Used filter processing device and used filter processing method

Abstract

To provide a used filter processing device capable of processing a used cardboard filter into a compact state that is easy to transport.SOLUTION: A used filter processing device 101 processes a used cardboard filter 40 having a structure in which a filter element 52 is installed inside a box body 41. The used filter processing device 101 includes a device body 102, a first-stage compression device 111 and a second-stage compression device 121. The device body 102 has a compression area 103 in which the cardboard filter 40 is compressed. The first-stage compression device 111 presses the cardboard filter 40 arranged in the compression area 103 in a first direction D1 and compresses a portion R2 that is relatively easy to crush. The second-stage compression device 121 actuates after the compression operation by the first-stage compression device 111, presses the cardboard filter 40 in a second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1 and compresses a portion R1 that is relatively hard to crush.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a used filter processing device and a used filter processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Because the paint mist exhausted from painting equipment contains paint particles, it should not be released directly into the air, but must be purified by filtering to remove the paint particles before being released into the air. As a suitable filter for use in this case, for example, a cardboard filter with a filter element installed inside the box body has been proposed in recent years (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6895011 Publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, used cardboard filters discharged from painting facilities cannot be reused (i.e., are disposable), but because they are made of cardboard, which is a flammable material, they are ultimately incinerated after use. Conventionally, for example, used cardboard filters are transported to a designated treatment facility without being disassembled, placed in a sewage tank to soften them, crushed with heavy machinery, and then incinerated.

[0005] However, in the conventional treatment method, bulky and large used cardboard filters are transported to the treatment facility in their original state, which makes it difficult to say that the transportation efficiency is good. Furthermore, after transporting to the treatment facility, the used cardboard filters need to be placed in a sewage tank to soften them, and then crushed with heavy machinery, which requires many steps and is troublesome. Here, it is desirable to compact the used cardboard filters before transporting them to the treatment facility, but no suitable means for this has been proposed in the past.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a used filter processing device and a used filter processing method that can process used cardboard filters into a compact state that is easy to transport. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in Means 1 is an apparatus for processing a cardboard filter after removing paint particles from paint mist using a cardboard filter having a filter element installed inside a box body, the apparatus comprising: an apparatus body having a compression area where the cardboard filter is compressed; a one-stage compression device that presses the cardboard filter placed in the compression area in a first direction, compressing mainly the relatively easily crushed parts of the cardboard filter; and a two-stage compression device that operates after the compression operation by the first compression device, and presses the cardboard filter in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, compressing mainly the relatively less easily crushed parts of the cardboard filter.

[0008] Therefore, according to the invention described in Means 1, the single-stage compression device presses the cardboard filter in a first direction, mainly compressing the relatively easily crushed portions. Furthermore, the two-stage compression device presses the cardboard filter, which has been compressed to some extent by the single-stage compression device, in a second direction, compressing the relatively less easily crushed portions. In other words, by performing the compression operation in two stages using two compression devices, the used cardboard filter can be processed into a compact state that is easy to transport. This improves the transport efficiency of used cardboard filters.

[0009] The invention described in Means 2 is characterized in that, in Means 1, when the single-stage compression device and the two-stage compression device are in operation, a first pressure plate of the single-stage compression device and a second pressure plate of the two-stage compression device are arranged in close proximity to each other with a gap between them, and at least one of the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate is provided with an intrusion prevention member that prevents the cardboard filter from entering the gap, in a non-sliding state against the opposing pressure plate.

[0010] The invention described in means 3 is characterized in that in means 1, a receiving portion having a recess with an open top is arranged on the bottom surface of the compression area at the position where the compression of the cardboard filter is completed.

[0011] The invention described in means 4 is characterized in that, in means 3, the compression area is open to the front side of the device, and the receiving section can be tilted to the front side of the device by operating a tilting mechanism.

[0012] The invention described in means 5 is characterized in that in means 2, the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate are each provided with a guide mechanism to prevent misalignment in a direction perpendicular to their forward and backward directions.

[0013] The invention described in means 6 is based on means 5, and is summarized in that the number of guide mechanisms provided on the second pressing plate is greater than the number of guide mechanisms provided on the first pressing plate.

[0014] The invention described in means 7 is characterized in that, in any one of means 1 to 6, the cardboard filter has a first chamber in which the filter elements are installed relatively densely and a second chamber in which the filter elements are installed relatively sparsely or no filter element is installed, the single-stage compression device presses and compresses the second chamber of the cardboard filter, and the two-stage compression device presses and compresses the first chamber of the cardboard filter.

[0015] The invention described in Means 8 is a method for processing a cardboard filter after removing paint particles from a paint mist using the cardboard filter, which has a filter element installed inside a box body, and is characterized by including a one-stage compression process in which the cardboard filter placed in a compression area is pressed in a first direction to compress mainly the relatively easy-to-crush portions of the cardboard filter, and a two-stage compression process in which, after the one-stage compression process, the cardboard filter is pressed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to compress mainly the relatively hard-to-crush portions of the cardboard filter.

