Fiber body manufacturing apparatus, fiber body manufacturing unit, and fiber body manufacturing method

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of to inhibit the adhesion of the mat to the conveyor belt fiber body manufacturing device, fiber body manufacturing unit and fiber body manufacturing method.Fiber body manufacturing device has: accumulation part, which contains fiber material is accumulated on the first conveyor belt in dry mode to form mat;Conveying part, the first surface of the mat is stripped from the first conveyor belt, and the second surface of the mat is contacted with the second conveyor belt in a manner to convey the mat, wherein the second surface of the mat is the opposite side of the first surface stripped from the first conveyor belt;Moisture giving part, in the state that the mat is contacted with the second conveyor belt, moisture is given to the first surface of the mat;Pressing part, the mat is given to the moisture and stripped from the second conveyor belt is pressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fiber manufacturing apparatus, a fiber manufacturing unit, and a fiber manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, a sheet manufacturing apparatus is known to include: an accumulation section for accumulating fibrous material on a mesh belt to form a sheet; a humidification section disposed downstream of the accumulation section in the sheet conveying direction for humidifying the sheet; a conveying section disposed downstream of the humidification section in the sheet conveying direction for conveying the sheet downstream while peeling it off the mesh belt; and a pressure roller disposed downstream of the conveying section in the sheet conveying direction for applying pressure to the sheet.

[0003] In the above-described apparatus, the humidifying unit humidifies one side of the sheet, and the conveying unit conveys the sheet in such a way that it comes into contact with that side. However, since the conveying unit is in contact with the side with a higher moisture content, there is a problem that the sheet may stick to the conveying unit.

[0004] When the sheet adheres to the conveyor, it can cause poor conveying of the sheet or damage to the sheet.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-44284 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The fiber manufacturing apparatus includes: a stacking section that dry-stacking fiber-containing material onto a first conveyor belt to form a sheet; a conveying section that peels a first side of the sheet off the first conveyor belt and conveys the sheet in such a way that a second side of the sheet contacts a second conveyor belt, wherein the second side is the opposite side of the first side peeled off the first conveyor belt; a moisture supply section that supplies moisture toward the first side of the sheet while the sheet is in contact with the second conveyor belt; and a pressurizing section that pressurizes the sheet that has been supplied with moisture and peeled off the second conveyor belt.

[0007] The fiber manufacturing unit includes: a stacking section that dry-stacking fiber-containing material onto a first conveyor belt to form a sheet; a conveying section that peels a first side of the sheet off the first conveyor belt and conveys the sheet in such a way that a second side of the sheet contacts a second conveyor belt, wherein the second side is the opposite side of the first side peeled off the first conveyor belt; and a moisture supply section that supplies moisture to the sheet in contact with the second conveyor belt toward the first side.

[0008] The fiber manufacturing method is a fiber manufacturing apparatus comprising: an accumulation section having a first conveyor belt for conveying sheet material; a conveying section having a second conveyor belt for conveying the sheet material; a moisture supply section for supplying moisture to the sheet material; and a pressurizing section for pressurizing the sheet material. The fiber manufacturing method includes: an accumulation step in which fiber-containing material is dry-accumulated on the first conveyor belt to form the sheet material; a conveying step in which a first side of the sheet material is peeled off from the first conveyor belt and the sheet material is conveyed such that a second side of the sheet material is in contact with the second conveyor belt, wherein the second side is the opposite side of the first side peeled off from the first conveyor belt; a moisture supply step in which moisture is supplied to the sheet material in contact with the second conveyor belt towards the first side; and a pressurizing step in which the sheet material, having been supplied with moisture and peeled off from the second conveyor belt, is pressurized. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a fiber manufacturing apparatus.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of the fiber manufacturing apparatus.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing fibrous materials.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a fiber fabrication unit.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of other fiber manufacturing apparatuses.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of other fiber manufacturing apparatuses. Detailed Implementation

[0015] 1. First Implementation Method

[0016] First, the structure of the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described. The fiber manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for manufacturing sheet-like fibers S.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100 includes, for example, a feeding section 10, a coarse crushing section 12, a defiberizing section 20, a screening section 40, a first sheet forming section 45, a rotating body 49, a mixing section 50, a stacking section 60, a second sheet forming section 70, a conveying section 78, a moisture supply section 79, a pressurizing section 80, and a cutting section 90.

[0018] The supply unit 10 supplies raw materials to the coarse crushing unit 12. The supply unit 10 is, for example, an automatic feeding unit for continuously feeding raw materials into the coarse crushing unit 12. The raw materials supplied by the supply unit 10 are materials containing various fibers.

