JP5824343B2 - Equipment for producing long fiber tow spreads - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a long fiber tow spread product suitable as a production material for disposable diapers, cigarette filters and the like, and a method for producing a long fiber tow spread product using the same.

Cellulose acetate fibers are used as absorbent materials for sanitary materials such as disposable diapers and sanitary products, in addition to tobacco filter materials.
The cellulose acetate filament tow is crimped in order to make the yarn bulge and facilitate the spinning operation. The crimped filament is transported in a deaerated and compressed state in a state of being packed in a veil in a cubic packing container. And at the time of manufacture of a final product, after taking out a filament from a bale, it opens and is shape | molded after that in a desired shape.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-7824) discloses an absorbent material for sanitary materials made of cellulose acetate fibers. Patent Document 1 describes that a crimped long fiber tow of cellulose acetate or a short fiber in a web shape has a relatively large water absorption retention capability.

  Patent Document 2 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,768) and Patent Document 3 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,099,594) disclose a method of opening with an air jet in order to reduce or prevent damage to the tow caused by conventional mechanical opening. It is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 4 (US Pat. No. 3,297,506) proposes an air opening device that solves the problems of Patent Documents 2 and 3.

  Patent Document 5 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-500422) discloses an invention for opening into a sheet using air opening.

  In Patent Document 6 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-244794), a crimped tow was spread in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the tow, dealigned, and molded into a substantially rectangular cross section. A method of manufacturing an absorbent composite that distributes particulates throughout the tow is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 6 discloses that in preparation of a diaper containing a super absorbent polymer (super absorbent polymer in Patent Document 2) (SAP), it faces vertically downward with respect to the tow after air opening. It is described that the SAP powder or slurry is delivered and then subjected to a roller.

  In US Pat. No. 3,262,181, a crimped tow is introduced into a substantially unidirectional passage in the treatment area and is directed in substantially the same direction as the tow movement. Directing a first flow of gas, downstream of the introduction of the first gas, directing another gas flow in substantially the same direction as the tow travel direction, A method is disclosed in which the crimped tow fibers are opened and further compressed into a single rod-like structure.

  Patent Document 8 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-255529) discloses a fiber sheet excellent in absorbability with respect to a liquid such as moisture, and a method and apparatus capable of easily manufacturing the fiber sheet.

  In each of the above prior art documents, a superabsorbent resin (SAP) is added to the fiber sheet after the tow has been opened. This is because, conventionally, the tow bundle in a state where the opening has not been finished is low in volume, and it is considered that SAP does not enter the tow bundle even if the additive is sprayed. For this reason, in the state where SAP is added to the fiber sheet after opening the tow as in the above-described prior art, a large amount of SAP is unevenly distributed on one surface (upper surface) in the thickness direction of the tow. Problems occur when used. In addition, SAP may fall off after subsequent processing.

  The solution of the problems caused by the uneven distribution of SAP is also being studied. For example, in Patent Document 9 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-102479), there is a method for obtaining a thin and low basis weight absorber. Although disclosed, it is a very complicated method.

  In addition, when the tow spread product is applied as a manufacturing material for an absorbent material for a sanitary material such as a disposable diaper, a wide variety of shapes are easier to process. However, in the prior art, it is difficult to manufacture a wide range of shapes suitable for the application. A wide range of shapes can be obtained by crushing a circular shape with a molding roller or the like, but in that case, only the central portion is thick and dense, and both side portions are thin and low in density. There is a problem that the absorption performance tends to be lowered.

Japanese Patent Publication No.61-7824 US Pat. No. 3,282,768 US Pat. No. 3,099,594 US Pat. No. 3,297,506 Japanese National Publication No.59-500422 JP 2004-244794 A US Pat. No. 3,262,181 JP 2008-255529 A JP 2006-102479 A

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable as a production material for absorbents for sanitary materials such as tobacco filters and disposable diapers, and can increase the amount of particulate additive contained in the fiber tow spread compared with the prior art. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a production apparatus that can increase the holding power of the particulate additive and can obtain a spread product having a wider width.

  Furthermore, this invention makes it another subject to provide the manufacturing method of the spread article which uses the said manufacturing apparatus.

