Raw material feeder and sheet production apparatus

Abstract

To provide a raw material feeder which can improve transportation property of paper pieces, and a sheet production apparatus.SOLUTION: A raw material feeder 13 includes a storage part 132 for storing paper pieces C, and a discharge part 140 for discharging the paper pieces C stored in the storage part 132. The discharge part 140 includes a cylindrical movable part 141 that rotates while transporting the paper pieces C to the inside, and a stationary part 145 placed along a transportation direction of the paper pieces C being transported inside the movable part 141. The stationary part 145 does not interlock with the movable part 141 and is arranged entering the inside of the movable part 141.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a raw material supplying device and a sheet manufacturing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, sheet manufacturing apparatuses have been known that produce sheets by compressing and molding fibers obtained from paper pieces or the like. Some of these apparatuses are equipped with a raw material supply mechanism having a storage section for storing the paper pieces and a discharge pipe for discharging the paper pieces downstream from the storage section. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an agitator equipped with a discharge pipe for transporting the fiber pieces from the storage section to a weighing section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-203256 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to improve the transportability of the fiber pieces, which are pieces of paper. As a result of the inventor's study, it has been found that there is room for further improvement in transportability. In detail, the fiber pieces are transported from a storage section with a relatively large volume through a discharge pipe with a smaller volume than the storage section. Therefore, depending on the amount of fiber pieces introduced into the discharge pipe, the stirring state of the storage section, and the rotation state of the discharge pipe, there is a possibility that the fiber pieces will be sent out in clumps. If the fiber pieces become clumps, this may cause clogging of the transport path and a decrease in the quality of the sheet produced. In other words, a raw material supply device that improves the transportability of the paper pieces has been required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The raw material supply device has a storage section for storing pieces of paper, and a discharge section for discharging the pieces of paper stored in the storage section, and the discharge section includes a cylindrical movable section that rotates while transporting the pieces of paper inside, and a fixed section that is arranged along the transport direction of the pieces of paper transported inside the movable section, and the fixed section is not linked to the movable section, but is arranged inside the movable section.

[0006] The sheet manufacturing apparatus is characterized by having the above-mentioned raw material supply device, a defibrating section that defibrates the paper pieces into fibers, a deposition section that deposits the fibers in the air to form a web, and a forming section that compresses the web to form a sheet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of a movable part, a fixed part, and the like. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of a movable part, a fixed part, and the like. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of a fixed part relative to a movable part. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing the arrangement of a fixed part relative to a movable part. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a fixed part relative to a movable part. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the arrangement of a fixed part relative to a movable part. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing the arrangement of a fixed part relative to a movable part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] In the following embodiment, a raw material supplying device 13 that supplies pieces of paper such as waste paper, and a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 that manufactures sheets in a dry manner from the pieces of paper supplied from the raw material supplying device 13 are exemplified and will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the raw material supplying device 13 is included in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The sheet manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to being of a dry type, and may be of a wet type. In this specification, the term "dry type" refers to being carried out in air such as the atmosphere, rather than in a liquid.

[0009] In each of the following figures, as necessary, the F axis and the XYZ axes are added as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, with the direction indicated by each arrow being the + direction and the direction opposite to the + direction being the - direction. The +F direction is the transport direction of the piece of paper transported inside the movable part described below. The F axis intersects with the XYZ axes. The Z axis is a virtual axis that runs vertically, with the +Z direction being upward and the -Z direction being downward. The -Z direction is the direction in which gravity acts.

[0010] In the raw material supplying device 13 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the direction ahead of the conveying direction of pieces of paper, webs, sheets, etc. is sometimes referred to as the downstream side, and the direction upstream of the conveying direction is sometimes referred to as the upstream side. For convenience of illustration, the sizes of the various components are different from the actual sizes.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a first unit group 101, a second unit group 102, and a third unit group 103. The first unit group 101, the second unit group 102, and the third unit group 103 are supported by a frame (not shown). In Fig. 1, the directions in which pieces of paper C, which are waste paper, sheets P3, slit pieces S, unnecessary scraps, etc. move are indicated by outlined arrows. In the following description, a collection of pieces of paper C consisting of a plurality of pieces of paper C is also simply referred to as pieces of paper C.

[0012] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 manufactures a sheet P3 from a piece of paper C. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, a first unit group 101, a third unit group 103, and a second unit group 102 are arranged from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction in a side view from the -X direction.

