JP2016129968A - Sheet production apparatus and sheet production method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet production apparatus in which a flow rate fluctuation of a fibrillated product, which flows in the sheet production apparatus, can be grasped.SOLUTION: A sheet production apparatus 100 has: a fibrillation part 20 for fibrillating a fiber-containing raw material to obtain the fibrillated product; a sorting part 40 for sorting the fibrillated product obtained in the fibrillation part 20; a web formation part 45 for piling up the fibrillated product to form a web V; a detection part 130 for detecting the thickness of the web V; and a deposition part for depositing the loosened web V.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet manufacturing apparatus and a sheet manufacturing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a sheet manufacturing apparatus, a so-called wet method is adopted in which a raw material containing fibers is put into water, disaggregated mainly by a mechanical action, and re-made. Such a wet type sheet manufacturing apparatus requires a large amount of water, and the apparatus becomes large. Furthermore, it takes time and effort to maintain the water treatment facility, and energy related to the drying process increases.

  Therefore, for the purpose of miniaturization and energy saving, a dry sheet manufacturing apparatus that uses water as little as possible has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a piece of paper is fibrillated in a dry defibrating machine, the fiber is deinked in a cyclone, and the deinked fiber is passed through a small hole screen on the surface of the forming drum to obtain a mesh belt. It is described to deposit on top and form a paper.

JP 2012-144819 A

  In the sheet manufacturing apparatus as described above, for example, an additive containing a resin is added to bind a defibrated material that has been fibrillated. However, the amount of defibrated material flowing through the sheet manufacturing apparatus (flow rate of the defibrated material) tends to vary, particularly when the sheet manufacturing apparatus is started up or when the remaining amount of raw material is low. Therefore, the amount of the additive with respect to the amount of defibrated material may vary, and a sheet having a desired texture and strength may not be manufactured.

  As described above, the conventional sheet manufacturing apparatus cannot grasp the fluctuation of the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus, and it is difficult to manufacture a sheet having stable characteristics.

  One of the objects according to some aspects of the present invention is to provide a sheet manufacturing apparatus capable of grasping fluctuations in the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus. Moreover, one of the objects according to some aspects of the present invention is to provide a sheet manufacturing method capable of grasping fluctuations in the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following aspects or application examples.

One aspect of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is:
A defibrating unit for defibrating raw materials containing fibers into defibrated material;
A sorting unit for sorting the defibrated material defibrated by the defibrating unit;
A web forming section for forming a web on which the defibrated material is deposited;
A detection unit for detecting the thickness of the web;
A depositing section for depositing the unraveled web;
Have

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, fluctuations in the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus can be grasped by the thickness detection unit.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The sorting unit
A drum portion having a plurality of openings for sorting the defibrated material;
A housing portion covering the drum portion;
Including
The web forming unit is
A mesh belt that is positioned below the sorting unit in the direction of gravity and on which the defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit is deposited;
A suction part for sucking air in the housing part from below in the gravitational direction of the mesh belt;
May be included.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the defibrated material can be deposited on the mesh belt with good uniformity by suction of the suction part. Therefore, in such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the thickness of the web can be detected more accurately by the thickness detection unit.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
You may have the derivation | leading-out part which derives | leads-out the flow volume of the said defibrated material based on the thickness detected by the said detection part.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing downstream from the web forming unit can be obtained from the web thickness detected by the detecting unit.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
A tube for loosening the web and transferring it to the depositing section;
A supply for supplying additive to the tube;
Based on the flow rate of the defibrated material derived by the derivation unit, a control unit that controls the amount of additive supplied by the supply unit;
You may have.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the defibrated material is controlled by controlling the ratio of the flow rate of the defibrated material obtained in the derivation unit and the amount of additive supplied to the connecting unit to a desired value. The variation in the amount of additive supplied to the connecting portion with respect to the amount of can be reduced. Thereby, in such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, it can suppress that the quantity of the additive with respect to the quantity of defibrated material fluctuates, and can manufacture the sheet | seat which has desired texture and intensity | strength.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature in the sheet manufacturing apparatus;
The derivation unit may derive the flow rate of the defibrated material based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the flow rate of the defibrated material can be derived more accurately in consideration of the temperature in the sheet manufacturing apparatus.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
A humidity detecting unit for detecting humidity in the sheet manufacturing apparatus;
The derivation unit may derive the flow rate of the defibrated material based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the flow rate of the defibrated material can be derived more accurately in consideration of the humidity in the sheet manufacturing apparatus.

One aspect of the sheet manufacturing method according to the present invention is:
A step of defibrating a raw material containing fibers into a defibrated material;
Selecting the defibrated material that has been defibrated;
Depositing the defibrated material selected to form a web;
Detecting the thickness of the web;
Depositing the loosened web;
Have

  In such a sheet manufacturing method, fluctuations in the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus can be grasped.

