Sheet manufacturing device

Abstract

To provide a sheet manufacturing device which reduces supply residual of powder, with a simple constitution.SOLUTION: A sheet manufacturing device includes: a supply part 200 for supplying powder; a mixing part for mixing a fiber and supplied powder into a mixture; a deposition part for depositing the mixture and making it into a web; and a molding part for molding the web into a sheet by compressing it. The supply part includes: a cylindrical container 210 having a central axis CA, and for storing the powder; a cylindrical inner wall 221 in which the cylindrical container can be inserted; a holding part 220 which includes a first press roller 228a and a second press roller 228b capable of coming into contact with the cylindrical container at the inner wall; and a drive part 230 having a drive roller 235. The drive roller rotates the cylindrical container inserted in the holding part at the central axis, and the cylindrical container supplies the powder while rotating at the holding part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet manufacturing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known devices that include a mechanism for supplying powder such as materials and additives. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming device that includes a toner bottle for supplying toner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-224877 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the structure tends to be complicated and it is difficult to reduce the amount of remaining toner. Specifically, the toner bottle has a built-in motor, which tends to make the structure complicated. Also, if the toner bottle is placed approximately horizontally, it may be difficult to completely supply the toner in the toner storage space even when the screw rotates. In other words, there has been a demand for a sheet manufacturing device that has a simple structure and reduces the amount of remaining powder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sheet manufacturing apparatus comprises a supply section that supplies powder, a mixing section that mixes fibers with the supplied powder to form a mixture, a deposition section that deposits the mixture to form a web, and a forming section that compresses the web to form a sheet, and the supply section has a central axis and comprises a cylindrical container that stores the powder, a holding section that has a cylindrical inner wall into which the cylindrical container can be inserted, and a first pressure roller and a second pressure roller that can abut against the cylindrical container on the inner wall, and a drive section that has a drive roller, and when the cylindrical container is inserted into the holding section, the central axis intersects the vertical direction, and the first pressure roller, the second pressure roller, and the drive roller hold the cylindrical container, and the drive roller rotates the cylindrical container inserted in the holding section about the central axis, and the cylindrical container supplies the powder while rotating in the holding section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a cylindrical container. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cylindrical container with an open opening. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cylindrical container is inserted into the holder. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cylindrical container is inserted into the holding portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a sensor unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the function of the sensor unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the following embodiment, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 for manufacturing sheets from paper chips is illustrated and will be described with reference to the drawings. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a supply unit that supplies a binder that is a powder.

[0008] In the following figures, the F axis and mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes are added as necessary, with the direction of each arrow being the + direction and the direction opposite the + direction being the - direction. The Z axis is along the vertical direction, and the -Z direction is the vertical direction. The +Z direction is sometimes referred to as upward, and the -Z direction is sometimes referred to as downward. The F axis intersects the Z axis, i.e., the vertical direction, and the Y axis, and is orthogonal to the X axis. Note that for ease of illustration, the sizes of each component have been exaggerated from their actual size.

[0009] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 produces a sheet P3 from pieces of paper such as waste paper in a dry process. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 is not limited to a dry process and may be a wet process. In this specification, the dry process refers to a process carried out in air such as the atmosphere, rather than in a liquid.

[0010] 1, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a first unit group 101, a second unit group 102, and a third unit group 103. The first unit group 101, the second unit group 102, and the third unit group 103 are supported by a frame (not shown).

[0011] 1, the direction in which the pieces of paper C, the sheet P3, the slit pieces S, the unnecessary scraps, etc. move is indicated by white arrows. In the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, the side ahead in the conveying direction of the pieces of paper C, the web W, the sheet P3, etc. is sometimes referred to as downstream, and the side going backward in the conveying direction is sometimes referred to as upstream.

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

[0013] The pieces of paper C are transported from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 via a pipe 21 that traverses the third unit group 103. The pieces of paper C are then defibrated and turned into fibers in the second unit group 102, and then made into a mixture containing a binder and the like. The mixture is transported via a pipe 24 to the third unit group 103. The mixture is made into a web W in the third unit group 103, and then formed into a strip-shaped sheet P1. The strip-shaped sheet P1 is cut in the first unit group 101 to become a sheet P3. In the following description, an aggregate of fibers made up of a plurality of fibers is also simply referred to as a fiber.

