Separation device, sheet production device, and method for producing filter

Abstract

The invention provides a separation device, a sheet production device, and a method for producing a filtered material, which can properly humidify the filtered material. A separation device is provided with: a screen provided with a mesh; a cover member that forms a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber on the surface side of the screen; a motor that sequentially surrounds the first to fourth chambers on the surface side of the screen by rotating the screen; a first pipe that blows air mixed with filtered matter and foreign matter toward the surface of the screen in the first chamber; a second pipe which sucks out the air mixed with foreign matters and passing through the mesh from the back side of the screen at a position facing the first chamber; a third pipe that sucks out air mixed with the filtered material from the surface of the screen in the third chamber; a fourth pipe that blows air toward the back surface of the screen at a position facing the third chamber; and a humidification pipe that blows humidified air from the surface side toward the sieve in the second chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation device, a sheet production apparatus having the separation device, and a method for producing a filter. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a separation device that blows fibrous material containing fibers onto a disc-shaped sieve, which is a mesh, and then suctions the filter material that remains after passing through the mesh. This separation device includes: a mesh disc; a fibrous material blowing pipe disposed on the surface side of the mesh disc to blow fibrous material containing fibers; a suction pipe disposed on the back side of the mesh disc to suction waste powder that has passed through the opening; and a recovery pipe disposed on the surface side of the mesh disc to suction the filter material that remains after passing through the opening of the mesh disc as processing material. Furthermore, the filter material is a cotton-like substance formed by the accumulation of fibrous material, which becomes charged when dry and adheres to pipes, etc., therefore requiring humidification.

[0003] According to the document, the separation device is configured such that a humidifying air supply pipe is provided on the back side of the mesh disk, and humidified air is blown out from the back side of the mesh disk through the humidifying air supply pipe.

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the separation device of Patent Document 1. Specifically, in the structure that supplies humidifying air from the back side of the mesh disk, there is the problem that it is difficult to properly humidify the surface side.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-84504 Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of this application relates to a separation device comprising: a sieve having a mesh; a cover member having a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber formed on the surface side of the sieve; a motor that rotates the sieve such that the first to fourth chambers sequentially surround the surface side of the sieve; a first pipe that blows air mixed with filter material and foreign matter toward the surface of the sieve in the first chamber; a second pipe that draws out air mixed with foreign matter that has passed through the mesh from the back side of the sieve at a position opposite to the first chamber; a third pipe that draws out air mixed with filter material from the surface of the sieve in the third chamber; a fourth pipe that blows air toward the back side of the sieve at a position opposite to the third chamber; and a humidifying pipe that blows humidified air toward the sieve from the surface side in the second chamber.

[0007] One aspect of this application relates to a sheet production apparatus comprising: the aforementioned separation device; a defiberizing section for defiberizing raw materials; a stacking section for stacking materials to form sheets; and a forming section for compressing the sheets to form sheets. The separation device screens the filter material from air containing the filter material defiberized by the defiberizing section and foreign matter, and supplies the screened filter material as the material to the stacking section.

[0008] One aspect of this application relates to a method for producing filter material using a separation device comprising: a sieve having a mesh; a cover member forming a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber on the surface side of the sieve; a motor that rotates the sieve, thereby causing the first to fourth chambers to surround the surface side of the sieve; a first pipe that blows air mixed with filter material and foreign matter toward the surface of the sieve in the first chamber; a second pipe that draws air out from the back side of the sieve at a position opposite to the first chamber; a third pipe that draws air out from the surface of the sieve in the third chamber; and a fourth pipe that, at a position opposite to the third chamber, extends toward the sieve. The back side blows out air; a humidifying pipe blows humidifying air from the surface side of the sieve in the second chamber. In the method of producing the filter material, while air mixed with the filter material and the foreign matter flows into the surface of the sieve from the first pipe, air mixed with one of the filter material and the foreign matter that has passed through the mesh is drawn out from the second pipe. When the sieve rotates and the filter material moves into the second chamber, the humidifying air is blown out from the humidifying pipe toward the surface side of the sieve. And, while the sieve rotates, while air is blown out from the fourth pipe, air mixed with the other of the filter material and the foreign matter is drawn out from the third pipe. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the separation device according to Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the main parts of the separation device.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a functional diagram illustrating the separation device.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the cover component viewed from below.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the back of the cover component.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a plan view of the surface of the cover component in its assembled state.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a 3D diagram of the humidification piping.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a plan view of the supporting components.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional view of the supporting component.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of producing filtered material using a separation device.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the sheet production apparatus according to Embodiment 2. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Implementation Method 1

[0021] Overview of the separation device

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the separation device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the main parts of the separation device. Figure 3 This is a functional diagram illustrating the separation device. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 The separation device 100 shown in this embodiment is a dry separation device that filters materials and foreign matter usable in the downstream process from the defiberized material supplied by the upstream process according to their size. In the accompanying drawings, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown as three mutually orthogonal axes. In this embodiment, the extending direction of one side of the rectangular separation device 100 when viewed in plan view is designated as the positive X-direction, the extending direction of the side intersecting that side is designated as the positive Y-direction, and the thickness direction of the separation device 100 is designated as the positive Z-direction. In a preferred embodiment, the positive Z-direction is vertically upward, also referred to as upward, and the negative Z-direction as downward. However, the positive Z-direction is not limited to vertically upward; the arrangement of the separation device 100 can be appropriately set.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the separation device 100 is configured such that the sieve 20 and the cover component 30 are overlapped together on the support frame 40.

[0025] The sieve 20 is a circular plate-shaped sieve with a mesh 4, and is configured to rotate around a rotation axis 2. The sieve 20 has the mesh 4 stretched across the entire surface of a circular plate frame composed of an annular rim 1 and multiple spokes 3, with the spokes 3 connected to the rim 1 from the center of the rotation axis 2. The rotation axis 2 is rotatably supported by bearings 28 of the support frame 40 and bearings 29 of the cover component 30. Furthermore, a line segment passing through bearings 28 and 29 along the rotation axis 2 is designated as the centerline 60. That is, the sieve 20 rotates around the centerline 60. The Z-positive side of the sieve 20 is referred to as the surface, and the Z-negative side is referred to as the back surface.