[0016] Therefore, according to the invention described in means 8, the single-stage compression process, in which the cardboard filter is pressed in a first direction, mainly compresses the relatively easily crushed portions. Furthermore, the two-stage compression process, in which the cardboard filter, which has been compressed to some extent in the single-stage compression process, is pressed in a second direction, compresses the relatively less easily crushed portions. In other words, by performing the compression operation in two stages, the used cardboard filter can be processed into a compact state that is easy to transport. This improves the transport efficiency of used cardboard filters. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above in detail, according to the inventions recited in claims 1 to 8, it is possible to provide a used filter processing device and a used filter processing method that can process used cardboard filters into a compact state that is easy to transport. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram showing a painting facility in which cardboard filters are used. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 showing the cardboard filter. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 showing the cardboard filter. [Figure 6] (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating the first chamber (a difficult-to-crush area) and the second chamber (a easy-to-crush area) in a cardboard filter, (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the compressed area during the one-stage compression process, and (c) is a schematic diagram illustrating the compressed area during the two-stage compression process. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic plan view of a used filter processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a used filter processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic left side view showing a used filter processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged plan view illustrating a compression operation by a first pressing plate and a second pressing plate. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged plan view illustrating a compression operation by a first pressing plate and a second pressing plate. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged plan view illustrating a compression operation by a first pressing plate and a second pressing plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A used filter processing device 101 embodying the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0020] This used filter processing device 101 is a device for processing cardboard filters 40, but before explaining it, the cardboard filters 40 to be processed by this device 101 will be described.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cardboard filter 40 of this embodiment is installed on an exhaust path E1 of a painting equipment 10. A paint chamber 11, which constitutes the painting equipment 10, is provided with a conveyor rail 12, a conveyor carriage 13, and multiple painting robots 14. In the painting chamber 11, a paint gun 15 of the painting robot 14 sprays atomized paint (paint mist) onto a workpiece W1 (an automobile body in this embodiment), forming a coating film on the surface of the workpiece W1. A ceiling wall 16 above the painting chamber 11 has a mesh structure, through which compressed air A2 is supplied from above. As a result, the air A2 that passes through the ceiling wall 16 and flows down through the painting chamber 11 guides the paint mist that does not adhere to the workpiece W1 downward. Meanwhile, a floor 17 of the painting chamber 11 has a lattice structure, and a lower floor wall 18 is disposed below the lower floor wall 18. A central portion 19 of the lower floor wall 18 is lowest, and a pair of inclined portions 20 are provided on both sides of the central portion 19. An exhaust port 21 is provided in the central portion 19, and an exhaust duct 22 is connected to the exhaust port 21 via a paint mist removal device 30. Because the inside of the exhaust duct 22 is under negative pressure, the air A2 in the coating chamber 11 flows into the exhaust duct 22 after passing through the paint mist removal device 30. The paint mist contained in the air A2 is removed when it passes through the paint mist removal device 30. The air A2 in the exhaust duct 22 is then discharged outside the coating equipment 10.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , a relay duct 23 that communicates with the exhaust port 21 and extends downward is connected to the center portion 19 of the underfloor wall 18. The paint mist removal device 30 is connected to the lower end of the relay duct 23 and a suction hole (not shown) of the exhaust duct 22. More specifically, the paint mist removal device 30 includes an upstream duct 31 and a downstream duct 32. The paint mist removal device 30 is connected to the relay duct 23 by overlapping an upper end flange (not shown) extending from the upper end of the upstream duct 31 and a lower end flange (not shown) extending from the lower end of the relay duct 23 and screwing them together. The downstream end of the downstream duct 32 is inserted into the suction hole of the exhaust duct 22, thereby connecting the paint mist removal device 30 to the exhaust duct 22.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the cardboard filter 40 of this embodiment is detachably attached between the upstream duct 31 and the downstream duct 32 of the paint mist removal device 30. The cardboard filter 40 is entirely made of a cardboard sheet, which is a flammable material. As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the cardboard filter 40 here has a structure in which a plurality of filter elements (each element of an eliminator 51, a spacer 61, a baffle plate 71, and a straightening plate 81) are installed inside a box body 41.