The figure which shows typically the sheet manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows typically the sheet manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the control processing of the control part of the sheet manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows typically the sheet manufacturing apparatus which concerns on the modification of this embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, not all of the configurations described below are essential constituent requirements of the present invention.

1. Sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.1. Configuration First, a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a supply unit 10, a manufacturing unit 102, and a control unit 140. The manufacturing unit 102 manufactures a sheet. The manufacturing unit 102 includes a crushing unit 12, a defibrating unit 20, a classifying unit 30, a sorting unit 40, a first web forming unit 45, a mixing unit 50, a depositing unit 60, and a second web forming unit. 70, a sheet forming unit 80, a cutting unit 90, and detection units 130, 132, and 134 (omitted in FIG. 1, refer to FIG. 2 described later).

  The supply unit 10 supplies raw materials to the crushing unit 12. The supply unit 10 is, for example, an automatic input unit for continuously supplying raw materials to the crushing unit 12. The raw material supplied by the supply part 10 contains fibers, such as a used paper and a pulp sheet, for example.

  The crushing unit 12 cuts the raw material supplied by the supply unit 10 into air into pieces. The shape and size of the strip is, for example, a strip of several cm square. In the illustrated example, the crushing unit 12 has a crushing blade 14, and the charged raw material can be cut by the crushing blade 14. As the crushing part 12, a shredder is used, for example. The raw material cut by the crushing unit 12 is received by the hopper 1 and then transferred (conveyed) to the defibrating unit 20 through the pipe 2.

  The defibrating unit 20 defibrates the raw material cut by the crushing unit 12 into a defibrated material. Here, “defibration” means unraveling a raw material (a material to be defibrated) formed by binding a plurality of fibers into individual fibers. The defibrating unit 20 also has a function of separating substances such as resin particles, ink, toner, and a bleeding inhibitor adhering to the raw material from the fibers.

  What has passed through the defibrating unit 20 is referred to as “defibrated material”. In addition to the defibrated fibers that have been unraveled, the “defibrated material” includes resin particles (resins that bind multiple fibers together), ink, toner, etc. In some cases, additives such as colorants, anti-bleeding materials, and paper strength enhancing agents are included. The shape of the defibrated material that has been unraveled is a string shape or a ribbon shape. The unraveled defibrated material may exist in an unentangled state (independent state) with other undisentangled fibers, or entangled with other undisentangled defibrated material to form a lump. It may exist in a state (a state forming a so-called “dama”).

  The defibrating unit 20 defibrates in a dry manner in the atmosphere (in the air). Specifically, an impeller mill is used as the defibrating unit 20. The defibrating unit 20 has a function of generating an air flow that sucks the raw material and discharges the defibrated material. Thereby, the defibrating unit 20 can suck the raw material together with the airflow from the introduction port 22 by the airflow generated by itself, defibrate it, and transport it to the discharge port 24. The defibrated material that has passed through the defibrating unit 20 is transferred to the classifying unit 30 via the tube 3.

  The classifying unit 30 classifies the defibrated material that has passed through the defibrating unit 20. Specifically, the classifying unit 30 separates and removes relatively small ones or low density ones (resin particles, colorants, additives, etc.) among the defibrated materials. Thereby, the ratio for which the fiber which is a comparatively large or high density thing among defibrated materials can be raised.

  As the classification unit 30, an airflow classifier is used. The airflow classifier generates a swirling airflow and separates it according to the difference in centrifugal force depending on the size and density of what is classified, and the classification point can be adjusted by adjusting the speed and centrifugal force of the airflow. it can. Specifically, a cyclone, an elbow jet, an eddy classifier, or the like is used as the classification unit 30. In particular, a cyclone as shown in the figure can be suitably used as the classifying unit 30 because of its simple structure.

  The classification unit 30 includes, for example, an inlet 31, a cylindrical part 32 to which the inlet 31 is connected, an inverted conical part 33 that is located below the cylindrical part 32 and continues to the cylindrical part 32, and an inverted conical part 33. The lower discharge port 34 provided in the lower center of the upper portion and the upper discharge port 35 provided in the upper center of the cylindrical portion 32 are provided.

  In the classification unit 30, the airflow on which the defibrated material introduced from the introduction port 31 is changed into a circumferential motion in the cylindrical unit 32. As a result, centrifugal force is applied to the introduced defibrated material, and the classification unit 30 includes fibers (first classified material) larger than the resin particles and ink particles in the defibrated material, and the defibrated material. Among them, it can be separated into resin particles, colorants, additives, etc. (second classified product) that are smaller than the fibers and have a low density. The first classified product is discharged from the lower discharge port 34 and is introduced into the sorting unit 40 through the pipe 4. On the other hand, the second classified product is discharged from the upper discharge port 35 to the receiving portion 36 through the pipe 5.

