Heat treatment device

Abstract

Provided is a heat treatment device capable of imparting a temperature difference to hot air blown toward a web at least in the center and both sides in the left-right direction. The heat treatment device of the material sheet is provided with a conveying path of the material sheet in a heat treatment chamber, a pipeline (20) which is arranged along the conveying path and enables hot air to flow inside, and a plurality of nozzles (21) which are arranged at intervals along the front-back direction on the surface of the conveying path side of the pipeline (20). The interior of each nozzle (21) is divided into left, center and right nozzle inner flow paths, the left nozzle inner flow path (23c) is provided with a blow-out opening (24c) for blowing left hot air to the material sheet, and the center nozzle inner flow path (23a) is provided with a blow-out opening (24a) for blowing center hot air to the material sheet. The right nozzle inner flow path (23b) is provided with a blowing outlet (24b) for blowing right hot air to the material sheet, and the temperature of at least the central hot air is different from the temperature of the left hot air and the temperature of the right hot air.

Description

[0001] Reference to related applications

[0002] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-016481 (filing date: February 6, 2024). This application incorporates the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-016481. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a heat treatment device. Background Art

[0004] A heat treatment apparatus is known for heating webs such as film, metal foil, cloth, and paper while conveying them within a heat treatment chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Heating is achieved by blowing hot air from multiple nozzles disposed within the heat treatment chamber. Heating can be used to dry a coating solution applied to the web, heat-treat the web, or stretch the web.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106772

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-032436 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] In the above-mentioned heat treatment device, there are situations where it is desired to uniformly heat the entire sheet from one side to the other in the left-right direction (width direction), and there are situations where it is desired to heat the left-right central part and one of the left and right side parts of the sheet to a higher temperature than the other.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a heat treatment apparatus capable of providing a temperature difference between hot air blown from a nozzle toward a web at least in the left-right center and on both left and right sides.

[0012] Means for solving problems

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention is a heat treatment device for a web, comprising: a heat treatment chamber; a conveying path along which the web is conveyed in a front-to-rear direction within the heat treatment chamber; a duct provided along the conveying path within the heat treatment chamber, wherein hot air flows within the duct; and a nozzle, wherein the nozzles are arranged in the left-right direction along a surface of the duct on the side of the conveying path, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction; the heat treatment device is characterized in that the interior of each nozzle is divided into a left nozzle inner flow path, a central nozzle inner flow path, and a right nozzle inner flow path so that the hot air from the duct flows separately in the left-to-right direction toward the left portion, the center portion, and the right portion, the left nozzle inner flow path is provided with a left blowout port for blowing the left hot air toward the web, the center nozzle inner flow path is provided with a center blowout port for blowing the center hot air toward the web, and the right nozzle inner flow path is provided with a right blowout port for blowing the right hot air toward the web, and at least the temperature of the center hot air is different from the temperature of the left hot air and the temperature of the right hot air.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to this embodiment, a temperature difference can be given to the hot air blown from the nozzle toward the web at least in the left-right center and on both left and right sides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a view of the heat treatment chamber of the heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the right side wall removed, and viewed from the right side.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 AA cross-sectional view.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 BB cross-sectional view.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the heat treatment apparatus as viewed from above.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a view of the upper pipeline from the right side.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 CC cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 DD cross-sectional view.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 EE cross-sectional view.

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 5 FF cross-sectional view.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a diagram of the lower pipeline viewed from the right.

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 GG cross-sectional view.

[0027] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 HH cross-sectional view.

[0028] Figure 13 yes Figure 10 II sectional view.

[0029] Figure 14 yes Figure 10 JJ cross-sectional view.

[0030] Description of Reference Numerals

[0031] W…sheet; 10…heat treatment device; 11…heat treatment chamber; 12…carrying port; 13…carrying port; 14…exhaust air intake port; 15…exhaust flow path; 16…exhaust port; 20…upper duct; 21…nozzle; 22…partition wall; 23a, 23b, 23c…flow path within the nozzle; 24a, 24b, 24c…blowing port; 25a, 25b, 25c…flow path within the duct; 26a, 26b, 26c…blowing inlet; 27…introduction path; 28…partition wall; 29…wall; 30…lower duct; 31…nozzle; 32…partition wall; 33a, 33b, 33c…flow path within the nozzle; 34a, 34b, 34c…blowing outlet; 35a, 35b, 35c…flow path within the duct; 36a, 36b, 36c…blowing inlet; 37…introduction path; 38…partition wall; 39…wall 40...storage chamber; 41...partition wall; 42a...front chamber; 42b...center chamber; 42c...rear chamber; 43a, 43b, 43c...dampers; 44a, 44b, 44c...air intake; 46a, 46b, 46c...HEPA filter; 47a, 47b, 47c...temperature sensor; 48a, 48b, 48c...opening; 49a, 49b, 49c, 49d, 49e…Connecting duct; 50a, 50a', 50b, 50c…Hot air generating device; 58, 59…Hood; 60…Tentering device; 61…Left tentering chain; 62…Right tentering chain; 63…Left driven sprocket; 64…Left drive sprocket; 65…Right driven sprocket; 66…Right drive sprocket; 67…Clip; 68a, 68b, 69a, 69b…Tentering rails; 70…Rail spacing changing device DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following is based on Figures 1 to 14 An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0033] The heat treatment apparatus 10 of this embodiment heats and conveys a web W in a front-to-rear direction within a heat treatment chamber 11, thereby drying a coating liquid applied to the web W or extending the web W in a width direction, an inclined direction, or a traveling direction. The web W may be, for example, a metal foil, a film, a cloth, or a paper.