The invention of claim 1 of the present application is as means for solving the problems.
It is a manufacturing device for manufacturing a spread product of long fiber tow,
Pre-opening unit (1) with at least one pair of rolls, opening unit (2) connected to pre-opening unit (1), expansion / shaping unit (3) connected to opening unit (2) )
The pre-opening unit (1), the opening unit (2), and the expansion / shaping unit (3) are connected so as to form a continuous space for continuously sending the fiber tow (10). And
The opening unit (2)
It has an additive part (20) for granular additives, and a spread part (30) connected to the additive part (20),
The opening part (30)
Both ends opened, the opening on one end side (addition part (20) side) was connected to the addition part body (21), and the opening part (31b) on the other end side was connected to the expansion / shaping unit (3) Cylindrical body (31),
Inside the main body part (31) on the side of the addition part (20), a nozzle part (32) having a nozzle (35) disposed at an equal interval from the inner peripheral surface of the main body part (31),
The body part (31) is provided in communication with the inside and outside, and has a gas supply hole (36) that opens facing the gap between the nozzle part (32) and the body part (31),
The body (31)
Nozzle portion (32) and the first opening zone nozzle (35) facing the (Z _1), the second opening zone from the first opening zone (Z ₁₎ to an opening (31b) (Z ₂₎ Have
The cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) and the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) is circular,
Expansion and shaping unit (3)
An elastic body for arranging the shape of the expanding fiber tow from the outside is arranged,
Provided is a manufacturing apparatus in which the cross-sectional shape in the width direction has a shape in which a long axis length / short axis length satisfies a relationship of 2 to 10.

The invention of claim 2 of the present application is another means for solving the problems.
It is a manufacturing device for manufacturing a spread product of long fiber tow,
Pre-opening unit (1) with at least one pair of rolls, opening unit (2) connected to pre-opening unit (1), expansion / shaping unit (3) connected to opening unit (2) )
The pre-opening unit (1), the opening unit (2), and the expansion / shaping unit (3) are connected so as to form a continuous space for continuously sending the fiber tow (10). And
The opening unit (2)
It has an additive part (20) for granular additives, and a spread part (30) connected to the additive part (20),
The opening part (30)
Both ends opened, the opening on one end side (addition part (20) side) was connected to the addition part body (21), and the opening part (31b) on the other end side was connected to the expansion / shaping unit (3) Cylindrical body (31),
Inside the main body part (31) on the side of the addition part (20), a nozzle part (32) having a nozzle (35) disposed at an equal interval from the inner peripheral surface of the main body part (31),
The body part (31) is provided in communication with the inside and outside, and has a gas supply hole (36) that opens facing the gap between the nozzle part (32) and the body part (31),
The body (31)
Nozzle portion (32) and the first opening zone nozzle (35) facing the (Z _1), the second opening zone from the first opening zone (Z ₁₎ to an opening (31b) (Z ₂₎ Have
The cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) is circular, and the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the outlet (31b) of the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) is long axis length / short axis length. A shape satisfying the relationship of 2 to 10,
Expansion and shaping unit (3)
An elastic body for arranging the shape of the expanding fiber tow from the outside is arranged,
Provided is a manufacturing apparatus in which the cross-sectional shape in the width direction has a shape in which a long axis length / short axis length satisfies a relationship of 2 to 10.

The invention of claim 6 of the present application is a means for solving other problems.
A method for producing a spread of a long fiber tow using the production apparatus,
A process of pre-opening while continuously passing the crimped fiber tow,
Contacting the pre-opened fiber tow with the particulate additive,
A fiber-opening process in which the fiber tow in contact with the particulate additive is opened by an air flow;
Provided is a method for producing a spread product of long fiber tows, which includes a step of expanding and shaping a fiber tow that has been opened.

By manufacturing using the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, it contains a larger amount of granular additive relative to the mass of fiber tow compared to when applying the prior art, and has been opened to a wider width. A spread product of long fiber tows can be obtained.
In particular, by using the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, when the mass is the same as that of the conventional product, the width is wider and the thickness is thin, the density unevenness of the tow spread is small, and the particulate additive is uniformly dispersed. You can get what you did.

Sectional drawing seen from the side surface of the axial direction of the manufacturing apparatus suitable for implementation of the manufacturing method of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view which looked at the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the plane. The front view of the expansion | swelling and shaping unit of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. Sectional drawing seen from the side surface of the axial direction of the manufacturing apparatus which is other embodiment suitable for implementation of the manufacturing method of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view which looked at the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 from the plane. The front view of the expansion | swelling and shaping unit of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5. The perspective view of the expansion shaping unit of another embodiment. The figure which shows the cross-section of the spread thing obtained in the middle process of the manufacturing method using the manufacturing apparatus of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
An embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and a manufacturing method using the same will be described.
The manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has the same basic structure as the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-255529, but some modifications suitable for carrying out the manufacturing method of the present invention have been made. Yes. Details of the modification will be described later. However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-255529 does not describe at all that the fiber tow is opened after the particulate additive is added.

The manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a preliminary opening unit 1, an opening unit 2 connected to the preliminary opening unit 1, and an expansion / shaping unit 3 connected to the opening unit 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-255529). The reservoir is the same as that described in paragraph Nos. 56 to 62 of the publication.
The preliminary opening unit 1, the opening unit 2 and the expansion / shaping unit 3 are connected so as to form a continuous space for continuously sending the fiber tow 10.
In the following description, the pre-opening unit 1 side is referred to as the upstream side, and the expansion unit 3 side is referred to as the downstream side.

(1) Pre-opening step in the pre-opening unit 1 In the pre-opening unit 1, the crimped fiber tow 10 taken out from the fiber tow bale between the pair of rolls 11 and the pair of rolls 12 is continuously provided. While passing, pre-open the fiber.
When the fiber tow 10 is not sandwiched between a pair of rolls, the fiber tow 10 cannot obtain sufficient tension in the fiber opening unit 2.
The roll ratio between the roll 11 and the roll 12 may be, for example, 1 to 3, preferably 1.1 to 2.5, and more preferably about 1.2 to 2.
The preliminary opening unit 1 and the preliminary opening process are the same as those described in paragraph numbers 45 to 46 of JP 2008-255529 A.
The preliminary opening process may be any method as long as the fiber tow 10 is sandwiched and the movement of the fiber tow 10 can be controlled. For example, the preliminary opening process may have a structure in which a narrow slit portion is strongly pressed by air pressure.

  As the fiber tow 10, those described in JP-A-2008-255529, [0042] to [0044] can be used. Specifically, cellulose ester fibers (cellulose acetate fibers such as cellulose monoacetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, and cellulose acetate propionate), polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, acrylic fibers, olefin fibers And polyvinyl alcohol fiber. The fiber may be a single fiber, a composite fiber, or a blended fiber. In particular, cellulose acetate fiber is preferable.

(2) Step of bringing the pre-opened fiber tow into contact with the granular additive in the opening unit 2 (addition unit 20) Subsequently, the pre-opened fiber tow 10 is continuously added to the addition unit 20 of the opening unit 2. And contact with the particulate additive.
The addition unit 20 is not shown in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-255529, and is unique to the apparatus of the present invention. In addition, although the addition part 20 is preferable when implementing the manufacturing method of this invention, it is not essential.

First, the addition part 20 of the fiber opening unit 2 will be described.
The addition part 20 has a cylindrical addition part main body 21 in which a through hole for sending the fiber tow 10 is formed in the axial direction.

  The additive body 21 is provided with an additive hole 22 for a granular additive formed in the thickness direction, and a hopper 23 is connected to the additive hole 22. The addition hole 22 communicates with a through hole formed in the addition part main body 21 for sending the fiber tow 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the addition part main body 21 is separated into two in the length direction, and the separated part is a deaeration hole 24 for allowing air to escape. The deaeration hole 24 may be the same as a known vent hole (for example, one installed in a known resin molding extruder or the like).

Next, the addition method of the granular additive using the addition part 20 of the opening unit 2 is demonstrated.
By adding the particulate additive from the hopper 23 and the addition hole 22, the fiber tow 10 that has been pre-opened and the particulate additive come into contact with each other while passing through the addition unit 20. When the particulate additive is added, the particulate additive is not scattered because it is not in contact with the air flow for opening (open air flow) as in the prior art.

  The particulate additive is selected according to the use (performance to be provided) of the fiber tow 10 finally obtained, and is not particularly limited. As the particulate additive, an absorbent resin or a water-soluble resin for water absorption purposes, a resin for deodorization purposes, activated carbon, or the like can be used. The particle size range of the particulate additive is determined according to the application.

The addition amount of the granular additive is preferably 100 to 800 parts by mass, more preferably 200 to 600 parts by mass, and further preferably 250 to 450 parts by mass with respect to the mass (100 parts by mass) of the fiber tow 10. is there.
According to the production method using the production apparatus of the present invention, it is easy to hold the granular additive against the spread of the fiber tow 10, so that a larger amount of granular additive than the fiber tow mass is added. Can be retained.

(3) In the opening unit 2 (opening unit 30), a fiber opening step in which the fiber tow that has been in contact with the particulate additive is opened by an air stream. Next, in the opening step, the fiber that has been in contact with the particulate additive The tow 10 is opened with an air flow.

First, the structure of the opening part 30 of the opening unit 2 will be described.
The opening portion 30 has a cylindrical shape in which both ends are open, an opening on one end side (addition portion 20 side) is connected to the addition portion main body 21, and an opening portion 31 b on the other end side is connected to the expansion / shaping unit 3. The outer shell is formed by the main body portion 31 including the first main body portion 37 and the cylindrical second main body portion 38.
The outer diameter of the first body portion 37 may be the same as that of the second body portion 38.

  A nozzle portion 32 is arranged inside the first main body portion 37 on the adding portion 20 side. The nozzle part 32 has a shaft part 33 and an arrowhead part 34, and has a nozzle (slit-like nozzle) 35 that passes through them and opens at the tip of the arrowhead part 34.