[0013] The pieces of paper C are transported from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 via a pipe 21 that crosses inside the third unit group 103. The pieces of paper C are then defibrated and turned into fibers in the second unit group 102, and made into a mixture containing a binder and the like. The mixture is transported to the third unit group 103 via a pipe 24. The mixture is made into a web W in the third unit group 103, and is then formed into a belt-shaped sheet P1. The belt-shaped sheet P1 is cut in the first unit group 101 to become a sheet P3.

[0014] The first unit group 101 includes a raw material supply device 13, a measuring section 15, a junction section 17, and a pipe 21. In the first unit group 101, these components are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The first unit group 101 also includes a first cutting section 81, a second cutting section 82, a tray 91, and a shredding section 95. The first cutting section 81 and the second cutting section 82 cut the strip-shaped sheet P1 into a sheet P3 of a predetermined shape. The first unit group 101 also includes a water supply section 67. The water supply section 67 is a water storage tank. The water supply section 67 supplies water for humidification to each of the first humidifying section 65 and the second humidifying section 66, which will be described later, through a water supply pipe (not shown).

[0015] The raw material supplying device 13 stores paper pieces C, which are the raw material of the sheet P3, and supplies them downstream. The raw material supplying device 13 has a raw material inlet 131, a storage section 132, and a discharge section 140.

[0016] The pieces of paper C are fed into the storage section 132 from the raw material feed port 131. The pieces of paper C include fibers such as cellulose, and are, for example, shredded waste paper. Humidified air is supplied to the inside of the storage section 132 from the second humidifier section 66 provided in the third unit group 103.

[0017] The pieces of paper C are temporarily stored in the storage unit 132, and then transported to the measuring unit 15 via the discharge unit 140. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may be provided with a shredder that shreds the pieces of paper C, etc., upstream of the storage unit 132. Details of the raw material supply device 13 will be described later.

[0018] The measuring unit 15 has a sensor unit 15a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The sensor unit 15a measures the mass of the pieces of paper C. The supply mechanism supplies the pieces of paper C weighed by the sensor unit 15a to the downstream junction 17. That is, the measuring unit 15 weighs the pieces of paper C by a predetermined mass using the sensor unit 15a, and supplies them to the downstream junction 17 using the supply mechanism.

[0019] The sensor unit 15a may be a digital or analog weighing mechanism. Specifically, the sensor unit 15a may be a physical sensor such as a load cell, a spring balance, or a balance. In this embodiment, a load cell is used as the sensor unit 15a. The predetermined mass of the piece of paper C measured by the sensor unit 15a is, for example, from several grams to several tens of grams.

[0020] The supply mechanism may be a known technique such as an openable / closable feeder, etc. The supply mechanism may be included in the sensor unit 15a.

[0021] The measurement unit 15 measures and supplies the pieces of paper C in a batch process. That is, the measurement unit 15 supplies the pieces of paper C to the junction 17 intermittently. The measurement unit 15 may have a plurality of combinations of a sensor unit 15a and a supply mechanism, and the plurality of sensor units 15a may be operated at different times to improve the efficiency of the measurement and supply. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 has two sensor units 15a and a supply mechanism attached to each of them. As a result, the pieces of paper C are transported alternately to the junction 17 from the two sets of sensor units 15a and supply mechanisms.

[0022] At the junction 17, the pieces of paper C supplied from the measuring unit 15 are joined and mixed with the fine fragments of the slit pieces S supplied from the shredding unit 95. The slit pieces S and the shredding unit 95 will be described later. The pieces of paper C mixed with the fine fragments flow from the junction 17 into the pipe 21.

[0023] The piping 21 transports the pieces of paper C from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 by the suction airflow generated by the defibrating unit 31 downstream.

[0024] The second unit group 102 has a defibrating unit 31, which is a dry type defibrator, a separating unit 32, a piping 23, a mixing unit 33, and a piping 24. In the second unit group 102, these components are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The second unit group 102 also has a piping 25 connected to the separating unit 32, a collecting unit 35, a compressor 38, and a power supply unit 39.

[0025] The pieces of paper C transported through the pipe 21 flow into the defibrating unit 31. The defibrating unit 31 defibrates the pieces of paper C supplied from the measuring unit 15 into fibers in a dry manner. A known defibrating mechanism can be applied to the defibrating unit 31.

