JP6508362B2 - Sheet manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet manufacturing apparatus.

  Conventionally, there is known a method of mixing a chopped strand glass fiber and a resin with a blower to form a composite material product (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-508964

  However, in the blower provided with the blade in the housing, when mixing the chopped strand glass fiber and the resin by rotating the blade, if the resin remains between the blade and the housing, the resin retained by the friction due to the rotation of the blade There is a problem that it melts and adheres, and the mixing efficiency decreases. In addition, there is a case where the rotation failure of the blower occurs due to the fixed resin.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and can be realized as the following modes or application examples.

Application Example 1 A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to this application example includes: a mixing unit configured to mix a fiber and a resin; and a forming unit configured to form a sheet using the mixture mixed in the mixing unit. The mixing unit includes a rotating unit and a housing unit that surrounds the rotating unit, and the rotating unit is provided on a surface that intersects the extending direction of the rotating shaft and the rotating shaft, and rotates. The housing portion, the plurality of first blades extending from the partition portion in the one extending direction, and the plurality of second blades extending from the portion in the other extending direction, the housing portion An inlet for introducing the fiber and the resin to the first blade side in the extending direction, and an outlet for discharging a mixture of the fiber and the resin introduced from the inlet. It is characterized by having.
The sheet manufacturing apparatus is a sheet manufacturing apparatus including at least a mixing unit configured to mix a fiber and a resin, and a forming unit configured to form a sheet using the mixture mixed in the mixing unit, and the mixing unit includes A rotating portion, and a housing portion surrounding the rotating portion, the rotating portion having a rotating shaft that rotates and a surface that intersects the extending direction of the rotating shaft, and a partition that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft And a plurality of first blades extending from the partition in one extending direction, and a plurality of second blades extending from the partition in the other extending direction; In the extending direction, the first blade has an introduction port into which the fiber and the resin are introduced, and the second blade has a bearing portion for supporting the rotation shaft.

  According to this configuration, the fiber introduced from the inlet and the resin are mixed together by the rotation of the first blade located on the inlet side. Further, in the space between the second blade and the housing portion, the rotation of the second blade generates an air flow directed in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the rotation shaft. Thus, even when the resin or the like flows into the space between the second blade and the housing portion, the resin or the like flowing into the space flows in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the adhesion and the like of the resin and the like around the rotation shaft.

Application Example 2 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example described above, the discharge port is opened in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction.
Application Example 3 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example, the discharge port is opened in the inner wall surface of the housing portion in the direction intersecting the extending direction.
Application Example 4 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example, the length in the extending direction of the first blade is longer than the length in the extending direction of the second blade.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to mix the fiber and the resin efficiently, and it is possible to easily generate the air flow in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction in the space between the second blade and the housing portion.

Application Example 5 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example described above, when the mixing unit is viewed in the extending direction, the rotation shaft is included in the area of the introduction port.

  According to this configuration, since the fibers and the resin are introduced from a portion close to the rotation axis, the first blades can be efficiently mixed.

Application Example 6 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example described above , the housing portion has a bearing portion for supporting the rotation shaft, and is a side having the bearing portion, and a region where the second blade rotates. It has an opening in the area opposite to.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the inflow of resin and fibers to the bearing portion side by being sucked from the opening by the pressure reduction due to the rotation of the second blade.

Application Example 7 In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example, the housing portion has a bearing portion that supports the rotation shaft, and the bearing portion is disposed on the side away from the introduction port in the extending direction. It is characterized by being done.

  According to this configuration, since the bearing portion is disposed on the side away from the introduction port, it is possible to make it difficult for fibers and resin to reach the bearing portion.

Application Example 8 The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example is characterized in that the first blade side of the rotation shaft is not pivotally supported.

  According to this configuration, since the first blade side is not pivotally supported, fibers and resin can be efficiently introduced into the housing portion without disturbing the movement of fibers and resin introduced from the first blade side.

Schematic which shows the structure of a sheet manufacturing apparatus. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part of a comparative example. Schematic which shows the structure of the mixing part concerning a modification.

  Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each member or the like is different from the actual scale in order to make each member or the like to be recognizable.

First Embodiment
First, the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus will be described. The sheet manufacturing apparatus is based on, for example, a technology of forming a raw material (a defibrated material) Pu such as a pure pulp sheet or waste paper into a new sheet Pr. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a sheet manufacturing apparatus including: a mixing unit configured to mix at least a fiber and a resin; and a forming unit configured to form a sheet using the mixture mixed in the mixing unit, The rotary unit includes a rotary unit, and a housing unit that supports the rotary unit and encloses the rotary unit. The rotary unit has a rotary shaft that rotates and a surface that intersects the extending direction of the rotary shaft. The housing portion includes an extending partition portion, a plurality of first blades extending in one extending direction from the partitioning portion, and a plurality of second blades extending in the other extending direction from the partitioning portion. It has an introduction port into which fibers and resin are introduced on the first blade side in the direction, and has a bearing portion for supporting the rotating shaft on the second blade side. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus will be specifically described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes an input unit 10, a crushing unit 20, a defibrating unit 30, a classification unit 40, a sorting unit 50, an additive supply unit 60, and the like. , A mixing unit 300, a deposition unit 70, a forming unit 200, and the like. And the control part which controls these members is provided.