  The sorting unit 40 introduces the first classified product (defibrated material defibrated by the defibrating unit 20) that has passed through the classifying unit 30 from the introduction port 42, and sorts the first classified product according to the length of the fiber. As the selection unit 40, for example, a sieve is used. The sorting unit 40 has a net (filter, screen), and includes fibers or particles (those that pass through the net, the first sort) that are smaller than the mesh size included in the first classification, Fibers that are larger than the size of the mesh, undefibrated pieces, and lumps (those that do not pass through the net, second selection) can be separated. For example, the first selection is received by the hopper 6 and then transferred to the mixing unit 50 via the pipe 7. The second selected item is returned to the defibrating unit 20 from the discharge port 44 through the pipe 8. Specifically, the sorting unit 40 is a cylindrical sieve that can be rotated by a motor. For the net of the selection unit 40, for example, a metal net, an expanded metal obtained by extending a cut metal plate, or a punching metal in which a hole is formed in the metal plate by a press machine or the like is used.

  The first web forming unit 45 conveys the first sorted product that has passed through the sorting unit 40 to the mixing unit 50. For convenience, the first web forming portion 45 is shown in a simplified manner in FIG. The detailed structure of the first web forming unit 45 will be described later.

  The mixing unit 50 mixes the first sorted product that has passed through the sorting unit 40 (the first sorted product conveyed by the first web forming unit 45) and the additive containing resin. The mixing unit 50 includes an additive supply unit 52 that supplies the additive, a pipe 54 that conveys the selected product and the additive, and a blower 56. In the illustrated example, the additive is supplied from the additive supply unit 52 to the pipe 54 via the hopper 9. The tube 54 is continuous with the tube 7.

  In the mixing unit 50, an air flow is generated by the blower 56, and the first selection product and the additive can be mixed and conveyed in the pipe 54. In addition, the mechanism which mixes a 1st selection material and an additive is not specifically limited, It may stir with the blade | wing which rotates at high speed, and uses rotation of a container like a V-type mixer. There may be.

  As the additive supply unit 52, a screw feeder as shown in FIG. 1 or a disk feeder (not shown) is used. The additive supplied from the additive supply unit 52 includes a resin for binding a plurality of fibers. At the time when the resin is supplied, the plurality of fibers are not bound. The resin melts when passing through the sheet forming portion 80 and binds a plurality of fibers.

  The resin supplied from the additive supply unit 52 is a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin. For example, AS resin, ABS resin, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, acrylic resin, polyester resin, polyethylene terephthalate, Polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, and the like. These resins may be used alone or in combination. The additive supplied from the additive supply unit 52 may be fibrous or powdery.

  In addition to the resin that binds the fibers, the additive supplied from the additive supply unit 52 prevents coloring of the fibers and the aggregation of the fibers depending on the type of sheet to be produced. An anti-agglomeration material, a flame retardant for making the fiber and the like difficult to burn may be included. The mixture (mixture of the first classified product and the additive) that has passed through the mixing unit 50 is transferred to the deposition unit 60 via the pipe 54.

  The depositing unit 60 introduces the mixture that has passed through the mixing unit 50 from the introduction port 62, loosens the entangled defibrated material (fibers), and lowers it while dispersing it in the air. Furthermore, when the additive resin supplied from the additive supply unit 52 is fibrous, the deposition unit 60 loosens the entangled resin. Thereby, the deposition unit 60 can deposit the mixture on the second web forming unit 70 with good uniformity.

  As the deposition unit 60, a rotating cylindrical sieve is used. The deposition unit 60 has a net, and drops fibers or particles (those that pass through the net) included in the mixture that has passed through the mixing unit 50 that are smaller than the mesh opening size. The configuration of the deposition unit 60 is the same as the configuration of the sorting unit 40, for example.

  It should be noted that the “sieving” of the depositing unit 60 may not have a function of selecting a specific object. That is, the “sieving” used as the depositing unit 60 means that the net is provided, and the depositing unit 60 may drop all of the mixture introduced into the depositing unit 60.

  The second web forming unit 70 deposits the passing material that has passed through the deposition unit 60 to form the web W. The second web forming unit 70 includes, for example, a mesh belt 72, a tension roller 74, and a suction mechanism 76.

