JPWO2017183216A1 - Filament three-dimensional combined body manufacturing apparatus and filament three-dimensional combined body manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a filament three-dimensionally bonded body manufacturing apparatus that makes it easy to control the shape of the filament and the location where the filament is bonded. A molten filament supply device that has a plurality of nozzles and discharges a molten filament so as to translate from each of the nozzles; and presses at least one of the translated molten filaments to partially move to the other translated molten filament A melt filament crimping apparatus that realizes crimping, and a filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus that forms a filament three-dimensional joined body using the melted filament including the crimped one.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional combination and a method for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional combination.

  As a cushion material used for mattresses, pillows and the like, a filament three-dimensional bonded body obtained by partially fusing a plurality of thermoplastic resin fibers (molten filaments) in a molten state has recently attracted attention.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, after a molten thermoplastic resin is extruded vertically downward from a plurality of nozzles arranged horizontally, a molten filament is dropped into cooling water to form a loop, and at the same time, a loop is formed. A method of manufacturing a filament three-dimensional bonded body by three-dimensionally fusing and bonding a plurality of molten filaments is disclosed.

JP 2010-154965 A

  However, in the method of manufacturing the above-described filament three-dimensional combination, the rotation direction and curvature of the loop formed by the filamentary molten filament cannot be controlled, and a random loop is formed, and the binding between the filaments cannot be controlled. . For this reason, there is a problem that the shape and the bonding location of each filament constituting the filament three-dimensional bonded body are irregular, and the repulsive force tends to vary locally. In order to fuse and bond the molten filaments, (1) the molten filaments are formed in a random loop using the buoyancy of water, and adjacent molten filaments are brought into contact with each other; (2) the contact point It is necessary to fuse the molten filaments with each other, but when the molten filaments fall into the cooling water, the surface temperature rapidly decreases to a temperature below the boiling point of water, so the softening temperature of the molten filaments (melting point and glass transition point) When the temperature at which fusion occurs, for example, is too higher than the boiling point of water, a fusion bond is formed by the residual heat inside the molten filament, but it is difficult to form a strong fusion bond.

  An object of this invention is to provide the filament three-dimensional conjugate | bonded_body manufacturing apparatus and the filament three-dimensional conjugate | bonded_body manufacturing method which become easy to control the shape of a filament, and the joint location of a filament in view of the said subject.

  The filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention has a plurality of nozzles, and presses at least one of the molten filament supply device for discharging the molten filament so as to translate from each of the nozzles and the translated molten filament. A melt filament crimping device that realizes partial crimping to the other translated melt filaments, and using the melt filaments including the crimped ones to form a three-dimensional filament combination To do.

  According to this configuration, it becomes easier to control the shape of the filament and the location where the filament is joined, for example, compared to the case where the crimping is not performed. Note that the term “crimping” in the present application is a concept of pressing and fusing so as to be in contact with each other, and is not limited to pressing strongly and bonding.

  More specifically as the above configuration, the molten filament supply device has a specific nozzle group including a plurality of the nozzles arranged in a predetermined direction, and the molten filament crimping device includes an adjacent nozzle in the specific nozzle group. It is good also as a structure which has the filament crimping | compression-bonding part which implement | achieves the said crimping | compression-bonding with the discharged molten filaments.

  More specifically, the filament pressure-bonding section may be configured to realize the pressure-bonding by pressing the melt filaments discharged from the adjacent nozzles in a direction approaching each other. According to this structure, compared with the case where only one of the molten filaments is pressed, an intermediate body having a well-balanced form close to a symmetrical shape can be formed.

  More specifically, the specific nozzle group includes nozzles arranged in order from the first to the fourth in the predetermined direction, and the filament crimping portion is discharged from the second and third nozzles. The first pressure bonding, which is the pressure bonding of the molten filaments, the pressure bonding of the molten filaments discharged from the first and second nozzles, and the pressure of the molten filaments discharged from the third and fourth nozzles. The location where the first crimping is performed and the location where the second crimping is performed may be different in the translation direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to press the melt filaments in a well-balanced manner so as to form a two-dimensional network, and to suppress the unevenness of the press-bonded portions.

  Further, in the filament three-dimensional assembly manufacturing apparatus having the above-described configuration, which has a plurality of the specific nozzle groups, and forms an intermediate body in which the melt filaments are bonded by the pressure bonding by the filament pressure bonding portion for each specific nozzle group. The molten filament crimping device may be configured to partially crimp the intermediates in a direction different from the predetermined direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to form an intermediate body in which molten filaments are three-dimensionally bonded, and it becomes easier to control the shape of the filament and the position where the filament is bonded.

  More specifically, the filament supply device may be configured to discharge the molten filament vertically downward from each of the nozzles arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction. According to this configuration, the discharge direction of the molten filament matches the direction of gravity, and a plurality of molten filaments can be easily translated.

  The filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a melt filament supply step of discharging a plurality of melt filaments so as to translate, and pressing the at least one of the translate melt filaments so that the other melt filaments are translated. A method of forming a filament three-dimensional combination by using the molten filament including the crimped one.

  Further, in the above method in which a plurality of intermediate bodies in which the molten filaments are bonded to each other are formed by the molten filament pressure bonding step, a method may be included which includes an intermediate pressure bonding step in which the intermediate bodies are partially pressure bonded.

  According to the filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus or the filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is easy to control the shape of the filament and the location where the filament is joined. Also, in the process of joining filaments, that is, in the process of forming a random loop, it is not always necessary to use the buoyancy of water, so the softening temperature is high and thermoplastic deformation is not likely to occur (high heat resistance). Even when a resin is used, a filament three-dimensional bonded body having a stable fusion bond can be obtained.

It is a block diagram of the filament three-dimensional conjugate | bonded_body manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a cross-sectional arrow view of the filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram in the vicinity of the crimping | compression-bonding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing regarding the nozzle group formation part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram from the upper viewpoint of a 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is the elements on larger scale of the 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part shown in FIG. It is a cross-sectional arrow view of the 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part shown in FIG. It is a partial perspective view of a 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is explanatory drawing regarding operation | movement of a 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is explanatory drawing regarding operation | movement of a 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is explanatory drawing regarding operation | movement of a 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is a block diagram from the upper viewpoint of a 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is the elements on larger scale of the 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram from the front viewpoint of a 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is a partial perspective view of the 2nd filament crimping part. It is explanatory drawing regarding operation | movement of a 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is explanatory drawing regarding operation | movement of a 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is explanatory drawing regarding operation | movement of a 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part. It is explanatory drawing regarding the structural example of a 2nd intermediate body. It is explanatory drawing regarding the modification of a 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part.

  An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions are as shown in the drawings, the lower direction matches the vertical downward direction, and the front / back and left / right directions match the horizontal direction.

1. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filament three-dimensional assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filament three-dimensional assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram in the vicinity of the crimping device 26 included in the filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus 1.