[0019] As a fiber, it is not particularly limited and can be used with a wide range of fiber materials. Examples of fibers include natural fibers (animal fibers, plant fibers) and chemical fibers (organic fibers, inorganic fibers, organic-inorganic composite fibers). More specifically, fibers can be listed as those composed of cellulose, silk, wool, cotton, hemp, kenaf, flax, ramie, jute, Manila hemp, shisar hemp, coniferous trees, and broad-leaved trees. They can be used alone, appropriately blended, or as regenerated fibers that have undergone refining.

[0020] Raw materials for fibers include, for example, pulp, waste paper, and old cloth. Furthermore, fibers can undergo various surface treatments. In addition, the material of fibers can be a pure substance or a material containing impurities and other components. Furthermore, fibers can also be obtained by dry defibering of waste paper or pulp sheets.

[0021] The length of the fiber is not particularly limited, but in a single fiber, the length along the length direction of the fiber is more than 1 μm and less than 5 mm, preferably more than 2 μm and less than 3 mm, and more preferably more than 3 μm and less than 2 mm.

[0022] In the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100, since water is supplied in the water supply section 79, the mechanical strength of the formed fiber S can be improved when a fiber capable of forming hydrogen bonds is used. Cellulose is an example of such a fiber.

[0023] The fiber content in the fibrous body S is, for example, 50% by mass or more and 99.9% by mass or less, preferably 60% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less, and more preferably 70% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less. Such a content can be achieved by blending during the formation of the mixture.

[0024] The coarse shredder 12 breaks down the raw material supplied by the supply section 10 into fragments in the atmosphere or other air. The fragments are, for example, square fragments of a few centimeters. In the illustrated example, the coarse shredder 12 has coarse shredding blades 14, which can shred the input raw material. For example, a paper shredder is used as the coarse shredder 12. The raw material shredded by the coarse shredder 12 is received by the hopper 1 and then transferred to the desiccant section 20 via the pipe 2.

[0025] The defiberization section 20 defibers the raw material that has been divided by the coarse crushing section 12. Here, "defiberization" means separating the raw material, which is composed of multiple fibers bonded together, into individual fibers. The defiberization section 20 also has the function of separating resin particles, inks, pigments, anti-seepage agents, and other substances adhering to the raw material from the fibers.

[0026] The substance passing through the defiber section 20 is called "defiber material". The "defiber material" may contain, in addition to the disassembled fibers, resin particles, inks, colorants such as pigments, or additives such as anti-bleeding materials and paper strength enhancers separated from the fibers during the disassembly process. The disassembled defiber material is rope-like in shape. The disassembled defiber material can exist either independently, without intertwining with other disassembled fibers, or in a clump-like state, intertwined with other disassembled fibers.

[0027] The defiber section 20 performs defibering in a dry manner. Here, the method of performing defibering and other processes in a gaseous environment such as the atmosphere, rather than in a liquid, is referred to as dry. For example, an impeller mill is used as the defiber section 20. The defiber section 20 has the function of generating an airflow that draws in the raw material and discharges the defibered material. Thus, the defiber section 20 can draw in the raw material and airflow together from the inlet 22 using its own generated airflow, perform defibering, and then transport the defibered material to the outlet 24. The defibered material passing through the defiber section 20 is transferred to the screening section 40 via the pipe 3. Furthermore, the airflow used to transport the defibered material from the defiber section 20 to the screening section 40 can utilize the airflow generated by the defiber section 20, or it can utilize the airflow from an airflow generating device such as a blower.

[0028] The screening section 40 introduces the defibered material, which has been defibered by the defibering section 20, through the inlet 42 and performs screening based on the length of the fibers. The screening section 40 includes, for example, a roller section 41 and a housing section 43 for housing the roller section 41. The roller section 41 is, for example, a sieve. The roller section 41 has a mesh and is capable of separating fibers or particles smaller than the mesh size (i.e., the first screening material that passes through the mesh) from fibers or particles larger than the mesh size (i.e., the second screening material that does not pass through the mesh). For example, the first screening material is conveyed to the accumulation section 60 via the pipe 7. The second screening material is returned to the defibering section 20 from the outlet 44 via the pipe 8. Specifically, the roller section 41 is a sieve that is a cylinder driven by a motor. The mesh used in the roller section 41 can be, for example, a wire mesh, a porous metal mesh formed by stretching a slit metal plate, or a perforated metal mesh formed by forming holes in a metal plate using a stamping press.

[0029] The first sheet forming section 45 conveys the first screened material that has passed through the screening section 40 into the pipe 7. The first sheet forming section 45 includes, for example, a mesh belt 46, a support roller 47, and a suction mechanism 48.

[0030] The suction mechanism 48 is capable of drawing the first screened material, which passes through the opening of the screening section 40 and is dispersed in the air, onto the mesh belt 46. The first screened material accumulates on the moving mesh belt 46 and forms a sheet V.

