JP2021123066A - Fiber body deposition apparatus, and fiber structure manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fiber body deposition apparatus capable of obtaining a deposit having a desired thickness distribution, and to provide a fiber structure manufacturing apparatus thereof.SOLUTION: A fiber body deposition apparatus comprises a discharge part for discharging a material containing a fiber, a mesh member for depositing the material discharged from the discharge part, and a collection part for collecting the material passing through the mesh member, the collection part comprising a suction part provided with a suction port for suctioning air, and a gas blowout part for blowing gas out toward the suction port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a fiber body depositing device and a fiber structure manufacturing device.

In recent years, a dry sheet manufacturing apparatus that does not use water as much as possible has been proposed. As this sheet manufacturing apparatus, for example, a depositing apparatus for releasing and depositing a fibrous body and a method for pressurizing the deposit formed by the depositing apparatus to produce a sheet are known. Examples of this depositing device include those having the configuration shown in Patent Document 1.

The depositing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a drum having a discharge hole for discharging the fiber body, a mesh belt for depositing the fiber body released from the discharge hole, and a suction mechanism. Further, the suction mechanism has a hopper and a suction port provided in the hopper, and by sucking air from the suction port, it is possible to promote the accumulation of fibers on the mesh belt.

WO2018 / 100989

However, depending on various conditions such as suction conditions from the suction port, there is a risk that the fibers may accumulate in the hopper or the fibers may block a part of the suction port. In this case, a deposit having a desired thickness distribution may not be obtained. As a result, the thickness of the deposit becomes uneven, which may lead to deterioration of quality.

The fiber body depositing device of the present invention has a release unit that releases a material containing fibers, and a discharge unit.
A mesh member for depositing the material released by the release unit, and
A collection unit for collecting the material that has passed through the mesh member is provided.
The recovery unit is characterized by having a suction unit having a suction port for sucking air and a gas ejection unit for ejecting gas toward the suction port.

The fiber structure manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes the fiber structure depositing apparatus of the present invention.
It is characterized by comprising a molding portion for molding the deposit formed by the fiber body depositing device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a fiber structure manufacturing apparatus including the fiber body depositing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recovery unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the recovery unit shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the + z-axis side. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recovery unit included in the fiber body depositing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view of the recovery unit included in the fiber body depositing device according to the third embodiment as viewed from the + z-axis side.

Hereinafter, the fiber body depositing device and the fiber structure manufacturing device of the present invention will be described in detail based on the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a fiber structure manufacturing apparatus including the fiber body depositing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recovery unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the recovery unit shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the + z-axis side. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

In the following, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, three axes orthogonal to each other are referred to as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. Further, the xy plane including the x-axis and the y-axis is horizontal, and the z-axis is vertical. The direction in which the arrows of each axis point is called "+", and the opposite direction is called "-". Further, the upper side of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 may be referred to as "upper" or "upper", and the lower side may be referred to as "lower" or "lower".

The fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 coarsely crushes and defibrates the raw material M1, mixes the binding materials, deposits them by the fiber deposition apparatus 1, and forms the deposits by the molding unit 20. It is a device for obtaining a molded body.

Further, the molded product produced by the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 may have a sheet shape such as recycled paper or a block shape. Further, the density of the molded product is not particularly limited, and a molded product having a relatively high fiber density such as a sheet may be used, or a molded product having a relatively low fiber density such as a sponge body may be used. , A molded product in which these characteristics are mixed may be used.

In the following, the raw material M1 will be used or unnecessary used paper, and the manufactured molded product will be described as a recycled paper sheet S.

The fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a raw material supply unit 11, a coarse crushing unit 12, a defibration unit 13, a sorting unit 14, a first web forming unit 15, a subdivision unit 16, and a mixing unit. 17, a dispersion unit 18, a second web forming unit 19, a molding unit 20, a cutting unit 21, a stock unit 22, a collecting unit 27, and a control unit 28 for controlling their operation. There is. Of these, the dispersion portion 18 and the second web forming portion 19 constitute the fiber body depositing device 1. The upstream side of the dispersion unit 18, that is, the raw material supply unit 11 to the mixing unit 17, may be regarded as a component of the fiber body depositing device 1.

Further, the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a humidifying section 231, a humidifying section 232, a humidifying section 233, a humidifying section 234, a humidifying section 235, and a humidifying section 236. In addition, the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a blower 261, a blower 262, and a blower 263.

Further, the humidifying units 231 to 236 and the blowers 261 to 263 are electrically connected to the control unit 28, and the operation thereof is controlled by the control unit 28. That is, in the present embodiment, the operation of each part of the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 is controlled by one control unit 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration includes, for example, a control unit that controls the operation of each part of the fiber body depositing device 1 and a control unit that controls the operation of parts other than the fiber body depositing device 1. May be good.

Further, in the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100, the raw material supply step, the coarse crushing step, the defibration step, the sorting step, the first web forming step, the dividing step, the mixing step, the releasing step, and the deposition step , The sheet forming step, and the cutting step are executed in this order.

Hereinafter, the configuration of each part will be described.
The raw material supply unit 11 is a portion that performs a raw material supply step of supplying the raw material M1 to the coarse crushing unit 12. Examples of the raw material M1 include a sheet-like material made of a fiber-containing material containing cellulose fibers. The cellulose fiber may be a fiber containing cellulose as a compound as a main component and may contain hemicellulose or lignin in addition to cellulose. Further, the raw material M1 may be in any form such as a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. Further, the raw material M1 may be, for example, recycled paper produced by defibrating used paper, recycled and manufactured, synthetic paper YUPO paper (registered trademark), or not recycled paper.

