Powder supply container

Abstract

The invention provides a powder supply container which is easy to carry in a state of being filled with powder. A powder supply container (200) is characterized by comprising: a first cylindrical part (210) having a central axis (CA) and having a first opening (213) formed in a bottom surface (211); a second cylindrical section (220) that is disposed on the inside of the first cylindrical section (210) so as to overlap with the first cylindrical section (210) in a rotatable state about a central axis (CA); and a lid section (230) that is detachably attached to the side of the first cylindrical section (210) facing the bottom surface (211) in the second cylindrical section (220), has a second opening (233), and rotates with respect to the first opening (213) by means of the second opening (122) when the second cylindrical section (220) is rotated with respect to the first cylindrical section (210). A protrusion (212) is provided on the inner surface of the first cylindrical section (210), and a guide rib (221) for guiding the protrusion (212) is provided on the outer surface of the second cylindrical section (220).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a powder supply container. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, a powder supply container that supplies a powder such as a material or an additive to a manufacturing device is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a mixing device that mixes and discharges powder particles is disclosed.

[0003] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the handling in a state where the powder is filled becomes difficult. In detail, in a relatively small manufacturing device, there are cases where the following operation is performed, that is, after the powder is filled in the powder supply container by manual filling, the powder supply container is handled and installed in the manufacturing device. In such an operation, there are cases where an adverse condition such as a leakage of the powder occurs. A solution to the above problem is the following invention.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-61282 SUMMARY

[0005] The powder supply container is characterized by having: a first cylindrical portion that has a center axis and that has a first opening portion formed on a bottom surface; a second cylindrical portion that is disposed so as to be overlapped at an inner side of the first cylindrical portion in a state where the second cylindrical portion is rotatable about the center axis; a lid portion that is installed at a side of the first cylindrical portion opposite to the bottom surface in the second cylindrical portion in a detachable manner, and that has a second opening portion that switches opening and closing of the first opening portion by being rotated with respect to the first opening portion when the second cylindrical portion is rotated with respect to the first cylindrical portion, a protrusion is provided on an inner surface of the first cylindrical portion, and a guide rib that guides the protrusion is provided on an outer surface of the second cylindrical portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view showing the appearance of the powder supply container according to the embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 An exploded view showing the structure of the powder supply container.

[0008] Figure 3 A perspective view showing the structure of the first cylindrical portion.

[0009] Figure 4 An enlarged perspective view showing the shape of the protrusion.

[0010] Figure 5A perspective view showing the structure of the lid portion and the second cylindrical portion.

[0011] Figure 6 An enlarged view showing the structure of the second cylindrical portion.

[0012] Figure 7 An enlarged view showing the structure of the second cylindrical portion.

[0013] Figure 8 A perspective view of the powder supply container in which the first cylindrical portion is shown in perspective.

[0014] Figure 9 An enlarged view showing the position of the protrusion in the initial state of the powder supply container.

[0015] Figure 10 An enlarged view showing the position of the protrusion in the open state of the powder supply container.

[0016] Figure 11 A perspective view showing the state in which the powder supply container is attached to the powder supply mechanism.

[0017] Figure 12 A schematic view showing the structure of the sheet manufacturing apparatus to which the powder supply container is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following embodiment, a powder supply container 200 applied to a sheet manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a sheet from a material such as paper is exemplified, and will be described with reference to the drawings. The powder supply container 200 supplies a powder such as an additive to the above-described sheet manufacturing apparatus.

[0019] In the following Figures 1 to 11 , an F-axis is indicated as an imaginary axis, and a direction in which an arrow mark is directed is set as an +F direction, and a direction opposite to the +F direction is set as an -F direction.

[0020] As Figure 1 shown, the powder supply container 200 has a substantially cylindrical appearance, and a cross section orthogonal to the F-axis is substantially circular. In the substantially cylindrical powder supply container 200, a height direction of the cylinder is along the F-axis. A powder such as a powder, a particle, or the like is filled in the inside of the powder supply container 200. The powder supply container 200 is sealed in a state in which the powder is housed, and can be transported or stored in the above-described state.

[0021] The powder supply container 200 has a first cylindrical portion 210, a second cylindrical portion 220, and a cover portion 230, and is assembled from these structures. In the powder supply container 200, the first cylindrical portion 210, the cover portion 230, and the second cylindrical portion 220 are arranged sequentially from the +F direction toward the -F direction. A portion of the second cylindrical portion 220 in the +F direction and the cover portion 230 are inserted into the inside of the first cylindrical portion 210, thereby overlapping with the first cylindrical portion 210.

[0022] The first cylindrical portion 210 has a central axis CA along the F-axis. The powder supply container 200 has a shape that is approximately rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis CA.

[0023] A first opening 213 is formed on the bottom surface 211 in the +F direction of the first cylindrical portion 210. Figure 1 This shows a state where the first opening 213 is closed by the cover 230 and the interior of the powder supply container 200 is sealed.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the powder supply container 200 can be decomposed into a first cylindrical portion 210, a cover portion 230, and a second cylindrical portion 220. Figure 2 The diagram shows the state in which the cover portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 are assembled together.

