Fiber material supply system

Abstract

To provide a fiber material supply system capable of reducing a labor required to supply a fiber material to a fiber material using device such as a cotton opener.SOLUTION: A fiber material supply system S includes a supply mechanism 4 that supplies a fiber material from an upstream use device UM to a downstream use device UM in a fiber material supply direction. In the fiber material supply system S, the supply mechanism 4 comprises: a first conveying unit 41 that is provided corresponding to each of the use devices UM and is capable of conveying the fiber material downstream; a second conveying unit 42 that is provided between the first conveying units 41 and is capable of conveying the fiber material to an adjacent first conveying unit 41 located downstream; and a conveying direction changing unit 43 that is provided corresponding to each of the use devices UM, and changes a conveying direction of the first conveying unit 41 corresponding to the use device UM toward the corresponding use device UM.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fibrous material feeding system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the spraying method, which involves spraying a fire-resistant coating material containing a fibrous material such as rock wool, the fibrous material is fed into a cotton-loosening machine and sent to a spray nozzle, and an operator sprays the fire-resistant coating material by pointing the spray nozzle at the area to be sprayed.

[0003] Furthermore, since the worker holding the spray nozzle cannot load the fibrous material into the cotton-opening machine during the spraying operation, another worker must supply the fibrous material to the cotton-opening machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-24977 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] At large-scale construction sites, fire-resistant coating materials are sprayed using a large number of spray nozzles, but the number of workers required to supply the fibrous material to the cotton-opening machines is smaller than the number of spray nozzles, so until now, one worker has been responsible for supplying fibrous material to several cotton-opening machines.

[0006] However, with labor shortages becoming a social issue, it will become increasingly important in the future to enable one worker to supply fiber material to a greater number of defatting machines.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a fiber material supply system that can reduce the effort required to supply fiber material to a fiber material using device such as a cotton-opening machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The fiber material supply system of the present disclosure is a fiber material supply system equipped with a supply mechanism that supplies the fiber material from a use device upstream in the fiber material supply direction to a use device downstream, and the supply mechanism includes a first conveying section that is provided corresponding to each of the use devices and is capable of conveying the fiber material downstream, a second conveying section that is provided between the first conveying sections and is capable of conveying the fiber material to an adjacent first conveying section located downstream, and a conveying direction changing section that is provided corresponding to each of the use devices and changes the conveying direction of the first conveying section that corresponds to the use device toward the corresponding use device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a fiber material supply system that can reduce the effort required to supply fiber material to a fiber material using device, such as a cotton opener. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a fibrous material supply system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a take-out device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of an opening device of a first embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view mainly showing a supply mechanism of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of stockpiling crumbled fibrous material in front of a supply and conveyance section in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of supplying fibrous material to a use device based on the remaining amount of fibrous material in the use device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same elements are denoted by the same numbers or symbols throughout the description of the embodiments.

[0012] <<First Embodiment>> A fiber material supply system S according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a fiber material supply system S according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, for ease of viewing, the frames F1, F2, F3, and F4 and the side wall W on the front side of the page are omitted so that the inside can be seen. The side walls W are walls for preventing the fibrous material from spilling out from both the left and right sides perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0014] Also, in Figure 1, as will be described later, when the first conveying section 41 is in a downwardly inclined position, part of the tip side is hidden by the hood UMF, but the part that would be hidden is also shown so that it can be seen.

[0015] Furthermore, in FIG. 1, a part of the remaining amount detection unit 5 is hidden by the hood UMF, but the part that would be hidden is also shown so that the structure can be understood.

[0016] The fibrous material supply system S of this embodiment is a system suitable for supplying fibrous material to a plurality of use devices UM that use fibrous material such as rock wool, and a suitable example of the use device UM is a cotton-opening machine.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the fiber material supply system S includes an extraction device 1 that extracts the fiber material packed in a bag PK, a loosening device 2 that breaks down the lumps of fiber material extracted from the bag PK, and a supply and conveying section 3 that sends the broken down fiber material to the usage device UM.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the fiber material supply system S also includes a supply mechanism 4 that supplies the fiber material supplied from the supply conveying section 3 from the upstream usage device UM in the fiber material supply direction to the downstream usage device UM, and a remaining amount detection section 5 that is provided corresponding to each usage device UM and detects the remaining amount of fiber material in the corresponding usage device UM.

[0019] The term "upstream" means the side closer to the origin of the transport in the transport direction of the fibrous material, and the term "downstream" means the side farther from the origin of the transport in the transport direction of the fibrous material, and the same applies hereinafter.

