of the pressurized steam jet nozzle and the fiber web pressing and transferring means can be optimally adjusted, and at the same time, the durability of the apparatus is ensured. Moreover, the 2nd gap | interval adjustment means which adjusts the clearance gap between the said fiber web press transfer means and the said fiber web carrying | support carrying means can also be provided. This is suitable for adjusting the clamping force corresponding to the constituent fiber material of the fiber web and the web thickness.

  Further, in the nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, a water vapor storage part is arranged in the pipe line of the pressurized water vapor supply pipe, the water vapor is temporarily stored in the water vapor storage part, and the dust in the water vapor collected there Etc. are preferably discharged together with the condensate, for example, via a trap. Furthermore, a heating means is arranged in a pipeline of a pressurized steam supply pipe between the steam storing part and one end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle, and between the steam storing part and the steam jet nozzle, Heating the steam passing through the heated steam supply pipe to generate superheated steam is preferable because high-temperature steam under a desired high pressure can be ejected to the fiber web. At this time, it is preferable that the water vapor pressure introduced into the water vapor ejection nozzle is 0.1 to 2 MPa because water vapor can be surely penetrated through the front and back of the fiber web.

  The pressurized water vapor ejected from the water vapor ejection nozzle is ejected to the outside from the nozzle hole, and at the same time, the temperature is suddenly lowered by adiabatic expansion. This decrease in temperature tends to condense the water vapor into a mist-like liquid that blows up to the periphery and ceases to be a high-pressure fluid, making it difficult to reach the inside of the fiber web. Superheated steam is steam that has been heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the saturation temperature under saturated steam pressure, and condensates and liquefies easily between the saturation temperature and the superheated temperature. Therefore, the superheated steam ejected from the steam ejection nozzle does not condense even when it hits the fiber web, penetrates and penetrates to the inside, and entangles the surrounding fibers while heating them. Accordingly, the fiber entanglement and the heat fusion are simultaneously performed by the passage of the heated steam.

  Even in the non-woven fabric manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, a pretreatment for facilitating entanglement of fibers in the web by the water vapor jet nozzle upstream of the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle in the fiber web transfer direction. It is desirable to arrange means.

  As described above, in the pre-stage where the fibers are entangled by the ejection of water vapor, pre-treatment is performed to shorten the distance between the fibers constituting the fiber web. It can be performed efficiently without spots.

  In the present invention, as the means for facilitating the entanglement, it is sufficient to simply spray the liquid on the surface of the fiber web, but for example, fiber entanglement by a conventional liquid flow or needle punch can also be adopted. For example, when wetted with water, the web becomes apparently thin and the distance between the fibers becomes short, so that the entanglement can be facilitated. This pretreatment is also effective in preventing fiber fluffing and scattering from the web surface due to the jetted water vapor. Furthermore, as the pretreatment, a low melting point fiber may be mixed in at least a part of the constituent fibers of the fiber web, and a heating device may be provided to further promote the thermal fusion of the fibers.

  Moreover, in the nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, a trap pipe branching from the pipe of the water vapor discharge pipe between the open / close valve and the other end of the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle can be arranged. Prior to the start of operation of the apparatus as described above, the open / close valve provided in the steam discharge pipe connected to the steam discharge port of the pressurized steam jet nozzle is opened, the pressurized steam is introduced from one end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle, and the other When the water vapor is discharged from the water vapor discharge port at the end and the internal temperature of the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle rises to a predetermined temperature, the opening / closing valve is closed.

  As described above, if a trap pipe branched from the pipe of the water vapor discharge pipe is provided, the fine liquid contained in the condensate and water vapor generated in the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle after the opening / closing valve is closed. Foreign matter flows along with the condensate to the trap pipe via the water vapor discharge pipe and is discharged to the outside in a timely manner, so that the nozzle hole is not clogged by the condensate or fine foreign matter even during operation of the device. The water vapor can be stably ejected from all the nozzle holes. As the pressurized steam jet nozzle applied to the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the pressurized steam jet nozzle of the present invention having the above-described configuration can be employed. In the above description, the example in which the pressurized steam jet nozzles are arranged in one stage has been described. However, the steam jet nozzles can be arranged in multiple stages in the traveling direction of the fiber web. In this case, as described above, a high-quality nonwoven fabric having a stable surface form can be obtained by alternately arranging the pressurized steam jet nozzle and the suction means thereof on the front and back of the fiber web.

  Furthermore, it is desirable to displace the nozzle holes of the pressurized steam jet nozzle in the width direction of the fiber web for each stage.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the 1st structural example of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to this invention. It is a reverse view of the nozzle. It is arrow sectional drawing along the II-II line | wire in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the A section shown by the arrow in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the nozzle hole shape of the said pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the other modified example of the nozzle hole shape of the said pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle similarly. It is sectional drawing which shows the further another modification of the nozzle hole shape of the said pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 3 which shows the 2nd structural example of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to this invention. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 3 which shows the 3rd structural example of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to this invention. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 3 which shows the 4th structural example of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the nozzle of the other example of arrangement | sequence of the nozzle hole of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the nozzle member of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to this invention. It is arrow sectional drawing of the XII-XII line | wire of FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing of the XIII-XIII line | wire of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the area | region B shown by the arrow of FIG. It is a perspective view of the principal part which shows the structure of the nozzle member. It is pipe line explanatory drawing which shows roughly 1st Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by this invention apparatus. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the water vapor pipe line with respect to the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle in the said 1st Embodiment. It is composition explanatory drawing which shows schematically 2nd Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by this invention apparatus. It is composition explanatory drawing which shows roughly 3rd Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by this invention apparatus. It is composition explanatory drawing which shows roughly 4th Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by this invention apparatus. It is composition explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the most suitable 4th Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by this invention apparatus in an outline. It is composition explanatory drawing which shows schematically 5th Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by this invention apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the heating part of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to this invention apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example which has arrange | positioned the water vapor | steam reflector between the fiber web and suction means in this invention apparatus.