  The charging unit 10 is for charging the waste paper Pu to the crushing unit 20. The input unit 10 includes, for example, a tray 11 in which a plurality of waste papers Pu are accumulated and stored, and an automatic feeding mechanism 12 capable of continuously feeding the used papers Pu in the tray 11 into the crushing unit 20. The waste paper Pu to be introduced into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is, for example, A4 size paper which is currently mainstream in the office.

  The crushing unit 20 is for cutting the supplied waste paper Pu into pieces of several centimeters square. The crushing unit 20 is provided with a crushing blade 21 so as to constitute an apparatus in which the cutting width of a normal shredder blade is expanded. Thus, the supplied waste paper Pu can be easily cut into pieces of paper. Then, the divided crushed paper is supplied to the defibrating unit 30 through the conveyance path 201.

  The defibrating unit 30 includes a rotating rotary blade (not shown), and performs disaggregation to break up the crushed paper (the disintegrated material including fibers) supplied from the crushing unit 20 into fibers. . The defibrating unit 30 of the present embodiment performs defibrating in air in a dry manner. By the defibrating treatment of the defibrating unit 30, the printed ink, toner, coating material to paper such as anti-smearing material become particles of several tens μm or less (hereinafter referred to as "ink particles") and fibers Separate from. Therefore, the defibrated material coming out of the defibrating unit 30 is the fibers and the ink particles obtained by the defibration of the paper piece. The air flow is generated by the rotation of the air-blowing blade disposed adjacent to the rotary blade, and the fiber disintegrated through the transport path 202 rides on the air flow to the classification unit 40 in the air. It is transported. In addition, you may provide separately the airflow generation apparatus which generates the airflow for making the classification part 40 convey the fiber disintegrated by the disintegration part 30 through the conveyance path 202 as needed.

  The classification unit 40 classifies the introduced material introduced by air flow. In the present embodiment, the defibrated material as an introduction is classified into ink particles and fibers. For example, by applying a cyclone, the classification unit 40 can classify the transported fibers into ink particles and deinked fibers (deinked and defibrillated substances). In addition, it may change to a cyclone and may use another kind of airflow type classifier. In this case, an elbow jet, an Eddy classifier, or the like is used as an air flow classifier other than the cyclone, for example. The air flow type classifier generates swirling air flow and separates and classifies according to the difference in centrifugal force received by the size and density of the defibrated material, and the classification point can be adjusted by adjusting the air flow velocity and centrifugal force. . As a result, it is divided into relatively small and low density ink particles and high density fibers larger than the ink particles. Removing ink particles from fibers is called deinking.

  The classification unit 40 of the present embodiment is a tangent input type cyclone, and the introduction port 40 a introduced from the defibrating unit 30, the cylinder section 41 with the introduction port 40 a in the tangential direction, and the cone following the lower part of the cylinder section 41 It comprises a portion 42, a lower outlet 40b provided at the lower part of the conical portion 42, and an upper exhaust port 40c for discharging fine powder provided at the upper center of the cylindrical portion 41. The conical portion 42 is reduced in diameter downward in the vertical direction.

  In the classification process, the air flow loaded with the defibrated material introduced from the introduction port 40a of the classification unit 40 is changed to a circumferential motion at the cylindrical part 41 and the conical part 42, and is classified due to centrifugal force. Then, the fiber having a larger density and higher density than the ink particle moves to the lower outlet 40b, and the relatively small and lower density ink particle is drawn to the upper exhaust port 40c as a fine powder together with air, and the deinking progresses. Then, the short fiber mixture containing a large amount of ink particles is discharged from the upper exhaust port 40 c of the classification unit 40. Then, the short fiber mixture containing a large amount of the discharged ink particles is collected in the receiving unit 80 via the conveyance path 206 connected to the upper exhaust port 40 c of the classification unit 40. On the other hand, a classified material containing fibers classified from the lower outlet 40 b of the classification unit 40 via the conveyance path 203 is conveyed in the air toward the classification unit 50. From classification part 40 to sorting part 50, it may be transported by an air flow at the time of classification, or may be transported from classification part 40 located above to sorting part 50 located below by gravity. In addition, a suction unit or the like for efficiently sucking the short fiber mixture from the upper exhaust port 40c may be disposed in the upper exhaust port 40c of the classification unit 40, the transport path 206, and the like.

  The sorting unit 50 is for sorting by passing a classified material containing fibers classified by the classification unit 40 from a drum unit 51 having a plurality of openings. Furthermore, specifically, the classified material including the fibers classified by the classification unit 40 is sorted into a passing material passing through the opening and a residue not passing through the opening. The sorting unit 50 of the present embodiment is provided with a mechanism for dispersing the classified matter in the air by rotational movement.

