Applying device and applying method

Abstract

To provide an applying device to apply a paper film 610 on a surface of an air-laid sheet S transported on an endless belt MB using water, which prevents distortion and wrinkles caused by inner / outer wheel difference upon bending with a belt support roller.SOLUTION: An applying device applies a paper film 610 on a surface of a sheet S using water. An endless belt support mechanism supports an endless belt in divided sections with a shifting roller 65a, a shifting auxiliary roller 65b, a reversing roller 65c, and a reversing auxiliary roller 65d so as to have a first horizontal section SH1, a first suspended section SV1, a second horizontal section SH2, a second suspended section SV2, and a discharge side section SH3. The paper film 610 is overlapped on the surface of the sheet S after the sheet is sprayed with water at a near side of a terminal of the first horizontal section SH1 and at a near side of a starting end of the first suspended section SV1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for attaching a paper film to the surface of a sheet (airlaid sheet) formed by depositing plant fibers. [Background technology]

[0002] A dry molding technique is known in which a sheet (airlaid sheet) is formed by mixing defibrated plant fibers and resin fibers and piling them up, a film is applied to the surface of the sheet, and the sheet is then press molded to produce desired paper products such as paper plates. In recent years, from the standpoint of preventing environmental pollution, etc., there has been a demand to obtain desired paper molded products using only naturally derived plant fibers that do not contain resin fibers, and paper films such as tissue paper have been attempted as films to be attached to the surface of sheets. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-188448 (Patent Document 1) describes a manufacturing device that can easily produce a sheet that is easy to separate or crease. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-079533 (Patent Document 2) and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-078367 (Patent Document 3) describe a sheet manufacturing apparatus in which, when moisture is added to a web of accumulated fibers, detachment of the fibers that form the web is less likely to occur. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-188448 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-079533 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2016-078367 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When water is sprayed onto a sheet made of accumulated plant fibers (airlaid sheet) and a paper film (e.g., tissue paper) is then layered on top to bond the sheets together with water, it is necessary for water to be present on the surface of the sheet. However, in the case of airlaid sheets, the sprayed water quickly seeps into the sheet as it is transported approximately horizontally and disappears from the surface, resulting in insufficient bonding and a weak adhesion. For this reason, attempts have been made to steeply incline the sheet or stand it nearly vertically, spray water on it in that state, and then apply a paper film on top of it; however, in this case, the water runs down the surface of the sheet and is less likely to remain on the surface, which ultimately makes the same problems more likely to occur.

[0005] The applicant came up with the idea of ​​solving the above-mentioned problem by quickly overlapping a paper film while spraying water on a substantially horizontal sheet, and then changing the conveying direction of the sheet to a substantially vertical downward direction. Here, the change in the sheet conveying direction from horizontal to vertical downward is achieved by using rollers that support an endless belt for conveying the sheet. However, with this method, when the rollers change direction, the thickness of the airlaid sheet makes it easy for the sheet to warp or wrinkle due to the inner / outer ring difference (the difference in circumferential length between the inner ring side and the outer ring side of the sheet), resulting in defects such as distortion and wrinkles remaining in the final molded product. The thickness of the airlaid sheet will vary depending on the thickness of the final product after press forming, but for example, if the final product is a paper plate with a thickness of about 1 mm, the sheet will be about 30 mm thick. For this reason, the difference between the inner and outer rings will cause considerable distortion and wrinkles.

[0006] The present application has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems and has the following objectives. *The paper film is firmly integrated with the surface of the airlaid sheet, which is made by depositing plant fibers, using water, i.e., it can be attached well. *When changing the direction of the endless belt with rollers, this prevents the accumulation of distortion or wrinkles in the airlaid sheet or the paper film attached to the surface of the sheet with water, which may be caused by the difference between the inner and outer wheels due to the thickness of the airlaid sheet being transported by the endless belt. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The configurations of the present invention are described in the following [1] to

[12] . Note that in this section ([Means for solving the problem]) and the next section ([Effects of the invention]), the symbols are used for ease of understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configurations of the symbols.

[0008] [1] Invention 1 (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5) This is a lamination device that conveys a sheet S made of accumulated plant fibers and sent from a previous process, affixes a paper film 610 to the surface of the sheet, and sends it to the next process. an endless belt MB for transporting the sheet S from the previous process to the next process; a belt support mechanism that tensions and drives the endless belt MB; A water sprinkling mechanism for sprinkling water on the sheet S; a paper feed mechanism that pays out a paper film 610 in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet S by the endless belt MB and superimposes it on the surface of the sheet; having the belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S in a first direction, a first hanging section SV1 for transporting the sheet S downward from a starting point VBE where the sheet S passes through an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and bends downward, a second horizontal section SH2 for horizontally transporting the sheet S from a starting point VBE where the sheet S passes through a lower end of the first hanging section SV1 and bends toward a second direction opposite to the first direction, a second hanging section SV2 for transporting the sheet S downward from a starting point VBE where the sheet S passes through a lower end of the second horizontal section SH2 and bends downward, and a feed-side section SH3 for horizontally transporting the sheet S from a starting point VBE where the sheet S passes through a lower end of the second hanging section SV2 and bends toward the first direction, The water sprinkling mechanism has a nozzle 51 that sprinkles water on the sheet S on the front side of the terminal end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1, The paper feed mechanism includes a guide roller 61a that guides a paper film 610 to the front side of the start end VBE of the first hanging section SV1 after the nozzle 51 has sprayed water and overlaps it on the surface of the sheet S. 13. An application device comprising:

[0009] In the above, water is sprayed in the first horizontal section SH1, which prevents the water from running down the surface of the sheet S. In addition, the water spray position is on the front side of the terminal HTE, and after spraying, the sheet moves quickly to the first hanging section SV1, so the amount of water that seeps into the inside of the sheet S and does not contribute to the attachment of the paper film 610 is not very large. Furthermore, in the first hanging section SV1, the sheet S faces downward, so the water sprayed in the first horizontal section SH1 is less likely to move in the direction of the endless belt MB (is less likely to seep in), and the water tends to stay on the paper film 610 side of the surface of the sheet S due to its reflective action. In other words, the amount of water that seeps into the inside of the sheet S and does not contribute to the attachment of the paper film 610 is reduced. As a result, the paper film 610 is more likely to be attached to the surface of the sheet S. In addition, distortion of the sheet S and wrinkles in the paper film 610 caused by the difference in circumferential length between the inner and outer wheels of the sheet S when it rotates on the switching roller 65a or the switching auxiliary roller 65b are absorbed by the rotation in the opposite direction on the reversing roller 65c or the reversing auxiliary roller 65d, and are therefore sufficiently suppressed.