[0034] In the following description, front and back are expressions when the web W is conveyed horizontally from front to back. In addition, left and right are expressions when the web W is conveyed out (rear) as viewed from its in (front) side.

[0035] (1) Overall structure of heat treatment equipment

[0036] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the heat treatment apparatus 10 includes a rectangular heat treatment chamber 11 formed of heat-insulating walls. The interior of the heat treatment chamber 11 is heated by hot air blown from nozzles 21 and 31. A web W inlet 12 is provided on the front surface of the heat treatment chamber 11, and a web W outlet 13 is provided on the rear surface of the heat treatment chamber 11. The area extending in the front-to-back direction from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 defines a transport path for the web W within the heat treatment chamber 11.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the heat treatment apparatus 10 further includes a tenter device 60 extending through the heat treatment chamber 11 in the front-to-back direction. The front portion of the tenter device 60 extends forward from the inlet 12, and the rear portion of the tenter device 60 extends rearward from the outlet 13. The web W is conveyed along a conveyance path by the tenter device 60 and passes through the interior of the heat treatment chamber 11 to be heated.

[0038] (2) Structure of pipes and nozzles in the heat treatment chamber

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, inside the heat treatment chamber 11 , an upper duct 20 extending in the front-rear direction is provided above the conveying path of the web W.

[0040] like Figures 6 to 9 As shown, partition walls 28 are provided at the left and right locations within the upper duct 20. Furthermore, three duct flow paths 25a, 25b, and 25c are provided within the upper duct 20 as part of the hot air flow path, located in the center, right, and left directions, respectively. Each duct flow path 25a, 25b, and 25c extends from the front to the rear of the upper duct 20 in the front-to-back direction.

[0041] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, hot air inlets 26a are provided at the center of the left and right sides of the upper duct 20 in the front-back direction. Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, inside the upper duct 20, as a part of the hot air flow path, an introduction path 27 is provided which extends from the blowing inlets 26a on the left and right sides to the duct flow path 25a in the center in the left and right directions. Figure 8 As shown, on both sides of the interior of the upper duct 20, left and right duct flow paths 25b and 25c pass below the introduction path 27. The introduction path 27 and the left and right duct flow paths 25b and 25c are separated by a wall 29.

[0042] from Figure 8 and Figure 9 Comparison reveals that the left and right duct internal flow paths 25b and 25c narrow vertically below the introduction path 27. This narrowed portion is referred to as the narrowed portion. The portions of the left and right duct internal flow paths 25b and 25c located forward of the introduction path 27 and the portions located further back are connected at this narrowed portion. When viewed from above, the left and right duct internal flow paths 25b and 25c intersect the introduction path 27.

[0043] In addition, if Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown, hot air inlets 26b and 26c are also provided on both sides of the left and right sides of the upper duct 20 in the front-to-back direction. The right inlet 26b is connected to the right duct internal flow path 25b, and the left inlet 26c is connected to the left duct internal flow path 25c.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of nozzles 21 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction on the lower surface (the surface on the conveying path side) of the upper duct 20. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, each nozzle 21 extends in the horizontal direction. The interior of each nozzle 21 is divided into three nozzle internal flow paths 23a, 23b, and 23c in the center, right, and left directions by two partition walls 22. Each of the three nozzle internal flow paths 23a, 23b, and 23c is a portion of the hot air flow path.

[0045] At the lower end of each nozzle internal flow path 23a, 23b, 23c, there is opened an outlet 24a, 24b, 24c for blowing hot air into the heat treatment chamber 11. Each outlet 24a, 24b, 24c is in the shape of a slit that is long in the left-right direction.

[0046] The left-right length of each nozzle 21 is approximately 2500 mm. The left-right length of the nozzle internal flow path 23a and the blowout port 24a in the center of the nozzle 21 is, for example, 50 to 70% of the left-right length of the entire nozzle 21. Furthermore, the left-right length of the nozzle internal flow path 23b and the blowout port 24b on the right side is equal to the left-right length of the nozzle internal flow path 23c and the blowout port 24c on the left side.

[0047] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the duct flow path 25a in the left-right center of the upper duct 20 communicates with the nozzle flow path 23a in the left-right center of each nozzle 21, the duct flow path 25b on the right side of the upper duct 20 communicates with the nozzle flow path 23b on the right side of each nozzle 21, and the duct flow path 25c on the left side of the upper duct 20 communicates with the nozzle flow path 23c on the left side of each nozzle 21. Furthermore, a narrowed portion is formed below the introduction path 27 as part of the duct flow paths 25b and 25c. Therefore, even below the introduction path 27, hot air can flow into the nozzle flow paths 23b and 23c through the narrowed portions of the left and right duct flow paths 25b and 25c.

