JP6638196B2 - Sheet manufacturing apparatus and sheet manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a trimming processing device including a pair of trimming cutters for cutting the vicinity of both sides of the band-shaped sheet in the length direction of the band-shaped sheet, and a duct for accommodating ears cut and separated from the band-shaped sheet. (Patent Document 1).

  In such a trimming device, the purpose is to remove the ears, and there is a problem that the ears are wasted.

JP-A-8-141823

  One of the objects according to some aspects of the present invention is to provide a sheet manufacturing apparatus and a sheet manufacturing method in which scraps generated by cutting for forming a sheet are reused as raw materials for sheet manufacturing. It is in.

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

One embodiment of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A crushing unit for crushing the raw material containing fibers supplied from the supply unit into crushed pieces,
A defibration unit that defibrate the crushed pieces into defibrated materials,
A sheet forming unit that forms a sheet using at least a part of the defibrated material,
A cutting section for cutting the sheet,
A transport unit that transports the cut material of the sheet cut by the cutting unit to the crushing unit or the defibrating unit,
It is characterized by having.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the cut material of the cut sheet can be reused as a sheet material.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The transport unit may include a blower or a suction device, and transport the scraps by an airflow generated by the blower or the suction device.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, since the scraps are transported by air, the transport path can be easily configured as compared with the belt transport. Further, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus, the degree of freedom of the layout of the transport path of the transport unit is high. Further, in the sheet manufacturing apparatus, by providing a blowing device or a suction device, a stable airflow can be generated, and the scrap material can be transported reliably.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The transporting unit may have a pipe for transporting the offcuts to the defibrating unit, and transport the offcuts by an airflow generated by the defibrating unit.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, scraps can be transported using the airflow of the existing defibrating unit.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
It has an offcut cutting section for cutting off offcuts,
The transport unit may transport the cut material cut by the cut material cutting unit to the crushing unit or the defibrating unit.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to prevent conveyance failure in the conveyance unit by cutting off the end material.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The cutting section,
A first side end cutting section for cutting a first side end of the sheet;
A second side end cutting portion for cutting a second side end of the sheet,
The transport unit,
A first opening for receiving the first cut material cut by the first side end cutting portion;
A second opening for receiving a second end material cut by the second side end cutting portion;
A blower for generating an airflow for transporting the first and second scraps,
A pipe connecting the blower, the first opening, the second opening, the crushing unit or the defibrating unit in this order,
May be provided.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the offcuts generated from both side edges of the sheet can be transported by one transport path.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The pressure loss on the first opening side may be larger than the pressure loss on the second opening side.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, by increasing the pressure loss on the first opening side located on the side of the blower, the difference in suction force between the first opening side and the second opening side is reduced, and the end material becomes the first material. It can be prevented from blowing out from the opening.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The cutting section,
A first side end cutting section for cutting a first side end of the sheet;
A second side end cutting portion for cutting a second side end of the sheet,
The transport unit,
A first opening for receiving the first cut material cut by the first side end cutting portion;
A second opening for receiving the second end material cut by the second side end cutting portion;
A suction device for generating an air flow for transporting the first and second scraps,
A pipe connecting the first opening, the second opening, the suction device, the crushing unit or the defibrating unit in this order,
May be provided.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the offcuts generated from both side edges of the sheet can be transported by one transport path.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The pressure loss on the second opening side may be larger than that on the first opening side.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the difference in suction force between the first opening side and the second opening side is reduced by increasing the pressure loss on the second opening side located on the suction apparatus side, and the scrap is removed from both opening sides. Can be reliably sucked and transported.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
A detection unit that detects an amount of offcuts conveyed by the conveyance unit,
A control unit that controls the amount of the raw material supplied to the crushing unit based on a detection result by the detection unit,
May be provided.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the thickness and density of the sheet to be formed can be kept constant by adjusting the amount of the supplied raw material even if the amount of conveyed scraps varies.

In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
The cutting section,
A first side end cutting section for cutting a first side end of the sheet;
A second side end cutting portion for cutting a second side end of the sheet,
The transport unit,
A first opening for receiving the first cut material cut by the first side end cutting portion;
A second opening for receiving the second end material cut by the second side end cutting portion;
A pipe connecting the first opening, the second opening, and the defibrating unit in this order;
Has,
The pressure loss on the second opening side may be larger than that on the first opening side.

  In such a sheet manufacturing apparatus, the difference in suction force between the first opening side and the second opening side is reduced by increasing the pressure loss on the second opening side located on the defibrating unit side, and Suction can be surely carried from the opening and conveyed.