[0010] In the above, "horizontal" is not limited to an exact horizontal line perpendicular to a vertical line. It is sufficient that a part of the sprayed water does not run down the surface of the sheet S and stays on the surface, and the rest of the water permeates into the inside of the sheet S. This depends on the thickness of the sheet S, the density of the plant fibers that make up the sheet S, the distance from the spraying position to the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1, and the conveying speed of the sheet S, but even if the sheet S is tilted at an angle of, for example, ±45 degrees from the exact horizontal, it is "horizontal" as long as the above condition is satisfied. For example, the "horizontal" of the first horizontal section in Fig. 4(b)(c) and the second and third horizontal sections in Fig. 4(b) to (d) are also "horizontal" as used herein. The same applies to each of the following inventions. In the above, "bending downward" in "bending downward beyond the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1" includes not only bending vertically downward as in Fig. 4(a), but also inclining toward the first direction as in Fig. 4(b) and inclining toward the second direction as in Fig. 4(c) and (d). The same applies to the following inventions 4, 7-9, and 10-12. In the above, "bending downward" in "bending downward beyond the end of the second horizontal section SH2" includes not only bending vertically downward as in Fig. 4(a), but also inclining toward the first direction as in Fig. 4(c) and inclining toward the second direction as in Fig. 4(b) and (d). The same applies to the following inventions 2 to 4, 7, and 10. In the above, the "front side of the start VBE of the first hanging section SV1" where the paper feed mechanism guides and overlaps the paper film 610 is preferably the "front side of the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1". This is because the paper film 610 is overlapped on a horizontal surface of the sheet S, which makes it difficult for water to run down the surface, and allows for good overlapping. The same applies to the following inventions 2 to 11, and approximately the same applies to invention 12. In the above description, the "division into sections" in "supporting the sectioning" refers to virtual division into sections. Since the endless belt MB is moving, the portion of the endless belt MB that is the subject of the sectioning is always moving. The same applies to the following inventions.

[0011] [2] Invention 2 (Fig. 2) In the invention 1, The belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S in a first direction, a first hanging section SV1 for transporting the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and is bent (θv1) from a vertical downward direction Pv1 toward the second direction side, a second horizontal section SH2 for transporting the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and is bent toward the second direction side at a lower end of the first hanging section SV1, a second hanging section SV2 for transporting the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S passes over an end of the second horizontal section SH2 and is bent downward, and a sending-side section for transporting the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes over the lower end of the second hanging section SV2 and is bent toward the first direction side, and includes a diverting roller 65a, a diverting auxiliary roller 65b, a reversing roller 65c, and a reversing auxiliary roller 65d. 13. An application device comprising: In the above, "bending (θv1) from the vertical downward Pv1 to the second direction side beyond the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1" means that when the first horizontal section SH1 is exactly horizontal as shown in FIG. 2, the bending angle θ1 from the first horizontal section SH1 downward to the second direction side is 90 degrees or more. In other words, it means that the paper film 610 is bent so that the attached surface of the paper film 610 is located below the endless belt MB. When the attached surface of the paper film 610 is located below the endless belt MB, water that has soaked into the sheet S is more likely to move toward the attached surface of the paper film 610, so that the amount of water on the attached surface side increases and the attachment becomes stronger. The same applies to the invention 5 described below. [3] Invention 3 (Fig. 2) In the invention 2, The belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S in a first direction, a first hanging section SV1 for transporting the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and is bent 5 to 25 degrees (θv1) from a vertical downward Pv1 toward the second direction, a second horizontal section SH2 for horizontally transporting the sheet S from a position where the sheet S passes over the lower end of the first hanging section SV1 and is bent toward the second direction, a second hanging section SV2 for transporting the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S passes over the end of the second horizontal section SH2 and is bent downward, and a feed-out section SH3 for horizontally transporting the sheet S from a position where the sheet S passes over the lower end of the second hanging section SV2 and is bent toward the first direction. The belt support mechanism includes a diverting roller 65a, a diverting auxiliary roller 65b, a reversing roller 65c, and a reversing auxiliary roller 65d for supporting the endless belt MB by dividing the endless belt MB into sections at each of the bending positions. 13. An application device comprising: In the above, "bending 5 to 25 degrees (θv1) from the vertical downward Pv1 toward the second direction beyond the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1" means that when the first horizontal section SH1 is exactly horizontal as shown in Figure 2, the bending angle θ1 downward from the first horizontal section SH1 toward the second direction is 95 to 115 degrees. In this range, the attachment becomes even stronger. The same applies to Invention 6 described below.