  A gas supply hole 36 communicating with the inside is formed in the first main body portion 37. The gas supply hole 36 faces the shaft portion 33 of the nozzle portion 32.

The shaft part 33 and the arrowhead part 34 of the nozzle part 32 are arranged with a gap at an equal interval between the inner peripheral surface 31 a of the first main body part 37.
The smaller the gap, the larger the air suction pressure from the air supply hole 36 (the smaller the amount of air sucked), and the higher the propulsive force of the fiber tow 10. The larger the gap, the relatively air The air suction pressure from the supply hole 36 becomes small (the amount of air sucked in is large), and the particulate additive is reversely injected toward the air supply hole 36 side and becomes a factor of scattering.
For this reason, it is preferable that the width of the gap is small. However, if the width is too small, the productivity is lowered. Therefore, the width of the gap is preferably in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 mm.

The first body portion 37, the inner diameter of the portion where the nozzle unit 32 is disposed is larger, inner diameter (d ₁₎ of the first opening zone followed by (Z ₁₎ has become relatively small, the inner diameter (D ₁ ) is uniform. The nozzle 35 faces the first opening zone (Z ₁ ). The first opening zone (Z ₁ ) formed by the first main body portion 37 has a circular cross section in the width direction.

The second opening zone (Z ₂ ) formed in the second main body 38 is from the boundary 38 a between the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) and the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) to the expansion / shaping unit 3 side. It is the range to the opening part 38b.
The second main body 38 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the first main body 37, but the inner diameter (the inner diameter of the second opening zone (Z ₂ )) (d ₁ ) is the same as that of the first main body 37. is there.
The cross section in the width direction of the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) is circular.

The nozzle diameter (d ₃ ) of the nozzle 35 is adjusted according to the retention form and the retention amount (content) of the granular additive in the spread of the target long fiber tow 10. That is, by adjusting the nozzle diameter (d ₃ ) of the nozzle 35, it is possible to control the holding form and holding amount (content) of the absorbent in the spread product of the fiber tow 10.

The nozzle diameter (d ₃ ) of the nozzle 35 is preferably in the range of 5 to 30 mm, and more preferably in the range of 5 to 25 mm.

The inner diameter (d ₁₎ dimension of the first opening zone (Z ₁₎ and the second opening zone (Z ₂₎ can be 3 to 10 times the nozzle diameter of the nozzle 35 (d _3). From the viewpoint of productivity, when the total denier of the fiber tow 10 is 35000, the inner diameter (d ₁ ) of the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) and the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) is preferably 20 mm. Can be increased or decreased in proportion to the total denier value.

Next, the opening method in the opening part 30 is demonstrated.
The fiber tow 10 that has come into contact with the particulate additive in the addition section 20 passes through the nozzle section 32 and exits from the nozzle 35 to the first fiber opening zone Z ₁ in the main body section 31.
At this stage, the particulate additive is present in a part of the partially opened fiber tow 10 (the part directly facing the addition hole 22), and is supplied into the main body 31 from the gas supply port 36. Contact with gas flow (air flow). Since the gas supply port 36 faces the shaft portion 33 of the nozzle portion 32, air does not directly hit the cellulose fiber tow 10 when air is supplied.

If the air pressure supplied from the gas supply port 36 is too high, the residence time in the next expansion / shaping step may be shortened and the expansion may be insufficient, so the range of 0.3 MPa or less is preferable. A range of 01 to 0.3 MPa is more preferable.
In order to obtain a spread product having a skin / core structure, a range of 0.01 to 0.1 MPa is preferable, and a range of 0.05 to 0.1 MPa is more preferable.
In order to obtain a spread product having a uniform dispersion structure, a range of 0.1 to 0.3 MPa is preferable, and a range of 0.1 to 0.2 MPa is more preferable.

Air supplied from the gas supply port 36, the expansion unit 3 to form a flow toward the (opening 31b) direction, in that state, the cellulosic fiber tows 10 from the nozzle 35 enters the first opening zone Z ₁ Contact. Thereafter, the cellulose fiber tow 10 is expanded and opened in the thickness direction by air pressure.

In the above process, the air flow causes a pressure difference between the rear portion of the nozzle portion 32 and the front end portion of the nozzle portion 32 (first opening zone Z ₁ ), and the front end portion of the nozzle portion 32 has a higher pressure. It becomes. In this state, the added granular additive scatters from the rear end of the nozzle portion 32, making it difficult to increase the amount of addition. However, by providing the above-described deaeration holes 24 and letting air escape to normal pressure, scattering of the particulate additive can be prevented and the amount of particulate additive added can be increased. Can do.