The coarse crushing unit 12 is a portion that performs a crushing step of coarsely crushing the raw material M1 supplied from the raw material supply unit 11 in the air such as the atmosphere. The crushing portion 12 has a pair of crushing blades 121 and a chute 122.

The pair of coarse crushing blades 121 can roughly crush the raw material M1 between them, that is, cut them into coarse crushed pieces M2 by rotating in opposite directions. The shape and size of the coarsely crushed piece M2 are preferably suitable for the defibration treatment in the defibration portion 13, for example, a small piece having a side length of 100 mm or less, and a small piece of 10 mm or more and 70 mm or less. Is more preferable.

The chute 122 is arranged below the pair of coarse crushing blades 121 and has a funnel shape, for example. As a result, the chute 122 can receive the coarsely crushed piece M2 that has been roughly crushed by the coarsely crushed blade 121 and has fallen.

Further, above the chute 122, a humidifying portion 231 is arranged adjacent to the pair of coarse crushing blades 121. The humidifying section 231 humidifies the coarsely crushed pieces M2 in the chute 122. The humidifying section 231 has a filter containing moisture, and is composed of a vaporization type humidifier that supplies humidified air with increased humidity to the coarse crushed piece M2 by passing air through the filter. By supplying the humidified air to the coarse crushed piece M2, it is possible to prevent the coarse crushed piece M2 from adhering to the chute 122 or the like due to static electricity.

The chute 122 is connected to the defibrating portion 13 via a tube 241. The coarsely crushed pieces M2 collected on the chute 122 pass through the tube 241 and are conveyed to the defibration section 13.

The defibration section 13 is a portion that performs a defibration step of defibrating the coarsely crushed piece M2 in the air, that is, by a dry method. By the defibration treatment in the defibration section 13, the defibrated product M3 can be produced from the coarsely crushed pieces M2. Here, "defibrating" means unraveling the coarsely crushed piece M2, which is formed by binding a plurality of fibers, into individual fibers. Then, this unraveled product becomes the defibrated product M3. The shape of the defibrated product M3 is linear or strip-shaped. Further, the defibrated products M3 may exist in a state of being intertwined and agglomerated, that is, in a state of forming a so-called "lump".

For example, in the present embodiment, the defibration portion 13 is composed of an impeller mill having a rotary blade that rotates at high speed and a liner located on the outer periphery of the rotary blade. The coarsely crushed piece M2 that has flowed into the defibration portion 13 is sandwiched between the rotary blade and the liner and defibrated.

Further, the defibration section 13 can generate an air flow from the coarse crushing section 12 to the sorting section 14, that is, an air flow by the rotation of the rotary blade. As a result, the coarsely crushed piece M2 can be sucked from the tube 241 to the defibration portion 13. Further, after the defibration treatment, the defibrated product M3 can be sent to the sorting unit 14 via the tube 242.

A blower 261 is installed in the middle of the pipe 242. The blower 261 is an airflow generator that generates an airflow toward the sorting unit 14. As a result, the delivery of the defibrated product M3 to the sorting unit 14 is promoted.

The sorting unit 14 is a part that performs a sorting step of sorting the defibrated product M3 according to the size of the fiber length. In the sorting unit 14, the defibrated product M3 is sorted into a first sorted product M4-1 and a second sorted product M4-2 which is larger than the first sorted product M4-1. The first sorted product M4-1 has a size suitable for the subsequent production of the sheet S. The average length is preferably 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less. On the other hand, the second selected product M4-2 includes, for example, those with insufficient defibration, those in which the defibrated fibers are excessively agglutinated, and the like.

The sorting unit 14 has a drum unit 141 and a housing 142 for accommodating the drum unit 141.

The drum portion 141 is a sieve formed of a cylindrical net body and rotating around the central axis thereof. The defibrated product M3 flows into the drum portion 141. Then, by rotating the drum portion 141, the defibrated product M3 smaller than the mesh opening is sorted as the first sorted product M4-1, and the defibrated product M3 having a size larger than the mesh opening of the mesh is displayed. It is sorted as the second sort M4-2.
The first sorted product M4-1 falls from the drum portion 141.

On the other hand, the second sorted product M4-2 is sent out to the pipe 243 connected to the drum portion 141. The side of the pipe 243 opposite to the drum portion 141, that is, the downstream side is connected to the pipe 241. The second sorted product M4-2 that has passed through the pipe 243 merges with the coarse crushed piece M2 in the pipe 241 and flows into the defibration portion 13 together with the coarse crushed piece M2. As a result, the second sorted product M4-2 is returned to the defibration section 13 and defibrated together with the coarsely crushed piece M2.

Further, the first sorted product M4-1 from the drum portion 141 falls while being dispersed in the air, and heads toward the first web forming portion 15 located below the drum portion 141. The first web forming unit 15 is a part that performs the first web forming step of forming the first web M5 from the first selected product M4-1. The first web forming portion 15 has a mesh belt 151, three tension rollers 152, and a suction portion 153.