  The filament three-dimensional joined body production apparatus 1 is an apparatus for producing a filament three-dimensional joined body 3 made of thermoplastic resin fibers having a three-dimensional network structure, and includes an extruder 10, a three-dimensional joined body forming apparatus 20, and the like. It has. Further, the filament three-dimensional assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a controller 27 (see FIG. 2) that controls each operation of the crimping apparatus 26 described later. In the following description, the thermoplastic resin fiber is sometimes referred to as a filament, and the filament three-dimensional bonded body 3 is sometimes referred to as 3DF (3-dimensional filaments-linked structure) 3. Further, the filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus 1 may be referred to as a 3DF manufacturing apparatus 1.

  The extrusion molding machine 10 is an example of a molten filament supply device that forms a filament (wire) in a molten state and discharges the filament toward the three-dimensional joined body forming device 20. The extrusion molding machine 10 includes an extruder 11 that is a pressure-melting section provided with a hopper 13 for charging materials, a die 12 that is connected to the extruder 11 and has a nozzle group forming section 17, and the like. The filament in the molten state is discharged from the nozzle group forming unit 17. Hereinafter, the filament in a molten state may be referred to as a molten filament 2.

  The hopper 13 is a material input unit for supplying a thermoplastic resin as a filament material into the extrusion molding machine 10. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide resins such as nylon 66, polyvinyl chloride resins and polystyrene resins, styrene elastomers, and vinyl chloride elastomers. Further, thermoplastic elastomers such as olefin elastomers, urethane elastomers, polyester elastomers, nitrile elastomers, polyamide elastomers, and fluorine elastomers can be used.

  The extruder 11 is a pressure melting part that melts a thermoplastic resin while applying pressure. A cylinder 11 a is formed inside the extruder 11. A screw 14 rotated by a screw motor 15 is inserted through the cylinder 11a. A screw heater 16 (16a, 16b, 16c) is provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 11a. The screw 14 is a pressurizing and conveying member that pressurizes and melts a thermoplastic resin that is heated and melted by the screw heater 16 and conveys the thermoplastic resin from the filament discharging portion 11b to the die 12. The screw heater 16 is a heating unit that heats the thermoplastic resin in the cylinder 11a.

  The die 12 is a filament sending unit that sends the molten thermoplastic resin conveyed from the extruder 11 as a fibrous molten filament 2. A die guide channel 12 a is formed inside the die 12. The die heater 18 (18a to 18f) is a heating unit that heats the molten filament 2 passing through the die guide channel 12a.

  A temperature sensor 19 (19a, 19b, 19c) for measuring the temperature of the molten filament 2 is provided in the vicinity of the die heater 18, and a temperature sensor (not shown) is also provided in the vicinity of the screw heater 16. Based on the temperature measurement results by these temperature sensors, the outputs of the screw heater 16 and the die heater 18 are controlled.

  The extruder 10 melts the thermoplastic resin supplied from the hopper 13 in the cylinder 11a by means of a screw 14, a screw heater 16, a die heater 18, and the like. The molten thermoplastic resin is discharged vertically downward as a plurality of molten filaments 2 from each nozzle 17a formed in the nozzle group forming portion 17 via the die guide passage 12a inside the die 12.

  The nozzle group forming portion 17 is a metal plate of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped (a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having front and rear, left and right, and upper and lower surfaces) in which a plurality of nozzles 17a that are circular openings are formed, It is provided in the lower part of the die 12 corresponding to the downstream part. The front-rear direction and the left-right direction dimensions of the nozzle group forming portion 17 can be set according to the cross-sectional dimensions (mattress thickness and width dimensions), for example, when manufacturing a mattress 3DF3. Since the nozzle group forming portion 17 in the present embodiment is used for manufacturing 3DF3 for a wide mattress as an example, the dimension in the left-right direction is much larger than the dimension in the front-rear direction. FIG. 4 schematically shows a state where the lower surface of the nozzle group forming portion 17 is viewed from below. FIG. 4 also shows a partially enlarged view of a region indicated by α1 in the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle group forming unit 17 has nozzles 17 a arranged in a matrix that is two-dimensionally arranged in the front-rear and left-right directions. In other words, the nozzle group forming unit 17 includes a plurality of nozzle groups arranged in a line in the front-rear direction (consisting of seven nozzles 17a in the example of the present embodiment, which may hereinafter be referred to as “specific nozzle groups”). A column is provided. As an example, the seven nozzles 17a indicated by SN in FIG. 4 are the third specific nozzle group from the left. Each of the plurality of rows of specific nozzle groups is arranged so as to be arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, regarding the pitch (nozzle interval) between the nozzles 17a arranged in a matrix, in the following description, the front-rear direction pitch is X1, and the left-right direction pitch (interval between specific nozzle groups). X2 is also possible. In the present embodiment, as an example, the pitch X1 and the pitch X2 are set to 10 mm. However, the specific form of the nozzle 17a is not particularly limited, and the nozzle shape, nozzle inner diameter, nozzle interval, nozzle arrangement, etc. can be appropriately adjusted based on, for example, the repulsive force specifications of the filament three-dimensional combination. it can.

  The three-dimensional joined body forming apparatus 20 forms a three-dimensional network-like 3DF 3 by fusion bonding and cooling and solidifying a plurality of molten filaments 2. The three-dimensional combined body forming apparatus 20 is provided with a pair of front and rear receiving plates 21a and 21b which are provided so as to be plane-symmetrical (symmetric to a plane extending in the front-rear and left-right directions) with a predetermined interval, and a water tank 23 for storing cooling water 22a. And a crimping device 26.

  The plurality of molten filaments 2 that are discharged from the nozzle group forming portion 17 and translated vertically downward reach the pair of receiving plates 21a and 21b disposed vertically below the crimping device 26. Each of the pair of receiving plates 21a, 21b is a flat plate-like inclined surface 21a1, 21b1 inclined downward toward the center (symmetric surface) of each other, and a flat plate-like shape extending vertically downward from the lower portion of the inclined surfaces 21a1, 21b1. The vertical surfaces 21a2 and 21b2 are included.

  You may provide the cooling water supply apparatus (not shown) which supplies a cooling water to the whole surface of receiving plate 21a, 21b in the upper part of receiving plate 21a, 21b. By suppressing or preventing the temperature rise of the receiving plates 21a and 21b by supplying the cooling water, it is possible to prevent the molten filament 2 from being fused to the receiving plates 21a and 21b. The molten filament 2 that has reached the pair of receiving plates 21a, 21b enters the lower cooler 22 through the space between the pair of front and rear vertical surfaces 21a2, 21b2.

  The receiving plates 21a and 21b are made dense by moving both end portions (surface layers) in the thickness direction of the molten filament 2 sent from the crimping device 26 toward the central portion, so that the molten filament 2 (filament three-dimensional joined body) is obtained. ) To form hard surface layers at both ends. By forming the hard surface layer, it is possible to suppress changes in the length direction (here, the direction corresponding to the conveying direction of the molten filament 2) of the filament three-dimensional combination, and the shape of the filament three-dimensional combination can be reduced. Can be stabilized.

