Method of managing waste paper recycling information and waste paper recycling system

Abstract

To allow a user of a waste paper recycling system to know that a result of sheet recycling contributes to an environmental improvement.SOLUTION: A method of managing waste paper recycling information is a method in a waste paper recycling system that includes a management server, a waste paper recycling apparatus, and a shredder. The shredder produces a plurality of paper fragments. The waste paper recycling apparatus recycles the paper fragments produced by the shredder into sheets, measures the amount of sheets produced, and transmits the produced amount to the management server. The management server calculates the cumulative value of the produced amount transmitted from the waste paper recycling apparatus within a predetermined period, compares the cumulative value with a production target value determined in advance, and, when the cumulative value reaches the production target value, transmits, to the shredder and the waste paper recycling apparatus, user notification information indicating that the production target value has been reached.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for managing waste paper recycling information and a waste paper recycling system.

Background Art

[0002] A sheet manufacturing system for recycling waste paper is known. The sheet manufacturing system described in Patent Document 1 includes a first device, a second device, and an analysis server. The first device is a crushing and defibering device that performs crushing and the like on waste paper. The second device is a sheet manufacturing device that manufactures sheets. The analysis server collects and stores information on the operation history of the first device and the second device. The administrator of the analysis server determines whether the arrangement of the first device and the second device is appropriate based on the information collected by the analysis server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is difficult for users of the sheet manufacturing system to grasp that the results of sheet recycling contribute to environmental improvement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The method for managing waste paper recycling information of the present disclosure is a method for managing waste paper recycling information in a waste paper recycling system including a management server, a waste paper recycling device, and a shredder. The shredder generates a plurality of paper pieces by shredding waste paper. The waste paper recycling device regenerates the paper pieces generated by the shredder into sheets, measures the generation amount of the regenerated sheets, and transmits the generation amount to the management server. The management server calculates the cumulative value of the generation amount transmitted from the waste paper recycling device within a predetermined period, compares the cumulative value with a predetermined generation target value, and when the cumulative value reaches the generation target value, notifies the shredder and the waste paper recycling device of user notification information indicating that the generation target value has been reached.

[0006] The waste paper recycling system of the present disclosure is a waste paper recycling system including a management server, a waste paper recycling device communicatively connected to the management server via a network, and a shredder connected to the management server via the network. The shredder has a shredding unit that shreds waste paper to generate a plurality of paper pieces, and a first communication unit that communicatively connects with the management server via the network. The waste paper recycling device has a papermaking unit that regenerates the plurality of paper pieces generated by the shredder into sheets, a counter that measures the generation amount of the sheets, and a second communication unit that transmits the generation amount to the management server via the network. The management server has a third communication unit that communicatively connects with the shredder and the waste paper recycling device via the network, a storage unit that stores a generation target value within a predetermined period of the sheets regenerated by the waste paper recycling device, and a control unit that calculates the cumulative value of the generation amount transmitted from the waste paper recycling device within the predetermined period and compares the cumulative value with the generation target value. When the integrated value reaches the generation target value, the control unit generates user notification information indicating that the generation target value has been reached, and the third communication unit transmits the user notification information to the first communication unit of the shredder and the second communication unit of the waste paper recycling device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] FIG. 1 shows the schematic configuration of the waste paper recycling system 1. The waste paper recycling system 1 includes a sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, a waste paper shredder 200, and a waste paper recycling management server 300. The waste paper recycling system 1 may include a terminal device 400. The waste paper recycling system 1 may include a plurality of sheet manufacturing apparatuses 100, a plurality of waste paper shredders 200, and a plurality of terminal devices 400. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the waste paper shredder 200, the waste paper recycling management server 300, and the terminal device 400 are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network NW. The communication network NW corresponds to an example of a network.

[0009] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200 included in the waste paper recycling system 1 are, as an example, distributed among a plurality of companies. The waste paper recycling management server 300 is managed by the administrator of the waste paper recycling system 1. The terminal device 400 is arranged in the company where the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200 are arranged.

[0010] The waste paper recycling system 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows, as an example, a system composed of a plurality of companies. The plurality of companies include a first company A1, a second company A2, and a third company A3. The first company A1 owns the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the first terminal device 400a. The second company A2 owns the first waste paper shredder 200a and the second terminal device 400b. The third company A3 owns the second waste paper shredder 200b and the third waste paper shredder 200c. The first waste paper shredder 200a, the second waste paper shredder 200b, and the third waste paper shredder 200c are included in the plurality of waste paper shredders 200. The first terminal device 400a and the second terminal device 400b are included in the plurality of terminal devices 400.

[0011] The waste paper recycling system 1 shown in FIG. 1 functions by the participation of the first company A1, the second company A2, the third company A3, and the administrator. The first company A1, the second company A2, the third company A3, and the administrator carry out environmental improvement activities using the waste paper recycling system 1.

[0012] The persons related to the environmental improvement activities using the waste paper recycling system 1 are not limited to three companies. The environmental improvement activities are carried out by one or more companies. The persons related to the environmental improvement activities using the waste paper recycling system 1 are not limited to companies. The persons related to the environmental improvement activities may be schools, government offices, or a combination of schools, government offices, and companies. Each device included in the waste paper recycling system 1 may be distributed among a plurality of scattered business offices and offices within one company. The persons related to the environmental improvement activities using the waste paper recycling system 1 are set as appropriate.

[0013] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 regenerates the sheet P using the paper pieces C as raw materials. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 regenerates the paper pieces C into the sheet P by manufacturing the sheet P using the paper pieces C generated by the waste paper shredder 200 as raw materials. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is communicatively connected to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 corresponds to an example of a waste paper recycling apparatus.

[0014] The waste paper shredder 200 shreds waste paper. The waste paper shredder 200 generates a plurality of paper pieces C by shredding waste paper. The generated paper pieces C are collected in the collection bag G. The waste paper shredder 200 is communicatively connected to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The waste paper shredder 200 corresponds to an example of a shredder.

[0015] The first waste paper shredder 200a, the second waste paper shredder 200b, and the third waste paper shredder 200c included in the plurality of waste paper shredders 200 shred waste paper to generate a plurality of paper pieces C. The first waste paper shredder 200a, the second waste paper shredder 200b, and the third waste paper shredder 200c may have the same shredding mechanism or may each have a different shredding mechanism. The structure of the first waste paper shredder 200a, the second waste paper shredder 200b, and the third waste paper shredder 200c is not limited as long as they are configured to be able to transmit various information to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The various information includes the amount of paper pieces of the plurality of paper pieces C generated by the waste paper shredder 200.

[0016] The waste paper recycling management server 300 performs various data processes. The waste paper recycling management server 300 is communicatively connected to the waste paper shredder 200 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 via the communication network NW. The waste paper recycling management server 300 receives various information from the waste paper shredder 200 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The waste paper recycling management server 300 may be communicatively connected to the terminal device 400 via the communication network NW. The waste paper recycling management server 300 performs analysis using the various information. The waste paper recycling management server 300 generates environment-related information as an analysis result. The environment-related information will be described later. The waste paper recycling management server 300 transmits the analysis result to the waste paper shredder 200 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The waste paper recycling management server 300 may transmit the analysis result to the terminal device 400. The waste paper recycling management server 300 corresponds to an example of a management server.

[0017] The waste paper recycling management server 300 manages the various information received from the waste paper shredder 200 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The waste paper recycling management server 300 manages the analysis result obtained by performing analysis using the various information. The waste paper recycling management server 300 manages the various information and the analysis result as system-related information. The system-related information includes environment-related information. The waste paper recycling system 1 is managed based on the system-related information. The waste paper recycling management server 300 stores, processes, distributes, deletes, etc. the various management data included in the system-related information. The system-related information corresponds to an example of waste paper recycling information.

[0018] The terminal device 400 displays the various information. The terminal device 400 is composed of a notebook personal computer, a desktop personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. The terminal device 400 displays the various information when an application is executed. The application may be a web application operating on a web browser or a dedicated application. The terminal device 400 notifies the users of the waste paper shredder 200, the users of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, etc. of the various information by displaying the various information. The terminal device 400 corresponds to an example of a communication terminal.

