Sheet manufacturing device

Abstract

To provide a sheet manufacturing device in which stability of powder supply improves.SOLUTION: A sheet manufacturing device 1 includes: a powder supply part 200 for supplying a binding material; a mixing part 33 for mixing a fiber with the binding material into a mixture; a deposition part 50 for depositing the mixture and making it into a web W; and a molding part 70 for compressing the web W and molding it into a sheet P1. The powder supply part 200 includes: a drive part 203; a cylindrical container 210 for storing the binding material; a first storage tank 240 where the binding material is supplied from the cylindrical container 210 rotationally driven by the drive part 203; and a second storage tank 250 for delivering the binding material from the first storage tank 240 to the mixing part 33. The first storage tank 240 includes a paddle part 241 for scraping the binding material into the second storage tank 250. The second storage tank 250 includes a screw part 251 for delivering the amount of binding material which the deposition part 50 requires.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known devices provided with a mechanism for supplying powder such as materials and additives. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming device provided with 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 a relatively complex structure, making it difficult to improve the stability of toner supply. Specifically, the toner bottle has a built-in motor and wiring and a power terminal for supplying power to the motor. Therefore, external forces such as impacts and vibrations may be transmitted to the toner bottle during handling and transportation. Such external forces may cause problems that affect the stable supply of toner. In other words, there has been a demand for a sheet manufacturing device that improves the stability of powder supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sheet manufacturing apparatus comprises a powder 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, wherein the powder supply section has a drive section, a cylindrical container that stores the powder, a first storage tank to which the powder is supplied from the cylindrical container that is rotated by the drive section, and a second storage tank that delivers the powder from the first storage tank to the mixing section, wherein the first storage tank includes a paddle section that scrapes the powder into the second storage tank, and the second storage tank includes a screw section that delivers the amount of powder required by the deposition 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. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a cylindrical container. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cylindrical container with an open opening. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a powder supply unit and a conveying path of a binder. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement and configuration of a first reservoir tank, a second reservoir tank, etc. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the arrangement and configuration of a first reservoir tank, a second reservoir tank, etc. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the following embodiment, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 that manufactures sheets from pieces of paper or the like is illustrated and described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following figures, an F axis and mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes are indicated as necessary, with the direction indicated by each arrow being the + direction and the direction opposite to 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. For ease of illustration, the sizes of each component are different from the actual size.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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).

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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).

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The second unit group 102 includes a defibrating unit 30, which is a dry type defibrator, a separating unit 31, piping 23, a powder 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Humidified air is supplied to the inside of the separation section 31 from the second humidifying section 66 of the third unit group 103.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The powder supplying 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 powder supplying 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.

[0033] The powder supplied to the mixing unit 33 by the powder supplying unit 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 powder supplying units 200. Details of the powder supplying units 200 will be described later.

[0034] 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 powder supply unit 200 is connected to the middle of the flow path of the mixing unit 33.

[0035] 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 into the flow path from the powder supply section 200 is mixed into the fibers. As the fibers are transported in the flow path, the airflow mixes them with the binder to form a mixture. The mixture flows from the mixing section 33 into the pipe 24.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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).

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 2 and 3, powder supply unit 200 has first supply unit 201, second supply unit 202, drive unit 203, and supply pipe 260. When viewed from the -X direction, second supply unit 202 is disposed in the center of powder supply unit 200. Relative to second supply unit 202, first supply unit 201 is disposed above in the +Y direction, and supply pipe 260 is disposed below in the -Y direction.

[0062] The first supply unit 201 includes a cylindrical container 210 and a holding unit 220. The cylindrical container 210 stores a binder therein. The binder stored in the cylindrical container 210 is supplied to the second supply unit 202 via the holding unit 220. The cylindrical container 210 is detachable from the main body of the powder supply unit 200, i.e., the holding unit 220.

[0063] The second supply unit 202 has a housing 202a. A first storage tank 240 and a second storage tank 250 are arranged inside the housing 202a. The first storage tank 240 and the second storage tank 250 temporarily store the binder. The second storage tank 250 is arranged near the bottom of the housing 202a. The first storage tank 240 is arranged approximately above the second storage tank 250.