[0048] In addition, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a lower duct 30 is provided inside the heat treatment chamber 11 below the conveying path of the web W. The lower duct 30 is shorter than the upper duct 20 in the front-to-back direction. The front end of the lower duct 30 is located behind the front end of the upper duct 20.

[0049] like Figures 11 to 14 As shown, partition walls 38 are provided at the left and right locations within the lower duct 30. Furthermore, three duct flow paths 35a, 35b, and 35c are provided within the lower duct 30 as part of the hot air flow path, located in the center, right, and left directions, respectively. Each duct flow path 35a, 35b, and 35c extends from the front to the rear of the lower duct 30 in the front-to-back direction.

[0050] like Figure 10 and Figure 12 As shown, hot air inlets 36a are provided at the front of the left and right sides of the lower duct 30. Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, inside the lower duct 30, as a part of the hot air flow path, an introduction path 37 is provided which extends from the blowing inlets 36a on the left and right sides to the duct flow path 35a in the center in the left and right directions. Figure 13 As shown, on both sides of the interior of the lower duct 30, left and right duct flow paths 35b and 35c pass above the introduction path 37. The introduction path 37 and the left and right duct flow paths 35b and 35c are separated by a wall 39.

[0051] from Figure 13 and Figure 14 As can be seen from a comparison, the left and right duct internal flow paths 35b and 35c narrow in the vertical direction above the introduction path 37. This narrowed portion is referred to as the narrowed portion. The portions of the left and right duct internal flow paths 35b and 35c that are further forward than the introduction path 37 and the portions that are further rearward are connected at this narrowed portion. When viewed from above, the left and right duct internal flow paths 35b and 35c intersect the introduction path 37.

[0052] In addition, if Figure 10 、 Figure 12 and Figure 14 As shown, hot air inlets 36b and 36c are respectively provided at the rear portions of the left and right sides of the lower duct 30. The right inlet 36b is connected to the right duct inner flow path 35b, and the left inlet 36c is connected to the left duct inner flow path 35c.

[0053] like Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of nozzles 31 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction on the upper surface (the surface on the conveying path side) of the lower duct 30. Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, each nozzle 31 extends in the horizontal direction. The interior of each nozzle 31 is divided into three nozzle internal flow paths 33a, 33b, and 33c in the center, right, and left directions by two partition walls 32. Each of the three nozzle internal flow paths 33a, 33b, and 33c is a portion of the hot air flow path.

[0054] At the upper end of each nozzle internal flow path 33a, 33b, 33c, a blow-out port 34a, 34b, 34c for blowing hot air into the heat treatment chamber 11 is formed. Each blow-out port 34a, 34b, 34c is in the shape of a slit that is long in the left-right direction.

[0055] The left-right length of each nozzle 31 is approximately 2500 mm. The left-right length of the nozzle internal flow path 33a and the blowout port 34a in the center of the nozzle 31 is, for example, 50 to 70% of the left-right length of the entire nozzle 31. Furthermore, the left-right length of the nozzle internal flow path 33b and the blowout port 34b on the right side is equal to the left-right length of the nozzle internal flow path 33c and the blowout port 34c on the left side.

[0056] The duct flow path 35a in the left-right center of the lower duct 30 communicates with the nozzle flow path 33a in the left-right center of each nozzle 31. The duct flow path 35b on the right side of the lower duct 30 communicates with the nozzle flow path 33b on the right side of each nozzle 31. The duct flow path 35c on the left side of the lower duct 30 communicates with the nozzle flow path 33c on the left side of each nozzle 31. Furthermore, a narrowed portion is formed above the introduction path 37 as part of the duct flow paths 35b and 35c. Therefore, even above the introduction path 37, hot air can flow into the nozzle flow paths 33b and 33c through the narrowed portions of the left and right duct flow paths 35b and 35c.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, each nozzle 31 of the lower pipe 30 is located directly below each nozzle 21 of the upper pipe 20 .

[0058] (3) Structures related to the generation of hot air

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, four hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, and 50c are installed at a location away from the heat treatment device 10. Although not shown in the figure, each of the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, and 50c includes an air intake, an electric heater for heating the intake air, an air outlet, and a fan for taking air from the intake and sending the heated air out of the outlet.

[0060] The so-called four hot air generating devices refer to the CR hot air generating device 50a, the CL hot air generating device 50a', the R hot air generating device 50b and the L hot air generating device 50c. The CR hot air generating device 50a generates hot air that is transported to the inner flow paths 25a and 35a of the duct in the center in the left and right directions through the right inlet paths 27 and 37 in the upper and lower ducts 20 and 30. The CL hot air generating device 50a' generates hot air that is transported to the inner flow paths 25a and 35a of the duct in the center in the left and right directions through the left inlet paths 27 and 37 in the upper and lower ducts 20 and 30. The R hot air generating device 50b generates hot air that is transported to the inner flow paths 25b and 35b on the right side of the ducts 20 and 30. The L hot air generating device 50c generates hot air that is transported to the inner flow paths 25c and 35c on the left side of the ducts 20 and 30.