[0019] The first terminal device 400a and the second terminal device 400b included in the plurality of terminal devices 400 each display various information. In the first terminal device 400a and the second terminal device 400b, the same application operates to display various information. The same information may be displayed on the first terminal device 400a and the second terminal device 400b, or different information may be displayed.

[0020] The collection bag G can accommodate and convey a plurality of pieces of paper C generated by the waste paper shredder 200. The collection bag G stores the amount of paper pieces C measured by the mass sensor 229 provided in the waste paper shredder 200. The mass sensor 229 will be described later. The user of the waste paper shredder 200 may transfer the plurality of pieces of paper C generated by the waste paper shredder 200 from the storage box 223 to the collection bag G. The user of the waste paper shredder 200 may attach the collection bag G to the storage box 223 to directly store a plurality of pieces of paper C in the collection bag G in the waste paper shredder 200. The collection bag G containing the plurality of pieces of paper C is transported by the carrier B.

[0021] The carrier B transports the collection bag G containing the plurality of pieces of paper C to the first company A1. The first company A1 owns the sheet manufacturing device 100. In the waste paper recycling system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the first carrier B1 and the second carrier B2 each transport the collection bag G to the first company A1. The first carrier B1 transports the collection bag G of the second company A2 to the first company A1. The second carrier B2 transports the collection bag G of the third company A3 to the first company A1. The first company A1 acquires the collection bag G of the second company A2 via the first carrier B1. The first company A1 acquires the collection bag G of the third company A3 via the second carrier B2. The sheet manufacturing device 100 of the first company A1 regenerates the sheet P using the plurality of pieces of paper C stored in the acquired collection bag G.

[0022] In the waste paper recycling system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the first carrier B1 and the second carrier B2 transport the collection bag G to the first company A1, but it is not limited to this. The first carrier B1 or the second carrier B2 may transport the collection bag G of the second company A2 and the collection bag G of the third company A3 to the first company A1. The transportation form of the collection bag G is set as appropriate.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 recycles paper pieces C such as waste paper into sheets in a dry method. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is not limited to being dry, and may be wet. Here, the dry method is a method of regenerating the sheet in the air such as the atmosphere without performing the regeneration of the sheet P in a liquid.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows coordinate axes orthogonal to each other as the X1 axis, the Y1 axis, and the Z1 axis, respectively. The direction pointed by the arrow corresponding to each axis is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is the - direction. The Z1 axis is a virtual axis along the vertical direction, where the +Z1 direction indicates upward and the -Z1 direction indicates downward. The -Z1 direction is the direction in which gravity acts. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the front in the conveyance direction of raw materials, the web W, and the sheet P, etc. may be shown as downstream, and the front in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction may be shown as upstream. For the sake of illustration, the sizes of the respective members are different from the actual ones.

[0025] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 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). FIG. 2 shows the directions in which the paper pieces C, the sheet P, the slit pieces S, and unnecessary end materials, etc. move with white arrows.

[0026] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 recycles the sheet P from the paper pieces C. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, in a side view from the -X1 direction, the first unit group 101, the third unit group 103, and the second unit group 102 are arranged from the -Y1 direction toward the +Y1 direction.

[0027] The paper piece C is conveyed from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 through the first pipe 21 that crosses within the third unit group 103. The paper piece C is defibered in the second unit group 102 to become fibers and then made into a mixture containing a binder and the like. The mixture is conveyed to the third unit group 103 through the third pipe 24. The mixture is made into the web W in the third unit group 103 and then formed into the strip-shaped sheet P. The strip-shaped sheet P is cut in the first unit group 101 to become the sheet P.

[0028] The first unit group 101 includes a buffer tank 13, a metering supply unit 15, a confluence unit 17, and the first pipe 21. In the first unit group 101, the buffer tank 13, the metering supply unit 15, the confluence unit 17, and the first pipe 21 are arranged in order from upstream to downstream. The first unit group 101 includes a first cutting unit 81, a second cutting unit 82, a tray 91, and a crushing unit 95. The first cutting unit 81 and the second cutting unit 82 cut the strip-shaped sheet P into a sheet P with a predetermined shape. The first unit group 101 further includes a water supply unit 67. The water supply unit 67 is composed of a water storage tank as an example. The water supply unit 67 supplies humidifying water to each of the first humidifying unit 65 and the second humidifying unit 66 described later through a water supply pipe (not shown).

[0029] The paper piece C is input from the raw material inlet 11 to the buffer tank 13. The paper piece C contains fibers such as cellulose and is, for example, shredded waste paper. Humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying unit 66 provided in the third unit group 103 into the buffer tank 13.

[0030] The paper piece C to be defibered is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 13 and then conveyed to the metering supply unit 15 according to the operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 may be provided with a shredding mechanism for shredding the paper piece C and the like upstream of the buffer tank 13.

[0031] The metering and supply unit 15 includes a weighing device 15a and a supply mechanism (not shown). The weighing device 15a weighs the mass of the paper sheet C. The supply mechanism supplies the paper sheet C weighed by the weighing device 15a to the downstream confluence section 17. The metering and supply unit 15 weighs the paper sheet C to a predetermined mass by the weighing device 15a, and supplies the paper sheet C of the predetermined mass to the downstream confluence section 17 by the supply mechanism.

[0032] Both digital and analog weighing mechanisms are applicable to the weighing device 15a. As the weighing device 15a, physical sensors such as load cells, spring scales, and balances are used. It is preferable to use a load cell as the weighing device 15a. The predetermined mass at which the weighing device 15a weighs the paper sheet C is, for example, about several grams to several tens of grams.

[0033] Known technologies such as a vibratory feeder are applicable to the supply mechanism. The supply mechanism may be a configuration included in the weighing device 15a.

[0034] The weighing and supply of the paper sheet C in the metering and supply unit 15 is batch processing. The supply of the paper sheet C from the metering and supply unit 15 to the confluence section 17 is carried out intermittently. The metering and supply unit 15 may have a plurality of weighing devices 15a. If the plurality of weighing devices 15a operate with a predetermined time difference, the weighing efficiency is improved.

[0035] In the confluence section 17, shredded pieces of the slit pieces S supplied from the crushing section 95 are confluent and mixed with the paper sheet C supplied from the metering and supply unit 15. The slit pieces S and the crushing section 95 will be described later. The paper sheet C mixed with the shredded pieces flows into the first pipe 21 from the confluence section 17.

[0036] The first pipe 21 conveys the paper sheet C from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 by an air flow generated by a blower (not shown).

[0037] The second unit group 102 includes a defibering unit 31 which is a dry defibering machine, a separation unit 32, a second pipe 23, a mixing unit 33, and a third pipe 24. In the second unit group 102, the defibering unit 31, the separation unit 32, the second pipe 23, the mixing unit 33, and the third pipe 24 are arranged in order from upstream to downstream. The second unit group 102 includes a fourth pipe 25 connected to the separation unit 32, a recovery unit 35, a compressor 38, and a power supply unit 39.

[0038] The paper piece C conveyed through the first pipe 21 flows into the defibering unit 31. The defibering unit 31 dry-defibers the paper piece C supplied from the metering supply unit 15 into fibers. A known defibering mechanism can be applied to the defibering unit 31.

[0039] The defibering unit 31 includes, as an example, 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 paper piece C is sandwiched between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor. The paper piece C is defibered by the shearing force generated between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor. In the defibering unit 31, the entangled fibers contained in the paper piece C are unraveled. The fibers contained in the paper piece C are conveyed to the separation unit 32.

[0040] The separation unit 32 separates the defibered fibers. The separation unit 32 removes the components unnecessary for the production of the sheet P from the fibers. The separation unit 32 separates the fibers into relatively long fibers and relatively short fibers. The relatively short fibers may cause a decrease in the strength of the sheet P. The separation unit 32 separates and removes the relatively short fibers. The separation unit 32 separates and removes color materials, additives, etc. contained in the paper piece C. A known technique such as a disk mesh method can be applied to the separation unit 32.

[0041] Inside the separation unit 32, air humidified by the second humidifying unit 66 of the third unit group 103 is supplied.

[0042] The fibers from which relatively short fibers and the like have been excluded are conveyed to the mixing section 33 via the second pipe 23. Unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers and coloring materials are discharged to the recovery section 35 via the fourth pipe 25.