  Then, the passing material (disintegrated material) that has passed through the opening by the sorting of the sorting unit 50 is conveyed to the mixing unit 300. In detail, the sorting unit 50 and the mixing unit 300 are connected by the conveyance path 204 a. Then, after passing through the opening by the sorting of the sorting unit 50, the passed material (opened material) is received by the hopper unit 56, and then transported in the air to the mixing unit 300 via the transport path 204a. The sorting unit 50 may be transported by a blower (not shown) that generates an air flow, or may be transported by gravity from the sorting unit 50 above to the stacking unit 70 below. On the other hand, the residue which has not passed through the opening by the sorting of the sorting unit 50 is returned to the defibration unit 30 again as a defibrated material through the transport path 205 as a feed path. Thus, the residue is reused (reused) without being discarded.

  Further, between the sorting unit 50 and the mixing unit 300 in the transport path 204a, an additive supply unit 60 that supplies an additive to the transported material (fibrillated material) to be transported is provided. The additives include, for example, flame retardants, whiteness improvers, sheet force enhancers, sizing agents, and the like in addition to resins (for example, fusion resins or thermosetting resins). The form of the additive may be a powder or a fibrous body. Then, these additives are stored in the additive storage unit 61 provided in the additive supply unit 60. Then, the additive stored in the additive storage unit 61 is supplied from the supply port 62 toward the transport path 204 by a discharge mechanism such as a screw feeder.

  The mixing unit 300 mixes at least the fibers transported in the air with the resin to form a mixture, and is, for example, a blower. The pass-through material (fibers) transported from the sorting unit 50 and the resin supplied from the additive supply unit 60 are introduced into the inside of the mixing unit 300 from the inlet 301, and the fibers and resin are mixed in the mixing unit 300. Ru. Then, the mixture in which the fiber and the resin are mixed is discharged from the discharge port 302 toward the transport path 204 b and transported to the deposition unit 70 in the air. The detailed configuration of the mixing unit 300 will be described later.

  The deposition unit 70 is for depositing the web W by using the mixture supplied from the transport path 204b. The deposition unit 70 has a mechanism for uniformly dispersing the fibers and the resin in the air, and a mechanism for depositing the dispersed fibers and the resin on the mesh belt 73. In addition, the web W concerning this embodiment means the structure form of the object containing a fiber and resin. Therefore, the web W is shown even when the form of dimensions etc. changes at the time of heating, pressurization, cutting, conveyance, etc. of the web.

  First, as a mechanism for uniformly dispersing the fibers in the air, a forming drum 71 in which the fibers and the resin are introduced is disposed in the deposition unit 70. Then, by driving the forming drum 71 to rotate, the resin (additive) can be uniformly mixed in the passing material (fiber). The forming drum 71 is provided with a screen having a plurality of small holes. Then, the forming drum 71 is rotationally driven to uniformly mix the resin (additive) in the passing material (fiber), and uniformly disperse the fiber or the mixture of fiber and resin having passed through the small holes in the air. Can.

  Under the forming drum 71, an endless mesh belt 73 in which a mesh stretched by a stretching roller 72 is formed is disposed. The mesh belt 73 is moved in one direction by rotating at least one of the stretching rollers 72.

  Further, a suction device 75 as a suction unit for generating an air flow directed vertically downward via the mesh belt 73 is provided vertically below the forming drum 71. The suction device 75 can suck the fibers dispersed in the air onto the mesh belt 73.

  Then, the fibers and the like that have passed through the small hole screen of the forming drum 71 are deposited on the mesh belt 73 by the suction force of the suction device 75. At this time, by moving the mesh belt 73 in one direction, it is possible to form a web W containing fibers and a resin and deposited in a long shape. By continuously performing the dispersion from the forming drum 71 and the movement of the mesh belt 73, a belt-like continuous web W is formed. The mesh belt 73 may be made of metal, resin, or non-woven fabric, and may be anything as long as fibers can be deposited and air can pass through. If the mesh hole diameter of the mesh belt 73 is too large, fibers enter between the meshes and become uneven when the web W (sheet) is formed, while if the mesh hole diameter is too small, the suction device 75 It is difficult to form a stable air flow. For this reason, it is preferable to adjust the hole diameter of the mesh appropriately. The suction device 75 can be configured by forming a closed box having a window of a desired size opened under the mesh belt 73 and sucking air from other than the window to make the inside of the box more negative pressure than the outside air.

  The web W formed on the mesh belt 73 is transported by the transport unit 100. The conveyance unit 100 of the present embodiment shows the conveyance process of the web W from the mesh belt 73 to the final insertion into the stacker 160 as the sheet Pr (web W). Therefore, in addition to the mesh belt 73, various rollers function as part of the transport unit 100. As the conveyance unit, at least one of a conveyance belt and a conveyance roller may be provided. Specifically, first, the web W formed on the mesh belt 73 which is a part of the conveyance unit 100 is conveyed in the conveyance direction (arrows in the figure) by the rotational movement of the mesh belt 73. Next, the web W is transported from the mesh belt 73 in the transport direction (arrows in the drawing).