[0026] First, use Figure 3 The function of the separation device 100 will be explained below. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the sieve 20 viewed from the Z-positive side. Furthermore, the outlines of the first chamber 21 and the third chamber 23, which are located on the Z-positive side relative to the sieve 20, are represented by dashed lines, and the outlines of the openings 43 and 41a, which are located on the Z-negative side relative to the sieve 20, are represented by double-dotted lines.

[0027] The first chamber 21 is a roughly semi-circular partition in plan view, and a first pipe 11 is connected to its upper part. Below the first pipe 11, an opening 41a is provided through a sieve 20. Figure 9 Furthermore, a second pipe 12 is connected below the opening 41a.

[0028] The third chamber 23 is a rectangular partition in plan view and is located opposite the first chamber 21 across the center line 60. A third conduit 13 is installed above the third chamber 23. Below the third conduit 13, an opening 43 of a fourth conduit 14 is provided across the sieve 20. Figure 9 ).

[0029] In addition, although Figure 3 Not illustrated, but the second chamber 22 is a fan-shaped partition centered on the center line 60 in plan view, and is located between the first chamber 21 and the third chamber 23 on the Z-side relative to the sieve 20. The fourth chamber 24 is also a fan-shaped partition centered on the center line 60 in plan view, and is located between the third chamber 23 and the first chamber 21 on the Z-side relative to the sieve 20.

[0030] The first chamber 21 to the fourth chamber 24 are arranged clockwise around the center line 60 in the order of first chamber 21, second chamber 22, third chamber 23, and fourth chamber 24. That is, the surface of the sieve 20 rotates around the first chamber 21, second chamber 22, third chamber 23, fourth chamber 24, and first chamber 21. Alternatively, the sieve 20 can rotate counterclockwise, in which case the first chamber 21 to the fourth chamber 24 are arranged counterclockwise.

[0031] In the separation device 100, air containing raw material composed of defiber is blown out from the first pipe 11 through the first chamber 21 and onto the sieve 20. At the same time, a negative pressure is applied to the first chamber 21 in parallel from the second pipe 12 through the sieve 20. Therefore, foreign matter in the raw material blown onto the mesh 4 that has passed through the mesh of the mesh 4 is drawn into the second pipe 12 through the opening 41a. The foreign matter drawn into the second pipe 12 is recovered or discarded.

[0032] The fibrous material that did not pass through the mesh of screen 4 was piled up as a cotton-like material on the surface of screen 20. As the screen 20 rotates, the material moves and accumulates in a ribbon-like manner on its surface, entering the second chamber 22 and then the third chamber 23. That is, Figure 3 Net 4a is a net with defiber deposited on its surface.

[0033] In the second chamber 22, the material is supplied via humidification piping 15 ( Figure 1 The air is humidified by the humidifying agent. Further details about humidification will be discussed later.

[0034] As the material enters the third chamber 23 through the rotation of the sieve 20, it is stripped from the mesh 4 by air blown from the fourth pipe 14 through the opening 43, and is drawn into the third pipe 13 through the third chamber 23. At this time, the air from the fourth pipe 14 is humidified air. Then, the air containing the material drawn into the third pipe 13 is sent to the downstream process.

[0035] Using this method, such as Figure 1 As shown, the separation device 100 filters the raw material 5 supplied from the upstream process through the sieve 20, and sorts the material 7 and foreign matter 6, which serve as the filter media, according to their size. The material 7 is sent to the downstream process through the third pipe 13. The foreign matter 6 is sent to the downstream process through the second pipe 12, whereby it is either recycled or discarded.

[0036] Structure of the separation device

[0037] Return to Figure 1 .

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, a motor 8, a first piping 11, a humidifying piping 15, a third piping 13, etc. are provided on the upper part of the cover component 30.

[0039] Motor 8 is the drive motor for sieve 20, which drives the rotation shaft 2 of sieve 20 via a gear train mechanism (not shown). Figure 2 The small gear 2b rotates.

[0040] The first pipe 11 is in the first chamber 21 ( Figure 3 The upper part of the cover component 30 is integrally formed with the cover component 30. Additionally, the first conduit 11 actually extends to the upstream device, but this is omitted from the illustration. Other conduits similarly extend to their respective devices, but these are also omitted from the illustration.

[0041] Humidification piping 15 is connected to a humidification device (not shown) and supplies humidified air from the humidification device into the second chamber 22. Figure 5 The humidification device may include, for example, an ultrasonic humidifier and a blower to supply humidified air with a larger water content per unit volume compared to the air from the first piping 11. Furthermore, it is not limited to ultrasonic humidifiers; heating or vaporization humidifiers may also be used. In other words, the humidified air has a larger water content per unit volume compared to the air from the first piping 11.

[0042] Humidifying piping 15 and piping cover 15b are integrated, and piping cover 15b is connected to the second chamber 22. Figure 5 The upper part of the pipe cover is used to form part of the second chamber. A pipe cover 15b is provided to connect to the fourth chamber 24. Figure 5 Extended connecting channel 15c. Details of connecting channel 15c will be described later.

[0043] The third conduit 13 is positioned opposite the first conduit 11, separated by a centerline 60. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the outlet of the third chamber 23 of the cover component 30 is rectangular in shape, but as... Figure 1 As shown, the third pipe 13 is a circular pipe with a diameter surrounding the outlet and is installed on the upper part of the cover component 30.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, a second pipe 12, a fourth pipe 14, etc. are provided below the support frame 40.

[0045] The second pipe 12 is positioned below the first pipe 11, separated by the sieve 20.

[0046] The fourth pipe 14 is positioned below the third pipe 13, passing through the sieve 20. The fourth pipe 14 is connected to a humidification device (not shown) and supplies humidified air from this device through the sieve 20 into the third chamber 23. Figure 3 In a preferred embodiment, the humidification device is the same as the humidification device connected to the humidification piping 15.

