Laminate separation device and laminate separation method

Abstract

To provide a laminate separation device and separation method which can efficiently separate and recover each layer with high purity.SOLUTION: A separation device 20 of a laminate 10 in which a first layer 11 containing a thermoplastic resin and a second layer 12 are laminated, includes a heating and pressing part 30 for heating the laminate 10 at a temperature which is lower than a melting point of the first layer 11 and equal to or higher than a melting point of the second layer 12, and welding the second layer 12 while making the second layer 12 press against a belt conveyor 21, a first peeling part 40 for peeing the first layer 11, and a second peeling part 60 for peeling the second layer 12, wherein the belt conveyor 21 includes a first belt 22 and a second belt 24, the first belt 22 and the second belt 24 advance in line from the heating and pressing part 30 to the first peeling part 40, on the other hand, the first belt 22 in the second peeling part 60 peels from the second layer 12 prior to the second belt 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a laminate separation device and a laminate separation method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a method for separating each layer of a laminate composed of multiple layers, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for separating the surface layer and backing resin layer of a tile carpet by placing a tile carpet (laminate) on a conveyer belt, heating it in a heating furnace, and peeling off the end of the surface layer and the end of the backing resin layer at the end of the tile carpet in opposite directions from above and below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-69083 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible that the backing resin layer may remain partially on the skin layer, or the skin layer may remain partially on the backing layer. In such a case, the purity of the material of each layer obtained after separation is reduced, and the quality of the recycled product obtained by reusing each layer is reduced. In addition, when separating each layer from the laminate by peeling it off, it is desirable to be able to peel one layer off the other layer smoothly.

[0005] The present disclosure is a technology completed based on the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a stack separation device and separation method capable of efficiently separating and recovering each layer with high purity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification is a laminate separation device for separating each layer of a laminate having a first layer including a first thermoplastic resin and a second layer including a second thermoplastic resin having a melting point lower than that of the first thermoplastic resin, the laminate separation device including a belt conveyor for transporting the laminate toward a downstream side, a heating unit for heating the laminate at a temperature lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin and equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin, a pressing unit for pressing the laminate heated by the heating unit against the belt conveyor with the second layer facing the belt conveyor to weld the laminate, and a first peeling unit for peeling the first layer from the second layer downstream of the pressing unit. and a second peeling section downstream of the first peeling section that peels the second layer from the belt conveyor, wherein the belt conveyor includes a first belt and a second belt arranged in stripes in a direction intersecting the belt conveyor's traveling direction and moving at the same speed in the traveling direction, and the first belt and the second belt move side by side at least from the pressing section to the first peeling section, while in the second peeling section, a first reversing section where the traveling direction of the first belt is reversed is located upstream of a second reversing section where the traveling direction of the second belt is reversed, so that the first belt is peeled off from the second layer before the second belt.

[0007] According to such a laminate separation device, the second layer of the laminate is welded to the belt conveyor in the pressing section, so that the second layer is firmly fixed, and therefore the first layer can be easily peeled from the second layer in the first peeling section, and it is possible to prevent the second layer from partially remaining on the peeled first layer or the first layer from partially remaining on the remaining second layer. In other words, it is possible to increase the purity of the materials of the first and second layers after peeling.

[0008] In addition, since the first belt is peeled off from the second layer before the second belt in the second peeling section, the welded area between the second layer and the belt conveyor is small, and therefore the second layer can be easily peeled off from the belt conveyor (second belt) when it is finally peeled off.

[0009] The second peeling section may be located between two adjacent second belts downstream of the first reversing section, and may include a peeling guide section between an upper section of the belt conveyor with its outer surface facing upward and a lower section of the belt conveyor with its outer surface facing downward, which abuts against an exposed portion of the second layer that is exposed when the first belt is peeled off, and guides the second layer in a direction away from the second belt.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the peeling guide portion guides the second layer in a direction away from the second belt, so that the second layer can be reliably separated from the second belt.

[0011] The second peeling section may include a first blowing section that blows air toward exposed portion 12A of the second layer that is exposed when the first belt is peeled off. According to this configuration, the second layer receives a force from the first blowing section in a direction away from the second belt, so that the second layer can be reliably separated from the second belt.

[0012] The second peeling section may be configured so that the second layer is peeled off from the second belt by reversing the traveling direction of the second belt at the second reversing section, and a second air blowing section may be provided which blows air toward a gap between the second belt and the second layer at the second reversing section from the opposite side to the traveling direction.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the second layer receives a force from the second blowing section in a direction away from the second belt, so that the second layer can be reliably separated from the second belt.