  A pressing unit 140 is disposed downstream of the deposition unit 70 in the transport direction of the web W. The pressure unit 140 of the present embodiment is a pressure unit 140 having a roller 141 for pressing the web W. By passing the web W between the roller 141 and the tension roller 72, the web W can be pressurized. Thereby, the strength of the web W can be improved.

  A cutting unit front roller 120 is disposed downstream of the pressing unit 140 in the conveyance direction of the web W. The cutting section front roller 120 has a pair of rollers 121. One of the pair of rollers 121 is a drive control roller, and the other is a driven roller.

  In addition, a one-way clutch is used as a drive transmission unit that rotates the cutting unit front roller 120. The one-way clutch has a clutch mechanism that transmits rotational force in only one direction, and is configured to slip in the opposite direction. As a result, when an excessive tension is applied to the web W due to the speed difference between the post-cutting roller 125 and the pre-cutting roller 120, the web W idles on the side of the cutting roller 120, and the tension on the web W is suppressed. The web W can be prevented from being torn.

  On the downstream side of the cutting portion front roller 120 in the conveyance direction of the web W, a cutting portion 110 that cuts the web W in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the web W being conveyed is disposed. The cutting unit 110 includes a cutter, and cuts the continuous web W into sheets (sheets) according to a cutting position set to a predetermined length. For example, a rotary cutter can be applied to the cutting unit 110. According to this, the web W can be cut while being transported. Therefore, since the conveyance of the web W is not stopped at the time of cutting, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved. In addition, the cutting part 110 may apply various cutters other than a rotary cutter.

  A cutting unit rear roller 125 is disposed downstream of the cutting unit 110 in the conveyance direction of the web W. The post-cut roller 125 has a pair of rollers 126. One of the pair of rollers 126 is a drive control roller, and the other is a driven roller.

  In the present embodiment, the web W can be tensioned by the speed difference between the pre-cutting roller 120 and the post-cutting roller 125. The cutting unit 110 is driven to cut the web W in a state where the web W is tensioned.

  A heating unit 150 for heating the web W is disposed downstream of the post-cutting roller 125 in the transport direction of the web W. The heating unit 150 of the present embodiment is configured of a pair of heating and pressing rollers 151 for heating and pressing the web W. The heating unit 150 bonds (fixes) the fibers contained in the web W via a resin. A heating member such as a heater is provided at the central portion of the rotation axis of the heating and pressing roller 151, and the web W is heated between the pair of heating and pressing rollers 151 by heating the web W being conveyed. It can be pressurized. Then, the web W is heated and pressurized by the pair of heating and pressing rollers 151, so that the resin is melted to be easily entangled with the fibers, and the fiber interval is shortened, and the contact point between the fibers is increased. Thereby, the density is increased and the strength as the web W is improved.

  A post-cutting unit 130 for cutting the web W along the conveyance direction of the web W is disposed downstream of the heating unit 150 in the conveyance direction of the web W. The post-cutting unit 130 is provided with a cutter, and cuts according to a predetermined cutting position in the transport direction of the web W. Thereby, a sheet Pr (web W) of a desired size is formed. Then, the cut sheet Pr (web W) is stacked on a stacker 160 or the like. In the present embodiment, the deposition unit 70, the conveyance unit 100, and the heating unit 150 are part of a forming unit 200 that forms the sheet Pr using the web W.

  Moreover, the sheet | seat concerning the said embodiment mainly uses what used fibers as fibers, such as waste paper and pure pulp, as a raw material, and was made into a sheet form. However, the present invention is not limited to such, and may be in the form of a board or a web (or in a shape having unevenness). Further, as a raw material, vegetable fibers such as cellulose, chemical fibers such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polyester, and animal fibers such as wool and silk may be used. In the present application, the sheet is divided into paper and non-woven fabric. Paper includes a thin sheet form and the like, and includes recording paper for writing and printing, wallpaper, wrapping paper, colored paper, Kent paper and the like. Non-woven fabrics are thicker than paper and have low strength, and include non-woven fabrics, fiber boards, tissue papers, kitchen papers, cleaners, filters, liquid absorbers, sound absorbers, shock absorbers, mats and the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, waste paper mainly refers to printed paper, but if it is made into a material formed as paper, it is regarded as waste paper regardless of whether it is used or not.

  Next, the configuration of the mixing unit will be described. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the mixing unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 (a) is an external perspective view, FIG. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. FIG. 2 (d) is a schematic view schematically showing the flow process of the mixture.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the mixing unit 300 includes a rotating unit 310 and a housing unit 380 that supports a part of the rotating unit 310 and covers the rotating unit 310. . The housing portion 380 includes an inlet 301 connected to the conveyance path 204 a and an outlet 302 connected to the conveyance path 204 b. Fibers and resin are introduced from the introduction port 301, and the introduced fibers and fibers are mixed by the rotating unit 310. The mixture of fibers and fibers is configured to be discharged from the discharge port 302. In addition, the housing part 380 of this embodiment has comprised substantially cylindrical shape.