[0020] [Ejecting device 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the take-out device 1 of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure, showing only the take-out device 1 portion of FIG. In FIG. 2, the frame F1 and the side wall W on the front side of the page are omitted so that the inside can be seen.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the removal device 1 comprises a frame F1, a conveyor 11 mounted on the frame F1 so as to be able to move up and down (see arrow AR1), an opening device 12 mounted on the frame F1 so as to be positioned above the conveyor 11 and configured to open bags PK containing fibrous material placed on the conveyor 11, and a detector 13 (also called a position detector) mounted on the frame F1 for detecting the position of the fibrous material.

[0022] (Conveyor 11) In this embodiment, the conveyor 11 is a general belt conveyor, and as will be described later, the lumpy fibrous material taken out onto the conveyor 11 is supplied to the defibering device 2 (see FIG. 1). The conveyor 11 also plays a part in the operation of removing the fibrous material from the bag PK, and the overall operation of the conveyor 11 will be specifically described below.

[0023] A guide portion G, which serves as a guide when placing the fibrous material packed in the bag PK on the conveyor 11, is provided on the upper portion of the frame F1.

[0024] Then, with the conveyor 11 positioned at the upper position, for example, an operator operates the balancer BL to place one of the fibrous materials packed in the palletized bag PK on the conveyor 11 along the guide part G.

[0025] In this way, after placing the fibrous material packed in the bag PK on the conveyor 11, the bag PK is gripped (for example, suction gripped) by the balancer BL, and the balancer BL is locked so that it does not move, and the bag PK is opened by welding three consecutive sides of the lower side surface using the opening device 12 described below.

[0026] Once the package has been opened, the conveyor 11 descends to its lower position. Then, since the upper surface of the bag PK is held by the balancer BL, only the fibrous material moves down together with the conveyor 11.

[0027] At this time, the three sides of the bag PK around the lower side of the side are cut, so as the conveyor 11 descends, the lower surface of the bag PK moves under the fiber material as if being pulled out from the remaining side, and comes out from under the fiber material.

[0028] When the conveyor 11 reaches the lower position, only the fibrous material remains on the conveyor 11. In this way, the take-out device 1 takes out the fibrous material from the bag PK.

[0029] (Opening Device 12) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the opening device 12 of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure, and is a top view seen from above. In addition, in FIG. 3, for ease of viewing, the illustration is simplified and the surrounding configuration such as the frame is omitted.

[0030] As mentioned above, the opening device 12 is a device that melts and cuts three consecutive sides of the side of the bag PK to open it.

[0031] The opening device 12 is provided with a fusing section 12A that abuts against three continuous sides of the lower periphery of the side of the bag PK placed on the conveyor 11 when the conveyor 11 (see Figure 1) is located at the upper stop position, as shown in Figure 3, and fusing the remaining three sides of the side except for one side of the side.

[0032] The fusing portion 12A is provided corresponding to three consecutive sides of the side surface of the bag PK, and includes contact portions 12A1, 12A2, and 12A3 that reach a temperature at which the bag PK can be fusing. That is, the fusing portion 12A has three contact portions 12A1, 12A2, 12A3 arranged in a substantially U-shape so that one side of the bag is fusing with one contact portion 12A1, 12A2, 12A3.

[0033] The area where the contact portions 12A1, 12A2, and 12A3 are not provided is the side where an operator stands to operate the balancer BL (see FIG. 1) and place the bags PK on the conveyor 11, as shown in FIG.

[0034] In this embodiment, a case is shown in which an operator guides the tip of the balancer BL when placing the fibrous material packed in the bag PK on the conveyor 11 that transports the fibrous material. Therefore, although a worker is shown in FIG. 3, it may be a free-standing balancer or the like that can automatically transport the workpiece to a predetermined position without the guidance of a worker.

[0035] Each of the contact portions 12A1, 12A2, and 12A3 is provided with a heater H (for example, a sheath heater) for heating the bag PK to a temperature at which it can be melted. For example, if the bag PK is made of resin and contains rock wool, it can be melted at a temperature of about 110°C, so the set temperature of heater H can be set to about 150°C so that the tips of contact portions 12A1, 12A2, and 12A3 that come into contact with the bag PK are at about 110°C.

[0036] The opening device 12 also includes driving units AC that are provided corresponding to the contacting portions 12A1, 12A2, 12A3 and move the contacting portions 12A1, 12A2, 12A3 in directions to contact the bag PK and in directions to move away from the bag PK.

[0037] In this embodiment, the drive unit AC uses a cylinder provided for each of the contact portions 12A1, 12A2, and 12A3, and equipped with a piston rod PR connected to the end of the contact portion 12A1, 12A2, and 12A3 in the extension direction, and a cylinder tube C that accommodates a portion of the piston rod PR.

[0038] (Detector 13) The detector 13 is, for example, a displacement sensor, and detects that the fibrous material has been transported to an appropriate position when the lumped fibrous material taken out onto the conveyor 11 is transported to the refining device 2 side.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the detector 13 is attached to the frame F1 on the defibrating device 2 side, and can detect when the conveyor 11 is positioned at the lower position and the lump fibrous material being transported reaches the appropriate position, as described below. The detector 13 is attached to the frame F1 so as not to interfere with the up and down movement of the conveyor 11.