  The cooler 22 cools and solidifies the melted filament 2 that has been fusion bonded. The cooler 22 is configured to drive a water tank 23 in which cooling water 22a is stored, a pair of endless conveyors 24a and 24b that transport 3DF3, a plurality of transport rollers 25a to 25g, and these endless conveyors and transport rollers via gears. And a transport motor (not shown).

  The endless conveyors 24a and 24b and the plurality of transport rollers 25a to 25g are transport devices that transport 3DF3. The pair of endless conveyors 24a and 24b is provided at the lower part in the vertical direction of the receiving plates 21a and 21b, and moves downward while cooling the mesh-like molten filaments, which are three-dimensionally fused and bonded, with the cooling water 22a. Then, the cooled and solidified 3DF3 is conveyed.

  The conveyance speed of the endless conveyors 24a and 24b is closely related to the filament density. That is, in relation to the cooling speed of the molten filament 2, the filament density decreases as the conveying speed increases, and the filament density increases as it decreases. The conveyance rollers 25a to 25g are arranged at the subsequent stage of the pair of endless conveyors 24a and 24b, and convey 3DF3 that has passed through the endless conveyors 24a and 24b to the outside of the water tank 23.

  In the present embodiment, a belt conveyor made of a net-like metal mesh is employed as the endless conveyors 24a and 24b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of conveying devices can be employed. For example, a slat conveyor or the like can be adopted as the transfer device.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the crimping | compression-bonding apparatus 26 (one form of a melt filament crimping apparatus) is provided between the nozzle group formation part 17 and a pair of receiving plates 21a and 21b. The crimping device 26 is a device that presses a part of the plurality of molten filaments 2 that are discharged from the nozzle group forming unit 17 and dropped, and crimps them to the other molten filaments 2.

  The crimping device 26 has a first filament crimping part 51 and a second filament crimping part 61. The first filament crimping part 51 forms a plurality of first intermediate bodies 2 a by partially crimping the filament-shaped molten filaments 2 discharged from the nozzle group forming part 17 in the front-rear direction, and the second filament crimping part 61. To send. The first intermediate body 2a can also be viewed as the molten filament 2 in a state where a certain amount of crimp bonding is performed.

  The second filament crimping portion 61 partially crimps the first intermediate bodies 2a in the left-right direction to form the second intermediate body 2b and sends it to the pair of receiving plates 21a, 21b. Therefore, the molten filament 2 at the stage of reaching the receiving plates 21a and 21b is actually formed on the second intermediate 2b by the crimping device 26. The second intermediate body 2b can also be regarded as the molten filament 2 in a state in which the degree of pressure bonding is further advanced than the first intermediate body 2a.

2. Configuration and Operation of Crimping Device Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the crimping device 26 will be described in more detail.

2-1. Configuration and Operation of First Filament Crimping Section First, the configuration of the first filament crimping section 51 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the first filament crimping portion 51 from an upper viewpoint. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a region indicated by α2 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic arrow view of the plane indicated by BB ′ in FIG. FIG. 7 also shows a partially enlarged view of the region indicated by α3 in the drawing. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the first filament crimping part 51. 8A shows a perspective view of the vicinity of the rear support portion 53, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which the first crimping member 54 is movable in the front-rear direction. FIG. These show a mode that the 2nd crimping | compression-bonding member 55 is movable to the front-back direction.

  The first filament crimping part 51 is provided with a front support part 52 and a rear support part 53 extending in the left-right direction for supporting the respective crimping members 54, 55 with an interval in the front-rear direction. The front support part 52 is disposed in front of the rear support part 53, and the rear surface of the front support part 52 and the front surface of the rear support part 53 face each other in the front-rear direction. A region sandwiched between the front support portion 52 and the rear support portion 53 is a region through which the molten filament 2 discharged from the nozzle group forming portion 17 passes. Further, a guide groove G <b> 1 is provided on the rear surface of the front support portion 52 and the front surface of the rear support portion 53.

  A plurality of first pressure-bonding members 54 and a plurality of second pressure-bonding members 55 are arranged between the support portions 52 and 53. The first crimping member 54 and the second crimping member 55 extend in the front-rear direction, and are arranged so as to be alternately arranged in the left-right direction. Each of the crimping members 54 and 55 has a front tip portion fitted in the guide groove G1 of the front support portion 52 and a rear tip portion fitted in the guide groove G1 of the rear support portion 53. The crimping members 54 and 55 are supported by the support portions 52 and 53 so as to be able to move in an operation cycle (see FIGS. 9 to 11), which will be described later. Alternatively, it is displaced momentarily by pushing backward. In other words, each crimping member 54, 55 causes each molten filament 2 to be rotationally displaced (rotational vibration) in the horizontal plane direction.

  The first crimping member 54 is configured by combining an upper first crimping member 54a and a lower first crimping member 54b. The upper first pressure-bonding member 54a has a rod-like portion extending in the front-rear direction so as to reach the guide groove G1 of the rear-side support portion 53 from the guide groove G1 of the front-side support portion 52. A plurality of protrusions Pa protruding in the direction. Each of the plurality of protruding portions Pa protrudes to the vicinity of the rod-shaped portion of the second pressure-bonding member 55 adjacent to the left and right, and is provided with an interval twice as long as the pitch X1 (see FIG. 4) in the front-rear direction. .

  The lower first crimping member 54b has a rod-shaped portion extending in the front-rear direction so as to reach the guide groove G1 of the rear support portion 53 from the guide groove G1 of the front support portion 52, and from the rod-shaped portion to a branch. A plurality of projecting portions Pb projecting left and right are provided. Each of the plurality of protruding portions Pb protrudes to the vicinity of the rod-shaped portion of the second crimping member 55 adjacent to the left and right, and is provided in the front-rear direction with an interval twice as large as the pitch X1.

  The upper first pressure-bonding member 54a and the lower first pressure-bonding member 54b are arranged so as to overlap vertically, and can slide in the front-rear direction. The vertical position of each protrusion Pa of the upper first pressure-bonding member 54a is the same as the vertical position of each protrusion Pb of the lower first pressure-bonding member 54b. Each protruding portion Pa is in contact with the rear side of each corresponding protruding portion Pb in the basic state. As shown in FIG. 8B, the upper first crimping member 54a and the lower first crimping member 54b are movable in the front-rear direction so as to be separated from each other.

  The second crimping member 55 has a configuration in which an upper second crimping member 55a and a lower second crimping member 55b are combined. The upper second pressure-bonding member 55a has a bar-like portion extending in the front-rear direction so as to reach the guide groove G1 of the rear-side support portion 53 from the guide groove G1 of the front-side support portion 52, and a plurality of protrusions protruding left and right from the rod-like portion. Projecting portion Qa. Each of the plurality of protruding portions Qa protrudes to the vicinity of the rod-shaped portion of the first pressure-bonding member 54 adjacent to the left and right, and is provided in the front-rear direction with an interval twice as large as the pitch X1.

