Sheet manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a sheet manufacturing device which can prevent bad conditions caused by the thickness of the top end of a material sheet and is easy to miniaturize. The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a defibrator that generates a defibrated material; a stacking unit that stacks the defibrated material to form a web; a sheet forming unit which has a first roller and a second roller, and which forms a strip-shaped sheet by pressing a web, the sheet forming unit comprising: a first roller holding unit provided with the first roller; a driving motor; a gear to which the rotation of the drive motor is transmitted and which rotates the second roller; a first transmission gear to which the rotation of the gear is transmitted; a one-way clutch gear provided on the same rotation axis as the first transmission gear; a gear to which rotation of the one-way clutch gear is transmitted; the cam and the gear are coaxially arranged; and a pin that is fixed to the first roller holding unit and that positions the first roller holding unit by coming into contact with the cam, the first transmission gear being provided with an idle mechanism that can idle for a fixed period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thin sheet manufacturing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a device for manufacturing a sheet using fibers obtained by defibration of waste paper or the like in air. Among such devices, there is a device for forming a sheet from a sheet containing fibers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet manufacturing device having a pair of rollers for pressing or the like in order to form a sheet into a sheet.

[0003] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, when the thickness of the top of the sheet is thin, a malfunction may occur in the device. Specifically, in the process of depositing materials such as fibers in the air to form a sheet, there is a problem that it is difficult to control the thickness of the top of the sheet. If the thickness of the top of the sheet becomes thinner, the sheet may sometimes stick to the heating roller. In addition, since the thickness of the top of the sheet formed from the sheet also becomes thinner, the mechanical strength of the top of the sheet is insufficient and it is easy to buckle. In other words, in the conveying path of the sheet, the top of the sheet may get stuck on components such as the conveying roller, thereby causing the possibility of paper jam. The following invention is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems without causing the device to be enlarged or the number of components to increase.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-208923 Summary of the invention

[0005] The sheet manufacturing device includes: a defibrator that defibrates a material containing fibers to generate a defibrated material; a stacking section that stacks the defibrated material to form a sheet; a sheet forming section that has a first roller and a second roller and presses the sheet to form a sheet, the sheet forming section including: a first roller holding unit that is provided with the first roller; a drive motor that can rotate in a forward and reverse direction; a second roller gear that is transmitted with the rotation of the drive motor and rotates the second roller; a first transmission gear that is transmitted with the rotation of the second roller gear; a one-way clutch gear that is provided on the same rotating shaft as the first transmission gear; a cam gear that is transmitted with the rotation of the one-way clutch gear; a cam that is provided coaxially with the cam gear; a pin that is fixed to the first roller holding unit and positions the first roller holding unit by abutting against the cam, the first transmission gear having an idling mechanism that can idly rotate while being fixed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 Flowchart showing the folding operation of the sheet.

[0008] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a method of folding a sheet.

[0009] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a method of folding a sheet.

[0010] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a method of folding a sheet.

[0011] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a method of folding a sheet.

[0012] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the sheet forming section.

[0013] Figure 8 It is a side view showing the structure of the sheet forming section.

[0014] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the first roller holding unit and the first roller.

[0015] Fig.10 It is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the first transfer gear, the one-way clutch gear, and the like.

[0016] Fig.11 This is a perspective sectional view showing the arrangement of the cam gear, the cam, and the cam link shaft.

[0017] Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the idle motion mechanism of the first transmission gear.

[0018] Fig.13 A schematic diagram showing the function of the lost motion mechanism.

[0019] Fig.14 A schematic diagram showing the function of the lost motion mechanism.

[0020] Fig.15 It is a side view showing the state of the sheet forming section when it is at rest.

[0021] Fig.16 It is a side view showing the operation preparation action in the sheet forming section.

[0022] Fig.17 It is a side view showing the operation preparation action in the sheet forming section.

[0023] Fig.18It is a side view showing the web bending operation in the sheet forming section.

[0024] Fig.19 It is a side view showing the web folding action and the sheet forming action in the sheet forming section.

[0025] Fig. 20 It is a side view showing the operation before rest in the sheet forming section.

[0026] Fig.21 It is a side view showing the operation before rest in the sheet forming section.

[0027] Fig. 22 It is a side view showing the operation before rest in the sheet forming section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the following embodiment, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 for regenerating waste paper or the like into sheets by a dry method is exemplified as a sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a dry method, but may also be a wet method. In this specification, a dry method refers to a method that is not performed in a liquid but is performed in air such as the atmosphere.

[0029] In the following drawings, the XYZ axes are marked as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, and the direction pointed by each arrow mark is set as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is set as the - direction. The Z axis is an imaginary axis along the vertical direction, and the +Z direction is set as the upper side and the -Z direction is set as the lower side. The -Z direction is the direction in which gravity acts. In addition, in the sheet manufacturing device 1, the destination of the conveying direction of the raw material, the sheet, and the sheet is sometimes referred to as the downstream, and the side of the tracing conveying direction is referred to as the upstream. For the convenience of illustration, the size of each component is different from the actual situation.

[0030] In this specification, the first direction refers to a counterclockwise rotation direction when viewed from the side in the -X direction. In addition, the second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction and refers to a clockwise rotation direction when viewed from the side in the -X direction.

[0031] 1. Thin sheet manufacturing device

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first unit group 101, a second unit group 102, and a third unit group 103. The first unit group 101, the second unit group 102, and the third unit group 103 are supported by a frame (not shown). Figure 1In FIG. 1 , the directions in which the waste paper C, the sheet P3, the slit sheet S, and unnecessary end materials etc. move are shown by blank arrow marks.

[0033] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures a sheet P3 from waste paper C as a material containing fibers. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, a first unit group 101, a third unit group 103, and a second unit group 102 are arranged from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction when viewed from the side in the -X direction.

[0034] Waste paper C is transported from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 via the pipe 21 that crosses the third unit group 103. Then, the waste paper C is defibrated in the second unit group 102 to become fibers, and then is made into a mixture containing a binder and the like. The mixture is transported to the third unit group 103 via the pipe 24. The mixture is made into a web W in the third unit group 103, and then is formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut in the first unit group 101 to become a sheet P3.

[0035] The first unit group 101 has a buffer tank 13, a quantitative supply unit 15, a confluence unit 17, and a pipe 21. In the first unit group 101, these structures are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. In addition, the first unit group 101 also has a first cutting unit 81, a second cutting unit 82, a tray 84, and a shredding unit 86. The first cutting unit 81 and the second cutting unit 82 cut the strip-shaped sheet P1 into a sheet P3 of a predetermined shape. In addition, the first unit group 101 has a water supply unit 67. The water supply unit 67 is a water storage tank. The water supply unit 67 supplies water for humidification to the first humidification unit 65 and the second humidification unit 66 described later through a water supply pipe not shown in the figure.

[0036] Waste paper C is fed into the buffer box 13 from the material inlet 11. The waste paper C is a piece of shredded waste paper containing fibers such as cellulose. Humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying unit 66 included in the third unit group 103 to the inside of the buffer box 13.