[0026] The defibrating unit 31 may have the following configuration, for example. The defibrating unit 31 includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The rotor is installed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator. The small pieces of paper C are sandwiched between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor and defibrated by the shear force generated between them. This causes the tangled fibers contained in the pieces of paper C to be untangled. The pieces of paper C are turned into fibers and transported to the separation unit 32.

[0027] The separation unit 32 separates the defibrated fibers. More specifically, the separation unit 32 removes components contained in the fibers that are unnecessary for the production of the sheet P3. Specifically, the separation unit 32 separates relatively long fibers from relatively short fibers. Relatively short fibers are separated in the separation unit 32 because they may cause a decrease in the strength of the sheet P3. The separation unit 32 also separates and removes coloring materials, additives, and the like contained in the pieces of paper C. A known technology such as a disk mesh method can be applied to the separation unit 32.

[0028] Humidified air is supplied to the inside of the separation section 32 from the second humidifying section 66 of the third unit group 103.

[0029] The defibrated fibers, from which relatively short fibers and the like are removed, are transported to a mixer 33 via a pipe 23. Unnecessary materials such as relatively short fibers and coloring materials are discharged to a recovery section 35 via a pipe 25.

[0030] The mixer 33 mixes the fibers with a binder and the like in the air to produce a mixture. Although not shown, the mixer 33 includes a flow path for transporting the fibers, a fan, a hopper, a supply pipe, and a valve.

[0031] The hopper communicates with the fiber flow path via a supply pipe. A valve is provided in the supply pipe between the hopper and the flow path. The hopper supplies a binder such as starch into the flow path. The valve adjusts the mass of the binder supplied from the hopper to the flow path. This adjusts the mixture ratio of the fiber and the binder.

[0032] The mixing section 33 may have a similar configuration for supplying a coloring material, an additive, and the like, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration for supplying the binder.

[0033] The fan of the mixer 33 generates an air current that transports the fibers downstream while mixing the fibers with the binder and other materials in the air to form a mixture. The mixture flows from the mixer 33 into the pipe 24.

[0034] The collecting section 35 includes a filter (not shown) that filters out unnecessary materials such as relatively short fibers transported through the pipe 25 by the air current.

[0035] The compressor 38 generates compressed air. The filter may become clogged with fine particles of unwanted matter. The compressed air generated by the compressor 38 can be blown against the filter to blow off the particles adhering thereto, thereby cleaning the filter.

[0036] The power supply unit 39 has a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power to the control unit 5 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The power supply unit 39 distributes power supplied from an external source to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The control unit 5 is electrically connected to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and performs integrated control of the operation of these components.

[0037] The third unit group 103 piles up the mixture containing fibers, compresses it, and forms it into a belt-shaped sheet P1, which is recycled paper. The third unit group 103 has a pile-up section 50, a first conveyor section 61, a second conveyor section 62, a first humidifier section 65, a second humidifier section 66, a drainage section 68, and a forming section 70.

[0038] In the third unit group 103, from upstream to downstream, the deposition section 50, the first transfer section 61, the second transfer section 62, the first humidifying section 65, and the forming section 70 are arranged in the above order. The second humidifying section 66 is arranged below the first humidifying section 65.

[0039] The deposition unit 50 deposits the mixture containing the separated fibers in the air to generate a web W. The deposition unit 50 has a drum member 53, a blade member 55 installed in the drum member 53, a housing 51 that houses the drum member 53, and a suction unit 59. The mixture is taken into the inside of the drum member 53 from the piping 24.

[0040] A first transport unit 61 is disposed below the deposition unit 50. The first transport unit 61 has a mesh belt 61a and five tension rollers (not shown) that tension the mesh belt 61a. The suction unit 59 faces the drum member 53 with the mesh belt 61a therebetween in the direction along the Z axis.

[0041] The blade member 55 is located inside the drum member 53 and is rotated by a motor (not shown). The drum member 53 is a semi-cylindrical sieve. A mesh functioning as a sieve is provided on the downward-facing side of the drum member 53. The drum member 53 allows particles such as fibers and mixtures that are smaller than the size of the mesh openings of the sieve to pass from the inside to the outside.

[0042] The mixture is discharged to the outside of the drum member 53 while being agitated by the rotating blade member 55 inside the drum member 53. Humidified air is supplied from a second humidifying section 66 to the inside of the drum member 53.