[0064] The drive unit 203 has a first drive motor 231, a second drive motor 232, and a third drive motor 233. The first drive motor 231, the second drive motor 232, and the third drive motor 233 are electric motors. The first drive motor 231 is disposed below the housing 202a in the -Y direction. The second drive motor 232 and the third drive motor 233 are disposed in the +X direction of the second storage tank 250, and face each other in the direction along the Y axis. The function of each motor in the drive unit 203 will be described in detail below.

[0065] The supply pipe 260 is a substantially cylindrical member, and the longitudinal direction of the cylinder is along the Y axis. The end of the supply pipe 260 in the +Y direction communicates with the second storage tank 250, and the end in the -Y direction is connected to the mixing section 33. The binder is sent out from the second storage tank 250 and supplied to the mixing section 33 from near the end in the -Y direction.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 4, the cylindrical container 210 has a substantially cylindrical appearance. A cross section of the cylindrical container 210 perpendicular to the central axis CA is substantially circular. 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.

[0067] 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 toward the +F direction. Second cylindrical portion 214 is arranged inside first cylindrical portion 212, and is partially exposed to the outside. Shutter member 215 is arranged inside the end face of first lid portion 211 in the -F direction.

[0068] 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. 4 shows a state in which opening 211a is closed by shutter member 215.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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. By removing the second lid portion 213, the binder can be filled into the storage chamber 216.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 5, when the shutter member 215 rotates to open the opening 211a, the storage chamber 216 is exposed. In this state, the binder can be supplied from the cylindrical container 210.

[0074] 6, the cylindrical container 210 is inserted obliquely into the holder 220 from above in the +Y direction. When the cylindrical container 210 is attached to the powder supplying part 200, the central axis CA of the cylindrical container 210 is aligned with the F axis. The angle between the F axis and the vertical direction is, for example, approximately 70 degrees.

[0075] 6, the transport path of the binder supplied from the cylindrical container 210 to the mixing section 33 is indicated by dashed arrows. In the powder supply section 200, a first supply section 201, a second supply section 202, and a supply pipe 260 are arranged along the transport path from the cylindrical container 210 to the mixing section 33. The binder is supplied to the mixing section 33 from the cylindrical container 210 via the holding section 220, first storage tank 240, second storage tank 250, and supply pipe 260 in this order.

[0076] The drive unit 203 includes a drive roller 235. The first drive motor 231 drives and rotates the shaft member 242 and the paddle unit 241 via a plurality of gears (not shown), and the cylindrical container 210 via the drive roller 235. The second drive motor 232 drives and rotates the screw unit 251 of the second storage tank 250. The third drive motor 233 drives and rotates the stirring member (not shown) of the second storage tank 250. As a result, the above components are driven and rotated separately, and it is possible to set the number of rotations per hour appropriate for each.

[0077] The holding unit 220 holds the cylindrical container 210 and supplies the binder supplied from the cylindrical container 210 to the first storage tank 240 of the second supply unit 202. The holding unit 220 is provided to protrude from the housing 202a in the +F direction.

[0078] The holding section 220 has a pair of pressure rollers 228 and an inner wall 221. The pair of pressure rollers 228 are driven rollers. The inner wall 221 is substantially cylindrical and inclined along the F axis. The shape of the inner wall 221 corresponds to the outer shape of the cylindrical container 210. The cylindrical container 210 can be inserted into the inner wall 221.

[0079] The drive roller 235 and the pressure roller pair 228 each have a rotation axis aligned with the F axis. When viewed from the +F direction, the pressure roller pair 228 is disposed at the top of the inner wall 221, and the drive roller 235 is disposed substantially at the bottom. The pressure roller pair 228 and the drive roller 235 protrude slightly inward from the inner wall 221. When the cylindrical container 210 is inserted into the inner wall 221, the cylindrical container 210 is supported by contacting the pressure roller pair 228 and the drive roller 235.

[0080] When inserting the cylindrical container 210 into the inner wall 221, the opening 211a is closed by the shutter member 215 to prevent the binder from leaking out of the cylindrical container 210. 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. The central axis CA is inclined so that it is higher in the +Y direction.

[0081] Although not shown, when the cylindrical container 210 is attached to the holder 220, an upper portion of the first cylindrical portion 212 and the second lid portion 213 are exposed, and the other portion of the cylindrical container 210 is retracted into the holder 220. In this state, the exposed upper region 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. This opens the opening 211a, allowing the binder in the storage chamber 216 to be supplied.

