JP6646383B2 - Tow opening apparatus, fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus using the same, and fiber sheet manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tow opening device, a fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus using the same, and a method for manufacturing a fiber sheet.

  Generally, a fiber sheet is used as a material of an absorbent body (also referred to as an absorbent member) such as a disposable diaper or a sanitary article. For example, a fiber sheet is manufactured by opening a long fiber tow such as cellulose acetate. A fiber sheet produced by opening a long fiber tow has a property that it is less likely to lose its shape than a fiber sheet produced by fluff pulp or the like.

  The absorber is required to have characteristics such as good tactile sensation and high water absorption. Therefore, as shown in Patent Literature 1, there is a case where a fiber sheet including a granular material is manufactured to impart predetermined characteristics to an absorbent body. As a material of the granular material, for example, a super absorbent polymer (SAP) can be mentioned.

JP 2013-112909 A

  In the case of producing a fiber sheet containing a granular material, for example, if the granular material is encapsulated in a desired position of the fiber sheet and the characteristics of the granular material can be locally expressed in the fiber sheet, the granular material is It is desirable because the fiber sheet can be enhanced in function and the degree of freedom in designing the fiber sheet can be improved as compared with the case where characteristics are exhibited.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for enclosing a granular material inside a desired position of a fiber sheet constituted by using a long fiber tow, enabling the fiber sheet to locally exhibit the properties of the granular material, and The purpose is to improve design flexibility.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a tow opening device according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the conveying path of the tow including at least one opening chamber in which the long fiber tow is opened by the first gas is provided inside. The formed tubular main body is provided at a position upstream of the opening of the fiber opening chamber in the transport direction of the tow in the transport direction of the tow, and the first gas is introduced into the transport path. A gas introduction section to be supplied, a granular material supply section for supplying granular matter to be added to the tow, and a downstream side of the gas introduction section in the transport direction and a most downstream side in the transport direction. A discharge port that is provided at a position upstream of the fiber chamber in the transport direction and that discharges the granular material supplied from the granular material supply unit inside the tow.

  According to the above configuration, the particulate matter is discharged from the discharge port inside the tow from the discharge port at a position upstream of the opening of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the direction of transport of the tow, so that gas is introduced. Through the fiber gap of the tow which is introduced into the transport path from the section and opened by the first gas, the granular material enters and is enclosed in a region having a sufficient depth inside the tow. In addition, since the granular material is discharged from the discharge port inside the tow at a position downstream of the gas introduction unit in the tow conveying direction, excessive diffusion of the granular material is suppressed, and the granular material is discharged to a desired position of the tow. The granular material can be easily arranged, and the characteristics of the granular material can be locally expressed by the tow. Therefore, by using the tow containing the granular material as described above, the granular material can be encapsulated in a desired position of the fiber sheet, and the characteristics of the granular material can be locally expressed in the fiber sheet. The degree of freedom in designing the fiber sheet can be improved.

  The main body has at least one circulation portion provided with a flow passage through which the granular material circulates, and the granular material supply portion supplies the granular material together with the pressurized second gas, The discharge port may be an outlet of the flow passage in a flow direction of the granular material, and may eject the granular material together with the second gas inside the tow conveyed in the opening chamber.

  In this way, by ejecting the granular material together with the pressurized second gas from the discharge port inside the tow conveyed in the opening chamber, the granular material is added vigorously to the inside of the tow during opening. , Granules can enter. Therefore, at the position where the granular material is added to the tow, the granular material can be favorably arranged inside the tow.

  The flow portion may be a tubular portion, and a downstream end of the flow portion may protrude into the opening chamber and extend in the transport direction of the transport path. Thus, the resistance of the granular material discharged from the discharge port to the tow can be reduced, and the granular material can be efficiently added to the inside of the transported tow.

  The discharge port may discharge the granular material toward a downstream side in the transport direction. Thereby, the granular material can be efficiently added to the inside of the tow while reducing the collision between the transported tow and the granular material.

  The discharge port may be provided on a downstream side of a center between a merging position where the first gas merges with the tow and an outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction. Thus, in the opening room, the granular material can be added to the interior of the tow that has been spread to some extent, and the granular material can be favorably arranged at a desired position of the tow through the fiber gap of the tow to be opened.

  The discharge port may discharge the granular material in at least one uneven distribution region unevenly distributed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction inside the tow. Thereby, the granular material can be satisfactorily sealed in the uneven distribution region of the tow, and the characteristics of the granular material can be locally expressed in the tow.

  The main body portion has at least one molding portion for molding the tow by projecting toward a part of the opening chamber from a part of a circumferential surface of an inner peripheral surface forming the opening chamber, and the uneven distribution region. May be either inside the region of the tow molded by the molded portion or inside the region other than the region molded by the molded portion of the tow.

  Thereby, the granular material can be arranged in one of the inside of the region molded by the tow molding portion or the inside of the region not molded by the tow molding portion, and the characteristics of the granular material can be exhibited. .

  The main body may have a region in which the flow path cross-sectional area of the fiber opening chamber increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. Thereby, the tow can be efficiently opened in the region of the opening chamber in which the flow path cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, at the position downstream of the gas introduction section in the transport direction of the tow, and at a position upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber in the transport direction, the particulate matter is added to the interior of the tow, and Through the fiber gap, the granular material can be well placed at a desired position on the tow.

  The apparatus may further include a staying portion provided at a position downstream of the fiber opening chamber in the transport direction and having therein a staying chamber for temporarily staying the tow passing through the transporting path. As a result, the tow that has been opened by enclosing the granular material is temporarily retained in the retaining section, and the shape of the tow can be adjusted.

  A fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first sheet supply unit that supplies a first sheet to a transport line, any one of the above-described tow opening devices, and a tow that has been opened by the tow opening device. And a second sheet supply unit that supplies a second sheet to the conveyance line so that the second sheet is sandwiched between the first sheet and the first sheet in the conveyance line.

  Thereby, the fiber sheet can be manufactured by sandwiching the tow to which the granular material has been added by the opening with any of the above-described tow opening devices between the first sheet and the second sheet.

  The method for producing a fiber sheet according to one aspect of the present invention includes the step of transporting the tow to a tow transport path formed inside a cylindrical main body of the tow opening device and including at least one opening chamber. By introducing the first gas from a gas introduction unit provided on the upstream side of the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the direction, the tow of the long fiber is transported to the transport path, and in the opening chamber, Spreading the tow with the first gas, downstream of the gas introduction section in the conveying direction of the tow, and in the conveying direction more than the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the conveying direction. The granular material supplied from the granular material supply unit is discharged inside the tow from a discharge port of the tow opening device provided at an upstream position.