[0025] In addition to the first opening 213 described above, the first cylindrical portion 210 also has a cutout 215 and a protrusion 217.

[0026] The first opening 213 penetrates the bottom surface 211 and communicates with the inner and outer sides of the first cylindrical portion 210. Powder contained in the powder supply container 200 is supplied through the first opening 213 and the second opening 233 of the cover portion 230. When viewed from the +F direction, the first opening 213 is fan-shaped, and the arc of the first opening 213 is along the outer periphery of the circular bottom surface 211.

[0027] The cutout 215 is disposed at the edge of the first cylindrical portion 210 in the -F direction, corresponding to the second engaging portion 229 provided in the second cylindrical portion 220. The cutout 215 serves as a clearance portion for the second engaging portion 229 when the powder supply container 200 is assembled. When the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the second engaging portion 229 is exposed to the outside of the powder supply container 200 through the cutout 215.

[0028] The protrusion 217 is fitted into the recess 235 of the lid portion 230, thereby assuming the positioning of the lid portion 230 with the first cylindrical portion 210. The protrusion 217 is on a face opposite the bottom face 211 in the -F direction, and protrudes in the -F direction. In the powder supply container 200, the protrusion 217 and the recess 235 are provided at a position overlapping the center axis CA when viewed in the +F direction. In addition, even if the protrusion 217 is fitted into the recess 235, the first cylindrical portion 210 is able to rotate on the center axis CA with respect to the lid portion 230.

[0029] The lid portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 form an internal space in which the powder supply container 200 accommodates the powder. The lid portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 are each a substantially cylindrical member. In a state in which the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the lid portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 are also substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the center axis CA. The lid portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 are inserted into the inside of the first cylindrical portion 210 from the -F direction, thereby causing the powder supply container 200 to be assembled.

[0030] The lid portion 230 is disposed at a side opposite the bottom face 211 of the first cylindrical portion 210 at an end portion of the second cylindrical portion 220 in the +F direction. The center of the cylinder of the substantially cylindrical lid portion 230 is along the F axis. The lid portion 230 includes a bottom face 231.

[0031] The bottom face 231 has a second opening portion 233 and a recess 235. The bottom face 231 is a face of the lid portion 230 facing in the +F direction. When the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the bottom face 231 faces in the +F direction and opposes the side opposite the bottom face 211 of the first cylindrical portion 210.

[0032] The second opening portion 233 penetrates the bottom face 231, and communicates with the inside and outside of the lid portion 230. The second opening portion 233 communicates the above-mentioned internal space formed by the lid portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 with the outside. The second opening portion 233 is substantially fan-shaped in shape when viewed in the +F direction, and is approximately the same shape as the first opening portion 213. The arc of the second opening portion 233 is along the outer periphery of the circular bottom face 231.

[0033] When the second cylindrical portion 220 is rotated on the center axis CA with respect to the first cylindrical portion 210 in a state where the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the lid portion 230 is also rotated with the second cylindrical portion 220. When the lid portion 230 is rotated, the second opening portion 233 is rotated with respect to the first opening portion 213. When viewed from the +F direction, in a state where the first opening portion 213 and the second opening portion 233 are aligned, the above-described internal space of the powder supply container 200 is opened, and in a state where they are not aligned, the above-described internal space is closed. That is, the opening and closing of the first opening portion 213 are switched by the second opening portion 233 being rotated and displaced with respect to the first opening portion 213.

[0034] Specifically, in a state where the powder supply container 200 is carried or stored, that is, in a state where the powder supply container 200 does not supply powder, the position of the second opening portion 233 is not aligned with the position of the first opening portion 213. In this state, the inside of the powder supply container 200, which is the above-described internal space, is closed. When the powder supply container 200 is installed in a powder supply mechanism described later to supply powder, the second opening portion 233 is aligned with the first opening portion 213, and thus the inside of the powder supply container 200 is opened.

[0035] The second cylindrical portion 220 is disposed at the -F direction of the lid portion 230. When the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the second cylindrical portion 220 is held by the first cylindrical portion 210 in a state where it can be rotated about the center axis CA with the lid portion 230. The second cylindrical portion 220 has a guide rib 221, a locking portion 228, and a second engagement portion 229. In addition, the second cylindrical portion 220 has an engaged portion that engages with a first engagement portion of the first cylindrical portion 210 described later.

[0036] The guide rib 221 guides a protrusion (not shown) of the first cylindrical portion 210 at the time of assembly of the powder supply container 200, at the time of rotation of the first cylindrical portion 210, and the like. The guide rib 221 is provided in a region of the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 220, that is, a side surface of the substantially cylindrical second cylindrical portion 220. Details of the guide rib 221 and the protrusion will be described later.