[0043] The mixing section 33 mixes a binder material and the like with the fibers in the air to produce a mixture. The mixing section 33 includes a flow path through which the fibers are conveyed, a fan, a hopper, a supply pipe, and a valve. The flow path, fan, hopper, supply pipe, and valve are not shown.

[0044] The hopper communicates with the fiber flow path via the supply pipe. The valve is provided in the supply pipe between the hopper and the flow path. The hopper supplies a binder material such as starch into the flow path. The valve adjusts the mass of the binder material supplied from the hopper to the flow path. The mixing ratio of the fibers and the binder material is adjusted by the valve.

[0045] The mixing section 33 may have a configuration for supplying materials other than the binder material. As an example, the mixing section 33 is provided with a configuration for supplying coloring materials, additives, and the like.

[0046] The fan of the mixing section 33 generates an air flow. Due to the air flow generated by the fan, the mixing section 33 mixes the binder material and the like in the air while conveying the fibers downstream to produce a mixture. The mixture flows into the third pipe 24 from the mixing section 33.

[0047] The recovery section 35 includes a filter (not shown). The filter filters out unnecessary components such as relatively short fibers conveyed by the air flow in the fourth pipe 25.

[0048] The compressor 38 generates compressed air. In the filter of the recovery section 35, clogging may occur due to fine particles and the like among the unnecessary components. It is possible to blow the compressed air generated by the compressor 38 onto the filter to blow off the attached particles and clean the filter.

[0049] The power supply unit 39 includes a power supply device that supplies power to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The power supply device is not shown. The power supply unit 39 distributes the power supplied from the outside to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0050] The third unit group 103 deposits and compresses a mixture containing fibers generated from the paper pieces C, and regenerates it into a belt-shaped sheet P that is recycled paper. The third unit group 103 includes a deposition unit 50, a first conveyance unit 61, a second conveyance unit 62, a first humidifying unit 65, a second humidifying unit 66, a drainage unit 68, a forming unit 70, and a cleaning device 40. The third unit group 103 corresponds to an example of a papermaking unit.

[0051] In the third unit group 103, the deposition unit 50, the first conveyance unit 61, the second conveyance unit 62, the first humidifying unit 65, the forming unit 70, and the cleaning device 40 are arranged in order from upstream to downstream. The second humidifying unit 66 is disposed below the first humidifying unit 65.

[0052] The deposition unit 50 deposits a mixture containing separated fibers in the air to generate a web W. The deposition unit 50 includes a drum member 53, a blade member 55 installed inside 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 third pipe 24.

[0053] The first conveyance unit 61 is disposed below the deposition unit 50. The first conveyance unit 61 includes a mesh belt 61a and five tension rollers that stretch the mesh belt 61a. The suction unit 59 faces the drum member 53 across the mesh belt 61a along the Z1 axis.

[0054] The blade member 55 is disposed inside the drum member 53. The blade member 55 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The drum member 53 is a semi-cylindrical sieve. A net having a sieve function is provided on the lower surface of the drum member 53. The drum member 53 allows particles such as fibers and mixtures that are smaller than the mesh size of the sieve net to pass from the inside to the outside of the drum member 53.

[0055] The mixture is agitated by the blade member 55 rotating inside the drum member 53 and discharged to the outside of the drum member 53. Inside the drum member 53, air humidified by the second humidifying unit 66 is supplied.

[0056] The suction unit 59 is disposed below the drum member 53. The suction unit 59 sucks the air 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 make it difficult for fibers, binder materials, etc. contained in the mixture to pass through. 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.

[0057] The mixture is dispersed in the air inside the housing 51 and deposited on the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a by gravity and the suction of the suction unit 59. When the mixture is deposited on the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a, the web W is formed.

[0058] The mesh belt 61a is an endless belt. The mesh belt 61a is stretched by five stretching rollers. The mesh belt 61a rotates counterclockwise in a plan view from the -X1 direction by the rotation of the stretching rollers. The mixture continuously deposits on the mesh belt 61a, and the web W is formed. The web W contains relatively a lot of air and is soft and swollen. The first conveying unit 61 conveys the formed web W downstream by the rotation of the mesh belt 61a.

[0059] The second conveying unit 62 conveys the web W downstream of the first conveying unit 61, replacing the first conveying unit 61. The second conveying unit 62 peels the web W from the upper surface of the mesh belt 61a. The second conveying unit 62 conveys the peeled web W toward the forming unit 70. The second conveying unit 62 is disposed upstream of the -Y1 direction end of the mesh belt 61a above the conveying path of the web W. The second conveying unit 62 and the mesh belt 61a are arranged to partially overlap along the Z1 axis.

[0060] The second conveying unit 62 includes a transport belt (not shown), a plurality of rollers, and a suction mechanism. The transport belt is provided with a plurality of holes through which air passes. The transport belt is stretched by a plurality of rollers and rotates by the rotation of the rollers.

[0061] The second conveying unit 62 adsorbs the upper surface of the web W to the lower surface of the transport belt by the negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism. When the transport belt rotates with the web W adsorbed, the web W is conveyed downstream.

[0062] The first humidifying unit 65 humidifies the web W containing the fibers deposited in the deposition unit 50 of the third unit group 103. The first humidifying unit 65 is, for example, a mist-type humidifier. The first humidifying unit 65 supplies mist M from below to the web W conveyed by the second conveying unit 62 for humidification. The first humidifying unit 65 is disposed below the second conveying unit 62. The first humidifying unit 65 faces the web W conveyed by the second conveying unit 62. A known humidifying device such as an ultrasonic type can be applied to the first humidifying unit 65.

[0063] When the web W is humidified with the mist M, the function as a binder for starch is promoted. The strength of the sheet P is improved. Since the first humidifying unit 65 humidifies the web W from below, the droplets from the mist M falling onto the web W are prevented. Since the first humidifying unit 65 humidifies the web W from the opposite side of the contact surface between the transport belt and the web W, the adhesion of the web W to the transport belt is reduced. The second conveying unit 62 conveys the web W to the forming unit 70.

[0064] The forming unit 70 forms the web W containing fibers into a belt-like sheet P by heating and pressing. The forming unit 70 includes a first forming roller 71 and a second forming roller 72. Each of the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 incorporates an electric heater. Each of the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 is capable of raising the temperature of the roller surface.

[0065] The first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 are substantially cylindrical members. The rotation axes of the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 are arranged along the X1 axis. The first forming roller 71 is arranged above the conveyance path of the web W. The second forming roller 72 is arranged below the conveyance path of the web W. A gap corresponding to the thickness of the sheet P to be manufactured is provided between the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72.

[0066] The first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 are rotationally driven by a forming roller drive motor (not shown). The web W is sandwiched between the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72 and sent downstream while being heated and pressed. The web W continuously passes through the forming unit 70 and is press-formed while being heated. By using the first forming roller 71 and the second forming roller 72, the heating and pressing of the web W are efficiently performed.

[0067] By passing through the forming unit 70, the web W is formed from a state in which it contains relatively a lot of air and is soft into a belt-shaped sheet P in a state where the contained air is reduced. The fibers in the belt-shaped sheet P are bound by a binder. The belt-shaped sheet P is conveyed to the first unit group 101 by a conveying roller (not shown).

[0068] The cleaning device 40 includes a first cleaning device 41 corresponding to the first forming roller 71 and a second cleaning device 42 corresponding to the second forming roller 72. The cleaning device 40 includes a cleaning roller (not shown).

[0069] The second humidifying unit 66 is arranged below the first humidifying unit 65. A known vaporizing type humidifying device can be applied to the second humidifying unit 66. As an example, the vaporizing type humidifying device blows air onto a wet non-woven fabric or the like to vaporize moisture and generate humidified air.

[0070] The second humidifying unit 66 humidifies a predetermined area of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The predetermined area is an area including one or more of the buffer tank 13, the separation unit 32, and the drum member 53 of the deposition unit 50. Humidified air is supplied from the second humidifying unit 66 to the predetermined area through a plurality of pipes (not shown). The humidified air suppresses the adhesion of paper pieces C, fibers, etc. to members due to static electricity by suppressing the charging of paper pieces C, fibers, etc.