[0014] The pressing section may be provided at an upper portion of the belt conveyor with an outer surface facing upward, and a common reversing section may be provided between the pressing section and the first peeling section to reverse the traveling directions of both the first belt and the second belt traveling side by side. According to this configuration, the laminate welded to the upper portion of the belt conveyor by the pressing section is turned upside down by the common reversing section, so that the first layer and the second layer peeled off by the first peeling section and the second peeling section can be dropped downward by gravity and easily collected.

[0015] A cooling section for cooling the second layer may be provided between the first peeling section and the second peeling section. With this configuration, the second layer can be solidified firmly, so that the second layer can be easily peeled off from the belt conveyor in the second peeling section.

[0016] The first peeling section may include a peeling roller having a cylindrical rotating roller with a spiral blade provided on an outer surface thereof. Furthermore, the belt conveyor may be made of metal.

[0017] The technology disclosed in this specification is a laminate separation method for separating each layer of a laminate including a first layer containing a first thermoplastic resin and a second layer containing a second thermoplastic resin having a melting point lower than that of the first thermoplastic resin, using the above-mentioned laminate separation device, the laminate separation method including a heating step of heating the laminate by the heating unit at a temperature lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin and equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin, a pressing step of pressing the heated laminate against the belt conveyor in the pressing unit with the second layer facing the belt conveyor to weld the laminate, a first peeling step of peeling the first layer from the second layer, and a second peeling step of peeling the second layer from the belt conveyor, wherein in the second peeling step, the first belt is peeled from the second layer prior to the second belt.

[0018] In the second peeling step, a peeling guide portion that guides the second layer in a direction away from the second belt may be brought into contact with an exposed portion of the second layer that is exposed when the first belt is peeled off. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the technique disclosed in this specification, it is possible to provide a laminate separation device and a separation method that are capable of efficiently separating and recovering each layer with high purity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a laminate according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] Side view of the laminate separating device [Diagram 3] Enlarged exploded cross-sectional view of a part of a conveyor belt [Figure 4] Perspective view of the fiber peeling roller [Diagram 5] Plan view of the laminate separating device [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second peeling portion (cross-sectional view II in FIG. 5 ). [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the second peeling portion, illustrating a state in which the upward movement of the second layer is restricted by the peeling guide portion; [Figure 8] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second peeling portion (cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 5 ). [Figure 9] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second peeling portion (III-III cross-sectional view of FIG. 5). [Figure 10] 1 is a side view of a laminate separating device according to another embodiment; [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second peeling portion showing a peeling guide portion of another embodiment; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] One embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In this embodiment, a laminate 10 constituting the floor of an automobile (vehicle), a separation device 20 thereof, and a separation method will be described.

[0022] 1, the laminate 10 is an offcut of a floor carpet (flooring material) that is laid on a floor panel that is made of sheet metal in the floor of an automobile. The laminate 10 is an offcut that remains after the floor carpet is cut out from a substrate that has the same cross-sectional configuration as the laminate 10.

[0023] The laminate 10 comprises a first layer 11 containing a first thermoplastic resin and fibers, and a second layer 12 containing a second thermoplastic resin having a lower melting point than the first thermoplastic resin and laminated to the first layer 11.

[0024] The first layer 11 is a layer of the laminate 10 that is disposed on the interior side of the vehicle and is a layer that contains fibers. The first layer 11 can improve the texture, feel, design, etc. of the interior side of the laminate 10. The second layer 12 is a layer of the laminate 10 that is disposed on the floor panel side of the vehicle (the exterior side of the vehicle) and has a function of suitably insulating vibrations.

[0025] The materials used as the first thermoplastic resin and the second thermoplastic resin are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one or more of thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide fiber (nylon), acrylic fiber, etc. In this embodiment, PET with a melting point of 260 degrees is used as the first thermoplastic resin, and PE with a melting point of 125 degrees, which is lower than PET, is used as the second thermoplastic resin.

