JP6783584B2 - Filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus used for producing a filament three-dimensional conjugate.

As a high-resilience cushioning material used for mattresses, sheets, and the like, a filament three-dimensional bond in which a plurality of thermoplastic resin fibers (molten filaments) in a molten state are three-dimensionally fused and bonded has been attracting attention in recent years. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an apparatus for producing a filament three-dimensional conjugate.

FIG. 5 shows an overall schematic configuration diagram of the manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 6 shows explanatory views of the vicinity of the sliding plates (chutes) 104a and 104b shown in FIG. 5, respectively. This manufacturing apparatus discharges the molten filament group 102 made of the thermoplastic resin melted from the extruder 100, drops the molten filament group into the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 101, and drops the molten filament group by the buoyancy of water. To form a loop of. At the same time, the manufacturing apparatus three-dimensionally fuses and bonds a plurality of molten filaments to generate a filament three-dimensional coupler 103 having a high porosity.

Further, in the manufacturing apparatus, in order to adjust the thickness of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 103 in the process of the above generation, a pair of filament three-dimensional conjugates are arranged above the cooling water tank 101 at intervals corresponding to the thickness of the filament three-dimensional conjugate. The sliding plates 104a and 104b are provided. The manufacturing apparatus is also provided with water supply units 105a and 105b for supplying water W for forming a cooling water film on the surface thereof.

As a result, both ends in the thickness direction of the molten filament group (both ends of the molten filament group) are received by the sliding plates 104a and 104b on which the cooling water film is formed before falling into the cooling water, forming a loop and at the same time melting. The filament is smoothly guided to the central portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group without being deposited on the sliding plate. After that, the molten filament group is conveyed to the downstream side by using the conveyors 106a, 106b, and each roller. At this time, the molten filament group is cooled and solidified by passing through the cooling water, and finally a sufficiently solidified filament three-dimensional conjugate 103 is obtained.

Japanese Patent No. 4966438

However, when an attempt is made to manufacture a filament three-dimensional conjugate for a mattress having a thickness and a wide width (for example, a thickness of 250 mm and a width of 2 m) by using a manufacturing apparatus as shown in Patent Document 1, the temperature is high. A large amount of the molten filament group of the above will be put into the cooling water tank. As a result, the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank becomes close to 100 ° C. in the central portion of the molten filament group (the portion indicated by “PM” in FIG. 6), while both ends of the molten filament group (“PL” in FIG. 6) and In the portion indicated by “PR”), the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank becomes lower than that in the central portion due to the inflow of the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate.

In general, the lower the temperature of the molten filament group, the more difficult it is to fuse. Therefore, when such a situation occurs, there is a problem that the fusion force (adhesive force) between the molten filaments becomes small at both ends of the molten filament group. .. If the cohesive force becomes smaller than the permissible range, there may be a problem that the filaments do not bond with each other or the bond becomes weak at that portion, which may lead to quality deterioration of the filament three-dimensional bond.

In particular, when a resin material whose crystallization progresses rapidly by cooling is used, the fluidity of the resin tends to be lost (the resin viscosity tends to increase) only by cooling the resin by the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate, so that the resin is strongly melted. It becomes difficult to obtain the strength.

On the other hand, if the amount of cooling water flowing through the sliding plate is reduced in order to reduce the temperature difference of the cooling water temperature in the cooling water tank, there is a problem that the molten filament easily accumulates on the sliding plate, and the molten filament melts on the sliding plate. There is a problem that a pulsating phenomenon in which the filament repeats slipping and gripping is likely to occur, and the surface state of both ends of the filament three-dimensional coupler in the thickness direction becomes non-uniform. In this case as well, the quality deterioration of the filament three-dimensional conjugate becomes a problem.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus capable of making it difficult to reduce the fusion force of the molten filament group at the end in the thickness direction and suppressing quality deterioration of the filament three-dimensional bond. With the goal.

The filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention receives a molten filament supply device for discharging a molten filament group composed of a plurality of molten filaments and the molten filament group and conveys the molten filaments in the first direction to transfer the molten filaments to each other. A three-dimensional bond forming device for forming a fused and bonded filament three-dimensional bond is provided, and the three-dimensional bond forming device has an end portion in a thickness direction orthogonal to the first direction of the molten filament group. It is configured to have a conveyor portion that receives and drives the end portion so as to convey the molten filament group in a second direction approaching the center side in the thickness direction.

According to this configuration, the end portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group can be brought closer to the center side by driving the conveyor portion. Therefore, for example, it is possible to omit the use of the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate, make it difficult to reduce the fusion force of the molten filament group at the end portion in the thickness direction, and suppress the deterioration of the quality of the filament three-dimensional bond. The molten filament group here is a concept including a state in which molten filaments are fused to each other in a three-dimensional bond forming apparatus.

Further, more specifically, the first direction may be vertically downward, and the second direction may be a direction inclined toward the first direction from the thickness direction. More specifically, as the above configuration, the conveyor unit has a first conveyor unit that conveys the received end portion in the second direction, and the molten filament group including the conveyed end portion in the first direction. The second conveyor portion to be conveyed to the conveyor belt may be formed by a series of conveyor belts.

According to this configuration, the thickness direction end portion of the molten filament group can be brought closer to the center side by the first conveyor portion, and the molten filament group can be continuously conveyed in the first direction by the second conveyor portion. Further, since these conveyor portions are formed by a series of conveyor belts, it becomes easier to simplify the configuration and improve the driving efficiency as compared with the case where these are formed by separate conveyor belts.

More specifically, as the above configuration, at least a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller are provided as rollers for tensioning and supporting the conveyor belt, and both ends of the first conveyor portion are the first roller and the first roller. The conveyor belt may be supported by two rollers, and both ends of the second conveyor portion may be configured such that the conveyor belt is supported by the second roller and the third roller. According to this configuration, it becomes easier to set the inclination angle (inclination angle) within an appropriate range as compared with the case where the first roller is not used, for example.

More specifically, the conveyor belt is a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral portion is made of a plastic modular chain made of polytetrafluoroethylene material, or a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral surface is made of a smooth silicone rubber material. It may be configured to be. According to this configuration, high releasability can be obtained, and it is possible to prevent the molten filament from fusing to the conveyor belt as much as possible.

More specifically, the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus includes a cooling water tank for storing cooling water used for cooling the molten filament group, and at least a part of the second conveyor portion is in the cooling water. The configuration may be characterized in that it is located. According to this configuration, the molten filament group can be reliably guided into the cooling water by transporting the molten filament group by the second conveyor section.

More specifically, the three-dimensional coupling forming device may have an in-tank partition wall provided so as to form a wall around the conveyor portion in the cooling water tank. According to this configuration, the temperature of the cooling water inside the partition in the tank is less affected by the cooling water on the outside, and the temperature of the cooling water near the conveyor is stabilized by that amount, and the center of the molten filament group in the thickness direction. It is possible to reduce the temperature difference of the cooling water between the portion and the end portion.

Further, more specifically, the three-dimensional bond forming device may have a cooling water agitating device provided vertically below the partition wall in the tank to agitate the cooling water. According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently cool the molten filament group that has passed through the cooling water area surrounded by the partition wall in the tank.

According to the filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult to reduce the fusion force of the molten filament group at the end in the thickness direction and to suppress the quality deterioration of the filament three-dimensional bond.

It is a block diagram of the filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the filament 3D composite manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram in the vicinity of the thickness regulation conveyor shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing about the structure of the thickness regulation conveyor. It is explanatory drawing about the manufacturing apparatus of the filament 3D conjugate of the conventional example. It is explanatory drawing about the manufacturing apparatus of the filament 3D conjugate of the conventional example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The vertical, horizontal, and front-back directions (directions orthogonal to each other) in the following description are as shown in each figure. The downward direction corresponds to the vertical downward direction, and the front-back and left-right directions are included in the horizontal direction. Further, the downward direction in the present embodiment is an example of the first direction according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of the filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the vicinity of the thickness regulation conveyors 22a and 22b shown in FIG.

The filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing device 1 is a device for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional bond 3 having a high void ratio in which filaments (stripe) made of a thermoplastic resin are fused and bonded to each other, and is a molten filament supply device (extrusion). A molding machine) 10 and a three-dimensional bond forming device 20 are provided.

The molten filament supply device 10 is a device that discharges the molten filament group 2 composed of a plurality of molten filaments vertically downward. In the molten filament group 2 discharged from the molten filament supply device 10 to reach the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20, each of the molten filaments is in a state of translation downward, and the molten filaments are not fused to each other.

In the three-dimensional bond forming device 20, the molten filaments are three-dimensionally fused by cooling and solidifying the plurality of molten filaments supplied from the molten filament supply device 10 while three-dimensionally fusion-bonding them. It is an apparatus for forming a bonded filament three-dimensional conjugate 3. In the following description, the state in which the molten filaments are fused together in the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 may also be referred to as a molten filament group.

The molten filament supply device 10 includes a pressure melting unit 11 (extruder) and a die 12. The pressure melting unit 11 includes a material charging unit 13 (hopper), a screw 14, a screw motor 15, a screw heater 16, and a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown).

Inside the pressure melting section 11, a cylinder 11a for transporting the thermoplastic resin supplied from the material charging section 13 while heating and melting is formed, and the screw 14 is rotatably accommodated. A filament discharge portion 11b for discharging the thermoplastic resin toward the die 12 is formed at the downstream end of the cylinder 11a.

The die 12 includes a nozzle portion 17, a plurality of die heaters 18a to 18f, and a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown). Inside the die 12, a guide flow path 12a for guiding the molten thermoplastic resin discharged from the filament discharge portion 11b to the nozzle portion 17 is formed.

The nozzle portion 17 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped metal thick plate in which a plurality of circular nozzles 17a (holes having a circular cross section) are formed, and is provided below a die 12 which is the most downstream portion of the guide flow path 12a. .. The plurality of circular nozzles 17a are arranged in a matrix so as to form a plurality of rows in the front-rear and left-right directions, for example. In the present embodiment, the circular nozzle 17a has an inner diameter of 1 mm and the distance (pitch) between adjacent circular nozzles 17a is set to 10 mm. However, the nozzle shape is based on the specifications of the repulsive force of the filament three-dimensional coupler 3. The nozzle inner diameter, nozzle spacing, and nozzle arrangement can be adjusted as appropriate.

Examples of the thermoplastic resin that can be used as the material of the filament three-dimensional conjugate in the present embodiment include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polyvinyl chloride resins and polystyrene resins. Examples thereof include thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-based elastomers, vinyl chloride-based elastomers, olefin-based elastomers, urethane-based elastomers, polyester-based elastomers, nitrile-based elastomers, polyamide-based elastomers, and fluorine-based elastomers.

The thermoplastic resin supplied from the material input unit 13 is heated and melted in the cylinder 11a, then supplied as a molten thermoplastic resin from the cylinder discharge port 11b to the guide flow path 12a of the die 12, and then a plurality of circular nozzles. A molten filament group 2 composed of a plurality of molten filaments is discharged from 17a toward the lower three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20. Since the direction of discharge coincides with the direction of gravity, the discharged molten filament group 2 reaches the three-dimensional bond forming device 20 so as to fall substantially straight.

The three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 includes a cooling water tank 21 for storing cooling water for cooling the molten filament group 2, and a pair of thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b for forming a three-dimensional bond while restricting the width of the molten filament group 2. A pair of in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b surrounding the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b, a pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b, a pair of conveyors 24a and 24b, and a plurality of conveyors 25a to 25f. including.

The pair of thickness regulation conveyors 22a and 22b, the pair of in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b, the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b, and the pair of conveyors 24a and 24b are symmetrical as shown in FIGS. It is provided symmetrically in the front-rear direction with respect to the surface S (the surface located at the center in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2). Hereinafter, these configurations and roles will be described in order.