[0040] As explained above, the conveyor 11 is lowered so that the fibrous material is removed from the bag PK onto the conveyor 11. With the conveyor 11 still positioned at the lower side, the conveyor 11 is driven to transport the fibrous material to the loosening device 2.

[0041] When the fibrous material approaches the loosening device 2 to an appropriate position, the laser light of the detector 13 is blocked by the fibrous material, and the distance measured by the detector 13 changes, detecting that the fibrous material has been transported to the appropriate position, and the conveyor 11 stops operating.

[0042] Thus, once the fibrous material has been delivered to the appropriate position, the conveyor 11 rises to its upper position.

[0043] Then, the conveyor 11 is driven to supply the fibrous material to the defibrating device 2 while it is positioned at the upper position.

[0044] The detector 13 does not need to be limited to a displacement sensor, but may be anything that can detect that the fiber material has been positioned at an appropriate position. For example, the position of the textile material may be detected by combining an imaging device with image analysis software that analyzes the captured image, or a LiDAR or the like that can measure the shape and distance of an object may be used.

[0045] In this manner, the take-out device 1 takes the packed fibrous material out of the bag PK and supplies it to the refining device 2.

[0046] [Loosening device 2] The disintegrating device 2 is a device that disintegrates the undisintegrated fibrous material that has just been taken out of the bag PK before sending it to the supply and conveyance section 3, which will be described later.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1, the refining device 2 comprises a frame F2, a refining section 21 installed on the top of the frame F2 to break down clumps of fibrous material, a conveyor 22 installed on the frame F2 to transport the broken down fibrous material, and a detector 23 (also called a quantity detector) installed on the frame F2 to detect the amount of fibrous material on the conveyor 22.

[0048] (Loosening section 21) The refining section 21 includes a receiving port 21a that receives clumped fibrous material, and an agitating blade 21b that breaks down the clumped fibrous material that is fed through the receiving port 21a.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, the refining section 21 is positioned so that when the conveyor 11 of the removal device 1 is located at the upper position and transports the lumpy fibrous material toward the refining device 2, the transported fibrous material is fed into the receiving port 21a.

[0050] For example, the upper agitating blade 21b rotates counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 1, and the lower agitating blade 21b rotates clockwise, and the fibrous material introduced from the receiving port 21a is broken down by the agitating blades 21b as it passes between the agitating blades 21b.

[0051] The broken down fibrous material falls below the refining section 21 and is received by the conveyor 22 provided below the refining section 21.

[0052] (Conveyor 22) In this embodiment, the conveyor 22 is a general belt conveyor, and supplies the fibrous material broken down in the refining section 21 to the supply and conveyance section 3, which will be described later.

[0053] Specifically, the conveyor 22 is mounted on the frame F2 so as to be positioned below the refining section 21, and as described above, is capable of receiving the broken down fibrous material that falls below the refining section 21.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the upstream end of the conveyor 22 is located below the downstream end of the conveyor 11.

[0055] In this way, since the conveyor 11 and the conveyor 22 are overlapped, even if the fibrous material or the like that breaks down during conveyance spills from the conveyor 11 in the conveying direction, the conveyor 22 can receive it.

[0056] (Detector 23) The detector 23 is, for example, a displacement sensor, and detects the amount of accumulated fibrous material by measuring the distance to the fibrous material accumulated on the supply / transport section 3 (described later) side of the conveyor 22.

[0057] Specifically, the loosening section 21 operates until the height of the fibrous material accumulated on the supply and conveying section 3 side, which will be described later, reaches a predetermined height, and the conveyor 22 conveys the broken down fibrous material that falls from the loosening section 21 to the supply and conveying section 3 side.

[0058] In this way, the broken down fibrous material to be supplied to the supplying and conveying section 3 is stocked to a certain extent on the upstream side of the supplying and conveying section 3.

[0059] The distance detected by the detector 23 varies depending on the height of the fibrous material, and when it reaches a distance corresponding to a predetermined height of the fibrous material and detects that a predetermined amount of fibrous material has been stored, the operation of the loosening section 21 stops and the drive of the conveyor 22 also stops.

[0060] As such, since the detector 23 detects the amount of fibrous material accumulated near the supply and conveying section 3, it is preferable that the detector 23 be provided on the frame F2 so as to be located at a position above the conveyor 22 on the supply and conveying section 3 side.

[0061] Like the detector 13 described above, the detector 23 does not have to be limited to a displacement sensor, and may be anything that can detect the accumulation state of the fibrous material before the supply and conveyance section 3.

[0062] Therefore, the deposition state of fibrous materials may be detected by combining an imaging device with image analysis software that analyzes the captured images, or LiDAR or the like that can measure the shape and distance of objects may be used.