[0026] Next, the separation device 20 for the laminate 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the separation device 20 of this embodiment includes a belt conveyor 21 that conveys the laminate 10 toward the downstream side, a heating and pressing device (an example of a heating section and a pressing section) 30 that heats the laminate 10 at a temperature lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin and equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin, and presses the laminate 10 against the belt conveyor 21 with the second layer 12 facing the belt conveyor 21 to weld it, a reversing section 35 that reverses the belt conveyor 21 downstream of the heating and pressing device 30, a first peeling section 40 that peels the first layer 11 from the second layer 12 downstream of the reversing section 35, a cooling fan (an example of a cooling section) 50 that cools the second layer 12 downstream of the first peeling section 40, and a second peeling section 60 that peels the second layer 12 from the belt conveyor 21 downstream of the cooling fan 50. Each component will be specifically described below.

[0027] <Conveyor Belt 21> The belt conveyor 21 of this embodiment is made of metal, has a belt shape, and is annular in shape with its outer surface facing generally up and down and rotates counterclockwise in the drawing as shown in Fig. 2. This belt conveyor 21 is composed of a plurality of first belts 22 and a plurality of second belts 24 that are arranged in a staggered manner in a direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) intersecting the traveling direction of the belt conveyor 21 (left and right direction in Fig. 2) and move in the traveling direction at the same speed.

[0028] Figure 3 is a partially exploded enlarged cross-sectional view showing a schematic state in which the upper belt conveyor 21 of the vertically opposing belt conveyors 21 is cut in a direction intersecting the traveling direction, and the first belt 22 and the second belt 24 are capable of forming a single continuous surface in their width direction by having recesses 23 provided on both edges of the outer surface side (upper surface side in Figure 3) of the first belt 22 mesh with protrusions 25 protruding from both edges of the outer surface side of the second belt 24.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2, the belt conveyor 21 includes a first roller (an example of a first reversing section) 26, a second roller (an example of a second reversing section) 27, and a common roller (an example of a common reversing section) 28, whose rotation axes are parallel and arranged on the same plane. The first roller 26 is arranged to face the common roller 28, and the second roller 27 is arranged to face the common roller 28 with the first roller 26 in between. In other words, the second roller 27 is arranged at a position farther from the common roller 28 than the first roller 26. All of these three rollers 26, 27, 28 rotate at the same speed in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 2.

[0030] The above-mentioned first belt 22 is stretched around a first roller 26 and a common roller 28, and is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 2. On the other hand, the second belt 24 is stretched around a second roller 27 and a common roller 28, and is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 2. In other words, the second belt 24 is longer than the first belt 22.

[0031] With this configuration, the belt conveyor 21 rotates and moves in a state where the first belt 22 and the second belt 24 are arranged in a combined striped pattern between the common roller 28 and the first roller 26. When the belt conveyor 21 advances from the common roller 28 and reaches the first roller 26, the first belt 22 is turned up and separated from the second belt 24, and between the first roller 26 and the second roller 27, the belt conveyor 21 rotates and moves in a state where only the second belt 24 is arranged intermittently. Then, when the second belt 24 passes through the first roller 26 and the second roller 27 and reaches the first roller 26 again, the first belt 22 and the second belt 24 are combined again and arranged in a striped pattern.

[0032] Hereinafter, the portion of the belt conveyor 21 where the first belt 22 and the second belt 24 are combined (between the common roller 28 and the first roller 26) will be referred to as the continuous portion, and the portion where the first belt 22 is separated from the continuous portion and only the second belt 24 is present (between the first roller 26 and the second roller 27) will be referred to as the interrupted portion. In addition, of the belt conveyors 21 facing each other in the vertical direction, the continuous portion located at the top will be referred to as the upper continuous portion 21U, the continuous portion located at the bottom will be referred to as the lower continuous portion 21D, the interrupted portion located at the bottom will be referred to as the lower interrupted portion 24D, and the interrupted portion located at the top will be referred to as the upper interrupted portion 24U.

[0033] <Heat pressing device 30> As shown in Fig. 2, a heat pressing device 30 is provided in the upper continuous section 21U of the belt conveyor 21. The laminate 10 placed on the upper discontinuous section 24U or the upper continuous section 21U is first transported into this heat pressing device 30. In this heat pressing device 30, one or more pairs of heat pressing rollers 31 are arranged in the traveling direction so as to face each other and sandwich the belt conveyor 21 from above and below. These heat pressing rollers 31 can press the laminate 10 carried into the heat pressing device 30 from the front and back at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin and lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin.

[0034] The second layer 12 of the laminate 10 carried into the heat pressing device 30 is pressed by the heat pressing roller 31 and melts, and is welded to the outer surface of the belt conveyor 21. On the other hand, the first layer 11 does not melt and remains in a solidified state.