[0043] The suction unit 59 is disposed below the drum member 53. The suction unit 59 sucks air from inside the housing 51 through a plurality of holes in the mesh belt 61a. The plurality of holes in the mesh belt 61a allow air to pass through but prevent fibers and binders contained in the mixture from passing through. As a result, the mixture discharged to the outside of the drum member 53 is sucked downward together with the air. The suction unit 59 is a known suction device such as a blower.

[0044] The mixture is dispersed in the air within the housing 51 and is deposited on the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a by gravity and the suction of the suction section 59 to become the web W.

[0045] The mesh belt 61a is an endless belt that is stretched around five tension rollers. The mesh belt 61a rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 due to the rotation of the tension rollers. As a result, the mixture is continuously deposited on the mesh belt 61a, and a web W is formed. The web W contains a relatively large amount of air and is soft and inflated. The first conveying section 61 conveys the formed web W downstream by the rotation of the mesh belt 61a.

[0046] The second conveying section 62 is downstream of the first conveying section 61 and conveys the web W in place of the first conveying section 61. The second conveying section 62 peels the web W from the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a and conveys it toward the forming section 70. The second conveying section 62 is disposed above the conveying path of the web W and slightly upstream of the starting point of the return side of the mesh belt 61a. The +Y direction of the second conveying section 62 and the -Y direction of the mesh belt 61a partially overlap in the vertical direction.

[0047] The second conveyor 62 includes a transport belt, a plurality of rollers, and a suction mechanism (not shown). The transport belt has a plurality of holes for allowing air to pass through. The transport belt is stretched around a plurality of rollers and rotates with the rotation of the rollers.

[0048] In the second conveying section 62, the upper surface of the web W is attracted to the lower surface of the transport belt by the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism. When the transport belt rotates in this state, the web W is attracted to the transport belt and conveyed downstream.

[0049] The first humidifying section 65 humidifies the web W including fibers deposited in the depositing section 50 of the third unit group 103. In detail, the first humidifying section 65 is, for example, a mist type humidifier, and humidifies the web W transported by the second transport section 62 by supplying mist M from below. The first humidifying section 65 is disposed below the second transport section 62 and faces the web W transported by the second transport section 62 in the direction along the Z axis. A known humidifying device, for example, an ultrasonic type, can be used as the first humidifying section 65.

[0050] Moisturizing the web W with the mist M promotes the function of the starch as a binder, improving the strength of the sheet P3. In addition, since the web W is humidified from below, drops of the mist are prevented from falling onto the web W. Furthermore, since the web W is humidified from the opposite side of the contact surface between the transport belt and the web W, sticking of the web W to the transport belt is reduced. The second transport section 62 transports the web W to the forming section 70.

[0051] The forming section 70 has processing rollers 71 and 72. The processing rollers 71 and 72 compress the web W containing fibers and form it into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The processing rollers 71 and 72 form a pair, and each of them has an electric heater built-in and has the function of increasing the temperature of the roller surface.

[0052] The processing rollers 71 and 72 are each a substantially cylindrical member. The rotation axis of the processing roller 71 and the rotation axis of the processing roller 72 are arranged along the X-axis. With respect to the transport path of the web W, the processing roller 71 is arranged substantially above, and the processing roller 72 is arranged substantially below. Between the side surface of the processing roller 71 and the side surface of the processing roller 72, a gap is provided according to the thickness of the sheet P3 to be manufactured.

[0053] The processing rollers 71 and 72 are rotated by a stepping motor (not shown). The web W is sandwiched between the processing rollers 71 and 72 and sent downstream while being heated and pressurized. That is, the web W passes continuously through the forming section 70 and is press-formed while being heated. By using the processing rollers 71 and 72 as a pair of forming members, the web W can be efficiently heated and pressurized.

[0054] By passing through the forming section 70, the web W, which is in a soft state containing a relatively large amount of air, has the air contained therein reduced and the fibers are bound together by the binder, so that the web W is formed into a belt-shaped sheet P1. The belt-shaped sheet P1 is transported to the first unit group 101 by a transport roller (not shown).

[0055] The second humidifier 66 is disposed below the first humidifier 65. A known evaporative humidifier can be used for the second humidifier 66. An example of an evaporative humidifier is one that blows air onto a moistened nonwoven fabric or the like to evaporate moisture and generate humidified air.