  While moving, the mesh belt 72 accumulates the passing material that has passed through the opening of the accumulation unit 60 (the opening of the mesh). The mesh belt 72 is stretched by a stretching roller 74, and is configured to allow air to pass therethrough. The mesh belt 72 moves as the stretching roller 74 rotates. While the mesh belt 72 continuously moves, the passing material that has passed through the accumulation portion 60 is continuously piled up, whereby the web W is formed on the mesh belt 72. The mesh belt 72 is made of, for example, metal, resin, cloth, or non-woven fabric.

  The suction mechanism 76 is provided below the mesh belt 72 (on the side opposite to the accumulation unit 60 side). The suction mechanism 76 can generate an air flow directed downward (air flow directed from the accumulation unit 60 toward the mesh belt 72). By the suction mechanism 76, the mixture dispersed in the air by the deposition unit 60 can be sucked onto the mesh belt 72. Thereby, the discharge speed from the deposition part 60 can be increased. Furthermore, the suction mechanism 76 can form a downflow in the dropping path of the mixture, and can prevent the defibrated material and additives from being entangled during the dropping.

  As described above, the web W in a state where it contains a lot of air and is softly swollen is formed by passing through the deposition unit 60 and the second web forming unit 70 (web forming step). The web W deposited on the mesh belt 72 is conveyed to the sheet forming unit 80.

  In the illustrated example, a humidity control unit 78 that adjusts the humidity of the web W is provided. The humidity control unit 78 can adjust the amount ratio of the web W and water by adding water or water vapor to the web W.

  The sheet forming unit 80 forms the sheet S by pressurizing and heating the web W deposited on the mesh belt 72. In the sheet forming unit 80, by heating the mixture of the defibrated material and the additive mixed in the web W, the plurality of fibers in the mixture are bound to each other via the additive (resin). Can do.

  As the sheet forming unit 80, for example, a heating roller (heater roller), a hot press molding machine, a hot plate, a hot air blower, an infrared heater, or a flash fixing device is used. In the illustrated example, the sheet forming unit 80 includes a first binding unit 82 and a second binding unit 84, and the binding units 82 and 84 each include a pair of heating rollers 86. Since the binding portions 82 and 84 are configured as the heating roller 86, the web W is continuously conveyed as compared with the case where the binding portions 82 and 84 are configured as a plate-like press device (flat plate press device). Sheet S can be formed. The number of heating rollers 86 is not particularly limited.

  The cutting unit 90 cuts the sheet S formed by the sheet forming unit 80. In the illustrated example, the cutting unit 90 includes a first cutting unit 92 that cuts the sheet S in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the sheet S, and a second cutting unit 94 that cuts the sheet S in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction. ,have. The second cutting unit 94 cuts the sheet S that has passed through the first cutting unit 92, for example.

  Thus, a single-sheet sheet S having a predetermined size is formed. The cut sheet S is discharged to the discharge unit 96.

1.2. First Web Forming Unit FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the first web forming unit 45. For convenience, FIG. 2 also schematically shows the defibrating unit 20, the sorting unit 40, the mixing unit 50, and the detection units 130, 132, and 134, and further shows a functional block diagram of the control unit 140.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first web forming unit 45 includes a mesh belt 120, a tension roller 122, and a suction unit (suction mechanism) 124.

  The mesh belt 120 is located lower than the sorting unit 40 in the direction of gravity (for example, the direction in which an object falls). The defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit 40 is deposited on the mesh belt 120. Specifically, on the mesh belt 120, defibrated material that has passed through openings (net openings) provided in the drum section 40a of the sorting section 40 is deposited. The mesh belt 120 is stretched by a stretching roller 122 and is configured to allow air to pass through the defibrated material. The mesh belt 120 moves as the tension roller 122 rotates. While the mesh belt 120 continuously moves, the defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit 40 continuously falls on the mesh belt 120, whereby the web V is formed on the mesh belt 120. That is, the first web forming unit 45 forms the web V on which the defibrated material is deposited. For example, the web V has a certain width and is conveyed in the direction of the arrow α as the mesh belt 120 moves. For example, the mesh belt 120 moves at a constant speed. The mesh belt 120 is made of, for example, metal, resin, cloth, or non-woven fabric.

  The “web” is a state in which a plurality of fibers (defibrated material) are continuously connected to form a predetermined shape, and is in a state before being cut into single sheets.

  The suction part 124 is located below the mesh belt 120 in the gravity direction. The suction part 124 can suck air in the housing part 40b of the sorting part 40 from below the mesh belt 120 in the direction of gravity, and generate a downward airflow (an airflow from the drum part 40a toward the mesh belt 120). The defibrated material dispersed in the housing portion 40b by the drum portion 40a can be sucked onto the mesh belt 120 by the suction portion 124. Thereby, the discharge speed | rate of the defibrated material from the drum part 40a can be enlarged. Furthermore, the suction part 124 can form a downflow in the defibrated material drop path, and can prevent the defibrated material from being entangled during the fall. In the illustrated example, the suction unit 124 is connected to the blower 128 via a pipe 126. By driving the blower 128, the suction part 124 can suck the air in the housing part 40b.