  According to the above manufacturing method, the particulate matter is discharged from the discharge port inside the tow from the discharge port at a position upstream of the opening of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the direction of transport of the tow. Through the fiber gap of the tow that is introduced from the section into the transport path and opened by the first gas, the granular material can enter the region of sufficient depth inside the tow, and the granular material can be enclosed in the tow. In addition, since the granular material is discharged from the discharge port inside the tow at a position downstream of the gas introduction part in the tow conveying direction, excessive diffusion of the granular material is suppressed, and the granular material is discharged to a desired position of the tow. The material can be easily arranged, and the characteristics of the granular material can be locally expressed by the tow. Therefore, by using the tow containing the granular material as described above, the granular material can be encapsulated in a desired position of the fiber sheet, and the characteristics of the granular material can be locally expressed in the fiber sheet. The degree of freedom in designing the fiber sheet can be improved.

  A pressurizing unit having at least one flow portion provided therein with a flow passage through which the granular material flows, and an outlet of the flow passage in the flow direction of the granular material being the discharge port; Using the granular material supply unit that supplies the granular material together with the second gas, and causing the granular material to be ejected from the discharge port together with the second gas inside the tow conveyed in the fiber opening chamber. You may.

  In this way, by ejecting the granular material together with the pressurized second gas from the discharge port inside the tow conveyed in the opening chamber, the granular material is added vigorously to the inside of the tow during opening. , Granules can enter. Therefore, at the position where the granular material is added to the tow, the granular material can be favorably arranged inside the tow.

  The granular material may be discharged from the discharge port of the flow portion, which is a tubular portion and has a downstream end protruding into the opening chamber and extending in the transport direction of the transport path. Thus, the resistance of the granular material discharged from the discharge port to the tow can be reduced, and the granular material can be efficiently added to the inside of the transported tow.

  The granular material may be discharged from the discharge port toward a downstream side in the transport direction. Thereby, the granular material can be efficiently added to the inside of the tow while reducing the collision between the transported tow and the granular material.

  The granular material is discharged from the discharge port provided downstream from the center between the merging position where the first gas merges with the tow and the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction. May be. Thus, in the opening room, the granular material can be added to the interior of the tow that has been spread to some extent, and the granular material can be favorably arranged at a desired position of the tow through the fiber gap of the tow to be opened.

  The granular material may be discharged from the discharge port in at least one unevenly distributed region in the tow, which is unevenly distributed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Thereby, the granular material can be satisfactorily sealed in the uneven distribution region of the tow, and the characteristics of the granular material can be locally expressed in the tow.

  Using the main body having at least one molding part for molding the tow by projecting toward the opening chamber from a part of a circumferential surface of an inner peripheral surface forming the opening chamber; Either the inside of the region molded by the molding unit or the inside of the region other than the region molded by the molding unit of the tow is set as the uneven distribution region, and the granular material is discharged from the discharge port. May be.

  Thereby, the granular material can be arranged in one of the inside of the region molded by the tow molding portion or the inside of the region not molded by the tow molding portion, and the characteristics of the granular material can be exhibited. .

  The main body having an area where the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the fiber opening chamber increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction may be used.

  Thereby, the tow can be efficiently opened in the region of the opening chamber in which the flow path cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, at the position downstream of the gas introduction section in the transport direction of the tow, and at a position upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber in the transport direction, the particulate matter is added to the interior of the tow, and Through the fiber gap, the granular material can be well placed at a desired position on the tow.

  It is provided at a position on the downstream side in the transport direction from the fiber opening chamber, and the tow that has passed through the transport path may be temporarily retained in the retention chamber of the retention section in which a retention chamber is formed. Good. As a result, the tow that has been opened by enclosing the granular material is temporarily retained in the retaining section, and the shape of the tow can be adjusted.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while enclosing granular material inside the desired position of the fiber sheet comprised using the tow of a long fiber, while enabling the characteristic of granular material to be expressed locally in a fiber sheet, the fiber sheet Design flexibility can be improved.

It is the whole fiber sheet manufacturing device concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the tow opening device of FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction orthogonal to a direction in which a tow band is conveyed. FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the main body of FIG. 2 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the tow opening device of FIG. 1 as viewed from a vertical direction. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view as viewed from a conveying direction of a tow band that has passed through the tow opening device of FIG. 1. It is the front view seen from the exit side of the main part of the tow opening device concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tow band that has passed through the tow opening device of FIG. 6 as viewed from the transport direction. It is the front view seen from the exit side of the main part of the tow opening device concerning a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tow band that has passed through the tow opening device of FIG. It is the front view seen from the exit side of the main part of the tow opening device concerning a 4th embodiment. It is the vertical cross-sectional view seen from the conveyance direction of the tow band which passed the tow opening device of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1st Embodiment)
[Fiber sheet manufacturing equipment]
FIG. 1 is an overall view of a fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a tow opening unit 2 and a sheet stacking unit 3. A packing box 50 is placed near the tow opening section 2. In the packing box 50, a bale-shaped tow band 60 made of crimped long fiber tow is folded and packed. Here, the fibers of the tow band 60 are long cellulose acetate fibers. However, the fibers of the tow band 60 may be fibers other than the cellulose acetate fibers. As an example, in the fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the tow band 60 is transported in the transport direction P1 while the width direction of the tow band 60 is kept horizontal.

  The tow opening portion 2 adjusts the tow band 60 so that the tow band 60 becomes bulky by applying an external force to the tow band 60 and releasing a part of the crimp of the tow band 60. The tow opening unit 2 includes a first opening device 4, a guide 5, a second opening device 6, a first opening roll 7, and a second opening roll 8 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1. , A tow opening device 9, and a transport unit 10.

  The first opening device 4 blows a gas such as air onto the tow band 60 fed upward from the packing box 50, and opens the tow band 60 in one direction orthogonal to the transport direction P1 (here, the width direction of the tow band 60). I do. The guide 5 guides the tow band 60 that has passed through the first opening device 4 to the second opening device 6. As an example, the first opening device 4 and the guide 5 are respectively supported by unillustrated arms (booms) extending upward from the housing of the tow opening portion 2. As an example, the second opening device 6 has a configuration similar to that of the first opening device 4, and further opens the tow band 60 in the one direction. The first opening device 4 and the second opening device 6 are also referred to as banding jet devices.