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

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

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

[0017] The pieces of paper C are temporarily stored in the storage unit 132, and then transported to the measuring unit 15 via the discharge unit 140. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may be provided with a shredder upstream of the storage unit 132 that shreds the pieces of paper C and the like.

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

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

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

[0021] The measuring unit 15 measures and supplies the pieces of paper C in batches. That is, the supply of the pieces of paper C from the measuring unit 15 to the junction 17 is performed intermittently. The measuring unit 15 may have multiple combinations of sensors 15a and supply mechanisms, and the multiple sensors 15a may be operated at staggered times to improve the efficiency of measuring and supply. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 has two sensors 15a and supply mechanisms attached to each of them. As a result, the pieces of paper C are transported alternately to the junction 17 from the two sets of sensors 15a and supply mechanisms.

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

[0023] The piping 21 transports the pieces of paper C from the first unit group 101 to the second unit group 102 by the suction airflow generated by the downstream defibrating unit 30.

[0024] The second unit group 102 includes a defibrating unit 30, which is a dry type defibrator, a separating unit 31, piping 23, a supplying unit 200, a mixing unit 33, and piping 24. In the second unit group 102, these components are arranged in the above order from upstream to downstream. The second unit group 102 also includes a piping 25 connected to the separating unit 31, a collecting unit 35, a compressor 38, and a power supply unit 39.

[0025] The paper pieces C transported through the pipe 21 flow into the defibrating unit 30. The defibrating unit 30 dry-defibrates the paper pieces C supplied from the measuring unit 15 into fibers. A known defibrating mechanism can be applied to the defibrating unit 30.

[0026] The defibrating unit 30 may have the following configuration, for example. The defibrating unit 30 includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The rotor is installed inside the stator and rotates along the inner surface of the stator. The small pieces of paper C are sandwiched between the inner surface of the stator and the rotor and defibrated by the shear force generated between them. This causes the tangled fibers contained in the paper pieces C to be untangled. The paper pieces C are converted into fibers and transported to the separation unit 31.

[0027] The separation unit 31 separates the defibrated fibers. More specifically, the separation unit 31 removes components contained in the fibers that are unnecessary for producing the sheet P3. Specifically, the separation unit 31 separates relatively long fibers from relatively short fibers. Relatively short fibers are separated in the separation unit 31 because they may reduce the strength of the sheet P3. The separation unit 31 also separates and removes coloring materials and additives contained in the pieces of paper C. Known technologies such as a disk mesh method can be applied to the separation unit 31.

[0028] Humidified air is supplied to the inside of the separation section 31 from the second humidifying section 66 of the third unit group 103.

[0029] The defibrated fibers, from which relatively short fibers and the like have been removed, are transported to the mixing section 33 via the pipe 23 by an airflow generated by a blower (not shown) located at the tip of the airflow pipe 32. Unwanted materials such as relatively short fibers and coloring materials are discharged to the recovery section 35 via the pipe 25.

[0030] The collecting section 35 is provided with a filter (not shown) that filters out unnecessary materials such as relatively short fibers carried through the pipe 25 by the air current.

[0031] The compressor 38 generates compressed air. The filter may become clogged with fine particles from unwanted matter. The compressed air generated by the compressor 38 can be blown onto the filter to blow away any particles adhering to the filter, cleaning the filter.

[0032] The power supply unit 39 has a power supply device (not shown) that supplies power to the control unit 5 and the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The power supply unit 39 distributes power supplied from an external source to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The control unit 5 is electrically connected to each component of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 and controls the operation of these components in an integrated manner.

[0033] The supply unit 200 supplies the binder as a powder to the mixing unit 33. The mixing unit 33 mixes the fibers and the binder supplied from the supply unit 200 in the air to form a mixture. The binder binds the fibers together in the forming unit 70, which will be described later. In this embodiment, starch is used as the binder.

[0034] The powder supplied to the mixing section 33 by the supply section 200 is not limited to a binder, and may be other additives such as a coloring material. The powder may also be a mixture of a binder and other additives. Furthermore, the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a plurality of supply sections 200. Details of the supply sections 200 will be described later.