[0056] The second humidifying section 66 humidifies a predetermined area of ​​the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The predetermined area is one or more of the storage section 132, the separation section 32, and the inside of the drum member 53 of the deposition section 50. Specifically, humidified air is supplied to the above-mentioned area from the second humidifying section 66 through a plurality of pipes (not shown). In each of the above-mentioned configurations, the humidified air suppresses electrostatic charge on the pieces of paper C, fibers, etc., and suppresses adhesion of these to members due to static electricity.

[0057] The drainage unit 68 is a drainage tank. The drainage unit 68 is used in the first humidifying unit 65 and the second humidifying unit 66, etc., and collects and stores old moisture. The drainage unit 68 can be removed from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 as necessary, and the stored water can be discarded.

[0058] The strip-shaped sheet P1 transported to the first unit group 101 reaches the first cutting section 81. The first cutting section 81 cuts the strip-shaped sheet P1 in a direction intersecting the transport direction, for example, along the X-axis. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut into single sheets P2 at the first cutting section 81. The single sheets P2 are transported from the first cutting section 81 to the second cutting section 82.

[0059] The second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 in the conveying direction, for example, in the direction along the Y axis. More specifically, the second cutting section 82 cuts the vicinity of both sides of the single sheet P2 in the direction along the X axis. As a result, the single sheet P2 becomes a sheet P3 of a predetermined shape, for example, A4 size or A3 size.

[0060] When the second cutting section 82 cuts the single-cut sheets P2 into sheets P3, slit pieces S, which are scraps, are generated. The slit pieces S are transported in the approximately -Y direction to reach the shredding section 95, which is a shredder. The shredding section 95 shreds the slit pieces S into small pieces and supplies them to the junction 17. A mechanism for weighing the small pieces of the slit pieces S and supplying them to the junction 17 may be provided between the shredding section 95 and the junction 17.

[0061] The sheet P3 is conveyed substantially upward and accumulated on the tray 91. In this manner, the sheet P3 is manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The sheet P3 can be used as a substitute for, for example, copy paper.

[0062] 2 and 3, the raw material supplying device 13 has a storage section 132 and a discharge section 140 disposed downstream of the storage section 132. The discharge section 140 includes two discharge sections 140a and 140b corresponding to the above-mentioned two measurement sections 15. Note that the configuration above the storage section 132 is omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0063] The raw material supplying device 13 is supported by a frame portion 101F. The frame portion 101F forms a part of a frame that supports the above-mentioned first unit group 101. The frame portion 101F is provided with two openings 101h corresponding to the discharge portions 140a and 140b.

[0064] The storage unit 132 stores the pieces of paper C input from the raw material input port 131, and agitates and sends them to the discharge units 140a and 140b. The storage unit 132 is cylindrical, and is disposed such that the length direction of the cylinder is aligned with the Z axis.

[0065] A rotating disk 133 and four blade members 135 are attached to the storage unit 132. The rotating disk 133 and the four blade members 135 are disposed at the bottom below the storage unit 132. In the approximate -X direction of the storage unit 132 and slightly above the bottom, the interiors of the movable parts 141 of the discharge units 140a and 140b are in communication with each other.

[0066] The rotating disk 133 is substantially disk-shaped and is disposed along the XY plane. The rotating disk 133 rotates about an axis along the Z axis by driving a drive motor (not shown). Four blade members 135 are attached to the upward surface of the rotating disk 133.

[0067] The four blade members 135 are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the axis along the Z axis of the rotating disk 133 in a plan view from above. The blade members 135 protrude upward from the upper surface of the rotating disk 133.

[0068] When the turntable 133 rotates, the four blade members 135 rotate to agitate the scraps of paper C in the storage section 132. As described above, humidified air is supplied to the inside of the storage section 132 from the second humidifier section 66. By agitating the scraps of paper C in the air, the scraps of paper C are relatively uniformly humidified. While being agitated, the scraps of paper C are sent into the two movable sections 141. When sending the scraps of paper C to the discharge section 140, the turntable 133 continues to rotate.

[0069] The discharge units 140a, 140b are disposed between the storage unit 132 and the two openings 101h. Each opening 101h is a substantially rectangular opening when viewed from above. Each opening 101h is located below the ends of the discharge units 140a, 140b in the substantially -X direction. The discharge units 140a, 140b discharge and send out the pieces of paper C stored in the storage unit 132 to the measurement unit 15. The pieces of paper C fall from the discharge units 140a, 140b by gravity and are introduced into each opening 101h.