[0061] (4) Structure related to the hot air intake duct

[0062] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , box-shaped storage chambers 40 are provided on the left and right sides above the heat treatment chamber 11. Figure 1As shown, the interior of each storage chamber 40 is partitioned into three spaces, namely, a front chamber 42a, a central chamber 42b, and a rear chamber 42c, by two front and rear partition walls 41.

[0063] Take the storage room 40 on the right side as an example. Figure 1 As shown, air inlets 44a, 44b, 44c for taking air into the room and dampers 43a, 43b, 43c for adjusting the amount of hot air taken in from the air inlets 44a, 44b, 44c are provided at the upper parts of the front chamber 42a, the central chamber 42b, and the rear chamber 42c.

[0064] Furthermore, HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters) 46a, 46b, and 46c are installed within each of the front chamber 42a, central chamber 42b, and rear chamber 42c to remove dust and other particles from the air. Furthermore, temperature sensors 47a, 47b, and 47c are installed to measure the temperatures within each of the front chamber 42a, central chamber 42b, and rear chamber 42c.

[0065] Below each HEPA filter 46a, 46b, 46c, there are openings 48a, 48b, 48c opened at the lower ends of the front chamber 42a, the central chamber 42b and the rear chamber 42c, respectively, so as to form a structure that allows the hot air passing through the HEPA filters 46a, 46b, 46c to escape from the openings 48a, 48b, 48c.

[0066] The left storage room 40 also has the same structure as the right storage room 40. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in the left and right storage rooms 40.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, an R hot air generating device 50b is connected to the air intakes 44a and 44c of the front chamber 42a and rear chamber 42c in the right storage chamber 40, and an L hot air generating device 50c is connected to the air intakes 44a and 44c of the front chamber 42a and rear chamber 42c in the left storage chamber 40. Furthermore, a CR hot air generating device 50a is connected to the air intake 44b of the central chamber 42b in the right storage chamber 40, and a CL hot air generating device 50a' is connected to the air intake 44b of the central chamber 42b in the left storage chamber 40.

[0068] In addition, on both sides of the heat treatment device 10, the opening 48a at the lower end of the front chamber 42a and the blowing ports 26b and 26c in front of the upper duct 20 are connected by a connecting duct 49a (see Figure 1 ) link, such as Figure 2As shown, the opening 48b at the lower end of the central chamber 42b is connected to the blowing port 26a in the front-back direction center of the upper duct 20 through a connecting duct 49b. Figure 3 As shown, the opening 48c at the lower end of the rear chamber 42c and the blow-in ports 26b, 26c at the rear of the upper duct 20 are connected via a connecting duct 49c.

[0069] In addition, on the left and right sides of the heat treatment device 10, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the opening 48b at the lower end of the central chamber 42b is connected to the blowing port 36a at the front of the lower duct 30 through a connecting duct 49d, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the opening 48c at the lower end of the rear chamber 42c and the blow-in ports 36b, 36c at the rear of the lower duct 30 are connected via a connecting duct 49e.

[0070] These connecting ducts 49a, 49b, 49c, 49d, and 49e also constitute a part of the flow path of the hot air.

[0071] (5) About the flow of hot air

[0072] The hot air generated by the CR hot air generating device 50a (the flow of the hot air is indicated by arrows in the figure) is drawn into the right central chamber 42b, while the hot air generated by the CL hot air generating device 50a' is drawn into the left central chamber 42b. On the left and right sides, a portion of the hot air drawn into the central chamber 42b passes through the connecting duct 49b and the inlet path 27 of the upper duct 20 to the duct flow path 25a in the center of the upper duct 20 in the horizontal direction, while the remaining portion passes through the connecting duct 49d and the inlet path 37 of the lower duct 30 to the duct flow path 35a in the center of the lower duct 30 in the horizontal direction. The hot air that reaches the duct flow path 25a in the center of the upper duct 20 in the horizontal direction passes through the nozzle flow path 23a in the center of the upper nozzle 21 in the horizontal direction and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as the central hot air. The hot air reaching the central duct flow path 35a in the lower duct 30 passes through the central nozzle flow path 33a in the lower nozzle 31 and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as central hot air.

[0073] In addition, the hot air generated by the R hot air generating device 50b is taken into the right front chamber 42a and the right rear chamber 42c.

[0074] The hot air taken into the right front chamber 42a passes through the connecting duct 49a, the right duct flow path 25b in the upper duct 20, and the right nozzle flow path 23b, and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as right hot air.