[0071] The drainage unit 68 is composed of a drainage tank. The drainage unit 68 collects and stores the moisture used in the first humidifying unit 65, the second humidifying unit 66, etc. The drainage unit 68 is removed from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 as necessary. The drainage unit 68 is configured to be able to discard the accumulated water.

[0072] The belt-like sheet P conveyed to the first unit group 101 reaches the first cutting unit 81. The first cutting unit 81 cuts the belt-like sheet P in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. The direction intersecting the conveying direction of the belt-like sheet P is, for example, the direction along the X1 axis. The belt-like sheet P is cut into single-sheet-like sheets P at the first cutting unit 81. The single-sheet-like sheets P are conveyed from the first cutting unit 81 to the second cutting unit 82.

[0073] The second cutting unit 82 cuts the single-sheet-like sheet P along the conveying direction. The conveying direction of the single-sheet-like sheet P is, for example, the direction along the Y1 axis. The second cutting unit 82 cuts near the sides of the single-sheet-like sheet P in the +X1 direction and the -X1 direction. The second cutting unit 82 shapes the single-sheet-like sheet P into a sheet P with a predetermined shape such as A4 size or A3 size.

[0074] When the single-sheet-like sheet P is cut by the second cutting unit 82, a slit piece S, which is an end material, is generated. The slit piece S is conveyed in the substantially -Y1 direction and reaches the crushing unit 95. The crushing unit 95 crushes the slit piece S into crushed pieces and supplies them to the confluence unit 17. A mechanism for measuring the crushed pieces of the slit piece S and supplying them to the confluence unit 17 may be installed between the crushing unit 95 and the confluence unit 17.

[0075] The sheet P is conveyed upward and stacked on the tray 91. The sheet P is manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 as recycled paper. The sheet P can be applied as a substitute for, for example, copy paper.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows the external configuration of the waste paper shredder 200. FIG. 3 shows the external configuration of the waste paper shredder 200 in a perspective view. The waste paper shredder 200 generates paper pieces C by shredding waste paper. The paper pieces C are used as raw materials for the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The waste paper shredder 200 includes an exterior housing 211, an opening / closing door 213, a paper supply port 215, and a shredder display panel 217.

[0077] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 described later show a coordinate system. The Z2 axis is an axis perpendicular to the installation surface of the waste paper shredder 200. The +Z2 direction is the direction from the installation surface upward. The -Z2 direction is the direction from above toward the installation surface. The X2 axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface. The X2 axis is an axis connecting the front and back surfaces of the waste paper shredder 200. The front surface of the waste paper shredder 200 is the surface facing the user when the user of the waste paper shredder 200 faces the shredder display panel 217. The back surface is the surface facing the front surface. The +X2 direction is the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the waste paper shredder 200. The -X2 direction is the direction from the front surface to the back surface. The Y2 axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface. The Y2 axis is perpendicular to the X2 axis. The +Y2 direction is the direction from left to right in a plan view from the front surface of the waste paper shredder 200. The -Y2 direction is the direction from right to left in a plan view from the front surface of the waste paper shredder 200.

[0078] The exterior housing 211 is an exterior that covers each unit of the waste paper shredder 200. The exterior housing 211 is provided with an opening / closing door 213, a paper supply port 215, and a shredder display panel 217. The exterior housing 211 shown in FIG. 3 is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but is not limited thereto. The shape of the exterior housing 211 is set as appropriate.

[0079] The opening / closing door 213 is provided on the exterior housing 211. The opening / closing door 213 is configured to be openable and closable. The opening / closing door 213 rotates about a rotation axis along the Z2 axis. The opening / closing door 213 is opened and closed by the user. When the user opens the opening / closing door 213, each unit arranged inside the exterior housing 211 becomes accessible to the user.

[0080] The paper supply port 215 is an opening through which waste paper is inserted. The paper supply port 215 is provided on the surface of the exterior housing 211 in the +Z2 direction. The waste paper is supplied to a shredding unit 221 described later through the paper supply port 215. The paper supply port 215 is configured to be able to supply multiple sheets of paper together.

[0081] The shredder display panel 217 displays various information. As an example, the shredder display panel 217 displays error information such as full and over-temperature. The shredder display panel 217 displays the processing amount of paper processed by the waste paper shredder 200. The shredder display panel 217 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (electro-luminescence) panel, etc. The shredder display panel 217 corresponds to an example of the display panel.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows the schematic configuration of the waste paper shredder 200. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the waste paper shredder 200 as viewed from the +X2 direction. FIG. 4 shows the waste paper shredder 200 with the opening / closing door 213 open. FIG. 4 shows each unit housed inside the exterior housing 211. The exterior housing 211 houses a shredding unit 221, a storage box 223, a leveling member 225, an optical sensor 227, and a mass sensor 229.

[0083] The shredding unit 221 shreds waste paper to generate a plurality of paper pieces C. The shredding unit 221 has a plurality of cutters and a shredding unit drive mechanism. The plurality of cutters and the shredding unit drive mechanism are not shown. The shredding unit 221 has, as an example, a pair of cylindrical cutters. In the pair of cylindrical cutters, blades are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces respectively. The blades formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the respective cylindrical cutters mesh with each other and rotate. The pair of cylindrical cutters rotate by a shredding unit drive mechanism. The paper fed from the paper supply port 215 is shredded by the pair of cylindrical cutters. The shredding unit 221 may have a cross cutter that cuts in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the cylindrical cutter. The configuration of the shredding unit 221 is not limited as long as it is configured to shred waste paper. The configuration of the shredding unit 221 can be set as appropriate. The shredding unit 221 corresponds to an example of a shredding portion.

[0084] The shredding unit 221 has a shredding unit opening (not shown). The shredding unit opening is provided on the surface of the shredding unit 221 in the -Z2 direction. The shredding unit 221 discharges the paper pieces C from the shredding unit opening. The paper pieces C fall in the -Z2 direction from the shredding unit opening.

[0085] The storage box 223 stores a plurality of paper pieces C generated by the shredding unit 221 shredding waste paper. The storage box 223 is composed of a hollow container. The storage box 223 is arranged at the position in the -Z2 direction of the shredding unit 221 inside the outer housing 211. The storage box 223 can be accessed by the user when the opening / closing door 213 is opened. The storage box 223 is configured to be removable from the outer housing 211 by the user. The paper pieces C stored in the storage box 223 are stored in the collection bag G. The collection bag G may be attached to the storage box 223 in advance.

[0086] The leveling member 225 levels the upper surfaces of the plurality of pieces of paper C accommodated in the storage box 223. The leveling member 225 is disposed at the -Z2 direction position of the shredding unit 221. The leveling member 225 is driven by a leveling member drive mechanism (not shown). The waste paper shredder 200 shown in FIG. 4 includes the leveling member 225, but is not limited thereto. The waste paper shredder 200 may or may not include the leveling member 225. It is preferable that the waste paper shredder 200 includes the leveling member 225. By providing the leveling member 225, the volume of the storage box 223 is effectively utilized.

[0087] The optical sensor 227 detects the height of the plurality of pieces of paper C accommodated in the storage box 223. The optical sensor 227 shown in FIG. 4 is disposed at the +Z2 direction position of the storage box 223. The optical sensor 227 is configured as a reflection type sensor as an example. The reflection type sensor detects the reflected light of the emitted light. The reflection type sensor detects the height of the plurality of pieces of paper C by detecting the position along the Z2 axis of the plurality of pieces of paper C accommodated in the storage box 223. By the optical sensor 227 detecting the height of the plurality of pieces of paper C, the waste paper shredder 200 can detect whether the storage box 223 is full or not. The optical sensor 227 is not limited to the reflection type sensor. The optical sensor 227 may be configured as a transmission type sensor. The arrangement of the optical sensor 227 is not limited to the +Z2 direction position of the storage box 223. The arrangement position of the optical sensor 227 is not limited as long as the height of the plurality of pieces of paper C accommodated in the storage box 223 can be detected.