[0037] When the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the locking portion 228 abuts against the -F direction end of the first cylindrical portion 210. The locking portion 228 and the recess 235 of the cover portion 230, etc., define the positions of the first cylindrical portion 210, the cover portion 230, and the second cylindrical portion 220 along the F-axis. The locking portion 228 is an eave-shaped portion protruding in a direction orthogonal to the central axis CA. When viewed from the +F direction, the locking portion 228 is approximately annular and has a shape corresponding to the -F direction end of the first cylindrical portion 210.

[0038] When the powder supply container 200 is installed on the powder supply mechanism described later, the second engaging portion 229 engages with the powder supply mechanism. The second engaging portion 229 is exposed to the outside of the powder supply container 200 through the cutout 215 of the first cylindrical portion 210. Although not shown in the figure, the engaging portion of the second cylindrical portion 220 is positioned symmetrically with respect to the central axis CA to the second engaging portion 229.

[0039] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first cylindrical portion 210 has a protrusion 212 and a first engaging portion 219. The first engaging portion 219 is provided at a position symmetrical to the cut portion 215 with respect to the aforementioned central axis CA. The first engaging portion 219 engages with the engaging portion of the first cylindrical portion 210 described above, thereby assembling the first cylindrical portion 210, the cover portion 230, and the second cylindrical portion 220.

[0040] A protrusion 212 is provided on the inner surface, i.e., the inner side surface, of the first cylindrical portion 210. Specifically, the protrusion 212 is located near the cutout 215 in the +F direction and protrudes from the inner side surface of the first cylindrical portion 210 toward the aforementioned central axis CA. During the assembly of the powder supply container 200, or when the first cylindrical portion 210 rotates relative to the second cylindrical portion 220, the protrusion 212 is guided by the aforementioned guide rib 221 of the second cylindrical portion 220.

[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, the cover 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 can be disassembled. The cover 230 is attached to the second cylindrical portion 220 in a detachable manner. In order to fill the powder supply container 200 with powder, the cover 230 is removed from the second cylindrical portion 220 for filling.

[0042] An external thread 227 is provided on the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 220 near its end in the +F direction. An internal thread (not shown) is provided on the inner surface of the cover portion 230 near its end in the -F direction. When the cover portion 230 is installed on the second cylindrical portion 220, the cover portion 230 overlaps the top end of the second cylindrical portion 220 in the +F direction and is rotated clockwise when viewed from the +F direction. As a result, the external thread 227 engages with the internal thread, thereby installing the cover portion 230 on the second cylindrical portion 220. Furthermore, when the cover portion 230 is removed from the second cylindrical portion 220, the cover portion 230 is rotated relative to the second cylindrical portion 220 in the opposite direction to the above.

[0043] On the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 220, a guide rib 221 and a slit portion 224 are disposed in the middle along the direction of the F axis. The guide rib 221 has a first guide rib 221a and a second guide rib 221b.

[0044] When the cover portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 are inserted into the first cylindrical portion 210, the first guide rib 221a guides the protrusion 212 of the first cylindrical portion 210. The first guide rib 221a is located on the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 220 and is formed in a spiral shape.

[0045] The first guide rib 221a is provided around the outer surface. When viewed from a direction orthogonal to the F-axis, the area of ​​the first guide rib 221a corresponding to the second engaging portion 229 is closest to the -F direction, and the area opposite to the aforementioned area relative to the central axis CA is closest to the +F direction. That is, if the +F direction is set as the height direction, the area corresponding to the second engaging portion 229 is the lowest, and the area opposite to that area is the highest. Thus, the first guide rib 221a is in an inclined state. The first guide rib 221a protrudes from the outer surface and has a shape sufficient to abut against the protrusion 212 for guidance.

[0046] When the cover 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 are inserted into the inside of the first cylindrical portion 210, the first guide rib 221a guides the protrusion 212 so that the second cylindrical portion 220 is assembled in a predetermined position in the first cylindrical portion 210. Specifically, the protrusion 212 slides against the first guide rib 221a and is guided towards the lowest region by the aforementioned inclination. At this time, the arrangement of the cover 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220 with the first cylindrical portion 210 is defined in the rotational direction about the central axis CA. Therefore, the powder supply container 200 can be easily and appropriately assembled.

[0047] The slit portion 224 is a cut provided on the first guide rib 221a. The first guide rib 221a is divided by the slit portion 224 and is continuous in the region outside the slit portion 224. The slit portion 224 is disposed in the first guide rib 221a in the region corresponding to the second engaging portion 229, that is, the aforementioned lowest region. The slit portion 224 allows the protrusion 212 to pass through along the F-axis. The predetermined position of the first cylindrical portion 210 in the second cylindrical portion 220, as described above, is the position where the protrusion 212 can pass through the slit portion 224.

[0048] When the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the protrusion 212, after being guided to the lowest region by the first guide rib 221a, passes through the slit 224 and moves in the -F direction. Furthermore, the -F end of the first cylindrical portion 210 abuts against the locking portion 228. Thus, the assembly of the powder supply container 200 is completed. When the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the protrusion 212 detaches from the first guide rib 221a and moves to a position corresponding to the second guide rib 221b. When the powder supply container 200 is disassembled, in the reverse order, the protrusion 212 passes through the slit 224, and the first cylindrical portion 210 moves in the +F direction relative to the cover portion 230 and the second cylindrical portion 220.