[0075] Furthermore, a portion of the hot air drawn into the right rear chamber 42c passes through the connecting duct 49c, the right duct flow path 25b in the upper duct 20, and the right nozzle flow path 23b, and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as right-side hot air. Here, at the intersection of the right duct flow path 25b and the inlet path 27, a narrow section of the duct flow path 25b is formed below the inlet path 27, and the hot air flows into this narrow section. The flow of the hot air is degraded at this narrow section, but because the hot air flows into and collides with the narrow section from both the front and rear portions of the duct flow path 25b, the hot air blown out of the nozzle 21 below the narrow section does not differ in volume or velocity from the hot air blown out from the nozzle 21 in other sections. Furthermore, the remaining portion of the hot air drawn into the right rear chamber 42c passes through the connecting duct 49e, the right duct flow path 35b in the lower duct 30, and the right nozzle flow path 33b, and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as right-side hot air. Furthermore, on the lower side, there is no difference in air volume and air speed between the hot air blown out from the nozzles 31 above the narrow portion of the right intra-duct flow path 35b and the hot air blown out from the nozzles 31 at other locations.

[0076] Moreover, the hot air generated by the L hot air generating device 50c is taken into the left front chamber 42a and the left rear chamber 42c.

[0077] The hot air taken into the left front chamber 42a passes through the connecting duct 49a, the left duct flow path 25c in the upper duct 20, and the left nozzle flow path 23c, and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as left hot air.

[0078] Furthermore, a portion of the hot air drawn into the left rear chamber 42c passes through the connecting duct 49c, the left duct flow path 25c in the upper duct 20, and the left nozzle flow path 23c, and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as left-side hot air. Here, at the intersection of the left duct flow path 25c and the inlet path 27, a narrow section of the duct flow path 25c is formed below the inlet path 27, and the hot air flows into this narrow section. The flow of the hot air is impaired at this narrow section, but because the hot air flows into and collides with the narrow section from both the front and rear portions of the duct flow path 25c, the hot air blown out of the nozzle 21 below the narrow section does not differ in volume or velocity from the hot air blown out from the nozzle 21 in other sections. Furthermore, the remaining portion of the hot air drawn into the left rear chamber 42c passes through the connecting duct 49e, the left duct flow path 35c in the lower duct 30, and the left nozzle flow path 33c, and is blown into the heat treatment chamber 11 as left-side hot air. On the lower side, there is no difference in air volume and air speed between the hot air blown out from the nozzles 31 above the narrow portion of the left duct flow path 35c and the hot air blown out from the nozzles 31 in other portions.

[0079] Furthermore, by rotating the fans of the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, 50c, air flows are generated from the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, 50c to the blowout ports 24a, 24b, 24c, 34a, 34b, 34c of the nozzles 21 and 31.

[0080] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, exhaust air intake ports 14 for sucking air from the heat treatment chamber 11 are provided on both sides of the heat treatment chamber 11. The air sucked in from the exhaust air intake ports 14 passes through an exhaust flow path 15 extending in the vertical direction and is exhausted to the outside from an exhaust port 16 provided at the upper portion of the exhaust flow path 15.

[0081] (6) Structure of the tentering device

[0082] like Figure 4 As shown, tenter device 60 includes a pair of left and right tenter chains 61 and 62. Left tenter chain 61 is an endless chain wound around left driven sprocket 63 and left drive sprocket 64, while right tenter chain 62 is an endless chain wound between right driven sprocket 65 and right drive sprocket 66. Left driven sprocket 63 and right driven sprocket 65 are located on the loading side of web W, while left drive sprocket 64 and right drive sprocket 66 are located on the unloading side of web W.

[0083] Tenter device 60 is a clip tenter device. A plurality of clips 67 serving as holding members for web W are attached at predetermined intervals to a pair of left and right tenter chains 61 and 62. Each clip 67 is configured to grip the left and right ears of web W.

[0084] The driving sprockets 64 and 66 rotate, and the left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 are wound around, thereby also winding the clips 67. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , the rotation directions of sprockets 63 , 64 , 65 , and 66 and the looping directions of tenter chains 61 and 62 are indicated by arrows.

[0085] Two tenter rails 68a and 68b are provided in parallel between left driven sprocket 63 and left drive sprocket 64. Tenter rail 68a, located on the inner side in the width direction (left-right direction) of tenter apparatus 60, is a guide rail for left tenter chain 61 to travel rearward. Tenter rail 68b, located on the outer side in the width direction (left-right direction) of tenter apparatus 60, is a guide rail for left tenter chain 61 to travel forward.

[0086] Furthermore, two tenter rails 69a and 69b are also provided in parallel between right driven sprocket 65 and right drive sprocket 66. Tenter rail 69a, located on the inner side in the width direction (left-right direction) of tenter apparatus 60, is a guide rail for right tenter chain 62 to be positioned when it travels rearward. Tenter rail 69b, located on the outer side in the width direction (left-right direction) of tenter apparatus 60, is a guide rail for right tenter chain 62 to be positioned when it travels forward.

[0087] Tenter rails 68a, 68b, 69a, and 69b extend in the front-to-back direction within heat treatment chamber 11. Although not shown in the figure, tenter rails 68a, 68b, 69a, and 69b extend from the interior of heat treatment chamber 11 to the exterior through inlet 12 at the front end and outlet 13 at the rear end of heat treatment chamber 11, respectively. Drive sprockets 64 and 66 and driven sprockets 63 and 65 are located outside heat treatment chamber 11.