[0024] The box body 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped member having an upper surface 42, a lower surface 43, and four side surfaces 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d, and constitutes the outer shell of the cardboard filter 40. The box body 41 has a rectangular inlet 45 opening at the upper surface 42 and a rectangular outlet 46 opening at the downstream side surface 44c (the right side in FIG. 2). The opening area of ​​the inlet 45 is larger than the opening area of ​​the outlet 46 and is approximately equal to the area of ​​the upper surface 42. In the box body 41 of this embodiment, air A2 containing paint mist flows into the interior through the inlet 45 and is discharged through the outlet 46. Furthermore, a rectangular frame-shaped duct connector 47 surrounding the outlet 46 protrudes from the side surface 44c of the box body 41. The duct connector 47 is inserted into the downstream duct 32, thereby connecting the cardboard filter 40 to the downstream duct 32.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the eliminator 51 is housed in the box body 41 near the outlet 46, with a space (inlet-side space S2) on the inlet side. The eliminator 51 is made up of a plurality of plate-shaped eliminator elements 52 arranged side by side and functions to separate paint mist from air A2. Each eliminator element 52 extends in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction, with its lower end contacting the bottom surface 48 of the box body 41. Each eliminator element 52 also extends in the X direction, which is the horizontal direction. More specifically, each eliminator element 52 is formed by folding a cardboard sheet in a zigzag shape, with only the inlet-side end 53 (the lower end in FIG. 5) being linear in plan view. Therefore, a serpentine passage (ventilation space) is formed between adjacent eliminator elements 52. That is, the plurality of eliminator elements 52 are arranged side by side in the thickness direction with ventilation spaces between their main surfaces.

[0026] 2 to 5, spacer 61 is housed in box body 41 near inlet 45, resting on the upper ends of each eliminator element 52. Spacer 61 is shaped like a column with a triangular cross section, and has a bottom surface 62 that abuts against the upper ends of each eliminator element 52, a back surface 63 that abuts against the downstream inner surface 41a of box body 41, and an inclined surface 64 that guides air A2 into inlet space S2.

[0027] A baffle plate 71 is housed near the inlet 45 inside the box body 41. The baffle plate 71 is made up of a plurality of baffle plate elements 72 arranged side by side, each of which has an inclined surface on its upper surface that guides the air A2 into the inlet space S2, and has the function of guiding the air A2 introduced from the inlet 45 into the inlet space S2. Each baffle plate element 72 extends in the horizontal Y direction. The baffle plate elements 72 are connected by a plurality of connecting plates 73. The pitch between adjacent baffle plate elements 72 is equal to each other.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a current plate 81 is accommodated in the inlet-side space S2 within the box body 41. The current plate 81 is composed of a plurality of current plate elements 82 arranged side by side. Each current plate element 82 extends in the Z direction, which is the vertical direction, and its lower end is in contact with the bottom surface 48 of the box body 41. Each current plate element 82 also extends in the X direction, which is the horizontal direction, and its downstream end is connected to the upstream end of an eliminator element 52. One end 53 of an eliminator element 52 is disposed between each adjacent current plate element 82. The pitch between adjacent current plate elements 82 is larger than the pitch between adjacent eliminator elements 52 and smaller than the pitch between adjacent baffle plate elements 72 and the pitch between adjacent connecting plates 73.

[0029] In the cardboard filter 40 of this embodiment, the filter elements are not uniformly arranged within the filter, but rather exist in areas where they are sparsely arranged and areas where they are densely arranged. In FIG. 6(a), the areas where the filter elements are relatively densely arranged are designated as the first chamber R1, and the areas where the filter elements are relatively sparsely arranged are designated as the second chamber R2. The second chamber R2 also includes areas where no filter elements are arranged. Specifically, in FIG. 6(a), the multiple eliminator elements 52 constituting the eliminator 51 are arranged very densely, so the area where these elements are arranged is defined as the first chamber R1. The multiple rectifying plate elements 82 constituting the rectifying plate 81 are not as dense as the multiple eliminator elements 52 and are arranged relatively sparsely. Therefore, the area where the multiple rectifying plate elements 82 are arranged (i.e., the area below the eliminator 51 in FIG. 6(a)) is defined as the second chamber R2. Furthermore, no filter elements are arranged in the area from the eliminator 51 to the outlet 46. Therefore, this region (i.e., the region above the eliminator 51 in FIG. 6(a)) is also defined as the second chamber R2. The second chamber R2, in which the filter elements are installed relatively sparsely, can be said to be a portion of the cardboard filter 40 that is easily crushed (a portion that is easily crushed). In contrast, the first chamber R1, in which the filter elements are installed relatively densely, can be said to be a portion of the cardboard filter 40 that is difficult to crush (a portion that is difficult to crush).

[0030] Next, the used filter processing device 101 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0031] This used filter processing device 101 is a device for compressing and processing cardboard filters 40 after the paint particles in the paint mist have been removed, that is, used cardboard filters 40 with a large amount of waste paint accumulated inside. This used filter processing device 101 includes a device main body 102, a single-stage compression device 111, a two-stage compression device 121, etc.

[0032] 7 to 9, the device main body 102 is in the form of a frame made up of a plurality of structural members joined together lengthwise and widthwise, and has a compression area 103 on the front left side when viewed from the front. The compression area 103 is an area for compressing the cardboard filter 40, and is a rectangular box-shaped space that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cardboard filter 40. The cardboard filter 40 can be placed on the bottom surface 103a of the compression area 103.