  The lower second crimping member 55b has a rod-like portion extending in the front-rear direction so as to reach the guide groove G1 of the rear support portion 53 from the guide groove G1 of the front support portion 52, and protrudes left and right from the rod-like portion. It has a plurality of protrusions Qb. Each of the plurality of protruding portions Qb protrudes to the vicinity of the rod-shaped portion of the first pressure-bonding member 54 adjacent to the left and right, and is provided in the front-rear direction with an interval twice as large as the pitch X1.

  The upper second pressure-bonding member 55a and the lower second pressure-bonding member 55b are arranged so as to overlap each other and can slide in the front-rear direction. The vertical position of each protrusion Qa of the upper second pressure-bonding member 55a is the same as the vertical position of each protrusion Qb of the lower second pressure-bonding member 55b. Each protrusion Qa is in contact with the rear side of each corresponding protrusion Qb in the basic state. As shown in FIG. 8C, the upper second crimping member 55a and the lower second crimping member 55b are movable in the front-rear direction so as to be separated from each other.

  The protrusions Pa and Pb of the first pressure-bonding member 54 and the protrusions Qa and Qb of the second pressure-bonding member 55 are arranged at positions shifted in the front-rear direction by the pitch X1 in the basic state. Further, the bar-shaped portion of the first pressure-bonding member 54 and the bar-shaped portion of the second pressure-bonding member 55 that are adjacent to each other on the left and right are arranged at an interval of a pitch X2 (see FIG. 4) in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the rod-shaped portions of the first crimping member 54 and the rod-shaped portions of the second crimping member 55 extending in the front-rear direction are alternately arranged in the left-right direction. Further, the protrusions Pa and Pb of the first pressure bonding member 54 and the protrusions Qa and Qb of the second pressure bonding member 55 are alternately arranged. Therefore, when the first filament crimping portion 51 in the basic state is viewed from above, the first crimping member 54 and the second crimping member 55 form a substantially lattice shape. Each grid-like grid is located directly below each nozzle 17a. Therefore, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 6, one of the molten filaments 2 that is discharged from each nozzle 17 a and translates passes through one cell.

  Next, the operation of the first filament crimping part 51 will be described in detail. 9-11 is explanatory drawing regarding the operation cycle of the 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part 51. FIG. More specifically, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram from the same viewpoint as FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram when the movements of the protrusions Pa, Pb, Qa, and Qb are viewed from the left. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the movement of the first filament crimping portion 51 in the plane indicated by CC ′ in FIG. 10 when viewed from above. Note that the position of BB ′ shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the position of BB ′ shown in FIG.

  Moreover, (a)-(h) in FIGS. 9-11 has shown each state of the 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part 51. FIG. That is, the state of the first filament crimping portion 51 changes in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d) → (e) → (f) → (g) → (h) (a Repeat to return to). While the plurality of filamentous molten filaments 2 are translated downward from the nozzle group forming portion 17, the first filament crimping portion 51 operates in such an operation cycle. Further, Fk (k is 1 to 7) in FIG. 10 indicates the molten filament 2 discharged from the k-th nozzle 17a later in the nozzle group forming unit 17.

  The state (a) is a basic state of the first filament crimping part 51, and the vertical positions of the protrusions Pa and Pb of the first crimping member 54 and the protrusions Qa and Qb of the second crimping member 55 are the same. . When the second crimping member 55 moves downward in the state (a), the first filament crimping part 51 is in the state (b). In the state (b), the protrusions Qa and Qb of the second pressure-bonding member 55 are located below the protrusions Pa and Pb of the first pressure-bonding member 54.

  In the state (b), the upper second crimping member 55a moves rearward substantially by the pitch X1, and the lower second crimping member 55b moves forward substantially by the pitch X1, whereby the first filament crimping portion 51 is It will be in the state of (c). In the process of transition from the state (b) to the state (c), the protruding portion Qa of the upper second crimping member 55a pushes the molten filament 2 (F1, F3, F5, F7) on the rear side backward, The protrusion Qb of the second crimping member 55b pushes the molten filament 2 (F2, F4, F6) on the front side forward.

  As a result, the melted filaments 2 of F2 and F3, the melted filaments 2 of F4 and F5, and the melted filaments 2 of F6 and F7 are partially crimped at approximately the center position of both paths. In addition, since the melt filaments 2 are in a high-temperature molten state, they are easily fused by being brought into contact with each other, so that crimping is realized. Since these crimping is performed below the first crimping member 54, the protrusions Qa and Qb do not interfere with the first crimping member 54 at the time of crimping, and the crimped portion thereafter downwards. Even if it advances, it does not hit the first crimping member 54.

  In the state (c), the upper second crimping member 55a moves forward, and the lower second crimping member 55b moves rearward, so that the first filament crimping portion 51 is in the state (d). In the state (d), the second crimping member 55 is moved upward, so that the first filament crimping part 51 is in the state (e). As the state of the first filament crimping part 51, the state (d) is the same as the state (b), and the state (e) is the same as the state (a). That is, in the operation cycle from (a) to (e), a series of operations are performed in which the second crimping member 55 moves downward, crimps the predetermined molten filaments 2 and returns to the original position.

  Next, when the first crimping member 54 moves downward in the state (e), the first filament crimping part 51 is in the state (f). In the state (f), the protrusions Pa and Pb of the first pressure-bonding member 54 are located below the protrusions Qa and Qb of the second pressure-bonding member 55.

  In the state (f), the upper first crimping member 54a moves rearward substantially by the pitch X1, and the lower first crimping member 54b moves forward substantially by the pitch X1, whereby the first filament crimping portion 51 is It will be in the state of (g). In the process of transition from the state (f) to the state (g), the protruding portion Pa of the upper first crimping member 54a pushes the molten filament 2 (F2, F4, F6) on the rear side backward, The protrusion Pb of the crimping member 54b pushes the molten filament 2 (F1, F3, F5, F7) on the front side forward.

  As a result, the melt filaments 2 of F1 and F2, the melt filaments 2 of F3 and F4, and the melt filaments 2 of F5 and F6 are partially crimped at substantially the center position of both paths. Since these crimping is performed below the second crimping member 55, the protrusions Pa and Pb do not interfere with the second crimping member 55 during the crimping, and the crimped portion thereafter is downward. Even if it advances, it does not hit the second crimping member 55.

  In the state (g), the upper first crimping member 54a moves forward, and the lower first crimping member 54b moves rearward, so that the first filament crimping portion 51 is in the state (h). Moreover, in the state (h), the 1st crimping | compression-bonding part 51 will be in the state of (a) because the 1st crimping | compression-bonding member 54 moves upwards. As the state of the first filament crimping part 51, the state (h) is the same as the state (f), and the state (a) is the same as the state (e). That is, in the operation cycle from (e) to (a), a series of operations are performed in which the first crimping member 54 moves downward, crimps the predetermined molten filaments 2 together, and returns to the original position.

