JP6780455B2 - Sheet manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet manufacturing apparatus.

Conventionally, a sheet manufacturing apparatus including a housing portion, a pile seal portion connected to the housing portion, and a roller arranged in contact with the pile seal portion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2015-120999

However, in the above device, there is a problem that the material adhering to the surface of the roller is scraped off by the pile seal portion to form a lump, and the lump falls on the sediment, resulting in deterioration of the quality of the sheet. It was.
Further, there is a problem that the material adhering to the surface of the roller is compressed by the load on the web of the roller and adheres to the surface of the roller.

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

[Application Example 1] In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present application example, a drum portion having a plurality of openings, a first housing portion covering the drum portion, and a material containing fibers that have passed through the openings are deposited as a web. It is characterized by including a transport portion for transporting the deposited web and a first roller which is a first roller which comes into contact with the web transported by the transport portion and has a circular recess on the outer peripheral surface thereof. To do.

According to this configuration, since the outer peripheral surface of the first roller is a circular recess, it is possible to prevent the material from being caught and adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the first roller, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of sticking of the material on the first roller. can do. As a result, uniform quality sheets can be produced.

[Application Example 2] The recess of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the application example is provided in a region of the outer peripheral surface of the first roller that comes into contact with the web.

According to this configuration, adhesion of the material to the surface of the first roller can be effectively suppressed.

[Application Example 3] The recess of the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the above application example is characterized in that the depth is 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and the width is 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

According to this configuration, there is no sharp portion on the outer peripheral surface of the first roller, and it is possible to suppress catching of materials and the like. Further, it is possible to suppress the entry or pinching of the material (fiber, resin, etc.) into the recess, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the material sticking to the first roller.

[Application Example 4] The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the above application example is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the first roller is subjected to a surface treatment for improving wear resistance.

According to this configuration, since the wear of the outer peripheral surface of the first roller is suppressed, the occurrence of material sticking on the first roller can be suppressed for a long period of time, and a sheet of uniform quality can be produced.

[Application Example 5] The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the above application example is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the first roller is subjected to a surface treatment for reducing the surface free energy.

According to this configuration, the surface free energy of the outer peripheral surface of the first roller is reduced, so that the adhesion of the material to the first roller can be suppressed.

[Application Example 6] The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the above application example is characterized by including a removing portion that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller and removes the material adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the first roller. ..

According to this configuration, for example, the material adhering to the recess of the first roller is scraped out by the removing portion. As a result, the occurrence of sticking of the material on the first roller can be reliably suppressed.

[Application Example 7] The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the above application example is characterized in that it is provided on the first side wall of the first housing portion and includes a first seal portion that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller.

According to this configuration, the sealing property of the first housing portion can be improved by the first roller and the first sealing portion. Further, the circular recess of the first roller also has a holding function of holding the material adhering to the recess. Therefore, the material adhering to the circular recess of the first roller easily passes through the first seal portion. Therefore, the material is less likely to stay (deposit) in the contact region between the first roller and the first seal portion, and the generation of lumps of the material can be suppressed. At the same time, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of material sticking on the first roller.

[Application Example 8] The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the above application example has a second roller located upstream of the first roller in the transport direction of the web and a second side wall facing the first side wall of the first housing portion. The second roller is provided with a second seal portion in contact with the second roller, and the second roller has a circular recess on its outer peripheral surface.

According to this configuration, the material is less likely to be caught and adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the second roller even on the upstream side in the transport direction of the web, and the occurrence of sticking of the material on the second roller can be suppressed.

[Application Example 9] In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the above application example, the transport unit includes a mesh body that transports the web, and is a suction unit that sucks a material containing fibers onto the mesh body, and has a suction region. A suction portion having a second housing portion for demarcation and a third roller provided at a position facing the first roller across the mesh body and abutting on the mesh body, and having a circular shape on the outer peripheral surface thereof. It is characterized by having a third roller having a recess and a third seal portion provided on the second housing portion and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third roller.

According to this configuration, the material is less likely to be caught and adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the third roller even around the suction portion, and the occurrence of sticking of the material on the third roller can be suppressed.

The schematic which shows the structure of the sheet manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the sedimentation part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The partial perspective view which shows the structure of the sedimentation part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The external view which shows the structure of the 1st roller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Partial sectional view which shows the structure of the 1st roller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the contact form of the 1st seal part and the 1st roller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the contact form of the 1st seal part and the 1st roller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the operation around the 1st roller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the operation around the 3rd roller which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the sedimentation part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the operation around the 1st roller which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the operation around the 3rd roller which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The external view which shows the structure around the 1st roller which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the humidity control part which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the sorting part which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

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

(First Embodiment)
First, the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus 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 104. The manufacturing unit 102 manufactures the sheet. The manufacturing unit 102 includes a coarse crushing unit 12, a defibration unit 20, a sorting unit 40, a first web forming unit 45, a rotating body 49, a mixing unit 50, a depositing unit 60, and a second web forming unit. It has a 70, a sheet forming portion 80, and a cutting portion 90.

The supply unit 10 supplies the raw material to the coarse crushing unit 12. The supply unit 10 is, for example, an automatic charging unit for continuously charging the raw material into the coarse crushing unit 12. The raw material supplied by the supply unit 10 includes fibers such as used 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 strips are, for example, several cm square strips. In the illustrated example, the crushing portion 12 has a crushing blade 14, and the charged raw material can be cut by the crushing blade 14. As the crushed portion 12, for example, a shredder is used. The raw material cut by the crushed portion 12 is received by the hopper 1 and then transferred (conveyed) to the defibration portion 20 via the pipe 2.

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

A product that has passed through the defibration section 20 is called a "defibration product". "Fibers" includes, in addition to the unraveled defibrated fibers, resin grains (resin for binding multiple fibers) separated from the fibers when the fibers are unraveled, ink, toner, etc. It may also contain additives such as colorants, bleeding preventives, and paper strength enhancers. The shape of the unraveled defibrated product is a string-like shape or a flat string-like shape. The unraveled defibrated product may exist in an unentangled state (independent state) with other unraveled fibers, or may be entangled with other unraveled defibrated products to form a lump. It may exist in a state (a state forming a so-called "lump").

The defibration unit 20 performs defibration in a dry manner. Here, performing a process such as defibration in the air (in the air) or the like, not in a liquid, is referred to as a dry method. An impeller mill is used as the defibrating portion 20 in this embodiment. The defibration unit 20 has a function of sucking the raw material and generating an air flow that discharges the defibrated product. As a result, the defibration unit 20 can suck the raw material together with the airflow from the introduction port 22 by the airflow generated by itself, perform the defibration treatment, and convey the defibrated product to the discharge port 24. The defibrated product that has passed through the defibrating section 20 is transferred to the sorting section 40 via the tube 3. As the airflow for transporting the defibrated product from the defibration unit 20 to the sorting unit 40, the airflow generated by the defibration unit 20 may be used, or an airflow generator such as a blower is provided to provide the airflow. You may use it.