[0037] The defibrated waste paper C is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 13 and then conveyed to the fixed quantity supply unit 15 according to the operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a shredder on the upstream side of the buffer tank 13 for shredding the waste paper C and the like.

[0038] The fixed quantity supply unit 15 includes a meter 15a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The meter 15a measures the mass of the waste paper C. The supply mechanism supplies the waste paper C measured by the meter 15a to the downstream confluence unit 17. That is, the fixed quantity supply unit 15 measures the waste paper C according to a predetermined mass by the meter 15a, and supplies it to the downstream confluence unit 17 by the supply mechanism.

[0039] Any digital or analog measuring mechanism can be applied to the measuring device 15a. Specifically, physical sensors such as a force sensor, a spring balance, and a balance can be cited as the measuring device 15a. In the present embodiment, a force sensor is used as the measuring device 15a. The predetermined mass of the waste paper C measured by the measuring device 15a is, for example, several grams to several tens of grams.

[0040] As the supply mechanism, a known technique such as a vibration-type paper feeder can be applied. The supply mechanism may be a structure included in the weighing device 15a.

[0041] The measurement and supply of waste paper C in the fixed-rate supply unit 15 is a batch process. That is, the supply of waste paper C from the fixed-rate supply unit 15 to the confluence unit 17 is intermittently performed. The fixed-rate supply unit 15 may include a plurality of weighing devices 15a, or the plurality of weighing devices 15a may be operated at different times to improve the measurement efficiency.

[0042] In the confluence section 17, the shredded pieces of the slit sheet S supplied from the shredder section 86 and the waste paper C supplied from the fixed quantity supply section 15 are combined and mixed. The slit sheet S and the shredder section 86 will be described later. The waste paper C mixed with the shredded pieces flows from the confluence section 17 into the pipe 21.

[0043] The pipe 21 conveys the waste paper C from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 by airflow generated by a blower (not shown).

[0044] The second unit group 102 has a defibrator 30 as a dry defibrator, a separation unit 40, a pipe 23, a mixing unit 91, and a pipe 24. In the second unit group 102, these structures are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. In addition, the second unit group 102 also has a recovery unit 95, a compressor 97, a power supply unit 99, a pipe 25 connected to the separation unit 40, and an airflow pipe 29.

[0045] The waste paper C conveyed in the pipe 21 flows into the defibrator 30. The defibrator 30 defibrates the waste paper C as a material containing fibers by a dry method to generate defibrated material containing fibers. A known defibrator mechanism can be applied to the defibrator 30. In the present embodiment, a defibrator mechanism having a rotating blade is used as the defibrator 30. The defibrator mechanism is a mechanism that cuts and defibrates the waste paper C by a rotating blade to generate fibers.

[0046] The waste paper C passes through the defibrator 30 , and the entangled fibers contained in the waste paper C are disassembled to form a defibrated material containing fibers, which is then conveyed to the separation unit 40 .

[0047] The separation unit 40 classifies the defibrated fibers. Specifically, the separation unit 40 removes components contained in the fibers that are not necessary for the production of the sheet P3. That is, the separation unit 40 classifies relatively long fibers and relatively short fibers. Since relatively short fibers may reduce the strength of the sheet P3, they are screened and removed by the separation unit 40. In addition, the separation unit 40 removes impurities such as color materials and additives contained in the waste paper C.

[0048] A known separation mechanism can be applied to the separation unit 40. In the present embodiment, a disc-type separation mechanism having a separation filter is used as the separation unit 40. The separation mechanism screens and separates relatively short fibers or impurities that pass through the separation filter and relatively long fibers that do not pass through the separation filter. The relatively long fibers are used as defibrated materials in the material of the web W.

[0049] The humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying unit 66 of the third unit group 103 to the interior of the separation unit 40 .

[0050] The defibrated fibers are passed through the separation unit 40 to remove relatively short fibers. The fibers are then transported to the mixing unit 91 via the pipe 23 by an airflow generated by a blower (not shown) disposed at the top of the airflow pipe 29. Unnecessary parts such as relatively short fibers and impurities are discharged from the pipe 25 to the recovery unit 95.

[0051] The mixing unit 91 mixes the adhesive material and the defibrated material in the air to form a mixture. Although not shown in the figure, the mixing unit 91 includes a flow path through which the defibrated material is conveyed, a fan, a hopper, a supply pipe, and a valve.

[0052] The hopper is connected to the flow channel of the defibrated material via a supply pipe. A valve is provided on the supply pipe between the hopper and the flow channel. The hopper supplies adhesive materials such as starch into the flow channel. The valve adjusts the mass of the adhesive material supplied from the hopper to the flow channel. Thus, the mixing ratio of the fiber and the adhesive material is adjusted.

[0053] The mixing unit 91 has a similar structure for supplying a coloring material, an additive, and the like in addition to the above-mentioned structure for supplying the binder.

[0054] The fan of the mixing unit 91 uses the generated airflow to transport the fibers downstream and mix the binder and the like into the air to form a mixture. The mixture flows from the mixing unit 91 into the pipe 24 .

[0055] The recovery unit 95 includes a filter (not shown). The filter filters out unnecessary parts such as relatively short fibers conveyed from the pipe 25 by the airflow.

[0056] The compressor 97 generates compressed air. The filter may be clogged by fine particles in an unnecessary portion. The compressed air generated by the compressor 97 is blown toward the filter to blow off the attached particles and clean the filter.

[0057] The power supply unit 99 includes a power supply device (not shown) for supplying power to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, and the control unit 5. The power supply unit 99 distributes the power supplied from the outside to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0058] Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit including a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Various programs for controlling the sheet manufacturing device 1 are stored in the storage unit. The control unit 5 may also include dedicated hardware (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) for executing at least a part of the various processes. That is, the control unit 5 may also be configured as one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as ASIC, or a circuit including a combination thereof.

[0059] The processor includes a CPU and a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute a process. The memory, i.e., the computer-readable medium, includes all media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0060] The control unit 5 is electrically connected to each structure of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 including the second conveying unit 62, the air jet unit 200 and the sheet forming unit 70, and comprehensively controls the operation of these structures. In particular, the control unit 5 is also responsible for control related to folding of the web W described later.

[0061] The third unit group 103 deposits and compresses the mixture containing fibers to form a strip-shaped sheet P1 as recycled paper. The third unit group 103 includes a depositing unit 50, a first conveying unit 61, a second conveying unit 62, a first humidifying unit 65, an air jetting unit 200, a second humidifying unit 66, a drain unit 68, and a sheet forming unit 70. The second conveying unit 62 is an example of a sheet conveying unit of the present invention.

[0062] In the third unit group 103, the stacking section 50, the first conveying section 61, the second conveying section 62, the first humidifying section 65, and the sheet forming section 70 are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The air injection section 200 is located inside the second conveying section 62 and is arranged at the downstream end of the conveying path of the web W in the second conveying section 62. The second humidifying section 66 is arranged below the first humidifying section 65.

[0063] The accumulation unit 50 accumulates the mixture generated from the defibrated material by airflow and gravity to form a web W. The accumulation unit 50 includes a drum member 53, a blade member 55 provided in the drum member 53, a housing 51 for housing the drum member 53, and a suction unit 59. The mixture is sucked into the drum member 53 from the pipe 24.