[0082] When the binder is sent from the cylindrical container 210 to the first storage tank 240, the drive roller 235 is rotationally driven by the first drive motor 231. This causes the drive roller 235 to rotate, and the cylindrical container 210 to rotate about the central axis CA. The pressure roller pair 228 rotates in response to the rotation of the cylindrical container 210 while supporting the cylindrical container 210. This causes the binder to fall from the cylindrical container 210 into the first storage tank 240 by gravity.

[0083] The binder is supplied to the first storage tank 240 from a cylindrical container 210 that is rotationally driven by a first drive motor 231 of the drive unit 203. The first storage tank 240 includes a paddle unit 241 and a shaft member 242.

[0084] The shaft member 242 supports the pair of paddle parts 241 and is rotationally driven by the first drive motor 231. The shaft member 242 is a substantially rod-shaped member, and is disposed above the first storage tank 240 along the Y-axis. The rotation of the shaft member 242 is transmitted to the drive roller 235 via a plurality of gears and the like (not shown).

[0085] Each paddle portion 241 is a member that is roughly lattice-shaped when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis, and is fixed to a shaft member 242. Each paddle portion 241 rotates together with the shaft member 242 to scrape out and send out the binder from the first storage tank 240 to the second storage tank 250.

[0086] When viewed from the -Y direction, the pair of paddle portions 241 are arranged at an interval of 180° around the shaft member 242. When the shaft member 242 rotates, a part of the paddle portion 241 enters the inside of the first storage tank 240. The binder is scraped out by the paddle portion 241 and falls from the first storage tank 240 into the second storage tank 250 by gravity.

[0087] In the direction along the axis about which the pair of paddle parts 241 rotate, i.e., the direction along the Y-axis, the ratio of the length of each paddle part 241 to the length of the first storage tank 240 is 50% or more and 100% or less. This makes it easier to scrape out the binder from the first storage tank 240 to the second storage tank 250.

[0088] The second storage tank 250 sends out the binder from the first storage tank 240 to the supply pipe 260 and further to the mixing unit 33. The second storage tank 250 includes a screw unit 251, an agitating member and a sensor unit (not shown). The screw unit 251 is disposed near the bottom of the second storage tank 250 along the Y axis. The agitating member and the sensor unit will be described in detail later.

[0089] The screw unit 251 sends the amount of binder required by the deposition unit 50 to the mixing unit 33 via the supply pipe 260. Here, the amount of binder required by the deposition unit 50 is appropriately set depending on the quality and characteristics of the sheet P3 manufactured by the sheet manufacturing apparatus 1. Specifically, the required amount of binder is determined, for example, by the ratio of the fiber to the binder in the mixture.

[0090] The screw unit 251 is an auger type screw. The axis around which the screw unit 251 rotates is along the Y axis. The screw unit 251 is driven to rotate by the second drive motor 232 and transports the binder in the -Y direction. Because the screw unit 251 is an auger type, variation in the amount of the transported binder is relatively unlikely to occur.

[0091] In the direction along the Y-axis, the ratio of the length of the screw portion 251 to the length of the second storage tank 250 is preferably 120% or more and 180% or less. This makes it possible to send the binder from inside the second storage tank 250 to the supply pipe 260.

[0092] One end of the screw unit 251 in the +Y direction is disposed in the second storage tank 250, and the other end in the -Y direction is inserted into the supply pipe 260. The binder stored in the second storage tank 250 is sent to the supply pipe 260 by the rotation of the screw unit 251. The amount of binder supplied to the mixing unit 33 can be easily set by changing the number of rotations per hour of the screw unit 251.

[0093] The binder is supplied to the mixing section 33 via a supply pipe 260. The supply pipe 260 has a supply port (not shown). The supply port is located at the end of the supply pipe 260 in the -Y direction and is arranged facing downward. The supply port is connected to the mixing section 33 and can be opened and closed. Inside the supply pipe 260, a screw section 251 rotates to transport the binder in the -Y direction, and the binder is supplied to the mixing section 33 from the supply port.

[0094] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first storage tank 240 and the second storage tank 250 are arranged side by side in a direction along the X-axis. Specifically, the second storage tank 250 is arranged adjacent to the first storage tank 240 in the -X direction. This allows the binder scraped out from the first storage tank 240 to move without waste to the second storage tank 250. Note that the cross-sectional positions on the Y-axis differ between Figures 7 and 8.