Hereinafter, representative embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
1-4 has shown the typical 1st structural example of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to the manufacturing apparatus of the entangled nonwoven fabric which concerns on this invention. The pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 according to the first structural example is inserted into a nozzle holder 11, first and second flanges 12 and 13 fixed to both ends of the nozzle holder 11 by welding, and the inside of the nozzle holder 11. The cylindrical high mesh filter 14 having both ends supported by the first and second flanges 12 and 13 and a plurality of nozzle holes fixed by welding or bolts along the lower surface of the nozzle holder 11. And a nozzle member 15. The nozzle member 15 according to the illustrated example includes a first and second nozzle plate support members 15a and 15b, and a nozzle plate 16 fastened by a fixing bolt between the first and second nozzle plate support members 15a and 15b. And has.

  The first flange 12 fixed to the water vapor introduction side end of the nozzle holder 11 is formed with a through-hole 12c having a large diameter portion 12a and a small diameter portion 12b along the center line. It is connected via a plug 17 to a pressurized steam supply pipe (not shown) connected to the source. The second flange 13 fixed to the end of the water vapor discharge side of the nozzle holder 11 is also formed with a through hole 13c composed of a large diameter portion 13a and a small diameter portion 13b along the center line, and water vapor (not shown) Connected with the discharge pipe. At both ends of the high mesh filter 14, ring-shaped fixing members 18 and 19 that are airtightly fixed to the large-diameter portions 12 a and 13 a of the first and second flanges 12 and 13 are fixed.

  On the lower surface of the nozzle holder 11, a cut surface 11a is formed by being cut out in a plane until the inner space is reached, leaving both ends thereof. As a result, a slit-shaped opening 11b extending in the longitudinal direction is formed at the center of the lower surface of the nozzle holder 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the nozzle member 15 includes a prismatic first nozzle plate support member 15a and a plate-like second nozzle plate support member 15b having the same length and width as the first support member 15a. It consists of. A concave portion 15a ′ extending in the longitudinal direction is formed at the center of the lower surface of the first nozzle plate support member 15a except for both ends in the longitudinal direction. Further, a plurality of through holes 15a ″ communicating with the recessed portions 15a ′ are formed in the central portion of the upper surface so as to be arranged in a staggered manner in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the second nozzle plate support member 15b is formed with a slit-like opening 15b ′ extending in the longitudinal direction at a portion corresponding to the recessed portion 15a ′ as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. The slit-shaped opening 15b 'has a vertically long rectangular cross section on the opposite side of the recessed portion 15a' and a trapezoidal cross section that continuously expands downward at the lower end thereof. The portion of the second nozzle plate support member 15b where the slit-like opening 15b ′ is formed is formed in a thin portion 15b ″ having a predetermined width than the other portions, and the first nozzle facing the thin portion 15b ″. The lower surface of the plate support member 15a has a protruding portion 15c that fits into the thin portion 15b ″.

  The nozzle plate 16 is formed of an elongated thin plate piece having a size and a shape to be fitted into the thin wall portion 15b ″, and a plurality of nozzle plates 16 formed in a row or in a row in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined pitch at the center in the width direction. 1 and 3, the first nozzle plate support member 15a brings the upper surface of the first nozzle plate support member 15a into close contact with the cut surface 11a of the nozzle holder 11. In this state, the nozzle plate 16 is fixedly integrated by welding.The nozzle plate 16 has a mating surface between the protruding portion 15c of the first nozzle plate support member 15a and the thin portion 15b ″ of the second nozzle plate support member 15b. The first nozzle plate support member 15a and the second nozzle plate support member 15b are bolted through the O-ring 20 while being sandwiched between them. It is firmly supported by being fixed to the hermetically by one. Accordingly, the nozzle plate 16 can be easily removed by removing the bolts 21, so that cleaning and replacement can be easily performed.

  The nozzle hole 16a is not limited to a simple cylindrical shape, but may have a shape as shown in FIGS. As for the shape of the nozzle hole 16a shown in FIG. 5, the upper part is an inverted truncated cone shape, and the lower part continuing to the inverted truncated cone shape is formed in a cylindrical shape. When this hole shape is adopted, as shown in the figure, when the height of the cylindrical shape is L and the diameter of the cylindrical shape is D, the value of L / D can be set to 1-2. It is desirable from both sides to ensure good converging properties and to enable high-precision drilling.

  In FIG. 6, a groove having an inverted trapezoidal cross section is formed on the upper surface of the nozzle plate 16, a plurality of cylindrical holes are formed on the bottom surface with a predetermined pitch in the length direction, and both left and right ends along the cylindrical hole row are formed. Is excised. If the tip ridge line portion of the protruding cylindrical hole is processed into an arc shape at this time, the surface fibers of the fiber web will not be disturbed even if the nozzle hole 16a is brought into contact with or close to the fiber web at the time of steam ejection. The shape of the nozzle hole 16a shown in FIG. 7 forms a ring piece 16a ′ extending concentrically from the lower end periphery of the cylindrical hole inward. By adopting such a hole shape, the high-pressure water vapor ejected from the nozzle hole 16a becomes a focused flow.