[0035] Although not shown, the mixing unit 33 includes a flow path and a fan. The flow path of the mixing unit 33 communicates with the upstream pipe 23 and the downstream pipe 24. In addition, the supply unit 200 is connected to the middle of the flow path of the mixing unit 33.

[0036] In the mixing section 33, fibers flow into the flow path from the pipe 23. A fan in the mixing section 33 generates an airflow in the flow path. The fibers are transported downstream in the flow path by the airflow from the fan. At this time, a binder supplied from the supply section 200 into the flow path is mixed into the fibers. As the fibers are transported in the flow path, the binder is mixed with the airflow to form a mixture. The mixture flows from the mixing section 33 into the pipe 24.

[0037] The third unit group 103 deposits and compresses the mixture containing fibers to form a belt-shaped sheet P1, which is recycled paper. The third unit group 103 includes a depositing unit 50, a first conveying unit 61, a second conveying unit 62, a first humidifying unit 65, a second humidifying unit 66, a draining unit 68, and a forming unit 70.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0047] The second conveyor 62 includes a transport belt, multiple rollers, and a suction mechanism (not shown). The transport belt has multiple holes for air passage. The transport belt is stretched over multiple rollers and rotates with the rotation of the rollers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0056] The second humidifying section 66 humidifies a predetermined area of ​​the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. The predetermined area is one or more of the storage section 132, the separation section 31, and the inside of the drum member 53 of the accumulation section 50. Specifically, humidified air is supplied to the above-mentioned area from the second humidifying section 66 via multiple pipes (not shown). In each of the above-mentioned configurations, the humidified air suppresses the electrostatic charge on the paper pieces C, fibers, etc., and prevents them from adhering to the members due to static electricity.

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

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

[0059] The second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 in the conveyance direction, for example, along the Y axis. More specifically, the second cutting section 82 cuts the single sheet P2 near both sides in the direction along the X axis. This cuts the single sheet P2 into sheets P3 of a predetermined shape, such as A4 size or A3 size.

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

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

[0062] 2, the supply unit 200 includes a housing 201, a cylindrical container 210, a holding unit 220, a drive unit 230, and a supply pipe 240. The supply unit 200 takes the binder, which is a powder stored inside the cylindrical container 210, into the housing 201 and supplies it from the supply pipe 240 to the mixing unit 33. The cylindrical container 210 is detachable from the main body of the supply unit 200, more specifically, from the holding unit 220.

[0063] 2 shows a state in which the cylindrical container 210 is attached to the holding unit 220. In addition, in Fig. 2, the movement path of the binder supplied from the cylindrical container 210 to the mixing unit 33 is indicated by a dashed arrow. In the supply unit 200, the cylindrical container 210, the holding unit 220, the housing 201, and the supply pipe 240 are arranged along the movement path of the binder.

[0064] The holding portion 220 is provided so as to protrude from the housing 201 in the +F direction. The holding portion 220 has an inner wall 221, a first pressure roller 228a, and a second pressure roller 228b. The inner wall 221 is cylindrical and inclined along the F axis. The shape of the inner wall 221 corresponds to the cylindrical container 210. The cylindrical container 210 can be inserted into the inner wall 221.

[0065] The cylindrical container 210 stores a binder (not shown) and can be transported while the binder is stored therein. The cylindrical container 210 is substantially cylindrical and has a central axis CA, which is an imaginary axis along the F axis. The cross section of the cylindrical container 210 perpendicular to the central axis CA is substantially circular.

[0066] When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221 of the holding part 220, the central axis CA intersects with the vertical direction, i.e., the Z axis. At this time, the binder can be supplied from the cylindrical container 210 to the inside of the housing 201 via the holding part 220. When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the holding part 220, the central axis CA is inclined so that the height increases in the +Y direction. Therefore, gravity acts on the supply of the binder from the cylindrical container 210 to the inside of the housing 201. The supply of the binder is promoted by gravity. Details of the holding part 220 and the cylindrical container 210 will be described later.