[0035] <Reversing section 35> The above-mentioned common roller 28 is provided downstream of the hot pressing device 30. That is, the belt conveyor 21 (upper continuous portion 21U) that has passed through the hot pressing device 30 is turned back along the common roller 28, and its traveling direction is reversed from the direction facing left to the direction facing right in Fig. 2. In addition, the outer surface of the belt conveyor 21 is reversed from the upward direction (upper continuous portion 21U) to the downward direction (lower continuous portion 21D).

[0036] <First peeling portion 40> The common roller 28 reverses the direction of travel and the direction of the outer surface of the belt conveyor 21, which is the lower continuous section 21D, and a fiber peeling roller (one example of a peeling roller) 41 is installed on the belt conveyor 21. The fiber peeling roller 41 has a cylindrical section 42 having a rotation axis that rotates in the same direction (counterclockwise) as the rotation axes of the first roller 26, the second roller 27, and the common roller 28 described above, and a blade 43 extending in a spiral shape is provided on the outer surface of the fiber peeling roller 41 (see FIG. 4). The fiber peeling roller 41 is pressed against the laminate 10 conveyed by the belt conveyor 21, and is set to peel the first layer 11 in a solidified state that is not melted from the second layer 12. A first collecting section 44 is provided below the fiber peeling roller 41 for collecting the first layer 11 peeled from the second layer 12 (see FIG. 2).

[0037] <Cooling fan 50> A cooling fan (an example of a cooling section) 50 that blows air toward the downward continuous section 21D is provided downstream of the first peeling section 40. The cooling fan 50 can cool the second layer 12 remaining on the belt conveyor 21.

[0038] <Second peeling portion 60> When the belt conveyor 21 (lower continuous portion 21D) that has passed the cooling fan 50 reaches the first roller 26, the first belt 22 of the belt conveyor 21 is turned up and separated from the second belt 24 by the first roller 26, and the traveling direction and outer surface are reversed. The remaining second belt 24 (lower interrupted portion 24D) maintains its traveling direction and advances toward the second roller 27.

[0039] Furthermore, when the second belt 24 reaches the second roller 27, the second belt 24 is folded back along the second roller 27, and the traveling direction is reversed from the direction facing right to the direction facing left in Fig. 2. In addition, the outer surface of the belt conveyor 21 is reversed from downward to upward (this is called an upper interrupted portion 24U).

[0040] In this embodiment, a peeling guide portion 61 is provided at a position adjacent to the lower interrupted portion 24D of the belt conveyor 21 being reversed by the second roller 27. The peeling guide portion 61 extends along the extension direction of the second belt 24 between the two second belts 24 arranged adjacent to each other in the lower interrupted portion 24D (see FIG. 5), and one end side in the extension direction (the end on the right side in FIG. 5) extends to a position beyond the downstream end of the second roller 27. The installation height of the peeling guide portion 61 is between the upper interrupted portion 24U and the lower interrupted portion 24D, and is disposed at a position slightly higher than the lower interrupted portion 24D (see FIGS. 6 and 9). The lower surface of the peeling guide portion 61 has a substantially semicircular cross section as shown in FIG. 9.

[0041] When the second layer 12, which is welded to the outer surface (lower surface) of the lower discontinuous portion 24D (second belt 24), reaches the second roller 27 and tries to move upward together with the second belt 24 without separating from the second belt 24 at the turn-back portion, the peeling guide portion 61 abuts from below against the exposed portion 12A of the second layer 12 that is exposed as the first belt 22 is peeled off, thereby restricting the upward movement of the second layer 12 (see FIG. 7). In other words, the peeling guide portion 61 is configured to reliably separate the second layer 12 from the second belt 24. At this time, since the lower surface of the peeling guide portion 61 has a substantially semicircular cross section, the contact area with the second layer 12 is small, and frictional resistance is suppressed. It is preferable that the peeling guide portion 61 is made of a material that has high sliding properties with the second layer 12 and is difficult for dust to adhere to due to static electricity.