  By repeatedly executing the above operation cycle, as shown in FIG. 10, intermediate bodies 2a in which the molten filaments 2 adjacent to each other in the front and rear are partially crimped to form a network are sequentially formed. Such first intermediate bodies 2a are formed by the number of nozzles 17a provided in the nozzle group forming portion 17 in the left-right direction, and discharged downward from the first filament crimping portion 51 in a state of being arranged in the left-right direction at a pitch X2. Is done. These intermediate bodies 2 a reach the second filament crimping part 61 installed below the first filament crimping part 51.

  In addition, the crimping | compression-bonding by the 1st crimping | compression-bonding member 54 is performed in the position shown by V1, V3, V5, ... in FIG.10 (h), and the crimping | compression-bonding by the 2nd crimping | compression-bonding member 55 is shown by V2, V4, .... Done in position. Thus, the location where the first crimping member 54 is crimped and the location where the second crimping member 55 is crimped differ in the direction of translation of the molten filament 2. In addition, these pressure bondings are all performed by pushing adjacent filaments 2 toward each other. Therefore, as shown in the lower portion of FIG. 10H, a well-balanced mesh-shaped first intermediate body 2a that is substantially symmetrical in the front-rear direction is formed. However, the locations where these pressure bondings are performed can be arbitrarily set based on, for example, the specification of the repulsive force of the filament three-dimensional combination. In addition, the operation speed, the operation cycle, and the like of the first filament crimping unit 51 may be updated, and the position where the crimping is performed may be appropriately adjusted by changing the timing of pressing the molten filament 2.

2-2. Configuration and Operation of Second Filament Crimping Portion Next, the configuration of the second filament crimping portion 61 will be described. FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of the second filament crimping portion 61 from an upper viewpoint. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of a region indicated by β1 in FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic arrow view of the plane indicated by DD ′ in FIG. FIG. 14 also shows a partially enlarged view of the region indicated by β2 in the drawing. FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the vicinity of the rear support portion 53 in the second filament crimping portion 61.

  The second filament crimping portion 61 is provided with a front support portion 62 and a rear support portion 63 that extend in the left-right direction with a space in the front-rear direction. The front support part 62 is disposed in front of the rear support part 63, and the rear surface of the front support part 62 and the front surface of the rear support part 63 face each other in the front-rear direction. A region sandwiched between the front support portion 62 and the rear support portion 63 is a region through which the first intermediate body 2a discharged from the first filament crimping portion 51 passes. A guide groove G <b> 2 is provided on the rear surface of the front support portion 62 and the front surface of the rear support portion 63.

  A plurality of third pressure-bonding members 64 and a plurality of fourth pressure-bonding members 65 are disposed between the support portions 62 and 63. The third crimping member 64 and the fourth crimping member 65 extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged so as to be alternately arranged in the left-right direction. Each of the crimping members 64 and 65 has a front end portion fitted in the guide groove G <b> 2 of the front support portion 62 and a rear end portion fitted in the guide groove G <b> 2 of the rear support portion 63. The crimping members 64 and 65 are supported by the support portions 62 and 63 so as to be able to move in an operation cycle (see FIGS. 16 to 18), which will be described later, and each first intermediate body 2a that is falling. Press to move left or right momentarily. In other words, each crimping member 64, 65 causes each first intermediate body 2a to be rotationally displaced (rotational vibration) in the horizontal plane direction.

  The third crimping member 64 has a configuration in which the left third crimping member 64a and the right third crimping member 64b are combined. Each of the left third crimping member 64a and the right third crimping member 64b has a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction so as to reach the guide groove G2 of the rear support part 63 from the guide groove G2 of the front support part 62. .

  The left third crimping member 64a and the right third crimping member 64b are arranged so as to contact in the left-right direction in the basic state, and the vertical position is the same. The left third pressing member 64a and the right third pressing member 64b are movable in the left-right direction so as to be separated from each other.

  The fourth crimping member 65 has a configuration in which the left fourth crimping member 65a and the right fourth crimping member 65b are combined. Each of the left fourth pressure member 65a and the right fourth pressure member 65b has a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction so as to reach the guide groove G2 of the rear support portion 63 from the guide groove G2 of the front support portion 62. .

  The left fourth crimping member 65a and the right fourth crimping member 65b are arranged so as to contact in the left-right direction in the basic state, and the vertical position is the same. The left fourth pressing member 65a and the right fourth pressing member 65b are movable in the left-right direction so as to be separated from each other. The third pressure-bonding member 64 and the fourth pressure-bonding member 65 which are adjacent to the left and right are arranged at an interval of a pitch X2 (see FIG. 4) in the left-right direction. One of the first intermediate bodies 2 a discharged from the first filament crimping portion 51 passes through one space formed between the adjacent third crimping member 64 and the fourth crimping member 65.

  Next, the operation of the second filament crimping part 61 will be described in detail. 16-18 is explanatory drawing regarding the operation cycle of the 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part 61. FIG. More specifically, FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram from the same viewpoint as FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram when the movement of each crimping member 64a, 64b, 65a, 65b is viewed from the front. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the movement of the second filament crimping portion 61 in the plane indicated by EE ′ in FIG. 17 when viewed from above.

  Moreover, (a)-(h) in FIGS. 16-18 has shown each state of the 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part 61. FIG. That is, the state of the second filament crimping portion 61 changes in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d) → (e) → (f) → (g) → (h) (a Repeat to return to). While the plurality of first intermediate bodies 2a translate downward from the first filament crimping portion 51, the second filament crimping portion 61 operates in such an operation cycle. In addition, Mk (k is 1 to 7) in FIG. 17 indicates the k-th first intermediate 2a from the left in an arbitrary region in which the seven first intermediates 2a are arranged on the left and right.

  State (a) is a basic state of the second filament crimping portion 61, the left third crimping member 64a is in contact with the left side of the right third crimping member 64b, and the left fourth crimping member 65a is the right fourth crimping member. It is in contact with the left side of 65b. When the fourth crimping member 65 moves downward in the state (a), the second filament crimping portion 61 is in the state (b).

  In the state (b), the left fourth crimping member 65a moves to the left by approximately the pitch X2, and the right fourth crimping member 65b moves to the right by approximately the pitch X2, whereby the second filament crimping part 61 is moved. Is in the state of (c). In the process of transition from the state (b) to the state (c), the left-side fourth crimping member 65a pushes the first intermediate body 2a (M1, M3, M5, M7) on the left side to the left, The crimping member 65b pushes the first intermediate body 2a (M2, M4, M6) on the right side to the right.

  As a result, the first intermediates 2a of M2 and M3, the first intermediates 2a of M4 and M5, and the first intermediates 2a of M6 and M7 are partially in the middle positions of both paths. Crimp to. In addition, since the 1st intermediate bodies 2a are in a high-temperature melted state, they are easily fused by being brought into contact with each other, so that crimping is realized. Since these crimping is performed below the third crimping member 64, the fourth crimping member 65 does not interfere with the third crimping member 64 during the crimping, and the crimped portion thereafter proceeds downward. However, it does not hit the third crimping member 64.