[0031] The material passing through the opening of the screening section 40 is deposited on the mesh belt 46. The mesh belt 46 is a structure that is supported by the support roller 47, making it difficult for the material to pass through while allowing air to pass through. The mesh belt 46 moves by rotating on its own axis via the support roller 47. By continuously moving the mesh belt 46 while the material passing through the screening section 40 continuously falls and accumulates, a material sheet V is formed on the mesh belt 46.

[0032] A suction mechanism 48 is disposed below the mesh belt 46. The suction mechanism 48 generates a downward airflow. Through the suction mechanism 48, the material dispersed in the air by the screening section 40 is drawn onto the mesh belt 46. This increases the discharge velocity from the screening section 40.

[0033] The sheet V is formed into an air-rich, soft, and fluffy state by passing through the screening section 40 and the first sheet forming section 45. The sheet V stacked on the mesh belt 46 is fed into the pipe 7 and conveyed to the stacking section 60.

[0034] The rotating body 49 is capable of cutting the sheet V. In the illustrated example, the rotating body 49 has a base 49a and protrusions 49b extending from the base 49a. The protrusions 49b have, for example, a plate-like shape. In the illustrated example, four protrusions 49b are provided, and the four protrusions 49b are arranged at equal intervals. By rotating the base 49a in the direction R, the protrusions 49b can rotate about the base 49a as an axis. By using the rotating body 49 to cut the sheet V, the variation in the amount of defiber supplied to the stacking section 60 per unit time can be reduced, for example.

[0035] The rotating body 49 is disposed near the first sheet forming section 45. In the illustrated example, the rotating body 49 is disposed near the support roller 47a on the downstream side of the sheet V's path. The rotating body 49 is disposed at a position where the protrusion 49b can contact the sheet V, but not where the conveyor belt 46 on which the sheet V is deposited can contact. This suppresses wear on the conveyor belt 46 due to the protrusion 49b. The shortest distance between the protrusion 49b and the conveyor belt 46 is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. This is a distance at which the sheet V can be cut without damaging the conveyor belt 46.

[0036] The mixing section 50, for example, mixes the first screened material and the adhesive that have passed through the screening section 40. The mixing section 50 includes, for example, an adhesive supply section 52 for supplying the adhesive, a pipe 54 for conveying the first screened material and the adhesive, and a blower 56. In the illustrated example, the adhesive is supplied from the adhesive supply section 52 to the pipe 54 via the hopper 9. The pipe 54 is continuous with the pipe 7.

[0037] In the mixing section 50, an airflow is generated by a blower 56, and the first screened material and the adhesive are conveyed in the pipe 54 while being mixed. Furthermore, the mechanism for mixing the first screened material and the adhesive is not particularly limited; it can be a mechanism that stirs the material using high-speed rotating blades, or a mechanism that utilizes the rotation of a container, such as a V-type mixer.

[0038] As the adhesive supply unit 52, a screw feeder or a disc feeder is used.

[0039] The adhesive supplied from the adhesive supply section 52 is, for example, starch or dextrin. Starch is a polymer composed of multiple α-glucose molecules polymerized by glycosidic bonds. Starch can be linear or branched.

[0040] Starch can be made from a variety of plant-based materials. Examples of raw materials for starch include grains such as corn, wheat, and rice; legumes such as broad beans, mung beans, and red beans; tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava; wild grasses such as ferns, bracken, and kudzu; and palm trees such as coconut palms.

[0041] In addition, processed starch and modified starch can also be used as starch. Examples of processed starch include acetylated adipic acid crosslinked starch, acetylated starch, oxidized starch, sodium octenyl succinate starch, hydroxypropyl starch, hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate, monostarch phosphate, phosphorylated distarch phosphate, urea phosphate starch, sodium starch glycolate, and high-amino corn starch. Furthermore, dextrin, as a modified starch, can be appropriately used materials obtained by processing or modifying starch.

[0042] In the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100, since starch or dextrin is used as a binder, by applying moisture and then pressurizing and heating, at least one of the following can occur: gelatinization of the binder and generation of hydrogen bonds between fibers, thereby giving the fiber body S sufficient strength. On the other hand, if the fiber body S can have sufficient strength using only the hydrogen bonds between fibers, the fiber body can also be manufactured without using a binder. In the case of manufacturing the fiber body without using a binder, the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100 may not include a binder supply unit 52.

[0043] The starch or dextrin content in the fibrous body S is, for example, 0.1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, preferably 1% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less, and more preferably 1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less. Such a content can be achieved by blending during the formation of the mixture.

[0044] In addition to the adhesive, the adhesive supply section 52 may contain, depending on the type of fiber body S produced, a colorant for coloring the fiber, an agglomeration inhibitor for inhibiting the agglomeration of the fiber and the adhesive, or a flame retardant for making the fiber less flammable. The mixture that has passed through the mixing section 50 is transferred to the stacking section 60 via the pipe 54.