[0067] The drive unit 230 has a drive motor 231, a shaft member 233, and a drive roller 235. The drive motor 231 is disposed at the end of the housing 201 in the -Y direction. The drive motor 231 rotates the shaft member 233 and the drive roller 235 via a plurality of gears and the like (not shown), and further rotates the cylindrical container 210 via the drive roller 235.

[0068] The shaft member 233 is a substantially rod-shaped member. The shaft member 233 is disposed inside the housing 201 along the Y-axis. Although not shown, a flap member is attached to the shaft member 233. The flap member rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft member 233, and agitates and moves the binder supplied inside the housing 201. As a result, the binder moves downward inside the housing 201 and is transported to the supply pipe 240 by a transport mechanism (not shown).

[0069] The rotation of drive motor 231 is transmitted from shaft member 233 to drive roller 235 via multiple gears (not shown). Drive roller 235 is a substantially cylindrical member, and the central axis of the cylinder is aligned with axis F. Drive roller 235 is disposed so that a portion corresponding to the side surface of the cylinder is exposed to inner wall 221.

[0070] When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221, a portion of the drive roller 235 corresponding to the side surface comes into contact with the cylindrical container 210. At this time, the drive roller 235 holds the cylindrical container 210 together with the first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b. When the drive motor 231 is operated in this state, the drive roller 235 rotates, thereby rotating the cylindrical container 210 inserted in the holder 220 about the central axis CA. While rotating in the holder 220, the cylindrical container 210 supplies the binder into the housing 201. The drive roller 235 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0071] When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the holder 220, the angle at which the central axis CA intersects with the vertical direction is preferably 15 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less. Because the angle is 15 degrees or more, the amount of binder remaining is further reduced. Because the angle is 75 degrees or less, the binder is gradually supplied. Therefore, the binder density is prevented from becoming locally high inside the housing 201, and a relatively low density state is maintained. In this embodiment, the angle is set to approximately 70 degrees.

[0072] The binder supplied from the cylindrical container 210 is transported from above to below inside the housing 201. Then, the binder is transported in the −Y direction by a transport mechanism (not shown) at the bottom inside the housing 201, and reaches the supply pipe 240.

[0073] The supply pipe 240 is a substantially cylindrical member, and the longitudinal direction of the cylinder is along the Y-axis. The inside of the supply pipe 240 communicates with the interior of the lower part of the housing 201. Although not shown in the figure, the end of the supply pipe 240 in the -Y direction is connected to the mixing section 33. The binder is transported in the -Y direction inside the supply pipe 240 by the above-mentioned transport mechanism. Then, the binder is supplied downward to the mixing section 33 near the end of the supply pipe 240 in the -Y direction.

[0074] 3, in addition to the above configuration, the holder 220 has a bottom 222, an opening 223, a support 225, a roller holder 226, a biasing mechanism 227, and a sensor 229. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the cylindrical container 210 has been removed from the holder 220.

[0075] The bottom 222 and the opening 223 are provided on the end side of the inner wall 221 in the -F direction. The bottom 222 and the opening 223 are each approximately semicircular when viewed from the +F direction. The combined shape of the bottom 222 and the opening 223 is circular. The opening 223 is located below the bottom 222. The bottom 222 closes a portion of the end of the inner wall 221 in the -F direction. A mesh or a perforated member, for example, is attached to the opening 223. The binder passes through the opening 223 via the member and moves from the cylindrical container 210 to the inside of the housing 201.

[0076] The support part 225 is a part that corresponds to the outer shell of the holding part 220. The support part 225 is disposed outside and substantially above the inner wall 221. An upper end portion, which is one end of the biasing mechanism 227, is fixed to the support part 225. The support part 225 supports the roller holding member 226 via the biasing mechanism 227. The support part 225 is formed of a relatively strong material, such as metal or engineering plastic.

[0077] The roller holding member 226 is disposed at approximately the 12 o'clock position on the inner wall 221 when viewed from the +F direction. The roller holding member 226 holds a first pressure roller 228a and a second pressure roller 228b. The lower end, which is the other end of the biasing mechanism 227, is fixed to the roller holding member 226. The roller holding member 226 is supported by the support portion 225 via the biasing mechanism 227.