(1) Thickness Control Conveyor The pair of thickness regulation conveyors 22a and 22b are installed with a gap corresponding to the thickness of the filament three-dimensional coupler 3. One of these thickness regulation conveyors 22a includes a first roller 22a1, a second roller 22a2, a third roller 22a3, a pressure roller 22a4, and a heat-resistant belt 22a5 rotatably supported by these rollers. including. The third roller 22a3 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven, and the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2 are driven rollers.

The other thickness-regulating conveyor 22b includes a first roller 22b1, a second roller 22b2, a third roller 22b3, a pressure roller 22b4, and a heat-resistant belt 22b5 rotatably supported by these rollers. .. The third roller 22b3 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven, and the first roller 22b1 and the second roller 22b2 are driven rollers. The heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 described above are arranged so as to partially come into contact with the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 21.

Each of the above-mentioned rollers rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 (the direction in which the molten filament group 2 is conveyed downward). In the present embodiment, endless belts are used as the two heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, but in addition to this, for example, an endless belt longer than the filament three-dimensional coupling 3 to be molded may be used.

Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of one of the thickness regulation conveyors 22a will be described in more detail. The configuration of the other thickness regulation conveyor 22b is the same as that of the thickness regulation conveyor 22a, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the molten filaments in each row constituting the molten filament group 2 are referred to as A, B, C, D, E, F ... In order from the front side.

Of the heat-resistant belt 22a5, the portion (first conveyor portion C1) whose both ends are supported by the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2 has an inclination angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) as shown in FIG. It extends so as to incline. The first conveyor portion C1 can receive a predetermined portion (parts A and B in the example shown in FIG. 4) on the front end portion side in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2 supplied from the upper side. It is exposed on the upper side.

Further, a portion (second conveyor portion C2) of the heat-resistant belt 22a5 whose both ends are supported by the second roller 22a2 and the third roller 22a3 extends in the vertical direction. The second conveyor portion C2 is in contact with the first conveyor portion C1 at a position where it is in contact with the second roller 22a2. Further, in the present embodiment, the position near the uppermost portion of the second conveyor portion C2 is the water surface position of the cooling water stored in the cooling water tank 21.

With the above configuration, the first conveyor portion C1 receives the molten filaments A and B and conveys them in a direction inclined downward by an inclination angle θ from the thickness direction (front-back direction) of the molten filament group 2. The direction of this transport is a direction approaching the center side in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2. The molten filaments A and B are conveyed by the first conveyor unit C1 to a position where they merge with the molten filament on the central side in the thickness direction, and then further downward by the second conveyor unit C2.

The inclination angle θ can also be seen as the inclination angle of the heat-resistant belt 22a5 with respect to the horizontal plane at the position where the molten filament group 2 comes into contact with the molten filament located at the end in the thickness direction (position P shown in FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the inclination angle θ is set to 30 degrees.

If the inclination angle θ is close to vertical (90 degrees) when receiving the falling molten filament, the molten filament tends to slip on the first conveyor portion C1 and it becomes difficult to form a stable loop. On the contrary, when the inclination angle θ is close to horizontal (0 degree), the molten filament conveyed by the first conveyor portion C1 bends at an angle close to a right angle near the end of the first conveyor portion C1, and the molten filament Fusion is likely to occur when the loop is bent. These phenomena can cause the quality maintenance of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3 to be hindered. In order to prevent such a problem as much as possible, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ is set in an appropriate range (usually in the range of 25 to 40 degrees).

The number of rollers (driving rollers and driven rollers) on which the heat-resistant belt 22a5 is stretched is preferably three or more, including two rollers arranged in the vertical direction as in the present embodiment. If only two rollers (second roller 22a2 and third roller 22a3) arranged in the vertical direction are used for tensioning, the inclination angle θ of the heat-resistant belt 22a5 is greatly affected by the curvature of the second roller 22a2. It becomes difficult to keep the inclination angle θ within an appropriate range (for example, in the range of 25 to 40 degrees).