  The rotation unit 310 includes a cylindrical rotation shaft 320, and the rotation shaft 320 is connected to a motor 309 as a rotation unit that rotates the rotation shaft 320 about the axis. And the housing part 380 is provided with the bearing part 330 which supports the rotating shaft 320. As shown in FIG. The bearing portion 330 of the present embodiment is provided in a part of the wall portion of the housing portion 380. For example, a ball bearing or a roller bearing can be applied to the bearing portion 330.

  Further, when viewed in the extending direction R of the rotary shaft 320, the rotary shaft 320 is included in the area (opened area) of the inlet 301. In the present embodiment, when viewed in the extending direction R of the rotation shaft 320, the top of the rotation shaft 320 is located at a position corresponding to substantially the center of the region of the inlet 301 (the opened region). A rotating shaft 320 is disposed. Thus, the fibers and the resin can be efficiently introduced from the introduction port 301 toward the rotating portion 310. Further, the bearing portion 330 is disposed on the wall portion of the housing portion 380 on the side away from the introduction port 301 in the extending direction R. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult for the fiber or resin introduced from the introduction port 301 to reach the bearing portion 330.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2C, the rotating portion 310 has a surface perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320 and is integrally rotated with the rotating shaft 320; A plurality of first blades 350 extending in the extending direction R and a plurality of second blades 360 extending in the other extending direction R from the partition 340.

  When viewed in the extending direction R, the partition portion 340 has a circular shape centered on the rotation shaft 320 and has a predetermined thickness. In addition, a gap having a predetermined dimension is formed between the end of the partition 340 and the housing 380 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction R.

  The first blade 350 is provided on the surface of the direction corresponding to the extending direction R of the partition portion 340 in the direction in which the inlet 301 is disposed. The first blade 350 has a so-called turbo blade shape having a curved surface from the center to the end of the partition 340. A plurality of (first nine in the present embodiment) first blades 350 are provided, and a plurality of first blades 350 are arranged at regular intervals. The plurality of first blades 350 have a convex shape in a fixed direction when viewed in the extending direction R. In addition, the rotation part 310 of this embodiment is comprised so that it may rotate in the convex direction (arrow direction of FIG.2 (c)) of the 1st blade | wing 350. As shown in FIG.

  The second blade 360 is provided on the surface opposite to the surface on which the first blade 350 is disposed among the surfaces corresponding to the extending direction R of the partition portion 340. Further, like the first blade 350, the second blade 360 has a so-called turbo blade shape having a curved surface from the center to the end of the partition 340. Moreover, in the 2nd blade | wing 360 of this embodiment, it arrange | positions by the same number as the 1st blade | wing 350, and the same space | interval. Further, the length in the extending direction R of the first blade 350 is longer than the length in the extending direction R of the second blade 360. Further, the dimension of the gap G formed between the top in the extending direction R of the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380 is 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. In addition, the partition part 340, the 1st blade | wing 350, and the 2nd blade | wing 360 may be integrally shape | molded, and what was shape | molded separately may be mutually joined. Then, the motor 309 is driven to rotate the rotary shaft 320 about the axis, whereby the first and second blades 350 and 360 as well as the partition 340 are rotated.

  Further, the inlet port 301 of the housing portion 380 is disposed on the side of the first blade 350 in the extending direction R. And the 1st blade | wing 350 side in the rotating shaft 320 is not pivotally supported. That is, the bearing portion 330 for supporting the rotation shaft 320 is provided on the side facing the inlet 301 in the extending direction R. Thereby, it can be made to flow efficiently to the 1st blade | wing 350 side, without inhibiting the flow of the fiber introduce | transduced from the inlet 301, and resin. The fibers and resin flowed into the housing portion 380 are mixed by the rotation of the rotating portion 310. The fiber and the resin are mixed, and the mixture is made to flow in the direction of the inner wall 380a of the housing portion 380 by the centrifugal force of the rotation of the rotating portion 310 as shown in FIG. It moves and is finally discharged from the discharge port 302. In addition, the discharge port 302 of this embodiment is provided so as to open in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction R. That is, since the discharge port 302 is provided in the direction along the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 320, the mixture can be efficiently discharged by the flow generated by the rotating unit 310.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, in the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, the second blade 360 rotates in the extending direction R by the rotation of the second blade 360. An air flow is generated from the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 facing the second blade 360 along the second blade 360 toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the extending direction R with respect to the second blade 360. Do. That is, an air flow is generated in the direction of the centrifugal force by the rotating second blade 360. For this reason, when the introduced fiber and resin are flowed into the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, the air flow generated in the space S is generated. It rides and flows to the inner wall surface 380 a side of the housing portion 380. Then, the mixture flowing toward the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing portion 380 flows along the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing portion 380 and is discharged from the discharge port 302.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  The fibers introduced from the inlet 301 provided in the housing portion 380 and the resin are mixed together by the rotation of the rotating portion 310 including the first blade 350. Further, due to the rotation of the second blade 360, an air flow is generated in the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotary shaft 320. Thereby, even if the resin or the like flows into the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380, the resin or the like flowing in is flowed in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotary shaft 320. Ru. Therefore, retention of the resin in the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380 is reduced, and for example, the frictional heat generated by the rotational drive of the rotary shaft 320 reduces the sticking of the resin around the rotary shaft 320. it can.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The basic configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus is the same as the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the configuration different from that of the first embodiment, that is, the configuration of the mixing unit will be described. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the mixing unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a schematic view schematically showing the flow of the mixture.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the mixing unit 300a according to this embodiment includes a rotating unit 310 and a housing unit 380 that supports a part of the rotating unit 310 and covers the rotating unit 310. The housing portion 380 includes an inlet 301 connected to the conveyance path 204 a and an outlet 302 connected to the conveyance path 204 b. Fibers and resin are introduced from the introduction port 301, and the introduced fibers and resin are mixed by the rotating unit 310. Then, a mixture of fibers and resin is configured to be discharged from the discharge port 302. The configuration of the rotating unit 310 of the mixing unit 300a of this embodiment and the basic configuration of the housing unit 380 are the same as the configurations of the rotating unit 310 and the housing unit 380 of the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment, The main differences will be described.