The sorting unit 40 introduces the defibrated product defibrated by the defibrating unit 20 from the introduction port 42 and sorts the fibers according to the length of the fibers. As the sorting unit 40, for example, a sieve (drum unit) 41 is used. The sieve (drum portion) 41 of the sorting unit 40 has a mesh (filter, screen), and has fibers or particles smaller than the mesh size of the mesh (those that pass through the mesh, the first sorting object) and the mesh of the mesh. It is possible to separate fibers larger than the size of the opening, undissolved fibers, and lumps (those that do not pass through the net, second selection). For example, the first sort is transferred to the mixing section 50 via the pipe 7. The second sort is returned from the discharge port 44 to the defibration section 20 via the pipe 8. Specifically, the sieve (drum portion) 41 of the sorting unit 40 is a cylinder and is rotationally driven by a motor. As the net of the sorting unit 40, for example, a wire mesh, an expanded metal obtained by stretching a metal plate having a cut, or a punching metal in which a hole is formed in the metal plate by a press or the like is used.

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

The suction unit 48 can suck the first sorted material dispersed in the air through the opening (opening of the net) 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 configuration of the mesh belt 46, the tension roller 47, and the suction portion 48 is the same as that of the mesh belt 72, the tension roller 74, and the suction mechanism 76 of the second web forming portion 70, which will be described later.

The web V is formed in a soft and bulging 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 charged into the pipe 7 and conveyed to the mixing unit 50.

The rotating body 49 can cut the web V before it is conveyed to the mixing unit 50. In the illustrated example, the rotating body 49 has a base portion 49a and a protrusion 49b protruding from the base portion 49a. The protrusion 49b has, for example, a plate-like shape. In the illustrated example, four protrusions 49b are provided, and four protrusions 49b are provided at equal intervals. By rotating the base 49a in the direction R, the protrusion 49b can rotate about the base 49a as an axis. By cutting the web V with the rotating body 49, for example, the fluctuation of the amount of defibrated product per unit time supplied to the depositing portion 60 can be reduced.

The rotating body 49 is provided in the vicinity of the first web forming portion 45. In the illustrated example, the rotating body 49 is provided (next to the tension roller 47a) in the vicinity of the tension roller 47a located on the downstream side in the path of the web V. The rotating body 49 is provided at a position where the protrusion 49b can come into contact with the web V and does not come into contact with the mesh belt 46 on which the web V is deposited. As a result, it is possible to prevent the mesh belt 46 from being worn (damaged) by the protrusion 49b. The shortest distance between the protrusion 49b and the mesh belt 46 is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. This is the distance at which the mesh belt 46 can cut the web V without being damaged.

The mixing unit 50 mixes the first sorted product (the first sorted product conveyed by the first web forming unit 45) that has passed through the sorting unit 40 and the additive containing the resin. The mixing unit 50 includes an additive supply unit 52 for supplying the additive, a pipe 54 for transporting the first selection 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 pipe 54 is continuous with the pipe 7.

In the mixing unit 50, an air flow is generated by the blower 56, and the first selected product and the additive can be conveyed while being mixed in the pipe 54. The mechanism for mixing the first sorted product and the additive is not particularly limited, and may be agitated by blades rotating at high speed, or may use the rotation of the container like a V-type mixer. There may be.

As the additive supply unit 52, a screw feeder as shown in FIG. 1 or a disc feeder (not shown) is used. The additive supplied from the additive supply unit 52 contains a resin for binding a plurality of fibers. At the time the resin was supplied, the plurality of fibers were not bound. The resin melts as it passes through the sheet forming portion 80 to bind a 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, etc. Polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, and the like. These resins may be used alone or in admixture. The additive supplied from the additive supply unit 52 may be in the form of fibers or in the form of powder.

In addition to the resin that binds the fibers, the additives supplied from the additive supply unit 52 include a colorant for coloring the fibers, agglomeration of the fibers, and a resin, depending on the type of sheet to be manufactured. It may contain an agglutination inhibitor for suppressing the agglomeration of fibers and a flame retardant for making the fibers and the like hard to burn. The mixture (mixture of the first selection and the additive) that has passed through the mixing section 50 is transferred to the deposit section 60 via the pipe 54.

The depositing portion 60 introduces the mixture that has passed through the mixing portion 50 from the introduction port 62, loosens the entangled defibrated products (fibers), and drops the mixture while dispersing it in the air. Further, when the resin of the additive supplied from the additive supply unit 52 is fibrous, the depositing portion 60 loosens the entangled resin. As a result, the depositing portion 60 can uniformly deposit the mixture on the second web forming portion 70.

As the depositing portion 60, a rotating cylindrical sieve (drum portion 61) is used. The sieve (drum portion 61) of the depositing portion 60 has a net and allows fibers or particles (those passing through the net) smaller than the size of the mesh of the mesh contained in the mixture that has passed through the mixing portion 50 to fall. The structure of the deposit section 60 is, for example, the same as the structure of the sorting section 40.

The "sieve" of the deposit 60 may not have a function of selecting a specific object. That is, the "sieve" used as the deposition section 60 means that it is provided with a net, and the deposition section 60 may drop all of the mixture introduced into the deposition section 60.

The second web forming portion 70 deposits the passing material that has passed through the depositing portion 60 to form the web W. The second web forming portion 70 has, for example, a mesh belt 72, a tension roller 74, and a suction mechanism 76 as a suction portion.

The mesh belt 72 deposits the passing material that has passed through the opening (opening of the net) of the depositing portion 60 while moving. The mesh belt 72 is stretched by a tension roller 74, and has a structure that makes it difficult for passing objects to pass through and allows air to pass through. The mesh belt 72 moves by rotating the tension roller 74. The web W is formed on the mesh belt 72 by continuously accumulating the passing objects that have passed through the deposition portion 60 while the mesh belt 72 continuously moves. The mesh belt 72 is made of, for example, metal, resin, cloth, non-woven fabric, or the like.

The suction mechanism 76 is provided below the mesh belt 72 (on the side opposite to the deposition portion 60 side). The suction mechanism 76 can generate a downward airflow (airflow from the deposit 60 toward the mesh belt 72). The suction mechanism 76 allows the mixture dispersed in the air by the deposit 60 to be sucked onto the mesh belt 72. As a result, the discharge rate from the depositing portion 60 can be increased. Further, the suction mechanism 76 can form a downflow in the fall path of the mixture, and can prevent the defibrate and additives from being entangled during the fall.

As described above, the web W in a soft and swollen state containing a large amount of air is formed by passing through the deposition portion 60 and the second web forming portion 70 (web forming step). The web W deposited on the mesh belt 72 is conveyed to the sheet forming portion 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 of the web W to water by adding water or steam to the web W.

The sheet forming portion 80 pressurizes 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 product and the additive mixed in the web W. Can be done.

The sheet forming unit 80 includes a pressurizing unit 82 that pressurizes the web W, and a heating unit 84 that heats the web W pressurized by the pressurizing unit 82. The pressurizing section 82 is composed of a pair of calendar rollers 85, and applies pressure to the web W. When the web W is pressurized, its thickness is reduced and the density of the web W is increased. As the heating unit 84, 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 heating unit 84 includes a pair of heating rollers 86. By configuring the heating unit 84 as a heating roller 86, the sheet S is formed while continuously conveying the web W as compared with the case where the heating unit 84 is configured as a plate-shaped press device (flat plate press device). Can be done. Here, the calendar roller 85 (pressurizing unit 82) can apply a pressure higher to the web W than the pressure applied to the web W by the heating roller 86 (heating unit 84). The number of calendar rollers 85 and heating rollers 86 is not particularly limited.