[0012] [4] Invention 4 (1, 2, 4, 5) In the invention 1, The endless belt MB is formed in a mesh shape, The water sprinkling mechanism has a second nozzle 52 that sprinkles water on the sheet S on the front side of the end of the second horizontal section SH2. 13. An application device comprising: If the endless belt MB is mesh-like, the water sprayed from the nozzles 52 in the second horizontal section SH2 where the endless belt MB is above the surface to be attached will seep into the sheet S. As a result of spraying water from both sides of the sheet S, the distribution of water in the sheet S becomes more uniform, which leads to better processing in the subsequent pressing process and a better product. [5] Invention 5 In the fourth aspect of the present invention, The belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S in a first direction, a first hanging section SV1 for transporting the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and bends (θv1) from a vertical downward Pv1 toward the second direction side to a start VBE, a second horizontal section SH2 for transporting the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes over a lower end of the first hanging section SV1 and bends toward the second direction side to a start VBE, and a second horizontal section SH3 for transporting the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the second horizontal section SH2 and bends toward the second direction side to a start VBE. a second hanging section SV2 that conveys the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S is bent (θv2) from a vertical downward direction Pv2 toward the first direction side, and a sending-side section SH3 that conveys the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S is bent beyond the lower end of the second hanging section SV2 toward the first direction side, the sending-side section SH3 having a start point for conveying the sheet S horizontally. 13. An application device comprising: [6] Invention 6 In the fifth aspect of the present invention, The belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S in a first direction, a first hanging section SV1 for transporting the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and is bent 5 to 25 degrees (θv1) from a vertical downward Pv1 toward the second direction side, a second horizontal section SH2 for transporting the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes over a lower end of the first hanging section SV1 and is bent toward the second direction side, and a second horizontal section SH3 for transporting the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the second horizontal section SH2 and is bent toward the second direction side. The endless belt MB includes a second hanging section SV2 that conveys the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S is bent 5 to 25 degrees (θv2) from a vertical downward position Pv2 toward the first direction side, and a sending-side section SH3 that conveys the sheet S horizontally from a position where the sheet S is bent beyond the lower end of the second hanging section SV2 toward the first direction side, and a diverting roller 65a, a diverting auxiliary roller 65b, a reversing roller 65c, and a reversing auxiliary roller 65d that divide and support the endless belt MB at each of the bending positions. 13. An application device comprising: [7] Invention 7 (Figure 2) In the invention 1, The section length of the first hanging section SV1 and the section length of the second hanging section SV2 are substantially the same. 13. An application device comprising:

[0013] [8] Invention 8 (Figure 6) This is a lamination device that conveys a sheet S made of accumulated plant fibers and sent from a previous process, affixes a paper film 610 to the surface of the sheet, and sends it to the next process. an endless belt MB for transporting the sheet S from the previous process to the next process; a belt support mechanism that tensions and drives the endless belt MB; A water sprinkling mechanism for sprinkling water on the sheet S; a paper feed mechanism that pays out a paper film 610 in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet S by the endless belt MB and superimposes it on the surface of the sheet S; having the belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S in a first direction, a first hanging section SV1 for transporting the sheet downward from a starting point VBE where the sheet passes an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and bends downward, a switching section ST for transporting the sheet S in the second direction from a starting point VBE where the sheet passes an end of the first hanging section SV1 and bends toward a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a reversing section SR for horizontally transporting the sheet S from a starting point SR where the sheet passes an end of the switching section ST and bends toward the first direction, The water sprinkling mechanism has a nozzle 51 that sprinkles water on the sheet S on the front side of the terminal end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1, The paper feed mechanism includes a guide roller 61a that guides a paper film 610 to the front side of the start end VBE of the first hanging section SV1 after the nozzle 51 has sprayed water and overlaps it on the surface of the sheet S. 13. An application device comprising: Invention 8 naturally includes configurations that are subordinate to the concept of inventions 2 and 3 (configurations in which the angle range of the first drooping section SV1 is optimized) that cite invention 1, and inventions 4 to 6 (configurations in which water is sprayed by the second nozzle before the reversing roller). Note that 65h is used as the reversing roller, and 52a is used as the second nozzle. [9] Invention 9 (Figure 7) This is a lamination device that conveys a sheet S made of accumulated plant fibers and sent from a previous process, affixes a paper film 610 to the surface of the sheet, and sends it to the next process. an endless belt MB for transporting the sheet S from the previous process to the next process; a belt support mechanism that tensions and drives the endless belt MB; A water sprinkling mechanism for sprinkling water on the sheet S; a paper feed mechanism that pays out a paper film 610 in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet S by the endless belt MB and superimposes it on the surface of the sheet S; having The belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S in a first direction, a switching section ST for transporting the sheet S downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction from a position where the sheet S passes an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and is bent downward, and a reversing section SR for horizontally transporting the sheet S from a position where the sheet S passes a lower end of the switching section ST and is bent toward the first direction, the switching section ST having a start point VBE, and a reversing section SR having a start point where the sheet S passes an end point HTE of the switching section ST and is bent toward the first direction, the reversing section SR having a start point The water sprinkling mechanism has a nozzle 51 that sprinkles water on the sheet S on the front side of the terminal end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1, The paper feed mechanism includes a guide roller 61a that guides the paper film 610 to the front side of the start end VBE of the conversion section after the nozzles have sprayed water and overlaps it on the surface of the sheet S. 13. An application device comprising: Invention 9 naturally includes a configuration that is a subordinate concept based on the same idea as invention 4 (a configuration in which water is sprayed by a second nozzle in front of the reverse roller) that cites invention 1. Note that 65j is used as the reverse roller, and 52b is used as the second nozzle.