One embodiment of the sheet manufacturing method according to the present invention,
The raw material containing the supplied fiber is crushed into crushed pieces in the crushing section,
The crushed pieces are defibrated into defibrated materials in the defibration unit,
Forming a sheet using at least a part of the defibrated material,
Cut the formed sheet,
A sheet manufacturing method, comprising transporting a cut sheet scrap to the crushing unit or the defibrating unit.

  In such a sheet manufacturing method, the cut material of the cut sheet can be reused as a sheet material.

The figure which shows typically the sheet manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a transport unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a transport unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing a transport unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a front view schematically illustrating a transport unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to Modification 1.

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

  The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a crushing unit that crushes a raw material containing fibers supplied from a supply unit into crushed pieces, a defibrating unit that defibrates the crushed pieces into a defibrated material, and a defibrated material. A sheet forming unit that forms a sheet by using at least a part of the sheet, a cutting unit that cuts the sheet, and a conveyance that conveys the cut material of the sheet cut by the cutting unit to the crushing unit or the defibrating unit. And a unit.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a supply unit 10, a manufacturing unit 102, and a control unit 140. The manufacturing unit 102 manufactures a sheet. The production unit 102 includes a crushing unit 12, a defibrating unit 20, a classifying unit 30, a sorting unit 40, a first web forming unit 45, a mixing unit 50, a stacking unit 60, and a second web forming unit. 70, a sheet forming section 80, and a cutting section 90.

  The supply unit 10 supplies a raw material to the crushing unit 12. The supply unit 10 is, for example, an automatic charging unit for continuously charging the raw material into the crushing unit 12. The raw material supplied by the supply unit 10 includes, for example, fibers such as waste paper and pulp sheet.

  The crushing unit 12 cuts the raw material supplied by the supply unit 10 into small pieces in the air. The shape and size of the small piece are, for example, small pieces of several cm square. In the illustrated example, the crushing unit 12 has a crushing blade 14, and the crushing blade 14 can cut the input raw material. As the crushing unit 12, for example, a shredder is used. The raw material cut by the crushing unit 12 is transferred (conveyed) to the defibrating unit 20 via the pipe 2 after being received by the hopper 1.

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

  What passed through the defibrating unit 20 is referred to as “defibrated material”. The term "defibrated material" includes, in addition to the defibrated defibrated fibers, resin particles (resin for binding a plurality of fibers) separated from the fibers when the fibers are defibrated, ink, toner, etc. And an additive such as a bleeding preventive and a paper strength enhancer. The shape of the defibrated defibrated material is a string shape or a ribbon shape. The defibrated defibrated material may exist in a state where it is not entangled with other defibrated fibers (independent state), or may be entangled with other defibrated defibrated materials to form a mass. It may exist in a state (a state forming a so-called "dama").

  The defibrating unit 20 defibrates in a dry manner in the atmosphere (in the air). Specifically, an impeller mill is used as the defibrating unit 20. The defibrating unit 20 has a function of sucking the raw material and generating an airflow for discharging the defibrated material. Thus, the defibrating unit 20 can suck the raw material together with the airflow from the inlet 22 by the airflow generated by itself, perform defibration processing, and convey the defibrated material to the outlet 24. The defibrated material that has passed through the defibrating unit 20 is transferred to the classifying unit 30 via the tube 3.

  The classifying unit 30 classifies the defibrated material that has passed through the defibrating unit 20. Specifically, the classifying section 30 separates and removes relatively small or low-density defibrated materials (such as resin particles, coloring agents, and additives). This makes it possible to increase the proportion of fibers that are relatively large or dense in the defibrated material.

  As the classifier 30, an airflow classifier is used. The airflow classifier generates a swirling airflow and separates it by the difference in centrifugal force received depending on the size and density of the object to be classified.It is possible to adjust the classification point by adjusting the speed and centrifugal force of the airflow. it can. Specifically, a cyclone, an elbow jet, an eddy classifier, or the like is used as the classification unit 30. In particular, a cyclone as shown in the drawing has a simple structure, and thus can be suitably used as the classification unit 30.

  The classifying unit 30 includes, for example, an inlet 31, a cylindrical part 32 to which the inlet 31 is connected, an inverted conical part 33 located below the cylindrical part 32 and continuous with the cylindrical part 32, and an inverted conical part 33. And a lower discharge port 34 provided at the center of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 32.