[0042] The above-mentioned peeling guide section 61 is integrally provided with a first blowing section 62 that blows air downward (see Figs. 6 and 9). A plurality of blowing openings of the first blowing section 62 are provided in a line in the extension direction of the peeling guide section 61 at positions overlapping with the positions where the second rollers 27 are disposed in the traveling direction of the belt conveyor 21. With this configuration, the first blowing section 62 can blow air from above against the exposed portion 12A of the second layer 12, making it easier for the second layer 12 to separate from the second belt 24. Note that such a first blowing section 62 can be realized by providing piping in the peeling guide section 61 to circulate air.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a second air blowing section 63 for blowing air from an obliquely upward direction toward the gap between the second belt 24, which is moving in the traveling direction from the lower interrupted section 24D and being turned by the second roller 27, and the second layer 12 about to separate from the second belt 24, is provided integrally with the peeling guide section 61. The second air blowing section 63 is provided downstream of the lower interrupted section 24D as shown in FIG. 8, and is provided in a portion that extends in the width direction of the belt conveyor 21 and integrally connects the multiple peeling guide sections 61 as shown in FIG. 5. This configuration makes it even easier for the second layer 12 to separate from the second belt 24.

[0044] In this way, the second belt 24, which has been separated from the second layer 12 and has its traveling direction and outer surface reversed by the second roller 27, passes through the upper interrupted portion 24U and is recombined with the first belt 22, whose traveling direction and outer surface have been reversed by the first roller 26, to form the upper continuous portion 21U.

[0045] <Method of Separating the Laminate 10> A method for separating the laminate 10 using such a separating device 20 will be described in detail for each step from the viewpoint of the laminate 10. The method for separating the laminate 10 of this embodiment sequentially includes a placing step of placing the laminate 10 on the upper surface of the upper discontinuous portion 24U or the upper continuous portion 21U of the belt conveyor 21, a heating and pressing step of transporting the laminate 10 between the heating and pressing rollers 31 of the heating and pressing device 30 and heating and pressing it, an inversion step of inverting the traveling direction and orientation of the laminate 10, a first peeling step of peeling off the first layer 11, a cooling step of cooling the second layer 12, and a second peeling step of peeling off the second layer 12.

[0046] <Placement process> As shown in FIG. 2, in the placing process, the laminate 10 is placed on the upper discontinuous portion 24U or the upper continuous portion 21U of the belt conveyor 21 with the back side of the second layer 12 (the side of the second layer 12 opposite the first layer 11) facing the belt conveyor 21.

[0047] <Heat pressing process> 2, the laminate 10 is carried into a heating and pressing device 30, and the laminate 10 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin (melting point of PE) and lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin (melting point of PET) to melt the second thermoplastic resin. Then, the laminate 10 is pressed by a heating and pressing roller 31, so that the second layer 12 is welded to the surface of the upper continuous portion 21U of the belt conveyor 21.

[0048] <Inversion process> Next, the common roller 28 reverses the direction of travel of the belt conveyor 21 and the direction of the outer surface, thereby turning over the laminate 10 welded to the belt conveyor 21. At this time, since the second layer 12 of the laminate 10 is welded to the belt conveyor 21, the laminate 10 does not fall down even when it is turned over, but is held by the belt conveyor 21.

[0049] <First peeling process> 2, the upside-down laminate 10 is transported and pressed against a fiber peeling roller 41, and the first layer 11 disposed on the outside is peeled off by the fiber peeling roller 41. At this time, the second layer 12 is welded to the belt conveyor 21 and is firmly fixed and difficult to move, so that the first layer 11 can be easily peeled off from the second layer 12. The first layer 11 peeled off from the second layer 12 by the fiber peeling roller 41 falls downward by gravity and is collected in a first collection section 44.

[0050] <Cooling process> Next, the second layer 12 remaining on the belt conveyor 21 is cooled by the cooling fan 50 until the second layer 12 is completely solidified.

[0051] <Second peeling process> The second layer 12 that has passed through the cooling fan 50 is transported to the first roller 26 by the belt conveyor 21 (lower continuous portion 21D), and is peeled off from the first belt 22 that has been reversed by the first roller 26. More specifically, of the second layer 12 that has been welded to the belt conveyor 21 (lower continuous portion 21D), the portion that has been welded to the first belt 22 is peeled off from the first belt 22, and the remainder is welded in stripes to the outer surface of the second belt 24 (lower interrupted portion 24D). In other words, the welded area of ​​the second layer 12 to the belt conveyor 21 is about half the welded area in the continuous portion.

