Device for defibrizing a fibrous composition, and defibrizing method using such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a defibrizing device (1) for defibrizing a fibrous composition (2), comprising a device (3) for collecting the fibrous composition (2) and at least one brush-type rotary element (34, 35) that has at least one row of bristles (4) and is able to de-compact and aerate said fibrous composition (2) so as to obtain non-agglomerated individual fibers (21), said rotary element (34, 35) having a rotational shaft (340, 350) mounted perpendicular to the lateral walls (30) of the collecting device (3), and a distribution device (5) for ejecting the individual fibers (21) which communicates with the collecting device (3). The invention further relates to the use of said defibrizing device for de-compacting and aerating a fibrous composition (2) so as to obtain non-agglomerated individual fibers (21).

Description

[0001] The object of the present invention relates to a device for defibrating fibrous composition and to a defibration method using such a device. For the purposes of this invention, fibrous composition refers to a mass of fibers initially contained in flexible, bag-type containers, the mass generally being compacted to reduce the container's volume. The fibers are typically insulating material fibers, and in particular rock, glass, and cotton fibers.

[0002] For the purposes of this invention, defibration means an operation which consists of decompacting and aerating the fibers which are initially in the form of clumps, so that they can be used immediately after the defibration operation.

[0003] Currently, a defibration device is used for the defibration of such fibers, comprising rotating elements of the metal carding type equipped with fingers, such as the one shown in the image. figure 5 Such devices are dangerous for operators when these rotating parts are set in motion.

[0004] French patent applications FR1432599 and FR2504159, as well as utility model JP S6093772 (U), describe a fibrous composition defibration process comprising a rotating brush-type element to obtain non-agglomerated fibers. The present invention therefore relates to a device for defibrating a fibrous composition comprising: a collection device for said fibrous composition comprising side walls, a support for said side walls and in which an opening is made, and at least one rotating element mounted in said collection device and capable of loosening and aerating said fibrous composition so as to obtain individual non-agglomerated fibers, said rotating element having an axis of rotation mounted perpendicular to said side walls of said collection device, and a distribution device for ejecting said individual fibers and communicating with said opening of the collection device, said rotating element being a brush element comprising at least one row of bristles fixed on said axis of rotation, said device being characterized in that said brush element comprises a rear part with a single row of bristles arranged in the form of a helical helix,and a front section with one or more rows of bristles aligned perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the brush element.

[0005] The brush elements usable within the framework of the present invention are suitable for use with floor sweepers or fruit and delicate product cleaners. The bristles have sufficient elasticity to prevent any danger to the operator during the defibration operation. The bristles are tightly packed on the axis of rotation so as to eject the fibers outwards, thus regulating the flow of the product. The rear part of the brush element, with a single row of bristles arranged in a helix, moves the fibers towards a dispenser or a storage chamber. The use of such a brush element not only allows the fibers to be moved to a dispenser or storage chamber, but also initiates the defibration process. This type of brush aerates the fibrous composition, resulting in a lighter and less dense product.

[0006] Advantageously, said brush element(s) may have at least seven rows of bristles in the front part, so as to allow for better defibration efficiency.

[0007] Advantageously, the bristles of the brush elements can have a length between 10 and 200 mm.

[0008] Advantageously, the bristles of the brush elements can be made of stainless steel, or carbon fibers, or polymer material, and preferably polyamide material.

[0009] Advantageously, this device may include at least two brush elements, arranged side by side so that their axes of rotation lie in the same horizontal plane parallel to the collection device support, or one above the other so that their axes of rotation lie in the same vertical plane perpendicular to the collection device support. The brushes are generally used in pairs or more to ensure homogenized flow and defibration.

[0010] In this embodiment not according to the invention, the brush elements may preferably be provided at one of their ends with a helical screw and / or a pusher element or finger-type pusher elements.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the defibration device according to the invention, the collection device may further comprise two rotating metal cards, said cards being arranged between said brush elements and said distribution device.

[0012] The present invention also relates to the use of a defibration device according to the invention to decompact and aerate a fibrous composition in order to obtain individual non-agglomerated fibers.