  The first spreading roll 7 has a pair of rolls 11 and 12. The second spreading roll 8 has a pair of rolls 13 and 14. The second opening roll 8 is driven to rotate at a peripheral speed higher than the peripheral speed of the first opening roll 7. The tow band 60 that has passed through the second opening device 6 is inserted between the pair of rolls 11 and 12 and is inserted between the pair of rolls 13 and 14. The tow band 60 is opened by applying tension in the transport direction P1 by the first opening roll 7 and the second opening roll 8. At least one of the pair of rolls 11 and 12 and the one of the pair of rolls 13 and 14 has a groove formed in the circumferential direction spirally to open the tow band 60 in the width direction. May be. The tow opening device 9 opens the tow band 60 conveyed to the second opening roll 8. The transport unit 10 takes the tow band 60 that has passed through the tow opening device 9 and transports the tow band 60 downstream in the transport direction P1. The transport unit 10 has a pair of transport rolls (take-off rolls) 15 and 16 that are supported in parallel with each other. In the transport unit 10, the tow band 60 is inserted between the pair of transport rolls 15, 16. The toe band 60 is taken up by the pair of transport rolls 15 and 16 and transported downstream in the transport direction P1.

  The sheet stacking unit 3 stacks the first sheet 61 and the second sheet 62 on the opened tow band 60. The sheet stacking section 3 includes a first sheet (bottom sheet) supply section 17, a sheet transport section 18, a second sheet (top sheet) supply section 19, an adhesive adhering section 20, a sheet molding section 21, and a sticking section 22. Having. The first sheet supply unit 17 feeds out the belt-shaped first sheet 61 from the shaft-supported sheet roll 17a and supplies the first sheet 61 onto the transport line L. The sheet transport unit 18 transports the first sheet 61 to the transport line L. On the first sheet 61, the opened tow band 60 is supplied. The second sheet supply unit 19 draws out the band-shaped second sheet 62 from the pivotally supported sheet roll 19a, and stacks the second sheet 62 between the first sheet 61 and the second sheet 62 with the toe band 60 interposed therebetween. The sheet 62 is supplied onto the transport line L. The adhesive application section 20 applies an adhesive (for example, a hot-melt adhesive) to the second sheet 62 downstream of the second sheet supply section 19 in the transport direction P1. The attaching unit 22 presses the first sheet 61 and the second sheet 62 that have passed through the sheet forming unit 21, and attaches the first sheet 61 and the second sheet 62 in a state where the first sheet 61 and the second sheet 62 are stacked with the toe band 60 interposed therebetween. To wear. In the fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the first sheet 61, the toe band 60, and the second sheet 62 stuck by the sticking section 22 are cut, so that a fiber sheet 63 having a predetermined shape is manufactured.

[Tow opening device]
FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the tow opening device 9 of FIG. 1 as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the transport direction P1. The tow opening device 9 includes a nozzle unit 25, a main body unit 26, a pair of granular material supply units 27, and a staying unit 28.

  The nozzle unit 25 transports the toe band 60 together with the first gas G1 to the downstream side in the transport direction P1. The nozzle section 25 has a mixing section 29 and a nozzle body section 30. The mixing section 29 is a tubular section extending in the transport direction P1, and mixes the toe band 60 and the first gas G1. A gas inlet 29a is provided on the upstream side of the mixing section 29. The gas introduction port 29a is provided at a position upstream of the outlet 43d of the fiber opening chamber (here, the second fiber opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side in the transport direction P1 of the main body 26 in the transport direction P1. The gas introduction port 29a is a gas introduction unit that introduces the first gas G1 into the internal space 40 of the nozzle unit 25, and is connected to a compressor (not shown). The first gas G1 is, for example, air, and is used to transport the tow band 60 in the transport direction P1 and open the fiber. The first gas G1 is pressurized by the compressor, introduced into the gas inlet 29a, passed through the inside of the nozzle 25, and then introduced into the transport path 43 of the main body 26. An upstream end 29b of the mixing section 29 is provided with a tow band inlet 29c. The tow band 60 is introduced into the inner space 40 of the nozzle unit 25 from outside through the toe band inlet 29c. The downstream end 29 d of the mixing section 29 is connected to the main body 26.

  The nozzle body 30 is provided inside the mixing section 29 on the upstream side of the mixing section 29 in the transport direction P1. A tapered portion 30a is formed at the tip of the nozzle body 30 on the downstream side in the transport direction P1. The tapered portion 30a has a tapered shape from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1. The inner peripheral surface of the mixing section 29 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tapered section 30a is reduced in diameter from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1 while being separated from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered section 30a. Thereby, between the outer peripheral surface of the taper portion 30a and the inner peripheral surface of the mixing portion 29, a flow path having an annular cross section for jetting the first gas G1 introduced from the gas introduction port 29a into the internal space 40 in a jet shape. 41 are provided. Inside the nozzle body 30, a tow band introduction path 42 extending from the tow band introduction port 29c in the longitudinal direction of the mixing section 29 is provided. The outlet of the toe band introduction path 42 in the transport direction P1 is provided at a position downstream of the gas inlet 29a in the transport direction P1. The tow band 60 that has passed through the tow band introduction path 42 is mixed with the jet-like first gas G1 that has passed through the flow path 41 and is conveyed to the internal space 40. In addition, the outlet of the tow band introduction path 42 and the gas introduction port 29a may be provided at a position overlapping with each other when viewed from the vertical direction, or the exit of the toe band introduction path 42 may be located in the transport direction more than the gas introduction port 29a. It may be provided at a position on the upstream side of P1.

  The main body 26 opens the tow band 60. The main body 26 has a cylindrical shape, and has a transport path 43 for the toe band 60 therein. The transport path 43 extends in the transport direction P1. The flow path cross-sectional area of the transfer path 43 at the position of the outlet 26b of the main body 26 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the transfer path 43 at the position of the inlet 26a of the main body 26 (see FIG. 3). The transport path 43 includes a flow path 43a, a first opening chamber 43b, and a second opening chamber 43c. The tow band 60 is opened by the first gas G1 while being transported along the transport path 43. Note that the nozzle section 25 and the main body section 26 may be integrally formed.

  The main body 26 has a first member 31 and a second member 32. The first member 31 and the second member 32 have plate portions 31a and 32a. The plate portions 31a and 32a have a plate surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are combined with each other using a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw. The main body 26 has at least one flow portion provided on one of the first member 31 and the second member 32 for flowing the granular material 65. Here, the second member 32 has a pair of flow portions 33 arranged side by side in the width direction of the toe band 60. As an example, the flow part 33 is a tubular part, and has an upstream end 33a, a central part 33b, and a downstream end 33c. The upstream end portion 33a is located on the upstream side of the distribution portion 33 in the transport direction P1, and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 32a. The central portion 33b is located below the upstream end 33a. The central portion 33b extends from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1 so as to be inclined with a downward gradient with respect to the transport direction P1, and penetrates the plate-shaped portion 32a in the thickness direction. Inside the central portion 33b, the angle θ between the line A1 heading upstream in the transport direction P1 and the line A2 heading upstream in the distribution direction P2 is set to an acute angle. The value of the angle θ is preferably in the range of 10 ° to less than 90 °, more preferably in the range of 20 ° to 70 °, and even more preferably in the range of 30 ° to 60 °. Here, the angle θ is set to approximately 45 °. The downstream end 33c is located below the center 33b. The downstream end portion 33c projects below the lower surface of the plate portion 32a toward the inside of the first opening chamber 43b, and extends from the upstream side in the transport direction P1 to the downstream side.