  According to the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 having such a configuration, as described later, for example, when high-temperature and high-pressure steam is jetted from the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10, the steam is introduced from one end of the pipe-shaped nozzle holder 11 during startup. If it is discharged from the other end, fresh high-temperature and high-pressure water vapor passes through the nozzle holder 11 without any obstruction, so that the temperature of the nozzle holder 11 whose temperature has been lowered is raised to a predetermined temperature in a short time. Can do. This is because when the nozzle holder is provided only with the steam inlet opening as in the prior art, even if fresh high-temperature and high-pressure steam is introduced into the nozzle holder, the steam does not circulate inside the nozzle holder. Since it fills the inside, water vapor is likely to condense, and it takes a long time to raise the temperature of the nozzle holder.

  The plate thickness of the nozzle plate 16 is preferably 0.5 to 1 mm. If it is smaller than 0.5 mm, it is difficult to obtain sufficient strength to withstand the water vapor pressure, and if it exceeds 1 mm, it is difficult to process the fine nozzle holes 16a with high accuracy. For forming the nozzle hole 16a, electric discharge machining or laser machining is employed. Further, if the diameter of the water vapor outlet of the nozzle hole 16a is smaller than 0.05 mm, not only the processing is difficult, but clogging is likely to occur, and if it exceeds 1 mm, it becomes difficult to obtain a required jet power when water vapor is ejected. If the pitch between the nozzles is 0.5 to 3 mm, sufficient entanglement can be obtained between the constituent fibers of the fiber web.

  FIG. 8 shows a second structural example of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 applied to the entangled nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. The difference between the second structure example and the first structure example described above is the structure of the first nozzle plate support member 15a fixed to the cut surface 11a of the nozzle holder 11 by welding. According to this second structure example, the through holes 15a ″ arranged in a staggered manner are eliminated from the first nozzle plate support member 15a, and the recessed portion 15a ′ is formed in the cut surface 11a of the nozzle holder 11 as it is. In the case of high-temperature and high-pressure steam, when the steam pressure in the nozzle holder 11 is in a stable state, there is almost no fluctuation in the pressure distribution in the length direction. On the contrary, the presence of the through hole 15a ″ disturbs the water vapor flow. Further, since the plurality of through holes 15a ″ are eliminated from the first nozzle plate support member 15a, the structure is simplified and the processing is also simplified.

  FIG. 9 shows a third structural example of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. The difference between the third structural example and the first structural example described above is that the periphery of the nozzle holder 11 is encapsulated by a cylindrical jacket 22 having an open bottom surface, and the opening end portion of the first structural example is the first first structural example. The nozzle plate support member 15a is fixed by welding. By supplying and heating a heating medium such as water vapor or a heat medium into the cylindrical jacket 22, it is possible to prevent partial condensation of water vapor from occurring inside the nozzle holder 11 due to a cooling action by outside air. It is also effective to use an electric heater or the like instead of the cylindrical jacket 22 for heating.

  FIG. 10 shows a fourth structure example of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. The difference between the fourth structure example and the third structure example is fixed to the cut surface 11a of the nozzle holder 11 by welding in the same manner as the difference between the first structure example and the second structure example. The first nozzle plate support member 15a has the structure. According to the fourth structure example, the through holes 15a ″ arranged in a staggered manner are excluded from the first nozzle plate support member 15a in the third structure example, and the recessed portion 15a ′ is removed as it is. It communicates with a slit-shaped opening 11b formed in the surface 11a, which has the above-described function of the third structure example in addition to the function of the second structure example.

  In the above embodiment, an example is given in which a plurality of nozzle holes 16a formed in the nozzle plate 16 are arranged in a line. However, in the present invention, the plurality of nozzle holes 16a formed in the nozzle plate 16 are arranged. As shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), they can be arranged in two or more rows. As described above, when the nozzle holes 16a are arranged in, for example, two rows, it is preferable that the nozzle holes 16a arranged between the rows are arranged in a staggered manner with a ½ pitch shift. When the nozzle holes 16a are arranged in a staggered manner, the pitch is substantially reduced as a whole even if the pitch between the nozzle holes 16a on the same row is made longer than in the case of a single row, and the pressurized steam jet nozzle The pressurized water vapor ejected from 10 is uniformly applied in the width direction of the fiber web to be transferred, and the moire-like pattern is hardly attached.

  FIGS. 12-16 has shown other embodiment of the pressurized water vapor | steam ejection nozzle applied to the manufacturing apparatus of the entangled nonwoven fabric which concerns on this invention. In this embodiment, the difference from the first to fourth structural examples is that the nozzle member 23 is composed of divided pieces of the first and second nozzle plate support members 15a and 15b as in the above embodiment. Instead, it is composed of a single member, and the nozzle hole 26 is directly formed in the nozzle member 23. Therefore, the nozzle plate 16 as a separate body is not required as in the above-described embodiment.

  On the upper surface of the nozzle member 23 according to this embodiment, a ship-shaped recessed groove portion 24 communicating with a slit-shaped opening 11 b formed in the longitudinal direction formed in the center of the lower surface of the nozzle holder 11, and a ship bottom portion of the recessed groove portion 24. A groove portion 25 having a rectangular cross section formed along, a plurality of inverted frustoconical holes 26a formed at a predetermined pitch along the length direction of the rectangular cross section groove portion 25, and a lower end of each reverse frustoconical hole 26a. And a cylindrical hole 26b formed as described above. The inverted truncated cone hole 26a and the cylindrical hole 26b constitute the nozzle hole 26 in this embodiment. Furthermore, the external shape of the nozzle member is an elongated rectangular shape in a front view, and has a curved shape in which a lower surface protrudes downward in a side view (see FIG. 14).