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

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

Next, the detailed configuration of the sedimentary portion will be described. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the deposited portion, and FIG. 2B is a partial perspective view showing the configuration of the deposited portion. Further, FIG. 3A is an external view showing the configuration of the first roller, and FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first roller. Further, FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing a contact form between the first seal portion and the first roller. In FIG. 2A, the humidity control portion is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in the depositing portion 60, a drum portion 61 (sieve) having a plurality of openings, a first housing portion 600 covering the drum portion 61, and a material containing fibers that have passed through the openings are deposited as a web W. A transport unit 700 that conveys the deposited web W, and a first roller 650 that comes into contact with the web W conveyed by the transport unit 700 and has a circular recess on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Is equipped with. Further, it is provided on the first side wall 600a of the first housing portion 600, and includes a first seal portion 610 that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 650.

The drum portion 61 has a rotatable cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion is formed with a plurality of openings through which a material containing at least fibers passes in the air. The plurality of openings are arranged at equal intervals with the same size (area). Upon passing through the opening, the entangled fibers are loosened and the material that has passed through the opening is deposited on the mesh belt 72 with a uniform thickness and density. The size of the opening can be appropriately set depending on the size and type of the material to be passed. Further, the opening is not limited to the punching metal, and may be a wire mesh material.

The first housing portion 600 has a frame body 601 and has a space portion inside. The drum portion 61 is covered (enclosed) by the first housing portion 600 by being arranged in the frame body 601. Further, below the first housing portion 600, there is no wall surface, and an opening 602 is provided.

In the transport unit 700, a material containing fibers that has passed through the opening of the drum portion 61 is deposited as a web W, and the deposited web W is transported. The transport portion 700 of the present embodiment is a part of the second web forming portion 70, and specifically includes a mesh belt 72 and a tension roller 74. Since the configurations of the mesh belt 72 and the tension roller 74 are the same as the above configurations, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, a first roller 650 that comes into contact with the web W transported by the mesh belt 72 is provided on the downstream side of the first housing portion 600 in the transport direction of the web W. Further, the first side wall 600a of the first housing portion 600 is provided with a first seal portion 610 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 650. The first side wall 600a includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and an end surface (a surface facing the mesh belt 72). The first seal portion 610 of the present embodiment is provided on the outer surface of the first side wall 600a. Then, the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 are in contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the first roller 650 has a rotation center axis along a direction intersecting the transport direction of the web W (width direction of the web W). Further, the first roller 650 has a length equivalent to the width dimension (width direction of the web W) of the frame body 601 of the first housing portion 600.

Further, the first roller 650 is connected to a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor that drives the first roller 650. Then, by driving the drive unit, the first roller 650 can be rotated around the rotation center axis (counterclockwise in FIG. 2A). The driving speed (peripheral speed) of the first roller 650 is set to be faster than the transport speed (moving speed) of the web W by the mesh belt 72. That is, the peripheral speed of the first roller 650 is set to be faster than the transport speed (moving speed) of the web W by the mesh belt 72. As a result, the web W can be easily pulled in in the transport direction, the occurrence of the web W staying in the first housing portion 600, the web W jumping up, and the like can be reduced, and the web W can be stably transported. The first roller 650 is provided so that its rotation center axis is located at a position higher than the top height (thickness) of the web W deposited on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller 650. There is. When the rotation center axis of the first roller 650 is located at a position lower than the height of the web W deposited on the upstream side in the transport direction of the first roller 650, it becomes difficult to transport the upper part of the deposited web W. This is because the web W is easily retained in the first housing portion 600.

Further, the first roller 650 can move in the vertical direction (the direction intersecting the deposition surface of the mesh belt 72 or the thickness direction of the web W), and is downward (not shown) by the urging member (not shown). Side) is urged.

Here, a circular recess Cf is provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. The recess Cf is provided in a region of the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 that comes into contact with the web W. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, a recess Cf is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the recess Cf of the present embodiment is a plurality of small recesses (dimples, spherical recesses, or crater-shaped recesses) formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. The depth H of the recess Cf (the dimension between the bottom and the top of the recess Cf) is 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less. Further, the width D of the concave portion Cf (the dimension between the adjacent top and the top of the concave portion Cf, the diameter of the circular concave portion Cf) is 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. The first roller 650 is a roller made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy, and by spraying a spherical abrasive (for example, glass beads having an average particle size of 1.2 mm) on the surface of the roller, the first roller 650 A circular recess Cf can be formed on the surface. Therefore, for example, as compared with the case where the blasting treatment is performed using polygonal alumina having an average particle diameter of 0.3 mm, the occurrence of protrusions (small protrusions having thorns such as burrs) on the roller surface is reduced. It is possible to reduce the catching of materials and the like. Further, since the width D of the recess Cf can be formed to be larger, it is possible to prevent the resin or the like from entering (sandwiching) the inside of the recess Cf, and the resin and the material that have entered can be prevented from binding and sticking to each other.
The circular recess Cf can be formed by, for example, rolling or chemical treatment, in addition to the formation method by blasting with a spherical abrasive.

When the depth H of the recess Cf on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 is 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less, the material containing the fibers adhering to the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 is conveyed in the rotation direction of the first roller 650. At that time, it is possible to prevent the material containing fibers from staying (depositing) in the first seal portion 610. Further, since the width D of the recess Cf is 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less, it is possible to suppress the sticking of the material or the like on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650.
If the depth H of the recess Cf is less than 30 μm, the effect of making it difficult for the material to stay (deposit) on the first seal portion 610 is reduced. Further, when the depth H of the recess Cf exceeds 500 μm, the gap between the recess Cf and the first seal portion 610 becomes large, so that the sealing property may deteriorate. Further, since the depth H of the recess Cf is large, the pattern of the recess Cf is transferred to the web W, and the quality of the sheet may be deteriorated.
Further, when the width D of the recess Cf is less than 0.1 mm, a protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface F, and the material (fiber, resin, etc.) is caught and adheres to the protrusion. Further, when the width D of the recess Cf exceeds 2.0 mm, the sealing property and the pressurizing property against the web W are deteriorated.
The depth H and width D of the recess Cf can be measured by various measuring instruments such as a surface roughness meter and a laser microscope.

Further, the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 is subjected to a surface treatment for improving wear resistance. For example, alumite treatment and various plating treatments are applied. Such a surface treatment is a thin film treatment of about several μm. As a result, the shape of the recess Cf can be maintained and the wear resistance can be improved.

Further, the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 may be subjected to a surface treatment for reducing the surface free energy. For example, fluorine-based treatment (fluorine eutectoid plating, etc.) is applied. Such a surface treatment is a thin film treatment of about several μm. As a result, the shape of the recess Cf can be maintained and the adhesion of the material (fiber, resin, etc.) can be reduced.

The first seal portion 610 is, for example, a pile seal, which is composed of a base portion FL and a plurality of fibers H densely planted on one side of the base portion FL (see FIG. 4A). .. Then, the other surface of the base portion FL of the first seal portion 610 is joined to the outer surface of the first side wall 600a of the first housing portion 600, and the tip end portion of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610 is the outer circumference of the first roller 650. It is configured to be in contact with the surface F. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the arrangement angle θ1 of the first seal portion 610 is 90 with respect to the virtual vertical facing SP in which the first seal portion 610 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. Arrange so that the degree is correct. That is, the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 are arranged so that the tip portions of the fibers H of the first seal portion 610 are in contact with the virtual vertical facing SP substantially perpendicularly. The tip of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610 is arranged so as to be pressed against the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. As a result, the gap between the outer surface of the first side wall 600a of the first housing portion 600 and the first roller 650 is substantially closed by the first seal portion 610. Further, even if the first roller 650 rotates and the first roller 650 and the first seal portion 610 slide, wear occurs and frictional force is generated as compared with the case where a foam sponge or the like is used as the first seal portion 610. It is suppressed and the drive load of the first roller 650 can be reduced. The length of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610 is set so that the first seal portion 610 is surely in contact with the first roller 650. For example, it is set to be longer than the distance between the first side wall 600a of the first housing portion 600 and the surface of the first roller 650.