  A first flow path 44 is provided inside each flow section 33. The first flow passage 44 extends in the longitudinal direction in the transport direction P1, and communicates with the inner peripheral surface 26c and the outer peripheral surface 26d of the main body 26. The inlet 44a of the first flow passage 44 is provided at the upstream end 33a, and the outlet 44b of the first flow passage 44 is provided at the downstream end 33c. The tow opening device 9 has an outlet 44 b as a discharge port for discharging the granular material 65 supplied from the granular material supply unit 27 inside the tow band 60. The first flow passage 44 is used for flowing the granular material 65 in the flowing direction P <b> 2 from above to below and adding the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 transported on the transport path 43. The outlet 44b is located on the downstream side of the gas introduction port 29a in the transport direction P1 and further in the transport direction than the outlet of the most downstream fiber opening chamber in the transport direction P1 (here, the outlet 43d of the second fiber opening chamber 43c). It is provided at a position upstream of P1. The outlet 44b is a confluence position of the first gas G1 introduced from the gas introduction port 29a and the tow band 60 introduced from the tow band introduction passage 42 in the tow opening device 9 (exit in the transport direction P1 of the tow band introduction passage 42). It is desirable to be provided at a position downstream of N and upstream of the outlet 43d. Further, it is more desirable that the outlet 44b is provided at a position downstream of the center M1 between the merging position N and the outlet 43d and at a position upstream of the outlet 43d in the transport direction P1. Here, the outlet 44b is provided at the position of the center M2 between the center M1 and the outlet 43d.

  The granular material supply unit 27 adds the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 transported in the first opening chamber 43b. The granular material supply section 27 has a supply pipe section 34 and a hopper 35. The supply pipe section 34 extends in the vertical direction. The upstream end 34 a of the supply pipe 34 is connected to the hopper 35. The downstream end 34 b of the supply pipe section 34 is connected to the upstream end 33 a of the flow section 33. Inside the supply pipe portion 34, a second flow passage 45 through which the granular material 65 flows is provided. The second flow passage 45 extends in the longitudinal direction of the supply pipe section 34.

  In the middle of the supply pipe section 34, a nozzle section 37 is provided. The nozzle section 37 has a mixing section 38 and a nozzle body section 39. A gas inlet 38 a is provided on a side portion of the mixing section 38. The gas inlet 38a is a gas inlet for introducing the second gas G2 into the second flow passage 45, and is connected to the compressor here. The mixing section 38 mixes the particulate matter 65 and the second gas G2. The second gas G2 is, for example, air.

  The nozzle body 39 is provided inside the mixing section 38. A tapered portion 39a is formed at the distal end of the nozzle body 39 on the downstream side of the second flow passage 45 in the flow direction P2. The tapered portion 39a has a tapered shape from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction P2. The inner peripheral surface of the mixing portion 38 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 39a is reduced in diameter from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction P2 while being separated from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 39a. Thus, between the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 39a and the inner peripheral surface of the mixing portion 38, an annular cross section for jetting the second gas G2 introduced from the gas inlet 38a into the second flow passage 45 in a jet shape. A channel 47 is provided. Inside the nozzle body portion 39, a flow passage 48 extending in the flow direction P2 and through which the particulate matter 65 flows is provided. The second gas G2 is pressurized by the compressor and introduced into the gas inlet 38a. After flowing through the second flow passage 45 of the supply pipe portion 34, the second gas G2 flows through the first flow passage 44 of the flow portion 33. The particles are ejected from the hopper 35 together with the granular material 65 supplied through the supply hole 35a into the 1 opening chamber 43b. The second gas G2 is not limited to a pressurized gas, and may be a gas set to an atmospheric pressure or a negative pressure.

  The hopper 35 stores the particulate matter 65. Below the hopper 35, a supply hole 35a for supplying the particulate matter 65 to the second flow passage 45 side is provided. The granular material 65 is, for example, SAP. However, the granular material 65 is not limited to SAP, and may be any of a deodorant, an antibacterial material, and an adsorbent. As the deodorizing material and the antibacterial material, for example, a predetermined resin material can be used. As the adsorbent, for example, activated carbon can be used in addition to a predetermined resin material.

  The staying section 28 temporarily suppresses the tow band 60 that has passed through the transport path 43, thereby suppressing excessive expansion of the tow band 60 and adjusting the bulk or density of the tow band 60. The staying portion 28 has a plurality of long members 36. Each long member 36 is connected to an end face 26 g of the main body 26. The long members 36 extend from the main body 26 toward the downstream side in the transport direction P1 while being separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the transport path 43. Each long member 36 is formed of a metal rod-shaped member having a certain elasticity. In the stagnant portion 28, a stagnant chamber 46 surrounded by a plurality of long members 36 is formed.

  The plurality of long members 36 approach each other from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1. Thereby, the cross section (flow path cross section) of the stay chamber 46 orthogonal to the transport direction P1 is gradually reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1. In the retaining chamber 46, the pressing force that the tow band 60 receives from each of the long members 36 increases as the tow band 60 is transported through the retaining chamber 46 downstream in the transport direction P1. As a result, the tow band 60 is compressed in the transport direction P1 by the plurality of long members 36 while staying in the stay chamber 46, and the fiber gap is narrowed to increase the density. The first gas G <b> 1 and the second gas G <b> 2 discharged from the main body 26 escape from the gap between the long members 36 to the outside and diffuse. In addition, the long member 36 is not limited to a rod-shaped member, and may be, for example, a plate-shaped member. When the long member 36 is formed of a plate member, the plate surface of the plate member is brought into surface contact with the toe band 60.

  FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the main body 26 of FIG. 2 as viewed obliquely from above. The first member 31 and the second member 32 have a common configuration. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the vertical direction is the thickness direction, the transport direction P1 is the longitudinal direction, and the direction orthogonal to the transport direction P1 in the horizontal plane is the width direction. ing. Grooves 31b and 32b extending in the transport direction P1 are formed at the centers of the plate surfaces of the plate portions 31a and 32a facing each other. The portions of the first member 31 on both sides of the groove 31b are in surface contact with the portions of the second member 32 on both sides of the groove 32b. As a result, the inner surfaces of the first member 31 and the second member 32 are continuous by combining the grooves 31b and 32b, and the inner peripheral surface 26c of the main body 26 is formed. The flow path 43a, the first opening chamber 43b, and the second opening chamber 43c are formed by the inner peripheral surface 26c of the main body 26, respectively. In the second member 32, each of the flow portions 33 is provided such that the outlets 44b are located at both ends of the groove portion 32b in the width direction of the main body portion 26. As an example, each distribution part 33 is connected to the second member 32 by welding. The cross section of the first flow passage 44 has a substantially circular shape, but is not limited to this shape, and may have, for example, an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape. Further, each of the flow portions 33 may be provided such that the outlet 44b is located closer to the center of the main body 26 than both ends of the groove 32b in the width direction of the main body 26.