  In the state (c), the left fourth crimping member 65a moves to the right and the right fourth crimping member 65b moves to the left, so that the second filament crimping portion 61 is in the state of (d). . Moreover, in the state (d), the 4th crimping | compression-bonding member 65 moves upward, and the 2nd filament crimping part 61 will be in the state of (e). As the state of the second filament crimping portion 61, the state (d) is the same as the state (b), and the state (e) is the same as the state (a). That is, in the operation cycle from (a) to (e), a series of operations are performed in which the fourth crimping member 65 moves downward, crimps the first intermediate bodies 2a, and returns to the original position.

  Next, when the third crimping member 64 moves downward in the state (e), the second filament crimping part 61 is in the state (f). In the state (f), the left third crimping member 64a moves to the left approximately by the pitch X2, and the right third crimping member 64b moves to the right by approximately the pitch X2, whereby the second filament crimping portion 61 is moved. Is in the state of (g). In the process of transition from the state (f) to the state (g), the left third crimping member 64a pushes the first intermediate body 2a (M2, M4, M6) on the left side to the left, and the right third crimping member. 64b will push the 1st intermediate body 2a (M1, M3, M5, M7) on the right side to the right.

  As a result, each of the first intermediates 2a of M1 and M2, the first intermediates 2a of M3 and M4, and the first intermediates 2a of M5 and M6 is partially in the middle position of both the paths. Crimp to. Since these crimping is performed below the fourth crimping member 65, the third crimping member 64 does not interfere with the fourth crimping member 65 during the crimping, and the crimped portion thereafter proceeds downward. However, it does not hit the fourth crimping member 65.

  In the state (g), the left third crimping member 64a moves to the right and the right third crimping member 64b moves to the left, so that the second filament crimping part 61 is in the state of (h). . In the state (h), the third crimping member 64 moves upward, so that the second filament crimping part 61 is in the state (a). As the state of the second filament crimping part 61, the state (h) is the same as the state (f), and the state (a) is the same as the state (e). That is, in the operation cycle from (e) to (a), a series of operations is performed in which the third crimping member 64 moves downward, crimps the first intermediate bodies 2a, and returns to the original position.

  By repeating the above operation cycle, the second intermediate body 2b in which the first intermediate bodies 2a adjacent to each other on the left and right are partially crimped is sequentially formed. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the second intermediate 2 b has a form in which the filamentary molten filaments 2 are three-dimensionally coupled. The second intermediate 2b proceeds downward, and is cooled and solidified through the pair of receiving plates 21a and 21b described above to obtain 3DF3.

  In addition, the crimping | compression-bonding by the 3rd crimping | compression-bonding member 64 is performed in the position shown by Y1, Y3, Y5, ... in FIG.17 (h), and the crimping | compression-bonding by the 4th crimping member 65 is shown by Y2, Y4, .... Done in position. As described above, the location where the third crimping member 64 is crimped and the location where the fourth crimping member 65 is crimped differ in the direction of translation of the first intermediate body 2a. In addition, these pressure bondings are performed by pushing adjacent first intermediate bodies 2a toward each other. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 17H, a well-balanced mesh-shaped second intermediate 2b that is substantially symmetrical in the left-right direction is formed. However, the locations where these pressure bondings are performed can be arbitrarily set based on, for example, the specification of the repulsive force of the filament three-dimensional combination. In addition, the operation speed, the operation cycle, and the like of the second filament crimping part 61 can be updated, and the position where the crimping is performed can be appropriately adjusted by changing the timing of pressing the first intermediate body 2a.

  Further, the position in the front-rear direction where the first intermediate bodies 2a adjacent to each other are pressure-bonded can be any position of the first intermediate body 2a forming a two-dimensional network, for example, FIG. h) may be positions indicated by V1, V2,. However, in the case of this example, the four molten filaments 2 are pressure-bonded at the same location from the front and rear and the left and right directions. In this respect, if the front-rear direction position where the adjacent first intermediate bodies 2a are pressure-bonded is, for example, the position indicated by W1, W2,... In FIG. The place to be crimped and the place to be crimped using the second filament crimping portion 61 are different. As a result, it is easy to form a more uniform 3DF3 by suppressing the unevenness of the joints between the filaments in 3DF3.

3. Others In the present embodiment, the distance between the pair of front and rear vertical surfaces 21a2 and 21b2 on the receiving plates 21a and 21b is slightly smaller than the front-rear dimension of the second intermediate body 2b. Therefore, when the second intermediate body 2b passes between the pair of receiving plates 21a and 21b, the vicinity of the front and rear end portions of the second intermediate body 2b is pushed so as to be guided to the center portion, and the second intermediate body 2b The dimension in the front-rear direction is regulated by the interval between the vertical surfaces 21a2 and 21b2. Further, by being pushed in this way, the filament becomes relatively dense in the vicinity of the front and rear end portions of the second intermediate body 2b, and it is easy to prevent the 3DF3 from being deformed.

  Further, as is clear from the above description, the respective crimping members 54, 55, 64, 65 (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as “crimping member Z”) provided in the crimping device 26 are the melt filament 2 or the first one. It contacts the intermediate body 2a (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as “melt filament 2x”). Therefore, it is desirable that the configuration of the crimping device 26 is devised so that the molten filament 2x is not fused to the crimping member Z.

  In consideration of this, the crimping member Z provided in the crimping device 26 may have a coating layer made of a material having a low surface energy (for example, polytetrafluoroethylene resin). By providing the coating layer having a low surface energy, it is possible to more sufficiently prevent the molten filament 2x from being fused to the crimping member Z. The material for forming the coating layer is not particularly limited as long as it has a low surface energy, but a fluorine-based resin, a silicone resin, or the like, to which the molten filament is difficult to adhere, is preferable.

  Further, the surface of the crimping member Z may be covered with a sheet-like water retention film (not shown) made of a cotton cloth. In this way, the water adsorbed on the water retaining film is interposed between the crimping member Z and the molten filament 2x, so that a releasing effect can be obtained, and the fusion of the molten filament 2x to the crimping member Z can be suppressed. it can.

  The water-retaining film is not particularly limited as long as it has a water-retaining effect, but it is possible to use a cloth or mesh made of water-absorbing fibers, a sheet containing cellulose fibers, or the like, and hydrophilic silica particles having excellent heat resistance. Resin coatings containing can be used. The water retention film may be appropriately supplied with water from a water supply device. If the temperature of the water supplied from the water supply device to the water retaining film is too low, the temperature of the molten filament is locally reduced and distortion tends to occur, and conversely if it is too high, it tends to evaporate into the atmosphere. In consideration of this, it is usually preferable to set the temperature of the water at 80 ° C. or higher and 95 ° C. or lower.