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

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

  The first web forming unit 45 conveys the first sorted material that has passed through the sorting unit 40 to the mixing unit 50. The first web forming unit 45 includes a mesh belt 46, a tension roller 47, and a suction unit (suction mechanism) 48.

  The suction unit 48 can suction the first sorted material dispersed in the air through the opening (net opening) of the sorting unit 40 onto the mesh belt 46. The first sort is deposited on the moving mesh belt 46 to form the web V. The basic configurations of the mesh belt 46, the stretching roller 47, and the suction unit 48 are the same as the mesh belt 72, the stretching roller 74, and the suction mechanism 76 of the second web forming unit 70 described later.

  The web V is formed in a soft and swollen state containing a large amount of air by passing through the sorting section 40 and the first web forming section 45. The web V deposited on the mesh belt 46 is put into the tube 7 and is conveyed to the mixing unit 50.

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

  In the mixing section 50, an airflow is generated by the blower 56, and the first sorted material and the additive can be conveyed in the pipe 54 while being mixed. The mechanism for mixing the first selection material and the additive is not particularly limited, and may be a mechanism that stirs with a high-speed rotating blade or a mechanism that utilizes the rotation of a container like a V-type mixer. There may be.

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

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

  The additives supplied from the additive supply unit 52 include, in addition to the resin that binds the fibers, a coloring agent for coloring the fibers and prevention of fiber aggregation according to the type of sheet to be manufactured. And a flame retardant for making the fibers and the like difficult to burn. The mixture (the mixture of the first sorted product and the additive) that has passed through the mixing unit 50 is transferred to the deposition unit 60 via the pipe 54.

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

  As the deposition unit 60, a rotating cylindrical sieve is used. The deposition unit 60 has a net, and causes fibers or particles (things passing through the net) smaller than the size of the mesh of the net included in the mixture passed through the mixing unit 50 to fall. The configuration of the deposition unit 60 is the same as the configuration of the selection unit 40, for example.

  Note that the “sieve” of the deposition unit 60 may not have a function of selecting a specific target. That is, the “sieve” used as the deposition unit 60 means a device provided with a net, and the deposition unit 60 may drop all of the mixture introduced into the deposition unit 60.

  The second web forming unit 70 forms the web W by depositing the passing material that has passed through the depositing unit 60. The second web forming unit 70 includes, for example, a mesh belt 72, a stretching roller 74, and a suction mechanism 76.

  The mesh belt 72 accumulates the passing material that has passed through the opening (net opening) of the accumulation unit 60 while moving. The mesh belt 72 is stretched by a stretching roller 74 and has a configuration in which it is difficult for a passing object to pass through and air is passed. The mesh belt 72 moves as the tension roller 74 rotates. The web W is formed on the mesh belt 72 by continuously passing objects passing through the accumulation unit 60 while the mesh belt 72 moves continuously. The mesh belt 72 is made of, for example, metal, resin, cloth, or non-woven fabric.

  The suction mechanism 76 is provided below the mesh belt 72 (on the side opposite to the stacking unit 60 side). The suction mechanism 76 can generate a downward airflow (airflow from the deposition unit 60 to the mesh belt 72). The mixture dispersed in the air by the deposition unit 60 can be sucked onto the mesh belt 72 by the suction mechanism 76. Thereby, the discharge speed from the deposition unit 60 can be increased. Further, the suction mechanism 76 can form a down flow in the falling path of the mixture, and can prevent the defibrated material and the additive from becoming entangled during the falling.

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

  In the illustrated example, a humidity control unit 78 for controlling the humidity of the web W is provided. The humidity control unit 78 can adjust the amount ratio between the web W and water by adding water or steam to the web W.

  The sheet forming section 80 presses and heats the web W deposited on the mesh belt 72 to form the sheet S. In the sheet forming unit 80, a plurality of fibers in the mixture are bound to each other via the additive (resin) by applying heat to the mixture of the defibrated material and the additive mixed in the web W. Can be.

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

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

  As described above, a cut sheet S having a predetermined size is formed. The cut single sheet S is discharged to the discharge unit 96.

1.2 Cutting Unit As described with reference to FIG. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a crushing unit 12 that crushes the raw material including the fiber supplied from the supply unit 10 into crushed pieces, and defibrates the crushed pieces. It has a defibrating unit 20 for defibrating into a material, a sheet forming unit 80 for forming a sheet S using at least a part of the defibrated material, and a cutting unit 90 for cutting the sheet S.