  As described above, the nozzle member 23 according to the present embodiment is configured as a single member, and the nozzle member 15 is configured integrally with the nozzle plate 16 as in the above-described embodiment, and the nozzle member 15 is also configured as the first and second nozzle members 15. Since the nozzle plate support members 15a and 15b are not divided, the number of parts is reduced, and the complexity of the assembling work is eliminated. In particular, in the first embodiment, the nozzle hole 16a is formed in the nozzle plate 16, and the surface facing the fiber web is not formed directly in the water vapor ejection side opening of the nozzle hole 16a but in the second nozzle plate support member 15b. In this embodiment, since the nozzle hole 26 can be directly opposed to the fiber web, the gap between the water vapor ejection opening end of the nozzle hole 26 and the fiber web is arbitrarily set. And more efficient fiber entanglement can be realized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the groove-shaped recess 24 having the above-described ship shape and the groove 25 having a rectangular cross section formed along the bottom of the recess-shaped groove 24 are formed in the same nozzle member 23, the pressure drop of water vapor is reduced. Furthermore, since the nozzle member itself has a curved shape (see FIG. 14) in which the lower surface projects downward, the contact area with the fiber web can be reduced when the fiber web travels, and the fiber web travels. It will be smoother. Also in this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is desirable to set the value of the ratio between the height and the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole 26b to 1 to 2, and the diameter of the cylindrical hole 26b is The pitch between the nozzle holes 26 is set to 0.1 to 1 mm and 0.5 to 3 mm.

  FIGS. 17 and 18 schematically show a first embodiment of a nonwoven fabric manufacturing process by a manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention to which these pressurized steam jet nozzles 10 are suitably applied. An endless belt 30 is disposed below the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 at a predetermined interval. The endless belt 30 rotates in one direction so as to cross the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. Therefore, both end reversing portions of the endless belt 30 are driven and supported by a driving roll 31 and a driven roll 32 that are driven by a driving motor (not shown), and are supported by a tension roller 33 on the lower side to be suitable for the endless belt 30. Giving proper tension. The endless belt 30 is composed of a mesh-like woven fabric coarsely woven using, for example, a thick line made of synthetic resin.

  The mesh degree can be set arbitrarily. Moreover, the space | interval of the said pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle 10 and the fiber web conveyed to the endless belt 30 is set to 0-30 mm or less according to the fiber density and the thickness of a fiber web. If it exceeds 30 mm, the temperature and momentum of the jetted steam flow will decrease. The water vapor pressure introduced into the pressurized water vapor jet nozzle 10 is desirably 0.1 to 2 MPa based on the material and fiber density of the constituent fibers of the fiber web, and the water vapor ejected from the steam jet nozzle is superheated water vapor. Then, even if the superheated steam ejected from the nozzle hole 16a causes a temperature drop due to adiabatic expansion, it does not become mist-like steam and does not scatter.

  Suction means is disposed below the endless belt 30 corresponding to the installation site of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. In the present embodiment, the suction means includes a suction box 40, a vacuum pump 42 connected to the suction box 40 via a separator tank 41 via a pipe, and a mist separator 43 connected to the discharge side of the vacuum pump 42. Consists of Here, the separator tank 41 is a gas-liquid separation tank for separating water vapor sucked by the suction box 40 into gas-liquid, and the mist separator 43 is a foreign substance or harmful gas in water vapor discharged from the vacuum pump 42. Or it removes a liquid etc. from water vapor | steam, and also has a function as a silencer which reduces the noise which generate | occur | produces from a vacuum pump while releasing clean water vapor | steam (gas) outside.

  The pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 has a nozzle structure as shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, and high-pressure steam supplied from the pressurized steam supply source S1 is at the steam introduction side at the end of the steam introduction side. It is introduced through the main line (c1). In the water vapor introduction side main pipe (c1), the water vapor sent from the water vapor supply source S1 is once guided to the water vapor storage section 51, and the drain contained in the water vapor is stored at the bottom, and this is connected to the first trap pipe. It collects in a collection tank (not shown) via 57. The water vapor introduced into the water vapor reservoir 51 is heated by the heater 54 through the pressure control valve 52 and the precision filter 53 to become superheated water vapor, and is sent to the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle 10.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a temperature detector WI and a pressure detector PI are arranged between the heater 54 and the steam introduction side end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. Has been. The steam introduction side main pipe (c1) has a water vapor replenishment pipe (c2) branched from the installation site of the heater 54, and this water vapor replenishment pipe (c2) is connected to the pressurized water vapor supply source S2. Yes. A first opening / closing valve 55 that operates in response to a temperature detection signal from the heater 54 is interposed in the middle of the water vapor replenishment line (c2), and the water vapor temperature detected by the temperature detector WI is provided. When the temperature falls below the lower limit, the on-off valve 55 is opened to supply new water vapor to the water vapor introduction side main pipe (c1) to raise the superheated water vapor temperature to a predetermined temperature range. The replenishment water vapor amount is adjusted by adjusting the opening of the open / close valve 55 so that the superheated water vapor temperature becomes a predetermined temperature.

  With the system as described above, the temperature of the target water vapor can be controlled within a predetermined temperature range. The pressure detector PI is connected to a pressure control valve 52 arranged on the upstream side of the precision filter 53, and adjusts the water vapor pressure in the water vapor introduction side main pipe (c1) to be kept constant.

  On the other hand, a second temperature detector TI is arranged at the end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 on the steam discharge side, and the end of the steam discharge side is connected to the steam discharge pipe (c3). The water vapor discharge pipe (c3) is connected to the second temperature detector TI and has a second opening / closing valve 56 which is closed when the water vapor temperature detected by the temperature detector TI reaches a set temperature. It is intervened. Further, even when the second trap pipe 57 is branched from the downstream side of the second opening / closing valve 56 and the second opening / closing valve 56 is closed and the water vapor discharge pipe (c3) is closed, The drain generated in the nozzle holder 11 of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is always discharged to a collection tank (not shown).