[0014]

[10] Invention 10 This is a bonding method in which a sheet S made of piled up plant fibers is fed from a previous process, and a paper film 610 is bonded to the surface of the sheet S while being conveyed by an endless belt MB, and the sheet is sent to a next process. The endless belt MB is tensioned and driven by a belt support mechanism that includes a diverting roller 65a, a diverting auxiliary roller 65b, a reversing roller 65c, and a reversing auxiliary roller 65d. The endless belt MB, a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S fed from the previous process in a first direction; a first hanging section SV1 for conveying the sheet S downward from a starting point VBE at a position where the sheet S bends downward beyond the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1; a second horizontal section SH2 in which the sheet S is conveyed horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes beyond the lower end of the first hanging section SV1 and bends toward a second direction opposite to the first direction; a second hanging section SV2 that conveys the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S passes the end of the second horizontal section SH2 and bends downward; a sending-side section SH3 that horizontally conveys the sheet S from a position where the sheet S passes over a lower end of the second hanging section SV2 and bends toward the first direction side; The bending portion is supported at each section so that Water is sprayed onto the sheet S at a position just before the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1, After the water is sprayed, a paper film 610 is guided by a guide roller 61a to the front side of the start end VBE of the first hanging section SV1 so as to be superimposed on the surface of the sheet S, The paper film 610 is attached to the surface of the sheet S by conveying the sheet S through the first hanging section SV1, the second horizontal section SH2, the second hanging section SV2, and the delivery side section SH3. A method of application comprising the steps of: Invention 10 naturally includes inventions that are a sub-conceptualization of the application method of Invention 10 based on the same concept as Inventions 2 and 3 (configurations in which the angle range of the first drooping section SV1 is optimized) which cite Invention 1 above, and Inventions 4 to 6 (configurations in which water is sprayed by the second nozzle 52 just before the reversing roller 65c).

[11] Invention 11 This is a bonding method in which a sheet S made of piled up plant fibers is fed from a previous process, and a paper film 610 is bonded to the surface of the sheet S while being conveyed by an endless belt MB, and the sheet is sent to a next process. The endless belt MB is tensioned and driven by a belt support mechanism that includes a diverting roller 65a, a diverting auxiliary roller 65b, and a reversing roller 65h. The endless belt MB, a first horizontal section SH1 for horizontally transporting the sheet S fed from the previous process in a first direction; a first hanging section SV1 for conveying the sheet S downward from a position where the sheet S bends downward beyond the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 as a start point VRE; a switching section ST that conveys the sheet S in the second direction from a position where the sheet S passes over a lower end of the first hanging section SV1 and bends toward a second direction opposite to the first direction; A reversing section SR in which the sheet S is conveyed horizontally from a position where the sheet S passes the end of the switching section ST and bends toward the first direction side as its starting point. The bending portion is supported at each section so that Water is sprayed onto the sheet S at a position just before the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1, After the water is sprayed, a paper film 610 is guided by a guide roller 61a to the front side of the start end VBE of the first hanging section SV1 so as to be superimposed on the surface of the sheet S, The paper film 610 is attached to the surface of the sheet S by conveying the sheet S through the first hanging section SV1, the switching section ST, and the reversing section SR. A method of application comprising the steps of: Invention 11 naturally includes inventions that are sub-conceptualized application methods of invention 11 based on the same concept as inventions 2 and 3 (configurations in which the angle range of the first drooping section SV1 is optimized) that cite invention 1, and inventions 4 to 6 (configurations in which water is sprayed by a second nozzle in front of the reversing roller). Note that 65h is used as the reversing roller, and 52a is used as the second nozzle.

[12] Invention 12 The sheet S made of piled up plant fibers is conveyed by an endless belt MB, a paper film 610 is attached to the surface of the sheet S, and the sheet is sent to the next process. The endless belt MB is tensioned and driven by a belt support mechanism that includes a diverting roller 65a and a reversing roller 65j. The endless belt MB, a first horizontal section SH1 for transporting the sheet S horizontally in a first direction; a switching section ST for transporting the sheet S downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction from a starting point VBE at a position where the sheet S passes over an end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and bends downward; a reversing section SR in which the sheet S is horizontally conveyed from a position where the sheet S passes beyond the lower end of the switching section ST and bends toward the first direction side; The bending portion is supported at each section so that Water is sprayed onto the sheet S at a position just before the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1, After the water is sprayed, a paper film 610 is guided by a guide roller 61a to the front side of the start end VBE of the conversion section ST so as to be superimposed on the surface of the sheet S. The paper film 610 is attached to the surface of the sheet S by conveying the sheet S through the switching section ST and the reversing section SR. A method of application comprising the steps of: Invention 12 naturally includes the invention of a method that is a subordinate concept to the application method of Invention 12, based on the same concept as Invention 4 (a configuration in which water is sprayed by a second nozzle in front of the reversing roller) which cites Invention 1. Note that 65j is used as the reversing roller, and 52b is used as the second nozzle. Effect of the Invention