In this respect, in the present embodiment, the first roller 22a1 is also provided, both ends of the first conveyor portion C1 are supported by the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2, and both ends of the second conveyor portion C2 are the second roller 22a2. Since it is supported by the third roller 22a3, it is easy to keep the inclination angle θ within an appropriate range. The positions of one or both of the first roller 22a1 and the second roller 22a2 may be made variable so that the inclination angle θ can be adjusted as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 3, when the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 (the carrying speed of the filament three-dimensional coupler 3) becomes equal to or higher than the falling speed of the molten filament from the nozzle portion 17, the loop of the molten filament is appropriately formed. Not done. Therefore, the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 is set to a speed slower than the falling speed of the molten filament.

The slower the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, the higher the density of the molten filament, and the higher the density of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3 having a high repulsive force is formed. Utilizing this principle, the repulsive force can be adjusted by the moving speed of the heat resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5. The repulsive force is determined according to the specifications of the mattress, cushion, etc. in which the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 is used, but the moving speed of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 is usually 5 to 20% of the falling speed of the molten filament. Set to degree.

As described above, both ends of the molten filament group 2 supplied from the nozzle portion 17 in the thickness direction are received by the pair of front and rear first conveyor portions C1 to form a high-density surface layer while forming a loop of the molten filament. After that, it is guided to the central portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2. On the other hand, at the central portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction, a plurality of molten filaments can be retained to form a loop by utilizing the buoyancy action of the cooling water.

Further, the loop is formed in this way, and the adjacent molten filaments are three-dimensionally fused and bonded to each other to form the filament three-dimensional bond 3 having a high porosity. The fusion of the looped molten filaments is started from the vicinity of the water surface of the cooling water, and the molten filament group 2 including the fused portion is conveyed downward in the cooling water by the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b. Fusion bonding and cooling solidification of the molten filament group 2 proceed. As described above, since both ends in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2 form a high-density surface layer and are guided to the central portion in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2, the molten filament group 2 has a high-density and smooth surface. It is cooled and solidified with the layers formed.

The heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 are required to have a function of receiving the falling molten filament and peeling the molten filament in cooling water. In consideration of this, the specifications of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 may be selected according to the material characteristics of the thermoplastic resin used for forming the filament and the like. Usually, as the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral portion is made of a plastic modular chain made of polytetrafluoroethylene material, a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral surface is made of a smooth silicone rubber material, or the like is suitable. If these are adopted, high mold releasability can be obtained, and it is possible to prevent the molten filament from fusing to the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 as much as possible.

Further, the release agent such as wax may be applied to the outer peripheral surfaces of the heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5 by providing the release agent application device in the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20. However, if a wax having a low melting point (for example, a melting point of 100 ° C. or less) is used as the release agent, it becomes a liquid in the cooling water and easily mixes. Therefore, it is preferable to use a wax having a high melting point (for example, a melting point of 101 ° C. or higher) so that such a situation can be avoided as much as possible.

(2) In-tank partition wall The pair of in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b are provided so as to form a wall around the thickness regulation conveyors 22a and 22b, and cool the inside of the cooling water tank 21 and the outside of the in-tank partition wall 23a and 23b. It plays a role of preventing water from easily flowing into the thickness regulation conveyors 22a and 22b. In the molten filament group 2, fusion of the molten filaments progresses in the process of being conveyed by the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b. By providing the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank, it is possible to make it less likely to be affected by the cooling water having a low temperature at this time, and to make it difficult to reduce the fusion force at both ends in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2.

The front partition wall 23a in the tank has a front vertical plate 23a1 and a front horizontal plate 23a2. The front vertical plate 23a1 is a vertical wall arranged in the vicinity of the front side of the thickness regulation conveyor 22a, and covers the entire thickness regulation conveyor 22a from the front view. The upper edge of the front vertical plate 23a1 is located above the water surface of the cooling water, and the lower edge is located below the lower end of the thickness regulation conveyor 22a.

The front horizontal plate 23a2 is a horizontal wall arranged near the lower side of the thickness regulation conveyor 22a. The front edge of the front horizontal plate 23a2 is in close contact with the front vertical plate 23a1 as a whole, and the horizontal dimension of the front horizontal plate 23a2 is the same as that of the front vertical plate 23a1.