Although FIG. 4A shows an example in which the arrangement angle θ1 of the first seal portion 610 is 90 degrees, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The first seal portion 610 is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 so as to be 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less with respect to the virtual vertical surface SP in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. Just do it. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first roller 650 is arranged so that the arrangement angle θ1 is 45 degrees with respect to the virtual vertical surface SP in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. It may be arranged so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface F. If the arrangement angle θ1 is within the above range, the sealability between the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 can be ensured.

Next, the operation around the first roller will be described. FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing the operation around the first roller. When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is driven, a material containing fibers is deposited on the mesh belt 72 from the opening of the drum portion 61. The deposited material (web W) is conveyed by the movement of the mesh belt 72. At this time, the first roller 650 also rotates while being in contact with the web W (counterclockwise in FIGS. 2A and 5A). At this time, the material constituting the web W may adhere to the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650.
In this embodiment, since the circular recess Cf is formed on the surface of the first roller 650 and there are no sharp portions such as burrs, most of the material that is caught and adheres to the surface of the first roller 650. It is thought that there is no such thing.
Then, the attached material is held in the recess Cf formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650, and rotates and moves with the rotation of the first roller 650. Further, in the region where the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 come into contact with each other, the tip portion of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610 is in the rotation direction of the first roller 650 due to friction with the recess Cf of the first roller 650. (The tip of the fiber H bends downward in FIG. 5A). As a result, the material adhering to the first roller 650 is easily conveyed in the bending direction of the tip of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610. Further, the material adhering to the first roller 650 passes through the contact region between the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 without being scraped off by the first seal portion 610 while being held in the recess Cf. As a result, it is possible to prevent the material from staying as a lump in the vicinity of the contact region between the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650. Then, the material adhering to the first roller 650 comes into contact with and adheres to the web W after passing through the first seal portion 610, and is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the web W.
Further, it is difficult for the material to enter (difficult to be pinched) in the recess Cf of the first roller 650, and the first roller 650 is rotationally driven without the material (fiber, resin, etc.) sticking to the surface thereof.

When the first seal portion 610 is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 so that the arrangement angle θ1 is 45 degrees (see FIG. 4B), the first seal portion 610 is Since the material is in contact with the first roller 650 from an oblique direction, it is possible to make it more difficult for the material to be deposited in the contact region between the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650.

Further, the second roller 651 is arranged on the upstream side of the web W in the transport direction with respect to the first roller 650. A second seal portion 620 in contact with the second roller 651 is provided on the second side wall 600b facing the first side wall 600a of the first housing portion 600. The second seal portion 620 of the present embodiment is provided on the outer surface of the second side wall 600b. Then, the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 are in contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the second roller 651 has a rotation center axis along a direction intersecting the transport direction of the web W (width direction of the web W). Further, the second roller 651 has a length equivalent to the width dimension (width direction of the web W) of the frame body 601 of the first housing portion 600.

Further, the second roller 651 is connected to a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor that drives the second roller 651. Then, by driving the drive unit, the second roller 651 can be rotated around the rotation center axis (counterclockwise in FIG. 2A). The driving speed (peripheral speed) of the second roller 651 is set to a speed equivalent to the transport speed (moving speed) of the web W by the mesh belt 72. The second roller 651 is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer surface (deposit surface) 72a of the mesh belt 72.

Here, a circular recess Cf is provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651. The recess Cf is provided in a region of the outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651 that comes into contact with a region on the mesh belt 72 where the web W is formed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, a recess Cf is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651. The concave portion Cf provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651 is the same as the circular concave portion Cf of the first roller 650, and thus the description thereof will be omitted (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Further, since the configuration of the second seal portion 620 is the same as the configuration of the first seal portion 610, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the contact form in which the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 come into contact is the same as described above, the description thereof will be omitted (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

Next, the operation around the second roller will be described. When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is driven, a material containing fibers is deposited on the mesh belt 72 from the opening of the drum portion 61. The deposited material (web W) is conveyed by the movement of the mesh belt 72. At this time, the second roller 651 rotates while being in contact with the mesh belt 72 as the mesh belt 72 moves (counterclockwise in FIG. 2A). At this time, the material remaining peeled from the web W from the mesh belt 72, that is, the material adhering to the surface of the mesh belt 72 may adhere to the outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651.
In the present embodiment, since the circular recess Cf is formed on the surface of the second roller 651 and there is no sharp portion such as a burr, most of the material that is caught and adheres to the surface of the second roller 651. It is thought that there is no such thing.
Then, the adhered material is held in the recess Cf formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651, and rotates and moves with the rotation of the second roller 651. Further, in the region where the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 come into contact with each other, the tip portion of the fiber H of the second seal portion 620 is in the rotation direction of the second roller 651 due to friction with the recess Cf of the second roller 651. (The tip of the fiber H bends upward in FIG. 2A). As a result, the material adhering to the second roller 651 is easily conveyed in the bending direction of the tip of the fiber H of the second seal portion 620. Further, the material adhering to the second roller 651 is held in the recess Cf and passes through the contact region between the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 without being scraped off by the second seal portion 620. As a result, it is possible to prevent the material from staying as a lump in the vicinity of the contact region between the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651. Then, after passing through the second seal portion 620, the material adhering to the second roller 651 comes into contact with the mesh belt 72 and adheres (or is caught), and is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the web W. The material transported to the downstream side in the transport direction is sucked by, for example, a suction mechanism (second airflow generating portion) 76.
Further, in the second roller 651, since the resin does not easily enter the recess Cf and does not adhere to the recess Cf, the material is rotationally driven without sticking to the surface of the second roller 651.

The side surface 600c other than the first side wall 600a and the second side wall 600b of the first housing portion 600 has a side sealing portion 690 in contact with the mesh belt 72. Since the side seal portion 690 is a pile seal and has the same configuration as the above configuration, the description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 2B).

Next, the seal structure related to the suction mechanism (second airflow generating portion) will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, the transport portion 700 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a mesh body (mesh belt 72) that transports the web W, and a suction portion (suction mechanism (suction mechanism (first)) that sucks the material containing fibers onto the mesh belt 72. 2 Airflow generator) 76) is provided. The suction mechanism (second airflow generating portion) 76 has a second housing portion 760 for defining a suction region. A third roller 652 that comes into contact with the mesh belt 72 is provided at a position facing the first roller 650 with the mesh belt 72 in between. Further, a third seal portion 630 provided on the second housing portion 760 and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third roller 652 is provided.

The third seal portion 630 is provided on the side wall 760a on one side (downstream side in the transport direction of the web W) of the second housing portion 760, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third roller 652. The side wall 760a includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and an end surface (a surface facing the mesh belt 72) of the second housing portion 760. The third seal portion 630 of the present embodiment is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 760a.