  As described above, by passing through the sorting unit 40 and the first web forming unit 45 (web forming step), the web V in a state of being soft and swelled with a lot of air is formed. The web V is received by the hopper 129 and then transferred (conveyed) to the mixing unit 50 via the pipe 7. The web V is loosened while moving in the pipe 7 and the pipe 54, and is transferred to the deposition unit 60 (see FIG. 1) in the loosened state. That is, the pipes 7 and 54 are pipes for loosening the web and transferring it to the deposition unit 60. The depositing unit 60 deposits the loosened web V.

  In addition, the “unraveled web” may exist in a state where the defibrated material constituting the web is not intertwined with other defibrated materials (independent state), or intertwined with other defibrated materials. It may exist in a state of being agglomerated (a state in which a so-called “dama” is formed).

  The additive supply unit 52 of the mixing unit 50 includes, for example, an additive in a connecting unit (the connecting unit configured by the tubes 7 and 54 in the example of FIG. 1) that connects the first web forming unit 45 and the deposition unit 60. Supply. Specifically, the additive supply unit 52 supplies the additive to the pipe 54. Then, in the tube 54, the additive and the defibrated material (the loosened web V) are mixed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the sorting unit 40 includes a drum unit 40a having a plurality of openings for sorting the defibrated material that has passed through the classification unit 30, and a housing unit 40b that covers the drum unit 40a. It is out. The drum part 40a is, for example, a cylindrical sieve. The housing part 40b is, for example, a box that covers the periphery of the drum part 40a. The housing part 40b has the hopper 6, and the opening 6a of the hopper 6 is located below the drum part 40a. The defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit 40 passes through the opening 6a and is deposited on the mesh belt 120.

  In the illustrated example, the housing portion 40b includes a pile seal 40c. The pile seal 40c is constituted by, for example, a brush (brush) in which fine hairs are densely planted on the surface of the base portion, and the brush is in contact with the mesh belt 120. The pile seal 40c can suppress the defibrated material selected by the selecting unit 40 from leaking from the gap between the housing unit 40b and the mesh belt 120.

1.3. As shown in FIG. 2, the thickness detector 130 is provided in the vicinity of the mesh belt 120 and above the web V. The thickness detection unit 130 may be fixed to the outer wall of the opening 6a via a support unit (not shown). The thickness detector 130 can detect the thickness of the web V. The thickness detection unit 130 is not particularly limited in form as long as it can detect the thickness of the web V. For example, the thickness detection unit 130 irradiates the web V with laser light, and the thickness detection unit 130. And a sensor for detecting the distance between the web V and the surface of the web V. In the illustrated example, one thickness detector 130 is provided, but the number is not particularly limited. For example, although not shown, three thickness detectors 130 are provided, and in the width direction of the web V (direction intersecting the transport direction α), the thickness detectors 130 are located above the central portion and on the outer portion located on both sides of the central portion. It may be provided on the upper side. Thereby, the thickness of the web V can be detected more accurately.

  The temperature detection part 132 is provided on the outer wall of the housing part 40b. In the illustrated example, the temperature detection unit 132 is provided on the outer wall of the hopper 6 of the housing unit 40b. The temperature detection unit 132 can detect the temperature in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. Specifically, the temperature detection part 132 detects the temperature of the outer wall of the housing part 40b, and indirectly detects the temperature of the defibrated material sorted by the sorting part 40 (the temperature of the web V). In order to more accurately detect the temperature of the defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit 40, it is preferable to provide the temperature detection unit 132 in the housing unit 40b, but the temperature detection unit 132 is provided in the housing unit 40b. In this case, fine defibrated material or the like may be mixed in the temperature detection unit 132 and the temperature detection unit 132 may be broken. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to provide the temperature detection part 132 in the outer wall of the housing part 40b. The form of the temperature detector 132 is not particularly limited as long as the temperature in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 can be detected.

  The humidity detection unit 134 is provided on the surface of the hopper 1 that receives the raw material cut by the crushing unit 12. The humidity detector 134 can detect the humidity in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. Specifically, the humidity detection unit 134 detects the humidity around the hopper 1 and indirectly detects the humidity around the defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit 40 (humidity around the web V). In order to more accurately detect the humidity around the defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit 40, it is preferable to provide the humidity detection unit 134 in the housing unit 40b, but in consideration of the possibility of the humidity detection unit 134 being broken. Then, it is preferable that the humidity detection part 134 is provided in the surface of the hopper 1 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, the humidity detection unit 134 may be provided in the crushing unit 12. The form of the humidity detector 134 is not particularly limited as long as the humidity in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 can be detected.