[0064] The first conveyor 61 is disposed below the accumulation unit 50. The first conveyor 61 includes a mesh belt 61a and five extension rollers (not shown) for extending the mesh belt 61a. The suction unit 59 faces the roller member 53 via the mesh belt 61a in the direction along the Z axis.

[0065] The blade member 55 is located inside the drum member 53 and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The drum member 53 is a semi-cylindrical screen. A net having the function of a screen is provided on the side of the drum member 53 facing downward. The drum member 53 allows particles such as fibers or mixtures that are smaller than the size of the mesh opening of the screen to pass from the inside to the outside.

[0066] The mixture is stirred by the rotating blade member 55 in the drum member 53 and discharged to the outside of the drum member 53. The humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying unit 66 to the inside of the drum member 53.

[0067] The suction unit 59 is arranged below the roller member 53. The suction unit 59 sucks the air in the housing 51 through the multiple holes of the mesh belt 61a. As a result, an airflow is generated to deposit the mixture on the mesh belt 61a. The multiple holes of the mesh belt 61a allow air to pass through, and make it difficult for fibers or adhesive materials contained in the mixture to pass through. As a result, the mixture released to the outside of the roller member 53 is sucked downward together with the air. The suction unit 59 is a known suction device such as a suction fan.

[0068] The mixture is dispersed in the air in the housing 51 , and is deposited on the upper surface of the mesh belt 61 a by gravity and the airflow generated by the suction unit 59 , thereby forming a web W.

[0069] The mesh belt 61a is an endless belt and is stretched by five stretching rollers. The mesh belt 61a is stretched by the self-rotation of the stretching rollers. Figure 1 The first conveying unit 61 rotates counterclockwise in the mesh belt 61. As a result, the mixture is continuously deposited on the mesh belt 61a to form a sheet W. The sheet W contains a lot of air and expands softly. The first conveying unit 61 conveys the formed sheet W downstream by rotating the mesh belt 61a.

[0070] The second conveying unit 62 conveys the web W instead of the first conveying unit 61 at the downstream of the first conveying unit 61. The second conveying unit 62 peels the web W from the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a and conveys it toward the sheet forming unit 70. The second conveying unit 62 is located above the conveying path of the web W and is arranged slightly upstream of the starting point of the return side of the mesh belt 61a. The +Y direction of the second conveying unit 62 and the -Y direction of the mesh belt 61a partially overlap in the vertical direction.

[0071] The second conveying unit 62 includes a conveying belt 62a, four suspension rollers (not shown), and a suction unit 62b. The conveying belt 62a is provided with a plurality of holes for air to pass through. The conveying belt 62a is suspended by the four suspension rollers and rotates to move the conveying belt 62a. Figure 1 Rotate clockwise.

[0072] The suction section 62b is located on the conveying path of the web W in the second conveying section 62, and is arranged above the conveyor belt 62a. The suction section 62b sucks the lower air upward through the multiple holes of the conveyor belt 62a. As a result, one surface, which is the upper surface of the web W, is adsorbed on the lower surface of the conveyor belt 62a. By rotating the conveyor belt 62a in this state, the web W is adsorbed on the conveyor belt 62a and conveyed downstream. In other words, the conveyor belt 62a conveys the web W in a manner of contacting one surface of the web W. The suction section 62b is a well-known suction device such as a suction fan.

[0073] The first humidifying section 65 humidifies the web W containing fibers accumulated by the accumulation section 50 of the third unit group 103. Specifically, the first humidifying section 65 is, for example, a mist humidifier, and supplies mist M from below to the web W conveyed by the second conveying section 62 to humidify the web W. The first humidifying section 65 is arranged below the second conveying section 62 and is opposite to the web W conveyed by the second conveying section 62 in the direction along the Z axis. For the first humidifying section 65, a known humidifying device such as an ultrasonic type can be applied.

[0074] By humidifying the web W with the mist M, the function of the adhesive material contained in the web W is promoted, thereby improving the strength of the sheet P3. In addition, since the web W is humidified from below, water droplets generated by the mist M can be prevented from falling onto the web W. Moreover, since the web W is humidified from the opposite side of one surface of the web W in contact with the conveyor belt 62a, it becomes difficult for the web W to adhere to the conveyor belt 62a. The second conveyor unit 62 conveys the web W toward the sheet forming unit 70.

[0075] The air injection unit 200 is located in the second conveying unit 62 and is arranged downstream of the suction unit 62b. Although not shown in the figure, the air injection unit 200 has a compressed air tank and a spray nozzle. The compressed air tank supplies compressed air to the spray nozzle. The air injection unit 200 sprays compressed air downward from the spray nozzle toward the web W. The compressed air is supplied and stored in the compressed air tank, for example, from a compressor (not shown) used by the air injection unit 200.

[0076] The spray nozzle is an elongated opening extending in the direction along the X-axis. The spray nozzle is opposite to the web W conveyed by the conveyor belt 62a in the direction along the Z-axis. The compressed air sprayed from the air spray unit 200 passes through the conveyor belt 62a and hits one surface of the web W adsorbed on the surface below the conveyor belt 62a. At this time, since the length of the spray nozzle in the direction along the X-axis is longer than the length of the web W, the compressed air sprayed by the spray nozzle is blown to the entire width of the web W.

[0077] Thus, the web W is peeled off from the conveyor belt 62a. The injection of compressed air by the air injection unit 200 is performed when the top end of the downstream side of the web W reaches the area opposite to the air injection unit 200. And, after the top end of the web W is peeled off from the conveyor belt 62a, the top end of the web W is bent and the top end of the web W is folded. Then, the web W is delivered from the second conveyor unit 62 to the sheet forming unit 70. The details of the bending and folding of the web W will be described later.

[0078] The sheet forming unit 70 includes a first roller 71 and a second roller 72. The first roller 71 and the second roller 72 constitute a pressurizing roller pair 700. The sheet forming unit 70 presses the web W between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 to form a strip-shaped sheet P1 from the web W.

[0079] The first roller 71 and the second roller 72 form a pair and are each a substantially cylindrical member. The rotation axis of the first roller 71 and the rotation axis of the second roller 72 are arranged along the X-axis. The first roller 71 is arranged substantially above the conveying path of the web W, and the second roller 72 is arranged substantially below the conveying path of the web W. When the web W is formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1, the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 rotate in a manner that applies a load to the web W by approaching each other.

[0080] In the direction along the X axis, the length of the first roller 71 and the length of the second roller 72 are longer than the length of the web W, that is, the width of the web W. Therefore, the web W is reliably clamped between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 .

[0081] The diameter of the first roller 71 is smaller than the diameter of the second roller 72. For example, the diameter of the first roller 71 is 80 mm or more and 110 mm or less, and the diameter of the second roller 72 is 110 mm or more and 150 mm or less.

[0082] The first roller 71 includes, for example, a core iron, an intermediate layer, and a surface layer. The core iron may be a hollow structure made of aluminum, iron, stainless steel, etc. The intermediate layer covers the core iron and is covered by the surface layer. In other words, there is an intermediate layer between the core iron and the surface layer.