  Further, in the present embodiment, in FIG. 18, at the end of the pressurized water vapor introduction side of the nozzle holder 11, a water vapor condensate discharge port is formed on the bottom surface, and the discharge port is connected to the drain line (c4) and the first. Three open / close valves 62 are connected. At this time, the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is slightly lifted upward with the end portion of the steam discharge pipe (c3) with the end portion on the pressurized steam introduction side as the base end portion, and the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is inclined. deep. The pressurized water vapor introduced into the nozzle holder 11 inevitably condenses and liquefies during the operation of the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle 10. As described above, the first nozzle plate support member 15a is fixed to the opening on the bottom surface side of the nozzle holder 11 so as to be fitted. For this reason, a step is formed between the bottom surface of the nozzle holder 11 and the first nozzle plate support member 15a so that the top surface of the support member 15a becomes higher. Normally, condensation generated in the nozzle holder 11 is generated. The liquid (water) does not reach the nozzle plate 16, but if the amount of condensate increases, it does not necessarily flow into the nozzle plate 16 beyond the step. As a result, the pressurized steam is not smoothly ejected.

  As described above, if a vapor condensate discharge port is formed on the bottom surface of the pressurized water vapor introduction side end of the nozzle holder 11 and is connected to the drain line (c4) via the third on-off valve 62, If necessary, the third on-off valve 62 can be opened to discharge the condensate accumulated on the bottom surface of the nozzle holder 11 to the outside. At this time, if the end of the pressurized water vapor introduction side of the nozzle holder 11 is set to be slightly lower than the end of the water vapor discharge pipe (c3) as described above, the bottom of the nozzle holder 11 is provided. The accumulated condensate is automatically collected at the condensate discharge port at the end of the pressurized steam introduction side, so that the discharge becomes easy. In order to collect the condensate on the bottom surface side of the nozzle holder 11 and smoothly flow to the end of the pressurized water vapor introduction side, a concave groove along the longitudinal direction is formed on the bottom surface of the nozzle holder 11. Is preferred.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water injection pipe 58 which provides water toward the surface of the fiber web not shown is installed on the upstream side in the fiber web traveling direction of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. A guide plate 59 for guiding the water jetted from the water jet pipe 58 to the fiber web surface is disposed between the water jet pipe 58 and the fiber web, and the water jetted from the water jet pipe 58 is directly fed to the web. Instead of being applied to the surface, the water is made to flow down through the guide plate 59. This water injection pipe 58 corresponds to pretreatment means for facilitating the entanglement in the present invention, and before receiving the blow by the pressurized steam from the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10, water is applied to make the appearance of the fiber web appear. Thus, the distance between the fibers in the web can be shortened, and the tangled fibers in the web can be facilitated by the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. A second suction box 45 is also installed below the endless belt 30 corresponding to the installation site of the guide plate 59, and this suction box 45 is also connected to the vacuum pump 42 via a gas-liquid separation tank 46. ing.

  An exhaust port of the top plate portion of the separator tank 41 is connected to a suction pipe (c5) connecting the gas-liquid separation tank 46 and the vacuum pump 42 via an opening / closing valve 47, and the bottom portion of the separator tank 41 is Via the fluid pump 48, the water jet pipe 58 and the water supply source WA are joined to a connection pipe line (c6). Further, a water level detector 49 is arranged between the upper limit water level portion and the lower limit water level portion of the separator tank 41, and when the water level of the separator tank 41 exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit, a signal is sent to the not shown. The operation of the fluid pump 48 is stopped by a command from the control device.

  In the present embodiment, the opening / closing lid 60 is installed so as to enclose the installation section of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 and the water jet pipe 58. A suction pump 61 is connected to the top plate portion of the opening / closing lid 60, and the suction pump 61 constantly sucks mist-like water vapor generated at the installation portion of the pressurized water vapor injection nozzle 10 and the water injection pipe 58 to the outside. It is trying to release. Although not shown in the present embodiment, naturally, the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 and its steam introduction pipe and steam discharge pipe are heat insulating materials such as glass fiber mats with aluminum foil except for the steam jet nozzle holes. It is covered with.

  According to the nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above, prior to operation, first, the second on-off valve 56 of the steam discharge pipe (c3) of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is opened to introduce steam. When high-pressure superheated steam is introduced from the side main pipe (c1), fresh superheated steam flows through the inside of the nozzle holder 11 of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 from the introduction side opening to the discharge side opening, and the nozzle holder 11 is required. The temperature is quickly raised to the overheating temperature. At this time, the temperature is detected by a temperature detector TI installed at the end of the water vapor discharge side of the nozzle holder 11, and when the detected temperature reaches a required temperature, the opening degree of the second opening / closing valve 56 is set. Adjust. At the same time as adjusting the opening degree of the opening / closing valve 56, the endless belt 30 is driven to start its rotation.

  By turning the endless belt 30, water sprayed from the water spray pipe 58 is first given to the surface of the fiber web (not shown) transported on the belt via the guide plate 59. The amount of water at this time is sufficient to only wet the fibers on the surface of the fiber web and stabilize its form, so a small amount is sufficient. You can just spray the water. In addition, depending on the material of the fiber which comprises a fiber web, it may be entangled easily and in that case, the means for facilitating entanglement is not taken beforehand. On the other hand, depending on the material of the fibers constituting the fiber web, it may be difficult to facilitate the entanglement only by providing water. In such a case, a high-pressure water flow similar to the conventional one may be injected as disclosed in Patent Document 5 described above instead of the water application, but in this case as well, the amount of water is not necessarily large but small. There may be.