[0015] In the present invention, water is sprayed onto a sheet (airlaid sheet) made of accumulated plant fibers while it is being transported horizontally, and a paper film (e.g., tissue paper) is layered on top to prevent water from running down the surface of the sheet and ensure the amount of water required for application on the surface side of the sheet (the side on which the paper film is layered). After the paper film is layered, the transport direction is quickly changed downwards by a diverting roller, reducing the amount of water seeping into the sheet and ensuring the amount of water required on the surface side of the sheet for application. Furthermore, the rotation of the reversing roller quickly absorbs distortions of the sheet and wrinkles in the paper film that occur due to the difference between the inner and outer rings (difference in circumference) when the diverting roller rotates. Therefore, according to the present invention, the paper film can be firmly integrated and attached to the surface of the sheet by water. Also, the distortion of the sheet and the wrinkles of the paper film caused by the difference between the inner and outer rings during rotation by the redirecting rollers can be quickly absorbed by the rotation by the reversing rollers, and a product of good quality (final product after press molding) can be obtained. In addition, in Inventions 4 to 6, water is sprayed on the side opposite the adhesive side of the paper film just before the reversing roller, causing the water to seep into the inside of the sheet, thereby making it possible to roughly uniformly distribute the water inside the sheet, further improving the quality of the final product after pressing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram showing a side view of the joining device of the embodiment and the front and rear stages of the joining device. Only the main range of the sheet S being transported by the endless belt MB is shown, and the range from the front stage side (airlaid section) to the joining device receiving it and the range from the sending section of the joining device to the rear stage side (forming section) are not shown. Between the return rollers 65f to 65f for returning the endless belt MB, there is no sheet S, and only the endless belt MB (thick and double dashed lines) is present. [Diagram 2]1. A schematic diagram showing the side of the main part of the bonding device in FIG. 1 and explaining the sections and angle range. Only the main range of the sheet S is shown, and the vicinity of the receiving part at the bonding device and the vicinity of the sending part from the bonding device are not shown. Between the return rollers 65f-65f that return the endless belt MB, there is no sheet S, and only the endless belt MB (thick and double dashed lines) is present. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the application device of FIG. [Figure 4] Schematic diagrams showing modified examples of the belt support mechanism of the application device in FIG. 1. (a) shows both the receiving portion from the front stage and the sending portion to the rear stage. (a) shows a configuration example in which the first hanging section and the second hanging section are hung vertically, and (b) to (d) show configuration examples in which the first hanging section and the second hanging section are inclined from the vertical at an appropriate angle. In (b) and (c), the first horizontal section and the second horizontal section, as well as the sending-side section, are inclined from the exact horizontal that is perpendicular to the vertical. In (d), only the first horizontal section is exactly horizontal, and the second horizontal section and the sending-side section are inclined. [Diagram 5] 3A is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and the vicinity of the beginning VBE of the first hanging section SV1 of the joining device in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a partial range of the plane of the endless belt MB. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing a modified example of the belt support mechanism of the application device of FIG. 1, which is a modified example different from FIG. 4 (a modified example in which the second hanging section is eliminated). (a) shows both the receiving section from the front stage side and the sending section to the rear stage side. (a) shows a configuration example in which the first hanging section is hung vertically, a switching section is provided instead of the second horizontal section, and a reversing section is provided instead of the second hanging section and the sending side section. (b) to (d) are substantially the same as (a), but are configuration examples in which the first hanging section is inclined at an appropriate angle away from the vertical, and the switching section and the reversing section are inclined at appropriate angles. [Figure 7]Schematic diagram showing a modified example of the belt support mechanism of the application device of FIG. 1, which is a modified example different from those of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 (a modified example in which the first hanging section and the second hanging section are eliminated). (a) shows both the receiving section from the previous stage and the sending section to the subsequent stage. (a) shows a configuration example in which the first horizontal section and the reversing section are set exactly horizontal. (b) and (c) are configuration examples similar to (a), but in which the first horizontal section, the switching section, and the reversing section are inclined at an appropriate angle, and (d) is a configuration example in which the switching section and the reversing section are inclined at an appropriate angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (1) Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the joining device of the first embodiment, and showing the front stage side (airlaid section) and rear stage side (forming section) of the joining device. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the main part of the joining device of Fig. 1, and explaining the sections and angle ranges. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the main part of a modified example of the joining device of Fig. 1. Fig. 5(a) is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and the vicinity of the start VBE of the first hanging section SV1 of the joining device of Fig. 2, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a plan view of a partial range of the endless belt MB. As shown in the figure, this application device applies (sticks) a paper film (tissue paper) 610, which is unwound from a paper feed roll 61, using water to a sheet S transported from the previous stage (airlaid section) as indicated by the dashed arrow, and sends the sheet to the subsequent stage (forming section).

[0018] In the airlaid section at the front stage, the plant fibers supplied in an defibrated state are dispersed and deposited on a mesh-like endless belt (see FIG. 5(b)). During this deposition, suction may be applied from below the endless belt. This pile, or a pile that has been pressed with an appropriate pressure after being piled up to adjust its thickness to a predetermined thickness, is the sheet (airlaid sheet) S. The thickness of the sheet S varies depending on the thickness of the final product (the molded product after press molding by the molding section), but can be, for example, about 3 to 40 mm. As a specific example, when the final product is a paper plate with a thickness of 1 mm, the thickness of the sheet S is about 30 mm. As the plant fibers, for example, fibers of broad-leaved trees, coniferous trees, rice, reeds, and other herbaceous plants can be used, and the form in which they can be used includes pulp fibers, pulp derived from waste paper, waste paper, etc. The structure of the airlaid section, in which vegetable fibers are deposited on a mesh-like endless belt to form a sheet S, is well known, so further explanation will be omitted.

[0019] The sheet S formed in the airlaid section is transported by an endless belt MB2 stretched by rollers 25a and 25b as shown in Fig. 4, and is transferred onto the endless belt MB of the joining device at the receiving section of the joining device. That is, the sheet S is transferred onto the first horizontal section SH1 on the endless belt MB.

[0020] The sheet S transferred onto the endless belt MB is transported in the direction of the arrow (first direction) by the endless belt MB, and water is sprayed by the nozzles 51 near the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1. In this embodiment, two rows of nozzles are provided as the nozzles 51. The configuration of the water spraying mechanism that supplies water from a water source to the nozzles 51 and sprays water at appropriate locations on the surface of the sheet S with appropriate strength is well known, so a description thereof will be omitted. 1, 2, and 4(a) are drawn as being exactly horizontal, perpendicular to the plumb line, but some inclination is permissible as long as it is sufficient to prevent the water sprayed from the nozzle 51 (most of the water) from running down the surface of the sheet S. In other words, such an inclination may be treated as being horizontal. For example, if the inclination of the section leading to the diverting roller 65a is about that shown in FIGS. 4(b) and (c), it may be called the "first horizontal section SH1."

[0021] The paper film 610, which is unwound from the paper feed roll 61 in synchronization with the drive of the endless belt MB, is guided by the guide roller 61a and is superimposed on the surface of the sheet S at a position immediately after the nozzle 51 sprays water. At this time, the paper film 610 is pressed with an appropriate pressure by the guide roller 61a and the auxiliary guide roller 61b. Therefore, the paper film 610 sticks tightly to the surface of the sheet S that is wetted by the water sprayed from the nozzle 51. Note that "in synchronization with the endless belt MB" means "so that the speed of the paper film 610 when superimposed on the sheet S is the same as the speed of the endless belt MB."