[0083] As the material of the intermediate layer, elastomers such as silicone rubber and polyurethane rubber can be cited. The hardness of the elastomer is preferably 30 or more and 70 or less, and more preferably 40 or more and 60 or less, based on the measured value of the ASKER C hardness meter. The thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

[0084] Examples of the material of the surface layer include fluororesins such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer), and ETFE (tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer).

[0085] By configuring the first roller 71 to have the above-described structure, the releasability of the first roller 71 with respect to the web W is improved. In addition, wear and damage to the intermediate layer can be suppressed.

[0086] The second roller 72, for example, includes a core iron and a surface layer covering the core iron. As the core iron, a hollow structure composed of aluminum, iron, stainless steel, etc. can be listed. As the material of the surface layer, fluororesins such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer), ETFE (tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer), and silicone resin can be listed. As a result, the demolding property of the second roller 72 relative to the sheet W can be improved. In addition, the wear and damage of the core iron can be suppressed.

[0087] The web W is pressurized by passing between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. The pressure applied to the web W by the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 is preferably 0.1 MPa or more and 15.0 MPa or less, more preferably 0.2 MPa or more and 10.0 MPa, and further preferably 0.4 MPa or more and 8.0 MPa or less. Thus, the degradation of the fibers in the web W can be suppressed.

[0088] The second roller 72 has an electrothermal heater built therein, and has a function of raising the temperature of the roller surface. Similar to the second roller 72, the first roller 71 also preferably has a function of raising the temperature of the roller surface by an electrothermal heater.

[0089] The surface temperature of the second roller 72, i.e., the temperature of the surface layer of the second roller 72 in contact with the web W, is preferably 100° C. to 130° C. The surface temperature of the first roller 71, i.e., the temperature of the surface layer of the first roller 71 in contact with the web W, is preferably 80° C. to 100° C.

[0090] The second roller 72 has fine irregularities on the surface. The irregularities of the surface are indexed by the surface roughness measured by a surface roughness meter. The surface roughness of the surface of the second roller 72 is preferably 2 μm or more and 8 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or more and 6 μm or less in terms of arithmetic mean roughness (Ra). In addition, it is preferably 15 μm or more and 70 μm or less, and more preferably 25 μm or more and 50 μm or less in terms of maximum height (Rz). The irregularities on the surface of the second roller 72 may come from the surface of the core iron or from the surface of the surface layer. These irregularities are formed, for example, by sandblasting or spraying.

[0091] Since the first roller 71 has an elastic intermediate layer as described above, if the material sheet W is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 and formed, it is easy to produce unevenness on the surface of the strip-shaped thin sheet P1 that contacts the first roller 71. On the other hand, if it is assumed that the surface of the second roller 72 is smoothed, the surface of the strip-shaped thin sheet P1 that contacts the second roller 72 is easy to become smooth. In this case, it is easy to produce a difference in unevenness, that is, a surface quality difference, on the front and back surfaces of the strip-shaped thin sheet P1. Such a surface quality difference will become a difference in smoothness between the front and back surfaces of the thin sheet P3, so when the thin sheet P3 is used as copy paper, etc., it is sometimes necessary to distinguish between the front and back surfaces.

[0092] In contrast, the surface quality difference between the front and back of the strip-shaped sheet P1 is reduced by the fine concavoconvexity of the surface of the second roller 72 described above, so that the front and back of the sheet P3 can be used without distinguishing them. In addition, in the bending of the sheet W described later, the followability of the sheet W relative to the second roller 72 can be improved, so that the bending can be made easier.

[0093] The second roller 72 is driven to rotate by a drive motor described later. The first roller 71 is a driven roller that is not driven by a motor or the like but rotates in conjunction with the second roller 72. Therefore, the first roller 71 rotates in the opposite direction to the second roller 72 when viewed from the side in the -X direction.

[0094] The web W is fed downstream while being heated and pressurized while being sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. That is, the web W continuously passes through the sheet forming unit 70, and is press-formed while being heated. By using the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 as a pair of forming members, the web W can be efficiently heated and pressurized.

[0095] The web W passes through the sheet forming unit 70, thereby reducing the air contained therein from a soft state containing a lot of air and increasing the density. Then, the fibers are bonded to each other by a bonding material, thereby forming a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is conveyed to the first unit group 101 by a conveying roller (not shown).

[0096] Here, since the sheet W is formed by stacking the mixture, the thickness of the sheet W is unstable in the initial stage of forming the sheet W, that is, in the area of ​​the top end of the sheet W. Generally, the thickness of the top end of the sheet W tends to be thinner than the thickness of the rear portion. If the above-mentioned thickness becomes thinner, it is possible to cause undesirable conditions such as adhesion to the first roller 71 or the second roller 72 and clogging of the sheet P1 in the conveying path. In contrast, in the sheet manufacturing device 1, the occurrence of the above-mentioned undesirable conditions is prevented by performing a folding action described later at the top end of the sheet W so that the double layer is overlapped and the thickness is increased. In the subsequent description, there is also a case where the top end on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the sheet W is simply referred to as the top end of the sheet W.

[0097] The second humidifying unit 66 is disposed below the first humidifying unit 65. A known vaporization humidifying device can be applied to the second humidifying unit 66. Examples of the vaporization humidifying device include a humidifying device that generates humidified air by blowing air toward a wetted nonwoven fabric or the like to vaporize the water.

[0098] The second humidifying unit 66 humidifies a predetermined area of ​​the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The predetermined area refers to one or more areas in the buffer box 13, the separation unit 40, and the drum member 53 of the stacking unit 50. Specifically, the humidified air is supplied to the above-mentioned area from the second humidifying unit 66 via a plurality of tubes (not shown). The humidified air suppresses the charging of waste paper C, fibers, etc. in the above-mentioned various structures, thereby suppressing the adhesion to the components caused by these static electricity.

[0099] The drain unit 68 is a drain tank. The drain unit 68 is used in the first humidifying unit 65 and the second humidifying unit 66, etc., and collects and stores old water. The drain unit 68 can be removed from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 as needed to discard the accumulated water.

[0100] The strip-shaped sheet P1 conveyed to the first unit group 101 arrives at the first cutting unit 81. The first cutting unit 81 cuts the strip-shaped sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, for example, in a direction along the X axis. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut into single sheets P2 by the first cutting unit 81. The single sheets P2 are conveyed from the first cutting unit 81 to the second cutting unit 82.

[0101] The second cutting unit 82 cuts the single sheet P2 in the conveying direction, for example, in the direction along the Y axis. Specifically, the second cutting unit 82 cuts both ends of the single sheet P2 in the X axis direction. Thus, the single sheet P2 becomes a sheet P3 of a predetermined shape, such as A4 size or A3 size.

[0102] When the single sheet P2 is cut into sheets P3 by the second cutting unit 82, a slit sheet S is produced as an end material. The slit sheet S is conveyed in the substantially -Y direction and reaches the shredder 86 as a shredder. The shredder 86 shreds the slit sheet S into shredded pieces and supplies them to the merging unit 17. Between the shredder 86 and the merging unit 17, a mechanism for measuring the shredded pieces of the slit sheet S and supplying them to the merging unit 17 may be provided.