[0047] In other words, the separation device 100 includes: a sieve 20 having a mesh 4; a cover member 30 forming a first chamber 21, a second chamber 22, a third chamber 23, and a fourth chamber 24 on the surface side of the sieve 20; a motor 8 that rotates the sieve 20, causing the first chamber 21 to the fourth chamber 24 to surround the surface side of the sieve 20; and a first pipe 11 that blows air containing raw material 5 mixed with filter material and foreign matter toward the surface of the sieve 20 from the first chamber 21. The second pipe 12, located opposite the first chamber 21, draws out air mixed with foreign matter 6 that has passed through the mesh 4 from the back side of the sieve 20; the third pipe 13, located in the third chamber 23, draws out air mixed with material 7 used as a filter from the surface of the sieve 20; the fourth pipe 14, located opposite the third chamber 23, blows air toward the back of the sieve 20; and the humidifying pipe 15, located in the second chamber 22, blows humidifying air toward the sieve 20 from the surface side.

[0048] Structure of the cover component

[0049] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the cover component viewed from below. Figure 5 This is a plan view of the back side of the cover component. In the following description, the side of the cover component 30 with the sieve 20 side is referred to as the back side.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the cover component 30, in terms of its plane, is similar to the sieve 20 ( Figure 2 A circle slightly larger than the sieve 20 is provided on the back of the cover component 30. A ring-shaped protrusion 30b, slightly smaller than the sieve 20, is also provided on the back of the cover component 30. The protrusion 30b is smaller than the sieve 20. Figure 2 The outer circumference of the sieve 20 is smaller than that of the sieve 30b. During assembly, the rim 1 of the sieve 20 rotates below the protrusion 30b.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, a first chamber 21 to a fourth chamber 24 are formed on the inner circular portion of the protrusion 30b, centered on the bearing 29. The shape and arrangement of the first chamber 21 to the fourth chamber 24 are as follows: Figure 3 As explained above. The first chamber 21 to the fourth chamber 24 are divided by multiple partitions 9 extending radially from the bearing 29.

[0052] The first chamber 21 is shaped like a mortar with the first pipe 11 at its bottom.

[0053] A fan-shaped hole 22h is provided at the bottom of the second chamber 22.

[0054] A fan-shaped hole 24h is provided at the bottom of the fourth chamber 24.

[0055] Figure 6 This is a plan view of the surface of the cover component in its assembled state, and corresponds to... Figure 5 . Figure 7 This is a 3D diagram of the humidification piping.

[0056] Figure 6 The holes 22h in the upper part of the second chamber 22 and 24h in the upper part of the fourth chamber 24 in the surface of the cover component 30 shown pass through... Figure 7 The humidification piping 15 shown is covered by the piping cover 15b and the connecting channel 15c. The connecting channel 15c connects the second chamber 22 and the fourth chamber 24 at the upper part of the cover component 30.

[0057] exist Figure 6 In the diagram, a white hollow arrow is used to indicate the flow of humidified air when the humidification pipe 15 is installed at the upper part of the cover component 30. For example... Figure 6 As shown, humidified air supplied from the humidification pipe 15 is blown out along the surface of the sieve 20 of the second chamber 22 facing from the orifice 22h. Moreover, a portion of the humidified air from the humidification pipe 15 and the humidified air filling the second chamber 22 are blown out through the connecting channel 15c along the surface of the sieve 20 of the fourth chamber 24 facing from the orifice 24h.

[0058] In other words, the humidification pipe 15 also has a communication channel 15c that connects the second chamber 22 and the fourth chamber 24 at the outside of the cover member 30, and humidifying air is also blown out from the surface side of the sieve 20 in the fourth chamber 24 via the communication channel 15c. Moreover, the humidification pipe 15 blows humidifying air in a direction along the surface of the sieve 20.

[0059] As described above, by also humidifying in the fourth chamber 24, the humidity of the sieve 20 can be increased in advance. As a result, since the generation of static electricity can be suppressed even when air containing the raw material 5 is blown out when the sieve moves back to the first chamber 21, the screening efficiency of the material 7 and foreign matter 6 can be further improved.

[0060] Composition of support components

[0061] Figure 8 This is a plan view of the supporting components. Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional view of the supporting component.

[0062] like Figure 8 As shown, a circular storage section 40b is provided on the support frame 40 to store the sieve 20 with the bearing 28 as the center. Inside the storage section 40b, a circular cylindrical section 41 that is smaller than the storage section 40b is provided.

[0063] The cylindrical portion 41 and the first chamber 21 ( Figure 3 The overlapping portion forms a semi-circular opening 41a. The opening 41a is the inlet portion to the second pipe 12, and it is connected to the second pipe 12 at the bottom in a mortar-like shape from the opening 41a.

[0064] In the cylindrical portion 41 and the second chamber 22 ( Figure 5 A top plate 42 serving as an eaves is provided at the overlapping portion of the second chamber 22 and the fourth chamber 24. The top plate 42 is located directly below the sieve 20 during assembly. In other words, a top plate 42 serving as an eaves is provided along the back side of the second chamber 22 of the sieve 20.

[0065] In the cylindrical portion 41 and the third chamber 23 ( Figure 3 A linear opening 43 is provided on the overlapping top plate 42. The opening 43 is formed by connecting semi-circular holes in a straight line. A fourth pipe 14 is provided on the back side of the opening 43 in the top plate 42.

[0066] Humidified air supplied from the fourth pipe 14 is blown out as a curtain-like, stronger airflow from the opening 43 toward the back of the sieve 20. This linear airflow strips the top of the material that has accumulated in strips. The stripped material is then drawn into the third pipe 13.

[0067] Here, depending on the conditions, a portion of the airflow blown from the opening 43 to the back of the sieve 20 may sometimes become a split stream and advance towards the second chamber 22. According to the inventors' experimental results, when there is space below the second chamber 22, a portion of the split stream becomes turbulent within that space, entraining the accumulated material. The entrained and detached material moves towards the periphery of the sieve 20 due to centrifugal force, potentially clogging the gap between the outer periphery of the rim 1 and the receiving portion 40b of the support frame 40, thus creating an obstacle to the rotation of the sieve 20.

[0068] In contrast, according to this embodiment, since a top plate 42 that serves as an eave is provided below the second chamber 22, there is no air chamber for airflow, thus preventing the generation of turbulence that would cause the material to roll up.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, among the components constituting the separation device 100, the sieve 20 is made of metal, while the others are made of resin. However, this is not a limitation; any material capable of withstanding the pressure or negative pressure that may be generated during separation by the sieve 20 can be used. For example, resin can be used, or all components can be made of metal. The choice of which components use metal and which use resin can be appropriately selected.