(4) Step of expanding / shaping the opened fiber tow in the expansion / shaping unit 3 The fiber tow 10 opened in the opening step (opening unit 2) and holding the granular additive is expanded / shaped. 3 and shape while expanding.

First, the structure of the expansion / shaping unit 3 will be described.
The expansion / shaping unit 3 is for expanding the opened fiber tow 10 coming out of the opening unit 2 and shaping the outer shape. The expansion / shaping unit 3 is connected to the main body 31 via an adapter 50. The expansion / shaping unit 3 is located on the downstream side of the opening unit 2.

The expansion / shaping unit 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a plurality of (eight in FIG. 3) leaf springs 40 attached to the outer peripheral surface of an adapter 50 having a rectangular cross section in the width direction as shown in FIG. Is attached.
As shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from the side, a plurality of leaf springs 40 are attached to an adapter 50 so as to be tapered.
By attaching the plurality of leaf springs 50 in this way, when the opening tow pushed out from the second opening zone Z2 expands, a shaping action is exerted by pressing the plurality of leaf springs 40 from the periphery. Therefore, shaping is performed smoothly.

In FIG. 3, the long axis length (long side length) / short axis length (short side length) of the adapter 50 satisfies the relationship of 2 to 10. The long axis length (long side length) / short axis length (short side length) is preferably from 3 to 8, and more preferably from 4 to 7.
The cross section of the expansion / shaping unit 3 in the width direction is not circular but may have a shape satisfying the above-mentioned relationship. An elliptical shape, a rhombus shape, and a shape in which the opposite corner is an arc, a rectangular shape, a rectangular shape A shape in which the portion is made of a circular arc and a shape in which the opposite side of the rectangle is made of a circular arc are preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the expansion / shaping unit 3 is made of a resilient metal and has a large number of air vent holes 46 on its peripheral surface (the cross section in the width direction is A cylindrical body 44 having a predetermined shape can also be used.

The inner diameter (d ₄ ) of the expansion / shaping unit 3 is set to be substantially larger than the outer diameter of the main body 31 (first main body 37), and the main body 31 (first main body 37). It is preferable that it is 1 times or more of the outer diameter of this, and it is more preferable that it is 1-1.4 times.

  The length of the expansion / shaping unit 3 (the length of the leaf spring 40) can be set in the range of 150 to 350 mm, for example.

  By making the expansion / shaping unit 3 into a predetermined shape, the cross-sectional shape and width of the finally obtained spread can be adjusted.

Next, an expansion / shaping method in the expansion / shaping unit 3 will be described.
The granular additive is held in the opening process, and the opened fiber tow 10 exits the expansion / shaping unit 3 having a larger diameter from the opening 31b of the main body. In this process, the opened fiber tow 10 expands, but excessive expansion is suppressed by the action of the elasticity of the leaf spring 40 and is shaped into a wide shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the expansion / shaping unit 3. The

  In the expansion / shaping step, the fiber tow 10 is temporarily pushed out and then further pushed out. However, due to the stay, the granular additive is not scattered and the fiber tow 10 is spread. Retained.

After the expansion / shaping step, the tow opening product is continuously extruded from the expansion / shaping unit 3 to obtain a long tow opening product (an expanded body of the tow opening product) in which the particulate additive is retained. .
The expanded body of the tow spread product obtained by the production method using the production apparatus of the present invention has a cross-sectional shape compressed with a roll or the like to form the absorbent body, and the cross-sectional shape is vertical. When the length of the material is short (for example, oval shape) and is compressed with a roll or the like to make the shape of the absorbent body, the oval shape has a smaller density unevenness of the spread, and granular The distribution of the additive becomes more uniform.

A long fiber toe opening product (expanded body of fiber tow opening product) obtained by using the production apparatus of the present invention has a fiber tow opening having a desired structure by adjusting the nozzle diameter (d ₃ ). A fine product (expanded product of fiber tow spread product) can be obtained.

(Spread of skin / core structure)
A long fiber tow spread product (expanded product of fiber tow product) having a skin / core structure has a thick skin layer composed of almost only tow and a high concentration present in the axial center (core). It is the thing of the structure which consists of a granular additive.
In the case of obtaining the skin / core structure, the diameter (d ₃ ) of the nozzle 35 is preferably in the range of less than 5 to 12 mm, more preferably in the range of 6 to 10 mm.

In the embodiment in which the nozzle diameter (d ₃ ) is in the above range, the moving speed of the fiber tow 10 and the granular additive is different at the outlet of the nozzle 35, so that the fiber tow 10 tends to move forward while spreading. The additive is blown away as it is in the opening air and moves forward. For this reason, in the first opening zone (Z ₁ ), as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the skin layer 14 made of the tow opening 10a and the granular additive 15 concentrated in the central portion in the axial direction are formed. The spread product is a skin / core structure having a core 16.