[0103] The sheet P3 is conveyed substantially upward and accumulated on the tray 84. As described above, the sheet P3 is manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The sheet P3 can be used as a substitute for copy paper or the like, for example.

[0104] 2. Folding operation of the top of the sheet

[0105] The bending and folding operation at the top end of the sheet W will be described. Figure 2 As shown, the folding operation of the web W in the sheet forming unit 70 includes a first step S1, a second step S2, a third step S3, a fourth step S4 and a fifth step S5. These steps are executed in the above order according to the control of the control unit 5. Figures 3 to 6 To explain each of the above steps. Figures 3 to 6 In the description, unless otherwise specified, the description is given for the state when viewed from the side in the -X direction.

[0106] like Figure 3 As shown, in the first step S1 , the web W is conveyed downstream in the −Y direction by the second conveying unit 62 .

[0107] In the original forming operation of passing the web W between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72, the second roller 72 rotates in the counterclockwise direction R1, and the first roller 71 rotates in the clockwise direction R2. Figure 3 Then rotate in the above directions respectively.

[0108] Then, the process proceeds to the second step S2 at the time point when the tip of the web W passes through the area opposite to the air jet unit 200. In addition, as a method for determining whether the tip of the web W has reached the area opposite to the air jet unit 200, an optical sensor is used to detect the position of the tip of the web W. In addition, as another method, the following method can be applied, that is, the time from the start of driving of the stacking unit 50 to the tip of the web W reaching the position opposite to the air jet unit 200 is experimentally measured in advance, and the time is preset to implement timing control.

[0109] like Figure 4 As shown, in the second step S2, the tip of the web W is peeled off from the conveyor belt 62a. Specifically, in the second step S2, the tip of the web W is peeled off from the conveyor belt 62a by the injection of compressed air from the air injection unit 200. Since the web W is continuously conveyed by the conveyor belt 62a during this period, the tip of the web W hangs down and contacts the second roller 72.

[0110] At this time, you can also Figure 4 When the tip of the web W comes into contact with the second roller 72, the second roller 72 starts to rotate in the clockwise direction R2 as the second direction. At this time, the first roller 71 follows the second roller 72 and rotates in the counterclockwise direction R1.

[0111] In the second step S2, the top end of the web W is peeled off from the conveyor belt 62a by compressed air, and the top end of the web W is directed generally downward. This makes it easier to bend the top end of the web W in the third step S3 of the subsequent stage. Then, the process proceeds to the third step S3.

[0112] like Figure 5 As shown, in the third step S3, the second roller 72 is rotated in the rotation direction R2 as the second direction while the tip of the web W touches the surface of the second roller 72. As a result, the tip of the web W is pulled by the surface of the second roller 72 and bent in the +Y direction (lower right direction in the figure). At this time, the first roller 71 is driven by the second roller 72 and rotates in the rotation direction R1 of the counterclockwise rotation.

[0113] In the third step S3, the rotation of the second roller 72 in the rotation direction R2 is stopped after a predetermined time has passed. In addition, the distance by which the tip of the web W is bent substantially in the +Y direction is adjusted by the diameter, rotation speed, and rotation time of the second roller 72. Then, the process proceeds to the fourth step S4.

[0114] like Figure 6 As shown, in the fourth step S4, the second roller 72 is rotated in the rotation direction R1 which is the first direction opposite to the second direction, and the first roller 71 is driven by the second roller 72 and rotates in the rotation direction R2. At the same time, the web W is passed between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 which are the pressure roller pair 700. As a result, the top end of the web W is pressurized and folded. Then, the process proceeds to the fifth step S5.

[0115] In the fifth step S5, following the fourth step S4, the second roller 72 is rotated in the rotation direction R1 and the first roller 71 is rotated in the rotation direction R2. Thus, the web W is pressed while passing between the pressure roller pair 700, and is heated by the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. Thus, the strip-shaped sheet P1 is continuously formed. The conveying path of the strip-shaped sheet P1 is Figure 6 Subsequently, the strip-shaped sheet P1 is conveyed toward the first cutting section 81 described above.

[0116] The folded distance at the downstream end of the strip-shaped sheet P1 in the conveying direction, i.e., the distance by which the web W is doubled, may be, for example, 20 mm or more in the conveying direction. The distance is adjusted by the distance by which the end of the web W is bent in the third step S3.

[0117] In addition, the top of the sheet W is not limited to being folded by overlapping two layers. The third step S3 and the fourth step S4 described above can also be repeatedly performed to overlap the top of the sheet W by three or more layers. In this way, the thickness and strength at the top of the sheet W are further increased.

[0118] In addition, in the second step S2, the conveying speed of the sheet W after the top end is peeled off and the rotation speed of the second roller 72 can be adjusted so that the top end of the sheet W is rolled into a spiral shape and bent. Accordingly, the thickness of the top end of the sheet W becomes thicker, thereby further increasing the strength of the top end of the sheet W.

[0119] 3. Sheet forming section

[0120] The sheet forming section 70 will be described with respect to its detailed structure and functions including the folding of the web W, the separation and contact between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 , and the like.

[0121] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the sheet forming unit 70 includes a first roller holding unit 711, a base unit 721, a first roller 71, a second roller 72, a gear train 76, a drive motor 79, a spring 794, and a pin 735. Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 arranged in the +X direction of the first roller holding unit 711 or the base unit 721 are indicated by dotted lines.

[0122] The first roller 71 is provided on the first roller holding unit 711. Fig. 9As shown, the first roller holding unit 711 has a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from above in the +Z direction, and holds the first roller 71 inside. The first roller 71 is rotatably supported by the first roller holding unit 711 about a center axis (not shown) along the X axis.

[0123] The first roller holding unit 711 is supported by the base unit 721 so as to be rotatable with the axis A1 as the rotation center when viewed from the side in the -X direction. Specifically, the axis A1 is along the X axis and is located in the substantially +Y direction of the first roller 71 when viewed from the side in the -X direction. The first roller holding unit 711 is supported by the base unit 721 at the side surface in the +X direction and the side surface in the -X direction, and at a position intersecting the axis A1.

[0124] The pins 735 are fixed to the side surface in the +X direction and the side surface in the -X direction of the first roller holding unit 711, and form a pair. One of the pair of pins 735 is provided so as to protrude from the side surface in the +X direction toward the +X direction, and the other is provided so as to protrude from the side surface in the -X direction toward the -X direction. When viewed from the perspective of the -X direction, the pair of pins 735 are arranged slightly below the first roller 71 in the -Y direction.

[0125] Back to Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The base unit 721 supports the first roller holding unit 711 in the +Z direction. Although not shown in the figure, the base unit 721 is fixed to the frame of the third unit group 103 described above via a sub-frame or the like. In the base unit 721, a drive motor 79 and a gear group 76 are arranged on the -X direction side of the side surface in the -X direction. Among the multiple gears of the gear group 76, the gears other than the gear G1 are rotatably supported by the base unit 721 or the like via a component not shown in the figure.