  The downstream end 29 d of the nozzle 25 is connected to the inlet 26 a of the main body 26. Thereby, the flow path 43a is connected to the internal space 40 of the mixing section 29. The main body 26 has an upstream side 26e and a downstream side (also referred to as an adapter) 26f. Inside the upstream side portion 26e, a flow path 43a and a first fiber opening chamber 43b are formed. The flow path 43a is located on the upstream side of the upstream side portion 26e in the transport direction P1, and the first opening chamber 43b is located on the downstream side of the upstream side portion 26e in the transport direction P1. The first fiber opening chamber 43b has an upstream fiber opening chamber 43b1 and a downstream fiber opening chamber 43b2. The width W1 of the upstream opening chamber 43b1 gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1. The width W2 of the downstream opening chamber 43b2 gradually increases from the upstream side in the transport direction P1 to the downstream side at a steeper ratio than the width W1 of the upstream opening chamber 43b1. Thereby, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first fiber opening chamber 43b gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1. In this way, the main body 26 has a region where the flow path cross-sectional area of the transport path 43 increases in the direction from the inlet 26a to the outlet 26b. When the tow band 60 is conveyed in the first opening chamber 43b, the first gas G1 causes the tow band 60 to expand in accordance with the shape of the first opening chamber 43b, and each fiber of the tow band 60 is efficiently produced. It is opened.

  A second opening chamber 43c is formed inside the downstream side portion 26f. The second opening chamber 43c is continuous with the first opening chamber 43b. The width W3 of the second opening chamber 43c is wider than the width W2 at the outlet of the downstream opening chamber 43b2. Thereby, the flow path cross-sectional area of the second fiber opening chamber 43c is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area at the outlet of the downstream fiber opening chamber 43b2. The width W3 of the second opening chamber 43c is constant in the transport direction P1. When the tow band 60 is transported in the second opening chamber 43c, the tow band 60 is further opened and expanded.

  As an example, each flow path cross section of the first fiber opening chamber 43b and the second fiber opening chamber 43c has a shape in which the dimension in the width direction is larger than the dimension in the vertical direction. Thereby, each flow path cross section of the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c has a flat shape whose longitudinal direction is the width direction. In the present embodiment, since the cross-sectional shape of the tow band 60 that has passed through the main body 26 is not limited, the cross-section of each flow path of the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c is substantially circular or substantially rectangular. It may have a shape. Alternatively, the cross section of each flow path of the first fiber opening chamber 43b and the second fiber opening chamber 43c may have a substantially elliptical shape in which the width direction is the long axis direction and the vertical direction is the short axis direction.

  An annular end surface 26g orthogonal to the transport direction P1 is formed at a boundary between the upstream side portion 26e and the downstream side portion 26f. The end face 26g extends in the circumferential direction of the second opening chamber 43c. A plurality of holes 26h are provided in the end face 26g along the periphery of the opening of the outlet 26b. Each elongated member 36 is connected to each hole 26h (see FIG. 2). Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of the flow passage of the retention chamber 46 is similar to the cross-sectional shape of the flow passage 43 at the connection position where each of the long members 36 is connected to the end surface 26g. Therefore, the shape of the tow band 60 which is formed while being opened by the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c is also maintained in the retaining chamber 46.

  FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the tow opening device 9 of FIG. 1 when viewed from the vertical direction. FIG. 4 shows the position of each outlet 44b in the first opening chamber 43b. Each of the outlets 44b is located in the toe band 60, in at least one unevenly distributed region that is unevenly distributed in the width direction of the toe band 60 (here, a pair of unevenly distributed regions at both ends in the width direction of the toe band 60), and is directed toward the downstream side in the transport direction P1. , And are arranged to discharge the particulate matter 65 together with the second gas G2. As an example, each outlet 44b is located at both ends of the first opening chamber 43b in the width direction of the main body 26. The uneven distribution region of the toe band 60 is set inside a pair of end portions 60a located on both sides of the central portion 60b of the toe band 60 in the width direction of the toe band 60.

  When the fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is operating, the tow opening device 9 transports the tow band 60 from the nozzle unit 25 in the transport direction P1 and passes the tow band 60 through the transport path 43 of the main body unit 26. At this time, in the first opening chamber 43b, the granular material 65 supplied from the granular material supply unit 27 is discharged from the outlet 44b in the uneven distribution region inside the tow band 60. As described above, at the position on the upstream side in the transport direction P1 from the outlet 43d of the second opening chamber 43c, the granules 65 are discharged from the outlet 44b inside the tow band 60, and the granules 65 are added to the inside of the tow band 60. I do. Here, the granular material 65 is sealed inside the tow band 60 in the first opening chamber 43b in which the opening is progressing compared to the tow band 60 at a position on the upstream side of the gas introduction port 29a in the transport direction P1.

  As a result, the granular material 65 enters and is sealed in a region having a sufficient depth of the tow band 60 through the fiber gap of the tow band 60. Further, the granular material 65 is ejected from the outlet 44b together with the second gas G2, and the granular material 65 is vigorously added to the inside of the tow band 60 during fiber opening, so that the granular material 65 efficiently enters the inside of the tow band 60. be able to. Further, by discharging the particulate matter 65 from the outlet 44b into the tow band 60 on the downstream side of the gas introduction port 29a in the transport direction P1, excessive diffusion of the particulate matter 65 is suppressed, and the uneven distribution region of the tow band 60 is suppressed. In this case, the granular material 65 can be easily arranged. In addition, since the fiber wraps around the outlet 44b inside the tow band 60 on the downstream side in the transport direction P1 from the outlet 44b, a cavity may be formed at the portion where the outlet 44b inside the tow band 60 is located. There is no.

  In the fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the setting of the bulk, the density, the conveying speed, the supply amount of the granular material 65, the pressure of the second gas G2, and the like when adding the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 is performed. Thereby, the granular material 65 can be sealed inside the tow band 60 in a region having a predetermined depth in the thickness direction of the tow band 60.