[0052] The second layer 12 that has passed the first roller 26 advances to the second roller 27. Then, as the second belt 24 is folded back along the second roller 27, the solidified second layer 12 maintains its traveling direction and attempts to peel off from the second belt 24. At this time, the leading end side of the second layer 12 in the traveling direction may be pulled by the second belt 24 and may attempt to move upward together with the second belt 24.

[0053] However, in such a case, since the second peeling section 60 of this embodiment is provided with the above-mentioned peeling guide section 61, the exposed section 12A of the second layer 12 that is exposed as a result of the first belt 22 being peeled off first comes into contact with this peeling guide section 61 (see FIG. 7). Thus, the upward movement of the second layer 12 is restricted by the peeling guide section 61, and the second layer 12 is reliably separated from the second belt 24. It can also be said that the second layer 12 is pushed in a direction away from the second belt 24 by the peeling guide section 61, and thus separated from the second belt 24.

[0054] At this time, the welded area of ​​the second layer 12 to the belt conveyor 21 is approximately half the welded area of ​​the second layer 12 to the belt conveyor 21 in the continuous portion, so that the second layer 12 can be peeled off from the second belt 24 relatively easily.

[0055] In addition, since the second peeling section 60 of this embodiment is provided with a first air blowing section 62, the exposed section 12A of the second layer 12 receives air pressure in a downward direction (a direction away from the second belt 24) before the second belt 24 is turned over (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, since the second peeling section 60 is provided with a second air blowing section 63, air is blown into the gap between the second layer 12 and the second belt 24 (see FIG. 8). In other words, the air blown from the first air blowing section 62 and the second air blowing section 63 applies a force to the second layer 12 acting in a direction away from the second belt 24.

[0056] These configurations ensure that the second layer 12 is detached reliably from the second belt 24. A second collection section 64 is provided below the second peeling section 60, and the second layer 12 detached from the second belt 24 falls by gravity and is collected in the second collection section 64 (see FIG. 2).

[0057] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. This embodiment is a laminate separation device 20 for separating each layer of a laminate 10 in which a first layer 11 containing a first thermoplastic resin and a second layer 12 containing a second thermoplastic resin having a melting point lower than that of the first thermoplastic resin are laminated, the laminate separation device 20 comprising a belt conveyor 21 for conveying the laminate 10 downstream, a heating and pressing device 30 for heating the laminate 10 at a temperature lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin and equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin, and pressing the laminate 10 against the belt conveyor 21 with the second layer 12 facing the belt conveyor 21 to weld the laminate 10, a first peeling section 40 for peeling the first layer 11 from the second layer 12 downstream of the heating and pressing device 30, and a first peeling section 41 for peeling the first layer 11 from the second layer 12. and a second peeling section 60 downstream of the heating and pressing device 30 for peeling the second layer 12 from the belt conveyor 21. The belt conveyor 21 includes a first belt 22 and a second belt 24 arranged in stripes in a direction intersecting the belt conveyor's traveling direction and proceeding at the same speed in the belt conveyor's traveling direction. The first belt 22 and the second belt 24 proceed side by side from the heating and pressing device 30 to the first peeling section 40. Meanwhile, in the second peeling section 60, a first roller 26, which reverses the traveling direction of the first belt 22, is disposed upstream of a second roller 27, which reverses the traveling direction of the second belt 24, so that the first belt 22 is peeled off from the second layer 12 before the second belt 24.

[0058] According to such a laminate separating device 20, the second layer 12 of the laminate 10 is welded to the belt conveyor 21 in the heating and pressing device 30, so that the second layer 12 is firmly fixed, and therefore the first layer 11 can be easily peeled from the second layer 12 in the first peeling section 40, and it is possible to prevent the second layer 12 from partially remaining on the peeled first layer 11 or the first layer 11 from partially remaining on the remaining second layer 12. In other words, the purity of the materials of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 after peeling can be increased.

[0059] Furthermore, by the first belt 22 peeling off from the second layer 12 prior to the second belt 24 in the second peeling section 60, the welded area between the second layer 12 and the belt conveyor 21 is reduced. Therefore, when the second layer 12 is finally peeled off from the belt conveyor 21 (second belt 24), it can be peeled off easily. In this way, it is possible to peel off the welded second layer continuously with a simple configuration, and recovery efficiency can be improved.