  The housing portion 380 of the mixing portion 300 a of the present embodiment has an opening 390 in the region facing the rotation region of the second blade 360 on the side having the bearing portion 330. The opening 390 is a through hole communicating from the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing portion 380 to the outer inner wall of the housing portion 380. The size of the opening 390 can be appropriately set according to the form of the rotating portion 310 including the second blade 360, etc., but when the rotating portion 310 is rotated, the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 The space S having a gap G formed between the two is set to a negative pressure state, and air flows from the outside of the housing portion 380 through the opening 390 to the space S side having the gap G. The shape of the opening 390 is not particularly limited, and may be circular or elliptical in plan view.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the fibers and resin flowed from the inlet port 301 of the housing portion 380 into the interior of the housing portion 380 are mixed by the rotation of the rotating portion 310. The fiber and resin are mixed, and the mixture is moved in the direction of rotation of the first blade 350 while being flowed in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 by the flow generated by the rotation of the rotating portion 310, and finally the outlet 302 Discharged from

  In a space S having a gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380 by the rotation of the second blade 360, the housing portion 380 is opposed to the second blade 360 in the extending direction R. The air flow from the inner wall surface 380b of the second blade 360 toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the direction perpendicular to the second blade 360 in the extending direction R is generated. Furthermore, due to the rotation of the second blade 360, a negative pressure state occurs in the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, and from the outside of the housing portion 380 via the opening 390. Air is introduced. The introduced air flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the same manner as the air flow. For this reason, when the introduced fiber and resin are flowed into the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, the air flow generated in the space S is generated. It rides and flows to the inner wall surface 380 a side of the housing portion 380. Then, the mixture flowing toward the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing portion 380 flows along the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing portion 380 and is discharged from the discharge port 302.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  Air is introduced from the outside of the housing portion 380 through the opening 390 by the pressure reduction due to the rotation of the second blade 360, and flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380. Thus, fibers, resin, and the like can be easily flowed to the inner wall surface 380a side of the housing portion 380, and adhesion of the resin around the rotary shaft 320 can be reduced.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The basic configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus is the same as the configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the configuration different from the first and second embodiments, that is, the configuration of the mixing unit will be described. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the mixing unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4 (b) is a schematic view schematically showing the flow of the mixture.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the mixing unit 300a of the present embodiment includes a rotating unit 310, and a housing unit 380 that supports a part of the rotating unit 310 and covers the rotating unit 310. The housing portion 380 includes an inlet 301 connected to the conveyance path 204 a and an outlet 302 connected to the conveyance path 204 b. Fibers and resin are introduced from the introduction port 301, and the introduced fibers and resin are mixed by the rotating unit 310. Then, a mixture of fibers and resin is configured to be discharged from the discharge port 302. The configuration of the rotating unit 310 of the mixing unit 300a of this embodiment and the basic configuration of the housing unit 380 are the same as the configurations of the rotating unit 310 and the housing unit 380 of the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment, The main differences will be described.