[0088] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, covers 58 , 59 are provided on both left and right sides of heat treatment chamber 11 to cover at least tenter chains 61 , 62 from above.

[0089] When left and right drive sprockets 64 and 66 rotate at a constant speed, left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 rotate at a constant speed. Web W, gripped between left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 by clamps 67, is then conveyed rearward at a constant speed, carried into heat treatment chamber 11 for heat treatment, and then removed from heat treatment chamber 11. Thus, the space between left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 forms a conveyance path for web W.

[0090] A gripping device (not shown) for gripping the ears of the web W with the clamps 67 is provided near the left and right driven sprockets 63 and 65, respectively, at a position further forward than the loading port 12 of the heat treatment chamber 11. Furthermore, a gripping release device (not shown) for detaching the ears of the web W from the clamps 67 is provided near the left and right drive sprockets 64 and 66, respectively, at a position further rearward than the loading port 13 of the heat treatment chamber 11.

[0091] The distance between the right end of the right blowout port 24b, 34b of each of the upper and lower nozzles 21, 31 and the left end of the left blowout port 24c, 34c (this distance is referred to as the nozzle width) is greater than the width of the web W held by the left and right clamps 67. Preferably, the nozzle width is at least 100 mm wider than the width of the web W, and the left and right ends of the nozzles 21, 31 are at least 50 mm outward of the left and right ends of the web W. Thus, the hot air blown from the nozzles 21, 31 is blown over the area from the right to the left of the web W.

[0092] like Figure 1As shown, a rail spacing changing device 70 for changing the spacing between the left tenter rails 68a, 68b and the right tenter rails 69a, 69b is disposed in the front lower portion of the heat treatment chamber 11. Lower duct 30 is disposed rearward of rail spacing changing device 70, and therefore is shorter than upper duct 20 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0093] (7) Electrical structure and control of heat treatment equipment

[0094] The heat treatment apparatus 10 is provided with a control device (not shown) composed of a computer. Connected to the control device are a motor that rotates the drive sprockets 64 and 66, a motor that rotates the fans of the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, and 50c, heaters of the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, and 50c, temperature sensors 47a, 47b, and 47c, dampers 43a, 43b, and 43c, and the like. The control device controls these connected devices.

[0095] The control device controls the heaters of the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, and 50c based on the temperatures measured by the temperature sensors 47a, 47b, and 47c, thereby adjusting the temperature of the hot air blown out of the respective outlets 24a, 24b, 24c, 34a, 34b, and 34c of the upper and lower nozzles 21 and 31. In this embodiment, the upper and lower nozzles 21 and 31 are controlled so that the temperature of the hot air blown out of the left and right outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, and 34c is higher than the temperature of the hot air blown out of the central outlet 24a, 34a. To this end, the control device controls the heaters of the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, and 50c so that the temperatures of the temperature sensors 47a and 47c in the front and rear chambers 42a and 42c are higher than the temperature of the temperature sensor 47b in the central chamber 42b.

[0096] The temperature of the hot air blown out from the left and right air outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, 34c of the nozzles 21, 31 is substantially the same as the temperature of the temperature sensors 47a, 47c in the front chamber 42a and the rear chamber 42c, and is controlled to be, for example, 150 to 200°C. Furthermore, the temperature difference between the hot air blown out from the left and right air outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, 34c of the nozzles 21, 31 and the hot air blown out from the air outlet 24a, 34a in the left-right center of the nozzles 21, 31 is controlled to be within 30°C, for example.

[0097] Furthermore, the volume of hot air blown out of each of the outlets 24a, 24b, 24c, 34a, 34b, and 34c is adjusted by adjusting the volume of hot air blown out of each of the hot air generating devices 50a, 50a', 50b, and 50c and controlling the dampers 43a, 43b, and 43c. Of the upper and lower nozzles 21 and 31, the volume of hot air blown out of the left and right outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, and 34c can be the same as or slightly greater than the volume of hot air blown out of the center outlets 24a and 34a.

[0098] When a difference is set between the volume of hot air blown out from the left and right blow-out ports 24b, 24c, 34b, 34c and the volume of hot air blown out from the left and right center blow-out ports 24a, 34a, the difference is controlled to convert the wind speed at the blow-out port into within 5 m / s, for example.

[0099] (8) Operation of heat treatment equipment

[0100] During the heat treatment of web W, left and right drive sprockets 64 and 66 rotate at a constant speed, and left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 are wound at a constant speed. As a result, web W, gripped and unfolded between left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 by clamps 67, is conveyed rearward at a constant speed and passed through heat treatment chamber 11.

[0101] In the heat treatment chamber 11 , hot air blown from the upper and lower nozzles 21 and 31 is blown onto the web W being conveyed by the tenter device 60 , so that the web W is heated.