[0049] The second guide rib 221b guides the protrusion 212 when the first cylindrical portion 210, the cover portion 230, and the second cylindrical portion 220 are assembled together. Specifically, the second guide rib 221b guides the first cylindrical portion 210 relative to the second cylindrical portion 220 about a central axis CA via the protrusion 212. The second guide rib 221b is disposed on the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 220 in the -F direction of the first guide rib 221a. The second guide rib 221b is formed extending in a circumferential direction about the central axis CA.

[0050] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the second guide rib 221b is composed of an upper rib 221b1 and a lower rib 221b2. Furthermore, on the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 220, stop portions 225a and 225b are arranged at positions corresponding to the second guide rib 221b.

[0051] The upper rib 221b1 and lower rib 221b2 correspond to the +F and -F ends of the protrusion 212 (not shown). Along the F-axis, the distance between the upper rib 221b1 and lower rib 221b2 is greater than the size of the protrusion 212. The protrusion 212 is movable along the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 220 between the upper rib 221b1 and lower rib 221b2. That is, the protrusion 212 is guided by the upper rib 221b1 and lower rib 221b2, thereby causing the first cylindrical portion 210 to rotate about the aforementioned central axis CA.

[0052] The stops 225a and 225b restrict the movement of the protrusion 212 on the second guide rib 221b, in other words, restrict the rotation of the protrusion 212 around the central axis CA of the first cylindrical portion 210 to a certain range. The aforementioned certain range refers to the range in which the opening and closing are switched in the first opening 213, and is not particularly limited, but refers to the range of rotation angles relative to the central axis CA from 80° to 120°.

[0053] The stop portion 225a is disposed adjacent to the slit portion 224 in the -F direction. When the powder supply container 200 is assembled, the protrusion 212 passes through the slit portion 224 and abuts against the stop portion 225a.

[0054] like Figure 8 As shown, in the initial assembled state of the powder supply container 200, the first opening 213 of the first cylindrical portion 210 is not aligned with the second opening 233 of the cover portion 230. That is, in the initial state, the first opening 213 is closed, thereby sealing the interior of the powder supply container 200. Therefore, leakage of powder can be prevented during handling, storage, and processing. Furthermore, since the powder supply container 200 is sealed in its initial assembled state, leakage of powder due to carelessness can be suppressed during operations such as powder filling.

[0055] When the first cylindrical portion 210 is rotated clockwise relative to the second cylindrical portion 220 from the initial state when viewed from the +F direction, the first opening 213 aligns with the second opening 233. This opens the first opening 213, thus creating an open state where the interior of the powder supply container 200 is open. In this open state, powder can be supplied from the powder supply container 200. As described above, the transition from the initial state to the open state is guided by the second guide rib 221b via the protrusion 212.

[0056] like Figure 9As shown, in the initial state of the powder supply container 200, the protrusion 212 of the first cylindrical portion 210 is located in the -F direction of the slit portion 224 and abuts against the stop portion 225a. At this time, as described above, the interior of the powder supply container 200 is sealed. In order to open the powder supply container 200 from the initial state, the first cylindrical portion 210 is rotated relative to the second cylindrical portion 220 in such a way that the protrusion 212 moves in the direction of the blank arrow mark, so that the protrusion 212 moves in the direction of the blank arrow mark. At this time, the protrusion 212 is guided by the upper rib 221b1 and the lower rib 221b2.

[0057] like Figure 10 As shown, in order to transition from the initial state to the open state, the protrusion 212 is moved as indicated by the blank arrow so that it comes into contact with the stop portion 225b. At this time, since the open state is achieved through the contact of the protrusion 212 with the stop portion 225b, it is easy to determine whether the open state is being maintained.

[0058] In states other than the initial state, including the open state, the upper rib 221b1 restricts the displacement of the protrusion 212 in the +F direction. Therefore, the first cylindrical portion 210 cannot move relative to the second cylindrical portion 220 in the +F direction. That is, in states other than the initial state, the first cylindrical portion 210 cannot be removed from the powder supply container 200, thus preventing the first cylindrical portion 210 from unintentionally detaching. When returning from the open state to the initial state, the protrusion 212 is moved in the direction opposite to the blank arrow mark so that it abuts against the stop portion 225a.

[0059] Next, refer to Figure 11 The powder supply mechanism 300 used to apply the powder supply container 200 in a sheet manufacturing apparatus will be described below. Furthermore, reference will also be made to the following description. Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 .

[0060] Figure 11 The powder supply mechanism 300 shown is included in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 described later. The powder supply mechanism 300 supplies powder from the powder supply container 200 to the flow channel (described later) provided in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The powder supply mechanism 300 includes an assembly section 311, a supply section 322, and a valve (not shown). The assembly section 311 has a generally circular cross-section orthogonal to the F-axis, and the powder supply container 200 can be inserted into the interior of the circle.