[0063] [Supply and conveyance section 3] In this embodiment, the supply and conveyance section 3 uses a general belt conveyor. As shown in FIG. 1, the supply and conveying section 3 is inclined obliquely upward from the upstream side to the downstream side in order to convey the broken down fibrous material from the height position of the conveyor 22 to the height of the supply mechanism 4 described below, which is located above the inlet UM1 that receives the fibrous material of the device UM used, such as a cotton-opening machine.

[0064] Specifically, the supply and conveying section 3 comprises a frame F3 and a conveyor 31 that is inclined diagonally upward on the frame F3 so as to bridge the section from a lower position on the downstream side of the conveyor 22 to an upper position on the upstream side of the supply mechanism 4 described later.

[0065] The supply and conveyance section 3 supplies the fibrous material broken down by the disintegrating device 2 to the upstream side of the supply mechanism 4.

[0066] [Supply mechanism 4] FIG. 4 is a side view mainly showing the supply mechanism 4 of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure, and mainly shows the portion of the supply mechanism 4 in FIG. In FIG. 4 as well, the frame F4 and the side wall W on the front side of the page are omitted so that the inside can be seen.

[0067] In addition, in FIG. 4, the used equipment UM such as the cotton opener is also shown so that the relationship with the used equipment UM can be understood. 4 also shows a remaining amount detection unit 5 that is involved in controlling the operation of the supply mechanism 4.

[0068] In addition, similar to the description in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 also shows a part of the tip side of the first conveying section 41 hidden by the hood UMF and a part of the remaining amount detecting section 5 hidden by the hood UMF.

[0069] As shown in Figure 4, the supply mechanism 4 comprises a frame F4 provided corresponding to each device UM used, such as a cotton opener, a first conveying section 41 provided on the top of the frame F4 corresponding to each device UM used and capable of conveying the fibrous material downstream, and a second conveying section 42 (in this example, the second conveying section 42 on the left side of Figure 4) provided on the top of the frame F4 corresponding to each device UM used and capable of conveying the fibrous material supplied from the upstream first conveying section 41 to the adjacent first conveying section 41 located downstream.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4, at least the second conveying section 42 is provided between the first conveying sections 41 and is arranged so as to be able to convey the fibrous material to the adjacent first conveying section 41 located downstream.

[0071] In this embodiment, a frame F4 is provided for each device used UM, but it is not necessary to be limited to providing multiple separate frames F4 in this manner; one frame may be provided for each of multiple devices used UM, or one frame may be provided for all devices used UM.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, the supply mechanism 4 is provided in correspondence with each of the use devices UM and includes a conveying direction change unit 43 that changes the conveying direction of the first conveying unit 41 corresponding to the use device UM toward the corresponding use device UM.

[0073] (First conveying section 41 and second conveying section 42) In this embodiment, the first conveying section 41 and the second conveying section 42 both use a general belt conveyor.

[0074] The difference between the first conveying section 41 and the second conveying section 42 is that the upstream portion of the first conveying section 41 is pivotally supported on the frame F4, while the second conveying section 42 is fixed to the top of the frame F4.

[0075] In this way, since the upstream portion of the first conveying section 41 is rotatably supported on the frame F4, it can change its posture between a horizontal position in which the fiber material is conveyed toward the second conveying section 42, and a downward inclined position in which it can rotate to feed the fiber material into the inlet UM1 of the corresponding device UM to be used, as shown by the double arrow at the first conveying section 41 in Figure 4.

[0076] In this embodiment, a hood UMF is attached to the using device UM so that a large amount of fiber material can be stocked in the using device UM, and the upper opening of the hood UMF serves as an inlet UM1 of the using device UM.

[0077] The upper shape of the hood UMF is inclined toward the first conveying section 41 so that it can easily receive the fibrous material fed from the first conveying section 41, but it is not necessarily limited to such an inclined shape.

[0078] (Transport direction change unit 43) In this embodiment, the conveying direction change section 43 uses a cylinder, and the end of the cylinder tube is fixed to a frame F4 located below the first conveying section 41, and the tip of the piston rod is connected to the first conveying section 41 in a swingable manner.

[0079] When the cylinder is driven in the direction in which the piston rod comes out of the cylinder tube, the first conveying section 41 is positioned horizontally so as to convey the fibrous material toward the second conveying section .

[0080] Conversely, when the cylinder is driven in the direction in which the piston rod enters the cylinder tube, the piston rod is positioned in a downwardly inclined position where the fiber material can be fed into the feed port UM1 of the use device UM.

[0081] [Remaining amount detection unit 5] The remaining amount detection unit 5 is, for example, a displacement sensor or the like, and is provided corresponding to each use device UM to detect the remaining amount of the fibrous material in the corresponding use device UM.