[0045] The stacking section 60 introduces the mixture that has passed through the mixing section 50 through the inlet 62 to untangle the intertwined fibers and allow them to fall while dispersing in the air. As a result, the stacking section 60 enables the mixture to be stacked uniformly on the second sheet forming section 70.

[0046] The accumulation section 60 includes, for example, a roller section 61 and a housing section 63 for housing the roller section 61. The roller section 61 is a rotating cylinder sieve. The roller section 61 has a mesh and allows fibers or particles smaller than the mesh size contained in the mixture that has passed through the mixing section 50 to fall off. The structure of the roller section 61 is, for example, the same as that of the roller section 41.

[0047] Furthermore, the "sieve" of the roller section 61 may not have the function of screening a specific object. That is, the "sieve" used as the roller section 61 refers to a component with a mesh, and the roller section 61 can also allow all the mixture introduced into the roller section 61 to fall.

[0048] The second sheet forming section 70 stacks the material that has passed through the stacking section 60 to form a sheet W. The second sheet forming section 70 includes, for example, a first mesh belt 72 serving as a first conveyor belt, a support roller 74, and a suction mechanism 76.

[0049] The material passing through the opening in the accumulation section 60 is deposited on the first mesh belt 72. The first mesh belt 72 is structured such that it is supported by the support roller 74, making it difficult for the material to pass through while allowing air to pass through. The first mesh belt 72 moves by rotating on its own axis via the support roller 74. By continuously moving the first mesh belt 72 while the material passing through the accumulation section 60 continuously falls and accumulates, a sheet W is formed on the first mesh belt 72.

[0050] A suction mechanism 76 is disposed below the first mesh belt 72. The suction mechanism 76 generates a downward airflow. Through the suction mechanism 76, the mixture dispersed in the air by the accumulation section 60 is drawn onto the first mesh belt 72. This increases the discharge velocity from the accumulation section 60. Furthermore, the suction mechanism 76 creates a downward airflow along the path of the mixture, thereby preventing the fibers or adhesives from tangling during the descent.

[0051] As described above, a soft and fluffy sheet W is formed by passing through the stacking section 60 and the second sheet forming section 70.

[0052] A conveying section 78 is disposed downstream of the material sheet W on the first mesh belt 72 in the conveying direction. The conveying section 78 peels the material sheet W off the first mesh belt 72 and conveys it toward the pressurizing section 80. Figure 2 As shown, the conveying unit 78 includes a second mesh belt 78a as a second conveyor belt, a roller 78b, and a suction mechanism 78c. The second mesh belt 78a is structured such that it is supported by the roller 78b and allows air to pass through. The second mesh belt 78a is configured to move by the rotation of the roller 78b. The suction mechanism 78c is positioned opposite the material sheet W, sandwiching the second mesh belt 78a. The suction mechanism 78c includes a blower, and the suction force of the blower causes the second mesh belt 78a to generate an upward airflow. The material sheet W is sucked up by this airflow.

[0053] Thus, the first side Wa of the sheet W can be peeled off from the first mesh belt 72, and the second side Wb, which is the opposite side of the first side Wa peeled off from the first mesh belt 72, can be adsorbed onto the second mesh belt 78a. The sheet W adsorbed onto the second mesh belt 78a is conveyed in a state of contact with the second mesh belt 78a.

[0054] A moisture supply unit 79 is disposed below the conveying section 78. The moisture supply unit 79 supplies moisture to the first surface Wa of the material sheet W, which is in contact with the second mesh belt 78a. In the moisture supply unit 79, water vapor or mist is supplied to the material sheet W as moisture. As a result, moisture can be supplied to the material sheet W evenly.

[0055] The moisture supply unit 79 supplies moisture from below the sheet W toward the first surface Wa. In this embodiment, the moisture supply unit 79 includes a container 79a capable of storing water and a piezoelectric vibrator 79b disposed at the bottom of the container 79a. The upper part of the container 79a is open, and the container 79a is arranged such that the opening faces the first surface Wa side of the sheet W. Ultrasonic waves are generated in the water by driving the piezoelectric vibrator 79b, thereby generating mist inside the container 79a. The generated mist is supplied to the sheet W through the opening of the container 79a. By supplying moisture from below the sheet W, even if condensation occurs at or near the moisture supply unit 79, water droplets will not fall onto the sheet W. That is, for example, if moisture is supplied to the sheet W from above, moisture may adhere to or near the moisture supply unit 79 and fall as water droplets, causing water droplets to adhere to the sheet. In this case, the supply of moisture to the sheet W will become uneven. However, in this embodiment, the falling of water droplets is suppressed, thereby avoiding any impact on the quality of the fiber body S.