[0102] In this embodiment, left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 extend forward and rearward outside heat treatment chamber 11, coming into contact with ambient air, thus reducing their temperature. Furthermore, because covers 58 and 59 are provided to cover tenter chains 61 and 62, the hot air blown from nozzles 21 and 31 does not directly strike tenter chains 61 and 62, making it difficult for the temperature of tenter chains 61 and 62 to rise. In this case, the left and right portions of web W, including the left and right ears, held by clamps 67, are less likely to be heated than the center portion, resulting in a lower temperature. However, as described above, the hot air blown from left and right outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, and 34c of upper and lower nozzles 21 and 31 is higher in temperature than the hot air blown from outlets 24a and 34a in the center. Therefore, in the heat treatment chamber 11, the left and right covers 58, 59 and the left and right side parts (ears) of the sheet W where the high-temperature hot air blows are heated more significantly than the central part, and the entire width direction of the sheet W is heated uniformly.

[0103] (9) Effects of Implementation

[0104] In this embodiment, the interior of the nozzles 21 and 31 is divided into a nozzle inner flow path 23c on the left, a nozzle inner flow path 23a in the center, and a nozzle inner flow path 23b on the right. In addition, a blow-out port 24c on the left side is provided in the nozzle inner flow path 23c on the left side for blowing out the hot air on the left side toward the sheet W, a blow-out port 24a in the center is provided in the nozzle inner flow path 23a in the center for blowing out the hot air in the center toward the sheet W, and a blow-out port 24b on the right side is provided in the nozzle inner flow path 23b on the right side for blowing out the hot air on the right side toward the sheet W. Thus, at least the temperature of the hot air in the center of the left and right directions can be made different from the temperature of the hot air on the left and right sides. Therefore, hot air of appropriate temperature can be blown out toward the center of the left and right directions and toward the left and right sides, respectively, making it easy to uniformly heat the entire sheet W from one side to the other in the left and right directions (width direction).

[0105] Furthermore, generally speaking, the temperature inside heat treatment chamber 11 tends to be lower on the left and right sides than in the center, so the left and right sides of web W tend to be lower. In particular, in this embodiment, the left and right tenter chains 61 and 62 extend outside heat treatment chamber 11 during their circulation and are cooled, and because covers 58 and 59 are provided to cover tenter chains 61 and 62, the left and right sides of web W tend to be lower. However, in this embodiment, the temperature of the hot air flowing out of air outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, and 34c on the right and left sides is higher than the temperature of the hot air flowing out of air outlets 24a and 34a in the center. Consequently, higher-temperature hot air is blown toward covers 58 and 59 on the left and right sides, tenter chains 61 and 62, clips 67, and the ears of web W, allowing the left and right sides of web W to be heated as fully as the center. Therefore, even if the temperature in the heat treatment chamber 11 is lowered more easily on the left and right sides than in the left-right center, the web W can be easily heated uniformly from one end to the other in the left-right direction (width direction).

[0106] Here, the heating location (CR hot air generating device 50a, CL hot air generating device 50a') and flow path of the hot air delivered to the central outlets 24a, 34a in the horizontal direction are different from the heating location (R hot air generating device 50b, L hot air generating device 50c) and flow path of the hot air delivered to the right and left outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, 34c in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the temperature of the hot air flowing out of the right and left outlets 24b, 24c, 34b, 34c in the horizontal direction is easily increased compared to the temperature of the hot air flowing out of the central outlets 24a, 34a in the horizontal direction.

[0107] In addition, hot air inlet paths 27 and 37 are provided, extending from the air inlets 26a and 36a on the left and right sides of the ducts 20 and 30 to the duct flow paths 25a and 35a in the left-right center of the ducts 20 and 30. The inlet paths 27 and 37 are separated from the duct flow paths 25b, 25c, 35b and 35c on the right and left sides of the ducts 20 and 30. Therefore, hot air can be delivered to the duct flow paths 25a and 35a in the left-right center.

[0108] (10) Change examples

[0109] Various changes can be made to the above-described embodiment.

[0110] For example, a pin tenter device can be used as a tenter device. Like the clip tenter device, the pin tenter device includes drive sprockets 64, 66, driven sprockets 63, 65, tenter rails 68a, 68b, 69a, 69b, and tenter chains 61, 62. However, instead of the clips 67 of the clip tenter device, upward-pointing pins are provided at equal intervals as retaining members for the web W. The web W is conveyed within the heat treatment chamber 11 while being pierced by the pins from above.

[0111] Alternatively, instead of the tenter device, a plurality of rollers may be arranged in the front-rear direction in the transport path from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 of the heat treatment chamber 11 , and the web W may be placed on these rollers for transport.

[0112] Alternatively, the web W may be conveyed in a floating state in the conveyance path from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 of the heat treatment chamber 11 without the tenter device or the rollers in the conveyance path.

[0113] In addition, in a clip tenter device, a pin tenter device, or a heat treatment device using a conveying method using rollers, the nozzles and the ducts may be provided only above the conveying path of the web W.