[0088] The mass sensor 229 measures the mass of a plurality of pieces of paper C accommodated in the storage box 223. The mass sensor 229 is configured as a load cell, for example. The mass sensor 229 measures the amount of paper pieces of the plurality of pieces of paper C accommodated in the storage box 223 by measuring the mass of the storage box 223. By the mass sensor 229 measuring the amount of paper pieces of the plurality of pieces of paper C, the waste paper shredder 200 can detect whether the storage box 223 is full. The mass sensor 229 is disposed at the position of the storage box 223 in the -Z2 direction. The mass sensor 229 outputs the measured amount of paper pieces.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows a block configuration of the waste paper recycling system 1. FIG. 5 shows a waste paper recycling system 1 including one sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, one waste paper shredder 200, a waste paper recycling management server 300, and one terminal device 400. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, the waste paper shredder 200, the waste paper recycling management server 300, and the terminal device 400 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network NW.

[0090] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 110, a device control unit 120, a device storage unit 130, a sheet counter 140, and a device communication unit 150. The operation panel 110, the device control unit 120, the device storage unit 130, the sheet counter 140, and the device communication unit 150 are appropriately arranged inside the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the like.

[0091] The operation panel 110 is operated by a user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The operation panel 110 receives various inputs based on the operations of the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The operation panel 110 includes a power switch 111 and a device display 113. The operation panel 110 may include input switches other than the power switch 111. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 performs various setting operations by operating the input switches.

[0092] The power switch 111 receives the power input operation and the power input stop operation by the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. When the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 operates the power switch 111, the power of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is turned on or off.

[0093] The device display 113 displays various information. The device display 113 displays various information such as environment-related information based on data transmitted from the waste paper recycling management server 300 and the like. The device display 113 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like. The device display 113 corresponds to an example of a display.

[0094] The device display 113 may be composed of a touch panel having a touch input function. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 performs various setting operations by performing an operation input on the device display 113. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 performs a target setting operation as an example of a setting operation. The target setting operation is a setting operation of an environmental target value such as the production amount of the sheet P to be manufactured within a predetermined period. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 sets an environmental target value by performing a target setting operation on the device display 113. The environmental target value is transmitted to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the device communication unit 150. The target setting operation may be performed with an input switch. The environmental target value corresponds to an example of a production target value.

[0095] The device control unit 120 is a device control controller that controls each unit of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The device control unit 120 is, for example, a processor having a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The device control unit 120 is composed of one or more processors. The device control unit 120 operates as various functional units by executing a device control program. The device control unit 120 functions as an operation control unit 121 and a display control unit 123 by executing a device control program. The device control unit 120 may function as a functional unit other than the operation control unit 121 and the display control unit 123 by executing a device control program.

[0096] The operation control unit 121 controls the operations of the defiberization unit 31, the separation unit 32, the mixing unit 33, etc. By controlling the operations of each unit, the operation control unit 121 causes the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 to manufacture the sheet P.

[0097] The operation control unit 121 controls the sheet counter 140 to measure the number of generated sheets P. Based on the number of generated sheets P measured by the sheet counter 140, the operation control unit 121 may measure the generation mass of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The generation mass of the sheet P is obtained by multiplying the number of generated sheets P by the mass per sheet of the sheet P1. The operation control unit 121 measures the number of generated sheets P or the generation mass as the generation amount of the sheet P. The operation control unit 121 may measure the number of generated sheets P and the generation mass as the generation amount of the sheet P.

[0098] The operation control unit 121 controls the communication by the apparatus communication unit 150. The operation control unit 121 controls the apparatus communication unit 150 to transmit the generation amount of the sheet P to the waste paper recycling management server 300. The operation control unit 121 causes the generation amount of the sheet P to be transmitted from the apparatus communication unit 150 to the waste paper recycling management server 300 at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, a predetermined time interval. The predetermined timing may be at the start or stop of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. When the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 performs a power input operation on the power switch 111, the operation control unit 121 causes the generation amount of the sheet P to be transmitted to the waste paper recycling management server 300. When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 finishes manufacturing the sheet P, the operation control unit 121 causes the generation amount of the sheet P to be transmitted to the waste paper recycling management server 300. The operation control unit 121 causes notification data, etc. based on the generation amount of the sheet P transmitted to the apparatus communication unit 150 to be received from the waste paper recycling management server 300. The notification data will be described later.

[0099] The display control unit 123 controls the display information displayed on the device display 113. The display control unit 123 causes the device display 113 to display environment-related information based on the notification data received from the waste paper recycling management server 300. The display control unit 123 may cause the device display 113 to display information other than the environment-related information. As an example, the display control unit 123 causes the device display 113 to display the production amount of the sheet P.

[0100] The device storage unit 130 stores various programs and various data. The device storage unit 130 stores the device control program. The device storage unit 130 stores the production amount of the sheet P, environment-related information, etc. The device storage unit 130 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory.

[0101] The sheet counter 140 measures the production amount of the sheet P manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The sheet counter 140 measures the number of sheets P manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 as the production amount. The sheet counter 140 may measure the production mass of the sheet P manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 as the production amount. The sheet counter 140 measures the number of sheets generated, etc. on the sheet P accumulated in the tray 91. The sheet counter 140 is arranged in the tray 91 or in the transport path for transporting the sheet P to the tray 91. The sheet counter 140 is composed of an optical sensor or the like. The sheet counter 140 corresponds to an example of a counter.

[0102] The device communication unit 150 is an interface circuit that communicates and connects with a waste paper recycling management server 300 or the like. The device communication unit 150 connects to the waste paper recycling management server 300 or the like, either wired or wirelessly, according to a predetermined communication protocol. The device communication unit 150 includes a wired connector, a wireless communication port, etc. The wired connector is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, a LAN (Local Area Network) connector, etc. The wireless communication port is a Wi-Fi communication port, a Bluetooth communication port, etc. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are registered trademarks. The device communication unit 150 receives various information from the waste paper recycling management server 300 or the like via the communication network NW. The device communication unit 150 transmits the production amount of the sheet P or the like to the waste paper recycling management server 300 or the like via the communication network NW. The device communication unit 150 corresponds to an example of the second communication unit.

[0103] The waste paper shredder 200 includes a power button 230, a shredder control unit 240, a shredder storage unit 250, and a shredder communication unit 260.

[0104] The power button 230 accepts a power input operation and a power input stop operation by the user of the waste paper shredder 200. When the user of the waste paper shredder 200 operates the power button 230, the power of the waste paper shredder 200 is turned on or off. When the power of the waste paper shredder 200 is turned on, the waste paper shredder 200 can shred waste paper.

[0105] The shredder control unit 240 is a shredder controller that controls each part of the waste paper shredder 200. The shredder control unit 240 is, for example, a processor having a CPU. The shredder control unit 240 is composed of one or more processors. The shredder control unit 240 causes the shredding unit 221 to shred waste paper. The shredder control unit 240 causes the mass sensor 229 to measure the amount of the plurality of pieces of paper C stored in the storage box 223.

[0106] The shredder control unit 240 transmits the amount of shredded paper to the waste paper recycling management server 300 by controlling the shredder communication unit 260. The shredder control unit 240 causes the waste paper recycling management server 300 to receive notification data and the like.

[0107] The shredder storage unit 250 stores various programs and various information. The shredder storage unit 250 stores the amount of shredded paper of the shredded paper C measured by the mass sensor 229. The shredder storage unit 250 stores notification data and the like transmitted from the waste paper recycling management server 300. The shredder storage unit 250 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, and a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory.

[0108] The shredder communication unit 260 is an interface circuit that communicates and connects with the waste paper recycling management server 300 and the like. The shredder communication unit 260 connects to the waste paper recycling management server 300 and the like by wire or wirelessly according to a predetermined communication protocol. The shredder communication unit 260 includes a wired connector, a wireless communication port, and the like. The wired connector is a USB connector, a LAN connector, or the like. The wireless communication port is a Wi-Fi communication port, a Bluetooth communication port, or the like. The shredder communication unit 260 receives various information from the waste paper recycling management server 300 and the like via the communication network NW. The shredder communication unit 260 transmits the amount of shredded paper of the shredded paper C and the like to the waste paper recycling management server 300 and the like via the communication network NW. The shredder communication unit 260 corresponds to an example of the first communication unit.

[0109] The waste paper recycling management server 300 includes a server communication unit 310, a server control unit 320, and a server storage unit 330. The waste paper recycling management server 300 may include a display device, an input / output unit, etc. (not shown).