[0022] The position where the paper feed mechanism (a mechanism whereby the paper feed roll 61 unwinds the paper film 610; as this is well known, nothing other than the paper feed roll 61 is shown) should overlap the paper film 610 onto the sheet S may be on the front side of the start point VBE of the first hanging section SV1, but is preferably on the front side of the end point HTE of the first horizontal section SH1. This is because if the surface of the sheet S on which the paper film 610 is to be overlapped is horizontal, the phenomenon of water running down the surface of the sheet S is less likely to occur, and the sheet can be overlapped and attached satisfactorily.

[0023] The conveying direction of the sheet S with the paper film 610 attached thereto is changed by the change roller 65a. That is, the conveying direction is changed so as to face the second direction side (the direction opposite to the first direction) at an angle θv1 from the vertical downward direction Pv1 as shown in Fig. 2. The "direction facing the second direction side at an angle θv1 from the vertical downward direction Pv1" is synonymous with "the direction in which the bending angle θ1 from the first horizontal section SH1 to the first hanging section SV1 is 90 degrees or more" when the first horizontal section SH1 is exactly horizontal and perpendicular to the vertical line.

[0024] As a result of bending at such an angle, in the first hanging section SV1, the adhered surface of the paper film 610 is located below the surface on the side where the endless belt MB is present. Therefore, water that has soaked into the sheet S is more likely to move toward the adhered surface of the paper film 610, and as a result, the amount of water on the adhered surface side increases, and the adhesion becomes stronger. Furthermore, by setting the bending angle θv1 from the vertical downward Pv1 in the range of 5 to 25 degrees (= bending angle θ1 from exact horizontal in the range of 95 to 115 degrees), the amount of water on the paper film-attached surface of sheet S can be made appropriate, and the distribution of the amount of water seeping into sheet S can be made appropriate, resulting in an even better product (product after press molding).

[0025] When the sheet S with the paper film 610 attached to its surface reaches the bottom end of the first hanging section SV1, the conveying direction is changed to the second direction by the change assist roller 65b, and the sheet S enters the second horizontal section SH2. In the second horizontal section SH2, the endless belt MB is on the upper side. The bottom end of the first hanging section SV1 and the start end of the second horizontal section SH2 are defined as the end of the flat section immediately before the start of bending and the start of the flat section immediately after the end of bending, respectively, similar to the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and the start VBE of the first hanging section shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0026] A second nozzle 52 is provided at a position just before the end of the second horizontal section, and water is sprayed onto the sheet S. The endless belt MB side is the upper surface, but since the endless belt MB is in a mesh shape as shown in FIG. 5(b), the sprayed water reaches the sheet S through the endless belt MB and seeps into the inside. As described above, a part of the water sprayed from the nozzle 51 seeps into the inside of the sheet S from the side to which the paper film 610 is attached. Here, since the water also seeps from the opposite side, the endless belt MB side, the distribution of water inside the sheet S becomes more uniform, and as a result, pressing in the subsequent pressing process becomes good. The second horizontal section SH2 is exactly horizontal in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4(a), but may have some inclination as shown in FIGS. 4(b) to (d). In short, an inclination that is sufficient to prevent the water sprayed from the nozzle 52 from flowing down the surface and to seep into the inside of the sheet S is acceptable.

[0027] When the sheet S reaches the end of the second horizontal section SH2, the conveying direction of the sheet S is directed downward by the reversing roller 65c, and the sheet S becomes the second hanging section SV2. The direction of bending is substantially the same as the bending from the first horizontal section SH1 to the first hanging section SV1 described above. That is, the sheet S is bent from the vertical downward line Pv2 toward the first direction by an angle θv2. In other words, when the second horizontal section SH2 is exactly horizontal and perpendicular to the vertical line, the sheet S is bent so that the bending angle θ3 from the second horizontal section SH2 is 90 degrees or more. This angle θv2 is preferably 5 to 25 degrees, that is, θ3 is 95 to 115 degrees. The end of the second horizontal section SH2 and the beginning of the second drooping section SV2 are defined as the end of the flat portion just before the start of the bend and the beginning of the flat portion just after the end of the bend, respectively, similar to the end HTE of the first horizontal section SH1 and the beginning VBE of the first drooping section shown in Figure 5(a).

[0028] When the sheet S reaches the bottom end of the second hanging section SV2, the conveying direction of the sheet S is turned to the first direction by the reversal assist roller 65d, and the sheet S enters the sending-side section SH3. In the sending-side section SH3, the side to which the paper film 610 is attached becomes the upper side. The sending-side section SH3 is exactly horizontal, perpendicular to the vertical line in Figures 1, 2, and 4(a), but may be slightly inclined as shown in Figures 4(b) to (d). The sheet S sent out from the end of the delivery section SH3 is conveyed by an endless belt MB9 stretched by rollers 95a and 95b, and is sent to the forming section on the rear stage. In the molding section, which is constituted by a known mold or the like, press molding is carried out by a known method, and the product is molded into, for example, a paper plate.

[0029] Since the sheet S has a thickness of about 30 mm, when the sheet S rotates on the diverting roller 65a and the diverting auxiliary roller 65b, the difference in circumference caused by the difference between the inner and outer rings causes distortion in the sheet S and wrinkles in the paper film 610 on the surface of the sheet S, but these distortions and wrinkles are absorbed by the rotation of the diverting roller 65c and the diverting auxiliary roller 65d, which have the opposite relationship between the inner and outer rings. This prevents defects caused by distortions and wrinkles from occurring in the final product after press molding.

[0030] The above describes an application device that divides the section into a first horizontal section SV1, a first hanging section SV1, a second horizontal section SH2, a second hanging section SV2, and a sending side section SH3, but the present invention is not limited to such division into sections.