[0070] Production method of filter material

[0071] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of producing filtered material using a separation device.

[0072] Here, with Figure 10 The method for producing material 7, which serves as a filter material, by the separation device 100 will be described, with reference to other accompanying drawings as appropriate.

[0073] In step S10, the separation device 100 is operated. Specifically, the separation device 100 and associated upstream and downstream devices are operated by a control device (not shown).

[0074] In step S11, raw material is supplied to the separation device 100. Specifically, as follows... Figure 1 As shown, air containing raw material 5 composed of defiber is supplied from the first pipe 11 to the first chamber 21. At this time, the sieve 20 rotates at a constant speed, thereby applying negative pressure to the first chamber 21 from the second pipe 12 through the sieve 20.

[0075] In step S12, the foreign matter is removed. Specifically, as follows: Figure 3 As shown, foreign matter in the raw material that has passed through the mesh of the screen 4 and is blown onto the screen 20 is drawn out and vented via the second pipe 12.

[0076] In step S13, material is deposited on the sieve 20 as a filter. Specifically, the unbroken fibers that have not passed through the mesh of the mesh 4 are deposited on the surface of the sieve 20 as a cotton-like material. In a preferred embodiment, the material is mainly composed of fibers that are longer than the mesh, but it may also contain particles that are larger than the mesh.

[0077] In step S14, the material is humidified. Specifically, the material moves while being deposited in a strip on the surface of the sieve 20 as the sieve 20 rotates, and when it enters the second chamber 22, humidified air is blown out from the humidification pipe 15.

[0078] In step S15, the material is drawn in and sent to the downstream process. Specifically, as the material enters the third chamber 23 through the rotation of the sieve 20, it is drawn into the third pipe 13. At this time, humidified air is blown out in parallel from the fourth pipe 14. Thus, since the material is drawn into the third pipe 13 in a sufficiently humidified state, adhesion to the pipe caused by static electricity is suppressed.

[0079] In other words, in the production method of material 7 using the separation device 100 as the filter, while air containing raw material 5 composed of defibers flows into the surface of the sieve 20 from the first pipe 11, air mixed with foreign matter 6 that has passed through the mesh 4 is drawn out from the second pipe 12. When the sieve 20 rotates and the material 7 is moved, humidified air is blown out from the humidification pipe 15 to the surface side of the sieve. When the sieve 20 rotates, while air is blown out from the fourth pipe 14, air mixed with material 7 is drawn out from the third pipe 13.

[0080] As described above, the separation apparatus 100 and the method for producing the filter material according to this embodiment can achieve the following effects. The separation apparatus 100 includes: a sieve 20 having a mesh 4; a cover member 30 having a first chamber 21, a second chamber 22, a third chamber 23, and a fourth chamber 24 formed on the surface side of the sieve 20; a motor 8 that rotates the sieve 20, causing the first chamber 21 to the fourth chamber 24 to sequentially surround the surface side of the sieve 20; a first pipe 11 that blows air containing raw material 5 mixed with filter material and foreign matter toward the surface of the sieve 20 from the first chamber 21; a second... Pipe 12, positioned opposite to the first chamber 21, draws out air mixed with foreign matter 6 that has passed through the mesh 4 from the back side of the sieve 20; third pipe 13, positioned in the third chamber 23, draws out air mixed with material 7 used as a filter from the surface of the sieve 20; fourth pipe 14, positioned opposite to the third chamber 23, blows air toward the back of the sieve 20; humidifying pipe 15, positioned in the second chamber 22, blows humidifying air toward the sieve 20 from the surface side.

[0081] Therefore, the separation device 100 includes a humidification pipe 15 that blows humidified air from the surface side of the sieve. Furthermore, the humidification pipe 15 blows humidified air onto the material 7 piled on the surface of the sieve in a second chamber 22, which is downstream of the first chamber 21. In other words, the humidification pipe 15 blows humidified air onto the piled material 7 near the third chamber 23. At this time, the surface of the sieve 20, which contains the filter material, is humidified.

[0082] Therefore, unlike existing separation devices that blow humidifying air from the back side of the mesh disc, the accumulated filter material can be humidified directly from the surface side of the sieve 20. Furthermore, since the material 7 is humidified before it is sucked up by the third pipe 13 in the third chamber 23, drying caused by rotation can be prevented.

[0083] Therefore, a separation device 100 is provided that can appropriately humidify the material 7 used as a filter.

[0084] Furthermore, the humidified air has a larger water content per unit volume compared to the air from the first piping 11. Therefore, the material 7 used as a filter can be appropriately humidified.

[0085] In addition, the humidification piping 15 also has a communication channel 15c that connects the second chamber 22 and the fourth chamber 24 at the outside of the cover component 30, and humidification air is blown out from the surface side of the fourth chamber 24 towards the sieve 20 through the communication channel 15c.

[0086] Therefore, by also humidifying in the fourth chamber 24, the humidity of the sieve 20 can be increased in advance. As a result, since static electricity can be suppressed even when air containing the raw material 5 is blown out again when the sieve moves to the first chamber 21, the screening efficiency of the material 7 and foreign matter 6 can be further improved.

[0087] In addition, the humidifying pipe 15 blows humidifying air in a direction along the surface of the sieve 20.

[0088] Therefore, the material 7 piled on the surface of the sieve 20 can be humidified efficiently.

[0089] Furthermore, on the back side of the second chamber 22 of the sieve 20, a top plate 42 serving as an eave is provided along the sieve 20.

[0090] Therefore, since a top plate 42 that serves as an eave is provided below the second chamber 22, there is no air chamber for airflow, thus preventing the generation of turbulence that would roll up the material 7.