[0060] The second peeling section 60 is located between two adjacent second belts 24 downstream of the first roller 26, and between an upper portion of the belt conveyor 21 with its outer surface facing upward and a lower portion of the belt conveyor 21 with its outer surface facing downward, and is provided with a peeling guide section 61 that abuts against an exposed portion 12A of the second layer 12 that is exposed when the first belt 22 is peeled off, and guides the second layer 12 in a direction away from the second belt 24.

[0061] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the second layer 12 is guided in a direction away from the second belt 24 by the peeling guide portion 61, so that the second layer 12 can be reliably separated from the second belt 24. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which a layer in close contact with the belt conveyor is peeled off with a scraper-type or brush-type belt cleaner, this configuration does not require periodic replacement of parts due to wear, and can reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, it is possible to prevent dust generated by wear of the belt conveyor or belt cleaner from being mixed into the resin being collected.

[0062] The second peeling section 60 includes a first air blowing section 62 that blows air toward the exposed portion 12A of the second layer 12 that is exposed when the first belt 22 is peeled off. With this configuration, the second layer 12 receives a force from the first air blowing section 62 in a direction away from the second belt 24, so that the second layer 12 can be more reliably separated from the second belt 24.

[0063] The second peeling section 60 is configured so that the second layer 12 is peeled off from the second belt 24 by reversing the traveling direction of the second belt 24 at the second roller 27, and is provided with a second air blowing section 63 that blows air from the downstream side of the traveling direction toward the gap between the second belt 24 and the second layer 12 at the second roller 27.

[0064] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the second layer 12 receives a force from the second blower section 63 in a direction away from the second belt 24, so that the second layer 12 can be separated from the second belt 24 more reliably.

[0065] The hot pressing device 30 is provided at an upper portion of the belt conveyor 21 with the outer surface facing upward, and a common roller 28 that reverses the traveling directions of both the first belt 22 and the second belt 24 traveling side by side is provided between the hot pressing device 30 and the first peeling section 40. With this configuration, the laminate 10 welded to the upper continuous section 21U of the belt conveyor 21 by the hot pressing device 30 is turned upside down by the common roller 28, so that the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 peeled off in the first peeling section 40 and the second peeling section 60 can be dropped downward by gravity and easily collected.

[0066] A cooling fan 50 for cooling the second layer 12 is provided between the first peeling section 40 and the second peeling section 60. With this configuration, the second layer 12 can be solidified firmly, so that the second layer 12 can be easily peeled off from the belt conveyor 21 in the second peeling section 60.

[0067] The first peeling section 40 includes a fiber peeling roller 41 having a spiral blade 43 provided on the outer surface of a cylindrical portion 42. Furthermore, the belt conveyor 21 is made of metal.

[0068] Moreover, this embodiment is a laminate separation method for separating each layer of a laminate 10, which is formed by stacking a first layer 11 containing a first thermoplastic resin and a second layer 12 containing a second thermoplastic resin having a melting point lower than that of the first thermoplastic resin, using the above-mentioned laminate separation device 20, and includes a heating and pressing process for heating the laminate 10 at a temperature lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin and higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin, and pressing the laminate 10 against the belt conveyor 21 with the second layer 12 facing the belt conveyor 21 to weld it, a first peeling process for peeling the first layer 11 from the second layer 12, and a second peeling process for peeling the second layer 12 from the belt conveyor, and in the second peeling process, the first belt 22 is peeled off from the second layer 12 prior to the second belt 24.

[0069] In the second peeling step, a peeling guide portion 61 that guides the second layer 12 in a direction away from the second belt 24 is abutted against an exposed portion 12A of the second layer 12 that is exposed when the first belt 22 is peeled off.

[0070] <Other embodiments> The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope.

[0071] (1) In the above embodiment, the reversing unit 35 is provided between the hot pressing device 30 and the first peeling unit 40, but the reversing unit 35 may be omitted, and the hot pressing device 130 to the second peeling unit 60 may be provided above the belt conveyor 121, as shown in Fig. 10. Note that in Fig. 10, the same components as those in the above embodiment are designated by the reference numerals in the above embodiment plus 100, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0072] (2) The peeling guide portion 61 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the peeling guide portion 261 may be configured to abut against the exposed portion 12A of the second layer 12 and guide the second layer 12 below the second belt 24.

[0073] (3) Also, configurations that do not include a peeling guide portion are included in the technical scope.