1.4. Control Unit The control unit 140 includes an operation unit 141, an output unit 142, a storage unit 143, a storage medium 144, and a processing unit 145, as shown in FIG.

  The operation unit 141 performs a process of acquiring an operation signal corresponding to an operation by the user and sending a signal to the processing unit 145. The operation unit 141 is, for example, a button, a key, a touch panel display, a microphone, or the like.

  The output unit 142 displays the processing result of the processing unit 145 based on the signal input from the processing unit 145. For example, the output unit 142 displays the processing result of the processing unit 145 in characters. The output unit 142 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or a touch panel display. Note that the output unit 142 may output the processing result of the processing unit 145 by sound.

  The storage unit 143 stores programs, data, and the like for the processing unit 145 to perform various control processes. The storage unit 143 is further used as a work area of the processing unit 145. The operation signal input from the operation unit 141, the program and data read from the storage medium 144, and the calculation executed by the processing unit 145 according to various programs. The results are temporarily stored.

  The storage medium 144 is a computer-readable storage medium for storing various application programs and data. The program may be distributed from an information storage medium included in the host device (server) to the storage medium 144 (storage unit 143) via a network or the like. The storage medium 144 may also function as a storage unit that stores data that needs long-term storage among data generated by the processing of the processing unit 145. The storage medium 144 is realized by, for example, an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a memory (ROM, flash memory, etc.).

  The processing unit 145 performs various control processes in accordance with programs stored in the storage unit 143 and programs stored in the storage medium 144. For example, the processing unit 145 performs the following control processing. The processing unit 145 functions as the derivation unit 146 and the additive control unit 147 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 143. The function of the processing unit 145 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), and programs. Note that at least a part of the processing unit 145 may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

  The deriving unit 146 derives (determines) the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing downstream (for example, the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing through the tube 54) based on the thickness detected by the thickness detecting unit 130. For example, the storage unit 143 stores a correlation diagram between the thickness of the web V and the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing through the pipe 54, and the derivation unit 146 stores the defibrated material flowing through the tube 54 based on the correlation diagram. The flow rate can be determined.

  The “flow rate of the defibrated material” is the mass of the defibrated material that passes through a given surface (for example, a cross section of the tube) per unit time. Further, “downstream” means that the material input from the supply unit 10 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is closer to the discharge unit 98 in the path from the supply unit 10 to the discharge unit 98, and “upstream” Indicates that it is closer to the supply unit 10 in the path from the supply unit 10 to the discharge unit 98.

  In addition to the thickness detected by the thickness detector 130, the derivation unit 146 further determines the flow rate of the defibrated material based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector 132 and the humidity detected by the humidity detector 134. Can be requested.

  For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 132 is higher than a predetermined value, the mass (mass / thickness) with respect to the thickness of the web V becomes small. Therefore, the deriving unit 146 obtains the flow rate of the defibrated material by multiplying the thickness detected by the thickness detecting unit 130 by the correction coefficient K1. In this case, the flow rate obtained by the deriving unit 146 is a smaller value than when the predetermined correction coefficient K1 is not multiplied. Conversely, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 132 is lower than a predetermined value, the derivation unit 146 multiplies the thickness detected by the thickness detection unit 130 by the correction coefficient K2 to flow the defibrated material. And the flow rate obtained by the derivation unit 146 is larger than the case where the correction coefficient K2 is not multiplied.

  For example, when the humidity detected by the humidity detector 134 is higher than a predetermined value, the mass (mass / thickness) with respect to the thickness of the web V increases. Therefore, the deriving unit 146 obtains the flow rate of the defibrated material by multiplying the thickness detected by the thickness detecting unit 130 by the correction coefficient K3. In this case, the flow rate obtained by the deriving unit 146 becomes a larger value than when the predetermined correction coefficient K3 is not applied. On the other hand, when the temperature detected by the humidity detector 134 is lower than a predetermined value, the derivation unit 146 multiplies the thickness detected by the thickness detector 130 by the correction coefficient K4 to flow the defibrated material. And the flow rate obtained by the deriving unit 146 is a smaller value than when the correction coefficient K4 is not multiplied.