[0061] After the operator fills the powder supply container 200 with powder to set it to the initial state, the operator inserts the powder supply container 200 into the assembly part 311 from the bottom surface 211 side of the first cylindrical part 210. At this time, the powder inside the powder supply container 200 is not supplied to the powder supply mechanism 300.

[0062] Next, the operator rotates the second cylindrical portion 220 clockwise when viewed from the -F direction until it stops rotating, i.e., until the protrusion 212 abuts against the stop portion 225b. At this time, the first cylindrical portion 210 is held by the powder supply mechanism 300. In this manner, the powder supply container 200 becomes open, thereby enabling powder to be supplied into the powder supply mechanism 300.

[0063] The powder supplied from the powder supply container 200 advances along the path marked by the dashed arrow within the powder supply mechanism 300, and the flow rate is regulated by the valve midway through the path. The powder is supplied from the supply section 322 to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 at a predetermined flow rate.

[0064] After the powder supply container 200 has been detached from the powder supply mechanism 300, the operator rotates the second cylindrical portion 220 in the opposite direction to the above-described manner, causing the protrusion 212 to abut against the stop portion 225a. This returns the powder supply container 200 to its initial state and allows it to be pulled out of the assembly portion 311. The powder supply container 200 is reusable.

[0065] Next, refer to Figure 12 The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, which utilizes a powder supply container 200, will now be described. Figure 12 In the coordinate system, the XYZ axes are labeled as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, and the direction pointed to by each arrow is set as the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is set as the - direction. Figure 12 The diagram shows the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 positioned on a horizontal plane. The Z-axis runs vertically, with the +Z direction referred to as "up" and the -Z direction as "down." The -Z direction is where gravity exerts its force. For ease of illustration, the sizes of the components differ from actual dimensions.

[0066] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures sheet P3 from waste paper or other paper sheets in a dry manner. The sheet manufacturing apparatus using the powder supply container 200 is not limited to a dry method; a wet method may also be used. In this specification, "dry method" refers to a method performed not in a liquid, but in air such as the atmosphere.

[0067] like Figure 12As shown, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a first unit group 101, a second unit group 102, and a third unit group 103. The first unit group 101, the second unit group 102, and the third unit group 103 are supported by a frame (not shown).

[0068] exist Figure 12 In the diagram, blank arrows indicate the direction of movement of paper sheet C, sheet P3, shavings S, and unwanted end pieces. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the destination of the conveying direction of paper sheet C, sheet W, and sheet P3 is sometimes referred to as downstream, and the side following the conveying direction is referred to as upstream. In the following description, the assembly of paper sheets C, which consists of multiple paper sheets C, will also be simply referred to as paper sheet C.

[0069] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures sheet P3 from sheet C. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, when viewed from the side in the -X direction, a first unit group 101, a third unit group 103, and a second unit group 102 are arranged from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction.

[0070] Paper sheet C is conveyed from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 via a pipe 21 that traverses the third unit group 103. Then, in the second unit group 102, paper sheet C is de-fibrinated or otherwise shaped into fibers and is then set into a mixture containing a bonding material, etc. The mixture is conveyed to the third unit group 103 via pipe 24. In the third unit group 103, the mixture is set into a sheet W and then formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut in the first unit group 101 to become a sheet P3.

[0071] The first unit group 101 includes a raw material supply device 13, a measuring unit 15, a confluence unit 17, and a piping 21. These structures are arranged in the first unit group 101 from upstream to downstream in the order described above. Furthermore, the first unit group 101 also includes a downstream conveying unit 82, a tray 191, and a chopping unit 913 from the conveying unit 80.

[0072] The first unit group 101 includes a raw material supply device 13, a measuring unit 15, a confluence unit 17, and a piping 21. These structures are arranged in the first unit group 101 from upstream to downstream in the order described above. Furthermore, the first unit group 101 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. Moreover, the first unit group 101 includes a water supply section 67. The water supply section 67 is a water storage tank. The water supply section 67 supplies humidification water to the first humidification section 65 and the second humidification section 66, which will be described later, respectively, through a water supply pipe (not shown).

[0073] The raw material supply device 13 stores the paper sheet C, which is the raw material for the sheet P3, and supplies it downstream. The raw material supply device 13 has a raw material inlet 131, a storage section 132, and a discharge section 140.

[0074] Paper sheet C is fed into storage section 132 through raw material input port 131. Paper sheet C contains fibers such as cellulose, and is, for example, shredded waste paper. Humidified air is supplied into the storage section 132 from the second humidification unit 66 provided in the third unit group 103.

[0075] After being temporarily stored in the storage section 132, the paper sheet C is conveyed to the measuring section 15 via the discharge section 140. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may also be equipped with a paper shredder for cutting the paper sheet C and the like at the upstream side of the storage section 132.

[0076] The measuring unit 15 includes a sensor unit 15a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The sensor unit 15a measures the mass of the paper sheet C. The supply mechanism supplies the paper sheet C, which has been measured by the sensor unit 15a, to the downstream confluence unit 17. That is, the measuring unit 15 measures the paper sheet C according to a predetermined mass each time by means of the sensor unit 15a, and supplies it to the downstream confluence unit 17 by means of the supply mechanism.