  The tow band 60 that has passed through the transport path 43 is temporarily retained in the retaining chamber 46 continuously from the upstream side in the transport direction P1, and is compressed in the transport direction P1. Thereby, the shape of the tow band 60 in which the granular material 65 is enclosed and opened is adjusted in the retention chamber 46. In the retention chamber 46, the tow band 60 is compressed in the transport direction P1 to narrow the fiber gap, and the entangled fibers carry the particulate matter 65. Therefore, even if some external force such as vibration or impact is applied to the tow band 60, the granular material 65 is less likely to fall out of the fiber gap, and the granular material 65 is less likely to be displaced inside the tow band 60. Therefore, the state where the particulate matter 65 is sealed in the unevenly distributed region of the toe band 60 is maintained. Moreover, the granular material 65 is less likely to fall out of the fiber gap of the tow band 60 without using a binder or the like.

  The compressed state of the tow band 60 is partially released while transporting the tow band 60 that has passed through the retaining chamber 46 to the transport path between the retaining section 28 and the transport section 10. Thereby, the tow band 60 is restored to some extent to the shape immediately after being carried out of the second opening chamber 43c. Thereafter, the tow band 60 is inserted between the pair of transport rolls 15 and 16 of the transport unit 10.

  FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tow band 60 passing through the tow opening device 9 in FIG. 1 as viewed in the transport direction P1. The toe band 60 has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape with the width direction being the major axis direction and the thickness direction being the minor axis direction. A granular material 65 is sealed in each end 60 a which is an uneven distribution region of the toe band 60. As an example, it is desirable that the granular material 65 be disposed in a region deeper than a value of 1/20 of the thickness dimension of the tow band 60 from the outer peripheral surface of the tow band 60, It is more desirable to arrange in a region deeper than 1/10, and it is even more desirable to arrange in a region deeper than 1/8 of the thickness dimension of the tow band 60 from the outer peripheral surface of the tow band 60. Here, the particulate matter 65 is arranged in a region deeper than the value of 1/6 of the thickness dimension of the tow band 60 from the outer peripheral surface of the tow band 60. In the vertical section viewed from the transport direction P <b> 1 of the tow band 60, the particulate matter 65 is arranged in a substantially circular region centered on the center in the thickness direction of the tow band 60.

  In the fiber sheet 63 manufactured using the tow band 60 in which the granular material 65 is encapsulated in this way, the characteristics of the granular material 65 can be locally expressed at positions corresponding to the respective end portions 60a, and the entire fiber sheet Thus, the fiber sheet 63 can have a higher function than in the case where the characteristics of the granular material are exhibited. For example, the toe band 60 has good cushioning properties as a whole, and has high lateral leakage resistance and resistance to re-wetting (at the surface of the fiber sheet 63, the water absorbed by the fiber sheet 63) at the position corresponding to each end 60a. The fiber sheet 63 has the property of exuding again.

  In the fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the arrangement position of the granular materials 65 in the tow band 60 is unevenly distributed in the width direction of the tow band 60, for example, only in the central portion 60 b of the tow band 60, or only in each end 60 a of the tow band 60. The characteristics of the granular material 65 can be locally expressed by the toe band 60. Therefore, in the fiber sheet 63 manufactured using such a tow band 60, the position where the characteristics of the granular material 65 are exhibited can be easily set, and the design flexibility of the fiber sheet 63 can be improved. In addition, since the granular material 65 is locally included in the tow band 60, the amount of the granular material 65 added to the tow band 60 can be reduced.

  As described above, the particulate matter 65 is discharged from the outlet 44b inside the tow band 60 at a position upstream of the outlet 43d of the second opening chamber 43c in the transport direction P1, and conveyed from the gas inlet 29a. The granular material 65 enters a region having a sufficient depth inside the tow band 60 through the fiber gap of the tow band 60 introduced into the passage 43 and opened by the first gas G1, and is sealed. Further, since the granular material 65 is discharged from the outlet 44b inside the tow band 60 at a position downstream of the gas inlet 29a in the transport direction P1, excessive diffusion of the granular material 65 is suppressed, and The granular material 65 can be easily arranged at a desired position, and the characteristics of the granular material 65 can be locally expressed by the toe band 60. Therefore, by using the tow band 60 including the granular material 65 as described above, the granular material 65 can be sealed at a desired position of the fiber sheet 63, and the characteristics of the granular material 65 can be locally expressed by the fiber sheet 63. At the same time, the degree of freedom in designing the fiber sheet 63 can be improved.

  Further, in the tow opening device 9, the downstream end 33c of the flow section 33 is protruded into the first opening chamber 43b and extends in the transport direction P1 of the transport path 43. The resistance of the granular material 65 to be received from the tow band 60 is reduced, and the granular material 65 can be efficiently added to the inside of the tow band 60 to be transported. Further, since the angle θ between the lines A1 and A2 is set to an acute angle inside the central portion 33b, the particulate matter 65 that has flowed through the central portion 33b in the first flow passage 44 is formed inside the downstream end portion 33c. Collision with the peripheral surface can be suppressed, and the granular material 65 can be favorably added to the inside of the tow band 60 being conveyed.

  Further, since the granular material 65 is discharged from the outlet 44b toward the downstream side in the transport direction P1, the collision between the tow band 60 and the granular material 65 to be transported is reduced, and the granular material 65 is efficiently placed inside the tow band 60. Can be added well.

  Further, by providing the flow portion 33 by penetrating the plate-shaped portion 32a of the second member 32 in the thickness direction, the first flow passage 44 can be easily provided in the tow opening device 9. In the main body 26, the outlet 44b is provided at a position downstream of the center M1 in the transport direction P1 and at a position upstream of the outlet 43d of the second opening chamber 43c in the transport direction P1. In the first opening chamber 43b, the granular material 65 can be added to the inside of the tow band 60 in which the opening has progressed to some extent, and the granular material 65 is placed at a desired position of the tow band 60 through the fiber gap of the tow band 60 to be opened. Can be placed well.

  In addition, since the main body 26 has a region where the flow path cross-sectional area of the first fiber opening chamber 43b increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction P1, the main body section 26 has the flow path cross-sectional area that increases in this manner. In the area of one opening chamber 43b, the tow band 60 can be opened efficiently. Therefore, the granular material 65 can be satisfactorily enclosed in the tow band 60 through the fiber gap of the tow band 60 opened in the region. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

(2nd Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a front view of the main body 126 of the tow opening device according to the second embodiment as viewed from the outlet 126b. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tow band 160 passing through the tow opening device of FIG. 6 when viewed from the transport direction P1. The main body portion 126 has at least one molding portion that projects from a part of the inner peripheral surface 126c in the circumferential direction into the first opening chamber 43b to mold the tow band 160. As shown in FIG. 6, as an example, a plurality (here, a pair) of intermediate plates 136 and 137 are provided in a portion of the inner peripheral surface 126 c of the main body 126 where the first opening chamber 43 b is formed. I have. The middle plate 136 is provided on the first member 131, and the middle plate 137 is provided on the second member 132. The intermediate plates 136 and 137 have molded portions 136a and 137a exposed to the first opening chamber 43b. The molding portions 136a and 137a are used for molding the tow band 160, and protrude from a part of the inner peripheral surface 126c in the circumferential direction toward the first opening chamber 43b. Here, the molding portions 136a and 137a are provided so as to protrude in the thickness direction of the main body 126 at the center in the width direction of the main body 126 in the flow path cross section of the first fiber opening chamber 43b. The molded portions 136a and 137a are long and extend in the transport direction P1. The flow path cross section of the first fiber opening chamber 43b has an irregular cross-sectional shape in which a portion corresponding to the position where the molding portions 136a and 137a are provided is depressed inward.