  When the fiber tow 10 and the granular additive are used in the above ratio range, the skin / core structure spread product has a skin layer thickness of 150 mm when the outer diameter of the finally obtained spread product is 150 mm. It is about 2 to 10 mm.

FIG. 8 (a) shows the positional relationship between the skin layer 14 and the core 16. In the actually manufactured product, the skin layer 14 and the core 16 are clearly shown in FIG. 8 (a). There is a core 16 in which most of the granular additive 15 is concentrated in the center in the axial direction, and some of the granular additive 15 is also present in the skin layer 14 around the core 16. It is distributed.
When the production method using the production apparatus of the present invention is applied, the amount of the particulate additive present in the core of the spread product can be 95% by mass or more, preferably 97% by mass or more. More preferably, it can be 99% by mass or more.
Finally, the spread product having the skin / core structure shown in FIG. 8A is obtained in a wide shape.

(Uniform dispersion structure)
A long fiber tow spread product (expanded product of fiber tow spread product) having a uniform dispersion structure is in a form in which the particulate additive is uniformly dispersed over the entire fiber tow (some of which are on the surface) Is also attached).
In order to obtain this uniform dispersion structure, the diameter (d ₃ ) of the nozzle 35 is preferably in the range of 12 to ₃₀ mm, more preferably in the range of 12 to 25 mm.

In the embodiment in which the nozzle diameter (d ₃ ) is in the above range, the granular additive is dispersed in a wider range as compared with the embodiment in which the nozzle diameter (d ₃ ) is relatively small. In the case of such a dispersion form, in the first opening zone (Z ₁ ), as shown in FIG. 8B, the opening of the structure in which the granular additive 15 is uniformly dispersed in the tow opening 10a. It becomes a thing. In addition, in the process of processing into a shape suitable for the intended application, the long-shaped fiber toe spread product having a uniform dispersion structure may cause the granular additive attached to the surface to fall off. Therefore, the content of the particulate additive is reduced as compared with the spread product having a skin / core structure.
Finally, the spread product having a uniform dispersion structure shown in FIG. 8B is obtained in a wide shape.

<Second Embodiment>
An embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and a manufacturing method using the same will be described.
The manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 includes a first opening zone (Z ₁ ) ( _first opening) of the preliminary opening unit 1, the opening unit 2 (adding unit 20), and the opening unit 2 (opening unit 30). The main body 37) is the same as the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the downstream structure is different.
Therefore, only different structural parts will be described below.

The second opening zone (Z ₂ ) formed in the second main body 38 is from the boundary 38 a between the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) and the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) to the expansion / shaping unit 3 side. It is the range to the opening part 38b.
In the second main body 38, the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the boundary portion 38a with the first main body portion 37 is circular, but the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the opening 38b is elliptical as shown in FIG.
Therefore, although the cross-sectional shapes in the width direction of the boundary portion 38a and the outlet 38b are different, as shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the outlet 38b is finally formed from the boundary portion 38a toward the outlet 38b. The shape changes continuously.
The major axis diameter of the outlet 38b is preferably 1.0 to 2.0 times, more preferably 1.4 to 1.8 times the inner diameter of the boundary portion 38a.
The inner diameter of the outlet 38b is preferably 60 to 120 mm, and more preferably 7 to 110 mm.

In FIG. 6, the major axis length / minor axis length of the opening 38b satisfies the relationship of 2 to 10. The major axis length / minor axis length is preferably from 3 to 8, and more preferably from 4 to 7.
The cross section in the width direction of the opening 38b is not circular and may have a shape satisfying the above-described relationship. Other than that, a rhombus and a corner having its opposite corner formed by an arc, a rectangle, and a corner of the rectangle A shape having a shape selected from a circular arc and a shape in which the opposite side of the rectangle is a circular arc are preferable.

  The expansion / shaping unit 3 has a plurality of leaf springs 40 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the opening 38 b of the second main body 38.

When the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is used, the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) is expanded into a wide shape (the elliptical shape in FIG. 6) corresponding to the shape of the opening 38b, and then expanded. In the shaping unit 3, it is expanded while maintaining a wide shape.
When manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 4-6, the same thing as when using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 can be manufactured.

The fiber tow spread product (expanded product of the fiber tow spread product) obtained by the production method using the production apparatus of the present invention is not subjected to secondary processing with a molding roller or the like, and is more than the prior art. Can be in a wide range of shapes.
Although the width of the fiber tow spread product is adjusted according to the application, according to the present invention, since a thing with a width of 90 to 110 mm can be obtained, when manufacturing disposable diapers, sanitary products, etc. This is preferable in that it is easy to process.