[0077] For the sensor unit 15a, any measuring mechanism, whether digital or analog, can be used. Specifically, examples of sensor units 15a include physical sensors such as load sensors, as well as spring scales or balances. In this embodiment, a load sensor is used as the sensor unit 15a. The predetermined mass of the paper sheet C measured by the sensor unit 15a is, for example, about a few grams to tens of grams.

[0078] For the supply mechanism, known technologies such as openable and closable feeders can be used. The supply mechanism can also be a structure included in the sensor section 15a.

[0079] The measurement and supply of paper sheets C in the measuring unit 15 are performed in batches. That is, the supply of paper sheets C from the measuring unit 15 to the confluence unit 17 is carried out intermittently. The measuring unit 15 can have a combination of multiple sensor units 15a and supply mechanisms, or the multiple sensor units 15a can operate at different times to improve the efficiency of measurement and supply. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 has two sensor units 15a and supply mechanisms respectively attached to each sensor unit 15a. Thus, paper sheets C are alternately conveyed from the two sets of sensor units 15a and supply mechanisms to the confluence unit 17.

[0080] In the confluence section 17, the shredded pieces of the shaving blade S supplied from the shredding section 95 are mixed with the paper sheets C supplied from the measuring section 15. The shaving blade S and the shredding section 95 will be described later. The paper sheets C mixed with the shredded pieces flow from the confluence section 17 into the piping 21.

[0081] Pipe 21 conveys the paper sheet C from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 by the suction airflow generated by the downstream defiber section 30.

[0082] The second unit assembly 102 includes a debonding section 30, a separating section 31, a piping 23, a mixing section 33, and a piping 24, which function as a dry debonding machine. These structures are arranged in the second unit assembly 102 in the above-described order from upstream to downstream. Furthermore, the second unit assembly 102 also includes a piping 25 connected to the separating section 31, a recovery section 35, a compressor 38, and a power supply section 39.

[0083] The paper sheet C, conveyed in pipe 21, flows into the defiberization section 30. The defiberization section 30 defibers the paper sheet C supplied from the measuring section 15 in a dry manner to form fibers. A known defiberization mechanism can be used for the defiberization section 30.

[0084] The defiberization section 30 can be exemplified by the following structure: The defiberization section 30 includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a generally cylindrical inner surface. The rotor is disposed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator. Fragments of paper sheet C are sandwiched between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor, and are defibered by the shearing force generated between them. Thus, the entangled fibers contained in the paper sheet C are disassembled. The paper sheet C is then conveyed to the separation section 31 as fibers.

[0085] The separation section 31 separates the fibers after they have been de-fired. Specifically, the separation section 31 removes components from the fibers that are unnecessary for the manufacture of sheet P3. Specifically, the separation section 31 separates longer fibers from shorter fibers. Since shorter fibers can sometimes reduce the strength of sheet P3, they are separated by the separation section 31. Furthermore, the separation section 31 also separates and excludes color materials and additives contained in the paper sheet C. Known techniques such as disc mesh processing can be used for the separation section 31.

[0086] Humidified air is supplied from the second humidification section 66 of the third unit group 103 to the interior of the separation section 31.

[0087] Shorter fibers and other impurities from the de-fibered fibers are removed and transported to the mixing section 33 via pipe 23 by airflow generated by a blower (not shown) located at the top of the airflow pipe 32. Unwanted components such as shorter fibers and coloring materials are discharged to the recovery section 35 via pipe 25.

[0088] The mixing unit 33 mixes additives such as binder materials with fibers in air to form a mixture. The mixing unit 33 includes a powder supply mechanism 300. In addition to the supply unit 322 and valve described above, the powder supply mechanism 300 also includes a built-in hopper. A powder supply container 200 is mounted on the powder supply mechanism 300. Although not shown in the figure, the mixing unit 33, in addition to the powder supply mechanism 300, also includes a fiber conveying channel and a fan.

[0089] The hopper is connected to the fiber channel via the supply section 322. A valve is provided on the supply section 322 between the hopper and the channel. The hopper feeds the powder of the binder material supplied from the powder supply container 200 into the channel. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, starch is used as the binder material for the fibers. The valve regulates the flow rate, i.e., the mass, of the binder material supplied from the hopper to the channel. This regulates the mixing ratio of the fibers and the binder material.

[0090] In addition to the powder supply container 200 and powder supply mechanism 300 for supplying binder materials, the mixing unit 33 may also have the same structure for supplying color materials or additives. That is, the powder supply container 200 can also be used for additives or color materials other than binder materials.

[0091] The fan in mixing section 33, through the generated airflow, mixes the bonding material and other materials into the air to form a mixture while conveying the fibers downstream. The mixture flows from mixing section 33 into piping 24.

[0092] The recovery unit 35 is equipped with a filter (not shown). The filter removes unwanted parts such as shorter fibers that are transported by airflow in the piping 25.