  The cutting section 90 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating the transport unit 110 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating the transport unit 110, and FIG. It is a front view which shows typically. 2 to 4, the stacking unit 60 and the sheet forming unit 80 on the upstream side in the transport direction M of the continuous sheet S are omitted. In FIG. 1, the sheet is indicated only by the symbol S, but in the following description, a cut sheet obtained by cutting at a first cutting unit 92 described later is set to S1 and cut at a second cutting unit 94. The cut sheet (product) obtained as described above is described as S2, and the scraps are described as S3 and S4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a first cutting unit 92, a second cutting unit 94, and a discharge unit 96 downstream of the sheet forming unit 80 shown in FIG.

  The first cutting unit 92 cuts the continuous sheet S being conveyed from the sheet forming unit 80 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction M of the continuous sheet S. The first cutting section 92 has a blade section formed with a blade at the lower end for cutting the continuous sheet S, and a cutting drive section that moves the blade section up and down with respect to the continuous sheet S. In accordance with a command from the control unit 140, the cutting drive unit lowers the blade unit with respect to the continuous sheet S at a predetermined interval to cut the blade into a predetermined cut sheet S1 length, and raises the blade unit after cutting. The length of the cut sheet S1 is equal to the length of the cut sheet S2 which is the final product.

  In this specification, the “sheet width” is the length of the sheets S, S1, and S2 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction M, and the “sheet length” is the sheet S in the direction parallel to the transport direction M. , S1, S2.

  The blade portion has a blade extending over the entire width of the continuous sheet S in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction M. Although the first cutting unit 92 is described as an example of a so-called guillotine cutter system, a known paper cutting mechanism such as a rotary cutter system using a rotating disk-shaped blade can be employed.

  The first cutting unit 92 is disposed downstream of the transport rollers 93a, 93a that rotate continuously so as to send out the continuous sheet S in the transport direction M.

  The second cutting unit 94 is located downstream of the first cutting unit 92 in the transport direction M. The second cutting unit 94 further cuts the cut sheet S1 cut by the first cutting unit 92 in a direction along the transport direction M. When there is no first cutting portion 92 (a continuous sheet in which the product is wound up in a roll shape instead of a cut sheet), the end of the continuous sheet S in the transport direction may be cut. The second cutting section 94 is sometimes called a slitter, and cuts off both ends in the width direction of the cut sheet S1 to make the width of the cut sheet S1 equal to the width of the cut sheet S2 as a product.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second cutting unit 94 arranges cutting blades at two positions near both ends in the width direction of the cut sheet S <b> 1 and cuts both ends in the width direction. The second cutting unit 94 includes a first side end cutting unit 94a that cuts the first side end S1a of the cut sheet S1, and a second side end cutting unit that cuts the second side end S1b of the cut sheet S1. 94b. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the second cutting section 94 is viewed from the discharge section 96 along the transport direction M.

  The first side end S1a and the second side end S1b are unnecessary portions when processing the cut sheet S1 into a cut sheet S2 as a product, and are formed from both ends in the width direction of the cut sheet S1. This is a portion between the first side end cutting portion 94a and the second side end cutting portion 94b. The reason why the first side end S1a and the second side end S1b are cut off is to adjust the shape of both ends of the cut sheet S1, and the basis weight is smaller than the basis weight required for the product. This is because there is a tendency. Since the first side end S1a and the second side end S1b do not necessarily have a problem with the fiber itself of the defibrated material, the first side end S1a and the second side end S1b return to the defibration unit 20 again and go through a series of steps to obtain the raw material of the continuous sheet S. Can be fully reused as.

  The cutting blades of the first side end cutting section 94a and the second side end cutting section 94b are disk-shaped rotary blades as shown in FIG. 2, and the two cutting blades are cut sheet S1 as shown in FIG. Are fixed to the same rotation axis so as to always have a constant width and rotate. The first side end cutting section 94a and the second side end cutting section 94b cut the cut sheet S1 while being conveyed by the conveying rollers 93b.

  The cut sheet S2 cut by the first side end cutting section 94a and the second side end cutting section 94b is further conveyed in the conveying direction M and sequentially stacked on the stacking section 96a of the discharge section 96. In addition, the lower surface of the cut sheet S2 moves to the discharge unit 96 while sliding on a carrier (not shown).

  The first end material S3 and the second end material S4, which are the end materials of the first side end portion S1a and the second side end portion S1b cut by the first side end cutting portion 94a and the second side end cutting portion 94b, It falls downward from the second cutting section 94 and is transported by the transport section 110.