[0082] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the remaining amount detection unit 5 is provided on the frame F4 so as to be located downstream, opposite the side where the first conveying unit 41 inputs the fiber material, at a height position that overlaps with the hood UMF in the vertical direction.

[0083] In this embodiment, an opening is provided in the hood UMF so that the remaining amount detection unit 5 can detect the fibrous material in the usage device UM, but the remaining amount detection unit 5 may also be provided in the frame F4 so that it is located above the hood UMF and in a position where it can detect the fibrous material in the usage device UM.

[0084] The remaining amount detection unit 5 measures the distance to the fibrous material in the device UM to be used (see the dashed arrow), and when that distance becomes greater than or equal to a set distance, it detects that the remaining amount of fibrous material in the device UM to be used has reached a specified amount.

[0085] In this way, when the remaining amount detection unit 5 detects that the remaining amount of fibrous material in the using device UM has reached a predetermined remaining amount (also referred to as the supply start remaining amount), the supply of fibrous material to the using device UM is started.

[0086] On the other hand, when the supply of fibrous material is performed and the amount of fibrous material in the using device UM reaches a sufficient predetermined amount (also referred to as a supply stop amount), the supply of fibrous material to that using device UM stops.

[0087] For example, the supply stop amount can be set to be greater than the supply start remaining amount (supply start remaining amount < supply stop amount), and when supply starts, supply can be stopped when the amount of fibrous material in the device UM used reaches an amount that is somewhat larger than the supply start remaining amount.

[0088] In other words, the distance set for detecting the supply stop amount should be shorter than the distance set for detecting the supply start remaining amount of the remaining amount detection unit 5, and the supply should be stopped when the amount of fiber material in the device UM used reaches an amount that is somewhat larger than the supply start remaining amount.

[0089] In this embodiment, as shown by the double arrow next to the remaining amount detection unit 5 in FIG. 4, the viewing angle of the remaining amount detection unit 5 can be changed by about 45°. Therefore, the remaining amount detection unit 5 can be adjusted to measure the distance to the fiber material at an appropriate position within the device UM.

[0090] However, like the detector 13 described above, the remaining amount detector 5 does not have to be limited to a displacement sensor, and may be anything that can detect the remaining amount of fiber material in the device UM.

[0091] Therefore, the remaining amount of fiber material may be detected by combining an imaging device with image analysis software that analyzes the captured images, or a LiDAR or the like that can measure the shape and distance of objects may be used.

[0092] Next, the operation of the fiber material supply system S of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of stockpiling the crumbled fibrous material before the supply and conveyance section 3 in the first embodiment according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of supplying fibrous material to the using device UM based on the remaining amount of fibrous material in the using device UM according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] In addition, the fiber material supply system S is equipped with a control unit for controlling each part, which is composed of, for example, a sequencer, etc., and in the explanation below with reference to Figures 5 and 6, operations that are not performed by the operator are controlled by the control unit. However, instead of control by the control unit, the operator may operate a switch or the like that causes each unit to operate, thereby driving each unit.

[0094] [The broken down fiber material is stored in front of the supply and conveyance section 3] The flow of stocking the broken down fibrous material in front of the supply and conveyance section 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0095] It should be noted that the flowchart shown in Figure 5 assumes that, prior to starting, an operator operates the balancer BL to place one of the fibrous materials packed in the palletized bag PK on the conveyor 11 located at the upper position, and locks the balancer BL so that it does not move while still gripping (e.g., suction gripping) the bag PK with the balancer BL.

[0096] (S11) In S11, the opening device 12 melts and cuts three consecutive sides of the lower side surface of the bag PK to open the bag PK. Specifically, when an operator presses the drive switch, drive unit AC drives contact portions 12A1, 12A2, 12A3 in a direction that brings them closer to the bag PK, and contact portions 12A1, 12A2, 12A3 come into contact with three consecutive sides of the lower side surface of the bag PK.

[0097] The contact state is then maintained for a predetermined time required to melt the bag PK, during which time three consecutive sides of the lower side of the bag PK are melted, leaving the bag PK in an opened state, and then the drive unit AC drives the contact parts 12A1, 12A2, and 12A3 in a direction away from the bag PK.

[0098] In this embodiment, the case where the package is opened by an operator is described, but the drive unit AC may be configured to automatically operate once the balancer BL is locked to prevent it from moving while placed on the conveyor 11.

[0099] (S12) In S12, the conveyor 11 is lowered to the lower position, and the chunks of fibrous material are taken out onto the conveyor 11 as described above. The downward movement of the conveyor 11 starts when the driving of the driving unit AC for positioning the contact portions 12A1, 12A2, 12A3 at predetermined positions in the direction away from the bag PK has finished.

[0100] (S13) In S13, the removed clumped fibrous material is fed into the disentangling device 2. Specifically, first, the conveyor 11 is driven while positioned at the lower position, and the fibrous material is transported to the disentangling device 2 side up to a position where the detector 13 detects the clumped fibrous material.