[0091] The method for producing the filter material is a method for producing material 7 as the filter material using a separation device 100. The separation device 100 includes: a sieve 20 having a mesh 4; a cover member 30 forming a first chamber 21, a second chamber 22, a third chamber 23, and a fourth chamber 24 on the surface side of the sieve 20; a motor 8 that rotates the sieve 20, causing the first chamber 21 to the fourth chamber 24 to surround the surface side of the sieve 20; a first pipe 11 that blows air containing raw material 5 mixed with filter material and foreign matter toward the surface of the sieve 20 in the first chamber 21; a second pipe 12 that draws air mixed with foreign matter 6 that has passed through the mesh 4 from the back side of the sieve 20 at a position opposite to the first chamber 21; and a third pipe 13 that draws air from the third chamber 23 through the sieve 20. The surface of the sieve 20 is drawn out, and the air mixed with the material 7 used as a filter is drawn out. The fourth pipe 14 blows air out toward the back of the sieve 20 at a position opposite to the third chamber 23. The humidifying pipe 15 blows humidified air out toward the sieve 20 from the surface side in the second chamber 22. In the method of producing the filter, while air containing the raw material 5 composed of defiber flows into the surface of the sieve 20 from the first pipe 11, the air mixed with foreign matter 6 that has passed through the mesh 4 is drawn out from the second pipe 12. When the sieve 20 rotates and the material 7 moves, the humidifying pipe 15 blows humidified air toward the surface side of the sieve. When the sieve 20 rotates, while the air is blown out from the fourth pipe 14, the air mixed with the material 7 is drawn out from the third pipe 13.

[0092] Therefore, when the sieve 20 rotates and the material 7 moves, humidified air is blown out from the humidification pipe 15 to the surface of the sieve.

[0093] Therefore, unlike existing separation devices that blow humidifying air from the back side of the mesh disc, the material 7, which is composed of the accumulated filter material, can be humidified directly from the surface side of the sieve 20. Furthermore, since the material 7 is humidified before being sucked up by the third pipe 13, drying caused by rotation can be prevented.

[0094] Therefore, a method for producing a filter material that can appropriately humidify the material 7 used as a filter can be provided.

[0095] Implementation Method 2

[0096] Application to thin film production equipment

[0097] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the sheet production apparatus according to Embodiment 2.

[0098] The separation device 100 described above can be appropriately applied to the sheet production apparatus 200.

[0099] The sheet production apparatus 200 is a sheet production apparatus that manufactures sheets from paper sheets C using a dry process. In a preferred embodiment, the paper sheet C is shredded waste paper containing fibers such as cellulose. Alternatively, the paper sheet C only needs to contain fibers; for example, it can be paper, pulp, pulp sheets, fabric including non-woven fabric, or textiles. Furthermore, it is not limited to waste paper and can also be unused paper. Moreover, the sheet production apparatus 200 is not limited to a dry process and can also be a wet process.

[0100] like Figure 11 As shown, the sheet production apparatus 200 has a first unit group 111, a second unit group 112, and a third unit group 113. The first unit group 111, the second unit group 112, and the third unit group 113 are supported on a frame (not shown).

[0101] exist Figure 11 In this process, white hollow arrows are used to indicate the direction of movement of sheet C, sheet P3, strip S, and unused end material. In the sheet production apparatus 200, the target side of the conveying direction of sheet C, sheet W, and sheet P3 is sometimes referred to as downstream, and the side of the back-conveying direction is referred to as upstream. In the following description, the assembly of sheet C consisting of multiple sheets C will be referred to simply as sheet C.

[0102] The sheet production apparatus 200 manufactures sheet P3 from sheet C. In the sheet production apparatus 200, a first unit group 111, a second unit group 112, and a third unit group 113 are arranged from the negative X direction toward the positive X direction. The third unit group 113 houses the aforementioned separation device 100.

[0103] Paper sheet C is stored in the storage section 73 of the first unit group 111, and after being supplied from the storage section 73 to the confluence section 66 via the discharge section 74, it is conveyed to the third unit group 113 via the piping 92. Furthermore, after the paper sheet C is de-fibrinated or otherwise annealed in the third unit group 113, it becomes a mixture containing adhesive materials, etc. The mixture is conveyed to the second unit group 112 via the piping 94. After the mixture passes through the second unit group 112 and becomes a sheet W, it is formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut through the first unit group 111 to become a sheet P3.

[0104] The first unit group 111 includes a storage section 73, a measuring section 65, a confluence section 66, and a piping 92. In the first unit group 111, these structures are arranged in the above-described order from upstream to downstream. Furthermore, the first unit group 111 also includes a first cutting section 81, a second cutting section 82, a tray 91, and a shredding section 95. The first cutting section 81 and the second cutting section 82 cut the strip-shaped sheet P1 into sheets P3 of a predetermined shape. The first unit group 111 also includes a water supply section 87. The water supply section 87 is a water tank. The water supply section 87 supplies humidifying water to the first humidifying section 85 and the second humidifying section 86, which will be described later, respectively, through a water supply pipe (not shown).

[0105] The storage section 73 stores the paper sheet C, which is the raw material for the sheet P3, and supplies it downstream via the discharge section 74. The paper sheet C contains fibers such as cellulose, for example, shredded waste paper. Humidified air is supplied to the interior of the storage section 73 from the second humidification section 86 provided in the second unit group 112.

[0106] After being temporarily stored in the storage section 73, the paper sheet C is conveyed to the measuring section 65 via the discharge section 74. The sheet production apparatus 200 may also have a shredder for cutting the paper sheet C and the like on the upstream side of the storage section 73.

[0107] The measuring unit 65 includes a sensor unit 65a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The sensor unit 65a measures the mass of the paper sheet C. The supply mechanism supplies the paper sheet C, measured by the sensor unit 65a, to the downstream confluence unit 66. That is, the measuring unit 65 measures the paper sheet C according to a predetermined mass using the sensor unit 65a and supplies it to the downstream confluence unit 66 via the supply mechanism.

[0108] The sensor unit 65a can utilize either digital or analog measuring mechanisms. Specifically, examples of sensor units 65a include physical sensors such as load sensors, as well as spring scales and balances. In this embodiment, a load sensor is used as the sensor unit 65a. The predetermined mass of the paper sheet C measured by the sensor unit 65a is, for example, approximately a few grams to tens of grams.

[0109] The measurement and supply of paper sheets C in the measuring unit 65 are performed in batches. That is, the supply of paper sheets C from the measuring unit 65 to the confluence unit 66 is carried out intermittently. The measuring unit 65 can have a combination of multiple sensor units 65a and supply mechanisms, or the multiple sensor units 65a can operate at staggered times to improve the efficiency of measurement and supply. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet production apparatus 200 has two sensor units 65a and supply mechanisms that are separately attached. Thus, paper sheets C are alternately conveyed to the confluence unit 66 from the two sets of sensor units 65a and supply mechanisms.