The mesh belt 151 is an endless belt on which the first sort product M4-1 is deposited. The mesh belt 151 is hung around three tension rollers 152. Then, the first sorted object M4-1 on the mesh belt 151 is conveyed to the downstream side by the rotational drive of the tension roller 152.

The size of the first sorted product M4-1 is larger than the opening of the mesh belt 151. As a result, the first sorted product M4-1 is restricted from passing through the mesh belt 151, and thus can be deposited on the mesh belt 151. Further, since the first sorted product M4-1 is conveyed to the downstream side together with the mesh belt 151 while being deposited on the mesh belt 151, it is formed as a layered first web M5.

Further, the first sorted product M4-1 may contain, for example, dust or dust. Dust and dust can be produced, for example, by coarse crushing and defibration. Then, such dust and dust will be collected by the collection unit 27, which will be described later.

The suction unit 153 is a suction mechanism that sucks air from below the mesh belt 151. As a result, the dust and the dust that have passed through the mesh belt 151 can be sucked together with the air.

Further, the suction unit 153 is connected to the collection unit 27 via a pipe 244. The dust and dirt sucked by the suction unit 153 are collected by the collection unit 27.

A pipe 245 is further connected to the recovery unit 27. A blower 262 is installed in the middle of the pipe 245. By operating the blower 262, a suction force can be generated at the suction unit 153. This promotes the formation of the first web M5 on the mesh belt 151. The first web M5 has dust, dust, and the like removed. Further, the dust and the dust pass through the pipe 244 and reach the collection unit 27 by the operation of the blower 262.

The housing 142 is connected to the humidifying section 232. The humidifying section 232 is composed of a vaporization type humidifier. As a result, humidified air is supplied into the housing 142. This humidified air can humidify the first sorted product M4-1, and thus can prevent the first sorted product M4-1 from adhering to the inner wall of the housing 142 due to electrostatic force.

A humidifying section 235 is arranged on the downstream side of the sorting section 14. The humidifying section 235 is composed of an ultrasonic humidifier that sprays water. As a result, water can be supplied to the first web M5, and thus the amount of water in the first web M5 is adjusted. By this adjustment, the adsorption of the first web M5 to the mesh belt 151 due to the electrostatic force can be suppressed. As a result, the first web M5 is easily peeled off from the mesh belt 151 at the position where the mesh belt 151 is folded back by the tension roller 152.

A subdivision portion 16 is arranged on the downstream side of the humidifying portion 235. The subdivided portion 16 is a portion for performing a dividing step for dividing the first web M5 peeled from the mesh belt 151. The subdivision 16 has a rotatably supported propeller 161 and a housing 162 for accommodating the propeller 161. Then, the first web M5 can be divided by the rotating propeller 161. The divided first web M5 becomes a subdivision M6. Further, the subdivision M6 descends in the housing 162.

The housing 162 is connected to the humidifying portion 233. The humidifying section 233 is composed of a vaporization type humidifier. As a result, humidified air is supplied into the housing 162. The humidified air can also prevent the subdivision M6 from adhering to the inner walls of the propeller 161 and the housing 162 due to electrostatic force.

A mixing portion 17 is arranged on the downstream side of the subdivision portion 16. The mixing unit 17 is a portion for performing a mixing step of mixing the subdivision M6 and the additive. The mixing unit 17 has an additive supply unit 171, a pipe 172, and a blower 173.

The pipe 172 connects the housing 162 of the subdivision portion 16 and the housing 182 of the dispersion portion 18, and is a flow path through which the mixture M7 of the subdivision M6 and the additive passes.

An additive supply unit 171 is connected in the middle of the pipe 172. The additive supply unit 171 has a housing 170 in which the additive is housed, and a screw feeder 174 provided in the housing 170. The rotation of the screw feeder 174 pushes the additive in the housing 170 out of the housing 170 and supplies it into the tube 172. The additive supplied into the tube 172 is mixed with the subdivision M6 to form a mixture M7.

Here, as the additive supplied from the additive supply unit 171, for example, a binder for binding the fibers, a colorant for coloring the fibers, and an aggregation inhibitor for suppressing the aggregation of the fibers. , A flame retardant for making fibers and the like hard to burn, a paper strength enhancer for enhancing the paper strength of the sheet S, a defibrated product, etc., and one or a plurality of these can be used in combination. .. Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the additive is the resin P1 as a binder will be described. The strength of the sheet S can be increased by including the binder that binds the fibers to each other.

As the resin P1, powder or particulate resin P1 can be used. Further, as the resin P1, for example, a thermoplastic resin, a curable resin or the like can be used, but it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include AS resin, ABS resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, modified polyolefins, acrylic resins such as polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and poly. Polyester such as butylene terephthalate, nylon 6, nylon 46, nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 612, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6-12, nylon 6-66 and other polyamides, polyphenylene ether, polyacetal, polyether, polyphenylene oxide. , Polyether ether ketone, Polycarbonate, Polyphenylene sulfide, Thermoplastic polyimide, Polyesterimide, Liquid crystal polymer such as aromatic polyester, styrene-based, Polyester-based, Polyvinyl chloride-based, Polyester-based, Polyester-based, Polyester-based, Polybutadiene-based, Examples thereof include various thermoplastic elastomers such as transpolyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, and chlorinated polyethylene-based, and one or a combination of two or more selected from these can be used. As the thermoplastic resin, it is preferable to use polyester or a resin containing the same.