[0126] The second roller 72 is arranged in the +Y direction in the base unit 721. The second roller 72 is rotatably supported by the base unit 721 about a central axis (not shown) along the X axis. The second roller 72 is located in the -Z direction of the first roller 71 and slightly closer to the +Y direction.

[0127] The spring 794 is disposed on the -X direction side of the side surface in the -X direction and on the +X direction side of the side surface in the +X direction (not shown) in the first roller holding unit 711 and the base unit 721 , respectively.

[0128] A pair of springs 794 are provided so as to intersect the X-axis and the Y-axis, respectively. One end of each spring 794 is fixed to the end of the first roller holding unit 711 in the -Y direction and the +Z direction, and the other end of each spring 794 is fixed near the end of the base unit 721 in the -Y direction. Thus, when the first roller holding unit 711 is viewed from the side in the -X direction, a force is applied in a counterclockwise direction on a circumference centered on the axis A1. This force causes the first roller 71 to abut against the second roller 72.

[0129] The drive motor 79 is arranged at the approximate center of the base unit 721 along the Y axis and near the end in the -Z direction when viewed from the side in the -X direction. The drive motor 79 has an output shaft (not shown) along the approximate Y axis. The output shaft is along the Y axis and protrudes from the main body of the drive motor 79 in the +Y direction. A gear G1 is connected to the output shaft. The drive motor 79 can rotate in the positive direction of counterclockwise rotation and the reverse direction of clockwise rotation when viewed from the +Y direction.

[0130] The drive motor 79 is a drive source for rotating the second roller 72, contacting and separating the first roller 71 from the second roller 72, and folding the top end of the web W described above via the gear train 76. For the drive motor 79, a known actuator can be used in addition to a stepping motor, for example.

[0131] The gear group 76 includes a plurality of gears including a gear G1 to a gear G7. The gear group 76 is arranged from the +Y direction to the +Z direction of the drive motor 79 when viewed from the side in the -X direction. In the gear group 76, the gears are arranged in ascending order of the numbers of the signs from the closest gear G1 to the farthest gear G7 on the path where the rotational driving force of the drive motor 79 is transmitted.

[0132] The gear G1 is a worm gear, and is disposed in the +Y direction of the drive motor 79. The gear G1 transmits the rotational drive force of the drive motor 79 to the gear G2.

[0133] The gear G2 is arranged in the -Z direction of the gear G1. The rotation axis (not shown) of the gear G2 is along the X axis. The gear G2 transmits the rotational driving force transmitted from the gear G1 to the gear G3.

[0134] The gear G3 is arranged substantially in the +Y direction of the gear G2. The rotation axis (not shown) of the gear G3 is along the X axis. The gear G3 transmits the rotational driving force transmitted from the gear G2 to the gear G4.

[0135] The gear G4 is arranged approximately in the +Y direction of the gear G2. The gear G4 is an example of the second roller gear of the present invention, and is fixed to the end of the second roller 72 in the -X direction. The rotation axis (not shown) of the gear G4 is along the X axis. The gear G4 receives the rotation of the drive motor 79 from the gear G2 to rotate the second roller 72, and transmits the rotational driving force to the first transmission gear G5a of the gear G5.

[0136] The gear G5 includes a first transmission gear G5a and a one-way clutch gear G5b. The rotation of the gear G4 is transmitted to the first transmission gear G5a. Fig.10 As shown, the first transfer gear G5a and the one-way clutch gear G5b are provided on the same rotation axis A2.

[0137] The rotation axis A2 is along the X axis. On the rotation axis A2, the one-way clutch gear G5b and the first transmission gear G5a are sequentially arranged toward the +X direction. The rotation axis A2 is rotatably supported by the base unit 721.

[0138] The first transmission gear G5a includes an idler device that can idle for a fixed period of time. The first transmission gear G5a transmits the rotation of the gear G4 to the rotating shaft A2 while idling for the fixed period of time. The details of the idler mechanism will be described later.

[0139] The one-way clutch gear G5b rotates counterclockwise as the first direction by the rotation of the rotation axis A2 in the first direction, and idles relative to the rotation of the rotation axis A2 in the second direction. The rotation of the one-way clutch gear G5b in the first direction is transmitted to the gear G7 as the cam gear via the gear G6.

[0140] In detail, the rotation of the drive motor 79 is transmitted to the rotating shaft A2 via the gear G4 and the first transmission gear G5a, etc. When the drive motor 79 rotates in the reverse direction and the rotating shaft A2 rotates in the second direction, the one-way clutch gear G5b rotates idly. When the drive motor 79 rotates in the forward direction and the rotating shaft A2 rotates in the first direction, the one-way clutch gear G5b rotates, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear G6.

[0141] For the one-way clutch gear G5b, for example, a cam type, a sprag type, a planetary gear type, or other well-known technology can be adopted.

[0142] Back to Figure 7 as well as Figure 8The gear G6 is arranged in the substantially -Y direction of the gear G5. The rotation axis (not shown) of the gear G6 is along the X axis. The gear G6 transmits the rotational driving force transmitted from the one-way clutch gear G5b to the gear G7.

[0143] The gear G7 is arranged in the -Y direction of the gear G6. The rotation axis (not shown) of the gear G7 is along the X axis. The rotation of the one-way clutch gear G5b is transmitted to the gear G7 via the gear G6. Fig.11 As shown, the gear G7 is provided on the cam link shaft 771. A cam C17 is arranged in the +X direction of the gear G7. The cam C17 is coaxially provided with the gear G7. That is, the gear G7 and the cam C17 are fixed to the cam link shaft 771. The cam C17 can abut against the pin 735 fixed in the -X direction of the first roller holding unit 711.

[0144] The pin 735 abuts against the cam C17 , thereby positioning the first roller holding unit 711 .

[0145] The cam link shaft 771 is along the X axis. Although not shown in the figure, a cam C17 is also fixed to the cam link shaft 771 in the +X direction. In detail, the cam link shaft 771 passes through the side surface of the base unit 721 in the -X direction and extends in the +X direction. The end of the cam link shaft 771 in the +X direction passes through the side surface of the base unit 721 in the +X direction. A cam C17 is also fixed to the above-mentioned end. The cam C17 at the above-mentioned end can abut against the pin 735 fixed to the first roller holding unit 711 in the +X direction.

[0146] Each cam C17 is an eccentric cam. The paired cams C17 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the gear G7 via the cam link shaft 771. Thus, each cam C17 repeatedly comes into contact with and separates from the corresponding pin 735 when the gear G7 rotates.

[0147] In the present embodiment, the cam C17 fixed to the -X direction of the cam link shaft 771 is fixed to the gear G7. In addition, the cam C17 may not be fixed to the gear G7.

[0148] like Fig.12 As shown, the first transmission gear G5a includes an idler mechanism 75. The idler mechanism 75 of the first transmission gear G5a includes a contact plate 751 and a pair of cutouts 752.