[0110] At the confluence section 66, the fine fragments of the fine strips S supplied from the shredding section 95 are combined and mixed with the paper sheets C supplied from the measuring section 65. The fine strips S and the shredding section 95 will be described later. The paper sheets C mixed with the aforementioned fine fragments flow from the confluence section 66 into the pipe 92.

[0111] Pipe 92 uses the suction airflow generated by the downstream desiccant section 75 to transport the paper sheet C from the first unit group 111 to the third unit group 113 via the second unit group 112.

[0112] The third unit group 113 consists of a fiber debonding section 75, a separation device 100, a mixing section 78, a waste powder collection section 76, and a power supply section 69.

[0113] Paper sheet C, conveyed through pipe 92, flows into defibering section 75. Defibering section 75 is a dry defibering machine, which defibers the paper sheet C supplied from measuring section 65 in a dry manner to make it into fibers. Defibering section 75 can use a known defibering mechanism.

[0114] The defiberization section 75 can be exemplified by the following structure: The defiberization section 75 includes a stator and an impeller. The stator has a generally cylindrical inner surface. The impeller is disposed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator. Fragments of paper C are trapped between the inner surface of the stator and the impeller, and are defibered by the shearing force generated between them. Thus, paper C becomes raw material 5 containing the defibered material entangled within the paper. Figure 3 Paper sheet C is conveyed as fibers to the separation device 100.

[0115] like Figure 11 As shown, air containing the raw material is supplied from the first pipe 11 to the separation device 100. The separation device 100, as described above, filters the raw material through a sieve 20, thereby separating the material and foreign matter used as filter media according to their size. Specifically, longer fibers and shorter fibers are distinguished, with the longer fibers being treated as raw material and the shorter fibers as foreign matter. The foreign matter also includes coloring materials or additives contained in the paper sheet C.

[0116] The fourth pipe 14 and the humidifying pipe 15 of the separation device 100 are connected to the second humidifying unit 86. Humidifying air from the humidifying pipe 15 is then blown out onto the material deposited on the surface of the sieve 20. Additionally, humidifying air is blown out from the fourth pipe 14 toward the back side of the sieve 20. The second humidifying unit 86 is equipped with an ultrasonic humidifier and a blower to supply humidifying air with a larger water content per unit volume compared to the air from the first pipe 11. Furthermore, the second humidifying unit 86 is not limited to an ultrasonic type; it can be equipped with any type that has equivalent humidification function, such as a heating type or a vaporization type humidifier.

[0117] Material, which is filtered and deposited on the sieve 20, is conveyed to the mixing section 78 via the third pipe 13. Specifically, it is drawn and conveyed to the mixing section 78 via the third pipe 13 by airflow generated by a blower (not shown) located at the top of the third pipe 13.

[0118] Then, the air containing the foreign matter flows into the waste powder collection unit 76 through the second pipe 12. The foreign matter is also referred to as waste powder.

[0119] The waste dust collection unit 76 is a bag filter and includes a blower 76a that generates an exhaust flow and a compressor 76b that generates compressed air to clean the filter. Multiple filters (not shown) are installed inside the waste dust collection unit 76 to remove foreign matter from the gas. The exhaust gas, after the foreign matter has been removed, is discharged from the exhaust port not shown. The foreign matter is collected in a waste dust box 77 located below the waste dust collection unit 76.

[0120] The mixing unit 78 mixes powdered additives such as adhesive materials with fibers in air to form a mixture. The mixing unit 78 includes a powder supply mechanism 49. The powder supply mechanism 49 has a built-in hopper. A powder supply container 79 is mounted on the powder supply mechanism 49. Although not shown in the figure, the mixing unit 78, in addition to the powder supply mechanism 49, also includes a flow channel for conveying fibers, a valve, and a fan.

[0121] The hopper feeds the powder of the binder material supplied from the powder supply container 79 into the flow path. In the sheet production apparatus 200, starch is used as the binder material for the fibers. A valve (not shown) regulates the flow rate, i.e., the mass, of the binder material supplied from the hopper to the flow path. This regulates the mixing ratio of the fibers and the binder material. In addition to the powder supply container 79 for supplying the binder material and the powder supply mechanism 49, the mixing unit 78 may also have the same structure for supplying color materials and additives. The fan in the mixing unit 78, through the generated airflow, mixes the binder material and the like into the air while conveying the fibers downstream, thus forming a mixture. The mixture flows from the mixing unit 78 into the piping 94.

[0122] The power supply unit 69 includes a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power to the control board 45 and the wafer production apparatus 200. The power supply unit 69 distributes externally supplied power to various structures of the wafer production apparatus 200.

[0123] The control unit 67 and storage unit 68 described above are mounted on the control board 45. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 67 and storage unit 68 also have the function of comprehensively controlling the entire sheet production apparatus 200.

[0124] Furthermore, the control board 45 can also be connected to the computer 80. The computer 80 is, for example, a laptop computer, and stores the control program for the entire sheet production apparatus 200, including the separation device 100.

[0125] The second unit group 112 stacks and compresses the fiber-containing mixture to form a strip-shaped sheet P1 as recycled paper. The second unit group 112 has a stacking section 48, a first conveying section 83, a second conveying section 84, a first humidification section 85, a second humidification section 86, a drainage section 88, and a forming section 70.

[0126] In the second unit group 112, the stacking section 48, the first conveying section 83, the second conveying section 84, the first humidifying section 85, and the forming section 70 are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The second humidifying section 86 is arranged below the first humidifying section 85.

[0127] The stacking section 48 stacks the mixture containing the separated fibers in the air to form a sheet W. The stacking section 48 has a roller member 53, a blade member 55 disposed within the roller member 53, a housing 51 that houses the roller member 53, and a suction section 59. The mixture is introduced into the interior of the roller member 53 from the piping 94.

[0128] A first conveying section 83 is disposed below the stacking section 48. The first conveying section 83 has a mesh belt 83a and five support rollers (not shown) for supporting the mesh belt 83a. A suction section 59 is positioned opposite the roller member 53 across the mesh belt 83a in the direction along the Z-axis.