  The housing portion 380 of the mixing portion 300 b of the present embodiment is located on the side having the bearing portion 330 and in the area facing the area where the second blade 360 rotates and corresponds to the outer peripheral portion of the rotation shaft 320. It has an opening 390. The opening 390 is a through hole communicating from the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing portion 380 to the outer inner wall of the housing portion 380. The size of the opening 390 can be appropriately set according to the form of the rotating portion 310 including the second blade 360, etc., but when the rotating portion 310 is rotated, the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing portion 380 The space S having a gap G formed between the two is set to a negative pressure state, and air flows from the outside of the housing portion 380 through the opening 390 to the space S side having the gap G. The shape of the opening 390 is not particularly limited, and may be circular or elliptical in plan view. Further, a support plate 381 for housing the bearing portion 330 is disposed at a position separated from the wall portion of the housing portion 380 on the side away from the introduction port 301 in the extending direction R.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the fibers and resin flowed from the inlet port 301 of the housing portion 380 into the interior of the housing portion 380 are mixed by the rotation of the rotating portion 310. The fiber and resin are mixed, and the mixture is moved in the direction of rotation of the first blade 350 while being flowed in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 by the flow generated by the rotation of the rotating portion 310, and finally the outlet 302 Discharged from

  In a space S having a gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380 by the rotation of the second blade 360, the housing portion 380 is opposed to the second blade 360 in the extending direction R. The air flow from the inner wall surface 380b of the second blade 360 toward the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the direction perpendicular to the second blade 360 in the extending direction R is generated. Furthermore, due to the rotation of the second blade 360, a negative pressure state occurs in the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, and from the outside of the housing portion 380 via the opening 390. Air is introduced. The introduced air flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380 in the same manner as the air flow. For this reason, when the introduced fiber and resin are flowed into the space S having the gap G formed between the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 380, the air flow generated in the space S is generated. It rides and flows to the inner wall surface 380 a side of the housing portion 380. Then, the mixture flowing toward the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing portion 380 flows along the inner wall surface 380 a of the housing portion 380 and is discharged from the discharge port 302.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st and 2nd embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  Air is introduced from the outside of the housing portion 380 through the opening 390 by the pressure reduction due to the rotation of the second blade 360, and flows in the direction of the inner wall surface 380a of the housing portion 380. Thus, fibers, resin, and the like can be easily flowed to the inner wall surface 380a side of the housing portion 380, and adhesion of the resin around the rotary shaft 320 can be reduced.

[Example]
Next, specific examples and comparative examples according to the present invention will be described.

  1. Form of mixing part

(Example 1: mixing part 300)
In Example 1, the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment is used. The configuration of the mixing unit 300 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted (see FIG. 2). The dimension of the gap G between the top in the extending direction R of the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing portion 380 was 4.2 mm.

Second Embodiment Mixing Unit 300a
In the second embodiment, the mixing unit 300a according to the second embodiment is used. The configuration of the mixing unit 300a is the same as that of the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted (see FIG. 3). The dimension of the gap G between the top in the extending direction R of the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing portion 380 was 4.2 mm.
Example 3 Mixing Unit 300b
In the third embodiment, the mixing unit 300b according to the third embodiment is used. The configuration of the mixing unit 300b is the same as that of the third embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted (see FIG. 4). The dimension of the gap G between the top in the extending direction R of the second blade 360 and the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing portion 380 was 4.2 mm.

(Comparative example 1: mixing part 1000)
In the comparative example 1, the mixing part 1000 shown to Fig.5 (a) is used. Specifically, the mixing unit 1000 has a configuration in which the second blade 360 is omitted in the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment. The dimension of the gap G between the partition 340 and the inner wall surface 380 b of the housing 380 in the extending direction R was 0.8 mm.

(Comparative example 2: mixing part 1000a)
In the comparative example 2, the mixing part 1000a shown in FIG.5 (b) is used. Specifically, the mixing unit 1000a has a configuration in which the second blade 360 is omitted in the mixing unit 300 according to the first embodiment. The dimension of the gap G between the partition 340 and the inner wall surface 380b of the housing 380 in the extending direction R was 4.2 mm.

2. Evaluation Next, in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 described above, the presence or absence of retention of the resin in the space S and the presence or absence of the adhesion of the resin in the space S are evaluated. Each evaluation method is as follows.

(A) About the evaluation method of the presence or absence of the retention of the resin in the space S The same amount of fibers and resin per time are introduced to each of the driven mixing units 300, 300a, 300b, 1000, 1000a, and the mixing process is performed. . Then, the drive is stopped 10 minutes after the start of the drive. Then, an appearance inspection is performed on the space S, and if the resin does not stay, it is judged as OK, and if the resin stays, it is judged as NG.

(B) About the evaluation method of existence or non-existence of adhesion of resin in space S The fiber and resin of the same quantity per time are introduced into each driven mixing part 300, 300a, 300b, 1000, 1000a and mixing processing is performed . Then, the drive is stopped 10 minutes after the start of the drive. Then, an appearance inspection is performed on the space S, and if the resin is not fixed, it is determined as OK, and if the resin is fixed, it is determined as NG.

  In the above-mentioned Example and comparative example, evaluation of the existence of retention of resin in space S, and evaluation of the existence of adherence of resin in space S were performed. The evaluation results are as shown in Table 1.