The rear tank partition wall 23b has a rear vertical plate 23b1 and a rear horizontal plate 23b2. The rear vertical plate 23b1 is a vertical wall arranged in the vicinity of the rear side of the thickness regulation conveyor 22b, and covers the entire thickness regulation conveyor 22b by rear view. The upper edge of the rear vertical plate 23b1 is located above the water surface of the cooling water, and the lower edge is located below the lower end of the thickness regulation conveyor 22b.

The rear horizontal plate 23b2 is a horizontal wall arranged near the lower side of the thickness regulation conveyor 22b. The rear edge of the rear horizontal plate 23b2 is in close contact with the rear vertical plate 23b1 as a whole, and the horizontal dimension of the rear horizontal plate 23b2 is the same as that of the rear vertical plate 23b1.

A gap is provided between the rear edge of the front horizontal plate 23a2 and the front edge of the rear horizontal plate 23b2 for passing the molten filament group 2 conveyed downward by the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b. ing. Cooling water can enter and exit or circulate inside and outside the tank partition walls 23a and 23b to some extent through this gap, but if necessary, holes for cooling water circulation are provided in the tank partition walls 23a and 23b. You may. However, it is usually preferable to arrange such holes within a range in which the cooling water temperature in the vicinity of the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b does not fluctuate significantly.

When the left and right ends of the pair of inner partition walls 23a and 23b reach the left and right inner walls of the cooling water tank 21, it is also possible to prevent external cooling water from flowing into the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b from the left and right directions. Is possible. Further, in order to obtain an effect similar to this, in-tank partition walls may be provided on both left and right ends of the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b, and the front-back and left-right sides of the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b may be surrounded by the in-tank partition walls.

In the present embodiment, by providing the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2, it is possible to sufficiently block the movement of the cooling water in the vertical direction (vertical direction). However, since the specific gravity of warm water is smaller than the specific gravity of cold water and it is difficult for warm cooling water to move downward, even if one or both of the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2 are omitted, the cooling water can be moved. The effect on ease of use is relatively small. In consideration of this point, the installation of one or both of the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2 may be omitted to simplify the configuration of the three-dimensional coupling forming device 20. In this case, it is desirable that the vertical positions of the lower ends of the vertical plates 23a1 and 23b1 are lower than the lower ends of the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b.

(3) Cooling Water Stirring Device The pair of cooling water stirring devices 26a and 26b are devices that generate a water flow by stirring the cooling water using, for example, a fan, and promote the cooling of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3. In the present embodiment, the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b are arranged between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2 and the pair of conveyors 24a and 24b (positions sandwiched above and below by these).

One of the cooling water agitators 26a is arranged below the horizontal plates 23a2 and faces the front end portion of the filament three-dimensional coupling 3 that emerges from between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2. The other cooling water agitator 26b is arranged below the horizontal plate 23b2 and faces the rear end portion of the filament three-dimensional coupling 3 that emerges from between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2. As described above, the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b are respectively arranged at positions near both ends of the filament three-dimensional coupler 3.

The specifications, positions and orientations of the cooling water agitators 26a and 26b may be appropriately set so that the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3 is cooled to a desired degree by the generated water flow. For example, both cooling water agitators 26a and 26b may generate a water flow in the direction toward the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3. However, usually, it is better that one of the cooling water agitators 26a and 26b generates a water flow in the direction toward the filament three-dimensional bond 3 and the other generates a water flow in the direction away from the filament three-dimensional bond 3. , It is preferable in that the central portion and both end portions in the thickness direction of the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 can be cooled more uniformly.

The molten filament group 2 is in a state of a filament three-dimensional coupler 3 in which the fused filaments are sufficiently fused and bonded to each other at the stage from between the pair of horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2 to the downward movement. Therefore, it is not necessary to worry about a decrease in the fusion force due to cooling with respect to the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3 at the stage where it protrudes downward from between the horizontal plates 23a2 and 23b2.