  As the cutting blade of the second cutting section 94, a rotary blade is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a known cutter used for a slitter can be used.

  The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 further includes a transport unit 110 (not shown in FIG. 1) described below.

1.3. Conveying Unit The conveying unit 110 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The transport unit 110 transports the first and second cut materials S3 and S4 of the cut sheet S1 cut by the cutting unit 90 to the crushing unit 12 or the defibrating unit 20. The cut materials S3 and S4 of the cut sheet S1 cut by the cutting unit 90 can be reused by re-feeding them into the crushing unit 12 or the defibrating unit 20 as a raw material of the continuous sheet S.

  The transport unit 110 includes a pipeline 112, a blower 120, scrap material cutting units 124a and 124b, and a detection unit 142.

  The pipe line 112 conveys the first cut material S3 and the second cut material S4 cut by the second cutting unit 94 to the defibrating unit 20. The pipe 112 has one end connected to the pipe 2 connected to the defibrating unit 20, and conveys the first cut material S <b> 3 and the second cut material S <b> 4 in the pipe 112 by an airflow generated by the defibrating unit 20. As described above, the first cut material S3 and the second cut material S4 can be transported using the airflow generated in the existing defibrating unit 20. As long as the airflow generated in the defibrating unit 20 has a flow rate sufficient to transport the first cut material S3 and the second cut material S4, it is not necessary to provide another blowing device or a suction device (deformation). This will be described as Example 2), but is used here in combination with the blower 120.

  The transport section 110 has a first opening 114 for receiving the first end material S3 cut by the first side end cutting section 94a and a second opening for receiving the second end material S4 cut by the second side end cutting section 94b. 115. The first opening 114 is arranged so as to open below the first side end cutting portion 94a, and the second opening 115 is arranged so as to open below the first side end cutting portion 94a. The conduit 112 is connected to the first opening 114 and the second opening 115, and receives the first and second end materials S3, S4.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an end material cutting portion 124 a is disposed between the first side end cutting portion 94 a and the first opening 114, and the first side end cutting portion 94 a and the second opening 115 are connected to each other. An end material cutting portion 124b is arranged between them (omitted in FIG. 4). The offcuts 124a and 124b cut the first offcut S3 and the second offcut S4. The offcuts 124a and 124b have the same mechanism as the crushing blade 14 described in the crushing unit 12, for example. The offcuts cut by the offcuts 124a and 124b are transported by the transport unit 110 to the crushing unit 12 or the defibrating unit 20. By cutting (slicing) the first scrap S3 and the second scrap S4 into small pieces, the transport is facilitated and transport failure in the transport unit 110 can be prevented.

  The first opening 114 and the second opening 115 have substantially the same basic configuration, and are funnel-shaped hoppers 114a, 115a for receiving cut small pieces, and connecting pipes 114b, 115b connected to lower ends of the hoppers 114a, 115a. And The connecting pipes 114b and 115b are pipes whose lower ends are connected to the conduit 112 and guide the small pieces to the conduit 112.

  The blower 120 is connected to the upstream end of the conduit 112. The blower 120 blows air into the pipeline 112 and generates an airflow from the blower 120 toward the other end (downstream side) of the pipeline 112. The conduit 112 connects the blower 120, the first opening 114, the second opening 115, and the crushing unit 12 or the defibrating unit 20 in this order. The airflow generated by the blower 120 generates an airflow that sucks the small pieces of the first and second end materials S3 and S4 from the first and second openings 114 and 115 into the conduit 112 by the Venturi effect. That is, the blower 120 generates an airflow for transporting the first and second scraps S3 and S4 in the pipeline 112. According to the blower 120 and the conduit 112, two scraps generated from both side ends of the cut sheet S1 can be transported by one transport path.

  Since the blower 120 conveys the first scrap S3 and the second scrap S4 by air, the conveying path can be easily configured as compared with the belt conveying, and the degree of freedom of the layout of the conveying path of the conveying unit 110 is high. . Furthermore, since a stable airflow can be generated by providing the blower 120, the first and second end materials S3 and S4 can be reliably transported. As the blower 120, a known blower such as a centrifugal blower such as a sirocco fan as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or an axial blower such as a general propeller fan can be used.