Further, in the middle of the pipe 172, a blower 173 is installed on the downstream side of the additive supply unit 171. The action of the rotating portion such as the blades of the blower 173 promotes the mixing of the subdivision M6 and the resin P1. Further, the blower 173 can generate an air flow toward the dispersion portion 18. By this air flow, the subdivision M6 and the resin P1 can be agitated in the pipe 172. As a result, the mixture M7 is conveyed to the dispersion unit 18 in a state in which the subdivision M6 and the resin P1 are uniformly dispersed. Further, the subdivision M6 in the mixture M7 is loosened in the process of passing through the pipe 172 to become a finer fibrous form.

As shown in FIG. 2, the blower 173 is electrically connected to the control unit 28, and its operation is controlled. Further, by adjusting the amount of air blown by the blower 173, the amount of air sent into the drum 181 can be adjusted.

Although not shown, the end of the pipe 172 on the drum 181 side is bifurcated, and the branched end is connected to an introduction port (not shown) formed on the end surface of the drum 181.

The dispersion portion 18 shown in FIG. 1 is a portion of the mixture M7 that performs a release step of loosening and releasing entangled fibers. The dispersion unit 18 includes a drum 181 that introduces and releases a mixture M7 that is a defibrated product, a housing 182 that houses the drum 181 and a drive source 183 that rotationally drives the drum 181.

The drum 181 is a sieve formed of a cylindrical net body and rotating around its central axis. By rotating the drum 181, fibers and the like of the mixture M7, which are smaller than the mesh size of the mesh, can pass through the drum 181. At that time, the mixture M7 is loosened and released together with the air. That is, the drum 181 functions as a release unit that releases a material containing fibers.

Although not shown, the drive source 183 includes a motor, a speed reducer, and a belt. The motor is electrically connected to the control unit 28 via a motor driver. Further, the rotational force output from the motor is reduced by the speed reducer. The belt is composed of, for example, an endless belt, and is hung around the output shaft of the speed reducer and the outer circumference of the drum. As a result, the rotational force of the output shaft of the reducer is transmitted to the drum 181 via the belt.

Further, the housing 182 is connected to the humidifying portion 234. The humidifying section 234 is composed of a vaporization type humidifier. As a result, humidified air is supplied into the housing 182. The inside of the housing 182 can be humidified by this humidified air, and thus it is possible to prevent the mixture M7 from adhering to the inner wall of the housing 182 by electrostatic force.

Further, the mixture M7 released by the drum 181 falls while being dispersed in the air, and heads toward the second web forming portion 19 located below the drum 181. The second web forming portion 19 is a portion for performing a deposition step of depositing the mixture M7 to form the second web M8 which is a deposit. The second web forming portion 19 has a mesh belt 191 and a tension roller 192, and a collecting portion 3.

The mesh belt 191 is a mesh member, and in the illustrated configuration, it is composed of an endless belt. Further, the mixture M7 dispersed and released by the dispersion portion 18 is deposited on the mesh belt 191. The mesh belt 191 is hung around four tension rollers 192. Then, the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 is conveyed to the downstream side by the rotational drive of the tension roller 192.

In the illustrated configuration, the mesh belt 191 is used as an example of the mesh member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a flat plate shape may be used.

Also, most of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 is larger than the opening of the mesh belt 191. This restricts the mixture M7 from passing through the mesh belt 191 and thus can be deposited on the mesh belt 191. Further, since the mixture M7 is conveyed to the downstream side together with the mesh belt 191 while being deposited on the mesh belt 191, it is formed as a layered second web M8.

The recovery unit 3 sucks air from below the mesh belt 191. This allows the mixture M7 to be sucked onto the mesh belt 191 and thus facilitates the deposition of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191. The configuration of the recovery unit 3 will be described in detail later.

A humidifying section 236 is arranged on the downstream side of the dispersion section 18. The humidifying section 236 is composed of an ultrasonic humidifier similar to the humidifying section 235. As a result, water can be supplied to the second web M8, and thus the amount of water in the second web M8 is adjusted. By this adjustment, the adsorption of the second web M8 to the mesh belt 191 due to the electrostatic force can be suppressed. As a result, the second web M8 is easily peeled off from the mesh belt 191 at the position where the mesh belt 191 is folded back by the tension roller 192.

The total amount of water added to the humidifying portions 231 to 236 is preferably 0.5 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the material before humidification.

A molding portion 20 is arranged on the downstream side of the second web forming portion 19. The molding unit 20 is a portion that performs a sheet forming step of forming the sheet S from the second web M8. The molding section 20 has a pressurizing section 201 and a heating section 202.

The pressurizing unit 201 has a pair of calendar rollers 203, and the second web M8 can be pressurized between the calendar rollers 203 without heating. As a result, the density of the second web M8 is increased. The degree of heating in the case of heating is preferably such that the resin P1 is not melted, for example. Then, the second web M8 is conveyed toward the heating unit 202. One of the pair of calendar rollers 203 is a driving roller driven by the operation of a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller.

The heating unit 202 has a pair of heating rollers 204, and can pressurize the second web M8 while heating the second web M8 between the heating rollers 204. By this heating and pressurizing, the resin P1 is melted in the second web M8, and the fibers are bound to each other through the melted resin P1. As a result, the sheet S is formed. Then, the sheet S is conveyed toward the cutting portion 21. One of the pair of heating rollers 204 is a driving roller driven by the operation of a motor (not shown), and the other is a driven roller.