  The additive control unit 147 controls the additive supply unit 52 based on the flow rate of the defibrated material obtained by the derivation unit 146 and controls (adjusts) the amount of additive supplied to the pipe 54. Specifically, the additive control unit 147 controls the number of rotations of the screw of the additive supply unit 52 formed of a screw feeder to adjust the amount of additive supplied to the pipe 54. The additive control unit 147 controls the additive supply unit 52 so that the ratio between the flow rate of the defibrated material obtained in the derivation unit 146 and the amount of additive supplied to the pipe 54 is always constant. . For example, since there is a correlation between the flow rate of the defibrated material and the basis weight of the defibrated material, the ratio between the flow rate of the defibrated material obtained in the derivation unit 146 and the amount of additive supplied to the tube 54 is kept constant. By controlling so as to be, the fluctuation of the amount of the additive supplied to the pipe 54 with respect to the amount of the defibrated material can be reduced.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the control processing of the control unit 140.

  For example, when the user requests a process for obtaining the flow rate of the defibrated material via the operation unit 141, the processing unit 145 receives the operation signal from the operation unit 141 and starts the process.

  First, the processing unit 145 obtains the flow rate of the defibrated material based on the detection results of the detection units 130, 132, and 134 (in response to signals from the detection units 130, 132, and 134) (S150). The processing unit 145 may perform processing for outputting the flow rate of the defibrated material obtained in the derivation unit 146 to the output unit 142.

  Next, the additive control unit 147 controls the additive supply unit 52 based on the flow rate of the defibrated material obtained in the derivation unit 146 and adjusts the amount of additive supplied to the pipe 54 (S152). .

  And the process part 145 complete | finishes a process, after controlling the additive supply part 52. FIG.

  The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has the following features, for example.

  In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the first web forming unit 45 that forms the web V on which the defibrated material is deposited, the thickness detection unit 130 that detects the thickness of the web V, and the deposition unit that deposits the loosened web V. 60. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the thickness detection unit 130 can grasp the change in the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, and the defibrated material flowing downstream from the first web forming unit 45. The flow rate can be determined. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, since the web V is flowed downstream and processed, it becomes a sheet. Therefore, by grasping the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing downstream from the first web forming unit 45, the sheet of stable quality is obtained. Various controls for manufacturing can be made. Thus, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 can grasp the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing downstream based on the information acquired upstream.

  In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the first web forming unit 45 sucks the air in the housing part 40b from below the mesh belt 120 on which the defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit 40 is deposited, and the mesh belt 120 in the gravity direction. A suction part 124. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the defibrated material can be deposited on the mesh belt 120 with good uniformity by the suction of the suction unit 124. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the thickness detection unit 130 can detect the thickness of the web V more accurately.

  The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a derivation unit 146 that derives the flow rate of the defibrated material based on the thickness detected by the thickness detection unit 130. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the flow rate of the defibrated material that flows downstream from the first web forming unit 45 (for example, the defibrated material that flows through the pipe 54) from the thickness of the web V detected by the thickness detecting unit 130. Flow rate).

  The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an additive control unit 147 that controls the amount of the additive supplied by the additive supply unit 52 based on the flow rate derived by the derivation unit 146. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the ratio of the flow rate of the defibrated material obtained in the derivation unit 146 and the amount of the additive supplied to the pipe 54 is controlled so as to become a desired value. Variations in the amount of additive supplied to the tube 54 relative to the amount of material can be reduced. Thereby, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, it can suppress that the quantity of the additive with respect to the quantity of defibrated material fluctuates, and can manufacture the sheet | seat which has desired texture and intensity | strength.

  In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the derivation unit 146 derives the flow rate of the defibrated material based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 132. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the flow rate of the defibrated material can be derived more accurately in consideration of the temperature in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

  In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the derivation unit 146 derives the flow rate of the defibrated material based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 134. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the flow rate of the defibrated material can be derived more accurately in consideration of the humidity in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

  In the sheet manufacturing method using the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the defibrating unit 20 sorts the raw material containing fibers into the defibrated material, and the sorting unit 40 sorts the defibrated material. A step of depositing the selected defibrated material in the first web forming unit 45 to form the web V; a step of detecting the thickness of the web V by the thickness detecting unit 130; and a depositing unit 60 Depositing the loosened web V. Therefore, in the sheet manufacturing method using the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, it is possible to grasp the fluctuation of the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

2. Next, a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to a modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 according to a modification of the present embodiment. For convenience, in FIG. 4, members other than the sorting unit 40, the first web forming unit 45, the mixing unit 50, and the detection units 130 and 132 are not shown.

  Hereinafter, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the modified example of the present embodiment, differences from the example of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described, and description of similar points will be omitted.

  In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the first web forming portion 45 is provided outside the housing portion 40 b of the sorting portion 40. On the other hand, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, as shown in FIG. 4, the first web forming portion 45 is provided inside the housing portion 40b. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, the thickness detector 130 is also provided inside the housing part 40b. The thickness detector 130 may be fixed to the inner wall of the housing part 40b via a support part (not shown). In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, the web V is received by the hopper 6 and then conveyed to the mixing unit 50 via the pipe 7.