[0056] Furthermore, the suction mechanism 78c of the conveying unit 78 is positioned opposite the moisture supply unit 79, separated by the second mesh belt 78a. Thus, the suction mechanism 78c allows an airflow containing moisture generated in the moisture supply unit 79 to pass through the interior of the sheet W, thereby supplying moisture to the interior of the sheet W. Specifically, the suction mechanism 78c is positioned opposite a portion of the first mesh belt 72 of the second sheet forming unit 70 and the container 79a of the moisture supply unit 79. Therefore, the shared suction mechanism 78c performs the functions of peeling the sheet W from the first mesh belt 72 and adhering it to the second mesh belt 78a, and supplying moisture to the interior of the sheet W. This simplifies the structure of the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0057] In this embodiment, since moisture is supplied from the first side Wa, which is opposite to the second side Wb of the sheet W that is in contact with the second mesh belt 78a, the second side Wb can be conveyed with weaker adhesion compared to the first side Wa. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the situation where the sheet W, which has been supplied with moisture, adheres to the second mesh belt 78a.

[0058] The moisture content of the sheet W after being moistened in the moisture supply section 79 is preferably 12% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less. By specifying the moisture content of the sheet, hydrogen bonds between fibers can be effectively formed, thereby increasing the strength of the fiber body S. Here, the sheet W with a moisture content of 12% by mass or more is normally in a state where it is easy to adhere to the conveyor section. However, in this embodiment, by supplying moisture to the sheet W from the first side Wa side, which is opposite to the second side Wb of the sheet W that contacts the second mesh belt 78a, adhesion of the sheet W to the second mesh belt 78a can be suppressed, even if the sheet W is in a state where it is easy to adhere to the conveyor section. Furthermore, by specifying the moisture content of the sheet W to 40% by mass or less, the amount of water used can be reduced. Furthermore, although the sheet W containing the adhesive (starch or dextrin) is usually easy to adhere to the conveyor, in this embodiment, even if it is such a sheet W, its adhesion to the second mesh belt 78a is suppressed, and the bonding force between the fibers is improved by the adhesive, thereby improving the strength of the fiber body S.

[0059] A pressurizing unit 80 is disposed downstream of the conveying unit 78 and the moisture supply unit 79. The material sheet W, which has been supplied with moisture, is conveyed to the pressurizing unit 80.

[0060] The pressure section 80 applies pressure to the sheet W, which has been moistened and peeled off from the second mesh belt 78a. In this embodiment, the pressure section 80 heats the sheet W while applying pressure. As a result, the moisture contained in the sheet W evaporates as the temperature rises, and the thickness of the sheet W decreases, thereby increasing the fiber density. By using heat to raise the temperature of the moisture and adhesive, and using pressure to increase the fiber density, the adhesive is gelatinized, and subsequently, multiple fibers are bonded together by the adhesive gelatinized through moisture evaporation. Furthermore, by using heat to evaporate the moisture and using pressure to increase the fiber density, multiple fibers are bonded together by hydrogen bonds. This allows the formation of a thin sheet-like fiber body S with better mechanical strength.

[0061] The pressure unit 80 of this embodiment includes a pressure heating unit 84 for pressurizing and heating the sheet W. The pressure heating unit 84 can be constructed using, for example, heating rollers or a hot stamping forming machine. In the illustrated example, the pressure heating unit 84 consists of a pair of heating rollers 86. Furthermore, the number of heating rollers 86 is not particularly limited. By using the pressure heating unit 84, pressure and heating of the sheet W can be applied simultaneously. Furthermore, the structure of the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100 can be simplified.

[0062] like Figure 1As shown, the cutting section 90 cuts the fiber body S formed by the pressure section 80. In the illustrated example, the cutting section 90 has a first cutting section 92 and a second cutting section 94, wherein the first cutting section 92 cuts the fiber body S in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the fiber body S, and the second cutting section 94 cuts the fiber body S in a direction parallel to the conveying direction. The second cutting section 94, for example, cuts the fiber body S after it has passed through the first cutting section 92.

[0063] Through the above method, a single sheet of fiber S of a predetermined size is formed. The cut single sheet of fiber S is discharged to the discharge receiving part 96.

[0064] Next, the manufacturing method of the fibrous material will be explained.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, a method for manufacturing fiber S by fiber manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, in the stacking process (step S11), the fiber-containing material is stacked on the first mesh belt 72 in a dry manner to form a sheet W.

[0067] Specifically, a mixture containing defibered fibers and an adhesive (starch or dextrin) is dry-stacking to form sheet W. The fibers are defibered material that has been defibered by the defibering section 20, the adhesive is supplied from the adhesive supply section 52, and the mixture is formed by the mixing section 50. Then, the mixture is dry-stacking through the stacking section 60 and the second sheet forming section 70 to form sheet W.