  Columnar or focused flow superheated steam having a uniform pressure and temperature is then applied to the surface of the fiber web to which water has been applied to the surface, and is ejected from each nozzle hole 16a of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. A superheated steam stream penetrates into the web and entangled fiber nonwoven fabric by water vapor is continuously manufactured through the web while simultaneously fusing the surrounding fibers while entangled with the surrounding fibers. At this time, the second open / close valve 56 installed in the steam discharge pipe (c3) is in a closed state, and drainage is generated inside the nozzle holder 11 of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10, but this drain is It is always recovered in a recovery tank installed outside the system via a second trap pipe 57 branched from the upstream side of the second opening / closing valve 56.

  As a result, the superheated steam ejected from the nozzle hole 16a is ejected stably and continuously without intermittent ejection. In this way, stable superheated steam is continuously jetted onto the surface of the traveling fiber web, so that the entire web is evenly entangled, producing an extremely high quality nonwoven fabric with the required strength. Is done.

  FIG. 19: has shown the outline | summary of 2nd Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by the manufacturing apparatus of the nonwoven fabric which concerns on this invention. In this embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that the means for facilitating the confounding disposed on the upstream side of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is eliminated, and the fiber web carrying and transferring means in the present invention is described above. A second endless belt 34, which is a fiber web pressing and transferring means of the present invention that rotates in the same direction as the endless belt 30, is disposed opposite to the web transfer surface of the endless belt 30, and the first and second The endless belts 30 and 34 are transported in a state in which a fiber web (not shown) is sandwiched, and superheated steam ejected from the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is passed through the second endless belt 34 from the upper surface of the fiber web to the lower endless belt. 30.

  In this way, when the superheated steam is applied to the web surface while the fiber web is sandwiched between the two endless belts 30 and 34, the superheated steam is applied by the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 as in the first embodiment. In addition to eliminating the need to take measures for facilitating the confounding prior to the web, the web form is not destroyed by the blow of the superheated steam from the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10, and as a result, the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10. It is also possible to further increase the pressure of the superheated steam ejected from the steam, and the superheated steam flow ejected at a high pressure can surely penetrate the fiber web. In this embodiment, the porosity (mesh degree) of the second endless belt 34 facing the upper surface of the fiber web is set to be coarser than that of the lower endless belt 40, but it is not necessarily rough and is equivalent. It is also possible to set the void ratio.

  FIG. 20: has shown the outline | summary of 3rd Embodiment of the manufacturing process by the manufacturing apparatus of the nonwoven fabric which concerns on this invention. In this embodiment, the difference from the second embodiment described above is that the arrangement positions of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 and the suction box 40 are reversed. That is, the suction box 40 is disposed toward the back surface of the second endless belt 34 disposed on the web running side, and the nozzle hole 16a of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is disposed on the endless belt 30 disposed below. High pressure superheated steam is jetted onto the lower surface of a fiber web (not shown) which is disposed toward the back side of the web running side and runs while being pinched between the belt 30 and the second endless belt 34 through the endless belt 30. I am letting.

  Thus, when the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is arranged on the lower surface of the endless belt 30 and high-pressure superheated steam is jetted from below into the fiber web, the drain generated in the nozzle holder 11 of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 becomes nozzle holder. 11, only high-pressure superheated steam is always ejected from the nozzle hole 16a disposed on the upper surface, and in addition to the function of the second embodiment, the nozzle hole 16a Superheated steam can be ejected continuously, not intermittently, and a high quality entangled fiber nonwoven fabric is produced. In this embodiment, naturally, the mesh of the endless belt 30 disposed below is roughened.

  FIG. 21: has shown the outline | summary of 4th Embodiment of the manufacturing process of the nonwoven fabric by the manufacturing apparatus of the nonwoven fabric which concerns on this invention. According to this embodiment, when the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle 10 and the suction box 40 disposed opposite to the nozzle 10 are taken as one set, a plurality of sets (two sets in the illustrated example) transfer the fiber web. Further, the arrangement of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 and the suction box 40 in each set is reversed upside down. That is, the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is disposed toward the upper surface of the second endless belt 34 that travels together while pressing the upper surface of the fiber web through the nozzle hole 16a of the first set of pressurized steam jet nozzles 10. At the same time, the suction box 40 is disposed toward the lower surface of the first endless belt 30 that carries the suction opening of the suction box 40 from below and transfers the fiber web. On the other hand, the second set of pressurized water vapor jet nozzles 10 are arranged toward the lower surface of the first endless belt 30 that carries the nozzle hole 16a from below and carries the fiber web from below, and the suction box 40 includes: The suction opening is disposed toward the upper surface of the second endless belt 34 that travels together while pressing the fiber web from above.

  Thus, when high-pressure superheated steam is jetted from the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 alternately toward the upper surface and the lower surface of the fiber web that is sandwiched and transported by the first and second endless belts 30 and 34, High pressure superheated steam will act evenly on the front and back sides of the fiber web, and the entanglement of the constituent fibers will proceed evenly on the front and back surfaces of the manufactured nonwoven fabric, making it easier to ensure the form stability as the nonwoven fabric. Moreover, there is no distinction between the front and back in terms of appearance, and the product value is improved.

  FIG. 22 schematically shows the main part of the most preferred fourth embodiment in the manufacturing process by the nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 23 in the figure denotes the nozzle member of the high-pressure steam jet nozzle shown in FIGS. 11 to 16, and an endless belt 34 that is a fiber web pressing and transferring means is disposed close to the lower surface of the nozzle member 23 to carry the fiber web. The fiber web W carried and transported by the first endless belt 30 serving as transport means is transported in cooperation while being sandwiched by the endless belt 34, and the nozzle hole of the nozzle member 23 is sandwiched between the transports. High pressure superheated steam is jetted to the fiber web surface through 26. A suction box 40 as a suction means is disposed in the vicinity of the lower surface of the first endless belt 30.