[0078] The urging mechanism 227 urges the first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b so that they protrude substantially downward from the inner wall 221. The urging mechanism 227 is disposed between the support portion 225 and the roller holding member 226. The urging mechanism 227 urges the roller holding member 226 substantially downward relative to the support portion 225, in other words, toward the inside of the inner wall 221.

[0079] Due to the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 227, the first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b held by the roller holding member 226 protrude slightly inward from the inner wall 221. Also, due to the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 227, the cylindrical container 210 is firmly held in the holding part 220. Furthermore, the cylindrical container 210 can be easily attached to and detached from the holding part 220.

[0080] The biasing mechanism 227 is not particularly limited as long as it can bias the roller holding member 226 in the above-mentioned direction. Any known biasing member can be used for the biasing mechanism 227. In this embodiment, a coil spring is used as the biasing mechanism 227. Although not shown in the drawings, a stopper member is attached to the support portion 225 to restrict the amount of protrusion of the roller holding member 226 toward the inner wall 221.

[0081] The sensor unit 229 is fixed to the support unit 225 and disposed between the support unit 225 and the roller holding member 226. The sensor unit 229 detects insertion of the cylindrical container 210 into the inner wall 221, as will be described in detail later.

[0082] The drive roller 235 is driven to rotate by the drive motor 231 of the drive unit 230 via a shaft member 233, a plurality of gears (not shown), an axis member 234, and the like.

[0083] As described above, a portion of the side surface of the drive roller 235 along the F axis protrudes into the inner wall 221. As a result, when the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221 of the holder 220, the side surface comes into contact with the side surface of the cylindrical container 210. When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221 and the drive roller 235 rotates, the rotation of the drive roller 235 is transmitted to the cylindrical container 210. As a result, the cylindrical container 210 rotates about the central axis CA.

[0084] The drive roller 235 includes a tapered portion 235a. The tapered portion 235a is provided at the end of the drive roller 235 in the +F direction. The tapered portion 235a has a shape in which the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the F axis of the drive roller 235 gradually decreases with respect to the +F direction. Therefore, when the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221, the cylindrical container 210 easily rides up onto the drive roller 235. This allows the cylindrical container 210 to be inserted into the inner wall 221 smoothly.

[0085] 4, the first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b are substantially cylindrical, with the central axis of each cylinder aligned along the F-axis. The first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b are provided above the inner wall 221. The first pressure roller 228a is disposed in the -X direction relative to the second pressure roller 228b.

[0086] The first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b are so-called driven rollers, and are capable of rotating about their respective central axes. The first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b are capable of abutting against the cylindrical container 210 at the inner wall 221.

[0087] When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221, the drive roller 235, first pressure roller 228a, and second pressure roller 228b come into contact with the cylindrical container 210, and the cylindrical container 210 is held in a state spaced apart from the inner wall 221. When the drive roller 235 rotates, the cylindrical container 210 is driven to rotate by the rotation of the drive roller 235 while remaining spaced apart from the inner wall 221. At this time, the first pressure roller 228a and the second pressure roller 228b rotate in accordance with the rotation of the cylindrical container 210.

[0088] 5, the inner wall 221 has a shape in which a part of a cylinder has been cut away. As described above, a part of the drive roller 235 protrudes slightly inward from the inner wall 221.

[0089] A perforated metal member 223a is placed in the opening 223. The binder passes through each of the holes in the perforated metal member 223a. The perforated metal member 223a is not particularly limited as long as it allows the binder to pass through, and may be replaced with, for example, a mesh member.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 6, the cylindrical container 210 has a substantially cylindrical appearance. The cross section of the cylindrical container 210 perpendicular to the central axis CA is substantially circular. As described above, the central axis CA is along the F axis. The cylindrical container 210 has a storage chamber 216 inside. The storage chamber 216 is filled with and contains a binder. The cylindrical container 210 can be sealed with the binder contained therein, and can also be transported or stored in a sealed state.