[0149] A pair of cutouts 752 causes the first transmission gear G5a to idle relative to the rotation axis A2. A pair of cutouts 752 is provided inside the first transmission gear G5a. A pair of cutouts 752 is configured so that they overlap when rotated 180° relative to the rotation center of the rotation axis A2. Each cutout 752 is roughly fan-shaped when viewed from the side in the -X direction. When each cutout 752 is regarded as a fan-shaped, the center angle of each cutout 752 is 90°.

[0150] Here, in each notch 752, the inner edge along the radial direction of the sector is set as edge portion 752a, 752b. The first transmission gear G5a and the rotation axis A2 and the contact plate 751 are not fixed. Therefore, the rotation of the first transmission gear G5a is transmitted to the rotation axis A2 through the contact of each edge portion 752a or each edge portion 752b with the contact plate 751.

[0151] The contact plate 751 is plate-shaped and is disposed inside the pair of cutouts 752 and fixed to the rotation axis A2. When the rotation is transmitted from the gear G4 to the first transmission gear G5a, the first transmission gear G5a rotates or idles for a fixed period depending on the positional relationship between the contact plate 751 and the edge portion 752a or the edge portion 752b.

[0152] exist Fig.12 In the state shown, when the first transmission gear G5a rotates in the second direction (clockwise), the first transmission gear G5a does not idle because the edge portions 752b are in contact with the abutment plate 751. That is, the rotation of the first transmission gear G5a is immediately transmitted to the rotation axis A2. In contrast, when the first transmission gear G5a starts to rotate in the second direction from the state where the edge portions 752a are in contact with the abutment plate 751, the rotation axis A2 rotates after idling for a fixed period of time. That is, the abutment plate 751 moves relative to the pair of cutouts 752, and the rotation of the first transmission gear G5a is not transmitted to the rotation axis A2 until the abutment plate 751 is in contact with the edge portions 752b.

[0153] In addition, Fig.12 In the state shown, when the first transmission gear G5a rotates in the first direction (counterclockwise), the rotation axis A2 rotates after a fixed period of idling. That is, the contact plate 751 moves relative to the pair of cutouts 752, and the rotation of the first transmission gear G5a is not transmitted to the rotation axis A2 until the contact plate 751 contacts the edge portions 752a. Furthermore, when the first transmission gear G5a further rotates in the first direction and the edge portions 752a contact the contact plate 751, the rotation of the first transmission gear G5a is transmitted to the rotation axis A2.

[0154] In contrast, when the first transmission gear G5a starts to rotate in the first direction from the state where the edge portions 752a contact the contact plate 751, the rotation axis A2 immediately rotates. In this embodiment, the fixed period is made consistent with the predetermined time for the second roller 72 to rotate in the rotation direction R2 in the third step S3.

[0155] Thus, when the first transmission gear G5a rotates, the first transmission gear G5a idles relative to the rotation axis A2 while the edges 752a and 752b of the cutout 752 are not in contact with the contact plate 751. Then, the edges 752a and 752b of the cutout 752 contact with the contact plate 751, so that the first transmission gear G5a rotates the rotation axis A2.

[0156] In more detail, Fig.13 As shown, when the gear G4 rotates in the rotation direction R1 as the first direction, the first transmission gear G5a rotates in the rotation direction R2 as the second direction. At this time, after the first transmission gear G5a idles for a fixed period until each edge portion 752b abuts against the abutment plate 751, the rotation axis A2 rotates in the rotation direction R2. Fig.13 In the embodiment, since each edge portion 752b is in contact with the contact plate 751, the first transmission gear G5a rotates the rotation axis A2 in the rotation direction R2 without idling.

[0157] In addition, if Fig.14 As shown, when the gear G4 rotates in the rotation direction R2 as the second direction, the first transmission gear G5a rotates in the rotation direction R1 as the first direction. At this time, after the first transmission gear G5a idles for a fixed period until each edge portion 752a abuts against the abutment plate 751, the rotation axis A2 rotates in the rotation direction R1. Fig.14 In the embodiment, since each edge portion 752a is in contact with the contact plate 751, the first transmission gear G5a rotates the rotation axis A2 in the rotation direction R1 without idling.

[0158] The following describes various operations of the sheet forming unit 70 performed via the drive motor 79 and the gear train 76. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the description is made in a state of being viewed from the side in the -X direction. Fig.15 , 17 In FIGS. 20 and 22 , for the sake of convenience in illustration, the structures other than the cam C17 , the gear G7 , the pin 735 , the shaft A1 , the first roller holding unit 711 , the base unit 721 , the first roller 71 , and the second roller 72 are omitted.

[0159] When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is operated, the sheet forming unit 70 performs an operation preparation operation. Fig.15 As shown, the first roller 71 is separated from the second roller 72. Specifically, the pin 735 abuts against the cam C17 and straddles it. Therefore, the -Y direction of the first roller holding unit 711 gradually rises upward relative to the base unit 721 with the axis A1 as a fulcrum. As a result, the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 are slightly separated. At this time, the gap between the surface of the first roller 71 and the surface of the second roller 72 is, for example, about 2 to 5 mm. In addition, the position of the first roller holding unit 711 is fixed by the pin abutting against the recessed portion of the upper portion of the cam C17.

[0160] From the above state, the operation preparation action is performed, and the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 are brought into contact. Fig.16 As shown, the drive motor 79 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise) and the gear G4 rotates in the second direction (clockwise). As a result, the one-way clutch gear G5b rotates in the first direction (counterclockwise), and the gear G7 also rotates in the first direction via the gear G6.

[0161] And, if Fig.17 As shown, the cam 17 also rotates in the first direction in conjunction with the rotation of the gear G7. The rotation of the cam C17 separates the cam C17 from the pin 735. When the two are separated, the gap between the cam and the pin can be about 2 mm. In addition, the first roller holding unit 711 is lowered with the axis A1 as a fulcrum by the force of the spring 794. As a result, the first roller 71 also moves approximately downward so that the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 abut. By operating the sheet manufacturing device 1 in this state, the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 are used to pressurize the sheet W described above.

[0162] In this way, the cam C17 rotates by a predetermined angle in conjunction with the rotation of the gear G7, thereby causing the first roller holding unit 711 to rise or fall via the pin 735. The predetermined angle is 180° in the present embodiment, but may be set to an angle other than this. In addition, the contact and separation of the cam C17 and the pin 735 are linked on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the sheet forming section 70. In addition, if the rotation angle of the cam C17 is detected by a position sensor, the contact and separation of the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 can be more accurately distinguished.

[0163] Next, when forming the strip-shaped sheet P1, the bending of the top end of the sheet W as described above is first performed. Fig.18As shown, the driving motor 79 is rotated in the forward direction, thereby rotating the gear G4 in the second direction. At this time, it is set that the period of rotation of the driving motor 79 in the forward direction is shorter than the fixed period of idling of the first transmission gear G5a. Therefore, although the first transmission gear G5a is rotated by the gear G4, since the first transmission gear G5a is idling for a fixed period relative to the above-mentioned rotation axis A2 by the idling mechanism 75 described above, the rotational driving force is not transmitted to the component that is more backward than the rotation axis A2. Therefore, since the cam C17 does not rotate, the first roller retaining unit 711 does not move. On the other hand, since the gear G4 rotates in the second direction, the second roller 72 rotates in the second direction, and the top end of the sheet W is bent by the structure described above.