[0033] 7 and other figures, the single-stage compression device 111 is disposed in the device main body 102 at a rear position of the compression area 103. The single-stage compression device 111 is a device that compresses the cardboard filter 40 arranged in the compression area 103 by pressing the cardboard filter 40 in a first direction D1 (the front-rear direction of the device). The single-stage compression device 111 operates before the two-stage compression device 121, which will be described later, operates.

[0034] The single-stage compression device 111 includes a first pressure plate 112, a first hydraulic cylinder 113, a support member 114, etc. The first hydraulic cylinder 113 is an actuator having an extendable rod portion on the front end side of the cylinder body, and is driven by supplying hydraulic pressure. The first hydraulic cylinder 113 is disposed horizontally with its front end facing the front of the device. The base end side of the cylinder body of the first hydraulic cylinder 113 is supported by the support member 114. The first pressure plate 112 is a flat plate having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front (see FIG. 8 ) and is disposed upright with its front side facing the compression area 103. The tip of the rod portion of the first hydraulic cylinder 113 is connected to approximately the center of the rear side of the first pressure plate 112. Therefore, when the first hydraulic cylinder 113 is driven, the first pressure plate 112 moves forward or backward in the first direction D1 together with the extendable rod portion.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9 , the first pressure plate 112 is provided with a guide mechanism 161 for preventing displacement of the first pressure plate 112 in directions perpendicular to the forward / backward direction (the left-right direction of the device, the up-down direction of the device). The guide mechanism 161 for the first pressure plate 112 is composed of a guide mechanism main body 115, a bottom guide roller 116, a first guide rail 163A, a first upper guide roller 165, and a second upper guide roller 166. The pair of guide mechanism main bodies 115 are attached to both the left and right sides of the rear surface of the first pressure plate 112 and move forward or backward integrally with the first pressure plate 112. The bottom guide rollers 116 are provided at multiple locations on the bottom surface of each guide mechanism main body 115. The multiple bottom guide rollers 116 are arranged so as to contact the bottom surface 103a and roll to guide the guide mechanism main body 115 in the front-rear direction of the device.

[0036] The first guide rail 163A is a long guide member configured separately from the guide mechanism main body 115 and is provided for each pair of guide mechanism main bodies 115. The pair of first guide rails 163A is disposed near the upper portions of the pair of guide mechanism main bodies 115 and is fixed to the upper portion of the device main body 102 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the device. The pair of first guide rails 163A has side guide portions 164a on both sides and a lower guide portion 164b on the lower surface. The first upper guide roller 165 and the second upper guide roller 166 are both provided at the upper end of the guide mechanism main body 115. The first upper guide roller 165 is disposed so as to sandwich the side guide portion 164a from above and below. This arrangement of the first upper guide roller 165 and the side guide portion 164a prevents the guide mechanism main body 115 and the first pressing plate 112 from shifting in the up-down direction of the device. The second upper guide roller 166 is disposed so as to sandwich the lower guide portion 164b from the left and right. By disposing the second upper guide roller 166 and the lower guide portion 164b in this manner, the guide mechanism body 115 and the first pressing plate 112 are prevented from shifting in the left and right direction of the device.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8 and other figures, the two-stage compression device 121 is disposed on the right side of the compression area 103 in the device main body 102. The two-stage compression device 121 is a device that compresses the cardboard filter 40 arranged in the compression area 103 by pressing the cardboard filter 40 in a second direction D2 (the left-right direction of the device) that is perpendicular to the first direction D1. The two-stage compression device 121 operates after the compression operation by the single-stage compression device 111. The two-stage compression device 121 has a higher compression capacity than the single-stage compression device 111.

[0038] The two-stage compression device 121 includes a second pressure plate 122, a second hydraulic cylinder 123, a support member 124, etc. The second hydraulic cylinder 123 is an actuator having an extendable rod portion on the front end side of the cylinder body, and is driven by supplying hydraulic pressure. The second hydraulic cylinder 123 is disposed horizontally with its front end facing the left side of the device. The base end side of the cylinder body of the second hydraulic cylinder 123 is supported by the support member 124. The second pressure plate 122 is a flat plate having a vertically elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front (see FIG. 9 ), and is disposed upright with its front side facing the compression area 103. The second pressure plate 122 compresses the cardboard filter 40 after it has been compressed to a certain extent by the first pressure plate 112, and is therefore formed narrower than the first pressure plate 112. The tip of the rod portion of the second hydraulic cylinder 123 is connected to approximately the center of the rear side of the second pressure plate 122. Therefore, when the second hydraulic cylinder 123 is driven, the second pressing plate 122 moves forward or backward in the second direction D2 integrally with the extendable rod portion.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second pressure plate 122 is provided with a guide mechanism 162 for preventing displacement in directions perpendicular to the forward / backward direction of the second pressure plate 122 (the front-rear direction of the device, the up-down direction of the device). The guide mechanism 162 for the second pressure plate 122 is composed of a guide mechanism main body 125, a bottom guide roller 126, a second guide rail 163B, a first upper guide roller 165, and a second upper guide roller 166. The guide mechanism main body 125 is attached to the rear side of the second pressure plate 122 and moves forward or backward integrally with the second pressure plate 122. The bottom guide rollers 126 are provided at multiple locations on the bottom surface of the guide mechanism main body 125. The multiple bottom guide rollers 126 are arranged so as to contact the bottom surface 103a and roll to guide the guide mechanism main body 125 in the left-right direction of the device.