[0091] Cylindrical container 210 has a first lid portion 211, a first cylindrical portion 212, a second lid portion 213, a second cylindrical portion 214, and a shutter member 215, and is formed by assembling these components. In cylindrical container 210, first lid portion 211, first cylindrical portion 212, second cylindrical portion 214, and second lid portion 213 are arranged in this order from the -F direction to the +F direction. Second cylindrical portion 214 is arranged inside first cylindrical portion 212, and a portion of it is exposed to the outside. Shutter member 215 is arranged inside the end face of first lid portion 211 in the -F direction.

[0092] First lid part 211 includes opening 211a. Opening 211a is located on the end face of first lid part 211 in the -F direction. Opening 211a has a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from the -F direction, and communicates with storage chamber 216 and the outside of cylindrical container 210. FIG. 6 shows a state in which opening 211a is closed by shutter member 215.

[0093] The shutter member 215 is a substantially semicircular member when viewed from the -F direction, and has a shape sufficient to close the opening 211a. The shutter member 215 is attached to the end face of the first lid part 211 in the -F direction, and is rotatable about a central axis CA.

[0094] Although not shown in the figure, the second cylindrical portion 214 has a female thread, and the second lid portion 213 has a male thread that screws into the female thread. The second cylindrical portion 214 and the second lid portion 213 are assembled by screwing them together inside the cylindrical container 210. The second lid portion 213 can be removed from the cylindrical container 210 by holding the second cylindrical portion 214 and turning the second lid portion 213 counterclockwise as viewed from the +F direction. After removing the second lid portion 213, the binder can be filled into the storage chamber 216.

[0095] The first cylindrical portion 212 and the second cylindrical portion 214 are fitted together so as to be rotatable relative to each other about the central axis CA. The first cylindrical portion 212 and the first lid portion 211 are fitted together and fixed.

[0096] The shutter member 215 is disposed inside the first lid portion 211 so as to be able to come into contact with the second cylindrical portion 214. When the second cylindrical portion 214 rotates together with the second lid portion 213, the shutter member 215 also rotates in conjunction with it. As described above, when the second lid portion 213 is rotated about the central axis CA while the first cylindrical portion 212 is held and fixed, the shutter member 215 rotates relative to the first lid portion 211. This switches between opening and closing the opening 211a. Figure 7 shows a state in which the shutter member 215 has rotated to open the opening 211a and expose the storage chamber 216.

[0097] 8, the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221 of the holder 220 from the end face side of the first lid portion 211. At this time, the opening 211a is closed with the shutter member 215 to prevent the binder from leaking out of the cylindrical container 210.

[0098] When the cylindrical container 210 is attached to the holder 220, a portion of the upper part of the first cylindrical portion 212 and the second lid portion 213 are exposed, and the other part of the cylindrical container 210 is retracted into the holder 220. In this state, the exposed upper area of ​​the first cylindrical portion 212 is fixed with one hand, and the second lid portion 213 is rotated about the central axis CA with the other hand. As a result, although not shown in the figures, the shutter member 215 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second lid portion 213 and the second cylindrical portion 214. Then, the opening 211a is opened, allowing the binder from the storage chamber 216 to be supplied.

[0099] The binder is supplied from the cylindrical container 210 while the opening 211a is opened and the cylindrical container 210 is rotated about the central axis CA by the drive roller 235. The rotation of the drive roller 235 may be started by an instruction from an operator of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1, or may be started automatically in accordance with the detection result of a sensor unit 229 described later.

[0100] 9, when cylindrical container 210 is attached to holder 220, first lid portion 211 is held by drive roller 235, first pressure roller 228a, and second pressure roller 228b. At this time, first lid portion 211 is spaced apart from inner wall 221, so rotation of cylindrical container 210 is not hindered.

[0101] When the cylindrical container 210 is attached to the holder 220, the central axis CA is inclined relative to the horizontal Y-axis. Specifically, the cylindrical container 210 assumes a posture in which the opening 211a side is lower and the second lid 213 side is higher. This makes it easier for the binder (not shown) in the storage chamber 216 to collect on the opening 211a side, reducing the amount of binder remaining in the storage chamber 216.

[0102] Furthermore, since the cylindrical container 210 is driven to rotate by the drive roller 235, uneven distribution of the binder within the storage chamber 216 is suppressed and the binder is agitated. Therefore, the binder has a relatively low density, and the amount of binder remaining within the storage chamber 216 is further reduced.