[0110] The server communication unit 310 is an interface circuit that communicatively connects with the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 or the like. The server communication unit 310 connects to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 or the like by wire or wirelessly according to a predetermined communication protocol. The server communication unit 310 includes a wired connector, a wireless communication port, and the like. The wired connector is a USB connector, a LAN connector, or the like. The wireless communication port is a Wi-Fi communication port, a Bluetooth communication port, or the like. The server communication unit 310 receives information such as the production amount of the sheet P from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 via the communication network NW. The server communication unit 310 receives information such as the amount of paper pieces C from the waste paper shredder 200 or the like via the communication network NW. The server communication unit 310 transmits notification data or the like to the apparatus communication unit 150 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the shredder communication unit 260 of the waste paper shredder 200 via the communication network NW. The server communication unit 310 may transmit notification data or the like to the terminal communication unit 410 of the terminal device 400 via the communication network NW. The terminal communication unit 410 will be described later. The server communication unit 310 corresponds to an example of the third communication unit.

[0111] The server control unit 320 is a server controller that controls each part of the waste paper recycling management server 300. The server control unit 320 is, as an example, a processor having a CPU. The server control unit 320 is composed of one or a plurality of processors. The server control unit 320 functions as various functional units by executing a server control program. The server control unit 320 functions as a data processing unit 321 and a communication control unit 323 by executing a server control program. The server control unit 320 may function as a functional unit other than the data processing unit 321 and the communication control unit 323 by executing a server control program. The server control unit 320 corresponds to an example of the control unit.

[0112] The data processing unit 321 generates environment-related information. The data processing unit 321 acquires the production amount of the sheet P from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 via the server communication unit 310. The data processing unit 321 acquires the amount of paper pieces C from the waste paper shredder 200 via the server communication unit 310. The data processing unit 321 generates environment-related information based on at least one of the production amount of the sheet P and the amount of paper pieces C. The environment-related information corresponds to an example of waste paper recycling information.

[0113] The environment-related information is data indicating the environmental load reduction situation caused by recycling waste paper in the waste paper recycling system 1. The environment-related information is represented by numerical values, images, sounds, etc. The environment-related information includes notification data indicating that the production amount of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has reached the environmental target value. The environment-related information may be the production ratio of the production amount of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 with respect to the production target value.

[0114] The data processing unit 321 receives the production amount of the sheet P transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The data processing unit 321 receives the production amount of the sheet P transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 via the server communication unit 310. The data processing unit 321 receives the production amount of the sheet P transmitted at a predetermined timing. The data processing unit 321 integrates the production amount of the sheet P transmitted within a predetermined period and calculates a production integration value. The production integration value corresponds to an example of an accumulated value. The predetermined period is set in advance. The predetermined period is, for example, on a monthly basis. The predetermined period may be on a weekly basis or on an annual basis. The predetermined period may be set by a preset start date and end date. The predetermined period is a time interval longer than the time interval at which the production amount of the sheet P is transmitted. When the predetermined period is exceeded, the production integration value is reset.

[0115] The data processing unit 321 compares the generated integrated value of the production amount of the sheet P with the environmental target value. The environmental target value is read from the server storage unit 330. The server storage unit 330 stores the environmental target value in advance. The environmental target value is, for example, a value preset by the administrator of the waste paper recycling server 300. The environmental target value may also be a value transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The environmental target value may also be a value transmitted from the terminal device 400. The environmental target value is determined according to the number of sheet manufacturing apparatuses 100 provided in the waste paper recycling system 1, the operating rate, etc.

[0116] When the generated integrated value of the production amount within the predetermined period is smaller than the environmental target value, the data processing unit 321 continues to calculate the generated integrated value of the sheet P. The data processing unit 321 integrates the production amount of the sheet P transmitted within the predetermined period and calculates the generated integrated value.

[0117] When the generated integrated value of the production amount within the predetermined period is larger than the environmental target value, the data processing unit 321 determines that the production amount of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has reached the environmental target value. The data processing unit 321 generates notification data. The notification data indicates that the production amount of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has reached the environmental target value. The notification data corresponds to an example of user notification information.

[0118] The communication control unit 323 controls the information transmitted or received by the server communication unit 310. The communication control unit 323 causes the notification data generated by the data processing unit 321 to be transmitted to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200. The communication control unit 323 may cause the notification data generated by the data processing unit 321 to be transmitted to the terminal device 400. The server communication unit 310 transmits the notification data to the device communication unit 150 and the shredder communication unit 260 based on the control of the communication control unit 323. The server communication unit 310 transmits the notification data to the terminal communication unit 410 based on the control of the communication control unit 323.

[0119] The server storage unit 330 stores various programs, various information, etc. The server storage unit 330 stores the production amount of the sheet P transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the amount of the paper pieces C of the paper pieces transmitted from the waste paper shredder 200. The server storage unit 330 stores the production integrated value calculated by the data processing unit 321. The server storage unit 330 stores the environmental target value. The server storage unit 330 may store a preset environmental target value, or may store an environmental target value transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 or the like. The server storage unit 330 stores the environment-related information generated by the data processing unit 321. The server storage unit 330 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, etc. The server storage unit 330 may include a magnetic recording device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The server storage unit 330 corresponds to an example of a storage unit.

[0120] The terminal device 400 displays the notification data transmitted from the waste paper recycling management server 300. The terminal device 400 may set an environmental target value based on an operation by a user of the terminal device 400. The terminal device 400 transmits the environmental target value to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The terminal device 400 includes a terminal communication unit 410, a terminal display unit 420, a terminal control unit 430, and a terminal storage unit 440.

[0121] The terminal communication unit 410 is an interface circuit that communicatively connects with the waste paper recycling management server 300 and the like. The terminal communication unit 410 connects to the waste paper recycling management server 300 and the like by wire or wirelessly according to a predetermined communication protocol. The terminal communication unit 410 includes a wired connector, a wireless communication port, etc. The wired connector is a USB connector, a LAN connector, etc. The wireless communication port is a Wi-Fi communication port, a Bluetooth communication port, etc. The terminal communication unit 410 receives notification data and the like from the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The terminal communication unit 410 transmits an environmental target value and the like to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW.

[0122] The terminal display unit 420 displays various types of information. The terminal display unit 420 displays notification data. When the user of the terminal device 400 sets an environmental target value, the terminal display unit 420 displays an environmental target setting screen based on the control of the terminal control unit 430.

[0123] The terminal control unit 430 is a terminal controller that controls each part of the terminal device 400. As an example, the terminal control unit 430 is a processor having a CPU. The terminal control unit 430 is composed of one or more processors. The terminal control unit 430 functions as various functional units by executing an application. The terminal control unit 430 controls the terminal display unit 420 to display notification data.

[0124] The terminal control unit 430 may cause the user to set an environmental target value by executing an application. The terminal control unit 430 causes the terminal display unit 420 to display an environmental target setting screen. When the user of the terminal device 400 inputs to the environmental target setting screen using an input interface (not shown), the terminal control unit 430 generates an environmental target value. The terminal control unit 430 transmits the environmental target value to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the terminal communication unit 410.

[0125] The terminal storage unit 440 stores various application programs and various types of information. The terminal storage unit 440 stores notification data. The terminal storage unit 440 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, etc.

[0126] The waste paper recycling system 1 includes a waste paper recycling management server 300, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 communicatively connected to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via a communication network NW, and a waste paper shredder 200 connected to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The waste paper shredder 200 has a shredding unit 221 that shreds waste paper to generate a plurality of paper pieces C, and a shredder communication unit 260 communicatively connected to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has a third unit group 103 that regenerates the plurality of paper pieces C generated by the waste paper shredder 200 into a sheet P, a sheet counter 140 that measures the production amount of the sheet P, and an apparatus communication unit 150 that transmits the production amount to the waste paper recycling management server 300 via the communication network NW. The waste paper recycling management server 300 has a server communication unit 310 communicatively connected to the waste paper shredder 200 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 via the communication network NW, a server storage unit 330 that stores an environmental target value within a predetermined period of the sheet P regenerated by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, and a server control unit 320 that calculates a production integrated value of the production amount transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 within a predetermined period and compares the production integrated value with the environmental target value. When the production integrated value reaches the environmental target value, the server control unit 320 generates notification data indicating that the environmental target value has been reached, and the server communication unit 310 transmits the notification data to the shredder communication unit 260 of the waste paper shredder 200 and the apparatus communication unit 150 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the user of the waste paper shredder 200 can grasp that the regeneration of the sheet P by the waste paper recycling system 1 has reached the environmental target value. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the user of the waste paper shredder 200 can grasp that the result of implementing sheet regeneration contributes to environmental improvement.