[0040] The second guide rail 163B is a long guide member configured separately from the guide mechanism main body 125. The second guide rail 163B is disposed near the upper portion of the guide mechanism main body 125 and fixed to the upper portion of the device main body 102. The second guide rail 163B extends in the left-right direction of the device. The second guide rail 163B has side guide portions 164a on both sides and a lower guide portion 164b on its lower surface. The first upper guide roller 165 and the second upper guide roller 166 are both provided at the upper end of the guide mechanism main body 125. The first upper guide roller 165 is disposed so as to sandwich the side guide portion 164a from above and below. This arrangement of the first upper guide roller 165 and the side guide portion 164a prevents the guide mechanism main body 125 and the second pressing plate 122 from shifting in the up-down direction of the device. The second upper guide roller 166 is disposed so as to sandwich the lower guide portion 164b from above and below. By arranging the second upper guide roller 166 and the lower guide portion 164b in this manner, the guide mechanism body 125 and the second pressing plate 122 are prevented from shifting in the left-right direction of the device.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a receiving section 141 is disposed on the bottom surface 103a of the compression area 103 at the position where the cardboard filter 40 has been compressed. The receiving section 141 is formed in a box shape having a recess 142 with a rectangular opening at the top. The opening area of ​​the recess 142 of the receiving section 141 is slightly larger than the bottom area of ​​the cardboard filter 40 after compression is complete. Therefore, after compression is complete, the cardboard filter 40 is held in a state where its lower end region is inserted into the recess 142 of the receiving section 141. In other words, after compression is complete, the cardboard filter 40 is held in the receiving section 141 in an upright position without falling over. A tilting mechanism 151 for operating the receiving section 141 is provided on the left side of the device main body 102. The tilting mechanism 151 includes an operating handle 152, a drive belt 153, a rotation shaft 154, and the like. The operating handle 15 is rotatably supported on the left side of the device body 102 at a position higher than the bottom surface 103a. The rotating shaft 154 is connected to the lower part of the receiving part 141. The operating handle 152 and the rotating shaft 154 are drivingly connected via a drive belt 153, which is a power transmission means. Therefore, when the operating handle 15 is manually rotated, the rotating shaft 154 rotates via the drive belt 153, and in conjunction with this, the receiving part 141 can be tilted toward the front of the device (see FIG. 9).

[0042] The used filter processing device 101 of this embodiment also includes a control box 108 in the center of the front side of the device body 102. The control box 108 houses a control device consisting of a computer. A predetermined used filter processing program is stored in this control device, and the used filter processing device 101 is configured to operate by executing this program. Specifically, the computer executes the program, which drives and controls the single-stage compression device 111 and the two-stage compression device 121 to operate in a predetermined order.

[0043] Next, a method for processing used cardboard filters 40 using the used filter processing device 101 of this embodiment will be described.

[0044] First, a used cardboard filter 40 with a large amount of waste paint accumulated therein is removed from the painting equipment 10 and transported to the installation location of the used filter processing device 101. The used cardboard filter 40 is not only bulky and large, but also heavy due to the accumulated waste paint. Therefore, in this embodiment, the used cardboard filter 40 is transported to the installation location of the used filter processing device 11 using, for example, a hand-pushed cart 171 (see FIG. 9). Once the cart 171 has been moved to the installation location of the used filter processing device 11, the lifter 172 is driven. The used cardboard filter 40 is then lifted to the height of the bottom surface 103a and inserted into the compression area 103 from the front side of the device. The sliding door 109 (see FIG. 10) at the opening of the compression area 103 is opened in advance. At this time, the side surface 44c of the used cardboard filter 40 faces the back and the side surface 44a faces the front (see FIG. 10). That is, one of the second chambers R2, which is the area from passing through the eliminator 51 to the outlet 46, is located on the far side (i.e., on the first pressing plate 112 side). Also, the other of the second chambers R2, which is the area where the plurality of straightening plate elements 82 are installed, is located on the near side. Once the loading of the used cardboard filters 40 is complete, the sliding door 109 is closed and locked.