[0068] Next, in the conveying process (step S12), the first side Wa of the sheet W is peeled off from the first mesh belt 72, and the sheet W is conveyed in such a way that the second side Wb, which is the opposite side of the first side Wa peeled off from the first mesh belt 72, comes into contact with the second mesh belt 78a.

[0069] In detail, the suction mechanism 78c of the conveying section 78 generates an upward airflow on the second mesh belt 78a, thereby sucking up the sheet W. As a result, the first side Wa of the sheet W is peeled off from the first mesh belt 72, and the sheet W is conveyed with its second side Wb in contact with the second mesh belt 78a.

[0070] Next, in the moisture application process (step S13), moisture is applied to the sheet W that is in contact with the second mesh belt 78a, facing towards the first surface Wa. That is, in this embodiment, moisture is applied to the sheet W during the conveying process while the sheet W is being conveyed.

[0071] Specifically, moisture is supplied from the moisture supply unit 79. In this process, water vapor or mist is supplied to the sheet W. Using this method allows for more uniform moisture supply to the sheet W, enabling the manufacture of the fiber body S with a simpler apparatus structure. The amount of water supplied in the moisture supply process can be managed, for example, in terms of the moisture content of the sheet W. The moisture content of the sheet W after being supplied with moisture in the moisture supply process is preferably 12% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less. When the amount of moisture supplied is at this level, it is possible to manufacture a fiber body S with superior strength while suppressing the energy required for heating the sheet W to dry it.

[0072] Furthermore, by applying moisture toward the first surface Wa of the sheet W that is in contact with the second mesh belt 78a, and because the second surface Wb has weaker adhesion than the first surface Wa, it is possible to suppress the situation where the sheet W that has been moistened adheres to the second mesh belt 78a.

[0073] Next, in the pressurization process (step S14), the sheet W, which has been given moisture and peeled off from the second mesh belt 78a, is pressurized.

[0074] Specifically, pressure is applied to the sheet W by a pair of heated rollers 86 in the pressure section 80 to thin the sheet and thereby increase the fiber density in the sheet W. The pressure applied to the sheet W is preferably 0.1 MPa or more and 15 MPa or less, more preferably 0.2 MPa or more and 10 MPa or less, and even more preferably 0.4 MPa or more and 8 MPa or less. When the pressure applied to the sheet W in the pressure process is within such a range, fiber deterioration can be suppressed, and the defiber obtained by defibering the manufactured fiber body S can be used as raw material to remanufacture a fiber body S with good strength.

[0075] Furthermore, the pressing process applies heat to the sheet W to evaporate the moisture contained within it. During the pressing process, the sheet W is heated to a temperature between 60°C and 100°C. By employing this method, the time spent in the pressing process can be reduced, thereby enabling the manufacture of the fiber S with lower energy consumption.

[0076] In the pressurization process, since a smaller pressure is applied to the sheet W, a smaller manufacturing device can be used, and since the fiber is less damaged, the fiber body S can be de-fired again, and it is easy to manufacture new fiber bodies S.

[0077] Furthermore, during the pressing process, the sheet W is heated at a relatively low temperature, which facilitates the formation of hydrogen bonds between fibers, thereby ensuring the strength of the fiber body S. Additionally, since the adhesive can be gelatinized, bonding between fibers achieved by the adhesive can be produced, thus achieving the strength of the fiber body S.

[0078] 2. Second Implementation Method

[0079] Next, the structure of the fiber manufacturing unit 1000 will be described.

[0080] like Figure 4 As shown, the fiber manufacturing unit 1000 includes: an accumulation section 60, which accumulates fiber-containing material on a first mesh belt 72, which serves as a first conveyor belt, to form a sheet W; a conveying section 78, which peels the first surface Wa of the sheet W from the first mesh belt 72 and conveys the sheet in such a way that the second surface Wb comes into contact with the second mesh belt 78a, which serves as a second conveyor belt, wherein the second surface Wb is the opposite surface of the first surface Wa peeled from the first mesh belt 72; and a moisture supply section 79, which supplies moisture to the sheet W that is in contact with the second mesh belt 78a toward the first surface Wa.

[0081] In addition, the same symbols are used for structures that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0082] Similarly to the above embodiment, the fiber manufacturing unit 1000 can suppress the situation where the material sheet W, which has been given moisture, adheres to the second conveyor belt.

[0083] In addition to the structure described above, the fiber manufacturing unit 1000 may also include, for example, a supply unit 10, a coarse crushing unit 12, a defiberizing unit 20, a screening unit 40, a first sheet forming unit 45, a rotating body 49, a mixing unit 50, etc.

[0084] 3. Third Implementation Method

[0085] Next, the third embodiment will be described.