The third roller 652 has a rotation center axis along a direction intersecting the transport direction of the web W (width direction of the web W). Further, the third roller 652 has a length equivalent to the width dimension of the first roller 650. The third roller 652 is a driven roller that rotates around the rotation center axis (clockwise in FIG. 2A) as the mesh belt 72 moves.

Further, the third roller 652 is arranged so that the position of the rotation center axis is fixed so as to be in contact with the inner side surface 72b of the mesh belt 72. As a result, the first roller 650 is supported by the third roller 652 via the web W and the mesh belt 72 even when a load is applied in the direction of gravity. Further, the position of the mesh belt 72 is regulated by the third roller 652. Therefore, the mesh belt 72 does not fall downward due to the pressing force or gravity of the first roller 650, and the piled surface of the mesh belt 72 maintains its posture in the substantially horizontal direction.

Further, a circular recess Cf is provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652. Since the concave portion Cf provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652 is the same as the circular concave portion Cf of the first roller 650, the description thereof will be omitted (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Further, since the configuration of the third seal portion 630 is the same as the configuration of the first seal portion 610, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the contact form in which the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652 come into contact is the same as described above, the description thereof will be omitted (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). With such a configuration, the second housing portion 760 is substantially sealed, and the suction function of the suction mechanism 76 can be improved.

Next, the operation around the third roller will be described. FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing the operation around the third roller. When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is driven, a material containing fibers is deposited on the mesh belt 72 from the opening of the drum portion 61. The deposited material (web W) is conveyed by the movement of the mesh belt 72. At this time, the third roller 652 also rotates while being in contact with the mesh belt 72 (clockwise in FIGS. 2A and 5B). At this time, the material constituting the web W may adhere to the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652.
In the present embodiment, since the circular recess Cf is formed on the surface of the third roller 652 and there is no sharp portion such as a burr, most of the material that is caught and adheres to the surface of the third roller 652. It is thought that there is no such thing.
Then, the adhered material is held in the recess Cf formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652, and rotates and moves with the rotation of the third roller 652. Further, in the region where the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652 come into contact with each other, the tip portion of the fiber H of the third seal portion 630 is in the rotation direction of the third roller 652 due to friction with the recess Cf of the third roller 652. (The tip of the fiber H bends upward in FIG. 5B). As a result, the material adhering to the third roller 652 is easily conveyed in the bending direction of the tip of the fiber H of the third seal portion 630. Further, the material adhering to the third roller 652 is held in the concave portion Cf and passes through the contact region between the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652 without being scraped off by the third seal portion 630. As a result, it is possible to prevent the material from staying as a lump in the vicinity of the contact region between the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652. Then, the material adhering to the third roller 652 adheres (or is caught) to the mesh belt 72 after passing through the third seal portion 630, and is conveyed in the rotational movement direction of the mesh belt 72. Then, the material attached to the mesh belt 72 is sucked by the suction mechanism 76.
Further, in the third roller 652, since the resin does not easily enter the recess Cf and adheres to the recess Cf, the material rotates without sticking to the surface of the third roller 652.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fourth roller 653 that comes into contact with the mesh belt 72 is provided at a position facing the second roller 651 across the mesh belt 72. A fourth sealing portion 640 provided on the second housing portion 760 and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fourth roller 653 is provided.

The fourth seal portion 640 is provided on the side wall 760b (on the upstream side in the transport direction of the web W) facing the side wall 760a of the second housing portion 760, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fourth roller 653. The side wall 760b includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and an end surface (a surface facing the mesh belt 72) of the second housing portion 760. The fourth seal portion 640 of the present embodiment is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 760b.

The fourth roller 653 has a rotation center axis along a direction intersecting the transport direction of the web W (width direction of the web W). Further, the fourth roller 653 has a length equivalent to the width dimension of the second roller 651. The fourth roller 653 is a driven roller that rotates around the rotation center axis (clockwise in FIG. 2A) as the mesh belt 72 moves.

Further, the fourth roller 653 is arranged so that the position of the rotation center axis is fixed so as to be in contact with the inner side surface 72b of the mesh belt 72. As a result, the second roller 651 is supported by the fourth roller 653 via the web W and the mesh belt 72 even when a load is applied in the direction of gravity. Further, the position of the mesh belt 72 is regulated by the fourth roller 653. Therefore, the mesh belt 72 does not fall downward due to the pressing force or gravity of the second roller 651, and the piled surface of the mesh belt 72 is maintained in a substantially horizontal direction.

Further, a circular recess Cf is provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the fourth roller 653. Since the recess Cf provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the fourth roller 653 is the same as the recess Cf of the first roller 650, the description thereof will be omitted (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Further, since the configuration of the fourth seal portion 640 is the same as the configuration of the first seal portion 610, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the contact form in which the fourth seal portion 640 and the fourth roller 653 come into contact is the same as described above, the description thereof will be omitted (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). With such a configuration, the second housing portion 760 is substantially sealed, and the suction function of the suction mechanism 76 can be improved.

Next, the operation around the fourth roller will be described. When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is driven, a material containing fibers is deposited on the mesh belt 72 from the opening of the drum portion 61. The deposited material (web W) is conveyed by the movement of the mesh belt 72. At this time, the fourth roller 653 also rotates while being in contact with the mesh belt 72 (clockwise in FIG. 2A). At this time, the material constituting the web W may adhere to the outer peripheral surface F of the fourth roller 653.
In the present embodiment, since the circular recess Cf is formed on the surface of the fourth roller 653 and there is no sharp portion such as a burr, most of the material that is caught and adheres to the surface of the fourth roller 653. It is thought that there is no such thing.
Then, the adhered material is held by the circular recess Cf formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the fourth roller 653, and rotates and moves with the rotation of the fourth roller 653. Further, in the region where the fourth seal portion 640 and the fourth roller 653 come into contact with each other, the tip portion of the fiber H of the fourth seal portion 640 is of the fourth roller 653 due to friction of the circular recess Cf of the fourth roller 653. It bends according to the direction of rotation (the tip of the fiber H bends downward in FIG. 2A). As a result, the material adhering to the fourth roller 653 is easily conveyed in the bending direction of the tip of the fiber H of the fourth seal portion 640. Further, the material adhering to the fourth roller 653 is held in the circular recess Cf and passes through the contact region between the fourth seal portion 640 and the fourth roller 653 without being scraped off by the fourth seal portion 640. .. As a result, it is possible to prevent the material from staying as a lump in the vicinity of the contact region between the fourth seal portion 640 and the fourth roller 653. Then, the material adhering to the fourth roller 653, after passing through the fourth seal portion 640, adheres (or is caught) to the mesh belt 72 and is conveyed in the rotational movement direction of the mesh belt 72. Then, the material attached to the mesh belt 72 is sucked by the suction mechanism 76.
Further, in the fourth roller 653, since the resin does not easily enter the recess Cf and does not adhere to the recess Cf, the material rotates without sticking to the surface of the fourth roller 653.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

A circular recess Cf is provided on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the material (fiber, resin, etc.) is caught on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 and adheres and adheres to the outer peripheral surface F.
Further, the first seal portion 610 is arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface F. As a result, the material adhering to the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 passes through the first seal portion 610 and is conveyed to the other side without being scraped off by the first seal portion 610. Therefore, the generation of lumps of material is suppressed in the region where the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 are in contact with each other and the vicinity of the boundary portion of the contact region, and a sheet of uniform quality can be produced.
The second, third, and fourth rollers 651,652,653 and the second, third, and fourth seal portions 620, 630, and 640 have the same effects as those of the first roller 650 and the first seal portion 610. Obtainable.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described. Since the basic configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the deposited portion according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing the operation around the first roller according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6C is a schematic view showing the operation around the third roller according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6A, the humidity control portion is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A of the present embodiment includes a removing portion 800 that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 and removes the material adhering to the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. There is. Since the configuration of the first roller 650 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The removing portion 800 is, for example, a cleaning brush, and scrapes out the material or the like adhering to (or accumulated) in the circular recess Cf of the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650, and the material is removed from the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. It has a function to remove such things.