[0045] After the preparation process as described above is performed, a single-stage compression process is first performed in which the single-stage compression device 111 is operated to extend the first hydraulic cylinder 113. In the single-stage compression process, as shown in FIG. 11, the first pressing plate 112 is moved in a first direction D1 (toward the front of the device) to press the cardboard filter 40. This pressing action mainly crushes and compresses the relatively easy-to-crush portions of the cardboard filter 40 (easy-to-crush portions R2) (see FIG. 6(b)). The first pressing plate 112 is held in a stopped state in front of the movement space of the second pressing plate 122.

[0046] After the single-stage compression process described above, the two-stage compression device 121 is operated to extend the second hydraulic cylinder 123, thereby carrying out the two-stage compression process. In the two-stage compression process, as shown in FIG. 12, the second pressing plate 122 is moved in the second direction D2 (toward the left of the device) to press the cardboard filter 40. This pressing action mainly crushes and compresses the relatively hard-to-crush areas (hard-to-crush areas R1) of the cardboard filter 40 (see FIG. 6(c)). In other words, the multiple eliminator elements 52 housed in the first chamber R1 of the cardboard filter 40 are pressed and compressed in their thickness direction (stacking direction).

[0047] Here, when the single-stage compressor 111 and the two-stage compressor 121 are in operation, the first pressure plate 112 of the single-stage compressor 111 and the second pressure plate 122 of the two-stage compressor 121 are disposed adjacent to each other with a gap K1 between them. An intrusion prevention member 131 is provided on the front side of the second pressure plate 122 in a non-sliding state with respect to the mating first pressure plate 112. In this embodiment, a long plate having a length approximately equal to the height of the second pressure plate 122 is used as the intrusion prevention member 131. This long plate has a cross-sectional shape bent at two points and is attached along the left edge of the front side of the second pressure plate 122. This long plate is positioned so that the approximately V-shaped bent portion covers and blocks the gap K1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the second pressing plate 122 from becoming difficult to move due to the cardboard filter 40 entering the gap K1 during the two-stage compression process.

[0048] Similarly, the long plate that is the intrusion prevention member 131 is also attached to the right edge portion on the front side of the second pressing plate 122. The second pressing plate 122 and the inner surface of the sliding door 109 are also arranged close to each other with the gap K2 in between. Therefore, the long plate is installed so that the approximately V-shaped bent portion covers and blocks the gap K2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the second pressing plate 122 from becoming difficult to move due to the cardboard filter 40 entering the gap K2 during the two-stage compression process.

[0049] The long plate serving as the intrusion prevention member 132 is also attached to the left edge portion on the front side of the first pressing plate 112. The first pressing plate 122 and the inner surface of the device body 102 are also disposed close to each other with a gap K3 between them. Therefore, the long plate is installed so that the approximately V-shaped bent portion covers and blocks the gap K3. In addition, the long plate serving as the intrusion prevention member 133 is also attached to the inner surface of the device body 102 at a position closest to the opening. A gap K4 may occur between the end face of the sliding door 109 and the inner surface of the device body 102. Therefore, the long plate is installed so that the approximately V-shaped bent portion covers and blocks the gap K4. As a result, the cardboard filter 40 is prevented from entering the gaps K3 and K4.

[0050] When the two-stage compression process is completed, the single-stage compression device 111 and the two-stage compression device 121 are driven again, and the first pressing plate 112 and the second pressing plate 122 are retracted to their original positions. After the two-stage compression process is completed, the cardboard filter 40, which has been crushed and made compact, is received by the receiving portion 141 provided at the compression completion position. That is, since the bottom area of ​​the cardboard filter 40 after compression is completed is smaller than the opening area of ​​the recess 142, the lower end area can enter the recess 142.

[0051] After this, the door lock is released, the sliding door 109 is opened to open the compression area 103, and the receiving section 141 is tilted using the tilting mechanism 151. Specifically, the operating handle 152 is manually rotated clockwise in FIG. 9 to tilt the receiving section 141 approximately 90° toward the front of the device. As a result, the crushed and compacted cardboard filter 40 is discharged from the front of the device. The discharged cardboard filter 40 is then removed from the receiving section 141 and placed back on the cart 171 to be transported to another location where a predetermined post-processing is performed. Here, examples of the predetermined post-processing include manual cutting and crushing using a crusher. The cardboard filter 40, which has become more compact after the post-processing, is transported to a processing facility and ultimately incinerated.

[0052] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0053] (1) The used filter processing device 101 of this embodiment basically comprises an apparatus main body 102, a single-stage compression device 111, and a two-stage compression device 121. The apparatus main body 102 has a compression area 103 in which the cardboard filter 40 is compressed. The single-stage compression device 111 presses the cardboard filter 40 arranged in the compression area 103 in a first direction D1, compressing mainly the easy-to-crush region R2 of the cardboard filter 40 that is relatively easy to crush. The two-stage compression device 121 operates after the compression operation by the first compression device 111, and presses the cardboard filter 40 in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, compressing mainly the hard-to-crush region R1 of the cardboard filter 40 that is relatively difficult to crush.