[0070] The ejection units 140a and 140b are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line passing through the rotation axis of the turntable 133 and along the X-axis. The ejection units 140a and 140b have the same configurations and functions. Therefore, in the following description, the ejection unit 140a will be described as a representative example of the ejection units 140, and a description of the ejection unit 140b will be omitted.

[0071] Discharge unit 140a includes movable unit 141 and fixed unit 145, which will be described later. Movable unit 141 is substantially cylindrical, and is connected to storage unit 132 in the -X direction and extends substantially in the -X direction. The interior of movable unit 141 communicates with the interior of storage unit 132.

[0072] Movable portion 141 is supported by storage portion 132 and frame portion 101F so as to be rotatable about the central axis of its cylinder. To movable portion 141, a driving portion 142, an output gear 143, and a passive gear 144 are attached.

[0073] The driving unit 142 and the output gear 143 are disposed adjacent to each other in the +Y direction of the movable unit 141. The driving unit 142 is an electric motor. The output gear 143 is directly connected to the output shaft of the driving unit 142 and rotates when driven by the driving unit 142.

[0074] The passive gear 144 is disposed on the outer periphery of the movable part 141. The rotation axis of the passive gear 144 coincides with the central axis of the cylinder of the movable part 141. The passive gear 144 meshes with the output gear 143, and is rotated by the rotation of the output gear 143, rotating together with the movable part 141. This causes the movable part 141 to rotate while transporting the piece of paper C inside. The rotation of the movable part 141 is stopped while the mass of the piece of paper C is being measured by the corresponding measuring unit 15.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 4, the inside of the movable part 141 has a shape corresponding to the side of a truncated cone. More specifically, if the conveying direction of the piece of paper C conveyed inside the movable part 141 is the +F direction, the inner surface of the movable part 141 is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis CA1. The axis CA1 is also the central axis of the cylinder of the movable part 141 described above. A cross section perpendicular to the F axis inside the movable part 141 is narrow in the -F direction and wide in the +F direction. That is, inside the movable part 141, the storage part 132 side corresponds to the upper bottom surface of the truncated cone, and the downstream side corresponds to the lower bottom surface of the truncated cone.

[0076] Because the inside of the movable part 141 has such a shape, the pieces of paper C transported inside the movable part 141 are less likely to form clumps. Specifically, the pieces of paper C sent from the storage part 132 to the movable part 141 are subjected to forces due to the rotation of the blade member 135 and the weight of the pieces of paper C. Therefore, by expanding the inside of the movable part 141 in the +F direction, the above forces are released and the frictional force between the inner wall of the movable part 141 and the pieces of paper C is attenuated, suppressing clogging and clumping of the pieces of paper C.

[0077] The length of the movable part 141 along the F axis is, for example, about 120 mm. The inner diameter of the movable part 141 is, for example, 40 mm at the end in the -F direction and 45 mm at the end in the +F direction.

[0078] The axis CA1 is along the F axis. The +F direction is slightly downward with respect to the -X direction. That is, the movable part 141 is disposed such that the -X direction is inclined downward when viewed from the -Y direction.

[0079] A plurality of rib portions 141R are provided on the inner surface of the movable portion 141. Each rib portion 141R protrudes from the inner surface of the movable portion 141 toward the axis CA1. Each rib portion 141R is arranged in a straight line from the end in the -F direction of the movable portion 141 to the end in the +F direction. A cross section of each rib portion 141R perpendicular to the F axis is trapezoidal. By making the rib portion 141R straight, the flow of the paper pieces C inside the movable portion 141 is adjusted, and the occurrence of clogging is suppressed. Note that the rib portion 141R is not limited to being straight. In addition, the cross-sectional area of ​​the rib portion 141R in the above cross section is not limited to being constant from the end in the -F direction to the end in the +F direction, and for example, the end in the +F direction may be smaller than the end in the -F direction.