[0093] Compressor 38 generates compressed air. In the aforementioned filter, blockages can occur due to fine particles or other contaminants in unwanted parts. Blowing the compressed air generated by compressor 38 onto the filter removes these particles, thus cleaning the filter.

[0094] The power supply unit 39 includes a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power to the control unit 5 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The power supply unit 39 distributes externally supplied power to each structure of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The control unit 5 is electrically connected to each structure of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and comprehensively controls the operation of these structures.

[0095] The third unit group 103 stacks and compresses a mixture containing fibers to form a strip-shaped sheet P1 as recycled paper. The third unit group 103 has a stacking section 50, a first conveying section 61, a second conveying section 62, a first humidification section 65, a second humidification section 66, a drainage section 68, and a forming section 70.

[0096] In the third unit group 103, the stacking section 50, the first conveying section 61, the second conveying section 62, the first humidifying section 65, and the forming section 70 are arranged from upstream to downstream in the order described above. The second humidifying section 66 is disposed below the first humidifying section 65.

[0097] The stacking section 50 stacks the mixture containing the separated fibers in the air to form a sheet W. The stacking section 50 has a roller component 53, a blade component 55 disposed within the roller component 53, a cover 51 for housing the roller component 53, and a suction section 59. The mixture is drawn into the interior of the roller component 53 from the piping 24.

[0098] A first conveying section 61 is arranged below the stacking section 50. The first conveying section 61 has a mesh belt 61a and five support rollers (not shown) for supporting the mesh belt 61a. A suction section 59 is positioned opposite the roller member 53 across the mesh belt 61a in the direction along the Z-axis.

[0099] 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 mesh functioning as a sieve is provided on the downward-facing side of the drum component 53. The drum component 53 allows particles such as fibers or mixtures that are smaller than the mesh opening size of the sieve to pass through from the inside to the outside.

[0100] The mixture is agitated inside the drum component 53 by the rotating blade component 55 and then discharged to the outside of the drum component 53. Humidified air is supplied from the second humidification section 66 inside the drum component 53.

[0101] A suction unit 59 is disposed below the roller member 53. The suction unit 59 draws air from inside the casing 51 through multiple holes in the mesh belt 61a. The multiple holes in the mesh belt 61a allow air to pass through, but prevent fibers or adhesive materials contained in the mixture from passing through. Thus, the mixture being released to the outside of the roller member 53, along with the air, is drawn downwards. The suction unit 59 is a known suction device such as a blower.

[0102] The mixture is dispersed in the air inside the housing 51 and accumulates on the surface above the mesh belt 61a by gravity and suction from the suction unit 59, thus becoming a sheet W.

[0103] The mesh belt 61a is a jointless belt and is supported by five support rollers. The mesh belt 61a is supported by the rotation of the support rollers. Figure 12 The conveyor belt rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the mixture continuously accumulates on the conveyor belt 61a, forming a sheet W. The sheet W contains a relatively large amount of air, thus expanding softly. The first conveyor section 61 transports the formed sheet W downstream by the rotation of the conveyor belt 61a.

[0104] The second conveying section 62, located downstream of the first conveying section 61, transports the sheet W in place of the first conveying section 61. The second conveying section 62 peels the sheet W from the surface above the mesh belt 61a and conveys it toward the forming section 70. The second conveying section 62 is positioned above the conveying path of the sheet W and is located slightly upstream of the starting point on the return side of the mesh belt 61a. The +Y direction of the second conveying section 62 and the -Y direction of the mesh belt 61a partially overlap in the vertical direction.

[0105] The second conveying unit 62 includes a conveyor belt (not shown), multiple rollers, and a suction mechanism. Multiple holes for air to pass through are provided on the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is supported by the multiple rollers and rotates by the rotation of the rollers.

[0106] The second conveying unit 62 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. By rotating the conveyor belt in this state, the material sheet W is adhered to the conveyor belt and conveyed downstream.

[0107] The first humidifying unit 65 humidifies the fiber-containing sheet W that is deposited by the stacking section 50 of the third unit group 103. Specifically, the first humidifying unit 65 is, for example, a mist humidifier, and supplies mist M to the sheet W being conveyed from below via the second conveying section 62 to humidify it. The first humidifying unit 65 is disposed below the second conveying section 62 and is positioned opposite W in the direction along the Z-axis to the sheet conveyed by the second conveying section 62. For the first humidifying unit 65, a known humidifying device, such as an ultrasonic humidifier, can be used.

[0108] 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 generated by the mist are prevented from falling onto the sheet W. Moreover, 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 62 conveys the sheet W to the forming unit 70.

[0109] The forming section 70 includes processing rollers 71 and 72. The processing rollers 71 and 72 compress the fiber-containing 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, thereby enabling the roller surface temperature to be raised.