[0031] For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the structure may be divided into four sections, with a switching section ST in place of the first horizontal section SV1, the first hanging section SV1, and the second horizontal section SH2, and a reversing section SR in place of the second hanging section SV2 and the delivery side section SH3. 52a is a second watering nozzle provided just before the end of the switching section ST. Also, 65h is a reversing roller for bending the switching section ST facing the second direction to the first direction to form the reversing section SR.

[0032] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 7, the section may be divided into three sections, with a switching section ST instead of the first horizontal section SV1, the first hanging section SV1, and the second horizontal section SH2, and a reversing section SR instead of the second hanging section SV2 and the delivery side section SH3. 52b is a second watering nozzle provided just before the end of the switching section ST. Also, 65j is a reversing roller for bending the switching section ST facing the second direction into the first direction to form the reversing section SR.

[0033] In the case of the configurations of Figures 6 and 7, as in the configuration of Figure 12, water is sprayed in a horizontal position to prevent the water from running down the sheet surface, and a paper film is placed over the surface of the sheet that has already become wet with water, preventing the water from seeping excessively into the interior of the sheet immediately afterwards.

[0034] In the configurations of Figures 6 and 7, as in the configuration of Figure 2, sheet distortion and wrinkles in the paper film caused by the difference between the inner and outer wheels of the diverting roller 65a can be absorbed by the reversing rollers 65h / 65j. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 25a, 25b (linked to the previous stage) endless belt support rollers on the receiving side 51 Nozzle 52, 52a, 52b Second nozzle 61 Paper feed roll 610 Paper Film 61a Guide roller 61b Guide auxiliary roller 65a Conversion roller 65b Conversion auxiliary roller 65c, 65h, 65j Reversing roller 65d Reversing auxiliary roller 65f Return Roller 95a, 95b (connected to the rear stage) endless belt support rollers on the sending side MB, MB2, MB9 endless belt S Seat SH1 First horizontal section SV1 First drop section SH2 Second horizontal section SV2 Second Drop Section SH3 sending section ST conversion section SR Reversal Section HTE termination VBE start

Claims

1. This is an attachment device that conveys a sheet made of accumulated plant fibers and fed from a previous process, attaches a paper film to the surface of the sheet, and sends the sheet to the next process. an endless belt that transports the sheet from the previous process to the next process; a belt support mechanism that tensions and drives the endless belt; A water sprinkling mechanism for sprinkling water on the sheet; a paper feed mechanism that pays out a paper film in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet by the endless belt and superimposes it on the surface of the sheet; having the belt support mechanism has a diverting roller, a diverting auxiliary roller, a reversing roller, and a reversing auxiliary roller that divide the endless belt into sections at each of the bending points and support the endless belt so as to have a first horizontal section that horizontally transports the sheet in a first direction, a first hanging section that transports the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes an end of the first horizontal section and bends downward, a second horizontal section that transports the sheet horizontally from a position where the sheet bends toward a second direction opposite to the first direction at the bottom end of the first hanging section, a second hanging section that transports the sheet downward from a position where the sheet bends downward at the bottom end of the second horizontal section, and a feed-out side section that transports the sheet horizontally from a position where the sheet bends toward the first direction at the bottom end of the second hanging section, the water sprinkling mechanism has a nozzle for sprinkling water onto the sheet on a front side of an end of the first horizontal section, The paper feed mechanism has a guide roller that guides the paper film to a position just before the start end of the first hanging section after the nozzle has sprayed water and overlaps the paper film on the surface of the sheet.

13. An application device comprising:

2. In claim 1, the belt support mechanism has a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet in a first direction, a first hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through an end of the first horizontal section and bends from a vertically downward direction toward the second direction side, a second horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the sheet passes through an end of the first hanging section and bends toward the second direction side at the lower end of the first hanging section, a second hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through an end of the second horizontal section and bends downward, and a delivery side section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the sheet passes through the lower end of the second hanging section and bends toward the first direction side, and includes a diverting roller, a diverting auxiliary roller, a reversing roller, and a reversing auxiliary roller, which divide the endless belt into sections and support the endless belt at each of the bending positions.

13. An application device comprising:

3. In claim 2, The belt support mechanism has a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet in a first direction, a first hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through an end of the first horizontal section and is bent 5 to 25 degrees from a vertical downward direction toward the second direction side, a second horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the sheet passes through a lower end of the first hanging section and is bent toward the second direction side, a second hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through an end of the second horizontal section and is bent downward, and a delivery side section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the sheet passes through a lower end of the second horizontal section and is bent toward the first direction side, the belt support mechanism has a diverting roller, a diverting auxiliary roller, a reversing roller, and a reversing auxiliary roller, which divide the endless belt into sections and support the endless belt at each of the bending positions, so that the endless belt has a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet in a first direction, a first hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through a lower end of the second hanging section and is bent toward the first direction side, 13. An application device comprising:

4. In claim 1, The endless belt is formed in a mesh shape, The water sprinkling mechanism has a second nozzle that sprinkles water on the sheet on a front side of an end of the second horizontal section.

13. An application device comprising:

5. In claim 4, the belt support mechanism has a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet in a first direction, a first hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through an end of the first horizontal section and bends from a vertical downward direction toward the second direction side, a second horizontal section for transporting the sheet horizontally from a position where the sheet passes through the lower end of the first hanging section and bends toward the second direction side, a second hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through the end of the second horizontal section and bends from a vertical downward direction toward the first direction side, and a delivery side section for transporting the sheet horizontally from a position where the sheet passes through the lower end of the second hanging section and bends toward the first direction side, 13. An application device comprising:

6. In claim 5, the belt support mechanism has a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet in a first direction, a first hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through an end of the first horizontal section and is bent 5 to 25 degrees from a vertical downward direction toward the second direction side, a second horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the sheet passes through the lower end of the first hanging section and is bent toward the second direction side, a second hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes through the end of the second horizontal section and is bent 5 to 25 degrees from a vertical downward direction toward the first direction side, and a delivery side section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the sheet passes through the lower end of the second hanging section and is bent toward the first direction side, 13. An application device comprising:

7. In claim 1, The length of the first hanging section is substantially the same as the length of the second hanging section.