  In this embodiment, the suction opening of the suction box 40 is disposed at a position facing the nozzle hole 26 of the nozzle member 23, and the shape thereof is a slit shape so as to avoid suction of surrounding gas as much as possible. The opening width of the slit opening is preferably about 10 mm, and the suction force of the ventilation fan used in a normal factory, that is, about 300 Pa is sufficient, and if it is larger, it is oriented to the constituent fibers of the fiber web. If it is smaller than that, the suction power will be insufficient. Of course, this suction force needs to be adjusted within a required range also by the thickness and density of the fiber web and the water vapor pressure when ejected from the nozzle member 23.

  In this embodiment, in order to maintain the gap between the nozzle member 23 and the second endless belt 34 and the gap between the first endless belt 30 and the suction box 40, the lower surface of the first endless belt 30 is supported and guided. A plurality of supporting rotating rolls 35a and a plurality of regulating guide rolls 35b for regulating and guiding the upper surface position of the second endless belt 34 are provided. By providing the support rotating roll 35a and the regulation guide roll 35b, not only can the fiber web W be sandwiched and transferred by the first and second endless belts 30 and 34 with an appropriate sandwiching force, but each endless It is possible to avoid the sliding contact between the belts 30 and 34 and the nozzle member 23 and the suction box 40 and at the same time maintain the facing gap minutely. In addition, these support rotation rolls 35a and regulation guide rolls 35b can be adjusted by using known vertical position adjusting means, respectively.

  FIG. 23: has shown the outline | summary of 5th Embodiment of the manufacturing process by the manufacturing apparatus of the nonwoven fabric which concerns on this invention. In this embodiment, a porous rotating drum 36 is employed as a means for carrying and transferring the fiber web W. As the fiber web pressing and transferring means, a porous endless belt 34 is used as in the above embodiment.

  The endless belt 34 is disposed above the rotating drum 36 so as to be wound around a peripheral surface in a required central angle region of the rotating drum 36 disposed below. At this time, the endless belt 34 and the rotating drum 36 are synchronously driven and rotated in the opposite directions. A fiber web W is introduced between the endless belt 34 and the rotating drum 36 via an endless belt 37, a guide plate or a guide roll (not shown), and the fiber web W is interposed between the endless belt 34 and the rotating drum 36. Is sent out to the discharge side while circling the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 36 corresponding to the central angle.

  On the other hand, the high-pressure and high-temperature steam ejected from the pressurized steam ejection nozzle 10 installed inside the endless belt 34 enters the fiber web W sandwiched and transferred between the endless belt 34 and the rotary drum 36. The fiber web W penetrates the fiber web W while entangled with the constituent fibers of the fiber web W, and is discharged to the outside through a suction box 38 installed inside the rotary drum 36. The suction box 38 has a suction port 38a formed in a slit shape which is equal to the width dimension of the fiber web W and is long in the width direction, and performs efficient suction. The width of the suction port 38a is preferably about 10 mm as in the fourth embodiment described above, but can be changed to some extent depending on the thickness and density of the fiber web or its material. The suction port 38a of the suction box 38 is a position facing the nozzle holes 16a and 26 of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10, and is fixed in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the rotary drum 36. The sucked steam is not shown. It is discharged to the outside through a discharge passage formed in the center portion of the rotation shaft of the rotary drum 36 via the swivel joint.

  In the present embodiment, a pressurized high-temperature air ejecting device 39 is further installed inside the endless belt 34 and upstream of the pressurized steam ejecting nozzle 10, and is disposed inside the rotating drum 36. A second suction port 38b is formed on the upstream side of the suction port 38a of the suction box 38, which corresponds to the pressurized high-temperature air ejection device 39. The shape and dimensions of the suction port 38b are substantially the same as those of the suction port 38a, but the ejection pressure of the hot pressurized air ejected from the suction port 38a may be set smaller than the ejection pressure from the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle 10. In addition, the dimension of the nozzle hole (not shown) may not be set strictly.

  This is because the application of the pressurized air to the fiber web W is different from the application of the pressurized water vapor, the pressurized air is applied prior to the application of the water vapor, and the constituent fibers near the surface of the fiber web W are entangled, This is because it is made for the purpose of temporarily ensuring the surface form of the fiber web W. For example, if a low melting point fiber is mixed in a part of the constituent fibers of the fiber web W, the low melting point fiber is melted by using the pressurized high-temperature air jetting device 39 and the surrounding fibers are melted. The surface form of the fiber web W can also be stabilized by fusing together. The nozzle member shown in FIGS. 1 to 16 can also be used as the nozzle member used in this embodiment, and the steam circuit for the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 in this embodiment is also shown in FIGS. The circuit illustrated in 18 can be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the nozzle hole 16a of the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle 10 having the above-described structure is simply arranged toward the fiber web carrying and / or pressing and conveying means. Further, the entire pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 can be positively heated to maintain a high temperature. FIG. 24 shows an example. According to the figure, a heating box 27 is used that accommodates the entire pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 including the nozzle holder 11, the nozzle plate support member 15, and the nozzle plate 16. The heating box 27 is composed of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped that accommodates the entirety of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 and has the entire surface of the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 to which the nozzle hole 16a is directed, and hot air is formed at the center of the top plate portion 27a. An introduction port 27b is formed. The hot air inlet 27b is connected to an external hot air supply pipe 28. The high temperature purified air introduced by the fan 28a through the filter 28b and heated by the heater 28c is sent to the heating box 27 through the hot air supply pipe 28, and the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 The whole is positively heated with hot air.