  The end faces 136b and 137b of the middle plates 136 and 137 and the end face 126g of the main body 126 are provided along the part of the opening edge of the outlet 126b to connect the elongated member 36 to the main body 126. Holes 136c, 137c, and 126h are provided. On the inner peripheral surface 126 c side of the main body 126 in the second member 132, a pair of flow portions 133 is provided on both sides in the width direction of the second member 132 with the middle plate 137 interposed therebetween.

  During operation of the fiber sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the tow band 160 is opened by the first gas G1 and is brought into contact with the molding units 136a and 137a while being transported to the first opening chamber 43b. As a result, the tow band 160 is opened and molded while forming a depression extending in one direction (here, the transport direction P1) on the surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, the toe band 160 has a dumbbell-shaped irregular cross-sectional shape in which the thickness of the central portion 160b in the width direction is smaller than the thickness of the end portions 160a on both sides in the width direction.

  The unevenly distributed region of the toe band 160 can be set to one of a region where the toe band 160 is molded by the molded portions 136a and 137a or a region where the toe band 160 is not molded. Here, as an example, the uneven distribution region of the toe band 160 is set to a region (inside each end 160 a) of the tow band 160 that is not molded by the molded portions 136 a and 137 a. In the first opening chamber 43b, the granular material 65 that has flowed through the first flow path 144 of each flow section 133 is ejected from the outlet 144b together with the pressurized second gas G2 into the tow band 160 that is being spread. You. As a result, the granular material 65 is sealed inside each end 160a.

  When a fiber sheet is manufactured using the tow band 160 having such a configuration, for example, at a position corresponding to the central portion 160b, the liquid permeability is increased and the weight is reduced. At the corresponding position, a fiber sheet with improved properties such as bulkiness, liquid diffusion, lateral leakage resistance, and rewetting resistance is obtained. It should be noted that a water-absorbing sheet or the like for increasing water absorption may be disposed on the upper surface of the central portion 160b.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a front view of the main body 226 of the tow opening device according to the third embodiment as viewed from the outlet 226b side. FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tow band 260 passing through the tow opening device of FIG. 8 when viewed from the transport direction P1. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality (four in this case) of intermediate plates 236 and 237 are provided in a portion of the inner peripheral surface 226 c of the main body 226 where the first opening chamber 43 b is formed. . Specifically, two intermediate plates 236 are attached to both sides of the first member 231 in the width direction. Further, two intermediate plates 237 are attached to both sides of the second member 232 in the width direction. The molded portions 236a, 237a of the intermediate plates 236, 237 protrude toward the first fiber opening chamber 43b in the thickness direction of the main body 226. Thereby, the flow path cross section of the first fiber opening chamber 43b has a cross-shaped irregular cross-sectional shape.

  The end faces 236b and 237b of the intermediate plates 236 and 237 and the end face 226g of the main body 226 are provided along the part of the opening edge of the outlet 226b to connect the long member 36 to the main body 226. Holes 236c, 237c, and 226h are provided. On the inner peripheral surface 226c side of the main body 226 of the second member 232, a single flow portion 233 is provided between a pair of intermediate plates 237.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the tow band 260 that has passed through the tow opening device has a cross-shaped irregular cross-sectional shape. In the first opening chamber 43b, the granular material 65 that has flowed through the first flow passage 244 of the flow section 233 is ejected from the outlet 244b together with the pressurized second gas G2 into the tow band 260 during opening. . Thereby, the granular material 65 is sealed inside the central portion 260b. When a fiber sheet is manufactured using the tow band 260 having such a configuration, for example, at a position corresponding to the central portion 260b, properties such as water absorption, liquid diffusion, and cushioning properties are particularly enhanced. A fiber sheet is obtained.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a front view of the main body 326 of the tow opening device according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from the outlet 326b side. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tow band 360 passing through the tow opening device of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality (three in this case) of intermediate plates 337 are provided in a portion of the inner peripheral surface 326c of the main body 326 where the first opening chamber 43b is formed. Specifically, the intermediate member 337 is provided on the second member 332 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 326c. The plurality of molded portions 337a of each intermediate plate 337 project in the vertical direction toward the first opening chamber 43b. The first member 331 is not provided with a molded part. Thereby, the flow path cross section of the first fiber opening chamber 43b has an irregular cross-sectional shape in which the upper and lower peripheral edges extending in the width direction of the toe band 360 are different from each other.

  A plurality of holes 337c for connecting the elongate member 36 to the main body 326 are provided on an end surface 337b of each intermediate plate 337 and an end surface 326g of the main body 326 along a part of the opening periphery of the outlet 26b. 326h are provided. On the inner peripheral surface 326c side of the main body 326 in the second member 332, a plurality of flow portions 333 are provided so as to penetrate the respective intermediate plates 337 in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the tow band 360 that has passed through the tow opening device has one surface (here, the lower surface) that is flat, and the other surface (here, the upper surface) that has the convex portion 360 a and the concave portion 360 b in the width direction. It has irregular cross-sectional shapes that are alternately arranged. In the first opening chamber 43b, the granular material 65 having flowed through the first flow passage 344 of each flow section 33 gushes from the outlet 344b together with the pressurized second gas G2 inside the tow band 360. As a result, the granular material 65 is sealed in each recess 360b of the toe band 360.

  In the toe band 360 having such a configuration, the characteristics of the granular material 65 are exhibited in each of the concave portions 360b. When the fiber sheet is manufactured using the toe band 360, for example, the water absorption is increased at the position corresponding to each recess 360b, and the contact between the fiber sheet and the user's skin is suppressed at the position corresponding to the recess 360b. It is possible to improve the feel of the fiber sheet after absorbing water. In addition, since the concave portions 360b having increased water absorption are arranged in the width direction of the tow band 360, it is possible to prevent water from leaking from the fiber sheet after water absorption in the width direction of the tow band 360. In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of intermediate plates similar to the intermediate plate 337 are also provided on the first member 331 at intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 326c, and the upper and lower peripheral shapes extending in the width direction are the same. A toe band having a cross-sectional shape may be manufactured.