A cutting portion 21 is arranged on the downstream side of the molding portion 20. The cutting portion 21 is a portion for performing a cutting step for cutting the sheet S. The cutting portion 21 has a first cutter 211 and a second cutter 212.

The first cutter 211 cuts the sheet S in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet S, particularly in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

The second cutter 212 cuts the sheet S in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the sheet S on the downstream side of the first cutter 211. This cutting removes unnecessary portions of both side ends of the sheet S, that is, the ends in the + y-axis direction and the −y-axis direction to adjust the width of the sheet S, and the cut-removed portions are So-called "Mimi".

By cutting the first cutter 211 and the second cutter 212 in this way, a sheet S having a desired shape and size can be obtained. Then, the sheet S is further transported to the downstream side and accumulated in the stock portion 22.

The molding unit 20 is not limited to the structure of molding on the sheet S as described above, and may be formed into, for example, a block-shaped or spherical molded body.

Each part of the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 is electrically connected to the control unit 28. The operation of each of these units is controlled by the control unit 28.

The control unit 28 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 281 and a storage unit 282. The CPU 281 can execute various programs stored in the storage unit 282, and can, for example, perform various determinations and various commands.

In the storage unit 282, for example, various programs such as a program for manufacturing the sheet S, various calibration curves, tables, and the like are stored.

Further, the control unit 28 may be built in the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100, or may be provided in an external device such as an external computer. Further, the external device is connected to the fiber structure manufacturing device 100 via a network such as the Internet when communicating with the fiber structure manufacturing device 100 via a cable or the like, or when wirelessly communicating with the fiber structure manufacturing device 100, for example. There are cases where it is.

Further, the CPU 281 and the storage unit 282 may be integrated into one unit, for example, the CPU 281 is built in the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100, and the storage unit 282 is an external computer or the like. The storage unit 282 may be built in the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100, and the CPU 281 may be provided in an external device such as an external computer.

Next, the collection unit 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the recovery unit 3 has a function of sucking air from below the mesh belt 191 to promote the deposition of the mixture M7 on the mesh belt 191 and is not suitable for producing a sheet in the mixture M7. It has a function of collecting long fibers and foreign substances that could not be collected by the collection unit 27. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the recovery unit 3 includes a suction unit 4 and a gas ejection unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the suction unit 4 has a hopper 41, a suction port 42 provided in the hopper, and a contact member 43 provided in the hopper 41.

The hopper 41 has a function of guiding the material that has passed through the mesh belt 191 toward the suction port 42. The hopper 41 has a bottom portion 411 and a side wall portion 412 erected from the bottom portion 411. The bottom portion 411 has a rectangular shape extending in the y-axis direction when viewed from the z-axis direction. Further, the side wall portion 412 has a side wall portion 413, a side wall portion 414, a side wall portion 415, and a side wall portion 416.

The side wall portion 413 and the side wall portion 414 face each other in the y-axis direction. The side wall portion 413 is located on the + y-axis side, and the side wall portion 414 is located on the −y-axis side. The side wall portion 413 and the side wall portion 414 are erected along the z-axis direction. That is, the side wall portion 413 and the side wall portion 414 are installed so that the main surface is along the x-z plane and the thickness direction is along the y-axis direction.

The side wall portion 415 and the side wall portion 416 face each other in the x-axis direction. The side wall portion 415 is located on the + x-axis side, and the side wall portion 416 is located on the −x-axis side. The side wall portion 415 and the side wall portion 416 are inclined portions installed so as to be inclined with respect to the x-axis and the z-axis. The side wall portion 415 and the side wall portion 416 are installed in an inclined direction in which the inclination directions are opposite to each other and the separation distance between them increases toward the + z axis side.

The area of the cross-sectional shape of such a side wall portion 412 with the z-axis as a normal increases toward the + z-axis side. As a result, the material that has passed through the mesh belt 191 can be effectively guided toward the suction port 42.

As described above, the suction portion 4 has a hopper 41 which is a receiving portion for guiding the mixture M7, which is a material that has passed through the mesh belt 191 which is a mesh member, to the suction port 42. As a result, the mixture M7 that has passed through the mesh belt 191 can be effectively guided to the suction port 42.

Further, the hopper 41, which is a receiving portion, has a bottom portion 411 and a side wall portion 412 erected from the bottom portion. As a result, the mixture M7 that has passed through the mesh belt 191 can be effectively guided by the suction port 42.

The side wall portion 414 is formed with an opening penetrating in the thickness direction thereof, and the pipe 246 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to this opening. A blower 263 is installed in the middle of the pipe 246. By operating the blower 263, a suction force can be generated in the recovery unit 3. The opening formed in the side wall portion 414 functions as a suction port 42 for sucking. When the end portion of the pipe 246 is provided so as to project into the side wall portion 414, the opening of the pipe 246 functions as a suction port 42.

As shown in FIG. 2, the blower 263 is electrically connected to the control unit 28, and its operation is controlled. Further, the suction amount can be adjusted by adjusting the air flow amount of the blower 263.

The suction port 42 is provided on the bottom portion 411 side of the side wall portion 414. Thereby, the mixture M7 guided to the bottom portion 411 by the side wall portion 412 can be effectively sucked.