[0110] Processing rollers 71 and 72 are both generally cylindrical components. The rotation axes of processing roller 71 and processing roller 72 are arranged along the X-axis. Processing roller 71 is positioned approximately above the conveying path of sheet W, and processing roller 72 is positioned approximately below the conveying path of sheet W. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the sheet P3 to be manufactured is provided between the side surfaces of processing roller 71 and processing roller 72.

[0111] 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 performed efficiently.

[0112] The sheet W passes through the forming section 70, thereby reducing the air trapped inside from a soft state containing more air, and the fibers are bonded together by the bonding material to form a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is conveyed to the first unit group 101 by a conveying roller (not shown).

[0113] The second humidifier 66 is disposed below the first humidifier 65. A known vaporization-type humidifier can be used for the second humidifier 66. Examples of vaporization-type humidifiers include those that blow air onto a moistened non-woven fabric to vaporize the moisture and generate humidified air.

[0114] The second humidification unit 66 humidifies a predetermined area of ​​the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The predetermined area refers to one or more of the roller components 53 of the storage section 132, the separation section 31, and the stacking section 50. Specifically, humidified air is supplied to the aforementioned area from the second humidification unit 66 via multiple pipes (not shown). The humidified air suppresses the charging of the paper sheet C or fibers in each of the aforementioned structures, thereby suppressing adhesion to the components caused by static electricity.

[0115] The drainage section 68 is a drainage tank. The drainage section 68 is used in the first humidification section 65 and the second humidification section 66, etc., to collect and store the deteriorated water. The drainage section 68 can be removed from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 as needed and the accumulated water is discarded.

[0116] The strip-shaped sheet P1, being conveyed to the first unit group 101, 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 X-axis. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut into individual sheets P2 by the first cutting section 81. The individual sheets P2 are conveyed from the first cutting section 81 to the second cutting section 82.

[0117] The second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 in the conveying direction, for example, along the Y-axis. Specifically, the second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 near both edges along the X-axis. Thus, the single sheet P2 becomes a sheet P3 of a predetermined shape, such as A4 or A3 size.

[0118] When the single sheet P2 is cut into thin sheets P3 using the second cutting section 82, shavings S, which serve as end pieces, are generated. The shavings S are conveyed in a generally -Y direction to the shredding section 95, which functions as a shredder. The shredding section 95 shreds the shavings S into small pieces and supplies them to the collection section 17. A mechanism for measuring the shredded pieces of the shavings S and supplying them to the collection section 17 may also be provided between the shredding section 95 and the collection section 17.

[0119] The sheet P3 is conveyed generally upwards and accumulated on the tray 91. The sheet P3 is manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in this manner. The sheet P3 can be used, for example, as a substitute for photocopying paper.

[0120] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0121] This facilitates handling when the powder is filled. Specifically, since the interior of the powder supply container 200 is sealed, leakage of powder can be prevented even when the powder is filled and handled. A powder supply container 200 is provided that facilitates handling when the powder is filled.

[0122] By removing the cover 230 from the second cylindrical portion 220, powder can be easily filled. Furthermore, by opening the first opening 213, powder can be easily supplied to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0123] Since the guide rib 221 guides the protrusion 212, the configuration and displacement of the first cylindrical portion 210 relative to the second cylindrical portion 220 become appropriate. As a result, it is possible to reliably switch between the initial state and the open state.

[0124] The powder supply container 200 is initially assembled in its initial state. Therefore, when the first cylindrical portion 210 is installed to fill with powder, leakage of powder is suppressed. Furthermore, since the first cylindrical portion 210 cannot be removed in its open state, accidental disassembly can be prevented.

[0125] Symbol Explanation

[0126] 200…Powder supply container; 210…First cylindrical section; 211…Bottom surface; 212…Protrusion; 213…First opening; 220…Second cylindrical section; 221…Guide rib; 221a…First guide rib; 221b…Second guide rib; 230…Cover; 233…Second opening; CA…Central shaft.

Claims

1. A powder supply container, characterized in that, have: The first cylindrical portion has a central axis and a first opening is formed on the bottom surface; The second cylindrical portion is disposed overlapping the inner side of the first cylindrical portion in a state in which it can rotate about the central axis; The cover portion, which is detachably mounted in the second cylindrical portion on the side of the first cylindrical portion opposite to the bottom surface, and has a second opening. When the second cylindrical portion is rotated relative to the first cylindrical portion, the second opening portion rotates relative to the first opening portion, thereby switching the opening and closing of the first opening portion. A protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion. A guide rib is provided on the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion to guide the protrusion.

2. The powder supply container as described in claim 1, wherein, The guide rib has a first guide rib and a second guide rib. The first guide rib is located on the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion and is formed in a spiral shape. When the second cylindrical portion is inserted into the first cylindrical portion, the first guide rib guides the protrusion so that the second cylindrical portion is assembled in a predetermined position on the first cylindrical portion.

3. The powder supply container as described in claim 2, wherein, With the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion assembled together, the second guide rib is located on the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion and is formed extending in a circumferential direction around the central axis, guiding the protrusion in a manner that allows the first cylindrical portion to rotate relative to the second cylindrical portion around the central axis.

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