  The blower 120 is used when the air flow in the conduit 112 generated by the defibrating unit 20 is not enough to transport the first and second scraps S3 and S4, or when the end of the conduit 112 is This arrangement is particularly useful when it is disposed in the direction (line 113 shown by a broken line in FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the blower 120 is provided at the upstream end of the conduit 112, even if the pressure loss on the first opening 114 side is larger than that on the second opening 115 side. Good. Here, “upstream” means upstream of the airflow in the pipeline 112, and is upstream of a portion where the pipeline 112 is connected to the first and second openings 114 and 115. By increasing the pressure loss on the side of the first opening 114 located on the side of the blower 120, the difference in suction force between the side of the first opening 114 and the side of the second opening 115 is reduced, and the first and second end materials S3, It is possible to prevent S4 from blowing out from the first opening 114. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the flow path (inner diameter) of the connection pipe 114b of the first opening 114 is made smaller than the flow path (inner diameter) of the connection pipe 115b of the second opening 115, and the cross-sectional area is different. Is attached. In addition, the pressure loss may be increased by providing irregularities on the inner surface of the connection pipe 114b to such an extent that the conveyance of the first and second end materials S3 and S4 is not hindered.

  The detection unit 142 detects the amounts of the first and second end materials S3 and S4 conveyed by the conveyance unit 110. The control unit 140 controls the amount of the raw material supplied from the supply unit 10 to the crushing unit 12 based on the detection result of the detection unit 142. Even if the amounts of the first and second scraps S3 and S4 to be conveyed fluctuate, the thickness and density of the formed sheet S are kept constant by adjusting the amount of the raw material supplied by the control unit 140. Can be.

  As the detection unit 142, a known sensor such as an optical sensor or a flow sensor can be used. In the case where an optical sensor is used, the amount of the scrap material being conveyed is detected based on the amount of light blocked by the scrap material passing through the pipeline 112. When a flow rate sensor is used, the amount of the scrap material being conveyed is estimated and detected by detecting the flow rate of air.

  In the present embodiment, two pieces of offcuts are respectively received by the two openings 114 and 115. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two pieces of offcuts may be received by one opening.

2. Sheet manufacturing method The sheet manufacturing method according to the present embodiment includes a step of crushing a raw material including a supplied fiber into crushed pieces in a crushing unit, crushing the crushed pieces into a defibrated material in the defibrating unit, A sheet is formed using at least a part of the sheet, the formed sheet is cut, and the cut material of the cut sheet is transported to a crushing unit or a defibrating unit. In such a sheet manufacturing method, the cut material of the cut sheet can be reused as a sheet material.

  The sheet manufacturing method can be implemented by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, but is not limited thereto.

  First, when a user requests a process for manufacturing a sheet via an operation unit (not shown) of the control unit 140, the control unit 140 starts processing of each processing unit.

  (A) The raw material containing the supplied fiber is crushed into crushed pieces in the crushing unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined amount of raw material is supplied from a supply unit 10 to a crushing unit 12, and the raw material is crushed into crushed pieces. The amount of the raw material supplied from the supply unit 10 adjusts the amount of the raw material supplied per unit time based on the detection result of the transport amounts of the first and second scraps S3 and S4 by the detection unit 142.

  (B) The crushed pieces are defibrated into defibrated materials in the defibrating unit 20.

  The defibrating unit 20 generates an airflow to be sucked toward the defibrating machine, and guides the coarsely crushed pieces and the first and second scraps S3 and S4 to the defibrating unit 20 by the airflow in the pipe 2 and the conduit 112.

  (C) A continuous sheet S is formed using at least a part of the defibrated material.

  The defibrated material passes through the sorting unit 40, the mixing unit 50, the stacking unit 60, the second web forming unit 70, and the sheet forming unit 80 illustrated in FIG.

  (D) The formed continuous sheet S is cut.

  The cutting unit 90 cuts the continuous sheet S in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction M by the first cutting unit 92, cuts both ends of the cut sheet S1 in the width direction by the second cutting unit 94, Two offcuts S3 and S4 are generated.

  (E) The first and second cut materials S3 and S4 of the cut single sheet S1 are transported to the crushing unit 12 or the defibrating unit 20.

  The first and second end materials S3 and S4 are cut (shredded) at the first and second side end cut portions 94a and 94b, and flow into the conduit 112 through the first and second openings 114 and 115. Move on the. There is an airflow generated by the blower 120 and the defibrating unit 20 in the conduit 112, and the first and second scraps S3 and S4 are carried on the airflow and conveyed to the crushing unit 12 or the defibrating unit 20.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the pipe 112 is connected to the defibrating unit 20, but the first and second scraps S <b> 3 and S <b> 4 are guided to the crushing unit 12 like the pipe 113 indicated by a broken line. You may.