[0101] When the detector 13 detects the fiber material, the conveyor 11 stops driving and then rises to the upper position.

[0102] Finally, when the conveyor 11 reaches the upper position and stops rising, the conveyor 11 is driven again and the fibrous material is fed into the receiving port 21a of the refining unit 21.

[0103] The lumpy fibrous material fed into the receiving port 21a of the refining unit 21 is broken down by the operation of the refining unit 21, but the operation of the refining unit 21 may be linked to the driving of the conveyor 22 described below, for example, or a sensor may be provided to detect the feeding of lumpy fibrous material, and the operation of the refining unit 21 may begin when the sensor detects the feeding of fibrous material.

[0104] The same applies to the stopping of operation of the refining unit 21, which may be linked to the stopping of the drive of the conveyor 22 described below, or the refining unit 21 may be stopped when the sensor that detects the addition of lumpy fibrous material can no longer detect the fibrous material.

[0105] (S14) In S14, the fibrous material broken down in the refining section 21 is stocked in front of the supply and conveyance section 3. Specifically, the fibrous material broken down in the refining section 21 is received by a conveyor 22 located below the refining section 21, and the conveyor 22 is driven to convey the fibrous material to the supply and conveyance section 3 side.

[0106] When the detector 23 detects that a predetermined amount of fiber material has been stored on the supply / transport section 3 side of the conveyor 22, the driving of the conveyor 22 stops.

[0107] The conveyor 22 may be driven intermittently. Specifically, the conveyor 22 may be operated intermittently such that it is not driven for a predetermined time for the fiber material to accumulate on the conveyor 22, then driven a little after that time has elapsed, and then not driven again for a predetermined time for the accumulation, and when a predetermined amount of material has been stocked, the drive may be completely stopped. When the predetermined amount of stock is no longer stored, the conveyor 22 again starts intermittently driving.

[0108] In this way, the broken down fiber material is stocked in front of the supply and conveyance section 3. This stocking of fiber material before the supply and conveying section 3 is carried out regardless of whether fiber material is being supplied to the usage device UM or not, but it is also a flow that is carried out when fiber material is being supplied to the usage device UM and the stock of fiber material before the supply and conveying section 3 decreases.

[0109] Therefore, the supply and conveyance section 3 is always kept in a state where it can supply the fibrous material to the use device UM. When the end of the flow is reached, the process returns to the start and the same flow is carried out again until the termination process of the fiber material supply system S is carried out.

[0110] [Flow of supplying fiber material to the equipment used: UM] Referring to FIG. 6, the flow of supplying fibrous material to the using device UM based on the remaining amount of fibrous material in the using device UM will be described.

[0111] It is assumed that, prior to the start of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the remaining amount detection unit 5 corresponding to the device to be used UM on the right side of FIG. 1 has detected that the remaining amount has reached the supply start amount. Also, it is assumed that the posture of each of the first conveying sections 41 is in a horizontal position for conveying the fibrous material toward the second conveying section 42 side.

[0112] (S21) In S21, it is determined whether any remaining amount detection unit 5 has detected that the remaining amount has reached the supply start amount, and if no remaining amount detection unit 5 has detected that the remaining amount has fallen below the supply start amount (No), this flow ends.

[0113] On the other hand, if any remaining amount detector 5 has detected that the remaining amount is equal to or less than the supply start remaining amount (Yes), the process proceeds to S22.

[0114] (S22) In S22, the posture of the first conveying section 41 provided corresponding to the use device UM (also called the use device UM that supplies the fibrous material) that has been detected to have fallen below the supply start remaining amount is changed to a downwardly inclined position that allows the fibrous material to be fed into the inlet UM1 of the use device UM.

[0115] Specifically, the conveying direction change unit 43 corresponding to the device UM used to supply the fibrous material is driven, and the attitude of the first conveying unit 41 is set to a downwardly inclined position that allows the fibrous material to be fed into the inlet UM1 of the device UM used.

[0116] In this way, when the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit 5 reaches a predetermined remaining amount (supply start remaining amount), the conveying direction change unit 43 changes the conveying direction of the first conveying unit 41 toward the device being used UM (in this example, a downward inclined position).

[0117] In this embodiment, as mentioned above, the amount of fiber material in the device UM to be used on the right side of Figure 1 is below the remaining amount required to start supply, so the posture of the first conveying section 41 on the right side of Figure 1, which corresponds to the device UM to be used on the right side of Figure 1, is set to a downwardly inclined position.

[0118] (S23) In S23, the supply of the fiber material to the use unit UM that supplies the fiber material is started. Specifically, the supply and conveyance section 3, the first conveyance section 41, and the second conveyance section 42 are driven to convey the fibrous material downstream, and the fibrous material is supplied to the using device UM that supplies the fibrous material.