  In addition, the coating of the water retaining film described above may be provided on the crimping member Z having the coating layer made of the material having the low surface energy described above, or may be provided on the crimping member Z not having the coating layer. As a means for preventing fusion of the molten filament 2x to the crimping member Z, an ultrasonic vibration element is provided in the filament crimping member 26, and the vicinity of the contact surface of the crimping member Z with the molten filament 2x is vibrated. A means for preventing fusion of the molten filament 2x may be applied.

  Further, as a method for preventing the fusion filament 2x from being fused to the crimping device 26 (the first filament crimping part 51 and the second filament crimping part 61), a method of coating a fluorine resin or a silicone resin having a low surface energy. In addition, silicone oil or wax having a low surface energy may be used as a release agent. Wax is a liquid having a low viscosity when melted, but becomes a solid at room temperature, so that the effect of preventing the surface of the obtained filament three-dimensional bonded body from being sticky can be obtained. As the wax, paraffin wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, low molecular weight polyethylene wax, low molecular weight polypropylene wax and the like can be used.

  If the melting point of the wax is lower than the boiling point of water, the wax may be deposited and clogged in the piping through which the cooling water is circulated after being dissolved in the cooling water. Therefore, the wax used is preferably a low molecular weight polyethylene wax or a low molecular weight polypropylene wax having a melting point of 105 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower.

  As a method of supplying a release agent such as silicone oil or wax to the pressure bonding device 26, there are a method of supplying a heated release agent in a liquid state and a method of adding it to the material constituting the molten filament. If the amount of the release agent added to the thermoplastic resin is too small, it is difficult to obtain a mold release effect. If the amount of the release agent added to the thermoplastic resin is too large, a strong bond cannot be formed at the time of fusion bonding. Therefore, the amount of the release agent added to the thermoplastic resin is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1 part by weight of the release agent with respect to 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the protrusions Pa, Pb, Qa, Qb that protrude like a branch from the long rod-shaped part are provided for the structure of the respective crimping members 54, 55 in the first filament crimping part 51. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which no projecting portion is provided like the second filament crimping portion 61. FIG. 20 (a view from the same viewpoint as FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) illustrates the first filament pressure-bonding portion 51 in the case where the protrusion is not provided.

  The first filament crimping part 51 shown in FIG. 20 has a specification in which the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are reversed with respect to the configuration and operation of the second filament crimping part 61 described above. That is, the support portions 72 and 73 and the pressure-bonding members 74 and 75 of the first filament pressure-bonding portion 51 shown in FIG. 20 are basically the same as the support portions 62 and 63 and the pressure-bonding members 64 of the second filament pressure-bonding portion 61. , 65. Thereby, the said 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part 51 can press the melt filament 2 to the front-back direction, and can crimp it | compress partially, and can form the 1st intermediate body 2a.

  However, according to the structure illustrated in FIG. 20, each of the crimping members 74 and 75 has a very long shape, and there is a possibility that component strength, operability, and the like will be a problem. In this respect, the structure of each crimping member 54, 55 shown in FIG. 5 is devised to be significantly shorter than that shown in FIG. 20 while being able to push the molten filament 2 in the front-rear direction. Problems such as component strength and operability are unlikely to occur.

  In addition, each crimping | compression-bonding member in the 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part 51 is taken as the rod-shaped structure extended in the direction inclined from the front-back direction, and is inclined (direction orthogonal to the said rod-shaped extending direction) by the front side support part and the rear side support part. Alternatively, the molten filaments 2 may be pressure-bonded by pressing in the movable direction. In this case, the crimping member can be made sufficiently short as compared with that shown in FIG.

  The direction in which the first filament crimping part 51 crimps the molten filaments 2 and the direction in which the second filament crimping part 61 crimps the first intermediate bodies 2a may not be orthogonal to each other. The direction of crimping by the first filament crimping part 51 and the second filament crimping part 61 can be arbitrarily set, and the melted filaments 2 can be crimped in a three-dimensional manner using these as different directions. In addition, the crimping | compression-bonding apparatus 26 may be set as the structure which abbreviate | omitted the 2nd filament crimping | compression-bonding part 62, and you may make it supply the 1st intermediate body 2a to the receiving plates 21a and 21b.

  The 3DF manufacturing apparatus 1 described above includes a plurality of nozzles 17a, an extrusion molding machine 10 (melting filament supply apparatus) that discharges the molten filament 2 so as to translate downward from each of the nozzles 17a, and the translation melting. A crimping device 26 (melting filament crimping device) that presses at least one of the filaments 2 to realize partial crimping to the other molten filaments 2 that are translated; To form 3DF3.

  Therefore, according to the 3DF manufacturing apparatus 1, it is easier to control the shape of the filament in 3DF <b> 3 and the joining position of the filament than when the crimping is not performed, for example. If the crimping device 26 is not provided, the molten filament 2 is likely to form a random loop in the vicinity of the receiving plates 21a and 21b. As a result, the structure of the 3DF 3 becomes irregular and may cause uneven repulsion. There is. Moreover, since the coupling | bonding of filaments cannot be controlled, the shape and coupling | bonding location of each filament which comprise 3DF3 become irregular, and it is difficult to control the repulsive force etc. of 3DF3 to the intended state.

  In this respect, since the crimping device 26 is provided in the present embodiment, the molten filaments 2 can be partially bonded intentionally before reaching the receiving plates 21a and 21b. By making this connection, the behavior of each molten filament 2 can be regulated by that amount, the formation of random loops in the vicinity of the receiving plates 21a and 21b can be suppressed, and the repulsive force of 3DF3 can be made uniform easily. It becomes. In addition, it is easy to positively control the bonding between the molten filaments 2 by adjusting the configuration or operation setting of the crimping device 26, and the shape and the bonding location of each filament constituting the 3DF3 are regular. The repulsive force of 3DF3 can be controlled to an intended state.

  In the present embodiment, the molten filament 2 is pushed using a predetermined member (crimp member). However, the form of pushing the molten filament 2 is not limited to this. For example, by applying a fluid such as water or wind. The molten filament 2 may be pushed. The form of the crimping member is not particularly limited as long as the molten filament 2 can be appropriately pressed. In addition, the direction in which the molten filament 2 is pressed, the position to be pressed, and the combination of the molten filaments 2 to be crimped (which molten filaments 2 are to be crimped) are arbitrarily set within the scope of the present invention. Can be done.

  The extrusion molding machine 10 has a specific nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles 17 a arranged in the front-rear direction (predetermined direction), and the crimping device 26 has a first filament crimping part 51. The 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part 51 implement | achieves partial crimping | compression-bonding with the melted filaments 2 discharged | emitted from the nozzle 17a adjacent in a specific nozzle group.

  Moreover, the 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part 51 implement | achieves the crimping | compression-bonding of the molten filaments 2 by pushing the molten filaments 2 discharged | emitted from the nozzle 17a adjacent in a specific nozzle group in the direction which mutually approaches. For example, referring to FIG. 10 (c), the melted filaments 2 of F2 and F3, the melted filaments 2 of F4 and F5, and the melted filaments 2 of F6 and F7 are pushed toward each other. . Although pressing is possible by pressing only one of the melt filaments 2 discharged from the adjacent nozzles 17a, the first intermediate in a well-balanced form closer to a symmetrical shape can be achieved by pressing both in the direction approaching each other. It is possible to form the body 2a.