[0127] Figures 6, 7, and 8 show the control flow executed in the waste paper recycling system 1. Figures 6, 7, and 8 show the control flow in a flowchart. By executing the control flow by the waste paper recycling system 1, the notification data is transmitted to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200. By executing the control flow by the waste paper recycling system 1, the notification data is transmitted to the terminal device 400. The control flow executed in the waste paper recycling system 1 corresponds to an example of a method for managing waste paper recycling information.

[0128] Figure 6 shows a part of the control flow executed in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided in the waste paper recycling system 1. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 regenerates the paper pieces C generated by the waste paper shredder 200 provided in the waste paper recycling system 1 into the sheet P.

[0129] In step S101, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 receives a power input operation. When the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 performs an operation input on the power switch 111, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 receives the power input operation. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 becomes in a state where the sheet P can be manufactured.

[0130] After receiving the power input operation, in step S103, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is fed with the paper pieces C. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 feeds the paper pieces C into the raw material inlet 11. The paper pieces C fed into the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 are generated by the waste paper shredder 200 provided in the waste paper recycling system 1.

[0131] When the paper pieces C are fed, in step S105, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 executes a sheet manufacturing operation. By executing the sheet manufacturing operation, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 regenerates the paper pieces C into the sheet P. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 accumulates the sheet P in the tray 91.

[0132] When the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 executes the sheet manufacturing operation, in step S107, it measures the production amount of the sheet P. The sheet counter 140 measures the production amount of the sheets P accumulated in the tray 91. The sheet counter 140 causes the apparatus storage unit 130 to store the measured production amount.

[0133] After measuring the production amount of the sheet P, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, in step S109, transmits the production amount to the waste paper recycling management server 300 at a predetermined timing. The apparatus communication unit 150 transmits the production amount of the sheet P to the server communication unit 310 at a predetermined timing via the communication network NW. The predetermined timing may be a predetermined time interval, or may be at the start or stop of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The predetermined timing is set in advance.

[0134] FIG. 7 shows a part of the control flow executed by the waste paper recycling management server 300. The waste paper recycling management server 300 is provided in the waste paper recycling system 1. The waste paper recycling management server 300 manages the environmental improvement status by the recycling of the sheet P executed in the waste paper recycling system 1. The waste paper recycling management server 300 generates environmental-related information indicating the environmental improvement status according to the control flow shown in FIG. 7.

[0135] The waste paper recycling management server 300, in step S131, receives the production amount from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The waste paper recycling management server 300 receives the production amount transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 at a predetermined timing. The server control unit 320 receives the production amount transmitted from the apparatus communication unit 150 at a predetermined timing via the communication network NW.

[0136] When the waste paper recycling management server 300 receives the production amount, in step S133, it calculates the production integrated value. The data processing unit 321 of the server control unit 320 calculates the production integrated value each time it receives the production amount. The data processing unit 321 calculates the production integrated value of the production amounts received within a predetermined period.

[0137] When the waste paper recycling management server 300 calculates the generated integrated value, at step S135, it determines whether the generated integrated value has reached the environmental target value. The data processing unit 321 compares the generated integrated value with the environmental target value. The environmental target value is read from the server storage unit 330. When the generated integrated value is greater than the environmental target value, the data processing unit 321 determines that the generated integrated value has reached the environmental target value. The waste paper recycling management server 300 proceeds to step S137 (step S135: YES). When the generated integrated value is smaller than the environmental target value, the data processing unit 321 determines that the generated integrated value has not reached the environmental target value. The waste paper recycling management server 300 returns to step S131 (step S135: NO).

[0138] At step S137, the waste paper recycling management server 300 generates notification data. The data processing unit 321 generates notification data indicating that the production amount of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has reached the environmental target value. The notification data may include data such as the environmental target value and the production amount.

[0139] FIG. 8 shows a part of the control flow executed by the waste paper recycling management server 300. The waste paper recycling management server 300 transmits environmental-related information including the notification data to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200 receive and display the environmental-related information. The waste paper recycling management server 300 may transmit the environmental-related information to the terminal device 400. The terminal device 400 receives and displays the environmental-related information.

[0140] At step S151, the waste paper shredder 200 receives a power input operation. When the user of the waste paper shredder 200 performs an operation input on the power button 230, the waste paper shredder 200 receives the power input operation. The waste paper shredder 200 is turned on. The waste paper shredder 200 becomes capable of receiving the notification data transmitted by the waste paper recycling management server 300.

[0141] In step S139, the recycled paper management server 300 transmits notification data to the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200. The recycled paper management server 300 may transmit the notification data after confirming that the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the waste paper shredder 200 are powered on.

[0142] When the recycled paper management server 300 transmits the notification data, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 receives the notification data in step S111. The apparatus communication unit 150 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 receives the notification data transmitted from the server communication unit 310 via the communication network NW.

[0143] After receiving the notification data, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 displays the notification data in step S113. The display control unit 123 of the apparatus control unit 120 causes the notification data to be displayed on the apparatus display 113. The apparatus display 113 displays text, images, etc. included in the notification data based on the notification data. The apparatus display 113 may display the production amount and the environmental target value.

[0144] When the recycled paper management server 300 transmits the notification data, the waste paper shredder 200 receives the notification data in step S153. The shredder communication unit 260 of the waste paper shredder 200 receives the notification data transmitted from the server communication unit 310 via the communication network NW.

[0145] After receiving the notification data, the waste paper shredder 200 displays the notification data in step S155. The shredder control unit 240 causes the notification data to be displayed on the shredder display panel 217. The shredder display panel 217 displays text, images, etc. included in the notification data based on the notification data. The shredder display panel 217 may display the production amount and the environmental target value.

[0146] The terminal device 400 starts the application in step S171. The terminal device 400 starts the application when the user of the terminal device 400 makes a predetermined operation input. The terminal device 400 can receive the notification data transmitted by the waste paper recycling management server 300.

[0147] When the waste paper recycling management server 300 transmits the notification data to the terminal device 400, the terminal device 400 receives the notification data in step S173. The terminal communication unit 410 of the terminal device 400 receives the notification data transmitted from the server communication unit 310 via the communication network NW.

[0148] After receiving the notification data, the terminal device 400 displays the notification data in step S175. The terminal control unit 430 causes the terminal display unit 420 to display the notification data. The terminal display unit 420 displays text, images, etc. included in the notification data based on the notification data. The terminal display unit 420 may display the production amount and the environmental target value.

[0149] The control flow is executed in the waste paper recycling system 1 including the waste paper recycling management server 300, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, and the waste paper shredder 200. The waste paper shredder 200 generates a plurality of pieces of paper C by shredding waste paper. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 regenerates the pieces of paper C generated by the waste paper shredder 200 into sheets P, measures the production amount of the regenerated sheets P, and transmits the production amount to the waste paper recycling management server 300. The waste paper recycling management server 300 calculates the cumulative production value of the production amounts transmitted from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 within a predetermined period, and compares the cumulative production value with a predetermined environmental target value. When the cumulative production value reaches the environmental target value, the waste paper recycling management server 300 notifies the waste paper shredder 200 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 of the notification data indicating that the environmental target value has been reached. The users of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the users of the waste paper shredder 200 can grasp that the regeneration of the sheet P by the waste paper recycling system 1 has reached the environmental target value. The users of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 and the users of the waste paper shredder 200 can grasp that the results of the sheet regeneration contribute to environmental improvement.

[0150] The waste paper shredder 200 has a shredder display panel 217. The waste paper shredder 200 receives notification data and causes the shredder display panel 217 to display the notification data. The user of the waste paper shredder 200 can grasp that the results of the sheet regeneration contribute to environmental improvement by visually checking the shredder display panel 217.

[0151] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has an apparatus display 113. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 receives notification data transmitted from the waste paper regeneration management server 300 and causes the apparatus display 113 to display the notification data. The user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 can grasp that the results of the sheet regeneration contribute to environmental improvement by visually checking the apparatus display 113.