  In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200, similarly to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, fluctuations in the flow rate of the defibrated material flowing in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 200 can be grasped.

  In addition, the sheet S manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention mainly indicates a sheet shape. However, it is not limited to a sheet shape, and may be a board shape or a web shape. The sheet in this specification is divided into paper and non-woven fabric. The paper includes a mode in which pulp or used paper is used as a raw material and is formed into a thin sheet, and includes recording paper for writing and printing, wallpaper, wrapping paper, colored paper, drawing paper, Kent paper, and the like. Non-woven fabrics are thicker or lower in strength than paper, such as general non-woven fabrics, fiber boards, tissue paper (cleaning tissue paper), kitchen paper, cleaners, filters, liquid (waste ink and oil) absorbers, sound absorbing materials, Insulating materials, cushioning materials, mats, etc. The raw material may be plant fibers such as cellulose, chemical fibers such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and polyester, and animal fibers such as wool and silk.

  In the present invention, a part of the configuration may be omitted within a range having the characteristics and effects described in the present application, or each embodiment or modification may be combined. Note that the manufacturing unit 102 may omit a part of the configuration, add another configuration, or replace it with a known configuration as long as the sheet can be manufactured.

  The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations that have the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations that have the same objects and effects). In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. In addition, the present invention includes a configuration that exhibits the same operational effects as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration that can achieve the same object. Further, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tube, 2 ... Hopper, 3, 4, 5 ... Tube, 6 ... Hopper, 6a ... Opening, 7, 8 ... Tube, 9 ... Hopper, 10 ... Feeding unit, 12 ... Crushing unit, 14 ... Crushing Blade 16, housing, 20 defibrating part, 22 introduction port, 24 discharge port, 30 classification unit, 31 introduction port, 32 cylindrical part, 33 inverted cone part, 34 lower discharge port, 35 ... upper discharge port, 36 ... receiving portion, 40 ... sorting portion, 40a ... drum portion, 40b ... housing portion, 40c ... pile seal, 42 ... introduction port, 44 ... discharge port, 45 ... first web forming portion, 50 ... Mixing section, 52 ... Additive supply section, 54 ... Pipe, 56 ... Blower, 60 ... Deposition section, 62 ... Inlet port, 70 ... Second web forming section, 72 ... Mesh belt, 74 ... Stretching roller, 76 ... Suction mechanism, 78 ... humidity control unit, 80 ... sheet forming unit, 82 ... first binding unit, 84 ... second binding , 86 ... heating roller, 90 ... cutting section, 92 ... first cutting section, 94 ... second cutting section, 96 ... discharge section, 100 ... sheet manufacturing apparatus, 102 ... manufacturing section, 120 ... mesh belt, 122 ... stretching Roller, 124 ... suction unit, 126 ... tube, 128 ... blower, 129 ... hopper, 130 ... thickness detection unit, 132 ... temperature detection unit, 134 ... humidity detection unit, 140 ... control unit, 141 ... operation unit, 142 ... Output unit 143 Storage unit 144 Storage medium 145 Processing unit 146 Deriving unit 147 Additive control unit 200 Sheet manufacturing apparatus

Claims (7)

A defibrating unit for defibrating raw materials containing fibers into defibrated material;
A sorting unit for sorting the defibrated material defibrated by the defibrating unit;
A web forming section for forming a web on which the defibrated material is deposited;
A detection unit for detecting the thickness of the web;
A depositing section for depositing the unraveled web;
A sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising: The sorting unit
A drum portion having a plurality of openings for sorting the defibrated material;
A housing portion covering the drum portion;
Including
The web forming unit is
A mesh belt that is positioned below the sorting unit in the direction of gravity and on which the defibrated material sorted by the sorting unit is deposited;
A suction part for sucking air in the housing part from below in the gravitational direction of the mesh belt;
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a derivation unit that derives a flow rate of the defibrated material based on the thickness detected by the detection unit. A tube for loosening the web and transferring it to the depositing section;
A supply for supplying additive to the tube;
Based on the flow rate of the defibrated material derived by the derivation unit, a control unit that controls the amount of additive supplied by the supply unit;
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: A temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature in the sheet manufacturing apparatus;
5. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the deriving unit derives a flow rate of the defibrated material based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit. A humidity detecting unit for detecting humidity in the sheet manufacturing apparatus;
6. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the deriving unit derives a flow rate of the defibrated material based on the humidity detected by the humidity detecting unit. A step of defibrating a raw material containing fibers into a defibrated material;
Selecting the defibrated material that has been defibrated;
Depositing the defibrated material selected to form a web;
Detecting the thickness of the web;
Depositing the loosened web;
The sheet manufacturing method characterized by having.

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