[0086] In addition, the same symbols are used for structures that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0087] Although the first embodiment describes a structure in which the sheet W is conveyed in contact with the second mesh belt 78a by means of the suction mechanism 78c of the conveying section 78, it is not limited to this and may also be a structure without the suction mechanism 78c.

[0088] like Figure 5As shown, the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100A of this embodiment includes an accumulation section 60, a second sheet forming section 70, a conveying section 102, a moisture supply section 79, and a pressurizing section 80.

[0089] The sheet W formed on the first mesh belt 72, which serves as the first conveyor belt, is conveyed by the rotational movement of the first mesh belt 72. Then, the sheet W, conveyed to the downstream end of the first mesh belt 72 (the portion corresponding to the support roller 74b), is conveyed downwards while adhering to the first mesh belt 72. Here, the angle between the first surface F1 of the first mesh belt 72 and the third surface F3 of the first mesh belt 72, which is supported between the support rollers 74b and 74c, is less than 90 degrees. Therefore, the sheet W is peeled off from the third surface F3 by its own weight. Thus, the sheet W is delivered from the first mesh belt 72 to the conveyor section 102 and conveyed. The conveyor section 102 is located below the first surface F1 of the first mesh belt 72.

[0090] The conveying unit 102 is equipped with a second mesh belt 105, which serves as a second conveyor belt and is supported by a plurality of support rollers 106. Furthermore, the second mesh belt 105 moves in one direction by rotating at least one of the support rollers 106. Then, the sheet W is delivered from the first surface F1 of the first mesh belt 72 to the second surface F2 of the conveying unit 102 and is conveyed along the conveying direction (marked by arrows in the figure). Here, the conveying direction of the second surface F2 is downward. At this time, the first surface Wa of the sheet W is peeled off from the first mesh belt 72, and the sheet W is conveyed with its second surface Wb, which is the opposite side of the first surface Wa, in contact with the second mesh belt 105 of the conveying unit 102.

[0091] The second belt surface F2 is located downstream of the first belt surface F1 in the conveying direction of the sheet W. Furthermore, the first angle θ formed by the first belt surface F1 on the first mesh belt 72 and the second belt surface F2 on the second mesh belt 105 is set to be less than 90 degrees.

[0092] When the sheet W piled on the first belt surface F1 is conveyed to the second belt surface F2, it is peeled off from the first belt surface F1 by its own weight at the end of the first belt surface F1 (near the support roller 74b in the conveying direction) and delivered to the second belt surface F2, which is arranged vertically downwards. Therefore, since there is no need for a suction mechanism or scraper to peel the sheet W off at the end of the first belt surface F1 during conveying from the first belt surface F1 to the second belt surface F2, the conveying structure can be simplified.

[0093] The moisture supply section 79 supplies moisture to the first surface Wa of the sheet W that is in contact with the second mesh belt 105. The moisture supply section 79 is positioned opposite the second belt surface F2.

[0094] The pressurizing unit 80 is located downstream of the conveying unit 102. The pressurizing unit 80 pressurizes the sheet W that has been moistened and peeled off from the second mesh belt 105. In this embodiment, the pressurizing unit 80 heats the moistened sheet W while pressurizing it.

[0095] According to this embodiment, similarly to the previous embodiment, since the second surface Wb, opposite to the first surface Wa to which moisture has been applied by the moisture application part 79, is supported in the second mesh belt 105, it is possible to suppress the situation where the material sheet W to which moisture has been applied adheres to the second conveyor belt.

[0096] 4. Fourth Implementation Method

[0097] Next, the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0098] In addition, the same symbols are used for structures that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0099] Although in the third embodiment the upper limit of the first angle θ formed by the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 is set to less than 90 degrees, the lower limit of the first angle θ formed by the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 can also be set to 0 degrees.

[0100] like Figure 6As shown, the second sheet forming section 70 of the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100B is configured to have a first mesh belt 72 as a first conveyor belt and two support rollers 74 for winding the first mesh belt 72. The first mesh belt 72 is moved in one direction by rotating at least one of the support rollers 74. Furthermore, a conveying section 112 is disposed below the second sheet forming section 70. The conveying section 112 is configured to have a second mesh belt 115 as a second conveyor belt and a plurality of support rollers 116 for winding the second mesh belt 115. The second mesh belt 115 is moved in one direction by rotating at least one of the support rollers 116. Here, in order to reliably deliver the sheet W conveyed from the first belt surface F1, the conveying section 112 is configured such that one of the second belt surfaces F2 is longer in the horizontal direction compared to the first belt surface F1. Furthermore, the angle between the first belt surface F1, which transports the formed sheet W on the first mesh belt 72, and the second belt surface F2, which delivers the sheet W transported from the first belt surface F1, is set to 0 degrees, that is, the first belt surface F1 and the second belt surface F2 are arranged in a parallel manner. Even in this manner, the sheet W, which is transported horizontally via the first belt surface F1, can be peeled off from the first belt surface F1 at its end by its own weight and delivered via the second belt surface F2, which is arranged below the first belt surface F1. At this time, the first surface Wa of the sheet W is peeled off from the first mesh belt 72, and the second surface Wb, which is the opposite side of the first surface Wa, is transported in contact with the second mesh belt 115 of the conveying unit 112.