The removing portion 800 is composed of a base portion 801 and a plurality of fibers 802 planted on one side of the base portion 801. The fiber 802 is made of a material such as 6 nylon or conductive nylon, and is harder and thicker than the fiber H of the first seal portion 610. The diameter of the fiber 802 is smaller than the width D of the recess Cf, for example, about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. Further, the density (fiber spacing) of the fibers 802 of the removing portion 800 is coarser than that of the fibers H of the first sealing portion 610.
The removing portion 800 has a length equivalent to the width dimension of the first roller 650 in the axial direction. As a result, the entire outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 can be easily contacted.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the removing portion 800 is arranged on the upstream side of the first sealing portion 610 in the rotation direction of the first roller 650. Further, the removing portion 800 is placed on the outer peripheral surface F (recessed portion Cf) in a posture in which the fiber 802 is tilted from above the first roller 650 so that the tip portion of the fiber 802 faces the downstream side in the rotation direction of the first roller 650. Arranged to abut. The length L from the top of the first roller 650 to the tip of the fiber 802 is arranged so as to be about 1/6 to 1/5 of the diameter of the first roller 650. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the removing portion 800 is arranged so as to apply a load of about 1N to the first roller 650 in the horizontal direction (direction of the arrow in FIG. 6B).

Next, the operation around the first roller 650 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A is driven, a material containing fibers is deposited on the mesh belt 72 from the opening of the drum portion 61. The deposited material (web W) is conveyed by the movement of the mesh belt 72. At this time, the first roller 650 also rotates while being in contact with the web W (counterclockwise in FIGS. 6A and 6B). At this time, the material constituting the web W may adhere to the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650.
In this embodiment, since the circular recess Cf is formed on the surface of the first roller 650 and there are no sharp portions such as burrs, most of the material that is caught and adheres to the surface of the first roller 650. It is thought that there is no such thing.
Then, the attached material is held in the recess Cf formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650, and rotates and moves with the rotation of the first roller 650.

Then, in the region where the removing portion 800 and the first roller 650 come into contact with each other, the tip end portion of the fiber 802 of the removing portion 800 enters the recess Cf, and the material adhering to the recess Cf is scraped out. The scraped material falls downward and adheres to the web W. The removing unit 800 can remove not only the material adhering to the recess Cf but also the material adhering to other than the recess Cf.

Next, in the region where the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 come into contact with each other, the tip portion of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610 is in the rotation direction of the first roller 650 due to friction with the recess Cf of the first roller 650. (The tip of the fiber H bends downward in FIG. 6B). As a result, the material adhering to the first roller 650 is easily conveyed in the bending direction of the tip of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610.
The material that could not be completely removed by the removing portion 800 and adhered to the first roller 650 is held in the recess Cf and is not scraped off by the first sealing portion 610, but is not scraped off by the first sealing portion 610 and the first roller 650. Pass through the contact area. As a result, it is possible to prevent the material from staying as a lump in the vicinity of the contact region between the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650. Then, the material adhering to the first roller 650 comes into contact with and adheres to the web W after passing through the first seal portion 610, and is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the web W.
Further, in the first roller 650, since the resin does not enter and adhere to the concave portion Cf, the material is rotationally driven without sticking to the surface of the first roller 650.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the removing unit 800 can be applied to the second, third, and fourth rollers 651,652,653 in addition to the first roller 650. FIG. 6C shows a case where the removing portion 800 is applied to the third roller 652.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 6C, the removing portion 800 is arranged on the upstream side of the third sealing portion 630 in the rotation direction of the third roller 652. Further, the removing portion 800 is placed on the outer peripheral surface F (recessed portion Cf) in a posture in which the fiber 802 is tilted from below the third roller 652 so that the tip portion of the fiber 802 faces the downstream side in the rotation direction of the third roller 652. Arranged to abut. The length L from the bottom of the third roller 652 to the tip of the fiber 802 is arranged so as to be about 1/6 to 1/5 of the diameter of the third roller 652. Further, the removing unit 800 is arranged so as to apply a load of about 1N in the horizontal direction to the third roller 652.
A receiving portion for capturing the material removed by the removing portion 800 may be provided below the removing portion 800. This makes it possible to prevent the material from scattering.

Next, the operation around the third roller 652 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6C, when the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A is driven, a material containing fibers is deposited on the mesh belt 72 from the opening of the drum portion 61. The deposited material (web W) is conveyed by the movement of the mesh belt 72. At this time, the third roller 652 also rotates while being in contact with the mesh belt 72 (clockwise in FIGS. 6A and 6C). At this time, the material constituting the web W may adhere to the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652.
In the present embodiment, since the circular recess Cf is formed on the surface of the third roller 652 and there is no sharp portion such as a burr, most of the material that is caught and adheres to the surface of the third roller 652. It is thought that there is no such thing.
Then, the adhered material is held in the recess Cf formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652, and rotates and moves with the rotation of the third roller 652.

Then, in the region where the removing portion 800 and the third roller 652 come into contact with each other, the fibers 802 of the removing portion 800 enter the recess Cf, and the material adhering to the recess Cf is scraped out. The scraped material falls downward and is captured, for example, by a receiver. The removing unit 800 can remove not only the material adhering to the recess Cf but also the material adhering to other than the recess Cf.

Next, in the region where the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652 come into contact with each other, the tip portion of the fiber H of the third seal portion 630 is in the rotation direction of the third roller 652 due to friction with the recess Cf of the third roller 652. (The tip of the fiber H bends upward in FIG. 6C). As a result, the material adhering to the third roller 652 is easily conveyed in the bending direction of the tip of the fiber H of the third seal portion 630.
The material that could not be completely removed by the removing portion 800 and adhered to the third roller 652 was held in the recess Cf and was not scraped off by the third sealing portion 630, but was not scraped off by the third sealing portion 630 and the third roller 652. Pass through the contact area. As a result, it is possible to prevent the material from staying as a lump in the vicinity of the contact region between the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652. Then, the material adhering to the third roller 652 adheres (or is caught) to the mesh belt 72 after passing through the third seal portion 630, and is conveyed in the rotational movement direction of the mesh belt 72. Then, the material attached to the mesh belt 72 is sucked by the suction mechanism 76.
Further, in the third roller 652, since the resin does not enter and adhere to the recess Cf, the material is rotationally driven without sticking to the surface of the third roller 652.
The removal unit 800 corresponding to each of the second roller 651 and the fourth roller 653 is also configured in the same manner as described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The material adhering to the recess Cf of the first roller 650 is scraped out by the removing portion 800. As a result, the adhesion of the material to the first roller 650 can be reduced, and the occurrence of sticking of the material on the first roller 650 can be suppressed.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, the third embodiment will be described. Since the basic configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and a different configuration, that is, a configuration of another removing portion different from the configuration of the removing portion in the second embodiment will be described. explain. FIG. 7 is an external view showing the configuration around the first roller according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the removing portion 810 according to the present embodiment is a brush roller, and is composed of a shaft portion 811 and a plurality of fibers 812 planted on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 811. The shaft portion 811 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) and can rotate around the shaft. In the present embodiment, it is rotationally driven in the same rotational direction as the first roller 650 (counterclockwise in FIG. 7). For example, 6 nylon or conductive nylon is applied to the fiber 812, which is harder than the fiber H in the first seal portion 610, and the diameter of the fiber 812 (about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm) is larger than the diameter of the fiber H. Is also large (thick). Further, the density of the fibers 812 of the removing portion 810 is coarser than that of the first sealing portion 610.
The removing portion 810 has a length equivalent to the width dimension of the first roller 650 in the axial direction. As a result, the entire outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 can be easily contacted.