[0080] In the movable part 141, gravity is utilized due to the inclined arrangement of the movable part 141 described above to transport the piece of paper C. The piece of paper C slides down inside the movable part 141 due to gravity. Furthermore, as the movable part 141 rotates, the piece of paper C is lifted in the +Z direction along the inner surface of the movable part 141 by the rib part 141R, and then falls. Since the movable part 141 is inclined, the drop point of the piece of paper C moves in the +F direction, facilitating transportation. Furthermore, in the storage part 132, a force pushing the piece of paper C from the storage part 132 to the movable part 141 acts due to the rotation of the blade member 135 and the weight of the piece of paper C in the storage part 132. This pushing force also promotes transportation of the piece of paper C in the movable part 141.

[0081] The fixed part 145 has the action of preventing the pieces of paper C transported inside the movable part 141 from adhering to the inside of the movable part 141 and dispersing and loosening the pieces of paper C. The fixed part 145 is disposed downstream in the +F direction relative to the movable part 141. This makes it less likely that the fixed part 145 will interfere with the supply of the pieces of paper C from the storage part 132 to the inside of the movable part 141, compared to when the fixed part 145 is disposed in the -F direction upstream of the movable part 141.

[0082] The fixed part 145 is rod-shaped and is arranged such that its tip enters the inside of the movable part 141 from the end side in the +F direction of the movable part 141. The length direction of the fixed part 145 is along the +F direction which is the transport direction of the piece of paper C. In other words, the central axis CA2 of the fixed part 145 is along the F axis.

[0083] The rear end of the fixed portion 145 is supported by the support member 101s. The fixed portion 145 does not move or displace in conjunction with the rotation of the movable portion 141. The support member 101s is fixed to the frame portion 101F.

[0084] The fixed portion 145 is installed so as to pierce the piece of paper C transported inside the movable portion 141. The fixed portion 145 makes it difficult for the piece of paper C to become stuck inside the movable portion 141, and the piece of paper C is sent downstream in an untied state.

[0085] 5, the movable part 141 rotates clockwise when viewed from the +F direction. A ring member 146 is disposed at the end of the movable part 141 in the +F direction. The ring member 146 is annular and disposed along the edge of the end of the movable part 141 in the +F direction. The ring member 146 rotates together with the movable part 141.

[0086] The ring member 146 protrudes in a direction intersecting the +F direction and toward the axis CA1 inside the movable part 141. This prevents the piece of paper C from unintentionally falling into the opening 101h when the transport of the piece of paper C is stopped in the movable part 141 by the ring member 146 blocking the piece of paper C.

[0087] The top of the rib portion 141R is lower than the top of the ring member 146 in the direction from the inner surface of the movable portion 141 toward the axis CA1.

[0088] 6, the fixing part 145 is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis CA2. The tip of the fixing part 145 in the -F direction is a truncated cone that tapers in the -F direction. Because the tip of the fixing part 145 has such a shape, the tip can easily bite into the piece of paper C, making it easier for the piece of paper C to be loosened.

[0089] An intermediate portion 145n is provided in the +F direction of the tip. The intermediate portion 145n is formed to be thinner than other regions of the fixed portion 145. The intermediate portion 145n is a so-called relief for ensuring a gap with the ring member 146 described above. Although not shown, the fixed portion 145 has a plurality of regions having different diameters relative to the central axis CA2 in addition to the intermediate portion 145n. The shape of the fixed portion 145 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 6.

[0090] 7 and 8, in the +F direction which is the transport direction of the piece of paper C, the dimension of the movable part 141 is length L1, and the dimension of the fixed part 145 which enters inside the movable part 141 is length L2. In this case, the ratio of the two, L1:L2, is in the range of 120:1 to 120:10. This makes it difficult for the piece of paper C to become lumpy, and even if the piece of paper C does become lumpy, it becomes easy to break it apart, further improving the transportability of the piece of paper C. In addition, the piece of paper C becomes difficult to get caught between the fixed part 145 and the inner surface of the movable part 141.

[0091] 9, the end of the movable part 141 in the +F direction is located above the opening 101h. The piece of paper C discharged from the movable part 141 falls by gravity, passes through the opening 101h, and is supplied to the measuring part 15 (not shown) below the opening 101h.

[0092] In order not to impede the dropping of the above-mentioned piece of paper C, the fixing portion 145 is supported so as to be suspended from above by a supporting member 101s.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 10, when viewing movable part 141 from the +F direction, and the vertical direction from axis CA1 of movable part 141 is the 6 o'clock direction, fixed part 145 is located at the 2 o'clock position.