[0164] Next, folding is performed on the leading end of the folded web W. The folding operation is the same as the forming operation of the strip-shaped sheet P1, and the forming operation of the sheet P1 is performed subsequent to the folding operation.

[0165] In the folding action at the top of the sheet W, as Fig.19 As shown, the drive motor 79 is rotated in the reverse direction (clockwise), thereby rotating the gear G4 in the first direction. At this time, although the first transmission gear G5a is rotated through the gear G4, thereby rotating the above-mentioned rotation axis A2 in the second direction, the rotation axis A2 is idle relative to the one-way clutch gear G5b. Therefore, the rotational driving force is not transmitted to the component behind the one-way clutch gear G5b. Therefore, since the cam C17 does not rotate, the first roller holding unit 711 does not move.

[0166] On the other hand, since the gear G4 rotates in the first direction, the second roller 72 rotates in the first direction, and the first roller 71 rotates in the second direction. As a result, the top end of the folded sheet W passes between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72, and the top end is folded. Then, by continuing to rotate the drive motor 79 in the reverse direction, the area connected to the top end of the sheet W is pressurized to form a strip-shaped sheet P1.

[0167] When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is stopped, the sheet forming unit 70 performs the pre-stop operation. Fig. 20 As shown, the first roller 71 is brought into contact with the second roller 72. Specifically, the cam C17 and the pin 735 are separated. As a result, the first roller holding unit 711 is lowered in the -Y direction with the axis A1 as a fulcrum, so that the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 are brought into contact. From this state, the pre-resting action is performed to separate the first roller 71 and the second roller 72.

[0168] First, if Fig.21 As shown, the drive motor 79 is rotated in the forward direction, and the gear G4 is rotated in the second direction. At this time, the gear G4 continues to rotate by exceeding the idling period of the first transmission gear G5a, so that the rotation of the first transmission gear G5a is transmitted to the rotating shaft A2. As a result, the one-way clutch gear G5b rotates in the first direction, and the gear G7 also rotates in the first direction via the gear G6.

[0169] And, if Fig. 22 As shown, the cam C17 also rotates in the first direction in conjunction with the rotation of the gear G7. The rotation of the cam C17 causes the pin 735 to abut against the cam C17 and to ride on it. Therefore, the first roller holding unit 711 overcomes the force of the spring 794 in the -Y direction and rises relative to the base unit 721 with the axis A1 as a fulcrum. As a result, the first roller 71 also moves substantially upward to separate the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. In this state, the sheet manufacturing device 1 is stopped.

[0170] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0171] In the accumulation section 50, even if the tip of the web W becomes thin in the initial stage of forming the web W, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience caused thereby. Specifically, since the tip of the web W is folded, the web W is doubled at the tip of the web W. Therefore, even if the tip of the web W before being folded is thin, the web W can ensure a thickness and strength that are unlikely to cause inconvenience.

[0172] In addition, a plurality of actions as described above are realized by utilizing a relatively small number of components, and the miniaturization of the device is also realized. Specifically, the top end of the sheet W is bent by the forward rotation of the driving motor 79. Next, the forward rotation of the driving motor 79 is switched to the reverse rotation within a fixed period not exceeding the idling period of the idling mechanism 75. Thus, after the top end of the bent sheet W passes through between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 and is folded, the area connected to the top end of the sheet W is pressurized to form a strip-shaped sheet P1. Thus, the folding action of the top end of the sheet W and the action of forming the strip-shaped sheet P1 by the sheet W can be performed by one driving motor 79. At this time, the reverse rotation of the driving motor 79 is not transmitted to the gear G7, which is the cam gear, through the idling of the one-way clutch gear G5b.

[0173] Furthermore, when the driving motor 79 described above continues to rotate in the forward direction beyond the fixed period during which the idling mechanism 75 is idling, the gear G7 rotates via the one-way clutch gear G5b so that the cam C17 abuts against the pin 735. Furthermore, when the cam C17 moves the first roller holding unit 711 upward together with the pin 735, the first roller 71 separates from the second roller 72. If the above-mentioned operation is performed before the sheet manufacturing device 1 stops, for example, the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 separate during the stop process, thereby suppressing deformation and wear of each roller. Furthermore, since the driving motor 79 is used in the separation of the first roller 71 and the second roller 72, a driving mechanism other than the driving motor 79 is not required, thereby suppressing the increase in the number of components. According to the above, even when the top of the web W is thin, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an undesirable condition, and to achieve miniaturization of the sheet manufacturing device 1.

[0174] Explanation of symbols

[0175] 1…sheet manufacturing device; 30…fibrillator; 50…stacking section; 62…second conveying section as a sheet conveying section; 62a…conveyor belt; 70…sheet forming section; 71…first roller; 72…second roller; 75…idling mechanism; 79…driving motor; 711…first roller holding unit; 735…pin; C17…cam; 751…contact plate; 752…cutout; 752a, 752b…edge portion; A2…rotating shaft; G4…gear as a gear for the second roller; G5a…first transmission gear; G5b…one-way clutch gear; G7…gear as a gear for the cam; W…sheet.

Claims

1. A sheet manufacturing device, comprising: a defibrator for defibring a material containing fibers to produce a defibrated product; an accumulation section for stacking the defibrated material to form a web; a sheet forming section having a first roller and a second roller and pressurizing the web to form a sheet, The sheet forming unit comprises: a first roller holding unit provided with the first roller; A drive motor capable of rotating in forward and reverse directions; a second roller gear to which the rotation of the drive motor is transmitted and causes the second roller to rotate; a first transmission gear to which the rotation of the second roller gear is transmitted; a one-way clutch gear disposed on the same rotation axis as the first transfer gear; a cam gear to which the rotation of the one-way clutch gear is transmitted; a cam disposed coaxially with the cam gear; a pin fixed to the first roller holding unit and performing positioning of the first roller holding unit by abutting against the cam, The first transmission gear includes an idler mechanism capable of idle rotation for a fixed period of time.

2. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The idler mechanism of the first transfer gear comprises: a cutout provided on the first transfer gear; An abutment plate is fixed on the rotation shaft corresponding to the cutout.

3. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first transmission gear idly rotates relative to the rotating shaft while the edge of the cutout is not in contact with the contact plate. The first transmission gear rotates the rotation shaft when the edge portion of the cutout contacts the contact plate.

4. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the reverse rotation of the driving motor is transmitted to the rotating shaft via the second roller gear and the rotating shaft rotates in the second direction, the one-way clutch gear idles. When the rotation of the drive motor in the forward direction is transmitted to the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft rotates in a first direction opposite to the second direction, the one-way clutch gear rotates.

5. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The cam is rotated by a predetermined angle to raise or lower the first roller holding unit via the pin.

6. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The first roller holding unit descends to bring the first roller into contact with the second roller, and the web is pressed by the first roller and the second roller.

7. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The cam is an eccentric cam.

8. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The cam is fixed to the cam gear.

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