The removing portion 810 is arranged on the upstream side of the first sealing portion 610 in the rotation direction of the first roller 650. Further, the tip end portion of the fiber 812 of the removal portion 810 is arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650.

Next, the operation around the first roller 650 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100A is driven, a material containing fibers is deposited on the mesh belt 72 from the opening of the drum portion 61. The deposited material (web W) is conveyed by the movement of the mesh belt 72. At this time, the first roller 650 also rotates while being in contact with the web W (counterclockwise in FIGS. 2A and 7). At this time, the material constituting the web W may adhere to the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650.
In this embodiment, since the circular recess Cf is formed on the surface of the first roller 650 and there are no sharp portions such as burrs, most of the material that is caught and adheres to the surface of the first roller 650. It is thought that there is no such thing.
Then, the attached material is held in the recess Cf formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650, and rotates and moves with the rotation of the first roller 650.

Then, in the region where the removing portion 810 and the first roller 650 come into contact with each other, the fibers 812 of the removing portion 810 enter the recess Cf, and the material adhering to the recess Cf is scraped out. The scraped material falls downward and adheres to the web W. The removing unit 810 can remove not only the material adhering to the recess Cf but also the material adhering to other than the recess Cf.

Next, in the region where the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 come into contact with each other, the tip portion of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610 is in the rotation direction of the first roller 650 due to friction with the recess Cf of the first roller 650. (The tip of the fiber H bends downward in FIG. 7). As a result, the material adhering to the first roller 650 is easily conveyed in the bending direction of the tip of the fiber H of the first seal portion 610.
The material that could not be completely removed by the removing portion 810 and adhered to the first roller 650 is held in the recess Cf and is not scraped off by the first sealing portion 610, but is not scraped off by the first sealing portion 610 and the first roller 650. Pass through the contact area. As a result, it is possible to prevent the material from staying as a lump in the vicinity of the contact region between the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650. Then, the material adhering to the first roller 650 comes into contact with and adheres to the web W after passing through the first seal portion 610, and is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction of the web W.
Further, since it is difficult for the material to enter the circular recess Cf of the first roller 650, the material is rotationally driven without sticking to the surface of the first roller 650.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The material adhering to the recess Cf of the first roller 650 is scraped out by the removing portion 810. Further, since the removing portion 810 is a brush roller, the contact force or the contact position of the fiber 812 in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650 can be easily adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of the shaft portion 811. Thereby, the adhesion of the material to the first roller 650 can be appropriately reduced.
The removal unit 810 can be applied not only to the first roller 650 but also to the second, third, and fourth rollers 651,652,653.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. In the first to third embodiments, the configuration in which the first roller or the like is applied to the deposit portion has been described, but in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the first roller or the like is applied to the humidity control portion will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the humidity control portion. Note that FIG. 8 shows a configuration in which the deposited portion is omitted.

The humidity control unit 78 humidifies the web W deposited by the deposition unit 60. The humidity control unit 78 includes a generator 170, a third housing unit 172, a first airflow generation unit 176, and the like.

The generator 170 is provided on the outer surface 72a side of the mesh belt 72. In FIG. 8, the generator 170 is provided outside the region surrounded by the mesh belt 72. The generator 170 produces a droplet or a high humidity gas. The generator 170 may generate droplets by ultrasonic waves. The generator 170 may, for example, apply ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to several MHz to the solution (water) to generate minute droplets having a frequency of several nm to several μm. The generator 170 may generate water vapor to generate a high humidity gas. Here, the "high humidity gas" means a gas having a relative humidity of 70% or more and 100% or less.

The third housing portion 172 is connected to the generator 170 via a tube 171. The third housing portion 172 is provided on the outer surface 72a side. The third housing portion 172 has, for example, a box shape and has an opening facing the outer surface 72a of the mesh belt 72. The third housing portion 172 defines a humidifying region for humidifying the web W. The humidity control unit 78 can humidify the web W deposited on the outer surface 72a in the humidification region.

Then, on the downstream side of the third housing portion 172 in the transport direction of the web W, a first roller 650 that comes into contact with the web W transported by the mesh belt 72 is provided. Further, a first seal portion 610 is provided on the first side wall 172a of the third housing portion 172 and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 650. Then, the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 are in contact with each other. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. Since the detailed configuration of the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the second roller 651 is arranged on the upstream side of the web W in the transport direction with respect to the first roller 650. A second seal portion 620 in contact with the second roller 651 is provided on the second side wall 172b facing the first side wall 172a of the third housing portion 172. Then, the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 are in contact with each other. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651. Since the detailed configuration of the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The first airflow generating portion 176 is provided on the inner side surface 72b side of the mesh belt 72. In FIG. 8, the first airflow generating portion 176 is provided inside the region surrounded by the mesh belt 72. The first airflow generating portion 176 is arranged so as to face the third housing portion 172 with the mesh belt 72 interposed therebetween. The first airflow generation unit 176 generates an airflow that passes through the web W in the thickness direction. The airflow is an airflow in a direction intersecting the outer surface 72a, and is, for example, an airflow in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface 72a. The humidity control unit 78 can supply droplets or a high humidity gas to the web W by the air flow generated by the first air flow generation unit 176. Due to the air flow, for example, droplets or high humidity gas pass through the web W in the thickness direction. The mass of the droplets supplied to the web W by the humidity control unit 78 is, for example, 0.1% or more and 3% or less of the mass of the web W per unit volume of the web W. In the illustrated example, the first airflow generating unit 176 is a suction device (first suction device) that sucks droplets or high-humidity gas generated by the generator 170 from the inner side surface 72b side. The first airflow generating portion 176 includes a fourth housing portion 177 that is arranged below the mesh belt 72 and has an opening facing the inner side surface 72b. Then, a suction blower for sucking the air inside the fourth housing portion 177 is connected.

A third roller 652 that comes into contact with the mesh belt 72 is provided at a position facing the first roller 650 with the mesh belt 72 in between. Further, a third seal portion 630 provided in the fourth housing portion 177 and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third roller 652 is provided.