  The specific nozzle group includes nozzles 17a (in this example, nozzles that discharge the F1 to F4 molten filaments 2) arranged in order from the first to the fourth in the front-rear direction. And the 1st filament crimping | compression-bonding part 51 is the 1st crimping | compression-bonding (refer to (c) of FIGS. 9-11) which is the crimping | compression-bonding of the F2 and F3 melt filaments 2, F1 and the melt filaments 2 of F2, and F3 And the second pressure bonding (see (g) of FIGS. 9 to 11), which is the pressure bonding between the molten filaments 2 of F4. The place where the first pressure bonding is performed and the position where the second pressure bonding is performed differ in the translational direction of each molten filament 2. Therefore, it is possible to press the melted filaments 2 of at least F1 to F4 in a well-balanced manner so as to form a two-dimensional network, and to suppress the unevenness of the press-bonded portion.

  In this embodiment, since the melt filaments 2 of F1 to F7 are crimped so as to form a two-dimensional network, it is possible to crimp the entire melt filament 2 discharged from the same specific nozzle group in a balanced manner. is there. However, it is possible to arbitrarily set a region for realizing such pressure bonding, and only a part of the F1 to F7 molten filaments 2 (for example, F1 to F4 molten filaments 2) is a two-dimensional mesh. You may make it crimp | bond so that it may become a shape.

  Moreover, the 3DF manufacturing apparatus 1 has a plurality of specific nozzle groups, and forms the first intermediate body 2a in which the molten filaments 2 are joined to each other by the first filament crimping portion 51 for each specific nozzle group. Furthermore, the crimping device 26 includes a second filament crimping portion 61 that partially crimps the first intermediate bodies 2a in the left-right direction (direction different from the front-rear direction). Thereby, the 1st intermediate bodies 2a can be crimped | bonded together and the 2nd intermediate body 2b in which the molten filament couple | bonded three-dimensionally can be formed. Therefore, it is easier to control the shape of the filament in 3DF3 and the location where the filament is joined.

  Moreover, the extrusion molding machine 10 (filament supply apparatus) of this embodiment is comprised so that the molten filament 2 may be discharged | emitted vertically downward from each nozzle 17a arrange | positioned in the position which is different in a horizontal direction. Therefore, the discharge direction of the molten filament 2 coincides with the direction of gravity, and the plurality of molten filaments 2 translate so as to fall naturally.

  The configuration of the present invention can be variously modified in addition to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is, the above-described embodiment is an example in all respects, and should be considered as not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of the claims, and is understood to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. Should.

  The present invention can be used to manufacture 3DF used for mattresses, pillows, cushions, and the like.

1 ... Filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing device (3DF manufacturing device)
2 ... Melt filament 2a ... 1st intermediate body 2b ... 2nd intermediate body 3 ... Filament three-dimensional coupling | bonding body (3DF)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Extruder 11 ... Pressure part 11a ... Cylinder 11b ... Filament discharge part 12 ... Die 12a ... Die guide flow path 13 ... Hopper 14 ... Screw 15・ ・ ・ Screw motor 16 (16a, 16b, 16c) ・ ・ ・ Screw heater 17 ・ ・ ・ Nozzle group forming part 17a ・ ・ ・ Nozzle 18 (18a-18f) ・ ・ ・ Die heater 19 (19a, 19b, 19c)・ ・ ・ Temperature sensor 20 ・ ・ ・ Three-dimensional combined body forming device 21a, 21b ・ ・ ・ Receiving plate 22 ・ ・ ・ Cooling machine 22a ・ ・ ・ Cooling water 23 ・ ・ ・ Water tank 24a, 24b ・ ・ ・ Endless conveyor 25a ～ 25 g ... Conveying roller 26 ... Crimping device (melt filament crimping device)
51 ... First filament crimping part 52 ... Front support part 53 ... Rear support part 54 ... First crimping member 54a ... Upper first crimping member 54b ... Lower first crimping Member 55 ... 2nd crimping member 55a ... Upper second crimping member 55b ... Lower second crimping member 61 ... Second filament crimping part 62 ... Front support part 63 ... Rear side Support part 64 ... 3rd crimping member 64a ... Left 3rd crimping member 64b ... Right 3rd crimping member 65 ... 4th crimping member 65a ... Left 4th crimping member 65b ... Right 4th crimping member G1, G2 ... guide groove Pa, Pb, Qa, Qb ... Projection

Claims (8)

A molten filament supply device having a plurality of nozzles and discharging the molten filament so as to translate from each of the nozzles;
A melt filament crimping device that presses at least one of the translating melt filaments to achieve partial crimping to the other translating melt filaments, and
An apparatus for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional combination, wherein a filament three-dimensional combination is formed using the molten filament including the one that has been crimped. The molten filament supply device has a specific nozzle group composed of a plurality of the nozzles arranged in a predetermined direction,
The molten filament crimping device is:
2. The filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filament crimping unit that realizes the crimping between melted filaments discharged from adjacent nozzles in the specific nozzle group. The filament crimping part is
3. The filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the crimping is realized by pressing the molten filaments discharged from the adjacent nozzles in a direction approaching each other. The specific nozzle group is
Including nozzles arranged in order from the first to the fourth in the predetermined direction,
The filament crimping part is
A first pressure bonding that is the pressure bonding between the molten filaments discharged from the second and third nozzles;
Performing the second crimping, which is the crimping of the molten filaments discharged from the first and second nozzles, and the molten filaments discharged from the third and fourth nozzles, respectively.
4. The filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a place where the first pressure bonding is performed and a position where the second pressure bonding is performed are different in the translation direction. 5. The filament according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a plurality of the specific nozzle groups are provided, and an intermediate body in which molten filaments are bonded by the pressure bonding by the filament pressure bonding portion is formed for each of the specific nozzle groups. A three-dimensional combined body manufacturing apparatus,
The molten filament crimping device is:
An apparatus for manufacturing a filament three-dimensional assembly, wherein the intermediate members are partially crimped in a direction different from the predetermined direction. The filament supply device includes:
The filament three-dimensional joined body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a molten filament is discharged vertically downward from each of the nozzles arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction. A molten filament supply step for discharging a plurality of molten filaments to translate;
A melt filament crimping step of pressing at least one of the translating melt filaments and partially crimping to the other translating melt filaments;
A method for producing a filament three-dimensional combination, comprising forming a filament three-dimensional combination using the molten filament including the one that has been crimped. The method according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of intermediate bodies in which the molten filaments are bonded to each other are formed by the molten filament pressure bonding step.
A method for producing a filament three-dimensional joined body comprising an intermediate crimping step of partially crimping the intermediates.

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