[0129] The blade component 55 is located inside the drum component 53 and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The drum component 53 is a semi-cylindrical sieve. A screen with sieve function is provided on the downward-facing side of the drum component 53. The drum component 53 allows particles such as fibers and mixtures that are smaller than the opening size of the sieve mesh to pass through from the inside to the outside.

[0130] The mixture is released to the outside of the drum component 53 while being agitated by the rotating blade component 55. Humidified air is supplied to the interior of the drum component 53 from the second humidification section 86.

[0131] A suction unit 59 is disposed below the roller member 53. The suction unit 59 draws air from inside the housing 51 through multiple holes in the mesh belt 83a. The multiple holes in the mesh belt 83a allow air to pass through but prevent fibers and adhesive materials contained in the mixture from passing through. Thus, the mixture released to the outside of the roller member 53 is drawn downwards along with the air. The suction unit 59 is a known suction device such as a blower.

[0132] The mixture is dispersed in the air inside the housing 51 and accumulates on the surface above the mesh belt 83a by gravity and suction from the suction unit 59, thus becoming a sheet W.

[0133] The mesh belt 83a is a jointless belt and is supported by five support rollers. The mesh belt 83a is supported by the rotation of the support rollers. Figure 11 The conveyor belt rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the mixture continuously accumulates on the conveyor belt 83a, forming a sheet W. The sheet W is air-rich, making it soft and fluffy. The first conveyor section 83 transports the formed sheet W downstream by the rotation of the conveyor belt 83a.

[0134] The second conveying section 84, located downstream of the first conveying section 83, replaces the first conveying section 83 in conveying the sheet W. The second conveying section 84 peels the sheet W from the surface above the mesh belt 83a and conveys it towards the forming section 70. The second conveying section 84 is located above the conveying path of the sheet W and is positioned slightly upstream of the starting point on the return side of the mesh belt 83a. The X-positive side of the second conveying section 84 partially overlaps with the X-negative side of the mesh belt 83a in the vertical direction. The second conveying section 84 includes a conveyor belt (not shown), multiple rollers, and a suction mechanism. Multiple holes are provided on the conveyor belt for air to pass through. The conveyor belt is supported by multiple rollers and rotates by the rotation of the rollers.

[0135] The second conveying unit 84 uses the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism to cause the upper surface of the material sheet W to adhere to the lower surface of the conveyor belt. As the conveyor belt rotates in this state, the material sheet W is adhered to the conveyor belt and conveyed downstream.

[0136] The first humidification unit 85 is the same humidification device as the second humidification unit 86, which humidifies the fiber-containing sheet W that is stacked in the stacking section 48 of the second unit group 112. In detail, the first humidification unit 85 is disposed below the second conveying section 84, and supplies mist M from below to humidify the sheet W that is conveyed through the second conveying section 84.

[0137] By humidifying the sheet W with mist M, the function of starch as a binder is enhanced, thereby increasing the strength of the sheet P3. Furthermore, since the sheet W is humidified from below, water droplets from the mist are prevented from falling onto the sheet W. Also, since humidification occurs from the opposite side of the contact surface between the conveyor belt and the sheet W, adhesion of the sheet W to the conveyor belt is reduced. The second conveying unit 84 conveys the sheet W to the forming unit 70.

[0138] The forming section 70 includes processing rollers 71 and 72. The processing rollers 71 and 72 compress the fibrous sheet W to form a strip-shaped sheet P1. The processing rollers 71 and 72 are paired and each has a built-in electric heater, thus enabling them to raise the temperature of the roller surface. The processing rollers 71 and 72 are both generally cylindrical components. The rotation axes of the processing rollers 71 and 72 are arranged along the Y-axis. Relative to the conveying path of the sheet W, the processing roller 71 is positioned approximately above, and the processing roller 72 is positioned approximately below. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the manufactured sheet P3 is provided between the side surfaces of the processing rollers 71 and 72.

[0139] Processing rollers 71 and 72 are driven to rotate by a stepper motor (not shown). The sheet W is sandwiched between processing rollers 71 and 72 and is fed downstream while being heated and pressurized. That is, the sheet W continuously passes through the forming section 70, thereby being stamped and formed while being heated. By using processing rollers 71 and 72 as a pair of forming components, the heating and pressurization of the sheet W can be carried out efficiently.

[0140] The sheet W passes through the forming section 70, thereby reducing the air trapped inside from an air-rich and soft state, and the fibers are bonded together by an adhesive material, thus being formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is conveyed to the first unit group 111 by a conveying roller (not shown).

[0141] The second humidifier 86 is disposed below the first humidifier 85. The second humidifier 86 supplies humidified air to the storage section 73, the separation device 100, and the drum component 53 of the accumulation section 48.

[0142] The drainage section 88 is a drainage tank. It is used in the first humidification section 85 and the second humidification section 86, etc., to collect and store stale water. The drainage section 88 can be removed from the sheet production apparatus 200 as needed to discard the accumulated water.

[0143] The strip-shaped sheet P1, being conveyed to the first unit group 111, reaches the first cutting section 81. The first cutting section 81 cuts the strip-shaped sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, for example, along the Y-axis. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut by the first cutting section 81 into a single sheet P2. The single sheet P2 is conveyed from the first cutting section 81 to the second cutting section 82.

[0144] The second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 in the direction along the conveying direction. Specifically, the second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 near both sides along the X-axis. Thus, the single sheet P2 becomes a sheet P3 of a predetermined shape, such as A4 size or A3 size.

[0145] In the second cutting section 82, when the single sheet P2 is cut into sheets P3, thin strips S, which serve as scrap material, are generated. These thin strips S are conveyed downwards to the shredding section 95, which acts as a shredder. The shredding section 95 shreds the thin strips S and supplies them as fine fragments to the converging section 66. A mechanism for measuring and supplying the fine fragments of the thin strips S to the converging section 66 may also be provided between the shredding section 95 and the converging section 66.

[0146] The sheet P3 is conveyed generally upwards and collected on the tray 91. In this manner, the sheet P3 is manufactured in the sheet production apparatus 200. The sheet P3 can be used as a substitute for, for example, photocopying paper.