[0101] The moisture supply section 79 supplies moisture to the first surface Wa of the sheet W that is in contact with the second mesh belt 115. The moisture supply section 79 is positioned opposite the second belt surface F2. In this embodiment, moisture is supplied to the sheet W from top to bottom.

[0102] The pressurizing unit 80 is located downstream of the conveying unit 112. The pressurizing unit 80 pressurizes the sheet W that has been moistened and peeled off from the second mesh belt 115. In this embodiment, the pressurizing unit 80 heats the moistened sheet W while pressurizing it.

[0103] As described above, according to this embodiment, similarly to the previous embodiment, it is possible to suppress the situation where the material sheet W, which has been given moisture, adheres to the second mesh belt 115. Furthermore, since the second material sheet forming section 70 and the conveying section 112 can be arranged in an overlapping manner when viewed from above, the horizontal length of the fiber manufacturing apparatus 100B can be further shortened.

[0104] Symbol Explanation

[0105] 10…Supply section; 12…Crushing section; 20…Defiberizing section; 40…Screwing section; 50…Mixing section; 52…Adhesive supply section; 60…Accumulation section; 61…Roller section; 62…Inlet; 63…Shell section; 70…Second sheet forming section; 72…First mesh belt; 74, 74b, 74c…Establishing rollers; 76…Suction mechanism; 78…Conveying section; 78a…Second mesh belt; 78b…Roller; 78c…Suction mechanism; 79…Moisture supply section; 79a…Container Device; 79b…piezoelectric vibrator; 80…pressurizing section; 84…pressurizing and heating section; 86…heating roller; 90…cutting section; 96…discharge receiving section; 100, 100A, 100B…fiber manufacturing device; 102…conveyor section; 105…second mesh belt; 106…supporting roller; 112…conveyor section; 115…second mesh belt; 116…supporting roller; 1000…fiber manufacturing unit; S…fiber; W…sheet; Wa…first side; Wb…second side.

Claims

1. A fiber manufacturing apparatus, comprising: The stacking section allows a material containing fibers and starch that binds the fibers to be stacked dry on the first conveyor belt to form a sheet. A conveying unit that peels the first side of the sheet from the first conveyor belt and conveys the sheet in such a manner that the second side of the sheet comes into contact with the second conveyor belt, wherein... The second side is the opposite side of the first side that has been peeled off from the first conveyor belt; A moisture supply unit supplies moisture toward the first surface of the material sheet while the material sheet is in contact with the second conveyor belt; The pressurizing section applies pressure to the sheet material that has been given moisture and peeled off from the second conveyor belt. The moisture supply section supplies moisture from below the sheet towards the first surface.

2. The fiber manufacturing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, In the moisture supply section, water vapor or mist is supplied to the material sheet as moisture.

3. The fibrous body manufacturing apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The conveying section also has a suction mechanism that causes the material sheet to adhere to the second conveyor belt.

4. The fiber manufacturing apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein, The suction mechanism is positioned opposite the water supply unit, separated by the second conveyor belt.

5. The fiber manufacturing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, The moisture content of the material after being given the moisture is 12% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less.

6. The fibrous body manufacturing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The pressurizing section heats the material sheet while simultaneously pressurizing it.

7. A method for manufacturing a fiber body, comprising a fiber body manufacturing apparatus, wherein, The fiber manufacturing apparatus includes: The stacking section has a first conveyor belt capable of conveying the sheet material; The conveying unit has a second conveyor belt capable of conveying the sheet material; A moisture supply unit that supplies moisture to the material sheet; The pressurizing section applies pressure to the sheet material. The method for manufacturing the fibrous body includes: The stacking process involves dry stacking a material containing fibers and starch that binds the fibers onto the first conveyor belt to form the sheet. In the conveying process, the first side of the sheet is peeled off from the first conveyor belt, and the sheet is conveyed in such a way that the second side of the sheet comes into contact with the second conveyor belt, wherein the second side is the opposite side of the first side that was peeled off from the first conveyor belt; In the moisture supply process, moisture is supplied to the material sheet that is in contact with the second conveyor belt and directed toward the first surface; The pressurization process involves pressurizing the sheet material that has been given the moisture and peeled off from the second conveyor belt; In the moisture supply process, moisture is supplied from below the sheet toward the first surface via the moisture supply unit.

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