3. Modification 1
Modification 1 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a front view schematically illustrating the transport unit 110a of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the modification. In FIG. 5, the same members as those of the transport unit 110 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following description, a description of a portion overlapping with the above-described transport unit 110 will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the transport unit 110a has a first opening 114 for receiving the first scrap S3 cut by the first side end cutting unit 94a, and a second end cut by the second side end cutting unit 94b. It has a second opening 115 for receiving the material S4, and a suction device 122 (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2) for generating an air flow for transporting the first and second materials S3 and S4.

  The transport unit 110a has a pipe 112a that connects the first opening 114, the second opening 115, the suction device 122, the crushing unit 12 or the defibrating unit 20 in this order. By arranging the conduits 112a in this manner, the first and second end materials S3 and S4 generated from both side ends of the continuous sheet S can be conveyed by one conveyance path. As the suction device 122, for example, a known blower such as an axial blower such as a propeller fan shown in a broken line portion in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 or a centrifugal blower such as a sirocco fan used in the blower 120 can be used.

  The suction device 122 is provided between the second opening 115 and the defibrating unit 20 (or the crushing unit 12) and in the middle of the conduit 112a.

  The transport unit 110a increases the pressure loss on the second opening 115 side with respect to the first opening 114 side. As described above, by increasing the pressure loss on the side of the second opening 115 located on the side of the suction device 122, the difference in suction force between the side of the first opening 114 and the side of the second opening 115 is reduced, and the first and second ends are reduced. Materials S3 and S4 can be reliably sucked and transported from both openings. The means for increasing the pressure loss is as described in the above “1.3.

4. Modification 2
The blowing device 120 or the suction device 122 described above is used when the air flow in the conduit 112 generated by the defibrating unit 20 is not sufficient to transport the first and second cut materials S3 and S4, or when the end of the conduit 112 This is useful when the part is arranged in the crushing part 12 (the pipe line 113 shown by a broken line in FIG. 2).

  Here, a description will be given of a second modification in which the airflow generated in the defibrating unit 20 is sufficient to convey the first and second scraps S3 and S4.

  Although the transport section 110 of the second modification is not shown, the blower 120 and the suction device 122 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are not provided. The transport section 110 has a conduit 112 that connects the first opening 114, the second opening 115, and the defibrating section 20 in this order. In FIG. 2, the end of the pipe 112 where the blower 120 is provided is sealed. Therefore, the pipe 112 has only the opening connected to the pipe 2 and the first opening 114 and the second opening 115, and the airflow generated in the defibrating unit 20 passes through the pipe 112 and the first opening 114 and the second opening 115. It becomes the suction force at the two openings 115.

  In the second modification, the pressure loss on the second opening 115 side is made larger than that on the first opening 114 side. The means for increasing the pressure loss is as described above. As described above, by increasing the pressure loss on the second opening 115 side located on the defibrating unit 20 side, the difference in suction force between the first opening 114 side and the second opening 115 side is reduced, and the end material is removed from both openings. Can be reliably sucked and transported.

  The paper in the present specification includes a mode in which pulp or waste paper is used as a raw material and formed into a thin sheet, and includes recording paper for writing and printing, wallpaper, wrapping paper, colored paper, drawing paper, Kent paper, and the like. Nonwoven fabric in this specification is thicker or lower in strength than paper, and is a common nonwoven fabric, fiber board, tissue paper (tissue paper for cleaning), kitchen paper, cleaner, filter, liquid (waste ink or oil) absorbent material , Sound absorbing materials, heat insulating materials, cushioning materials, mats and the like. The raw material may be a vegetable fiber such as cellulose, a chemical fiber such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or polyester, or an animal fiber such as wool or silk.

  The present invention may omit some configurations or combine embodiments and modifications within a range having the features and effects described in the present application.