[0074] (4) Either the first blower 62 or the second blower 63 may be provided, or both may be omitted. In addition, the first blower 62 and the second blower 63 may be provided integrally with the peeling guide portion, or may be provided separately. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10: laminate, 11: first layer, 12: second layer, 12A: exposed portion, 20, 120: laminate separation device, 21, 121: belt conveyor, 21D, 121D: lower continuous portion (lower portion), 21U, 121U: upper continuous portion (upper portion), 22: first belt, 24: second belt, 24D, 124D: lower discontinuous portion (lower portion), 24U, 124U: upper discontinuous portion (upper portion), 26, 126: first roller (first reversing portion), 27, 127: second roller (second reversing portion), 28 , 128: common roller, 30, 130: heating and pressing device (heating section, pressing section), 31, 131: heating and pressing roller (heating section, pressing section), 35: reversing section (common reversing section), 40, 140: first peeling section, 41, 141: fiber peeling roller (peeling roller), 42: cylindrical section (rotating roller), 43: blade, 50, 150: cooling fan (cooling section), 60, 160: second peeling section, 61, 161, 261: peeling guide section, 62, 262: first air blowing section, 63: second air blowing section

Claims

1. A laminate separation device for separating each layer of a laminate including a first layer including a first thermoplastic resin and a second layer including a second thermoplastic resin having a melting point lower than that of the first thermoplastic resin, the device comprising: A belt conveyor that conveys the laminate toward a downstream side; a heating section that heats the laminate at a temperature that is lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin and is equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin; a pressing section for pressing the laminate heated by the heating section against the belt conveyor in a state in which the second layer faces the belt conveyor to weld the laminate; a first peeling section configured to peel the first layer from the second layer downstream of the pressing section; a second peeling section that peels the second layer from the belt conveyor downstream of the first peeling section, The belt conveyor includes a first belt and a second belt arranged in stripes in a direction intersecting the belt conveyor's traveling direction and traveling at the same speed in the belt conveyor's traveling direction, The first belt and the second belt are While proceeding side by side at least from the pressing portion to the first peeling portion, a first reversing section where the traveling direction of the first belt is reversed, and the second peeling section is located upstream of a second reversing section where the traveling direction of the second belt is reversed, so that the first belt is peeled off from the second layer before the second belt.

2. The laminate separating device of claim 1, wherein the second peeling section is between two adjacent second belts downstream of the first inversion section, and is provided with a peeling guide section between an upper section of the belt conveyor where its outer surface faces upward and a lower section where its outer surface faces downward, which abuts against an exposed portion of the second layer that is exposed when the first belt is peeled off, and guides the second layer in a direction away from the second belt.

3. 3. The laminate separating device according to claim 1, wherein the second peeling section includes a first air blowing section that blows air toward an exposed portion of the second layer that is exposed when the first belt is peeled off.

4. the second peeling section is configured so that the second layer is peeled off from the second belt by reversing the traveling direction of the second belt at the second reversing section, The laminate separating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a second blowing section which blows air toward the gap between the second belt and the second layer in the second reversing section from the opposite side of the traveling direction.

5. The pressing portion is provided at an upper portion of the belt conveyor, the outer surface of the belt conveyor facing upward, The laminate separating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a common reversing section that reverses the traveling directions of the first belt and the second belt traveling in parallel is provided between the pressing section and the first peeling section.

6. 3. The laminate separating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling section for cooling the second layer provided between the first peeling section and the second peeling section.

7. 3. The laminate separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first peeling section comprises a peeling roller having a cylindrical rotating roller and a spiral blade provided on an outer surface of the roller.

8. 3. The laminate separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the belt conveyor is made of metal.

9. 3. A laminate separation method for separating layers of a laminate including a first layer including a first thermoplastic resin and a second layer including a second thermoplastic resin having a melting point lower than that of the first thermoplastic resin, using the laminate separation device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a heating step of heating the laminate by the heating unit at a temperature lower than the melting point of the first thermoplastic resin and equal to or higher than the melting point of the second thermoplastic resin; a pressing step of pressing the heated laminate against the belt conveyor in a pressing section with the second layer facing the belt conveyor to weld the laminate; a first peeling step of peeling the first layer from the second layer; a second peeling step of peeling the second layer from the belt conveyor, The laminate separating method, in the second peeling step, the first belt is peeled from the second layer prior to the second belt.

10. The laminate separation method according to claim 9, wherein in the second peeling step, a peeling guide portion that guides the second layer in a direction away from the second belt is abutted against an exposed portion of the second layer that is exposed when the first belt is peeled off.

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