[0103] 10, when the cylindrical container 210 is removed from the holder 220, the biasing mechanism 227 biases the roller holding member 226 in the direction of the outline arrow, that is, slightly protruding inward from the inner wall 221. A slope (not shown) is provided in the +F direction of the roller holding member 226. When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221, this slope allows for smooth insertion.

[0104] The sensor unit 229 detects the attachment and detachment of the cylindrical container 210 to the holder 220. The sensor unit 229 is a photosensor, and has a light-emitting unit 229a and a light-receiving unit 229b. The light-emitting unit 229a and the light-receiving unit 229b are arranged facing each other in the direction along the F axis. An optical path is formed between the light-emitting unit 229a and the light-receiving unit 229b.

[0105] The roller holding member 226 has a protrusion 226a. The protrusion 226a is disposed in correspondence with the optical path between the light-emitting unit 229a and the light-receiving unit 229b. When the cylindrical container 210 is not in the holding unit 220, the protrusion 226a does not block the optical path.

[0106] 11, when cylindrical container 210 is attached to holder 220, roller holder 226 comes into contact with first lid 211. At this time, roller holder 226 is pushed by first lid 211 and displaced in the direction of the outline arrow against the biasing force of biasing mechanism 227, and is pushed back.

[0107] The projection 226a penetrates relatively deeply between the light-emitting part 229a and the light-receiving part 229b, blocking the light path, due to the displacement of the roller holding member 226. The sensor part 229 detects that the cylindrical container 210 has been attached to the roller holding member 226 due to the blocking of the light path.

[0108] The sensor unit 229 can detect the presence or absence of the cylindrical container 210 in the holder 220. Note that the sensor unit 229 is not limited to the above configuration and mechanism as long as it can detect the insertion of the cylindrical container 210 into the inner wall 221.

[0109] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0110] With a simple configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of binder left over as a powder. Specifically, the cylindrical container 210 is driven to rotate by a drive roller 235. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which a powder container has a built-in motor, the cylindrical container 210 and the supply unit 200 can have a simpler configuration. Furthermore, because the cylindrical container 210 rotates in an attitude tilted with respect to the vertical direction, gravity promotes the supply of binder, making it less likely for binder to remain in the cylindrical container 210. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 that reduces the amount of binder left over as a powder with a simple configuration.

[0111] Because the cylindrical container 210 is supported at three points, namely, the drive roller 235, the first pressure roller 228a, and the second pressure roller 228b, the cylindrical container 210 is firmly held in the holder 220. In addition, the cylindrical container 210 can be rotated while suppressing deviation of the central axis CA. Because the cylindrical container 210 rotates, the binder is gradually supplied, which prevents the density of the binder aggregate from increasing locally and prevents the binder from scattering. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1...sheet manufacturing apparatus, 33...mixing section, 50...deposition section, 70...forming section, 200...supply section, 210...cylindrical container, 220...holding section, 221...inner wall, 227...urging mechanism, 228a...first pressure roller, 228b...second pressure roller, 229...sensor section, 230...drive section, 235...drive roller, CA...central axis, P1...strip-shaped sheet, W...web.

Claims

1. a supply unit that supplies powder; a mixing section that mixes the fibers and the supplied powder to form a mixture; a depositing section for depositing the mixture into a web; a forming section that compresses the web to form it into a sheet, The supply unit includes: a cylindrical container having a central axis and configured to store the powder; a holding section having a cylindrical inner wall into which the cylindrical container can be inserted, and a first pressure roller and a second pressure roller that can come into contact with the cylindrical container on the inner wall; a drive unit having a drive roller; When the cylindrical container is inserted into the holding portion, the central axis intersects with the vertical direction, and the first pressure roller, the second pressure roller, and the drive roller hold the cylindrical container, The drive roller rotates the cylindrical container inserted into the holder about the central axis, The sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein the cylindrical container supplies the powder while rotating in the holding section.

2. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the central axis intersects with the vertical direction at an angle of 15 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less.

3. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holding portion includes a biasing mechanism that biases the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller so as to protrude from the inner wall.

4. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the holding unit has a sensor unit that detects the insertion of the cylindrical container.

Images