[0114] Furthermore, the upper and / or lower ducts may not have portions corresponding to the left and right inlet paths 27 and 37 in the above-described embodiment, and hot air may be introduced directly from outside the ducts into the central duct flow paths 25a and 35a. For example, in the upper duct 20, an opening may be provided on the upper surface of the central duct flow path 25a, and a connecting duct may be connected to this opening to allow hot air to flow in. Furthermore, in the lower duct 30, an opening may be provided on the lower surface of the central duct flow path 35a, and a connecting duct may be connected to this opening to allow hot air to flow in.

[0115] In addition, as a device for heating the air, any of a steam heater, a gas burner, etc. may be used instead of the electric heater.

[0116] Furthermore, the number of hot air generating devices is not limited to the four described above. For example, the number of hot air generating devices may be further increased, with different hot air generating devices generating the hot air delivered to the upper duct 20 and the hot air delivered to the lower duct 30. This allows for temperature differences between the hot air in the center, right, and left directions, as well as between the upper nozzle 21 and the lower nozzle 31.

[0117] In the above description, it is explained that under the characteristic that the left and right sides of the heat treatment chamber are more likely to become low temperature than the center in the left and right directions, the temperature of the hot air on the left and right sides is made higher than the temperature of the hot air in the center in the left and right directions, and the situation in which the entire sheet is heated uniformly from one side to the other in the left and right directions is explained. However, the characteristics of the heat treatment chamber, the temperature relationship between the hot air in the center and the two sides in the left and right directions, and the target heating state of the sheet are not limited to this. For example, the temperature of the hot air in the center in the left and right directions can be made higher than the temperature of the hot air on the left and right sides in order to make the center of the sheet higher in temperature than the left and right sides. In addition, the temperature of the hot air on the left and right sides can be made higher than the temperature of the hot air in the center in the left and right directions in order to make the left and right sides higher in temperature than the center in the left and right directions.

[0118] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is provided as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways and can be omitted, replaced, or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention and are within the scope of the invention set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A heat treatment device, which is a heat treatment device for a web, comprising: heat treatment chamber; a transport path along which the web is transported in a front-to-rear direction within the heat treatment chamber; a duct provided along the transport path in the heat treatment chamber, wherein hot air flows inside the duct; and a nozzle, the nozzle being arranged in a left-right direction along the surface of the duct on the conveying path side, and a plurality of the nozzles being arranged at intervals in a front-to-back direction; The heat treatment device is characterized in that The interior of each nozzle is divided into a left nozzle inner flow path, a center nozzle inner flow path, and a right nozzle inner flow path in order to allow the hot air from the duct to flow separately to the left part, the center part, and the right part along the left and right directions. The left nozzle inner flow path is provided with a left blow-out port for blowing the left hot air toward the sheet. A central blowing outlet is provided in the flow path of the central nozzle to blow the central hot air toward the sheet. The right nozzle inner flow path is provided with a right blow-out port for blowing the right hot air toward the sheet. At least the temperature of the central hot air is different from the temperature of the left hot air and the temperature of the right hot air.

2. The heat treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature of the hot air in the center is higher than the temperature of the hot air on the left and the hot air on the right.

3. The heat treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that The interior of the duct is divided into a left duct flow path, a central duct flow path, and a right duct flow path in order to allow the hot air to flow separately to the left, center, and right parts along the left and right directions. The flow path in the nozzle on the left is connected to the flow path in the pipe on the left. The flow path in the central nozzle is connected to the flow path in the central pipe. The flow path in the nozzle on the right side is communicated with the flow path in the pipeline on the right side.

4. The heat treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that The left side of the duct is connected to a left connecting duct for conveying left hot air to the left duct flow path. A left-side introduction path is connected to the left-side duct flow path penetrating the duct and conveying the central hot air to the central duct flow path. The right side introduction path is connected to the right side duct flow path penetrating the duct and conveying the central hot air to the central duct flow path. A right connecting duct for conveying right-side hot air to the right-side duct internal flow path is connected to the right side surface of the duct.

5. The heat treatment device according to claim 4, characterized in that A narrow portion is formed at a position overlapping with the left inlet path in the vertical direction, where the flow path in the left duct narrows in the vertical direction. The hot air on the left is transported to the flow path in the nozzle on the left through the narrow portion on the left. A narrow portion is formed at a position vertically overlapping with the right inlet path, where the right duct flow path narrows in the vertical direction. The right hot air is transported to the right nozzle flow path through the narrow portion.

6. The heat treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that The duct includes an upper duct arranged above the conveying path. The nozzle is an upper nozzle arranged on the lower surface of the upper pipe.

7. The heat treatment device according to claim 6, characterized in that As the duct, there is also a lower duct arranged below the conveying path. The nozzle is a lower nozzle arranged on the upper surface of the lower pipe.

8. The heat treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that A tentering device is arranged in the heat treatment chamber. The tenter device holds the left and right ears of the web using its left and right holding members, and causes the web to move in the front-rear direction in the conveying path. The hot air on the left side is blown out from the left side air outlet toward the position of the left holding member. The hot air on the right side is blown out from the right air outlet toward the position of the holding member on the right side.

Images