The suction port 42 has a circular shape. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent or suppress the clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42. However, the structure is not limited to the above, and the suction port 42 may have any shape such as a square, a rectangle, or an ellipse.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the contact member 43 is installed in the vicinity of the bottom portion 411. The contact member 43 has a function of contacting the mixture M7 that has passed through the mesh belt 191 to eliminate lumps in the mixture M7 and guide the mixture M7 to the bottom 411.

The contact member 43 is a member extending in the y-axis direction, and one end thereof is supported by the side wall portion 413 and the other end portion is supported by the side wall portion 414. The abutting member 43 has two inclined plates 431 and an inclined plate 432. The inclined plate 431 and the inclined plate 432 are connected on the + z axis side, and this portion constitutes the top portion 433. Further, the inclined plate 431 and the inclined plate 432 have different inclination directions from each other, and the separation distance increases toward the −z axis side.

Further, the contact member 43 is installed apart from the bottom portion 411. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a gap G is formed between the contact member 43 and the bottom portion 411. As a result, the mixture M7 can be sucked through the gap G, and the ejection of air by the gas ejection portion 5 described later is not hindered.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the width W1 of the contact member 43, that is, the length in the x-axis direction is smaller than the width W2 of the bottom portion 411, that is, the length in the x-axis direction. As a result, the mixture M7 that has slid down the inclined plate 431 and the inclined plate 432 can be guided directly to the bottom portion 411. Therefore, the suction of the mixture M7 can be performed more effectively.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the gas ejection portion 5 is provided on the side wall portion 413 and has a function of ejecting air from the + y-axis side toward the −y-axis side, that is, toward the suction port 42. Has. As a result, suction can be promoted while preventing or suppressing clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42. Then, by realizing stable suction, a second web M8 having a desired thickness distribution can be obtained.

The gas ejection unit 5 has a first ejection port, an ejection port 51, and two second ejection ports, an ejection port 52 and an ejection port 53. These spouts 51 to 53 are composed of openings formed in the side wall portion 413. These are arranged side by side from the + x-axis side in the order of the spout 52, the spout 51, and the spout 53.

Further, a pipe 510 is connected to the spout 51. Further, the pipe 510 is connected to the blower 511 shown in FIG. By the operation of the blower 511, gas can be ejected from the ejection port 51.

A pipe 520 is connected to the spout 52. Further, the pipe 520 is connected to the blower 521 shown in FIG. By operating the blower 521, gas can be ejected from the ejection port 52.

A pipe 530 is connected to the spout 53. Further, the pipe 530 is connected to the blower 531 shown in FIG. By the operation of the blower 531 the gas can be ejected from the ejection port 53.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of these blowers 511 to 531 is electrically connected to the control unit 28, and its operation is controlled. Further, the amount of gas ejected can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of air blown by the blowers 511 to 531.

In the above description, the configuration in which the openings formed in the side wall portion 413 are the spouts 51 to 53 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the end portions of the pipes 510 to 530 are the side wall portions 413. When provided so as to project inward from the pipe 510, the opening of the pipe 510 functions as a spout 51, the opening of the pipe 520 functions as a spout 52, and the opening of the pipe 530 functions as a spout 53.

As shown in FIG. 5, the spout 51 is located at the center of the side wall portion 413 and at a position unevenly distributed toward the bottom portion 411 when viewed from the −y axis side. This allows air to be ejected towards the mixture M7 located on the bottom 411. Therefore, the mixture M7 located on the bottom 411 can be blown off toward the suction port 42, and suction by the suction port 42 can be promoted. In addition, clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42 can be effectively prevented or suppressed.

Further, the spout 51 has a flat shape extending in the x-axis direction. As a result, the above effect can be exerted over a wider range in the width direction of the bottom portion 411, that is, in the x-axis direction.

Further, the ejection port 51 is located between the contact member 43 and the bottom portion 411 when viewed from the y-axis direction. That is, the spout 51 does not overlap the contact member 43 when viewed from the y-axis direction, and is located on the −z axis side of the contact member 43. As a result, the ejection of air by the gas ejection portion 5 is not obstructed, and clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42 can be more reliably prevented or suppressed.

As described above, the hopper 41 as a receiving portion is provided apart from the bottom portion 411 and has an abutting member 43 that comes into contact with the mixture M7 which is a material that has passed through the mesh belt 191 which is a mesh member. Then, when viewed from the ejection direction of the gas ejection portion 5, that is, the y-axis direction, the gas ejection portion 5 provides an ejection port 51 which is a first ejection hole provided between the contact member 43 and the bottom portion 411. Have. As a result, the ejection of air by the gas ejection portion 5 is not obstructed, and clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42 can be more reliably prevented or suppressed.

The spout 52 and the spout 53 are arranged side by side in the x-axis direction via the spout 51. The spout 52 is located at the boundary 417 between the bottom 411 and the side wall 415 when viewed from the −y axis side. The spout 53 is located at the boundary 418 between the bottom 411 and the side wall 416 when viewed from the −y axis side. The boundary portion 417 and the boundary portion 418 are portions where the mixture M7 is relatively likely to accumulate. By ejecting the gas toward the boundary portion 417 and the boundary portion 418, it is possible to effectively prevent or suppress the accumulation of the mixture M7 in the hopper 41.