  As shown in Table 1, according to the mixing units 300, 300a, 300b (Examples 1, 2, 3) according to the present invention, evaluation of the presence or absence of retention of resin in the space S and presence or absence of adhesion of the resin in the space S Excellent for the evaluation of This is because each mixing unit 300, 300a, 300b has the second blade 360, the rotation of the second blade 360 causes an air flow directed in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotary shaft 320 in the space S. Occur. Thereby, even if the resin or the like flows into the space S between the second blade 360 and the housing portion 380, the resin or the like flowing in is flowed in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotary shaft 320. Therefore, retention of the resin in the space S could be prevented. Further, since retention of the resin in the space S is prevented, there is no sticking of the resin in the space S. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, satisfactory results were not obtained. This means that each mixing unit 1000, 1000 a does not have the second blade 360. Therefore, the rotation of the first blade 350 generates an air flow toward the housing portion 380 in the space S. Thus, when the resin flows into the space S between the partition 340 and the housing 380, the resin flows in the direction of the inner wall 380b of the housing 380 and is pressed against the inner wall 380b. Thereby, it is considered that retention of the resin occurred in the space S. In the first comparative example, since the distance between the partition 340 and the inner wall 380b is short, the frictional heat of the rotating partition 340 and the inner wall 380b may cause the resin to melt and stick. Further, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the resin retained in the space S may be melted and fixed due to frictional heat or the like due to the drive of the rotary shaft 320.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification is described below.

  (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the first blade 350 and the second blade 360 of the mixing unit 300 (300a, 300b) have a convex curved surface from the center to the end of the partition 340, a so-called turbo type Although it was set as the blade shape of, it is not limited to this. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a mixing unit according to a modification. As shown to Fig.6 (a), the 1st blade | wing 350a and the 2nd blade | wing 360a may be plate shape (plate type | mold) which has a flat surface from the center part of the partition part 340 to an edge part. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first blade 350b and the second blade 360b may have a so-called sirocco-type blade shape having a convex curved surface disposed at the end of the partition 340. Even in this case, the same effect as the above effect can be obtained. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the blade number of the 1st blade 350 and the 2nd blade 360 presupposed that it is the same, it is not limited to this, The blade number of the 1st blade 350 and the blade number of the 2nd blade 360 differ May be Furthermore, the blade shapes of the first blade 350 and the second blade 360 in the above embodiment and the first blades 350a and 350b and the second blades 360a and 360b according to the first modification may be appropriately combined. Even in this case, the same effect as the above effect can be obtained.

  (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the tip shape of the rotary shaft 320 on the inlet 301 side in the extending direction S is a flat surface, but it is not limited to this. For example, the shape of the tip of the rotation shaft 320 may be conical. In this way, fibers and resin introduced from the introduction port 301 can be smoothly introduced into the housing portion 380 without colliding with the rotating shaft 320.

  (Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the partitioning portion 340 of the mixing portion 300 (300a, 300b) has a surface perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotary shaft 320, but the first blade 350 and the second blade The partition part 340 may not have a plane perpendicular to the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320 as long as it has a function of dividing 360, and it may have a plane intersecting the extending direction R of the rotating shaft 320.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet manufacturing apparatus, 10 ... Insertion part, 20 ... Crushing part, 30 ... Defibrillation part, 40 ... Classification part, 50 ... Sorting part, 60 ... Additive supply part, 61 ... Additive storage part, 70 ... Deposition Unit: 100: Conveying unit 110: Cutting unit 120: Cutting unit front roller 125: Cutting unit after roller 130: After cutting unit 140: Pressing unit 150: Heating unit 160: Stacker 200: Forming Parts, 300, 300a, 300b: mixing part, 301: introduction port, 302: discharge port, 310: rotation part, 320: rotation shaft, 330: bearing part, 340: partition part, 350, 350a, 350b: first blade , 360, 360a, 360b: second blade, 380: housing portion, 380a: inner wall surface, 380b: inner wall surface, 381: support plate, 390: opening.

Claims (8)

A mixing unit for mixing the textiles and a resin,
A forming unit configured to form a sheet using the mixture mixed in the mixing unit;
The mixing unit is
A rotating unit, and a housing unit surrounding the rotating unit;
The rotating unit is
A rotating shaft,
A partition portion which is provided on a surface intersecting the extending direction of the rotation shaft and rotates;
A plurality of first blades extending from the partition in one extending direction;
A plurality of second blades extending in the other extending direction from the partition portion;
The housing portion is
It has an introduction port into which the fiber and the resin are introduced on the first blade side in the extending direction, and an exhaust port from which a mixture of the fiber introduced from the introduction port and the resin is discharged. Sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein the discharge port is opened in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port is opened in an inner wall surface of the housing portion in a direction intersecting the extending direction. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .
A sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein a length of the first blade in the extending direction is longer than a length of the second blade in the extending direction. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the mixing section is viewed in the extending direction, the rotation shaft is included in an area of the introduction port. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
The housing portion is
A bearing unit for supporting the rotating shaft;
A sheet manufacturing apparatus having an opening in an area facing the rotating area of the second blade, which is a side having the bearing portion. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .
The housing portion has a bearing portion for supporting the rotation shaft,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein the bearing portion is disposed on the side away from the introduction port in the extending direction. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .
A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the first blade side of the rotation shaft is not pivotally supported.

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