13. An application device comprising:

8. This is an attachment device that conveys a sheet made of accumulated plant fibers sent from a previous process, attaches a paper film to the surface of the sheet, and sends the sheet to the next process. an endless belt that transports the sheet from the previous process to the next process; a belt support mechanism that tensions and drives the endless belt; A water sprinkling mechanism for sprinkling water on the sheet; a paper feed mechanism that pays out a paper film in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet by the endless belt and superimposes it on the surface of the sheet; having the belt support mechanism has a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet in a first direction, a first hanging section for transporting the sheet downward from a position where the first horizontal section passes an end and is bent downward, a switching section for transporting the sheet in the second direction from a position where the first hanging section passes an end and is bent toward a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a sending-side section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the first direction and the second direction are bent toward the first direction, the water sprinkling mechanism has a nozzle for sprinkling water onto the sheet on a front side of an end of the first horizontal section, The paper feed mechanism has a guide roller that guides the paper film to a position just before the start end of the first hanging section after the nozzle has sprayed water and overlaps the paper film on the surface of the sheet.

13. An application device comprising:

9. This is an attachment device that conveys a sheet made of accumulated plant fibers sent from a previous process, attaches a paper film to the surface of the sheet, and sends the sheet to the next process. an endless belt that transports the sheet from the previous process to the next process; a belt support mechanism that tensions and drives the endless belt; A water sprinkling mechanism for sprinkling water on the sheet; a paper feed mechanism that pays out a paper film in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet by the endless belt and superimposes it on the surface of the sheet; having the belt support mechanism includes a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet in a first direction, a switching section for transporting the sheet downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction from a position where the sheet passes an end of the first horizontal section and is bent downward, and a reversing section for horizontally transporting the sheet from a position where the sheet passes a lower end of the switching section and is bent toward the first direction, the water sprinkling mechanism has a nozzle for sprinkling water onto the sheet on a front side of an end of the first horizontal section, The paper feed mechanism has a guide roller that guides the paper film to the front side of the start end of the conversion section after the water is sprayed by the nozzle and overlaps it on the surface of the sheet.

13. An application device comprising:

10. A method for attaching a paper film to a surface of a sheet made by piling up plant fibers and fed from a previous process while conveying the sheet with an endless belt and feeding the sheet to a next process, comprising the steps of: The endless belt is tensioned and driven by a belt support mechanism that includes a diverting roller, a diverting auxiliary roller, a reverse roller, and a reverse auxiliary roller. The endless belt is a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet fed from a previous process in a first direction; a first downward section for conveying the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes beyond the end of the first horizontal section and bends downward; a second horizontal section in which the sheet is conveyed horizontally from a position where the sheet passes beyond a lower end of the first hanging section and bends toward a second direction opposite to the first direction as a starting point; a second downward section which conveys the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes beyond the end of the second horizontal section and bends downward; a sending-side section for horizontally conveying the sheet from a position where the sheet passes beyond a lower end of the second hanging section and bends toward the first direction; The bending portion is supported at each section so that Water is sprayed onto the sheet on the front side of the end of the first horizontal section, After the water is sprayed, a paper film is guided by a guide roller to the front side of the start end of the first hanging section and overlapped on the surface of the sheet; The paper film is attached to the surface of the sheet by conveying the sheet through the first hanging section, the second horizontal section, the second hanging section, and the delivery side section. A method of application comprising the steps of:

11. A method for attaching a paper film to a surface of a sheet made of piled up plant fibers and fed from a previous process, while conveying the sheet with an endless belt, and sending the sheet to a next process, comprising the steps of: The endless belt is tensioned and driven by a belt support mechanism that includes a diverting roller, a diverting auxiliary roller, and a reversing roller. The endless belt is a first horizontal section for horizontally transporting the sheet fed from a previous process in a first direction; a first downward section for conveying the sheet downward from a position where the sheet passes beyond the end of the first horizontal section and bends downward; a switching section for conveying the sheet in the second direction from a position where the sheet passes a lower end of the first hanging section and is bent toward a second direction opposite to the first direction; a reversing section in which the sheet is conveyed horizontally from a position where the sheet passes the end of the switching section and bends toward the first direction as a starting point; The bending portion is supported at each section so that Water is sprayed onto the sheet on the front side of the end of the first horizontal section, After the water is sprayed, a paper film is guided by a guide roller to the front side of the start end of the first hanging section and overlapped on the surface of the sheet; The paper film is attached to the surface of the sheet by conveying the sheet through the first hanging section, the switching section, and the reversing section. A method of application comprising the steps of:

12. A method for attaching a paper film to a surface of a sheet made of piled up plant fibers and fed from a previous process, while conveying the sheet with an endless belt, and sending the sheet to a next process, comprising the steps of: The endless belt is tensioned and driven by a belt support mechanism having a diverting roller and a reversing roller. The endless belt is a first horizontal section for transporting the sheet horizontally in a first direction; a switching section for conveying the sheet downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the switching section starting from a position where the sheet passes the end of the first horizontal section and bends downward; a reversing section in which the sheet is conveyed horizontally from a position where the sheet passes beyond a lower end of the switching section and bends toward the first direction; The bending portion is supported at each section so that Water is sprayed onto the sheet on the front side of the end of the first horizontal section, After the water is sprayed, a paper film is guided by a guide roller to the front side of the start end of the conversion section and laid on the surface of the sheet; The paper film is attached to the surface of the sheet by conveying the sheet through the conversion section and the reversal section. A method of application comprising the steps of:

Images