As described above, the side wall portion 412 has a side wall portion 415 and a side wall portion 416 that are a pair of inclined portions facing each other via the suction port 42. The gas ejection portion 5 has a side wall portion 415 and a second ejection port 52 and an ejection port 53 that eject gas toward the boundary portion 417 and the boundary portion 418 between the side wall portion 416 and the bottom portion 411. By ejecting the gas toward the boundary portion 417 and the boundary portion 418, which are the portions where the mixture M7 tends to accumulate, it is possible to effectively prevent or suppress the mixture M7 from staying in the hopper 41. ..

Further, the spout 52 and the spout 53 each have a circular shape, and the opening area thereof is smaller than the opening area of the spout 51. As a result, air can be ejected pinpointly toward the boundary portion 417 and the boundary portion 418. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent or suppress the mixture M7 from staying in the hopper 41.

As described above, the suction port 42 is provided on the side wall portion 414, and the gas ejection portion 5 is a side wall portion of the side wall portion 412 that is a wall portion facing the side wall portion 414 on which the suction port 42 is provided. It is provided in the section 413. As a result, clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42 can be effectively prevented or suppressed.

As described above, the gas ejection portion 5 is provided at a position unevenly distributed on the bottom portion 411 side of the side wall portion 413. This allows air to be ejected towards the mixture M7 located on the bottom 411. Therefore, the mixture M located on the bottom 411 can be blown off toward the suction port 42, and suction by the suction port 42 can be promoted. In addition, clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42 can be effectively prevented or suppressed.

Further, let A be the amount of gas ejected per unit time of the gas ejecting unit 5, let B be the amount of gas ejected per unit time of the drum 181 which is the discharging unit, and let B be the amount of air sucked per unit time of the suction unit 4. When C is set to C, C> A + B is satisfied. The amount of gas ejected per unit time of the gas ejection unit 5 is the total amount of gas ejected per unit time of the ejection ports 51 to 53 in the state where the gas is ejected. The amount of gas ejected per unit time of the drum 181 is the sum of the amount of gas ejected per unit time from all the meshes of the drum 181. By satisfying the above equation, it is possible to effectively prevent or suppress the air flow from the drum 181 to the suction unit 4 from being disturbed by the gas ejected by the gas ejection unit 5. Therefore, it contributes to the formation of the second web M8 having a desired thickness distribution.

The A / C is preferably 0.001 or more and 0.4 or less, and more preferably 0.01 or more and 0.1 or less. As a result, the above effect can be more reliably exerted.

The above A, B and C can be appropriately adjusted by, for example, adjusting the amount of air blown by the blower 173, the blower 263, the blower 511, the blower 521 and the blower 531 shown in FIG. The method is not limited to such an adjustment method, and for example, a method of providing a throttle valve in each flow path to adjust the opening degree may be used.

Further, it is preferable that the gas ejection unit 5 ejects gas intermittently. That is, it is preferable that the gas ejection portion 5 has a configuration in which the ejection state and the stopped state are alternately switched. This makes it possible to effectively prevent or suppress the formation of air stagnation in the hopper 41. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent or suppress the mixture M7 from staying in the hopper 41.

Even if the gas ejection unit 5 continuously ejects gas, the same effect as described above can be obtained by adjusting the ejection amount or changing the ejection direction over time. Can be done.

The gas ejection unit 5 may be an ionizer having a function of removing static electricity, or may be a humidifier that ejects humidified air. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent the mixture M7 from staying in the hopper 41.

As described above, the fiber body depositing device 1 includes a drum 181 which is a discharge unit for discharging the mixture M7 which is a material containing fibers, and a mesh belt 191 which is a mesh member for depositing the material released by the drum 181. And a recovery unit 3 for collecting the mixture M7 that has passed through the mesh belt 191. Further, the recovery unit 3 has a suction unit 4 having a suction port 42 for sucking air, and a gas ejection unit 5 for ejecting gas toward the suction port 42. As a result, suction can be promoted while preventing or suppressing clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42. Therefore, the suction unit 4 can stably suck the mixture M7, and the second web M8 having a desired thickness distribution can be obtained.

Further, the fiber structure manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a fiber body depositing device 1 and a molding unit 20 for molding a second web M8 which is a deposit formed by the fiber body depositing device 1. Thereby, by molding the second web M8 having a desired thickness distribution formed by the fiber body depositing device 1, a high quality sheet S, that is, a fiber structure can be obtained.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recovery unit included in the fiber body depositing device according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the fiber body depositing device and the fiber structure manufacturing device of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be described. The explanation is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the suction unit 4 has a suction member 420 installed on the bottom portion 411 of the hopper 41. The suction member 420 has a box shape having a lumen portion 421. Further, the suction member 420 has a shape extending in the y-axis direction.

Further, a pipe 246 is connected to the end portion of the suction member 420 on the −y axis side. The tube 246 communicates with the lumen 421. Further, a plurality of suction ports 42 are provided on the + x-axis side side surface and the −x-axis side side surface of the suction member 420, respectively. The suction ports 42 are arranged side by side in the y-axis direction.

By having such a suction member 420, suction can be performed over a wider area on the bottom 411.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a view of the recovery unit included in the fiber body depositing device according to the third embodiment as viewed from the + z-axis side.

Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the fiber body depositing device and the fiber structure manufacturing device of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be described. The explanation is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the suction port 42 is provided in the central portion of the bottom portion 411. That is, the pipe 246 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the bottom 411 from the −z axis side. Further, the contact member 43 is installed so as to cover the suction port 42. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lump of the mixture M7 from directly heading to the suction port 42.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the suction port 42 is provided at the bottom portion 411, and the gas ejection portion 5 is provided at the side wall portion 413. As a result, the bottom portion 411 can be sucked radially. Therefore, clogging of the mixture M7 at the suction port 42 can be prevented or suppressed more effectively.

In the present embodiment, the gas ejection portion 5 may be provided on the side wall portion 414, or may also be provided on the side wall portion 415 and the side wall portion 416.

Although the illustrated embodiment of the fiber body depositing device and the fiber structure manufacturing device of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and constitutes the fiber body depositing device and the fiber structure manufacturing device. Each part can be replaced with an arbitrary configuration capable of exerting the same function. Further, any component may be added. Further, the features of each embodiment may be combined.

100 ... Fiber structure manufacturing equipment, 1 ... Fiber body deposition equipment, 3 ... Recovery unit, 4 ... Suction unit, 5 ... Gas ejection unit, 11 ... Raw material supply unit, 12 ... Coarse crushing unit, 13 ... Defibering unit, 14 ... Sorting section, 15 ... 1st web forming section, 16 ... Subdivision section, 17 ... Mixing section, 18 ... Dispersing section, 19 ... Second web forming section, 20 ... Molding section, 21 ... Cutting section, 22 ... Stock section, 27 ... recovery unit, 28 ... control unit, 41 ... hopper, 42 ... suction port, 43 ... contact member, 51 ... spout, 52 ... spout, 53 ... spout, 121 ... coarse crushing blade, 122 ... chute, 141 ... drum part, 142 ... housing, 151 ... mesh belt, 152 ... tension roller, 153 ... suction part, 161 ... propeller, 162 ... housing, 170 ... housing, 171 ... additive supply part, 172 ... pipe, 173 ... Blower, 174 ... screw feeder, 181 ... drum, 182 ... housing, 183 ... drive source, 191 ... mesh belt, 192 ... tension roller, 201 ... pressurizing part, 202 ... heating part, 203 ... calendar roller, 204 ... heating Roller, 211 ... 1st cutter, 212 ... 2nd cutter, 231 ... humidifying part, 232 ... humidifying part, 233 ... humidifying part, 234 ... humidifying part, 235 ... humidifying part, 236 ... humidifying part, 241 ... tube, 242 ... Tube, 243 ... tube, 244 ... tube, 245 ... tube, 246 ... tube, 261 ... blower, 262 ... blower, 263 ... blower, 281 ... CPU, 282 ... storage unit, 411 ... bottom, 412 ... side wall, 413 ... Side wall part, 414 ... Side wall part, 415 ... Side wall part, 416 ... Side wall part, 417 ... Boundary part, 418 ... Boundary part, 420 ... Suction member, 421 ... Cavity part, 431 ... Inclined plate, 432 ... Inclined plate, 433 Top, 510 ... tube, 511 ... blower, 520 ... tube, 521 ... blower, 530 ... tube, 513 ... blower, G ... gap, M1 ... raw material, M2 ... coarse crushed piece, M3 ... defibrated product, M4-1 ... 1st sort, M4-2 ... 2nd sort, M5 ... 1st web, M6 ... subdivision, M7 ... mixture, M8 ... 2nd web, S ... sheet, P1 ... resin, W1 ... width, W2 ... width

Claims (11)

A release part that releases a material containing fibers,
A mesh member for depositing the material released by the release unit, and
A collection unit for collecting the material that has passed through the mesh member is provided.
The collection unit is a fibrous body depositing device having a suction unit having a suction port for sucking air and a gas ejection unit for ejecting gas toward the suction port. The fiber body depositing device according to claim 1, wherein the suction portion has a receiving portion that guides the material that has passed through the mesh member to the suction port. The fibrous body depositing device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving portion has a bottom portion and a side wall portion erected from the bottom portion. The suction port is provided on the side wall portion and is provided.
The fibrous body depositing device according to claim 3, wherein the gas ejection portion is provided on a wall portion of the side wall portion facing the wall portion provided with the suction port. The suction port is provided on the bottom and is provided.
The fibrous body depositing device according to claim 3, wherein the gas ejection portion is provided on the side wall portion. The fibrous body depositing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the gas ejection portion is provided at a position unevenly distributed on the bottom side of the side wall portion. The receiving portion is provided apart from the bottom portion and further has an abutting member that comes into contact with the material that has passed through the mesh member.
The invention according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the gas ejection portion has a first ejection port provided between the contact member and the bottom portion when viewed from the ejection direction of the gas ejection portion. Fiber depositor. The side wall portion has a pair of inclined portions facing each other via the suction port.
The fiber deposition apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the gas ejection portion has a second ejection port for ejecting gas toward a boundary portion between the inclined portion and the bottom portion. When the amount of gas ejected per unit time of the gas ejection part is A, the amount of gas ejected per unit time of the discharge part is B, and the amount of air suction per unit time of the suction part is C. , C> The fibrous body depositing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 satisfying A + B. The fibrous body depositing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gas ejection unit intermittently ejects the gas. The fiber deposition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
A fiber structure manufacturing apparatus comprising: a molding portion for molding a deposit formed by the fiber body depositing apparatus.

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