[0147] In other words, the sheet production apparatus 200 includes: a separation device 100; a defiberization section 75 for defiberizing raw materials; a stacking section 48 for stacking materials to form sheet W; and a forming section 70 for compressing sheet W to form a sheet. The separation device 100 filters the filter material from the air containing the raw material defibered by the defiberization section 75 and supplies the filtered filter material as material to the stacking section 48.

[0148] As described above, the sheet production apparatus 200 according to this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0149] The sheet production apparatus 200 includes: a separation device 100; a defibering section 75 for defibering raw materials; a stacking section 48 for stacking materials to form sheet W; and a forming section 70 for compressing sheet W to form a sheet. The separation device 100 screens the filter material from the air, including the raw material defibered by the defibering section 75, and supplies the screened filter material as material to the stacking section 48.

[0150] Therefore, the sheet production apparatus 200 is equipped with a separation device 100 that can appropriately humidify the material 7 used as a filter.

[0151] Therefore, a sheet production apparatus 200 is provided that can provide high efficiency in screening materials and foreign matter and can produce high-quality sheets.

[0152] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, taking the case where the desired object to be obtained by filtration is a fibrous material that does not pass through the mesh of mesh 4 as an example, the substance that does not pass through the mesh of mesh 4 is called the filter material, while the substance that passes through the mesh of mesh 4 is called the foreign object. However, if the desired object to be obtained by filtration is a target object that passes through the mesh of mesh 4, the substance that passes through the mesh of mesh 4 can also be called the filter material, and the substance that does not pass through the mesh of mesh 4 can be called the foreign object. Furthermore, if it is desired to obtain the material that passes through the mesh of mesh 4 and the material that does not pass through the mesh of mesh 4 separately, one of them can be called the filter material, and the other can be called the foreign object.

[0153] Symbol Explanation

[0154] 1…Rim; 2…Spindle; 2b…Pinky gear; 3…Spoke; 4…Net; 5…Raw material; 6…Foreign object; 7…Material; 8…Motor; 9…Block; 11…First piping; 12…Second piping; 13…Third piping; 14…Fourth piping; 15…Humidification piping; 15b…Pipe cover; 15c…Connecting channel; 20…Sieve; 21…First chamber; 22…Second chamber; 22h…Hole; 23…Third chamber; 24…Fourth chamber Chamber; 24h…hole; 30…cover component; 30b…protrusion; 40…support frame; 40b…receiving part; 41…cylindrical part; 41a…opening part; 42…top plate; 43…opening part; 45…control board; 48…stacking part; 49…powder supply mechanism; 51…shell; 53…roller component; 55…blade component; 59…suction part; 60…centerline; 65…measuring part; 65a…sensor part; 66…convergence 67…Control section; 68…Storage section; 69…Power supply section; 70…Forming section; 71…Processing roller; 72…Processing roller; 73…Retention section; 74…Discharge section; 75…Fiber debonding section; 76…Waste powder collection section; 76a…Blower; 76b…Compressor; 77…Waste powder box; 78…Mixing section; 79…Powder supply container; 80…Computer; 81…First cutting section; 82…Second cutting section; 83…First conveying section; 83a… Mesh belt; 84… Second conveyor section; 85… First humidification section; 86… Second humidification section; 87… Water supply section; 88… Drainage section; 91… Tray; 92… Piping; 94… Piping; 95… Shredding section; 100… Separation device; 111… First unit group; 112… Second unit group; 113… Third unit group; 200… Sheet production device; P1… Strip-shaped sheet; P2… Single sheet; P3… Sheet.

Claims

1. A separation device comprising: A sieve, which has a mesh; A cover component that forms a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber on the surface side of the sieve; An electric motor rotates the sieve, causing the first to fourth chambers to sequentially surround the surface of the sieve. A first piping system blows air mixed with filter material and foreign matter toward the surface of the sieve in the first chamber; The second pipe, located opposite the first chamber, draws out the air mixed with the foreign matter that has passed through the mesh from the back side of the sieve. A third pipe, which draws air mixed with the filter material from the surface of the sieve in the third chamber; The fourth pipe blows air toward the back of the sieve at a position opposite to the third chamber; A humidifying pipe, which blows humidifying air from the surface side toward the sieve in the second chamber.

2. The separation device as described in claim 1, wherein, The humidified air has a larger water content per unit volume compared to the air from the first piping.

3. The separation device as described in claim 1, wherein, The humidification piping also has a connecting channel that connects the second chamber and the fourth chamber at the outside of the cover component. The humidification piping, via the connecting channel, blows humidified air from the surface side of the fourth chamber toward the sieve.

4. The separation device as described in claim 3, wherein, The humidification piping blows humidified air out in a direction along the surface of the sieve.

5. The separation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, An eave is provided along the back side of the second chamber of the sieve.

6. A sheet production apparatus, comprising: The separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; The defiberization section is responsible for defiberizing the raw materials; The stacking section is where materials are stacked to form sheets; The forming section compresses the sheet material to form a thin sheet. The separation device filters the filter material from the air, including the filter material after it has been defibered by the defibering section and foreign matter, and supplies the filtered filter material as the material to the stacking section.

7. A method for producing a filter material, wherein a separation device is used, wherein, The separation device comprises: A sieve, which has a mesh; A cover component that forms a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, and a fourth chamber on the surface side of the sieve; An electric motor rotates the sieve, causing the first to fourth chambers to surround the surface side of the sieve. A first piping system blows air mixed with filter material and foreign matter toward the surface of the sieve in the first chamber; The second pipe draws air out from the back side of the sieve at a position opposite to the first chamber; A third pipe draws air out from the surface of the sieve in the third chamber; The fourth pipe blows air toward the back of the sieve at a position opposite to the third chamber; A humidifying pipe, which blows humidifying air from the surface side of the sieve in the second chamber. In the method for producing the filter material, As air, mixed with the filter material and the foreign matter, flows into the surface of the sieve from the first pipe, air that has passed through the mesh and is mixed with either the filter material or the foreign matter is drawn out from the second pipe. As the sieve rotates, causing the filtered material to move into the second chamber, humidifying air is blown from the humidifying pipe toward the surface of the sieve. As the sieve rotates, air is blown out from the fourth pipe while air mixed with the filter material and the foreign matter is drawn out from the third pipe.

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