  The fiber tow spread product (expanded product of the fiber tow spread product) obtained by the production method using the production apparatus of the present invention is in a state in which a large amount of the granular additive is uniformly dispersed than the fiber tow mass. It can be included. For this reason, when manufacturing various products such as disposable diapers, sanitary products, cigarette filters, etc. using the fiber tow spread product, the granular additive (polymer water-absorbing agent) is compared to the case where the conventional technology is applied. , Activated carbon, etc.) can be increased, so that the performance of various products can be improved.

  In particular, when a fiber / toe spread product having a skin / core structure is applied to disposable diapers, sanitary products, etc., it is possible to obtain a localized and abundant amount of particulate additive (polymer water-absorbing agent) locally. The performance as a product can be further improved.

Furthermore, when the spread product has a skin / core structure, the granular polymer absorbent is dropped in the process of forming the fiber toe spread product into a desired shape as compared to the fiber toe spread product having a uniform dispersion structure. There is an advantage that it is difficult.
Further, when the tobacco filter is molded, it is possible to prevent the presence of the particulate additive on the surface, so that the touch when smoking the tobacco is good.

Example 1
Using the production apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a spread of cellulose fiber tow was produced.
The expansion / shaping unit 3 is of the form shown in FIG. 3, and a total of 8 leaf springs (thickness 1.2 mm, width 6 mm, length 150 mm) were used.
As the particulate additive, polyacrylate was used as the polymer water-absorbing agent particles. The polyacrylate was obtained by decomposing a commercially available paper diaper (Moonyman Slim Pants manufactured by Unicharm Co., Ltd.) to collect a polymer absorbent. The polymer absorbent particles were used at a rate of 10 g / tow 3 g. For easy observation, the polymer absorbent particles were colored in advance with a red oily magic.
The air pressure from the air supply hole 36 was 0.15 MP. The operating speed (feed speed of the fiber tow 10) was adjusted in the range of 50 mm / min.

Example 2
Using the production apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a spread product of cellulose fiber tow was produced.
The expansion / shaping unit 3 is of the form shown in FIG. 6, and a total of 8 leaf springs (thickness 1.2 mm, width 6 mm, length 150 mm) were used.
As the particulate additive, polyacrylate was used as the polymer water-absorbing agent particles. The polyacrylate was obtained by decomposing a commercially available paper diaper (Moonyman Slim Pants manufactured by Unicharm Co., Ltd.) to collect a polymer absorbent. The polymer absorbent particles were used at a rate of 10 g / tow 3 g. For easy observation, the polymer absorbent particles were colored in advance with a red oily magic.
The air pressure from the air supply hole 36 was set to 0.05 MP.

Comparative Example 1
In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, as an expansion shaping unit, the cross-sectional shape in the width direction is circular (inner diameter 76 mm), and includes 8 leaf springs (thickness 1.2 mm, width 6 mm, length 150 mm) A cellulose fiber tow spread was produced using the same apparatus except that was used.

Comparative Example 2
The spread of the cellulose fiber tow produced in Comparative Example 1 was crushed so as to have a width of about 110 mm with two forming rolls (diameter 100 mm, width 200 mm).

In Examples 1 and 2, compared with Comparative Example 1, a thinner and wider spread product could be obtained.
When the opened parts of Examples 1 to 3 were cut and the cross section was observed with the naked eye, it was confirmed that the red colored particles were uniformly dispersed.
In Comparative Example 2, the thickness of the central portion in the width direction was slightly thicker than the thickness on both sides in the width direction. And when the opened article of the comparative example 2 was cut | disconnected and the cross section was observed with the naked eye, it was confirmed that the particle | grains colored red are more disperse | distributed in the center part than both sides.

  The fiber tow spread product obtained using the production apparatus of the present invention is suitable as a production material for cigarette filters, a production material for disposable diapers, sanitary products and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pre-opening unit 2 Opening unit 3 Expansion / shaping unit 10 Fiber tow 20 Particulate additive addition part 21 Addition part main body 22 Addition hole 24 Deaeration hole 30 Opening part 31 Main body part 32 Nozzle part 35 Nozzle 36 Air supply hole 40 leaf spring

Claims (6)