[0013] If the defibration device is used according to this embodiment, the rotating elements can rotate at a speed of approximately 60 to 70 rpm. If the defibration device is used according to a second embodiment, the rotating elements can rotate at a speed of approximately 1000 rpm, while the rotating metal cards can rotate at a speed of approximately 60 to 70 rpm.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] schematically represents a front view (left) and a side view (right) of a first embodiment of the defibration device according to the present invention, [ Fig 2 ] schematically represents a front view (left) and a side view (right) of a second embodiment of the defibration device, [ Fig 3 ] is a photograph showing a brush element intended for the first embodiment of the defibration device according to the invention, [ Fig 4 ] is a photograph showing two brush elements not according to the invention, [ Fig 5 ] is a photograph of a metal card integrated into a defibration device according to the prior art or which can be coupled to the brush elements in the second embodiment of the defibration device according to the invention.

[0015] The technical characteristics common to these two figures are each designated by the same numerical reference in the figures concerned.

[0016] On [ Fig 1] et [Fig 2 Two examples of defibration devices are shown, which include: a collection device 3 of a fibrous composition 2 comprising side walls 30, a support 31 supporting said side walls 30 and in which an opening is made, and a plurality of rotating elements 34, 35 suitable for decompacting and aerating said fibrous composition 2, so as to obtain individual non-agglomerated fibers 21, said rotating element 34, 35 having an axis of rotation 340, 350 mounted perpendicularly to said side walls 30 of the collection device 3, and a distribution device 5 for ejecting the individual fibers 21 and communicating with said opening of the collection device 3.

[0017] On [ Fig 1 The rotating elements 34, 35 comprise only two brush elements. The two brush elements 34, 35 are arranged side by side so that their axes of rotation 340, 350 are located in the same horizontal plane parallel to said support 31 of the collection device 3.

[0018] [ Fig 3 ] shows brush elements 34, 35 according to the invention for this first embodiment, each of which comprises: a rear part 341, 351 with a single row of hairs 4 arranged in the form of a helical helix 341, and a front part 342, 352 with one or more rows of hairs 4 aligned perpendicularly to said axis of rotation 340, 350 of the rotating element 34, 35.

[0019] On [ Fig 2 ], the rotating elements 34, 35 comprise two metal carding plates 36, 37 arranged in the collection device 3 between the brush elements 34, 35 and the distribution device 5.

[0020] The metal carding combs are illustrated on | Fig 5 ] and the brush elements on | Fig 4 ] These are equipped at one of their ends with a helical screw and / or a pusher element or finger-type pusher elements.

Claims

1. Device (1) for defibrizing a fibrous composition (2) comprising: · a collection device (3) for said fibrous composition (2) comprising side walls (30), a support (31) supporting said side walls (30) and including an opening, and at least one rotary element (34, 35) mounted in said collection device (3) and able to decompact and aerate said fibrous composition (2) to obtain individual non-agglomerated fibres (21), said rotary element (34, 35) having a rotary shaft (340, 350) mounted perpendicular to said side walls (30) of said collection device (3), · a dispensing device (5) for discharging said individual fibres (21), in communication with said opening in the collection device (3), · said rotary element (34, 35) being a brush element comprising at least one row of bristles (4) fastened to said rotary shaft (340, 350), said device being characterized in that said brush element (34, 35) includes · a rear portion (341, 351) with a single row of bristles (4) arranged in the form of a helix (341), and · a front portion (342, 352) with one or more rows of bristles (4) aligned perpendicular to said rotary shaft (340, 350) of the brush element (34, 35).

2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein said brush element (34, 35) includes at least 7 rows of bristles (4) in the front portion.

3. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, wherein said bristles (4) are between 10 mm and 200 mm long.

4. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, wherein said bristles (4) are made of stainless steel, or of carbon fibres, or of polymer material, and preferably of polyamide material.

5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, comprising at least two brush elements (34, 35), which are arranged side by side so that their rotary shafts (340, 350) are located in the same horizontal plane parallel to said support (31) of the collection device (3), or one above the other so that their rotary shafts (340, 350) are located in the same vertical plane perpendicular to said support (31) of the collection device (3).

6. Device according to Claim 5, further comprising two metal carding elements (36, 37), said carding elements (36, 37) being arranged between said brush elements (34, 35) and said dispensing device (5).

7. Use of the defibrizing device (1) as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 6 for decompacting and aerating a fibrous composition (2) to obtain individual non-agglomerated fibres (21).

8. Use of the defibrizing device (1) according to Claim 7, implementing the device as defined in Claim 5, with a speed of rotation of the brush elements (34, 35) of the order of 60 to 70 rpm.

9. Use of the defibrizing device (1) according to Claim 7, implementing the device as defined in Claim 6, with a speed of rotation of the brush elements (34, 35) of the order of 1000 rpm and a speed of rotation of the rotary metal carding elements (36, 37) of the order of 60 to 70 rpm.

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