[0152] The waste paper recycling system 1 includes a terminal device 400 communicatively connected to the waste paper regeneration management server 300. The waste paper regeneration management server 300 transmits notification data to the terminal device 400. The terminal device 400 receives the notification data. The user of the terminal device 400 can grasp that the results of the sheet regeneration contribute to environmental improvement.

[0153] FIG. 9 shows an example of the display on the apparatus display 113. FIG. 9 shows an example of an apparatus display screen AG displayed on the apparatus display 113 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The apparatus display screen AG displays a notification message 500 and a target value image 501.

[0154] The notification message 500 is included in the notification data. The notification message 500 is text indicating that the production amount of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has reached the environmental target value. The notification message 500 is not limited to the text shown in FIG. 9. The content of the notification message 500 is not limited as long as it is text indicating that the production amount of the sheet P by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 has reached the environmental target value.

[0155] The target value image 501 shown in FIG. 9 is composed of a recycled paper image and a target numerical value indicating the environmental target value. The target numerical value is a value obtained by converting the environmental target value into the number of sheets of the sheet P. The target value image 501 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 9. As an example, the target numerical value may be a value obtained by converting the environmental target value into the mass of the sheet P. The target numerical value may be a value indicating the amount of commercially available paper, the amount of wood, the amount of water, etc. reduced by recycling the sheet P in the waste paper recycling system 1. The target value image 501 may or may not be displayed on the device display screen AG. It is preferable that the target value image 501 is displayed on the device display screen AG. By displaying the target value image 501 on the device display screen AG, the user of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 can confirm the results of the environmental load reduction activities with specific numerical values.

[0156] FIG. 10 shows a display example of the shredder display panel 217. FIG. 10 shows an example of a panel display screen PG displayed on the shredder display panel 217 of the waste paper shredder 200. The panel display screen PG displays the notification message 500 and the target value image 501.

[0157] The notification message 500 and the target value image 501 displayed on the panel display screen PG shown in FIG. 10 are the same as the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 displayed on the device display screen AG shown in FIG. 9. The shredder control unit 240 of the waste paper shredder 200 causes the panel display screen PG to be displayed based on the notification data. The shredder control unit 240 may display the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 on the panel display screen PG in the same form as the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 displayed on the device display screen AG. The shredder control unit 240 may display the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 on the panel display screen PG in a form different from that of the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 displayed on the device display screen AG. The display form of the panel display screen PG is not limited as long as it is a screen based on the notification data.

[0158] FIG. 11 shows an example of the display of the terminal display unit 420. FIG. 11 shows an example of the terminal display screen TG displayed on the terminal display unit 420 of the terminal device 400. The terminal display screen TG shown in FIG. 11 displays the message image MG as a pop-up image. The message image MG displays the notification message 500 and the target value image 501.

[0159] The message image MG shown in FIG. 11 displays the same notification message 500 and target value image 501 as the notification message 500 and target value image 501 displayed on the device display screen AG shown in FIG. 9. The terminal control unit 430 of the terminal device 400 causes the message image MG to be displayed on the terminal display screen TG based on the notification data. The terminal control unit 430 may display the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 on the message image MG in the same form as the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 displayed on the device display screen AG. The terminal control unit 430 may display the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 on the message image MG in a form different from that of the notification message 500 and the target value image 501 displayed on the device display screen AG. The display form of the message image MG is not limited as long as it is a screen based on the notification data.

[0160] FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 show an example of notifying each user of notification data as a display image, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The notification data may be output from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 or the like as voice data or the like. By outputting the notification data as voice data, each user can confirm the results of the environmental load reduction activities.

Description of Signs

[0161] 1…Recycled paper system, 11…Raw material inlet, 13…Buffer tank, 15…Constant supply unit, 15a…Meter, 17…Confluence section, 21…First pipe, 23…Second pipe, 24…Third pipe, 25…Fourth pipe, 31…Defibering section, 32…Separation section, 33…Mixing section, 35…Recovery section, 38…Compressor, 39…Power supply unit, 40…Cleaning device, 41…First cleaning device, 42…Second cleaning device, 50…Deposition section, 51…Housing, 53…Drum member, 55…Blade member, 59…Suction section, 61…First conveying section, 61a…Mesh belt, 62…Second conveying section, 65…First humidifying section, 66…Second humidifying section, 67…Water supply section, 68…Drainage section, 70…Forming section, 71…First forming roller, 72…Second forming roller, 81…First cutting section, 82…Second cutting section, 91…Tray, 95…Crushing section, 100…Sheet manufacturing device, 101…First unit group, 102…Second unit group, 103…Third unit group, 110…Operation panel, 111…Power switch, 113…Device display, 120…Device control unit, 121…Operation control unit, 123…Display control unit, 130…Device memory unit, 140…Sheet counter, 150…Device communication unit, 200…Recycled paper shredder, 200a…First recycled paper shredder, 200b…Second recycled paper shredder, 200c…Third recycled paper shredder, 211…Exterior housing, 213…Opening / closing door, 215…Paper supply port, 217…Shredder display panel, 221…Shredding unit, 223…Storage box, 225…Levelling member, 227…Optical sensor, 229…Mass sensor, 230…Power button, 240…Shredder control unit, 250…Shredder memory unit, 260…Shredder communication unit, 300…Recycled paper regeneration management server, 310…Server communication unit, 320…Server control unit, 321…Data processing unit, 323…Communication control unit, 330…Server memory unit, 400…Terminal device, 400a…First terminal device, 400b…Second terminal device, 410…Terminal communication unit, 420…Terminal display, 430…Terminal control unit, 440…Terminal memory unit, 500…Notification message, 501…Target value image, A1…First company, A2…Second company, A3…Third company, AG…Device display screen, B…Carrier, B1…First carrier, B2…Second carrier, C…Paper piece, G…Collection bag, M…Mist, MG…Message image, NW…Communication network, P…Sheet, PG…Panel display screen, S…Slit piece, TG…Terminal display screen, W…Web.

Claims

1. A method for managing waste paper recycling information in a waste paper recycling system comprising a management server, a waste paper recycling device, and a shredder, wherein the shredder generates a plurality of pieces of paper by shredding waste paper, the waste paper recycling device recycles the pieces of paper generated by the shredder into sheets, measures the production amount of the recycled sheets, sends the production amount to the management server, the management server calculates the cumulative value of the production amount transmitted from the waste paper recycling device within a predetermined period, compares the cumulative value with a predetermined production target value, when the cumulative value reaches the production target value, notifies the shredder and the waste paper recycling device of user notification information indicating that the production target value has been reached, A method for managing waste paper recycling information.

2. The shredder has a display panel, the shredder receives the user notification information and displays the user notification information on the display panel, The method for managing waste paper recycling information according to Claim 1.

3. The waste paper recycling device has a display, the waste paper recycling device receives the user notification information transmitted from the management server and displays the user notification information on the display, The method for managing waste paper recycling information according to Claim 1.

4. The waste paper recycling system includes a communication terminal communicatively connected to the management server via a network, the management server notifies the communication terminal of the user notification information, the communication terminal receives the user notification information, The method for managing waste paper recycling information according to Claim 1.

5. A waste paper recycling system comprising a management server, a waste paper recycling device communicatively connected to the management server via a network, and a shredder connected to the management server via the network, wherein the shredder has a shredding unit that shreds waste paper to generate a plurality of pieces of paper, and a first communication unit communicatively connected to the management server via the network, the waste paper recycling device has a papermaking unit that recycles the plurality of pieces of paper generated by the shredder into sheets, a counter that measures the production amount of the sheets, and a second communication unit that transmits the production amount to the management server via the network, the management server has a third communication unit communicatively connected to the shredder and the waste paper recycling device via the network, A storage unit that stores a generation target value within a predetermined period of the sheet regenerated by the waste paper recycling device; A control unit that calculates a cumulative value of the generated amount transmitted from the waste paper recycling device within the predetermined period and compares the cumulative value with the generation target value; and When the cumulative value reaches the generation target value, The control unit generates user notification information indicating that the generation target value has been reached, The third communication unit transmits the user notification information to the first communication unit of the shredder and the second communication unit of the waste paper recycling device, A waste paper recycling system.

Images