(4) Conveyor Conveyor The pair of conveyors 24a and 24b are each composed of slat conveyors, and are arranged with a gap corresponding to the thickness of the filament three-dimensional coupling 3. The conveyors 24a and 24b are preferably formed by using a conveyor member having a smooth transport surface, and for example, a conveyor using a metal mesh belt or a plastic modular chain may be adopted. The pair of conveyors 24a and 24b sandwich the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 that has passed between the pair of cooling water agitators 26a and 26b in the front-rear direction, and convey the filament three-dimensional coupler 3 further downward.

The filament three-dimensional coupler 3 conveyed by the pair of transfer conveyors 24a and 24b is further conveyed by a plurality of transfer rollers 25a to 25f while changing the direction of the cooling water in a U shape, and finally the cooling water tank 21 It is transported to the outside. The thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b, the conveyors 24a and 24b, and the plurality of conveyors 25a to 25f described above are driven by a drive motor and a drive gear (not shown) to appropriately fit the molten filament group 2 or the filament three-dimensional coupler 3. To transport to.

4. Summary As described above, the filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus 1 receives the molten filament supply device 10 for discharging the molten filament group 2 composed of a plurality of molten filaments and the molten filament group 2 in the first direction (the present embodiment). Then, it is provided with a three-dimensional bond forming device 20 which is conveyed vertically below) to form a filament three-dimensional bond 3 in which molten filaments are fused and bonded to each other. Further, the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 receives the end portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction (front-back direction), and approaches the end portion toward the center side in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2 in the second direction (in the present embodiment). The thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b (conveyor portions) are driven so as to be conveyed in a direction inclined downward by 30 degrees from the thickness direction.

According to the filament three-dimensional composite manufacturing apparatus 1, the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b can drive the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b to appropriately bring the end portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction closer to the center side. Therefore, for example, the use of the cooling water flowing through the sliding plate (cooling water W in the example shown in FIG. 6) is omitted, and the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water tank is lower than that of the central portion at both ends of the molten filament group. It is possible to avoid it. As a result, it is difficult to reduce the fusion force (adhesive force) between the molten filaments at both ends of the molten filament group, and it is possible to prevent the surface state of both ends of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3 in the thickness direction from becoming uneven as much as possible. It is possible to suppress quality deterioration of the filament three-dimensional conjugate 3.

Further, the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b first convey the first conveyor portion C1 that conveys the thickness direction end portion of the received molten filament group 2 in the second direction, and the molten filament group 2 including the conveyed end portion. A second conveyor portion C2 that conveys in the direction is formed by a series of conveyor belts.

Therefore, the first conveyor portion C1 can bring the end portion of the molten filament group 2 in the thickness direction closer to the center side, and the second conveyor portion C2 can continuously convey the molten filament group 2 in the first direction. Further, since these conveyor portions are formed by a series of heat-resistant belts 22a5 and 22b5, simplification of the configuration and improvement of driving efficiency are achieved as compared with the case where these are formed by separate belts.

Further, the three-dimensional bond forming apparatus 20 includes a cooling water tank 21 for storing cooling water used for cooling the molten filament group 2, and at least a part of the second conveyor portion C2 is located in the cooling water. Therefore, it is possible to reliably guide the molten filament group 2 into the cooling water by transporting the molten filament group 2 by the second conveyor portion C2.

Further, the three-dimensional coupling forming device 20 has in-tank partition walls 23a and 23b provided so as to form a wall around the thickness-regulating conveyors 22a and 22b in the cooling water tank 21. Therefore, the temperature of the cooling water inside the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank is less affected by the cooling water outside, and the temperature of the cooling water in the vicinity of the thickness regulating conveyors 22a and 22b is stabilized by that amount, and the molten filament group 2 It is possible to reduce the temperature difference of the cooling water between the central portion and the end portion in the thickness direction.

If the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank are not provided, the cooling water having a low temperature (cooling water at a position away from the molten filament group 2) is greatly affected at both ends in the thickness direction of the molten filament group 2. , There is a risk of reducing the cohesive force between the molten filaments. In this regard, if the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank are provided as in the present embodiment, the molten filament group 2 is less likely to be affected by the cooling water having a low temperature even at both ends in the thickness direction, and such a problem can be prevented as much as possible. Is possible.