[0094] As the movable part 141 rotates about the axis CA1, the piece of paper C is transported in the +F direction. If the piece of paper C is loose and not in clumps, it passes through the lower range from approximately 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock due to gravity. By positioning the fixed part 145 at the 2 o'clock position, the fixed part 145 is less likely to interfere with the transport of the piece of paper C that is not in clumps. Furthermore, if the piece of paper C is in clumps, the piece of paper C will also pass through areas other than the above range, specifically the upper range from approximately 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock. Therefore, if the fixed part 145 is in clumps, it will be more likely to be loosened by the fixed part 145. As a result, the transportability of the piece of paper C is further improved.

[0095] When the movable part 141 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the +F direction, it is positioned at the 2 o'clock position as viewed from the -F direction, that is, at the 10 o'clock position as viewed from the +F direction.

[0096] 11, when viewed from the +F direction, the distance between the inner wall of movable part 141 and the side surface of fixed part 145 is defined as interval L3. The side surface of fixed part 145 here refers to the side surface of a portion having the same diameter as the lower bottom surface of the truncated cone shape at the tip of fixed part 145 described above.

[0097] The interval L3 is a distance at which the fixed part 145 and the inner wall of the movable part 141 do not come into contact with each other. Preferably, if the diameter of the inner wall of the movable part 141 at the end in the +F direction is D1, the percentage of the interval L3 with respect to the diameter D1 is 5% or more and 30% or less. Also, when viewed from the +F direction, in the direction from the inner wall of the movable part 141 toward the axis CA1, the height from the inner wall to the top of the rib part 141R is less than 5% of the diameter D1. This makes it difficult for the piece of paper C to adhere to the inner wall of the movable part 141 and difficult for the piece of paper C to get stuck between the inner wall and the fixed part 145. Therefore, the conveyability of the piece of paper C is further improved. The interval L3 may be appropriately changed according to the shape of a single piece of paper C.

[0098] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0099] The transportability of the pieces of paper C can be improved. More specifically, the fixed part 145 is arranged so as to be opposed to the flow of the pieces of paper C transported inside the movable part 141. Therefore, the pieces of paper C are less likely to form lumps inside the movable part 141, and are less likely to adhere to the inner wall of the movable part 141. Furthermore, when lumpy pieces of paper C are transported, they are easily loosened and dispersed by the fixed part 145. Therefore, it is possible to provide a raw material supplying device 13 that improves the transportability of the pieces of paper C. It is also possible to provide a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 in which clogging of the transport path with the pieces of paper C is less likely to occur, improving the quality of the manufactured sheets P3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] Reference Signs List: 1...sheet manufacturing apparatus, 13...raw material supply apparatus, 31...fibing section, 50...deposition section, 70...forming section, 132...storage section, 140...discharge section, 141...movable section, 145...fixed section, 146...ring member, C...paper piece, L1, L2...length, L3...spacing, P3...sheet, W...web.

Claims

1. a storage section for storing the paper pieces; a discharge section that discharges the paper pieces stored in the storage section, The discharge section is A cylindrical movable part that rotates while transporting the paper piece therein; a fixed portion disposed along a transport direction of the ticket transported inside the movable portion, A raw material supplying device, characterized in that the fixed part is not linked to the movable part and is arranged inside the movable part.

2. 2. The raw material supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is rod-shaped, the length direction of the fixing portion is aligned with the transport direction of the paper piece, and the fixing portion is disposed downstream in the transport direction.

3. 2. The raw material supplying device of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the movable part to the length of the fixed part that extends into the interior of the movable part in the transport direction of the paper piece is in the range of 120:1 to 120:

10.

4. 4. The raw material supplying device according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the inner wall of the movable part and the fixed part is 1 mm or more and 100 mm or less when viewed from the transport direction of the paper piece.

5. The movable portion is substantially cylindrical, The raw material supplying device of claim 4, characterized in that when the movable part is viewed from the transport direction of the paper piece, the fixed part is positioned at the 2 o'clock position when the vertical direction from the central axis of the movable part is the 6 o'clock direction.

6. a ring member is disposed at an end of the movable portion in the conveying direction; 2. The raw material supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the ring member protrudes in a direction intersecting the conveying direction and toward the inside.

7. The raw material supplying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A defibrating unit that defibrates the paper pieces into fibers; a deposition section for depositing the fibers in air into a web; a forming section that compresses the web to form a sheet.

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