(Other)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the configuration and method thereof can be changed, added, or deleted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The above embodiments may be arbitrarily combined with each other, and for example, a part of the configuration or method in one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment.

  In each embodiment, for example, the particulate matter 65 may be intermittently added to the inside of the tow bands 60, 160, 260, 360 by operating the compressor intermittently after a predetermined time. In this case, the granular material 65 can be sealed in the tow bands 60, 160, 260, and 360 in the region unevenly distributed in the transport direction P1 inside the tow bands 60, 160, 260, and 360.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION As mentioned above, according to this invention, a granular material is enclosed inside the desired position of the fiber sheet comprised using the tow of a long fiber, and the characteristic of a granular material can be expressed locally in a fiber sheet. In addition, it has an excellent effect of improving the degree of freedom in designing the fiber sheet. Therefore, it is beneficial to widely apply as a tow opening device that can exhibit the significance of this effect, a fiber sheet manufacturing device using the same, and a fiber sheet manufacturing method.

G1 First gas G2 Second gas L Transfer line M1 Center in the conveying direction of the tow band between the merging position where the first gas merges with the tow band and the outlet of the second opening chamber N The merging position of the first gas and the tow band P1 Transport direction of tow band P2 Distribution direction of granular material 1 Fiber sheet manufacturing device 9 Tow opening device 17 First sheet supply unit 19 Second sheet supply unit 24 Transport unit 26, 126, 226, 326 Main unit 26c, 126c, 226c 326c Inner peripheral surface of main body 27 Particulate supply part 28 Reservation part 29a Gas introduction part 33, 133, 233, 333 Flow part 33c Downstream end part 43 Conveying path 43b First opening chamber 43c Second opening chamber 43d 2 Exit of opening room
44, 144, 244, 344 First flow path (flow path)
44b, 144b, 244b, 344b Outlet (discharge port) of flow passage
46 Retention room 60, 160, 260, 360 Tow band (long fiber tow)
61 1st sheet 62 2nd sheet 63 Fiber sheet 65 Granular material 136a, 137a, 236a, 237a, 337a Molding part

Claims (19)

A tubular main body in which a tow conveying path including at least one opening chamber in which the long fiber tow is opened by the first gas is formed,
A gas introduction unit provided at a position on the upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow, and introducing the first gas into the transport path;
A granule supply unit for supplying granules for addition to the tow,
It is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the gas introduction unit, and is provided at a position on the upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction, from the particulate matter supply unit. And a discharge port for discharging the supplied granular material inside the tow. A tow opening device used for producing a fiber sheet . The main body has at least one flow portion provided with a flow passage through which the granular material flows,
The granular material supply unit supplies the granular material together with the pressurized second gas,
2. The discharge port according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port is an outlet of the flow passage in a flow direction of the granular material, and ejects the granular material together with the second gas inside the tow conveyed in the opening chamber. 3. The tow opening device according to the above.   The tow opening device according to claim 2, wherein the distribution section is a tubular section, and a downstream end of the distribution section is protruded into the opening chamber and extends in the transport direction of the transport path. .   The tow opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the discharge port discharges the granular material toward a downstream side in the transport direction.   2. The discharge port is provided on a downstream side of a center between a merging position where the first gas merges with the tow and an outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction. 3. 5. The tow opening device according to any one of items 4 to 4.   The tow opening fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the discharge port discharges the granular material in at least one uneven distribution area unevenly distributed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction inside the tow. apparatus. The main body has at least one molding part for molding the tow by projecting toward the opening chamber from a part of a circumferential direction of an inner peripheral surface forming the opening chamber,
The tow opening device according to claim 6, wherein the unevenly distributed region is one of a region molded by the molded portion of the tow and a region other than a region molded by the molded portion of the tow. .   The tow opening according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the main body has a region in which a flow path cross-sectional area of the opening chamber increases from an upstream side to a downstream side in the transport direction. apparatus.   Further provided is a stagnant portion provided at a position downstream of the fiber opening chamber in the transport direction, and a stagnant chamber in which a stagnant chamber for temporarily retaining the tow passing through the transport path is formed. 9. The tow opening device according to any one of 8 above. A first sheet supply unit that supplies the first sheet to the transport line;
A tow opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A second sheet supply unit that supplies a second sheet to the transport line so that the tow opened by the tow opening device is sandwiched between the tow and the first sheet in the transport line. manufacturing device. The tow conveying path formed inside the tubular main body of the tow opening device and including at least one opening chamber is located at a position downstream of the opening of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the conveying direction of the tow. By introducing the first gas from the gas introduction unit provided on the upstream side, the tow of the long fiber is transported to the transport path, and the tow is opened with the first gas in the opening chamber.
The tow opening provided at a position downstream of the gas introduction section in the conveying direction of the tow, and at a position upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber at the most downstream side in the conveying direction in the conveying direction. A method for producing a fiber sheet, wherein a granular material supplied from a granular material supply unit is discharged from the discharge port of the device inside the tow.   A pressurizing unit having at least one flow portion provided therein with a flow passage through which the granular material flows, and an outlet of the flow passage in the flow direction of the granular material being the discharge port; Using the granular material supply unit that supplies the granular material together with the generated second gas, and ejects the granular material together with the second gas from the discharge port inside the tow conveyed in the fiber opening chamber. The method for producing a fiber sheet according to claim 11.   13. The particulate matter according to claim 12, wherein the granular material is discharged from the discharge port of the flow part, which is a tubular part and a downstream end part of which is protruded into the opening chamber and extends in the transport direction of the transport path. A method for producing a fiber sheet.   The method for producing a fiber sheet according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the granular material is discharged from the discharge port toward a downstream side in the transport direction.   The granular material is discharged from the discharge port provided downstream from the center between the merging position where the first gas merges with the tow and the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction. The method for producing a fiber sheet according to any one of claims 11 to 14, which is performed.   The production of the fiber sheet according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the granular material is discharged from the discharge port in at least one uneven distribution region unevenly distributed in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction inside the tow. Method.   Using the main body having at least one molding part for molding the tow by projecting toward the opening chamber from a part of a circumferential surface of an inner peripheral surface forming the opening chamber; A region molded by a molding portion, or any one of regions other than a region molded by the molding portion of the tow is set as the uneven distribution region, and the granular material is discharged from the discharge port. 17. The method for producing a fiber sheet according to item 16.   The fiber sheet according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the main body has an area in which a flow path cross-sectional area of the opening chamber increases from an upstream side to a downstream side in the transport direction. Production method.   Provided at a position downstream of the fiber opening chamber in the transport direction, and temporarily retaining the tow that has passed through the transport path in the retention chamber of a retention section in which a retention chamber is formed. Item 19. The method for producing a fiber sheet according to any one of Items 11 to 18.

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