[0054] Therefore, with this configuration, the cardboard filter 40 is crushed to a certain extent and compressed in the single-stage compression process using the single-stage compression device 111. Then, the cardboard filter 40 is further crushed and compressed in the subsequent two-stage compression process using the two-stage compression device 121. In other words, by performing the compression operation in two stages using the two compression devices 111 and 121, the used cardboard filter 40 can be processed into a compact state that is easy to transport. This improves the transportation efficiency of the used cardboard filter 40. Furthermore, compressed cardboard filters 40 can be more easily subjected to post-processing such as cutting and crushing than uncompressed cardboard filters 40. Furthermore, if such post-processing is performed before transportation to a processing facility, it is possible to omit processes such as crushing the used cardboard filters 40 with heavy machinery at the transport destination, thereby improving workability.

[0055] In addition, when the used cardboard filters 40 are to be transported to a processing facility after being crushed, it is desirable to perform a compression process beforehand using the used filter processing device 101 of this embodiment. That is, a crusher is required for the crushing process, but it is desirable to use a crusher that is as small as possible to reduce the size and cost of the entire device. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the used cardboard filters 40 are compressed to a small size before being crushed, which has the advantage that a small and relatively inexpensive crusher can be used.

[0056] Furthermore, as described above, the used cardboard filter 40 having the structure shown in Figures 2 to 5 does not have filter elements uniformly arranged inside, and has a mixture of easy-to-crush areas R2 and hard-to-crush areas R1. Therefore, it is expected that it will not be easy to perform an appropriate compression operation, and the used cardboard filter 40 will not be able to be made as compact as desired. In this regard, in this embodiment, the compression operations for the easy-to-crush areas R2 and the hard-to-crush areas R1 are performed in separate steps in a predetermined order. Therefore, the used cardboard filter 40 can be made compact relatively easily and reliably.

[0057] (2) In the used filter processing device 101 of this embodiment, intrusion prevention members 131, 132, and 133 are provided on the first pressing plate 112, the second pressing plate 122, and the inner surface of the device body 102, respectively. This prevents the cardboard filter 40 from intruding into the gaps K1 to K4 during the two-stage compression process. This prevents the first pressing plate 112 and the second pressing plate 122 from becoming difficult to move. Furthermore, after compression is complete, the cardboard filter 40 does not remain at the height of the bottom surface 103a but reliably falls and is reliably delivered to the recess 142 of the receiving section 141.

[0058] (3) In the used filter processing device 101 of this embodiment, a receiving section 141 having a recess 142 that opens upward is disposed on the bottom surface 103a of the compression area 103 at the position where the cardboard filter 40 has been completely compressed. The compression area 103 is open to the front of the device, and the receiving section 141 can be tilted toward the front of the device by operating the tilting mechanism 151. Therefore, the cardboard filter 40 that has been received by the receiving section 141 after completion of compression is tilted toward the front of the device together with the receiving section 141, and is discharged from the device. At this time, the cardboard filter 40 that was placed vertically becomes horizontal, and its position is also slightly lower than the bottom surface 103a. Therefore, an operator can easily remove the cardboard filter 40 after completion of compression and transport it to another location.

[0059] Each embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the compression area 103 is open to the front side of the device, and the receiving section 141 is configured to tilt toward the front side of the device, but this is not limiting. In another embodiment, for example, the compression area 103 may be open to the left side of the device, and the receiving section 141 may be configured to tilt toward the left side of the device.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the tilting mechanism 151 is manually operated to tilt the receiving unit 141 toward the front of the device, but this is not limiting. In another embodiment, for example, the receiving unit 141 may be directly driven by a rotary drive means such as a motor to tilt the receiving unit 141 toward the front of the device. Alternatively, the receiving unit 141 may be directly driven by an actuator other than a motor (for example, a drive means that operates on fluid pressure such as a hydraulic cylinder or an air cylinder) to tilt the receiving unit 141 toward the front of the device.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the receiving portion 141 is formed at the position where the compression of the cardboard filter 40 is completed on the bottom surface 103a of the compression area 103, but the receiving portion 141 is not an essential component and may be omitted.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the second pressing plate 122 has fewer guide mechanisms 162 than the first pressing plate 112 has guide mechanisms 161. However, this is not limited to this. In another embodiment, for example, the number of guide mechanisms 162 may be equal to or greater than the number of guide mechanisms 161. In the used filter processing device 101 of the above embodiment, the two-stage compression device 121 has a greater compression capacity than the single-stage compression device 111. Therefore, the reaction force received from the cardboard filters 40 is also greater in the two-stage compression device 121 than in the single-stage compression device 111. Therefore, the second pressing plate 122 is more likely to shift in a direction perpendicular to the forward / backward direction. Therefore, if the number of guide mechanisms 162 is greater than the number of guide mechanisms 161, it is possible to more reliably prevent the second pressing plate 122 from shifting.