  Thus, by heating the whole pressurized steam jet nozzle 10, the temperature drop of the pressurized steam and superheated steam introduced into the nozzle holder 11 is effectively prevented, and the pressurized steam jet is maintained while maintaining the required temperature. It can be made to eject toward the fiber web W from the nozzle 10. As a result, not only efficient fiber entanglement can be realized, but also the form of the produced nonwoven fabric is stabilized and desired strength and texture can be obtained.

  Moreover, according to the example of illustration, it exists in the front-and-back wall surface 27c, 27d of the fiber web transfer direction of the heating box 27, Comprising: The peripheral surface of seal roll 29a, 29b is contact | abutted to the lower end part. These seal rolls 29a and 29b are stainless-steel smooth rolls or rolls coated with resin or the like on the peripheral surface, and even if they are free rotating rolls, they are driven and rotated in synchronization with the transfer speed of the fiber web W. Also good. By providing such seal rolls 29a and 29b, it is possible to prevent the escape of hot air from the heating box 27 and at the same time prevent the intrusion of the outside air, and the heating efficiency for the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is improved.

  Further, in this example, the outside air shielding plate 63 having an opening corresponding to the suction opening portion of the suction box 40 disposed to face the first endless belt 30 that is the carrier web of the fiber web W is further provided. 1 It is interposed between the endless belt 30 and the suction box 40. The front and rear end portions of the outside air shielding plate 63 in the fiber web transfer direction are respectively curved downward so that the passage of the fiber web W is smoothly stabilized. As described above, by interposing the outside air shielding plate 63 between the first endless belt 30 and the suction box 40, outside air enters the ejection area of pressurized steam or superheated steam ejected from the pressurized steam ejection nozzle 10. This can be prevented, and the jetted pressurized steam or superheated steam can be efficiently applied to the fiber web W. As a result, the surface form of the produced nonwoven fabric is further leveled and the fiber entanglement is densified.

  FIG. 25 shows a further modification of the device of the present invention. According to this modified example, the water vapor reflecting plate 64 is interposed between the first endless belt 30 and the suction box 40 in the same manner as the outside air shielding plate 63. The difference between the vapor reflecting plate 64 and the outside air shielding plate 63 is that the outside air shielding plate 63 has an opening extending in the column direction of the nozzle holes 16a at the center and is formed on a smooth surface. On the other hand, the water vapor reflecting plate 64 is made of a porous plate material. Now, when the pressurized steam or superheated steam ejected from the pressurized steam ejection nozzle 10 passes through the second endless belt 34, the fiber web W, and the first endless belt 30, a part of the steam is sucked by the suction box 40. However, most of the light is reflected by the water vapor reflecting plate 64 and acts on the lower surface of the fiber web W again, and the constituent fibers and the surrounding fibers are pushed into the web and simultaneously entangled. As a result, the entanglement ratio of the constituent fibers on the lower surface side of the fiber web W increases, and the quality is improved in terms of appearance and strength.

  Further, in the present invention, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 18, the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 is reciprocated slightly in the longitudinal direction, or the first and second endless belts 30, 34 are connected to the fiber web. At the same time, it can be finely reciprocated in the direction crossing the fiber web transfer path. A driving mechanism for the reciprocating motion is not shown in the figure, but a conventionally known mechanism for applying lateral vibration to a net such as a long net paper machine can be employed. Further, the stroke of reciprocation (vibration) is preferably about 5 mm to the left and right from the center of reciprocation, and the number of reciprocations is arbitrarily adjusted in the range of 30 to 300 times / min. As described above, when the pressurized steam jet nozzle 10 or the first and second endless belts 30 and 34 are reciprocated, the pressurized steam or superheated steam jetted from the plurality of nozzle holes arranged in a row is converted into the fiber web. As a result, the surface of the fiber is evenly applied in the width direction, and a more uniform fiber entanglement and surface form can be obtained without forming a moire pattern on the surface.

  As described above, according to the apparatus of the present invention, not only can the high pressure and high temperature steam be surely penetrated into the fiber web by the pressurized steam jet nozzle having a simple structure, but also the longitudinal direction of the nozzle holder. In the case where the opening of the water vapor discharge side can be opened and closed by the opening / closing valve 56 (FIG. 18) and the trap pipe is branched upstream of the opening / closing valve, When the same open / close valve is opened in advance, fresh pressurized water vapor is introduced into the pressurized water vapor ejection nozzle and discharged to the outside through the opening on the water vapor discharge side, the internal temperature of the nozzle holder is rapidly increased by the pressurized water vapor. Since the temperature rises, the preparation time at the start of production of the nonwoven fabric can be greatly shortened.

  When the production of the nonwoven fabric is started, the on-off valve 56 is closed, but the drain generated inside the nozzle holder is continuously collected in the collection tank from the opening on the water vapor discharge side through the trap pipe, and thus continuously. In addition, a high-quality nonwoven fabric can be manufactured stably. In the above-described embodiment, superheated steam is used as the steam, but normal steam may be used depending on the material of the constituent fibers of the fiber web.

Claims (1)

An apparatus for producing a nonwoven fabric by entangling the constituent fibers of the fiber web by injecting the pressure steam onto a fiber web that runs against a number of nozzle holes formed in the longitudinal direction of the pressurized steam jet nozzle. There,
A pressurized steam supply source connected to one end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle via a pressurized steam supply pipe; a steam discharge pipe connected to the other end of the pressurized steam jet nozzle via an open / close valve;
A porous fiber web carrying and transferring means that faces a plurality of nozzle holes formed in the pressurized steam jet nozzle at a predetermined interval and moves in one direction across the pressurized steam jet nozzle;
A vapor suction means disposed on the opposite side of the pressurized vapor ejection nozzle across the transfer means;
An apparatus for producing a nonwoven fabric, comprising:

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