[0119] In detail, the supply and conveying section 3 supplies the fibrous material to the upstream side of the first conveying section 41 on the left side of Figure 1, and then the first conveying section 41 on the left side of Figure 1 supplies the fibrous material to the upstream side of the second conveying section 42 on the left side of Figure 1.

[0120] Furthermore, the second conveying section 42 on the left side of Figure 1 supplies the fiber material upstream of the first conveying section 41 on the right side of Figure 1, and since the first conveying section 41 on the right side of Figure 1 is in a downwardly inclined position that allows the fiber material to be fed into the inlet UM1 of the using device UM, the first conveying section 41 on the right side of Figure 1 feeds the fiber material into the using device UM that supplies the fiber material.

[0121] Furthermore, when the posture of the first conveying section 41 on the left side of Figure 1 is in a downwardly inclined position that allows fiber material to be fed into the inlet UM1 of the corresponding using device UM, fiber material cannot be supplied upstream of the second conveying section 42 on the left side of Figure 1, and therefore fiber material cannot be supplied to the using device UM on the right side of Figure 1, which is where fiber material should be supplied.

[0122] Therefore, when there is a conveying direction change unit 43 that is changing the conveying direction of the first conveying unit 41 toward the used device UM (in this example, the conveying direction change unit 43 on the right side of Figure 1), the conveying direction change unit 43 (in this example, the conveying direction change unit 43 on the left side of Figure 1) that corresponds to the used device UM (in this example, the used device UM on the left side of Figure 1) that is located upstream of the used device UM (in this example, the used device UM on the right side of Figure 1) corresponding to the conveying direction change unit 43 that is changing the conveying direction is not changed toward the used device UM.

[0123] (S24) In S24, a determination is made as to whether the remaining amount detection unit 5 corresponding to the use device UM that supplies the fibrous material has detected that the supply stop amount has been reached, and if it has not detected that the supply stop amount has been reached (No), the process returns to S23, and the feeding of fibrous material into the use device UM that supplies the fibrous material continues.

[0124] On the other hand, if the remaining amount detector 5 corresponding to the device UM that supplies the fibrous material detects that the supply stop amount has been reached (Yes), the process proceeds to S25.

[0125] (S25) In S25, the supply of the fibrous material to the use unit UM that supplies the fibrous material is stopped. Specifically, by stopping the operation of the supply conveying section 3, the first conveying section 41, and the second conveying section 42 and stopping the conveyance of the fiber material downstream, the supply of the fiber material to the usage device UM that supplies the fiber material is stopped.

[0126] (S26) In S26, the posture of the first conveying section 41 corresponding to the using device UM that supplies the fiber material is first set to a downward inclined position that allows the fiber material to be input into the inlet UM1 of the using device UM, and then the posture of the first conveying section 41 is set to a horizontal position that transports the fiber material to the second conveying section 42 side.

[0127] Specifically, the conveying direction changing unit 43 corresponding to the device used UM that supplies the fibrous material is driven, and the orientation of the first conveying unit 41 is changed to a horizontal position for conveying the fibrous material toward the second conveying unit 42 side.

[0128] In this embodiment, since there are two usage devices UM, even if the posture of the first conveying section 41 on the right side of Figure 1 remains in a downwardly inclined position, there will be no problem in supplying fiber material to the usage device UM on the left side of Figure 1.However, if there are more usage devices UM, if the posture of the first conveying section 41 corresponding to the usage device UM located in the middle remains in a downwardly inclined position, there will be a problem in supplying fiber material to the usage device UM located further downstream.

[0129] Therefore, the basic operation is to perform the operation of S26, which sets the posture of the first conveying section 41 to a horizontal position where the fibrous material is conveyed to the second conveying section 42 side.

[0130] However, as can be seen from the above explanation, the first conveying section 41 corresponding to the device UM used that is located most downstream may always be in a downwardly inclined position that allows fiber material to be fed into the inlet UM1 of the device UM used.

[0131] Furthermore, the operation described in S26 may be performed between S21 and S22 or between S22 and S23.

[0132] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the number of use devices UM to which the fiber material supply system S supplies the fiber material does not need to be limited to two, and the fiber material may be supplied to more use devices UM.

[0133] For example, when using a spraying method to spray fire-resistant coating material containing fibrous materials such as rock wool, large-scale construction sites may require the use of many cotton-dissolving machines (usage devices UM), such as six or eight machines, and naturally, the fiber material supply system S may supply fiber material to such a large number of usage devices UM.

[0134] Even in this case, the fiber material supply system S only needs to include the first conveying section 41, the second conveying section 42, the conveying direction changing section 43, and the remaining amount detecting section 5 corresponding to each of the devices UM to be used.

[0135] However, as an exception, in the case of the usage device UM located at the most downstream side, the fibrous material is not supplied further downstream, so the second conveying section 42 corresponding to the usage device UM at the most downstream side does not need to be provided.