[0095] The holding section 220 has a punched metal member 223 with a plurality of holes formed therein. The binder falls from the cylindrical container 210 (not shown) through the punched metal member 223 to the first storage tank 240 side.

[0096] The first storage tank 240 has a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape when viewed from the -Y direction. The cross-sectional shape corresponds to the rotation range of the rotating paddle parts 241. When viewed from the -Y direction, the shaft member 242 and the pair of paddle parts 241 rotate counterclockwise. The binder is scraped up counterclockwise by the paddle parts 241, goes over the edge of the first storage tank 240 in the -X direction, and is scraped out toward the second storage tank 250.

[0097] When viewed from the -Y direction, second storage tank 250 has a shape in which the width along the X axis narrows downward. Screw unit 251 is disposed at the bottom. Second storage tank 250 is provided with stirring members 255a and 255b and a sensor unit 257.

[0098] The stirring members 255a and 255b stir the binder in the second storage tank 250. The stirring members 255a and 255b are arranged in a vertical direction. The stirring member 255a is disposed on the upper side, and the stirring member 255b is disposed on the lower side. Although not shown in the figure, each of the stirring members 255a and 255b includes a shaft that is a rotation axis and a plurality of plate-shaped blade members.

[0099] The shafts of the stirring members 255a, 255b are arranged along the Y-axis and support a plurality of blade members. Each shaft is driven to rotate by the third drive motor 233 described above, and rotates together with the plurality of blade members. This causes the binder to be stirred in the second storage tank 250, ensuring gaps between the binder particles and suppressing variation in the amount of binder conveyed by the screw section 251.

[0100] The sensor unit 257 detects the volume, which is the amount of binder stored in the second storage tank 250. The sensor unit 257 is located at approximately the same position as the shaft of the stirring member 255a in the direction along the Z axis, and is disposed in the -X direction of the shaft. The sensor unit 257 is a photosensor, and includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, although not shown. For example, the sensor unit 257 shown in Figures 7 and 8 is a reflecting plate, and has a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit at positions facing the reflecting plate in the direction along the Y axis.

[0101] The sensor unit 257 detects that the binder has accumulated in the second storage tank 250 and that the amount of binder has reached a position that blocks the sensor unit 257. This makes it possible to prevent excess binder from accumulating in the second storage tank 250.

[0102] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0103] The stability of the binder supply can be improved. Specifically, the cylindrical container 210 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 203 and does not incorporate a drive source or power terminal. This reduces the likelihood of malfunctions caused by external forces during handling or transportation, and the binder is stably supplied from the cylindrical container 210. Furthermore, the binder required in the deposition unit 50 is fed out quantitatively by the screw unit 251. As a result, a sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 can be provided that improves the stability of the binder supply. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1...sheet manufacturing apparatus, 33...mixing section, 50...deposition section, 70...forming section, 200...powder supply section, 203...drive section, 210...cylindrical container, 231...first drive motor, 232...second drive motor, 240...first storage tank, 241...paddle section, 250...second storage tank, 251...screw section, 257...sensor section, 260...supply pipe, P1...strip-shaped sheet, W...web.

Claims

1. a powder 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 powder supply unit includes: A drive unit; a cylindrical container for storing the powder; a first storage tank to which the powder is supplied from the cylindrical container that is rotationally driven by the drive unit; a second storage tank that delivers the powder from the first storage tank to the mixing section, the first storage tank includes a paddle portion that scrapes out the powder into the second storage tank, The sheet manufacturing apparatus, wherein the second storage tank includes a screw unit that delivers the amount of powder required by the deposition unit.

2. the drive unit includes a first drive motor and a second drive motor; the first drive motor drives and rotates the paddle portion and the cylindrical container; The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second drive motor rotates the screw unit.

3. a supply pipe communicating with the second storage tank and connected to the mixing section; One end of the screw portion is disposed in the second reservoir, The other end of the screw portion is inserted into the supply pipe, The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the powder stored in the second storage tank is supplied to the mixing section via the supply pipe by rotation of the screw section.

4. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second storage tank has a sensor unit that detects an amount of the powder stored therein.

5. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a ratio of a length of the paddle portion to a length of the first storage tank in a direction along an axis about which the paddle portion rotates is equal to or greater than 50% and equal to or less than 100%.

6. the screw portion is an auger type screw, 4. The sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a ratio of a length of the screw portion to a length of the second storage tank in a direction along an axis about which the screw portion rotates is 120% or more and 180% or less.

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