  The invention includes substantially the same configuration (a configuration having the same function, method, and result, or a configuration having the same object and effect) as the configuration described in the embodiment. Further, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. Further, the invention includes a configuration having the same function and effect as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration capable of achieving the same object. Further, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... hopper, 2,3,4,5 ... tube, 6 ... hopper, 7,8 ... tube, 9 ... hopper, 10 ... supply part, 12 ... crushing part, 14 ... crushing blade, 20 ... defibration part , 22 ... inlet, 24 ... outlet, 30 ... classifier, 31 ... inlet, 32 ... cylinder, 33 ... inverted cone, 34 ... lower outlet, 35 ... upper outlet, 36 ... receiver, 40 ... Sorting section, 42... Inlet, 44... Outlet, 45... First web forming section, 46... Mesh belt, 47. 54: tube, 56: blower, 60: depositing section, 62: introduction port, 70: second web forming section, 72: mesh belt, 74: tension roller, 76: suction mechanism, 78: humidity control section, 80: Sheet forming section, 82: first binding section, 84: second binding section, 86: heating roller, 90: cutting section 92: first cutting section, 93a, 93b: transport roller, 94: second cutting section, 94a: first side end cutting section, 94b: second side end cutting section, 96: discharging section, 100: sheet manufacturing apparatus, Reference numeral 102: manufacturing unit, 110: transport unit, 110a: transport unit, 112: pipeline, 112a: pipeline, 113: pipeline, 114: first opening, 114a: hopper, 114b: connecting pipe, 115: second opening 115a hopper, 115b connecting pipe, 120 blower, 122 suction device, 124a scrap material cutting section, 124b scrap material cutting section, 140 control section, 142 detection section, M transport direction, S ... sheet, S1, S2 ... cut sheet, S1a ... first side end, S1b ... second side end, S3 ... first end material, S4 ... second end material, V ... web, W ... web

Claims (11)

A crushing unit for crushing the raw material containing fibers supplied from the supply unit into crushed pieces,
A defibration unit that defibrate the crushed pieces into defibrated materials,
A forming unit for forming a sheet using at least a part of the defibrated material,
A first cutting unit that cuts the sheet conveyed from the forming unit in a direction that intersects the conveying direction;
A second cutting unit that cuts the sheet cut by the first cutting unit in a direction parallel to the transport direction;
A transport unit that transports the end material of the sheet cut by the second cutting unit to the crushing unit or the defibrating unit,
A sheet manufacturing apparatus, comprising:   2. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit includes a blower or a suction device, and transports the scraps by an airflow generated by the blower or the suction device. 3.   The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit has a pipeline that transports the offcuts to the defibrating unit, and transports the offcuts by an air current generated by the defibrating unit. 4. manufacturing device. It has an offcut cutting section for cutting off offcuts,
The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transporting unit transports the offcuts cut by the offcuts cutting unit to the crushing unit or the defibrating unit. manufacturing device. The second cutting section includes:
A first side end cutting section for cutting a first side end of the sheet;
A second side end cutting portion for cutting a second side end of the sheet,
The transport unit,
A first opening for receiving the first cut material cut by the first side end cutting portion;
A second opening for receiving the second end material cut by the second side end cutting portion;
A blower for generating an airflow for transporting the first and second scraps,
A pipe connecting the blower, the first opening, the second opening, and the crushing unit or the defibrating unit in this order;
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:   The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a pressure loss on the first opening side is made larger than that on the second opening side. The second cutting section includes:
A first side end cutting section for cutting a first side end of the sheet;
A second side end cutting portion for cutting a second side end of the sheet,
The transport unit,
A first opening for receiving the first cut material cut by the first side end cutting portion;
A second opening for receiving the second end material cut by the second side end cutting portion;
A suction device for generating an air flow for transporting the first and second scraps,
A pipe connecting the first opening, the second opening, the suction device, the crushing unit or the defibrating unit in this order,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:   The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a pressure loss on the second opening side is larger than that on the first opening side. A detection unit that detects an amount of offcuts conveyed by the conveyance unit,
A control unit that controls the amount of the raw material supplied to the crushing unit based on a detection result by the detection unit,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: The second cutting section includes:
A first side end cutting section for cutting a first side end of the sheet;
A second side end cutting portion for cutting a second side end of the sheet,
The transport unit,
A first opening for receiving the first cut material cut by the first side end cutting portion;
A second opening for receiving the second end material cut by the second side end cutting portion;
A pipe that connects the first opening, the second opening, and the defibrating unit in this order,
The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a pressure loss on the second opening side is made larger than that on the first opening side. The raw material containing the supplied fiber is crushed into crushed pieces in the crushing section,
The crushed pieces are defibrated into defibrated materials in the defibration unit,
Forming a sheet using at least a part of the defibrated material,
Conveying the formed sheet,
The sheet is cut in a direction crossing the direction in which the sheet has been conveyed,
The cut sheet is further cut in a direction parallel to the direction in which the sheet has been conveyed,
A sheet manufacturing method, comprising transporting a cut sheet scrap to the crushing unit or the defibrating unit.

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