The third seal portion 630 is provided on the side wall 177a on the downstream side of the web W of the fourth housing portion 177 in the transport direction, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652. Since the detailed configuration of the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fourth roller 653 that comes into contact with the mesh belt 72 is provided at a position facing the second roller 651 across the mesh belt 72. A fourth seal portion 640 provided on the side wall 177b (on the upstream side in the transport direction of the web W) facing the side wall 177a of the fourth housing portion 177 and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fourth roller 653 is provided. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the fourth roller 653. Since the detailed configurations of the fourth seal portion 640 and the fourth roller 653 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by applying the first and second rollers 650 and 651 and the first and second seal portions 610 and 620 not only to the deposit portion 60 but also to the humidity control portion 78, the material can be used. The generation of lumps is suppressed, and the sticking of the material on the first and second rollers 650 and 651 can be prevented. As a result, uniform quality sheets can be produced. Further, in the third and fourth rollers 652 and 653 and the third and fourth seal portions 630 and 640, the generation of material lumps can be suppressed in the same manner as described above, and the materials in the third and fourth rollers 652 and 653 can be suppressed. Can be prevented from sticking. As a result, damage to the mesh belt 72 and an increase in the driving load can be suppressed. Further, the frequency of maintenance of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 (for example, the humidity control unit 78 and the mesh belt 72) can be reduced.
In the humidity control unit 78, the removal units 800 and 810 according to the second and third embodiments may be applied.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. In the first to fourth embodiments, the configuration in which the first roller or the like is applied to the depositing portion or the humidity control portion has been described, but in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the first roller or the like is applied to the sorting portion will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the sorting unit.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the sorting section 40, a drum section 41 having a plurality of openings, a fifth housing section 400 covering the drum section 41, and a material containing fibers that have passed through the openings are deposited as a web V. A transport unit 460 that conveys the accumulated web V, a first roller 650 that comes into contact with the web V conveyed by the transport unit 460, and has a circular recess on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a fifth roller 650. It is provided on the first side wall 400a of the housing portion 400, and includes a first sealing portion 610 that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 650.

The drum portion 41 has a rotatable cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion is formed with a plurality of openings through which a material containing at least fibers passes in the air. The fifth housing portion 400 has a frame body 401 and has a space portion inside. The drum portion 41 is covered (enclosed) by the fifth housing portion 400 by being arranged in the frame body 401. Further, there is no wall surface below the fifth housing portion 400, and an opening is provided.

In the transport unit 460, a material containing fibers that has passed through the opening of the drum portion 41 is deposited as a web V, and the deposited web V is transported. The transport unit 460 of the present embodiment includes a mesh belt 46 and a tension roller 47.

Further, a first roller 650 that comes into contact with the web V conveyed by the mesh belt 46 is provided on the downstream side of the fifth housing portion 400 in the conveying direction of the web V. Further, the first side wall 400a of the fifth housing portion 400 is provided with a first seal portion 610 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 650. Then, the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 are in contact with each other. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the first roller 650. Since the detailed configuration of the first seal portion 610 and the first roller 650 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the second roller 651 is arranged on the upstream side of the web V in the transport direction with respect to the first roller 650. A second seal portion 620 in contact with the second roller 651 is provided on the second side wall 400b facing the first side wall 400a of the fifth housing portion 400. Then, the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 are in contact with each other. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the second roller 651. Since the detailed configuration of the second seal portion 620 and the second roller 651 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a suction portion (suction mechanism) 48 is provided on the inner side surface 46b side of the mesh belt 46. The suction portion 48 is arranged so as to face the fifth housing portion 400 with the mesh belt 46 interposed therebetween. The suction portion 48 includes a sixth housing portion 480 that is arranged below the mesh belt 46 and has an opening facing the inner side surface 46b. A third roller 652 that comes into contact with the mesh belt 46 is provided at a position facing the first roller 650 with the mesh belt 46 in between. Further, a third seal portion 630 provided on the sixth housing portion 480 and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third roller 652 is provided.

The third seal portion 630 is provided on the side wall 480a on the downstream side of the web V of the sixth housing portion 480 in the transport direction, and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the third roller 652. Since the detailed configuration of the third seal portion 630 and the third roller 652 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fourth roller 653 that comes into contact with the mesh belt 46 is provided at a position facing the second roller 651 across the mesh belt 46. A fourth seal portion 640 provided on the side wall 480b (on the upstream side in the transport direction of the web V) facing the side wall 480a of the sixth housing portion 480 and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fourth roller 653 is provided. A circular recess Cf is formed on the outer peripheral surface F of the fourth roller 653. Since the detailed configurations of the fourth seal portion 640 and the fourth roller 653 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first and second rollers 650 and 651 and the first and second seal portions 610 and 620 are applied not only to the deposit portion 60 and the humidity control portion 78 but also to the sorting portion 40. As a result, the generation of lumps of the material can be suppressed, and the sticking of the material on the first and second rollers 650 and 651 can be prevented. As a result, uniform quality sheets can be produced. Further, in the third and fourth rollers 652 and 653 and the third and fourth seal portions 630 and 640, the generation of material lumps can be suppressed in the same manner as described above, and the materials in the third and fourth rollers 652 and 653 can be suppressed. Can be prevented from sticking. As a result, damage to the mesh belt 46 and an increase in the driving load can be suppressed. Further, the frequency of maintenance of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 (for example, the sorting unit 40, the first web forming unit 45, and the conveying unit 460) can be reduced.
In the sorting unit 40, the removing units 800 and 810 according to the second and third embodiments may be applied.

41 ... Drum part, 46 ... Mesh belt, 47 ... Tension roller, 61 ... Drum part, 72 ... Mesh belt, 74 ... Tension roller, 76 ... Suction mechanism, 78 ... Humidity control part, 100, 100A ... Sheet manufacturing equipment , 172 ... 3rd housing part, 177 ... 4th housing part, 400 ... 5th housing part, 460 ... transport part, 480 ... 6th housing part, 600 ... 1st housing part, 610 ... 1st seal part, 620 ... 2nd seal part, 630 ... 3rd seal part, 640 ... 4th seal part, 650 ... 1st roller, 651 ... 2nd roller, 652 ... 3rd roller, 653 ... 4th roller, 700 ... Conveyor part, 760 ... Second housing portion, 800, 810 ... removal portion, 801 ... base portion, 802, 812 ... fiber, 811 ... shaft portion, Cf ... circular recess, F ... outer peripheral surface.

Claims (9)

A drum part with multiple openings and
The first housing portion that covers the drum portion and
A material containing fibers that have passed through the opening is deposited as a web, and a transport unit that transports the deposited web
A sheet manufacturing apparatus including a first roller that comes into contact with a web transported by the transport unit and has a circular recess on the outer peripheral surface thereof. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1,
A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the recess is provided in a region of the outer peripheral surface of the first roller that comes into contact with the web. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the recess has a depth of 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less and a width of 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the first roller is subjected to a surface treatment for improving wear resistance. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the outer peripheral surface of the first roller is subjected to a surface treatment that reduces surface free energy. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising a removing portion that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller and removes the material adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the first roller. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
A sheet manufacturing apparatus provided on the first side wall of the first housing portion and provided with a first seal portion in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first roller. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A second roller located upstream of the first roller in the transport direction of the web,
A second seal portion provided on the second side wall facing the first side wall of the first housing portion and in contact with the second roller, and a second seal portion.
Have,
The second roller is a sheet manufacturing apparatus having a circular recess on its outer peripheral surface. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The transport unit includes a mesh body that transports the web.
A suction portion for sucking a material containing fibers onto the mesh body, and a suction portion having a second housing portion for defining a suction region.
A third roller provided at a position facing the first roller across the mesh body and abutting on the mesh body, and a third roller having a circular recess on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
A third seal portion provided on the second housing portion and in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the third roller, and a third seal portion.
A sheet manufacturing apparatus characterized by having.

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