[0136] In this manner, the fibrous material is supplied to the use device UM based on the remaining amount of the fibrous material in the use device UM. When the end of the flow is reached, the process returns to the start and the same flow is carried out again until the termination process of the fiber material supply system S is carried out.

[0137] According to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, there is no need to carry the fibrous material to each of the use devices UM in order to supply it, and the worker only needs to place the bagged fibrous material in the take-out device 1, which significantly reduces labor and allows a small number of workers to supply the fibrous material to a large number of use devices UM (such as cotton-opening machines). Furthermore, if the balancer BL is automated, the supply work can be carried out almost unmanned, resulting in further labor savings.

[0138] <<Second embodiment>> Next, a fiber material supply system S according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The second embodiment also has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, so the following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment, and may omit a description of the similarities.

[0139] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a predetermined remaining amount (supply start remaining amount) can be set for each remaining amount detection unit 5.

[0140] For example, in the case of the spraying method in which fire-resistant coating material containing fibrous materials such as rock wool is sprayed, each cotton-dissolving machine (device used: UM) has a spray nozzle for spraying, and each spray nozzle sprays the fire-resistant coating material at a different location.

[0141] In addition, in a cotton-loosening machine (device used UM) connected to a spray nozzle that can spray efficiently, the amount of fibrous material such as rock wool used per unit time increases.

[0142] Therefore, if it is possible to set a predetermined remaining amount (remaining amount at which supply starts) for each remaining amount detection unit 5, then for a cotton-loosening machine (device used UM) that has a large usage amount per unit time among multiple cotton-loosening machines (device used UM), the predetermined remaining amount (remaining amount at which supply starts) can be set to a larger amount so that the supply of fibrous material starts earlier in terms of remaining amount than the other cotton-loosening machines (device used UM), making it possible to work with a margin of remaining amount.

[0143] It should be noted that the above-described predetermined amount (supply stop amount) may be set for each remaining amount detection unit 5.

[0144] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on specific embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0145] In the embodiment, the case where the fibrous material packed in the bag PK is rock wool is described, but the fibrous material may also be glass fiber, and any fibrous material made of a heat-resistant material will do as long as it is not affected by the heat generated when the bag is cut to open it.

[0146] In addition, considering that the temperature required for fusing when opening varies depending on the heat resistance of the bag PK, it is considered that a fiber material that is more heat resistant than the bag PK would be good.

[0147] As such, the present disclosure also encompasses modifications and improvements to the embodiments within its technical scope, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1. Removal device, 11. Conveyor, 12. Opening device, 12A. Fusing section, 12A1, 12A2, 12A3. Contact section, 13. Detector, 2. Loosening device, 21. Loosening section, 21a. Receiving port, 21b. Stirring blade, 22. Conveyor, 23. Detector, 3. Supply and conveying section, 31. Conveyor, 4. Supply mechanism, 41. First conveying section, 42 ···Second conveying section, 43···Conveying direction changing section, 5···Remaining amount detection section, AC···Drive section, BL···Balancer, C···Cylinder tube, F1, F2, F3, F4···Frame, G···Guide section, H···Heater, PK···Bag, PR···Piston rod, S···Fiber material supply system, UM···Device used, UM1···Inlet, UMF···Hood, W···Side wall

Claims

1. A fiber material supply system including a supply mechanism that supplies the fiber material from a use device on an upstream side in a supply direction of the fiber material to a use device on a downstream side, The supply mechanism includes: a first conveying section provided in correspondence with each of the use devices and capable of conveying the fibrous material downstream; a second conveying section provided between the first conveying sections and capable of conveying the fibrous material to an adjacent first conveying section located downstream; A fiber material supply system comprising: a conveying direction change unit provided corresponding to each of the use devices, which changes the conveying direction of the first conveying unit corresponding to the use device toward the corresponding use device.

2. the fiber material supply system includes a remaining amount detection unit provided corresponding to each of the use devices, the remaining amount detection unit detecting a remaining amount of the fiber material; The fiber material supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying direction changing unit changes the conveying direction of the first conveying unit toward the use device when the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detecting unit reaches a predetermined remaining amount.

3. The fiber material supply system according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined remaining amount can be set for each remaining amount detection unit.

4. A fiber material supply system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when there is a conveying direction change unit that changes the conveying direction of the first conveying unit toward the use device, the conveying direction change unit corresponding to the use device that is located upstream of the corresponding use device of the conveying direction change unit that is changing the conveying direction does not change the conveying direction toward the use device.

5. The fiber material supply system includes: a disintegrating device for breaking down the lumps of fibrous material removed from the bag; a take-out device that takes the packed fibrous material out of the bag and supplies it to the defibrating device; The fibrous material supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a supply conveying section that supplies the fibrous material broken down by the refining device to an upstream side of the supply mechanism.

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