[0064] In the above embodiment, long plates with a cross-sectional shape bent at two locations are used as the intrusion prevention members 131, 132, and 133 provided on the inner surface of the first pressing plate 112, the second pressing plate 122, and the device body 102, but this is not limitative. In another embodiment, the intrusion prevention members 131, 132, and 133 may be long plates with an L-shaped cross-section bent at a right angle at one location, for example. Furthermore, the intrusion prevention members 131, 132, and 133 do not necessarily have to be plate-shaped members as long as they can prevent the cardboard filter 40 from entering the gaps K1 to K4.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the target of treatment is a cardboard filter 40 having the structure shown in Figures 2 to 5, but this is not limiting. In other embodiments, the target of treatment may be, for example, a cardboard filter 40 in which the positions or types of filter elements are different, or in which the installation positions of the inlet 45 and outlet 46 are different.

[0066] In the above embodiment, a one-stage compression process is performed to compress the easy-to-crush region R2 of the cardboard filter 40, followed by a two-stage compression process to compress the hard-to-crush region R1, but this is not limited to this. In another embodiment, for example, this order may be reversed.

[0067] Next, in addition to the technical ideas set forth in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the above-described embodiments will be listed below.

[0068] (1) The cardboard filter has a first chamber in which the plurality of filter elements are arranged relatively densely, and a second chamber in which the filter elements are arranged relatively sparsely or no filter element is arranged, the filter element includes an eliminator element formed by folding a cardboard sheet in a zigzag shape, the plurality of eliminator elements are arranged so as to be lined up in the thickness direction with an air vent space between their main surfaces, the single-stage compression device (or the single-stage compression process) presses and compresses the second chamber of the cardboard filter, and the two-stage compression device (or the two-stage compression process) presses and compresses the first chamber of the cardboard filter in the thickness direction of the plurality of eliminator elements.

[0069] 40: Cardboard filter 41: Box body 52: Eliminator element as a filter element 101: Used filter processing equipment 102: Device body 103: Compression Area 103a: Bottom (of the compression area) 111: Single-stage compressor 112: First pressure plate 121: Two-stage compression device 122: Second pressure plate 131, 132, 133: Anti-entry material 141: Receiving section 142: Recess 151: Tilt mechanism 161, 162: Guide mechanism D1: 1st direction D2: Second direction K1~K4: void R1: The first room is the part that is hard to crush. R2: Second chamber as a crushable area

Claims

1. A device for treating a cardboard filter after removing paint particles from a paint mist using a cardboard filter having a filter element installed inside a box body, a device body having a compression area in which the cardboard filter is compressed; a single-stage compression device that presses the cardboard filter placed in the compression area in a first direction to compress a portion of the cardboard filter that is relatively easy to crush; a two-stage compression device that operates after the compression operation by the first compression device and presses the cardboard filter in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby compressing mainly portions of the cardboard filter that are relatively difficult to crush; A used filter processing device comprising:

2. When the single-stage compression device and the two-stage compression device are in operation, a first pressure plate of the single-stage compression device and a second pressure plate of the two-stage compression device are disposed adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween, At least one of the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate is provided with an intrusion prevention member that prevents the cardboard filter from entering the gap, in a state of non-sliding contact with the opposing pressure plate.

2. The used filter processing device of claim 1.

3. 2. The used filter processing device according to claim 1, wherein a receiving portion having a recess with an open top is disposed at a position on the bottom surface of the compression area where the cardboard filter has been completely compressed.

4. The compression area is open to the front side of the device, The receiving portion can be tilted toward the front side of the device by operating a tilting mechanism.

4. A used filter processing device according to claim 3.

5. 3. The used filter processing device according to claim 2, wherein the first pressing plate and the second pressing plate are each provided with a guide mechanism for preventing displacement in a direction perpendicular to the direction of their advancement and retreat.

6. 6. The used filter processing device according to claim 5, wherein the number of the guide mechanisms provided on the second pressing plate is greater than the number of the guide mechanisms provided on the first pressing plate.

7. The cardboard filter has a first chamber in which the filter elements are arranged relatively densely, and a second chamber in which the filter elements are arranged relatively sparsely or no filter elements are arranged, The single-stage compression device presses and compresses the second chamber of the cardboard filter, The two-stage compression device presses and compresses the first chamber of the cardboard filter.

7. A used filter processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method for treating a cardboard filter after removing paint particles from a paint mist using a cardboard filter having a filter element installed inside a box body, comprising: a single-stage compression step of pressing the cardboard filter placed in a compression area in a first direction to compress mainly the relatively crushable portions of the cardboard filter; After the first-stage compression process, the cardboard filter is pressed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby compressing mainly the relatively hard-to-crush portions of the cardboard filter. A method for processing a used filter, comprising:

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