It is a manufacturing device for manufacturing a spread product of long fiber tow,
Pre-opening unit (1) with at least one pair of rolls, opening unit (2) connected to pre-opening unit (1), expansion / shaping unit (3) connected to opening unit (2) )
The pre-opening unit (1), the opening unit (2), and the expansion / shaping unit (3) are connected so as to form a continuous space for continuously sending the fiber tow (10). And
The opening unit (2)
It has an additive part (20) for granular additives, and a spread part (30) connected to the additive part (20),
The opening part (30)
Both ends opened, the opening on one end side (addition part (20) side) was connected to the addition part body (21), and the opening part (31b) on the other end side was connected to the expansion / shaping unit (3) A cylindrical body portion (31) comprising a first body portion (37) and a second body portion (38),
The nozzle (35) disposed at an equal interval of 0.3 to 1.0 mm between the inner peripheral surface of the main body (31) inside the main body (31) on the side of the addition section (20) Nozzle part (32) having,
The body part (31) is provided in communication with the inside and outside, and has a gas supply hole (36) that opens facing the gap between the nozzle part (32) and the body part (31),
The body (31)
The first fiber opening zone (Z ₁ ) in the first body portion (37) facing the nozzle (35) of the nozzle portion (32) and the first fiber opening in the second body portion (38). Having a _second opening zone (Z ₂ ) from the boundary (38a) to the opening (38b) with the zone (Z ₁ ),
The cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the first main body (37) forming the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) and the second main body (38) forming the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) is circular,
Expansion and shaping unit (3)
An elastic body for arranging the shape of the expanding fiber tow from the outside is arranged,
The manufacturing apparatus in which the cross-sectional shape in the width direction has a shape satisfying the relationship of major axis length / minor axis length of 2 to 10. It is a manufacturing device for manufacturing a spread product of long fiber tow,
Pre-opening unit (1) with at least one pair of rolls, opening unit (2) connected to pre-opening unit (1), expansion / shaping unit (3) connected to opening unit (2) )
The pre-opening unit (1), the opening unit (2), and the expansion / shaping unit (3) are connected so as to form a continuous space for continuously sending the fiber tow (10). And
The opening unit (2)
It has an additive part (20) for granular additives, and a spread part (30) connected to the additive part (20),
The opening part (30)
Both ends opened, the opening on one end side (addition part (20) side) was connected to the addition part body (21), and the opening part (31b) on the other end side was connected to the expansion / shaping unit (3) A cylindrical body portion (31) comprising a first body portion (37) and a second body portion (38),
The nozzle (35) disposed at an equal interval of 0.3 to 1.0 mm between the inner peripheral surface of the main body (31) inside the main body (31) on the side of the addition section (20) Nozzle part (32) having,
The body part (31) is provided in communication with the inside and outside, and has a gas supply hole (36) that opens facing the gap between the nozzle part (32) and the body part (31),
The body (31)
Nozzle portion (32) and the first opening zone nozzle (35) facing the (Z _1), the second opening zone from the first opening zone (Z ₁₎ to an opening (31b) (Z ₂₎ Have
The first fiber opening zone (Z ₁ ) in the first body portion (37) facing the nozzle (35) of the nozzle portion (32) and the first fiber opening in the second body portion (38). Having a _second opening zone (Z ₂ ) from the boundary (38a) to the opening (38b) with the zone (Z ₁ ),
The first main body (37) forming the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) has a circular cross-sectional shape in the width direction, and the outlet of the second main body (38) forming the second opening zone (Z ₂ ). The cross-sectional shape in the width direction of (38b) is a shape satisfying the relationship of long axis length / short axis length of 2 to 10,
Expansion and shaping unit (3)
An elastic body for arranging the shape of the expanding fiber tow from the outside is arranged,
The manufacturing apparatus in which the cross-sectional shape in the width direction has a shape satisfying the relationship of major axis length / minor axis length of 2 to 10. The cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the boundary portion (38a) between the first opening zone (Z ₁ ) and the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) is circular,
The cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the outlet (38b) of the second main body portion (38) forming the second opening zone (Z ₂ ) has a shape satisfying the relationship of major axis length / minor axis length of 2 to 10. Is ,
The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shape continuously changes from the boundary portion (38a) toward the outlet (38b) so as to finally have a cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the outlet (38b).   A cross-section in the width direction that satisfies the relationship of long axis length / short axis length of 2 to 10 is an ellipse, a rhombus, and a shape in which the opposite corner is an arc, a rectangle, and a rectangular corner The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the part has a shape selected from a shape having a circular arc, and a shape in which a side opposite to the rectangle is a circular arc.   The addition part (20) is formed in the addition part main body (21) having an axial through-hole for sending the fiber tow (10), and the addition part main body (21), and further communicated with the through-hole. The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an additive addition hole (22) and a deaeration hole (24). A method for producing a spread product of long fiber tows using the production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A process of pre-opening while continuously passing the crimped fiber tow,
Contacting the pre-opened fiber tow with the particulate additive,
A fiber-opening process in which the fiber tow in contact with the particulate additive is opened by an air flow;
A method for producing a spread product of long fiber tows, comprising a step of expanding and shaping a fiber tow that has been opened.

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