Further, the three-dimensional bond forming device 20 has cooling water stirring devices 26a and 26b provided vertically below the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank and stirring the cooling water. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently cool the molten filament group 2 that has passed through the cooling water area surrounded by the partition walls 23a and 23b in the tank.

Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. That is, it should be considered that the above embodiment is an example in all respects and is not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above embodiment but by the scope of claims, and it is understood that the meaning equivalent to the scope of claims and all modifications belonging to the scope are included. Should be.

The present invention can be used for manufacturing filament three-dimensional conjugates used for mattresses, pillows, cushions and the like.

1 ・ ・ ・ Filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing device 2 ・ ・ ・ Fused filament group 3 ・ ・ ・ Filament three-dimensional bond 10 ・ ・ ・ Fused filament supply device 11 ・ ・ ・ Pressurized melting part 11a ・ ・ ・ Cylinder 11b ・・ ・ Filament discharge part 12 ・ ・ ・ Die 12a ・ ・ ・ Lead flow path 13 ・ ・ ・ Material input part 14 ・ ・ ・ Screw 15 ・ ・ ・ Screw motor 16 ・ ・ ・ Screw heater 17 ・ ・ ・ Nozzle part 17a ・ ・・ Circular nozzles 18a to 18f ・ ・ ・ Die heater 20 ・ ・ ・ Three-dimensional composite forming device 21 ・ ・ ・ Cooling water tanks 22a, 22b ・ ・ ・ Thickness control conveyor (conveyor part)
22a1, 22b1 ... 1st roller 22a2, 22b2 ... 2nd roller 22a3, 22b3 ... 3rd roller 22a4, 22b4 ... Pressurized roller 22a5, 22b5 ... Heat resistant belt (conveyor belt)
23a, 23b ... In-tank partition walls 24a, 24b ... Conveyor conveyors 25a to 25f ... Conveyor rollers 26a, 26b ... Cooling water agitator C1 ... First conveyor section C2 ... Second conveyor Department

Claims (5)

A molten filament supply device that discharges a group of molten filaments composed of a plurality of molten filaments,
It is provided with a three-dimensional bond forming device that receives the molten filament group and conveys it vertically downward to form a filament three-dimensional bond in which the molten filaments are fused and bonded to each other.
The three-dimensional conjugate forming apparatus is
The end portion in the thickness direction orthogonal to the vertically downward portion of the molten filament group is received, and the end portion is conveyed in a direction inclined toward the vertical downward side from the thickness direction, which is a direction approaching the center side in the thickness direction of the molten filament group. conveyor unit for driving to have a,
The conveyor section
A series of conveyor belts are used to form a first conveyor unit that conveys the received end portion in the inclined direction and a second conveyor unit that conveys the molten filament group including the conveyed end portion vertically downward. Has been formed and
At least a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller are provided as rollers for tensioning and supporting the conveyor belt.
At both ends of the first conveyor section, the conveyor belt is supported by the first roller and the second roller.
A filament three-dimensional composite manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the conveyor belt is supported by the second roller and the third roller at both ends of the second conveyor portion . The conveyor belt
The filament 3 according to claim 1, wherein the filament 3 is a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral portion is made of a plastic modular chain made of a polytetrafluoroethylene material, or a heat-resistant belt whose outer peripheral surface is made of a smooth silicone rubber material. Dimensional composite manufacturing equipment. The three-dimensional conjugate forming apparatus includes a cooling water tank for storing cooling water used for cooling the molten filament group.
The filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the second conveyor section is located in the cooling water . The three-dimensional conjugate forming apparatus is
The filament three-dimensional conjugate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an in-tank partition wall provided in the cooling water tank so as to form a wall around the conveyor portion . The three-dimensional conjugate forming apparatus is
The filament three-dimensional bond manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a cooling water agitator that is provided vertically below the partition in the tank and agitates the cooling water .